USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4 > Part 11
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87
GREENE.
excepting four, who are colored. The number of schools, as per report ending June 3d, 1872, was 83, employing 17 teachers. The number of children attending was, males 181, females 131. The average attendance was 153, and the amount expanded for school purposes during the year, $1,142.21.
WEST GREENE, (p. o.,) a small hamlet in the western part, contains 9 dwellings, 2 blackmith, 1 wagon and 1 shoe shop, 1 grocery, a cheese factory and 1 church (Methodist).
ST. BONIFACE is located in the north-western part, and appears to be settled by Roman Catholics, who have two churches, one German and the other Irish. There is also 1 grocery store, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 brewery building, and several other buildings that are now vacant, which were formerly used as shops of various kinds. The place seems to be falling into gradual decay.
The manufacturing interests of the township are prospering. At West Greene a cheese factory has been erected and a company formed to carry on the same, consisting of the following named citizens: Amos Erick, A. H. Yaples, C. A. Cutter, W. Yaples, Cleveland Ranell, John Fretuede, David Nash, John Myres, David Yaples and G. W. Beers. They propose doing an exten- sive business and will undoubtedly make a success of it. There are four saw mills in operation in the township, three of which are run by steam and one by water, and there is a grist mill to be erected this season by Miles Brown.
Among the first settlers of the township was a Mr. Brewster, who located on lots 365 and 385.
Jacob Brown was one of the oldest incomers of the town, and built the first saw and grist mills. He came from about the outlet of Cayuga Lake, in the State of New York, in about the year 1801 or '2. After erecting his grist mill, the stones for running it were lacking. On prospecting around he discovered some that he thought would do, but they were of a very singular character : their appearance was like a variety of pebbles, of all colors and sizes, cemented together in a solid rock. This he found in the neighborhood, and from which In made the two stones by drilling them out, a job which laste ! many days. This mill was run till 1872 and then burned. Miles Brown is the owner of the site now.
Mr. John Phillip located in the township in about 1800. II . came from Meadville and had to follow blazed trees to find h .. way in. Martin Hayes came from Conn. and located in the township about 1810. He says there were no public roads a' the time, and the only way they could find their way about was by trails made by blazing trees, and cutting out the underbrush and logs. Roger Root was one of the pioneers, and settled
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GREENE.
about a mile from Martin Hayes. His son, Sidney Root, lives on the original farm cleared by his father. Thomas, John and Griffeth Hinton came from Wales, Great Britain, at an early day, and settled in the north-east portion of the township, commonly called the Welch Settlement. Griffith Knovle and Thomas Jones came about the same time. Peter Hinebaugh, Conrad Wineman, William Ellison and General John Phillip, came into the township at about the same period.
William Bunnell, John and Ambrose Coover, were in all probability among the earliest, if not the earliest, settlers in the township, they coming about the year 1794. The Coovers came from York Co. At that time the country was literally a "howling wilderness ;" wild animals and Indians held possession and frequently made it rather "warm " for the pioneers. Mr. Bunnell was a famous hunter in those days, and on one occa- sion, while waiting for deer at a " lick," a large bear came in. Bunnell shot at him, and thinking discretion the better part of valor, started home for assistance. On returning with help and lights, they found the bear, with a broken back, lying in the "lick," with two cubs playing around her. They dispatched the trio and returned home triumphant. Bears seem to have been very troublesome, as they would prowl around the house, carry- ing off hogs &c., and spreading consternation through the household.
"The First Presbyterian Church " is located at East Greene, and was organized in 1849, with 11 members, by the Rev. George W. Cleveland, who was its first pastor. Its present one is William H. Adams. It has a membership of 53 persons. The Church edifice was erected in 1851 at a cost of 8800, and will seat 300 peo; le. The value of Church property at the present time is $2,000 .- [Information by G. Knoyle.
"St. Boniface Catholic Church," in the village of St. Boniface, was organized in 1857, by Rev. J. A. Oberhofer, our informant, who is its pres- ent pastor. It had at its organization 350 members. The first Church edifice was erected in 1857, and the present building in 1873, at a cost of $4,000. It now has 600 members, and the present valuation of the Church property is $10,000.
" The St. Paul Lutheran and Presbyterian Church " is located one mile east of St. Boniface, and was organized in 1857 with 22 members. Its present pastor is Rev. Charles Ernst. The Church edifice was erected in 1864, at a cost of Cod. It has at present 32 members. The building will seat 125 people. The present value of Church property is $1,000 .- [Infor- mation by Henry Zimmer.
"The Lake Pleasant Church of United Brethern in Christ." located on the Lake Pleasant Road, near the lake, as its name indicates, was organized in 1571 by Rev. John A. Thomas, our informant, who is its present pastor, with & members. The Church building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,800, and has seating capacity for 200 persons. The present value of Church property is $1,500. There are 17 members.
"The St. Peters Catholic Church." located at St. Boniface, was organized with 30 members. The Church was erected in 1570 at a cost of $400. It has a seating capacity of 100 persons, and the property is valued at $100.
89
GREENFIELD.
GREENFIELD is one of the eastern townships of the "Triangle," and is bounded on the north by North East, on the east by New York State, south by Venango, west by Harbor Creek and Greene. It was organized as a town- ship in the year 1820. The first settlement was made in 1795 by Juda Colt, Joseph Shaddock and Henry Loomis, but the township was never fully settled until about 12 years ago. The southern part of the township is drained by French Creek and its tributaries flowing south, and the north part by numerous small creeks which flow into Lake Erie. The land is quite undulating and is exeedingly frosty in the spring and fall. The soil is clayey and not very productive. The inhabitants are principally engaged in farming and cutting wood for rail- road purposes.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,039, of whom 946 were native and 93 foreign born. It has an area of 19,200 acres, and its greatest length is six, and greatest breadth five and a half miles. The number of schools, as per report for vear ending June 3d, 1872, was 83, employing 13 teachers. The number of children attending school was, males 80, females 87 ; the average attendance, 134, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year, 81,378.23.
GREENFIELD (p. o.) is a small hamlet near the west branch of French Creek, in the southern part of the township, and is the only settlement in the township of any size.
The first mill was erected in 1824, on French Creek, in the southern part of the township, by John Whitesides. There is also a cheese factory in operation at a place known as " Rav- monds Mills," or " Little Hope," put up this year. The first marriage in the town was that of Joseph Shaddock to Betsey Williard, and the first birth was that of Ira Shaddock. The first death was in 1806, being that of William Scott. There has been no marked improvement in the last few years in the township.
The early settlers had a pretty severe time of it, and it was a hard struggle for them to make both ends meet, the soil being so cold and sour that it required a good deal of cultivation before yielding a fair living to its occupants, and means of getting provisions into the township were not sufficient for the inhabitants. It is related of one family that they had to go without salt all winter for want of transportation of the commodity from Pittsburg.
"The Methodist Episcopal Church" is located at Little Hope and was organized in 1836 by Rev. David Berton, with 30 members. Its prosent pastor is Rev. A. Bashline. The Church edifice was erected in 1 5l at a cost of $1.000, and will seat 250 persons. There are at present 65 members. The Church property is valued at $3,000.
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GREENFIELD-HARBOR CREEK.
"The Greenfield Free Will Baptist Church" is located at Greenfield and was organized in 1861 by B. L. Fanner, L. Rexford and C. Burch, with 10 members, their pastor being the Rev. C. Burch. The present member- ship is 30. They have as yet no Church edifice.
HARBOR CREEK was one of the original town- ships of Erie and was organized about 1805. It is bordering on Lake Erie and has an area of 23,860 acres. The Michigan Southern & Lake Shore R. R. runs through the northern portion. The soil along the lake shore is a gravelly loam. Back from the lake about three miles its surface is broken and hilly, and clay predominates, and is better adapted to grazing purposes than raising grain. The chief productions of the town are wheat, corn, oats, barley and potatoes ; large quantities of all the enumerated cereals are shipped to market annually. Grape culture is also carried on to some extent along the lake shore. The principal streams are Twelve Mile, Six Mile and Four Mile Creeks, also Scotts Run. These streams run in a northerly direction across the township, emptying into Lake Erie.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,974, of whom 1,682 were native and 292 foreign born, and all, excepting 23, white. The number of schools for the year ending June 3d, 1872, was 13, employing 16 teachers. The number of children attending was, males 331, and females 285; the average attendance, 576, and the amount expended for school purposes, $2,997.22.
HARBOR CREEK (p. o.) is a small hamlet and station located on the L. S. & M. S. R. R. It contains 2 stores. 2 churches, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 wagon shop, 1 shoe shop and 1 hotel.
WESLEYVILLE (p. o.) is a small place near the western part of the township, is located on the main road known as the "Buffalo Road," and is about one and a half miles from the lake. It was formerly quite a business point, but its close prox- imity to Erie city has drained it of most of its enterprise and business. The place contains 2 stores, 2 steam fruit canning establishments, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 church (M. E.,) and a flour- ing mill. The L. S. & M. S. R. R. runs within about 100 rods of the town, and a depot is about to be erected for the accommo- dation of the inhabitants.
MOORHEADVILLE (p. o.) is a small hamlet in the north-east part and was first settled by James Morehead.
"The Steam Mill of E. J. & T. M. Dodge," near Harbor Creek, is a large one and has a manufacturing capacity for 100,000 broom handles and 200,000 shingles annually. It was erected in the spring of 1570. The fuel used for making steam is gas from a well abont 100 rods from the factory; they use it for lighting and heating their dwellings also. The well which supplies the gas was sunk about 600 feet, when a strong vein of gas was
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HARBOR CREEK.
struck which has thus been utilized. There are several other gas wells through the township of similar character and used for like purposes.
"The Flouring Mill of W. Cooper," on Four Mile Creek, was built in 1853 and has a capacity for grinding about 250 bushels of wheat and corn a day. It has three runs of stones. Mr. Cooper is about erecting a saw mill near the grist mill, and will run them both by steam.
"The Steam Canning Establishment of William P. Trimble" is located at Wesleyville. Mr. Trimble is the originator of canning fraits by steam. and has one of the largest canning establishments in the country. The principal articles canned are tomatoes and pumpkins.
"The Woolen Factory of J. Cass" is located in the south-eastern part and manufactures about ?. 000 yards of cloth annually, consisting of heavy cloths, flannels, shirtings &c., mostly manufactured wool for the farmers of the surrounding country as custom work.
"The Keystone Grist Mill," located on Twelve Mile Creek, about a mile from Moorheadville, was first built by Captain Dobbins, about the year 1800. It has three runs of stones and a grinding capacity of about 50 bushels per day. It is now owned by Mr. Strong. This mill was the first one built in the township of Harbor Creek.
The first pioneer that came into the township was Amasa Prindle. He came from Litchfield, Conn., and settled in Harbor Creek in 1997. About the same time came Andrew Elliott, from Northumberland Co. He claims to have lived at Harbor Creek nearly two years before any one else settled in the town- ship. They suffered many of the hardships incidental to pioneer life. In 1798 Josiah Backus came into the township and settled upon a 400 acre tract. He came from Washington Co., N. Y. In 1499, Sarah Prindle, the first child in the township. was born, and in 1801, William Clark, the first male child, was born. James Moorhead came from Lancaster County and settled in what is now known as " Moorheadville." His brother. . Thomas, came with him in the year 1800. They both brought their families and household goods with them, and their descendants are living in the neighborhood where their parents first settled. Thomas Bonnell came from Lycoming County in 1801 and located in the township, passing through all the usual hardships incidental to pioneer life.
"The First Presbyterian Church" is located in Harbor Creek and wa4 organized by Rer. Giles Doolittle in 1832 with 58 members. The first pastor was Rev. William Adair, and the present one is Rev. .. M. Cleveland. our informant. The first Church edifice was erected in 13l, and the present house of worship in 1871, at a cost of $10.000. and has a -eating capacity for 300 persons. The present valuation of the Church property is $10,800. The present membership is 78.
" The Church of United Brethren" is located in Harbor Creek and was organized in 1-56 by the Rev. John W. Clark with eight members, he being its first pastor. Its present pastor is Rev. John Thomas, The Church editice was erected in 1,56, costing $750. and having a seating capacity of 200 persons. The Church property is valued at $1,200. The society has at present eight members.
92
LE BOEUF.
LE BOEUF was one of the original sixteen townships of the County, and evidently takes its name from the River LeBoeuf, which was the name given a small stream in the County, by the French, at an early period. The township is one of the southern tier of the County and is bounded on the north by Waterford, on the east by Union, on the south by Crawford County, and west by Washington township. It is watered by French Creek and its tributaries, which flows in a south-westerly direction through the township. The Atlantic & Great Western R. R. crosses the township in the same general direction, and the Philadelphia & Erie crosses the north-eastern portion. The surface of the township is undu- lating, and the soil variable and very productive. Some of the finest land In the County appears to be on the Moravian Flats and along French Creek. The principal occupation of the inhabitants is farming, grain raising and dairying.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,748, of whom 1,660 were natives and 88 foreign born, and all, except 6, whites. It has an area of 25,600 acres. Its greatest length is eight, and greatest breadth, five miles. The number of schools, as per report for year ending Jnne 3d, 1872, was 113, employing 18 teachers. The number of children attending school was, males 298, females 264. The average attendance was 490, and the amount expended for school purposes, $2,577.59.
LEBOEUF (p. o.) is a small hamlet in the north-east part of the township, near the P. & E. R. R.
OAK GROVE (p. o.) is a hamlet located on one of the tributaries . of French Creek, and near the line of the A. & G. W. R. R.
EDENVILLE (p. o.) is a small hamlet in the south-eastern part.
MILL VILLAGE, (p. v.,) a station on the A. & G. W. R. R., near the center of the township, was incorporated as a borough in 1870, has a population of 500 and is quite a thriving place. It con- tains 2 dry goods houses, 1 drug store, 1 hardware and 1 grocery store, 1 millinery shop, 1 sash and blind manufactory employing 7 men and capable of producing $2,000 worth of finished work per month, 1 shingle mill, 1 carriage and 1 boot and shoe shop, a cheese factory, 3 blacksmith shops, 2 churches, 1 school build- ingiand a hotel.
The Farmer's Joint Stock Insurance Company is located here, with a capital of $1,000,000. This is the only stock company in the State whose risks are restricted by its charter to farm property and detached dwellings.
"HI. B. Crane's Cheese Factory," located in Mill Village, was built in 1370. It uses the milk of 300 cows, and in 1872 manufactured nearly 10,000 pounds of butter and 69,000 pounds of cheese:
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LE BOEUF.
"The LeBoeuf Stone Quarry," situated in the north part, near the A. & G. W. R. R., is composed of blue sandstone and employs from ten to fifteen men. The stones are used in all the adjoining townships, and large quantities shipped to Erie City.
The first settlers in the township we have an account of were Robert King, and Elizabeth, his wife, Thomas Ford, and Hopeful, his wife, and William and Thomas Black, who all located in the northern part, near French Creek, between the years 1790 and'95. It is impossible to tell which one built the first house, but it is supposed that Robert King did, near what is called "Fords Bridge."
John R. Black was born in the township of Waterford, near the old fort, in 1795, the year after Wayne defeated the Indians. He, with his father, William, moved into the township of LeBoeuf when less than a year of age and has lived here ever since. His father moved to the place now occupied by John Allen, and his house was built by a detachment of Captain Martin's soldiers from Waterford Fort. William Black was originally from Ireland .- [Information by John R. Black, who is now living, blind and very feeble.
Francis Isherwood, a sea captain, came into the township in 1796 or '97, from Lycoming County, and settled in the south- western part, near French Creek. He brought two of his children, a boy and a girl, with him, leaving his wife in Lycoming County. In the winter, business calling him back to Lycoming, he left the two children in the wilderness, (to keep his claim good,) surrounded by Indians, who, though not generally hostile, were very troublesome, from the fact that they were continually begging from the whites. He was detained longer than expected, and the children, through continually giving to the Indians, were reduced nearly to starvation, sub- sisting for weeks upon only a turnip per day until the father's return, who packed a sack of flour on horseback from Lycoming County.
"Edenville Methodist Episcopal Church," located at Edenville, way organized in 1855 by Rev. Mr. Mizner, with 30 members; he was also the first pastor. The present one is Rev. Mr. Blaisdell. The chapel Wis erected in 1:55, costing 8800, and will seat comfortably 250 people. The present membership is 27 and the valuation of Church property is $1.bot -[Information by Jacob Sharp.
" The Union Church," situated near Pollocks Bridge, on French Creos. was organized in 1809 by John W. Manross, who out of his means time the Church edifice in 1860, at a cost of $3,000. Its first pastor was hi'ler Barnhart, and its present one is Rev. J. W. Blaisdell. The edifice will seat 500 people, and the Church property is valued at $3,500.
"The First Presbyterian Church," located at Mill Village, wwworganiz of in 1 70 by Rev. J. M. Gillett, with 20 members. The Church office was erected in 1872, costing 82,800. The present number of member, is #1. The building will seat 400 persons, and the property is valued at $3.000. The society has no pastor at present, as the building is not completed. -UInformation by Win. H. Gillespie.
94
MC KEAN.
MC KEAN, one of the original sixteen townships of Erie County, bas an area of 32,280 acres, its greatest length being seven and a half, and greatest breadth seven miles. The township of Summit was in part taken from Mckean in 1854, and Franklin in 1844, leaving the township boundaries in a peculiar shape. It is bounded on the north in part by Fairview, Mill Creek and Summit, on the east by Summit and Waterford. on the south by Washington and Franklin, on the west by Franklin and Fairview. The old State line passes through the township at about its center. It is watered by Elk Creek and its tributaries, which crosses near the center and runs nearly east and west. The surface is broken and hilly, and the soil principally clay, with occasionally a little gravelly loam, and is better suited for grazing than grain growing. The inhabitants are generally engaged in dairying, and the principal grain raised is oats, corn, wheat and some barley.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,552, of whom 1,259 were native and 293 foreign born. The number of schools, as per report for year ending June 3d, 1872, was 14, employing 21 teachers. The number of children attending school was, males 266, females 216; the average attendance, 309, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year, $2,507.79.
MIDDLEBORO, (McKean p. o .. ) located in the central part, was incorporated in 1861, and has an area of 242 acres and 2 perches, with a population of 125 persons. It contains a shovel handle factory, 2 stores, a drug store, 2 wagon and 2 blacksmith shops, a cooper shop, 1 M. E. church and 1 hotel.
STERRETTANIA (p. o.) is a small hamlet in the west part, and contains a grist mill, 2 small tanneries, 1 wagon, 1 blacksmith and 1 shoe shop, 2 groceries and a few dwellings.
"Sterrettania Flouring Mill," located at Sterrettania, was built in 1939 by David Sterrett. It is now owned by Dietly & Barron. Connected with the grist mill is a saw mill.
" Chisholm's Tannery," situated about one mile east of Sterrettania. was established in 1864, in a building formerly used as a woolen factory. It is tanning harness leather, calf skins and upper leather.
"Sterrettania Tannery" was built by William Potter about 1813, and is now owned by Joseph Long, who is doing a paying business.
"Charles Rappold's Tannery," at Sterrettania, was built in 1858 and i engaged in tanning calf skins principally, using about 000 calf and 100 other hides yearly.
"Simon Rohrer's Tannery," built in 1839, in the north part, is engaged in tanning woodchucks' hides mostly.
"The Lamson Shovel Handle Factors," located at Middleboro, was established in 1861 by Francis Lamson. The factory was burned in Istsand rebuilt the same year, by A. H. Lamson, the present owner. Hle employs 13 men manufacturing shovel handles and shingles, of which large quan- tities are manufactured yearly.
MC KEAN.
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The earlist settler in the township was Lemuel Stancliff, who) came from Hartford, Ct., in 1799, locating near Middleboro. He built one of the first saw mills in the township, near where he located.
Oliver Dunn, one of the early pioneers, came from Ireland into the east part of Mckean in about 1800. He claims to have built the first saw mill on Elk Creek, in 1809. The country was an entire wilderness, covered with beach and maple. He remained on his place till his death, in 1836. HIe had to go to Pittsburg for his flour and pack it all in on oxen, there being no mills in the township. Mr. Dunn also built about the third frame barn in the township, in 1816, and the same barn is yet standing. Thomas Dunn came into the town- ship with his father, Oliver, and lived on part of the old farm till his death, in 1854.
Benjamin Grant and A. M. Cook came into the township together, with their families, in 1800, from Connecticut. They settled in the eastern part. Mr. Grant was a blacksmith by trade, and part of the farm on which he settled is now owned by his grandson, J. I. Rockwell.
James Sterrett came to McKean from Cumberland County in 1807, with his family, seven sons and two daughters, and located in the western part, now Sterrettania, his brother, Robert, coming three years before him, cutting his road through from Pittsburg. James Sterrett built a saw mill near his place in 1812. He died in 1830. David Sterrett, a son of James. occupies the old homestead. He built a grist mill in 1839 and a saw mill in 1838. He died in 1866. William Sterrett came at an early day from Fayette County, located near Sterrettania, remained for a few years and then removed to Mill Creek town- ship, where he died, in 1817.
Benjamin Collom, born in Philadelphia in 1788, came in 1810 and located at what was known as " McKeans Corners." now " Middleboro," there being but one log house there. He built the first frame house in the place and lived in it for five years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and is still living in the township. Joseph S. Buck moved in from Chautauqua Co .. N. Y., in 1819, and lived there till 1853, when he moved to Girard. Thomas Mclaughlin came into the township in 1827 aud located in the western part, where he still lives, and has been a public officer of the township for many years.
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