History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 53

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 53

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).

William Hartley at his death left a daughter in England, Louisa (afterward Mrs. Harrison), a son, William, and a daughter. Eliza, afterward married to Dr. William Watson, the first, of Bedford, Pennsylvania. His widow afterward married Capt. William Graham, of Bedford, by whom she became the mother of John Graham, of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter, Susan, married to Dr. Van Lear, of Maryland." After the death of Capt. Graham she married Gen. Simpson, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, whom she also survived, and died in 1816 at the home of her daughter, Eliza Watson, in her eighty-sixth year. Capt. Graham was buried on the farm.

William Hartley, after passing a few years at the Embryo College, at Cannonsburg. Pennsylvania, and subsequently in merchandising at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, early in the century returned to bis old home at Mount Dallas, and there spent the whole of his life, which terminated on December 9, 1837. In the old family burial- ground selected by his father, his ashes repose beside those of Cath- erine. the mother of his seven children, a generous, faithful woman, blessed by the poor and respected for her many sterling qualities of mind and heart. He was progressive as a farmer ; took great interest in the construction and maintenance of the then great highway, the Bedford and Chambersburg turnpike. He was largely interested in the freighting of those days by means of the Conestoga wagons, stage lines, etc. He was remarkably successful in business and owned many excellent farms, which he willed to his children. His three daughters, Sarah, Matilda and Margaretta, whom he educated at the best seminaries within reach, all died young. They neverthe- less, by their culture, quick, bright intellects and christian characters, made deep impressions for good within the circles of their acquain- tance, which will never be effaced. Sarah, the eldest, was married to Dr. Troup, of Ohio, March 5, 1835, at Mount Dallas, and died in Circleville, Ohio, in 1845, in her thirty-first year. Matilda was edu- cated at Steubenville Seminary, Ohio; married Thomas King, of Bedford county, in 1840, and died, 1849, in her thirty-first year. Mar- garetta, whom her father took to Steubenville Seminary just before his death, was graduated with high honors in 1840 in her fifteenth year, and in 1843 became the wife of Dr. E. C. Clarke, of Ohio. She died in her thirty-third year, leaving six children. The girls were all consistent, active members of the Old School Presbyterian church and died the death of the righteous, honored and respected by all. Of William Hartley's four sons, who with their three sisters were all born on the old Mount Dallas farm, but two survive, namely : John G. and William, now and for many years residents of Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Edwin Hartley, the eldest son, was killed by falling under the wheels of a Conestoga wagon, when a little boy, on his way to school. Harrison Hartley, the youngest of the family, died in 183x, and with his brother lies in the old farm graveyard.

In taking leave of this old historic spot, with its wonderful caverns but recently discovered, its beautiful crystal springs, its blue rocks and meadows, the bold mountain scenery where the shaggy head of Tussey's highest peak may be seen in the clouds and the copsy foot at the same time laved in the silvery waters of the Juniata winding her pebbly way between the ancient abodes of Alliquippe, the dusky queen of a remnant of the once powerful Six Nations, and the strong-hearted Betsy Tussey, the frontier widow, whose name still clings to the mountain, and whose race is master of the world, we present these brief pen sketches, together with the likeness of William Hartley, who in his day was a prominent figure in the material interests of Bedford county. The Hartley family and the Mount Dallas farm must for all time be associated, no matter who may own the surface : the dust of its magnesian rocks and the ashes of these the first settlers are mingled.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by Google

253

BOROUGH OF BEDFORD.

D. Shoemaker, register and recorder ; Americus Enfield, sheriff ; Humphrey D. Tate, prothono- tary, etc .; William Hartley, retired ; John Alsip and William G. Eicholtz, farmers ; William F. Mann, William W. Barclay, Shires (Peter H.) & Jordan (John R.), founders and machinists ; Moore & Jordan, insurance agents ; F. P. Gil- christ and J. Brightbill, carriage and wagon manufacturers; John W. Ridenour, jeweler, etc .; Heckerman Bros., druggists ; R. V. Lee, undertaker; J. H. Cessna, county superin- tendent of schools ; W. L. Newman, lessee and operator of gristmill ; William L. Horn, owner of planing-mill, builder and contractor ; J. W. Knox, carriage manufacturer ; J. N. Killinger, of Freed & Co., keg-works ; H. R. Hershberger, liveryman; Dexter White, restaurant and whole- sale liquor dealer ; - Hasse, merchant tailor ; Louis Saupp ; Revs. Daniel O'Connell, Charles M. Stock, H. D. Cone, Ellis N. Kremer, S. W. Sears and Dr. Langdon, clergymen ; A. J. San- som and William C. Smith, justices of the peace.

Having traced in the foregoing pages the his- tory of the town from its incipiency to the present date, and noted a large majority of those who have been its prominent residents, we will only add, in this connection, that it is centrally located in the county of which it is the seat of justice. Its location is twenty miles north of the Maryland, or Mason and Dixon's, line, at an elevation of one thousand and sixty-two feet above the ocean level, and in longitude 1º 30' west, of 40° 15' north latitude. With the com- pletion of the proposed Harrisburg & Western railroad it is safe to predict that the present population of about two thousand six hundred will be doubled within the next ten years. Other matters pertaining to the history of the borough will be treated under topical headings as follows :

CORPORATE HISTORY.

Although by an act of assembly, approved March 13, 1795, the town of Bedford was desig- nated a borough, it appears that for nearly a quarter of a century thereafter it was a borough in name only, and that the only benefits its citizens derived from the act mentioned was the fact of being entitled to their own justices of the peace and constables. On February 5, 1817, a second act of incorporation was approved, and in ac- cordance with its provisions an election was held at the court-house on the first Monday in

May following, which resulted in the choice of borough officers as follows (Vol. I, Minutes of Town Council, begins with the record of this election) :

James M. Russell, chief burgess ; James Williams, assistant burgess ; John H. Hofius, John Hershberger, John Tod, William Watson, William Reynolds and Elijah Adams, members of council, and Peter Saurman, high con- stable. Henry Hoblitzell, Charles McDowell and John Sanders served as inspectors of this election, and at an early meeting of council David Mann was appointed secretary, and George Henry treasurer, of the incorporation. Chief Burgess Russell was sworn into office May 10, and on the third Saturday in May, 1817, a borough seal was adopted, described as follows : "On the margin thereof the words 'Seal of the Borough of. Bedford' and the fig- ures '1817,' and in the center thereof for a device, a hydrant with running water."

Following is a complete list of those who have held the office of chief burgess during sub- sequent years : James M. Russell, 1818, 1819; David Mann, 1820, 1821 ; Henry Woods, 1822 ; David Mann, 1823 ; Josiah E. Barclay, 1824, 1825 ; Charles McDowell, 1826, 1827, 1828 ; George Henry, 1829; James M. Russell, 1830 ; Joseph S. Morrison, 1831 ; Peter Schell, 1832 ; Thomas B. McElwee, 1833 ; Joseph S. Morri- son, 1834; Charles McDowell, 1835; Peter Schell, 1836 ; Job Mann, 1837 ; James M. Rus- sell, 1838 ; Daniel Shuck, 1839; George R. Holsinger, 1840; John Arnold, 1841; Samuel Brown, 1842, 1843; Solomon Mason, 1844, 1845 ; David H. Hofius, 1846, 1847 ; Solomon Mason, 1848 ; William P. Schell, 1849 ; Samuel L. Russell, 1850; Samuel Carn, 1851, 1852 ; Samuel Davis, 1853 ; William P. Schell, 1854; Francis Jordan, 1855, 1856 ; William P. Schell, 1857; Jacob Reed, 1858, 1859 ; John H. Rush, 1860, 1861, 1862 ; Valentine Steckman, 1863, 1864, 1865; George W. Blymyer, 1866 ; O. E. Shannon, 1867; Valentine Steckman, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871 ; John A. Mowry, 1872, 1873 ; S. S. Metzger, 1874 ; A. J. Sansom, 1875, 1876 ; Espy M. Alsip, 1877 ; Samuel F. Statler, 1878 ; J. B. Cessna, 1879, 1880; Joseph W. Tate, 1881 ; Jacob H. Longenecker, 1882, and William L. Fyan, 1883. Other borough officers at the present time are Jonathan Brightbill, William L. Horn, E. W. Harmer, Frank Thompson, Dr. John A. Clark and Robert Steckman, council-

Digitized by Google

254

HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

men ; N. L. McGirr, secretary ; William Dibert, constable ; George C. Hawkins, superintendent of waterworks; J. Wy. Boor, collector and treasurer ; A. J. Sansom and William C. Smith, justices of the peace.

In August, 1817, it was determined by the first board of councilmen that a reservoir of the capacity of sixteen thousand gallons should be constructed "near the public springs," and that supply pipes be laid therefrom under the direc- tion of Charles D. Bishop for the purpose of furnishing the inhabitants with a pure and ample supply of water. Soon after a contract was concluded with Abraham Kerns to build the reservoir, and James Williams, John H. Hofius, William Reynolds and John Tod were named by council as members of the commit- tee to superintend the entire work of construc- tion. To carry forward the enterprise, the sum of $2000 was borrowed from the Allegheny Bank of Pennsylvania - a Bedford institution -and a long period passed before the obliga- tion was canceled. The castings used were procured at Pittsburgh, and before the begin- ning of the winter of 1817-18, the works were in operation.

Regarding other matters of historical and local interest, the minutes of councils like- wise inform the reader that in April, 1839, a fire-engine was purchased of the United States Engine Company, for the sum of $500 - Hon. J. S. Morrison loaning the borough authorities the money with which the payment was made. An engine-house was erected soon after, and in 1842 the same building was occupied by the military companies known as the "Bedford Artillery " and "Independent Greys," as an armory. In November, 1846, the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Company- a corporation which has since become part of the great West- ern Union - obtained permission to run its wires through the town. In April, 1861, at the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, a rumor gained general credence among the town's people that their neighbors south of Mason and Dixon's line were about to invade and lay waste the country hereabouts, that Bed- ford especially was marked for destruction. To add to the terror of the most nervous, some par- ties (doubtless young men of the town) pro- ceeded to the mountain lying southeast of the borough, charged sundry large trees with pow- der, and exploded them at will. Many really

believed this to be the work of an enemy, and thereupon a night watch, consisting of eighty- eight men, was organized under the command of Capt. Samuel Davis. Armed with all man- ner of weapons, this valiant watch was divided into two companies or detachments of forty-four men each, and while one detachment patrolled the outskirts and maintained a particularly sharp outlook toward the front - Dunning's mountain -from 10 P.M. to 1.30 A.M., those composing the reserve or second relief retired to their respect- ive places of abode. When the hour approached for the relief guard to be called out, Capt. Davis also performed the duties of sergeant, and as- sembled his men by going from house to house and arousing them from their slumbers. The second relief remained on duty from 1.30 to 4 A.M. Many amusing stories are told concerning this epoch in the history of the borough, which will hardly bear recording here.

THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY AGO.

(JULY 4, 1808.)

"Yesterday," said the editor of the Gazette, in his issue of July 5, 1808, " the anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at this place with unusual demonstrations of joy and enlightened patriotism. At 12 o'clock Capt. Lyon's company of infantry paraded and marched out to Davidson's Spring - a beauti- ful and romantic spot previously designated as the place for the entertainments of the day. At 1 o'clock a number of citizens, among whom were some of the respectable farmers of the neighborhood, joined them, when a committee from the infantry company waited on Henry Woods, Esq., and requested him to sit as presi- dent of the day. At the same time a committee from the citizens informed Capt. John Lyon that he had been nominated by them as vice- president. Lieut. Samuel Davidson, James M. Russell, Esq., and Charles McDowell were ap- pointed a committee to draft or to select from those already furnished a number of patriotic toasts for the occasion ; which were reported and adopted by the citizens present. At 2 o'clock (immediately after a discharge of mus- ketry) the whole company sat down to an ele- gant and well arranged dinner, prepared under the direction of Mr. John Fleming. After the cloth was removed seventeen regular toasts were drank with unanimous bursts of applause-in- termingled with martial music and a number of patriotic and sentimental songs. The Light

Digitized by Google

- --

Digitized by Google

John Lung

JOHN LUTZ.

John Lutz was born in Snake Spring town- ship, Bedford county, near Lutzville station, January 6, 1835. He was the eldest son of Michael Lutz and Rosanna Lutz (née Stuckey), both of whose families were among the early settlers of the county, his maternal and paternal grandfathers having come to Bedford county from Virginia between 1790 and 1800. In his boyhood he learned the trade of a woolen manu- facturer, his paternal grandfather having built one of the first woolen factories in this section of the state, about the year 1808.

Desiring a more advanced education than was obtainable at the public schools, the subject of this sketch, by working at his trade in the sum- mer, and teaching in the winter, earned the means of first attending the Bedford Academy, and afterward of completing his education at Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- vania. Too close application to study had so impaired his health that from 1858 to 1865 he was most of the time obliged to desist from all attempts at either physical or intellectual labor. During this period, however, he read law with the late Hon. Alexander King, afterward presi- dent judge of the sixteenth judicial district, and in 1864 was admitted to the bar. In May, 1862, he removed to Bedford, where he has since resided.

In April, 1865, in company with J. R. Dur-

burrow, Esq., and at the urgent request of a number of prominent republicans, he purchased the Bedford Inquirer, which he edited with marked success for ten years. He did not, how- ever, dissolve his connection with that paper until January, 1881, when he sold his remaining interest in it, reserving, however, by written agreement, the right to establish another paper. On April 14, 1881, he, in connection with W. C. Smith, Esq., established the Bedford Republican, which rapidly grew to favor and influence as one of the leading republican journals of this part of the state. January 1, 1884, the two papers, the Bedford Republican and the Bedford Inquirer were consolidated and are now pub- lished as the Republican and Inquirer, under the management of Lutz, Smith and Jordan. While the attention of Mr. Lutz has been chiefly devoted to journalism, he has never wholly given up the practice of the law. He has always been an ardent advocate of and an active participant in all public enterprises having for their object the promotion of the welfare and prosperity of the community in which he re- sides.

On May 19, 1870, he was married to Emily C. Filler, of Bedford, who died March 3, 1873, leaving one child, William F. Lutz. On January 3, 1888, Mr. Lutz married again, leading to the altar Miss Hattie E. Way, of Union Springs, New York.

Digitized by Google

HOUSE.

WASHINGTON

OWNED BY JNO. AND G. W. LUTZ.

WASHINGTON HOUSE, BEDFORD , PA .

Digitized by Google

255

BOROUGH OF BEDFORD.

Infantry then resumed their arms, and with much order and exactness fired a platoon in honor of each of the above toasts-with refer- ence to the seventeen states of the Union. The company again seated themselves, when, with increased joy, approaching to enthusiasm, they drank several volunteer toasts. The latter were proposed by the president of the day, the vice- president, James M. Russell, Esq., Josiah M. Espy, Esq., Charles McDowell, Dr. John Ander- son, Dr. George D. Foulke and Mr. Charles J. Smith. At sundown the company rose from the table and formed themselves into a line, the citizens in the center, the military in the front and rear. In this order, emblematic of the protection which the citizens ought to re- ceive from the soldiers, they marched to the center of the town, where the joyful and inter- esting scenes were closed by a discharge of musketry. Such is a correct account of this patriotic festival, which, for a display of social harmony, order, friendship, ease and convivial gaiety, has never been in this place surpassed. Every countenance beamed with the joyful feel- ings 'of the heart, and each one's sentiment appeared the sentiment of all. In fact no cause of regret appeared but the absence of a number of citizens, which it had been presumed the spirit of the day would have brought out."

BANKING.

"The Allegheny Bank of Pennsylvania," Bedford's first banking house, was established soon after the close of the second war with Great Britain, or April 2, 1815. Its president was Dr. John Anderson, while Josiah M. Espy, Esq., served as cashier. The building occupied (on Pitt street), the offices, vault, etc., are still in a good state of preservation, and are yet owned by the Anderson heirs. The Allegheny was a bank of issue, and was deemed one of the most reliable and prosperous moneyed institu- tions in the state. In the final settlement, which occurred after a decade or more of years had passed, William Hartley (the father of John G. and William Hartley) was prominent, he having bought the assets and guaranteed the liabilities. Eventually (with great gain to him- self), he redeemed every dollar of the paper out- standing.

In later years, Reed (Jacob) & Rupp (George W.), and afterward Reed & Schell (Jacob J.), conducted a banking business for a brief period.

Subsequently, yet only for a few months, Oliver E. Shannon & Rupp were known as bankers.

The present banking house of Messrs. Hartley (John G.) & Bowers (John S.) was established by W. M. Lloyd, of Altoona, in 1869. The latter controlled it until the panic of 1873 disposed of him and his numerous banks of exchange scattered through several counties. His suc- cessors here were Hartley, Russell & Co., who continued from January, 1874, until January 1, 1876, when Messrs. Hartley & Bowers began their present business relations.

MANUFACTURING.

Though possessing many of the requisites, Bedford has never been noted as a manufact- uring center, consequently hundreds of towns throughout the Union of less than fifty years' growth surpass it in population, business activity and material resources.

The Foundry and Machine Shops now owned and operated by Messrs. Shires & Jordan have been prominent as landmarks in the eastern part of the town for the past forty years. About the year 1840, Daniel Washabaugh (an active business man in his day, a brewer, distiller, likewise a noted militia officer) erected the foundry buildings, but they remained unoccupied some two years, when a firm composed of Daniel Washabaugh, William Howser and Michael Bannan began work as founders and machinists under the name of Washabaugh, Howser & Bannan. About 1846, Howser withdrew, and Washabaugh & Bannan continued until 1855, when Washabaugh retired, renting his interests to Bannan. This condition of affairs existed until 1858, when Peter H. Shires and John R. Jordan, the present proprietors, purchased the fixtures and business at public sale. They rented the real estate until 1870, when that, also, was purchased.

Messrs. Shires & Jordan are manufacturers of and general dealers in all kinds of farm im- plements, steam engines, separators and saw- mills, threshing-machines, mill-gearing, stoves, cord-binders, reapers and mowers, hayrakes, grain-drills, plows, iron railings, etc., etc., and repair to order. Mr. Shires was born in Center county, and Mr. Jordan in that part of Bedford now known as Fulton county. Both are gentle- men of high social and commercial standing in the community in which they reside.

The Bedford Planing and Saw Mill, Will-

Digitized by Google

256

HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

iam L. Horn, proprietor, was built by its present owner in 1882. Besides the twelve men stead- ily employed at the mills, others are engaged in the construction of buildings at Everett and other points in the surrounding country. Mr. Horn is a native of Cumberland, Maryland, but became a resident of Bedford in 1855. He is a manufacturer of doors, sash, blinds, siding, flooring and surface lumber of all kinds ; also a dealer in building material of every descrip- tion.

The mill stands near the site of a planing- mill which, built by the Nycum Bros. about 1872, was burned in 1880.

The Bedford Keg Works were established in August, 1881, by the firm now in control, Messrs. Freed & Co. The works have a ca- pacity for the manufacture of one hundred thousand kegs (used for packing and shipping white lead and zinc) per year, a capacity which is soon to be doubled. Twenty-four men and boys are steadily employed. It is stated that but two manufactories of this kind are in oper- ation in the United States -those at Bedford and Pittsburgh.

The Planing-mill of Hedding & Covalt, sit- uated on the north side of the Raystown branch, was completed in the autumn of 1882. The same firm has been engaged in general merchandising in the town of Bedford for the past ten years, and is also largely interested in coal-mining at Six Mile run, Broad Top region. Though natives of Pennsylvania, both members of the firm were for a number of years exten- sive dealers in merchandise, etc., at Hancock, Maryland.

Hartley's Gristmill, the first steam gristmill erected in Bedford county, was built by John G. and William Hartley in 1865. With the grounds occupied, it cost $24,000. It has four runs of stone and a capacity for the manufacture of fifty barrels of flour per day. William D. Newman, the present lessee, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. When sixteen years of age he removed to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he remained twenty years. For the past ten years he has resided in Bedford and operated this mill.

SECRET BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS.

At an early day, long before the disappear- ance of Morgan, and the consequent formation of an Anti-Masonic party, a Masonic lodge was

organized in Bedford. Its members met in a tavern or inn kept by one Patrick McMurray on West Pitt street. Among them were Samuel Riddle, Esq., George Burd, Esq., and other prominent citizens, cotemporaries of theirs ; but, it is presumed, by reason of the death by suicide of McMurray, and the excited state of public feeling during the last part of the third decade of this century, the Bedford lodge of A. Y. M. gave up its charter - at least it ceased to exist.

The present Masonic organization, Bedford Lodge, No. 320, A. Y. M., was chartered March 1, 1858, and the first officers were : N. E. Gilds, W.M .; James Patton, S.W .; Daniel Minnich, J.W. Subsequent presiding officers have been John W. Lingenfelter, Benjamin F. Meyers, Charles N. Hickok, George H. Mengel, H. F. Irvine, H. G. Weimer, H. Oscar Kline, D. W. Crouse, William M. Lessig, Atchison L. Hench, John M. Reynolds, James Cleaver, T. Speer Gilchrist and P. Etter Irwin.

The present officers are Humphrey D. Tate, W.M .; John H. Uhl, S.W .; William Lauder, J.W .; Howard F. Mowry, Treas .; Charles M. Stock, Secy. ; David R. Smith, John Wy. Boor and John O. Smith, Trustees. The mem- bers in good standing at the present time are eighty in number. Meetings were first held in Odd-Fellows' Hall ; subsequently for ten years in the Shoemaker building, and since the com- pletion of the Brode building in the latter structure. The rooms are spacious and ele- gantly furnished, over three thousand dollars having been expended for furniture, fixtures, carpets, etc. Regular meetings are held Wednes- day evenings on or before the full moon.

Bedford Chapter, No. 255, H. R. A. C., was or- ganized in 1876. Its present officers are James Cleaver, M.E.P .; D. Stewart Elliott, K .; T. Speer Gilchrist, S .; William Lauder, Treas .; Charles M. Stock, Secy .; Oliver L. Lockwood, David R. Smith and John M. Reynolds, Trustees. The present members number forty-one.

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 53

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

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