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 30
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After my parents had recuperated sufficiently, so as to be able to live in a kind of way, I concluded to start out into the world for myself (how little I knew of it) and make a fortune. I had rafted and saved a little over a hundred dollars, and owned a fine flint lock gun. My idea was to work my way to the Rocky mountains and join the trappers. I had rela- tives living on the Sinnemahoning creek, and concluded to stop a day or two with them. While there, through persuasion, and it being then quite late in the fall, I decided not to go farther west until spring. So I hired to teach school for twelve dollars per month, and board around among the scholars. I taught three months and got along nicely. At the close of the school I made a speech, when most of the school wept, whether from joy or grief I never could learn.
In the spring I decided to make a trip down the river on a raft, get some more money, and then start west. I ran two rafts for my uncle,
HON. COLEMAN GRUGAN,
HYNER, PA.
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Jacob Coleman, and William A. Simpson, now of the State bank of Lock Haven; ran them to Marietta. Then I got the measles, followed by the bilious fever, which brought me very near the point where the boats are anchored that ferry us across the river Jordan. But after two months I rallied. My uncle then agreed to take me as clerk in the store. I was with him two years (and never got a cent). The West gradually faded from my vision. I married Miss Margaret Shaffer, daughter of James Shaffer, who lived at Sinnemahoning. I then quit the store and went up the first fork of the Sinnemahoning creek, calculating to make a fortune at lumbering. I put in two seasons of hard work and came out poorer than when I went in. Yet I paid all my debts, and for a time turned farmer.
Before the elapse of two years my wife died, leaving me with two small children. Farming was not a success. Hence I left Sinnemahoning and came back to Grugan township. Here I taught school three months for twenty dollars per month and boarded myself. After this I had some good luck along with much bad. I hope I will not be accused of egotism when I say I am the only man raised in Grugan township who ever attained to the dignity of school teacher; I was the first to bring to the township a cultivator for working corn; the first to bring a two-horse wagon : the first to own a buggy ; the first to own a threshing machine; the first to assist building a house and painting it-white; the first to draw a check for $2,000 (and lose every cent of it); first to be elected associate judge from up the river; first to build a brick house in Chapman town- ship; and last, but not least, the first to lay a flagstone pavement on Fair- view street, Lock Haven. I mention these not to boast, but that I have at least tried to accomplish something.
Politically I never was a success. I several times aspired to be treas- urer of Clinton county, but always failed to get the nomination. During the time the Republicans ruled Clinton county (before their present advent) I was put on the Democratic ticket-without my consent-once, at least, for commissioner; once for auditor ; once for coroner. I ran the several ordeals and suffered defeat with the rest of the ticket. When the Democrats came into power, nominations were no longer gifts. Yet, even then, I got the nomination for associate judge. My election was only accomplished by the untiring efforts of my particular friend, Herman Simons, and a few others who used their influence in my behalf. At the end of my term I intended retiring, but I happened to see the slate that was inade out by the so-called "ring." The name of my colleague, Wil- liam Dunn, was on it; my name was not. At this I felt slighted, and concluded to try it alone, notwithstanding the "ring's" opposition-hence I got left. I was once afterward persuaded to run for the Legislature, which, after an expensive and laborious electioneering campaign, I suf- fered a ruinous defeat. This cured me of office-seeking. I decided I was not the style of a man the "dear people wanted." So, as Horace Greely said, "I returned to my crusts and my garrets."
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A. G. MCCLOSKEY.
A. G. McCloskey was born June 1st, 1852, in Chapman township, Clinton county, Pa. His father was James C. McCloskey. Mr. McClos- key received his education in the common schools, and afterwards attended Dickinson seminary at Williamsport, Pa., and also graduated at the Williamsport Commercial college. Although he received a liberal edu- cation, he preferred the life of a farmer to any other, and to that occupa- tion he devotes his time. His home is a pleasant one, on the left bank of the Susquehanna, a short distance from Hyner, and his farm is what is known as " Bakerstown farm." Mr. McCloskey was married, in 1885, to Anna Baird, of Liberty, Pa. Politically he is a Democrat, and promi- nent in the politics of his township, having held many of the township offices at different times. In connection with his farming Mr. McCloskey has devoted part of his time to lumbering, but at present he is not in the latter business. He is one of the representative citizens of his township, and a descendent of one of its pioneer settlers.
SALONA.
S ALONA is one of the oldest villages in Clinton county. About the year 1769 a woman named Mary Austin received a grant of the land lying on the north side of the village, known as the "Deep Spring Farm." This tract was sold in 1794 to Joel Ferree, who erected the house occupied for years by Samuel Wilson. About the year 1800, Grand- father Bressler, father of Judge Bressler, bought a tract of land, upon which he erected a grist mill, fulling mill and still house. The still house stood near the present site of the stone mill. Joel Herr was the first miller in the grist mill. In 1819 John McGhee purchased the said tract of land, and erected the stone mill now in use, and owned by John P. Heard and the heirs of George Herr. In 1822 George Leidy bought three acres of land, upon which he erected a dwelling and started a cabinet making shop. He afterwards changed the cabinet shop to a grain cradle fac- tory, where he manufactured the celebrated Leidy cradles. He sold one acre of his land to S. F. Sigmund, who built a dwelling and opened a tailor shop. About the same time George Smith opened a shoe shop on the lot now occupied by the stone house built by A. H. Best.
In 1822 John Skinner and Nathaniel Holcomb purchased land and erected a foundry, and began the manufacture of plows. This foundry was located just where the foundry of Esenwine & Wilson now stands. About the year 1830 John Thompson erected a tannery and began operations.
The village for a time was called "Mudtown," also Mc- Ghee's town, and afterwards Mechanicsburg. Finding that it was necessary to adopt some permanent name, the citizens on one occasion assembled in the school for that purpose. Mrs. Samuel Wilson, better known as Aunt Betsy Wilson, had on the day previons to the meeting read an article in
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the Christian Advocate, concerning the foreign missions, in which the name of Salonica, a city in Turkey, was men- tioned. She suggested the name to her husband, Samuel Wilson, who in his turn proposed at the citizens' meeting, that they adopt for their town the name of Salona. The new name was unanimously accepted and adopted. Aunt Betsy Wilson, who named the place, still lives within its limits. She has now passed the eightieth mile stone of her existence.
In 1832 A. H. Best built a house and opened a store. He continued doing business in the same room for over thirty years, when George Bressler, Jr., succeeded him. The latter was succeeded by Andrew and E. C. Best. After doing business for several years, this firm dissolved, and Andrew Best carried on the business alone for a number of years. When A. H. Best opened the store, he also secured the post office. For a time the mail was brought from Mill Hall once each week, then twice a week, and it was a big day when the mail began to be carried daily. Samuel Herr succeeded A. H. Best as postmaster; then in their order came J. P. Heard, John Highlands, Samuel Bridgens, J. C. Sigmund, S. W. Sigmund, M. W. Herr, John J. Miller and S. F. Sigmund, the present postmaster.
The first justice of the peace in Salona was George Leidy, afterwards elected to the Legislature; then Mark Wilson, who was succeeded by Hon. Joseph Quay. During the latter's term as justice, we find recorded in the docket the following marriage notice: Married this day, "A vagabond by the name of Joseph Force and Miss Betsy Bowden. May God forgive me for joining them." The next justice was David Heller, who was succeeded by J. C. Sigmund, the present justice.
The first church was erected by the Methodists in 1828, about a half mile east of the town. About the same time the German Reformed and Lutherans built a log church on the hill, north of the town. These churches served as
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places of worship for a number of years, when they became too small. Both congregations then erected larger struc- tures, which are still in use.
The Disciples built a church in 1835, in the west end of the village, and afterwards sold it to the German Reformed congregation.
The first physician of Salona was Dr. Noah F. Essig. He lived for a time near where the bridge crosses Fishing creek. He moved to Missouri in 1837, where he died a few years ago. He was a native of Germany, and licensed to practice his profession at the age of eighteen. He after- wards studied several years in the city of Paris. He came to Centre county (now Clinton) in 1806, and it was through his efforts that the turnpike was made around the hill, in- stead of over it, as he lived at that time at the bend near the bridge.
The other physicians who have resided in Salona have been Dr. George C. Harvey, Dr. John Grossman, Dr. Thompson, Dr. King, Dr. Henry Essig, Dr. Chambers, Dr. Leitzel, Dr. Samuel Adams, Dr. William Adams, Dr. Got- walt, Dr. Norris, Dr. G. Y. Beattie, Dr. Burrell, Dr. Ball, Dr. Holloway and the present resident physician, Dr. S. C. Consor.
When the echoes of the guns of Fort Sumpter reached the quiet village of Salona, they found an answer in the hearts of half a hundred loyal sons of the stars and stripes. When the drums beat their call to arms, fifty men stepped in line and answered to the roll-call of duty from this little village. Many of them left to return no more, while others, who went forth in the full glory of youth and strength, re- turned broken in health, to take up the duties of life. Many of Salona's brave sons now sleep their last sleep in Cedar Hill cemetery ; a few yet remain, but their numbers are rap- idly growing less, and it will be but a few years until the last one of that band shall have answered to the last roll- call. Salona may well feel proud of her history. No other town in the state can boast of a better or a cleaner record
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The first school-house, of which we have any knowledge, was built about 1822, on the Thompson farm. The present school-house was erected in 1848, and ten years later an addition was built to it. It is a large two-story frame build- ing, containing four rooms.
There are at present three churches-Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed; two schools, taught the past winter by W. A. Snyder and Miss Kate Caldwell; three general stores, kept by S. F. Sigmund, O. H. West and D. H. Herr; two blacksmith shops, kept by J. S. Bierly and Charles Shearer; one saddler shop, keptby John A. Shearer, and one tin and stove store, kept by S. W. Sigmund.
PROMINENT MEN OF SALONA.
DANIEL HERR.
D ANIEL HERR was born near Salona, Clinton county, Pa., Feb- ruary 25th, 1828. He was a son of Joel Herr, one of the pioneer settlers of Lamar township. Daniel Herr attended the schools of Lamar township until 1844, when he began teaching. His first term of school was taught in Cedar Springs school house. In 1848 he entered Dickinson seminary at Williamsport, attending the opening term of that institution. After attending Dickinson seminary for one year he went to Nanse, Mond county, Va., where he taught one term. He then returned to Clinton county, and after teaching another term again entered Dick- inson seminary, and took another year's course. He then returned to Salona, and followed teaching until 1864, when he was appointed county superintendent of Clinton county, to fill out the unexpired term of J. W. Suoddy. His term as superintendent expired June 1st, 1866. In the fall of that year he went to Williamsport, and took charge of the High school of that city for one term. He then came to Lock Haven, and taught the last term of school held in the "Old Academy" building. In 1871 he was appointed superintendent of the Preparatory department of Dickinson seminary, which position he held until July, 1874 From that time until now he has taught every term in Lamar township. Daniel Herr was married September 18th, 1856, by Rev. Thomas Bowman to Mary Jane Leidy, daughter of John and Catharine Leidy. He is the father of five children, one daughter and four sons. The daughter died at an early age, and one son has also passed away. The other four are living, and have families of their own.
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B. F. KRAPE.
B. F. Krape was born in Clinton county, Pa., August 11th, 1839. He received his education at the Cedar Run school house, under such in- /structors as Berkley, Bressler and Towns. He learned the trade of coach- making with Henry Krape at Salona, and worked at the business for a number of years. In August, 1862, he entered the nine months' service, enlisting in Company C, 137th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He received his discharge before the expiration of his term of service on ac- count of illness. On his return from the army he started a coach shop at Salona, and carried on the business for ten years. In 1880 he entered the mercantile business at Salona. In May, 1889, he sold his store to O. H. West, and gave up business. The flood of June, 1889, then came, and almost totally destroyed Mr. Krape's entire property. His large store room was washed away and his lot flooded to the depth of fifteen feet. Since that time he has lived a retired life.
S. F. SIGMUND.
S. F. Sigmund was born at Salona in 1827, and educated in the com- mon schools of Nittany Valley. At eighteen years of age he began an ap- prenticeship at the shoemaking trade with William Gifford and Levi Liv- ingston, of Lock Haven. After serving the usual term as an apprentice, he worked for the same parties for eight years. In 1850 he began busi-
ness for himself at Salona. At the breaking out of the Civil war, five persons enlisted at one time from his shop. In 1858 Mr. Sigmund started a general store in connection with his other business, and for a time was in partnership with his brother, 'Squire J. C. Sigmund. The partnership was dissolved, and since that time he has conducted the business alone. In 1891 he was appointed postmaster of Salona, to succeed Martin W. Herr. In 1850 Mr. Sigmund was married to Elizabeth Neyhart, of Elims- port, Lycoming county, Pa. They have two children, one son and one daughter. The former, Charles Sigmund, is now constable of Lamar township. In politics Mr. Sigmund is and has always been a Republican. He has held various township offices, and is at present, and has been for the past fifteen years, secretary of the Lamar township school district.
JOHN A. SHEARER.
John A. Shearer was born near the Old Fort, in Potter township, Centre county, Pa., March 20th, 1852. In 1854 the family came to Clinton county, and for five years resided on the G. M. McDowell farm, Lamar township. In 1859 they moved to Johnstown, Pa., where the subject of this sketch attended school until 1863. His father was killed about that time in a wreck on the railroad, and the family returned to Salona. In 1873 Mr. Shearer began an apprenticeship at the saddler trade with C. W. Rote, of Salona. After completing his trade he worked for a season at Clintondale with I. R. McGee; then returned to Salona, and started a shop of his own. Mr. Shearer was married April 7th, 1881,
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to Dillie Thompson, a daughter of S. B. Thompson, at that time a resi- dent of Salona. They have two children, a son and a daughter. In politics he is an ardent, Prohibitionist, having cast his first ballot for that party in 1873, and never voted any other ticket in his life.
T. C. CONSER, M. D.
Dr. T. C. Conser was born at Loganton, Pa., November 15th, 1863. He is a son of Levi Conser. He attended the public schools until seven- teen years of age; then entered Union seminary, now Central Pennsyl- vania college, at New Berlin, Union county, Pa., and graduated from there June 15th, 1885. He then entered the office of Drs. Houtz & Good- man, at Loganton, and read medicine for eighteen months. After spend- ing a season attending lectures at Jefferson Medical college, at Philadel- phia, he entered the office of Dr. P. T. Musser, of Aaronsburg, Centre county, Pa., where he remained until September, 1887, when he again en- tered the Jefferson Medical college, and graduated from there in April, 1888. After his return from college he located at Rebersburg, Centre county, where he took charge of the practice of Dr. J. W. Bright. In the spring of 1889 he located in Salona, and in the fall of 1891 he was mar- ried to Anna Gay Thompson, daughter of James Thompson, of Salona.
MACKEYVILLE.
M ACKEYVILLE, formerly called Hamburg, is a snug little village, nestled in the heart of the beautiful valley of Nittany. It contains 100 or more inhabitants. The village is located in Lamar township, on the banks of Fish- ing creek. From Mr. James Porter we learn that about the year 1834 John Reesman built a blacksmith shop upon his land for William Courter. Soon after another house was erected and lined with slabs. The house is still standing. It was the first dwelling erected, and from it the village re- ceived the name of Slabtown, a name afterwards changed to Hamburg, and still later to Mackeyville. John Reesman also erected a saw mill and grist mill. The latter is yet in use, and owned by Robert Wolf. The old mill has been lately remodeled, and greatly improved, by the addition of modern machinery. It is now one of the leading mills of the valley. In 1844 Mr. Reesman donated land for a Union church and a burying ground. The church was built through the efforts of such enterprising citizens as the Porters, Browns, Thompsons, Bradys, Heltmans, Maurers, Kryders and others. For twenty-five years it remained a Union church, controlled by the Evangelical association.
From the plain, unpretentious spire of this church sways the first church bell used in Clinton county. Jacob Best added new interest to the place by laying out lots upon his lands adjoining those of Mr. Reesman. In 1870 the Dis- ciples of Christ effected an organization. A large brick church was erected and set apart to the worship of Almighty God, November 15th, 1871. The Methodist con- gregation worshiped in the Union church until the com- pletion of their present brick structure, which was dedicated December, 1883.
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Twenty-five years ago the graded school was established. Until the year 1865 the citizens of Mackeyville received their mail at Salona. At this time a post-office was estab- lished, and in honor of Hon. L. A. Mackey, then in Con- gress, the name of the village was changed to Mackeyville. T. J. Smull was appointed postmaster, and has held the position ever since.
The flood of June Ist, 1889, visited Mackeyville, doing much damage. Five persons lost their lives, being swept away by the rushing waters. Much valuable property was destroyed. Houses, barns, bridges, household goods, farm implements and live stock were carried away. The store and dwelling of T. J. Smull were carried away, with all they contained. His large iron safe was carried away, and not found for many months. The people at once began to re- pair the damage done to their property, until now the town has reached its former state of prosperity and beauty. T. J. Smull, profiting by experience, rebuilt his store and dwell- ing "upon a rock," or at least upon an elevation where the floods cannot reach him. He conducts a general store, and does a flourishing business.
Hon. George J. Eldred now resides in the village, in a beautiful dwelling erected but a short time ago. This ven- erable and honored citizen has been in ill-health for several years, and at present writing is unable to leave his home. Dr. Dumm owns and occupies a fine residence and office in the village, and enjoys a lucrative practice. Joseph Hayes conducts a general store, and is building a beautiful home for himself in the upper end of the village.
A flourishing Y. W. C. T. U. exists in the village, and does much good in its way. The organization recently lost two of its best members in the persons of Mrs. Dr. Dumm and Lillie Harvey. There is no hotel in the village, but travelers are entertained by several private families. There never was a licensed hotel in the place, but in the early days of its history liquor was sold. Mackeyville is also
1
HON. GEORGE J. ELDRED,
MACKEYVILLE, PA.
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the home of Miss Puella Dornblazer, one of the leading members, and at present president of the county organiza- tion of the Women's Christian Temperance union.
The name Hamburg, it is claimed by some, was bestowed on the place by Hon. Joseph Quay, who had missed several fine hams from his smoke house, which he concluded were stolen by the citizens of Slabtown. The true version is, however, given as follows: "In the early history of the place, the town was frequently visited by a German peddler, who extolled to the inhabitants of Slabtown the virtures and attractions of his native place, Hamburgh, in Germany. He so worked on the feelings of the inhabitants, that they determined to call their town Hamburg."
BIOGRAPHY.
HON. GEORGE JARVIS ELDRED.
H ON. GEORGE JARVIS ELDRED was born at Eldredville, Sul- livan county, Pa., February 18th, 1818. He attended the district schools of his native place until he was sixteen years of age, when he, in company with his two elder brothers, Charles D., now ex- Judge Eldred, of Muncy, Lycoming county, Pa., and John, later known as Dr. John Eldred, of Lock Haven, Pa., wended his way to the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, in Lycoming county, and spent the next five years teaching school at Muncy, Long Reach, Williamsport and Jersey Shore. During this time he read law, and expected to enter the legal profession, but having contracted a disease of the throat, which very much interfered with his speaking, he abandoned this resolution, and, upon the organization of Clinton county, in 1839, he removed to Mill Hall, Pa., where he taught school two terms, and followed the same occupation for two terms in Porter township; was married September, 1842, to Salina Devling, daughter of William Devling, of Porter town- ship, and the same year went to Ohio and thence to Michigan. While in Michigan he was appointed postmaster at Walled Lake, Oakland county, and retained that position for three years, when he returned to Porter township and engaged in farming on the Devling farm, where he re- mained for seven years, at which time his wife died. There were six children by this marriage, named William Devling, Charles Dodson, George Jarvis, John Williamson, Robert Clayton and Joseph. Joseph
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died while an infant, and was buried in the same coffin with his mother. George was drowned when a child, and Charles died in a field hospital, while in the army, and, is said, buried at City Point. His remains could not be found. In 1853 Mr. Eldred was elected, by the Democrats, a member of the House of Representatives in the district composed of Clinton, Lycoming and Potter counties; was nominated for a second term without opposition, but the Know Nothing wave swept the country that year, and he was defeated. In 1853 he was again married to Miss Margaret Porter, daughter of James Porter, of Lamar township, when he left the Devling farm and purchased and removed to the Porter home- stead farm, near Hamburg, now Mackeyville. Their children are one son and three daughters, all living. The son, James Porter Eldred, went to Kansas in 1878, was married, and is in business in Glen El- der, Mitchell county. The daughters are Kate, now the wife of D. I. Mc- Naul, of Lock Haven ; Jennie, married to Willard S. Meyer, of Clinton- dale, and Mary Frances, unmarried and living at home. In 1878 Mr. Eldred was again nominated and elected by the Democrats to represent the county of Clinton in the Legislature for the term of 1879 and 1880. In early life he united with the Presbyterian church, and for forty con- secutive years he was the leader and superintendent of the Union Sab- bath school at the village near his home. He was a great reader and pro- found thinker, and was always found at the head of every religious, liter- ary and social enterprise with which the people of his neighborhood were connected, and even to this day it is the delight of the young people of the neighborhood to sit and listen to him recite from Shakespeare, Burns, Pope and Homer, or at other times to disclose the hidden and explain the difficult passages of the scripture. In the spring of 1892, at the advanced age of 74 years, he retired from his farm and moved into the village of Mackeyville, where he now resides with his wife and only single daughter.
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