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\vn as tlie Ohio River, or, as the French called it,
■' la Belle Riviere."
- \'enango county then included that part "f Clarion lying ne.\t to Jefferson countv.
Early History. 15
line crosses said creek ; thence south along Hunter's district line, to a point
twelve miles north of the Canoe-place, on the west branch of the Susquehanna;
thence by a due west line until it intersects the eastern boundary of Armstrong
county; thence north along the line of Armstrong and Venango counties, to
the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby erected into a separate
county, to be henceforth called Jefferson county. And the place of holding
the courts of justice shall be fixed by the Legislature at any place, at a distance
not greater than seven miles from the center of said county which may be the
most beneficial and convenient for the said county." Passed 26th of March,
1804.
By the 13th section of the same act, Jefferson county was annexed to the
county of Westmoreland, and the jurisdiction of the several courts of the-
county of Westmoreland, and the authority of the judges thereof, shall e.xtend
over, and shall operate and be effectual within the county of Jefferson,
By an act passed the 3d of February, 1806, the commissioners of West-
moreland county were authorized to act also for Jefferson county.
By an act passed loth of March, 1806, Jefferson county was attached to
Indiana county for judicial purposes, etc.
By an act passed 31st of March, 1806: "Sec. 9. The county of Jefferson
shall be a separate election district, and the electors thereof shall hold their
general election at the house now occupied by Joseph Barnett, on Sandy Lick
Creek, in said county."
By an act passed the 21st of January, 1824, the qualified voters of Jeffer-
son county were authorized to elect their own commissioners and auditors, and
the commissioners to appoint a treasurer; and, in pursuance of said act, the
voters of Jefferson county, at the October election, 1824, elected John W.
Jenks county commissioner for one year, John Lucas for two years, and An-
drew Barnett for three years. These were the first officers elected for Jefferson
county. In another chapter we will give those elected to the different offices-
si nee that time.
By an act of the 8th of April, 1829, the Legislature appointed John Mit-
chell, of Centre ; Robert Orr, of Armstrong ; and Alexander McCalmont, of
Venango county, commissioners to locate and fix the site for the seat of justice
for the county of Jefferson. They met at the house of Joseph Barnett, in Pine
Creek township, and proceeded to locate the said site on the Susquehanna and
Waterford turnpike, at the confluence of the Sandy Lick and North P'ork
creeks, where they form the Red Bank Creek, and gave it the name of " Brook-
ville."
The first section of an act of Assembly, passed the Sth day of April, 1S30,
provides: "That from and after the first day of October then next, the inhab-
itants of the county of Jefferson shall enjoy all and singular the jurisdictions,
powers, rights, liberties, and privileges whatsoever within the same, which the
i6 History of Jefferson County.
inhabitants of other counties of this State do, may, or ought to enjoy by the
laws and constitution of this Commonwealth."
By an act passed the i8th of April, 1843, erecting parts of Jefferson, Mc-
Kean, and Clearfield counties into a separate county, to be called Elk, Ridgway
and a part of Snyder township was taken from Jefferson. And by an act
passed i ith of April, 1848, all that part of Jefferson county lying north of the
Clarion River was made into a provisional county, to be called Forest, which
took Tionesta and Jenks, and a portion of Barnett and Heath townships to
form the same.
The original boundary lines of Jefferson county inclosed an area of more
than one thousand square miles, but it now contains, according to the census
of 1880, an area of six hundred and forty-six square miles, or 413,440 acres.
The present length of the county is thirty-three miles, and its width twenty-
five miles. It is divided into thirty-one boroughs and townships, and thirty-
three election precincts.
Jefferson county is now in the fourth tier of counties east of the Ohio line,
and in the third tier south of the New York line, and is bounded by Forest
and Elk on the north, Clearfield on the east, Indiana on the south, and Arm-
strong and Clarion on the west. Its south line now runs due west 23-5- miles
from the Clearfield-Indiana corner; its west line thence due north 287 miles,
to the Clarion River ; its north line, first up the Clarion River to Elk county,
then due south one-half mile, then southeast 13! miles, to Clearfield county;
its east line runs, first southwest 10 miles, then due south 15^ miles, to the
starting place at the Clearfield-Indiana corner.
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Ch:iracter of the Country — Elevation of Different Localitie;; — General To|iosrapby
— Water System ami Drainage — Forests and Their Character — The Flora — Animals and Fish —
Geology -Natural Cnriosities.
<' 'T^HE surface of Jeflerson county is uniformly broken and hilly, every-
I where occupied by the same rock strata, lying nearly horizontal and
excavated into valleys and streams in the same style, although one valley is
not the e.xact counterpart of another, nor the streams of equal size and im-
portance, yet the type of the topography is the same, wherever we look at it,
and one part of the county is, in this respect, almost a counterpart of the
other.
Natural Characteristics. 17
" Standing upon any one of the elevated points of the region, the observer
may see beneath him a broad valley from three hundred to five hundred feet
deep, and as irregular in its trend and course as its slopes are variable in their
fall. Here precipitous walls face the stream on both sides ; there a sharp de-
scent upon the one side is faced by a long, gentle slope upon the other, accord-
ing as the dips are arranged ; at another place the valley widens under the
influence of a synclinal and both its slopes are gradual. Numerous ravines,
some short, some long, some deep, others shallow, debouch into the valley
from both sides. Uplands, undulating, but of a pretty uniform height, stretch
away in both directions. No mountain ridges are anywhere visible on the
horizon. As far as the eye can see, there spreads an elevated table land, broken
by vales, valleys, and ravines.
"The height above tide of the upland summits range from 1600' to 1800'.
They are lowest at the southern end of the county, and highest at the northern
end, in obedience to a topographical law prevailing throughout western Penn-
sylvania, that the surface elevations gradually increase in the direction of the
rising anticlinal axis, i. e., toward the northeast.
" To this law there is one notable exception in Jefterson county. The south-
east corner borders on the high table land of the Chestnut Ridge anticlinal,
whose summits frequently attain an elevation of 2000 ; and some few points
in Gaskill township rise very nearly to that height; but these points are related
more closely to the topography of Indiana and Clearfield counties than to that
of Jefferson, which is in fact a mere continuation of that prevailing throughout
Clarion, Armstrong, and western Indiana counties.
" The drainage of Jefferson county is all westward towards the Ohio River,
through (i) the Clarion River at the north end of the county, (2) Red Bank
Creek in the center, and (3) Mahoning Creek on the south. Each of these
streams has its own complex system of tributaries ; each with its own system
of small branches and branchlets ; and thus the surface of the whole county is
broken into hills.
" Although the Clarion and the Mahoning are larger streams, yet as they
flow on the borders of the county, they are less important to it than the Red
Bank.
" Red Bank Creek is the principal stream, as a glance at the map of the
county will at once show. Its water basin is unsymmetrical on the two sides; a
much larger part of its drainage coming in from the north than from the south.
Excepting, indeed, for the Little Sandy branch, its basin on the south side
would be confined pretty much to the hills which overlook the creek; whereas
towards the north its far-reaching arms extend to the Elk county line.
" Red Bank Creek, in the original maps and drafts of Jefferson county, bore
the name of Sandy Lick, which name is still retained for its main branch, com-
ing from Clearfield county, along which the Bennett's Branch Railroad is built.
History of Jefferson County.
The creek assumes the name of Red Bank at Brookville, where the Sandy
Lick unites with the North Fork, and both branches carry enough water dur-
ing floods to run rafts of heavy square timber.
" Mill Creek, a branch of Sandy Lick, and Little Sandy, before alluded to
as occupying the southwestern part of the county, are also rafting streams.
" The volume of water, however, in all these streams, large and small, is ex-
tremely irregular, varying as it does from stages of high flood, when the larger
streams are destructive torrents, to stages of almost complete exhaustion during
the periods of severe drought. This extreme variability is largely the conse-
quence of the porous and loose condition of the surface rocks, which thus
copiously yield water so long as they hold it. In 1879, an unexceptional year,
after a succession of prolonged droughts, there was a dearth of water in all
parts of the county; the larger streams had barely enough to turn a mill; and
considerable difficulty was experienced, especially in the upland country, to
obtain water for the cattle. As a rule, the county is abundantly watered for
agricultural purposes, and for domestic supply in towns and villages.
"The Red Bank-Mahoning divide, in the southeast corner of the county,
crosses from Clearfield afa point nearly due east of Reynoldsville ; thence it
follows an irregular southwest line around the heads of Elk Run and of the
Little Sandy. Paradise Settlement stands at the head of it, so does Shamokin,
Oliveburg, and Frostburg. Porter post-office, at the southwest end of the
county, marks the top of the divide in that region.
" The Red Bank-Clarion divide, on the north, enters Jefferson county south
of Lane's Grove, where one branch of Rattlesnake Run takes its rise ; after
passing Brockwayville, the water-shed is forced almost to the edge of the
Little Toby valley, as will be seen by an examination of the county map ;
along with the last-named stream, it passes into Elk county, where, curving
about the heads of the North P"ork (Red Bank system), it returns again to
Jefferson county, whence closely skirting the Clarion River, it runs southwest
to Sigel ; there it turns sharply about, and next sweeps around the head of
Big Mill Creek, extending thence south to within a few miles of the Red Bank
valley. It therefore describes a semi-circle in northern Jefferson, stretching
from one side of the county to the other."'
The Forests. — The forests of Jefferson county contain a great variety of
trees, the principal of which are white and yellow pine, hemlock, white, red,
and black oak, chestnut, sugar, maple, beech, hickory, elm, cherry, ash, and
birch.
The rock areas of the northern part of the county contained the most val-
uable pine and hemlock, while the farming lands in the southern part of the
county were originally covered with oak, chestnut, sugar, maple, beech, and
hickory. The greater part of the valuable pine and hemlock has been cut off,
1 Report H. 6, Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania.
Natural Characteristics. 19
though there is still a considerable quantity of marketable timber left. Where
these forests have been cleared oft", a new growth of hard woods generally have
taken their place, though in some instances where the pine and hemlock has
been cut down, birch and cherry have taken their places, and again white oak
succeeds the pine and hemlock, while the latter sometimes again grow upon
the cut lands.
The Flora. — The flora of Jefferson county is both rich and varied ; indeed
no section of the country produces more beautiful or sweeter flowers. The
sweet trailing arbutus, so much quoted in song and story, is found in great
perfection and profusion in our woods, and before the snow has all gone from
the ravines, parties are out searching for these little spring beauties, who hide
their loveliness under the leaves and pine needles — arbutus parties being one
of the features of the early spring time. Then we have several varieties of
viola, anemones, cerulia, May-flowers, field daisies, ox-eye daisies, lady slipper,
wild columbine, the brilliant mountain pink, wake robin, wild roses, eglantine,
hawthorn, dogwood. Wild azaleas grow in profusion, two varieties being
found. In the fields are found magnificent lilies, while the pride of the woods
is the brilliant laurel, and the lovely rhododendron, which in season are
nowhere found in greater profusion or more rich in coloring. In the depths of
the woods the most beautiful mosses and ferns are found, from the delicate
maiden-hair to the large, coarse-leaved bracken, and two varieties of trailing
moss. Thus they succeed one another, gaining in brilliancy of coloring, from
the time when the early violets and arbutus burst the bonds of winter's ice,
until the stately golden-rod succumbs to the late autumn frosts. The woods
are one poem of beauty from the time the first green leaves appear until they
are all ablaze and aglow with their gay autumn dress of gold, crimson, scar-
let, bronze — all the most brilliant colorings of the rainbow, toned down by
the everlasting green of the pine and hemlock.
Animals. — The original animals found in these forests comprised the elk,
deer, black bear, wolf, fox, beaver, panther, wild cat, otter, mink, martin, lynx,
muskrat, raccoon, skunk. These animals were all once very numerous, but
some of them have entirely disappeared. The Indians had almost extermi-
nated the beaver before the white settlers came, but their many " dams " in
different localities showed that they had once been numerous. The noble elk
was one of the first to flee before the advance of civilization, though they
were occasionally found in our northern forests as late as 1850. In the wilder
sections of the county deer and bears are yet quite numerous, more so of late
years, since the enactment of the present game laws, which has in a great
measure abated the wanton destruction of game. The wolf, once the terror of.
the farm-yard and sheep-fold, has almost entirely disappeared, but the wild cat
is still found in the rocky fastnesses of the forests, and sometimes ventures al-
most into the haunts of civilization. Not more than a year ago a very large
20 History of Jefferson County.
one was killed in "Dark Hollow," on the North Fork, almost inside the borough
limits of Brookville, by Master Frank Kimball, a youth of thirteen years, who,
with the aid of a small dog and his revolver, killed the savage beast and se-
cured the bounty from the county commissioners for its scalp. The small
game, such as black, graj% and red squirrels, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, etc.,
are still plentiful. The wild turkey has about disappeared.
Fish. — All the fish native to fresh water streams have been found in the
waters of this county, the mountain streams especially producing the beautiful
speckled trout in great abundance. Pike of quite large size are frequently
caught in Red Bank and Mahoning. The accumulation of sawdust from the
the many saw-mills has proved quite destructive to the fish in the larger
streams.
Birds. — All the birds native to our northern forests are found in great num-
bers, and the woods are never without the pretty warblers, for even in winter
when the song-birds seek a warmer climate, the hardy little snow-bird is found.
Once in a great while an eagle is seen, having by some mischance wandered
into the haunts of man; the last of these royal birds that has been seen in Brook-
ville was in i86i, a notice of which, in the Republican of May 4, 1871, says:
"On the 1 8th of April, as the citizens of Brookville were engaged in raising
the American flag, a very large eagle was found poising itself in mid air, ap-
parently an interested spectator. When the flag reached the head of the staff,
and was caught by the breeze, displaying the stars and stripes, the eagle, ap-
parently satisfied that all was right, slowly flew away."
George W. Andrews, esq., now of Denver, Colo., but for many years a
prominent resident of the borough of Brookville, is credited with having intro-
duced that much-abused bird, the English sparrow, into Jefferson county, having
brought a pair of these birds from the eastern part of the State. The progeny
of this pair of strangers now numbers thousands, and it is doubtful whether
Mr. Andrews is deemed a public benefactor because of their introduction into
the county.
Geology. — " This county resembles Indiana county as to its eastern and
southern parts, and Clarion county as to its northwestern half, the basins all
rising gradually northeastward, and the rolls between them running in straight
parallel lines into Elk and Forest counties; so that while the Barren measures
cover most of Bell and Henderson townships, and broad areas in Gaskill,
Young, McCalmont, Winslow, Snyder, Perry, Porter, and the hilltops in Knox,
one-half of the county exhibits the outcrops of the Lower Productive coal
measures, which grow thinner and thinner northward, and at last leave most
of the surface in Barnett and Heath, and much of that in Eldred and Polk
destitute of coal beds — a region of Conglomerate. The 'Indiana anticlinal'
passes Frostburgh and dies away at Rockdale Mills, in Washington township.
The 'Waynesburg or Roaring Run anticlinal ' enters the county one mile east
Natural Characteristics. 21
of its southeast corner, and runs straight across it to the Elk county line, six
miles east of the Clarion River. The 'Bagdad anticlinal' crosses the whole
county, passing one and a half miles west of Brookville. The 'Anthony's
Bend anticlinal' runs parallel with the last at a regular distance of four miles
from it. The ' Kellersburg anticlinal' cuts across the northwest corner. Jef-
ferson county therefore has six remarkably regular coal basins. The Brook-
ville anticlinal brings up the Mauch Chunk red shale and some of the Pocono
rocks along Little Sandy near the Armstrong county line. The same forma-
tions are cut down into by the Clarion River all along the northern county
line. The Freeport Upper coal is not reliable in this county. In the eastern
townships it is thick enough, but of poor quality ; at Reynoldsville four feet ;
at Brockwayville thinner, but better. Its limestone is fifteen feet thick at
Worthville, and keeps its unusual thickness along a narrow belt from there to
Perrysville, but thins rapidly westward and eastward, and cannot be found in
Knox and McCalmont townships, but it , reappears around Brockwayville.
The Freeport Lower coal bed is the main deposit of the county, and gives its
great value to the Reynoldsville basin. It is in all parts of the county of work-
able thickness, sometimes thickening to ten feet, but it varies much in both
size and quality. It is already extensively mined, lying forty-three feet beneath
the Freeport Upper coal, and just under the Mahoning sandstone, the cliffs
and blocks of which make a huge show. The Freeport Lower limestone lies
ten feet under it on top of the Freeport sandstone, which is here massive
enough to make cliffs, but elsewhere in the county is shaly and inconspicuous.
The Kittanning group of three coal beds is of small importance in this county;
the Upper bed nowhere exceeds three feet, and its underlying Johnstown Ce-
ment bed is merely an impure ferriferous limestone. The Middle coal is
thicker in Knox and McCalmont, but impure, and in Union shows its best as-
pect. The Lower coal is persistent, but poor everywhere. The Buhr-stone
iron ore enters the county as far as Brookville, but then fades into insignifi-
cance. No trace of it is seen on the Mahoning at Perrysville, but it can be
detected in the north at Brockwayville. The Ferriferous limestone is gener-
ally from five feet to six feet thick ; its outcrop runs along the sides of all
the valleys of the Red Bank and Sandy waters, and surrounds the hilltops in
the northern townships, furnishing an indisputable guide to the classification
of all the other strata above and below it, especially for the sinking of trial
oil wells. The Clarion coal bed is a mere streak. The Brookville coal bed is
nearly everywhere of a workable size. Its best show is made in Beaver town-
ship, where there are several small mines in it. Between the three subdivisions
of the underlying Conglomerate 300 feet thick, lie shales containing very thin
coal beds of no value, the equivalent of the Mercer and Sharon coals." '
No oil fields are yet known, though trial wells have been put down at
1 Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, Report, &c.
22 History of Jefferson County.
Brookville, Punxsutawney, Reynoldsville, and Rockdale Mills, but all were
abandoned after a depth ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet was reached.
Salt has been obtained in different sections of the county.
Ever since the first settlers appeared in this region there has been a belief
in the existence of a lead mine within the limits of the county. The early
pioneers found the Indians supplied with plenty of this ore in its natural state,
and very pure in quality, and the Indians said it was procured in this region, but
they always refused to disclose the locality in which it was to be found. One
of the earliest traditions is that of Uncas, and Owonoco, two braves of the
Seneca tribe, who came back to Punxsutawney soon after the first white men
located there, and who, the legend says, " came back to cover up the places
where they got their lead ; that they dare not tell the white men where they
got it for fear of the dread Manatau, who would inflict dire punishments upon
them if they should divulge the place of treasure, or if the pale faces found it,
and that a guard of warriors' manes watched over it." Only a year ago two
Indians are said to have appeared again upon the Mahoning, telling no one of
their business, but going on up the stream, apparently searching for something.
This lead mine has been variously located ; by some it is supposed to be on
Sandy Lick, by others on the Red Bank west of Brookville, while others claim
that this hidden treasure is concealed in the hills that skirt the Mahoning.
The pioneer settlers around Brookville always believed in the existence of
a lead deposit somewhere in the neighborhood, and that the visits of the In-
dians to these waters were for the purpose of procuring supplies of the metal.
Joseph Barnett knew of the Indians being plentifully supplied with it, and fre-
quently obtained it from those who visited him from time to time, but up to
this time the source of supply has never been discovered.
Specimens of the ore got from the Indians were sent to Philadelphia, and
after being analyzed were pronounced identical with the Galena ore, and
many suppose that while the Indians got their supplies of the lead here, they
had previously brought it from some other locality and secreted it in a secure
place known only to themselves.
Natural Curiosities. — Tradition says that the pioneer settlers found a cave
near Punxsutawney, on the hill above Elk Run, "that was of unknown depth,
circular in form, and walled up with cut stone, and that when the first explor-
ers had descended about a fathom from the surface they rested upon a rock,
then gradually sloping their descent, at about thirty degrees, through a hall of
some six feet in length, and with lighted torches they came to another descent,
which appeared to have been walled up from an unknown depth. The dark-
ness was so deep and the silence so profound that when one of the searchers
threw a pebble downwards it reported back its descent by rumbling tones
like thunder dying on the distant hills. This cavern work was never ex-
plored, nor its wonders more fully examined. When the early settlers inquired
Natural Characteristics. 23
of the Indians for what purpose they had used it, they repHed that it was there
before they came, and that they had never gone in to examine it. Some of
the pioneers beheved it to be where the Indians got their lead, but they were
afraid to explore its unknown depths, and filled it up with logs and stones to /
prevent their cattle falling into it."
Another curious feature of the hills around Punxsutawney is the "Chiseled
Rocks," which are found on the banks of the Mahoning below Clayville. One
who visited these strangely-marked rocks and closely examined them says of
these curious relics : " On the north slope of the hill there were many huge
bowlders of sandstone scattered around in an irregular and confused manner,
as though some great earthquake had torn up the foundations of these hills and
scattered the fragments around. On these rocks are found kettle-shaped ex-
cavations, evidently the work of human hands. On one, for instance, about
eighteen feet long, and eight or nine feet wide, with its base deeply imbedded
in the ground, are found some twenty holes cut in its smooth, table-shaped, flat
surface. These holes varied in size, and were cut in the solid sandstone, in
shape like the inside of a common tea-kettle — small, and perfectly round at
the top, then widening to the half depth of the hollow, then again narrowing
down until it measured at the base the same in circumference as the opening
at the top, and then the bottom is flattened off so exactly in size with the top,
and the whole work finished so smoothly and mechanically and so in accord-
ance with the most perfect rule of mathematics and geometry."
Many have been the conjectures of those who have visited these wonderful
rocks, but all agree that the chiseling of these holes must have been done by
some practiced hand, and with tools of some hard metal, such as steel or the
hardened copper used by the ancient Mexicans.
If these suppositions are true, then this region of country was peopled by
a race of people more refined, civilized, and ingenious than the Indian tribes
found upon this continent by the earliest European pioneers. Ages, perhaps,
before the red men peopled this country, this people, a race long extinct, but
traces of whose enduring works is found from time to time upon our continent,
may have lived here. It is true but little trace is found here of such a people,
but what trace is there found of the Indians, who only ninety years ago peo-
pled this county ? even their graves are obliterated ; only now and then the
plow brings to light the broken blade of a stone tomahawk, or the flint of an
arrow.
In Perry township are some rocks, or caves, that are worthy of mention.
They are located on Ross's Run about a mile from the Mahoning Creek and
about half a mile from the residence of Mr. Michael Palmer, to whom we are
indebted for the description we give of these natural wonders.
On the north and west of these rocks there is good farm land — not stony ;
on the south and east is a plateau of about one and a half acres, level, and also
24 History ok Jefferson County.
without rocks or stone ; this is overgrown with underbrush, laurel, and small
trees. As you pass down on the east side of this plateau you come to a wall
of rock reaching for eight or ten rods, then comes a projecting ledge of rocks
extending some five or six rods, and projecting outward fifteen or twenty feet ;
in this semicircle formed by this projection, no rain or snow can penetrate.
Passing westward you come to a mass of rock thrown in a promiscuous pile,
in every conceivable shape, for a distance of eight or ten rods, then all around
for some forty or fifty rods rise detached rocks from ten to twenty feet in
height, the whole covering an area of from twelve to fifteen acres, and giving
the place the appearance of some deserted city, with its fortresses, and ruined
battlements. Underneath these rocks are caverns and crevices, some of them
large enough to hide away at least fifty men. In one of the largest you
can go in a distance of some sixty feet, and then look down into the depths
below for a distance of at least one hundred feet. This place is quite a re-
sort for small game, and wild cats, skunks, and other small animals are trapped
here.
CHAPTER HI.
INDIAN OCCUPATIOX.
Improbability of More than Temporary Occupation by the Indians — Punxsutawney, air
Indian Town — Origin of the Name — Legends of Captain Brady, the Great Indian Fighter —
Captain Hunt and Jim Hunt.
THE Indian history of this region of country is very obscure, and there is
scarcely anything to prove that the red men ever occupied this county to
any great extent. What little we have been able to glean of the aboriginal
tribes we have taken chiefly from the " Early Days of Punxsutawney and
Western Pennsylvania," contributed a few years ago to the Punxsutawney
Plaindealcr by the late John K. Coxson, esq., who had made considerable
research into Indian history, and was an enthusiast on the subject. According
to Mr. Coxson: "More than i,8oo years ago the Iroquois held a lodge in
Punxsutawney (this town still bears its Indian name, which was their so-
briquet for 'gnat town'), to which point they could ascend with their canoes,
and go still higher up the Mahoning to within a few hours' travel of the sum-
mit of the Allegheny Mountains. There were various Indian trails traversing
the forests, one of which entered Punxsutawney near where Judge Mitchell
now resides."
These trails were the thoroughfares or roadways of the Indians, over which
Indian Occupation. 25
they journeyed when on the chase, or the " war path," just as the people of
the present age travel over their graded roads. "An erroneous impression
obtains among many at the present day that the Indian, in traveling the inter-
minable forests which once covered our towns and fields, roamed at random,
like a modern afternoon hunter, by no fixed paths, or that he was guided in his
long journeyings solely by the sun and stars, or by the course of the streams
and^mountains; and true it is that these untutored sons of the woods were con-
siderable astronomers and geographers, and relied much upon these unerring
guidemarks of nature. Even in the most starless nights they could determme
their course by feeling the bark of the oak trees, which is always smoothest on
the south side and roughest on the north. But still they had their trails, or
paths, as distinctly marked as are our county and State roads, and often better
located. The white traders adopted them, and often stole their names, to be
in turn surrendered to the leader of some Anglo-Saxon army, and finally
obliterated by some costly highway of travel and commerce. They are now
almost wholly effaced or forgotten. Hundreds travel along, or plow over
them, unconscious that they are in the footsteps of the red men."i It has not
taken long to obliterate all these Indian landmarks from our land; little more
than a century ago the Indians roamed over all this western country, and now
scarce a vestige of their presence remains. Much has been written and said
about their deeds of butchery and cruelty. True, they were cruel, and in many
instances fiendish in their inhuman practices, but they did not meet the first
settlers in this spirit. Honest, hospitable, religious in their belief, reverencing
their Manatou, or Great Spirit, and willing to do anything to please their white
brother— this is how they met their first white visitors; but when they had seen
nearly all their vast domain appropriated by the invaders, when wicked white
men had introduced into their midst the " wicked fire-water," which is to-day
the cause of many an act of fiendishness perpetrated by those who are not
. untutored savages, then the Indian rebelled, all the savage in his breast was
aroused, and he became pitiless and cruel in the extreme.
It is true that our broad domains were purchased and secured by treaty,
but the odds were always on the side of the whites. The " Colonial Records"
give an account of the treaty of 1686, by which a deed for " walking purchase
was executed, by which the Indians sold as far as a man could walk in a day.
But when the walk was to be made the most active white man was obtained,
who ran from daylight until dark, as fast as he was able, without stopping to
eat or drink. This much dissatisfied the Indians, who expected to walk leis-
urely, resting at noon to eat, and shoot game, and one old chief expressed his
dissatisfaction as follows : " Lun, lun, lun ; no lay down to drink ; no stop to
shoot squirrel, but lun, lun, lun all day; me no keep up; lun, lun for land.
That deed, it is said, does not now exist, but was confirmed in 1737.
1 Iiiilije Veech.
26 History of Jefferson County.
When the white man came the Indians were a temperate people, and their
chiefs tried hard to prohibit the sale of intoxicating drinks among their tribes ;
and when one Sylvester Garland, in 1701, introduced rum among them and
induced them to drink, at a council held in Philadelphia, Shemekenwhol,
chief of the Shawnese, complained to Governor William Penn, and at a coun-
cil held on the 13th of October, 1701, this man was held in the sum of one
hundred pounds never to deal rum to the Indians again ; and the bond and
sentence was approved by Judge Shippen, of Philadelphia. At the chiefs
suggestion the council enacted a law prohibiting the trade in rum with the In-
dians. Still later the ruling chiefs of the Six Nations opposed the use of rum,
and Red Jacket, in a speech at Buffalo, wished that whisky would never be
less than " a dollar a quart." He answered the missionary's remarks on drunk-
enness thus: " Go to the white man with that." A council, held on the "Alle-
gheny River, deplored the murder of the Wigden family in Butler county, by
a Seneca Indian, while under the influence of whisky, approved the sentence
of our law, and again passed their prohibitory resolutions, and implored the
white man not to give rum to the Indian.
Mr. Coxson claims that the council of the Delawares, Muncys, Shawnese,
Nanticokes, Tiiscorawas, and Mingoes, to protest against the sale of their do-
main by the Six Nations, at Albany, in 1754, was held at Punxsutawney, and
cites " Joncaire's Notes on Indian Warfare," " Life of Bezant," etc. " It is said
they ascended the tributary of La Belle Riviere to the mountain village on the
way to Chinklacamoose (Clearfield) to attend the council." 1 At that council,
though Sheklemas, the Christian king of the Delawares, and other Christian
chiefs, tried hard to prevent the war ; they were overruled and the tribes de-
cided to go to war with their French allies against the colony. " Travelers,
as early as 1731, reported to the council of the colony, of a town sixty miles
from the Susquehanna." -
" After the failure of the expedition against Fort Du Ouesne, the white
captives were taken to Kittanning, Logtovvn, and Pukeesheno (Punxsutaw-
ney). The sachem, Pukeesheno (for whom the town was called), was the father
of Tecumseh, and his twin brother. The Prophet, and was a Shawnese. We
make this digression to add another proof that Punxsutawney was named after
a Shawnese chief as early as 1750."''
" I went with Captain Brady on an Indian liunt up the Allegheny River.
We found a good many signs of the savages, and I believe we were so much
like the savages (when Brady went on a scouting expedition he always
dressed in Indian costume), that they could hardly have known us from a band
of Shawnese. But they had an introduction to us near the mouth of Red
Bank. General Brodhead was on the route behind Captain Brady, who dis-
covered the Indians on a march. He lay concealed among the rocks until the
1 Joncaiie. 2 Bezant. '^" History of \\ e.stern Pennsylvania," page 302.
Indian Occupation.
27
painted chiefs and their braves had got fairly into the narrow pass, when Brady
and his men opened a destructive fire. The sylvan warriors returned the vol-
ley with terrific yells that shook the caverns and mountains from base to crest.
The fight was short but sanguine. The Indians left the pass, and retired and
soon were lost sight of in the deepness of the forest. We returned with three
children recaptured, whose parents had been killed at Greensburg. We imme-
diately set out on a path that led us to the mountains to a lodge the savages
had near the headwaters of Mahoning and Red Bank."
" We crossed the Mahoning about forty miles from Kittanning, and entered
a town which we found deserted. It seemed to be a hamlet, built by the
Shawnese. P'rom there we went over high and rugged hills, through laurel
thickets, darkened by tall pine and hemlock groves, for one whole day, and lay
quietly tiown on the bank of a considerable stream (Sandy Lick). About mid-
night Brady was aroused by the sound of a rifle not far down the creek. We
arose and stole quietly along about half a mile, when we heard the voices
of Indians but a short distance below us, where another creek unites its waters
with the one upon whose banks we had rested. We ascertained that two In-
dians had killed a deer at a lick. They were trying to strike a light to dress
their game. When the flame of pine knots blazed brightly and revealed the
visages of the savages, Brady appeared to be greatly excited, and perhaps the
caution that he always took when on a war-path was at that time disregarded.
Revenge swallowed and absorbed every faculty of his soul. He recognized
tiie Indian who was foremost, when they chased him, a few months before, so
closely that he was forced to leap across a chasm of stone on the slippery rock
twenty-three feet ; between the jaws of granite there roared a deep torrent
twenty feet deep. When Brady saw Conemah he sprang forward and planted
his tomahawk in his head. The other Indian, who had liis knife in his hand,
sprang at Brady. The long, bright steel glistened in his uplifted hand, when
the flash of Farley's rifle was the death-light of the brave, who sank to the
sands. . . . Brady scalped the Indians in a moment, and drew the deer
into the thicket to finish dressing it, but had not completed his undertaking
when he heard a noise in the branches of the neighboring trees. He sprang
forward, quenched the flame, and in breathless silence listened for the least
sound, but nothing was heard save the rustling of the leaves, stirred by the
wind. One of the scouts softly crept along the banks of the creek to catch the
faintest sound that echoes on the water, when he found a canoe down upon the
beach. The scout communicated this to Brady, who resolved to embark on
this craft, if it was large enough to carry the company. It was found to be of
sufficient size. We all embarked and took the deer along. We had not gone
forty rods down the stream when the savages gave a war-whoop, and about a
mile off they were answered with a hundred voices. We heard them in pur-
suit as we went dashing down the frightful and unknown stream. We gained
28 History of Jefferson County.
on them. We heard their voices far behind us, until the faint echoes of the
hundreds of warriors were lost ; but, unexpectedly, we found ourselves passing
full fifty canoes drawn up on the beach. Brady landed a short distance below.
There was no time to lose. If the pursuers arrived they might overtake the
the scouts. It was yet night. He took four of his men along, and with great
caution unmoored the canoes and sent them adrift. The scouts below secured
them, and succeeded in arriving at Brodhead's quarters with the scalps of two
Indians and their whole fleet, which disabled them much from carrying on their
bloody expeditions." 1
In the legend of Noshaken, the white captive of the Delawares, in 1753,
who was kept at a village supposed to have been Punxsutawney, occurs the
following: "The scouts were on the track of the Indians, the time of burning
of the captives was extended, and the whole band prepared to depart for Fort
Venango with the prisoners. . . . They continued on for twenty miles,
and encamped by a beautiful spring, where the sand boiled up from the bot-
tom, near where two creeks unite. Here they passed the night, and the next
morning again headed for Fort Venango." This spring is believed to have been
the "sand spring" at Brookville. Thus both the earlier histories and tradi-
tions would lead us to believe that Jefferson county was once the scene of In-
dian occupation. The early settlers found many vestiges of them, and even at
this late day " Indian relics " in the shape of stone tomahawks, flint arrows,
darts, etc., are frequently found.
But it was long after these scenes, when Joseph Barnett, the first white set-
tler, came into the wilds of what is now Jefferson county. Then nearly all
the Indians had gone, some towards the setting sun, others to Canada. Of all
the tribes that once composed the great Indian confederati'ons, onl)^ a few
Muncies and Senecas of Cornplanter's tribe remained. These Indians, for a
number of years after the white men came, extended their hunting excursions
into these forests. They were always peaceable and friendly. The first set-
tlers found their small patches of corn, one of which was planted where the
fair-grounds are now located, and another in the flat at Port Barnett. Indian
corn, or maize, as it was sometimes called, is undoubtedly an American cereal,
being first discovered on this continent in 1600, though it is now grown in all
civilized lands.-
1 " Ifiograpliy of Jno. Morrison," one of Brady's scouts.
2 Drs. Sturievani, Pickering, and other eminent botanists and antiquarians, believed that maize (or
Indian corn) is mentioned by the old Icelandic writers, who are thought to have visited the coast of
.eastern North America as early as ICK)6.
Columbus found the natives of America using maize (mahiz), and it is cited among the gifts he
brought back to Queen Isabella from tlie New World.
Hernandes found ii in Mexico previous to 1600. AU the .\merican colonists found it growing in all
places adiplfd to it. liefore the Pilgrims landed for settlement, in exploring the coast, they found
cornfields, and a magazine of corn, "which we digged up, and found a great tine new basket full of
verv fine corne of tliis year, some six and thirty e.irs of goodly come, some yellow, some red. and
some mixed with olive, which was a goodly sight." Chronidcs of Plymoulli i oloiiy, page 133.
Indian Occupation. 29
The Indians also came here to make maple sugar in the spring. They
would cut notches in the trees, and then collect the sap in troughs hollowed out
of small logs, which was then collected into a larger trough, when it was boiled
down into molasses and sugar by dipping hot stones into it, a process that must
have called for a great deal of patience. These Indians would take the skins
and hams of the game killed during the winter to Pittsburgh in the spring, where
they would exchange them for tobacco, whisky, blankets, trinkets, etc. They
generally made these trips on rafts constructed of dry poles withed together.
An old Indian, called Captain Hunt, has been handed down as the last
Indian who resided in this county, having had his camp on what is yet known
as "Hunt's Point," on Red Bank, in the present borough limits of Brookville.
It is said of him that he was a fugitive from his tribe, having killed a fellow
Indian; but the daughter of Joseph Barnett, Mrs. Graham, left the following as
her recollections of these Indians, and those of the tribes who were here after
her family settled at Port Barnett, and from her statement it appears that it
was a cousin of Captain Hunt who was the banished Indian. We give Mrs.
Graham's account of these Indians as nearly as possible in her own language:
"When we came to Port Barnett, in the spring of 1797, there were but two
Indian families there. One was Twenty Canoes, and Caturah, which means
Tomahawk. The two Hunts were here, but they were alone. Jim Hunt was
on banishment for killing his cousin. Captain Hunt and Jim Hunt were
cousins. Captain Hunt was an under-chief of the Munsey tribe. In the fall
other Indians came here to hunt. I have forgotten their names, with the excep-
tion of two, John Jamieson, who had seven sons, all named John ; the other
was Crow, he was an Indian in name and in nature. He was feared by both
the whites and Indians. He was a Mohawk, and a perfect savage. Caturah
and Twenty Canoes staid here for several years after we came. The Hunts
were here most of the time until the commencement of the War of 18 12.
Jim dare not go back to his tribe until the year 1808 or 1809, when his friends
stole a white boy in Westmoreland county and had him adopted into the
tribe in place of the warrior Jim had slain. ^ Jim Hunt and John Jones were
great friends, and were always together. John Jones was a brother of Isaac
Jones, of Corsica. A great many persons think they know all about the hid-
ing places of Hunt — one of them was a cave in the bank of Sandy Lick, at
what is called the ' deep hole,' opposite the Sand Spring. The other was on
Governor Bradford in his " History of Plymouth Plantation " says : " In the early spring, in April
of 1621, as many as were able began to plant their corne, in which Servise Squanto (an Indian), stood
them in great stead, showing them both ye manner how to set it, and after how to dress and tend it."
Thus the Indians taught the first white settlers how to grow this grain, which is now one of the most
important of our cereals. Early travelers all speak of it as an absolute necessity in the growing of live
■stock in this country.
1 By a law of the tribe he was not allowed to return until the place of the warrior he had slain was
filled by the capture of another male from the whites or some other Indian tribe.
3
30 History of Jefferson County.
the head waters of Little Sandy Creek. When danger threatened him a run-
ner from the Reservation would warn him by a peculiar whoop from a certain
place on the hill northwest from the Port. Jim loved whisky, but never got
off his feet for fear he would be caught by his pursuers. At the commence-
ment of the War of i8i2 the Munsey tribe were banished from the Six Nations,
and Jim Hunt never returned. Captain Hunt was back once or twice. Twenty
Canoes and Sassy John were back once to see 'Joe Blannet' — they could not
pronounce the name of Barnett. The last visit of Caturah was in 1833, he be-
ing then over ninety years of age."
While it was known that Hunt had the hiding places mentioned by Mrs.
Graham, they were never discovered until the year 1843, when the one at the
Sand Spring, in the borough of Brookville, was discovered by Mr. Thomas
Graham, a son of the old lady whose narrative we have just given, who was
learning his trade in Brookville, and went over to the Sand Spring to cut a
cane in the laurel thicket that then covered that spot, and after entering the
densest part of the thicket, he was surprised to find the ground give way be-
neath him, and find himself precipitated into a cave, which had *been hollowe'd
out and so deftly covered over that its whereabouts had never before been dis-
covered until Mr. Graham stumbled upon it, and the timbers that upheld the
roof having rotted away, it gave way beneath him. It showed signs of hav-
ing been used, as a human habitation and was without doubt Jim Hunt's place
of refuge. Jim Hunt was a great hunter, and in one winter is said to have
killed seventy-eight bears, besides other smaller game. He was inordinately
fond of whisky, and nearly all the skins of his game went for his favorite bev-
erage. After he had traded these seventy-eight skins to Samuel Scott, receiv-
ing a pint of whisky for each skin, he was found crying in a maudlin way over
his bankruptcy. When asked what was the matter, he replied: " Bear skins
all gone ; whisky all gone. No skins, no whisky, ugh ! "
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Joseph Barnett, the Pioneer of JeQ'erson County — The Arrival of the First White Men —
Building of the First Saw-Mill — Death of Andrew Barnett — The Lone Grave on Mill Creek
— The Barnett^ Family — More Settlers Come into the Wilds — Recollections of Mrs. Sarah
Grraham.
JOSEPH BARNETT was the pioneer, or as he had been styled, the " patri-
arch of Jefferson county." He had served in the Revolutionary War un-
der General Potter, on the West Branch, and also under the State against the
Wyoming boys. At the close of the war he settled at the mouth of Pine Creek
Early Settlers. 31
in Lycoming county, and it is said was one of tiie " Fair-play boys ; " at any
rate he lost his property there by the jurisdiction of the common law, which
superseded that oi fair-play.
" There existed a great number of locations of the 3d of April, 1769, for the
choicest lands on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, between the mouths
of Lycoming and Pine Creeks ; but the proprietaries, from extreme caution, the
result of that experience, which had also produced the very penal laws of 1768
and 1769, had prohibited any surveys being made beyond the Lycoming. In
the mean time, in violation of all law, a set of hardy adventurers had from time
to time seated themselves on this doubtful territory. They made improve-
ments and formed a considerable population. ..... To
prevent any contentions or disputes, they annually elected a tribunal, in rota-
tion, of three of their settlers, whom they called ' Fair-play men,' who were to
decide all controversies and settle all disputed boundaries. From their decision
there was no appeal. There could be no resistance. The decree was enforced
by the whole body, who started up en masse at the mandate of the court, and
execution and eviction were as sudden and irresistible as the judgment. Ev-
ery new-comer was obliged to apply to this powerful tribunal, and upon his
solemn engagement to submit in all respects to the law of the land, he was
permitted to take possession of some vacant spot. Their decrees were, how-
ever, just, and when their settlements were recognized by law and 'fair-play'
had ceased, their decisions were received in evidence, and confirmed by judg-
ments of courts." 1
Many cases came before the courts, under this law, and it was frequently
necessary to prove the usages of the fair-play men, and at one time when Chief
Justice McKean was holding court in that district, he inquired of Barton Cald-
well, an old Irish pioneer, whether he could tell him exactly what the provis-
ions of the " Fair-play " code were. Barton's memory would not allow him
to go into details, so he answered the question by comparison. " All I can say
is," said he " that since your honor's courts have come among us fair play has
ceased, and law has taken its place."
Having lost one home Mr. Barnett began to look up a location for another,
and to this end, in 1794, he sent his brother Andrew, and Samuel Scott, to
locate a site for a saw-mill. • He intended then to go to French Creek, in Craw-
ford county, of which he had some knowledge ; but on their way out they
stopped at the mouth of Mill Creek, and Andrew was so much pleased with the
adaptability of the place for a mill, surrounded as it was with such vast, un-
broken forests of magnificent timber, that he concluded at once that this spot,
now Port Barnett, was the very place to build their proposed mill. The pro-
jectors did not, therefore, go any farther, but returned and represented the
matter to Joseph Barnett. In the spring of 1795 he, in company with Andrew
1 Smith's Laws, Volume 2,
32 History of Jefferson County.
Barnett and Samuel Scott, came to " view the lay of the land," and was as well
pleased as his brothers had been. Having selected several hundred acres
of good timber land, they began at once to put up their mill, on or near
the spot where the mill of James Humphrey now stands. In coming to
their new home in the wilderness, the travelers came through the forests of
the upper Susquehanna until they reached Anderson's Creek in Clearfield
county, when they struck "Meade's path," a pack-horse path leading west-
ward. They followed this path to the present site of Brookville, crossing San-
dy Lick four times, first below where Garrison's mill now stands, again at the
bottom at Port Barnett, then near where the Brookville depot now is, and
again where the covered bridge now stands. Samuel Scott, Mr. Barnett's
brother-in-law, was a millwright, and they at once commenced to erect their
saw- mill. When the three men had the structure all ready to "raise" they called
•upon their Indian neighbors to assist them, and nine Senecas of Cornplanter's
tribe, who were then in the neighborhood, assisted at this the first " raising " in
Jefferson county. It is said that these Indians would not lend any assistance
in this work until they had eaten and slept for two or three days to prepare
for the task replying to all expostulation on the subject : " Me eat, then me
stout; me sleep, then me stout, ugh."
In the fall of the same year Mr. Barnett, leaving the other two, returned to
his home on Pine Creek, in Lycoming county, to bring out his family. But a
short time after his departure his brother Andrew died, after a few days' illness,
and was buried some place near the mouth of Mill Creek, two friendly Indians
assisting Mr. Scott in the sad rites. What a scene was this ! there in the
rude cabin in the deep forest, with no physician to give him aid, no loving
hand to wipe the death-damps from his brow, and whisper words of hope and
consolation in his ear — Andrew Barnett died ! Then came the rude funeral on
the banks of Mill Creek, when the first white settler was laid in his grave, no
man of God was there to officiate at his burial, no funeral rites were observed;
but one white man stood there alone with the body of his dead brother and
assisted by the dusky sons of the forest, he laid him in his lone grave where
the winds of Heaven, as they whispered through the pine woods, were his only
requiem.
When this sad scene was over, Samuel Scott returned to Lycoming county
to carry the sad news of his brother's death to Mr. Barnett. This for a time
discouraged him, and he did not return to his new possessions until the spring
of 1797, when he brought his family with him and set up his home in the spot
•which he made famous, and which yet bears the name of Port Barnett, which
he gave it. Mr. Barnett brought his family on horseback over the same route
he had before traveled. His eldest child was then seven years old, and it was
from her recollections, and papers left with her family, that much of this infor-
mation has been obtained. The youngest child was only two years old, and
Early Settlers.
33
the mother would carry him in her arms until she became too weary to hold
him any longer, then the father would strap him on the horse behind her, and,
as he did not fancy this way of traveling, he would enliven the trip with his
cries until he again gained the shelter of his mother's arms. Samuel Scott,
John Scott, Moses Knapp, and perhaps one or two others came with the Bar-
nett family.
On their arrival they at once went to work to get their mill in running
order, and soon had some boards sawed and ready for rafting, and the first
were run to Pittsburgh that year. About 4,000 comprised a raft, and for this
they at first got from five to ten dollars per thousand. Those first rafting trips
were full of danger and toil that our modern lumbermen know nothing of.
The trip accomplished and the lumber sold, or exchanged for flour, groceries,
clothing, etc., then came the long toilsome walk back through an unbroken
wilderness. But little is known of those first few years, but that they were
years of hardship, privations, and ofttimes of suffering, none can doubt. In
the midst of the lonely wilderness they toiled on, with no visitors but the In-
dians, who still came into those waters to hunt and fish, while the bear, wolf,
and panther lurked in the dark recesses of the woods, and venomous snakes
basked in the sun almost at their door-ways. But Joseph Barnett was not a
man to quail at any of these things. He was made of the very stuft" that was
needed in those days — the patriotic son of a patriotic sire. He was born in
Dauphin county in 1754. His father, John Barnett, who had emigrated from
the north of Ireland early in the beginning of the eighteenth century, was a
farmer, and settled in Dauphin county. He and his wife dying while Joseph
was yet a small boy, he was "brought up" by his relatives, and was engaged
on a farm when the Revolutionary War commenced, and at once enlisted in
defense of the colonies. The exact duration of his service could not be ascer-
tained, but it is said of him that "he was a brave and efficient soldier, who
never faltered in the path of duty." After the war he settled in Lycoming
county, where he owned a large tract of land, of which mention has already
been made. Here, in 1788, he married Elizabeth Scott, sister of Samuel Scott,
who shared all his toils in Jefferson county, and she is deserving of much praise ;
for her part in the settlement of this new county was no sinecure, as it was the
matron of the household who in those days had to practice denials, who had
to plan and contrive to get the clothing for her children out of the scant stores
that were to be obtained. There were no settlements nearer than forty or
fifty miles. Mr. Barnett knew nothing of the wilderness south of him, and
gave an Indian four dollars to pilot him to Westmoreland county. The
nearest grist-mill was on Blacklick, in Indiana county, and the nearest house,
eastward, that of Paul Clover, grandfather of General Clover, which was thirty-
three miles distant on the Susquehanna, where Curwensville now stands. Fort
Venango was forty-five miles westward. To reach any of these points the
34 History of Jefferson County.
traveler had to travel on foot, or on horseback, over an Indian trail, with only
the " blaze on the trees " to guide him, and the stars by night. Mr. Barnett
at one time carried sixty pounds of flour on his back from Pittsburgh. The
usual way of getting supplies was to run a raft of sawed lumber to Pittsburgh
in the spring, and take a canoe along, which was loaded with what was
needed, and then poled, or pushed up the river, and then up Red Bank to
Port Barnett. To obviate this difficulty of getting breadstuff, Mr. Barnett,
.about the year 1801, put up a small grist-mill, using the native stones for
" buhrs." This mill was used for several years, and was patronized by all the
settlers for miles distant ; the Indians, also, who cultivated small patches of
corn on the creek bottoms, whenever they could find a clear spot to plant
it, also patronized Mr. Barnett's mill. The old " toll chest " used in this mill,
and which "tolled" the first grist ground in the county, is still in the posses-
sion of Mr. Barnett's grandsons, Thomas and Milton Graham, of Eldred town-
ship. Mill Creek, on which stream these mills were built, took its name from
their being built upon it. Mr. Barnett's house was the first "tavern" in the
county, and for years all travelers, white as well as Indian, stopped with him.
His Indian guests did not eat in the house, but would in winter make a pot of
mush over his fire and set it out in the snow to cool, " then one fellow would
take a dipper and eat his fill of the pudding, sometimes with milk, butter, or
molasses, then another would take it and go through the same process, until
all were satisfied. The dogs would help themselves from the same pot, and
when they put their heads in the pot in the Indian's way he would give them
a slap over the head with the dipper." The early settlers had little or no
trouble with these Indians, who came and went as they pleased for a number
of years, until the too rapid spread of civilization drove them all away.
Joseph Barnett worked on untiringly at his mills, and by his hard labor had
gained what in those days was considered a fair competency. He in time built
a larger house, and besides being the first hotel-keeper, was the first merchant
in the county. He is said to have been a fair-looking man, five feet eight
inches in height, and would weigh over two hundred pounds. He was always
of an aftable, frank disposition, and was honest and strict in his dealings. He
was an earnest Presbyterian, and carried his religion into his business and daily
life. Having been brought up to observe strictly the ordinances of his church,
it is related of him that he took his children to Indiana, a distance of forty
miles, to have them baptized. Mr. Barnett lived to see new settlements spring
up all over the county, churches and schools organized, roads laid out, and
Brookville, the county seat, already taking on the airs of a new city. He also
held several offices of trust and responsibility, being the first postmaster in the
county ; a post-office being established at Port Barnett, and so called, January
4, 1S26, and Mr. Barnett appointed postmaster, which office he held until
September 10, 1830, when the office was removed to Brookville. Mr. Bar-
Early Settlers. 35
nett died at his home at Port Barnett on the 15th of April, 1838, having re-
sided there for forty-one years. His wife did not long survive him, dying
about four months after he passed away. Mr. Barnett was in the eighty-fourth
year of his age, and his wife sixty-five years when they died. They were
both buried in the old graveyard at Brookville. They had ten children, all of
whom, except Thomas and Sarah (twins), John and Andrew, were born in this
county. Sarah married Elisha M. Graham ; Rebecca, the first white female
child born in the county, married Nathaniel Butler ; Margaret married John
Lattimer ; Juliet, the youngest child, married Ebenezer Carr ; J. Potter was
the first male child born in the county. Of these children John, J. Potter,
Andrew, and Juliet removed to the Western States, and all died there. The
rest lived and died in this county. Thomas died in 1827, and his twin sister,
Mrs. Sarah A. Graham, lived until her ninety-fifth year. Mrs. Graham was
a remarkable woman, as vigorous in intellect as she was in bodily strength, and
was well fitted for the stirring life that she had been destined to live, and the
part she was to take in the early settlement and building up of this county,
with the history of which, for almost ninety years, she was closely identified.
She was in all respects a very helpmeet, indeed, for an olden time pioneer. A
woman of strong principles — inherited from her worthy sire — an earnest Chris-
tian, and of a bright, sunny disposition, she enjoyed life until her sun went
down in this world to usher her into the brighter radiance of the better land.
She took a deep interest in all public matters, and read the newspapers of the
day, so that she kept herself posted in all that occurred. Born amid the stir-
ring scenes of the frontier dangers, the daughter of a soldier of the Revolu-
tion, she lived to see her own son go out to fight for the same flag in the War
of the Rebellion, to see that rebellion crushed, slavery abolished, the grand
centennial celebrated, before she was called hence. The venerable lady loved
to recall the early days of Jefferson county, and we reproduce here a paper
contributed by her to the Jefferson County Graphic in August, 1 877.
" As a number of people have been bothering me in regard to the early
settlement of this county, I will try and answer them through your columns.
I was born in Pine Creek, in Lycoming county, in the year 1790. All I
remember of that place is that my father, Joseph Barnett, had a saw- mill there
about the year 1794. My uncle, Andrew Barnett, took a trip to French Creek.
His route led him through the wilderness of this county, which was then the
home of the Indian ; the panther, bear, and deer and wolves, were as plenty as
dogs now are in Brookville. He chose for his home the place where Port Bar-
nett now stands. Andrew Barnett, Samuel Scott, John Scott, and a man
named Arthurs, came out there and erected a saw-mill on Mill Creek, near
where Humphrey's mill now stands. My father returned home in the fall,
leaving Scott and my uncle to finish some work. My uncle took sick and died
here, and was buried on the north bank of the creek at the junction of Sandy
36 History of Jefferson County.
Lick and Mill Creek. There was only one white man and two Indians at his
funeral. In the year 1796 Samuel Scott, Moses Knapp, and James Boatman
came out, finished the mill, and sawed some lumber. In the spring of 1797
my father moved into the wilderness. I was then seven years old. The first
white child born in the county was J. P. Barnett. The next family that came
here was Peter Jones. He settled on the farm now owned by John McCul-
lough, and the next was Mr. Roll, who settled on the farm now owned by John
S. Barr. Then came Fudge Vancamp (negro) and built his cabin on the farm
now owned by John Clark, and ■flien Adam Vasbinder, who settled on the
farm at the present time owned by Thomas Harris ; William Vasbinder pitched
his tent on the Kirkmon homestead ; Ludwig Long put up his wigwam on the
place now owned by Mr. McConnell ; John Dixon came next. He was our
first school teacher. The school-house was first built on the McConnell farm ;
built of round logs, with oiled paper for glass ; as everything we used had to
be carried from the settlements on horseback, glass was too easily broken to
try to bring it so far. The second school-house was built on the south side
of the pike, at the forks of the Ridgway road. Here the first graveyard was
laid out, and the first person buried in it was a child of Samuel Scott. There
were a number buried in this graveyard. I do not remember the name of the
next family that came, as the county began to settle pretty fast, and mills were
erected on the different streams. About the year 1 807 my father built a saw-
mill on Sandy Lick, between where Garrison's and Bellport now are. This, a
number of people think, was the first mill built in the county, but, if I have not
lost a leaf from memory's book, there were three or four other mills built be-
fore that one.
" Now, reader, as I have stated, I was seven years old when I came to this
county, you will find that I have lived eighty years in the county. I have
seen the Indian give way to the white man, the pack-horse to the wagon, and
the wagon to the railroad. I remember the screams of the panther, and the
howl of the wolf as things of the past, and in a few years more, I will, as they,
be gone forever."
Samuel Scott, so often mentioned as one of those who came with the Bar-
netts, and whose skill constructed the first saw- mill in Jefferson county, resided
in the county until 18 10, when, having, it is said, " scraped together by hunting
and lumbering about $2,000," he went to Ohio and settled in the Miami val-
ley, where he bought a section of fine land, which eventually made him quite
wealthy.
The present citizens of Jefferson county have reason to be proud of the
record of tlic early settlers, those who laid the foundation of all that is good
and great in our county. They were true to the cause of liberty in the dark
days that tried men's souls. We have already told of Joseph Barnett's service
in the War of the Revolution, and in this connection would mention another
Early Settlers. 37
family whose destinies were entwined with his — the Grahams. John Graham,
the patriotic ancestor of the Graham family, was born and raised in Scotland,
where he fell in love with an heiress named Janet Caldwell. Her father ob-
jecting to his suit, the young couple fled into Ireland, where they were mar-
ried. The fruit of this union was a son, also called John, who, hearing such
glowing accounts of the New World, emigrated to the " Land of Penn," and
settled on a farm in what was then Dauphin county, where he married Miss
Martha Miller. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War he enlisted
in the Amercian army, and after being in a'number of battles was captured by
the British at the battle near Flushing, on Long Island, and held a prisoner for
two years in New York city, where he was approached by British agents, who
promised him pardon and reward if he would renounce his American senti-
ments and take up arms for the king ; but his patriotism could not be bought,
" even for a crown." He was at last paroled and returned to his home. While
Mr. Graham was in the service, in the autumn of 1777, the "big runa-
way " 1 took place on the Susquehanna River. But his wife and children es-
caped with the other settlers. In their fearful trip down the Susquehanna the
canoe, in which ]\Irs. Graham had placed her children and such of her house-
hold goods as she could bring with her in her flight, was upset, and all the
contents submerged in the river. One of the relics preserved from that peril-
ous time is an ancient Concordance of the Bible, which is still safely preserved
by the descendants of the intrepid dame, and which yet shows the effects of
the baptism it then received. It is a very ancient work, probably the first of
the kind ever published.
About the year 181 2 Mr. Graham removed from Crawford county to Jef-
ferson, locating on the farm in Eldred township now owned by Colonel S. J.
Marlin, where he died in 181 3, and was buried on the hill east of Brookville,
as it then was, on a lot now owned by W. C. Evans. Mr. Graham was a mem-
ber of the Covenanter Church, and a strict disciplinarian. His son, Elisha M.
Graham, was born in Dauphin county in the year 1772. When he came to
manhood he engaged in taking out, and running to market, masts for ship
building — running them down the Susquehanna River to Havre de Grace.
1 " In the autumn of 1777 Job Gilloway, a friendly Indian, had given an intimation that a powerful
descent of maurading Indians might be expected on the headwaters of the Susquehanna. Near the
close of the season the Indiai»s killed a settler on the Sinnemahoning In the spring of
1778 Colonel Hunter, of Fort Augusta, sent word to Colonel Hepburn, commander of Fort Muncy,
at the mouth of Wolfs Run, that all the settlers in that vicinity should take refuge in Sunbury. Col-
onel Hepburn was ordered to pass the notice on to Antis and Horn forts Such a sight
was never seen before as this convoy from all the forts above. Boats, canoes, hog troughs, rafts
made of dry sticks, every sort of floating article had been put in requisition, and were crowded with
women, children, and ' plunder ' — there were several hundred people in all. Whenever any obstacle,
at a shoal or ritfle, the women would leap out, put their shoulders to the boat or raft, and launch it
again into deep water. The men of the settlement came down on each side of the river to guard the
women and children. The whole convoy arrived salely at Sunbury, leaving the entire line of farms
along the West Branch to the ravages of the Indians." — Historical Collections, Penttsyl-Oania.
38 History of Jefferson County.
When, about the year 1797, a colony was formed in Dauphin and Lycoming
counties, called the " Big Emigration," for the purpose of locating on French
Creek, Crawford county, young Graham joined the expedition. They loaded
their effects in canoes and transported them to a point on the Sinnemahon-
ing, where they were taken overland by pack-horses to the Allegheny River,
and again loaded on canoes and carried down the river to French Creek, and
up that creek to a point near Meadville. He remained here until 1804, when
he came to Port Barnett, and went to work for Joseph Barnett, working on the
mill, running lumber, etc., until 1807, when he was married to Sarah Ann,
eldest daughter of Mr. Barnett. In 1821 he moved on to a farm in Union
township now owned by Sheridan McCullough, where he remained until 1830,
when he removed to Eldred township, where he resided until his death in
1854. Mr. Graham came very near having to be a soldier, as his father had
been before him, as he was "pressed into service" by Colonel Bird in 181 2,
but after being detained at Waterford some two weeks, was allowed to return
home. He was clerk for the first board of county commissioners, and served
for court crier for several years. His venerable widow survived him until Oc-
tober, 1885, having lived to the great age of ninety-five years.
One of the pioneer lumbermen of Jefferson county was Moses Knapp, who
came with the Barnetts from Lycoming county, in 1796 or 1797. He was a
young man of about nineteen, and an adopted son or protege of Samuel
Scott, who was a millwright, and from whom young Knapp, having a good
deal of mechanical skill, soon mastered the rudiments of that trade. A )-ear
or two after, he left his friends at Port Barnett, and built a mill for him-
self on the North Fork at the head of the present mill-dam of T. K. Litch &
Sons. In the fall of that year he went to Indiana, where he attended one term
of school, and there became acquainted with Miss Susan Matson, a daughter of
Uriah Matson, of that place, and before he returned they were married, and he
brought her with him to his mill, where he put up a cabin and went to house-
keeping. Here in 1801 Polly, the eldest of eleven children, was born, followed
by Isabel and Samuel. He, after a few years, sold his mill and " betterments "
to Samuel and WilHam Lucas, and built another cabin for himself at the mouth
of the North Fork, and then built another saw-mill on what was then known as
Knapp's Run, now called the Five Mile Run, near where the " Blaine mill " now
stands. This mill he also sold to Thomas Lucas, and 'then built a log grist-
mill near his residence, where the North Fork empties into Red Bank. This
mill had one run of rock stones. The water was gathered by a wing dam of
brush and stones ; this dam extended up to where the road now crosses Litch's
mill-dam, and the water was brought into a chute that passed it under a large
"undershot" water-wheel, with a " face-geer " wheel upon the water-wheel
shaft, " mashed " into a " trundle-head " upon the spindle which carried the re-
volving stones, and comprised the primitive propelling machinery. Mr. Knapp's
Early Settlers. 39
mill was often taxed to its utmost, and though the flour produced did not equal
that produced to-day by the " roller-process," the early settlers were glad to
get it, and brought their grists on horse-back to be ground, for twenty and
thirty miles around. Some of our oldest citizens still remember this old log
grist-mill. He resided here from 1807 until 1818. His future operations will
be noted under the head of Clover township.
Soon after these pioneer settlers had struck the first blow with the a.x in our
forests, other settlers commenced to come into this region. Peter Jones first
followed the Barnetts. John, William, and Jacob Vasbinder came from New
Jersey and settled on Mill Creek, about three miles from Joseph Barnett, in the
year, 1802 or 1803. John Matson came in 1805 and settled on the farm where
his son, R. L. Matson, now resides.
The first improvement made where Corsica now stands was by John Scott,
who moved from Lycoming county in 1802. He afterward married a daugh-
ter of Paul Clover, one of the pioneers of Clearfield county. John and Archi-
bald Bell settled in the southern part of the county in 1809; soon afterward
came Archibald Hadden and Hugh McKee ; Jacob Hoover in 18 15 settled on
the present site of Clayville ; Carpenter Winslovv settled on what is now known
as the " Winslow homestead" in Gaskill township in 18 18. About the same
time Abram Weaver, Rev. Charles Barclay, Dr. John W. Jenks and Nathaniel
Tindell, with their families, and Elijah Heath, came to Punxsutawney ; Jesse
Armstrong and Adam Long were also among the first settlers in this locality.
About 1818 or 1 8 19 David, John, and Henry Milliron settled on Little Sandy,
near where Langvillle now is, and about the same time Henry Nolf built a
saw-mill there. In 1820 or 1821 Lawrence Nolf settled on Pine Run near the
present village of Ringgold. About 181 8 John and David Postlethwait settled
in what is now Perry township ; James McHendry, James Bell and several
others moved into the Round Bottom in 1822.
The first settlement in what is now called Clover township was made at
Troy in 18 14, by Summers Baldwin, who purchased the land upon which that
village is located from the Holland Land Company. Soon after Solomon Ful-
ler and John Welch purchased land of Baldwin, and until 1816 were the only
settlers in that section. Between this and 1820, Frederick Hettrick, Henry
Lott, Alonzo Baldwin, and the Carriers settled in Troy. In 18 18 Thomas and
John Lucas located at what was called " Puckerty," about three miles from
Troy. Then in 1820 James Shields, William Morrison, Hugh Williamson,
Samuel Magill, John Kennedy, John Magiffin and John Kelso came from
Huntingdon county, and located near Troy.
About the year 18 12 some hardy pioneers pushed their way up the Sus-
quehanna River, and Sinnemahoning to the mouth of Trout Run, on Bennett's
Branch, where one of the number, Leonard Morey, located and built a mill.
His companions were Dwight Caldwell, John Mix, and Eben Stevens. About
40 History of Jefferson County.
the same time a large tract of land containing some one hundred and forty-
thousand acres, which had been surveyed on warrants in the name of James
Wilson, was sold by State authority to Fox, Norris & Co., Quakers of Phila-
delphia, who sent an agent to construct a road into their lands, and build a
grist-mill. The road started from a point on the Susquehanna River, passed
over Boone's Mountain, crossed Little Toby Creek, without a bridge, where
the Hellen Mills now stand, followed the creek about seven miles to the point
of " Hogback Hill," up that steep and difficult ascent, and on over the high-
lands to a spot which had been selected for a mill site, on what is now called
Elk Creek, about two miles from the present town of Centerville. Jacob Wil-
son was the first miller, and for many years attended to the wants of the
people in this direction. Ofttimes he would have to go from his house, a dis-
tance of over a mile, to grind a grist of two bushels of corn, brought on horse-
back ; but the good old man always did this uncomplainingly, though the poor
toll he could take but little compensated him for his trouble.
About this time, also, came James Green with his sons — James, Isaac, John,
and William ; William, David, and Elijah Meredith, Josiah Taylor J. R. Han-
cock, David Reesman, James Reesman, John Keller, and John Shaffer came
with their families and constituted the " Kersey Settlement."
In 1818 Captain Potter Goff, Rev. I. Nicholls, Abija B. Weed, Josiah
Mead, John Macomber, Steven Dennison, Benjamin Leggett, Ebenezer Hew-
ett, Peter Pearsall, and Elder John Bliss came with their families and settled
on Bennett's Branch and vicinity. Elder Bliss, who was a Seventh-Day Bap-
tist, was the grandfather of P. P. Bliss, the noted evangelist and musician,
whose untimely death in the railroad disaster at Ashtabula, O., a few years
ago, was so universally lamented
Shortly after these Consider, Chauncey, and Alonzo Brockway, and some
others, came from the State of New York and settled in the same neighbor-
hood. In 1817 Joel Clarke, with his wife and sons Elisha and Joel, jr., came
from Russell, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and settled on Little Toby. Milton
Johnson and wife came at the same time and settled on a small stream which
now bears his name, at the mouth of Brandy Camp. Later in the year Phi-
letus Clarke, another son of Joel's, came, also, from Russell, N. Y., and settled on
Little Toby. The late Dr. A. M. Clarke, of Brockwayville, a son of Philetus
Clarke, and from whose " Recollections" of the early settlement of the northern
part of the county we have gleaned the greater part of the early history of
that region, gives the following description of their coming to the Little Toby
wilderness:
" I was about eleven years old when my father, Philetus Clarke, came from
St. Lawrence county, N. Y., into the Little Toby wilderness. The journey
was long and tedious ; we moved with oxen in wagons, which were covered
with canvas, and gave us shelter from sunshine and storm. I was the oldest
Early Settlers. 41
child, and there were three of us. Sometimes I had to drive the team while
my father would support the wagon to keep it from upsetting. The Susque-
hannah and Waterford turnpike was being made, and we came along an old
road near it to 'Neeper tavern,' about four miles from where Luthersburg now
is. I remember the motto that was over the sign-board at ' Neeper':
" ' It is God's will,
Tliis wood must yield.
And the wildwood turn
To a fruitful field.'
" From that place the road was very rough — over the hills and mountains.
We could not get through in one day, and had to stop one night at a place
where the road-makers had built a shanty, but it had burnt down, and the
place was called ' Burnt Shanty.' Our wagon gave us shelter, and a good
spring was pleasant indeed. The next day we passed over Boone's Mountain,
came to the crossing of Little Toby, near where the Oyster House was built
many years after. We pursued our journey onward to Kersey Settlement.
My father thought best to examine the lands for which he had exchanged his
New York property before going any farther, and was utterly disappointed
and disgusted with them. He made explorations in various directions in search
of a mill site, and finally concluded to settle at what is now Brockport, where he
built a saw-mill, the first ever built on Little Toby. He put a small grist-mill,
with "bolts," in the saw-mill, which answered tlie requirements of the few set-
tlers for a while, and afterward built a good grist-mill, which did good service
for the people, until the great flood of 1847 carried it off." In 1821 Isaac
Horton, Alanson Viall, Hezekiah Warner, and Chauncy Brockway settled
on Brandy Camp. In 1821 John S. Brockway purchased at treasurer's sale, at
Indiana, the " Henry Peffer tract" on Little Toby, and the next year Alonzo
and James M. Brockway moved over from Bennett's Branch and commenced
improvements on the land. They had to cut their way five miles down the
creek from Philetus Clarke's. They planted fruit trees of various kinds as
soon as the land was cleared, and peach and plum trees were soon in bearing.
They also made large quantities of maple sugar, raised all their own supplies,
and with game in abundance, lived luxuriously for those days. This was the
first settlement in what is now Snyder township.
In 1823 Jacob Shaffer located about a mile above Brockway's, on the
Henry Sinet tract. This land had been given to Mr. Shaffer by his father-in-
law, who had received the grant for services in the United States army. He
came all the way from Centre county with his little family in a two-horse
■wagon. He is represented as a "fine old German gentleman of the olden
time," and a "good Democrat — voting for Jackson for many years." He died
in 185 1. His brother-in-law, Henry Walborn, who came with him, located
near by on what was afterwards called Walborn's Run. He soon sold out to
Joel Clarke, jr., and went away. In 1824 or 1825 Richard Gelatt and W. F.
42 History of Jefferson County.
Luce built a saw-mill on Bennett's Branch, two or three miles above Trout
Run. They expected to soon get rich by lumbering. To keep his courage
up Mr. Gelatt would sing what he called the "Song of the Mill," "Go penny,
come pound." But as the years went on, the cost and difficulty in getting
their lumber to market, and the small prices realized for it, brought loss and
discouragement — when financial ruin seemed to stare him in the face, the
cheerful tenor of the song changed, and the mill sang instead, " Go pound,
come penny."
In 1826 the Fourth of July was celebrated at Mr. Gelatt's, the first record
we have of such a celebration in the county. " Spread-eagle speeches were
made; toasts given, and the day passed in mirth and hilarity." It was some
time afterwards — for there were no mail facilities, nor telegraphs in this whole
region of country in those days — before it became known that both Adams and
Jefferson had died on that day.
Joshua Vandevort settled in 1825 where "Bootjack" (Mayville) now is.
He was the pioneer of Warsaw township. In 1824 John Mcintosh and
Alexander Osborn and Henry Keys settled in the Beechwoods, and in 1826
Andrew Smith, William Cooper, and John Wilson also settled there. Several
other families came the same year. It was late in the fall of this year that
Mr. Cooper found the Wilson family, one morning, in the woods. They had
lost their way the night before,and had to lie out in the cold all night. Mrs.
Cooper made them a pot of hasty pudding, and after they had their breakfast,
put them to bed, for they were all nearly frozen. One of the daughters, after-
ward Mrs. Henry Keys, was so badly frozen that Mr. Cooper had to carry her
to his house on his back.
The old settlers and pioneers of the county will be treated more at length
in the history of the townships, in which they severally located. The grave
has closed over much that would have been of great interest and value in the
preparation of this work. Nearly all of the older citizens have passed oft" the
stage forever, and in many cases their descendants have preserved but little
record of them or their doings.
That these first days of our county's history were days of hardship, priva-
tion, and ofttimes of suffering, none can doubt. Here and there in the vast wil-
derness the smoke curled up from some lone cabin, while in the recesses of
those woods lurked the bear, the wolf and the panther, and the deadly rattle-
snake crept sometim.es to the very threshold. Rude and rough these cabins
were, built of logs, and at best containing but two rooms, with, may be, a
"loft"; with clapboard roof, puncheon doors and floor, and with greased
paper to serve for windows until such time as glass could be brought from the
" settlements." Only such articles as could be brought on horseback over the
rough trails or paths were at first brought into this wilderness — a little bedding,
clothing, and the necessary cooking utensils, with a few articles of table wear.
Early Settlers. 45
Rude furniture was manufactured, in most cases. Tables and bedsteads were
made of boards, and chairs were "splint-bottom." In the next decade, when
the travelers came in wagons drawn by sturdy oxen or horses, more comforts
could be transported. Huge chimneys made of mortar and sticks were placed
at one end of the cabin, and the cooking was done by suspending a "crane"
over the fire upon which the kettle and pots were " hung to boil." Wood was
plenty and close at hand, and though natural gas, kerosene, and even matches
were unknown, and candles luxuries often unobtainable, the dead and decay-
ing " pitch pine trees " had left the ground strewn with hard, resinous pine
knots, which, when split into pieces, produced a far better and cheaper light
than a dozen candles. But the inhabitants of these lowly dwellings were not
those who after once " putting their hand to the plow would look back " ; they
were of a race to persevere and win, and win they did. Mostly young couples,
just beginning life, they had left the old home in the older settlements to
make a home for themselves, and had selected this wilderness where land was
cheap. Their hearts were happy, and their purposes honest and upright, and
their very surroundings were all ennobling. They could not help but take into
their very souls the grandeur and beauty of their forest home. The tall pines
that raised their heads heavenward, the high hills that loomed upward and
shut them in, seemed to bring them closer to the Infinite Ruler, who protected
them amid all their perils. The winds sang anthems of praise, the pretty song-
sters that flitted from branch to branch warbled joyously all the day, while the
beautiful wild flowers in summer bloomed at their very doors ; and who will
say that they were not made better men and women from this close commun-
ing with nature in all its grandeur and beauty ?
Soon other settlers commenced to come in, and here and there could be
seen the smoke arising from a new home in the wilderness, and how the first
settlers rejoiced when they began to have neighbors ! It is true, the distance
from one neighbor to another was from five to ten and twelve miles, but then
in those days, a few miles of travel was not thought any hardship. We can
only imagine how Joseph Barnett and his family, after they had dwelt for
almost five years alone in the wilderness, welcomed the Joneses, the Vas-
binders, the Matsons, and others who first followed them into the county.
New settlers as they came in were received with the warmest of welcomes
by their predecessors. Good will and kindly feelings prevailed, every one was
ready to assist his neighbor, and if a new-comer, at a distance of ten or twelve
miles, wanted to put up a log cabin, or barn, all he had to do was to inform
those sturdy pioneers and he was sure to have their help at the appointed
time. Chopping-bees and log-rollings, called in those days " frolics," were
frequent. It might have been that some were influenced to attend these gath-
erings on account of the whisky that was freely used on such occasions, for
one of the first evidences of the settlement of the county was the building of
44 History of Jefferson County.
small " still houses," as they were then called; but it was the pure juice of the
rye, and though undoubtedly injurious in its effects, was free from drugs and
poison that is its principal ingredients in these days, and delirium tremens did
not lurk in the cup as it does now. As those sturdy pioneers felled the trees,
plowed the fields, or rafted the lumber down to Pittsburgh, they were laying
the foundation of a county whose people, to-day, have no peers for intelli-
gence, patriotism, and true nobility of character. Rude and illiterate some
of them may have been, but they were strong of heart and limb, brave and
enduring, possessing all the elements of true manhood and womanhood; earn-
est Christians most of them were, and they have left their impress upon the
present generation. Those days of privation, toil and danger, had their green
spots, and are yet held dear in the hearts of the few old people who still linger
with us. Those very toils and sufterings made them sacred, and though the
■present generation have escaped all the hardships of their pioneer ancestors, it
is to those days that this county owes all its prosperity, and all the blessings
we now enjoy. Those early pioneers laid the foundation that we might enjoy
the grandeur of the edifice ; they planted the tree, we are eating the fruit ;
they sowed in tears and poverty that we might reap in joy and gladness. Let
ns honor and revere them for those sterling qualities that gave our county its
first start towards its present greatness.
CHAPTER V.
EARLY INCIDENTS.
Pioneer Incidents — Early Rafting on the Mahoning and Little Toby — Hunting Wolves,
Bears, Panthers, etc.
IN the winter of 1800, or 1801, Stephen Roll, August Shultz, and a negro
named Fudeon Vancamp, started on foot from near Easton, Pa., to come to
Barnett Settlement, of which they had heard such glowing accounts. They
got along on their journey all right until they reached the mouth of Ander-
son's Creek, in the Susquehanna River, from which place their route lay
through the unbroken wilderness. Not being accustomed to pioneer travel-
ing, they started on the last stage of their journey, a distance of thirty-three
miles, without providing anything to eat on the way. Soon after they left the
Susquehanna River a heavy snow storm set in, and it continued to snow all
day until the snow was over two feet deep. Fudge Vancamp, the negro, was
the largest and strongest man of the party, and undertook to break the road
Early Incidents. 45
for the other two ; but the cold and hunger at last overcome him, and when
within about a mile of Barnett's he gave out and had to make the rest of the
way on his hands and knees. He reached Mr. Barnett's about midnight, so
much exhausted, and so nearly frozen, that it was almost an hour before he
revived sufficiently to inform his host of the situation in which he had left his
companions. As soon as they learned that there were others in danger of
perishing, four or five men started to rescue them. Roll was met a few rods
from the house. He had made the last stage of the journey in the same man-
ner that the negro had done. Shultz, however, had given out some two miles
back, and was found almost frozen. He lost three toes off one foot, and the
great toe off the other, and eventually his life was the forfeit, for he never
recovered from the effects of this terrible journey, but died a few months after
reaching his home again. Roll and Vancamp recovered in a few days. They
both settled near Port Barnett and lived to be old men.
Mrs. Graham, when about fourteen years old, was sent one evening to bring
home the cows ; but the animals had strayed farther than she anticipated, and
before she found them night set in, and a thunder storm coming on, she became
bewildered and frightened, and lost her way. Imagining that the wolves were
in pursuit of her, she feared to stop in the woods, and making her way to Mill
Creek, she waded out to a large rock in the middle of the stream, and there
spent the night in terror. She heard the cries of those who were searching
for her, but thought their calls, as well as the barking of the dogs, was the
howling of the wolves. She was rescued about daylight, when the water was
rising rapidly, and before noon the rock was obliterated by the mad flood,
and Mill Creek a raging torrent. Mrs. Graham said she was never sent to
hunt the cows again, but had her father bade her go, she would have gone in
spite of her fear, for, though kind to his family, he was strict in discipline, and
none of his children ever thought of disobeying him. It is said that when his
son Andrew was a married man with children and a home of his own, if his
father told him to do a thing he obeyed at once, without any questioning.
The greatest economy had to be exercised in those early days of which we
have spoken, both in regard to food and clothing. No supplies could be had
without a long and dangerous journey of forty or fifty miles, and sometimes
families found themselves reduced to the greatest straits for food. A venerable
lady, of one of the " first families " of the county, informed me that the hard-
est time she ever experienced was living for a week on dried apples and corn
bread, and that their greatest treat was to to be able to have " white wheat
cakes at Christmas." Another family is said to have been so hard pressed for
food that they had to boil the seeds of pumpkins, and yet another who sub-
sisted on green corn for two weeks.
Mrs. Edwin English, of Brookville, relates an incident of her father, Rev.
Gara Bishop, one of the pioneer ministers of this region. He was residing in
4
46 History of Jekkerson County.
1825 or 1826 in "Old Town" (Clearfield), and was called to perform a mar-
riage ceremony near the line of Jefferson and Clearfield counties. Mr. Bishop
drove in a sleigh — it being in the depth of winter — a distance of twenty miles to
the appointed place, and on reaching the house, which stood lone and forlorn in
the midst of the white waste, he inquired of the young man who came to
meet him at the door, and who appeared to be the sole occupant of the house,
whether he could get something for himself and horse to eat, but was informed
that he could not procure anything unless he went ten miles farther on. He
then inquired for the bride, and was told she would soon be there, and pretty
soon his host announced, " There they come now," and looking out he beheld
two women wading through the snow, which was more than " knee deep."
When they reached the cabin the bride went up into the " loft " to put an her
wedding dress, which she had brought in a bundle with her. She returned in a
few minutes, and the simple ceremony was soon over. The groom then asked
the bride whether she had brought anything with her to eat, as the preacher
had had no dinner. She produced a loaf of bread, from which Mr. Bishop
was supplied, and when he had appeased his hunger with this dry food, he
turned his face homeward, having to drive another twenty miles before he
could get anything for his poor horse, and this, too, over roads that the heavy
fall of snow had made almost impassable; and for this hard day's journey he
received one dollar.
Dr. A. M. Clarke relates the following incident: "When I was about
twelve or thirteen years of age, I was sent in the winter season with a yoke of
oxen and a sled to procure a load of corn from any source from which it could
be obtained, and found myself belated in the woods, but at last came to a lit-
tle clearing, where there was an old man by the name of Stevens and his wife
living in a poor log cabin. I was made welcome to the warmth of their fire,
which was very pleasant, as I was cold, tired, and perhaps hungry. I had
brought forage with me, and the team was soon cared for ; and the old lady
busied herself for some time in preparing a supper for me. She first fried some
salt pork, then greased a griddle with some of the fat procured from the meat,
and baked some corn cakes, then made what she called ' a good cup of rye
coffee,' sweetened with pumpkin molasses. I was not hungry enough to much
enjoy this repast. In the morning, on inquiry of my host, I learned that six
miles further down the stream (Bennett's Branch), I could likely get the corn
at a Mr. Johnson's. I must not return without it, so onward we went in the
morning, bought the corn and returned home. "
One of the first settlers of the southern portion of the county, and if tradi-
tion serves us right, one of the earliest lumbermen of the Mahoning, was Jesse
Armstrong, who built his cabin in a bend of the creek, now called Armstrong's
Bend, a short distance below where the mill of James U. Gillespie now stands.
He, with William Neal, devised the plan of constructing a raft, and early in the
Early Incidents. 47
spring of 1818 the two men, with Sally, Armstrong's wife — and tradition says
assisted by two Indians who had been in the neighborhood, perhaps visiting
the graves of their people — started on their raft to explore the lower waters of
the Mahoning, a peaceful enough stream in summer, but when swollen by the
spring rains and melting snows, a veritable, rushing, foaming river. The raft,
which was not one of the deftly put together square timber, or board rafts of
the present day, but constructed of round logs roughly withed together, was
swept down the mad current. The oars were poor, and the oarsmen and pilot
unskilled and ignorant of the stream, and at length the frail craft struck on
the rocks, and the crew barely escaped with their lives to the shore. Indeed,
poor Sally Armstrong would have found a watery grave had not Billy Neal
caught her by her long red hair, and pulled her out of the seething flood. It
it said that the eddy where this catastrophe occurred was ever after known as
"Sally's Eddy." Just before this mishap occurred, Sally had prepared some
food from the stores which they had with them ; but Owenoco, one of the In-
dians, said, " No, no ; we no eat now ; may be never eat ; " at the same time
he was trying with great strength and skill to keep the tossing craft from dash-
ing against the great rocks that loomed up on every side. Suddenly they
were drawn into the fearful eddy, and the oar of Owenoco breaking off sud-
denly, he lost control of the raft. Extricating themselves with difficulty from
their perilous predicament, the white men and Indians finally got their broken
raft safely moored to shore and tied fast to a tree. Then, by the aid of flint
and torch, the Indians called down the sacred fire, which they ascribed as a
gift from their Manitou, and soon the little band of lumbermen, and the poor
drenched lumber- woman, were gathered around the welcome fire ; all their
provisions, with the exception of some bread and salt that Sally had placed in
a box, which was saved, had gone down into the watery flood, with some
crocks of honey, the product of the wild bees, which Sally was taking to Pitts-
burg to purchase finery with. The bows and arrows of the Indians soon, how-
ever, procured them food, and in the cheerful light and warmth of the fire they
soon regained their spirits, and after a night's rest, were ready early the next
morning to again undertake the perilous journey, and without any more
serious mishaps gained their journey's end, being safely landed at Pittsburgh,
where their dusky companions bade them farewell forever, and wended their
way to Canada, there to join the remnant of their tribe.
Armstrong and his wife exchanged their logs for such provisions and wear-
ing apparel as they could carry, and returned on foot to Punxsutawney. It
was after night when they came in sight of their cabin, where Adam Long
and his wife dwelt with them. The loud barking of the dog announced their
coming, and Adam said to his wife, " I bet a deerskin it bees Jess and Sail
comin'," and soon the weary travelers were seated around their own fireside,
enjoying the rest they so much needed, and while they partook of the repast of
48 History of Jefferson County.
bear's meat, etc., that Mrs. Long hastily provided for them, they told the story
of their perilous journey and its successful ending, and Adam Long in turn
narrated the story of his fight with the bear whose skin was then drying on the
wall of the cabin, and which he had killed near their very door. " Oh, Lor' !
but I am tired " said Mrs. Armstrong, " I would not do that again for all the
plagued raft and honey. I feel so crippled up I can scarcely walk." " Yes,"
said Adam, " put ye give the hunny to te fesh, an' to te alegatorsh." "Yes,
I lost my seven crocks of honey, and if it hadn't been for Billy Neal I would
have went with the honey. I'll always respect him for that. Jesse never tried
to put out his hand to catch me," said the irate dame. " Why Sally," said
Armstrong, " you know that when you jumped in I was trying to save myself
on the other side of the raft." "But what te tivel you do mit Neal?" said Adam;
" did de Injun kill him, or did you sell him mit your raft ?" " Oh !" said
Jesse, " Neal went with us to Pittsburgh, where we left him. We got on
Leslie Ramsey's boat. I helped push the boat up to Kittanning, and Sally and
me come afoot from there along the Indian path. We come it in two days."
Then Adam Long told his story of the bear's death. His dog had started
the bear on the hill above the creek, and they had followed it from crag to
crag until it at last, just on the bank of the creek, it turned to give them bat-
tle, and caught the dog in its embrace, when the hunter dealt the huge beast
a powerful blow with his hatchet. The furious animal rela.xed its hold of the
dog and sprang at Adam with extended jaws, and seemed to realize that the
conflict was for life or death. The hunter's gun was useless. He had no time
to aim at the bear, but springing aside, he drew his long keen hunting-knife,
and returned to the charge. The huge black beast was standing erect and
received the thrust of the knife in his neck, and as Long was about to give
him another blow with his knife he struck him with his powerful paw and
stretched him on the ground, while his knife flew from his hand into the creek,
and had not the dog at this juncture come to the rescue, poor Adam would
never have lived to tell of this exploit ; but seeing his master at the mercy of
their common enemy, he sprang upon the bear and there ensued a fierce strug-
gle ; but the bear was badly wounded, and the dog at last threw him almost
into the creek, when the bear gave up the contest, and springing into the
water, made for the other shore, the brave dog still holding on to his flank.
Adam Long had by this time recovered his faculties, and reloading his gun
fired at the bear, the ball taking effect in his shoulder. He then plunged into
the creek and encountered him upon the other shore with his hatchet, and
soon dispatched him. He believed that the huge beast would have weighed
at least four hundred pounds. Adam always loved to narrate this story.
Long had left Westmoreland county to escape being pressed into the serv-
ice to fight the British in the War of 1812, preferring to be a Nimrod than an
Achilles.
Early Incidents. 49
As we have said before, the country abounded in wild animals when the
early settlers first came ; the bear and wolf especially being the terror of the
farmer, and the ever vigilant foe of his sheep-fold and pig-pen. Many are the
hunting stories related of those times, but we only reproduce a few of them,
which come to us well authenticated. In the year 1806 a law was passed al-
lowing a bounty of eight dollars for the scalp of each wolf or panther, and as
the skins of these animals were also very valuable, nearly every man turned
hunter, not only for the purpose of protecting themselves and their flocks from
the depredations of these beasts of prey, but also for the revenue they derived
from killing them. They would watch the dens of the wolves when the young
wolves had attained a certain size, and capture them, trying to time their visit
when the old wolves were absent.
Some time in the spring of 1823 two men, named Timblin and Porter, came
to David Postlethwaite's, in Perry township, to get some whisky — Mr. Postle-
thwaite kept a "still house" at the time — stating that they were going to hunt
for wolves. During the evening the two hunters imbibed so much whisky that
Postlethwaite concluded they would not hunt any wolves that evening, and af-
ter they left he went to his brother John and told him that if they were going
to hunt the wolves they must do it that night, as the other parties would likely
start in the morning. They knew where the wolves had a den in a cavern
under a huge rock, about three-quarters of a mile from Postlethwaite's, and
about a quarter of a mile from the present Brookville and Indiana road.
Just as they came round the rock, David told his brother that the old wolf was
in, for he had heard her. His brother doubted this at first, but soon found
that David was right. It was then about dusk in the evening. David said,
"Well, John, will you go in and shoot her? " " No, I'll be if I do, " said
John. " Well, if you won't, I must," said his brother, and at once prepared to
go into the den, taking with him his gun, hunting-knife, and a long pole, nine
or ten feet long, to feel for the wolf, so that he should not get too near her un-
awares. After proceeding into the hole about fifteen feet he came to a short
turn to the left, where the passage became so narrow that he could proceed
with difficulty ; about six feet further on he came to another turn to the right,
and feeling ahead with his pole, touched the wolf He had some difficulty in
getting her to look towards him, so that he could see her eyes to fire at. He
finally got a good aim, leveled, and fired at the brute's eyes, and then got back
as fast as he could past the first turn in the passage, when he listened to see
whether his shot had taken effect ; but for a time the report of the gun as
it reverberated through the cavern was deafening ; when this died away he
knew by the absence of the old wolf's breathing that she was dead. His
brother then went in and brought her out and nine whelps with her. David's
bullet had struck her a quarter of an inch from the eye. Rattlesnakes were
also very plenty, and the danger from them was very great. Some time in the
50 History of Jefferson County.
fall of 1823 David Postlethwaite found a rattlesnake den not more than half a
mile from his house, and killed forty or fifty of the reptiles. The next spring
he and Nathaniel Foster went out to the den to have " a spree killing rattle-
snakes." Just as the two men were starting from the house, they met James
Stewart, a neighbor, who was coming to Postlethwaite's on an errand, and in-
vited him to accompany them ; so the three, armed with a club apiece, went to
the den and in less than two hours had killed three hundred snakes. Mr. Pos-
tlethwaite, who related the story to our informant, said that they counted them,
and that from forty to sixty dead reptiles lay in a circle of ground not more
than ten feet in diameter.
In 1834 or 1835 a man named Long, and John and Jacob Kahle, sons of
Frederick Kahle, caught eight young wolves from a den near the present town
of Sigel. Long made a hook and fastened it to a stick four or five feet long,
and John Kahle, the oldest boy, who was about fourteen, went in and fasten-
ing the hook into the hide of a young wolf, would pull it out. He took a pine
torch with him, and had a rope tied to his foot, and when he would get hold
of a young wolf he would pull on the rope and the others would pull him
out This was repeated eight times, but on the ninth trial he caught the old
wolf; she growled and snapped her teeth at him. He jerked on the rope but
was not strong enough to pull her out. When he got out and told Long, the
latter oft'ered him ten dollars if he would go in and bring her out ; and on his
refusal, tried to get Jacob to go in. Long then made several attempts to go in
after her himself, but did not succeed in getting very far. He then tried to get
the old animal by blasting the rock with powder ; but this also failed, and they
then closed up the entrance to the den ; but she worked herself out through
some other opening, and escaped with her remaining young one. When they
commenced to capture the young wolves they thought the old wolf was not in
the den.
About the year 18 16 Lewis Long and his son William shot five wolves
without moving out of their tracks. They first killed the leader of the pack,
and then called the rest back by imitating their howling.
William and Jackson Long were noted hunters, hunting and trapping being
their occupation for many years, and they had many daring and hair- breadth
escapes. Their sure and trusty rifles did much to rid all this wilderness of
the dangerous wild beasts that infested it. As their game grew scarce in this
region, they removed to the wilder sections, " Boone's Mountain " being a fa-
vorite hunting-ground. Both lived to be old men. The impression prevails
that a she bear will fight for her young until she dies, but this is not always the
case. In 1836 William and Mathew Smith, of the Beechwoods, gave chase to
a bear with three cubs ; two of the latter ran up a tree and were captured,
while the old bear ran oft' with the remaining cub, and never came back to look
for the missing ones. In 183 1 Mrs. Nancy McGhee, of the same locality, heard
Early Incidents. 51
the pigs squealing, and exclaimed : " The bears are at the hogs," and Mr.
McGhee being absent, she and the hired man, Philip McAfiferty, each picked
up an ax and hastened to the rescue of the imperiled swine. The bear had
one down and was preparing to make a meal of it, but fled on their approach ;
but the hog was so badly hurt that it had to be killed. The panther was the
most cautious and crafty animal that the hunters had to contend with. In 1833
Jacob Vasbinder found a panther's den on Boone's Mountain. He went with
his boys, dogs, and guns to kill the old and capture the young animals. One
of the dogs got loose, and unnoticed ran ahead and frightened off the old pan-
ther, and scattered the young ones so that they only caught one alive. The
dogs killed the rest. The one that was captured was about the size of a cat.
It was kept for about a year and then sold to a traveling showman.
In 1834 the Long brothers and Andrew Vasbinder captured a full-grown
elk. They surrounded it with their dogs and forced it to take refuge on a high
rock. Here the dogs did not dare approach it, for it would have soon trampled
them to death with its sharp hoofs. The hunters after some trouble succeeded
in throwing a rope over its head, and thus captured it ; but they forced it
home too roughly, and it only survived the capture three weeks.
The boldest feat on record is that of Jackson Long, a son of William, who
as late as the year 1850, entered a panther's den and shot the savage animal
by the light of his glowing eyes.
We have no record of any deaths occurring from wild animals, but the
above incidents will show how wary the early settlers had to be at all times,
and the perils they had to undergo in ridding the county of these beasts of
prey. In those times " vigilance was the price of safety."
In 1828 the Little Toby lumbermen came to the conclusion that money
could be made by running their lumber to Pittsburgh, but the accumulation
of driftwood, rocks, and short bends in the stream, caused it to be unnavi-
gable, and much work had to be done removing the drift, blasting rocks, and
making new channels, so that no rafts could be started for the market until in
May, 1830, when the lumber from the three mills on Little Toby, operated by
the Brockways, Philetus Clarke, J. Horton, H. and L. Warner, Alanson Viall,
and perhaps some others, was with much labor and difficulty got ready to
run. The late Dr. A. M. Clarke gives the following account of this first at-
tempt at lumbering on Little Toby :
" I went with the first lumber that was sent from Little Toby to Pittsburgh.
It was a great company craft, awkwardly put in and poorly managed from
beginning to end. After a great deal of trouble by the way, and much stav-
ing, the rafts were all collected and coupled together in one unwieldy raft at
Miller's Eddy, on the Allegheny River. On account of the exceeding rough
appearance of this raft it was called the ' Porcupine.' Want of experience and
lack of skill nearly wrecked the whole business, for in their anxiety to get to
52 History of Jefferson County.
market, and encouraged by their pilot, the unwieldy craft — I think it was three
abreast, and thirty-two platforms long — was started in very high water. They
soon discovered their mistake, but were unable to land, and went rushing for-
ward, and miles of foaming water were traversed before the frightened crew
effected a landing. I was sent to take care of my father's share in the adven-
ture. We went down in May, 1830, and came back in July. Our best sales
were made for five and ten dollars per thousand feet for common and clear
stuff.
" I was but a stripling in size, weighed perhaps one hundred pounds. Of
course I was of no account among the ' Olean Hoosiers.' One day at ' Dal-
rymple's hotel,' which was the lumbermen's headquarters at that time, while
sitting in the waiting-room, quietly waiting for dinner, suspecting no mischief,
I felt a severe pinch above my knee, making the muscles tingle with pain.
The hand that gave the pinch belonged to a tall, robust, heavy lumberman
from Smithport, named Gideon Irons. I sprang up on the instant and gave
him a blow with all the force I was able. I suppose he felt my puny fist, for
looking down on me, he cooly said, ' Pretty well for Little Toby.'"
Another lumberman gives the experience of lumbering on the same stream
more than ten years later :
" In April, 1842, Nelson Allen, Patrick Cairns, and others started from
what is now Brockwayville, on a raft for Pittsburgh. They soon ' stuck,' but
the water was rising and they got off again. It was quite late when they
reached a place where they could land for the night. There was no house
near and they could get no fire started, and they had to lay all night in their
wet clothing on some hemlock boughs, benumbed with cold. But little sleep
visited them. The next afternoon they reached a good landing place, but still
no house, and fearing to run the risk of not being able to effect a landing if
they ventured on, they tied up. They had very short rations for dinner, and
a long fast was before them. Soon another raft came down the stream, the
crew of which called to them for bread, but they had none to give. A piece
of raw, salt pork gave them a small 'scrap ' apiece. The men suffered severely
from the wet and cold and for want of food, as it was two o'clock in the after-
noon of the next day before they reached a house of entertainment, and where
the good women of the house found it hard to find food enough to satisfy
the almost famished raftmen. From this place they 'ran out' to Pittsburgh
without further trouble. But for all this suffering and hardship they only re-
ceived seven dollars and fifty cents per thousand for their timber."
These are only a few of the many perils and privations attendant upon early
lumbering in Jefferson county waters.
Early Schools and Churches. 53
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The First Old Log School-House — Primitive Education — Tlie First Schools in Pine Creek
and Perry Townships — Schools of Ye Olden Time — The Presbyterians the First to Sow the
Good Seed in .lefferson County — Reverend McGarragh the Pioneer Minister — The First Cliurch
in the County — The First Marriages — The Early Baptist Church — The First Coming of the
Seceders — The Planting of Methodism in the County — Early Ministrj' of Reverend George
Reeser.
AS soon as the people got their cabins ready for habitation they began to
plan for the building of school-houses and the organization of churches.
Mrs. Graham informs us that the first school in the county was taught in the
winter of 1803 by John Dixon. He was the father of the venerable John
Dixon, of Polk township. The house in which this school was taught was
built of rough logs, with no windows except " chinks " left between the logs
over which greased paper was tacked, the floor was of puncheons, and the
seats of broad pieces of logs hewn smooth on the upper side, and with pins in
the under side for legs. Boards fastened to the walls served as writing desks,
and a log fire placed at one end of the house supplied that want. A year or
two later a man named John Johnson taught in a house between Port Barnett
and Brookville. This house was somewhat of an improvement on the first
one in that it had real glass in the windows. The first school in the south end
of the county was near where Perrysville now is, at John Bell's. The school-
house was almost a fac simile of the one described above. These schools
were maintained and the houses built by those who felt interested in having
school in the neighborhood and who had children old enough to attend. The
wages paid were very low, but were all that the times afforded. We notice
that a schoo Itaught on Little Toby, somewhere in 1828, the teacher received
twelve dollars per month, paid in maple sugar. In those days the requirements
for teachers were not very exacting, and no rigid examinations had to be un-
dergone.
Mrs. Ann Smith, one of the early settlers of the northern part of the county,
left Ireland at the age of ten years, and never went to school in America. She
married at the early age of sixteen, and could have had but little opportunity
for study at home, yet in her old age she taught school. When her husband
became discouraged and wanted to leave the backwoods, she was so anxious
to remain and build up a home for her children that she offered him one year's
work on the farm if he would stay on, and for twelve months she went to the
field as early and toiled as late as he did. W'e have before us two old school
books, one "The American Accountant, or School Mafter's New Affiftant,"
by Benjamin Workman, published in Philadelphia in 1793. The other is a
54 History of Jefferson County.
" Short, but Comprehensive System of the Geography of the World," pub-
lished in 179s by Dr. Nathaniel Dwight, of Hartford. The books, which are
both in good preservation, show that in those early days the boy or girl who
was so lucky as to own a book knew how to take care of it. In the geography
is written, " Sandy Lick saw-mill, Pensylvany, Erastus Turner," and in the
arithmetic, in very legible, though old-fashioned characters,
" Do not Steal this book for Fear of Shame,
for underneath hes the owner's name ;
Elish.\ Grah.\m,
Joseph Mason,
His hand and pen,
Sept. the 30th, 1794."
And these are the books handed down from the first days of our county,
and from which in that old rude school -house in Pine Creek township the first
rudiments of arithmetic and geography were taught. The history of the
schools of Jefferson county, from the rude beginnings which we have men-
tioned, up to the present time, which will be given in a subsequent chapter,
will show what progress has been made in the method of teaching, books used
and school buildings.
The Presbyterian Church seems to have been the first that gained a foot-
hold in this county, and the ministers of that denomination the first who
" sowed the good seed " in this wilderness.
The first account we have of religious services being held in the settlement
was in June, 1809, when Rev. Robert McGarragh preached at the house of
Peter Jones, near where John McCuUough now lives in Pine Creek township —
"held the communion and baptized certain persons." Mr. McGarragh was
undoubtedly the pioneer minister of the count}'. He had come to the Clarion
region as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Redstone in 1803, and removed,
with his family, to take charge of the churches of Licking and New Rehoboth,
now in Clarion county, in 1804. He seems to have taken charge of the little
congregation of Port Barnett, but how long he ministered unto them is not
known. Mr. McGarragh did not " serve his Master for hire," for the people
he preached to were too poor to pay for his services, and the good man was
used to poverty. It is told of him that when a student at Cannonsburg in
1803, he and his wife kept boarders, students of the same institution. " One
night Mrs. McGarragh found the stock of provisions so low that she declined
to sit down to the table lest there might not be enough for breakfast. They
urged her to partake of the food, and agreed to keep the morrow as a fast day.
Next morning, as they held a prayer-meeting, a knock came to the door, and
upon opening it a countryman was found who inquired for Mr. McGarragh,
stating that he wished to sell him some provisions. 'But,' said he, ' though I
need provisions, I have no money.' ' If you can pay me in six months it will
do,' said the farmer, ' I am not afraid to trust a Presbyterian student.' He
bought a side of beef and two hundred pounds of flour. That very day his
Earlv Schools and Churches. 55
father came to see him and brought fifty dollars, which he had saved to help
him. The next day he hired a man to go out fourteen miles into the country
and pay the stranger." The good man remained poor, and on one occasion
Mr. Wilson, of Strattanville, when he went to engage him to preach, found
him busy " logging," and of course expected him to change his clothes, but
found that the only suit he owned was the one he had on. This man, " poor
in purse but rich in goodness," was he who first preached the gospel to the
people of Jefferson county.
The first meeting-house built was about three miles from Brookville, on the
Clarion road. It was built of logs, without a floor, and slabs or boards on
logs constituted the seats. The pulpit was a board supported by two posts.
Rev. William Kennedy was the pastor, and is the first settled minister in the
county of the Presbyterian Church of whom there is any record. This church
was organized about the year 1824, and was called the "Bethel of Jefferson
County."
In 1826 Rev. William Kennedy went from his home in the Beech woods to
marry Henry Keys and Catharine Wilson, and at the same time baptized Nin-
ian Cooper. Rev. Gara Bishop, in 1830, came from his home in Clearfield to
the same locality to marry James Waite and Martha Mcintosh, and at the same
time baptized Susan Mcintosh ; so that in those days they were in the habit
of " killing two birds with one stone," either in a religious or secular way. In
1 83 1 Rev. Cyrus Riggs, another Presbyterian, made a missionary tour into the
county, and besides preaching several times made a pastoral call upon each
family. The people of the Beechwoods did not want to send him away with-
out some remuneration for his services, but money was a scarce article in those
days. It was found, however, that Matthew Keys had a five dollar bill, and
the rest all agreeing to pay him twenty-five cents apiece as soon as they got
the money, if he would give the money to the preacher, Mr. Keys agreed to
the proposition, and Rev. Riggs carried away with him all the money in the
settlement. When Mr. Riggs first came there he told Mrs. Keys that he was
looking after the " stray sheep." " Oh, indeed," said the old lady, " you'll find
none of them here." "Oh, mother," said her daughter Betty, "it is the lost
sheep of the house of Israel he is after."
Rev. Jonathan Nichols, a Free Will Baptist, settled in Brandy Camp in
1822. He was the first minister in the northern part of the county for many
years, and was, in fact, the first who settled in the county, and who labored in
his Master's vineyard until death called him to his reward. He was also the
first physician, and spent his life in ministering both to the souls and bodies of
the people with whom he had cast his lot. His ministrations were well received
by the people without regard to sect or denomination, as in those days " every
body went to meeting," in summer on foot, and in winter with ox-sleds.
There was no money to pay the preacher, and so the gospel was dispensed
^'without money and without price."
$6 History of Jefferson County.
Dr. Nichols, who was the father of Mrs. Dr. A. M. Clark, of Brockwayville,
died in May, 1846. Dr. Clark says of him : " He was a generous, kind-hearted
gentleman, somewhat of the olden school, genial and urbane in his manner,
with a helping hand ready to assist the needy, and kind words to comfort the
sorrowing. He was the friend of my childhood, and rendered me much assist-
ance in my medical studies. I remember him with gratitude, and wish that
the world contained many more such as he."
The first United Presbyterian, or as it was called in those days, Seceder
Congregation in the county, was organized at Dowlingville in 1828. Revs.
Joseph Scroggs and Thomas Ferrier were instrumental in the organization and
dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's Supper there, and begun what has ever
since been one of the leading churches in the county.
Although there may have been occasional sermons preached by some of
the pioneer preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the territory now
embraced within Jefferson county, earlier, we find no record of any such, until
the year 1821, when Rev. Elijah Coleman, a local preacher, formed a society,
or class, of ten members at Punxsutawney, at the house of Jacob Hoover.
This society was attached to the Mahoning Circuit of the Baltimore Confer-
ence, which circuit was formed in 181 2, and was large enough for an annual
conference. Rev. Mr. Dorsey was the preacher in charge. In 1822 Mr. Hoo-
ver's house was a "regular preaching place." As late as 1827 and 1828 the
Erie Conference had only one preacher in all the territory east of the Alle-
gheny River, the old Shippenville district. Rev. James Babcock, then Rev.
Nathaniel Callender, were the first preachers on this circuit. Their work was
mostly done in the Clarion District, but they preached occasionally in Jeffer-
son. In 1828 a class of six members was formed in Pine Creek township, the
meeting being held in an old mill north of Brookville. David Butler was the
leader, and Cyrus Butler superintendent of a Sunday-school organized at the
same time. In 1829 this society met for service in a school-house that stood
where the jail now stands. In 1829 the Shippenville Circuit had two preach-
ers. Revs. John Johnson and J. C. Ayers, and a " gracious revival of religion
on the circuit attended their labors." A class or society was organized at
Troy, of some ten or twelve members.
Rev. George Reeser, who spent the first thirteen years of his ministry in
this region of country, sends us a sketch of his labors in this field, and as it is
general in character, embracing all the territory now covered by Jefferson
county, we give it here in full. Mr. Reeser, who is one of the oldest mem-
bers of the Erie Conference, now sustains a superannuated relation to that
body : —
" In the month of July, 1840, 1 was admitted on trial in the Erie Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which held its annual session that year in
Meadville, Pa., and sent as preacher in charge, with Israel Mershon for my
Early Schools and Churches. 57
colleague, to what was then Red Bank circuit, which embraced a large por-
tion of the south side of Jeft'erson, but included Bethlehem in Clarion, Putney-
ville, and two other appointments in Armstrong, and three in Indiana county.
The principle preaching places in Jefferson county were Punxsutawney, Hope-
well Church, Gahagans, Troy, Heathville, and Sprankle's Mill. Among the
early and leading members of the Methodist Church in Punxsutawney, Jacob
Hoover, Daniel Burkett, John Hunt, John Drum, Jacob Bear, Joseph Weldon,
and Thomas Robinson and their wives deserve honorable mention. Joseph
Weldon was subsequently licensed to preach, and admitted into the Erie Con-
ference, and did good service for a number of years.
" Punxsutawney was favored this year with a wonderful revival of religion.
Rev. John Bain — of precious memory — our presiding elder, at his second
quarterly visit remained with us some ten days, and preached the grand old
gospel of Christ with matchless simplicity and power — often holding crowded
congregations spell-bound from one hour and a half to two hours. A general
awakening and serious thoughtfulness upon this subject of their soul's best in-
terests prevaded the community for miles away. Of the fruits of this meet-
ing, which lasted but two weeks, the Methodist Church recorded eighty-three
new names to the roll of her membership. The Baptist and Cumberland
Presbyterian Churches also shared largely in the benefits of this revival.
" As neither myself nor colleague were at this time ordained ministers, we
could not perform the marriage ceremony, and were mainly dependant for this
service on Rev. Elijah Coleman, a venerable patriarch, and for many years a
popular and useful local preacher. In early life Father Coleman resided at
Morrison's Cove, but had now lived many j'ears on the south side of Mahoning
Creek, in Indiana count)^ On one of his visits to our charge he consented to
remain over Sabbath and preach. His text on this occasion was the parable
of the sick man. Dives, as he called him, and Lazarus. An old German, and
an acquaintance of Mr. Coleman while they lived together at Morrison's Cove,
heard the sermon, and on his way home, it was said, he remarked to a friend
who had also heard the sermon : ' Dem tings what we heard to-day about
Divis and Lashurus ish all a pack of lies. I knew Mr. Divis and Lashurus
well doun dare at Morrison's Cove. It is true, Divis was a rich man, but
den he was not a proud man, nor a stingy man, and it ish true too, dat Lash-
urus was a poor man, but he was never so poor as to have to beg hish bread.
He had a yoke of oxen, and he drove around de town many tings, and some-
times he just had slugs of money.'
" Daniel and Jacob Swisher, two brothers, formerly of Lewistown, Pa., were
at this time the most prominent members of the Hopewell Church, four miles
west of Punxsutawney. It was largely through their influence that the ap-
pointment was established, sustained, and a house of worship erected there.
The house of Daniel Swisher was always a welcome home for the weary itin-
58 History of Jefferson County.
erant. Never can I forget the kindnesses shown to me by the entire family
during the two years of my pastorate.
" Next to Punxsutawney, Troy, in Jefferson county, was the most important
point on our field of labor ; but where, or by whom, Methodist preaching was
first introduced, I have no means of ascertaining. Prior to the general con-
ference of 1836, Erie Conference had no existence, and the Pittsburgh Confer-
ence, to which all that territory belonged, supplied the Methodist Churches
with its pastors. I found in Troy a church of some fifty members, but we had
no better place in which to hold our public services than an old and somewhat
dilapidated school- house. Nathan, Darius, Euphrastus, and Hiram Carrier, all
brothers, Elijah Heath, Philip Clover, a Mr. Fairweather, and a Mr. Fuller, and
some others whose names I cannot recall, were among the prominent and in-
fluential members of the church at this time. The revival spirit pervaded our
societies generally, and many were added to the church.
" In the summer of 1841 our conference held its annual session in Cleveland,
Ohio. I was reappointed to Red Bank charge. Israel Mershon was removed,
and John Graham was sent to take his place as junior preacher. The form of
our circuit remained unchanged. Two camp-meetings, one at Putneyville, the
other at Punxsutawney, were held this year, which resulted in great spir-
itual good ; conversions at both were numerous, and in some instances very
powerful and clear. As a whole, we had a laborious, but pleasant and pros-
perous year; many were added to the church, and its spirituality greatly in-
creased. The salary which I received from the entire charge the first year was
a trifle less than one hundred and thirty dollars. The second year, with a
greatly increased membership, I was paid less than two hundred dollars, and
yet, strange to tell, I was never obliged to go to bed hungry. During this con-
ference year Brother Graham made tlie acquaintance of Miss Cornelia Gaskell,
at Punxsutawney, to whom he was subsequently married. Brother Graham has
served many important charges, and filled the office of presiding elder for eight
years, and is still in the active work of the ministry, a true and good man.
" In July, 1850, I was appointed to Brookville Mission, as it was then called,
with Thomas Elliott as junior preacher. For some years prior to this Brook-
ville and Luthersburg, with a few outlying appointments at both ends, consti-
tuted the mission field. Dean C. Wright, my immediate predecessor, preached
in Brookville and in Luthersburg on alternate Sabbaths. Luthersburg was
now cut off from Brookville, and formed into a new charge, and the Brook-
ville mission field was greatly enlarged, so as to take in Greenville, Kearney's
school-house, and Canada, as it was called. These appointments were in Clar-
ion county, and with Troy, and Holts, Brookville, Warsaw, Richardsville,
Ebenezer Church, a mile or two from Sigel, and Hominy Ridge, near the
Clarion River, constituted our Sabbath appointments; and with two preachers
on the charge, we were able to give them public services once in two weeks.
Early Schools and Churches. 59
But in addition to these we had a good many other preaching places, and fee-
ble societies which could be reached and served only on week days and nights.
Thomas Elliott, being a young man and a novice in the ministry, thinking
the labor and sacrifices too great, became discouraged, and fled ingloriously
from the field before the year was half ended. This occasioned my labors and
responsibilities to be greatly increased ; but later on Samuel Warren was sent
to my assistance. He was kind, companionable, and faithful to his work. He
was after this received into the Erie Conference ; served a number of charges,
then moved to Missouri ; entered the conference there, and subsequently be-
came a presiding elder, and for anything I know to the contrary, he is still
alive, and in the active work of the ministry.
" On my arrival in Brookville I found a feeble society, numbering, to the
best of my recollection, but twenty-six in all ; of these, fully one-third lived
four to six miles away, and were seldom seen at any of our Sabbath services.
Elijah Heath and Christopher Fogel, a local preacher, had transferred their
residences and membership to Brookville, and with Martin Travis, Reuben
Hubbard, John Long, Samuel Clark, Daniel Silvis, and James Moore, and their
wives, were the principal members.
'■ As we had no church edifice, and the court-house not always available for
public services, I early began to agitate the matter of building a church of our
own. This, however, was decidedly opposed by the official members gen-
erally, and particularly by Judge Heath, who affirmed that no man could raise
a thousand dollars in Brookville to build a Methodist Church. With per-
sistent agitation, however, their consent was obtained not to oppose the enter-
prise any further, provided I would agree to solicit the subscriptions, and
collect the funds, to which I gave a willing assent, and in a comparatively
short time I had good pledges to the amount of $1,500. The judge very
frankly acknowledged his mistake, and became quite enthusiastic to see the
building commenced and carried on to completion as rapidly as possible.
This was soon done, and 1 had the very great pleasure of preaching and
worshiping with my people in our own house of prayer during the latter nine
months of my second year on the charge, and pushing the subscription as
much as my time would allow. I had the entire cost of lot, building, etc., can-
celled with the exception of about $450, with nearly that amount of sub-
scription uncollected, before my alloted time expired.
" In the month of January, 185 i, I commenced a series of meetings in the
court-house, hoping thereby to get the church revived, and her membership
increased. I was not disappointed — the result was a glorious revival, such as
. had never been witnessed before in Brookville. Of the new accessions many
were heads of families, and became stable and useful members of the church.
We were blest with a similar revival soon after we began to worship in the
new church. One of the converts, Rev. J. K. Mendenhall, became an itiner-
€o History of Jefferson County.
ant minister in the Erie Conference. From this time on tlie Methodist Epis-
copal Church has had a respectable showing, and has been a power in Brook-
ville. The missionary appropriation was now withheld, outside appointments
were formed into other charges, and the church in Brookville became an
independent station. Three sessions of the Erie Annual Conference have been
held and creditably sustained there.
" In the summer of 1852 I was appointed to Punxsutawney, and remained
there two years. The revival spirit prevailed generally over the charge.
Many new and valuable members were gathered, especially at Punxsutawney
and Ringgold. The latter place was a new appointment; a flourishing society
was organized and the ' Union Bethel Church ' erected, which was built and
held in common by the Evangelical and Methodist denominations. Paradise,
near Reynoldsville, was a new appointment, and a house of worship was
erected there soon after I had left the charge, chiefly through the liberality
and peristent efforts of a Mr. Syphert.
"Two of this Brother Syphert's daughters were afterwards married to Meth-
odist preachers, and are still itinerating and toiling with their husbands in the
Master's vineyard.
"In the summer of 1854 I was sent to Luthersburg, and remained there two
years. By special invitation I visited Washington township, in Jefferson
county, and established a preaching place not far from Rockdale Mills. A
series of revival meetings held in a school-house proved a great blessing; a
society of some fifty members was formed, and the ' Beech Wood's Church,'
as it was called, became one of the most important Sabbath appointments
on the charge. Mathew and John Smith, Michael Grogan, Daniel Groves and
three of his sons — James, Thomas, and John, and many others whose names
I cannot now recall were among the earliest members. James Groves was
afterward licensed to preach, and admitted into the Erie Conference, and did
the church good service for a number of years.
"From Luthersburg I moved to Clarington, on the north side of the Clarion
River, but I had several preaching places in Jefterson county. In 1866 and
1867 I was reappointed to Clarington and remained two years again, and had
the same preaching places in Jefferson as before. In 1868 and '69 I was at
Brockwayville. The charge was a laborious one and lay entirely within the
limits of Jefferson county. Fourteen years of my ministerial life and labors
were thus spent, either wholly, or in part, in Jefterson county. When I first
entered the county as a Methodist preacher there was not a single parsonage,
and but one house of worship owned by the Methodists in the county. That
house was in Punxsutawney, and was a mere shell, small, old, and somewhat
dilapidated, in which a feeble society had been worshiping for a number of
years. The second house of worship erected by the Methodists was the Hope-
well Church, of which I have spoken before ; the third was at Troy, the
From 1807 to 1830. 61
fourth at Brookville, the fifth at Gahagan's, in the southern part of the county.
Our preaching was done chiefly in school-houses, private dwelUngs, grist-mills,
and in the open air, but ' the hand of the Lord was with us working with
signs and wonders,' and hundreds were added to the church. Of the older
members of my acquaintance many have departed, I trust in peace ; others
moved away, and when I consider how many parsonages and houses of wor-
ship have been built, and how many new societies have been organized, and
how many preachers are employed and liberally sustained within the limits of
the county, I am constrained to exclaim ' What hath God wrought!'"
The first Catholics who came into the county, as far as we can learn, were
those two sturdy, honest Irishmen, John Dougherty and John Gallagher, who
settled in Brookville, in the year 1 831, and who were both prominently con-
nected with the town and county for so many years. Soon others came in •
some from Belgium, who settled on the south side of Red Bank, in what has
ever since been known as Belgiumtown. They were for a long time minis-
tered unto by priests from St. Mary's, Pa., and from the older Catholic settle-
ments in the Clarion region, until 1853, when, during the pastorate of Rev.
Father Ledwith, they built the brick church on Water street, which was for a
long time the finest church edifice in Brookville.
Although there were members of the Baptist, Lutheran and other denomi-
nations in the county prior to 1830, they had no organization, nor any preach-
ing, except that of Dr. Nichols, in the northern part of the county, before
noted.
The rapid growth, the fine church edifices, with full statistics of the different
church organizations within the county the past half of a century, will be given
elsewhere.
CAAPTER Vn.
FROM 1807 TO 1830.
F'rst Assessments and Elections — First Roads — Population — Statistics of Agriculture —
Commerce and Manufactures.
THOUGH the county was organized provisionally in 1804, there seems to
have been no records kept nor any elections held until 1807. The fol-
lowing is the first assessment of property on record :
62 History of Jefferson County.
" loo acres Joseph Barnett, (improved), val $3-29
John Dixon, (weaver),
EHjah M. Graham
Joseph Hutchison,
lOO acres Peter Jones, (blacksmith), (improved), 1.95
100 " Samuel Scott, (miller), 6.00
100 " John Scott 2.22
100 " Jacob Vasbinder, S. M.,i 2.47
100 " William Vasbinder, 2.0I
100 " Adam Vasbinder, 2.22
Total val $33- 13-
"No. of taxables, 18; No. of horses, 23 ; No. of cows, 35."
The first election returns are as follows:
1807.
"Jefferson county — At an election held at the house of Samuel Scott, in
said county, on Friday, the 20th of March, A. D. 1807, the following persons
were duly elected :
"Supervisors — John Scott had 18 votes.
Peter Jones " 18 "
" Signed Sam'l. Scott, ) r , ,,
, T t Judges.
Thos. Lucas, >
1808.
" At an election held at the house of Samuel Scott in said county, on the
1 8th day of March, A. D. 1808, the following persons were duly elected as
returned below :
"Supervisors; John Jones, ) were duly
Alex. McCoy, ) elected.
Auditors ; Samuel Lucas, Samuel Scott,
Moses Knap, and Adam Vasbinder,
Were duly elected.
" Signed Samuel Scott,
John Dickson,
The above returns are as copied from the records of Indiana county, where
the returns had to be made, this county then being under the legal jurisdiction
•of Indiana.
In the next three years the white population according to the census of
18 10, was 161 whites, one colored, showing that the settlements in the county
within the first ten years proceeded very slowly.
The American, published at Indiana, Pa., of February 10, 1817, publishes
the receipts and expenditures of Jefferson county as follows :
" Receipts and Expenditures. — In the Treasury of Jefferson County, from
the Second of January, 18 16, to January First, 18 17, both days inclusive.
1 Single man.
Judges."
From 1807 to 1830. 63
John Taylor, Esq., Treasurer.
Dr. "
Dols. Cts.
To cash of Joseph Barnett, Collector
of Pine Creek Township for 1813,
i n f u 1 1 1 7- 43 ^^
Received on Unseated Lands 2,475.61^
Land sold 101.92
$2,594.97
Lisl of outslanding debts.
Due from the Collectors for 1815 $ 7- 70^4
On unseated Lands before 1816, for
which the lands have been sold to
the Commissioners 2,140.27
County Tax 1816 790.92
$2,938.89^
Attest.
Daniel Stanard, Clerk.
Cr.
By Cash paid on .Sundry road orders. $1,626. 76
" Election orders 34.00
" Wolf orders 157-37.J^
** to Road viewers 18.00
'* Contingent expenses.. 102.00
Paid to Indiana County the propor-
tional part of the general expenses 298.56
Treasurer's fees of sixty-five tracts of
Land sold to Commissioners 186.92
Treasurer's fees on $1,933.13^ at 2
per cent 38.66
Balance in Treasury 132.63^
$2- 594-97
Garwin Sutton, )
Thomas Sharp, > Commissioners.
Thomas Laughlin, )
By an act of the Legislature Pine Creek township was established in 1 806,
and comprised the entire county until 1818, when Perry was established; and
until the year 1826, when Young was formed from a portion of Perry, these
two townships, Pine Creek on the north, and Perry on the south, with Little
Sandy as the dividing line, were the only two districts in the county. The
elections were held at the house of Joseph Barnett for Pine Creek, and at the
house of John Bell for Perry. In 1826 Ridgway township was formed from a
portion of Pine Creek. Previous to this all the settlers mentioned heretofore
as having settled on Litde Toby and the West Branch, in what is now Elk
county, had to come to Port Barnett to vote, while all other legal business had
to be enacted at Indiana. In 1827 Rose was formed from Pine Creek.
Previous to the War of 18 12, there were no roads ; the " Chinklacamoose
path" from Clearfield, through Punxsutawney, and "Meade's trail" from
Clearfield, through Brookville, westward, were the only highways. Previous to
the beginning of the war a government road was projected through this territory
for the purpose of transporting troops from the eastern part of the State to Lake
Erie, and is said to have been " brushed out." That the troops from the east-
ern part of the State passed through this county on their way to the scene of
hostilities at Lake Erie is well authenticated. Colonel Bird, with his regiment,
rested three days at Port Barnett, and the next night after leaving there bi-
vouacked at the " F"our Mile Spring," on the Afton farm, in Eldred township.
Several persons were impressed by the commander of this expedition, among
the number being E. M. Graham, who, with his team, was taken to aid in car-
rying supplies. Mr. Graham was taken as far as Waterford, in Erie county,
and after an absence of two weeks was allowed to return home.
During the building of the Low Grade division of the Allegheny Valley
Railroad through this county, in the year 1872, near the western county line^
there was found imbedded in the hardpan some six feet below the the surface,
and covered by nearly that depth of solid sandstone, some relics of a past age.
One was what appeared to be a Queen Anne musket. The stock and wooden
64 History of Jefferson County.
part of the gun had entirely disappeared, but the flint-lock of extraordinary-
proportions, and the length and style of the barrel proved its identity. Near
the gun lay a huge bridle-bit, the size of which gave some indication of the
ideas of utility of the people of that remote age. The sides were not less than
eighteen inches long, and terminated in immense rings, and the ponderous ar-
ticle was large enough for an animal ten times the size of the horses in use at
the present day. These relics of antiquity were in a comparatively good state
of preservation. How they got so deeply imbedded in the "hardpan," and
when and by whom they were deposited there, was a source of much conjecture,
and is a question not easily answered ; but it has been presumed that the spot
where they were found marked the road over which troops had marched dur-
ing the early Indian wars, or the)- may have been deposited in the grave of
some Indian brave who had stolen them.
The first effort to make a State road through Jefterson county was by the
passage of an act, February 22, 1812, to' enable the governor of the Common-
wealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Waterford
in the county of Erie, through Meadville and Franklin to the river Susque-
hanna, at or near the mouth of Anderson's Creek, in Clearfield county. The
governor was empowered to subscribe $12,000 in shares toward the building
of this road, and Thomas Forster and John Boyd, of the county of Erie ;
James Harriott and Henry Hurst, of the county of Crawford ; William Moore
and George Powers, of the county of Venango ; Ebenezer Magoffin, and Be-
son Pearson, of the county of Mercer ; Joseph Barnett and Peter Jones, of the
county of Jefferson ; Joseph Bond and Paul Clover, of the county of Clearfield ;
George Lattimer and Jeremiah Parker, of the city Philadelphia ; and William
Dunn and John Shaw, of the county of Philadelphia, were appointed commis-
sioners to receive subscriptions for stock. The shares were put at twenty-five
dollars each, and the several counties named were required to take a certain
number of said shares ; Jefferson county's apportionment being fifty shares.
This road — which was called the Waterford and Susquehanna Turnpike —
was incorporated in the year 18 17, and work was begun in 18 18. March,
182 1, an act was passed, by which $2,500 was appropriated for improving said
road, and persons appointed from each county to receive the sum to be ex-
pended in their respective counties, Charles C. Gaskill and Carpenter Winslow
being appointed to represent Jefferson county.
" November 3, 1830, a contract was made between the commissioners of
Jefferson county and John Lucas for making eighty perches of road through
the borough of Brookville, to intersect the Susquehanna and Waterford turn-
pike road, being Sections 3, 4, and 7. Twenty perches east, counting from
east of town, to be made in same manner as the pike, to be finished by the ist
of December next. Amt. for work $79."
William Lucas is also mentioned as making " 50 perches of turnpike, being
From 1807 to 1830, 65
that part of the alteration of the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike road
through the borough of Brookville." This road was finished in 1822, and has
ever since been the principal thoroughfare from east to west through Jefferson
county. It is still a State road. In 1840 the tolls received were $4,109.10.
Amount paid for repairs, $3,338.17. Salaries of gate-keepers, $784.33.
By an act passed March 26, 1821, "the sum of $8,000 was appropriated
for opening and improving a State road, recently laid out from the town of
, Kittanning, in Armstrong county, to the State line in the direction of Hamil-
ton, in the State of New York, which road passed through the counties of
Armstrong, Jefferson, and McKean, to be expended in the said counties, in
proportion to the distance it passed through the same respectively, and John
Matson and John Lucas, were appointed to receive and expend the same for
Jefferson county." This road, still known as the Olean road, was finished in
1822.
In 1825 another State road was laid out from the town of Indiana, through
Punxsutawney, in Jefferson county, and Smethport, in the county of McKean,
to the town of Ceres, in McKean county. This road, known as the Ceres
road, was finished in 1828.
In 1830, through the exertions of Judge Gillis, a road was made from
Milesburg, in Centre county, through the Ridgway and Kersey settlements in
Jefferson county, to intersect with the Olean road, near the town of Olean,
N. Y., the State appropriating $20,000 towards the same.
There was not much done in the way of improvement in Jefferson county
in the first quarter of a century. The land was too rugged and heavily tim-
bered to allow the few settlers to make much progress in farming. The soil,
however, enriched by the accumulations and decayed vegetation of centuries,
was very productive, and when tilled, yielded productively ; but it required so
much hard labor to clear the ground that during these first years only a soli-
tary clearing here and there proclaimed the presence of the husbandmen.
During the troublous times attendant on the War of 18 12, the few settlers
lived in constant dread of an incursion of Indians and British, but were unmo-
lested.
Another decade showed only 551 whites and ten negroes as the aggregate
population, but during the next ten years settlers commenced to come in more
rapidly. The settlements in the northern and southern portions of the county
already noticed were made, and the census of 1830 gives the population as
2,003 whites, twenty-one free colored, and one slave. Those of the present
generation will scarcely credit the fact that a slave was at one time, and that
as late as 1830, owned in Jefferson county ; but we learn that the slave reported
in Jefferson county by the census of 1830, was Charles Sutherland, who was
brought from Virginia to this county about the year 181 2.
Captain E. R. Brady in the Jeffersonian of January 20, 1852, notices the
66 History of Jefferson County.
death of this venerable negro, the only slave ever owned in Jefferson county :
" In this day's paper we record the death of Charles Sutherland (colored), who
was one of the oldest inhabitants of this county and had arrived at the ad-
vanced age of nearly one hundred years. He came to what is now Jefferson
county upwards of forty years ago, when the ground upon which Brookville
now stands was but a howling wilderness. Many there are in this borough
who will miss the familiar and friendly visits of ' old Charley ' who, with hat in
hand, and his venerable head uncovered, asked alms at their hands. No more
will they hear from him a description of the ' Father of his country,' when he,
Charley, held his horse at the laying of the corner-stone of the capitol at
Washington City. His breath is hushed, his lips are sealed, and his body is
wrapped in the cold habiliments of the grave. Resqiiiescat in pace."
The progress in other respects was as great as in the increase of population.
Until the year 1826 there were no mail facilities. In all those years no letters, no
papers, no tidings from the outside world reached these dwellers in the wilder-
ness except a special messenger was sent to the town forty or fifty miles dis-
tant. In January, 1826, a post-office was established at Port Barnett, and Jo-
seph Barnett appointed postmaster. In February of the same year another
office was established at the Ridgway Settlement, and James Gillis appointed
postmaster. This office was called Montmorency.
An office was established in 1826 at Punxsutawney, with Charles Barclay
as postmaster, and that at Brockwayville, Alonzo Brockway, postmaster, in
1829. These were all the post-offices in the county during the first thirty
years. In 1828 a post-route was established, and the mail was carried once a
week on horseback from Kittanning to Smethport in McKean county. Letter
postage at that time was 6\, \2\, i8f, to 25 cents per ounce, according to the
distance the letter had to go. Each letter was wrapped in a separate wrapper,
and the postmasters at the sending and receiving offices had to keep a correct
record of every letter passing through their hands. The advent of the mail
service in the county was a great event, and the weekly visit of the " post-
boy " was looked for eagerly by those who for so long had been deprived of
all communication with the outside world.
I'-ROM 1830 TO i860. 6j
CHAPTER VIII.
FROM 1830 TO 1860.
The Lumber Trade — Progress in Aericulture — Growth of Settlements — The First Public
Buildings — The First Newspaper — Agricultural and Manufacturing Statistics.
WITH the commencement of the year 1830 Jefferson county seemed to
take a great stride forward in every respect. From being a dependency
of Indiana county, as regarded all legal or official business, she found herself
clothed with full power to enact her own business, and take care of her own
interests.
The county seat was established, Brookville laid out, and the first settle-
ment effected there. Roads had already been made throughout the county,
new settlements were being made in every direction, while the forests were
giving way beneath the sturdy blows of the lumbermen and the farmer.
Although lumbering had been carried on in a desultory way from the first
settlement of the county, it was not until 1830 that a real beginning was made.
In a sketch of Jefferson county published in 1843 in the " Historical Collec-
tions of Pennsylvania," the early lumbering business of the county is referred
to thus :
" The impulse given to the lumber trade by the speculations in the State
of Maine was not without its influence upon remote sections of the Union.
The keen sagacity of the Yankees discovered that there were vast bodies of
pine lands lying around the sources of the Allegheny River not appreciated
at their full value by the few pioneers who lived among them. The Yankees
had learned to estimate the value of pine land by the tree, and by the log ;
the Pennsylvanians still reckoned it by the acre. Somewhere between 1830
and 1837 individuals and companies from New England and New York pur-
chased considerable bodies of land on the head waters of the Red Bank and
Clarion Rivers from the Holland Land Land Company and other large land-
holders. They proceeded to erect saw-mills, and to drive the lumber trade
after the most approved methods. The little leaven thus introduced caused
quite a fermentation among the lumbermen and landholders of the county.
More lands changed owners; new water- privileges were improved; capital was
introduced from abroad, and during the spring floods every creek and river
resounded with the preparation of rafts, and the lively shouts of the lumber-
men, as they shot their rafts over the swift chutes of the mill-dam. The pop-
ulation of the county was trebled in ten years."
The lumber trade, which for so many years after this commencement was
the principal business of the county, will be treated more at length, and com-
parative statistics given in a chapter devoted to lumber and coal interests.
68 History of Jefferson County.
In 1832 the first newspaper was established in the county by John J. Y.
Thompson. It was called the Jejfersoti Democrat, and was Democratic in
politics.
In 1832-3 the first jail and court-house were erected, the jail building be-
ing completed first and used for holding court, etc., until the completion of the
court-house.
In 1834 two runaway slaves were lodged by their captors in the Brook-
ville jail for safe-keeping during the night. Hon. Elijah Heath, who was an
outspoken abolitionist, determined that no such outrage should be perpetrated
upon the free soil of Jefferson county, and conveyed to the prisoners through
Mr. Arad Pearsall, who was the jailor at the time, implements for filing off the
lock of their cell, and in the morning when the slave owners came to the jail
to take charge of their property the captives were well on their way to
Canada. They eventually learned of Mr. Heath's complicity in the matter, and
brought suit against him, which, under the fugitive slave law, was decided in
favor of the slave-holder, and Judge Heath's act of humanity cost him $2,000.
In 1835 Barnett township was formed from part of Rose, and Snyder from
part of Pine Creek, and in the second quarter of a century the number of
townships was increased to twenty-six.
In 1843 Ridgvvays township was separated from Jefferson county to form
part of the new county of Elk, and the same year Jenks and Tionesta town-
ships, and that part of Barnett lying north of the Clarion River was separated
from Jefl'erson county to form part of the new county of Forest. In the next
ten years the population of the county increased rapidly, the census of 1840
giving 7,196 white, and 57 colored. The next decade found much improve-
ment in all parts of the county, although the attention of the greater part of
the population was engaged with the lumber trade. Yet the statistics show
considerable improvement in agriculture and manufactures, while, notwith-
standing the departure of the townships above mentioned, the population was
largely increased, being in 1850, 13,424 whites and 94 colored.
The improved lands increased in value, and there was a proportionate in-
crease also in all kinds of crops and stock.
The following statistics show the growth in these respects in the years 1840
and 1850 :
1840.
No. of bushels of wheat 43.59S
" ■' oats 77,077
O^e 24,467
'• " buckwheat 14.504
" " corn 23,369
1850.
56,850 acres improved land.
122,900 acres unimproved land.
Cash value of farms 5:1,307,096
Value of farming implements and
machinery 83.7S5
Bushels of wheat 76.999
oats 145,828
rye 40.743
" buckwheat 30,897
corn 53,877
From 1830 to i860.
69
1840.
No. pounds of wool 12,171
hops 583
flax 241
Bushels of potatoes 64,1 10
Tons of hay 3.605
Pounds maple sugar 27,067
Horses and mules 1,420
Cattle 5,773
Sheep 7,342
Swine 8,898
Estimated value of poultiy of all kinds. $ 3,110
Value of dairy products 14,002
" orchard products 560
" homemade goods 8,382
Furs and skins i ,029
1850.
Pounds of wool 33.327
hops
flax 3,139
Bushels fiax seed 181
Bushels potatoes 28,746
Tons of hay 9,116
Pounds of maple sugar 33.570
Gallons of maple molasses 2,265
Horses and mules 2,278
Cattle 9,685
Sheep 13.999
Swine 7,208
Value of dairy products .$150,166
" orchard products I.047
homemade goods 5,126
Beeswax and honey, lbs 2,885
Value of live stock $251,881
animals slaughtered 45.003
In 1850 the value of all taxable property in the county was $980,953.
The general statistics for the year ending June, 1850, gives: —
Whole number of white males attending
school during year 1.422
Whole number of white females attend-
ing school during year 1.3 1 3
Whole number of colored females at-
tending school during year 3
Whole number colored males attending
school during year i
Of these 2,706 were natives, and thirty-
two foreigners.
Number of children born during year. . . 440
persons married •' .153
died " . .^ 78
" dwelling houses in county. . .2,253
" families 2,307
public schools 80
" teachers employed Si
" pupils attending school 2,738
Income from taxa'n for school purposes.. $7,595
public funds 1.021
Whole income for support of schools. . .8,616
The number of persons in the county who could not read or write was 373
whites, colored fifteen ; natives 370, foreigners eighteen.
The census of 1840 gives two fulling and one woolen mill in the county,
with a capital of $570. In 1850 the total amount invested in manufactures
was $141,800, and the estimated value of products was $105,145, showing a
marked increase in manufactures.
In the spring of 1843 the first murder was committed in Jefterson county.
Daniel Long, one of the Long brothers who were so noted in the pioneer an-
nals of the county as woodsmen and " mighty hunters," was a son of Ludwig (or
Lewis) Long, one of the first settlers of Pine Creek township. Daniel, though
like his brothers, fond of the chase, did not follow hunting to such an extent as
they did. He was married in February, 1832, to Miss Rebecca McCulIough,
by Judge Elijah Heath, and settled on the farm now owned by Lawson Geer,
in Pine Creek township, where he resided at the time of his death. Like
70 History of Jefferson County.
nearly all the settlers of the county at that time, he was engaged in the lumber
business, and in the spring of 1843 he was lumbering on the Clarion River,
having taken up a tract of land (as was the custom in those days) near where
Raught's Mills, in Elk county, now are located — all that territory then be-
ing embraced in Jefferson county. There was a dispute between him and a
man named James Green for the possession of this land, though it is claimed
that Long had the first squatter's claim to the land. On April 29, 1844, Green
and his son, Edwin, took possession of Long's shanty during his temporary
absence. On his return, in company with a man named Samuel Knopsnyder,
Long was shot by the younger Green as he attempted to enter the shanty,
and killed, the weapon used being Long's own gun. Knopsnyder was also
assaulted with an ax by the Greens, and so badly wounded that he died May
3, 1844.
The Greens were arrested and confined in the Brookville jail and tried for
murder. The records of the court in the case are as follows:
"May sessions, 1844. Commonwealth vs. James Green and Edwin Green,
September term, No. 16.
" Indicted for the murder of Daniel Long. Case of Edwin Green, jury
paneled as follows : Hiram Fuller, George Depp, Elijah Campbell, Samuel
Gibson, William Williams, Henry Smith, Lemuel Carey, Levi M. Wharton,
Robert Law, John McClelland, Andrew Gibson, David Gillespie. Verdict
rendered of murder in second degree. Sentence of court one dollar fine and
costs of prosecution, and four years solitary confinement at hard labor in the
Western Penitentiary. D. B. Jenks, esq., counsel for prisoner. Common-
wealth represented by the district attorney, George R. Barrett.
" Edwin Green was tried at the same term, and by the same jury, for the
murder of Samuel Knopsnyder, the result and sentence being the same as in
the former trial.
"No. 16, December 9, 1844, James Green brought upon the stand. Case
reached and jury paneled: George Slaysmen, John McCloskey, George
Henderson, Jacob Hoover, Jesse Hannah, Robert Stout, John Sprankle,
Thomas Kindel, Benjamin Gilhousen, James Stewart, James Garey, Samuel
Fleming. Verdict, murder in second degree. Sentenced to four years solitary
imprisonment at hard labor in Western Penitentiary, one dollar fine and costs
of prosecution. D. B. Jenks, counsel for prisoner, G. R. Barrett, district attor-
ney, for Commonwealth."
The trial of James Green for the murder of Samuel Knopsnyder, was held
at the same court, and by the same jury, with the same result and sentence.
Long's friends claim that the influence brought to the aid of the Greens
cleared them of murder in the first degree. They never reappeared in Jeffer-
son county after their trial, and it is said that the younger man, Edwin Green,
was killed, after his release from the penitentiary, by Indians while crossing
the plains on his way West.
From i860 to the Present Time. 71
Daniel Long left a wife and three little children. His son, Daniel, is a
worthy citizen of Brookville.
The Mexican War, which occurred in 1S47 ^"d 1848, only caused a small
ripple of excitement in our backwoods county ; the only volunteer of whom
we find any mention being Robert McCullough, a blacksmith from the Beech-
woods, who was killed in one of the battles of that war.
In the summer of 1850 the dysentery prevailed in an epidemic form in the
county. In Brookville and vicinity the mortality was very great, and one of
the newspapers of that year says that "in a space of not more than six square
miles, between Red Bank and Little Sandy, there were thirty-four deaths in
July and August."
June 4, 1859, will long be remembered as the date of the " big frost." It
was a regular freeze, and destroyed all kinds of vegetables ; grain, fruit, pota-
toes were all killed, and the grass crops much injured, while the forests looked
as though a fire had scorched their foliage. Almost a panic ensued, and the
farmers seemed to see starvation staring them in the face. Flour and grain
advanced at once in price ; the former as high as sixteen dollars per barrel.
In one locality, in one of the churches, on the Sunday following the frost, a
subscription was taken up to purchase breadstuffs. But the " scare was worse
than the hurt," grain was shipped into the markets from the Western States,
and soon declined almost to its nominal price. The new crops of corn and
potatoes which were planted at once, to replace those destroyed, gave a good
yield, and the efiects of the frost were not near so disastrous as was anticipated.
A similar frost occurred in 1843.
The Jefferson Star oi October 16, 1850, notes that "twenty-five fugitive
slaves passed through Brookville last Monday morning on their way to Can-
ada ; " so the first railroad in Jefferson county was the underground railroad,
and from the above notice it would appear that travelers from the " Sunny
South" to Canada were quite numerous.
In i860 the population of the county is given at 18,189 whites, and eighty-
one colored.
CHAPTER IX.
FROM 1860 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
Tornadoes—Floods— Railroads— The Eelicllion— Murder of Betty McDonald— General Im-
provements — Statistics of Agriculture — Manufactures — Commerce, Etc.
THE last twenty-seven years of the county's history has been an era of
prosperity and improvement.
In 1870 we find the population of the county was 21,588 white, and sixty-
eight colored, an increase in ten years of 3,386. One of the well-remembered
72 History of Jefferson County.
events of i860 was the great tornado, or cyclone, as we would call it in these
days, which swept over a portion of the county. It first destroyed the town
of Maysville, in Clarion county, causing the death or wounding of quite a
number of the citizens of that little village. From there it crossed the Red
Bank into Jefferson county, where it first destroyed the house and barn of Paul
Gearhart, all the buildings of Isaac Mottern, the house and barn of Henry Spare,
the large barn of McLain Ferguson, the upper story of whose house was carried
away, and one of his children slightly injured. After leaving Beaver township
it passed into Knox and Pine Creek townships, crossing the Indiana road be-
tween Little Sandy and the residence of John Montgomery. Samuel Mont-
gomery, who was caught by the storm on the road leading from Knox town-
ship to Brookville, had both his limbs broken by falling trees. The horse he
was riding was killed, but the one he was leading escaped uninjured, but was
penned in so securely by the fallen trees that food had to be carried to it for
several days, until a road could be cut into the fallen timber to extricate it.
The house of Jacob Rinestein, in Pine Creek, was demolished, and all its con-
tents destroyed. In Knox and Pine Creek the course of the storm was about
a mile in width. It crossed the turnpike near Reynoldsville, where it de-
stroyed two or three houses, and where a son of Mr. Dietrich had a leg broken,
Mr. Dietrich's buildings being torn to pieces.
In the entire pathway of the tornado not a tree or anything else escaped
its fury. The loss in timber was immense, and the course of the storm may
yet be traced by the "windfalls," as they are termed, on which not a large tree
is seen, only the growth of underbrush since that time. These " windfalls" are
covered with blackberry bushes, and annually yield a large supply of that
fruit.
After the tornado passed over the county pieces of oak shingles were found
in the vicinity of Brookville, and in other parts of the county, which must have
been carried by the force of the wind from Clarion county, as only pine shingles
were used in Jefferson county. It seems miraculous that no lives were lost,
and so few casualties occurred in this county. The same day Brookville and
other localities in the county were visited by a severe rain and hail storm,
accompanied by thunder and lightning, but strange to say with very little wind.
The hail was very large, and the measurements taken at that time give the
largest that fell at from five to ten inches in circumference.
July 4th of the same year the little town of Roseville and portions of Union
townships were visited by a similar storm. The houses and barns of Isaac
Siars, Daniel Lamb, and William Kelly were destroyed, John Fitzsimmons's
barn unroofed and fences destroyed. The large brick house of Richard
Hughes was badly shattered, the kitchen torn away, and the roof lifted up and
then let down to its place again. The orchards, laden with fruit, of Messrs
Hughes and Kelly were destroyed, and fences carried away, making the loss
in the small area covered by the storm very heavy.
From i860 to the Present Time. -jt,
The streams which for so many years were the commercial highways of
Jefferson county — which in summer are generally small creeks — become, when
at " high flood," mad, rushing torrents. The most destructive floods occurred
in January, 1828, February, 1832, spring of 1847, September 27, 1861, March
16, 1865, and June, 1884.
The flood of 1861 was a very disastrous one, the waters being higher than
ever before except in 1847. Great damage was done, and millions of feet of
timber and boards were carried off. The next flood in 1865 was almost a rep-
etition of that of 1 86 1. The winter previous an unusually large amount of
timber had been put in ready for rafting, and the loss was very great to the
lumbermen on all the streams. The latest destructive flood was that of June,
1884, which caused great devastation in and about Brookville. The North
Fork bridge was destroyed, and Messrs. Thomas K. Litch & Sons lost heavily
in damage to mills and lumber lost. The dam of Carrier, Verstine & Co.'s
mill, on the North Fork, was torn out, and they lost heavily in lumber.
In 1861 the war, premonitions of which had been felt for some time, was
precipitated upon the country ; but it found the loyal citizens prepared for the
issue, and the alacrity with which they responded to the call for men to aid in
putting down the rebellion was a surprise, even to those who knew the deep-
seated loyalty of our people. The history of the part taken by the soldiers of
Jefferson county is given elsewhere, and fully shows their gallant service dur-
ing the great struggle.
During the four years of the war, the history of Jefferson county is that of
every county in the loyal North. With the greater portion of her able-bodied
citizens in the army, all departments of business suffered, for the farmer had
gone forth leaving the plow in the furrow, the lumbermen had left his ax stick-
ing in the pine tree, the lawyer closed up his office, the merchant left his coun-
ter, and the mechanic his bench and forge, the printers nearly all forsook the
case. Then the noble women of the county " came to the front "; the mothers,
wives, and sisters took up the work where their sons, husbands, and brothers
had laid it down, and they bore the burden nobly until the end came, and
peace was once more restored. We could not give the history of those days as
far as the women of the county are concerned, for no parade was made of what
they did for the county in those long and bloody days of the war ; but we
know that when, with pale cheeks and faltering lips they bade their loved ones
hasten to the defense of the flag, they stepped into the gap their absence crea-
ted, and worked untiringly and uncomplainingly to keep the machinery of the
homes running. They took the men's places in the stores, offices, and work-
rooms, and in the field, even in some instances plowing, sowing, and reaping,
and in all those years of long suspense and hope deferred, they cared for the
wants of the soldiers in the field, in preparing and forwarding supplies for the
sick and wounded.
74 History of Jefferson County.
During the years of the war business of all kinds suffered ; but with the
dawn of peace new life was infused into the county, and prosperity again
reigned.
From an early period in the history of the county the railroad question
was agitated more or less, and numerous surveys were made through Jefferson
county, which would for the time being cause the people to think that they
were to secure an outlet to the outer world ; but for a long time these expecta-
tions were not realized, and the county seat of Jefferson county was " forty
miles from anywhere," it being about that distance by stage- to Indiana, Kit-
tanning, Franklin, Ridgway, or Clearfield, points to be reached before the cars
could be taken by the traveler.
In the spring of 1853 ground was broken at Pittsburgh on the Allegheny
Valley Railroad, or, as it was then called, the " Pittsburgh, Kittanning
and Warren Railroad," and as the survey of the road ran through Jefferson
county, the commissioners of the county subscribed ninety thousand dollars
to the stock of said road, issuing bonds for the same ; but the Allegheny
Valley road, instead of coming through Jefferson county, followed the Alle-
gheny River to Oil City, and our people were again "left out in the cold."
In August, 1 87 1, however, work was commenced on the Low Grade division
of the Allegheny Valley road running from the mouth of Red Bank, on A. V.
R. R., through the counties of Armstrong, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, and Clear-
field, to intersect with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad at Driftwood, in
Cameron county. This road was finished in May, 1874, the first through
train of cars going over the road May 4th. The building of this road, bringing
into the county so much ready money, and giving employment to so many
men, helped our people to tide over the panic of 1873-4 without their feeling
its effects to any great degree. The extent of railroads in the county will be
given elsewhere.
On the 19th of February, 1876, a murder was committed in Jefferson
county that caused a widespread feeling of horror. Mrs. Elizabeth, or as she
was better known, Betty McDonald, an old lady of eighty years of age lived
alone on a small farm in Washington township. She had a few hundred dol-
lars in money, and to secure this was the object of the murder. When she
was found horribly murdered on the day succeeding her death by her neigh-
bors, suspicion at once rested upon two strangers who had come into the
neighborhood a few months before. Warrants were issued for their arrest, and
Charles Chase, one of the suspected men was arrested at Ridgway the next
day, and conveyed to the Brookville jail, and at the May term of court follow-
ing, he was tried and convicted of the crime, and sentenced to be hung.
Hon. James Campbell presided at the trial, and Messrs. I. G. and A. L. Gor-
don, and John McMurray, esq., with the district attorney, L. A. Grunder, esq.,
represented the Commonwealth, while the prisoner was ably defended by
Messrs. P. W., W. P., and G. A. Jenks.
From i860 to the Present Time.
75
The jury was composed of the following persons: Charles Jacox, Fulton
Shoffner, Silas Brooks, Abel Fuller, Andrew Hawk, William Williams, W. A.
Hadden, William Altman, Thomas North, Darius Blose, William Norris, and
James Buzzard. August 23, 1867, Chase paid the penalty of his crime, the
sentence being executed by Sheriff Nathan Carrier, in the jail-yard at Brook-
ville. Dean Graves, Chase's accomplice in the crime, having succeeded in
eluding the officers of justice, the commissioners offered a reward of five hun-
dred dollars for his apprehension, and on the 29th of October he was arrested,
after a desperate resistance, by the sheriffs of Kent and Verick counties, Mich.
Sheriff Carrier, accompanied by Colonel W. W. Corbet, armed with a requi-
sition from the governor of Pennsylvania, went to Michigan and brought
Graves to Brookville, where he was tried at the December term of court and
convicted of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to solitary confine-
ment in the Western Penitentiary for eleven years and eight months. In this
trial the Commonwealth was represented by District Attorney A. C. White
and the Messrs. Gordon, and the defense by the Messrs. W. P. and G. A.
Jenks.
The jurors in the trial of Graves were Ephraim E. Johnson, James F.
Hawthorne, James L. Whitman, William Best, jr., John Frampton, Israel Graf-
fius, Peter Galusha, John Coon, Miller Harding, George S. Campbell, James
M. Morris, and Charles B. McCain.
The last half of a century has done wonders in the way of improvement,
and developing the resources of the county. Though there is yet considerable
valuable timber in the county, the wholesale, indiscriminate, and in some cases
wanton destruction of our forests, has greatly diminished the supply. Lum-
bering was for so long the only business by which money could be made, that
nearly all the grand old pines have fallen victims ; no voice was raised for the
woodman to "spare that tree," and year by year vast quantities of lumber was
carried off by our streams to find a market, often, too, at paltry prices; but all
this has come to an end now ; what timber is left is held at its just value by
the owners, and the cessation in the lumber trade has caused that attention to
be given to farming, which had been neglected while the lumber business was
in the ascendency. Farms that in former years scarce yielded a pittance, have
now been brought to a high state of cultivation. The unsightly stumps are all
disappearing, good fences have been built, while the best and most approved
farming implements and machinery are in general use. On the farms the log
cabin, and the rude stable have given place to the large, well-appointed dwell-
ings, and commodious barns. The homes of the farmers are comfortably, and
in a great many instances, luxuriously furnished. The organ or piano, and
well selected libraries are found in nearly every farm house, showing that the
farmers of Jefferson county believe in surrounding their children with that
which is ennobling and refining. In every home also is found the weekly news-
paper, and papers and magazines treating on agricultural and literary subjects.
76
History of Jefferson County.
Within the last few years a great interest is being taken in the improve-
ment of stock, and now some of the very best grades are to be found in this
county, until it has become noted abroad for the fine horses and cattle raised
and owned by our stockmen.
Jefferson county is also becoming noted as a fruit-producing region, her
soil and climate being especially adapted to the raising of almost all kinds of
fruit except the peach, which usually succumbs to our severe frosts. Apples,
pears, cherries, grapes, etc., are grown in the greatest profusion and perfection.
Great attention has been paid to the planting of the very best varieties of ap-
ples, and it is rare indeed that Jefferson county has not more than enough for
home consumption.
The development of the immense deposits of excellent coal that underlies
so much of the surface of the county, has also given a new impetus to busi-
ness. Two new railroads built into the coal fields within the past two years,
the Buffalo, Rochester, and Pittsburgh, and the Ridgway and Clearfield Rail-
road, a branch of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, have done much toward
developing the eastern and southern portions of the county.
The population of Jefferson county at the last census was 27,898 white, and
thirty-seven colored, showing an increase over the census of 1870 of 6,347.
It will be seen by the figures of the different censuses that the colored people
do not take very kindly to Jefferson county, the entire number given by the
■different censuses being 369.
The statistics of agriculture and manufactures for 1870 and 1880 show the
great strides the county has taken in that direction :
1870.
Value ot improved land ^ 104,220
farms 5,362,623
Value of all farm productions, in-
cluing all betterments and addi-
tions to live stock 1.437,269
Spring wheat, bushels 319
Winter " 78,299
Rye 64,678
Corn 200,484
Oats 390,151
Buckwheat 46,632
Pounds of wool 56,621
Bushels of potatoes 54.596
Pounds of butter 497.95 '
" cheese 246
Census of 1 880.
Farms and farm values.
Numbers of farms 2,576
Acres of improved lands 154,636
Value of farms, including buildings
and fences $7.3ii,37i
Value of implements and machinery. 266,692
livestock 747,162
Cost of building and repairing fences
in 1879 $ 55,328
Cost of fertilizers in 1879 6,793
Value of orchard products 78,712
Estimated value of all farm produc-
tions, sold, consumed or on hand
in 1879 933.J44
From i860 to the Present Time.
77
Size of Farms in Jefferson County.
Over 3 and under lo acres.
" 10 " 20 " .
" 20 " 50 "
" 50 " 100 "
• 99
. 100
•336
•857
Over 100 and under 500 acres 1,166
" 500 " 1,000 " 14
1 ,000 and over 4
No. of horses 5.596
mules 38
" oxen 154
" milch cows 7,612
other cattle 1 1,452
" sheep 1 7.082
" swine 1 5.306
Live Stock and Production.
Pounds of wool 71,824
butter 669,788
'■ cheese 731
Gallons of milk 3',o5o
Poultry and Eggs, produced in 1 879.
Poultr)' on hand June i, 1880, exclu-
sive of spring hatching
Barn-yard fowls 63,692
Other fowls 3.605
Eggs produced in 1879, doz 295,122
Honey, 1879, lbs
Apiarian Products.
....14,039 I Wax. 1879, lbs.
.340
Grain Products.
No. bushels of wheat 113,361
rye 59.13/
corn 341.031
oats 452.435
" buckwheat 78,401
No. pounds maple sugar 3.689
Tons of hay 1 9,468
Pounds of tobacco 1.378
Bushels of flax seed 28
Tonsofflax straw '.356
Gallons of maple molasses i ,703
Grass Lands and Forest Products — 1879.
Hay crop, tons 1 9,468
Acres mowed 23,639
Clover seed, bu 2,427
Grass seed, bu 1.230
Potatoes, acres i .768
bushels 156,217
Amount of wood cut, cords 84,809
Pulse — Canada peas (dr}) bu 24
Beans (dry) bu 1,315
Broom corn raised, lbs 47
Manufactures.
Establishments 189
Capital invested $1,282,650
Hands employed 580
Paid in wages per annum % 113, 4'2
Amount of material used 679,684
Value of products $1,003,145
Assessed Value and Taxation.
Real estate, value $1,893,630
Personal property, value 290,8 1 5
Total value of property 2,184,445
7
Taxation, State $ 664
county 21,047
borough and school . . .62,739
Total taxation 84.450
78 History of Jefferson County.
Local debt of county, not including any portion of the State debt: Bonded
debt, $102,808; floating debt, $10,026; gross, net, $112,834. This debt has
been largely reduced in the last six years, the "Auditor's Statement" for the
year ending December 31, 1886, giving the bonded debt as $26,600 ; floating,
$871.22 ; total liabilities of county, $27,741.22.
The census of 1880 classifies the population of the county as follows:
Total males 14,327, females 13,608 ; school age, between five and seventeen,
males 4,814, females 4,625 ; military age, between eighteen and forty-four,
5,055 ; twenty-one and over, 6,291. 1870 — native born 20,568, foreign born
1,090; 1880 — native born 26,587, foreign born 1,338.
Triennial assessment of Jefferson county, showing the amount of real and
personal property in the county for the year 1886, and the valuation thereof:
No. of acres seated 272,297
Valuation 11,205,841
Average per acre $ 4.42
No. of houses and lots 4,204
Valuation $ 577.886
No. of grist and saw-mills 87
Valuation $ 56,468
No. acres unseated lands 89,421
Value $ 355.197
Average value per acre $ 3.90
Acres surface 14.859
Value $ 43,244
Average value per acre ^ 2.91
Acres, mineral 22,277
Valuation * 85,685
Average value per acre . ij 3.83
No. of horses 4,920
Value $ 147.276
Average value $ 29.92
No. of cows 1,418
Value $ 62,637
Average value $ 9.76
Oxen 89
Value $ 1,629
Occupations 4.319
Value $ 119,747
Average | 27.70
Total valuation subject to county
tax $2,652,550
No. of carriages i . 1 90
Value $ 28,285
Money at interest $ 660,587
This assessment does not give the real, only the assessed value, which is only
about one-fifth of the real value on real estate, and one-third on personal prop-
erty. Hereafter we believe property is to be assessed at its true value, and the
percentage of taxation lowered, which is the only true method of taxation.
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL RECORD AND CIVIL LIST.
Votes Cast for President and (governor at the Difl'erent Elections, 1832-1886 — Names of
all Person.*! Holding Office in the County or Repre.senting the County in the United States
Congress or in the State Legislature, 1814-188G — Present Officials of the County — Sum-
mary of Acts of the Legislature Passed for Jelterson County.
ALTHOUGH the county of Jefferson was erected in the year 1804, no
elections were held within its bounds until an act was passed March 31,
1806, making it a separate election district, and fixing the place for holding
t i
Political Record and Civil List. 79
the election at the house of Joseph Barnett, on Sandy Lick. The county was
still, however, only a " provisional county," and though voting for general offi-
cers from the year 18 14, no record was kept of the vote as a separate county,
but it was counted in with the vote of the district to which it was attached.
Previous to that time those who wished to avail themselves of the right of
franchise had to go to Indiana to cast their ballots. Whether the first voters
of the county went all that distance to avail themselves of this privilege we
cannot tell.
The first elections held in Jefferson county for president of the United
States, and for governor of the State were held in the year 1832. Below will
be found the result of these elections, and all votes cast for president and
governor since that time.
For President.
1832 — Andrew Jackson, 175; William Wirt, 105. Democratic majority
70.
1836 — Martin Van Buren, 244; William H. Harrison, 231. Democratic
majority 13.
1840 — Martin Van Buren, 592 ; William H. Harrison, 476. Democratic
majority 1 16.
1844 — James K. Polk, 731 ; Henry Clay, 591. Democratic majority
140.
1848 — Zachary Taylor, 887 ; Lewis Cass, 972; Martin Van Buren, 19.
Democratic majority 85.
1852 — Franklin Pierce, 1,469; Winfield Scott, 1,094. Democratic ma-
jority 375.
1856 — James Buchanan, 1,463; John C. Fremont, 1063 ; Millard Fill-
more, 583. Democratic majority 400.
i860 — Abraham Lincoln, 1,704; John C. Breckenridge, 1,136; Stephen
A. Douglass, 6. Republican majority 562.
1864 — George B. McClellan, 1,756; Abraham Lincoln, 1,614. Demo-
cratic majority 142.
1868 — Ulysses S. Grant, 2,147; Horatio Seymour, 2,068. Republican
majority 79.
1872 — Ulysses S. Grant, 2,253; Horace Greeley, 1,156. Republican
majority 1,097.
1876 — Rutherford B. Hayes, 2,350; Samuel Tilden, 2,459. Democratic
majority 109.
1880 — James A. Garfield, 2,750; Winfield S. Hancock, 2,635; J- B-
Weaver, 137. Republican majority 115.
1884 — James G. Blaine, 3,418; Grover Cleveland, 2,978; Benjamin F.
Butler, 131 ; St. John, 1 12. Republican majority 440.
8o History of Jefferson County.
Vote for Governor.
1832 — George Wolf, 250; Joseph Ritner, 173. Democratic majority
77-
1835 — George Wolf, 356; Joseph Ritner, 246; H. A. Muhlenberg, 3.
Democratic majority no.
1838 — David R. Porter, 591 ; Joseph Ritner, 421. Democratic majority
170.
1841 — David R. Porter, 678; John Banks, 447. Democratic majority
231.
1844 — Francis R. Shunk, 727; Joseph Markle, 617. Democratic major-
ity I I o.
1847 — Francis R. Shunk, 709; James Irwin, 454; F. J. Lemoyne, 3.
Democratic majority 255.
July 9, 1848 — Governor Shunk resigned on account of ill health, and
William F. Johnson, the speaker of the Senate, was sworn in as acting
governor.
1848 — William F. Johnson, 783; Morris Longstreth, 992. Democratic
majority 209.
1851 — William Bigler, 1,240; William F.Johnston, 1,002. Democratic
majority 238.
1854 — James Pollock, 1,559; William Bigler, 988; Benjamin F. Bradford,
160. Whig majority 401.
1857 — William F. Packer, 1,268; David Wilmot, 1,125; Isaac Hazle-
hurst, 54. Democratic majority 143.
i860 — Andrew G. Curtin, 1886; Henry D. Foster, 1493. Republican
majority 393.
1863 — Andrew G. Curtin, 1,754; George W. Woodward, 1,698. Repub-
lican majority 56.
1866 — John W. Geary, 2,015; Heister Clymer, 1,912. Republican major-
ity 103.
1869 — John W. Geary, 1,967; Asa Packer, 2,039. Democratic majority
72.
1872 — John F. Hartranft, 2,407 ; Charles R. Buckalew, 2,247. Republi-
can majority 160.
1875 — John F. Hartranft, 1,923; Cyrus L. Pershing, 2,248; R. A. Brown,
458. Democratic majority 325.
1878 — Henry M. Hoyt, 1,944; A. B. Dill, 2.140; S. R. Mason, 814.
Republican majority .
1882 — James A. Beaver, 2,598; Robert Pattison, 2,581 ; John Stewart,
125; T. A. Armstrong, 165. Republican majority 17.
1886 — James A. Beaver, 3,038 ; Chauncy A. Black, 2,713 ; Charles Wolf,
97 ; Houston, 40. Republican majority 325.
Political Record and Civil List. 8i
jefferson county civil list.
Congress.
We give the names of all who have represented the county of Jefterson in
Congress, with the counties comprising the dili'erent districts to which it has
been attached from the year 1816 to the present time.
District composed of the counties of Indiana, Westmoreland, and Jeffer-
son. 1816-18, David Marchand; 1820, George Plummer; 1820-24, George
Plummer; 1826-28, Richard Coulter; 1830, Richard Coulter.
District composed of Jefferson, Armstrong, Butler, and Clearfield. 1832—
34, Samuel S. Harrison; 1836-38, William Beatty; 1840, William Jack.*
District composed of Jefferson, Venango, Erie, Warren, Potter, McKean,
and Clearfield. 1843, Charles M. Reed; 1844-48, James Thompson; 1850,
Carlton B. Curtis.
District composed of Jefferson, Clarion, Venango, Clearfield, Elk, McKean,
and Warren. 1852, Carlton B. Curtis ; 1854, David Barclay * ; 1856, James L.
Gillis; 1858, Chapin Hall; i860, John Patton.
District (known as the Wild Cat district) composed of the counties of Erie,
Warren, McKean, Cameron, Elk, Forest, and Jefferson. 1862 to 1870, Glenni
W. Scofield ; 1872, Carlton B. Curtis. The twenty-fifth district composed of
Indiana, Armstrong, Jefferson, Clarion and Forest. 1874, George A. Jenks*;
1876-78, Harry White; 1880, James Mosgrove ; 1882, John D. Patton ; 1884,
Alexander C. White* ; 1886, James T. Maffett.
Those marked with a star, are the only citizens of Jefferson county who
have represented her in the halls of Congress.
ST.A.TE Senate.
In 1814a Senatorial District was composed of Jefferson, Indiana and West-
moreland. 181 5, John Reed; 18 19, Henry Alsehouse.
In 1 82 1 the district was composed of the counties of Jefferson, Indiana,
Cambria, Armstrong, Venango, and Warren. 1822, Robert Orr, jr.; 1825,
Ebon S. Kelly.
In 1828 Jefterson, Indiana, Armstrong, Venango, and Warren, made up
the district. 1829, Joseph M. Fox; 1830, William D. Barclay; 1831, Philip
Mechling; 1834, Meek Kelly.
In 1835 Jefferson, Venango, Warren, McKean, and Tioga comprised the
district. 1838, Samuel Hays.
In 1842 the district was composed of Elk, Jefterson, Potter, McKean, War-
ren, and Clarion. 1842, William P. Wilcox; 1845, James L. Gilhs ; 1848,
Timothy Ives.
In 1849 the district was composed of Jefferson, Elk, McKean, Potter, Tio-
ga, and Clearfield. 1852, Byron D. Hamlin; 1855, Henry Souther.
82 History of Jefferson County.
In 1856 the district was composed ofjefterson, Elk, Clarion, and Forest.
1857, Kennedy L. Blood*; 1861, Charles L. Lamberton.
In 1863 a district was composed of Jefferson, Indiana, and Cambria counties.
1865-68, Harry White; 1871, David McClay ; 1874, Reuben C. Winslow • ;
1876, Thomas St. Clair*; 1880, William J. McKnight * ; 1884, George W
Hood.
Jefferson county has had but three members of the Senate — Kennedy L.
Blood, in 1858; R. C. Winslow, in 1874; and W. J. McKnight, in 1880 — in
the seventy years that she has voted for that office.
Assembly.
■ In 1814 a legislative or assembly district was composed of the counties of
Jefferson, Indiana, and Armstrong, and was represented as follows. 18 16,
James M. Kelly, Joshua Lewis ; 1 8 1 7, James M. Kelly, Samuel Houston ; 1 8 1 8,
Samuel Houston, Robert Orr, jr.; 1819, Robert Orr, jr.; 1820, Robert Orr, jr.,
Robert Mitchell; 1 821, Robert Mitchell, James Taylor ; 1822-23, John Tay-
lor, Joseph Rankin; 1824, Joseph Rankin, William Lawson ; 1825, William
Lawson, Thomas Johnson; 1826, David Lawson, Joseph Rankin; 1827, Rob-
ert Mitchell, Joseph Rankin ; 1828, Joseph Rankin, David Lawson.
In 1829 Jefferson and Indiana were made into a district, and assigned one
member. 1829, Robert Mitchell; 1830-31, William Houston; 1832, James
M. Stewart; 1833-34, W'illiam Banks; 1835, James Taylor.
In 1836 the district was composed of Jefferson, Warren, and McKean, with
one member. 1836-37, Carlton B. Curtis ; i 838-39, William P. Wilcox; 1840,
James L. Gillis * ; 1841, Lewis B. Dunham * ; 1842, Joseph Y. James.
In 1843 a new district was formed of Jefferson, Clarion, and Venango, with
two members. 1843, Joseph R. Snowden, David B. Long ; 1844, James Dow-
ling,* Robert Barber ; 1845, Robert Barber, Robert Mitchell; 1846-47, John
Keatly, William Perry; 1848-49, John Hastings,* John S. McCalmont.
In 1850 the district was composed of Jefferson, Clarion, and Armstrong,
and allowed three members. 1850, Thomas McKee,* Reynolds Laughlin,
John S. Rhey ; 1851, William W. Wise,* Reynolds Laughlin, John S. Rhey ;
1852, J. B. Hutchison,* Thomas Magee, J. Alexander Fulton; 1853, George
W. Zeigler,* David Putney, Thomas Magee; 1854, George W. Zeigler,* Philip
Clover, Abner W. Lane; 1855, Michael K. Boyer,* Philip Clover, Darwin
Phelps; 1856, R. J. Nicholson,* William M. Abrams, John K. Calhoun.
In 1857 the district was composed of Jefferson, Elk, McKean, and Clear-
field, with two members. 1857, Joel Spyker,* William P. Wilcox; 1858,
William P. Wilco.x, T. J. Boyer; 1859, Isaac G. Gordon,* A. M. Benton; i860,
Isaac G. Gordon,* S. M. Lawrence; 1861, George W. Zeigler,* C. R. Earley;
1862, C. R. Earley, T. J. Boyer ; 1863, T. J. Boyer, A. M. Benton.
In 1864 the district was composed of Jefferson and Clarion, with one mem-
Political Record and Civil List. 83
ber. 1864-65, W. W. Barr : 1866-67, W. P. Jenks*; 1868-69, R- B. Brown;
1870, Edmund English*: 1871, A. J. Wilcox*; 1872-73, D. P. Baird ; 1874,
R. B. Brown.
In 1874 Jefferson county was made a separate district with one member.
1876, James U. Gillespie; 1878, Robert J. Nicholson; 1880, James E. Long;
1882, Robert J. Nicholson; 1884-86, William Altman.
County Officers.
Prothonotary, Register and Recorder, afid Clerk of Courts. — The prothon-
otary was appointed by the governor until 1839, when the amended constitu-
tion made the office elective for a term of three years.
Those appointed were, 1830, James Corbet ; 1832, Thos. Hastings; 1835,
Thomas Lucas; 1839, Levi G. Clover. Elected, 1839, Levi G. Clover; 1842,
John McCrea ; 1845, John J. Y. Thompson; 1848, Samuel H. Lucas; 1851,
William McCandless ; 1854, David C. Gillispie ; 1857, Wakefield W. Corbet;
i860, Joseph Henderson; 1863, Henry Brown; 1869-72, John M. Steck ;
1875-7S, Joseph B. Henderson; 1881-83, Thos. K. Hastings; 1885, Scott
McClelland.
Sheriff. — The first sheriff elected in the county was Thos. McKee, who, dy-
ing before his term of office expired, William Jack was appointed to fill his
place until the next election. 1830, Thomas McKee; 1833, William Jack;
1836, Joseph Henderson; 1839, John Smith; 1842, Thompson Barr; 1845,
Thomas Wilkins ; 1848, James St. Clair; 1851, George McLaughlin; 1854,
Thomas Mitchell ; 1857, James McCracken ; i860, Philip H. Shannon ; 1863,
Manuel W. Reitz ; 1866, Nathan Carrier; 1869, A. D. McPherson ; 1872,
John S. Barr; 1875, Frederick Crissman ; 1878, William P. Steel; 1881, Sam-
uel P. Anderson ; 1884, Henry Chamberlain.
Treasurer. — The first treasurer for Jefferson county appears to have been
appointed in 1825. June 20, 1837, Treasurer McKnight died, and Daniel
Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy. The appointments were made by
the county commissioners until 1841, when the office was made elective for a
term of two years.
Those appointed were, 1825, John Matson ; 1827, Christopher Barr; 1829,
Andrew Barnett ; l83i,Jared B. Evans; 1833, William A.Sloan; 1834, J.
M. Steadman; 1835, James L. Gillis; 1836, Alexander McKnight; 1838, Daniel
Smith; 1839, William Rodgers ; 1840, Jesse G. Clark; 1841, Nathaniel
Butler.
Elected, 1841, Samuel Craig; 1843, Joseph Henderson; 1845, Samuel
Craig; 1847, Benjamin McCreight ; 1849, John Gallagher; 1851, Evans R.
Brady; 1853, David Harl ; 1855, Augustus R. Marlin ; 1857, John E. Carroll ;
1859, Henry Hoch ; 1861, John E. Carroll; 1863, Parker P. Blood; 1865,
William H. Newcom ; 1867, Christian Miller; 1869, John Mills; 1871,
^4 History of Jefferson County.
Christian Miller; 1873, Enoch H. Wilson; 1875, Martin V.Shaffer; 1877,
Scott McClelland: 1881, Nelson D. Corey; 1884, William D. Kane.
District 07- Prosecuting Attorney. — By an act passed May 3, 1850, the of-
fice of district or prosecuting attorney was made elective, and the term fixed
for three years. Previous to that time the attorney-general appointed ; but
we find no record of any appointments in Jefferson county. 1850, Richard
Arthurs; 1853, James McCahan ; 1856, William McKee ; 1858-61, A. Lewis
Gordon; 1864, Lewis A. Grunder; 1867-70, A. C. White; 1873, Charles
Corbet; 1876, William M. Fairman ; 1879, Samuel A. Craig; 1882-85, C. C.
Benscoter.
Commissioners. — The first commissioners for Jefferson county were elected
in 1824. Thereafter one was elected each year, giving each a term of three years
in office, the oldest incumbent's time being expired when the newly-elected offi-
cer took his place. In the spring of 1834 Charles R. Barclay resigned, and John
Lattimer was appointed to take his place until the next election. George W.
Porter died March 31, 1849, but no appointment was made to fill the vacancy.
In December, 1857, Joel Spyker resigned, and at the request of the remaining
■commissioners, the court appointed Francis Shrauger to fill the vacancy until
the next election. 1824, Andrew Barnett, John Lucas, John W. Jenks ; 1825,
David Postlethwaite ; 1826, Frederick Hettrick ; 1827, Thomas McKee; 1828,
Thomas Lucas; 1829, Elijah Heath; 1830, Robert Andrews ; 183 1, John B.
Henderson; 1832, Charles R. Barclay; 1833, Levi G. Clover; 1834, James
Corbet; 1835, James Winslow ; 1836, John Philliber ; 1837, John Pierce;
1838, Daniel Coder; 1839, Irvin Robinson; 1840, Benjamin McCreight ;
1841, Joel Spyker; 1842, John Gallagher; 1843, John Drum; 1844, Enoch
Hall; 1845, David Harl: 1846, George W. Porter; .1847, James Wilson ; 1848,
Alexander McKinstry ; 1849, Abram Winsor ; 1850. Charles B. Hutchison;
185 1, Thomas Hall; 1852, Jacob S. Steck ; 1853, David Henry; 1854; C.
McCullough ; 1855, Benjamin McCreight; 1856, Joel Spyker; 1857, John
Boucher; 1858, John Thompson ; 1859, Charles R. B. Morris ; i860, Andrew
Smith; 1861, Charles B. Hutchison; 1862, Benjamin McCreight: 1863, Da-
rius Carrier: 1864, Charles B. Hutchison; 1865, Joseph P. Lucas; 1866, An-
drew J. Monks; 1867, James M. Morris ; i 868, Joseph P. Lucas ; 1869, Rob-
ert Dougherty ; 1870, Henry A. Hum; 1 871, Martin V. Shaffer ; 1872, Robert
A. Travis; 1873, Samuel A. Hunter.
Under the new constitution the entire board of commissioners were elected
at the same time, to serve for three years. 1875, R. A. Travis, S. A. Hunter,
R. A. Summerville ; 1878, R. A. Summerville, W. D. Reitz, Oliver Brady;
1 88 1, James B. Jordan, Samuel McDonald. The vote for the third commis-
sioner was a tie between Uriah Matson and G. B. Carrier, and Kennedy L.
Blood was appointed by the court. 1884, Edward Barry, James B. Jordan,
Thomas H. Wilson.
Political Record and Civil List. 85
Auditors. — The first county auditors were elected in 1825. Jonathan Coon
died in the spring of 1828, and Samuel Nevvcom was appointed to fill the va-
cancy until the next election.
In 1837 there appears to have been quite a contest over this office, and
there were four candidates in the field ; C. A. Alexander, Elijah Heath, Daniel
Coder and Joseph McGiffin. The Brookville Republican, the only paper pub-
lished in the county at that time, published the following announcements by
two of these candidates.
" To the free and independent electors of Jefferson county, who are opposed
to petty aristocracies and serving friends out of the public treasury, I offer my-
self as a candidate for the office of county auditor, and pledge myself, if elected,
to pay some regard to the oath of office, and oppose the settlement of any
account paid out of the county treasury that is not strictly legal.
" Elijah Heatil
"Brookville, August 24, 1837."
" To the Free and Independent Electors of Jefferson County : To all who
are opposed to petty aristocracies, to serving friends and pensioners out of the
public treasury, and, in short, to all who are opposed to petty monopolies,
petty tyrants, and to those who sacrifice honor, truth, and honesty at the shrine
of mammon, or in any manner worship the golden calf, at the hazard of the
damnation of their souls, I, on the suggestion, and at the earnest solicitation of
many friends, offer myself at the ensuing election as a candidate for the office
of county auditor, and I hereby stand pledged, if elected, to pay full and com-
plete regard to the oath of office, and to oppose the settlement of any account,
not in good faith strictly honest. C. A. ALEXANDER.
"Brookville, Pa., August 31, 1837."
It will be seen that Mr. Alexander's stirring appeal carried the day and he
was elected.
In the summer of 1861 A. H. Tracy enlisted in the army and Ira
Bronson was appointed to serve as auditor in his place until the next elec-
tion. The following comprises a full list of the auditors elected in the county :
1825, James Corbet, Alonzo Baldwin, Thomas Robinson; 1826, James Brock-
way ; 1827, Jonathan Coon ; 1828, John Christie ; 1829, Joseph McCullough ;
1830, John Hess; 1 831, William Kelso ; 1832, David Postleth wait ; 1833, John
Welsh; 1834, William Ferguson; 1835, J- J- ^- Thompson; 1836, Hance
Robinson; 1837, C. A. Alexander; 1838, Jesse Smith; 1839, M. Johnston;
1840, James Gray; 1841, James Perry; 1842, Woodward Reynolds; 1843,
John Pifer ; 1844, A. McKinstry ; 1845, James Perry; 1846, William Davis;
1847, C. R. B. Morris; 1848, J. K. Ormond ; 1849, Samuel Milliron ; 1850,
B. S. Wesson ; 1851, Irwin Robinson ; 1852, Robert Moorhead ; 1853, Robert
Gourley ; 1854, George W. Andrews ; 1855, Joseph B. Graham ; 1856, Wood-
ward Reynolds; 1857, Truman London; 1858, Robert R. Means ; 1859, A.
86 HisTORV OF Jefferson County.
H. Tracy; i860, W. W. Reed; 1861, Joel Spyker ; 1862, Charles Jacox ;
1863, Ninian Cooper; 1864, Miles Vasbinder ; 1865, Joseph L. Millen ; 1866,
J. B. Morris; 1867, R. R. Means; 1868, Eli Coulter; 1869, R. M. Matson ;
1870, W. E. Simpson ; 1871, M. C. Thompson ; 1872, D. S. Orcutt.
In 1873 the new constitution provided for the election of the, three auditors
at the same election to serve for three years. 1875, James F. Hawthorn^ M.
H. Williams, Eli Coulter; 1878, James F. Hawthorn, Henry A. Smith, Sam-
uel McDonald ; 1881, W. A. Andrews, W. C. Smith, Robert Dougherty; 1884,
Thomas R. Harris, W. A. Andrews, Frank M. Woods.
Coiuity Surveyor. — By an act passed and approved April 9, 1850, the
county surveyor was elected for a term of three years. Previous to said act
they were appointed by the surveyor-general. There does not appear to have
been any appointments made for Jefferson county. 1850, Cyrus Blood ; 1853,
Joel Spyker; 1856, John J. Y. Thompson ; 1859-1862, James Caldwell ; 1865,
JamesW.Drum; 1 868-1 871, James Caldwell ; 1874, WiUiam J. Drum ; 1877,
EH Coulter; 1880-1883, Abner Spyker; 1886, James B. Caldwell.
Coroner. — The first coroner was elected in 1830 for the term of three
years. 1830, John Lucas ; 1833, J. Christie : 1836, Joseph Sharp ; 1838, John
Earheart ; 1839, John Lucas; 1842, Henry Freas ; 1845, James K. Hoffman;
1847, Jacob Shaffer ; 1848, John W. Jenks; 185 i, D. C. Gillespie ; 1854, Mar-
tin R. Cooley; 1856, A. M. Clarke; 1857-1867, none elected; 1867, Hugh
Dowling; 1874, M. Rodgers ; 1875, J. T. Bennett; 1881, Martin J. Sarvey ;
1884, Wm. M. Rockey.
Jury Commissioners. — Prior to 1867, when the first jury commissioners
were elected, the different juries were drawn by the sheriff and county com-
missioners. 1867, M. H. Shannon, Joel Spyker; 1870, L M. Temple, J. P.
George; 1873, J. B. Morris, Alexander McConnell ; 1876, Paul Fiscus, J.
H. Lewis; 1879, R. A. Gourley, P. S. Crate; 1882, James McGhee, A. G.
Dougherty; 1885, William Campbell, P. S. Crate.
Judiciary. — Hon. Isaac G. Gordon, of Brookville, elected to the supreme
bench, 1873, for a term of fifteen years.
President Judges. — By an act of the Legislature, passed April 2, 1830, Jef-
ferson county was attached to the Eighteenth Judicial District, and to the West-
ern District of the Supreme Court, and by an act of April 15, 1835, the time of
holding court fixed for the second Mondays of February, May, September,
and December, one week. By an act of March, 1855, the different terms of
court were continued two weeks if necessary.
The following named gentlemen have served as president judge in the dis-
trict, either by appointment or election, since 1830:
1830, Thomas Burnside, resigned; 1835, Nathaniel B. Eldred, resigned;
1839, Alexander McCalmont ; 1849, Joseph Buflington.
Under the amended constitution the president judge was elected for a term
of ten, and the associate judges for five years.
Political Record and Civil List, 87
185 I, John C. Knox was elected but resigned, in the spring of 1853, on ac-
count of being appointed to the supreme bench, and John S. McCalmont was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
1853, John S. McCalmont was elected, but in June, 1861, resigned to
accept a colonelcy in the army, and G. W. Scofield was appointed to fill the
vacancy until the ensuing election.
1 86 1, James Campbell; 1871, W. P. Jenks;i 1 881, James B. Kno.x. Judge
Knox, died while holding court at Brookville in December, 1884, and William
L. Corbet, esq., of Clarion, was appointed by Governor Pattison to fill the
vacancy until the next election, when, in 1885, Theodore S. Wilson was elected.
Associate Judges. — The associate judges appointed and elected in the
county are as follows: Appointed, 1830, John W. Jenks, Elijah Heath ; 1835,
Wiliam Jack, vice Heath, resigned; 1837, Andrew Barnett, vice Jack, resigned;
1841, James Winslow ; 1843, James L. Gillis. In 1843 Judge Gillis resigned
on account of living within the bounds of Elk county, which had just been
formed, and Levi G. Clover was appointed in his stead. 1846, Thomas Hast-
ings; 1847, John W. Jenks, vice Clover, resigned. In December, 1850, Judge
Jenks died, and J. B. Evans was appointed to fill the vacancy. 1851, Robert
P. Barr. Elected, 1851, Robert P. Barr, J. B. Evans; 1855, James H. Bell,
appointed in place of Barr, resigned, and elected at ensuing election; 1856,
Joseph Henderson was elected, but resigned on account of receiving the nom-
ination for prothonotary, and Samuel M. Moore was appointed to take his
place until next election; i860, James Torrance; 1861, John J. Y. Thompson.
Judge Thompson resigned in May, 1865, and C. Fogle was appointed in his
place. At the election in 1865 two associate judges were elected for a term of
five years, Philip Taylor and James St. Clair. 1 870, William Altman, Robert
R. Means; 1875, James E. Mitchell, John B. Wilson; 1880, John Thompson,
Stephen Oaks; 1885, Henry Truman, J. W. Foust.
At the election held in 1872 to elect delegates to the Constitutional Con-
vention from the district composed of the counties of Jefferson, Armstrong,
Clarion, and Poorest, George W. Andrews, esq., and John McMurray, esq., of
Jefferson, and Hon. John Gilpin, of Armstrong, were elected.
At the election held December 16, 1873, on the adoption of the new con-
stitution, the vote in Jefferson county was as follows: For the new constitution,
i>396 ; against it, 912.
Present County Officers.
The present county officials are : Associate judges, Henry Truman, J. W.
Foust ; prothonotary, register, and recorder, Scott McClelland ; sheriff, Henry
Chamberlain; treasurer, William D. Kane; district-attorney, C. C. Benscoter;
commissioners, Ed. Barry, J. B. Jordan, T. H. Wilson ; auditors, Thomas R.
1 Judge Jenks is the only citizen of Jefferson county who has held the office of president judge in
the district.
88 History of Jefferson County.
Harris, W. A. Andrews, Frank M. Woods; coroner, W. M. Rockey; clerk to
prothonotary, H. W. Mundorfll'; clerk to commissioners, W. A. Neal ; janitor,
Alexander Fullerton.
Summary of Acts of the Legislature of Pennsylvania Relating
TO Jefferson County.
For the convenience of those who may have occasion to consult the differ-
ent acts passed by the Legislature relative to Jefi'erson county, we give a brief
summary of such acts, with date and where they may be found :
Act erecting Jefferson county out of parts of Lycoming county ; bound-
aries defined ; Legislature to fix a place for holding courts, at any place not
more than seven miles from the center of said county, etc. Act of 26th of
March, 1804, sec. i. — Smith's Laws, vol. IV, page 176.
Powers of the commissioners and other county officials of Westmoreland
county extended over Jefferson county. Act of February 3, 1806, sees, i, 2,
and 3. — Smith's La%vs, vol. IV, pages 269-270.
The county district of Jefferson annexed to the county of Indiana. Act
of March 18, 1806, sec. 9. — Smith's Laws, vol. IV, page 291.
Jefferson county made a separate election district, the electors thereof to
hold their general elections at the house of Joseph Barnett, on Sandy Lick.
Act of 31st of March, 1806, sec. 9. — Smith's I^ai^'s, vol. IV, page 349.
Jefferson county divided into separate districts, not to exceed six, for the
appointment of justices of the peace. Act of 14th March, 18 14, sees. 1-4.
— Smith's Laws, vol. VI, page 124.
Treasurers of Indiana and Jefferson counties authorized to sell unseated
lands for taxes. Act of 23d Dec, 1822. — Smith's Laws, vol. VIII, page 5.
The provisional county of Jefferson to elect three county commissioners
and three county auditors, etc. Act of 21st Jan., 1824, sees. 1-4. — Smith's
Lazvs, vol. VIII, page 185.
Appointment of commissioners to fix upon a proper site for the seat of
justice in Jefferson county; to take assurances by bond, deed, or otherwise, of
any lands, lots, money, or other property, which hath been or may be offered
for the use and benefit of the said county, either for the use and benefit of said
county, either for the purpose of erecting public buildings, or for the support of
an academy, or other public use. Act of 8th April, 1829, sees. 1-2. — Smith's
Lazvs, vol. X, page 396.
Provisional county of Jefferson organized for judicial purposes; attached to
the Fourth Judicial District and to the Western District of the Supreme Court;
election of sheriffs and other officers ; time of holding courts fixed ; transfer of
suits originally commenced in Indiana county ; erection of court-house; seat
of justice established at Brookville ; Brookville to be laid out. Act of 2d
April, 1830, sees. i-io. — P. L., pages 161-164.
Political Record and Civil List. 89
Boundary line between Venango and Jefferson county established. Act of
7th Feb., 1832, sees. 1-2. — P. L., page 53.
Formation of Eighteenth Judicial District, composed of Potter, McKean,
Warren, and Jefferson counties, and time of holding courts fixed. Act of 8th
April, 1833, sees. 8. — P. L., page 315.
Time of holding courts in the Eighteenth Judicial District altered, those of
Jefferson county fixed for second Mondays of February, May, September, and
December. Act of 15th April, 1835, sees. 2. — P. L., page 374.
For the better ascertaining and establishing the boundary line between the
counties of Jefferson, Warren, McKean, and Clearfield. Act of 17th March,
1840, sees. I. — P. /,., page 146.
Time of holding township elections in Jefferson county changed to second
Tuesday in February of each year. Act of Sth March, i84i,sec. 29. — P. L.,
page 71.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to subscribe five hundred
dollars to the Brookville Academy, and to have trustees elected, etc. Act of
29th May, 1841, sec. 22. — P. L., page 411.
Deeds made by commissioners of Jefferson county for divers tracts of un-
seated lands, and lots in the borough of Brookville legalized. Act of Sth
April, 1846. — P. I.., page 273.
The Eighteenth Judicial District to consist of the counties of Venango,
Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, and Forest. Courts to be holden in Jefferson county
on second Mondays in May, September, December, and February one week.
Act of 5th April, 1849, sees. 1-4. — P. L., page 367-8.
Certain acts relative to premium on fox and wild cat scalps, and to hunt-
ing of elk or deer, extended to Jefferson county. Act of loth of April, 1849,
sees. 1—2. — P. L., page 631.
Act for transfer of records from Indiana to Jefferson county. Act of 2ist
April, 1852, P. /.., page 389.
Chancery powers and jurisdiction vested in the Court of Common Pleas of
Philadelphia county, extended to Jefferson and the counties composing the
Eighteenth Judiciary District. Act of 21st April, 1854. — P. L., page 462.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to borrow sum of money,
not exceeding five thousand dollars, for building jail. Act of 5th April, 1855,
sec. 182. — P. L., page 165.
Continuing terms of court in Jefferson county to two weeks, when neces-
sary. Act of 9th March, 1855. — P. L., page 69.
Fixing time for holding township and borough elections in Jefferson county
to the first Monday in February in each year. Act of i6th April, 1858. — P.
L., page 328.
The time of redemption of all lands purchased by the counties of Jeft'erson
and Potter, at treasurer's sale, fixed at two years. Act of 8th April, 1862. —
P. L., page 17.
90 History of Jefferson County.
Commissioners authorized to have assessments of real and personal estates
in the several townships and boroughs of Jefferson county made prior to the
year i860, transcribed, etc. Act of 6th of March, 1863. — P. L., page iio.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to levy additional tax for
purpose of building a court-house, and borrow money and issue bonds for the
same. Act of i8th of April, 1864. — P. L., page 461.
To enable soldiers in the service to vote at borough and township elections
in county of Jefferson and other counties. Act of loth of March, 1865, sees.
1-9. — P. L., pages 309-311.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to appropriate unexpended
relief fund of said county to building of new court-house. Act of i6th of
March, 1866. — P. L., page 236.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to borrow money for build-
ing of court-house, not exceeding $50,000, and to issue bonds therefor, to
bear interest not exceeding eight per cent. Act of 2d of February, 1867. — P.
L., page 134.
A part of Fox township, Clearfield county, annexed to Jefferson county,
and made part of Snyder township. Act of 4th of April 1868. — P. L., pages
651-652.
Commissioners of Jefferson county authorized to borrow money, not ex-
ceeding $45,000, and to issue bonds therefor, at rate of interest not exceeding
eight per cent., to be appropriated to the payment of certain articles of settle-
ment and compromise made by and between the county of Jefferson and the
Allegheny Valley Railroad Company. Act of 19th of February, 1870. — P. L.,
page 212.
CHAPTER XI.
POST-OFFICES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Early Mai! Facilities — First Post-Offices in tlie County — Names of Offices — AVhen
Established — Names of Postmasters — First Mail Route — Oldest Postmasters — A Quarter
of a Century in Charge of a Post-Office.
WE are enabled, through the courtesy of the post-office department, to give
a complete history of the post-offices established in this county, from
the first office at Port Barnett until the present time.
Port Barnett, established January 4, 1826, and Joseph Barnett appointed
postmaster. Changed to Brookville, September 10, 1830.
Post-Offices in Jefferson County. gi
Brookville. — Postmasters, Jared B. Evans, appointed September lO, 1830;
Cephas I. Dunham, March 30, 1833; WilHam Rodgers, January 19, 1835;
John Dougherty, August 18, 1840; Samuel H. Lucas, June 25, 1841 ; Daniel
Smith, November 21, 1844; Barton T. Hastings, May 9, 1845; John Hast-
ings, June 18, 1846; David S. Deering, December 14, 1848; James Corbet,
September 23, 1850; David S. Deering, February 24, 1853; Kennedy L.
Blood, April 20, 1853 ; Parker P. Blood, April i, 1857 ; Alexander P. Heich-
hold, March 9, 1861 ; John Scott, April 20, 1864; Barton T. Hastings, Sep-
tember 8, 1866; John Scott, April 5, 1869; F. A. Weaver, April 23, 1884;
Laselle R. Erdice, December 5, 1885.
Aliens Mills, established July i, 1874. Postmasters, E. W. Clark, appointed
July I, 1874; J. G. Allen, April 19, 1877. Office discontinued, August 21,
1877. Re-established, August 2, 1880. Jerry G. Allen, appointed August
2, 1880.
Alvaii. — Postmasters, Alvan H. Head, appointed July 13, 1848; John
Arner, May 11, 1850; Alexander McConnell, March i, 1852; Thomas Ted-
lie, April 9, 1862 ; office discontinued October i, 1862.
Baxter. — Postmaster, Richard Baxter, appointed February 24, 1875.
Beeclitrcc. — Richard Woodward, appointed April 4, 1882; John H. Bell,
November 25, 1885.
Broivn's Mills {Bell's Mills). — Postmasters, Henry Brown, appointed Feb-
ruary 4, 1859; discontinued February 15, i860; re-established March 9,
i860, and Henry Brown, reappointed; name changed to Bell's Mills October
24, 1863, and James H. Bell appointed postmaster; William E. Bell, Decem-
ber 20, 1878, William W. Graffius, November 27, 1885.
Brockwayville. — Postmasters, Alonzo Brockway, appointed April 13, 1829;
discontinued January 3, 1838; re-established March 14, 1838, and Asaph M.
Clark appointed postmaster; Robert W. Moorhead, December 6, 1856; Will-
iam H. Schram, September 2, 1862 ; Jonas G. Wellman, January 9, 1866 ; W.
W. Wellman, March 20, 1872; Robert O. Moorhead, February 18, 1880;
Barrett T. Chapin, October 30, 1885.
Big Rich. — Postmasters, James U. Gillespie, appointed August i, 1854;
Joseph McPherson, May 4, 1858 ; David C. Gillespie, October 17, 1865 ; An-
drew McClure, February 5, 1869; George K. Tyson, July 14, 1870; Andrew
P. Cox, 23d October, 1874; Philip Enterline, April 6, 187S ; Andrew P. Cox,
March 21, 1881 ; Charles V. Wilson, August 12, 1885.
Clarion. — Postmaster, John McNulty, appointed February 8, 1833; discon-
tinued September 3, 1834.
Corsica. — Postmasters, John J. Y. Thompson, appointed November 29,
1843; John C. Ferguson, April 21, 1852; John H. Dill, January 19, 1853;
Mark Rodgers, April 22, 1853; William H. Barr, December 3, 1857; Will-
iam Love, January 20, 1859; William W. Reed, July 9, 1861; Sarah A. Reed,
June 12, 1862.
92 History of Jefferson County.
CloHser. — Postmasters, George Kramer, appointed February 15, 1884; W.
W. Clouser, July i, 1884.
Coal Glen. — Postmaster, Austin Blakeslie, appointed May 27, 1886.
Cool Spring. — Postmasters, James Gray, appointed April 17, 1838; John
Scott, October 4, 1844; Thompson A. McKinstry, January 10, 1856; discon-
tinued April 25, 1857; re-established September 20, 1869, and Thomas Hep-
ler appointed; Miles R. Kunselman, March 13, 1882; John R. McKinstry,
August 6, 1885.
Creashaw. — Postmaster, William V. Parmley, appointed January 19, 1887.
Dolingville. — Postmasters, Joseph Broadhead, appointed July 15, 1869;
Gilbert B. Burrows, May 26, 1 870; Thomas Doling, January 3, 1871; discon-
tinued September 7, 1871.
Dora. — John H. Geist, appointed postmaster July 9, 1883; discontinued
July 14, 1884.
Dunkle. — Postmaster, George W. Dunkle, appointed August 21, 1882.
Ella. — William P. Painter, appointed postmaster July 15, 1886.
Emcrickville. — Postmasters, Emanuel Weiser, appointed May 6, 1872;
George Zettler, April 13, 1881 ; Emanuel Weiser, December 17, 1885.
Emcrickville. — John R. Hetrick, appointed postmaster June 21, 1851 ; dis-
continued February 21, 1855.
Erdice. — Postmaster, William McMillen, appointed April 4, 1887.
Frostburg. — Postmasters, Charles R. B. Morris, appointed March 30, 1858;
Robert Hamilton, April 8, 1859; Charles R. B. Morris, February 24, 1881 ;
Tobias S. Newbold, January 18, 1886.
Fuller. — Abel Fuller appointed postmaster September 20, 1875 ; changed
to Rocky Bend, December 10, 1877, and ^bcl Fuller appointed; changed
again to Fuller February 25, 1878, and Abel P"uller reappointed; Henry
Miller, appointed June 3, 1881 ; H. C. Fuller, March 6, 1883; Henry E.
Fuller, April 3, 1883.
Grange. — Postmasters, Albert D. Sprankle, appointed May 31, 1880;
Nathaniel S. Sprankle, May 9, 1882 ; Ezra C. Gourley, April 13, 1883 ; Lafay-
ette Sutter, August 6, 1885.
Handy. — Joshua Jones, appointed postmaster May 26, 1884; discontinued
August 4, 1886.
Hazen. — Postmasters, William R. Anderson, appointed April 7, 1882; dis-
continued March 15, 1883; re-estabhshed January 24, 1885, and Isaac Lyle
appointed postmaster.
llantilton now Hay. — Postmasters, Robert Hamilton, appointed February
16, 1852; Joseph W. Sharp, July 23, 1866; John N. Heckendorn, February
14, 1868 ; James G. Mitchell, January 8, 1885 ; David Neal, August 12, 1885 ;
changed to Hay, February 24, i886, and David Neal reappointed; Sharp
Neal, May 18. 1886.
Post-Offices in Jefferson County. 93
Packer now Hcatliville. — Postmasters, Leopold Einstein, appointed June
29, 1857; John Osborn, February 5, 1858; George W. Gumbert, December
12, 1863; Thomas Edmunds, July 2, 1866; PhiHp Shafier, December 30,
1870; changed to Heathville April 9, 1879; Henry Hepler, April 9, 1879;
Curtis S. Guthrie, March 27, 1886.
Heathville. — Postmaster, Elijah Heath appointed September 24, 1841 ; dis-
continued February 17, 1842.
Hoivc. — Postmasters, Thomas J. Lyle, appointed February 9, 1882; Bar-
ton M. Whitehill, November 10, 1885.
Hudson. — Postmasters, Augustus G. Winslovv appointed June 30, 1869;
Tobias J. Long, August 12, 1885.
* Knoxdale. — Postmasters, Henry N. Milliron, appointed February 25, 1863 ;
Samuel Stewart, March 8, 1865; Michael E. Steiner, November 9, 1869; Eve-
lyn D. Sharp, May 4, 1870; John G. Steiner, December i, 1870; John G.
Steiner, jr., June 16, 1873; Daniel I. Steiner, December 20, 1880; Hugh E.
McCracken, September 11, 1883.
La7ies Mills. — Robert Humphrey appointed postmaster January 13, 1885.
Langville. — Walter J. Bracken appointed postmaster June il, 1886.
Lindsey. — John W. Parsons appointed postmaster January 24, 1882.
Merata. — John Philliber appointed postmaster February 19, 185 1 ; dis-
continued August 8, 1853.
Mimtmorency. — Postmasters, Reuben A. Aylesworth, appointed February
14, 1826; Jesse Morgan, March 13, 1828 ; James L. Gillis, April 7, 1828 ; dis-
continued March i, 1832.
Mcndorf now Muiidorf. — Newton Webster, appointed postmaster February
5, 1885 ; changed to Mundorf March 5, 1886.
Neiu Petersburg. — Postmasters, John H. Hinderleter, appointed December
3, 1869; James N. Chambers, April 16, 1872 ; Henry Snyder, April 4, 1873 ;
Henry Hinderleter, August 9, 1876 ; Daniel F. Harrison, November 1 1, 1878 ;
discontinued, March 15, 1883.
W/irZ-wrg-.— Postmasters, Eli Miller, January 7, 1862 ; Rachel Bell, June
13, 1866; William H. Redding, September 25, 1871 ; Henry M. Means, May
29, 1873; John B. Fink, September 28, 1875.
Oyster. — Reuben J. Thompson appointed postmaster November 20, 1883.
Ohl. — Postmaster, Edward M. Ohl, December I, 1886.
Pancoast. — Postmasters, M. J. Farrell appointed May 17, 1876; Hannibal
Hutchinson December 17, 1882.
Panic. — Postmasters, James B. North appointed July 1 1, 1881 ; George A.
Morrison, March 10, 1882 ; Albert T. Sprankle, July 7, 1882 ; Norman Brown,
October 29, 1883.
Pansy. — Samuel Thomas appointed postmaster June 27, 1884.
Patton's Station. — Walker Smith appointed postmaster September 13, 1879.
9
94 History of Jefferson County.
Porter. — Postmasters, Henry Snyder, appointed June 21, 1850 ; discontin-
ued August 13, 1850; re-establislied April 15, 1854, and Robert A. Travis
appointed; Martha Travis, February 2, 1875 ; James H. Elkins, January 30,
1880; John A. TimbHn, March 27, 1886.
Punxsutawney. — Postmasters, Charles R. Barclay, appointed February 28,
1826; John W. Jenks, December 15, 1828; David Barclay, November 2,
1830; Charles R. Barclay, December 21, 1831; John Hunt, October 17, 1837;
James McConaughey, February 11, 1839; John R. Rees, December 29, 1843;
John M. MCoy, August 6, 1845; Thomas L. Mitchell, November 13, 1849;
Thomas McKee, June 6, 1853; Andrew J. Johnston, March 19, 1861 ; Will-
iam Campbell, August 20, 1863; William Davis, August 13, 1864; Homer C.
Bair, April 20, 1885.
Ratlmiel. — Luther A. Hays appointed postmaster November 27, 1883.
Ricliardsville. — Postmasters, David W. Moorhead, appointed Jan. 18, 1849;
William R. Richards, July 6, 1852; David W. Moorhead, August 14, 1858;
Joshua Long, February 2, 1859; Jackson Moorhead, Feb. 20, i860; William
Evans, July 31, 1883 ; Lewis Rhoads, July 17, 1885.
Prospect Hill (changed to Rcynoldsvillc). — Postmasters, Tilton Reynolds,
appointed May 18, 1842 ; Thomas Reynolds, Dec. 29, 1845.
Reynoldsville. — Postmasters, Thomas Reynolds, appointed Feb. 23, 1850;
John S. Smith, January 6, 185 i; Orlando Gray, Oct. 27, 1854; John S. Smith,
Sept. 26, 1856; Frederick C. Farmer, Feb. 16, 1858; discontinued August
31, 1859; re-estabhshed September 13, 1859; and Thomas Reynolds appointed
postmaster; Thos. Montgomery, Dec. 12, 1862; Thos. Reynolds, April 5, 1865 ;
Tilton C. Reynolds, June 9, 1881 ; William C. Schultze, Oct. 19, 1885.
Ringgold. — Postmasters, Robert McFarland, appointed Nov. 11, 1847;
George Mercer, May 30, 1850; Philip H. Shannon, July 8, 1852; Robert T.
Perry, June 6, 1854; Samuel Miller, Sept. i, 1856; John A. Freas, Oct. 10,
1856; Martin H. Shannon, Dec. 3, 1857; Philip H. Shannon, Oct. i, 1859;
James Dean, Oct. 12, i860; A. J. Monks, Sept. 3, 1861 ; Robert Perry, Nov.
6, 1861 ; Susanna Reitz, Aug. 6, 1885.
Sandy Valley. — Postmasters, John W. Riggs, appointed August 20, 1872;
William Boner, July 31, 1876.
Rockdale Mills. — Postmasters, William H. Gordon, appointed Jan. 13,
1863; Elisha L. Evans, April 26, 1864; Thomas Montgomery, May i, 1867;
Scott McClelland, March 29, 1872; C. D. Evans, May 22, 1876; Sophia
Evans, April 8, 1878; Anne Mathews, October 2, 1878; Sophia Evans, Nov.
4, 1879.
Mary Annsville (changed to Schoffner's Corners). — Postmaster, Thomas
Craven, appointed June 10, 1858.
Schoffner's Corners. — Postmasters, George Smith, appointed Jan. 20, 1859;
Philip Hettrick, Aug. 3, 1863; John Snyder, March 17, 1864; Henry Heber,
June 16, 1864; John Andrews, June 22, 1865 ; Sylvester Davis, May 9, 1866.
Post-Offices in Jefferson County. 95
Sigel. — Postmasters, James McNeal, appointed May 26, 1862; Henry-
Truman, March 3, 1868; George A. Carroll, Aug. 24, 1885.
Sprankle's Mills. — Postmasters, Peter Seller, appointed Aug. 24, 1857;
Mary Seller, Jan. 24, 1863 ; William Eisenhart, March 7, 1863.
Stanton. — Potmasters, James Hill, appointed April 15, 1862; James R.
Hill, Jan. 11, 1864; Alexander Hill, Sept. 7, 1864; Abner J. Smathers,
Nov. 9, 1865 ; Edward Reitz, July 20, 1869; Jacob R. Miller, Dec. 20, 1875 ;
Edward Reitz, Jan. 23, 1879.
Sugar Hill. — Postmasters, Alexander McConnell, appointed Feb. 27,
1877; William A. Shaw, April 28, 1886; John H. Simmons, May, 27, 1886.
Siimmervillc. — Postmasters, David Losh, appointed Feb. 14, 1839 ; Geo.
Richards, Oct. 4, 1839; Samuel B. Taylor, Oct. 20, 1840 ; James Gardner,
Oct. 4, 1841 ; Ira Baldwin, Jan. 12, 1843 ; Jonathan Milliron, Dec. 15, 1846;
Benjamin S. Wesson, Jan. 28, 1848 ; Hiram Carrier, Feb. 22, 1849; Leopold
Heilbruner, March 21, 1856; Benjamin S. Wesson, Dec. 6, 1856; Harlow R.
Bryant, Feb. 4, 1862 ; Hiram Carrier, Aug. 28, 1866 ; Harlow R. Bryant, May
17, 1867; John H. Strong, Oct. 16, 1871 ; PVederick J. Strong, March 3,
'^^7l\ Joseph Guthrie, July 28, 1885.
Sykesville. — Postmaster, Jacob B. Sykes, appointed Oct. 8, 1883.
Valier. — Postmasters, John N. Means, appointed Aug. 4, 1885 ; Mary M.
Postlethwait, April 9, 1886.
Wallston. — Postmaster, Daniel N. Mclntyre, appointed Nov. 25, 1885.
Warsaiv. — Postmasters, Thomas McCormick, appointed Aug. 15, 1836
David McCormick, Jan. 17, 1838; Moses B. St. John, May 12, 1839; John
H. McKee, June 23, 1853 ; Jacob Raught, Jan. 25, 1854; John Reed, Sept.
9, 1854; John Sheasley, June, 8, i860; Isaac W. Temple, July 12, 1861 ; Wm.
P. Mathers, Nov. 12, 1871 ; S. W. Temple, Jan. 9, 1882.
Whiiesville. — Postmasters, John Keim, appointed Dec. 14, 1835 ; James C.
Maize, Oct. 6, 1836; discontinued Oct. 17, 1837; re-established Sept. 24, 1841,
and Gilmore Montgomery apppointed postmaster ; discontinued February 17,
1842.
Worthville — Postmaster, Henry Fox, appointed Feb. 6, 1854; discon-
tinued March 28, 1855.
Worthville — .Postmasters, John C. McNutt, appointed June 2, 1864; Mor-
ris R. Putney, Feb. 2, 1875 ; Samuel V. Shick, March 13, 1883.
The first mail route was established in 1826 from Kittanning to Olean,
N. Y., a distance of one hundred and ten miles, over which the mail was car-
ried once in two weeks. The contractor was Roswell B. Alford, of Wellsville,
Ohio, and he received for his services four hundred dollars per annum. This
route supplied all the offices there were then in Jefferson county.
In the first thirty years of the county's existence there were only five post-
offices ; now there are fifty-nine, nearly all of which are supplied with a daily
96 , History of Jefferson County.
mail, and the majority of the smaller offices with a tri-weekly mail. The office
at Brookville receives and dispatches seven daily mails, and all the larger offices
in the county are similarly supplied.
The oldest living ex-postmaster in Jefferson county is Hon. Jared B. Evans,
of Washington township. Mr. John Scott was connected with the post-offices
of the county for about thirty-five years, seventeen years of that time being
postmaster at Brookville. Mrs. Sarah Reed, postmistress at Corsica, will, June
12, 1887, celebrate her quarter of a century as the incumbent of that office.
CHAPTER Xn.
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.i
Progress of Education Previous to t'.ie lutroduction of the Common Schools — State Aid- -
County Superintendents — School.'? Under the Common School Law —Township Institutes —
Acaderai.'S and Select Schools.
Organization of Schools Previous to the School System.
JEFFERSON county's first school- house was built on the Ridgway road,
about two miles northeast of Brookville. The house was built of rough
logs, and had neither window sash nor pane of glass. The light was admitted
through chinks in the walls, over which greased paper was fastened. The floor
was made of puncheons, and the seats of broad pieces, split from logs, with
pins in the under sides for legs. Boards laid on pins driven into the walls
supplied the pupils with writing-desks. A log fire-place, the entire length of
one end, furnished the warmth when the weather was cold.
In this rude structure John Dixon, the pioneer teacher of Jefferson county,
taught the first school during the winter of 1803 or 1804. The length of
term was three months, and the patrons paid the teacher a certain sum per
scholar. Mr. Barnett, RTr. Matson, Mr. Vastbinder, and some others were
among the citizens most prominent in building the house and having the school
organized. The second school was taught a year or two later by Job Johnson,
in a school-house built near the old grave-yard, between Port Barnett and
Brookville. They had window glass in that house, and a ten plate stove, and
the large boys brought the wood and cut it to keep up the fire. Other schools,
the names of whose teachers have been forgotten, were organized later in the
vicinity of Brookville.
1 By G. Ament Blose, A. M.
Schools of Jefferson County. 97
The first school-house in the southern part of the county was built of
logs in the fall of 1820, near John Bell's, a little more than a mile northwest of
where Perrysville stands. It was built after the style of the first school-house
in the county, with paper instead of window glass, boards pinned to the walls
for desks, floor and seats made from puncheons, and fire-place along one end.
John Postlethwait, sr., John Bell, Archibald Hadden, Hugh McKee, and James
Stewart, sr., were the principal citizens intrumental in organizing and starting
the school. John B. Henderson taught the first school in this part of the
county, in that house, the first winter after it was built. The Testament, Bible,
Catechism, and the United States Spelling-book were used as text books in the
school. Ira White, a Yankee, from the State of New York, succeeded Mr.
Henderson as teacher. Some time afterwards a school was taught by Craw-
ford Gibson, in a house near the county line, about a mile south of Perrysville —
some parties claim that Gibson taught before Henderson. Somewhat later a
school was taught by John Knox, in a log house across the creek, south-
east of Perrysville. They paid him in grain, in part, at least. James C. Neal,
sr., then a young man, hauled a load of grain with a yoke of oxen from Perrys-
ville to some place near Troy, a distance of about twenty miles, through the
woods, to pay Mr. Knox for teaching. The first school in Punxsutawney
was opened by Andrew Bowman about 1823, in a house then owned by
John Henderson. The house was still standing in 1877, and was owned by
Thomas McKee. Dr. Jenks, Charles Barclay, Judge Heath, Rev. David Bar-
clay, a Mr. Black, and others took an active part in starting the school. They
hired a teacher by the year. The tuition for the small pupils was twelve dol-
lars each, and for the large ones fifty dollars a year. The first school-house
was built in Punxsutawney by the above named gentlemen about 1827, where
the Baptist church now stands. Hugh Kenworthy was the first man, well ed-
ucated, who was employed as a teacher there. The next teacher was Dr.
Robert Cunningham. After him came Thomas Cunningham, since Judge
Cunningham. Alexander Cochran taught the first school in what is now
Washington township, in 1830 or 1 831, in a school-house near the Beech-
woods grave-yard. Messrs. Cooper, Keys, Mcintosh, and the Smiths were
instrumental in organizing the school.
Brookville's first school was taught in the old jail by a Mr. Butler in the
the fall of 1830. Boards laid on blocks, sawed from logs, supplied them with
seats. Alexander McKnight, father of Dr. McKnight, taught there in a small
brick school-house in 1832.
A school was started somewhere in the locality of Troy, some time be-
tween 1825 and 1830, and was taught by a Mr. Knox.
The first school was commenced within the present limits of Union town-
ship about 1834 or 1835. James Barr taught first, in the summer. There
were about twenty pupils, and the tuition was fifty cents a month for each
98
History of Jefferson County.
pupil. Samuel Davison, Robert McFarland, John W. Monks, John Hughes,
and Robert Tweedy were prominent in organizing the school.
About 1835 a school was taught by Benjamin Gilhousen in an old log house
on land now (1887) owned by the Smith heirs, in Oliver township. It was
continued only one term.
In every locality in the county, in which the population was dense enough
to support a school, one seems to have been organized previous to the com-
mon school system.
State Aid. — The first money received from the State for school purposes by
this county was by an order drawn August 5, 1836, on the State treasurer,
Joseph Lawrence, esq., to the treasurer of Jefferson county, by Thomas H.
Burrows, superintendent of common schools, under an act entitled, " An Act
to Establish a General System of Education by Common Schools," passed on
the 1st of April, 1834, and a supplement thereto, passed April 15, 1835, for
$104.94, for the year 1835. Also on the same date $104.94 for the year 1836.
The following table will show the townships receiving State aid, the officers of
the school boards, the numbers of warrants, and the amounts received:
Townships.
Barnett
Eldred
Perry
Pine Creek .
Ridgway. ..
Rose
Snyder
Young
No.
Warrant.
76
State Aid
$49.20
37
23-59
209
35-3'
103
66.68
40
25.89
252
163.14
41
26.54
146
94.52
Treasurers.
Cyrus Blood,
Wm. M. Henderson,
Isaac Lewis,
Samuel Jones,
L. Wilmarth,
Benj. McCreight,
A. Ross,
W. Jenks,
Presidents.
W. P. Armstrong,
Tohnias Hall,
Tho. Williams,
William Cooper,
J. Gallaglier,
William Kelso,
.K. Brockway,
Wm. Campbell,
Secretaries.
Cyrus Blood.
John W. Monks.
John Philiber.
.•\. Barnett.
L. Wilmarth,
C. .\. .■Me.xander.
William Shaw.
J. Winslow.
It would seem from the above table that it includes the appropriation for
1837 also. The State appropriation for the year ending June I, 1875, was
$4,075.74, and for the year ending June i, 1876, it was $6,462.91, being an
increase in one year of $2,387.17. From 1835 to 1876 the State appropria-
tion increased from $104.94 to $6,462.91. The State appropriation for the
year ending June i, 1885, was $6,893.46.
Organizations Under the School Svste.m.
From the best information to be had it appears that Cyrus Crouch taught
the first school in Brookville under the common school system. No one seems
to know the date of its organization. He taught two terms and was followed
by Jesse Smith, and Craighead, and Hannibal.
As early as the fall of 1835, ^ "lan by the name of Timblin made applica-
tion for the school in Punxsutawney. He was examined by the board of direc-
tors, and was the first teacher under the new school system. The members of
the board were C. C. Gaskill, James Winslow, and James Torrence. Mr. Gas-
kill attended to the examination of the teacher. It was held in an old log
house in which Mr. Torrence lived. The house was known as the old farm-
Schools of Jefferson County. 99
house of Dr. Jenks, and was the first house built in Punxsutawney. The
teacher was examined in reading, writing, and arithmetic. The United States
Speller, the English Reader, and the Western Calculator were the text-books
used in the school. At that time Young township included Bell, McCal-
mont, Gaskill, Henderson, and parts of Winslow and Oliver. There was a
great deal of hostility to the common school system at first in Punxsutawney.
Four schools were organized under the new school system in the fall of
1835, in Pine Creek township — one near the site of the first school-house in
the county, the Butler school ; another near the Bowers's school, then called
the Frederick school ; another near Richardsville, and the other in the school-
house near the Beechwoods grave-yard. The directors were Dr. John Lati-
mer, William Cooper and Andrew Barnett. Mr. Thomas Kirkman, a school
teacher of the time, says that " David Butler, Dr. John Latimer, and Andrew
Barnett examined the teachers at Andrew Barnett's house." Mr. Kirkman
taught first under the school system, at the Butler school-house. He taught
thirty days for a month, receiving fourteen dollars a month and boarding him-
self They used the English Readers and the United States Spelling-book. The
schools began some time in November, and continued three months. Thomas
Reynolds taught the Waite school in Beechwoods first under the school sys-
tem. He received twelve dollars a month and " boarded around " with the
scholars. They had a ten-plate stove in the school-house, and their fuel con-
sisted entirely of chestnut and hemlock bark, which the larger pupils assisted
the teacher to pull from the dead trees in the vicinity. There were about
twenty-eight pupils attending the school, with an average daily attendance of
eighteen. Judge Andrew Barnett, John Latimer, and William Cooper were
the principal citizens who took part in having the schools started. John Wil-
son was probably the first teacher at Richardsville. They had about fifteen
pupils there.
In 1836 a school-house was built above Mr. Prescott's, at Prescottville, called
the Fuller school-house. Mr. Thomas Reynolds taught the first school in it.
During the summer of the same year a contract for building a hewed log
school-house near Mr. Dickey's, in Henderson township, was given to a Mr.
Caufman, and a school was commenced the following winter under a Mr.
Heisy as teacher. From the best information to be had, a school appears to
have been organized in the Bowers Settlement, in Gaskill township, some time
before that.
The first school under the school system in Perry township, near Perrys-
ville, was taught by David Lewis, the winter of 1836 or 1837, in an old log
house that had been built for a dwelling house by Thomas McKee, a short dis-
tance east of Perrysville, on the old road. There were six or eight schools
started in the township that year. James R. Postlethwait hauled six or eight
stoves for the school-houses on a sled from some place in Clarion county —
L.ofC.
lOo History of Jefferson County.
Strattonville, I believe my informant said, was the place. It was during the
first snow in the beginning of winter, and it fell very deep, so that he had great
difficulty to get home through it.
In the winter of 1836 or 1837 a school was kept in an old log house near
Frederick Stear's in Porter township, by a Mr. Travis. That was the first
school in that locality under the school system. A Mrs. Travis taught a sum-
mer school in the same place. One of her methods of punishment was to pin
the unruly boys to her dress. The house was then in Perry, but was included
in Porter township when it was organized.
About the year 1839 ^ frame school-house was built just above Perrysville.
T. S. Mitchell, sr., furnished the nails and spikes, James C. Neal, sr., Boaz
Blose, and some other citizens supplied other material, and built the house.
The same year a hewed log school-house was built near George Blose, sr.'s.
Mr. Postlethwait, George Blose, sr.. Youngs, Frederick Stear, and John Travis
were prominent in building the house and having the school organized. Mary
Gibson taught the first school in that house, then William Postlethwait, and
after him came Stephen Travis as teacher. The first common school was
commenced in what is now Eldred township, in the beginning of the winter of
1837. The house was built the same fall, near where the Hall school-house
now stands. It was a hewed log-house, and was built by the citizens. George
Wilson, since Dr. Wilson, taught the first school in it. There were about for-
ty scholars. The large scholars cut the wood for the stove. John Lucas
taught after Wilson. About 1837 or 1838 a round log school-house, called
the Milliron school, was built a short distance northwest of where Ringgold
now is ; Samuel Hice was the first teacher there. He received not more than
ten dollars a month. They used Cobb's Spellers as text-books. Henry
Freas, John Hice, Benjamin Campbell, and others were the principal citizens
in having the school started.
A school-house was built in Rose township, near Joel Spyker's, in 1836.
They previously rented a house on the Pleasantville road near John J. Miller's.
About 1836 a school-house was built on land of William Newcome's, in
Oliver township, near where the old State road was crossed by the road from
Worthville to Punxsutawney. The first term of school was taught in it by Miss
Margaret McKinstry. She was succeeded as teacher by William Newcome.
Doverspike, Man, Johnston, Gaston, Newcome, and Stunkard were among
the citizens prominent in having the school organized. This school was dis-
continued after three or four years. Another house was built on land of C.
C. Gaskill's, since owned by William Reed, sr. Some of the principal citi-
zens engaged in establishing the school were Adam Dobson, Jonathan Rowan,
Jacob McF"adden, and Philip Hetrick.
James Harl, sr., was the first to wield the " white thorn." He was followed
by Samuel Reed, who was succeeded by Alexander McKinstry, esq. Mr. Mc-
Schools of Jefferson County. ioi
Kinstry is said to have taught the school very successfully for three or four
terms. The first school in Union township, under the school system, was
taught by Jesse or Theophilus Smith, about 1838, in a log school-house, with
a fire-place along one end. The house was about two miles from Corsica,
near Dallas Monks's. The pupils studied their lessons out loud during school
hours. The teacher was paid sixteen or eighteen dollars a month, and
boarded himself Some of the citizens who took part in organizing the school
were John Fitzsimmons, the Barrs, Hindmans, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Monks.
John Kahle taught the first school in Kahletown, Eldred township, about
1837 or 1838, in one end of his father's house. That was the first school in
that part of the county. Clover township was organized into a separate dis-
trict in 1842; the first hoard of directors organized May 24, 1842 ; Rev. C.
Fogle, was president, James Shields, secretary, and D. Carrier, treasurer. The
wages of male teachers were from eighteen to twenty-five dollars a month,.
and of female teachers from twelve to fifteen dollars a month and board them-
selves, and make their own fires.
Thomas Reid taught the first school in Polk township about 1848 or
1849; Nathaniel Clark taught next. Philip Hetrick, Jacob McFadden, John
Dixon, Henry Schaffner, and John Lucas took part in the organization of
the school.
So far as can be ascertained, the people were an.xious about having the
schools organized in their neighborhoods, and established them throughout the
whole county as soon as they had a sufficient number of persons to entitle
them to a school. In this way the schools increased till they numbered one
hundred and five at the beginning of the superintendency in 1854.
Superintendents.
John C. VVagaman — whose post-office was Pun.xsutawney — was the first
county superintendent of common schools in Jefferson county. He was elected
under the act of May 8, 1854, on June 5, 1854, at a salary of $300 a year,
and was commissioned July 5, 1854. He resigned May 3, 1856, and went
West. Samuel McElhose, whose post-office was Brookville, was appointed to
fill the vacancy at the same salary, on May 16, 1856, and was commissioned
the same day. The term expired June, 1857. Mr. McElhose was elected May
4, 1857, ^t a salary of $500 a year, ^nd was recommi.ssioned June 3, 1857. He
was re-elected May 7, i860, at a salary of $550. The term expired June, i860,
and he was recommissioned June 8, i860. His last term expired June, 1863.
Mr. McElhose made a very energetic superintendent. The schools were in a
very prosperous condition during the latter part of his superintendency. He
and Blose were the only superintendents who opened schools for the teachers.
Sylvanus William Smith, whose post-office was Brookville, was elected
superintendent on May 4, 1 863, at a salary of $800 a year, and was commis-
10
102 History of Jefferson County.
sioned June i, 1863. His salary was raised to $1,000 a year from June i,
1864, by a special convention of school directors called for the purpose. He
was re-elected May i, 1866. The term expired June 4, 1866, and he was
recommissioned June 4, 1866. The term expired June, 1869.
During the first part of Mr. Smith's term of office, nearly all the former
male teachers of the county enlisted and went into the army. Their places
had to be supplied almost exclusively by young female teachers. This ope-
rated very much against the prosperity of the schools for a time. In the report
for 1865, there are only thirty-two male teachers and one hundred and twenty-
five female teachers reported for the county.
James Adams Lowry, whose post-office was Punxsutawney, was elected
May 4, 1869, at a salary of $1,000 a year, and was .commissioned June 4,
1869. He was re-elected May 7, 1872. The term expired June, 1872, and
he was recommissioned June 6, 1872. His term expired June, 1875.
George Ament Blose, whose post-office was Hamilton, was elected May 4,
1875, at a salary of $1,000 a year. The term expired June, 1878.
William Albert Kelly, whose post-office was Frostburg — afterwards
changed to Grange — was elected May 7, 1878, and was commissioned June,
1878. He was re-elected May 3, 1881. The term expired June, 1881, and he
was recommissioned June, 1881. The term expired June 1884. It was dur-
ing Kelly's superintendency that the mental arithmetic, as a separate text-
book, was excluded from the schools.
John Harry Hughes, whose post-office was Brookville, was elected May 6,
1884, at a salary of $1,000 a year, and was commissioned May 28, 1884. He
is now 1887 county superintendent.
With the beginning of the superintendency, the school term had been
increased to four months, and the age of log school-houses, with slab seats and
wall desks, was passing away. Mr. Wagaman, in his report for 1855, com-
plained of the poor condition of the houses. The model building was in Clover
township. He says : " The majority of the school-houses are old, poorly con-
structed, of frame or logs, and open, uncomfortable, and entirely unsuited to
the purpose ; cold in winter and hot in summer, many of them only about
twenty feet square, low-pitched, with only light enough, in a cloudy day, to
make darkness visible ; children are pent together, reciting, studying (?), freez-
ing, and crying."
A general lack of such furniture as pokers, shovels, coal-boxes, and brooms,
as well as coal-houses, and other necessary buildings, is complained of All
the houses except three were reported as defective in admitting light.
At that time McGuffey's Readers were used throughout the county ; Cobb's
and McGuffey's spellers, Kirkham's and Bullion's grammars, Davies's, Ray's
and the Western Calculator, were the text books in arithmetic.
The superintendent says that he made several efforts to get the teachers
together for institutes, and but few had attended.
Schools of Jefferson County. 103
Township Institutes.
The first township institute, of which any record has been found, was organ-
ized in Young township, and kept open during the winter of 1854-55. From
that time local institutes were kept up in different parts of the county, until
they became a part of the school machinery in nearly every township. In the
winter of 1863-64, Union, Eldred, and Pine Creek, were the only townships in
the county in which institutes were not organized. During the two terms of
the superintendency which closed in June, 1875, district institutes seem to have
almost wholly ceased, but were revived in the succeeding term.
The township institute, as a factor in the educational system, does not now
hold as high a place as it did formerly. An occasional local institute held by
the county superintendent appears to be taking its place.
County Institutes.
The first county institute held in Jefferson county was at Brookville, in
October, 1856, under Mr. McElhose's superintendency. The session con-
tinued for two weeks. Forty-two teachers attended it. Another institute,
which continued four days, was held at Punxsutawney in December of the
same year. There were eighteen teachers in attendance. Mr. McElhose wrote
to Prof S. W. Smith, who was teaching the Brookville Academy at the time, and
had gone to Western New York during vacation, that he must come home and
help him, as he had never been at an institute, and knew nothing about one.
At Mr. McElhose's request Prof Smith returned and assisted at the institute.
Prof Smith says: "We had a lively time, and a good little institute." The
exercises were class drills, discussions, and lectures. Mr. McElhose and Prof
Smith conducted all the class drills and did the lecturing. They had class
drills every day in reading and arithmetic. Prof Smith lectured one evening
on astronomy, devoting considerable attention to meteors. Among the male
teachers attending were Mr. Allison, now Dr. Allison, A. J. Monks, William
Monks, Richard Snyder, John Carley, Gideon Siars, A. McAllister, and John
Cummins. Among the female teachers were Misses Maggie and Mary Polk,
two or three Miss Kinniers, Miss Mary McCormick, and a Miss Clawson from
Punxsutawney. County institutes have been held every year from that time
to the present.
In the earlier days of the institute they depended on local talent to give
instructions, and lecture at the institutes. But things have changed. The
time of the institute is taken up with instructors brought in for the occasion,
who very frequently give instruction poorly suited to the teachers' wants, and
beyond their capacity to grasp.
The institutes of 1876 and 1877 had, by far, the largest membership of any
that were held in the county before that time. The report of 1 877 says : " Never
before in the history of Jefferson county was there such a gathering of teachers
I04 History of Jefferson County.
at institute." The institute of 1877 surpassed the preceding one in attendance.
At that time the teachers, nearly every one, had to lose the time and pay their
own expenses while attending institute. Some years later they were allowed
the time for institute the same as if teaching, by act of Assembly. The aver-
age attendance at institute, now, appears to be from one hundred and fifty to
one hundred and ninety. In 1855 the county had twenty townships, and two
boroughs — Brookville and Pun.xsutawney. There were about 105 schools,
68 male and 50 female teachers, 3,636 pupils, with an average attendance of
2,945. The average salaries of male teachers were $21.32 ; of females $12.94.
The cost of instruction was $6,237.72 ; of fuel $569.66 The State appropri-
ation was $1,178.45. In the 1865 there were 123 schools, 32 male and 125
female teachers, 5,658 pupils, with an average attendance of 3,483. The av-
erage salaries of male teachers were $32.35 ; of females, $22.60. In 1875
there were 156 schools, 97 male and 102 female teachers, 7,387 pupils, with an
average attendance of 4, 162. The average salaries of male teachers were
$35-35; of females, $26.81. In 1885 there were 191 schools, 1 16 male and
104 female teachers. The average salaries of male teachers were $33.06, and
of females $28.27 ; 9,019 pupils, with an average attendance of 6,419.
In 1856 there were eight graded schools — four in Brookville, two in
Punxsutawney, and two in Troy. In 1877 there were twenty-seven graded
schools in the county — eight in Brookville, four in Punxsutawney, four in
Reynoldsville, three in Corsica, two in Troy, two in Richardsville, two in
Brockwayville, and two in Port Barnett. At present (1887) there are fifty-
seven graded schools — ten in Brookville, eight in Reynoldsville, four in
Punxsutawney, three in Corsica, two in Clayville, three in Brockwayville,
two in Beechtree, two in Perrysville, two at Sprankle's Mills, two at Bellview,
two at Big Run, three at Troy, two at Hall's, two at Richardsville, two at Port
Barnett, two at Jenk's, two in Ohio Town, two at Sibley's, and two at VValston.
Academies and Select Schools.
Rev. John Todd is represented as having taught the first school in Brook-
ville in which instruction was given in the classics and higher mathematics.
There was an academy building in Brookville for a number of years. The
building was condemned by the grand jury at the September court in 1877
and the schools which were then in session taken out of it. Select schools
were held in this building at various times. The school for teachers, held by
Mr. McElhose, was in it. Mr. Walker taught a number of summers in
Brookville. Prof Hughes taught every summer from 1871 to 1883. He was
assisted one term by Prof H. Wilson Miller. Prof W. S. McPherran taught
one term. Miss Mary J. Stewart has taught in Brookville since 1862, with the
exception of five years, when she was engaged in teaching elsewhere. Miss
Stewart is a very successful teacher, and besides the many young ladies who
i i
Schools of Jefferson County. 105
have received a thorough education at her hands, she has prepared a number
of young men for college. Her present young ladies school, which is very
prosperous, has been established for about seven years.
Brockville Commercial College was opened by Mr. Keating in 1885. He
was followed by Prof J. H. Roney and Prof J. G. Anderson, who were suc-
ceeded by Prof W. E. Eshelman.
Punxsutawney had select schools during the summer for a number of years.
Prof PuUen taught four or five years. After him a school was taught by Rev.
King, who paid a great deal of attention to the teaching of elocution. Prof
McPherran assisted by Prof S. H. Barnett, since Dr. Barnett, organized a
school there about the summer of 1880. They had a very large attendance.
Prof Allison has been teaching since that time. The school has done good
work. Reynoldsville has had one and sometimes two schools for thirteen or
fourteen years. Prof E. D. Bovard and E. C. Shields organized a school and
taught there the summers of 1885 and 1886.
Brockwayville had a school the summers of 1885 and 1886, taught by
Professor J . H. Rairigh.
Mayville started what they called a "stockholder's school," the summer of
1886, under Prof J. J. Wolfe, a graduate of Lockhaven State Normal School.
Rev. Samuel Bowman taught a school in Whitesville about the summer of
1853. During the summer of i860, and the two succeeding summers, Sam-
uel Miller Davis taught there. His school was well patronized, and did much
towards advancing the cause of education in that part of the county. A
school was taught there the summer of 1875 by G. A. Blose, A. M., then
county superintendent. Another school was taught there the summer of 1876
by Professor J. T. Kelso.
Troy had a select school during the summer of 1875.
About the summer of 1869 Professor James Richey, A. M., started an acad-
emy in Corsica, and taught it for several summers. He was succeeded by Pro-
fessor McKinley, who was followed by Professor Ely. Professor White came
next as principal. The school was very numerously attended during its first
years, and did a good work. Prof Aiken succeeded Professor White ; then
Professor John W. Walker taught, followed by Professors Saxman and P. A.
Shanor, A. B.
Perrysville had a select school for several summers. Mr. Innes began one
the summer of 1 862, and taught another the summer of 1 863. Another school
was taught there during the summers of 1872 and 1873 by G. A. Blose, A. B.
Bellview had a select school under Rev. McFarland. Since then it has
had schools taught by Professors H. W. Millen, J. W. Walker, R. A. George,
and his brother. The last two taught the summers of 1885 and 1886.
Professor Whitney taught a regular academic course of three grades —
primary, commercial, and classical — at Richardsville about 1878 and 1879.
Frostburg had a select school taught by Rev. McCurdy. Professor J. W.
io6 History of Jefferson County.
Bell taught there one term, and Rev. Cooper taught there several terms in re-
cent years.
A county normal for the teachers was taught at the Blose school-house in
Perry township, by G. A. Blose, then county superintendent, during the
early part of the summers of 1876, 1877 and 1878. The school was contin-
ued by him the succeeding summers till 1881.
Rockdale had a normal term for teachers the latter part of the summer of
1877 by Blose. Over two hundred and fifty person attended the four county
normals held by Blose while he was superintendent.
A school was taught at Big Run the latter part of the summer of 1879 by
Blose.
During the year 1876-77 Polk township furnished each of its school-houses
with a Webster' Unabridged Dictionary. It was the first township to lead in
that direction.
Some years ago a number of the townships in the northern part of the
county divided their school term into a summer and a winter term. From the
best information obtainable, it appears that nearly all the townships now have
a continuous term. Under the ancient regime, a teacher's capacity was meas-
ured by his ability to do plenty of hard whipping. A. R. Mitchell, a son of
ex-Sheriff Mitchell, used to tell a story illustrative of this. James McCreight
taught the Perrysville school at an early day, and he whipped young Mitchell
so often and hard during the winter that his mother, before the close of the
school term, had to put a large patch over the back of his coat, which was
made of heavy home-made wool cloth, to cover the rents made by the rod.
About 1852 a teacher by the name of "Sammy" Abers taught the Blose
school. His discipline was a very vigorous use of the rod.
We are now nearing the opposite extreme, where, perhaps, far too much
latitude is given. Some of the principal te.xt-books used in the county at dif-
ferent times, within the last twenty years, were Osgood's series of readers and
spellers, National readers and spellers, the Independent readers, Monroe's read-
ers and spellers, and Raub's readers; Stoddard's, Ray's, Book's, Dean's, Goff's^
Greenleaf's, Hagar's, and Raub's arithmetics ; Mitchell's, Olney's, McNally's,
and Monteith's geographies ; Clark's, Bullion's, Burtt's, and Raub's grammars;
Lossing's, Redpath's, Goodrich's, and Barnes's histories of the United States;
and Ray's, Davies's, Brooks's and Loomis's algebras.
While the common schools of this county show tangible evidence of prog-
ress, they still fall very much below what the better class of citizens desire
them to be. This is shown by the effort of parents in the different localities to
furnish better facilities for the education of their children than the common
schools of their neighborhoods afford, by sending them to other schools. A
school for the proper education of the children is one of the very first requisites of
every community that has any regard for the welfare of its inhabitants, and their
fitness to become good citizens and perform the varied duties of a useful life.
County Seat and County Buildings.
107
CHAPTER XIII.
COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS.
County Seat Established — Lots Donated for Public Buildings — First Court-House and .Tail
Erected — Erection of the Academy — Building of Present Jail Erection of New Court-
House — Dedicaticn of Court-House — Address of Judge Campbell.
ALTHOUGH the county of Jefierson was established in 1804, there was no
county seat located until the year 1830. Previous to that time all busi-
ness of a legal or official character had to be transacted at Indiana, where all
the county records were kept. The county of Jefferson then comprised nearly
all of Forest and a portion of Elk, and persons who were obliged to attend the
courts, or go to Indiana on other legal or military business had to travel, in
some instances, from fifty to seventy-five miles.
By an act passed April 8, 1829, commissioners were appointed to select a
site for the county seat of Jefferson county, and it was located at the mouth of
Sandy Lick, and called Brookville.
Then, by an act passed April 2, 1830, the citizens of the county were given
"all the rights, powers, jurisdiction, etc.," to which they were entitled, and it
was made the duty of the commissioners " to demand and receive from John
Pickering, esq., sufficient deed or deeds, in fee simple, for the use of the said
county, for all lands, or lots, which the said John Pickering, Esquire, has
agreed to give for the purpose of aiding in the erection of public buildings,
agreeably to the Act of April, 1829, entitled an act authorizing the appoint-
ment of commissioners to fix a proper site for the seat of justice in Jefferson
county, and also for one public square in the said town of Brookville, for the
purpose of erecting public buildings thereon, and the said commissioners shall
procure the said deed or deeds when recorded in the office for recording deeds,
in the county of Indiana, to be recorded in the proper books directed to be
kept for the county of Jefferson, and the said commissioners and their success-
ors in office, or a majority of them, shall, and are hereby authorized to sell and
dispose of the said land or lots, aforesaid, and to make and execute deeds to
the purchasers, and the moneys arising from such sale, shall by them be ap-
plied to the erection of the public buildings for the use of said county of Jeff-
erson.
"That the said commissioners shall, as soon as may be, proceed to lay out
the said town of Brookville, and file a draft and return of the survey of the
said town, together with the proceedings, under and by virtue of this act, in
the office for recording of deeds, in and for the county of Jefferson, and in
exemplification of the same act of 2d of April, 1830. The 5th section of
the same act provides for the transfer of suits and dockets from the county of
io8 History of Jefferson County.
Indiana to be delivered to the prothonotary of Jefferson county, the expense
of copying said docket to be paid for by the prothonotary of Jefferson county,
and reimbursed by the said county, on warrants to be drawn by the commis-
sioners of Jefferson county on the treasury thereof "^
In 1830 the commissioners set about the work of erecting public buildings,
in accordance with the provisions of the acts cited. They first built the jail,
which was a two-story edifice, built of common flag stones. It contained be-
sides the prison, the sheriff's house and office. This building occupied the
northwestern corner of the public square, fronting on Pickering street. Daniel
Elgin was the contractor and builder, and the carpenter work was done by
Robert Larrimer. The entire cost of the building was $1,823.24.
Mr. Uriah Matson, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of the
county, says that he worked on this building for twenty-five cents per day, and
boarded himself He would bring with him from his home each morning, a
loaf of rye bread, in which he had hollowed out a space large enough to con-
tain enough butter to spread the bread, and this, with a jug of buttermilk, con-
stituted his fare. Each Saturday night after the week's work was done, he
would go out to Port Barnett to draw his pay, and would return with the
princely sum of one dollar and fifty cents in his pocket.
The jail was finished in 1831, and court was held in this building until the
court-house was built. The old building stood for many years as one of the
old landmarks, and before it was torn down in 1866, to make room for the new
court-house, was used as a butcher- shop.
The court-house was also contracted for in 1 830, as the following from the
county records shows : " Article of Agreement made 14th day of December,
1830, between Thomas Lucas and Robert Andrews, Commissioners of Jeffer-
son County, of the first part, and John Lucas, of Jefferson county, and Robert
Barr, of the county of Indiana, of the second part. The party of the second
part agrees to build court-house, two offices — one fire-proof — within two years
from the 1st day of January next. The Commissioners, on their part, agree
to pay Contractors the sum of three thousand dollars, in manner as follows :
$2,000 as the work progresses, and $1,000 in full on the ist day of January,
1833, to be paid out of the money arising from the sale of lots in the town of
Brookville, if there shall be sufficient ; if not, to be made up of the county funds.
" Thomas Lucas,
" Robert Andrews,
" (Signed) Commissioners.
"John Lucas,
" Robert Barr,
"Contractors.
"Witnesses, WiLUAM M. Kennedy, James Hall."
1 Smith's Laws, Act of April 2, 1830, sec. 5-10, page 163.
County Seat and County Buildings. 109
The court-house, a one-story brick building, was finished in 1832. It was
built of brick, and occupied part of the ground upon which the present court-
house stands. The two offices specified in the above contract were a low,
brick structure, on the west of the court-house, and were for the use of the
prothonotary and commissioners.
The brick work on this building was done by Thomas M. Barr, and the
carpenter work by Robert Larrimer.
The old jail was used until 1855, when, it proving inadequate to the wants
of the growing town, the present jail building was erected. The contract was
given to Messrs. Byrnes and Dowling, May 23, 1854, and the building was com-
pleted in November, 1856.
The building cost, when finished, $14,200. It is a two-story brick and
stone building, the first story front being used, until the erection of the new
court-house, for the offices of the treasurer, commissioners and sheriff, since
which time it has been used for other offices — the post-office having been kept
in the building for about fifteen years. The second story front is used for the
residence of the sheriff" or jailor. The rear part of the building is built of cut
stone and divided into cells for prison use.
This building, which was never a safe receptacle for prisoners, as we find
that the newspapers of the day chronicled the escape of one of its inmates the
first year it was occupied as a prison, is now entirely inadequate to the grow-
ing wants of the county, and will soon have to give place to a prison built on
a more modern plan, with better sanitary regulations, and constructed in such
a manner that it will hold its inmates in duress without the vigilance that has
now to be exercised for their safe keeping.
The next public building that claimed the attention of the county officers
was the academy, the erection of which was authorized by an act of the Leg-
islature, approved April 13, 1838, whereby the treasurer of the Commonwealth
was authorized to subscribe two thousand dollars to be applied to the erection
of suitable buildings for an academy in Brookville.
The trustees appointed by said act were C. A. Alexander, Thomas Hast-
ings, John J. Y. Thompson, Levi G. Clover, John Pierce, and Richard Arthurs.
May 29, 1841, a supplement to the former act authorized the commission-
ers of Jefferson county to subscribe five hundred dollars. Five hundred dol-
lars additional was raised by private subscription, making the cost of the
academy three thousand dollars.
The site selected was the lot yet known as the "Academy lot," on the cor-
ner of Jefferson and Barnett streets, donated for the purpose by John Picker-
ing, esq. When work was commenced, the lot was covered with pine trees
and underbrush, and the commissioners paid ten cents each for having the
trees cut down.
The work was done by Robert P. Barr, Thomas M. Barr, and Robert Lar-
11
no History of Jefferson County.
rimer, the building being completed in 1843. The first school was taught by
Cyrus Crouch. From that time until 18 — , when the building was leased
by the school directors of the borough of Brookville, it was used as an
academy. It was then used for common school purposes until it was con-
demned as unsafe by the grand jury at the September term of court, 1877,
when it was torn down, and part of the stone, etc., used in the construction of
the new school building. During all the years that the academy was in exist-
ence, trustees were annually elected; but the office was not a very burdensome
one, as it scarcely ever occurred to the persons elected that there was such an
institution as the Brookville Academy.
The growing importance of the county and the increase of legal business
made the old court-house entirely too small and unsuitable for the accommoda-
tion of the courts, and in 1866 steps were taken towards the erection of a
larger and more modern building.
July 28, 1866, the commissioners contracted with James T. Dickey, of Kit-
tanning, Pa., for the erection of the new court-house, James W. Drum being
the architect. Mr. Dickey's bid was $57,000 for the work. Mr. Dickey, after
finishing the foundations, which he built in a splendid manner, and getting the
building ready for roofing, found himself financially unable to finish the work,
and a new contract was made with Messrs. Daniel English and R. J. Nicholson
to finish the building for an additional cost of $21,742, making the entire cost
of the structure $78,742. It was finished in September, 1869. The building .
is a very handsome one, and the work was all done in a thorough manner.
The court-room, which is in the second story, with commodious jury-rooms in
the rear, is a large, handsome room, well lighted through beautiful stained-glass
windows, and is well appointed in every respect, the only defect being in the
acoustic properties, making public speaking in it rather difficult. The lower
floor contains the county offices of the prothonotary, treasurer, sheriff, commis-
sioners, and county superintendent of common schools. These offices are all
large, well lighted, and nicely fitted up for the use of their incumbents, the two
former having fire-proof vaults.
The bell for the court-house cost $688, and the clock $725 ; this, with the
amount paid for fitting up the court-room, offices, and jury-rooms, made the
entire cost of the edifice, complete in all its appointments, $86,413.
On Monday evening, September 13, 1869, the court-house was dedicated
as the "Temple of Justice" of Jefferson county. The meeting was organized
with the following officers : President, Andrew Smith, of Washington town-
ship ; vice-presidents, Charles Gahagan, Charles R. B. Morris, Robert Hamil-
ton, H. A. Smith, Joseph McKinley, William McKinstry, G. Montgomery, J.
C. McNutt, J. G. Graff, I. M. Temple, A. M. Clarke, Oran Butterfield, J. R.
Kahle, D. C. Gillespie ; secretaries, F. A. Weaver, G. N. Smith.
Hon. Isaac G. Gordon, W. P. Jenks, and Richard Arthurs, esqs., made ap-
propriate addresses.
County Seat and County Buildings. hi
Mr. Gordon paid a fitting tribute to the county officials who had in charge
the erection of the building, to J. W. Drum, the architect, and the contractors,
Messrs. Dickey, Means, and Nicholson, for the able and excellent manner in
which their work had been performed.
Mr. Arthurs, as the only representative of the bar first instituted in the
county, told of his experience, and of his associates at the bar, nearly all of
whom had passed away with the course of time. He also told of early life in
the forest, giving the names of those families who had hewed out the first homes
in the then wilderness.
Hon. James Campbell, of Clarion, the president judge of this judicial dis-
trict, was then introduced, and made the following address :
" Ladies and Gentlemen: A court is defined to be a place where justice
is judicially administered. So much importance is attached to the idea of a
specific and fixed locality, that even a justice of the peace can do no business
outside of his office. Hence in all civilized nations and well regulated com-
munities temples of justice are found occupying and adorning prominent and
commanding postions, and are held second in importance only to temples of
religion. By the fundamental law of our State, every county constitutes a
separate judicial organization, and is required to have a place for the adminis-
tration of justice, at least as soon as organized, for judicial purposes. This
place may be wherever the county authorities see proper to make it ; but it
is generally found to keep pace with the population, intelligence, and enterprise
of the county.
(Then follows the organization, etc., of t4'ie county, which has already been
given.)
" In 1830 the town of Brookville was laid out, and some time between that
and 1840 the old court-house was erected. In 1840 there were a number of
resident lawyers. Colonel Hugh Brady, the two Dunhams, C. A. Alexander,
Thomas Lucas, and Richard Arthurs were the most prominent. The latter
alone remains the connecting link between the past generation and the present.
Of those who were present at the opening of the old court-house, but few re-
main. Of the voices that then addressed the court and jury, nearly all are
silent. In the march of those thirty years nearly all the old settlers have
fallen by the way ; and with the new court-house have come new men, new
ideas, a more advanced intelligence, and a new order of things. The inter-
minable forests that retarded the settlement of the county have become the
great source of her wealth ; the tortuous streams running between precipitous
hills have become highways of commerce ; floating argosies of wealth to the
markets of the South, and soon those hills will echo with the shrill scream of
the locomotive. Long before the hills are stripped of their evergreen pine
the wealth hidden below the surface will be brought to light, and the coal and
the car will give a new direction and a new impetus to the activity and energy
112 History of Jefferson County.
of her inhabitants. As her forests fall, fields of grain, flocks and herds, fur-
naces and manufactories will take their place, and instead of dying out, her
prosperity will be promoted, her wealth increased, and her onward march
hastened.
" It is creditable to the authorities of Jefferson county, and to the intelligence
of her people that they have enlarged views of the present prosperity and
future wants of this county. It evinces a high appreciation of the blessings of
liberty, the wholesome restraints of law, and a great appreciation of the cor-
rect administration of law and justice, that at a cost of eighty thousand dol-
lars the people of the county have erected this goodly structure, at once an
honor and an ornament to the town and the county ; where the titles of their
property may be securely kept ; their wrongs redressed and their rights vin-
dicated. It belongs to every man, woman and child in the county. They
have a right to be proud of it ; to guard it from injury, to protect it from
harm. Let no vandal hand deface or defile, or write upon its walls. Let none
of its halls be a resort of rowdy boys, or drunken men. Let all take a pride
in preserving it neat, clean, and orderly.
" There is a moral idea attached to this building. It is now a familiar fact
that a picture of vastness enlarges the human mind ; that a picture of correct
proportions, symmetry and beauty elevates and refines. Let a man view for the
first time a vast building, let him wander through halls of architectural beauty,
and although not a soul is in sight, he will unconsciously be on his good be-
havior, and try to act like a gentleman. The faculties and susceptibilities of
the mind are greatly enlarged and influenced by the surroundings, and may
we not anticipate that this stately building and this beautiful hall will exercise
an elevating influence on the court, the bar, the officers and the people ; that
these doors will never be closed to the cry of the oppressed ; that this forum will
never be desecrated by the sacrifice of justice, but that with an even hand
wrongs may be redressed, rights vindicated, crime suppressed, or sternly pun-
ished. To this end we solemnly set apart and dedicate this temple of justice.
May it stand a monument of the enterprise and liberality of this county long
after the present generation is sleeping with their fathers ; and when its walls
are grown mossy and gray with age, and its builders are forgotten, may it still
stand a temple of justice, and fragrant in the hearts of those who shall attend
in it ; and may its halls still resound to the tread of a free, prosperous, and
happy people."
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 113
CHAPTER XIV.
JEFFERSON COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.
The Call to Arms — Prompt Response from Jefferson County — The First Companies —
Three Months Campaign — The Brady Guards — Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps — Death of Captain Brady — Company I, Sixty-second Regiment — Death of Captain
Little — Muster Rolls.
WHEN the War of the Rebellion was precipitated upon the United States
by the rebels firing upon Fort Sumter, on the memorable 12th of April,
1 86 1, the news was telegraphed to the executive of Pennsylvania in the fol-
lowing words : " The war is commenced. The batteries began firing at four
this morning. Major Anderson replied, and a brisk cannonading commenced.
This is reliable, and has just come to the associated press. The vessels were
not in sight."'
This startling intelligence was flashed along the lines of telegraph all over
the State, and was soon heard in the remotest bounds of the Commonwealth.
When it reached " Little Jefferson " it did not find the people unprepared.
They had noted the attitude of the South and the mutterings of war, and when
the news that the starry banner, so dear to every patriotic heart, had been fired
upon by rebel hands, the patriotism of the entire people was aroused.
Amor A. McKnight, an attorney at the Brookville bar, was captain of the
Brookville Rifles, a militia company, which under the different names of " Brook-
ville Guards " and " Rifles " had represented the militia of Brookville and the
northern part of the county from the beginning of the county's history, had
immediately after the presidential election in November, i860, with premoni-
tions of the gathering storm, began to put his company on a war footing.
Captain McKnight and his cousin, Albert C. Thompson, were in reality two
of the first recruiting officers of the war, having during that winter made a
trip to the southern part of the county, and in Punxsutawney recruited Cor-
porals Williams, Depp, Blair, and others. But the dangers of the war seeming
to lessen, nothing more was done until the echoes of the firing upon Sumter
reached us, when Captain McKnight at once offered the services of his com-
pany to Governor Curtin, and was accepted. On the 19th of April he issued
the following order :
" Armory of Brookville Rifles,
" 19th April, 1861.
" A. C. Thompson and John Pearsall :
" You are hereby directed to notify the members of the Brookville Rifles to
repair to the armory in Brookville, on Monday, 22d April, at 10 o'clock, A. M.,
1 Telegram addressed to (Jovernor Curtin, from Philadelphia, by J. Morris Harding.
114 History of Jefferson County.
prepared to march to the place of rendezvous assigned to volunteers from
Western Pennsylvania. A. A. McKnight."
When the memorable 22d arrived, the ranks of the Rifles had swelled so
rapidly that there were enough men to form two companies, and W. W. Wise,
esq., also a member of the Brookville bar, who had aided very materially in
recruiting the company, was unanimously chosen captain of the other company.
On Sunday morning preceding their departure, the volunteers, in a body,
proceeded to the M. E. Church, where they listened to a thrilling and patri-
otic sermon from the pastor. Rev. D. S. Steadman, and where, for the last
time. Captain Wise occupied his place in the choir of that church.
On Monday, April 22d, excitement ran rife in Brookville. At an early
hour the people from the adjacent country commenced to come in ; it being
estimated that before lo o'clock A. M., the hour set for the departure of tlie
soldiers, over two thousand people were on the streets, who had come to see
the "boys off for the war," and bid them " God speed." Flags were waving
from all the principal buildings. Dinner was served to the volunteers b\' the
proprietors of the American, Clements, Railroad, and Jefferson Hotels, after
which the two companies marched through the streets to the east end of the
town, where vehicles were in readiness to convey them to Kittanning, which
was then the nearest railroad point. Three days after the firing upon Sumter
President Lincoln issued his proclamation, calling out the militia of the different
States, the call being for 75,000 men, and the same day the secretary of war
made a requisition upon Governor Curtin for sixteen regiments from Pennsyl-
vania. The Brookville companies proceeded at once to Camp Curtin, and were
assigned to the Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by
Colonel A. H. Emley, and designated as Companies "I" and " K," and were
mustered into the service April 24, 1881. The same day the Eighth was or-
dered to Camp Slifer, near Chambersburg, where the regiment was drilled from
eight to ten hours daily. On the 7th of June the regiment moved to Green-
castle, Md., where it went into camp ; but in a few days was again moved to
Williamsport on the Potomac River, along which it was posted to guard the
fords and ami}- stores at W'illiamsport. On the 8th of Jul}- the regiment was
ordered to rejoin the brigade at Martinsburg, Va., and remained in the neigh-
borhood of Bunker Hill until July 17th, when General Patterson commenced a
flank movement on Charlestown. The Third Brigade, to which our companies
belonged, was pushed forward during the night of the 20th to watch the move-
ments of Stewart's Cavalry, whom it was feared would cross the Shenandoah
River in force at Key's Ford. Their term of service having almost expired, the
regiment was ordered to Harper's Ferry, where they turned in their arms, etc.,
and on the 29th of July proceeded to Pittsburgh, where the men were paid ofT
and mustered out of the service.
The only occurrence of moment to the Jefferson county companies was the
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 115
transfer of Captain Wise to the regular service. On account of his past expe-
rience as a soldier, he having served under General Scott, in Mexico, as well
as his known intelligence, quick perception, and dauntless courage, he was
selected to make a reconnaissance into the enemy's lines near Harper's Ferry,
for which he was promoted to a captaincy in the regular army. Captain
Wise's farther history will be found in the sketch of the Bench and Bar.
Upon the resignation of Captain Wise the command of Company K de-
volved upon Lieutenant John C. Dowling. While these two companies saw
no active service during their three months campaign, it was of great benefit
to the men, the majority of wliom re- enlisted, as it made them acquainted with
camp life and gave them a foretaste of the drilling necessary to make good
soldiers. The roster of these two companies were as follows :
Company I, Eighth Regiment. — Captain, Amor A. McKnight ; lieutenants,
John Hastings, Herman Kretz ; sergeants, William J. Clyde, Albert C. Thomp-
son, Abram M. Hall, Winfield S. Barr ; corporals, Steele S. Williams, Richard
J. Espy, Calvin A. Craig, William J. Bair ; musicians, James L. Holliday,
George A. Bowdish ; privates, Samuel Anderson, Albert Black, Fernando C.
Bryant, Milo L. Bryant, Samuel Benner, Joseph Bowdish, Sylvanus T. Covill,
Josiah Clingensmith, Alfred S. Craig, Joseph Craig, Niman Chittester, Daniel
L. Coe, William T. Clark, Simon P. Cravener, Samuel W. Depp, John Dar-
row, John Dolphin, John Elliott, Henry B. Fox, Horace Fails, John L. Gil-
bert, Lorenzo S. Garrison, Leonard A. Gruver, John S. Gallagher, Robert
Gilmore, Geo. W. Hettrick, Samuel Hibler, James Hall, Thos. L. Hall, Ran-
dall Hart, Paul Hettrick, Robert A. Henry, Joseph B. Henderson, Jared Jones,
Wellington Johnston, Caniel Kinley, Thomas Long, Wilmarth Matson, James
H. Moore, Joseph R. Murphy, Robert T. McCauley, David R. McCullough,
James Moorhead, Levi McFadden, Shannon McFadden, Elijah H. McAninch,
George Ohls, William Osman, William Pierce, John Prevo, John W. Pearsall,
Robert J. Robinson, John Stiver, Francis H. Steck, Thad. C. Spottswood,
William Toye, Alex. R. Taylor, Gustavus Verbeck, Robert Warner, Joseph
N. Wachob, Amos Weaver, Mark H. Williams, Alex. C. White, Hiram Warner.
Company K, Eighth Regiment. — Captain, William W. Wise ; lieutenants,
John C. Dowling, Wilson Keys; sergeants, Samuel C. Arthurs, John Coon, Ben-
jamin F. Lerch, Orlando H. Brown; corporals, John M. Cummins, J. Potter Mil-
ler, Chas. J. Wilson, Franklin Reas; musicians, David Dickey, James Campbell!
privates, William Adams, Sidney Armstrong, David Bates, Rowan M. Bell, La-
fayette Burge, Edward H.Baum, James Baldwin, David Baldwin, Thomas Baird,
Darius Blose, Asa M. Clark, Franklin W. Clark, Andrew Christie, Samuel H.
Coon, Charles B. Coon, George W. Crosby, William P. Confer, Isaac Carrier,
Lewis Dibler, Benjamin Dibler, James C. Dowling, John B. Deacon, Christ. D.
Flick, Lewis Goup, William George, Ward Garfield, Henry Hawthorne, George
Hawthorne, Archibald Hadden, Benjamin Hawley, Peter Keck, Andrew Love,
ii6 History of Jefferson County.
James W. Logan, Samuel May, Hiram McAninch, Harvey McAninch, Alex.
H. Mitchell, Sam'l H. Mitchell, William Neal, Judson J. Parsons, David Porter,
George Porter, Henry Page, Burdett Riggs, Daniel Rhodes, Franklin Rum-
barger, James Robinson, Adam A. Rankin, William Smathers, Addis M. Shu-
gart, Shelumiel Swineford, David Swineford, William W. Sheets, Chauncey
Shaffer, David L. Taylor, Philip P. Taylor, Franklin Van Overbeck, Barton B.
Weldon, Samuel W'ilson, James H. Watson, Francis M. Whiteman, Oliver
Woods, William E. Young, Stephen R. Young.
Company K, Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves.
It was soon seen that the war cloud had assumed more gigantic proportions
than was at first anticipated, and that more than three months would elapse be-
fore the rebellion would be quelled. Captain Evans R. Brady, editor of the
Brookville Jeffersonian, at once, upon the call for troops, had begun to recruit a
company, but the quota was filled before his company was ready. In the
mean time Governor Curtin, with the promptness that characterized him all
through the trying days of the war, and which gained for him the name of
" War Governor," had convened the Legislature in special session and recom-
mended the immediate organization, arming, and disciplining of at least fifteen
regiments for State defense. The Legislature promptly acted on this sugges-
tion of the executive, and on the 15th of May, 1861, passed an act providing
for the organizing of the " Reserve Corps of the Commonwealth," to consist of
thirteen regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery. Two days
after the passage of this act, Governor Curtin issued a call for troops to fill
these regiments, stating that the companies to be furnished by the several
counties would be proportionate to the number of men already in the service
from each county. Under the previous call hundreds of companies had been
formed in excess of the number called for by the war department, and there
was a rush to get into the new organizations as soon as the governor's call
was issued.
Captain Brady had gone on recruiting his company, and by the middle of
May had enough men enrolled to form two companies, so that they were di-
vided into Companies "A" and "B" of the "Brady Guards." Company A
was organized by selecting as captain, Evans R. Brady ; first lieutenant, James
P. George ; second lieutenant, James E. Long. Company B organized by
selecting for their captain, Robert R. Means. Captain Brady proceeded to
Harrisburg to have these companies accepted, but found that only one com-
pany could be received in the Reserves from Jefterson county. Company B
was afterwards Company I of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Captain Brady, who was brigade inspector for Jefierson county, was ordered
by the adjutant-general of the State to turn in all the arms and State property
in the hands of the militia. These included one hundred muskets and a six-
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 117
pounder brass field piece, together with tents, etc., of the Ringgold Artillery.
These arms, tents, etc., were all brought to Brookville, and Captain Brady's
company went into camp at the Sand Spring about the 25th of May. They
continued to drill regularly, and the men were furnished with rations by the
citizens of Brookville, the ladies vieing with each other as to wh,o should ren-
der the most aid ; regularly, morning, noon, and evening some of their num-
ber were on hand to see that the boys had hot coffee and enough to eat.
On Sunday evening, June 1st, Captain Brady returned from Harrisburg
with marching orders, and the company left Brookville on Wednesday mornings
June 4th, 1 86 1, for Camp Wilkins, at Pittsburgh. The men were all uniformed^
the red blouses and black belts being furnished by the citizens of Brookville..
They carried the guns before mentioned, and took with them the six-pounder^
which gave them the most warlike appearance of any body of troops that ever
left the county. The company remained at Camp Wilkins about ten days,
when it moved up the Allegheny River to Camp Wright, at Hulton. Here,
on the 1st of July the Eleventh Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves (the
Fortieth Regiment in line) was organized by the election of Thomas F. Galla-
gher, of Westmoreland county, colonel. Regimental drill was at once com-
menced, and continued until the division was called into service.
It had been the intention when the Reserve Corps was formed that it was
to remain in the State to repel any invasion of the enemy over our southern
border, but the terrible disaster to the Union troops at Bull Run on the 21st of
July, and the danger that threatened the national capital, created an impera-
tive necessity for reinforcements, and on the 22d a requisition was made on
Pennsylvania for the immediate service of her reserve corps, and eleven thou-
sand of these troops were sent forward to Washington as fast as transportation
could be had, and in a few days the entire corps of over fifteen thousand (15,856)
splendidly equipped and well-officered troops were mustered into the United
States service, and became part of the Army of the Potomac.
On arriving at Washington, the Eleventh Regiment, to which Company K
belonged, went into camp at Tenallytown, and in October crossed the Poto-
mac, and went into Camp Pierpont, near the Leesburg pike, where they re-
mained during the winter. The arms they had received from the State were
exchanged for United States muskets, and the men were carefully instructed in
the manual of arms, etc.; and the efficiency they gained in target exercise, skir-
mish drill, and bayonet exercise, proved of inestimable service to them when
they met the enemy on their many hotly contested battle-fields. The sanitary
rules of the camp were very strict, and there was but little sickness.
General McCall, in making a report of the regiment at this time, says:
"This is a well-drilled regiment, and with the improved arms with which it is
now supplied, would be very effective."
On the 6th of December the Second Brigade, to which the Eleventh was
12
ii8 History of Jefferson County.
attached, supported by the Third, the Eleventh Regiment being in the advance,
was sent on a foraging expedition to Gunnel's farm near Drainesville, where they
captured two rebel spies with three of their associates, and secured seven horses,
one yoke of oxen, and fifty-seven loads of grain. This raid into the enemy's
territory brought on the battle of Drainesville, as the Third Brigade-, which a
few days later went out on the same errand, was met by a larger force of the
enemy. In this engagement the Second Brigade was held in reserve, the bat-
tle being fought by the Third alone.
A member of Company K, Mr. J. P. Miller, in writing from Camp Pier-
pont, November 29, 1861, thus gives \\\& personnel oi the company:
" The places of their nativity are as follows : Pennsylvania, eighty ; New
York, eleven ; New Jersey, one ; England and Ireland each two ; Germany,
one; and the trades, occupations, etc., represented are: Laborers, twenty-six;
farmers, fourteen ; millers, two ; stone masons, three ; machinists, two ; black-
smiths, seven ; carpenters, six ; shoemakers, two ; lumbermen, twenty-three ;
printers, five ; book-keepers, plasterers, harness-makers, school-teachers, clerks,
each one. So it will be seen that Company K has the material to run a small
town; not an idler in the ranks."
On the loth of March the Eleventh broke camp, and abandoning their
winter quarters, marched to Hunter's Mills, on the Georgetown and Leesburg
pike. This march was made in a cold rain, and when the men reached Hunt-
er's Mills they were completely exhausted. Here they encamped, and used
shelter tents for the first time. The enemy having evacuated his entrenchments
at Manassas, the regiment returned to Alexandria, and went into camp near
Fairfa.x Seminary, where there was considerable sickness in its ranks.
On the 9th of April the division was assigned to the First Corps under
General Irwin McDowell, and moved to Falmouth. A month later it was sent
to the peninsula, where it was attached to the corps of General Fitz John Por-
ter. It arrived in time to take part in the battle of Mechanicsville. The
Eleventh Regiment, which was doing picket duty at the Chickahominy River,
was not actively engaged. The Eleventh protected the rear of the brigade in
falling back to Gaines's Mill.
Here the rebels, in overwhelming force, fell upon Porter's single corps, which
was drawn up on the banks of the Chickahominy, which separated it from the
rest of tlie enemy. On reaching the field, the Eleventh was first detached
to support Meade's battery, of the Fifth United States Artillery, but was after-
wards moved forward, and formed on the second line of battle. Completely
exhausted, many of the men la}- down amid the roar and tumult of battle, and
were soon asleep — some never to awake again. Late in the afternoon the
regiment was ordered into action near the center of the general line of battle,
under cover of a dense wood, where they relieved the Fourth New Jersey Reg-
iment, which had been fighting desperately until their ammunition was ex-
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. iig
hausted. Just before going into the fight, General McCall and General Mar-
tindale, who had charge of that part of the line, spoke encouragingly to the
men, telling them that they were going upon the weakest part of the line, but
to hold it at all hazards, and bravely did they obey the command, for while
column after column of the fresh troops of the enemy bore down upon them
in that fearful conflict, the Eleventh met them with such well-directed volleys
that sent them reeling back. They continued to pour this withering fire into
the enemy's ranks until it was discovered that the troops on both flanks had
been driven back. The smoke of battle and the dense woods in which they
fought rendered it so dark that the officers did not realize the peril of the posi-
tion until it was discovered that the regiment was receiving a fire on its flank.
Colonel Gallagher, still hoping to cut his way out with the aid of Colonel
Simpson's New Jersey Regiment, ordered his command to fall back, but
the rebels, with a yell, charged upon them, and the brave regiments faced
about and gave them a fire that " took the yell out of them " for the time be-
ing; but upon reaching the open ground, after fighting every step of the way,
they found themselves completely surrounded, and both regiments were com-
pelled to surrender to save useless slaughter. Company B, of the Eleventh,
had been detached by General Meade early in the day and escaped capture.
Out of the sixty-five men of Company K, who went into the fight, only five
came out unscathed — four were killed. The loss in the regiment was forty-
six killed, and one hundred and nine wounded.
General McCall, in his official report of this battle, says in reference to the
capture of Eleventh : " No censure can possibly attach to Colonel Gallagher or
Colonel Simpson or the brave men of their regiments on account of this ill
turn of fortune, but on the contrary they are entitled to the credit of holding
their ground until it was tenable no longer."
Though worn out with marching and fighting, the prisoners were hurried
on to Richmond, which they reached about four o'clock, A. AL, the next day,
and after being marched through the streets as a gratification to the citizens, who
were jubilant over the fruit of the success of their arms, they were taken to
Libby prison. In a few days the men were removed to Belle Island, where
they suffered severely for want of sufficient food and clothing. August 5th the
men were exchanged and sent to Harrison's Landing, where about a week
later the officers joined them. With ranks sadly depleted the Eleventh, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson — Colonel Gallagher being left behind, sick, at Fort-
ress Monroe — proceeded to Falmouth, and with the division, now under Gen-
eral Reynolds, joined Pope's army just entering upon the Second Bull Run
campaign. The Reserves were again assigned to McDowell's corps, and in
the evening of the 29th of August the Eleventh, which was now in the Third
brigade, advanced under a galling fire from the enemy's batteries, and were
soon engaged in the fight ; but it being found impossible to dislodge the rebels
I20 History of Jefferson County.
from their position, our troops were withdrawn, but the Eleventh lay all night
under the fire of these batteries. The next day the regiment was hotly en-
gaged, having an almost hand to hand conflict with the Fifth Texas regiment,
but the enemy having succeeded in turning our flank, enfiladed the entire line
with such deadly effect that the regiment was forced to retire.
The Maryland campaign followed close upon the defeat of Pope. The Re-
serves were now commanded by General Meade, and Colonel Gallagher hav-
ing succeeded to the command of the Third Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel S.
M. Jackson was in command of the Eleventh. On the 13th of September
the enemy was found strongly posted at Turner's Gap at South Mountain,
and on Sunday morning, the 14th, the battle began. The Reserves were
drawn up to the right of the road, leading to Turner's Gap, held by the troops
of Longstreet and Hill. The Eleventh held the left center as the line advanced
to attack the enemy, and moving up the steep acclivity of the mountain, which
is here about one thousand feet in height, received a deadly fire from the en-
emy, concealed behind rocks and trees. Colonel Jackson held his regiment
well in hand, and with words of encouragement cheered his men on this peril-
ous ascent. " At one point the Eleventh Regiment, commanded by Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Jackson, was ordered to drive the enemy from a deep ravine; the
regiment charged upon the concealed rebels, and at a single volley from the
hidden foe more than half the commissioned officers fell, but the men as if
maddened by the loss of their officers rushed upon the enemy, forced him from
his shelter and never ceased cheering, charging, climbing and firing until they
ended with the triumphant shout of victory." ' It was here that the gallant
Brady fell, and Company K lost their brave and heroic leader.
Lieutenant J. P. George assumed the command of Company K on the fall
of Captain Brady.
Athough with ranks fearfully decimated b\- the hard service they had seen,
the Eleventh were again engaged at Antietam, taking their usual part in that
sanguinar}- struggle, where seven men were killed, and seventeen wounded.
After this campaign the shattered force, battle-scarred, and almost destitute
of clothing, went into camp near Sharpsburg, where it remained until the 30th of
October, when they crossed the Potomac and reached Warrcnton on the 9th
of November, in the midst of a severe snow storm. Here the men who had
been absent on detailed service or in hospitals, rejoined the regiment, making
an effective force of about four hundred.
On the 13th of December the regiment was engaged in the battle of Fred-
ericksburg, the Eleventh being in the rear of the batteries, where it suffered
severely from the artiller\- duel which took place. When this ceased the regi-
ment was advanced over the open ground under a galling fire, but it pressed
on unchecked until it reached a ditch running parallel to the line of battle,
I Sypher's " History Pennsylvania Reserve Corps," page 370.
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 121
then forward to within a short distance of a stone fence, from behind which the
enemy received them with a deadly fire. Colonel Jackson at once saw the
futility of trying to carry these works, and with great coolness managed to
withdraw his command from their perilous position. The regiment fought for
two hours without support, and its loss was very heavy ; Company K took into
the fight fifty-one men, and lost two killed, twenty-four wounded, and seven
wounded and missing.
After enduring all the hardships of Burnside's unfortunate campaign, the
Eleventh was sent to the defense of Washington, and encamped for a short
time at Minor's Hill. On June 3, 1863, Brigadier- General S. W. Crawford
assumed command of the division, which was assigned to the Fifth Corps, and
on the 2d of July arrived at Gettysburg, and was halted in the rear of Ceme-
tery Hill, where they found the Second Division of their corps, composed of
regulars, hard pressed by the enemy, and the Reserves were hurriedly moved
to the right and front of Little Round Top where they were massed in column
by regiments, the Third Brigade in front, with the Eleventh in its rear. The
brigade was then ordered to the front, but before they gained their position the
enemy pressed hard upon them trying to flank them. General Crawford im-
mediately arrested this movement, leaving the Eleventh with, and in front of
the First Brigade, bringing it in range of the guns of the enemy ; but it main-
tained its position without returning the fire until the command was given to
fire, when it poured a terrible volley into the enemy's lines, causing him to
give back as before a storm. The order was at once given to charge, and vv^ith
a yell the brigade, the Eleventh in the lead, swept forward, down the hill and
across the valley to the stone wall, driving the rebels before them. A number
of the men went over the wall, capturing many prisoners. General Crawford,
not deeming it prudent to advance farther, they were withdrawn, and a strong
line of skirmishers thrown out. The loss in Company K in this battle was
three killed and thirty-eight wounded. On the 4th the regiment was with-
drawn from the front, and joined in the pursuit of Lee. This involved hard
and fatiguing marching. Upon the return to Virginia, the regiment encamped
near Rappahannock Station, subsequently moving to Culpepper Court- House,
until the enemy attempted to turn Meade's right flank, when it fell back to pre-
vent Lee from seizing the heights at Centreville. The regiment was slightly
engaged on the 14th of October at Bristow, and again in a skirmish at Rappa-
hannock Station. The enemy, being foiled by Mead, fell back across the Rapi-
dan, and the Eleventh was actively engaged in the Mine Run campaign, as it
was also at New Hope Church, and though no serious casualties occurred, the
suffering of the men from marching and exposure was very great.
Upon the close of offensive operations the regiment encamped at Warren-
ton Junction, the Reserves being assigned to guard duty on the Alexandria
and Orange Railroad.
122 History of Jefferson County.
On the 29th of April, 1864 the Reserves left Bristow Station, and joining
the Fifth Corps at Culpepper Court House, at midnight on the 3d of May,
crossed the river at Germania Ford, in advance of the army, and bivouacked
near the Lacy House. The next morning the division marched through the
Wilderness with the intention of striking the Fredericksburg and Orange Court
House Plank Road, but before reaching it a part of the division became en-
gaged, and after a spirited contest drove the enemy from its front. The Elev-
enth was held in reserve until about three P. M., when it, with the Second and
Seventh Regiments, under General McCandless, was ordered to the support of
the right of General Wadsworth's Division. The Reserves being fresh troops
were sent to the front, but not being supported after Wadsworth's line fell
back, they were outflanked by the enemy, and the Seventh Regiment captured,
but Colonel Jackson, with the greatest coolness and daring, ordered his regi-
ment to charge, which they obeyed, rushing forward with such impetus upon
the foe that they broke and allowed the regiment to escape through their lines.
The Eleventh lost heavily in this fight, and Company K bore its share of the
casualties, its gallant young captain, Edward Scofield being taken prisoner.
During the remaining two days of the fighting in the Wilderness the Elev-
enth was again under fire, and again sustained its well earned reputation, at
Spottsylvania, North Anna, and Bethesda Church ; in the latter fight being
prominently engaged. On the 30th of May, the day after the battle of Beth-
esda Church, their term of service having expired, the Eleventh was withdrawn
from the front, and after transferring its veterans and recruits to the One Hun-
dred and Ninetieth Regiment, the men bade adieu to their comrades of the
Army of the Potomac on the banks of the Tolopotomy, on the morning of
June 1st, and turned their faces homeward, reaching Harrisburg on the 6th,
where they took part in the handsome reception tendered the Reserve Corps
by the governor and citizens of Harrisburg. They reached Pittsburgh June
13, 1864, where the regiment was paid oft" and mustered out of service, and the
men returned to their homes.
During their three years' service the Eleventh took part in fifteen battles —
Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, New Market Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Bull
Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bristow Station,
Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court-house, North Anna, and Bethesda
Church. Company K was in all of these, losing in killed in action or dying of
wounds and disease, Captain Brady and thirty-one non-commissioned officers
and enlisted men, while nearly all were treated to the hospitality of rebel
prisons.
Captain Evans R. Brady was the first officer to fall in battle, and his death
caused great grief in his company, to whom he was greatly endeared. When
the war broke out he was engaged in the publication of the Brookville Jcffer-
sonian, the Democratic organ of the county, which paper he had established
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 123
and so ably edited for about fifteen years. Captain Brady was the descendant
of an illustrious family, famed in the early annals of the country. His father,
Colonel Hugh Brady, one of the early and prominent members of the bar of
Jefferson county, was a grand nephew of Captain John Brady, and a cousin of
Captain Sam Brady, both noted in the early Indian and Revolutionary wars.
His mother was Sarah Smith Evans, and he was born at Indiana, March 16,
1823, and came to Brookville May 5, 1832. January 28, 1845, he was mar-
ried at Clearfield, Pa., to Miss Frances A. McGee, who, with his only child,
Grace, still resides in Brookville, as does Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, his only sister.
It was no wonder, then, that with the blood of some of the bravest soldiers that
America ever produced in his Veins, Evans R. Brady, at the first call for soldiers
to defend the flag, should have thrown down the pen and the composing
"stick," and tendered his services to his country. His war record is given in
that of his company and regiment. He endured wounds, imprisonment, and
at last gave his life for the cause he had espoused so nobly.
In writing of the battle of Gaines's Mill, in a letter to his venerable mother
(who is since deceased), to whom he was ardently attached, Captain Brady
says : " Nothing but a Divine Providence ever carried me through the terrible
fight of the 27th of June. Our boys were surrounded, but fought desperately.
Every fourth man in our regiment is either killed or wounded."
When Captain Brady was killed at South Mountain on that fatal Sunday,
he was buried near the battle-field, but his friends, on the news of his death,
went for his remains, which were brought home, and on Tuesday, October 7,
1863, his funeral took place in Brookville, being conducted by " Hobah " Ma-
sonic Lodge, of which he had long been a member.
On the 15th of October, 1879, a monument was unveiled at Muncy, Pa.,
which had been erected by the citizens of that place to the memory of Captain
John Brady, father of Captain Sam Brady, the Indian fighter, who was killed
by the Indians April 1 1, 1770. Captain John Brady, who was a captain in the
Twelfth " Regular Regiment," raised for the Revolutionary War, had been
sent into the West Branch valley to protect the settlers from the Indians, and
while riding along the road near the spot where the monument stands was
killed by the Indians. Hon. John Blair Linn, in his oration at the unveiling of
this monument, pays the following tribute to Captain Evans R. Brady: " When
the Secessionists undertook to overturn this government, ordained of God, and
sealed with the blood of their ancestors, I recall one Captain Evan Rice Evans
Brady, who, upon the soil of his native State, within sight of the ancestral
home of the Bradys, on South Mountain, fell in the storm of battle. Four
generations of the Bradys fought for this country, yet he was the first to fall
in action He fell fighting the battle of freedom — fell in the
great struggle for the preservation of the Union, purchased by the blood of a
noble ancestry."
124 History of Jefferson County.
When Captain Brady fell the command devolved upon Lieutenant J. P.
George, who was promoted to captain April lo, 1863, and resigned August
10, 1S63, Lieutenants J. E. Long and Cyrus Butler also having resigned.
Lieutenant Edward Scofield was promoted to captain of Company K Novem-
ber 17, 1863. Captain Scofield, while in command of his company, was taken
prisoner in the Wilderness May 5, 1S64, and was held by the rebels for ten
months, in which time he was successively incarcerated in nine different pris-
ons. He was released at Wilmington, N. C, March i, 1865, and discharged
from the service March 12, 1865. Just nine months after his company was
mustered out, March 13, 1865, he was breveted major.
William D. Knapp, James A. McKillip and George Ittle, of the same com-
pany, were also taken prisoners at the battle of the Wilderness and confined at
Andersonville, where they saw two of their comrades, Henry Reigle and Cal-
vin Galbraith, die of starvation. While being removed to Millen they, with
some other prisoners, cut a hole in the car and, jumping from the train, escaped,
and after undergoing untold privations, with the aid of the friendly negroes,
finally reached Sherman's army, which they accompanied to Savannah, and,
their time having expired, returned home.
The death roll of Company K is as follows : Died, Jackson Crisswell, at
Georgetown, D. C; Giles Skinner, at Camp Pierpont ; Thomas Hughes, at
Washington, D. C; John D. S. McAnulty, in Camp Hospital ; George R.
Ward and John Uplinger, of wounds, at Fortress Monroe ; Isaac G. Monks, of
wounds, at Fortress Monroe; Sylvester McKinley, of wounds, Levi McFad-
den, John B. Clough, at Washington; William Coulter, at Fredericksburg;
Henry Reigle, Calvin Galbraith, at Andersonville ; James Montgomery, Lewis
S. Newberry, at Richmond ; John B. Clough, of wounds, at Alexandria ; Ser-
geant Andrew J. Had, died at Indiana, Pa., on his way home; William Cham-
berlain, of wounds, at Richmond; Joseph S. Bovaird, of wounds ; Reuben Wea-
ver, John Reif, John Sheasley, Aiken's Landing; Jas. Gallagher, Baltimore.
Killed, Winfield S. Taylor, M. L. Boyington, Horatia Morey, Davis Dehaven, at
Gaines's Mill ; William Clark, Albert L. Brown, Perry Welch, at Antietam ;
Madison A. Travis, J. A. C. Thom, Thos. F. Rush, at Fredericksburg ; Milo
L. Bryant, at Wilderness ; Thomas C. Lucas, at Bethesda Court House.
Members of Company K, Eleventh P. R. C, transferred to other organi-
zations : Corporal Lemuel Dobbs, transferred to Nineteenth Regiment U. S. C.
T. ; Private Perry A. Foster, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps ; Private
Thomas E. Love, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps ; Private James P.
Williams, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; Private Barton Nicholson,
transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment P. V. Transferred to Com-
pany I, One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment P. V.: Elijah Bish, Alpheus C.
Cochran, Othoniel Davis, L. A. Gruver, Joseph P. Miller, David Montgomery,
William Steel, Thomas W. Salada, A. W. Perrin, H. S. Wyant. The two lat-
ter were captured and died at Salisbury, N. C.
Jefferson County ix the Rebellion. 125
Muster Roll of Covipany K. — Captains, Evans R. Brady, James P. George,
Edward Scofield. First lieutenant, Harvey H. Clover. Second lieutenants,
James E. Long, Cyrus Butler. First sergeants, Andrew J. Harl, Arch. M. Mc-
Killep, James Elliott, William W. Ossawandel. Sergeants, Daniel L. Swartz,
Thomas P. McCrea, John H. Miller, Bennewell Haugh, David C. K. Levan, Cal-
vin Galbraith. Corporals, Lemuel D. Dobbs, Joshua Jones, John Uplinger,
John Baker, Thomas A. Lucas, T. L. Hall, Benjamin McCIellan, R. Wilson
Ramsey, Job M. Carley. Privates, Samuel Alexander, William G. Algeo,
Cornelius J. Adams, John H. Alt, Elijah Bish, Albert L. Brown, M. L. Boy-
ington, Joseph S. Bovard, Milo L. Bryant, James A. Blair, Martin V. Briggs,
Enos A. Cornell, John Cuddy, William Cathcart, Jesse Cravener, A. C. Coch-
ran, Jackson Crisswell, William Coulter, William Clark, William Chamberlain,
John B. Clough, John W\ Carr, Samuel Donley, Othoniel Davis, Davis Dehaven,
John Engle, Willliam Eisle, Solomon Fitzgerald, Perry A. Foster, -Samuel A.
Gordon, Joseph C. Gibson, L. A. Gruver, James Gallagher, William Hofiman,
Clark B. Haven, David R. Hurst, Thomas Hughes, George Ittle, William A.
Johnson, William D. Knapp, William Kelly, Ed. G. Kirkman, Michael A. King,
Thomas E. Love, William F. Loomis, J. A. Montgomery, Orville T. Minor,
John McMillen, James H. Myers, William J. Mills, John A. McGuire, H. W.
McKillip, William Morrison, James H. McKillip, Joseph P. Miller, David Mont-
gomery, Horatio R. Morey, J. D. S. McAnulty, Israel G. Monks, Sylvester
McKinley, Levi B. McFadden, J. Montgomery, Samuel W. Miles, William Mc-
Laughlin, Thomas Neal, Thomas Nolf, L. S. Newberry, Barton A. Nicholson,
Eli Phillips, A. W. Perrin, Henry A. Reigle, John J. Robinson, David J. Reigle,
Thomas Rock, Thomas F. Rush, John Reif, Samuel Steele, George Shick, Jo-
seph Smith, George Surdam, Loran Skinner, J. W. Shellabarger, George Slack,
William Steele, Thomas W. Sallada, Giles Skinner, John Sheesly, Moses M.
Sugards, Winfield S. Taylor, James A. C. Thom, Madison A. Travis, Robert
M. Wilson, Levi B. Wise, Robert N. Williams, Thomas T. Wesley, James P.
Williams, Andrew Waley, Allen C. Wiant, H. S. Wiant, Reuben Weaver, George
R. Ward, Perry A. Welch.
Company I, Sixty-second Regiment P. V.
Captain Robert R. Means, of Brookville, who had assisted Captain Brady
in recruiting the Brady Guards, and who had been chosen captain of one of
these companies, raised, in response to the governor's call for troops, to com-
pose the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, found that, in the allotment of compa-
nies to the different counties, only one would be received from Jefferson
county, and that Captain Brady's had already been accepted. This disap-
pointment caused part of the men to withdraw from the company, but a par-
tial organization was kept up until Colonel Samuel W. Black, of Pittsburgh,
by authority from the secretary of war. General Simon Cameron, commenced
13
126 History of Jefferson County.
to recruit a regiment, when Captain Means at once offered his company for
this new organization and was accepted. A company had been partially re-
cruited in and near Punxsutawney, and was joined to that of Captain Means,
and the company with full ranks left Punxsutawney July 24, 1861, and pro-
ceeded to Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh, where it was mustered in as Com-
pany I, Thirty-third Independent Regiment. The election of officers resulted
in the election of Robert R. Means, captain; Edwin H. Little, first lieutenant;
and John T. Bell, second lieutenant.
The regiment was at once ordered to Camp Cameron, near Harrisburg,
where it arrived with full ranks and splendidly organized and officered. It
proceeded in a few weeks to Camp Rapp, in the northern suburbs of Washing-
ton city, where it was equipped with clothing, arms, etc.; six companies re-
ceiving the new Springfield rifles and the balance smooth-bore muskets.
On the iith of September the regiment moved across the Potomac, going
into camp near Fort Corcoran, where it was assigned to the Second Brigade of
General Fitz John Porter's Division. Drill was commenced, but owing to the
men being constantly on detail for fatigue duty at work constructing roads and
throwing up entrenchments, but little was accomplished. On the 26th the
regiment was moved with the new line, which was advanced by the enemy
falling back from Munson's Hill. It remained here at Fall's Church for a few
weeks, when it moved to Minor's Hill and went into winter quarters. The
new camp was called Bettie Black, for the colonel's youngest daughter.
Here the regiment was re-numbered as the Sixty-second P. V. Here drill
and discipline was rigidly enforced, and a school established for the officers.
Both officers and men soon became proficient in "tactics." In December, at
Hall's Hill, the State colors were presented to the regiment. Colonel Black re-
ceiving them in behalf of the regiment in his usual eloquent and happy man-
ner. Here, also, the regiment received the new zouave outfit, the most com-
plete in all its details of any uniform furnished the volunteer soldiers. The
men took pride in keeping their camp in the best of order, and much taste
was displayed. The streets were lined with rows of cedars, and at the end of
every street was an arch, with the letter of each company in a wreath sus-
pended in its center. The reporter of the New York World wrote of it as
"the model camp of the Army of the Potomac." During the early part of
the winter much sickness prevailed in the regiment, and several died out of
Company I. The surgeon placed the camp under the strictest sanitary meas-
ures, and the disease soon abated.
The winter was one of hard work, and with the same routine of duty, made
it very irksome to the men, and they longed for active service. On the lOth
of March the Sixty-second moved, with the rest of the army, upon the rebel
works at Manassas, only to find them deserted. The regiment remained at
Fairfax Court House until the 15th, when it marched to Alexandria and em-
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 127
barked for Fortress Monroe, and upon its arrival tliere went into camp near tlie
ruins of the village of Hampton, which had been destroyed by General Magru-
der. Its first duty here was a reconnaissance as far as Big Bethel. On the 3d
of April it moved, with the army, upon Yorktown, where, for the first time,
the men saw the rebel gray. The regiment was kept constantly employed in
the trenches during the siege of Yorktown, and several died from exposure.
In a skirmish with the enemy here, the Sixty-second was for the first time
under fire, losing one killed and three wounded. Of the latter, Adam W.
Musser afterwards died of his wounds. Colonel Black was first apprised of
the evacuation of the place by three deserters, who, with a flag of truce, came
into the lines while his regiment was on picket near the river.
On the 8th of May Porter's division embarked on transports and moved
up the York River to a point opposite West Point, where it went into camp.
Here General Porter was assigned to the command of the Fifth Corps, and
General Morrell assumed command of the division, while the Second Brigade
was assigned to Brigadier- General Charles GriflSn. May 26, the Army of the
Potomac having moved forward, the Fifth Corps moved to Gaines's Mill, and
the next day General Porter was sent to Hanover Court House for the purpose
of destroying the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, and effecting a junc-
tion with General McDowell, who was expected to advance in that direction.
The First Brigade, under General Martindale, first encountered the enemy,
and the Second was hurried forward to its support, where it was assigned to a
position on the right of the First Brigade, and was scarcely deployed in line of
battle ere they were ordered to charge, and dashing forward in gallant style,
soon routed the enemy, capturing many prisoners, and all their garrison and
camp equipage. Colonel Black, in his official report of this engagement, says :
" In the course of the afternoon's operations, we captured eighty-one prison-
ers, including seven officers. From a great many arms taken, about seventy-five
were brought into camp. By the annexed statement it will be seen that our
loss is only six men wounded, none killed, and not one missing. I should do
the brave and faithful men I have the honor to command injustice if I refrained
from expressing, in strong terms, my admiration of their conduct from first to
last. In common with the other regiments of your brigade, they went into
action with their bodies broken by fatigue, and their physical strength wasted
by the hard toils of the day. But their spirits failed not, and they went in and
came out with whatever credit is due to dangers bravely met, and the noblest
duty performed. General McDowell's corps had been detained by the demon-
strations of the enemy in the Shenandoah Valley, and Porter's corps, having
fulfilled its mission, returned to camp, near Gaines's Mill, where, until the 29th
of June, the Sixty-second was engaged on picket duty, and in building bridges.
On this day the Pennsylvania Reserves, advancing by the way of Mechanics-
ville, encountered the enemy at Beaver Dam Creek, and the Second Brigade of
128 History of Jefferson County.
Morrell's division was sent to their support. Tiiey found the Reserves hotly-
engaged with the enemy, but in the severe battle which ensued, the Reserves
held their ground, and the Sixty-second, though under fire for over an hour,
was not actively engaged. The next morning Porter again retired to Gaines's
Mill, where, upon a hill east and south of the mill, he disposed his forces and
waited for the enemy."
Morrell's division held the extreme left of the line, his left resting on
the low grounds skirting the Chickahominy ; Griffin's brigade forming the
right of the division and connecting with Sykes's division. When the battle
was opened by the advance of Longstreet's corps, the Sixty-second, with
the Ninth Massachusetts, was ordered forward in the face of a terrific in-
fantry fire. They charged forward, crossing the ravine in their front, and
drove the enemy back into the woods on the opposite side, with fearful slaugh-
ter. In this charge the gallant Colonel Black was shot and instantly killed.
Maddened by the loss of their heroic and noble leader, the regiment, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sweitzer, pressed on, driving the enemy back,
until they had gained a position considerably in advance of our lines. The
enemy at once perceived this isolated position, and poured in an enfilading fire
upon their flank, forcing them back. They were scarcely in position after re-
forming, before General Seymour rode up and hurriedly inquired whether the
men had ammunition, and was informed that they hSd been hotly engaged
during the entire afternoon, and that their ammunition was completely ex-
hausted. Directing the men to be supplied with cartridges, he ordered Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Sweitzer to proceed at once to where the enemy was making
fearful onslaughts on the extreme left of the line. Dashing forward to the
spot indicated, the regiment, with its thinned ranks, quickly formed and
charged up the hill and through the woods, receiving the full fire of the enemy
as they advanced. They returned the fire, and the battle now waged furiously
along the entire line. Soon yielding to superior numbers, the entire Union
line gave way and was forced towards the river. In this last movement. Col-
onel Sweitzer, while contesting the ground to the last, was taken prisoner and
sent to Libby.
Our army now fell back, fighting its way to the James River. On the
30th the Sixty-second reached Malvern Hill, and the next morning, com-
manded by Captain Hull, of Company A, all its field officers being hors de
combat, it went into the fight. It was early in the day ordered to support
Battery D, of the Fifth United States Artillery. This battery became a special
target for the rebel guns massed in its front, and their infantry charged upon
it again and again, being in each instance repulsed with great loss. In this
exposed and perilous position the Sixty-second suffered severely, and here
Captain Means, of Company I, was wounded and taken prisoner, when the
command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant E. H. Little.
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 129
The day following, the army fell back to Harrison's Landing, where the
Sixty-second went into camp and remained quietly, with the exception of
being slightly engaged at Harrison's Bar on the 31st, until the 14th of August,
when they broke camp and left the peninsula. In the Peninsula campaign the
regiment lost two hundred and ninety-eight in killed, wounded, and missing.
Lieutenant- Colonel Sweitzer, having rejoined his regiment, was promoted to
colonel.
General Porter's corps was the first to cross the Chickahominy when the
army moved from the peninsula. He broke camp on the 14th of August, and
accomplished the march of sixty miles to Newport News in three days. The
corps immediately embarked for Acquia Creek, and thence proceeded by rail
to Fredericksburg, where it guarded the fords on the Rappahannock, until, it be-
ing discovered that the rebel army was crossing above, the corps was withdrawn,
and rejoined the division which had already joined Pope's army. It was only
slightly engaged in the second battle of Bull Run, on the 27th. On the 4th
of September the Sixty-second found itself again in their old camp, " Bettie
Black," on Minor's Hill. The men resumed their old quarters; but alas! only
a small detachment had returned of the twelve hundred stalwart men who had
wintered there in 1861.
The regiment was next engaged at Antietam, where it supported a battery,
but no casualties occurred. After this battle it remained quiet on the shores of
the Potomac, with the exception of a slight skirmish at Blackford's Ford, until
the close of October, when, in the reorganization of the army under General
Burnside, the Center Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, which com-
posed the Third and Fifth Corps, was assigned to the command of General
Hooker, and General Butterfield assumed command of the Fifth Corps, while
the command of the Second Division devolved upon General Grififin, that of
the Second Brigade upon Colonel Sweitzer, and the Sixty-second was then
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hull.
About noon of Saturday, December 13th, the regiment crossed with the
brigade into Fredericksburg, and passed through the town, raked by the artil-
lery of the enemy. Reaching the suburbs it marched to the right, crossing the
railroad, and when near the bank of the canal there was a rush of stragglers
from the front that for a moment caused disorder in the ranks. Order was,
however, quickly restored, and the stampede checked. The order was soon
given to advance, the brigade moved forward in fine order, until within about
thirty yards of the wall in front of Marye's Heights, behind which the rebel
infantry lay. Here they received a perfect rain of leaden hail, in the face of
which to advance was impossible. The men dropped to the ground, and for
one day and two nights the brigade held this position, not a man daring to
raise a head during the day without drawing the rebel fire. It was while ad-
vancing toward this front that General Burnside, while viewing the lines through
a field-glass, asked of General Sturgis, who was beside him, " What troops are
I30 History of Jefferson County.
those ? " General Sturgis replied, " Second Brigade, General Griffin's Divi-
sion." " No troops ever behaved better in the world," exclaimed General
Burnside. On Sunday night they were relieved and withdrawn under cover
of darkness, utterly worn out, and lying so long in the mud and water had
caused considerable suffering, while all the time their dead and dying lay
around them — and not a hand dared be raised to aid or succor them.
On Monday the regiment was again sent to the front, where it covered the
retreat, being one of the last to recross the river. They then returned to their
old camp. Colonel Sweitzer was wounded in this engagement, and his horse
was killed. In January, 1863, the Sixty-second was engaged in Burnside's
second campaign, making roads for the artillery.
On the 27th of April the regiment moved to Chancellorsville. The Fifth
Corps, now commanded by General Meade, preceded b}' the Eleventh and
Twelfth Corps, crossed the Rappahannock at Ely's Ford, and preceded to the
vicinity of the Chancellor House, where the line of battle was established, the
Fifth Corps occupying the left of the line. On the afternoon of the 30th the
Sixty-second was ordered with the brigade to support General Griffin, who was
making a reconnaissance in the direction of Fredericksburg, but no engage-
ment resulted. The ne.xt evening, while the division was engaged in e.xecut-
ing some movement on the left, the Second Brigade became detached from the
rest of the command, and the enemy in full force on their front perceiving this,
prepared to give battle, and but for the coolness of General Sweitzer, who by
his skill in manoeuvering, finally, after the night was spent, succeeded in with-
drawing the brigade from its dangerous position. The Sixty-second was en-
gaged in skirmishing on the 3d, and on the 4th the brigade was ordered to
advance in front of the lines and make a reconnaissance, avoiding, if possible, a
general engagement. Forming in two lines, in the front line the Sixtj'-second,
and the Thirty-second Michigan, under Colonel Sweitzer, with the Fourth
Michigan as skirmishers, they advanced, driving the enemy's skirmishers, when
they suddenly came upon the strongly entrenched line of the enemy, who
opened a heavy fire of grape and canister upon their front and left flanks.
Their object being accomplished. Colonel Sweitzer withdrew his command. In
this encounter the Sixty-second lost fourteen wounded, several mortally. On
the morning of the 6th the Fifth Corps retired from the front, and in crossing
the river the Second Brigade covered the rear of the column. The enemy's
cavalry harassing them, the Sixty-second was sent back to hold him in check,
and was the last regiment to cross the river.
The regiment went into camp near Fredericksburg, until about the ist of
June, when it moved to Kelly's Ford, and was employed on picket duty, with
a slight skirmish, in which it supported the cavalry and drove the enemy near
Middleburg — until the army started north in pursuit of Lee. July 1st the Fifth
Corps was at Hanover Junction, with General Sykes in command, and was
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 131
ordered to proceed at once to Gettj'sburg, where General Reynolds was already
engaged with the enerhy. After a forced march, with men already worn out, it
reached Gettysburg, on the morning of the 2d. The First Division was placed to
the left of the Baltimore pike, and to the rear of Cemetery Hill, where it lay until
late in the afternoon, when it was sent to the support of the Third Corps, which
was fighting against heavy odds ; the Second Brigade, taking position in a strip
of woods on the right of the wheat field, and in front of Little Round Top.
Though the fighting was heavy, the Second was well posted, and held its ground
until the First Brigade gave way, and left its right unsupported, when its posi-
tion became untenable, and General Barnes ordered Colonel Sweitzer to with-
draw his brigade as best he could. The men were reluctant to obey, and fell
back fighting as they moved. They gained a position along the road in rear
of the wheat field, but being again left without support, a hand to hand conflict
with the enemy ensued. The ground was swarming with rebels, and every
avenue of escape seemed shut off, but they poured volley after volley into the
enemy's lines as they moved diagonally across the field, crossing the stone
fence and had just gained the low ground in front of Little Round Top, when
the Pennsylvania Reserves charged down upon the flank of the enemy, hurling
him back in confusion. The brigade went into the engagement with nine hun-
dred men, and came out with scarce half that number. The loss in the Sixty-
second was very heavy. Colonel Sweitzer was wounded, and Major Lowry
killed, and five line oflficers fell, among the latter, the brave Captain of Com-
pany I, Edwin H. Little, who had been promoted on the resignation of
Captain Means.
The division was placed during the night along the stone wall, at the foot
of the hill, to the right of Little Round Top, where it remained until the close
of the battle. When it left Gettysburg the Sixty-second could only muster
some ninety men.
After returning to Virginia the regiment took part in the " Campaign of
Manceuvres," which followed, and was engaged at Rappahannock Station, Lo-
cust Grove, and Mine Run. It went into winter quarters at Licking Run, and
spent the winter in guarding the Orange and Alexandria railroad from the in-
cursions of Moseby. On the 1st of May it broke camp, and with the Fifth
Corps, now under Geeneral Warren, on the 4th reached the Wilderness, en-
camping near the " Old Wilderness Tavern," where the next morning it threw
up breastworks with the enemy in force in front. About ten o'clock the
action commenced, and continued until dark ; the Sixty-second being heavily
engaged on the right of the division. It was also engaged on the 6th. On
the march to Spottsylvania the next day, in the engagement with Ewell's
forces at Laurel Hill, the regiment was engaged and lost heavily. The rebels
were however driven, and the ground held. From that until the 12th it was
engaged in skirmishing. In the general charge along the entire line on the
132 History of Jefferson County.
1 2th the regiment participated, suffering severely, Liuetenant Hull being mor-
tally wounded.
On the 13th, with Captain McClay in command, the regiment moved to
the left in front of Spottsylvania, where it was almost constantly under fire until
the 2 1st, when it led the advance to the North Anna, across which the enemy
was found in force, and the Fifth and Sixth Corps were soon hody engaged,
the fight lasting from noon until sundown. They next engaged the rebels at
Tolopotomy, where they repulsed them. On the 2d day of June the Sixty-
second moved to the front and fought gallantly at Bethesda Church, losing
heavily. On the i8th the regiment was again engaged near the Norfolk and
Petersburg railroad. General Griffin, commanding the division, here advanced
a battery in front of the skirmishers, and opened upon the enemy with grape
and canister, which soon routed him, and the brigade advancing, threw up
heavy entrenchments, and held the road. On the 27th the regiment was
engaged at Jerusalem Plank Road, but suffered no loss. After this it was
employed on fatigue and picket duty until the 3d of July, when its term of
service having expired, the regiment was ordered to the rear, and the follow-
ing day left for home, arriving in Pittsburgh July 15, 1S64, where the regi-
ment was paid off, and mustered out of service. Captain John T. Bell, and
twenty-one men who re-enlisted with him, were transferred to the One Hun-
dred and Fifth-fifth Regiment P. V.
Captain Robert R. Means, who went out with Company I, as its captain,
shared all their toils and dangers until the battle of Malvern Hill, where he
was wounded and taken prisoner. He was confined in Libby Prison until Au-
gust I, 1862, when he was exchanged and brought to Davis Island (N. Y.)
Hospital. He never recovered from the effects of this wound, and had to
resign January 13, 1863. Captain Means was an excellent officer, kind and
thoughtful for the comfort of his men, who parted with him very reluctantly.
When Captain Means resigned. Lieutenant Edwin H. Little was promoted
captain, and proved a brave and faithful officer until the battle of Gettysburg,
when he was killed while fighting desperately at the head of his company, in
that fearful hand to hand conflict in the wheat field July 2d. Captain Little
was a son of Jacob and Anna Little, in'c Shunk, and was born in Bridgewater,
Beaver county Pa., on the 14th of August, 1833. He removed with his pa-
rents to Puxsutawney in 1852, and June 26, 1S56, was married to Miss Mar-
garet E. Campbell, daughter of Mr. William Campbell, of that place. He was
engaged in lumbering when the war broke out. He was an energetic business
man, and an upright citizen, and his loss was deeply mourned, not only by
his comrades in arms, but by the people among whom he had so long resided.
Captain Little left a wife and three children — Anna, Emma, and Edwin H.,
who yet survive him.
When Captain Little fell the command of Company I devolved upon Lieu-
Jefferson County in the Rebellion. 133
tenant John T. Bell, who was promoted captain September 12, 1863. Cap-
tain Bell was wounded and taken prisoner at Gaines's Mill, and again wounded
in the Wilderness. He commanded the company efficiently until its muster
out. Company I took part in the battles of Yorktown, Hanover Court
House, Gaines's Mill, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Second Bull Run, Fredericks-
burg, Chancellorsville, Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove Church, The
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Peters-
burg, June 18, Jerusalem Plank Road. The company lost by battle and dis-
ease the following :
Killed at Gettysburg — Captain E. H. Little, Sergeant Isaac S. Osborne,
William Orr, H. C. Tafel ; at Gaines's Mill, Sergeant Clarence R. Thompson.
Died of wounds and disease — Ephraim Myers, A. W. Armagost, John
Bouch, David Burkett, William Farley, James A. Fairman, George Leech,
Adam W. Musser, Jacob H. Trout, James Spencer ; G. Vancampment, at An-
dersonville, Ga. John Kaylor wounded, with loss of arm, at Hanover Court
House, died at Kittanning, Pa., on his way home, July 17, 1863.
Samuel Crissman, of this company, was teaching school in Missouri when
the war broke out, and was pressed into the rebel service, but soon escaped
and on returning home enlisted in Captain Means's company. In the battle
of Gaines's Mill he was shot through the body, and taken prisoner, and suffered
terribly until released, when he was taken to the Hospital at Baltimore, where
he died August 19, 1862.1
The following Jefferson county men served in Company I, Sixty-second
Regiment : Captains Robert R. Means, Edwin H. Little, John T. Bell. First
lieutenant Samuel W. Temple. First sergeants John M. Steck, Isaac S. Os-
borne. Sergeants George Mack, David W. Kerr, George S. Campbell, C. R.
Thompson. Corporals Thomas A. Hendricks, Alexander Glenn, William
Smith, Arr Neil, Charles F. Liebrick, Thomas, H. Budlong, Ephraim Myers,
Ephraim B. Johnston, A. W. Armagost, John Shannon, Thomas Anderson,
Samuel Crissman, Ira Felt, Watson Guthrie. Musicians William R. Depp,
John Ready. Privates Paul Broadhead, Philip Black, Joseph T. Burns, John
Bouch, David Burket, Joseph L. Burly, George Berger, George Christy, Harri-
son Covill,'Edwin B. Cavinore, James C. Cavinore, Thomas Connell, James Cald-
well, Fleming Caldwell, John Collins, William Cunningham, Samuel J. Denny,
Frederick C. Eshbaugh, Thomas Edmonds, George M. Emrick, John W. Frost,
William M. Fairman, James A. Fairman, William Farley, James Geer, Mathew
Griffith, Solomon Heim, David Hopkins, Isaac Hendricks, James B. Jordan,
John Kaylor, Hughes Kelly, Francis Lyman, John H. Love, George Leech,
Abraham Milliron, Josiah Morehead, Adam W. Musser, William F. Meeker,
1 These are all that are reported as having been killed or died from Company " I," but the records
of the company are not full, as forty-two names are reported " not on muster-out roll," and it is more
than likely that some of these were killed or died.
14
L
134 History of Jefferson County.
John Maginnis, David McKee, Neil McKay, James McSparrin, James McKee,
George W. McKinly, Charles H. McCracken, Frederick Nulf, H. N. G. Nut-
ting, William Orr, John Oyster, Lyman H. Phelps, Samuel Reynolds, George
W. Richards, William Rowley, Joseph Richards, William Randolph, Clark
Rodgers, Henry Slagle, Simon J. Shanafelt, Henry Shearer, Joseph Sterrett,
R. W. Shaffer, Henry C. Shuey, James Spencer, George L. Smith, Adam Smith,
Noah Shotts, Absalom Stoner, Benjamin Smyers, Adam Smouse, James C.
Shields, Samuel Shaffer, Jacob S. Trout, H. C. Tafel, Joseph M. Temple,
George Vanhorn, David J. Watt, Robert Welsh, Noah Wensell John Warner,
John M. Weaver.
The following men from Company I, Sixty-second P. V., re-enlisted in
Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth P. V:
Captain John T. Bell ; First Sergeant Thomas C. Anderson ; Sergeant
Ephraim B. Johnston ; Corporals Sylvanus F. Covill, George L. Smith, Robert
W. Shaffer, Samuel Reynolds, died ; Noah Wensell, killed at Spottsylvania ;
Privates Joseph L. Buclcy, Samuel J. Denny, killed at Peeble's Farm, Va. ;
John Maginnis, William F. Meeker, John W. Oyster, Lyman S. Phelps, Joseph
Richards, Absalom Stoner, Samuel Shaffer.
CHAPTER XV.
THE ONE HL'NDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT.
The Wild Cat Regiment — Battle of Fair Oaks — The First Blood of Jefferson County
Soldiers Shed — Death of Captain Dowling — The Peninsular Campaign — Battles of Fred-
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg — Death of Colonel MoKnight — The Wilderness Cam-
paign— Fall of Captain Clyde — Re-enlistment of the Regiment — Death of Major Censer-
Seeing the End — Muster Out.
THE " Wild Cat Regiment," so called from the old name of the Congres-
sional district which embraced Jefferson county, from which it was princi-
pally recruited, was raised in accordance with authority granted by the War
Department to Amor A. McKnight, esq., of Brookville, Pa. The regiment
was organized at Pittsburgh, September 9, 1861, and proceeded immediately
to Washington city, going into camp at Kalorama Heights on the nth of
September. Here a company from Westmoreland county, commanded by
Captain M. M. Dick, seceded from Colonel Leasure's Roundhead regiment
and joined Colonel McKnight's regiment. This, one of the best companies in
the regiment, was afterwards known as Company E. In a few days the regi-
ment was moved across the Potomac into Virginia and encamped upon the
The 105TH Regiment. 135
farm of Hon. George Mason, one of the most bitter rebels in the Old Domin-
ion, and whose life during that winter was one season of discontent, caused by
the presence of the hated blue coats encamped at his very door. This camp,
situated on a slight eminence, about one and a half miles from Alexandria, was
called Camp Jameson, after the gallant General Charles D. Jameson, of Maine,
to whose brigade the regiment was assigned. This noble officer, who, while
in command of his own tried regiment, the Second Maine, had won his stars
at Bull Run, soon became a great favorite wtth the men of the Wild Cat
Regiment. Himself a lumberman, he could appreciate the hardy stalwart
sons of the forest. On one occasion some of the boys who had been detailed
to cut firewood employed their time instead in gathering chestnuts and re-
turned to camp bringing only a few fence rails. As a punishment for this
breach of discipline Colonel McKnight ordered them to " walk the ring," each
man carrying a rail. General Jameson passing by, the boys came to a halt
and saluted him by bringing their rails to " present arms." The general
returned the salute, seemingly much amused. An election for field officers
was held soon after the regiment reached Camp Jameson, which resulted in
the election of Amor A. McKnight, colonel ; W. W. Corbet, lieutenant-
colonel ; M. M. Dick, Major. The regiment, which was now called the One
Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was assigned to the First Brigade,
First Division, Third Corps, which place it kept from that time until the glo-
rious old Third was consolidated with the Second Corps, and, with the Sixty-
third Pennsylvania Volunteers, were, I think, the only regiments that kept
their original place in the same brigade. This brigade was at first composed
of the Fifty-seventh, Sixty-third, and One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and the Eighty-seventh New York.
General Charles K. Graham, under whom the One Hundred and Fifth
did some of its most heroic fighting, gives me in a recent letter this unsolic-
ited tribute to the regiment; "The One Hundred and Fifth was composed of
unusually fine material. Young in years and strong in brawn. Colonel Mc-
Knight. too, was a very capable drill officer and fine disciplinarian and taught
his men to excel in their mancEuvres. Frequently, when I commanded the
brigade, I visited the headquarters of the regiment to witness the bayonet drill,
in which the regiment was particularly proficient."
On the 26th of January, 1S62, Captains Rose and Altman and Lieutenants
Brady, Worrall, J. G. and C. J. Wilson resigned. Captain L. B. Duff, of the
Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, was given the command of Company D. Cap-
tain James Hamilton, of the same regiment, was assigned to Company I, and
Lieutenant A. C. Thompson, of Company B, to the command of Company K.
This was for a time deeply resented by the men of these companies, but when
they found how brave, capable, and honorable these officers were, they forgot
their grievances and no officers in the regiment were more highly honored or
136 History of Jefferson County.
more popular. January 5, 1862, the One Hundred and Fifth was presented
by the State with an elegant stand of colors, General J. K. Moorhead, of
Pittsburgh, making the presentation on behalf of Governor Curtin, and Colonel
McKnight receiving the flag on behalf of his regiment.
On March 17th the One Hundred and Fifth embarked on the steamer Cats-
kill, for Fortress Monroe, arriving there on the evening of the 19th. They
disembarked in the midst of a fearful rain-storm, and in this were marched
about a mile north of the fort and halted for the night. This was their first
field experience, and not relishing the prospect of lying all night in the rain,
the regiment, without orders, broke ranks and officers and men sought refuge
from the storm in some cavalry stables of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry,
who gave the drenched and suffering soldiers shelter, and with the Sixteenth
Massachusetts Infantry, who were on guard near by, prepared hot coffee for
both the One Hundred and Fifth and Sixty-third. They remained in the
vicinity of Yorktown until the 5th of May, when the First Brigade, which had
been detached from the division, was ordered to rejoin it and were hurried for-
ward at a " double quick " past all obstruction through the rain and mud. As
they neared Williamsburg General Heintzelman rode out to meet them, while
the rest of the division received them with a cheer. The other brigades of the
division were almost used up, but when they heard the enthusiastic cheers of
Jameson's brigade as it hastened to their relief it infused new life into their
weary, bleeding ranks, and they, rallying, made charge after charge until the
enemy gave way. Jameson's brigade was hurried to the front, but the enemy
did not venture to attack, and, our forces not caring to attack their works that
night, the division was formed in line and lay there all night in the pouring
rain without overcoats or blankets. The next morning the One Hundred and
Fifth was deployed as skirmishers to enter the town, General Jameson and Col-
onel McKnight both with them. Company C, which occupied the center as the
advance, was the first to enter the town, and the regimental flag was hoisted on
the court-house \>y Sergeant McNutt of that company. As our troops entered
the eastern end of the town the last of the Confederate infantry could be seen
leaving from the west. The regiment was deployed in and about the town and
captured several prisoners. Sergeant Joseph Craig, of Company C, captured a
Confederate cavalryman with his horse and arms. Company K captured the
sabre, sash and dress suit of Major-General Wilcox, of the Confederate army.
Captain Thompson appropriated the sash. Lieutenant Lawson the sabre, while
the boys " parted his raiment among them." The One Hundred and Fifth was
detailed to guard Williamsburg. Lieutenant Colonel Corbet being appointed
provost- marshal. They remained here until the 9th of May, when they left
Williamsburg and until the 31st of I\Iay were employed on guard and picket
duty between Williamsburg and the Chickahominy River.
On the morning of May 31 firing began in their front, which rapidly grew
The 105TH Regiment. 137'
heavier, and at 4 o'clock P. M., the brigade was ordered to tlie front. Tiie One
Hundred and Fifth, with seven companies, leaving all baggage behind, marched
at " double quick " down the railroad, past Savage Station about half a mile,
where they were halted for a few minutes in the woods. To their right
was an open field, across this a rifle-pit filled with our men, waiting the onset
of the enemy. On their immediate front was a narrow " slashing" of fallen tim-
ber, beyond which was Casey's camp, now in possession of the enemy. The
One Hundred and Fifth turned to the right out of the woods in front of the
rifle-pit, where they were brought to the front, and ordered by General Jameson
to charge through the " slashing " upon the enemy. They relieved the Tenth
Massachusetts, and, as they moved forward at double quick, found the Con-
federates about to attack them, and the two forces met almost on the edge of
Casey's camp. So impetuous and deadly was the charge that the enemy gave
way and were driven across and out of Casey's camp. Not being able to get
their horses into the fallen timber, the officers, dismounting, turned them loose
and went into the fight on foot. The One Hundred and Fifth pursued the
flying foe until our entire right gave way, and the heroic little band was with
difficulty withdrawn through a swamp on their left. The two companies, C
and I, who could not join their regiment at the commencement of the fight,
came up as soon as possible and were ordered by General Heintzelman to form
on the right of the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and advance into
the woods upon the enemy and hold the road, if possible. This they did until
the Fifty-seventh being obliged to retire, they also fell back, loading and firing
as they went. Four of Company C were wounded, but there were no casual-
ties in Company I. During the night they were joined by the survivors of the
other companies.
General Jameson, in his report of the battle of Fair Oaks, says: "I had
disposed of all my command at different points, with the exception of three
hundred and forty-eight men of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, under Colonel McKnight. All our men had fled from the abatis
in the vicinity of the Richmond road. Our only alternative was to make the
best possible stand with the handful of men under Colonel McKnight. We led
them across the open field to the Richmond road and into the abatis, at double
quick and under a most terrific fire, deploying one-half on either side of the
road. For more than an hour and a half this small force held every inch of
the ground. At last the enemy broke and ran, and McKnight pursued them
through Casey's camp No other evidence of the valor displayed
by this heroic little band is necessary than the list of their killed and wounded.
Every eighth man of their number has, since the fight, been buried on the field,
and just one-half their number killed or wounded. Of the eighteen commis-
sioned officers thirteen were killed or wounded. General Keamey's horse and
mine were killed. A parallel to this fighting does not exist in the two days'
battle, nor will it exist during the war."
138 History of Jefferson County.
Headly, in his " History of the RebeUion," says of the conduct of the One
Hundred and Fifth at Fair Oaks : "Napoleon's veterans never stood firmer
under a devastating fire."
In this fight the One Hundred and Fifth lost two of its best officers, Cap-
tain John C. Dowling, of Company B, and Lieutenant J. P. R. Cummiskey, of
Company D; forty-one enlisted men killed, one hundred and seventeen
wounded, and seventeen missing. Colonel McKnight, Captains Duff, Greena-
walt, Kirk, and Thompson, and Lieutenants Craig, Markle, Shipley, Geggie,
and Baird, were wounded.
From the battle of Fair Oaks to the 25th of June the regiment remained
quiet, doing picket duty. General Jameson, so beloved by the regiment, had
been seriously injured by his horse falling upon him, which, added to sickness
caused by exposure, etc., had caused him to resign, and the command of the
brigade devolved upon General Robinson. On the 27th of June, while en-
gaged as skirmishers, two men were killed and six wounded. On the 30th
of June and ist of July the One Hundred and Fifth was hotly engaged at
Glendale and Malvern Hill, losing, during the two days, one hundred and
three killed and wounded — more than half the entire force of the regiment —
but their loss was not to be wondered at, for at Glendale the regiment was
hotly engaged from two P. M. until dark, the enemy making desperate attempts
to capture a battery which it was supporting. " The battle of Glendale," says
the Compte de Paris, "is remarkable for its fierceness, among all those that
have drenched the American forests with blood."
The night after this fight they retired to Malvern Hill, where they were
sharply engaged next day, standing for over four hours under an incessant fire
of musketry and artillery, with no protection but a rail fence. Each man was
supplied with one hundred and fift\- cartridges, and not a man left his post
while he had a cartridge left. At times the Confederates came so close that
our men could almost touch them with their bayonets, and they fought with
desperation. Colonel C. A. Craig, in writing of this battle, says: "We are not
a blowing regiment, or a blowing division, but if men can fight better than
Kearney's Division, it will be more than I have imagined in the art of war."
On August 23 the regiment embarked upon truck cars for Manassas Junc-
tion, the different companies being detailed to do guard duty at Manassas,
Catletts, Bristow, and the high bridge at Turkey Run. Companies E and K
were relieved at Bristow on the 29th by part of the Eighty-seventh New York,
and by sundown started down the railroad towards Catletts, picking up the
men stationed on the road as they went along. This saved them from cap-
ture, as Stonewall Jackson's column, 30,000 strong, struck Bristow a few min-
utes after they were relieved. They had barely reached the switch, when, hear-
ing firing in the direction of Bristow, they started back, but finding the enemy in
force, Captain Greenawalt, commanding the detachment, retired to Kettle Run
The 105TH Regiment.
bridge, which they were preparing to defend, when a detachment from Sickles's
Excelsior Brigade was sent to their reUef The officer in command ordered them
to board a train coming north, which was ordered back towards Bristow. When
they reached the brow of the hill overlooking Bristow, they beheld spread out
before them the rebel camp. They moved back to Kettle Run, where they
made a stand to save the brigade, but a battery and a large force of rebel in-
fantry was sent after them, and not being able to cope with so large a force,
they were again put aboard the train and run back to Catletts, to find their
regiment in line, having been ordred to join Hooker, who, with the Third Corps,
was moving back to meet Jackson. They found the bridge at Kettle Run de-
stroyed, and had a brisk engagement. The One Hundred and Fifth supported
a battery on the left of Hooker's line, on the hill overlooking Bristow, and the
Confederates made furious attempts to take it. General Hooker rode up and
turned one of the guns upon the enemy himself The next morning they
marched to Manassas Junction, from which the enemy had retired during
the night. Here Companies B and G had been left under command of
Captain S. A. Craig, who had in addition about thirty-five men of the Eighty-
seventh New York, and four or five pieces of artillery in charge of Lieutenant
James. The heroic little force tried gallantly to defend and hold the place, but
after a short resistance were obliged to yield to the large force opposed to them.
This force was composed of the " Louisiana Tigers " and a North Carolina-
Georgia battalion, and was commanded by the late General Gordon. About
half of Captain Craig's command was captured, the rest escaping in the dark-
ness. Captain Craig was wounded and taken prisoner. Three men of Com-
pany B were killed.
On August 29 the regiment started for Bull Run, meeting on the way those
of their comrades captured at Bristow and Manassas, whom Jackson, not wish-
ing to be hampered with prisoners, had paroled. On reaching the battle-field
the First Brigade was placed on the extreme right, facing Bull Run. Here
they lay all day under a heavy artillery fire, but being protected by a rail fence
and the woods in their front no casualties occurred in the One Hundred and
Fifth. It was a great relief, however, when about five o'clock, P. M. General
Kearney formed his column for attack, and led them into the fight. This col-
umn was formed of the Twentieth Indiana on the right, the Sixty-third Penn-
sylvania Volunteers on the left, the Third Michigan on the right, and the One
Hundred and Fifth the left center. They charged through the woods, and
drove the enemy from the embankment and some distance beyond, but he ral-
lied in force, and, though they again and again repulsed him, they were at last
obliged to give way, and lost all the ground they had gained. The One Hun-
dred and Fifth was the last to leave the railroad, and held their position for
some time after the balance of the brigade had left them. The Confederates,
having crept up under cover of the embankment of the old railroad, suddenly
I40 History of Jefferson County.
delivered a heavy fire straight in their faces, causing the old regiment to reel
and stagger like a drunken man. Captains Kirk and Thompson finding them-
selves in a crowd from all companies, at once began to form their lines as on
dress parade, and soon had the regiment in order again. It was here that the
regiment sustained its heaviest loss. Captain C. A. Craig, in command of the
regiment, was shot through the ankle and his horse killed. Captains Hastings
and Thompson were both severely wounded, and Lieutenant Gilbert, it is sup-
posed, killed, as no trace was ever had of the brave young officer afterwards.
Captain Duff and Lieutenant Clyde brought the regiment off the field. The
loss sustained was twelve killed, forty-three wounded, and three missing. When
the retreat began, the regiment was ordered to cover the road from Centre-
ville, which they did, lying perfectly still until the army had all passed safely,
when the brigade was ordered to march off the field without noise.
On the 1st of September the regiment was in the battle of Chantilly.
Here they lost their beloved leader, the gallant Kearney, who, as he rode un-
wittingly to meet his death, received his last cheer from the One Hundred and
Fifth as he passed their lines. In his report of the battle of Bull Run, made
the day he fell, General Kearney says : " The One Hundred and Fifth Penn-
sylvania Volunteers was not wanting. They are Fennsylvanians — mountain
men. Again have they been fearfully decimated. The desperate charges of
these regiments sustain the past history of this division."
Colonel McKnight having regained his health, on the 20th of September
was again commissioned colonel of the regiment. The government in thus
keeping the position for him showed its appreciation of his value as an officer.
The regiment remained quietly in camp until the llth of October, when it was
ordered to cross the Potomac to watch some Confederate cavalry raiding in
Maryland. On the 28th they returned to Virginia, and were engaged in guard
and picket duty and bridge building until Burnside began his movement against
Fredericksburg, where they supported Randolph's Battery in the fight of the
13th and 14th of December, losing three men killed, and Captain Hamilton,
Lieutenants Clyde and Patterson, and eleven men wounded. General Charles
K. Graham, on taking charge of the First Brigade, noticed the proficiency ot
the One Hundred and Fifth in drill and discipline, and to satisfy himself that
he was not mistaken in his estimate of it, with General D. B. Birney, com-
manding the division, selected the regiment acknowledged to be the best drilled
in the division, the Thirty-eighth New York, to compete with the One Hun-
dred and Fifth for the championship, General Birney to be the judge, who,
after witnessing the drill, pronounced the One Hundred and F"ifth the victor in
the contest. General Sickles, who came over on the invitation of General Bir-
ney to see the One Hundred and Fifth on dress parade, also warmly eulogized
them on their excellence in drill, and complimented Colonel McKnight for the
pains he had taken in drilling and disciplining them.
The iosth Regiment. 141
On the 28th of April the gallant Third Corps commenced its march to-
wards Chancellorsville. On the 2d of May the brigade was moved to the cen-
ter near the Chancellorsville brick house, the One Hundred and Fifth being
deployed as skirmishers and to make a road across a swamp. Just as the work
was finished several of the men were wounded by a heavy artillery fire from
the enemy. On the morning of the third their line was formed in the rear of
the house, the One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the
right and the One Hundred and Fifth on the extreme left of the brigade. The
regiment charged through the woods immediately in front of the Confederate
batteries, where they were hotly engaged for two hours. Colonel McKnight
and Lieutenant-Colonel Craig were continually passing along the line, encour-
aging the men by their example and coolness. Just as the regiment was gain-
ing position at the entrance of the woods. Colonel McKnight was shot through
the head and killed. With his hat in his hand he had just given the command,
" Forward, double quick, march ! " With shouts his men pressed on to fulfill
his last command, and advancing on a double quick drove the enemy from the
breast-works that they had taken from the Eleventh Corps the day before.
Upon the fall of Colonel McKnight, the command of the regiment devolved
upon Colonel Craig, who drove the enemy from the first line of entrenchments,
which they held until, their ammunition being exhausted, the regiment, with
the rest of the brigade, fell back, the enemj' following to the brow of the hill,
when the One Hundred and Fifth made a stand and would have charged had
the enemy continued to advance. A new line being formed, the regiment re-
tired again to the rear of the Chancellor house. While here Colonel Craig
rode up to General Graham and asked him whether he was aware that the
regiment was without ammunition. The general turned his horse and coolly
surveying them, replied that it was all right, for said he : "They have their
bayonets yet." They had fired every cartridge before falling back, even
searching the dead and wounded for them. The One Hundred and Fifth took
into this fight twenty-seven officers and three hundred and twenty men, and
lost Colonel McKnight, Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Powers and eight men killed,
and Captain Clyde, Lieutenants Shipley, Piatt, Hewett, McHenry, and sixty
enlisted men wounded and seven missing.
On May 21st Lieutenant-Colonel Craig was commissioned colonel; Major
J. W. Greenawalt, lieutenant colonel ; Captain Levi B. Duff, major. On
the 27th those non-commissioned officers and privates, who, by their bravery
and good conduct as soldiers, had merited the gift, were presented by
General Sickles with the Kearney badge of honor. The fohowing mem-
bers of the One Hundred and Fifth received the cross : Sergeants A. H.
Mitchel, A. D. McPherson, Samuel T. Hadden, Company A; Sergeants Joseph
C. Kelso, George Heiges, Charles C. McCauley, B ; Corporal A. A. Harley,
Privates Charles C. Weaver, Samuel H. Mays, C ; Sergeant James Sylvis,
15 •
142 History of Jefferson County.
Corporal Milton Craven, D ; Sergeant Joseph E. Geiger, Corporals George
Weddell, James M. Shoaf, E ; Sergeant Robert Doty, Corporal Henry Mc-
Killip, Private Perry Cupler, F ; Sergeant George W. Hawthorn, Private Will-
iam D. Kane, G ; Privates Thomas M. Rea, Robert Feverly, H ; Sergeant
Oliver C. Redic, Joseph Kinnear, I; Sergeants James Miller, George S. Reed, K.
It was a very difficult matter to thus select out particular individuals, where
all had been so brave, and had on so many hard fought battle fields shown
their valor, and it was a double honor to be thus singled out to receive this
mark of distinction — this memento of their brave old commander, the la-
mented Kearney. In his order announcing the names of those entitled to
receive the "cross," General Birneysays:
" Many deserving soldiers may have escaped the notice of their command-
ing officers, but in the selection after the next battle they will doubtless receive
the honorable distinction. The cross is in honor of our old leader, and the
wearers of it will always remember the liigh standard of a true and brave
soldier, and will never disgrace it."
Nobly did those brave fellows deserve the honor bestowed, as their subse-
quent history shows. Miller was promoted colonel and Redic lieutenant-
colonel of the regiment, Mitchel and Kelso to captain, Sylvis, Shoaf, and Mc-
Killip to lieutenants ; Hadden, McCauIey, Doty, Hawthorn, and Kinnear were
killed ; Heiges and Reed died of wounds ; Craven lost his right arm in the
Wilderness ; McPherson, a leg at Gettysburg, while every one of the others
received one or more wounds ere their term of service expired.
From the battle of Chancellorsville until the march into Pennsylvania be-
gan the One Hundred and Fifth did picket and guard duty along the Potomac.
Monday, June 29, the regiment marched through Taneytown and encamped
for the night within five miles of the Penns)'lvania State line. Tuesday they
marched to the Emmittsburg road, the Third Corps being ordered to hold
Emmittsburg. General Sickles, in response to General Reynolds's order, hur-
ried his corps, which was ten miles away, to Gettysburg. The roads were ex-
ceedingly heavy, as it had been raining hard, and the long march of the preced-
ing days had told upon the troops, so that it was after 5 P. M. on Wednesday
when they reached Gettysburg. Birney's division'came up on the Emmittsburg
road, passed Sherfy's house, where it turned to the right and halted just north
of Little Round Top, where they lay all night. The next morning at daybreak
they formed in line of battle, Ward's Brigade on the left, with his left resting
on the Devil's Den ; De Trobriand in the center, and Graham on the right in
the peach orchard, with his right resting on the Emmittsburg road. This line
was gradually moved forward until the left of the division rested on Little
Round Top and the right at Sherfy's house, where the One Hundred and Fifth
was moved to the right of the road, and a little before noon was marched to
the front, where Companies A, C, F, and I were deployed as skirmishers to
The 105TH Regiment. 143
support the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, already engaged in their
front and keeping up a brisk fire upon the skirmishers of the enemy, who could
be seen watching them through the trees. Soon after these companies were
called in and the regiment took its place on the extreme right of the brigade,
where it remained quiet until 3 P. M., when the battle opened in earnest, and
the One Hundred and Fifth was moved up to the brow of the hill along the
Emmittsburg road. Here, for an hour, they stood unflinchingly under a heavy
fire of shot and shell from front and flank, losing some ten or twelve men.
Just at this juncture, the enemy moving up in force, the regiment advanced
to receive them, and formed in the road a little in advance of our batteries.
The fighting was now desperate, the enemj' steadily advancing, but the brig-
ade held its ground until the line on its left giving way, the enemy poured into
its flank and rear a most murderous fire, forcing it to fall back for an instant. •
But they rallied again and again and drove the enemy back to Sherfy's house,
but the force opposed to them was too heavy and they were forced to retire.
It was when engaged in this hand-to-hand conflict, with an overwhelming force
of the enemy, and just as the shattered line of Graham was yielding to the
overwhelming force of Barksdale's Mississippians, that the gallant troops of the
First Division of the Second Corps, in which was the One Hudred and Forty-
eighth Pennsylvania, came rushing to their relief The regiment then took
position with the new line that had been formed in the rear, connecting Ceme-
tery Ridge with Round Top, where they remained until the close of the day's
fighting. During the 3d and 4th they lay quiet on the second line, doing no
further fighting. The regiment took into the battle of Gettysburg two hun-
dred and forty-seven men, and lost Lieutenant George W. Crossly, and four-
teen men killed, thirteen officers and one hundred and eleven men wounded
and nine missing. Lieutenant Isaac A. Dunston, who was mortally wounded,
died soon after. Out of the seventeen officers who went into the figlit only
four escaped uninjured. Colonel Craig lost three horses and Adjutant Joseph
Craig two.
On the 5th the regiment left Gettysburg, and July 24 went into camp at
White Sulphur Springs, Virginia. In this beautiful place they remained until
September 15th, recruiting their exhausted strength and depleted ranks. On
the 15th they left the Springs. The regiment leading the advance encountered
the skirmishers of the enemy at Auburn, who opened a heavy fire upon them,
but the One Hundred and Fifth steadily advanced, loading and firing, until
the First Division formed in line, and General Birney ordered a charge to pro-
tect them. In this fight the regiment lost one killed and five wounded. The
next morning they were again on the move, and until the 27th, when they
were engaged at Kelly's Ford, where they sustained no loss, the regiment
acted for the most part as advance guard for the division. It had become a
great favorite with General Birney, who frequently selected it for important
144 History of Jefferson County.
positions, and on one occasion, when the enemy was reported near, he ordered
General Collis, who since the wounding of General Graham at Gettysburg
commanded the brigade, to send the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment as an
advance guard, as he " wanted a regiment he could depend upon." From
here they went into camp at Brandy Station, remaining there until November
27, when they took part in the battle of Locust Grove, where seven men were
wounded. The next day, after remaining in line of battle all night, they
marched through mud almost knee deep to a point near Mine Run, and that
night supported a battery, having one man wounded. On the 1st of Decem-
ber, 1863, they returned to their old camp at Brandy Station and on the 28th,
the regiment was re-enlisted by Colonel Craig, according to orders from the
War Department. Two hundred and forty men — almost the entire force of the
regiment — re-enlisted and went home on veteran furlough, where, after being
feted and feasted by their friends, they returned to their old quarters at Brandy
Station, on the 2 1st of February, 1864, bringing with them some fifty recruits.
On the 26th of March, 1864, the Third Corps was consolidated with the
Second Corps, and the remnants of Kearney's famous Red Diamond Division
was consolidated into two brigades. The old First Brigade, now known as
the Third Brigade, Third Division of the Second Corps, was put under com-
mand of the brave Ale.xander Hays, the dashing colonel of the Sixty-third
Pennsylvania. This brigade was composed of the Fifty-seventh, Sixty-third,
Sixty-eighth and One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania, Third and Fifth Mich-
igan, Fourth and Seventeenth Maine, and First Regiment U. S. Sharpshooters.
It was a sad day for the men who had followed Kearney, Hooker and
Sickles on many hotly contested fields to see their beloved Third Corps oblit-
erated from the Army of the Potomac. The wound yet rankles in the breasts
of many who wore the diamond ; and their hearts are yet sore over this dis-
memberment of the organization they held so sacred. But as the fiat had
gone forth that was the death knell of the old Third, the brave men of the Dia-
mond Division could not have been assigned to any other organization where
they would have been so cordially received, or with whom they could so easily
assimilate as with the gallant Second Corps. General Walker, in his excellent
history of the Second Corps, says of this transferring of the Third Corps :
" Hereafter the names of Birney and Mott, Egan and McCallister, Pierce
and Madill, Brewster and De Trobriand, were to be borne on the rolls of the
Second Corps in equal honor with Barlow and Gibbon, Hays and Miles, Car-
roll and Brooke, Webb and Smyth ; the deeds of these new-comers were to be
an undistinguishable part of the common glory ; their sufterings and losses
were to be felt in every nerve of the common frame ; the blood of the men of
Hooker and Kearney, the men of Richardson and Sedgwick, was to drench
the same fields from the Rapidan to the Appomatto.x."
On the night of Maj- 3d the One Hundred and Fifth encamped on the
The 105TH Regiment. 145
battle-field of Chancellorsville, the anniversary of their hard-fought fight the
year before, where they found the bones of their gallant comrades bleaching
on the field. On the next day Birney's Division was selected to make the
attack or receive that of the enemy, as the case might be, in the W^ilderness.
The One Hundred and Fifth advanced about half a mile through the dense
wood, when they suddenly came upon the enemy, and were at once fiercely
engaged. They at first took position in the rear of the Si.xty-third Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers, which occupied the front line. Here several were wounded.
About four P. M. they relieved the Sixty-third and then their hardest fighting
began. Every step of ground was hotly contested, neither side giving an
inch. The dead was piled up in rows. Here Captain Hamilton was killed,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Greenawalt mortally wounded ; Lieutenants Kimple,
Sylvis, Redic and Miller were all severely wounded, and fully one-half of the
men killed and wounded. Colonel Craig, while riding near the right of the
regiment, about dark, was shot in the head and seriously wounded. Their
colonel badly wounded, their brave liutenant-colonel borne from the field
dying, the command devolved upon Major Duff, who gallantly led them
through the balance of the fight, which still raged hotly.
Here, while holding his ground against heavy odds, the gallant Hays was
killed. When night closed upon the fearful scene the One Hundred and Fifth
held its original position, but during the night it was relieved and went to the
rear. The next morning, however, Birney's Division again took the initiative,
charging the enemy's lines and forcing him back almost a mile, until their am-
munition being exhausted they had to fall back to a temporary line of breast-
works, which the enemy tried several times to take, but were repulsed each
time. The One Hundred and Fifth here charged forward and occupied a posi-
tion on the front line. Captain Clyde, who, with several others, mounted the
front line of breastworks, urging the men forward, fell dead, almost touching
the enemy. On the lOth the brigade marched up the Po River to support the
First Division, engaged with the enemy on the south side of the river. Colo-
nel Crocker, who was temporarily commanding the brigade, marched it up
almost against a Confederate battery, which opened fire at short range. The
regiment suffered terribly for a few minutes. The first shot struck Private
Enos Shirts, of Company I, and blew him literally to pieces, the men near him
being sprinkled with his blood and flesh. The regiment held its ground until
ordered to fall back into a little ravine, where they held position until the First
Division had crossed the river, when they retired to the rear of the Fifth Corps.
Here the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers was added to Major Duff's com-
mand, and the two regiments reduced to five companies. At dawn on the 12th
they were at Spottsylvania, where Major Duff's gallant little command struck
the Confederate line at the angle near the Sandrum house, where, before the
enemy had time to fire a gun, our boys, with loud cheers, were leaping over his
146 History of Jefferson County.
entrenchments. They captured a large number of prisoners, among them
Brigadier-General Stewart. On the left of the point where Major Dufif struck
the enemy's line was a battery, which was immediately brought to bear upon
them, but our men rushed upon and captured it, some of the enemy standing
to their guns until killed on the spot. They then crossed the swamp, captur-
ing two rifled guns and the Eighteenth North Carolina Regiment, which was
in support of these guns. Lieutenant A. H. Mitchell, of the One Hundred
and Fifth, captured the flag of this regiment, and Corporal John Kendig, of
the Sixty-third, that of the Twenty-fourth North Carolina. Lieutenant Mitchell
was wounded, and Lieutenant Hewitt wounded and taken prisoner. The Con-
federates, rallying in force, drove them across the swamp, where they made a
stand. They lay for the balance of the day and night under a severe fire,
forming the left support of the " death angle." This was one of the regiment's
hardest fights, and the loss from the 5th to the iSth, inclusive was three
officers and forty-six men killed, ten officers and one hundred and thirty men
wounded, one officer and eight men missing, a total of two hundred and four.
On the 20th the regiments started on the march to the North Anna River,
one of the hardest marches they ever made, yet at roll-call only one man from
the One Hundred and Fifth and two from the Sixty-third failed to answer to
their names. On this march Lieutenant Kelso was severely wounded on the
shoulder by a rebel sharpshooter. On the 23d the regiments halted on the
north bank of the North Anna, the Confederates being on the other side.
They were formed in the thick woods and ordered to charge without firing a
gun, which was done, driving the enemy from his fortifications. They held
this position until after dark. In this charge Captain Daniel Dougherty, a
brave officer of the Sixty-third, was killed. On June 2d they were slightly
engaged at Cold Harbor. The 15th found them in front of Petersburg, where
in the various engagements they lost eleven men killed, and three officers and
eighteen men wounded, among the number being Lieutenant-Colonel Duff,
who lost a leg while gallantly leading his small force in the " Hare's House
slaughter." On the i6th of July the regiment, with the balance of the brigade,
which was under command of Colonel Craig, drove the enemy into his works
at Deep Bottom and then charged and captured them, with two commissioned
officers and seventy-five men ; but while flushed with victory and driving
the enemy before them, a heavy force fell upon the left flank of the brigade
with such fury that it was compelled to fall back. Here a heavy loss fell on
the One Hundred and Fifth, for while leading the charge, their beloved young
leader. Colonel C. A. Craig, was mortally wounded, dying the next da}-, and
no one whom death claimed from their ranks was ever mourned more sin-
cerely. Seventeen men were killed, and Captain Barr and twenty-three men
wounded. The regiment remained in front of Petersburg doing picket and
fatigue duty until September 1st, when those who had not re-enlisted were mus-
The 105TH Regiment. 147
tered out and one hundred and sixty-two men and two officers of the Sixty-
third were transferred to the One Hundred and Fifth. The veterans of the
Sixty-third were at first put in the Ninty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, but
they rebelled at this and petitioned Governor Curtin to have them put in the
One Hundred and Fifth, with which regiment they had served from their first
enlistment, which request was granted.
After the death of Colonel Craig, Captain Conser, who that day rejoined
the regiment, took command. On the ist of October the regiment was trans-
ferred to the Weldon Railroad and the next day took part in the fight at Poplar
Grove Church, having one man killed and eleven wounded. On the 5th they
were back in front of Petersburg, remaining there until the 24th, when they
were moved to the Southside Railroad, and on the 27th took part in the bat-
tle of Boydton plank road. Here General Pierce, who commanded the brig-
ade, ordered the One Hundred and Fifth into a dense wood, to hold that part
of the line, connecting with the Ninty-first New York on the left. The Con-
federates with a yell charged through these woods, but the One Hundred and
Fifth kept them at bay until, unknown to them, our cavalry on their right gave
way, allowing a heavy force of the enemy on their left flank and they were
driven back. The conflict was terrible, one of the most desperate hand-to-
hand fights of the war. Major Conser and Captain Patton, the two senior and
two of the most meritorious officers of the regiment, and four men were killed,
eighteen wounded and forty missing. The latter were, however, nearly all
recaptured that evening. The balance of the devoted little band was with
difficulty brought oft" the field. Captain Redic, with several of the men, barely
escaped capture while vainly trying to bring off" the bodies of their dead com-
rades. The regiment for the first time in its history, lost its colors. After the
fall of the two senior officers Captain Miller was ordered by General Pierce to
assume command of the regiment, and was afterward commissioned colonel.
On the 27th the regiment went into quarters at Fort Davis, on the front line
of works, where officers were appointed by Governor Curtin to fill the vacan-
cies in nearly every company. All the new officers, from Colonel Miller and
Lieutenant-Colonel Redic down, had risen by their own merit and bravery
from the ranks. While here the regiment lost one killed and four wounded
while driving the enemy from his rifle pits. On the 30th Lieutenant-Colonel
Redic, while engaged in a reconnoissance, had one man killed and two wounded,
and on the 2d of April one man was killed and one wounded. On the 6th,
near Farmville, the regiment charged upon the enemy's works, repulsed him
and captured two hundred and thirty-nine men and nineteen commissioned
officers, and in the evening of the same day assisted in capturing part of the
enemy's train. The loss was one killed and fifteen wounded, Colonel Miller
losing his horse. April 9th one man was wounded, the last to feel Confederate
lead, as on that day the enemy at Appomattox laid down their arms and sur-
rendered to General Grant.
148 History of Jefferson County.
May 2, 1865, the regiment took up its line of march for Washington,
reaching Bailey's Cross Roads on the 15th, and on the nth of July reached
Pittsburgh, where the men were paid off and discharged. But alas ! how
small a remnant of the gallant regiment which went to the front almost four
years before returned to their homes. The official record gives the entire list
of casualties as 1,089. The regiment from April 1 1, 1862, until April 9, 1865,
took part in thirty-eight engagements, and of its almost four years of service
giving just three years' active service in the field. Its aggregate force, as
given by the rolls, was 2,040. This number, however, comprised the veterans
from the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers and 588 drafted men and sub-
stitutes put into the regiment in March, 1865, leaving the entire force of the
original regiment, with its recruits, 1,288. It is a noteworthy fact that never
once in its history did the One Hundred and Fifth fail to respond when
ordered to face the enemy. Not once did it hesitate when ordered to charge,
even though against overwhelming odds.
To show the estimation in which the One Hundred and Fifth was held by
the soldiers of other organizations, and the material composing its rank and
file, we quote a few tributes to their valor. General Charles H. T. Collis, form-
erly colonel of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania, and who com-
manded the brigade for some time after the battle of Gettysburg, says:
" Since we parted on the field I have seen all the armies of European
countries, but I have never seen a body of men out of whom more solid and
efl'ective work could be obtained, than those who fought under the heroic
Craig, and the intrepid, genial Greenawalt."
General Walker, in his history of the Second Corps, says of the battle of
Fair Oaks :
" The last brigade to arrive was Jameson's, which had been far to the rear,
near Bottom Bridge, at the opening of the action. Two of Jameson's regi-
ments were sent to the right, and two to the left. All of Kearney's men, who
became engaged, fought heroically."
Colonel A. S. M. Morgan, of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania, now captain in
the United States Army, says :
" I have one vivid recollection of the One Hundred and Fifth that can
never be obliterated from my memory. At the battle of Fair Oaks the right
of the Sixty-third did not reach the Williamsburg road, and a column of rebel
infantry came marching down the road, and had reached opposite our line,
when the One Hundred and Fifth came up and extended the line across the
road. At that moment I was badly wounded, but mj' last recollection ere I
lost consciousness, was of seeing that gallant regiment coming up at a full run
on our right, in the face of the rebel infantry and the battery that was playing
on us both from across the road."
The following incident was related to the writer by Dr. Adam Wenger,
The iosth Regiment. 149
surgeon of the regiment : " There is one incident that is always pleasant for
me to recall. It is of one of the men whose bravery and patriotism stand forth
in bold relief After being several times severely wounded, and returning each
time promptly, to again share the dangers of battle, he was at last so disabled
as to be totally unfitted for duty, and was informed that his discharge from the
service would be necessary. He begged to remain, and asked me if he could
not be permitted to ride in the ambulance on the marches, which request I
granted ; but he never availed himself of this privilege when there was a pros-
pect of a fight ; and in case he was in the ambulance and firing was heard in
the front, he at once left his comfortable berth, and hurried to his place in the
ranks — musket in hand — with all the speed he was capable of It must be
borne in mind that a pass to ride in the ambulance excused the soldier from
all duty. There were of course others just as brave and patriotic as this man,
but for certain reasons his actions greatly impressed me, for he was reared in
poverty, and without an education."
The soldier mentioned above was mustered out with the regiment, was sev-
eral times promoted, and is yet living.
Jefferson county lost among other brave soldiers the following officers of
the One Hundred and Fifth :
Colonel Amor Archer McKnigJit. — Amor Archer McKnight had, from his
youth, been an admirer of all things pertaining to the military, and we find
him at an early age a member of the " Brookville Guards " and " Brookville
Rifles," which company he commanded when the war broke out. When the
summons came it found him ready to respond, and with his gallant command
he was soon in the field. After the three months' term of service had expired,
and he had received authority to recruit a regiment for three years, he went
to work, and with an energy that never flagged, soon had the regiment, whose
deeds of glory and renown we have but feebly portrayed, in the field.
As soon as his regiment went into camp, Colonel McKnight began to
rigidly drill and discipline it, and so severe and exacting was he in this work
that, for a time, he was severely censured and criticised by the officers and men
under him; but he had set himself to the task of making the One Hundred
and Fifth a regiment that could not be excelled, and he let nothing deter him
from the end in view ; that he accomplished his desire the history of his gal-
lant regiment nobly proves, for by all who have any knowledge of its prowess
and valor it has been pronounced without a peer ; and to the stern and ofttimes
merciless discipline enforced by Colonel McKnight, was this state of perfec-
tion due.
While thus strict with his officers and men, he was no less strict with him-
self He studied and worked unceasingly to perfect himself in the art of war-
fare ; for, like his men, he had come from the civil walks of life, and like them
he had to learn. With all this sternness, for which so many have censured
16
I50 History of Jefferson County.
him, Colonel McKnight had the welfare and comfort of his men at heart, and
we have known him to give up the last dainty his camp chest afforded, and
share his last dollar with the sick soldier, and we never appealed to him in
vain when he could add to the comfort of the men in the hospital, or enhance
the efficiency of the hospital force.
It was his unremitting labor to make his regiment excel, that caused him
at last, after fifteen months hard service, to yield to the inroads of disease, that
obliged him to resign his command ; but after two months he was again in the
field, as the war department, knowing his worth in the service, had not filled
the vacancy caused by his resignation.
After rejoining the regiment. Colonel McKnight shared all its fortunes,
leading it into all its hard-fought engagements, until the battle of Chancellors-
ville. May 3, 1863, when he was killed by a rebel sharpshooter, while leading
his men against the veterans of Stonewall Jackson. Colonel Craig, in a letter
giving us the intelligence of Colonel McKnight's fall, written May 11, 1863,
says :
" Colonel McKnight was in the act of cheering his men on when he was
shot, and was swinging his sword. The ball passed through his right arm,
almost tearing it off, and passed on, entering his head about the right temple.
I saw him fall, and riding up to him, dismounted and kneeled beside him. He
looked up once, so beseechingly, before he died, as if he wanted to say some-
thing, but could not speak. I ordered four of the men to carry him to the rear,
and rode after the regiment ; but they were unable to get him back on account
of the heavy fire, and had to leave him on the field. Everything of value was
got off his person, except his pocket-book, which could not be found. After
the fight, I made application to General Hooker for permission to take out a
flag of truce for his remains, which he granted, but General Lee would not
permit us to enter his lines, so we had to be content. No man ever acted
braver than he did, and believe me, there are few such men, either in the army
or at home."
The rebel papers claimed that he was buried with the honors due his rank,
out of respect for the " Kearney Cross," which he wore, and it was asserted
that " whenever our men were found to have upon them the Kearney red patcli,
if wounded they were kindly cared for; and if dead were buried with the
honors of war, and their graves so marked as to be readily recognized."
It was claimed that Colonel McKnight was so honored, that " a band played
a funeral dirge, while over his remains was fired the usual salute due to an
officer of his rank."
This may have been the case, but when the One Hundred and Fifth, on
the anniversary of his death, on the 3d of May, 1864, bivouacked on the field
where he fell, no trace of his grave could be found, nor have his brothers, who
wished his remains to lie with the dust of his kindred, ever been able to find
the spot where he was buried.
The 105TH Regiment. 151
Had Colonel McKnight lived he would soon have been promoted to brig-
adier-general, as steps to that effect had already been taken, and the late Hon.
John Covode, in his letter of condolence to the colonel's brother, Dr. W. J.
McKnight, says :
" Had your brother survived the last terrible struggle, he would have been
promoted, as I had a conversation with the president in regard to him."
The field officers of the First Division, Third Army Corps, had sent in a
petition to President Lincoln asking for his promotion, in which they say :
" Colonel McKnight is a brave, gallant, and efficient officer ; the regiment
which he now commands, for drill and discipline, is second to none in the ser-
vice. His e.xperience as a field officer during the Peninsula Campaign, and
in other places, also his ability as a thorough tactician, eminently fit him for such
promotion."
At the meeting held by the field officers of the First Brigade, First Divi-
sion, Third Corps, to take action on the death of their fellow-officers who fell
at Chancellorsville, the following resolutions in regard to Colonel McKnight
were passed :
" Rcsok'cd, That in the death of Colonel A. A. McKnight, of the One
Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the country has lost a brave,
efficient, and patriotic officer, whose untiring energies were given to promoting
the efficiency of his regiment, who sealed his devotion to the cause in which
he was engaged with his life-blood, at the head of his command, on the battle-
field of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.
"Resolved, That we condole with the relatives and friends of the deceased
in their loss of a companion, endeared to them by his many amiable virtues,
and that we lament the loss the country has sustained by his untimely death,
in the hour of her greatest need."
Major Jolm C. Conser. — John C. Conser was born in Centre county,
Pa., in the year 1S26, and the same year his parents, who were respectable,
worthy people, removed to Clarion county, settling near the present town of
Clarion. Here the subject of this sketch spent his early days. He was a stu-
dious, and conscientious boy. At an early age he evinced a great admiration
for military matters, and with his elder brothers would attend the reviews of
the militia.
In 185 I he removed to Jefferson county, and soon afterwards married and
settled in Reynoldsville, where he was known and respected as one of the best
citizens of that place, until the war called into action the patriotism that had
been slumbering in his soul from childhood, and he was one of the first to
enlist from his neighborhood. He was chosen first lieutenant of Company H,
One Hundred and Fifth, and upon the resignation of Captain Tracy was pro-
moted to captain, April 20, 1863. He was commissioned major. May 6, 1864,
but was never mustered as such.
152 History of Jefferson County.
At the battle of Fair Oaks, Captain Conser received his first wound ; while
crawling on his hands and knees reconnoitering the enemj^ a ball struck him
on the head, inflicting a slight wound, and stunning him for a time. After-
wards in the retreat through White Oak Swamp, he almost lost his life in those
dismal recesses, and writing of it said, " It was the most horrible night I ever
experienced." At Fredericksburg a minnie ball struck his shoulder, and
glancing off along the blade of his sword, entered the fleshy part of his arm,
inflicting a severe wound. At Bristow Station, he, with his little command,
was taken prisoner, and taken to Richmond, where he was consigned to the ten-
der mercies of Libby prison. Here he was much annoyed by one of the rebel
guards, who delighted in telling the prisoners that the Union side was "clean
licked out," and that when he got out of Libby he would find " the north not
worth shocks." The brave officer replied that when he got " out of Libby and
came again to Richmond, it would be when it was taken by the Union troops,
and the Confederacy smashed." After this, his most ardent desire was to be
with the army at the taking of Richmond ; but when that day dawned upon
the Union arms the brave officer had entered the eternal city, dying on the
very threshold of victory.
At Gettysburg he was again wounded, being shot in the head, just above
the left temple, and carried off the field for dead. When, after a short stay at
home, he had recovered from this wound he rejoined his regiment in time to
receive another wound at Auburn. At the battle of the Wilderness he was
severely wounded in the thigh by a sabre cut, from the effects of which he was
still lame at the time of his death. Again he was severely wounded at Peters-
burg, June 1 8, 1864, and while on his way to rejoin his regiment, after recov-
ering from this wound, he met at Fortress Monroe those having in charge the
body of Colonel Craig, who had fallen at Deep Bottom. Stopping just long
enough to assist in forwarding to his home the remains of his brave friend and
gallant commander, he hurried on to his regiment, and was in all the subse-
quent skirmishes and marches up to the battle of Boydton Plank Road, where,
on the 27th of October, 1864, he fell, while battling against an overwhelming
force of the enemy. An eye-witness of this sanguinary struggle, says: " We
were surrounded when I heard Conser say, ' Men, we are surrounded. Will
you surrender? Won't )'ou fight it out ? ' Three rebels attacked him, and
while fighting them with pistols and sword, another came up and placing his
gun almost against his body, blew the contents of the piece into his side and
he fell dead."
The enemy being repulsed after this. Captain Redic and others of the regi-
ment attempted to bring off Major Conser's body, but the enemy rallying in
force, they were obliged to leave him on the field where he fell, and thus died
one of the bravest soldiers the war produced — his last words being, "Fight it
out."
The iosth Regiment. 153
Major Conser, when he first entered the service, was urged to remain at
home with his family, and again when he re-enUsted, the duty to his wife and
Httle children was urged upon him, and though no man loved his family more
dearly, his duty to his imperiled country was paramount to all else. His wife
has since joined the dead hero, and his four children yet reside in Reynolds-
ville.
Captain John Calvin Dowling. — When the civil war broke out. Captain
Dowling, whose previous record is given in the chapter devoted to the medical
profession, at once enlisted in the three months campaign, and served as first
lieutenant of Company K, Eighth Regiment, taking command of that company
on Captain Wise's promotion. At the expiration of this term of service he
returned home and recruited Company B, of the One Hundred and Fifth,
which he labored unceasingly to make one of the best companies in the ser-
vice. He remained constantly with his men, with the exception of a ten
days' leave of absence in February, 1862, until he fell at Fair Oaks, May 31st,
while gallantly leading his men in the charge where the regiment won its first
laurels, and he with many others of Jefferson county's bravest and best soldiers
won victors' crowns. He was shot through the neck, killing him instantly.
His body was borne off the field by his sorrowing men, and the chaplain of the
regiment, Rev. D. S. Steadman, in a letter written just after the battle says :
"We buried our dear Captain Dowling last evening, June 1st, at sunset, in
a beautiful grove. Bowdish, one of his men, had made a good coffin. There
was no lack of mourners ; we were all mourners."
His remains were subsequently reinterred in the soldiers' cemetery at
" Seven Pines," where his grave has been visited by some of his friends, who
found it nicely kept, and plainly marked with his name, rank, and regiment.
Captain Bowling's death was a great loss to his regiment, by whom his
death was deeply mourned. Colonel McKnight in writing of his death says :
" There could be no better officer than Captain DowHng ; always prompt in
contributing to the every act calculated to promote the efficiency of the regi-
ment, he never retarded or embarrassed the action of the commanding officer;
a strict disciplinarian, he was also attentive to the wants of his company, and
always preserved the warm regard of his men. I had become very much
attached to him, and his decease struck me very painfully."
Captain Dowling was of a genial disposition, and possessing an excellent
education, his social qualities and gentlemanly bearing had endeared him to
a large circle of acquaintances and friends, and the news of his death carried
gloom to the hearts of all who knew him. When the sad news of the death
of this gallant young officer, and of those who fell with him on that fatal field,
Jefferson county's first offerings for the cause of freedom, was received in
Brookville, the flags were draped in mourning, and suspended at half mast,
and sorrow pervaded the entire community.
154 History of Jefferson County.
Captain Bowling's health being far from robust when he was at home, a
short time before his death, his friends tried to persuade him to leave the army,
but he replied to their entreaties that he knew that his life would be a short
one, saying : " If I die in battle, my death will be a glorious one."
He hastened back to his regiment, on hearing rumors of an expected
battle, and on being asked why he returned before his leave expired, replied,
" I did not want the boys to go into battle without me." No nobler sacrifice
was given to save the Union than John C. Bowling.
Captain William J. Clyde. — William Johnston Clyde, son of William and
Jane Clyde, nee Malbon, was born in Perry, now Oliver, township in the year
1838. His father dying, he was at an early age thrown upon his own resources,
and when about thirteen years old he went to Brookville, and commenced to
learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, with ^lessrs. William Reed and Bavid S.
Johnston, both of whom are now dead. After finishing his apprenticeship, he
remained in Brookville working at his trade until the breaking out of the war,
when he enlisted in Company I, Eighth Regiment, of three months men, and
served as first sergeant of his company. On returning home after the expira-
ton of this term of service, he threw himself heartily into the work of recruiting
for Colonel McKnight's three years regiment, and on the organization of that
regiment he was appointed first sergeant of Company A, and November 8,
1 86 1, was promoted to second lieutenant; to first lieutenant, September 27,
1862, and to captain February 9, 1863. He was wounded in the battles of
Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, in all of which he was con-
spicuous for his daring and courage. He fought with the most desperate
bravery at the battle of the W^ilderness, until near the close of the fighting on
the 6th of May, 1863, when the One Hundred and Fifth was occupying the
second line of breastworks, and charged forward, carrying a part of the front
line, when Captain Clyde with several others of the regiment, mounted the
rebel redoubts on the front line, and while gallantly urging his men on, he was
shot by one of the enemy's sharpshooters, and fell mortally wounded, only liv-
ing long enough to ask his men to bury him decently, and write to his mother.
When he fell, he was so close to the enemy that he could almost touch them.
His body was afterwards recovered and removed to the soldier's cemeterj- at
Fredericksburg.
Captain Clyde possessed a good practical education, a sterling integrity of
character, and was in the true sense of the word, a self-made man. In his
death his regiment lost one of its bravest officers, for he was brave almost to
rashness. His younger brother, Corporal James L. Craig, of the same company,
wounded at Glendale, Va., died of his wounds while on his way home, at the
house of a relative at Indiana, Pa. The widowed mother of these brave sol-
diers removed with her only daughter. Miss Maggie Clyde, after the war, to
Pickaway county, Ohio, where she has since died.
The 105TH Regiment. 155
Captain John Michael Stcck. — Among those of our brave soldiers who
have, since the war closed, been " mustered into that great company, which no
man can number," was Captain John M. Steck, who died at his home in Brook-
ville, March 13, 1875. He was the eldest son of the late Jacob and Christiana
Steck, and was born in Greensburg, Pa., on the 17th day of December, 1832.
In the year 1848 he removed with his parents to Brookville, where he ever
after resided. He took an active part when the war broke out in recruiting for
the volunteer service, and enlisted in Company I, Sixty-second Pennsylvania
Volunteers, July 20, 1861, and was promoted to first sergeant. In Septem-
ber, 1 86 1, he procured his discharge from that company, and February 20,
1862, was commissioned captain of Company G, One Hundred and Fifth
regiment, where he made an excellent and popular officer, sharing all the bat-
tles and dangers of his men, until, his health becoming impaired, he was obliged
to resign, and was discharged on surgeon's certificate August 12, 1863.
Returning to his home, he was in 1866 elected prothonotary for Jefferson
county, and at the expiration of his term of office was re-elected. Captain
Steck was one of the most prominent and best known citizens of the county.
The Brookville Republican's notice of his death was a just tribute to his
worth :
" He was an energetic, live business man, aiding in every improvement to
build up and benefit our town, and some of our best improvements are due to
his energy and taste. In every position of public life he discharged his duties
ably and honestly, and there are few persons who will not be able to recall
some act of official courtesy and kindness received at his hands. To the poor
he was liberal ; he was a true friend, and one distinguishing trait in his char-
acter was, that he never spoke harshly or disparagingly of others. If he could
not say a word of commendation he kept silent. Captain Steck was an earn-
est and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, where his loss will be
much felt, but above all will he be missed in the Sunday-school, of which, at
the time of his death, he was assistant superintendent, and of which he was the
ruling spirit. His heart was in the work. During three years he was absent
but three Sundays, and then he was away from home. He knew every child
in the school, and every one will miss him, as one whom they looked up to
with honor. On Sunday, the day preceding his funeral, the entire school went
in a body to take a last look at his remains, and the most touching tribute that
could have been paid to his memory, was the tears of these little ones."
Captain Steck was married to Miss Rachel McCreight, who survived him,
and has since married Dr. Robert S. Hunt, of Brookville.
Robert J. Nicholson, quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifth, is an-
other who, since the war closed, has laid down the burden of life. He enlisted
in this regiment, which he had aided very materially to raise, as first lieutenant
of Company B., but was promoted to quartermaster October i, 1861. He
made a very popular officer, as he was always kind and genial to the men.
156 History of Jefferson County.
He resigned on account of his presence being needed in his business at
home, September 16, 1862. While in service his brother, James Nicholson, of
Company I, died at Camp Jameson, and he had his remains sent to his home
in Brookville. After having nursed him affectionately at his own quarters, with
the fond hope of seeing him rally from the dread disease that had claimed him
for a victim, he sent his remains home for burial. Quartermaster Nicholson
was again called to make a heavy sacrifice to his country's cause, in the death
of his eldest son. Barton, a promising young man, a member of Company B,
who fell at the battle of Second Bull Run, August 29, 1863.
Mr. Nicholson was one of Jefferson county's most enterprising citizens, as
his business career given elsewhere proves. He died suddenly while on a
business trip to the South, at Day's Gap, North Carolina.
Field and Staff Officers of the One Hjindred and Fifth Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, from JeffersoJi County. — Colonels, Amor A. McKnight,
James Miller; lieutenant-colonel, W. W. Corbet; adjutant, Orlando Gray;
quartermasters, Robert Nicholson, Harrison Coon ; surgeon, A. P. Heichhold;
chaplains, Darius S. Steadman, John C. Truesdale; sergeant-majors, W. H.
McLaughlin, George Vanvliet, Robert J. Boyington ; quartermaster- sergeants,
Fleming Y. Caldwell, Benjamin F. Stauffer; commissary-sergeant, John Coon ;
hospital stewa:rds, D. Ramsey Crawford, Charles D. Shrieves ; musicians, An-
drew J. McKown, Eli B. Clemson.
Members of the Brass Band of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment from
Jefferson County. — Calvin B. Clark, John S. Gallagher, John A. Guffey, James
A. McClelland, T. C. Spottswood, Charles Sitz, Alexander Ross Taylor, James
A. Thompson.
Company A. One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, P. V.
Company A was recruited in the southern part of Jefferson county, princi-
pally from Punxsutawny, and Perry and Oliver townships. The company was
raised in three days, chiefly through the exertion of Captain John Hastings,
assisted by Lieutenants Neel and Morris. Captain Hastings, while gallantly
leading his company in the desperate charge at Second Bull Run, was severely
wounded in the leg, and after months of suffering, was disabled for life by the
wound, and obliged to resign, when the command devolved upon Captian W.
J. Clyde, who fell while charging at the head of the company in the battle of
the Wilderness. Lieutenant A. H. Mitchell was then promoted to captain,
but before he received his commission, was discharged on account of wounds
received in front of Petersburg, and then Lieutenant John H. McKee was pro-
moted captain.
Captains, John Hastings, W. J. Clyde, John H. McKee; first lieutenants,
William Neel, Alexander H. Mitchell, James W. Wachob ; second lieutenants,
Moses A. Morris, Daniel Brewer, William M. Blose; first sergeants, Albert C.
The iosth Regiment. 157
Little, Samuel T. Hadden, Joseph Cummisky, John Blair, Joseph Wickline,
Wesley P. Hoover, A. D. McPherson, John G. Myers, Allen H. Naylor, Arthur
H. Murray, Samuel Hibler; corporals, Samuel Kesslar, John McHendry, Henry
Weaver, James M. Keck, Smith M. McHendry, James B. Jordan, Benjamin
F. Rolls, Joseph F. Bell, Isaac M. Depp, David W. Logan, William J. Mogle,
David Y. Salsgiver, John E. Sadler, William C. McKee, Levi P. Frampton,
James L. Clyde ; privates, Henry All, Thomas T. Adams, Harding Allabrand,
John I. Barr, Samuel Brillhart, L. H. Bolinger, Samuel W. Brewer. John Blose,
Boaz D. Blose, Adolphus Bhoy, Charles S. Bender, Isaac Bowersock, James
W. Brooks, John Beck, William F. Campbell, W. W. Crissman, David Cochran,
John Chambers, Byron Cowan, John Campbell, Oliver Croasman, H. C. Camp-
bell, Flem. Y. Caldwell, Michael L. Coon, Hugh Crawford, Jonathan Cham-
bers, William P. Christ, John W. Corey, George W. Davis, John O. Dean,
George W. Davis, John G. Depp, John A. De Havens, Robert Fleming, David
W. Goheen, David G. Gray, James A. Grove, Thomas M. Gibson, Thomas
Glass, Benjamin Gaskill, George W. Ginter, George Goheen, Francis W. Grove,
Henry Grant, Charles H. Haskins, John Hennigh, James Henry, Joseph W.
Hickox, William Hutchinson, John P. Imler, John M. Irwin, Robert A. Jor-
dan, George M. Johnston, Robert Jordan, John Jordan, Benjamin F. Johnston,
H. Kirkpatrick, Christopher Kesslar, John C. Kelly, Jonathan R. Leitzali, Da-
vid W. Leech, John H. London, William Leech, James G. Mitcliell, Jeremiah
C. Miles, William F. Means, Joseph Means, John Means, jr., John L. Mabon,
John Means, sr., James Mogle, William Meitz, Robert S. Michaels, Thomas
Means, Robert Marsh, John Marsh, J. L. McHendy, John B. McGinnis, Cassius
E. McCrea, James C. McQuown, Samuel McHendry, John McGraw, Charles
McConkey, Edwin McCafferty, R. McAdams, William McHendry, Scott Neel,
Augustus C. Nolf, William Painter, William S. Pery, P. S. Rudolph, John K.
Rupert, George W. Rhodes, Nicholas Robbins, Fred. Rhinehart, Benjamin C.
Smith, Joseph M. Swisher, Dan. J. Smyers, George Smith, James Smith,
Washington Sunderland, Joseph B. Sowers, Christopher Sutter, William H.
Swisher, Henry Sutter, John R. Stewart, Elias S. Simpson, Jacob Sutter, George
W. Shawl, James C. Trimble, Thomas L Templeton, Peter Walker, David W.
Wilson, Philip Wyning, Daniel Zimmer.
In the numerous battles in which it took part, and from disease. Company
A lost the following :
Killed, captain, W. J. Clyde ; sergeant, Samuel T. Hadden ; corporals,
Daniel Y. Salsgiver, John H. Sadler, William C. McKee ; privates, Charles S.
Bender, Isaac Bowersock, James W. Brooks, Hugh Crawford, Jonathan Cham-
bers, John G. Depp, John P. Imler, Robert S. Michaels, WiUiam McHenry,
William H. Swisher, Henry Sutter, Daniel Zimmer; died, sergeant, Allen
Naylor; corporals, Levi P. Frampton, James L. Clyde; privates, John Beck,
William P. Crist, John W. Corey, James Henry, Joseph W. Hickox, William
17
158 History of Jefferson County.
Hutchison, George M. Johnston, William Leech, Thomas Means, Robert H.
Marsh, John Marsh, William S. Perry, John R. Stewart, E. S. Simpson, Jacob
Sutter, Fred. Rhinehart ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, John Henry,
Christopher Sutter, David W. Wilson.
Muster Roll of Company B, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company B was recruited chiefly in Brookville and vicinity, mainly by
Captain John C. Dowling who commanded it until he fell at Fair Oaks, when
he was succeeded by Captain S. A. Craig, who on account of wounds had to
give up the command to Captain W. S. Barr, who in turn for the same cause
had to yield it to Captain Joseph C. Kelso, who led it through the subsequent
hard fights until the final muster out :
Captains, John C. Dowling, S. A. Craig, W. S. Barr, Joseph C. Kelso. First
lieutenants, R. J. Nicholson, Richard J. Espy, John A. McLain. Second lieu-
tenant, Judson J. Parsons. First sergeants, William Fox, William N. Pearce,
Samuel H. Mitchell, Sergeants, John E. Barr, Hiram Wing, William Lucas,
Anthony Kreis, George Heiges, James C. Dowling, John J. Geary, William
English, Robert Miller. Corporals, John J. Champion, McCurdy Hunter, Sam-
uel Hunter, Joseph Baughman, Wellington Johnston, Nathan D. Carrier, An-
drew J. Cochran, David R. Porter, Robert G. Wilson, Benjamin Ramsey, J. M.
Thompson, Philo Winsor. Musician, M. L. Spottswood. Privates, Benjamin
Arthurs, Peter Alhvell, Charles G. Anderson, William Anderson, William D.
Black, Liberty Burns, Sibley Bennett, Joseph Booth, Joseph B. Bowdish, Will-
iam Bish, Lafayette Burge, Samuel Cable, Alfred Cable, William Covert, Jo-
seph Coon, Thomas J. Champion, David D. Demott, Jonathan Dixon, M. G,
De Vallance, M. L. DeVallance, Mathew M. Dowhng, John Dunkleburg, Jo-
seph A. Geer, Amos Goup, John W. Guthrie, Cyrus Geer, Robert Gilmore,
Michael D. Grinder, Jackson Gearheart, Jacob M. Haugh, James L. HoUiday,
Adam W. Haugh, Thomas Hildreth, Emanuel Haugh, James Hopkins, Ed-
ward Hartman, Joseph Harriger, Augustus Haugh, John Hawthorn, WiUiam
H. Jackson, John Jacox, Frederick Jackson, William Kelly, Solomon C. Kelso,
George Keyser, Winfield S. Lucas, Joseph Lawhart, Lewis Leitzell, John Love,
David Lanker, Frederick Miller, William Milligan, Courson Miller, William C.
Miller, Michael Miller, Solomon McManingle, Charles S. McCauley, Joseph E.
H. McGary, William McCutcheon, William McCaskey, Jesse McElhose, Barton
A. Nicholson, John Ossewandle, Asa M. Preston Jesse Penrose, Benjamin F.
Rhodes, James A. Robinson, William Riddle, Edward Reigle, Philip Rockwell,
William Reede, Daniel C. Rockwell, Lewis Rhodes, John Shreckengost, John
Shirey, Joseph S. Stine, George Shick, William K. Stevenson, Chauncey
Shaffer, Jacob Siverling, George W. Smith, Samuel Stormer, George W. Sax-
ton, Samuel Shaffer, Philip Taylor, John Taylor, James Taylor, B. D. Vas-
binder, Gustavus Verbeck, Joseph Williams, John B. Wensel, Oliver Woods,
Francis Winters, John Webster, Philip Young.
The 105TH Regiment. 159
The following members of Company B were killed in battle, died of wounds
and disease, or were transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, on account of
wounds, or to other organizations.
Killed — Captain John C. Dowling. Sergeants, Samuel H. Mitchell, An-
thony Kreis, James C. Dowling, George Heiges. Corporals, Wellington John-
ston, Nathan D. Carrier, Andrew J. Cochran. Privates, Benjamin Arthurs,
Peter AUwell, Amos Goup, John W. Guthrie, Thomas Hildreth, William H.
Jackson, Courson Miller, Charles S. McCauley, B. A. Nicholson, Asa M. Pres-
ton, William Reed, John Taylor, Joseph Williams.
Died. — Sergeant, John J. Geasy. Privates, Liberty Burns, Joseph Bouch,
Adam W. Haugh, Emanuel Haugh, William C. Miller, Joseph E. H. McGeary,
Dan C. Rockwell, John Shirey, Joseph F. Stine. Died in rebel prisons, Sibley
Bennett, Jonathan Dixon.
Transferred to V. R. C, Captain S. A. Craig, Benjamin Ramsey, Thomas
J. Champion, David Lanker, John Webster. To Eighteenth U. S. I., David R.
Porter, Robert G. Wilson, Samuel Shaffer.
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company C was raised in Clarion county ; only the following men from Jef-
ferson county were in its ranks :
Sergeants, Samuel Lattimer, John H. Pearsall ; corporals, Eli H. Chilson,
Isaac Lyle, James W. Spears, William Hippie; privates, E. P. Cochran, M. G.
De Vallance, Perry C. Fox, John C. Johnston, Ami Sibley, Francis Smith,
James Woods; William Hippie, killed.
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company D was recruited in Jefferson and Clearfield counties. The only
officers from Jefferson county were Lieutenant Charles J. Wilson and Captain
William Kelly. Captain Kelly, who rose from the ranks, being promoted
captain November 26, 1864. He shared all their battles and dangers with the
company, and finally brought them home.
The following list comprises the men from Jefferson county, with those who
were killed in battle, died of wounds and disease, or were transferred to other
organizations :
Captain, William Kelly ; second lieutenant, Charles J. Wilson ; sergeants,
George O. Riggs, William C. McGarvy, Milton Craven, Ebenezer Bullers, John
C. Johnston, Isaac M. Temple ; corporals, John R. Shaffer, Daniel R. Snyder,
James H. Green, Gilbraith Patterson, Darius Vasbinder, D. H. Paulhamus, An-
drew J. McKown, Milton J. Adams, Benj. F. Alexander, Amos A.shkettle ;
privates, Eben O. Bartlett, Philip Black, Daniel Bowers, David Bell, Richard
Bedell, Silas Boose, Asa Bowdish, Byron H. Bryant, John S. Christie, Isaiah
Corbet, James R. Corbet, Samuel Criswell, Andrew Christie, Joel Clark, Eh B.
i6o History of Jefferson County.
Clemson, William Dunn, Charles Graham, William Griffith, Andrew Hender-
son, John Hilliard, Lyman Higby, Nathan B. Hippie, James Kelly, John Knarr,
Henry Keys, John Klinger, Edward Knapp, James Murphy, Malvin Munger,
Arch. F. Mason, James McAtee, Samuel McFadden, William McKelvy, Reid
McF"adden, Samuel McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Irwin McCutcheon, Ben-
jamin Newcom, William Pennington, George Plotner, Josiah V. Reppard,',Wil-
liam Riddle, Charles B. Ross, Joseph Rensell, John Robinson, Solomon B.
Riggs, William M. Riggs, Andrew Sites, George Smith, Gershon Saxton,
William Shaffer, William Smith, Henry Shaffner, Perry Smith, W. H. Saxton,
Isaac Solly, Almon Spencer, James Thompson, Gabriel Vasbinder, William
Wilson, Henry C. Wycoff, George Wilson, Ellis Wilson.
Killed, Samuel Crisswell, William Pennington, George Plottner, William
Riddle, Charles B. Ross, Gershon Saxton, William Shaffer, John Wilson ; died.
Corporal Daniel R. Snyder ; privates, David Bell, Andrew Christie, John Hil-
liard, Henry Shaffner, Joseph Rensell ; died in rebel prison, William Smith.
Transferred to V. R. C, Silas Bouse, Lyman Higby, W. N. Riggs; W. H.
Saxton, to Tenth Regiment, U. S. I.
Company F, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company F was principally recruited in Indiana and Clearfield counties by
the gallant and lamented Captain Robert Kirk, who fell at Chancellorsville.
The only officer from Jefferson county was Lieutenant Henry P. McKillip.
The following list comprises the men from Jefferson county, with deaths,
transfers, etc.:
First lieutenant, Henry P. McKillip ; second lieutenant, Ogg Neel ; ser-
geants, John M. Brewer, Robert Doty, John W. Smith, John Hendricks, Eli-
jah Pantall, Jonathan Brindle, Joshua Pearce ; corporals, John N. Means,
Thomas Neil ; privates, W'illiam H. H. Anthony, James D. Anthonj', John W.
Bryant, John H. Bush, John W. Brooks, Charles Berry, William A. Chambers,
Peter Depp, Henry H. Depp, Philip B. Depp, John P. Dunn, James Dunn,
Samuel Edwards, Henry A. L. Girts, Jonathan Himes, William S. Hendricks,
Isaac Hendricks, James Hopkins, Thomas M. Hauck, Samuel Hannah, Charles
Klepfer, John Kelly, Charles Lyle, Scot: Mitchell, William C. Martin, George
Moore, John Miller, James A. Minish, James McCarthy, Robert McMannes,
Samuel A. McGhee, William T. Neil, Thomas Orr, Jackson Piper, David R.
Porter, Adam Reitz, Irwin Robinson, James W. Shafter, Isaac Smith, David
Simpson, Charles Smouse, Henry. Shaffer, Peter C. Spencer, William H. Wil-
son, David Williard, George W. Young.
Killed, Jacob L. Smith, Robert Doty, John W. Smith, W. H. H. Anthony,
Peter Depp, Joseph Hill, Charles L)le, Charles Smouse, David L. Simpson,
Wm. H. Wilson, David Williard, Thomas Orr ; died, Henry H. Depp, Charles
Klepper, Robert M. Mannes, David R. Porter, George W. Young, William C.
Martin ; died in rebel prison, John Kelly.
The 105TH Regiment. 161
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Elijah Pantal, Jonathan Brindle,
James Aul, William A. Chambers ; to First United States Cavalry, H. A. L.
Girtz. «
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company G was recruited principally from the southwestern townships,
from the sturdy, honest German yeomanry of the county, and on the day of
their departure for the front rendezvoused at Ringgold, where a large crowd
had assembled to see them off, and from which point the farmers took them in
wagons to Kittanning, where they took the cars.
Captain John A. Freas, who first commanded the company resigned De-
cember 24, 1S61, and Lieutenant John M. Steck was promoted captain, and
commanded it until he was obliged, on account of ill health, to resign, April
12, 1863, when Captain Woodward succeeded him until October 8, 1864, when,
his time having expired. Captain Jacob H. Freas took charge of the company
and was mustered out with it.
Captains, John A. Freas, John M. Steck, Jacob H. Freas; first lieuten-
ants, Charles B. Coon, Benjamin M. Stauffer ; second lieutenants, Harvey Mc-
Aninch, E. H. McAninch, Edward P. Shaw ; first sergeant, Peter Slagle ; ser-
geants, Jackson Hettrick, Jacob Swab, Philip H. Freas, George W. Taylor,
George W. Hawthorn, Adam Himes, James W. Walker, Henry Crooks, Andrew
J. Monks, John Startzell ; corporals, David Kellar, Hiram J. Milliron, William
H. Lucas, John M. Fike, Daniel Parsons, William H. Smith, James F. Miller,
William Aikens, George Saucerman, John A. Swartz, David C. Swineford,
William F. Green, Isaac Hughes; privates, George Blystene, Samuel D. Bar-
nett, Robert Baughman, Perry Brink, George Beer, Daniel Blose, Jacob
Campbell, WilHam Cobb, Robert Davidson, Jacob Dibler, John Doverspike,
Emanuel Eisenhart. Adam Fike, Jacob Freedline, George W. Geist, Samuel
Geist, L N. Hinderliter, William E. Hawthorn, William Hartman, Francis F.
Hawthorn, David Harp, Jacob Harp, Joseph K. Hawthorn, John Harwick,
William A. Hadden, Jacob Harshberger, Samuel Henderson, William A.
Haines, David Haugh, Jacob Hilliard, Frank P. Hettrick, William Jenkins,
Michael Kellar, William D. Kane, Elijah Kellar, George W. Kinsel, Henry H.
Kiehl, Henry N. Milliron, WilHam Means, Jacob Neece, James Orr, William
D. Orts, Joseph Plyter, Richard J. Parsons, William Plyter, Robert Patterson,
Anthony Peters, John Richards, Daniel Ritchards, Isaac Reitz, Joseph Reed,
Harvey Rowan, Henry Raybuck, Adam Raybuck, John D. Rhodes, Caleb E.
Stewart, John P. Smith, Daniel Shaffer, Michael Strawcutter, Philip Shrauger,
John Snyder, Conrad Shorfstall, Peter Snepp, Garrett B. Shrauger, William
Slagle, David Snowden, Samuel Smith, John Smith, Nathan P. Sprankle,
Frederick B. Sprankle, Martin V. Shaffer, James L. Shaffer, Andrew J.
Timblin, Daniel Undercoffer, Thomas M. Watson, Alexander Wiley, Watson
Young, Edward W. Young.
i62 History of Jefferson County.
Killed. — Sergeant G. W. Hawthorn. Corporals, Daniel Parsons, William
H. Smith, George W. Geist, Daniel Richards, Isaac Reitz, Joseph Reed, Philip
Shrauger, John Snyder, Conrad Shoafstall.
Died. — Sergeants, Adam Himes, James W. Walker, Henry Crooks. Corpo-
rals, John A. Swartz, William Aiken, George Saucerman, David C. Simpson.
Privates, Jacob Campbell, William Cobb, Samuel Geist, William Hartman,
David Harp, Francis F. Hawthorne, Jacob Harp, Joseph K. Hawthorne, Will-
iam Jenkins, Richard J. Parsons, Thomas M. Watson, Watson Young. Died in
rebel prisons. — James F. Millen, Michael Keller, James Orr.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. — Lieutenant A. J. Monks ; John
Doverspike, Jacob Friedline, David Haugh, Jacob Hilliard, John D. Rhodes,
James L. Shaffer.
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, P. V.
Company H was recruited principally in the townships of Winslow, Wash-
ington, and Snyder. Captain Tracy, of Rockdale Mills, who had assisted
largely in recruiting the company soon resigning, the command devolved upon
Captain John C. Conser, who bravely commanded them until he fell at Bo}d-
ton, when he was succeeded by Captain Tilton C. Reynolds, who shared their
fortunes until the final muster out :
Captains, Artemas H. Tracy, John C. Conser, Tilton C. Reynolds ; first
lieutenants, Ti omas K. Hastings, George Van Vliet, Samuel Jones ; second
lieutenants, George W. Crosley, Josiah E. Miller; first sergeant, Mathias Ban-
kert ; sergeants, George Sharp, Adam Miller, George D. Mosier, E. L. Evans,
Benjamin L. Johnson, Mathew Miller, Joseph F. Green, James Millen. Forbes
Kilgore, Irvin R. Long ; corporals, James Penfield, Samuel G. Moorhead,
Henry Grant, James Truhy, John K. Moore, Philip N. Tapper, Samuel Pres-
ton, E. S. Holloway, John Neil, John St. Clair ; privates, Jesse N. Atwell, Jas.
Bailly, Lewis Boyington, Hamilton F. Burris, Stephen S. Briggs, John Bu-
chanon, George Britton, William Blystone, Jesse Cole, Peter Cox, Joseph L.
Conn, Charles H. Clinton, George A. Clark, Daniel G. Carl, Hugh Conn, Jacob
Dickey, Ebenezer Dailey, Samuel C. Dewoody, John Denberger, John Foust,
Jacob Foust, Robert Feverly, Robert Fleming, William H. Farren, William
Foust, Casper Gillnet, Harvey Groves, William Green, John L. Groves, George
W. Harding, Thomas Hutchinson, William J. Heckman, Benjamin F. Hay-
maker, James Harbenger, George Howlett, George P. Hartzell, William. J.,
Henderson, Andrew Hoak, Moses Ishman, Archie Jones, George W. Keck,
Sampson Kirker, William Kerp, Thomas Kessner, John Kerker, Edward Lewis,
James R. London, George W. Luke, Henry L. Lindsey, George Montgomery,
David B. Moore, W. S. Mattock, Henry C. Moore, James Mulkins, James
Moore, William Menser, Nelson Munger, Joseph F. Millen, Michael Miller,
Robert Morrison, William Mulkins, James McCutcheon, James McGeary, John
The 105TH Regiment. 163
McDonald, R. Mc Adams, sr., David McKibbin, John McKean, William Mc-
Kean, James McGhee, W. H. McLaughlin, William McClelland, Noble Mc-
Clure, John Nelson, John Osborne, George G. Rickard, Washington Rhoades,
Albert Reynolds, Robert Rager, Gilbert P. Rea, Thomas W. Rea, Joseph Rutter,
James H. Reed, John W. Rea, George Shick, William C. Smith, Daniel Sharp,
John Soliday, Oliver Smith, Ami Sibley, H. H. Sparks, Robert Spur, Andrew
S. Smith, Henry Stevenson, Hiram P. Sprague, Peter Sharp, William Smith,
Joseph Tedlie, Anthony Tory, John Thomas, William S. Whiteman, George
Winklebauch, George Walch, George W. Warnock, William Waich, Peter
B. Wensell, Adam Wensell, Dexter F. Wilson, George Yount, Edward W.
Young.
Killed. — Captain John C. Conser ; lieutenant, George W. Crosley ; ser-
geant, James Millen ; corporal, John Neil ; privates, George A. Clark, Daniel
G. Carl, William Foust, John L. Groves, George Howlett, Robert Morrison,
John Nelson, Joseph Rutter, Hiram P. Sprague, Peter Sharp, George Yount.
Died. — Sergeants, Forbes Kilgore, Irvin R. Long ; privates, William Bli-
stone, Hugh Conn, William J. Henderson, Archie Jones, John Kerker, William
Mulkins, William McClelland, James H. Reed, John W. Rea, Joseph Tedley,
George Winklebauch, Edward W. Young ; died in rebel prisons, sergeants
Joseph F. Green, Michael Miller.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. — Thomas W. Rea, Dexter F. Wil-
son, E. S. Holloway, John Grossman, R. C. McAdams.
Company I, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company I was composed principally of men from Brookville, and the ad-
jacent townships, and was mainly recruited by Captain Silas J. Martin, who,
on account of sickness in his family, was obliged to resign March 10, 1862.
Upon his resignation Captain James Hamilton was selected from the Thirty-
eighth Pennsylvania (Ninth Reserves), to command the company, and when he
gloriously fell at the Wilderness, the command devolved upon Captain Oliver
C. Redic, of Clarion county, and upon his promotion to lieutenant-colonel
Captain Henry Galbraith succeeded him, and remained with the company,
sharing all its battles and dangers, until its final muster out. The muster rolls
below give all the men from Jefferson county with a list of those killed, died of
wounds, or disease, and those transferred to other organizations :
Captains, Silas J. Martin, Henry Galbraith ; first lieutenant, Isaac N.
Tuller; second lieutenants, Hugh Brady, Robert I. Boyington, John H. Ken-
nedy ; first sergeants, John Magiffin, George VanViiet ; sergeants, John Doug-
lass, James L. Paul, Benjamin PoUyard, James C. Ouinter, Isaiah E. Davis,
Joseph Kinnear, Mathias Manner, James Nicholson ; corporals, Henry Shaffer,
Daniel A. Friedline, Frederick Trapp, David Criswell, Andrew Edinger, James
C. Gilson, Henry Rhoads, James Moorhead, Stephen Sartwell, Henry K. Mitch-
1 64 History of Jefferson County.
ell, William Toye, John W. Manners ; privates, Isaac Allen, Ethan Allen,
William Armstrong, Daniel A. Brown, Edwin Black, Jesse Bump, John Blos-
ser, George Boyer, James R. Bennett, John Burgess, William Burford, Emery
E. Brown, Andrew Campbell, Mathew L. Cochran, William Campbell, William
A. Crawford, Simeon Chapman, William Christie, Nathaniel Carbaugh, Will-
iam Cowan, William Chapman, William Courtney, George W. Christie, H. A.
Davis, Aaron Douglass, Samuel C. Davis, James Doyle, Jacob Edwards, Peter
Fye, Oliver Graham, William H. Gray, George Graham, James F. Hawthorn,
George Howard, Abram F. Hunter, Samuel S. Howser, Samuel Hogue, William
E. Hawthorn, David Hawthorn, John Hillman, Joel Horn, George C. Hopkins,
James R. Hoover, George W. Hettrick, Henry J. Hawthorn, Samuel A. Hun-
ter, Harrison Hogue, Silas Irwin, Harry Ickes, John R. Johnson, Thomas Jolly,
Henry Kennedy, Levi Knight, John Koch, Benjamin F. Lerch, John C. Moor-
head, Robert C. Millen, David R. Matson, R. S. Montgomery, William Miller,
Jacob J. Mauk, William A. Millen, John A. Mikle, Jacob Moore, William H.
Manners, Edward I. Miller, Eli C. McLaughlin, William McDonald, Alexander
McDonald, William O'Donnel, James O'Neal, John Royer, Chapman Rose,
Eli Roll, Joseph Ronke, John S. Smith, James Stroup, Jacob Snowden, Riley
Siverly, Fred L. Svventzell, Enos Shirts, Henry Smith, John O. Spencer,
Samuel Stroup, Henry Shirley, Joseph Stumph, James W. Shields, John J.
Sherman, Hugh M. Steel, James K. Shaffer, George J. Shultz, George Thomas,
Mathias Thompson, Henry Toye, Samuel Tingley, William Vandevort, James
Warey, Thomas Woodward, Henry Yount, Isaac Yount.
Killed. — Sergeants, Isaiah E. Davis, Joseph Kinnear, Mathias Manner; cor-
porals, James Moorhead, Stephen Sartwell, James R. Bennett. John Burgiss,
William Chapman, William Courtney, James R. Hoover, George W. Hettrick,
H. J. Hawthorne, Samuel A. Hunter, Silas Irvin, John R, Johnson, D. R. Mat-
son, R. S. Montgomery, Philip Ritchie, Enos Shirts, Mathew Thompson, Isaac
Yount.
Died. — Sergeant, James Nicholson ; corporals, H. K. Mitchell, William
Toye, John W. Manners ; William Burford, George W. Christie, Samuel Hogue,
Harrison Hogue, Levi Knight John Koch, Benjamin F. Lerch, William Miller,
Jacob Mauk, William A. Millen, William McDonald. James O'Neil, Henry
Smith, John O. Spencer, Samuel Stroup, Thomas Woodward.
Transferred to V. R. C. — Sergeants, James C. Quinter, John Hillman, Joel
Horn, George J. Shultz, James R. Shaffer; transferred to U. S. Army, George
C. Hopkins.
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth P. V.
Company K was recruited in Indiana county, but Jefferson county fur-
nished some of its most gallant officers. Captain A. C. Thompson, who was
disabled at second battle of Bull Run, and Captain James Miller, who after-
The 105TH Regiment. 165
wards rose to be colonel of the regiment. The only Jefferson county men in
this company were :
Captains, Albert C. Thompson, James Miller; first lieutenant, John G. Wil-
son ; first sergeants, John Gold, Thomas K. Hastings ; sergeants, Robert T.
Pattison, John T. Swisher, James H. May ; corporal, James M. Torrence ;
privates, George M. Bouch, John Baker, Samuel Benner, Hugh C. Craven, Z. T.
Chambers, Alpheus B. Clark, James D. Frampton, Samuel McAdoo, Samuel
Rhoads, John Stiver, Jesse J. Templeton, Henry Wyning.
Killed. — Sergeants, Robert T. Pattison, John T. Swisher.
Died. — Hugh C. Craven, James D. Frampton, Jesse J. Templeton.
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Association.
On the 7th of October, 1879, the veterans of the One Hundred and Fifth
Regiment held their first reunion since the war, at Brookville. About two
hundred and fifty were present, every company being represented.
A regimental association was effected, with the following officers: President,
Lieutenant Colonel Levi B. Duff; vice-president. Captain John Hastings; sec-
retary. Captain S. A. Craig ; corresponding secretary. Miss Kate M. Scott; treas-
urer, M. V. Shaffer; executive committee. Major M. M. Dick, Lieutenant Col-
onel Oliver C. Redic, Captain Joseph C. Kelso, Lieutenant Thomas K. Hastings,
Captain A. H. Tracy, James G. Mitchell, D. W. Goheen.
The intention of the society was to hold a reunion each year; and the two
following years the regiment met respectively at Punxsutawney and Reynolds-
ville, and October 2, 1882, held a joint reunion with the Sixty- third Pennsyl-
vania at Pittsburgh, since which time there has been no reunion. The organ-
ization is still in force, however, the officers elected at the last meeting of the
association holding over, Major M. M. Dick, of West Newton, Pa., president, and
John McGaughey, of Lidiana, Pa., secretary.
In April, 1886, a meeting was held at Brookville, of the members of the
regiment, to take action in regard to the erection of a monumental tablet on
the battlefield at Gettysburg, and a permanent organization was effected, to
be known as the Monumental Association of the One Hundred and Fifth Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, and the following officers elected : President, O. C. Red-
ick ; vice-president, S. A. Craig; secretary, J. C. Kelso ; corresponding secre-
tary. Miss Kate M. Scott ; treasurer, W. H. Gray. The following committee
on finance, to procure the necessary funds for the erection of a monument was
appointed: D.W. Goheen, W. W. Corbett, S. J. Marhn, John McGaughey, W.
H. Hewitt, Joseph Craig, T. K. Hastings, John M. Brewer, Joseph H. Gray, J.
M. Shoaf, James E. Mitchell, William Neal, W. D. Kane, Jesse Atwell, Albert
Reynolds, Ebenezer Bartlett, Harvey Craig, David C. Kyphert, WilHam Keys,
Milton Craven, Peter Slagle, J. H. Rowan, John Hastings, O. C. Redick. The
president announced the following executive committee : L. B. Duff, O. C.
18
i66 History of Jefferson County.
Redick, George VanVliet, S. A. Craig, W. H. Gray, T. K. Hastings, and J. H.
Kennedy. Of the latter committee, Messrs. Duff, Redic, and VanVliet subse-
quently visited the battlefield, and in conjunction with the Battlefield Associa-
tion located and marked the spot on which the monument is to be placed. It
is in the field to the right of the Emmettsburg road, where the regiment did
its hardest fighting.
On the occasion of the reunion of the Third Corps at Gettysburg, July 2,
1886, an informal meeting was held of the members of the One Hundred and
Fifth present, who concurred in the work of the association, and subscribed lib-
erally to the monumental fund. The monument, which will be in every respect
worthy of the regiment which it will represent, and a fitting memorial to the
brave men who fell from its ranks on that and other hard fought fields, will be
placed in position in the near future.
CHAPTER XV.
MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Company I. Sixty-seventh Regiment — Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment
— Companies E and I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment — Death of Lieutenant Maguire
— Company B, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment — Death of Lieutenant Colonel McLain —
Company C, Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment — Muster Rolls.
Company F, Sixty-seventh Regiment P. V.
IN November, 1861, S. C. Arthurs, who had served as first sergeant in Com-
pany K, Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, commenced to recruit a company
for three years. His company was styled the "United Eagles," and was raised
in Jefferson and Clarion counties. The company went into camp near Rim-
ersburg, Clarion county, where an organization was effected, with S. C. Arthurs,
captain, the other commissioned officers being from Clarion county. In 1862 the
company joined the regiment of Colonel John F. Staunton, at Philadelphia, and
was mustered into the service as Company F, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers.
On the 3d of April, 1862, the Sixty-seventh was ordered to Baltimore, and
from there to Annapolis, Md., where it relieved the Eleventh Regiment, P. V.
It was here employed in guard and provost duty in the city and in other parts
of Eastern Maryland, and in furnishing guards for Camp Parole, near the city.
The latter duty was so well performed that the citizens experienced no trouble
from the presence of the large body of paroled prisoners constantly at this
camp. During all this time the disciphne was verj' strict, and the regiment
was thoroughly drilled, until it was equal to any in the service.
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 167
In February, 1863 the Sixty seventli was relieved, and ordered to Harper's
Ferry, where it did guard and garrison dut_\' for a short time, when it was at-
tached to the Third Brigade of General Milroy's command. The headquarters
of the department was at Winchester, and their work was to hold the rebels in
check, and prevent the eastern portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
from falling into their hands. The Third Brigade, in command of Colonel
McReynolds, of the First N. Y. Cavalry, was posted at Berryville, ten miles
from Winchester, and as General Milroy " was expressly ordered to undertake
no ofTensive operations in force," little of importance occurred to the command,
whose occupation was to watch the movements of the cavalry of Jones, Ira-
boden, and Moseby, the only forces of the enemy known to be in their front.
On the evening of June 12th Colonel Staunton, who had been to Winchester,
returned with the news that the enemy was advancing in force down the valley,
and only a few miles distant. General Milroy ordered the brigade to be in
readiness to reinforce him at Winchester, but as the rear guard of the com-
mand left Berryville to obey the signal to join General Milroy, the enemy ap-
peared in sight, and to avoid encountering him in force on the Berryville and
and Winchester pike, the command was obliged to make a detour by Summit
Point and Bunker Hill. Just after passing the latter place, the rear of the col-
umn was struck by Jenkins's rebel cavalry, but the enemy was repulsed with
considerable loss. After a fatiguing march of over thirty miles, in the midst
of a drenching rain, the command reached Winchester about 10 P. M., and the
tired troops had scarcely laid down to rest, when they were again in motion,
and were shifted from one position to another ; the Sixty-seventh being on Sun-
day morning ordered into the rifle-pits, at the Star Fort, about a mile and a half
northwest of Winchester. At noon of the same day it was ordered to relieve
the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, which had been engaged in a skirmish with
the enemy on the outskirts of the town. It advanced promptly and took posi-
tion under a severe fire and held the town until dark, when it was ordered to
retire to Star Fort.
General Milroy, fearing that his small command would be cut off by the
enemy, determined to evacuate Winchester, and cut his way through the ene-
my's lines. He succeeded in getting about four miles from Winchester, when
he suddenly encountered a large body of the enemy, who at once opened a
heavy fire upon him. At the opening of the engagement the Sixty-seventh,
and the Sixth Maryland, instead of forming on the left in support of the troops
fighting in the front, were deployed to the right. They remained under par-
tial cover for some time, until it became apparent that the attempt to turn the
enemy's right had failed ; they then attempted to cut their way through upon
the enemy's left, but had only advanced a short distance when they found
themselves in the midst of the main body of the enemy. A severe engagement
ensued, in which the little force fought bravely, but were soon overpowered ;
1 68 History of Jefferson County.
the Sixty-seventh, which was in advance, finding itself surrounded on every
hand was compelled to surrender. The men who had had no rest from the morn-
ing of the 13th, were completely exhausted by marching and fighting. Many
of the officers and men determining not to be taken if possible, scattered and
escaped into the woods, and reached the Union lines ; but the greater part of
Company I with Captain Arthurs were captured ; Major Harry White, who had
dismounted, and fought with the regiment on foot was taken prisoner. The
officers and men were at once transferred to Richmond, and the former were
kept in confinement for more than a year in Libby. The men were confined
at Belle Isle near Richmond, where they suffered all the privations of prison
life for two months, when they were paroled and returned to Annapolis.
Major White, who was a member of the Pennsylvania Senate, and whose
vote was necessary to a majority of either party in that body, was subjected to
a separate and more rigorous confinement on that account, the enemy being
well aware that the Senate could enact no business until his release, or until
his resignation was secured. The fragment of the regiment which escaped
capture was reorganized at Harper's Ferry, and with the rest of Milroy's com-
mand was transferred to the Third Division of the Third Corps. On the 30th
of June it was sent with ordinance stores, etc., from the works at Maryland
Heights, which were shipped to Washington. The Sixty-seventh as part of
this guard reached Washington on the 4th of May, and a few days later was
ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, at Frederick. During the fall and
winter of 1863 it shared the fortunes of the Third Corps. The exchanged pris-
oners rejoined the regiment on the iith of October. When active operations
were abandoned the regiment went into winter quarters at Brandy Station,
where a large portion of the regiment re-enlisted, and all who were entitled to
a veteran furlough returned home. At the end of their thirty days' leave they
returned to Washington, and the regiment was ordered to report to' General
Abercrombie at Belle Plain, where it remained employed in various duties for
some time.
On the 13th of June the Si.xty-seventh had a skirmish with the enemy near
White House. On the following morning Sheridan arrived with his command
and the enemy was compelled to retire. The Sixty-seventh then acted as escort
for the wagon- train of General Sheridan, which was taken through in safety to
tlie James River, the only occurrence being a slight skirmish with the enemy's
cavalry near Charles City Cross Roads. Upon his arrival Colonel Staunton was
ordered to join his brigade in front of Petersburg, where the enlisted men who
had been transferred to the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth, upon the departure
of the veterans on furlough, were returned to their places in the ranks of the
Sixty-seventh.
On the 6th of July the division embarked at City Point for Baltimore, and
from there started out in quest of Early, who with a large force was raiding in
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 169
Maryland. During these operations, and in the campaign that ensued under
General Wright, the regiment took part, being kept almost constantly on the
move.
At this time the Army of the Shenandoah, under General Sheridan, was
lying at Clifton, about three miles from Berryville, and at a little before day-
light on the morning of the 19th of September, General Sheridan began the
battle. The Sixth Corps moved first, the Third Division on the right, with
the Sixty-seventh at the extreme right of the division. The battle raged along
the entire line until almost evening, when General Sheridan rode along the
lines and informed the troops that Averell was in the enemy's rear, the Eighth
Corps on his flank, and that if they would press on he could route Early com-
pletely. Soon the order was given, and the whole line charged up the valley.
The Third Division, principally composed of Milroy's old command, was the
first to reach the heights of Winchester, Lieutenant Asaph M. Clark, of Com-
pany F, being the first to reach the enemy's works and plant the colors upon
them. The regiment went into the fight with only two commissioned
officers — two lieutenants, and lost heavily.
The Sixty-seventh took part in the pursuit of Early and in all the subse-
quent brilliant career of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. In the fight of
the 19th of October, which, but for the opportune arrival of Sheridan, would
have ended so disastrously to our arms, the Sixty-seventh was hotly engaged,
losing forty-eight in killed and wounded.
It remained in the valley until near the close of the year, when, with
the corps, it was ordered to the front at Petersburg, and participated in the
closing campaign. After the surrender of Lee it was sent to Danville, near the
North Carolina border, where Johnston still had a large rebel force, but on his
surrender returned to Washington, where it was mustered out of service July
14, 1865.1
Captain Arthurs, who was taken prisoner June 13, 1863, at the battle of
Winchester, was held by the rebels until March 11, 1865. He suffered all the
privations and indignities that were so lavishly bestowed upon the Union pris-
oners, besides being deprived of fighting with his gallant command on the field.
Mrs. Arthurs, who was with the captain in camp at Berrj'ville, when the rebels
swooped down upon them, narrowly escaped being captured. She returned to
Baltimore, where she remained, working earnestly for Captain Arthurs's release,
until he rejoined her and returned to Brookville with her March 29, 1865.
While in Baltimore Mrs. Arthurs did good work among the sick and wounded
soldiers in the hospitals there.
Lieutenant Asaph M. Clark, who escaped capture, gallantly commanded the
company in most of its further campaigns, until he was promoted to first lieu-
1 We have taken the principal part of the operations of the Sixty-seventh from "Bates's History
Pennsylvania Volunteers," volume 2.
\yo History of Jefferson County.
tenant of Company K, February 5, 1865, and afterwards to captain of that
company.
The following Jefferson county men in Company F, were killed, or died of
disease : B. Rush Scott, killed at Winchester ; Benewell Fisher, R. D. McCut-
cheon, Daniel Dunkleburg died ; the latter dying while at his home on fur-
lough. John W. Greenawalt, James W. Kerr, and Daniel McAdoo transferred
to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Jefferson County Men in Comp.a.ny F, 67TH P. V.
Captain, Samuel C. Arthurs; first sergeants, Jacob B. .McCracken, Asaph
M. Clark ; sergeants, Thomas J. Proctor, Elias VV. Haines ; corporals, Fred Hil-
liard, Thompson McAninch, Alexander F. Flick, David, Clepper, John Dough-
erty, Samuel Irwin; privates, James R. Adams, Edward Burns, Layfayette
Burge, Thomas Brown, John Baxter, David Barry, Noah Burkepile, John H.
Cox, John Dick}-, Daniel Dunkleburg, George Friedline, Jesse Flick, George
Fisher, Henry Fisher, Benewell Fisher, Peter Grove, jr., James R. Galley, John
W. Greenawalt, Henry Geesey, Aaron Hendricks, George M. Hilliard, Michael
Harriger, Silas E. Hall, John M. Hadden, George W. Keys, John B. Lucas,
John Messner, Henry B. Milliron, Daniel McAdoo, R. D. McCutcheon, Quin-
ton O'Kain, Samuel D. Patterson, John Shadle, Henry Snyder, Henry C. Sny-
der, Benjamin R. Scott, David Taylor, Henry Truman, John Voinchet, Daniel
Williams, John Warner, Robert D. Williams, Edward W. Young, Samuel
Yeomans.
Company B, ijsth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
This company was recruited, under the call of the president, issued July i,
1862, for troops to serve for nine months. It was raised largely through the
efforts of Richard J. Espy, A. B. and Charles McLain, and left Brookville
August 7th and proceeded to Camp Curtin, at Harrisburg, where it was mus-
tered into the One Hundred and Thirty- fifth Pennsylvania Regiment. On the
organization of the regiment, with J. R. Porter, of Indiana, as colonel, A. B.
McLain was made adjutant, and the election for company officers resulted in
Richard J. Espy being chosen captain ; Charles McLain, first lieutenant, and
Andrew J. Sparks, second lieutenant. On the same day that the regiment was
organized, August 19, 1862, it left for Washington, and on reporting to Gen-
eral Wadsworth, in command of that department, was assigned to provost guard
duty, being detailed in detachments in Washington and Georgetown. The
field officers being assigned to special duty, such as president of general court
martial, commandant of Capitol Hill and of the Soldiers' Home, and in taking
charge of the prisoners on their way for exchange between Washington and
Aiken's Landing. The regiment remained at Washington until February 16,
1863, though Colonel Porter made repeated application to have his regiment
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 171
sent to the front, but without avail, until General Wadsworth joined the Army
of the Potomac, when the scattered detachments were united, and the regiment
proceeded to Belle Plain, where it was assigned to the First Brigade, Third
Division, First Corps, Colonel Porter being for a time in command of the
brigade. The regiment was engaged on picket and guard duty until the
Chancellorsville campaign commenced, when it was moved, on the 28th of
April, to Pollock Mills, on the Rappahannock River, near Fredericksburg.
Shortly after dark Colonel Porter was ordered to move his regiment close to
the bank of the river to support the batteries. On the following morning the
enemy opened upon the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth, the fire being promptly
and effectively returned ; the regiment having three wounded, one of whom,
E. H. Baum, was of Company B.
On the 2d of May the First Corps was ordered to Chancellorsville, where
Hooker was engaged with the enemy, but the One Hundred and Thirty fifth
was left in support of the batteries. As soon as relieved it hastened to rejoin
its brigade at the front, and was there thrown out to cover the front of the
brigade, losing in the movement several prisoners. After this campaign closed
the regiment returned to Belle Plain, where it remained until its term of ser-
vice expired.
General Doubleday, commanding the Third Division of the First Corps, said
of this regiment : " Colonel Porter has rendered very good service with his
regiment in guarding the batteries along the Rappahannock engaged in cover-
ing the crossing of our troops below Fredericksburg. His men defended the guns
against the enemy's sharpshooters, and did good execution The
One Hundred and Thirty-fifth also covered the front of the First Brigade of my
Division at the battle of Chancellorsville, and though not actively engaged, done
all that was required of it."
Their term of enlistment having expired, the regiment returned to Harris-
burg, where, on the 24th of May, 1863, it was mustered out of service. Dur-
ing its nine months' service it lost eight men. From disease, Benjamin F. Bon-
ham, George Diveler, James Flanders ; Robert Gilmore, William F. Huffman,
Daniel Reed, George W. Weckerly, William Whaling. Lee Forsythe died
of injuries received in railroad accident near Washington. Miles Flack lost
both legs in same accident.
Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-Fifth P. V.
Captain, Richard J. Espy ; first lieutenant, Charles McLain ; second lieuten-
ant, Andrew J. Sparks ; first sergeant, John A. McLain ; sergeants, George W.
Porter, E. H. Baum, Samuel M. Moore, George W. Sibley ; corporals, Thomas
S. McCreight, Thomas M. Myers, Samuel L. Allen, Hiram W. Clark, Alanson
R. Felt, Robert W. Anderson, Daniel B. Porter, John A. Rishel ; musician,
William S. Lucas ; privates, Robert Andrews, John W. Alford, Leonard Agnew,
172 History of Jefferson County.
John Alcorn, Calvin Burns, Joseph Beer, Liberty Beer, Isaac H. Buzzard, An-
son H. Bowdish, James Bennett, Jacob Booth, John Bonham, David Buchan-
an, Benjamin F. Bonham, George W. Corbin, John A. Cuzzens, G. W. Cham-
berlain, Sylvester Davis, Alonzo Dixon, George Diveler, Miles Flack, Lee
Forsythe, James Flanders, Franklin Goodar, Samuel Gibbs, Ray Giles, Robert
Gilmore, Elias J. Hettrick, Frederick Harvey, Nathaniel Harriger, William
V. Heim, John Hettrick, James Hildreth, Nathan Hoig, George Haight, Wes-
ley Haight, William Harris, Chauncey P. Harding, William F. Hoffman, Elias
W. Jones, Cyrenus N. Jackson, Henry Keihl, Jacob S. Keihl, Othoniel Kelly,
John L. Lucas, Louis Litzel, Julius Morey, James A. Myers, Abel L. Mathews,
James E. Mitchell, G. S. Montgomery, Robert Miller, C. W. Morehead, James E.
McCracken, F. B. McNaughton, William G. McMinn, Jonathan R. McFadden,
Frank M. Robinson, Thomas V. Robinson, William A. Royer, Daniel Reed,
Louis Riley, James T. Smith, Peter Spangler, Jeremiah B. Smith, Solomon
Stahlman, David Stahlman, David Uplinger, Silas Whelpley, Joseph Woods,
Orlando Wayland, George R. White, George S. Wallace, George W. Weckerly,
William Whaling.
Company E, and I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment P. V.
The One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment was principally recruited in
Centre county, and when ready to take the field, desiring that a Centre county
soldier should command them, their choice fell upon James A. Beaver, of Belle-
fonte, Pa., who was then at the front with his regiment, the Forty-fifth Penn-
sylvania, of which he was lieutenant-colonel. Governor Curtin adding his
petition to that of the officers of the new regiment, that he should become its
commander, Colonel Beaver resigned from the Forty-fifth, and assumed com-
mand of the new regiment, which was designated as the One Hundred and
Forty-eighth. The regiment was organized September 8, 1862, at Camp Curtin,
with seven companies from Centre county, one from Clarion, two from Jefferson
and Indiana. All of Company I and about half the men in Company E, were
from Jefferson. The day following its organization the regiment was sent to
guard the Northern Central Railroad, with headquarters at Cockeysville, Md.
Here it was put under the most rigid and uniform rules of discipline, so that in
less than three months after entering the service, some veteran officers who had
just been released from rebel prisons, and were passing the well arranged and
orderly camp, noticing the trim appearance of the pickets, and the guards at
the colonel's headquarters, wearing clean white gloves, burnished brasses and
blackened shoes, called out to the men, "Are you regulars?" Colonel
Beaver took great pride in the rapid progress of his regiment, and said of them
at this time, " The men of this regiment are willing and of more than ordi-
nary intelligence. I am satisfied that it can be made all that a regiment ought
to be, if the officers are faithful." This prediction the subsequent history of
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 173
the regiment proved. The discipline enforced embraced every phase of a sol-
dier's obligation. Though there was no immediate necessity apparent, the men
were instructed in the duties of the outpost as well as the camp. Careful picket
lines were maintained and tested by the young colonel at all hours of the day
and night. The most rigid rules of soldierly conduct were kindly but firmly
enforced.
One of the best drilled companies in the regiment was Company I, and to
Captain Marlin of that Company was the One Hundred and Forty-eighth
in a great measure indebted for its efficiency in drill and discipline, for in him
Colonel Beaver found an officer thoroughly posted in every detail of soldierly
qualifications. Going as he did from the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsj'lva-
nia, he carried with him the lessons learned in military tactics, in that rigid
school of drill and discipline that Colonel McKnight established at Camp Jame-
son, during the winter of 1861—62, and which made the officers of that regi-
ment excel in this respect. Colonel Marlin gives this severe and thorough
training that he then received the credit for his success as an officer. He lent
himself ardently to aid the colonel of the regiment in his efforts to make the
One Hundred and Forty-eighth a regiment that would have done credit to
the " Old Guards."
A good story is told of the obstacles which Colonel Beaver sometimes
encountered in liis desire to make a " crack " regiment out of the material
gathered from the mountains of Pennsylvania. Standing one day near his
headquarters, a sturdy German of the Clarion county company came shambling
along toward him, with anything but a soldierly gait, and without a soldier's
bearing. Approaching the Colonel, without saluting, he said :
" Say, vere's de old docther ? "
" I don't know. But who are you ? " asked the Colonel.
" Vy, I been Switzer."
" Are you a soldier ?" sternly demanded the Colonel, appreciating the com-
edy nature of the performance, but also realizing the necessity of giving the
man a practical lesson in a soldier's education.
" Oh, yah ; I belong to the Hundred and Fordy-eidth."
" Ah, is that so," replied the Colonel. " You don't appear like a soldier of
that regiment. But if }'ou are, let me show you how a member of that regi-
ment addresses an officer. You stand here and be colonel for a moment,
while I take your place as a private." The German citizen soldier eyed the
colonel curiously as he walked away a few paces, wheeled about and ap-
aproached him with a brisk, soldierly step, and military carriage. The substi-
tuted private addressed the suddenly commissioned officer and said :
" Colonel, can you tell me, sir, where I will find the surgeon of the regi-
ment ?"
" Mein Gott in Himmel, I doan no ! I'm been lookin' for him meinself for
an hour." -"-^
174 History of Jefferson County.
The colonel's dignity succumbed to the German's reply, and he walked into
his quarters to conceal a hearty laugh.
On the 7th of December the regiment was ordered to join the army of the
Potomac, and assigned to the First Brigade, First Division of the Second
Corps. The brigade was commanded by General Caldwell, while General Han-
cock was in command of the division. It went into camp near Falmouth, and
again built winter quarters. The regiment was here employed on picket duty
and active drill, and kept up its reputation for soldierly bearing and neatness,
being several times during the winter complimented by General Hancock for
its fine appearance on review.
General Walker in his history of the Second Corps, says of the first ap-
pearance of this regiment at the front :
"Three days after the First Division returned to camp (after the battle of
Fredericksburgh) it as the most depleted division, received a reinforcement in
the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, Colonel James A. Beaver,
a regiment which was thereafter, through all the subsequent struggle to the
glorious end, to be associated with the Second Corps, and never to be named
without honor. The degree of discipline to which this new regiment of Penn-
sylvania troops had already, in four months of service, been brought by its
accomplished commander, rendered it a conspicuous figure, whether among
the camps of the division, on review, or in the field."
At Chancellorsville Companies E and I of the One Hundred and Forty-
eighth were part of the celebrated skirmish line of Colonel Miles. Says Gen-
eral Walker: " Again and again did he (the enemy) advanc einto the slashing,
and attempt to make his way over Miles's resolute force ; but in vain. Occu-
pying a position of advantage, the Fifty-seventh, the Sixty-fourth and the
Sixty-sixth New York, Second Delaware, and One Hundred and Forty-eighth
Pennsylvania, every time beat off" these attacks, and drove the assailants back
to cover. The importance of this stiff holding of our line on the left could not
at this crisis be over-estimated. Had McLaws been able to produce any im-
pression, however slight, along the turnpike, he would have fearfully compli-
cated the problem for the Union army. Called suddenly to face the irruption
of Jackson's three divisions, through its broken right, driving Howard's beaten
troops before him as the stones and beams of a ruined dam, separated trees,
and the wreckage of a hundred houses |are driven before the mountainous flood
of waters. Fortunately while the good Third Corps with which was William
Hays's brigade of French's division of the Second Corps, Pleasanton's small
but gallant cavalry force, and the guns of numerous batteries, were, with rare
discipline and heroism, resisting this fearful onslaught, no cause for alarm existed
on the left ; even the line of battle was never for one moment allowed to be-
come engaged ; but Miles holding the enemy off at arm's length, continued in
his rifle-pits till night fell." Swinton in his " Potomac Campaigns " says of
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 175
this brilliant exploit, " Amid much that is dastardly at Chancellorsville, the
conduct of this young, but gallant and skillful officer, shines forth with a brill-
iant lustre." So delighted was Hancock at this splendid behavior of his skir-
mish line, that after one repulse of the enemy, he exclaimed to one of his aids,
" Captain Parker ride down and tell Colonel Miles he is worth his weight in
gold ! "
" On Sunday morning when the One Hundred and Forty-eighth (four
companies C, D, G, and H, while companies E and I were on the skirmish line
of General Miles) was moving from the abatis where it had lain all night,
General Hooker met it; 'What regiment is this?' he shouted. 'The One
Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania,' said Colonel Beaver coming for-
ward. With Meagher's Irish Brigade, which had been away on detached
service, General Hancock had put Colonel Beaver's and the rest of Caldwell's
Brigade under General Hooker's direct orders. A question more as to the
brigade, and General Hooker turned to direct the regiment on its way. It
was one of those rare moments when the commander of a great army picks up
a single regiment and guides its movements. Filing out along the road leav-
ing behind the advance line of the enemy, facing towards the new danger, the
rebel shot from front and rear flying over their heads, the regiment followed
Hooker's white horse. . . . Ten minutes of double quick and the regi-
ment poured into a sloping, open field, which lost itself in a wood that
crowned an elevation, from behind which were coming the puffs of rifle-shot
and rings of artillery firing. 'There is your work. Colonel, occupy that wood,'
said Hooker, pointing up the slope lying clean out of the Union lines, with the
roads that led to a needed ford winding about it. ' Hadn't I better throw out
a skirmish line, General ? ' said Colonel Beaver as he looked at the distant
point upon which he was ordered to fling his regiment. 'Wait for nothing,'
said General Hooker, as he turned to seek another part of the field, ' every-
thing depends on holding those woods.' " ^
Reaching the point indicated, Colonel Beaver found the woods swarming
with rebels, with whom an engagement began at close range. Here, in the
hottest of the fight, Colonel Beaver was severely, and it was at first thought,
mortally wounded in the abdomen. After the fall of their colonel the regi-
ment remained all day in the woods, swaying back and forth in the fierce fight,
but holding the ground on which the safety of the retreating army lay until
late in the day, when it was withdrawn after a heavy loss.
General Caldwell in his official report of this engagement says :
" Colonel Beaver of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers deserves the highest praise for the discipline and efficiency which he
has secured in his regiment. . . . He was unfortunately wounded severely
at the first fire, and was borne from the field, before he conld see the heroism
of his men."
1 Burr's "Life of Beaver."
176 History of Jefferson Couxty.
After this battle the regiment returned to camp, where it remained until
the opening of the Gettysburg campaign, when it moved north with the rest
of the army, and on the morning of the 2d of July the Second Corps which had
been halted during the night by General Hancock, about three miles out, on
the Taneytown road, reached Gettysburg, and was assigned to occupy Ceme-
tery Hill, the left centre of the line. Lee was at this time hurling his forces
against the Third Corps, which was heroically striving to beat him back, and
an almost hand to hand conflict was taking place in the Peach orchard where
Birney's Division sustained the name that Kearney had given it. When these
brave men of Sickles's Corps were being beaten back by the combined forces
of McLaws and Hood, when eleven Confederate batteries had been hurling
death into the Union line and just as Barksdale's Mississippians burst through
Graham's feeble line to drive out McGilvray's artillery, and pour into the rear
of the Union troops, Switzer's and Tilton's brigades of the Fifth Corps, who
had been sent to assist Birney were thrown back and overwhelmed, and all
seemed lost.
" But at this moment a powerful reinforcement is approaching the field.
It is the division which Sumner organized at Camp California, in the winter of
1 86 1, and which Richardson and Hancock had led into action — commanded
this day by Caldwell. The scene of the contest is the wheat-field, so famous in
the story of Gettysburg. This, and the woods on the south and west, are no\y
full of the exulting enemy. Through this space charges the fiery Cross of the
Fifth New Hampshire, with his well approved brigade (in which was the One
Hundred and Forty-eighth.) It is his last battle. He has said it, as he ex-
changed greetings with Hancock on the way. (' It is my last day. I'll have a
star or a coffin to-day ! ') But he moves to his death with all the splendid en-
thusiasm that he displayed at Fair Oaks, Antietam, and Fredericksburg." 1
By an error in deploying the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment,
Companies C and I were on the right and in the already well-contested wheat-
field, the rest of the regiment extending into the woods and rocks towards the
Devil's Den, the Fifth New Hampshire on the extreme left of the brigade. Here
was an opportunity to fully test the discipline and courage of the men engaged.
The companies in the wheatfield fully exposed, while the enemy was protected
by the stone-wall and rocks in the woods beyond the field. In this terrible
engagement Company I lost twenty-six out of sixty-one men that it took into
the fight, and was fortunate enough to capture quite a number of the enemy.
After the battle of Gettysburg the One Hundred^ and Forty-eighth took
part in the pursuit of Lee, and after taking an important part in the Mine Run
campaign, it went into winter quarters near Stevensburg, where it recruited its
wasted ranks. The location of the camp was a pleasant and healthy one, and
this season of inactivity was of great benefit to the men. The regiment was
here kept up to its standard in drill and discipline.
1 Walker's " History of the Second Corps."
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 177
In February important changes took place in the Army of the Potomac.
The five corps which had fought so long side by side were to be consohdated
into three, and to this end the First and Third were sacrificed. Whether
this dismemberment of these brave organizations was for the best, it is not my
province to here discuss. The bitter pangs of the soldiers of both these corps
were hard to bear ; but when the veterans of the First and Second Division of
the Third Corps, the men commanded by the illustrious Kearney, and the gal-
lant Hooker, were transferred to the Second Corps, they could not have fallen
(if the change had to be made) into better hands, and they in the campaigns
that were to follow added lustre to the laurels of that corps.
In this reorganization of the Second Corps, the One Hundred and Forty-
eighth was assigned to the Fourth Brigade of the First Division, commanded
by Colonel John R. Brooke, the Second Delaware, Fifty-third, One Hundred
and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania and the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-sixth New York,
comprising the other regiments in the brigade, General Barlow commanding the
division. On the 22d of April the reinforced Second Corps was brought to-
gether to be reviewed by General Grant. Says Walker of this grand review,
" More than twenty-five thousand men actually marched in review. The ap-
pearance and bearing of the troops was brilliant in the extreme ; but among
all the gallant regiments which passed the reviewing officer, two excited spe-
cial admiration — the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, Colonel
Beaver from the old Second, and the Fortieth New York, Colonel Egan, from
the former Third Corps."
On the evening of May 3d the regiment moved from camp and crossing
the Rapidan at Ely's Ford reached Chancellorsville on the 4th, the anniversary
of their first hard fought battle. At an early hour on the following morning
the column was put in motion, the One Hundred and Fort3'-eight acting as
skirmishers and flankers, and reached the battle-field of the W'ilderness in the
evening. Lying upon the extreme left of the line the regiment shared but
little of the fighting of the 5th and 6th. "When it was marching to the front,
still fresh, though just off a nine hours' march, the splendid condition and sol-
dierly bearing of the regiment was noticed by a group of general officers, who
had been watching the methodical drill of the gleaming bayonets, while the
roar of battle could be plainly heard. When Colonel Beaver rode over to
this group of officers General Gibbon, in command of two divisions of the Sec-
ond Corps, said to him, ' Colonel, I'd rather have that regiment in its splendid
condition and command it, than occupy the position that I do.'i A flank move-
ment of the enemy, which had commenced during the night, was continued
during the day, and on the 9th the One Hundred and Forty-eighth. advanced
on the Spottsylvania road to the Po River, on the opposite side of which the
enemy was found. Fording the stream the three right companies were de-
1 Burns "Life of Beaver."
178 History of Jefferson County.
ployed and advanced with three companies as support, and the remaining four
as battalion reserve. The line advanced steadily in the face of a brisk fire
from the enemy's batteries, and drove him from his position. The battle
which opened the next morning was renewed later in the day, and about 3 P.
M. a strong line of the enemy appeared in front of the position occupied by
the One Hundred and Forty-eighth, and its line of skirmishers were driven in
with severe loss; but as the enemy emerged from the woods into the open ground
they received such a well-directed fire from Company H, that they wavered, and
a moment later Colonel Beaver ordered the entire line to open fire. The fight-
ing lasted some time, and being unsupported. Colonel Beaver determined to
withdraw his command. This was exceedingly difficult, as the near presence
of the enemy and the burning woods through which he had to pass made it
very dangerous ; but by a masterly effort Colonel Beaver managed to bring
off" the regiment in safety, he being the last one to ford the river, which he
did on foot, having given his horse to a lieutenant of his regiment who had
lost a leg, and to whom death would have been certain if left in the burning
woods. The faithful horse had been wounded before his master gave him up,
and fell dead just as he reached the bank of the river with his maimed burden.
In his report of this engagement General Hancock says :
" I feel that I cannot speak too highly of the bravery and soldierly conduct
displayed by Brooke's and Brown's brigades on this occasion ; attacked by an
entire division of the enemy (Heth's), they repeatedly beat him back, holding
their ground with unyielding courage until they were ordered to withdraw,
when they retired with such order and steadiness as to meet the highest
praise."
General Brooke in his official report to General Hancock says :
" I would particularly mention Colonel James A. Beaver, One Hundred
and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, whose regiment occupied the right
of the line, and the most exposed position, for his great gallantry and the mas-
terly manner in which he extricated his regiment from the burning woods,
which were set on fire by some means during the action. During the latter
part of this action this regiment had to contend with the enemy in front, and
the burning timber in the rear, and at its close were compelled to retire
tlirough the fire to the opposite or left bank of the Fo, no other path being
left open."
On the 1 2th the regiment found itself in the front of the conflict at Spott-
sylvania, where it fought bravely. The troops of Barlow fought desper-
ately in this engagement. General Walker says of them : "Tearing away the
abatis with their hands, Miles's and Brooke's brigades sprang over the entrench-
ments, bayoneting the defenders or beating them down with clubbed muskets.
Almost at the same instant Birney entered tlie works on his side and the sal-
ient was won." Company I here lost Lieutenant John A. Maguire, who was
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 179
mortally wounded and died on the 15th. He was a brave young officer, and
his death was deeply regretted by his comrades and by his many friends in
Brookville, from which place he enlisted.
On the 3d of June, after taking part at North Anna and Tolopotomy, the
regiment found itself at Cold Harbor, and with the division captured the ene-
my's front line ; but the division not being properly supported, was obliged to
fall back a short distance, where it held its ground against every assault of the
enemy. On the 15th moved to Petersburg and took an active part in the
siege of that place, where on the evening of the i6th Colonel Beaver was
severely wounded, in an advance of his brigade on the enemy's works.
On the 2 1 St of August the regiment returned from Deep Bottom, and was
immediately hurried to the left of Warren on the Weldon Railroad, tearing
up and destroying the road southward of Reams's Station. The First and Sec-
ond Divisions were engaged in this work until the morning of the 25th, when
they were attacked by the enemy. The fighting was desperate. Again and
again was the enemy repulsed ; but the division had finally to withdraw before
the overwhelming force brought against it. The loss in the regiment was very
heavy. General Beaver, who had hurried to the field in an ambulance, not
having entirely recovered from the wound received at Petersburg, June i6th,
was just in the act of reviewing his front, when he was shot through the right
leg and borne from the field disabled. This battle deprived the regiment of
the leader which it loved, and the army of one of its best volunteer officers,
but it probably saved to Pennsylvania her present able and honored executive,
for had General Beaver been able to go into any more hard-fought fights, his
bravery would most likely have cost him his life.
On the return of the regiment to Petersburg, it did duty at Forts Haskell
and Steadman, and Battery No. 10.
By an order of the War Department, it was directed that one regiment in
each division should be furnished with Spencer repeating rifles, and General
Hancock designated the One Hundred and Forty-eighth to receive them on
the part of the First Division,
During the winter the regiment was engaged in garrisoning Forts Sampson,
Gregg and Cummings. When the spring campaign opened it participated in
the action at Hatcher's Run, March 25, 1865, and on the 31st at Adams's farm.
On the 2d of April it took part in the fight at Sutherland Station. Here they
were deployed as skirmishers by General Miles and led the advance. With
Captain Sutton of Company E in command of the right wing, and Captain
Harper of the left, it moved steadily forward, and by a well-executed ma-
neuvre, flanked the enemy's works and opened a well-directed enfilading fire
from the repeating rifles. This deadly fire threw the rebels into confusion, and
an entire brigade laid down their arms and surrendered to the brigade. On
the following day General Miles issued an order warmly commending the gal-
i8o History of Jefferson County.
lant conduct of the brigade, and stating the result of the charge to be seven
hundred prisoners, two pieces of artillery, and two flags. On the 7th of April
the regiment participated in the battle of Farmville, and the closing scenes of
the war, after which it returned to Ale.Kandria, and on the 3d of June, 1865,
was mustered out of service.
Companies I and E took part in the following engagements in which their
regiment was engaged : Auburn, Bristow, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Po
River, Spottsylvania Court-House, North Anna, Tolopotomy. Cold Harbor,
Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams's Station, Hatcher's Run,
Adams's Farm, Sutherland Station, Farmville, and Appomattox.
Company I of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was recruited by Cap-
tain Silas J. Marlin in July and August of 1862. This company was fortunate
in having such an excellent and efficient officer to command it, and he was
equally fortunate in securing such good material for his company. He remained
with his company until July 28, 1863, when he was detailed as acting inspector
general of the First Division of the Second Corps, which position he held until
the close of the war, being on several occasions detailed as inspector of the
Second Corps. During the time that he was thus detailed he served on the
staffs of Generals Caldwell, Barlow, and Miles, and was actively engaged in
every engagement in which his division participated, either in command of his
company or on staff duty.
May 26, 1865, he was, by General Order No. 254 from the War Depart-
ment, ordered to report for duty at Fortress Monroe, and was appointed by
General Miles inspector during the first part of Jefferson Davis's imprisonment
at the fortress.
He was commissioned major of his regiment June i, 1865, but being absent
on detailed service was not mustered as such.
On the 27th of December Captain Marlin was brevetted a major of volun-
teers, by President Lincoln, " for gallant services at the battle of Reams's Sta-
tion, and in the present campaign before Richmond " to rank from December
2, 1864. And January 15, 1865, he was again brevetted a lieutenant-colonel
of volunteers, " for gallantry and valuable services."
Governor Beaver says of Colonel Marlin : " He was a most capable, gallant
and useful officer upon the staff, and was well entitled to all the honors which
he received for the service."
General Walker says: " He was a cool, intelligent officer."
During Colonel Marlin's absence from his company it was well and skillfully
handled by Lieutenants Crane and Clark. The former was commissioned
captain June i, 1865.
Company E shared equal!)' in the honors of the One Hundred and Forty-
eighth with Company I. Captain Stewart resigning soon after it went out, the
command devolved upon Captain Sutton of Indiana ; but two of its most effi-
Miscellaneous Military Organizations.
I8l
cient and bravest officers were Lieutenants Clark and Sprankle, both of Jeffer-
son county. Joseph E. Hall of Company I was on April 27, 1863, promoted
from sergeant to sergeant-major of the regiment, and on August 2, to second
lieutenant of Company I, and promoted to adjutant of the One Hundred and
Eighty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers September 7, 1864, a position
he held until the muster out of his regiment, with great credit. An officer of
the division said of him : " You cannot praise him too highly."
Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment P. V.
The following were the Jefferson county men in Company E, One Hundred
and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Captain Charles Stewart resigned September 25, 1863 ; first lieutenants, W.
T. Clark, promoted November 15, 1863, discharged on surgeon's certificate
July 7, 1864; Peter D.- Sprankle, promoted September 25, 1864; first ser-
geants, George Baughman, Levi C. Smith, Robert A. Travis ; sergeants, Daniel
W. Smith, Charles M. Law ; corporals, Robert J. Crissman, John Milliron, E.
Vincent Richards, James Shoppard, W. J. Postlethwait, John J. Shoffstall ; mu-
sicians, David N. Henry, Johnston Hamilton ; privates, John Boyer, Emanuel
Bush, Peter Burkett, Isaac G. Cochran, Robert J. Crissman, Alexander R. Dun-
lap, Samuel P. Edwards, William Evans, David Gearheart, Samuel R. Gear-
heart, John M. Hartman, John C. Hoover, William Jordan, Benjamin F. Keck,
Sampson Klingensmith, Daniel C. Law, Joseph H. Law, Joseph Long, John
Milliron, William Milliron, George Miller, Andrew Minish, William S. New-
com, Josiah Postlethwait, William J. Postlethwait, Emanuel Raybuck, Henry
Raybuck, Philip Sloppy, James L. Staggers, David Smith, John Snyder, Sam-
uel Shilling, Joseph Shoffstall, Chambers O. Timblin, George Timblin, Philip
Whitesell, Henry Young.
The following Jefferson county men in Company E were killed, died of
wounds and disease, or were transferred to other organizations :
Killed — Sampson Klingensmith, Joseph H. Law, David Smith, Joseph
Shoffstall, Philip Whitesell, Andrew Minish. Died — Samuel R. Gearheart, Jo-
seph Long, William Milliron, William S. Newcom, William Postlethwait, George
Timblin, Henry Young. Died in rebel prisons — E. Bush, Philip Sloppy,
James Staggers, John Snyder. Transferred and promoted to Captain U. S.
C. T. — Sergeant R. A. Travis. Transferred and promoted to Adjutant U. S.
C. T. — George Miller. Transferred to V. R. C— Samuel P. Edwards, William
Evans, William Jordan, B. F. Keck.
Company I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment P. V.
Captain, Silas J. Marlin; first lieutenants, John A. Maguire, Junius F. Grain ;
second lieutenants, Orlando H. Brown, Joseph E. Hall, Frank W. Clark ; first
sergeant, Thomas W. Douglass ; sergeants, Henry Carey, Shelumiel Swine-
20
1 82 History of Jefferson County.
ford, Benjamin F. McGiffin, Jehial Vasbinder, Alexander McOuiston, William
Davidson, Robert Kissinger, Edward Murphy ; corporals, Jacob B. Rumbaugh,
William H. Harley, John M. Davis, Lewis Diebler, Thomas McCullough, Al-
exander Douglass, Joseph Earnest, Harrison Catz, John M. Love, Russell S.
Adams, Russell Weeks; musician, Joseph Arthurs; privates, George W. An-
thony, William Acker, Philip Boyer, John S. Buzzard, Emery J. Barr, Hugh
A. Barr, William H. Barr, William C. Boyd, John Banghart, Eli Bailey, Jo-
seph W. Bowley, Jonathan L. Bitner, Philip S. Crate, Wallace Coon, James
Cochran, Lewis Cobbs, Andrew Craft, Harvey Crispin, Isaac Corey, Andrew
J. Clark, Josiah T. Crouch. Calvin Dixon, Isaiah S. Davis, John W. Demott,
John Emmett, Alonzo Fowler, Daniel Ferringer, William M. Firman, Isaac J.
Grenoble, Frederick Gilhousen, James J. Gailey, Orin Giles, James Garvin,
Christ. C. Gearheart, Samuel K. Groh, Samuel Howard, Andrew Harp, Jacob
S. Haugh, Augustus Haugh, Andrew J. Hagerty, Benjamin F. Hull, George
Horner, David M. Hillis, John Howard, Manasses Kerr, Reuben Lyle, Harri-
son Long, Peter P. Love, Lyman E. Mapes, Jackson Moore, Thompson Moor-
head, David Mattison, Stewart H. Moneer, Henry Mapes, Harrison Moore.
James A. Murphy, James McMangle, Peter Nulf, Nelson P. O'Connor, Robert
Omslaer, William J. Orr, William O'Connor, Edward Plyler, Samuel Ransom,
David D. Rhodes, Harris Ransom, Eli Rhinehart, William Rodgers, James W.
Rea, Lewis R. Stahlman, Peter Shannon, William H. H. Smith, Edward M.
Sage, John H. H. Shuster, Samuel Shaw, John W. Smith, Theophilus Smith,
Benjamin F. Scandrett, Richard Snyder, Jacob Snyder, John Stahlman, Joseph
Y. Thompson, Samuel Fry, Robert M. Wadding, Joseph White, William White,
William P. Woods Frank M. Whiteman.
The following members of Company I were killed, died of wounds or dis-
ease, or were transferred to other organizations :
Killed — Lieutenant, John McGuire ; sergeant, Alexander McQuiston ; pri-
vates, Andrew Craft, Daniel Ferringer, Andrew J. Hagerty, David D. Rhodes,
Samuel Shaw. Died — Corporal Thomas McCullough, Emmery J. Barr, William
H. Barr, William C. Boyd, Harvej' Crispin, Frederick Gilhousen, Jas. J. Gailey,
Augustus Haugh, Harrison Long, Jackson Moore, Thompson Moorhead, Peter
Nulf, William White, William J. Orr. Died in rebel prisons, Hugh A. Barr,
Stewart H. Monteer, Harris Ransom, Lewis Diebler. The latter was shot by
the prison guard at Salisbury, N. C. William Acker and Isaac J. Grenoble,
though not "Jefferson county boys," were yet always identified with the com-
pany. Acker was mistaken for one of the enemy, and so badly wounded by
one of his own regiment, while at work on one of the outpost rifle pits at Cold
Harbor, that he lost an arm, while Grenoble lost a leg at Po River. The fol-
lowing men were transferred: To adjutant One Hundred and Eighty-third
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant Joseph E. Hall ; to Veteran
Reserve Corps, Corporal John M. Love ; Philip Boyer, John S. Buzzard, Eli
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 183
Bailey, Josiah T. Crouch, Isaiah S. Davis, John W. Demott, Reuben Lyle, Har-
rison Moore, John W. Smith, Theophilus Smith, B. F. Scandrett, Richard Sny-
der, W. P. Woods. Transferred to Fifty-tliird Pennsylvania Volunteers, Peter
P. Love, James A. Murphy, William O'Connor. To Signal Corps, James W.
Rea.
Company B, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment P. V.
Company B of the Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers,
was raised in Jefferson county. The regiment was organized at Camp Rey-
nolds, Pittsburgh, September 16, 1864, for one year's service. James H. Trim-
ble was elected colonel, and Levi A. Dodd of Brookviile, lieutenant-colonel.
The regiment was sent immediately to the front, and on the 20th of Septem-
ber found itself in the entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, where it was put
in a provisional brigade of the Army of the James. Scarcely had it gained its
position when it was ordered to mount the parapets, formed of sand-bags, in
full view of the enemy, who at once opened upon them with his batteries, kill-
ing two men in Company F, with a single shell. The object in thus exposing
this command, was to attract the attention of the enemy from the storming
party which was about to move on Fort Harrison, which movement was suc-
cessful. The picket line which the regiment was required to hold extended
from the James River, on the right opposite Dutch Gap, through a dense pine
wood to an open space, within which was the camp of the regiment. The line
after leaving the river, ran nearly straight to this slashing, where it made an
abrupt bend leaving the apex of the angle close to the enemj-'s lines. The
opposing pickets had always been on the most friendly terms, and a great
many deserters from the enemy came into our lines at this point. General
Pickett who was in command, determined to stop this wholesale desertion, and
on the night of the 17th of November, quietly massing a body of picked men,
suddenly burst upon the Union pickets, capturing over fifty before they could
rally, or the regiment come to their aid. He built a strong redoubt at this
point, and so strengthened his lines that General Grant deemed it inexpedient
to try to retake the ground. This put an end to all intercourse between the
pickets, and hostilities were actively kept up, and while the regiment remained
on that line, the men were obliged to hug the breastworks or lie close to the
bomb-proofs.
November 27 the Two Hundred and Eleventh, with other Pennsylvania
regiments, with which it had been brigaded, was relieved by a brigade of col-
ored troops, and ordered to join the Army of the Potomac on the south side
of the Appomattox. These regiments were subsequently organized into the
Second Brigade, Third Division of the Ninth Corps, to which General Hartranft
was assigned. During the winter the regiment was thoroughly drilled, and
though busy on the fortifications at Hatcher's Run, and making occasional
reconnoissances, was not actively engaged.
1 84 History of Jefferson County.
Before the opening of the spring campaign Colonel Trimble resigned, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Dodd was promoted in his place. The regiment was in
support of the Ninth Corps line, and occupied a place on the extreme left of the
division. On the morning of March 25, 1865, the enemy broke this line, cap-
turing Fort Steadman and a large number of prisoners of the Ninth Corps.
The Two Hundred and Eleventh was quickly ordered forward. The colonel
and major were absent, and the lieutenant-colonel sick in hospital, but Cap-
tain Coulter, upon whom the command devolved, promptly obeyed the order,
reaching headquarters a little after 6 A. M. The regiment was at once formed
on the high ground just in the rear of Fort Steadman. The rest of the brig-
ade who were nearer the scene of the disaster had already checked the advance
of the enemy, and were holding him at bay. General Hartranft, who had
made the best possible disposition of the division, felt assured that the enemy
could make no further advance, and that by a united assault the division could
retake the works. He quickly formed his plan of attack — posting five regi-
ments in the immediate front, held them ready for a dash upon the enemy who
were crowding upon the fort and bomb-proofs. The Two Hundred and Elev-
enth on its elevated position was a mile away, but in full view of the enemy.
It was a large regiment with full ranks, and General Hartranft's plan was to
put it in motion and draw the attention of the enemy and his artillery upon it.
His other regiments could then charge upon and overpower the foe. General
Hartranft expected to sacrifice this regiment, which he determined to lead in
person, as the enemy could at once bring their guns to bear upon it ; but to
insure the victory of his division he was willing to share this peril. The regi-
ment was therefore formed and put in motion, with nearly six hundred mus-
kets in line, and moved gallantly forward ; but the enemy at sight of the ad-
vance of this fine body of men, instead of meeting them with the fire of his
batteries, as General Hartranft expected, began to waver, and when the com-
bined force of the division rushed in, the fort, guns, arms, with many prisoners
was captured with little opposition. Just as the order to move had been given,
General Hartranft received orders from General Parke, commanding the Ninth
Corps, to wait reinforcements from the Sixth Corps, which was on the way,
before attempting to recapture the fort ; but the order could not be safely re-
called, and he was unable to obey orders, and dashing forward gained a brill-
iant victory. The regiment fully shared in this coup dc main. The loss was
only one killed and ten wounded.
On the night of the 30th the division was ordered to assault the rebel
■works, but this was deferred for some reason, until the morning of April 2d.
At a little before midnight of the 1st the regiment joined the Two Hundred
and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, remaining quiet until half past three of
the following morning, when it moved to the front, passing around the right
of Fort Sedgwick, and was formed with the brigade, in column by regiments,
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 185
the left resting on the Jerusalem plank road ; the First Brigade formed in the"
same manner, just in the rear. A strong force of pioneers, armed with axes,
from the leading brigade, under Lieutenant Alexander of the Two Hundred
and Eleventh, was sent forward to open the way for the advance. The pio-
neers were closely followed by the division in close column, joined on the right
and left by the other troops of the corps. Soon the pioneers attacked the
abatis, and chevaiix-dc-frisc with their axes, but with the first blows were met
with a heavy fire of grape and cannister, doing fearful execution in their ranks ;
but closing up, they broke through the obstructions, and with the assistance
of the troops who pressed close behind, soon had an opening made for the
advance of the column, who rushed forward, up and into the forts, and soon
the entire works were in their possession, with the enemy in full retreat, and
the rebel main line of works from beyond the Jerusalem plank road on the left>
to a point about four hundred yards to its right, was held by the division.
Turning his own guns upon him, they dealt deadly havoc among the rebels.
The enemy made repeated charges to regain their works, but every assault was
repulsed ; but the loss in our ranks was very heavy. In the Two Hundred and
Eleventh four officers and seventeen men were killed, among them Lieutenant-
Colonel Charles McLain, four officers and eighty-nine men wounded, and
twenty-one missing, in all, a loss of one hundred and thirty-five. This was
one of the most desperate, as well as one of the most successful assaults of the
war.
During the following night the enemy quietly withdrew from the works,
and evacuated the city, and retreated rapidly. General Hartranft's division
entered Petersburg the next morning with little opposition. The Two Hundred
and Eleventh was at once sent forward to picket the banks of the Appomattox,
where they found both railroad and foot bridges on fire. They were able to
save the former and a portion of the latter. At noon the regiment was
ordered back to camp. The war was now virtually at an end, and the regi-
ment in charge of trains, moved along the South Side railroad, to Nottoway
Court- House, where news of Lee's surrender was received. Here it remained
until the 20th, when it proceeded to City Point, where it embarked for Alex-
andria where it encamped until June 2, 1865, when it .was mustered out of
service.
In the less than nine months that it was out, the Two Hundred and Elev-
enth did gallant service and lost heavily. Company " B " lost in killed besides
Captain McLain who had been promoted to lieutenant-colonel, but not mus-
tered, killed — sergeant Joel Brown, Thomas Witherow, died of wounds and
disease ; John Bailey, Solomon F. Davis, Washington A. Prindle, Israel D.
Smith, James W. Boyd. The latter died in the rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C.
Lieutenant-colonel Charles McLain first enlisted in the nine months serv-
ice as first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment
1 86 History of Jefferson County.
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and when their time of enHstment expired, he again
went out as captain of Company B (six months) Independent Battalion, July 23,
1863. Again feeling that his country still needed his services, he went once
more to the front as captain of Company B, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regi-
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served gallantly through all their cam-
paigns, winning high encomiums of praise from his superior officers, and hav-
ing the love and respect of his men, to whom he was a kind and faithful friend,
until in the severe fight at Fort Steadman April 2, 1865, he was shot in the
charge of his regiment, and instantly killed. He had been promoted to lieu-
tenant-colonel of his regiment the day before he fell. W'hen the news of his
fall reached his home in Brookville, a meeting of the citizens was held April
13, and resolutions of respect and sorrow for the dead soldier, and condolence
with his family, were passed, and a committee of soldiers appointed to take
charge of his remains, and make arrangements for his funeral. On the 30th
of April his body, which had been brought home by his brother, Mr. A. B. Mc-
Lain, was laid to rest in the Brookville cemetery. Colonel IMcLain left a wife
and three children to mourn his loss. Mrs. McLain, with his daughter Anna,
and son Charles, reside in Brookville, his eldest daughter, Ella, dying a few
years since.
June I, 1864, the day before the Two Hundred and Eleventh was mus-
tered out of service, the officers and men of the regiment presented to Colonel
Levi A. Dodd, a splendid horse and equipments, as a token of the esteem and
respect in which he was held by his command. The horse was a favorite one
of General Hartranft, commanding the division, and with the equipments cost
six hundred dollars.
Jefferson County Men in the Two Hundred .a.nd Eleventh Regi-
ment P. V.
Colonel, Levi A. Dodd, promoted from lieutenant-colonel April 4, 1865;
adjutant, Herman F. Steck, promoted from first sergeant Company B, May 1 1,
1865.
Company B. — Captains, Charles McLain, Charles J. Wilson; first lieuten-
ant, Milton H. McAninch ; first sergeant, Thomas M. Myers; sergeants, John
M. Alford, Anson H. Bovvdish, Thomas P. Craven, William Hall, Thomas P.
McCrea, Israel D. Smith, Joel Brown ; corporals, Robert W. Anderson, James
McMurtrie, Reuben K. Morey, Joseph A. Dempsey, Simon M. Denny, Milton
Graham, Andrew Braden, Malachi Davis; musician, Peter Spangler; privates,
Marvin Allen, James T. Alford, H. J. Baughman, Henry Bullers, Jeremiah
Bowers, Fayette Bowdish, Henry J. Bruner, Calvin G. Burns, James W. Boyd,
John Bailey, Alvin Clark, David W. Craft, Esekiel Dixon, Daniel Deeter,
Charles Driscoll, Solomon F. Davis, Peter Emerick, Joshua F. Fisher, Russell
M. Felt, Adam Foust, Lewis Gaup, Christ. C. Gearheart, David P. Gearheart,
Miscellaneous Military Organizations. 187
Justice Gage, Mathew Gayley, Hiram Hettrick, Jacob Hartman, Anthony M.
Holden, Edward A. Holly, Joseph Ishman, Frank Kreitler, Thomas S. Kline,
Thomas Lindemuth, J. S. Montgomery, Alexander Moore, James Mackey,
Jesse B. Miller, Milton G. Miller, John K. McElroy, William G. McMinn, Henry
McGinley, James O'Hara, George W. Paris, Henry Peters, James Penfield,
Washington A. Prindle, Samuel C. Richards, William J. Riddle, Frederick Ray-
winkle, Lafayette Stahlman, Solomon Shoffner, Fulton Shoffner, George W.
Shaffer, Lewis Swab, John Simmett, Warren Sibley, James M. Thompson, John
Thomas, Madison A. Timblin, Frank Truman, George Walker, Joseph M. Wil-
son, William A. Watts, Jacob Weidner, Thomas M. Witherow.
Companies B, and C, Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment, P. V.
The men for the Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment were principally
recruited in the southern part of the county. The regiment was organized at
Camp Reynolds, Pittsburgh, September 8, 1864, under Colonel Hugh J. Bra-
dy, a cousin of Captain Evans R. Brady. The field and line officers were all
veterans, and nearly all the men had seen service. Soon after it was organized
the regiment was sent to City Point, and assigned to the Army of the James.
On the 4th of October, while engaged in building a fort near Dutch Gap, it
was under the enemy's guns, and had one man killed and several wounded.
For this work the regiment was commended in a complimentary order, by the
commander of the department, who ordered the works to be called Fort Brady.
On the 26th of October the regiment was ordered to report to General
Terry, commanding the Tenth Corps, and assigned to the Third Brigade First
Division, and soon after went into winter quarters near the line of works north
of Fort Harrison, where the men were well drilled and disciplined.
By an order from the War Department of December 3, the Tenth and
Eighteenth Corps were consolidated, and the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth
Corps formed from them. All the white troops were put in the Twenty-
fourth. General Ord was put in command of the Army of the James.
When the army moved on the 27th of March, 1865, the Two Hundred and
Sixth was detached and ordered to remain in camp, reporting to General Dev-
ens commanding the Third Division. This order was received with great
disfavor by the regiment, and in response to the remonstrance against it, the
following answer was returned from headquarters. "I am directed by General
Foster to state that he regrets exceedingly that your command should have
been ordered to remain. The order came from department headquarters, and
the general did all in his power to have it revoked, but could not." The con-
valescents of the First Division were ordered to report to Colonel Brady, who
was directed to organize and hold them in readiness to move.
On the 3d of April the troops in front of Richmond were ordered to ad-
vance, and it was soon discovered that the enemy had evacuated his works and
1 88 History of Jefferson County.
fired the city, so that our troops marched in without opposition. On the 22d
the regiment was relieved from General Devens's command, and ordered to re-
port to General F. T. Dent, military governor, who assigned it to provost duty
in Richmond. A month later it returned to the brigade, of which Colonel Bra-
dy assumed command. The regiment was soon after sent to report to General
Gregg, at Lynchburg, who assigned it to provost duty in that place. It
remained here about two weeks, and then rejoined its division at Richmond.
On the 26th as no further service being required of it, it was sent to Pittsburgh,
and the term of service having expired was mustered out June 2, 1865. Gen-
eral Dandy in command of the brigade said of this regiment: "Under your
gallant commander Colonel Hugh Brady, you were the first to enter Richmond,
and to display in the capitol of traitors the Stars and Stripes of }'0ur country.
Carry home with you, and bequeath it to your children, the red heart, the
badge of the First Division. It is the symbol that will live when the present
and succeeding generations have passed away."
Muster Roll of Company B, Two Hundred .\nd Sixth P. V.
Captain, William Neal ; first lieutenant, Henry C. Campbell ; second lieu-
tenant, Arr. Neal ; first sergeant, Benjamin W. Reitz ; sergeants, William A.
Hadden, Thomas J. Cooper, John C. Cameron, Darius E. Blose ; corporals,
Benjamin T. Smyers, David G. Gourly, Charles Barry, David Neal, Joseph W.
Long, Thomas R. Lamison, Jacob Keihl, Mitchell R. Lewis ; privates, John D.
Brown, Joshua Brink, James M. Bush, Lewis H. Bollinger, Abraham Bowman,
Boaz D. Blose, William J. Bell, Eli Byerly, Peter Brunner, Philip Bush, Jacob
Conrad, John Carr, Robert English, William Frampton, George Frampton,
James S. Gray, John Grove, Daniel Gearheart, Enoch G. Gray, Eli Homer,
Michael P. Hummel, Thomas M. Hawk, William Huffman, William L. Henry,
Samuel S. Jordon, George Johnson, George M. Jordon, Elijah Kinsell, Thomas
Kerr, Levi Kinsell, James E. Lewis, Jacob Lingenfetter, Robert F. Law, Will-
iam M. Michaels, Thomas M. Marshal], William P. Morris, John Marsh, Har-
rison Marsh, Eli Miller, Robert W. McBrien, John E. McPherson, John W.
Neal, Samuel H. Nolf, John C. Neal, T. J. Postlethwait, Samuel H. Parkhill,
Michael Painter, David Painter, David Pierce, Isaac Postlethwait, John Pierce,
Dallas M. Rishell, James O. S. Spencer, Gotleib Steiver, Thomas Spencer, Jo-
seph T. Sparr, Peter Swaney, Isaac Smouse, David L. Smeyers, Philip Smey-
ers, Alfred Shaffer, William E. Simpson, David A. Thompson, George H. Tor-
rance, John Varner, Benoni Williams, Samuel C. Williams, Thomas M. Will-
iams, Charles C. Williams, William Weaver, George C. Wachob, John M.
Whitesell, Jacob G. Zufall, George J. Zufall.
Company C, Two Hundred and Sixth P. V.
First sergeant, Charles M. Brewer ; sergeant, William L. McOuowen ; cor-
Other Military Organizations. 189
porals, John McHenry, Thomas P. North ; privates, Joseph Gary, Samuel
Frampton, George S. Hennigh, John Hickox, Joseph Mauk, Joseph P. North,
Michael Palmer, Henry C. Peffer, W. P. Eostlethwait, John F. Pifer, David G.
Pifer, Samuel Pearce, John Rinn, William Riddle, George W. Shorthill, Joseph
Shields, David Stiver, Daniel Stiver, John F. Smith, William Sutter.
Company E, Two Hundred and Sixth P. V.
Sergeant, Benjamin F. Miller.
Company F, Two Hundred and Sixth P. V.
Private, Tobias Long.
Company H, Two Hundred and Sixth P. V.
Corporal, David S. Altman ; privates, George F. Bowers, John H. Bowers,
William H. Campbell, Henry Fritz, George S. Gailey, John H. Miller, Andrew
Marsh, Samuel McNutt, John C. McNutt, Joseph McCracken, John St. Clair,
John Wagner, Jacob Wagner.
CHAPTER XVI.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEN IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry — Sufferings of our Soldiers in Rebel Prisons — Company
K, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry — Berdan's Sharpshooters — Eighteenth United States In-
fantry — Miscellaneous — United States Colored Troops— Emergency Men.
Q
UITE a number of Jefferson County men enlisted and did gallant serv-
ice in companies and regiments raised in other localities. The names and
organizations of all such that we have been able to find we give below :
Company L, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Washington, D. C,
September, 1861, by Colonel Josiah Harlan, as an Independent light horse
cavalry regiment, composed of companies from different States ; but as Con-
gress had only authorized the raising of regiments by States, the formation of
this regiment as an independent organization was irregular, and on the 13th of
November it was attached to the Pennsylvania State organizations, and was
thereafter known as the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry — the One Hundred
and Eighth regiment in line.
21
190 History of Jefferson County.
Company L, in which were forty- seven men from Jefferson county, was
raised by Captain John B. Loomis of Clarion, and was mustered into the serv-
ice September 12, 1S61. This regiment was one of the best cavalry organiza-
tions in the army, and performed gallant service. It took part in thirty-two
battles and over one hundred and five skirmishes.
Company L lost in killed and died the following men from Jefferson
county :
Killed. — Henry Allen, Charles Barnard (killed at Oil City while at home of
veteran furlough), Amos W. Delp, Jesse Evans, Calvin Lucas, Amos Weaver,
Thomas C. Nolf; died, Paul Hettrick, Joseph Gates; James McCann died at
Andersonville, Ga.
A number of this company were captured in the fight at Reams's Station,
Va., June 29, 1864, among whom was David S. Orcutt, of Corsica, and whose
experience in rebeldom was, we presume, not excelled for hardship by any other
of our soldiers. After being captured he was taken to Richmond, and there
kept in Libby prison twenty days, and then sent to Andersonville, Ga., from
which place he escaped, but was recaptured by blood-hounds, near Macon ;
fi»m there he was taken to Savannah, and on his way to the latter place he
again managed to escape, and was again, the next day, recaptured by blood-
hounds and sent to Savannah, and from there to Millen. When Sherman
" came marching through Georgia," the prisoners were sent ahead of the army
to Savannah and exchanged, and then sent to Annapolis, Md., where Mr. Or-
cutt was put in the hospital, and from there transferred to a hospital in Balti-
more. From Baltimore he was taken to Washington, D. C, as a witness in the
trial of Wirz, on which he was detained for six weeks, when he was so pros-
trated by illness, that he had to be sent back to the hospital at Baltimore,
where on the 12th of April, 1865, he was discharged and returned home, after
having served in the army four years and one month. When he was taken
prisoner he weighed one hundred and eighty pounds ; when he was released
he was reduced to one hundred pounds, and he has never recovered from the
effects of his imprisonment. David R. McCullough who was taken prisoner at
the same time, made his escape from Andersonville, and after traveling four-
teen days and nights, reached our lines at Chattanooga about Christmas, 1864.
Mr. Orcutt says, " No one will ever know what we suffered at Andersonville.
Only those who have been there can tell anything about it. All other prisons
were parlors compared with Andersonville."
The following Jefterson county men were in Company L :
First lieutenant, Robert J. Robinson ; second lieutenant. Shannon McFad-
den ; first sergeant, William K. Shaffer; sergeants, Enos G. Nolf, Christian D.
Fleck, James Baldwin, Aaron Fulmer, William N. George, Thomas McDowell,
Edward Meeker, Charles Kline, Amos Weaver ; corporals, John H. Shaw,
James M. Matthews, David B. Zilafro, Paul Hettrick ; farrier, Samuel Moor-
Other Military Organizations. 191
head ; privates, Samuel Anderson, Henry Allen, Charles Barnard, James Chris-
tie, William P. Confer, James F. Cannon, Amos W. Delp, Benjamin Divler,
James P. Dillman, Jesse Evans, Frederick Fulmer, W. N. George, Joseph
Gates, John C. Hettrick, Jacob Heckathorn, Josiah Klingensmith, Calvin Lu-
cas, Moses W. Mathews, D. R. McCullough, John McCuUough, James Mc-
Cann, John R. McFadden, Daniel R. Noble, Thomas B. Nolf, David S. Orcutt,
John C. Piatt, Richard Tipton, Jacob Taylor, James R. Vandevort, Amos
VVeaver.
A number of recruits were put into this regiment in 1863-64, among whom
were the following additional Jefferson county men :
Company A. — Corporal James H. Moore ; privates, Lester S. Beebe, Will-
iam Baughmon, James D. Dean.
Company B. — Privates, George E. A. Clark, James E. Mitchell.
Company C — Privates, Liberty Beer, Samuel W. Bruner, Martin Eakman,
Paul Vandevort, Josiah Wyley.
Company G. — Private, F. J. Strong.
Company I. — Privates, John L. Knapp, William L. Slack.
Company K, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The Fourteenth Cavalry another gallant body of men was enlisted Novem-
ber 23, 1862, and mustered out, August 24, 1865. The following Jefterson
county soldiers were members of Company K :
Sergeant, William R. Cowan ; corporal, Benjamin F. McCreight ; bugler,
John F. Gruber ; privates, John G. Bouch, Jacob J. Bodenhorn, Henry J. Bo-
denhorn, S. P. Cravener. The latter died in prison at Andersonville, Ga.
Company C, Second Regiment, U. S. Sharpshooters.
During the month of August, 1861, Captain S. M. Dewey, of Harrisburg,
Pa., visited Jefferson county for the purpose of recruiting men for a company
in " Berdan's Sharpshooters." None but expert marksmen were received, each
individual being required to " make ten consecutive shots at a distance of two
hundred yards, within five inches of the center of the target, or fifty inches
measured from the center of the target to the center of ball-holes. Each man
to certify to his ' target ' before a justice of the peace."
Ira J. Northrup was left in charge of recruiting for this company, and soon
recruited a good squad of men who were at once sent to the headquarters of
the regiment at Harrisburg, and were mustered into the service October 5,
1 86 1. This company did gallant service for the Union. They were all ex-
pert marksmen, and were armed with the most approved breech-loading rifles.
The history of " Berdan's Sharpshooters " is that of the Army of Potomac.
In the thick of every battle they were sure to do effective work as their shots
always told on the foe.
192 History of Jefferson County.
The following men represented Jefferson county in Company C. U. S. S. :
Sergeants, Ira J. Northrup, promoted to captain; Frank Rumbarger, John
W. Pearsall ; corporals, John McMurray, Isaac Lyle ; privates, George Boals,
George W. Dunkle, John S. Geer, W. E. Jacox, Leroy C. Jacox, James Law,
Samuel Lattimer, Thomas Long, William McCullough, J. Prindle, L. W. Scott,
George 11. Stewart, Wesley C. Thompson, James Watts. Samuel Law died of
wounds received at Antietam.
EiGiiTEEXTii U. S. Infantry.
In the winter of 1 86 1-62 quite a number of men were enlisted in Jefferson
county for the regular army by Sergeant W. D. Madeira, of the Eighteenth.
United States Infantry. They were put into Company E, Third Battalion
of that regiment, and with the men recruited in Clarion and Venango counties,
formed almost the entire company. Those subsequently recruited for the same
service were put in Company F of the same battalion, until January, 1863,
when they were all transferred to the Second Battalion.
The Eighteenth saw hard service in the Army of the Cumberland, which it
joinetl just after the battle of Fort Donelson, and with which it remained until
its term of service expired, just after the battle of Lovejoy's Station, Ga.
The following men from Jefferson county served in the regiment:
Couipany H, Second Battalion. — Sergeant, Herman Kretz.
Company E. — Sergeant, Thomas Barr ; corporal, Thomas Baird ; privates,
John Conrad, Frank Carroll, James Cochran, John Dean, William Dean, Joseph
Dempsey, Jeremiah Emerick, Jonathan Harp, James Hall, John Houpt, Wilson
Hutchinson, Adam Heilbruner, Jacob Hcilbruner, Nelson Ishman, Andrew
Love, S. R. Milliron, William Mathews, Jacob Messinger. David Porter, Samuel
Rhodes, William Reinstine, William Reams, Amos Shirey, John Strawcutter,
Samuel Saxton, Jacob Shaffer, Isaac Shoffner, Russell Vantassel.
Company F. — Sergeant William Martz ; privates, William Adams, John
Custard, James Campbell, Samuel Haines, Adam Haines, Amos Starr, Samuel
D. Shaffer, Peter Wolfgang, John Wolfgang, Peter Wolf, Samuel Wolf
Of these Andrew Love, Samuel Rhodes, Jacob Shaffer, Russell Vantassel
were killed. John Custard who was discharged in 1864 was lost coming home,
the train being captured by the rebels, and he was, it is presumed, killed, as
he was never heard of afterwards.
Thomas Barr, Jonathan Harp, Samuel Haines, Adam Haines, Peter Wolf-
gang, John W^olfgang, Adam Heilbruner, Jacob Heilbruner, James Campbell,
W'illiam Adams, Amos Shirey and John Strawcutter, served until their term of
enlistment expired January 6, 1865 ; the others had been killed or previously
discharged. Sergeant Madeira who recruited them was killed at Murfrees-
boro, Tennessee.
Company E, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, First Lieutenant Jo-
seph P. Lucas.
Other Military Organizations. 193
Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Company H, private, J. Wilson
Henderson ; transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-first Regi-
ment, and promoted to sergeant.
Company G, Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, private, Christian
Miller.
Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment,
Henry B. Heckendorn.
Company M, Sixth United States Cavalry, Robert A. Hubbard.
Company C, Fifteenth United States Infantry, Captain William W. Wise.
United States Colored Troops.
On account of the limited colored population, Jefferson county had very,
few representatives in the colored regiments, but those who did go out from
this county did noble service. Several of the best ofScers belonging to the
colored organizations were from this county. Major McMurray who served
as captain of Company D, Sixth Regiment, and as inspector on the staff of
General Charles J. Paine, commanding the Third Division of the Eighteenth
Corps, gives the following incidents of his regiment, to which some of the Jeff-
erson county men belonged :
" While we were lying at Parson Station, N. C, I was put on the picket line
in charge of the detail from my regiment, Captain Riley of my regiment was
brigade officer of the day, and the major of another regiment in our brigade
was division officer of the day. My orders from the brigade officer of the day
were to allow no one to pass my portion of the line except on a pass given or
countersigned by General Paine, commanding our division. I happened to be
opposite to and near corps headquarters. Soon a sergeant came from the
corps hospital with a detail of men to go outside the lines. I refused to let
him pass. He returned to corps headquarters and soon came back with a pass
from General Terry's adjutant-general. I wrote on the back of this pass that
my orders were to allow no one to pass my portion of the line except on a pass
given or countersigned by General Paine, commanding the Third Division,
signed my name, rank, and regiment to it, and sent the sergeant back with his
detail.
" When I was relieved and sent to camp the next morning the first officer
I met was the adjutant of my regiment, who told me I had been ordered under
arrest. I remained in my tent until the next day, when I wrote a brief state-
ment explaining what I had done, and stating the order I had received from
the brigade officer of the day. This was forwarded through regimental and
brigade headquarters, and on its receipt by General Paine I was sent for. I
repeated to him the orders I had received, and he sent for Captain Riley, who
said he had, as brigade officer of the day given the orders to me, having re-
ceived them from the division ofificer of the day. The major who had been
194 History of Jefferson County.
division officer of the day was sent for, and he confirmed the statement of Cap-
tain Riley, adding that he had communicated the orders as received by him,
according to his understanding. The general said there was evidently a mis-
understanding, as he would never have given such an order.
" The general ordered his horse saddled at once, rode over to camp head-
quarters, and in a few hours an order came down ordering my release from
arrest. The next day I was detailed by general orders as inspecting officer on
his staff, and remained with him in that capacity or as aid-de-camp until mus-
tered out of service."
"On the morning of September 29, 1864, the day of the capture of Fort
Harrison, our brigade was ordered to assault the enemy's works at Deep Bot-
tom, near Spring Hill, about a mile from the Fort Harrison front. The assault
was made shortly after sunrise, through a heavy slashing. When we went into
the fight our regiment numbered about three hundred and fifty ; when we came
out it numbered about one hundred and twenty-five, sixty of whom belonged
to two companies that were not in the assault, being deployed as skirmishers
on the flanks of the brigade.
" My company was in the centre of the regiment as well as of the brigade,
and was almost annihilated. When we went into the fight I had thirty enlisted
men and one officer. When we came out I had myself and three enlisted
men. Eleven of the company were killed, fifteen were wounded, and one was
captured. My first lieutenant, who is now a captain in the Third Cavalr)', was
shot through the right arm.
" I know of no loss equal to this in a square stand-up fight, in the history
of the late war. Of the hundred men who started out in my company one
year before, but one was left with me; the three who escaped being recruits."
Company D, Sixth Regiment, Captain John McMurray brevetted Major,
April 15, 1865 ; Second Lieutenant Thomas P. McCrea.
Company H, Corporal Robert Webster, killed at New Market Heights, Va.;
privates, Peter B. Enty, Peter F. Enty, both died in service.
Seventh Regiment, Adjutant George Miller.
Eighth Regiment, Surgeon A. P. Heichold ; Hospital Steward George W.
Luke.
Company I, Eighth Regiment, Captain Robert A. Travis.
First Massachusetts Colored Troops, Oliver Steel.
Emergency Men of 1863-64.
The victories gained by the rebel troops at Fredericksburg, in December,
1862, followed by that of Chancellorsville, in May, 1863, emboldened their
leaders so much, that they contemplated a raid into the northern border States.
As a precaution against this invasion, the War Department June 9, 1863,
Other Military Organizations. 195
issued an order creating two new military departments, that for the western
district being established at Pittsburgh, with Major-General W. T. H. Brooks
as commandant, and on the 13th Governor Curtin issued a call for volunteers
to protect the southern borders of our State. This was followed on the 1 5th, by
the rebel raid on Chambersburg, and there was a general uprising of the peo-
ple in response to the call. On the 28th of June, General Lee having already
crossed the Potomac with his entire army, Governor Curtin again called for
sixty thousand men for ninety days, to repel the invasion, " but to remain only
so long as the safety of the Commonwealth should require." Under this last
call three companies were raised in Jefierson county and mustered into the
Fifty-seventh Regiment. Emergency Volunteers, July 3-8, 1863.
On the organization of the regiment Colonel James R. Porter, whose term
of service with the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers had
just expired, was chosen colonel. The Fifty-seventh took part in the chase
after Morgan, and were for a time engaged in guarding the fords of the Ohio
River from Steubenville to Wheeling, W. V. The Fifty-seventh while occu-
pying strong ground on the Warrenton road, undoubtedly foiled Morgan's
attempt to cross at that point.
No further need arising for their services, the regiment was mustered out.
Much satire has been indulged in at the expense of the " six weeks " sol-
diers, but their presence proved a powerful check to the enemy, and though
not brought into actual combat, they were ready for it, and it was no fault of
theirs that they did not meet the enemy. Called suddenly from the business
walks of life, they met the emergency promptly and cheerfully, at the call of
danger. Many of them were men who had already met the enemy ; some
were at home on account of wounds, others who had served the term of their
enlistment, others physically unfit for a long term of service, and some boys in
their teens ; but the rolls of these companies show the material they were
composed of.
The return of the Emergency men was saddened by the death of one of
their members, Mr. Samuel McEIhose, who died in camp at East Liberty, near
Pittsburgh, August 16, 1863. Mr. McEIhose was one of the most prominent
citizens of Jefierson county, being at the time of his death the editor and pro-
prietor of the Jefierson Star, which paper he had established in Brookville in
1849. He had also served as county superintendent of common schools for
two terms, and was a well-known educator. Mr. McEIhose was strongly wed-
ded to the cause of liberty, but his health being far from robust, prohibited
him from enlisting until the call came for volunteers to defend our own State,
when he could no longer remain at home ; but closing his office he, with all
his hands, enlisted, and ere the time of service expired he died for his country
as much as though a rebel ball had laid him low.
The field and staff of the Fifty-seventh was largely from Jefferson county,
viz.:
196 History of Jefferson County.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Cyrus Butler; quartermaster, M. H. Shannon; assist-
ant surgeon, John M. Cummins; chaplain, John C. Truesdale ; quartermaster-
sergeant, W. J. McKnight ; commissary-sergeant, John J. Thompson.
Company B, Fifty-seventh Regiment.
Captain, Cyrus Butler, promoted, captain, Alexander L. Gordon ; first
lieutenant, William Dickey; second lieutenant, John A. McLain ; first
sergeant, Daniel Fogle ; sergeants, Wilmarth Matson, William C. Smith,
William Kelso, Robert Cathcart ; corporals, Samuel J. Ream, Joseph M. Gal-
braith, Samuel A. Hunter, John Alexander, Jared Jones, Clarence R. Hall,
John McCullough, James L. Brown; musicians, Warren P. Bowdish, Samuel
McElhose ; privates, Charles S. Andrews, John S. Barr, Hugh Brady, Benjamin
Boyer, Elias Boyer, Henry Bullers, William Bailey, Philip Carrier, Isaiah Cor-
bet, Daniel V. Clements, Lanford Carrier, Solomon Davis, Oliver Darr, Mor-
gan English, George W. Farr, John H. Fike, George G. Fryer, Edwin Forsyth,
Leander W. Graham, Henry D. Guthrie, Jacob Geist, Airvvine Hubbard,
Elias J. Hettrick, Elijah C. Hall, Darius Hettrick, Henry Hettrick, John
Hartman, Eli Hettrick, Thaddeus S. Hall, John W. Hawthorne, William Hall,
Daniel Horam, William Ishman, Moses Ishman, Edward G. Kirkman, Alexander
Kennedy, James Lockwood, Logan Linsenbigler, Enoch J. Loux, William
Love, Magee A. Larrimer, Jeremiah Mowry, George Mowry, John Moore,
James W. Murphy, John H. McElroy, A. H. McKillip, J. R. McFadden, Christy
McGiffin, John McMurray, William O'Connor, Monroe Prindle, Benjamin
Reitz, Calvin W. Ray, David J. Reigle, Robert Reed, Harris Ransom, Joseph T-
Space, Calvin Simpson, Thomas Stewart, Peter Spangler, Michael Strawcutter,
Charles Shindledecker, Newton Taylor, John Truby, Barclay D. Vasbinder,
Hezekiah Vasbinder, Russell VanTasscU, Barton B. Welden, Ira Welch, John
C. Wilson, Jackson Welch, William A. Williams.
Company G, Fifty- seventh Regiment.
Captain, Nicholas Brockway ; first lieutenant, John C. Johnson ; second
lieutenant, Ezekiel Sterrett ; first sergeant, M. R. Bell ; sergeants, Frederick
Harvey, Joel Brown, Perry C. Fox, William Mulkins; corporals, James Den-
nison, John H. Robinson, Samuel Davenport, Richard Humphrey, John R.
W^ilkins, John Adams ; privates, Jesse N. Atwell, Joseph Briggs, Charles Ba-
ker, Dennis Butts, John Bryant, William Brittain, David Bovaird, James Cal-
houn, James Coder, William Clinton, Andrew Calhoun, John Caldwell, Stewart
Crawford, John M. Dailey, William Frost, Stephen Fox, Justice Gage, John
Goodar, Thomas Groves, Franklin Goodar, Samuel Holt, Washington Hender-
son, Jacob Hartman, William Irwin, John Irvin, James Jackson, Cyrus Kilgore,
Robert Kearney, John Kearney, James Kearney, Franklin Lyman, C. Logue,
Livingston Lockwood, D. W. Linsenbigler, Frank Lindemuth, Wesley Mul-
Other Military Organizations. 197
kins, William Mather, William McMinn, William B. McCullough, James Mc-
Connell, William McConnell, Scott McClelland, Adam Nulf, William Nulf,
Stewart Porter, V. L. Parsons, Coleman Parris, James Pearsall, James Patter-
son, Lewis Riley, James M. Smith, James Smith, John Sylvis, Hamilton Smith
James Stevenson, Levi Vandevort, Frederick Walker, James Welch, William
H. Wilson.
Company H, Fifty-seventh Regiment.
Captain, John C. McNutt ; first lieutenant, James E. Long; second
lieutenant, J. N. Garrison ; first sergeant, Henry Keihl ; sergeants, David
Milliron, Peter Fike, George Richards, Daniel Hoy ; corporals, John W.
Alcorn, Joseph Heasley, John J. Fishell, E. H. Clark, Joseph Glontz, Alvin
Startzell, Jacob Smith Hiram McAninch ; musicians, Samuel Gearheart, Amos
Lerch ; privates, William W. Alcorn, James G. Averell, S. R. Anderson, Lewis
A. Brady, Amos Cailor, Andrew H. Diven, Frank Doubles, John B. Farr,
Philip H. Freas, Robert Geist, James Geist, William J. Geist, Thomas M. Gib-
son, Edward Henderson, George B. Haine, William Jenkins, C. N. Jackson,
Thomas Jones, Israel Johnson, Elijah Keller, John Lash, James Lang, William
R. Loder, George Mauk, John Matson, Eli Miller, Isaac Mauk, Alexander
Mauk, Jacob Mauk, John J. Montgomery, Gilmore S. Montgomery, William
Milliron, John McFarland, Joseph Neal, John G. Porterfield, Amos Raybuck,
John Ross, George J. Reitz, F. S. Sprankle, Henry Shilling, Manoah Smith,
William R. Shaffer, Henry Snyder, William Swab, Abraham Thomas, W'illiam
Wonderling, William J. Wilson, James Walmer.
Company B and C, Second Battalion Six Months Volunteers.
In response to the call for six month's volunteers for border defense, issued
by President Lincoln, and Governor Curtin, in July, 1863, two companies
responded from Jefferson county, and were mustered into the Second Inde-
pendent Battalion July 23, 1863, and discharged January 21, 1864. They
went first into camp at Cumberland, Md., and though not actively engaged,
did good service in guard and picket duty. Lieutenant Herman Kretz, who
went out with Company B, was, on the organization of the battalion, promoted
to major.
Company B — Captain, Charles McLain ; first lieutenant, Thomas P. Mc-
Crea; second lieutenant, Samuel P. Huston; first sergeant, David Baldwin;
sergeants, Frank H. Steck, James E. Mitchell, George Stack, Solomon Kelso ;
corporals, Henry C. Keys, Charles Lyle, Edward Guthrie, Edgar Rodgers,
Adoniram J. Smith, Charles Butler, George Newcom, McCurdy Hunter; mu-
sicians, Archibald O. McWilliams, W. S. Lucas; privates, Benton Arthurs,
James T. Alford, J. G. Allen, Thomas B. Adams, Joseph Bowdish, William
Baughman, Benjamin Bickle, Webster Butler, Hamilton Beatty, Robert Beatty^
22
1 98 History of Jefferson County.
Washington K. Christy, Simon Denny, Marcellus G. DeVallance, William F.
Ewing, Samuel Frank, Barton Guthrie, William Gilbert, Robert S. Gilliland,
Wilson Gilliland, William Gordon, John J. Guthrie, Norman B. Galbraith, Jacob
Hettrick, James Hays, Edward Holly, David A. Henderson, John H. Hus-
ton, Eli J. Irvin, George Irvin, Lawson Knapp, John L. Knapp, Robert Kelly,
Thomas F. Keys, John T. Kelso, William Love, John L. Lucas, Edward Linde-
muth, Constantine Levis, Philip Levy, William Miller, David F. Matter, Alex-
ander Moore, Robert H. Mcintosh, George McDole, John S. McGiffin, Robert
M. McElroy, Arad Pearsall, John B. Patrick, John S. Richards, John C. Ri ea,
Reuben M. Shick, Amos Shirey, Alfred Slack, Robert A. Smith, William C.
Smith, John Showalter, Lewis Stine, Henry Startzell, Frederick Steck, John
Shields, David Simpson, James M. Simpson, Frank Truman, William L.
Thompson, Joseph Thompson, Paul Vandevort, John C. Vandevort, Josiah
Wiley.
Company C — Captain, William Neel ; first lieutenant, Thomas K. Hastings ;
second lieutenant, William C. Brown ; first sergeant, James L. Crawford ; ser-
geants, John M. Brewer, William W. Crissman, Thomas J. Cooper, Henry C.
■Campbell ; corporals, Thomas S. Neel, David A. Buchanan, Daniel M. Swisher,
Joseph M. Kerr, Robert T. Philliber, John B. Bair, John St. Clair, Charles S.
Bender; musicians, William J. Drum, Clark D. Allison; privates, Robert B.
Adams, Charles S. Brown, George R. Brady, David Black, John Bush, George
W. Barto, George A. Blose, Lorenzo D. Bair, William Boyd, David R. Bender,
Darius E. Blose, P"inly Cameron, Joseph C. Curry, John Chambers, John B.
Croasman, Michael L. Coon, W. L. Chamberlain, Daniel M. Cook, James N.
Chambers, George W. Davis, William C. Downy, David S. Downy, Abijah
Davis, Hiram Depp, Thomas D. Frampton, John Fierman, Benjamin F. Framp-
ton, George H. Grove, David G. Gourly, James Garrabrant, James B. Hinds,
John C. Hadden, George Hannah, Henry Hilliard, William A. Johnston, Mitch-
ell R. Lewis, John. J. Lewis, Thomas R. Lamison, Charles Ledos, Robert
Means, Henry M. Means, Elias Meeley, George Moot, Israel W. Marsh, i Robert
McBrier, James R. McOuown, WilHam T. Neal, Aaron Neal, John W. Neal,
Thomas J. Postlethewait, Watson B. Ross, Casper Reader, Irwin Robinson,
William H. Redding, Samuel Shaffer, John Shorthill, John Summerville, Gar-
ret Standish, Samuel Stevenson, James G. Sample, George W. Taylor, James
Urey, James H. Weaver, Silas W. Work, John H. Work, David R. Whitesell,
Thomas M. Williams, Adam Yohe, George W. Yount.
Emergency Men of 1864.
In July, 1864, Governor Curtin again called out the militia to repel the
contemplated raid of Early into Pennsylvania, and in response to this call a
company for one hundred days was raised in Jefferson county, by Captain
1 Israel W. Marsh died at camp near Cumberland, Md., September 30, 1S63.
Other Military Organizations. 199
Charles Stewart, which left Brookville July 10, 1864. This company was prin-
cipally recruited in Corsica and Reynoldsville. Captain Stewart on the organ-
ization of the regiment, which was an independent organization, having no
number, was chosen lieutenant- colonel. Their services not being needed on
the border, Colonel Stewart was ordered to Bloomsburg, Pa., to quell disturb-
ances there. The company was discharged November 10, 1864.
Company F, captains, Charles Stewart, promoted ; Joseph R. Weaver ; first
lieutenant, John A. Rishel ; second lieutenant, W. A. Burkett ; first sergeant,
Gilbert P. Rea ; sergeants, Augustus H. Derby, Arad A. Pearsall, George W.
Chamberlain, William K .McClelland; corporals, Gordon R. Clark, James D.
McKillip, L. N. Tovvnsend, John McGeary, John M. Gamble, James W. Mur-
phy, James Goe ; musicians, William Dougherty, John H. Corbet; privates,
Benjamin F. Bickle, Jacob Bash, Samuel G. Boyer, Jacob Boyer, Jonathan W.
Clark, Alexander Campbell, John Cochran, William G. Cummins, John C. Cal-
houn, George W. Couch, John Covert, Myers Deiorm, Martin L. Devallance,
George Evans, Lewis Evans, Benjamin F. Earheart, James T. Fox, Hiram A.
Frost, Richard Fitzsimmons, Thomas Fitzsimmons, James Green, Thomas B.
Galbraith, William Guthrie, John Hastings, Robert Harriger, Andrew Haugh,
Harvey D. Haugh, Jackson A. Horrell, John A. Hoffman, William B. Hughes,
Samuel E. Harris, Michael Hensell, John Hall, Robert J. Irwin, Nathaniel Imen,
Alfred Johnson, Alexander Kennedy, David S. Kelly, W. W. Kelly, Robert
Kelly, John T. Kelly, John Kelso, Thomas M. Kier, William C. Kime, David
Long, David L. Lambing, Samuel London, Benjamin Love, Henry Leech,
James K. Moore, Orville T. Minor, Campbell Morrison, William M. Michael,
Albert McHenry, Christopher B. McGiflin, John S. McCauley, Harvey H.
Pearsall, Richard W. Porter, Henry Rhodes, Lyman A. Rich, Taylor D.
Rhines, Samuel Shoftner, Asa W. Scott, Porter J. Stitzell, John C. Wilson,
Thomas R. Weaver.
In giving prominence to the dead officers of Jefferson county, the writer
has borne in mind the brave and gallant men in the ranks, who served with
such noble heroism under these officers, and it is no disparagement to those
heroes whose graves crowd the cemeteries at Seyen Pines, Fredericksburg, An-
tietam, Gettysburg, and lie unmarked at Chancellorsville, or those who each
year, in increasing numbers go to swell the silent population of our cemeteries
at home, that their deeds of valor are not recorded. In all that has been writ-
ten in praise of the fallen officers, the names and glorious deeds of the men
who made the charges that cleft the lines of the enemy ; who in every batde
upheld the officers, and aided in all that was grand and heroic, these are the
names — these the deeds that are read between the lines — but these names are
legion, and to give the details of their gallant services would fill a volume, while
to select out a few, where all are equally deserving of praise, would be invid-
ious. No soldiers who have fought in any army on the face of the globe, are
more deserving of praise than are the private soldiers of Jefferson county.
200 History of Jefferson County.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE DRAFT AND THE RELIEF FUND,
The Fir-st Draft in Jefferson County— The Enrollment under the State Call— The Quota
Filled — Organization of the Provost-Marshal General's Bureau — The Enrollment Board — Quotas
under the different Drafts — Lists of the Lucky Ones — Drafted Men in the Eighty-second Penn-
sylvania Regiment — The Relief Fund in Jefferson County — Aiding the Families of the Soldiers.
The Draft in Jefferson County.
THE first draft was in pursuance of the order of President Lincoln, of Au-
gust 4, 1862, calling for 300,000 men. The enrollment for this draft was
by States, and commissioners were appointed in each county to superintend
the same. Hon. Isaac G. Gordon was the commissioner for Jefferson and For-
est counties, and Dr. William J. McKnight was appointed examining surgeon.
Mr. Gordon appointed the following persons to enroll the militia in the several
townships :
Brookville, John J. Thompson ; Barnett, Charles Butterfield ; Beaver, Ben-
jamin Thomas ; Bell, P. W. Jenks ; Clover, H. R. Bryant ; Corsica, William
Glenn ; Eldred, Milton Graham ; Gaskill, Henry Brown ; Henderson, William
E. Bell; Heath, W. P. Jenks; Knox, James E. Long; McCalmont, John
Rhoads ; Oliver, Isaac C. Jordan; Perry, Irwin Robinson; Punxsutawney,
William Campbell ; Porter, F. W. Bell ; Pine Creek, Oliver Brady ; Polk, R.
G. Wright ; Ringgold, P. H. Shannon ; Rose, F. C. Coryell ; Snyder, A. J.
Thompson ; Union, E. B. Orcutt ; Washington, N. B. Lane ; Warsaw, Abram
Yetter ; Winslow, John Boucher; Young, D. C. Gillispie.
Under this enrollment the militia force of the county was found to be 3.482,
of which 1,107 were already in the service, leaving 2,375, subject to the draft,
but as Jefferson county had already sent more than her quota under the call,
she escaped this draft.
The act of Congress creating the office of provost-marshal general was ap-
proved March 3, 1 863, and James B. Fry appointed to that office March 1 7, 1 863.
Within a very short time thereafter the network of the organization adopted
under the law was extended to all the counties and towns in the loyal States,
and the work of the bureau commenced, viz., the arrest of deserters, enroll-
ment of the national forces for the draft, and the enlistment of volunteers.
When this bureau was put in operation it was found that the strength of
the army was deemed inadequate for offensive operations, nearly four hundred
thousand recruits being required to bring the regiments and companies then in
the service up to the legal and necessary standard. The system of recruiting
heretofore pursued had been found inadequate to supply the demand that the
The Draft and the Relief Fund. 201
rapidly diminishing ranks of the army required. To meet this demand, caused
by the casualties of battle, and the expiration of enlistments, a new system of
recruiting was inaugurated. The general government through the provost-
marshal general's bureau, assumed control of this business, which had hereto-
fore been under the jurisdiction of the State governments. The provost-mar-
shals of the several congressional districts, aided by a commissioner and sur-
geon in each, were made recruiting officers, and as this manner of procedure
sprang from the people, while at the same time exercising the authority of the
government, it reached the masses and greatly promoted volunteering, and en-
abled the difterent boards of enrollment to examine, enlist, muster, clothe, and
forward recruits as fast as they could be obtained. The quotas of districts and
sub-districts were made known, each locality was advised of the number it was
required to furnish, and that in case of failure to fill their quota a draft would
follow.
Under this arrangement the board of enrollment for the Nineteenth Con-
gressional District of which Jefterson county formed a part was established,
with headquarters at Waterford, Erie county, and was constituted as follows :
Provost- marshal, Colonel H. S. Campbell, of Erie county; commissioner,
Jerome Powell, of Elk ; surgeon, Dr. John Mechling, of Jefterson (Dr. Mechling
was appointed April 21, 1863); first clerk, Frothingham ; second clerk,
John Haldeman, both of Erie county. These constituted the regular board of
enrollment. Besides these from six to twelve additional clerks were employed.
Dr. Mechling resigned April 21, 1864, and Dr. C. M. Matson of Brookville,
was appointed to take his place. Mr. Haldeman also resigned in July or Au-
gust to accept the appointment of recruiting agent of colored troops at Fortress
Monroe, Va., and Edward Souther, of Ridgeway, was appointed in his place.
Soon after Mr. Souther was appointed commissioner in place of Powell re-
signed, and Joseph B. Henderson, the present cashier of the Jefterson county
National Bank of Brookville, was appointed to the second clerkship.
The board of enrollment was ordered to move its headquarters to Ridge-
way, Elk county, December 17, 1864. The several drafts were all conducted
by this board, and its headquarters continued at Ridgeway, until June 15, 1865,
when by order of General Stanton, Secretary of War, Colonel Campbell, Dr.
Matson, Edward Souther, and J. B. Henderson were discharged, and the dis-
trict consolidated with the one east of it, and the records in charge of the chief
clerk, Charles Himrod (who had succeeded Mr. Frothingham), removed to
Williamsport, Pa.
The work of the provost-marshal general's bureau was a gigantic one, and
the strength of the army was so materially arid systematically increased, that
the rebellion was soon quelled. The number of men obtained by this means
is given in the report of Provost-Marshal General Fry:
202 History of Jefferson Cotnty.
Product of the drafts 168,649
Number who paid commutation money for the procuring of substitutes under act of
March 3, 1863 85,457
Number who paid commutation under section 17, act of February, 1S64, (conscien-
tiously opposed to bearing arms) 1.267
Volunteer recruits (army and navy) and regulars 1,076,558
1. 331. 931
In the State of Pennsylvania $8,634,300 was paid for commutation. Of
this amount the nineteenth district paid $1,439,995-
The whole number drawn in the district was 3,387 ; number who failed to
report, 263 ; whole number examined, 3,124 ; personallj' held, 247 ; furnished
substitutes, 177; paid commutation, 928; total number held, 1,352; tlie num-
ber exempted for different causes, 1,245 ; number drawn who were already in
the service, 60. Of the number drawn Jefferson county furnished 1,473
The bounties paid for men ranged from $300 to $600. Provost-Marshal
Campbell appointed Captain Madison M. Meredith recruiting officer for Jeffer-
son county, September 9, 1863, and with the inducements held out for re-
cruits, a number of the townships paying local bounties, several of the districts
filled their quotas under the first drafts.
Very few of the men drafted in the county were sent into the service. The
majority paid their commutation, others furnished substitutes or were released
for some of the different causes exempting them from service.
Under the call of July 18, 1863, for 300,000 men, the correct enrollment of
Jefferson county in both classes was, first class, 1,624; second class, 813 ; total^
2,437, making the militia force of the county over 3,000. Under this enroll-
ment the quota of the county was 484. This quota to which was added the
after per cent, in addition, was distributed in the difi'erent subdistricts of the
county as follows: Brookville borough, 35 ; Barnett, 7 ; Beaver, 22 ; Bell, 15 ;
Clover, 21; Eldred, 15; Gaskill, 12; Henderson, 16; Knox, 20; Oliver, 21;
Pine Creek, 26; Rose, 15 ; Snyder, 24, Union, 19; Warsaw, 29; Winslow, 32 ;
Washington, 31 ; Punxsutawney, 11; Young, 20 ; Polk, 5 ; Heath, 9; Corsica,
5 ; Perry, 24; Porter, 15 ; Ringgold, 25 ; McCalmont, 10.
Names of those Dr.\fted.
In pursuance of the above the following names were drawn from the wheel
at Waterford, Wednesday, August 26, 1863 :
Brookville Borough. — Richard J. Espy, Frank Kreitler, George Aaron, E.
Reitz, W. Stevens, Abram Snyder, W. Dickey, T. Carroll, A. Scribner, J. Coon
J. T. Carroll, R. Cathcart, G. W. Keiser, A. Mackey, G. G. Fryer, J. S. Hub-
bard, W. O'Connor, John J. Thompson, J. Milliron, J. M. Pierce, John Sho-
walter, William Glenn, F. Overbeck, C. Warner, C. S. Andrews, W. Lansen-
dorfer, W. D. J. Marlin, F. C. Coryell, H. H. Barr, D. Rebeneck, R. Snyder, G.
Johnson, S. Cale, J. B. Henderson, W. English.
The Draft and the Relief Fund. 203
Bariiett Township. — C. Butterfield, A. Bashline, H. Bailey, William Boyer,
J. Cook, S. L. Hulsopple, I. Cassett.
Beaver Toivnship. — J. M. Burns, I. Crawford, A. Shaffer, W. Boughman,
J. Johns, J. Thomas, J. E McNutt, J. Shick, L. Boughman, L. Fenstemacher,
E. Oxenrider, John Thomas, E. Alcorn, W. Heckman, B. Wessen, H. Smith,
P. A. Shaffer, E. Sherman, O. Myers, Eli Coulter, Reuben Dinger, J. Shaffer.
Bell Townsliip. — W. Dunmire, J. Hoch, J. Caldwell, J. Hilburn, D. Davis,
Godfrey Hilburn, J. Frederick, G. Finley, P. Kline, Henry Weis, Abram Peace,
T. Davis, W. Stefty, H. Peterman, T. Dunn.
Clover Toivnship. — M. Love, P. Vandevort, L. Jack, M. Knapp, A. Van-
devort, L. C. Carrier, A. Hettrick, C. B. McGiffin, S. McGiffin, J. Hime, S.
McGiffin, J. B. Ferguson, E. Campbell, John Brocius, I. Welch, R. Fitzsim-
mons, S. M. Rodgers, G. A. Carrier, Andrew G. Hildrich, Grisswold Carrier,
A. Alcorn.
Corsica Borough. — H. Love, G. W. Gardner, J. B. Long, E. Depp, J. S.
Espy.
Eldred ToiviisJiip. — J. Singer, J. Brown, L Graham, R. B. English, J. Ply-
ler, C. W'eaver, E. Forsyth, E. Lindemuth, H. Maxwell, W. Gallagher, E. Love,
A. Butler, J. Lindsey, J. T. English, M. Gailey.
Gaskill Townsliip. — A. Bower, J. M. Bowers, S. Remaley, L Bowers, J.
Bowser, D. Remaley, J. Peterman, J. Brooks, E. Sheasley, Joseph Young, J.
R. Bowers, Abe Bowers.
Heath Township. — A. Zimmerman, J. Fowler, S. Wallace, G. McCoy, J.
Dearhalp, N. Kirkland, G. Brocius, William Winlack, Thompson Crow.
Henderson Township. — G. Emry, D. S. Slemmer, P. E. Smeyers, J. Bonnett,
L France, H. J. Weaver, William Null, Solomon Knisely, L France, G. W.
Ream, B. Boyer, H. Shaffer, A. Lott, B. Welder, P. J. Anthony, Jacob Davis.
Kttox Township.— D. Wolf, S. Harriger, D. Rhinehart, A. Wiley, F. Shan-
non, A. Averell, S. A. Hunter, H. J. Wise, P. Bailey, I. McKee, Isaac Harri-
ger, A. Eshbaugh, John Farringer, S. F. Wilson, A. Burdoff, J. Cummins, J.
Rhoads, D. Rhinehart, Adam Mohney, Jefferson Barber.
McCalmont Township. — J. Smith, W. R. Pifer, J. G. Ernst, John Varner,
J. W. Means, J. Straithoff, A. H. Deemer, Abram Warner, L W. McGee,
John Bell.
Oliver Tozunship. — J. Montgomery, W. Pantall, S. Horner, J. Smith, J.
Fishel, J. J. Miller, D. Coulter, S. Stahlman, L. J. Boyington, Miles Smith, H.
Doverspike, \N. H. Fishel, W. Jordon, D. W. Hoch, L M. Depp, J. Shaffer,
T. Wadden, J. M. Clyde, S. Dobson, A. Hill, A. Miller.
Pine Creek Township.— S. Baughmon, J. B. Campbell, J. T. Alford, N. S.
Geere, J. E. Long, W. Kirkman, J. Bliss, J. Kunselman, J. Heasley, J. S. Geere,
J. Moore, S. Siple, A. W. Livendorffer, C. Murphy, J. Rhodes, Henry Start-
zell, E. Huffman, J. Dempsey, R. Vantassel, H. Horn, L Alsehouse, T. Clark,
L Shoemaker, W. C. Evans, J. Dunham, J. W. Dempsey.
204 History of Jefferson County.
Pituxsiitawney Borough. — Jacob Zeitler, J. W. Hughes, J. J. J. Bishop, W.
A. Means, A. C. White. G. W. Zeitler, B. Zeigler, W. Beck, T. K. Hastings,
O. N. Nordstrom, W. R. Evans.
Polk Toii'7iship.—B. K. McLure, W. H. McKillips, J. McGiffin, C. F. Hart-
ung, George Heitzenreider.
Porter Township.— 1. J. Bish, WilUam Postlethwait, D. Bish, G. Marsh, H.
Snyder, J. Brombaugh, P. Bish, Joseph Bish, F. Ellenberger, J. Dibler, A. Hin-
terliter, M. McDevitt, J. C. Hoover, E. Hoover, C. Miller.
Perry Tozvnsliip. — D. Whitesell, P. Beam, J. N. Heckendorn, N. Croasman,
Darius Blose, Thomas Reed, M. Depp, Bennewell Raybuck, S. Directors.
W. H. Gray, )
August 25, 1882, Thomas W. Litch was elected a member of the board of
directors to fill the vacancy occasioned by his father's death, and the same day
W. H. Gray was elected vice-president, and George T. Rodgers, assistant-
cashier. January 9, 1S83, Mrs. R. M. Litch was elected member of the board,
vice T. W. Litch; J. B. Henderson was promoted to the presidency; W. H.
Gray was re-elected vice-president ; Edward A. Litch was chosen cashier, vice
J. B. Henderson, promoted; and George T. Rodgers was re-elected assistant-
cashier. July 3, 1883, George T. Rodgers became a stockholder in the bank
by purchase from W. H. Gray, and January, 1884, he was made a member of
the board of directors, vice Mrs. R. M. Litch, and at a meeting of the board
was chosen cashier. J. B. Henderson was re-elected president, and W. H.
Gray vice-president. The office of assistant-cashier was not refilled, and the
board of directors and officers has since that time been unchanged.
In the summer of 1 881, three years after its organization, the bank had
deposits amounting to $615,000, and two years later its deposits were over
$660,000, being about four times as much as had ever been controlled by any
bank in Brookville. The bank invested its entire capital in government 4's at
Banking Institutions.
30;
par, and afterwards bought $46,950 of same bonds, most of them at par, all of
which it now holds. It has held at times nearly $50,000 dollars in county and
municipal bonds also.
Banking House of Ira C. Fuller.
January I, 1 88 1, Ira C. Fuller opened a bank in the bank building formerly
occupied by the bank of William F. Clark & Son. He did business in this
building for about two years, then moved into the room now occupied by the
National Bank of Brookville, in the American House building. November i,
18S3, the bank was made a national institution under the name of " National
Bank of Brookville."
National Bank of Brookville.
The National Bank of Brookville was organized August 25, 1883, with cap-
ital stock of $50,000, with the following officers: Ira C. Fuller, president; W.
D. J. Marlin, vice-president; B. M. Marlin, cashier. Board of directors: Ira
C. Fuller, W. D. J. Marlin, William F. Wanner, Joseph Darr, F. X. Kreitler,
Brookville; John Yeaney, Shannondale; N. Taylor, Corsica. The books of the
bank were opened for business November i, 1883, in the banking- room in the
"American House" lately occupied by the "Ira C. Fuller Bank," where the
bank still continues to hold forth. On November 3, 1885, E. H. Darrah was
elected a director and also president to fill the vacancy caused by the res-
ignation of Ira C. Fuller. At the regular meeting of the stockholders January
12, 1886, Charles Corbet, esq., and C. Z. Gordon, esq., both of Brookville,
were elected directors in place of W. F. Wanner and John Yeaney. The bank
at present has a surplus fund of $4,200, and is doing a steadily increasing, and
profitable business.
Mahoning Bank of Funxsutawney.
The Mahoning Bank opened its doors for business June 24, 1 870. The
first meeting of the stockholders was held November 4, 1870, when the follow-
ing officers were elected : President, Reuben C. Winslow, of Funxsutawney ;
cashier, M. J. Dinsmore, of Funxsutawney ; directors, R. C. Winslow, W. A.
Dunlap, W, E. Gillespie, Funxsutawney ; William M. Stewart, Harry White,
Indiana; Dr. R. M. McChesney, Shelocta, Indiana county. The bnnk did a
general banking business, passing through the panic of 1872-73 with credit to
itself and satisfaction to its many patrons and customers, during that trying
time. The bank continued doing business with some changes in officers, etc.,
until July 28, 1886, when negotiations were entered into by M. J. Dinsmore,
with the balance of the original stockholders, for the purchase of the bank ;
the arrangement for the purchase being consummated October 13, 1886, M. J.
Dinsmore becoming owner of the entire stock, assets, fixtures, etc. On the
3o8 History of Jefferson County.
1 8th of December, Mr. Dinsmore disposed of the same to Dr. Joseph Shields,
and retired from the business. The bank then passed into the hands of new
parties, and was reorganized with the following officers : President, Dr. Joseph
Shields ; vice-president, Dr. S. S. Hamilton ; cashier, Alonzo Pantall ; assist-
ant-cashier, R. W. Dinsmore. Directors, Dr. Joseph Shields, T. Pantall, Dr.
A. P. Cox, Dr. S. S. Hamilton, D. C. Mclntyre, S. T. North, William G. Lewis.
The Mahoning Bank is one of the solid banking institutions of the countj', and
is doing a good business.
The First Nation.\l Bank of Punxsuta\vney
Was organized August 7, 1883, with a capital stock of $50,000, with the fol-
lowing officers : President, R. C. Winslow ; vice-president, T. Pantall ; cashier,
James H. Maize. Board of directors, R. C. Winslow, Punxsutawney ; T.
Pantall, Young township ; John R. Pantall, Oliveburg ; J. B. Henderson,
Brookville ; Charles Corbet, Brookville. The books of the bank were opened
for business on October 8, 18S3, in the east' room of Winslow and Calder-
wood's law office on West Mahoning street, where it continued to do busi-
ness until about the first of October, 18S4, when it was removed to a commo-
dious building especially erected for its occupancy, near the centre of the town,
by Jacob Zeitler, esq. The great conflagration that visited Punxsutawney on
the morning of October 9, 1886, laid the handsome building of the First Na-
tional Bank in ruins ; but with the exception of the loss of its counters and fur-
niture, the bank lost comparatively nothing, everything in vault and safe being
intact when opened, A few days later the bank resumed business in a build-
ing adjoining their old location, and ten days after the fire Jacob Zeitler, the
owner of the former bank building, had contracted for the erection of a new
building, which will be completed about April i, 1888, and again occupied by
the First National Bank. The new structure will be almost a fac simile of the
old one. No change occurred in the officers from its organization until Janu-
ary, 1887, when John R. Pantall, esq., succeeded T. Pantall, esq., as vice-
president, and Robert Calderwood, esq., was chosen a director in place of T.
Pantall. Since its organization this bank has sustained a loss of two of its
valued shareholders, in the persons of the late A. L. Gordon, and Isaac C. Jor-
don. The bank at present has a surplus fund of $3,000, and is doing a stead-
ily increasing and profitable business.
Secret Societies. 309
CHAPTER XXIV.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The Masonic Order in Jefferson County — Hobah Lodge — John W. Jenks Lodtye— Jefferson
Chapter — The Independent Order of Odd Fellow."! — Different Lodges in the Countv The
Knights of Pythias — Different Organizations of the Order — Patriotic Sons of America The
Patrons of Husbandry — The Granges in Jefferson County — Membership — Finances etc.
Masonry in Jefferson County. ^
HOBAH LODGE No. 276 F. and A. M., located at Brookville Pa., was
chartered by the R. W. G. Lodge of Pennsylvania, on the Sth day of
September, A. D. 1853, A. L. 5853. Constituted by brother Robert E. Brown,
specially appointed for that purpose on the 2d day of November, A. D. 1853.
The officers were : James L. Gillis, W. M.; David S. Deering, S. W.; Evans
R. Brady, J. W.; I. G. Gordon, Sec'y. The lodge room was in the upper story
of the first American House. This building was burned down on the 23d day
of May, 1856. There was a special meeting of the lodge held in the court-
house to make arrangements for the funeral of Brother William McCandless
on the 28th of May, 1856, this being the first Masonic funeral of the lodge.
The stated meeting in June, 1856, was held in the building owned and oc-
cupied by Louis Theil, situated on lot No. 30 on the south side of Main street,
as was all the meetings of the lodge up to and including March 3, 1857.
The stated meeting of March 10, 1857, and all meetings of the lodge up
to January 28, 1S69, were held in the Evans building, located on lot No. 65,
on the north side of Main street.
On the 28th of January, 1869, the lodge moved into the Nicholson build-
ing, situated on the south side of Main street on lot No. 32, the third story of
which was owned by the Masonic Hall Association. This building was de-
stroyed in the fire of November 20, 1874. A special meeting of the lodge
was called and held in the Matson building on the same evening.
The next meeting of the lodge was held December 3, 1874, in the hall, in
the third story of the building of McKnight and Brother, situated on the east-
ern half of lot No. 35, then occupied by the Independent Order of Red Men,
at which time they purchased of the I. O. of R. M. their furniture, carpets, etc.,
leased the hall, and still occupy said hall. The charter members were, James
L. Gillis, David S. Deering, Evans R. Brady, Henry P. Sullivan, T. H. Van
Valzah, O. P. Reynolds, G. R. Barrett and Henry Raught. There are but two
of the charter members now living to- wit : David S. Deering, who resides in
Independence, Iowa, and Hon. George R. Barrett, who resides in Clearfield, Pa.
1 Prepared by W. D. J. Marlin.
36
3IO History of Jefferson County.
The officers of Hobah Lodge for 1887 are: W. M., E. Clark Hall ; S. W.,
Cyrus H. Blood ; J. W., John M. Van Vliet ; Sec'y, W. D. J. Marlin ; Treas.,
George W. Means. The entire membership of the lodge since its organiza-
tion, 273; deceased, 35 ; resigned, 103; suspended, 39; expelled, 3; present
membership, 93.
The following compose those who have filled the different chairs since the
organization of the lodge : Past-masters, James L. Gillis, 1853-54 ; Evans R.
Brady, 1855-56; Pearl Roundy, 1857; John Henderson, 1858-59; Alexis
L. Gordon, 1860-61; John Henderson, 1862; Alexis L. Gordon, 1863-64;
William C. Evans, 1865; Alexis L. Gordon, 1866; Lewis A. Grunder, 1867;
Madison M. Meredeth, 1868; James P. George, 1869; Wilson R. Ramsey,
1870; James L. Brown, 1871 ; Robert R. Means, 1872; John McMurray,
1873; James K. Hamilton, 1874; William A. Frank, 1875; Philip H. Shan-
non, 1876; Williamson D.J. Marlin, 1877; James H. Maize, 1878; Charles
Corbet, 1879; John J. Patterson, 1880; Solomon Kaufman, 1881 ; George W.
Means, 1882; William B. Cowen, 1883; Abraham F. Balmer, 1884; Benja-
min M. Marlin, 1885. Senior wardens, David S. Deering, 1853-54; David
Maclay, 1855; Oliver P. Reynolds, 1856; John Henderson, 1857; James P.
George, 1858; John Henderson, 1859 ; Orlando Gray, i860; James P. George,
1861 ; William C. Evans, 1862; Augustus R. Marlin, 1863 ; Isaac G. Gordon,
1864; Madison M. Meredith, 1865; Lewis A. Grunder, 1866; Madison M.
Meredith, 1867; James P. George, 1868; Irvin McFarland, 1869; James L.
Brown, 1870; Robert R. Means, 1871 ; John McMurray, 1872; James K.
Hamilton, 1873; William A. Frank, 1874; Philip H. Shannon, 1875; Will-
iamson D.J. Marlin, 1876; James H. Maize, 1877; Charles Corbet, 1878;
John J. Patterson, 1879; James P. George, 1880; George W. Means, 1881 ;
William B. Cowan, 1882; Abraham F. Balmer, 1883; Benjamin M. Marlin,
1884. Junior wardens, Evans R. Brady, 1853-54; Thomas H. Van Valzah,
1855; Pearl Roundy, 1856; Hugh Brady, 1857; Orlando Gray, 1858; Au-
gustus R. Marlin, 1859; James P. George, i860; Reed B. Brown, 1861
James C. Rankin, 1862; Morrow B. Lowry, 1863; William P. Jenks, 1864
Solomon Kaufman, 1865; Edward Scofield, 1866; William H. Gray, 1867
George A. Jenks, 1868; Wilson R. Ramsey, 1869; Robert R. Means, 1870
James H. Maize, 1871 ; James K. Hamilton, 1872; Philip H. Shannon, 1S73
William A. Frank, 1S74; Williamson D. J. Marlin, 1875 ; James H. Maize
1876; Solomon Kaufman, 1877; John J. Patterson, 1878; David Eason, 1879
Thomas H. Means, 1880; William B. Cowan, 1881 ; John J. Patterson, 18S2
Benjamin M. Marlin, 1883; F"rank X. Kreitler, 1884. Treasurers, Isaac G
Gordon, 1853-55 ; William McCandlass, 1856; Louis Thiel, 1857; Robert R
Means, 1858-59; Christopher Fogle, 1860-70; Madison M. Meredith, 1871-
74; Robert R. Means, 1875-77; Thomas H. Means, 1878; Solomon Kauf-
man, 1879; Frank X. Kreitler, 1880-83 ! George W. Means, 1884. Secreta-
Secret Societies. 3 1 1
ries, Isaac G. Gordon, 1853 ; Alexis L. Gordon, 1854; William McCandless,
1855; James McCahon, 1856; Wakefield W. Corbet, 1857-58; Evans R.
Brady, 1859-61; John T. Reed, 1862-63; Morrow B. Lowry, 1864; Lewis A.
Grander, 1865; William C. Evans, 1866; Joseph B. Henderson. 1867; E.
Heath Clark, 1868; John McMurray, 1869-70; Williamson D. J. Marlin,
1871-74; Samuel A. Craig, 1875-77; Williamson D J. Marlin, 1878-84.
Jcjferson Chapter R. A. M. No. 225. — On the 5th day of August, A. D.
1869, A. I. 2399, a warrant was granted by the Grand Holy Royal Arch
Chapter of Pennsylvania, to Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. Masons to be
held at Brookviile, Pa., the following being the charter members or officers
thereof to- wit: Companions, Madison M. Meredith, M. E. H.; Philip H.
Shannon, king ; James L. Brown, scribe.
The chapter was constituted on the 7th day of October, A. D. 1869, A. I.
2399, by District Deputy High Priest Companion Miles W. Sage, assisted by
a number of Royal Arch Masons, in Masonic Hall, in the Nicholson building,
south side of Main street, Brookviile, where the meetings of the chapter
were held till after said hall was burned down, when they removed with
Hobah Lodge No. 276, F. and A. M. to McKnight and Brothers building,
opposite the court-house where they still hold their meetings. The first offi-
cers of the chapter were Madison M. Meredith, H. |P.; Philip H. Shannon,
king ; James L. Brown, scribe ; and George W. Andrews, treasurer ; and Rob-
ert R. Means, secretary.
Madison M. Meredith served as high priest for 1869-70 and 1876; Philip
H. Shannon, 1871 ; James L. Brown, 1872 and 1877 ; James S. George, 1873 ;
Wilson R. Ramsey, 1874 and 1S82 ; James K. Hamilton, 1875 and 1880 ; John
J. Thompson, 1878 ; Nathan Carrier, 1879 ; Thomas L. Templeton, 1881 ; John
N. Garrison, 1883; Alexis L. Gordon, 1S84; George W. Means, 1885; John
J. Patterson, 1886. The treasurers were, George W. Andrews, 1869 and '70;
Madison M. Meredith, 1872 and '75; Williamson D. J. Marlin, 1871; Robert R.
Means, 1876-77; William H. Gray, 1878 ; Isaac F. Steiner, 1879-81; James K.
Hamilton, 1882-86. The secretaries were, Robert R. Means, 1869-71 ; Will-
iamson D. J. Marlin, 1872-86. There have been admitted, 59; died, 7 ; sus-
pended, 5 ; resigned, 7 ; leaving 40 members.
John W. Jenks Lodge No. 534, F. and A. M., is located at Punxsutawney,
and meets in the I. O. of O. F. Hall on the first Tuesday evening of each
month. This lodge was instituted March 9, 1875, by William B. Meredith, R.
W. D. D. G. M. The following members were its officers for the first year:
W. M., Thomas K. Hasting; S. W., Jacob Zeitler; J. W., James C. Shields;
Sec'y, James A. Minish ; S. D., John Crawford; J. D., William J. Smith;
Pur., George W. Porter ; S. M. C, William Ahman ; J. M. C, Andrew P. Cox ;
Chaplain, James E. Mitchell; Tiler, Adam B. Hoch ; Treas., Joseph Shields.
The following are the present officers: W. M., James A. Minish; S. W.,
312 History of Jefferson County.
John W. Parsons; J. W,, John Davis; Treas., David P. Frampton ; Sec'y,
R. M. Swisher; S. D., George W. Porter; J. D., Theophilus Pantall ; Pur.,
John B. Bair; S. M. C, Robert C. Robinson; J. M. C, Henry A. Ham;
Chaplain, James E. Mitchell ; Tiler, John Crawford. Number of members 42.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Brookville Lodge No. 217, /. 0. of 0. F. — This lodge was instituted March
16, 1847, with the following officers: Pearl Roundy, N. G.; David S. Deering,
V. G., John Hastings, Sec'y ; J. S. McCuUough, Ass't Sec'y ; William Mc-
Candless, Treas. There is no means of ascertaining the names of the other
charter members, the lodge being burned out and surrendering its charter
September 12, 1856, to A. J. Johnstone, D. D. G. M.
The lodge was reorganized December 14, 1869, by D. D. G. M., A. Ru-
dolph, of Jefferson county. The lodge started with a membership of nineteen,
as follows : A. Craig, B. T. Hastings, W. W. Corbett, K. L. Blood, G. W. Mc-
Kinley, D. G. Gourley, S. J. Fryer, J. D. McKinley, Edwin Snyder, J. C. Sho-
bert, R. M. Matson, L. Schnell, George H. Kennedy, O. H. Brown, John M.
Espy, J. E. Long, A. B. McClain, Abram Snyder, and William Davie. The
following officers were installed at the reorganization : A. Craig, N. G.; B. T.
Hastings, V. G.; W. Corbett, Sec'y ; K. L. Blood, Treas.
There were admitted at the time of reorganization by initiation eleven
members. Since the reorganization there have been admitted by initiation one
hundred and seventy-eight, and by card fifty-three members. Of these some
have died, others have been suspended, and many have withdrawn by card to
join other lodges. There are now in membership one hundred and fifteen.
This lodge has furnished charter members for many of the sister lodges in this
and adjoining counties. Since the reorganization it has paid out for the relief
of brothers, their widows and orphans, the sum of $2,670. The present assets
of the lodge are $4,679.62. The officers for the ensuing term were installed
April 4, 1887, by D. D. G. M., Peter B. Cowan, as follows: N. G., J. R. Heas-
ley ; V. G., E. V. Richards ; Sec'y, J. W. Walker ; Ass't Sec'y, J. C. Snyder ;
Treas., John S. Moore ; R. S., to N. G., T. A. Hendricks ; L. S., E. Snyder ; W.,
J. W. Cox; C, L. S. Edwards ; R. S. S., O. T. Stewart; L. S. S., J. C. McMan-
nigal; Chaplain, William P. Steele ; O. G., A. Snyder ; I. G., James Vasbinder ;
R. S. to V. G., W. H. Hoover; L. S., K. R. Hindman. Besides administering
to the relief of her own members, Brookville Lodge No. 217, has frequently cast
her mite for the relief of those who had no claim upon her treasury. This lodge
was among the first to respond to the call of distress at the time of the Chi-
cago fire, and the response was so liberal, that a part of it was returned to the
lodge.
Laurel Lodge No. 672, /. 0. of 0. F., was instituted at Punxsutawney, on
the 27th day of July, 1869, by D. D. G. M., A. L. McClusky, assisted by sev-
Secret Societies. 313
eral of the P. G. of Palladium Lodge, No. 346 of Indiana. Six of the charter
members were present, viz., J. M. Brewer, D. S. Altman, J. C. Green, J. P.
Drum, H. Fackner and A. Rudolph. After the institution and organization
there were four applicants for membership ; H. C. Campbell, D. R. Donnelly,
J. R. North and B. Zigler, all of whom were, by dispensation, initiated in all
the five degrees. The first officers of Laurel Lodge were, J. M. Brewer, N. G.;
D. S. Altman, V. G.; J. C. Green, Sec'y ; J. P. Dunn, Ass't Sec'y ; H. Fack-
ner, Treas.; D. R. Donnelly, S. W.; H. C. Campbell, Conductor ; J. K. North,
O. G.; B. Zigler, I. G,; H. Ernst, R. S. to N. G.; H. Iserman, L. S. to N. G.;
C. Spindler, R. S. to V. G. Since the institution of the lodge one hundred and
seventy-seven members have been admitted. The lodge in 1887 has a mem-
bership of 88 ; funds in treasurer's hands, $90.57; amount invested, $5,909.76 ;
regalia and furniture, $831.70. Total assets of lodge, $6,842.03.
Cicerone Lodge No. 897, /. O. of 0. F., was instituted at Brockwayville, on
the 6th day of January, 1875, by Andrew Craig, of Brookville, beginning with
sixteen members. The first officers elected were N. G., A. Thrush ; V. G., J.
C. Moorhead ; Sec'y, R. O. Moorhead ; Treas., William G. Quigley. Num-
ber of members since admitted, one hundred and twenty-eight ; members now
in good standing, ninety-four; amount of receipts, $6,775. 10 ; amount of dis-
bursements, $4,077.43 ; invested in real estate, etc., $3,650; in hands of treas-
urer, $250. Present officers: N. G., A. R. Chapin ; V. G., T. S. Kline ; Sec'y,
W. D. Clark ; Treas., James H. Groves.
Dr. W. C. Niver, a member of this lodge, is believed to be the oldest in
Odd Fellowship of any one in the county. This lodge has furnished many of
the charter members for the lodges instituted at Ridgeway, Du Bois and
Centerville.
Snmmerville Lodge No. 793, /. 0. of 0. F., was instituted March 25, 1887,
by District Deputy Grand Master P. B. Cowan, of Brookville, assisted by Past
Grands, J. S. Moore, of Lodge 217; J. H. Groves, of Lodge 897; W. P.
Steele, of Lodge 217 ; J. H. Monks, of Lodge 813 ; F. W. Space, of Lodge
963 ; R. A. Summerville, of Lodge 813 ; F. P. Hummell, of Lodge 918 ; D.
D. G. P., A. Craig, of Encampment No. 202 ; P. C. P., S. Kaufman, of En-
campment No. 202 ; P. C. P., J. VV. Walker, of Encampment No. 202, and
others from neighboring lodges. The following officers were elected and in-
stalled : N. G., W. F. Flick ; V. G., D. Davis ; Sec'y, R. B. Vermilyea ; Asst.
Sec'y, J. Fenstermaker ; Treas., J. C. Smith. Noble Grand's appointments:
W., J. A. Haven ; C, J. K. Brown ; O. G., G. A. Garvin ; I. G., D. K. Moore ;
Chap., J. J. Guthrie; R. S., H. C. Anderson ; L. S., J. Horner; R. S. S., J.
C. Simpson ; L. S. S., J. K. Myers. Vice Grand's appointments : R. S., H. W.
Carrier ; L. S., D. W. Smith.
The new lodge starts out with a membership of forty-five, has an excellent
hall nicely furnished, and is out of debt ; conditions that indicate a prosperous
career.
314 History of Jefferson County.
Amor Lodge No. 608. /. 0. of O. F., was instituted at Marchand, Indiana
county, and the charter granted September 2, 1867. The charter members
were Hugh J. Brady, James W. Shields, A. J. Hamilton, J. M. Rifenberick,
John M. Brown, S. S. Shaffer, S. C. Brown, S. W. Brewer, D. B. Brewer and
James S. Crawford. The officers consisted of Hugh J. Brady, N. G.; James
S Shields, V. G.; A. J. Hamilton, Sec'y ; Samuel C. Brown, Treas. From
September 2, 1867, to August 12, 1879, there were two hundred initiations.
Amor Lodge was the nucleus from which the lodges at Cherry Tree, Plum-
ville, Smicksburg, Marion, Ringgold and Punxsutawney were organized.
The charter was called in by the Grand Lodge in the latter part of 1879,
and was, on the petition of J. G. Mitchell, S. S. Shaffer, John C. Neale, Sharp
Neale, W. H. Heckendorn, John Frampton and others, re-issued November 13,
18S4, with authority to locate the lodge at Perrysville, Jefferson county. The
first officers under the new organization were William Neale, N. G.; W. P. Pos-
tlethwait, V. G.; G. A. Blose, Sec'y; R. H. L. Neale, Treas. The lodge is in
a prosperous condition, with thirty-three members in good standing, and is out
of debt with a surplus fund in its treasury of from $150 to $200. The pres-
ent officers are Daniel Brewer, N. G.; W. H. Heckendorn, V. G.; T. D. Brewer,
Sec'y ; W. L. Henry, Treas.
Corsica Lodge No. 813, /. 0. of 0. F.,wa.s instituted at Corsica October 25,
1872, with twenty-three charter members, by D. D. G. M., A. Craig, of Brook-
ville ; burned out June 2, 1873, all furniture and regalia saved. Met during
the summer in the public school building. November 7, 1873, moved in and
dedicated new hall. Charter members: H. A. Smith, C. C. Baker,|M. D., J. E.
Orcutt, R. A. Summerville, John H. Dehaven, E. B. Orcutt, William Cowan,
W. F. Delp, T. A. Hamilton, J. H. Monks, J. W. Martin, P. A. Fleming, A.
M. Slack, G. W. McKinley, G. H. Siar, T. D. Spence, George Shultz, W. H.
Scott, H. D. Morrison, T. S. Elder, T. F. Richey, A. S. McPherson, G. W.
Cummings. First elective officers: N. G., C. C. Baker, M. D.; V. G., WilHam
Cowan; Sec'y, T. D. Spence; Ass't Sec'y, G. H. Siar; Treas., A. M. Slack.
Present elective officers: N. G., J. H. Simpson ; V. G., John Knabb ; Sec'y,
A. P. Simkins ; Asst. Sec'y, A. M. Slack ; Treas., J. H. Monks. Whole num-
ber initiated, 157; admitted by card, 10; withdrawn by card, 35; deceased, 2;
present membership, 7J. Total available assets, $1,467.57 ; invested in regalia
and furniture, $900; total, $2,367.57; amount paid out for relief, $1,150.50.
Knights of Pythias.
This order was first instituted in the city of New York twenty-four years
ago, and now has a membership of 200,000. The declaration of principles
adopted by the order show the basis upon which it is founded :
" Recognizing the universality of human brotherhood, its organization is
designed to embrace the world within its jurisdiction — intended solely and only
Secret Societies.
31S
to disseminate the great principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence, noth-
ing of a sectarian or political character is permitted within its portals. Tolera-
tion in religion, obedience to law, and loyalty to government are its cardinal
principles. Misfortune, misery and death being written in fearful characters on
the broad face of creation, our noble order was instituted to uplift the fallen ;
to champion humanity; to be his guide and hope; his refuge, shelter, and
defence ; to soften down the asperities of life ; to subdue party spirit ; and by
sweet and powerful attractions of the glorious trinity of friendship, charity, and
benevolence, to bind in one harmonious brotherhood men of all classes and all
opinions. The brightest jewels which it garners are the tears of the widows
and orphans ; and its imperative commands are to visit the homes where lace-
rated hearts are bleeding ; to assuage the sufferings of a brother ; bury the
dead ; care for the widow, and educate the orphan ; to exercise charity toward
offenders ; to construe words and deeds in their least unfavorable light ; grant-
ing honesty of purpose and good intentions to others ; and to protect the prin-
ciples of knighthood unto death. Ifs laws are reason and equity ; its cardinal
doctrines inspire purity of thought and life; its intention is 'peace on earth
and good will toward man.' "
District Deputy Grand Chancellor for Jefferson county, P. C, Thomas H.
Scott, 1880-83 ; P- C., A. F. Balmer, 1883-84; H. C. Campbell, 1885 ; Thomas
H. Scott, 1886.
Valiant Lodge No. 461, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Reynoldsville,
on the 29th day of November, 1879, by the (then) Grand Chancellor, Thomas
G. Sample, of Allegheny, Pa., assisted by P. C, Thomas H. Scott; P. C, \V.
H. Van Lew ; P. C, David Hartman ; and Brothers Heemer and Riston, of East
Brady. At that meeting there were four admitted by card, and ten new mem-
bers initiated, after which the following officers were elected to serve until De-
cember 30, 1880. P. C, Josiah Dent; C. C, W. H. Van Lew; V. C, W. W.
Crissman ; prelate, John A. Ulrich ; M. of E., David Hartman; M. of F.,
James R. Johnston ; K. of R. and S., Solomon Shaffer; M. at A., J. W. Fink ;
I. G., E. D. Hartman ; O. G., Joseph H. Watson; D. D. G. C, P. C, Thomas
H. Scott, for Jefferson county.
This lodge started out with fourteen members and an indebtedness of about
two hundred dollars ; but with an increased membership, was almost out of
debt when the fire of the 29th of October, 1880, destroyed the building in
which their lodge room was situated, and the lodge lost nearly all its property,
which was, however, partly covered by insurance. A new room was rented,
and the membership went diligently to work to keep all expenses paid up, and
soon cleared off all debts, and now find their order in a prosperous condition.
The old hall having been rebuilt where the lodge was first organized, it was
leased for a term of five years, and fitted up at a cost of about two hundred
dollars. The finances of Valiant Lodge are now as follows : Invested in hall
3i6 History of Jefferson County.
furniture and fixtures, together with the working materials of the lodge, $6oo ;
four U. S. bonds, $517.50; one Reynoldsville borough bond $100; balance
on hand (clear of all indebteduess), $218.75 ; total, $1,436.25.
Since its institution the lodge has paid out for sick benefits to date, May i,
1887, $535 ; to other lodge members, $22. There have been no deaths in the
active membership of this lodge ; the only death being one who had been sus-
pended for non-payment of dues some two years previous to death. The pres-
ent membership is seventy-seven, while seventy-five have been suspended for
non-payment of dues, from the close of the December term 1881, to the close
of the last term ending December 30, 1886. During the same period four
have withdrawn from the lodge. The present officers of Valiant Lodge are :
P. C, Lewis G. Sidler ; C. C, August Kleinhaus ; V. G., George B. Blanchard ;
prelate, Alexander L. Best ; M. of E., George H. Allis ; M. of F., Wallace W.
Ford; K. of R. and S., Thomas H. Scott; M. at A., William Copping; I. G.,
Joseph Shaffer; O. G., William Gibson; representative to Grand Lodge,
Thomas H. Scott; trustees, Joseph Shaffer, M. S. Sterly, and A. J. Broadhead.
Brookville Lodge No. 477, K. of P., was the second lodge of the order
organized in Jefferson county; was instituted November 29, 1881, with thirty-
six charter members, by D. D. G. C, Thomas H. Scott, esq., of Reynolds-
ville, assisted by the following past chancellors : E. N. Geer, of Corry ; E.
V. Marsh and J. L. Kribbs, of New Bethlehem ; T. J. Boyer, of Du Bois ; W.
H. Van Lew, J. H. Gross, J. S. Watson, David Hartman, S. J. Broadhead, of
Reynoldsville, and others. The first officers of the lodge to whom the charter
was issued were as follows: P. C, J. W. Truesdell ; C. C, A. F. Balmer ; V.
C, Andrew Craig ; prelate, Scott McClelland ; M. at A., Peter B. Cowan ; K.
of R. and S., John McMurray ; M. of E., Thomas C. Lawson ; M. of F., E. L.
Kimple ; I. G., John B. Means ; O. G., W. S. Weaver. There have been ini-
tiated and received into membership in the lodge since its organization one
hundred and thirty-one members, of whom two have died, three withdrawn,
thirty-two were suspended for non-payment of dues, leaving the present mem-
bership ninety-four. The lodge pays a weekly sick benefit of $3. 50, and in
this behalf they have expended $913, also a funeral benefit of $50, and in ad-
dition to having an elegantly furnished lodge-room, have over one thousand
dollars in their treasury. The past officers of the lodge, according to their
seniorty, are: J. W. Truesdell, A. F. Balmer, T. C. Lawson, E. L. Kimple, .W.
S. Weaver, Andrew Craig, A. C. White, P. B. Cowan, 0. S. Snyder, J. R. Van
Lear, W. A. Thompson, J. S. Linsinbigler, Samuel C. Ewing and Abram Sny-
der. The Grand Lodge representatives were as follows: A. F. Balmer, 1881
and 18S2 ; A. C. White, 1883 and 1884; W. S. Weaver, 1885 and 1886. The
present officers are: P. C, Abram Snyder; C. C, James J. Webb; V. C,
George W. Snyder; prelate, Theodore W. Chesnutt ; M. at A., Lawrence M.
Snyder; K. of R. and S., W. S. Weaver; M. of E., Joseph R. Heasley ; M.
Secret Societies.
317
of F., J. C. Snyder; I. G., John H. Buel ; O. G., J. S. Linsinbigler. Trustees:
W. A. Thompson, Edwin Snyder and Wilham Glenn. Representative to
Grand Lodge : W. S. Weaver.
Keystone Division No. 10, Uniform Rank K. of P., was organized October
10, 1882, the officers being sir knight commander, James E. Long ; sir knight-
lieutenant commander, H. S. Deal ; sir knight recorder, P. B. Cowan ; sir
knight treasurer, A. C. White; sir knight guard, J. R. Emery; sir knight sen-
tinel, L. J. Boyer. This division has a membership of thirty-two — its mem-
bership being made up from Brookville and Du Bois Lodges, with armory in
the hall of Brookville Lodge.
The beneficiary features in addition to weekly benefits consist of an En-
dowment Rank, on the death of a member of which $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000
are paid according to the class to which the member belongs. The assess-
ments are paid monthl)-, and are graded according to age. This feature of the
order is controlled by the Supreme Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylva-
nia controls a funeral benefit organization known as the " Knights of Pennsyl-
vania Relief Fund." Any Knight of Pythias in general good health is eligible
to membership in this fund. The monthly dues are twenty-five cents, and the
funeral benefit is $250.
Cliarity Lodge No. 488, K. of P., was instituted at Brockwayville,
March 26, 1883. First officers, P. C, Rev. H. M. Burns; C. C., R. O. Moor-
head : V. C, T. M., Myers ; P., J. G. Dailey ; M. of E., J. B. Allen ; M. of F.,
C. F. Green; K. of R. and S., Anthony Groves; M. at A., M. S. Longwell ;
L G., Arnold Groves; O. G., R. A. McElhaney. Present officers; P. C, W.
T. McLaughHn ; C. C., Thomas Kearney; V. C., M. M. Rankin; P., G. A.
Bowdish ; M. of E., G. S. Himes ; M. of F., R. O. Moorhead ; K. of R. and S.,
F. R. Knapp; M. at A., C. H. Yates; I. G., John Chilcott ; O. G., Thomas
Chilcott. Number of members, seventy. No deaths.
Mountain Cliff Lodge No. 393, I'fnights of Pythias, was instituted April 8,
1873, at Barclay, Bradford county, by District Deputy Grand Chancellor H.
S. Clark, of Towanda, Pa., with the following officers: W. C, Fred. Miner; V.
C, William Johnston; R. S., John Noble; W. B., Henry Crawford; W. G.,
James Johnston; W. F. S., Thomas Dilchburn ; L S., Walter Hay; O. S.,
James Duncan; V. P., John Kellock. Barclay is situated on the top of a
mountain, and is a small mining town. Owing to the mines becoming ex-
hausted, the members had to seek employment elsewhere, and the lodge was
transferred to Beechtree, Jefferson county, April 7, 1886. The lodge is in
good condition, with a membership of one hundred and ten, and since it was
first instituted has lost eight members by death. The paraphernalia and fix-
tures of the lodge are valued at $700, and it has a fund of $1,041. The pres-
ent officers for 1S87, are : P. C, John D. Cameron ; C. C, Frank Pride ; V. C,
John McNeil ; prelate, William Archibald ; K. of R. and S., Andrew Beve-
3i8 History of Jefferson County.
ridge; M. of E., William Cheery; M. of F., Frank Yard; M. at A., Daniel
Jones; I. G., David Ruddocks ; O. G., George Buntin. Andrew Beveridge has
been K. of R. and S., of this lodge since 1875.
Patriotic Sons of America.
This order was first organized in the city of Philadelphia, in 1847; but
prior to the Rebellion its- organization was very imperfect, and its progress con-
sequently slow, the camps not extending much beyond the Middle States.
When the war broke out a general enlistment of its members compelled its
entire suspension. In 1866 the order was reorganized and placed upon a more
substantial basis. The order has for its object the inculcation of pure Ameri-
can principles, the cultivation of fraternal love ; the opposition to foreign inter-
ference with State interests in the United States of America ; the preser-
vation of the Constitution of the United States, and the propagation of free
education. Its primary object is to build up an order based upon patriotism,
education, charity, and fraternity, and aims most particularly to educate its
members in the principles of our government, to use all honorable means to
defend and perpetuate the institutions of our country. Its immediate benefits
are home benevolence, the care of its sick, the burial of its dead, the protection
of and assistance to all who may be in need. There are two camps of this
order in Jefferson county.
Washington Camp No. 268, Patriotic Sons of America, was instituted at
Reynoldsville, May 9, 1883, by District President J. D. McClintock, of Lock
Haven, Pa., with eighteen charter members, The camp now numbers forty-
one members, and is in a prosperous condition. George Roller is president
and A. L. Best, secretary. No deaths have occurred since the camp was insti-
tuted. The amount of camp property and funds in the treasury is $275.25.
Washington Camp meets every Thursday evening. Past president, W. H.
Van Lew and A. L. Best of this camp having successively filled the office of
district president for Jefferson, Clearfield and Cameron counties.
Washington Camp No. 131, Patriotic Sons of America, was instituted at
Brockwayville, on March 4, 1887, with thirty charter members, and is officered
as follows : Senior past president, J. P. Keys ; president, A. R. Chapin ; vice-
president, R. S. Welsh ; master of forms and ceremonies, J. A. Green ; chap-
lain. Rev. I. M. Smith ; secretary, R, W. Hoey ; assistant secretary, R. S.
Mith ; treasurer, S. C. Bond ; conductor, E. V. Coville ; inner guard, E. A.
Green ; outer guard, F. L. Himes. The camp holds stated meetings on every
Tuesday evening. J. P. Keys was appointed and commissioned district pres-
ident of Jefferson, Elk and Clarion counties two weeks after the organization
of the camp.
Secret Societies.
319
Patrons of Husbandry 1
The first organization of farmers in the association known as the Patrons
of Husbandry was effected in Washington City, D. C, December 4, 1867, by
a few men interested in agriculture, and at that time, connected witii the De-
partment of Agriculture. The officers were: William M. Ireland, master ; An-
son Bartlett, overseer; O. H. Kelley, secretary; J. _R. Thompson, lecturer;
William Muir, steward ; and William Saunders, treasurer. The other offices
were left vacant at the time of the organization simply because there were not
members to fill them, but subsequently others were elected and Potomac
Grange No. i, as it is known in history, had a complete corps of officers.
From this small beginning has come the association of farmers with granges in
every State and Territory and almost every count}' in the United States. The
rapid increase of this association is without a parallel in history. The farmers
saw in it a means by which they could improve their condition by education
and social intercourse, knowing that these tend only to elevate and refine ; and
they began to realize that they could not compete with other classes unless
they did unite and work together for their common good. They sought relief
from the grinding heel of monopolies and great moneyed corporations of our
land, which had begun a series of oppressions well calculated to reduce the
farmers to a condition but little better than the tenant farmers of Europe. At
this critical time the grange was organized, and our farmers, believing it to be
their only hope, united with it, hoping for relief. In this they were not disap-
pointed, although relief came slower than was expected.
When the order was incorporated in January, 1873, over twenty-three
thousand dispensations had been granted to subordinate granges, mostly in the
south and west, and during the years 1873 and 1874, there were eighteen
thousand si.\ hundred and forty-one additional dispensations granted by the
National Grange in Washington to subordinate granges, mostly in the Eastern
States. Since no dispensation was granted to less than thirteen, nor more
than forty persons, we can see how rapidly it grew. In fact when the first
organization was effected in Jefferson county, there was an actual membership
in the United States of more than eight hundred thousand. We give this
brief sketch of the organization and success of the National Grange as a pre-
lude to the order's history in Jefferson county.
The first grange. Porter No. 252, was organized by Deputy at Large
Asa Batdes, of Girard, Pa., in the commissioner's office, Brookville, May 12,
1874. R. A. Travis was elected master, and J. P. George, secretary. There
were twenty- six charter members. This grange, like Potomac Grange No. i,
had but few persons in it who were eligible to membership, or who would be
so considered to-day ; but at that time few understood the organization or its
1 Prepared by M. A. Fitzsimmons, of Brookville.
320 History of Jefferson County.
purposes. Some of its members dropped out and it was moved to Porter
township, where it increased in numbers and influence until we find it num-
bered seventy-seven members in January, 1883 ; this is the latest correct date
received.
The second was Elder No. 503, organized by Deputy R. A. Travis, at the
residence of J. i\I. Elder, in Oliver township, March 16, 1875, with thirty char-
ter members, twenty men and ten women. S. B. Williams was their first
choice for master, and C. N. Morris sec'y. They have since then initiated
fifty-one members. Some of the best patrons of our county took the degrees
in this grange. Among these we recall S. B. Williams, J. N. Jordon, C. A.
Morris and others, the last named having served eleven successive terms as
secretary, and is now occupying the master's chair. H. M. Means is the pres-
ent secretary. They have a good hall of their own, nicely finished and furn-
ished, in whicli they meet regularly twice a month.
Ridge Grange No. 516, was organized by Deputy R. A. Travis, in Perry
township, March 24, 1875, with thirty-one charter members, and J. N. Kelly,
master ; W. A. Kelly, secretary, and have since initiated ninety-three, making
a grand total of one hundred and twenty-five. They have a commodious hall
in which they hold interesting and instructive meetings each alternate week.
Ridge Grange has furnished more active, working members of Pomona Grange
than any other in the county. This is explained by the statement that the
Gourleys, Kellys, Lewises, McCrackens and others have taken an interest in
the work, and have made their grange what in reality it should be — a neigh-
borhood home; and the result is seen in the high standard of culture and
refinement to be met with among the members. Their first master has been
re-elected several times, and is now occupying that position. A worthy rec-
ognition of a worthy man.
Beaver Grange No. 521, was organized in Beaver township, March 29, 1875,
by R. A. Travis. Master, Daniel Reitz ; secretary, J. C. Simney; nineteen
charter members and sixty initiates. This grange has made education a spe-
cialty, and well have they succeeded in their efforts, than which none have
done better. The pleasant faces and fraternal grip of Brothers T. R. Holt,
Daniel Reitz, Elias Jones and others will be held in kindly remembrance long
after they have received from the Great Master the pass- word into the Grange
above.
Mahoning No. 587, was organized by R. A. Travis, with thirty-six charter
members. William C. Gillespie was chosen master, and William Perry, secre-
tary. They initiated thirty-four. Among those who by earnest work have
won recognition are Brothers Porter, Minish, Perry and Gillespie.
MeCalmont Grange No. 590, of McCalmont township was organized by R.
A. Travis, August 25, 1875, with thirty-three charter members. A. J. Lim-
erich, master, Peter Uplinger, secretary. This grange although started under
Secret Societies. 321
favorable auspices, through internal difficuhies lost their grip and fell by the
way with no stone to mark their last resting-place.
Union Grange No. 609, organized by R. A. Travis, in Pine Creek township,
October 20, 1875. They had but thirty charter members, but with these as a
nucleus, they soon became one of the wealthiest, most influential and prosper-
ous granges in the county. D. B. McConnell was their first master, and C. A.
Carrier secretary. Among those who have been active supporters not only of
the grange, but of grange principles, and labored earnestly to carry them to a
practical conclusion we can recall James Suftblk, Charles Shobert, Joseph Bull-
ers, Charles Frost and their estimable ladies. The ladies of Union have enter-
tained Pomona oftener than those of any other grange, and the tables they
prepared were a sufficient guarantee that they were well skilled in the culinary
department, and their hospitality was equalled only by the grace with which
they dispensed it.
Corsica Grange No. 640, comes ne.xt on the roll, being organized by R. A.
Travis, January 6, 1S76, with twenty- two charter members. G. VV. iVIcKinley,
master ; D. M. Hindman, secretary, and forty-two initiates. The members
of this grange were not clothed in the proper regalia, or proper spirit, and
failed to realize the benefits usually derived from this organization, and hav-
ing erected a hall in the spring of 1884, they quietly expired, and the hall
remains to this day as a memorial, not to what they are, but to what they
might have been. We regret these things, but we are not making history,
we are only writing it.
Rose Grange No. 653, organized by R. A. Travis, January 27, 1876, is
located on the f;irm of Joseph Thrush, in Rose township. This grange started
out with twenty- nine charter members, and has kept the faith; new members
uniting with it from time to time until forty-one have been initiated and in-
structed in the lessons of the degrees. Abner Spyker was the first to fill the
master's chair. Joseph Thrush was their secretary for many years.
Pleasant Hill No. 656, with Miller Harding as master, and Mark H. Will-
iams as secretary, and thirty-two charter members, began its interesting and
prosperous, though checkered career, Februarys, 1876, and during their more
than eleven years of active work, they rarely failed to hold their regular weekly
meetings on Friday evening ; being the only grange in the county that meets
once a week. Their accessions amounted to one hundred and three, and the
good they have done cannot be estimated ; and they are more prosperous now
than ever before. The citizens of Knox township who are prevented from
uniting with it on account of its secrecy, regard it as second only to the church.
Much of this success is due to the moral and religious influence of Mrs. S. A.
Hunter, Mrs. M. A. Anderson, Mrs. Rosa McAninch, Mrs. Martha Chitester,
Mrs. M. A. Cavanore and other ladies connected with it. There are many
good men and true inside the gates, but they willingly yield the palm to the
322 History of Jefferson County.
ladies. Among the ever faithful, S. A. Hunter, I. S. Davis, S. McAninch, S. R.
Anderson and others are well entitled to recognition. Brother Hunter has
been treasurer during all these years, while the others have filled various offi-
ces. C. C. Chitester is now master, and E. E. Hunter secretary. The record
of the past is only excelled by their prospects for the future.
Sigel No. 666, was organized February 24, 1876, with thirty-eight charter
members: James Coon, master ; G. A. Carroll secretary. It existed but a short
time and then surrendered its charter to be reorganized several years later
under a new name and more favorable auspices.
Sugar Hill No 713, organized by O. S. Gary, June 2, 1S76, had thirty-two
members : W. C. Bond, master ; Miss Florence Marshall, secretary ; thirty-
seven accessions, and are in good standing in the county and State granges.
Troy No. 672, and Warsazu No. 691, existed but a short time and then
surrendered their charters, many of their members connecting by demit with
other granges. Fidelity No. 692, of Rockdale, and Prudence No. 707, have a
similar record.
0. S. Cary Gi'ange No. 6gTi, of Brock way ville, organized by O. S. Cary,
April 8, 1876, with thirty charter members: A. R. Thrush, master; D. D.
Groves, secretary. This grange has the largest membership and the finest hall
in the county. The members are the most hospitable and generous, and their
works are characteristic of the people composing it. Brothers Smith, Hutch-
ison, Keys and others are familiar names in grange circles throughout the
county.
Jl/ill Grange No. 712, organized June I, 1876, started with a complete
corps of members : J. G. Allen, master ; R. F. Morrison, secretary, and have
since added forty-two. y\mong those whose names are on the roll of honor
are E. Perrin and lady, J. G. Allen and wife, R. F. Morrison, T. F. Daugherty,
G. W. Brenholts and others.
Richardsville No. 729, A. J. Bartlett, master; G. W. Richards, secretary ;
organized by O. S. Cary, January 9, 1877, with twenty-two charter members,
and after initiating thirteen it yielded to the inevitable and remained dormant
until May 5, 1884, when it was reorganized by C. A. Carrier; but lacking the
true grange spirit it was but a question of time when it returned to its former
condition, and if it is not dead it is because it has not energy enough left to
die.
Darling Grange No. 768, was organized by James McCracken and C. A.
Carrier, February 3, 1883, with twenty members: Moses Johns, master; Miss
P. R. Carrier, secretary. After its organization it promised to be the banner
grange of the county ; not succeeding in that, it failed in everything else, and
is no longer anything but a name. A few of its members, among them Moses
Johns and family, were true to their principles and connected with Rose
Grange.
Secret Societies.
323
Green Valley A'o. 770, of Knox township, was organized by James Mc-
Cracken, March 31, 1883, with seventeen members: S. P. Himes, master; H.
D. Morrison, secretary; twenty-one additional members have since been
added. They are live, earnest, active workers, and although young in years,
have taken an advanced position among their fellows.
Have No. y'j'j. organized by James McCracken, February 26, 1884, with
sixteen charter members : W. J. Gayley, master ; G. M. Gayley, secretary ; has
become a permanent organization with excellent opportunities, and the will
and disposition to improve them. The recognized leaders are David White,
W. J. Gayley, B. H. Whitehill and G. M. Gayley.
Jefferson Grange A^o. 778, organized by Deputy James McCracken in Polk
township, February 27, 1884, with sixteen members, is the youngest of the
family. Lewis Evans was chosen first master, and Miss Maggie V. Smith,
secretary. They have initiated twenty- four members, and are in a prosperous
condition, holding their meetings regularly every two weeks in the house of
Brother Perry Smith, one of their most active members.
Since the first organization in the county there have been twenty-three dis-
pensations granted, and a total of six hundred and thirty-three charter mem-
bers, and eight hundred and fifty-six initiates. Of these, si.x granges are either
dead or dormant, the others in good standing. In addition to these we have a
count}' grange known as Pomona Grange No. 20, of Jefferson county, organ-
ized December 4, 1875. The membership of Pomona consists of the masters
of subordinate granges and their wives, and three delegates elected annually
by each subordinate grange. It meets on the first Wednesday of January,
April, July and October, at the different grange halls in the county. The offi-
cers are elected for a term of two years. This grange has charge of the edu-
cational work of the order, and also recommends the persons to be appointed
deputy. The deputies have been appointed by the State Grange Master, and
have been R. A. Travis from 1874 till 1876, when he was succeeded by O. S.
Gary, who in turn was succeeded in 1878, by C. A. Carrier, whose successors
were James McCracken, jr., and M. A. Fitzsimmons appointed in 1880. The
latter being reappointed every year since. R. M. Morrison was appointed in
1884, and S. W. Temple in 1886, and James McCracken re-appointed in 1887,
completing the list up to the present time.
Space will permit me but a few words more of this brief history of the ori-
gin and progress of the order in Jefferson county. It has proven to be "one
of the most beneficent and useful secular institutions in the land." We have
endeavored to show how and by whom it was inducted into our midst, by
whom it was supported and upheld when its growth was slow and feeble, and
when it was but little understood and less appreciated, but through all, its ad-
vocates labored earnestly and diligently, and it is now to them a source of un-
wonted satisfaction to know that those earlier years of toil and sacrifice for the
324 History of Jefferson County.
cause have already contributed many happy hours to hundreds of farmers'
families, besides otherwise securing to them innumerable benefits. The unprec-
edented success of this order is one of the most prominent incentives on record
to perseverance under trying and almost insurmountable difficulties. Let
those engaged in the good work take courage and bear in mind that he " who
causes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before, is greater than
he who taketh a city."
The foregoing history of the different lodges and societies of Jefferson
county is full and correct, with the e.xception of one or two organizations of
Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, the secretaries of which would not fur-
nish the necessary data.
There have been other orders represented in the county from time to time,
but their record has died with them : notably among these was a lodge of the
Sons of Malta, and one of the Improved Order of Red Men, both organized
at Brookville. The former was short-lived, but the latter was kept up for
several years, surrendering its charter some time during the 3'ear 1877. It
was at one time strong in membership.
CHAPTER XXV.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The First Fair in the Count}' — Mountain Park — Organization of the Jefferson County Agri-
■cuUural Society — Officers — Buildings and Grounds — Receipts and Expenditures.
THE first agricultural fair in Jefferson county was held on the grounds
of the Mountain Park Association, October 5, 6 and 7, 1870. These
grounds, now owned by the estate of Nathan Carrier, jr., were then the prop-
erty of Jacob Emery and son, who advertised the fair as " Jacob Emery &
Son, proprietors." The fair was quite successful, and the exhibits, though not
numerous, were of an excellent character. The exhibit of stock was very
good, the papers of that day speaking of this feature of the fair as a " credit to
the county, and showing the interest taken by our people in improving the
stock." The horses of Judge St. Clair, of Bell township, and Thomas Holt, of
Beaver, received special mention.
For some reason this was the last exhibition held at Mountain Park, but
the race course, which was a very good one, was used for that purpose for
several years. There is no record of any premiums being paid by this associa-
tion.
Agricultural Societies. 325
Organization of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
On the 10th of February, 1879, a meeting- was held at the office of James
T. Carroll, esq., in Brookville, for the purpose of organizing a society to be
known as the " Jefterson County Agricultural Society." On motion Thomas
R. Holt was elected president of the meeting, and James T. Carroll secretary;
the object of the meeting being announced in a brief address by Dr. W. J.
McKnight, after which the society was organized by the election of the follow-
ing officers : President, Thomas K. Litch, of Brookville ; vice-presidents, Jo-
seph Grube, of Henderson township ; James E. Mitchell, Punxsutawney ; Stacy
B. Williams, Oliver ; James U. Gillespie, Clayville ; Robert A. Travis and
George Gourley, Perry; Henry Lewis, Porter; E. W. Jones, Beaver; Joseph
Thrush and U. Matson, Rose ; A. Carrier, Clover ; Robert A. Summerville,
Union ; Allen Gathers, Winslow ; James McCurdy and A. L. Smith, Wash-
ington ; Stephen Oaks, Eldred ; Oran Butterfield, Barnett; Thomas Craven,
Polk ; Dr. John Thompson, Corsica ; John Smathers, Ringgold ; Wilham
Aharah, Heath; Daniel North, McCalmont; John B. Pantall, Young; Henry
Brown, Bell ; L. P. Seeley, Reynoldsville ; George K. Tyson, Big Run ; Paul
Darling, Brookville ; Samuel A. Hunter, Knox ; David B. McConnell and
Levi Shuckers, Pine Creek ; John Ostrander and John Fox, Warsaw ; Samuel
Geist, Worthville ; secretary, Thomas L. Templeton, Brookville ; executive
committee, Thomas R. Holt, Beaver ; Oliver Brady, Pine Creek ; David Eason,
John Garrison, Nathan G. Edelblute, Brookville.
The association was incorporated May 2, 1879, under the name of the
" Jefferson County Agricultural Society and Driving Park Association," and
the following officers elected for the year: Thomas K. Litch, president;
Thomas L. Templeton, secretary ; J. E. Long, assistant secretary ; M. V.
Shaffer, treasurer, with the same executive committee given above. A fair
was held on the grounds, which had been secured by lease, within the bor-
ough limits, from the John Dougherty estate, the fall of that year, which
proved a success both financially and otherwise, and the association assumed a
permanent, footing.
Exhibitions, in every way creditable to the county, have been held each suc-
ceeding year, and premiums amounting to an average of $2,000 have been paid.
In 1880 N. G. Edelblute was elected president of the association, with Messrs.
Templeton and Shaffer re-elected, continued the officers of the association un-
til 1886, when the present management was elected : W. H. Gray, president ;
S. H. Whitehill, secretary; J. B. Henderson, treasurer. Directors, W. H.
Gray, H. C. Litch, S, A. Hunter, G. B. Carrier, Joseph Bullers. There were
originally one hundred and twenty-four stockholders holding two hundred and
forty-seven shares.
In 1884 the association bought of Colonel Silas J. and .Mrs. Kate D. Marlin,
38
326 History of Jefferson County.
two and one-half acres of land on the south side, upon which the main buildings
of the association are erected, at a cost of $2,250, which was conveyed by deed
February 7, 1887. They also rent other ground adjoining, from Bishop Broth-
ers, Means's heirs, A. Beach, George A. Jenks et al., making the enclosure oc-
cupied by the grounds cover about ten acres. These grounds are on level
crround, lying in the bend of Sandy Lick Creek near where it unites with the
North Fork and forms Red Bank. They are well adapted for the purpose, and
are within easy access of all parts of the town. Two main buildings, machin-
ery hall, grand and band stands, with good stabling for over five hundred
horses and stock, and abundant accommodations for poultry, compose the
buildings. The half-mile track is an excellent one. The ground, buildings,
etc., owned by the society, are worth about $10,000.
During the eight years that exhibitions have been held by the association
the receipts and expenditures each year have been as follows :
Expenditures. Fair Receipts.
1S79 $2,002.93 $2,315.13
1S80 3.76513 3.563-84
1S81 4.65915 5.I5I-84
ISS2 5,098.99 5,001.65
IS83 5-250.37 5.250-39
IS84 5.7S3.00 6,162.03
1SS5 5,801.47 4-558-65
1886 3.680.94 3.6S0.94
This society has done much to improve the mechanical, industrial, agri-
cultural and stock raising business of the county, as it has brought the farmers
together, and by competition and comparison has added a new incenti\'e to all
that which was needed to bring Jefferson county up to the place she should
occupy in the agricultural column of the State.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TE.MPERANCE WORK.
The Eariv Temperance Work in Jefferson County — The Fir.<;t Workers for the Cause — The
Good Templars — Prohibition — The Temperance AlUance — The Mm-phy ilovement — Tiie Work
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
THE first record of temperance work that we find is a call for a temperance
meeting to be held in the court-house, on the evening of the 4th of De-
cember, 1837, to be addressed by Rev. Mr. Hill. The call for this meeting,
which appears in the Brookville Republican of November 29, 1837, is signed by
J. P. McGinity, recording secretary of the Jefferson County Temperance Society.
The Temperance Work.
327
Then, in 1841, Rt. Rev. Bishop Patrick Francis Kenrick, on his way from St.
Mary's to Red Bank, delivered a temperance address to a large audience in
the court-house in Brookville. From that time there appears to have been all
over the county, at different times, societies organized for the purpose of put-
ting down intemperance. In 1S43 the Washingtoiiian Society of Brookville
organized temperance societies throughout the county, one of which, at Beech-
woods, was organized by Colonel Hugh Brady and S. B. Bishop, esq. In
1849 the Temperance League of Brookville put forth strong efforts to crush
the liquor traffic. One of their public meetings, held in the court-house, IVIay
19, 1849, was addressed by Captain W. W. Wise, and on the i8th of Febru-
ary, following, Dr. C. P. Cummins delivered a lecture in the same place under
the same auspices, on physiology, anatomy and temperance, with especial ref-
erence to show the effects of alcohol on the human system.
July I, 1854, a temperance convention was held in the court house, and
an address published to the people of the county which was signed by R.
Arthurs, chairman, and W. W. Wise, G. W. Andrews and D. S. Johnson, com-
mittee. The result of this movement was the following official vote at the
October election, 1854: For prohibition, 1,385 ; against prohibition, 1.015.
Majority in favor of prohibition, 370. At the February term of court, 1854, no
licenses were granted in the county, and at the May term, following, there were
no Commonwealth cases. A great many temperance societies have been organ-
ized, accomplished their work and sunk into oblivion, while others, with new
life infused into their veins, would fill the gap caused by their death. Among
the most prominent and longest-lived of these was the Independent Order of
Good Templars, which was organized in Brookville, February 12, 1857, by
Philip Clover, of Strattanville, D. D., G. W. C. T. L. A. Dodd was elected and
installedworthy chief templar ; Frank Crandall, worthy vice-templar ; J. P. Mil-
ler, worthy secretary; Charles Matson, worthy treasurer; Thomas J. Heckendorn,
worthy inside guard, and Myron Pearsall, worthy outside guard. This order pros-
pered and did good work for the cause of temperance until the war broke out, and
so many of its members enlisting it was for a time broken up, but in February,
1866, with the following officers: worthy chief templar, Daniel Fogle ; worthy
vice templar, Ellen Guffey ; worthy secretary, John Scott ; worthy treasurer,
Sarah Truby ; worthy inside guard, Carrie A. Scott; worthy outside guard,
James B. McLain ; worthy chaplain, James E. Long; worthy assistant secre-
tary, John W. Walker; worthy financial secretary, John McMurray; worthy
marshal, Myron M. Pearsall ; worthy deputy marshal. Kate M. Scott ; worthy
right hand supporter, Mrs. L. Pearsall ; worthy left hand supporter, Mary J.
Matson, the order was revived and started out with fifty members, and for a
number of years did a good temperance work in Brookville and its vicinity, be-
sides exercising a great moral and social influence. It finally succumbed to
circumstances and its place was filled by some other society. A temperance
328 History of Jefferson County.
convention, called by the Good Templars, was held in the Methodist church.
May 14, 1868. There have been numerous other temperance societies and
organizations working for the cause of temperance, at various times, in the
county, notably, the Sons of Temperance, Washingtonians and Temperance
Alliance. The latter, of which Dr. G. C. Vincent, then pastor of the United
Presbyterian church of Brookville, was a prominent mover, did much to agi-
tate the question in the county and prepare the way for the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, which is now becoming a "power in the land."
The local option law for the State of Pennsylvania, allowing counties to
vote on the question, was passed March 27, 1872, and repealed April 12, 1875.
At the election held in Jefiferson county, March 3, 1873, there was almost nine
hundred majority for local option. April 16, 1877, the great Murphy move-
ment was inaugurated in Brookville, in a largely attended meeting at the
Presbyterian church. This meeting was conducted by Mr. Joseph Dilworth,
of Pittsburgh, and was addressed by J. D. Brooks, esq., of Pittsburgh, and Dr.
J. M. Davies, of Parker City, Pa. Two hundred and twenty-five persons
signed the pledge. This meeting was followed by others, conducted by T-
Benton Dalley, esq., of Blairsville, and so much enthusiasm was infused into
the meetings that over one thousand signed the Murphy pledge in Brookville,
while the work spread all over the county, until over three thousand were en-
rolled under the "blue ribbon " banner of temperance. Of these, some were
totally reclaimed, while a great many yielded again to temptation; but the
impress of this movement has never been effaced, and its effects are still felt.
Later, Francis Murphy, the great apostle of temperance, visited Brookville,
and held rousing meetings in the court-house. In answer to a call made by
the ministers of the different denominations, a convention was held in the
Presbyterian church, July 14, 1885, to take into consideration the purpose of
organizing a Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Eva Thompson, of
Indiana county, gave an explanation of the plan of the union and read the con-
stitution, which had been adopted. It was then decided to form a county
union, and the following officers were elected : President, Mrs. D. E. Taylor,
of Brookville ; vice-president, Mrs. V. S. Blood, of Brookville ; treasurer, Mrs.
Georgiana Wray, of Brockwayville ; recording secretary, Mrs. Louie Gates, of
Brookville; corresponding secretary. Miss Agnes Thompson, of Punxsutawney.
This union at once went to work, commencing an aggressive warfare upon
the liquor traffic. Local unions were organized in different parts of the county
of which there are now sixteen, viz. : Corsica, Pun.xsutawney, Frostburg,
Brookville, Reynoldsville, Troy, Warsaw, Belleview, Richardsville, Cool Spring,
Pleasant Hill, Baxter, Brockwayville, Sandy Valley, Beechtree and Mount
Pleasant. The first license court held in the county after the Woman's Chris-
tian Union was organized, was the February term, 18S6. It was a well-
known fact that every one engaged in selling liquor was violating the license
The Temperance Work. 329
law, and evidence enough was found by the union to close the nine bars in the
town of Brookville, and out of thirty petitions presented at this court from the
county, fifteen were refused on evidence.
After this victory the W. C. T. U. turned its attention to the Legislature,
and in order to find out the temperance status of the difterent candidates for
that position, addressed the following open letter to them :
An open letter to Dr. William Altman, nominee of the Republican party,
and C. Miller, nominee of the Democratic party, for State Legislature :
Gentlemen : — We, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, assembled
in county convention at Reynoldsville, this the i6th day of July, 1886, re-
spectfully submit to each of you the following questions:
Will you, if elected, give your vote and use your influence to procure the
passage of a bill, submitting to the vote of the people, at the earliest day prac-
ticable, an amendment to the State constitution, prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage ?
Please give us your answer through the Brookville Republican and the
Brookville Democrat. By order of convention.
Mrs. D. E, Taylor, President.
To this Dr. Altman returned the following reply :
To the Editor of the Brookville Republican : — In response to an open let-
ter published in your issue of July 21, from the Woman's Christian Temper-
ance Union, assembled in county convention at Reynoldsville, on the i6th
day of July, inst., asking me to define my position, I would most respectfully
say that, believing in democratic principles, free government, and the freedom
of speech, with the right to exercise conscientious convictions on all subjects,
especially of a legislative character, I feel it is the inherent right of all or any
part of the citizens of the State to ask the privilege to be heard through the
ballot box. Should I be elected as representative of Jefferson county, I will
vote for and aid in securing a constitutional amendment, giving the citizens a
right to vote on prohibition, maintaining and believing in an old established
question, that the majority should rule. Respectfully submitted,
William Altman.
PUNXSUTAWNEV, Pa., July 27, 1886.
Mr. Miller, the candidate of the Democratic party, did not make any reply
to the letter of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The result of the
election for Legislature, in Jefterson county, was the election of Dr. Altman by
a majority of three hundred and thirteen.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is gaining in strength steadily,
and is well organized. The officers of the county union are the same as when
first organized with the exception that Mrs. Emma J. Arnold, of Reynoldsville,
has taken the place of Mrs. Louie Gates as recording secretary, the latter hav-
ing removed from the county.
History of Jefferson County.
The work to be done by the union has been systematized and each depart-
ment placed under a superintendent. Those having charge of these depart-
ments are : Scientific instruction, Mrs. E. D. Bovard, Reynolds\-ille ; Hygiene
heredity, Mrs. V. S. Blood, Brookville ; Sabbath observance, Miss Marj' J.
Stewart, Brookville ; Mothers' work, Mrs. M. J. Campbell, Baxter ; Evange-
listic work, Mrs. Joseph McFarland, Belleview ; Fair work, Mrs. Sarah H.
Hunter, Pleasant Hill ; Press and Literature, Miss Agnes Thompson, Punxsu-
tawney ; Prison and Jail work, Mrs. Martha Hall, Brookville ; Lumbermen
and Miners' work, Mrs. Mary Grafifins, Punxsutawney ; Foreigners' work,
Mrs. Georgiana Wray, Brockwayville ; Sunday-school work, Mrs. Torrence,
Punxsutawney ; Unfermented Wine for Sacramental purposes, Mrs. Ellen
Allsehouse, Belleview ; Legislative work, Mrs. C. C. Benscoter, Brookville ;
Young Women's work, Mrs. Ada Green, Brockwayville.
The Younc; Women's Christian Temperance Union.
The Young Women's Christian Temperance Union, which is designed to
work among the \'oung people of the community, was organized in Brookville,
in February, 1S87, by Miss M. L Reno, of Rochester, Pa., State organizer.
The officers are taken from the different cliurches and areas follows: Presi-
dent, Miss Ella Van Vliet ; vice-presidents, Misses Essie Calvin, Margery
Thompson, Carrie B. Jenks and Mrs. Ada Di\'eler ; recording secretary, Miss
Nannie McKinney ; corresponding secretary. Miss Phcebe Keck ; treasurer,
Miss Mary Kimball ; librarian, Miss Maud Bishop. This societ\' is in a pros-
perous condition; has about thirty two members, with over forty dollars in
the treasury. It meets on the first and third Monday evenings of each month.
The work done thus far has been principally in furnishing and distributing
temperance literature. The Y. W. C. T. L^. will prove a valuable auxiliary to
the parent society, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, as it infuses
young blood into the temperance work.
CHAPTER XXVn.
LAND WARRANTS AND TITLES.
The Last Turcha.se from the Indians — Acts of ihe Logislature of 178."i iin
and is still engaged occasionally in suits in the courts here.
The Bench and Bar.
349
George Rodgers, of Brookville, never practiced ; died soon after admission.
Mr. Rodgers was a brother of the late Dr. Mark Rodgers.
September Term, 1855.
William K. McKee, of Punxsutawney.
February Term, 1859.
John Hastings, of Punxsutawney.
George A. Jenks, of Brookville.
May Term, 1859.
John Conrad read law with Hon. A. W. Taylor, in Indiana, Pa., and T. L.
Heyer, Johnston, Pa. ; was examined and admitted to the bar in Ebensburg,
Cambria county, in 1856, and subsequently in Indiana and other counties;
Avent to Marienville, Forest county, in the fall of 1857, and in the spring of
1859 located in Brookville, Pa.
Silas M. Clark, of Indiana, practiced here occasionally. He is now one of
the Justices of the Supreme Court.
William A. Todd, of Indiana, came here occasionally.
September Term, 1859.
Charles Horton, of Ridgway, practiced here but seldom.
J. C. Chapin, of Ridgway, practiced here but seldom.
Samuel Dodd, of Franklin, practiced at this bar occasionally. He is a very
prominent lawyer, and now resides in New York, where he is attorney for the
Standard Oil Company. Mr. Dodd is a brother of Colonel Levi A. Dodd.
February Term, i860.
Reuben C. Winslow, of Punxsutawney.
September Term, i860.
James Craig, of Clarion, came here occasionally.
February Term, 1861.
E. A. Brooks came to Brookville and was admitted, and then removed to
Forest county.
September Term, 1861.
Charles E. Taylor, of Franklin, Pa., practiced here occasionally ; now pres-
ident judge of the Franklin district.
Harry White, of Indiana, now president judge of his district. Judge White
served as State senator for three terms, and was elected twice to Congress from
the districts of which Jefferson formed a part.
Deeembtr Tenn, 1862.
Alexander C. White, of Brookville; elected district attorney in 1867 and
1870, and member of Congress in 1884.
Lewis A. Grunder, of Brookville.
February Term, 1864.
Albert C. Thompson, of Brookville, read law in Brookville and admitted to
41
3SO History of Jefferson County.
this bar, but removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1865, where he was in 1872
elected probate judge of Sciota county, and subsequently president judge of
his district, which office he resigned to accept the nomination for Congress in
1884, to which he was elected and re-elected in 1886.
May Term, 1865.
Charles S. Andrews, of Brookville, read law here, but after being admitted
removed to Pithole, Pa., where he opened an office, but soon afterwards re-
moved to Brazil, Ind., where he is engaged in the banking business.
J. B. Finlay, of Kittanning, was here but once.
May Term, 1 866.
J. W. Patrick, of Clarion, practiced at this bar occasionally.
W. E. Lathy, of Clarion, practiced at this bar occasionally, now of Tiones-
ta. Pa.
T. S. Wilson, of Clarion, now president judge of this district.
September Term, 1 866.
R. M. Matson, of Brookville, practiced at this bar until within a few years.
He still has his library in Brookville, but is now engaged in the lumber busi-
ness in Forest county.
V. O. Smith, of Brookville, removed to State of New York in 1868, opened
law office at Dalton, N. Y., where, in his absence, his office, library and all his
papers were destroyed by fire. After practicing two years left the bar to be-
come a farmer in the Genesee valley.
Decetnber Term, 1 866.
E. H. Clark, of Brookville.
John McMurray, of Brookville, was elected a member of the Constitutional
Convention in 1873, from this district, and in 1875 was appointed a clerk in
the auditor-general's office, of Pennsylvania, where he remained four years.
Since 1878 he has been editor of the Brookville Democrat. In July, 1885,
Major McMurray was appointed chief of the division of lands and railroads, in
the office of the secretary of the interior of the United States, which position
he yet retains.
September Term, 1867.
William F. Stewart, of Brookville, practiced at this bar until December,
1S84, when he went to Atlanta, Ga., where he was admitted to the bar. He
returned to Brookville and resumed his practice in April, 1885.
February Term, 1868.
H. Clay Campbell, of Punxsutawney, practiced in Punxsutawney until the
fall of 1870, when he removed to Indiana, and from there went to Pittsburgh,
where he practiced until 1879, when he returned to Punxsutawney and pur-
chased the interest of John Hastings in the firm of Hastings & Brewer. He
removed to Brookville in July, 1885.
The Bench and Bar.
351
May Term, 1868.
W. D. J. Marlin. of BrookviUe.
February Tenn, 1869.
John H. Fulford.
February Term, 1871.
Benton P. Arthurs, of BrookviUe, Pa.
May Term, 1871.
William M. Fariman, of Punxsutawney, elected district attorney in 1876.
Charles M. Brewer, of Punxsutawney.
John St. Clair, of Punxsutawney.
December Term, 187 1.
Camden Mitchell, of Reynoldsville.
Marion M. Davis read law with A. W. Taylor, esq., of Indiana, and was
admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana county in 1866. In 1867 he re-
moved to Osage Mission, Kansas, where he practiced for about a year, when,
on account of ill health, he was obliged to return to Pennsylvania. In 187 1
he located in Rejmoldsville, where he served as justice of the peace for a term
of five years.
May Term, 1872.
Charles Corbet, of BrookviUe, elected district attorney in 1873.
Joseph L. Covin, of Philadelphia, was here but once.
September Term, 1S73.
James T. Maffett, of BrookviUe, practiced here for a short time after ad-
mission, then removed to Clarion, where he has since practiced. Mr. Mafifett
was elected on the Republican ticket to the present Congress, from this dis-
trict.
May Term, 1873.
John F. Craig, of New Bethlehem, has never practiced at this bar since ad-
mission.
February Term, 1874.
H. W. Walkinshaw, of Greensburg, located here after being admitted, but
removed in a short time to Saltsburg, Pa.
Adjourned Term, Jiiite, 1874.
Thomas T. Ritchey, admitted, and removed to New Bethlehem, then to
Tionesta, where he is now practicing.
December TertJi, 1874.
George W. Hood, of Indiana, now State senator from this district.
May Term , 1875.
John T. Dilts, of Punxsutawney, removed to the West after he was ad-
mitted.
Henry W. Mundorff, of Punxsutawney, was for some time a member of the
firm of Conrad & Mundorff, and now clerk to the prothonotary.
A. J. Monks, of Punxsutawney.
352 History of Jefferson County.
September Term, 1875.
C. C. Benscoter, of Reynoldsville, studied in Williamsport, and was first
admitted to the bar of Lycoming county, elected district attorney in 1882 and
removed to Brookville ; re-elected in 1885.
Decent ber Term , 1875.
Samuel A. Craig, of Brookville, elected district attorney in 1879.
Adjourned Term, January, 1876.
Madison M. Meredith, of Brookville, removed to Edenburg, Clarion county,
in 1877, ^nd from there to Clarion. He was appointed corporation clerk in
the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth, during the administration of
Governor Pattison.
Adjourned Term, August, 1876.
C. H. McCauley, of Ridgway, practices occasionally at this bar.
September Term, 1876.
D. E. Brenneman, of Brookville.
George W. Means, of Brookville.
J. A. Scott, of Brookville.
C. Bartles, jr., was here but once.
December Term, 1876.
Burke Corbet, of Brookville, removed to Grand Forks, Dakota, in May,
1878, where he is now practicing his profession.
Frank R. Hindman, of Clarion, seldom attends the courts of this county.
William A. Hindman, of Clarion, seldom attends the courts of this county.
February Term, 1877.
M. F. Leason, of Brookville, removed to Kittanning after admission, where
he is now practicing his profession.
John W. Walker, of Brookville, elected justice of the peace for Brookville
borough in 1885.
John C. Whitehill, of Brookville.
May Term, 1877.
J. M. Hunter, of Kittanning, was here but once.
September Term, 1877.
Joseph A. McDonald, of Reynoldsville, has left the county.
J. J. Frazier, of Clarion, was here but once.
December Term, 1877.
A. C. McCombs, of Clarion, was here but once.
February Term, 1878.
John E. Calderwood, of Punxsutawney.
September Term, 1878.
S. H. Whitehill, of Brookville.
The Bench and Bar. 355
February Term, 1879.
William M. Gillespie, of Punxsutawney, is entirely blind.
Thomas Sutton, of Indiana, was here but once.
Septe7nbcr Term, 1879.
Calvin Rayburn read law in Brookville, but after being admitted located in
Kittanning, where he is now practicing.
George T. Rodgers, of Brookville, now cashier of the Jefferson County Na-
tional Bank, not practicing.
February Term, 1880.
A. A. Graham was here but once.
W. S. Thomas practiced at this bar and resided in Brookville for a year or
two after being admitted, and then removed to Clearfield.
Hiram H. Brosius, of Brookville.
September Term, 1880.
Cadmus Z. Gordon, of Brookville.
J. W. Lee, of Franklin.
February Term, 1881.
John T. Shannafelt, of Clarion.
May Term, 1882.
James M. Corbet, of Brookville, removed to Grand Forks, Dakota, in April,
1882, where he is now associated with his brother Burke, as Corbet Brothers.
September Term, 1882.
John M. Van Vleit, of Brookville.
Denny C. Ogden, of Brookville, removed to Greensburg after being ad-
mitted, and is now district attorney of Westmoreland county.
February Term, 1883.
Cyrus H. Blood, of Brookville.
May Term, 1883.
J. Davis Broadhead, of Bethlehem, comes here occasionally, is interested in
the sale of coal lands.
September Term, 1883.
G. A. Rathburn, of Ridgway, practices occasionally at this bar.
Alexander J. Truitt, of Punxsutawney.
J. F. McKenrick was here but once.
February Term, 1884.
A. L. Cole, of Du Bois, practices occasionally in these courts.
Charles B. Earley, of Ridgway, practices occasionally in these courts.
September Term, 1884.
Edward A. Carmalt, of Brookville.
G. S. Crosby, of Kittanning, a prominent attorney of Armstrong county,
who died in 1886. He was here but once.
T C. Hippie, of Lock Haven, was here but once.
354 History of Jefferson County.
December Term, 1 884.
John T. Gathers, of Kittanning, was here but once.
Harry Hall, of St. Marys, was here but once.
February Term, 1885.
W. H. Ross, of Clarion.
George W. Biddle, of Philadelphia.
George Biddle, of Philadelphia.
Silas M. Pettit, of Philadelphia.
John G. Hall, of Ridgway.
Robert Snodgrass, of Harrisburg, deputy attorney-general of Pennsyl-
vania.
May Term, 1885.
F. J. Maffett, of Clarion.
September Term, 1885.
E. L. Davis, of Tionesta.
December Term, 1885.
Francis B. Guthrie, of Titusville.
David I. Ball.
September Term, 1886.
G. Ament Blose, of Hay, Jefferson county.
Charles B. Craig, of New Bethlehem.
May Term, 1887.
T. H. Murry, of Clearfield.
William L. McCracken, of Perry township.
John W. Bell.
The Eminent Dead.
Of those who were admitted to practice in the courts of Jefferson county
quite a number have been summoned, from time to time, to appear before the
bar of the court presided over by the Omnipotent Judge. We have taken
these up in the order in which they were admitted to the bar, and only notice
at length those who were residents of the county.
Hugh Brad}' was born at Northumberland, January 29, 1798. He studied
law with the late Daniel Stanard, of Indiana. On the 6th of September, 1S21,
he was married at Huntingdon, Pa., to Miss Sarah S. Evans, and removed to
Brookville May 5, 1832. He was admitted to the bar of Jefferson county at
the December term (the first court), 1830, and his name is the seventh on the
records of the court. He attended all the subsequent terms of court until he
removed to Brookville. His father, William P. Brady, who resided in Indiana
county, was connected with the Nicholson Land Company, and owned, or had
in charge, much of the land surrounding the borough in Rose township. He
was a surveyor, and was frequenth- here in that capacity in the early days of
the county. He was a grandson of Captain John Brady, the great Indian
The Bench and Bar. 355
fighter, from whom Hugh Brady derived his taste for mihtary affairs, and from
whom also his son. Captain Evans R. Brady, inherited the heroism that he
displayed so often on the field of battle, and which caused him to at last give
his life for the country for which so many generations of his ancestors had
fought, but for whom the honor of " dying for the flag" was reserved.
Mr. Brady was generally known as "Colonel" Hugh Brady, having been
appointed aid to Governor Johnston, with the rank of colonel. Colonel Brady
died at his residence in Brookville, September 4, 1861. Mrs. Brady died Sep-
tember 10, 1865. The only survivor of the family is Mrs. Elizabeth Craig,
who is now among the very few who can remember Brookville as a wilderness.
The next name on the list of the dead is that of Cephas J. Dunham, who
was admitted to the bar at the September term, 1831, and practiced until his
death in 1843. He is buried in the old grave-yard. None of his family reside
in the county, and no record can be found of him except what we give above.
Caleb A. Alexander, admitted May term, 1834. He was one of the first
board of trustees of the Brookville Academy, and was elected county auditor
in 1838. He was a prominent attorney, and one of the first and most earnest
advocates of the public school system in Jefferson county. He resided in
Brookville until about the }'ear 1842, when he removed to Memphis, Tenn.,
where he died during the late war.
Elijah Heath was born in Warren county, N. J., in October, 1796. When
about eighteen years of age he served in the State Militia during the War of
1812-15. He first came to Jefferson county in 1820, and remained until 1822,
when he returned to New Jersey, and was married that year to Miss Mary W.
Jenks, sister of Dr. John W. Jenks. He then moved to Punxsutawney, where
he lived until about 1832, when he settled in Brookville. He read law with
Benjamin Bartholomew, and was admitted to the bar at the December term,
I S3 5. He entered into partnership with Isaac G. Gordon in 1846, which
partnership, under the firm name of Heath & Gordon, was continued until
August 9, 1850, when it was dissolved on account of Judge Heath's removal
from Brookville.
Mr. Heath was, from the very first, connected with the political history of
the county; we first find him a candidate for constable of Perry township
(which then embraced Punxsutawney) in 1821, to which office he was elected
in 1823. He was elected county commissioner in 1829, and in 1830 Governor
Wolf appointed him one of the first associate judges for the county, which
office he resigned in 1835. In 1831 he was elected one of the justices of the
peace for the borough of Brookville. In the docket kept by him during the
time he held this office we find that he done quite a large matrimonial busi-
ness, many of the older citizens of the county being joined in wedlock by him.
Among the first to visit him in this capacity were Hiram Carrier and Marga-
ret Brocius, Dr. C. G. M. Prime and Catharine Wagley ; then, a year later,
356 History of Jefferson County.
appears the record of the marriage of James C Matson, of Rose township, and
Harriet Potter, of Pine Creek, parents of Drs. C. M. and VV. F. Matson.
Judge Heath was one of the early members of the Methodist Church, and
was one of the first class formed in Brookville. He was an avowed Abolitionist
in those days, when it was a heinous offense to raise a voice against slavery,
and we have already recorded how dearly he paid for helping two poor slaves
to escape from the Brookville jail.
In 1850 Judge Heath removed to Pittsburgh, where he resided until 1863,
when, shortly after the death of his wife, who died in October, 1863, he re-
turned to his native State. He died at New Monmouth, N. J., in May, 1875.
His only surviving child is John Heath, of Bay City, Mich.
David Barclay Jenks, eldest son of Dr. John W. Jenks, was born in the
State of New Jersey in 181 5 or 18 16, and came with his parents to Punxsu-
tawney in 1S18. He received such education as the county afforded, and at-
tended Washington College, where he graduated, and read law and was admitted
to the bar of Jefferson county in 183-, and then located in Brookville. Both his
brothers, William P. and Phineas W. read law with him. He was very success-
ful as an attorney, and became one of the most prominent citizens of the new
town„ but just when his career seemed to be begun, he was stricken down by
disease while attending court at Clarion, and died after a few hours' illness.
May 6, 1848. Mr. Jenks married Miss Sydney Jack, daughter of Colonel
William Jack, now Mrs. George W. Andrews, of Denver, Colorado. They had
two children — Mary H., married to Dr. John Mechling, now residing in Den-
ver, and Annie W., married to Thomas H. Kingman, now a resident of Orange,
N.J.
Samuel Barclay Bishop, son of Rev. Dr. Gara Bishop and Mrs. Sarah
Bishop, was born in Philadelphia, July 19, 1815, and came to Brookville in
July, 1835, and was admitted to the bar about the year 1837. On the 17th
of June, 1842, he was married to Miss Esther Hall. Mr. Bishop was one of
the first attorneys at the bar, and a prominent and influential citizen. He died
March 26, 1856, and August 18, of the same year, his wife followed him to the
tomb, leaving four sons. Of these, Ely, the youngest born, died October 18,
1869, and Charles Morris died March 18, 1876, in the twenty-fourth year of
his ace. Dr. William G. and Samuel Barclay Bishop, the other sons, both
reside in Brookville, the latter on the same lot, on Main street, where their
parents lived and died.
Jesse G. Clark, son of William and Susannah Clark, was born January 22,
1816, and came with his parents to Brookville in October, 1830. In 1S37 he
was admitted to the bar of Jefterson county, and in 1840 was elected to the
office of treasurer. On the loth day of October, 1838, he was married to Miss
Sarah W. Hastings, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hastings, the result of
this union being two sons and one daughter. Mr. Clark enjoyed a lucrative
The Bench and Bar. 357
practice, and was one of the most prominent citizens of the county. He died
February 4, 1847. Of the sons, EHjah Heath, the eldest, is now a prominent
member of the same bar at which his father practiced in its early days, and is
a resident of Brookville. William T., the younger son, died June 20, 1885, in
his forty- first year, leaving a wife and six children. He was a gallant soldier,
serving in the first three months service, and for almost two years in Company
E, One Hundred and Forty- eighth Regiment, being promoted to first lieuten-
ant of his company. He was severely wounded at Chancellorsville. Clara
Adelaide, the daughter, died December 18, 1846, in the second year of her
age. Mrs. Clark, now Mrs. Means, having become the wife of Captain R. R.
Means, whom she also survives, is still a resident of Brookville.
Thomas Lucas was one of the first settlers in Jefferson county, and one of
the first justices of the peace in the county, his old " docket " showing that he
held that office in Pine Creek, and then in Brookville, after the county seat
was established from 18 10 to 1S40, the first entry being Januar}- 15, 18 10, and
the last March 16, 1840. In 1835 he was appointed prothonotary. Mr
Lucas was admitted to practice in the several courts of the county at the
December term, 1840, when he was over fifty years of age, and practiced until
his death, which took place in 1847. The record on his tomb-stone in the old
grave-yard, reads as follows: "Thomas Lucas, died February 11, 1847, aged
sixty-four years." At the time of his death Mr. Lucas resided in the house,
which he had built, opposite the United Presbyterian Church, now the prop-
erty of John J. Thompson. The only member of his family living is his
daughter, Nancy, now the wife of Dr. R. T. Henry, of Princeville, Lewis
county, 111.
John K. Coxson was born in Mercer county, July 8, 181 2, and came to
Jefferson county in 1848, locating in Brookville, in the same year. He was
admitted to the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1842,
and appointed to Wiliiamsfield, in the Warren district. He afterwards filled
the appointments at Clintonville, Red Bank, Luthersburg, and Punxsutawney.
The History of the Erie Conference, in the record of the year 1846, says :
" Rev. John K. Coxson settled in Jefferson county, Pa., where he entered the
practice of pleading law." He read law for two years with Judge Thompson,
of Venango county, and one year in the office of George W. Zeiglcr, esq., of
Brookville, and was admitted to the bar of Jefferson county in 1849. January
24, 1850, he was married to Miss Thetis Thom, of Luthersburg, Clearfield
county, and that same year removed to Punxsutawney, where he resided until
his death, which occurred July 16, 1879. Mr. Coxson continued the practice
of his profession until his death, but devoted considerable time to portrait
painting and to literary work, and was engaged in the newspaper business for
about five years. He was a man of more than usual mental abilities, and of
great versatility of talent.
42
358 History of Jefferson County.
William Williams Wise was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa.,
on the 27th day of April, 1827. At an early age he attended the old academy
in Greensburg, where his manly, honest character, endeared him to both his
teachers and fellow pupils. At the age of fourteen, when already well advanced
in the classics, he entered the office of the Indiana Register, in Indiana, Pa.,
where he learned the art of printing. While here he " burned the midnight
oil " to prepare himself for the study of law. During his apprenticeship he pub-
lished several poems which bore the impress of unusual literary merit. In 1847
the Me.xican War broke out, and young Wise laid down the composing stick
for the musket, and enlisted in Company D, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers,
and was mustered into the service at Pittsburgh, January 4, 1847. He re-
mained with his company until December 25, when he was placed on detached
Service, by order of General Patterson. In March or April he rejoined his
company, and was mustered out of service at Pittsburgh, July 14, 1848. Dur-
ing his stay in Me.xico, he edited and printed a paper, at General Scott's liead-
quarters in the city of Me.xico. At the close of the war he decided to locate
in Brookville, where his father owned some land, and June 8. 1849, entered into
partnership with Captain Evans R. Brady, in the publication of the Jeffcrsou-
ian. In December, 1851, the partnership of Brady & Wise was dissolved by
'Captain Wise retiring. In 1850 he was elected to the Legislature from the
district composed of Jefferson, Clarion and Armstrong. He was one of the
most able and brilliant members of that body. At that time he was a Demo-
crat in politics, but when the Republican party was formed he warmly es-
poused its principles, and soon became one of the acknowledged leaders of the
new party in Jefterson county. In 1858 he was the choice of Jefferson county
for Congress, but withdrew his name at the convention in favor of Chapin
Hall, who was nominated and elected. In December, 1852, he was admitted
to the bar of Jefferson county, and was for a time a partner of Hon. D.
Barclay. He was an able and successful attorney. On the 30th of August,
1855, he was married to Miss Evaline Taylor, eldest daughter of Hon. Philip
Taylor, of Brookville. When the war cloud burst over the land, Captain
Wise closed his law office, bade adieu to his wife and little boy, and promptly
enlisted in defense of his country. He was elected captain of one of the
first three months companies from Jefferson county, Company I of the Eighth
Pennsylvania. Soon after these companies reached the front. Captain Wise
was selected to go into the enemy's lines, and endeavor to gain information
as to the number and disposition of the enemy's forces, and his plan of op-
eration. We can best give an account of this hazardous service by quoting
from a letter -Hritten by him to his wife. May 30, 1861: "Colonel Irwin,
who was then commanding the Third Brigade, ordered me to make a recon-
noissance of the enemy's post at Sheppardstown, Williamsport, and along
the line of the Potomac towards Harper's Ferry. Starting the same night
The Bench and Bar. 359
(in citizen's dress), I went to Hagerstown, through IVIar)-land, into Virginia,
penetrated the camp of the secessionists and acquired information that high
military authorities considered very valuable. It is true that I was liable
to be hung or shot at any moment, but, you know, the first duty of a soldier is
to obey the commands of his superiors, no matter what the consequences may
be. Returning in safety, after several perilous adventures, I was sent to Har-
risburg, with a report of my expedition, maps of the country through which I
passed, etc., etc. There a telegraphic message from the secretary of war or-
dered me to Washington, where I proceeded at once — had an interview with
General Cameron, dined with him that afternoon, and also had a long and
confidential conversation with General Scott, with whom I emptied a bottle of
wine, and smoked a cigar Colonel Irwin, Governor Curtin, the
secretary of war and General Scott, all unite in pronouncing my service in the
enemy's country as most important." For this service. Captain Wise was
promoted by the secretary of war, to a captaincy in the regular arm)-, and
assigned to Company I, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, and he at once resigned his
captaincy in the volunteer service, and reported for duty to his new regiment.
He was ordered to Johnstown, Pa., to recruit for his regiment, and his wife and
little boy spent the time of his stay there with him. The Fifteenth was or-
dered to join the Western Army, under Rosecrans, and Captain Wise was kept
in active service, constantly taking a gallant part in several battles. At Shi-
loh liis company was hotly engaged and lost heavily. On the 3 isf of Decem-
ber, 1862, he was mortally wounded in the battle of Stone River, and died the
following day. The story of his last fight can best be told in the words of one
of his brother officers. Captain I. H. Young, of the Fifteenth, who wrote the
sad intelligence to his wife. ". . . On the morning of the 31st, before
Murfreesboro, the enemy had driven back the right wing of the army. Our
brigade of regulars was in the division of the reserve. The moment had
come, when upon them depended tiie safety or destruction of our entire army.
A moment terrible in danger. Steadily at the call of our glorious Rousseau,
the little battalion marched on, and amid the fury of the storm of grape and
ball and shell, gained the open field he pointed out ; but they could not with-
stand the hosts of the rebels who had driven back the strong division of the
right. They fought on, falling back, then again advanced, and drove the foe
until they reached their former position, not to hold it yet, for the thousands
of the enemy were still too strong for twelve hundred men, if each had been a
Rousseau ; again they fell back, again they advanced, and this time there were
but six hundred hearts to beat on the open field — the field of their glory, and
the six hundred held the point. The day was ours — the army was safe. It
was during this glorious time, the proudest in our army's history, the moment
most sublime even in a soldier's dream, that fell our brother captain. But you
are not a soldier; whatever there may be of glory comes to you too faintly to
36o History of Jefferson County.
be felt or heard jj/c^', amid the waihng and breaking of heart-strings. We offer
you the fullest sympathy of soldier hearts, and pray you to believe with us,
that heaven \s just the other side of your soldier's grave. We honored your
husband, for he possessed the brave man's noblest attributes ; we loved him for
the oftentimes we had seen and felt the kindly sympathies of his generous
soul."
His brother officers having placed the body of Captain Wise in a vault in
Nashville, to await the wishes of his friends, his remains were brought home by
Mr. M. H. Shannon, who had been sent for them, and on the loth of Feb-
ruary, 1863, he was borne to his last home, followed by the entire bar to which
he had so long been such an ornament. At the court which was then in ses-
sion, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions on his death, consist-
ing of Isaac G. Gordon, David Barclay and George A. Jenks, and among oth-
ers was the following:
" Resolved, 2, That the bar has lost an ornament — a gentleman of learning
and ability, and who, from his legal acumen and surpassing eloquence, gave
promise of a bright and distinguished future, and in whose intercourse was
combined friendship, courtesy and kindness."
Captain Wise, when he fell, had received no less than three rebel bullets in
his person ; and no one ever died a nobler, braver death. In his death Jeffer-
son county lost one of her best citizens, and the bar one of its brightest orna-
ments ; an able lawyer, an accomplished jurist, and an orator not often excelled.
He left a wife and one little boy. Mrs. Wise, on September 27, iSSa, went
to join her soldier husband, and their son, Malcolm William Wise, is now a res-
ident of Du Bois, where he occupies the position as cashier of the First Na-
tional Bank of that place.
Alexander Lewis Gordon was born in Lewisburg, Union county, Feb-
ruary 14, 1829. He, in his j'outh, attended the public schools of the county,
but his education was nearly all self-acquired. About 1852 he came to Brookville
and commenced the study of the law with his brother, Hon. Isaac G. Gordon.
In 1853 he taught school in the academy building, and at the February term,
1855, he was admitted to the bar. Mr. Gordon was married June 8, 1858, at
Shelbyville, 111., to Miss Achsa J. Hardin, who survives him. In 1858 he was
elected district attorney, and re-elected in 1861, and was appointed assessor of
internal revenue for the district in 1864, which position he held until the office
was merged with those of the collector and deputy collector. On the election
of his brother, Hon. I. G. Gordon, to the supreme bench, he formed a copart-
nership with Charles Corbet, esq., and the firm of Gordon & Corbet continued
until his death. He was for almost twenty years secretary and treasurer of
the Red Bank Navigation Company, which office he held at the time of his
death. When the citizens of the county were called to face the stern realities
of war, A. L. Gordon gave his whole sympathy to the cause, and though not
The Bench and Bar. 361
physically able to endure the hardships of a soldier's life, he aided with his
voice and means in putting men in the field, and when the safety of his own
State was endangered in the summer of 1863, he assisted in recruiting Company
B, of the Fifty- Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, and on the promotion
■of Captain Cyrus Butler to lieutenant-colonel, he was promoted captain, and
served with his company until the needs of the service no longer demanded
their services, and during that time assisted in putting down the famous " Mor-
gan raid." Mr. Gordon was one of the most prominent and most widely
known members of this bar, and equally prominent in tlie Republican party.
For many years he was a consistent member of 'the Presbyterian Church of
Brookville, and his heart was deeply interested in the Sunday-school work.
The interest he manifested in the youth of the town, and the lessons he taught
them have left their impress upon the school and community. An ardent
lover of children, and not being blessed with any of his own, he was in the
habit of selecting a number of little ones, to whom each succeeding Christmas
he was a veritable Santa Claus, and by whom he will never be forgotten. In
the spring of 1885, the disease, which for some time had been sapping his
vitality, assuming alarming symptoms, he went to Philadelphia to obtain the ad-
vice of eminent physicians there, but they could afford no relief, and on the 3d
of May he passed away; his devoted wife and brother being by his side during
his illness and death. The Pennsylvania Railroad placed a special car at the
disposal of his friends to bring his remains home for burial, and on their arrival
at Driftwood they were met by an escort from the bar consisting of Messrs. G.
A. Jenks, A. C. White, S. A. Craig, W. F. Stewart, W. D. J. Marlin, and G.
W. Means, who escorted the remains of their fellow-attorney to the depot at
Brookville, where a detail of E. R. Brady Post, G. A. R., took charge of the
remains and bore them to his late residence, from which they were followed
on the Tuesday following by a sorrowing community to the cemetery; the
services being conducted by Hobah Lodge A. Y. M. and E. R. Brady Post
G. A. R., both of which turned out as organizations to do honor to a brother
and comrade.
Amor Archer McKnight, son of Alexander and Mary McKnight, nee
Thompson, was born in Blairsville, Indiana county, April 19, 1S32. In
the ensuing autumn his parents removed to Brookville, where, June 15,
1837, his father died. Amor McKnight at an early age evinced a deep love
for study, and proved an apt and diligent student in the common schools, and
the Brookville Academy, where he obtained a good common education. He
was a close, careful reader, and when quite young, gathered together, as his
means would admit, a collection of books, which in after years proved the
nucleus of an excellent and extensive library. The death of his father when
he was very young, made him the main support of his mother and her little
family, and the loving care for that mother as long as she lived was one of his
362 History of Jefferson County.
noblest traits. To his younger brothers his care was almost parental. At an
early age he returned to Blairsville, and learned the art of printing in the
Appalachian office, that paper then being edited by the late Alfred Mathias.
On his return to Brookville he worked for some time in the office of the Jejfer-
son Star. The late Mr. Samuel INTcElhose, who was editor of the Star, in his
notice of Colonel McKnight's death said of him : " He was an excellent work-
man ; what he found to do he did with all his might." The practical and
general knowledge he gained in the printing office, he admitted in after years,
had been of incalculable benefit to him. On leaving the Star office he entered
the law office of W. P. Jenks, esq., where he applied himself to the study of
the law one-half of each daj-, the balance of the time he had to work at the
"case" in the printing office, as a means of support. At the February term,
1855, he was admitted to practice, and soon afterwards entered into partner-
ship with G. W. Andrews, esq., now of Denver, Col. Their firm was one of
the most successful, and had as large a practice as any at the Brookville bar.
When the first alarm of war sounded forth he was one of the first to enlist in
defense of his country, but his military record is given elsewhere in the his-
tory of his regiment. The court of Jefferson county appointed R. Arthurs,
W. P. Jenks, G. W. Andrews, A. L. Gordon, and D. Barclay, esqs., to report
resolutions upon the death of Colonel McKnight, when he fell at Chancellors-
ville, one of which reads as follows :
" Resolved, That whether regarded as a soldier, patriot, citizen, friend,
brother, or proctector of his aged parent, Colonel McKnight was true to duty.
By his death our country has lost one of its brightest ornaments, the legal pro-
fession a well informed, trustworthy and honorable member."
William K. McKee was born in Bellfonte, Centre county, on the 17th day
of July, 1833. His parents came to Punxsutawney when he was five years of
age ; his father, Thomas McKee, behig the first sheriff elected in the county.
He received as liberal an education as the county afforded. In 1853 he com-
menced the study of law with J. K. Coxon, esq., and completed it with P. W.
Jenks, esq. At the September term, 1855, he was admitted to practice in the
several courts of the county. In October of the same year he was elected dis-
trict attorney. He was a faithful and competent officer, and though suffering
from the disease (consumption) which caused his death, was in his place in the
court-room at the February term, but after this he sank rapidly, and died at
his residence in Punxsutawney, March 8, 1858. Mr. McKee was married June
3, 1855, to Miss Martha Jane Campbell, of Punxsutawney, whom he left with
two little children, to mourn his loss. The latter have both since died, Martha
dying only twenty days after her father, and Bertha, who died July 1 1, 1872.
Mrs. McKee, now Mrs. Stumph, still resides in Punxsutawney. Mr. McKee
was a worthy and devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
of Punxsutawney. He was greatly esteemed by his fellow-associates of the
The Benxh and Bar. 363
bar, and at an adjourned court held March 15, 1858, the following resolutions
were presented by Hon. David Barclay, and adopted :
" IV/iaras, It hath pleased God to remove from our mid.st a member of
this bar, William K. McKee, by death ; therefore, be it
" Resolved, That in this dispensation of Providence, afflictive though it be,
we recognize and acknowledge the hand of Him that ' doeth all things well,'
and while we bow with submission to His will, express our heartfelt regret that
a courteous gentleman, a kind friend, a promising member of this bar, and a
faithful public officer should be thus suddenly called away.
" Resolved, That to the family of our deceased brother we tender our
warmest sympathies and invoke Him ' who tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb' to support and sustain them in their sad bereavement."
Mr. Barclay, in his remarks to the court on this occasion, paid a high
eulogy upon the life of the young member of the bar, whom he said had been
"possessed of a good mind, sound judgment, and a legal acumen, and gave
promise of great usefulness and a brilliant future."
Lewis A. Grunder was admitted to the bar of Jefferson county at the Feb-
ruary term, 1864, and was elected that same year district attorney. He re-
moved from Brookville to Warren, and subsequentlj' to Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland county, where he died May 25, 1878. He was engaged in the
practice of his profession when he died. In 1865 or 1866 Mr. Grunder was
married to Miss Emma Smith, of Brookville, who, with one son, Harry Matson
Grunder, survives him. Mrs. Grunder resides in Mechanicsburg.
Benton Polk Arthurs, eldest son of Richard and Sarah J. Arthurs, was born
in Brookville, November 14, 1845. After receiving all the education that the
common schools afforded he attended some of the best schools in the country,
and then read law with his father, Richard Arthurs, esq., and was admitted to
the bar at the February term, 1871 ; but though his career as an attorney
opened up very brightly, it was soon ended, as that dread disease, consump-
tion, marked him for its victim ; and though all that the loving care of his
family, aided by the best medical skill, could do, was done to arrest the dis-
ease, he died November 25, 1872. In July, 1863, when only a boy in years, he
enlisted in the Emergency Company, commanded by Captain Charles McLain,
and which was attached to the Independent Battalion of Lieutenant-Colonel
John C. Leisinger, and served with this company until it was discharged in
January, 1864. Mr. Arthurs was married to Miss Jennie Mitchell, who as-
sisted him while he was reading law, by hearing his recitations. In this way
she acquired a general knowledge of the law and a taste for legal study, and
after Mr. Arthusr's death, when she had returned to her parents home in Kan-
sas, she prosecuted the study and was admitted to the bar at Emporia, Kan-
sas, and soon after her admission was married to Judge Kellogg, an eminent
jurist of .that State, and for some time was his partner in the legal business.
364 History of Jefferson County.
The increasing cares of her household have, however, caused her to lay aside
the duties of her profession. In the death of Benton Arthurs this bar lost one
who gave promise of being an ornament and an honor to it ; and his parents
and friends saw his sun go down when it gave promise of ushering in a day of
brightness.
Andrew Jackson Monks was born in Eldred township (now Union), Janu-
ary 5, 1833. His father, John Whiteman Monks, was born in Centre county,
in 1803. His mother was Elizabeth McDonald, also born in Centre county,
in the year 1809. Mr. Monks came to what is now Curllsville, in Clarion
county, in 1806, and in 1827 he and Elizabeth McDonald were married, and
removed to Jefferson county in 1828, and settled on the farm (now owned and
occupied by his son, G. D. Monks), about one and a half miles from Corsica,
where he died November 6, 1854. His widow, in 1866, removed to the resi-
dence of her daughter, Mrs. Ardery, of Corsica, where she died August 20,
1882. Andrew Jackson Monks, or Jackson, as his friends called him, was of a
very studious disposition, and, after obtaining all the education that the com-
mon schools afforded, he attended Allegheny College, and lacked but one term
of graduating when he left the college, but he kept up his studies and was one
of the best read men in the county ; while as a classical scholar he was ex-
celled by few, as he read Latin and Greek fluently and understandingly. Dur-
ing his early manhood Mr. Monks was one of the most successful teachers in
this county. In 1856 he removed to Punxsutawney, and was engaged in
teaching his second term of school there when the tocsin of war called him
from his books, and he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regi-
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and shared all the dangers and toils of his regi-
ment until he was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness, and again severely
wounded before Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864. Sergeant Monks was com-
missioned first lieutenant of Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment,
January i, 1865, but was not mustered. He was mustered out of the ser-
vice July 23, 1865. He was ardently attached to the brave men of his regi-
ment, — his comrades of almost four years' service. After the close of the war
Mr. Monks returned to Punxsutawney, where he afterwards made his home.
He was elected commissioner of Jefferson county in 1866, and made a careful
and efficient officer. In 1869 or '70 he was appointed postmaster of the Sen-
ate at Harrisburg, and was subsequently employed in the State historian's of-
fice for three years, the last two volumes of the History of Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers being mainly compiled under his supervision. At the May term of
court, 1875, Mr. Monks w^as admitted to the bar of Jefferson county. He was
well versed in the law and was ardently attached to his profession, but his fail-
ing health was a great drawback to his advancement ; yet, up to a very short
time before his death, his place was always filled in the court room, as he was
conscientiously faithful to all business entrusted to his care. Mr. Monks was
The Bench and Bar. 365
very active in all that related to the good of the county, and was a prominent
worker in the Republican party. At the age of twenty years, while teaching
school at Clarington, Forest county, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and was a consistent member and earnest worker in the church of his choice
until death opened the portals of heaven for him. He was ardently attached
to the Sunday-school, and was the superintendent of the Methodist Sunday-
school at Punxsutawney, for many years, until his failing health obliged him
to resign. He died at his home in Pun.xsutawney, November 22, 1884, of
consumption. The rebel ball, which had entered his side at Petersburg, and
which he carried with him to the grave, was, by his physicians, attributed as
the cause of his death. Mr. Monks was married to Mary Elizabeth St. Clair,
daughter of Judge St. Clair, of Punxsutawney, January 13, 1859, and five
children were born to them. Of these little Annie died July 30, 1870, in the
second j'ear of her age ; Clara, the eldest daughter, was married to James J.
Davis, of Punxsutawney, December 13, 1882, and died at the residence of her
mother, of consumption, in the 26th year of her age, July 6, 1885, leaving a
little daughter less than a year old ; Minnie E. Monks died, while quietly sit-
ting in her invalid chair, on the morning of November 26, 1885, aged about
twenty- one years. Minnie was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, and, though a sufferer from consumption for over four years, was an
active worker in the church. Mrs. Monks, who in less than a year was bereft
of her husband and two elder children, resides in Punxsutawney with her two
remaining children, John and Nellie.
Resident Members of the Bar of Jefferson County.
The following list comprises the members of the bar, who were residents of
the county in 1887, with their post-office address. They are given according
to their seniority : Richard Arthurs, William P. Jenks, Brookville ; Phineas
W. Jenks, John Hastings, Punxsutawney ; George A. Jenks, John Conrad,
Brookville ; Reuben C. Winslow, Punxsutawney ; Alexander C. White, Elijah
H. Clark, William F. Stewart, H. Clay Campbell, Williamson D. J. Marlin,
Brookville ; William M. Fairman, Charles M. Brewer, John St. Clair, Punxsu-
tawney ; Marion M. Davis, Camden Mitchell, Reynoldsville ; Charles Corbet,
Henry W. Mundorff, Samuel A. Craig, C. C. Benscoter, Daniel E. Brenneman,
George W. Means, J. Armat Scott, John W. Walker, John C. Whitehill,
Brookville; John E. Calderwood, Punxsutawney; Stewart H. Whitehill,
Brookville ; William M. Gillespie, George D. Jenks, Punxsutawney ; Hiram
H. Brocius, Cadmus Z. Gordon, John M. Van Vliet, Cyrus H. Blood, Brook-
ville ; Alexander J. Truitt, Punxsutawney ; Edward A. Carmalt, Brookville ;
G. Ament Blose, Hay ; William L. McCracken. John W. Bell, Brookville.
The bar of Jefferson county, which we have thus briefly sketched, is by no
means mediocre in legal attainments. The record given shows to what a
43
366 History of Jefferson County.
degree of excellence and renown it has attained in the past, and to-day it ranks
with any body of attorneys in the State. All the resident members of this
bar, except three already mentioned, have read, passed their examination, and
been admitted in this county.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.i
FROM the date of the first settlement made at the confluence of Mill Creek
and Sandy Lick, in territory afterwards a part of Jefferson county, until
1817, there is no record of the location of any physician within the boundaries
of the county, as ordained by the act of Assembly, dated March 26, 1 804.
Many years before the Barnetts migrated to this section of the State a band of
Moravians had passed through the southern portion of the county, and were de-
tained, on account of sickness among them, from which some died. Andrew
Barnett, one of the original pioneers, died in the autumn of 1795, from what
his companion, Scott, supposed to be an attack of cholera nwrbns. Scott was
the only white man who witnessed the event, and, with the assistance of some
friendly Indians, he buried him on the north bank of the mouth of Mill Creek.
Andrew Barnett was one of the three who first set foot on Jefferson county
soil with the intention of making a permanent settlement, and the first to die.
In 1 8 10 Jefferson county only numbered 161 inhabitants. The atmos-
phere, balsamic from the exhalations of the pines and hemlocks ; the water,
pure freestone, with all else conducing to health, it proved no tempting loca-
tion for a physician, and, consequently, it was not until some time during the
year 18 17 that one is found permanently located for the practice of his profes-
sion within its confines. In this year a Dr. Newton settled on land now em-
bracing the present site of Summerville. Whence he came, or whither he
went when he left the county some years after, is not known. It is supposed,
however, that he came from the State of New York, or, possibly, from one of
the New England States, as he was known among the early settlers as the
" Yankee doctor." He distilled his own spirits of turpentine and essential oils,
which, with .spirits, now procurable at the distillery of Ludwig Long, were
transformed into embrocations for bruises and sprains so incident to pioneer
life. For other remedies he seems to have depended wholly on the indigenous
materia tnedica, and through his skillful prescription and compounding of
these, gained quite an enviable reputation as a physician.
1 Prepared by Dr. C. M. Matson, of Erookville.
The Medical Profession. 367
Dr. Newton performed the first capital surgical operation ever performed
in the county, in the amputation of Moses Knapp's thigh, in 1819 ; and as this
is the first operation of any kind that there is any record of, it demands a more
extensive notice, even if this should somewhat detract from the reputation of
Drs. Newton and Rankin, for the former was assisted by the latter, who then
was located near the present site of Rimersburgh, Clarion county.
Knapp was Samuel Scott's adopted son, and came to Port Barnett with his
foster-father and Joseph Barnett when they returned in 1796. He was a
millwright, and in taking out the timber for a mill he intended to build near
the present site of Baxter station, his foot, or leg, was crushed by a falling tree.
Dr. Newton was called to dress it, but on discovering the serious nature of the
injury had a messenger dispatched after Dr. Rankin. On Rankin's arrival, af-
ter consultation, an amputation was decided upon, but as neither of them had
instruments a neighbor of Knapp's was sent to Kittanning, to procure them.
But as no instruments were to be had there, another messenger was sent to
Indiana, on the same errand. This also proving a failure, the doctors pro-
ceeded to business with such as they could improvise. With what instrument
the soft tissues were separated, is not known, but it is presumed with a hunting-
knife, as, according to the testimony of eye witnesses, there were no flaps or
other provisions for covering the bone, but, in their own language, " cut square
off." They divided the bone with a carpenter's saw, and, as it was ever after-
wards exposed, Knapp always had a tender stump.
In 1 8 19 Dr. John W. Jenks removed from Bucks county to the present site
of Punxsutawney where, in company with others, he had built a cabin and
commenced improvements the year before. Dr. Phineas Jenks was his pre-
ceptor, and he graduated from the medical department of the University of
Pennsylvania in 18 16. He had about completed arrangements to goto Eu-
rope, for the purpose of prosecuting his medical studies in one of the universi-
ties there, but was dissuaded by his brother-in-law, Rev. David Barclay, who
induced him to become one of a little colony of pioneers who intended settling
in the wilds of Jefferson county, of which number himself was one.
As the taxable inhabitants only numbered 161 in 1821, two years after the
doctor's location in the county, and these, for the most part, widely separated,
he could not depend on the practice of medicine for support, but was com-
pelled to do as others, clear land, or turn his attention to other business, as the
necessities of the settlers required. In 1824, in connection with Rev. David
Barclay, he erected a grist-mill on Elk Run, a short distance above Punxsu-
tawney, and in the fall of the same year was elected one of the first board of
commissioners for the county; and in 1830, when full rights, powers, and privi-
leges were bestowed upon the citizens of the county. Dr. Jenks was appointed
by Governor Wolf to fill the position of associate judge, an ofhce he continued
to fill for the most part of the balance of his life.
368 History of Jefferson County
Dr. Jenks married Mary Barclay, daughter of Rev. David Barclay ; and
Phineas W., David Barclay, Hon. William P., Mrs. Mary Gordon, wife of Hon.
I. G. Gordon,, now chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Cap-
tain James D., and Hon. George A., solicitor general of the United States,
now residing at Washington City, D. C, were born of this marriage. He con-
tinued to practice medicine until his health failed. He died in 1850.
Sometime prior to the year 1825 Dr. R. K. Scott settled on land located
about three miles west of Brookville, on the S. and W. turnpike, but being of
a migrating disposition it is impossible to follow him in his different locations
with any degree of certainty. He resided for a time in Brookville, also in
Summerville, in Corsica, in Armagh, Indiana county, and somewhere in Ohio.
Nothing is now known of his skill as a physician ; but as he did not enjoy any
considerable reputation, it is presumed not to have been great. Justice, how-
ever, may not have been done him, from the fact that when his cases began to
assume a very serious phase, Dr. James Stewart, of Indiana, who had an ex-
tensive and well merited reputation, was sent for, and the consequence always
seems to have been that Dr. Scott was discharged, his medicines pitched out
of the house, followed by fierce denunciations and a torrent of expletives of
such a character as to cause the very atmosphere to smell sulphurous for days
afterwards. In 1847 oi" '4^ Dr. Scott was living in Brookville, where his wife
died, but where he died or at what age, is not known.
The site for the county seat was selected, by the commissioners appointed
for that purpose, in the spring of 1830, at the confluence of the North Fork
and Sandy Lick Creeks, and named Brookville ; and in the following June lots
were sold at auction, but not for more than a year after this did any physician
locate in the place.
About September i, 1831, Dr. Alvah Evans came to the place and opened
an office for the practice of his profession. He is described as having been a
young, handsome, portly man, riding what was considered a fast horse, in
those days, of which he was very proud. It was he who induced Major William
Rodgers to purchase a small stock of drugs, and keep them for sale with his
other merchandise ; but it was a stock, the major says, he was compelled in
time to close out, as he had no custom for drugs outside the doctors, and they
bought on credit and never paid their bills.
On examination of the account of Dr. Evans, in the day book of Major
Rodgers, kept at the time, are found some items of interest in regard to the
price of medicines then, such as, for example : November 16, 1831, To I lb.
Dover's powder, $1.50; 3 boxes Hooper's pills, 567 cents; 4 oz. mercurial
ointment, 43! cents; i pint of wine, 25 cents; i pint of brandy, 50 cents.
Whisky retailed at 124- cents per quart and was purchased at 16 cents per
gallon, per bbl. He was also charged with a bottle of quinine (quantity not
stated), 25 cents. It would be a matter of deeper interest to know how, and
The Medical Profession. 369
in what cases, he used it, as this alkaloid had only been discovered by Pelletier
and Caventou, of France, in 1820, and in 1831 its physiological action was but
little understood. It was probably administered as a simple tonic.
Dr. Evans only remained in Brookville four or five months, and from what
State he came or whither he went on leaving Brookville, none seem to have
known.
In the spring of 1S32, about the 1st of May, Dr. C. G. M. Prime came to
Brookville to practice law, but as no reciprocity existed between the State from
which he came and Pennsylvania, he could not be admitted to the bar for a
year ; therefore he resumed the practice of medicine. After a residence of one
year he was admitted to the bar, but as long as he remained in the place he
continued to practice medicine in connection with law ; and, judging from the
number of prosecutions instituted for Sabbath breaking, blaspheming, etc., in
those days, his law practice was fully as remunerative as his medical.
Dr. Prime amputated the arm of Henry Vasbinder, whose hand had be-
come gangrenous from the inflammation, caused by his thumb having been
bitten by Isaac Mills, in a fight. In this operation he was assisted by another
physician, but by whom can not now be ascertained. During his residence in
Brookville he married a Miss Wagley. He left the place on the night of April
3' i835> going'- 't is said, to Mississippi, where he became a plantation physi-
cian, and was afterwards shot and killed at a card-table. He is described as a
tall, spare man, of sandy complexion, and possessed of a reckless disposition.
Nearly two years before Dr. Prime left, viz. : in June, 1833, Dr. George
Darling came from Smethport, McKean county, and located in Brookville.
He was born in the State of Vermont, and acquired his medical education
there, but his first location as a physician was in some part of the State of New
York ; thence he removed to Smethport, and afterward to Brookville. How
long he remained in any of these places is not known. His wife died in Smeth-
port, and of his family he only brought his younger son, Paul, to Brookville ;
his eldest child, a daughter, became the wife of Dr. McCoy, of Smethport, and
the elder son, Jedediah, afterwards made medicine his profession and practiced
it many years in the same place. Two other children were born of this mar-
riage, both dying in childhood. On July 31, 1835, Dr. Darling married Julia
Clark, by whom he had three children, two dying in infancy, and Mary, the
youngest of the three, afterwards became the wife of Henry Gray, of Brookville.
In July or August, 1843, Dr. Darling left Brookville and located some-
where in Beaver county, on the Ohio river, and afterwards in the State of
Ohio ; but how long he remained in either place is not known. After some
years he returned to Smethport, where he continued to practice until the in-
firmities of age prohibited his further attention to the duties of his profession.
After his retirement he again removed to Jefi'erson county, and lived on a farm
four miles east of Brookville. His home, for the last few years of his life, was
370 History of Jefferson County.
with his brother-in-law, Enoch Hall, but he spent the last few months of his
life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. H. Gray, where he died November
1 6, 1869, aged eighty- three years.
Dr. Darling was a small man, of rather dark, sallow complexion, with a pe-
culiarly calm, peaceful expression of countenance, polished in manner, fastidi
ous in taste, always smelling strongly of medicines, and, as a physician, sus-
tained a very fair reputation.
On the 23d day of June, 1835, Rev. Gara Bishop, M.D., removed to
Brookville from Clearfield, for the purpose of locating in the place as a physi-
cian, and also to act as a supply to the Presbyterian congregations of Brookville
and Beech Woods, occasionally, also, preaching at Corsica, or rather, where
Corsica is now situated.
On the 3d of April, 1838, the congregation at Brookville requested one-half
of his time and Beech Woods one-fourth, thus making it necessary to preach
two sermons per Sabbath for three .Sabbaths out of four. He continued to act
as supply for these congregations until the spring of 1840, when he was re-
lieved of the Brookville congregation by their calling Rev. David Polk as reg-
ular pastor ; but Dr. Bishop continued to act as supply to the congregation in
Beech Woods, for some time after, and, when released from his duties as sup-
ply to the latter congregation, never again accepted a call as pastor, nor acted
as supply, but turned his entire attention to the practice of medicine, only
preaching when invited to fill the pulpit of another minister or to assist on
communion seasons. Dr. Bishop continued to practice medicine until stricken
with paralysis a few months before his death, and although he partially re-
covered was never able to resume the duties of his profession, dying October
17, 1852.
Dr. Gara Bishop was a large man, six feet or over in height, weighing not
less than two hundred pounds, of fair complexion and commanding presence,
dignified in manner, as became a divine, and of a genial, social disposition, en-
joying a very fair reputation as a physician among the people of his time. He is
said to have read medicine while in Philadelphia during the time not occupied
by his ministerial duties, as the science was always interesting to him, never in-
tending to make it a profession until after his removal to Clearfield county.
He married in Philadelphia, and from this union were born, William, who af-
terwards read medicine with his father and practiced for many years in Emlen-
ton, Venango county, now deceased ; Sarah, now wife of Edmund English ;
Samuel B., for many years a member of the Brookville bar, now dead ; Jacob
Janeway Jones, who also read medicine with his father, and afterwards prac-
ticed in Millville, Clarion county, Plumville, Indiana county, and Punxsutaw-
ney, Jefferson county, now dead ; Emma, who married John Henderson ; Ezra
Stiles Ely, a member of the Brookville bar, killed accidentall}-, and Louisa,
now the wife of J. H. Gates.
The Medical Profession.
371
Sometime during the year 1836, Dr. Asaph M. Clark (eclectic), located in
Brockvvayville. He was the son of Philetus and Penelope Clark lu'e Godard,
born in the town of Granby, Hartford county, Conn., on the 22d day of March,
1808, and in the fall of the same year his parents removed to Russell, St. Law-
rence county, N. Y., where they remained until the year 1819, when they emi-
grated to Pennsylvania, settling on the Little Toby, about four miles from
Brockwayville, in Clearfield county then, but now in Elk. They were the first
settlers in that section of the State, and Philetus was the first postmaster in all
that region. Dr. Clark's early educational advantages were limited, but being
of an active, inquiring mind, he eagerly embraced those thrown in bis way.
On this subject he himself wrote in 1878 : " My earliest instructions I received
from my mother, of course. I cannot remember when I learned to read, but
I can remember the old books to which I had access, — Noah Webster's spell-
ing book, the Bible, the English Reader, the Columbian Orator and the Ameri-
can Preceptor. Afterwards I read F'oster's Essays, Dodridge's Rise and Prog-
ress of Religion in the Soul, Adams's Arithmetic, and Locke on the Human
Understanding. Still later, the New Edinburgh Encyclopedia, a voluminous
and very scientific work, came into my hands. This opened up a new world
of thought to me, and my hunger for learning was partly appeased, though
not satisfied. It has always been a pursuit under difficulties ; matches had not
been invented, the flint, steel and spunk were the only means of getting fire;
kerosene lamps were unknown ; candles were costly, and money to buy them
out of the question, but the pitch pine which grew on the mountain sides, some
of which had fallen and rotted on the ground, left a supply of pitchy knots
which, being split in pieces, would burn better than candles, give a greater
light and cost nothing."
He was married, March 6, 183 1, to Miss R. M. Nichols, and commenced
shortly afterwards to read medicine under his father-in-law. Dr. Jonathan
Nichols, who was also a Baptist minister. Dr. Clark graduated from the Eclec-
tic Institute, Cincinnati, O., February 25, 185 i. About January i, 1858, he
removed to Brookville, where he acquired an extensive practice, but returned
to Brockwayville in the fall of 1863, continuing the practice of medicine till
within a few days of his death, which occurred in 1884.
Dr. Clark was a man of very fair ability, well versed in the literature of the
eclectic system of medicine, which he practiced, as, also in general literature;
of great kindness of heart, so great, indeed, that his sympathies sometimes
interfered with his duties as a physician, and almost precluded him entirely
from the practice of surgery.
Dr. James Dowling was born in Mercer county. Pa., October 19, 1806, and
read medicine under the tuition of Dr. Crosett, of Kinsman, Ohio ; married
Catherine Calvin, of Mercer county, October lO, 1831. He removed to Jef-
ferson county in 1841, and located at New Prospect, afterwards known as
372 History of Jefferson County.
Dowlingville, now Baxter, where he married Sarah Lucas, of Clover township,
December 7, 1842, his first wife having died some years before his removal to
Jefferson. In 1843 he removed to Brookville, and was elected to the Legis-
lature in 1844, ^""i W'ls granted a diploma from the Pennsylvania Medical
College March 4, 1S45.
By the first marriage he had five children — Maggie, Mary, John C, Mathew,
and James — and with the exception of Mathew, who is now living in Ken-
tucky, all are dead. Captain John C, of Company B, One Hundred and
Fifth Regiment, was killed at Fair Oaks, and Sergeant James, of the same
company and regiment, at the battle of the Wilderness. Mary married Dr. J.
G. Simons, and died in Mercer county. By the second marriage there were
born four sons and two daughters, all of whom are dead e.xcept William L.,
now residing in Corsica.
For many years Dr. James Dowling's practice was very extensive, and
probably no physician who ever located in the county enjoyed so great a repu-
tation as he, at one time. His manner was social and agreeable ; careful in his
dress and personal appearance ; attentive to his patients, and kind to the poor.
In the foil of i860 he started on a tour through the counties of Elk, Clearfield,
and several places in the eastern part of the State, and had arrived at Luthers-
burg, Clearfield county, on his return, when he was taken seriously sick. A
messenger was dispatched to Brookville for his brother, Dr. Hugh Dowling,
but before his arrival Dr. Dowling had ceased to breath. His death occurred
on December 24, i860.
Dr. Hugh A. Calvin, son of John and Nancy Calvin, was born in Crawford
county. Pa., September 24, 1814; read medicine with Dr. James Dowling,
who was then practicing in Jamestown, Crawford county, and after finisliing his
course, located in Hartstown, same county. The date of his removal to Jef-
ferson is not exactly known, but it was probably in 1841 or 1842, for he en-
tered into a partnership with Dr. Dowling, whose brother-in-law he was, while
Dowhng was practicing in Dowlingville. Dr. Calvin remained in Dowling-
ville but a short time, returning to Hartstown, where he resumed his practice,
and continued in it for several years, when he again removed to Jefferson
county, and located in Brookville. The date of this, his second location in the
county, cannot be definitely determined, but it is supposed to have been in
1850 or 1851. He married Susan Lucas, who bore him five children, all of
whom are dead. He died March 11, 1853.
Dr. Calvin's reputation as a physician was fair. He was a man of medium
height, delicate physique, and in manner quiet and unobtrusive.
Dr. Stewart H. Whitehill located in Summerville in 1S45. He was the
third son of Stewart H. Whitehill, of Fayette county, Pa., a farmer and stock-
holder in the Monongahela Navigation Company. His mother was a daughter
of Judge Boyd, of the same county. He was born in 1821, near Connellsville,
The Medical Profession. 373
Fayette county ; was educated in Uniontown, and read medicine with Dr.
James Gaston, who gave him a certificate dated May 8, 1841, after which he
practiced in Westmoreland county until 1845, \\hen he came to Troy (Sum-
merville). On December 30, he married Lavina J., eldest daughter of Darius
Carrier, from which union were born W. W. Whitehill, now of Youngsville,
Warren county, and Stewart H. Whitehill, esq., of Brookville, Pa. Dr. White-
hill left the county in 1850, and is now dead, but the date of his decease, with
after histor}-, is not known. Nothing reliable can be gotten concerning his
ability as a physician, personal appearance, etc.
Dr. Hugh Dowling was born in Jamestown, Mercer county, Pa., January
17, 1819; came to Brookville in 1844 to read medicine under the supervision
of his brother, Dr. James, and after taking a course of lectures at Cleveland
Medical College, commenced the practice of medicine with his brother in 1847.
He married Sarah Kinsman, of Trumbull county, Ohio, August 12, 1848, but
from this union no children were born. Dr. Hugh Dowling was engaged con-
tinuously in the practice of medicine from the year 1847 until within a few
months of his death, when his health became so seriously impaired as to pre-
clude its further pursuit. He died from dropsy, dependent on a valvular lesion
of the heart, on the 26th day of December, 1875.
Probably no physician ever practiced medicine within the confines of the
county so much misunderstood and so little appreciated as was Dr. Hugh
Dowling. He was a man of singularly clear judgment and unquestionable
skill, yet frequently inattentive to his patients ; kind and gentle with persons
he loved ; taciturn, or harsh and irritable with those he disliked ; cautious and
conservative almost to a fault when in council, yet, once having expressed an
opinion, he maintained it to the verge of obstinacy. In personal appearance
he was about five feet ten inches in height, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark
hair, with a rather pleasing expression of countenance, with a strong tendency
to gravity.
Dr. Mark Rodgers came to Corsica in 1847, from Henry county, Mo.,
where he had been engaged in the practice of medicine from 1844. He at-
tended a course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania during the win-
ter of 1856-7. Before this Dr. Rodgers had engaged extensively in other
business, such as mercantile, droving, etc., but continued to practice until 1863^
when he removed to Brookville. He did not resume the practice of medicine
after his removal, but turned his entire attention to merchandising, in which he
was very successful, until within a few weeks of his death, which occurred
August 10, 1883.
Dr. Rodgers was born in Kittanning, Armstrong county. Pa., and was a
hatter by trade, having worked several years with his father before reading
medicine. He was a man of medium height, heavy in proportion, black hair,
inclined to curl; hazel eyes; apparently very grave yet social in his manner,
41
374 History of Jefferson County.
and abounding in genuine humor ; kind, patient, and of remarkably ev^en tem-
per, but few persons ever having seen him show any manifestation of anger.
For many years before his death he had been an elder of the Presbyterian
Church.
Dr. Charles Wood (irregular) was born at Rattlesnake Tavern, in Centre
county. Pa., in 1815 ; came to Punxsutawney about 1837 '< studied medicine
awhile with Dr. Young, and commenced to practice in Punxsutawney about
1845. In 1850 he went to California; returned the next year and continued
to practice until his death, which occurred August 30, 1865.
Rev. Charles P. Cummins, M. D., was the son of John and Mary Cummins
nee Cooper, and was born near Strausburgh, Franklin county, Pa., in 1803.
He was educated at Cannonsburgh ; read medicine with Dr. Hunter, of Straus-
burgh, and attended medical lectures at Jefferson College, Philadelphia. He
located at Fayetteville, Franklin county, where he practiced several years.
During his residence in Fayetteville he was converted, and felt it his duty to
preach the gospel. After passing the usual theological course, he was or-
'dained and preached for eight or ten years to the congregation of Dickinson
■Church, near Carlisle, Pa. This was his first charge, and during the time, he
•continued the practice of medicine. He was then called to Mount Pleasant,
Iowa, where he remained as a pastor for two years ; thence he returned to
Pennsylvania to take charge of a congregation at Waynesboro, but remained
only one year, as he received a call from the Presbyterian congregations of
Brookville and Corsica, which he accepted February 26, 1847. I" September,
1850, he, in connection with K. L. Blood, purchased the drug store of David
Deering ; but as business increased, the congregations became dissatisfied,
thinking that secular afiairs too much distracted his mind from his duties as
pastor, and consequently the partnership was dissolved in 1854.
On Thanksgiving day, November, 1856, Dr. Cummins amputated Judge
Joseph Henderson's leg above the knee, which operation was performed in
presence of Drs. James Ross, of Clarion, James Dowling, Hugh Dowling,
George Watt, A. P. Heichhold, J. G. Simons, and David Elliott, of Brookville,
and A. M. Clark, of Brockwa\-\'iIle. Dr. Cummins severed his pastoral
relations with the church in Brookville, September, 1861, and removed to
Beaver, Beaver county, where he again engaged in the practice of medi-
cine as a profession, in connection with the drug business. He did not remain
long in Beaver, removing to Allegheny City, where he continued the practice
of medicine and also his drug business. The active duties of a busy practi-
tioner proved too arduous, his health failed, and he died March 23, 1865.
While residing in Brookville, although not making medicine a profession,
he was considered a man of excellent judgment, and very frequently called as
counsel by other physicians. He was a man of very fine social qualities, whose
Christian character was not questioned, and who filled the position of pastor
very acceptably for man}' years.
The Medical Profession. 375
Dr. Cummins was a man of medium size, light hair, blue eyes and rather
sallow complexion, of pleasing expression, and when amused his face beamed
with genuine good humor.
In the year 1S48, Dr. Henry Wadsworth located in Brookville. He was
born in county Meath, Ireland, but it is thought came here from Canada. In
185 I he married Rebecca McGrew, and left Brookville to locate in Philadel-
phia, on Master street, afterwards removing to 1753 Frankford avenue. He
was connected with a hospital in the city during the War of the Rebellion, and
went to Paris in 1885. It is not known if he yet lives. He sustained an ex-
cellent reputation as a physician ; a small, slight man of dark comple.xion, very
dark hair, large dark eyes, and quick in movement.
Dr. Andrew Jackson Johnson, was born in Bellefonte, Centre county,
September 23, 1820. He studied medicine, for at least part of his course, with
Dr. McCoy, of Bellefonte, and was for a while assistant to Dr. Harris, in a drug
store in the same place; prob^tbly finishing his course of reading with him.
He then went to Lock Haven, where he entered a drug store as a partner of a
Mr. Wagoner, and during the winter of 1847 and 1848 attended one of the
medical colleges in Philadelphia. Some time after the close of the session, in
the year 1848, he located in Pun.xsutawney, where he continued to practice
medicine in connection with the sale of drugs until his death, July 17, 1863.
Dr. William Altman was born in Indiana, Indiana county, October 20,
1825 ; read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. James M. Stewart, of Indi-
ana. First located at Armagh, Indiana county, where he remained from Octo-
ber, 1847, to July, 1848, when he removed to Punxsutawney, Jefferson county,
and continued the practice there until July i, 1857, when he removed to Os-
kaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa, and remained there till June i, 1858, when he
returned to Punxsutawney, and continued to practice until December, 1862-
On December 17, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon, and was in
charge of the Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, until May,
1863, when he received a commission as surgeon of same regiment, remaining
as such until the close of the war in 1865. He was elected associate judge for
Jefiferson county and served in that position from 1870 till 1875. He was
elected to serve in the State Legislature for the years 1885 and 1886, and re-
elected for the years 1887 and 1888. He is medical examiner for several life
insurance companies, and has also held a number of municipal offices in Punx-
sutawney. Dr. Altman is a graduate from Jefferson Medical College, class of
1853-
About the same year, 1848, Dr. James Watt located in Brookville. He
was born nearly opposite Tarentun, on the Allegheny River, in Westmore-
land county. Nothing is now known of the date of his birth, parentage,
nor where, when, nor with whom he studied. Neither is it known whether he
had practiced before his location here or not. He was in Brookville only four
376 History of Jefferson County.
or five years, as his health failed him, and he returned to the place of his na-
tivity, where he died sometime afterwards of consumption. He was a tall,
spare man, of delicate physique and sallow complexion, a man of fine moral
character, a member of the Presb}'terian Church, and was considered a good
physician.
About a year after the location of Dr. James Watt in Brookville, Dr.
George, his brother came to the place. He had been lumbering on a tract of
land the brothers owned in partnership, near Reynoldsville, but came to the
county from Philadelphia, where he had previously been engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine. He came to Brookville to assist his brother James in some
emergency, and as he was a man of unquestionable skill, especially in surgery,
and liked the place, he never returned to his lumber camp, but continued to
practice ; the delicate condition of his brother's health rendering this course the
more imperative. He read medicine in Pittsburgh, but with whom is not now
known. He was never married, and the last few years of his life in Brookville,
was deplorable. He contracted debts, judgments were entered against him,
and to satisfy these his library, instruments, horse, and everything he possessed
were sold. He became very dissipated ; his health failed, and for the last few
months he became an object of charit}-. His condition coming to the knowl-
edge of his friends, he was taken to the place of his nativity, where he died in
the fall or early winter of 1858. Dr. George Watt was a large man, fully six
feet in height, and weighing tuo hundred pounds or more ; of ruddy complex-
ion, large gray eyes which, when surprised, assumed a peculiar stare ; polite
in his demeanor, affable and agreeable in manner, of fine literary attainments
and great skill.
Dr. Thomas Jefferson Bennett (Thompsonian), was born in Livingston
county, N. Y.; studied with his father, who had acquired considerable reputa-
tion in the practice of the Thompsonian system, especially in the treatment of
dysentery, and as that disease prevailed extensively in the count)' during the
summer and early autumn of the year 1850, "Old Dr. Bennett," as he was
called, came to Brookville to treat it. He came in August, and as the disease
had proved very fatal, on the onset of the epidemic, he soon had more business
than he could attend to, a considerable part of his time being taken up with the
pulverization of his roots and herbs. To assist him, he sent for his son, T. Jeff-
erson, who was then at Richards\-ille, and when he left in October, his son re-
mained to take charge of some patients not fully recovered. Dr. T. J. Bennett
has engaged continuously in the practice of medicine since 1850, and is, con-
sequently, the oldest practitioner in Brookville. He has been twice married ;
in 1854, to a daughter of William Richards, of Richardsville, and in 1862, to
Mrs. James Moore, of Brookville.
Dr. H. R. Bryant located in Summerville in 1850 and continued to prac-
tice until 1868 or 1869, when he returned to the State of New York. He was
postmaster for several j-ears at Summerville.
The Medical Profession. 377
Dr. William C. Niver (eclectic), is the son of William and Caziah Niver, uce
Utter, and was born in Friendship, Allegany county, N. Y., July 10, 1823.
He read medicine with Dr. E. H. Williard. Finishing his course in 1849 he
came to Ridgway, Elk county, where he taught school and practiced until
May 23, 1852, when he came to Jefferson county, locating in Brockwayville.
He was married August 10, 1854, to Semiramis M. Brown, who bore him six
children. Dr. Niver has been engaged in the continuous practice from 1852
to the present time.
On the 8th day of April, 1852, Dr. Reed Bracken Brown located in Sum-
merville. He was the son of John and Mary Brown, and born at Glade Mill,
Buder county, November 26, 1828; read medicine with Drs. McQuaide
and Donnell, at Etna, Pa., and practiced a year there prior to his removal
to Jefferson county; graduated from Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, March
II, 1852; married Susan Lavely, May 25, 1854; was elected to Legislature
to represent the county for the years 1875 and 1876; appointed surgeon of the
Low Grade Division A. V. Railroad in May, 1873, which position he has held
ever since ; appointed one of the board of pension examining surgeons August,
1884, and is now president of the board. Dr. R. B. Brown has engaged con-
tinuously in the practice of medicine, the term in Legislature excepted, since
the spring of 1852. He was elected treasurer of Jefferson County Medical So-
ciety in October, 1877, and re-elected annually since ; was one of the first dele-
gates to represent the County Medical Society in that of the State in 1878; was
also delegate from the Medical Society of Pennsylvania to the American Med-
ical Association, and has consequendy been a member of the Medical Society
of Pennsylvania since 1878, and of the American Medical Association since
1880.
Dr. David McClay was born in Union county, and came to Brookville
to locate as a physician in 1852 or '53. He remained only a year or two on
account of failing health, and left Brookville with the intention of locating in
one of the southern States — it is thought Texas. Of Dr. McClay nothing
further can be learned.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin Miller was born at Stone Valley, Huntingdon
county, April 16, 1830; received his literary education at Jefferson Col-
lege, Cannonsburg ; read medicine with his brother, Dr Mathew Miller, at
McAlavey's Fort; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,
March 9, 1853; located in Brookville in May, 1853; married Jane Clark
December 19, 1854, and immediately after removed to Fairmount, Marion
county, Va., to take the practice of Dr. Stewart, his cousin. A few weeks after
his arrival in Fairmount he was attacked with t}'phoid fever, which was then
prevalent there, and died January 29, 1855. Of Dr. Miller's ability as a phy-
sician, nothing can be learned. He was not long enough in the county to
establish much of a reputation, had he been even very skillful, but he is re-
membered as a tall, handsome, quiet, well clad man of easy, graceful manner.
378 History of Jefferson County.
Dr. Alexander Peter Heichhold was the son of John and Susan Heichhold,
and born at Myerstown, Lebanon county, November lo, 1825. His an-
cestors in either parent's family were among the earliest German settlers in the
Tulpehocken Valley, their settlement there dating back long before the Revo-
lutionary War. His educational advantages were limited, being confined to
those of a " subscription school," which he attended between the ages of
seven and twelve years, and nine months at the Myerstown Academy after he
was seventeen years old. In 1841 he was apprenticed to a harness maker, but
became dissatisfied and was released at the expiration of eighteen months' ser-
vice.
In 1845 he came to Kittanning and accepted a position as a clerk in a dry
goods store owned by his brother. In 1846 he entered the office of Dr.
George Goodhart, of Rural Valley, as a student, and during the following
winter attended a course of lectures at the medical department of the Western
Reserve University Cleveland, O., and on returning to Kittanning became a
student of Dr. Josiah E. Stevenson, with whom he remained until April, 1848,,
when he returned to Cleveland, and taking a summer and winter course, grad-
uated from that college on February 21, 1849. On his return to Kittanning
he was ofiered, and accepted a partnership with his preceptor, Dr. Stevenson.
On the 13th day of June, 1850, he married Rachel Yocome, but her pre-
disposition to pulmonary disease caused the doctor to leave Kittanning in
1852, and locate in Ringgold, Jefterson county, he being of the opinion that a
pine region might prove beneficial to her. He remained in Ringgold until
late in 1854, when he removed to Brookville and entered into partnership with
Dr. Hugh Dowling. Having taken a very active part in the enlistment of
volunteers to fill the call of the president for 75,000 men for three months
service, and also for men for Captain A. A. McKnight's regiment, which he
was recruiting after the expiration of his three months service, in October,
1 86 1, he appeared at Harrisburg for examination to enter the medical staff of
the army, and was one of thirty out of two hundred and fifty who passed. He
was immediately appointed surgeon with the rank of major, and assigned tO'
the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, of which Cap-
tain McKnight had become colonel. He served in that regiment during the
winter of 1861 and '62, and participated in the Peninsular Campaign under Mc-
Clellan, and when his army reached Harrison's Landing Dr. Heichhold was
the only surgeon in the brigade, some having deserted, while others were sick.
For his conduct in this campaign honorable mention was made of him by Col-
onel McKnight and Colonel Alexander Hays in their reports. At Fair Oaks
he helped to organize about fifteen hundred stragglers, and led one wing of
them into the fight. He was also in the Bull Run campaign under Pope. In
September, 1862, in consequence of a misunderstanding with General Robin-
son, who commanded the brigade, concerning the location of the regimental
The Medical Profession. 379
e
hospital he resigned. After remaining at home for three months he again
entered the army as assistant surgeon of the United States army and was
stationed at Presbyterian Church hospital, Georgetown, D. C, and at Lincoln
hospital, Washington, D. C, for several months, and then was ordered to Camp
Convalescent, where, at the request of the entire delegation in Congress from
Pennsylvania, he was assigned to the Pennsylvania Division. He remained
here nine months, receiving the highest praise from the commandant of the
camp and the surgeon-in- chief
The doctor was an ultra Republican, and an early advocate for the enlist-
ment of colored troops. It is not singular, therefore, that a commission was
sent him by Secretary Stanton, at Camp Convalescent, as surgeon of the
Eighth Regiment, United States Colored Troops, with orders to report at
Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia. In January, 1864, he accompanied
this regiment to Hilton Head, S. C, and thence to Florida, where he remained
till August, when he came with his regiment to Bermuda Hundred, Va., and
was assigned to the Third Division of the Tenth Army Corps, being made th
chief medical officer of the brigade, and when the Twenty-fifth Army Corps
was organized he became the surgeon-in-chief on the staff of General WiUiam
Birney, who commanded the Second Division of that corps. He held this
position until mustered out at Brownsville, Tex., November 10, 1865.
Dr. Heichhold served through all the operations of the army against Rich-
mond, and was present at the surrender of Lee. After the surrender he ac-
companied his division — then commanded by General C. R. H. Jackson, who
had superseded General Birney — to the Rio Grande, where the entire Twenty-
fifth Corps had been ordered to enforce the Monroe doctrine against Maximil-
lian, in Mexico.
After the close of his military service, he resumed the practice of medicine
in Brookville, in which he continued until July, 1869, when he was appointed
by Secretary Boutwell, a special agent of the U. S. Treasury Department, and
remained connected with that department until the close of President Arthur's
administration, a period of nearly sixteen years, after which he again resumed
the practice of medicine, and located at Reynoldsville. He was also ap-
pointed postmaster at Brookville, by President Lincoln, in the spring of 186 1.
Dr. Samuel G. Miller removed from Armstrong or Indiana county, to
Ringgold, in the autumn of 1854. He read medicine with Dr. Ferguson, at
Dayton, Armstrong county. He remained two or three years, and then
located somewhere in Cambria county. The last information had of him
was, that he had entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, and was preaching
the Gospel.
In the spring of 1855, Dr. David Elliott located in Brookville. He was a
son of David Elliott, D. D., President of the Western Pennsylvania Theological
Seminary. Dr. Elliott remained until 1858, when he received an appointment
38o History of Jefferson County,
in the Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C. How long he retained
this is not known, but probably during the remainder of Mr. Buchanan's ad-
ministration. He was connected with the army in some capacity, not known,
during the Rebellion, and returned to Brookville in the fall of 1865 or 1866,
where he resumed the practice of his profession. He died of pneumonia, at
Brookville, in 1868.
In the spring of 1855, also, came Dr. James A. McFadden, to Brookville,
who entered the office of Dr. George Watt as a partner. This partnership ex-
isted about one year, when he was employed by K. L. Blood to take charge
of his drue store in Brookville. Dr. McFadden married Eliza C. Marlin, in
June, 1854. He left Brookville in 1858. and practiced for some time at the
mouth of Mahoning, and at Elderton, Armstrong county, after which he located
at Buena Vista, Allegheny county, where he was at the breaking out of
the War of the Rebellion. He was appointed assistant-surgeon of the Sixty-
third Regiment P. V., August i, 1861, and resigned June 17, 1862. Was ap-
pointed assistant-surgeon of the Sixty-first Regiment P. V., April i, 1863, and
mustered out at expiration of term, September 7, 1S64. He died about 1S70.
In March or April, 1856, Dr. J. G. Simons, from Hartstown, Crawford
county, located in Brookville, entering into partnership with his father-in-law,
Dr. James Dowling. He had married Mary Dowling, February 26, 1856, and
remained until 1859 or i860, when he returned to Hartstown, and died of
hemorrhage from the division of the sublingual artery caused by his teeth in a
fall. Dr. Simons was considered a man of fair skill.
In 1856 a Dr. Kelley (irregular) located in Corsica, and practiced a )-ear or
more and then left, and returned again in 1859, and practiced for a short time.
But little is known of him.
About the year 1856 Dr. James N. Beck located at Rockdale Mills, and
remained a few years. Nothing is known of him further.
Dr. William James McKnight (electic), was the son of Alexander and Mary
McKnight ncc Thompson. He was born May 6, 1836; studied medicine with.
Dr. A. M. Clark, of Brockwayville ; attended a course of lectures at the Electic
Medical Institute at Cincinnati, during the winter of 1856 and 1857. Com-
menced the practice of medicine in Brookville in the spring of 1857, and con-
tinued to practice there until 1859, when he removed to Brockwayville, having
prior to his removal married Penelope, a daughter of Dr. A. M. Clark. At
Brockwayville he entered into partnership with Dr. William C. Niver, and re-
mained fourj years, when he returned to Brookville some time during the au-
tumn of 1863, wherejhe has remained since.
In January, 1864, he opened a drug store. He was appointed by Gover-
nor Curtin examining surgeon for the county in 1862, and was also examining
surgeon for pensions for several years. In 1S69 he graduated from the Uni-
versity of Medicine and Surgery at Philadelphia. He was elected to represent
^^*^3SSaJTs S^risJJ^'^^
The Medical Profession. 38 i
Indiana and Jefferson counties in the Pennsylvania Senate in 1S80, and renom-
inated in 1884, but defeated by George W. Hood, of Indiana, an independent
candidate. In March, 1884, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia.
Dr. John Calvin Dowling was a son of Dr. James Dovvling, and was born in
Jamestown, Mercer county, June 7, 1835, ^"d came to Jefferson county in
early childhood, when his father removed from Jamestown to New Prospect
(now Baxter), Jefferson county, in 1841. Having received a common school edu-
cation, he was a student for one year or more at the Brookville Academy, and,
also at Annapolis, Md., one year, where he had been appointed a cadet at the U.
S. Naval Academy. He did not remain at the latter school longer, as he liad
resolved to follow his father's profession in consequence of which, he entered
his father's office in 1854, and in 1857 entered into partnership with Dr. James
Stew .rt, Greenville, Clarion county, where he continued to practice until
Apiil, 1 86 1, when he returned to Brookville, and rendered very material serv-
ice to Captains McKnight and Wise, in recruiting volunteers for three months
military service to fill the first call of President Lincoln for volunteers to crush
the Rebellion that had been inaugurated by the attack on Fort Sumter. On
the organization of Company B, Eighth Regiment, he was chosen first lieuten-
ant, and afterwards, when Captain Wise was appointed to the Regular Army,
Lieutenant Dowling had charge of the company until the expiration of its term
of service.
On his return from the three months service, he entered with increased
energy into the enlistment of volunteers for the regiment being recruited by
Captain A. A. McKnight, for three years service. On the organization of the
regiment — the famous One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers — he
was chosen captain of Company B. The military history of Dr. John Dowling
has already been given in the history of his regiment in the preceding chapter
of this volume.
When the sad intelligence reached his home of the death of this gallant offi-
cer and those who fell with him on that fatal field, and who were Brookville's
first offerings to the cause of freedom, the flags were draped in mourning, and
suspended at half mast, and gloom and sorrow pervaded the entire community.
Dr. John C. Dowling was a young man of very agreeable manner, of very fair
education, and fine social qualities. He was loved and respected by those who
knew him, but his professional life was too short to acquire a reputation as a
physician.
Dr. Charles M. Matson was the son of James C. and Harriet Matson n^e
Potter; born July 22, 1833; read medicine with Drs. Dowling and Heich-
hold ; married Alice Johnson, only child of David S. and Naamah Johnson,
Septembers, 1857; attended lectures at Cleveland Medical College ; located
in Corsica April i, 1858, as a partner of Dr. Mark Rodgers, and remained
45
382 History of Jefferson. County.
until April i, 1859, when he engaged in other business till December, 1862,
when he entered the office of Dr. John Mechling, of Brookville, as his
assistant. In February, 1863, he entered into an equal partnership with Dr.
Mechling, and in March, same year, bought the doctor out but continued the
partnership until Dr. M. could find a location suiting him better. They con-
tinued together until May i, 1863, when Dr. Mechling left to report to Colonel
H. S. Campbell, at his headquarters, Waterford, Erie county, he having
been appointed surgeon of the board of enrollment for the Nineteenth Con-
gressional District, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1863. Dr. Matson continued the
practice established by Dr. Mechling's energy and skill till May i, 1S64, when
he was ordered to report for duty, having been appointed surgeon to succeed
Dr. Mechling, who resigned, to take effect April 21, 1864. This position he
held until June 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged by Edwin M.
Stanton, secretary of war. During this period of the war the duties of medical
examiner were very arduous, and the number of physical examinations made
by Dr. Matson — volunteers, substitutes, drafted men, and of those seeking to
be stricken from the enrollment list on account of physical disability to bear
arms, was nearly fifteen thousand ; probably about three thousand of these
were re-examinations.
On October 27, 1864, he married Amanda Truby, his wife having died
May 2, 1863. After his discharge Dr. Matson resumed the practice of medi-
cine in Brookville, in which he has been engaged since.
He was instrumental in the organization of the Jefferson County Medical
Society in 1877, and was elected its first president ; was one of the first three
delegates to the State Medical Society, and the first delegate to the American
Medical Association in 1878.
Dr. John Mechling was born near New Washington, Butler county. Pa.,
in 1832 ; received a liberal education, and for some time before reading medi-
cine was principal of an academy in the State of Indiana ; read medicine with
Dr. Mcjunkin, of Butler, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in
March, 1859, locating in Brookville in April of same year. During the first
year of his residence in Brookville he acquired a very extensive practice, which
he continued to maintain until May i, 1863, when he left the place to assume
the duties of examining surgeon at the provost marshal's headquarters, Water-
ford, he having been appointed to that position on the 2ist day of the pre-
vious month. He continued in this office until April 21, 1864, when he re-
signed. After his resignation he went to Denver, Col., and remained until
the next fall, when the threatening attitude of the Indians caused many of the
inhabitants of Denver to leave for other places of greater safety. He arrived
at Salt Lake City and opened an office there, where he remained until the next
spring, when he returned via San Francisco and Panama to Brookville. He
then entered the office of Andrews & Conrad, attorneys at law, as a student ;
The Medical Profession. 383
attended tlie Law Department of the University of Albany, graduating in the
spring of 1868. He then returned to Denver to engage in the practice of law,
but in time returned to the practice of medicine. He married Mary H. JenT{ 1S69, and re-
:o, where he has been continuously
since.
-'•■ban and Catharine Thompson, Wifif
.rone, Huntingdon county, Jan-
trion county when the subject of this
Strattanville. Her? he attended
: d for about a year for his father
iteen years old he was
The Medical Profession. 385
employed as clerk for Isaac Jones & Sons, Greenville, Clarion county, and
afterwards by Reynolds & Evans, with whom he continued for three yearsr
applying himself assiduously, during his leisure hours, to the acquisition of
knowledge through every channel presenting itself. At the end of the time
specified he gave up his position with Reynolds & Evans and went to St.
Louis, Mo., where he had a brother residing, for the purpose of reading med-
icine under Professor E. H. Gregory, visiting physician to Charity Hospital
and demonstrator of anatomy in the St. Louis Medical College. During the
period of his student life he was Dr. Gregory's daily attendant in his hospital
visits, and graduated from this college in the spring of i860, after which he
was appointed assistant physician to the City Hospital by the Board of Health
of St. Louis, where he remained six months, the last of which he had entire
control of the hospital on account of the absence of Dr. Corning, who was
brigade surgeon, and left with the brigade during the border troubles between
Kansas and Missouri. At the end of a month Dr. Corning, with a part of the
State troops, returned, and Dr. Thompson was appointed surgeon to those re-
maining as guards of the border. He held this position till the outbreak of the
Rebellion, when the govenor of Missouri ordered the return of the State troops
to Camp Jackson, St. Louis, where Dr. Thompson, with the rebel troops to
the number of about five thousand, were captured by General Lyon and paroled
at the St. Louis Arsenal. After his parole the doctor returned home to Green-
ville, Clarion county, where he entered into partnership in the practice of
medicine with Dr. James Stewart, of that place, which continued for two and a
half years. He married Mary A. Rifenberic, of Greenville, July 30, 1861, and
located in Corsica, Jefferson county, January 5, 1864, where he has continued
In the practice of his profession ever since.
Dr. Barnabas Sweeny was the son of Barnabas and Margaret Sweeny, born
January 8, 1826, near Tarentum, Allegheny county; read medicine first
year with Dr. James L. Taylor, and the two succeeding years with Dr. James
Stewart, both of Indiana; married Lena Ann Armstrong, daughter of Col-
onel Thomas Armstrong, of Elderton, Armstrong county, October i, 1850,
who lived but six months. Some time after the death of his first wife he mar-
ried Elizabeth W. Robinson. He located first by taking charge of Dr. Thomas
Allison's practice, in Middletown, now Elderton, from September 9, 1849, to
May 20, 1850. He then located in Smlcksburgh, Indiana county. In partner-
ship with Dr. Sims, which partnership lasted about one year, after which he
continued to practice thereuntil October, 1864, when he removed to Brook-
ville, where he continued to practice until April i, 1883, when he removed
to Du Bois, Clearfield county, where he has been engaged in the practice of
medicine since.
Some time during the year 1864 Dr. William Meredeth Bruce Gibson lo-
cated In Reynoldsville. He was born In Clarion county, and read medl-
386 History of Jefferson County.
cine with Dr. R. B. Brown, of Summer\'ille. After practicing a few years in
Reynoldsville he removed to Rockdale Mills, where he remained a few years,
returning to Reynoldsville in 187 1 or 1872, where he has continued to practice
medicine since. Dr. Gibson has been one of the surgeons of the L. G. Divi-
sion A. V. R. R. for many years, and is also a member of the Jefferson County
and Pennsylvania Medical Societies.
In 1865 or 1866 Dr. George W. Barnett located in Ringgold. He was
born in Young township, Jefferson county, and is said to have read med-
icine with Dr. Joseph Shields. He remained in Ringgold about eleven years,
when he removed to Mt. Tabor, Armstrong county, where he practiced for
about three year.?, and then went to Nebraska, since which nothing is known
of him.
Dr. Perry McElvain was born in Butler count}-, near North Washington;
read medicine with Dr. C. M. Matson, Brookvilie ; attended a course of lec-
tures at Ann Arbor during the winter of 1864—65 ; located at McLeansboro,
111., in the autumn of 1866, but afterwards removed to Alto Pass, in the south-
ern part of Illinois, where he now is practicing medicine.
Dr. John Calvin King was the son of Jacob and Sarah A. King, 7ic'e Cor-
bett ; born in Clarion county in 1841 ; read medicine with Dr. R. B. Brown,
Summerville ; attended lectures at the University of New York, and located
for the practice of medicine at Rockdale Mills, Jefferson county, in the spring
of 1867, remaining there until the fall of 1868, when he removed to Reynolds-
ville, where he has remained in the continuous practice since. He married
Miss E. A. Coleman, September 23, 1869.
Dr. Samuel McCartney Bleakney was born in Armstrong county ; at-
tended a course of lectures at the Buffalo University during the winter of
1865-66; located in Worth ville, Jefferson county, in the year 1866 or 1867,
where he has continued to practice since.
About 1 868 Dr. Charles CaU'in Baker located at Sigel, Jefferson county.
He was born in Smethport, McKean county, and attended a course of lec-
tures at the Cleveland Medical College. He had practiced many years at
Clarington, Forest county, prior to his removal to Sigel.
August 20, 1870, Dr. James Albert Miller located in Perrj-sville, Jefferson
county. He is the son of Samuel G. and Mary Ann Miller ttee Keener, and
was born near Saltsburgh, Indiana county, August 23, 1844; read medi-
cine with Dr. William Jack, of Jacksonville, Indiana county, and graduated
from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, O., July 13,
1870; married Laura A. Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton, of Perrys-
ville, November 26, 1872, and has continued in the practice of his profession
from 1870 to the present time.
Sometime during the month of October, 1870, Dr. Robert Morse Boyles
removed from Rimersburg, Clarion county, and located in Reynoldsville, Jef-
The Medical Profession. 387
ferson county. He is the son of H. and Eleanor Boyles, and was born April
26, 1S40, near Curllsville, Clarion county; received his education at Glade
Run Academy, Armstrong county, and read medicine with Dr. James N.
Beck at Rockdale Mills, Jefferson county ; attended a course of medical lec-
tures at Ann Arbor, Mich., during the winter of i860 and '61, and entered the
practice of medicine at Goheenville, Armstrong county, in May, 1862, and
removed to Rimersburg, Clarion county, in February, 1865. He graduated at
the Cleveland Medical College in February, 1867 ; admitted to membership in
the Clarion County Medical Society in June, 1868, and continued in the prac-
tice of medicine at Rimersburg until his removal to Reynoldsville. He mar-
ried Margaret A. BoUman, of Goheenville, July 4, 1864, who died Angust 7,
1876, at Reynoldsville ; was a private in Company E, Fifty-sixth Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was in service while that regiment was on duty ;
was appointed hospital steward and temporarily assistant post surgeon at New
Creek, Va., while the regiment was on duty there. He became a member of the
Jefferson County Medical Society, at its organization; is also a member of the
Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Associa-
tion. He removed to Du Bois, Clearfield county, July 28, 1884, where he
continues the practice of his profession.
It is thought that Dr. James William Hoey located in Brockwayville some-
time in 1 87 1. He was born in Delaware county, in or near Media. He
graduated from Jefferson Medical College March 8, 1856. Names of places,
with length of time in each, prior to his location in Brockwayville, is not
known.
Dr. George Hines Hilliard located in Richardsville in 1872 or '"Ji. He
was born in Clarion county, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical
College March 9, 1S72. He remained in Richardsville until 1885 or '86, when
he returned to Clarion county, where he is now engaged in the practice of
medicine.
Dr. John Wesley Foust came to Reynoldsville from Port Matilda, Centre
county, in April, 1873. He was born in Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county,
August 25, 1844; read medicine with Dr G. W. Thompson at Mill Creek,
Huntingdon county ; attended a full course of lectures at Jefferson Medical
College during the winter of 1866 and '67, and commenced the practice of
medicine at Port Matilda, Centre county, in April, 186S ; was elected associate
judge for Jefferson county, in 1885; has practiced medicine continuously
since 1868.
Dr. Daniel G. AUinder is the son of William and Mary Allinder, and was
born and educated in Pittsburgh. He graduated from one of the regular
colleges in Philadelphia, and practiced medicine a short time in Pittsburgh,
prior to May, 1873, when he located in Brookville and remained the greater
part of a year, when he returned to Pittsburgh, locating on Butler street, near
Forty-Fifth, where he is yet engaged in the practice of medicine.
388 History of Jefferson County.
Dr. Marcus Ale.xis Masson located in Brookville in January, 1873. He
was the son of Joseph Masson, a native of the province of Tours, France. His
mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Pheugh, was born in Mercer, Mer-
cer county, where also was born her son Marcus A., May 17, 1848. He
read medicine with Dr. E. R. Palmer of the University of Louisville, Ky., and
graduated from that university March 6, 1872, located in Foxburg, Clarion
county, in March of same year, and remained until January, 1874, when
he removed to Brookville. He married Charlotte Cowling, sister of the late
Prof Cowling of the University of Louisville, Ky., December 17, 1872. He
remained in Brookville only one year, as he removed to Reynoldsville and lo-
cated there January 11, 1875. In November, 1876, he removed to Petrolia,
Butler county. He practiced medicine in Petrolia until February 14, 1878,
when he was taken sick, from which sickness he died at his mother's residence,
Foxburg, Clarion county, November 14, of same year. Dr. Masson was a
man of very fine personal appearance, agreeable and social in manner, pos-
sessed of a strong personal magnetism, and withal a man of much more than
•ordinary ability in the practice of his profession, which lost, by his early death,
one, who in after years, would have been considered one of its most brilliant
members.
Dr. Jeremiah Hare Wick removed from Armstrong county, to Brook-
ville, in 1873, where he remained eighteen months ; thence he went to Corsica,
where he remained a year, when he removed from the count}', and his present
residence is not known.
About 1874 Dr. William Abram Baker located at Sigel, Jefferson county,
and remained some time, afterwards removing, it is said, to Ohio. He is the
son of Dr. C. C. Baker, and was born in Clarington, Forest county, and
attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical College. It is thought that it was
sometime during this year that Dr. William Burchfield Alexander located in
Reynoldsville. He was born in Clearfield, and graduated from Jefierson Med-
ical College, Philadelphia, March 7, 1868. Dr. Alexender is also engaged in
banking at Reynoldsville.
Dr. Michael M. Rankin is the son of Hugh R. and Margaret Rankin iicc
■Cooper; was born in Indiana county. May 11, 1851 ; read medicine with
Dr. H. B. Pittman, of Gettysburg, Indiana county, and graduated from the
Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, March 2, 1876. He located at Rock-
dale Mills, March 22, 1875 ; removed to Brockwayville in the spring' of 18S1,
where he has been in continuous practice since. He is a member of Jefferson
County Medical Society and also the Medical Society of Pennsylvania. He was
married to Miss N. J. Getty in September, 1871.
Dr. Abraham Fisher Balmer is the son of Daniel and Harriet Balmer, ncc
Fisher, and was born at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, September 15,
1849; read medicine under the supervision of Dr. A. C. Treichler, of Elizabeth-
The Medical Profession. 389
town; graduated from Jefferson Medical College March 11, 1875, and com-
menced to practice medicine in Brookville February 7, 1876, where he prac-
tices medicine at present. Dr. Balmer is a member of the County, State, and
National Medical Societies.
Dr. William Ferguson Matson is the son James C. and Harriet Matson, tit'e
Potter; was born September 19, 1855, near Brookville; read medicine with
Dr. C. M. Matson ; graduated from the Cleveland Medical College February
21, 1887; received adeimdem degree of M. D. from Adelbert University,
Cleveland, O., March 15, 1882 ; has been for several years a surgeon on Low
Grade Division A. V. Railroad, and is a member of the Count}', State, and
American Medical Socities. He married Fannie Z. Shields, daughter of Dr.
Joseph Shields, of Punxsutawney, in August, 1886.
Dr. William Wilson Woods is the son of John and Mariah Woods, and was
born at Potter's Mills, Centre county, July 21, 1842; read medicine with
Dr. F. H. Van Valzah, who was then located at Potter's Mills, now Spring
Mills, Centre county, married Henrietta Cadwalader, of Potter's Mills, March
27, 1866; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, March 10,
1877, and located at Belleview (Stanton p. o.), Jefferson county, in Octo-
ber, 1877. During the year 1876, and until June, 1877, he was connected
with Charity Hospital, Philadelphia. He is a member of the County, State,
and National Medical Associations.
Pursuant to a previous call the following physicians met September 11,
1877, at the office of Drs. C. M. and W. F. Matson, for the purpose of organ-
izing the Jefferson County Medical Society, viz.: Drs. John Thompson, J. W.
Foust, J. C. King, W. M. B. Gibson, W. F. Matson, A. F. Balmer, and C. M.
Matson.
Dr. C. M. Matson was elected president, and Dr. A. F. Balmer secretary.
Drs. R. B. Brown, John Thompson, W. F. Matson, and A. F. Balmer were ap
pointed a committee on constitution and by-laws, and the meeting adjourned to
meet in the same place September 25, 1877.
At the meeting of September 25, the report of the committee on constitu-
tion and by-laws was adopted, and officers nominated to be elected at the next
meeting, to be held on the 9th of October, 1877, at which Dr. C. M. Matson
was elected president, Dr. John Thompson, vice-president; Dr. A. F. Balmer,
recording secretary; Dr. W. F. Matson, corresponding secretary; Dr. R B.
Brown, treasurer, and Dr. J. W. Foust, censor for three years. Dr. M. M. Ran-
kin, censor for two years, and Dr. J. C. King, censor for one year.
The meetings of the society from its organization have, for the most part,
been very interesting. Every meeting of the society was made a general clinic
day, and all cases brought before the society that day received the benefit of
a general consultation free. Papers on various subjects were read and dis-
cussed ; cases of importance were related by members and freely commented
46
390 History of Jefferson County.
upon, and everything done to attain the object of its organization. The so-
ciety was chartered in May, 1887.
The officers of the society have been as follows : Presidents, Drs. C. M. Mat-
son, John Thompson, W. M. B. Gibson, G. H. Hilliard, W. W. Woods, M. M.
Rankin, and T. C. Lawson. With the exception of Dr. C. M. Matson these
gentlemen have been the vice-presidents. Dr. S. S. Hamilton fills that office
at present. Dr. A. F. Balmer has been re-elected annually as recording sec-
retary, also Dr. W. F. Matson, as corresponding secretary, and Dr. R. B. Brown,
as treasurer. After the first election one censor is elected annually to serve
for the period of three years. The members, with the exception of three or
four who have removed from the county, are as follows : Drs. R. B. Brown,
John Thompson, A. F. Balmer, T. C. Lawson, W. M. B. Gibson, J. W. Foust,
C. M. Matson, W. F. Matson, M. M. Rankin, J. C. King, R. M. Boyles, W. F.
Beyer, S. C. Johnson, W. W. Woods, S. S. Hamilton, J. A. McKibbon, D. L.
Paine, G. H. Hilliard, J. A. Henry. W. B. Alexander, A. P. Cox.
No laws were enacted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania relating to, and
■controlling the practice of medicine in the State prior to the act of March 24,
1877, which was supplemented by that of June 8, 1881, the provisions of which
are as follows :
Sec. I. The standard qualifications of a practitioner of medicine, surgery or
obstetrics, shall be and consist of the following, namely: A good moral char-
acter, a thorough elementary education, a comprehensive knowledge of human
anatomy, human physiology, pathology, chemestry, materia viedica, obstetrics,
and practice of medicine and surgery and public hygiene.
Sec. 2. It shall be unlawful, after the passage of this act, for any person to
announce him.self or herself as a practitioner of medicine, surgery or obstetrics,
or to practice the same, who has not received, in a regular manner, a diploma
from a chartered medical school, duly authorized to confer upon its a/uiimi t\\c
degree of doctor of medicine : Provided, That this act shall not apply to any
resident practitioner of medicine, surgery or obstetrics who has been in such
continuous practice in this Commonwealth for a period of not less than five
years previous to the passage of this act.
Sec. 3. Before any person shall engage in the practice of medicine, sur-
crery or obstetrics, in this Commonwealth, or who has not a diploma as pro-
vided for in section second of this act, such persons shall make affidavit, under
oath or affirmation, before the prothonotary of the county where such person
intends practicing, setting forth the time of continuous practice, and the place
or places where such practice was pursued in this Commonwealth ; thereupon,
the prothonotary shall enter the same of record in a book specially provided
therefor, to be kept in his office, and open to the inspection of the public ; and
for such services he shall receive the sum of two dollars, to be paid by affiant,
one-half for the use of the prothonotary, the other for the use of the county.
The Medical Profession. 391
Sec. 4. Any person who shall attempt to practice medicine or surgery for
a valuable consideration, by opening a transient office within the Common-
wealth, or who shall, by handbill or other form of written or printed advertise-
ment, assign such transient office, or other place, to persons seeking medical or
surgical advice or prescription, or who shall itinerate from place to place, or
from house to house, and shall propose to cure any person, sick or afflicted, by
the use of any medicine, means or agency whatsoever, for a valuable conside-
ration, shall before being allowed to practice in this manner, appear before the
clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the county wherein such person de-
sires to practice, and shall furnish satisfactory evidence to such clerk that the
provisions of this act have been complied with ; and shall, in addition, takeout
a license for one year, and pay into the county treasury, for the use of the
county, the sum of fifty dollars therefor ; whereupon, it shall be the duty of
such clerk, to issue to such applicant a proper certificate of license, on payment
of the fee of five dollars for his services.
Sec. 5. Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any of the pro-
visions of this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and on convic-
tion before any court, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than two hun-
dred dollars, nor more than four hundred dollars, for each and every offense,
for the use of the county wherein such misdemeanor was committed.
Sec. 6. The prothonotary of each county shall purchase a book of suitable
size, to be known as the medical register of the county (if such book has not
been purchased already), and shall set apart one full page for the registration
of each practitioner, and when any practitioner shall depart this life, or remove
from the county, he shall make a note of the same at the bottom of the page,
and shall perform such other duties as are required by this act.
Sec, 7. Every person who shall practice medicine or surgery, or any of the
branches of medicine or surgery, for gain, or shall receive or accept for his or
her services, as a practitioner of medicine or surgery, any fee or rewards, di-
rectly or indirectly, shall be a graduate of a legally chartered medical college
or university, having authority to confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine (ex-
cept as provided for in section five of this act), and such person shall present
to the prothonotary of the county in which he or she resides or sojourns, his
or her medical diploma, as well as a true copy of the same, including any en-
dorsements thereon, and shall make affidavit before him, that the diploma and
endorsement are genuine ; thereupon the prothonotary shall enter the follow-
ing in the register, to- wit : the name in full of the practitioner, his or her place
of nativity, his or her place of residence, the name of the college or university
that has conferred the degree of doctor of medicine, the year when such degree
was conferred, and in like manner any other degree or degrees that the practi-
tioner may desire to place on record, to all of which the practitioner shall make
affidavit before the prothonotary ; and the prothonotary shall place the copy of
392 History of Jefferson County.
such diploma, including the endorsements on file in his office, for inspection by
the public.
Sec. 8. Any person whose medical diploma has been destroyed or lost,
shall present to the prothonotary of the count}- in which he or she resides or
sojourns, a duly certified copy of his or her diploma, but if the same is not
obtainable, a statement of this fact, together with the names of the professors
whose lectures he or she attended, and the branches of study upon which each
professor lectured, to all of which the practitioner shall make affidavit before
the prothonotar\' ; after which the practitioner shall be allowed to register, in
manner and form as indicated in section two of this act ; and the prothonotary
shall place such certified statement on file in his office, for inspection by the
public.
Sec. 9. Any person who may desire to commence the practice of medicine
or surgery in this State, after the passage of this act, having a medical diploma
issued or purporting to have been issued by any college, university, society or
association in another State or foreign country, shall lay the same before the
faculty of one of the medical colleges or universities of this Commonwealth for
inspection, and the faculty, being satisfied as to the qualifications of the appli-
cant, and the genuineness of the diploma, shall direct the dean of the facult}- to
endorse the same, after which such person shall be allowed to register, as re-
quired by section two of this act.
Sec. 10. Any person who has been in the continuous practice of medicine
or surgery in this Commonwealth since 1871, without the degree of doctor
of medicine, shall be allowed to continue such practice ; but such person
shall nevertheless appear before the prothonotary of the county in which
he or she resides, and shall present to him a written statement of facts, to
which the practitioner shall make affidavit. Thereupon the prothonotary shall
enter the following in the register, to wit : The name in full of the practitioner,
his or her place of nativity, his or her place of residence, the time of continuous
practice in this Commonwealth, and the place or places where such practice
was pursued, to all of which the practioner shall likewise make affidavit; and
the prothonotary shall place the certified statement on file in his office for in-
spection by the public.
Sec. II. Every practitioner who shall be admitted to registration shall pay
to the prothonotary one dollar, which shall be in compensation in full for reg-
istration, and the prothonotary shall give a receipt for the same.
Sec. 12. Any practitioner who shall present to the facult}- of an institution
for indorsement, or to any prothonotary, a diploma which has been obtained
fradulently, or is in whole or in part a forgery, or shall make affidavit to any
false statement to be filed or registered, or shall practice medicine or surgery
without conforming to the requirements of this act, or otherwise violate or
neglect to comply with an)' of the provisions of this act, shall be deemed guilty
The Medical Profession. 393
of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be punished for each and every
offence by a fine of one hundred dollars, one half to be paid to the prosecutor,
and the other half to be paid to the county, or be imprisoned in the county
jail of the proper county for a term not exceeding one year, or both or either,
at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 13. Nothing in this act 'shall be so construed as to prevent any
ph)^sician or surgeon, legally qualified, to practice medicine or surgery in the
State in which he or she resides, from practicing in this Commonwealth ; but
any person or persons opening an office or appointing any place where he or
she may meet patients or receive calls, shall be deemed a sojourner, and shall
■conform to the requirements of this act.
The act approved March 24, 1877, is included in the first five sections;
the supplemental act approved June 8, 1881, concerning registration, etc.,
commencing with section 6 and concluding with section 13.
The enforcement of this law in Jefferson county, with one or two excep-
tions, has never been attempted. Physicians legally entitled to practice medi-
cine, have, it is believed, all registered, so, also, have many who are clearly
attempting to practice in violation of the provisions of the act of March 24,
1877. Some names, therefore, which are on the prothonotary's register, for
this reason, have been omitted in this list, with date of registration :
In 1S81, Dr. S. C. Allison registered July 21 ; Dr. C. C. Hindman, July
25 ; Dr. C. C. Baker, July 27 ; Dr. W. A. Baker, July 27; Dr. W. F. Mat-
son, Jul\- 28 ; Dr. T. C. Lawson, August 2 ; Dr. J. W. Foust, August 2 ; Dr.
W. M. B. Gibson, August 2 ; Dr. A. F. Balmer, August 3 ; Dr. S. Mc. Bleak-
ney, August 4; Dr. T. J. Bennett, August 6; Dr. John Thompson, August
8; Dr. G. H. Milliard, August 12; Dr. A. P. Co.x, August 19; Dr. A. M.
Clark, August 23 ; Dr. J. C. King, August 24; Dr. J. W. Hocy, August 25 ;
Dr. C. M. Matson, August 26 ; Dr. Joseph Shields, September 13 ; Dr. A. D.
McComb, September 13; Dr. S. S. Hamilton, September 13; Dr. W. F.
Beyer, September 13; Dr. M. M. Rankin, September 13; Dr. William Alt-
man, September 13; Dr. W. W. Woods, September 13; Dr. J. A. Miller,
September 20 ; Dr. W. C. Niver, September 21 ; Dr. Samuel Reynolds. Sep-
tember 22 ; Dr. R. B. Brown, September 26; Dr. W. B. Alexander, September
28 ; Dr. R. S. Hunt, October 10; Dr. W. J. McKnight, October 13 ; Dr. J. S.
McCoy, October 24 ; Dr. R. M. Boyles, November 8 ; Dr. J. H. Wick, No-
vember 8; Dr. W. H. Reynolds, November 15. In 1882, Dr. C. A. Wilson
registered January 31; Dr. Stephen Fugate. April 27; Dr. T. R. Williams,
December 12. In 1883, Dr. E. Q. McHenry registered January 12 ; Dr. G. A.
Blose, April 17 ; Dr. J. H. Hoffman, May 26; Dr. F. P. Segworth, June 15 ;
Dr. Julius Schefter, July 24; Dr. H. S. Barrett, August 13; Dr. D. G. Hub-
bard, December 11. In 1884, Dr. C. G. Ernst registered April 7 ; Dr. J. M.
Fisher, April 15 ; Dr. S. W. McDowell, June 5 ; Dr. J. K. Brown, June 16;
394 History of Jefeerson County.
Dr. J. C. Wilson, June 23; Dr. D. D. Fisher, June 28 ; Dr. J. E. Hall, No-
vember 19; Dr. D. L. Paine, December 31. In 1885, Dr. O. S. Sharp regis-
tered April 7 ; Dr. A. P. Heichhold, April 8 ; Dr. J. B. Neale, April 27. In
1886, Dr. R. J. HiUis registered May 8; Dr. H. P. Holt. June 30. In 1887,
Dr. J. C. Stahlman registered April 9.
The law governing the practice of medicine, surgery, etc., the short notice
of the County Medical Society, and the registration of the physicians have been
given here, because they belong to the decade ending with the year 18S0. It
is true that the act of Assembly, making it obligatory on physicians to register,
was approved in June, 1S81, but it was merely supplementary to the act of
1877, ^'^'^ therefore a part of it.
Dr. Andrew Pierce Cox located at Big Run, sometime during the sum-
mer of 1877. He was born in Allegheny county, and graduated from Cin-
cinnati Medical College June 21, 1877.
Dr. Sylvester Sutton Hamilton located in Pun.xsutawney, in the spring of
187S. He was born in Indiana county, and graduated from the Columbus
Medical College, Columbus, O., February 17, 1878.
Dr. Glenn Alvin Emery, son of Jacob and Mary Emery, was born in Phil-
adelphia, and read medicine with Dr. C. M. Matson ; married Olive Nich-
olson, daughter of the late Hon. R. J. Nicholson, in 1868; graduated from
Columbus Medical College in the spring of 1879, and soon afterwards located
in Crestline, O., where he remained about a year when he removed to Rend-
ville, O , where he at present is engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. William Feltwell Beyer is the son of Samuel and Caroline Beyer «f'
Feltwell. He was born near Smicksburg, Indiana county. May 5, 185 i ; read
medicine with Dr. Christopher McEwen, of Plumville, Indiana county ; grad-
uated from Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1879, and located in Punx-
sutawney in the spring of the same year, where he has been in continuous
practice since. In 18S0 he married Maggie A. Mitchell.
Dr. Samuel Reynolds removed from St. Mary's, Elk county, to Rey-
noldsville, in May, 1879. He is the son of J. B. and Jane Reynolds >n'f Harr,
and was born October 29, 1843, ^t Lockport, Westmoreland county. His
preceptor was Dr. R. Armstrong, of Lock Haven, and he graduated from the
Jefferson Medical College March 10, 1865. He located at Renova, May i,
1865, where he remained until his removal to Re}-noldsville. On November
24, 1869, he married Imogen Hyatt.
Dr. Thomas Chalmers Lawson located in Brookville, Ma)- 10, 1880. He
is the son of James B. and Lavinia Lawson rur Orr, and was born near Law-
sonham. Clarion county, July 26, 1843. He read medicine with Dr. John
P. Norman, of Rimersburg, Clarion county, and graduated from Jefterson
Medical College March 13, 1871, and located at Greenville, Clarion county, irt
the following June, where he remained until some time in the spring of 1879,
The Medical Profession. 395
when he discontinued practice for a year, spending the winter of '79 and '80
attending lectures at Philadelphia and New York. He married Alice E. Pat-
ton, daughter of the late Thomas Patton of Greenville, Clarion county, Decem-
ber 4, 1874. Dr. Lawson is a member of the County and State Medical Socie-
ties.
Dr. Charles Crawford Hindman is the son of Crawford Hindman ; was born
near Corsica, Jefiferson county ; read medicine with Dr. John Thompson, of
Corsica, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College March 11, 1876. He lo-
cated sometime during the spring of '"j^ at Shannondale, Clarion county, but
how long he remained there is not known. After leaving Shannondale he lo-
cated at Scotch Hill, in the same county, but the length of time he practiced
there is not known. He located in Corsica, Jefferson county, it is thought,
sometime in 1880, or, possibly, in 1 881. He married Flora Taylor, daughter
of the late John Taylor, of this county. He is now located at Du Bois, Clear-
field county.
Dr. Charles Augustus Wilson is the son of Dr. George and Anna Wilson
}ice Hover, and was born January 20, 1858 ; read medicine with his father. Dr.
George Wilson, and graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine and
Surgery, Louisville, June 29, 1881; married Alice M. Tyson in 1879, and
located at Big Run, Jefferson county, soon after his graduation. He was ap-
pointed postmaster of that place in 1885, and is also engaged in the general
drug business.
Dr. Alonzo Dexter McComb located in Perrysville, Jefferson county, it is
thought, in 1 88 1. He was born in Dayton, Armstrong county, and at-
tended lectures at Cleveland, O.
Dr. James Glass McCoy located in Corsica, it is thought, in 1881. He
was born in Florence, Washington county, and graduated from the medi-
cal department of the university of Wooster, O., February 27, 1873.
Dr. Reid C. Matthews, son of John Matthews, was born in Knox township,
Jefferson county, December 23, 1858; read medicine with Drs. C. M. and W.
F. Matson, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in June, 1881. Dr.
Matthews located in Columbus, O., where he is at present engaged in the
practice of medicine.
Dr. Stephen Fugate located in Reynoldsville in the spring of 188 1. He
was born in Centre county, and graduated from the University of Michi-
gan March 28, 1877. He also took a post-graduate course in 1880. He re-
moved to Clearfield county where he now practices.
Dr. Erastus Quay McHenry located at Rockdale Mills, November 7, 1882.
His parents were Robert and Isabel McHenry, and he was born in White
township, Indiana county, March 4, 1846. He read medicine with his brother,
Dr. G. J. McHenry, and attended two full courses of lectures at the Uni-
versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He commenced to practice medicine in
396 History of Jefferson County.
the spring of 1870, at Westover, Clearfield county, where he remained until
August, 1874, when he removed to Du Bois, same county, where he continued
in practice until November 7, 1882, when he purchased the property and prac-
tice of Dr. M. M. Rankin, at Rockdale Mills, where he has been engaged in
active practice ever since.
Dr. Thornton' Riggs Williams was born near Ithaca, Dark county, O. His
maternal ancestors being early pioneers of that State, having settled near Cin-
cinnati as early as 1802, and his paternal ancestors were early pioneers of
Washington county. Pa. His early training was received on the farm and his
elementary education was obtained from the common district school under the
usual disadvantages. Early in his ''teens" he attended the national normal
school at Lebanon, O., where he fitted himself for teaching, which occupation
he followed only for a short time when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan Univer-
sity, at Delaware, O., where he remained five years, graduating with the class
of '78. Subsequently he graduated from the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons, Baltimore, Md., his diploma being dated March i, 1882. His first lo-
cation was in Brockwayville, in December, '82, where he remained until Aug-
ust, 1883, when he removed to Beech Tree, and continues to practice there.
Dr. George Alvin Blose was born in Perry township, Jefterson county, and
graduated from Jefferson Medical College, April 2, 1883; located at Perrys-
ville, Jefferson county.
Dr. Joseph Henry Hoffman was born in Rose township, near Brookville,
November 8, 1858. He is the son of Jacob and Mary Josephine Hoffman nee
Reuter ; read medicine with Dr. A. F. Balmer, of Brookville, and gradu-
ated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, April 2, 1883 ; registered in
Jefferson county, but located in St. Mary's, Elk county, on the i8th of
June, 1883, where he has continued to practice since ; married Josephine Bax-
ter, January 26, 1886.
Dr. Franklin Pierce Segworth was born in Fryburgh, Clarion county ;
graduated from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., March i,
1883, and located in Ringgold soon afterwards, remaining but a short time.
Present residence unknown.
Dr. Julius Schefifer was born in Getmold, Germany, November 26, 1843;
graduated from medical department University of Herford, Germany, in 1865,
and attended a course of lectures at tl e medical department University of
Pennsylvania during the winter of 1867-68, soon after which he located in
Pittsburgh, where he remained until 1872, when he removed to Petrolia, But-
ler county, where he continued the practice of medicine until 1880, when he
removed to Bradford, McKean county. He practiced in Bradford until 1882,
when he removed to Warren, Warren county. He remained in Warren one
year, and then located in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county. How long he
practiced in Punxsutawney, or where he is at present located, is not known.
The Medical Profession. 3^7
Dr. Eugene Gustav Matson, son of Dr. C. M. and Alice Matson, ncc John-
son, was born at Corsica. Jefferson county, December 26, 1858; entered
Syracuse University as a student in October, 1873, and graduated in June,
1879, receiving the degree of Ph. B. ; entered his father's office as a medical
student in the spring of 1S80, and attended three full courses of lectures at the
University of Pennsylvania, graduating on the 20th of April, 1883 ; was chosen
resident physician at Blockley Hospital, Philadelphia, September i, 1883, for one
year; went to Europe in October, 1884, and attended a course of lectures at
the University of Berlin, Prussia, delivered by Bergman on surgery, Schroder
on gynecology, Henoch on diseases of children, and others on other branches
of medicine. After completing this course he spent some time in Europe,
visiting places of interest in Germany, Italy, France, and England. On the
1st of October, 1886, he located in Pittsburgh, and about the same time
was elected assistant demonstrator of anatomy at the Western Pennsylvania
Medical College. On April i, 1887, he removed from Oakland, Fifth Avenue,
to No. 951 Pennsylvaina Avenue. He is now demonstrator of anatomy at
Western Pennsylvania College in conjunction with Dr. Joseph Dickson.
Dr. Henry Samuel Barrett was born in Smicksburgh, Indiana county,
and graduated from Toledo Medical College, Ohio, July 13, 1S83; located
in Punxsutawney.
Dr. Dwight Gustavus Hubbard was born on the loth of March, 1846, at
Centreville, Allegany county, N. Y. His parents were Asa Carter and Fran-
ces Adeline Hubbard. He read medicine with Dr. Conrad Diehl in Buffalo,
N. Y., and graduated from the University of Buffalo in the spring of 1869;
first located at Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and remained there
from the spring of 1869 to the spring of 1873, He then located at Carbon
Run, Bradford county, as surgeon for the Schraeder Coal and Iron Com-
pany, which position he continued to hold until November, 1883, when he
removed to Punxsutawney. He was married in 1871 to Hattie C. Hall, of
Wethersfield, Wyoming county, N. Y. Has been in the continuous practice of
medicine since his graduation.
Dr. James Alloysius McKibbon, the son of Henry and Mary McKibbon,
nee Lochiel, was born March 11, 1854, at Cresson Springs, Cambria county,
and read medicine with Dr. R. B. Brown at Summerville. He married
Ella Brown, daughter of Dr. R. B. Brown, February 8, 1879, and graduated
from Bellevue Medical College, New York, March i, 1880. He located in
Allegheny City in June, 188 1, and remained till August, 1883, when he re-
moved to Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, where, in connection with the prac-
tice' of medicine, he carries on a general drug business.
Dr. Charles Gustav Ernst was born in Punxsutawney, August 18, 1859,
and is the son of Henry and Catherine Ernst, iice Speis ; read medicine
with Dr. Joseph Shields, and graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical Col-
47
398 History of Jefferson County.
lege March 13, 1884; located Immediately after in Punxsutawney, where he
continues the practice of medicine.
Dr. Samuel Wesley McDowell is the son of James C. and Anna McDowell,
«£■> Mahl, and was born at Clinton Furnace, Clarion county, July 24, 1S54.
His medical preceptor was Dr. James A. Miller, of Perrysville, Jefterson county ;
was married May 28, 1879, to Sarah Agnes, the youngest daughter of the late
James Mitchell, of Indiana ; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at
Philadelphia, March 29, 1884, and in the following May located in Ringgold,
Jefferson county, where he still remains.
Dr. John Monroe Fisher, son of B. K. and Sarah L. Fisher, nee Livengood,
was born in Lebanon county, June 23, 1858 ; read medicine with Dr. J.
W. Foust, of Reynoldsville, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College
March 29, 1884. He is at present located in Philadelphia and connected with
Jefferson College Hospital.
Dr. John Knox Brown is the son of Dr. R. B. and Susan L. Brown, nee
Lavley, and was born April 29, 1859 ; read medicine with his father at Sum-
merville, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College March 29, 1884,
and located in Summerville, in partnership with his father, immediately after.
He married Mattie J., daughter of Robert Hamilton, of Perrysville, Jefferson
county, January 15, 1885.
Dr. Joseph Clinton Wilson, son of Dr. George and Anna Wilson, nee
Hoover, was born at Luthersburg, Clearfield county, March 12, 1854. His
preceptors in the study of medicine were his father and brother, Dr. C. A.
Wilson. He graduated from the University of Maryland, at Baltimore,
March 14, 1884, and located in Sigel, Jefferson cout}", June 10, 1884.
Dr. David Fisher was born in Vergennes, Vt.; graduated from the Univer-
sity of Vermont, July 6, 1882, and located in Brockwayville, Jefferson county,
sometime in the spring of 1884, but how long he remained or whither he went
is not known.
Dr. Otis Shields Sharp, son of Dr. J. W. and Mary A. Sharp nee Walker,
was born in Perrsyville, Jefferson county, March 24, 1861 ; read medicine
with Dr. W. B. Walker and his father — Dr. J. W. Sharp ; graduated from the
Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, in the spring of 1884, and located
in Knoxdale, June 20, 1S84. Married Emma L. Gilhousen, June 27, 1886.
Dr. David Lemuel Paine, son of Alexander and Mary B. Paine nee Mc-
Clain, was born at Corbett's Mills, Clarion county, July 11, 1846. He
engaged in merchandising when of sufficient age, in which he continued until
he read medicine. Married Elizabeth A. Matson, September 19, 1868; read
medicine with Drs. C. M. and W. F. Matson, and graduated from Columbus
. Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, February 28, 1878 ; located in Shippenville,
Clarion county, in March, 1878, where he remained nine months. He then
removed to Scotch Hill, but after three years removed to New Bethlehem, re-
The Medical Profession.
399
maining about three years. On the 29th of June, 1884, he located in Brook-
ville, where he now resides, engaged in the drug business connected with the
practice of his profession.
Dr. Joseph Everett Hall, son of Enoch and Martha Hall nee Clark, was
born in Brookville, April 12, 1842. EnHsted as a private in Company I, One
Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, jin^August,
1862, and was mustered out as adjutant of the One Hundred and Eighty-third
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, July 13, 1865. Entered the office of Dr.
C. M. Matson as a medical student in the autumn of 1865, attended^two full
courses of lectures at the Medical Department University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1869. He
located in Parker City, June 10, 1869 ; married F" ranees Irene, daughter]of Hon.
W. P. Jenks, September 12, 1872. In June, 1882, he located in Emlenton, Ve-
nango county, but continued his office in Parker City ; took a post-graduate
course of lectures in January, 1885, and located in Brookville in the following
March. He is a member of the board of Pension E.xaminers] for Jefferson
count)', and a member of the State Medical Society.
Dr. James Buchanan Neale was born at Perrysville, Jefferson county ;
read medicine with Dr. W. M. B. Gibson, at Reynoldsville, and graduated from
Cincinnati College, of Medicine and Surgery, February 26, 1885, and located
soon after in Reynoldsville, where he is at present engaged in the practice
of his profession.
Dr. Robert James Hillis was born in Winslow township, Jefferson county ;
read medicine with Dr. B. Sweeny; graduated from College of Physicians
and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., March 15, 18S6. Dr. Hillis is now acting as
assisting surgeon for the Dagus Coal Company.
Dr. James Beyer Mitchell was born in Westmoreland county, but with
whom he read medicine, or at what institution he attended lectures, is not
known. He located in Punxsutawney some time previously to June 16, 1886.
Dr. Henry Pilgrim Holt was born in Beaver township, Jefferson county,
and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md.,
March 15, 1886. He is now located at Tionesta, Forest county.
Dr. Joseph Calvin Stahlman, was born in Redbank township, Armstrong
county, September 20, 1858. He is the son of Solomon and Catharine
Stahlman; was married to Mary Elizabeth McElhose, March lO, 1882; read
medicine with A. D. McComb, of West Millville, Clarion county, and grad-
uated from the Medical Department Western Reserve University, Cleveland,
O., March 9, 1887. Located at Richardsville, April 5, 1887, where he remains
at present.
Dr. Elmer Brown Borland, son of William and Martha Borland, was born in
Knox township, near Belleview, Jefferson county, September 29, 1861 ; read
medicine with Dr. W. W. Woods, at Belleview, and graduated,;taking first prize
400 History of Jefferson County.
on examination, from West Pennsylvania Medical College, Pittsburgh, March
27, 1887. He is at present located in Pittsburgh.
The history of the medical profession from 181 7, to August 1S87, including
a period of seventy years, is as complete and comprehensive as it is possible
now to make it. Dates, in a few instances, which had to be determined by
circumstances, or cotemporary events, or, where they have been taken from the
recollections of old settlers may not be perfectly correct, but they are as nearly
so as possible at the present time to make them. The sketches have been ar-
ranged in chronological order, as being preferable to an attempt at a separate
history of the profession in each borough or township, or an alphabetical one,
either of which might have a tendency to confuse the mind of the reader as to
the period in which these men lived and practiced in the county.
The medical profession of Jefferson county is not behind that of any county
in the State ; they keep thoroughly up with the advance of medical science ;
many of their libraries are very extensive ; the better class of medical literature
is largely patronized, and the profession of Jefferson county numbers among its
members as large a proportion of careful, thoughtful observers, skillful opera-
tors and successful practitioners, as are to be found anywhere.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE LUMBER TRADE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The Magnificent Forests of Timber that Have Fallen Before the Lumberman'.'; Ax — The
Production of the Red Bank Valley — The Red Bank Navigation Company — The Mahoning
Navigation Company ^ Statistics of Lumber Produced.
NO county in the State could boast of finer bodies of timber than Jefferson
county when it was first settled ; but almost the first act of the white man
was to lay low the grand monarchs of the forest that clothed the hills, and
from that day onward the destruction has been carried on, until now but little
of the magnificent timber remains. The fame of the region in this respect was
soon noised abroad, but it was not until about the year 1836 or 1837 that the
lumber trade was pushed with any kind of vigor. Then capitalists began to
come into the county, new mills were erected, and the lumber business became
an immense one, that was not allowed to decline until the supply was ex-
hausted. Acts were passed declaring the principal streams highways, and the
spring and fall freshets found them full of rafts and busy raftmen.
In 1854 the lumber trade of the Redbank Valley was estimated at over
20,000,000 feet; on the North Fork there were twent\--two saws cutting 10,-
The Lumber Trade. 401
000,000; on Sandy Lick and its branches, twenty saws, cutting 10,000,000;
on Redbank and Little Sandy, fifteen saws, cutting 3,500,000 ; total estimate,
23,500,000 feet.
To this can be added at least 5,000,000 shingles, and about 1,200,000
feet linear, or square feet of timber, or about 3,000,000 cubic feet.
Before the passage of the acts creating the Redbank and Mahoning Navi-
gation Companies, rafting, owing to the obstructions in the channel, etc., was
e.xtremely difficult and hazardous, but these companies expended large sums
to remove obstructions, straighten the channels, and otherwise improve the
streams. Before this was done board rafts ran out of Redbank contained from
20,000 to 25,000 feet; now they contain in many instances 50,000.
At the spring flood of 1869, seventy- four board, and three hundred and
fifty timber rafts were run out of Redbank by Jefterson county lumbermen,
containing over 2,500,000 feet of boards, and 600,000 feet of square timber.
In 1872 there were run out of Redbank from the waters of Sandy Lick,
North Fork, Little Sandy, and Redbank 917 timber, and 570 board rafts. The
timber rafts from the three former streams averaged 16,000 feet per raft, and
those from Little Sandy, 1,000 feet ; the board rafts ran from 25,000 to 50,000,
making a total run for the year of 1,500,000 feet of square timber, and 20,000,-
000 feet of boards. These comprised the shipments of one hundred and fifty
individuals and firms, averaging from one to one hundred rafts each.
In 1873 eight of the principal lumber firms on the North Fork, Sandy Lick,
and Redbank, sent to market 428 board rafts, containing from 30,000 to 50,-
000 feet per raft, and over 100 timber rafts. The largest of these rafts came
from the mill of A. Bell & Co., on Sandy Lick. To this should be added the
product of the Mahoning and Little Toby, of which no statistics arc obtaina-
ble.
But the pristine glory of Redbank has departed ; the mighty monarchs of
the forest that clothed the banks of it and its tributaries have been laid low.
The lumber trade of Jefferson county in a few years will be a thing of the past.
The pine timber, in the handling of which large fortunes were accumulated,
and which was for so long the staple product of the county, will soon all be
cut away.
The destruction of timber in this pine region of the State has been wanton
in the extreme, and the waste in the earlier years of the trade was incalculable.
In many instances the choicest timber was cut ruthlessly away in order to clear
the land for crops that were of little value ; but there was no voice raised to stop
this wholesale destruction ; the ax of the woodman was heard in all directions,
and no one cried, "Woodman, spare that tree."
There is perhaps in Jefferson county now standing, five hundred millions
of white pine ; of hemlock there is a better showing, there yet remaining fifteen
hundred millions.
402 History of Jefferson County.
The lowest price paid for timber was 2|- cents per cubic foot in 1846 ; the
highest was 27 cents per cubic foot, paid in 1863 ; the lowest price paid for
boards was $3.50 per thousand, in 1826, and the highest was $30.00 per
thousand, paid in 1864.
The Redbank Navigation Company was incorporated by an act of the
Legislature May 17, 1854, by which Thomas K. Litch, Thomas Re\'nolds,
Daniel Smith, Darius Carrier, and Patrick Kerr were appointed commissioners
to carry out the provisions of said act.
The third section of the act gave the company power to clean and clear the
Red Bank, Sandy Lick, and North Fork from all rocks, bars, and other ob-
structions ; to erect dams and locks; to bracket and regulate all dams now
erected ; to regulate the schutes of dams ; to control the waters for purposes
of navigation ; to levy tolls not exceeding one and one- quarter cents for each
and every five miles of improved creek, per thousand feet of boards or other
aawed stuff, for every fifty feet, linear measure, of square or other timber.
These tolls were to be collected at the mouth of Red Bank, or at such other
points as was deemed necessary. This section also provided for the appoint-
ment of officers and agents to carry the provisions of the bill into effect.
Under the provisions of this act the streams were greatly improved, and
during the first three years the tolls collected amounted to over three thousand
dollars, the greater part of which sum was expended in improving the chan-
nels.
The company was organized August 2, 1856, by electing Thomas K.
Litch, president; P. Taylor, C. H. Prescott, Michael Best, and R. J. Nichol-
son, directors, and Paul Darling, secretary.
The last officers, elected in 1882, were: T. K. Litch, president ; S. S. Jack-
son, N. Carrier, jr., G. B. Carrier, and Abel Fuller, directors; of these the
president, and one of the directors, Nathan Carrier, jr., have since died.
Thomas K. Litch was continued as president of the company from August
2, 1856, until August 18, 1866, when I. G. Gordon was elected, who held the
office until December 27, 1873, when Mr. Litch was again elected, and re-
mained the president until his death, in 1882.
A. L. Gordon was appointed secretary, treasurer, and collector October
27, 1866, and acted in those capacities until his death, in 1885, since which
time Charles Corbet, esq., has taken his place.
The Mahoning Navigation Company.i
" This company was incorporated first by act of the General Assembly, Jul)'
31, 1845, for the purpose of controlling navigation on Mahoning Creek, and
some stock subscribed and some payments made on it. But there is no rec-
ord of any organization under this act of incorporation.
1 Prepared by C. M. Brewer, secretary.
The Lumber Trade.
403
The present Mahoning Navigation Compan_v was incorporated by act of
the General Assembly approved the loth day of August, A. D. 1858, which
act empowered the company to be organized tiiereundcr to clean and clear
Mahoning Creek and its branches, and to control navigation thereon perpetu-
ally, and for purposes of revenue to carry out its purposes to assess tolls on
all logs, rafts, boats or other craft run on the same, perpetually. Under this
act of incorporation the present company was organized on the iith day of
July, A. D. 1863, by the election of Stacy B. Williams as president, and Jolin
Miller, John Couch, I. T. Gillespie and W. E. Bell, as managers. John Hast-
ings, esq., was elected secretary to this board, and re-elected from year to year
continuously, up to 1871. Stacy B. Williams was continued as president, with
several changes in the directors, up to the election of July 9, 1 870, when G.
W. Zeitler was chosen president, who continued up to July lO, 1871, when
Jacob Zeitler was elected president. At this meeting John Hastings, esq., re-
signed as secretary, and C. M. Brewer, esq., was elected secretary, and was re-
elected from year to year until the present time, and is the secretary now. July
10, 1872, William E. Bell was elected president, and served in that position
up to July 10, 1882, a period of ten years, when the Hon. J. U. Gillespie was
elected president and served in that capacity up to July 10, 1885, when W.
E. Bell was again elected president and has been re-elected from year to year
since. There have been but two treasurers of this company — ,W. A. Dunlap,
from the date of its organization up to 1883, a period of about twenty years,
and Levi McGregor, since. The original capital stock of the company was
$5,000, divided into shares of ten dollars each. It was essentially a popular
corporation, created solely for the benefit of its founders, who were all practi-
cal lumbermen, and all the stock was taken, and has since been held, by men in
some way interested in lumbering. The company has collected and expended
vast sums during its history in keeping the Mahoning Creek and its branches
navigable for rafts and kindred craft. This, it will be understood, was no
small undertaking, when we remember that at the time the company was
created, and for many years thereafter, the Mahoning and its branches mean-
dered through an almost unbroken wilderness from its source to near its
mouth, where every storm felled trees, and every freshet washed up bars and
rocks and destroyed dams. The mission of this company is about ended, be-
cause the marketing of that which called it into being is about exhausted. It
will go into history with many benedictions from the lumbermen, whose coad-
jutor it has been for so many years; and with some strictures from the toll-
payer because men in all ages have objected to enforced payment and unwill-
ing tribute."
404 History of Jefferson County.
CHAPTER XXXI.
RAILROADS AND COAL.
The Allegheny Valley Railroad — Bonds of Jefferson County — Building of Low Grade Di-
vision — History of the Road in the County — Statement of Business for 1886 — The Rochester
and Pittsburgh Road — The Toby Branch — The Reynold.sville and Falls Creek Road — Coal Pro-
duction in Jefferson County — The Wallston Mines — The Clarion Mines — The Beechtree ilines
— Statistics of the Coal Trade.
The Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad.
IN 1853 Jefferson county subscribed ninet_\' thousand dollars to the stock of
the Allegheny Vallej' Railroad. To enable them to pay this money the
commissioners of the county issued bonds of one thousand dollars each, for
stock in said road, payable in thirty years from date. These bonds read as
follows :
" Know all men by these presents, that the county of Jefferson, in the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, is indebted to the Allegheny Valley Railroad
Company in the full and just sum of one thousand dollars, which sum of money,
the said county agrees and promises to pay, thirty years after the date hereof, to
the said Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, or bearer, with interest, at the
rate of six per centum per annum, payable semi-annually on the first Monday
of May and November, at the office of the said railroad company, in the city
of New York, upon the delivery of the coupons severally, hereto annexed, for
which payments of principal and interest will, and truly, be made. The faith,
credit and property of said county of Jefferson are hereby solemnly pledged,
under the authority of an act of Assembly of this Commonwealth, entitled a
further supplement to an act entitled an act for the incorporation of the Pitts-
burgh, Kittanning and Warren Railroad Company, approved the fourth day of
April, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirtj'-seven, and the supplement, which
became a law on the fourteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-two.
" In testimony whereof and pursuant to said act and supplement of the
Legislature of Pennsylvania, and resolutions of the county commissioners, in
their official capacity, passed the fifteenth day of September, 1852, the com-
missioners of said county have signed, and the clerk of said commissioners has
countersigned these presents, and have hereto caused the seal of said county to
be affixed, this thirteenth day of June, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-three. "THOMAS Hall,
[Seal]. "J. S. Steck,
" Commissioners of Jefferson county.
"John J. Y. Thompson, Clerk of Commissioners."
Railroads and Coal. 405
To each of these bonds was attached sixty coupons, the first one of which,
attached to bond No. seven, reads as follows :
" 30-
" County of Jefferson.
" Warrant No. 60 for thirty dollars. Being for six months interest on bond
No. 7, payable on the first Monday of May, 1883, at the office of the Alle-
gheny Railroad Company, in the city of New York.
" $30. John J. Y. Thompson, Clerk."
The road not being finished in the time specified, the bonds were not paid,
but were still held by the railroad company until 1869, when a compromise was
effected between the commissioners of the count)' and the officers of the road,
whereby the former paid to the latter the sum of forty- five thousand dollars,
in lieu of the aforesaid bonds, the railroad company agreeing to run their road
through the limits of the borough of Brookville.
" By an act of the Legislature the commissioners of Jefferson county were
authorized to borrow any sum or sums of money not exceeding forty- five
thousand dollars, and to issue the bonds of said county, with or without cou-
pons, or other evidences of indebtedness therefor, at a rate not exceeding eight
per cent, per annum ; and the said bonds or other indebtedness shall be ex-
empted from taxation, provided that the money arising from the negotiation or
sale of said or other evidences of indebtedness, shall be appropriated to the
payment of certain articles of settlement and compromise made by and between
the county of Jefferson and the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, dated
July 29, 1869, for the redemption of ninety thousand dollars, bonds of said
county issued to the said railroad company on the 24th day of June, 1853."
This act was approved February 19, 1870.
The Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad was opened
eastward from Redbank to New Bethlehem, a distance of twenty-one miles, on
the 6th of May, 1873. On the 23d of June trains commenced running regu-
larly to Brookville, a distance of forty miles from Redbank, and on November
5 a further section of sixteen miles was opened, extending to Reynoldsville,
fifty-six miles from Redbank. On the eastern end of the road a section of
nineteen miles from Driftwood to Barr's Station was thrown open for business
on August 4, and on May 4, 1874, the entire Low Grade Division, from Red-
bank to Driftwood, was open through for business.
The Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad enters Jefferson
county twenty- eight miles westward from its junction with the main line at the
mouth of Redbank Creek, and continues in the same county for a distance of
thirty-four and a half miles, leaving Jefferson county and entering Clearfield
county at a point immediately westward of the station called Falls Creek.
The principal stations located in this county are Summervillc, Brookville,
and Reynoldsville, with fourteen other stations of minor importance.
48
4o6
History of Jefferson County.
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. 42. Sg 12.69 362
42.leiseys 27.34 13.70 4.17
23 Guernseys 27.43 13- 87 4.52
9 Cross breeds 43.53 12.71 3.57
It will be seen by this that the Guernseys are slightly in front in quality
and quanity. The same year he bougiit a pair of choice Chester white pigs,
and has recently purchased Serpolet, the best Norman Percheron stallion that
was ever in the county. He is registered both in France and America; was
imported when one year old. He took first prize at New York State Fair, and
second at Bay State fair (Massachusetts) in 1886. as the best two-year-old.
Past and Present Business of Brookville. — William Rodgers started the
second store in Brookville, just three days after Jared B. Evans moved his store
from Port Barnett, and opened his stock of goods in the Clark Hotel on Jefferson
street. This street seems to have been the business emporium in those days;
the first stores, the first tannery, and one of the first hotels, being located
there. Mr. Rodgers's ledger, kept in the years 183 1-36, record many of the
names of the old settlers of the country, and all the early citizens of the town.
A credit system prevailed and the following is a sample of the accounts re-
corded in these books, and shows the prices prevailing fifty-si.x years ago:
1831. John Christy, Dr.
March 15, To i Testament $ -25
Apr. 7, To I Testament 25
" 16, To I Cotton Shawl 62>^
Aug. II, To I yd Muslin, per son John 14
" 16, To I pair combs per son John 25
Sept. 16, To I oz. indigo per daughter 25
" 28, To 5 lbs. Coffee 100
Oct. 29, To I tin bucket 62 '^
Nov. 14, To 4 yds. Cassinett 4.00
Dec. 10, To Sundries 1-39^^
Jan. 4, 1832, To Do 71 '4
" 14, To 5 lb. Coffee i.oo
" 31, " I Comb per son John 50
$11.00
1831, This account is b.alanced as follows :
April 16, By cash in full 50
Dec. 10, By 24 bus. oats 6.00
April II, 1832, " town order for A. Kelly 4- 50
$11.00
History of Brookville. 451
Mr. Rodgers also kept his post-office account in the same book, as the
post-office was in the same room in which he sold goods, from which it appears
that the receipts of the office from April i, 1835, to December 31, 1838, inclu-
sive was $587. 7if. These old ledgers which are in a good state of preserva-
tion, were kept with the greatest care ; scarce a blot appears on the pages, and
they are legibly and well written.
Jack, Jenks & Co., kept quite an extensive store in 1845, o'"" Jefferson street.
In their day book of that year, is found an account of each day's sales for the
month of February, which aggregates $158. The merchants of the present
day can contrast these sales and the prices quoted above, with those of the
present day. One of the articles kept by every merchant, has disappeared from
the counter. Charges for whisky in those days appearing quite frequently on
the pages of the day books of the early merchants.
H. Matson, dealer in dry goods, dress goods, notions, etc., commenced bus-
iness in Brookville in 1849, and has been engaged in the mercantile business
for almost forty years. He opened his present store in 1870. His store is
located in his own building on Main street. Mr. Matson came to Brookville
in 1844.
R. A. Rodgers & Co., dry goods, clothing, notions, etc. This business was
established in 1862 by Dr. Mark Rodgers, and at his death August 10, 1883,
the business passed into the hands of his widow and son, R. A. Rodgers, under
the firm name of R. A. Rodgers & Co. This store is located in the large brick
block erected in 1871 by Dr. Rodgers, on the property purchased by him from
Enoch Hall.
N. G. Edelblute, dry goods, clothing, notions, etc., commenced business in
1859. After the fire of 1874, he bought the lot owned by S. G. Fr}-er, and
erected the two-story brick building in which is his store and residence.
Thomas H. Means, general store. This business was first established by
Mills and Means, in September, 1879, but since February, 1883, has been
owned by Mr. Means.
M. W. Dickey, dealer in dry goods, notions, carpets, etc. This store was
first started in 1865 by William Dickey, George H. Kennedy and M. M. Mere-
dith, as Dickey, Kennedy & Meredith, and was located in the old Evans block.
In 1866 Meredith retired, and his place was filled by Dr. J. H. Wick, under
the firm name of Dickey, Kennedy & Wick. In January, 1870, Dr. Wick also
retired, and until the fire of 1877, Dickey and Kennedy continued the business
in the same place, when they were driven out by the fire, and moved to the
McCracken building ; they then bought out the store of C. M. and J. N. Gar-
rison, and moved into the American House block. March, 1878 the firm sold
out to a son of the senior partner, M. W. Dickey, who has since associated for
a short time his brother W. W. Dickey and Steele G. Hartman. He is now
sole proprietor, and is located in the Marlin Opera House building.
452 History of Jefferson County.
Guyther & Henderson, dealers in dry goods, foreign and domestic dress
goods, notions, etc. This business was started in October, 1876, by W. H.
Gray and John W. Guyther. In July, 1880, D. A. Henderson, became one of
the firm of Gray, Guyther & Co., and in March, 1SS5, Mr. Gray retired, and
the firm is now Guyther & Henderson. They are located in their own build-
ing on Main street, which they purchased from K. L. Blood in 1880.
George H. Kennedy & Son, general merchandise. This store was started
in September, 1880, and February, 1882, Mr. Kennedy formed a copartner-
ship with William Campbell, as Kennedy & Campbell, which continued until
April, 1885, when Mr. Campbell retired, and was succeeded by Harry H.
Kennedy ; the firm now being George H. Kennedy & Son, located in American
House block.'] ,
Charles S. Irvin, dealer in dry goods, dress goods, clothing, etc., estab-
lished in 1873, first located in Commercial House block, now in new building
on Main street erected in 1886.
S. Kaufman, general merchandise, groceries, etc., established in i860, lo-
cated in U. Matson's building on Main street.
G. Loebman, general merchandise, commenced business in April, 1873.
In January, 1881, he associated with him his brother Albert, under the name
of G. Loebman and Brother, and December, 1885, the latter retired. This
store is also located in the Uriah Matson block.
Mills & Connor, dealers in dry goods, dress goods, notions, etc., established
August, 1885 ; located in Marlin Opera building.
Albert Loebman, dealer in dry goods, clothing, etc., commenced in March,
1886; located in Arthurs's block.
W. M. Nickle. " five cent " store, started April, 1883 ; located in H. Mat-
son's block.
Zettler & Hoelsche, dealers in dry goods and notions, established in No-
vember, 1885 ; located on Main street, in Edelblute building.
Mrs. Amelia F. Henderson, dealer in millinery and fancy goods, com-
menced business in 1869. She purchased the property — that erected by
William F. Clark in 1846 — of R. Arthurs, on east Main street, in 1S82, which
she has much improved and where she has her store and residence.
Mrs. S. H. Whitehill, millinery bazar, commenced business February, 1884;
located in Braden building. Main street.
Miss Hattie Wilson, milliner and fancy goods, commenced business May,
1884; located in Edelblute building. Main street.
The wants of the ladies of Brookville are fashionably catered to by expe-
rienced dressmakers, prominent among whom are Mrs. C. E. Clements, who
commenced business in 1867, and is located in the old Furley homestead on
Fast Main street. Mrs. Mary McLain and Daughter, who conmienced in 1876,
are located in the Rink building. Mrs. Lina Jackson and Mrs. Louie Scott
History of Brookville. 453
are also on East Main street. Misses Laura Sinitli, Lavina Spare, and Mary
Miller, in South Brookville ; Mrs. L. G. Kahle and Miss Eliza Thompson, on
Jefferson street, and Mrs. Mary Buell on White street.
Dr. W. J. McKnight and Thomas L. Templeton, of Brookville, who consti-
tute the drug firm of McKnight & Bro., commenced business in October,
1863, in the east room of the Clements House, then occupying the site of the
house now known as the Commercial Hotel, on Main street. In the fall of
1 87 1, November 3, they were burned out in the fire which at that time con-
sumed the hotel property and all buildings on the square, extending from Dia-
mond alley to Barnett street on the west. In the spring of the year preceding
this time, on account of the pressing need of greater faciHties for conducting
their increasing business, they set about the construction of a new brick build-
ing which they erected on the lot oppjsitethe court-house, formerly owned by
the heirs of Barclay Jenks, esq., deceased, which they had bought in Decem-
ber, 1869. This building, which is a large three story and basement, occupied
on third floor by " Hobah " Masonic Lodge, and on second floor by offices,
had so far approached completion that every part was ready for occupancy,
excepting the drug room, so that for the time being they were obliged to oc-
cupy, — with the remnants of the drug stock saved from the fire — a room in the
basement of the new building. This, however, was but for a short time, as by
February term of court ensuing, the new store, which they now occupy, was
completed, giving them a room in style and finish not excelled by any other in
the western part of the State.
Roswell P. Blood, druggist. This business was established in 1867 by
Eason & Matson. David Eason, in 1868, disposed of his interest to Dr. Hugh
Dowling, when it became DowHng & Matson. Then, in 1871, Dr. R. S. Hunt
and R. P. Blood purchased the store, and in November, 1874, R. P. Blood
purchased the interest of his partner, Dr. R. S. Hunt, and became sole pro-
prietor ; now located in west room of Rodgers & Clark building, Main street.
E. B. Henderson, drug store; started January, 1878, by E. B. and S. S.
Henderson. December i, 1S86, the latter disposed of his interest to his
brother, E. B. Henderson; located in Endress building. Main street.
Verstine & Sandt, drug store, started in 1881 ; located in Verstine Hall
building, Main street.
E. A. Paine, drug store, managed by Dr. D. L. Paine ; started in August,
1884; located in Litchtown.
C. B. Guth, jewelry store; started in July, 1878 ; located in Marlin Opera
House building.
Espy & Carroll, boot and shoe store. The partners in this business,
Thomas Espy and Thomas M. Carroll, bought the shoe shop of J. E. Carroll
in August, 1858, which was started in 1846, and have been in business ever
since ; now located in Marlin Opera House building.
54
454 History of Jefferson County.
S. Craig & Son, dealers in groceries. This store was established in 1865
by Samuel Craig, as a general store, until 187 1, when Mr. Craig associated
with him his son, W. F. Craig, until his death, 1885, since which time W. F.
Craig has continued the business under the same firm name. This store is
located in the Matson block.
Thomas K. Hastings, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; successor to A. B.
McLain. This store was started in the McCracken building about 1872 by S.
H. Smith, then moved to the Clements House block, and about 1876 A. B.
McLain bought out Smith and removed to Central Hotel building. Mr. Mc-
Lain sold his stock to T. K. Hastings, in February, 1885.
Joseph Caldwell, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; successor to Mrs. Robert
Clements, who sold to Mr. Caldwell in January, 1884; located in McCracken
Hall building, on Main street.
James M. Canning, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; established in May,
1876; located in Marlin Opera House building.
William F. Wanner, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. This store was started
in the spring of 1866 by S. J. Marlin, who sold to Mr. Wanner in 1876. It is
now located in White Hall building. Main street.
Taylor D. Rhines, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc. ; established in June,
1885 ; located in P. P. ]31ood's building, Main street.
Joshua Jones & Son, dealer in groceries, flour, fruits, etc. This store was
started about 1877 by Mrs. C. E. Clements, who afterwards sold to D. Burns,
and Burns disposed of the business in January, i886, to the present firm ;
located in East Main street.
James Braden & Company, dealers in groceries, flour, etc. This firm was
first James Braden & Brother, who purchased the store from Alpheus Walker,
in Februar)', 1879. James F. Braden was associated with his father and uncle
in the business, February, 18S4, and the firm changed to James Braden & Co.
This store is located in their own building, on Main street.
J. H. Rhodes & Son, dealers in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This business
-was established in 1873 by J. H. Rhodes and S. W. Smith, as Rhodes & Smith,
and after Mr. Smith retired, Mr. Rhodes having associated his son, Harvey.
with him in 1878, as Rhodes & Son ; located on corner of Barnett and Main
streets.
Cummings & Morrison, dealers in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This store
was started first by Miller & Stevens, who sold to W. P. Sted, who in turn dis-
posed of the goods to Campbell & McGiffin, in August, 18S5, and in August,
1886, William Campbell bought the interest of his partner in the business.
The present firm purchased from Mr. Campbell in 1887; located on Main
street.
W. P. Steel, grocery, b.ikery and ice cream parlor; started in 1883 ; lo-
cated on ]\Iaiu street.
History of Brookville. 455
Levi Lerch, dealer in j,'roceries, queensware, flour, feed, etc.; purchased the
stock of Abram Snyder in 1877, which was then located on East Main street;
then removed to tlie Doughert)' building, on site of present opera house, and
from there, in 1883, to the Red Mill south of the iron bridge.
Daniel F. Hibbard, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc.; established in 1877 ;
located south of covered bridge, in Mabon's addition. South Side.
George H. Simpson, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; started in business in
November, 1877 ; located in " Litchtown," East Side.
James P. Black & Son, dealers in groceries, flour, etc ; established in April,
1882 ; located in Litchtown.
Charles Sitz, feed store; started in fill of 1881 ; located in Litchtown.
George Zetler, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This business was es-
tablished by James I. Brady & Co., May, 1885, and sold to Mr. Zetler, June,
1887 ; located at Longview.
William H. Zetler, grocery store; started in 1886 by D. W. Leitzell and
sold to Mr. Zetler in June, 1887; located at Longview.
Joseph Henderson & Son, dealers in tinware and stoves; commenced busi-
ness in fall of 1866 ; located in his own building, corner of Main and Barnett
streets; since 1876 the business has been conducted by Mr. Henderson, indi-
vidually.
G. A. Pearsall & Son, dealers in hardware, successors to Long & Pearsall.
This store was started June, 1867. Mr. J. E. Long retired from the firm Jan-
uary, 1876, and in August, 1 881, Mr. Pearsall associated his son, Elmer E., in
the business with him ; located in their own building on Main street.
Kennedy & Co., dealers in hardware. Tliis store was first established by
William Kennedy and M. H. Hall, under the firm name of Kennedy & Hall,
in March, 1867. In August, 1873, Mr. Hall retired from the firm, and the
business was conducted by William Kennedy until July, 1880, when Samuel
Chambers became associated with Mr. Kennedy, and the firm is since known
as Kennedy & Co. It was first located in the old Evans block, until the fall
of 1873 ; then removed to Clements House, then to the present location in
Marlin's Opera House building, November, 1883.
George Vanvleit, dealer in stoves, tinware, and hardware ; successor to S.
T. Dougherty. This store was first started by T. P. McCrea & Bro., in 1868,
who disposed of it to Mr. Dougherty, in 1879, and the latter sold it to the present
proprietor, December, 1880.
Rankin & Dunn, dealers in tinware, stoves, and hardware ; successors to
John Lutz, from whom they purchased the store in August, 1886 ; located in
Brady building. East Main street.
Thompson & Chesiiut, merchant tailors. The business was first started
January, 1870, by M. C. and W. A. Thompson, the former retiring May, 1873.
Then W. A. Thompson carried on the business until December, 1879, when
456 History of Jefferson County.
he formed a copartnership with J. M. Chesnut, as Thompson & Chesnut;
located in Bishop building, Main stieet.
C. P. O'Loughlin, merchant tailor. This business was first started by John
J. Nyland, in 1876, who closed out in 1879, and worked for some time for
George Vanvliet ; then the shop was opened by C. P. O'Loughlin, an appren-
tice of Mr. Nyland, January, 1880 ; located in Matson building.
T. W. Chesnut, mercliant tailor; established April, 1885; located in
Bonnet building, Pickering street.
J. L. Reicheter, merchant tailor; established in spring of 1887 ; located in
Verstine building, East Main street.
J. T. Carroll, boot and shoe shop ; first started in 1862 ; located in his own
building, East Main street.
Enoch Loux, boot and shoe shop. This shop was started by H. S. Lithgo
in the fall of 1867, and January, 1884, purchased by Mr. Loux; located on
East Main street.
Thomas Wesley, boot and shoemaker; started in November, 1854; located
on Pickering street.
John E. Carroll, boot and shoe shop ; started October, 1883; located on
Pickering street.
William Smith, boot and shoe shop ; successor to Glenn & Smith ; started
in September, 1866. Mr. Glenn retired in April, 1886. Located on Main
street.
Anthony Bonnet, gunsmith ; first commenced business in Brookville, in
April, 1865 ; then removed to Clarion, April, 1868, returning to Brookville,
March, 1882.
Ferdinand Warner, tannery; built in 1875. The work done is generally
what is called " sliare work," for farmers ; located in South Brookville.
Dentists. — Dr. C. W. Stebbins located in Brookville about 1S60 and prac-
ticed his profession as surgeon dentist until his death in 1882. His wife, now
Mrs. C. Yeaney, who had mastered dentistry under the instruction of her hus-
band, has carried on the business since his death. Her office is located in the
McKnight building, Main street.
Dr. M. B. Lowry, surgeon dentist, came to Brookville about i860, and has
practiced here ever since. His two sons have adopted their father's profession,
one being a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental College, and the other a stu-
dent of that institution; located in the Guyther and Henderson building on
Main street.
Dr. William G. Bishop, surgeon dentist, first located in Reynoldsville in
1874, and in 1883 established his office in Brookville, retaining his practice in
the former place until 1885. He is located in the Bishop building. Main street.
Y. W. Ingraham & Co., general agents for pianos, organs, etc. This
agency was established November, 1873, by A. H. Steadman, who continued
History of Brookville. 457
the business until December 31, when he left Brookville, in order to accept a
position with Whitney & Raymond, manufacturers of the United States organ,
and general music dealers of Cleveland, O., aud is now a member of that firm.
Mr. Steadman was succeeded by F. W. Ingraham and Peter B. Cowan, under
the firm name of Ingraham & Cowan. October i, 1886, Mr. Cowan retired
from the firm, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of
Ingraham & Co., Mr. Ingraham being the manager. Since the agenc)' was
established, they have sold a large number of pianos and organs ; now located
in White Hall building, Main street.
D. C. Whitehill, dealer in pianos and organs, sewing machines, etc.; busi-
ness established Jul}', 1 886; located in Clark bank building.
John F. & G. E. Broun, general insurance agents, successors to C. O. Ham-
mond. This agency was first established by McMurray & Weidner, who were
succeeded by J. A. Scott. Then J. H. Maize assumed charge and formed a
co-partnership with C. O. Hammond, as Maize & Hammond, and on Mr. Maize
retiring from the firm the business was conducted by Mr. Hammond until his
death, August, 1882, when John F. and G. E. Brown purchased the business,
from the estate of the latter; located in jail building.
N. G. Pinnej', general insurance agent, came to Brookville in 1878 to
solicit insurance for the agency of Samuel G. W. Brown, of Kittanning, and in
1880 started in the business for himself. He now represents ten large com-
panies ; located in Marlin Opera House block.
Hamilton & Reed, general insurance agents, established September, 1882 ;
office in the old " Red Lion " Hotel building.
Cabinet Manufactory, started in 1859 by Craig & Wilson. In May, 1879,
Andrew Craig purchased the interest of his partner, Enoch Wilson. He was
succeeded in 1881 by Haines Brothers. It is now owned by B. F. Haines, H.
B. Craig, and Bartlett & Sons ; located at foot of Jefferson street.
I. Aaron, dealer in furniture, etc. This business was established by O.
Brown, and purchased from his estate by Mr. Aaron in 1883; located in
Corbet building. West Main street.
L. R. Rousseau, upholsterer and carriage trimmer; commenced in 1885 ;
located in Rodgers block.
Carroll & Hamilton, harness manufactory. It was first started in 1867 by S.
G. Newcom and James K. Hamilton, and in March, 1869, James K. Hamilton
got entire control. Then in 1875 James T. Carroll was associated in the busi-
ness. Mr. Hamilton has been in the harness and saddlery business since 1863,
with the exception of three years — 1871-1874 — that he was associated with
Joshua Williams in the livery business. This shop is located in the old Red
Line Hotel building. Main street.
Smathers & De Haven, saddlery and harness. C. Smathers first started in
the harness business with the late Colonel Charles McLain, as McLain &
458 History of Jefferson County.
Smathers, and in 1858 sold to McLain, who mana<,'ed the shop until he went
into the army. Mr. Smathers has been runnin hn H. De Haven ; location
on Main street.
Samuel Frank, saddlery and harness making, started March, 1874; located
in ]5rady building. East Main street.
The first foundry was built on the northwest corner of Main and Valley
streets, on site of McCracken Hall building, by a man named Coleman, in 1841,
who in a short time sold to Evan Evans, who in turn sold to Wilkins & Cor-
bet, who moved it to the location now occupied by the foundry of Edwin
English. They operated it for a while and then sold to John Gallagher and
George McLaughlin who, in 1850, sold to the present proprietors, Edwin and
Daniel English. Since 1855 the former has owned and operated the property.
This foundry was first run by water-power, supplied by a dam built for the
purpose, but the water supply not proving adequate, horse-power was substi
tuted.
After the foundry was removed to Water street, Snyder & Adams, in 1857,
started a blacksmith shop on the same site on Main street, which they con-
tinued about a year, when Mr. Adams retired, and the shop was continued for
some time by Mr. Sn\'der. Mr. Wilson Adams, who came to Brookville in
185 I, carried on the blacksmithing for about twelve years. He still resides
in Brookville.
In 1853 the Washington foundry and machine-shop was built by J. P.
Wann and Patrick McTaffe. Tlie\' conmienced the manufacture of plows,
stoves, etc, and done mill repairing. In 1857 McTaffe sold his interest to
Orlando Brown, who, at that time, resided in Angelica, Allegany county, N.
Y. The same year Mr. Brown came to Brookville with part of his family,
consisting of wife and two children, Orlando H. and Carrie — now^ Mrs. J. E.
Long. He brought with him new machinery and men skilled in mechanical
arts and put new life into the foundry and machine business. The other son,
James L., came to Brookville in 1858 from the West, and went to work for
Wann & Brown as an apprentice. The principal business was building circular
saw-mills and repairing. Having no railroad connection nearer than Kittan-
ning, most all the goods came by boat from Pittsburgh to Mahoning. At the
breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, stagnation followed in all branches of
business. The foundry and machine-shop was closed for six months or over,
with nothing to do and no men to work, as most every able-bodied man that
could stand the hardships had enlisted, either in the three months' call for vol-
unteers or f^r a longer period. The finding of the Seneca oil, or petroleum,
on Oil Creek, opened up a new industry. The excitement attending the dis-
covery created a demand for machinery, engine and boiler and boring tools.
The business, at that time in its infancy, had to be created. Mr. Brown de-
History of Bkookville. 459
signed and built an eight-horse-power engine and boiler for the oil trade; five
and six-horse-power was considered ample to handle the heaviest tools at that
time and to bore a well to the required depth.
In 1863 James L. Brown leased Mr. Warm's interest for one year. At the
expiration of time of lease he bought Mr. Wann's interest in the foundry and
machine business. In 1864 the partnership of Brown & Son was changed to
Brown, Son & Co., having taken in Mr. John P. Roth as equal partner. By
that time the business had increased to justify enlarging their works and by
putting in new machinery, making a specialty on engines and boilers, gang
and circular saw- mills. In 1S75 the entire property was destroyed by fire.
It was rebuilt immediately and put into successful operations, when Mr.
Brown disposed of his interest to W. H. Jenks, son of Judge W. P. Jenks. In
1877 the new works were again destroyed by fire, this time consuming the
entire plant, except the foundry. Messrs. Brown & Roth then sold the relics
to W. H. Jenks, who rebuilt in 1878, and at the present time is manufacturing
engines and boilers. The celebrated Hercules Turbine water-wheel, which is
known all over the world as one of the most powerful wheels of its size ever
produced, giving the best percentage at part and whole gate, was manufac-
tured by Brown, Son & Co., where all the minute details were conceived and
brought out by the patentees — James L. Brown and John B. McCormick.
The sole manufacturers of the Hercules wheel are the Holyoke Machine Com-
pany, of Holyoke, Mass., and at Worcester, Mass. The Hercules wheel is
used in Italy, France and Germany. Mr. Jenks, who is a graduate of Yale
College, has made mechanics his study. In 1886 he enlarged his shops, which
are all built of brick in the most approved style.
Machinery Hall. — C. A. and C. F. Carrier, dealers in all kinds of agricul-
tural implements, hardware, stoves and tinware, commenced June, 1886; lo-
cated in the old Rink building. Main street.
Shoe Manufactory, George W. Stewart, proprietor, established autumn of
1886; located in Arthur's building. Main Street. The capacity of the manu-
factorj' is four hundred pairs of shoes per day, employing twenty-seven men.
Singer Manufacturing Company, J. P. Lucas, agent. This agency was first
established by A. L. Schnell, who sold the Singer sewing machines from 1866
until 1879. He was succeeded by W. H. Dunlap, who was in charge until the
winter of 1885. Since April, 1886, J. P. Lucas has had this agency. Since
1879 they have sold over twenty-five hundred machines.
Marble Manufactory, John S. Moore, proprietor; started February, 1872;
located in his own building, East Main street.
Carriage manufactory, M. G. Murphy; started in 1874; located in rear of
Opera House building. Mr. Murphy has worked at his trade in Brookville
since 1 870.
Andrew Stefl, wagon-maker, commenced business March, 1864; located
on East Main street.
460 History of Jefferson County.
E. Snyder & Son, blacksmiths. Mr. E. Snyder first began the blacksmith-
ing business in Brookville in 1857, and has been constantly engaged in the
same, with the exception of from 1872 to 1876, when he was in the hvery
business. He associated his son, George W. Snyder, with him in 1876. Their
shop is located in their own building, East Main street.
Robert R. Brady, blacksmith, commenced in Brookville in 1851, having
worked about two years at Port Barnett, where he first located in 1849. W.
E. Snyder has been associated with him since February, 1885 ; located in Mr.
Brady's own building, east end of Main Street.
Abram Snyder, blacksmith, came to Brookville in the fall of 1852 and
formed a partnership with William Stewart, which only continued about nine
months. He was in the grocery business from 1865 to 1877, starting the first
regular grocery store in the town. Since 1877 he has been in the blacksmith-
ing business; located on Valley street, north end of iron bridge.
J. C. Snyder, general blacksmith This shop was started in 1873 by D.
G. Gourley and Charles Harris, J. C. Sn}-der taking the place of Mr. Harris,
who removed from Brookville in 1880. In 1881 Mr. Gourley also retired, and
then Mr. Snyder alone conducted it until 1884, when he associated his brother
with him, and ran the business as J. C. Snyder & Brother until 1886, since
which time he has had control himself In 1873 M. G. Murphy and J. S. Van
Buskirk had a carriage manufactory in connection with this shop. Since 1878
George H. Grove has had charge of the wood work department, while J. S.
Van Buskirk attends to the painting ; located on Barnett street.
T. K. Snyder's blacksmith-shop, started in 1858 or 1859, by D. C. Riggs;
then by Arad Pearsall. In 1862 Samuel \V. Snyder purchased it, and upon
his death, in Jul)-, 1886, he was succeeded by his son, T. K. Snyder; located
in Litchtown.
Warren P. Bovvdish, blacksmith and wagon-shop, started in 1884; located
in Litchtown. Mr. Bowdish has worked at his trade in Brookville since 1856.
John Engle, blacksmith and machinist, located in Brookville in 1858,
formed a partnership in 1867 ™'tli James L. Whitman, under the firm name of
Engle & Whitman. Whitman retired in 1869, and from 1870 until 1876 he
was associated in the manufacturing of carriages, buggies, etc., in connection
with blacksmithing, with Daniel Barns, and since 1886, has been engaged in a
machine-shop with James Brick, as Engle & Brick.
A. E. Smith, plumber and gas-fitter, commenced September, 1884.
D. G. Gourley, blacksmith and wagon-maker, present shop started May,
1884; location Water street. Mr. Gourley with J. J, Patterson is engaged in
the sale of the Kramer wagon and buggies.
Daniel Long, blacksmith and machinist and gunsmith, came to Brookville
in 1848, and learned his trade with his uncle, William McCullough, and in 1856,
started a shop of his own, which he ran until May, 1863, when he went to work
History of Brookville. 461
in the foundry of Brown & Wann, doing the forging and machine work He
remained in this estabh'shment during all the changes that took place in the
management, until 1880, when he started a shop for himself on his own prop-
erty, corner of Jefferson and Barnett streets.
Thomas K. Litch & Sons. This is one of the largest lumber firms in Jeffer-
son county. The first mill on the site of these mills was erected in 1830, by
Robert P. Barr. The grist-mill was erected in 1833, the carpenter work be-
ing done by Richard Arthurs, and the roofing by Luther Geer, sr. This was
the last work of the kind done by Mr. Arthurs, before he commenced to lead
law.
In 1850 Thomas K. Litch purchased the property of Mr. Barr, and soon
erected a new saw-mill. In 1856 both saw-mills were burned down, but were
almost immediately replaced by a large steam mill, with a capacity of three
million feet of boards per annum. The grist-mill ivas rebuilt in 1869-70, and
soon after a tub and bucket factory was erected. The latter is not now in opera-
tion. Mr. Litch was the indefatigable manager of his own vast business interests
as long as his health would admit, and at his death, which occurred August 14,
1882, he was succeeded by his wife and sons in the management of the business.
The firm which still retains the old name of the T. K. Litch & Sons, is com-
prised of Mrs. T. K. Litch and her three sons, Thomas W., Harry C. and Ed-
ward A. Litch. The firm cut about five million feet of lumber each year, and
at this rate of cutting it will be fully twenty years before they will cause the
last tree on their land to fall. They work oak, pine and hemlock timber, and
manufacture lumber, lath and shingles. Bridge and building timber, however,
is their specialty. Their mills and yards are situated near the mouth of the
North Fork, where they occupy about ten acres of ground. In 1884, at a cost
of $25,000, they erected a saw-mill fitted with the finest of modern improve-
ments, and having capacity for cutting fifty thousand feet per day, it being one
of two mills in this country having what is called the steam feed, the motive
power consisting of an 18x24 inch Corliss engine, and a battery of three large
boilers. The firm ship principally to Pittsburgh, where they have an office un-
der the management of Joseph B. Eaton, a nephew of Mrs. Litch ; but they send
a large share of their output to Philadelphia. When Mr. Thomas K. Litch first
came to Brookville, he brought with him from Pittsburgh, Mr. Silas, Miller,
who has ever since been the firm's faithful engineer. Among those who were
for many years in Mr. Litch's employ were John D. Smith, Charles Sitz, and
William Goss. The large flouring mill is now under the management of Mr.
B. F. Haines. The biographical sketch of Mr. Litch will be found elsewhere
in this volume.
The Blaine Mill, — This mill was built in 1882 by James E. Long and A. J.
Brady, and has since been operated by Long &jBrady. It is situated at the
mouth of the Five Mile Run, on Sandy Lick, near Longview, and cuts from
55
462 History of Jefferson County.
three million to five million feet of boards, and one million lath per year, be-
sides manufacturing fence pickets, etc. The firm controls seven thousand one
hundred and thirty acres of timber land, upon which there is enough timber to
supply the mill for twenty-five years. Of these lands five thousand seven hun-
dred acres is owned by J. E. Long & Son, Charles Corbet and L. A. Brady,
and the balance by Brady & Long. The mill-site was purchased from R. D.
Taylor and others.
The firm of Marlin Brothers, composed of Silas J. and W. D. J. Marlin,
was formed in November, 1872, at which time they purchased of Newton Tay-
lor two tracts of land situated in Union and Eldred townships, containing about
three hundred and fifty acres on which was erected a good steam saw- mill, two
or three dwelling houses, barns and other buildings ; besides this they also got
the timber on some other tracts, for which they paid $35,000. They went to
work that fall and, up to 1886, cut, manufactured and marketed, about one
million feet of pine and hemlock lumber a year. The price of lumber being
low, the mill was allowed to stand during the summer of 1886, but was
stocked and started up in the spring of 1887. They e.xpect to finish up on
this tract in about two years more. The firm own a valuable tract of timber
and coal land in Winslow township, the lumber from which they will probably
manufacture after they are through on Mill Creek, if they don't dispose of it
before that time.
The Marlin Opera House building was erected by S. J. Marlin, in 1883.
Besides the large and elegantly fitted up opera house, with a seating capacity
of over nine hundred, the building contains six large store-rooms and eleven
ofiices.
E. Hall & Son, manufacturers and shippers of rough and dressed lumber,
etc. Enoch Hall and Charles B. McCain built the planing-mill in the f^dl of
1869, and commenced working lumber April, 1870. E. Hall bought the in-
terest of his partner in the establishment in December, 1870, and then formed
a copartnership with his son, Clarence R. Hall, as E. Hall & Son. This firm
manufactures lath, shingles, sash, doors, mouldings, etc., and besides their home
trade ship extensively both rough and dressed lumber. Their mill is situated
on the old depot road, west of the iron bridge.
Vanleer Brothers & Co.'s planing-mill. About 1883 the planing-mill
operated by J. R. Vanleer, W. N. Vanleer and T. A. Hendricks, under the
title of Vanleer Brothers & Co., was built. It is situated near the passenger
depot, is large and well constructed, and is fitted with machinery of the best
and most improved kind for manufacturing doors, blinds, sash, flooring, siding,
scroll and turned work, etc. The firm handle rough and dressed lumber very
extensi\ely. Order work is their specialty. Their trade is not confined to
Jefferson county, as they ship into all the adjoining counties as well as Alle-
gheny county.
History of Brookville. 463
Anderson & Leech, planing-mill. This mill was built by Thomas Mabon,
and was first operated by Johns & Hubbard, then by Ingraham & Butler, in
1879. Harry Butler retired in one year, and his place was filled by E. V.
Richards, and the firm became Ingraham & Richards, until July, 1884, when
they sold to Solomon Anderson and W. A. Leech. They manufacture sash,
siding, doors, blinds, flooring, dressed lumber, scroll and turned work. The
mill is located on the " South Side," near the covered bridge.
The Brookville axe factory was started May, 1884, by W. J. Sager, the
proprietor. It is situated on the site of the old Taylor mill, now owned by I.
C. Fuller. The building is two stories, 72 by 30, with a capacity for 250 axes
per day; but is now only making two dozen double-bitted axes per day. Mr.
Sager also manufactures "bark spuds" for peeling bark, and all kinds of edge
tools, and does general repair work. His trade is local, though he has shipped
goods as far west as Michigan.
The "white" grist-mill, which was built by Thomas Mabon in 1849 or
1850, who disposed of an interest in the property to Henry and John Startzell.
They sold, in 1S68, an interest to George C. Harvey, and in 1877 John
Startzell re-purchased the interest of Mr. Harve\^ G. A. Jenks owns a third
interest in the property. In June, 1887, John Startzell disposed of his share
in the property to his brother, William, and George L. Reed, who are man-
aging the concern under the firm name of Startzell & Reed.
The " Red Mill," I. C. Fuller, proprietor, was built by Philip Taylor and
John L. Barr in 1857. Barr retired from the firm in 1862 or 1863. It was then
owned and operated by Judge Taylor until his death, November, 1878. Mal-
colm W. Wise, who inherited the property by the will of his grandfather, Philip
Taylor, then took charge of it and sold it to I. C. Fuller, May, 1881. Since Mr.
Fuller purchased it he has put in the roller process. W. H. McAninch has
been the miller since 1878. He succeeded J. H. Rhodes.
N. E. Snyder, shaving saloon. This business was started by Frank X.
Kreitler, May, 1863, who has conducted it from that time until the spring of
1887, when he sold out to N. E. Snyder; located in the American House.
D. W. Gaither, shaving saloon ; started in December, 1876 ; now located in
Commercial Hotel.
L. C. Scott, shaving saloon ; started March, 1884; located in Matson Block,
Pickering street.
The St. Charles Saloon building, opposite the jail, was erected by Charles
Sitz in 1859. It was then owned by Jacob Kroh, who sold the property to
Casper Endress about 1863. Mr. Endress conducted the saloon for a number
of years, being succeeded by his son, A. L. Endress. Since 1886 the business
has been discontinued. In 1876 Mr. Endress built the large two-story brick
structure adjoining the saloon building.
Jackson Heber, restaurant and ice cream parlor ; purchased from Thomas
464 History of Jefferson County.
Cartin, July, 1874; located in his own building, Main street. He also pur-
chased the bottling business of Joseph Summers in 1872.
George Heber, bakery and green grocery; started in the spring of 1887.
J. J. Patterson, livery stable. This business was established by J. S. Mc-
Connell, and purchased by Mr. Patterson in August, 1875 ; located in rear
of Commercial Hotel stables.
Parker P. Blood, livery stables; established in 1882; located on Valley
street.
George F. Dodd, meat market; started about 1866; located on Main
street.
Robert Breffit, meat market; started in spring of 1869; now located in
Matson Block, Pickering street.
W. C. Kuhn, meat market; started September, 1886; located in basement
of Rodgers building. Diamond Alley.
Swartzlander & McCullough, meat market; started November, 1885;
located on East Main street.
Leander Edwards, meat market. Mr. Augustus Spangenburg, who is
associated with his son-in-law, Mr. Edwards, is the veteran butcher of Brook-
ville, having commenced business in 1859.
North Fork brewerj', S. C. Christ, proprietor. The first brewery was built
by Mr. Christ in 1861, and was torn down to make room for the present one
in 1863
The Spring brewer}-, M. Algier, proprietor; started in fall of 1871 ; located
at Sand Spring, opposite red mill ; capacity, twenty thousand barrels per year.
The Hotels. — The hotel business in Brookville dates back to the time when
John Eason came to Brookville, early in 1830, and built a portion of what was
afterwards the kitchen and dining-room of the first hotel, the " Red Lion."
In this he and his wife boarded the surveyors who laid out the county seat,
and also those who, in June of that year, attended the sale of lots in the new
town. At the rear of the new " hotel " stood two large pine trees, and after
the house was built the inmates, fearing that these giants of the forest might,
perchance, fall upon the little structure and demolish it, cast about for some
way to fell the trees (which naturally inclined toward the house), in an oppo-
site direction. This was done by affixing cables to them and then having men
pull them, after they were partly cut down, in the direction it was desired they
should fall.
Mr. Eason kept the house, building an addition to it, until his death, in
1835, when Mrs. Eason occupied it for a short time, and then William Clark
kept it in 1837. I" 1838, John Smith, who had married Mrs. Eason, took
charge of the house and kept it until 1S44. In 1851-53 it was kept by Rob-
ert Ralston and C. B. Clark, and in 1848-50 Mr. Smith again had control of
the house. The building, which is still standing, is now the property of David
Eason and A. B. McLain.
History of Brookville. 465
The next hotel was built on Jefferson street, in 1830, by William Clark,
and kept by him until 1833, when he sold the property to Jared B. Evans,
who in turn sold it to Dr. Gara Bishop, and the site is now occupied by the
residence of Hon. A. C. White.
The Globe Hotel was built on the corner of Main street and Spring alley
in 1830, by Thomas Hastings, who occupied it as a hotel in May of that year,
and occupied by him until 1839, when he was succeeded in turn by Job Mc-
Creight, J. M. McCoy, William Clark, Edward Hutchinson. Then Thomas
Hastings again took charge of the house, and was succeeded by William Clark
and Jacob Barkett from 1845 to 1849. Isaac Walker owned and occpuied by
house from 1849 to 1853, then he sold it to John Yeaney, Charles Sitz and
Reuben Weiser; Charles Sitz occupying it in 1853-54. In 1855 it was pur-
chased by Simon Frank who sold it again to John Yeaney. In 1857 C. N.
Kretz took charge of the house, changed the name to Jefferson House, and
conducted it until the fall of 1864. Then it was successively kept by Joseph
Oxeurider, Stoke & Scribner, and Jacob Emery, until the winter of 1883
when the property was purchased by M. AUgier and L. L. Reitz, and the
latter took possession April i, 1883.
In 1832 Peter Sutton kept a hotel on Taylor street, about the site of the
James L. Moore property in Litchtown. He was also contractor for building
the bridge across the North Fork. He returned in the thirties to Indiana,
from whence he came.
"Peace and Poverty, by John Dougherty." The hotel in front of which
hung tliis quaint sign, was built in 1831 by John Dougherty, on the corner of
Main and Barnett streets, who kept it until 1836, when John Gallagher took
possession and ran it until 1841 ; then S. M. Bell occupied it for a year, to be
succeeded by George McLaughlin, for the years 1843-47. It was then
changed to the " Black Horse Hotel," and kept by Samuel Lyle in 1850-51 ;
then by Daniel Thayer. It was then discontinued as a hotel and rented by
Mr. Dougherty to private families, until it succumbed to the fire of 1871.
Then William Clark built another hotel on the corner of Main and Mill
streets in 1833, which he only occupied for a short time, selling it in 1834 to
John Erownlee, who had come from Centre county in that _\-ear. This house
is still standing and is now the property of the A. J. Brady heirs. R. Arthurs
did carpenter work on tliis house.
Another old house was that owned by Mrs. Wagley, a sister of William
McCullough, which stood on the lot next to the Franklin house on the east.
It was built in 1831 or 1832, and was kept in 1832 by Samuel Craig, and after
his death by his widow, and by Mrs. Wagley.
The Franklin House, the first brick hotel erected in Jefferson county, was
built in 1832 by Daniel Elgin. The first landlords appear to have been James
M. Steadman in 1833, and William Clark in 1834. John Pierce had charge of
466 History of Jefferson County.
it from 1836 to 1839, when James Cochran kept it about a year, being suc-
ceeded by Joseph Henderson in 1841—43. Then, in 1844, J. R. and R. Ar-
thurs took charge of it, followed by S. H. Lucas and John M. Turney. Jacob
Steck took charge of the hotel in 1848, and conducted it for ten years. The
property was then purchased by Samuel G. Fryer, who occupied it as a
private residence and store until 1866, when he sold to Henry R. Fullerton,
who greatly improved the property, adding an additional story, etc. He oc-
cupied it for a while, and then C. N Kretz purchased the furniture, etc., and
was landlord from 1869, followed by Carroll & Scribner, then A. S. Scribner,
until 1 87 1 when it was purchased by J. S. King who occupied it until the fire
of November 20, 1874, when it was burned down. Mr. King, besides having
charge of the hotel, was cashier of the Brookville bank, located in same
building.
After the fire Richard Arthurs purchased the property, and in 1876 erected
the large brick hotel known as the Central. He opened it as a hotel and ran
it for a short time, then relinquished the management to his son, Richard Ar-
thurs, jr., who occupied the house until January, 1884. Then for about a
month Richard Arthurs, sr., occupied it, and then it was closed until April i,
1884, when Jacob Emery took possession and remained until April i, 1886.
It was again unoccupied until December, 1886, when the present landlord, J.
R. Emery, took possession.
The first building on the site of the Commercial Hotel was a little frame
building, built and occupied by John Clements, in 1833, who, in 1844 or 1845
built the Royal Exchange Hotel, which he occupied until it was destroyed by
fire in 1856. Mr. Clements rebuilt, and the new building, which he called
the Clements House, was ready for occupancy in 185S. In i860 Mr. Clem-
ents died and the house was managed until September, 1863, by his widow,
Mrs. E. O. Clements, when it was purchased by R. W. Moorhead, who changed
the name to the Moorhead House. He kept it until April, 1864, when it
became the property of Robert Clements, who occupied it for a short time,
changing the name back to the Clements House, and then C. N. Kretz took
possession in the summer of 1864 and remained until April, 1869. Then
Robert Clements again occupied it until W. S. Barr and C. G. Matson took
charge, but were burned out in the fire of 1871. Robert Clement rebuilt the
house and it was opened by Alexander S. Scribner, who was succeeded by
Joseph Freeman. Then M. R. Reynolds kept it as a temperance house for a
short time. It was then closed for about five years, pending litigation between
the Reynolds heirs and Robert Clements, when it was purchased by R. Ar-
thurs and William Dickey, and was opened in January, 1883, by Matson &
Arthurs, as the Commercial Hotel. After six months Matson retired, and the
hotel has been in charge of R. Arthurs, jr., since that time, he having, by deed
of gift from his father, R. Arthurs, sr., become owner of the property in Janu-
ary, 1887.
History of Brookville. 467
The American Hotel was built in 1845 by Elijah Heath, who, in 1846,
added a business block to it, two stories in height, called the Arcade. D. S.
Johnson, who did the carpenter work, is said to have been the first to occupy
this house as a temperance hotel ; and Benjamin Bennett, who kept it in 1848—
51, seems to have been the first who opened it as a licensed house. In 1852
John J. Y. Thompson purchased the property and occupied it until it was de-
stroyed by fire May 23, 1856. He commenced at once to rebuild, and the
present house was ready for occupancy in 1857, being opened to the public in
October by his son, W. K. Thompson, who conducted the hotel until June,
1869, when he removed to Portsmouth, O., and his brother, John J , succeeded
him in the management of the house. In October, 1864, Captain R. R. Means
purchased the property and kept the house until March, 1869, when he sold it
to John J, Thompson and Joseph Darr, and it was run by Thompson & Darr,
with Mr. Thompson as landlord, until the summer of 1 87 I, when they sold to
a stock company composed of R. J. Nicholson, M. M. Meredith, Nathan Car-
rier, jr., W. A. Burkett and P. H. Shannon, and the latter took charge of the
house until January 16, 1872, when C. N. Kretz purchased the property and
kept the hotel until May, 1879, when he sold the furniture to A. Baur, who
kept the house until May, 1880, when he sold the furniture to Thompson &
Darr, who had again become owners of the property, and who rented it to
John S. Barr, who conducted the hotel until October, 1881, when A. B. Barr
rented it from Ira C. Fuller, who purchased it from Thompson & Darr in 1880.
Mr. Barr associated with him J. B. Cromer, in the management of the house,
until early in 1885 Mr. Fuller sold the house and furniture to B. K. Fisher and
F. P. Graf, who are now keeping the hotel.
The Union Hotel, John McCracken, proprietor. This house was built by
John R. McCall in 185 i, and called the " Railroad House." It was first kept
by Benjamin Bennett, for about two years, and then by W. H. Schram and D.
B. Rouse, successively, until 1856, when it was purchased by R. R. Means,
who conducted the house until May, 1864, when he sold the property to John
McCracken, who has since kept it as the Union Hotel, and has also built a frame
addition to it.
Mr. McCracken erected a large three-story brick block on the opposite cor-
ner of Main street from the hotel, in 1868. The lower story contains two stores,
and the upper a large town hall, while the other rooms are occupied by private
families.
The Oak Hall Hotel was built for a restaurant and kept as such until pur-
chased in 1864 from George Leopold, by John S. Barr, who converted it into
a hotel, and kept it as the Oak Hall Hotel until 1871, when he sold it to R. M.
Bell, who conducted it until it was destroyed in the fire of 1874.
Heber House. — Henry Heber, proprietor of this house came to Brook\-ille
about the year 1853, and located in a little house near his present home. The
468 History of Jefferson County.
house he now occupies was built by T. K. Litch, for a boarding-house for his
mill hands, and purchased by Mr. Heber in 1S63, who has since kept it as a
temperance hotel. It is the onh' hotel in the " East End."
Brookville House, E. Bevier, owner and proprietor. This house was built
by Andrew Stefl, about 1869, who sold it to Mr. Bevier April, 1876. It was
kept previous to Mr. Bevier purchasing, b\' Andrew Stefl and John J. Hen-
derson.
Hotel Longview. — Work on this hotel was begun in March, 1885. In July
of that year A. Baur and wife began furnishing the hotel. It was opened on
September 22, 18S5. When the hotel was first opened no trains stopped at
Taylor's (as the station opposite the hotel was then called). In one week after
opening the hotel first-class trains stopped there. In two months after the
opening, two trains each day stopped for meals, and in eighteen months after
the opening, all trains were stopped there. All railroad buildings were moved
from the old station site, and the old station entirel}- abandoned.
One of the veteran hotel men of Brookville was Jacob S Steck, who re-
moved to Brookville from Greenburg, March, 1848, and took charge of the
Franklin House, which he occupied for ten years. In 1852 he was elected
county commissioner, on the Democratic ticket. He was appointed one of his
aids by Governor Bigler, with rank of colonel. Colonel Steck died in 1859,
and his wife, ncc Christiana S. Waltz, died in 1 863. Two of their daughters,
Mrs. Mary Eason and Mrs Rose Rowe, reside in Brookville.
Another of the veteran hotel keepers in Brookville was Jacob Burkett, who
came to Brookville in 1845 from Indiana count)', where he removed from Blair
county in 1828, settling in Smicksburg. He was "mine host" of the Globe
Hotel for a number of years, and it was then one of the most popular houses
in the county. He afterwards removed to Punxsutawney, and then for a time
resided in Georgeville, Indiana county, and then returned to Brookville in
1872, and died July 26, 1880, being buried on the ninet\'-first anniversary of his
birth. His wife, Mrs. Catherine Burkett survived him — dying April, 1884, '"
the sevent}-- third year of her age. Of a large family of children, nearly all of
whom grew to manhood and womanhood in Brookville, but one, Mrs. Joseph
Darr, resides here now. Mr. Burkett was a genial, kindly man, and enjoyed
the respect of all who knew him.
One of the best known and most successful hotel men that Brookville has
ever known, was Charles N. Kretz, who came to the place from Reading in
1857, and was almost continuously engaged in hotel keeping in Brookville for
over twent)- years. The different houses which he managed in that time is
given above, and to all of them he gave a first-class tone during his occupanc}-.
Mrs. Kretz, his excellent helpmeet, died in the American Hotel in 1872, and
Mr, Kretz also died in the same house in 1879. Only one of his family resides
in Brookville, Mrs. A. Baur, the accomplished hostess of Hotel Longview.
History of Brookville. 469
Another prominent hotel keeper was Jacob Emery, who came to Brook-
ville from Philadelphia, in 1863, and was almost continuously, as the hotel
record shows, in the business for over twenty years. He kept a first-class
house wherever he was. Mr. Emery died March 10, 1887, aged seventy-four
years.
There is probably no one in Jefferson county who has so long and contin-
uously engaged in the hotel business as John S. Barr, who commenced in the
Exchange Hotel in Corsica, in 1854-57 ; then he engaged in store-keeping in
1858 and 1859 in Troy, and from i860 to 1864 kept the Carrier Hotel in that
place. He then removed to Brookville, and purchased the restaurant of George
Leopold, in 1864, which he changed into a hotel, which he ran until 1S71, as
the Oak Hall Hotel, when he sold to R. M. Bell. The Oak Hall was destroyed
in the fire of 1874. In 1872 he was elected sheriff of the county, and after his
term of office expired, he bought the American House in Pittsburgh, which he
ran for two years, when he returned to Jefferson county and resided for a time
on his farm, in Pine Creek township. Then in 1879 he built the St. Cloud Hotel
in Du Bois. In 1880 was proprietor of the American House, in Brookville,
but soon sold out to A. B. Barr, and bought the Red Lion Hotel in Pittsburgh,
which he ran until March, 1886, when he sold out and again returned to his
farm, where he remained for a short time, then bought the City Hotel in Punx-
sutawney.
TJic Unioji Express. — The express business was first started in the old
staging days in the American House. John J. Y. Thompson was the first
agent, being succeeded by R. R. Means, then by Thompson & Darr, who in
turn handed it over to John Scott, who removed the business to the post-office,
and has in turn been succeeded by John H. Buell, Parker B. Hunt, Joseph M.
Galbraith, C. M. Garrison, jr., and the present agent, J. O. Edelblute.
Western Union Telegraph. — The Western Union Telegraph office was
opened in Brookville early in July, 1865, Mrs. Berryhill being placed tempor-
arily in charge, and remained a short time, when S. H. Lane, of Yarmouth, Me.,
succeeded her. He retained the management but a short time, when the
office was placed in charge of A. Baur, who retained the management until late
in 1879, when J. S. Carroll, a student in the office for a number of years, was
placed in charge. Mr. Carroll was succeeded in 1881 by Joseph Breen, and
the latter by M. E. Sullivan, the present manager, in 1882.
Brookville Water Works. — On the 28th of July, 1883, W. D. J. Marlin,
esq., in the belief that a place of the size and importance of Brookville should
have water works, determined to see what the citizens of the town would do
toward organizing a stock company, drew up a subscription paper and started
out to raise five hundred shares at $50.00 per share, or $25,000, for the purpose
of putting in the works, by evening he had the satisfaction of making a tem-
porary organization with $23,000 of the stock taken, and on the 30th a perma-
56
47° History of Jefferson County.
nent organization was made with all the stock taken, and every dollar of it hv
citizens of the borough. A charter was applied for, and on the 25th of Sep-
tember ground was broken for the erection of the works. By the ist of
December the compan}- had built a substantial brick pump- house, had placed
therein a thirty-horse power boiler, and two sets of Worthington pumps, with a
capacity of pumping one million gallons of water daily, built two wooden tanks,
each to hold twelve hundred and fifty barrels, erected a substantial frame build-
ing around them, laid one thousand eight hundred feet of six inch wrought
iron flange pipe from pumps to tanks, which are situated on the east side of
Barnett street, opposite the public school building, and laid cast iron supplj'
pipes on Barnett street to Main : on Main, from White to Mill ; Pickering,
from Main to Jefferson ; Jefferson, from Barnett to Mill ; Church, from
Diamond alley to Matson street, and down to W. H. Gray's residence.
In the summer of 1884 the lines were extended by laying along Matson
street from Church to Butler ; along a cross street from Matson to Dougherty ;
from Mill down Jefferson, and over North Fork Creek out Pike to old borough
line ; from Pike out Rebecca street to Maple alley ; down Pickering street
across Redbank Creek, and out to B. Verstine's ; down White street from
Main to Water; along Water from White to E. C. Hall's lot ; along west line
of E. C. Hall's lot to Troy road ; across it to Susquehanna turnpike ; from
thence west along turnpike to the borough lines ; along Water street from near
the bridge to fair ground, to Barnett street ; on Church street from Diamond
alley to James Brick's residence ; on White street from Main to north line
of C. M. Garrison's property, and on Mill from Jefferson to Levi Lerch's
property.
In the summer of 1886 the companj' increased their capital stock from
$25,000 to $28,000, and laid a line from Maple alley along Rebecca street to
Second street, in Litch's addition ; from thence along Second street to Brady's
avenue ; out Brady's avenue to Central avenue, in Taj-lor's addition ; thence
down Central avenue to Seventh street ; down Seventh street to Western
avenue, and along Western avenue to the railroad ; and on Water street from
Barnett to the western line of lot of Charles B. Guth.
The company have twenty-six fire hydrants, twelve of which are leased to
the borough at $25 per year, twelve at $16 per year, and two to individuals.
There has been one hundred and four taps made into the lines, and the
company are now supplying one hundred and forty customers.
The company have laid and are using about 1,900 feet 6 inch wrought
iron flange pipe ; 5,000 feet 8 inch cast iron pipe ; 15,500 feet 4 inch cast iron
pipe; 1,900 feet 3 inch kalamain wrought iron pipe; 300 feet 2 inch galva-
nized wrought iron pipe, or over four and one- half miles of pipe, all of the
supply pipe being laid from four to four feet six inches in depth. The ground
being very hard, and in some places rocky, requiring blasting, the labor was
very expensive.
History of Bkookville. 471
The first officers of the company were : Directors, Silas J. MarUn, E, A.
Litch, Joseph Darr, C. M. Carrier and B. Verstine, Silas J. Marlin being
elected president.
In July, 1884, B. Verstine and C. M. Carrier sold their stock, and F. X.
Kreitler and Jackson Heber were elected to fill the vacancies.
This board has been retained since said time with S. J. Marlin as president
up to August 23, 1886, at which time E. A. Litch was elected president.
W. D. J. Marlin has been elected and served the company as secretary and
treasurer ever since its organization, and together with the superintendent,
Wilson R. Ramsey, has had general charge of the business of the company.
The water furnished by the company is pumped from the North Fork
Creek, a stream unsurpassed for purity, being fed by innumerable springs
along its banks, being but seldom unfit to use on being pumped from the
stream.
Natural Gas in Brookvillc} — In 1875 the first well for oil was drilled south
of Brookville, one mile from the court-house, on lands belonging to R. D Tay-
lor. Mr. R. J. Nicholson at that time was the enterprising spirit in its devel-
opment, having secured the leases and given contract to have the well put
down. At the depth of 783 feet sufficient gas was struck to supply the boiler.
The well was drilled to the depth of 1,620 feet and abandoned, and on account
of the abandonment it was currently reported that Mr. Nicholson had been
paid large sums of money by the Standard people for the abandonment.
In those days, if the people had any cause of suspicion that their neighbors
were getting along in worldly affairs any better than they were, it was the Stand-
ard Company that was helping them. Everything was laid to the Standard Oil
Company — a monopoly that was consuming the earth If in digging a well you
should be fortunate enough to strike a good vein of water, it would be ex-
pected that the Standard agent would be around before night to make advances
on the well. I speak of this as being the first well drilled for oil. Several at-
tempts have been made, but with light tools and crude machinery, such as were
used in the early days of the oil excitement. In 1861 John Smith drilled a
well on the point near Christ's brewery, but owing to such light tools could
not penetrate our hard rocks very far. William Reed drilled a well at the
depth of 280 feet at his planing-mill in 1862. The well is situated near the
creek, below Taylor's dam. It used to flow to the height of three or four feet
above the wood conductor ; but of late years, owing to the curiosity of boys,
in putting in stones and other rubbish, it has ceased to flow as a fountain. It
escapes over the conductor, coloring the rocks in its descent to the creek. It
has been known as our sulphur spring, the water having a peculiar taste, of a
sulphurous nature, coming undoubtedly from off a coal bed.
In 1875 the e.xcitement ran high as to the finding of oil. Every one who
1 Prepared by James L. Brown, of Brookville.
472 History of Jefferson County.
owned a patch of ground could count his weaUh, or at least could locate how
many wells it would do to have on his lands. The thousands of derricks that
imagination could picture out, sticking in and around our hills, caused some to
sell their beautiful homes, because they could not bear the thoughts of living
in an oil town — such as their imaginations had pictured out — but finally the
excitement died away and remained so until the gas craze took the country in
1882. Charter after charter of towns throughout Western Pennsylvania were
being piled up in Harrisburg, giving to corporations certain rights and a mo-
nopoly. Every town of importance was seized upon. The struggle for the
supremacy in Pittsburgh brought out the decision of the Supreme Court, giv-
ing equal rights to those who were legally incorporated.
In 1883 the Brookville Natural Gas and Heating Company was incorpo-
■ rated, a charter being granted to William B. Meredith, V. Neibert, Joseph
McCullough and George Fox, of Kittanning borough, and James L. Brown,
of Brookville; but owing to a feeling of jealousy existing among some of the
citizens of the borough of Brookville, in having our charter controlled by non-
residents, the Kittanning party sold their interest to James L. Brown and J. B.
Henderson, from which a new company was organized, comprising James L.
Brown, J. B. Henderson, S. A. Craig, J. E. Long and Henry Gray. The or-
ganization being complete, James L. Brown was chosen president, and S. A.
Craig, secretary and treasurer. A contract was entered into with Shaner &
McLain to drill a well to the depth of two thousand feet. Drilling was com-
menced April I, 1884, on a town lot located in the central portion of the town,
belonging to Mrs. Sebastian Christ. A large vein of salt water was struck at
230 feet, while at 1,920 feet, gas sufficient to supply the boiler; but, not being
satisfied, the company concluded to send the drill down deeper ; but, owing to
poor machinery and too light for the business, 2,430 feet was as far as the con-
tractors could go.
Well No. 2 was located seven hundred feet south of No. i, on lot belong-
ing to the president, James L. Brown. It was drilled to the depth of 1,950
feet, and abandoned, after putting in a forty- quart torpedo. The torpedo did
not increase the flow of gas, the supply being somewhat limited. J. L. Brown
utilized what little there was for his own private use. The company being
somewhat discouraged, J. L. Brown and S. A. Craig bought the remaining
stock and piped the gas from No. i w^ell to Main street, making attachments
to forty fires. A new company was then organized. Brown & Craig selling
part of the stock to Keatley Brothers, of North Clarendon, T. L. Templeton,
of Warren county, E. H. Clark and J. N. Garrison, of Brookville.
A contract was given to Keatley Brothers for a well to be located in what
was called Ghost Hollow, two and one-half miles from town, west, on the
Clarion pike. The well was abandoned at the depth of 2,210 feet. A second
contract was made with Keatley Brothers to drill a well one mile south of
History of Brookville. 473
Corsica, on David Simpson's land, to be located on what was supposed to be
the Anthony's Bend nntichnal. This well was abandoned as a duster at the
depth of 2,260 feet. The company having been unfortunate in their invest-
ments concluded to increase the number of shares of stock, many of our citi-
zens taking stock.
Well No. 5 was located on lands belonging to Thompson & Darr, three-
fourths of a mile northwest of town. Drilling was commenced November 16,
1886, and finished January 25, 1887, at the depth of 2,186 feet. Gas was
struck at 1,203 feet, but not enough to supply the boiler. A sixty-quart tor-
pedo was inserted, and increased the flow of gas one-half more ; but after stand-
ing several months it dropped back to its former condition. The well was sold
to E. H. Clark and W. D. J. Marlin, at one-third its cost. They then piped
it into town and now are utilizing the gas for their own use.
The Brookville Natural Gas and Heating Company have expended over
$14,000 in trying to obtain gas, in the five wells they have down. If every-
body's advice had been followed, they probably would have had plenty of gas
to supply the town. From actual count kept of the different localities where
they ought to bore for gas, 3S6 wells would have determined the gas question
in and around Brookville.
Photogj-apliy. — The first dawn of photographic light diflused its rays upon
the rural village of Brookville, in 185 I, when Simon Snyder, the "itinerant
pioneer" of the art, "took your picture for cash in advance" in room No. 2,
Arcade building. He was followed in 1853, by a Mr. Bridge who, by a side-
light window of a room in the old court-house, "took the pictures" of Brook-
ville's pioneers.
The same year, J. S. Chase in the month of July in the same building,
catered to the public desire of having an impression of their face and figure in
shape for future generations to gaze upon.
W. D. J. Marlin, daguerreotj'pe artist displayed his skill in the profession
in same building during 1854.
About 1857 Charles Windsor opened a studio in the second-story west
room of the Evans block. The new brick "Blood block," now occupies the
ground. He used the process then known as the melainotype.
L. C. Dillon and Abram Hall imported a "picture car" during 1858, which
was located on the south side of the street, in front of the present " Marlin
block;" made daguerreotypes, experimented with photographs by develop-
ment, not meeting with much success.
Ira C. Fuller in 1S59, was the first to use a side and sky-light studio in
Brookville. It was in the second story of a frame building, on the site of the
Caspar Endress brick block; he made melainotypes and ambrotypes, in con-
nection with a book-store on first floor of same building.
During the summer and winter of 1861-62 Henry Darr occupied the second
474 History of Jefferson County.
story northeast room of the Uriah Matson block, as a studio for the produc-
tion of ferrotypes and ambrotypes on dark purple glass.
In March, 1862, E. Clark Hall started a studio in the second story over
Enoch Hall's store for the production of ferrotypes and ambrotypes. In the
latter part of July he went to Meadville and learned the new art of producing
photographs on paper. J. D. Dunn of that place was his preceptor. Return-
ing in September, he rented the Dillon car, located it on Main street, in front
of Edmund English's residence, and in the spring of 1863 remodeled the
second story of Enoch Hall's store building, by putting in a large sky and side-
light, reception and chemical room, using the entire second story. This was
the pioneer effort of successful working of paper pictures in Jefferson and sur-
rounding counties. The nearest studio was that of Mrs. DeWolf, in Franklin,
Venango county. Meadville and Pittsburgh had photographic studios, which
were the only ones in Western Pennsylvania. In I 863 he re- visited J. D. Dunn,
at Meadville; from there he went to Newburg, N. Y., on the Hudson, taking
lessons for one month of Mr. Reynolds, in the improved art of photography
and porcelain miniatures. At that time Mr. Re\-nolds was one of the foremost
operators in the profession ; from there he went to New York city, gathering
information relating to the art in the studios of Sarony, Gurney, Fredericks and
Kurtz, considered the master hands and minds of the United States in the art,
and visited the best studios in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, in June, 1866. On
account of failing health, sold his studio to \V. H. Gray, who had taken in-
structions of him, and went to reside in Philadelphia. In 1869 Arnold Hoff-
man refitted the P'uUer studio, and shared the public's patronage with Mr.
Gray. September 3, 1870, E. Clark Hall returned, bought Mr. Hoffman's
studio outfit with half interest of Mr. Gray's studio, consolidated the two under
the firm name of Hall & Gray in 1875. Wilt Brothers, of Franklin, started
a new studio in a one- story frame building; the new Methodist Church now
occupies the site; they sold out to Ferdinand Hoffman, who retired in 1876.
In 1875 E. C. Hall purchased Mr. Gray's interest in the studio, which was
destroyed in April, 1876, by fire, with all its contents; he immediately leased
ground on the burnt district from C. M. Garrison, built a one-story temporary
studio, went to New York, bought an entire new outfit, and commenced work
again, June i. On the 4th of July a cyclone, which demolished chimneys, etc.,
nearly closed him out again ; water was two inches deep on the floor, and the
former warmth of his ardor for success was very much dampened. November,
1878, he moved into the large, commodious and elegant studio in the new
Rodgers block, fitted w ith large sky and side-light, operating room 20x 58^ feet,
two chemical rooms 16x20 feet, each adjoining. A rack holding six back
grounds, sliding into the wall out of the way, all fitted with newest styles of
interior, palace, forest, park and lakeside scenes, with accompanying accesso-
ries, chairs, rocks, stumps, bridges, balcony, cottage, rustic fence, iron fence.
History of Brookville. 475
gate-stile, etc., making it as complete in its appointments as any of the city
studios. Cameras, large and small, enamellers of latest improved style, enable
him to complete work in style and finish up to the times in every particular.
Mr. Hall has followed the gradual progress of the art for over a quarter of a
century, keeping posted and wide awake for improvements in every depart-
ment which tend to produce superior work. Persons who have not visited his
studio, have no idea of the complete manner in which it is furnished. All
sizes of work from the smallest locket miniature to the largest portrait, taken
direct from the sitter, and finished by himself
Taxables, Population, etc. — The taxables in Brookville in 1849 were 177 ;
in 1856, 273 ; in 1863, 297 ; in 1S70, 526; in 1880, 689 ; in 1886, 837.
The population by census of 1840, was 276; 1850, 1,063; i860, 1,360;
1870, 1,942 ; 1880, 2,136 ; in 1887, it is over 3,000. In i860 there were 346
dwellings, 383 families and 400 voters.
The triennial assessment gives the number of acres seated as 378; valua-
tion, $12,765 ; value per acre, $34.56 ; number of houses and lots, 837 ; valu-
ation, $189,758; three grist and four saw-mills, valuation, $13,350; acres un-
seated, 20 ; valuation $250 ; number of horses, 170 ; valuation, $4,243 ; aver-
age value, $24.90; number of cows, 138; valuation, $1,138; average value,
$24; occupations, 461; valuation, $11,235; average, $24.37. Total valua-
tion subject to county tax, $232,739 ; money at interest, %^6,6'ii6 ; carriages,
62 ; valuation, $2,1 15.
Elections. — The first election of which there is any record for the borough
of Brookville, was in 1835, when Joseph Sharp was elected constable, and re-
elected in 1836. The next entry in the record of elections is tlie following:
1837, Brookville borough, constable, John McLoughlin ; burgess, Thomas
Lucas; council, James Corbet, John Dougherty, John Pierce, Samuel Craig,
William A. Sloan ; school directors, L. G. Clover, Samuel Craig, David Henry,
C. A. Alexander, William A. Sloan, James Corbet.
The following comprise the officials of the borough of Brookville for 18S7 :
Justices of the peace, Robert R. Brady, John W. Walker; constable, J. Mc-
R. Mohney , tax collector, I. F. Steiner; assessor, Charles J. Hodgkinson ;
town council, John J. Thompson, Thomas M. Carroll, Thomas L. Templeton,
Robert Stewart, John N. Garrison, F. W. Ingraham ; burgess, Samuel Cham-
bers ; high constable, George H. Grove ; auditors, D. A. Henderson, E. A.
Litch ; school directors, John J. Patterson, Thomas R. Hastings, A. F. Balmer,
George H. Kennedy, Frank X. Kreitler, Cyrus H. Blood; judge of election,
Joseph Darr ; inspectors, F. W. Ingraham, B. T. Hastings.
476 History of Jefferson County.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
PINE CREEK township was established by act of Assembly in 1806, and by
some writers is supposed to have been named from the creeks running
through its bounds, the banks of which were covered with pine trees ; but we
are inclined to beheve that the name was given to the township by Joseph
Barnett, who first settled within its limits, and gave it the name from his old
home, "Pine Creek," in Lycoming county. This township was the mother of
all the others, and until 181S, when Perry was organized, was the only town-
ship in the count}' — the only place where any kind of business could be e.xe-
cuted. So that in writing the early history of the county, that of Pine Creek,
which for over twenty years comprised all that was known of the county, has
been written in the foregoing pages of this work.
No township in the county is more broken by deep ravines and valleys than
this of Pine Creek. Its surface indeed is a continuous succession of rugged
hills, forbidding alike to the farmer and miner, because, in the one case tillage
is extremely difficult, and in the other, the rocks, with few exceptions, contain
little of value.
Within its bounds are three of the principal streams of the county which
unite to form Redbank. These are Sandy Lick, which flows along the southern
edge of the township. Mill Creek flowing southwest across it, in a ravine no
less deep than the other, though less wide ; North Fork flowing south along
the western side. Water level at Port Barnet (where Mill Creek and the Sandy
Lick come together and make a curious succession of bends in tlie channel
way) is about 1,225 feet above mean tide, Atlantic Ocean. The highest sum-
mits on the upland, as for example one especially prominent point on the
Reynoldsville Road, east of Baum's Hotel, is not less than 1,750 feet above tide.
The names given to these streams by the Delaware Indians are furnished
us by Mr. John W. Jordon, vice-president of the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania. "The North Fork was ' Tangawunsch-hanne,' i. e. Little Brier
Stream, ' the stream whose banks are over-grown with the green brier.'
Sandy Lick was called ' Leganwimahoni.' In the Delaware tongue Sandy
was, or is Legamwi-(a Lick)-mahoni, also Sandy- Legamwi(Creek)-hanne,
these are for Sandy Lick and Sandy Creek."
That the Indians inhabited Pine Creek is proved b\- the reminiscences of
the late Mrs. Graham, given elsewhere. The names given to streams, towns
and localities by the red men of the forest were generalh' based upon some
natural characteristic, hence the name given to the Little Brier.
Pine Creek Township. 477
Fines for Misdemeanors. — In the early days of the county's history the
penalties prescribed by the laws of the Commonwealth for any offense against
any of the statutes was rigorously enforced, seemingly without regard to the
social standing of the oftender. Sabbath breaking, swearing, and intoxication
seem to have been the sins most vigorously punished by the arm of the law.
In an old docket, opened on the 15th day of Januar}-, 18 10, by Thomas
Lucas, the first justice of the peace of Pine Creek township, are the following
entries :
[L. S.] " Jefferson county, ss.
" Be it remembered that on the Seventh day of May, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ten, Gabriel Puntus, of sd County is
Convicted before me Thos. Lucas, Esqr, one of the justices of the peace in and
for sd Count}-, going to and from the mill unneasersirly upon the Sixth day of
May instant being the Lord's day Commonly Coled Sunday at the county
aforesaid. Contrary to the act of asembly in Such case made and pro\'ide, and
I do adjudj him to forfeit for the same the Sum of four dollars. Given under
my hand the day and year aforesaid.
"Thos. Lucas.
■" Commonwealth vs. John Dixkson. — Jefferson count}', ss.
[L. S.]
"Be it remembered that on the 13th day of January, in the year of otu"
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve John Dixkson, of pine Creek
township in the county of Jefferson is Convictted before me Thomas Lucas one
of the justices of the peace in and for sd county of being intoxicated with the
drinking of Spiritus Liquers and for Cursing one profain Curse in these Words
God Dam, that is to say this Day at pine Creek township aforesaid Contrairey
to the Act of general assembly in such Case made and provided. And I Do
agudge him to forefit for the Same the Sum of Sixty Seven Cents for each
ofence. Given under m\- hand and Seal the day and Year afore s'd.
" Thos. Lucas.
"Justices costs 35 cents.
"Constable cost 31 cents."
Lewis Long is also convicted in 1815 for " having hunted an carried the
Carcis of one Dear on the 23d Day of July instant being the Lords Day Com-
monly Coled Sunday, up pine Creek township aforesaid" and sentenced to pay
four dollars penalty.
The first entry in this old docket is an action for debt. " Thomas McCart-
ney vs. Freedom Stiles, to recover, on a promisary note, dated June 20, 1805,
for $4.25."
The next entry is an action of surety of the peace :
57
478
History of Jefferson County.
Surity of the peace and good behavour on oath of Fudge
Van Camp, January 25, 1810.
Warrant issued January 25, 1810.
" Commonwealth
vs.
Henry Vasbinder.
yiistzce Costs.
information 1 3c.
Warrant 15
2 recognizants 40
notice to refferees 15
I Sum', 3 names 19
I Sum*, I name 10
I Sum', 3 names 19
Swearing 3 witnesses 56
5 referees 35
Eenteringruleof renewment 10
Constable's cost §1.96
referees 2.50
Witnesses i . 50
" We the refferees within named refferees having heard the partis the proofs
and alligations to wit, we find from Evidence that the run is to be the line
between Fudge Vancamp and Henry Vasbinder, from the line of the tract of
land to the corner of by the camp and thence along the old fence
Fudge Van Camp, principal tent )
£.. " 1 to appear, &c.
Samuel Lucas, (bail) tent
$100.
'"!
to prosicute, &c.
referred to Sam' Scott, John Scott. Elijah M. Graham,
Petter Jones and John Matson.
row to the corner, thence by a direct line the same across the ridge to the run
and each party to enjoy these clearings till after Harvest, next, Fudge Van-
camp to enjoy the benefit of his sugar camp till the line is run and John Jones
and Moses Knap is for to run the line between the parties and eavery one of
the partis is to move there fence on there one ground Sd Vancamp is to
leave sixteen feet and a half in the Clear between the stakes of the fences for a
Lane or outlet between the partis and each party is to give surity for there
Good Behavour unto each other, there goods and Chatties for the term of one
year and one day from entring of surity to be entried ameditly if it can be
had, if not to be had at the present time Bail is to be entred on Tuesday the
Sixth day of Febuary A. D. 18 10, the plaintiff to pay fifty cents costs, and tlie
defendant the remainder of the cost of Sute, Witness our hands and seals this
second day of febuary A. D. 18 10.
" Samuel Scott [L. S.]
" John Scott [L. S.]
" Elijah M. Graham [L.S.]
" Peter Jones [L. S.]
"John Matson, [L. S.]
" Before me,
" Thos. Lucas."
The fines for Sabbath breaking, profane swearing and intoxication seem to
have been rigidly enforced all through the term of office of Mr. Lucas, as we
find numerous entries, in some instances the fines amounting to twelve dollars
for one person. Numerous other offences are entered, the most curious being
Pine Creek Township. 479
the indictments of the " Commonwealth z's. Francis Godyear and MoUie Tay-
lor for Poligamy " September 12, 1835.
In these same old dockets is the account of Thomas Lucas, fees on pro-
bates on fox, wolf and wild cats, from February 14, 1832, to June 11, 1838.
Among the hunters are the names of William and Michael Long, Adam,
Philip, Henry and William Vasbinder, John, Samuel and James Lucas, John
and Thomas Callen.'lacob Shaffer, James Linn, Ralph Hill, John Wyncoop,
William Dougherty, Frederick Hetrick, Nelson T. McQuston, William Horam
and William Douglass. The list embraces thirty wild cats, forty-eight wolves,
seventy-six foxes and one panther, (shot by Thomas Callen). The justice's
fee on each probate was twelve and a half cents.
On the whole, however, the early settlers of the county seem to have been
a law abiding people, for, with the exception of a few actions for " assault and
battery," there were no serious breaches of the peace in the first quarter of a
century that this old docket legally chronicles.
The first births that occurred in Pine Creek township were those already
stated of Joseph Barnett's children — Rebecca born in 1802, and J. Potter in
1803. The first marriage was that of Joseph Barnett's daughter, Sarah, who
was married to Elisha M. Graham, on the 30th of March, 1807. There was
no minister or justice of the peace within the bounds of the county at that
time, so the young couple went to Armstrong, now Clarion county, and at the
house of John Hindman had the knot tied by John Corbet, esq., an uncle of
Colonel W. W. Corbet, of Brookville.
The first minister of the gospel who penetrated into these wilds was a man
by the name of Greer, who had been a friend and neighbor of Joseph Barnett
when he lived on Pine Creek, in Lycoming county, and who, as Mrs. Graham
says, came to visit his old friend in 1800, when he spent two weeks and
preached to the few settlers then in the county. A year or so after he made
them another visit, and again dispensed the Word of God.
The first death we have already recorded, was that of Andrew Barnett,
whose grave " no man knoweth the place thereof"
The early settlers of Pine Creek, beginning with the Barnetts, have already
been mentioned. The first family who followed the Barnetts into this wilder-
ness was that of Peter Jones, who came from Mash Creek, in the Bald Eagle
Valley, in Centre county, in 1 80 1. Peter Jones was the son of Swiss parents,
who came to the United States from Switzerland in the latter part of the
eighteenth century. His father, Abraham Jones, served for a time in the
American army in 1 8 12. His son, Peter, was born and raised near Philadel-
phia, but after his marriage to Rebecca Scott, a daughter of John and Rebecca
Scott, who had emigrated from Scotland and settled in Dauphin county, he
removed to Centre county.
When Peter Jones and his wife first settled in Centre county, the early set-
48o History of Jefferson County.
tiers were in almost constant peril of their lives from the sudden incursions of
the Indians. On one of these occasions the family of Mr. Jones had taken ref-
uge, with many others, in a stockade fort, built in Penn's Valley, by General
James Potter. It is said of Mrs. Jones, that "she worked with a will in making
cartridges for the men to use in defending the fort." Peter Jones resided in Pine
Creek township until 1 817, when he removed to Armstrong county (now
Clarion) and settled near Strattanville. Of his sons, John, Samuel and Isaac,
the latter alone survives, and now resides in Corsica. John Jones is men-
tioned by Mrs. Graham as being a frequent companion of Jim Hunt in his
hunting excursions, and Samuel was the father of Joshua Jones, now a resident
of Brookville, Jared of Polk township, John of Clarion and Sarah, wife of
John Clark, Mrs. Isaac Lyle, of Warsaw township and Mrs. James Harris of
this township.
Among the early settlers was Lewis (or Ludwig) Long, who settled in 1803
on the farm now owned by David McConnell. Mr. Long, at an early day, re-
moved to the State of Ohio, but his sons, William, Michael, Daniel and John
remained, and lived and died amid the scenes of their early exploits. They
were all great lovers of the chase, the two former, especially, being hunters, of
whose deeds of prowess and woodcraft a volume might be written. The tragic
death of Daniel has already been noted. John was the other member of the
family who was, for more than half a century, connected with the histor_\' of
Pine Creek township. Though a farmer he was as fond as his brothers of
hunting, and on one occasion, while on a bear hunt with his brother Michael
and John Vasbinder, had quite an encounter with one of these animals. They
had separated, — Mike, with the dogs, was on top of a ridge, the other two on
the flat below him, when Vasbinder came across some bear cubs. He shot one,
and the little thing cried out with pain, which brought its mother to the rescue.
As she bounded past John Long, he called for Mike to let the dogs loose,
and soon bear and dogs were rushing pell-mell down the hill. The infuriated
animal was just reaching for Vasbinder's heels when he jumped over a large
log, which the bear, not seeing, ran against, and b\- the time it recovered itself
the dogs had hold of it, and the hunters soon dispatched the animal and saved
Vasbinder's life.
Mr. Vasbinder lived to be an old man, but nothing could induce him to go
bear hunting again. Another time, while camping out, John Long's dogs
treed a bear, and he started with his rifle to shoot it. A trait in a bear is, that
when pursued it will always run in the same direction, and to see to shoot it
Mr. Long had to get between it and the rays of the moon ; this always
brought him in the way of the animal when he shot at it, which he did several
times, that night. Once in getting out of its way, he lost his hat and the dog
and bear, in one of their fights, trampled it into the snow, so that he never re-
covered it. He finally succeeded in killing the^ huge beast.
Pine Creek Township. 481
On one occasion, a friend of Mr. Long's, from Ohio, who was visiting him,
wanted to see a wolf, and they went out in quest of one. Mr. Long could call
them up by howling as they did, and soon had the satisfaction of showing his
friend a " big dog wolf," which the latter shot, but on going up to it he found
that it was only slightly wounded. Mr. Long caught hold of it by the hind
legs, and when it would snarl and turn around to bite, he would jerk it oft' the
ground, his friend all the time trying to knock its brains out with the muzzle
of his gun. The wolf snapped off his ramrod and left the marks of its teeth on
the iron barrel of his gun, but finally he got in a blow that stunned the infuri-
ated brute, and Mr. Long, letting go, grabbed up a pine knot and finished
him. Mr. Long said he never liked to kill these old wolves, as they would
bring a mate and rear their young upon the same ground, year after year, and
up to the year 1858 he got cubs every year for which he was paid a bounty
of ten dollars per scalp.
The hardest fight he ever had with a wild beast was with an otter, which
he shot and wounded on the ice. After shooting it he ran up and caught it
by the hind legs, when it flew around and tried to bite him, and the only way
he had of killing it was to beat its brains out on the ice ; but the water was
running over the ice, and he had to keep swinging it around his head and
bringing it down on the ice, as he carefully made his way to the shore, when
he dispatched it. At that time otter skins were worth twelve dollars apiece.
There was nothing the hunters so feared as an encounter with a she bear or a
wounded buck.
Mr. Long continued to hunt as long as his age permitted him. The farm
upon which he resided for so long in this township is now owned and occupied
by his son-in-law, Edward C. Shobert.
Among the earliest settlers in Pine Creek township were the Butlers, —
David, Cyrus and Nathaniel. Their father, James Butler, was a native of Ver-
mont, and died there in 1 8 1 2, in the seventieth year of his age. He had served,
during the Revolutionary War, in a cavalry regiment. His wife was Esther
Wadsworth, niece of that Captain Wadsworth who so boldly saved the charter
of the State of Connecticut, when it was demanded by Sir Edmund Andros, in
1685.^ Mrs. Butler died in Brookville, in the house recently torn down by C.
C. Benscoter, esq. C)n her tombstone, in the "old grave-yard," is this -in-
scription : "Esther Butler, born in Hartford, Conn., December 25, 1759.
Died June 29, 1840." She v\'as an estimable woman, a worthy representative
of the name she bore.
The Butler brothers came from their home in Connecticut, and after re-
1 "The lights were extinguished as if by accident; and Captain Wadsworth, laying hold of the
charter, disappeared with it before they could be rekindled. He conveyed it securely through the
crowd, who opened to let him pass and closed their ranks as he proceeded, and deposited it in the hoi-
low of an ancient oak tree, which ret.iined the precious deposit until the era of the English Revolu-
tion." — Goodrich^ s " History of America.''''
482 History of Jefferson County.
maining some time in tlie city of New York, made their way to Jefferson
count)'. Cyrus located in Brookville and the other two in Pine Creek town-
ship. David came to Pine Creek in 18 16. He was employed on the Susque-
hanna and Waterford turnpike, and as there were no white women in the
neighborhood except the Barnett famil}', he was cook for the rest of the men
employed on the section east of Port Barnett. The " Barnett girls," who
baked the bread for the men, made a calico dress and cap and sent it to the
pseudo cook, who donned the feminine garments, and while busily engaged at
his unwonted task and habited in his unwonted garb, was accosted by a trav-
eler with, " Madam, can you tell me where this road leads to ? " " Yes ; this
is the right road ; just follow the blaze on the trees," said " Madam," nervously,
as he saw the stranger glance very suspiciously at the heavy cowhide shoes
that showed below the rather short dress.
David Butler settled and cleared the farm upon which his son David and
his motlier and sister, Mrs. Chloe Wadsworth Hallet, now reside, building the
present house about fifty-three years ago. He married Catharine Fey, of
Clearfield county, who now, in the eighty-third year of her age, is the only one
of those early settlers who yet remain. Mr. Butler died August 12, i860. Of
their eleven children a daughter died in infancy, and Colonel Cyrus Butler, the
oldest son, was killed in Clearfield county during the war, (an account of which
has already been given) ; the rest are all living. Mr. Butler was one of the
first Methodists in Jefferson county, — one of the pioneers, as will be seen in a
history of that denomination, and was a good citizen in every sense of the
word. He also held several offices in Pine Creek township, being elected at
the election held March 20, 1829, both supervisor and fence viewer.
Nathaniel, the youngest of the three brothers, on his arrival in this county,
worked for a while on a saw- mill on the North Fork, situated about the head
of the present mill dam of T. K. Litch & Sons. In 1827 he was married to
Rebecca Barnett, daughter of Joseph Barnett, the first white child born in Jeffer-
son county. He removed to the farm, upon which he resided until his death, in
1828. Mr. Butler was one of the foremost citizens in the county, and was ap-
pointed county treasurer in i84i,and in 1830 was elected township auditor.
Mrs. Butler died June 17, 1875. She was an excellent woman, and took great
delight in recounting to the younger generation the history of the early days
of the county, among which she was reared. She remembered the Indians well,
and told of one poor squaw who sickened and died, and was buried near Port
Barnett, telling how grateful the poor, dusky stranger was for the delicacies
that she and her sisters carried to her during her illness. Nathaniel Butler
died in March, 1878, being at the time seventy-eight years of age. His family
consisted of five sons, three of whom, Samuel, James and Charles are living,
all residents of this county.
In addition to those already mentioned there appears to have been the fol-
Pine Creek Township. 483
lowing persons residents of the township, up to 1818 : Jacob Mason, Richard
Van Camp, Freedom Stiles, George Reynolds, Henry Graham, William
Brooks, James Potter, Henry Fey, Jesse Kelsey, Samuel Dixson, Elisha
Dickes, William Lucas, James Monks, Benjamin Carson, Jacob McFadden,
Samuel States, John Hice, Henry Lott, Joseph Clements, Charles Sutherland,
Robert Dickson, Innis Van Camp, Frederick Frants, John Mason, George
Evans, Robert Knox, William Hayns, Izrael Stiles, Hulett Smith, John Tem-
pleton, Joseph Greenawalt, whose names all appear in the official records of the
county.
Farms. — There are some good farms in Pine Creek, which have been re-
claimed from the wilderness by hard work and sturdy blows by the pioneer
settlers, and those who came after them.
One of the first tliat is reached on leaving Brookville, on the Ridgway road,
is the old McCulIough place, settled by Joseph McCulIough. He was one of
the first to settle in that neighborhood, and raised a large family of children,
nearly all of whom settled in Jefferson county. This farm, now owned by
John, and part by Harry McCulIough, sons of Joseph, are good farms, with
good buildings. Next comes the farm first settled in 1803 by Lewis Long,
and then owned by John Lattimer, who sold to Hamilton Moody, and which is
now owned by David B. McConnell. This farm, which is one of the best in
the township, with good buildings, formerly contained one hundred and thir-
teen acres; but since Mr. McConnell became its owner he has sold forty acres
to Barton Hutchens. One of the features of this place is an excellent market
garden of over an acre in extent. The land is all cleared, and in an excellent
state of cultivation, except thirty acres of woodland.
The Nathaniel Butler farm, on which Mr. Butler settled in 1828, is now
owned by Elijah H. McAninch. This farm contains about two hundred acres,
all cleared. It is under good cultivation, and has good orchards. Mr. Mc-
Aninch has erected good buildings, and much improved the property since it
came into his possession. He raises some of the finest stock in the township.
Then we come to the place where Mr. Graham says " Fudge Van Camp
built his cabin." This man, who was the first of the colored race to set his foot
within the bounds of Jefferson county, that cold wintry day in 1800 when he
and his companions almost perished by the way, seems to have been a provi-
dent sort of a fellow, for it is recorded of him that he brought apple seeds with
him and planted them upon this place from which was raised the first fruit ever
grown in Jefferson county. This farm soon passed into the hands of Samuel
Jones, a son of Peter Jones, and at his death became the property of John
Clark, whose wife is a daughter of Mr. Jones. The farm originally contained
two hundred and eighteen acres, but about twenty years ago it was divided,
and Joshua Jones, a son of Samuel, became owner of one-half, Mr. Clark re-
taining the old Jones homestead. The buildings are old, but in good repair.
484 History of Jefferson County.
These two farms are both good, and yield good crops of grain and hay, with
good orchards of fine fruit.
The ne.xt farm is where WilHam Vasbinder settled in 1S02 or 1803, and
which for many years has been known as the Kirkman homestead. Mr.
Thomas Kirkman has sold it to his son-in-law, Charles Frost. This is an ex-
cellent farm of over two hundred acres; buildings good.
The Harris place, for a great many years the home of Thomas Harris, sr.,
was first settled in 1802 or 1803 by Adam Vasbinder. It is a good farm of
eighty acres, well cultivated. James Harris purchased this farm of his father a
year or two ago. Thomas Harris, now one of the oldest citizens of the
county, was born at Clithero, Lancashire, England, June 29, 1S05, and em-
igrated to the United States in 1842, locating in Philadelphia in April of that
year. The sea voyage consumed six weeks. Mr. Harris remained in Phila-
delphia until 1849, when he removed to Brookville, where he lived two years,
until he purchased the farm now owned by his son James. His wife, ncc Ellen
Whitaker, was also a native of England, and was born in Yorkshire October
22, 1806, and came to this country with her husband and family in 1842. She
died on the farm in Pine Creek, January 17, 1878. Of their eight children
John died in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery; Mrs.
Anna Fetzer resides in Greenville, Mercer county ; Mrs. Mary McLain in
Brookville ; James on the old homestead ; Mrs. Sarah Kirkman in Brookville ;
William in Ringgold ; Mrs. Ellen Carrier in Brookville ; and Thomas R. in
Warsaw township. Mr. Harris now resides with his daughter, Mrs. McLain,
in Brookville, and is in the eighty-third year of his age. In a grove of pines
on this firm is an old grave-yard, where some of the old settlers were buried.
Just beyond the borough limits, on the " Creek road," is the place known
as the " Cummins farm," where Dr. C. P. Cummins resided during his residence
in Brookville, as pastor of the Presbyterian Church. It formerly belonged to
William Jack, and is now owned by the children of Ira C. Fuller.
John S. Barr owns the ne.xt place in this vicinity. It is the place settled at
an early date by John Roll, then owned by Peter Ostrander and Da\id Mason.
Mr. Barr, since he purchased the property, has greatly improved it, and it is
now, with its good buildings and pretty lawn, one of the nicest farms in the
township. Three large apple trees planted by Mr. Roll, are still living.
The Jacob Hoffman farm was first improved by Charles Sutherland. Mr.
Hoffman, whose age will not allow of such active work as farming, has retired,
and the farm is now in the hands of his sons, John and Ferdinand.
Parliament Hutchins owns the farm originally settled by Joseph McCul-
lough. He has it under good cultivation, with excellent buildings.
The L. S. Geer place, now owned bj- A. L. and C. M. M. Geer, was or-
iginally settled by Daniel Long, who was residing upon it when he was killed
by the Greens in 1843.
Pine Creek Township. 485
John Geer owns a good farm with good buildings, and in this neighbor-
hood is to be found the farms of Wadsworth and Perry Butler, Jeremiah Oiler,
John Alford, J. Dunham, Joshua and William D. Knapp, G. Wank, J. Miller, J.
McMillen and Cornelius Stahlman. Mr. Stahlman owns a tract of timber
land also in this part of the township. Henry Parker's farm adjoins that of
John Clark, and is well improved, with good buildings.
Leaving Port Barnett by the pike going eastward, we first come to the farm
of Oliver Brady, containing one hundred and fifty acres. It is one of the very
best farms in the township, with good buildings. It is part of the Barnett
property, and was first improved by Andrew Barnett. IMr. Brady has resided
here since 1855. Adjoining this is the old Long place, already mentioned,
then comes the Baum farm, first settled by a man named Talmadge, who sold
to John Baum. It is now owned by Mrs. Joanna Baum. C. G. Baum, Mrs.
Hatten and W. A. Andrews own small farms in this vicinity. William D.
Kane, the present county treasurer, owns the farm improved by his uncle,
Quinton O'Kain, in 1843. It contains ninety-five acres, the last of the orig-
inal purchase of four hundred acres. Mr. Kane raises excellent fruit. George
Ossewandle, sr., Andrew Ossewandle and George Ossewandle, jr., own farms
in this neighborhood.
The " Mile Hill " property is one of the prettiest located places in the town-
ship. It is just one mile west from Emerickville, and derives its name from the
traveler being able to see all the road for that distance. It was originally a
portion of the Jeremiah Parker lands, and then became the property of the
Portland Land Company, who in turn sold three hundred and seventj* acres,
comprising this property, to Joseph E. Hall and E. H. Darrah, in June, 1857.
It was heavily timbered with magnificent pine, which the new firm at once
began operations upon. The first boarding-house was kept by Samuel Lyle,
who was succeeded by Mrs. Julia Darling. In 1865 Joseph E. Hall sold his
interest in the property to W. R. Darrah, and then E. H. Darrah sold the east
half of the tract to Henry Buzzard, who resides upon it. W. R. Darrah sold
his half to B. F. Taylor, who in 1887, disposed of it to Mrs. Hettie Haines.
Benewell Kroh owns one of the best farms in the township, upon which is
one of the finest orchards to be found in the county. The George Ford place,
on the Warsaw line, is also an excellent farm, with good buildings and excel-
lent fruit. D. Mason and Henry J. Kroh own farms in this part of the town-
ship. The Patrick Smith farm, that of \\'illiam Ohls, and Joseph Stahlman,
are all situated north of Five Mile Run.
West of Emerickville there is quite an area of waste land, so rugged and
utter!)' unfit for cultivation that no one has ever been hardy enough to attempt
to settle upon it. There is considerable unseated land in the township, the
principal tract being the Sulger lands, which contains .over three thousand acres.
P. P. and H. W. Carrier, James Humphrey and Clark & Darrah are the prin-
cipal owners of the rest of the unseated. ^
486 History of Jefferson County.
The first to settle in the vicinity of Emerickville was Isaac Packer, who
located on what is now the Peter Baum place about 1 830. He erected a log
house and kept a hotel in primitive style. Henry Vasbinder was also one of
the first to settle in this vicinity, on what is now the John Emerick farm.
The principal farms around Emerickville are: John Emerick's, which was
cleared by Hance Vasbinder, then owned by John Emerick in 1834. Mr.
Emerick has now twenty acres of this farm, and Emanuel Schuckers one
hundred and twenty-four acres, upon which he has good buildings. The land
is under excellent cultivation, and yields good crops of hay, oats, corn, etc.
E. Weiser farms fifty- eight acres, with good buildings thereon. It was
cleared by Weiser and Jacob Weidner, in i860. Good spring crops and a fine
yield of hay are raised on this farm. Joseph Schuckers in 1882 purchased the
farm originally cleared by Artemus W. Purdy. It was successively owned
by Robert Darrah, John K. Smith, John Emerick, Charles Murphy and E.
Schuckers. Mr. Schuckers has since he purchased it added to it si.xty acres
purchased from Sarah P. Moore in 1886. The improvements are good, and
this is one of the best farms in the township. The James V. Moore farm, now
•owned by his daughter, Sarah P. Moore, was cleared by Mr. Moore about
1830. It is a good farm of over one hundred acres, with a good house. The
William Moore farm, cleared and improved by Archibald McMurray, in 1840,
and sold by him to James F. Moore, is also a good farm, with pretty good
buildings. The James Murphy farm, now owned by Mrs. Susannah Emerick,
was cleared and improved by Mr. Murphy in 1840. The farm of Joseph Zim-
merman, first improved by his father, Joseph K. Zimmerman, who came to the
place from Schuylkill county, in 1845, is a good farm with good buildings.
George Zetler now owns the farm cleared in 1845 t>y David Ishman, who sold
it to George Ossewandle. It is under e.xcellent cultivation, with good build-
ings. The John Cable farm, improved by Daniel Cable, the Gerson Doney
farm first settled by John K. Smith, the farm of Mrs. Emeline Fails, the Levi
Cable farm, the Milliron farm, the Ishman farms, August Huntzinger's place,
and that of Perry Brittoii, are all in the neighborhood of Emerickville.
John Emerick, now in the cight\'-fourth }'ear of his age, came to this part
of the township in 1847, and bought the farm originally improved by Hance
Vasbinder. Mr. Emerick only owns a small portion of this place now. Sarah
Emerick owns seventy acres and Henry Emerick forty-two. The farm im-
proved and owned for a number of years by Jacob Kroh, which is one of the
best in the county, is now known as the Peter Baum property. Izrael Snyder
owns a good farm near Raum's
All the farms in the vicinit\' of Emerickville are well tilled, and show thrift
and good management on the part of the owners. The apple seeds planted by
Fudge Van Camp, and the three trees that sprang up from seeds sown by his
fellow-traveler, Roll, on the spot now occupied by Adam Miller, followed soon
Pine Creek Township. 487
after by the fruit trees planted in the flat by the Barnetts, where James Hum-
phrey's orchard now is, have yielded an hundred fold, for Pine Creek is famous
for its excellent fruit ; on all its farms where there is any pretense made in the
way of living, are to be found good orchards and apples, pears, plums, cher-
ries and grapes are raised in profusion, and of excellent varieties, while every
hillside, woodland pasture and ravine furnish blackberries in luscious profusion.
The stock in Pine Creek is generally native or common, very few thorough-
bred animals being found, John Clark, E. H. McAninch, David Butler and W.
H. Miller being the only ones who have improved stock. Some fine Jersey
cattle are to be found on their farms.
Geology of Pine Creek. — The most noticeable feature of the geological for-
mation of Pine Creek township is the massiveness of the Homewood and Con-
noquennessing sandstone. The former is extensively quarried for building
purposes, and is found over fift\'-five feet thick ; the latter, of a greyish white
color, and micaceous, is found seventy feet thick in the cut at Garrisons; un-
like the Homewood, it is irregularly bedded, and in weathering breaks into
small fragments.
By some the first coal discovered in Pine Creek is said to have been dug
out of a run on the Harry McCuUough place, by a colored man named Doug-
lass, while it is also claimed that it was first found by David Butler, on his
farm. The principal coal banks in the township are those of William Carberry
(first opened by Nathaniel Butler). This vein is from 3' 2" to 3' 6" thick, with
a hard slate roof, and fire-clay floor. The David McConnell bank is said to
be 5' thick, with an upper seam from 2' to 3' thick. John McCullough's,
David Butler's and P. Hutchen's banks are about the same in size and quality
as the others. The coal is the Brookville seam, and the coal is all of a fair
quality, good for home consumption, but containing too much iron pyrites to
make it of value for shipment.
The most extensive coal operations in Pine Creek were made a few years
ago by the Jefferson and Rocky Bend Coal Companies and by Abel Fuller,
in the vicinity of Fuller Station. These works were first opened about the year
1872, by Perkins & Co., of New York, on land owned by Lindsay Moore, part
of the Holden tract. It was then purchased by Captain John M. Steck, of
Brookville, and Corydon Karr, of New York, and was run by Adams & Moul-
ton, of Buffalo, N. Y., for about two years, then leased to Elias Rodgers & Co.,
with Howard Nicholson, manager.
The coal first mined was bright, firm and black, and was analyzed by the
Buffalo Gas Company, as follows : Gas, 9,000 cubic feet ; coke, U bushels ;
candle power, 13.6. The coal was about 5' thick, and is pronounced by W.
G. Piatt in his geological report to be the Mercer upper coal. After getting
the mine in good order, and admirably arranged for shipment, the coal was
found to not realize the expectations formed by the outcrop, the bed being
488 History of Jefferson County.
found " faulty," and the coal hard to mine and yielding rather indifferent fuel,
and the mine was abandoned. It is still owned by the Rocky Bend Company.
The Abel Fuller mine on the right bank of Sandy Lick was the same in
every respect as that described above.
The Freeport lower coal is twice opened on the Reynoldsville road in the
vicinity of Peter Baum's hotel, where it was found 5' thick.
There are very few e.xposures of limestone in the township, and it has not
been used to any extent. Iron ore is found on the Joshua Knapp farm, but it
has not been investigated.
Valuable deposits of excellent fire-clay are found in Pine Creek, along
Sandy Lick. James L. Brown, of Brookville, made the first shipment of fire-
clay from Jefferson county. In 1878 William French picked up, in the cut
near the railroad at Bell Port, a substance resembling in texture a Turkish
whetstone. He took a sample to James L. Brown, who pronounced it fire-
clay. They then sunk a shaft on the hill at Bell Port, and were rewarded for
their labors by going through a five-foot solid vein of fire-clay. Air. Brown
then purchased the property of Mr. Crawford and commenced develop-
ments, and soon other discoveries were made, the result of which was a sale of
a half- interest in the property to James Erskine, of Youngstown, O., and
John McMath, of Clearfield. Improvements were made, giving the firm of
Brown, Erskine & Co. capacity for mining and shipping tweh'e carloads of clay
per w eek. New openings have been made and the firm is now shipping from
three different mines. The clays vary in thickness from two to eleven feet.
These deposits are very uncertain and limited to a small area. In the Bell
Port mine there are four qualities of fire- clay. Experience alone determines
their use. We give below an analysis, by Mr. McCreath, of Harrisburg, of
their No. i hard clays, which, with proper mixtures and well manufactured
fire-brick, finds a ready market for the steel trade:
Silica 44.220
Alumina (by difference) 38,151
Proto.\ide of Iron 510
Titanic Acid 2, 150
Lime 020
Magnesia 234
Alkalies 035
Water 14,680
100,000
Lumber and Saw-mills. — Pine Creek has been the scene of some of the
most active operations in the lumber trade of the county, and no part of it has
produced finer timber. In all the j'ears of her history lumbering has been the
principal occupation of her citizens, and since the little mill was erected on
Mill Creek, by the Barnetts, in 1795, many such structures, gaining in utility
and importance with the progress of the county, have been erected upon the
streams within her borders.
Pine Creek Township. 489
The next mill built after that of Joseph Barnett is said to have been erected
on the North Fork in 1800, by Moses Knapp, near the head of the present
Ltich dam. Mr. Knapp, after building several other mills in different localities,
returned to the North Fork in 1836 and built one about a mile from the pres-
ent " Company mill." This he sold in a short time to William Paine who in
turn sold it to his brothers, Alexander B. and Sinton Paine, and Leonard
Walters, of Pittsburgh, and Sinton Paine also sold out to the latter and re-
moved to Kentucky. A. B. Paine and Leonard Walters, after remodeling the
mill somewhat, ran it until about 1878, when the machinery was taken out and
the mill abandoned. The mill-site has since been sold to C. M. Carrier.
The next mill on the North Fork was erected by HoUenbeck, Coryell &
Co., of New York, in 1855. This company owned five thousand acres of land
in Jefferson county, four thousand acres of which were heavily timbered with
pine, situated in Pine Creek and Warsaw townships. C. M. Garrison super-
intended the building of this mill. Mr. Garrison was a lumberman of long
experience, having been engaged extensively in the business in Apalachian,
N. Y., from whence he came to take charge of the new enterprise of Messrs.
Hollenbeck, Coryell & Co.
In 1861 this firm sold to Carrier, Jackson & Co., of which latter firm Mr.
Garrison was a member, and made the purchase from Hollenbeck, Coryell &
Co. The firm was then changed to Jackson, Moore & Co., and then known
for several years as Jackson, Verstine & Co., and for the last ten years as Car-
rier, Verstine & Co. Some question having been raised as to the capacity of
the " Company mill," as it is called, Bernard Kline, then sawyer on the mill,
claiming that he could cut 30,000 feet of good, merchantable boards in twelve
hours, the 2d day of August, 1865, was set apart for the trial, and in the time
specified he sawed 44,325 feet of good boards, R. J. Nicholson measuring the
same. Only one saw was used.
During the first years the firms operating this mill shipped large quantities
of square timber, but in the last fifteen years the principal shipments have been
boards and bill stuff, amounting to about 4,000,000 feet per year.
The present firm is composed of Cassius M. Carrier, Bernard Verstine and
Bernard Kline. They own over 5,000 acres of land in Jefferson county, sit-
uated in Pine Creek, Rose, Warsaw and Eldred townships.
In 1837 James C. Matson built a saw-mill on the North Fork, which was
burned down in 1844.
In 1865 Mr. Matson erected a portable mill on Little Mill Creek, which
was also destroyed by fire September 12, 1867. On this there was no insur-
ance, and Mr. Matson's loss was very heavy. The mill, however, was at once
rebuilt.
William McCullough built a mill on Little Mill Creek in 1837, which he
afterwards exchanged for the property on Pickering street, in the borough of
490 History of Jefferson County.
Brookville, owned by D. B. Jenks, esq., and where Mr. McCuIlough resided
until his death.
In 1839 James S. McCuIlough built a mill on Big Mill Creek, above Port
Barnett, which he afterwards sold to Parliament Hutchens. Mr. McCuIlough
also built a mill on Little Mill Creek in 1847 or 1848, which he afterwards
sold to H. H. Parker.
Matson Knapp built a mill on the Geer or Knapp Run about the year
1848, and Joseph Knapp built one on the same run shortly after.
George Ford built a mill on Little Mill Creek about 1858, two miles above
the Parker mill.
About the year 1865 John Carrier and Andrew Baum built a steam mill
on Big Mill Creek. In the spring of 1871 Nathan Carrier, jr., purchased John
Carrier's interest in this property, and after running it about a year removed
the machinery to the new mill erected by him on Red Bank.
The " Iowa" mill, on Sand}' Lick, was built in 1847, t>y Elijah Clark &
Sons (Samuel K. and Charles B.) and Joseph E. Hall. It was named " Iowa,"
(which name it has always retained) by Rufus Kent, of Maine, a cousin of the
Clarks, as a joke at the expense of the younger Clarks and J. E. Hall, who had
for some time entertained their friends with their plans and intentions for em-
igrating to the West and locating in the State of Iowa.
In July, 1850, Joseph E. Hall sold his interest to the Clarks, who ran the
mill as Clark & Sons until November 5, 1850, when Elijah Clark died, and
then it was managed by the Clark Brothers until July, 185 1, when E. H.
Darrah, who had been working on the mill as a sawyer, purchased a third in-
terest in the mill and the tract of seven hundred and seven acres of timber
land belonging to the property, which had been purchased from the Portland
Land Company, by article of agreement dated February 10, 1847. Novem-
ber 22, I 85 I, Samuel K. Clark died while down the creek with lumber.
Mr. Darrah, after the death of Samuel K. Clark, became an equal partner
in the property with Charles B. Clark, and the business was conducted by
Clark & Darrah, until they sold to James Neal in 1853, who owned it until
June 21, 1871, when he sold to Robert R. Means and Robert J. Nicholson.
In 1877 Mr. Means died, and the business was conducted by Mr. Nicholson
and the heirs of Captain Means, until February 22, 1884, when Mr. Nicholson
also died, and the business passed into the hands of the Means heirs and the
e.xecutors of R. J. Nicholson, Mr. Thomas H. Means having the management
of the business. During all this time the firm was known as Means & Nich-
olson. In 1886 the property was sold to A. D. Deemer, of Emerickville, who
is now operating the mill. The capacity is about 15,000 feet per day.
The first mill built where Bellport now is, was erected some time in the 30's
by Benjamin Bailey. It was carried away by a flood after only one log had
been sawed. Then, in 1838, John J. Y. Thompson built another mill on the
Pine Creek Township. 491
same site. It was built by Samuel Baird, and was called a double mill, having
a saw at both ends of the building. Mr. Thompson sold the mill to Alpheus
Shaw, who in turn sold to Amos Austin and Josiah Rodgers, two restless,
Yankee lumbermen from New England, who on the lookout for a more pro-
ductive lumber country, had wandered down into the Southern States, and on
retracing their steps, struck the Sandy Lick region, and bought the mill from
Shaw, in June, 1841. Rodgers, after a few years, returned to New England,
but Mr. Austin, who had voted for Harrison for president, one day in New
Hampshire, left the next day, and has never since beheld the granite hills of
his native State. He cast his lot in with the people of Jefferson county, and
has for many years been one of the most respected citizens of Brookville.
In 1848 the m.ill burned down, and was rebuilt in 1849; and in 1854 Mr.
Austin sold the property to F. D. Lake, who in 1856, sold it to Hon. Alfred
Bell, of Rochester, N. Y. The present mill was built in 1868 ; the machinery
is propelled by water power, and the production has averaged something over
two million feet per annum, or about sixty-five million feet since the property
came into the possession of Judge Bell. According to his estimate, however,
only about one-fifth of the stock cut at this mill was the product of Jefiferson
count)', the balance coming from his lands in Clearfield county. The pine
timber on Judge Bell's lands in the two counties is exhausted, but he has some
twelve million feet of hemlock timber on land owned by him in Washington
township.
The late E. D. White and his sons, G. W. and A. A. White, now of Ken-
tucky, were for a number of years in charge of the Bellport mill, and were well
known lumbermen. For the last eight years it has been ably managed by Mr.
John B. Campbell.
Next comes the " Garrison mill " upon the site of which a portable mill was
built in 1863, but it being burned down shortly after, the present mill was built
by Garrison, Fuller & Co., in 1864. This co-partnership continued for about
ten years, when Mr. Sidney Fuller retired, and the firm was changed to C. M.
& J. N. Garrison, under which title it continued until 1882, when C. M. Gar-
rison retired from active business, and the business passed into the hands of
his sons, John N. and Lorenzo S. Garrison, under the firm name of J. N. Gar-
rison & Brother. This is one of the most extensive lumber establishments in
the county, fully five million feet being cut per annum.
Cornelius M. Garrison, the pioneer of this and of the " Company mill " on
the North Fork, was always kind and thoughtful for the welfare of his em-
ployees, and when his death occurred August 18, 1886, there were three men
in the employ of the firm who had worked for^him for thirty years. These are
still working on the same mill for his sons, and are Reuben B. Lyle, Joseph
Plyler and David D. Demott.
The shingle mill of Sidney Fuller, is also situated at Garrison Station. It
492 History of Jefferson County.
was built about four years ago, and turns out ten thousand shingles per day;
the shingles manufactured are eighteen inches in length.
Mr. Fuller has a well cultivated farm of seventy-five acres here, with good
house and other improvements. This was his residence until a few years ago
when his increasing lumber business, obliged him to locate in Pittsburgh. The
farm and shingle mill are now superintended by Mr. Fox. Mr. Fuller cleared
his farm, and made the first improvements at Garrison.
In the neighborhood of Emerickville are a number of saw-mills; the E.
Weiser mill was built on land owned by Weiser, by J. C. Wilson, in 1 886. The
capacity of the mill is about nine thousand feet per day.
The Frederick Starr mill, on land of J. Klepfer, was built about ten years
ago. The mill cuts about one million feet per year. A good deal of custom
sawing is done.
The steam saw-mill of John Rhinehart, on land of Emanuel Shuckers, was
built in 1886. This mill replaced a water-mill built by Benjamin Schwartz, in
1859. This mill saws about five hundred thousand feet per year.
Shobert Brother's (James and John) mill, on a one hundred acre tract,
owned by Daniel Rhodes, saws about one million feet per \'ear. The timber
is owned by Shobert Brothers.
The steam saw-mill of Orr, McKinley & Co., was built in June, 1886. The
capacity of this mill is about ten thousand feet per day. It is built upon land
of B. P. Bell, of Indiana county, containing four hundred and seventy-six
acres of hemlock and hard wood timber.
The pine timber is almost a thing of the past in Pine Creek, and it will take
but a few years to exhaust the hemlock. The grand forests of magnificent
trees that caused Joseph Barnett to locate in this region, have all fallen before
the lumberman's axe.
Schools. — The first school in the township was that one built of logs, and
with greased paper windows, and the huge chimney at one end, that Mrs. Gra-
ham tells about. It stood on what is now the McConnell farm, and in con-
trasting it and the primitive kind of instruction then imparted, with the ad-
vantages of tiie present da\', we may well rejoice in the greater advantages
in this respect now enjoyed by the school children.
In 1886 there were eight schools in Pine Creek ; average number of months
taught, five ; male teachers, five ; female, three ; average salary of teachers,
thirty-five dollars per month ; number of male scholars, one hundred and
sixty-five; females, one hundred and forty-four; average number attending
school, two hundred and forty; average per cent of attendance, eighty-five;
cost per month, ninety-three cents. Tax and rate per cent, number of mills
levied for school purposes, thirteen. Total amount of tax levied for school and
building purposes, $1,391.25. Total expenditures for schools, buildings, etc.,
$1,681.33.
Pine Creek Township. 493
The number of churches in the township are three ; Methodist Episcopal,
Protestant Methodist and Lutheran.
Cemeteries. — The first graveyard started in the township or in the county,
was located some place near the forks of the road between Brookville and Port
Barnett, and here the first who died after Andrew Rarnett, were buried ; but
all trace of its locality is lost, and the lowly mounds have long since disap-
peared, and are now covered with dwellings, and the careless passer-by treads
unwittingly over the spot where repose the early dead of the township and of
the county.
The next graveyard was the one laid out on the farm of Nathaniel Butler,
and in which his son, Winfield Scott Butler, a boy of only two summers, who
died February 28, 1842, was buried, Mr. Butler then setting apart the spot
that is now known as the " Butler graveyard," and where the parents of the
little boy, and Samuel Jones and his wife, and many of the other old settlers
of Pine Creek, and their children and children's children, are buried.
At Emerickville the Lutheran graveyard was laid out in 1858, Daniel
Shuckers being the first laid therein. The Methodist graveyard, on the Moore
farm, was laid out on ground donated by James F. Moore, about 1862, and a
child of Russell and Emeline Vantassel, and grandchild of Mr. Moore, was the
first interred, followed soon by Willie Britton. Since then Mr. Moore and
many others have laid down in this silent spot by those little ones to " rest
from their labors." There are three monuments in this cemetery ; one of
granite, erected to the memory of James F. Moore, who died October 2, 1881,
and one of marble over the daughters of Abel Fuller, also one of marble
erected by George Zetler, to the memory of his son.
Port Barnett,
Port Barnett, the little hamlet where the first settlers of Jefferson county
first found a home, the history of which has already been given in former
chapters, was originally the property of Joseph Barnett and Samuel Scott.
The records of the county describe this property as follows:
" The Port Barnett property containing two hundred and fifty-six acres and
one hundred perches — One part conveyed to Samuel Scott by Jeremiah Parker
by deed dated i6th day of 1818 ; recorded in Lidiana County in Deed
book No. 2, Page 727, and by Sundry Conveyances to Andrew Barnett. Other
moiety conveyed to Joseph Barnett by Jeremiah Parker, by deed dated 26th
June 1821, Recorded in Indiana County, in deed book No. 4, page 482, and by
will of Joseph Barnett, devised to Adrew Barnett."
The Barnetts kept store and hotel at Port Barnett for many years, beside
running their mills, and part of the old hotel is still standing. After the death
of his father Andrew Barnett continued to reside upon the property until about
the year 1850, when he sold the property to Andrew J. Brady and Irvin Long,
59
494 History of Jefferson County.
and removed to the West. The hotel, which was for a long time the only one
in the county, after it passed out of the hands of the Barnetts was kept by
several parties, one of whom was Joseph Shobert. In 1850 A. J. Brady as-
sumed charge of it, and we find quite an extensive advertisement in the papers
of that day of the "Port Barnett Hotel," under his management. In 1852,
Mr. Brady sold to Jacob Kroh, who was the last man to play mine host at the
first hostelry in the county. Joseph Shobert, now of Brookville, is the only
one living who was its landlord.
The auditor general's report for 1831 gives the following record of licenses
in Jefferson county:
" Andrew Barnett, tavern license, $33.44, Andrew Barnett, dealer in for-
eign merchandise, $31.69."
The records of the county show that tavern licenses were granted in Pine
Creek township to Andrew Barnett for 1833-41, at Port Barnett ; Isaac Packer,
for 1834-42, where Peter Baum now lives; Jacob Kroh, for 1842-47, at Port
Barnett; George S. Mathews, 1846; George Leitner, 1840.
The first store was kept by the Barnetts and Samuel Scott, who, in 1826,
was succeeded by Jared B. Evans, who removed it to Brookville in 1830.
William McMannigle, who still resides at Port Barnett, came there in 1834
from Westmoreland county, at which time there was no house between Port
Barnett and Reynoldsville, except the log hotel of Isaac Packer on the Peter
Baum place.^and a log house occupied by Hance Vasbinder, where Emerick-
ville now is.
The first mill erected by the Barnetts was replaced in 183 i by a new one
erected by Andrew Barnett, and this in turn ga\e way to the present steam-
mill erected in 1870, and remodeled in 1882 by James Humphrey, who
purchased the property of Jacob Kroh. While building the dam for the
present mill the workmen came across the timbers of the first mill, which were
in a good state of preservation considering the length of time they had lain in
the water. The logs had huge wrought iron spikes firmly imbedded in them.
The present grist-mill was built in i860.
Port Barnett is still the property of James Humphrey, wlio, in connection
with his mills, has a store under the management of his son, W. N. Humphrey.
Their saw-mill does a large business. Nearly all the houses in the place be-
long to Mr. Humphrey, and are occupied by his workmen. He resides in the
residence built by Jacob Kroh, jr., on the Brookville road, west of the mills.
In 1880 the census gives the population of Port Barnett as seventy.
E.MERICKVILLE.
This little village is situated on the " pike," about six miles east of Brook-
ville, and has aboutjj^one hundred inhabitants. The census of 1880 gives its
population as_fifty-seven,[showing, according to the population now claimed by
Pine Creek Township. 495
the citizens, an increase of almost one-half more. It contains one hotel, two
stores, one blacksmith shop, and twenty dwellings. The hotel, which was built
about the year 1S43 by Jacob Kroh, is now kept by Emanuel Weiser, who
came to the township from Northumberland in 1852, and engaged in lumber-
ing and merchandising. He started his present store at Emerickville in 1870.
The other store is owned by George Zetler, jr., who removed to Emerickville
from Philadelphia in 1848. His father, the late Edward Zetler, when he came
to the place with his fcimily in that year, found it impossible to find a dwelling
house, and was obliged to move into a school-house on the Moore farm until
he could erect a house.
The blacksmith shop is owned by E. Weiser. The first blacksmith^was
George Gray, who rang the anvil in 1858. The shop is now run by George
Raymer.
There are two churches, the Lutheran Church, on the Bliss farm, and the
Methodist on the Moore farm. There is also a new church being built by the
denomination known as the Church of God.
Fuller's Station.
Fuller's Station, on the Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Rail-
road, is situated at the eastern end of the township, on Sandy Lick Creek. It
contains about one hundred inhabitants, and is the principal shipping point for
lumber, bark, etc., for that section of the county, about one hundred cars of
lumber being shipped per month, averaging 10,000 feet to the car, and in the
fall months the shipments of bark are over ninety cars per month, averaging
nine cords to the car.
The Fuller saw-mill was built in 1862 by Abel Fuller, after whom the place
and post-office are named ; its capacity is from 15,000 to 20,000 feet per day.
In 1868 the aggregate business of this mill was over 2,100,000 feet of boards.
Mr. Fuller has 265 acres of timber land, on which there is yet some 20,000
feet of timber, principally hemlock. This mill was remodeled, and new ma-
chinery put in about two years ago. Mr. Fuller also has a store at this point,
which was started in 1876. The post-office is kept in this store. Mr. Fuller
cut the first stick of timber, and made the first improvements in this part of
the township. Abel Fuller is a son of Salmon Fuller, one of the first settlers
of Clover township, who settled there in 1829. He was a native of Duffin's
Creek, Upper Canada, but removed to Painesville, O., where his son Abel was
born in 1S26. He has spent fifty-eight years of his life in Jefferson county.
Mr. Fuller owns a farm of sixty-five acres, bought eight or nine years ago from
Henry Milliron, and on which he has erected a good house and barn. He
raises excellent fruit — apples, pears and peaches.
Population, Taxables, etc. — The population of the township did not in-
crease very fast in the first twenty-five years. The census of 18 10 gives it
496 History of Jefferson County.
as i6i ; 1820, 561, (which also included Perry); 1840, 628; 1850, 778;
i860, 729; 1870,941; 1880, 1189.
The taxables in 1807 were 23 ; in 1814, 35 ; in 1821, (including Perry),
161 ; in 1828, 60 ; in 1835, 103 ; in 1842, 98 ; in 1849, 1 5*5 ; in 1856, 125 ;
in 1863, 183 ; in 1870, 247 ; 1886, 368.
The triennial assessment for the year 1886, gives the number of acres
seated as 10,872, and the valuation $44,004; average per acre $4.46. Num-
ber of houses and lots 118; valuation $8,537. Grist and saw-mills 7 ; valua-
tion $9,613. Unseated lands 5,936; valuation $18,171; average per acre
$3.06. Number of horses 186; valuation $7,714 ; average valuation $41.47.
Number of cows 255 ; valuation $2,850 ; average, $1 1. 18. Occupations 164 ;
valuation $5,500 ; average $33.84. Total valuation, subject to county tax,
$96,434. Money at interest $24,122.
The basis of taxation adopted in all the townships of the county is one-
fifth of the real value on real estate, and one-third on personal property. This
would make the real value of real estate in Pine Creek township, for the year
1886, $1,908,000, and of personal property $150,000.
The assessed valuation of real estate in the township for 1886 is $381,600;
personal property $50,000.
Elections. — The first elections in Jefferson county, which were also the first
held in Pine Creek, have already been given. We give below the last election
held before Perry was organized :
" 1817, Pine Creek township. At an election held at the house of Joseph
Barnett in said township on Friday, the 14th day of March, A. D. 1817, the
following persons were duh- elected : Constable, Elijah Graham, 22 votes ;
John Dixson, 13. Supervisors, Joseph Barnett, 25 votes; Thos. Lucas, 28.
Overseers, Henry Fey, 9 votes ; John Matson, 6. Fence appraisers, Moses
Knap, 7 votes; William Vasbinder, 7. Town clerk, Elijah Graham, 22 votes.
Signed, Adam Vasbinder, Walter Templeton, judges."
The last election, held in February, 1887, resulted in the election of the
following persons to fill the various offices in the tov\nship : Justice of the
peace, Z. T. Chambers ; constable, John Cable ; supervisors, S. R. Milliron,
Calvin Hutchins ; school directors, A. H. Yost, John Carberry ; poor over-
seer, E. C. Wilson ; auditor, A. D. Deemer ; tax collector, Charles Wetzel ;
judge of election, Frank Grady; inspectors, Joseph Dempsey, Frank P.
Plyler ; assessor, William DeMott ; town clerk, Z. T. Chambers.
The justices of the peace in Pine Creek now are George Zetler, jr., and
Z. T. Chambers. The members of the school board previously elected are
Michael Mowry, John Cable, Thomas Montgomery, and Barton Hutchins.
Perry Township. 497
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HISTORY OF PERRY TOWNSHIP.
PERRY was the second township organized in Jefferson count)', being taken
from Pine Creek in 1818. It embraced the whole of the county south
of Little Sandy, and the dividing line was for a long time called the " Mason
and Dixon line of Jefferson county." It was organized soon after the brilliant
victory gained on Lake Erie, by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, and was
named for him. Perry township, until 1826, was bounded on the north by
Pine Creek township, on the east by Clearfield, west by Armstrong, and south
by Indiana county.
The township now contains about twenty- eight square miles, or 18,000
acres, principally good farming land. Its shape is nearly square, with boun-
dary lines running due east and west, and north and south.
The surface is mostly elevated. With the exception of Mahoning Creek
the streams are small and flow through narrow ravines. The Mahoning Creek
flows in. a tortuous course through a deep, wide valley extending along the
southern border of the township. A narrow divide, trending east and west,
crosses the northern portion of the township and separates the waters of the
Mahoning from those of the Little Sandy. Frostburg is at the summit of this
elevated plateau.
The fiirst settler in what is now Perry township, was John Bell, who was
born in Virginia on the 28th of January, 1770, and when but an infant was
taken by his family to Cumberland county, and subsequently to the Sewickly
settlement, then in Westmoreland county, where he resided until 1800, when
he moved to the vicinity of what is now the town of Indiana, where he was, in
1805, on the formation of Indiana county, elected the first constable in that
county. In 1809 he decided to penetrate still further into the wilderness, and
settled upon the farm about one mile north of the Big Mahoning Creek, and
made the first improvement in that part of Jefferson county. Until the year
18 1 2 his nearest neighbors were nine miles distant, in Indiana county, and
the nearest, in what is now Jefferson county, were those living in the Barnett
Settlement, over twenty miles north of him.
For a long time after Mr. Bell took up his abode in this wilderness his ri-
fle, in the use of which he was an adept, was the only source of subsistence for
himself and family ; and in hunting and clearing off his heavily timbered land
the first years of his residence in this wilderness were passed. As a proof of
his skill as a hunter it is stated, on creditable authority, that during his resi-
dence in Jefferson county John Bell killed two panthers, ninety-three wolves,
three hundred and six bears and over six hundred deer, to say nothing of
498 History of Jefferson County.
wild turkeys, which were then very numerous, and other small game. The
red men, too, yet lurked in the forests, and though we have heretofore had
nothing but their friendly actions towards the early settlers to chronicle, it is
stated that on one occasion Mr. Bell, who had been to Port Barnett on busi-
ness, and was obliged to camp out for the night on his way home, saw an In-
dian taking aim at him from behind a tree. In relating this incident he re-
marked, " that Indian was never seen afterwards ;" from which it was easily
inferred that the savage fell before his unerring rifle.
In l8i8 Governor Findley appointed him justice of the peace, an office
which he held for twenty- five years, and in which his jurisdiction was honest
and creditable. He was known all his life afterwards, all over this region of
country as " Squire Bell." One of Mr. Bell's strongest characteristics was his
love of truth and his sterling honesty. He would call no man friend whom he
could not respect, and he disdained to conceal his opinions or dislikes. For
those whom he professed friendsliip he would make any sacrifice of personal
convenience. He was a true type of the earh' American pioneer.
But while he was famous as a hunter and woodsman, he did not neglect his
farm, upon which he worked so zealously that he soon had it under a good
state of culture, and long before he was obliged to relinquish the oversight of
it he had made it productive, erected comfortable buildings and planted one of
the finest orchards in the count}' ; and when the evening of his days came he
was able to " sit under his own vine and fig tree ;" to look out over the fertile
fields which he had reclaimed from the dense wilderness, and enjoy the fruit
from the trees of his own planting. This farm, still one of the best in Jefferson
county, is now the property of Robert Hamilton.
Mr. Bell was married twice. His first wife died, leaving him with three
children, John, Hugh and Mary; (the latter married David Postlethwait), and
he then married Jane Potter, a daughter of the first settler of Reynoldsville,
who survived him for a number of years. The only child of the second mar-
riage is Mrs. Rachel Weaver, of Perry township. He died on the 19th of May,
1855, in the eighty-si.xth year of his age, having resided in Jefterson county
for forty-six years.
He was one of the most widely known citizens cf the county, and his home
was for many years the resting place of the wayfarer, no one ever being turned
away from his hospitable door. For over twenty-five years the members of
the Indiana county bar made his home their stopping place on their way to
and from their attendance at the courts held at Brookviile, and among his
warmest friends were Judge Thomas White, and Messrs. Banks, Stannard, Car-
penter, Coffey, and others who visited him on those occasions.
The ne.Kt settler who came into what is now Perry township was Archibald
Hadden, who located about a mile southeast from John Bell in 18 10. Mr.
Hadden also came from Westmoreland county. He built the first grist-mill in
Perry Township.
499
Perry township, near the present town of Perrysville. Mr. Hadden died a
number of years ago. His son, Wilham Hadden, is now the oldest resident of
OHver township.
Then came Hugh McKee, a soldier of the War of i8i2, from Westmore-
land county, who settled on a farm about half a mile from where Perrysville
now is. Mr. McKee was a prominent citizen of this portion of the countj'
during the few years that he resided there, and held the office of auditor and
supervisor. He was killed in 1822 by falling from the roof of a log barn he was
building, and was the first adult buried in the grave-yard at Punxsutawney
(then in Perry township). A daughter of Hugh McKee, Mrs Susannah Hall,
died in Brookville, May 4, 1887, aged eighty-one years. She came with her
parents to Jefferson county when a little child, and lived within its limits for
over seventy years. The only remaining member of the family, William Mc-
Kee (son of Hugh), resides in Oliver township.
John Postlethwait came from Westmoreland county in 1818, and settled a
mile and a half northwest of Perrysville. Near the same time the family of
John Young settled two miles west of the present town of Perrj'sville.
Another of the pioneer settlers of Perry township was Reuben Hickox,
who came in 1822. He was a great hunter, and in less than three days caught
six bears, and in about three months had killed over fifty of these animals.
He trapped and hunted principally for bears and wolves, as the skin of the
wild cat and other animals were of little or no value. Deer, wild turkey and
wild ducks supplied his family with food. Mr. Hickox was born in New
Haven, Conn., his father being a soldier in General Washington's own com-
mand, for several years during the Revolutionary War. He was married in
18 1 8 to Catharine Williams. Mr. Hickox died about 1884, aged over ninety
years. His son, Charles Hickox, and others of his descendants, still live in
Perry.
William Johnson came to Perry township in March, 1830, from Mahoning
township, Indiana county. He put up a little shanty to live in while he
hewed logs to build a house, and one day when he came to the shanty he
found the tracks made in the ashes by a large bear which had visited it in his
absence. When his house was ready to raise, James McCombs, John Hender-
son, William Neal, James McHenry and James Chambers came from Indiana
county to help at the " raising." They came to give this assistance in com-
pensation for similar services rendered them by Mr. Johnston prior to that
time. He occupied this house for seven years, and then built a large frame
house, in which he yet resides. He had, in the meantime, built a large frame
barn, which is yet standing. Thomas Hopkins, late of Shamoka, did all the
carpenter work of these buildings.
When Mr. Johnston was engaged in grubbing his second field, he saw a
large bear coming towards him. He ran to the house for his gun and shot it.
500 History of Jefferson County.
The animal showed fight, but soon became exhausted from loss of blood, and
crept into some bushes near by and died. While he was following the bear
into the thicket, a young fawn sprang up in front of him, and, frightened at the
unwonted visitor, sped swiftly away into the recesses of the forest.
When Mr. Johnston was thirteen years of age he worked for a while for
" Squire" John Bell. One day Bell's horses ran away, and after a long time
spent in hunting for them he met Andrew Barnett, who was on his way to
Indiana, who informed him that he had heard the bell, which the horses wore,
when he was going through the woods through the Gomper's improvement,
which consisted of a patch of buckwheat sown in the woods, on land now
owned by William J. Smith. Mr. Johnston took a small sack of salt and a
bridle and started after the runaways, and after traveling through a wilderness
infested with wild beasts, and where danger lurked in every thicket, he found
them where the farm of George Ickes now is, in Oliver township, and five
miles from home. The boy took the horses safely home, and to use his own
words, thought he had " won as great a victory as Columbus did when he dis-
covered America."
It was while making this trip that Mr. Johnson's attention was called to the
piece of land which pleased him so much, and which he afterwards bought, in
1829, from Charles C. Gaskill, agent of the Holland Land Company, paying
him one hundred and forty dollars and twenty- five cents for two hundred and
ten acres. This tract was surveyed by John J. Y. Thompson, of Brookville,
and on which Mr. Johnston made the first improvement between John Bell's
and Port Barnett.
This property which Mr. Johnston selected when a bo\-, is still his home,
and is one of the finest farms in Jeffeison county. He done all the work of
clearing and farming his land until the spring of 1873. While repairing his
barn he had his left foot bruised very severely, which caused hiin months of
the most intense suffering, and terminated at last in his having his foot ampu-
tated and then the limb three different times. Since that time he has been
unable to help himself, but has spent his time in a wheel chair. He is now in
the eighty-third year of his age, and is respected and esteemed by all who
know him for the good he has done.
Mr. Johnston's wife, who was Miss Mary Postlethvvait, daughter of David
Postlethwait, has been dead for a number of years, and as they had no chil-
dren, a nephew, Mr. Levi Postlethwait, resides with him.
In 1822 David Postlethwait purchased land in the Round Bottom from
Benjamin McBride and William Stewart, who had settled there a year before,
and cleared a few acres Samuel Newcom, James Wachob, Isaac Wachob,
Stephen and Isaac Lewis, Joseph Croasman, James Stewart, Nathaniel Foster,
Isaac London, John 'Van Horn, Thomas Gourley, William Marshall, George
Blose, David and James Hamilton were among those who first settled in Perry
township, and their descendants are still among the foremost and best citizens.
Perry Township. 501
Thomas S. Mitchell was for many years a prominent citizen of Perry town-
ship, and kept a general store at Perrysville. In 1854 he was elected sheriff.
He has been dead for a number of years, but several of his family still reside
in the township.
James McCracken, another prominent citizen of the county, was born in
Count)' Down, Ireland, in 1816. His parents came to Philadelphia in 1823,
and from there removed to Schuylkill county. Mr. McCracken came to Jef-
ferson county in 1839, and in 1848 was elected sheriff of the county. Since
his term of office expired he has resided on his farm in Perry township. He
has engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1839 he was married to Martha
Lyon, of Port Carbon, also a native of Ireland. Of their ten children three
daughters and one son are dead. Hugh, the eldest son, resides in West Vir-
ginia, James resides on the homestead in Perry township, and William L. is
practicing law in Brookville. The three surviving daughters are all married to
citizens of the county.
Charles R. B. Morris was three years old when his father, Obed Morris, re-
moved to Jefferson county. In his youth he taught in the common schools of
the county in winter, and worked on the farm or lumbered in the summer.
He was twice elected county commissioner. In 1863 he removed to a farm in
Perry township, where for a number of years he was engaged in merchandis-
ing at Frostburg, a little village located on his farm.
The Means, Depps, Jordans, Ruths, Baths, Travis, Weavers, Dilts, Palmers,
Hopkins, Niselys, Groves, Mosiers, Smiths, Kellys, Crissmans, Reddings, Galls,
Kinsells, Whitesells, Neels, Swabs, Shillings, are also among the old and prom-
inent families in the township.
Perrysville is the principal village, and is located at the extreme southern
end of the township. Its population in 1880, according to the census, was one
hundred and seventeen. It is situated on the banks of the Mahoning, and
contains two stores, owned and operated by Mitchell & Neel, and A. L. Gib-
son, and two hotels, the proprietors of which are Sharp Neel and George Jor-
don. The post-office at Perrysville was called Hamilton, for Robert Hamilton,
the first postmaster, and bore that name for thirty-four years, when it was
changed to Hay, being so called for the late Malcolm Hay, who was appo's'Qv te
first assistant postmaster-general by President Cleveland.
There are four post-offices in Perry township, — Hay, Frostburg, Valier
and Grange.
Frostburg, the next village in Perry township, is located on the farm of C.
R. B. Morris and contains a post-office and the store of Swisher & Gahagan.
The potter)' of the Messrs. Swisher was for a long time located at this place.
Valier post-office is located in Whitesville, a little village in the Round Bot-
tom settlement, which is in the midst of a good farming countr)-.
Grange, the other post-office in the township, is located near Daniel
Sprankle's. The store of L. F. Sutter is located there. ^^
502 History ok Jefferson C(junty.
The first church in the township was built at Perry in 1835, and the first
school-house, as has already been stated, was the one built in 1820, of logs,
near the present site of Perrysville.
The first saw-mill was built by Elijah Heath on the Mahoning, above the
Round Bottom. The first hotel was kept in Perrysville by Irwin Robinson,
and the first store was started near that plate by Alva Pain.
The first grave-yard was located where Perry church was afterwards built,
and Robert Stunkard was the first buried tliere, about 1830. There many of
the first settlers of the south side and their children and children's children have
been laid in later years.
There are now seven churches and nine school-houses in the township with
cemeteries attached to each church. There is only one grist-mill in the town-
ship, that of William White, on Big Mahoning Creek. There are five black-
smith shops, three furniture manufactories, two tan yards and one harness shop.
Perry township is one of the very best farming districts in the county, con-
taining many large and well-improved farms, among the best of which are
those of J. H. Lewis, S. Neel, C. R. B. Morris, J. M. Jordon, L. Gourley and
D. Hamilton.
But little attention has been paid to raising thoroughbred stock. The
township is admirably adapted to fruit culture, and the best varieties of apples,
peaches, plums, quinces, pears, cherries, grapes and strawberries are raised.
In 1823, according to the "Collector's Duplicate for the Township,"
Charles C. Gaskill, being collector, there were the following taxables in Perry
township: Jesse Armstrong, Joim Bell, James Bell, S. M.,^ Rev. Charles Bar-
clay, Joseph Bell, S. M., John Bell, jr., George Baker, Philip Bowers, John
Bowers, Joseph Grossman, Daniel Cauffman, Benijah Corey, Isaac Condon,
Isaac Carmalt, Elizabeth Clawson, Mathias Clawson, Benjamin Dike, Peter
Dorman, S. M., Charles C. Gaskill, Samuel Genoa, Daniel Graffius, Adam
Gearhart, David Hamilton, James Hamilton, S. M., Archibald Hadden, Jacob
Hoover, John Hoover, Elijah Heath. Stophel Hetrick, Peter Henry, William
Hemingway, James Irvine, Dr. John W. Jenks, Thomas Jackson, John Kuhn,
S. M., Stephen Lewis, Isaac Lewis, Michael Lantz, Adam Long (cooper), Ad-
am Long, Francis Leech, John Leas, Isaac McHendry, Elizabeth McHendry,
James McClelland, James McBride, John McDonald, Isaac McElvaine, Will-
iam McElvaine. David McDonald, Thomas McKee, S. M., James McKee, S. M.,
John Miller, David Milliron, Thompson McKee, Henry Milliron, Joiin New-
com, Samuel Newcom, Lawrence Nolf, Conrad Nolf, John Postlethwait, sr.,
David Postlethwait, John Postlethwait, S. M., Thomas Payne, Peter Reed,
Samuel States, William Smith, James Stewart, John Stewart, Nathaniel Tindel,
John Vanhorn, James Wachob, Isaac Wachob, Carpenter Windslow, jr., Abra-
ham Weaver, Carpenter Windslow, sr., James Windslow, Reuben Windslow,
IS. M., means single ivi.in.
Perry Township. 503
Joseph Whitman, Pearlin White, Richard Wainwright, Samuel Wainwright,
John Young, James Young, S. M., Jacob Young, S. M."
Statistics of Population, Assessments, and Schools. — The number of tax-
ables in Perry township was in 1820, 205; in 1828, 88; in 1829, 86, with
three deaf and dumb, and votes cast at the spring election, were 22, and at
the general election, 36. In 1829 the number of taxables was 86, and ac-
cording to Gordon's Gazetteer, the length of the township in 1 83 i was 1 1 miles ;
breadth, 9 miles; area in acres, 49,280. In 1835, there were 209 taxables;
in 1849, 325; in 1856, 2o6 ; in 1863, 238; in 1870. 288; in 1 880, 343; in
1886, 383.
In 1820 the population of Perry was included in Pine Creek. For the year
1830 the census returns did not give the population of the townships sepa-
rately. In 1840 the census gives Perry's population as 1,076 ; in 1850, 1,738 ;
1860,1,073; 1870,1,222; 1880,1,293. The taxables in 1828, were 88; 1829,
86; 1835, 209; 1842,251; 1849, 325: 1856, 206; 1863, 238; 1870,288;
1880, 1,293.
The triennial assessment for the year 1886 gives the number of acres seated
as 15,625, and the valuation $74,609; average per acre, $4.77; number of
houses and lots, 84; valuation, $6,259; unseated lands, 40 acres; valuation,
$40; number of horses, 275; valuation, $12,349; average valuation, $45;
number of cows, 351; valuation, $4,071 ; average valuation, $11,31. Occu-
pations, 99 ; valuation, $2,583 ; average, $25.08. Total valuation subject to
county tax, $100,191. Money at interest $44,411. The basis of taxation in
Perry township is one-fifth of the real valuation, which would make the value
of real estate in the township $500,955.
The school statistics of Perry township as given in the report of the State
superintendent of public schools, for the year ending June 30, 1886, is as fol-
lows : Whole number of schools, eight ; average number of months taught, 5 ;
male teachers, 7 ; female teachers, i ; average salary of teachers, $31.85 ; num-
ber of male scholars, 200 ; females, 162 ; average number attending school, 338 ;
average per cent, of attendance, 95 ; cost per month, 70 cents ; number of
mills levied on for school purposes, 12. Total amount of tax levied for school
purposes, $1,373.39. Total expenditures for schools, buildings, etc., $1,477.73.
Elections. — " Perry township. At an election held at the house of John
Bell, in said township, on Friday, the 20th day of March, 1818, the following
persons were duly elected : Constable, David Hamilton had 5 votes, Jacob
Hoover, 3 ; supervisors, John Bell 5 votes, Hugh McKee, 5 ; auditors. Archi-
bald Hadden 5 votes, Jess Armstrong 5, James McClennen 5, Michael Lance
5 ; fence appraisers, Jos. Crossman 5 votes, Adam Long 5 ; overseers, Henry
Lott 5 votes, Liga Dycus 5. (Signed) Archibald Hadden, Hugh McKee,
Judges."
At the next election the voters had increased to eight, and at the last elec-
504 History of Jefferson Couxtv.
tion, before Young township was formed, the number of voters appears to have
been seventy- seven. At this election in 1825, "schoolmen " were voted for,
John W. Jenks, Charles C. Gaskill and John Bell being elected. This is the
only record of any such office in the election returns of the county from 1807
to 1830. Tliese elections were all held at the house of John Bell, and in the
first ten years he was eight times elected to office, being supervisor, auditor,
overseer of the poor and schoolman.
The following persons were elected at the election held February 15, 1887 :
Constable, William I. Lamison ; supervisors, R. S. Blose, William Doverspike ;
school directors, Joseph Means, jr., William Smith ; overseers of the poor,
David Neel, Sharp Hamilton; asses'^or, A. G. Gourley; auditor, Henry Xeel ;
judge of election, Craig Dilts; inspectors, T. D. Brewer, J. C. Crissman ; col-
lector, George Gourley.
The justices of the peace in Perr_\- are C. R. B. Morris, and Daniel Brewer.
The school directors elected previous to February 15, 1887, are, Aaron Depp,
W. R Postlethwait, William H. Diltz, A. H. Neel.
CHAPTER XXXV.
HISTORY OF YOUNG TOWNSHIP AND PUNXSUTAWNEY.
THE township which completed the first trio, was Young, organized in
1826, and taken from Ferry township. It was then quite large, embracing
all the southeastern portion of the county. It was named for Judge Young,
at that time president judge of the Westmoreland judicial district. The town-
ship is now bounded on the north by McCalmont, south by Indiana county,
east by Belle township, and west by Perr)-. It is rectangular in form, six miles
long by three wide — eighteen square miles, and contains 11,520 acres. The
Mahoning Creek flows across the township from east to west, in a deep, wide
valley in which Punxsutawney is situated. South from the creek the region
is an upland plateau, the top of which is three hundred and fifty feet above the
creek level, and is but little broken by ravines. The region north of the creek
is, on the other hand, no less high, is much diversified by hill and vale — a for-
tunate topographical arrangement for the commercial interests of the town-
ship, as it makes access easy abo\'e water level to the large and valuable coal
beds. The small tributary vallej's of which there are four, trend southward,
and are roughly parallel to one another. The most important of these is the
Elk Run Valley.
Geology. — The Freeport Lower Coal is the one which gives value to Young
township, and nearly all of the township is underlaid with it. The Freeport
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 505
Upper Coal, though a bed of considerable thickness, j'ields much inferior coal.
The coal trade of Young township is now second to none in the count)-, as will
be seen from a report of the Wallston mines given elsewhere. The Freeport
upper limestone is of very little account in Young township, showing but few
exposures, and these of an impure character.
Early Settlers. — Among the olden time settlers of Young township, the
Carmalts are prominent features. They were of Quaker extraction, and with
the Gaskills infused into the early life of the south side of the county an element
that was an important factor in the history of those days of early pioneer
struggle.
Isaac P. Carmalt was born in Philadelphia in 1794. His father was a rela-
tive of William Penn, with whom his ancestors came from England on his
second voyage to this country. His mother's family was a prominent one in
North Wales, where, it is said, " they owned an entire township." Isaac was
a carpenter by trade, but tiring of city life, he started to look up a home in
the then far West. In company with William Patterson, he left Philadelphia
in 1818, with a good team of horses and a Dearborn wagon, and in about three
weeks arrived at their journey's end, a place some twelve miles from Indiana-
town. His father, not hearing from him for some time, became anxious about
him, and started, in company with a man named Harvey, to hunt him up.
Harvey had his family with him, and the journey was a long and toilsome one.
When near its end their wagon stuck in the bed of a creek. The horses gave
two or three pulls, but failing to extricate it, balked, and no persuasion could
induce them to proceed. Fortunately they had sent a messenger ahead to
apprise Isaac of their coming, and he appeared on the scene with his servant,
and at once went to work to help them out of their dilemma by unloading and
prying the wagon out of the hole in which it was imbedded. He persuaded
Mrs. Harvey, who weighed about one hundred and seventy-five pounds, to sit
on his neck, with her feet on either side, and he, in this way, carried her to
the shore. They soon had the wagon out and proceeded to his house, where
they rested from their toilsome and perilous journey.
The following incidents of Mr. Carmalt's pioneer experience, as related in
his own language, were published in Caldwell's " Historical Atlas of Jefferson
County :"
'■ I had no grindstone, and so I concluded to go to Squire Bell's, twelve
miles distant (John Bell, who first settled in Perry township), borrow his mare,
and go for a rock out of which I could make a grindstone. On my way back
with the stone in one side of a bag and potatoes in the other, to balance, I be-
came belated and so concluded to stay over night with the squire. It was a
moonlight night, and as the mare approached a short turn in the path she
began to snort. I looked up and beheld something sitting erect, about the
size of a man, on one side of the path, and on approaching it had the appear-
So6 History of Jefferson County.
ance of two balls of fire. My horse instantly sprang, became uncontrollable,
and away she went. Her colt was following after, and so I looked back to see
what had become of it. As the colt passed, the animal screamed like a paint-
er and leaped for it, but the colt barely escaped, and come on at a dead run.
I soon reached Squire Bell's, it being about midnight, opened the barn door,
rushed the mare and colt in, fastened the door, and called to the squire for his
son, John, the big dog, and the gun. The squire raised the window and sa'd,
' Carmalt, what's the matter?' I replied, ' I want John, the big dog, and the
gun to go back and catch some big animal.' The old man laughed and said,
' Carmalt, you must have been frightened by the fall of the limb of a tree.
There is no big animal there.' ' I know there is,' I said, ' and I want John,
the big dog, and the gun.' The squire then called John. He brought his gun
and called up the dog, and we started for the path, and near the place where
I saw the animal, John said, ' Carmalt, you make a noise like that you heard.'
I imitated the cry, and the animal answered. I called again and again, and
each time there came the same scream from the animal. I said, ' John, thee
had better set the dog on it.' John tried, but the dog refused to go. Then I
said, ' We'd better go back to the house as soon as we can if the dog won't go.'
So we went to the house, and soon we were abed asleep. The next morning I
left the mare and the stone, and started back on foot, as I was afraid that my
colored man, whom I had left at the cabin, was out of provisions. I walked
several miles and stopped at a house where they told me that some strange
animal had driven in all their stock the night before. I told them that it was
a painter. I again started and walked on through the woods till 1 got to
another house, and, as it was about dark, I called in. After speaking a few
words, I started out towards the road, or rather path, with a view to go home.
The man went with me, and, as we were talking, we saw two objects at a dis-
tance, coming in the path. On a nearer approach I saw that they were two
tall hunters, each six and a half feet high, with their guns, hunting apparatus,
etc., and a big dog. They had coon skin caps on, with the tails projecting in
front like plumes. They asked the man if tliey could stay over night with him,
as they had their own provisions and beds, and their wives were coming on
behind in the path. ' We only want a place to sleep,' they said. ' You can
stay. You are welcome. We never turn any one away,' the man replied.
As the women approached, I saw that they were on horseback, and the first
one had a straw bed thrown over the horse, and the head-board hung on one
side, and the foot-board on the other. She also had a large spinning-wheel in
front of her, and a child before and behind. The second one was attired in
the same manner, riding on a horse. Her spinning-wheel was a small one,
and she, too, had a child before and one behind. They went into the house,
and I concluded also to stay over night. Pretty soon a neighbor woman came
running in and said, ' a woman's cow's entrails have been torn out, and the
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 507
cow came home dragging them on the ground.' The hunters hstened to the
story, and then one of them spoke and said, ' There's the fellow that will take
him,' pointing to the dog. At two o'clock the next morning the hunters and
the dog were missing. They got on the animal's trail during the day, but
returned at night without him. The second day at two o'clock they started
out again. They came on his track and followed it for some distance. All of
a sudden the dog barked, and the panther leaped on him from a tree and
escaped without injury. The hunters became very angry, and returned to the
house again. They said, ' We'll have him if he is in the State, for he's killed
our dog. They asked the man if their families could stay a few days longer,
and of course they received permission. The next morning they started out
again at two o'clock, and traveled till noon. They sat down, ate their lunch,
and as one was wiping his mouth with his hand, he looked up and saw the
panther just in the act of springing on them. He never spoke a word, but
drew up his gun, winked at his brother, aimed at the animal, both firing at the
same time, and the balls passed each other in the animal's heart. One of them
called out, ' Now we've got him ! Now we've got him !' They got out their
knives, skinned him, and one of them wrapped the skin about his body, with
the head hanging over his shoulder, and the hind parts and tail dragging be-
hind. I still waited with anxiety for the panther and my colored man, and
went again and again to the road to see if the hunters were coming. I soon
saw them coming, one having a long tail dragging behind, and the head hang-
ing on his shoulder. My friend and I cried, ' They've got him ! They've got
him!' That evening — a happy man — I started for home. On meeting my
man, he threw his arms around my neck, and said, ' I'm so glad to see you !
I'se had nothing to eat for three days. I knows when you come with the gun
you'd soon kill a deer, and we'd have a big feast.' The next morning I killed
a deer, and there was a general rejoicing."
On account of some dispute about his title Mr. Carmalt found he was
likely to lose his improvement in Indiana county, and he removed to Punxsu-
tawney in 1 82 1 and bought a lot, but the following year he purchased the
tract of land about a mile from Punxsutawney, in Young township, where he
made his home, allowing a beautiful grove of pine trees to remain about his
dwelling, and making the Carmalt place one of the most attractive in that
section. His farm now belongs to the Rochester and Pittsburgh Mining Com-
pany, and Mr. Carmalt a short time ago took up his residence with his son
in Philadelphia. He is ninety-three years of age.
In 1822 Miss Hannah P. Gaskill came to Jefferson county to visit her
brother. C. C. Gaskill, where she met and made the acquaintance of Isaac P.
Carmalt, to whom she was married on the 1st of April, 1823, at the Friends'
meeting-house in Philadelphia. Mrs. Carmalt was born in Philadelphia in
1788, her father being a merchant, whose counting house was directly op-
5o8 History of Jefferson County.
posite that of Stephen Girard, with whom he was on the most intimate terms.
She had received the best education that her native city then afforded, and her
mind was of more than ordinary order, but she cast aside all the pleasures of
belleship and the attractive and congenial society to be found in the city of
Philadelphia, and became the wife of a Jefferson county pioneer, exchanging
the gayety of the city for the wilderness, and from that time she was identified
with the history of the county.
Some years after her marriage the settlement was visited by an epidemic
which made sad inroads among the sparse population. Mrs. Carmalt, who
was skilled in the medicaments then in use, and whose home was a dispensary
for the sick and afflicted, with Mrs. Heath, wife of Judge Heath, and sister of
Dr. Jenks, laying aside all fears of contagion, attended daily at the bedsides
of the sufferers, and to their care and nursing many of those prostrated by the
disease owed their lives. Mrs. Carmalt lived to a good old age, dying a few
years ago.
Another of the pioneers of Young township was Obed Morris, who was
born in Bucks county December 8, 1792. When he was a year old his family
removed to Northampton county, where he remained twenty-four years, and
where, in 1814, he married Mary Bowman. In 1820 he removed to Indiana
county, settling near the present village of Covode. In 1824 he bought a
tract of land within the present limits of Young township. Here he labored
early and late, and by the strictest economy was able to pay for his land and
add to it from time to time, until he had one of the largest and best cultivated
farms in the township. He was a whole souled, public spirited citizen, a man
of strong religious convictions, and temperate in all things. His wife died on
the 2d of February, 1859. His family consisted of three sons and two daugh-
ters — James Madison, Elizabeth Bowman, Theodore, Charles R. B., Mary
Barclay, Joseph Bowman and Moses A. Of these Theodore, Joseph and Moses
are prominent and influential citizens of Young township. Mr. Morris died
several years ago. His son, Theodore, resides on the old homestead.
Daniel Graffius was one of the early settlers of Young township, to which
he first came about 1818, and removed with his family from Huntingdon
county in 1823. His descendants are among the best citizens of Jefferson
county at the present day. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Caldwell, widow of Jo-
siah Caldwell, now over eighty years of age, is probably the oldest citizen of the
township. She is yet able to attend to her household duties and is in posses-
sion of all her mental faculties, and delights to talk of those early days when
she found a home in the wilderness of Jefferson county.
The first lumber taken out in Young township was by Jesse Armstrong
and William Neel, an account of which has already been gi\en. The first coal
was discovered by Obed Morris and John Hutchinson about 1820.
There is but one large saw-mill now in Young tow^nship, that owned and
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 509
operated by the Rochester and Pittsburgh Mining Company at Adrian mines ;
its capacity is 20,000 per da\'.
There are two grist-mills in the township, that of James St. Clair, and P. W.
Jenks's mill, located on the Mahoning, about three and one-half miles below
Punxsutawney. The stores are those of H. P. Brown & Co., and M. L. Smith,
at Adrian and Walston. There is no licensed hotel in the township.
Young township is noted for its fine farms and excellent buildings. Among
the best improved are those of John North's estate, now owned by his sons —
S. T. North, Joseph K. North, Thomas North — William Long, Theodore Mor-
ris, Joseph B. Morris, Robert Law, Irwin Simpson.
What has been said in regard to fruit culture in Perry township will apph'
to Young.
Number of Taxables, Population, and School Statistics. — The number of
taxables in Young township in 1828 was Ji; in 1829, 70; in 1831, 70; in
183s, 146 ; in 1842, 271 ; in 1849, 399; in 1856, 381 ; in 1863, 177 ; in 1880,
293; in 1886, 590.
The population, according to census of 1840, 1,321; 1850, 1,891 ; 1S60,
776 \ 1870,954; 1880,909.
The number of acres seated in the township, according to the triennial
assessment for 1886,9,600; valuation, $74,300; average per acre, $7.74 ;
houses and lots 233; valuation $23,990; one grist-mill, $800; 2,645 acres of
mineral land ; valuation $21,703 ; average value per acre, $8.20 ; number of
horses, 184; value, $5,167; average value, $28.07; number of cows, 209!
value, $2,284; average value, $10.93; occupations, 441; value, $10,975 ! av-
erage, $24.89; total valuation subject to county tax, $139,219; money at
interest, $10,657.
Tlie whole number of schools in Young township for the year ending June
30, 1886, was seven; number of months taught, five; male teachers, six;
female, one; average salary of males, $34; female, $32; scholars, males, 239;
females, 219; average attendance, 347; per cent, of attendance, 90; cost per
month, 72 cents; number of mills levied for school purposes, 13; total amount
of tax levied, $1,55350; total expenditures, $1,648.49. There were eight
schools during the winter of 1886.
Elections. — The first two elections held for the township of Young, after it
was separated from Perry, as the returns appear in the office of the prothon-
otary, at Indiana, are as follows :
" Young townsliip return for 1826. Constable, Joseph Long had 32 votes,
Jno. Hum, 1 1 votes. Signed Philip Bowers, judge, etc.
" 1827. — Young township. At an election held at the house of Elijah
Heath, in Punxsutawney, on the i6th of March, 1827, the following persons
received the number of votes, to wit:
"Constables, Joseph Long had 22 votes, Ohed Morris, 13; supervisors,
61
5IO History of Jefferson County.
Nathaniel Tindal, 29, Benoni Williams, 32; auditors, Andrew H. Bowman, 30.
Josiah Caldwell, 27, Matthias Clawson, 24, Philip Bowers, 18 ; poor overseers,
Frederick Rinehart, 15, Christian Rishel, 20; fence appraisers, Adam Long
(cooper), 20, John Hum, 9. Signed, Frederick Rinehart, Joseph Long, Jos-
iah Caldwell, judges, Mathus Clawson, A. H. Bowman, clerks."
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following township officers
were elected :
Young township, north. — Justice of the peace, J. B. Morris; constable,
Samuel Williams ; supervisors, D. B. Hinton, Jos. W. Long ; school directors,
S. T. North, Morgan Lloyd ; poor overseer, J. C. Smith; auditor, F. M. Bow-
man ; judge of election, H. W. Moore; inspectors, A. J. Haymaker, John
Weber ; assessor, J. C. Smith ; collector and treasurer, A. J. Smith ; town clerk,
F. M. Bowman. Young, south. — Judge of election, H. E. Clawson ; inspec-
tors, B. Zeigler, John Hutchinson.
The justices of the peace are Philip D. Wolf, and J. B. Morris. The
members of the school board previously elected are, L. S. McQuown, W. C.
Williams, D. B. Hintor, and M. L. Smith.
PUNXSUTAWNEY.
Origin of the Aavic. — We quoted principally from tradition in the prepara-
tion of the chapter upon Indian history, and some of the statements therein
made concerning the origin of the name of Punxsutawney, are disproved by
the origin here given in the journal of Brother Ettewein, the Moravian mis-
sionary, who visited the place in 1772.
It has been claimed that the great Moravian missionary. Rev. John Heck-
weilder, spent "six weeks in the Indian town of Punxsutawney, where he was
detained by seme of his band having small-pox," but this Mr. Jordon refutes,
and says : " Among his (Heckweilder's) papers, he has prepared a list of the
journeys he made, with the number of miles (30,000) between 1762 and 1814,
and I nowhere find any reference to his visit to Punxsutawney, directly but
indirectly. He may have spent a day or so on the site of the town, where
some few Indians yet resided in 1762. In writing his narrative, he refers to
his visit in 1772, and states that thirty years before it was almost a deserted
spot."
About the year 1765, the Moravian missionary, David Zeisberger, estab-
lished the mission of Friedenshnetten, near the present town of Wyalusing, in
Bradford county. This town, the name of which signifies " tents of peace,"
contained "thirteen Indian huts, and upwards of forty frame houses, shingled
and provided with chimneys and windows." There was another mission about
thirty miles above Friedenshnetten, " Tschechschequanink," or as it was trans-
lated, "where a great awakening had taken place." This latter mission was
under the charge of Brother Roth. These missions prospered greatly, and
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 51 i
much good was done among the Indians, until 1768, when the Six Nations by
the treaty made that year, "sold the land from under their feet," and the mis-
sionaries encountered so much trouble from both the Indians and whites that,
in 1772 the brethren decided to abandon these missions and remove to the new
field which had been planted by the indefatigable Zeisberger, on the banks of
the Ohio. They therefore started from Wyalusing on the I2th day of June,
1772, in number two hundred and forty-one souls, mostly Indians, of all ages,
witli their cattle and horses. Their destination was Friedenstadt.^ near the
present site of Beaver, Pa. They were under the guidance of Brothers Roth
and Ettewein, and their course was from the North Branch across the Alle-
gheny Mountains, by way of Bald Eagle to the Ohio River. Brother Roth
conducted those who went by water, and Brother Ettewien those who traveled
by land. In 1886 the Moravian, published at Bethlehem, gave the journal of
Rev. John Ettewein, and we give the extracts from it of the progress of the
party through the territory now comprised by southern Jefferson county, with
the explanatory foot-notes in the Moravian, translated by Mr. Jordan.
" 1772.
"Tuesday, July 14. — Reached Clearfield Creek, where the buffalos form-
erly cleared large tracts of undergrowth, so as to give them the appearance
of cleared fields. Hence, the Indians called the creek 'Clearfield.' Here at
night and next morning, to the great joy of the hungry, nine deer were shot.
Whoever shoots a deer has for his private portion, the skin and inside ; the
meat he must bring into camp and deliver to the distributors. John and Cor-
nelius acted in this capacity in our division. It proved advantageous for us
not to keep so closely together, as we had at first designed ; for if the number
of families in a camp be large, one or two deer, when cut up, afford but a
scanty meal to each individual. So it happened that scarce a day passed with-
out there being a distribution of venison in the advance, the centre and the
rear camp. (On the route there were one hundred and fifty deer and but
three bears shot.) In this way our Heavenly Father provided for us ; and I
often prayed for our hunters, and returned thanks for their success.
" Thursda\% July 16, . . . I journeyed on, with a few of the brethren,
two miles in a falling rain, to the site of Chinklacamoose, where we found
but three huts,' and a few patches of Indian corn. The name signifies ' No
one tarries here willingly.' It may, perhaps, be traced to the circumstance that
some thirty years ago an Indian resided here as a hermit, upon a rock, who
was wont to appear to the Indian hunters, in frightful shapes. Some of these,
too, he killed, others he robbed of their skins ; and this he did for many years.
We moved on four miles, and were obliged to wade the West Branch three
'"The Annals of Friedenschnetten, on the Susquehanna, with John Ettewein's Journal of the Re"
moval of the Mission to Friedenstadt, 1765 and 1772," by John W. Jordan.
512 History of Jefferson County.
times, whicli is here like the Lehigh at Bethlehem, between the island and the
mountain, rapid and full of ripples.
" Friday, July 17. — Advanced only four miles to a creek that comes down
from the northwest.' Had a narrow and stony spot for our camp.
"Saturday, July 18. — Moved on without awaiting Roth and his division,
who on account of the rain had remained in camp. To-day Shebosch lost a
colt from the bite of a rattlesnake. Here we left the West Branch three miles
to the Northwest, up the creek, crossing it five times. Here, too, the path
went precipitately up the mountain, and four or five miles up and up to the
summit — to a spring the headwaters of the Ohio.- Here I lifted up my heart
in ])rayer as I looked westward, that the Son of Grace might rise over the
heathen nations that dwell beyond the distant horizon.
"Sunday, July 19. — As \'esterday, but two families kept with me, because
of the rain, we had a quiet Sunday, but enough to do drying our effects. In
the evening all joined me, but we could hold no service as the Ponkis were so
excessively annoying that the cattle pressed toward and into our camp, to
escape their persecutors in the smoke of the fires. This vermin is a plague to
man and beast, both by day and night. But in the swamp through which we
are now passing, their name is legion. Hence the Indians call it the Poiiksute-
nink, /. c, the town of the Ponkis.-'' The word is equivalent to living dust and
ashes, the vermin being so small as not to be seen, and their bite being hot as
sparks of fire, or hot ashes. The brethren here related an Indian myth to-
wit : That the aforecited Indian hermit and sorcerer, after having been for so
many years a terror to all Indians, had been killed by one who had burned his
bones, but the ashes he blew into the swamp, and they became living things,
and hence the Ponkis.
" Monday, July 20. — After discoursing on the dail\' word — ' The Lord our
God be with us, may he not forsake us' — we traveled on through the swamp,
and after five miles crossed the path that leads from Frankstown* to Goshgo-
shink, and two miles from that point encamped at a run. At 5 P. M., came
Brethren Peter, Boaz, and Michael, with fourteen unbaptized Indians, from La-
gundontenink, to meet us with four horses, and five bushels of Indian corn,
also Nathaniel's wife from Sheninga-^ with a letter from Brother Jungmann. I
thought had I but milk or meat, I would add rice, and prepare a supper for the
new-comers. But two of them went to hunt, and in half an hour Michael
brought in a deer to my fire. My eyes moistened with tears. Sister Esther
1 .\nderson's Creek, in Clearfield county, wliicli tliey struck at a point near the present Curwens-
ville.
2 " Probably the source of the North Branch of the Mahoning, which rises in Brady township,
Clearfield county, and empties into the .■\llegheny, in Armstrong county, ten miles above Kittanning."
'Kept down the valley of the Mahoning, into Jefferson county. Punxsutawney is a village in
Young township, Jefferson county. The swamp lies in Gaskill and Young townships.
* Near Hollidaysburg. See Scull's map of 1759, for this path.
^ Sheninga is a township in Lawrence county, just above Friedenstadt.
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 513
hunted up the large camp kettle, and all had their fill of rice and venison, and
were much pleased. That night and the following morning there were four
deer shot by my company.
"Tuesday, July 21. — The rear division came up, and the destitute, viz.,
such as had lived solely upon meat and milk, were supplied each with one pint
of Indian corn. We proceeded six miles to the first creek. In the evening a
number of the brethren came to nij' fire, and we sat together right cheerful
until midnight. Once when asleep I was awakened by the singing of the
brethren who had gathered around the fire of the friends from Lagundonten-
ink. It refreshed my inmost soul.
"Wednesday, July 22. — We journeyed on four miles, to the first fork^
where a small creek comes down from the mouth.
"Thursday July 23. — Also four miles to the second fork, to the creek,
coming in from the south-east.- As a number of us met here in good time we
had a meeting. Cornelius's brother-in-law stated that he was desirous of be-
ing the Lord's ; therefore he had left his friends so as to live with the breth-
ren, and to hear of the Saviour.
" Friday, July 24. — The path soon left the creek, over valleys and heights
to a spring. Now we were out of the swamp, and free from the plague of the
Ponkis. Also found huckleberries, which were very grateful. Our to-day's
station was five miles, and about so far we advanced on.
"Saturday, July 25. — On which day we encamped at a Salt Lick, and
kept Sunday some three miles from the large creek, which has so many curves,
like a horseshoe, so that if one goes per canoe, when the water is high, four
days are consumed in reaching the Ohio, whereas, by land, the point can be
reached in one day.^ Our youngsters went to the creek to fish, and others to
hunt ; and at sunset they came in with two deer, and four strings of fish."
To prove farther that Punxsutawney was one of the Delaware towns, we
quote from the narrative of Marie Le Roy and Barbara Leininger:* " Marie
Le Roy was born at Brondrut, in Switzerland. About five years ago she ar-
rived with her parents in this country. They settled fifteen miles from Fort
Schamockin. Half a mile from their plantation lived Barbara Leininger, with
her parents, who came from Reuttingen about ten years ago.
" Early in the morning of the i6th of October, 1755, while Le Roy's hired
man went out to fetch the cows, he heard the Indians shooting six times.
Soon after eight of them came to the house and killed Marie Le Roy's father
1 A branch of the Mahoning.
- Query — The creek that comes in and up below Punxsutawney.
s " The Mahoning, formed by the junction of the East and South Branch, which meets at Nichols-
burg, in Indiana county. This route to the Allegheny was the same path taken by Post in 1758, when
returning from his second visit to the Ohio Indians, in that year, and between Chinklacamoose and the
Allegheny, over the same path traveled by Barbara Leininger, in 1755, when Chinklacamoose and
Puncksatawney were villages." — yordan.
* Vol. 7, Petinsylvania Archives.
514 History of Jefferson County.
with tomahawks. Her brother defended himself powerfully for a time, but
was, at last, overpowered. The Indians did not kill him, but took him pris-
oner, together with Marie Le Roy and a little girl who was staying with the
famil)-. Thereupon they plundered the homestead and set it on fire Into
this fire they put the body of the murdered father, feet foremost, until it was
half consumed. The upper half was left lying on the ground with the two
tomahawks with which they had killed him sticking in his head. Then they
kindled another fire not far from the house. While sitting around it, a neigh-
bor of Le Roy, named Bastian, happened to pass on horseback. He was im-
mediately shot down and scalped.
"Two of the Indians now went to the house of Barbara Leininger, where
they found her father, her brother, and her sister Regina. Her mother had
gone to the mill. They demanded rum, but there was none in the house.
Then the}' called for tobacco, which was given them. Having smoked a pipe,
they said : ' We are Allegheny Indians, and your enemies. You must all die.'
Thereupon they shot her father, tomahawked her brother, who was twenty
years of age, took Barbara and her sister Regina prisoners, and conveyed them
into the forest for about a mile. They there were soon joined by the other
Indians, with Marie Le Roy and the little girl.
" Not long after the rest of the savages returned with si.K fresh scalps which
they threw at the feet of the poor captives, saying that they had a good hunt
that day.
" The next morning we were taken about two miles further into the forest,
while the most of the Indians again went out to kill and plunder. Toward
evening they returned with nine scalps and five prisoners.
" On the third da\' the whole band came together and divided the spoils.
In addition to large quantities of provisions, they had taken fourteen horses
and ten prisoners, namely, one man, one woman, five girls and three bo}'s.
We two girls, as also two of the horses, fell to the share of an Indian named
Galasko.
" We traveled with our new master for two days. He was tolerably kind,
and allowed us to ride all the way, while he and the rest of the Indians walked.
Of this circumstance Barbara Leininger took ad\-antage, and tried to escape.
But she was almost immediately recaptured and condemned to be burned
alive. The savages gave her a French Bible, which they had taken from Le
Roy's house, in order that she might prepare for death, and when she told
them she could not understand it, they gave her a German Bible. Thereupon
they made a large pile of wood, and set it on fire, intending to put her in the
midst of it; but a young Indian begged so earnestly for her life that she was
pardoned, after having promised not to attempt to escape again and stop her
crying.
"The next day the whole troop was divided into two bands; the one march-
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 515
inc;; in the direction of the Ohio, the other, in which we were with Gaiasko, to
Jenkiklamuhs,! a Delaware town on the West Branch of the Susquehanna.
There we staid ten days, and then proceeded to Puncksotownay,^ or Eschen-
town. Marie Le Roy's brother was forced to remain at Jenkiklamuhs.
"After having rested at Puncksotownay, we took our way to Kittanny.
As this was to be the place of our permanent abode, we received our welcome
according to Indian custom ; it consisted of three blows each on the back.
They were, however, administered with great mercy. Indeed we concluded
that we were beaten merely in order to keep up an ancient usage, and not
with the intention of injuring us. The month of December was the time of
our arrival, and we remained at Kittanny until the month of September, 1756.
" The Indians gave us enough to do. We had to tan leather, make shoes,
moccasins, to clear land, to plant corn, to cut down trees, and build huts, to
wash and cook. The want of provisions caused us, however, the greatest suf-
fering. During all the time we were at Kittanny we had neither lard nor salt,
and sometimes we were forced to live on acorns, roots, grass and bark. There
was nothing in the world to make this new sort of food palatable except hun-
ger itself"
After being prisoners for over three years, these two girls, with two Eng-
lishmen, escaped, and after innumerable perils, succeeded in reaching Fort
Duquesne, at Pittsburgh.
The Mahoning Creek, upon which Punxsutawney is situated, was called by
the Indians, " Mohulbucteetam,-* /. c, where canoes are abandoned," and is
one of the historic streams of the country. The signification of the name
proves what has already been said about the Indians ascending as far as Punx-
sutawney in their canoes, and then proceeding across the mountain by the
Chincklacamoose path on foot.
Some writers have claimed that the name Mahoning meant in the Indian
tongue, "dancing waters," and "fountain of the clouds;" but both these sig-
nifications are erroneous. Mr. J. W. Jordan, of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society, who is familiar with the Indian dialects, says: "The Delaware word
Mahoni means a lick. This name was a very common one for rivers and
places in the Delaware country, along which or where the surface of the
ground was covered with saline deposits or efflorescence provincially called
licks, from the fact of deer, elk, and other animals frequenting them and lick-
ing the saltish earth. I may add the following, Mahoni is Delaware for a lick.
Mahonitty signifies a diminutive lick, and Mahon— haine a stream flowing from
or near a lick."
This proves, therefore, that the white settlers discarded the Indian name
of the stream, " Mohulbucteetam," and merely retained the signification of
' Chiiiklacamoose, on the site of the present town of Clearfield.
2 Punxsutawney, in Jefferson county.
3 Corrupted from Mochoolpakiton. — J. W. Jordan.
5i6 History of Jefferson County.
the licks from where it had its source, which has become corrupted into
Mahoning.
Early Settlers. — In 1818 Dn John W. Jenks came to Punxsutawney and at
once began to make preparations for a permanent settlement there, and for over
thirty years was oue of the most prominent citizens of the county. In 1820
he built, in connection with David Barclay, the mill on Elk Run. " His first
house was a small log one built a little north of what was known as Farmer's
Alley," and he afterwards built a commodious residence where his son Phineas
now resides. Dr. Jenks kept open house all those early years of his residence
in Punxsutawney. Travelers from far and near made his house their stopping
place. His hospitality was dispensed liberally, and without any compensation,
and it was owing to this hospitality and generosity that he did not become a
rich man. It was said of him, that while his house was the best patronized in
the county in those early days, the only difference between it and the hotels
was that the "Jenks House had no license, and made no charge."
Rev. David Barclay came with Dr. Jenks in the summer or fall of 1818,
and selected the land upon which Punxsutawney is now located, for their
future home. They then returned east for their families and were accompanied
on their return to the wilderness by Nathaniel Tindle and family, and PLlijah
Heath. Dr. Jenks on his arrival left his wife and one child, David Barclay
Jenks, at the house of Carpenter Winslow, while he got his own cabin ready
for them to occupy. Mr. C. R. White, an aged citizen, of Covode, Indiana
county, who came with hife parents to this region in June, 1818, says:
" I went with my father, John White, to the place (where Dr. Jenks was
building his house), and there were three persons besides Dr. Jenks, and they
were raising the rafters on the roof of the house, the house had been raised a
day or two before. There was Johnston Bailes, Dr. Jenks, and I think Daniel
Graffius, a millwright, father and grandfather of the Graffiuses that live about
there yet. The other man's name I cannot remember. C. C. Gaskill and
James E. Cooper came here in the year 1818, and Mr. Gaskill married Eliza
Weaver, of Freeport, and Mr. Cooper married Molly Brady."
Mr. Gaskill had been sent by the Holland Land Company to act as their
agent, in the disposal of their vast tracts of lands in Jefferson and adjoining
counties. He settled in Punxsutawney in 1821, and his daughter, Cornelia,
now the wife of Rev. John Graham, of the Erie Conference, was the first white
female child born in the place. Phineas Jenks being the first child born there.
Mr. Gaskill remained in Punxsutawney until 1849, when, having sold the
remainder of the Holland Lands that he had not disposed of to settlers, to an
eastern company, he returned to his home in Philadelphia, and died at Coop-
er's Point, N. J., opposite Philadelphia, in 1872.
Aunt Betsy Gray, as she is familiarly called, is probably the oldest living
resident of Punxsutawney. She is eighty-seven years of age, and came to the
I^TLSI^JZ^^T^
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 517
town in 1825 from Westmoreland county, making the journey on horseback,
and carrying her child, Fleming Caldwell.
Isaac P. Carmalt, John B. Henderson and John Hess, came to Punxsu-
tawney in 1821. The former purchased a lot, but the following year pur-
chased the property in Young township, where his history has already been
given. Joseph Long settled in Punxsutawney in 1824. Then came William
Campbell, Thomas McKee, John R. Reese, G. A. Mundorft", Ephraim Bair,
William Davis, George Slaysman, James Torrence, John Drum, John C. Zeitler
and others.
Joseph Long was born on the Rhine, at Radenloch, but had become a citizen
of the United States in time to participate in the War of 1812, being commis-
sioned an ensign by Governor Snyder, of Pennsylvania. In 1824 he removed
from his home in Centre county, and settled in Pun.xsutawney, where he built
a house on the southeast corner of the public square in 1825, occupied at
present by Captain John T. Bell. In 1829 he purchased the Charles Barclay
property on the site of the former St. Elmo Hotel, where he died on the 30th
of November, 1832.
His son William, who is still a resident of Punxsutawney, was born in Cen-
tre county in 1816. In 1839 he was elected first lieutenant of a volunteer
company called the Jefferson Rangers, and was commissioned by Governor
Porter. In 1840 he was chosen captain of the company, which office he held
for seven years. His company, which was in the ^Third Battalion, Second
Brigade, Fifteenth Division of Pennsylvania Militia, offered their services to
the government during the first engagements in the war with Mexico in 1846,
but their offer was not accepted by the president, enough troops being already
in the field. Mr. Long still resides in Punxsutawney.
James St. Clair located in Punxsutawney in 1831, and lived first in a house
on the corner of Penn street, north of the public square In 1839 '^e kept the
National Hotel, but removed from it to Brookville, upon being elected sheriff
in 1849. After his term of office expired he returned to Punxsutawney and
resumed hotel keeping, which he continued for fifteen years, when he removed
to Bell township, residing there until the spring of 1880, when he removed to
Young township, adjoining the borough of Punxsutawney, where he now re-
sides. In 1848 he was elected one of the associate judges, and in 185 1 he
built his grist-mill, which he still operates. Mr. St. Clair is now in his seven-
ty-eighth year, and is yet active and able to superintend his business. Mrs.
St. Clair, nee Margaret Mitchell, is but a year or two younger. Of their seven
children, all are married, and all but one reside in the county. Robert, the
oldest born, being a resident of Denver, the'others, with the exception of the
youngest daughter, Mrs. J. A. Scott, who resides in Brookville, live in Punx-
sutawney.
William Campbell and his twin brother, Robert, came from Williamsbur<>-
(i2
Si8 History of Jefferson County.
Huntingdon county, in 1832, to Punxsutawney, and engaged in merchandis-
ing and lumbering. The first lumber they took out they ran to Pittsburgh,
where they found the cholera so bad that they could not sell, and ran on to
Cincinnati, where they found the same state of things. There being no sale
for timber, Mr. Campbell rented a saw- mill and manufactured his timber into
boards, which he sold before he returned home. In 1833 he brought his fam-
ily to Punxsutawney, where he continued a prominent and useful citizen until
his death, March 30, 1868. Mrs. Campbell, nee Martha Siaysman, died Octo-
ber 12, 1873. Both were members of the Baptist church. Two of their sons,
Thadeus and George, are prominent business men in Punxsutawney. William
F., the other son, died August, 1887. Of the daughters, Mrs. Anna Altman
and Mrs. Martha Stumph reside in Punxsutawney, Mrs. Amelia Murray in
Gaskill township, Mrs. Margaret Little in Buftalo, N. Y.,and Mrs. Sarah Smith
in Brookville.
John Drum came to Punxsutawney in 1832. He was born in 1806 in
Westmoreland county, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He was an
excellent mechanic, and there are many mementoes of his handiwork in the
buildings erected b}' him in Punxsutawney. He served as county commis-
sioner in 1844-6, and as justice of the peace for fifteen years. Mr. Drum and
his wife are both dead. Of their children, only two reside in Punxsutawney —
Mrs. John Evans, and Mrs. R. C. Winslow.
The first church was erected in Punxsutawney, a few rods west of the pres-
ent Baptist Church ; it was built of hewed logs, and was used by the Presby-
terians ; it was also used for a school-house. The first school-house in the
locality was built about 1822, of round logs, and was located near the site of
T. P. Pantall's residence.
Punxsutawney, though the oldest town in ail this region of country, having
received its name over two hundred years ago from the Indians who first dwelt
along the banks of the Mohulbucteetam, and planted their coin in the " Indian
bottom," and being also the first town laid out by the white man, its history as
a " white man's town," dating from 1821, when it was laid out by Rev. David
Barclay, did not improve very fast, and was but a small town until the devel-
opment of the rich coal fields in its vicinity, and the building of the Buffalo
Rochester and Pittsburgh railroad wakened it into life, and made it a town of
importance as a coal center.
At the same time that he laid out the town, Mr. Barclay donated the
plot of ground known as the public square, in the center of the town, which
he had farmed for several years, and thus made it ready for the use to which
he designed it — a public park. The deed of gift was duly recorded in the
office of the recorder of deeds of Indiana county, but for over sixty years this
spot that was no doubt designed by the generous donor to be made a "thing of
joy and beauty forever," received no attention from the citizens of tlie town.
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 519
but was allowed to lie unfenced and uncared for, a pasture for the festive geese,
and the spot where the traveling showman erected his tent, until within a year
or two a fence has been erected, and trees planted, and a promise is thus held
forth that the people of Punxsutawney will yet convert this spot to the use for
which it was undoubtedly intended.
Fire in Punxsutawney. — On the night of October 9, 1886, Punxsutawney
was visited by a disastrous fire which destro}-ed the best part of the business
portion of the town. The most prominent losers were : I. S. Rosenberger,
large brick block and store goods, $14,000; insurance, $6,800. Mrs. M. A.
Reese, dwelling and barn ; loss, $4,000 ; no insurance. Mrs. M. J. Stumph,
millinery store ; loss, $500. F. Hummell, National Hotel; loss, $20,000 ; in-
surance, $3,500. St. Elmo Hotel; loss, $20,000; insurance, $1 1,000. G. S.
Campbell, groceries ; loss, $600 ; no insurance. Mrs. John G. Graf residence ;
loss, $2,500; insurance, $1,500. George M. Graf, furniture dealer; loss,
$250. First National Bank, $600. Joseph Williard, household goods, $1,500;
insurance, $500. Barr & Cromer, loss on hotel, furniture, etc., $I2,000 ; insu-
rance, $4,700. Dr. Joseph Shields, drug store, $I,000. Jacob Zeitler, two
story brick block and residence, $5,000.
The Business of Piinxsutaivney. — The first store was started in Punxsutaw-
ney in 1820 by Charles R. Barclay, where the City Hotel now stands; the
next by William Campbell, in 1832, who continued in the business of general
merchandising for several years. The third store was started in 1836 or 1838
by John McCrea.
In 1832, according to Gordons Gazetteer of Pennsylvania, Pun.xsutawney
contained fifteen dwellings, two taverns and a store.
Since those first small beginnings, merchandising has been conducted by
various parties, and those operating the difterent business enterprises, in 1887,
are recorded below, with the changes that have occurred from time to time in
the respective firms.
Ephraim Bair, general store; commenced in spring of 1865 ; he owns the
brick building in which his store is located.
George W. Zeitler, general merchandise, from 1854 to 1879 ; now engaged
in the grocery, flour and feed business.
I. S. Rosenberger has been in the general merchandising business for about
twenty- two years.
North & Miller, general store ; dealers in carpets, millinery, etc. This firm
own a large brick building ; their store, two rooms connected, one hundred
and sixty feet in length ; started April, 1883.
Johnson & Fink, general store; established December, 1886; own a large
brick building.
Dr. Joseph Shields, drug store ; also dealer in dry goods and groceries ;
established in 1864; owns building in which he does business.
S20 History of Jefferson County.
N. D. Corey, dealer in dry goods, groceries, etc., established by Shields &
Dinsmore in 1885, then Dinsmore purchased the interest of Shields, and in
turn sold to N. D. Corey in 1886.
J. A. Weber, clothing store, established in the fall of 1881.
St. Elmo clothing store, owned by Loeb & Co.; M. Fishman, manager;
established in 1882.
Greer Brothers, hardware store; established IVIay, 1883.
F. J. Norton, general hardware store; established February, 1887.
E. N. Wherle, watchmaker and jeweler; established February, 1883.
W. M. Nickle, five cent store ; established June, 1885 ; Miss Cora Camp-
bell, manager.
J. A. Lowry, dealer in tinware and stoves ; established April, 1882.
Dr. William Altman, drug store ; established May, 1883.
Dr. W. F. Beyer & Bro., drug store; established April, 1880; owned by
J. M. Beyer since 1883.
George S. Campbell, dealer in groceries and confectionery ; established in
1879.
Mrs. M. J. Stumph, millinery store; established about 1882.
Jacob Zeitler, saddlery and harness; established about 1852.
James C. Shields, dealer in furniture. Furniture factory was started in 1873
by Morris & Shields, then W. A. Custer bought Morris's interest and it
was run by Custer & Shields, then by J. C. Shields, then L. P. Graff became a
partner, and was run by Shields & Graft' for a short time, and then J. C. Shields
again became sole proprietor.
William Riddle, shoemaker.
North & Morris, clothing store ; established in the spring of 1887.
B. Stumph, shoemaker; established about 1868.
D. W. Robinson, merchant tailor; established in 1870.
Miller & Swartz, merchant tailors; established 1886. Mr. A. B. Miller, of
this firm, has been in the business in Punxsutawney for over thirty years.
Nancy A. Y. Hoover, millinery store; has been engaged in the business for
about eighteen years.
Kate R. Laughlin, milliner)' ; established in 1887.
Low's music store ; established spring of 1887.
Thomas Pantall, harness maker; established in 1882.
F. S. Thompson, Keystone Billiard Parlor; established October, 1885.
J. W. Brown, billiard parlor; established in 1885.
George A. Young, meat market ; established about 1884. J. J. Young, meat
market; established in the spring of 1 88 1. Haag & Co., meat market, 1887.
John Lanzendorfler, watch maker and jeweler ; established November, 1873.
W.J. Brillhart, jewelry store ; established in 1887.
George Graf, dealer in furniture; established in 1884.
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 521
A. C. Robinson & Bro., marble works; established in 1875. This firm are
also engaged in tlie undertaking business, having bought out J. C. Shields, who
had been engaged in the business for fourteen years.
M. Cohn, boot and shoe store ; established November, 1886.
E. H. Weiss, grocery and bakery; established September, 1882.
S. E. Wilson, wholesale liquor store ; established April, 1886.
Joseph C. Gibson, feed store ; established fall of 1886.
Frampton & Work, photographers; established, 1883. Mr. J. W. Green
was engaged in the photography business from i860, until his death.
A. N. McQuown, dealers in stoves and tinware ; established in 1886.
J. T. Kelso, flour and feed store; established in 1887. W. F. Zeitler, flour
and feed store.
William Ake, grocery.
C. K. McCartney, news depot and green grocery.
Samuel Ake, Acme Restaurant; started in 1886.
Rowe Brothers, saloon and restaurant; established in 1882.
Joseph McDonald, restaurant and billiard parlor; established in 1877 by
James St. Clair, since which time it has changed hands several times. Mr.
McDonald has been in possession since April, 1887.
Lanzendorffer & McLaughlin, restaurant; started May, 1887.
Harry North, barber shop, started in 1883; Frank Grosse, about 1874;
L. C. Smith, 1886; Charles R. Zeitler, 1886; Charles Bilduck, 1882.
John Cricks, livery stable ; established about 1869; L. C. Myers, livery and
sale stable, 1885 ; Rishel & Fackiner.
John Crawford, blacksmith, about 1862 ; John Walton, 1875; J. S. Drum-
mond, 1885.
The town of Pun.xsutawney is supplied with natural gas by the Mahoning
Gas and Heat Company, which was organized November 11, 1884, with the
following stockholders : H. P. Malone, R. F. Thompson, E. D. Willis, A. C.
Weill, of Bradford ; John Q. Hoyt, New York ; H. C. Campbell, of Punxsu-
tawney. H. P. Malone is treasurer, and Christian Miller, of Punxsutawnej',
superintendent. The well from which the gas is supplied is situated in Canoe
township, Indiana county, about four miles south of Punxsutawney, and about
two and a half miles from the Jefferson county line.
Hotels. — The first hotel was kept by Abram Weaver, who built a log house
in which he entertained travelers as early as 18 16, and where he got license to
sell liquor in the thirties. This " hotel " stood just above where the drug-
store of Dr. Shields is now located.
The Eagle Hotel was built by Elijah Heath, in the year 1824, and a brick
addition built to it by Isaac Keck, who \n2a ye landlord for man>' years. Hon.
James St. Clair also owned and occupied this house in 1839-49. It is now
known as the City Hotel, and is owned and occupied bv John S. Barr, who
has had the buildings refitted, repaired and remodeled.
522' History ok Jefferson County.
The first building erected on the St. Elmo site, on the northwest corner of
the pubhc square, was built by Charles R. Barclay, in 1820 or 182 1. It was
purchased in 1829 by Josepli Long, who died there in 1832. It was then pur-
chased by James Campbell, who first turned it into a hotel, calling it the Ma-
honing House. It then passed into the possession of Henry Jennings, and was
known as the Jenning's House, until his death, when George Kramer bought
the property, and erected the large hotel known as the St. Elmo. It then be-
came the property of B. K. Fisher, and was destroyed by fire, in June, 1879,
who immediately rebuilt in the fall of 1S80, completing it in the spring of 188 1.
In May, 1886, Mr. Fisher exchanged hotels with A. B. Barr and J. B. Cromer,
of the American House, Brookville. He taking charge of the American, while
Barr & Cromer assumed control of the St. Elmo. It was destroyed in the fire
of October 9, 1886, and has not been rebuilt. Since which time the property
has passed into the hands of the Mahoning Bank.
The National Hotel was built in 185 i by Ezra Root, for a boarding house.
In 1853 John Gilpin purchased the property from Root, who built an addition
to the house, and made it into a hotel. Since then its landlords have been Jo-
seph Carr, Jacob Burkett, George Weiss, who in i860 enlarged it, Jacob Her-
wick, James McHenry, James St. Clair. It is now owned and managed by
Barr & Cromer, who purchased the property from John Foutz, in the fall of
1886, after they had been burned out in the St. Elmo Hotel.
The Washington Hotel was built by John Drum. Those who have had
charge of this house since that time have been Henry Jennings, William
Gillespie, Charles Pounds, Isaac Keck, Edwin H. Little and Peter Weaver.
Frederick Hummell purchased the property in 1869, and about iSSoitwas
destroyed by fire, and rebuilt by Mr. Hummell, and was again destroyed in the
great fire of October 9, 1886. Mr. Hummell is now erecting a large brick
hotel building on the site of the ill-fated Washington House.
In 1858 J. P. Covert commenced keeping the Temperance House in Punx-
sutawney, which he continued for several years. Mr. Covert was one of the
early settlers of Young township, having moved into the Morris settlement in
1822. He is now dead.
Statistics of Population, AssessJiients and Schools. — Punxsutawney was or-
ganized as a borough in 1849. The population by census of i860, was 415 ;
1870, 553; 1880, 674. The number of taxables in 1856, were 108; 1863,
105 ; 1870, 245 ; 1880, 205 ; 1886, 380.
The triennial assessment for 1886 gives the number of acres seated as 40;
valuation, $5,528; average per acre, $138; number of houses and lots, 259
valuation, $72,758 ; number of horses, 59; valuation, $2,010; average value,
$34; number of cows, 40 ; valuation, $515; average value, $13 ; number of
occupations, 232 ; valuation, $7,680 ; average, $33. Total valuation subject
to county tax, $88,491 ; money at interest, $62,068.
YouNc; Township and Punxsutawney. 523
The number of scliools in Punxsutawney for the school year ending June 7,
1886, were 4; term 6 months ; number of male teachers, 2 ; females, 2 ; aver-
age salary of male teachers, $60; females, $32.50; number of male scholars,
115; females, 108 ; average number attending school, 172 ; average per cent.,
88; cost per month, $1.05; number of mills levied for school purposes, 13;
for building, 2. Total amount of ta.x levied for school and building purposes,
$1,403.81.
Elections. — The first election held in Punxsutawney after it became a sep-
arate election district, was on the 5th day of May, 1857, when the following
persons were elected: Constable, William A. Dunlap ; assessor, John Drum ;
school directors, James Torrence, Ephraim Bair ; overseers of the poor, George
Miller, Adam Keck.
The following comprise the elective officers of the borough for 1887 : Jus-
tices of the peace, John T. Bell, John St. Clair; assessor, J. T. Kelso; high con-
stable, A. Stockdale ; councilmeii, S. S. Hamilton, William B. Weiss; consta-
ble, H. H. McHenry ; school directors, I. S. Rosenberger, A. B. Miller; tax
collector, John Lang; auditors, H. F. Fishman, L. C. Myers; overseer of poor,
J. M. Beyer; judge of election, W. C. Torrence; inspectors, John T. Mitchell,
G. A. Weiss.
The members of the school previously elected are, J. B. Bair, S. C. Allison,
J. M. Brewer, and W. W. Winslow.
Clayvili.e.
Jacob Hoover was the first white man to settle in what is now the village
of Clayville. He was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1793, and spent his
early days in Baltimore. In 1814 or 1815 he came to the Mahoning Valley,
and purchased land of the Holland Land Company, comprising what is now
the village of Clayville. His land extended as far east as the residence of Cap-
tain Hastings, in Punxsutawney. He built his log cabin a little east of the Gil-
lespie mill, and then proceeded to build a story and a half log grist-mill 18 x 25,
in which he used burrs of native stone. He afterwards erected a frame grist-
mill 40x40, three stories high, with a carding-machine in the upper story.
The old mill became the wheel-house, and there were two sets of burrs in use.
He then built a saw-mill, on Mill Run, between his cabin and grist-mill. In
1840 he built a foundry, the first in the county, in Clayville, and in 1852,
■erected the large steam mill lately burned down, as the property of J. U. Gil-
lespie.
For a long time after he settled at Clayville, Mr. Ploover " kept bachelor's
Jiall." His lonely cabin life being enlivened occasionally by visits from his
younger sister, Nancy. In 1 820 he married Nancy A., daughter of William and
Jane Young, old residents of Armstrong (now Clarion county). Nine children,
.all girls, were born to them, of whom only three survive : Caroline, now Mrs.
524 History of Jefferson County.
James E. Mitchell (first married to H. W. Mundorff, deceased) ; Nancy A. Y.
Hoov^er, of Punxsutawney, and Mary Jane, wife of Gibson A. Mundorff, of
Pittsburgh. Mr. Hoover led a busy life, farming, lumbering, and overseeing his
mills. He was one of the best and most enterprising of the early settlers, and
an earnest Christian, being one of the early Methodists of the county. He died
in 1853, and his wife in 1851.
Clayville, which was made a borough in 1864, adjoins Punxsutawney on
the west. It is the present terminus of the Rochester and Pittsburgh railroad.
In 1870 the population was 189, and the census of 1880 gives 248. The
number of taxables in 1870 was 47, in 1880, 85, and in 1886, 142.
The triennial assessment of 1886 gives the number of acres seated as 213 ;
valuation, $7,436. Number of houses and lots, 120; valuation, $16,627,
Number of horses, 16 ; value, $507 ; average value, $31.63. Number of cows.
28; valuation, $252; average value, $9.00. Number of occupations, 73;
valuation, $2,088 ; average, $28.33. Total valuation subject to county tax,
$26,910; money at interest, $32,999.
For the year ending June 7, 1886, Clayville had two schools. Average
number of months taught, 5 ; one male teacher, salary $35 ; one female teacher,
salary, $25 ; number of male scholars, 58; female, 52; average number at-
tending school, 81 ; average per cent, of attendance, 73 ; cost per month, 60;
number of mills levied for school purposes, 13 — for building purposes, 13 ;
total amount of tax levied for school and building purposes, $592.68.
Elections. — The following is the entry on the election docket of the first
election held in the borough of Clayville, June 6, 1864: Justices of the peace,
William E. Gillespie, J. K. Coxson ; constable, J. C. Pierce ; judges of election,
S. W. Depp, W. E. Gillespie ; town council, J. K. Coxson, L. R. Davis, W. E.
Gillespie, J. U. Gillespie, S. W. Depp, J. G. Wilson ; auditors, W. Sperry,
Peter Hettrick, William E. Gillespie ; assessor, Thomas Rodgers ; school direc-
tors, J. K. Coxson, J. C. Pierce, W. Sperry, Daniel Duncaster, Peter Hettrick,
1. U. Gillespie; overseers of the poor, J. K. Coxson, J. U. Gillespie.
The result of the election held February 7, 1887, was as follows: Justice
of the peace, W. W. Crisman ; constable, W. C. Gillespie ; burgess, W. S.
Hughes ; council, A. H. Murray and F. Crisman ; school directors, Levi Mc-
Gregor and W B Sutt-p r ; high constable, L. R. Davis ; auditor, Clark Rod-
gers ; assessor. W. S. Perry ; collector, J. B. Sutter ; judge of election, J. Hi
Spencer ; inspectors, S. H. Parkhill and J. M. Sutter ; poor overseer, Lev.
McGregor.
The justice of the peace is W. T. Rodgers, and the school directors pre-
viously elected are, J. ]\I. Sutler, Joseph Spencer, George \V. Porter, and R.
J. Crissman.
Business of Clayville. — J. W. Parsons, general store; started in 1878 by
James U. Gillespie, then Gillespie & Parsons; since February, 1886, Mr. Par-
sons has had the store in his own control.
Young Township and Punxsutawney. 525
J. F. Goheen, dealer in general merchandise; established March 5, 1886.
M. E. Wall, groceries; established February, 1887.
Isaac Rodgers, groceries.
Lindsay House, Michael Haley, proprietor. The house was built in 1866
by J. U. Gillespie, who sold it to Nicholas Phillips, who yet owns the property.
Planing-mill and factory built in 1887 by Elijah Kinsell.
Clayville wagon and carriage manufactory ; first built and operated by
Gillespie Brothers, but for the last sixteen years owned and operated by W. B.
Sutter.
Planing mill, J. & R. R. Evans; built by Joseph Collins, and since 1871
owned and operated by Messrs. Evans.
Cabinet shop built by J. B. Morris in 1867, and operated by Shields &
Crissman, then McCormick & Crissman, and since 1883 by R. J. Crissman.
There are two brick-yards in Clayville, in which the brick are burned and
dried by natural gas; one owned by W. P. Rodgers, established in 1873, and
the other by James O. S. Spencer, established in 1875. They manufacture
about 600,000 brick each, per year, and employ about ten men each.
James U. Gillespie is erecting a large steam flouring mill on the site of the
old mill burned down in 1886, in which he will introduce all the modern im-
provements, roller process, etc. The building will be five stories high, and will
do wholesale and custom work.
One of the main industries of Clayville is the foundry now owned and
operated by George Porter. The principal work done in this establishment is
the making and repairing of mining tools and machinery.
Wallston and Adrian.
Since the opening of the coal mines in Young township in 1883 by the
Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal & Iron Company, two new towns have sprung
up, as if by magic, in that township. Wallston, which is situated on the Buf-
falo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad, about two miles east of Punxsutaw-
ney, was begun when the mines were first opened. It is now a town of two
thousand inhabitants, containing two hundred houses (double blocks), one
store, seven hundred coke ovens, two fan houses, two drifts and one slope.
Mr. John McLeavy is the assistant manager at Wallston. Adrian, which is
situated on Elk Run, is also about two miles from Punxsutawney, and was
commenced in 1887, and now contains about five hundred of a population,
fifty houses (double blocks), one store, four hundred and fifty coke ovens, one
fan house, one drift and one slope.
G3
526 History ok Jefferson County.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF RIDGWAY TOWNSHIP.
RIDGWAY, the fourth township, was organized in 1826, being taken from
Pine Creek. It was named for Jacob Ridgway, of Philadelpliia, who was
the owner of a large body of land in McKean county, and also of another large
tract in Jefferson county. It was then bounded on the north and east by Mc-
Kean county, and on the south and west by Pine Creek township.
The taxables in 1826 were 20; in 1828 there were 26 taxables, I deaf and
dumb person; votes cast at election, 16; votes cast at general election, 19.
In 1829 the taxables were still only 26; in 1835, 40; in 1842, 75. The pop-
ulation, according to the census of 1830, was 50, and in 1840, 195.
In 1 83 1 the greatest area of the township was, length twenty-three miles,
breadth seventeen miles.
The first election, as recorded in the office of the prothonotary, at Indiana,
was as follows : " Ridgway township. At an election held at the house of James
Galagher, in said township, on the i6th of March, 1827, the following named
persons were duly elected : Constables, Nehemiah Bryant had 8 votes, Man-
son Vial had seven votes ; supervisors, James Gallagher and Alonzo Brock-
way were unanimously elected ; poor overseers, Naphtala G. Barrus and
William Maxwell were unanimously elected ; fence appraisers, Nehemiah
Bryant and William Taylor were unanimously elected ; town clerk, James
Gallagher. Signed, John Stratton, inspector; Nehemiah Bryant, James M.
Brockway, Alonzo Brockway, judges; attest, James Gallagher, clerk."
"From 1825 to 1845 the plan of Fourier — that of communities with a
union of labor and capital, and working under fixed rules — was actively put
into operation in this section of Pennsylvania. On the main road from Ridg-
way to Smethport are the remains of the town of Teutonia, once a large com-
munity; but jealousies grew up, and the members dispersed among the people
at large, and became industrious and useful citizens. The sudden advent and
exit of this community had its prototype within half a mile of Teutonia. The
mouldering wood and growth of trees of half a century mark the spot where
was laid out the town of Instanter. Its plot is duly recorded in McKean county.
Mr. Cooper, a large landholder, was the instigator, if not the forerunner of the
settlement. As the streets were marked out, the buildings went up like magic ;
but Madam Rumor spread a report that the land title was unsound, and on in-
vestigation such was found to be the fact. Work suddenly ceased, and the
settlers left."i
Part of the Cooper lands were situated in what was then Jefferson county,
1 Dr. Eggles's " History of Pennsylvania."
RiDGWAY Township. 527
and the flaming handbill which was gotten up to advertise these lands, gave
the following very explicit directions for getting to them :
"Title. Three hundred thousand acres of land, for sale and settlement ■
In the counties of McKean and Jefferson, in the State of Pennsylvania, joining
the New York line and the Genesee lands, extending forty miles and situate
about two hundred and fifty miles northwest from Philadelphia, etc., etc.
Settlers and others wishing to go into the aforesaid lands from the northern
part of Jersey, New York and New England States, take the Newburgh and
Cohecton turnpike or such roads as will be most direct to the Painted Post,
then cross the York and Pennsylvania line, taking the Tioga road to Dr. Wil-
lar's or widow Barry's ; thence west to and on the east and west road, passing
Wellsborough and Cowdersport to Smithport ; thence ten miles to Instaiiter
(proposed county town of McKean). For settlers and others south of Easton,
fall into the Lehigh and Berwick or Sunbury pike ; from thence to Williams-
port, passing by Jersey shore to the aforesaid east and west road. For such
as go out on foot or horseback they can take the Ellicott road from Jersey
shore, passing through Dunnstown, and up the Susquehanna and Sinncmahon-
ing to Coxe's Settlement and Instanter. .......
Benjamin B. Cooper. Cooper's Point, April 25, 18 12."
Day' s Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, published in 1 843, says : " A
road leads from Brookville to Ridgway, a settlement of New England people,
made some years ago on the Little Mill Creek branch of the Clarion River, in
the northeastern corner of the county. It took its name from Jacob Ridgway,
of Philadelphia, who owned large tracts of land in this vicinity."
Mr. Ridgway selected high ground about six miles northeast of the present
town of Ridgway, for his settlement, on the Jefferson county lands, which was
about four hundred and fifty feet above the Clarion River, at Ridgway. In
locating this settlement he experienced many difficulties. It was twenty-five
miles from his settlement at Bunker Hill, in McKean county, and twenty-two
miles from Judge Bishop's (in McKean county), through a dense and heavily
timbered wilderness.
Mr. Ridgway secured for his agent in this undertaking, James L. GiUis, a
relative by marriage, who came on from his home in Ontario county, N. Y., in
June, 1820, to look at the land, and moved on it in December, 1821. Mr.
Gillis gave the name of Montmorency to his new home in the wilderness. As
the roads were very bad in summer Mr. Gillis brought their furniture and
household effects in sleighs from the old home. It took two days, and some-
times longer, to make the trip, and the travelers had to camp out at night.
Mr. Gillis had ample means at his control, and being a man of unusual energy
he soon had some four hundred acres of land cleared and ready for cultivation.
He also erected a mill and carding-machine at Kersey. Mrs. J. C. Hauk, of
528 History of Jefferson County.
Ridgway, a daughter of Mr. Gillis, who came with him to Montmorency, and
from whom we obtained most of these facts, says : " We had very little furni-
ture except what was made on the place by a man who could use a saw and
hammer."
The first settlers to penetrate into this wilderness came about the year
1812, and located on the Bennett's Branch. Leonard Morey, D wight Cald-
well, John Mix and Eben Stephens were probably the pioneers of the Ben-
nett's Branch. Morey built the first saw-mill. About this time the lands of
Fox, Norris & Co., and Shippen, McMurtrie & Co., large landholders of Phil-
adelphia were thrown upon the market, and settlements made there by these
companies. The former company constructed a road into their lands, and
built a grist-mill on Elk Creek, about two miles from the present town of
Centreville (in Elk county) about the time that the Kersey mill, as it was called,
was built. The Clarkes, Brockways, Vialls, Greens, Johnsons and others who
followed these first settlers, locating in this section about the j-ear 1823,
are all mentioned under the head of "Early Settlers," in a preceding chap-
ter. They were principally from the New England States, and were a hardy,
honest, intelligent type of manhood, and they have left their impress upon
the people of Elk county, and the northern portion of Jefferson county,
where their descendants are yet found among the best citizens of the localities
in which they dwell.
The privations and disadvantages under which these early settlers in this
part of the county suffered, can be told from the fact that they were obliged
to travel from Montmorency to Indiana to transact all legal business. Mr.
Gillis erected a grist-mill and a carding machine soon after he located at
Montmorency. It will be wondered at that the latter was necessary in the
wilderness, but by the utmost vigilance and watchfulness the people of the
settlement contrived to guard their sheep from the wolves, and soon raised
enough wool to clothe themselves and their families.
Among those who accompanied Mr. Gillis, and settled at Montmorency,
were Reuben A. Aylesworth, a brother-in-law of Mr. Gillis, Enos Gillis, his
brother, James Gallagher. These, too, were the first property holders in the
present town of Ridgway, where Mr. Gillis made the first improvements by
erecting two or three log houses and a saw-mill, the first house being built in
1824.
The Olean road crossed the Ridgway lands, but this road not proving of
as much benefit in helping to open up and develop the region through which
it passed as its projectors e.xpected, Mr. Gillis, in the winter of 1824, con-
ceived of the project of building a road from Bellefonte to the New York State
hne, an undertaking that demonstrated the spirit of the age, and of the man,
for the route was through the densest wilderness, a distance of one hundred
and twenty miles, but Mr. Gillis having gotten his neighbors in the county to
RiDGWAY Township. 529
sign his petition for a charter, took his horse and sleigh, crossed the Bennett's
Branch near Morey's, going from there to Karthaus, his being the first team
ever driven through that wilderness. At Bellefonte he secured a few signers
to liis petition, and then proceeded to Harrisburg, and there, with the aid of
Judge Burnside, State Senator, and John H. Mitchell, a member of the House,
and both citizens of Centre county, the bill granting the charter asked for was
passed, but the Legislature failed to make any appropriation for the work.
However, Mr. Gillis persevered, and the next winter the Legislature subscribed
twenty thousand dollars to the stock of the road, and it was finally completed.
In 1826 Mr. Gillis succeeded in having a mail route extended to Montmo-
rency, and a post-office established there, Reuben A. Aylesworth being ap-
pointed postmaster February 14, 1826. Prior to this time the nearest post-
office was at Coudersport, sixty miles from Montmorency, and and it took a
man from two to three days to make the trip on horseback. This was the
second office established in Jefferson county.
Mr. Gillis represented the districts to which Brookville was then attached
in both Congress and the State Senate, and was appointed associate judge by
Governor Porter, but as Elk county was then organized taking Ridgway town-
ship from Jefferson county, he resigned.
Judge Gillis was a remarkable man, and his long connection with the busi-
ness and politics of the county, deserves more than a passing notice, and we
cull a few facts of his career from a very able sketch of the " Late James L.
Gillis, the Pioneer of Elk and Forest," contributed to the Philadelphia Times
in 1 88 1 by Hon. Henry Souther, of Erie.
" He was born in Washington county, N. Y., October 2, 1792, and was
one of a large familj' of sons — all hardy, sturdy men. His father lived to
a ripe old age, and visited his sons, James and Enos, late in life, when they
resided at Ridgway. A few years prior to the War of 1812 the family re-
moved to Ontario county, N. Y., and there James enlisted in a company of
New Yprk Volunteers, and was immediately commissioned a lieutenant of cav-
alry, and assigned to a regiment commanded by one Colonel Harris, regular
dragoons. He was in the battles of Fort George, Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.
Shortly after this battle he was taken prisoner by tlie British and confined at
various places in Canada, and in 18 14, while under parole he was arrested and
put on board a transport about to sail for England. Gillis and several others
were successful in making their escape by capturing a boat belonging to the
transport, and gaining the bank of the St. Lawrence River, opposite Quebec,
at which place the vessel was lying. All were finally retaken. They wan-
dered about for several days wishing to reach the United States frontier, but
made little headway in that direction. Finally they made terms with a Cana-
dian Frenchman, who promised to guide them to the boundary, but betrayed
them. The red coats got them, returned them to confinement, and Lieutenant
S30 History of Jefferson County.
Gillis was not again permitted to escape. He remained in confinement till
the close of the war, when he was exchanged at Salem, Mass. When Con-
gress, about 1853, passed a law giving a bount}' of one hundred and sixty
acres of land to the soldiers of the War of 1812, Judge Gillis had no trouble in
proving his title to one. He considered it too sacred to part with, and for
years kept it hanging in his home in a gilt frame, which was a luxury in the
way of fine arts that his neighbors generally could not indulge in.
In 1816, he married Miss Mary Ridgway, of Philadelphia, a niece of his
future employer. By that marriage he had three children : Ridgway B.,
Charles B. and Caroline, now the widow of Judge Houk, late of Ridgway.
In that wild region he reared these three children. His wife died in 1826, and
in 1828 he married Miss Celia A. Berry, who died in 1855, leaving seven chil-
dren. In 1830 he moved from his farm, which he had cleared, six miles from
Ridgway, to that place to which he gave its name, of Ridgwa}'. Here his
family resided for many years. In that country, where the benefits of educa-
tion were very limited, he brought up his ten children, giving them such edu-
cation as the county aftbrded, and all of them have acquitted themselves very
creditably in life. One of his sons. Captain James H. Gillis, United States
Navy, did gallant service during the late Rebellion. He was in command of a war
vessel, throughout the war, and at the bombardment of Mobile, his vessel came
in contact with a torpedo, was sunk to the gun deck, but he fought her as long
as there was enough of her above water to stand upon. While he was a mid-
shipman, and the vessel to which he was attached was in a South American
port, he called for volunteers from his crew, took one of the ship's boats, and
saved the crew of a Chilian vessel, which was going to pieces in a fierce storm,
two miles from shore. He took the crew from the rigging, and brought them
safely to land. The act was recognized by the Chilian government in a fitting
manner. Captain Gillis, who was born at Montmorency, in Jefterson count}', is
now a commodore in the United States Navy.
After Judge Gillis retired from Congress, he was appointed agent for
the Pawnee Indians, and located them upon their reservation, built buildings
for them, among others a grist-mill, and was their faithful friend and protector,
as long as he remained with them. No act of peculation was ever laid to his
charge, either there or in any of the other public offices that he held. As an
evidence of his kindness of heart, he adopted from the tribe a little Pawnee
girl aged five or six years, under the following circumstances : Both the par-
ents of the child were dead ; she had no relatives, who under the laws of the
the tribe, were bound to care for her, or support her, and was, therefore cast
off" by every one. The story goes that Judge Gillis found her picking the
pieces of fat off the entrails of a decayed buffalo. He immediately took her to
his own quarters, had her washed up, clothed and cared for, as if she was the
Rose Township. 531
most precious child in the world. He brought her to Ridgway with him when
he returned ; she lived in his family while he remained there, went West with
him when he moved to Iowa, and died there."
While Judge Gillis lived at Montmorency, he was obliged, as was all the
other settlers in Jefferson county, to go to Indiana to attend to all legal busi-
ness, and also to report there for military duty. On one occasion he had failed
to report for the latter, and also paid no attention to the fine imposed upon him,
and an officer was sent to arrest him. The officer on his arrival, near nightfall,
was cordially received by Judge Gillis, and entertained with the lavish hospi-
tality for which Montmorency was noted. The judge suspected his errand, but
did not in the least remit any of the attentions that he would have bestowed
upon the most honored guest. In the morning the officer, overwhelmed by
the kindness of his reception, began in a shamefaced way to explain his errand,
when Judge Gillis, similating the greatest wrath, ordered him to be gone, tell-
ing him if his errand was known, his life would not be worth much in those
woods, etc. The poor fellow, frightened by this storm of wrath, mounted his
horse and rode off with all speed, and this was the last his prospective prisoner
ever heard of him or the militia fine.
Judge Gillis was throughout his life a staunch Democrat, and on his last
visit to Ridgway, at a Democratic meeting in October, 1880, he made a speech
for Hancock and English. He died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in June, 1881,
in the eighty-ninth year of his age, having lived through the three wars that
this country has seen.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
HISTORY OF ROSE TOWNSHIP.
ROSE township was the fifth to fall into line in the county history, being
formed from Pine Creek, in 1827. It was named for a gentleman named
Rose, then a prominent owner of lands in the county. The present bounds of
the township enclose a long, narrow area, about eight and a half miles in
length, and not over three and a half miles in width at the widest part. Its
boundaries are now Eldred township on the north, Pine Creek and Knox on
the east, Oliver on the south, and Beaver, Clover and Union on the west. It
is a broken, hilly region, and is traversed by numerous deep rugged valleys.
Redbank Creek traverses it from east to west, the North Fork and Five Mile Run
skirt its eastern border, Beaver Run rises in the vicinity of Belleview and Coder
Run diversifies the topography with great variety of hill and valley, west of
532 History of Jefferson County.
Brookville. The highest summits in the township are about four hundred feet
above the bed of Redbank Creek, and sixteen hundred feet abo\e the ocean
level.
The Geology. — The Kittanning, Clarion and Brookville coal seams are found
in Rose township, and furnish the principal coal beds. The Freeport Lower
coal comprises but a small area, the principal bed being that upon which the
Enoch McGeary bank is opened. Here the coal is of comparative purity,
without partings, and with scarcely any pyrites.
Limestone is found in all parts of the township and generally of a good
quality, and is from three to five feet thick. Much of the coal in the vicinity
of Brookville is from the Brookville seam, especially that brought from the
banks in the vicinity of the pottery. The Brookville coal is claimed to be the
best for generating steam, of any bituminous coal that has yet been discov-
ered. Fire-clay and iron ore are also found. The former being extensively
used in the pottery, near the Catholic grave-yard.
Early Settlers. — Uriah Matson with his family, emigrated to the United
States from near Fannet, County Donegal, Ireland, landing at Philadelphia
sometime in September, A. D. 1786. He settled first in Chester county, Pa.,
near Philadelphia, but how long he remained there, is not now known. Some
time before A. D. 1800, he removed to Indiana county, where he died. Of
his character nothing is known outside the evidence of his certificate of mem-
bership of the Presb}'terian Church at Fannet, which he brought to this coun-
try with him, and which is now in possession of one of his great-grandchildren.
It reads as follows :
•' That the bearer hereof, Uriah Matson and Belle, his wife, have been mem-
bers of this congregation from their infancy, and always maintained an honest,
sober and industrious character, free from public scandal of any kind, and now
intending to settle in some of the United States of North America, are there-
fore recommended as regular members of any Christian society, where God in
his Providence may appoint their lot.
" By James Delay, V. D. M.
"Dated at Fannet, iith of June, 17S6, County of Donegal, and Kingdom
of Ireland."
The Matsons were originally from Denmark, settling in England about the
time of or soon after the Danish conquest of that country. About the begin-
ning of the last century, some of them emigrated to Ireland, to engage in the
manufacture of linen, locating on Loch Swilly, County Donegal. John Matson, son
of Uriah, was born in Ireland, in 1774, came to the United States with his fath-
er's family in 1786 ; married Mary Thompson, in 1803 or '4, in Indiana, and re-
moved to Jefterson county, locating on land of which the farm now owned by
Robert L. Matson, situated on the Clarington road, one mile northeast of
Brookville is a'part, in 1S05. He was the father of eleven children: Isabella,
Rose Township. 533
Jane, James C, Uriah, John, Lydia, Rebecca, Robert L., William F., Harry
and Mary Ann. Lydia died in infancy, and was buried in the old graveyard
about one mile east of Brookville, near the junction of the Ridgway road with
the turnpike. The site of this old burying-place is now almost forgotten, every
vestige of its former use being obliterated, and its surface covered with fruit-
trees or gardens, yet under these rest the bones of some of Jefferson county's-
first settlers. Jane died in Pittsburgh, April, 1874, from the effects of a severe
surgical operation. James C. died July 27, 1878, of diseases contracted while
a resident of Tennessee. Isabella died in 1879 or 1880. William F. went to-
California about 1856, and since February, 1864, when he was residing in San
Francisco, nothing is known of him. Isabella married William Ferguson, to
whom she bore six children. Ferguson died from injuries received in a fall
from a house in 1845, and she afterwards married Mr. Barbour. Jane
never married ; James C. married Harriet Potter, by whom ten children were
born ; Uriah married Minerva Reynolds, who bore him one child ; John mar-
ried Margaretta Conner, by whom he had two children ; Rebecca married
Benjamin Bennett, to whom she bore six children ; William F. is not known
to have married ; Harry married Eliza Smith, by whom he had three children,
and Mary Ann married H. H. Clover, and bore him five children.
The next pioneer to settle in the neighborhood of the Matsons was Joseph
Clements, who came from Meadville soon after. He located on the farm now
owned by his daughters, Mrs. Metz and Mrs. Pysher, where he resided until
his death. Mr. Clements married Sarah, daughter of John Vasbinder, and
their children numbered eight ; three boys, John, Robert and Joseph, and
five girls : Sarah, married William Rodgers ; Isabel, married a man named
Kelsey ; Mary, married Eli Snyder; Eliza, married Stephen Pysher; and
Margaret Andrew Metz. Of tliese all are living but John, who died about
i860. Mrs. Kelsey resides in Chicago, Robert and Joseph in Eldred town-
ship, and the rest in Rose township, in the neighborhood of the farm upon
which they were all born and reared.
When Mr. Clements first took up his abode in the wilds of what is now
Rose township, there were no mills, no store, and no conveniences of any kind
in the county. They depended upon the game, which roamed through the
forests, and the products of their little patches of corn and potatoes, for food,
and the sheep, which were a necessity with every pioneer family, and the flax,
which was sown as soon as a spot could be cleared for it, furnished the cloth-
ing. Mr. Clements constructed a hand-mill to grind his corn, and the meal
was sifted through a seive made by punching holes with an awl in a dried
deer-hide. Mr. Clements died in 1867, aged about seventy- two years.
Andrew Vasbinder, son of John Vasbinder, was also one of the first settlers
in the northern part of Rose township, on the farm now occupied by his widow,
where he li\-ed to a good old age. He married a sister of Joseph Clements,
64
534 History of Jefferson County.
and Mr. Clements married his sister. A number of Mr. Vasbiiider's children
and grandchildren live in Rose township.
John Lucas came from Crooked Creek, in 1816 or 1S17, and settled on the
farm now occupied by his son, Samuel. He died in 1869, in the seventy-third
year of his age. His wife died in 1864, aged sixty-nine years. Only two of
the family survive, their sons William and Samuel.
John Kennedy, who was born in 1777, in County Antrim, Ireland, came
to this countrj' in 1813, and settled in Huntingdon county, from whence he
removed to Jefferson county, in the spring of 1822, and settled on the farm now
owned by his son, William Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy died April 14, 1869. in
the ninety-second year of his age, having lived on the farm which he cleared
with his own hard labor, fifty- seven years. Mr. Kenned}''s nearest neighbor
was James Shields, who settled on the farm now owned bj- his grandson,
Samuel Shields. The other neighbors were Walter Templeton (grandfather
of Thomas L. Templeton, of Brookville), John Matson, John Kelso, John Lu-
cas and Thomas Lucas, esq. 'Squire Lucas saw that justice was administered
in the neighborhood, Mr. Templeton did all the mechanical work that was
needed, repairing all the guns, and making the plows — those with the old-
fashioned wooden mould-board, and John Lucas the blacksmithing.
The only road then in that region, was one from Port Barnett, which
crossed the Sand\- near where Fuller's dam is now built, and from thence to
Indiana. There were fourteen men employed in cutting it out, under the direc-
tion of Judge Shippen, of Meadville. The party had a wagon to haul their pro-
visions, and was composed of Mr. Kennedy, two men named Holloway and
Williamson. No respect was had for the future comfort of the traveler, or the
poor horses that had to toil over this road ; no digging was done, and it was up
one hill and down another. The other road was from Port Barnett to Troy,
and was made in the same manner as the other. These roads were made so as
to pass the homes of as many settlers as possible. The unseated taxes were
sufficient to pay all expenses. The nearest grist-mill was run by a man named
Parks, and was the Knapp mill. The bolting was done by hand, and William
Kennedy says he often took his turn at this work when waiting for his grist.
Mrs. Kennedy nee Ann Kelso, who was also a native of Ireland, died Feb-
ruary 6, 1857, in the ninetieth year of her age. Their son, William Kennedy,
resides on the old farm, and although in his seventy-seventli \ear, is able to
superintend his farm, and ride daily to Brookville, where he is senior partner
jn the hardware firm of Kennedy & Co.
In the year 1826 Samuel D. Kennedy came from Mifflin county with his
wife and son and settletl on the pike across the road from Major Trimble's
farm, where he built a log cabin, in which he lived- for some time without win-
dows or doors. The only house near them was a small log house, where Cor-
sica now stands. It stood in the old McAnult\- orchard, and a man named
Rose Township. 535
Powers kept hotel in it. Indians were frequently seen, and the family were
often chased indoors b\- panthers. Mr. Kennedy afterward removed to the
vicinity of Coder's dam, and from there to Corsica, where he lived until the
death of his wife, after which he made his home with his son, George H. Ken-
nedy, at Brookville, where he died October 13, 1881, in the eighty- first year
of his age. Mrs. Jane Kennedy, ne'e Slack, died January 27, 1878, aged sev-
enty-seven )'ears. Five children survive: Mrs. Elizabeth Garvin of Corsica,
Mrs. Amelia P. Barnes, and Miss Mary A. Kennedy of New Bethlehem, and
Mrs. Susan Hughes and George H. Kennedy, of Brookville
Isaac Mills was born in Bedford county in 1801, and from there removed
to Westmoreland county, from which he came to Brookville in the year 1831,
remaining there three years, when lie removed to a farm four miles west of
Roseville, where he lived until his death, in 1836. Mr. Mills was the father of
John Mills, of Brookville.
Luther Geer, sr., started with his family from Indiana county on the 15th
day of March, 1833, and on the i8th reached his destination in Jeft'erson
count}-, where he located on the farm now owned by K. L. Blood, in Rose
township. Mr. Geer was born in Connecticut in 1796, and was married to
Nancy A. Spiers, in 1818. He was a millwright- and carpenter by trade, and
put the roof on the grist-mill built by Robert P. Barr. After residing in Rose
township he moved to the Clarion river where he built the Grant mill. He
then moved to Brookville, where he staid awhile, and then located permanently
in Pine Creek, where he died August 15, 1875, and his wife died November
29, 1880, in the eighty- fourth \ ear of her age. They both resided with their
son, Lawson S., during the last years of their lives. They had thirteen chil-
dren — eight sons and five daughters — and of these nine are living, and all but
one reside in Pine Creek township.
Peter Thiush came from Cumberland county and settled in the southern
part of Rose township in 1837, on the farm now owned by his son, William
Thrush. His land was all in an uncultivated state, and he cleared and made a
good farm. Mr. Thrush died in 1869 or 1870, in the seventy- sixth year of
his age. His family consisted of three sons — Samuel, Joseph and William
B., — Anne, married to Dewalt Piolee, who remained in Cumberland county ;
Sydney, married to John Kirker, now residing in Ohio ; filiza, married to John
F. Himes. They all reside in Rose township except Mrs. Piolee and Mrs.
Kirker.
Peter Himes came to Jefferson county about the year 1838, and settled on
the farm on J5eaver Run, about lialf a mile from the old Hamilton road, now
owned by John Baughman and C. Brocious. Mr. Himes cleared three dift'er-
ent farms in Rose and adjoining townships. He died at the residence of his
son, John F., in 1884, in the eighty-second year of his age.
John V. Himes purchased the farm on which he now resides, about six-
teen years ago. It was partially cleared by David Van Dyke many years ago-
536 History of Jefferson County.
The Hall family was one of the pioneer families of Rose township, and
Enoch and Joseph E. were early identified with the lumbering and other business
interests of Brookville. The former, who has for many years resided in Brook-
ville, and who is now in the seventy-eighth year of his age, relates the follow-
ing story of the trials endured by his father's family in a journey westward
sixty )'ears ago. Then Ohio, to which they intended to emigrate, was in the
" far west :"
" The starting point was a place on the West Branch of the Susquehanna
River, almost fifteen miles above what is now Lock Haven, but at that time
only a small farm with a log house built upon it. In that house I was born
and lived the first few years of my life. My father was a stone-mason, and
did not own a farm of his own, and during the first ten years of my life we
moved two or three times, but did not go away from the river. This was then
in Lycoming county. During the winter of 1826-7, father having previously
heard that land could be bought very cheap along the river valley in Ohio,
and that the land was very fertile, decided upon taking his family early in the
spring to secure a farm in that desirable locality. He ascertained that in mak-
ing the journey he could secure transportation by water the entire distance,
with the exception of one trip overland of twenty-four miles.
" The start was made in March, 1827, the first part of the trip being made
in two canoes, each made by hollowing out a large pine log, smoothing it on
the outside, and pointing the ends, that it might be pushed through the water
more easil_\ . Two of these canoes, nearly forty feet long each, held our family
of four boys and five girls, with mother and a young man, a relative, who went
with us, together with tlie household goods we intended to take along. Each
canoe was in charge of a man with a stout pole, and the boys that were large
enough secured poles also, and assisted in pushing along, for the first part of
the journey was made up stream, and required hard pushing against the cur-
rent. Our route lay up West Branch to Sinnemahoning, up that stream to
the mouth of Driftwood Creek, where we also found Bennett's Branch, up this
stream to Benezette. This journe\- we made in about four days, and each
night during that time had found either some vacant hut or hospitable cabin
along tlie shore in which mother and the girls, at least, found a place to sleep.
Upon reaching Benezette we found an unoccupied log house, into which we
were glad to move on account of an interruption, occasioned by the illness of
my younger brother, Hiram, then about six years of age. The last day or
two of the canoe voj'age he seemed quite sick, and grew worse until we be-
came alarmed, and upon finding refuge at Benezette, I was dispatched in
search of a doctor. There was an old mill there and a couple of houses, but I
am not certain that any one was living in either of them. There were a few
per.sons living in the vicinity, however, and upon inquiry I found a doctor al-
most eight miles awav. At his first visit he was unable to tell exacth- the
Rose Township. 537
nature of the case, but by the time he came back the next day or two, an
eruption on the boy's face told him it was measles, and we all felt worried, for
none of us had had measles, and of all times to get them thought this the most
unsuitable.
" F'ather was not with us in the canoes, but had left home a week in ad-
vance to secure wagons to take us across from Benezette to the Clarion River,
at the mouth of Elk Run, where Ridgway is now located, and having done
this, went on to the Clarion to make a raft to float down that river on our way
west.
" After getting the doctor's opinion about Hiram, I was started across the
country to find father, and inform him of what had happened to delay us, and
walked the twenty-four miles in one day, finding him without special diffi-
culty. He was quite surprised at the nature of the delay, but left me in
charge of the raft he had nearly completed while he went back to see what
could be done to get the family along. All I could see of Ridgway at that
time was a field or two cleared, but thickly dotted with stumps, a house, occu-
pied by a Mr. Gallagher and family, and a short distance up Elk Run a small
saw- mill with one or two other buildings. Father's raft was made of small
dry pine logs, about forty feet long, squared and enough put together to make
it about sixteen feet wide. On this he had built a shanty of boards from the
mill, and in this shanty we were to live during the remainder of our journey.
While in charge of the raft I boarded for a week with Mr. Gallagher and fam-
ily, and was quite amused at seeing a strange companion that seemed to afford
amusement for the Gallaghers as well. A young cub bear had been captured
and tamed until it hung around the house like a dog. Occasionally the boys
would have a romp with it, and it was so taught that when one of them would
say, ' Now, let us wrestle,' it would get up on its hind feet, and there would
be a mutual grasp and tussle in which the boys would generally come out best.
They would also chase each other around the field, just like any dog, though
the bear was not a very swift runner.
" I spent the week quite pleasantly, and about its close was pleased to see
father with two wagons containing our family, including the sick boy, and all
our effects. A day or two more here and we moved into the shanty and were
soon on our wa)- down the Clarion River. The water was not very high, and
not being familiar with the channel our craft would occasionally stick, but was
generally lifted off easily and started on its way again. The banks of the river
were covered by an unbroken forest most all the way, and as we floated
leisurely along down the stream there was very little to break the monotony
except the sight of a deer occasionally, the song of a bird or the scream of an
animal. There were, however, two dams across the river, the first at Wyn-
coop's, where we stopped to give mother a chance to bake some bread. A
-day was spent here, and the men in the vicinity tried to secure us a deer by
538 History of Jefferson County.
making a half-circle back from the river and driving him into the water, but
they were unsuccessful though deer were plenty. In going over the dam the
ladies of our party got off the raft and walked around, getting on again below.
I remember that in going over the second dam I remained on the raft and
stood on a chair to keep from getting wet when the raft dove under the water
as it did, but the chair proved treacherous, fell forward, throwing me flat on
the raft, and giving me a complete wetting, which the rest of the party seemed
to enjoy much better than I did.
" As we neared the mouth of the river, some of the family began to feel
quite sick, and mother suspected we were coming down with measles, which
suspicion proved to be well founded shortly afterwards. We floated along the
Allegheny River without special incident, moving by day and t)-ing up for the
night, as we had been doing, except that the younger persons were in no con-
dition to enjoy the trip. I do not remember how long it took us to float to
Freeport, but remember that by the time we got there we could display more
measles to the square inch than any family we knew of. and father thought we
had better call a halt for repairs. We were landed below Freeport, and while
there heard of a vacant house a few miles below, near the mouth of Pine Run.
Floating down near this house, we were taken out of the shanty and into the
building, which was fairly comfortable, and we remained here until all recov-
ered.
" Father, in the mean time, while waiting for us to get well enough to go
on, went out in Butler county, near Zelienople, to visit some relatives, and
while there his friends represented to him that the valley of the Ohio was sick-
ly, and persuaded him to rent a good farm near where they lived, and for a few
years we resided in that county. The desire to secure a farm of his own, how-
ever, caused him to continue to make further inquiries as to inducements held
out to beginners by different localities, and learning that land was cheap in the
new county of Jefferson, he bought a tract of woodland in what is now Rose
township, a part of which is at present occupied by W. H. Hall, where, in
1833, he commenced to clear out a farm. Here my father ended his days,
and I have been a resident of the county ever since. Thus you see that so
small a thing as a crop of measles kept us residents of the old Keystone State>
and I think now, taking all things into consideration, that we fared as well as
if we had gone farther west."
\'ery few men have been more prominent in the affairs of Jefferson county,
than was Joel Spyker. He was born in Jonestown, Swatara township, Dau-
phin (now Lebanon) county, in 1803, and came to this county in 1835, and
settled upon the farm in Rose township, where he resided until his death.
His early education was very limited, but by untiring efforts, he learned the
common English branches in his youth, so as to be able to teach school. In
after life he was a close student, and a careful reader, and was one of the best
Rose Township. 539
informed men in the county. In 1848 he pubHshed a little book entitled " A
Collection of Geographical, Moral, Re.igious and Political Chapters," which
was a compilation of useful and varied information, and showed great research.
Mr. Spyker was a prominent leader in the Democratic party of Jefferson
county for o\'er thirty j-ears. In 1824 he cast his first vote for General Jack-
son, and he never departed from the political faith of his youth. In 1853 he
was elected county surveyor, and in 1857 he was elected a member of the
Legislature. He also served as county commissioner, and in 1S60 was ap-
pointed assistant United States marshal to take the census of Jefferson county.
He was elected seven terms, consecutively, justice of the peace of Rose town-
ship. He was a man of sterling honesty and integrity of character, and was
administrator and executor of more estates, guardian of more minor children,
and arbitrator of more disputes and difficulties than any other man in the
county, and in all these pt)sitions he acquitted himself creditabl\- and honestly.
Mr. Spyker died in 1877.
His son Abner has succeeded to the old homestead and to his father's
office of justice of the peace; but he has left his political faith, being a
straight-out Republican. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Catharine Alsehouse and
Mrs. Mary Edmonds, reside in Rose township, and the wife and children of his
son Peter, who was drowned in Little Sandy, in 1864, just after his discharge
from the army, reside in Brookville.
George Himes was one of the first who settled and made improvements on
Beaver Run. He still resides there and is past eighty years of age.
John Darr came to Jefferson county in April, 1846, and settled in the
northern part of the township on the farm how owned by J. M. Pierce, where
he died in May, 1859. He was sixty- five years of age. His wife wri? Sarah
Johns, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Pierce, in Rose town-
ship, October 16, 1885, in the eighty-si.xth year of her age. Their family
consisted of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom four survive;
Jacob, living in Indiana county ; George, in Venango count\', and Joseph T.,
and Mrs. J. M. Pierce in Brookville. They were worthy people and earnest
members of the Lutheran church.
Among other early settlers in Rose township were Thomas and Robert and
James VVitherow. In 1832 Thomas cleared and improved the farm now owned
by John Crate, and Robert the farm now occupied by his son, James R.
Witherow, in 1834. James died in 1868, Thomas in 1876, and Robert F. in
1 88 1. They all resided upon the farms upon which they located, in Rose
township, until death ended their labors, Robert being eighty-seven years of
age when he died. His aged wife, nee Mary C. Campbell, yet survives, and
resides upon the old homestead with her son. William Carr, in 1833, settled
on the farm now owned by Michael Hinderliter. Mr. Carr opened a coal bank
on his farm and for many years delivered coal to customers in Brookville. He
S40 History of Jefferson County.
removed to West Virginia. Peter Groves settled on the farm now owned by
Jacob Diener, in 1834; Moses Campbell, on the farm now owned by Joseph
McFarland, in 1835 ; William McGeary, on the farm he now owns, in 1837 ;
Jacob and Henry Bodenhorm settled, in 1838, on the farm now owned by Ed-
ward and Benjamin Reitz ; Andrew Ohl on the place now owned by his son
George, in 1838 ; Clement McGeary and John Kirker settled in Rose in 1833 ;
William Morrison and Charles Boner, in 1834; Robert Morrison and Joseph
Millen, in 1831. These families came from W^estmoreland, Cumberland,
Dauphin and Lebanon counties.
William Thompson came to Rose township in 1834, and cleared the farm
now owned by the heirs of his son, John Thompson. He died at the age of
about eighty years. He was married to Susan Brady, who is also dead. John
Thompson was born February 3, 1823, and married January 11, 1849, to
Jane, daughter of Clement McGeary. Mr. Thompson lived on the farm ad-
joining the borough of Brookville, for about fifty years. He was one of the
most upright and useful citizens of the county. In 1858 he w'as elected one of
the county commissioners, and in 1880 one of the associate judges, but died
December 4, 1884, before his term of office expired. He was a prominent
member of the United Presbyterian Church. His children numbered twelve,
all of whom except the eldest son, John Irvin, survive. William H., Mary A.
(married to C. R Vasbinder), John C, David F., Perry E., are married and
have homes of their own, while the other sons, Winfield S., Charles C,
Thomas I., Everett A., James M. and Edison R., remain on the homestead
farm with their mother.
Another of the prominent citizens of Rose, was Nathan Carrier, jr. He
was a son of Darius Carrier, and was born at Troy on the 9th of February,
1830. At a very early age he engaged in lumbering. While a resident of
Troy he kept store for about three years, and for five years was engaged in
the hotel business there. He removed to Rose township in 1863, and was
elected sherift'in 1867. He lumbered very extensively, being a member of the
firm of Carrier & Scott, whose mills were located near Reynoldsville, and built
the Carrier mill, below the Wainwright & Bryant mills, which was burned
down in iS — . Up to 1869 he handled square timber exclusively, and is said
to have manufactured 300,000 feet of his own and bought and sold at least one
million feet. In 1871—73 he was a partner in the large mercantile house of
Nicholson, Meredith & Co., and having purchased his partner's interest he sold
out in 1874 to Charles S. Irvin. He was also for a short time with P. H.
Shannon and R. J. Nicholson, one of the proprietors of the American Hotel.
He was a great admirer of fine stock, and was one of the pioneers in introduc-
ing thoroughbreds into the county. Mr. Carrier, his wife, nee Mary E. Rich-
ards, and his youngest son, Bertie, all died within two weeks, of a fatal fever,
in the fall of 1886.
Rose Township. 541
Early Iniprovctiieiits. — The first person to make any improvements in Rose
township was John Matson, on his farm, where he built first a log cabin He
also built the first grist-mill in the township above where the present company
mill stands. James Corbet built the first saw- mill, on Red Bank.
The first church built in Rose was the old "Bethel" log church, erected
about 1824 on the farm of Joseph Hughes, and the first school-house was the
one erected in the present town of Brookville, in 1S30. Prior to that time the
nearest school was the one on the present McConnell farm, in Pine Creek
township, of which Mr. Matson is ifientioned as one of the principal patrons.
There seems to have been several hotels in Rose, in the first and second dec-
ades of its history. Among those to whom the court granted licenses were
William Vasbinder, William Christy, John Shoemaker, David Orcutt, Anthony
Rowe, Joseph Henderson, James Green, Isaac Mills (Roseville). and Joshua
McKinley. The first birth of which we have any record in Rose township is
that of Jane, daughter of John and Mary Matson, born in 1806; and the first
death Lydia, daughter of the same, who died in infancy.
The first land was cleared in South Rose by Robert Morrison and Joseph
Millen, the latter making the first improvements. The first person born in this
part of Rose was H. J. Millen, and the first marriage was William McGeary
and Mary A. Hall, in 1837. The first death was Robert Morrison, who was
accidentally killed. The first grave-yard was located on the farm of Andrew
Ohl, and the first buried there was Mrs. Josiah Lehman, in 1837, and in 1839
four children of Joel Spyker. The next was on the farm of Joseph Millen, in
1842, Moses Campbell being the first buried there in 1844.
The first school-houses were built on the farm of William Carr, in 1837, and
in Belleview in 1842 ; and the first churches on the land of Andrew Ohl, in
1836, and at Joseph Millen's, in 1842.
The first saw-mill was built by John J. Miller, in 1843, on the place now
belonging to the Shaffer heirs, and the first lumber was run in 1S35. The first
coal was dicovered on the Dougherty farm in 1840.
Lumber and Saw viills. — The timber has nearly all been cut off Rose,
and there is now but one saw- mill within its boundaries — the large mills of
Wainwright & Bryant.
This mill was erected in 1872 by Robert J. Nicholson, who sold the
property to Straub & Burkett, from whom it was purchased in 1884 by C.
P. Wainwright, and W. L. Bryant, of Philadelphia. Since the new firm com-
menced operations they have put in new machinery, consisting of one circular
saw, one gang saw, edger, lath and pick mill. They also, in 1887, placed in
their mills a new patent "band saw" with the necessary machinery for its
successful operation, at an expenditure of about $5,000. The new saw is
simply a band, and while it will do as much and better work than the circular
saw generally in use, cuts a kerf fully one-eighth less, and saves lumber to
C5
542 History of Jefferson County.
that extent, making eight inch boards where the old process would make
but seven. The gentlemen have given the new saw a trial, and they are sat-
isfied that it will do all that is claimed for it.
Their saw-mill cuts about 13,000,000 of pine and hemlock per year, and
employs seventy men. They also have a planing and shingle-mill. The
former was destroyed by fire in 1886, but at once rebuilt. They manufacture
all kinds of dressed lumber, flooring, siding, etc. The shingle mill cuts about
25,000 eighteen inch, and about 15,000 twenty-four inch shingles per day, and
employs twenty men. These mills are situated on Redbank, at Nicholson
Station, on the Low Grade Railroad, about two miles below Brookville. Mr.
Willis L. Bryant, the junior member of the firm, resides in Brookville, and
gives a general supervision to the business. The superintendent at the mills
is Frank Jobson, and J. R. Brannan attends to the shipping of the lumber after
it comes from the mill. R. E. Clover, of Brookville, is book-keeper. The
firm controls some 5,000 acres of timber land in the northern townships.
Farms. — Farming is the principal business of the citizens of Rose since the
decline of the lumber trade, and there are some excellent farms in the town-
ship, with good buildings. Among the best in the northern part of the town-
ship are those of Uriah Matson, Robert Matson, W. H. Gray, D. G. Gourly,
William Green, Eli Snyder, H. C. Litch, K. L. Blood, and in the southern
portion are those of Andrew Ohl, George and Jacob Diener, Henry Boden-
horm, James Breakey, John Hill, John Johns, William and Enoch McGeary,
William Hall, Samuel Thrush and Abner Spyker.
There is only one post-office in Rose, Stanton, at Belleview, the majority
of its citizens receiving their mail matter through the Brookville office.
Belleview.
Belleview is the metropolis of Southern Rose, and is quite a brisk little
town. It was laid out and named by Hugh Campbell in 1844.
The first stores were kept by John Philiber in 1849, and James Hill in
1850. The latter came to Jefterson county in 1838 and purchased one hun-
dred and seventy-five acres of land in the vicinity of Belleview, now occupied
by his son, John Hill. In 1850 he removed to Belleview, where he kept store
until his death, in 1863. His wife, nee Mary Kinnear, died just six weeks be-
fore her husband. Both were natives of Ireland. Hill was succeeded by A.
J. Smathers, and the Reitz brothers — Manuel W., Edward and Aaron, who
bought the Hill property in 1866. The store is now the property of E. Reitz
& Son. Joseph Spare has also a store in Belleview.
The first cabinet shop was started in Belleview in 1849. The present
shops are the wagon and blacksmith shops of Joseph Spare and William
Mooney.
There is a temperance hotel in Belleview, kept by Mrs. Carrie Simpson.
Rose Township. 543
Belleview is noted for its morality, temperance and education. It contains
three churches, the United Presbyterian, organized in 1842; the Reformed
Presbyterian, organized in 1846, and the Methodist Episcopal in 1871. It
also contains large and excellent select schools. The population of Belleview
in 1880 was ninety-six.
Elections. — As there was no returns made of the elections held in Jefferson
county in 1828,' the first record of votes cast by the township is that of 1829,
copied from the records of Indiana county, as follows:
" Rose township. — At an election held at the house of J no. Lucas, in said
township, on Friday, the 20th of March. 1829, the following named persons
were duly elected, to wit : Supervisors, Moses Knapp had 39 votes, James
Shields, 30; poor overseers, John Lucas. 10, John Avery, 10; auditors, John
Hughs, 50, Alonzo Baldwin, 42, Robert K. Scott, 16, William Morrison, 32;
constable, William Love, jr., 51 ; fence viewers, Jno. Kelso, 16; Elijah M.
Graham, 14; town clerk, Jno. Christy, 3; James Corbett, 3. Signed Alonzo
Baldwin, Jno. Lucas, judges."
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following persons were elected:
Cohstable, George Boner; supervisors, Gilniore Vasbinder, J. N. Hall; school
directors, J. Snyder, Nathan Diener, Edward McLauglilin ; auditor, Alexan-
der Kennedy and James Chambers (tie vote 1 14 votes each); assessor, Joseph
Thrush ; tax collector, J. R. O'Conner ; township clerk, Abner Spyker ; over-
seer of the poor, William H. Hall ; judge of election, Newton Lantz ; inspec-
tors, W. C. Kelly and J. J. Hinderliter. The justices of the peace in Rose are
Abner Spyker and M. W. Reily. The members of the school board pre-
viously elected are E. V. Richards, R. D. Richards, David G. Gourley, Uriah
Bender.
Area, Taxables and Population. — In 1831 the "statistical table" of Jeffer-
son county gives length of Rose township as 39 miles; breath, 12 miles; area
in acres 289,520.
In 1828 the number of taxables was 123, with one deaf and dumb person.
The votes cast at the spring election were 65, and at the general election 66.
In 1829 the number of taxables was 115 ; in 1835, 252 (this included the
taxables in the borough of Brookville) ; in 1842, 232; in 1849, 104; 1856,
132; 1863,173; 1870, 271 ; in 1880, 480; in 1886, 561.
The population by the census in 1840 (including Brookville) was 1,421 ;
1850, 559; i860, 828; 1870, 1,058; 1880, 1,601.
Assessments and Valuations. — The triennial statement for 1886 gives the
number of acres seated in Rose township as 10,321 ; valuation, $65,646; aver-
age value per acre, $5.36; houses and lots, 407 ; valuation, $31,453; gnst
and saw-mills, 3; valuation, $8,850; unseated, 843 acres ; valuation, $2,789;
'^Hazard's Rfgisler gwes tlie number of votes cast at township ^eclion for 1S28 as 65, and at gen-
eral election 66.
544 History of Jefferson County.
average value, $3.31 ; number of horses, 226; valuation, $7,523 ; average
value, $33.29; cows, 294; valuation, $2,829; average value, $9.62; occupa-
tions, 131; valuation, $3,125; average valuation, $23.85; total valuation
subject to county tax, $122,265 ; money at interest, $39,965.
School Statistics. — The number of schools in Rose is 8 ; length of term, 5
months; 2 male and 6 female teachers; average salary of teachers, $30; num-
ber of male scholars, 216 ; females, 201 ; average attendance, 3 13 ; percent,
of attendance. So; cost of scholar per month, 62 cents; number of mills levied
for school purposes, 13 ; for building, 5 ; whole amount of tax levied for school
and building purposes, $1,495.67
CHAPTER XXXVni.
HISTORY OF BARNETT TOWNSHIP.
BARNETT is the sixth township, organized in 1833, and was named
for Joseph Barnett, the pioneer of Jefferson county. It was taken from
Rose township, and until 1838 comprised all that part of Jefferson county
lying north of tiie Clarion river. This township is now bounded on the north
by Forest county, from which it is divided by the Clarion River ; on the east
by Heath township ; on the south by Eldred, and on the west by Clarion
county.
Topogi'aphy and Geology. — Situated at the western side of the county, Bar-
nett is one of the northern tier of townships. The greater part of the town-
ship is a wilderness. Its northern side is a long slope five hundred feet in
height, stretching to the Clarion River. Its southern side, bordering on Eldred,
is traversed nearly its whole length by the ravine of Cathers Run, which heads
at the eastern side of the township, and deepens rapidly westward. A narrow
strip, therefore, of high land, trending east and west, occupies the center of
the township, along which runs its main road, leading from Brookville to Clar-
ington, in Forest county.
The coal beds are of the Mercer group, and are from 2' to 3' in thickness,
and where opened has been found good, clean coal. Iron ore is also found,
that at Orin Butterfield's having been tested by Mr. S. W. Smith, of Brook-
ville, and found to be 2' on the west face, and 4' on the eastern face of the hill.
It is a brown hematite ore. This deposit might become valuable were there
any railroad facilities to allow of its being brought to market.
Early Settlers. — The first to settle in what is now Barnett township, were
William, George and Samuel Armstrong, who came from Crawford county
Barnett Township. 545
about 1827, David and Joseph Reynolds, John Cook, John H. Maze and Alex-
ander Murray came about 1829. David Reynolds cleared the first land, and
made the first improvements.
Alexander Forsythe, Robert Wallace, Richard Burns, and William Thomas
also came at an early da)-. Orin Butterfield came from Watertovvn, Jefferson
county, N. Y., in 1837. Probably the first birth was Evaline Armstrong,
daughter of William Armstrong, and the first record to be found of any mar-
riages are those of Thomas Maze, who married Martha Hall in 1836, and Rob-
ert Hulings and Polly Maze, in March, 1837; then in 1838 William Maze and
Sophia Herron were married by Orin Butterfield, esq.
The first deaths were those of James Maze, who died in 1 831, and was
buried in what is said to be the first grave-yard, at the old school-house at
Troutman Run ; then David Reynolds and Alexander Murray died about
1838, and were the first buried in the grave-yard on the Armstrong land, at
Clarington.
The first school-house was built at the mouth of Troutman Run. It was
built of round logs, and a huge rock formed one end of the building, against
which the fire-place was made. The next was built at Butterfields, in 1840.
The first saw- mill was built by William Armstrong, at the mouth of Maple
Creek, about 1829, and the first lumber taken out about 1829 by David Rey-
nolds. The next saw-mill was erected by John Cook, at the rnouth of Thom's
Run.
The first grist-mill was built by William Armstrong, on the Clarion River,
at what is now known as Clarington, and he opened the first store at the same
place about the year 1830. Charles Johnson afterwards built a saw-mill and
opened a store on Maple Creek.
The first hotel was kept by Alexander Murray, afterwards by his widow ;
then Grove Reed kept the first licensed house. Oramel Thing also kept a
hotel at an early day, on the Clarion River. The first blacksmith shop was
started by Mr. Armstrong at his mill, and an Englishman named Andrew
Clough, was the first blacksmith. The old settlers now living are: Mrs.
Polly Williams, a sister of the Armstrong brothers, who has resided in Barnett
township about fifty-five years, and is past eighty years of age. Orin Butter-
field has resided there fifty years. Mr. Butterfield first purchased the farm
where he now resides from Richard Burns and William Thomas, who had arti-
cled for the same with C. C. Gaskill, agent for the Holland Land Company^
but had made no payments upon it. He has resided upon it ever since, and
has now a good farm of about two himdred acres, and four hundred acres of
timber land, from which most of the timber has been cut. Mr. Butterfield has
been one of the most prominent citizens of the township, having been four
times elected justice of the peace. He has now a comfortable, pleasant home,
the result of his hard labor, and where he is enjoying the evening of his days
546 History of Jefferson County.
in comfort and luxury. He is over eighty years of age, but is as hale and
sprightly as a man of sixty.
Among other prominent settlers of later years are : John Dobson, whose
wife is a daughter of John H. Maze, she having been born and raised in the
wilds of Barnett; A. J. Maze, Mrs. Dobson's brother, John Agnew, William
Painter, the Wallace brothers and G. G. Frazier.
Present business. — The only store in the township is that of S. & W. Shields^
at Clarington. There is no hotel now in Barnett. The saw-mills are those of
Abram Braden, above site of old Armstrong mill, George G. Frazier (this mill
was, in 1887, disposed of to a Reynoldsville company), William Wallace.
George Shawkey, George Means, and Peter Stahlman ; A. C. Wiggins does the
blacksmithing for the community with a shop at Clarington.
There are three school-houses, at Butterfield's, Wallace's, and at Pine Grove.
There is no church in Barnett, but one is about to be built at Pine Grove.
The present grave-yards are located, one at Pine Grove, one on the James
Daniels farm, and one on the \\'ing farm, now Shields place.
There are now two post-offices in Barnett — the Clarington office having
been in 1887 moved to the Jefferson side of the Clarion River, and the office
of Ella, on Hominy Ridge, at William Painter's.
Farms. — Although a lumbering region, Barnett boasts of some excellent
farms, well cultivated, and with good buildings, and upon which the finest
varieties of apples, peaches, pears, cherries and grapes are grown. The best
farms in the township are those of William and Archie Wallace, Grant heirs.
Orin Butterfield, J. W. Daniels, John and James Truby and Thadeus Songer.
The stock raised in Barnett is confined to the common grades.
E/ectiotis. — At an election held in the township of Barnett, in the year
1833, the following named persons were elected township officers: Constable,
John Maze; supervisors, David Mead, William Armstrong; auditors, John
Wynkoop, Wihiam Manross, Edwin Forsythe ; overseers of the poor, Enos
Myers, John Maze.
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following persons were elected :
Constable, D. L. Henry; supervisors, Michael Asel and James Cook; school
directors, John Campbell and W. W. Braden ; auditors, Henry Dunkle and A.
R. Braden; poor overseers, J. R. Cook and J. H. Grant; assessor, W. W.
Braden ; township clerk, W. A. Mathews ; collector, W. W. Braden ; treas-
urer, William Wallace ; judge of election, W. W. Callen ; inspectors, A. R.
Braden and Robert Wolford. The justices of the peace in Barnett township
are J. F. Songer, John H. Kuhns. The members of the school board pre-
viously elected are Robert Wolford, W. W. Braden, John Coon, O. D. Butter-
field.
Population and Taxables. — The number of taxables in Barnett township in
1835 was 70 ; in 1842, 6j ; in 1849, 75 ; in 1856, 78 ; in 1863, 50; in 1870,
Snyder Township. 547
6"] ; in 1880, 92; in 1886, 103. The population in 1840, by census, was 259;
1850,579; 1860,303; 1870,223; 1880,296.
Valuation of property. — The valuation of real and personal property in
Barnett township, according to the triennial assessment of 1886, gives the
number of acres seated land as 5,213 ; valuation, $13,625 ; average value per
acre, $2.61. Grist and saw-mills, 2 ; valuation, $550. Acres unseated, 2,844 ;
valuation, $11,264; average per acre, $3.96. Number of horses, 44; valua-
tion, $1,660; average value, $37.02. Number of cows, 65 ; valuation, $663 ;
average, $10.20. Occupations, 30 ; valuation, $1,435 ; average value, $47.83.
Total valuation, subject to county tax, $29,442.
School statistics. — Whole number of schools in 1886, 4; average number
of months, taught, 4 ; i male and 3 female teachers ; average salary of teach-
ers, $23 ; number of scholars, males 53, females 44; average number attend-
ing school, 53 ; average per cent, of attendance, 65 ; average cost per month,
83 cents ; number of mills levied for school purposes, 13 ; total amount of tax
levied for school and building purposes, $536.85.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
HISTORY OF SNYDER TOWNSHIP.
SNYDER, the seventh township, was organized in 1835, being taken from
Pine Creek, and was called for Governor Simon Snyder. In 1843 a por-
tion of the township was taken from it, on the formation of Elk county. The
present boundaries of Snyder are : On the north, by Elk county ; on the east,
by Elk and Clearfield ; on the south, by Washington township and Clearfield
county, and on the west by Polk and Warsaw.
Topography . — The northern part of the township is an almost unbroken
wilderness on both sides of the Little Toby, being made so by the near ap-
proach of the Homewood sandstone, in very massive condition, to the uplands
there. The southern part, covered mostly by coal measure strata, is the agri-
cultural part, and is generally cleared land. The Ridgway road crossing the
township from east to west, very nearly defines the forest region from that
under cultivation The drainage is mainly into the Clarion River, through the
valley of Little Toby, and its tributaries. At the western side of the town-
ship, the headsprings of Mill Creek interlock with one branch of the North
Fork. It is interesting to observe how very small is the interval separating
these Redbank waters from the Little Toby. Those of Mill Creek, in fact,
approach in places, nearly to the abrupt hills which overlook the other stream.
548 History of Jefferson County.
Geology. — Snyder township is one of the principal coal producing districts
of the township, as will be seen from the report of the Clarion mines. The
coal seam worked is the Freeport Lower, averaging four feet in thickness. The
Northwestern Mining and Exchange Company, operating these mines, own
the mineral on 5,791 acres in Snyder township, the assessed value of which is
$11,582.
Early Settlers. — In 1822 Alonzo and James W. Brockway settled on the
Pfefter tract, lottery warrant No. 34, which their father, John P. Brockway,
had purchased at treasurer's sale, in Indiana, the year previous. This was the
first settlement in Snyder township, and is where the town of Brockwayville
now is. The next to settle in what is now Snyder township, was Jacob Shaffer,
•who located in 1823 on the Henry Sivert tract, and his brother-in-law, Henry
Walborn, who located on the run known as Walborn Run, about a mile and a
half above Brockway's.
Although the land was heavily timbered and hard to clear, they found the
soil very productive, and the Brockways soon found themselves able to live
comfortably, and even luxuriously, in the wilderness. Wild game was abun-
dant, and with elk, bear, deer and wild turkey, to furnish the meat, the bees
the honey, and the magnificent groves of sugar maple the molasses and sugar,
while the luxurious vegetation furnished their cattle with abundant food, there
was no lack of good wholesome food. Flour was the hardest to get, but soon
mills were erected, as we have already stated, and this difficulty was obviated
in a measure, and cornbread, or " pone," as it was called in those days, took
the place of the white rolls made from the Vienna flour of the present day.
Ami Sibley was one of the pioneers of Snyder township, locating in that
region in 18 18. He was one of the most noted hunters in the northern part
of the county. He died in 1861. Mr. Sibley raised a family of nine children,
nearly all of whom are now residents of Snyder, and among her best citizens.
Among the settlers who followed the Brockways into Snyder were James
Pendleton, Hiram Wilson, Henry and Ira Walsh, A. R. Frost, Samuel Beman,
William Bennett, Stephen Tibbetts, Jacob Myers, Alonzo Firman, James Mc-
Minn, R. W. Moorhead, Bennett Prindle, Paul Robinson, J. H. Robinson,
Thomas Brian, John Johnson, James Marshall, Thomas Calhoun, James Pen-
field, Benjamin Shaw, John Atwell. James W. Green, Robert McMinn, William
McMinn.
There are some excellent farms in Snyder, among the best improved being
those of John Atwell, Mathew Bovaird, Charles Bovaird, John Bryant, Joseph
Barber, John Calhoun, James Calhoun, Alonzo Firman, Thomas Hutchison,
John Keys, James McMinn, Joseph and Robert Morrison, Daniel Pendleton,
John H. Robinson, Mrs. Mary M. Lane, Henry Kearney. The fruit raised,
such as apples, pears, plums, is equal to that of any of the other townships.
Lumber and Saw-mills. — The first thing that the early settlers of Snyder
Snyder Township. 549
turned their attention to was lumbering. Dr. Clark's account of the first timber
run out of Little Toby, has already been given. Then it took several weeks to
dispose of the small fleet, and the highest price paid for " clear stuff" was only
ten dollars per thousand feet, while the common lumber only brought about
four dollars per thousand. Though this first venture almost proved a failure,
the business was prosecated with renewed vigor from year to year, and as it
was the only business that brought money into the township, the timber was
ruthlessly sacrificed. In 1828 John S., Alonzo and James M. Brockway, built
a saw-mill, and about the same time the mill about three miles above Brock-
way's, called the " Balltown mill," was built by Isaac Horton, Chauncy Brock-
way, Hezekiah and L. Warner and Alanson Vial.
One of the first mills built in Snyder was that erected by Dr. William
Bennett, father of Dr. J. T Bennett, of Brookville ; it was afterwards called the
Jenkins mill.
In 1836 Hoyt & Wilson bought timber lands of Jacob Shaffer, about two
miles above where Brockwayville now is, built a saw-mill, and ran it for some
time, when the property was purchased by Alonzo Firman, who erected a new
steam mill. This mill cuts about half a million feet per year. Mr. Firman
owns some seven hundred acres of timber land in connection with the mill
property.
In 1845 William McCullough built a mill on the site of the present " Lane
mill." It was then owned by Hyde & Scott, then by Lane, Conklin & Phelps,
who erected the present large establishment. The property, which is sit-
uated on Little Toby Creek, about two miles south of Brockwayville, is now
owned by Mr. N. B. Lane, and cuts three million feet per year. There is about
two thousand acres of timber land belonging to this property.
James Pendleton, in 1841, built a saw-mill, grist and carding-mill, on Rat-
tlesnake Run, about one mile south of where Brockwayville now is. The saw-
mill was rebuilt in 1846, and is now owned by Daniel Pendleton, son of the
first builder. This mill cuts from one to two hundred thousand feet per
annum, and has about one hundred acres of timber land connected with it.
The Forest Lumber Company's mill, formerly the " Galusha mill," was
built by Peter Galusha in 1850, who owned it until his death. It is now
the property of the Forest Lumber Company, and has about forty thousand
acres of timber land in connection with it, and cuts four million feet per an-
num. A store is connected with this establishment.
The Atwell mill, located four miles west of Brockwayville, on the Brook-
ville road, was built by Shaw & Atuell in 1878, and is now owned by Nelson
Atwell ; its capacity is about half a milliun per j-ear.
The Buzzard mill, situated on Little Toby, one-half mile north of Brock-
wayville, was built by E. G. and C. ]\I. Carrier in 1874. The property was
then owned by John Alexander, and is now the property of R. L. Buzzard.
(iC
5SO History of Jefferson County.
It cuts from three to four million feet per annum, and has about three thou-
sand acres of timber land in connection with it.
Allen's mills — grist and saw-mill — built in 1874 by Dillis Allen. The car-
penter work was done by Philo Bowdish. Since the death of Mr. Allen the
property is owned by his estate and William Bond, as Bond & Allen. The
flouring mill is run by F. J. Lord, lessee, and is known as the Eureka Flour
Mill. The saw-mill is run by S. C. Bond, who has leased it for a term of
years.
G. S. Himes, planingniill, situated in Brockwayville ; built in 1885.
Planing and shingle-mill, built in September, 1886, by William Frederick.
Elections. — At an election held in Snyder township in 1835, the follo\ving
persons were elected township officers :
Constable, Myron Gibbs ; supervisors, John McLaughlin, Ami Sibley;
auditors, Milton Johnson, Thomas McCormick, Joseph McCurdy ; township
clerk, Thomas McCormick ; overseers of the poor, Myron Gibbs, Joseph Mc-
Afee ; assessor, Milton Johnston; inspector, Myron Gibbs; fence appraiser,
James Ross.
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following persons were elected :
Constable, James Graybill; supervisors, Samuel Clodgers, Henry Humphrey ;
school directors, R. J. Thompson, John Britton ; poor overseer, James Kear-
ney ; auditor, William Bond, sr. ; judge of election, Thomas Hutchinson ; in-
spectors, M. B. Holt, S. B. Firman ; town clerk, Frederick Lane ; tax col-
lector, John H. Robinson ; assessor, A. J. Firman ; treasurer, John Ke\s. The
justices of the peace in Snyder township are J. N. Atwell and H. Humphrey.
The members of the board of school directors previously elected are John
Frost, Nelson Atwell, Neil McCay and Henry Humphrey.
Snj'der township paid a bounty for volunteers during the war, of $3,365.90.
Statistics of Population and Taxables. — In Snyder township the number of
taxables in 1835 was 41 ; 1842, 72 ; in 1849, 69 ; in 1863, 117; in 1870, 245 ;
in 1880, 317; in 1886, 270 (Brockwayville was made a borough in 1883,
which accounts for the decrease in taxables and population). The population,
according to the different census reports was, 1840, 291 ; 1850, 306; i860,
597 ; 1870, 792 ; 1880, 1,048. In 1843 P'^'"'^ of Snyder township was separ-
ated from it and annexed to Elk, which accounts for little or no increase in
the population from 1840 to 1850.
Value of Property — The triennial assessment of 1886 gives the number of
acres seated land 11,356 acres; valuation, $39,261; value per acre, $3.46;
number of grist and saw-mills, 8 ; valuation, $2,355 ; unseated, 6,915 acres ;
valuation, $23,083 ; average per acre, $3.34 ; niunber acres surface, 5,462;
valuation, $13,062 ; average, $2.39; number of acres mineral, 7,743 ; valua-
tion, $15,486; value per acre, $2; number of horses, 189; valuation, $3,-
473; average value, $18.37 ; cows, 268 ; valuation, $2,095; average value,
Snyder Township. 551
$7.82; 23 oxen ; valuation, $94 ; i i 2 occupations ; valuation, $3 i, 150 ; aver-
age, $27.90; total valuation subject to county tax, $102,059 ; money at in-
terest, $23,330.
School Statistics. — According to the report of education for the year ending
June 6, 1886, there were six schools in Sn\-dcr township ; term, si.x months ;
number of male teachers, 4; females, two; average salary, $30 for male, and
$25 for females ; number of scholars, 108 males; females, 132; average num-
ber attending school, 157; per cent, of attendance, 87; cost per mouth, 78
cents; number of mills levied for school purposes, 12 ; for building purposes,
8 ; total amount of tax levied for school and building purposes, $1,336.28 ; for
the winter of 1886—7 there are 7 schools reported, with 259 scholars.
Brockw.wvii.le.
Brockwayville is the only borough in Snyder township, and was incorpo-
rated September 13, 1883. In 1880 it had only a population of three hundred
and sixty, but this has largely increased since the place has become a railroad
and shipping point.
Where the town is now located, the first settlement in Snyder township
was made in 1822, when Alonzo and Chauncey Brockvvay, for whom the town
is named, built their cabins upon its site. The town was not started, however,
until 1836, when Dr. A. M. Clark bought property there and removed to it.
He at once began to lay out the town in lots, and was the first to give it an
onward impetus.
One of the old residents of Brockwayville, who, in 1887, passed off the
scene of earthly action, ending a lojig and useful life, was James W. Green.
"Squire" Green, as he was called, came to Snyder township in 1818 or 1819.
He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church, and held many offices
of trust in the township. He was justice of the peace when he died, and Gov-
ernor Beaver appointed his son to fill his place. Mr. Green's children are
among tlie prominent citizens of the town.
Among the other old citizens are : Dr. W. C. Niver, whose biography
appears in another column, A. J. Thompson, and R. W. Moorhead.
Cemeteries. — The first death in Brockwayville was that of a little child of
Alonzo and Huldah Brockvvay, who died in 1828 or 1829, and was buried on
the bank of the Toby Creek, near where the old hotel stands, but its grave has
long since disappeared. The next burial place for the dead was a field by the
roadside, on what is now the Marvin Alien farm, and where, in one cornt- r, the
first to die in the township, also a little child of Jacob Shaffer, was laid away.
In that little city of the dead, which was called " the Shaffer's burying ground,"
were buried Joel Clark, and Chloe, his wife, Bailey Hughes, A. J. Ingalls,
Jacob Myers, Comfort D. Felt, Joel Clark, jr., and Mary, his wife, with their
children, Hiram, Willie and Jane. This grave- yard, w^hich is about one mile
552 History of Jefferson County.
from Brockwayville, is not now used, as Mr. Marvin, at his death, requested
that no more interments should be made there.
There is also an old grave- yard back of the John Morrison lots, on the
Alexander place, but the bodies of those resting there have been nearl)' all
removed to the new cemetery, and the place is not now used as a burying
ground.
The Clark family burial plot, on the old homestead farm, where several of
Dr. Clark's children, two of Dr. McKnight's, and children of Dr. W. C. Niver
and C. K. Hahn were buried, has also been vacated by the dead being removed
to Wildwood Cemetery.
Wildwood Cemetery was started in 1866 by twenty five citizens of Sns'der
township subscribing twenty- five dollars each. It contains ten acres, and is
beautifully situated about half a mile from the center of the town, on land pur-
chased from Dr. Clark. Prominent among those furthering this project were
Dr. A. M. Clark, Dr. W. C. Niver, W. W. Wellman, Peter Galusha, N. B.
Lane and A. J. Thompson.
The first person buried in Wildwood was Mrs. Fannie P. Johnson, wife of
John Johnson, who died August 26, 1868. Part of the ground is laid out in
lots, some of which are tastefully ornamented with shrubberj' and flowers, one
of the most noticeable being the lot of Conrad K. Huhn. It is circular in shape,
surrounded with a hedge fence ; a little brook meanders through it, the sides
of which are beautifully terraced. Robert Humphrey has a nicely arranged
lot, surrounded by an iron fence, with marble posts. The lot of R. W. Moor-
head, where his wife, Mrs. Olive Moorhead, is laid, is surrounded by an iron
fence, and is tastefully kept. In this inclosure is a large Italian marble mon-
ument. There are some other fine monuments in these grounds, prominent
among which is the Scotch granite one of James McClelland. The officers of
the Wildwood Cemetery Company (1887) are: President, Henry Humphrey;
secretary, Robert Humphrey ; treasurer, William D. Clark.
Elections. — The first election held in Brockwayville after its incorporation
as a borough, was in 1883, and then the following persons were elected to the
different town offices :
Justice of the peace, John Morrison ; constable, L. S. Short ; high con-
stable, J. L. Bond ; assessor, W. T. McLaughlin ; town council, O. A. Sibley,
Arnold Groves, B. T. Chapin, A. L. Hoy, R. W. Moorhead. P. Bowdish ; bur-
gess, W. C. Niver; school directors, J. G. Dailey, Alton Chapin, C. G. Knight,
Ira Felt, James Groves ; overseers of the poor, T. Myers, William Morey ;
auditors, A. J. Thompson, Daniel Riley ; judge of election, M. B. Moorhead ;
inspectors, Joseph Prindle, H. A. Frost.
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following were elected :
Burgess, R. A. McElhaney ; councilmen, J. L. Bond, 3 years, W. D. Clark,
3 years, B. T. Chapin, i year ; constable, L C. Bond ; high constable, Henry
^:^/^4>/ ^A^^^ ^ }
Snyder Township. 553
Leeper; assessor, Samuel McLaughlin; tax collector, L. C. Bond; overseer,
Peter Burkhouse; auditor, D. D. Groves; treasurer, A. R. Chapin ; school
directors, M. B. Moorhead, 3 years, Peter Galusha, 3 years, J. H. Groves, 2
years ; judge of election, D. C. Nelson ; inspectors, Peter Galusha and Edward
Green. The justices of the peace for Brockwajville are W. D. Clark and E.
A. Green. The members of the school board previously elected are C. G.
Knight, P. Berkhouse, Ira Felt and George S. Himes.
Population, Taxables and Assessments. — The number of taxablcs in Brock-
wayville in 1886, was 204. The population, according to the census of 1880,
was 360. The triennial assessment gives the number of acres of seated land
in Brockwayville as 394; valuation, $4,857; average per acre, $12.33 ; num-
ber of houses and lots, 213; valuation, $13,032 ; number of horses, 44 ; val-
uation, $945 ; average value, $21 ; number of cows, 32; valuation, $288;
average value, $9; number of occupations, 137; valuation, $5,355 ; average
value, $39 ; total valuation subject to county tax, $24,477; money at interest,
$1 1,146.
School Statistics. — The number of schools in Brockwayville for the year
ending June 7, 1886, was 3 ; term, five months; number of male teachers, i ;
female teachers, 2 ; average salary of male teachers, $40 ; females, 32 ; num-
ber of male scholars, 59 ; females, 60 ; average attendance, 106 ; per cent, of
attendance, 94 ; cost per month, 99 cents. Thirteen mills were levied for
school, and seven for building purposes. Total amount of tax levied for school
and building, $565.16. The number ot scholars for winter of 1886—7 '^^ere
150.
Past and Present Business. — The first store started in Brockwayville was
by Robert W. Moorhead, in 1854, who conducted the business of general mer-
chandising until 1861, when he disposed of the business to Wellman Brothers,
who in 1872, resold to R. W. Moorhead & Son, the Wellman Brotheis return-
ing to the State of New York, where they engaged in the banking business.
The store then passed into the hands of Mrs. R. W. Moorhead, who sold to B.
T. Chapin & Co., in 1878. The store is still owned by B. T. Chapin, and is
one of the best in the town.
D. D. Groves, general merchandise, started November, 1881, is, with Cha-
pin's, the principal store in the place.
Daly & Kearney, dealers in boots and shoes and gentlemen's furnishing
goods; established by J. G. Daily in 1882; copartnership established in 1884.
The Buffalo Clothing Store, R. Cohen proprietor, keeps a large stock of
clothing and men's furnishing goods; established in March, 1886.
Bond & Cooper, dealers in hardware ; established in March, 1882.
J. R. Baird, drugs, agent for J. L. Bond ; established in May, 1884.
Dr. J. W. Hoey, drugs; established in August, 1886.
Rankin & McClelland started a drug store in December, 1883. Scott Mc-
554 History of Jefferson County.
Clelland retired from the firm December i, 1884, and William Condick pur-
chased his interest, the firm being Rankin & Condick.
Ira Felt, groceries and provisions; established in November, 1882; asso-
ciated his son, C. Felt, with him in the business January i, 1887. Mr. Felt is
also engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigars.
George W. Sibley, dealer in groceries; established July, 1882.
J. W. Smith, dealer in groceries, jjrovisions, flour and feed ; established in
September, 1883. Mr. Smith also has an extensive meat market in connec-
tion with his store, furnishing nearly all the meat consumed at the Clarion
mines.
H. D. Hodgkinson, dealer in groceries and confectioneries; established in
1887. Mr. Hodgkinson also runs a five cent counter.
R. A. McElhaney, dealer in furniture and undertaker; established in 1875.
R. A. Hubbard, watchmaker and jeweler, 1887.
Thomas Ralston, saddlery and harness ; established in the fall of 1882.
A. Miller, shoemaker; established in 1885.
Miss N. McMinn, millinery and dressmaking; established in 1878.
Mrs. J. R. Kelts, millinery and dressmaking, September, 1881.
Mrs. M. C. Slagle (now Mrs. R. A. McElhaney), millinery; established
May, 1884.
J. A. Adams, billiard room; established by Webster Reed in 1883 ; sold
to Adams, December, 1885.
Alexander Hynd, barbershop; established May, 1886.
Smith Strickler, blacksmith shop; established fall of 1870.
McLaughlin Brothers, wagon making and general blacksmiths ; established
May, 1872.
Frederick Walker, blacksmith ; established fall of 1881. Mr. Walker has
also been engaged in the livery business since 1871.
The Railroad House was built in 1853 b)' John Arner, but only partly
completed, and was first kept as a hotel by John Russell, afterwards by W. H.
Schram, Nathaniel Clark, Henry Welsh, B. F. Townley, R. M. Bennett, R. T.
Kelly, R. M. Overheiser. It is now under the supervision of Andrew Logan,
who took charge of it in April, 1885, and is known as the Logan House. It
has been owned by R. W. Moorhead, Smith & Waterhouse, Henry Welsh, and
now by Robert Smith and A. J. Thompson.
Clark House, started in 1886.
Restaurant, boarding and eating-house, Mrs. E. A. Andrews ; established
December, 1882.
The present physicians are Drs. W. C. Niver, J. W. Hoey and M. M.
Rankin.
The town has no member of the legal fraternity, or dentist, Dr. E. I. Marsh,
of Du Bois, paying stated visits to the place to look after the molars of the
communit)'.
Elured Township. 555
CHAPTER XL.
HISTORY OF ELDRED TOWNSHIP.
ELDRED was the eighth township organized, and was taken in 1836 from
Rose and Barnett, and was named for Hon. Nathaniel B. Eldred, then
president judge of the judicial district of which Jefferson county formed a part.
This township is bounded on tlie north by Barnett and Heath townships ; on
the east by Warsaw ; on the south by Union, Rose and Pine Creek, and on
the west by Clarion county.
Its eastern and western sides consist of rugged forest land. The cleared
and cultivated portion of the township lies mainly along the Brookville and
Sigel road, which follows a high and narrow divide, running almost due north.
This divide is crossed at Sigel, in the northern part of the township, by an-
other belt of high land extending nearly east and west, so that the skeleton of
the drainage system has the shape of the letter T. North of the cross-piece
(along which runs the Spring Creek road), the waters go direct into the Clar-
ion River ; south of it, and on the left hand side of the upright arm of the let-
ter, the}' go into Big Mill Creek, while on the right hand side of that arm they
flow into the North Fork.
Geology. — There is considerable coal found in Eldred, but the seams are
small, and are principally the Mercer coals, not over 3' 6." The principal banks
are those of Jacob Mineweaser, John Beach, and the bank on the farm of E.
Robinson. The latter is bright, firm coal, well protected from moisture by a
compact roof of tough, black slate. Iron ore is also found in the township,
and specimems from the farm of Perry Kable have been analyzed by Mr. S.
W. Smith, of Brookville, the bed showing twenty-nine inches of ore in a depth
of three and a half feet. The ore is of good quality.
The Early Settlers. — The first settlers who came into Eldred were Isaac
Matson, in 1828, James Linn, Walter Templeton and Robert McCreight, in
1829, and were followed the next year by E. M. Graham and John McLaugh-
lin ; Jacob Craft, David English, in 183 1 ; Paul Stewart, James Templeton
and James Trimble, in 1832 ; Stewart Ross and John Wilson, in 1833, and
Thomas Hall in 1834, William and George Catz, and James Summerville.
The first settler of whom we find any mention, in the northern part of
Eldred township, was Frederick Kahle, who settled there in 1836. Mr. Kahle
first came to Clarion county, where he hired a hunter named Tommy Guthrie
to go with him into the wilds of northern Jefferson, where he designed locat-
ing. After reaching their destination and looking about for a suitable place
for Mr. Kahle to make his future home, night overtook them and they were
obliged to camp out in the woods. During the night they were attacked by
556 History of Jefferson County.
wolves, numbering hundreds, as it appeared to Mr. Kahle ; but the old woods-
man was not at all disconcerted, pouring some powder on a piece of bark, he
set fire to it, and then fired his gun, and the wolves scampered off to be heard
no more. Mr. Kahle moved his family, consisting of a number of small chil-
dren, into these woods that same year, and their first years were scenes of
danger and hardship. During the first summer he killed seventeen large rat-
tlesnakes near his own door.
Mr. Kahle was an excellent man, and worked early and late to rear his
large family, and before he died had one of the best and largest farms in that
region under good cultivation, with good orchards, etc. His family was raised
carefully and conscientiously, his only regret being that the exigencies of the
times did not admit of his giving them a good education. He died in No-
vember, 1878, aged about eighty years, and his son, David, now resides on
the old homestead.
One of the next to penetrate into the wilds was S. \V. Smith, who came to
Eldred in 1842. Mr. Smith, who was a native of Livingston county, New
York, started in the fall of that year to hunt up a place to make a home for
himself. He was accompanied by a young man named Nathan Smith (not a
relative of his, however). On reaching the little town of Ceres, on the Alle-
gheny River, the two young adventurers embarked in a skiff, and started on
their trip down the Allegheny. They proceeded on after night fall, and were
soon surprised to hear the loud roar of falling waters. Thinking that they
were approaching an island, they rowed on, but soon found to their horror that
they were approaching the State line dam. It was impossible to tarn back or
reach the shore, and soon the frail boat was engulfed in the seething, rushing
flood. Down, down it dashed, twice dipping bucketsful of water, but at length
reached the safe waters below the dam, and looking back the voyagers beheld
the peril they had passed. Mr. Smith says that to this day he cannot recall
that night of danger without a shudder. As soon as a landing could be ef-
fected, they pulled to shore. After this they proceeded on their voyage with-
out further trouble. After stopping for a while at the Indian Reservation, in
Warren count}^ they at last landed in Butler county, but not likrng the " lay
of the land " in either Butler or Clarion, they made their way into Jefferson
county.
Mr. Smith relates a singular incident of their journey. While on their
way down the Allegheny River, they saw thousands of black squirrels, all
journeying eastward. They would climb the trees on the west bank of the
river, and drop from the outspreading branches into the stream, and then swim
to the other shore. Mr. Smith and his companion would hold out their pad-
dles to the little creatures, and they would scramble into tlie skiff, and some-
times stay with them for hours, when they would spring into the water again
and make for the eastern shore. When Mr. Smith and his companion reached
Eldred Township. 557
Strattaiiville, on their way into Jefferson county, they found the citizens shoot-
ing the squirrels off their fences, the migration still going on. They did not
seem to avoid towns or people, their only aim being to travel towards the ris-
ing sun. The older citizens will remember what a bitter cold winter that of
1842-3 was, when the snow was three feet deep, with a frozen crust that would
bear man and beast. Surely it is wonderful that instinct alone should have
caused these timid animals to thus migrate from the sure death that awaited
them.
Mr. Smith settled in Eldred township, on the farm now owned by Joseph
Raught, and went to work resolutely to reclaim it from the wilderness. He
worked there in company with his brother, Claude, for three or four years,
and then returned to New York, where he married a daughter of Captain
Van Nostrand and brought her to share his home in the wilderness. They
resided in Eldred until about 1855, when he removed to BrookviUe, at the
solicitation of the trustees of the BrookviUe Academy, to engage as principal of
that institution. After several years of service in this capacity, he served two
terms as superintendent of common schools, and has resided in BrookviUe ever
since.
Nathan Smith, the other voyager, located near his companion, and cleared
and improved a large farm. He was a very earnest Methodist, and a man of
strong self-will. When the war commenced he was opposed to it, as he
claimed that the slaves should be at once liberated, and would have nothing to
do with it until Mr. Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation, when he
at once shouldered his gun and set out for the front, declaring that the war
was now a holy one, and that it would succeed, as God would now prosper the
cause of the North. No persuasions of friends or family could deter him from
entering the service, in which he served until the end of the rebellion, and then
returned to Eldred township, where he soon sold his farm, and removed to
Frankfort, Kan., where he is living in comfort, and where he was elected jus-
tice of the peace.
The forests being covered with such a dense growth of pine and underbrush,
and homes of the settlers being so far apart, traveling was very unsafe, from
the prevalence of wild beasts, and the danger of being lost in the woods. In
February, 1836, James Beals, who had been assisting to raise a log cabin for a
neighbor, who lived five miles distant, started home late in the night, and
while going through the woods was overcome by the cold, and perished near
his own door.
About the year 1857 James Cowan, who with his brother, William, had
previously purchased some land in Eldred, came from Schuylkill county, with
his family. On their arrival at BrookviUe, they could get no team to take them
to their destination, and, shouldering their bundles, started on foot. Before
they reached their destination, the house of Mr. Winlack, near where their
67
558 History of Jefferson County.
own land was situated, night overtook them, and they were unable to proceed
in the darkness. Mr. Cowan, leaving the family with strict injunctions for them
not to stir from the spot until his return, started to hunt a house which he
knew to be in the vicinity, and finally reached it. The owner of the cabin, Mr.
Fiscus, was absent, but his wife got up at Mr. Cowan's call ; but on his re-
quest for a candle to show them the way through the woods, said she had not a
single one in the house. She, however, proceeded to rake out the coals on the
hearth, and then put some butter in a saucer, melting it, put a rag in the liquid,
and lighted it. After trying to induce Mr. Cowan to remain with his family for
the night at her house, with this feeble light Mr. Cowan returned to his fright-
ened wife and children, and by its aid they finally reached their destination
about midnight. There was no house ready for the family, and they moved
into a school- house, and Mr. Cowan started oft' to hunt work at his occupation
of coal digger. While he was absent in Clarion county, and while his family
was domiciled in the school-house, Mrs. Cowan was ill for some time. At
length a cabin was put up, but Mr. Cowan had to work at his trade to keep
the wolf (hunger) from the door, and his wife, in his absence, chinked and
daubed the cabin with mud, and made it ready for winter. As soon as a piece
of ground was cleared, Mr. Cowan proceeded to plow it with a yoke of oxen.
He was not skilled in the work of a farmer, and in going over some roots the
plow was jerked with such force that he was thrown to the ground, breaking
several ribs. This placed him hors de combat for the time being, and his son,
Peter, took the helm, or the plow, rather, and though but a boy, he contrived
to scrape over the ground sufficiently to get in some potatoes. Mr. Cowan,
who had his farm to pay for as well as his family to support, took out coal
whenever he could get such work to do, and for some time worked at the old
BrowMi furnace in Clarion county. He would walk home on Saturday night
and back to his work on Monday, and labored in this way for nine years.
On one occasion, wishing to bring a wheelbarrow with him, he put a bag of
flour on it, and started to wheel it home. At Corsica he stopped and added
some groceries and a bag of beans, and then proceeded homewards, and this
extra toil was accomplished after a hard day's work in the coal bank. Mr.
and Mrs. Cowan came from the city of Glasgow, in Scotland, and of course
did not know anything about the hardships of settlers in the wilderness, and
were totally unacquainted with farm life. When they landed in this country
their only acquaintance with that useful animal, the cow, was the diluted arti-
cle called milk, sold by the city milkman. Soon after his arrival in Schuylkill
county, Mr. Cowan bought a cow, but the next morning the family found they
could not use the milk on account of the thick, yellow substance that had
formed upon it. He took the cow back to the farmer from whom he had pur-
chased, and informed him of the fact, and got another in exchange ; but the
farmer did not enlighten him as to the difficult}'. However, it was not long
Eldred Township. 559
before they learned what good, rich cream was like. Mr. Cowan, after clear-
ing the farm in Eldred, now owned by Milton Stahlman, sold it, and removed
to Union township, where he purchased the farm of Richard Hughes, where
his wife and several of his children reside. He died in 1878. He was an ex-
cellent, upright man, and was able to enjoy the fruits of his hard labor in his
later days His eldest son, William B., follows his father's occupation, and has
one of the best coal banks in Union township. Peter, from 'the day he first
took the plow in his hands, when but a boy, was delegated to follow that occu-
pation, and until a year or so back, when he engaged in other business, has
had charge of the home farm. While living on the farm in Eldred, Mr. Cowan
one day while carrying home some fruit trees to set out, stopped at the house
of Paul Fiscus, and while resting employed the time in pruning the trees.
Mrs. Fiscus gathered up the twigs and planted them, and thus started a good
orchard on her own farm.
One of the best known citizens of Eldred township was Michael Woods,
who was born in County Letrim, Ireland, in 1822, and who emigrated to
America when he was about eighteen years of age. He worked for about two
years in Philadelphia, where he met Levi G. Clover, who took a great liking to
the young Irishman, and brought him to his home in Brookville. He re-
mained in the employ of Mr. Clover for two years, when he married Margaret
Kerr, and moved on to the farm of John Dougherty, (now the Marlin farm),
about two miles north of Brookville, in Rose township, where he lived about
five years, and then bought a farm from Benjamin McCreight, in Eldred town-
ship, where he resided until his death, which occurred October 11, 1S77. He
was buried at the Red Bank Roman Catholic cemetery, in Clarion county.
During the time that Mr. Woods worked for Clover and Dougherty he
carried the mail, for about seven years, from Brookville to Indiana, making one
trip a week, the round trip occupying two days and a half He held many lo-
cal offices in Eldred township, being tax collector and constable for a period
of almost twenty years, and served as court crier for about eighteen years. He
was a man of the strictest integrity, whose word was as good as his bond.
His wife and sons reside in Eldred, where they are among its best citizens.
None of those who first settled Eldred township are now living. The old-
est citizens are Joseph White, eighty-five years of age, settled in township in
1850; George Weirick, eighty-three years, in 1871; William McAdoo, seven-
ty-five years, in 1846, and James Frost, sixty-five years, in 1849.
First Iinprovcmciiis. — The first church was built in 1856 near Sigel, and
the first school-house, called Hall's, in 1839. John Burns built the first saw-
mill about 1S49. '"id Eullerton & Truman started the first store. The first
hotel was kept near Sigel in 1847, by A. Shall. The first lumber was taken
out in 1847, ^'''d the first coal discovered by James Summerville.
The first death in the township was a child of D. Coder, and the first
56o History of Jefferson County.
grave-yard was made at Mount Tabor, a child of J. Beer being the first in-
terred therein.
Lumber a7id Saw- Mills. — This township was well covered with fine tim-
ber, principally pine ; but the first settlers, who had no idea of its value,
seemed to have but one wish in regard to it, and that was to get rid of it as
fast as possible, and a vast amount was wantonly destroyed, the value of which
cannot be computed. The greater part of the timber has been cut off. The
saw- mills are now those of Stephen Oaks, H. R. Moore and Garrison & Het-
zell, each with a daily capacity of about 10,000.
SiGEL.
This is the only village in the township, and is a pretty little hamlet lo-
cated on the road from Brook\'ille to Clarington. In 1880 the population was
115. There are two stores in the place owned by Henry Truman and White
& Hepler, and two hotels, kept by J. J. Henderson and T. Jones, but no li-
censed house in the township ; and the blacksmith-shops of Jerry Tapper,
Henry Mathews and J. G. Gumbert. Sigel post-office is located here. The
other post-office in the township is called Howe. It is kept in the store of B.
H. Whitehill, about four miles north of Brookville.
There are four churches in the township, a history of which has been given
elsewhere. There are three cemeteries.
Since the timber, that once engrossed the attention of all classes, has
disappeared, the citizens have turned to farming, and Eldred is now taking
a first place in that respect. Among the best improved farms are those of
Timothy Caldwell, A. M. Larrimer, John White, R. R. McKinley and James
Frost. Apples, pears, cherries and grapes are the fruits grown, and are of
excellent varieties.
Considerable attention is being paid to the introducing of thoroughbred
stock in the township, and there are some fine herds of short-horn Durham,
Jersey and Holstein cattle, and Cottswold sheep.
Elections. — The first election was held in Eldred township in the year 1836,
and the following persons were elected : Constable, Elijah M. Graham ; super-
visor, Thomas Arthurs, Thomas Barr ; school directors, George Catz, Henry
Boil, Thomas Hughes, Thomas Hall, Jacob Craft, John Maze ; overseers of the
poor, Michael Troy, Thomas Callen ; town clerk, Jacob Craft.
The election held February 15, 1887, resulted in the election of the follow-
ing persons: Justice of the peace, W^illiam Park; constable, Joseph Wilson;
tax collector, H. G. Katz ; supervisors, H. G. Katz and W. M. McManigle ;
school directors, David White and George Gailey ; poor overseer, Jacob Mine-
weaser ; auditor, Thomas McNeal ; assessor, Jeremiah Greeley ; clerk, F. Cald-
well ; judge of election, William Snipp ; inspectors, W. H. Alford and Peter
Mineweaser. The justices of the peace in Eldred are William Park and J. J.
Jenks and Tionesta Townships. 561
Henderson. The members of the school board previously elected are Filmore
Caldwell, R. R. McKinley, Milton Stahlman and J. W. Knopsnyder.
The number of taxables in Eldred township in 1835, was t^"] ; in 1842,
123 ; in 1849, 97 ; in 1856, 157 ; in 1863, 188 ; in 1870, 211; in 1880, 338 ;
in 1886, 412. The population in 1840 was 395; 1850, 492; i860, 826;
1870, 832; 1880, 1,271. The census of 1850 gives the number of houses as
88 ; families, 93.
According to the triennial assessment of 1886, the number of acres seated
in Eldred was 18,266; valuation $66,678; average value per acre, $3.65.
Forty-two houses and lots; valuation $2,790. Seven grist and saw-mills,
$275. Number of acres unseated 8,776; valuation $29,445; average value
per acre $3.35. Number of horses, 263; valuation $7,338; average value
$24.00. Cows, 343 ; valuation $2,831 ; average value $8.22. Fourteen oxen ;
valuation $260. Occupations 115; valuation $2,865; average $24. Total
valuation subject to county tax, $1 12,482. Money at interest $1 1,830.
There were eight schools reported in Eldred for the year ending June 30,
1886 ; average number of months taught five ; number of male teachers three ;
number of female teachers five. Average salary $28.00. Number of male
scholars 279 ; females 186. Number attending school 258 ; average percent,
of attendance 82 ; cost per month 53 cents. Number of mills levied for school
purposes 10. Total amount of tax levied for school and building purposes
$1,230.
CHAPTER XLI.
HISTORY OF JENKS AND TIONESTA TOWNSHIPS.
JENKS township was organized in 1838, and made the tenth in line. It
was taken from Barnett, and comprised all that portion lying north of the
Clarion River. It was named after Dr. John W. Jenks, who was then one
of the associate judges of the county.
At the same time Tionesta was also organized, making the present town-
ship, being also taken from Barnett township, so that these two have very
properly been called the twin townships. Tionesta was called for a stream of
that name.
Taxables and Population. — In 1842 the taxables in Jenks township num-
bered 16, and in 1S49, 32. The population in 1840 was 40, and in 1850, 88.
The number of ta.xables in Tionesta in 1842 was 9, and in 1849, 24. The
population in 1840 was 27, and in 1850 it had increased to 106.
S62 History of Jefferson County.
First Election in Jcuks Township. — At an election held in Jenks township
in 1838 the following township officers were elected : Constable, Cyrus Blood ;
supervisors, Cj^rus Blood, John Hunt; school directors, Cyrus Blood, John
Hunt, Aaron Brockway, Aaron Brockway, jr., Josiah Lacy, John Lewis; au-
ditors, John Hunt, Aaron Brockway, sr., Aaron Brockway, jr. ; overseers of
the poor, Cyrus Blood, Aaron Brockway, sr. ; town clerk, John Hunt;. fence
viewer, Aaron Brockway, jr.; inspector of election, John Hunt.
First Election in Tionesta Township — xA-t an election held in Tionesta
township in 1838 the following were elected : Burgess, D. W. Mead ; inspector
of election, John Nolf
Colonel Cyrus Blood was the pioneer of Jenks and Tionesta townships.
About the time that Brookville was first laid out Colonel Blood, who was re-
siding in Hagerstown, Md , had a dream that impressed him greatly. He
thought he was traveling northward, and came to a beautiful country, with
magnificent trees, springs of the purest water, and the land rolling and fertile.
He awoke, clapping his hands and crying, " Come on, boys, my fortune is
made ! "
Unable to get rid of the impression this dream had made, Mr. Blood started
northward to look out for such a location as his vision indicated. He traveled
all over this tier of counties without finding what he desired, until he penetrated
into the wilds of what was afterwards Jenks township, when he realized that
he had found the spot described in his dream. He at once purchased six
thousand acres of land and proceeded to clear a farm in the wilderness, he
being the first white man to set foot in Jenks township. His home was for
a long time called " Blood's Settlement." He returned to Hagerstown and
brought his family to the new home in 1833. He made arrangements for about
twenty families of his neighbors and friends from Hagerstown to follow him to
the new settlement ; but some time after he had arrived at his new home, he
was one day, while working in the woods, suddenly impressed with the idea
that his presence was needed in his old home, and so strong was this feeling
that he threw down his tools, mounted his horse and started for Hagerstown.
On his arrival he found that cholera had broken out and devastated the place,
leaving very few of those whom he e.xpected to join him in building up his
new home in the wilderness of Jefferson county, his brother, Parker Blood,
being one of the victims. In those days there were no telegraph and very lit-
tle mail facilities, and Mr. Blood had no news of the cholera until he reached
Hagerstown. This terrible visitation put an end to the colonization scheme,
only one of those who had intended coming to join the Bloods in Jefferson
county, Trumbull Hunt, settling in the place.
When Mr. Hunt moved his family he had to cut his way through the
woods from Brookville, camping out each night at the end of the road made,
several days being consumed in making the trip from what is now Clarington
Jenks and Tionesta Townships. 563
to the present site of Marien\ille. At that time that region of country was full
of Indians, and panthers, wild cats, deer and bear. Foxes, mink and marten
abounded, while elk were also occasionally seen, and some very narrow escapes
were made from panthers, wolves and wild cats. Parker P. Blood, the young-
est son of Colonel Blood, who was not yet two years old when his family
moved into the woods, remembers being chased by these ferocious animals ;
but he says his worst fright was caused by being chased by a large buck. This
deer, which had been caught when a small fawn, after a couple of years escaped
to the woods and became quite wild and cross. It had been accustomed to
man long enough to lose all fear of him, and did not hesitate to attack any one
it met. The animal, when captured, had been adorned with a small sheep
bell, which was suspended from its neck by a leather strap, which was securely
sewed together by a " wax end," so that he was easily recognized. On one
occasion Parker Blood, then a boy of about twelve years, had been sent on an
errand to a neighbor living some four or five miles distant, and on his return
home, while passing through a chopping, he heard the "tingle" of a sheep
bell, and looking back, to his horror discovered the big buck in swift pursuit.
Mr. Blood says he made " tall time," and reached a small hemlock into which
he climbed just in time to escape the infuriated animal, which took up its po-
sition beneath him, snuffing the air, stamping the ground with its sharp hoofs,
and occasionally shaking the tree with its huge antlers. The boy, as night came
on, was devising means of escape, when a dog came along and engaged the
deer in a fight, and while this was going on he slipped from the tree and ran
home.
Game was so plenty that a good hunter could kill seven or eight deer in
one day, while in the streams trout by the hundreds could be caught. This
abundance of game and fish caused the Indians to frequent this region, but
they were always peaceable and friendly visitors. On one occasion a party of
them came to Colonel Hunt's and asked for supper, throwing down a fine
saddle of venison, which they said was to pay for their meal, but intimated
that they wanted some of it cooked for their supper. Marien Blood went to
work to cook it for them, and the more she cooked the more they ate, until
only the bones remained. Her brothers and sister yet delight to remind her
of the time the Indians gave her a saddle of venison in exchange for their
supper.
As soon as he got his family settled and his farm cleared Colonel Blood
began to agitate the idea of a new county, and it was owing to his persever-
ance and energy that the county to which he gave the name of Forest was
established, April 11, 1848. It was formed from the counties of Jefferson and
Venango, taking from the former that portion lying north of the Clarion River,
and which comprised the townships of Jenks and Tionesta.
It was through the efforts of Judge Gillis, then member of the State Senate
564 History of Jefferson County.
from the district, that the bill creating Forest county was passed. He had
passed in the Senate a resolution creating the new county, which also passed
the House of Representatives, and is the only instance in the history of the
State where a new county was created by a joint resolution. It was at once
approved by the governor and thereby became a law. It was near the close
of the session, and the joint rules would not allow of its passage in any other
form. Judge Gillis did this to oblige his fellow pioneer in the wilds of the new
county, Colonel Cyrus Blood. Subsequently Forest county was enlarged, as
it at first only comprised four townships, with the county seat at Marienville.
The new town Colonel Blood had named for his eldest daughter Marien, who,
as the wife of Mr. John D. Hunt (brother of Trumbull Hunt, who came with
her father), still resides on the old homestead at Marienville, which continued
to be the county seat until 1868, when the county was enlarged and the county
seat moved to Tionesta, a town situated at the western side of the county.
That portion of the county made up of our seceding townships of Jenks and
Tionesta is still called " Old Forest." Colonel Blood was the first associate
judge of the new county, and was well-known throughout Jefferson county,
every part of which he had visited as county surveyor. He died at his home
in Marienville in 1S60. Of his children, besides the daughter already men-
tioned, Mrs. Clarine Rohrer also resides at Marienville; Mrs. Louisiana Hunt
(wife of Dr. R. S. Hunt) died in Brookville, June 26, 18S1 ; Kennedy L. and
Parker P., the sons, reside in Brookville. The latter remained on the farm at
Marienville until the summer of 1852, when he joined an engineer corps, who
were survej'ing a railroad almost along the route now traversed by the Fox-
burg Narrow Guage Road. In the winter of that }-ear lie taught school in
Farmington township, Clarion count}', and the following April went to Brook-
ville to clerk in the store of Cummins & Blood.
CHAPTER XLII.
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
WASHINGTON, the eleventh township, named in honor of the "Father of
his Country," was organized in 1839, being taken from Pine Creek. It
is bounded on the north by Snyder and Warsaw townships; on the east by
Clearfield county; on the south by Winslow township, and on the west by Pine
Creek and Warsaw.
Washington is one of the largest townships in the county. Its surface area
is about fifty square miles, or nearly one-twelfth of the entire surface area of
Washington Township. 565
the county. It is over seven miles long from north to south, at its longest part,
and nearly nine miles wide, from east to west at its widest part.
Geology. — The principal coal bed in Washington township is the Frccport
Lozver, the principal coal mines are at Beechtree, on the Rattlesnake Run, a
branch of the Little Toby, which starts at the Covenanter Church, and flows in
a direct course eastward along the northern edge of the township. The thick-
ness of the seam, etc., are given in the report of the Beechtree mines in a pre-
ceding chapter. The Jefterson Coal Company owns 3,269 acres of mineral in
Washington, and the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal and Iron Company 2,825
acres. The superb coal which is found in Washington was always , known to
exist there, from the fact of its outcrop in the ravines. The ferriferous lime-
stone is found in Washington. It is very near the surface, of good quality,
and could be easily and cheaply quarried, and would be of inestimable value
to the farms, which would be much benefited by its use.
The village of Rockdale stands at the edge of the coal measures, just above
the Homewood sandstone. Within this latter formation, and close to the vil-
lage store, is an extensive bog, the soil of which is saturated with natural oil —
petroleum — that has oozed from crevices in the sandstone Pits and holes
dug into the bog attest the presence of oil.
In 1880, during the excitement that prevailed in the eastern part of Jeffer-
son county, this locality was seized upon by practical oil men, as a favorable
spot for drilling, the bog being regarded as an almost sure indication that the
Bradford sands 1,500 feet below the water level were oil-bearing, but after
going down some 1,500 feet the well was abandoned, no oil being found,
indicating that the oil is merely on the surface.
The Early Settlers. — In 1824 Henry Keys, Alexander Osborn, John Mc-
intosh, John McGhee and Thomas Moore, first settled in what is now Wash-
ington township. To their new home they gave the name of " Beechwoods,"
from the great quantity of beech trees which they found growing there, an
appellation which still clings to the locality. They were followed in 1826 by
Andrew Smith, William Cooper and John Wilson, with their families, and in
1829, James Smith, with his family, also located in the Beechwoods. These
first settlers came from the eastern counties of Centre and Adams.
The early history of this section of the county has been graphically por-
trayed by Rev. Boyd McCullough, who settled with his parents in the Beech-
woods in 1832, in his "Sketches of Local History," and the "Shamrock,"
published by him, from which the following interesting incidents are taken :
"In 1828 there was a beautiful fall. Keys's folks sowed wheat in Novem-
ber. The next spring was favorable, and it was a bountiful crop. This was
a great loss to the settlement, for the people were encouraged to sow as much
wheat as they could get in any time through October, and the rust generally
ruined it, till they learned wit by dear experience.
68
566 History of Jefferson County.
The winter of 1831 was a very cold one, and in the severest part of it the
house of John Hunter was burned down. The neighbors soon gathered to-
gether and put up a log house for him, but he lost nearly everything he owned
by the fire.
It was in the spring of 1832 that we moved into the woods. There were
seventeen families in the woods at the time. We stopped at Andrew Smith's.
I was seven years old. The next morning I ran in with the news that there
was an ass with very slim legs and a small nose in the yard. I was told that
it was a deer. They had petted several young deer at different times.
That fall the first school was started in the place. The log school-house
had one regular window, with six lights. The other window was made by
removing a log and placing the panes of glass in the cavity joining each other.
A writing desk was made by driving pins in a log below this window, and
laying a rough board upon it. The fire-place was made by building a stone
-wall against the logs as high as the loft, from this a kind of flue was made of
pine sticks and clay. Sometimes the smoke found its way up the chimney,
and sometimes it wandered through the house. William Reynolds taught this
first school for ten dollars a month, half in cash, and half in grain, after harvest.
People who do not Icnow half as much would turn up their noses at treble that
pay now.
The kindly spring came gently on, and we then commenced to make sugar.
Right pleasant it is to see the luscious juice drop, drop, dropping from the
trees all over the hill, while the roaring fire makes the syrup go foaming and
dancing in the kettle till it is time to take it out and put fresh sap in. It is
hard work, but then you can see the progress you are making, and you get
your pa}' immediately.
There was no school in summer, but we attended Sabbath- school in the
school house. This school was organized by Rev. Mr. Riggs (in 1831), but
it existed before that. Robert Mcintosh and Betty Keys had started it when
there were but a few families in the place. It went from house to house be-
fore there was any scho-'l-house.
James and Andrew Smith, father and son, Thomas Ledlie and Alexander
Cochran might be mentioned as men whose deep thought gave an intellectual
tone to the discussions. Robert Mcintosh, sr., was the first superintendent.
He was not a man of extensive information, but his devoted spirit, and warm,
cordial impulse gave a great interest to his devotional exercises, and made him
universally respected. Well do I remember the last time I saw him in the
Sabbath-school. He closed by singing the sixth psalm, long meter, in the old
version: " Lord, in thy wrath, rebuke me not." That was in the fall of 1833,
and he died in the fall of 1S34.
Betty Keys was also the life of the school, as long as her health enabled her
to attend. She was said to be very self-willed and opinionative, and on one
Washington Township. 567
occasion the voung women, returning from Sabbath-school, were walking
ahead, and the men in a company behind, all except Oliver McClelland, who
was walking with the girls. She invited him to fall back in the company of
the men, and so maintain the decorum due tlie day. That she loved to
rule might be true, but certain it is that if she ruled, it was by the gentle
power of love. We, children, no matter what class we belonged to, were ac-
customed to look up to her as to one superior to the rest, and as one who
could scarcelv do anything wrong. We carried our dinners with us, as there
was Sabbath-school in the morning and prayer-meeting in the afternoon.
When we came to the Beeclnvoods the soil was rich and the vegetation
luxurious, but the subsoil is poor. Thousands of j-ears ago great currents of
water must have swept westward carrying the soil into Ohio, Indiana and Ill-
inois, leaving the heavy deposits of iron and rock. When the climate became
dryer and the streams shrank to their present size, a growth of forest followed.
The decaying leaves of two or three thousand years formed this rich mold.
Scarcely was the snow of winter gone when the wild leeks peeped up like
corn. At first they had not much of their rampant taste, and cattle nipped
them off greedily. Before they got strong the curly weed showed itself; vel-
lera and broad leaf followed. All these had a thick, juicy root, which lived
over winter. By the middle of June the wild pea vine gave pasturage. Be-
sides these, which the cattle ate, there were many flowers that they did not
eat, the mandrake, the sweet-william, the phlox, the honeysuckle and the violet.
Bees found homes in the hollow trees, as conveniently as food in the
flowers. The blossoms of the trees also gave them their choice honey. The
crops were often good. In 1835 we planted a bushel and a half of potatoes in
one patch of new ground, covering them with leaves, and scratching enough
clay over them to keep the leaves down. It was a wet season, which was the
most suitable for such planting, and we dug thirty-six bushels of potatoes.
The same year the Keyses had four hundred bushels to the acre. Another year
James Smith had as good a yield.
One year, perhaps in 1836, William Smith, sr., had soft corn, owing to the
season, and the next year he thought he would plant more. His wife planted
a patch by the house and took every care of it. The crop yielded at the rate
of a hundred bushels of shelled corn to the acre. In those days people hardly
ever sowed timothy seed at all. A little seed in the wheat got into the ground,
and taking hold in fence corners and around stumps was ready to spread when
a field was thrown out. Two tons of hay to the acre was thought nothing re-
markable, yet all this was the product of rich mold on the surface. People
did not know how poor the subsoil was, or they would have kept up the con-
dition of their land.
Rev. Joseph McGarrah assisted Rev. Mr. Riggs to hold the first commun-
ion in the Beechwoods. A son of Mr. McGarrah told me, in a chat about old
568 • History of Jefferson County.
times, that in 1815 he went to a store with a bag of wheat. He went on horse-
back twelve miles, and i^ot seventy-five cents a bushel for his wheat, and paid
fifty cents a pound for coffee, and twenty-five cents a piece for tin cups to eat
mush and milk out of It was night when he got back, and he brought two
pounds of coffee and two tin cups for his bag of wheat.
It was not so bad in 1836 as in 1815, but still we had the difficulty of cheap
produce and dear store goods. It was five pounds of coffee, four yards of
coarse muslin, or si.x yards of poor calico for a dollar, when a dollar repre-
sented two days of hard work. And then cash could not be had for work,
and many articles the merchants would not sell without money.
If the young people want to know how we got along in those days, I will
tell them we got along exactly as we do now. When tired, we grunted ; when
hurt, we grinned ; when pleased, we laughed, exactly as we do now. The
young men winked at the girls, and the girls smiled back as often and pleas-
antly as you do now. But to be more definite, the men shore the sheep, the
women scoured the wool, and the girls made a frolic to pick it. It was sent
to the carding machine, and then spun by hand. The \'arn was carried to
the weaver. The cloth was soused in soap-suds and thrown on the kitchen
floor, where the boys kicked it until it was fulled up ; then colored with but-
ternut, it was made up into men's clothing. The women were a little more
tasty, and wore barred flannel colored with indigo, matfder, etc. If people did
not look quite so well in homespun as in broadcloth, they felt as happy.
In 1 841 Billy Richards set up a fulling-mill on North Fork, and started
Richardsville. This was a great relief, as before we had to carr\- our cloth to
Frederick Holopeter's, somewhere in Clearfield county. Remember, this
home- made cloth cost more, counting the labor, than fine cloth does now ; but
it was the best we had, and we felt proud of it.
In May, 1S32, Robert Morrison, sr., was making his way from Philadel-
phia to Beech ivoods. On the Allegheny Mountains he was walking ahead of
the wagon and met a man even more venerable than himself, with a staff in
each hand. " Bands and beauty," exclaimed Mr. Morrison, in allusion to
Zechariah 11,7. Delighted to meet a stranger so familiar with the Bible, Mr-
Robert Mcintosh (for such he proved to be), stopped short, and the two old
gentlemen had a chat. Mr. Morrison was uncertain about the road he was to
take, and to his happ)' surprise he found that Mr. Mcintosh liad just come
from his destination, and that they were to be neighbors. He now received
directions which made his wa\' easy. They were afterv\'ards elders in the same
congregation, and in course of time the son of the one and the daughter of the
other were married. That, however, was not the first marriage in Mr. Morri-
son's family. The first was the marriage of Thomas Ledlie to Letitia. After
they were married Mr. Ledlie told her about a strolling woman, who was a
great matcli-maker, that often told about a little girl near McGilligan's Head,
Washington Township. 569
in Ireland. Our match-maker was a sharp observer of human nature. She
took it for granted that Mr. LedHe was hard to suit, but she thought this girl,
when grown up, would do for him. Mrs. Ledlie knew the woman by the de-
scription, and when Mr. Ledlie made inquiry lie was satisfied that Letitia Mor-
rison was the girl laid out for him. They were only ten miles apart, but they
never saw one another until they met in the Beechwoods. He was quite an
old bachelor and she a young woman, but in this case the union of May and
September was a happy married life.
In October, 1836, Mathew Smith and Betty Hunter were married. On that
day Hugh McCullough happened into James Bond's house. The young peo-
ple inquired, "When will your wedding come off?" He answered: " In ten
years I will be thirty-five, and that is the marrying age." The old lady spoke
and said, "That is a good age. I am glad you put it off so long, for perhaps
you will rob me of one of m\- daughters. It is well the evil day is so far ofif."
In the tenth year from that time he led to the altar the youngest and fairest of
the daughters. The ten }-ears had not run out. They both sleep now in the
narrow house.
The free school system went into force in 1835. William Kennedy taught
in the winter of 1834-5. He was hired by subscription, but in the spring the
money came out of the school fund to pay him. After that we had three
months in the winter, taught by a male teacher, and three months each sum-
mer by a female teacher. The following is a list of the teachers in the Beech-
woods from 1832 to 1842: First teacher, William Reynolds. In 1833, Alex-
ander Cochran; 1834, William Kennedy; 1835, Betsy McCurdy and Thomas
Reynolds; 1836, Nancy Jane McClelland and Oliver McClelland; 1837,
Fanny McConnell and Andreu' Smith ; 1838, Fanny McConnell and Dexter
Morris; 1839, Peggy Mcintosh and Finley McCormick ; 1840, Nancy Mc-
Clelland and Joseph Sterrett. In 1841 the second school was started, so we
had Nancy J. McClelland and Marjory Sterrett, in the summer, and in the win-
ter Henr)' Potts was the only teacher, and he was turned out for lack of a cer-
tificate, but finished his school by subscription. In 1842 a log school-house
was built beside Andrew Smith's, and Nancy Bond was the first who taught in
it, while Nancy Jane McClelland taught in the Cooper school- house. The sum-
mer before Marjory Sterrett had taught in a house of Jacob Zeck's. In the
winter of 1842-3 William Patton and George Sprague were the teachers.
The summer of 1836, being the only summer I had the pleasure of attend-
ing, I will speak of it in detail. There were thirty scholars in attendance.
The teacher and sixteen of those scholars reside in the Beechwoods yet. One
is in Perrysville, two in Pittsburgh, four in the far west, and seven are in the
land of silence. What is very singular, there is not an old bachelor or an old
maid among them. James Hunter was drowned when a young man, rafting
in Clarion. The rest were all married. All these teachers were residents of
570 History of Jefferson County.
Jefferson county or vicinity, except S. D. Morris, so I will give a sketch of
him. Samuel Dexter Morris was a live Yankee, from the State of New York.
Although a Baptist minister and an earnest Christian, he was full and running
over with Avit and humor. When he commenced teaching he told us, gravely,
that we might devote all our time to our books, and he would do the whisper-
ing all himself We appreciated this kind offer, but we thought it too much
trouble for him to teach such a large school and do the whispering too. When
the hissing conversation went on, he proceeded to check it by mirth-provok-
ing punishments. He had the faculty of interesting his scholars in their les-
sons ; fastening ideas in their memorj'. Those were the days when officers,
parents, all, combined to sustain the teacher. Whatever the statute law might
be, two simple laws were impressed upon the public mind, — one was, that the
teacher was responsible for the deportment of the scholar, and the other, that
the scholar must obey. Two scholars, who shall be nameless, behaved rudely
at table, and would not obey their mother. The school mistress was present.
She told them she would settle with them in school, which she did, effectually.
Now-a-days teachers confine their responsibility and children their good order
to the school room.
In the days of slavery Beechwoods had its share of the " irrepressible con-
flict." In 1834 two darkeys made their appearance there and remained a good,
part of the winter.
William Smith, sr., had been working in Maryland for a large iron manu-
facturer, named Columbus O'Donnell. He hired a couple of slaves named
Jim and Harry, to work in the furnace. Those men William Smith taught
the iron business. One he made a puddler and the other a refiner. The
slaves hired their time from their master, and then got their own wages from
O'Donnell. This gave them a chance to save money to buy their freedom.
Although their master had broken the bargain more than once by raising the
price, still they had nearly paid for themselves, when their master, who still
kept the money, sold them to a trader. Mr. Smith knew it, but they did not.
In the evening they came into his shop when the other hands were gone. He
told them the fate in .store for them, and advised them to skedaddle. They
said they had no money, no friends, and nowhere to go. He told them to fol-
low the Chestnut Ridge on out to where it was called Boone's Mountain. Then
to strike out to the left and inquire for the Irish Settlement in Jefferson county.
He charged them to travel by night and speak to no one until they had, at
least, gone one hundred miles. Deacon William Smith, a nephew of Mr.
Smith's, was working there too, at the time. They got up a purse of money
between them, and prepared for them a bag full of bread and boiled ham.
The fugitives pursued the best course to avoid being taken. They hid in
a hay-mow three days, while those who sought them were scouring the coun-
tr\'. Tlien, when the search was over, they started and traveled by night, till
Washington Township. 571
they were sure they were well advanced on Pennsyh'ania soil. The mountain
range guided them all the way, and the}' arrived safely. However, through
the indiscretion of a man who had taken too much liquor, the story was com-
municated to peddlers who carried the news to their master. He wrote to
Mr. Smith, offering five hundred dollars for them. He notified the boys that
they had better clear out, and they took their course for Canada.
Nobody in Beechwoods was lost long enough to suffer much, but some
were, not far away. In 1846 a boy of Mr. Washburn's, on Boone's Mountain,
was lost going home from the .'=ugar camp. I think he perished with cold the
first night. It was a cold night in April, and he was a small boy. It was
nearly a week before he was found.
In 1834 Moftet Ledlie went out after a deer, after he had his breakfast.
He lost himself, and did not get home until the next day. He was middling
hungry, but he fretted more about the dog than himself, as the dog had fol-
lowed him before it had its breakfast. He shot a squirrel which he roasted,
ate a leg, and gave the rest to his dog. He came on his own tracks, but could
not believe it until he tried his boot and the dog's feet in their respective
prints.
In 1832 David Dennison found his way out of the woods by driving home
Keys's cows. No matter how you started cattle, they knew hovv to make for
home. Mr. Dennison looked so wild with fright and hunger, that Mr. Keys
said, " Davy, dear, whar did you get the whisky ?"
My brother, Hugh, was but twelve years of age when he slept in the woods
all night ; but it was a warm night in May, and he did not suffer with cold.
The cows brought him home safely in the morning, but already half the settle-
ment was out in search of him.
As late as 1847, when there were roads in all directions, John Groves got
lost. Robert Morrison went to look for him, and both passed the night in the
woods.
That so few accidents occurred by frost, considering the bad roads and a
severe climate, is wonderful. In 1839 James Rainey, who lived where James
Shaw now resides, was returning from Brookville in company with Robert
McBride, when he expressed a desire for a few hours sleep. Shortly after he
fell and could not rise. Mr. McBride carried him to the nearest house.
In 1830 or 1 83 1 George McConnell was killed by the falling back of a
stump. The tree had turned out of root, and the rebound threw him in the
air when he cut it off. The family had not come on from Centre county, and
he and his brother James were alone. James McConnell also had the misfor-
tune to cut off his brother David's fingers in 1833. Joseph McDowell was
killed by a tree as he worked on the roads in the summer of 1843. They car-
ried him home, and as Mrs. McDowell was not at home, Mrs. William Max-
well went for her, and told her she was wanted at home. She intended to
572 History of Jefferson County.
break the news to her on the way. To this end she remarked, " You and Joe
have had your troubles and hard work." " Indeed we have. One time when
we were clearing that field down there, we had nothing but greens to eat, and
scarcely enough of that." " Oh! Joe's hard work is all over now," said Mrs.
Maxwell. " Ah, yes, poor man ! I hope it is. We have got the farm cleared,
and the worst is over." Finding herself so completely misunderstood, Mrs.
Maxwell had not the heart to say any more, and Mrs. McDowell knew noth-
ing more until she saw the disfigured corpse.
James Smith helped to carry him home, and in less than two years by one
unlucky and cowardly blow, his own wife was left a widow, and his children
fatherless. Twice the corpse was raised to decide whether the blow was the
only cause of his death. The first day was a time of frightful wind Mrs.
McDonald was confident that the unhallowed act of disturbing the repose of
the dead raised the wind. Little did she then think that her own end would
be more tragic than Mr. Smith's, and her husband's death more unhallowed
than her own.
Unlike the western settlers, the pioneers of the Beechwoods enjoyed good
health. For thirty years nothing like an epidemic prevailed, except twice.
The dysentery prevailed in 1838, and the erysipelas in 1846. Both were of a
malignant type. The dysentery appeared about the last of August. Several
children died, but no grown people. James Kyle, like the rest, was forbidden
the use of cold water. He said he would give the half of Pennsylvania for one
drink. In the absence of the family Betty Keys assumed the responsibility of
giving him half a cupful. Had he got it every two hours it would have done
him no harm ; but doctors had their notions in those days — perhaps they have
yet.
The erysipelas which prevailed in 1846 was different from an\' I have ever
seen since. A sore spot appeared about the fiice ; it might be inward, in the
throat, or outward, on the cheek, nose or eye. Presently the patient was
taken with a chill, and soon was in a burning fever. I do not remember that
in any case but that of Thomas Atwell it proved fatal, but on Brandy Camp,
in Elk county, it was often mortal.
About midway between Rockdale and Osburns the ruins of an old mill
may be seen among the weeds and underbrush. John Wilson put up the mill
as early as 183 1. In 1836 he sold it to Blood, Baily & Hunt, who proceeded
to put up a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a carding-machine, and a store. The store,
the carding-machine, and the saw-mill existed only in imagination, but the
grist-mill was a matter of fact. That a man without money or knowledge of
the mill- Wright trade should go to work and build a mill was a wonder, in-
deed, and yet I am told it did not do bad work until Baily got hold of it.
Under his management it did miserable work, and only run a few months.
Had Blood come on he might have done very well, for it was a good mill site.
■Washington Township. 573
But Blood and Hunt lived in I'^orest county, and had entered into a partner-
ship vvitli Baily, who made them beheve he had money and skill in the busi-
ness, when he had neither.
Some years after Mr. Wilson said he would put up a saw-mill on a cascade
near his own house, in opposition to Dillas Allen, at Rockdale. People laughed
at him ; but while there was difficulty in any undertaking, he persevered.
When he could do a thing easily he was apt to give it up. The old timber
may be seen there yet, some fifty feet long, and about a foot square, yet ail
these he set up with the aid of his wife and an old blind mare. The water of
the mill would pass through a four-inch pipe, yet he actually sawed some.
Indeed the mill might have done a good business, as the fall was so good,
but he got into a quarrel with Joseph Scofield and was put in jail for a week,
and during that time the sherift* levied on his mill irons, and that w^as the end
of his mill after all his hard work.
The farm of Billy McDonald was destined to be the scene of so many trag-
edies that vve might imagine that some Indian powwow had left a curse on the
place. The beginning, however, was romantic, for it was here that Katy Wil-
son, in the bloom of sweet sixteen, caught Henry Keys at the first glance, and
was herself caught with a few months' wooing. Mr. Kennedy came from Rose-
ville to marry them. But a good beginning had a bad ending. Scarcely was
the minister gone when Butler Amos, the hired man, quarreled with John Wil-
son about making a fire. This led to more, until a few nights afterwards Billy
McDonald, provoked that guests should be insulted in his house, sent Amos
out, heels foremost, and his traps after him. This led to a law suit which cost
a hundred dollars. At the trial William Cooper was so badgered by Amos
that he struck him. The blow cost Mr. Cooper his team. It was on this farm
that Tommy Moore built his cabin, and had the delirium tremens so bad that
to escape the hobgoblins he took his life. James Downs, on his death-bed,
received some money. Fancying he heard robbers, he leaped out of bed and
fell on the floor, which hastened his death. People laughed at his fears ; but
that very monej' drew the robbers, who murdered his sister (Mrs. Betty Mc-
Donald) in that very house. Her husband's end was still more horrible, when
he cut his throat a few years before."
Rev. Boyd McCullough, from whose sketches nearly all the incidents con-
nected with the early settlement of the Beechwoods have been culled, was the
first minister raised in Washington township. In 1843 he walked, with his
books and extra clothing on his back, to study with Rev. James Milligan, at
New Alexandria, Westmoreland county, a distance of seventy-three miles.
For two years he studied under this private tutor, going home twice a year,
and many a time his feet were sore ; but the love of knowledge prevailed abo\-e
all personal discomfort. W'hen at home he delved among his books without
any teacher. Once while laboring at a Greek verb, he became completely dis-
C9
574 History of Jefferson County.
couraged, and throwing down his books, went out to dig a ground hog out of
a hole. He missed the ground hog but caught the verb, for while throwing
up the fresh earth the whole conjugation came to his memory. Another time
he labored for an hour over a sentence in Longinus, when he was called out to
assist in penning up a flock of sheep. While the animals were defiling through
the gate, the author's idea struck his mind. He went back to the Greek text,
and found that the idea corresponded with the connection. He was nearly as
much delighted as Adam Clarke when he found the half guinea which bought
his Hebrew grammar. To John J. Patterson and John H. Groves, two other
Beechwoods boys, is due as much credit for pursuing knowledge and gaining
an education under similar difficulties.
Boyd McCuUough was licensed to preach in 1852, and accepted a commis-
sion as colporter from the American tract society, and canvassed Forest
county, where he organized a temperance society under the old Washingtonian
banner. He was afterwards ordained in Novi, Mich., where he labored twenty
years; then preached ten years at Pepin, Wis. In 1886 he returned to the
Beechwoods, and now resides among the scenes of his boyhood. Between the
time of his two pastorates, he visited England, Scotland and Ireland, where he
lectured in every town in Ulster except two, and where he collected all the
traditions concerning St. Patrick. A small book of poetry, called the "Sham-
rock " was the result of his Irish travels. In this volume is also embodied
" Beech Leaves, or Life in the Backwoods," which gives his early recollections
of the Beechwoods.
The first wife of Mr. McCuUough was a daughter of Rev. Dr. Johnston, of
St. Clairsville, Ohio, who was a descendant of Archibald Johnston, earl of War-
riston, Scotland. Dr. Johnston's grandfather and granduncle once took the
notorious Simon Girty prisoner. Had they shot him he would have gone to
his reward with fewer crimes on his head.
The present Mrs. McCuUough is a native of Blairsville, and a grandniece
of the old pioneer minister, Rev. John Jamison, from whom the Thompsons
and McKnights, of Brookville, are also descended.
Early Improvements and hicidents. — The first one to make any improve-
ments in the Beechwoods, was Alexander Osburn. He also built the first
grist-mill on Falls Creek. The first saw-mill was built by Dillas Allen, at
Rockdale, about the year 1841. The first store was started on G. W. Brown's
farm, about 1 840, by William Acklin. The first school-house was built in
1832, at Waites. The first church was built on the farm of Henry Keys, about
1840.
The first person born in Washington was William McGhee, born in 1825,
and the second, Ninian Cooper. The first marriage was that of Henry Keys
and Catharine Wilson in 1826, and the first death was that of Mrs. Mary
Hunter, wife of John Hunter, who died in 1830. She was buried on the
Washington Township. 575
Hunter farm. The first grave-yard was started in ICS31, on Cooper's Hill,
and Mrs. Eleanor Smith, wife of James Smith, and mother of Andrew Smith,
was the first person buried there.
Present Business. — The only large saw-mill in Washington township is
that of Osburn & Shatter, on Falls Creek, but there are a number of portable
mills in different localities. The only grist-mill is also on Falls Creek, and is
the property of Wilson & Notter.
The stores in the township are those of Charles D. Evans, Rockdale, H. P.
Brown, Beechtree, and Thomas Craven, and the Company Store at Coal Glen.
The only hotel is that operated at Beechtree by the Rochester and Pittsburgh
Coal and Iron Company. This is the first hotel that has ever been in the
township, and was started in 1883. Tliere are twelve school-houses in Wash-
ington, and five churches, with two cemeteries — the Cooper grave-yard and
Beechtree cemetery.
Farms. — The sturdy Irish pioneers have handed down to their sons some
fine farms in Washington, among the best of which are those of James Daven-
port, Robert Dougherty, James Dennison, S. J. Dean, James R. and Thomas
Groves, George Horam, S. N. Morrison, William Morrison, James and J. J.
McCurdy, Charles Mathews, jr., David McGeary, John Osburn estate, James
Ross, George Senior, Andrew H. Smith, William and M. Logan, William
Stevenson, James S. Smith, William and John Shaw, and Robert A Smith.
Considerable attention is paid to the growing of the best varieties of fruit,
such as are found in the other townships, fine apples being a specialty.
Elections. — The first election was held in Washington township in 1837,
and resulted in the election of the following persons :
Constable, John McGhee ; supervisors, John Mcintosh, Tilton Reynolds;
auditors, Andrew Smith, Oliver McClelland, William Reynolds, Joshua Rea ;
school directors, Oliver McClelland, Andrew Smith, James McConnell, Will-
iam Reynolds, John Fuller, John Horm ; fence appraisers, James Smith, Oliver
Welch ; overseers, Henry Keys, Tilton Reynolds ; town clerk, John Wilson.
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following persons were elected:
Judge of election, Archie McCuUough ; assessor, James E. Smith; auditor,
R. A. Smith ; constable, McCurdy Hunter ; ta.x collector, M. L. Smith ; poor
overseer, James S. Dougherty; inspectors, D. B. McConnell, Charles Mathews;
supervisors, James Davenport, George Brenholtz; justice of the peace, Thomas
Craven ; school directors, S. J. Smith, F. B. Harvey. The justices of the peace
are A. T. Strang and Thomas Craven ; the other members of the school board,
R. C. Osburn, Ezekiel Sterritt, J. j\I. Smith, William Patterson. By a decree
of court, June 2, 1887, Washington township was divided into two election
districts, to be known as Upper Washington, which holds its election at Beech-
tree, and Lower Washington, at Rockdale.
Taxables and Population. — The taxables in Washington township in 1842
576 History of Jefferson County.
were 1 12 ; in 1849, 149 ; in 1856, 215 ; in 1863, 249; in 1870, 273 ; in 1S80,
342; 1886. 577.
Tlie population by census of 1840, T,6y ; 1850, 646; i860, 1,079; 1870,
1,124; 1880, 1,282.
Assessments and Valuations of Property. — According to the triennial assess-
ment of 1886 the number of acres seated were 18,694; valuation, $74,285 ;
average value, per acre, $4.97 ; houses and lots, 89; valuation, $5,180; grist
and saw-mills, six ; valuation, $2,200; number of acres unseated, 5,037 ; valua-
tion, $15,199; average value per acre, $3; number of acres surface, 4,894;
valuation, $14,591 ; average value per acre, $2.97 ; number of acres mineral,
6,786 ; valuation, $24,096; average valuation, $3.55 ; number of horses, 404 ;
valuation, $9,051; average value, $22.40; number of cows, 447; valuation,
$3,558; average value, $7.96; 6 oxen, valuation, $140; occupations, 272;
valuation, $12,677; average value, $46.60; total valuation subject to county
tax, $160,977 ; money at interest, $52,326.
School Statistics. — Number of schools in Washington township reported
for the year ending June 7, 1886, 1 1 ; length of term, 6 months ; 4 male and
7 female teachers; average salary for male teachers, $33 ; for females, $24;
number of male scholars, 274; females, 214; average number attending school,
308 ; average per cent. 74; cost per month, 75 cents; number of mills levied
for school purposes, 10; for building purposes, lO; total amount of tax levied
for school and building purposes, $2,938.97.
CHAPTER XLIII.
HISTORY OF PORTER TO\VNSHIP.
THE twelfth to^\nsilip was Porter, organized in 1840. It was taken from
Perry township, and named for David R. Porter, then governor of Penn-
sylvania. This township occupies the southwestern corner of Jefferson county.
Pine River flows in a deep valley along its northern edge. It is bounded on
the north by Ringgold township; on the east is Perry; on the south, Indiana
county, and on the west Armstrong county. The surface is much diversified
by hill and valley. The valleys narrow, with only" small streams flowing
through them, are straight, and usually have gentle slopes which admit of
easy and profitable cultivation. The uplands are more in the nature of an
elevated plain, overspread by a thin covering of Lower Barren rocks. The
Lower Productive Coal Measures are in the valleys, by which distribution of
the strata the proportion of upland surface to valley is appro.ximately shown by
the geological survey.
Porter Township. 577
The drainage is all into Mahoning Creek, which here flows a few miles
south of the Jetterson county line in Indiana county. A narrow divide, along
the crest of which runs one of the principal wagon roads of the township,
crosses from west to east, dividing the township in that direction nearly in
half. South of it the waters run direct into the Mahoning, whereas north of
it, tliey go first into Pine Run, and afterwards into the Mahoning, at Eddyville,
in Armstrong county.
Geology — Excellent coal is found in Porter township, both the Upper and
Lower Freeport coals, averaging over four feet in thickness. The coal is even
and regular. In 1886 a vein of coal, said to be nine feet thick was discovered
on the farm of J. C. Neal. The vein which was being worked, was about four
feet thick at the entrance, but it gradually grew in height until it reached five
feet, and then, by a fall of slate from the roof, it was found that there was an-
other vein immediateh' above, four feet thick. The two veins are separated
by only a thin seam of slate, so that it is practically a single vein nine feet in
thickness.
The Kittanning middle coal has also been worked on the R. Adams farm,
where it was found to be three feet thick. The Kittanning lower coal, though
present in the township, has not been investigated.
Limestone in abundance is found in the township. The stratum is from
four to six inches thick, of good stone, compact, brittle and fossiliferous. It has
long been quarried, having been opened on the Travis and McClelland farms
when the old Phcenix furnace, at Milton, in Armstrong county, was in blast
The farmers in Porter, as in nearly all the other townships of the county, have
no excuse for not using lime freely for fertilizing.
Early Settlers. — The first settlement was made in Porter township by James
McClelland, in 1803; Benjamin Irons came in 1804 or 1805; David Hamilton,
in 1806 or 1808. These all settled in the southwestern part of the township.
After them came Elijah Ickes, in 18 14 or 181 5 ; Michael Lantz and William
Smith about 1 81 5. The first person born in the township was Robert Ham-
ilton.
The first grave-yard was started in 1843, '^'^^ Stephen Londen was one of
the first buried there. Another grave-yard was made at the Fairview school-
house. The first church organization was by the Methodist society in 1838,
and the first church was built in 1843. The history of the churches has
already been given.
Sunday Schools. — The first Sunday-school was started in 1844, with
Thomas Stockdill superintendent. There are now two schools in Porter. The
Zion Methodist Episcopal Sunday school has about ninety scholars ; T T.
Adams superintendent in 1887, and James Stockdill assistant superintendent.
The Union Sunday-school, held at the Fairview school- house, had in 1887,
thirty scholars; George Bish, superintendent.
578 History of Jefferson County.
Present Business. — There is one post-office in the township called Porter,
and the store of J. H. Elkins, started in 1883, is located there. It is the only
store in the township. There is also one blacksmith shop, that of Jacob Lettie,
located at the same place. The first blacksmith shop was started in 1840 by
George Travis, and another in 1845 by John Silvis. There has never been a
hotel in the township.
Rebellion Record. — Like all other sections of the county, Porter promptly
responded to the call for troops to assist in putting down the Rebellion.
Among those who enlisted were T. B. Adams, Daniel Barnett, John Chapman,
Levi Ellenberger, Samuel Brumbaugh, J. Wesley McDonald and D. C. Mc-
Gregor, of the Seventy-eight Pennsylvania Regiment; G. B. Shraiiger and
Philip Shranger, of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania, and Henry
Chapman, Daniel Kish, P. Davis, Jacob Howard, Elisha Gahagen, S. M. Mc-
Donald, Daniel Timblin, Ephraim Adams, of other organizations. The record
of these men will be found in the history of their regiments given in a previous
chapter. There was no bounty paid to volunteers by Porter.
Farms. — There are now one hundred and twenty- five farms in the town-
ship, among the best being those of Thomas B. Adams, of 204 acres, first im-
proved by A. Timblin in 1840; Richard Adams, of 165 acres, first improved
in 18 14 by R. Adams; T. T. Adams, of 130 acres, first improved in 1839 by
Thomas Adams ; George Bish, 98 acres, improved by E. Coleman ; William
Bahme, 80 acres; William Doak, 160 acres, first improved by L. Yeager ; T.
K. Drummond, 142 acres, first improved by David Hamilton in 1815 ; John
Elkins, 196 acres; Thomas Elder, 168 acres; Thomas Gahagen, 167 acres ;
John Y. Gahagen, 145 acres; James Kennedy, 161 acres; Allen Kelsey, J.
E. Lantz, 140 acres, first improved by William Smith in 181 5, then owned
by John Lantz about 1830; D. C. McGregor, 215 acres, improved by H.
Coon ; Daniel McGregor, 205 acres ; William McHenry, 1 1 1 acres, improved
by George Travis; Charles Miller, 81 acres: S. M. McDonald, 138 acres;
Joseph McClelland's heirs, 178 acres, first improved by J. McClelland, sr., in
1806; Hugh Neal, 86 acres, improved by Michael Lantz in 1815; Reuben
Rhineard, 96 acres, first improved by James McClelland in 1803 ; Jacob
Snyder, 166 acres; Frederick Stear, 128 acres; James Stockdill, first im-
proved by Thomas Stockdill about 1840; J. A. Timblin, 88 acres, first im-
proved by George Yeager in 1830; Johnston Welchons, 123 acres, first im-
proved by George Timblin and William Wearer.
Considerable attention is paid to the raising of graded stock, principally
Holstein cattle and Southdown sheep.
Fruit is largely cultivated, especially apples and peaches, it being one of
the best peach growing sections in the county.
Elections. — At an election held in Porter township in 1840, the following
persons were elected :
Porter Township. 579
Justice of the peace, John Robinson ; constable, John Hice ; supervisors,
Conrad Nolf, George Miller; auditors, John McAninch, John Robinson, Will-
iam Fergus(Mi, William McAninch; judge of election, William Fosters; in-
spectors of election, Daniel McGregor, Robert E. Kennedy.
At an election held Feburary 15, 1887, the following persons were elected
to fill the various offices :
Constable, J. A. Timblin ; supervisors, James Kennedy, Samuel Kroh ;
assessor, William Snyder ; school directors, T. T. Adams, William Weaver ;
judge of election, William Postlewait ; inspectors, A. M. Gahagan, R. F. Ne-
ville ; auditor, G. C. Gahagan ; poor overseer, James Kennedy ; collector, J.
A. Timblin. The justices of the peace are S. M. McDonald and T. B. Adam
The members of the school board previously elected are J. H. Elkins, D. C.
McGregor, S. M. McDonald and C. K Gahagan.
Taxables and Population. — The number ol taxables in Porter township in
1842 were 192; in 1849, 176; in 1856,86; in 1863,99; in 1870, 142; in
1880, 191 ; in 1886, 198.
The census report gives the population in 1840 as 977 ; 1850, 728 ; i860
516; 1870, 525; 1880, 669.
The decrease in the population and taxables of Porter was owing to Ring-
gold being taken from it in 1848, and another portion being attached to the
same township in 1855.
Assessments and Valuations of Property. — According to the triennial assess-
ment of 1866, the number of acres of seated land in Porter township, 9,658 ;
valuation, $33,726 ; average value per acre, $3.49. Number of horses, 142 ;•
valuation, $2,739; average value, $19.28. Number of cows, 201 ; valuation,
$1,573; average value, $7.83. Occupations, 48; valuation, %'j6o\ average
value, $15.83. Total valuation subject to county tax, $38,819. Money at
interest, $9,829.
School Statistics. — The number of schools in Porter township, according to
the report of 1886 was 4; average number of months taught, 5 ; number of
male teachers, 3 ; females, i ; average salary, $26 ; number of male scholars,
103 ; females, 80; average number attending school, 117; per cent, of attend-
ance, 75 ; cost per month, 57 cents; number of mills levied for school pur-
poses, II. Total amount of tax levied for school purposes, $585.55.
58o History of Jefferson Countv.
CHAPTER XLIV.
HISTORY OF CLO^'ER TOWNSHIP.'
CLOVER was the thirteenth township organized, and was taken, in 1841,
from Rose. It was named for Levi G. Clover, then prothonotary of the
county. It is almost square, and contains about seventeen square miles. It is
bounded on the north by Union ; on the east by Rose ; on the south by
Beaver, and on the west by Clarion count}'.
Drainage. — The surface is generally hilly, and the drainage through small
tributaries from all parts of the township, flows into Redbank Creek, which
traverses the township, through a deep and irregular valley, from northeast to
southwest. North of the creek the smaller streams make a number of deep
ravines ; south of it the county is less broken, but not less high, in both cases
the summits being 300 feet above the bed of Redbank, which is here 1,160
feet above ocean level.
Population and Taxahlcs. — In 1850, according to the census, the popula-
tion of Clover was 737; in 1860,910; in 1870,868; in 1880, 1,054. The
census of 1880 gives the population of Summerville at 348.
The number of taxables in 1842 was 145 ; in 1849, 190; '^ 1856, 166; in
1863, 183; in 1870, 199; in 1880, 262; in 1S86, 316.
Asscssine7it and Valuation. — The triennial assessment of the county for
1886, gives the number of acres of seated land in Clover as 9,813 ; valuation,
$42,121 ; average per acre, $4.29; number of houses and lots, 120; \-aIua-
tion, $8,8i6. Number of acres of unseated land, 6; valuation, $70.00; aver-
age per acre, $11.66. Number of horses, 160; valuation, $4,164; average,
$26.02. Number of cows, 232 ; valuation, $2,208 ; average, $9.51. Occupa-
tions, 144; valuation, $3,040 ; average, $21.11. Total valuation, subject to
county tax, $60,349. Money at interest, $42,285.
School Statistics. — There were six schools in Clover according to the report
of public instruction for the year ending June 30, 1886; average number of
months taught, 5 ; number of male teachers, 5, and i female teacher; average
salary of male teachers per month, $33.40; salary of female teacher, $30.00;
number of scholars, 174 males; 149 females; average number attending school,
238; average per cent, attendance, 89; cost per month, 64 cents; 13 mills
levied for school tax ; 5 mills levied for building tax ; total amount of tax
levied for school and building purposes, $1,300.56.
First Election. — At an election held in Clover township, in 1842, the fol-
lowing person was elected: Fence viewer, William Magill.
In 1843 the following were elected: Inspectors of election, Samuel Mill-
1 Prepared by Capt.iin J. C. Kelso.
\^^^" '^
«?
'/-^^
Clover Township. 581
iron, Euphrastus Carrier; judge of election, Solomon Fuller; supervisors, James
Sowers, Hazard Jacox ; school directors, Hiram Carrier, Mathew Dickey, John
Shields, Henry Scott, Samuel Lucas, Christopher Fogle ; constable, Charles
Jacox; assessor, Euphrastus Carrier ; auditors, D. Fayerweather, P. I. Lucas;
overseers of the poor, Elijah Heath, Robert Andrews ; town clerk, A. Bald-
win.
The election held February 15, i.SSj, resulted in the election of the follow-
ing persons in Clover township : Justice of the peace, W. B. Mohney ; consta-
ble, C. E. Anderson ; supervisors, G. R. McAninch and S. C. Carrier ; school
directors, D. B. Shields and A. A. Carrier; poor overseer, G. B. Carrier; tax
collector, R. D. Corbet ; assessor, W. S. Kelso ; judge of election, William
Covert ; inspectors, William Guthrie and J. C. Wilson. The school directors
previously elected are W. S. Osburn, A. Osburn, B. T. Shields and G. A.
Carrier.
Topographical. — Lying on both sides of Redbank Creek, Clover township
is very hilly. There is not in one place a hundred acres which could be said
to be level except the site of Summerville.
There is another small piece of creek bottom land on the farm of Captain
J. C. Kelso, one mile farther up the creek, and another on Joseph Knapp's
farm (the old Lucas place, below Puckerty).
Most of the hill land is moderately productive, especially on the eastern
side of the hill. Of late years the land has suffered some damage from the
wash of heavy rains on a loose soil. There is an abundant supply of coal and
limestone in Clover, also a good well of salt water on the north bank of the
creek in the suburbs of Summerville. Thomas and John Lucas bored for salt
in 1823 on the bottom land below Puckerty. They obtained a small flow of
salt water, but as they worked the drill with a pole in trying to get deeper,
the drill stuck fast and they abandoned the enterprise. Some of the first set-
tlers were told by the Indians that there was a lead mine on the bank of the
creek one mile below John Lucas's. The mine has never been found, but the
hope of finding it has never been abandoned.
Mr. James Anderson, sr., who erected the salt works, had previously been
a partner with a Major Johnston in saltworks on the Kiskiminetas, Westmore-
land county. In 1 840 Major Johnston came out and purchased three hundred
and sixty acres of land on Redbank, and with a pole power sank a shaft eight
hundred and fifty feet deep, finding at that depth what salt producers know as
a three barrel well. The major then failed in business, and turned over the
Redbank property to James Anderson, who settled at Coal Hill in 1843 and
manufactured salt there for about twenty-five years. This property is now
owned by ex-Sheriff S. P. Anderson, James Anderson, and W. H. Anderson.
It contains two fine farms, and a large amount of mineral wealth.
Geological. — The following minerals have been found in Coal Hill, on the
property of ex-Sheriff S. P. Anderson. ™
S82 History of Jefferson County.
First. The salt shaft developed a vein of coal eight feet thick at a depth of
eighty feet.
Second. Vein of coal four feet thick, thirty feet above the creek.
Third. Vein of limestone si.x and a half feet thick, forty feet above four feet
coal vein.
Fourth. Fire-clay undeveloped.
Fifth. Vein of coal thirty- two inches thick, about twenty- five feet above
limestone.
Sixth. Vein of coal seven feet thick, about eighty feet above thirty-two
inch vein of coal.
Seventh. Vein of iron ore under seven feet coal vein, undeveloped, seems
to be eighteen inches thick at surface, and has been pronounced by an expert
the very best quality.
There are but few farms in Clover which have no coal developed, and many
of them have three veins.
There are ten coal banks in active operation within one mile of Summer-
ville, and good coal can be bought at two to four cents per bushel at the banks.
There has never been a well of sufficient depth put down in Clover to test
it as oil territory.
Native Forests and Animals. — It would perhaps be difficult to find any-
where in the world a more valuable forest than that which clothed Clover
ownship at the time of its first settlement. It was all covered w ith white pine,
white oak, and other valuable timber.
Fifty years ago very valuable timber was cut down, logged, rolled on great
heaps and burnt in order to clear the land; this, too, within sight of the creek.
There are hundreds of acres of land in Clover which would readily sell for fi\-e
hundred dollars per acre if they contained the original forest untouched.
There is still, however, enough timber for building and fencing purposes, if
carefully handled.
Wild animals are .seldom seen now, and no wonder, for there is scarcely
one hundred acres together of woodland to shelter them. A large bear was
killed on Baxter's property in 1882. It had probably been driven in from the
lar^e forests up north. If we could have a law that there should be no fishing
done in Redbank Creek for three years, fish would then be plentiful, and with
,a little protection might remain so.
Early Settlement. — The first settlement in Clover tow^nship was made in
Troy, now Summerville, about the year 181 2, by Summers Baldwin, who pur-
chased the land on which Summerville now stands from the Holland Land
Company. Solomon Fuller and John Welch each purchased land of Baldwin ;
but as Baldwin never perfected his title, they, after some time and trouble,
obtained their titles from the Holland Land Company, which at that time
owned the greater part, if not all of what is now Clover township. Summer-
Clover Township. 583
ville is named for Summers l^alduiii. It is located on Redbank Creek, seven
miles below Brookville. The above named families — Baldwin, Fuller and
Welch — were the only ones which " Uncle " Darius Carrier found located in
Troy in 1816; but some time previous to this a man named Scott had built a
saw-mill on what is now known as Hiram's Run, and for some cause unknown
had gone away and left the mill standing idle.
Between the years 18 16 and 1820 Frederick Hettrick, Henry Lot, Alonzo
Baldwin, and MchHwaine were added to the Troy settlement, and the
Carriers in 1 S20.
The next settlement was also on Redbank Creek, three miles above Troy,
at a place afterwards called Puckerty, because of the difficulty of navigating
rafts around the rapid current of a short and sharp S shaped bend. The first
settlers at the lower end of Puckerty shute were Thomas and John Lucas.
They built their cabins there in 18 18. The next >'ear they were joined by
Moses Knapp, Robert Andrews and Walter Tcmpleton, as neighbors Then,
in 1820, there came from Huntingdon county the following named per-
sons and their families: James Shields, William Morrison, Hugh William-
son, Samuel Magill, John McGiffin, John Kenned)' and John Kelso. These
came on wagons, the distance being about one hundred miles, and the road
mostly tiirough woods. They purchased land north and west of the Lucases,
and formed what was afterwards known as the Irish Settlement; that at Troy
was called the Yankee Settlement, and one further down the creek, in what is
now Beaver township, of Jefferson, and Redbanl-, of Clarion county, was
called the Dutch Settlement. The Irish Settlement is just north of Diiwling-
ville. The buildings north of the creek a: Baxter Station are called Dowling-
ville ; those on the south side are called Baxter.
Pioneer Incidents. — It does not appear why Thomas and John Lucas chose
to settle at Puckerty. The place does not look very inviting, even at this date,
but it seems that the first settlers followed the streams, and a little patch of
creek bottom may have been the inducement. It is related that Mrs. Esther
Lucas, wife of John Lucas, having occasion to visit a neighbor who resided o\\
the hill, found a wolf caught in a trap, and fearing that it might get loose and
escape, she killed it with a stick.
A man named Scott built a saw-mill on Hiram's Run, in Troy, about 18 14.
For some cause unknown Scott abandoned the mill for a time. About 18 16
the mill was stolen and re-erected on Welch Run.
" In 1820 a g-ood mill could be built for three hundred dollars, the saw and
irons costing about one hundred."
Moses Knapp built seven mills, viz : Two on the North Fork, one on
Knapp's Run, and four on Redbank Creek. Major A. A. Carrier says : " My
father, having sold lumber and bought some goods at Pittsburgh, put them into
a canoe and poled it from Pittsburgh to near Heathville."
584 History of Jefferson County.
Troy being located on low ground, some of which was marshy and some-
what unhealthy, when a man named Lot settled there some wag gave the
place the name of Sodom. Then having met Lot's flitting, leaving the place.
he announced that Sodotn was about to be destroyed, " For," said he, " I have
just now seen Lot flying from it."
" In the fall of 1826, at a manure hauling at James Shield's, at which there
were twelve or fifteen teams, there was only one horse team and wagon, the
other teams being oxen and hitched to sleds.
" Most of the work was done by bees or frolics. I have seen six frolics in
a week ; that week we were at home only on the day of our own frolic.
" About 1826 boards were sold as low as three dollars per thousand feet in
Pittsburgh.
" In 1833 the wages for a hand for a trip on the creek was one dollar and
fifty cents. Fred Hettrick sold a lot of large choice pine timber for six cents
per foot, linear measure."
Lumbering. — Lumbering in Clover is chiefly a thing of the past, still there
are a few lumbermen remaining, and most of the older citizens have taken a
hand at it in bygone days. The Carriers especially have cleared immense
forests of timber, and handled millions of dollars worth of lumber. The late
ex-Sherifl" Nathan Carrier was a partner in a firm which in one year (about
1866) ran over one hundred rafts of pine timber. About this time there were
as high as two thousand rafts ran out of Redbank from March till November
inclusive. As to the value of these the following estimate is not far from cor-
rect:
1,000 rafls timber, 4,500 feet per raft, 20 cents per cubic foot $900,000
1,000 rafts, boards, 40,000 feet per raft, $20 per thousand feet 800,000
Shingles, lath, boat gunwales, spars, etc 300,000
Total $2,000,000
This estimate gives us an aggregate of two millions as the annual value of
Redbank's lumber at that time, and Clover did perhaps as much as any other
township in the handling of it. The above estimate of the value of the timber
is perhaps a little high, but on tlie boards it is low. Brown & Fuller in 1866
sold boards in Pittsburgh for twenty-four dollars per thousand in the water,
the boards being what lumbermen understand as the "run of the logs."
In those days the men of Clover were nearly all raftmen. A pilot's wages
was twenty dollars and expenses from Brookville to mouth of Redbank, and
although it took him a day to walk back (unless he did the walking in the
night) he earned ten dollars a day, and thus some pilots earned as high as a
hundred and fifty dollars in one season, and in less than a month's work, and
common hands half as much. But all this has been changed by the railroad,
and an old-fashioned raft on the creek will soon be as much of a curiosity to
the rising generation as an Indian.
There are still two saw-mills in Clover — Carrier's and Baxter's — doing a
^
-*^
./ y. J.
{j^CiyT/tMyL^
Clover Township. S^S
considerable business, and several of the citizens have some lumber interests
elsewhere. The sights and scenes of the old rafting times would be both in-
structive and amusing. Sometimes the creek was so full of rafts that some were
crowded out of the channel. These sometimes formed a gorge, or jam. Then
at the mouth of the creek there was sometimes the greatest of all jams, and as
there was sometimes a thousand men there and accommodations for only half
of them " the night was filled with drinking, and the cares that infested the
day folded their tents like the Arabs and silently flitted away."
Churches. — In 1828 the Associate Presbyterian (Seceder) congregation of
Jefferson was organized in the Irish settlement of Clover township.
In 1 83 1 this congregation built a church on the property of Robert An-
drews, a half mile north of Dowlingville. This was one of the first frame
church buildings, if not the very first in the county. Some years passed be-
twixt the erection of this building and the seating of it. During this time each
family provided a board, or slab, and placed it on blocks of wood, or stone,
for a seat. Then, when the seats were inserted, they were sold, and the name
of the purchaser was written on the end of it with a red pencil. "When I was
a small boy I took great pleasure in deciphering those names, and am able,
after the lapse of forty years, to furnish from memory the following list of
them : James Shields, Moses Knapp, Robert Andrews, William Morrison, John
Kelso, John Kennedy, Matthew Dickey, John McGififin, Joseph Magiffin, Will-
iam Kelso, John Fitzsimmons, George H. S. Brown, George Trimble, John
Ferguson, Hugh Millen, Christopher Barr, Beech Wayland, Solomon Cham-
bers, James Ross, Thomas Sharp, Isaac Covert, and perhaps some others.
This (Jefferson) congregation has never been long without regular preach-
ing services. The following pastors have been at different times installed, a
part of the time in connection with Beaver Run, and a part of the time, as at
present, in connection with Brookville: Revs. James McCarrol, John McAuley,
John Todd, J. C. Truesdale, A. B. Struthers, G. C. Vincent, D. D., and at the
present time Rev. G. A. B. Robinson.
In 1866 the Jefferson congregation erected a new church building about a
half mile north of where the first one stood. In 1876 a new church was built
near the site of the old one by a few persons who refused to enter into the
union formed by the Associate and Associate Reformed Presbyterians. This
last named is commonly known as the Seceder Church. Standing on a hill
which is in sight of Baxter Station, a person can see four church buildings,
viz.. United Presbyterian, Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter), Associate
Presbyterian (Seceder), and United Brethren. Each of these has a Sabbath-
school in connection, except the Seceders. The first three use the Bible psalms
exclusively in worship. Jefferson Sabbath-school has an enrollment of one
hundred and fifty members.
The following sketch of the Covenanter Church was furnished by Mr. Jo-
seph Magiffin :
586 History ok Jefferson CoUiNTV.
"The Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church had for a number of
years occasional preaching in Clover township. But their first church building
was built in the year A. D. 1865.
"The carpenter work was done by Mr. Patterson Leech, and the stone
work by Mr. John B. Shields. The cost of the building of the church, as
nearly as it can be ascertained, was two thousand and ten dollars. There was
a church belonging to the same body in Rose township, near Belleview, built
some years before. The membership belonging to both was about eighty- two.
The pastors who presided over the congregations were Revs. R. J. Dodds, who
went to Syria as a missionary, and died there, T. M. Elder and A. J. McFar-
land."
The United Brethren Church building in Dowlingville was erected in 1874.
Although it is probable that a Methodist congregation was organized in Sum-
merviile at a much earlier date, an old citizen tells us that the first Methodist
Church was built in 1842. It was a large building, and was frequently filled.
This building was replaced by a new one in 1885. The new church, though
not as large as the old one, is very handsome and commodious. The name of
the present pastor is L. G. Merrill. There is a Sabbath- school in connection
with this church.
The first church at Mount Pleasant (Johns')' was built in 1850 b\' the
United Brethren, and purchased in 1855 by the Methodist Episcopal congre-
gation. The second church building, which was erected on the site of the first,
in 1875, by the Methodist Episcopal congregation, is a neatly finished build-
ing, size 56 by 36 feet. The name of the present pastor is R. M. Felt. There
is a Sabbath-school in connection with this church.
A Presbyterian congregation was organized in Summerville in 1870.
They built a church in 1874, There is a Sabbath- school in connection with
this church, but not kept open in winter. This congregation has no pastor
at present.
Schools. — Charles C. Gaskell, the agent of the Holland Land Compan\-,
donated four acres of land for school purposes at the corners of land pur-
chased by John Lucas, Robert Andrews, William Morrison and John Kelso.
In 1825 a small log shanty was built on the acre reserved from the Lucas prop-
ert\-. This was the first school- house in Clover, and was also used for preach-
ing services. A Presbyterian minister named William Kennedy preached a
few sermons in this house, and thus it was that this lot came to be used as a
cemetery.
The first school teacher was Robert Knox. The house was not floorey D. W. Moorhead,
who also kept the first hotel. The first school was taught about 1840, by a
Mr. Wilson, in an old log school, that stood where Miles Flack now lives. He
was followed in 1 84 1 by Miss Rachel Drain.
Present Business. — There are two stores in Richardsville, those of Mathew
Humphrey and William Evans, both doing a fair business.
The Moorhead Lumber Company have a steam saw- mill, planing- mill and
grist-mill. G. W. Richards owns and operates a steam tannery.
6o4 History of Jefferson County.
There are three churches at Richardsville, — tlie Presb}-terian and Baptist,
built in 1858, and the Methodist, in 1871.
Jackson Moorhead, a son of Joseph Moorhead, was one of Richardsville's
most enterprising and best citizens. He was postmaster for about twenty-
three years ; kept the only store, for a long time. In 1867 he built the saw-
mill now operated by his heirs as the Moorhead Lumber Company, and in
1873 erected the large grist-mill. In 1881 removed to Brookville, but still
superintended his business at Richardsville until his death, which occurred very
suddenly August 19, 1885.
Richardsville is quite a pleasant little town, but grows quite slowly. In
1853 it contained one store and about eighteen dwellings. The census of 1880
gives its population at eighty-three.
M.\YS\TLLE OR HAZEN.
Another little town situate in East Warsaw, was, for a long time, called
" Boot-Jack," from the roads that center there, forming a place, in which the
town is built, in the shape of a boot-jack. The name given to the place was,
however, Maysville ; but in 1S82 a post-office was established and named
Hazen, for the first assistant postmaster-general, since which time the place has
taken that name. It is quite a brisk little town, and in 1886 its citizens
erected a large school building in which an excellent select school is main-
tained and well patronized.
Maysville has one store kept by Trimble & Company, and the hotel of W.
R. Anderson. In 1880 the town had a population of eighty-two. Joshua
Vandevort first settled in Maysville in 1825. He died in 1861, aged eighty-
six years.
Pekin.
This little hamlet, situate between Brookville and Richardsville, was set-
tled in 1845 by Emory Bartlett, who built a chair manufactory there which he
successfully operated until a short time before his death, in 1883. He was
then eighty years of age. Mr. Bartlett's chairs were substantial!)- and well
made and found a ready sale, and there are few houses in Jefierson county
that do not own one of his comfortable, old-fashioned rockers. This manufac-
tory is now carried on by his son, A. J. Bartlett.
The name of Pekin was given to the place by Mr. Bartlett, for one of the
chief cities in the celestial empire, though he did not carry his admiration so
far as to encircle his little town with an impregnable wall.
Elections. — At the first election held in Warsaw township, in 1843, t^'i^ fol-
lowing persons were elected : Inspectors of election, Thomas McCormick, Peter
Chamberlain ; judge of election, John Moorhead ; supervisors, William Weeks,
James K. Hoftman ; school directors, Ira Bronson, O. P. Mather, G. D. Fred-
Warsaw Township. 605
erick, Arad Pearsall, James A. Wilkins, Peter Chamberlain ; constable, Da\id
C. Riggs ; assessors, Andrew McCormick, Jacob Moore, Eli B. Irwin ; audit-
ors, John Pearsall, Finley McCormick, Thomas McCormick ; overseers of the
poor, Jacob Vasbinder, William R. Richards ; town clerk, Ira Bronson.
May 9, 1887, by a decree of court, Warsaw township was divided into two
election districts. East and West Warsaw ; the former holding its election at
Mays\'ille, and the latter at Richardsville. The following is the result of tlie
election held P'ebruary 15, 1887, for both precincts: Warsaw, East — Justice of
the peace, J. R. Trimble ; constable, N. P. Clark; supervisors, Isaac Lyle, An-
drew Shaffer ; school directors, Lewis Evans, Simon Stahlman ; tax collector,
T. Satterlee ; poor overseer, G. W. Corbin ; assessor, Joseph McCracken ; audi-
tor, J. G. Allen ; town clerk, S. M. Humphrey ; judge of election, Reuben Mc-
intosh ; inspectors, Moses Slawson, A. C. Williams. Warsaw, West — Judge
of election. Perry Smith ; inspectors, Amos Riggs, James Yount. The justice of
the peace for West Warsaw is William Wasson. The school directors pre-
viously elected are, Thomas Love, Perry Smith, G. H. Hilliard, S. W. Temple.
Taxablcs, Population, Asscssinetits and Valiiatioti. — The number of taxa-
bles in Warsaw township, in 1842, were "]"] \ in 1849, 149; in 1856, 156; in
1863, 220; in 1870, 336; in 1880, 402; in 1886,437. The population, ac-
cording to the census of 1850, was 870; i860, 930; 1870, 1,122; 1880,
1,414. The number of acres seated in Warsaw township in 1886, was 18,675 '■>
valuation, $86,226; average value per acre, $4.62. Eighty-seven houses and
lots, valuation $8,215. Grist and saw-mills 9 ; valuation, $3,700. Acres un-
seated 11,443; valuation, $56,143; average value per acre $4.92. Number
of horses 299; valuation, $1 1,540 ; average value $35.53. Number of cows
386; valuation, $4,603 ; average value $1 1.92. Number of oxen 10; valua-
tion, $285. Occupations 139; valuation, $3,954; average $22.69. Total
valuation, subject to county tax, $173,866. Money at interest $13,940.
Schools. — The number of schools in Warsaw township, according to the re-
port for year ending June, 1886, was 1 1 ; average term five months. Number of
male teachers 6 ; females, 5. Average salary of male teachers $38.28 ; females,
$30.28. Number of male scholars 267 ; females, 209. Average attendance
311. Per cent, of attendance 85. Cost per month "]"] cents. Number of
mills levied for school purposes 13. Total amount of tax levied for school pur-
poses $2,048.71.
73
6o6 History of Jefferson County.
' CHAPTER XLVII.
HISTORY OF WINSLOW TOWNSHIP.
THE next to form in line, making the sixteenth township, was Winslow,
which was organized in 1847, being taken from Washington, Pine Creek
and Gaskill. It was named for Hon. James Winslow, then one of the asso-
ciate judges of the county. It is situated on the east side of the county, and
its boundaries are as follows: On the north by Washington, on the east by
Clearfield county, on the south by McCalmont and Henderson, and on the
west by McCalmont and Pine Creek. It is almost square — the distance across
it north and south is six and a half miles, and east and west about seven and
a half miles.
Much of its surface is uncultivated, owing to the steep slopes of the valley,
and in others to the rocky condition of the land from the out-crop of sand-
stone deposits. Decidedly, the best farming land in the township is on the
uplands south from Reynoldsville, around the heads of Trout Run, where the
barren measure shoals and slates make a smooth soil, mingled with much lime.
Topography. — The topography of Winslow township is much diversified,
with alternating hill and valley. Sandy Lick is the main artery of the drain-
age system, to which all the other streams, excepting Stump Creek, are trib-
utary. It follows an irregular course through the township, entering at
the northeast corner and flowing first westward, then southeast by a sharp
turn upon itself at Sandy Valley, and then west again from Reynoldsville
by another turn equally sharp. Both bends are closely connected with the
Perrysville anticlinal, whose structure has indeed in a large part created
them. The creek bed falls from about 1,350 feet above tide level at Evergreen
to about 1,300 feet at Prindable's, which, as the creek flows, is a fall of less
than five feet to the mile. Some high points in the uplands attain an elevation
of more than 1,800 feet above tide level, but the average range of the upland
region is between 1,600 and 1,700 feet.
Geology. — The Freeport lower coal is so exceedingly excellent a bed
throughout the Reynoldsville region that it has given great value to all the
land it overlies. The work of development has been vigorously conducted for
several years, but still there is a vast expanse of coal untouched. This coal is
found seven feet thick, and is of so good a quality that it is in great demand for
gas and steam purposes. A number of collieries have been opened upon it in
the Reynoldsville basin, which are now all controlled by Bell, Lewis & Yates,
who are vigorously prosecuting tlieir mines. A large number of coke ovens
are in operation, but the company not being willing to furnish any statistics of
their mines, it has been impossible to give any account of the production, as
has been given of the other mines in the county.
WiNSLow Township. 607
Other coal beds are found in the Reynoldsville basin, but they are of so
inferior a character to the Freeport lower coal that, until it is exhausted, they
will receive no attention.
The Freeport lower limestone is found at Pancoast and at Reynoldsville.
Mr. W. G. Piatt, in his report, says of this limestone stratum:
" Another exposure of it is in a small ravine on the property of A. Reynolds,
adjoining Powers and Brown, where it shows two feet of excellent stone, grey-
ish in color, streaked with calcite, and non-fossiliferous. The same stratum
was worked some years ago further west, at Douthitt's saw-mill, to obtain lime
for the masonry work at the time the Bennett's Branch Railroad was building.
Mr. Wilson, engineer of that road, informed me that all the lime required for
his purpose in the vicinity of Reynoldsville was obtained at small expense from
this quarry. Under such circumstances, and considering the scarcity of lime
in this neighborhood, and how much it is required upon every field being cul-
tivated there, it is surprising to me that the farmers have allowed the quarry
to fall shut and the draw-kiln to go to decay. I know of no limestone stratum
than this Freeport lower in all the measures of Winslow township, and even
that stratum is very irregular and uncertain. But in those places where its
existence is proved, and in good condition, the farmers should certainly avail
themselves of it for a fertilizer."
Early Settlers. — The first settlers in what is now Winslow township were
John Fuller and Rebecca, his wife. Mr. Fuller, who was born in Saratoga
county, N. Y., May 5, 1794, and served in the War of 1812, came to Pennsyl-
vania in 1 8 18, and in 1820 married Rebecca Gathers, of Armstrong, now
Clarion county. In 1822 they located in Winslow township, making the first
trip to their new home on foot, through the wilderness, the only house on their
route being at Port Barnett. They built a cabin on the spot now covered by
the Fuller garden on the old homestead, and went to work to hew and dig out
a home in the wilderness, Mrs. Fuller worked early and late by her husband's
side, and the first season dug over a piece of ground, upon which the stumps
stood too thick to admit of its being ploughed, and planted their first potatoes.
Their first team was an ox and a cow.
Mr. Fuller was a blacksmith, and was frequently called away from home
to do work at his trade. At one time he was absent six weeks helping to
build a bridge over the Susquehanna, and Mrs. Fuller remained at home with
her little children, the only door to the dwelling being a quilt hung up before
the entrance, and at night she would lie and listen to the cry of the wild beasts
that infested the woods, the howling of the wolves bringing fear to her heart.
She was expert in the use of the rifle, and with it over her shoulder
would take long tramps through the woods in search of her cows, who would
stray a long distance from home, often going as far as the present town of
Luthersburg.
6o8 History of Jefferson County.
On one occasion she was out hunting the cows, accompanied by one of her
little boys and her dog, when night came on and she could not find the way
home. She sat down on a log, near where the coke ovens of Bell, Lewis &
Yates are now built, and put one arm around her boy and the other around
the dog, both of \\ hich nestled up to her and were soon sound asleep ; but no
sleep visited her eyes — she could hear tlie wild beasts in the distance, and did
not know how soon they would come prowling about her. Along in the night
she heard her husband calling her, but as he was very hard of hearing she
knew that he would not hear her, and she feared to answer him for fear of dis-
covering her whereabouts to some of the wild animals that she knew were
lurking in the forest. At length, towards morning, she heard the shouts of
the McCreight boys, whom Mr. Fuller had called up to help him in his search,
and answering them they soon found her and she was conducted home.
Mr. McCreight, who had moved into the neighborhood in 1832, did not
know of the presence of the Fullers, nor had they any knowledge that they
had any neighbors nearer than Port Barnett, until one day, when Mr. Mc-
Creight was out hunting his cows, he heard a crashing in the bushes, and great
was his amazement to see emerging therefrom, instead of the deer or bear he
expected to see, a woman with a rifle over her shoulder, Explanations fol-
lowed, and each was glad to find that they had a neighbor.
Mr. Fuller first dug the coal out of the creek bed at Reynoldsville to use
in his blacksmith work, as it increased the heat of the fire. He would fre-
quently go to Pittsburgh or Indiana and carry home bars of iron on his shoul-
ders. He done all the first blacksmith work in the county, and as far as can
be learned was the pioneer blacksmith.
These were days of toil and deprivation, and with no mills near, and no
stores from which to purchase any of the necessaries of life, it was no easy
task for Mrs. Fuller to provide for and raise her family of fifteen children.
She was obliged to toil early and late, and then when the outdoor tasks were
done, to contrive something to clothe her little ones. The home also was to
pay for, and there was no revenue coming in. The land that was cleared
barely afforded a sustenance, and the main source of revenue was the making
of maple sugar, which sold at eight and ten cents per pound. To this was
added occasionally a few dimes received from some isolated traveler after the
making of the Waterford and Susquehanna turnpike opened up a thorough-
fare through their place. As the money was gathered penny by penny and
sixpence added to sixpence, it was tied up in an old stocking and deposited in
the bureau drawer until enough to make a payment on the farm was gotten
together, and then at stated times the landowners, or their agents met pur-
chasers to receive these payments. Miss Beckie Fuller says that she has heard
her mother relate how, on one occasion, they had almost enough saved to
make a payment (sixty dollars being the desired amount), and while she was
T. B. London.
WiNSLOw Township. 609
absent helping to work in the fields, some tramp stole the precious stocking,
with the hard-earned savings. In those days there were no bolt nor bars, the
latch string always hung out, and the bureau drawers were also unlocked, and
the thief, perhaps some tramp whom they had befriended, as no one was ever
turned from their door, had taken the opportunity to pillage the house while
jMrs. Fuller was absent ; then all had to be gone over again, the payment was
delayed, and the slow process of saving went on as before. Mr. Fuller as
soon as he got the land cleared planted a large orchard of apple trees, which
soon yielded him quite an income, and he sold the first fruit in Brookville.
In time they built a larger house, which has now given place to the com-
modious, and pleasant home where Mr. George W. Fuller, the youngest son,
with his family resides. It is also the home of the youngest daughter. Miss
Rebecca Fuller. Mr. Fuller died in 1868. Mrs. Fuller survived him several
years. They both sleep with their nine children, who preceded them, in the
"Fuller grave-yard," just " across the garden wall."
The McCreight family were the next to penetrate into this wilderness. Mr.
McCreight came first in 1832 and prepared a home for his family in what has
since been called the Paradise Settlement. After clearing a small potato patch
and building a small log house, Andrew McCreight, in the winter of 1832-3,
brought his family from his former home in Indiana county, to this paradise in
the wilderness. The family consisted of Mr. McCreight, his wife, Ann Sharp
McCreight, and ten children, aged from three to twenty- one respectively. On
the way one of the little ones was lost from the load, and had not some of the
boys been walking behind and picked her up, she would perhaps have been
devoured by wild beasts, or perished with cold before her loss was discovered
from the bedding amid which she had been placed for safe keeping. She
was carried for some miles in the arms of her brothers after being found in the
road. The ax in the hands of the sturdy boys soon felled the trees, and cleared
the land, and it was not long before a home of plenty and comfort was made
where they found a dense forest.
The parents, more than twenty years ago, went to their reward ; full of
years they passed out from the scenes of their early toil, but of the thirteen
children, the three younger of whom were born in Jefferson county, all are
living, though the family is now widely scattered. Thomas and Smith now
own the old homestead farm, and in October, 1884, twelve out of the thirteen
gathered about the old fireside, only one brother, Jamieson, li\ing in Kansas,
being unable to be present.
About the year iS34TiIton Reynolds came to what is now Winslow town-
ship, from Chateaugay, N. Y. The family, which consisted of Mr. Reynolds,
his wife and three children, his brother, William Reynolds, and a young French
boy, Francis Delorm, by name, who afterwards married a sister of Thomas
Reynolds's wife, and yet resides in Winslow, traveled in a wagon drawn by
6io History of Jefferson County.
two yoke of oxen, and were four weeks on the road in making this journey of
eight hundred miles. Dr. Wilh'am H. Reynolds was the eldest of these chil-
dren, and the youngest was a babe in its mother's arms. On account of this
babe the mother put up at hotels when they could be found, the rest generally
slept in the wagon, and cooked their meals by the roadside.
After they reached their destination they staid one week at the house of
Mr. John Fuller, until their cabin was built, which stood on the present site of
Rathmel. Tilton Reynolds went to Punxsutawney to buy land from C. C.
Gaskill, who wanted to article for it at once, but Mr. Reynolds thought this
would not be exactly right, as Rossell Luther had made some improvement
on the land, though he had paid nothing for it, so he went to Luthersburg and
struck a bargain with Mr. Luther by giving him one of the yoke of cattle for
his improvements, and then made his bargain with Mr. Gaskill.
The Reynolds brothers had been to Chester county some time previous
and on their way home passed through this part of Jefferson county, and were
so much pleased with the immense forests of pine timber, that they went home
and at once made preparations to move here. Soon after they got settled
Tilton's wife's brother, Samuel B. Sprague, and two sisters, Rebecca Smith
and Anna Welsh, and her father, came and settled near them, and soon also
their brother Thomas followed them to their new home. He found them
comfortably settled in a log cabin, where Rathmel now is. The first fall they
captured fourteen swarms of bees ; they also made a large amount of maple
sugar. Tilton and William Reynolds kept the first store in the township at
Prospect Hill in 1839. William died in 1854 and Tilton some 3'ears later.
Tliomas Reynolds, whose biographical sketch will be found in another part
of this work, surveyed and named Winslow township, he being a warm friend
and admirer of Judge Winslow, for whom it was called.
Valentine A. P. Smith, father of Mrs. Thomas Reynolds, also settled in
Winslow in 1835. He came from Dutchess county, N. Y., and located on the
farm now owned by T. B. London. Samuel, David and Joshua Rea, Patrick
Fehley, Thomas Doling preceded the Reynoldses to this region. The Yeomans,
Yohes, Alexanders, Claytons, Brodheads, Welshes, Ferrises, were among the
early settlers in Winslow township.
Old Mr. Yeomans, the father of the wives of Samuel and Joshua Rea, was
frozen to death in Cold Spring Hollow while on his wa\' home from Reynolds-
ville. His granddaughter, Miriam Rea, who was living at Thomas Reynolds's,
was on her way home, when she found his dead body lying in the road.
David Rea, one of the three brothers noted above, was killed by a limb
that had lodged in a tree. He went to the spring to get water with which to
prepare breakfast, when the limb fell and killed him instantly. His wife, Sally
Wilkins, wondering what kept him so long, went to see, and found him dead.
She afterwards married Truman B. London.
WiNSLow Township. 6ii
The oldest residents of Winslow township now are Mrs. Benjamin Clayton,
aged about eighty years, Mrs. Fannie Wilkins Rea, about the same age, and
Mr. Truman B. London, who is in his eightieth year.
Farms. — Farming is the general business of the citizens of Winslow, and
among the many well cultivated farms with excellent buildings, are the follow-
ing :
In F.ast Winslow, Sharp and John McCreight, G. W. Fuller, Truman B. Lon-
don, Thomas Reynolds, sr., estate, George D. Sprague, Francis Delorm, James
A. and W. T. Gathers, William H. Reynolds. West Winslow, Amos, Jacob,
Noah and Martin Strouse, Noah, Joseph and Daniel Syphert, Henry Stevens,
Levi Shuckers, David Reynolds, Zackariah Deemer, Alexander Dickey, Will-
iam and John Doughert\', Henry Kroh.
Cemeteries. — The first burying-ground in Winslow township was just back
of the old school-house in Cold Spring Hollow, where Mrs. Joshua Rea, with
her two children, and several others were buried. The Fuller burying-ground,
which is a private one, was started at an early day, when a child of John Ful-
ler's died, and they had no place to lay it. The dysentery, which was very
fatal in that region, took several more of their children, who were also laid
there, and now the father and mother, with nine of their children, are buried
there, only five out of fifteen surviving. Joshua, the eldest son, died and was
buried at Brookville, Mrs. Rachel Gathers, Mrs. Fuller's mother, and her brother,
Robert Gathers, and his wife are buried in the Fuller grave-yard.
The McCreights have a family burying-ground on the old homestead farm.
Prospect grave-yard was commenced soon after Tilton Reynolds settled
there, and his little twin daughter, Margaret, was the first to rest therein. Many
of the old settlers are sleeping their last sleep in that much neglected spot.
There is another burj-ing-ground in Paradise, near an old Dutch church,
where some of the oldest settlers in that settlement were buried, among whom
Jacob Smith and wife, Adam Yohe and many others of those who endured the
first hardships of pioneer life.
" Beulah Land " was started in 1S76, being laid out by Thomas Reynolds,
and Arthur Parke Reynolds, his son, was the first interred there. Since then
his father, brother John, and his brother-in-law, Gould J. Scott, have laid down
beside him.
July 5, 1876, R. Prott, of the firm of McGregor & Prott, who built the
Summit Tunnel, and some of the railroad bridges of the Low Grade Railroad,
was buried in Beulah, where, the February before, two children of his brother,
Alexander Prott, had been laid, and about a year after a fine stone monument
was erected to their memory by the father and brother, Mr. A. Prott, of Brook-
ville.
In 1882 Mrs. Amelia Reynolds removed the bodies of her husband, Wood-
ward Reynolds, and her children, John and Joana and Richard, with two who
6i2 History of Jefferson County.
died in infancy, from Prospect to Beulah. It is beginning to be improved by
those whose dead he there, and will in time become a beautiful city of the
dead. There are now two hundred and twenty-five graves in Beulah. The
Baptist cemetery, near Beulah, was laid out by Rev. C. H. Prescott, on his land,
about 1883.
Saiv-niills. — The saw-mills in Winslow, operating in 1887, are those of
Andrews, Keatley &Co., Bond, McGhee & Carrier, at Sandy Valley; Collins
& Shaffer, at Falls Creek ; Waite, Hutchins & Co., Sandy Valley; David
Wheeler, Reynoldsville ; J. C. Swartz, near Reynoldsville ; Levi Schuckers,
near Emerickville ; Silas Brooks, near Sykesville, and Hopkins, Irwin & Co.,
on Sandy Lick, below Reynoldsville. The latter mill was built by Nathan
Carrier, and for a time was the property of N. Carrier and Gould J. Scott,
when it was one of the most extensive lumbering establishments in the county.
There are also two portable saw-mills in Winslow, owned by Edward Rupert
and M. B. Wynkoop & Brother.
There are four post-ofifices in Winslow township, — Sandy Valley, Pancoast,
Sykesville and Rathmel.
Elections. — The first election was held in Winslow township in 1847, when
the following persons were elected : ^ Constable, Joseph McCreight, Oliver
Welch, Tilton Reynolds; supervisors, Clark Lyon, Joseph Syphert, M. Best;
.school directors, Andrew McCreight, Thomas Reynolds, John Phillipi ; over-
seers of the poor, Woodward Reynolds, Thomas Reynolds ; assessors, Oliver
Welch, Robert Douthett, John Foltz ; judge of election, Andrew McCreight;
inspectors, John Barr, Jonathan Strouse.
The best varieties of apples, pears, plums, and all the small fruits, are raised
in profusion.
Winslow township was divided into two election districts by a decree of
court September 17, 1887. The citizens of East Winslow vote at Prescottville,
and the election for West Winslow is held at the Moore House, in Ohiotown.
The election held February 15, 1887, resulted as follows: Winslow, East, jus-
tice of the peace, David Bollinger ; constable, Benjamin Haugh ; collector, A.
W. Mulholland ; assessor, Martin Strouse ; .supervisors, William Grimes, Fulton
Henry ; school directors, W. J. Hillis, William Grimes ; auditor, J. M. Norris ;
poor overseer, J. L. Beebe ; judge of election, John Smith ; inspectors, Benja-
min Haugh, John Marshall. Winslow, W^est, judge of election, Allen Gathers ;
inspectors, R. B. Kline, John Dougherty. The justice of the peace for West
Winslow is Luther A. Hays. The other school directors composing the board
are Benjamin Kline, James A. Gathers, Henry Stevenson and W. T. Gathers.
Taxables ami Population. — The number of taxables in Winslow township
in 1849 were lOO; in 1856, 171; in 1863, 240; in 1870, 364; 1880, 506;
1886, 849. The population by the census of 1850, 507; i860, 1096; 1870,
1320; 1S80. 1904.
1 This is taken from the election docket and does not specify which candidates were elected.
■£''tj^«^ RSSoU: Soni J."?!^'^''^
^//?P^/j^ ^L
WiNSLOW Township. 613
Assessments and Valuation. — Tlie number of acres of seated land in Wins-
low in 1886, was 18,587 ; valuation, $91,361 ; average value per acre $4 92.
Number of houses and lots 439 ; valuation, $47,739. Number of grist and
saw-mills 14; valuation, $8,150. Number acres unseated 8,613 ; valuation,
$48,899; average value per acre $5.68. Number of acres surface 2,085 J val-
uation, $8,538. Acres mineral 1,367; valuation, $7,093; average value per
acre $5.19. Number of horses 29S ; valuation, $7,795 ; average value $26.16.
Number of cows 406 ; valuation, $4,912; average value $12.10. Twelve oxen ;
valuation, $240. Number of occupations 292; valuation, $5,995; average,
$20.53. Total valuation, subject to county tax, $230,722. Money at inter-
est $2,503.
School Statistics. — The number of schools in Winslow township, for the
\-ear ending June 7, 1886, was 16. Average term, five months. Number of
male teachers 12; females 4. Average salary of male teachers $30.66 ; fe-
males $25.00. Number of male scholars 398; number of females 334. Aver-
age attendance 474 ; per cent, of attendance 64. Cost per schokr 68 cents.
Mills levied for school purposes 10; for building, 5. Total amount of tax lev-
ied for school purposes $3,975.10.
Revnoldsville.
In 1837 David Reynolds, of Kittanning, sent his son. Woodward, to settle
upon some lands in what is now Reynoldsville and Winslow township, for
which he had a title. Woodward Reynolds had that year married Miss
Amelia Ross, also of Kittanning, and in the spring of 1838 the young couple
came to the new home in the woods. Some years before Charles C. Gaskill,
who then owned the land, had erected a log house of two rooms, to be used as
a tavern, as they were called in those days. Woodward Reynolds found a
man named Potter keeping this house, having squatted there, and it was with
some difficulty that he was induced to give up his claim. Two men, by the
names of Caldwell and Banks, had preceded Potter as keepers of this hostelry.
Mr. Reynolds built additions to the " log hotel," and entertained the public
there for a number of years. In this house, which occupied the site of the
present residence of Albert Reynolds, David Reynolds, the first white child
born in what is now the town of Reynoldsville, first saw the light. Mr. Rey-
nolds, in 1850, built the brick hotel still known as the Reynolds House, which
he kept until his death, in January, 1861. He at first owned three hundred
acres of land in Reynoldsville and vicinity, to which he added, by purchase,
eight hundred acres more. This was all valuable timber land, and, after he
was gone, and the timber too, the land being good coal territory, was sold by
his sons David and Albert, who laid out the home farm in Reynoldsville into
town lots, streets and alleys, which is now the main business portion of the
town. Mrs. Reynolds lives in a comfortable residence, one door east of the
74
6i4 History of Jefferson County.
Reynolds House, with her daughter, Ida, the only one of her family who has
not made a home for herself
Though the Indians had left this region before Reynoldsville became the
abode of the white man, one lady yet living has cause to remember the visit
of one of the last of his race, and it yet makes her shudder when she recalls
her narrow escape from the scalping-knife of the bloodthirsty red man.
One day in the year 1843, an Indian came to the house of Woodward Rey-
nolds, and demanded food. Mrs. Reynolds, who happened to be alone at the
time, placed bread and meat before him, but he refused to eat until he was
provided with tea. Mrs. Reynolds assured him that she had no tea in the
house ; but he would not believe her, and throwing the bread and meat on the
floor to the dog, he glared savagely at her, and stalked away. In the evening
he returned, but Mr. Reynolds and his two hired men were present, and after
asking this time for whisky, he again left. In a short time news came that he
had murdered the Wigton family in Butler county, and Mrs. Reynolds had no
doubt then, that his last visit would have resulted in her death, had he not
been deterred by the presence of the men. She can yet recall the murderous
looks he cast upon her. Mrs. Reynolds calls the Indian Blackhawk, but the
following narrative published in the Pittsburgh Commercial o{ ]w\y ii, 1887,
of his bloody deed in Butler county, gives his name as Sam Mohawk : " The
news of the death of James Wigton, who died at Salina, Venango county, a
few days ago, aged seventy-six, recalls one of the most dreadful chapters in
the criminal history of Pennsylvania, Wigton's entire family, consisting of his
wife and five children, having been murdered in Slipper}' Rock township, But-
ler county, in 1S43.
" At that time an Indian named Sam Mohawk, who lived on the Seneca
Reservation, in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., made periodical trips down the Al-
legheny Valley, and he was the terror of the region. He came to Butler in
the latter part of June, 1843. His first demand was for whisky. He was
refused at ever)' place, which enraged him so that the inhabitants, fearing the
result of his temper, made up a purse to pay his stage fare to Meadville. This
•was paid to the driver, and Mohawk got aboard. At Stone House, twelve
miles from Butler, he left the stage and disappeared, and the conveyance went
on without him. At midnight of that day he appeared at the stage-house,
■which was kept by a man named John Sills, and demanded the money that
had been raised for his fare in Butler and also whisk)'. Sills was compelled to
drive the Indian from his house with a club. At da\'break, on the morning of
July 1st, lames Wigton, who lived on a farm a few miles from Stone House,
left his home to go to his father's farm, two miles and a half distant, on an
errand. He did not return until eight o'clock. He saw a crowd of people
about his house. He was stopped at his gate, and the terrible news was broken
to him that during his absence Sam Mohawk had entered his house, and bru-
WiNSLOW Township. 615
tally murdered his wife and five children. The news so stunned Wigton that
he was unconscious for three days. The murder had been discovered by James
Wigton's brother John, who lived a mile or so from the former. He had seen
the Indian pass the house just after daylight. John Wigton went to his broth-
er's house an hour latei' to borrow a wagon. On entering the house he dis-
covered the dead bodies of his sister-in-law and her five children lying on the
kitchen floor, the children being piled in a heap on the body of the mother.
Their brains had been beaten out with a large stone, which la\' covered with
blood on the floor near by. Mrs. Wigton was thirty years old. Her children
were aged respectively eight, five, four, three and one years. Mrs. Wigton was
partially dressed, but it was evident that the children had been taken from
their beds by their murderer and killed.
"The Indian was arrested and placed in tlie Butler jail, which was guarded
by armed men day and niglit to prevent a rescue by wandering bands of In-
dians, which were common in the Allegheny Valley forty years ago. Mo-
hawk was tried in the following November, and was hanged on the 22d of
March, 1844. One of the witnesses of the hanging was James Wigton, hus-
band and father of the Indian's victims."
Thomas Reynolds in 1841 built a little log liouse on a site now situated on
Jackson and Tenth streets, and the following year he was married to Julia
Anna Smitli. The wedding trip was a two-mile journey on a path through
the forest to the little shanty. While on their way seven full grown deer were
seen walking leisurely along, and exhibited no fear, as they stopped and gazed
a few moments at the couple, and then proceeded leisurely on their way. The
footprints of bear, deer, and other animals were often discovered near the
house, and Mr. Reynolds once shot a deer while standing in his _\'ard. The
Indians had a hut near the spot upon which he built, by a fine spring where
the old logs were yet to be seen.
Miss Rebecca Fuller relates the fact that the wolves seemed to have some
way of surrounding the deer and killing them in great numbers, near the cold
spring above Prescottville, as she said her parents would find the bones and
blood there frequently in those early days, showing how the rapacious, blood-
thirty brutes had surrounded and killed numbers of the timid creatures.
In 1842 Thomas Reynolds built a large log house on East Main street,
near where the present Reynolds mansion now stands. He also put in opera-
tion a tannery and saw-mill at the same locality. These were the onl)- busi-
ness enterprises between the years 1840 and i860.
In 1845 Tilton Reynolds, who was postmaster at Prospect Hill, brought
down \.h.e post-office in a cigar-box, and handing it to his brother said, " Here,
Tom, is the post-office. I am going away, and you will have to attend to it."
For some time no attention was taken of the change'^ by the post-office de-
partment, until Mr. Thomas Reynolds requested that the name of the office be
6i6 History of Jefferson County.
changed from Prospect Hill to Reynoldsville, which was done, and he was
appointed postmaster. When Thomas Reynolds gave the name to the town
by having the post-office called Reynoldsville, there were no houses west of
the school-house hill, between Thomas Reynolds and Woodward Reynolds's
homes, except a small house built by Woodward Reynolds, on the site of the
present Belnap house, and a log house that stood somewhere near the present
Presbyterian Church, until Archibald Campbell put up a row of small build-
ings east of what is now Sixth street. Archie Campbell, as he was called, was
one of the pioneers of the town, and up to his demise in 1876, was well known
throughout the county. He was a zealous patriot, a true friend to those whom
he liked, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
The editor of the Pun.\sutawney Tribune, who is a native of Reynolds-
ville, tells the following story of Archie Campbell's peculiarities: "Whoever
has lived long in Jefterson county must have known Archibald Campbell.
'Archie' was an Irishman by birth, and a financier by profession. He lived
with his good wife, Mary Ann, in a little striped house on Main street, Rey-
noldsville, for many years, and was at one time sole proprietor of the Sandy
Lick Hotel. The ' Sandy Lick ' was the theater of many a lively scene during
the palmy rafting days of twenty years ago. Archie made a good deal of
money in those days by selling ' swate molasses' to the raftsmen at a dollar a
pint. ' Egad ! No,' Archie would say, ' I kape no whusky, but I've got plenty
of swate molasses.' But with all his faults Archie was a pretty good kind of
an Irishman when he was asleep. The peculiarity, however, which rendered
Archie unique and original, was the eagerness with which he sought money,
and the tenacity with which he clung to it. To illustrate : Once, when the
writer was a little boy, Archie engaged him and his elder brother, Sid, to clean
out his Augian cow stable. Archie kept a cow and a horse in a very small
stable, which was never cleaned out as long as the animals were able to stand
upright inside. ' Now clain it out good boys,' Archie said as we went to work
with shovel and mattock, ' and I'll pay yees woll fer it' We worked hard all
that day and the next day. finishing the job in the evening. Archie pro-
nounced it first rate, and told us to go with him to the house and get our
money. As times were pretty flush then, we didn't expect to receive less than
two dollars, but Archie soon put all our sordid calculations at rest by produc-
ing a three-cent ' shinplaster,' and presenting it to Sidney with the remark :
' Guv Wully a cint av that ! Egad, he earned it ! '
" For many years afterwards, when, in playing ball, we happened to catch
a fly or make a run, there was always some bad boy to yell, ' Guv Wully a cint
of that ! Egad he earned it ! '
"Archie was a warm friend of Dave Reynolds, and once he opened his heart
so far as to give Dave's little boy a little pig. A few months afterwards Archie
got it into his head Dave was indebted to him, and he accordingly demanded
WiNSLOW Township. 617
a settlement. The settlement was made at once, and, very much to his cha-
grin and surprise, Archie came out two dollars in debt. He scratched his head
a moment, then said !
" ' Sure that pig is chape enough at two dollars ! '
" ' But,' said Mr. Reynolds, ' I thought you gave that pig to the boy ! '
" ' Egad ! an I did,' said Archie, ' but sure I'm not the mon to allow a but
of a pig sthand in the way of a settlement betwixt meself and Dave Rey-
nolds ! ' "
"Jimmy Kile was also an odd character, who figured in the early history
of Reynoldsville. Although he and Archie Campbell prided themselves on
their open-handed generosity, as most Irishmen do, they were chiefly cele-
brated for their penuriousness. Many and ingenious were the schemes that
Archie would invent to avoid parting with a penny that would not bring him
two in return. Once on a time the citizens of Winslow township took a notion
to fix up the Prospect Cemetery, and in order to reach the Kiles and Camp-
bells, who were wealthy, a subscription paper was put in the hands of Jimmy
Kile. He called on Archie Campbell one morning with his paper, when the
following colloquy took place :
" ' Gud morning, Muster Cummel.'
" ' Gud morning. Muster Kile.'
" ' Are ye's all wull, this morning. Muster Cummel ? '
" ' Yes, Muster Kile, there's only meself and Mary Ann, and we're all wull.'
" ' Muster Cummel, I've got a superscruption paper here to fix the grave-
yard beyand, an' wud yer be afther puttin' somethin' down ? '
" ' Egad ! no, Muster Kile, not a cint for that oul cow-pastuie. As long
as I lav I won't be buried there. Egad, I won't ! '
" ' Wull, Muster Cummel, we duffer in opunion on that, for if I luv and
kape my health, / iviilll ' "
Early Schools and Churches.
The first school-house in this localit}', a little log one, was built in 1836,
on the hill above the present flouring-mill at Prescottville, It was known as
the Fuller school-house, and in it Thomas Reynolds taught the first school
under the common school system. A few years later another building was
erected in Cold Spring Hollow, which was in constant use until 1874, when,
it with a building of later date, was sold, and the large school building on Cen-
tral Main street was erected in 1875. In the first few years of Reynoldsville's
existence religious services were only occasionally held. An old house on
East Main street, afterwards remodeled and occupied by Milton Coleman, was
often used for the purpose of holding religious meetings, and on one occasion,
about the year 1852, the floor gave way, precipitating the congregation to the
basement, and it is said that five persons perished in the accident, which was
6i8 History of Jefferson County.
augmented by the fire from the over-turned stove. The school- house in Cold
Spring Hollow was used for Sunda3'-school purposes and as a place of worship
for many years ; then about 1861 C. H. Prescott built a Baptist Church in Pres-
cottville, and in 1870 the Presbyterians built a church east of the residence of
Thomas Reynolds, which was succeeded in 1881 by a large brick church on
Main street. The Methodist and Lutheran Churches are also commodious and
fine structures. In the latter the Episcopal services of the church, organized
in Reynoldsville by that denomination in the spring of 1887, are held. The
Baptist congregation have the foundation built for a large' and elegant church,
which they will occupy before the close of 1887. The Catholics, in 1873,
built a commodious frame church, which took the place of a little building,
which they had heretofore occupied in the eastern suburbs of the town. Miss
Harriet Fuller, who taught school at the Fuller school-house about the year
1834, started the first Sunday-school. She was a very zealous worker, and
when any of her scholars whispered or misbehaved at Sunday-school she would
punish them the next day. She was afterwards Mrs. Guthrie, of Troy. In
this school-house James McCreight and Mr. Ross also taught. In those days
a debating society was held in the school-house, and Thomas Reynolds, who
had been a strong temperance man in his New York home, where he was
a prominent lecturer, organized the first temperance society in the township.
Mr. Reynolds, in after years, acquired a taste for spirituous liquors from
having brandy administered to him (much against his will) by his physician
during a severe illness.
It is a strange coincidence that Woodward Reynolds and Thomas Reynolds,
coming from different localities, one from Kittanning and the other from the
State of New York, and with no kinship or previous knowledge of each other,
should have chosen this place for their home, and locating about a mile apart,
one at the eastern and the other at the western part of what is now the thriv-
ing town of Reynoldsville. The town has beeu aptly named, called as it was
for the pioneers who first settled there, and whose descendants make up so
large and important portion of the citizens both of the town and township.
Of the older members of these families, nearly all have passed awaj', Mrs.
Thomas Reynolds and Mrs. Woodward Re^-nolds alone remaining. There are
three distinct families of Reynoldses now residing in Reynoldsville. Tilton,
William, and Thomas were brothers, and their descendants now living number
seventy-three. Of these Tilton Reynolds's descendants are three children,
thirty-three grand-children, and ten great-grand children living.
William Reynolds's descendants are five children and ten grand children
living.
Thomas Reynolds, sr., five children and seven grand-children living.
Woodward Reynold.s, eight children living and eighteen grand-children.
Dr. Samuel Reynolds, who settled in Reynoldsville in the last decade, and
represents the third family, has five children.
WiNSLow Township.
619
Seal that was here
broken out
J Clayton
There are thirty-six in the town of Reynoldsville who answer to the name
of Reynolds, and one hundred and four in the township.
Dr. William Reynolds, son of Tilton Reynolds, has in his possession the
marriage certificate of his grandfather Reynolds, of which a copy is given
below :
The President of the
Deleware State
To any Minister or Preacher of the
Gospel.
Whereas Application hath been made unto
me, by Thomas Reynolds and Ann Reynolds
to be joined in Holy Matrimony, and finding
upon due examination, that there is not any
lawful Let or Impediment, by Reafon of Pre-
contract Confanguinity, Affinity, or any other
just Caufe whatfoever, to hinder the faid
Marriage : Thefe are therefore to licence and
authorize you to join the faid Thomas Rey-
nolds & Ann Reynolds in the Holy Bands of
Matrimony, and them to pronounce Man and
Wife.
Given under my hand, and attefted by the
Secretary of the faid State, under the public
I the underwritten do hereby. Seal of his Office, this Sixth day of October
certify that I joined the above in the year of our Lord one Thoufand Seven
Parties in Holy Matrimony the hundred and ninety one
day & year above mentioned
Chas H Wharton
The prevalence of the names of Reynolds and Smith was pretty aptly illus-
trated by the following, which appeared in the Reynoldsville "Paper" a few
years ago :
" Reynolds vs. Smith — Quite a mirthful explanation was given by Smith,
the evangelist, of his non-arrival at Reynoldsville, as expected, some time
since. Mr. W. H. Smith, the engineer, received the telegram which should
have been sent to Mr. W. J. Smith, the evangelist, thus delaying the latter and
puzzling the former.
" The evangelist remarked : ' Smith is a very honest name, but often very
inconvenient, but, indeed, not more so than other names in some localities.
For instance, as I came up the Low Grade the last word I heard on board the
train was ' Reynoldsville,' and stepping off confronted Mr. Reynolds. Of
course I thought he was the founder of the town. As I perambulated the
streets I saw 'Reynolds House,' 'Reynolds Opera House,' and 'Reynolds
Jas Booth Sect
620 History of Jefferson County.
Restaurant.' I picked up a newspaper of the town, and lo ! ' Reynolds Her-
ald,' published by a ' Reynolds' company, and edited by W. S. Reynolds, met
my eyes. Then there are ' Reynolds Colliery' and ' Reynolds Grove.' ' Miss
Reynolds ' is too numerous to mention, and ' Mr. Reynolds ' is exceedingly
plentiful. There are Dr. Reynolds and Albert Reynolds, both about six feet
and three inches high; in fact every Reynolds I saw -bordered on the Brog-
dingnag in stature, and when we consider their avoirdupois and number, we
wonder where the rest of the people get room to live. So now if I get any of
your names mixed, just blame it on Reynolds.
"The evangelist was seen in the post-office next morning enquiring for
mail. ' Smith ?' queried the postmistress. ' Oh, that's a horrible name ! It
used to be mine, but I changed it to Reynolds.' Smith wore a sardonic smile
as he marched away to the time of a sad tune. REYNOLDS."
Early Stores and Indjistries. — Thomas Reynolds kept the first store in
1 844 in his residence.
Frederick Farmer and Daniel Dunham are also mentioned as pioneer mer-
chants of Reynoldsville. They kept in an old black house, six doors east of
where King & Co.'s store was established in later years. They were followed
by Washington Rhodes, who in turn gave way to Henry Gordon, and he,
again, retired to make way for his son, Charles H. Gordon. Previous to i860
Charles H. Prescott also kept store in Reynoldsville.
In i860 John Reynolds, second son of Woodward Reynolds, returned from
Kittanning, where he had been engaged in merchandising, and was elected jus-
tice of the peace for Windsor township, and in 1869 he introduced the first
industry of the new town by erecting a planing-mill and sash and door manu-
factory on the corner of Main and First streets. This establishment was after-
wards owned by James McGhee and C. R. Hall.
In 1871 George Thompson came to Reynoldsville, and a year later en-
gaged in the planing-mill, sash, door and furniture manufactory, in conjunc-
tion with J. S. Winslovv. This manufactory, which was located on the corner
of South and Tenth streets, was afterward operated by Mathew R. Reynolds.
One of the most potent reasons adduced by Thomas Reynolds for wanting
a town was to induce a physician to locate there, as there was none nearer
than Brookville. Those who have practiced the esculapian art will all be
found noticed at length in Dr. C. M. Matson's sketch of the medical profession
of Jefferson county.
In 1 87 1 Dr. R. M. Boylcs and J. Van Reed came from Clarion county,
erected a large store building on the corner of Main and Fifth streets, and kept
a well-stocked drug store, until the fall of the following year they were burned
out. Dr. William H. Reynolds was also engaged in the drug business in 1871.
Until 1870-71 Reynoldsville was one straggling street of widely separated
houses, extending from. the residence of Thomas Reynolds to the Reynolds
WiNSLow Township. 621
House, and the population did not exceed two liundred ; but the surveying of
the Bennett's Branch Raih-oad, as it was then called, infused new life into the
people, and the well known excellence and extent of the coal fields in and
about the town directed the attention of capitalists to the place. As has al-
ready been stated, the home farm of Woodward Reynolds was at once laid out
into lots and sold by his sons, David and Albert, and at the same time E. C.
Shultze, of St. Mary's, Elk county, obtained the agency of the Thomas Rey-
nolds lands, and at once proceeded to lay out over twenty streets of town lots,
and to the push and energy of Judge Shultze is Reynoldsville greatly indebted
for the opening up of the town. He died in 1875, and the lands which he had
widely advertised, reverted, with the exception of the lots already sold, to their
original owner.
Alititicipal Poivcrs. — In 1873 Reynoldsville was incorporated into a borough,
and M. M. Miner was appointed chief burgess to fill the office until the ne.xt
election. The next burgesses elected, were : J, W. Faust, M. D., F. M. Cole,
R. C. Faust, David Hartman, and Albert Reynolds.
The rapid growth of the town until 1875, was astonishing, and it put on
the airs of a little city ; but the big fire of 1875, followed by another the fol-
lowing year, almost crushed the life out of the place and business languished,
and it was not until the building of the Soldier's Run railroad, and the open-
ing of the mines, that the town " got on its feet again." The mines furnish
the principal industry of the town, and William Sharpe, tlie pioneer of this coal
region, deserves the praise for the first development of the now famous bitu-
minous coal region of Reynoldsville.
The Fire Record of the Tozvn. — There has been several scathing fires in
Reynoldsville, the greatest conflagration occurring on the 25th of August,
1875, by which twenty-one buildings in the heart of the town were destroyed,
involving a loss estimated at almost $100,000, on which there was only $42,-
000 insurance. Tlie principal losers were D. C. Oyster & Co., bankers, $3,000,
insurance, $1,500; Burgess & Alexander, $4,000, insurance, $2,550; Reilley's
Arcade Block, $7,500, insurance, $4,500; C. H. Butler, $1,000, insurance,
$600; E. L. Brown, $1,000, insurance, $500; F. M. Cole, $13,000, insurance,
$7,500; A. M. Cotton, $3,000, insurance, $1,500; C. H. Gordon, $3,500,
insurance, $1,580; Thompson & Degnan, $5,000, insurance, $2,000; L. P.
Seeley, $10,000, insurance, $4,000; M. Winslow, $2,000, insurance, $1,100;
Brandon & Reynolds, Herald, $4,000, insurance, $2,500; A. Bogner & Co.,
$11,000, insurance, $5,700; D. Reynolds, $4,000, insurance, $1,000; H. M.
Iseman, $4,000, insurance, $2,500; Thompson & Reynolds, $5,000; John A.
Doyle, $3,000, insurance, $2,000; S. B. Ake, $6,000, insurance, $2,400; A.
Bogner, $1,000, insurance, $200 ; and a number of other losses ranging from
$50 to $800.
Another disastrous fire occurred in 1S76, by which all the dwellings on the
75
622 History of Jefferson County.
north side of Main street, between Centennial Hall and the residence of Mrs.
Amelia Reynolds, were destroyed. In the fall of the same year the planing-
mill and sash and door factory of E. Campbell, and the machine-shop of Bar-
clay & Crowell, with several dwelling-houses between First and Second streets,
were destroyed. The following year the St. Charles hotel was burned down,
and the saw-mill of H. S. Belknap, the large tenant house of Dr. R. M. Boyles,
on Third street; the residence of W. H. Kneeland, on South, and above Grant,
the shoe store and residence of Isaac Winters, on Main street ; the Warmick
House in Ohio town, the large flouring mill of T. & S. McCreight, of Prescott-
ville, have fallen victims to the devouring element. In the decade ending in
1870, some fifty of the best buildings on Main street were destroyed.
War Record, — The war record of Reynoldsville is one of which they can
well feel proud. The majority of their boys in blue marched to the front
under Captain Tracy, of the One Hundred and Fifth Pensylvania, and subse-
quently served under Captains Conser and Reynolds. Of those who laid
down their lives for the old flag, were Major John C. Conser, George W. Cross-
ley, Benjamin L. Johnson, Joseph F. Green, Irvin R. Long, Philip N. Tapper,
Daniel G. Carl, George Howlett, John Kirker, Joseph Rutter, John W. Rea,
Hiram P. Sprague, Peter Sharp and John Winkleby. A few enlisted in other
organizations, but they will all be found in that part of this work devoted to
the war record of Jefferson county.
During the war the village was almost deserted. The men and the boys
were doing the fighting, while the wives and children and the aged parents
they had left behind were waiting in dreary suspense for "news from the war."
General Business. — There is one banking house in Reynoldsville, estab-
lished about 1874, by F. K. Arnold & Co. It is now owned by Seeiey, Alex-
ander & Arnold. W. B. Alexander is the cashier.
Charles H. Gordon, general store (double) clothing, dry goods, etc., was
started in 1867, by C. H. Gordon & Brother, then C. H. Gordon, until 1875,
when a co-partnership was formed by Mr. Gordon, with L. P. Seeiey, as Gor-
don & Seeiey. Mr. Seeiey soon retired, and the business has since been con-
ducted by C. H. Gordon.
McKibbon & Brown, drug store established November, 1874.
E. D. Seeiey, dealer in groceries, established May, 1886.
Dr. S. Reynolds, drug store, established about 1879.
King & Coleman, drug store, established about 1871.
H. A. Stoke, drug store, successor to Stoke & McConnell, established in
1882, owned by Mr. Stoke since April i, 1887.
J. B. Arnold, dry goods and clothing store, established by Arnold & Alex-
ander, owned by J. B. Arnold, since 1884.
C. C. Gibson, dry goods and clothing store, established spring of 1882.
B. E. Wellendorf, dealer in all kinds of hardware, and house furnishing
goods, carpets, etc., established October, 1875.
WiNSLOw Township. . 623
N. Hanan, general store, established in 1875, b)' Hanan & Strause. Since
1878, owned by N. Hanan.
Joseph Strause, general store, established June, 1879.
Guth & McConnell, jewelry store, established in April, 1883.
Hamilton & Dennison, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc., successors to
J. C. King & Co.; owned by present firm since March, 1S86.
D. McCracken, dealer in groceries, established June, 1867-
J. A. Harding, grocery store, started in October, 1878, by Gordon & Hard-
ing. Since 1880, owned by J. A. Harding.
I. H. London, grocery, flour and feed store, started May, 1881.
S. J. Iseman, grocery store, established in 1885.
A. G. Milliron, grocery store, started by Jameson & Spears, in 1882, then
sold to Jacob Schwem, who in turn disposed of it to A. G. Milliron, in 1885.
E. S. Lawrence, grocery store, successor to Degman & McDonald. The
business has been run by the present proprietor since 1883.
W. S. Sankey, general store and grocery, established December, 1871.
Joseph S. Morrow, general merchandise, established April, 1885.
E. T. McGraw, boot and shoe store, established September, 1882.
S. T. Dougherty, grocery store. This store was removed from Brookville,
about 1883, by I. C. Fuller, who run it a short time, when it was purchased
by Mr. Dougherty.
Frank J. Black, book store, and news depot, established December, 1877.
Joseph ZoUner, jr., jewelry store, and dealer in pianos, organs, etc., estab-
lished in 1 885.
Priester & Brother, dealers- in furniture, established in 1887.
M. Cartin, grocery store, established by H. I. Cartin, in 1873.
Bell, Lewis & Yates, "company store," established in 1885, E. J. Lofts,
manager.
Mrs. Mary G. Brown, millinery store, established in 1 88 1.
Miss R. McCallin, millinery store, established in 1879.
Miss Hattie Cotton, millinery store, established April, 1887.
Mary E. Moore, millinery store, established in 1879.
Miss Florence Best, millinery and dressmaking, established April, 1887.
D. Bolger, merchant tailor, established December, 1879.
M. Geisler, merchant tailor, established August, 1884.
A. J. Broadhead, undertaking, painting and paper hanging, established in
1885.
J. C. Williams, photographer, established in spring of 1880.
William Foster, dealer in confectionery, established November, 1886.
William Barclay, bakery and confectionery, established in 1883.
John Barto, bakery, established April, 1885.
Charles Fries, bakery, established May, 1887.
624 History of Jefferson County.
J. & H. C. Dible, wagon manufactory, established in 1875.
David Hartman, blacksmith and repair shop, established in 1874.
Samuel Sutter, blacksmith and general repair shop, established in 1878.
Aaron Rodgers, marble works, established in 1875, by Fulton & Rodgers.
Rodgers sold his interest to his partner, William Fulton, in 1876, and re-pur-
chased it in 1877.
T. H. Scott, shoemaker, established February, 1874.
William Barclay, saddlery and harness, establisiied in 1884.
Felix Weber, saddlery and harness, established in 1886.
C. N. Lewis, general insurance agent.
H. H. Lewis, planing-mill, established in 1882.
William E. Fhilippi, and Burton E. Hoover, dentists.
Michael O'Halloran, tailor.
Joseph Shaffer, agent Adam's Express Company.
H. M. Iseman, agent American Express Company.
Elwood DeHaven, cabinet maker.
Burns House, built by O. Grey, in 1S55 or 1856, and sold to Thomas Rey-
nolds in 1858. It is now owned by Charles Burns. Valentine Smith was the
first landlord ; the next was William Ferris, then Thomas Montgomery, William
Vandevort, John Rodebaugh, then Charles Burns, who has had charge of it
since, with the exception of one year, when it was run by John Uillman,
until 1886, when H. L. Kastrop, took charge of the house.
The Reynolds House was built in 1850, by Woodward Reynolds, who kept
the house until his death in 1861. Then it was managed for a time by his
sons. It is now the property of his widow, Mrs. Amelia Reynolds, and has
had numerous landlords in the last twenty- five years, among whom were H. S.
Belknap and G. W. Stoke. Thomas Evans ib now occupying the property.
The Belknap House was built in 1873-74, by H. S. Belknap, who kept the
hotel until 1883, when J. H. Clover became the landlord.
Schwem House, built in J 879, by Jacob Schwem, who occupied it until
1887, when the property was purchased by Frank A. McConnell, who has
refitted and remodeled the house, and is now yi: landlord of the same.
A, M. Cotton, billiard parlor, established about 1875.
J. C. Dillman, billiard parlor.
William Priester, barber, successor to James Gale, established since 1879.
William Loding, barber, started in 1886.
R. Thomas, barber shop, established in 1887.
Thomas Tapper, livery, sale and exchange stable, established in 1873. In
April, 1887, Mr. Tapper purchased the livery stable of Homer B. Leech, who
had been in the business in Re\noldsville, since 1875, and consolidated it with
his own.
Thomas Mahone}-, meat market, established about 1873.
WiNSLOW Township. 625
Blissell Brothers, meat market, established September, 1885.
William VVilie, meat market.
Prescottville.
In 1853 Charles H. Prescott settled about a mile east of Reynoldsville,
where the large flouring mill of R. S. Gathers, was located. Mr. Prescott
entered largely in the lumber business, established a store, and gathered quite
a number of workmen about him, and from i860 to 1870, Prescottville was the
centre of business in Winslow township. R. S. Gathers was also one of the
prominent lumbermen of this place, and J. H. Gorbet succeeded Mr. Prescott
in the mercantile business. Mr. Prescott was an active member of the Baptist
Ghurch, and in 1870, was licensed to preach by the Reynoldsville Ghurch. In
1876, he, in connection with John H. Corbet, built the Centennial Hall in Rey-
noldsville, in order to have a suitable place for religious services. The rooms
underneath the hall are rented for secular business purposes, and the revenue
thus derived, is, after the expenses are deducted, devoted to general missionary
work Mr. Prescott removed to Michigan about 1880, and his business interests
in Jefferson coimty are now managed by his partner, Mr. Corbet. Prescottville
is no longer a busy mart, the only industry of any kind being the large grist-
mill now owned by T. & S. McCreight. Dr. W. H. Reynolds's drug store is
the only store now in the place. In 1880 the census gives the population of
Prescottville as one hundred and thirty.
Ohiotown.
This is that part of Reynoldsville situated on the west side of Sandy Lick,
where the depot and offices of the Low Grade division of the Allegheny Rail-
road are situated. It has sprung into life since the building of the railroad,
and since the building of the West Penn tannery is quite a busy place. In
1880 the census gave the population of Ohiotown as two hundred and forty-
two ; but it has been largely increased since then. There are two graded
schools in this suburb, and the Ross and Moore hotels are also located there.
General Business. — William Burge, grocery and general merchandise,
established about 1878.
M. Sloppy, grocery store.
William Gibson, grocery, established in 1886.
The Ross House, built in 1878 by W. S. Ross, owner and proprietor. In
1883 an additional story was added, making it a three-story building, and in
1885 it was again enlarged, refitted and refurnished.
The Moore House, James Moore, owner and proprietor. This house was
built by Dr. R. M. Boyles, in 1878, who sold it to Frank Best, .who opened it
as the Best House. It was then purchased by A. U. Moore, who changed it
to the Moore House.
626 History of Jefferson County.
Reynoldsville machine shop, Herpel Brothers proprietors, started July,
1884. The proprietors of this shop are graduates of the Pittsburgh Locomo-
tive Works, and make to order and repair mill, tannery and mine work.
Jones & Wilson, planing mill.
Saw and shingle-niill, built as a shingle-mill bj' H. S. Belknap, about 1S83.
It was then destroyed by fire, and rebuilt as a steam saw and shingle-mill. It
is now owned and operated by David Wheeler.
M. T. McLain, manufacturer of Anchor pick, and general line of miner's
tools, established in 1S79.
The West Penn Tannery ranks next to the coal mines in importance. It
was built in 1 88 1 by P. K. Grim & Son, from the eastern part of the State.
They sold the concern to Messrs. Hall ,& Vaughn, of New York, in October,
1882. When they assumed control of it they were working one hundred and
seventy-five sides per day, while they are now turning out every day as many
as six hundred. Their plant is situated along the Low Grade division of the
Allegheny Valley Railroad, on twenty-five acres of land, on which they have
bark-mills and sheds with switch tracks running into them. They have room
under roof for twelve thousand tons of bark, and they consume annually about
twenty thousand tons of this material, five tliousand tons of which is brought
to them in wagons, while the remainder is conveyed to them by the Allegheny
Valley and the Rochester and Pittsburgli Railroads. The output of the works
is sole-leather exclusiveh', known as the "Union Backs," and having ''West
Penn " stamped on them. In the process of tanning, both the oak and hemlock
bark is used, and the claim made by many of the consumers that it is more
serviceable than other similar leather, seems irrefutable. The firm allow noth-
ing to go to waste at the tannerv. The grease they get from the fleshings taken
from the hides, is made into three thousand pounds of tallow each week, while
they separate the white hair from the dark, wash it and sell it to manufacturers
of cheap clothing and carpets. The lime, after they are through with it, and
the ashes of the burnt bark, which they use for fuel after they take the strength
out of it, are sold for fertilizing. Not only is the West Penn Tannery orte of
the largest in Pennsylvania, but it is as well a model industry in evevy respect.
It is equipped with eveiy device and improvement necessary for the constant
promotion of the business, and all of the buildings devoted to it are roofed with
slate and iron. These buildings are protected against fire by large force-
pumps, buckets and ample hose to reach any part of the premises, which are
illuminated throughout by the incandescent system of electric light produced
by a plant the firm owns for tiie purpose. Messrs. Hall & Vaughn have never
experienced any strike among their workmen, for they paj' them good wages
in cash every week and provide many of them with homes at very reasonable
rent. The hides, the management work, are all of the Chicago slaughter, and
when tanned the bodies are shipped to New York, while the scraps are sent to
WiNSLow Township. 627
Boston to manufacturers of cheap stock. The grease is shipped to New York,
and the hair, averaging 400,000 pounds per year is shipped to Pittsburgh,
Harrisburg and Philadelphia. A. P. Utter, is inside manager, and James
Woodring is outside manager. They employ one hundred and twenty men.
Elections. — The first election in Reynoldsville after it became a borough,
was held October 21, 1873, and resulted in the election of the following per-
sons to fill the different town offices : Burgess, M. M. Miner ; justices of the
peace, George E. Wisner, William H. Jackson ; town council, J. B. McCracken,
Joseph Pence, H. S. Belknap, W. S. Sankey, William K. Reynolds, J. Van
Reed; auditors, D. Burgoon, J. L. Test, Albert Reynolds; constable, Samuel
Saxton ; high constable, William Heckman ; assessor, B. F. Barris ; assistant
assessors, E. DeHaven, William Seeley ; judge of election, William Ferris ;
inspectors, H. M. Clark, R. M. Boyles.
At the election held February i 5, 1887, the following persons were elected :
Justice of the peace, C. J. Kerr; burgess, A. G. Milliron ; constable, Jerry
Heckman ; high constable, James Tigue ; collector, Albert Reynolds ; town
council, James Spear, D. P. Wormer; school directors, J. W. Foust, H. C. Dei-
ble ; assessor, O. F. Smith ; auditors, C. C. Gibson, three years, H. H. Stoke,
one year, A. T. Bings, unexpired term ; poor overseer, James Butler, two
years, William Ferris, one year, E. T. McGaw, unexpired term ; judge of elec-
tion, J. C. Swartz ; inspectors, J. C. Ferris, Harry Cartin. The other justice
of the peace for Reynoldsville, is Thomas H. Scott. The other members of
the school board are P. F. Bolger, David Wheeler, C. Mitchell and W. B. Al-
exander.
Taxables and Population. — The number of taxables in Reynoldsville in
1880, were 631 ; in 1886, 729. The population according to census of 1880,
was 1,410.
Assessments and Valuation. — The triennial assessment for 1886, gives the
number of acres of seated land in Reynoldsville as 200, valuation $3,710; av-
erage per acre, $18.55 ! number of houses and lots, 661 ; valuation $95,523 ;
unseated lots, 170; valuation, $6,755; average, $35.74; number of horses,
125 ; valuation, $8,041 ; average value, $24.33 ! cows, 113 ; valuation, $973 ;
average value, $8.61; occupations, 51.10; valuation, $12,777; average value,
$25.05. Total valuation subject to county tax, $122,779. Money at interest,
$17,501.
School Statistics. — The number of schools in Reynoldsville, for the year
ending June 7th, were 8; length of term, 6 months; number of male teachers,
4 ; female teachers, 4 ; average salary of male teachers, $40 ; female, %t,o ;
number of male scholars, 246; female scholars, 233 ; average attendance, 424;
percent, of attendance, 90; cost per month, 54 cents. Thirteen mills were
levied for school, and five for building purposes. Total amount of tax levied,
$2,407.14.
628 History of Jefferson County.
Pancoast.
Pancoast is another little village in Winslow township, situated on the Low
Grade Railroad, which owed its existence to the opening of the mines of the
Reynoldsville and Washington coal companies, and was for several years quite
a brisk little mining town, but the collieries are now worked out. In 1880
the census gave the population of Pancoast as 131.
Sandy Valley.
This is also a little hamlet situated on the same railroad. It has one store
and the post-ofifice of Sandy Valley. William Boner manages both. In 1S80
the population of Sandy Valley was TJ.
R.\thmel.
Rathmel is at the terminus of the Soldier's Run Railroad, and where the
upper mines of Bell, Lewis and Yates are situat';d. It is a small place, started
about the time of the finishing of the Low Grade Railroad, by John A. Wilson,
of Philadelphia, chief engineer of the road, who built a large steam saw-mill
there.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
nLSTORY OF Hf:ATH TOWX.SHIP.
THE seventeenth township organized was Heath. It was taken from Bar-
nett, in 1847, and was called for Elijah Heath, one of the first settlers
of the county, and for many years a prominent citizen of Brookville. It is
bounded on the north by Forest county, from which it is divided by the Clarion
River, on the east by Polk township and Elk county, on the south by Eldred,
Warsaw and Polk, and on the west by Barnett.
Geology. — This region being an almost unbroken wilderness, verj- little
coal or limestone is found. Wood being in such great abundance, no atten-
tion has been paid to the small coal deposits. The most of the uplands being
rugged, unbroken wastes, the massive rocks of the Homewood sandstone be-
ing the principal features of the geology. In the region of Raught's Mills,
huge boulders of these rocks are found, which from their gigantic size, deserve
the celebrity they have acquired as curiosities.
Early Settlers. — The first settlers in Heath township appear to have been
Job Carr, James Aharah and John Wynkoop. Mr. K. L. Blood, of Brookville,
says of the early settlement of this region : " My father took me, in the fall
Heath Township. 629
of 1833, to what was then Ridgvvay township, now Heath Job Carr lived
there, and was running a saw-mill, and was then building a dam across the
Clarion River. James Watterson, of Armstrong, now Clarion county, had
made a settlement at the mouth of Spring Creek, and built a saw- mill in 1833,
and a man named Ransom and Ralph Hill, had built a shanty, and took up-
what was then supposed to be vacant land, in the Beech Bottom, now owned
by Calvin Rodgers." This mill of Job Carr, which was about one mile above
Millstone, was the first mill built in what is now Heath township. Mr. Carr
took out and ran to market the first lumber. The first school-house was built
at Lathrop's, and the first church was built on the Edeburn farm, about 1883.
Lumbering has always been the principal business of the township, Heath
being noted for its fine timber, and the majority of those operating in the town-
ship have resided elsewhere. One of the principal steam mills was owned by
George G. Frazier. This property has recently been sold by Mr. P'razier. The
other mills in operation in 1887, are those of L. C. Wynkoop, of Pittsburgh,
and William Dickey, of Brookville.
Farms. — The rugged wilderness condition of Heath has precluded farming
to any great extent, but some good farm land is found especially along Spring
Creek, where farms have been opened up, the best of which are those of Sam-
uel Wallace, R. S. Winlack, William Kelly, George Frazier and William Cris-
pin. The only post-office in Heath township is Dunkle. There is some tim-
ber yet to be found in Heath, and deer and bears are found amid its rocky wil-
derness, while its streams especially Clear Creek, are noted for excellent speck-
led trout.
Elections. — The first election was held in Heath township, February 22,
1847, ^"^ resulted in the election of the following persons : ^ Justice of the
peace, John Kenning, John Wynkoop, Abram Winsor ; supervisors, Abram
Winsor, David Rankin, William Dougherty, John Kenning, D. H. Dimmon ;
assessors, Abram Winsor, John Kenning, John G. Cayle ; auditors, Henry
Raught, David Rankin, Patrick O'Neil, Abram Winsor, John Wynkoop,
George Vasbinder, John G. Cayle ; constable, Robert Aharra ; judge of elec-
tion, David Rankin ; inspectors, John Knopsnyder, D. H. Dimmon, John Ken-
ning ; school directors, Henry Raught, John Wynkoop, David Rankin, Abram
Winsor, D. H. Dimmon, Patrick O'Neil, William Dougherty.
At the election held February 15, 1887, the following were elected:
Justice of the peace, Naman Kirkland ; constable, Michael Bott ; super-
visors, Adam Hidinger and Jacob Hidinger; school directors, Adam Hidinger
and R. M. Painter; auditor, Elrod Aharrah ; assessor, R. M. Painter; tax
collector, Martin Disque ; treasurer, Thompson Crow; clerk, Mathias Melzer;
poor overseer, S. H. Wallace ; judge of election, William Aharrah ; inspect-
l This is the election return just as given in the election docket, which does not specify who were
elected justice of the peace, supervisor, assessor, or school directors.
76
630 History of Jefferson County.
ors, J. B. Haight and T. J. Crow. The other justice of the peace is \\'illiam
Kelly. The other members of the school board are John B. Haight, S. H.
Wallace, James Aharrah and A. J. Harriger.
The number of taxables in Heath township in 1849, were 62 ; in 1856, 56;
in 1863, 37; 1870, 78; 1880,65; 1886, 84. The population by census of
1850, was 203 ; 1860,214; 1870,247; 1880,207.
The number of acres seated land in Heath, in 1 886, were 5,267 ; valuation,
$14,737; average value per acre, $2.79; one saw-mill, valuation, $300; num-
ber of acres unseated, 5,287; valuation, $16,107; average value per acre,
$3.06; number of horses, 47 ; valuation, $2,170; average value, $46; num-
ber of cows, 63; valuation, $778; average value, $1235; occupations, 30;
valuation, $920; average, $30.61. Total valuation subject to county tax,
$350.12. Money at interest, $1,158.
The number of schools in Heath township, for the year ending June 7,
1886, were 4; length of term, 5 months; number of female teachers, 5;
average salary of teachers, $20; number of male scholars, 19; female, 19;
average attendance, 22; per cent, of attendance, 60; cost per scholar, $2.33 ;
mills levied for school purposes, 13. Total amount of tax levied for school
purposes, $5,581.
CHAPTER XLIX.
HISTORY OF lUNGGOLD TOVYXSHIP.
RINGGOLD, the eigtheenth township, was organized in 1848, being taken
from Porter township. It was named in honor of Major Ringgold, a gal-
lant officer of the United States army, who was killed at the battle of Palo Alto,
in 1846. The township is bounded on the north by Beaver township, on the
east by Rose and Oliver, on the south by Porter, and on the west by Arm-
strong county.
Topography and Drainage. — Little Sandy Creek flows along its northern
jdge, and Pine Run along its southern edge. Both streams occupy deep and
-wide valleys. The centre of the township is high, but much broken by small,
lateral ravines, one set of which trends north towards the Little Sandy, and the
■other south, to Pine Run. Along the beds of the main valleys, the elevation
above tide-water ranges from twelve hundred and fifty to thirteen hundred
and fifty feet ; on the uplands the summits occasionally attain an altitude of
sixteen hundred feet above the ocean.
Geology. — There is coal found in nearly all parts of Ringgold township, the
only important beds being the Freeport Upper, and the Kittanning Lower coal.
e
Ringgold Township. 631
These beds are from three to four feet thick, of good coal, but have been but
httle investigated, as there is no demand except for local supply. Limestone
of good quality is plentifully found. Mr. W. G. Piatt thus describes it: "The
ferriferous limestone is below water level, at A. Enty's, at which place it is well
exposed, being quarried for fertilizing purposes. The stratum is about four
feet thick, in one compact layer of light grayish color, brittle, of good quality,
and fossiliferous, displaying in this respect its characteristic encrinite stems."
The Early Settlers. — The first settlers in what is now Ringgold township,
were Andrew Shaffer, David Milliron and Vanlear, who settled there in 18 18.
Tliey came from Northumberland and Westmoreland counties. They cleared
the first land, and made the first improvements. A number of their descend-
ants yet reside in the township.
Daniel Geist, who is the oldest citizen of Worthville, came to Jefferson
county in 1834. He was born in Upper Mahanoy township, Northumberland
county, June 17, 1809, and when sixteen years of age learned the millwright
trade, at which he worked for several years in his native county, and then
came the great cry of " Westward Ho !" and Mr. Geist became engulfed in the
tide of emigration that was flowing westward, principally to Illinois, and
started on a packet boat on the canal, intending to take the cars at Hollidays-
burg, but when he reached that place he found that a train had been wrecked on
the Portage Railroad, and several persons killed, so he decided not to go west,
but instead came to Jefferson county, having had some knowledge of the " Pine
woods country.'.' He purchased two mill-sites, one at New Maysville, in what
is now Clarion county, and one where Worthville now is, with a large tract of
land in the same vicinity. He spent about a month travelling over all the
region of country embraced now in Jefferson and Clarion counties, and then
returned to his home in Northumberland county, taking the stage where Strat-
tonville now is, on the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike, and introduced
the people of the eastern part of the State to Jefferson county. Mr. Geist
returned the next spring and erected a grist-mill at Maysville, and through the
influence of his recommendation, within three j-ears time, Ringgold and Porter
townships were largely settled by people from the eastern counties, who had
not means to take them farther West.
Among those who were thus induced to come to Jefferson county was John
Martz, who purchased a large tract of land near the village of Ringgold, all of
which he still owns. Mr. Geist furnished him his flour until he had cleared a
portion of land and was able to raise his own grain. Mr. Martz is still liv-
ing, and is the oldest citizen of the township, being eighty- nine 3'ears of age,
and is still a healthy, active man. Among others who came to Ringgold with
barely means to bring them there, but who now own good farms, and are in
easy circumstances, are, Jacob Wagner, John Kiehl, Levi Mottern, Jesse Geist
and Samuel Geist.
632 History of Jefferson County.
The county was full of wild game, especially wolves, bears, and deer, which
naturally attracted hunters, and Mr. Geist relates the followin
under the direction of the interior department.
Mr. Jenks has always been an unswerving Democrat, and has been frequently hon-
ored by his party with the most important offices in their gift. His legal attainments
are admitted on all sides, and that he is one of the ablest and most prominent men con-
nected with this administration is conceded by both Republicans and Democrats.
Mr. Jenks was married, January 3, i86o, to Miss Mary Agnes, daughter of the
late Thomas Mabon, one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Brookville. Of their
two children only Emma survives to gladden their home. Thomas Mabon, a promis-
ing, bright boy of thirteen years, around whom clustered many fond hopes, died March
2, 1874.
WHITE, ALEXANDER COLWELL, was born near Kittanning, Armstrong
county. Pa., on the 12th day of December, 1833; was raised on a farm, attending
the public schools in winter until the age of twenty years, when he commenced his first
term as teacher in a public school. The following summer he attended the Jackson-
ville Institute, and from that time attended school in summer and teaching during the
winter, putting in the vacations harvesting, or as a hand rafting and running lumber,
graduating at Dayton University in the fall of 1859.
In the summer of i860 he came to Jefferson co\mty to take charge of the public
schools at Pun,\sutawney, and the same fall commenced studying law under the Hon.
Phineas W. Jenks. In the spring 1861 he enlisted with the first three months men, and
served in Company I Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. A. A. Mc Knight's
company. He was admitted to practice at the December term, 1862, and in the spring
of 1863 commenced the practice of law with Captain John Hastings, of Pun.xsutawney,
Pa., under the firm name of Hastings & White. On the 25th of May, 1864, he mar-
ried Ellen M. Murray, to whom two children have been born — John Murray White
(the heir apparent), August 18, 1871, and Nellie March White, March 26, 1876, and who
died July 26, 1879. ^^ 1S67 he was elected district attorney of Jefferson county, and in
the spring of 1868 removed to Brookville, and in 1870 was re-elected to the same office.
From i860 he has taken an active part in politics, at all times a staunch Republican,
having no sympathy with third parties, or half way measure, respecting an opponent,
but having little consideration for men without politics, religion or principle, commonly
known as Mugwumps, or Half-Breeds.
The Twenty-fifth Congressional District, composed of the counties of Armstrong,
Indiana, Jefferson, Clarion and Forest, was formed in 1874. The district was carried
by the Democrats in 1880 and 1882, and was considered hopeless for a Republican.
In 1884 Alexander C. White received the nomination, and after a hotly contested cam-
Q
682 History of Jefferson County.
paign he was elected by over eighteen hundred majority. He has been actively en-
gaged in the practice of law since his admission to the bar. Whatever of wealth,
reputation, etc., he has he has secured through his own exertions under the most ad-
verse circumstances.
R'
EYNOLDS, THOMAS, Sr. Family nomenclature has lost its significance in cos-
mopolitan and democratic America, and whether the descendants of patricial
houses on the other side of the sea have degenerated in the unrolling of genealogical
lines by intermarriage, is a question that does not much concern a person of worth.
Only the weak and indolent rest upon the ostentatious support of ancestral prestige.
Yet there is a conventional usage among the people, of retrospectively glancing toward
Plymouth Rock, though here and there a plebeian acre depreciates the view. Then, in
the year 1676, after a voyage of twenty-two weeks, one Henry Reynolds, a member of
an old Chichester (England) family, landed on the shores of the New World. This
was forty-seven years prior to the birth of Joshua Reynolds, the most noted painter of
his day, and the "bright particular star" of the family connection. Henry located at
Burlington, New Jersey, and finally in Chester, Pennsylvania, and he and his immediate
descendants were e.xtensive freeholders in and about Philadelphia, many acres of the
present city then having rested in their title. To him and his wife Prudence, ten chil-
dren were born. Henry Reynolds died in 1724, and Prudence in 17 28.
Franci.s Reynolds, the third in order of birth of the ten children above mentioned,
was born August 15, 1684. Of him it is only recorded that his wife's name was Eliza-
beth, and that he was the father of Samuel Reynolds.
, ^^ This link of the lineal chain was forged [anuary 31, 1755, and perished February
X .■^"- --' 26, 1786. The spouse's name was Jane Jones, and the nuptials were solemnized at
I Salem, Delaware. Seven children were the issue of this union. The said Jane Jones,
whose years extended from 1734 to 1779, "^^^^ ''"'S daughter of John and Mary (Good-
win) Jones, but there is no further trace of the ancestral line on the maternal side. Then,
as now, women did not seem to enjoy the equality and respect to which they were en-
titled, and this prejudice was carried to a ridiculous excess in family records that ap-
peared to show that women had very little, if any, part in the propagation of the race ! ^
Thomas Reynolds, the eldest son of Samuel and MfH^yTReynoldsY w'as Forn January C
2, 1759, and died July 7, 1837. He consorted N^flcy Reynolds, of an independent
Reynolds family, among whose immediate ancestors the name Bird occurs. This prob-
ably points to a mesozoic origin. Her death occurred January 5, 1845. Seven seems
to have been a lucky (or, according to the pessimist, an unlucky) number with the house
of Reynolds in regard to its offspring. Each abstract family, it is a remarked coinci-
dence, aggregates seven members. Seven were born to Thomas and Nancy Reynolds,
and these were named, consecutively, Mary, Jane, Abraham, Samuel, Tilton, William
and Thomas, of whom the last is the subject of this biography. Mary (Parke) li\ed till
1868, and was the only consanguineous tie of the youngest brother at the time of her
death. There remains of this generation only two beings within the knowledge of the
writer. These are Margaret Jane (Reynolds) Myers and Ruth Reynolds, sisters, who
reside in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and who were the daughters of Abram, a brother of
Thomas, whose common father was Samuel.
Thomas Reynolds, sr., was born on [the 19th day of September, 1807, on the pa-
rental homestead, near Parkesburg, Chester county. In his youth only such educa-
Thomas Reynolds, Sr. 683
tional advantages were enjoyed as were to be had outside of a university ; but these,
although not comparable to the excellent facilities of to-day, were not to be despised,
as the lack of variation in studies was, in a great degree, compensated by the thorough
manner in which the few were taught. Then, too, his call for solid learning found a
responsive voice in his father, who was not only a competent teacher and profound phi-
losopher, but a companion and friend as well. The education thus acquired by Thomas
Reynolds qualified him as an instructor to others, and in this section of Pennsylvania
he was one of the pioneer teachers under the present school system. His language in
conversation and in his limited literary products gave evidence of pure philological
training, consisting, as they did. in well-chosen words, pregnant of meaning and elegant
in phraseology.
Early in life he became apprenticed to the currying and shoemaking trades, in both
of which he made himself master, as was his wont in whatever was undertaken. Frank-
lin and Washington counties, in New York, were the scenes of his primitive operations,
and his topography of those communities was very graphic, associated, as it was, with
rich reminiscences of hunting life, colored by racy and startling anecdotes. In 1876 he
revisited the hallowed grounds made sacred by youthful adventure, but civilization had
crept in and obliterated nearly all the familiar landmarks, except the outline of moun-
tain and vale, and the metamorphosis illy gratified the heart of one who once chased
the deer through the far-reaching fastnesses.
He visited New York city with the purpose of making it a place of permanent resi-
dence, encouraged in the project by a millionaire uncle and other resident relatives of
Manhattan Island. But "man made the town," and the roving spirit of Thomas Rey-
nolds was antagonistic to a " pent-up Utica." " The streets were too narrow," he ex-
plained to the writer; and so, in 1835, he came to Western Pennsylvania, when the
country was rich in jirimeval forests and undisturbed minerals.
Tilton and William Reynolds, his brothers, had preceded him hither, and were com-
fortably domiciled on the lands now occupied by the mining village of Rathmel. Tilton
was married, his wife having been Sarah Sprague, of a Vermont family. The first fall
of their hermitage life they captured fourteen swarms of bees, and these, together with
an extensive sugar industry, were exchanged for other necessary products, such as grain
and salt, and with bear meat and venison, supplied by the brothers, the pioneer com-
munity flourished.
Tilton, in 1839, located on the summit of the mountain above Rathmel, and, asso-
ciated with William, inaugurated a mercantile enterprise and established a post-office.
The name of the village was suitably called Prospect, for from its lofty altitude the view
was picturesque and widely extended. The title was in poetic contrast to the postal
name given the place at a later period — that of Dolingville! Tilton Reynolds was the
Columbus of the great coal vein of this region, which has since gained a world-wide
celebrity, and has become one of the most extensive bituminous-industries of the conti-
nent. The fuel of the widely separated inhabitants of the country was wood, but a little
coal was added to increase the heat and longevity of the fire. For blacksmithing pur-
poses John Fuller, who was here when the Reynoldses came, used coal procured out of
the bottom of Sandy Creek.
William Reynolds in 1839 'tarried Elizabeth Kyle, and in their offspring the magic
number seven again turned u]). He was a man of polished erudition and affable ad-
dress, and his death in 1854 was mourned by a host of genuine admirers and friends.
684 History of Jefferson County.
Samuel Reynolds, another brother, sojourned awhile in this community, and Abram,
the eldest, made a pilgrimage to the remote settlement. The latter was seven feet in
stature, and weighed four hundred and fifty pounds.
Thomas, while not engaged in other communities at school teaching, shoemaking,
or hunting, lived with his brother William, for whom he had the warmest fraternal feel-
ing. At this period of his life he was yet under thirty years of age, over six feet in
height, and as straight as an arrow. He was of gentlemanly and attractive manners,
and of a superb and seemingly tireless physique.
His first commercial adventure was the building of a tannery on the site now occu-
pied by James A. Gathers, but this was soon abandoned for more pretentious enterprises.
In 1842 he wedded Juliana Smith, and, by some conjugal conjuration, lo ! up bobs
the importunate number seven again — five boys and two girls. These were : Tilton,
born October 26, 1843 ; Arthur Parke, December 5, 1845 ; Clarinda Emeline, April
II, 1848 ; Margaret Jane, June 19, 1850 ; William S., April 7, 1853 ; Thomas, Septem-
ber 25, 1856; John Daugherty, September i, 1858. Of these, two are dead — the sec-
ond, whose dissolution occurred on December 12, 1874, and the youngest, a man of
fine mind and great promise, on March 19, 18S6.
Thomas Reynolds located permanently on the present site of a portion of Reynolds-
ville, and built a tannery and saw-mill near where the Reynolds residence now stands,
which were the only manufacturing industries of the immediate community in the years
between 1840 and i860. And, indeed, not until 1870 were there any other industries
save the great sustaining one of shipping timber. The log house, recently demolished,
was erected in 1843, and was a very Brogdingnag in its day. Hundreds of thousands
of dollars have changed hands within its walls in lumber transactions, mercantile trade,
and postal service. The post-office at Prospect was carried down to the old house one
day in 1850, and the following is the authoritative document in the premises :
"Post-Office Department, Appointment Office, |
" February 23, 1850. (
"Sir: — I have the honor to inform you that the postmaster-general has this day
changed the name of the post-office at Prospect Hill to Reynoldsville, in the county of
Jefferson, and State of Pennsylvania, and continued Thomas Reynolds postmaster
thereof. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" Peter Henry Warner,
" Second Assistant Postmaster-General.
" James Thompson, House of Representatives."
Previous to this Thomas Reynolds had surveyed and named Winslow township, the
name having been given in honor of Judge Winslow, of whom he was a friend and ad-
mirer. The project of a town, however, was long contemplated before 1850, the domi-
nant reasons being first to induce a physician to locate in the community — for the in-
habitants were frequently compelled to call medical advice from Indiana, a distance of
forty miles — and, secondly, to secure postal facilities ; and Maida, the tutelary genius of
Alba Longa, was not more zealous or tireless touching the welfare of the antique city
than was our modern tutelar of Reynoldsville. He acted as postmaster almost unremit-
tingly, and at a pecuniary disadvantage, from the establishment of the office till his death.
Although ever greatly interested in public affairs, he was yet unwilling to act as the
agent of the people. Possessed of an influence that could at any time have made itself
felt, and which even appeared during the early days of the county as almost irresistible,
personal aggrandizement never occurred to him ; or, if it did, he put it under his feet as
a noisome thing.
Thomas Reynolds, Sr. 685
In its entirety the character of Thomas Reynolds was essentially a strong one, and
in his lineal race he stands out as a type of what a Reynolds should be. He was not a
" chip of the old block," but the very block itself. His strong personality and lively
sense of independence isolated him from the estimate put upon every consanguineous
person, whether of anterior or subsequent birth. To strangers, and sometimes even to
those who were intimately acquainted with him, he appeared eccentric in his habits and
modes of thought ; but these were owing to the mingled threa(is of sentiment and inde-
pendence that ran through all the warp and woof alike of his character. Beneath these
e-xterior (jualities, there was a deep and strong vein of wit and humor, that brightened
each thought, which passed through his mind, making him a rarely pleasant companion.
But the most conspicuous traits of his nature were a sense of honor incapable of a
stain — a probity which was stubborn in its inflexibility — and an abiding, deeply rooted,
uncompromising detestation, even horror, of all shams and hypocrisy, whether reli-
gious, political, or of any other kind. It is easily seen that such a man, in this day and
generation, however deep a reverence he might have for the Author of his being as the
great and good God — the Father, Preserver and Protector of all the common brother-
hood of man — would rather retire those sentiments and feelings, and keep them sacred
within the innermost recesses of his own soul, than to make a parade of them before the
world. As firm and unyielding as the eternal hills when his decision was once framed,
his was the material of which martyrs were made; as gentle and tender as a woman,
every helpless creature found in him a friend and protector when in distress.
Death occurred to Thomas Reynolds, sr., on the i6th of May, t88i.
This biography would by no means be complete should it not embrace a sketch of
the wise and faithful wife who was so intimately identified with the life of him whose
history is just recorded. " Praise no man \vhile he lives" is an ancient and judicious
saying, to which Heloise added, in a letter to Abelard : " Give not commendation at a
time when the very act of doing it may make him undeserving of it." But the good
common sense of Juliana Reynolds is too lively and practicable to be very susceptible
to the suavity of words.
Of her ancestry we have it in genealogical record that one William Smith came to
America from Gloucester, England, m 1635. Boston was settled by John \\'inthrop and
others five years earlier, and Smith became a citizen of the embryo New England metro-
polis. The town records begin about the time of his advent. He was there persecuted
for his religious principles. What those principles were the account says not, but this
was the period in which the church of Boston was much troubled about Roger Williams
and his heresy, and the Anti-nomian controversy, and it is probable that the judicial ban
that obtained over Williams also eflfected Smith, for ostracism drove him to Hempstead,
Long Island, in 1639, where he joined forty sympathetic Boston families who had
colonized under the flag of Holland. He met his fate at the hands of Indians. Of his
offspring, there was one Abraham, who, in turn, had a son Isaac, whose days were
between the years of 1657 and 1746. He died at Hempstead Plains. His son, Jacob,
1690-1757, had a son Isaac born in 1722, who emigrated from Queens county to Dut-
chess county in 1769. Jacob, son of Isaac, 1746-1810, who married a Peters, was the
father of Uriah, born in 1771, and died in 1817. He married a woman named Lester,
and his conjugal flock numbered nine, of whom was Valentine Hulet Peters Smith, born
1796, and died on the Smith homestead, near Reynoldsville (now T. B. London's farm),
in i860. He was the father of Juliana (Smith) Reynolds.
686 History of Jefferson County.
On the maternal side we have no access to any record save the tradition that Juliana's
great- grandmother was an intemperate tea drinker, and gathered the leaves of the shrub
in her apron from the waters of Boston harbor where the irascible subjects of the third
George had their famous tea party in 1773. Granville, Bradford and Sprague are the
ancestral names, all of English origin and of New England stock. The Spragues lived in
Vermont, then emigrated to Chateaugay, New York, where Tilton Reynolds married
the daughter of John Sprague, whose name was Sarah, and Valentine H. P. Smith wed-
ded Rebecca, her sister, who became the mother of five children, of whom our present
subject is the third.
Valentine H. P. Smith, emigrated to this section of Pennsylvania in the same year
with Thomas Reynolds, when Juliana was seven years of age. During the ensuing
decade, the girl endured the hardships and meagre advantages of a severe pioneer life,
and in early maidenhood took upon herself conjugal responsibilities, and the arduous
duties of presiding over a large establishment. Through all the years up to his death,
she was the faithful helpmeet of Thomas Reynolds, and a kind and wise maternal guar-
dian. During the civil conflict of 1861-65 no one did better loyal service, not actually
engaged at the theatre of war : a patriotic head and heart, to encourage in action, sym-
pathize in distress, and laud in victory. The eldest son, Tilton, a mere boy when he
enlisted, was cheerfully, though tearfully given to his country, and the mother enjoyed
with pride and delight, his brave and unblemished military career, and his elevation in
rank to a captaincy.
After the demise of her husband the affairs of the estate were vested in Juliana Rey-
nolds, and her management of the diversified business has been markedly economical
and sagacious. Her life has been as useful as busy, and full of charity ana humanity.
.\propos of the historical allusions in this sketch, this fragment of family facts is ap-
pended : The old manse of the Smith's, built long before the Revolution, is yet standing,
a few miles east of Poughkeepsie, New York, and was, down to 1872, occupied by the
successive generations of the family. In provincial days it was regarded as an architec-
tural achievement of considerable merit. It is a two-story structure, with a roof of steep
incline, under whose eaves small slide windows afforded loop-holes through which the
aggressive Indians were kept at bay. Wooden hooks for gun-rests depended from the
rafters, and the house was at once a residence and fortress. The kitchen is the one
grand room. The windows are small with massive frames, and the doors are of hard
wood and very thick, opening in horizontal sections, and locked with great iron bars.
Every feature is impressive of strength and defense, and suggestive of the perils that
environed the colonial inhabitants. The broad, deep fire-place is formed of huge bould-
ers, and is of itself a primeval poem.
The family burying-ground is adjacent, and the numerous gray-stone slabs tell their
sepulchral story. Here, with the generations of the Smiths, mingle the bones of those
whose loves and lives were mingled in the flesh. There are Elys, Lesters, Peters,
Blooms and a relic of early slavery, one old negro named " Deb ; " for Jacob Smith, the
grandfather of Valentine H. P. Smith, was an extensive slave-owner, and when their free-
dom was obtained, they were granted a living on the homestead as long as they desired
to remain. Everything here shows decadence, save, perhaps, the prestige of honor
marked upon the tombstones. Even the very wall, built high and strong as the ever-
lasting adamant, totters and disintegrates, and when the stony epitaphs, telling of one
being " a power in the land ; " another " Judge of the King's Bench," etc., crumble into
Thomas Reynolds, Sr. — Reuben C. Winslow. 687
dust, tradition itself will fade and pass away, and time will bury beneath her rubbish the
very memory of things that were once majestic and mighty.
The Smith Bible, " imprinted at London by Robert Barker, printer to the King's
most excellent majestie, 1607," is in the possession of Juliana Smith Reynolds. The
version of which it is a copy was prepared in Geneva, and first appeared in 1560. The
translators of the version were exiled English Protestants, who had fled from " Bloody"
Mary's cruelty, and had made Geneva their rendezvous. Of this party, William Whit-
tingham, a brother-in-law of John Calvin, was chief This version was the first in which
the text was broken up into verses, and was, from the rendering of Genesis iii, 7, some-
times known as the " Breeches " Bible, that term being used instead of " aprons." Upon
a fly leaf, a crude picture and a description of the Smith coat-of-arms are traced.
WINSLOW, Hon. REUBEN C. The history of the Winslow family dates back to
the pilgrim setders of Plymouth, Mass. The founder of the family, Kenelm Win-
slow, son of Edward Winslow, of Droitwich, England, was born at that place on the
29th of April, 1599. He was the younger brother of Governor Winslow, and arrived
at Plymouth in the Mayfloiuer in 1629 — this was the Mayflower's second voyage. He
settled at Marshfield, Mass., but subsequently removed to Salem, where he died on the
13th of September, 1672, aged seventy-three years. Some of his descendants still re-
side upon the property which he purchased from the Indians April 2, 1659.
Carpenter Winslow was his great-great-grandson, and was born at Pittston, Mass.,
March 20, 1766. His father, James Winslow, was a millwright, and he very early be-
came familiar with the use of mechanical implements, and was afterwards engaged in
ship building — having a ship yard at Wiscasset, Me., for several years. He married
Elizabeth Coulburn in 1787, and was the father of nine sons, four of whom became
notetl seamen.
In the year of 1818 this branch of the Winslow family came to Jefferson county, and
Carpenter Winslow settled on what is now the old homestead, in Gaskill township. The
county was then a dense wilderness, and like all new settlers they had to undergo un-
told privations ; but they found themselves in a healthy climate, and where the soil,
though hard to " clear," was productive, so that they were soon able to raise grain and
feed in abundance, while the surrounding forests and streams afforded them game and
fish. One of their difficulties was having to carry their grain twenty or more miles along
bridle-paths through the forest to mill.
In a few months the family of Dr. John W. Jenks came into the neighborhood, and
with some others settled in what is now Punxsutawney, and the Bowers family located
near the Winslows. These were followed by other settlers, and they soon found them-
selves in the midst of a good neighborhood, which is to-day one of the best farming
sections of the county.
Carpenter Winslow died in November, 1827, his wife surviving him about eighteen
years. Both are buried in the cemetery near Punxsutawne\-. Only two of his sons,
James and Joseph W., father of R. C. Winslow, still survive. The rest have all passed
away, leaving however, a large posterity, who are among the most prominent and best
citizens of Jefferson and Elk counties. Joseph W. Winslow the youngest son of Car-
penter Winslow, was born at Wiscasset, Me., December 10, 1804, and in 1832 married
Christena Long, youngest daughter of Joseph Long, of Punxsutawney. Their family
consisted of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, who were all born at the old
688 History of Jefferson County.
homestead, and who all survive, except a son and daughter who died in infancy. Mr.
Winslow has resided on his farm for almost seventy years, and is now one of the patri-
archs of the county. Two of his sons, Augustus G. and Joseph Clark Winslow, reside
with their venerable parent at the homestead.
Reuben C. Winslow, the eldest son, was born November 9, 1833, and worked on
the farm at home, getting his schooling in the winter until he was in his twenty second
year. He read law with Phineas W. Jenks, esq., of Punxsutawney, and was admitted
to practice at the February terra, 1S58, and entered into partnership with his preceptor,
the firm of Jenks & Winslow continuing until May, 1880, when it was dissolved, and the
same month Mr. Winslow entered into partnership with John E. Calderwood, the firm
of Winslow & Calderwood still continuing.
Mr. Winslow was married to Miss Martha Drum, youngest daughter of the late
John Drum, esq., of Pun.xsutawney, June 24, 1858. The result of this union was two
sons, John Carlton, born June 13, 1859, and Willie W., born May 7, 1862. The eldest
son, Carlton, died November 11, 1881.
Mr. AVinslow is a Republican in politics, and was elected to the State Senate in
1874. He still resides in Punxsutawney, where his home is one of the most beautiful
in that thrivinc; town.
FERMAN .-^LONZO, was born November 27, 1818 in Franklin county, N. V.; he
came here and settled where he now lives in Snyder township, Jefferson county. Pa.,
in 1839, and engaged in the lumber business, which business he still follows. He was
married August 9, 1848, to Miss Susannah Bundy. They have had eight children :
James Albert, Eliza M., Samuel B., Clara S.. M. Josephine, Nellie, Allie(who died Au-
gust 6, 1880, in her sixteenth year), and Zadie V., of whom five are married.
HUNTER, SAMUEL ANDERSON, was born in Westmoreland county in 1826.
Mr. Hunter came to Jefferson county in 1846. His father, Andrew Hunter, had
removed to the county and purchased a farm in Knox township a year or two before
Samuel came. He worked on this farm for a year or two and then bought it from his
father, and has continued to reside upon it ever since.
In 1853 Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Sarah H. Foster. This union has been
blessed with seven children — Amanda Jane, Emma, Elmer, E. Perry, Mary Alice,
Samuel A. and Everett. Of these .Amanda died in 1859, and Mary Alice and Everett
in 1871, both dying in one day of that scourge of childhood, diphtheria. Emma and
Elmer are married, and Perry and Samuel A., jr., are still at home with their parents.
Mr. Hunter has filled almost all the offices of trust in Knox township, and was elected
county commissioner in 1873, and re-elected in 1875. He made a careful and judicious
official. He has devoted himself .since he came to Jefferson county to farming and
lumbering, being a member of the firm of Orr, McKinley it Co. for several years. He
is one of the most prominent and useful citizens of Knox township.
Mr. Hunter has found in his wife a veritable helpmeet. She is one of the most
earnest and effective workers in the temperance cause, being one of the superintendents
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in the county union, and president of
Pleasant Hill Union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are consistent and earnest members
of the Methodist Church.
John Jamison Y. Thompson. 689
THOMPSON, JOHN JAMISON Y. Of the early history of the Thompson family
we have nothing very authentic. They came from Ireland at an early day and set-
tled in Cumberiand or Franklin county, and were among the first emigrants to cross the
Allegheny Mountains into Western Pennsylvania, as early as 1790, settling near Blairs-
ville. in Indiana county. The family consisted of the father Robert Thompson, his wife,
and their four sons. Alexander, Moses, Adam and William, with the father of Mrs.
Thompson, Robert Gordon. About the year 1S16, Alexander removed to the State of
Indiana, where he died; the rest of the family all lived and died in Indiana county.
William, the father of the subject of this sketch, married Nancy Jamison, a daughter of
Rev. John Jamison. He was born at EUershie, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and was a stu-
dent of John Brown, of Haddington. Mr. Jamison was a lineal descendant of the Wal-
lace family, that gave to Scotland its great patriot. Sir William Wallace. He emigrated
to this country at the close of the Revolutionary War, landing in Philadelphia in 1783,
when his daughter, afterwards the wife of William Thompson, was only six years old.
He purchased a grist-mill and six hundred acres of land, in Cumberland county, includ-
ing what is known as Big Springs. Mr. Jamison was for some years pastor of the Asso-
ciate Reformed or Seceder Church at Shippensburg, one of the first churches established
in Cumberland county.
About the year 1794, he crossed the Allegheny Mountains, and located near Blairs-
ville. Here he preached the gospel as a missionary and pioneer minister of the Seceder
Church, in all the territory west of the Alleghenies. He was a Scotch divine of more
than ordinary ability, of large build, being six feet, two inches in height, and possessing
powerful physical energy and endurance, traveling as far south as Georgia, preaching
and organizing churches. He was somewhat hvper-Calvinistic in his theological views,
and disposed to defend them with true Cameronian zeal.
John J. Y. Thompson, was born near Blairsville, in 1805 ; his father, William Thomp-
son, died of small-pox, in 181 7, and his mother lived and died on the farm near Blairs-
ville.
Of his early boyhood days we have but little knowledge, except that he was unusu-
ally apt at school, where he was beloved by his schoolmates, and esteemed by his teach-
ers. He excelled in civil engineering and surveying, and was invariably selected as an
assistant when there were lands to be laid out and surveyed, and in after years he did
much of the surveying in Jefferson county. At an early age he left home and became a
clerk in the store of Nathaniel Nesbitt, of Blairsville. He soon left this position and
engaged in business for himself, but this venture not proving successful, he abandoned it,
and in 1S31 removed to Brookville, and with Thomas Reed, published and edited the
first newspaper in Jefferson county, the Brookville Democrat. Their office was located
in the hotel of William Clark on Jefferson street, and William Kennedy, now of Union
township, a brother of Mrs. Thompson, was an apprentice in this office. On the
25th day of July, 1833, John J. Y. Thompson was married to Agnes S. Kennedy, and
commenced housekeeping in Brookville, but in the fall of 1834, he removed to Dowl-
ingville, where they remained until 1837, when they returned to Brookville again, and
in 1838 Mr. Thompson built the saw-mill on Sandy Lick at what is now known as
Belle's Mills. About 1840 he sold the property to Alpheus Shaw, and returned to
Brookville, where he remained three months, and then removed to Heathville, return-
ing again November, 1841, to Brookville. He then removed to the farm, now owned
by William L. Morrison, in Union township, where he resided one vear. In 1843 Mr.
690 History of Jefferson County.
Thompson purchased a tract of land from Daniel Stanard, of Indiana, at the crossing of
the Waterford and Susquehanna, and Olean. turnpike, where he erected a hotel, and
engaged in the hotel business, and in merchandising, and secured a post-office at the
place which he called Corsica, and to which he was appointed postmaster, November
29, 1843. In 1847 Mr. Thompson and Daniel Stanard laid out and surveyed the town
of Corsica, calling it after the post-office already established. In 1852 Mr. Thompson
again returned to Brookville, and purchased from Judge Heath, the American Hotel
and Arcade building, then the finest building in the town. He engaged in the hotel
business, until May, 1856, when in the disastrous fire, which then visited the town, the
hotel was destroyed with nearly all its contents. This fire left Mr. Thompson, almost
penniless : but nothing daunted, he commenced the morning after the fire to clear
away the debris from the ruins, and began preparations for rebuilding. Owing to his
well-known business integrity, and his indomitable energy, he surmounted every obstacle,
and in the winter of 1857, he had the American Hotel again ready for the reception of
guests. He continued the owner and proprietor of this popular and well-known hotel,
until the spring of 1865, when he sold the property to Captain R. R. Means, and removes
to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he engaged extensively in the lumbering business, until he
was suddenly removed by death, caused by apople.xy, on the 19th of August, 1865, in
the sixty-first year of his age.
Few men were more closely identified with the early history of Jefterson county than
was Judge Thompson. He held many offices of public trust, being elected county
surveyor, prothonotary, clerk of courts, etc., in 1845, and associate judge in 1861. For
many years his services as surveyor were in requisition in all this region of country,
and his name and face were well known in every cabin in the then backwoods. He was
foremost in aiding and advancing every public enterprise of his day. He was of a
genial, social disposition, inspiring all with the spirit of sociability, with whom he came
in contact. Kind and sympathetic by nature, he was ever ready to aid the poor and
distressed, who were never turned away from his door. A strong Rei)ublican, he was
an uncompromising Union man during the war, and took the deepest interest in all that
pertained to those times that tried men's souls. Outspoken and bold in his utterances,
he was nearly always found engaged in defending the principles for which his own boys
were fighting. He was, during the war, the devoted friend of the soldier, and the fami-
lies of those who were absent fighting the battles for freedom. He kept " open house "
for the "boys," on their way to and from the front; and one of Jefferson county's vete-
rans said of him not long since : " One of the most vivid recollections of my departure
for the army, is the close hand-shake, and the fervent ' God bless you,' of Judge
Thompson, as bare-headed, and with tears running down his cheeks, he bade us good
bye." Judge Thompson ever adhered to the faith of his fathers, and lived and died a
member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Agnes S. Thompson was the daughter of Rev. William and Mary Kennedy,,
and w-as born near Lewistown, Mifflin county, in the year 1813; her father being
the first Presbyterian minister to locate in Jefterson county. Her mother was Mary,
daughter of Benjamin and Agnes, tiee Wallace, McClure, of Uwchlan, Chester county,
so that Mrs. Thompson was descended from one of the oldest and most noted families
in eastern Pennsylvania. The family still holds lands in Uwchlan township, that were
granted to their ancestor, John McClure, by William Penn, in 174S. This John Mc-
Clure, who was Mrs. Thompson's great-grandfather, emigrated to the United States
John Jamison Y. Thompson. — Albert Ackley Carrier. 691
in 1730 from the north of Ireland, where he had gone from Scotland, and settled in
North Carolina, afterwards removing to Chester county, where he died. The McClure
family were staunch Presbyterians, and they left Ireland in order that they might wor-
ship God according to their own forms of worship. From conviction they were
" Federalists," Mrs. Thompson's grandfather, Benjamin McClure, serving in the Revo-
utionary War, and with one or two e.xceptions they have held to the political faith of
their fathers, and are to-day staunch Republicans.
Mr. Thompson was worthy of the good old ScotchTrish ancestry from which she
sprang, being a woman of sterling worth, possessing all those qualities of mind that
caused her to be beloved and respected by all who knew her. She spent the greater
part of her life in Jefferson county, with the exception of five years residence in Ports-
mouth, Ohio, from whence she returned to Brookville in 1870, and where she resided
until June 27, 1877, when she exchanged her home here for that •• better one " to which
her husband and some of her children had preceded her.
The children of John J. Y. and Agnes Thompson numbered ten, of whom two died
in infancy, James, aged about one year, and Blanche, aged about three years. Laura
Edith Thompson married George T. Rodgers, and died at the age of twenty-three
years. Clarence Russell Thompson was but a boy in his teens when the war cloud
burst upon the land ; but he promptly enlisted " for the war " as a private in Company
I Sixty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was soon promoted to sergeant.
He was in all engagements in which his gallant command took part, up to the battle of
Gaines's Mills, Virginia, where he was last seen in a hand to hand encounter with the
rebel foe. His superior officers being all hors de combat. Sergeant Thompson was in
command of his company at the time. Clarence was an intelligent, brave and noble
youth, and his uncertain fate was a great grief to his family and friends.
Those of the family now living are William Kennedy, who resides in Portsmouth,
Ohio; John Jamison, of Brookville; Annie M., wife of John N. Garrison, also residing in
Brookville ; Albert Clifton, of Portsmouth, Ohio; Robert Means, of New York city, and
Ella Aa;nes, wife of [ohn L. McNeil, of Denver, Colorado.
CARRIER, ALBERT ACKLEY, son of Euphrastus and Harriet R. Carrier, nee
Buell, was born in Colchester, New London county, Conn., April 23, 1829, and the
same fall came with his parents to Jefferson county. His father had resided in Pennsyl-
vania some years prior to his marriage.
Mr. Carrier's early life was spent in Clover township, and September 12, 1850, he
was married to Miss Almira McCann, who died October g, 1879. The result of this
marriage was twelve children : Almy F. married to G. A. McAninch ; Harriet I. mar-
ried to N. J. Hall; Susan M.; Malinda J. married to U H. Eshelman ; Noah L. died
May 18, 1861 ; Lucinda H. died in 1861 ; Antinett died in 1864; Pett R. married to
C. M. Miller; Agnes A.; Alice A. married to G. M. Burns; Mary B.; Albert A. died
November 2, 1874. March 11, 1880, Mr. Carrier was united in marriage to Miss Syd-
ney Tong, of Cecil county, Maryland. The fruit of this second marriage is three chil-
dren : An infant, who died November 8, 1880; George C, and Kate L. Mr. Carrier
has devoted himself closely to farming and lumbering, taking but little interest in politics.
He still continues to reside in Clover township, where his first home in Jefferson county
was made. He has grown up with the county, and having shared all its early privations
and toils, is now reaping the reward of his labors, and sharing the prosperity of the
692 History of Jefferson County.
county. Mr. Carrier has resided on his present farm for about thirty years, and has in
that time made it one of the model farms in the county. He has introduced the very
best labor saving farm machinery, and among other enterprises has engaged in the
creamery business, having a creamery with Cooley creamers, for twenty cows, the churn-
ing being done by steam power. He has the reputation of furnishing some of the best
butter in the county, which always commands the highest market prices.
Mr. Carrier is one of those public spirited men who aid in every good work in their
neighborhoods, and it is greatly owing to his generous assistance that the Webster Liter-
ary Society was able to erect their pleasant and commodious lyceum building in 1881.
He also done much towards the organization of the " Twin Sister " brass band, called
for his twin daughters, Agnes and Alice, girls of fifteen, who for some time were the
leaders of this, one of the best bands in the county, they both being accomplished cor-
net players.
The pleasant home of Mr. Carrier at Mount Pleasant is noted for its hospitality, and
the jovial host is always ready to entertain his friends there.
LONG, JAMES ELLIOTT. The name of Long is one that is conspicuous in the
early days of our county's history. Louis Long, the grandfather of the subject of
this biography, settled in Pine Creek township in 1S03. But little is known of his early
history e.\cept that his father was an officer in one of the companies of Hessian troops
who came over to the Americans from the British, and fought for them during the
Revolution. He was a noted hunter, and this love for the chase descended to his chil-
dren. Mr. Long, after residing in Jefferson county for several years, removed to Ohio,
after which all trace of him is lost. His son, John, the father of James E. Long, was
born near Reading, in Berks county, in 1797, and was only si.x years of age when his
parents removed to this county. His brothers, Michael and William, were two of the
most noted hunters that Pennsylvania ever produced. Their hunting exploits and deeds
of prowess would fill a volume. John Long, though not so devoted to the chase as his
brothers, yet had some thrilling adventures with the wild animals that infested all this
county, some of which have already been given in the sketch of Pine Creek townshi[).
Mr. John Long was married in 1821 to Miss Jane Robinson, a daughter of Irwin
Robinson, who resided in Indiana county, just opposite Bolivar, in Westmoreland county.
Mrs. Long's father had served seven years in the War of the Revolution, and the family
yet have a Bible that has a bullet hole through it which it received while Mr. Robinson
carried it when he was in the service. Mrs. Long's mother was an Elliott, and her
uncle, Jesse D. Elliott, was commander of the " Niagara," and second to Perry in com-
mand at the battle of Lake Erie, where he rendered efficient service. The government
granted gold medals to both Perry and Elliott for this glorious naval victory. Com-
mander Elliott succeeded Commander Perry as commandant of the naval station at
Erie.
Mrs. Long was a very estimable lady, and well educated for those days, having in
her youth attended the old academy at Indiana. Her brother, Hance Robinson, had
settled on the old Long farm now owned by Mr. David McConnell, and started a store
in Pine Creek township, and brought his sister from her home in Indiana county to
keep house for him, the journey being made on horseback through the unbroken forest.
Soon after her arrival they made the acquaintance of the young pioneer, John Long,
and their marriage followed the following spring. Eight children, si.x of whom are now
living, were the result of this marriage.
^r Zc>^
James Elliott Long. 693
Mr. James E. Long, the youngest of these children, was born on the 13th day of
February, 1837, in an old log house that stood on the farm in Pine Creek township.
Mr. Long says of his birth-place : "The house had a kitchen, dining-room and bed-
rooms, but withno partition between them. It was all in one, and had a big chimney
of stone and mud, with a large fireplace, opening at one side, into which could be put
huge logs that made a roaring fire which kept the whole house warm. Though only
three years old, I remember this house well. We then moved up on to the hill into a
larger house, with a brick chimney and fireplace that I always enjoyed. Many a night
when a boy I lay on the hearth listening to the hum of my mother's old spinning-wheel,
for in those days she spun the wool and wove the cloth that clothed the whole familv.
I recollect how proud I was when I got my first blouse tied at the corners in front."
Mr. John Long followed farming and lumbering, and trapped and hunted in the
winter as long as his age would permit him to engage in such avocations. His family
were noted for their great strength and powers of endurance. His mother, though a
small woman, could stand in a half bushel and shoulder three bushels of wheat. Game
was so plenty that in the first years of their married life Mr. Long would frequently go
out and shoot a deer while his wife got breakfast. The Indians were frequent visitors
but were always peaceable. James E. Long never had but two years schooling, for his
services on the farm were too valuable in clearing off the timber, burning brush, etc., to
be wasted en Iwoks ; but he read persistently all the books that came in his way, and
thus laid the foundation of a jjractical education. At the age of twelve years he had
almost the entire charge of the farm, and at that age made his first trip " down the
creek," and from that time until he left the farm, had the general charge of his father's
business. In the summer he worked on the farm and lumbered in the winter. When
only fourteen he broke a yoke of oxen that he had raised himself, and that winter put
in the first two rat'ts he ever owned, doing all the work himself, and hauling the timber
to the creek with his own ox team. He ran these rafts to Pittsburgh and sold them for
three cents per cubic foot, and if his father had not given him "expense money," would
have " come out behind " in this operation. But the young lumberman persevered, and
at the age of fifteen was able to pilot a raft from above Brookville to Pittsburgh. The
next year his father sent him with a fleet of boards to Wheeling, Va., where he had to
stay six weeks before he made a sale. The importance of this transaction made him
think he was a man indeed. From that time he lumbered on his own account until
1861, when he enlisted in defence of his country, and was elected second lieutenant of
company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves. He remained with his regiment until
February 21, 1862, when his brother, Irvin R. Long, a member of Company H, One
Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, died at his home in Pine Creek township
of camp fever contracted at Camp Jamieson, Va., he yielded to the wishes of his a^ed
parents and resigned from the army and came home. He sub.sequently, however, en-
listed during the emergency campaign of 1863, when he served as first lieutenant of
Company H, Fifty-seventh regiment. On his return from the army his first work was
to raft in the timber he had left lying on the banks of the stream when he enlisted the
year previous. The next year he cleared about ten thousand dollars on the lumber he
put in and purchased. In 1863 Mr. Long removed to Brookville, and from that time
has resided there. His father and mother came with him, and made his home theirs
until they were gathered into the home above. His father died May 2, 1876, and his
mother September 15, 1879. They had led busy lives, and had seen the wilderness give
694 History of Jefferson County.
way to the brisk, thriving town. They were strictly honest, hospitable and worthy
people, and were prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been
identified with that church fi-om its first organization in Brookville. They had. during
a long life-time, accumulated considerable of this world's wealth, and so straightforward
had been Mr. John Long's dealings with his fellows, that his son says of him : " In '
settling up his estate I was never called upon to pay a single debt, and I do not think
that he owed a single cent in the world."
In the spring of 1863 J. E. Long engaged in the mercantile business in Brookville,
in which he continued for three years, when he sold out to David A. Paine, and in com-
pany with G. A. Pearsall, went into the general hardware business. This firm was a
prosperous and lucrative one. In the fire of 1S73 they were burned out, and the fol-
lowing year built the large brick building in which Pearsall & Son now conduct the
same business. In 1875 Mr. Long sold his interest in the store to Mr. Pearsall, and in.
1879 sold his half of the building to him. While they were partners, Mr. Long and Mr.
■ Pearsall both built handsome residences on Western avenue. South Side. After selling
out to Mr. Pearsall, Mr. Long went into the same business in Du Bois, in company with
his nephew, Lewis A. Brady. In 1863 he became a stockholder in the First National
Bank of Brookville, and was a director and subsequently president of that bank. In
1877 he again engaged in the lumbering business in Brookville, in company with the
late A. J. Brady, under the firm name of Brady & Long, and leased the old Philip Tay-
lor mill, and ran it for about four years. They then bought the R. D. Taylor mill, on
Five Mile Run, and in 1883 put up a new mill at the mouth of the run. This, the cel-
ebrated " Blaine Mill," has a capacity of 6,000,000 feet, and 500,000 lath per annum.
It cost $15,000, and they are still operating it, with stock to run it for ten years.
In the spring of 1885 Mr. Long bought half of the Philip Taylor homestead and farm,
laid it out in lots, and quite a flourishing town has already sprung up. He also built an
addition to the Taylor mansion, and made it into one of the finest hotel buildings in
the State.
Mr. Long has taken an active part in the politics of the county, and has always been
an unsvyerving Republican. In 1S80 he was a delegate to the National Convention at
Chicago, to which he went instructed for James G. Blaine. He was on the ground two
days before the convention assembled, and in company with four other delegates got up
papers to oppose General Grant in the convention. He was the first to sign this paper,
and with one other delegate worked two days and nights to accomiilish the measure,
securing twenty- three names to the paper, which, with another signed by nineteen dele-
gates from New York, setting forth the fact that Grant could not carry that State, is
supposed to have been the cause of Grant's defeat in the convention. The convention
lasted seven days, and was one of the most important ever held in this country. Mr.
Long voted thirty-five times for James G. Blaine, and once for James A. Garfield, the
nominee of the convention. In 1880 Mr. Long was nominated for the Legislature in
Jefferson county, and at the election defeated the late R. J. Nicholson, one of the most
popular democrats of the county. While a member of the Legislature, he was one of
those who were instrumental in passing the " store order bill," voted for the pipe bill, for
the measure requiring railroad companies to erect fences along their tracks, and for alj
temperance measures that came before that body. Mr. Long has represented Jefferson
■county three times in State convention, and has the credit of making some of the State
nominations. In 1884 he ran for the nomination in Jefterson county for State Senator
James Elliott Long. — Upthegrapii James Gillespie. 695
in the district that was composed of the cotinties of Jefterson and Indiana, but was
defeated by Senator W. J. McKnight. He had, however, the satisfaction of carrying his
own town, where he always received a majority when a candidate for any office. Mr.
Long was the first lumberman to adopt the monthly pay system in the county. In ad-
dition to his business interests in Jefterson county, he is largely interested in Du Bois.
In the year 1875 he purchased the large farm of Henry Shaffer, laid it out in town lots
which he sold at liberal rates and on exceptionally good terms to purchasers, often ex-
tending the time of payment over a period of five years, thus giving rare opportunities to
laboring men and others of limited means to secure homes of their own on the most
easy terms. This Hberality showed that Mr. Long possessed business talent of the first
order, as in the end it redounded to his own advantage, and to the town itself, as the
rapid increase of population created a still greater demand for real estate, at advancing
figures. The farm, when first laid out, was known as " Long's addition to Du Bois,"
and is now covered by what is known as Central Du Bois, the heart of the business part
of the town, and is, in fact, the Second Ward of the place. In the spring of 1876 Mr-
Long opened a large hardware store, in which he subsequently associated with himself
his nephew, L. A. Brady, constituting the firm of Long & Brady, which has built up an
immense trade. This venture, like all the enterprises in which he has been engaged,
proving a success from the first, and continues in the lead to-day. His last but crown-
ing eftbrt in Du Bois was his untiring efforts which resulted in the establishment of the
First National Bank of Du Bois city. Early in the spring of 1883, in company with
Mr. F. K. Arnold, of Reynoldsville. aided by other citizens of Du Bois and Reynolds-
ville, the plan was matured, and sufficient stock, amounting to $50,000 secured, to war-
rant the purchase of a lot, and the erection of a brick bank building, commodious and
modern in all its appointments. This building is located on Long street, the identical
street which his own name suggested in 1875. On the ist of August, 1883, the new
bank opened its doors for business, with F. K. Arnold, president, and James E. Long,
cashier. The venture proved successful bevond expectation, and stands to-day an honor
to its projectors. Since January i, 1887, Mr. Long has been president of the bank,
and M. W. Wise, cashier. Thus w^e see in this brief biography how pluck, push, and
energy, combined with honor and integrity, have made James E. Long successful in all
his business enterprises.
In his domestic relations he has been equally favored. On the 28th of May, 1861,
he was married to Miss Carrie A. Brown, daughter of the late Orlando Brown, of Brook-
ville. Three children have blessed this union. Little Maggie was early transplanted
into the heavenly home, leaving one daughter and one son. Meribah (or, as she was
familiarly called, Maimie), was married December 18, 1884, to Malcolm W. Wise, cashier
of the First National Bank of Du Bois, while Lewis Benton still remains with his parents.
Mr. Long still resides in his beautiful home on Western avenue, where he has gathered
about him many valuable works of art and literature, and where the utmost hospitality
is dispensed.
GILLESPIE, UPTHEGRAPH JAMES. .Mr. Gillespie is of Irish parentage, and was
born in Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland coimty, June 26, 1820. In 1826 his father
removed to Washington township, Indiana county, where Mr. Gillespie was raised and
educated. In 1842 he came to Punxsutawney, where he read medicine for two years,
and in 1845 went west, and practiced for one year in the State of Michigan. In 1846
696 History of Jefferson County.
he returned to Punxsutawney and became engaged in lumbering, in which business he
was actively engaged until 1874. In 185S he removed to Clayville, where he has since
permanently resided. Mr. Gillespie is now engaged in farming, milling and merchan-
dising. March 25, 184S, he was married to Miss Lydia Smith Winslow, third daughter
of Honorable James Winslow. They have five children — Amanda J., married William
B. Sutter ; William M., Kate L., wife of John W. Parsons ; James L. and .\nna. Mr.
Gillespie has always been prominently identified with the political affairs of the county,
being one of its leading Democrats. He represented Jefferson county in the State
Legislature during the sessions of 1877 and 1878. He was a delegate to the Demo-
cratic National Convention held at Cincinnati in 1880, and at different times he has
been honored with all the official positions in the gift of the citizens of the borough in
which he resides.
Mr. Gillespie is a man of decided opinions ; but the practical worth of his business
skill and ability is well appreciated by the people of the county, and he has added
largely by his example and liberality in advancing the interests of the town where he has
so long resided. In religion he is a Catholic, and as the representative man of that
church in the south side has contributed largely to the upbuilding of that denomination,
and has now the satisfaction of seeing a beautiful and commodious house of worship
erected in Clayville.
LITCH, THOMAS K. The Litches are of Scotch-Irish descent. Thomas, the father,
died in 1818, at Fitchburg, Mass., at the age of fifty years. His wife was Hannah
Kimball, of English parentage, who died at Fitchburg, Mass.. in 1870, aged about
eighty years. Thomas K. Litch was born at Fitchburg on the 2 2d of December, 1808.
His tastes were for mechanics, and at the age of fourteen he commenced to learn a
trade with Martin Newton, at Fitchburg. While learning the business he attended
school part of the time, as well as some of his youth previous to his apprenticeship. He
served six years and then worked for a Mr. Harvey, in Worcester, Mass. He moved to
Pittsburgh in the month of February, 1829, and engaged with a Mr. Bemis, a founder
and machinist, with whom he remained five years. He then became the senior mem-
ber of the firm of T. K. Litch & Co., founders and machinists who were located on the
".point," Water street, Pittsburgh. Their business was very extensive, and included the
manufacture of steam engines (stationary and portable), sugar mills, etc. At that time
there were only ten foundries and machine shops in the city. Some of the older citizens
of Pittsburgh will remember the then celebrated " Clipper engines," invented by Mr.
Litch, and' used on steamboats of importance plying between Pittsburgh and New Or-
leans. Engines of this pattern are being used on go\ernment vessels of to-day. It was
Mr. Litch, who built the first steamboat launched on the waters of Lake Chautauqua,
and then doing business between Mayville and Jamestown. He also built the first
hand fire engine used in Allegheny city. In 1837 he was elected a member of the city
council and served three terms, and was counted an able and invaluable guardian of
the city's interest. He was also a charter member of the old Reliable Western Insur-
ance Company of Pittsburgh, and was one of its board as long as he remained in the
city. In 1850 he removed to Brook ville, having, previous to his location, purchased
the timber lands and the saw and flouring-mills of Robert P. Barr. .\ short time after
his arrival he erected a new saw-mill, and made the necessary arrangements for manag-
ing the business on a more extensive scale.
Thomas K. Litch. 697
In 1854 he organized the Redbank Navigation Company, obtaining through Judge
Isaac G. Gordon (now of the Supreme Court), a charter from the Legislature, and be-
came the president. This position he occupied until his death. The charter was a
very liberal one on the [lart of the incorporators, as all they asked was to have their
capital returned, and the tolls were so fixed that they barely kept the river in good raft-
ing condition. This movement was of incalculable value to the lumbermen and was of
more account to Jefferson county than the railroad or any previous or subsequent event.
Before its inauguration the lumber business was on a very small scale, and the timber
arrived in market, if it reached there at all, in a condition which prevented its sale as
first or even second class lumber.
In 1856 the new and old saw-mills were burned, Dut were immediately replaced by
another steam saw-mill with a capacity of three million feet of boards per annum. He
rebuilt the grist-mill in 1869-70 and made it one of the largest in the county.
Mr. Litch knew just how work should be done, and when he secured a good
workman he would keep him in his employ. He was kind and just to his employees,
always paying them promptly good wages for their labor, which he expected done in
the best possible manner, and his employees honored and respected him, and were
never desirous of a change. Among those longest in his employ were Silas Miller, who
came with him from Pittsburgh in 1850, and is still engineer in the mills of T. K. Litch
& Sons ; Charles Sitz, William Goss and John D. Smith also were in his employ from
ten to twenty years. '
Mr. Litch took an active interest in all matters relating to the good of the town, and
his purse was ever open to aid any enterprise that promised to be of public benefit.
In 1878 he was one of those instrumental in organizing the Jefferson County National
Bank of Brookville, of which institution he was made president, an office he held until
his death. He was also one of those who were foremost in organizing the cemetery
company, and purchasing and improving the same.
In 1876, owing to the declining health of the father, the whole lumbering and flour-
ing interests were turned over to his two youngest sons, Harry and Edward, under the
firm name of Litch Bros., and by them successfully carried on until the death of their
father, since which time the firm has been a family one, viz., Mrs. Thomas K., Thomas
W., Harry C. and Edward A., under the firm name of Thomas K. Litch & Sons. The
mills built in 1856 being about worn out by long and continued service, and the flood of
June, 1884, doing it much damage, as well as tearing out and washing away bracket
dam-cribs, booms and bridges, was replaced by the present owners in 1S84, with a
magnificent steam-feed mill at a cost of $25,000, with a daily capacity of fifty thousand
feet of lumber,
Thomas K. Litch was married in 1834 to Margaret Black, of Pittsburgh, a daughter
of \Vidow Martha Black. She died in 1842. He was again married on February 17,
1S48, to Rebecca M. Eaton, a daughter of Joseph Eaton, of Massachusetts, to whom
four children, three sons and one daughter, were born — Thomas W., Harry C, Ed-
ward A. and Annie, now married to S. S. Henderson, all of whom reside in Brookville.
Mr. Litch died Monday evening, August 14, 1882, after an illness of several month's
■duration. The preceding evening he had taken a carriage drive with a portion of his
family, which he enjoyed very much, but about 3 o'clock a. m. the next day, he fell
from his chair with an attack of heart disease, from which he suffered for some time,
and though conscious to the end was unable to speak again. He was a kind husband
698 History of Jefferson County.
and father, an obliging neiglibor, a man of candor, and whose honesty and HberaHty
was unimpeachable.
KELSO, CAPTAIN JOSEPH C, was born on the 19th of July, 1835, on his father's
farm (then only a clearing of twenty-five acres), on one of the Redbank hills, three
miles southwest of Brookville, Pa. Thus the first fifteen years of his life were spent in a
small, rude log cabin, and by force of circumstances he was early made acquainted with
the labor of clearing and fencing land, and erecting better buildings. He also worked
at lumbering in the winter seasons in order to pay taxes, make improvements, and other
necessary expenses. He worked on his father's farm (with the exceptions of a few short
terms at a common school) until there was about one hundred acres cleared, and he
then moved to another farm which he partly cleared and fenced, replacing the little log
cabins with good farm buildings.
By close application he had obtained a fair common school education, and taught
school a few terms, but has always said that for the same wages he would prefer to cut
saw-logs. At the breaking out of the war of 1861-5, he was a member of Captain E. R.
Brady's company of uniformed militia, the " Brookville Guards," but owing to party
predjudice, he did not at first see the necessity of going to war. and therefore did not
turn out with the first three months volunteers. But the development of events soon
convinced him that duty called him to the line which separated the government and its
destroyers. Accordingly, he was one of the first to enlist in Captain Bowling's com-
pany, which afterwards became " B, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Veteran
Volunteers." The fact that he made his will before going to the front, is suflicient evi-
dence that he fully realized the gravity of the situation. At the first organization of the
company. Captain Bowling gave him the appointment of fifth sergeant. He afterwards
was promoted through every rank to captain. He is one of those to whom were awarded
the bronze medal known in the First Bivision, Third Corps, Army of the Potomac as
the " Kearney cross."
Having no wealthy or influential friends to secure for him unmerited promotion, his
advancement was slow but sure, and never envied by others. The " Captain," as he is
called, is a man of strong convictions, and pure and honest motives, intentions, and de-
sires. It is admitted on all hands that he " has done the State some service," and is not
unworthy of the respect shown him by his tellow-citizens. He was in the army four
years, and carries four scars on his person whicii are the remains of wounds received in
battle, yet he thinks that the glorious Union is worth all it has cost, and on this subject
says : " I thank God that I am a sovereign citizen of tlie best government in the world,
and that as a citizen soldier I have had the honor of helping to sustain it. It has done
much for me, and I would not hesitate a moment to defend it against foes without or
within, if it were again in danger." He resides on his farm on Redbank Creek, six
miles below Brookville, and although having some reputation as a warrior, he is now
striving to be at peace with his Maker, and to be a promoter of peace and good will
amongst men.
D.ARLING, PAUL, was born in Smethport, McKean county. Pa., November 5,
1823. and was the second son of Br. George Barling and Barling, m'e
(ranan. His mother died when he was quite young, leaving two other children, Br.
Jedediah Barling and Charlotta, married to Br. J. Y. McCoy, of Smethport. His
Paul Darling. 699
brother has been dead U>r a number of years, but Mrs. McCoy, now well advanced in
years, yet resides at Smethport.
In 1834 Dr. Darling came to Brookville and engaged in the practice of medicine,
where he soon afterwards married Miss Julia Clark, daughter of Elijah Clark, of Knox
township, and about the year 1837 his son Paul joined him. Though but a boy in
years when he came to Brookville, he was obliged to make his ow-n living, and sup-
ported himself by teaching school. His first "teacher's certificate," which he had pre-
served among his papers, read as follows :
" We. the undersigned School Directors of Pine Creek Township, do hereby certify
that we have examined Paul Darling, and have found him qualified to teach Reading,
Writing & Arithmetick and the principal rules of Grammar & Geography.
" Signed, James Moore,
"Archr McMurray,
" John Long,
" George S. Mathews."
He afterwards entered the store of the late Thomas K. Litch as a clerk, and by his
aptness at learning the business and careful attention to his duties, he soon won the
commendation of his employer, and after a few years was made general manager of his
extensive lumber business, and Mr. Litch was ever one of his warmest personal friends.
He was extremely frugal and saving in his habits, and as soon as he had accumulated
a little money he embarked it in the lumber trade and soon gained quite a competency,
which, by judicious investments in western timber lands, he augmented to a large for-
tune, being worth $500,000 at the time of his death. Mr. Darling was one of the
founders of the Jefferson County National Bank, of which institution he was vice-presi-
dent at the time of his death.
He took care of his father and step-mother in their later years, both of whom pre-
ceded him to the grave, and after the marriage of his half-sister, Mary, to W. H. Gray,
of Brookville, he made her house his home, where he died, after a painful illness of
several weeks' duration, November 4, 1881, passing quietly from earth just one day
before his fifty-eighth birthdav dawned.
Paul Darling was a man whose word was as good as his bond, and his strict regard
to truth in all matters, whether large or small, was one of his characteristics. He was
a shrewd, careful business man, and a sociable, companionable friend. He was well
read, and his well-balanced mind retained what he culled here and there from the best
authors. While busy in accumulating his large fortune Paul Darling was not accounted
among the benevolent ones of the earth, but when brought face to face with death he
dwelt much u])on that portion of the Lord's Prayer which says, " Forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors," and in his will, one of the most remarkable on record, which
is given below, he released his debtors from the payment of judgments and securities he
held against them.
Paul Darling made the most of his fortune in Jefferson county, and to the people of
the town and county that for so long was his home he left the bulk of it, and the mon-
ument he erected when he made these bequests will never be obliterated as long as one
of those from whom he lifted the burden of debt survives, or as long as the beautiful
Methodist Church, or the elegant Presbyterian parsonage, both largely erected by his
"bounty, or the soldiers' monument, remain. The children of the public schools of
Brookville, too, as they are surrounded and refined by the beauties his thoughtfulness
has lavished about them, will revere and bless his memory.
700 History of Jefferson County.
Paul Darling's Will.
The following bequests were made by Paul Darling, as found in his will, which was
admitted to probate November i, 1881 : "To W. H. Gray and Mary Gray, his wife, my
bank stock and interest in the Jefferson County National Bank, about $30,000 ; to Paul
Darling Robinson, Paul Darling Wright, Paul Darling Hamlin, and Paul Darling Sco-
field, my namesakes, each $200 ; to Edward Scofield $3,000; to R. G. Wright, Henry
Hamlim, Byron D. Hamlin, Thomas K. Litch, Dr. W. Y. McCoy, Mrs. Charlotta Mc-
Coy, Delano C. Hamlin and Geneva, wife of Delano C Hamlin, Mollie Forrest, each
$100; to Dr. Henry L. McCoy $200, and to his wife $100; to Ellen, daughter of
Charlotta McCoy, Ed. McCoy and Frank, his wife, Mrs. Lotta Hamlin and to her chil-
dren, Willie, Orlo, Aline and Mary, each $100; to Emma Hamlin and Mrs. Lena
Rose, each $100 ; to Harry C. Litch $100 ; to Mrs. Blanch Litch $25 ; to E. A. Litch
$100, and Allie, his wife, $25; to Mrs. Thomas K. Litch, Anna Henderson, daughter
of Thomas K. Litch, C. B. Clark, Amelia Clark, Maggie Clark, Mattie Gephart, Mr.
and Mrs. E. H. Darrah and Mary A. Corbett, each $100; to Dr. J. E. Hall and C. R.
Hall, each $50; to Mr and Mrs. Joseph Henderson, each $25; to Joseph B. Hender-
son $100; to Mrs. Joseph B. Henderson $25, and to each of her children $5 ; to
Charles Corbett $50 ; to Thomas E. Espy and Thomas M. Carroll, each $100; to W.
D. J. Marlin $50 ; to Dr. Henry L. McCoy, in trust for Geneva Bard, $500 ; to Mrs.
John T. Reed $1,200; to Mrs. Emma Kimble $1,300; to Mrs. Skillen, sister of Mrs.
Kimball, $1,300; to J. B. Henderson, in trust for Mrs. Martha Hall, judgment against
Enoch Hall; to John Guyther and D. A. Henderson, two-thirds of about $2,000; to
N. G. Edelblute $3,280; to H. F. Burris one-third of balance of article of agreement;
to Robert and Mary H. Stewart, life interest in property in which they now live; to S.
M. Tinthofl", judgment against him ; to Benewell Kroh, judgment against him; to L J.
Yaney, judgment against him ; to Thomas Stewart, judgment against him; to George
M. and Theodore Irvin, judgment against them; to S. H. Croyl and William Kennedy,
judgment against them; to William Walters, what he owes me; to T. B. McLain and
Coleman, judgment against them ; to Con Fink, judgment against him ; to A. J. Davis,
judgment against him ; to M. R. Reynolds and E. A. McClelland, judgment against
them ; to J-oseph Darr, judgment against him ; to Dennis, Silas and Alma Bevier, one-
half of judgment against them ; to Samuel Yount, judgment against him ; to A. J. Brady,
interest on judgment and note for $125 ; to Silas Miller, what he owes me; to Sheridan
McCuUough, what he owes me; to Mrs. Mary McLain, privilege to purchase lot for
$700; to James Chambers and Martha Chambers, farm in Rose township, Jefferson
county ; to Samuel Chambers and sister, farm in Redbank township. Clarion county ;
to P. Ford and wife, $50 each ; to Hon. G. A. Jenks, the sum of $25, because I am
proud of him as a Jefferson county production, and like him as a man; to Hon. L G.
Gordon, $25 on account of long friendship ; to Hon. W. P. Jenks, whom I have known
so long — when we were not worth $200 — but we have both since dug along — $25 ; to
(ieorge Zetler, senior and junior, judgment they owe me; for a soldiers' monument in
Brookville Cemetery $2,000 ; for a monument to myself $2,000 ; to the school district
of Smethport, McKean county. Pa., $15,000 to aid in the erection of a school building,
if erected within two years ; to help them in business, to J. N. Garrison, John J. Thomp-
son and Joseph Darr, each $5,000; to E. and B. Reitz $2,000; to lift him out, I
cive to James A. Gathers $5,000; to James M. Canning $2,000; to Carroll and
Espy $2,000, in addition to amount mentioned above; to D. F. Hibbard $1,000; to
Paul Darling. — Alexander M. McClure. 701
S. S. Jackson $2,000 ; to David Eason $2,000 ; to H. Brady Craig $1,000 ; for beauti-
fying and improving the grounds of tlie public schools of the borough of Brookville,
$3,000 a year for twelve years; to the erection of a Methodist Church in the borough
of Brookville, when erected $3,000 ; for the benefit of the poor in the borough of
Brookville and Rose township, $2,000 a year for nine years, to be divided each year
in proportion of paupers in each district ; to A. J. Brady, judgment against him ; to E.
H. and W. R. Darrah and the Moore boys, judgment against them ; to W. J. McKnight
and T. L. Templeton, judgment against them for $2,000 and note for $3,000 ; to '1'.
P. McCrea, note for $325; to Brookville Cemetery Company, the interest on $1,000
annually and ]jerpetually, to be expended in keeping my lot and tomb in order ; to E.
Clark Hall $50 ; to F. X. Kreitler $50; to A. L. Gordon $25 ; to William Dickey $25 ;
to Uriah Matson, Robert Matson and Harry Matson, each $io; to John C. Hamlin
$5,000 ; to Willie Orlo Hamlin, in addition to foregoing, $5,000 ; to the Presbyterian
Church of Brookville $2,000 ; to the U. P. Methodist, Baptist and Lutheran Churches,
each $1,000. After the above bequests are provided for, if there should be anything
remaining, I direct the following to be paid : To Edward Scofield, $3,000 a year for
nine years ; to H. C. Litch, Ed. A. Litch, J. B. Henderson and W. H. Gray, each
$1,000 a year for ten years ; and as residuary legatees, to the Presbyterian and Metho-
dist Churches of Brookville, in the proportion of two-thirds to the Presbyterian and one-
third to the Methodist Church." A. L. Gordon, esq., and J. B! Henderson are named
as executors of the will.
McCLURE, ALEXANDER M., was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny county,
near the present site of McKeesport, on the 10th day of October, 1824. He is
the grandson of Andrew McClure, one of the first judges of Allegheny county, who came
to America from Ireland, when he was about eighteen years old, and settled east of the
Allegheny Mountains, but afterwards removed to .\llegheny county, where he resided
until his death, which occurred in 1845, at the advanced age of one hundred and three
years. His father's name was also Andrew, and his mother, m'c Margaret Abraham,
was born at Steubenville, Ohio, and resided there until her marriage with Andrew Mc-
Clure, when they moved to Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, but only lived there
a short time, when they moved to Mifflin township, where they both resided until their
death. Mr. McClure died at the age of sixty-five years, and Mrs. Margaret McClure
died March 29, 1875, at the age of eighty-four years. The old homestead is still held
in possession by their son, Alexander M. McClure. They had six children, Francis,
Sarah, Alexander M., Margaret, Andrew and Susan, and they are all yet living.
A. M. McClure was married July 3, 1849, to Sarah H. Cox, eldest daughter of William
and Hannah Cox. She was born in Leicestershire, England, about seventy-two miles from
London, December 13, 1827, and came with her parents to America in 1830. They set-
tled at Saltsburg, Indiana county, but removed to a farm near the present site of the
homestead, in Allegheny county, where she resided until her marriage. Mrs. McClure
died April 27, 1880. They had twelve children, nine daughters and three sons, of whom
seven daughters and two sons are yet living. Two daughters died in infancy, but the
eldest son, William Alexander McClure, who was born January 13, 1857, and was en-
gaged in the lumber business with his father, in McKeesport, died May 3, 1880. He
was married January i, 1880, to Carrie Rath, of Mifflin township, Allegheny county.
Hannah Jane, the eldest daughter, married James E. Patterson, March 25, 1879, and
702 History of Jefferson County.
resides at McKeesport; Josephine, married Edward Seifert, February 22, 1876, and lives
in Big Run ; Susan M., living in Mifflin township, Allegheny county ; Catherine L.,
married James H. Barrelle, September 29th, living in Punxsutawney ; Andrew Francis,
married Susan Charles, December 19, 1882, and resides on the old homestead in
Allegheny county, Emma L., married W. H. Tyson, August 25, 1885, and lives in Big
Run ; John McC, Nora D. and Sarah Belle, are unmarried, and reside with their father
at Big Run.
Not being satisfied with his avocation of a farmer, Mr. McCIure at an early age em-
barked in the lumber traffic, and for many years carried on an extensive trade along the
Monongahela River. In 1861 he made his first business trip to the wilds of Jefferson
county, and ever since has been carrying on a large business in this county, but has only
made his home here since 1884, when he removed to his present residence in Big Run.
Mr. McClure, besides his large lumber interests in Jefferson and Clearfield county, owns
some of the best farms in Henderson township, and built the large hotel in Big Run,
the Hotel McClure, besides being engaged in the mercantile business. He is one of the
foremost citizens in furthering every enterprise that enhances the prosperity of the place.
DINSMORE, MARION J., son of Robert and Mary Dinsmore, was born in Peters-
burg, Huntingdon county, May 12, 1837. His mother was a daughter of Thomas
Johnson, Centre county, to whom his father was married on the 22d day of January,
1835. Robert Dinsmore was born in Boallsburg, Centre county, March 22, 1805, his
father having emigrated from Ireland about the close of the Revolution, and settled in
Centre county. He afterwards served in the War of 181 2, and was honorably dis-
charged at its close. He died in Boallsburg.
Mr. Robert Dinsmore removed to Huntingdon county in 1833. Before he left Cen-
tre county he was engaged in cattle droving, and visited the western countries of the
State, purchasing stock for the eastern markets. He engaged in farming in Hunting-
don, for a few years, and removed to Armstrong county, where he purchased a farm
about four miles from Kittanning, where he resided until his death, which occurred De-
cember 23, 1853. His wife survived him a number of years, residing during the later
years of her life with her son, Marion, at Punxsutawney, where she died, aged about
sixty-five years. The family consisted of nine children, seven sons and two daughters,
of whom four sons and one daughter are living.
Marion was the eldest cliild, and at his father's death the care of the family devolved
upon him. The estate was found to be in a bad condition, encumbered with debts that
threatened to involve the entire property ; but though a boy in years, young Marion
Dinsmore put his shoulders to the wheel, cleared off all the indebtedness, stocked the
farm, put it in a good state of cultivation, making it one of the best in the neighborhood.
When the war-cloud burst upon the country, young Dinsmore promptly enlisted, in
Company K, Seventy-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. While on picket he
was prostrated by typhoid pneutnonia, which came near ending his life, and his recovery
left him so debilitated, that his discharge from the service was necessary. In June,
1863, he returned home, and finally recovered.
He then determined to seek some other calling besides farming, and entered the
Iron City College, at Pittsburgh, the winter of 1863 and 1864, and graduated therefrom
May, 1864. This was the turning point in Mr. Dinsmore's career, to which he attributes
all his future business success. To Rev. Mr. Harvey, Professor Smith, of the Iron City
Marion J. Dinsmore. — A. M. Clarke, M. D. 703
College, and other kind Friends, he will ever feel the warmest feelings of gratitude for
the great interest they took in the broken down soldier boy.
After finishing his course at the college Mr. Dinsmore engaged in cattle droving, in
order to build up his strength by out-door exercise, and afterwards was employed as a
clerk in Ross & Nechling's general store in Kittanning.
In April, 1865, he removed to Punxsutawny, where he became a salesman in Dr.
Joseph Shields' store, and afterwards a partner in this establishment. June 20, 1870, he
was elected cashier of the Mahoning Bank of Punxsutawney, and became its principal
manager and financier until October, 188-, when he purchased all the stock of the con-
cern, and became its sole owner, until December, 18, 1886, when he sold the bank to
the present owners, since which time, he has not been engaged in any business.
Mr. Dinsmore was married November 15, 1865, to Miss Sarah E. Beney, daughter
of James R. Beney, of Armstrong county, near Kittanning. They have had seven chil-
dren of whom one boy and five girls are living; the youngest boy, Freddie Earl, the
baby of the household, dying August, 1887.
CLARKE, A. M., M.D. Asaph Milton Clarke was born in the town of Granby, Hart-
ford county, Connecticut, on the 2 2d day of March, 1808. His ancestors were
among the early settlers of New England, having crossed the ocean from old England,
in what year is not certainly known. Philetus Clarke, his father, was a son of Joel and
Chloe Clark 7iee Reed, and was born October 9, 1782. His mother was Penelope God-
ard, daughter of Tilley Godard and Adah Holcomb, his wife. She was born December
6, 1787. The progenitors of Dr. Clarke seem to have been remarkable for their lon-
gevity. John Godard, father of Tilley, died at the age of ninety-six years ; his wife,
Molly Hillyar, at ninety-seven ; Ephraim Holcomb, father of Adah, died at the age of
eighty- four years, and his wife, Dorcas Hays, at the age of sixty-five, while Adah, the
grandmother of Dr. Clarke, lived to the great age of one hundred and two years. Phi-
letus Clark married Penelope Godard on the 20th of February, 1806. He died Janu-
ary 12, A. D. 1852. When A. M. Clarke was about six months old his parents removed
to Russell, St. Lawrence county. New York, where they remained until 18 19, when
they removed to Little Toby, now in Elk county.
He was born amid the scenes of frontier dangers, and his home was within hearing
distance of the roar of the cannon during the war of 1812. One incident of his infancy
is given in his own words : " Perhaps it might have been a joke of the old Canadian
Indian who came to our house when mother was alone. I was sleeping in the cradle.
The savage, taking out his knife and moving towards the cradle, said : ' LTgh ! me kill
dam Yankee!' My mother cried: 'No, Socksusup, you will not!' And, perhaps
fortunately for my childish scalp, I vifas left unmolested. My mother, who related the
story to me, said she was not afraid ; but a quivering, ghost-like thrill of horror creeps
over me yet to think of it."
His parents were among the first to penetrate into the Little Toby wilderness, and,
with those who were associated with them in reclaiming those untrodden wilds, have
been noticed in the earlier pages of this work. The educational advantages in those
days were limited in the extreme, but young Clarke was possessed of an inquiring mind,
and the older he grew the more insatiate became his thirst after knowledge. As he
says, his first lessons were received at his mother's knee; that mother whom ^ he loved
704 History of Jefferson County.
and revered so tenderly, and who made her home near him untif called from earth, only
a few short years before him.
He was quite quick at repartee, and while in Huntington county in 1S28, he fell in
with a burly wood-chopper who had conceived an antipathy for him just because he was
a " Yankee." One day young Clarke happened to step into the bar-room of the Glenn
Hotel, in Half Moon Valley, where he was boarding, and found himself among a crowd
of wood-choppers. The burly fellow aforesaid, who had noticed him frequently with a
book, suddenly confronting him, said: "Ha! have you got your dictionary ? " "No,
sir," said his victim, " but I will bring it if you wish." He replied, " All you are fit
for is to dance at a dog's funeral." " I am aware of it, and I expect a job when you
die," was the unexpected rejouider. And the giant said no more, while the landlord
and bystanders enjoyed his discomfiture.
. At an early age he evinced a love for the medical profession, and studied under Dr.
Jonathan Nichols, the pioneer physician of that part of the State, and to whom, he says:
"I am more indebted than to any other person for my success in after years."
Dr. Clarke was married on the 6th of March, 1831, to Rebecca Mason Nichols, the
daughter of his friend and preceptor. Dr. Nichols, and on the fiftieth anniversary of this
event they celebrated their golden wedding at their home in Brockwayville, in the
presence of their children, grand-children and friends.
Of Mrs. Clarke's ancestry, the record is not so complete. Her father. Dr. Jonathan
Nichols, who has already been noticed in this work, was the first settled minister of the
gospel in Jefferson county. He was born March 4, 1775, and was the son of Jonathan
and Rhoba Nichols, nee Martin. Dr. Nichols married Hannah, daughter of Hezekiah
and Sarah Mason, wcV Wood, January 17, 1796, and died May 16, 1846. His wife
died June 1859, aged eighty-two years.
The aged wife of Dr. Clarke, who was in very truth a helpmeet to him, still lives and
resides at the old homestead in Brockwayville.
Dr. Clarke practiced his profession almost constantly to the day of his death, and
was one of the best known physicians^in the county. He was of the Eclectic school of
medicine and was a graduate of the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute.
He was identified 'with the northern part of Jefferson county for over sixty years.
In 1S36 he removed to Brockwayville, where he laid out the town and done much to
give it its " first start in life," and where for almost fifty years he made liis home, and
whose every upward stride he watched with a zealous eye. Much of his historv has
been given in the history of the medical profession, of which he was an honored mem-
ber, and his patient, faithful and gentl^ ministrations at the bedside of the sick and dy-
ing will not soon be forgotten. His studies were not confined to medicine, but he was
well versed in general literature, and had a loving acquaintance with the poets. Books
were his delight and the solace of many a weary hour.
On Thursday evening, May 22, 1884, Dr. Clarke died very suddenly, at his residence
in Brockwayville, of neuralgia of the heart. On the Monday evening previous he
attended a meeting of the Borough Council, of which he was a member, walking home
afterwards. This efibrt proved too much for him, and he was ill all night and continued
indisposed until Thursday, when he seemed better and moved about the house singing,
as was his wont, and laying plans for the morrow. As evening drew near he com-
plained^of pains in his limbs, back, and loins, and his loving, faithful wife rubbed the
aflfected parts with mustard water, which gave him almost instant relief. Shortly after.
lets. Books
-idence
'it and continued
.. ..^ ,j;n-
wife rubbed the
Kcivi;* iiiiii aliiiosi iiiSiaat xi^iief. Short
i^Z-n^ttCi
A. M. Clarke, M. D. — James Humphrey. 705
while l\'ing on his bed talking to her, he suddenly put his hand over his heart, and said:
" Oh, this terrible jiain, it will kill me ! " closed his eyes and quietly exinred.
His death brought sorrow not only to his own immediate household and friends, but
to the community at large, for all felt that a " good man had fallen " — one whose place
could not be filled. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was one of the largest ever
held in Brockwayville, over one hundred carriages following the remains to the ceme-
tery, where Rev. E. R. Knapp, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted
the burial services.
The family of Dr. Clarke consisted of ten children, six daughters and four sons:
Hilpa A., married to William A. Schram, of Ridgway ; Adaline, drowned October 9,
1843 ; Penelope G., married to Dr. W. J. McKnight, of Brookville; Julia died January
23, 1839; Myrtondied March 31, 1842; Sarah, married to Thomas M. Myers, of Brock-
wayville; Asaph M., residing in York county; an infant son died April 16, 1847 ; Fran-
ces Ada, married to John A. Green, of Brockwayville, and William D., residing in Brock-
wayville.
The following fitting tribute to Dr. Clarke was written at the time of his death by
one who loved him for his many good qualities of head and heart :
" Deceased was intellectually a remarkable man. Denied the advantages of wealth
and education, he became not only a learned and skillful physician, but a literary man
of high order. Books were the mine in which he delved, and, from their pages he
brought forth jewels of information and thought most rare. He loved poetry with an
ardor words cannot e.xpress, and was not only familiar with the leading poets ot the past
and present, but was himself the author of a number of fragments which show him to
have been possessed of a poetic fire, that, in the hands of one less modest and unassum-
ing than he ever proved himself to be, would have made him an enduring name. His
qualities of heart were no less choice than were those of his head. He was generous to
a fault, and as meek and gende as a child. Nothing seemingly gave him more pleasure
than to do good to his fellow-men, and many there are who have partaken bountifully
of his store. In the sick-room his presence was always a sweet solace, and his delicate
touch almost as soothing as a narcotic. In the social circle he was ever popular, the
diversity of his knowledge and the easy flow of his language rendering him a delightful
companion. As a man and citizen he was highly respected, as was proven by the spon-
taneity with which his neighbors gathered about his grave and dropped a tear to his
precious memory. His death, like his life, was peaceful, and the name he leaves behind
^s as pure as the lily and as fragrant as the rose."
HUMPHREY, J.\MES, was born October 8, 1819, near Huntingdon, Pa. His
father, Richard Humphrey, was born in Ireland in 1762, and came to America
when a young man, during the French war. The vessel in which he made the voyage,
was chased by a French privateer. After living in different localities he located in
Huntingdon county, where he married Margaret Wright, who was also a native of Ire-
land, having come to this country with her parents while but a child. She died near
Huntingdon, in 1841. Mr. Humphrey removed to Jefferson county in 1840, and died
at the residence of his son, William, near Richardsville, in 1846, in the eighty-fourth
year of his age. Richard and Margaret Humphrey were the parents of eight children:
William, Thomas, Margaret, Richard, Jane, Mathew, James and John. Of these, the
three eldest and the youngest born are dead. Margaret married William Darrah and
7o6 History of Jefferson County.
died in Illinois ; William died at his home near Richardsville ; Thomas died at Strat-
tonville, and John ac Richardsville. Of those living Mathevv resides near Richardsville,
Richard near Curwensville, Clearfield county, Jane, who married Samuel C. Espy, re-
moved to Yankton county, Dakota, where she still resides.
James, the remaining member of the family and the subject of this sketch, in his
youthful days learned the milling trade, and later engaged in boating on the Pennsylva-
nia Canal, being engaged at the business in 1838 between Hollidaysburg, Columbia and
Philadelphia. In the winter of that year he came to Jefferson county and worked at
his trade of miller, with his brother, Thomas, who had charge of the grist-mill of Rob-
ert P. Barr, in Brookville. The next spring he returned to his home in Huntingdon
county, and resumed the life of a boatman until winter again set in, when he went to
Greenville, Clarion county, where he worked for his brother, Thomas, and then came
back to Brookville in 1840, and worked in the mill of R. P. Barr again until 1844, when
he rented the grist-mill at Port Barnett, where he remained one year, then in 1845 re-
turned to the Barr Mill again, where he remained as miller until 1848. In 1842, he and
his brother, Thomas, purchased the mill property back of Corsica, where they built the
grist-mill now owned by J. B. Jones.
On the 26th day of February, 1849, Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss Mary J.
Lamb, of the vicinity of Corsica. Five children have blessed this union — Wilbert
Newton, Mary Araminta, Annetta, Eva Alma, and James Malcolm. Of these, Annetta,
a. babe of eight months, died at Brookville, March i, 1856, and Mary Araminta, died
-at Port Barnett, March i, 1859, aged six years; Wilbert is married to Miss Kate Bul-
lers, and Eva to Frank A. Barber, while James Malcolm, the youngest of the family,
remains with his parents.
In 1856 Mr. Humphrey purchased the Port Barnett property of A. P. Heichhold,
assignee for Jones & Johnston. In 1876 he associated with him in his business his son,
Wilbert N., and the firm is now James Humphrey & Sons. Since 1876 they have had
a general store in connection with their other business.
In 1882 they built a new saw-mill with a capacity of from thirty to forty thousand
feet per day. They have also a shingle, lath and planing-mill in connection with it.
They have also greatly improved and remodeled their large grist-mill. Mr. Humphrey,
a few years ago, purchased the property of Jacob Kroh, jr., just west of Port Barnett,
on the Brookville road, where he has a beautiful home and can enjoy the fruits of his
early toil. He is one of the solid business men of the county, and bids fair to be able
to superintend his large business interests for manv years to come.
GIBSON, W. M. B., M.D. The subject of this biographical sketch scarcely requires
any mention of ancestral connections, for he stood out alone, an isolated being, from
any other Gibson alive or dead — an unique and eccentric character. As far as consan-
guineous inheritance goes, his sum of qualities — which distinguish one person from an-
other — might as well have been of spontaneous growth. Yet to follow the conventional
paths of biographical writers, some trace of his ancestry should be given.
His great-grandfather, on the paternal side, was one Hugh Gibson, who lived in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, previous to the Revolutionary War, and whose two sons.
John and Levi, pioneers of Indiana county, were captured by the Indians and delivered
into the hands of the British. Their release came only with the termination of the strug-
_gle, and thereat John Gibson resumed his residence in the county last mentioned. Will-
W. M. B. Gibson, M. D. 707
iam Gibson, the son of John, located in Clarion county (then Armstrong) in 1803, the
year in which Louisiana was purchased of France. James, the son of William, was the
father of the person of whom w^e write.
The great-grandfather on the maternal r.ide w^as of Hibernian stock, who bore the
characteristic appellation of McFadden, while his spouse was of German extraction,
whose name was Jack. Owen Meredith, the grandfather, was a native of Chester
county, from whence he emigrated to Centre, and thence to Clarion. The Merediths
were of English and Welsh lineage.
William Meredith Bruce Gibson was born on the loth day of January, 1843, five
miles from Clarion town, in Monroe township. The exact spot of his nativity was half
way between two iron furnaces, three-fourths of a mile on either side ; and in this fact
there is an illustration of the " eternal fitness of things," inasmuch as our Gibson was
" between two fires " all his days. And this fiery circumstance wielded another in-
fluence, and a more potent one, over the life which was then in the matrix that shaped
the years of manhood. A continuous warfare was rife between the youths of the fur-
naces, in which the boys of the country adjacent took sides; and, too, the forces of the
furnaces often coalesced and did battle against their heterogeneous enemy, the rural
stripHngs. Many a trouncing, in these sanguinary affrays, did our hero both give and
receive ; and as his young ideas were here first taught to shoot at educational targets,
so were the seeds of pugnacity sown, which grew into a bountiful crop, especially in
hostilities of an intellectual character. When Right and Justice were on his side, he
was as aggressive as the flux of the invincible ocean, and as immovable as the eternal
hills.
At the age of fourteen the precocious lad entered upon the career of school teaching,
alternating his time between that avocation and attending the Dayton Union Academy
of Armstrong county. Between his fourteenth and nineteenth years he taught nine
terms, and in his fifteenth the study of medicine was commenced. At the age of seven-
teen he was accorded, by an unanimous voice of the County Institute of Armstrong,
over which Superintendent Calhoun presided, a professional certificate ; and with this
credential of educational efficiency, he went forth into other States to disseminate knowl-
edge. In i860 he was the principal of the academy of Bullitt county, Kentucky, a few
miles south of Louisville ; but in consequence of an attack of ague he returned to Penn-
sylvania, and taught a couple of terms of school at Goheenville, in Armstrong county,
and in the winter succeeding presided over the graded school of East Brady.
In the years of 1862 and 1863 a course of medical lectures were taken at Ann Arbor,
which famous institution was his professional abtia mater : but the most profound, pen-
etrating, and practical information was gleaned from Dr. James Stewart, at Greenville,
Clarion county, whose mind was both analytical and synthetical, and whose erudition
encompassed about all the learning and experience of medicine in his day.
Dr. Gibson first became a practitioner in Troy, Jefterson county, where he was asso-
ciated with Dr. R. B. Brown; but in 1864 he entered upon the duties of his profession
in an independent career by locating at Reynoldsville, a vilUage at that time of the most
unpretentious character. His impressive personality challenged the attention of the
community, and his successes as a healer were the confirming truths of the book of
which his physiognomy and conversation were the title page. And not only as a doctor
did he achieve popularity in these initial years of a long, permanent residence, but his
social qualities gained for him a status that was liken unto a star around which the
7o8 History of Jefferson County.
satellites of society revolved ; and this position gave him a force in directing and shap-
ing the minds of his associates, and of the youths whose ambition was yet in an em-
bryonic state, that redounded to the greatest good. This is a fact which the writer
appreciates, inasmuch as he, himself, was one of those youths.
On Independence Day, 1867, Dr. Gibson enacted that beautiful drama of the heart,
Love and Marriage, the woman of his choice — the object of his perpetual friendship —
the faithful helpmate and companion of twenty years, having been Miss Anna, daughter
of Joseph McCreight.
In his professional career he acted as one of the surgeons of the Low Grade Rail-
road, a position given him when the surgeons were first appointed, and in which his
thorough competency gained for him the utmost confidence of the management. In
the years of 1875 and 1876 Dr. M. A. Masson was associated with him in the practice
of medicine. Masson was a man of brilliant ideas, and a thorough and bold practi-
tioner. He was a brother-in-law of the famous Dr. R. O. Cowling, late of Louisville,
Ketucky. Both of these talented men have been called hence.
Dr. Gibson belonged to the allopathic school of medicine, and he kept abreast of
progress in medicinal discovery. With a keen perception of causes as he saw effects)
and with his great knowledge of curatives, backed by the best of reasoning faculties, he
rarely erred in prognosis, although his diagnosis was always encouraging to the patient
and friends, even if, in his latent breast, he knew there was no hope. For this pecu-
liarity he has often been censured, but, believing in the potency of ivill power — of the
superiority and influence of mind over matter — he held on by even this frail thread
until the last breath of the patient was gone, and this tenacity was a part of the char-
acter of the man. Wherever he took a hold, he maintained until One greater than he
wrested the object from his grasp.
Dr. Gibson's distinguished mental superiority did not qualify him for any one special
pursuit, but rather for many. His power of invention, as shown in his literary work —
the formation of nice and new combinations of ideas, and imagery — stamped him as a
genius of a very high order. This is particularly true of his poetic efforts, many of
which are lofty in thought, and beautiful and strange, and always unique, in phraseology.
In romance his invention was marvelous, and one of his novels, published under a uom
de plume, attained a world-wide popularity, and in true worth almost approached the
classic, for although the work appeared almost a quarter of a century ago, it is yet read
on both sides of the Atlantic. Had he devoted his time to literature, there can be no
doubt but that his name would to-day be emblazoned in ardentia verba wherever the
shrine of letters stands ; but with his death ended all the grand possibilities his mind was
capable of
His physiological make-up was a most happy one, nicely balancing the various func-
tions and sensibilities. His Teutonic blood gave him solidity and logic ;Vhis Scotch and
Welsh, sternness and tenacity ; the Irish, affability and loquacity ; and these were well
blended and tempered, the effect of which was an almost perfect man. If there was a
preponderance of any one part, it was a tender sensibility for all who suffered ; and this
was of a degree that often impoverished his own worldly welfare. Yet, laboring be-
tween the fires of ambition on one side, and mendicancy on the other, he yet accumu-
lated a comfortable living, and his conscience was not goaded by the remembrance of
dishonest acts.
His tenacity of purpose was of a degree that would seem to make the stronger term
W. M. B. Gibson, M. D. 709
stiibboniiicss a more fitting definition of that trait of his character — especially when his
convictions were fixed upon the solid foundation of truth, as understood by a mind
whose logic was clear and far-reaching. This peculiarity was manifested early in life, at
the age^of seventeen, w-hen principal of the academy before spoken of. Young Gibson
was sojourning in the town, and his social disposition soon tbund him many friends, and
his educational bent, intellectual ones. The school was without a head, and its direct-
ors discovered in our hero both the mental and physical qualifications requisite to the
man who could successfully preside over an institution whose patrons were as refractory
in manners as they were advanced in learning. If they carried a cyclopedia in their
heads they also carried a dagger in their belts, and former principals had invariably
proven inadequate to the maintenance of such discipline as a respectable educational
establishment should possess. Young Gibson had not known of the contumacious char-
acter of the school until after his acceptance of the position ; but, nothing daunted, he
immediately purchased a stiletto of much longer blade than those he had seen in the
community, and, retiring to the academy, made himself as proficient as a boomerang
thrower in hurling the knife at a pillar. When the students assembled on the opening
day, the spirit of anarchy was rampant, and as an initial intimation of the iron rule with
which this new absolute monarch was going to control his subjects, he took a position
from which he was accustomed to throw the stiletto, and, with a herculean effort, plunged
the glistening blade deep into the the pillar, where it momentarily whizzed and quiv-
ered. The effect was magical, and each perverse being saw in his tutor a " foeman
worthy of his steel," and the steel was ever after kept within its scabbard. Not alone,
however, by this acrobatic feat did the new principal subdue the unruly element of his
school, for by a little oratorical diplomacy, in which he showed the pleasure and advan-
tage of a cognate feeling in teacher and pupil for the genius and welfare of the institu-
tion, he won to him the hearts of every fiery breast. This adventure reads more like the
product of a romancer's brain than that of an honest biographer's, and for boldness and
impudence is only equaled by Caesar's experience with the pirates near the island of
Pharmacusa.
As to the religious convictions of Dr. Gibson, we may quote what he, himself, said
of his life-long friend, Thomas Reynolds, sr. The sentiment seems as much a confession
of his own, as an observation on another. Here it is :
" But the most conspicuous traits of his nature were a sense of honor, incapable of a
stain — a probity which was stubborn in its inflexibility — and an abiding, deeply rooted^
uncompromising detestation, even horror, ot all shams and hypocrisy, whether religious,
political, or of any other kind. It is easily seen how such a i-nan, in this day and gen-
eration, however deep a reverence he might have for the Author of his being as the
great and good God — the Father, Preserver, and Protector of all the common brother-
hood of man — would rather retire those sentiments and feelings, and keep them sacred
within the innermost recesses of his soul, than to make a parade of them before the
world."
Friendship with Dr. Gibson was not a plant of hasty growth, but, set in the soil of
his esteem, and nourished by kind and intellectual intercourse, it attained a perfection
not often seen in social life. He had resources within himself so that he could have
lived alone, but those very resources made him eminently companionable and apprecia-
tive. Out of such material, the most pleasing and lasting friendships are wrought. In
8ij
7IO History of Jefferson County.
conversation he spoke well, easily, justly and seasonably; humor was more than wit. and
easiness than knowledge.
On the 2oth day of August, 1887, this great soul took its flight — the familiar form
of Dr. Gibson, the magnanimous, was wrapped in the vestments of eternity.
LONDON, TRUMAN BEAMAN. The progenitors of T. B. London were English,
and his grandparents on both the paternal and maternal side lived and died in Lu-
zerne county, Pa. These were Edward London, a native of New Jersey, and Samuel
Callender, born in Virginia. They won an honorable right to the soil of the Republic,
for themselves and their posterity, by patriotic devotion to the spirit of 1776, during the
long and trying carnage of the Revolution.
His father, whose name was Isaac, was born in New Jersey, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Sarah Callender, was a native of Connecticut. The former died in
Luzerne county in 1843, ^"'^ 'he latter in Jefferson county in 1846.
Truman Beaman London was born in Luzerne county (now Lackawanna) on the
nth day of October. 1S08, and was the second child of a family of nine. By self-en-
deavors and in the public schools he received a very thorough education in the place ot
his nativity, where he grew up to manhood, and where he was engaged in the lumber
trade until 1837. He manufactured lumber and marketed it at Harrisburg, Columbia,
Marietta, Port Deposit, and other points on the Susquehanna River.
On September 13, 1831, he was united in wedlock to Sally Mariah Slawson, which
union was blessed with offspring, numbering six, divided equally as to sex. Their
names, in consecutive order of birth, are Martha Jane, born July 28, 1832 ; Eliza Ma-
riah, March 9, 1834; Truman Beaman, March 10, 1836; Isaac, September 3, 1838;
Moses Slawson, January 31, 1841 ; Mary Ann, May 29, 1S42. The first and the last
two are deceased. Their mother died June 23, 1842. Of those living, Isaac is a wide-
awake and successful merchant of Reynoldsville, and a man greatly esteemed by all
who know him ; Truman B. is a successful farmer of Winslow township; and Eliza M.,
who married Andrew Johnston, is a resident of Du Bois, Clearfield county, and the wise
mother of an interesting family.
The subject of this biography emigrated from Luzerne county to Jefferson, locating
in Brookville in 1837. Upon his advent there he found such representative citizens as
Judge Heath, John Heath, the Dunhams, Dr. Jenks, Barclay Jenks, Drs. Bishop and
Darling, who were the physicians of the town, Samuel Truby, Jared Evans, Levi G.
Clover, Thomas Hastings, John Dougherty, etc. Barclay Jenks was the most brilliant
member of the bar, and Mr. London, in his enthusiastic reminiscences of him, says : ■' It
•took somebody better than a Philadelphia lawyer to equal our backwoods Blackstone."
Dr. Jenks, his father, and also father of the present Solicitor-General of the United
States, George A., was then one of the associate judges. Judge Evans was in the bank-
an" business, known at that time as a "shin-plaster office." He issued notes in various
denominations up to a dollar, which were made current in the community, and when
anyone had accumulated these to the amount of five dollars or over, they were redeem-
able at the counter of the Judge, who gave large bills in exchange. Mr. London, who
was in the mercantile business in a limited way. enjoyed the benefits of Evans's banking
system.
In 1840 Mr. London removed from Brookville, where he had been engaged in lum-
lierino^, to Perry township, and there cleared a farm purchased of C. C. Gaskill; and in
Truman Beamax London. — W. J. McKnigiit, M. D. 711
1S43 he settled in Bell township in the midst of his lumber operations. Six years later
he located permanently in Winslow township, near the site of his present residence, on
the farm now occupied by Fulton Henry. He contracted matrimony again in 1846,
by leading to the altar of Hymen Mrs. Sarah (\Vilkins) Rea, who succumbed to the
inevitable in 1878.
The record of T. B. London's life is that of an active and useful man — useful to him-
self, his family, his community, and his county. Aside from clearing and working many
farms, his lumber operations, in which he was a pioneer on Sandy Lick Creek, gave
employment to hundreds of men at a time when the less venturesome and poorer classes
needed just such an enterprising spirit to lead them. He opened up roads, often at his
own expense, leading into remote districts, thus creating settlements and adding to the
population and welfare of the county. In his later years his capital has erected a score
of houses in Reynoldsville and Winslow township, and was invested in a mercantile en-
terprise in the town mentioned for about eight years. His life has ever been identified
with the best interests of the local public, vigilant at all times, and always ready to do
good. He served one term as auditor of the county. To the church, too, he has been
kind, giving generously to every creed that knocked on his heart, asking for help. His
character and career may be summed up in this sentence : Honest, liberal, true, enter-
prising, companionable, intelligent, sagacious — and what more can be expected of a
noble man !
MCKNIGHT, Hon. VV. J., M. D. Alexander and Isabella McKnight ?iee McBride
were natives of County Down, Ireland. They emigrated in 1790 to Franklin
County, Pa. About 1795 they moved to and settled on a farm on Crooked Creek, In-
diana county. Pa. They had five daughters and two sons. James, grandfather of W.
J. McKnight, settled in Indiana town ; held several offices and was married twice, first
to Jane McNutt, by whom he had two sons — Alexander, the father of Dr. Mc-
Knight, and William, who died A. D. 1830, aged twenty-three years — and second to
Jane McConib, by whom he had one son and one daughter, both of whom removed to
Texas, where James attained distinction, and Jane is now living as Mrs. Jane Walbridge.
Alexander, jr., brother of the grandfather of this sketch, married Susannah Cummins,
and had two sons, viz., Hon. William C, who resides in Chambersburgh, Pa., and
Jaines A., who resides on the old Crooked Creek homestead in Indiana county. Pa.
Alexander, son of James and Jane McKnight nee McNutt, married Miss Mary
Thompson on the loth of May, A. D. 1831. Miss Thompson was a daughter of Will-
iam Thompson, of Indiana county, a sister of Hon. John J. Y. Thompson, and was a
granddaughter of Rev. John Jameson, who was born at EUerslie, Scotland, and whose
mother was a Wallace, of Sir William's clan. Alexander and Mary McKnight, tide
Thompson, commenced married life in Blairsville, Indiana county. Pa., and on the 19th
of May, A. D. 1832, Amor A. McKnight was born. In November of 1832 they moved
to Brookville, JetTerson county, Pa., Mr. McKnight during this winter teaching the
second term of school for the new town. In 1833 he was appointed justice of the
peace. In 1834 he was appointed county treasurer. He was major of the milita,
and fond of military drill. He was a man of fine presence and of much intellectual
vigor. He died on the 15th of June, A. D., 1S37 aged 27 years, leaving a widow and
three children, viz : Amor A. (late Colonel McKnight), Nancy Jane, who died in child-
hood, and W. J., the subject of this sketch. Mary McKnight, nee Thompson, married
712 History of Jefferson County.
John Templeton, esq., December 28, 1842, and had three sons — Thomas L., a citizen
of Brook ville, Jesse J., who died at Fortress Monroe in the service of his country, and
Oscar J., who died in childhood. John Templeton died December 8, 1850. Mary
Templeton, tiee McKnight, died February 22, A. D. i860, aged forty-eight years.
Senator McKnight was born in Brookville May 6, A. D., 1836 ; received a limited
education in the common schools. At the age of eleven poverty threw him upon his
own resources. He lived and worked on a farm for four years. When sixteen he was
employed by Samuel McElhose, of the 'Jefferson Star. At seventeen he commenced
the double task of type setting with Jerome Powell, esq., of Ridgway, Pa., and of read-
ing medicine under Dr. A. M. Clarke, of Brockwayville, Pa.
In this way, during a period of three years, by a species of economy known best to
himself, he saved enough money to enable him during the winter of 1856-7 to attend a
single course of medical lectures in Cincinnati, O. In March, 1857. he opened a med-
ical office in Brookville, and for two years had considerable success. In 1859 he joined
Dr. Niver, of Brockwayville, and as the junior member, had a large and active practice
during the four years of partnership. In 1863 he returned to Brookville and started a
drug store in connection with his practice. His brother, Thomas L. Templeton, joined
him in this enterprise. The Dr. gave personal attention to the drug store for six years,
after which time the large and extensive business of the firm has been, and is to-day,
successfully superintended by Thomas L. Templeton, esq.
In 1864 Governor Curtin appointed Dr. McKnight examining surgeon for Jefferson
county. He was also appointed and served as United States pension surgeon for seven
years. To faithfully perform other duties he was compelled to resign this position. He
served in the militia as private, and orderly sergeant in Company G Fifty-seventh Reg-
iment ; was promoted to quartermaster-sergeant, and took part in the campaign against
Morgan.
In i86g he attended lectures in Philadelphia, and received the degree of M. D.
He supplemented this course by attending two full courses in succession at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated there in March, A. D. 1884. In
the same year he received a degree from the school of anatomy and surgery. He took
a postgraduate course at Jefferson in 1885. January 9, i860, he married Miss Penel-
ope G. Clarke, a most estimable young lady, and who has proved to be a model wife
and mother. The result of this union has been seven children, four living and three
dead.
In 1876 Jefferson county presented Dr. McKnight for senator, and Indiana county
presented Dr. St. Clair. Conventions were held at Marion, Indiana and Brookville.
Finally to secure harmony and to save the congressman — Indiana's nominee — Dr. Mc-
Knight handed to the conference the following letter of declination, viz.:
Gentlemen. — When I received the nomination for senator by the convention of
Jefferson county Republicans, by a large and flattering vote, I believed then as I still
believe to-day, that I, as the choice of Jefferson county, was then and am to-day en-
titled to the nomination by the Republican party for senator of this district. But I fully
realize the fact that we are in an important political campaign, where the utmost har-
mony and union are required in all our ranks, and that I, as a faithful Republican,
should not ask personal preference antagonistic to the general welfare of the party, but
should act honestly for the people, consistent with my Republican principles and just to
myself. I have no personal contest. I am nothing, the success of the party is every-
W. J. Mcknight, M. D. 713
thing. I therefore withdraw from the contest, and hope my friends and the party may
act wisely in the interest of the public good. Thanking my friends from the bottom of
my heart for their warm support, and their assurance to continue it in the event of my
remaining a candidate, I say here in all candor, that I hope I may never be so ungrate-
ful as to forget their kind assurances. I am as ever, Yours truly,
\V. J. McKnight.
Brookville, Sept. 29, 1876.
In 1880 Jefiterson county again presented Dr. McKnight as her choice, and Indiana
county presented George W. Hood, esq., and a conferee meeting was held at Trade
City on the loth, nth and 12th of August without result; it was expected by the Re-
publicans of Jefierson, that, inasmuch as Indiana county had the senator m 1865 ; in
1868 ; in 187 1 ; and a candidate of their own, at the general election in 1874 ; and the
senator in 1876 — sixteen years out of twenty, and the nominee for Congress in 1872 ; in
1874; in 1876; in 1878, and the nominee again in 1880 — that surely it would neither
be just nor right for Indiana county again to claim the '-turn" or right to the candidate.
But the conferees of Jefferson county were perfectly astounded now, to find at this
conference, that Indiana as usual, laid claim to the senatorship ; " it was their turn."
And now, with a sense of deep injury, on the third day of this conference. Dr. Hunt, one
of the conferees of Jefferson, offered the following resolution, viz:
Rcsohed, "That if a nomination for senator is not made by this conference at the
time of 12 oclock M.,this conference adjourn sine die."
This was agreed to, five of the six conferees voting aye.
The dispute was now taken notice of by the State Central Committee, and a request
was expressed by this committee that another conference be called and held by Hood
and McKnight, and in case. of failure then to agree, General James S. Negley, of Pitts-
burgh, be appointed by the chairman of the State Committee as umpire to meet with
the conferees and adjust the difficulty.
Accordingly another conference was agreed upon by Hood and iMcKnight, and
called to meet at Punxsutawney, September 29, 1880.
In this conference, as upon the occasion of all former ones, Indiana county again
persisted that it was her " tum " for senator, whereupon Dr. Hunt, a Jefferson conferee,
offered the following resolution :
Resolved, That we now ask General Negley to take his seat in this conference as
umpire, in accordance with the recommendation of the State Central Committee, which
was agreed to.
But before calling on General Negley the following paper was prepared and signed
by McKnight and Hood, viz :
" We, the undersigned candidates for the nomination of State Senator in the 37th
district, do pledge ourselves to abide by the decision of the Umpire, and that his de-
cision shall be final and the nomination shall be made unanimous.
(S'd) George W. Hood,
W. J. McKnight."
This was the afternoon of the 29th, and the conference adjourned until the morning
of the 30th, in the hope that Mr. Hood might withdraw, or Indiana county yield, but
neither Mr. Hood or his conferees would entertain for a moment a suggestion to yield,
or withdraw, whereupon the conference was forced to meet on the morning of the 30th
with General Negley in his seat as umpire. A ballot was then taken, which resulted
714 History of Jefferson County.
as follows: Henderson, Hunt, Thompson and Negley voted for Dr. McKnight, and
Porter, Crawford and Gordon voted for George W. Hood.
Having secured the nomination through the State Central Committee Dr. Mc-
Knight was elected to and served in the Senate from 1881 to 1885.
In writing up the Senate of 1883, an able writer said of Senator McKnigiit : " He
lucidly tells the story of his party's extravagance in printing in the past, and makes a
needed reform in party lines without kicking in the traces. Sharp, incisive and intelli-
gent, he watches the chances for reform in his own household, and is not afraid to call to
account any agent of the State." The doctor took an active part in all debates, and
he assisted in moulding and perfecting the general legislation. He originated and
carried through several important measures, viz., his reform in printing of public docu-
ments, saving the State forty thousand dollars per year ; his securing an additional ap-
propriation to the common schools of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars per
year ; his reform in the regulation of the commencement of borough and township
offices; his active and watchful interest in the wards of the State, and his hearty support
to the soldier's orphan's schools, and agriculture, gave him a State celebrity, as well as
reflected credit upon his industry, ability and statesmanship. In the regular and extra
session of 1883 there was a determined and combined eftort on the part of the Demo-
crats and independent Republicans to sacrifice Jefferson county, by placing her in a
Democratic district. The following clipping will but feebly explain the situation and
struggle at that time, from the Philadelphia Press, May 26, 1883: " But probably the
most perplexing element in the puzzle is how to accommodate Senator McKnight, of
Jefferson. He wants his county put into a Republican Congressional district. Stew-
art's bill doesn't do this and McCracken's does. But it makes trouble in the detailed
arrangement of counties to make Jefferson part of a Republican district." This strug-
gle on the apportionment continued for eleven months, and Senator McKnight over-
came the trouble.
The doctor compelled the enforcement of the law auditing the accounts of prothon-
otaries, registers, etc., which brought in an increased revenue to the State of one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. He was the author of numerous measures that fell for want
of time, notably one to classify the insane and insane criminals. The object of this bill
was to separate the criminal from the ordinary insane. All insane managers throughout
the State praised and endorsed this bill. He introduced several amendments to the
Constitution, one of which was to extend the term, fix the salary, and lessen the num-
ber of legislators. He introduced and came within two votes of carrying through the
Senate the resolution to prohibit the manufacture and sale of liquors as a beverage
in this commonwealth. He had Jefferson county made into a separate judicial dis-
trict, but the governor vetoed the general bill. One of his favorite measures which
failed for want of time was to enlarge the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, which
would have saved Jefferson county every year thousands of dollars. He assisted and
hurried through the Senate the bill authorizing counties and municipalities to refund
their bonds at a lower rate of interest, which has saved Brookville borough and Jeffer-
son county many dollars.
In 1884 Dr. McKnight was presented by Jefferson county to the district for a second
term. G. W. Hood, esq., carried Indiana county. It was hoped and expected by Mc-
Knight and his friends, that Mr. Hood would at this time cheerfully acknowledge to
Dr. McKnight the established usage by the party of a second term. Mr. Hood had no
W. J. Mcknight, M. D. 715
elements in him to equal such an occasion. It was " Indiana's turn." Conferences
were held without results, and a final disagreement and adjournment was made in
Indiana October i. On October 3, a caucus of Hood's friends was held in his law
office, and a pledge written by them referring the dispute to the State Central Commit-
tee, and requesting speedy action of the committee. Dr. McKnight was sent for and
asked to sign this pledge, which he did. After he signed Mr. Hood signed also, and
this pledge Mr. Hood, or his friends, mailed to the State Central Committee. The
" pledge," as signed, will be found in Hon. Jno. E. Reyburn's report as umpire. The
umpire appointed by the committee and the umpire accepted by Mr. Hood and his
friends, and who agreed to abide by any decision he would make. The following is his
report :
Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 10, 1884.
Hiiri. Thomas V. Cooper, Chainnati State Committee :
Dear Sir: — In accordance with your letter of appointment (bearing date, Oct. 4th,
1884), with full power to adjust or settle a controversy in the 37th Senatorial district,
composed of the counties of Indiana and Jefferson, I proceeded to the borough of In-
diana, arriving there on the 6th inst., and immediately entered upon the performance of
the duty imposed.
Upon my arrival I was met by Mr. G. \\'. Hood, the contestant from the county of
Indiana, who with great courtesy and entire absence of any bias in the matter, placed
me in communication with large numbers of the Republican citizens of Indiana, with
whom, during the afternoon and evening of the 6th, I had full opportunity to acquaint
myself with not only the claims of the friends of Mr. Hood, but with the needs of the
district generally. On the morning of the 7th, the Hon. W. J. McKnight, contestant
from the county of Jefferson, arrived with the three conferees from that county and pre-
sented the claims of that gentleman and of their county with vigor and earnestness.
The first (juestion that arose was in what way the matter in dispute could be acted upon
in a formal and satisfactory manner. The suggestion was made that a meeting of the
conferees beheld, and I as the presiding officer, and after a full and complete discussion,
a ballot taken, whereupon if a tie should again appear, I should cast the deciding vote.
I stated to both the contestants that I held other views as to the manner of i)rocedure,
but if this was thought to be the better and more satisfactory, I would yield and
take part in the conference. After consultation they agreed, and i p. m. of that day,
Tuesday, 7th inst.. was fixed, and promptly at that hour the conference convened, the
proceedings of which are best told by the minutes which are hereby inserted:
Indiana, Pa., Oct. 7, 1884.
The Senatorial conferees in the 37th Senatorial district meet and there is present on
behalf of Jefferson county Messrs. W. H. Gray, James A. Gathers and S. W. Temple,
and on behalf of Indiana county, Hon. A. W. Kinimel, J. W. Books, esq., and E. H.
Moorhead, esq., and upon the coming of the conference to order the Hon. John E.
Reyburn, of Philadelphia president /r^; tem. of the Senate of Pennsylvania, laid upon
the table a letter submitting the controversy to the decision of the State Committee, and
signed by W. J. McKnight and G. W. Hood, and in the words and figures following :
Indiana, Pa., Oct. 3, 1884.
To the Republican State Committee :
Gentlemen: — The undersigned candidates for State Senate in the 37th Senatorial
district beg leave to inform you, that after repeated meetings our conferees have
7i6 History of Jefferson County.
adjourned sine die, without a nomination. If we both continue to be candidates, the
probabilities are that a Democrat will represent this district in the State Senate during
the next four years. This we do not desire, and as our conferees failed to settle the
matter between us, we hereby submit the whole case to the consideration of your body,
and agree to abide by any decision of the matter the committee may make.
We ask for speedy consideration of the subject. W. J. McKnight.
Geo. W. Hood.
The Hon. Mr. Reyburn also laid upon the table a letter from Hon.Thos. V.Cooper,
the chairman of the State Committee, to him, empowering him to act as the representa-
tive of the State Committee which letter was in these words :
HE.'iDQUARTERS StaTE CoM., (
Phila., Oct. 4th, 1884. ]
Hon. y^ohn E. Reyburn, Member of the Rcpublicati State Committee, t^th Senatorial
District :
Dear Sir : — The candidates of Indiana and Jefferson counties, for the Republican
nomination for State Senator, whose respective conferees failed to agree and adjourned
sine die, have in writing submitted the whole case to consideration of the State Commit-
tee, agreeing over their own signatures to abide by any decision of the matter which
the committee may make. You are hereby appointed as the representative of the State
Committee with full power to adjust or settle the controversy, and your decision in the
matter shall be final. The Republicans of both counties ask for immediate action, and
you are requested to enter at once upon this commission.
Very truly yours,
Thos. V. Cooper, Chairman.
And thereupon, upon the reading of the said letter of submission, and letter of
authorization, the said Hon. John E. Reyburn, of Philadelphia, took his seat as a mem-
ber of the Senatorial Conference of the 37th Senatorial District. ' Upon motion of John
\V. Books, esq., the said Hon. J. E. Reyburn was unanimously chosen as chairman of
the conference, and upon motion E. H. Moorhead, esq , of Indiana, was chosen secre-
tary. Upon motion the conference proceeded to the nomination of a senator, and
thereupon Indiana county presented the name of George W. Hood, esq., and Jefferson
county presented the name of Hon. W. J. McKnight. Remarks were made on behalf
of Mr. Hood by Hon. A. W. Kimmel, John W. Books, esq., and E. H. Moorhead, esq.,
and on behalf of Dr. McKnight by Messrs. Gathers, Gray and Temple. E. H. Moor-
head moved that the conference adjourn to 7:30 p. m., but at the suggestion of Mr.
Books the motion was withdrawn.
Mr. Moorehead suggested that the conference adjourn until 8 o'clock p. m., but the
suggestion being opposed by the conferees from Jefferson county, no motion to that
effect was made.
Upon motion, it was agreed to, that the conference proceed to a ballot for senator,
and upon the roll being called, W. H. Gray voted Senator McKnight, J. A. Gathers
voted Senator McKnight and Samuel W. Temple voted Senator McKnight. Hon. A.
W. Kimmel voted George W. Hood, John W. Books voted George W. Hood, and E.H.
Moorehead voted George W. Hood, and Hon. J. E. Reyburn voted Senator McKnight,
and upon the announcement of the vote by the secretary, the chairman announced that
Senator McKnight was the nominee of the conference. E. H. Moorhead thereupon
moved that the nomination be made unanimous, and after the motion was put, the
chairman declared that the nomination was made unanimously.
W. J. McKnight, M. D. 717
The chairman then proceeded to state at length the reasons that impelled him to
cast his vote in favor of Senator McKnight. On motion of E. H. Moorhead a vote of
thanks was tendered to the Hon. J. E. Reyburn for his labor in settling and compos-
ing the conference in the 37th Senatorial District.
On motion, the conference adjourned sine die.
John E. Reyburn, President.
E. H. Moorhead, Secretary.
It only remains for me to refer to a few of the reasons urged in behalf of the two
counties comprising the district, and which influenced my conclusion. On behalf of
Indiana it was urged
First, That when Mr. Hood yielded four years ago, she should have the next term
without opposition on the part of Jefferson county;
Second, That she, by reason of her strong Republican majority, was entitled to it by
right ;
Third, That the nomination for Congress had been given to Jefferson, therefore In-
diana should have the senator.
These reasons were given in many forms and in great variety, but there was a con-
stant reiteration of the same. To this Jefferson denied that such a promise was made
either by Hon. W. J. McKnight, or any one authorized to speak for her; to the second
and third propositions, that the political history of the two counties showed that she
had always given way to Indiana county, and that that county had been represented
both in the councils of the Nation and State far more than was just or demanded by
reason of her greater number of Rei)ublican votes.
Thus I found the obstacles to peace and harmony were those of locality, confined
entirely within certain imaginary lines, and likely to occur every time there was a con-
test, leaving ill feeling and resentment to be carried into the most trivial affairs.
This has been the case for a number of years, and knowing the anxiety of the com-
mittee to arrive at some result which would look towards the prevention of these con-
tentions, I therefore sought for a solution of this and at the same time an action which
would give the district an assurance of a representation in some degree commensurate
with the high character and intelligence of its people.
At one of the meetings of the conferees, Jefferson had offered a resolution to settle
the controversy upon the basis of two terms for her and three for Indiana, or Jefferson
eight years and then Indiana twelve in succession, thus acknowledging the claims of
Indiana because of her superior numbers.
As to the fitness of the two contestants I found Mr. Hood a man of high character
and attainments, fully qualified to do honor both to the district and to himself
I also found the Hon. W. J. McKnight to be of like high character, and I listened
attentively for any expression of dislike or objection to his past course in the Senate,
and failed to hear even an intimation of that kind.
Finding the men in their personal characters so nearly equal, and the question one
of locality, determined to set both the men and claims of locality to one side and
endeavor to decide the question for w^hat seemed to be the best interests of our party
and the good of the district. The interests of the party were, to my mind, to be better
served by deciding in favor of Jefferson, upon the basis proposed by her conferees, and
I think all fair minded men will agree, that where a district is represented by a man of
good character, whose course upon all the questions coming before the highest repre-
7i8 History of Jefferson County.
sentative body of a great State like ours, and whose action upon these questions fails to
bring forth a fault-finder, that district is best served by at least two terms, and I might
be warranted in going beyond even the fixing of any limit, and so after weighing all the
facts, considering all the interests with a deep sense of the grave responsibility of my
position, I thought best for these reasons, to cast my vote in favor of the Hon. W. J.
McKnight, the present senator, and the contestant from Jefferson.
Yours respectfully,
John E. Reyburn.
After the nomination was regularly and unanimously made on the yth day of Octo-
ber, A. D. 1884, Dr. McKnight received the following communication :
" Indiana, Pa., October 15, 1884.
Dr. \V. J. McKnight. Dear Sir. — Inasmuch as the day of election is almost here,
and in view of the action of the Republican county committee of this county to-day,
and with an earnest desire for the success and harmony of the party in this Senatorial
Di.strict, I desire to make you a proposition, which, I think, if adopted will solve the
vexed problem. It is this: withdraw our letter to" the State committee: let the Senato-
rial conference be reconvened, and permit that body to select a seventh man from an
adjoining county, and to this tribunal we submit which of us shall be the candidate of
the Republicans of the district. In this manner we will gain time, which is now a mat-
ter of grave necessity. If this proposition meets your approbation, I feel sure that it will
be for the best interests of the party. As this letter will be handed you to-morrow, may
I hope for an answer not later than Friday, October 17. Awaiting a reply, and express-
ing the wish for the success of our party in this district, I am
Very respectfully,
(iEORGE W. Hood.
Reply of Dr. McKnight:
Indiana, Pa., October 16, 1884.
G. W. Hood, Esq. My Dear Sir. — Your letter of October 15 received, and con-
tents noted. As I am now the regular nominee of the Republican party of this district
for State senator, I am not at liberty to participate in any future conferences on that
subject. My duty is now to work for the success of the whole ticket. For your infor-
mation as to the regularity of my nomination, I enclose you a paper marked " A," which
fully explains your and my final action on that subject.
Very respectfully,
\V. J. McKnight.
Dr. McKnight, after the report of Senator Reyburn had been received, addressed
himself to the work of the campaign. Mr. Hood, on the other hand, unwilling to have
his senatorial aspirations checked in any way, determined to run as an independent can-
didate, relying on the large vote of Indiana to carry him through. In this he was suc-
cessful. W. P. Hastings, the Democratic candidate, believing that his election was
certain with two Republican candidates in the field, made but little eftbrt, and Mr. Hood
was elected by a plurality of twenty-three votes. The large Republican vote for Mr.
Hood in Jefferson county was cast by the rank and file of the party to prevent the elec-
tion of a Democratic senator — a result especially undesirable in view of the fact that
two United States Senators would be voted for by a senator chosen at this election.
Time has thus far laid his hand lightly on Dr. McKnight. As a physician he has
been eminently successful, and as a business man energetic and useful.
Henry Brown. 719
BROWN, HENRY, was the sixth of a family of nine children born to James and
Sarah Brown. His earliest recollections are of Westmoreland county, where he was
born on the 21st of May, 1821. His father was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and
died in 1864, at the age of seventy-seven years. His mother died, aged fifty-five years,
when Henry was a little child. As for schooling Henry had but litde, as he only at-
tended school when there was no work to be performed. The family removed to the
present site of Apollo, Armstrong county, in 1831, and he remained with them until
1848, when he came to Bell township, Jefferson county, to haul timber, and since that
time his connection with the lumber interest has never ceased.
He was married in 1852 to Miss Catharine Fisher, a daughter of Frederick Fisher,
of Pittsburg.
In 1854 he purchased an old water mill on the Big Mahoning Creek in Bell town-
ship, and leveled it to the ground, and on the site erected a large gang mill, with a ca-
pacity for 60,000 feet per day. This mill was too large for the transportation facilities
offered, and he was obliged to abandon it, and near it he constructed a circular saw-
mill whose products were much less,' but more proportionate to the shipping facilities.
Besides these mills he has a large square timber business on the Red Bank as well as on
the Mahoning. In the latter he has often driven 200,000 feet, and in boards the amount
has averaged from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 feet per annum. In his busiest times he has
employed two hundred men and sixty teams. He has also been engaged in farming
since he was able to wield a hoe, and now manages seven farms containing 1,500 acres,
besides 2,500 acres of timber land. November 15, 1884, his saw-mill, machinery and a
large amount of lumber was destroyed by fire, and he suffered a loss of about $11,000,
having no insurance. In 1885 he built a large mill with a capacity for 40,000 feet per
day, and at an expense 6f $10,500, and is one of the best in the county. He owns
2,300 acres of land which is underlaid with two or three veins of coal, and for which
he has refused $90 per acre. He also owns 650 acres of timber and mineral land in
Tennessee, which is underlaid with coal and iron ores and limestone as follows : one
vein coal, twenty-two feet thick ; one eight feet thick, and one vein of limestone fifty
feet thick, and one vein iron ore about eight feet thick is covered over with valuable
timber land.
BRIEF PERSONALS
Aljo, William G., Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., was born in Porter township. Clarion
county, on September 14, 1836. He is a farmer and owns 100 acres. He enlisted in Co.
K I ith Pa. R. C. Vols., in May, 1861, and served until January, 1863. When he enlisted
he weighed 202 pounds, but while in the service had a sun stroke which affected his spine,
and he is now seven inches shorter and only weighs 135 pounds. He now draws a
pension of $30 per month. His parents were George and Rebecca (Dayres) Aljo. He
was married on July 23, 1864, to Rachel A. Steward. They have had three children —
Almira M., George M.. and James S. Rachel was a daughter of Matthew and Nancy
(Dennison) Steward, of Clarion county.
Allen, J. G., Warsaw, Allen's Mills p. o., of Warsaw was born in Washington town-
ship, Jefferson county, on November 30, 1840. He is a farmer and proprietor of the
grist and saw-mill, and owner of 300 acres of land. He has been postmaster for six
years. He enlisted in Co. B, 71st Pa. Battalion in 1862, and was discharged at the
e.xpiration of his term of service in 1863. He re-enlisted in 1864 in Co. K, iggth Pa.
Vols., and served to the close of the war, being commissary sergeant of the iggth. He
was a son of Dillas and Jane A. (Brown) Allen. Mr. Allen was born in Vermont and
came here about 1830. J. G. Allen was married on June 24, 1869, to Margaret J.
Morrison. They have had one child, Dillis S. Margaret J. was a daughter of John
and Fannie (McConnell) Morrison.
Atwell, Jesse N., ^Snyder, Sugar Hill p. o., was born in Jefferson county on January 29,
1839; is now engaged in farming and manufacturing lumber by steam, and now owns
315 acres. He served in the State militia, and was serving at the time Lee invaded
Pennsylvania, and also at the capture of General John Morgan in Ohio. He enlisted
in Co. H, losth Pa. Vols, in March, 1864, and served to the close of the war. He is
now a justice of the peace. His parents were John and Mary (Dunlap) Atwell. He
was married on July 31, 1862, to Mary A. Pentield, a daughter of James and Elizabeth
(Johnson) Penfield, natives of Manchester, England. They have had nine children —
Mary J. (died in 1865), James W., John T., Artie E. (died in 1884), William E. (died
in 1886), Joseph A., Bertie T., Jesse N., Jr., and Laura R.
Atwell, sr., John, Snyder, Sugar Hill p. 0., was born in Westmoreland county on
Blacklick Creek, February 12, 1798, and was married May 3, 1821, to Mary Jane Dun-
lap. They settled in Butler county where they resided until the fall of 1835, when he
came to Jefferson county and bought 200 acres of land near Rockdale, Washington
township. In the winter of 1S36 he moved his family on sleighs and crossed the Alle-
gheny River on the ice, and lived there until 1854 at which time he moved to where
John Atwell, Jr., now resides in Snyder township. Eight children were born in Butler
county and two after his removal to Jefferson county. All are now dead with the excep-
tion of John and Jesse Nelson, who live in Snyder township. John, sr., died on Sep-
tember 22, 1856, and his wife in 1880 in the eighty-first year of her age. John Atwell,
jr., was born in Butler count)- December 30, 1833, and was married on July 4, 1867, to
Susan W. Whitby, of Indiana county, and a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Lucas)
Brief Personals. 721
Whitby. Mr. Whitby is still living and now resides in Cass county, Missouri, at the age
of eighty-two years. To John and Susan were born three children — Jesse W., May E.,
and Hattie J. John Atwell is a farmer and stock raiser and owns 429 acres of land and
has a fine residence three miles west of Brockwayville at the headwaters of Mill Creek,
one of the tributaries of the Red Bank. Brookville, the county seat at the time Father
Atwell settled in Jefferson county had but one store and one hotel. Most of the site of
the town was then covered with pine trees. The only store then in the town was kept
by John Dougherty and the hotel by a Mr. Pierce.
Bell, Squire John T., Pun.xsutawney, a representati\e citizen of Punxsutawney, was
born in Armstrong county on July 2, 1827, and was a son of James H. and Anna(Mc-
Conaghie) Bell. James H. was born in New York State in 1800, and was of Irish par-
entage, and his wife Ann was born in Mifflin county and was ot Scotch parentage.
They were married in 1826 and had a family of thirteen children, four of whom died at
an early age, and nine of whom are now living — Captain John T., William E., Margaret,
Nancy J., Annie, Sarah, Hattie, Evaline, and Elizabeth R. James H. died on Sep-
tember 15, 1877. His wife Anna died on March 12, 1865. Three sisters now reside
on the old homestead at Bell's Mills. John T. enlisted in Co. I, 62d Regiment, in 1861,-
and served for three years, and by the special act re-enlisted on June 23, 1863, and re-
ceiving extra bounty he served to the close of the war, but was wounded at Gaines
Mills, was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison with six hundred sick and
wounded prisoners, was taken north to Bellevue hospital with three hundred of the suf-
ferers. He was promoted to captain and now receives a pension. He married Mary
E. Miller. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living — Will-
iam O., Myrtle, Nettie A., Charles, Annie, Walter, and Paul. Evaline died in 1881.
Margaret, Sarah, and Hattie now reside on the old homestead farm of 150 acres.
Bell, William E., Bell's Mills, was born in Apollo, Armstrong county, Pa., on Jan-
uary 27, 1829, and was moved to Jefferson county when between two and three years
old, to the place where he now resides. He was married on the 19th of January, 1858,
to Hannah M. Barclay, to whom ten children were born, six are living — Kate, A. M.,
Nancy J.. John R., James I., and Fannie C. Kate and Anna M., have taught school
for several terms. Kate married D. F. A. Hall, and resides in Kansas. Mr. Bell in early
life was raised to lumbering and farming, manufacturing lumber, and has also been en-
gaged in milling business. He held the office of justice of the peace for ten years, also
held the office of postmaster at Bell's Mills, Jetterson county, for a number of years. He
was the second son of the Hon. Jas. H. and Anna (McConeghey) Bell.
Best, Frank P., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Winslow
township on November 21, 1852. He was a son of William and Francis (Moore) Best.
His father was a native of Westmoreland county, and settled in Winslow township about
1837, and cleared and improved the farm now owned by Frank P., where they lived
and died. They had five children — Frank P., Margaret N., Eliza, Florence, and Alex-
ander. His paternal grandfather was William Best, pioneer of McCalmont township.
Frank P. Best now occupies the old homestead. Here he was born and reared. He
married Jennie McConnell, and has had two children — William R. and Hattie D. His
wife, Jennie, was a daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Smith) McConnell, of Washington
township, this county.
Billmeyer, Allen E., Big Run, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, in 1863,
and was a son of Martin and Mary (Kramn) Billmeyer, who were residents of Lehigh
county. Martin died in :868, leaving a widow and eight children. Allen E. was a
graduate from the Eastman College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After his graduation he
became a bookkeeper for the Big Run Lumber Manufacturing Company. He was mar-
ried in 1883 to Estell Martin, of Milton, Pa. They have had one son — Llewelyn.
Brockway, N. M., Forestville, Oyster p. o., was born in Clearfield county, on Janu-
ary 25, 1S29, and is one of the owners of the saw-mill known as the Forest Lumber
Company, and is a nephew of Alonzo and James Brockway, who settled in Brockwav-
ville in 1823. He was captain in Company G., Fifty-seventh State militia, called out for
722 History of Jefferson County.
three months, when General Lee was about to invade the State, and was at the capture
of General John Morgan, in Ohio. His parents were Chauncey and Rhoda (Nichols)
Brockway. He has been married twice. His first wife was Catherine Taylor, to whom
he was married on October 14, 1848. She was a daughter of David and Betsey (Briger)
Taylor. They had five children — William H. (deceased), Esther, Lemyra, Wakefield
P., and Winfield M.
Bollinger, Alexander, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in
Allegheny county, on July 26, 1S09. He was a son of Michael and Catherine Bollin-
ger, and settled on the farm where he now resides in 1842, all of which he has cleared
and improved. His wife was Mary, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Long, of \Vest-
moreland county. Ale.xander and Mary have had ten children — Catherine, Elizabeth,
Sarah, Maria, David, Samuel, Joseph, Margaret, Martha L, and Leah S.
Boner, William J., Winslow, Sandy Valley p. o., po.straaster, was born in Rose town-
ship on March 23, 1835, ^^^ ^^^ ^ s°n of Charles and Martha (McGarey) Boner, who
settled in Rose township in 1833. His father was a blacksmith by trade. His maternal
graudfather, Clemens McGarey, was a pioneer of Rose township, where he lived and
died. William J. Boner was reared in Rose township, and came to Winslow in 1861.
He was married on October 23, 1861, to Elizabeth J. Burrows. They have had four
children — Orpha, Charles, Frank, and Edgar. Elizabeth J. was a daughter of Gilbert
B. and Lucina (Barlow) Burrows, pioneers of Warsaw township, and among the pioneers
•of Jefferson county. He brought his family from the east in the year 1841, and was the
first man to make a start in Sandy Valley, where he and his aged partner died in the
year 1883, at the advanced ages of eighiy-one and eighty-four years.
Britton, John, Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in County Derry, Ireland, on
August 6, 1853, and came to the United States in 1858. He is now engaged in farm-
ing ; owns a farm of one hundred and seven acres. His parents were John and Mary
(Orr) Britton, natives of Ireland, who came here in 1858. John Britton was married on
August 5, 1873, to Lizzie Divler, a daughter of Michael and Lizzie (Haugh) Divler, of
Rose township. They have had eight children — Loella, Mary L., Nellie JVI., George,
Coral E., Maud V., Emma M., and Harry E.
Brown, Henry, Punxsutawney, Bell's Mills p. o., was the sixth of a family of nine
children, born to James and Mary Ann Brown. His earliest recollections are of ^\■est-
moreland county, where he was born, on May 21, 1821. His father died in 1864, aged
seventy-seven years, and his mother died at the age of fifty-five, when Henry was but 'a
little child. He received but little schooling, only going when there was no work. His
family removed to the present site of Apollo, Armstrong county, in 1831, and he re-
mained with them until 1848, in which year he came to Bell township, Jefferson county,
to haul timber, and since that time his connection with the lumber business has never
ceased. He was married in 1852 to Catharine Fisher, a daughter of Frederick Fisher,
of Pittsburgh. In 1854, he purchased the old vi^ater-mill in Bell township, on the Big
Mahony Creek. He leveled this to the ground, and on the site erected a large gang-
mill, whose capacity was 60,000 feet per day. This mill was too large for the transpor-
tation facilities offered, and he was forced to abandon it ; near this, he constructed a
circular saw-mill, whose products were much less, but more proportionate to the ship-
ping business. Besides milling, he has done a large business in timber. His mill was
burnt in November, 1884, with a large lot of lumber, loss about eleven thousand dol-
lars. He then built a large circular saw-mill in 1885, with eighty-five horse-power, and
■capacity for thirty-five thousand feet per day. It is now one of the best mills in the
county. He also owns seven or eight farms, in all about twenty-three hundred acres of
farm and timber lands, all of which is underlaid with large veins of coal.
Brownlee, Thomas, Warsaw, Richardsville p. o. was born in Brookville, Pa., in
1845 ; is a farmer and owns one hundred and thirty acres. His parents were John and
Mary A. (Anderson), Brownlee. He was married on November 4. 1873, to Emma J.
Carrier, a daughter of E. Isaac and Laura E. (Werstler) Carrier, formerly residents of
Connecticut, who came to Jefferson county in 18C1. Thoma sand Emma J., have had
six children — Neal Dow, Olive E. Peter B., Burtley E., William W. and John S.
Brief Personals. 723
Biillers. Charles G., Warsaw, Brookville p. o., was born in Warsaw township, on May
9, 1S61. He is engaged in farming and in the manufacture of square timber, and owns
one hundred acres. His parents are John and Adaline (Harrington) Bullers, natives of
Nottingham, England, who came to this county about 1842. He was married on May
24, 18S3, to Alice Barber, a daughter of Jefferson and Rachel (Matthews) Barber, of
Knox township. Charles G. and Alice have had one child, Arthur B.
Bullers, Edwin D., Warsaw, Brookville p. c, was born in Nottingham, England, on
February 13, 1830, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Shaw) Bullers. He came to
this town with his father in 1843. He is engaged in farming and the manufacture of
lumber, and owns 250 acres. He has been supervisor of the town. He was married
in April, 1851, to Mary A. Harrington, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Steel) Harring-
ton, natives of Nottingham, England. Edwin E. and Mary have had nine children :
Ellen, wife of George Evans ; Annie wife of Nason Hays ; Isaac, Samuel, Alice, wife of
John J. Stahlman; George, Calvin, Parker and Harvey.
Bullers, Elmer E.. Warsaw, Brookville p. o., was born in this township on January
28, 1864. He is engaged in farming, and owns one hundred acres, and is also engaged
in the manufacture of square timber. His parents are John and Adaline (Harrington)
Bullers, natives of Nottingham, England, who came to this county about 1842. He
was married on June 10, 1885, to Maggie Cochran, a daughter of Levi and Harriet
(Manners), Cochran, of Jefferson county.
Bullers, Joseph, Warsaw, Brookville p. o., was born in Warsaw township, on No-
vember 14, 1846. He is engaged in farming, live stock dealing, and the manufacture
of square timber, and owns sixty acres. His parents were John and Adaline (Harring-
ton) Bullers, who were natives of Nottingham, England, and who came to this country
about 1842. He was married on May i, i86g, to Hannah Suffolk, a daughter of James
and Susan (Keyes) Suflblk. He was a native of Nottingham, England, and came to this
country about 1847. They have two children — John Ames and Vernie.
Burge, William M., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a grocer and vi^as born in Pot-
ter count}', on July 19, 1832. He was a son of William and Eliza (Montgomery) Burge.
He was reared in Lockhaven, Clinton county, and settled in Winslow township, in 1872,
where he worked at machine work until 1873, after which he entered the employ of the
.■\. V. R. R. as a bridge builder, until 1874. He then became engaged in the mercan-
tile business for three years, and in 1881 was engaged in that same busine.ss for nine
months in Reynoldsville. On April 15, 1884, he embarked in the grocery business at
Ohiotown, where by strict attention to business he has built up a fine trade, second to
none in the vicinity.
Burket, George, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Clarion
county. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Farger) Burket, who settled in Winslow
township in 1858, on the farm now occupied by Peter Burket, and resided there until
the time of their deaths. They had five children, three of whom are now- living : Peter,
Mary and George. George married Sarah Snyder. They have had six children : Liz-
zie, Homer, Anna, Benjamin, James and Sissie. Sarah was a daughter of Benewile and
Lydia (Zimmerman) Snyder, of Winslow township.
Burtop, John, Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born in York-
shire, f^ngland, April i. 1825. He was a son of John and Mary Burtop. His father
settled in Washington township in 1844, and cleared and improved the farm which is
now occupied by John, and where he resided until the time of his death. His children
were John, Joseph (deceased), and Allen. John succeeded to the homestead where he
has resided since 1866. His wife was Nancy Castle, of Yorkshire, England. They have
had one child, George. Nancy was a daughter of John and Mary (Morehouse) CasLle.
Butierfield. Oran, Barnett, Clarington p. o., an enterprising and well known farmer;
was a son of Zacharias and Rebecca (Mather) Butterfield, and was born in Jefferson
county, N. Y., .\ugust 23, 1806, and settled in Jefferson county. Pa., in 1837. He was
married on March 23, 1838, to Nancy Reed, who died on July 15, 1855. They had a
family of five children : Louisa M., Charles E., Rebecca A., Albert (died October 9,
724 History of Jefferson County.
1852), and Malinda (died February ig, 1872). He was married the second time on
September 27, 1857, to Elizabeth Spencer. They have had three children, — Jeanette,
Mary, and Oran D. Mr. Butterfield is now engaged in lumbering and farming, owning
six hundred acres. He has held the office of school director, supervisor and justice of
the peace, for three terms.
Campbell, John, Barnett, Clarington p. o., a son of Elijah and Mary Ann (Brown)
Campbell, was born in Jefferson county, in 1847, and was married in 1873 to Olive M.
Painter, who was born in 1852, and was a daughter of Robert M. Painter. They have
had a family of four children : Lola May, Harry F., Anna R., and Elijah C. Mr. Camp-
bell is engaged in lumbering and farming, and owns a farm of seventy-five acres. [He
has also held several of the town offices.
Calhoun, James, Brockwayville, is the oldest son of Thomas and Sarah Ann (Hemp-
hill) Calhoun. He was born on June 25, 1835, in County Tyrone, Ireland, and emi-
grated with his parents to the United States, in 1848, and in 1849 settled in Jefferson
county. He is now engaged in farming, and owns three hundred acres of land. He
was married on July 9, 1868, to Martha Dennison. a daughter of David and Martha
(Cunningham) Dennison, of Jefferson county, formerly of County Tyrone, Ireland, who
came to the United States in 1817. James and Martha have a family of six children :
John H., Sarah A., Martha E., Thomas H., David C.,and Eliza J.
Calthers, William T., Winslow, Reynoldsville, p. o., is a farmer and lumberman, and
was born in Armstrong, now Clarion county, November 18, 1825. He was a son of
Robert and Nancy (Thompson) Calthers. He settled in Winslow township in 1S50,
and has cleared and improved several farms, and has resided on his present farm since
1880. In 1850 he built a grist-mill on the site now occupied by Warnick and Mc-
Craight, which he conducted for six years. He was married in 1851 to Mary Douthet.
They have had six children : William, Joseph, Anna, Edith, Margaret, and Gertie.
Mary was a daughter of Robert and Mary Douthet, of Winslow township.
Campbell, J. J., Snyder, Oyster p. o., was born in Armstrong county. Pa., and is one
of the proprietors of the Forestville Lumber Company. His parents were Andrew and
Rebecca (Phillip) Campbell, of Armstrong county. He was married on January 12,
i860, to M. G. McCarrier, a daughter of James and Catharine (Bramer) ^IcCarrier, of
Sudbury, Pa.
Gathers, Allen, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Clarion
county, on December 7, 1840. He was a son of Oliver and Margaret (Mayes) Gathers,
who settled in Winslow township in 1841, locating on the farm which is now occupied
by Allen. Their children were two, Allen and Mary (now Mrs. David Hillis). .\llen
settled on a part of the old homestead, all of which he has cleared and improved him-
self He was married in October, 1878, to Mary J. Ludwick. They have had four
children : James, Thomas, John, and Ruth M. Mary J. was a daughter of George W.
and Margaret (Lewis) Ludwick, of Winslow township.
Gathers, James A., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Clarion
county, Pa., April 24, 1828. He was a son of Robert and Nancy (Thompson) Gathers;
of Scotch-Irish descent. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Gathers, was a pioneer of
Clarion county. His parents (Robert and Nancy), settled in Winslow township in 1848,
and cleared and improved two farms. They have had six children : Rachel, Joseph,
William, James A., Robert and Rosanna. James A., now occupies the old homestead.
He was married in 1850 to Eliza McGhee. They have had six children: John. Rob-
ert, James, Lottie, Rachel and Harry. Eliza was a daughter of John and Nancy (Smith)
McGhee, of Washington township.
Clarke, W. D., Brockwayville borough, was born in Brockwayville, on October 9,
1853. He is now justice of the peace. His parents were A. M. and R. M. (Nichols)
Clarke. A. M. was a native of Connecticut, but came with his parents to Elk county,
in 1819, and to Brockwayville in 1836. He was a practicing physician and died on
May 22, 1884. W. D. was married on June 22, 1875, to Agnes Smith, a daughter of
Robert and Elizabeth (McElhaney) Smith, formerly of Washington township, now of
Brockwayville. They have two children : Robert P., and Edith P.
Brief Personals. 725
Cook, John, Barnett, Ella p. o., is a son of Daniel and Mary (Bailey) Cook, and
was born in Clarion county in 181 7, and was married in 1843 to Jane Felton, of Clarion
county. They have had a family of ten children : Robert, Mary, Anna, Elizabeth, Re-
becca, Servilda, Malinda, John S., and two who died in infancy. Mr. Cook settled in
Jefferson county in 1S43, and in early life was engaged in lumbering. He is now en-
gaged in farming and owns a farm of fifty-five acres. He has held all of the township
offices.
Cooper, James, Washington, Rockdale Mills, p. o., is a farmer, and was born in/'
County Tyrone, Ireland, on February 13, 1818, and was a son of William and Martha
(Morris) Cooper, who settled in Washington township in 1826, and cleared and improved
a part of the farm which is now owned by James, where they lived and died. Tliey had
si.x children : James, John, Hugh, \\'illiam, Ninianand Eliza (now Mrs. William Bond).
James Cooper was reared in Washington township, from the age of eight years. He
married Isabella Patton. They have had eight children : William, Robert, Hugh, James
S., Martha J., Samuel, John and Elmer W.
Corbet, J. J., Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., was born in Clarion county, on March 30,
1814, and came to Jefterson county in i86t. He is a farmer, and owns thirty-nine
acres. His parents were William and Mary (Rathrock) Corbet. He was married on
January 14, 1834, to Elizabeth Barr, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Brisbin)
Barr, of Centre county. They have six children living : James R., Robert B., Isaiah,
William B., Loretta, and Lawrence, who now owns the old homestead and thirteen acres
adjoining.
Cox, Dr. Andrew J., Big Run ; a physician, surgeon, general merchant, drug and pre-
scriptionist, and dealer in hardware, boots and shoes, etc. ; also a special partner in the
firm of G. W. Gruber & Company, at Burnside, Clearfield county. Pa. .Andrew P., was
born in Allegheny county. Pa., in 1845. He fitted himself and read medicine with Doc-
tor Shields, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1876, and settled
in Big Run, in the practice of hi.s profession, the same year. He was married in 1873
to Annie Cochran, a daughter of 'Squire Joseph and Eliza Cochran. They have had
one son, Milo. The doctor was a son of Robert and Caroline (Fisher) Cox, and was
born in England and married in Pittsburgh. Robert died in 1880 leaving a widow and
six children, three sons and three daughters. Andrew became engaged in the drug bus-
iness in 1876, and in 1880 became engaged in the general mercantile business in connec-
tion with his drug trade. His labors have been attended with success both in a mer-
cantile and professional sense.
Cox, Peter, Washington, Sandy Valley p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Madison
township, Columbia county, on October 12, 1820. He was a son of William and Diana
(Taylor) Cox. He setried in Washington township in 1846, and in L849 located on the
farm which he now occupies, all of which he has cleared and improved himself. For
thirty years he was a prominent lumberman of the county. He was married on May
13, 1841, to Nancy F. Harrison. They have had fourteen children : Martha (deceased),
Rachel, Margaret A., William T., Huldah (deceased), James B., Elijah and Elisha
(twins), Huldah R., John C. F., Rosalie. Mary (deceased), Nannie A., Emma L. Mr.
Cox served eleven months in the late War of the Rebellion, in Company H, 105th
Pennsylvania Regiment, and at the end of eleven months' service was discharged on
account of disability. His wife, Nancy F., was a daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Fury)
Harrison, of Centre county.
Daniels, James W., Barnett, Clarington p. o., was a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Mc-
Crea) Daniels, and was born in Crawford county. Pa., on September 6, 1818, and settled
in Jefferson county in 1838. He was married in 1847 to Louisa Butterfield, a daughter
of Oran Butterfield. They had a family of eight children — Oran (deceased), Nanry
(deceased), Matthew (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Mary Jane, Linda A., James W.,
and Charles S. Mr. Daniels is engaged in lumbering and farming, and now owns one
thousand acres of timber and farming land in Jefferson, Forest, and Crawford counties.
His father was born in 1778, and served in the war of 181 2 ; died in 1843. His mother
was born in 1782, and died in 1847. 88
726 History of Jefferson County.
Davis, Joseph, Big Run, was born in Henderson township, on February i8th, 1846,
and was married in 1867 to AdaUne Zufall, of Henderson. They have had a family of
six children — George I., Susanna C, Jacob A., Lydia E., Joseph A., and Mary A.
Joseph has held the office of supervisor, and also that of school director for several terms.
He is a farmer, and now owns and occupies a fine farm of eighty acres of the old home-
stead, which was purchased by his grandfather on settlement. Joseph was a son of
Abraham and Susanna (Miller) Davis, who settled in Jefferson county in 1844, coming
from Westmoreland county. They had a family of seven children, three of whom are
now living — Joseph, Barbara, and Elizabeth. One son, Jacob, enlisted, served' two
years ; was discharged and drafted, after which he served to the close of the war, and
died in 1875. leaving three children. The father, Abraham, died in i860. His wife,
Susanna, died in 18S5, at the age of seventy-six years. Abraham and Jacob erected the
first steam saw-mill in the townshij). He was a son of Joshua and Barbara (Dubold)
Davis, who settled in Henderson in 1844, coming there from Westmoreland county.
Davis, Sylvester, Polk, Schofther's Corners p. o., was born in Summerville, Jefterson
county, on May 17, 1840. He is a general merchant, and is also postmaster of the vil-
lage, being appointed in 1886. He has also been a justice of the peace for two terms.
He owns six farms, which comprise in all about eight hundred acres, and is now engaged
in the manufacture of square timber and logs. He enlisted in Company B, One Hun-
dred and thirty fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, on August 14, 1862, and served for one
year. He re enlisted in Company L, Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served to the close of
the war. His parents were Othaniel and Annie (Hettrick) Davis. He was married on
June 29, 1865, to Martha Puch, a daughter of Mathis and Martha (Richards) Puch.
They have had seven children — Annie B., Violetta, Martha E., Ambrose S., Effie M.,
Blaine, and Harry E. Violetta died at the age of one year, from an attack of croup.
De Larme, Francis, Winslow; Du Bois p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Franklin
county, N. Y., on October 5, i8ig. He was a son of Francis and Rosana De Larme.
He came to this county in 1832, and was reared in the family of Tilton Reynolds. In
1839 he purchased the farm wliich he now owns and occupies, and which consists of
two hundred and sixty acres, one hundred acres of which he has cleared and improved.
His wife was Clarissa Smith. They have had six children — Matthew M., Henry F.,
Emeline R., Sally R., Alonzo A., and Anna E. Clarissa was a daughter of Valentine
and Rebecca Smith, of Winslow township.
Deemer, sr., Jonathan, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer and carpenter, and
was born in Winslow township, on April 24, 1832, and was a son of John and Mary
(Baker) Deemer, who were from Westmoreland county, and settled in Winslow township
in 1831, and cleared and improved a farm upon which thev lived and died. Their chil-
dren were Juliana, Zachariah, Josiah, Jonathan, John, and Lydia. Jonathan now occu-
pies a part of the old homestead. He married Elizabeth Nicholson. They have eight
children living — Andrew J., Mary, Catherine, Daniel W., William H., Jeremiah A.,
Minerva E., Emma R., and Lillie M. Elizabeth was a daughter of William and Cath-
erine (Phillippi) Nicholson, of Fayette county.
Deemer, Zachariah, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in West-
moreland county on October 6, 1829. He was a son of John and Mary (Baker) Deem-
er, who settled in Winslow township in 1831. He was reared in Winslow township, and
located on the farm which he now occupies in 1854, and which consists of one hundred
and twelve acres, forty-five of which he has cleared and improved. He was prominentlv
identified with the lumber interests of the county for twenty-five years. He was married
in 1854 to Sarah Best. They have had six children — Frank W., James B., Kennedy
B., Amos VV. (deceased), M. J. Alice, and Annie J. (deceased). Sarah was a daughter of
William and Polly (Smith) Best, of McCalmont township.
Dennison, David. Washington, Beechtown p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Wash-
ington township on June 7, 1838. He was a son of David and Martha (Cunningham)
Dennison, natives of the county of Tyrone, Ireland, who settled in \\'ashington town-
ship, in 1 83 1, and cleared and improved the farm which is now owned and occupied by
Brief Personals. 727
James Dennison. Their children were Mary, Ellen, David, James and Martha. David
Dennison settled on the farm which he now occupies in 1844, most of which he cleared
and improved himself He married Margaret Moore. They have had five children —
Mary, Rebecca J., David H., Martha E. and Robert. Margaret was a daughter of Rob-
ert and Rebecca (Dennison) Moore, of Ireland.
Dougherty, William, Winslow, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1S21, and waS
a son of William and Mary (Bryson) Dougherty. He settled in Washington township
with his mother in 1857, and cleared and improved a farm which is now occupied by
his son James. His wife was Jane Smith. They had seven children — Mary, Ellen,
Sarah, Margaret, William, James S. and John. Of these children William and John now
reside in Winslow. Jane was a daughter of James and Ellen (Kearney) Smith, of Wash-
ington township. William was married on July 26, 1877, to Maggie McDonald. They
have had two children — John C. and William E. Maggie was a daughter of John and
Catharine McDonald. John, the youngest son of William was married on May 15,
18S4, to Belle Ross. They have had one child, Susie O. Belle was a daughter of
John and Susan (Patterson) Ross, of Washington township.
Dougherty, \^'illiam W., Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born in
Washington township, on December i, 184 1. He was a son of James and Sarah (Camp-
bell) Dougherty, natives of Ireland, who were among the pioneers of Washington town-
ship. Their children were William W., Elizabeth, Thomas F., Lucinda (deceased),
Stewart, Mary (deceased), ^largery A., Finley and Sarah M. William W. located on the
farm which he now occupies in 1875, a part of which he has cleared, and made all im-
provements in buildings. He was married on May 27, 1875,10 Martha J. Marshall.
They have had two children. Martha J. was a daughter of James and Ellen (Robin-
son) Marshall, of Snyder township.
Edeburn, Samuel A., Heath, Sigel p. o., was a son of John and Mary (Loose) Ede-
burn, and was born in Cumberland county, in 1815, and settled in Jefferson count)- in
1849. He was married in 1842 to Mary Snider, who died in 1S46. They have had one
child, Mary. Mr. Edeburn married his second wife, Mrs. Berthinda Coleman, in 1852.
They had ten children : Jarrardus, Candus C, Thomas H., Joseph I., Berthinda M., Al-
ice J., Frank O. B., Minnie E., and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Edeburn's children
by her first husband, Mr. Coleman, were Elizabeth M., John W., Priscilla A., Rosalie C.
Mr. Edeburn is now engaged in lumbering and farming. His father, John, was a soldier
in the war of 1812.
Enterline, William, Big Run p. o., a practical engineer, now engaged in surveying*
and a member of the milling firm of S. and W. Enterline brothers, being successors to
their father, who erected the mill in 1870, on his settlement in this borough. The mill
now has two run of stone, and occupies two stores, 40 by 50, used as a custom and
merchant mill. William was born in i860, and was a son of Philip and Sarah (Geist)
Enterline, who settled from Mahoning county, in 1870. He was an active business
man, a practical miller, and became engaged in the mercantile business in 1876. He
was appointed postmaster in 1875, and died in 1883, at the age of sixty-three years,
leaving a widow and a family of seven children — Samuel, William, Delilah, Leah, Eliz-
abeth, Lucinda and Agnes. Samuel was married in 1883 to Isabella McNulty. They
have had one daughter, Minnie. The grandparents emigrated from Saxony, and settled
in Pennsylvania, at a very early day.
Evans. J. B., Washington, Rockdale Mills p. o., is a merchant, and was born in
Bridgeport, Pa., on October 15, 1S08. and was a son of Elisha and Rebecca (Jolly) Ev-
ans. His ancestry were of Welsh descent, which he traces back to 1380, and his fore-
fathers, who were of Quaker faith, emigrated to America with William Penn, on his sec-
ond voyage. Mr. Evans setttled at Port Barnett, this county, in 1827, and embarked
in the mercantile trade tJiere in 1828, and later in Brookville, and in 1859 settled in
^\'ashington township, where he has been in active business ever since. He was associ-
ate judge of Jefferson county seven years, and has been postmaster at Port Barnett,
Brookville and Rockdale Mills. He was married in 1832 to Jane McCreight, of Brook
ville. They have six children living — William, Sophia, Elisha, Charles and Jared.
728 History of Jefferson County.
Evans, Lewis Robert, Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., was born in Armstrong county,
on July 14. 1844. He is engaged in farming, and owns one hundred and seventy-six
acres. He enlisted in Company E, First Battalion Vols., in 1864. His parents were
William and Esther Evans, natives of Wales. He was married on May 29, 1866, to
Julia Preston, They have five children now living — Charles W., William G., Lizzie M.,
Harry L. and Luther E. His second wife was Fannie H. Byers, to whom he was mar-
ried on July 31, 1884. She was a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Ferguson) Byers.
Evans, William, Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., is a general merchant, and has been
for ten years. He has- also been postmaster for several years, and is now deputy. He
has been justice of the peace, and is now an overseer of the poor. His parents were
William and Esther Evans, natives of Wales, who came to Jefterson county in 1848.
William served in Co. D, 93d Pa., Vols.
Felt, Ira, Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Monroe county, N. Y., on Sep-
tember 21. 1836, and came to Jefferson county in i860. He is engaged in the grocery
business, and also in the manufacture of cigars. He enlisted in Company I, 62d Pa.
Vols., on July 4, 1861, and was discharged on September 21, 1862, on account of a
gun-shot wound which he received in the right shoulder, at the battle of Hanover Court-
House, Virginia, on May 27, 1862 ; was constable in 1867, school director in 1876. and
burgess of the borough in 1884 and 1885. His parents were Ira and Susan (Roach)
Felt. He was married on January 9, 1864, to Clementine Lewis. They have had three
children — Wallace (died in 1871), Constantine T. and Charlie.
Flack, Miles, Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., was born in Centre county on December
6, 1841, and came to Jefterson county in 1856. He served in Company B, One Hun-
dred and thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, enlisting in 1862 ; was on duty between
Ale.xandria and Camp Convalescent on the railroad, and was run over and lost both
legs in 1863. His parents were George and Sarah (Groves) Flack, of Centre county.
He was married first to Margaret Long, a daughter of Richard and Maria Long. They
had two children — Ida (wife of William Dobson), and Emma (deceased). His second
wife was Ruth A. Morris, a daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Row) Morris. They
have three children — Delia, Viola, and Jolm.
Foust, Jacob, Warsaw, was born in Lycoming county on February 12, 1843, and
came to Jefferson county in 1855, where he became engaged in farming and now owns
fifty-four acres. He enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, on August 29, 1 86 1, and was at the batdes of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill: was
taken prisoner at Bull Run ; jjaroled, and was at the battles of Chancellorsville and Get-
tysburg, where he lost an arm. His parents were John and Esther (F.])ler) Foust. He
was married on January 11, 1868, to Kate Foust, a daughter of Philip and Catherine
(Rupert) Foust. They have had a family of five children — William J., Rozella, Sadie
J., Ida M., and Governor Mead.
Fox, John A., Warsaw, was born in Xorthumberland county May 20, 1833, and
came to Jefterson county in 1861. He is a farmer and owns forty acres, and also a
dealer in livestock, and proprietor of the hotel at Warsaw. His parents were Amos and
Annie (Nicely) Fox, of Northumberland county. He was married on December 25,
i860, to Catherine Hane, a daughter of Adam and Mary (Herring) Hane, of Northum-
berland county.
Frost, Joseph E., Eldred, Sigel p. o., a young and enterprising farmer of Eldred town-
ship, was a son of James and Mary (Nield) Frost, and was born in Jefterson county on
May 12, 1854. He was married in 1879 to Nancy J. McCracken. They have had three
children — Bertha Dell. James Harland, and \'era. He is engaged in farming, and now
occupies a farm of one hundred and fifty acres.
Gayley, Matthew, Eldred, Sigel p. o., was a son of James and Elizabeth (Thorton)
Gayley, was born in Philadelphia in 1833, and setded in Jefterson county. Pa., in 1854.
He married Elizabeth McManigle, of Westmoreland county. They have had a family
of ten children — William J., Andrew T.. George N.. Esther J., Stephen S., Samuel L.,
Clara A., Matthew F., Harry E., and John W. Mr. Gayley is now engaged in the
Brief Personals. 729
lumber business, and is superintendent of the Ganson and Hetzel mill. He owns a farm
of sixty-seven acres. He enlisted September i, 1864, in Two Hundred and Eleventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers. His father, James, was born in Ireland in 1793; came to
America in 1825, and died in 1S70. His mother was born in Ireland in 1808, and died
in 185 1.
Gordon, Edward S., Washington, Victor p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Otsego
countv, N. v., on March 26, 1823, and was a son of William B. and Louisa (Persons)
Gordon. His father settled in Washington township in 1849, where for many years he
was largely engaged in the lumber business with his sons, Edward S., and William H.
Edward S. settled on the farm he now occupies in 185 1, most of which he has cleared
and improved himself He has been married twice. His first wife was Nancy Harding.
They had eight children — .Samuel, William (killed in front of Charleston during the late
war), Louisa, Edward, Du Wight, George, Franklin, and Walter. Nancy was a daugh-
ter of Herbert Harding, of Allegany county, N. Y. His second wife was Esther Dun-
ham, of Brookville. They have had three children — Harry, Calvin L., and Nellie.
Esther was a daughter of Myron and Caroline Dunham, of Brookville.
Graf, George M., Punxsutawney, a general furniture dealer and upholsterer and
manufacturer, was born in 1853, and became engaged in his present business in 1883,
and now deals in all classes of goods found in his trade. He was married in 1875 to
Kate Gillispie, of Clayville. She was a daughter of William Gillispie. They had a
family of four children, three of whom are now living — Lillie, Joseph, and Otto. Carl
died at the age of three years. George M. Graf was a son of John G. and Wilhelmina
(Miller) Graf, who were born in Germany and married in Armstrong county, Pennsyl-
vania, and settled in Punxsutawney in 1850, and became engaged in the grocery busi-
ness and lumber trade. John C. died in ^875 leaving a widow and eight children —
George M., Frank P., Otto C, Emma, Anna, Julia, Eda, and Bertha. The family are
gifted musicians, both in vocal and instrumental. Bertha is a teacher and George M.
is instructor and leader of the borough band; should be termed professor but shrinks
from publicity.
Graffius, John, Punxsutawney, was born in Huntington county. Pa., on March 24.
1814, and was a son of Daniel and Christina (Rush) Graftius, of Huntington, who set-
tled in Jefferson county. Young township, now Bell, in 1823. They had a family of
eleven children, five of \vhom are now living — Mary, John, Israel, Samuel, and Charles.
John Grafiius was married in 1838 to Elizabeth Grube. who was born in Centre county
March 6, 1817. They have no family but are beloved by a large circle of friends
amongst whom they are known as Uncle John and Aunt Betsy. They adopted one
son at the age of three years, now Philip Kuntz, who was born in Winslow Aug. 31,
1S50. He was married in 1878 to Elizabeth Rifer. They have had four children —
John G., Joseph H., Franklin L., and Lewis W. Daniel was a millwright and was born
in 1783 and died in 1849. His wife died in 1867. John Graffius chose the life of a
farmer and is now engaged in that branch of enterprise. His wife was a daughter of
John and Barbara (Hoy) Grube.
Grafiius, John M., Punxsutawney, a general lumber dealer and farmer living near
Punxsutawney, was born in Bell township, Jefferson county, on January 31, 1836. He
was a son of Daniel Grafiius, who was born in Huntington county in 1809. He moved
with his parents to JefterSon county in 1823. He was married twice. By his first mar-
riage, to Elizabeth Roads, he had one son, Daniel, who is still living and a resident of
Bell township, Jefterson county. By his second marriage to Sarah McConeaghy he had
ten children, five of whom are still living. John M., William, Anna Belle, Samuel, and
Andrew |. He was a resident of Young township for twenty -eight years before his
death. His residence was at the junction of the Luthersburgh and Reynoldsville roads,
near Punxsutawney, where he kept a temperance hotel. He died in 1874. His kind
disposition and pleasant manners gained him many friends. He was highly respected
and loved by his acquaintances. His parents, Daniel and Christina (Rush) Graftius,
were born in Huntington county and settled in Jefterson county in 1823. They had a
family of eleven children, five of whom are still living — Mary, John, Israel. Samuel, and
730 History of Jefferson County.
Charles. John M. Graffius is a resident of Young township. He was married in 1861
to Mary C. Clavvson. They had a family of three daughters — Velma, Lizzie, and Flor-
ence. Velma married David McKean Harl in 1881. They have a family of three
children — Olive M., John G., and Mary B.
Groves, D. D., Snyder, Brockvvayville p. o., was born in Washington township, .Septem-
ber II, 1842. He is a general merchant and has been engaged in the business at
Brockwayville since 1881. He was a son of John and Catherine (Arnold) Groves, of
Washington township. D. D. Groves was married on February 27. 1867, to Ellen E.
McMinn, a daughter of John and Margaret (McGee) McMinn, of Washington town-
ship. They have had a family of four children — Merrill L., Homer M., Evangeline M.,
and Chester D.
Grube, David, Punxsutawney, was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1820, and settled
in Jefferson county with his parents, John and Barbara (Hoy) Grube in 1833. He was
married on January 2, 1845, to Elizabeth Varner, who was born in Westmoreland
county in 1825. They have had a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now liv-
ing — Barbara, Elizabeth A., Mary, Catherine A., and Caroline (twins), Lnther D., and
Flora D. (twins), Sada, Eft'a, and Melzine. Elizabeth was a daughter of John and
Elizabeth Varner, and settled in Bell township in 1833.
Grube, Henry, Punxsutawney, Bell's Mills p. o., a successful farmer and lumberman
of Bell township, was born in Centre county in 1822 and settled in Bell township in
1833 with his parents, John and Barbara (Hoy) Grube. Henry was married in 1859
to Elizabeth Kuntz, who was born in Germany in 1828, and settled in Clearfield with
her parents, Jacob and Catherine Kuntz, in 1829. They have had a family of seven
children — Susanna, William, Clarissa, Samuel, Harry, Daniel and Amos. Mr. Grube
has been supervisor for three terms, and is engaged in general farming and lumbering.
He commenced life with 160 acres of land and now owns 530 acres.
Grube, Jacob, Punxsutawney, was a son of John and Barbara (Hoy) Grube and was
born in Centre county. Pa., in 1832, and settled with his parents in Bell township in
1833. He was married in 1863 to Mrs. Lucinda Gourley Mitchell, who was born in
this county in 1839. They have had two children — Lewis G. and Marelle A. She had
two daughters by her first husband — Sara and Margaret Mitchell. Mr. Grube is en-
gaged in lumbering and farming.
Grube, John. Punxsutawney, and wife Barbara (Hoy) Grube, now deceased, were
born, he in Bucks county, Pa., in 1787, and she in Union county. They were married
in Centre county in 181 5 and settled in Bell township in 1833. They had a family of
nine children — Elizabeth (born in 1817, known as Aunt Betsey Graffius), George (born
1819), David (born 1820), Henry (born 1822), Sarah (born 1824), John R. (born 1827),
Susannah (born 1830), now Kuntz, Jacob (born 1832), Joseph (born 1835). John R.
died leaving a widow and twelve children. John, sr., died in 1868 and his wife Barbara
in 1877. John Grube was a leading and successful farmer and left a large farm prop-
erty to his sons and an equivalent to his three daughters.
Hamilton, Squire James A., Big Run, was born in Mahoning, Indiana county, De-
cember 4, 1823, and was a son of Robert and Rachel ( Wortz) Hamilton, who were born
in Westmoreland county and died in Indiana county. They had eight children. James
A., being their third son. He was married May 27, 1845, to Isabella M. Sutton, a
daughter of Peter and .Martha Sutton. James A. and Isabella had five children — Mar-
tha, Robert A., Doctor Sylvester S., Frank J., and Mary L., who died on September 19,
1881. His wife Isabella M., died February 29, 1884. James A. became engaged in
the tanning business and the manuf-icture of harness from 1842 to 1865 in Indiana
county, and was engaged in the mercantile business from 1865 to 1877 and in connec-
tion with this business manufactured and floated square timber on the, Allegheny River
to Pittsburgh, and was also engaged in the manufacture of shooks. He settled in this
county in 1867, served three terms as justice of the peace of Indiana county, and is now
serving his third term as justice of the peace in this county. He was a member of the
school board in 18S0. He married his second wife on September 7, 18S6. She was
Brief Personals. 731
Mrs. Mar)' E. Weber. His paternal grandfather, Robert Hamilton, emigrated from
Ireland after the Revolution. His maternal grandfather, William Work, was a native
of Scotland.
Henery, James F., Winslow, Coal Bank p. o., is a farmer and proprietor of Coal
Bank, was born at Sligo Furnace, Clarion county, on November 24, 1S33, and was a
son of James L. and Mary (Fulton) Henery, who settled in Winslow township, Jeffer-
son county, in 1854. James F. Henery settled in Winslow township that same year.
He has been married twice. His first wife was Sara J. Rea, a daughter of David Rea,
of Winslow. They have had four children — George L., Loren L., Mary M., and Will-
iam J. His second wife was Caroline, a daughter of Daniel Sharp, of Reynoldsville.
They have had six children — John A., Dorothea E., Blanche V., Roland L., Gertie, and
Nancy J.
Hetrick, Martin L., Washington, Reynolds\ ille p. o., is a farmer and lumberman
and was born in Clarion county on April 6, 1849. He was a son of Peter and Cath-
erine (Himes) Hetrick, who settled in Washington township in 1859 ^""^ cleared and im-
proved the farm which is now owned and occupied by W. J. Calhoun. Their children
were Catharine, John, Jacob, William, George, David, Sarah, Martin, Reuben, Eliza-
beth, Amos, Caroline, Lewis and Matilda. Martin L. Hetrick was reared in Washing-
ton township from the age of ten years, and has been engaged in the lumber business
on his own accord for eight years. He married Esther Moore. They have had seven
children — Nora E., James A., Charles A., Lindy P. Sallie I., Chloe E. and Perry T.
Esther was a daughter of James L. and Sarah Rogers Moore, of Washington township.
Hillis, William J., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer and was born in Albany,
New York, on January 27, 1834, and was a son of Robert and Mary (McCauley) Hillis.
He and his father settled in Winslow township in 1857 and cleared and improved the
farm which he now occupies. The children of Robert Hillis were James, William J.,
Robert and David, who came and are now residents of Winslow township.
Hidinger, Jacob, Heath, Sigel p. o., was a son of Jacob and Susan (Snider) Hid-
inger was born in Germany in 1854 and came to America in 1857 settling in Jefterson
county. He was married in 1S76 to Jennie Ahara ot Jefterson county. They have had
a family of four children — Bertie A., Belle M., Minnie E. and Elmer C. Mr. Hiding-
ger is engaged in farming and lumbering and owns thirty-three acres. He has held
the office of school director for six years. His father was born in 1812 and died in
1877, and his mother was born in 1823 and died 1877.
Himes, George S., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in New Bethlehem, Clar-
ion county, October 21, 1837. His parents were John and Savannah (Space) Himes.
He came to little Toby, Elk county, in 1859, and was married August 10, 1861, to
Mary S. Davenport. She was a daughter of B. L. and Harriet (Harding) Davenport.
Mr. Himes superintended a lumber establishment at Forestville, for Oyster and Short
in 1S82, '8^ and '84. He moved to Brockwayville in 1884 and started a steam plan-
ing mill. He is also a dealer in lumber and bark. They have four children li\ing —
Hattie, Frank, Charles and Grace.
Hippie, Nathaniel B., Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer and was born on
March 13, 1813, and was a son of Abram and Betsey Hippie who were born in Ches-
ter county, Pa., and were of German descent. His father died when he was a year old
and is buried in Phila., Pa. ; his mother died in Reading and is buried in Bower Ceme-
tery in Chester county, beside her second husband. He settled in Washington town-
ship in 1840 and cleared and improved the farm which he now occupies; he married
twice; his first wife was Phcebe .\nne Brenholtz, of Chester county, by whom he had
thirteen children — Nathan, Emily J., Mary E., Maggie, Amanda, Henrietta, Almira,
Louisa A., Franklin, Edward, Mariah, Harry and Caroline. He has forty-five grand
and ten great-grandchildren. He was a private in the late war of the Rebellion, serv-
ing nine months in Company D. 105th Pa. Regiment." He was discharged on account
of disaliility, drove the first ambulance in the 105th regiment and is the oldest man liv-
ing in that regiment and draws a pension of $14 per month.
732 History of Jefferson County.
Hoey, M. D., James W., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., came to Jefferson county in
1865, and is now a practicing physician and surgeon. He is a graduate of the Jetfer-
son Medical College of Philadelphia. His parents were John and Isabella (McMinn)
Hoey. He was married on February 12, 1857, to Sarah J. Hunter, a daughter of
John M. and Eliza (Rhoades) Hunter, of Delaware county. They have had seven
children — ^John M. (deceased), William S. (deceased), Charles G. (deceased), Samuel
H., James J., Robert W., Oleta.
Hoffman, James K., Polk, Schoffner's Corners p. o., was born in Columbia county,
Penn., on January 18, 1807, and came to Jefferson county in 1830. He is now en-
gaged in farming and owns 118 acres. He was elected coroner in 1836, has been
supervisor several times. His parents were Martin and Susan (Shannon) Hoffman,
natives of Northampton county. James K., was married on May 22, 1826, to Barbara
Mercer, a daughter of David and Eva (Kribbs) Mercer, of Indiana county. They
have had the following children — Martin K., David S., John E., James K., Elijah E.,
Melisa, wife of John Geer, William R., who served in the late war, Harriet, wife of
Noah Pettibone, Alvin T., and Jesse C.
Horn, George, Washington, Reynoldsville p. o., was born in Centre county on Sep-
tember 25, 1832, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Klinger) Horn. His pater-
nal grandfather, John Horn, was a native of Germany and a pioneer of \\'inslow town-
ship. He had four children — John, George, William and Jacob. Of these children,
John, jr., cleared and improved the farm which is now owned by S. J. Dean. He was
twice married. By his first wife, Elizabeth Klinger, he had three children — George. John
and Elizabeth. By his second wife, Mary Morrison, he had si.x children — Sarah,
Amanda, Mary E., Matilda, Fanny and Lovisa. George Horn was married in 18 —
to Sarah Wray. They have had eight children — Elizabeth, Mary, John W., Lucinda,
Ella, Lewis, Edith and Leslie. Sarah was a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Yeoman)
Wray. George located on the farm which he now occupies in 1874, and which he has
cleared and improved himself
Hutchison, Hannibal J., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., a member of the firm of
Hutchison Bros., lumbermen, was born in Washington township, September 12. 1857,
and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Wait) Hutchison. He was reared in Washington
and Winslow township and was married on August 28, 1883, to Mary H. Wait. They
have had one child, Barbara J. Mary M. was a daughter of Robert and Barbara
(McConnell) Wait, of Winslow township. Mr. Hutchison embarked in the lumber
business in 1883 and is now doing an e.ttensive business.
Hutchison, Thomas, Snyder, Brockwayville, p. o., was born in Donegal county,
Ireland, on April 5, 1838, and came to the United States in 1849, and also settled in
Jefferson county that same year. He is now engaged in farming and owns and occu-
pies a farm of 116 acres. He also deals largely in agricultural implements. He has
been assessor and is now a member of tlie school board and treasurer of the same. He
enlisted in Company H, 105th Pa. Volunteers on .August 29, 1861, and was discharged
on September 4, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Virginia. His [)arents were Thomas and
Catherine (McClintock) Hutchison, who came to this township in 1849. His wife was
Mary A. Smith to whom he was married on March 5, 1867. They have eight chihh-en
living— Catharine A., Matthew, Martha J., Elizabeth, George M., Thomas A., Mary
S. and John H. His wife was a daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Hunter) Smith, of
Washmgton township, Jefferson county.
Katz, Peter, Eldred, Sigel p. o., was a son of George and Elizabeth (Maxwell)
Katz. He was born in Eldred township, Jefferson county. Pa., in 1833, and was mar-
ried in 1859 to Lovisa Preston, a daughter of Jeptha T., and Jane (Graham) Preston.
They have had a family of five children : Irad .A.., Ida A., Elmer M., Emory M., and
Carrie B. Mr. Katz has held the office of school director, overseer of the poor and su-
pervisor. His father, George, was born in .Allegheny county, in 1S04, and died Febru-
ary 23, 1863. His mother was born in 1814 and died on May 17, 1876.
Keys, Joseph, Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Wash-
Brief Personals. 733
ington township on November 14, 1827, and was a son of Henry and Cadiarine (Wilson)
Keys, natives ol' Ireland, who settled in Washington township in 1824. They were the
first couple married in the limits of what is now Washington township. They settled on
the farm now occupied by Mr. Cooper, which they cleared and improved. Their child-
ren were Josejih, Wilson, Susan, Matthew, Mary A., Eliza, Rebecca C, Henry, Catha-
rine, William J., John and Martha. Joseph Keys located on the farm which he now
occupies in 1852, all of which he has cleared and improved himself. He was married
on October 4, 1849, to Margery Patterson, of Pittsburgh. They have had five child-
ren : John R., Henry, Matthew C, Francis B., and Elmer M. Margery was a daugh-
ter of John and Rebecca (Wilson) Patterson, of Pittsburgh.
Kelly, William, Heath, Dunkel p. o., the enterprising and genial lumberman and
farmer of Heath townsihp, is a son of John and Elizabeth (McCollum) Kelly, and was
born in Parish, Oswego county, N. Y.,in 1836. He settled in Jefferson county m 1853,
and was married in 1866 to Melissa J. Cochran. He enlisted in 186) in Company D,
105th Pennsylvania Infantry as a private, and served until the close of the war, return-
ing as captain. He was elected justice of the peace in i88i, which office he now holds ;
he has also been town clerk and school director. His father was born in r8o6 and died
in 1851, and his mother was born in 1807 and died in 1875.
Kuntz, Jacob, Punxsutawney, was born in Brady township, Clearfield county, in
1835 ; was raised on a farm, and in 1850 went to work in his father's grist-mill, at which
place he stayed until 1855, at which time his father sold the mill, and Jacob went to
jobbing and cutting clearings, and taking out square timbers. He worked at that for
about one year and then went to teaming, a business in which he was engaged until
1 86 1, when he married Susannah Grube, and went to reside in Brady township, where
he resided until 1862, at which time he was burned out and lost nearly all his household
goods. After this he moved to McCalmont township, Jefferson county, and bought a
piece of woodland and became engaged in lumbering and clearing a farm, and has now
one of the best and best stocked farms in .the township. He is of German descent
and was a son of Jacob and Catharine (Youchy) Kuntz, who were born and married in
Germany and settled in Brady township, Clearfield county, in 1829. They had a fam-
ily of eleven children. Jacob was married on January i, 1861, to Susannah Grube.
They have had a family of four children ; one died in infancy and three are now living :
Amos, Barbara and William J. Mr. Kuntz has been a justice of the peace for ten years,
has held all of the township offices with the exception of overseer of the poor, and is now
a successful farmer. His wife, Susannah, was a daughter of John and Barbara (Hoy)
Grube, who settled in the township of Young now (Bell), in 1839, coming there from
Centre county.
London, Truman B., Winslow, Rathmel p. o., is a retired lumberman, and was born
in Luzerne county on October 11, 1808. He was a son of Isaac and Louisa (Calender)
London, both of English descent. He followed the business of lumbering for seven
years, on the north branch of the Susquehanna River, in his native county, from which
he removed in 1837, and settled in Brookville, Jefferson county, and was for many years
engaged in the lumbering business there, and always doing a successful business in that
line. He has also, in connection with his lumbering business, been engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits. He settled in Winslow township in 1848, and cleared and improved the
farm which he now owns and on which he now resides. He was for eight years asso-
ciated with Dr. J. C. King in the mercantile business at Revnoldsville. He has inter-
ested himself in the improvement of Reynoldsville and Rathmel, of late years, having
built quite a number of houses in each town. He was married twice. His first wife was
Sally M. Slosson, of Luzerne county. They had six children : Martha J., Eliza M.,
Truman B., jr., Isaac H., Moses L., and Mary A. His second wife was Sarah (Ray)
Wilkins, of Clarion county. His first wife died on January 23, 1842, and his second
wife on May 2, 1878. Mr. London served as county auditor for one term. During his
long business career he has always avoided having contentions in law, never having had
a suit in any court of justice. He has always been a law-abiding citizen.
89
734 History of Jefferson County.
Longwell, M. S., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in \\'est Strattonville, Clarion
county, on November 28, 1837, and came to this county in 1875. He is engaged in
farming, and now owns one hundred forty-five acres. He enlisted in Company D, ist
Pennsylvania Cavalry, in 1861, and was injured by a horse falling on him and was dis-
charged in 1863. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Westhaven) l.ongwell. M.
S. was married on June 11, 1872, to Ellen F. Johnson, a daughter of Milton and Sarah
(Crawford) Johnson, of Warsaw. They have had a family of three children : Sarah A.,
(born July i, 1874), Thaddeus M, (born September 20, 1877), and John M., (born
February 18, 1880).
Lyle, Isaac, Warsaw, Hazen p. o., was born in Union county, on June 28, 1830
and came to Jefferson county in 1842. He is a farmer and owns fifty-three acres, and
is now postmaster at Hazen. He enlisted in Company C, 2d Regiment of Berdan
Sharpshooters, in September, 1861, and served for two years, then re-enlisted and served
for three years.; in the fall of 1864 was transferred to the 105th Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, and served during the war. His parents were Samuel and Polly (Getyer) Lyle,
who came to Jefferson county in 1842. Isaac was married in September, 1857, to Car-
oline Jones, a daughter of Samuel and (R^iy) Jones. They have had two children :
Samuel A., and Adella, now the wife of John Mays.
McConnell, William A., Washington, Rockdale Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born
on December 5, 1846. He was a son of James and Jane (Mitchell) McConnell. His
paternal grandfather, William McConnell, settled in Washington township in 1832. His
wife was Margaret Moore. Their children were James, Ale.xander, Frances S., Mary A.,
George, Joseph, Margaret, William, David S., and Nancy J. Of these children James
settled in Washington township, in 1S31, on the farm now occupied by William A.,
which he cleared and improved, and where he died on April 4, 1862, at the age of fifty-
seven years. His children were Francis, Fannie, Samuel M., Eliza, William A., Mar-
garet A., Mary J., John R., and Emma H. William A. succeeded to the homestead.
His wife was Kate McConnell, of Armstrong county. They had seven children : Mar-
garet L., Sidney J., Walter, Florence M., Robert L., Cora and Charles R. (deceased.)
McCrackin, Joseph, Warsaw, Richardson's p. o., was born in Eldred township on
July 25, 184 1 ; is a farmer and lumberman, owning four hundred twenty-five acres.
His parents were John and Fanny (Riley) McCrackin. He was married on July 22,
1862, to Matilda Scott, a daughter of Benjamin R. and Mary A. (Sheridan) Scott, of
Brookville. Mr. Scott was at the battle of Gettysburg. Joseph and Matilda have had
four children : William R., Mary M., Annie M., and Joseph P.
McCreight, John, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Arm-
strong county, on July 11, 1821, and was a son of Andrew and Ann (Sharp) McCreight,
who settled in Winslow in 1832. John assisted in clearing and improving the farm in
Winslow township, and settled on the farm where he now resides, in 1865. He was
married in 1851 to Eliza C, a daughter of Adam and Susannah (Ludwick) Uncapher,
of Greensburg, Pa. They have had twelve children, of whom six are now living: Susan
J., (Mrs. M. McAdoo), Joseph, William, Israel, Bruce and Lilla B.
McCreight, Sharp, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Arm-
strong county, on January 10, 181 5, and was a son of Andrew and Ann (Sharp) Mc-
Creight. who settled in Winslow in 1832, and cleared and improved the farm now owned
by Thomas McCreight. They had a family of thirteen children — James, Sharp, Sarah,
Joseph, John, Ann, Jane, Polly, Thomas, Smith, Nancy, Jamison and Hannah. Sharp
McCreight settled on the farm which he now occupies in 1843, and cleared and im-
proved it himself He was married in 1843 to Jane Johnson. They have six children
living — Sarah, John, Andrew, James, William and Orrel. Jane was a daughter of John
and Jane (McCreight) Johnson, of Armstrong county.
McCreight, Thomas, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., president of the Jefferson county
Agricultural Society, and also president of the Jefferson county Live Stock Insurance
Company; was born in Armstrong county on April 25, 1830, and was a son of Andrew
and Ann (Sharp) McCreight, who settled in Winslow on a farm, now occupied by
Brief Personals. 735
Thomas. Thomas married Frances McKee. They have had six children — Smith,
Thomas E., James M., Ida E. and Cora D. Frances was a daughter of David and Ma-
tilda J. (Chambers) McKee, of Bell township.
McCuUough, Archie, Washington, Beechtown p. o., is a farmer, and was born in
County Down, Ireland, on April 4, 1829, and was a son of William and Mary (xVIoffett)
McCuilough, who settled in Washington township in 1832, locating on a farm now occu-
pied by their son Archie, which they cleared and improved, and upon which they resided
up to the time of their deaths. Their children were Hugh, William, Boyd, Martha,
Archie, Sarah, Rachel and Mary. Archie succeeded to the old homestead. He was
married November 6, 1856 to Margaret Armstrong. They have had five children —
William W., Mary E., Martha J., Ale.xander A. and Hugh B.
McElhany, Robert A., Snydei, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Portland, Ohio, on
March 15, 1846, and came to Brockwayville in 1870. He is now engaged m the furni-
ture and undertaking business on Main street. His parents are Marshall and Matilda
(Adderly) McElhany, of Portsmouth. O.
McFadden, Jacob, Polk, Schoffner's Corners p. o. Jacob was born in Clarion
county, on October 7, I812, and came to Jefferson county in 1822. He is a farmer,
and owns 167 acres. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Hettrick) McFadden,
Jacob was married on March 19, 1835, to Rebecca Reed, a daughter of Peter and Cath-
arine (Shannon) Reed, formeriy of Westmoreland county. Jacob had a family of seven
children — Sliannon, served in the late war; Levi, who died while in the army; Reed,
served in the late war; Elizabeth, Reeser P. and Enoch.
McFadden, J. R., Polk, Schoffner's Corners p. o., was born in Oliver township^
February 19, 1843. He is a general merchant, owns a custom steam saw-mill, and also
a farm of 100 acres. He enlisted in Co. B. 135th Pa. Vols., and then re-enlisted in Co.
L, nth Pa. Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. His parents were Jacob
and Rebecca (Reed) McFadden, who came to Jefferson county in 1832. His wife was
Christena Wingard, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Wise) Wingard, of Clearfield
county. They were married on May 17, '1867, and have four children living — Harvey
W., Laura R., Daniel and Nettie B.
McFadden, B. W., Polk, Schoffner's Corners p. o., was born in Polk township, on
October 20, 1853; is a farmer, and owns 100 acres, and is also engaged in the lumber
business. His parents were Jacob and Rebecca (Reis) McFadden, who came to this
county in 1832. He was married on September 13, 1877, to Caroline Wingard, a
daughter of Henry and Barbara (^Vise) Wingard, of Clearfield county. B. W. and Car-
oline have had two children — Delia B. and John F.
McFadden, Shannon, Polk, Munderf p. o., was born in Oliver township, Jefferson
county, on March 15, 1836. He is a farmer and lumberman, and owns 157 acres. He
is now overseer of the poor, and has been supervisor and town auditor. He enlisted in
Co. I, 8th Pa. Vols., in 1861, served for three months, and re-enlisted in Co. L, nth
Pa. Cavalry, and served two years, re-enlisted in same company and regiment, and was
second lieutenant of the same company, serving to the close of the war. His parents
are [acob and Rebecca (Reed) McFadden, who came to Jefferson county in 1832.
Shannon was married on May 29, 1866, to .'\nnie Webster, a daughter of George and
Lydia (Rogers) Webster. Shannon and Annie have had two children — Gussie M. and
Charles C.
McKee, David, Pun.xsutawney ; was born in Center coimty, Pa., in 1809, and was a
son of William and Elizabeth McKee. William was born in Ireland, and his wife was
born in Scotland ; they were married in Centre county. Pa. William died in 1812, leaving
a widow and a family of six children, two of whom are now living — William and David.
David settled in Clarion county in 1835, and was married in 1839 to Matilda Jane
Chambers, a daughter of William Chambers. They had a family of nine children, six
of whom are now living: James M., Francis P., Thomas B., Edwin H., David O., Clara
Jane and Maggie A., who died leaving one daughter. David settled in Jefferson county
In 1855 ; on his return from California jiurchasing his present homestead of 137 acres.
736 History of Jefferson County.
McLaughlin, John, Washington, Beechtree p. o., was born in County Donegal, Ire-
land, in April, 1825, and was a son of John and Margaret (Wilson) McLaughlin ; landed
in Philadelphia, on July 5, 1846. He was married December 21, 1847, to Catharine
Fergheson, who came from County Donegal, Ireland, in 1845, and died on May 29,
1886, in her sixty-second year. Their children were: Jane, born in Philadelphia, in
1848, and died in infancy; John, born in Philadelphia; Margaret, now Mrs. S. B. Fer-
man, born in Philadelphia, came with family to Jefferson county, on October, 21, 1855,
and settled at Rockdale; Esther F., now Mrs. Hugh Cooper, born at Rockdale; Isa-
bella, now Mrs. John S. Ross, and James. John served four years in the late Rebell-
ion ; three years in Co. D, 105th Pa. Vols., and one year in the ist U. S. Veteran Corps
under General Hancock. He received two gun shot wounds in service. He located
on the farm on which he now resides in the year 1868.
McLaughlin, N. T., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Bucks county on De-
cember 7, 1852; is a general blacksmith and wagon-maker, and is also burgess of
Brockwayville. His parents were John and Mary (McElhany) McLaughlin. He was
married on September 2, 1877, to C. C. Rowdish, a daughter of Philo and Cornelia
(Bronson) Rowdish, formerly of Warsaw township. She died on April 13, 1886, leaving
on child — Karl P.
McLean, M. T., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a general blacksmith, and was born
in New Castle, N. B., on January 10, 1849, ^^'^ ^^^ ^ ^o" o^ Michael and Nancy (Sher-
wood) McLean. He was reared in his native town, and learned his trade in Boston,
Mass., where he served an apprenticeship of five years and four months. He located in
Reynoldsville in 1879, where he has been actively engaged in business ever since, and
has the reputation of being one of the best workmen in his line in the county.
McNeal, Frank H., Eldred, Sigel p. o., was a son of William and Sarah (Harrison)
McNeal, and was born in Indiana county in 1845. He was married in i860 to Anna E.
Gayley. who was born on August 20, 1839. They had a family of eight children — two
girls and six boys.
McNeal, James, a son of William and Sarah (Harbison) McNeal, was born in Indiana
county on April 7, 1826, and settled in Jefferson county in 1840. He was married in
1848 to Hannah Ross, of Jefferson county, who died on February 19, 1849. He was
married the second time on September 30, 1849, to Mary Jane Dynes, of Crawford
county, who died on July 17, 1885. They had four children — William R., Sarah R.
(deceased), James F., Nancy J. Mr. McNeal held the office of school director for a
number of years, and is now assessor. His father was born in Indiana county. Pa., in
1799, and was married three times. His first wife was Sarah Harbison, his second Re-
becca Elder, and his third Letetia Gayley. He died on September 17, 1882.
McNeal, Thomas, Eldred, Sigel p. o., was born in Indiana county. Pa., on May 291
1837, and was a son of William and Rebecca (Elder) McNeal, who died in 1882, at the
age of forty-five years. He settled in Jefferson county in 1840, and married Nancy M.
Matthews, who was born on February 15, 1840. They had a family of ten children —
Mary R. (born April 25, 1861), William E. (born May 4, 1863, and died February 18,
1864), Thomas L. (born December 23, 1864), Nancy J. (born February 6, 1866), Anna
B. (born January i, 1869; died April 15, 1883), James H., (born July 8, 1871), Frank
P. (born April 18, 1873), Emma B. (born July 4, 1875), Clifton E. (born September 11,
1878), John S. (born November 4, 1S79). Mr. McNeal is now engaged in farming and
lumbering, owning in all about one hundred and seventy-six acres of fine land. His
father was bom in Indiana county in 1799, and was married three times. His first wife
was Sarah Harbison, his second Rebecca Elder, and his third Letetia Gayley. He died
on September 17, 1882.
McWilliams, A. 0., ^^■arsaw, was born in \\'e.stmoreland county on June 6, 1S41,
and came to Jefferson county in 1854. He is now engaged in blacksmithing and farm-
ing, owning thirty acres. He enlisted in Company D, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers,
for six months, and re-enlisted in June, 1863. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth
(Osborn) McWilliams. He was married on June 21, 1866. to Nancy Mcintosh. They
Brief Personals. 737
\
have bad two children — Anna B. and Mary E. Nancy was a daughter of Henry and
Margaret (McCannel) Mcintosh.
Miller, Frank C, Punxsutawney, was born in Punxsutawney in 1S56, and was a son
of Adam B. and Jane (Woodward) Miller. Adam was born in Ohio in 1S23, and his
wife, Jane, was born in Armstrong county. They settled in the borough in 1S44. They
have had a family of nine children, six of whom are now living. Adam is a merchant
tailor, and has held all of the borough offices. He was burgess and justice of the peace
for three years. Frank C. was married hi 1881 to Elida Reynolds, of Reynoldsville.
They have had one child — Pauline. F. C. Miller became a clerk in 1868, and in 1884
he became engaged in the general mercantile business in the borough, under the firm
name of Messrs. James North and F. C. Miller. They are the most extensive mercan-
tile firm in this section, dealing in all classes of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes,
and fancy goods.
Miller, George W., Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Hen-
derson township on January i, 1850, and was a son of Joann and Anna M. (Wise) Mil-
ler, who settled in Jefterson county, in Henderson township, in 1835, where they cleared
and improved a farm on which they resided until 1872, when tliey removed to Winslow
township to the farm which is now occupied by George \\'. Miller. The father died on
March 12, 18S6, in his seventy-seventh year. They had two children — Adam and
George W.
Moore, David B., Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born in
Washington township on September 3, 1839, and was a son of Andrew and Margaret
(Eakins) Moore, who settled in Washington township in 1835. David B. settled on the
farm which he now occupies in 1864, all of which he has cleared and improved himself.
He was married in 1863 to Helen Perrin. They have three children — Lowell W.,
Vernon L., and. Laura B. Mr. Moore was a soldier in the late war of the rebellion,
enlisting in the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers; served nine months,
when he was honorably discharged on account of disability.
Morrison, Isaac, Washington, Allen's Mills p. o.,is a farmer, and was born in County
Derry, Ireland, in 1822, and was a son of Robert and Dorothea (Maharg) Morrison, who
settled in Washington township in 1832, on the farm now owned by Isaac and Robert F.
Morrison, which, with the assistance of their sons, they cleared, and made a home in the
wilderness. Isaac succeeded to a part of the homestead. He was married on January
6, 1848, to Mary A. Morrison. They have had five children — William R., Robert W.,
Martha J. (Mrs. R. P. Johnson), Mary A. (Mrs. R. S. Patton), and Isaac F. Mary A.
was a daughter of William and Martha (Logue) Morrison, of Centre county.
Moore, James L., Reynoldsville p. o., Washington, is a farmer and was born in Cen-
tre county on April 2, 1819. He was a son of Andrew and Margaret (Aiken) Moore,
who settled in Washington township in 1835 where they cleared and improved a farm.
They had a family of eight children — James L., Edward M., Mary A., Fanny, Nancy,
Andrew, Jacob, and Davis B. James L. settled on the farm he now occupies in 1848,
all of which he cleared and improved himself, and at the time of settlement took him
eight days to cut his way through the timber to get through with an ox team. He mar-
ried Sarah Rogers. They have had eight children — Manford M., Margaret, Mary, and
Martha (twins), Estavilla, Andrew, James, and Alva D. Sarah was a daughter of Uriah
and Hannah (Rogers) Rogers, of Elk township.
Moore, Martin W., Aliens Mills p. o., \\'arsaw, a member of the firm of Moore
Bros, owning planing and shingle mills, was born in this town on September 1, 1855,
and was a son of A. E. and Lucretia (Perrin) Moore, of Warsaw. He was married on
July 2, 1879, to Sarah McManigle. They have had a family of four children — Harry
E., Gertie M., Lon A., and Elmer R. Sarah was a daughter of Robert and Margaret
(Steel) McManigle, of Rose, Jefferson county.
Moorehead, Jackson, Reynoldsville p. o., Warsaw, came to this township about 1840,
built the grist and steam saw-mill at this place and died in August, 1885. The business
is now carried on by his heirs and is known as the Moorehead Lumber Company, and
738 History of Jefferson County.
is now conducted under the management of B. J. Moorehead. Mr. Moorehead mar-
ried E valine S. Bartlett. They had five children — Pearl (deceased), Laura L. (wife of
Erwin Douett), Mary (now Mrs. C. B. Hastings, of Brookville), and B. J., business
manager at Richardsville.
Morrison, Joseph, Reynoldsville p. o., Winslow, is a farmer and was born in County
Derby, Ireland, on October 28, 1826. He was a son of Robert and Dorothea (Mont-
gomery) Morrison, who settled in Washington township in 1832, and cleared and im-
proved the farm which is now occupied by Isaac and Robert F. Morrison, where they
resided up to the time of their deaths. Their children were Susannah, William, Letetia,
John, Rebecca, Isaac, Barbara, and Joseph. Joseph settled in Snyder township in 1853.
and cleared and improved a farm there where he resided until the fall of 1865, when he
removed to Reynoldsville. He was married in 1852 to Mary A. Mcintosh. They have
had three children — Robert H., Anna E., and William J. Mar)' A. was a daughter of
Robert and Mary A. (Stevenson) Mcintosh.
Morrison, Dr. T. R., Punxsutawney, dentist, commenced the study of his profession
in 1880, and graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College in the class of '85-'86,
and settled in the borough of Pun,\sutawney, April i, 1S86. with full encouragement of
a successful practice.
Morrison, Robert, Beech Tree p. o., Washington, was born in county Derry, Ireland,
in September, 1814, and was a son of William and Mary A. (Lundy) Morrison. He
came to Washington township in 1832 and settled on the farm he now occupies in 1843,
all of which he has cleared and improved. In the early days he was noted as a hunter,
and killed a great many deer in the vicinity of his present residence. He was married
in 1 84 1 to Mary A. Armstrongs of Clarion county. They have had ten children, seven
of whom are living — Jane, Anna, Lib, Lovena, Emma, Robert L., and William A.
Mary A. was a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Thom) Armstrong, residents of
Clarion county.
Myers, T. M., Brockwayville p. o., Snyder, was born in Clearfield county on Decem-
ber g, 1838, and came to this county with his parents Jacob and Elizabeth (Monahan)
Myers, the same year. He is a miller by trade and enlisted in Co. B, i3Sth Pa. Vols,
•on August — , 1862, served nine months, re-enlisted in Co. B August 29, 1864, in the
2iith Pa. Vols, and served to the close of the war. His second wife was Sarah M.
Clark, a daughter of Dr. A. M. and R. M. (Nichols) Clark, who came herein 1836.
He was married on November i, 1866. They have five children now living — Milton
C, Jacob D., Guy T., John C, and Willie A. His first wife was Elinor Iddings, to
whom he was married on August 5, i860. They had two children — Elizabeth J. (wife
of H. S. Derrick), Sarah R. (wife of B. E. Dill). Elinor was a daughter of James Id-
dings, of Elk county.
Niver, Dr. William C, Brockwayville p. o., Snyder, was born in Friendship, Alle-
gany county, N. Y., on July 10, 1823, and came to Brockwayville on May 23, 1852.
He has practiced medicine here for thirty-four years. He was elected the first burgess
of the borough. His parents were William and Keziah (Utter) Niver, who were na-
tives of New York. William C. Niver was married on August 10, 1855, to Semeramas
Brown. She was a daughter of John and Electa (Taylor) Brown, of Warren, Pa. They
have had a family of six children — Jessie J. (married William Curry), Edward C,
Amanda S. (wife of Thomas J. Emigh), Florence S., Lucy C, and Mary R.
Osburn, Robert C, Victor p. 0., Washington, was born in Washington township on
May 31, 1S51, and was a son of James and Martha (McCullough) Osburn. His ma-
ternal grandfather, Alexander Osburn, was a native of Ireland, who settled in Washing-
ton township in 1824, taking up 5000 acres of land. He was a prominent farmer in his
day and was the contractor who built the turnpike through Jefterson county in pioneer
days. His children were James, Samuel, Robert, John, Henry, Eliza, and Margaret ;
of these children James, the father of Robert C, was a prominent lumberman of his
day. He reared a family of twelve children — \\"illiam (deceased), Robert C, Moftatt,
Jane, Samuel M., James R., John N., William A., Henry S., Byrd M., Benjamin, and
Brief Personals. 739
Arner Mc. Robert C. Osburn has been engaged in lumbering since 1871. He married
Mary J. Thompson. Thev have had four children — James M., Adelva M., Bertie, and
Ethel. Mary J. was a daughter of Ebenezer Thompson, of Brookville, Pa.
Osburn, William Boyd, Victor p. o., Washington, is a farmer, and was born in Wash-
ington township on October i, 1859, and was a son of Samuel and Rachel (McCul-
lough) Osburn. His paternal grandfather, Alexander Osburn, settled here in 1824, and
his maternal grandfather, William McCullough, settled in this township in 1832; both
w'ere natives of Ireland. Samuel Osburn with his brother cleared and improved the farm
which is now occupied by William Boyd. His children by his first wife, Margaret
Smith, were Alexander and Elizabeth. His second wife was Rachel McCullough.
Their children were Margaret, William B., Jane E., and James L. William Boyd Os-
burn was married on July 26, 1882, to Tillie Osburn. They have had two children —
Sarah and Gillis R. Tillie was a daughter of Robert and Sarah (McCullough) Osbuni.
Pantall, Thomas M., Punxsutawney, the inventor, saddler and harness manufacturer
who resides in Punxsutawney, was born in Oliver township, Pennsylvania, in 1848 and
was the son of James and Elizabeth (Reece) Pantall. They were born and married in
Herfordshire, England, and settled in Jefferson county about 1835. They had a family
of nine children, seven of whom are now living — Elijah, William, John R., Philip R.,
Theophilus, Thomas M. and . James was born in 1799 and died in 1883; his
wife died in 1865. Thomas iVI. was married in 1870 to Mary Ann Rogers. They
have had a family of five children — Norah A., James J., Clyde T., Nannie I. and
Frank B. Mary Ann was a daughter of Isaac Rogers. Thomas M. Pantall has been
engaged in the harness business since 1871.
Patton, William, ^Vashington, Coal Glen p. o., is a farmer and was born in County
Donegal, Ireland, on May, 4, 1818, and was a son of Robert and Sarah (Smith) Patton,
who settled in Washington township in 1842. Their children were Samuel, William,
Isabella, James, Andrew, Thomas and Robert. William settled on the farm which he
now occupies, in 1842, and cleared and improved it himself He was married on July
2, 1846 to Sarah J. Welsh. They have had a family of eight children — Sarah A., Mar-
garet J., Isabella, Harriet E., Robert S., James VV., William J. and Violet L. Sarah J.
was a daughter of James and Margaret (Cruthers) Welsh, of Washington township.
Pettibone, Stephen N., Warsaw, was born in Luzerne county on August 10, 1839
and came to Jefterson county in 1847. He is now engaged in the general mercantile
business and a member of the firm of Rickard and Pettibone at Warsaw. He enlisted
in Company C, nth Michigan Volunteers, March 10, 1865. He was a son of Oliver
G. and Elizabeth Pettibone, w-ho came to the county in 1S47. Stephen was married on
May 12, 1861, to Harriet T. Hoffman, a daughter of James K. and Barbara (Mercer)
Hoffman, of Jefterson county. They had a family of six children — Laura O., (wife of
George Fredenburg), Myrtle E. (wife of George Webster). Marvin F., Hattie V., L.
Blanche and Melvin B.
Penfield, Richard A», Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born where he now resides
on September 22, 1857. He is now engaged in farming and owns 126 acres. His pa-
rents were James and Elizabeth (Johnson) Penfield. His wife was Marga A. Dough-
erty, (a daughter of James and Sarah (Camel) Dougherty, of Washington township) to
whom he was married on June 18, 1879. They have had two children — William J.
and John F.
Rankin, M. M., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Indiana county, Pennsyl-
vania, on May 11, 1851, and came to Jefferson county, Pennsylvania in 1875. He is
a practicing physician and surgeon and is a member of the firm of Rankin and Condick.
He was a graduate of the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, in 1876. His parents
are Hugh and Margaret (Cooper) Rankin, of Indiana county. M. M. Rankin was
married in September. 1870 to N. J. Getty, a daughter of M. C. and N. J. (McCartney)
Getty, of Indiana county. They have had a family of three children — Willis C, Maud
E. and Imogene.
Reams, Quinton S., Big Run p. o., was born November 9, 1847, and is proprietor
740 History of Jefferson County.
of the Big Run steam planing, sawing and moulding mill and manufacturing to order
sash, doors and house-building stock. He located here as foreman of the mill in 1886.
The mill was burned in June, 1884. He bought the ground and erected a new mill
55x60, sixty days later. He was married in 1878 to Mrs. Phebe S. (Kuntz) Cochrane,
a daughter of Adam Kuntz. They have had five children — Willa Cochrane, Ella,
Effie, F. Arnold and Stanley Reams. Q. S. Reams has served and is now burgess of
the borough, and has also held other offices. His parents were Rev. John and Maria
(Arnold) Reams. Rev. John is pastor of the Evangelical Association and is aresidentof
Clearfield county.
Rhodes, George W., Punxsutawney, was born in McCalmont township, Pennsylva-
nia, in 1843 and was a son of John and Anna (Bowers) Rhodes. Anna was born in
Virginia and her husband John was born in Union county. They were married and
settled in Jefferson county in 1841. They had a family of eleven children, all of whom
now reside in the county, five sons and six daughters. John was born in 181 5 and
died in 1886. He settled with his parents, John and Mary (Moyer) Rhodes, in 1829.
George W. enlisted in 1861 in Company A, 105th Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
until June 5, 1865. He was taken prisoner but discharged on order No. 77, of War
Department, was wounded the second time for which he now receives a pension. He
was married in 1868 to Elizabeth Hawk. J'hs.v have had a family of nine children,
eight of whom are now living, three girls and five boys. Mr. Rhodes has been super-
visor for one term and is now engaged in farming.
Richards, George W., Warsaw, Richardville p. o., was born in Indiana county on
November 27, 1835, and came to Jefferson county with his parents, William R., and
Ann T. (Clark) Richards, in April 1843. This place was named for William R., this
being the end of any road at this time. He died in 1867. George W. was married on
December 30, i860, to Rhoda S. Wilson, a daughter of Jeremiah and Rosana (Irving)
Wilson, of Warsaw township. They have nine children living — George S., Eva M.,
Franklyn M., Annie R., Clara B., Benjamin O., Mary B. Ja\in J., Bessie R. Mr.
Richards is now engaged in the hotel and tanning business.
Rickard, A. M., Warsaw, was born in Indiana county, January 19, 1828. He is
now engaged in farming. His parents were Peter and Margaret (Moore) Rickard, who
came from Westmoreland county to Warsaw township in 1841. His wife was Susan
Mc^Villiams, to whom he was married on August 30, 1854. They have had one child,
James G. Susan was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson) McWilliams.
Rickard, Thomas F. ^Varsaw, is a general merchant of the firm of Rickard and Pet-
tibone, and was born where the hotel now stands on August 23, 1849. His parents
were Peter and Margaret (Moore) Rickard. Mr. Rickard was a native of Westmore-
land county and came to Warsaw about 1841. He died October 11, 1866 and his wife
November 24, 1868. Thomas F., was married on July 4, 187 1, to Sena C. Dunn, a
daughter of William and Jane A. (Munger) Dunn, of Warsaw. They have had two
children — Nellie V. and Charlie F".
Robinson, Daniel W., Punxsutawney, a merchant tailor and manufacturer of gents'
fine dress suits at Punxsutawney, was born in Wyandotte county, Ohio, on May 20,
1838, and was a son of Robert and Jane (McCreary) Robinson, who had a family of
four children, three sons and one daughter. The mother died in 1841, and the father
in 1S42. Daniel W. was cared for by his Uncle Joseph Cashun of Adams county,
Pennsylvania from 1842 until 1852, at which time he was apprenticed to the tailor's
trade. From 1856 he spent a portion of his time as a journeyman in Philadelphia and
in 1858 became engaged in business in Gettysburg. He was married in i860 to Mar-
tha Geiselman, of Gettysburg, a daughter of John Geiselman. They had a family of
eight children, six of whom are now living. Daniel W. in 1861 enlisted in Company
K., First Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, serving for three years, at the end of which
time he was discharged by reason of the exjiiration of his term of service. He then be-
came sutler for the 209th Regiment, Pennsylvania ^''olunteers, and with some changes
continued in the service until the close of the war. He settled in the borough in 1872
Brief Personals. 741
and became engaged in the tailoring business. He was elected burgess of the borough
in 1885.
Robinson, John H., Snyder, Sugar Hill p. o., was born in New Hampshire on July 23,
1830, and came here in April, 1849. He is now engaged in farming and ownsi5o acres.
He has been assessor, for several terms auditor and is now collector. He was in Com-
pany C, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Militia for three months, when Lee was expected
to make a raid in Pennsylvania. He was at the capture of John Morgan in Ohio.
His parents were John and Hannah (Lee) Robinson, who were natives of England.
He was married on March 30, 1854, to Caroline Butler, a daughter of Matthew and
Sarah (Allott) Butler, who were natives of England. They have had a family of ten
children — Sarah, Paul, Hannah. John E., William H.. Mary E., J. M., Carrie M.,
Eliza J. and Fannie V.
Rockey, W. H. B., Warsaw, Allen's Mills p. o., was born in Red Bank township,
Clarion county, on March 22, 1846. He is now engaged in the general mercantile
business, and is a practicing physician at Allen's Mills. He came to Jefferson county
in 1869. He enlisted on September i, 1861, in Company C, 105th Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, being then in his sixteenth year. He served in twenty-two engagements, and
was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863, and was discharged in front
of Petersburg at the expiration of his term of enlistment in August, 1864. He was a son
of Jacob and Catharine (Beck) Rokey. He was married on April i, 1881, to Nancy
Culver, a daughter of Samuel O., and Margaret (Vasbinder) Culver, of Warsaw. They
have had two children : William James and J. G. He was elected to the office of cor-
oner for Jefferson county in 1884, which office he now holds.
Ross, John, Washington, Allen's Mills p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Centre
county, on June 17, 1831, and was a son of James and Nancy (Fury) Ross, who set-
tled on the farm which is now occupied by John, in 1831, and cleared and improved it,
where they resided up to the time of their deaths. Their children were James, Mary,
John, Oliver, Nancy, Ruth, Elizabeth, Rachel, Sarah and Martha. John Ross, for
nineteen years, occupied the farm of eighty-eight acres, in another part of the town,
thirty acres of which he cleared and imjiroved himself He then purchased the old
homestead where he has suice resided. He was married in 1854 to Susan Patterson, a
daughter of John and Isabella (Smith) Patterson, of Washington township. They have
had nine children : William John, Ruth, Maggie J., Tillie, Isabella, James A., Robert
M., Susie and Mary O.
Rudolph, Abraham Augustus, Punxsutawney, was born in Bell township in 184c;,
and was a son of Abraham and Catharine (Rhodes) Rudolph. Catharine was born in
Union county, and her husband, Abraham, was born in Westmoreland county in 1816.
They were married in Brookville, in October, 1837. He settled in Jefferson county in
1833. They had five children, three of whom are now living. One son served three
years, ten months and twenty days in the loth Regiment P. V. Abraham was a prom-
inent man ; held the office of justice of the peace and other township positions. He was
a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Rudolph, who had a family of seven sons and one daugh-
ter. Abraham, sr.'s wife died in 1847, and he then married his second wife, Emily
Leach. They had eleven children, nine of whom are now living. Abraham Augustus
was married in 1871 to Rebecca A. Tobin. They have had five children : Orville G.,
Abraham R., Margaret E., James S., and Nora. Mr. Rudolph is now engaged in man-
ufacture and in farming.
Segers, Redford, Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Maine in 1834, and came
to Pennsylvania in 1858, and is now engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He was
married in i860 to Martha J. Horning, of South Kersey. He moved from there in
1863 and settled in Snyder on a farm of sixty-eight acres. His wife died on May 7,
1871, leaving three children : Martha J., Elmer and Martha. He was married the sec-
ond time, in 1876, to Elvira R. Grass, of Kersey. They have had three children : Ma-
bel, Ella May and F>ona.
Seifert, Edward, Big Run p. o. ; a lumber merchant, manufacturer and shipper, or
90
742 History of Jefferson County.
Big Run, Jefferson county ; was born in the little kingdom of Saxony in 1851, and was
a son of A. F. Seifert. Edward emigrated to America in 1S72, and that same year set-
tled in McKeesport, as a lumber cleric for A. M. McClure. He was married in 1876 to
Josephine McClure, a daughter of A. M. and Sarah (Cox) McClure. They have had
two sons : William A., and Edward O. Mr. Seifert settled in Big Run borough in 1S76,
doing business for A. M. McClure until the latter part of 1883, when he became en-
gaged in business with Doctor A. P. Cox; said partnership was dissolved in January,
1885, and Mr. Seifert then started in the manufacturing and dealing of lumber in all its
branches.
Senior, George, Washington, Victor p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Yorkshire,
England, on December i, 1S14, and was a son of John and Mary (Mellor) Senior. He
settled in Washington township in 1841, and cleared and improved a farm which he still
owns, and is one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He has been married
three times. His first wife was Mary A. Luren, of Yorkshire, England; they had three
children : Allen, Emma and Mary A. His second wife was Jane Van Devert, of War-
saw township, and his third wife was Mary Clyde, a daughter of William and Xancv
Clyde, of Elk county. They have had five children: Nancy, Ira, Harrison C, William
C, and Joseph E.
Shadle, John, Warsaw, Allen's Mills p. o., was born in Huntington county, on March
3, 181 8, and came to Jefferson county in 1833. He is a farmer and owns thirty acres.
He enlisted in Company F, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteers, in December, 1861 ; was at
the battles of Winchester, Kelley's Ford, and Mine Run, and served for three years and
eight months. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Fox) Shadle. John was mar-
ried in January, 1844, to Lavina Carley, a daughter of Job M., and Elinor (Hickman)
Carley, of Beaver county. John and Lavina have had nine children, seven of whom are
now living : Martha, wife of John Sypherd ; Lloyd, Eleanor, wife of Winfield Stro-
hecker ; Job M., Mary, wife of Perry Hoftman ; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Hannah, and
Ville. The two deceased are John L. and Delilah.
Sherwood, Charles, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer and lumberman, and
was born in Livingston county, N. Y., on July 21, 1S38. He was a son of Solomon and
Phebe (Pearsall) Sherwood. He settled in Winslow township, in 1865, on the farm
which he now occupies, all of which he has cleared and improved himself He was mar-
ried on July 5, 1862, to Augusta Frank. They have five children living: Oscar W.,
M.D., in Illinois ; Homer i\I., medical student at medical college in Illinois; Harmon
A., Lillie L., and Walter F. .\ugusta was a daughter of Christian and .\nsdena Frank,
of Winslow township. She was born in Svvartzburgh, Germany, February 12, 1S40.
Shoemaker, Josiah, Washington, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in
Columbia county, on November 8, 1836, and was a son of John and Penninah (Hea-
cock) Shoemaker, who settled in Washington township in 185 1, and cleared and im-
proved the farm which is now occupied by Ellis Shoemaker. Their children were Amos,
Josiah, Ellis, Emma and William. Josiah settled on the farm which he now occupies,
in 1866, and a part of which he has cleared. His wife was Fannie McConnell. They
have had two children : James A., and Florence. F'annie was a daughter of James and
Jane (Mitchell) McConnell, of Washington township. Mr. Shoemaker was a soldier in
the late War of the Rebellion, serving twenty-two months in the 82d Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, and at the end of his term of service was honorably discharged.
Sibley, George W., Snyder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in the town of Snyder, on
April 17, 1830, and is now engaged in the grocery and provision business on East Main
street, at East Brockwayville. He has been a justice of the peace for several terms, and
is now councilman, overseer of the poor, and borough collector. He enlisted in Com-
pany B, i3Sth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1862, and was discharged on the 19th of No-
vember, 1862, for permanent disability. His parents were Ammi and Rachel (White-
hill) Sibley. Ammi was a soldier in the War of 181 2. George W. was married on
September 28, 1850, to Mary Barrett. They have had seven children : Menzo A. (de-
ceased, killed by a tree falling on him) ; Eugene B., .\. W., .\lma L. (deceased), Rosa-
Brief Personals. 743
mond G., Hettie O. (deceased), and Warren O. (deceased). Mary A. was a daughter
of Peter and Priscilla (Lewis) Barrett.
Skeesley, Henry, Big Run, one of the representative farmers of Gaskill township,
was born in Dauphin county in 1825 and was a son of Andrew and Sarah C. (Lanicert)
Sheesley, who settled in Armstrong county in 1825, and late in life settled in Illinois,
where they died having had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living.
Three of his sons served m the war of the Rebellion, each serving a term of three years.
Henry was married in 1853 to Sarah Williamson, who was born in Indiana county, a
daughter of Hiram Williamson; she died in 1876 leaving a husband and six children —
Lydia A., William Johnson, Sarah C, David L., Martha J., and Andrew L. Henry
settled in Jefterson county on his present homestead in 1847. He has been a success-
ful farmer and lumberman.
Smeyers, Daniel J., Big Run, owner and proprietor of the steam saw and planing-
mill, manufacturer of sash, blinds and furniture to order, of Big Run, was born in Cam-
bria county, Pa., in 1843. He was a son of Daniel and ,\nn (Barringer) Smeyers, who
settled in Henderson in 1839, and died in 1874 leaving her husband and eight sons and
one daughter. The father, who was born in 1804, is still living. Four of his sons en-
listed in Co. A, 105th Pa. Vols, in 1861, and were discharged in 1863. Benjamin T.
was discharged in 1866. Philip E. and David L. enlisted in the 206th. Five sons are
now living — John B., William S., D. L., D. J., George W., and Lucinda J. Daniel J.,
was married in 1863 to Mary E. Kerr. They had a family of eight children. D. L.
and D. J. erected the furniture factory and became engaged in business in 1866. In
1876 D. J. took the business and added steam power and extended the general business.
Smith, Francis D., Pancoast p. o., Washington, was born in Washington township
on June 30, 1859, and was a son of \\'illiam and Eliza J. (Delamore) Smith, who set-
tled on the farm now occupied by their son Francis D., about 1855, and cleared and
improved the same. The father died soon after settling on the farm which is now oc-
cupied by Francis D. and his mother. They have made many changes and improve-
ments.
Smith, James S., Pancoast p. o., Washington, is a farmer, and was born in county
Donegal, Ireland, and is a son of Andrew and Isabella (Smith) Smith, who settled in
Washington township. Pa., in 1848. Their children were Mary J,, James S., Margaret,
William, John, Sarah (deceased), Andrew, and Elizabeth. James S. settled on the farm
with his parents and came to the farm which he now occupies in 1848, most of which
he has cleared and improved himself. He married Marv A. Atwell, of Washington
township. They have had ten children — John (deceased), Andrew H., Mary R., Al-
bert W., Alice E., Thomas J., Edna (deceased), Florence, and Maud.
Smith, John, Beech Tree p. o., Washington, is a farmer and was born in Centre
county on May — , 1823, and was a son of James and Eleanor (Carney) Smith, pioneers
of Washington township. John Smith settled on the farm which he now occujiies in
1844, and which he has cleared and improved himself He was married in November,
r845, to Nancy Hunter. They have a family of five children — James .\., Jane E., John
B., Andrew W., and Matthew W. Nancy was a daughter of John and James (Brown)
Hunter, of Washington township.
Smith, Matthew, Rockdale Mills p. o., Washington, was born in County Donegal,
Ireland, in September, 1814, and was a son of James and Ellen (Kearney) Smith, who
came to Philadelphia in 1822. Matthew came to Pine Creek township, now Washing-
ton, in 182S, and in 1835 settled on the farm which he now occupies with his son James,
all of which he cleared and improved himself He is now engaged in farming. He
was married in October, i8:36, to Elizabeth Hunter, a daughter of John and Jane
(Brown) Hunter, of Washington township. They have had ten children — Ellen, James,
Jane S., Mary A., John, Margaret, Andrew W., Nancy C, Eliza, and Rebecca.
Smith, Perry, Richardson p. o., Warsaw, was born in Clarion county on April 9,
1839. He is now engaged in farming and owns 150 acres. He enlisted in Co. D,
105th Pa. Vols, in 1861, and was taken prisoner at Centreville at the second battle of
744 History of Jefferson County.
Bull Run, and was discharged as a paroled prisoner in 1S63. He was wounded at this
sanne battle and now carries the ball in his leg below the knee. His parents were John
and Jane (Downs) Smith, of Clarion county. He was married on June 8, 1864, to
Caroline C. Bartlett, a daughter of Emery and Sophronia (Neff) Bartlett. Perry and
Caroline have had a family of three children — Madeline V., Harvey R., and Perry B.
Smith, Robert A., Rockdale Mills p. o., Washington, is a farmer and was born in
Washington township on June 3, 1828. He was a son of Andrew and Jane (Mcintosh)
Smith. His paternal grandfather was James Smith, a native of Ireland, who purchased
the land now occupied by Robert A. and on which Andrew Smith settled in 1826, and
which he cleared and improved. Andrew died on March 9, 1882. His wife was a
daughter of Robert and Mary (Stevenson) Macintosh, who setded in Washington town-
ship in 1825. His children were Eleanor, Robert A., James G., Mary, Matthew H..
Sarah A., Margaret J., and Elizabeth. Robert A. now occupies the old homestead,
His wife was Mary McCullough, a daughter of William H. and Margaret (Smith) Mc-
Cullough, of Washington township.
Smith, William, Rockdale p. o., Washington, is a farmer, and was born in County
Donegal, Ireland, in July, 1816, and was a son of James and Eleanor (Kearney) Smith,
who settled in Washington township in 1827, and cleared and improved the farm on
which they resided up to the time of their deaths. Their children were Andrew, Mat-
thew, William, John, Eleanor, and Jane. William Smith settled on the farm which he
now occupies in 1840. He was married in April, 1844, to Eliza J. Bond, a resident of
this township. They have had eleven children — Eleanor J. Mary (deceased), Nancy
H. (deceased), James B., Sarah, Andrew, Eliza A., Matthew L., Hattie A., John (de-
ceased), and John H.
Smith, William C, Rockdale p. o., Washington, is a farmer and teacher, and was
born in Washington township on P'ebruary 20, 1842. He was a son of William and Ann
(Trotter) Smith, who were natives of Ireland, and settled in Washington township
in 1834, and cleared and improved the farm which is now occupied by their son Will-
iam C, and where they resided up to the time of their deaths. Their children were
Hamilton, Sarah J., Margaret, Andrew H., James, Annie, and William C. William C.
was married in 1865 to Eliza McCormick, of Warsaw township. They have had a fam-
ily of six children — Annie, Sarah M., Pelton, Clara, Susie, and Nellie. Eliza was a
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Huffman) McCormick, of Warsaw.
Snyder, Benewill, Reynoldsville p. o., Winslow, was born in Schuylkill county on
November 17, 1823, and was a son of Frederick and Catherine (Martin) Snyder. He
was reared in his native county and settled in Winslow township in 1852 on the farm
he now occupies most of which he has cleared and improved. He married Lydia Zim-
merman. They have had nine children — Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Josiah, Frank,
Isaac, Levi, Gideon, and Sebastian. Lydia was a daughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth
(Gluck) Zimmerman, of Schuylkill county.
Snyder, John F., Warsaw, Richardsville p. o., was born in Union county, and came
to Jefferson county, in September, 1851. He was born on Aug. 14, 1825, and is a far-
mer, owning a farm of 150 acres. His [jarents were Henry and Mary (Fry) Snyder.
He was married on Sept. 19, 1848, to Esther A. Reed, a daughter of Robert and Ellen
(McCormick) Reed, of Clarion county. John F. and Esther A., have eight children —
Robert R., James H., F'rancis E. (deceased), Quintes S. (deceased), Ida H. (wife of
Rev. S. M. Sartwell, Laura A. (wife of S. J. Moorehead, of Richardsville), Frank P.,
Harvey J. His second wife was Sarah C. McCormick, a daughter of John and Nancy
(McFarland) McCormick.
Spindler, Charles A., Punxsutawney, of Bell township, was born in Saxony, Ger-
many, in 1S36, and was a son of Henry and Christina (Pencil) Spindler, who emigrated
to America in 1847, and in 1849 settled on the homestead farm in Bell township, where
they died; he in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife in 1882, at the age
of eighty years. They left but one son, Charles A. He was married in i860, to Heitz-
enrider. She died in 1863, leaving two children — Henry Scott and Emma. He
Brief Personals. 745
then married his second wife, Lydia A. Walker, in 1865. She was born in Indiana
county. They had two children — Jacob P. and Christina. Charles was prominent in
clearing the farm, which was when they settled on it a wooded homestead of 120 acres.
He now owns 167 acres, and erected a steam saw-mill in 1871, with a capacity often
thousand feet of lumber a day.
Sprague, George G., Winslow, Rathmal p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Danville,
Caledonia county, on February 2, 1818, and was a son of Samuel and Hannah (Farley)
Sprague, who settled on the farm now occupied by George C, in 1832, a part of which
they cleared and improved, and lived and died there. Their children were George G.,
William, Hannah, Hiram and JMary. George G. succeeded to the old homestead upon
which he had made all the improvements of present buildings. He married Prudence
Broadhead. They have had eight children — Angelina, Martha (deceased), Edwin, Al-
bert, ^Valton, Charles, Mary and Edith. Prudence was a daughter of James and Mary
Broadhead, of Winslow, formerly of England.
Stahlman, Gabriel, Warsaw, Brookville p. o., was born in Deep Creek Valley, Schuyl-
kill county, on March 8, 1828, and came to Jefferson county in 1850. He is a farmer
and owns 539 acres. His parents were Jeremiah and Catharine (Young) Stahlman, of
Schuylkill county. He was married on February 17, 1852, to Esther Keck, a daughter
of David and Balona (Kinion) Keck, of Westmoreland county. They have had ten
children — David W., Cornelius (deceased), Thomas B, Salome married Alonzo Bennin-
ger, and died in 1877), D. M., G. M., F. M., Emma, Clark R. and Abbie A.
Stevenson, Henry, Winslow, Sandy Valley p. o., is a farmer, and was born in county
Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 26, 1839. He was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moore) Ste-
venson, who settled in Washington township in 1845, where they cleared a farm on which
they resided up to the time of their deaths. Their children were Robert, William, Mar-
tha, James, Henry, Nancy, Rebecca, Thomas and Mary. Henry was a resident of
Washington township up to 1881, in which vear he came to Winslow township. He
cleared and improved a farm of 76 acres in Winslow township. He was married in Au-
gust, 186S, to Martha McCullough, of Washington township. She died December 3,
1886. They had two children — Nancy E. and James W. Martha was a daughter of
Hugh and Nancy (Bond) McCullough, of Washington township. Henry served three
years in Co. H, 105th Pa. Vols., during the late war of the Rebellion.
Strouse, George, Winslow, Sandy Valley p. o., was born in Westmoreland county,
July 17, 1827, and emigrated from thence to Jefferson county with his parents, Jona-
than and Juliana (Seese) Strouse, in 1838. He married Barbara Smith, in 1847. They
had one son, Jacob. Bereft of his wife, he again married in 1854, his connubial com-
panion on this occasion being Margaret E. Damas. They had three children — Mary
(who died in 1886), Daniel W. and George Curtin. George \\'. Strouse died in 1886,
and his widow and her two sons now occupy the old homestead, which their father
hewed out of the forest, and which he cultivated till his death. He was a man of a
Spartan character, highly respected by all who knew him, and in whom the jiublic was
wont to repose responsible trusts, which were always faithluUy dealt with.
Strouse, Martin, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in West-
moreland county, on May 18, 1829, and w^as a son of Jonathan and Julia Ann (Seese)
Strouse, who settled in Winslow in 1838. Martin Strouse settled on the farm which he
now occupies in 1857, all of which he cleared and improved himself He married Mary
A. Phillippi, on Oct. 21, 1852; a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Dumbole) Phillipi,
of Winslow. Martin and Mary A. have seven children living — Amos S., Rosanna,
Elizabeth, Jonathan E., John M., lona and Ada Christena.
Strouse, Noah, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in Winslow
township, on July 12, 1842, and was a son of Jonathan and Julia (Sease) Strouse, w^ho
settled in Winslow township, in 1S53, locating on the farm which is now occupied by
Noah, and which they cleared and improved, and where they lived and died. They had
seven children — George, Martin, Daniel, Christopher, Jacob, Elizabeth and Noah. The
latter succeeded to the homestead where he now resides. He married Minerva Phillippi.
746 History of Jefferson County.
They have six children living — Mabel, Albert, William, Ambrose, Estella and John.
Minerva was a daughter of Solomon and Margaret (Smith) Phillipi, of Winslow.
Syphrit, Daniel, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., is a farmer, and was born in West-
moreland county, on March i8, 1841, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell)
Syphrit. He was reared in Winslow township, and settled on the farm which he now
occupies in 1865, and on which he had made many modern improvements. He was
married in 187 1 to Mary A. Henry. They have had several children — John M., Sarah
E., George W., Alice C, Noah W., Anna B. and Charles L. Mary A. was a daughter
of John F, and Caroline Henry, of Jefferson county.
Syphrit, Joseph, Winslow, Reynoldsville p. o., i.s a farmer, and was born in Canada
on January 15, 18 14. He was a son of Christian and Mary (Shank) Syphrit, and settled
in Winslow township in 1841, clearing the farm which he now occupies. For many
years he was engaged in the lumber business, floating his lumber on rafts to Pittsburgh
and Cincinnati. He was married in 1835 to Mary, a daughter of J. K. Campbell, of
Ligonier Valley. They had thirteen children — Rebecca, Susan, Daniel, Mary, Noah,
Christopher, .-Vmanda, Lizzie, Priscilia, Joseph, Martm, Julia A., and Maggie. Of these
children, Noah settled on the farm on which he now resides in 1868, and which he has
cleared and improved. He was married on May 12, 1869, to Mary London. They
have had eight children — Adda V., Joseph W., Elmer S., Samuel T., Parson M., Ed-
ward R., Tressa M., and Ella J. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Edward and Susan
(Shillon) London, of Henderson township.
Thompson, Andrew J., Snvder, Brockwayville p. o., was born in Huntington county
on November 8, 1829, and came to Sn\der township on May i, 1851, and became en-
gaged in the lumber business, a trade which he followed for thirty years. He is now
interested in farming. His parents were Andrew and Hannah J. (Smith) Thompson, of
Huntington county, Pa. Andrew J. was married on September 25, 1861, to ,\nnette
Powell, a daughter of Reuben and Angeline (Cleveland) Powell, of Vermont. Andrew
J. and .\nnette have had two children — Lelia A., and Andrew J., jr.
Torrence, James, Punxsutawney, is descended from the sturdy Scotch-Irish Presby-
terians who emigrated from the northern part of Ireland to America, and settled m
Pennsylvania at an early day. They were found among the Provincial troops during
the French and Indian War, and when the alarm of the American Revolution echoed
along the rocky walls of the Blue Mountains, it awakened a congenial thrill of patriotic
blood, which years before had done service in Ireland under the banners of the Protes-
tant prince, William of Orange, and which, in latter years helped to resist the arbitrary
powers of England, gave their lives in their country's defense. James was the fifth of
nine children of Hugh and Mary (Gray) Torrence. He was born in Westmoreland
county August 3, 1812. As soon as James became of sufficient age, he was apprenticed
to the tanner's trade, near Pittsburgh, a business in which he afterwards extensively en-
gaged. In the year 1830 he came to Brookville, but not liking the place came to Punx-
sutawney, where he located and purchased a small tract of land upon which he opened
his tannery and built his dwelling-house. For this tract he paid $75. Soon after this
he made another purchase of about the same magnitude. Both tracts lay in the very
centre of Punxsutawney borough, and soon became very valuable. He was married in
1836 to Mary Caldwell, a daughter of William and Martha Caldwell, of Indiana county.
They had seven children — Silas, William, Louisa. .\nna, James M., George H., and
John. Of these children, all are now living, with the exception of Louisa, Anna, and
John. His wife died in 1857, and on July i, 1858, he married Mrs. N. J. McElhose, a
daughter of James and Hannah Kier. They have had three children — Elizabeth, Ella,
and Nannie. The latter died in childhood. In the fall of i860 he was elected asso-
ciate judge of Jefferson county. In politics he has been an active Whig and Republican.
In 1865 he retired from actixe business life ; being successful in the same, he was enabled
to live comfortably off the fruits of early toil. He is at this writing in his seventy-fifth
year, and is a staunch Presbyterian, an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Punx-
sutawney.
Brief Personals. 747
Trimble, J. R., Warsaw, of Hazen, was born in Armstrong county on August 3, 1836,
and came to Hazen, Jefferson county, in 1862. He has been engaged in the general
mercantile business, and is now justice of the peace, having held that office for the past
fifteen years. He was a son of William L. and Elvira P. (Redick) Trimble, of Arm-
strong county. He was married on February 4, 1862, to Catherine Graham, a daughter
of Josejjh and Deborah (Blackburn) Graham, of Westmoreland county, Pa. They have
had a family of two children — Bertha E. and Harvey A.
Wainwright, George R., Big Run, Gaskill p. o., was born in 1857, and was married
in 1882 to Martha J. Frampton, who was born in 1863, and was a daughter of Rev. J.
and Martha (Brooks) Frampton, who were married in 1856, and have had ten children
— Hamilton, Edgar, Luke, Martha J., Annie, Etta, Herb, Alpha, John, and James.
Three are deceased. George R. and Martha J. have had two children — lola Maud
and Sarah Ann Margaret. George R. was a son of Isaac and Catherine (Rishell) Wain-
wright. Catherine was born in Brady township in 1832, and her husband, Isaac, was
born in Gaskill in 1S34. They were married in 1854, and Isaac died in 1885, leaving a
widow and four children — John A., George R., Maggie C, and Ella. Isaac was a son
of Richard and Ann Wainwright, natives of Devonshire, England, who settled in Gaskill
township about 1822. They had a family of eight children — George, Mary, Lucy, Ann,
Amy, Isaac, Hannah, and John. Three children of this family are now living — Ann,
Amy, and Hannah.
Weaver, George S., Punxsutawney, Big Run p. o., was born in Bell township in
1839, and was a son of George and Elnora (Schoch) Weaver, who were natives of
Bavaria, Germany. They settled in Clearfield county. Pa., in 1832, where they died.
They had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living — Henry L., Barbara,
George S., Susanna and Adams (twins), and two sons who served in the war. The
father held several of the town offices, was an early weaver, but afterwards a farmer and
lumberman. George S. was married in 1866 to Catherine Snyder, of Indiana county.
They had a family of six children — Harry W., Clara, Mary E., Anna C, Cora B., and
Ames O, George S. was a justice of the peace for ten years, constable and collector for
four terms, a school director for two terms, assessor for five terms, and auditor for three
terms. In early life he became a farmer and lumberman, and in 1883 erected his pres-
ent steam saw and shingle-mill, and purchased his homestead in 1866.
Webster, N. B., Polk, Munderf p. o., was born in Eldred township on April 14, 1850,
and is a general merchant and also postmaster at Munderf He has also been a justice
of the peace. His parents were George and Lydia (Rogers) Webster. N. B. Webster
was married on August 4, 1872, to Sarah Plotner, a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth
Plotner, of Polk township. N. B. and Sarah have had four children — Addie A., Hen-
rietta, Malinda C, and Daniel.
P I^Winslow, Augustus, Gaskill, Big Run, Hudson p. o., was a son of Joseph W., and
Christiana (Long) Winslow, of Gaskill, and a grandson of Carpenter and Elizabeth (Col-
burn) Winslow. He was born in Pittston, Mass., on March 22, 1866. His greatgrand-
father was Kenelm Winslow, who came on the second \-oyage of the Mayfloiver from
England. Augustus was born in Gaskill, Jefferson county, in 1842, and was married in
1870 to Eveline Bell. She died in 1883, leaving a family of three children — Annie M.,
Maggie E. and Edith Blanche. He then married his second wife, Barbara Pifer, of
Henderson, in April, 1885. She was a daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth Piper, of Hen-
derson. Augustus Gaskill became engaged in the lumber business in 1866, and in
1880 erected a steam saw-mill of twenty-five horse power on the Ugly Run Stream. He
was the founder of the post-oflice at Hudson, and held the office of postmaster for about
seventeen years, only giving it up when President Cleveland took his seat. He enlisted
in Company B, Seventy- Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Colonel Scorbury, and
served until the close of the war.
White, James, Eldred, Sigel p. o., a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fifer) White; was
born in Maryland in 1830, and settled in Jefferson county in 1851. He was married on
May 27, i86x, to Sarah Mench. They have had a family of eight children : Mary E.,
748 History of Jefferson County.
William W., Lily A., Sarah L., Margaret J., Edward L., Cynthia E. M., and George E.
Mr. White is now engaged in farming, and owns a farm of seventy-five acres.
Wilson, Dr. Charles A., Big Run p. o. ; physician and surgeon of Big Run borough;
was born in Clearfield county on January 20, 1858, and was a son of Doctor George
and Anna H. (Huber) Wilson. Anna H. was born in York county, and her husband,
George, was born in Indiana county, and settled in Luthersburg, Clearfield county, in
1846. Doctor George settled in Big Run in 1872, where he now resides. Charles A.
read medicine with his father, and was graduated from the Louisville, Ky., .School ot
Medicine, in 1881, after which he settled in Big Run borough, in the practice of his pro-
fession. He became engaged in the general drug and prescription business, dealing in
all leading and fancy goods in connection with the drug trade. He was married in 1879
to Alice Tyson, a daughter of G. K. Tyson, esq. They have had three children : Zula
C, Nora L., and Charles W. Charles .V. Wilson has held several offices of the borough,
and was appointed postmaster in 18S5. His father. Doctor George Wilson has a fam-
ily of five sons and one daughter : Edgar, Doctor Joseph C, Doctor Charles A., John
P., Anna, Harry M., and Anna, who died in 1883 at the age of nineteen years.
Wilson, John C, Washington, Victor p. o., is a miller, and was born in Pine Creek
township, on March i, 1838, and was a son of John J. and Elizabeth (Hall) Wilson.
His father was a miller, a business which he learned in Indiana county, this State, and
was among the pioneer millers of Jefferson county, locating at Port Barnett. Later, he
removed to Clarion county, where he now resides. John C. Wilson was a soldier in
the late War of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company H, i4gth Pennsylvania Bucktails.
He served for three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He
located in Washington township in 1865, where he has since followed his occupation, —
that of a miller, — at what is known as the Osburn grist-mill, and one of the oldest mills
in the county.
Winslow, James, Punxsutawney, was born in Maine, on April 14, 1798, and was
married in 1820 to Betsey Miller, who was born in 1800, and was a daughter of Robert
Miller. She died in 1847. They had a family of twelve children ; three died in infancy,
and three sons and five daughters are now living. Mr. Winslow was associate judge of
the county for thirteen years and was a justice of the peace for fourteen years. He set-
tled in Gaskill township in 1821, with his parents and their family, and of that large
family only two are now living : James, born in 1798, and Joseph, born in 1804.
Winslow, Joseph W., Huston, Big Run p. o.,^an early and much respected citizen of
Jefferson county, was born in Maine on December 10, 1804, and was a son of Carpen-
ter and Elizabeth (Coburn) Winslow, who settled with their family in Clearfield county,
in 1819; Carpenter, at that time purchasing his farm in Gaskell, erected buildings and
settled there in 1821, where he died in 1827. They had a family of nine sons. Car-
penter and Elizabeth were married in 17S7. Elizabeth died in 1837. Joseph W. Wins-
low was born in Wiscasset, Me., on December 10, 1804, and was married in 1832 to
Christina Long, a daughter of Joseph Long. They had a family of eleven children, four
sons and seven daughters : Augustus G., Joseph C, Ruben C, Sarah, Caroline, Eliza-
beth, Minerva, Mary, and Flora, who died in 1882; and one son and daughter who died
in infancy. Mr. Winslow having retired from business, and being in very comfortable
circumstances, he and his wife are surrounded with every comfort, and by their children
and grandchildren.
INDEX.
Academies and select schools, 104
Academy, the. at Brookville, 109
Agricultural society, 325
Allegheny Valley Railroad, 404
Alexander, Caleb A., 355
Animals. 19
Armstrong's Jesse, rafting experience, 46
Arthurs, Benton P., 363
Assembly, members of, 82
Assessment record, first, 62
triennial, of 1886, 78
Attorneys, deceased, 354
list of, 344 et seq.
Auditors, 85
"Backwoodsman," the, 229
Bank, First National, of Brookville, 304
First National, of Punxsutawney,
308
Jefterson County National, 307
Mahoning, of Punxsutawney, 307
National, of Brookville, 307
the Brookville, 304
Barnett, Andrew, death of, 32
Barnett, Joseph, 30
early labors of, ^;^
Barnett township, 544
early settlers of, 544
officers and statistics of, 546
topography and geology of, 544
Bar, resident members of, 365
the, 343
Beaver township, 644
early settlement of, 644
officers and statistics of, 647
Belleview, 542
Bell township, 662
early settlement of, 662
officers and statistics of, 663
Bench, the, 340
" Big frost," the, 7 1
Big Run, 670
91
Biography of Brady, Andrew J.. 677
Brown, Henry, 719
Carrier, Albert A., 691
Clarke, M.D., Asaphh M., 703
Darling, Paul, 698
Dinsmore, Marion J.. 702
Ferman, Alonzo, 688
Gibson, M.D., W. M. B., 706
Gillespie, U. J., 695
Humphrey, James, 705
Hunter, Samuel A., 688
Jenks, George A., 678
Kelso, Joseph C, 698
Litch, Thomas K., 696
London, Truman B., 710
Long, James E., 692
McClure, Alexander M., 701
McGhee, [ames, 672
McKnight, M.D., W. J., 711
Reynolds, sr., Thomas, 682
Thompson, J. J. Y.. 689
White, .Alexander C.,68i
Winslow, Reuben C, 687
Birds, 20
Bishop, Dr. Gara, 370
Bounties for killing wild animals, 49
Brady, Andrew J., biography of, 677
Brady, Hugh, 354
Brockwayville, 551
cemeteries of, 551
officers of, 552
past and present business of, 553
statistics of, 553
" Brockwayville Register," the 234
Brookville, 413
business houses, early of. 442
cemeteries, 445
early enterprise of, 437
firms in, 442
first settlers of, 415 et seq.
hotels of, 464
in 1830, 414
750
Index.
Brookville in 1855, 441
Litch monument at, 448
location of, 413
natural gas in, 471
past and present business of, 453 et
seq.
schools of, 444
soldier's monument, 447
statistics and ofticers of, 475
stock-raising in, 448
water works of, 469
" Brookville Democrat," the, 232
"Brookville Jeffersonian," the, 229
"Brookville Republican,", 229, 231
Brown, Henry, biography of, 719
Carrier, Albert A., biography of, 691
Church statistics, 236
the Baptist, 276
the first. 54
the Methodist Episcopal, 259
the Presbyterian, 237
Clark, Jesse G., 356
Clark, Dr. A. M., 371
account of first rafting by, 51
biography of, 703
incident related by, 46
recollections of, 40
ClayviUe, 523
business of, 524
officers of, 524
Clover township, 570
agriculture in, 590
churches in, 585
lumbering in, 584
manufactures of, 594
mills in, 593
schools of, 586
settlement of, 582
soldiers of, 587
statistics and officers of, 580
the professions in, 592
topography and geology of, 581
Clyde, Captain William J., sketch of, 154
Coal beds, 408 et seq.
Commissioners, county, 84
Companies B and C,two hundred and si.xth
regiment volunteers, 187
Companies B and I, one hundred and for-
ty-eight regiment volunteers, sketch of,
172
Company B, one hundred and thirty-fitth
regiment volunteers, 170
Company B, two hundred and eleventh
regiment volunteers, sketch of, 183
Company C, second U. S. sharpshooters,
191
Company F. si.xty-seventh regiment vol-
unteers, sketch of, 1 66
Company I, sixty-second regiment volun-
teers, sketch of, 125
roster of, 133
Company K, eleventh regiment reserves,
sketch of, 116
roster of, 125
Company K, fourteenth cavalry, igi
Company L, eleventh cavalry, 189
Congress, members of, 81
Conser, Major John C, sketch of, 151
Coroners, 86
Corsica, 641
officers and statistics of, 643
County buildings, erection of first, 108
officers, present, 87
seat, location of, 107
Court-house and jail, the first, 68
Court-house, the new, no
dedication of, in
Coxson, John K., 357
Darling, Paul, biography of, 69S
Dinsmore, Marion J., biography of, 702
Divides, 18
Dowling, Captain John C. sketch of, 153
Dowling, Dr. Hugh, 373
Dowling, Dr. James, 371
Dowling, Dr. John C, 381
Draft, the, 200
Draft troubles, 212
Drainage, 17
Economy practiced in early days, 45
Eighteenth U. S. infantry, 192
Eidred townshi]), 555
early settlers of, 555
first improvements in, 559
geology of, 555
officers, etc., of, 561
Election record, first, 62
Emergency men of 1863-64, 194
Emerickviile, 494
Evangelical Association, the, 283
Evans, Dr. Alvah, 368
" Fair-plav men," 31
Ferman, Alonzo, biography of, 688
Fish, 20
Floods, 73
Flora, 19
Forests, 18
Fourth of July, first celebration of 42
Fudge Vancamp et al.. freezing of, 44
Fugitive slaves, 7 1
Fuller's Station, 495
Index.
751
Gaskill township, 595
early settlement of, 596
statistics and officers of. 597
Geology, 20
Gibson, M.D., W. M. B., biography of, 706
Gillespie, U. J., biography of, 695
Gordon, Alexander, L., 360
Graham, Mrs., lost in the woods, 45
Graham, Mrs. Sarah A., relation of early
incidents by, 35
Grahams, the, 36
Grand .^rmy of the Republic, organization
of, 215
Grunder, Lewis A.. 363
Hardships of early settlers, 42
Heath, Elijah. 355
Heath township, 628
early settlers of. 628
geology of, 628
officers and statistics of, 629
Heichhold, Dr. .\lexander P., 378
Henderson township, 667
early settlement of, 668
officers and statistics of, 670
present business of, 669
Holland Land Company, the, 332
Humphrey, James, biography of, 705
Hunt, Captain, the last Indian in the
county, 29
Hunter, Samuel .A., biography of, 688
Improvements, first, on site of Corsica, 39
Improvements for the last half century, 75
Lidians, habits of at settlement of county,
29
purchases ot land from, 25
rum trade with, 26
trails, 25
Institutes, county, 103
township, 103
Jefferson county, acts of Legislature in re-
lation to, 14
agricultural society in, first, 324
at the time of Joseph Barnett's ar-
rival, 28
bar, the, of, 343
beginning of history of, 13
bench, the, of, 340
date of formation of, 14
dimensions and area of. 16
effects of the war of the rebellion
upon, 73
first school-house of, 96
full organization of, 67
geology of, 20
Jefferson county, Indian occupation of, 24
in the fir.st quarter of a century, 65
Medical Society, 389
natural characteristics of. 16
post-offices in, 90
receipts and expenditures of in 18 16-
17, 62
relief fund, 214
"Jefterson County Graphic," the, 232
" fefferson Democrat," the, 228
" Jefferson Star," the, 230
Jenks and Tionesta townships, 561
Jenks, David B., 356
Jenks, Dr. John W., 367
Jenks, George A., biography of, 678
Judge Glenni \V. Scofield, 340
Isaac G. Gordon, 343
James B. Knox, 341
James Campbell, 340
Theophilus S. Wilson, 342
William L. Corbet, 342
William P. Jenks, 341
Judges, associate, 87
president, 86
the first, 340
Judiciary, 86
Jury commissioners, 86
Kelso, Joseph C, biography of, 698
Knapp, Moses, 38
Knights of Pythias, 314
Knox township, 657
business interests of, 659
early settlers of, 656
officers and statistics of, 661
Knoxville, 660
Land warrants, list of, 333 et seq.
Legend of Noshaken, 28
Legislative acts relative to land purchases,
33° . . ^
Legislature, acts of, in relation to Jefferson
county's organization, 14
summary of acts of, relating to Jef-
ferson county, 88
Litch, Thomas K., biography of, 696
London, Truman B., biography of, 710
Long, James E., biography of. 692
Long, William and Jackson, noted hunters,
5°
Long's, Adam bear story, 48
Lucas, Thomas, 357
Lumbering, early, on Little Toby, 51
Lumber interest, early, 400
trade, impulse given to, in 1830, 67
Lutheran Church, the, 285
752
Index.
McCalmbnt township, 664
business interests of, 666
first settlers of, 665
officers and statistics of, 666
topography and geology of, 664
McClure, Alexander M., biography of, 701
McGarrah, Kev. Robert, 54
McGhee, James, biography of, 672
McKee, William K., 362
McKnight, A. A., 361
raises troops, 113
sketch of, 149
McKnight, M.D., W. J., biography of, 7 1 1
Mahoning Creek, origin of name of, 515
Mahoning Navigation Company, 402
" Mahoning Valley Spirit." the, 233
Marriage, an early, 46
Masonry, 309
Matson, Dr. Charles M., 381
Maysville, or Hazen, 604
Medical practice, law relating to, 390
Society, 389
Monks, Andrew J., 364
Murder of Mrs. McDonald, 74
the first, 69
Natural curiosities, 22
" New Era," the, 230
" New Purchase," terms and boundaries
of, 13
Newspaper, the first, 68
Newton. Dr., 366
Odd Fellows, 312
Ohiotown, 625
Oliver township, 65 1
early improvements in, 654
early settlers of, 652
officers and statistics of, 657
present business of, 655
Pancoast. 628
Panther story, a, 51
Patriotic Sons of America, 318
Patrons of Husbandry, 319
Pekin, 604
Pensioners, 227
Perry township, 497
officers of, 503
settlement of, 497
statistics of, 503
Physicians, difficulties of early, 366
early, 368 et se(|.
present, 394 et seq.
Pioneer incidents, 44
Pine Creek township, 476
cemeteries of, 493
Pine Creek township, early dockets of, 478
farms of, 483
fines for misdemeanors in early days
of", 477
geology of, 487
lumber and saw-mills in, 488
officers of, 496
population, etc., 495
schools of, 492
Polk township, 648
first settlers of, 648
ofiicers and statistics of, 650
Port Barnett, 493
Porter township, 576
early settlers of, 577
geology of, 577
officers and statistics of, 579
Post-offices, 90
the first, 66
Preachers, early, 55 et seq.
Prescottville, 625
Prosecuting attorneys, 84
Protestant Episcopal Church, the. 289
Prothonotaries, 83
Punxsutawney, 510
business of, 519 et seq.
early settlers of, 516
fires in, 519
journal of Ettewein touching upon
name of, 511
officers of, 523
origin of name of, 26, 510
statistics of, 522
" Pun.xsutawney Plaindealer," the, 233
" Punxsutawney Valley News," the, 233
Rafting experience, early, 52
Railroads, 404
Railroads and railroad agitation, 74
Rapid increase of settlement from 1830, 67
Rathmel, 628
Rebellion, reception of the news of the, 1 13
Reeser, Rev. George, sketch of early church
work by, 56
Relics of past ages, 63
Relief fund, 214
Religious services, first account of, 54
Reynolds, sr., Thomas, biography of, 682
" Reynoldsville Herald," the, 254
Reynoldsville. 613
amusing incident concerning name
of, 619
early business interests, 620
early schools and churches, 617
fires in, 621
general business of, 622
ofiicers and statistics of, 627
Index.
753
Richardsville, 603
Ridgwav township, 526
e'arlv settlement of, 527
Gill'is. James L., leading settler of,
5-7 ,. ^
Ringgold township, 630
early setders of, 631
officers and statistics of, 633
topography and geology of, 630
Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal and Iron
Company, 411
Roman Catholic Church, the, 293
first, 61 _ .
Roster companies I and K, eighth regi-
ment Volunteers, 115
of drafted men, 202
Rose township, 531
early improvements in, 541
early setders of, 532
farms in, 542
geology of, 532
lumber and saw-mills in, 541
officers of, 543
statistics of, 543
Runaway slaves, 68
Sandy Valley, 628
School, first in BrookviUe, 97
first taught in the county, 53
house, first in southern part of the
county, 97
houses, primitive, 53
organization under the present sys-
tem. 98
superintendents, loi
Schools previous to the adoption of the
present school system, 96
Senators, State, 81
Settlement, first, in Clover, 39
Sheriffs, 83
Sigel, 560
Smith, Mrs. Ann, early school-teacher, 53
Snyder township, 547
early setders of, 548
lumber and saw-mills in, 548
officers and statistics of, 550
topography, 547
Soldiers' orphans, 223
Sons of Veterans, 219
State road, the first, 64
Statistics of agriculture and manufactures
from 1870 to 1880, 76
of growth, 68
Stack, Captain John M., sketch of, 155
Streams, 17
Summerville, 595
Supreme bench, the, 343
Surveyors, county, 86
Sutherland, Charles, slave, 65
Temperance organizations, 326
Thompson, J. J. Y., biography of, 689
Topography, 16
Tornado, the great, 72
Townships, acts of Legislature establisli-
ing, 63
Trails, 63
Treasurers, 83
Union township, 636
eady setders of, 636
geology of, 636
officers and statistics of, 640
United Brethren in Christ, 291
Presbyterian congregation of Brook-
viUe, the, 248
Presbyterian congregation of Jetter-
son, the, 253
United States colored troops, 193
Volunteers, departure of first company f,
114 . r
one hundred and fifth regiment of,
roster of, 156
association of, 165
Vote for presidents of the United States,
79
Votes for governor, 80
Wallaston and Adrain, 525
Warsaw township, 598
early improvements in, 602
early setders of, 599
officers and statistics of, 604
Washington township, 564
early settlers of, 565
geology of, 565
officers and statistics of, 575
White, Alexander C, biography of, 681
Winslow, Reuben C, biography of, 687
Winslow township, 606
cemeteries in, 611
. early settlers of, 607
officers and statistics of, 612
topograhy and geology of, 606
Wise, W. W., 358
Wolf story, a, 49
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 329
Woman's Relief Corps, 222
Worthville, 634
Young township, 504
early setders of, 505
geology of, 504
officers of, 509
statistics of, 509
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