USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 107
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Bringing machinery with him, Mr. Shanks, in 1798, commenced the construction of a gristmill, and soon had it in operation. This was the first mill in Stony Creek township. Christian Shank, Jr., came to this county with his father. He remained a few years, then went to Canada. He served in the war of 1812, and afterward went to Ohio. His son Daniel was born in Canada in 1810, and came to this county when seven or eight years old. He was a minister of the United Brethren for a num- ber of years. He moved to Nebraska, his pres- ent home, in 1873. Daniel Shank married Eve Keller. Children : Charles, Alexander, Herman, David, Mary, Catharine and Sarah. Charles is a millwright. In 1871 he built the first planing-mill in Shanksville. It burned and was rebuilt in 1883. Herman works with his brother at the trade.
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STONY CREEK.
Christian Brant, the progenitor of the Brant family, removed from Dauphin county to Stony Creek township prior to 1795. He settled near the site of Shanksville, on the so-called Lazear farm. Mr. Brant and several of his neighbors were accustomed to go to Mercersburg to trade the skins of deer, bears and beavers for salt, flour and other provisions. On one of these trips he was taken ill and died suddenly. His children were: Christian, Abram, Samuel, Adam, George, Elizabeth (wife of Caspar Kel- ler) and Eve (wife of Jacob Keller). All are dead. Abram was an 1812 soldier. Adam was born in Dauphin county, in 1785, and died near Shanksville in 1847. He was a millwright, and worked at his trade for forty years in this county. He married Elizabeth Grove, and was the father of Jacob, Josiah, Chauncey A., Sarah (Lutz), deceased, Eliza (Keefer), Leah (Keefer), Susan (deceased) and Sophie. Josiah is the proprietor of the Glade House, Somerset.
Chauncey A. Brant, Esq., learned the saddler's trade in Stoystown, receiving two dollars and a half for eighteen months' work. Ten years later he worked eighteen months in Pittsburgh, and at the end of the time had twenty-two dol- lars clear of all expense. He has the first dollar (silver) that he earned (1847). Mr. Brant has been engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Shanksville since 1868. Prior to that time he had followed the saddlery business for sixteen years in this place. He was justice of the peace twenty years, and has held other im- portant township offices. Mr. Brant enlisted in August, 1862, and was discharged in May, 1865 ; he served as first sergeant in Co. D, 133d regt. Penn. Vols.
George Brant was born in Dauphin county, in 1792, and came to Somerset county. He also followed the business of a millwright. He died in Stony Creek township in 1860. He married Elizabeth Moyer. Children : David (deceased), Martin, John, Jefferson (deceased), Abram, Mary (Shank), Sarah (Switz) and Catharine. John and Jefferson served in the late war. Jefferson was killed at Fredericksburg. Martin Brant owns two steam sawmills, and is also a partner of Charles Shank in the ownership of a planing-mill.
James Ross, a Scotchman, was an early settler of this county. His sons were Michael, Joseph, Adam and John, all of whom are dead. Joseph was born in Stony Creek about 1795. He was a
carpenter, and died at the age of forty-four. Elizabeth Rush was the maiden name of his wife. Children : David, Ephraim and Julia A. (Boyer), living ; Sarah, Mary, Leah (Oldfather) and Elizabeth, deceased. David was born in this township in 1805, and is still living. He is a carpenter and began working at the trade when eighteen years of age. He married Sarah Ziegler, and is the father of Joseph, Jacob, Charles and Catharine. David Ross and his sons are the proprietors of a planing-mill in Shanksville, which they built in 1874. Jacob enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. D, 133d regt. Penn. Vols., and was discharged in June, 1863. Re-enlisting in Co. I, 52d regt. Penn. Vols., he was discharged in June, 1865. In his first en- listment he served as musician.
George Baltzer was born in Steinbaugh, Ger- many, in 1808, and came from the kingdom of Hesse to this country in 1821. He settled at Berlin, where he followed the tailor's trade. In 1833 he moved to Stony Creek, where he died in 1876. He married Mary Rayman. Children : Charles L., Edward, John (deceased), Simon, Sylvester, Catharine (Wilson), Elizabeth (Bald- win), Louisa (Stutzman) and Aquilla (Walker). John and Edward served in the late war. The former was in Co. H, 187th regt. Penn. Vcls., and was killed at Petersburg in June, 1864. Charles L. Baltzer has been in the mercantile business in Shanksville since 1862. He is the present postmaster, and was appointed in 1871.
Joseph Speicher came from York county to Brother's Valley about the close of the revolu- tion. He settled in Stony Creek early in the present century, built a gristmill, and for several years was engaged in milling. He moved to Conemaugh township and died. His children were Christian, Joseph, Jacob, Solomon, Tobias, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Solomon, the last survivor of the family, died in Stony Creek in 1882, aged eighty-two years. He married Elizabeth Blough, and was the father of Daniel, John, Henry, Joseph, Tobias (who died in the late war), Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Catharine. John, the second son of Joseph Speicher, Sr., has been living in Shanks- ville since 1847. He followed carpentry eighteen years, and is now leading a retired life.
John Ackerman came from Lancaster to Stoys- town about 1830, and for a number of years was engaged in blacksmithing. He afterward de- voted his attention to farming. He is now liv-
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HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
ing in Quemahoning township. His eldest son, L. C. Ackerman, has followed the saddler's trade in Stoystown, Somerset and Johnstown. In 1881 he engaged in his business at Shanks- ville. Mr. Ackerman was elected justice of the peace in 1880.
About 1830, Ezra Dunham came from Mercer county to Somerset county. He moved to Shade furnace about 1845, having contracted to sup- ply the furnace with ore. He was justice of the peace twenty years, and postmaster at Shade furnace several years. He died in Shade in 1870, aged seventy. He married Mrs. Mary Berkebile. Children : Azariah (dead), Samuel, Rosanna (dead) and Jane. Samuel enlisted in May, 1861, in Co. E, 54th regt. Penn. Vols., and was discharged in May, 1865. He was wounded in the right hand at Green Spring run. He was engaged in the mercantile business one year at Hillsboro', four years at Buckstown, four at Pine Mills, and since 1879 has followed the same pursuit at Shanksville.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSIAH J. WALKER.
George Walker, Sr., came from Germany about 1763 and settled in Brother's Valley town- ship. He was one of three who, in 1773, laid out Berlin. He met his death by accident while riding horseback. Among his children were Philip, Jacob, George, Peter and Frederick. George, Jr., lived in this township and followed the weaver's trade.
Jacob Walker was born in 1770, and died in Stark county, Ohio, in 1843. His wife, Catha- rine, also died in Stark county, Ohio, May 2, 1857, in her eighty-second year.
One of their sons, Jacob J. Walker, was born January 18, 1799, in Brother's Valley township, where he lived until 1832, when he moved to the farm now owned by his son Josiah J., where his death occurred in 1881. His wife, Catharine Walker, was born February 4, 1801, and died September 14, 1868. Both were members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of fourteen children, viz. : Samuel, who died in 1822; Moses (married Elizabeth Musser), Har- riet (Mrs. J. Spiker), deceased, Matilda (Mrs. B. Musser), Caroline (Mrs. T. Glessner), Elizabeth, first married to William Hunter and then
to John Spiker ; Dinah (Mrs. J. J. Glessner), Josiah J., Mary (Mrs. J. M. Glessner) ; Levi, married to Mary Zeigler ; Benjamin, died in infancy; Lavina (Mrs. Wm. M. Schrock); Alexander, married to Rosa Shaver ; Catharine (Mrs. A. Way).
February 15, 1855, Josiah J. Walker was mar ried to Eliza, daughter of John and Sarah Lutz. She died October 12, 1863, aged twenty-six years. The children of this union are as fol- lows: Augustus H., who married Lizzie Fornolt, who died in 1879-he resides in Stark county, Ohio; Edward A., married to Aquilla Boltzer ; Sidney A., who died June 26, 1862; Frances, at home.
January 21, 1864, he married Sarah J., daugh- ter of W. S. and Adeline Lorman. They have eleven children, viz. : Emma I., Mary C., Joseph, William C., Jacob J., George D., Charles F., Nellie E., Bruce E., Effie B. (died in infancy) and Louis.
After having worked his father's farm of four hundred and forty-eight acres for a few years subsequent to his first marriage, he in 1857 purchased it for sixty-five hundred dollars.
All but one thousand dollars given by his father, he paid in due course of time, and also added one hundred and twelve acres more. On this latter farm is a sawmill, known as the Walker mill. Mr. Walker now has fifteen hundred acres of fine farming land-one of the best farms in the county. A view of his resi- dence will be found on another page.
Mr. Walker now has two sawmills, a gristmill, and one-half interest in the Shanks- ville planing-mill. He is a man of much generosity and public spirit. His financial success evinces good business judgment. Religiously he is identified with the Lutheran church.
ALEXANDER WALKER.
Among the early settlers in this county was Jacob Walker, a native of Germany. His son Jacob was born in this county and died in Ohio. Jacob, son of Jacob Walker, Jr., was born in Summit township, Somerset county, in 1799. In 1832 he moved to Stony Creek township, where he died in 1881. He married Catharine Fritz, and was the father of twelve children : Moses, J. J., Levi, Alexander, Harriet (Speicher), Matilda (Musser), Caroline (Glessner), Elizabeth (Speicher), Dinah (Glessner), Mary (Glessner), Lavina (Schrock) and Catharine (Woy).
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CONEMAUGH.
Alexander Walker was born August 28, 1842, on the farm owned by Josiah Miller, in Stony Creek township. Raised on a farm, he has always followed this vocation. December 10, 1863, he was married to Rosa A., daughter of George and Sarah Shaver, of Somerset town- ship. They are the parents of nine children : Irving G., born August 28, 1864; Frank S., born August 20, 1866 ; Sidney A., born October 11, 1868 ; Minnie C., born January 10, 1871 ; Homer E., born July 2, 1873 ; Maggie, born February 17, 1876 ; Lizzie, born December 22, 1878 ; Emma J., born November 1, 1879 ; Ida, born April 21, 1882. When first married Mr. Walker farmed for three years on shares, and then, in 1868, purchased two hundred and seventy-eight acres of his father for six thousand dollars. He has improved the farm until its value is now doubled, and purchased enough land additional until he now has four hundred and thirty-eight acres. It contains an excellent sugar camp. A view of his residence is pre- sented to our readers on another page. The farm is underlaid with coal and limestone. He makes a specialty of stock-raising.
Mr. Walker is numbered among the success- ful and progressive agriculturists of this town- ship.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker and three of their children are members of the Lutheran church.
CHAPTER LXIV. CONEMAUGH.
The First Settlers- Joseph Buck, the Pioneer -His Adventuree with the Indians- A Successful Ruse to Escape Scalping - Family Sketches - Mills - Mineral Resources of the Town- ship - Davidsville - Founded in 1881 - History of the Village - Various Churches.
C YONEMAUGH township was organized in February, 1801. The name is of Indian origin. The first township election was held at the house of Jacob Miltenberger, on the farm now owned by Daniel Hershberger. Later Joseph Yoder's house was the voting-place. Afterward Davidsville became the place of meeting.
Among the first settlers in the township were Joseph Buck, Joseph Blough, Peter Blough, Henry Hershberger, Philip Croyle, Christian Miller and John Mishler. The township was peopled slowly, but of late years has made rapid
progress. The people of Conemaugh did not see fit to adopt the free-school system until 1865. Since that time the cause of education has made rapid advancement.
List of taxable inhabitants in 1823 : John Alwine, Jac. Brubaker, Dav. Blough, John Blough, John Brown, Peter Berkey (gristmill and sawmill), Philip Croyle, John Croyle (grist- mill, sawmill and still), Henry Croyle, Dav. Christner, John Conrad, Jac. Eash ; Chris. Eash, weaver ; Chris. Eash, Dan. Hershberger, Peter Hostetler, Irwin Hirvell (forge), John Garver ; Jac. Kauffman, wagoner ; Jac. Kauffman, wea- ver ; Sol. Kauffman ; Chris. Kauffman, minister ; Benj. Kauffman ; John Kauffman, blacksmith ; Fred. Kustard, John Lehman, Peter Lehman, Christley Lehman, Isaac Lehman (oilmill), Dav. Leviston ; John Lyberger, blacksmith ; Joseph Lehman, blacksmith ; Chris. Mishler, Sam. Mishler, John Mishler, John Mildenberger, John McCracken ; Tobias Miller, distiller ; Hen- ry Miller, Chris. Muller, Sr., Chris. Miller, Jr., Chris. Nixley ; Jac. Reed, shoemaker ; Garrett Ream (sawmill and carding-mill), John Sala, Dav. Stutzman ; Christley Summer, cooper and distiller ; Nathan Smiley, Mich. Shoup, Jos. Schoutz, Geo. Thomas, Godfrey Theobald, Chris. Weaver, Dav. Weaver, Abr. Weaver, Jac. Wingard, Jos. Wingard, Jas. Walker, Robt. Wilson, Jos. Yoder (still), Jos. Yoder (of C.), Wm. Jonas.
Single freemen : Chris. Miller, John Mishler, Jas. Walker, Wm. Jonas ; Chris. Summer, cooper ; Jos. Lehman, blacksmith.
Joseph Buck was one of the first pioneers of the northern part of the county. In 1790 he purchased a tract of land, warranted under the name "Sportsman's Hall," for eleven pounds three shillings and sixpence. Tradition states that Buck, while pretending to be friendly to the Indians, was in reality their most bitter enemy. It is said that he shot many an Indian secretly, but, concealing the deed, managed to keep on friendly terms with the rest. On one occasion he was hunting deer, and after follow- ing up the "lick " for some distance, suddenly came in sight of a deer, and further on in the same range was an Indian. Buck fired and killed both. Knowing what his own fate would be if the murder of the Indian was discovered, he secreted the body as best he could and has- tened home. Arriving there, he at once caught a hen and cut off its head, then taking a cloth
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HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
and wetting it with the blood, he wrapped it around his foot and went to bed. Soon after, some Indians came to the door and asked Mrs. Buck where her husband was. She replied, " He is upstairs in bed ; he has cut his foot dreadfully." The Indians at once ascended the stairs, shook hands with Buck, and spoke pity- ingly of his unfortunate accident. Buck told them of his morning's hunt, and where they would find the deer which he had shot. Of course he said nothing about the dead Indian. The red men volunteered to go and bring home the deer for him ; and this they actually did, being glad to render him a favor.
The Buck farm was occupied by Nicholas Keim after Buck left it. Subsequently it came into the hands of Christian Hershberger, who sold it to Godfrey Austead, whose son, Adam, now owns it. Godfrey Austead was born in Germany, in 1797, and came to America in 1829. He died in 1881. His wife was Barbara Yocum, and their children were : Adam, Godfrey and Henry, living ; Mary (Leffler), Catharine and Rachel, deceased. Mrs. Austead is living with her son, Adam, on the homestead. She is now eighty-nine years old. Adam served in the late war. In 1866 he purchased the farm of his father.
Many years ago there was a distillery on the Austead farm, to which the men for miles around were accustomed to resort. It was a general custom to pitch horseshoes at a peg for the drinks. The winner always received a tin cup full of whisky, which he frequently drained at a single draft. . In early times no entertainment was considered complete unless the host furnished generous quantities of liquor to all his guests. Drinking was far more uni- versal then than at present. Men of the high- est social standing, and even ministers of the gospel, were accustomed to indulge in stimu- lants.
Robert Croyle came from Bedford county, and was an early settler in the northern part of Conemaugh township. He died aged eighty- eight. His son Henry was born in this town- ship, and lived and died on the farm now owned by Mrs. Samuel Croyle. Henry married Eve Berkebile, and was the father of Jacob, Aaron, Moses, John, George (deceased), Philip (deceased), Archibald, David (deceased), Eliza- beth (Rose), Mary (deceased), Abbie Ann (Encyco), Hattie (Shatto), deceased, Louisa
(Berkebile) and Susan (Potter). George Croyle was born in Cambria county, and early in life married and settled on Mill creek, in Yoder township. In the time of the war he enlisted and gave his life to his country's service. His son Robert now lives in Conemaugh township, and carries on the farm of Mrs. Samuel Croyle.
Henry Hershberger was one of the early set- tlers of Conemaugh, and cleared and improved a farm in the southern part of the township, where his descendants still live. He died in 1871, at the age of eighty-nine. He married Mary Blough, and was the father of Henry, Jonas (deceased), John, Daniel (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Fanny, Nancy and Sally. Daniel, after the death of his father, lived on the old homestead until 1867, when he died His widow now owns the farm, which is carried on by her son Cyrus. The place consists of one hundred and sixty-two acres, in a good state of cultivation.
Isaac Kauffman was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. His grandfather Stephen and three brothers came from Germany in 1788, and settled in Berks county. Stephen's son Jacob, father of Isaac, was born in 1751. In 1807 Jacob came to Somerset county. Jacob raised a family of eight children. He died in 1844, aged ninety-three years. Isaac was married, in 1829, to Polly Lehman, and they have twelve children. On his marriage he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land, to which he made additions, until he has sixteen hundred acres in a body. As a financier he has been quite successful, his estate being now worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, before he, in 1881, gave his children one hundred thousand dollars. He is a member of the Amish church.
Jacob Yoder, a native of Germany, was an early settler, and passed his days on a farm near Berlin, in this county, His son Joseph came to Conemaugh township in 1809, having purchased from his father a farm of two hun- dred acres, formerly owned by Samuel Speicher. He was engaged in distilling between the years 1828 and 1845. He died in 1852. His wife was Elizabeth Speicher, and their children were Tobias (deceased), Joseph, Jacob, Elizabeth (Kauffman), Isaac and Levi. Levi Yoder bought the homestead farm of his father, in 1849. He owns seven hundred and fifty acres of land. Mr. Yoder has been school-director, and has held other local offices.
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CONEMAUGH.
The Lohrs were among the first settlers of Quemahoning township. Jacob passed the most of his life in that township. He was the father of Samuel, Michael, Joseph, George, Valentine, Jacob, Elizabeth (Witt) and Rebecca (Horner). Valentine, Joseph, George and Jacob served in the late war. Michael Lohr settled in Conemaugh in 1861 ; rented a farm on which he resided until 1871, when he removed to Davidsville, where he now resides. In 1879 his son, Jacob M. Lohr, purchased the farm, which his father had rented, of Jacob Kauffman. He has already made ex- tensive improvements, having erected a new house in 1881 and started a steam sawmill in 1882
Jacob Blough, one of the first settlers of Cone- maugh township, came from Germany when young, and purchased of Thomas Vickroy, of Bedford county, a farm about two miles from Davidsville. He died in 1811. His children were Christian, John, Jacob, Henry, David, Barbara (Saylor), Anna (Keim), Fannie (Berkey) and Mary (Hershberger).
Jacob Blough, son of Jacob, settled in Cone- maugh township early in life, and purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres in the southern part of the township. In 1827 he sold one hundred and twenty-five acres to Yost Blough. The remainder he farmed until his death in 1850. He was a Mennonite, and was the first preacher of that denomination ever in this township. He married Katie Saylor and reared ten children : Jacob (deceased), John, Christian (deceased), Henry, Abraham, Katie (Alwine) deceased, Anna (Ream), Barbara (Speicher), Fannie (Hershberger) and Mary (Kauffman).
Abraham Blough, born on the old homestead of his father in 1814, has constantly resided here, and has witnessed the gradual transforma- tion of the country from a wilderness to its present populous and prosperous condition. His son, Abraham, Jr., lives with him, and is a car- penter by trade and a school teacher by profes- sion, working at the former avocation in sum- mer and at the latter in winter.
David B. Wilson is a native of Scotland and came to America in 1887, at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Wilson's father came to this country in 1856 and settled in Johnstown, where he still resides. He is now eighty years of age. D. B. Wilson came to Conemaugh in 1866, and in 1868 purchased the farm on which he now lives. In 1866 he and J. J. Mishler erected a sawmill
upon the farm. In 1871 Mr. Wilson sold out and moved to Bedford. In 1877 he repurchased the farm at sheriff's sale and now lives upon it. Mr. Wilson served in Co. G, 11th Penn. Cav., from October, 1862, until August, 1865.
David B. Wertz is living on a farm which he purchased of his father about twelve years ago.
The first gristmill and sawmill in Conemaugh were erected by Philip Croyle on his farm in the northern part of the township. The township contains valuable quantities of coal, iron ore and limestone, but as yet there has been no development of these products except for local use.
DAVIDSVILLE.
This village was laid out by David Stutzman in the year 1881. Thomas Gaghegan was the surveyor. Stutzman was not considered suffi- ciently euphonious as a name for the village, therefore it was called Davidsville, after the first name of its founder. The first house was erected by Joseph Schell and Peter Levy in 1881. It is still in good condition. It is now owned by Josiah Swank and occupied by his son, Jacob D. Swank, Esq. For many years this house served both as a store and a hotel. The first blacksmithshop was built by Tobias Mishler and Samuel Livingstone about 1832. It was torn away long since and replaced by another, which is now occupied by Ephraim Swank. The first schoolhouse in Davidsville was a log build- ing, erected about 1835. It is still standing, and is occasionally used by the Reformed con- gregation as a place for public worship. A new schoolhouse was erected near the village in 1879 at a cost of three hundred and seventy-five dol- lars. A tannery was started in Davidsville in 1862 by Josiah Swank. The building was burned in 1882, and has not been rebuilt. In 1888 the following were the industries of the village of Davidsville: Two general stores, one grocery, one blacksmithshop, one wagonshop, two shoemakers' shops, one saddler's shop, one tannery and one hotel.
Peter Levy, the oldest man in Conemaugh township, resides at Davidsville, and is smart and active, although eighty-nine years of age. He followed surveying for about fifty years. Mr. Levy assisted Joseph Schell in erecting the first house in Davidsville. His wife, Mary, is seventy-nine years of age.
Samuel Swank was born near Frieden's, Som- erset township, in 1800. He died in 1875. His
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children were : Josiah, Noah, Jacob, Jeremiah, John, Samuel (deceased), Hiram, Daniel, Tilden, Charles, Mary (Hoover), Eliza (Berkey), Susan (Washer) and Lavina. Josiah Swank came to Davidsville about 1848, and worked at the pot- ter's trade about five years. He next engaged in keeping hotel for about the same length of time. For twenty-two years he was engaged in carrying on a tannery. He is now keeping hotel in Johnstown. His son, Jacob D. Swank, Esq., resides at Davidsville, his native place, and fol- lows the trade of watchmaker. He has served as justice of the peace since 1878.
August Koehler, a native of Germany, emi- grated to America in 1852. He at first engaged in mining in Carbon county, thence removed to Montour county, and from that county to Johns- town, Cambria county. In 1870 Mr. Koehler came to Davidsville, and engaged in hotelkeep- ing, his present occupation. Besides his hotel property, he owns a farm of three hundred and thirty-six acres, over two hundred acres of which are cleared, situated in Conemaugh township.
CHURCHES.
The Lutheran church, at Davidsville, was or- ganized in 1852, and a house of worship erected the same year. The church is a frame building, 35 X 45 feet, and cost eleven hundred dollars. The present membership is about forty. The first pastor was Rev. J. K. Bricker. The first officers of the congregation were : Joseph Hoff- man and Henry Umburn, elders ; Daniel Hoff- man and Daniel Border, deacons.
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