USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Gazetteer and business directory of Crawford County, Pa., for 1874 > Part 8
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During this year (1794) the settlers worked their farms in small companies, ever on the alert to avert the danger which constantly threatened them. Great anxiety was felt for the safety of the women and children, and when imminent danger was apprehended they sought security in the house and cellar of David Mead, a precaution which subsequent events proved to be a wise one. On the 10th of August of that year, a settler named James Dickson, a native of Scotland, who lived to a good old age and left a numerous and respectable family, while searching for his cows on the eastern bank of French Creek, almost within sight of the block house, was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush. One ball passed through his left hand, a second one inflicted a wound in the hip and a third, in
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the right shoulder. Supposing the attacking party had dis- charged all their guns, and being desirous to return the com- compliment, as he had his gun with him, he endeavored to dis- cover the concealed foe. When the smoke had sufficiently cleared away he discovered the barrel of another gun leveled at him, and concluding that the head of the individual holding it was not far distant from the end opposite that directed toward him, he raised his gun to fire, but before he could do so the weapon pointed at him was discharged, and the ball passed through his hat, grazing the top of his head. Disliking to be made the target of a concealed foe the bold Scotchman retorted with a shout of defiance and called upon "the cowardly dogs to come and fight him fair." Eager to accept the challenge, or goaded by the caustic rebuke, two of the Indians sprang from their concealment and rushed toward him, tomahawk in hand. Each covered his advance by dodging behind trees, evidently fearing the Scot's rifle, which was yet undischarged. Seeing that his retreat to the blockhouse was likely to be cut off, Dick- son rushed toward the Indian on his right, and as he advanced the latter retreated. He repeated this maneuver several times, all the time reserving his fire, and having gained the shelter of the woods he endeavored to reach an old log cabin, intending when there to revenge the injury he had sustained before trying his speed, wounded as he was, in a foot race to the blockhouse. Before he reached the cabin, the Indians abandoned the pur- suit and were seen no more, though Flying Cloud, and three or four others, having heard the firing, immediately started in pursuit, in which Dickson was with difficulty dissuaded by his wife and friends from joining. "The old man insisted to the dav of his death, that once, when he was just in the act of fir- ing, a low voice said to him, 'Don't shoot'; whereupon he reserved his load, and thereby preserved his life." The last depre- dation committed by the Indians in this county, resulting in loss of life, occurred on the 3d of June, 1795, when James Find- ley and Barnabas McCormick were surprised and shot dead while engaged in splitting rails about six miles south-west of Meadville. The treaty made by General Wayne with the west- ern Indians, August 3, 1795, and ratified the 22d of the follow- ing December, brought peace to the settlers in North-Western Pennsylvania, so far as Indian hostilities were concerned.
With the cessation of these depredations was inaugurated a period of substantial growth, and improvements of a permanent character were commenced. Roads were laid out and more comfortable houses built, and settlers who had previously been deterred by the unsettled condition of the country, came m large numbers. A saw mill, the construction of which had
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been commenced some time before, was completed in 1789.
Among the settlers, who moved in about this time was Wm. Williams, who came from Perry county, through the woods, with a wagon drawn by a span of horses, in 1796, and located near the State road in the northern part of the township. Nearly two months were consumed in making the journey, and for several days he was followed by a panther. He cleared his farm and lived upon it the remainder of his days. James De France came from Lycoming county the same year, to the south-eastern part of the township, and took up one hundred acres and purchased fifty more of the Holland Land Company. After a residence there of several years, he removed to Mercer county. Daniel Holton come from Rhode Island in 1796, and located at Meadville. In 1815, he removed to Union township. Samuel Hobbs and James Hunter came in 1799. Hobbs was from Vermont and located at Meadville. After a year or two he married and took up a farm in the northern part of the township. Hunter was from Logan's Ferry, Allegheny county, and settled in the central part. During the first night after his arrival he was awakened by his dog-his only companion- and discovered near the fire he had kindled a bear, which he shot. This, with a deer he shot about daylight, furnished him with plenty of meat for some time. He cleared a part of his land, put in some crops and made some other improvements, when he returned to his former home, where he married in April 1801. He returned here with his wife the following month. David Thurston came from New Jersey, in 1800, and settled in the south-east part of the township, where he took up a farm on which he resided till his death. Peter Kinney and James McDill settled in the same locality about the same time. Kinney was a native of Ireland, and settled upon the farm on which one of his sons still resides. McDill was a Revo- lutionary soldier and was accustomed to ride to Meadville upon an ox to draw his pension. The same ox served to carry his wife to meeting, somtimes a distance of several miles. Bariah Battles settled upon the site of Frenchtown, in 1800, and lived there for many years, finally removing to Ohio. He was a car- penter and found employment at his trade in finishing log houses. A little later Joseph Baird settled in the southern part of the township.
Meadville was laid out in 1795, and in 1800, upon the erec- tion of the county, was made the county seat. In 1802 an act was passed incorporating a seminary of learning, and David Mead and six others were appointed trustees. In the fall of 1805, a one story brick building, containing two rooms, was completed, in the extreme eastern part of the village, and in
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this was opened, the same year, the Meadville Academy, under the supervision of Rev. Joseph Stockton, who, in addition to an extensive scientific course, taught Latin and Greek. The building stood about twenty years, when it was removed by Arthur Cullum, who had purchased the lot, to make room for a dwelling house.
St. Paul's Reformed Church, in Meadville, was organized in 1800, with forty-nine members, by Rev. L. D. Leberman. The present church edi- fice was erected in 1856, at a cost of $12,000, the present value of Church property, and will seat 600 persons. The first pastor was Rev. Eblinghous ; the present one is Rev. D. D. Lebenman. The present num- ber of members is 140. - [Information furnished by Mr. J. L. Lebenman.
The First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, (O. S.) was organized in 1800, by the Presbytery of Erie. The first house of worship was erected in 1818 ; the present one, which will seat 600 persons, in 1874, at a cost of $40,000. Rev. Joseph Stockton was the first pastor, and Rev. J. Gor- don Carnachan, our informant, is the present one. The Society numbers 265, and its property is valued at $60,000.
Mend's Corners Baptist Church was organized about 1820, with fourteen members, by Mr. Justin Dewey. Their house of worship was erected in 1840, at a cost of $1000, one-half of the present value of Church property. It will seat 200 persons. The first pastor was Elder Enos Stewart ; the present one is Rev. David J. Williams, our informant. The Church con- sists of eighty-four members.
The First M. E. Church of Meadville, was organized with twenty mem- bers, in 1825, by Rev. R. C. Hatton, and erected their first house of wor- ship in 1830. The present edifice, which will seat 1,500 persons, was erected in 1866, at a cost of $95,000, the present value of Church prop- erty. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Hill, the present one is Rev. W. W. Wythe, our informant. The Society consists of 463 members.
Christ Church, (Protestant Episcopal,) at Meadville, was organized with thirty-four members, by members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, assisted by Rev. (afterwards Bishop,) J. Hopkins, in 1825, and their church edifice, which will seat 500 persons, was erected the following year, at a cost of $8,000. The first pastor was Rev. - Miller. Rev. Wm. G. W. Lewis, our informant, is the present one. The Church num- bers 140, and its property is valued at $15,000.
The First Independent Society, (Unitarian,) at Meadville, was organized in 1830, by H. J. Huidekoper, A. Cullum and others. Their church edi- fice was erected in 1832, at a cost of $5,000. It will seat 500 persons. The first pastor was Rev. E. Peabody ; but at present the pulpit is un- occupied. The Society numbers fifty ; its property is valued at $20,000. -[ Information furnished by Mr. A. A. Livermore.
The First Baptist Church of Meadville, was organized with sixteen mem- bers, in 1831, by Rev. -- Foote and a council of churches, and in 1833 was erected their first house of worship. The present edifice, which will seat 400 persons, was built in 1843-5, and has recently been repaired and an organ added to its attractions. The Society, which comprises 265 mem- bers, is under the pastoral care of Elder Win. B. Grow, our informant. The first pastor was Elder Adrian Foote.
St. Hippolytus Church, (Roman Catholic, ) at Frenchtown, was organized by Bishop Kanrick, in 1834, in which year was erected their first house of
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worship. The first pastor was Rev. M. A. DeLaroque : the present one is Rev. Eugene Cogneville, our informant. Their present house was erected in 1866, at a cost of about $2,500, about one-half the present value of Church property. It will seat 250 persons. There are about 500 members.
The Second Presbyterian Church at Meadville, was organized in 1839, with Rev. E. W. Kellogg as the first pastor, and erected their house of worship, which will seat 500 persons, in 1843, at a cost of $15,000. There are 290 members, who are under the spiritual tutelage of Rev. R. Craighead. The Church property is valued at $20,000.
State Street M. E. Church, at Meadville, was organized in June, 1869, and their house of worship, which will seat 400 persons, erected in that year and the one following. The first pastor was Rev. T. P. Warner ; the present one is Rev. J. S. Albertson, our informant. The Society nun- bers 150 ; its property is valued at $9,000.
Pine Grove M. E. Church was organized at a very early day, but in what year we are not advised. The church edifice, which is situated six miles east of Meadville, and will seat about 300 persons, was erected in 1858, at a cost of about $1000. The Society, numbering eighteen, is ministered to by Rev. John Abbott, and the property is valued at about $1,500,-[Informa- tion furnished by Mr. Francis Brawley.
The African M. E. Church, at Meadville, was organized with five mem- bers, by Jacob Palmer, the first pastor, but in what year we are not ad- vised. Their house of worship will seat 270 persons. Its original cost was $500. It was repaired in 1867, and the property of the Church is valued at $3,000. There are fifty-two members. The pastor is Rev. J. Morris. -- [Information furnished by Mr. Richard Henderson.
The State Road M. E. Church erected their first meeting house about 1824, and the present one, which is located on the State road, four miles north-east of Meadville, and will seat about 400 persons, in 1847, at a cost of about $1,500. The Society numbers about sixty, and its property is valued at about $2,000 .- [Information furnished by Mr. Athan A. Williams.
St. Bride's Catholic Church .- We have been unable to obtain any data relative to this Church, or the German Lutheran.
NORTH SHENANGO was formed together with South and West Shenango in 1811. It lies upon the west border of the county, south of the center, and contains 15,865 square acres. It is watered by Shenango Creek and several small streams flowing into it, the principal of which is Bennett's Run, which drains the central portion, flowing north-west. She- nango Creek enters the township from Sadsbury, near the south- east corner, and flowing in a north-westerly direction through Pymatuning Swamp, which impinges on the north border, forms the major portion of the north boundary, when it deflects to the south-west, crossing the line in its course into Ohio a short distance, when it again enters the township and finally leaves it in the south-west corner. The surface is level, and the soil of good quality, producing excellent crops. That part of the township in the north, covered by swamps, is but little cleared, while the southern part is in a good state of cultivation. The
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inhabitants, though chiefly engaged in dairying and stock rais- ing give some attention to lumbering.
The Erie & Pittsburgh R. R. passes through the central part of the township.
The population in 1870 was 901, of whom 866 were native, 35, foreign, 898, white and three, colored.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township con- tained seven schools and employed fifteen teachers. The num- ber of scholars was 301; the average number attending school, 189; and the amount expended for school purposes, $1,390.15.
ESPYVILLE, (p. o.) situated in the western part, about one mile from the E. & P. R. R., contains a church, store, school house, wagon shop, shoe shop, paint shop, three blacksmith shops, a saw mill and about twenty dwellings. It derives its name from George Espy, an early settler there.
D. & J. F. Patton's Steam Saw Mill, located at Espyville station, gives employment to twelve persons and cuts about 600,000 feet of lumber, 1,500,000 shingles and 500,000 lath per annum.
STEWARTSVILLE,(North Shenango p. o.) is situated on Bennetts Run, in the eastern part of the township.
Indications that the country embraced within the limits of this township was occupied by a race of people versed in the arts of civilization, at a period long anterior to the advent of the present inhabitants, are found in the remains of fortifica- tions and relics of an early period exhumed in their vicinity ; but whether these evidences are referable to the operations of the French in this locality, or to a period anterior to their occu- pancy can at present only be conjectured. These forts, which are circular in form, are located on Shenango Creek, about one-fourth of a mile apart, and each covers an area of half an acre to an acre. The outlines of two of them are still discernable, the glacis being two to three feet high, and the rifle pits of similar depth. Upon these embankments large trees have grown, which give evidence of their great age, while within old gun barrels, fragments of human bones and other relies of an earlier age have been disclosed. Andrew Linn, while opening a spring in the northern part of the township. disclosed a portion of a stone wall, which, though evidently a piece of masonry, does not sufficiently indicate its design.
The present settlement was commenced as early as 1798, in which year David McKee and Anthony Bennett, from Susque- hanna county, located-the former in the south-western part, near Espyville, and the latter in the northern part. McKee came with an ox team to Meadville and thence through the
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woods, guided by blazed trees to his place of settlement, where he arrived in the spring of the year. Bennett built the first saw and grist mills in the township, upon the stream which bears his name. The following year Sidney Herriott and Henry Bennett became settlers. Herriott was from New Jersey, though he had lived two years at Williamsport, Pa., and located in the northern part of the township. He came from Pittsburgh on foot. Bennett came from Northumberland county and settled a little east of the center. He came up French Creek by canoe to Meadville, and lived on the farm upon which he settled the remainder of his days. Sam'l Barackman settled in the north- ern part in April, 1800. He came from Susquehanna county the previous year, but remained during the winter in Greenwood. He had to cut a road through the woods from Hartstown in order to reach his destination with his ox team. When he first came he was obliged to go to Sugar Creek, a distance of about thirty miles, to get his grinding done. The journey there and back usually occupied two days, sometimes much longer. Several years later a grist mill was built at Colts Station, in the south- ern part of Conneaut township, and thither, across the swamp, which was made passable with brush and poles, he carried upon his back one and one-half to two bushels of grain. Salt cost $15 per barrel, and could be obtained no nearer than Pitts- burgh. Pork was worth two shillings per pound, and potatoes two dollars per bushel. He built a log house on the farm he settled and on which he lived till his death. He erected the first framed building-a barn-built in the township, about the year 1818. Hannah Linn came with her family in May of the same year, (1800) and settled in the western part, where they cleared a farm, on which she resided till her death, and which is now owned by the family. They came from New Jersey via Pittsburgh with a four horse team, and cut their road through the woods from that city. During the first winter of their resi- dence here, blankets were used as a substitute for doors, and would seem to have afforded meager security against the wild beasts which made the night hideous with their frightful screams. Wm. Reed settled with his family in the south-west- ern part about the same year. They came from the Susquehanna and proceeded as far as Franklin in a canoe, his wife following along the river upon horseback and driving two cows before. When they had got within fifteen miles of Franklin, their sup- ply of provisions became exhausted, and Mr. Reed proceeded on foot to procure a new supply. They stopped at first in the east- ern part of the township, but subsequently removed to the vicinity of a spring discovered by Mrs. Reed while lost in the woods, she, in company with Mrs. Bennett, having started out
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with their husbands' dinners. It is related by Isaiah Collins that these two women, having lost their way rambled through the woods and at night took refuge in small trees up which they climbed. During the night an animal, which they sup- posed to be a panther, made its appearance, and Mrs. Reed urged her companion to appease the hungry beast and secure themselves from harm by the sacrifice of the babe she had with her; but the thought so repugnant to a mother's sensibilities was too horrifying to be obscured by that of personal danger and was promptly rejected. In the morning their fears of imme- diate danger were removed by the retreat of the animal. They descended and after some time their attention was attracted by the sound of chopping, toward which they turned their steps, and soon were gratified with the sight of two men, engaged in digging out a trough, by whom they were piloted to their homes, where they learned that the neighborhood was aroused and searching for them. James Reed, son of Wm., is believed to have been the first child born in the township.
Isaac W., Henry and Elijah Collins, brothers, came from Mifflin county, with a four horse team, and settled, the former at Espyville, and the latter two near the central part, in 1801. Isaac was a soldier in the war of 1812, and resided on the farm he cleared till his death. Henry and Elijah settled on one farm, but the former lived only three or four years in his new home. The Espys were among the first settlers. Geo. Espy came from Redstone, Bedford county, about 1802, and located at Espyville, to which place he gave his name. Patterson Espy probably kept the first store, a little south of this place. Patrick Davis, a native of Ireland, came from Lancaster county, and settled in the eastern part of the township about 1803. He cleared a farm and lived on it the remainder of his days. James Pollock came from Westmoreland county in 1803 or '4, and settled in the north-western corner of the township where he resided till his death in 1815.
The first school house was built at Espyville, but the first school is believed to have been taught by Joseph Wright, in a log (private) house in the central part of the township, at what is known as Elliotts Corners.
Center Chapel, (M. E.) at Elliott's Corners, was organized with sixteen members, in 1825, by Revs. Chas. Elliott, the presiding Elder, and Thomas Carr, the first pastor. The first edifice was erected in 1827 or 'S, and the present one, which will seat 250 persons, in 1850, at a cost of $800. The Society consists of forty-eight members, is ministered to by Rev. Ira D Darling, our informant, and its property is valued at about "$200."(?)
The Espyville M. E. Church, at Espyville, was organized with seven members in 1831, probably by Rev. Wm. Thorn, who is believed to have been the first pastor. The first house of worship was erected about 1832,
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and the present one, which will seat about 400 persons, in 1870, at a cost of $6,000. There are sixty members, who are under the pastoral care of Rev. Ira D. Darling, our informant. The Church property is valued at $7,500.
North Shenango United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1849, by Rev. H. H Thompson. Their house of worship, which will seat 250 persons, was erected in 1846. The first pastor was Rev. W. Dalzell ; the present one is Rev. H. H. Hervey, our informant. The Society numbers one hundred.
OIL CREEK was formed in 1820. It lies in the south- east corner of the county, bordering upon Venango and Warren counties, and contains 18,679 square acres. The surface is broken by the deep valley of Oil Creek, which, and Little Oil Creek, are the principal streams. The chief business carried on in the township, outside the city of Titusville, is lumbering and the interests growing out of that industry, prominent among which are, Charles Hyde's saw and planing mill, which is situated on Little Oil Creek and is capable of sawing 8,000 feet of lumber per day, also his lath mill and sash and blind factory located at Hydetown; Lewis G. Wardin's saw mill, situated on Little Oil Creek, one and one-half miles above Hydetown, and capable of cutting 10,000 feet of lumber per day ; Shepard Knapp's saw mill, situated on Mully Run, and capable of cutting 3,000 feet of lumber per day ; Andrew J. Kerr's saw mill, situated on Hyde Creek, with a capacity for sawing 2,000 feet of lumber per day ; Patrick H. Powers' saw and lath mill, situated at Hydetown, which gives employment to ten men and is capable of sawing 10,000 feet of lumber per day; and Silas Kerr's steam saw mill, which is situated on road eleven, (see map.) employs six men and is capable of saw- ing 5,000 feet of lumber per day.
The township is traversed by the Oil Creek & Allegheny Valley, Union & Titusville and Pennsylvania Petroleum rail- roads, the latter of which is under construction and all of which extend along Oil Creek within the township.
The population of the township (exclusive of the city of Titusville,) in 1870, was 2,041, all of whom, except one, were white, 1,768, native and 273, foreign.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township, exclu- sive of the city, contained thirteen schools and employed four- teen teachers. The number of scholars was 502; the average number attending school, 395; and the amount expended for school purposes, $4,842.64.
TITUSVILLE is beautifully situated upon Oil Creek, and about the center of the south line of the township. The city proper, or that part of it representing the principal business and popu
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lation, lies upon the north bank of the Creek, from which the south bank rises abruptly. Upon the north the valley of the Creek stretches out about a mile in width, and is terminated by a similar bluff. For a mile to the westward and nearly three miles to the eastward, when the view is obstructed by a series of elevated table lands, the valley presents a landscape of pleas- ing and varied beauty. The western bounds of the city still exhibit evidences of the swamp which originally characterized that part of it lying west of Franklin street, but which a thorough system of drainage has transformed into eligible building sites.
From the insignificant village of a quarter of a century ago, when it contained about two hundred inhabitants, it has rapidly grown with the development of petroleum, until to- day, with a population of about 10,000, it is the recognized metropolis of the oil region. It was incorporated as a city in 1867. In 1870 it had a population of 8,639, distributed among its four wards as follows: in the first, 1,905; in the second, 2.334; in the third, 2,275; and in the fourth, 2,125. The city presents an attractive and solid appearance. Its principal streets are wide and handsomely graded, and adorned with sightly stores, mostly brick structures, and fine residences, elegant in style and elaborate in finish. The thoroughfares are well lighted with gas and kept in good repair. During the past year-since July, 1872-more than a mile of wooden pave- ment has been laid in the principal avenues, (Spring, Diamond, Franklin, Pine and Washington streets.) It contains about a dozen churches, representing the various denominations, and has four public schools, one in each ward, two of which are large and substantial brick structures, that have cost not less than $30,000 each. It has a public park. It is supplied with water by the Holley system of water works, which have just been completed. There are five banking establishments, a Board of Trade, an Oil Exchange, three newspapers, (the Herald and Courier, each published daily and weekly, and The Sunday Morning Press.) It possesses important manufacturing interests, prominent among which are two large iron working establishments, (the Gibbs & Sterritt Manufacturing Co., and the Titusville Manufacturing Co.,) employing hundreds of men in the manufacture of engines and boilers, oil well tools, car tanks, oil tanks of immense capacity, &c. There are other industries of less capacity, Adam Good's brass foundry and machine shop, being among those deserving special notice. In addition to these Titusville has eleven oil refineries. Its hotel accommodations are second to no town or city in Western Pennsylvania. It has an opera house, which, for size and
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