History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 52

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340

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At the April sessions, 1795, a petition was presented to the court, asking for a division of Tioga township by an east and west line, pass- ing through a small stream on the east side of the Susquehanna, south- westerly of "Breakneck;" the north part to be called " Tioga," and the south part "Wisocks." The prayer of the petitioners was granted.

Again, in 1807, at the April sessions of the Luzerne county court, upon the petition of Job Irish and other citizens of Wysox, setting forth that, owing to the inconvenience, and at times the impossibility of crossing the river, and praying for a new township to be set off on the west side of the river, Jonathan Stevens, M. Minor York and John Taylor were appointed viewers, to examine and report in relation to the same. At the November court (1807) they report in favor of a new township, to be called Towanda, with the following boundaries : Beginning at the mouth of Durell creek, thence south forty-five degrees west to the county line (rather what now is); thence on said line west to the corner of Canton ; thence north on the east line of Canton to the county line (between Lycoming and Luzerne) ; thence as said line runs to the Susquehanna river. The report was confirmed finally in January, 1808. The territory embraced within the foregoing boundaries included parts of Asylum, Monroe, Overton, Barclay, the Burlingtons, the Towandas and all of Franklin. Towanda

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

was one of " the original ten townships," or one of the ten already formed within the limits of the county prior to its organization.

After the incorporation of the borough of Towanda, the northern and southern parts of the township were so completely separated that it made a division practically necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants residing in the two portions of it.

Accordingly, H. L. Scott and other citizens of the township, upon petition at the December term of court, 1850, "represent that great inconvenience results to the citizens of the township from its present shape, and pray that Commissioners be appointed to view and inquire into the propriety of dividing the same." Whereupon the court appoint Geo. H. Bull, E. C. Kellogg and Earl Nichols, who report in favor of dividing the township at the February session, 1851, "by a line commencing on the west line of the borough of Towanda, at a point near the northwest corner of lands of Henry S. Mercur, thence in a straight line west to the Burlington line, intersecting it immedi- ately north of the Overshot mill."

The Commissioners report having been made, the citizens in a second petition "pray the court to confirm it, and further respect- fully ask that the new township lying south of said line be named Towanda township, and the one north of it Sugar Creek."

The report was confirmed finally December 15, 1851, "the town- ships to be called North Towanda and Sonth Towanda." Subse- quently the citizens petitioned the court to have the word "South" dropped, and "South Towanda " was accordingly changed to Towanda township.

The first settler was Rudolph Fox, of whom mention has been made, who settled on the west side of Towanda creek, about half a mile from its mouth. At the time of his arrival a few Indians were living about where is Maj. Hale's present residence, and of these Fox purchased his land and erected his cabin, covered with bark and prac- tically one end left open for a door. Fox did everything to keep the friendship of the Indians, but in March, 1777, while out hunting his cattle, he was seized and taken by the Indians a prisoner to Quebec. The family were kept in ignorance of Mr. Fox's whereabouts. He escaped, and traveled all the way from Canada and reached the opposite side of the river from his cabin December 19th, following. He called to his family; Mrs. Fox recognized his voice, but the Indians had stolen their skiff, and there was no way to cross. The poor man had to spend the intensely cold night on the bank, and by morning the ice was hard enough to bear him over. When the Indian party that captured the Strope family passed up the river they again took Fox along a prisoner, as they said, lest he give the alarm; he escaped, however, just before they reached Tioga Point.

Jacob Bowman settled on Towanda creek prior to the Revolution. He sided against the "rebels" and became known as "Tory " Bow- man ; he went to Canada when hostilities commenced. After the war he returned and settled on the farm finally owned by his grandson, B. F. Bowman. "Tory " Bowman was a man of enterprise, and in 1801 was licensed to keep a tavern. He had a store in addition to his

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

tavern as early as 1809; established the first ferry near the mouth of Towanda creek, and built the first frame house. His place was a noted resort, and that and his brother-in-law's place by William Means, were rivals. Bowman died in 1845, aged eighty-six years ; he had married Mary Fox, daughter of Rudolph Fox, and their children were : George, Jacob, John, Daniel, Mary, Rebecca, Hannah, Susan and Harry.

Jacob Grantier, German, came from New York, and settled on Towanda creek in 1784, about eighty rods south of Maj. Hale's res- idence. It was here Rev. Thomas Smiley was tarred and feathered by the Yankees in 1801. March 7, 1802, Grantier transferred his claim to Reuben Hale, and removed to Canton township where are to-day his descendants.

James, Silas and Orr Scoville came in 1788. James and Silas pur- chased of Smith, a farmer-preacher, and they made an improvement a little west of where the nail mill is, where Silas built the first frame house in the township, where he kept " bach " until 1796; James had returned to Luzerne county. In 1796 Silas married Abigail Harris, and then had his own housekeeper. Orr improved the H. L .. Scott place and married Polly Rutty, daughter of Ezra Rutty, and removed to Canton township. Silas Scoville came to own three ox teams, and made trips to the lakes, taking millstones and bringing salt, then worth thirteen dollars a barrel. He died in 1824.

One early settler was Richard Goff ; just how soon is not known, but the assessor's books show that in 1796 he had eleven acres improved.

Joshua Wythe, who was an officer in the Revolution, located here about 1794. He bonght land on Towanda creek of John Heath, known later as the George Bowman place; his wife, nee Elizabeth Brewer, died in 1805; was buried in the flats, and the railroad passes over her grave. Mr. Wythe emigrated to Ohio.

Reuben Hale came among the early pioneers from Connecticut, and settled on the place now occupied by his son, Maj. Elias Wellington Hale. The fact that Isaac Tracy had preceded Reuben was the cause of turning his course to this locality. He purchased land of George Wells, dated June 14, 1799, and became in time the sole owner of the old mill on Towanda creek. Reuben Hale married Wealthy Tracy, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Rogers Tracy, of Tioga Point, Feb- ruary 17, 1803, and at once removed into the old Dougherty log cabin that stood a short distance from Maj. Hale's present residence. He was appointed postmaster at Towanda in 1810, said to be the first in the place.

Casper Singer, from Philadelphia, came in 1791, and took up land now in Wysox ; he built a sawmill "near the mouth of Towanda creek ; " this is the "Hale Mill." Singer made a deposition in Phila- delphia in 1796, and testified that living in this locality in 1795 were Orr Scoville, Joseph Gee, Jacob Bowman, Jacob Grantier, Joseph Wallace, Michael Krause and Stephen Strickland.

A son-in-law of Rudolph Fox, Nathan Farr, was here at an early

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

date. James Davidson was here in the other century ; settled near the nail works.

The first and one of the most important pioneers to settle in what is now North Towanda township was Ezra Rutty who came from New York in 1785, and located on Sugar creek. He purchased on time 500 acres, and improved what is yet known as the " Rutty farm," on which his descendants remained. His son Ezra was a baby when the family came, and Ezra (third) eventually occupied the old homestead. Mr. Rutty died in 1813, and his widow five years later; they were buried in Riverside Ceinetery.

Abial Foster settled on the E. H. Horton farm; he married, in 1795, Mary Means a sister of William Means. He built a sawmill, among the first if not the very first, on the site of "Myer's Mills," and for years this was the important milling point. Mr. Foster died on the place he improved, August 10, 1841, aged seventy-seven. Mrs. Foster died November 3, 1855.

Joshua Bailey, from New York, settled on Sugar creek in 1792; he had come to Wyalusing in 1791, stopped there with the Bennetts, married Susan and moved to his permanent place. He passed through Towanda, and describes the place where there was "a man living in a log cabin a little south of the present court-house," and that he had about four acres cleared, which he offered him for $40. His nearest neighbor from his Sugar creek settlement was his brother-in-law, Amos Bennett. Mr. Bailey died February 14, 1861, aged ninety-two years.

Martin Stratton came in 1794, stopped with Ezra Rutty, and in time married Ezra Rutty's daughter ; he was a mill-wright and carpenter ; was five years in West Burlington, where he built a grist- mill for the Goddards, and then returned to North Towanda, and in 1805 bought an improvement of Amos Bennett, originally Seeley's. Martin and Cephas Stratton and Jonathan Holcomb erected a grist- mill on Sugar creek, near where is Mr. Barne's sawmill, and in 1809 a sawmill was added. Martin Stratton died November 3, 1821, aged sixty-three years, his widow soon after, and both sleep in Riverside Cemetery.

Ozias Bingham, from New York, a Revolutionary veteran, came to North Towanda in 1795 ; he married Martha Rutty. He had been a captain in the Continental army and was in the battle of German- town, He was a widower when he came West, and left his five children behind. He afterward brought on his children, and one of his sons opened a trading store at the family home, and exchanged peltries for goods. Mr. Bingham, who lived to be ninety-two years of age, died February 9, 1845.

Stephen Powell (brother of Joseph C.) came to North Towanda, and purchased Dr. Baldwin's place.

Settling the Towanda Hills .- William Finch, of Connecticut, a Revolutionary soldier, was the first to settle on the "hills." He landed at " Bowman's eddy " in 1798, made a clearing on the Welles flats, and raised a crop of corn, but the overflows determined him to go to the hills. He built his cabin on the present William Welch

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

place. During the war he was taken a prisoner to Montreal. He dug his way out of prison, and made his escape to the American shore, whence he commenced a long and perilous journey homeward, traveling by night and keeping secreted by day, accompanied, day and night, with an empty stomach. His only guide through the wilderness was the sun and the moss on the trees ; after untold sufferings he reached the army, and served faithfully until peace was declared. He had learned the tailor trade, and tanned the skins, and made the clothes, including shoes, of his family for many years. He died at the age of eighty-six, and is buried at Cole's. His wife, Mary (Huxley), lived to pass the age of eighty years.

Andrew Gregg was in Sullivan's expedition up the river. After the war he married Nancy Santee, of Luzerne, then came to Ulster and from there to Towanda, in 1804, where he died April 25, 1846 ; his wife died, May 17, 1838.

Benjamin Bosworth, a Revolutionary father, and a hatter by trade, came from Boston, and improved the Willis Fisher place. His neigh- bor was Williston West, who settled on the Harry Decker place in 1812. West's second wife was Susan Bosworth, daughter of Benjamin Bosworth ; the last named died suddenly at the age of eighty.

Maj. Frederick Fisher came to Towanda in 1827, and was a prominent man of the olden time. He merchandised for a time at Monroeton ; died May 14, 1857, aged.over sixty years; his wife, Dolly (Cole), died May 16, 1865.

William McGill (Irishman) came in 1802, lived with Jacob Bowman and eventually married Mary Bowman. He was a stone-mason, and after some time removed to the hills back of Towanda, and improved the Philander Ward place. He died in 1855, aged seventy-seven years ; his wife had preceded him six years.

Benjamin Davidson, a farmer and lumberman, lived to be the oldest settler of the Towanda hills; he was born January 31, 1807.

Early Settlers in what is now the Borough of Towanda .- Of these the name of William Means will ever stand first, and the destiny, indeed the very existence of the place as a borough, owes everything to him. The town was (and it most probably should never have been changed) called " Meansville." He was of Irish descent, a son of Samuel Means, of Northumberland county at the commencement of the Revolution. Samuel Means and one of his sons were in the army ; the father was fatally wounded in battle, and the son was never heard of after the battle of Wyoming, where it was supposed he was killed. The family fled from Northumberland county from the invading savages, in which flight Mrs. Means carried, with her other children, an infant only six weeks old; they went by canoe down the Susquehanna river, paddling around the bend by the light of their burning house. The family returned, when it was safe, to their desolated home, but the brave mother survived only a short time, and the little children were scattered among different families. When Rudolph Fox Hled down the river, they fell in company with the Means families, and this was the canse eventually of bringing William Means to Towanda, and soon after the war he came to look at the country. Another account says

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

that William followed boating, and in his trips became acquainted with his future wife, Elizabeth Fox. In 1794 he had the contract to convey the French refugees from Harrisburg to their place in Asylum. The French, when he met them in Philadelphia, advanced him money on his contract, and he purchased goods which be brought along on the trip. On reaching their destination, he sold his boat to them, and on it they fixed a temporary shelter, and he hired as overseer of their build- ing, and his energy and thrift soon cleared him $1,000 in addition to the goods he had brought. This was the foundation of his fortune. He settled on the river directly opposite the old dam, and for many years kept tavern and a ferry-built the famous " Old Red Tavern " on what is now the corner of Franklin and Main streets. He was licensed a " taverner" in 1797. His building was a two-story frame, and the store was in his old log house-his were the first store, tavern and distillery in Towanda. The "Old Red Tavern " was the court-house until the county buildings were erected in 1816. The jail was at Monroeton.

In 1816 Mr. Means built his commodious (then of the most stylish plan of architecture) residence, yet standing on the corner of Main and Bridge streets, and there lived until the time of his demise. About the same time he erected a small building, 18 x 20 feet, on the corner of Main and Bridge streets, on the same lot with and south of his house, and occupied it as a store till he went out of business, his son William keeping the hotel for a series of years after 1816. Mr. Means was an extensive land-holder. He owned about 600 acres adjoining on the south by the Fox-chase farm, and extending north- ward to about where Decker Bros'. store now is. Besides he owned several hundred acres at Greenwood and other points. He lumbered extensively and shipped his lumber in rafts down the Susquehanna. In 1809 he built a sawmill at Van Gorder's on Towanda creek, and afterward a second one at Greenwood. In addition to his lumbering business he bought grain and shipped it in ark-loads to the lower counties. After the improvement of the public highways, he would load an old-fashioned " Dutch four-horse wagon " with peltry, go to Philadelphia, and then return with a load of goods. It required nearly six weeks' time to make the trip. By means of his ferry, which was directly opposite the Red Tavern, com- munication was opened with the east side of the river and the place thus greatly benefited. He was the first magistrate of the town (commissioned Dec. 20, 1800), and was generally known as "Esquire Means." In 1812, he was appointed postmaster of Towanda village. He was appointed county treasurer in 1815, and served one term. Mr. Means brought his sisters into the county, one after another, and gave them a home in his family. The life of this active man was closed Oct. 3, 1829, at the age of 64 years. His body is entombed in the family burial ground on Second street. Mrs. Means, or "Grandma Means," as she was familiarly called, survived her hus- band many years. The children of William and Elizabeth Means were William, John, Samuel, Celinda and Eliza.

Ebenezer B. Gregory caine here through the influence of Mr. Means. At all events he accompanied him on his return trip from

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Northumberland where he had gone after his sister, Nancy (Mrs. Dr. Warner). He lived in a double log house near the river, a little north- east of the present residence of I. O. Blight, on the same lot. The building was used as a house of entertainment, and Mr. Gregory was licensed a "taverner" in 1802. He seems to have also engaged in the mercantile business for a short time, being marked "merchant " on the assessment roll of 1814. Mr. Gregory was a man of education and "very much of a gentleman." His wife was an accomplished lady, and as early as 1810 or 1811 established a boarding school at her own house for young ladies and girls. Mr. Gregory was one of the original proprietors of Towanda, and donated from his portion two lots for an academy, which were subsequently appropriated to private uses. In about 1817 he removed to Owego, and died. ]

James Lewis located in the borough before 1798. He occupied a log house standing on the gulf, near where the Episcopal church now is. In about 1806 he moved into Monroe, where he died in 1822.

Frederick Eiklor was also one of the earliest inhabitants. He built and occupied a house where M. E. Rosenfeld's store now stands. While dressing flax one day, it caught fire, and burned the house. He then moved to Rome.

John Schrader, a Hessian soldier, who espoused the American cause, came to Towanda in or before 1799. He occupied a small board house, used both as a residence and cooper shop, which stood nearly east of the Presbyterian church, near the site of Mckean's hotel. After a few years he moved to Greenwood and settled where the tannery now is. Nathaniel Talcutt was an early resident of Towanda and "kept a little store." His name is found for the last time on the assessment rolls in 1809. . . Adam Conley, a blacksmith, came in from the West branch, and married Miss Betsy, sister of William Means. He built and occupied a framed house, near the corner of Main and Pine streets, where Tracy & Nobles' block now is. On the opposite side of the street, on the site of Stevens & Long's store, he had his shop. After Mr. Conley's death, his widow moved to the head of Seneca lake, with her son Clark, where she died. Their chil- dren were: Clark, Joseph, John, William, Eliza, Mary and Jane, Clark learned the tailor's trade and had a shop adjoining his father's house. He subsequently moved to Ralston, Pa., and died there a few years since.

Abijah Northrup (familiarly " Bij") before the year 1800 built a log cabin on the ground now occupied by the First National Bank. He was one of the most noted pilots on the river. He afterward moved to an island near the mouth of Towanda creek, thence above Greenwood, where hedied. His father, Nathan Northrup, a native of Connecticut, came to Athens at an early day with his family, whence " Bij " proceeded to Towanda.

Col. Henry Spalding came to Towanda from Sheshequin in 1810. His store was below where is now the Barclay depot; he then built his frame store, which was afterward occupied by Henry Mercur as a hatter's shop. In 1812 he built the Mix residence, and kept tavern there, and near it was his store. In 1813 the firm of Harry Spalding

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

& Co. was dissolved; his associates were John Robinson and Steplien C. King. Col. Spalding, who was the first treasurer of the county, died May 23, 1821, aged thirty-seven. His children were : Franklin, Asa, Harry, James, Simon and Weltha.

James Woodruff was the first tailor to locate in the place. He came from Wilkes-Barre in 1812. He enumerated the inhabitants as follows on his arrival : William Means, Harry Spalding, Adam Conley, Abijah Northrup, E. B. Gregory, Oliver Newell and the Watts family. Four frame houses and all others log cabins. He opened his tailor shop in a log house west of Gregory's, and prospered so that in time he built a hotel, abandoning the " goose"; his was the "Tiger Hotel," afterward kept by Daniel Bartlett, to whom he sold. Then built the "Bradford House," where is now the Reporter-Journal office, and council rooms. This, in 1840, he sold Ira H. Stevens, and purchased a farm in North Towanda, where he remained until 1863 ; thence went to Battle Creek, Mich., and spent the remainder of his days with his daughter. His daughter Celinda married Edward Young, whose sons are in Troy and Towanda.

Francis Watts, of Scotch-Irish extraction, who had married Miss Jane, sister of Wm. Means, came in from the West branch not long after his brother-in-law, and occupied about 400 acres of land, extend- ing from the Arcade block to Geo. Blackman's, and from the river a mile westward. He built a log house, nearly where Mr. Hawes' residence now is, and the homestead was in the occupancy of the family for more than three-quarters of a century. Mr. Watts died before 1809, and left a large family. Mrs. Watts only having a squatter's claim, gave one-half the possession to Harry Spalding for securing and advancing the money necessary to perfect the title.

Andrew Irvine, the tanner, came in 1812. He had received his discharge from the army, and was returning home when he stopped at Towanda, and his keen eye detected an eligible spot for a tannery. He purchased a half acre of ground of Esq. Means, and built a two- story log house, making a shop of the first floor. Irvine's lot adjoined where is now Rosenfeld's store, and was back of Tidd's hotel ; heis the man who advertised "soal leather " for sale.

Simon Kinney, Esq., the first white child born in the present town of Sheshequin, came to Towanda in 1813-14, to follow his profession- that of law. He was a son of Joseph Kinney, a soldier of the Revo- lution, and Sarah (Spalding), a daughter of Gen. Simon Spalding, of Revolutionary celebrity. His early life was spent in assisting in clearing up a heavily timbered farm, receiving, in the meantime, a careful and intellectual training. At his majority he married Phoebe Cash, and removed to a farm, which his father owned in Scipio, N. Y., and commenced the study of law. Finding his means inad- equate to properly complete his studies and procure a library, the farm was sold and the proceeds used for establishing him in business at Towanda. He was a man of unquestioned legal ability, being the compeer of Mallory, Conyngham, Dennison, Strong, Wil- liston, Overton, Baldwin and Watkins, leaders at the bar of Bradford and northern Pennsylvania. He was a member of the State Legisla-

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ture for the sessions of 1820-21 and 1821-22, the district then com- prising the counties of Tioga and Bradford, also county treasurer for 1816-17. Mr. Kinney was a man of strong mind, and his service is favorably remembered by active participators in the political affairs of the time. Judge David Wilmot completed his law studies in Mr. Kinney's office. He was one of the most prominent and active men of the county. In 1834, he removed to Rockford, Ill., with his family.

Col. H. L. Kinney achieved an enviable celebrity by his dash, cour- age and enterprise, which made him at one time quite the lion of the country. He was the founder of Corpus Christi, Texas, and peopled the town by a denomination of his own settlers ; served in the Mexican War in Gen. Scott's army; supplied the commissariat with stores from the resources of the country; and was deemed a millionaire at the end of the war. He spent much of his fortune afterward in Central American expeditions. During the rebellion, he served in Mexico as colonel in her army, fought against the French and Maximilian, and was killed at Monterey while leading a small troop in ferreting out guerrillas in the city. He became one of the finest horsemen in Texas, taking lessons of the Comanches, and so far surpassing them that they were, to his mastery, but initiates. He won many victories over them in some of their sharpest fights. It will not be amiss, perhaps, to state that he married a daughter of Gen. Lamar of the "Lone Star" fame.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 52

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340