USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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HISTORY
OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS
EDITED BY
KATE M. SCOTT
..
SYRACUSE, N. Y. D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS 1888
PRESS OF D. MASON & CO.,
63 WEST WATER ST.,
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
11/2
ARBU 3HT
0000 70
53 60
1
INTRODUCTION.
W HILE it may seem to the uninitiated a task involving but little difficulty to prepare for publication a work no more comprehensive in character than this volume, and containing the history merely of a single county, still it is not out of place here to assure all such readers that the work is one demanding a vast amount of labor and research, watchful care, untiring patience, and great discrimination. This need not be said to any person who has had experience in similar work. In attempting the production of a creditable history of Jeffer- son county, the publishers and the editor did not under-estimate the difficulties of their task, and came to it fully imbued with a clear idea of its magnitude, and a determination to execute it in such a manner that it should receive the commendation of all into whose hands it should fall. It is belived that this purpose has been substantially carried out, and that, while a perfect historical work has never yet been published, this one will be found to contain so few imperfections that the most critical reader will be satisfied.
It has been a part of the plans of the editor in the production of this history to secure, as far as possible, assistance from parties resident in various parts of the county, either as writers, or in the revision of all manuscripts ; the conse- quence being that the work bears a local character which could not otherwise be secured. In carrying out this plan, the editor has been tendered such gen- erous co-operation and assistance of various kinds, that to merely mention all who have thus aided is impossible; the satisfaction of having assisted in the production of a commendable public enterprise must be their present reward.
2
INTRODUCTION.
Those who have aided and encouraged in this work have been almost "legion ;" and to all such the writer extends her grateful thanks, and hopes her efforts to present a truthful history will not prove fruitless, but that it may be a mile-stone of events reared upon our country's century course, and read by our youth and posterity with such profit that they, by their true patriotism, industry and frugality, may be enabled to add as worthy a record of their day and generation as the fathers of the county have here transcribed.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY.
Beginning of the History- Formation of the County-Situation and Boundaries-Extent in Square Miles and Acres
13
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Character of the Country-Elevation of Different Localities-General Topography -Water System and Drainage-Forests and Their Character-The Flora-Animals and Fish-Geology-Natural Curiosities. 16
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
Improbability of More than Temporary Occupation by the Indians-Punxsutawney, an Indian Town-Origin of the Name-Legends of Captain Brady, the Great Indian Fighter-Captain Hunt and Jim Hunt .. 24
CHAPTER IV. EARLY SETTLERS.
Joseph Barnett, the Pioueer of Jefferson 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 Graham 30
CHAPTER V. EARLY INCIDENTS.
Pioneer Incidents-Early Rafting on the Mahoning and Little Toby-Hunting Wolves, Bears, Panthers, etc.
44
4
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The First Old Log School-House-Primitive Education-The First Schools in Pine Creek and Perry Townships-Schools of Ye Olden Time-The Presbyterians the First to Sow the Good Seed in Jefferson County-Reverend McGarragh the Pioneer Minister -The First Church in the County-The First Marriages-The Early Baptist Church -The First Coming of the Seceders-The Planting of Methodism in the County- Early Ministry of Reverend George Reeser.
53
CHAPTER VII. FROM 1807 TO 1830.
First Assessments and Elections-First Roads-Population-Statistics of Agriculture- Commerce and Manufactures.
61
CHAPTER VIII. FROM 1830 TO 1860.
The Lumber Trade -- Progress in Agriculture-Growth of Settlements-The First Public Buildings-The First Newspaper-Agricultural and Manufacturing Statistics. ..... 67
CHAPTER IX.
FROM 1860 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
Tornadoes -- Floods -Railroads-The Rebellion -Murder of Betty McDonald-General Improvements-Statistics of Agriculture-Manufactures-Commerce, Etc .. ....... 71
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL RECORD AND CIVIL LIST.
Votes Cast for President and Governor at the Different Elections, 1832-1886-Names of all Persons Holding Office in the County or Representing the County in the United States Congress or in the State Legislature, 1814-1886-Present Officials of the County- Summary of Acts of the Legislature Passed for Jefferson County 78
CHAPTER XI.
POST-OFFICES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Early Mail Facilities-First Post-Offices in the County-Names of Offices-When Estab- lished-Names of Postmasters-First Mail Route-Oldest Postmasters-A Quarter of of a Century in Charge of a Post-Office
90
5
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Progress of Education Previous to the Introduction of the Common Schools -State Aid -- County Superintendents - Schools Under the Common School Law -- Township Institutes - Academies and Select Schools. 96
CHAPTER XIII.
COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS.
County Seat Established - Lots Donated for Public Buildings -First Court-Ilouse and Jail Erected -Erection of the Academy - Building of Present Jail -- Erection of New Court-House - Dedication of Court-House - Address of Judge Campbell. .... 107
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. 113
CHAPTER XV.
THE ONE HUNDRED 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 Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg - Death of Colonel McKnight --- The Wilderness Campaign - Fall of Captain Clyde- Re-enlistment of the Regiment - Death of Major Conser - Seeing the End - Muster Out. 134
CHAPTER XV-CONTINUED. MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Company I, Sixty-seventh Regiment - Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regi- ment - 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 166
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 Infantry - Miscellaneons - United States Colored Troops - Emergency Men .. 189 2
6
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE DRAFT AND THE RELIEF FUND.
The First Draft in Jefferson County - The Enrollment Under the State Call - The Quota Filled - Organization of the Provost-Marshal General's Bureau - The Enrollment Board - Qnotas Under the Different Drafts- Lists of the Lucky Ones - Drafted Men in the Eighty-second Pennsylvania Regiment - The Relief Fund in Jefferson County - Aiding the Families of the Soldiers. 200
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The Grand Army of the Republic, First Organized - The First Post in Jefferson County - Amor A. Mcknight Post- E. R. Brady Post - E. H. Little Post - John C. Conser Post -John C. Dowling Post - Jefferson Post-D. S. Porter Post- The Sons of Veterans - The Woman's Relief Corps - The Soldiers' Orphan School - The Little Orphans and the Governor - The Wards of the State Provided For -Jefferson County Soldiers' Orphans - Number of United States Pensioners in Jefferson County - Amount Paid in Pensions 215
CHAPTER XIX.
THE PRESS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. . The First Paper Started in the County -John J. Y. Thompson the First Editor - The Jeffersonian Democrat - The Brookville Republican of Fifty Years Ago -The Back- woodsman - The Jeffersonian - The Jefferson Star - The Republican - The Graphic - The Demoerat - The Newspapers of Punxsutawney - Journalism in Reynoldsville - The Brockwayville Record - The Newspaper of Fifty-five Years Ago Compared with that of To-day - Veteran Editors. 228
CHAPTER XX.
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The Presbyterian Church First Gains a Foot-hold in the County - The Old Bethel Church -The Pioneer Preachers -The Different Congregations-The Membership, Statistics, and Incidents- The Associate Reformed Clinrch - The Early Pastors and [People - The United Presbyterian Chureh - The Organizations at Brookville and Jefferson - The Churches at Beaver Run and the Beech Woods - The Cumberland Presby- terian Church - Jefferson Congregation - The Other Organizations - Church Edifices and Membership 236
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY-Continued.
The Baptist Churches- Dr. Nichols the Pioneer Baptist - The Evangelical Association Next Proclaim the Word of God in the County - The Lutheran Churches at Brookville
CONTENTS.
- St. Johns and St. Michaels -- The Episcopal Church of the Intercessor - The United Brethren in Christ - JI. E. Stemer the Founder of the Church in Jefferson County - The Early and Present Pastors of these Denominations -Struggles and Efforts to Establishı the Different Churches - Membership - Statistics. 276
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CHURCHES-Continued.
The Catholic Church -John Dougherty the Pioneer of the Catholic Faith in the County - The Coming of Belgian and German Families- The Early Priest - Building of the First Church in Brookville - The Fiscus Church-St. Ann's Academy - Building of the New Church at Brookville - Parochial School and Residence - The Reynoldsville Church - The New Church at Punxsutawney - Membership - Societies -- Statistics. 293
CHAPTER XXIII.
BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
The First National Bank of Brookville - The Brookville Bank - Banking Honse of William F. Clark & Son -The Jefferson County National Bank - Bank of I. C. Fuller - The National Bank of Brookville - Mahoning Bank at Punxsutawney - The First National Bank of Punxsutawney -Capital, Officers and Directors of the Different Banking Institutions of the County. 304
CHAPTER XXIV.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The Masonic Order in Jefferson County - Hobah Lodge -John W. Jenks Lodge - Jefferson Chapter - The Independent Order of Odd Fellows- Different Lodges in the County - 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 .. 309
CHAPTER XXV. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The First Fair in the County-Mountain Park -Organization of the Jefferson County Ag- ricultural Society-Officers-Buildings and Grounds-Receipts and Expenditures . ... 324
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TEMPERANCE WORK.
The Early Temperance Work in Jefferson County-The First Workers for the Cause-The Good Templars-Prohibition-The Temperance Alliance-The Murphy Movement- The Work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
326
8
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
LAND WARRANTS AND TITLES.
The Last Purchase from the Indians- Acts of the Legislature of 1785 and 1792, regulat- ing the Sale of Lands in Pennsylvania - Original Warrants in the Several Townships of Jefferson County - Leniency Shown to Early Settlers 330
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE BENCH AND BAR.
The First Court held in Jefferson County-The Early Lawyers-The Pioneers, whose Fame yet Survives-The Patriotism of the Bar-Members who have Risen to Eminence- The Bar Represented in the Councils of the State, in the Halls of Congress and on the Supreme Bench-The Eminent Dead -- Resident Members 339
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 366
CHAPTER XXX.
THE LUMBER TRADE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The Magnificent Forests of Timber that Have Fallen Before the Lumberman's Ax - The Production of the Red Bank Valley - The Red Bank Navigation Company - The Mahoning Navigation Company - Statistics of Lumber Produced. . .... 400
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 Reynoldsville and Falls Creek Road-Coal Production in Jefferson County-The Wallston Mines-The Clarion Mines-The Beechtree Mines-Statistics of the Coal Trade 404
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE 413
CHAPTER XXXIII.
HISTORY OF PINE CREEK TOWNSIIIP
CHAPTER XXXIV. 476
HISTORY OF PERRY TOWNSHIP 497
9
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXV.
HISTORY OF YOUNG TOWNSHIP AND PUNXSUTAWNEY 504
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF RIDGWAY TOWNSHIP
526
CHAPTER XXXVII.
HISTORY OF ROSE TOWNSHIP 531
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
HISTORY OF BARNETT TOWNSHIP
544
CHAPTER XXXIX.
HISTORY OF SNYDER TOWNSHIP 547
CHAPTER XL.
HISTORY OF ELDRED TOWNSHIP
555
CHAPTER XLI.
HISTORY OF JENKS AND TIONESTA TOWNSHIPS.
56I
CHAPTER XLII.
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
564
CHAPTER XLIII.
HISTORY OF PORTER TOWNSHIP
576
CHAPTER XLIV.
HISTORY OF CLOVER TOWNSHIP.
580
CHAPTER XLV.
HISTORY OF GASKILL TOWNSHIP
595
CHAPTER XLVI.
HISTORY OF WARSAW TOWNSHIP 598
IO
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLVII.
HISTORY OF WINSLOW TOWNSHIP
606
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HISTORY OF HEATH TOWNSHIP
..... G28
CHAPTER XLIX.
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD TOWNSHIP . .. ..... 030
CHAPTER L.
HISTORY OF UNION TOWNSHIP
63G
CHAPTER LI.
HISTORY OF BEAVER TOWNSHIP
644
CHAPTER LII.
IIISTORY OF POLK TOWNSHIP
648
CHAPTER LIII.
HISTORY OF OLIVER TOWNSHIP
....... 651
CHAPTER LIV.
HISTORY OF KNOX TOWNSHIP 657
CHAPTER LV.
HISTORY OF BELL TOWNSHIP
662
CHAPTER LVI.
HISTORY OF McCALMONT TOWNSHIP .
664
CHAPTER LVII.
HISTORY OF HENDERSON TOWNSHIP 667
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER LVIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL 672
BRIEF PERSONALS 720
INDEX 749
12
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Brady, Andrew Jackson 677
Kelso, Capt. Joseph C. 698
Brown, Henry. 719
Litch, Thomas K. 696
Carrier, A. A.
691
London, T. B. 710
Clarke, A. M.
703
Long, Hon. James Elliott 692
Darling, Paul
698
McClure, Alexander MI 701
Dinsmore, M. J. 702
McGhee, James 672
Ferman, Alonzo 688 Gibson, W. M. B. 706
McKnight, Hon. W. J., M.D 711
Reynolds, Thomas, Sr. 682
Gillespie, James Upthegraph 695
Thompson, John Jamison Y 689
Humphrey, James. 705
White, Hon. Alexander C .. 681
Hunter, Samuel A.
688
Winslow, Hon. Reuben C. 687
Jenks, Hon. George A.
678
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Brady, Andrew Jackson .. .. facing 676
662
Kelso, Captain Joseph C. 580
Carrier, Albert A
584
Liteh, Thomas K.
448
Clarke, Dr. A. M 552
London, T. B
608
Darling, Paul
444
Long, Hon. James Elliott 66
692
Dinsmore, M. J
516
McClure, A. M 66
668
Ferman, Alonzo.
548
MeGhee, James 66
672
Gibson, Dr. W. M. B. 66
384
MeKnight, Hon. W. J., M.D. 380
Gordon, Isaac G. 342
Matson, Charles M., M.D. 66
382
Humphrey, James.
704
Reynolds, Thomas, Sr.
612
Hunter, S. A 66
660
White, Hon. Alexander C ..
436
Jenks, Ilon. Geo. A. 678
Brown, Henry
HISTORY
OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY.
Beginning of the History . Formation of the County-Situation and Boundaries-Extent in Square Miles and Acres.
THE history of Jefferson county really begins in the year 1796, when Joseph
Barnett, Andrew Barnett, and Samuel Scott first penetrated to the banks of the Sandy Lick Creek, and located the first white man's home in the wilder- ness.
Previous to that, but little is known of the territory now comprising the county. Lycoming county, from which Jefferson county was taken, was formed from Northumberland in 1795. It was part of the purchase of (lands by the Proprietary Government at the treaty at Fort Stanwix,1 November 5, 1768, then known as the " New Purchase." The terms and boundaries of this purchase were as follows:
" We Tyanhasare, alias Abraham, sachem or chief of the Indian nation called the Mohocks; Senughsis, of the Oneydas; Chenughiata, of the Onon- dagas; Guastarax, of the Senecas; Sequarisera, of the Tuscaroras; Tagaaia, of the Cayugas, in general council of the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, assem- bled for the purpose of settling a general boundary line between the said Six Nations and their dependent and confederate tribes, and his Majesty's middle colonies send greeting, etc. In consideration of ten thousand pounds, they grant to Thomas Penn and Richard Penn all that part of the province of Penn-
1 Fort Stanwix occupied the present site of Rome, N. Y.
2
14
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
sylvania not heretofore purchased of the Indians within the said boundary line, and beginning in the said boundary line on the east side of the east branch of the river Susquehanna, at a place called Owegy, and running with the said boundary line down the said branch on the east side thereof till it comes op- posite the mouth of a creek, called by the Indians, Awandac (Tawandee) and across the river and up the said creek on the south side thereof, and along the range of hills called Burnett's Hills by the English and by the Indians -, on the north side of them to the head of a creck which runs into the west branch of the Susquehanna, which creek is, by the Indians, called Tiadaghton (Pine Creek), and down the said creek on the south side thereof, to the west branch of the Susquehanna; then crossing the said river and running up the same on the south side thereof, the several courses thereof, to the fork of the same river, which lies nearest to a place on the river Ohio,1 called the Kittanning, and from the said fork by a straight line to Kittanning aforesaid, and then down the said river Ohio, by the several courses thereof, to where the western bounds of the said province of Pennsylvania cross the same river, and then with the said western bounds to the south boundary thereof, and with the south bound- ' ary aforesaid to the east side of the Allegheny hills, and with the said hills on the east side of them, to the west line of a tract of land purchased by the said proprietors from the Six Nation Indians, and confirmed October 23, 1758, and then with the northern bounds of that tract to the river Susquehanna, and crossing the river Susquehanna to the northern boundary line of another tract of land purchased of the Indians by deed, August 22, 1749, and then with that northern boundary line to the river Delaware, at the north side of the mouth of a creek called Lechawachsein, then up the said river Delaware on the west side thereof to the intersection of it by an east line to be drawn from Owegy aforesaid to the said river Delaware, and then with that east line to the begin- ning of Owegy aforesaid."
-
But the county of Jefferson was not formed for thirty-five years after this purchase was made, until by an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, to erect parts of Lycoming, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties into separate county districts, this new county was formed and named after the second president of the United States. The different acts by which the county was formed and its bpundarics fixed are as follows :
"SEC. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, etc .: That part of the county of Lycoming included within the following lines, to-wit : Beginning at the northeast corner of' Venango? county, and thence east thirty miles (part along the line of Warren county), and thence by a due south line fifteen miles, thence a southwesterly course to Sandy Lick Creck, where Hunter's district
1 The Ohio River and its Tributaries was known as the Ohio River, or, as the French called it, ·· La Belle Rivière."
2 Venango county then included that part of Clarion lying next to Jefferson county.
15
EARLY HISTORY.
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 extend 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 10th of March, 1806, Jefferson county was attached to Indiana county for judicial purposes, etc.
By an act passed 3Ist 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 since 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 Fork 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 8th day of April, 1830, 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
16
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 18th 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 11th 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 233 miles from the Clearfield-Indiana corner; its west line thence due north 284 miles, to the Clarion River; its north line, first up the Clarion River to Elk county, then due south one-half mile, then southeast 133 miles, to Clearfield county ; its east line runs, first southwest 10 miles, then due south 153 miles, to the starting place at the Clearfield-Indiana corner.
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Character of the Comitry-Elevation of Different Localities-General Topography -Water System and Drainage-Forests and Their Character-The Flora-Animals and Fish- Geology - Natural Curiosities.
""THE surface of Jefferson county is uniformly broken and hilly, every- "T' 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 exact 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.
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