History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 79

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 79

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In 1826, through the influence of Gen. Samuel Mckean, then a member of congress from this district, a mail-route was established through the settlement, from East Burlington to Alba, with weekly mail carried on horseback. The next year a post-office was established in the settlement and known as the "North Branch" post-office. In 1831, when the town of Granville was organized, against a spirited opposi- tion, the name of the office was changed to Granville.

About 1849, the first public-house for, the entertainment of travelers and others was opened by Levi Taylor, and about the same time B. F. and L. D. Taylor opened the first store in the township.

In 1852, the Williamsport and Elmira railroad was opened through the northeast corner of the township, and the " Summit" depot established, taking its name from the fact that its site is the highest point on the road. Here, too, a post-office was soon established by the same name. About this time, Albert and Wilson Nichols came in from the State of New York, and purchased a quantity of timber land, and erected a large steam saw-mill, and with others manufactured a large amount of lumber. In 1857 a large tannery was built at the centre. In 1859, C. G. E. Martin succeeded to the proprietorship of the tannery, and operated it until his death, Nov. 14, 1862, and the present owner, Adams Innis, bought it in 1865, and has made extensive improvements thereon.

In April, 1865, the post-office was re-established at Gran- ville Centre, with a daily mail from the Summit, and called the Granville Centre post-office.

THE PRESENT.

Old homes are giving way to the new ; new school-houses are erected in more convenient locations, and more conform- able to modern advanced requirements of education ; mills are constructed on more economical principles, for more ex- peditious and better work, with the best and latest improve- ments. The old is rapidly passing away, and the new, with all its progressive ideas, is entering in and taking possession of the business places in every department. The "hay- loader" is an invention of Luman D. Taylor, of Granville Centre, and manufactured there, and is a useful improve- ment over the old method of pitchforks. E. F. Larcom is a cooper, whose work is much sought after by the butter- makers. P. S. Bailey, boot and shoe maker, David Sayles, harness-maker; N. Sayles, wagon-maker; Henry Arnold, blacksmith ; E. Roby, millwright ; J. P. Bush, joiner ; and Adam Innis, are all excellent mechanics of the present day in the town.

In 1856, through the liberality of different individuals, a commodious and convenient house of worship was erected in Granville Centre, and the same year a bell was placed in the tower and the edifice dedicated as a " Christian" church, Since then two other churches have been built in the western part of the township, one for the Disciples church, and the other for the Free-Will Baptists. The detailed history of the churches of the township will be found elsewhere in the general history of the county.

MRS. HELEN INNES.

PROPERTY OF ADAM INNES,

ADAM INNES.

CENTRE, BRADFORD Co.,PA.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

In 1852, a division of the Sons of Temperance was or- ganized in Granville. In June, 1854, a lodge of Good Templars was organized, which continued its meetings several years. Through the influence of these organizations, the liquor traffic was closed, and has so continued. Scoville Bailey had the only distillery ever built in the township, but it disappeared a great many years ago.

THE FASHIONS

of the pioneers, though not elaborate, were nevertheless somewhat difficult to follow in the way of clothing, for in the entire absence of wool and flax they were necessarily chiefly confined to the article furnished by nature to primi- tive man in all countries, the skins of wild beasts. These, however, were more or less elaborately manufactured, and adorned according to the taste and skill of the artist who manipulated the raw material. Buckskin breeches, jackets, and coats took on a buff color, and under skillful working became soft and pliable. Raccoons, foxes, minks, and such small fur-bearing animals furnished hats and caps of no mean quality.

Amusements were no rarity, though often sought and participated in under difficulties of no little moment. The young gallants took their " faire ladyes" to their rustic dances and sports on horseback behind them on the same horse, and occasionally " Dobbin" carried a triple burden. The " party" gathered its constituents from a wide extent of territory.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ADAMS INNIS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Musselburg, Seot- land, April 10, 1820. He was a son of Robert and Murion

( Kirkwood) Innis, and the fifth child in a family of seven, none of whom except himself are now living. He learned the tanning trade, serving an apprenticeship of five years, and working at the trade eight more, when he removed with his father to Ulster Co., N. Y. Upon his arrival he at once took charge of A. I. Schultz's tannery. He had the management of the business for seven years, when he purchased an interest in it, remaining ten years longer. In 1865 he sold out and went to Granville, Bradford Co., Pa., where he purchased the tannery of Mrs. C. J. Martin. He has more than doubled the business by judicious manage- ment, besides building his present residence, his son's resi- denee, and many out-buildings. His tannery is at present in successful operation. He owns also a tannery at Grover, besides an interest in the Troy tannery, with Mr. B. Bowen.

He was married Oct. 4, 1844, to Ellen McNiel, a daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary MeNiel, of Linlithgow, Scotland, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots

His family consists of five sons and three daughters, viz. : Robert, born July 27, 1845, in Scotland ( married Betsey H. Sayles, daughter of John Sayles, of Granville Centre) ; David, born in Scotland, Feb. 28, 1848; Mary C., born in Ulster county, May 15, 1850 ; Olivia A., born June 1, 1853, in Ulster county ; John A., born July 20, 1855; Colin A., born in Ulster county, May 27, 1858; Helen J., born July 8, 1860; and Judson K., born Dec. 25, 1862.

Robert, in the spring of 1875, began the tannery busi- ness for himself in Bodinesville, Lycoming Co. David represents the tannery at Grover.

In politics, Mr. Innis is a Republican, and has always possessed considerable influence at the polls. He joined the Congregational church in Scotland, but united with the Dutch Reformed church upon his arrival in America.

HERRICK.

GEOGRAPHICALLY, the township of Herrick is situated between the townships of Orwell, on the north ; Pike, on the east ; Wyalusing, on the south ; and Standing Stone, on the west.

It was organized in December, 1837, and named in honor of Hon. Edward Herrick, then president judge of the court of common pleas of Bradford County. The sur- face is a high table-land, which is the source of the head- waters of the Wyalusing branches, the Wysox, and the Rummerfield creeks. The township is well adapted for grazing and dairying, which form the principal occupation of its inhabitants. The area includes territory about five miles square. In 1840 the township contained 632 inhabi- tants ; in 1850, 813; in 1860, 1050; and in 1870, 1009. It has nine schools, two stores, one hotel, two post-offices,

three churches,-one Presbyterian and one Methodist, and one Wesleyan,-and the Baptist society are now engaged in erecting another.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settlers in the town came there previous to the year 1813. Among them were Zophar Platt and his son Nathaniel, who came from Connecticut. They settled in what is now known as East Herrick, on what is now the farm of H. H. Smith, whose new barn stands very near where the old log house stood. Nathaniel did not locate for himself until the year after he came in. He married Mabel Hitchcock, and lived near his father. The elder Platt lived to advanced years, and died on the old home- stead. Nathaniel had three sons,-Charles, who was for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits, and subsequently re-

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tired and bought the old homestead, and died thereon, Nathaniel, who yet lives in Herrick, and Jarvis, who moved west. Nathaniel, the father of these three last-named persons, was accidentally killed at a general training at Orwell, about 1831. Ephraim Platt was also a son of Zophar, and is now dead.

Another of the first settlers was Fredus Reed, who, with his wife, a daughter of Asa Matson, came in from Simms- bury, Conn., and took up the farm now owned by Henry Phelps. He was a dish-turner by trade, and was induced to come to Herrick by the fine timber growing here, which included hemlock, cucumber, and maple. His turning- lathe stood on a little creek below. He came in during the year 1811.

Asa Matson, father of Mrs. Reed, came to Herrick with his family in 1813, from the same place in Connecticut. A daughter of Mr. Matson, Mrs. Phelps, is yet living in the township. She was a tailoress, and found ample em- ployment in the making of garments for both sexes.

A Mr. Townsend settled in the hollow east of Herrick- ville in 1816, but soon left the country. His was the third house in the town, and was situated on the present farm of Silas Titus. In the same year Mr. Haywood settled near Townsend. He was a blacksmith, and afterwards worked at his trade in Myersburg, but still owned the farm at Her- rickville. He had one son, John, and one daughter, Betsy, the wife of Ferris Bennett. Elihu Buttles, a Methodist preacher and a dish-turner, came from Massachusetts to Herrick in the early part of 1818, and his accounts of the country were so glowing that his old neighbor, Isaac Park, a cousin of Chester Park, of Athens, came in from Berk- shire Co., Mass., the same year. He began chopping in February, and moved his family in the October following. He was a tanner by trade, and was an apprentice of Robin- son Bolles, the father of all the Bolles' in Herrick and Pike. Captain Isaac A. Park, the eldest son of Isaac Park, is still a resident of Herrick. His father and him- self were natives of New London, Conn .; but when the captain was an infant the family moved to Otis, Berkshire Co., Mass., and from thence to Herrick. The father and mother died on the old place, the former May 7, 1850, at sixty-six years of age. Another son resides in White Haven.

The first break in the forest between Mr. Park's place and Camptown was made on the farm now owned by Hiram Camp. The fallow was cut by Mr. Park and Robert Depue, in 1821. They carried their rations on their backs from Wyalusing creek. Depue made a little improvement, and soon after left, and Hiram Camp succeeded to it.

In 1818, also, James Hines came and settled on the farm now occupied by the widow Platt. He had two daughters, Minerva and Betsey. In 1820, Calvin Stone

came. He married Betsey Haywood, and settled on the farm now owned by W. W. Haywood. He was for a time a justice of the peace, and died on the farm in 1859 or '60. He was a brother of Raphael and Luther Stone.

About 1825 Reuben Atwood settled in East Herrick. He is still living and in good health, though upwards of ninety years of age

In 1822, Charles Squires, of Connecticut, settled on the farm now occupied by Pembroke, his son. This year Isaac Camp built the saw-mill near the place where he afterwards lived. He moved in with his family in 1825. Albert Camp lived on the next farm to his father, and Lacey Camp made a beginning on the place where Crawford now lives. Deacon Charles Stevens, Micajah Slocum, and Ezekiel Mintz came in 1824. Daniel Durand came in 1824 or '25. Adam Overpeck came in the same year, a short time after Mr. Durand. He was recently buried, nearly ninety- four years of age. He came from Monroe county, and bad three sons with him, took up a large farm, and lived in the same neighborhood. Nathan B. Whitman came into Her- rick in 1828 or '29, and settled where Ephraim Platt now lives. Henry Wells made a beginning on the Durand place, clearing a small piece and setting out a few apple- trees. He sold out after two years to James Clark. Du- rand made a beginning beyond Wells, a short time before the latter came in.

THE BALLIBAY SETTLEMENT

was begun in 1826 or '27. The earlier settlers were Wil- liam Nesbit, Nathaniel Nesbit, Alexander Dougherty, James Lee, James Wood, William Hillis, and Richard Hillis. They were all natives of Ballibay, Ireland, and settled near each other.

FIRST THINGS.

The first white child born in the township is supposed to have been a member of Charles Squire's family. The first death is said to have been that of Daniel Durand, and the first wedding that of Matthew Wilding and Miss Lydia M. Camp, about 1829. The first school-house was built about 1829. The first school taught had 20 pupils in at- tendance, of whom Mr. Durand sent seven. The first re- ligious meetings were held at the house of Mr. Durand, who was the only Baptist then in the town. A great refor- mation occurred here about 1835, under the preaching of Elder Davis Dimock, a Baptist clergyman, assisted by J. W. Parker and Smith Bixby, a licentiate, who was after- wards ordained in the same house. The different religious denominations are about equally represented in the town.

Hon. George Landon, a resident of Herrick, has repre- sented the district composed of Bradford, Wyoming, and Susquehanna twice in the State senate.

LE ROY.

THE name of this township was selected by a vote of some of the citizens at the time of its organization in 1835. Several names were proposed. Ira Crofut, a son of Seeley Crofut, who was one of the first settlers, suggested Le Roy, a French name, meaning " the king." This name was such a favorite of his that he had given it to one of Eli Holeomb's boys. This name received the sanction of a majority pres- ent. The surface of this township presents a great variety of elevation, geological formation, and timber. The settled portion is principally along the Towanda creek and the ridge in the northern part. The average height of the mountain lying between the Towanda creek and Sehraeder branch is about 1100 feet above the bed of the Towanda creek. Burnett's ridge lies south of the Schraeder branch. Its height is about 900 feet above the bed of the Sehraeder.

Early in Mareh, 1794, a hurricane swept through this seetion, uprooting the timber on all the ridges in its course from about one mile east of Alba borough, in a direct course, to Le Roy Centre; thence to Burnett's ridge. Scarcely any timber was left standing in its track, which was a mile in width. A part of Granville township is still called the Windfall, in memory of the occurrence.

The first settlers were Hugh and Sterling Holcomb, sons of Eli Holcomb, who was born in Granby, Conn., in 1740, married Hannah Crofut, of Danbury, Conn., in 1763, and settled at Ulster, in this county, in 1793. Their father- Eli-came with them to assist in selecting locations in 1795. They built a log cabin near the present residence of Oakley Lewis, where they kept bachelors' hall several years.

In 1796, Seeley Crofut settled on the farm just east of Le Roy cemetery ; his wife, Hannah, was a sister to Hugh and Sterling, and did their cooking and washing for them until they married. Hugh married Miss Oakley; their son Marlin was the first child born in the place, and she was the first person that died. Hugh's second wife was Miss Prudence Bailey. Orator, Ezra, Harvey, and Judson were their sons. Sterling married Betsy, a daughter of Benjamin Stone, who came from Connecticut and settled at West Franklin in 1799. During the year 1796, Den- nison Kingsbury settled on the farm now owned by E. Lilley ; Elihu Knight, on the Walters farm; George Brown, on the George P. Manley farm ; and Joel Bodwell, on the A. G. Kelley farm. Dennison Kingsbury thought his location favorable to the formation of a business centre, and made improvement with such an idea in view. He set the elm-trees which now stand by the roadside. In 1805 or '6 he sold to Capt. Rice and left the place; Rice sold to Joseph Wallace, the fiddler. Peter Gordon settled on the Aaron Knapp farm in 1797, and Isaac Chaapel, father of Ledyard and Chauncey, on the Chaapel farm in 1799. Isaac Chaapel was a prominent man, being the first

justice of the peace for what was then Burlington town- ship. About this time David Andrews settled on what is known as the Andrews farm, near Andrew Savacoats. In 1800, Truman Holeomb, a brother to Hugh and Sterling, came from Ulster and moved into a house on the A. G. Kelley farm, occupied by William Cole and Joel Bodwell, and Isaac Wooster located on the same farm farther north. Truman Holcomb took up a farm elose by and remained on it twelve years, then returned to Ulster. He was the father of sixteen children, eight by his first wife and eight by his second. His son Eli, who is now eighty-four years of age, still lives in the township a little to the south of the village, where he settled in 1819. He has a family of thir- teen children, nearly all of whom are the heads of families. He has succeeded well as a cooper, hunter, miller, and farmer.

Isaae Wooster, like the most of the first settlers of this region, came from Connecticut, and took up a possession under the Connectieut title. He was a man of consider- able means, and was considered one of the principal settlers. Some of his descendants still live here. In 1798, Luther Hinman took up a possession at the west of Van Fleet hill ; henee the former name, Hinman hill. Hinman was a Free- mason, and wished to join the Baptist church, but Seeley Crofut considered Masonry a bar to fellowship. After sev- eral church meetings to consider the matter, Deacon Crofut withdrew his objeetion, and Hinman was taken in. Miles Oakley settled on the Minard farm in 1799, and George Head on the Dudley McCraney farm. The same year Aaron Cook, a ehair manufacturer, located near the resi- dence of Robert McKee, and Tim Culver, a noted hunter, on the south side of the ereek, opposite McKee's.

Alpheus Holcomb, a brother of Hugh and Sterling, settled on the flats at the north of the mill-pond at the Centre, where he built a house and set an orchard of apple- trees. Having a roving nature, he soon sold his farm, and went westward. After a few years he returned, and settled on the Robert McKee farm. He was deacon in the Bap- tist church, and was for many years considered one of the leading lights.

In 1801, we find David Wooster, Nicholas Gordon, Henry Segar, and a few others added to the settlers. Twenty-eight families were within the present limits of the township in 1804. According to the assessment for that year there were 231 acres of improved land, 27 families, 11 horses, 16 oxen, 31 cows, and 25 houses. The houses were valued at $383.

Elder David Jayne, of the Baptist church, taught the first school; after him Sylva Clark, Joel Wooster, Lydia Ladd, Jacob Kingsbury, Lorin Kingsbury, etc. Elder Jayne was expelled from the Baptist church because he

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

taught that " the wicked have no immortal part, and are to be annihilated at the day of judgment."

Deacon Seeley Crofnt started the first Sunday-school in an old log school-house, opposite the present residence of S. B. Morse. He was elected justice of the peace in 1812. He served in many positions of trust, by the choice of his neighbors. He kept the first grocery or store in the town- ship. The Baptist meetings were for many years held at his house.

Jesse Morse settled near the Centre in 1805, and, like the most of the first settlers, went to clearing land. His descendants are numerous.

The first saw-mill was built by Hugh Holcomb, in 1808, and was located at the top of the falls in the Gulf brook, at the north of the Centre.

At first the settlers went to " Chenang Point" to get their grain ground, or else pounded it in a mortar made in the top of a stump. They next went to Tioga Point, but before 1800 mills were built at Allen's, in Franklin town- ship, and at Fox Centre, in Sullivan county.

The first grist-mill. was built by Hugh Holcomb, in 1820. The next year Eli Holcomb built one on the south of the creek, running it by water from a forty-acre pond he formed on the mountain by damming the outlet of a swamp there. In 1850, after a heavy fall of rain, the dam gave way, and damaged the mill, besides making sad havoc along the stream. The mill-stones for the mills were procured of Northrup, who made them at the mouth of the Schraeder.

Orison Royse built the first distillery near the present dwelling of O. Lewis. This was built at an early day, but before this time the settlers went to Ezra Spalding's, at the west of Canton, to get whisky, which appears to have been considered a very important article in every family. The first retailers of whisky in the neighborhood were Denni- son Kingsbury, Seeley Crofut, Joseph Wallace, and Henry Mercur, the hatter. The first framed building erected in the vicinity without the use of whisky was the barn built by Orator Holcomb on the farm now owned by E. T. Buffum. This was built about 1840.

John Knapp settled near West Franklin in 1796, and made wooden mould-board plows having but one handle. Aaron, his son, bought the farm now owned by T. A. MeCraney, in 1818. His sister Eunice kept house for him two years, and then married Jesse Robart, the father of William and Jesse (2d). Mr. Robart soon settled and made a clearing on the farm now owned by Robert Mason,

Aaron Knapp was elected as the first justice of the peace after the organization of the township.

By act of the legislature, the Towanda creek is a public highway. A considerable amount of lumber and shingles were formerly floated down the stream to market during high water.

The congregation of Disciples built a house of public worship in 1850, the Baptists in 1855, and the Methodists shortly after.

The first settlement on the mountain was made by Henry Knowles in 1841, at the place known as the Knowles set- tlement. He came from Philadelphia with five horses to draw the household goods of his own and those of another family. Since then several families have settled in the same vicinity, and the place is now known as the Cold Spring settlement.

About two miles to the west is another settlement, which is known as the Irish settlement, and was commenced about twenty years ago. Each of these settlements constitute a sub-school district.

The McCraney settlement was made by Jeremy Bailey and Samuel MeCraney in the autumn of 1846 and spring of 1847. At one time there were several families located, but now there are only two.

Carbon run is the name of a small stream rising in this township a little to the west of the Barclay line, and flows into the Schraeder. On the head-waters of this stream the Schraeder coal company have leased 2600 acres of coal land, the chief part of which is in this township. The mining is now being carried on quite extensively. To meet the wants and convenience of this place, a school-house has been erected for the children of about twenty families that reside on the Le Roy side of the line. About four years since a public highway was made from Le Roy Centre to Carbon run, a distance of about three and a half miles, at a cost of a little more than $4000. This amount was at least $1200 more than it would have cost under proper management. The road is a good means of communication between the valley of the Towanda creek and the mines at Carbon Run and Barclay, and opens up a good market for farm produce.

The principal village is Le Roy, in the centre of the township, which contains a hotel, two churches, stores, post- office, and about a dozen dwellings.

There are eight school districts, six of which are along the creek.

...........

JOHN FITLER.

MRS JOHN FITLER

RES. OF JOHN FITLER, LITCHFIELD, BRADFORD CO., PA.

LITCHFIELD.

THE township of Litchfield is situated between Tioga Co., N. Y., on the north, and the townships of Wind- ham on the east, Rome and Sheshequin on the south, and Athens on the west. The surface is high and considerably broken by small streams, except along the Susquehanna, which touches its northwestern border, where a most beau- tiful flat occurs. It was on this flat that Thomas Park built the first house in the town just on the State line. The other streams are the Wappusening, Satterlee, Park, and Bullard creeks. The soil is fertile and well adapted for the growth of the eereals, and also for grazing and dairying.

The township was organized in 1821, being set off from Athens.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in the township was Thomas Park, who built his house near the State line, on the Susquehanna, about 1800. His children were Daniel, Samuel, James, Amos, Joseph, Elijah, Benjamin, Sally, Mary, Elizabeth, and Susanna. Daniel married Martha Sanders, who bore him eleven children. His second wife was Nancy Ellis, who bore him three children. Samuel married Margaret Woleott, and had four sons and one daughter. James (the first white child born in the township) married Margaret Mckinney, and had one son ; married, second, Sibyl Frank- lin, and had three children ; married, third, Anna Bronson, and by her had two sons and one daughter. Amos mar- ried Arlette Griffin, and had two daughters. Joseph married Polly Stewart, and had four sons. Eliza died unmarried, in her youth. Benjamin married, but never lived in Litehfield. Thomas married Margaret (Wolcott), the widow of his brother Samuel, and had three daughters and one son. Sally married Cornelius Stephens, and moved into the lake region of central New York. Mary married John Moore, and had two sons and one daughter. Eliz- abeth married Elijah Wolcott, and bore him six sons and six daughters. Susanna married John R. Wolcott, and bore him one child, a son.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 79

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