History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 129

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 129
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 129
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 129

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).

Dr. Francis Reamer settled in McConnells- burg about 1852. He remained five or six years, then removed to Bedford.

Dr. Nevin B. Shade was born in Liken's valley, Pennsylvania, in 1849; educated in the Clarion Collegiate Institute, Rimersburg, Cla- rion county ; attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, taking three courses of lectures, and graduating in 1878. He entered upon the practice of medicine in McConnells- burg, in 1871, and has since pursued his profes- sion successfully. The drugstore now owned by Dr. Shade is the oldest in Fulton county, having been established by Dr. Denig, the pioneer physician of the county.

Dr. William F. Trout was born at Fort Lyt- tleton, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in 1833. He was educated in Chambersburg, and at the University of Virginia. After studying medi- cine under Dr. A. H. Senseney, of Chambers- burg, he attended the Jefferson Medical College, graduating in 1856. After practicing in Cham- bersburg about one year, he went to Asia, and for two years and eight months pursued his profession in the city of Damascus. In 1859 he returned to this country, and in 1860 settled in McConnellsburg. He has since enjoyed a very

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

extensive practice, and won an enviable reputa- tion. During the first four years of his residence in this town, he was in partnership with Dr. Duffield. He has been carrying on the drug business, in connection with his practice, since 1869. The father of Dr. Trout, Jacob Trout, was a native of Chambersburg, and carried on a' large mercantile business there. He had stores in operation in Chambersburg, Green village and Fort Lyttleton, all at the same time. He removed to Fulton county (then Bedford), about 1831, but returned to Chambersburg a few years later.

Dr. William Carl, the first physician of prominence in the southern part of Fulton county, was born in Adams county, Pennsylva- nia. When a young man he went to Green Castle, Franklin county, where he studied medicine under his uncle's tuition. After securing his education, he practiced a short time in Green Castle and Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania. In 1849 he located at Warfordsburg, where he was continuously engaged in the prac- tice of his profession, until his death, January 13, 1883. Dr. Carl was competent and success- ful. He had a very extensive practice in Bed- ford and Fulton counties, Pennsylvania, and in Maryland and West Virginia. Dr. Carl married Anna Gregory, of Fulton county, in 1854. She now lives at the old home in Warfordsburg. But one child, a daughter, S. Ella Carl, was born of this union.

Dr. Richard Stewart was the first settled physician in Warfordsburg. He came in 1841. His successor, Dr. William E. Reckter, prac- ticed from 1843 to 1849. Dr. J. L. Gregory located in Warfordsburg in 1868. He died in 1879. Dr. A. J. Rhemsburg and Dr. D. E. Fisher are the present medical practitioners. The former came in 1879, and the latter in 1883.

Dr. David Wishart was the first settled phy- sician in Wells valley. Dr. Moore and Dr. Hunter have been among the later practitioners.

Dr. Wm. Lee Mckibbin, the first and only practitioner of medicine to locate in Union township, was born in Philadelphia, of Scotch- Irish parentage, November 15, 1837. In 1848 he came to this county with his father, under whose tuition he received the greater portion of his school training. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 130th regt. Penn. Vols .; was mustered out in 1863 ; then being drafted, was assigned

to Co, E, 149th regt. Penn. Vols .; mustered out in May, 1865. He then married Miss Ella R. Eddowes, of Buck Valley, and went to Washington, where he was employed in the department of Q.M .- Gen. Meigs until September, 1865. He next went to West Vir- ginia, and until 1866, supervised the interests of the Volcanic Oil Company, reading medicine in the evenings with Dr. Hunter, of West Vir- ginia. Returning home, he read medicine with Dr. Jas. B. Delaplane, of Hancock, Maryland, attended the Jefferson Medical College two ses- sions, and was graduated in 1869. He again at- tended lectures in 1870, then studied under the private tutorage of Dr. Chas. P. Bye, of Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, for one year. He has since attended several partial courses. Dr. McKibbin has been actively engaged in prac- tice, except when attending lectures, ever since his graduation. His practice is large, and ex- tends over a territory about fifteen miles wide and twenty-five miles long, taking in parts of Washington and Allegheny counties, Maryland and Fulton and Bedford counties, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Henry S. Wishart, of Harrisonville, re- ceived his academical education in Juniata county, Pennsylvania ; read medicine in the office of Dr. R. J. Hunter, beginning April 1, 1857. In 1859 he entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, and attended one full course. Then practiced under his preceptor until May, 1861, when he entered the army as captain of Co. F, 77th regt. Penn. Vols .; remained in the service until May, 1863. Resuming the study of medicine in the office of Dr. S. D. Scott, he attended the university of Pennsylvania and was graduated doctor of med- icine March 15, 1864. Since that time Dr. Wishart has pursued his profession steadily and successfully. He was a member of the Pennsylvania house of representatives, 1875-6. As a member of this body he discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituency, and with credit to himself. As & physician he possesses the essential qualifica- tions of the successful practitioner other than knowledge, firmness and compassion, blended with discretion and integrity. As a citizen be is ever ready to champion any enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the best interests of the county. The doctor is one of those gentlemen whose identification with any locality is productive of good.

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THE BOROUGH OF McCONNELLSBURG.

CHAPTER LXXXV.

THE BOROUGH OF MCCONNELLSBURG.

The Town Founded, 1786- Its Location upon an Old Traders' Path - Causes which led to a Rapid Growth - The Town Incorporated in 1814-The McConnells -Interesting Remin- iscences by a Grandson of Daniel McConnell - Houses and Inhabitants prior to 1813- The Old Blockhouse - Taxables in 1826 - Table Showing the Amount of Travel on the Turnpike, 1830-4 - Business of the Town in 1846- Personal Mention - Col. James Agnew - Col. John Fletcher - William Duffield -Thomas Greathead - Business Directory, 1883.

M c. CONNELLSBURG is a pleasant, old- fashioned town, old in years, but not especially rich in historic lore. It was laid out by Daniel McConnell on the 20th of April, 1786. Four McConnells -William, Alexander, James and Adam-are mentioned by Secretary Peters, as residents of the Big Cove in May, 1750. It is probable that they were progenitors or mem- bers of the family which founded the town.

At the time the town was laid out, its site was on one of the main thoroughfares between the east and west. A packhorse trail or "packers' path," leading from Philadelphia and the east- ern settlements via the Conococheague settle- ment and Mercersburg, passed through McCon- nellsburg and onward to the forks of the Ohio, now the site of Pittsburgh. This route was fre- quently traversed by the early traders, who dealt with the western Indians. From Fort Loudon ran another path, intersecting the first- named, near McConnellsburg. These roads, after peace had been established with the Indi- ans, naturally became the routes of travel of the pioneer settlers, and over them their goods and supplies were carried on packhorses. When the settlements became able to undertake the work, the packhorse trails werc converted into wagon roads. We have been unable to ascer- tain when this was consummated, but it is cer- tain that wagons and stages ran through Mc- Connellsburg long before the building of the Chambersburg and Bedford turnpike, about 1817. Indeed the village, as will be shown hereafter, had grown to be a thrifty and in- dustrious settlement, as early as 1813; and on the 28th of March, 1814, it was incorporated as a borough.

Daniel and William McConnell first settled where the town now stands. The land was granted to them by a warrant dated 1762. They were the sons of Adam McConnell, a Scotchman, who, according to tradition, owned some of the best lands in the cove. William McConnell was

a justice of the peace at the time Bedford county was formed. He sold out to his brother, Daniel, and moved west some time in the last century. Daniel McConnell, Sr., according to the testi- mony of his grandson,* kept tavern, and had a large custom of wagoners and packers long before the town was laid out. He died in Mc- Connellsburg about 1802. His first wife was a Miss Griffith, a Welsh lady. For his second wife he married the widow Beckwith, to whom he left one hundred acres of his estate, which in turn was inherited by her children, the Beck- withs. Daniel McConnell, Jr., who was born and reared on the homestead, inherited the farm out of which the town plot was made. He built a brick house in the western part of the town about 1790. This house (now owned by Alfred Greathead) was situated north of the turnpike, between it and the old tavern stand of the McConnells. While it was building, the family lived in the old blockhouse. Mr. Mc- Connell thinks that the building was begun in 1788. Daniel McConnell, Jr., gave lots to the town for church and school buildings and a graveyard. He removed to Indiana county with his family in the spring of 1813, and died in 1820. He also married a Miss Griffith, his cousin.

In the original plot of the town Main street was designed to run east and west through the court-house square. But the business of the place centered upon the old road (now the turnpike), which early became and still remains the principal street.

Mr. Adam McConnell, in the communication before mentioned, thus describe the houses and residents as they were in his boyhood, prior to his removal in 1813 :

The McConnell house, at what was then the lower end of the town, on the north side of the road ; next, the dwelling and store of John Hunter, Esq .; John Darrah's house and store next, extending to the cross street ; then Andrew Works' store; the stage tavern, kept by John Davis, with David Agnew's store in the base- ment ; Thomas Douglas' tannery ; James Agnew's store ; on the next corner (northeast), Jacob Ford's tavern ; shop of Anthony Shoe-

* This information is gathered from a letter written by Adam McConnell. then of Rural Valley. Armstrong county, to James Pott in 1876. The author of the letter was born in MeConnells- burg, November 15, 1798, in the brick house built by his father and mentioned further on. He died in Armstrong county in 1882. He was the son of Daniel McConnell, Jr .. whose futher, Daniel, Sr., laid out the town.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

maker, hatter; tavern of Joseph Flickner ; George Darrah's tannery ; these all on the north side of the main street. South side, lower end : Thomas Allender's wagonshop .; John Carr's blacksmith-shop ; ITuselton, and after him, Mark Dickson, kept tavern on the southwest corner, his back yard bridged with plank ; James Nes- bit had his saddler's shop on the next corner : then the old fort or blockhouse on the alley ; on the other side of the alley, Judge Dickey's store ; Michael Downs' carpentershop on the alley (Mr. McConnell does not otherwise de- scribe its location) ; Nicholas Metzler kept groceries and medicine- there was no regular doctor within ten miles ; William Scott's tavern on the next corner ; Daniel Bloom's blacksmith- shop stood opposite ; above it, Philip Butler's wagonshop, Rudebaugh's tinshop, Mullwertz's store and Capt. Adam Leonard's blacksmith-shop. These, says Mr. McConnell, were the oldest and most important residents of the village.

Mr. McConnell says he can count from mem- ory the houses of about fifty families. He further adds that there was no regular preach- ing in the place. He attended a school taught by a Mr. Martin, in a log schoolhouse, which stood on the same lot where, during his school- days, a brick church was erected by the Presby- terians. Besides the several taverns in the village, " Nancy Brannon sold liquor in a house situated at the base of the North mountain."

The blockhouse mentioned in the interesting reminiscences above given long since disap- peared, and even its memory has been for- gotten by the citizens of the town. There is no means of learning when or by whom it was erected. There is no doubt, how- ever, that it was a relic of that gloomy period in the history of this valley when the lives of the scattered settlers were in constant peril from wily and savage foes. Mr. McConnell thus describes it: "On the alley, twenty or thirty feet off the street, the spring in front of the fort - the alley between it and Judge Dick- ey's store ; built of heavy oak logs, squared and dovetailed together closely ; no cracks, only port- holes." This description fixes its location nearly in the rear of the printing-office of the Fulton Republican, as at present located.

We are enabled to take another glance at the inhabitants and business of the town a few years later, through the medium of the first tax-list of the borough now discoverable.

According to the assessment list on file in the

commissioners' office of Bedford county, the taxpayers of McConnellsburg borough in 1826 were as follows :

David Agnew, Samuel Agnew, Thomas Allen- der (wagonmaker), Bloom heirs, John Bender (driver), Widow Bachett, John Bohn (consta- ble), Jacob Cook (blacksmith), Causes beirs, John Coots (shoemaker), John Cook, Rev. Thomas Clarkson, Michael Downs (carpenter), William Duffield (merchant), Dr. Geo. Denig, Elijah Dickson, John Dickey, Esq., Elizabeth Davidson, Dennison heirs, Samnel Embly (shoe- maker), Rufus Eachey, Daniel Fortney(butcher), Jacob Foursnaught, John Fletcher (blacksmith), Fletcher & Sordon, Robert Forbis (shoemaker), John Frymoir, Fous heirs, George Glaze (shoe- maker), Philip Greenawalt (stagedriver), George Humbert, George Hook (tanner), Sol- omon Humbert, Jacob Hook, Henry Hook (tin- ner), John Keyser, Leonard Knavel (black- smith), Andrew Lindsay, Thomas Loasson, Ga- vin Loasson, Michael Mulwortz, John Mulwortz, Daniel Metzler, Mary McConnell, Mary Mc- Claine, William McIntoze (saddler), Lewis Mi- chael, Samuel McCormick, Samuel Morrow (tailor), Samuel and Thomas Mcclellan, - Maides, Samuel Nisbet, Jacob Needen (chair- maker), William Patterson, Joseph Parks, Jameson Reed (laborer), George Rumel (black- smith), William Scott, John St. Mire (brick- layer), Mary Scott heirs, William Scott, David Smith (tailor), E. Smith (shoemaker), Anthony Shoemaker, Jr. (hatter), Anthony Shoemaker, Esq., Rev. William Shoultz, Samuel Shimer (shoemaker), William Scholey (stagedriver), Jacob Stoner, John Shaffer (innkeeper), Gen. John Shaffer, Abraham Stephens, Esq., Samuel Shillito (gunsmith), Charles Tipple, John Tut- wiler, Esq., David Walt, Andrew Work, Eph- raim Wallace heirs.

Single Freemen. - Samuel Forbes (shoe- maker), - Mcclellan (merchant), Thomas MeClellan (merchant), John McCormick (la- borer), David Walt, Johnston Elliott (tanner and currier) John Shaffer, Isaac Shaffer, George Shaffer, Eli Shirkey (shoemaker), Robert Shan- non, Alexander Taylor (gunsmith), John Ker- ney (tailor), Adam Koots (hatter), Robert Forbes (shoemaker).

Assessors .- Thomas Allender, Anthony Shoe- maker, Thomas MeClellan.

The following table may prove interesting, as showing the amount of travel on the Chambers- burg and Bedford turnpike before the days of

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Mc CONNELLSBURG, PA., FROM THE SOUTHWEST.

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THE BOROUGH OF MCCONNELLSBURG.

rapid transit. The record is an abstract of an account kept by Henry R. F. Mullwitz, keeper of the North mountain tollgate, on the turn- pike between Loudon and McConnellsburg :

1830.

1834.

Broad-wheeled wagons.

6.641

6,359

Narrow-wheeled wagons

495

374

Single-horse wagons.

761

1,243

Carriages.

138

107

Two-horse wagons

318

779

Gigs.

Riding horses

3,116

2,817

Draft horses

39,824

42,330

Heads of cattle

5,834

6,457

Sheep

2,180

2,852

Hogs

1,180

Carts

McConnellsburg, as we learn from Rupp's History, contained, in 1846, four churches, four taverns, six stores, two schools, two tanneries, two wagonshops, seven shoemakers, two weav- ers and four cabinetmakers. In 1840 its pop- ulation was four hundred and eighty-six; in 1846, five hundred and seventy-five, including twenty-four colored persons.

PERSONAL.

Col James Agnew was one of the earliest settlers of McConnellsburg, and the most suc- cessful business man that ever lived in the town. He was a man of strong mind and energetic char- ter, firm of will and of sound judgment. 1Ie was born July 25, 1769, and died September 9, 1855. The date of his settlement in McCon- nellsburg is not definitely known. The dwelling now occupied by Jonathan Hess was built by Col. Agnew in 1792. The Agnew store-now J. W. Greathead's-was erected earlier. Col. Agnew was the second merchant in the town (Hunter having started the first store), and for many years his customers included the greater portion of the inhabitants between Ray's Ilill and the Tuscarora mountain. There were no country stores in those days, and the trade all came to McConnellsburg. There was also as great amount of business brought to the town by the turnpike. Col. Agnew was a good man- ager, shrewd in financial matters. He left an ostate worth about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars -- a large fortune to be amassed in a small town. He was a zealous member of the Presbyterian church and for many years held the office of elder and sabbath-school superin- tendent. After his death, his family moved away. None of the name now reside in the county.

Col. John Fletcher was among the early resi-

dents and prominent citizens of McConnellsburg. He pursued the blacksmith's trade. He was a man of reading and extensive information, and was especially well versed in the Bible and upon theological questions. Col. Fletcher was origi. nally from Adams county. He died in McCon- nellsburg at the age of eighty-three. He had but one son, Charles Augustus, who moved to Maryland and died while a member of the legis. lature of that state. His daughters were Ann, who married William Duffield ; Charlotte and Rebecca, both of whom died single.

William Duffield was a native of Franklin county and a son of Dr. Samuel Duffield, of Welsh Run, Franklin county. He came to Mc- Connellsburg about 1810 and engaged in the mercantile business. In the war of 1812, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Beckwith's com- pany, and was appointed quartermaster under Gen. Harrison. Returning from the war, he re- sumed business as a merchant and continued until about twelve years before his death. He died in 1848, in the sixty-second year of his age. Mr. Duffield was married in 1819, to Ann Fletcher, daughter of John Fletcher, of McCon- nellsburg. They reared three daughters and two sons. The eldest son is Dr. S. E. Duffield, of McConnellsburg, and the second Prof. John T. Duffield, D.D., of Princeton College. Prof. Duffield graduated from Princeton, and soon after was appointed tutor in Latin and Greek. For the past twenty-five years he has held the professorship of mathematics in the college. The daughters of William Duffield, all of whom are deceased, were Mary E., wife of John Rob- inson ; Ann E., wife of Hon. Francis Jordan ; and Emma R., wife of Samuel Lyons, Esq.

Prominent among the residents of McCon- nellsburg in the first quarter of the present century were the following heads of families, in addition to those already mentioned : George Hoke, Henry Hoke, George Darrah, Andrew Work, Anthony Shoemaker, Thomas Allender, Samuel Morrow, Elias Davidson, and Thomas and James McClellan, who were bachelors. and merchants.

The Greatheads are noticed elsewhere.

The following is a directory of McConnells- burg business men in 1883 :

General merchants : Thomas Patterson, D. B. Nace & Brother, Johnston & McDonald, Samuel Hoover, J. W. Greathead.

Druggists : Dr. N. B. Shade, Dr. W. F. Trout, W. S. Dickson.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Grocers and confectioners : Nicholas Ott, John A. Irwin, Frank Peightel.

Dealers in stoves and tinware : A. Stoner, J. J. Dunlap.

Undertakers and furniture dealers : William Stoner, J. & S. Bender.

Tailors : David Goldsmith, J. A. Boerner, A. U. Nace.

Jeweler : L. C. Bailey.

Boot and shoe makers : John L. Smith, J. A. Sixeas.

Tanners : G. W. Greathead, Paul Wagner. Foundry : William N. Doyle.

Saddlery and harnessmakers : Samuel Shimer, R. N. Shimer, James Shimer.

Weaver : Samuel Irwin.

Milliners : Miss A. J. Irwin, Miss M. V. Hoh- man.

Hotels : Washington House, S. B. Woollet ; Fulton House, Jacob McDonald ; Eagle Hotel. August Rexroth ; Buckhorn Hotel, Aaron Clev- enger.

Carriagemaker : Albert Heikes.

Wagonmakers : Samuel Peightel, Samuel Kelly.

Blacksmiths : John H. Wilt, Henry Shiets, Michael Cook, Andrew Hays.

Butchers : James Sipes, Samuel A. Nesbit.

Livery stables : William A. Fisher, John Sheets.

Insurance agent : B. N. Sterrett.

Dentists : Dr. W. F. Trout, W. F. Teeter.

Postmaster : R. N. Shimer.

Attorneys, physicians and editors are else- where given.

Jonathan Hess, an old resident, was born in Culpeper county, Va., in 1812, and came to this county with his father, John IIess, when less two years old. John Hess, the grandfather of Jonathan, came to Ayr township from Virginia in 1812. He died in 1828. John, Jr., died in 1814. Jonathan, the only child now in Fulton county, has followed farming principally, though for about eleven years he was employed as a forgeman in iron manufacturing. He mar- ried Mary A. Lucas, of Centre county, in 1838, and has reared five daughters and a son. His only son is Maj. Frank W. Hess, late of Penn- sylvania volunteers, now a captain in the regu- lar army.

James Sipes, ex-county treasurer, was born in Licking Creek township, in 1823. He was brought up a farmer, and followed that occupa- tion until twenty-three years of age, when he

engaged in the business of buying and selling stock, in which he was actively engaged, sum- mer and winter, for twenty years. From 1862 to 1864 he resided in Ligonier, Westmoreland county. In 1864 he moved to McConnellsburg, where he has since resided, engaged in farm- ing and butchering. He was appointed county treasurer to fill a vacancy ; and in 1880 he was elected to the same office, in which he served one term. Mr. Sipes was married in 1849 to Martha Layton. They have two sons and one daughter.

Jacob McDonald, proprietor of the Fulton House, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 1835, at the age of fifteen, he came to McCon- nellsburg, where he has since resided, with the exception of about four years. He learned the trades of tanner and saddler and followed them for about thirty years. In 1850 he erected the building now known as the Washington House, which was the first improvement made in the town after McConnellsburg was chosen as the seat of justice of the county. For the last thirty years, Mr. McDonald has been engaged in hotelkeeping, principally in McConnellsburg. In 1857-8 he was treasurer of Fulton county. Two of his sons, Reed W. and Robert A., served in the late war. Robert A. McDonald was four times elected prothonotary of the county. He is now one of the merchants of McConnellsburg, a member of the firm of John- ston & McDonald.

Nicholas Ott was born and reared in Ayr township. His father, George Ott, came to this county from Maryland. He was a farmer, and is now deceased. Nicholas was reared on the farm. In the fall of 1862 he was mustered into the service in Co. H, 158th regt. Penn. Vols., with which he served eleven months. After his discharge he re-enlisted in Co. H, 208th Penn. regt., and served until the close of the war. He lost his left arm in front of Petersburg. After the war he engaged in the grocery and confec- tionery business in McConnellsburg, which pur- suit he still follows ..

S. B. Woollet, proprietor of the Washington House, McConnellsburg, was born in Dublin township, now Fulton county, in 1837. He was brought up on a farm, and in early life followed clerking for a few years. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the 110th regt. Penn. Vols .; dis- charged in April, 1862. He then turned his attention to railroading for two years. Return- ing home in 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth J.

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ELYSIAN MILLS AND RESIDENCE OF HEIRS OF JOHN POTT (DECEASED), FULTON CO., PA.

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J. W. GREATHEAD.

The progenitor of the American branch of the Great- head family, Thos. Greathead, was born in Clitherow, Lancashire, England, July 27, 1792. When sixteen years of age he went to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and in 1815 to London.

September 10, 1818, was married to Frances S., daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hux.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 129

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

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