History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 109
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 109
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

December 31, 1871, he was married to Eliza, daughter of Jacob L. Miller, who was born in 1850. They are the parents of two chil- dren, Anna and Mary. Mrs. Whipkey is a member of the Brethren church, and Mr. Whipkey of the Lutheran church.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

581

SHADE.

The remains of an old breastwork, or rude fortification, are still visible in the southwestern part of the township. It is supposed that this work was erected by Forbes' army, which per- haps encamped here during the expedition of 1758.

The following is the list of resident taxpayers of Shade township, in 1816, according to the duplicate returned by Sam. Gelbraith, assessor. Where the name of the occupation is not given, it is to be understood that the person named is a farmer.

Ph. Baker & Bro. (grist and saw mill), Peter Bayer, Jac. Brollier (carpenter), Adley Brown, Wm. Buchanan, John Custard, Alex. Custard, Nich. Coleman, Sam. Clark, Jac. Cable, Chris. Cable, Henry Croyle, Helfrey Deal, Henry Deal, Pat. Demsey, Jas. Fracur, Geo. Frey, Sr. (distiller), Geo. Frey, Jr., Chris. Frey, John Fyock, Martin Fisher, Dav. Fyock, John Frey, Geo. Gring, John Gibler, Sam. Gelbreath (tan- ner), Sam. Gaghegan, Jac. Glessner, Jac. Hel- man, Dan. Helman, Henry Hummel, Ph. Huff- man (weaver), Jac. Huffman, Caspar Keller, Ph. Kocher, Geo. Lambert (sawmill and eleven hundred and forty-six acres of land), Ph. Ling (distiller), Chris. Ling, Henry Leech, Geo. Lape, Dav. Livingston (grist and saw mill), Jac. Lend, Henry Lear, John Lam- bert, Jas. McAlea (weaver), Wm. Miller, Peter Miller (blacksmith), Jac. Moses, Jac. Murray, Geo. Messabaugh, Dan. McAffee (fuller), Mich. Peterman, Jac. Perkepile, Andrew Perkepile (tavern), Geo. Perkepile, Conrad Piper, Widow Paul, Wm. Perkepile (blacksmith), Jesse Ring- ler, John Reese, Nich. Raymer, John Ripple, Nich. Ripple, Lewis Sutter, Conrad Seese, John Statler (tavern and eight hundred and three acres of land), Sam. Statler (sawmill), Dav. Shrader (joiner), Mich. Summers, Mel- choir Seese, John Stump, Emanuel Statler (tavern), Dan. Server (tavern), George Stauf- fer, Henry Stauffer (schoolmaster), Chris- topher Speght, Andrew Speght, Geo. Sala (blacksmith), Chris. Miller, Jos. Troyer, Henry Troyer, Thos. Vickroy, John Weible, Isaac Wendle, Mich. Waggoner (distiller), Geo. Will- iams, Dan. Wambler (millwright), Mich. Wol- ford, Widow Wolford, John Wertz (blacksmith), Alex. Welker, John Wilt, John Yingling.

Single freemen : Jac. Bettel, Jac. Lambert (blacksmith), John Stump, Geo. Stump, Dan. Leech, Chris. Brollier (miller), Jas. Walker,

John Wolford, Jac. Wolford, Peter Short, Jac. Messabaugh, John Seese, Dan. Helman, Chris. Dick, Robt. Buchanan, Sam. Brant, Fred. Hel- man, John Clark.

The early settlers had many customs and social gatherings, which the rapid advancement of later years has entirely obliterated. No one now hears of " frolics," whereas formerly every species of farm labor was performed by means of such gatherings. The harvesting, when all grain was cut with sickles, was an especially busy season with farmers. But all the settlers of a neighborhood, men, women, boys and girls, were accustomed to meet, and attack the ripest field in the settlement, proceeding from one farm to another until all the grain had been reaped and bound. Whisky was used very freely among the men, and sometimes some sturdy youths who thought they could work better by taking large drinks found themselves mastered and fell by the wayside, out of the race.

David Rodgers was born in Scotland, in 1801, He emigrated to this country, and settled in this township, in 1820. He was captain of a company of militia for a number of years. Mr. Rodgers was the first man in Shade to agi- tate the subject of free schools, and did much to promote their establishment here. He was a member of the school board for twenty-nine years. He is still a resident of the township. Mr. Rodgers married Susan Wolford for his first wife, and for his second, Mrs. Susan Cable. Children : John, Chauncy, Robert, Nelson and Agnes, deceased ; Charles, James, William, David, Elmer, Franklin, Catharine (Layton) and Elizabeth (Cable). William and Franklin enlisted in August, 1862, and served until June, 1865, and William was confined in Libby prison for three weeks. William is living on one of his father's farms in this township. The re- mainder of the sons reside in different parts of the county.

The first sawmill in the northeastern part of Shade township was built by William Oldham in 1880. He did all the work with a broadax, using no sawed timber or boards in its construc- tion. One of the first gristmills in the town- ship was the Shade Furnace mill. William Old- ham built a gristmill in 1838. He also built the Rockingham furnace, the second in the town- ship, in 1841.

Mr. Oldham moved to the township in 1827. At that time every aspect of the surrounding

Digitized by

Google

532

HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

country was exceedingly wild; there were no public roads ; the nearest neighbor lived six miles distant ; school and church were eight miles away. Mr. Oldham was an expert hunter and captured many bears and wolves. He once shot seven wolves in one day. After killing six, he took a torch, went into the den of the wolves, drove out the seventh and shot it. Mr. Oldham and a neighbor once killed nine deer in one day. On one occasion he saw a large black bear in the woods. Creeping within ten rods of it, he leveled his rifle and fired. The bear ran directly toward the hunter and went several rods past him. Then turning sharply around, he came again toward Mr. Oldham, who ran to climb a tree. Just as the bear came up to the tree he dropped down dead, greatly to the relief of Mr. Oldham.

The oldest men in Shade township are Jona- than Wagner and Jacob Berkebile. Both were born in 1799, the former in this township. Mr. Berkebile was born in Berlin and removed to this township when eleven years of age. His father, Jacob Berkebile, came from York county to Somerset county about 1795.

This township contains considerable coal of a good quality. Enough is mined to supply the home demand, as well as to furnish the inhabi- tants of the western portion of Bedford county with fuel. Shade furnace was one of the few important industries carried on in this town- ship. It was the first furnace in Somerset county. While the business lasted it furnished employment to many persons, and was a public benefit. All the managers found the business unprofitable, and nearly all failed. The furnace was built by Gerhart & Reynolds, about 1808. It stood about forty rods below the junction of Clear Shade and Dark Shade creeks. A forge, operated in connection with the furnace, stood about three-fourths of a mile further down the stream. Gerhart & Reynolds becoming involved, their furnace and lease were sold by the sheriff, and Charles Ogle and Peter Kimmel, of Somer- set county, became the owners. They were succeeded by Thomas Gaghegan, and he by a Mr. Dunlap. The property then reverted to Thomas Vickroy, the owner of the land. He sold the furnace in 1819 to Mark Richards, Anthony S. Earl and Benjamin Johns, of .New Jersey, who operated the works until 1850, and from that date until the close, in 1858, they were operated at intervals by different parties.

A gristmill, which was probably the second in the township, was built by the Shade Fur- nace Company in 1822.' George Fry built and operated the first distillery in the township, near Hooversville, prior to 1800. The first school in the township was tanght by William Newell, on the Caspar Statler farm. The Rock- ingham furnace, built on Shade creek in 1844, was subsequently owned by John Foust and Custer & Little.

CHURCHES.

Reformed and Lutheran .- Shade Reformed and Lutheran church, a part of the Hooversville charge, was organized by Rev. Hoyer in 1835. There had been preaching for some years prior to the organization of the congregation. A house of worship was erected about 1823, which, renovated and repaired, is still in use. Rev. Schmucker was the preacher at the time the church was built. He was succeeded by Revs. Heilig, Reager, Hoyer, George Butler, J. B. Lawson, J. K. Bricker, J. Beaver, J. K. Bricker, J. B. Crist, A. R. Height, J. K. Bricker, R. Smith, J. H. Walterick, J. L. Miller, J. B. Shoup and J. N. Unruh.

Among those who looked after religious inter- ests prior to the organization of a congregation were Hon. John Statler, Jacob Moses, Samuel and Frederick Statler. The original members were Joseph, Samuel and Philip Ling, Peter Statler, John Wagner, Jerret Ling, Elizabeth Gibbler, Rosanna and Sarah Statler, Hannah Gibbler, Elizabeth Wisker and Elizabeth Ling.

The present membership of the church is one hundred and thirty-seven ; sabbath school, one hundred. The present church is joint Lutheran and Reformed. The Lutherans intend soon to build a new church.

Lutheran .- Graef's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized with twenty-four members on May 24, 1871, by Rev. J. Tomlinson. John Graef and Philip Reitz were chosen elders, and Anthony Wechtenhiser and Harrison T. Lohr, deacons. Rev. J. K. Bricker, the first pastor, was succeeded by Revs. R. Smith, J. H. Walterick, J. L. Miller, J. C. Shoup and J. N. Unruh. The church was erected in 1871 at a cost of sixteen hundred and fifty dollars. There are at present ninety-nine church members and eighty sabbath-school scholars.

United Brethren .- Otterbein United Brethren church, Shade township, was organized in 1858 by Rev. Daniel Shank. The first members were

Digitized by Google

GEORGE DUMBAULD.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE DUMBAULD.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by Google

533

MİLFORD.

Joseph Lohr, Conrad Moyer and wife, Benj. Lape and wife, Henry Lohr, Ephraim Lohr and wife, Jacob Dull and wife, John Wagner and wife, Austin Lohr and wife, Pierce Lohr and wife, and Adam Berkebile and wife. For list of pastors see history of Bethel United Brethren church, Paint township. The house of worship was erected in 1871, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The church now numbers ninety mem- bers and is out of debt.

Evangelical Association .- Salem church, of the Evangelical Association, was probably organized about 1843, either by Rev. S. B. Kring or J. Dick. In the absence of records a satisfactory history cannot be obtained. Among the first members were Daniel and Adam Sorber and others. The pastors have been Revs. S. B. Kring, J. Dick, William Stull, T. Eisenheim, F. P. Saylor, E. C. Martin, J. F. Striger, J. Portch and A. S. Baumgardner. The church cost twelve hundred dollars. It was remodeled in 1874-5. The present number of members is thirty-three ; sabbath-school scholars, thirty- three.

Mount Tabor church of the Evangelical Asso- ciation was formerly a part of the Bedford county charge. There are no records of its organization in the hands of the present pastor. It has a membership of thirty. A church edifice was erected under the labors of Rev. J. Portch in 1880-1, at a cost of two thousand dollars.

German Baptist .- The German Baptists, or Brethren, of Shade, organized a church of thirty members in 1851. The first meeting-house was built in 1858. There are now three meeting- houses and one hundred and fifty members in the district, a portion of which is in Cambria county. Bishop, J. Berkey ; ministers, J. Hol- sopple, H. Musselman, Peter Statler, Peter Knabel, Joseph Burkhart.

Disciples .- The Disciples' church, in the northwest portion of Shade township, was organ- ized by Rev. Chauncy Forward in 1849. Among the original members were Ezra Dunham, Samuel Hunter, John and Jacob Berkebile, George W. Clark, and their families. The pastors have been Revs. Forward, James Lan- phere, L. R. Norton, James Piatt, James Darsie and the present pastor, N. S. McCollum. The house of worship was erected in 1855, at a cost of seven hundred dollars. The present member- ship of the church is thirty-five ; sabbath school, sixty. The financial standing is good.

Lambert Chapel Disciples' church was organ ized in 1870, by Rev. Edward Bevins. Among the first members were Samuel Fleegle and wife, D. C. Lambert and wife, Joseph Lambert and wife, Mr. Small and wife. The pastors have been Revs. Edward Bevins, James Darsie and N. S. McCollum. The house of worship was erected in 1882, at a cost of one thousand dol- lars. The congregation is out of debt. Mem- bership of the church, fifty ; sabbath school, fifty.

CHAPTER LXVII. MILFORD.

Township Organization -- Progressive and Prosperous Farmers - Taxpayers in 1796 - Pioneer Settlers - Experiences, Aneo- dotes and Adventures- Hard Times - Early Manufactures- Rockwood - The Rapid Growth of an Industrious and Thrifty Village - New Centreville Borough - A Quiet and Pleasant Town -Gebhartsburg -Churches and Schools.

r THIS township probably contained several settlers during the time of the revolution- ary war. At the beginning of the present century many farms had been improved, and the settlement was fairly prosperous. From that day until the present there has been a con- stant and steady increase in wealth and popu- lation. Today no township in Somerset county equals Milford in agricultural importance. Beautiful farms adorned with elegant and costly buildings ; neatly fenced, fertile and well-kept fields ; orchards and green woodlands greet the eye on every side, affording a rich and pleasing landscape. The farmers of Milford are indus- trious and progressive. They are awake to the value of modern improvements and wisely adopt every idea which is calculated to advance their interests.

The soil is fertile and productive. The peo- ple are prosperous and contented, thrifty and intelligent. They do not devote all their time and attention to the study of the art of money- getting, but find opportunities for self-culture. Not many years ago it was rare that farmers had libraries. They took a newspaper or two and had a few old books about the house. To- day, many have choice and valuable collections of books, representing the best in ancient and modern literature, and standard periodicals are regular visitors in their homes. Nine churches and twelve schoolhouses embraced in the town-

Digitized by

Google

534

HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

ship and villages of Milford bear eloquent testi- mony respecting the people of the township and their position with regard to religious and educational interests. Two prosperous towns peopled by as wide awake and energetic citizens as ever blessed a community by their presence are included within the territory of Milford township. But we must leave the present and traverse the past in order to show who have been instrumental in effecting the prosperity which now exists.

The following is a copy of the tax-list of Mil- ford township for 1796, and shows the names of the resident taxables of at least one-sixth of Somerset county :

Adam Adams, Sr., Ludwick Flick, Adam Flick,

Christian Ankeny,

George Ankeny,

John Fisher,

David Ankeny,

Hugh Fulton,

Henry Ankeny,

Conrod Frank,

Adam Adams,

Samuel Friend,

Henry Atherton,

Jacob Feathers, Peter Friedline, George Friedline,

John Althouse,

Peter Ankeny,

John Armstrong,

George Ankeny,

Isaac Allen,

Christian Ankeny,

George Ankeny,

Enoch Abrams,

Jacob Barkman,

Henry Bruner, Paul Barnet,

Henry Grove,

Adam Nigh,

Joseph Brindle,

Jacob Brindle, Archebald Bole, Jacob Barnharm, Sr., William Brook, William Bean,

Mathias Goshett,

Peter Garey,

Frederick Hensel,

George Henry,

John Herring,

Ludwick Hart,

Casper Harbaugh,

Casper Pyle,

Jacob Pyle,

Francis Phillippi,

David Penrod,

Moses Packer,

William Pergher,

Thomas Wright, Samuel Wright, Philip Wallick, Jacob Wimer, John Wagoner, James Wilson,

George Burcher, Richard Brown, Samuel Benford, John Biddle, Thomas Cox,

Walter Hews, Jacob Hoover,

Alexander Holmes,

Peter Copp,

Adam Carrup, Jacob Cox,

Jacob Heighler,

Henry Crossen,

Robert Cox, John Corpenning, William Crichfield,

William Mason Jomes, William Jones, Thomas Jolly,

Nathan Justice, Casper Kroop, Jonas Kline, John Kooser, Herman Krileigh,

George King, Ludwick Keighler, Adam Koondle, George Kinder,

William King,

Philip King, Esq., Michael King, Jacob Knable, Casper Kitsmiller, John Koons,

David Kimmell, Adam Keffer, Mary Kooser, Conrod Kizer, John Lower,

Jacob Lenhart,

Jacob Lamer,

Widow Logwood,

Henry Laymer,

Henry Lint,

John Leech,

Christian Lint,

Gillian Lighteberger,

Jacob Loury, Hugh Linn, Frederick Long,

Jacob Miller,

John Miller (distiller), Jeremiah Miller,

Frederick Mitchell, Robert McConnell, Samuel Morrison, John Marteeny,

William McCarty,

John Miller, Jr., John Miller, Sr., Peter Moneigh, Daniel Moore, Peter Millhouse, Abraham Miller, William McDemmit,

Michael Tedrow, Jr.,

Reuben Tedrow, Michael Tedrow, Sr.,

Yost Teats, George Thom,

Henry Tarr, George Tedrow, Mathias Tern,

Abraham Nafe,

Henry Omvake,

Christian Umburn,

Andrew Oyler, John Oyler,

Rudolph Urich, Thomas Vandoren,

Martin Philips, George Philips, Jr., Frederick Pitcher, Sr.,

John Winer, Jr., John Whip, Henry Whip,

Conrod Beemer, Jacob Baker, Abraham Brand, Peter Bolon,

Jacob Harbaugh, Nicholas Hull,

Jacob Haynes,

Andrew Hemminger, John Hemminger, Simon Hogh,

Peter Putman, Sarah Penrod, Isaac Penrod, George Pritts,

Michael Wagoner,

Samuel Pritts,

Andrew Putman, Michael Pyle,

John Rone, George Ray, William Rambow,

James Wells, Esq.,

Moses Rambow, George Rhoads, . Cornelius Riley.

George Young, Ludwick Young,

Christian Rice,

Gillian Gary, collector. Amount of tax collected, five hundred and forty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. Total valuation, real and personal, one hun- dred and eight thousand nine hundred and twenty- six dollara

Digitized by

Google

Joseph Riley, Stephen Riley, Michael Stoutenhour, Chreshom Speight, Henry Shaver, Jr., John Sitton, Jacob Shaver, Michael Shultz, Michael Stern, John Shout, Jacob Shaver, Theabold Snyder,

David Stutzman, Henry Shaver, John Singleton, Rudolph Siyers, Jacob Snyder, Sr.,

Abraham Stooky, John Shofe, Christopher Spight, John Seighman, Michael Sanders, Henry Soloman, Benjamin Stiera, William Sibert, Jacob Snyder, Jacob Switzer, Adam Stull, William Sample, Jacob Swartz, John Stickel, Henry Stall, Nicholas Switzer, George Sample,

James Allen,

Ludwick Friedline, Ludwick Fisher, Joseph Francis, George Friend,

William Findly, James Fulton, John Gross,

Henry Grindle,

John Grindle,

Gutleip Mittock,

John Gephart,

Jacob Gushwa,

David Griffith,

Daniel Bear,

Nicholas Parrone, John Pyle,

Jacob Williard, John Wimer, Sr., Henry Weimer, David Weimer,

Andrew Baker, Benjamin Brown, James Black, Jacob Bonnet,

George Hitler, Peter Hess,

Jehue Jones, David Jones,

Thomas Wilson, Abraham Whipky, Jacob Weldy, Michael Weldy, George Wimer, David Wright,

Jacob Young, Jr.,

Adam Creamer, John Campbell, John Dull, John Driver, Ezekiah Driver, Nathaniel Davis, Joseph Douglas, Thomas Faith, Abraham Faith,

Thomas McCall, George McCall.

Samuel Barclay

SAMUEL BARCLAY.

The Barclays emigrated from Germany at an early day and settled in York county, Pennsylvania. They subsequently emigrated to Somerset county about 1790, where the grandfather of the subject of this sketch purchased a tract of land in Allegheny township, now owned by Abraham Miller. He had a family of seven sons and four daughters. One of his sons, George, purchased a farm adjoining the old homestead where he remained until his death in 1859, when in his seventy-seventh year. He married Catharine Barron, who died one year prior to her husband, while in her sixty-sixth year. They became the parents of five children-three sons and two daughters. One of the sons, Samuel Barclay, was born July 1, 1815. He was reared on a farm and early taught habits of industry which he has exercised during his long and successful life. March 23, 1838, he was married to Sarah Miller, and the following April removed to the farm called "Sand Spring," of two hundred and twenty-two acres, where Mr. Barclay now resides, in Milford township. This farm was ultimately paid for and other farms purchased and disposed of, but Mr. Barclay now pos- Besses several farms aggregating eight hundred acres in this county, also six hundred acres in the western states. He has always been accounted as one of the best and most successful farmers in the county, being ever ready to avail himself of improved methods of

husbandry, and by so doing has been enabled to rank among the foremost agriculturists. He has always taken great interest in breeding fine stock, both horses and cattle. In 1859 he imported short-horned cattle from Kentucky and from other states at various times, and has done much to improve the stock, rank- ing among the first in the county in so doing. He raised the celebrated "centennial steer," the largest in the United States, if not in the world; his weight being four thousand seven hundred and forty pounds. This monstrous animal was exhibited at Philadelphia during the centennial in 1876, and its prodigious size excited universal admiration. In the raising of mam- moth stock he has excelled, for among others sold to Lancaster county parties were two head of short-horns that aggregated four thousand two hundred and forty pounds; said to be the best stock brought to that county from Western Pennsylvania. He now has a steer that weighs twenty-nine hundred pounds, which shows conclusively that breeding good stock pays.

In addition to farming he has operated quite exten- sively as a drover. He has settled several quite large estates satisfactorily. Politically he affiliates with the republican party. His first wife, by whom he had three children-Abraham (deceased), Simon P. and Susan-died in 1852, in her thirty-fifth year. He mar- ried, for his second wife, Mrs. Catharine Walker, née Miss Coleman, and they have one son, Silas A.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by Google

535

MILFORD.

According to the tax-list of 1796, the follow- ing persons in Milford township pursued other occupations than farming : Christian Ankeny, gristmill and sawmill; David Jones, sawmill ; Ph. King, gristmill and sawmill, Jos. Douglas, blacksmith ; John Sutton, weaver; Gottlieb Mittag, joiner ; Fred Hensel, cordwainer ; Dan. Moore, tavern ; Abr. Neff, tavern ; Henry Sha- ver, tavern ; Wm. Jones, tavern ; Conrad Beemer, tavern; Peter Copp, storekeeper; Nath'l Davis, storekeeper; Adam Kreemer, blacksmith ; John Miller, Jr., blacksmith ; Paul Barnett, fuller ; John Herring, blacksmith; Chris. Umburn, potter ; Benj. Brown, tailor ; Geo. Tedrow, tanner ; Abr. Miller, tanner ; Rudolph Oyrey, clockmaker ; Thos. Van Doran, mason ; Wm. Jones, mason ; John Marteny, joiner ; Jac. Harbaugh, carpenter ; Ph. Wallick, millwright ; Jac. Kneble, blacksmith, Dan. Moore, weaver ; Chris. Speight, blacksmith ; John Waggoner, basketmaker.

More than a hundred years before the present date (1883), James Wilson executed a cabin on a tract of land about two and one-half miles east of the present town of Rockwood. Quite probably he was the first permanent settler in the township. Wilson had a sawmill on his farm, which was the first manufactory in the township. Other early settlers were : Peter Bowlin, George Enos, U. N. Nicholson, Jacob Snyder, Jacob Weimer, William Critchfield, John Dull, Frederick Weimer, Francis Phillippi and others. The first township election was held at the house of John Shaff.

William Critchfield was one of the first set- tlers of this township, and experienced his share of pioneer hardships. He lived upon the farm where Shamrock station now is. The farm, which has never been out of the family name, is now owned by his grandson, James. John Critchfield, son of William, was born in Mil- ford township in 1791. In 1821 he erected, on the farm above mentioned, a carding-mill, and the following year he built an oilmifl, the only one ever erected in Milford. About 1830 he purchased of George Ankeny six hundred acres of land, upon which two sawmills and a grist- mill had previously been erected. About ten years later he purchased of Ankeny six hundred acres of timber land and a sawmill. This land has since been cut up into several farms. John Critchfield died in 1879. He married Susanna Baker, and his children were : Jacob, Samuel,

James, Sarah (Weller), Phæbe (Schrock), de- ceased, Mary (Kuhns) and Louisa (Shaff).

Jacob, a prominent citizen and a son of John Critchfield, bought two hundred and fifty acres of his father, in 1858, for three thousand dollars. In 1868 he purchased three hundred acres, a gristmill and a sawmill of his father for three thousand dollars. In 1867 he bought of Adam Baker two hundred and fifty acres, for which he paid fifty-five hundred dollars. This farm he sold to his son, Oliver K., in 1883, for six thou- sand dollars. Oliver K. Critchfield was born and reared in Milford township .. At the age of twenty-two he went to California to seek his fortune, was moderately successful, returned and bought the farm just mentioned.

John Weimer, a native of Germany, was one of the first settlers of Milford, and located on a farm in the northeastern part of the township. Years later the farm passed into the possession of John Weimer's son Henry, who sold it to Peter Putman, whose son Peter now owns it. Samuel, another son of John Weimer, was born in this township about 1779, and died in 1828. He married Catharine Wisebaugh, and had seven children who reached mature years : Henry S., Joseph, Christian, David, Susanna (Schrock), Catharine (Sutter) and Margaret (Sny- der). Jeremiah, who died in Cambria county in 1881, was the father of Jeremiah Weimer, who has resided on the old George Phillippi farm since 1853. Jere, Jr., was born in Brother's Valley, but came to Milford when young.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 967

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967