History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 114

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 114
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 114
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 114

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).

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

built in 1881, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The church has about eighty members.

Mennonite .- The Mennonite congregation, which worships in a meeting-house two miles northwest of Salisbury, was organized in 1854 by John and Jacob Keim. The Keims, Liven- goods and Folks were the principal members. The first deacons were John Folk and William Livengood. Henry Blough has been the preach- er from the organization to the present time. The meeting-house, erected in 1854, cost about six. hundred dollars. The church has about twenty members.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

THE LIVENGOOD FAMILY.

Among the numerous families whose early settlement in this county and identification with its increase in material wealth and prosperity entitles to prominent mention in this history is the Livengood family.

A retrospection, embracing four generations, carries us back to the historic river Rhine, in Ger- many, where we find Rev. Peter Livengood, the descendant of an old and honorable line of ances- try. A minister of the gospel, he also engaged in school-teaching, thus giving instruction in secu- lar as well as spiritual knowledge, the former being so necessary to a correct understanding of the latter.

The only patrimony he received was a fine education and a bible, and, being desirous of improving his financial condition, he decided to emigrate to the "new world." Reaching this country in safety, he began following the avoca- tion of a weaver, which he learned in his native country, where no one's education was then con- sidered complete until they had acquired a trade. He located in this state where the German lan- guage was not spoken, but notwithstanding the difficulty under which he labored to make himself understood. he acquired considerable property, and decided to return to the "Fatherland " at the expiration of two years, this being in the fall of the year. The following spring he was as anxious. to return to America as he had been to take his departure, and accordingly returned again this time settling in Berks county. Here.he married a woman named Barbara. Not many years subsequent he started for the Great

West, which at that time was anywhere west of the Alleghenies. This was in 1760, and he was one of the first to bring a wagon west of these mountains. He decided to locate in what is now Elk Lick township, Somerset county. The first night they encamped under the friendly shelter of a broad-spreading oak-tree, when an. other heir, named Elizabeth, was born to Rev. Livengood. He selected a large tract of land, enough for all his children, just across the river from Salisbury, which was marked out by blaz- ing the trees. The forests at this time abounded in game, deer, bears and wolves being quite numerous. It was rarely, however, that he in- dulged in the chase, he acting almost wholly on the defensive. He at once commenced the almost herculanean task of felling the forests and preparing the land for cultivation. The trials and hardships through which they passed would, if properly recorded, read almost like a romance at the present time ; still they were not wholly, without enjoyments, for the early settlers were eminently social and hospitable, each neighbor, no matter how far distant, con- sidering the other a friend and brother, whom they were only too glad to assist in every way possible.

His influence upon his coworkers, who held him in high esteem, was productive of much good, for many of the restraining influences which are found in old settlements where schools and churches are numerous were lacking here. His death occurred while in his ninety-sixth. year, his wife passing away in her ninetieth year. Both well performed their mission in life.

The issue of their marriage was ten children, namely : Christian, Peter, John, Christina (Mrs. C. Faik), Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Bren- eisen), Mariah (Mrs. Jacob Sayler), Catherine (Mrs. William Aug), Annie (Mrs. Jacob Kep- ple), Frances (Mrs. David Miller), Barbara (Mrs. Caleb Yoeder).

Their eldest son, Christian L., became one of the prominent and wealthy farmers of this town- ship. He took much pride in propagating good stock, especially horses ; in this particularly be took precedence of his neighbors. He married Elizabeth Forney, whose, father was a school teacher and.soldier from Darmstadt, Germany. Christian L., who was born in 1761, died at. the age. of seventy-six years. His wife was born in 1769 and died at the age of eighty years.

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Their children and the age of those deceased, at the time of their deaths, is as follows : Eliza- beth (Mrs. J. Miller), eighty years; Barbara (Mrs. J. Keim), ninety-four years ; Peter, seventy years ; Catharine (Mrs. Jos. Miller), eighty years ; Frances, still living, aged eighty- six years ; Susan (Mrs. H. Hochstettler), seventy years ; Annie (Mrs. Peter A. Beachy), sixty-five years ; Christiana (Mrs. John Beachy), eighty- five years ; Sam, died in infancy ; John, sixty years ; C. C., still living, aged eighty years ; Samuel C., still living, aged seventy-eight years ; Mary (Mrs. John Lichty), sixty years ; Esther (Mrs. W. Glotfelty), still living, aged seventy-six years ; Sarah (Mrs. Jonas Keim), seventy-two years. From this it will be ob- served that the longevity of the family is quite remarkable.

Christian C. Livengood, who was born in 1803, married Sally Wagner in 1848 ; she was born in 1822. Although reared on a farm, Mr. Livengood has not followed this avocation. In an early day he engaged in merchandising, he continuing. this business seven years. In 1836-7 he held the office of deputy sheriff of the county.

Politically Mr. Livengood has been a whig and republican. Residing close to a slave state, he noted with abhorrence the traffic in human beings, with all its degrading influences, and as a consequence became an ardent abolitionist, and at all times threw his influence in behalf of freedom. As a man he is just, honorable and upright, and therefore bears the high esteem of the community where he has resided over three- score years and ten, the allotted life of man.

He and his wife are consistent members of the Reformed Church. They have been blessed with five children: Theodore F., Mortimer (de- ceased), Albert (deceased), Martha and Emma.

HON. JOSH. J. STUTZMAN.

The history of the township of Elk Lick would be in a measure incomplete without a sketch of the life of the venerable man whose portrait is here presented to the patrons of the work,.by his son, Dr. C. G. Stutzman. As the name would indicate, he is of German extrac- tion, although born in Brother's Valley town- ship in this county. Reared on a farm, but little is known of his early life, except that when he had reached about the age of fifteen years he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood without any of the many

advantages for obtaining an education which are now so accessible to those who "thirst after knowledge." It is a trite saying that "where there is a will there is a way," and this has been broadly exemplified in the life of Mr. Stutzman. Although deprived of instructors, he eagerly availed himself of every avenue of information, and set about the self-imposed, but to him pleas- ant, task of self-education, and by untiring dili- gence he acquired, not only a good English and German but also a classical education. He was a life-long student, for he did not, even in ad- vanced age, lose his love for the acquisition of knowledge, of which he was a veritable store- house. He acquired a very large vocabulary by systematically memorizing words from slips of paper containing them, which he carried with him when books would be inconvenient. Hav- ing married Elizabeth Gerver, he removed to his native county, and located at Salisbury, where he engaged in school-teaching, thus becoming one of the early educators, and the first one to introduce grammar into the schools of this sec- tion. Being an enthusiast, he infused new life into the community, who were decidedly apathetic in the cause of education. He was the leaven that has worked wonderful results, and the good he accomplished it would be hard to estimate or even approximate, for it will con- tinue for time indefinite .. Many of the first scholars of the former generation received their primary education from him, and they refer with love and pride to their former tutor, who instilled into their minds a desire for higher education. He served for many years as justice of the peace, and as such was a benefactor to the community where he resided, for he always sought to heal differences and prevent litigation, although by so doing he curtailed his fees, which to him, under the circumstances, were a minor consideration. As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Somerset county, he was elected to the legisla- ture for two terms, against his wishes. In later life he devoted himself to the management of his landed estate and in loaning money, which was then a great accommodation to the people, it being prior to the establishment of banks in this portion of the county. He became the father of nine children, and was twice married, the last time to Elizabeth Dehaven. He was a con- sistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. This venerable old gentleman departed

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Out. Iluzmen,

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this life September 21, 1867, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, full of days and riches and honor.

DAVID HAY.

David Hay, son of Peter S. and Elizabeth (Walker) Hay, was born in Brother's Valley township, Somerset county, September 3, 1814. He purchased of his father the gristmill, which he conducted until about 1850, when he disposed of it and removed to Southampton township, where he purchased a farm ; but owing to the death of his wife, Polly (Cook), in September, 1850, he abandoned farming and passed two years in teaching school and other occupations. They were the parents of two children, William H. and Calvin T. November, 4, 1852, Mr. Hay was married to Mrs. Mary A. (Rauch) Boose, widow of John A. Boose, to whom she was married in 1846, his death occurring in 1847 when in his twenty-second year. He was a member of the Lutheran church. They had one son, John Rufus Boose, now a farmer in Milford township. Mrs. Hay's maiden name was Mary A. Rauch. She was born in 1825, and is a daughter of John Rauch, whose great-grand- father emigrated from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Brother's Valley township in an early day, and was one of the first settlers there. After his second marriage Mr. Hay removed to the farm in Elk Lick township now in possession of his son, Norman D. At the time of his pur- chase the farm presented an uninviting appear- ance, but at the present time is graced with as fine buildings as any farm in the township, as can be seen by a view of them in this volume. In accomplishing this Mr. Hay was materially assisted by his wife, who performed well her part in the labors of the farm, she being an indefatigable worker. Their house was erected from plans furnished by Mrs. Hay. Mr. Hay operated quite extensively in real estate. He dealt in farms, not only in his native state but also in the west, and was a successful financier. He also settled up numerous estates in a satis- factory manner. In 1857 he was elected a member of the state legislature on the demo- cratic ticket.

Mr. Hay was a very liberal man, he giving cheerfully to meritorious causes. Among his benefices was the Reformed church, of which he was a member; for he not only gave two thousand dollars toward the erection of the present fine church edifice in this township, but

also one thousand dollars to the church, in trust, the proceeds to be devoted to alleviating the sufferings of the poor in the neighborhood ; all of which bespeaks the character of the man, who departed this life April 14, 1878, honored and respected.

Norman D., the offspring of his second matri- monial alliance, was born October 2, 1854, and, as has already been indicated, is in possession of the home farm, and is numbered among the prosperous young farmers. He is a deacon in the Reformed church, of which is a member. December 11, 1879, he was married to Agnes, daughter of John Glotfelty, who was born in 1856. John Glotfelty, when a young lad aged eleven years, carried the mail from Salisbury to Evansburg, many miles distant, along unfre- quented roads, crossing the Allegheny moun- tains. Norman D. Hay is the father of one daughter, Mary.

THE BEACHY FAMILY.

Among the numerous emigrants from Eu- ropean countries to this " home of the free and land of the brave" are some from the liberty- loving little country of Switzerland, who sought to better their financial condition among a people thoroughly in sympathy with their ideas of exalted manhood. Among this number was the Beachy family, who about the year 1768 settled in Maryland. The name of the senior member of this family has unfortunately been lost in the mists of the past, but we learn that one of the number was Abraham Beachy, who accompanied his parents - he then being a lad of about five years of age. The family settled about thirty miles from Baltimore, Maryland, and here it was that young Beachy grew to manhood's estate, and married Miss Barbary Lichty. One of his brothers moved to Mifflin county, in this state, and another to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and they have become the pro- genitors of a large number of influential de- scendants.

Abraham Beachy and his brother Peter emi- grated to Somerset county some time prior to 1800. Abraham took out a patent from the gov- ernment for a large tract of land, embracing thousands of acres, a portion of which was in behalf of his neighbors, who had blazed ont tracts of land for themselves, upon which they settled, as was then customary, prior to its being surveyed or patented. He retained

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several hundred acres for himself, a portion of which - the old homestead - is now in posses- sion of his grandson, A. P. Beachy. Here he commenced, in an almost trackless wilderness, to carve out for himself a home among the many discouraging circumstances with which he was surrounded ; and soon the results of his patient toil became very marked, as field after field, which supplanted the stately forests, became covered with verdant herbage and waving fields of grain. He also ran a primitive gristmill, and soon became an important factor in the settlement. He was gathered to his fathers in 1833, aged seventy-five years ; his wife, surviv- ing him some ten years, departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were both members of the Amish church. They be- came the parents of two sons, only one of whom, Peter A. Beachy, lived to manhood's estate. He was born in 1797, and reached mature years under the parental roof. He became an exten- sive landowner and stock-raiser, and his farms under his careful management were models for his day and generation, for he was very method- ical in conducting all his affairs, having a place for everything in the line of agricultural imple- ments, which must be placed there in readiness for immediate use. He purchased large quanti- ties of butter, which were disposed of in the Baltimore market; and while on one of his journeys there rode on one of the first railroad trains from Frederick City to Baltimore, which was propelled by horse-power over wooden rails. Owing to shrewd business management he soon became the possessor of considerable surplus money, which was loaned to his neighbors as their necessities required ; he thus doing what might not inappropriately be called a banking business in a modest way, for it certainly met the exigencies of the times. Being a man of slight build, he did not perform the heaviest . labor of the farm, but delegated this to his employes, his own energies being directed iu channels more productive of financial advance- ment.

He married Ann, daughter of Christian Liven- good, who was also born in 1797. He died in 1854, and she in 1869. Both were members of the Mennonite church. They became the parents of twelve children, ten of whom reached maturity, as follows : Samuel, Elizabeth, Ma- tilda, Susan, John W., Abraham P., Nancy, Lucinda, Daniel and Sarah.

CHAPTER LXIX. LOWER TURKEY-FOOT.

The First Settlement in Somerset County - Turkey-Foot - The Second Township Organized in Somerset County in 1773- Subsequent Reduction of the Territory -Tax-List of 1796- Names of Turkey-Foot settlers in 1768-The New Jersey Colony - Early Families - The Murder of Mrs. Tissue - Major Hanna - His Remarkable Feats - Revolutionary Sol- diers - Ursina - Evidences of Indian Occupation - The Old Fort - Confluence - It Origin and Growth - Draketown - The Turkey-Foot Baptist Church - Its Organization in 1775 - Members and Pastors - Other Religious Organizations.

T TURKEY-FOOT derived its name from a peculiar natural configuration of the land formed by the junction of three rivers where the town of Confluence now stands. Within the territory of Lower Turkey-Foot the first settlements in Somerset county were made. Here white men dwelt in the hunting-grounds of the savages; here the severest trials of pioneer life were encountered.

At the organization of Somerset county, in 1795, Turkey-Foot township embraced fully one- sixth of the entire county. It was the second township within the present territory of the county, having been formed from a portion of Brother's Valley as a township of Bedford county in the year 1773. Townships organized subsequently reduced the territory of Turkey- Foot, so that in 1848 it embraced only the present townships of Upper and Lower Turkey-Foot, which were organized as separate precincts in that year.

The following is a list of the taxpayers of Turkey-Foot township in 1796 :

Peter Augusteen, James Campbell, Robert Colburn,

David Ankeny, Gabriel Abrams, Lawrence Carney,

Anthony Brandeberry,

John Clark,

Widow Briningham, James Black,

Thomas Coal, Matthias Carpenter,

John Clark,

Jesse Clark,

Frederick Cosman,

Oliver Drake, Isaac Dwire,

Joseph Biggs, Peter Bradford,

Joseph Barkdue,

Jacob Brandeberry,

Henry Bumershire, John Bailey, Benjamin Bailey,

Henry Everly, Daniel Ellis,

Samuel Francis,

Widow Forsha, Elias Flate,

Peter Foust,

Richard Green, Thomas Green, David Goodwin,

Jacob Hartzel, Esq.,

Henry Hartzel,

Thomas Huff, Sr.,

Nicholas Hartzel,

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Michael Bruner, Thomas Barney, Robert Brooke, John Brooke, Jesse Brooke, John Cunningham, Robert Cocherton, James Conner, Patrick Conner, John Collins,

Hugh Donaley, Nathaniel Davis, Peter Everly,

Joseph Blanset, Jacob Bruner, William Baker, George Barnet,

J. D. LIVENGOOD.

MRS. J. D. LIVENGOOD.

J. D. LIVENGOOD.

Mr. J. D. Livengood is a lineal descendant of Peter Livengood, who settled in Elk Lick township in 1760, and of whom an appropriate sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. John Livengood, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer and fol- lowed this vocation on the farm now owned by J. B. Keim, until his death, which occurred February 19, 1839. He married a Miss Hardman, who survived him some ten years. Both were members of the Ger- man Baptist church. The issue of this marriage was five children : Daniel, John, David, Elizabeth (Ar- nold) and Susan (Lichty).

David, their third son, was born October 11, 1809. Reared a farmer, he purchased a portion of the old homestead. His death occurred October 31, 1870. He was numbered among the prosperous, successful and progressive farmers of this township.

In early days whisky was freely used by all classes. Becoming convinced that its use, as a beverage, was detrimental to the best interests of the community, he was one of the first to abandon its use in the har- vest-field, where it had been considered indispensable. By so doing he incurred the displeasure of many, but he was not the man to shrink from doing what he considered right-principle, not policy or expediency, being his motto. He was possessed of many en- nobling traits of character, which made him univer- sally esteemed and respected. His opportunities for obtaining an education were comparatively meager, but this deficiency was largely made up in after years by extended reading and close observation, which tended to make him liberal in his views, especially so in the cause of education, of which he was an ardent friend and supporter. He gave his children oppor- tunities for a liberal education, which was considered almost an heinous offense in the eyes of some of his conservative neighbors. He was elected a minister in the German Baptist church, of which he was a member. He was married to Nancy, daughter of Michael Meyers, who was born August 11, 1812, and

departed this life April 25, 1849. He then married Sally Meyers, who died in Falls City, Nebraska, in the spring of 1883. By his first wife he became the father of six children, who reached mature years, viz .: Sam- uel D., Barbara (Bachus), Jacob D., Susanah (Lichty), Ann (Saylor), and Adeline (Smith), now deceased.

Jacob D. Livengood was born April 2, 1839. Al- though reared on a farm, he has not followed this vocation, his tastes and inclinations leading him to pursue a business life, largely of a speculative nature. He early went to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged as a clerk in a commission house, where he remained something less than a year. In 1861 he returned home and formed a copartnership with Silas C. Keim and they engaged quite extensively, not only in pur- chasing produce in large quantities, but also in drov- ing. In the latter branch of the business they ex- tended operations into Virginia. In their business operations they were almost uniformly successful, thus evincing good business tact and judgment.

In the spring of 1871 they established a private bank in Salisbury, the first and only bank in the place, under the firm name of Keim & Livengood. They continued to do business for about eight years, when the hard times-the results of the panic of 1873-rendered the business unprofitable, and it was accordingly closed out to their satisfaction. Of late years Mr. Livengood has been interested in the coal business, which has proven a successful venture.

Mr. Livengood has inherited quite largely the prom- inent traits of his father's character ; a keen business man, he is at the same time thoroughly honest and reliable, and an active promoter of projects of a public nature.

He was married February 25, 1875, to Miss Eliza- beth Beachy, daughter of J. W., who was born De- cember 15, 1852, and departed this life May 7, 1883. A lady of rare qualities of mind and heart, she was a most affectionate wife and mother. Three children survive her: Olive May, David Roy and Albert Earnest.

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Michael Harmon, Abraham Huff, John Hamble,

William McCloud, Samuel McClean, Matthew McGinnis,

Widow Wilkins, George Woods, Esq.,

David Work, Jacob Waiss, Jr.,

John Hoyet,

Isaac Morris,

John Maxnesbit,

Wilcox & Chew,

Jacob Younkin, John Youman.

Charles Hoyet, George Hinebaugh, John Hoover, Andrew Henider,

Widow Hall,

John Nicola,

Isaac Heston,

Henry Nicola, Jacob Nave, Patrick Nelson,

John Henider,

Martin Hileman,

William Ogg,

James Hall,

Peter Penrod,

Thomas Huff,

John Pringy,

John Peck,

Edward Harnet, Cabel Huff,

James Porter, Bedwell Parnel,

Henry Homiller,

John Porter,

Jacob Harbaugh,

John Harbaugh,

William Pinkerton, Richard Pinkerton,

Barney William Pitt,

Andrew Ream,

Jacob Rush, Tobias Ream,

John Jones,

John Reed,

James Jones,

Jeremiah Reed,

Edward Kamp, Sr., Stephen Kamp,

Benjamin Rush,

John Kamp, Sr.,

David Ream,

John Rush,

John Kamp, Edward Kamp,

Widow Ruple,

Christopher King, David King,

Jacob Ruple,

Thomas King,

Nancy Ruple,

Moses King,

Henry Ridgly,

John King.

John Kilpatrick,

Joseph Ringer,

Michael Keever,

John Keever,

Peter Rush, Nicholas Rittenhouse, Jacob Snider,

John Sink,

George Kitterman,

Jacob Smith,

Philip King, Esq., David King,

Daniel Storm,

John King,

Thomas Spencer,

James Lafferty,

James Love,

Philip Smith,

Elisha Loyd,

Nehemiah Letts,

Wade Lafberry,

Jonathan Laf berry,

John Lighliter,

Robert Skinner, Sr.,

James Lafferty,

Robert Skinner,

`Joseph Lafferty,

Robert Mcclintock,

James McMillen, Sr.,

John McMillen,

Alexander McClintock,

Vaughen Sampson,

Burket Miner, William McMillen, John Morton, Peter Marks,

James Moon,

John McClean,

Daniel McCarter,

Jacob Miller, John Mitchel,

James Mitchel, Thomas Mitchel,

Lewis Mitchell,

James McMillen, John Melick,

Garret Matthews,

Henry Myers, Sr.,

Henry Myers,

Joseph Mountain,

Christian Snyder, Frederick Snyder, George Turney, William Tisue, William Tannehil, Conrad Weable, Nachel White, James Wright, David Woodmancie, Samuel Woodmancie, Frederick Wimer, Sr., Frederick Wimer,

Jos. Beggs, weaver ; Jas. Conner, tailor ; Oli- ver Dake, gristmill and sawmill ; Peter Everly, blacksmith ; Henry Hartzell, sawmill ; Thos. Huff, Sr., cooper ; Geo. Heinbaugh, weaver ; Geo. Isemenger, wheelwright; Jno. Jones, grist- mill and sawmill ; Geo. Camp, Sr., smithshop and sawmill ; David King, gristmill ; Jno. King, tanner ; John Keever, blacksmith ; Jas. Love, weaver ; Jas. McMillen, Sr., weaver ; Peter Marks, shoemaker ; John McLean, surveyor ; Dan. McCarter, sawmill ; Jac. Nave, cooper ; Peter Penrod, mason ; Geo. Pringey, weaver ; Rich. Pinkerton, shoemaker ; Tobias Reams, tailor ; Henry Rush, smith ; John Smith, joiner ; Jona. Woodside, wheelwright ; John Youman, schoolmaster ; Sam. McLean, blacksmith ; Mich. Bruner, tanner; Robt. Cockerton, schoolmaster ; Jas. Jones, blacksmith.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 114

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

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