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 5
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The valley is thickly populated, and contains quite a num- ber of prosperous and populous towns and villages. It was in this now peaceful valley that the famous Indian hunter, Peter Pence, once lived. Some of his descendants yet re- side in the valley.
That portion of Crawford township within the limits of Nippenose valley was settled about sixty years ago. Other settlements were afterwards made within its limits on the borders of Green township. Much of the land is moun- tainous. Among the early settlers of the first settled por- tion we find the names Green, Shaw, Showers, Sallade, Gebhart, Shadle, Ranch, Brosius and Smith. The descend- ants of some of these families still form a portion of its people. The mountain portion of the township contained at one time much valuable timber. Agriculture and lum- bering have formed the principal business of its inhabitants. Valuable beds of iron ore exist within its limits. Consider- able prospecting has been carried on for coal. Nickle has been discovered, and, if the search were prosecuted, would likely be found to exist in paying quantities. Likewise gold, silver and plumbago have been found in small quantities.
Among its citizens who are considerably above three score years and ten, may be mentioned: Mrs. Sara Ghun, widow of Joseph Ghun, deceased, who is still living at the age of about eighty-one years. The venerable Isaac Rob- bins is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
CHAPMAN TOWNSHIP.
Chapman township was formed while the territory now contained in Clinton belonged to Lycoming county. Since its organization it has lost much of its territory by the erec- tion of other townships. A portion was taken off in the for- mation of Grugan, in 1855, and in the formation of Noyes, in 1875.
The West Branch flows through the southern part of the township, and receives as a tributary Young Woman's creek, which joins it at North Bend.
Precisely when the first settlement was made in the town- ship is not known. As far as can be learned a man named William Reed cleared a few acres of land at the mouth of Young Woman's creek. He sold his improvement to Samuel Campbell. He in his turn conveyed the same to Thomas Robinson, who obtained a presumption warrant, dated October Ist, 1785, for 307 acres. The tract included nearly all the flat land adjacent to the mouth of Young Woman's creek, and was afterwards conveyed by Robinson to Andrew Epple, of Philadelphia, by deed dated January 10, 1787. "The history of North Bend prepared by Judge James W. Crawford gives a full and complete account of the above transactions."
A man named Bennett built the first grist mill in the township. A few years later another mill was built at the mouth of Hyner run, and one was also built at the mouth of Paddy's run. These, with another built at the mouth of Tangascootac creek, were the first, and for a long time the only manufacturing establishments on the West Branch above the Big Island. A salt well was bored about the year 1820 by a man named Boggs. It was located on the south side of the river, above the mouth of Boggs' run. He sank the well to a depth of ninety feet, where he found water strongly impregnated with salt, but nothing was ever done towards the manufacturing of the article.
About the year 1830 a modern water power mill was
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built on Hyner's run by Leonard and Michael Bradney. This mill was purchased in 1852 by T. B. Loveland and Isaac Shaffer, who, in their turn, sold out to Hansel & Brother in 1855.
In 1862 the Hansels built another mill about one-half mile farther down the run, but soon after sold their prop- erty to Kolter, Hoshour & Co., of York county, Pa. In 1872 the firm built a steam mill. The sawing capacity of the steam mill was 5,000,000 feet per year.
In 1866 an act was passed by the Legislature, authoriz- ing the construction of a state road from North Point up Young Woman's creek to Germania, in Potter county, a distance of twenty-six and a half miles. By a supplement to the act passed in 1867, Joseph Schwartzenbach, Joseph H. Bailey, John White and A. J. Quigley were appoined commissioners to lay out and open the road, which was ac- complished in 1874, and the road is now in good condition. In 1868 an act was passed, incorporating the Clinton and Potter county Navigation company, the object of which corporation was to improve and clear Young Woman's creek for running down logs.
In 1854 R. K. Hawley & Co. erected a saw mill on Young Woman's creek, about one-fourth of a mile from its mouth. In 1872 Messrs. Mensch & Lowenstein, of Wilkes ยท Barre, built a steam mill. The mill had a capacity for saw- ing 6,000,000 feet per year.
In 1863 Joseph and George Parsons and Henry Clark also built a large steam saw mill at the mouth of Paddy's run. This mill was purchased in 1876 by Gamble, White & Co. In 1827 a building, which served the two-fold purpose of church and school house, was built at the mouth of Young Woman's creek, under the supervision of Rev. Daniel Barber. The following episode in the history of Chapman township, was written by Hon. A. J. Quigley, a former resident of North Point:
"In 1837, at the Gubernatorial election, every effort was
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made to re-elect Joseph Ritner. Thaddeus Stephens had designed the Gettysburg tape worm, and put in course of construction the West Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal. The workmen on the canal were anxious to have the work continue, and nothing but his re-election would in any event continue the work. The Democratic party, headed by David R. Porter, were opposed to internal im- provements by the state, believing that all such enterprises could be managed safer by private corporation. Many be- lieved that the construction of a canal to Erie was a stake of rather questionable policy. But the country being in the midst of a financial crash and hard times, the working men were looking to their own interest, and Thaddeus Stevens, a wily politician, seized the opportunity to take ad- vantage of the manifest will of the laborers on the canal, and came up to Young Womanstown, and devised a plan with the workmen to 'vote early and often.' The election board was manipulated to make the oath easy and bear lightly, and Young Womanstown, hitherto unknown in his- tory, only for its Indian tradition, became the notorious birth place of ballot-box stuffing, carried on to the present day in Philadelphia and other cities of the Union. Chapman township, which at that time had about fifty legal voters, polled over 700 votes for Joseph Ritner. The return judge, in carrying the returns to Williamsport, (this being then Lycoming county,) and who also was an untiring friend of Ritner, showed the open returns so often that they became sadly defaced, after which, to satisfy his many inquiring friends, he opened the sealed report, which act forfeited the legality of the report, and the board of return judges rejected it, and so saved Young Womanstown the first and last illegal returns ever sent from that strong- hold of democracy. We have heard it said that it was
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dangerous to get to the window unless you could exhibit a ticket with the name of Joseph Ritner. Patrick O'Flaherty would vote, and then go away and take a drink, and return to the window with other tickets and vote the name of
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John Dougherty, without a question from the ward, except a significent nod from the 'boss' who stood at the window indicating that all was right, and so they continued re- peating all day."
DUNNSTABLE TOWNSHIP.
The township derived its name from William Dunn, one of its first settlers. It was taken from Bald Eagle township, and organized while its territory was a part of Lycoming county. Dunnstable township is bounded on the north by Gallauher, on the east by the West Branch and Pine Creek township, on the south by the West Branch and Lamar township, on the west by Woodward township and Lock Haven. The "Great Island," containing about 280 acres, is located within Dunnstable township. William Dunn, its first settler, took an active part in the Revolution, being one of the committee of safety for Northumberland county. He participated in many battles, among the number being those of Germantown and Trenton. Among the other pioneers of Dunnstable were Thomas Proctor and William Baird. The former was captain of the first Continental company of artillery, raised in Philadelphia. He was after- wards made a general. Other settlers followed Dunn and settled upon the rich lands of the township, and in a few years the territory in the vicinity of the Big Island was thickly settled.
The village of Liberty was one of the most important places in the county at one time, and was settled at a very early date. The place received its name from the patriotic feelings of its first settlers. A store was kept in the village by one William Tweed, in 1812, and a hotel was kept at the same time by George Quigley. Afterwards D. Moran kept a store near where the abutment of the river bridge now stands.
The only business place in Liberty at the present time is the store of R. H. Quigley, at which the township elections are held. The public road crosses the island and reaches the place by the Great Island iron bridges which were erected in 1889.
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In 1855 the postoffice at Lockport was removed to Dunnsburg, and called the Dunnsburg postoffice. Jacob Myers was the postmaster. The office was afterwards moved to Liberty; from there returned to Dunnsburg, and finally returned to Liberty, where it has remained ever since. The name, however, was changed to Island post- office, the name it now retains. The first church in Liberty was built by the Methodists in 1825. The present church structure was erected in 1870. Years before there was any structure erected for religious worship, circuit riders visited the place and held services in the dwellings of Zebulon and Benjamin Baird. The first school house in Dunnstable township was a log structure, which stood at the time on what is now the Stewart farm. George Quiggle, of Liberty, manufactured the first plows made between Bellefonte and Williamsport. He also manufactured harrows and grain cradles, which were greatly in demand at the time. R. H. Quigley, the present postmaster at Liberty, has kept store in the place for forty years.
The culture of tobacco was introduced into Dunnstable township in 1838, by David Baird.
As the Great Island is a part of Dunnstable township, a sketch of the same will not be out of place here. As before stated, it contains about 280 acres. One hundred years ago this island served as a landmark for many of the important military operations in the West Branch valley. It is known that previous to its early settlement by the whites it was a great council ground of the Indians. History records the meeting of representatives of several powerful tribes of Indians on this island in 1755. This meeting was held to discuss several propositions made to the red men by the French at the time of the French and Indian war.
About the year 1768 a party of surveyors visited this section of the West Branch valley, for the purpose of run- ning off the Allison tract and probably others in the vicinity. They were accompanied by a hunter named William Dunn, of York county, Pa., whose sole occupation was to furnish
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meat for the party from the abundance of game that then existed. Dunn carried a very handsome rifle and other accouterments to correspond, which attracted special atten- tion and admiration from an Indian chief, who claimed to be owner of the island. The chief was anxious to secure the objects of his admiration. Their owner refused to part with them, until at last he was offered the Great Island in exchange for the rifle, its belongings and a keg of whisky. Dunn accepted the chief's offer, and took possession of the "Big Island." After the whisky was drank the Indian wanted to trade back, a wish, however, which was not grat- ified, for Dunn knew a good thing when he saw it, and was determined to hold on to the island. It is said the Indians hung around the place for weeks, trying to get a shot at its new owner, who, knowing of their plans, kept out of their reach. The island was owned by William Dunn for many years, and at his death was divided among his heirs. One section of it is yet in possession of Elizabeth Dunn, widow of Judge William Dunn, a grandson of William Dunn, who purchased the land from the Indians. Of course the land was afterwards bought and the title secured from the Pro- prietary government, but history loves to relate the fact of its having been purchased at one time for a rifle and a keg of whisky.
GALLAUHER TOWNSHIP.
Gallauher township was erected September 18th, 1849. It is bounded on the north by Grugan township, on the east by Lycoming county, on the south by Line creek, Dunnstable and Woodward, and on the west by Wood- ward, Colebrook and Grugan townships.
The first settler of which we have any account was John Gotschalk, who located on the Coudersport pike in 1835. The region at that time was a wilderness inhabited only by wild beasts. After the West Branch canal was completed, many of the laborers employed in its construction settled in Clinton county. Among them were John and George Lovett, Andrew Nolan, John Hennessey and Michael
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Welsh, who selected farms in that portion of the present Gallauher township lying between Quinn's and Plum runs, forming the community now known as the "Irish Settle- ment."
At the time that settlement was formed there was not a road within five miles, and not even a tree had been cut on the land taken by them. The howls of the wolf, the scream of the panther and the cry of the ferocious wild cat dis- turbed the midnight slumber of the sturdy settlers. Wild animals were very numerous, whole herds of deer could be seen at one time, and panthers and bears would boldly carry off domestic animals in open daylight.
The greatest difficulty that beset the early settlers of Gal- lauher township was the securing of supplies. There were no roads, and not even a bridle path. The settlers were compelled to carry their grain to mill on their backs, the nearest mill being at Chatham's Run, a distance of five miles. This laborious and dangerous task was often performed by the women, who were neither lacking in courage or willing- ness to perform the work.
The father of P. B. Crider, the latter who at one time was a citizen of Lock Haven, but who now resides in Bellefonte, settled in the township near the "Irish Settlement" in 1845.
Another early settler of the section was Thomas Mc- Cann, a bachelor, who lived by himself. He cultivated a small farm and seemed to enjoy life. One winter morning he was found dead in bed. The cause of his sudden de- parture from this life was never known.
J. Focht was another pioneer settler of the township. He was a soldier under Napoleon, and was with him at the de- feat of Waterloo. It is said that he was compelled to work two years to pay his passage to America.
The Glovers, who located on the Coudersport pike at an early day, were also among the first settlers.
The Jersey Shore and Coudersport pike is the boundary between Gallauher township and Lycoming county. This
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
old and prominent thoroughfare, as its name implies, con- nects Jersey Shore with Coudersport, the county seat of Potter county. The first school house in the township was built in 1850. It was located near the residence of John Lovett. The township took its name from Judge Gallauher, who was instrumental in its organization. Jack Lovett, who was murdered by Charles Brown on the night of De- cember 14th, 1889, was a son of John Lovett mentioned above.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Green township was organized in February, 1840. It is located in the southeast corner of the county and bounded as follows: On the north by Crawford and Lamar town- ships, on the east by Lycoming county, on the south by Centre county, and on the west by Lamar and Logan town- ships. The greater part of the township lies within Sugar valley.
The Fishing creek is the principal stream in the town- ship. The part of the township lying in Sugar valley is about 800 feet higher than the level of the Susquehanna river.
The first settlement was made in 1800 by Rudolph Kar- stetter. Many of his descendants yet reside in Sugar valley. Among the other settlers who came to the section at an early day were the Schracks, Brungards, Kahls and Kleckners.
Those who settled in the east end of Sugar valley pre- vious to 1825 were John Brown, Jacob Franck, Henry Price, Daniel Cromley, Major Philip Wohlfart, David Stamm and others.
Previous to 1830 a man named Frederick Friedley erected a blasting furnace in the township. The said furnace was called "Deborah Furnace." It was operated for several years, and finally sold by the sheriff. Remains of "Deborah Furnace" may yet be seen in the extreme east end of the valley, near the Brown farm.
P. P. RITTMAN,
LOCK HAVEN, PA.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
John Kleckner built the first grist mill in Sugar valley about the year 1800. It stood on the site of the present mill at Loganton.
The first school house in the township was built in 1824. It was still in use as a church in 1880.
There are quite a number of mills in the township, the largest, perhaps, being the steam mill of Jamison & Co. The old Philadelphia mill, as it was called, which was built in 1845, and located near where the Rosecrans postoffice now is, and which was latterly called "Garrity's Mill," was de- stroyed by the June flood of 1889.
The township has ten good school houses, and an average term of six months. The village of Carroll, which is located at the extreme east end of Green township, contains about fifteen dwellings, a store and postoffice, a blacksmith shop and several minor industries.
GRUGAN TOWNSHIP.
This township was formed in 1851, the territory which it comprises being taken from the townships of Colebrook and Chapman. It is divided into two nearly equal parts by the West Branch. The township is bounded on the north by Gallauher, Colebrook and Chapman, on the east by Cole- brook and Gallauher, on the south by Bald Eagle and Beech Creek, and on the west by Chapman.
The principal wealth of the township consists in lumber. At an early day the best quality of oak and pine could be found, but the forests are now nearly depopulated.
The mineral wealth of the township consists of coal, iron ore and fire clay, but very little has ever been accomplished by way of developing the mines. In 1864 an organiza- tion, called the West Branch Coal, Iron Ore and Lumber Company, was formed for the purpose of developing the mineral wealth of the township. This company purchased over 15,000 acres of land upon the waters of Baker's run, for which they paid $75,000. Lack of funds and great cost of getting the products to market, prevented anything of importance from being accomplished.
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By whom or at what time the first settlement in Grugan township was made is not definitely known. The earliest records that can be found claim that a tract of land, called "Indian Coffin," was surveyed to John Baker Atkin, Oc- tober 8th, 1785. This tract included the land around the mouth of Baker's run. About the time of the Revolution, this man Baker Atkin lived on the tract which had not yet been surveyed to him, but when the war broke out he, with the other inhabitants of the section, left and went to "Reed's Fort" for protection. Baker returned and secured his warrant in 1785. He was a German, and seemed to prosper by his industry. It is said he received the title of - "King of the Narrows," as the valley west of Lock Haven was called. Baker built a water power grist mill, which was probably the first mill built west of Sunbury. Although it was a crude affair, it was a great improvement over the hand mills. Baker finally sold out and moved to the flat, now called Baker's town, where he died.
The next settler seems to have been James Burney, who located on what is now the farm of ex-Commissioner John Grugan, at Glen Union. The tract was called "Settlers' Lick," on account of a deer lick in the vicinity. It is thought that Burney settled on this tract several years pre- vious to the Revolution. The Grugans, from whom the township was named, were among the early settlers. Charles Grugan, the grandfather of Coleman and John Grugan, came to this country from Ireland about the year 80 1870. He was accompanied by his brother, John Grugan. They landed at New York, and there separated, the former coming to Pennsylvania and the latter going to Canada. Charles was married to a sister of James Burney, above mentioned. He lived in Buffalo valley, and was frozen to death. He had two sons and two daughters. The sons were James and Alexander. They were great hunters, and the latter is said to have killed in one season fifteen bears at sixteen shots. Coleman and John Grugan are sons of Alexander.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The first school in Grugan township was opened in 1830. John Taylor, a shoemaker by trade, was the first teacher. The school building was swept away by an ice flood in 1837.
The Baker tract was owned for a time by Buckman Claffin.
The last elk ever seen in Clinton county lost its life in Grugan township.
KEATING TOWNSHIP, (EAST AND WEST.)
Keating township occupies the extreme southwestern portion of Clinton county. It was erected December 21st, 1814, and its territory enlarged by the addition of a part of Grove township in 1844.
In 1875 it was divided into East and West Keating.
East Keating is bounded on the north by Cameron county, on the east by Noyes township, on the west by Cameron county and West Keating, and on the south by the West Branch.
West Keating is bounded on the north by Cameron county, on the west by Clearfield and Cameron counties, and on the south by the West Branch.
The first survey made in these townships was on August 13th, 1785, by John Houstan, in pursuance of a warrant dated at Philadelphia, May 17th, 1785. The tract was sur- veyed to John Strawbridge, It consisted of 285 acres of land, situated on both sides of the Sinnemahoning creek, at or near its mouth. Strawbridge sold his claim to Patrick Lusk. His children, Robert and Martha Lusk, were sent from their home in Northumberland county to reside on the place, and they became the first settlers of Keating town- ship.
The next settler appears to have been John Hilderbrand, who settled on the Moore place in 1805. He sold his farm to Thomas Burges, who in 1830 sold it to James Moore.
About this time John Conway settled at what is now called "Hickory Hill."
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
John Rohn, Sr., settled in the same locality. John Rohn, one of West Keating's prominent citizens, is a son of this pioneer.
John Kryder, a native of Dunnstown, settled in East Keating in 1819. The following account of his death, which occurred April 25th, 1875, appeared in the Clinton Demo- crat of May 6th, 1875.
On Sunday, April 25th, there died in East Keating town- ship one of the pioneers of the West Branch. John Kryder was born in 1800, and came to Keating when it was yet a part of Grove township, Northumberland county. His rep- utation as a carpenter, builder and mill wright was known and respected. He lived for a few years at Cook's Run, on the farm of old Johnny Baird, (now owned by Squire Mc- Closkey,) but finally settled down on the old homestead owned by Mattie Lusk, (sister of Mrs. McBride, who was murdered by Wade,) on the north side of the mouth of Sin- nemahoning creek, whom he afterwards took "for better or for worse," and lived with her for many years after. In 1848 his house was swept away by the flood, and nearly every- thing that he owned was also claimed by the raging waters; but, nothing daunted, he soon set to work and built him- self another home, which still stands on the banks at the mouth of the creek, as a monument of his industry and handiwork. Indeed, there is scarcely an old house or mill between Lock Haven and Keating but that was partly built by his hands.
As he grew up in years he became famous as a river pilot, and was counted one of the best on the river. During the last few years of his life he devoted most of his spare time to fishing, and was never so happy as when paddling his canoe on the river.
He was the father of a large family, all of whom he has gone to meet but three-two sons and one daughter. Durell and Allison Kryder are well known to many of your readers, while his only daughter is the wife of our late com- missioner, Wallace Gakle.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
PIONEER SCHOOLS .- "The first school house was built about the year 1830, It was built of logs, and within a few yards of the present school house, opposite Keating Station. John Rohn, Sr., was President; John Kryder, Secretary; and James Moore, Treasurer of the first Board of Directors. Robert Lusk, first Justice of the Peace, appointed and com- missioned by the Governor."
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