History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 74

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 74

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).

P. M. MoClellan, a native of this county, has resided in Colerain township about twenty years. His father, Abraham Mcclellan, an old resident of the county, died in this township in 1882.

Wm. F. and B. T. Morgart have a fine farm in the southern part of the township, and are especially interested in breeding fine stock. The Morgarts are of an old family in this county.

Another recent industry is William Cessna's creamery, which started in 1882. The farmers of this township are progressive, and improve- ments are constantly being made in various directions.

Charlesville is a small hamlet, consisting of a half-dozen houses, a store, a blacksmith shop, etc. The first settlers of the place were Beltz, a blacksmith,. and Mowry, a wagonmaker. Adam Diehl, now in his eighty-third year, built and kept the first store in the place in 1854. Since that time there has always been a mer- chant in the place, though the firms have changed frequently.

Samuel Hunt, the present merchant at Charlesville, is a native of this county and a son of Joseph Hunt, who was born in Bedford. Thomas Hunt, the father of Joseph, was a native of Ireland. He was one of the early settlers of Bedford, where he followed cabinet- making. But two of his children are now liv- ing - Martha (Lee), in this county, and Mrs. J. L. H. Mitchell, Butler county. Samuel Hunt was brought up on a farm. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 55th Penn. regt., in which he served until he was mustered out, August 31, 1865. In 1868 Mr. Hunt moved to Charles- ville, and has since followed the mercantile business. He has been postmaster since 1871.

RAINSBURG.

Rainsburg is an ancient town, conspicuous for the morality and integrity of its citizens,

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its interest in religion and education, and its neatness and thrift. It has been a village so long that " the memory of man runneth not to the contrary" respecting its existence. It was, however, but a small place, consisting of per- haps a dozen houses in 1825. A score of years later it had doubled its population, but even at that time many lots that are now oc- cupied by tasty residences were still covered with timber. Rainsburg now contains four churches, a fine school-building, three stores, two tanneries, and the usual business establish- ments of small towns. It was made a borough in November, 1856.

It is impossible to state who was the first settler within the limits of the town. But one of the first comers, if not the pioneer, was James Donahoe. He located here prior to 1800, and thenceforth, until his removal to Southampton township in 1815, was engaged in keeping store, carrying on the hotel business and running a tannery. The water-right for the tannery was deeded to him in 1800, so that it is probable he was not here long before that time. The house which he built is still stand- ing, and is now the oldest structure in the town. An addition was built to it in 1822, by John Gump. The building, renovated and modern- ized, is now the dwelling-house of Mr. A. C. James.

After Donahoe there were many different merchants, each of whom did business for a time in Rainsburg. Among these were Abraham Fulk, John Gump, Esq., Samuel Cessna (1828) and John Fulk.

In its earlier years, Rainsburg was not the quiet and orderly place it is today. Whisky- drinking, sabbath-breaking and fighting were indulged in by a certain element, to the great disgust and mortification of the better citizens.

The village grew slowly, for the reason that it was situated at a considerable distance from the main routes of travel and had no important manufactures to attract trade to itself.

About 1818, Elias Gump, from Frederick county, Maryland, settled in Rainsburg. He followed cabinetmaking and carpentry, which business his son, Benjamin F., still carries on in Rainsburg. Elias Gump died in 1875, at the age of seventy-nine years. He served as justice of the peace a number of years. His oldest son, John A. Gump, Esq., is one of the prominent business men of Everett.

John Gump, Esq., a distant relative of Elias, was also from Frederick county, Maryland. After coming to this county he started a tan- nery in the cove, north of Rainsburg, where he carried on business for a short time. In 1815 he succeeded Donahoe in the ownership of the tannery. After carrying on the business a num- ber of years he removed to the West, but after- ward returned to Rainsburg, where he died in 1877, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. He was a justice of the peace many years in Cole- rain township, and during his term of office he married one hundred and thirty-seven couples. His wife was Elizabeth Shoemaker, and their chil- dren were : Rebecca (Filler), Mary A. (Fletch- er), deceased, Elizabeth (Weisel), deceased, George W., Sarah A. (Miller), John A., Henry S. and Josiah. John A. Gump, Esq., is serving his fourth term as justice of the peace in Rains- burg. He is engaged in carrying on a tannery and the saddlery business. Having served an apprenticeship to his father, he went west, but, returning to Rainsburg in 1865, he has since been following his trade.

The Donahoe tannery, with numerous changes of owners, has been running from 1800 until the present time. In 1881 it was renovated, rebuilt, and in place of a small affair as formerly, con- verted into a large steam tannery. The owners are George W. and Daniel Cessna, the style of the firm being G. W. & D. Cessna. The main building is 42×187 feet. The business employs an average of nine men. The tannery has a . capacity for dressing five thousand hides per year.

A. C. James is a native of Colerain township. He came to Rainsburg in 1843 and engaged in tanning. In 1853 he engaged in the mercan- tile business, which he has since followed suc- cessfully. He has now kept store in Rainsburg longer than anyone else who ever engaged in the business here.

Samuel Williams was born in Napier town- ship in 1806. In 1844 he came to Colerain township, purchased, the old Friend tract, and has since resided here. Mr. Williams has been intimately connected with the interests of Rains- burg, and has been especially zealous in educa- tional and religious matters. He was the founder and main supporter of the Allegheny Seminary. Mr. Williams has liberally educated his children, several of whom occupy prominent positions. He married Catharine Barndollar. Of ten chil-

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dren born of this union, eight are living : Jacob B., John H., Samuel D., George W., James S., Eliza J. (Beegle), Mary (Sparks) and Anna B. (Hughes). Jacob B. and Samuel D. constitute the firm of J. B. Williams & Co., of Everett. James S. is a successful attorney of Philadelphia.

ODD-FELLOWS.

Rainsburg Lodge, No. 730, I.O.O.F., was chartered September 30, 1870. The charter members were J. W. Hughes, N.G .; John A. Gump, V.G .; George W. Stuckey, Secy .; David Diehl, Asst. Secy., and David Shaffer, Treas. The lodge has prospered finely. Its member- ship is now seventy-six. The value of the lodge property is two thousand seven hundred dollars.

GOOD TEMPLARS.

Rainsburg Lodge, No. 572, I.O.G.T., was chartered April 25, 1868. There were thirty charter members. This lodge is now extinct.

SCHOOLS.

Rainsburg was dependent upon the country district schools until 1847, when, through the exertions of Samuel Williams and others, a stone building, to be used for educational and religious purposes, was erected in the village.

The Allegheny Male and Female Seminary, intended by its founders to be a classical and normal institution, was chartered by an act of the legislature approved March 26, 1853. The following trustees are named in the charter : Samuel Williams, Jacob Barndollar, George Slicer, J. W. Crawford, A. C. James, W. S. Cunningham, George Bortz, Elias Gump and C. Graham.

A lot of land consisting of nearly six acres was deeded to the trustees by Samuel Williams for the site and grounds of the institution. A fund was raised by subscription, shares being placed at twenty-five dollars each. Mr. Williams, who was the instigator of the movement, took the largest number of shares, and was one of the most zealous friends and supporters of the school. A brick building, costing about four thousand dollars, was completed in 1854.

The institution was placed, by its charter, un- der the care of the Allegheny circuit of the an- nual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. It was opened with Prof. John Pol- lock, principal, and became well patronized. The second principal was Prof. W. W. Brim. The school was carried on until the breaking

out of the war, when the students from Mary- land and Virginia, forming a considerable por- tion of the school, withdrew ; others of the young men enlisted and the seminary was closed. Soon after the school property was sold at a great sacrifice. The building is now owned by the Odd-Fellows' lodge, from whom it is rented for the use of borough and private schools.

Mr. Williams deserves special mention for his earnest service in behalf of the school. To start it and support it he sacrificed both time and money ; and had all of its supporters been equally careful of its welfare, doubtless the in- stitution would still be prosperous.

The borough schools are in two departments and presided over by competent teachers.

CHURCHES.

The Reformed Church .- The Friend's cove congregation of the Reformed church is among the oldest organizations of that denomination in Bedford county. Rev. Henry Giesy moved from Loudoun county, Virginia, to Berlin, Somerset county, in 1794, and served as pastor of the churches of Bedford and Somerset county three or four years, and it was probably under his pastorate that the Friend's cove congregation was organized. The first church edifice erected was a commodious log structure, built where the brick church now stands, on a lot of ground purchased in 1798 by the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations. Rev. John Dietrick Aurandt was a missionary in 1809, who visited this church about once in three months. Rev. Henry Gerhart became pastor in 1812, and dur- ing his ministry of over seventeen years was punctual and zealous in the performance of his duties and greatly built up the church. The primitive log building gave place in 1832-3 to the large brick church now standing, which was a costly structure, for those days. Rev. Solomon K. Denius was pastor from 1833-5. From the organization until the time of Denius the church had been part of Bedford charge. Rev. George Leidy succeeded Denius, and during his pasto- rate of eight years the church was connected with the Schellsburg charge. Rev. Matthew Irvine, a very able and popular minister, was pastor from 1843-56. - Under him the charge con- sisted of Bloody Run, Clear Ridge and Yellow Creek. The first mention of church officers oc- curs in 1846, when Solomon Diehl was elder,

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and Philip Harclerode, Emanuel J. Diehl and Adam Diehl, deacons. The pastors succeeding Irvine have been : Rev. Charles F. Hoffmeirer, 1856-62; Rev. William M. Deatrick, 1863-75 ; Rev. D. M. Whitmore, 1875-82. Before the congregation was divided it comprised over four hundred members. The present member- ship is at least two hundred and fifty.

Trinity Reformed church, in the northern part of Colerain township, was organized Octo- ber 15, 1869, by Rev. William M. Deatrick. There were ninety-five original members. Isaac Diehl, Henry P. Diehl and Joseph S. Diehl were elected elders, and B. F. Diehl, John Harclerode and Solomon F. Diehl, deacons. The building of the church began in 1867, on a lot of land given by Isaac Diehl and wife. The cornerstone was laid October 11, 1867. The building was not completed till 1869, and was dedicated by the pastor on June 9 of that year. The house cost over four thousand dol- lars. Among the principal contributors were Jonathan Bowser, Henry P., Michael, Isaac, Joshua, Joseph S. and Benjamin F. Diehl, who contributed amounts varying from five hundred and ten dollars to one hundred and one dollars.

Zion congregation of the Reformed church, Rainsburg, was organized during the pastorate of Rev. D. M. Whitmore, with about forty members from the old Friend's Cove church. A house of worship was begun in 1879 and dedicated December 19, 1880. Its size is 85×50 feet, and it cost two thousand three hun- dred and fifty dollars. The first church officers were: Elders-James Rawlings, Harvey Shaffer and Gideon C. Filler ; deacons- Frederick Fil- ler and A. J. Pennell:

Lutheran .- Zion Evangelical Lutheran church of Friend's cove was probably organized about the same time with the Reformed congregation. The two denominations erected the log church and the old brick church already mentioned. Zion congregation was formerly a part of Bed- ford charge ; later it was connected with the Everett church under one pastor ; it now forms a distinct charge, comprising the Friend's Cove and the Rainsburg churches. There are about one hundred members belonging to the charge. The following is believed to be a correct list of pastors in the order of succession : Revs. Hunker, Tieterman, Muckenhaupt, William Yeager (1819), Adam Height, Reuben Weiser, Peter M. Rightmyer, Jeremiah A. Fishburn,

Frederick A. Barnitz, Koontz, William B. Bechtel, G. C. Probst, Philip Doerr, J. M. Graybill, A. J. B. Kast and J. W. Reese.

The Yeager Memorial Evangelical Lutheran church of Rainsburg is one of the finest church edifices in Bedford county. It was erected in 1880-1 at a cost of nine thousand dollars. The building is of brick, and finely finished and fur- nished throughout. It is two stories in hight and 38×65 feet in ground dimensions. The church was erected during the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Reese. The building committee con- sisted of David Shaffer, Henry Shaffer, S. P. Kegg and G. W. Barclay.

The congregation is a branch of Zion or the old brick church in the cove. Rev. J. W. Reese was pastor, 1880-3.

The Old Union Church .- The old log church, where the early settlers worshiped, was prob- ably built as early as 1810. For many years it was occupied by the Baptists, the Methodist Protestants and the Reformed denominations. The Baptists had one of the earliest organiza- tions in the cove. In 1871 they erected a neat frame buiding near the site of the old Union church.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Rains- burg Methodist Episcopal church was organ- ized about 1847 by Jacob Hartman, a local preacher, who held a series of successful re- vival meetings in the schoolhouse in the vil- lage. In 1849 a stone church was erected, at a cost of about six hundred dollars, Samuel Will- iams being the largest subscriber toward the building, and giving the lot on which it was built. The brick church, an elegant and costly building, was erected in 1878, at a cost of four thousand dollars. It was dedicated on the 15th of December, 1878 ; sermon by Dr. Persing, of Pittsburgh. The church is a part of Bedford circuit. Its membership is strong, though not large numerically.

The Charlesville Methodist Episcopal church was built about 1854. It has always had a small membership, and is now without a pastor. The records are not to be found, and the founders of the church have died or moved away.

Cove Methodist Protestant Church .- The cove appointment of the Methodist Protestant church was taken up by the Rev. Nicholas Dorsey in 1837. The old log church known as the " Union meeting-house," built on land given by William Cessna, was the meeting place for

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David Shaffer

DAVID SHAFFER.

The Shaffer family are of German extraction. The progenitor of the American branch emigrated to this country, settling in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where Jacob Shaffer was born. He married Mary A. Bortz, and it was here that three of their children, Henry, Jacob and Esther, were born. In 1810 they re- moved to Colerain township, Bedford county, and occu- pied two hundred and fifty acres of land in lieu of a debt of seven hundred dollars, which he could obtain in no other way; the farm was then but slightly improved. Twelve years later Mr. Shaffer died. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, and a most worthy man. Their children, born in Bedford county, were Eliza- beth, George, William, Mary, David and Solomon.

After her first husband's death Mrs. Shaffer married Rev. William Yeager, the pioneer minister of the Lutheran church in this section, who, for the period of thirty-five years, officiated in his sacred calling, performing an immense amount of successful labor in the Lord's vineyard. He died in 1844, aged sixty years, while Mrs. Yeager's death did not occur until 1863. She was a most worthy woman and performed well her mission in life.

David Shaffer was born in 1820 on the farm where he now resides, which is the old homestead, a fine view of which appears in thisvolume. Reared upon a farm, Mr. Shaffer was early taught habits of industry and economy, and upon the home farm he did an im- mense amount of pioneer work. Under his skillful management the farin soon began to assume a most attractive appearance; the old buildings, which had done service for so many years, were replaced with more modern structures, and the farm is now one of

the best in Friend's Cove. Being a skillful farmer and a good financier, he soon began to accumulate a surplus, which was invested in land, so that he now possesses five hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the cove, and in addition has quite extensive landed interests in the West.

It can truly be said of Mr. Shaffer that he is not only one of the most progressive and successful farmers of the county, but also one of the most liberal and charitable. A man of generous impulses, he has left the marks of his public-spiritedness indelibly stamped upon the township.

At the early age of seventeen years he joined the church. His christianity is of the practical kind, and realizing the necessity of having a suitable house of worship for those belonging to the Lutheran church, he not only aided in every possible way in securing the present church edifice, but has contributed five thousand dollars toward its erection -- almost its entire cost. He has donated liberally toward other religious enterprises, giving at one time a thousand dollars to the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. He educated his nephew, W. C. Shaffer, for the ministry. He is now pastor of a flourishing church in Richmond, Virginia.

In March, 1883, he was married to Jennie Young, daughter of John and Euphemie Young, of Cumber- land, Maryland. Both her parents are dead, her father passing away in 1869 in his sixty-fifth year, her mother's death occurring some six years prior, while in her fifty-third year. Mrs. Young was a member of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living, namely, William, John, Thomas, Isabella, Jane, Euphemia, Elizabeth and Jessie.

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RESIDENCE OF DAVID SHAFFER, COLERAIN TP.

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many years, and in this old church many happy scenes were witnessed and many anxious hearts found the peace which they sought. In 1842, under the pastorate of Rev. Richard Adkinson, the house was enlarged and improved. Here the society worshiped until 1870, when, under Rev. George D. Edmunston, the new brick church was built at a cost of two thousand six hundred dollars. The lot on which the church stands was given by Mrs. Rebecca Shaeffer. The house was dedicated by Rev. J. J. Murray, D.D., and Rev. Henry Nice. Membership in 1883, about thirty-five.

Methodist Episcopal Church South .- Salem congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized in Rainsburg in 1875, and met in the old stone church until their present edifice was erected in 1877. The house cost eighteen hundred dollars. Rev. Robert Ross was the first preacher. The congregation, always small, now numbers but very few active members.

CHAPTER XLI. HARRISON.

Early Settlers Along the Pike-Tavernkeepers-The Cessnas- The Mullin Family - Slow Progress of Improvement - Milli- gan's Cove Settlement - The Millers, Mays and Others - Villages - Mann's Choice, Buffalo Mills and Bard -Various Industries - Churches.

H ARRISON township was formed from a part of Napier, in 1842. Probably the bottom-lands along Buffalo creek were occupied by white settlers nearly, if not quite, as early as any part of the country. The beautiful valley known as Milligan's cove was the next point of settlement in the township. Improvements progressed slowly. For years the settlers' cab- ins were few and far apart, and, within the memory of men now living, by far the greater number of farms in this township were covered with the primitive forest. The pioneers, how- ever, were a sturdy people, and toiled bravely against countless disadvantages. The arduous task which they commenced has been completed by their children and children's children. To- day there are few agricultural communities more thrifty and prosperous than the people of Harrison township.

The route of travel which subsequently be- came the Wheeling turnpike was the part of

the township first settled. Every house along the road was a tavern. Little is now known of these early tavernkeepers, and even their names are scarcely remembered. Among those who had taverns in this township in early years were : Valentine Wertz, William Clark, William Kerr and-Gower. Until railroads changed the method of travel, the pike was constantly a scene of busiest activity. Wagons, stages and droves of stock thronged the high- way, and the landlords of the taverns reaped goodly harveste of hard cash.

About the year 1795, Jacob Holtz, who had lived in Milligan's cove on the farm taken up by Milligan, moved to the Buffalo bottom, and began improving land. He was the first settler in this part of the township. William Cessna, Esq., purchased the improvement from Holtz, and here lived and reared his family. Squire Cessna was a man of prominence among the early residents, and greatly respected. He had four sons : John, James, Jonathan and Joseph, two of whom are living - John; in Mahoning county, Ohio, and Jonathan, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His daughters were Polly, Sarah, Margaret, Rachel and Eliza.

Capt. G. S. Mullin is an old resident and a much respected citizen. He resides on the old homestead of his father, and has witnessed many social and industrial changes in the growth of this county. Mr. Mullin is well en- titled to the prefix " captain," for he holds three captain's commissions. Before he was of age, in 1842, he was appointed a militia captain, and served until the system was abolished. In 1859 he was commissioned captain of the Black Plume Ritlemen, of Schellsburg, where he then resided, and held that position till the war broke out. November 19, 1861, he was com. missioned captain of Co. H, 55th regt. Penn- Vols., a company raised in Schellsburg and vicinity. Soon after entering the service Capt. Mullin contracted illness, which obliged him to leave the army, and he was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, July 27, 1862. He is a farmer and has a most excellent farm. The captain was formerly a school teacher, and was one of the first teachers of Harrison township after the free-school system was established.

George Mullin, the father of Capt. G. S. Mul- lin, was a native of Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, who came to Bedford county in 1805

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or 1806. He was then a single man, and worked at blacksmithing in Schellsburg. He married Catharine Hammer in this county, and settled at the foot of the ridge in this township, where he worked at his trade, kept tavern and had teams upon the road. In 1818 he bought the farm now owned by his sons. There was then a sawmill and a gristmill* upon the place, which were run for many years thereafter, and were largely patronized. Mr. Mullin was elected sheriff of the county in .1822, and moved to Bedford. At the end of his term he returned to his farm, and thence again to Bedford, where he kept the Rising Sun hotel four years. In 1833 he was re-elected sheriff, and served another term. Returning to his farm, he was elected state senator in 1841. He died at the farm in 1867, in his eighty-first year. He was a promi- nent and influential citizen, well known and greatly honored. He was the father of seven sons and four daughters. Four of his children survive : Rebecca (Brownlee), Ohio; G. Shan- ncn, Joseph II. and D. W., of this county. D. W. Mullin is one of the editors of the Bed- ford Inquirer. Another son, Alexander C., who died in 1877, was a prominent citizen of Cam- bria county, where he practiced law and edited a newspaper. He served as a member of the legislature, also as private secretary to Gov. Curtin, chief clerk of the state department, col- lector of internal revenue of the seventeenth dis- trict, and in other prominent positions. In 1876 he was secretary of the board of centennial managers.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 74

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

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