USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 45
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The attendance at the next session at New Albany, Sept. 5, 1876, was large, forty-three lodges being represented. The verbal reports gave very cheering accounts of the con- dition of the lodges throughout the district. G. W. C. T. B. Dartt, O. J. Chubbuck, and A. C. Rockwell were chosen to represent this convention in the State temperance con- vention soon to be held at Harrisburg. An executive
committee was appointed, and an extra session was called to meet at Granville Centre, Oct. 24, 1876. At this session the attendance was large and the discussions spirited. Twenty-six lodges were represented.
At the meeting at Athens, Nov. 28, 1876, some forty- three lodges were represented.
Thirty-eight lodges were represented at the convention at Rome, Feb. 27, 28, 1877. A resolution of thanks was tendered Judge Russell for preventing the granting of lieenses to saloons in the county.
At the annual meeting at Troy, May 29 and 30, 1877, about forty lodges were represented. C. E. White was elected W. C. T. and G. W. Crum W. S. At this meeting it was decided to hold a temperance camp-meeting, to be in charge of the executive committee, which all friends of temperance in the district should be invited to attend.
Aug. 28, 1877, twenty-four lodges were represented at the meeting of the convention at Litchfield. W. C. T. White present. The following is copied from the minutes as adopted : "7th. Resolved, That the temperanee camp- meeting recently held at North Towanda, under the auspiees of this convention, was a decided success, and that we recommend the holding of not less than two grove-meetings of this character annually within the bounds of this dis- triet."
The next meeting was held at West Granville, at which G. W. C. T. A. Bestwick was present. The meeting was spirited and interesting, and was well attended by the resi- dents in the vicinity.
A special session was held at West Franklin, Jan. 15, 1878, some twenty lodges being represented, and the regu- lar quarterly meeting was held at Hornbrook, Feb. 26 and 27. At the latter place some forty lodges were represented, and the attendance of the citizens of the vicinity was good. The interest in these quarterly and annual gather- ings seems to be on the increase, and their influence in awakening and educating the public mind to a better appre- eiation of the importance of individual work and responsi- bility in the cause of temperance is becoming more and more apparent.
The Murphy Movement .- In the spring and summer of 1877 what was known as the Murphy movement began in various parts of the county, and great numbers signed the pledge. In the larger towns weekly lectures were continued for several months, while through the county, at the school- houses, in churches, and publie halls, meetings were held as opportunity afforded. The movement was carried on without much organization, and no data can now be ob- tained by which the number who signed the pledge can be ascertained. Although the work was carried on with a great deal of enthusiasm, and many predicted that when the excitement was over there would no fruits of it remain, yet thus far as large a proportion of habitual drinkers have ad- hered to the pledge in this as in other movements. Another good result of these numerous lectures, especially as many of the speakers were reformed drunkards, who related witlı thrilling effect their experiences and trials and struggles, was the awakening of a profound interest in the minds of the general public, and creating a healthy sentiment in the community.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
A number of times a few young men of congenial spirit have been temporarily associated together in their respective neighborhoods to do Christian work, but not until 1865 was there an organization effected of what have been so widely known as Young Men's Christian Associations. That year Rev. Mr. Harris came to Towanda to supply the pulpit of the Presbyterian church. He had been a chaplain in the army, and familiar with the various ap- proved agencies for Christian work. On coming to To- wanda one of his efforts was to organize the young men into a Christian Association. In this he found in all of the churches a few ready and willing workers. Money was secured, a reading-room obtained and furnished, prayer- meetings instituted, a closer union effected between Chris- tian people, and a desire for more earnest Christian work was fostered.
In the winter of the year 1866 the association secured the services of Rev. E. P. Hammond, an evangelist, whose labors were blessed in the most wide-spread general re- vival ever before known in Towanda. The association continued to maintain its reading-room for some time, but at length interest flagged, and it ceased to exist. In 1875 the association was again revived, continued for nearly two years, when it was disbanded, its property sold, and the proceeds disposed of.
At Troy an association was organized about the time of the reorganization in Towanda. A fine room was secured and neatly furnished ; a weekly and Sabbath evening ser- vice was established, and good results have come from it.
BRADFORD COUNTY DENTAL ASSOCIATION.
In 1859 the American Dental Association was formed, to which the several previously-organized State associations were made auxiliary. The Pennsylvania Dental Society was instituted Dec. 2, 1868, and May 8, 1869, a number of the dentists of Bradford County met at Towanda and organized the Bradford County Dental Association, as auxiliary to the State association. It had a small begin- ning, commencing with only four members. Dr. Weston, of Towanda, was the first president, and Dr. Dusenberry secretary.
The society holds its meetings semi-annually in different localities, and usually continues its sessions through two days. At these meetings there is the freest possible dis- cussion of everything relating to the profession, inter- spersed with the reading of essays on special topics. There is also a free clinic at each session. In short, the general object has been to elevate the character of the profession and improve the standard of work.
The meetings of the society have been of such increas- ing interest that several members of the profession from adjacent counties became connected with it. The society now includes the leading dentists of Bradford County. The meetings of the association are always open, and the public are at liberty to attend. It not unfrequently hap- pens that visitors from different parts of the State are pre- sent at its sessions. Dr. J. K. Newell, of Wyalusing, is the president, and Dr. Kelly, of Towanda, the secretary for 1878.
BRADFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Pursuant to previous notice, a number of the citizens of Bradford County, having a desire for the preservation of whatever was of historical interest in the county, met in Mercur's hall, in Towanda, May 4, 1870, and organized the meeting by calling Hon. L. P. Statford, of Wyalusing, to the chair, and appointing Dr. E. P. Allen, of Athens, sec- retary.
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Ward, Kinney, Herrick, Hale, Mason, Craft, and Worden, was appointed to report a plan of organization, which subsequently reported a constitution and code of by-laws, which were adopted, by which action " The Historical Society of Bradford County, Pennsylvania," became a verity. The first article of the constitution states the object of the society to be "the elucidation of the history of this State; though other branches of history shall not be excluded." The officers were declared to be a president, two vice-presidents, a cor- responding and a recording secretary, a treasurer, and a libra- rian; their dnties to be such as are usually performed by such officers in other societies. All persons signing the constitution and complying with the terms thereof, before or at the first annual meeting, were to be deemed members, and the by-laws prescribed a ballot for such members after- wards. Ten dollars paid at one time constituted a life mem- ber, with an exemption from further dues; otherwise, an annual contribution of one dollar from members is required. Thirty-six members added their signatures to the constitu- tion, and thirteen honorary or corresponding members were elected. Messrs. Montanye, Alvord, and Craft were ap- pointed a committee on nominations, and reported the following list of officers, who were elected for one year, to wit : President, C. L. Ward, Esq., Towanda; Vice-Presi- idents, Dr. Darius Bullock, Smithfield; Hon. F. B. Streeter, Towanda ; Recording Secretary, Dr. E. P. Allen, Athens ; Corresponding Secretary, E. Herrick, Jr., Athens ; Treas- urer, L. P. Statford, Wyalusing; Librarian, H. L. Scott, Towanda.
Committees on finance, library, and publication were appointed. Messrs. Hayden, of Athens, and Craft, of Wya- lusing, were requested to each prepare an address for the next meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Craft at the next meeting read to a large audience a paper giving an account of the French at Asylum. At a subsequent meeting Dr. Allen read a paper on the animal remains found in the Chemung and Susquehanna valleys. Among the first things attempted by the society was to gather the history of the county. It has succeeded in collecting some valuable material, while a large collection of Indian relics and curiosities has been placed in its keeping.
In 1873, the society appointed a committee for the spe- cific purpose of collating the history of the county. This . duty was entirely confided to the editor of this work, which is the result of his efforts in carrying out the wishes of the society. Colonel John F. Means, of Towanda, is the presi- dent, and W. W. Kingsbury the secretary, for 1878. The society has been incorporated by the decree of the court of Bradford County, and has ever had on its roll of member- ship names representing the oldest and most prominent families in the county.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
As early as 1811 there was a society in Luzerne county for the promotion of agriculture and domestic manufactures. In the report of the society published in the Luzerne papers in the month of February, 1811, occurs this paragraph : " The society have examined nineteen specimens of cloth presented by Mr. Ingham, which they think do great credit to the domestic manufactures of our county. They partic- ularly distinguish the pieces made by Miss Luckey, Raphael Stone, Rebecca Ingham, Aden Stevens, Nathan Stevens, and Joseph Ingham. The colors (dyed by Jonas Ingham) were much admired, and the fulling was considered as being remarkably well executed."
This is the last record of any exhibitors from Bradford County.
In 1820 the legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act incorporating the Agricultural and Manufacturing Society of Bradford County, and in December of that year a con- stitution and by-laws were adopted and a public meeting held at Towanda, at which Joseph Kingsbury was elected president, Ethan Baldwin secretary, Andrew Irvine treas- urer, and ten directors were chosen from different parts of the county. June 22, 1822, the Bradford Settler pub- lished an article on the cultivation of millet. There seems, however, to have been but little done, and the society was disbanded.
In 1852 another society was organized, and was carried on for a number of years quite successfully. The annual fair held under its direction came to be regarded as one of the institutions of the county. In 1859 the society, by a decree of the court on the petition of a number of the sub- stantial farmers and others of the county, was incorporated.
The charter of incorporation provides that the society shall be auxiliary to the State agricultural society ; that its object shall be the improvement of agriculture and the ad- vancement of the mechanical arts in this county ; and to this end the society may hold fairs, secure lecturers, distribute books, etc. ; that the officers shall be a president, four vice- presidents, a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, and nine managers, who shall be elected by ballot annually. The breaking out of the war put an end to fur- ther meetings of the society, and it virtually disbanded.
In 1873 the society reorganized, but for a year or two but little general interest was manifested in it. No exact data can be obtained earlier than 1876, on account of the books of the society previous to that date having been lost. After the reorganization the fairs were held at Mr. Rutty's park until 1876, when a lot containing about twenty three acres, situated on the Wysox plains, nearly opposite Towanda, was leased for a term of five years. These grounds were fenced, and commodious buildings, sheds, and stalls were erected, at a cost of $1400, for the accommodation of exhibitors, and the fair of 1877 proved to be a very successful one. In 1876 the receipts were $776; in 1877 they were $1626. In 1876 there were received for admissions $626, and the next year $1454. In 1876 the premiums amounted to $255; in 1877 to $500. In 1877 the officers were J. E. Piollet, president; W. S. Vincent, recording secretary ; J. E. Fox, corresponding secretary ; E. R. De Long, treasurer. The board of managers were I. A. Park, H. L. Scott,
Horace Horton, G. H. Vandyke, G. H. Fox, R. M. Welles, John Baldwin, C. J. Eastabrook, and B. La Porte. For 1878 the officers were re-elected, except that A. D. Munn took the place of C. J. Eastabrook, and F. H. Hagerman the place of B. La Porte on the board of management. For 1877 the number of entries was 631. From the steadily increasing interest manifested in this society by the agri- cultural portion of our people, it is safe to predict for it a career of usefulness.
TROY FARMERS' CLUB.
In the fall of 1874, a few of the leading and intelligent farmers residing in the vicinity of Troy, believing that the agricultural and farming interests of their neighborhood would be promoted by an organized association, called a meeting to be held in Troy for the purpose of forming a Farmers' club. The preliminary meeting was held Nov. 24, when a temporary organization was effected. The 2d of the following January they organized permanently by electing J. C. Mckean, president ; G. M. Card, secretary ; A. M. Cornell, treasurer ; and A. S. Hooker, reporting sec- retary. Its constitution and by-laws, adopted Nov. 28, 1874, define the object of the association to be the advancement of agriculture and horticulture, and provide that meetings be held each Saturday afternoon.
During the summer of 1875 it was thought the objects of the association would be promoted by holding a free agri- cultural fair, and preparations began at once to be made for that purpose. The fair took place on the 8th and 9th of October of this year, and succeeded beyond the most san- guine expectations of its promoters. Encouraged by the interest manifested in this movement, it was determined to make the annual fair one of the permanent institutions of the club ; grounds were procured, suitable buildings erected, and each autumn has witnessed a fine display of the agri- cultural products of the western part of the county. To meet the expense thus incurred a subscription of $800 was secured, which placed the club on a sound financial basis. The club has been duly incorporated, and is accomplishing very successfully the noble object to which it is devoted, and receives cheering encouragement from the people in the western portion of the county. The club has over 100 members, their meetings are well attended, they are out of debt, and are doing quite as much towards promoting the agricultural interests of the county as many other more pre- tentious organizations.
FREEMASONS.
The early history of Freemasonry in the Susquehanna valley opens with the events of the Revolution, and one of the military lodges which were common both in Great Britain and in this country at that period. In the month of May, 1779, Col. Thomas Proctor received orders to join the Sul- livan expedition against the northern Indians, and on the 18th of that month he received from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of this State a warrant to organize and hold a military or traveling lodge in his-regi- ment, which was known as No. 19 on the grand lodge registry.
On the 23d of April a little detachment, on its way to
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Wyoming, was ambushed by a party of Indiaus, and Capt. Davis, of the 11th Pennsylvania, and Lieutenant Jones, of a Delaware regiment, were slain, and were buried where they fell. While Sullivan's army remained at Wilkes- Barre, it was resolved to bring the bodies of these slain officers to Wyoming for burial. A committee of lodges and a detachment of soldiers, accompanied by a regimental band, accordingly proceeded to the place where they were buried, reopened their graves, and bore the bodies to the valley where the army was encamped, where they were again consigned to the earth with appropriate military and Masonic cere- monies. Two days after this the army took up its march for Tioga Point, and here, at the particular request of the Masonic brethren, Aug. 12, 1779, Dr. Rogers delivered an address in Masonic form commemorative of the fallen soldiers. It was, however, seven years, before this ancient brotherhood obtained a permanent foot-hold in the county.
Rural Amity Lodge, No. 70, Athens .- The early lodges in the North Branch valley were at Newtown, now Elmira, in 1793, and in Wilkes-Barre in 1794. In this lodge, still existing as No. 61, Arnold Colt was made a Mason. He soon after came to Tioga Point to reside, and while here, in conjunction with other brethren, obtained a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, for a lodge at Tioga Point. It was granted June 24, 1796, but was not issued until July 6, 1796, and the lodge was not organized under it until May 21, 1798, nearly two years later. Arnold Colt was its first Master, Dr. Stephen Hopkins its Senior Warden, and Captain Ira Hopkins its Junior Warden. The registry number of the lodge is No. 70, at Tioga Point, Luzerne county. The warrant is on parchment, and is still preserved in good condition in the lodge as the authority for its work.
The lodge organized with some of the most prominent names in northern Pennsylvania upon its rolls. These were the Spaldings, Satterlee, Stephens, Kingsbury, Shepard, Paine, Murray, Cash, and Park, who were among its con- stituent members. The meeting for organization was held at the house of George Welles, on Tioga Point. Fourteen members formed the first constituency.
For many years the lodge at Tioga Point covered a large territory. Southward, the nearest was at Wilkes-Barre; eastward, Great Bend ; westward, Elmira ; and Canandaigna farther to the north. The place of meeting continued for a number of years to be in George Welles' public-house, which is near the spot where Pike's hotel recently stood.
June 21, 1811, the proprietors of Athens academy sold to the lodge the right and title to the upper room of their building, provided the lodge would proceed to finish the said upper room immediately, and pay the trustees the sum of $80. After expending about $400, the lodge met in the room for the first time Jan. 28, 1812.
During the Morgan excitement the lodge suspended work for a short time, but soon rallied and began anew. They have always preserved their old charter. Although other lodges have crowded closer to them, both in New York and Pennsylvania, the members of this lodge have kept it in a flourishing condition, and have ever maintained the spirit of its first by-laws : " No private piques, or quarrels about nations, families, religion, or politics, shall be brought within the doors of this lodge."
The meetings of the lodge are now held in a finely-fur- nished hall, and its roll of members, as in days of yore, con- tains some of the most honored names in the community. They have about 100 members.
Union Lodge, No. 108, Towanda .-- This lodge first con- vened under its charter, April 3, 1807, at the house of Amos Mix, in Wysox. There were present Oratio Grant, Master; Amos Mix, Senior Warden ; Ebenezer Smith, Junior Warden; Josiah Grant, Treas .; George Scott, Sec. ; and fourteen others. No records of any preliminary meet- ings are preserved, but the first notice we have of it is a lodge fully organized in legal form under its charter. The assemblies of the lodge were held at various places in Wysox and in Orwell until 1813, when a permanent lodge-room ap- pears to have been furnished by arrangement with William Myer, Myersburg.
The work of the fraternity was done with much regu- larity until 1832, when, yielding to the then great pressure of publie opinion, the aprons were laid aside and the tools dropped, to be resumed only on rare occasions, as the cele- bration of a St. John's day, until November 14, 1839. At this date a meeting was held at the house of William Myer, and the lodge thoroughly and energetically revived. Its labor has been continuons since that time. The scene of its labors was changed in December, 1839, to Towanda, where its meetings were held first in the old " Fire-proof," then in the present Odd-Fellows' hall, and finally, as now, in their own Masonic hall.
The lodge works under its old charter and preserves its old records with much pride, finding in them many names identified not only with Bradford County's history, but car- ried on the rolls of State and national fame. Its present membership is 200.
Evergreen Lodge, No. 163, Monroeton, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, March 1, 1819. The first principal officers were Eliphalet Mason, Master ; Simon Kinney, Senior Warden; and Russell Fowler, Junior War- den. By the condition of its charter, Evergreen lodge was to hold its meetings at "Towanda, in Bradford County, or within five miles therefrom." Like Union lodge, the places of its gatherings varied from Myersburg to Monroe, to suit the convenience of its members. The charter was surren- dered for a short time during the Morgan troubles, but re- stored again, since which the work has been regularly and duly performed. In 1870 the lodge dismissed about 40 of its members to form a lodge at Dushore, Sullivan county. It now numbers about 50 members. As it enters upon the six- tieth year of its history, it bears this noble record of its work, " that it has always extended the open hand of Masonic char- ity to the needy, maintained the landmarks of the order, buried its dead, made the widow and the orphan its beneficiaries, and has never knowingly turned the worthy away empty."
Trojan Lodge, No. 306, Troy .- This lodge, although chartered Jan. 19, 1857, did not hold its first meeting until June 5 of that year. The principal officers named in the charter were Elihu Case, Master ; Amasa Greeno, Senior Warden ; Jere Adams, Junior Warden. The first meeting of the lodge was held in the rooms where the lodge now meets. There were seven constituent members mentioned in the charter, while now the membership is 125.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Canton Lodge, No. 415 .- This lodge was duly chartered March 4, 1868, and held its first meeting April 30. C. W. Landon was its first Master ; Warren Landon, Senior War- den ; W. W. Whitman, Junior Warden, and B. W. Clark, Sec. The lodge has at present a membership of 70.
Roman Lodge, No. 418, Rome .- This lodge is working under a charter which bears date March 9, 1868. The first meeting was June 29, with L. A. Ridgeway, Master ; D. R. Woodburn, Senior Warden ; E. M. Farrar, Junior Warden ; L. L. Moody, Sec .; John Passmore, Treas. ; and ten other brethren present. The lodge has in its member- ship some of the most influential persons in the community, and from its organization has been doing a good work in the dissemination of the principles of the order; while opposition has served to increase its membership and its usefulness. It holds semi-monthly communications. A Star lodge for the benefit of the wives and sisters of members is connected with it, and meets as occasion requires. Its present mem- bership is 49.
Smithfield Lodge, No. 428, East Smithfield .- This lodge was organized by the District Deputy Grand Master, George D. Montanye, Jan. 25, 1869, under a charter of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, bearing date Sept. 10, 1868, with nine charter members, of whom A. W. Seward was Master ; J. O. Gerould, Senior Warden ; H. Mont Moody, Junior Warden ; and Wm. E. Voorhis, Treas. The lodge is in a condition of healthy growth, and numbers fifty-five members. It has on its roll 76 members, of whom four have died.
Le Ray Lodge, No. 471, Le Raysville, was chartered March 2, and held its first meeting June 22, 1870, with the following as its principal officers, viz. : W. S. Heaton, Master ; S. W. Little, Senior Warden ; Wm. B. Stevens, Junior Warden. Its membership at present is 45.
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