USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4 > Part 10
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"The M. E. Evangelical Association," in the eastern part of Fairview township, was organized in the year 1800 by Rev. Mr. Albright, who was the first pastor. The present pastor is Rev. Henry Rhodes. The building for worship was erected in the year 1852. It will seat comfortably 200 people. The Church property is valued at $2,500 .- [Information by Henry Rhodes.
"The Fairview Presbyterian Church." at Fairview borough, was organ- ized in 1:06, with 25 members, by the Rev. Johnston Eaton, and the first Church editice was erected about 1810. The Rev. Mr. Eaton continued in the pastorate for 40 years and his place is now occupied by the Rev. A. C. Junkin. The present church was built in 1868 at a cost of $11,000 and has
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a membership of 150. The building will seat about 260 persons, and the Church property is valued at $14,000 .- [Information by Johnston Eaton. "The Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church," at Fairview borough, was organized in 1822, with a membership of 8, by Rev. Alfred Bronson. The present pastor is Rev. A. C. Tebbitts. The first Church edifice was erected in 1836. The second in 1854 at a cost of $600. It will seat 400 persons. The present membership is 60, and the value of the Church property is between $3,000 and $4,000 .- [Information by Stephen Stuntz.
" The Christian Church" is located about three miles south of Fairview borough and was organized in 1835 by Rev. Asel Fish, with 15 members. Rev. A Fish was the first pastor, and Rev. Stephen Washburn is the present one. The first edifice for worship was erected about 1843 and is still need by the association. The present number of its members is 40, and the church will seat 400 persons. The original cost of the Church edifice was $1,000. The Church property is now valued at $3,000 .- [Information by Jabez Luther.
"The St. Jacob's Evangelical United Church," in Fairview township, one and one-half miles east of the borough, on the Ridge Road, was organized in 1852 or '3. with 20 families, under the pastorate of Rev. Michael Kuchler. who still continues to officiate. The Church edifice will seat 200, and cost $1,000. The present valuation of the Church property is $1,500 .- [Informa- tion by Jacob Beckman.
The German Evangelical Church," at Fairview, was organized in 1870, with 30 members, by Rev. Joseph Vogel. The present pastor is Rev. H. Rhodes. The original cost of the Church edifice was $1,500, and it has at present 40 members. It will seat comfortably 200 people and the Church property is valued at $2,000 .- [Information by Joseph Gensheimer.
FRANKLIN was formed from parts of Mckean, Wash- ington, Fairview and Elk Creek, in 1844, and is bounded by the townships mentioned. It is fairly watered by Falls Run, Big and Little Elk Creek, and several other small streams, all having their source in the township, running through it in various directions. The soil is composed of clay, loam, sand and gravel, and in some parts of black mould, and is best adapted for grass. though some portions raise good wheat and other grains ; but dairying and stock raising monopolize the industries of the township. There are considerable bodies of timber scattered over it, and three steam saw mills are fast preparing it for market. The first settlement was made about 1802 or '3, about which time the State opened an east and west road through the township, which is now known as the " Old State Road." It was done in order to induce settlers to locate, but the few that did settle, after enduring many hardships. abandoned their lands, and it was not until 30 years afterwards that many permanent settlements were made.
The population of the township in 1870 was 994, of whom 926 were native born and 68 foreign. The township is five miles square. The number of schools for the year ending June 3d, 1872, was S, employing 15 teachers. The number of children attending school was, males 130, females 129; the average attendance, 1S1, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year, $1,142.73.
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FRANKLIN CORNERS, (p. o.) near the center of the town, contains 14 dwelling houses, one store, one shoe, one black- smith and one wagon shop, and one church. The settlement is a little more elevated than the surrounding country and is quite pleasantly situated. Among other things, it is the boast of the citizens, both of the village and the entire township, that a "grog shop" has never been established within its borders.
The manufacturing interests of the township are quite limited, the first saw mill built, being by David Russell and Robert Jones, on what was called "Falls Run," deriving its name undoubtedly from a fall of 40 feet in height, just below the mill. At the base of the falls a well has been drilled for oil, and around the neighborhood several wells have been sunk, but with no success, oil being found in limited quantities only.
"The Mohawk Steam Saw Mills, " on the Crane Road, in the south-western part of the township, are owned by Proudfit & Tarbell. They also manufacture lath and shingles.
Among the first settlers was William Vorse, who came from Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and located in what is known as "Francis Settlement," in 1833, William and Levi Francis having settled there the year previous, (1832). It was then called " Elk Creek," but now belongs to Franklin. Alvin Francis came to the township in 1833, and his brother, Stephen, in 1834, from Essex Co., N. Y., with their father, who settled where they now reside, L. D. Rouse was born in Conn., and in 1829 came to the County of Erie, and has resided in this vicinity 41 years. Allen Mead was born in Saratoga Co. and came to this township in 1833. He had to cut his way through the forest for five miles, and suffered all sorts of hardships and deprivations during the first year. Andrew Proudfit came from York Co. in 1833, and made his way to the place where he now lives. He had two neighbors by the name of Goodel and Williams, who located one year prior. Thomas Spence was born in Ireland and came here in 1833. He suffered all the hard- ships of a pioneer's life. He built a small log cabin four or five feet high, in which he and his wife lived till he got in his first crop, when he built a comfortable house. Curtis Cole came from Unadilla, N. Y., with his father, in 1833, he being but 17 years of age, and has lived in the township most of the time since. Henry Howard was born in Grafton, Vt., and moved to the township in 1832. He claims that he is the first man who settled in the township, though quite a number came in the following year. George T. Howard came to the township with his father in 1840, and located on the farm of Michael Hetss. He opened a stone quarry and has been and is now supplying
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the country around about him, it being the only quarry in the township. There are also three mineral springs, of good medicinal qualities, on the farm, one being iron, one sulpher and one suipher and magnesia combined. Amos Milks was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and came to the township in 1833, his father, Ezra, coming with him. They experienced all the toil and hardship incident to new settlers, but by per- severance and good health have succeeded in surrounding themselves with comparative luxuries, their farm and buildings being among the finest in the township. James B. Robinson was born in Pompey, N. Y., and came to the township in 1844, locating on the place where he now resides. Isaac Frye, born in Vermont, removed to the township in 1834 and cleared up and settled the land where he is now living. John Tuckey. a native of England, moved into this region about 1834. He was one of the first to commence the improvement of a farm at Franklin Corners, which was then an unbroken wilderness. He has been one of the prominent men of the town and has held many positions of responsibility. Orin G. Wood was one of the early settlers, and was an energetic, enterprising man, a mason by trade, and did much to improve Franklin Corners, most of the dwellings being his handy work. He was honored by many offices of trust and was much esteemed in private life. He died quite suddenly in 1873.
"The Union Methodist Episcopal Church," located at Franklin Corners, was organized in 1866, with 20 members, by Rev. C. L. Barnhart, who was its first pastor. Its present pastor is Rev. Mr. Lowe. The Church edifice was erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,500, and was built by all classes in the vicinity. It will seat 300 people. The present value of the Church property is $1,600.
"The Elk Creek Baptist Church" is located on the crossing of Crane and Population Roads, and was organized in 1866 with three members. Rev. William Develin being the first pastor, and Rev. Mr. Clark its present one. The Church edifice was erected in 1867, at a cost of $1,400. It has a membership at present of 35. It will seat 300 persons, and the Church property is valued at $1,400.
" The Eureka Methodist Episcopal Church" is located on the Crane Road and was organized in 1867, with 26 members, by Rev. George Elliott, who was its first pastor. The present pastor is Rev. C. L. Hollister. The Church building was erected in 1869 at a cost of 81,500. It has a seating capacity for 300 persons and is now valued at $1,500. The number of members are, as originally, 26.
"The Christian Church" located at Franklin Corners, was organized by Rev. H. R. Kendall, the present pastor, in 1872, with 70 members. There is no Church edifice, the Society worshiping in the Union Church. Its present membership is 68.
"The Lutheran Church" at Franklin Corners was organized in 1-71 by Rev. Mr. Schaffer, with 10 members. He is still the pastor. They bas . no house of worship of their own, but use the Union Methodist, jointly with the others, they having contributed towards building the same.
GIRARD TOWNSHIP was set off from Springfield and Fairview, and organized in the year 1832. It derived its name from Stephen Girard, who had large tracts of land
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adjoining. It is one of the western townships lying on the shore of Lake Erie and is bounded on the north by the lake, on the east by Fairview and Franklin, on the south by Elk Creek and Conneaut, and on the west by Springfield. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern R. R. passes through the north- ern part of the township, about a mile from the lake. The Pittsburg & Erie R. R. runs through the western portion, and the old Beaver & Erie Canal through the center, its general course being a trifle west of south. The township is well watered by Elk Creek and its tributaries, which passes through it from the south-east corner to the north-west, emptying into Lake Erie. Crooked Creek and numerous other small streams have their source in the township, passing through it in various directions. The surface in some portions is quite broken, particularly along the streams, and along Elk Creek there are a number of deep gulfs. The soil in the western part of the township is mostly sandy, and in the eastern part clay predominates, The-principal crops raised are wheat, corn and potatoes, large quantities of which are shipped to market. There are the remains of an Indian fort between Girard and Springfield, and about two miles south of Girard p. o. there is an old Indian burying ground, situated on a high hill, from which several bodies have been taken. From a grave in this vicinity, some years ago, a thigh bone was exhumed which measured four inches longer than that of a man with which it was compared, who was six feet and two inches in hight. Many arrowheads, pipes, pestles for pounding corn &c., &c., have been found, showing conclusively that this must have been one of the strongholds and hunting grounds of the Indians who roamed through this part of the State before the white man trod its soil. The greatest length of the township is six and a half, and greatest breadth, six miles ..
It contained in 1870 a population of 2,722, of whom 2,433 were native, and 289 were foreign born, all excepting 7 being white. The number of schools, as per report ending Jnne 3d, 1872, was 19, employing 29 teachers. The number of children attending was, males 396, females 331; the average attendance, 475, and the amount expended for school purposes, $6,955.36.
In the eastern part of Girard township. on Elk Creek, there is a singular ridge, known as the "Devil's Back Bone." It is about 45 feet in hight, running up to a sharp peak, and is just wide enough for a person to walk upon. The name was probably given it by some of the earliest settlers.
GIRARD BOROUGH, (p. v.,) located near the center of the township, was incorporated in 1846 and had a population in 1820 of 740. It contains several churches, a fine academy, a
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newspaper office, (" The Cosmopolite,") numerous manufactor- ies and the requisite stores and shops for the population of the town and vicinity. There is also located here The Lake Erie Lodge, A. Y. M., No. 347, organized in 1864; present number of mem- bers about 40; holds regular meetings the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Also, Girard Chapter, H. R. A. Mason, No. 213, organized in 1867. The buildings and grounds of the citizens are quite tastefully arranged; the streets and walks are delightfully shaded by a variety of fine trees, making it a desirable place as a residence. The people are enterprising and the business of the borough thriving. It is the home of the famous showman, "Dan. Rice," who has perpetuated his memory by erecting a fine monument to the dead heroes of Erie Co. in the late civil war.
GIRARD DEPOT. (Miles Grove p. o.,) a station on the Lake Shore & P. & E. Railroads, about one and a half miles from the borough, is quite a thriving, enterprising place. Mr. Denio has established his large handle shop here and will also remove the eastern branch of the business, now located at Baldwinsville, N. Y., at which the steel implements are made. This will increase the population of the place materially. There is considerable agitation among the people of this place and Girard, about the building of the Girard Passenger and Freight Horse R. R., which will doubtless be an accomplished fact.
WEST GIRARD, a small hamlet about one mile from the borough, has a number of dwelling houses, 2 churches, a mill &c.
LOCKPORT BOROUGH (Platea p. o.) was organized as a borough in 1870, is located in the southern part of the township and derives its naine from the great number of locks that were in the old Beaver & Erie Canal. It has a population of about 500, and contains one church, two stores, a tannery, an oar factory, a steam saw mill, planing, sash and blind factory, a foundry, one harness, two blacksmith and one wagon shops.
The manufacturing interests of the township are numerous and prosperous.
"The Union Carriage Shop," situated in Girard borough, manufactures show and platform spring wagons on quite an extensive scale, and employs ten men most of the year.
"Girard Mills," owned by W. C. Culbertson, has a large capacity for flouring purposes and is doing a thriving business.
"Brandy Run Tannery," situated on Brandy Run Creek, about one and a half miles from Girard borough, has a capacity for tanning 3,500 hides per year, and is owned and run by S. Y. Rossiter.
"J. W. Cook & Co's Manufactory," located at Lockport, manufactures horse rakes, sash, doors and blinds, besides dealing in all sorts of dressed Jumber. It was established in 1559 by James Leach and Isaac Brown.
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"The Oar Factory of Rowley & Atkins," located at Lockport, was started by William Rowley in 1860. They manufacture about 100,000 feet of oars annually, and they are shipped to all the principal cities in the country.
"The Morehouse Foundry and Machine Shops," located at Lockport, were established in 1853 by Morehouse & Sherman. Mr. Morehouse has been sole proprietor since 1858. Castings of all kinds, and agricultural implements. are manufactured.
"Lockport Tannery" was built by William Aldrich about 1848. It has a capacity for tanning about 3,000 hides per year.
"The Shipman & Williams Saw Mill," situated in the north-east part of the township, has a capacity for cutting 800,000 feet of lumber per year, and about 40,000 feet of lath.
"The Woolen Factory of J. Thornton & Sons," situated on Spring Brook, two miles west of Girard, manufactures flannels and cashmeres, also fancy yarns. It employs about 12 hands, and has a fancy dyeing establishment connected with it.
"Hines Grapery," situated near Girard borough. contains 3 1-2 acres, set out in grapes, apples, pears, peaches and quinces.
"A. Battle's Fruit Farm." located about two miles east of Girard borough, contains one hundred acres, planted with different kinds of fruit, such as apples, peaches, pears, grapes &c.
The earliest settler in the township was Capt. Abraham Silverthorne. He was born in Fayette County and came into the township with his father, William, in 1998. The father died in 1813. Abraham resided in the township till 1840. and then moved to Conneaut township. IIe built the first mill in Erie County, in Springfield, since a portion of Girard. He was a lieutenant and acting captain in the war of 1812. Jacob Coffman and his son, Jacob Jr., were the next who came into the township. They came from Somerset County in 1801 and settled on the site of the present town of Lockport. The sou bought a large tract of land and raised quite a family of children, on each of whom he settled a farm. He is still living, in Wisconsin, and is 83 years of age. About the same time Patrick Ward settled on the Lake Road in this township. He came from the southern part of the State. Robert Porter came into the township abont 1800, from Westmoreland Co., and lived here till his death, in 1848. IIis son, George, was born here in . 1811 and resides here still. Samuel Mcclellan and Win. Crane, both came from Ireland and settled in the north-east part of the township in 1802. They cleared some of the first land and made the first roads in that part. James McClellan, son of Sannel, lives on the old farm. Daniel McClure was the first settler in the eastern part of the township. He moved in about 1800 and resided on the old place till his death. John Miller came from Fayette County in 1803, settling in the township, where he died. Isaac Miller came in and settled about 1800. James Miles settled at the mouth of Elk Creek at an early dav, buying 1,600 acres of land. living here till his death, in 1869. His descendants are still living on the old farm. James Blair moved into the township from Fayette
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County in 1804, settled in the eastern part and lived there til! he died, in 1855. Martin Taylor came from Chautauqua Co .. N. Y., in 1813, and lived in the township till his death ; his son, Martin, still lives on the old place. William Webber moved to this township in 1814. He came from Genesee Co., N. Y., and died in 1853; his son, N. G. Webber, still resid-s here. Abner Boder came from Connecticut in 1816, settled in the township and died here. Samuel Jenner came in 1816 from Vermont; his son, Peach, came with him and is still a resident of the township. Elijah Drury came into the town- ship from Genesee Co,, N. Y., in 1817; he says there were but three houses where Girard borough now stands, when he located. Nathan Sherman moved into the township from Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1818, and is still living here. Ethan Loveridge settled in the township, about one mile from Girard borough, in 1818, and still lives on the old farm. Titus Pettibone settled near Girard borough in 1832. He came from Wyoming Co., N. Y. George Traut came here from Columbia County in 1831 and has lived here ever since. William Kirkland says he settled in the south-east part of the township when it was a wilderness, in 1833; he cleared the farm where he now lives. Joel Bradish came from Saratoga Co., N. Y., and settled in the township in 1826, where he still lives. He claims to have driven the first wagon over the Lake Road. Cornelius Haggerty settled in the township in 1815. Justus Osborn came into the township with his son, Philip, in 1816, from Fredonia, N. Y. Philip savs, the night before Buffalo, N. Y., was burned, he helped his father mould bullets. He has resided here ever since. Joseph Long settled in the township in 1825; he came here from Massachusetts. Mr. Long says there was no road along Elk Creek when he came here, and that James Laughlin. Daniel A. Clark and a Mr. Wolverton were among the first settlers at Girard borough ; that one Joseph Wells was also there and owned most of the land on which the borough now stands. The first male white child born in the township of Girard, it is claimed, was John R. Ward.
"The First Methodist Episcopal Church," located at Girard borough. H the oldest in the township, and was organized in 1817 by the Rev. fr Edey, with six members. He was the first pastor, and the present ofe i Rev. J. H. Herron, our informant. The first Church edifico was created in 1823, and the present one in 1870, at a cost of $32,000. The present num- ber of members is 169. The church will seat 500, and the present value of Church property is $35,000.
" The First Presbyterian Church of Girard," located in the borough. was organized in 1835 by Rev. Pierce Chamberlain, with about 10 member . The first pastor was Rev. R. S. Lockwood, and its present one is Rev. W. R. Moore. The Church building was erected in 1899, and will seat 200 persons. The present membership is 119. The present valuation of Church property is $10,000 .- [ Information by John Comit.
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"The Fairplain Methodist Episcopal Church," located in the north-east part of the township, on the Lake Road, was organized in 1840 by the Rev. J. H. Whalon, with 13 members. The Church edifice was erected in 1841, costing 8300. Rev. J. H. Whalon was its first pastor, and the Rev. J. H. Herron is its present one. It has a seating capacity of 250 persons and the Church property is valued at $900 .- [ information by P. Osborn.
"The Catholic Church, of Girard." located in the borough, was organized in 1853. The Church edifice was erected in 1853. Present number of members, 200 .- [Information by John Rigby.
"The Methodist Episcopal Church," located at Fair Haven, in the south- ern part of the township, was organized by Rev. A. Hall in 1860, with 22 members. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Wilson, and the present one is .Rev. James M. Lowe. The Church edifice was built at a cost of 83.000, in 1861, and will seat 200 people comfortably. The present valuation of Church property is $3,500 .- [Information by Mrs. C. A. Bolt.
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church" at Girard borough, was organized is 1806 by Rev. John Bahner, the first pastor, with 32 members. The Church building was erected the same year. costing about $1.000 and will seat 300 persons. It has at present 40 members. The present valuation of Church property is 81,500 .- [Information by H. Becker.
"The Miles Grove Methodist Episcopal Church," located at Girard Depot, was organized in 1867 by the Rev. J. H. Whalon. The first pastor was the Rev. - Hollister, and the present one is Rev. J. H. Herron. The building for worship was erected in 1867 and will seat 200 people. The present valuation of Church property is $3,000. This is a branch of the Girard M. E. Church .- [ Information by Robert Hall.
" The Church of United Brethern," located in the south-eastern part of the township, was organized in 1870 by Rev. D. Sprinkle, its first pastor, with 30 members. The present pastor is Rev. S. Jewett. The Church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,700, and has a seating capacity of 150 persons. The number of members is 15. The present valuation of Church property is $1,700.
GREENE was formed from Beaver Dam in 1840, and Summit was taken off in part from Greene in 1854. It is bounded on the north by Harbor Creek and Mill Creek, on the east by Greenfield and Venango, on the south by Waterford and on the west by Summit. Its greatest length is six and a half, and greatest breadth five and a half miles. The P. & E. Railroad runs through the south-west corner of the township. It is watered by several streams, the LeBoeuf, the largest one, rising in the south-eastern part, running north nearly to the center, thence turning and winding till it passes out of the south-west corner. Four Mile Creek has its source near St. Boniface and runs north toward Lake Erie : the banks along this stream are very steep and abrupt. Sis Mile Creek rises in the north-east corner and passes out in nearly the same direction. The surface of the township is quite uneven, but there are no very high hills. The soil for the greater part is elay loam, mixed with tine sand ; about Lake Pleasant it is loam and gravel. The south-west portion. near the LeBoeuf. is of a fine rich soil, easily cultivated and very productive.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,395, of whom 1,064 were native born, and 321 foreign, all of whom are white,
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