History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 64

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 64

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).

The first postmaster was Martin Loy, Jr. He held the office until 1888, and was succeeded by his son, John F. Loy. The mail was at first carried weekly from Yellow Springs, Hunting- don county, to Bloody Run.

John Dittmar, the oldest resident of Patton- ville, came from Germany in 1837 and settled in South Woodberry in 1888, and has since fol- lowed the saddler's trade. He married Catha- rine Diehl, a descendant of one of the early settlers of Friend's cove, and his children are: David, Mary, Catharine, C. W., Anna and Harry. David is a minister of the Reformed church and is now located in Adams county. C. W. follows the saddlery business in Patton- ville.

Henry Brown was born at New Enterprise in 1808. He followed farming, and died in 1838. He married Sarah Shelly, and was the father of three children : Abram S., J. S. and Philip. J. S. Brown follows milling at Pattonville. Mr. Brown married Catharine Keifer, whose great- grandfather, an early settler near Woodberry, was a soldier in the revolutionary war.

Hon. D. B. Armstrong, of Pattonville, is a son of Joseph Armstrong and a grandson of Henry Armstrong, whose history appears in Snake Spring township. Mr. Armstrong en-

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

listed in the 8th Penn. reserves April 10, 1861 ; served as sergeant; taken prisoner June 27, 1862 ; was forty days in Libby and Belle Isle prisons ; discharged May 20, 1864; re-enlisted July 21, 1864; was appointed to special duty and had charge of substitutes and drafted men from Maryland and Delaware at Camp Bradford, near Baltimore ; mustered out November 5, 1864; participated in a number of severe engagements. Mr. Arm- strong was elected to the legislature by the re- publicans in 1864 and re-elected for the next term. Since 1866 he has been engaged in mer- cantile business at Pattonvilles He is also a correspondent of the county papers.

Peter Aaron, of German descent, was born in Bedford township in 1806. He moved to South Woodberry in 1865 and died in 1872. His wife was Christina Kempell. They had eight children : William H., John (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Rebecca, David (deceased), James L. and Amanda. Mr. Will- iam H. Aaron came to South Woodberry in 1865 and purchased from Andrew Spanog'e four hundred acres of land, upon which most of the village of Pattonville is situated. Mr. Aaron is engaged in farming, milling and dealing in general merchandise. He owns, in all, six hundred acres of land.

The Jamisons are of Scotch-Irish descent. David Jamison, who was born and reared in East Providence township, moved to South Woodberry in 1870, and died here in 1882, aged sixty-four years. He married Sophia Defibaugh and was the father of Melissa, B. F., J. T., D. C. and Catharine (Stoner). B. F. Jamison, a school-teacher by profession, has resided in Pattonville since 1871. He is now serving as justice of the peace. He was a volunteer in the late war. Enlisting August 7, 1862, he was discharged May 4, 1863 ; wounded at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. He re-enlisted February 22, 1864, and served till the close of the war ; was taken prisoner in June, 1864, and was confined in the Andersonville prison over four months.

Daniel Karns, son of Philip Karns, an early settler of Southampton township, came to South Woodberry about 1847. He has followed the furniture business for about forty years. Mr. Karns married Mary Enslow and is the father of Jane, George W., John . S. and Harriet. John S. has been engaged in the furniture busi-

ness in New Enterprise for the last five years. George W. and his father are cabinetmakers and furniture dealers in Pattonville.

NEW ENTERPRISE.

New Enterprise is a prosperous and growing village. Though comparatively a new place, it is fast becoming a thrifty town. Simon Beard, now of Hollidaysburg, erected the first house in what now constitutes the village, in 1844. David F. Buck built and opened the first store in the place in 1849. He was also the first postmaster in the place. The office was estab- lished in 1863. Previous to that date the village had been known as Beard's Crossroads.

Samuel Buck, of German descent, was born in Dauphin county in 1790, and removed to Bedford county in 1828, settling about four miles northwest of New Enterprise. His son, David F., was a merchant in New Enterprise for seventeen years, and was then succeeded by his son, C. L. Buck. David F. died in. 1873. He married Barbara Longenecker, of Wood- berry township, and was the father of Amanda, Charles L., Melissa, Samuel L. and Sabina C. (deceased). C. L. Buck is a minister in the Brethren church. S. L. Buck & Co. (successors to Buck & Replogle) are engaged in the mer- cantile business in New Enterprise.

Adam Haderman, a native of Germany, came to America in 1839, and in 1840 to South Wood- berry, where he has since resided. Mr. Hader- man was school director eighteen years, and justice of the peace ten years. He was town- ship auditor fifteen years. Since 1843 he has been running a tannery at New Enterprise. One of his sons, Matthew J., served one year in the late war. Rufus C., his youngest son, is an' attorney in Bedford.

David L. Replogle, whose father and grand- father were early settlers, married Rosanna Zook, and is the father of seven children : R. Z., J. Z., Lizzie, Eli, Sarah, David and William. R. Z. Replogle is a minister of the Brethren Church, and is now traveling in the interest of the Ashland (Ohio) College. J. Z. Replogle has been engaged in the mercantile business in New Enterprise several years, and in business for himself since 1878. His father also has an interest in the store. J. Z. Replogle was for- merly a partner of S. L. Buck.

Michael Dull is a native of Juniata township, and is now living in Napier. He is a shoe-

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Charles Long, M.

CHARLES LONG, M.D,

Joseph Long, the progenitor of the American branch of this family, was a native of Switzerland, and came to America about 1740, and settled near Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, where he reared his family, and where some of his descendants still reside.

In the advanced years of his life, he migrated with a portion of his family to the wilds of Southwestern Penn- sylvania, in the vicinity of Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, where his son David married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Snoeberger, a minister of the Seventh-Day Bap- tist church of Morrison Cove.

David became the father of nine children, viz : Jacob, Susannah, Barbara, Elizabeth, Catherine, Nancy, David, Esther and Joseph. A few years after his marriage he removed to Bedford county, and located on the farm of his father-in-law, near Baker's Sumit, where he died in 1848.

Jacob was born in Huntingdon county, May 3, 1799, and on reaching manhood chose farming as a vocation, and located in South Woodberry township, this county.

Though passing his days in quiet upon his farm, never seeking public honor, he became one of the best and most favorably known citizens of the township in which he resided. Being largely philanthropic, and public- spirited to a high degree, he stood ever ready to further enterprise for the good of the community in which he resided.

Deeply interested in education, he early championed. the cause of the free-school system, and deposited the first ballot cast in his township in its favor. He served for many years in the capacity of school-director, and his counsel and advice served to adjust many difficulties. The old-time teacher and pupils well remember his smiling countenance.

Not satisfied with the opportunities afforded in the then existing free schools, he sent each of his sons to boarding-schools and had them all liberally educated.

Hospitable, generous, a man of excellent judgment, one in whom his neighbors imposed implicit confidence, he

was called upon to adjust the settlement of many estates, and much of his time in his riper years was given to this service. Ever ready to adopt any important improve- ment in the methods of husbandry, he was one of the first to use lime as a fertilizer in his community.

He was an earnest and consistent member of the Seventh-Day Baptist church, and departed his life March 24, 1882, at the ripe age of eighty-three years.

He was married to Salome Confer, who still survives him in the ninety-fourth year of her age. They became the parents of nine children, viz: Nancy, David C., Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Barbara, Joseph C., Charles and Gideon.

Charles Long, who was born September 12, 1841, aspired to a profession, and pursued his academic educa- tion at Cassville Seminary, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, and at the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. After teaching in the public schools some years he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Saml. H. Smith, Woodberry, Pennsylvania, and graduated in the medical department of the Union University at Albany, New York, in 1867.

He immediately began practice at New Enterprise, where he still resides. In the winter of 1869-70, he attended a course of medical lectures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, where he received an ad eundem degree.

The doctor possesses the respect and confidence of the citizens of the village and community in which he resides; and extensive and onerous as his professional duties are, his energies have not alone been directed to his profession.

He is the founder and projector of notably worthy enterprises, in his resident village, among which are the "La Clede Literary," " Home Circulating Library," the constitution of the Independent school district, and the establishment of a graded school. The doctor's energy and talents, in the vigor of manhood, promise him a use- ful future.

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maker by trade, but follows farming chiefly. He married Eliza Nicodemus, and is the father of William H., B. F., Mary J., Sarah E., George A., Reuben E., Margaret M. and Josephine. William H. Dull is engaged in the saddlery and harness business in New Enterprise. He has followed his trade since 1865.

Michael Fox, of German descent, was born near Kittanning, Armstrong county. He removed to Bedford county in 1855. Mr. Fox has been a blacksmith for fifty-one years and is still in the business. His children are : Mary, Eliza- beth (deceased), Martha, George M. C., Lilius and C. W. C. W. Fox graduated from the Jef- ferson Medical College in 1882, and is now prac- ticing his profession in Woodberry borough. George M. C. Fox learned the blacksmith's trade of his father and has followed it for six- teen years. He has taught school five terms, and was auditor and treasurer of Woodberry borough.

Nathan Hurley, born in Maryland in 1798, removed to Bedford (now Blair) county in 1837, and thence to Centre county, where he still resides. Two of his sons, John and Web- ster, died in the late war. William Hurley, son of Nathan, is now keeping the hotel at New Enterprise which was built by Samuel Stayer in 1878. He served in Hancock's corps from Sep- tember, 1862, until June 15, 1865, and was wounded in the service.

LITERARY SOCIETIES.

A literary society was organized in 1852 in the schoolhouse near New Enterprise. John B. Fluck, J. R. Durborrow, Adam Haderman and David C. Long were among its original active members. An organization has been maintained under different names up to the present time. In 1871 the present organization was effected under the name of the La Clede Literary Society. It is one of the most flourishing societies in the county.

The Home Library Association was organized and chartered in 1881. Jobn P. Williams, Joseph C. Long, C. L. Buck, Dr. Charles Long, D. S. Brumbaugh and Jacob Furry were among the original projectors. The library consists of about three hundred volumes of well-selected lite- rature. It is the only public library in the county.

New Enterprise independent school district was constituted at the April term of court, 1881. D. S. Brumbaugh, Dr. Charles Long, L. H.

Biddle, D. L. Replogle, S. L. Buck and M. I. Haderman were the first board of directors elected. A two-story brick house was erected and formally dedicated December 2, . 1881. John G. Krichbaum and Miss Mary R. Bell were the first teachers.

CHURCHES.

Brethren. - The Yellow Creek congregation of the Brethren church was organized with a small membership as early as 1796. There have been regularly conducted religious services by this denomination ever since this part of the country was settled, the early pioneers being largely of the Brethren faith. The first bishop in Morrison's cove, so far as known, was John Martin, who located in the present county of Blair before the revolutionary war. Daniel Paul was another of the carly bishops in the cove. In the south end of the cove, Bishop Oberholtzer is supposed to have been the first preacher. He was succeeded by Samuel Uhl- rich prior to 1876. The succeeding bishops have been as follows : John Holsinger, Sr., 1825-49 ; John M. Holsinger, 1845-71 ; Jacob Miller, 1870, the present. bishop. The first meeting-house in the Yellow Creek district was built in 1889. The congregation now has four meeting-houses and a total membership of three hundred. The present ministers are : David Straley, R. Z. Replogle, C. L. Buck and J. C. Replogle.

Pattonville Reformed Church. - St. John's Re- formed church was organized in 1847 by Rev. Matthew Irvine. The original members were Adam Haderman and wife, John Dittmar and wife, Samuel and John Nicodemus, Daniel Lin- genfelter and wife, William Snyder, Eliza Sny- der; A. Haderman and J. Nicodemus, elders ; J. Dittmar and S. Nicodemus, deacons. The pas- tors have been : Revs. Matthew Irvine, Samuel Phillips, F. A. Rupley, William M. Deatrick, A. R. Kremer, Henry Hoffmeier, E. D. Shoe- maker, H. F. Seiple and I. N. Peightel. A house of worship was erected in 1847-8, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The church rebuilt on the same site in 1881-2 cost three thousand five hundred dollars. There are at present one hundred members in the church, and one hun- dred and ten in the sabbath school. The con- gregation is out of debt and prosperous. Rev. I. N. Peightel, who is now in charge, was in- stalled as pastor in 1878.

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

Methodist. - Pattonville Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1853. The first pastor, Rev. James Stevens, was succeeded as follows : Revs. J. Ritchey, William Parkison, W. M. Memminger, G. W. Berkstresser, C. Graham, J. Melick, J. Clark, John Morehead, A. J. Decker, I. N. Coleburn, J. W. Lecky, J. W. Cleaver, William Guinn, M. L. Smith and I. N. Heckman. The first class-leader was Hezekiah Anderson. The present membership is forty. A house of worship was erected in 1853.

Presbyterian .- Waterside Presbyterian church was organized November 9, 1880, by a com- mittee of Huntingdon presbytery, with seven- teen members. Joseph E. Noble, Thomas Border and D. B. Kochenderfer were elected deacons. The pastors have been Rev. J. V. Boal, Rev. E. P. Foresman and Rev. John C. Wilhelm. The church was erected in 1872, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. The pres- ent membership is about sixty. The original members received certificates of dismission from the Yellow Creek church for the purpose of organizing this congregation.

In addition to the churches already mentioned, there are two organizations in this township, one of the Seventh Day Baptists, and the other of the River Brethren, each having a meeting- house and a small congregation. No records obtainable.

CHAPTER XXXII. WEST PROVIDENCE.

Indian Relics-A Settlers' Fort- The Pack-Horse Trail - Early Roads - Providence Township Organized - Its Vast Extent - Pioneers - Their Methods of Work and Pleasure - Early Mills - Representative Families of Today -Churches - The Borough of Everett -The Bloody Run Affair - The Growth of a Prosperous Town -Sketch of Industries- Personal Items-Churches, Schools and Societies.

T THE beautiful hills and fertile bottoms of the eastern part of the country must have been a frequent and favorite resort of the abori- gines. Indian relics, such as arrow-heads, spear- heads and pieces of pottery, have been discov- ered from time to time by the people of West Providence township, in such quantities as to clearly demonstrate that the forests of this lo- cality were once the hunting-grounds of the savages. The legendary lore, however, is 80 vague and uncertain in its character, that it is not worth while to attempt to sketch it here.

We have authentic data proving that several settlers were within the present bounds of this township some years prior to the revolutionary war. There is a nook in the rocks along the west bank of Sheaver's creek, which is locally known as Fort Defiance. Here, tradition tells us, the early white settlers constructed a rude fortification, to which they sometimes fled for security. The last vestiges of the rude struc- ture have long since been torn away. The old " fort" stood on land now owned by Adam Shuss, who is our authority for the foregoing statements.

Two ancient pack-horse trails, doubtless the earliest routes of travel through this county, passed through this township, one south and the other north of the river. Traces of the latter are still visible in uncleared lands. "Pack-horse crossing" on Brush creek still perpetuates the memory of the old trail. . "Poorman's road," so called (although Jacob Borman was the name of the surveyor who laid it out), very nearly follows the southern trail. This road, the Old State road (north of the present turn- pike road), and the turnpike itself were among the earliest routes of travel in this township.

Providence township was organized about the year 1780. It then included all that part of Fulton county known as Brush Creek valley, and extended westward to the Bedford township line. In 1854, Providence was divided into two election districts, East and West Providence. In 1857 Snake Spring township was organ- ized from West Providence and Colerain.

The voting places of the township have often been changed. Elections were first held at the house where John P. Weaverling now lives ; afterward at Squire Fisher's ; then at Bloody Run. After that village became a borongh, elections were held for a time at the school- house, near W. W. Sparks'. The present vot- ing place is Everett borough.

The pioneers of this township were chiefly English-speaking people, of Scotch or Irish an- cestry. They came from the older settlements in this state, as well as from Maryland, Vir- ginia and other parts of the country. They lived principally by hunting at first, and it was long before marks of substantial improvement were made. They were generally poor, but con- tented. Their wants were few and easily sup- plied. To be sure, there were hardships and perils ; but after danger from Indiana had

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passed, no people were more cheerful and happy than these early settlers. For amusements, there were "frolics," and gatherings of various kinds for labor and recreation ; visiting was much practiced ; hunting was a never-failing source of pleasure. Simple in manners and tastes, the early settlers generally led contented lives, little thinking of the value their services would be to posterity. From the time when first "the glad music of human voices awoke the silence of the forests" until the present day, the people of Providence township have been steady, thrifty and virtuous. "A gradual increase in wealth and population unmarked by unusual events," is the report which an old resi- dent gives concerning this locality. Few, if any, distilleries were ever operated in the town- ship ; churches and schools have been liberally supported. The fires of patriotism blazed brightly during the war, and a large number of gallant boys in blue were mustered into the field from the hills and valleys of old Provi dence.

John Richey, from County . Tyrone, Ireland, settled on the river a short distance below Ev- erett, in 1772. His son George remained on the old homestead. The other members of the family scattered to various parts of the country. John, son of George, occupied the farm after his father, and John's son George is the present owner.

About the year 1778, Joseph Sparks came from Frederick county, Maryland, and settled on a farm south of the river. His sons, Solomon, Joseph, James and John, all lived and died in this vicinity, save Solomon. He died in the State of Indiana. Solomon, Joseph and James were members of a company of soldiers from this county in the war of 1812, and served till the close of the war. Solomon was captain of the company. He was commissioned a second lieu- tenant in 1811, and, in 1812, captain of the com- pany referred to-the 2d battalion of the 2d (rifles) regiment. John Sparks resided on the old homestead. His widow (nee Rebecca Wareham) is now living in Everett. His family consisted of six children, five of whom are living. Two of the sons, Joseph and John, were in the late war. They are now in business in Everett.

Joseph Sparks, Sr., and his sons became large landowners, holding nearly all the land on Clear ridge, from the river southward nearly five miles. James Sparks was a major of militia.

He married Nancy Rogers, of Frederick county, Maryland, and lived on the farm now owned by his grandson, W. W. Sparks. At his death he was possessed of about sixteen hundred acres of land in this township. He was the father of William, Daniel, Absalom, David, Mary and Elizabeth, all of whom lived in this county. Elizabeth still survives and is now Mrs. Wilson L. Weeks, Everett. David lived on the home- stead of his father. He had two sons, but one of whom is living-Wilson W. Sparks, a prominent farmer and an influential citizen, who in the late war served as a lieutenant in Co. K, 208th Penn. regt. David Sparks died in 1869.

It is related that James Sparks and one of his brothers, after holding a tract of land some years conjointly, decided to divide it, and settled the question as to who should have the upper or more valuable part of the property by taking a stick and "choosing up" after the manner of boys playing ball. This incident will illustrates the slight value set upon land by the early set- tlers.

Abraham Bussard and family settled in Black valley, when all around them was a wilderness. The old gentleman followed wagoning a number of years. After him, his son John lived to a ripe old age and died on the farm which is now owned by his son William.

Joseph Sparks and Michael Hevner owned mills on Clear creek, which were probably the first built in Black valley. Joseph Disbrow, William and Joseph McDaniel and the Sparkses were among the earliest residents on Clear ridge.

John Williams, the progenitor of the Will- iamses of this county, was a tailor by trade, who came from Goshen, Orange county, New York, as early as 1780, and settled on a tract near the banks of Brush creek. This tract was called the "Great Savannah," and was warranted in the name of John Allison, for whom it was surveyed, June 26, 1765. Williams was a native of Wales. His wife was born in Goshen, and her maiden name was Hannah Finch. He followed his trade in connection with farming. He died in 1809, and was buried in the family burying-ground upon the tract. Mrs. Williams subsequently re- moved to Indiana, where she died at an advanced age. The children - William, Charles, Solomon, John, Anthony, Samuel, Isaac, and Hannah (French)-scattered widely. John and Solomon remained in this county, John living near Schells-

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burg, where he died at a ripe old age. Solomon lived where Wilson McDaniel now resides. He died in 1813. His wife was Mary Clark, and their children were : Hannah, Samuel, Nancy, Jeduthun, Julia, Solomon, Jonas, William and Asa. All reached mature years. Asa, now an old resident, is the sole survivor. He followed teaching during the greater portion of his early life, and is one of the most intelligent and best informed men of the township.

Samuel Clark, a native of Ireland, removed from Delaware and settled on Shaver's creek about 1780. He lived to be nearly ninety years of age. Two of his sons, Thomas and Andrew, and a daughter, Mrs. Williams, died in this county.

David Buck, an early pioneer, settled near the river.

The Weaverlings are an old and prominent family, of German descent. Peter lived on the farm where his son, John P., now resides. He learned wagonmaking in Chambersburg when a young man, and worked at that trade for many years at his shop on the old State road. After the turnpike was built he moved to it and continued his trade. He also owned a sawmill. He died in 1854. He was twice married; first, to Elizabeth Hollandshait, who bore two daughters, one of whom is living. His second wife, Anna Redinger, had seven sons and four daughters. Of the sons, five are living, and of the daughters, two. Three of the sons were in the late war. Jacob was killed at the battle of Antietam. Stephen and William were also in the service, the latter enlisting in Illinois. John P., the oldest son of Peter Weaverling, has always resided near his birthplace. He learned car- pentry when a young man, and followed that business until 1862. He has since kept hotel in Everett nine years and resided upon his farm the rest of the time.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 64

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

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