History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 66

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 66
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 66
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 66

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).

Messrs. Hoyt & Co. are the proprietors of several tanneries, two of them-Tecumseh and Ray's Hill-being in this county. . O. L. Lock- wood is manager of both these establishments. J. L. Bloomer is clerk at Tecumseh, and A. P. Redinger is foreman of the yard.

At Ray's Hill the tannery has been owned by Hoyt & Co. for about thirteen years. Fifteen men are employed, and about two thousand

cords of bark used annually. A. W. Lockwood is clerk, and Isaac Thomas is foreman.

The foundry was started about 1854 by Josiah and Jeremiah Baughman. An engine built by Josiah is still used in the establish- ment. J. A. Gump subsequently held an inter- est in the business. In 1864 Baughman & Co. sold out to Frederick Felten. The original building, which was of wood, was destroyed by fire, and in 1874 Mr. Felten erected the present structure, at a cost of three thousand five hun- dred dollars. It is of brick, 66X70 feet in its dimensions. Mr. Felten is a native of East Providence township, and has resided in Everett since 1864.

The Bedford County Bank was founded Feb- ruary 1, 1870, and has ever since stood firm and prosperous. Its paid-up capital is twenty-five thousand dollars. The institution conducts a regular banking business in all branches. It is controlled by a board of directors composed of the following well-known business men of Bed- ford county : S. L. Russell, Bedford ; E. J. Miller, S. Nycum, Ray's Hill ; J. M. Barndollar, M. V. C. Hopewell, J. B. Williams, J. H. Barn- dollar, Josiah Harris and John Du Bois, Everett. Mr. Du Bois, the cashier, has served in his present capacity since the bank was estab- lished.

The finest building in the town is the Harris block, erected in 1868 by Josiah Harris, present owner. The building is three stories high, the first floor affording rooms for two stores and the bank. The second floor is designed for offices, and the third for a hall and residence.

Bloody Run borough was incorporated in 1860. The name was changed to Everett in 1873. The population in 1860 was estimated at three hundred and fifty: The first election was held at the schoolhouse on the 15th of March; 1861. Fifty-eight votes were polled. James F. Deyarman and' Philip G. Morgart were ap- pointed judges of election, and borough officers were chosen as follows : Josiah, Baughman,

chief burgess ; William States, assistant bur- gess ; James M. Barndollar, William Masters, P. G. Morgart, Samuel G. Schooley and David Broad, council ; and John A. Gump, high con- stable. M. M. Peebles and Samuel Bender were the first justices of the peace elected.

The building of the railroad and the starting of Tecumseh tannery were the first important events in the industrial history of the town.

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The railroad was built in 1862-3. In 1870 the town had a population of five hundred and fifty. The next decade witnessed a rapid growth, and according to the census of 1880 the population of the borough at that date was twelve hundred and fifty-seven. In 1883 the number of polls is about three hundred and twenty-five.

Among the industries which have sprung into being since 1870 are the planing-mill of J. M. Bender, and the large three-story gristmill of Mason Howard.

The town contains four hotels, six general stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, and a large number of minor mercantile establish- ments.

The project of building a blast furnace at Everett was first agitated several years ago. The panic put a stop to active operations, but the citizens, with characteristic enterprise, kept up their interest in the matter, and now the work is fast nearing a successful completion. J. B. Williams, who has been interested in this venture from the first, has wisely managed its affairs, and to him, more than anyone else, credit should be given for the establishment of this important industry. The furnace is owned and controlled by the Everett Iron Company, in which many of the business men of Everett are interested together with several New York capitalists. During the winter of 1882-3 the building of a branch railroad from Mount Dal- las to the ore mines in Black valley was begun. The furnace is being erected on the south side of the river, a short distance from the town. Its completion will mark an important epoch in the industrial history of Everett.

The foregoing sketch of the growth and de- velopment of the town may be appropriately concluded by a brief personal mention of some of the old residents and prominent business men of today.

William Masters came from Washington county, Maryland, in 1845. He worked for some years at the saddlery business. His son, F. M. Masters, a native of Everett, is a leading druggist of this place, and has the oldest estab- lishment of the kind in the town, having en- gaged in the business in 1867.

Thomas Richey is the oldest merchant of Everett. He started a store in this place in 1839, and is still engaged in trade. Mr. Richey is a descendant of one of the early settlers of the county.

The largest mercantile establishment in Bed- ford county is that of J. B. Williams & Co., of Everett. Mr. J. B. Williams, the senior mem- ber of the firm, came to this place in 1853, and engaged in clerking in Jacob Barndollar's store. In 1857 he was given entire charge of the busi- ness, and in 1859 he purchased the establish- ment from Mr. Barndollar. In 1864 S. D. Williams was admitted to a partnership in the business, which was carried on under the firm name, J. B. Williams & Bro. The place of business was also changed from the old store to the building now occupied. In 1866, S. D. Will- iams withdrew, and business was conducted by J. B. Williams and J. B. Williams & Co. until 1871, when J. J. Hetzel became one of the firm, and the style was changed to Williams, Hetzel & Co. In 1875 S. D. Williams renewed his partnership, and the firm became J. B. & S. D. Williams. This arrangement continued until 1881, when the style of the firm was again changed, but without any change in proprietors. Fifteen or sixteen men are constantly employed in the business. The Messrs. Williams are natives of Bedford county, and sons of Samuel Williams, now of Rainsburg. They are among the foremost business men of the county.

J. H. Thompson, a native of Allegheny county, came to Everett in 1849. He has fol- lowed his trade of bridge-building in various parts of the county for several years. Mr. Thompson was a soldier in the 55th Penn. regt., and served from November, 1861, to February, 1865. He was captured by the rebels in 1864, and held a prisoner for six months, passing most of that time in Andersonville prison.

Bartley Sams, a native of this county, is the oldest blacksmith in Everett, having followed his trade here over fifty years. He came to Everett in 1842. He has three sons, David M., W. Scott and Martin L. D. M. and W. S. fol- low their father's trade. . The former taught school several years, but has been employed by the tannery company as blacksmith, since 1875. W. S. Sams follows general blacksmithing, and deals in wagons.

J. D. Lucas is an old resident. He came from Baltimore, Maryland, when a young man, and followed shoemaking, storekeeping, etc., several years. He was married in this place to Eliza- beth Wilson, and is the father of six children, five living. William F. enlisted in Co. D, 138th Penn. regt., for three years ; he contraoted

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GEN. D. STEWART ELLIOTT.

David Stewart Elliott was born near the Chalybeate Springs, in Bedford township, on the 23d day of December, 1848. His early edu- cational opportunities were exceedingly limited, being confined to a short attendance in the common schools ; but a love of learning led to valiant and earnest efforts to overcome this deficiency by self- culture. At the age of thirteen the subject of this biography entered a store in Bedford as errand boy ; but in lemn than a year his em- ployer closed his business and young Elliott returned to farming, his former occupation. In September, 1858, he entered the office of the Bedford Gazette to learn the printer's trade. Here he re- mained until April, 1861, when he enlisted for a term of three months in Capt. John H. Filler's company (G) of the 18th regt. Penn. Vols. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted for three years in Co. E, 76th regt. Penn. Vols., in which he served until near the close of the war.

After his discharge from the service, Mr. Elliott accepted a po- sition as compositor on the Bedford Inquirer, and during evenings and spare time applied himself closely to general reading and the study of the law. In September, 1868, he became part owner of the Bedford County Press, removed to Everett and assumed editorial charge of the paper. February 9, 1869, he was admitted to the bar of Bedford county. He continued as editor of the Press until 1878, when he resigned this position and devoted his time wholly to law business, soon establishing a large practice. On the 1st of Jan- uary, 1881, at the urgent request of the owners of the paper, he be- came the editor and chief manager of the Everett Press, which then changed its name from the Bedford County Press to the Everett Press. The paper under his able management has proved prosperous and popular, and has had an important influence in ad- vancing the interests of the thriving town of Everett.

Mr. Elliott began to take an active part in politics in 1868, and since that time has been prominent in the counsels of the repub-

lican party in Bedford county. Besides performing effective service as a stump speaker, he has acted as chairman of the republican county committee, and has been selected several times as a dele- gate to state conventions. In 1880 he was alternate delegate-at-large to the national convention at Chicago. In 1874, and again in 1878, he was the almost unanimous choice of the republicans of Bedford county for state senator, but failed to receive the vote of the district conference, owing to local questions.

Gen. Elliott has been prominently identified with military affairs. He was commissioned captain of Russell Zouaves, 16th division Penn. Militia, February 16, 1870 ; commissioned major-general 16th division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, January 16, 1878 ; com- missioned lieutenant-colonel and division inspector, statt of Maj .- Gen. James A. Beaver, September 9, 1875.

Gen. Elliott has been prominently identified with various secret organizations, having been the commander of the first Grand Army Post established in Bedford county, besides holding almost every grade of office among the Odd-Fellows, in which order he is at pres- ent the grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He is also & Knight Templar Mason. He takes a deep interest in local affairs, particularly in schools, and is constantly called upon to ac- cept positions of trust and responsibility. As & public speaker, editor and lawyer he has won a well-deserved and honorable reputa- tion, while, as a citizen, his influence is felt in every work that tends to advance the best interests of the community.

Gen. Elliott was married February 2, 1870, to Mias Rebecca A. Harris, eldest daughter of Josiah Harris, Esq., of Everett. She died in April, 1871.

On the 23d day of December, 1874, he was again joined in mar- riage, the bride being Miss Clara J. Barndollar, daughter of Jacob Barndollar, Esq,. of Everett. Four children have been born of this union : John Barndollar Elliott, Leila Cushwa Elliott, Clara Irene Elliott and James Russell Elliott.

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disease in the service, from which he died. Joshua T. enlisted three times, and was in the nine-months, one hundred-days, and one-year service. The other children are Mary, F. S., Jas. H. and Jacob E. F. S. Lucas began mercantile business, at the age of eleven years, as a clerk for J. M. Barndollar, and has ever since been employed in a store. In 1882 he became one of the firm of Barndollar & Lucas, dealers in boots, shoes and gents' furnishing goods. His partner is J. C. Barndollar.

J. A. Gump, Esq., was born in Rainsburg, this county. In 1851, while the place was yet in its infancy, he came to the present town of Everett. After working at butchering a year he engaged in hotelkeeping, which he followed twelve years. He then purchased an interest in the foundry of Baughman & Co., with whom he carried on the hardware business. Mr. Gump sold his interest in the foundry, but has continued the hardware business since 1861. His sons, H. F. and S. A., are now associated with him, and the firm is J. A. Gump & Sons. They do a very large business.

S. P. Lewis came to this county from Ship- pensburg, Cumberland county. After residing two years at Ray's Hill he came to Everett, in 1859, and has since worked at shoemaking prin- cipally. Mr. Lewis was a member of Co. C, 133d Penn. regt., in the late war.

J. J. Barndollar, one of the prominent mer- chants of Everett, has been engaged in mercantile pursuits most of the time since 1862. He occupies the brick store in which his father, J. M. Barn- dollar, formerly carried on business. J. J. Barn- dollar was one of the firm of Barndollar & Baughman, who brought the first portable steam sawmill to Bedford county in 1868. He bought the interest of his partner and has been engaged in the lumber business ever since. His lumber yard is located at Everett.

William H. Whisel, postmaster at Everett, is a native of Union township, Bedford county, and came to this place in 1861. He served in the army during the rebellion and was a gallant soldier. He was held a prisoner by the enemy for six weeks. At the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1863, he lost his left arm. Mr. Whisel was appointed postmaster in 1869. His salary, then three hundred and thirty dol- lars, is now eight hundred dollars, representing a much larger increase in business than is indi- cated by the difference in figures.

J. Du Bois, cashier of the Bedford County

Bank, is a native of Salem county, New Jersey. He came to Everett in 1864, and was employed as bookkeeper for J. B. Williams & Co. He has been cashier of the bank since its establish- ment in 1870. Mr. Du Bois is also engaged in the drug business. The drug store of J. Du Bois & Son was started in 1881.

A. J. Nycum, a prominent merchant, is a native of Ray's Hill. He was one of the "forty-niners " in California, where he spent ten years. Previous to that time he studed medi- cine in Massillon, Ohio, and in 1848 graduated a doctor of medicine from the Western Reserve College. Returning home in 1859, he engaged in mercantile business with his father at Ray's Hill, where he remained until 1868. He then came to Everett, where he now conducts a pros- perous business.

C. C. Snell has been engaged in the hotel business most of the time since 1865, and has a first-class reputation as a landlord. He was born at Ray's Hill, in this county. His father, Jacob Snell, came to that place from Eastern Pennsylvania, about 1830, and followed hotel- keeping until his death, in 1842.

William Emme, merchant tailor, was born in Germany, but came to this country when young and lived in Baltimore, where he learned his trade. Thence he moved to Philadelphia, and in 1858 entered the United States regular army in which he served until 1863. Re-enlisting as a volunteer, February 11, 1864, in Hancock's 1st Vet. Vols., he served until the close of the war. Mr. Emme has been in business in Everett since 1869.

Capt. N. C. Evans was born in Southampton township, in this county. He followed the mercantile business in Rainsburg from 1857 to 1861, then became a member of Co. D, 101st Penn. regt., in which he served until May, 1863. Returning home he raised a company (Co. G., independent battalion) for the emer- gency service and was appointed captain. Again entering the service, he was chosen cap- tain of Co. A, 184th Penn. Vols., which was mustered in March, 1864, and mustered out in July, 1865. Capt. Evans was taken prisoner in front of Petersburg and held by the enemy eight months and eight days. He has been a resident of Everett since 1872, and is now a justice of the peace.

O. L. Lockwood is a native of Delaware county, New York. He came to Bedford

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county in 1870, in the capacity of manager of the business of J. B. Hoyt & Co., a position which he has since filled most worthily.

Henry F. Sheeder, cigar manufacturer, is a native of Huntingdon county, and was a soldier in the rebellion. In 1871 he came to Everett and engaged in his present business. Since that time twenty-six cigar manufactories have been started in the town, but Mr. Sheeder's es- tablishment is the only one which survives. He is now manufacturing four hundred thousand cigars per year, and during the year 1883 ex- pects to make about six hundred thousand. The cigars are mainly marketed in this county and adjacent territory.

M. Luther Myers is a native of Blair county. He learned his trade (carriage and wagon mak- ing) in Woodberry, and has followed it twenty years. Mr. Myers has resided in Everett since 1878. His brother, M. F. Myers, is associated with him in business, the style of the firm being Myers Brothers. They run two shops and turn out a large amount of work.

Ferdinand Snider, a popular hotelkeeper, has been engaged in his present business since 1873. Mr. Snider was a volunteer soldier in the late war. He has been a resident of Everett for twenty years.

A. M. McClure came from Virginia and en- gaged in business as a hardware dealer in 1878. In 1880, George Henry, of Everett, was admitted to partnership. The firm are conducting a good business. The building they occupy was built by J. J. Barndollar, but is now a part of the estate of the late Dr. Henry.

Capt. R. W. Cook is a native of this county. He moved to Bedford in 1860, and there learned the blacksmith's trade, which he still follows. He has been in Everett since 1878, and is doing a large business in wagonmaking and black- smithing, employing four hands. Capt. Cook has a military record of which any man might well be proud. Entering the service as a private in Co. E, 138th regt. Penn. Vols., in 1862, he was promoted to orderly sergeant, first lieu- tenant and captain. He was placed on the staff of Gen. J. Warren Keifer as personal aid-de- camp, and served until the close of the war. He was in many severe engagements and proved a most gallant soldier. He received two brevet commissions (first lieutenant and captain) for gallant and meritorious conduct.

George E. Staily, dealer in millinery and

fancy goods, began his present business in 1882. Mr. Staily is a native. of Franklin county, and came to this county in 1856. He has followed teaching and mercantile business and was in the army. Mr. Staily taught in the public schools of Everett in 1881-2.

C. A. Black & Co. started a store in 1881. They deal in boots and shoes, gents' furnishing goods, etc., and are fast building up a large trade. Mr. Black is a native of Everett, and has followed mercantile businses for some years.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This organiza- tion was formed, in 1809, under the ministerial labors of Rev. John Gilwatt, who was the first circuit preacher on the Bedford circuit. The original society was composed of eight members, viz .: Charles Ashcom, class-leader, and family ; Mrs. Fishburn and family ; Mrs. Anna Barn- dollar and family. Bishop Asbury, who visited Bedford circuit in 1810, writes as follows, con- cerning this class : "In passing through Bloody Run, I preached at Barndollar's. The Lord has seven in this family who fear and worship Him."

The church was served by the ministers travel- ing Bedford circuit until 1844, when East Bedford circuit was formed. Rev. J. Gamble preached on the latter circuit for two years, and was suc- ceeded by James Stevens, 1846 ; Jacob Gruber, 1847; H. Hoffman, 1848; C. Graham, 1849; W. A. McKee, 1850; A. Bland, 1851 ; W. H. Bellman, 1852 ; D. Shoaf, 1853-4, during whose administration the parsonage at Bloody Run was built ; G. W. Bonse, J. W. Curry, 1855 ; G. W. Bonse, W. H. Stevens, 1856 ; J. A. Cole- man, W. H. Stevens, 1857 ; J. A. Coleman, G. T. Gray, 1858 ; R. W. Black, J. W. Buckley, 1859 ; C. Cleaver, H. Linn, 1860 ; C. Cleaver, J. G. Moore, 1861 ; J. C. Clarke, - Greenley, 1862 ; J. C. Clarke, J. A. McKindless, 1863 ; J. B. Polsgrove, W. R. Whitney, 1864. In 1865 the name of the charge was changed to Bloody Run, and Polsgrove and Rev. Crowel returned as supplies ; W. G. Ferguson, T. T. S. Richards, 1866 ; W. G. Ferguson, W. Case, 1867. ('The church had so prospered that the last quarterly conference of the year asked for a division, and Ray's Hill circuit was formed.) G. W. Van Fossen, 1868-70; A. M. Barnitz, 1871-3; J. Donahue, 1874-6 ; James Curns, 1877-9; W. G. Ferguson, 1880-2.

The congregation at Tatesville is a part of

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James W. Hughes

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Everett charge, and both number three hundred and fifty members. The church has no debts and its property is valued at ten thousand dol- lars. Rev. W. G. Ferguson is the only pastor who has served the charge two terms. He preached his farewell sermon March 4, 1883.

The first church edifice in the town was erected by the Methodists in 1810 or 1812. It stood nearly opposite the present Presbyterian church. The next was built in 1839, and is now occupied by the Reformed congregation. The present Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1859-60, and presented to the congregation by Jacob Barndollar, Sr. The society is now contemplat- ing the erection of a new and handsome church.

Lutheran Church. - The Evangelical Luth- eran church of Everett was organized Septem- ber 25, 1842. The male members of the congregation at this time were Henry and Joseph S. Messersmith, Solomon and Philip Holler, Samuel Stoutnour, George Herring, Michael Smouse, and Peter and Daniel Weaver- ling. It was decided to build a church in con- junction with the Presbyterians, and the follow- ing were chosen a building committee : Henry Messersmith, Solomon Holler, Matthew Peebles, Jacob Ebert and George Richey, of whom only Messersmith and Holler were Lutherans.

The corner-stone of the stone church was laid on August 6, 1842. This congregation was then under the pastoral care of Rev. R. Weiser, now of Colorado. The first officers of the church were S. Holler and H. Messersmith, elders, and G. Herring and D. Stoutnour, dea- cons.

Rev. A. Height, who assisted Rev. Weiser in his labors, was licensed by the Allegheny synod, June 8, 1848, and thenceforth had charge of this congregation and of the others belonging to the charge. The new church was dedicated October 29, 1843, Rev. R. Weiser preaching the sermon on that occasion. March 30, 1845, Rev. Height preached his farewell sermon. The succeeding pastors have been as follows : Revs. J. Fishburn, 1846 ; F. A. Barnitz, 1849 ; Wm. B. Bachtell, 1852; G. C. Probst, 1857 ; Philip Doerr, 1868; M. Graybill, 1870; John Bru- baker, 1875 ; Wm. S. Freas, 1877. The present pastor, Rev. G. M. Rhodes, took charge Febru- ary 28, 1880. Under the care of Rev. G. C. Probst the church was highly prosperous. His labors continued for ten years. During that time the present house of worship, a large and

convenient edifice, two stories high and built of brick, was erected.

Everett congregation numbers one hundred and ten members, and the sabbath school has a membership of one hundred. Ray's Hill, Cedar Grove and Ray's Cove congregations belong to this charge.

Reformed Church .- Trinity Reformed church of Everett was organized in 1843, during the ministry of Rev. Matthew Irvin. Among the original members were Elizabeth Ebbert, Jacob S. Ritchey, Lewis Koons, and others whose names cannot be learned, there being no church record. The pastors from 1843-83, inclusive, have been : Revs. Matthew Irvin, Henry Hecker- man, .William M. Deatrick, Milton H. Saugree, Daniel H. Leader and William I. Stewart. The congregation worshiped in the stone church (now the Presbyterian) from the time of its organization until 1867, when it purchased the Methodist Episcopal church, which it remodeled and is still using. Arrangements are almost completed for building a new church on Spring street. The congregation now numbers seventy members, and the sabbath school one hundred.

Presbyterian Church .- There were a few Pres- byterian families among the early settlers of this locality. For many years the Presbyterians were supplied with occasional preaching, gener -. ally, by the pastors of the Bedford church. In 1866 Rev. A. V. C. Schenck began preaching regularly in Everett. On May 5, 1874, a congre- gation was regularly organized by Rev. R. F. Wilson and Rev. J. F. Boal, a committee of the Huntingdon presbytery. S. P. Wishart and W. W. Sparks were elected elders; J. M. Barn- dollar and L. M. Piper, deacons. The congre- gation at present consists of eighteen members. The pastors have been Revs. Robert F. Wilson, 1874-8; John R. Henderson, 1878-81 ; - Her- bert D. Cone, 1881-3. The stone church, erected by the Lutherans and Presbyterians in 1842-3, is now occupied by the Presbyterians. It was renovated and much improved in 1888, and has cost, up to date, one thousand dollars.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 66

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

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