USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 42
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132
tion was at East Canton, but the interest has continued to increase at the village until it is becoming the centre of the congregation, and in October, 1871, it was represented in the church session by the election of Dr. James Davison, E. H. Thomas, A. D. Williams, and Howard Bacon to the eldership. The whole number who have been connected- with the church is 306, its present membership is 154, and its Sabbath-school numbers 150. They have two houses of worship and a parsonage.
ROME CHURCH.
On April 17, 1844, Revs. Julius Foster, of Towanda, C. C. Corss, of Smithfield, and Moses Ingalls, of Burling- ton, a commission of the presbytery of Susquehanna, met, in company with certain members of the Presbyterian church living at Rome, and effected an organization of a Presbyterian church on the afternoon of that day. The church thus constituted consisted of ten members, of whom Bazaleel Gates and Solomon Spalding were ordained elders at a public service in the evening. The Rev. John Ivison was the first stated supply, and Rev. S. H. Hazard suc- ceeded him. The congregation immediately proceeded to take measures for the ercction of a house of worship, which was completed at a cost of about $2000, and dedicated free of debt Feb. 3, 1846, at which time the presbytery met with the church. On the preceding Sabbath Mr. O. F. Young, who had been a deacon in the church at its organization, and G. W. Eastman (since died in Orwell) were ordained additional ruling elders. The Sabbath-school was organized in May of that year, and was held during the summer months until 1865, when Elder O. F. Young was appointed its superintendent, during which time it has been continued without interruption until February, 1877, when it was merged into a new organization,-the memorial Sabbath-school in memory of Philip P. Bliss, the world-re- nowned singer of gospel songs, and a former superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath-school. The church has experi- enced several seasons of marked religious interest, the most extensive of which was under the pastorate of Rev. Clark Salmon, in the winter of 1866. At the spring communion of this year 25 were added on profession of their faith. The church has been greatly weakened by emigration, but has not only maintained its visibility and sustained with bnt few brief interruptions the stated preaching of the gospel, but has sent forth a number whose influence has been felt far and wide for good in the world. In addition to Mr. Ivison (died in Warren) and S. H. Hazard, the church has had the following pastors or stated supplies : Philander Camp, Edwin Bronson, 1847 to 1850; Darwin Cook, 1850 to 1858; T. Thomas, 1859 to 1860; J. C. Wilhelm, 1861-62; Andrew Barr, 1863; Clark Salmon, 1865 to 1868; S. F. Colt, 1869 to 1870; F. Billsby, 1870 to 1874; William McNabb, present supply. Silas E. Seeley and William Coolbaugh were elected ruling elders, who were ordained April 20, 1869. The church now numbers about 20.
On June 4, 1859, at a meeting of the session moderated by Rev. T. Thomas, two persons were received on profes- sion of their faith into the membership of the church whose names were destined to become household words wherever
163
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the gospel is preached. These were Philip Paul Bliss and his wife, Lucy Jane Young. They had been married just three days before, June 1, and thus began a life which henceforth, with a constantly-increasing activity, was to be devoted to the service of Him in whom they professed their faith. Mr. Bliss, at this time, had not quite reached his majority, having been born July 9, 1838, in Clearfield Co., Pa. For ten years his father was living in sparsely- settled regions, which afforded few if any advantages for education. At various places and in various kinds of man- ual labor Philip spent his time until 1855, when he passed the winter in a select school at East Troy, in this county, taught the winter following, and late in the fall of 1857 entered the Susquehanna collegiate institute, at Towanda, where he pursued English studies under the direction of Rev. David Craft, and vocal music under Miss O. Louisa Jenks. He had been but a short time connected with the institution when something of his natural gifts was dis- covered, and a future successful musical career was pre- dicted for him, if health and opportunities were afforded. The year after his marriage he remained about home, except the months of July and August, spent at a musical normal school at Geneseo, N. Y. From this time onward, step by step, his talents as a singer were developed and his time and energies were devoted more exclusively to the great ob- ject which he had set before him as his life work. He continued to spend most of his time in Rome, engaged in farm work, teaching music classes, and giving concerts, yet all the while using every leisure moment for study and practice. His parents were aged and in feeble health, and Philip was their only son, and though anxious to em- ploy every moment and every dollar that could be spared to the culture of music, he provided a home for his parents, and surrounded them with earthly comforts. Here the father died, January, 1864. The next year, 1865, his first song, entitled "Lora Vale," was published by Root & Cady, musical publishers in Chicago. The correspondence which grew out of the business relations between author and publishers soon led to a more intimate acquaintance, and finally to his removal to Chicago in November, 1865. Ma- jor Whittle, his biographer, says, "From 1864 to 1876, twelve years, bis pen was busy in giving expression to the songs that came thronging through his soul. All of his work was done in these years." From this time onward, until the spring of 1874, his time was employed in editing Sabbath-school and other singing-books, holding conven- tions, writing songs in great variety, composing music, and a portion of the time editing a column in a musical publi- cation. He and his wife connected themselves with the First Congregational church in Chicago, where he was made leader of the singing and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He was a great lover of children, and a superior talker as well as singer, and made a model super- intendent. In the summer of 1869 he became acquainted with D. L. Moody, the great evangelist, and was gradually drawn more entirely into gospel work. He had been re- peatedly urged to give up his secular engagements and devote himself wholly to " singing the gospel."
In March, 1874, in company with Major D. W. Whittle, he entered upon evangelistic work, commencing at Waukegan,
Ill. Mr. Whittle, in his biography of Mr. Bliss, relates how, in the afternoon of the third day of this meeting, the three made surrender of everything to the Master and his work, and what marvelous success attended their labors. From this time onward Mr. Blsss consecrated all his talents and energies to the Master's service. It was during this period that he wrote those songs which are known and sung around the world, edited, in connection with Mr. Sankey, " Gospel Songs and Hymns, Nos. 1 and 2," sang at evan- gelical meetings condueted by Mr. Moody and Major Whittle, in short, in every possible way was consecrating his splendid abilities to the promotion of the Redeemer's cause. Some of these hymns have been translated into Jap- anese, Chinese, and the language of some of the African dialects. Previous to his death he was in correspondenee with the missionaries at Japan, with reference to composing music adapted to the peculiar metre which is popular in that country. On December 29, 1876, occurred that awful railroad accident known as the " Ashtabula disaster." Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were on the fated train and went down into that fearful gulf. They never were seen afterwards, and not a vestige of their persons or clothing has ever been found. The news of the disaster and the death of the singers was flashed with lightning speed over the country, and sent a thrill of anguish into thousands of hearts who had learned to sing their songs. Mr. Bliss left two children, who were in the care of their mother's relatives at the time of the disaster. Almost spontaneously, at the suggestion of Mr. Moody, the children of the Sabbath-schools made contribu- tions to provide for the orphaned ehildren, and erect a suit- able monument to the memory of their distinguished parents. The largest gathering ever assembled in Bradford County was on July 10, 1877, when the co-workers and personal friends of Mr. Bliss, with suitable services, uuveiled the monument which had been ereeted to his memory. Not only the wonderful power of song with which Mr. Bliss was endowed, his entire consecration to his Master's service, his tragic death, gave interest to these services, but he pos- sessed as kind and true a heart as ever throbbed, and a warmth of affection which attached him to all with whom he was brought in contact, while in all those qualities which endeared him to thousands his wife was not a whit behind. In fact, it was owing largely to her encouragement, counsel, and criticism that he always attributed, under God, the suc- cess which he won. She was just the wife for such a hus- band. The broken harp-strings carved upon their monu- ment represent in beautiful legend the two who, in their death, were not divided.
THE CHURCH OF HERRICK.
For a number of years, beginning with Mr. Printz, it was the custom of the pastor at Merryall to preach at the old church in the morning, and to hold service once in four weeks in the afternoon at each of the following places, viz. : Herrick, Stevensville, Springhill, and Wyalusing. By this means congregations were gathered at each of these points, which afterwards were constituted into churches. In June, 1849, an organization was cffected at Herrickville consist- ing of 8 members, with Abel Bolles and Lyman Bronson ruling elders. In a short time the name of Herrick was
164
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
substituted for Herrickville. In the meanwhile the church received some accessions, and H. W. Camp, Chester Buck, and J. S. Crawford were added to the eldership in 1854. This year, also, sixteen were added to this church. Jan. 21, 1855, A. G. Camp, Sarah A. Camp, and Mrs. Polly Camp, who had been members of a church organized in Herrick under the care of Rev. M. B. Williams, united with the new church. This was the last of a Reformed Presbyterian church which will be mentioned in its proper place. In 1858 a comfortable church edifice was erected, and Rev. D. Cook, who had become pastor at Merryall, sup- plied the church, was installed its pastor in 1858, and still continues in the pastoral charge. They report 26 members of the church, and 25 members of the Sabbath-school.
THE SECOND CHURCH AT WYALUSING.
Jan. 12, 1854, a committee of Susquehanna presbytery constituted at Wyalusing a church of 27 persons, and in- stalled John R. Welles, Henry Gaylord, and William Gam- ble as ruling elders in the new organization. Rev. John White was the stated supply until the spring of 1857. The erection of the church building was commenced before the organization was effected, and completed in 1856. January, 1858, Rev. Thomas S. Dewing was installed pastor of the church, and continued in the pastorate until August, 1861. In September, Rev. David Craft became the stated supply of the church ; at this time it had increased to 35 mem- bers. Mr. Craft was installed pastor of the church Feb. 28, 1866. The largest additions have been in 1866, 16, and in 1876, 40. In 1870 a fine parsonage was built at a cost of $4000. The present membership of the church is 88, and of the Sabbath-school 50.
THE CHURCH AT MONROETON.
The Presbyterian church at Monroeton, which was or- ganized Nov. 25, 1851, consisted of 25 constituent mem- bers, all of whom had been members of the Presbyterian church at Towanda. J. B. Hinman, William North, and G. E. Arnout were the first elders. The church enjoyed the ministrations of Rev. L. W. Chapman for the first four years, and he was followed by Rev. Jas. Mc William. After four years he was succeeded by Rev. Darius Williams, who also remained four years. In 1862 the present pastor, Rev. Hallock Armstrong, assumed the charge of the congregation, and has served the church continuously for sixteen years. The church has had a steady growth, but has lost largely by deaths and removals. Its present membership is 65. It has a comfortable church building, with ample sheds and a good parsonage.
THE CHURCH AT STEVENSVILLE.
The people of Stevensville had built their house of wor- ship before the church was organized. It cost $1500, and was dedicated Oct. 3, 1858. Feb. 2, 1860, 30 persons, members of the old Wyalusing Presbyterian church, were organized into the Presbyterian church of Stevensville, in which Hiram Stevens, Myron Stevens, and Henry A. Ross were chosen the elders, and Rev. D. Cook was installed pastor. Mr. Cook having resigned, Rev. T. Thomas has supplied the church since April 1, 1866. The church re- ceived 13 on profession of faith in 1866, and 7 in 1876.
A Sabbath-school has been in existence a long time. The congregation have secured a very comfortable parsonage at the cost of $1500. It reports a Sabbath-school of 55, and in the church 32 members.
CHURCH AT BARCLAY.
By direction of presbytery, Rev. Wm. Harris, of Towanda, visited Barclay and preached several times. Mr. Dechert also spent some time there in the months of September and November of the same year. In March, Mr. Mc William moved his family on the mountain ; preached a few times at Fall creek, at Graydon, but most of the time at Barclay. Dec. 26, 1866, 24 persons were constituted a church by a committee of presbytery, and Messrs. Muir, Huntington, and Turner were ordained elders ; William and John Ditch- burn and D. Short were chosen deacons. Mr. McWilliam left February, 1869, and was followed by Rev. Edward Kennedy. Mr. Christison was supply for a short time in 1875, and was succeeded by Rev. James Petrie, Jan. 23, 1876, who is the present supply. The church suffers all the fluctuations of small mining towns. Its present mem- bership is about 60. There is a pleasant little church, a parsonage, and a school-house, costing all together about $4500, belonging to the congregation. The Sabbath-school has 225 teachers and scholars.
CHURCH AT TERRYTOWN.
The first Presbyterian church of Asylum, now Terry, originated in a secession of a number of members from the old Wyalusing Presbyterian church, on account of slavery. It was organized by Rev. M. B. Williams, of the Cayuga, N. Y., presbytery, Aug. 24, 1842, with 10 members. Meetings were held and the sacraments administered regu- larly by Mr. Williams. In February, 1844, the membership had increased to 32, of whom nearly one-half resided in Her- rick. The Herrick members were constituted into a church Feb. 26, 1844. There were twelve of them. They main- tained a separate existence until 1855, when the remnant of them was received into the Herrick Presbyterian church.
The Terrytown branch was also weakened by removals. As this church had never been connected with any pres- bytery, a reorganization took place Oct. 8, 1863, under the supervision of a committee of Susquehanna presbytery, and the church was taken under the care of the presbytery. The Rev. David Craft, who had supplied the church since September, 1861, was installed pastor March 1, 1866, and has continued in the pastorate since. Dr. George F. Hor- ton and William Gamble were chosen elders. The present membership is about 50.
PRESBYTERY OF LACKAWANNA.
The first meeting of this presbytery was held in the Pres- byterian church at Wyalusing, September, 1870. It was a remarkable coincidence that the first meeting of the pres- bytery should be held on the very spot where the first Pres- byterian church within its borders was organized.
The only change which has been effected in the churches in this county since the organization of the presbytery has been the uniting of the two churches at Wysox into one organization.
165
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE SECOND CHURCH IN WYSOX
grew out of a secession from the old ehurel, partly on per- sonal and partly on political grounds. The exscinding act of 1837 afforded a pretext for uniting with the presbytery of Montrose, which ranged with the New School party. In 1857-58 they built a snug little church. The church was served by supplies until about 1860, when Rev. H. J. Crane became the pastor, and continued to be until pres- bytery united the two branches.
There are in the county now sixteen church organizations, with the same number of church edifices, and a member- ship of 1350 souls. There are 14 ordained ministers, of whom 6 are pastors, 5 are stated supplies, 2 are without charge, and 1 is honorably retired.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ULSTER.
This church was organized May 18, 1855, by Rev. A. M. Macauley, a commissioner from the Reformed presbytery of Philadelphia. He was assisted in the organization by the Rev. Samuel Wylie, of the Western Reformed presby- tery. At the organization there were 26 members, but a short time after 25 more were added to the number. The Rev. Robert Stevenson was ordained and installed pastor of the church July 11, 1861; the ordination sermon was preached by the Rev. T. W. J. Wylie, D.D., and the Rev. W. Sterret gave the charge to the pastor and people. Soon after their organization they erected a house of worship, and also a comfortable parsonage. Mr. Stevenson left in 1867. Before his pastorate the church was supplied by different individuals, sometimes statedly, sometimes irregu- larly. Since 1869 they have had preaching regularly every alternate Sabbath.
The organization of the Reformed Presbyterian church of Ulster was brought about in the following manner. As the Hon. James Pollock, a short time before his election as governor of Pennsylvania, was traveling through Bradford County, he was accosted by two farmers, whose faces bore evidence that they were earnest and honest men, while their record showed that they had been born in the land of the Covenanters. One of them-James Howie-was a connection of John Howie, so well known as the author of " Scott's Worthies," and the other-Walter Polloek-of the kindred of the author of the " Course of Time." Having been informed that Mr. Pollock was a Reformed Presbyterian, they made known to him their desire to ob- tain preaching from the ministers of that denomination, as they had been connected with it in Scotland. Mr. Polloek presented their case to some ministers in Philadelphia, and in due time a church was organized, as already stated.
BALLIBAY CONGREGATION (COVENANTERS*
A number of Irish Presbyterians, mostly from the county of Monaghan, emigrated to Pennsylvania more than half a century ago, and settled within a few miles of Wyalusing. In 1832, Rev. David Scott organized them into a congrega- tion, with George Gamble and William Morrow as elders. In 1833, Mr. Gamble and a part of the members went with the " New Lights," and the congregation was disorganized.
Mr. Morrow and the remainder continued faithful to their principles, and sought supplies. For about four years they received occasional preaching from Rev. Mr. Douglass, W. B. Williams, and others, but for the most part from Mr. Francis Gayley, a licentiate. They appreciated him highly as an able and faithful preacher, and when, in 1838, he withdrew from the church, they all followed him. Under his ministry they continued faithfully to adhere to Refor- mation principles, read the old authors, studied the Bible diligently, and were intelligent and earnest Christians. At length, in 1859, Mr. Gayley proposed to assume ministerial functions and re-baptize all his followers. To this they would not consent, and nearly all left him. They however adhered faithfully to the Covenanter faith. As early as 1873 or 1874 they were visited by some of the ministers of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and Aug. 28, 1875, they were reorganized into a congregation at Ballibay. Seven of the old organization of 1832 were incorporated into the new one, and twelve united with them on profes- sion of their faith,-nineteen in all. Dr. F. G. Morrow and Richard Graham were elected elders, and John Bran- yan and Newton J. Morrow deacons. Services are held in the school-house in Ballibay, in the township of Herrick. They are connected with the New York presbytery, which sends supplies to them at stated periods to preach and administer the saeraments.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN BRADFORD COUNTY .*
The history of the Protestant Episcopal church in Brad- ford County is not a record of rapid and continuous progress, but rather of constant struggle and missionary effort.
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, PIKE.
The first church organized and admitted into union with the convention was St. Matthew's church, in Pike town- ship. This was in 1814, and among the persons applying for a charter were Dimon Bostwick, Benajah Bostwick, Jabez Bosworth, Salmon Bosworth, Daniel Ross, and David Olmstead. Rev. Manning B. Roche was the first rector. For several years the congregation assembled for worship in the upper part of a store owned by Salmon Bosworth. The church building was erected in the year 1820, and conse- crated soon afterwards by Bishop White, who was accompa- nied from Philadelphia by Rev. Jackson Kemper, after- wards missionary bishop of the northwest and of the dio- cese of Wisconsin. In the year 1825, Rev. Samuel Marks, a missionary of " the Society for the advancement of Chris- tianity in Pennsylvania," for the counties of Bradford and Susquehanna, became reetor of this church, and the same year organized a Sunday-school. The number of com- municants connected with this church at that time was twenty. Rev. Samuel Marks continued rector, except dur- ing 1831 and 1832, until 1834; he is now over eighty years of age, and rector of Christ church, Huron, Ohio.
His successors in St. Matthew's church have been Rev. Samuel Tiffany Lord, Rev. Freeman Lane, Rev. Barclay A. Smith, all now deceased, Rev. De Witt C. Byllesby, now
Collated from " Our Banner," vol. ii. p. 378.
# By George D. Stroud, A.M.
166
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
living in Roselle, N. J., Rev. Hale Townsend, now of Charles City, Iowa, Rev. William Smith Heaton, now city missionary in Philadelphia, and Rev. George Paine Hop- kins, a hale and hearty old gentleman, who is filling the rectorship for the third time.
CHRIST CHURCH, ATHENS.
Rev. Samuel Tiffany Lord, a missionary of the "Society for the advancement of Christianity," organized a church at Athens, under the name of Christ church, on Aug. 30, 1833. Athens was at this time in a declining condition, and this organization did not become permanent, so that in about three years services were given up and the church disbanded.
CHRIST CHURCH, TOWANDA.
Rev. Samuel Tiffany Lord, in addition to his labors at Athens, held occasional services during the autumn of 1833 in Towanda, and in December began to officiate there regu- larly every Sunday. Among the laymen who were active in introducing the services of the church in Towanda were Henry S. Mercur, M. C. Mercur, O. D. Bartlett, and Mark Miller. The church services were held for a number of years in the old court-house, and the Sunday-school in the old " fireproof" belonging to the county was taught by M. C. Mercur, O. D. Bartlett, and Miss Mary Woodruff. Antes Snyder, Wm. B. Foster, Jr., and Abraham Goodwin were prominent members of the church in its early days.
In 1840, Rev. Robert G. Hays, in charge of the parish, reported to the convention that the amount necessary to complete a frame church thirty-six feet front by fifty feet deep, had been raised. The money appears to have been subscribed but not all paid.
Dec. 20, 1841, the court granted a charter, under the name of Christ's church, to Wm. B. Foster, Jr., O. D. Bartlett, Abraham Goodwin, John N. Weston, M.D., C. L. Ward, M. C. Mercur, David Wilmot, and their succes- sors. The year 1842 was one of almost unparalleled financial difficulties and distress in the community, but notwithstand- ing the church was completed in this year and an organ purchased.
In this year Rev. George Watson became rector, and in 1844 the church was admitted into union with the convention. Rev. Asa S. Colton became rector of this church Jan. 1, 1845. In 1847, Rev. Robert J. Parvin was elected rector, and en- tered on his duties September 12, and the church became self- supporting. In 1849 the church was altered and enlarged, and a bell procured. Rev. Benjamin J. Douglass succeeded to the rectorship June 20, 1850, and continued in charge of the church till April 11, 1866. During the first year of his pastorate the church debt was entirely paid off. During his second year the exterior of the church was painted and a tower erected. During 1853 and 1854, more than $2000 was raised by the congregation, and a rectory built. The months of January, February, and March, 1866, witnessed a deep religious interest in the community, and on April 11, the occasion of Mr. Douglass' last ministration in this church, he presented fifty-five candidates to Bishop Vail, acting for Bishop Stevens, the bishop of the diocese, for confirmation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.