USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Gazetteer and business directory of Crawford County, Pa., for 1874 > Part 6
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48
CUSSEWAGO.
POTTERS CORNERS (p. o.) is located in the south-west part, at the confluence of Cussewago and Little Cussewago creeks.
Settlement was commenced in 1795 by Robert Erwin, (father of Leonard Erwin,) who located on the farm on which James Hatch now resides, where he built a log house and remained several years. He married in 1802. Settlements were made in 1797 by Alex. and John Sweeney, John Chamberlin and John Clawson. The Sweeneys were brothers and natives of Ireland, and came in the spring of that year, after a three years' residence in Northumberland county. Alex. bought 1,600 acres of land, and built a log cabin on each 400 acres, in which he settled his relatives. Their united efforts were bent to the furtherance of improvements, and in a few years they were able to support a school composed of their own children. During one winter the school was attended by thirty-six scholars, all of whom were first cousins. Chamberlin was a native of New Jersey, near Trenton, where he married Elizabeth Wykoff, who was born at the same place. After his marriage he resided some time in Sussex county, whence he came to this township, where most of his children were raised. He built a cabin of such logs as he and another man could roll up. The chimney was construct- ed of sticks and mud, and the roof, door and floor of split poles. The openings for windows were covered with greased paper as a substitute for glass. He was obliged to carry his grist to Meadville. A bushel of grain was conveyed thither upon his back, ground, and he returned with it the same day. With his gun he provided meat for the family from the game which was abundant. Wild beasts were numerous and troublesome, especially to the stock. After a few years he built a house of hewn logs, and when it was raised, so few and scattered were the settlers, that help came from Meadville, among them the county judge. Clawson also came from New Jersey and settled about the center of the township, on the farm now occupied by his son Martin. Upon this farm is an orchard raised from seed planted by John Clawson. In it is an apple tree seventy-five years old and measuring nearly seven feet in circumference. The following year, (1798,) Jacob Hites came in from Philadelphia county and settled upon the farm on which Jacob Moyer now re- sides. He erected a cabin of rough logs, exhibiting the devices employed in the construction of houses of that period. Mr. David Hites, who was six years old when his father came here, says their nearest neighbor was Rev. Owen David. Michael Greeley, a Virginian, lived north of them, and Robert Erwin next north of him. Several families had located in the vicinity of Cross- ingville. Among those who settled about this year (1798) were Patrick and Bartholomew McBride, Miles Tinny, (natives
49
CUSSEWAGO.
of Ireland,) and John Donohue, a native of Delaware. Tinny on coming to this country first settled in Northumberland county, where, after a few years' residence, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Bartholomew McBride. Many of the descendants of these families still reside in this part of the country. Daniel McBride, son of Patrick, who was born with- in sight of the place where he now resides, says his father settled here in 1797. Donohue settled one mile from John Clawson. He built a log cabin, in which he kept bachelor's hall four years, when he erected a better house and married. He carried his supplies, except such articles as he could raise on the limited piece of ground he had cleared, on his back from Meadville. He traded his cow for a gun, with which he sup- plied himself with meat. Grove Lewis, a native of Bucks county, came with his family to Meadville in 1798, and to Cus- sewago the following year. The settlements were then very sparse, and as the product of the cleared lands was inadequate for their support, much suffering was experienced. Mr. Eber Lewis, (son of Grove,) who now resides in the north-eastern part of the township and is the only surviving soldier of the war of 1812 living in that part of the county, relates that some of his neighbors felt so keenly the pangs of hunger that they were driven to the necessity of digging up the potatoes they had planted for food, and he recollects of being obliged himself to eat bread made from sifted bran. Many of the necessaries of life could be obtained no nearer than Pittsburgh, and the article of salt was worth $20 per barrel. Mr. Lewis has just obtained a pension for services rendered in the war of 1812, the install- ment just received amounting to about $2. John McTier came on foot from Cumberland county with his family, consisting of his wife and three children, and settled in Cussewago in November, 1799. He carried one of his children (now Mrs. Nancy McBride) all the way in his arms. He immediately commenced the erection of a log cabin, which he covered with poles, brush and moss. It had no door, the only means of in- gress and egress being ladders placed within and without the wall, which was thus scaled. It was also devoid of a chimney, one corner of the building being occupied by the fire place. In this rude habitation the family lived about a year, when a more comfortable log house was built. Lewis Thickstun came from New Brunswick, N. J., in 1802, and settled on the farm on which his son William now resides. Samuel Lefever came in 1810 and moved his family in the next year. At his house, says his daughter, Mrs. P. King, was held the first township meeting. Harmon Rice moved into the county from Orange county, N. Y., in 1815,
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CUSSEWAGO.
and in 1816, he settled in Cussewago, on the farm upon which his son, L. E. Rice, now lives. Thomas Potter and his two sons, (Aaron T. and Job,) natives of Connecticut, came the latter year and took up about 800 acres in the vicinity of Potter's Corners, where his grandsons, C. H. Potter and his brother, now reside, and in 1819 he moved his family here. In 1818 he built a saw mill and in 1821, a grist mill, each of which was the first of its kind in the township. Wm. Alward settled in the township in 1832, and at that late day, says his son, Daniel, the country was an almost unbroken wilderness and log houses and barns were in vogue.
Upon the farm of Mrs. L. Erwin and in other localities in that vicinity the relics, consisting of tomahawks, arrow-heads, &c., which have been exhumed indicate that there were Indian burying grounds there. It is supposed that this point on Cus- sewago Creek was the site of an Indian village, and that the soil was cultivated by the aborigines to some extent. Apple trees in this locality evincing great age were beleived to have been planted by the Indians.
There are seven churches in the township, two at Cussewago, (Baptist and Lutheran,) two at Crossingville, (Catholic and United Brethren,) one (Seventh-day Baptist,) located in the east part of the township, near Cole's cheese factory, one (United Brethren,) at Hotchkiss' Corners, and one of the same denomination on the Saegertown road, about three-fourths of a mile from Cussewago.
Carmel Church, (Baptist,) at Cussewago, was organized with twenty members, in November, 1805, by Thomas G. Jones. The first church edifice, constructed of hewn logs, was erected in 1810 ; the second one, in 1839; and the present one, which will seat 250 persons, in 1856, at a cost of $1500. The first pastor was Elder Miller ; the present one is Rev. J. M. Collins. The Society numbers 123; its property is valued at $2000. [Information furnished by Mr. Wmn. Thickstun.
Union Church, (Lutheran and Reformed,) near Cussewago, was organized with sixteen members in 1829, by P. Yeiser, its first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1832, and the present one which will seat 150 persons, in 1855, at a cost of about $700. There are forty-four mem- bers who are under the pastoral care of Rev. J. Apple. The Church prop- erty is valued at $1500 .- [Information furnished by Deacon Reuben Mosier.
Cussewago Church, (United Brethren in Christ,) near the Hotchkiss school house, was organized with twenty members, in 1852, by Rev. Wm. Cadman, the first pastor, and the church edifice, which will seat 350 per- sons, was erected in 1857, at a cost of $660. The present pastor is Rev. H. F. Day, and the number of members, sixty. The Church property is valued at $1500.
The Seventh-Day Baptist Church, at Cussewago, was organized with seventeen members, in 1857, by Elder A. A. F. Randolph, the first pastor. The house of worship was erected in 1858, at a cost of $800. It will seat 175 persons. The pulpit is supplied by Rev. Joel Green. There are
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CUSSEWAGO-EAST FAIRFIELD.
thirty members, and the Church property is valued at $1500 .- [Informa- tion furnished by Mr. Perry Cole.
The United Brethren in Christ Church, at Crossingville, was organized with seven members, in 1870, by Rev. Cyrus Castiline, its first pastor. The Church edifice was erected the same year. It cost $1700, and will seat 400 persons. The Church consists of thirteen members and is ministered to by Rev. Lafayette Day. The Church property is valued at $1900 .- [Information furnished Mr. Wm. Ward.
EAST FAIRFIELD was formed from Fairfield in 1869. It is an interior township, lying south of the center of the county and on the east branch of French Creek, by which it is separated from Fairfield. It covers an area of 7,734 square acres. The surface is rolling and drained by French Creek and its tributaries, the principal of which is Sugar Creek, which crosses the north-east corner of the township. The soil is very productive and is chiefly devoted to grain culture, though dairy- ing is beginning to engage the attention of the people.
The old French Creek Canal crosses the north-west corner of the township, and the Franklin branch of the Atlantic & Great Western R. R., passes through the township along the valley of French Creek, crossing the canal within the limits of the town- ship.
The population of the township in 1870 was 741, all of whom were white, 661 native and 80, foreign.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, it contained five schools and employed ten teachers. The number of scholars was 220; the average number attending school, 158; and the amount expended for school purposes, $877.28.
COCHRANTON (p. v.) is pleasantly situated on French Creek, in the south angle of the township, and is the principal station on the Franklin branch of the A. & G. W. R. R., by which it is distant eleven miles south of Meadville. It is surrounded by a rich agricultural country, and is the depot for a vast amount of farm produce which seeks a market by the railroad. From the country in its immediate vicinity large quantities of ties are brought in for use on the A. & G. W. R. R. It contains three churches, (M. E., Presbyterian and United Presbyterian,) three hotels, twelve stores, a tannery, grist mill, oil barrel manu- factory, three blacksmith shops, a shoe shop and had in 1870 a population of 459. It was organized as a borough April 16, 1855, and derives its name from Joseph and James Cochran, who were early settlers, bought large tracts of land and inaugu- rated the first substantial improvements in this locality. The present population is about 475.
SHAWS LANDING (p. o.) is situated on French Creek, five
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EAST FAIRFIELD.
miles above Cochranton, and on the Franklin branch of the A. & G. W. R. R. It derives its name from Peter Shaw, an old settler. and contains a hotel, store and oil refinery.
STITZERVILLE (Pettis p. o.) is located in the eastern part of the township and contains a store, saw mill and cider mill.
The first settlement, so far as we have been able to learn, was made by Henry Marley, who came from Ireland to New York in 1790, and to this township in June, 1793. He built the first house erected in the township. It was constructed of logs and was located on the Creek road. His son James J. Marley, our informant, was born in the township in 1804 and still resides bere. Wm. Dean, from Westmoreland county, and John Wol- ford from Somerset county, came here in 1794. Dean came on horseback from Pittsburgh and arrived in April of that year. Thos. Powell, from Allegheny county, settled here in 1796; Peter Sbaw, from the same county, in April, 1797; and John Adams, from Susquehanna county, in 1798. Adams located at Cochranton and commenced that village by the erection of a . saw mill, in 1807. Four years from the latter settlement-in 1802-the first school house was built on the Creek road, on the place settled by Andrew Gibson. In 1803. Robert Harvey came here from Cumberland county. Walter Evans, from Lan- caster county, settled in Meadville in 1810, and removed thence to this township.
The M. E. Church, at Cochranton, was organized with twelve members, in January, 1839, by Rev. Wm. Patterson, the first pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1843 and remodeled in 1870. Its original cost was $900. It will seat about 400 persons. There are seventy-five members, who are under the pastoral care of Rev. John Abbott. The Church prop- erty is valued at $2,500 .- [Information furnished by Mr. E. P. Slocum.
The Presbyterian Church, at Cochranton, was organized in 1870, by Rev. David Patton, the first pastor. Their house of worship, which will seat 400 persons, was erected in 1850, at a cost of $1,500, one-half the present value of Church property. The Society is without a pastor, the pulpit being filled by supplies .- Information furnished by Mr. John Bell.
EAST FALLOWFIELD was formed in 1804. It lies upon the south border of the county, west of the center, and contains 16,616 square acres. The surface is hilly and drained by Crooked Creek, which separates this township from West Fallowfield and a few small streams tributary to it, the princi- pal of which are Union and Henrys runs, the former in the northern and the latter in the southern part. The soil is gravelly. Upon the farms of J. H. and J. M. McEntire in this township, so we are informed, has been discovered a vein of anthracite coal five feet in thickness. It is the only bed of coal yet found in this part of the county. If we are correctly
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EAST FALLOWFIELD.
informed the fact disproves the opinion which is prevalent that anthracite coal does not exist west of the Alleghanies. It is doubtful however.
The manufactures of the township are of considerable and increasing importance. They consist principally of two cheese factories, one located about one and one-fourth miles from At- lantic and owned by Messrs. Findley & Breckenridge, which uses the milk of 300 cows and presses an average of eight cheeses per day, and the other, located in the north-eastern part of the township and owned by Messrs. Mellon & Co., which was started in the spring of the present year, (1873) used the milk of 200 cows, and pressed five to seven cheeses per day; McQuiston & Co's flouring mill, located on Crooked Creek, in the south- western part, which employs two persons and contains four runs of stones with a capacity for grinding sixty bushels of grain per day; J. L. Johnson's oil barrel factory, located at Atlantic, which gives employment to four persons and the annual pro- duct of which is valned at $6,000 to $10,000 ; and G. K. Miller's steam mills, located about one-half mile east of Atlantic, which give employment to six persons, and daily produce 10,000 feet of sawed and 5,000 feet of planed lumber, besides a quantity of nail keg headings.
The Atlantic & Great Western R. R. passes in a southerly direction through near the center of the township.
The population of the township in 1870, was 1,167, all of whom were white, 1,098, native and 69, foreign.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township contained seven schools and employed fourteen teachers. The number of scholars was 302; the average number attending school, 248 ; and the amount expended for school purposes, $1.443.16.
ATLANTIC, (p. o.) (formerly known as Adamsville p. o.,) on the A. & G. W. R. R., is pleasantly situated on elevated ground overlooking a wide extent of country, and contains three stores, a barrel factory, stave mill, two shoe shops, a millinery shop and about fifteen dwellings. New buildings are being put up with considerable rapidity and the place gives promise of speed- ily becoming an active business center.
The earliest settlement which has come under our observation was made in 1792, by Thomas Frameand Daniel Miller, who came about the same time. They are reputed to have been at that time the only white settlers west of Meadville. Frame came from Dunnstown, on the Susquehanna, and settled upon a tract of 600 acres in the northern part of the township. Abner E. Frame, his son. relates that when his father started from Meadville on his exploring expedition, he took with him upon his back his rifle, camp kettle and two weeks provisions, all of which, with his
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EAST FALLOWFIELD-FAIRFIELD.
camp, were consumed by fire. Thomas Smith, Thomas Mc- Michael and Abraham Jackson came in 1798. The two former settled in the northern part of the township. Jackson came from.Susquehanna county. He helped to repel the Indians in Western Pennsylvania and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Daniel Dipple came from Caroline township, Cumberland county, in 1800, at which time there were but few settlers in what is now comprised in the townships of East and West Fallowfield and Greenwood. His neighbors were Smith and McMichael before named. His death, which occurred Nov. 20, 1811, is said to have been the first in this township. Jacob Dipple, his son, who was but six years old when his father came, is still living on the old homestead. John McEntire, a native of Scotland, immigrated to this country in 1801, and took up a large tract of land in this township. John Andrews settled upon a tract of 400 acres in the north-western part of the township in 1803, having emigrated the same year from Ireland. The locality in which he settled and the country for many miles in all direc- tions was a dense wilderness. Mr. Miller and Adams, also natives of Ireland, were his only neighbors.
Fallowfield M E. Church, at Hannas Corners, was organized in 1872, with one hundred members, by Rev. J. A. Hume, the first and present pastor, and the church edifice, which will seat 300 persons, was erected the same year, at a cost of $1,800, the present value of Church property. It has 160 members .- [Information furnished by Mr. J. D. Dunbar, trustee.
FAIRFIELD was formed in 1811. It is situated near the center of the south border of the county and contains 10756 square acres. The surface in the north is rolling and hilly, while in the south it is generally level. It is drained by French Creek and Conneaut Outlet, which form the northern boundary, and small streams flowing into these. The soil is a gravelly loam, well adapted to the uses of the pomologist.
The population of the township in 1870 was 871, all of whom were white, 822, native and 49, foreign.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township contained seven schools and employed twelve teachers. The number of scholars was 323; the average number attending school, 214; and the amount expended for school purposes, $967.30.
CUSTARDS, (p. o.) situated in the north-east corner, near the line of Greenwood, contains a store and two saw mills.
CALVINS CORNERS (p. o.) is situated about two miles east and a little south of Custards. Mail is received and forwarded three times a week.
Settlement was commenced as early as 1791, in which year Joseph Dickson, from Cumberland county, located on the farm
1
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FAIRFIELD-GREENWOOD.
now owned by E. P. Slocum. He came alone and on foot, and it is related that at night he was accustomed to seek protection from the hostile Indians within the friendly shelter of a hollow tree. He was working at one time on French Creek, in com' pany with Wm. Finley and B. McCormick, and in response to the sound of the horn he started for dinner. His companions did not accompany him and soon after his attention was at- tracted by two shots. An examination revealed the dead bodies of his two friends, who had been shot and scalped. Archibald Hill came from Ireland, where he had followed the vocation of a weaver, in 1796. The country was a dense wilderness, in- fested by dear, bears, wild cats, raccoons and wild turkies. He was married May 30, 1800, and died May 3, 1817, in his fifty- third year. The following year (1797) Andrew McFaden, in company with his brother John, came from Susquehanna county and settled on Conneaut Outlet, where he remained a year and a half, when he removed to Sugar Creek, and thence to Sugar Lake, where he remained till his death, in 1823, at the age of seventy-two years. At that time two Indians for every white man could be seen here. Truman Mallory came from Connecticut in 1817. He was a carpenter by trade and brought with him his square. Four families named Weller, Sweney, Dewey and Ellis came the same time. Weller was killed the same year by the fall of a tree which he felled, and Mallory made the coffin in which he was buried. During the night the wolves unearthed the coffin and gnawed through it, but owing to the approach of daylight were deterred from molesting the body.
The Reformed Church, in the eastern part of the township, was organized with five members in 1854, by Rev. L. L. Liverman, and the church edi- fice, which will seat 300 persons, was erected in 1859, at a cost of $1250. The first pastor was Rev. John Kutzing. The Society numbered twenty- five and its property is valued at $1300 .- [Information furnished by Mr. Andrew M. Hanes.
Mumford Chapel, (M. E.) in the northern part, was organized with twenty-five members, in 1859, by Rev. John Abbott, the first and present pastor, and the church edifice, which will seat 200 persons, erected in 1861, at a cost of $1200. . The Society numbers forty and its property is valued at $1400 .- [Information furnished by Mr. Wm. Hart.
GREENWOOD was formed in 1830. It lies upon the south border of the county, west of the center, and contains 19387 square acres. The major portion of its northern bound- ary is formed by Conneaut Outlet. The surface is generally level, being a little broken in the north-east part. Conneaut Marsh, which extends along the north border, is about half a mile wide and from 100 to 200 feet below the general level of
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GREENWOOD.
the land. It is well watered by springs of pure water which give rise to numerous small streams flowing north into Con- neaut Outlet, and to Little Sandy Creek and Sandy Run, which flow south-east, all eventually mingling their waters with those of the Allegheny. The soil is a fertile, gravelly loam, well adapted to dairying and fruit culture. The timber consists of beech, maple, pine and hemlock, Its numerous springs of wholesome water constitute it a healthy township.
The Atlantic & Great Western R. R. extends through the north part.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,782, of whom 1,761 were native, 21, foreign, 1,771, white and 11, colored.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, it contained thirteen schools and employed twenty-two teachers. The number of scholars was 603; the average number attending school, 460; and the amount expended for school purposes, $2,785.61.
GENEVA (p. v.) (formerly known as Suttons Corners, which name it derived from John Sutton, who still resides there,) is situated in the northern part on the A. & G. W. R. R. and con- tains two churches, a school house, two hotels, seven stores, two wagon shops, five blacksmith shops, a telegraph office, shoe shop, harness shop, tin shop, about 100 dwellings and 400 inhabitants. It was incorporated as a borough Jan. 23, 1872.
SANDY CREEK is located in the southern part, on Little Sandy Creek. The post office at this place was discontinued in 1872.
GRINNELS is a hamlet located a little north of the center of the township.
WEST GREENWOOD is situated in the west part, a little south of the center.
Settlement is believed to have commenced soon after the settlement of the Meads at Meadville, by Asher and William Williams, who took up 800 acres of land, but our information is not sufficiently authentic to clearly establish the date. Abra- ham Martin settled here in 1794 and died in 1820. Samuel Anderson, from Sherman, came in 1796, and settled upon a tract
of 400 acres in the central part of the township. At that time the nearest market was Pittsburgh. In 1797 Richard Custard, a native of Chester county, came from the west branch of the Susquehanna and settled upon a tract of 400 acres in the east- ern part, where for some time he'kept a hotel. John McMichael came from the Susquehanna to Meadville, in 1797, and re- mained there one winter, when he removed to the western part of this township. In 1799 he erected a saw mill and grist mill, the first erected in the township. Robert Adams emigrated
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GREENWOOD.
from Ireland to Philadelphia, in 1799, and came to this town- ship in 1801, with a yoke of oxen. He located on the farm now owned by George Adams. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died May 17, 1844. Alexander Clark and Thomas Abbott came in 1802. Clark was a Virginian and settled on a tract of 400 acres. His son, John R. Clark, our informant, was then two years old. Abbott came from New Jersey and located on the site of Geneva. He died in 1854, in his 72d year. John Sutton, a native of New Jersey, came with his father of the same name in 1803. They came the entire way with a wagon. The same year Francis Porter, from Cumberland county, came with a five horse team, having to chop a road for many miles, and settled upon a tract of land upon which the Presbyterian church now stands. Wm. Brooks emigrated from Ireland to Philadelphia in 1798, and removed thence in company with John Cook and family and John Dermant to the bank of Shen- ango creek in South Shenango. In 1808 he settled in this township, on the farm now owned by Alexander Caldwell. He was a soldier in 1812, and in 1813 he removed to Geneva. Joseph Thacher came from Washington county in 1810, in company with his wife and two children and his wife's sister and her two children. They came from Pittsburgh on horse- back, his wife also on horse back, carrying the children while he went ahead. He was drafted in 1812, and during his absence his wife threshed the grain with a flail. He died in 1862, aged 72 years. John M. Wood, a native of Vermont, settled in the township about 1812. Peter Smith who came from Blooming Valley, in Woodcock township, was the first merchant in Geneva. He sold the first goods in 1860, at which time, he says, that borough contained but six or eight shanties and not a single painted house.
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