History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 71

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 71

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).

Griffis were also among the charter members. The lodge now numbers about forty members. The building containing the hall is a part of the property of the lodge.

CHURCHES.

Methodist .- The first church edifice in this township was a log building erected by the Methodists about 1805. It stood on land now owned by James Seidel, about a mile northeast of Coaldale. The first graveyard in the settle- ment was on the old church lot. The old log church was torn down, and a part of the logs were used in constructing a house at Coaldale. About 1850 the Methodists erected the White Methodist Episcopal church about one and one- half miles north of North Point. The building was moved to Broad Top city in 1875.

Dr. Jeremiah Duval was a local preacher of the Methodist denomination, and was mainly instrumental in forming the old church. Most of the members of his colony were Methodists, and Edward Cheney, John Williams and Der- rell (Dr. Duval's son-in-law) were local preachers.

A Methodist class was organized at Hopewell in 1833. No church building was erected until 1864, when the present church, a substantial and beautiful edifice, was built. Rev. John Cleaver was then pastor. The building com- mittee were C. W. Ashoom, John Mayor and Richard Langdon.

Riddlesburg Church .- The church at Riddles- burg was built in 1873, by the Methodists and Presbyterians, and is still supported by those de- nominations. The first Methodist preacher was Rev. McKee, and the first class-leader, David Robinson (now deceased). The first Presby- terian pastor was Rev. Bowles ; first elders, William Lauder and James Ross. The church is maintained by the employés of the Riddles- burg Coal and Iron Company.

Church of God .- This church was organized about 1842, by Revs. Laniger and Plowman. Among the first officers of the congregation were William Figard and Thomas Long, elders, and Joseph Negley and John Lear, deacons. Meetings were generally held in schoolhouses until 1872, when the church erected a meeting- house at Coaldale. Rev. D. P. Collins was then pastor. The church now has about one hundred members.

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BLOOMFIELD.

CHAPTER XXXVI. BLOOMFIELD.

The Township Formed from Woodberry in 1876 - The Pioneers Nearly All Germans - Early Families - Distilling -Church History - Bloomfield Furnace.

B LOOMFIELD township was organized December 8, 1876. Previous to that date it had been included in Woodberry township. The soil of the township is of the best quality, the buildings and improvements are most ex- cellent, and the people are industrious, moral and prosperous.

The early settlers of this locality were chiefly of German descent. Their habits of industry, economy and thrift have been transmitted to their posterity, the present inhabitants, who, constantly progressing, are rendering this little township one of the best agricultural communi- ties in the county.

Among the pioneers were the Wagner, Bar- ley, Replogle and Clapper families.

An early settler on the Bloomfield furnace property was a man named Rowdenbush. Henry Clapper lived south of the site of the furnace.

Rinehart Replogle, the progenitor of the Re- plogles of Morrison's cove, was of German descent. He settled in what is now Bloomfield township early-probably before the close of the revolution. He was the great-grandfather of the Replogles of Woodberry township. While he was making improvements, one of his daughters was captured by the Indians, who broke in upon a husking party. She was with the savages a considerable time. She was urged to marry a young brave, and, to avoid such a fate, determined to escape. She managed to elude the vigilance of her captors and at length found her way home, though almost exhausted by exposure and hunger. She had been several days without food, when in her wanderings she discovered the remains of a pole cat, a part of which she ate, and so gained strength to con- tinue her journey.

Rinehart Replogle, Sr., was the father of fourteen children. He died at the age of seventy-two, and at his death had one hundred and twenty-six grandchildren and several great- grandchildren. His sons, Daniel, George and Rinehart, lived in this county.

John Holsinger, from Franklin county, settled in 1796, where John L. Holsinger now lives.

He was a bishop of the German Baptist church from 1825 until his death in 1849. His son, John M., also held the same office in the church from 1845 until his death, 1871. John M. Hol- singer was the father of six children : Christian (deceased), Elizabeth (Bechtel ), deceased, Esther (Mumert), Susan (Sell), Barbara (Hinkle) and John L. John L. Holsinger re- sides on the old homestead, which is a most excellent farm of three hundred and thirty acres. He married Esther Streight, of Fulton county. Mr. Holsinger is a minister of the German Baptist church.

D. H. Miller is a native of South Woodberry township, and there learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1855 he removed to Baker's Summit, where he is doing a good business, manufactur- ing and dealing in boots and shoes.

John Long, son of Joseph Long, is a progres- sive young farmer and school teacher, and a descendant of one of the early families of this county.

David S. Long was born in this township in 1813 and died in 1878. He was the father of seven children : Jacob (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Esther (King), William (deceased), Susan (Cowen), David A. and Christian. David A., a young and progressive farmer, owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of land with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Long has served three terms as school director.

Samuel Snyder, a native of Snake Spring valley, and a descendant of a very early settler, moved to Bloomfield in 1886, cleared and im- proved a farm upon which he resided until his death in 1866. He was the father of twelve children : David (deceased), John, Isaac, Josiah (deceased), Caroline (Kochendeifer), Maria (Fet- ler), Samuel, Malachi, Susan (deceased), Henry (deceased), Charles and Mary J. (twins). Sam- uel and Malachi live on the homestead farm. They are also engaged in distilling. Their distillery was started in February, 1879. It has a capacity for making about eighty barrels of whisky in six months. Samuel Snyder is township constable. Valuable deposits of iron ore have recently been found on the Snyder farm.

BLOOMFIELD FURNACE.

Bloomfield furnace, built from the material of the Elizabeth furnace in Woodberry, was erected in 1845, and put in operation the follow- ing year. It was owned by Dr. P. Schoen-

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berger until 1851, when, by his will, it passed into the possession of the Duncan heirs. The furnace has not been in operation for several years. While the business was active, Bloom- field was a very lively place.

CHURCHES.

Lutheran. - St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1842. The corner- stone of the church was laid June 18, 1842. Rev. John Ellinger officiated in the services, and became the first pastor of the congregation. The building is of stone, and cost about two thousand dollars. The first elders of the con- gregation were Valentine Barley and George Plitt ; descons, Daniel Barley and William Reininger ; trustees, Valentine Barley and Dan- iel Barley. Membership, when organized, twen- ty-four; present membership, seventy-one. The largest increase was in 1848, when there were thirty additions. The church is in Martinsburg charge. For list of pastors see history of St. John's church, Woodberry township.

Methodist Episcopal .- The Methodist Epis- copal church at Baker's Summit was organized in 1874, under the labors of Rev. Castleman, with twelve members. A house of worship was erected the same year, and dedicated with a sermon by Rev. Kerns, of Altoona. The first trustees were : J. A. J. Williams, John Heltzell, Joseph Smeltzer, James Shade and Samuel Pryor. The value of the church is sixteen hundred dollars. It was sold to John Heltzell in 1881. The present membership is fifteen. The church is on Martinsburg circuit.

Brethren. - The German Baptist or Brethren church of this township is a branch of the Woodberry church. The meeting-house was erected in 1850.

CHAPTER XXXVII. KING.

Organization - Origin of the Name of the Township -Pioneer Settlers -Their Experiences with the Indians - King and his Wife Captured -They Meet after a Long Absence - Indian Graves-Settlers Driven away by the Savages- Sketches of Early Families - The First Mills - The Village of Lewistown - Churches- The Old Greenfield Church.

K ING township was organized from a part of Union in 1876, and named in honor of Hon. Alexander King. It embraces much fer- tile and beautiful land, and is inhabited by an industrious, intelligent and thrifty people.

In the eastern part of the township, between Dunning's mountain and Pine ridge, lies "In- dian Path Valley," as it is denominated in old land warrants. Through this valley and north- ward to Frankstown extended an Indian trail, which the aborigines doubtless traveled cen- turies before the white man came to this region. The old path can still be distinctly traced at some points where it leads through forests, or over land that has never been improved. This trail was frequently traversed by the savages until after the conclusion of the revolutionary war, and frequented by strolling Indians even later.

One of the earliest pioneers of this valley was Christian King, who located near the Three Springs on land which is now the David Goch- nour farm. King and his family were living here at the time of the greatest troubles between the settlers and the Indians. King was taken captive by the savages ; his wife and an infant son, and a girl who lived with them, were also made prisoners. King was led off in one di- rection, and his wife, child and her companion in another.' Mrs. King was led to believe that her husband had been killed. After Mrs. King and her child had been with the Indians for two or three years they were either ransomed or succeeded in making their escape and returned to their old home. What was her joy on near- ing the familiar spot to meet her husband, who also had just left the Indians and was on his way back to his cabin ! The occasion was a joyous one for all. The child, now grown to a bright and active boy, met his father, whom he scarcely remembered ; the wife and husband, who had mourned each other as dead during the long period of absence and hardship, were again united and in safety. The son, whose name was John, lived to a ripe old age in this county, and is still remembered by many people now living.

On the Gochnour farm, and north of it, on the Sarah furnace property, in Blair county, there are a number of Indian graves ; very probably there was once an Indian village in the immedi- ate vicinity.

Indian Path valley was settled by a number of families from Adams county, some of whom came prior to the close of the revolution and others immediately after the war. The only road then leading through this part of the county was the Indian trail.

Matthias and Peter Bucher came from

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Adams county to this valley very early, built a small cabin and began improving land in a small way, though they depended chiefly upon game for food. While at work in the field one day, they were surprised by the report of seve- ral rifles, the sound coming from the direction of Pine ridge, west of their clearing. They left their work and crept cautiously up the ridge until they were near the spot from which the sounds proceeded. There they discovered a dozen or more of dusky warriors who were amusing themselves by firing at a mark. The Buchers did not care to make themselves known to the Indians, but returned to their cabin as soon as possible, saddled their horses in haste, and rode away toward the fort at Bedford, which they reached in safety. Thence they returned to Adams county and remained until the troubles were at an end. They afterward came back to their improvement and again took up the work of pioneers.

In the summer of 1781, a man named Michael Bowser, who was on his way to Frankstown, was shot by an Indian and severely wounded. He was not killed, however ; but the scouting party which went out from Bedford in the same sum- mer were less fortunate. The shooting of Bow- ser took place in this township, not far from the Three Springs.

A family by the name of Saltzgarver were among the pioneers. They lived on the farm which now belongs to John Fickes. Mrs. Saltz- garver died here and was buried in a spot which is now included in Mr. Fickes' orchard.

Abraham Moses, now an old resident, lives on part of the farm settled by his grandfather, Jacob Moses, from Adams county. From papers in his possession, Mr. Moses thinks his grand- father came to this county as early as 1760. Jacob Moses had two sons, Samuel and Michael, who passed their days in this neighborhood.

In 1781 Isaac Fickes came from Adams county with his wife and a family of ten chil- dren. The family and their household goods were brought in a wagon, drawn by a team of six horses. Fickes became a wealthy man, for those days, owning many farms. He was a justice of the peace a number of years, and a very influential man among the settlers. His children who reached mature years were Isaac, Valentine, Solomon, Jacob (who died on the old homestead), Betsey (Deibert), Rachel (Smith) and Margaret (Shimer). Solomon lived on

Scrubgrass. He died in his eightieth year in 1861. He married Catharine Lingenfelter, who bore ten children : Rachel, Isaac, Margaret (deceased), Valentine, Catharine (deceased), John, Solomon, George (deceased), Elizabeth and Jacob (deceased). John lives on a part of his grandfather's estate, and has an excellent farm. He purchased the place in 1861.

Peter Shimer came to this county from Ches- ter county when a young man. He married a daughter of Isaac Fickes, Sr., and lived on the present John Fickes farm. He was the father of ten children, nine of whom are still living ; Isaac, the oldest, resides in this township.

. About the same time with the Fickes fami- ly came Henry Hess, from Adams county, who located north of Fickes' farm.

Peter Imler and John Croyl were both early settlers in the southern part of the township, and were famous bear-hunters. Joseph Riddle was an early settler on the farm now owned by his grandson, Joseph. George, the father of Joseph, passed his days upon the same farm. Jacob Dively and Jacob Hengst were early set- tlers west of Pine ridge. John, Henry and Daniel Walter were also early residents.

The first gristmill erected within the terri- tory now known as King township was built by Samuel H. Way in 1807. It is a stone build- ing, and is still in good condition. After Way, `the mill was successively owned by Joseph Ake, Adolphus Ake, John and Andrew Mowry. In 1875 it was purchased by A. P. Moorhead, the present owner. Josiah Blackburn commenced the erection of the gristmill now owned by John W. Hull, but sold out to John Ake, who finished the work. It was built in 1828.

The Imlers were among the first settlers in the valley, which is called after their name. Another early family in the same neighborhood was that of William Moorhead. His sons, John, William and Matthew, lived here after him. John died in this township. He married Eliza- beth, daughter of Henry Horn, an early settler. Six of his children are living: William, Caro- line, Henry, Keziah, Sarah and Andrew P. A. P. Moorhead is now engaged in milling, a busi- ness which he has followed fifteen years. He followed huckstering for about the same length of time before taking up his present occupation.

David Pressel was an early settler. His son Isaac is still living in this township, and is now eighty-one years of age.

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

Geiselman, a hunter, was an early settler of this county. He subsequently removed to Blair county. The early pioneers found the woods of this locality abounding in deer, bears, pan- thers and other wild animals. But they disap- peared rapidly, and soon it seemed that they were wholly extinct.

David Gochnour was born in Blair county in 1806. In 1819 he came from Morrison's cove with his father, John Gochnour, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Gochnour. John Gochnour, Sr., had two sons, David and John ; the latter is now deceased. David married Mary Lingenfelter. Their children are Moses R., Susannah, Margaret (deceased), John, Sarah and Catharine. Mr. Gochnour is one of the oldest residents of the township, and is a most highly respected citizen.

Moses R. Gochnour was born in this county, and has always followed farming. He has served as school director a number of terms. Mr. Gochnour has lived on his present farm since 1854. It was formerly a part of the Fickes lands, and once, according to old residents, could have been bought for fifty cents per acre. Mr. Goch- nour has a fine farm with good improvements.

Martin Imler was born in this county and was a son of Joseph Imler, a descendant of an early settler. In the fall of 1864 he entered his country's service as a member of Co. C, 91st regt. Penn. Vols., returning home in June, 1865. In 1867 he died from the effects of disease con- tracted in the service. His widow resides upon the farm.

John W. Hull was born in Napier township, where his father, Benjamin Hull, was an early settler, and has constantly resided in the county, excepting a short time in the West. Mr. Hull learned blacksmithing with his father, and worked at that trade over forty years. He held the office of justice of the peace in Napier one term. In 1879 he moved to his present residence in King township. Here he has a mill property and one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land. He also owns five hundred acres in Somerset county.

John L. Holsinger, a prominent farmer, is a native of Morrison's cove, and a son of George M. Holsinger, deceased. Mr. Holsinger moved from St. Clair township to his present farm in 1878. Mrs. Holsinger, née Rogers, is a daughter of Ellis Rogers, and a descendant of some of the earliest settlers of the county.

Lewistown is a small village in the north- western part of the township, containing one store, a blacksmith-shop, and about a dozen houses. It was laid out about 1854 on the land of David Lewis. John M. Walter built the first house and started the first store. Mercantile business has been carried on at this point since about the year 1853.

The first store near Mowry's mill was started by Simon Hershman, about 1868. A postoffice was established immediately after. The succes- sors of Hershman in the mercantile business have been John Lamborn, Israel Davis and Thomas B. Weyant. Mr. Weyant commenced business here in 1874. In 1881 he erected a large two-story building as a store and residence. He is carrying on a very successful business.

CHURCHES.

Reformed and Lutheran. - The first church organization in the northwestern portion of Bed- ford county was the Greenfield congregation of the Reformed and the Lutherans. A log church was begun in 1814 and finished a year or two later. Both denominations continued to worship at this church unti! about twenty years ago, when the Lutherans ceased to support preaching. The Reformed congregation still keeps a strong membership, and in 1875 erected a neat frame church in place of the old log building.

All the services for many years were conducted in the German language. The following is a list of the Reformed pastors who have served in this church from 1814 up to the present time : Revs. John Henry Gerhart, - Kintes, Fred- erick Rupley, Jeremiah Heller, N. E. Giltz, C. U. Heilman, W. D. Le Fevre, S. R. Breiden- baugh, H. F. Long and William L. Andrews.

The Reformed and Lutheran church at Imler crossroads was organized in 1868, under the ministry of Rev. C. U. Heilman, Reformed, and Rev. Peters, Lutheran. The church edifice was erected by the joint efforts of the same denomi- nations in 1868. The Reformed congregation now numbers about one hundred members, and is a part of the St. Clairsville charge. The Lutheran membership is a little less.

Methodist .- A Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the southwestern part of King township about 1852, during the ministry of Revs. Spangler and McWilliams. The first class-leader was Michael Wertz, who served in that capacity a number of years. The class

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RESIDENCE OF DAVID SHAEFER, KING TP., BEDFORD CO., PA.

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KING.

has always been small, and at present consists of about twenty members. There is a comfortable meeting-house, ample in size for the congregation.

The Lewistown Methodist Episcopal church was organized about the year 1872. Rev. Lewis Clark first preached in Stiffler's shop, about one mile from the village. In 1873 a neat frame church building was erected at Lewistown at a cost of over two thousand dollars. The church is fairly prosperous, with a small membership.

DAVID SHAEFER.

Michael Shaefer emigrated from Germany and settled in Bedford county in 1825. He com- menced life with no other resources than a robust constitution and a firm determination to make a success in life, if industry, perseverance and economy would accomplish it; and with tireless energy he set about his self-imposed task. In 1833 he purchased a tract of land in King (then part of Union) township, which he made his home until called away by death. Before this occurred he had accomplished his life's work, for he was successful in accumu- lating a fine property, leaving nearly six hundred acres of valuable land to his children. March 11, 1831, he was united in marriage with Susanah, daughter of Nicholas Barley, of Bloomfield township. They raised four chil- dren : Maria E., David, Jacob B. and Susanah ; only two are now living, viz. : Maria and David. Maria, now the widow Imler, resides on her father's farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaefer were consistent members of the Lutheran church, and were respected by all who knew them. Politi- cally he was a democrat. David Shaefer, being the eldest son, was obliged to devote the major portion of his time to the assistance of his father on the farm, and, therefore, received but a com- mon school education. Farming has been his chosen vocation, he now having a fine farm of three hundred and fifty acres, a view of which appears on another page. In 1860 he was mar- ried to Elizabeth, daughter of Paul and Annie Mauk, of Claysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of ten children : George M., Lloyd E., William P., Harry M., Annie M., Howard W., Minnie J., Edwin E., Mary S.,

Carrie E., the latter of whom died, aged six weeks. None of the children are married, and all live at home. George M. follows school- teaching for a livelihood.

David Shaefer was the first justice of the peace, elected in the township, who qualified. He has served as school director ever since the organization of the township until last June (1883). Politically he affiliates with the demo- cratic party. As a member of the Lutheran church he held the office of deacon for many years, and has since been elected an elder in the same. He contributed more to the building of the Claysburg Evangelical Lutheran church than any other member thereof. His wife and five children are also members of this church. During the late war he was drafted, but pro- cured a substitute.

In fine, the Shaefer family are numbered among the most enterprising and progressive families in the township ; they command the esteem and respect of the entire community where they reside, and their influence will always be found on the right side of every question, either public or private. They are a family whose identification with any project is always produc- tive of good.

Mrs. David Shaefer's parents had twelve chil- dren, of whom she was the eldest. Ten are liv- ing, nine daughters and one son, viz .: Elizabeth ; Mary A., who married a cabinetmaker named S. E. Hoenestine ; Catharine, who married a merchant named A. Burket ; George W., a druggist, who married Henrietta Shaefer ; Bar- bara E., who married a practicing physician, J. W. Johnson ; all the above reside in Claysburg, Pennsylvania ; Sarah J., who married a huckster named Valentine Fink, and resides at Newry, Pennsylvania ; Martha, unmarried, lives at home; Emma A. married A. Fries, and resides near Claysburg, Pennsylvania ; Louisa married Rev. H. F. Long, pastor of the Reformed church at James creek, Pennsylvania ; Idella R., who married a huckster named Amos B. Nowlen, lives at Altoona, Pennsylvania. All are mem- bers of the Lutheran church except Mrs. Long, who belongs to the church of her husband's choice.

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. HOPEWELL.

The Township Organized in 1773 - The Indians - The Pioneers' Experiences - The Old Fort - Fort Piper - The Piper Fam- ily - Shorley Murdered by Indians- William Lane and Thomas Davis, the Pioneers of the Iron Industry -The Lemnos Forge - John King's Bedford Forge- Family Sketches - Early Mills - Churches.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 71

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

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