USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 46
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There are at this time connected with the order more than seven hundred souls.
ODD-FELLOWS .*
Odd-Fellowship was planted in Bradford County at a time when the so-called secret societies of the day were in such disrepute that it was no uncommon thing for religious bodies to refuse fellowship to any person belonging to such organizations ; but friendship, love, and truth have asserted their mild dominion, and the Father of all good will ever receive the thanks of the many who have been relieved by fraternal hands while in sickness and distress. Time alone shall reveal the many deeds of kindness that have been put in practical form by the members of the order, while in the lodge-room guided by the influence of the best of all books, the Bible.
Monroeton Lodge, No. 137, has the honor of being the first in the county. It was instituted by David Blair, D. D. G. M., of Lycoming county, on the 12th of February, 1846. The petitioners were J. D. Murphy, of No. 70; J. N. Sum- ner, of No. 84; Charles Burrows, of No. 112; D. H. Good- win, of No. 60; Harmon Burch, of No. 112 ; Wm. Strick- land, of No. 114; D. C. Salsbury, of No. 76, and E. W. Morgan, of No. 13. At the first meeting the following
were admitted to membership by initiation : Anthony Mullen, Henry S. Salsbury, Wm. Gosline, Jos. B. Smith, Robert Hunter, Eliphalet Mason, Dr. Samuel Huston, Ira H. Stevens, S. S. Hinman, Peter C. Ward, Elias Mathew- son, O. D. Satterlee, O. O. Shipman, Benj. Wilcox, Geo. Tracy, James H. Wells, Byron Kingsbury, and Wilson Rodgers. Gordon F. Mason was admitted by card at the first meeting, and is supposed to have been the first resident of the order in the county ; he was also the first D. D. G. M. Lodges may sicken and die as this one did ; but the principles of the institution live. No. 137 was reorganized April 25, 1874, by Grand Sire Nicholson, assisted by G. W. 'Blackman, D. D. G. M .; Robt. Innis, of No. 687 ; E. J. Clauson, of No. 167; and F. J. Calkins, of No. 247. The officers were: Patrick Dunfee, N. G. ; M. M. Cool- baugh, V. G .; A. Mullen, Sec .; and J. M. Gregg, Treas.
The old records of No. 165 were destroyed by fire, so we are unable to name its first officers. J. M. Ely, Jr., and others, deserve much credit for furnishing their new hall in. a very tasteful manner, which is decidedly the finest in the county.
Among the most active members of No. 167 were Hon. Wm. Elwell, E. W. Baird, J. C. Adams, D. Vandercook, E. D. Montanye, Wm. A. Chamberlain, Hon. Joseph Powell, and C. S. Russell. No. 247 in its youth had the zeal of Frank Smith, E. W. Hazard, W. G. Newbery, V. M. Long, John McKeon, J. A. Pierce, Wm. Morgan, Ed. Oliver, and others to carry it onward. No. 231 was instituted with J. W. Griffin, Wm. Gosline, A. G. Pickard, S. H. Newman, and Dr. W. S. Baker as charter members. J. W. Griffin was secretary of the lodge twenty years, devoting more time to the interests of the order than any other member in western Bradford. Nos. 167, 247, 321, and 503 were the only lodges that withstood the devastating effects of the late civil war. With such men as Father Griffin, Father Jonathan Buttles, E. J. Clauson, G. W. Blackman, D. D. G. M., and many others, the order has not only survived and regained its former numbers, but has increased the number of lodges from 11 to 27. About one-half of the lodges own the halls in which they meet, while nearly all the rest rent halls built especially for them. The following members have served as D. D. G. M .: Col. Gordon F. Mason and E. B. Coolbaugh, of No. 137; H. C. Baird, of 165; D. Vandercook, Hon. Wm. Elwell, Gen. H. J. Madill, and A. J. Noble, of No. 167; Frank Smith, of No. 247 ; Hon. O. H. P. Kinney and G. W. Blackman, of No. 446; J. W. Griffin and N. Rockwell, of No. 321 ; P. G. Gridley, of No. 480; L. B. Pierce, of No. 416; Jona- than Buttles, of No. 488; L. M. Hewitt, of No. 503; D. P. Knapp, of No. 687. The labor of G. W. Blackman during the past few years has added much to the real life of the order. There are only two subordinate encampments in the county.
Bradford Encampment, No. 41, was instituted at To- wanda, Aug. 27, 1846, with the following officers : Win. H. Strickland, C. P .; D. C. Salsbury, H. P .; E. W. Morgan, S. W .; G. F. Mason, J. W .; S. H. Stephens, Scribe.
Canton Encampment, No. 184, was instituted June 17, 1860, with the following officers: J. W. Griffin, C. P .;
# By A. T. Lilley.
179
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
M. M. Trout, H. P. ; A. Burt, S. W. ; A. T. Lilley, Scribe; N. S. Denmark, Treas.
Wyalusing Encampment was instituted April 7, 1871, but has been removed to Meshoppen, Wyoming county.
J. W. Griffin, M. M. Trout, E. J. Clauson, and Dr. Cleveland have filled the position of D. D. G. C. P.
The following table gives the names, numbers, etc., of the various lodges in the county. There is much of especial interest to the order that our space in this history precludes.
lowing as its principal officers : Theodore Pierce, V. P .; J. A. McNaught, C. C .; E. L. Manly, V. C .; M. R. Doty, K. of R. S. The lodge meets on Monday evening. It has at present a membership of about 30.
Mountain Cliff Lodge, at Barclay, was instituted by Mr. Clark, April 8, 1873, with the following persons filling its principal chairs, to wit., John Kellock, V. P; F. M. Miner, C. C .; William Johnson, V. C .; John Noble, K. of R. S. Its meetings are held on Wednesday evening of each week.
Name.
No.
Date of Institution.
Date of Roorganization.
First Noble Grand.
First Vice Grand.
First Secretary.
First Treasurer.
Instituted by.
Membership Oct. 1, 1877.
Monroeton ...
137 Feb. 10, 1846 ....
Apr. 25, 1874
D. C. Salalmry
E. W. Morgan
Gordon F. Mason ...
W. Il. Strickland ...
David Blair.
63
Athons
165
March 9, 1846. Nov. 2, 1874.
« .J. B. Ropve
« D. W. Trijq ...
n J. M. Ely.
« J. F. Ovenshire ..
J. B. Nicholson, G. S.
78
Bradford
167 July 1, 1846 ..
Wmn. Elwell,
Stephen Pierre
Charles Reed. ...
O. R. Tyler.
James Gamble.
157
Priam .
247 | Ang. 31, 1847 ...
Frank Smith.
D. W. Havard
W. G. Newbery
C. F. Fitch
Gordon F. Mason
75
Canton ..
3211Oct 21, 1848 ...
Wm. Gosline
Dr. W. S. Baker
A. G. Pickard
J. W. Griffin
IIon. Wm. Elwell
133
Austinville
326 Ang. 21, 1818 ... Dec. 30, 1872
u E. S. Ilulslander.
u G. W. Besley
# H. M. Ferguson ..
a John Morgan.
D. P. Knapp ...
41
Springfield
381 Frb. 28, 1850 ...
++ Sept. 16, 1871. Tho. Smend.
H. W. Root
Dr. Theo. Wilder ..
C. P. Williams.
David Vandercook
86
Le Rays
HA - Oct. 31, 1850 ... July 9, 1875
u Dr. C. S. Dnsenbury
Stephen Gorh un
'L. P. Blackinan
« John Baldwin
J. B. Nicholson, G. S.
55
Valley
446 Nov 15, 1851 ... June 23, 1871
Somers Kinney
« Samnel Griffin.
Horace Kinney
a Elwin Gore ..
Henry C. Baird ..
120
Rome.
480 Sept. 12, 1853 ... Nov. 8, 1872.
« IL. D. Towner
J. 1I. Allen
« W. II. Shaw
D. P. Knapp.
7.5
Asylum.
488 July 21, 1853 ... +Oct. 17, 1862.
HIenry Kinney
D. L. States.
A. J. Stone ...
David Wilson ..
Gen. H. J. Madill.
40
Wyalusing.
503 Ajo. 14, 1854.
Joshına Burrows
lirai Elliott
L. W. Camp.
Hamison Black .....
113
New Albany ...... 682 Dre. 23, 1.H ...
G. W. Burdick
Geu. II. Kendall.
8. D. Steriger
D. W. Harshburger L. M. Hewitt
52
!Granville Centre. 687 Dec. 21, 1860 ....
Robert Innis.
'A. O. Loomis
P. M. Sayles.
Adam Iunis.
J. B. Nicholson, G. S.
91
Aspinwall
781 March 14, 1872.
James R. Brasted.
J. D. Wolf
Geo. II. Knapp.
El. Wright ..
D. P. Knapp
63
Barclay
807 July 12, 187 ....
Chas. Huchinson.
John Ditchburi
L. S. Kelder.
Ed. Wheatley.
107
Le Roy
843 June 24, 1873 ...
A. T. Lilley.
Wm. F. Robinson. M. L. Wooster
J. E. Lilley.
J. B. Nicholson, G S.
58
Silvaraville ..
887 |Nov. 11, 1871 ..
J. J. Culver.
Wm. Christian
E. L. Taylor.
G. W. Blackman
53
Burlington
904 March 26, 1875.
L. M. Rondall
P. P. Burns.
N. W. Lane.
R. R. Phelps.
=
45
Sylvan ...
926 Feb. 1. 1876.
J. II. Calkins.
A. M. Card.
Geo. P. Monroe ....
Peleg Prck
=
57
Northern Tier.
930 March 28, 1876.
Peter Vortendyke ..
Wm. George
Era Crane.
L. Pitt.
Litrlifield.
938 |Jan. 20, 1876 ....
A. P. Wolcott
F. H. Sherman
J. (. Mckinney.
Chas. Campbell .....
Geo. F. Borie, G. M ... G. W. Blackman .....
43
Bentley Creek
943 Oct. 20, 1876 .....
Geo. Miller.
Alvin May ..
E. M. Tuton ...
V. S. Vincent.
43
# Charter granted.
+ Reorganized by O. H. Kinney.
tt Reorganized by J. W. Griffin.
a Officers selected at reorganization.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Towanda Lodge, No. 290 .- This order, which was first introduced to the public as a military organization, taking its origin in the United States army during the late war, is a beneficiary society, having for its object the mutual aid and relief of its members in distress and want. The first lodge of the order in this eounty was instituted in Towanda, in 1871, largely through the instrumentality of H. S. Clark, Esq., formerly a member of Laceyville lodge, by George H. Jones, Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania. There were about thirty charter members, and the lodge at once took rank as among the most worthy and respectable in the borough. The charter bears date April 6, 187I. At its organization the principal officers were H. S. Clark, V. P .; H. J. Madill, C. C .; G. H. Horton, V. C .; A. D. Harding, K. of R. S. The organization has been a very prosperous one, and has now about one hundred members, and meets every Tuesday evening, in the hall in Montanye's block.
On the establishment of the order in the county Mr. Clark was appointed District Deputy G. C., and held the office for two years. The deputies who have succeeded him have been H. J. Madill, O. A. Black, B. F. Crossley, B. Benedict, and J. N. Califf, the present incumbent.
Minnequa Lodge, No. 374 .- Mr. Clark, in connection with James McIntosh, of Philadelphia, an officer of the grand lodge, instituted a lodge at Canton, with the fol-
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY .*
Bradford Grange, No. 39, of Pike township, was the first organization of the order of Patrons of Husbandry in Bradford County. It was organized in 1873. S. W. Buck, of Le Raysville, was the first District Deputy Master in the county. He organized more granges than any other deputy, from the fact that the farmers of Bradford are a reading people, and were, almost with common consent, ready to receive the principles of the institution. Forty- eight subordinate granges soon found themselves in the midst of opposition, much of which was for lack of a per- fect knowledge of the principles and the benefits to be de- rived from the order. In accordance with the spirit of progress, a council for the county was formed at Wyalusing, in 1874. Hon. D. Lilley was elected Master; H. B. Mor- gan, Overseer ; A. T. Lilley, Lecturer, and Hon. P. H. Buck, Sec. Since then the council has given place to the Bradford Pomona grange. So far, the greatest ben- efit that has been derived by the Patrons is of an educa- tional nature. More thorough knowledge of the general principles of mercantile business has been infused into the common mind, and now the tide of research is reaching to improvements that must have a lasting effect upon the whole communities wherein the granges are located. Those who joined the institution from idle curiosity, or from some
# By A. T. Lilley.
74
Clausen
'920 Nov. 23, 1875 ...
G. H. Fitch.
Wm. Kentner.
I. M. Sweet
Wells ..
921 |Dec. 16, 1875 ....
Capt. Albert Judson .. '(. L. Shephard
A. B. Hathaway ...
59
Smithfield.
928 Jan. 15, 1876 ....
E. G. Dnrfey
J. L. Vincent. O. Geronld
White Lily.
808 Sept. 10, 1872 ...
U. Shover.
A. B. Culver
A. B. Porter.
61
66
55
1963
180
IIISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
other equally unstable cause, have naturally fallen away, leaving the staneh, enduring Patrons to carry out the prin- ciples of their own choice, which are not excelled by those of any organization of less than divine origin. Every village and hamlet in the county has felt the beneficial effects of its teachings. The county has been well repre- sented in the State Grange by C. E. Gladding, as Business Agent at Philadelphia ; Ezra Loomis as one of the Executive Committee ; V. S. Landon, E. R. Delong, A. D. Munn, as Deputies; and now by V. E. Piollet, as Master. The Pomona grange has had efficient Masters, such as Hon. B. La Porte and E. R. Delong.
The Patrons of Western Bradford and Eastern Tioga have formed a Grange Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which has a capital of nearly $300,000. The officers are Hon. D. Lilley, president ; B. F. Newbery, secretary, and Ezra Loomis, treasurer. None but Patrons ean be insured in the company. It is believed that grange fairs will add much to the interest and permanency of the order. Last autumn, Open Hand and Rome granges each held fairs that have been pronounced very successful. The order of Patrons of Husbandry is yet in its infancy, but there are no good reasons to suppose its life shall be of less duration than the organizations of any other avocation. The fol- lawing list presents to the reader the name, number, loca- tion, ete., of the granges as first formed.
Name.
No.
Location.
Master.
Secretary.
Bradford
39
Pike ..
S. W. Buck.
(. X. De Wolf.
Wysauking.
Wystx
V E. Piollet ..
E. G. Owen.
Tuscarora
69
Tuscarora
Bela Cogswell. .. IJ. II. Atkins.
Columbia.
83
Columbia ...
C. E. Gladiling .. J. R. Watkins.
05
Rome ..
J. Passmore.
W. IT. Shaw.
99
Orwell.
Cant. I. A. Park. (. C. Stewart.
111
Athens
C'apt. Jno. Griffin; W. P. Murray.
124
Wyalusing ..
J. W. Ingham .... J. 1: Taylor.
137
Wells.
David Carey ...
iJ. E Warner.
Sonth Crock
138
South Creek
E. T. Robbins
.IS. S. Thompson.
Oscalua
142
.North Tuwanda .. E. R. Delong
A. C. Smith.
Sheshequin
14.7
Sheshequin.
Win. Suyder
G. W Kinney.
Open Hand.
153
Le Roy
A. T. Lilley J. N. Holcomb.
Springfield
Spo ingfield :
S. D. Darkness. S. D. Philly s.
Union.
155
West Burlington Ezra Loomis.
A. L. Black well.
Burlington.
160
'Burlington Job Morley. F. J. Morley.
169
W. Chamberlain Cyrus Avery.
Derrick ..
170 Herrick
6. W. Elliott .....
J. L. ('am].
Ulster.
173 .Ulster
S. S. Lockwood ... . W. H. Rockwell.
174
Spring firhl
W'm. A. Bu lock. S. S. Huggins.
Spring IIill
178
Spring Hill
Ferris Ackley .... | A. B. Sumner.
Troy
182
Troy
E. C. Borkwell ...
B. F. Newbery.
Ilighland.
193
| Litebfiehl
Central
194
Sheshegnin ..
Wm. Patterson ...
L. E. Post.
Towanda Valley ..
204
New Albany
205
Albany ..
Ama-a Hoverley F. N. Wilcox.
208
Orwell
J. H. Brown ..
. Wm. A. Side.
Asylum
211
213
Athens.
(1. H. Sible ...
Gov. Rightmire.
Minnegna.
222
Canton
IC. B. Taylor.
S. M. Smith.
Lincoln
237
Ridgberry.
V. S. Vivent ..
Wm. Dickinson.
Towanda Glen
218
| Towanda
Daniel Decker ...
E. N. Decker.
Mercur ...
945
Standing Stone ... G. A. Stephens ...
Wist Granville ..
257
West Granville ...
V. S. Landon
J. W. Merritt.
Iuna
272
Franklin .
Sterne Mckee ..
E J Robinson.
West Warren
298
Warren
J. S. Rodgers .....
J. S. Dickenson.
Granville Centre ...
309
Granville ..
V. Saxton.
S. A. Rockwell.
Beech Flatts.
33G
Cantal
J. R Wright ..
F. W. Hickok.
Standing Stone .....
354
Standing Stone.
Myron Kingsley. Ella Kingsley.
Wilmot
512
Wilmait
Martin Sax ...
M. B. Ryder.
Wells
Wells
N. II. Ingrisoll ..
S. B. Sergeant.
Pillet .
55.4
Rome
James L. Parker | F. A. Bradley.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The objects to be accomplished by this organization are as follows : 1. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion, and
to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead. 2. To assist such former comrades as need help and protection, and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen. 3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America, based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to the national constitution and laws; to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason, or rebellion, or in any man- ner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our free in- stitutions ; and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, equal rights, and justice to all men.
The first organization of this order was at Towanda, June 17, 1867. H. A. Frink, Commander. The post was kept up until 1869, when it was disbanded. The post was reorganized Jan. 1, 1874, and now numbers among its mem- bers some of the best men of the town. The number of the post is 68.
Post No. 115 was organized at Stevensville, July 11, 1868, and disbanded the same year.
Post No. 119 was organized at Troy, in 1868, and was disbanded in 1869. This post was reorganized at Bur- lington.
Post No. 124 organized at East Smithfield, April 25, 1868, and disbanded some time afterwards. Reorganized Aug. 8, 1873.
Post. No. 202 organized Feb. 1, 1870, at Athens.
Post No. 154 organized at Le Raysville, Sept. 5, 1868, and disbanded in 1869. Reorganized as No. 33, Aug. 9, 1876.
Post No. 227, at Ulster, organized Nov. 7, 1873.
Post No. 72, at New Albany, organized June 26, 1877.
Post No. 69, at Rome, organized Aug. 22, 1877.
Post No. 74, at Wyalusing, organized Sept. 13, 1877. Post No. 91, at Canton, organized Nov. 16, 1877.
Post No. 86, at Herrickville, organized Dec. 20, 1877.
Those who have organized posts, and have been instru- mental in extending the usefulness of this order, are Charles T. Hull, H. A. Frink, J. Andrew Wilt, M. E. Warner, C. G. Rockwell, and James H. Wilson.
Potterville.
181
Orwell
A. G. Matthews .. Ira W. Corlain.
Wajquasening
Windham
Geo. Moscrip ......
R. W. Darling.
A. D. Munn ......
A. J. Layton.
Towanda
200
Towanda
Il. L. Scott
James M. Piatt.
Smith field
Smithfield
A O. Tracy.
E. P. Tracy.
Munroc.
231
Montar.
I. B. M. Dinman W. A. Park.
11. (. Stephens.
287
Terry
Maj. U. Terry.
J. H. Schoonover
North Orwell.
West Franklin.
Ogden Varney ... T. J. Smiley.
Asylum
Hon. B. La Porte Dwight Kellnm.
Washington ..
There are ten posts in the county (February, 1878) in good working order. Through the instrumentality of the G. A. R., an encampment and reunion of the soldiers was held on the fair-grounds in the fall of 1877. Many needy comrades and soldier orphans and widows have been helped by this organization.
KNIGIITS OF HIONOR.
This order originated in Louisville, Ky., in June, 1873, and has for its objects (1) to unite fraternally all acceptable men of every profession, business, or occupation; (2) to give moral and material aid to its members by holding moral, seientific, and instructive lectures, encouraging each other in business, and assisting one another in obtaining employment ; (3) to establish a benefit fund from which a sum not to exceed $2000 shall be paid at the death of each member to his family, as he may direct; (4) to estab- lish a fund for the relief of sick or distressed members. There is at present but one lodge of the order in the county, and that is
Crystal Lodge, No. 57, at Towanda, was organized Jan.
South Hill
D. B. Manger.
Wyalusing
Aspinwall.
1.54
Ondawa.
Wyalu-ing.
181
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
14, 1875, by Supreme Dictator D. Wilson, of Boston. It has a membership now of forty-two, and meets every Monday evening in the hall of the Knights of Pythias, in Montanye's block, corner of Main and Court streets. The principal officers of the lodge are C. C. Mower, Dictator ; O. A. Black, Vice-Dictator; C. M. Myer, Assistant Die- tator, and J. R. Kittridge, reporter. The medical examiner is S. M. Woodburn, M.D. This is the only lodge in the county.
KNIGIITS OF ST. CRISPIN.
Towanda Lodge, No. 370, was chartered in 1871, and meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in its hall in Patton's block, corner of Maine aml Bridge streets.
PATRIOTIC ORDER OF SONS OF AMERICA.
Washington Camp, No. 190, was chartered in 1873, and meets at their hall over Frost's store, on Main street, Towanda.
SAINT PATRICK'S BENEFICIAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1870, and meets in the basement story of the Catholic church, on the first Sunday of each month. Its object is to afford relief to suffering Catholics.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LEARNED PROFESSIONS-LAW-ASSOCIATION OF MAGISTRATES-JUDGE LYNCH-BAR OF BRADFORD -MEDICAL SOCIETY-HOMEOPATHY.
THE LAW.
ASSOCIATED MAGISTRATES OF NORTHERN LUZERNE.
As a fitting introduction to this chapter, an account of an association of the justices of the peace in the northern part of old Luzerne county is here given. A preliminary meeting was held at the house of Jonathan Stevens, Esq., in Wyalusing, Feb. 8, 1810, " for the purpose of forming a society and fixing on certain precedents to govern said so- ciety." There were present ten justices, representing every district in that part of this county which was embraced in Luzerne. Henry V. Champin was chosen president, and George Scott secretary. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and rnles to govern the society. Among the resolutions passed at this meeting was one in which they declare " that we will use our best endeavors to sup- press all pettifogging whereby it appears they do it with an intention to stir up and encourage litigation ;" and another, " that we will for the future use our best endeavors in our official capacity to suppress vice and immorality." The association also gave its opinion on several legal questions affecting the practice of justices' courts.
The second meeting was held at the same place June 12, 1810, at which eight justices were present. At this meet- ing a constitution was adopted, which provided that the name of the society should be the " Associated Magistrates resident in the north part of Luzerne County ;" that three
stated meetings of the association should be held each year ; that every member of the society shall take every necessary precaution to suppress lawsuits and to bring about recon- ciliation between contending parties; in all ordinary cases to notify persons complained of for the non-payment of debts previous to any compulsory measures being taken, when it will not make an unnecessary delay of payment, or endanger the plaintiff of losing his money ; to be vigilant and watchful over themselves and others ; to admonish and reprove immoral characters of every description, and by all proper means to suppress all vice and immorality at all times and places ; and to discountenance pettifoggers of every description. Each member of the association was re- quired to present at least one law question for discussion at each meeting, which was to be decided by a vote of ayes and noes to be recorded by the secretary.
Oct. 2, 1810, a third meeting of the association was held at the house of Jacob Myer, in Wysox. Eliphalet Mason was admitted a member, but Charles Brown was rejected because " of his not residing within the township for which he was commissioned."
This is the last meeting of the association of which the records have been preserved. At the next meeting of the legislature the county of Bradford was erected, and it was certain that courts would be established in a short time which would supersede the association ; but this record is valuable as indicating the state of society at this period and the character of the magistrates who dispensed justice to the people.
The 11th judicial district was composed of the counties of Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne. John Ban- ister Gibson was the first president judge, and his task was an arduous one, as his district extended along nearly one- half the entire length of the State. He was promoted to the bench of the supreme court. He was succeeded by Thomas Burnside, who soon resigned, and Edward Herrick took his place in 1818.
FIRST COURT AND BAR.
The first court for the county was held January, 1813, at the tavern-house of William Means, in the lower part of Towanda, which was for many years known as the old red tavern, and I think* Simon Kinney, Ethan Baldwin, and Alphonso C. Stuart were the only resident attor- neys in the county. Edward Herrick was admitted at a subsequent term the same year. The end of Stuart was a tragic one. About 1817 he removed to Belleville, Ill., where, for some reason, one Bennett proposed to him to fight a sham duel. The guns were loaded by individuals who put no balls in either weapon, but before reaching the ground selected for the duel to take place Bennett stepped to one side and put a ball into his rifle, and Stuart fell, mortally wounded. Bennett made his escape, but was apprehended about a year after, tried, convicted, and executed.
The court-house was first occupied at May term, 1815; the room for holding courts, together with the offices of the prothonotary and the county commissioners, being on the same floor, but separated from each other by partitions.
# Judge Bullock.
182
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
FAIR PLAY.
" And there was no magistrate in the land to put them to shame in anything "
The above quotation from Scripture was very appropriate to the inhabitants of northern Pennsylvania at its early settlement. They were remote from the place of holding courts, and the force and operation of laws was scareely felt among them. Yet they had codes and courts of their own in each neighborhood, to which all had to submit, and where justice was administered without " sale, denial, or delay." We give one instance of a proceeding of this kind, which was had in the township of Ulster.
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