History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 110

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 110

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).

Ludwig Flick was an early settler in Milford township. His son Jonathan, born in this town- ship in 1802, purchased from John Kooser, when a young man, a farm of two hundred and twelve acres in the northern part of the town- ship. Here he is still living, over fourscore years of age. Jonathan Flick married Rebecca Kooser, and is the father of eight children : John (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Solomon, Elijah (deceased), Margaret (Dull), Maria (de- ceased), Belinda and Mary A. (deceased). Miss Belinda Flick has in her possession one hundred and eighty-six acres of the old homestead.

The Kooser family, grandfather and grand- mother of Miss Flick, came from Berks county very early. Mrs. Kooser lived to be ninety-six years of age. It has been said that the first crop of wheat ever raised in Milford township was raised by Mr. Kooser on the farm now owned by George Dumbauld.

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HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

Jacob Haines was born in Berks county, about 1750. He settled in Milford township in 1787, and here cleared up two farms, one-half mile west of Rockwood. He married Elizabeth Houseman, and was the father of four children. He died in 1827. His children were : John, Susanna (Tisue), Christiana (Lenhart) and Barbara (Ream). John Haines, born in Berks county, in 1784, lived on the old homestead until 1851. He then moved to West Virginia, where he died in 1860. His wife, Elizabeth Knable, bore ten children : Jonas, Jacob and John, deceased ; Eli, Henry, Silas, Samuel A., Sarah (Shaver), Elizabeth (Laub) and Lydia (Nedrow).

John Walter, son of an early settler, was born in Milford township, about 1783, and died about 1858. He married Susan Lamar, and reared eight children : Gillian, Henry, Jacob, Catha- rine (Gebhart), Elizabeth (Schultz), Mary (Snyder), Sarah (Corpenning) and Harriet (Shaffer). Jacob Walter, who died in 1874, was born in Milford township in 1806. After be- coming of age, he purchased his father's farm, and resided upon it until his death. The place was sold to John Goehring in 1882. Jacob Walter married Margaret Snyder, and was the father of thirteen children : John, Josiah (de- ceased), Gillian, William, Frederick (deceased), George (deceased), Charles, Cyrus, Jacob, Ada- line (Schrock), deceased, Susan (Putman), Ellen (Bradley) and Martha (Walker).

C. A. Walter learned the saddler's trade at the age of seventeen, and followed it twelve years. In 1874 he bought the store in Geb- hartsburg, originally owned by Harry Walter, and has since been doing a successful business as a merchant.

John Dull, a hunter and trapper, was one of the earliest pioneers. He was born in 1753, and came from Eastern Pennsylvania when a young man, and took up a considerable tract of land in the northeastern portion of Milford. In the course of time Dull divided his land into four farms, one of which he gave away in order to get a neighbor. He was obliged to go to the vicinity of Bedford for milling, going and re- turning with packhorses through the woods. In his hunting exploits, he would often camp on the mountain, and remain there alone for weeks. On one occasion he and his dog Tiger -"Tige," for short-treed a panther. Dull fired and wounded the beast, which immediately

sprang from the tree and attacked him. As was bis custom, he carried a butcher-knife and a hatchet. He grasped the hatchet and struck at the panther, and the hatchet came off the handle, leaving the latter in his hand. The sav- age beast rushed furiously upon Mr. Dull, and tore his hunting-shirt from his body. Tige came bravely to his master's aid, and attacked the panther in the rear. This movement di- verted the panther's attention, and Dull found an opportunity to use his knife with good effect. After a long and terrible contest, the panther was killed. Mr. Dull was terribly scratched and bitten, and Tige was so nearly used up that he had to be carried home.

John Dull died in 1837. He married Eliza- beth Putman, who lived to be ninety-one years old. Children : John, Peter, George, Catharine (Pile), Susan (Whipkey), Magdalena (Speicher) and Elizabeth (Sipe), all deceased. Peter Dull was born in this township in 1782, and died in 1854. He married Eve Knable, and at the age of twenty-three, purchased the farm now owned by his son, Peter Dull. His children's names were John, Anthony, Peter, Samuel H., Sarah (Brant) and Christina (Brooks), living ; George, Jacob, Daniel, Elizabeth (Sechler) and Mary (Brant), deceased.

Peter Dull, Jr., was born in Milford in 1816. In 1843 he married Catharine Weller, who bore ten children : Martha (Critchfield), Samantha (Fritz), Susan (deceased), Minerva (Reid), Al- bertha, Elmira, R. H., J. P., John W. (deceased) and William L. R. H. Dull served a short time in the late war. At the age of fourteen he was sworn into the United States service by a re- cruiting officer as a member of Co. K, 5th Heavy Art. He was released by the government after a brief service, on account of his father inter- fering because of the boy's age.

John Long was born in Germany, in 1751 ; emigrated to America about 1765, and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania ; moved to Milford township, Somerset county in 1797; followed farm- ing ; died in 1835. His son Henry, now eighty- eight years of age, was born in Berks county in 1795, and came to this county with his parents. At the age of eighteen he began learn- ing the tanner's trade, which he followed for about five years. He then purchased four hun- dred acres of land of George Johnson, of which he cleared about one hundred and twenty acres. In 1868 he retired from farming, and is now

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leading a retired life. Henry Long married Elizabeth Lewis. Their children were: Jacob (deceased), John (deceased), Michael, Henry, Peter, Samuel (deceased), Lewis, Rebecca (Mason), Catharine (Tedrow), deceased, Sarah (Walker), Elizabeth (Humbert) and Rosanna (Brant), deceased.

All the early settlers were clothed in home-made garments. At first deerskins furnished the material for the main portions of men's and boys' outfits. As soon as the country had become sufficiently settled to drive away wild beasts, sheep were introduced, and comfortable suits of homespun were made from their wool. Flax was also cultivated extensively, and, woven with wool, made light and durable cloth, which was worn by both men and women. Leather was long considered very costly. Men and boys got along with one pair of shoes per year, going barefoot in summer to save leather. Young men and women walked to church barefooted, carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands until they came near the church, when they put them on and wore them until after the service. "The day of small things," we are often told, "has passed away." But might it not still be with us, had not our ancestors been guided in their actions by habits of prudence and economy ?

Peter Putman was an early settler on a farm in the northeastern part of the township. His son Peter was born in this township in 1791. When young he settled on the farm which is now the home of his son Peter. At one time he owned several farms. He died in 1857. He was a prominent citizen, and held the office of county commissioner. He married Elizabeth Kooser, and reared twelve children. Peter Put- man, who has resided on the homestead since his purchase of it in 1863, has a farm of four hundred acres, unsurpassed in excellence and fertility, ornameuted with good buildings. For this farm he paid eleven thousand dollars. Mr. Putman is a progressive farmer. He was con- stable for New Centreville borough, and has served as school director many years. In 1858 he was first sergeant of a Somerset county mil- itary company.

Andrew Baker, another early settler who en- dured the vicissitudes of pioneer life, settled on Casselman river in this township about 1778. He was born in York county in 1751; died in 1833. Baker was a carpenter by trade,

but followed farming principally. He was also a hunter. When the family first came here, they once found themselves short of flour, and were obliged to live on venison and other wild meat until their grain ripened. . The children became so tired of this kind of food that their father shot pheasants, which his wife dressed and cooked in such a manner as to have the meat resemble bread as much as possible, and, cutting it in slices, gave it to them, telling them it was bread. Andrew Baker died in 1833. His wife (Mary Ohler) bore six children : Peter, Daniel, Sarah, Julia A. (Putman), Mary (Uhlery) and Susan (Critchfield). Daniel was born in 1797, and died in 1859. He lived in this township, married Susan Sweitzer, and reared three chil- dren : William and John D., living ; Sarah (Walker), deceased. William is living on a farm purchased of his father in. 1854. He has been county surveyor since 1877.

Jacob Barkman, a revolutionary soldier, was a native of Germany. When a young man, he settled in Milford township, where he died, in 1833, aged about eighty-two years. His chil- dren were Jacob, John, Frederick and Mary (Kinder). Jacob, the eldest, was born in this county in 1768. He lived on the homestead, and died in 1830. His wife was Elizabeth Young. They had twelve children, of whom Daniel, Aaron and Christina (Raymon) are still living. Jacob, the eldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth, was born in 1806, on the farm now owned by his son, Jacob, Jr. The latter pur- chased the farm several years ago, from his father, who is still living.

Daniel Will, a native of Berks county, settled in Milford township in 1803, on the farm now owned by Jacob L. Miller. This farm was after- ward owned by his son, Peter Will. Aaron Will, Esq., the eldest son, resides in Centerville and is a wagonmaker by trade; he has been justice of the peace since 1855.

John Will, a native of Berks county, settled in Milford township in 1803. He was born in 1786, and died in 1869. He was twice married, first, to Mary M. Deitz, and, second, to Nancy Scott, and was the father of sixteen children: Aaron, Moses, Silas (deceased), Hiram, Alexan- der (deceased), Allen S., Albert G., Daniel W., Rebecca (Schultz), Maria (Yonkin), Louisa (Boucher), Josephine (Shaff), Amanda C. (Keim), Mary M. (Filson), Ellen M. (Miller) and Jane S.

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Daniel W. Will served in Co. B, 24th regt. Penn. Vols., from October, 1861, to November, 1864; was twice wounded, and was ten months a prisoner in Libby prison. Mr. Will has served as burgess, councilman, street commissioner, auditor, assessor, high constable and justice of the peace in New Centreville borough. From 1872 to 1875 he served with credit and ability as county superintendent of public instruction.

Hon. A. S. Will, one of the leading farmers of the township, has an excellent farm, fertile and well cultivated. This farm Mr. Will purchased of his father in 1857 for the sum of three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Will has held nearly all of the various township offices. In 1877-8 he served in the house of representatives of Pennsylvania. Under Gov. Pollock he was commissioned second lieutenant in the uniformed militia of the state, and after- ward he was commissioned by Gov. Johnson as major of the 16th batt. of uniformed militia.

Adam Baker, a native of Brother's Valley, came to Milford township about 1808. He owned several farms in the central part of the township, which, after his death, passed into other hands. He died in 1825, when compara- tively young. His death is supposed to have resulted from the taking of some poisonous drug, by mistake, as a medicine. His wife was Susannah Mowry ; children : Jonas, George W., John A., Josiah, Adam, Henry M., Jacob, Eve (Tedrow) and Polly (Long), of whom George W., Adam and Henry M. are still living.

John A. Baker was born in 1815 ; settled in New Centreville in 1837, and died in 1850. By trade he was a coverlet weaver. He held the offices of constable and justice of the peace several years. His eldest son, George M., is a teacher, and resides near Gebhartsburg.

Conrad Wable was born in Somerset county in 1782 ; he died in 1869. He married Mary Meyers and was the father of nine children : John, David, Henry (deceased), Noah, Jeremiah, Betsey, Margaret (Bird), Huldah (Grier), Nancy (Turney), deceased. David lives on a farm of two hundred and eighty-three acres which he purchased of Jacob Ankeny in 1842. Mr. Wable is a hardworking man, and his farm, which cost three thousand eight hundred dol- lars, has been greatly improved during his ownership of it.

John Shaff was born in Switzerland in 1745. After emigrating to America, he first settled in

Berks county, whence he removed to Summit township and engaged in pioneer farming on Saylor's Hill. Strange to say, he found the soil too rich; the grain fell and would not ripen. About 1790 Mr. Shaff moved to Milford town- ship and settled north of Rockwood on a farm which Valentine Hay, of Somerset, now owns. During the first of his residence here, Mr. Shaff and several of his neighbors loaded pack- horses with grain and went to Hagerstown, Maryland, to have it ground. It chanced that there was a large amount of work already on hand at the mill, and as each grist must await its turn, it was so long before Mr. Shaff got his grain ground, that his family were six weeks without bread. Fortunately they had plenty of hominy and fresh meat and did not suffer. One of John Shaff's sisters was taken captive by the Indians, and remained twelve years among them before making her escape. She came home with her ears clipped and a ring in her nose after the Indian style .. John Shaff married Fanny Frederick. He died in 1816. His sons were John, Henry, Michael and David; his daughters, Christiana, Catharine (Lower), Eve (Griffith) and Sarah (Freize). Michael, who died in 1861, was born in Berks county in 1791. He settled on a farm which he purchased at sheriff's sale in 1823. His wife was Elizabeth Cramer. Children : John C., David, Adaline (Sterner), Mary A. (Boucher) and Caroline (deceased). J. C. Shaff took his father's farm at its appraisement. His land and buildings are fine.

The Tedrow family were quite early in this county. John Tedrow lived and died on a farm north of Centreville. He married Mary Voucher, and was the father of nine children : Moses (dead), Joseph, Jonas, Aaron (dead), Simon (dead), John, Hiram, Mary (Knable), dead, and Hannah (Meyers), dead. Jonas resides on the homestead farm, which he purchased after his father's death for six thousand dollars. His son, S. P. Tedrow, also follows farming, and is now a resident of New Centreville.

Adam Snyder, who lives at Rockwood, is the oldest man in Milford township. He is now ninety years of age, and is the only surviving veteran of the war of 1812 now in Somerset county. John A., son of Adam Snyder, was born in Milford township. In 1857 he pur- chased a farm of John Barkman, on which he lived until his death in 1880, at the age of sixty-

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Ann R, Will

HON. A. S. WILL.

By turning back the wheels of time to the events transpiring in the latter portion of the last century there could have been observed numerous families of emigrants closely packed in the commodious, but cumbersome Pennsylvania wagon, that also contained all the household effects and few agricultural imple- ments of the pioneers, who were destined to fell the forests, erect log cabins, open up the roads, commence the cultivation of the land and prepare the way for the present development of the county. Among others who could have been seen performing this journey, in the year 1794, was Daniel Will, who settled on the farm now owned by the sons of Jacob L. Miller, in Milford township. Here he remained the balance of his life, doing pioneer work, and rearing his family of five sons and three daughters. Among his sons was one named John, who was born in Berks county, the county from which the family removed in 1777. Although enjoying very limited educational advantages, ne was a man possessed of more than ordinary intellect, and by close observation and extended reading he became conversant, notonly with the events of his own, but also of foreign countries, so much so that he excelled in his knowledge of their geography. He accumulated a handsome competency for those days. His death did not occur until 1879, when he had reached the ex- treme age of ninety-two years. He was twice married, first to Mrs. Mary Muckelroy, nee Miss Scott, and they became the parents of six children ; second to Mary Dietz, and the issue of this marriage was three sons and six daughters.

Among the sons by his last marriage was Hon. A. S. Will, who was born March 4, 1828. Reared on a farm, he only had the opportunities for education common to farmers' sons of this period-the common schools-and is, therefore, largely a self-

educated man, he availing himself of all opportunities for self- culture that presented themselves. In 1850 he went to California to tempt the " Fickle Goddess," but after engaging in mining for about ten months, he decided to return home, the return trip being via Nicaraugua, Havana and New Orleans. The voyage from Havana to New Orleans was enlivened by the presence of the "Swedish Nightingale"-Jenny Lind.

For a time after his return home he engaged in school teach- ing and merchandising. In the spring of 1857 he removed to his present farm, where he has ever since successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. The evidences of his thrift are apparent to those who view his farm.

He has filled the various township offices, notably that of school-director, for twelve years, he being deeply interested in the cause of education. In 1849 he was commissioned second lieutenant in the State Militia, and in 1857 major of the 1st batt. of Uniformed Militia (State) for two years. During the late war he was rejected because of disability, but served as enrolling officer. In the fall of 1876 was elected to the state legislature on the republican ticket, and served his constituents well and acceptably.

In August, 1853, he was married to Miss Ann R. Walter, daughter of John and Phoebe (Husband) Walter, who was born March 20, 1833. Mrs. Will Is an estimable wife and mother, and has done her full share in the journey of life, she contributing largely to the happiness of those who surround her. She is a consistent member of the Disciples' church.

Mr. and Mrs. Will are the parents of nine children: San Fransisco (Mrs. W. J. Kimmel) ; John A., who died January 5, 1888, while in his twenty-eighth year (a graduate of the State Normal College, who followed teaching) ; Viola M., Martha A., Niunie V., H. Greeley and Harriet B.

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two years. His son, R. K. Snyder, bought the homestead, and in 1881, with his brother, George B. Snyder, purchased the Jonathan Sechler farm adjoining, two hundred and twenty-seven acres, for three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. R. K. was in the late war. George B. now holds the office of township clerk.

George Barclay was born in York county in 1782. At the age of twelve years he came to this county. In 1807 he purchased a farm in. the southeastern part of Jefferson township, where he died in 1858. He married Catharine Barron, and was the father of five children : Samuel, Adam (deceased), George, Mary (Countryman), deceased, and Susan (Barron). Samuel Barclay, a prominent farmer and stock- breeder of Milford, purchased his present farm when twenty-three years of age. He bought two hundred and thirty-two acres of John Miller for four thousand dollars. Mr. Barclay has held nearly all of the various township offices. Mr. Barclay has four valuable fishponds upon his farm. In 1853 he engaged in raising short- horn cattle, importing from Kentucky, and he has done much to promote the breeding of fine stock in this county. At present he has seventy-five head of fine cattle of his own raising. A steer which he raised was exhibited at the Centennial, and is believed to have been the largest ever raised in the world. It weighed four thousand seven hundred and forty pounds. Admirers of fine stock can find on Mr. Barclay's farm that which is worthy of their attention.

John Mason, a native of Berks county, moved to Jefferson township, in Somerset county, about 1795. He was a farmer, and died in 1858. His wife was Margaret Wright. Their children were Thomas, Joseph and Emanuel. Thomas was born in 1804 ; settled in Milford in 1826, having bought at sheriff's sale a farm. He died in 1874. His first wife was Edith Brooks ; his second, Rebecca Long. His children were : John, William, Joseph, Harrison, Freeman, Henry, James, Alice (Morrison), Edith (Morri- son), deceased, Sabina, Louise (Morrison), Jennie, Amanda (McCleary) and Jeannette. Mr. Mason's sons, H. H. and F. W., are now joint owners of the homestead, which the former purchased for ten thousand five hundred dollars. The buildings and farm are excellent. H. H. Mason served in a Somerset county independent company from June, 1868, to January, 1864.

Adam Humbert, a native of Maryland and a

carpenter by trade, settled in this township about the year 1790. He died in 1853. His wife was Elizabeth Emerson, and their children were George, Jacob, Elizabeth (Knopsnyder) and Hester (Knopsnyder), deceased ; John and David, living. Jacob Humbert, also a carpenter, was born in 1799 and died in 1871. He was the father of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Five of his sons served in the late war and returned without receiving a wound.

Horatio Bridigum was born in Berks county. At the age of seventeen he enlisted and served in the revolutionary war. After peace was declared he served in the regular army until he was forty-five years old, when, on account of deafness, he was obliged to quit the service. In 1800 he came to Somerset county and settled in Brother's Valley. He died in 1818. Henry, George and Barbara (Mull) were his children. Henry was born in 1797, and settled in Milford in 1880. He died in 1879. He married Chris- tiana Bogar, who bore two children, Jacob (deceased) and Samuel. Samuel lives on his father's farm, which he purchased in 1878. It is one of the best and neatest farms in the township. Samuel Bridigum served in Co. G, 51st regt. Penn. Vols .; mustered in in 1864 ; mustered out June, 1865.

George Hauger was born in Brother's Valley township in 1809. In 1839 he and his brother bought of Daniel Hauger a farm of two hundred acres, which they afterward divided, each taking half. George Hauger died in 1880. His wife was Harriet Suder. Children : Joseph, Charles, Ida, Elizabeth and Belle, all living but Belle. Joseph Hauger was born and always resided in this township, engaged in farming.

George A. Weller, the founder of the town of Wellersburg, was a member of one of the oldest families in Somerset county. He died in 1867, at the age of seventy-two. His wife was Eliza- beth Hay, and their children were Daniel, John (deceased), George A. (died in the war) ; Dr. F. S., now of Hyndman, Bedford county ; Herman, Eliza (Fritz), Polly (Wingert), Catharine (Dull) and Delilah (Heffley). John Weller was a merchant and a prominent citizen of the county. He served as sheriff, representative to the legis- lature, lieutenant-colonel of militia and justice of the peace. He died at Gebhartsburg in 1876. J. C. Weller, son of John, is the present county superintendent of public schools, having been elected to that office in 1881. In 1875 he

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graduated from the Millersville State Normal School. William H. Weller, his brother, served in the war and died of a wound. (See military.)

Daniel Sechler was born in Berks county about 1774. He came to Milford township and settled prior to 1809. He was a farmer and carpenter. He died in 1849. He married Mary Enos, and his children were Jonathan, Henry, Andrew, Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary (Sterner), Magdalena (Ringer), Susan (Griffith), Catharine (Miller) and Sarah. Only Andrew and Sarah are living. Andrew Sechler was born in Mil- ford in 1809, and has resided here during his long life, witnessing many and great transfor. mations in the country about him. In 1846 he purchased of John Vought the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Sechler married Sarah Enos. His children -William, John, Andrew, Sarah (Yutzy) and Laura-are all dead but Sarah.

John Sterner, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, moved to Milford about 1820. He was born in Elk Lick in 1785. He died in 1867. His wife was Mary Sechler. Children : Jacob, Alex- ander, Emanuel, Hannah (Wiltrout) and Eliza- beth (Ohler). Alexander Sterner was born and reared on his father's farm. In 1848 he bought of David Weimer two hundred acres of land near Rockwood, where he is still engaged in farming.

Jacob D. Snyder, a native of this state, was born in 1790, and settled in Milford township in 1821. He died in 1865. The names of his children are Daniel, Dewalt, Levi, Peter, Lydia and Susan. The sons are among the prominent and enterprising farmers of Milford.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 110

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

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