History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 111

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 111

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).

Valentine Hay, an early settler of Brother's Valley, was probably a native of Germany. He died in 1832, aged fifty-four. His children were Jacob, Jonathan, Elizabeth (Miller), Susan, Catharine (Knepper), Mary (Hauger), Sarah (Suder) and Tina (Brubaker). Still living : Jacob, Catharine, Sarah and Tina. Jonathan settled in Milford township about 1848, and bought a farm of Peter Hauger, which he cul- tivated until his death in 1881. The farm is now occupied by John J. Hay, his son. In 1883, John J. Hay and his brother William began operating a steam sawmill on the farm.

Jacob Sweitzer, a native of Germany, settled near Stoystown at an early date. His son Peter, born in this county in 1775, was a farmer, and died in 1831. He married Margaret Fried- line, and was the father of ten children : John

(living); Peter, Sally (Minder), Lydia (McQuil- lan), Susan (Lemon), Polly (Henry), Barbara (McIntire), Margaret (Young), deceased ; Har- riet (Rice) and Hettie (Younkin). John Sweit- zer in 1842 purchased from Peter Shultz the farm on which he now resides.

The Enfields were early settlers of Addison township. Freeman Enfield, son of John, who now lives in Middle Creek township, came from the latter township to Milford in 1867. In 1869 he purchased of Tobias Meyers a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty acres for five thou- sand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars, which he has since greatly improved. Mr. En- field served in the late war as corporal in Co. D, 54th regt. Penn. Vols. from December, 1861, until January, 1865.

George Dumbauld, a prominent farmer, is en- gaged largely in stock-raising and dairying. He purchased his present farm of Jacob Walker in 1882. The farm contains three hundred and forty acres, and is in a high state of cultivation. No farming community in this part of the state surpasses Milford township in fine farms, good buildings and progressive farmers.

David, son of Caspar Hoover, was an early resident of Brother's Valley. His son, Samuel D., born in Brother's Valley in 1823, settled in Milford in 1845, and followed farming. He died in 1872. His son, Edward Hoover, is at present engaged in the United States internal revenue service in the 16th district of Pennsyl- vania.

Jacob Miller, who was born in this county about 1779, kept store in Berlin for many years. He died in 1864. His children were : Josiah, living ; Hiram, Aaron, Jacob and Rosana (Con- rad), deceased ; Caroline (Ferner), Louisa (Krisinger) and Rebecca (Dunner), living. Josiah settled at Centreville about 1843. His son, Aaron J., is a prominent farmer of this township, residing on a farm which he pur- chased of his father in 1870. A. J. Miller served in the late war during two terms of enlistment. See military chapters.

Philip Wolfersberger was born in Lebanon county in 1802. He settled in Milford town- ship in 1856. In 1857 he laid out the village of Rockwood. Mr. Wolfersberger has followed farming and the mercantile business. He is now living among his children. His eldest son, David H., who was born in Dauphin county, settled in Milford in 1856. He is now keeping

Digitized by Google

RESIDENCE OF NORMAN D. HAY, ELK LICK TP, SOMERSET CO., PA.

Digitized by Google

541

MILFORD.

the Rockwood House, strictly a temperance hotel, which he erected in 1882.

The Livengoods were among the first settlers of Elk Lick township. Samuel P., who was born in that township, on the Jonathan Hostetler farm, had a considerable reputation as a hunter and trapper. He died in 1861. His wife was Bar- bara Stout, and the children were: Jacob S., David S., Jesse S., Jonathan S. (deceased), Samuel S., Susan (Miller), Sally (Saylor), deceased, Eliza- beth (Vought), deceased. Jacob occupies the old homestead. His son, Archibald, purchased a farm of Chauncy Boyd, and settled in Milford in 1880. He was a soldier in the late war, serv- ing in Co. K, 5th Heavy Art., from October, 1864, to June, 1865.

Nicholas Barron emigrated from Germany to Berks county, and thence to Somerset county. He settled and died on a farm of three hundred acres in Somerset township. His children were : George, John, Nicholas, Philip and Barbara (Young). Nicholas, Jr., was born in Berks county in 1765. About 1795 he settled in the northern part of Milford township, where he bought and cleared a farm, the same now owned by his son Nicholas. He died in 1831. His wife was Rachael Houser, and their children : George, Adam, Henry, Isaac, John, Nicholas, Elizabeth (Barclay), Catharine (Barclay), Mary (Levan) and Effie (Putman), are all dead but Isaac, Nicholas and Effie. Nicholas purchased the farm after his father's death, three hundred and thirty-four acres, for thirty-three hundred and forty dollars.

Rachael (Houser), the mother of Nicholas Barron, was captured by the Indians in Morri- son's Cove, Bedford county, during the revolu- tion. Her father and her brother John were killed on the spot at the time of her capture. Martin, another brother, was present, but es- caped. The mother was absent at Pittsburgh. Rachael and one of her brothers were taken by the Indians to Detroit. Her brother escaped and returned home after two years' captivity. Rachael remained seven years, and was then permitted to return home. Her mother paid a man twenty dollars to conduct her from Detroit to Pittsburgh.

Adam Barron, brother of Nicholas, and the father of Abraham and William H., of this township, was born and reared in Milford town- ship. He lived on a farm adjoining his father's, and died in 1843. 'On the death of his widow

the farm came into the possession of the two sons, who were the only heirs. The farm is a valuable one, containing nearly three hundred acres.

Jonathan Dumbauld, who was born in Fayette county in 1809, settled in Upper Turkey-Foot township about 1846. He is now living with his son Peter in Milford township. Peter Dumbauld bought his present farm in 1881. He owns two hundred and twenty acres, and, like his brother George, has a beautiful and pleasant home.

Another prominent farmer of this township is Peter Snyder. His farm and buildings are most excellent, and he carries on farming quite extensively.

Henry Bearl lives on the farm formerly owned by his father, Daniel Bearl, and operates a steam sawmill, which he started about seven years ago.

H. H. Weimer was born and reared in this township. He learned the carpenter's trade of his brother Jeremiah, and still follows it. Mr. Weimer served in Co. H, 95th regt. Penn. Vols., from March to July, 1865.

John Kimmel was born in Stony Creek town- ship about the year 1790. After his marriage he moved to Somerset township, near Levans- ville. He died in 1858. His children were Samuel and John, dead ; George, Singleton, Ludwick, David, living ; Fred, deceased ; Lu- cinda (Snyder), Elizabeth (Walker), living ; Susan (Smith), dead; Sarah (Levan), Eliza (Hay) and Rose (Weimer), living. Samuel Kimmel, born in 1808, died in 1834. His chil- dren were George F., John H., David F., Irvin, Washington, William S., Elizabeth, Sophia (de- ceased). George F. Kimmel lives in Milford, upon a finely improved farm of five hundred and thirteen acres. He has erected new build- ings at a cost of about three thousand dollars. The first house on the place was built by a man named Bittner about 1800, and is still standing.

Harry Hay, whose ancestors are mentioned in the history of Brother's Valley, is a native of that township. In 1882 he settled in Milford, having purchased of John A. Phillippi a farm of one hundred and one acres. He has since given this farm to his son, Herman L. Hay, who now owns and works it.

As nearly as can be ascertained at this late day, the first industries of the township were as follows : Wilson's sawmill, already mentioned ; Kitzmiller's blacksmithshop, built on the pres-

Digitized by Google

542

HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

ent Peter Putman farm ; a gristmill, erected by John Miller on the Bridigum farm, about 1783. The old mill stood about fifty years, and was then destroyed by fire. Afterward a powder- mill was operated on the same site for a short time. The first distillery was built by John Shaff prior to 1800. The building is still stand- ing in Rockwood, and is now a dwelling-house. The first carding-machine was set up in George Ankeny's gristmill, where Fiedler's mill now stands, about 1808. The carding-machine, at that day, was an object of curiosity, and people from far and near came to see it work. An oilmill at the same place was started in 1822. Both it and the gristmill were destroyed by fire in 1882, but the gristmill has since been rebuilt. George Gebhart, the pioneer settler at Gebhartsburg, had the first brickkiln in the township. The first store in the township was opened by Michael Saunders, soon after the settlement be- gan, on land now owned by David Wable. Saunders brought his goods from the East on packhorses, himself walking all the way. In those days two hundred and fifty pounds was considered a fair load for a horse.

Limestone of a good quality is found in great abundance throughout the township. It is said that the first bed was discovered on the farm of Adam Baker, now owned by Cyrus Walker and Archibald Livengood, one-half mile east of New Centreville. The first coal was also discovered, and the first mine opened, on the Baker farm. A good quality of coal is found in veins from two and one-half to four feet in thickness throughout the township. There are numerous banks where coal is mined for local consump- tion, but thus far none has been shipped from any of them.

ROCKWOOD.

Rockwood, situated at the junction of the Baltimore & Ohio and the Somerset & Cam- bria railroads, is one of the most enterprising, thrifty and fast growing villages in southern Pennsylvania. The place is still young, and its business interests are constantly increasing in extent and importance. Rockwood now contains four general stores, two groceries, four hotels, three blacksmithshops, one tannery, one grist- mill, one planing-mill, one tinshop, one shoe- makershop, two carpentershops, one tailor- shop, three churches and one graded school. Two ministers and two physicians are residents of the place.

The town was laid out by Philip Wolfers- berger, in 1857. Martin Meyers was the princi- pal surveyor. The first house was built in 1856, by P. & D. Wolfersberger. It was a two-story frame building, and was used both as a store and a dwelling. The first hotel was erected by John Poister in 1860, and is now owned by Alexander Rhoads. Solomon Bechtel erected the first blacksmithshop in 1857. The first tannery was built in 1869, by Henry Werner, present owner. The planing-mill of A. Growall & Sons was built in 1872.

The railroad depot at this place was built in 1871. The postoffice was established in 1868. From that date until 1871, mail was brought from Gebhart's, the citizens, by voluntary con- tributions, paying the mail-carrier. During the first quarter, the receipts of the office amounted to four dollars and fifty cents. The succession of postmasters has been as follows : F. B. Long, William S. Kreger, E. D. Miller.

The first schoolhouse in the place was erected in 1858, at a cost of three hundred and seventy- five dollars. The first teacher was S. A. Will, now an attorney of Pittsburgh, succeeded by E. D. Miller, George M. Baker, R. H. Dull and others. The graded school building, two stories, 48×50 feet, was erected in 1875, and to date has cost twenty-five hundred dollars. The present number of pupils in attendance is one hundred and twenty-five.

Among the recent improvements are the Rockwood House, built in 1882 by D. H. Wolfersberger, and the Merchants' Hotel, a very fine building, erected the same year by Samuel Buckman.

The village was first known as Shaff's Bridge, named after John Shaff, one of the early settlers of the township. The bridge was erected by Samuel Miller, in 1843. Afterward the name Mineral Point was given, on account of the minerals found in the vicinity. The present name was finally settled upon, after much discussion. At least half a dozen meetings were held by the citizens, at the schoolhouse, without coming to any decision. Finally E. D. Miller, P. S. Wolfersberger and B. S. Harring- ton gave the town the name which it now bears. Wolfersberger, being ticket agent of the Balti- more & Ohio railroad, prevailed upon the man- agers of the road to call the station Rockwood, and Miller, who was then postmaster, succeeded in changing the name of the postoffice .. Thus

Digitized by Google

C. T. HAY.

MRS. C. T. HAY.

CALVIN T. HAY.

The subject of this sketch, Calvin T. Hay, son of David and Polly (Cook) Hay, was born June 18, 1847, at Hay's mill, in Brother's Valley township, in Somerset county. He is a lineal descendant of Simon Hay, one of the pioneers of the township in which he was born, a record of whom will be found in this volume. Mr. Hay acquired a common-school education, the same as the majority of farmers' sons. He married Druzie, daughter of Samuel De- vore, of Bedford county, and for the two succeeding years worked one of his father's farms. He then decided to move west and accord- ingly emigrated to Ottawa, Franklin county, Kansas, where he engaged in farming. Thence he removed to Falls City, Richardson county, Nebraska, and engaged in purchasing and ship- ping grain quite successfully for three years, when, in response to the urgent requests of his father, he, in 1878, returned home and engaged in

farming. Two years later he removed to Salis- bury and built his present fine residence, an illus- tration of which appears on another page. In 1882 he built the Hay's block, the best business block in Salisbury, which contains a public hall, of which the place stood greatly in need. An illustration of this block can also be found in this volume. Mr. Hay has evinced much enter- prise and public spirit in thus adding desirable buildings to Salisbury, for which credit should be given him. Quiet and unobtrusive in manner, the salient points of his character are honesty and integrity. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party, but takes no other inter- est in politics other than that of a private citizen, who is desirous of having the laws ad- ministered in a manner conducive to the public weal. He is the father of seven children, viz. : Irving, Alice, Ora, William, Edwin, Ira and Grace. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hay are members of the Reformed church.

Digitized by

Google

DRUG STORE

WALKER & LEYDIG

" HAY'S BLOCK." SALISBURY, PA., C.T. HAY PROP. .

RESIDENCE OF C. T. HAY, SALISBURY, PA.

Digitized by

Google

543

MILFORD.

the matter was settled ere the citizens were aware.

The railroad was, of course, the main agent in building up Rockwood.

Daniel Miller, a wagonmaker, was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, about 1787. He removed to Summit township, in this county, early. He died in 1856. He married Mary Long, and was the father of ten children : Jacob D., Gabriel, Daniel D., Josiah, Ephraim, Manasseh, Lydia (Meyers), Rachel (Lichty), Susan (Lichty) and Lena (Saylor), all living but Lydia. Daniel D. Miller settled in Milford township about 1838. He is a farmer, now living a retired life. For- merly he followed wagonmaking. Hon. Joseph D. Miller, son of Daniel D. Miller, was reared in Milford township. He served three years in a Somerset county company during the late war, and was wounded at New Market, Virginia, May 15, 1864. After the war he taught school in Maryland several terms. During the session of 1879 he was transcribing clerk of the house of representatives at Harrisburg. In 1870 he engaged in the mercantile business at Rockwood, erecting the store now occupied by J. D. & E. D. Miller. J. D. Miller was elected to the legisla- ture in 1865, and served during two sessions. He has since devoted himself entirely to his large and constantly growing business. Ephraim D. Miller, brother of Hon. J. D. Miller, was born in Milford township, and worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age. From that time, until he was twenty-four, he was engaged in teaching in Allegheny county, Maryland. He then formed a partnership with his brother, and engaged in mercantile business.

Henry W. Werner came from Germany to America in 1853. After living fifteen years in Summit township, in 1869 he came to Rock- wood, bought two lots and erected a tannery ; the latter costing three thousand dollars. This tannery was the first one of importance in the township.

Edward Henry Werner was born at Meyers- dale, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1860. He attended the public and private schools of his native town until nine years of age, when his father (Henry W. Werner) removed with his family to Schaff's Bridge, in Milford township. At the age of sixteen he entered the Glade Academy, at New Centreville, which he attended the four succeeding years ; teaching during vacations in the public schools of Milford and

Elk Lick townships, in all five terms. At school his studies were not confined to the text-books of his class, but a large portion of his time was given to reading standard works of literature. In August, 1881, he accepted a position on the Meyersdale Commercial as local editor. He resigned this place in May, 1883, and at once began the work of establishing a new paper- The Times.

In 1870 Harrison Snyder bought the store of Peter Phillippi, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he still continues. Mr. Snyder is a native of Turkey-Foot township. He served in the late war in Co. K, 171st regt. Penn. Vols. Henry D. Snyder, father of Harrison, was.born in Milford township, in 1797. In 1824 he moved to Turkey-Foot and bought one hundred and ninety-eight acres of land for three hundred dollars. This farm he improved and tilled until his death in 1872. He married Mary Shaff, and his children were : Noah, Michael, Har- rison, Lena (Struckoff), Clarissa, Sarah (Sechler), Mary A., Elizabeth (Phillippi) and Susan (Meyers).

Samuel A. Haines, son of John Haines, was born in Milford township. He taught school seven years, and in 1853 purchased a farm on which he lived twenty-one years. Mr. Haines served as school-director for ten years. In 1873 he sold his farm, and in 1874 he engaged in the mercantile business in Rockwood, which he con- tinued until 1880. Since that time he has kept hotel in Rockwood.

Anthony Growall, a native of Portugal, came to America about 1780, and settled in Elk Lick township. He died in 1803, aged about sixty- eight. His children's names were : John, George and Elizabeth (Sebauch). John, the eldest, was born in Elk Lick about 1795 ; settled in Milford in 1850 ; died in 1863. He married Elizabeth Johnson, and was the father of thirteen children : Eli, Anthony, Peter, Henry, John, George W. (deceased), Matilda (deceased), Mary A. (deceased), Elizabeth, Rachel, Mar- garet, Lucinda (deceased) and Harriet (de- ceased). Anthony, son of John, Sr., came to Milford township in 1839. He has followed carpentry since he became of age. He served three years in Co. C, 142d regt. Penn. Vols. In 1872 he built a planing-mill in Rockwood, at a cost of one thousand dollars. This mill is now owned by Mr. Growall and his sons, Jonathan P. and Annanias.

Digitized by Google

544

HISTORY OF. SOMERSET COUNTY.

William, Harrington, a native of England, came to America in 1818, and settled in Perry county, Ohio. In 1825, while on his way from Arkansas, where he had purchased land, he was drowned in the Mississippi river by an accident to a boat. He had been in Somerset county previously, and his family was here awaiting his return in order to accompany him to the west. Mrs. Harrington (nee Lydia Hunter) purchased a farm of George Gebhart in 1831, and here reared her family. The children were : Samuel H., Joseph W. and Zillah (Friend), the last named . being deceased. Joseph W. en- gaged in the tailoring business in 1836, which he has since followed. He built a shop in Rockwood in 1877. Two of Mr. Harrington's sons were in the late war: Francis R. and Silas W. Francis was killed at Pittsburg Landing. Silas was wounded at the Wilderness.

Samuel Buokman, a native of Northampton county, came to Rockwood in 1880. He kept the old Eagle Hotel for two years, and in 1882, erected the .Merchants' Hotel, at Rockwood - a building which is an ornament to the town - at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Mr. Buck- man has followed the occupation of a contractor and builder of bridges. During his lifetime he has erected, in various parts of the United States, one hundred and twenty-seven .railroad and other bridges. Since coming to this county, he has built seven bridges in the county.

D. R. Hess, Jr., a native of Lancaster county, came to Rockwood in 1882. Mr. Hess is a char- coal manufacturer by trade and is now conduct- ing an important business. He ships to the firm of W. D. Wood & Co., Mckeesport, about three hundred and fifty thousand bushels of charcoal annually, from different points along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.

NEW CENTREVILLE.

New Centreville is a town of from two hun- dred and fifty to three hundred inhabitants, beautifully situated on a sloping eminence in the western part of Milford township. It is as neat and pleasant a town as one could find in months of travel. Its inhabitants are industri- ous, moral and upright. There are no licensed public-houses in the borough, and thrift and good order hold sway.

The town was laid out in 1834 by Michael Freeze, who gave it the name it now bears, excepting the prefix, "New," which was added

when the village became a borough. John Witt made the survey of lots. John Freeze erected the first house. Itis still standing and is now owned by Reuben McMillen. The first hotel was built by Michael Freeze, in 1886. It is now the dwell- ing-house of Leonard Ferrel. . The first store was erected by Francis Phillippi in 1885 ; the first wagonshop by Aaron Will in 1848 ; the first blacksmith-shop by Michael Freeze in 1880, and the first shoemaker shop by William Aughin- baugh in 1835.

New Centreville now contains one store, one tannery, two blacksmith and three wagon shops, two shoemaker-shops, one saddleryshop, two cabinetmaker-shops, two ministers, one physi- cian, three churches and a schoolhouse.

The town was incorporated as a borough on March 6, 1854, and on March 17, the following were elected the first borough officers: Burgess, Aaron Will ; councilmen, Josiah Miller, Daniel Dull and W. S. Harrow ; street commissioner, Peter Brubaker; assessor, S. H. Dull ; consta- ble, Jonathan Gnagy ; justice of the peace, A. S. Will; judge of' election, John A. Snyder ; inspectors, Jacob L. Meyers, Jacob Knable ; school directors, William Scott, Joseph Smith, Daniel Shrock, John Parson, George Brant and Henry Freeze; auditors, Reuben MoMillen, Wm. B. Freeze and Josiah Phillippi.

The first schoolhouse at Centreville was built about 1800. It was a log building, slab-seated. The first teacher was Jacob Weimer. The house was torn down, after the adoption of free schools, and replaced by a frame, which after- ward burned. The present school-building was erected in 1869 and enlarged in 1874.

The first tannery in the place was built by Josiah Miller, who came to the town from Ber- lin, about 1843. He ran the business until 1869, and then retired. Mr. Miller is still living, and is an aged resident. He was born in Berlin in 1809.

Josiah Miller, whose ancestors are mentioned in connection with the history of Brother's Valley, is now living in Centreville at the age of seventy-five. He came to this place in 1838, and the same year erected a tannery, which he operated until 1873, when he sold out to his son, William H., the present owner of the property.

Michael Freeze came to Centreville in 1830, and is therefore among the oldest residents of the place. Mr. Freeze was born in Martins-

Digitized by Google

- -

545

MILFORD.

burg, West Virginia, in 1798, and came to Mil- ford township with his parents in 1804. At the age of seventeen he learned blacksmithing, which trade he followed fifty-three years. Mr. Freeze has a remarkable memory, and is well versed in history, both local and national. His wife, Hannah, is still living, and is four months older than Mr. Freeze.

John McMillen, one of the early settlers, lived in Turkey-Foot township. Among his children were : John, James, Samuel, Jane (Bays), Sarah (Davis) and Margaret (Lenhart). John was born in Turkey-Foot, and resided there until his death, following the tanner's trade. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Jacob Rush. Rush was an early settler, and lived to be about ninety-eight years old. John McMillen's second wife was Sarah Critchfield, and his third, Clarissa Williams. His children : Jacob, Jehu, Reuben, Eli, William (deceased), Silas and John (deceased). Reuben McMillen learned the saddlery business in the shop of Michael Snyder ; purchased the shop in 1849, and still conducts the business.

Samuel H. Dull, Esq., son of Peter Dull, was born and reared on the Dull homestead, in Milford township. When eighteen years of age he began learning the wagonmaker's trade in the shop of Aaron Will. In 1851 he started in business for himself. In August, 1862, he was mustered into service in Co. H, 142d regt. Penn. Vols .; mustered out in June, 1865. He has been justice of the peace ten years, besides holding other minor offices.

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 111

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

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