History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 59

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 59

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).

Presbyterian. - Schellsburg Presbyterian church was organized on May 18, 1883, and con- sisted of the following members, who, upon application to the presbytery, had been dismissed from the Bedford church : James Taylor, Sr., James Taylor, Jr., John Taylor, Wm. Schell, Benj. Blymer, George Hunt, John Statler, Adam Small, Benj. Gibbony, Franklin Skinner, Wm. McMullin, Amos McCreary, Daniel Miller, Sarah Smith, Margaret Scott, Jane McVicker, Louisa Statler, Elizabeth, Jane and Sarah Scott, Han- nah Hunt, Mrs. Gibbony, Mrs. Burns, Mary Clarke, Margaret and Mary Taylor, Lydia Taylor (now Mrs. Statler, the only one of these first members now living in Schellsburg), Mar- garet Hammer, Mrs. MoCreary, Mary A. Whet- stone, Catharine Burgess, Mary Dunnaker, Maria Taylor, Jane Schell, Rebecca Mickel, Elizabeth Wisegarver, Sarah Bixler, Griffith Mickel. Admitted on the day of organization : George Foy, Jacob Statler, David Pisel, Chris- tina Benich, Ann Pierson, Ann M. Clarke.

Benj. Gibbony was ordained ruling elder May 18, 1838 ; John Smith and Benj. Blymer were ordained to the same office August 21, 1886.

Pastors : Rev. James G. Brackenridge, 1888 -; D. D. Clarke, 1888-48 ; G. S. Inglis, 1844-8 ;

W. L. McCalla, 1848-9; Thomas K. Davis, 1850-5 ; Daniel Williams, 1858-60; William Prideaux, 1861-3 ; J. H. Donaldson, 1864-7; John C. Wilhelm, 1869-71 ; E. P. Foresman, 1873-5 ; T. McNinch, 1878-82 ; George K. Scott, 1883.

The brick church of the Presbyterians was erected in 1834, at a cost of about two thousand two hundred dollars. It was the first church edifice built in the town. The congregation now numbers seventy-seven members.

Methodist Episcopal .- The Methodist society of Schellsburg is an old organization, but there are no records of its beginning. A house of worship was erected as early as 1840. About 1857, the society purchased from the United Brethren the house where they now worship. The earliest record is dated 1852, and Rev. J. Montgomery was then on the circuit. The pres- ent membership is forty-eight.

The New Paris Methodist church was built at a cost of about one thousand four hundred dol- lars. It was finished in 1882, under the pas- torate of Rev. S. A. Crevling, and dedicated on July 16. Aclass, organized several years before, which met at the Hull (Free-will Baptist) church, became merged with the New Paris congregation when the church was built. The church is a part of Schellsburg circuit.

Free Will Baptist .- The Free-Will Baptist church in the Hull neighborhood was organized June 12, 1828, by Rev. Williams, and then con- sisted of about forty members. In 1831 a house of worship was completed, and dedicated with services by Revs. Williams and Jordan. The first trustees of the church were Benjamin Hull, James Allison and John Rowser. Rev. David P. Low, the first pastor, was ordained in 1881. He was succeeded by Revs. Edward Jordan, Samuel G. Smutz, Patrick Reardon, Henry Cook, Sisson and others, Rev. Sisson being the last pastor. The church is now without regular preaching.

The first church building was burned by an incendiary in 1862. In 1866 the present edifice was erected, and in 1877 it was dedicated by Revs. Edward Jordan and A. F. Bryant.

.The first interments in the graveyard adjoin- ing the church were the bodies of two of Rev. D. P. Low's children. Two of Samuel Garri- son's children were buried here soon after.

Millertown Church .- The church at Miller- town was built as a union house in 1866, and

Digitized by Google

282

HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

was owned by the United Brethren, the Luther- ans and the Evangelical denominations. In 1857 the Evangelical association purchased the house. The United Brethren still worship here. Both denominations have but few members. The first Evangelical preacher in this neigh- borhood was Rev. Strayer ; the first United Brethren, Rev. John Sidman.

Evangelical .- The church of the Evangelical association, which now meets at New Paris, was organized at the house of Daniel Gephart about 1840, under the ministry of Rev. Jacob Bose. Daniel Gephart and John Oyler were class-leaders for many years. The class usually met at the house of Mr. Gephart until 1855, when a meeting-house was erected at New Paris. The church was dedicated with services by Rev. Daniel Long.

United Brethren .- The Bethel United Breth- ren church was built in 1871 at a cost of six hundred dollars. The congregation was organ- ized in 1848 by Rev. John Sidman. It started with about twenty members. The present mem- bership is about twelve, the number having been reduced by deaths and removals. Henry Tay- lor was the first class-leader in the neighborhood.

The United Brethren church at New Paris was organized in 1857, during the ministry of Rev. J. L. Baker, with a small membership. Mr. Baker held a series of revival meetings, and was very successful in gaining acquisitions to the church. In 1857 the members purchased an interest in the building belonging to the Evan- gelical church. In 1876 they erected a new church at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars, which was dedicated by Bishop Ed- wards, of Baltimore. The house was erected while Rev. . J. E. McClay was pastor. Present membership, seventy.

Reformed .- St. Luke's Reformed church at New Paris was organized by Rev. N. H. Skyles, assisted by Rev. W. M. Deatrick, in 1867, with nine members. The first church officers were : Conrad H. Otto and Conrad Otto, elders ; B. F. Hoenstine and John G. Feight, deacons. The church edifice, a frame building, was erected in 1867, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. The church numbers thirty-four members, and is a part of the Schellsburg charge.

THOMAS K. BLACKBURN.

In the year 1735 John Blackburn, the ances- tor of the Blackburn family in this country,

came to Pennsylvania and settled in Adams county, where he died in 1767. He had a son by the name of Thomas, who was born in Adams county in 1744; he was the progenitor of the family of which we write, and came to Bedford county in 1770 and settled in what is now known as Spring Hope. He had a son John, who was born July 5, 1769, and died in 1844. He married Sarah Dalton, who was born in Bedford county in 1770, and died in 1850. William Blackburn, a son of John, was the father of Thomas K. He was born October 22, 1793, and died August 1, 1873. He was reared to the vocation of a miller. His father was a farmer, which vocation he followed in later years. He married Julia Kegg, and reared a family of five children, two daughters and three sons : Catherine E., Sarah, Nicholas, Thomas K. and William T. Catherine E. resides in New Paris ; Sarah and Nicholas are deceased ; Will- iam T. is a farmer, living near the village of New Paris. Thomas K. was born August 3, 1840. He received a good common-school edu- cation, and studied surveying, which he made practically useful to himself and others until 1874, at which time he commenced merchandis- ing in New Paris, where he is now doing busi- ness (1883). Ile married, in October of 1872, Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob and Harriet Coplin. They have three children - Sarah E., Simon R. and William E. It is unnecessary to speak of Mr. Blackburn as a business man and a citizen ; he is known everywhere as an enter- prising merchant and a valuable citizen. We present on another page an illustration of his store and residence.

CHAPTER XXVIII. EAST ST. CLAIR.

A Glance Backward - Pioneer Life -Characteristics of the Early Settlers - Early Mills and Manufactories - Sketches of Families - The Borough of St. Clairsville - First House - First Store -First Tavern - Osterburg- A Young but Grow- ing Village-Churches - The Friends - Reformed, Lutheran, Etc.

IT. CLAIR township was organized in 1794.

S What remained of the territory included in its limits, then reduced by the successive for- mation of other townships from year to year, was divided into East and West St. Clair in 1875.

Digitized by Google

THOS. K. BLACKBURN.

STORE & RESIDENCE OF THOS. K. BLACKBURN. NEW PARIS, PA.

Digitized by Google

283

EAST ST. CLAIR.

The early settlers of this township were gen- erally native Pennsylvanians, either of Scotch- Irish or German descent, who came from the eastern part of the state. Among them were a number of Quakers, the descendants of whom still remain, retaining the customs and religion of their ancestors. The county has no more upright and worthy citizens than this class.

The pioneers were bold, upright and honest. Generally they were poor. Some, however, left comfortable homes and good properties behind them - left the privileges of home, society, churches and schools, and advanced fearlessly into the " western wilds," as they termed them, to prepare the way for the grand march of civil- ization throughout the length and breadth of our land. Whether they were conscious of it or not, the pioneers of Western Pennsylvania performed a great and noble work ; they not only developed the resources of territory hith- erto worthless, but paved the way for the out- spreading of population in the great and fertile valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi.

William Crisman was one of the first settlers of St. Clair township. He served two terms in the state legislature at the time when it was customary for members of that body to carry their outfits in knapsacks to the capital. He was justice of the peace a number of years. He died in 1843. He was the father of nine chil- dren, all of whom are dead - John, Mary (Wisegarver), Betsey E. (Wisegarver), Will- iam, George, Eve (Wisegarver), Daniel and Rebecca (Barnet). William Crisman, Jr., was born in St. Clair township in 1795, and followed farming. He died in 1849. His children were : Rebecca (Shimer), John W., Eva (Beegle), Eliza (Ickes), William, Andrew J., Samuel (de- ceased), Daniel, Moses, Miranda (Riddle), de- ceased, and Joseph. John W. Crisman lives on the old homestead. He owns a fine farm of three hundred acres, and also a store at Cessna. Mr. Crisman served a term as county auditor.

John Griffith was an early settler on the farm now owned by Joseph Griffith. He came from York county. Of his children, William and John lived in this county, William upon the old homestead. The children of William and Hannah (Messenheimer) Griffith were William, John (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Daniel, Josiah, Joseph, James (deceased), Abner, Mary A. (Jones), deceased, Hannah (Imler), Sarah (Ake), Maria (Oster) and Elizabeth (Miller), deceased.

William Griffith, Sr., made the first improve- ment on the Griffith farm. He erected a tannery in 1833, which was run by him and his sons until he died, in 1845. The tannery was then run by Joseph Griffith. It burned in 1864, but was rebuilt by Mr. Joseph Griffith, who then turned the business over to his son John, who still conducts it in connection with farming.

James Taylor, an early settler of Bedford township, moved to Napier township, where he died about 1817. Jacob Taylor, his son, was born in Bedford township in 1786. He moved to Napier township when young, and there resided until his death in 1833. He married Susan Bushman, and reared eight children: Eliza (Vore), James, Henry, Jacob, Susan (Cuppett), Jobn, Samuel and Achor. Of these, James, Henry and Samuel are still living. Henry Tay- lor lived in Napier until 1861, when he sold his farm there and moved to his present place in St. Clair. He has cleared up the farm, erected new buildings and made great improvements.

Jesse Blackburn came from Adams county to St. Clair township in 1818. In 1824 he married Edith Miller, and in 1828 he purchased a farm of George Berbeck in partnership with Jacob Miller. This farm was afterward divided, and Mr. Blackburn lived on his part of it until 1852, when he purchased and settled upon a farm near Oak Shade. Jesse Blackburn and his wife both died in 1872. Their children were Hiram, Israel (deceased), Mary (Mickle), Maria (Clea- ver), Ruth (Cleaver), deceased, Uriah, Enoch, Angelina (deceased), and Jane (deceased).

Hiram Blackburn was born in this township. He followed school-teaching, surveying and farming until 1852, then married and settled on the farm where his father had formerly lived. He purchased the farm in 1857 and resided upon it until 1869. He then moved to his present residence. Mr. Blackburn is a well- known surveyor, having followed that occupa- tion since 1847. In 1871 he was elected county surveyor, in which office he served three years.

Elias, son of Hiram Blackburn, is now manag- ing one of his father's farms on Chestnut ridge. He has followed teaching for six terms.

The first gristmill in the township was built by Joseph Blackburn, at Spring Hope, very early. It is a log building, to which a frame addition was built in 1839. The Blackburn mill was largely patronized by the early settlers, and it still continues to receive a large custom.

Digitized by Google

284

HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

The owners of this mill have been Joseph Black- burn, Thomas W. Blackburn and George W. Blackbı rn.

J. E. Blackburn, born on the old Blackburn homestead, went west at the age of nineteen, and remained until 1869. He then engaged in milling, which be followed most of the time up to 1883. He now resides at the Point and is engaged in buying and selling stock.

Henry Horn, a revolutionary soldier, was a native of Germany. He was an early settler and lived and died in this township. One of his sons, Henry, is still living in the West.

An early gristmill, a small log structure, was built by Isaac Kenworthy, a Quaker, near the borough of St. Clairsville. Later (about 1828), it became the Bowser mill and was destroyed by fire. The present mill was then erected. It is now owned by Thomas Imler.

A discovery of pure alum was made at an early day on the farm then owned by Thomas Vickroy. The " Alum Bank farm," situated near Spring Meadow, is now subdivided and has several owners.

In 1810 there was a great flood on Bobb's creek, which caused much damage to crops. The event is still spoken of as the "pumpkin flood," from the fact that so many cornfields contributed their stock of pumpkins to it that the water was literally full of them. In 1847, on October 10, the " corn-flood " washed away great quantities of corn from fields situated on the creek.

The first houses were hastily constructed. Many of them had no floor, save the ground, and no doors or windows, except holes cut through the log walls. There was no sawed lumber - every timber in a building must be fashioned by the ax. Nails were almost unknown. A new settler was always welcome, and those who were already comfortably established gladly assisted him in erecting a cabin and making a small clearing for a field. There was hospitality, help- fulness and a fraternal spirit. A "frolic " insti- tuted for the accomplishment of any piece of work brought together all the neighbors - and at that time a man who lived five miles away was regarded as a " near neighbor."

David Bowser was a native of Switzerland, who, prior to the revolutionary war, came to this county, took up land and began improving. Indian encroachments upon the settlers caused him to flee to Conococheague. After the danger had passed he returned to his farm, found his

cabin still standing and his goods (which he had hidden) safe. He had two sons, David and John. The former went west. John died in Napier township. His son, John, lives on the old homestead of David Bowser.

Nathan H. Wolf was born in 1794, near Mount Smith Methodist Episcopal church, in the vicinity of Bedford. There his father, John Smith, one of the early surveyors of this county, lived. The family moved from Adams county at an early date. John Smith had but two children, Nathan H. and Elizabeth (Griffith). Nathan followed farming and died near Spring mill in 1868. He married Sarah Blackburn, by- whom he had nine children. John, the oldest son, lives on the old homestead in East St. Clair township. Zachariah, another of the sons, has followed milling for thirty-seven years and is now miller at Hall's mill in Hopewell township.

Philip Albaugh, was born in Maryland, in 1786, and died in St. Clair township in 1824. He was a millwright, and worked at his trade in Bedford, Somerset and Cambria counties. His wife, also a native of Maryland, was born in 1798 and died in 1883. She married again in 1829. Philip Albaugh's children were John, Margaret, William and Henry. Henry Al- baugh was brought up in Napier township. In 1848 he married and settled in St. Clair town- ship. In 1869 he engaged in the mercantile business at Spring Hope. He succeeded in getting a postoffice established at that place and was postmaster from 1868 to 1883. In 1846 Mr. Albaugh was elected first lieutenant of militia, and in 1847 promoted to captain, in which office he served until the militia law was repealed.

Lewis Riseling moved from Napier township to East St. Clair in 1842, and purchased a small carding-mill of J. W. Sleek. In 1846 he enlarged his business, obtained new ma- chinery and began the manufacture of cloth. He ran the mill until 1860, then rented it to his son Valentine. Mr. Riseling died in 1865. He was the father of eleven children, four of whom are living. Valentine, the oldest, was born in Bedford township. He worked for his father until 1860, when he began business for himself. Mr. Riseling has enlarged his factory, put" in a new engine and is doing a good business. His factory is 34×60 feet and three stories high. It has a capacity for using fifteen thousand pounds of wool per

Digitized by Google

285

EAST ST. CLAIR.

year. Mr. Riseling manufactures all kinds of woolen goods and yarn, and keeps one team upon the road disposing of the products and purchasing wool. He also owns the home farm of two hundred and seven acres, which he bought in 1879.

Simon L. Hammaker, a native of Washing- ton county, Maryland, and a carriagemaker by trade, came to this county in 1852 and followed his trade in Schellsburg until 1865. He then sold his shop and removed to East St. Clair township, where he has since been engaged in farming.

William Kirk came from York county to Fishertown in 1889, learned the potter's trade and worked at it several years in Fishertown and in other parts of the state. He was in partnership with Jacob Fisher in the manufac- ture of pottery from 1852 until 1855, when the pottery was burned. Mr. Kirk then purchased twenty-seven acres of land and erected a new pottery, which he still continues to run. He served in the army in the 149th regt. Penn. Vols. from February until May, 1865. Mr. Kirk was jury commissioner five years and mer- cantile appraiser two years. In 1862 he was United States deputy marshal of St. Clair township. In 1870 he took the census of several townships and boroughs. He has served as school director and in 1883 was elected justice of the peace.

John W. Miller moved from Shade town- ship, Somerset county, in 1833, and settled on the farm which his son Joseph now owns. This property was originally settled by William Griffith, better known as "Long Bill." Mr. Miller died in 1878. Jane (Davis), Eli (de- ceased), Ruth (Jones), Joseph, Thomas, Sarah (Griffith), Armstrong, Charles, William and John S. (deceased), are his children. Joseph Miller enlisted in Co. H, 55th regt. Penn. Vols. in September, 1861 ; re-enlisted in January, 1864, and served until the close of the war. In 1879 he purchased the homestead farm on which he now lives.

James Way, a native of Union township, moved to St. Clair township in 1816 and bought of Thomas Griffith the farm on which his son Thomas Way now lives. Mr. Way died in 1832 ; his widow (née Frances Miller) in 1883. They had two children -Thomas and Samuel. Thomas Way, Esq., learned the blacksmith's trade, but has never followed it. He resides

on the old homestead. Mr. Way has been jus- tice of the peace in this township ten years.

Hon. John Nelson, associate judge of Bedford county, moved from Centre county to Hunting- don county in 1840, and thence in 1856 to Hopewell, Bedford county, and engaged in mill- ing. In 1852 he married Susan Cypher, of Bedford county. In 1858 he moved to Bedford and ran the almshouse mill. From October 1862, to May, 1864, he served in Co. K, 18th Penn. cav. He was commissioned first lieutenant December 16, 1862. February 25, 1863, he was shot by Mosby's men, necessitat- ing the amputation of his right leg. At the same time he was wounded in the shoulder. In 1864 he purchased of Jacob Bowser seventy- three acres of land and mill property at Cessna station, and has since followed milling. His mill is 40×50 feet and four stories high, con- taining four runs of stones and having a ca- pacity of two hundred barrels per day. In 1878 Mr. Nelson was elected asociate judge of Bedford county, which office he is now filling very acceptably.

Thomas R. Mclellan, son of Abraham Mc- Lellan, late of Colerain township, lived in that township until twenty-five years of age, and has since resided in Cumberland Valley and Dutch Corner. In 1882, he came to East St. Clair town- ship, and purchased the farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres on which he now lives. Mr. Mc Lellan learned the tanner's trade, and followed it for two and one-half years.

Josiah Mclellan lived in Colerain township until 1877, then went to West Virginia. In 1878, he came to St. Clair township and pur- chased a farm. In 1883, he sold out and pur- chased his present farm. Mr. Mclellan enlisted in Co. K, 133d regt. Penn. Vols. in October, 1862; was wounded in the forehead at Fredericksburg, Virginia ; honorably discharged in June, 1863.

A. M. Pheasant is a native of Huntingdon county, and followed the mercantile business in that county from 1876 to 1883. He then moved to Spring Meadow, and in partnership with Josiah Mclellan purchased the Spring Meadow property, known as the "Trout Home," embrac- ing a farm of four hundred acres, a gristmill and a store. Messrs. Pheasant & Mclellan are now engaged in farming, milling and dealing in general merchandise. The spring on their farm is widely known and is always filled with lively trout.

Digitized by Google

286

HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

Robert P. McCormick came from Green county in 1881, purchased two hundred acres of land on Dunning's creek from Henry Taylor, and is now engaged in farming and stock-dealing.

Fishertown is a small village, deriving its name from Jacob Fisher, who owned the land on which it is built. Mr. Fisher built a blacksmith and wagon shop, and carried on the manufacture of pottery at this place a number of years and until 1862. Fishertown has one wagon-shop, two blacksmith's shops, one weaver's shop and one cabinetmaker's shop.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE.

St. Clairsville is a small but attractive town, situated in the northeastern part of East St. Clair township. It was laid out about 1820, on land owned by Henry Beckley, who was an early settler here. The village was created a borough September 6, 1867. It now has two stores, one hotel, two saddlers' shops, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one cabinetmaker, one shoemaker, one tailor, one dentist and one physician. There are three fine churches near the borough.

The first house in St. Clairsville was built by Henry Beckley. The first hotel was Peter A. Amick's. The first store was started by Edwin Vickroy in a log building erected by George Bowser.

Peter A. Amick was commissioned the first postmaster of St. Clairsville June 5, 1832. The office has since been in the Amick family, with but few changes.

A substantial school-building was erected by the borough in 1882, at a cost of thirteen hun- dred dollars. The board of directors then con- sisted of John Beckley, Prest .; T. Howard Beckley, Secy .; John Roudabush, Treas .; George B. Amick, James E. Over, Lewis H. Geisler. The number of scholars in attendance in 1883 was sixty-five. C. W. Karns was the first prin- cipal in the new building. G. W. L. Oster is the present principal.

James Sill is a son of Samuel Sill, an early settler of St. Clairsville. Samuel Sill was born at Dutch Corner in the year 1781, moved to the present site of St. Clairsville in 1811, and es- tablished the first tannery in 1812. He con- tinued the business until his death in 1861. James Sill was the father of eleven children - George, Josiah, James, Samuel, David, Jacob, John, Joseph, Henry, Alexander and William. Of these, James, John, Henry and William are

living. James learned the tanner's trade of his father, started in business for himself in 1837, and still continues to follow his trade.

George F. Sill, son of William Sill, of St. Clairsville, was born in this town. He at pres- ent follows farming in summer, and teaches school in winter.

Peter A. Amick came from Adams county in 1815. He afterward married Eve Bowser, of Dutch Corner, and settled in St. Clair township on land where the borough of St. Clairsville now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Amick moved into a log house which was without windows or doors. At first, they hung up bedquilts, which served in the place of doors. Shortly after settling here, Mr. Amick began keeping tavern, and, as his means permitted, built additions to his house and otherwise improved it .* He fol- lowed hotelkeeping and worked at his trade, coopering, until 1877, when he died in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was the father of eight children - George B., John, Margaret (Bean), Jacob, John B., Matilda, Sarah (Hite) and William - all dead except George B. and Sarah. William, who was a member of Co. E, 138th regt. Penn. Vols., was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864.

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 59

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

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