History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 73

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 73

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).

Jane Madara, wife of James Madara, born at Wishart's Mill, Hope- well township, Bedford county. Pennsylvania, July 28, 1815, was the eldest daughter of David Wishart, who came to this country from Scotland when a boy twelve years old. Her mother, Annie Livingston, was the daughter of Samuel Livingston, who came to Bedford county from the Cumberland valley at an early day. David Wishart afterward moved to Elizabeth Furnace, or, as it is now known, "Woodbury," where she met her future husband, James Madara. She was married at the age of eighteen years, and became the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of

whom grew to man and womanhood. She inberited from her father, who was a true Scotchman, not only his form and figure, which was tall and erect, but many of his personal characteristics, among which were great individuality and boundless integrity. Indeed, so firmly fixed are her opinions of right and w.ong that, like Barbara Fritchie, the heroine of Fredericksburg, she would rather die in any conflict of principle than surrender. Although her edu- cational advantages amounted to almost nothing, yet few are more shrewd in business transactions or possess finer judgment in regard to business matters in general than she. Her home at Baker's Summit is her care and her pride, where it is hoped she may con- tinue to live in the enjoyment of good health for many years to come.

DR. JAMES W. MADARA, son of Col. James and Jane (Wishart) Madara, was born at Sarah Furnace, Blair county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1850. In 1851 moved with his father to Bloomfield Furnace. His elementary education was procured in the public schools. For two years, from the fall of 1866, he attended the Agri- cultural College, Centre county, Pennsylvania, and then went to the St. Francis College, Loretto, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in June, 1879. He next' attended the Williamsport Seminary, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and gradu- ated from this institution in 1873, where the degree of B.S. was conferred upon him. He then read medicine with T. H. Helsbey, M.D., of Williamsport, until the fall of 1874, when he en- tered the Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and graduated with the honors of his class in March, 1876. His knowledge as a physician was brought into immediate requisition, for during the summer of 1876 he officiated as physician aud surgeon at the Municipal Hos- pital, Philadelphia. In September, 1876, the doctor entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in March, 1877. In the spring of 1877 he removed to Dallas, Texas, where he remained for one year as surgeon of the Texas & Pacific Railway. In the spring of 1878 poor health admonished him to leave the Lone Star State, and he drove with a horse and buggy from Dallas to Wichita, Kansas, a distance of six hundred miles, through the Indian Territory.

The doctor next located at Harper, Harper county, where he an- sisted in establishing the town and settling the county. Not only was he the first physician, but also the first one married in the county, for here it was that he married Miss Mary Glenn. He con- tinued the practice of his profession here until May, 1879, when he was called home to Baker Summit, Pennsylvania, by the death of his father, he being selected to settle up the large astate. Since bis return he has been engaged in practicing his profession and in founding a stock farm, a fine view of which can be found in this volume. Since his earliest recollection the doctor has had a great passion for horses, and, being possessed of a retentive memory, re- members the longest pedigree by merely reading it. His remem- brance of horses is something phenomenal. The doctor possesses the finest horses in the county, and the deep interest he manifests in rearing fine s ock will doubtless be in a measure infectious, and will therefore result in advancing the financial interests of the people.

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"TWIN SPRINGS STOCK FARM. BEDFORD CO., PA., RESIDENCE OF J. W. MADARA, M. D.

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early in the present century. William Hinton built a sawmill in Hammer hollow. Soon after, in 1833, William Griffith built, on Bobb's creek, the sawmill now owned by J. H. Griffith.

Valentine Bowser, on the farm now owned by the heirs of George Hartle, had the first dis- tillery in the township. It was in operation in 1810. In 1812 there were seven or eight dis- tilleries in operation in the township, among them being those of John Garn, on the present Garn property, Joseph Croyle, Jacob Beard and Jacob Burket.

The first gristmill was built by George Bowser, in 1843, at the present village of Pavia. It is still in operation.

The first frame house in the township was built by William Griffith, Jr., in 1839. It is now the residence of J. H. Griffith.

Uriah Gordon lived all his life in this town- ship. He died in 1874, aged sixty-three. He married Rachel Ritchey. Twelve of their children reached mature years : Margaret (de- ceased), Philip, John, William (deceased), George, Isaac, Joseph U., Moses (deceased), Daniel (deceased), Mary E., Rebecca (deceased) and Levi. William, George, Isaac and Joseph U. were in the army. William and Joseph U. were in Co. K, 55th Penn. regt. The former was wounded and taken prisoner, and it is sup- posed he died while in the hands of the enemy. J. U. enlisted in his seventeenth year, and served nearly two years. He was twice wounded, first before Petersburg, June 18, 1864, and again at Hatcher's Run, March 31, 1865.

John Shafer, a native of Franklin county, came to this county when a young man. He followed milling, and died in 1872. He was married in this county to Mary Claycomb, who is still living. Children : John (deceased), George W., Eliza, Frederick (deceased), Adol- phus, Isaac, Timothy (deceased), Ellen and Scott. George W. lives at Pavia, and follows carpentry, in which business he has been en- gaged for fifteen years. He served eighteen months in Co. K, 55th Penn. regt., entering the service in February, 1863, and was wounded at Fort Darling.

Jacob Beard, a native of Germany, was an early settler in the northern part of the town- ship. His sons, Henry, Jacob and Samuel, afterward lived here.

William Griffith, a member of the Griffith family mentioned in the history of East St. Clair,

was born in this county in 1808, and is now living in Cambria county. In 1835 Mr. Griffith moved from St. Clair to Union township, and engaged in the lumber business, which he car- ried on until 1875, when his son, Joseph H., succeeded him. (The latter had carried on the business for his father from 1868.) Mr. William Griffith married Susannah Hartzel, who died in 1878, and is the father of fourteen children, all still living. He was one of the first and most earnest friends of the school system, and did much to aid in its establishment. Six mem- bers of his family have been school teachers. J. H. Griffith, the oldest son, is now carrying on farming and the lumber business on the home farm.

Daniel M. Griffith, son of William Griffith, Sr., was born in East St. Clair, and moved to his present home in Union in 1850. He has since been engaged in the lumber business. His mill was erected in 1841 by John Allison, from whom Mr. Griffith purchased it. D. M. Griffith was in the army from June until December, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability.

John Garn, one of the earliest pioneers, was born in Holland, and moved to this township from Virginia. He died in 1808, at the age of seventy. His son, Frederick, lived and died in this township, where his descendants are still numerous.

Peter Mock moved from Maryland about 1768, and settled on Bobb's creek, on the farm now owned by Joseph Griffith. Finding the land wet, he afterward moved to the hills in St. Clair township. His children were Peter, Chris- tian, Paul, John, Jacob, David, George, Adam and Mrs. Frederick Carn. David lived on the homestead for a time, then moved to Union township (about 1820), where he brought up his family. He was the father of eight children, all living except two : Sarah, Mary (deceased), Betsey, Catharine, Samuel, William, Henry and Michael (deceased). Samuel Mock, born in 1805, is still living and in vigorous health. In 1826, he married Barbara Amsbaugh, who is still living. The children of this union are William (deceased), Angeline, Mary, Catharine, Emanuel, Samuel A. and Elizabeth. All of the sons were in the army, and William lost his life there. Emanuel lost his arm in the service. Samuel and Emanuel were in Co. K, 55th Penn. regt. Samuel lives on the home farm with his parents.

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Michael Mock, son of Peter Mock, Sr., was the father of ten children : Josiah, Elizabeth, Mar- garet, Malachi, Tobias, Leah, David, Solomon, Mary A. and Hannah. Three of the sons were in the army. Josiah B. and Malachi B. Mock enlisted September 7, 1861 ; Malachi died of typhoid fever at Beaufort, South Carolina, November 7, 1862. Josiah was captured at Petersburg in October, 1864 ; was incarcerated in Libby and Salisbury prisons ; exchanged in March, 1865 ; died at Annapolis, Maryland, March 22, 1865. Tobias Mock enlisted February 19, 1864; died August 7, 1864, at Fort Schuyler, New York, from wounds received in battle be- fore Petersburg. David B. Mock has filled most of the township offices and is now serving as justice of the peace.

The pioneers of this township must have known the meaning of " hard times " from their own experience. Surely a less inviting region than this, before the settlers' axes had begun work, it would be difficult for one to find or even to picture to the imagination. And to those courageous spirits who left the allure- ments, the privileges, the refinements of civili- zation behind, and began reclaiming this rugged wilderness, rendering it fit for the homes of their children, posterity owes an everlasting respect.

Jacob Corl, an early settler near Pavia, had three sons, Henry, Frederick and Joseph B., all of whom are still living in this township. Joseph B., now seventy-one years of age, was born and has constantly resided in this county. He married Mary Christ, and was the father of ten children, eight of whom are living. Three of his sons, Chauncy, Eli and William C., were in the army - the two former in Co. K, 55th Penn. regt., and William C. in Co. D, 138th Penn. regt. Chauncy and William C. were wounded. The latter served nearly three years. He received his wound at the battle of the Wilderness.

John Whysong, a native of this county, set- tled in Union township in 1825. He subse- quently removed to Fayette county, but returned after a short time. He died in this township at the age of seventy-seven. He was in the regular army for six years, and served during the war of 1812. He married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Jacob Burket, one of the early settlers, and had nine children : Josiah (deceased), Maria, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sarah, Samuel,

Jacob, Harrison and Rachel. The homestead is owned by Samuel Whysong, who has six hun- dred and fifty-two acres of land. He has fol- lowed carpentry for twenty-six years, and is interested in the lumber business. Mr. Samuel Whysong served in the late war during two terms of enlistment, and was twice wounded at the battle of Drury's Bluff. He enlisted in the service August 8, 1861 ; re-enlisted in February, 1864, and was discharged August 16, 1865.

On April 23, 1856, Joseph and George, aged seven and five years respectively, sons of Samuel Cox, of Spruce hollow, were missing from their home. It was cold weather, and there was much snow on the ground. Diligent search was made for several days, but no traces of the wan- derers were found until May 15, when their life- less bodies were discovered near Bobb's creek, in the lonely mountain region of the "Schweitz," three or four miles from their home. The little ones must have perished there, either from cold or starvation.

Ferdinand Ritchey came from Virginia to this township in 1842, and has since been engaged in farming here. He married, first, Martha Corl, and second, Catharine Whysong. Mr. Ritchey served in the late war as a member of Co. K, 55th Penn. Vols., from September 8, 1861, to August 30, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged.

William Hammer, for many years a minister in the church of the Evangelical Associatior., is a native of St. Clair township, and by occupa- tion a farmer and shoemaker. In 1836 he mar- ried Margaret Beisel, who bore nine children : Delilah (Ling), Hezekiah, John B., Elizabeth (Ling), Isabel (Crist), William, Margaret (Hare), Jeremiah, Isaac (deceased).

Isaac M. Imler, a native of this county, lived on the farm now owned by his son, J. M. Imler. He served in the late war three and one-half years. He enlisted September 8, 1861, in Co. K, 55th Penn. Vols., and re-enlisted January 1, 1864. He died near Petersburg, June 18, 1864, in his fortieth year. His children are J. M., Eli W., Franklin G. and Isaac E. J. M., who lives on the old homestead, is a progressive farmer, and owns four hundred and thirty acres of land.

Frederick Claar was an early settler near the Blue Knob. His son Henry, born in this county, is one of the successful farmers of this town- ship. He has resided on the farm where he

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now lives since 1856, and has succeeded in mak- ing a fine farm and a good home in a region which was little improved when he came to it.

Israel Davis, Esq., son of Hiram and Mary (Bowen) Davis, was born at New Paris, and has resided in the county, except a short time spent in Iowa in 1865. He then engaged in mercantile business, which he followed almost constantly until 1875. In 1875-6 he served as constable. . In 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held one term. He is now engaged in farming in Union township. His wife is Catharine, daughter of Andrew Alli- son, of German descent, and a member of one of the prominent early families.

The free school system was put in operation in this township in 1841-2. The first school directors were Joseph Imler, John Whysong, John Fickes, John Christ, William Griffith and George Riddle.

The historian desires to render thanks to Mr. J. H. Griffith, a gentleman of ability and scholarship, who has kindly furnished a con- siderable portion of the foregoing history rela- tive to early events and early settlers of this township.

PAVIA.

Pavia is a small village containing three stores, one mill, two blacksmith-shops and one wagon-shop. The first house here was erected by George Bowser in 1843. In 1849 John Corl founded a village and named it Marietta in honor of his wife. The lots were surveyed by William Griffith. In 1861 a postoffice was es- tablished at the village and named Pavia. This name was bestowed at the suggestion of J. H. Griffith. Pavia is the name of the first town on a stream flowing from the mountains of Switzerland; hence the name is appropriate here, for the little village of Pavia is on a stream which takes its rise in "Schweitz."

The store of William Oster & Co., at Pavia, was started in February, 1882. Mr. E. L. Feather, who clerks for this firm, is a native of this county. His grandfather, Philip Feather, born in 1800, is still living and has spent nearly all of his long life in this neighborhood. E. L. is a son of Michael Feather, who was born and now lives in this township.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal .- The Methodist Episco- pal church in Spruce hollow was organized in

1848. Samuel Clark, a prominent member, was class-leader for many years. In 1856, under the ministry of Rev. McWilliams, a house of worship was erected. The membership of the church has always been small.

Church of the Evangelical Association .- The congregation of this church was organized about 1863, during the ministerial labors of Rev. B. Summers, with a small membership. The church was erected the same year. The first class-leader was J. G. Slonaker. The present membership is about sixty.

Reformed and Lutheran-Mount Zion Re- formed and Lutheran church, Pavia, was regularly organized in 1850. Rev. Christian Winebrenner, Reformed, was the first minister. Beginning in 1833, he preached about ten years. After he resigned there were supplies until 1850. The regular pastors have been Revs. J. Heller, N. E. Gilds, C. U. Heilman, W. D. LeFevre, S. R. Breidenbaugh, H. F. Long and W. L. Andrews, the latter being now in charge. The first house, a log building, was erected as a church and schoolhouse in 1833. The present frame church was erected in 1855, at a cost of about six hundred dollars. The membership of the Reformed congregation is upward of one hundred and twenty-five. The Lutherans still have an interest in the church, but are without a pastor.

CHAPTER XL.

COLERAIN.

A Township of Cumberland County - Friend's Cove - Settlement of John Friend - The Cessna Family -Sketches of Early Settlers and Prominent Citizens - Rainsburg - An Old Town - Donahoe, The First Merchant and Tavernkeeper - The Old Tannery - History of Schools - The Allegheny-Semi- nary - Churches of the Township and Borough.

HOLERAIN was organized as a township of C Cumberland county, prior to the formation of Bedford county in 1771. Its original dimen- sions cannot now be ascertained, though there is evidence that they covered nearly one-third of the present territory of the county.

The nearness of Friend's cove to Fort Bedford was favorable to early settlement, and the white man came early to this beautiful valley. During the trying scenes that ensued, the pioneers bore themselves with firmness and courage. The revolutionary period presented the darkest scenes

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in the early history of Bedford county, and the inhabitants of Friend's cove were subjected, during that time, to the greatest dangers and hardships. The reader is referred to the general history for an account of the contests between the white men and the Indians. It is the pur- pose of the present chapter to deal with the people and their achievements in this particular locality.

Friend's cove is a fertile and beautiful valley, encompassed by mountains on three sides. The soil is of more than usual fertility, and the land, though somewhat stony, is valuable to agricul- .turists. The first pioneers generally located at or very near the foot of the mountains, on what would now be considered the least valuable por- tions of the valley. The reason for this was, doubtless, the fear of frosts, which were very prevalent along the bottom-lands and in all low places.

John Friend, for whom the cove is named, secured a title to a tract of land lying at the southern end of the borough of Rainsburg, which was patented to him as "Friend's Re- treat " in 1762. A portion of the Friend farm is now owned by George W. Williams, and a part is included within the borough. Joseph Friend, another pioneer, lived upon an adjacent tract. Whence the Friends came, or how they lived and what perils they encountered, cannot now be ascertained. The only record they have left of themselves is in the name which the valley bears. Doubtless they were adventurous hunters, and subsisted on game, paying slight attention to the tilling of the soil.

Almost cotemporary with the Friends, came the Cessna family, from the eastern portion of the state, who settled, in 1765, on land which is still in the Cessna name. The Cessnas are of Huguenot ancestry, and are descended from John Cessna, who came from Southern France to America in 1690, after the Battle of the Boyne, in which he participated. John Cessna, who settled in Friend's cove in 1765, was his grand- son. The latter was prominent in the affairs of the county at the beginning of its existence and served three terms as sheriff. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1774, which drafted the first constitution of the State of Pennsylvania. He was the father of thirteen children by his first wife. At the age of seventy he married a second wife, and of this union five children were born. He died in 1802, at the age of seventy-six. His son John suc-

ceeded to the ownership of the farm. John the second died in 1813. Of his sons, only William and Samuel lived to mature years. His daughters were : Sarah (James), Rachel (Jackson), Ellen (McGashlin) and Elizabeth (Morgart). William Cessna, the father of Hon. John Cessna, of Bed- ford, was born in 1799, and died in 1864. He married Rachel Morgart, and their children were : John, Peter Morgart (deceased), Rebecca (Smith), Mary (Bowles), Thomas R., Rachel (Smith), Joseph, Christina A. (Cunningham), William, George W., Jonathan B. and Martha (deceased). William Cessna became the owner of the Cessna homestead in 1819; his son William now owns it and resides upon it.

On a farm adjoining the Cessna place lived Anthony Smith, an early settler, who built one of the first gristmills in the cove. His old log mill stood on the site of the present mill, a short distance north of Rainsburg. Anthony Smith's youngest son, Frederick, obtained a collegiate education, studied law, and removed to Cham- bersburg. He became one of the leading mem- bers of the Franklin county bar, and held many prominent positions. He served several terms as representative in the legislature, and was speaker of the house three terms.

The Smiths, Anthony and Henry, were among the early settlers of the cove, and their descend- ants are very numerous. A large portion of the settlers who came to the cove just after the revolutionary war were from Loudoun county, Virginia. Among these were the Diehls, Har- clerodes, Otts, Smiths, Shoemakers and Beegles, families that are still well represented in this county.

Adam Zembower came from Loudon county, Virginia, about the time of the revolutionary war, and settled in Friend's cove. He followed the trade of a millwright and miller until his death in 1810. The family, like all the early settlers, endured many hardships. Adam Zem- bower was the father of four children : John, Adam, Henry and Mary (Rowland).

Among the pioneer settlers of the cove were the James family, who came from Delaware about 1785. The father had two sons, George and Jeremiah, who lived and died here. Jere- miah never married. George was a prominent citizen and served two terms as representative in the legislature and two as county commis- sioner. He married Sarah, daughter of John Cessna, and was the father of eleven children :

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John, Jeremiah, Anna, Rachel, William, Samuel, Alexander C., Ellen, Sarah, Margaret and George W .; all are living except Jeremiah and Anna.

Probably the earliest mills within the present limits of Colerain township were two log mills, one of which was built by John Harclerode, near the present site of Ott's mill, and the other, Anthony Smith's mill, north of Rainsburg. There were several other early mills in that part of Friend's cove now included in Snake Spring township.

Kegg, Fiery and Rufus were the names of some of the early pioneers who settled at the western base of Tussey's mountain. The Mays, Meyerses and Diehls were also among the pioneers of this neighborhood.

Samuel, Adam, Solomon and John Diehl were among the early settlers of the cove. They were not brothers, but were related, and all came from London county, Virginia. John Diehl settled on land now owned by his sons Emanuel and Joseph. His children were : Solomon, John, Daniel, Philip, Elias, Joseph, Emanuel, Eve (Koontz), Christina (Ritchey) and Mary A. (Hyde). Elias, Joseph, Emanuel and Mrs. Koontz are living. John, the second son, was born in 1796, and died in 1870. He mar- ried Mary A. Koontz, and their children were : Catharine, Levi, Susannah, David, John, Joel, Joshua (deceased), Elias (deceased), Mary, Reuben (deceased), Samuel, Rachel (deceased) and Harriet. Joshua was in the army and died in the service. Samuel was also in the army through the war. David Diehl, Esq., a well- known citizen, is now living on the old home- stead of his father. He is serving as justice of the peace, having been elected in 1879.

Jacob Shoemaker, from Loudon county, Vir- ginia, settled on the farm where Mrs. Barbara E. Shoemaker now lives. His son, Henry, after- ward owned the place, and three adjoining farms were in the Shoemaker name. From Henry the farm passed to his son Joseph, who died upon the place. It is now owned by his widow.

Hon. Abraham Weisel was born on Dunning's creek, near Bedford, December 31, 1801. His father, John Weisel, came from Bucks county when a young man, and settled near Cessna postoffice. He was a carpenter, and worked at his trade. Of his twelve children, four are still living : Michael, Samuel, Abraham and Mary. Abraham was apprenticed to a miller, learned

the trade and followed it a number of years. For fifteen years he was miller for Dr. Ander- son, at the old mill situated near Bedford Springs. In 1841 Mr. Weisel was elected to the state legislature, and served during the regular and the extra session. The sessions were both very turbulent, and there was mnuch excitement over the matter of reapportioning the con- gressional districts of the state. Mr. Weisel came to his present home in Friend's cove in 1860.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 73

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

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