History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 76

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The first permanent church was organized in 1818, by a council called from the churches of the Baptist denomina- tion. It was called the " Church of Christ," and R. R. Rodgers and Samuel Rockwell were chosen elders. The same congregation worship at present in the same house built for them.

SOCIAL.

The first child born in the place was Dr. Wilson's youngest sister, the wife of Chester Williams, of Alba.

She saw the light of day first July 17, 1804. During the same year, Patty Luther, a child about two years old, died, and her mother also, Cynthia Luther. Three deaths estab- lished the Alba cemetery, which has now become a city of the dead numbering near 300 sleepers, but filled mostly by the surrounding country.

The first marriages occurred in 1807, and were as fol- lows: Robert Mckean and Martha Wilson, and David Soper and Polly Luther, the interesting ceremony being performed by Nathaniel Allen, Esq., a justice of the peace of Lycoming county, now East Troy, Bradford County. The brides were of Alba, Luzerne county, and the grooms of Burlington, Lycoming county, now both in Bradford County. Esquire Allen could not, as he supposed, perform the marriage service out of his own county, therefore the wedding-party got into sleighs and drove across the line between Alba and Troy, and there, standing up in the sleigh, under the canopy of the leafless branches of the trees, amid the snow of winter, the two pairs of young pio- neers were joined together, for better or worse, through life.

Noah Wilson was one of the first justices of the peace of Bradford County, being appointed, by Governor Simon Snyder, for life or during good behavior. He continued to act until the amended constitution of 1838 made the office elective.

PIONEER FASHIONS.

The earliest habits and customs of the pioneers con- formed as nearly to the principle of a commonalty as was practicable. If the meal-time or night found one neighbor at the house of another, he was made welcome to the best the house afforded, be it little or much, and no bill was to pay on his departure. The men cut down the forest and cleared and tilled the land, and the women did the spinning and weaving for the clothing of the household. The boys caught trout and hunted cows, and the girls helped their mothers and taught the schools of the day. The fashions were plain : men wore buckskin pantaloons, and the ladies sometimes wore buckskin skirts and jackets. Dr. Wilson says,-

"It was a common practice for men, women, and children to go to church barefooted, and the boys bare- headed. As the settlement increased, the fashions changed, the ladies beginning to wear shoes to church. But they would carry them in their hands until near the house of worship (generally a private one), and then stop, clothe the feet with woolen stockings and cowhide shoes, and adjust the other apparel, which was composed of tow-linen cloth dresses of their own manufacturing."

A BEAR HUNT.

Dr. Wilson tells a story of a bear hunt himself and an older brother had. They found Bruin when they least ex- pected him, and had no " deadly" weapon with them to dispatch him; but, nevertheless, they supplemented the want of such a weapon by a furious charge, with a tremendous yelling and a shower of stones. The bear sought safety in climbing a tree; but here he was not safe from the shower of stones that saluted him from the eager boys (one eight years and the other twelve years old), and he began to de- scend, the end which went up last coming down first. As

FRONT VIEW OF HOUSE.

Ichabod Sellard

THE OLD SELLARD HOMESTEAD, PR

PHOTO BY B.L.WRIGHT.

SELLARD FAMILY BURYING GROUND.

Pehabod Della

YT RESIDENCE OF MRS. ICHABOD SELLARD.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

he descended to the ground he was met by a severe attack of clubs in the hands of the boys, who, being two to one, were able to reinforce one another, and Bruin commenced to retreat, but he was so pressed for about forty rods, a flank movement, executed in good time by the older of the two young woodsmen, compelled him to take to another tree. Then a council of war was held, and the intrenchments ordered to be carried by assault as soon as the proper ord- nance could be brought up. The younger general of the council assumed the part of the well-trained dog, and barked up the tree to distract the attention of the foe, while the senior general reported to headquarters-the house-for a supply of heavy guns and ammunition. On his way he met a young Vermonter, just arrived out, who received the orders of the commander-in-chief of the expedition, and brought up the rifle, and, upon seeing the game, at once proposed negotiations whereby he, the reinforcement, might be allowed to carry off the honors of the campaign by shoot- ing the enemy, offering the sum of fifty cents as an equiva- lent. To this base proposition the now nearly triumphant forces refused stoutly to yield, being determined to take that bear themselves. The older of the boys was deployed in charge of the ordnance, and hy. a skillful shot laid Bruin hors du combat.

MINNEQUA.

For many years it had been known that a spring in the low ground on the line of the Northern Central railroad, and about two miles above Canton village, possessed peculiar medicinal virtues, and there are traditions that the spring was known and resorted to by the natives of the forest, who often resorted to it for the benefit received from its healing waters.' Peter Herdic, Esq., of Williamsport, whose health had been restored by the water, conceived the idea of establishing a watering-place on the spot, which should be a place of rest and quiet retreat for persons wearied with pressure and labor of business, and who at the same time might be benefited by the medicinal qualities of the water. Accordingly, suitable buildings were erected, which were opened for the reception of guests. The place has rapidly increased in popularity as a watering-place, so that although the accommodations have every year been enlarged and im- proved, yet every season they have been filled to their utmost capacity, and every summer may be found there names familiar in the circles of business, of literature, and the professions.

GROVER

is a village in the southwest part of the township, on the Northern Central railroad, which has grown up around the tannery of Mr. Innis, whose biography is given in another place.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CAPTAIN C. S. SELLARD.

The subject of this sketeh was born in the town of Lyme, New London Co., Conn., Feb. 28, 1803. His parents, Stephen and Polly Sellard, emigrated to Luzerne Co., Pa., when he was but ten months old. Reared under the plain,

invigorating influence of frontier life, coupled with the pious teachings of his parents, he grew up a model young man, blessed with a strong mind united to a powerful body. His school advantages were quite limited, owing to the new- ness of the country. He, however, made excellent use of the educational opportunities afforded him. He lived with his parents until he was twenty years of age. He then, with characteristic energy and perseverance, began to earn the means of his own support. At the age of twenty-five, by means of his industry and economy, he had amassed a sum sufficient to purchase a farm upon which the present village of Canton is built.

He was married, Jan. 10, 1828, to Miss Rosina, a daugh- ter of Augustus Loomis, who emigrated from Harrington, Coun., to this county, and located upon the farm now owned and occupied by Captain Sellard. Mrs. Sellard was the sixth of eight children, all of whom except the two oldest, Eleazer and John, are still living. Mrs. Sellard is now in her sixty-ninth year. They have had born to them twelve children, only four of whom, viz., Lewis, Emeline, Au- gusta, and James, are now living. Lewis was born Oct. 22, 1840 ; was married to Elizabeth Kilburn, of Italy, Yates Co., N. Y. He enlisted in the United States army July 25, 1862, and was discharged May 24, 1863. Augusta was married to Henry Palmer, who served with credit dur- ing the late Rebellion, and died Nov. 10, 1871. Emeline was married to Walter Leavitt, June 15, 1853. James is unmarried, and is living at home with his parents.

Captain Sellard is at present owner of a splendid farm of two hundred and fifty acres, most of which is under a good state of cultivation. A double-page illustration of his farm, residence, etc., can be seen by referring to another page of this work. He was appointed in 1830 captain of a Penn- sylvania militia company. For this position he was partie- ularly fitted, possessing a finer physique and bearing than is often seen. He has filled numerous town offices with ability and credit. He is a member of the Republican party, and has remained, ever since his joining the party, true to its principles. He is, at his advanced age, in robust health, and will doubtless live long to enjoy the handsome property he has accumulated.

ICHABOD SELLARD.

The subject of this sketch was born in Canton, Bradford Co., March 24, 1821. He was the youngest son of Stephen and Polly Sellard. He received a liberal education, and would have probably made an able professional man if his tastes had been in that direction ; but no indueements could change him from his purpose to make farming his occupa- tion. He purchased a farm of seventy aeres, near Canton. He then married Miss Harriet A. King, in 1845, the youngest daughter of John and Sophia King, of Tioga Co., Pa. Her parents were early settlers in Sullivan township of that county. Her grandfather, Simon King, was ac- tively engaged in the Revolutionary war. Her father was a prominent man in Sullivan. Mr. Sellard, after his mar- riage, by subsequent purchases, increased his farm till it consisted of over three hundred acres. Although actively

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

engaged in business transactions, he never had a lawsuit, which is signifieant of manly Christian qualities which few have the happiness to possess. He was among the foremost in inducing the railway company to place the switch and depot platform at Grover, giving the land for the sake of having it there. He was an active business man, highly esteemed by all with whom he had any dealing. He died suddenly, of heart disease, Oct. 21, 1877, aged fifty-six years.

Mrs. Sellard resides upon the old homestead with her two youngest daughters. Her son and eldest daughter occupy other portions of the farm. A fine illustration of her place can be seen by referring to another page of this work.

SAMUEL STRAIT.

The subject of this sketch was born in South Creek township, Bradford Co., Pa., July 18, 1816. His parents, Samnel and Rachel (Purdy) Strait, emigrated from Ver- mont to Troy (which was then Columbia) in 1812. They had a family of five children, of whom Samuel was the only son. He received as good an education as the district schools of those days afforded, and lived with his parents, working on the farm, till he was twenty-two years of age, when he purchased ninety-six acres of land in the town of Troy, for which he paid $500, his father assisting him in paying for it. He has made many subsequent additions to this purchase. In 1864 he removed from Troy to Canton, and purchased the Minnequa farm, and removed to Canton village in the autumn of 1871. He established the first bank in that village in May of the same year, and sold out his interest in June, 1876, to Doan & Son. He then en- gaged in the coal and milling business, and erected a fine grist-mill about twenty rods south of the Northern Central depot.

He was united in marriage, at the age of twenty-seven, to Miss Laura M. Clark, a daughter of Josephns Clark, of Rutland township, Tioga Co., Pa. The results of this union were the birth of three children, viz., Dida C., Samnel J., and Julia H., two of whom, Dida C. and Samuel J., are still living. Samuel J. is engaged in the milling business with his father. Mr. Strait is one of the best and most es- teemed business men in Canton, and is a Republican in politics. Although not a member of any church, yet lie is very liberal in his contributions to school and church in- terests.

S. A. TAYLOR.

The subject of this sketch was born in Troy, Bradford Co., Nov. 7, 1821. He is a son of Allen and Olive II. Taylor. He married, Nov. 5, 1846, Miss Samantha E. Rockwell. By his industry and perseverance he has become owner of a beautiful farm of four hundred and eighty-five aeres, nearly all of which is under a good state of cultiva- tion. His farm is particularly noticeable for its fine build- ings, fences, ornamental trees, etc., a cut of which can be seen on another page of this work. He has four children : Georgina A , Olive E., Sophia R., and Edith F., who are still living. In his domestic relations he is a kind and

loving father and affectionate husband. Although he is not a member of any church, yet he has always liberally contributed of his means to secular interests. He is con- nected with one of the oldest and best families in the county. His father is still living, at the advanced age of eighty years.

WILLIAM LAWRENCE

was born in Augusta township, Northumberland Co., Pa., May 28, 1805, and is the third child and second son of a family of six children. His parents, John and Mary (Mor- rison) Lawrence, were respectively of English and Scotch deseent. He was married March 1, 1824, to Eliza, daughter of Horatio Ladd, one of the earliest settlers of Albany, Bradford County, and in December, 1825, built a log house in Cherry, Sullivan county, on land belonging to Gen. Cad- wallader, of Philadelphia. At the end of five years he rc- ceived a deed for forty-eight acres of land, which he in- creased by subsequent additions to one hundred and twenty acres. He was one of the first school directors of Cherry under the present common-school law, and held the office of school treasurer six years after his term of school di- rector expired. In the spring of 1847 his wife died, leaving four children, two of whom, viz., John H., ex-sheriff of Sullivan county, and Celinda A. Wilcox, of Albany, Brad- ford County, are living. Mr. Lawrence, in 1847, was elected on the Democratic ticket one of the county commissioners for Sullivan county. He married for his second wife Mrs. Ann Gage, of Canton, Bradford County, daughter of Thomas and Betsey Manley. The fruit of this marriage was two children. He removed to Canton in 1854, and soon after bought his father-in-law's farm, where he now resides.

Since his residence in Canton he has held the office of road commissioner for two terms, giving general satisfaction. He united with the Presbyterian church at East Canton in 1858, of which he has been an active and prominent member to the present time, having been a ruling elder for thirteen years. Formerly a Demoerat, he became a member of the Republican party at its formation, and has been an active and earnest supporter of its principles. His life has been marked with a strict observance and practice of tem- perate and industrious habits, which have been instrumental in making him enjoy good health at the ripe old age of seventy-three years. His son, William T., is living with him, and has charge of the farm. He was born in Feb- ruary, 1854, and was married in 1874, to Miss Julia A. Spaulding, daughter of A. D. Spaulding, of Canton.

WILLIAM H. BATES.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Ira, Rutland Co., Vt., Jan. 18, 1821, and is the eldest son of John and Phoebe [nee Davis] Bates, who emigrated to Catherine, N. Y., near the head of Seneca lake, when Mr. Bates was one year old, and eight years after moved to Canton, Bradford Co., Pa., and located on a small farm near the eastern limits of the township. His father, who was a millwright by trade, died at the age of seventy-four years ; his mother at the age of seventy-two

PHOTO BY B L WRIGHT.

DamitFreut-

S.S. Strait

DECEASED.

ED.

FLOUR FEE

PLASTER

STRAIT & SON. 1876

N. C.

R. W.

COAL YARD AND MILL PROPERTY OF S. S. STRAIT & SON, CANTON, BRADFORD CO., PA.

PHOTO, BY B.L.WRIGHY.

CAPT.C. S. SELLARD.

RESIDENCE & FARM OF CAPT C.S. SELLAF

PKOTO. BY B.L WRIGHT

MRS.C.S.SELLARD.

ELLAR., CANTON, BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Gro. W. Griffin

MRS. GEO. W. GRIFFIN.

PHOTOS. BY B . L. WRIGHT

FARM RESIDENCE OF GEO. W. GRIFFIN, CANTON, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA .

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

years. Mr. Bates, at the age of twenty, Nov. 18, 1868, was married to Miss Vesta Bailey, a daughter of Julius Bailey, of Granville. He purchased immediately a small farm of thirty acres of John H. Ayres, whose confidence in him was so great that he trusted him to the entire amount. He took a contract for chopping ten acres of fal- low of Nelson Reynolds, the proceeds of which he paid to Mr. Ayres. He sold his thirty-acre farm, and bought fifty acres where he now resides. He has, by subsequent pur- chases, increased it to one hundred and thirty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have had seven children, of whom John P., Luman A., Hymen W., and Emmet W. Bates are still liv- ing. Mr. Bates is a Republican of the liberal school. He believes in putting the best men in office, whether belong- ing to the Democratic or Republican party. He is strictly temperate in all his habits, and upright in all of his deal- ings with men. He has been a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Canton for twenty years, striving in every way to improve the moral tone of the com- munity in which he resides.

THOMAS WILLIAMS.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Washington, Mass., Feb. 15, 1809. He is a son of Thomas and Rebecca Williams. In the year 1819 his parents emi-

THOMAS WILLIAMS.

grated to this county. They were subject to all the priva- tions of frontier life, but by remarkable energy they soon had a beautiful little home. " And, lo ! the desert smiled." Of course the limited educational advantages of those days debarred young Thomas from obtaining such an education as he wished, but he nevertheless succeeded, by self-im- provement, in obtaining a good common-school education. His character grew up and developed under the genial in- fluences of pious teachings, and the strong, chaste hand of frontier life. He lived with his parents till twenty-two years

of age, working partly for his father and partly for neigh- bors. Oct. 21, 1830, he married Amy Bagley. By her he had one son, who lived to the age of twenty-nine. His first purchase of land was in 1829, consisting of fifty- five acres, nine acres of which he had cleared and paid for with his own hands at the time of his marriage.

This purchase was situated about one mile south of his present residence, on what was then known as the American Bank land, for which he paid three dollars per acre. Mr. Williams has from time to time added to this purchase. He has cleared more land than any other man in Bradford County. He married for his second wife Miss Susan An- drus, Jan. 8, 1835. The fruit of this happy union was the birth of four children, viz., Amy, George, Lydia, and Horace, only two of whom-George and Horacc-are now living. He has been a life-long, consistent Democrat, is an earnest friend of education, and has closely identified him- self with the spirit of modern progress. Mr. Williams has been a first-class hunter; his early life is filled with inei- dents of hair-breadth escapes from wild animals which in- fested the forests. He is at present a hale, hearty man of sixty-nine years of age, and will probably live for many years to come to enjoy the blessings of a well-spent life.

GEORGE W. GRIFFIN

was born in Canton, Pa., Oct. 3, 1820. His father, Samuel Griffin, was a native of the State of Connecticut, but of Welsh descent. He came to this county and located on a piece of land on Sugar creek, near West Burlington, in 1798. The following year he returned to Connectient, and removed his family to Canton, taking up a tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres, situated about one mile east of the present village of Canton. It embraces the farm now owned by George Goff, together with lands lying east and south of it. Mr. Griffin was a prominent man among the first settlers in this locality. In 1803 he received from Gov. Thomas M'Kean a commission ap- pointing him lieutenant of militia, and in 1805 a second commission from the same source conferred upon him the rank of captain. He served his country with credit to himself in the War of 1812. He was the father of eleven children (six boys and five girls), ten of whom lived to be over fifty years of age.

George W. Griffin, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of this family. His boyhood days, up to the age of nineteen, were spent on the homestead farm, where he had plenty of hard work, and but little opportunity to obtain an education. But possessing much natural strength and vigor of mind, as well as physical strength, he was not slow to avail himself of the means within his reach to obtain a practical knowledge of men and things which should fit him for the after-duties of life. When about nineteen years of age, he left the farm to learn the trade of a blacksmith at the village shop near by. Soon after the close of his apprenticeship he engaged as partner with an older brother in the shop where he learned his trade, and for years after worked very hard and gave close attention to business.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

July 11, 1844, he married Miss Mary Owen, daughter of Thomas Owen, a lady highly esteemed, and who has proved a worthy companion. Early in life Mr. Griffin united with the " Church of Christ" in Canton, and has ever since continued a faithful and honored member. He as- sisted in organizing the first Union Sunday-school in Canton, and has been for thirty years an active laborer in the work, most of the time officiating as superintendent. The tem- perance cause has ever had in Mr. Griffin one of its most faithful supporters and uncompromising advocates, he having been connected with all the temperance organiza- tions which have existed in Canton since 1840. He has always manifested a deep interest in the public schools; which is shown by the fact that in the township and borough of Canton he has served as school director for nearly thirty years. In 1849 he was elected justice of the peace, and discharged the duties of that office during the term for

which he was elected in such a manner as to merit and secure to him the approbation of the public. He was offered, but declined, a re-election.

A few years since, his health having become somewhat impaired by reason of the hard work incident to his trade, he removed with his family to the fine farm which he had purchased, on the southern border of Canton borough, and has ever since devoted his attention mainly to farming. Modest, and often manifesting extreme diffidence when called ont before a public audience, Mr. Griffin may be said to lack some of those qualifications which would be necessary in order to make him a successful public speaker, yet among those who have been intimately connected with the material, moral, and religious interests of Canton, few persons have made a record which entitles them to a more honorable position or to a greater degree of public confi- dence and esteem.

COLUMBIA.

THE geographical position of the township of Columbia is between the townships of Wells and South Creek on the north, Springfield on the east, Troy and Armenia on the south, and Tioga county on the west.

The township is watered by the various branches and confluents of the Sugar creek, as well as by the main creek, for a short distance; the principal streams besides the latter being Mill, Wolf, South, and Spring creeks.

The surface along the Northern Central railroad, which passes north through the extreme eastern portion of the town- ship, is mountainous, and is somewhat so in the southwestern corner of the township. Its general surface corresponds to that of the towns in its immediate vicinity, being high and broken, but the town possesses a fruitful soil, and is well adapted for grazing and dairying.

SETTLEMENT.

Judge Darius Bullock, in the Athens Gleaner of June 29, 1871, gives the following facts concerning the early settlement of Columbia.

John and Nathaniel Ballard, twin brothers and sons of Joseph Ballard, from Framingham, Massachusetts, made the first clearing in the township in 1795, by chopping four acres on the farm in Sylvania borough now owned by James Nash, but soon after sold their interest in the improvement so made for " five dollars and a hog." In 1798,* Nathaniel Morgan emigrated from Connectieut, and located at what is known now as Austinville, and began a clearing on the farm now owned by his grandson, John Morgan. He had pre- viously bought the Connecticut title to 17,000 acres of land

extending eastward through " Cabot Hollow,"t and into the present township of Springfield, the title to which, like other Connecticut titles, proved worthless. He raised a few

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 812

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812