USA > Pennsylvania > Clinton County > Historical and biographical work, or past and present of Clinton County, comprising a sketch of every town and township of the county from date of settlement up to the present time > Part 28
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The other industries are: General stores, A. B. Garth & Co., and Freeman Brady ; groceries, J. E. Calderwood, S. A. Wilt, A. C. Kauffman, Smith Marshall and Koble & Murray, the latter also being butchers; butcher, Daniel Snyder; furniture manufacturer, E. H. Bartholomew; handle factory, D. L. Chandler; foundry, Philip Berry; notions, photographer and barber, Sylvester Brady; barber, Joseph Bartholomew; physician, Dr. J. B. McCloskey ; coal dealers, Mann & Bailey and J. S. Hill; hotels, (both temperance,) Shaffer house, C. H. Lundy ; Wilt house, S. A. Wilt; both ho- tels have liveries attached; postmaster, William T. Crispen ; assistant, Grant Crispen ; one saddler shop, run by William Clark.
The borough of Mill Hall was incorporated by the court February 16th, 1849, and the first borough election held April 28th following :
The officers elected were: Chief burgess, William Smith ; council, Dr. John C. King, H. R. Williams, S. H. Hunter, Jonathan Bennison and Robert Hurd; assessor, David Mc- Cormick; high constable, Isaac Dittsworth; borough con- stable, David Logan; overseers of the poor, James Coffee and Samuel Calderwood; treasurer, David Clark; clerk, John Weaver.
The officers for 1892 are: Chief burgess, George W. Win- ner; council, Elias Koble, John Kryder, William Tevling and Daniel Wolf; clerk, W. H. Rosser.
The first school was opened about 1810, with George Bressler as master, in an old log house near where the Beech Creek railroad crosses the turnpike, below town. The next school house was built about 1837, and the present building in 1873. It is a fine building, well fur- nished, and the three grades are in separate rooms, and are provided with good teachers.
The Mill Hall Fire Brick company is at this time just opening up its recent purchase of fire clay east of the town. It promises to be of great benefit to the town, as the company will employ a large number of hands.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The town is well supplied with shipping facilities. The Bald Eagle Valley railroad was built through or near the town in 1865, and the Beech Creek railroad in 1883; the competition of the two roads giving the town unusually good rates for so small a place, and the fact that nearly all the goods manufactured are shipped, gives the railroads enough business to make them give good rates to and from the town.
BALD EAGLE AND NITTANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Bald Eagle and Nittany Presbyterian church was or- ganized as a separate congregation May 7th, 1856. Up to this time it was part of the Great Island church of Lock Haven, and one pastor preached in Lock Haven and Mill Hall.
The first church building was erected in 1840, on a lot purchased from Charlotte Barnet, of Lancaster. It was of brick, and was a very fair building in its day. It was oc- cupied by the congregation up to the time of the great flood of June, 1889, which completely wrecked it. It was then pulled down, (having been occupied almost fifty years,) and a neat modern structure of brick and slate erected on the sight which it now stands, and is an ornament to the town.
The pastors since the organization of the church have been Revs. Henry L. Doolittle, the first one called after separation from the Great Island church in 1856; W. G. E. Agnew, George Warrington, L. L. Haughawaut, William A. Jenks and S. W. Pomeroy, the latter having served the congregation since January Ist, 1886, and it was largely through his efforts that the new church was built after the flood. He is an indomitable worker, never resting until he has accomplished his purpose.
· The ruling elders for 1892 are: Andrew White, Archibald Allison, William Hayes and Charles Kyle; trustees, James Taylor, president; Alfred C. Mann, secretary and treasurer ; Robert H. Furst, Hugh W. Garth and Abbott B. Garth.
There is also a flourishing Sunday school, of which Abbott B. Garth is superintendent.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal congregation erected the first church building in the town in 1831. It was of stone, and stood well up on the hill south of the borough.
Their second edifice, built in 1854, of wood and stone, two stories, is on the east side of Water street. It has lately been thoroughly repaired and painted, and is now a very pleasant place to worship.
The present pastor is Rev. J. I. Reeser, who fills three appointments in addition to Mill Hall, to wit: Wayne, Pine and Laurel Run, in Bald Eagle township. Its trustees are George W. Winner, president; M. P. Stiver, secretary; E. E. Flanigan, treasurer; Jesse Fox, Huston Bressler, James W. Elder, John S. Flanigan, W. J. Eddy and George W Hall.
The Methodists have much the larger number of mem- bers who live in the town, and have a large and prosperous. Sunday school, of which George W. Winner is superin- tendent.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES).
The Christian Church (Disciples) have had an organiza- tion here since 1878, and Mr. Freeman Brady, the most in- fluential member, has built them a hall over his store room, in which they worship. They are not, however, satisfied with their accommodations, and have purchased a lot, for- merly occupied by the axe factory, of Rosser Brothers, which was burned several years since, and are now taking up a subscription to build a church thereon.
MILL HALL BRICK WORKS.
The company running these works was organized in April, 1892.
Its officers are: J. W. Smith, Lock Haven, president; F. J. Torbert, Jersey Shore, vice president; J. S. Hanna, Lock Haven, secretary and treasurer. Its directors are : W. H. Brown, K. D. Smith, J. W. Smith, Ira H. Smith, Lock Haven, and Frank J. Torbert, Jersey Shore.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The main office of the company is at Lock Haven, with a branch office at Mill Hall.
The industry is located between the Bald Eagle Valley and the Beech Creek railroads. The capacity of the works is 30,000 bricks per day. About thirty persons are given steady employment. Paving and fire brick manufactured.
HOTELS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
WILT HOUSE.
T HE Wilt house was opened by M. E. Wilt, April 1st, 1890. It is a frame structure, containing eighteen rooms, with accommodations for thirty guests. The Wilt house is one of the best kept country hotels in the county. A first-class livery is connected with the hotel.
SHAFFER HOUSE.
The Shaffer house is kept by C. H. Lundy, who took charge of the house April 1st, 1892. This hotel is built of brick. It contains seven- teen rooms, with accommodations for about twenty-five guests. C. H. Lundy runs a first-class livery, sale and exchange stable in connection with the hotel.
PLEASANT VALLEY CASTLE, NO. 301, K. G. E.
Pleasant Valley castle, No. 301, K. G. E., was instituted February 15th, 1889, with thirty-five members. The following officers were installed : N. C., J. F. Murray ; P. C., E. E. Flanigan ; V. C., James Murray; H. P., T. J. Hickoff; V. H., J. H. Eckley; M. of R., J. D. Miller; C. of E., J. W. Stover; K. of E., T. N. Custard; S. H., M. W. Irvin; W. B., Harry Switzer; W. C., Orin Walker; Ens., H. H. Irvin; Esq., W. H. Winner; 1st G., H. Stringfellow; 2d G., J. H. Bower. At the time and for some time after institution the castle met in Mann's hall. In the fall of 1889 they moved into Walker's hall. This order has greatly increased in numbers, having at this time a membership of over 100. The castle meets on Friday evening of each week, and visiting sir knights will always find the latch-string on the outside. The officers are as follows: P. C., J. C. Winner; N. C., I. G. Winner; V. C., R. B. Bollinger; S. H., E. B. Bridgens; V. H., J. H. Eckley; H. P., W. A. Flanigan; M. of R., T. J. Hickoff; C. of E., Grant Crispen; K. of E., J. F. Murray; W. B., John Roff; W. C., H. L. Crispen; Ens., T. J. Kissinger; Esq., G. C. Snyder; 1st G., R. J. McClenahan; 2d G., J. A. Bridgens; representa- tive to grand castle, J. H. Bower; trustees, H. L. Crispen, O. P. Walker, J. A. Bridgens.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
LODGE NO. 337, P. O. S. OF A.
Lodge No. 337, P. O. S. of A., was instituted June 21st, 1888, with the following officers: Past president, G. W. Winner; president, J. W. Crispen ; vice president, E. S. Koble; recording secretary, H. E. Brady ; assistant secretary, W. J. Eckley; conductor, John Mackey; master of forms and ceremonies, James W. Elder; financial secretary, Henry Bar- tholomew; treasurer, Moses Bennett; chaplain, James H. Welsh.
The present officers are: Past president, A. T. Palmer; president, Charles Harleman; vice president, George T. Bartholomew; recording secretary, Sutton Kreidler; assistant secretary, W. S. Chatam; financial secretary, William Hunter; treasurer, James W. Eldred; master of forms and ceremonies, William Dalton; conductor, John Richie; inspector, William Emert; guard, John Kreidler; chaplain, William J. Karstetter. This order meets every Thursday evening, and has a present membership of fifty-three.
MILL HALL LODGE, NO. 131, I. O. G. T.
Mill Hall lodge, No. 131, Independent Order Good Templars, was insti- tuted March 15th, 1890. The first officers were: W. H. Winner, chief templar; Minnie Winner, vice templar; John Karstetter, recording sec- retary; Sutton Kreidler, assistant secretary; Y. C. Winner, financial secretary; Sutton Kreidler, treasurer; W. D. Harleman, chaplain; E. Bartholomew, marshal; C. T. Harleman, guard; C. T. Harleman, sen- tinel; C. T. Harleman, lodge deputy.
The present officers are: T. J. Reeser, chief templar; Tillie Elder, vice templar; Sutton Kreidler, recording secretary; Della Eddy, assistant secretary; William Elder, financial secretary; E. Walker, treasurer; Sadie Bressler, chaplain; George Snyder, marshal; Mattie Crispen, dep- uty marshal; Mamie Elder, guard; C. T. Harleman, sentinel; J. H. Bowers, lodge deputy. The Independent Order Good Templars meets every Monday evening, in Walker's hall. Present membership, fifty.
AXE MAKERS' BAND.
The Axe Makers' band, of Mill Hall, was organized September 23d, 1887, with sixteen members. At the first meeting the following officers were elected: President, T. J. Hickoff; vice president, J. F. Murray; secretary, A. E. Rosser; treasurer, Thomas R. Mann. On November 18th, 1887, they received from C. G. Conn a full set of his celebrated "Wonder" instruments. They secured the service of Professor George A. Miller, of Lock Haven, as instructor, and made their first appearance in public April 26th, 1888, when they accompanied the I. O. O. F., of Lock Haven, to Williamsport. The membership has varied from 16 to 25 The band is as finely equipped as any similar organization in the state, having fine instruments, uniforms and a very handsome wagon.
The present officers are: President, J. H. Bower; vice president, J. H. Carstater; secretary, T. J. Hickoff; treasurer, J. F. Murray; leader, Harry Sweitzer; managers, J. B. Crispen, George Herr. The band meets Monday and Tuesday nights of each week, in Mann's hall. The present membership is seventeen,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHY.
WILLIAM H. ROSSER.
W ILLIAM H. ROSSER was born in Blossburg, Pa., September 24th, 1840; came to Clinton county when but a child, and spent his boyhood days on a farm in Bald Eagle township. He was edu- cated in the common schools, is now a resident of Mill Hall, and has been an acting justice of the peace for the past twenty years. Mr. Rosser was married, September 23d, 1861, to Henrietta C. Renther, of Salona, Pa. Three days later he enlisted in Company C, 52d Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and served until discharged, for reason of disability, in September, 1862. In 1864 he embarked in the coach-making business, at Lock Haven. In the fall of 1866 he accepted a position in the iron department at the wagon works of Garth & Sons, at Mill Hall. He retained the position until 1883, when, in company with his brothers, John O. and Titus, Mr. Rosser began the manufacture of axes and tools, under the firm name of Rosser Brothers, continuing successfully in this business for three years, when their works were totally destroyed by fire. Since that time Mr. Rosser has not been actively engaged in any business. In 1886 he was a candidate for nomination for the office of associate judge, but, although receiving a flattering support, he failed in the nomination. Mr. Rosser has always taken active interest in politics, always as a Dem- ocrat. He is also a writer of some ability. For more than twenty years he has held the position of an elder in the Church of Christ, and is held in esteem by that body of people. His family consists of Mrs. Rosser and three living children, Dr. O. H. Rosser, of Renovo, George M., an operator and agent in the employ of the Beech Creek railroad at Kerr- moor, Pa., both of whom are married, and the youngest, Jesse B., who is yet at home.
WESTPORT.
T HE village of Westport is located on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. It is divided into two parts by Kettle creek. The first settlement in the valley, now em- braced in Westport, was made about the time of the Revo- lution or shortly after, on the north side of Kettle creek, and near its mouth, by Richard Gilmore. The pre-emption warrant is dated July 21st, 1785, in Pine Creek township, Northumberland county, for 300 acres more or less. R. Gilmore deeded the same to William McCombe October 12th, 1793, in Pine Creek township, Northumberland county, for the consideration of £50 in gold, and Wil- liam McCombe deeded the same to William Andrews, dated May 3d, 1794, for the consideration of £260 in gold and silver, and William Andrews deeded the same to James Caldwell, dated January 23d, 1796, in consideration of one yoke of oxen, one milch cow, and £95 in gold and silver.
James Caldwell, a Revolutionary soldier, located at the mouth of Kettle creek about 1807, and on the land which had been abandoned by Gilmore. The land on both sides of the creek stood thick with pine timber, and there was not one settlement at that time in what is now Leidy town- ship. Isaac Herring had cleared some five acres on the south side of the creek, on the flat where C. R. Noyes now resides. The first house was built by Mr. Caldwell, and was of round logs. It stood on the ground now occupied by the M. E. church and the M. T. McCloskey house. He afterwards built a better house near where the north end of the railroad bridge now stands. Mr. Caldwell and his wife planted the orchard in 1807; many of the trees are still standing. They also kept a nursery of small trees, from which they supplied their neighbors. The property of Mr.
CHARLES R. NOYES,
WESTPORT, PA.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Caldwell, at the mouth of Kettle creek, at his death, fell into the possession of his sons, John and Andrew. John owned the portion on the south or upper side of the creek, and Andrew that on the opposite. In 1848 John sold his to Norman Butler, of Montgomery county, and moved West, and in 1854 Mr. Butler sold to Colonel A. C. Noyes, of New Hampshire, who came to Cameron county, Pa., in 1847, and to Westport in 1849. He rented a room from Mr. Butler and started a store.
The first post office was established at the mouth of Kettle creek about 1847 or 1848. A. O. Caldwell was appointed postmaster. The name of the office was Kettle Creek. This office was eventually discontinued, leaving the place with- out an office for over a year, the nearest office being Cook's Run. Mr. Butler had the Westport office established Oc- tober 22d, 1850. The name was suggested by him, and he was appointed postmaster, hence the origin of the name of Westport.
The first mail route established from Westport up Kettle creek to connect with the Jersey Shore and Coudersport pike was in 1851, by the influence of A. O. Caldwell, who had the contract for carrying the mail.
When Mr. Butler sold out to Colonel Noyes, C. R. Noyes received the appointment of postmaster, April Ist, 1855, which office he held for over thirty-six years. Mr. W. C. Werts is the present postmaster, having suc- ceeded Mr. Noyes July Ist, 1891.
A. O. Caldwell rented his property (that which lays on the north side of the creek) to John Werts, of Lewisburg, Union county, in 1836, for a period of five years. Mr. Caldwell then lived in the old hewed-log house built by his father. John Werts moved into this house with his family, worked the farm, lumbered and sold goods, which was the first regular store kept in the place. John Caldwell also kept a small store, and from 1838 to 1840 Reber & Musser, of Lewisburg, kept a store. After Mr. Caldwell had rented to Mr. Werts, he built a hotel, or rather a dwelling house, in
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
the first place, but subsequently turned it into a hotel. This was in the years 1836 and 1837. Mr. Caldwell rented this hotel to Edward Shultz, who did business here when Gov- ernor Ritner was digging the old canal. John Green, of Lock Haven, kept it at one time, and Abner McCloskey, Esq., from the year 1841 to 1844. It was purchased by Stephen Werts, who kept one of the best hotels on the river during a period of twenty years.
Nelson George, of Lock Haven, had his stage office at this house for several years; and when the Philadelphia & Erie railroad was completed to Westport, in the fall of 1862, the revolution which followed in travel rendered it neces- sary to abandon this as a hotel stand. This old hotel was burned February, 1870.
In 1857 and 1858 John L. Proctor built a hotel in West- port, on the north bank of the creek, which he kept for two or three years. When Stephen Werts removed from the old hotel, he rented this hotel of Mr. Proctor and kept it over two years.
In 1866 J. M. Robbins purchased the property of Mr. Proctor, and moved into it February, 1867, and kept it until it was burned, September, 1873. W. C. Werts' store was consumed at the same time. This building also belonged to Mr. Robbins. He shortly afterwards commenced the erection of the Westport house, which was completed dur- ing the winter of 1873 and 1874.
In 1866 Mr. Werts built a fine house opposite the Phila . delphia & Erie depot, which he used as a hotel, store and dwelling. His wife died September, 1867. In 1870 he rented the property to H. Whitcomb, and moved to Charles- ton, W. Va. In the fall of the same year he sold the house and adjoining lots to John S. Bailey, which building Mr. Bailey used for mercantile business, and for a time as a hotel. In July, 1875, he sold the property and store to J. H. Ryan and O. M. Montgomery. It remained in their possession for two years, and was then sold to the Noyes Brothers, and near the close of 1877 Mr. Bailey rented the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
premises and resumed the mercantile business, and finally purchased the place from the Noyes heirs.
About the year 1860 G. W. Drake built a hotel, which he named the Alpine house, and kept it for about fifteen years. It is now owned by G. W. Armstrong, and used as a dwelling house.
In 1865 L. G. Huling and son built a store house on a corner lot adjoining the Alpine house, and engaged in the mercantile and lumbering business until the spring of 1869, when they sold out to W. C. Kepler and W. A. Brooks. These parties carried on the store business for about two years. Then it changed into the hands of J. D. L. Smith, who conducted it a year or more, and it finally passed into the hands of J. B. Saltsman.
Mr. A. O. Caldwell in 1860 laid out a portion of his farm in lots. The Philadelphia & Erie railroad company com- menced negotiating about that time for the purchase of the property for the building of their machine shops. On ac- count of the high price asked, no sale was effected. Mr. Caldwell afterwards sold to the Noyes Brothers, and they continued the sale of lots, and in a few years the town had made considerable improvements in number of buildings. It also increased in population.
The village has one church, Methodist, built in 1866. The first minister was J. L. Chandler. The first school was built in 1853, and the first teacher was a Mr. Shoemaker. The first shoemaker shop was started by A. R. McDurrald in 1860, and one of the first blacksmiths was old Harry Bowman. Norman Butler had a smithshop in his time, and Charles Crapps did the smithing and Tom Getter the tink- ering. N. P. Clendennen succeeded Samuel Knepley. W. G. Caldwell also does a good business in the same line, and has a carriage and wagon-making shop in connection with his business.
The main building of the present school house was erected in 1876, under charge of W. T. McCloskey, and was con- sidered at that time a commodious and convenient structure
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
for the purpose, but in a few years a graded school was found to be necessary, and a new building was added to the first one, furnishing a large and spacious room for a primary department.
The corner stone of the Lumberman's Bethel church was laid Saturday evening, June 19th, 1886, the Rev. Cook, Presbyterian minister of Renovo, conducted the ceremonies. The Independent band and many Renovo people were present. A small box, containing a Bible, copies of the Renovo Evening News and Renovo Record, minutes of building committee, notes, one dollar in money, and names of subscribers were placed in the corner stone. The church was completed during the summer and fall, and has a seat- ing capacity of 250. It is designed for the use of any Christian denomination, but down to the present time only the Presbyterians have occupied it, Rev. Cook having ser- vices here once a week.
The first bridge that spanned Kettle creek at Westport was erected by the county in 1852, and the first railroad bridge, within a few feet of the former, was built in 1859. The two were carried away, simultaneously, almost, by the flood of March 17th, 1865. This flood did immense damage to the people of Westport. The two bridges were replaced by new ones the ensuing spring, rendering good service up until the June flood of 1889, when the county bridge was torn from its foundations. This flood, perhaps the highest since Noah's time, wrought destruction and desolation to the people of Westport. No human lives were lost, but in the loss of houses, barns, fences, out-buildings, fruit and or- namental trees, merchandise, household goods, lands, public roads and lumber, many of these losses are irreparable. The sworn statements, made by parties in this township who sustained damage and loss of property, amounted to over $46,000. The greater part of this was lost by the people of Westport. Most all applied to the state for relief, and some twenty-five of the Westport families received it in small sums of $25, $30, $40, $50 and $60, amounting in all to $815.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Westport is the centre of a lumbering and mining region, and the natural outlet of the Kettle creek valley. The valley of this stream is some forty miles in length, contains a population of over 1,000, and hundreds of millions of lumber, principally hemlock and hard wood, and thousands of acres of rich improved lands. Bituminous coal abounds in vast quantities in the mountains near this place. The mines at Bitumen have been in successful operation for three or four years. They are distant by wagon road about three and a half miles, and by the way the crow flies, two miles. There is said to be hundreds of acres of good fire clay in a short distance of this place. Westport is easy ef access by railroad, as the Philadelphia & Erie traverses through the middle of the village. The railroad freight traffic is quite considerable at this point. The company de- livered over 1,500 tons during the year 1891. The greater part of this is hauled up the valley of Kettle Creek to dif- ferent points.
PROMINENT MEN OF WESTPORT.
CHARLES R. NOYES.
C' HARLES R. NOYES was born in Grafton county, N. H., January 5th, 1829. He received his education in the public schools, and at the Newbury Methodist academy in the state of Vermont. He came to Westport in 1850, and joined his brother, Colonel A. C. Noyes, who was in the mercantile business. He acted as clerk until 1854, when he became a partner in the business. In 1859 the two brothers took and completed a contract for building nine miles of the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, after which they turned their attention to lumbering, in which Charles R. Noyes is still engaged. For a time he was a member of Hunt's Run Lumbering company, and also a member of the firm of Carskaddon & Co. Mr. Noyes is also largely engaged in farming, and owns, besides his beautiful farm on the river flats, several hundred acres of fine farming land on the higher lands several miles from Westport. In 1890 he was a candidate for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated for the nomination by S. Woods Caldwell. He was postmaster at West- port from 1854 to July, 1891. He has filled the various township offices at
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