Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 37

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 37

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those which will follow, we will have taken a very important step forward, and one which in the future will show its results in our farm ani- mals. We might and, only that space forbids, could write pages citing cases to prove the cor- rectness of this theory, but a few must suffice. The writer has known cases where mares have raised mules, and afterwards colts ; those colts had the appearance of mules, and the mares could never after be depended upon for raising fine horses. A gentleman had a lot of pure- bred hens, and lost his rooster, and used one of another breed one season ; of course the progeny was a cross between the two. He sold all of the progeny and the rooster, and obtained a pure- bred rooster, and kept all of his hens. He now had a pure rooster and pure hens, and the second year's progeny was quite as much on the mixed order as the first. Chester White sows have been bred to Berkshire boars, in which the former produced more spotted pigs when bred to white boars at the second impregnations than their first litters.

We have now explained the principles of breeding, and deem it necessary to explain the general form and characteristics; within cer- tain limits these may be reduced to a common standard. All animals should have a good head, well set up ; a clean, fine muzzle, and a bright, clear and full, yet perfectly placid eye. With the exception of the dog and cat, whose orig- inal nature is ferocious, and whose whole life, unless diverted from their natural instincts, is given to plunder and prey, and the race-horse, which is required to take the purse, at any haz- ard of life and limb to the groom, a mild, quiet eye is indispensable to the profitable use of the domestic animal. The neck should be well formed, not too long, tapering to its junction with the head, and gradually enlarging to a firm, well-expanded attachment to the back, shoulders and breast. The back or chine should be short, straight and broad ; the ribs spring- ing out from the backbone nearly at right angles, giving a round appearance to the carcass, and reaching well behind to a close proximity to the hip; tail well set on and full at its june- tion with the body, yet gradually tapering to fineness ; thighs, fore-arms and crops well de-

veloped ; projecting breast, or brisket; the forelegs straight, and hind ones properly bent, strong and full where attached to the carcass, but small and tapering below ; good and sound joints ; dense, strong bones, but not large; large bones always denote an ill-bred and coarse ani- mal ; but plenty of fine muscles in the right places, and the hair firm and soft. The chest in all animals should be full, for it will be in- variably found that only such will keep the healthiest, do the most work, and will fatten easiest and quickest on the least food.

The principal domestic animals reared for economical purposes in this county are horned or neat cattle, horses, sheep and swine, and for a number of years our farmers have greatly increased their herds and flocks both in quality and in numbers, by the introduction of improved breeds. Of the improved cattle in Susque- hanna County, the Devons are by far the most numerous and the most universally favorite. This popularity is well deserved, and is based upon several substantial considerations. The cows invariably yield milk of superior rich- ness, and have never been beaten in public tests ; none surpass them in the richness of their milk, and they are wonderfully hardy and docile, and easy keepers. Their principal breed- ers in this county are Orrin Prichard, of Springville ; C. E. Davics, of Auburn Four Corners ; William H. Jones & Son, South Mont- rose ; B. L. Brush, Elk Lake; Byron E. Smith, Great Bend ; and D. &. J. Banker, Franklin Forks. Messrs. Prichard and Jones are by far the oldest breeders. They have both bred them for over thirty years. Next is Mr. Davies. At this time they all possess very good individ- ual animals, and their stock are kept recorded. In the cow test by the Pennsylvania Agricul- tural Society, in 1884, one of the cows owned by William H. Jones produced the most milk of any breed, and her yield of cream was thirty- five per cent. Hon. J. Buckingham, of Zanes- ville, Ohio, paid a fifty-dollar premium to D. & J. Banker, on the cow "Bright Promise," for a sworn testimony that she made twenty pounds five ounces of butter in seven consecu- tive days. Mr. B. L. Brush for a time kept Durhamis, but not being satisfied with them and

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having an eye for beauty, hardiness and milking qualities, changed to Devons, and is well pleased with the change.

The Ayrshire Cattle .- This breed is also very valuable, and is much sought after of late years from their reputation for fine dairy qualities. The milk is good both in quantity and quality, yielding according to statements the average of fifteen quarts per day, during the best of the season, twelve of which make a pound of butter. The product of the latter averages about one hundred and seventy pounds per annum to each cow. This, while it is a good yield, has been greatly surpassed by the forcing process of individuals. They are bred by Messrs. Chris- topher Byrne, of Friendsville and J. F. Butter- field, of South Montrose. Mr. Byrne has made excellent purchases. The foundation of his herd started from the well-known herd of E. P. Prentice, of Albany, New York, who now makes occasional purchases of animals from some of the best herds. He finds them profitable dairy cows and now has a dairy of fifteen, with ready sale for his surplus stock, and from frequent trials, twenty pounds of their milk has made a pound of butter of fine color and good keeping quality.

Red Polled Cattle are bred by Mr. D. L. Stevens, of Elkdale. He informs us that his first purchase was in 1882, of one bull and two heifer calves, from G. F. Taber, an importer of Paterson, Putnam County, N. Y., and now has forty head. He gives names and numbers of his animals from the American record, and adds, that with him they have been very hardy, superior milkers and first class beef-makers. James E. Carmalt, of Friendsville, is also a breeder of Red Polled Norfolk cattle, Short- horns and fine horses, etc., and Hon. William H. Jessup, of Montrose, breeds Shorthorns, Chester White swine, etc., and Mr. L. B. Birchard, of Birchardville breeds fine horses, Jersey cattle and sheep. Mr. Amos L. Green, of Fairdale, has a herd of cattle called by the name of American Holderness ; also Albert Squires, of Springville, has a herd of the same breed, which they obtained from a Mr. T. A. Cole, of Solsville, N. Y. William Norris, M. D., of Dimock, breeds Jersey and Guernsey cattle, and trotting bred

and carriage horses ; and William B. Baker, of South Montrose, is breeding Norman and Perche- ron horses, and has an imported stallion.

This county by nature is specially adapted to dairying and stock-raising.

ORRIN PRICHARD .- The progenitor of the Prichard family, Roger Prichard, came from Massachusetts, and settled in Milford, Conn., previous to 1635. From him descended Amos, whose son, Amos, born in 1770, was the grand- father of Orrin Prichard. Amos married Lamira Lounsbury in Connecticut, and came from there to Springville in 1824 (his son, Asahel B., having preceded him several years), and located a farm, upon which was a log house. He married that season, then returned to Con- necticut, and the following year returned with his family to the farm he had purchased, where he resided until his death. They had children,- Asahel B. (1792-1869); Roxanna, married Simeon Nichols, and removed to Ohio ; Erastus also removed to Ohio, and at one time owned the land where the city of Cleveland stands ; Marinda married Merritt Warner, and settled in Ohio; Marshall went to Ohio and settled ; Esther is the widow of John Hudders, now re- siding at Catasauqua, Pa. ; Betsey, wife of Wm. H. Coho, residing in Rockford, Ill. ; and Isaac, a resident of Iowa.

Asahel B. Prichard, was born in Connecticut, August 31, 1792. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner and served an apprenticeship of seven years. Worked at his trade after attaining his majority until his marriage. In 1815 he married Melinda (1792-1864) daughter of Joseph and Phebe Cooper, a native of Con- necticut. In 1817 he removed with his wife to Springville, bought a piece of land, erected a log house, and built a saw-mill, which he run for a time. He sold out after a few years, and came to the Corners, where he built a house and resided there until his death. He worked at his trade most of the time, but he engaged in farming during the latter years of his life. Their children are Miles, 1819, learned the trade of a carriage-maker, which business he has carried on at Springville, where he has always resided; Orrin, 1823; Jane (1825-

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36) ; Amy, 1828, wife of H. K. Sherman, a farmer of Springville ; Roxanna, 1830, widow of Frederick Muzzy, residing in Dimock.

Orrin Prichard was born November 11, 1823, in Springville. He had the usual advantages of the district schools, and remained at home with his father. A few years subsequent to his grandfather's death, himself and father pur- chased from the heirs the homestead farm, and worked it together, he still residing at home.

cattle, procuring their original stock from Connecticut, and were the first to introduce thoroughbred Devon cattle in this section. Their efforts have done much to improve the stock in this county, and Mr. Prichard has spared no pains or expense in keeping his stock up to its original standard of excellence. He has been to Connecticut several times and pur- chased stock, which he has transported to his Springville farm, in order to keep his Devon

Orrin Prichard

In 1866 he married Hester A., daughter of Giles and Polly Rogers, who came from Con- necticut to Springville, where Mrs. Prichard was born May 24, 1837. After marriage he remained at his father's house until 1869, when he removed to a farm he had previously pur- chased, in 1860, where he remained six ycars. He then removed to the old homestead, into the new and commodious house he had that year erected, and which still continues to be his pleasant home. About the year 1847 himself and father commenced the breeding of Devon

blood pure. From his boyhood he has been a lover and admirer of fine cattle and horses. He has now on his farm a valuable herd of eighteen Devons, that would delight the eye of an appreciative farmer. Whenever he has ex- hibited at fairs, his stock has been awarded first premiums.

The Devon stock introduced by Mr. Prichard forty years ago has borne fruit in the improved breed of cattle now raised in the county, and his example has stimulated other to follow in his footsteps. While agriculturists may differ as to

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the value of the various breeds of cattle, yet no one will dissent from the statement that Mr. Prich- ard deserves the thanks of the farmers of the county for his efforts at improvement in the breeding and raising of cattle. He is a typical farmer, devoting his whole attention to his farm and his stock-raising, in both of which he seeks best methods and best results. . In !

Jones (1786-1855), married Elizabeth Roberts (1791-1881), both natives of the same place. He was the son of Elder John Jones, a Baptist clergyman of Garn, of the same county, who was also a large land-owner. Hugh Jones and his family emigrated to New York City in 1831, where he followed his trade as a tailor until 1845, when he went to Oneida Co., N. Y., but

politics he was originally a Whig, but has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and while never seeking office, has felt a lively interest in political affairs, and always exercised his franchise in accordance with his political convictions.

WILLIAM H. JONES was born October 24, 1821, in Parish Pistill, County of Caernarvon, North Wales, Great Britain. His father, Hugh

afterwards settled at Frankfort Hill, Herkimer Co., where he spent the remainder of his life on his farm. He was a very religious man, and while in New York and subsequently, exhorted in public meetings and fervently advocated the truth according to the Baptist belief. Both himself and wife were buried at Utica. Of their children, John died in New York City ; Catharine in Wales ; Hugh resides on the farm

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in Herkimer Co. ; Mary is the widow of the late Owen Williams, of Slatington, Northampton Co., Pa : Robert resides with his brother Hugh ; and Thomas is carrying on the slate business at Lafayette, Sussex Co., N. J.

William H. Jones, second son, on arriving in New York with his parents, upon the solici- tation of his aunt, Mrs. Owen Evans, of Colum- bia, Warren Co., N. J., went to live with her, whose husband was engaged in the slate busi- ness at that place. What opportunities for an education were offered him before leaving Wales and after reaching his new home here he im- proved, and by reading and study since reach- ing mature years he has made himself one, of the well-informed men among agriculturists of his day. At the age of seventeen he took charge of Mr. Evans' slate works on the Jersey side, which he conducted until about one year after his marriage, in 1847. His wife is Harriet Taylor, a native of Rockport, Carbon Co., Pa., where she was born February 24, 1826. The children of Wm. H. and Harriet Jones are Elizabeth Lodeska, a lady of recognized talent as an artist painter, wife of W. J. Holding of Albany N. Y .; Samuel T., died in 1879, aged twenty-six ; Annie, first the wife of Mason B. Wilson, and who after his death married Dr. F. E. Grattan, of Springfield ; Alfred H. married Edna Garfield, of Little Meadows Pa .; Catha- rine resides at Troy, N. Y .; Benjamin F. How- ey; Gertrudedied in 1885 at the age of nineteen ; and Martha Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Auburn Baptist Church and are identified with the various charitable enterprises of their church and neighborhood.

Mrs. Jones' father, Samuel Taylor, born in 1800, was a native of Providence, Lackawanna Co., resided at Easton for many years where he acted as deputy sheriff of Northampton Co .; afterwards resided at Slateford, and is at present with his daughter, Mrs. Clancy. Her fraternal grandfather, John Taylor, of English descent, was a native of Danbury, Conn., and removed to Providence, Lackawanna County, a large land- owner. Her mother, Ellen Hartz, was a daugh- ter of Colonel Jacob and Barbara (La Vann) Hartz, of Carbon County. Barbara La Vann was of French descent. Colonel Jacob Hartz

was sheriff of Northampton County, and had Samuel Taylor for his deputy. The children of Samuel and Ellen Taylor are Harriet (now Mrs. Jones) and one son, George, connected with the Eutaw Savings Bank, at Baltimore, Md. By his second marriage, to Hetty John- son, after the death of his first wife, at the age of thirty, he had children,-Amanda, a noted teacher, and at one time principal of Lewisburg Seminary ; Mary Jane, wife of Elder T. F. Clancy, a Baptist minister at Drakesville, Mor- ris County, N. J .; Hetty Almira, wife of Harry Smith, Pittsburgh ; and Anna, wife of Elder Alfred Harris, a Baptist clergyman at Baltimore.

He removed in 1848 to Slatington, Pa., where he took charge of the slate quarries for Samuel Taylor, James M. Porter and Robert McDowell. Upon the death of his uncle Evans, three months later, at his aunt's request, he returned, settled up his uncle's estate and conducted the slate business there for the fol- lowing six years on his own account. He sold the lease of this property to his partner, Hugh Hughes, and for two years following superin- tended the Slateford Quarry, owned by James M. Porter and Samuel Taylor. In 1855 he removed to Susquehanna Co., where he pur- chased a farm at Elk Lake (now owned by Charles Ely), which, after managing for ten years, he sold, and removed to Springville Hol- low. In 1867 he bought his present farm in southwestern Bridgewater, of one hundred and fifty acres, where he has carried on farming and stock-raising since. In May, 1868, upon the organization of the Farmers' Institute at Mon- trose, Mr. Jones read a paper before the conven- tion entitled " Devon Cattle," which was favor- ably received and published in the newspapers at the time, and showed his thorough knowledge of pure-blooded " Devons" and the practical utility of this stock to the Susquehanna farm- ers.

In 1855 he began giving largely his attention to blooded stock, especially " Devons," and since that time has bought, bred and sold hundreds of these choice cattle. He keeps a record of his stock, and has at present eighteen head. "Rose of Baltimore, 5th " produced in one week three

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hundred and twenty-seven and one-half pounds of milk ; " Helena," three hundred and twenty- seven and one-fourth pounds during the same length of time. The former's milk, when tested in 1884 at Philadelphia, proved to be thirty-five per cent. cream. From her he has bred "Prince Albert," "Baltimore Prince," " Blanche," "Castellaw." From " Pride 2d, No. 2265," he has bred " Pride 3d," which took the first prize at Montrose and Harford; also " Prince Howell," " Pride 4th," "Fairfield Bloom," "Leva," " Bernice," a pair of twin steers, " Temperance Quick," "Cogswell," "Shadeland " and "Queen of the Prides."

CHAPTER XVII.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Revolutionary Soldiers-Militia-War of 1812.

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY was not opened up to settlement until after the defeat of the Six Na- tions by General Sullivan, and no settlements were made therein until after the close of the Revolutionary War. When Connecticut under- took to establish her supremacy over this terri - tory, the most venturesome and courageous men in the State would find ample inducement in the offers which the Delaware and Susquehanna Companies made to forego all the dangers inci- dent to pioneer life and Pennsylvania's opposi- tion. The most natural class of men to em- bark in such ventures would be persons who had lost their strong attachment to their homes, and the localities of their birth by long disas- sociation, and who had become reckless of dan- ger by hardships and perils of war. Such a class of persons were found in the recently dis- charged soldiers of the Revolutionary Army ; hence a large number of the pioneer settlers of Susquehanna County had seen service in the War of the Revolution. The following is as complete a list of that hero band that suffered so much to establish our liberties as can now be obtained :

Asa Adams, at Bunker Hill.

Jedediah Adams, eix and one- half years in the war. John Adams, died in Harford. Ezekiel Avery.

Benjamin Babcock.

- Babcock (Dimock).

John Baker.

Nathaniel Balcom.

Joel Barnes.

Nehemiah Barnes.

Capt. Luther Leet.

Reuben Beebe.

Amos Bennett.

Elias Bennett.

Elder Gideon Lewis.11

Abiel Bills.

John Blaisdell. Nathan Brewster, Sen.1

Isaac Brown.2

- Brownson.

Jonas Brush.

Capt. Ichabod Buck, Great Bend.

Major Daniel Buck.3

Isaac Bullard.4

John Burnham.

Joseph Button.

Andrew Canfield.

Capt. Benjamin Case, Great Bend. Putnam Catlin.5

Benjamin Chamberlain.

Daniel Chamberlain, Choconut.

Moses Chamberlain, Gibson.

Wright Chamberlain, Gibson.

Dr. Robert Chandler, Gibson. Samuel Clark, Forest Lake.

Darius Cook.

Ezekiel Cook.

Ozem Cook.

Henry Congdon.

Dyer Crocker.

John Darrow.

Caleb Richardson, Jr.16

Jonathan Ross.

Peter Dickey.

Isaac Rynearson.

Lieut. David Dimock, Bridgewater.

Edward Dimmick, Herrick.

David Doolittle.

Capt. Ezra Doty.

Isaac Doud.

Jonathan Dimon, Great Bend.

Jonathan Edwards.

James Eldridge.

Stephen Ellis, Herrick.

Gabriel Ely, Brooklyn ..

Pardon Fish.

Simeon Foot.

- Ford.

Silas Fowler.

Cosider Fuller, Brooklyn.

Nathaniel Gates, Gt. Bend. Geo. Gelatt.6

Clement Sumner. Capt. Joshua Sabin.

Abner Griffis.8

Stephen Griffie.

Thomas Thatcher.

Timothy Hall. Israel Hewitt.

Eseck Thayer. Joseph Thomas. Hozea Tiffany, Harford.

Capt. Bartlett Hinds, Bridgewater.

Dudley Holdridge.

Seth Holmes.

Garner Isbell, Montrose.

Joshua Jackson, Brooklyn.

Nathaniel Jeffers, Harford. Luther Kallam.

Isaac Turrell. David Turrell, Jessup. Moses Tyler.

Rufus Kingsley.9

Elias Van Winkle.

Gershon F. Lane.

David Wakelee.

Hezekiah Leach.

Sylvanus Wake.

Daniel Lawrence.

Lemuel Wallbridge.

1 In American and French Revolutions. 2 Died in Lathrop aged 98. 3 In French and Indian War. 4 Bridgewater, died 1842, aged 97.

5 Drummer at the Battle of Bunker Hill. 6 Died it Gelatt Hollow, aged 105.

7 Herrick, with Arnolds expedition to Quebec.

8 Forest Lake, Minute-Man. 9 Drummer at Bunker Hill.

10 Of the Boston Tea Party, 1773.

11 Baptist preacher and early settler in Clifford.

12 Drummer at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

13 Gibson. 14 Bridgewater. 15 Harford, French War.

16 Drummer in Revolution. 17 Brooklyn. 18 New Milford.

Gideon Lyman. Ezekiel Maine. Nathan Maxon. Joseph McKune. Jesse Miles. - Miller.

Capt. Josiah Mills.12

Solomon Millard, Lenox. Almon Munson, Gt. Bend. Jonathan Moxley, Harford.

Jonathan Newman, Gt. Bend. Patrick Nuang. Robert Nichols. Issachar Nicherson.

David Olmstead. Hezekiah Olney. Thaddeus Peet, Rush. Joseph Potter, Gibson.

Capt. Hazard Powers, Sen.18

Jotham Pickering, Gibson.

Henry Pruyne. Joseph Raynsford.14 John Reynolds. Simeon Reynolds. Capt. Caleb Richardson.15

Bristol B. Sampson (colored).17 Samuel Scott. Zerah Scott. Capt. Westol Scoville.

Ichabod Seavor.

Christian Shelp. David Sherer. Christopher Sherman.

William Shufelt.

Garrett Snedaker.18

Asahel South well. - Staples. Capt. Jarah Stephens.

William Stephens.

Nathaniel Stewart.

Asahel Gregory.7

Lawrence Tarpining. John Thatcher.

Thomas Tiffany, Harford. Noah Tiffany, Brooklyn.

Nathaniel Tower, Lenox.

Josiah Davis.

Rufus Lines. Capt. John Locke.10

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Ephraim Warfield.

Amos Webster.

Thomas Williams.2 Barnard Worthing.

Capt. Samuel Wight.

Jacob Wellman. Cornelius Westbrook. 1

John Whitely. Total, 150.

Simeon Wylie, Gt. Bend. Samuel Yeomans.

"SERGEANT SIMEON WYLIE served his country through the War of the Revolution, having entered the service in the spring of 1776, at the age of eigh- teen years. He was early detached from the ranks as waiter to General Arnold, and served as such until the time of Arnold's defection, and was the principal witness to prove the identity of Major Andre, his visits to Arnold at his quarters at the Robinson house, and the manner of Arnold's escape. From that time he served as a sergeant to the close of the war. He was in the battle of Long Island and White Plains, in 1776, in the northern campaign at the battle of Ben- nington, and at the capture of General Burgoyne, in 1777. He was also in a preceding battle in which Arnold was wounded, and was in the battle of Mon- mouth in 1778.

"In the confusion of the retreat from Long Island, on the evening after the battle, Sergeant Wylie was one of a party of seventeen (including a lieutenant), left in a piece of woods near the enemy. Not know- ing, in the dark, what course to take, they agreed to wait until daylight, and then attempt to cross the East River or Sound. As soon as it was light they sent two of the party to search for a boat and give a signal to the detachment remaining in the woods. Upon hearing the signal the latter hurried to the shore, where they found a boat which had been drawn upon the beach, and while pushing it with some diffi- culty into the water, they saw a party of 'red-coats ' passing. They, however, succeeded in launching the boat and took to the oars. The enemy, being near, discovered them, ordered them to halt and surrender, or they would fire upon them. Disregarding the threat, they pushed on, and the enemy fired, and continued to fire, until the boat reached the New York shore, and so well was their aim taken that every man except the lieutenant and Sergeant Wylie was either killed or wounded. The killed were buried with the honors of war, and the wounded taken to the hospital in New York. Some forty years after, a crippled pensioner, traveling through this part of the country, stopped for the night with Mr. Wylie. In the course of the evening he spoke of the Revolution and the cause of his lameness. He proved to be one of the seventeen. He remained with Mr. Wylie through the winter and taught school. Sergeant Wylie was a brave man and a good soldier. This bloody transaction, with many other Revolutionary reminiscences, he was accus- tomed to narrate with thrilling effect.

" In the spring of 1835 he buried his wife (a daugh- ter of Rev. D. Buck), with whom he had lived forty-

nine years. She had resided forty-three years on the farm where she died, and had been a member of the Presbyterian Church eighteen years. He died sud- denly while on a journey into the State of New York to visit one of his sons, September 14, 1836, aged seventy-eight years."

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 37

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318