USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania > Part 54
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The close of the war was appropriately celebrated by the townspeople. The following extract is taken from the issue of April 15, 1865, of the Clarion Demo- crat, which, though it was hostile to the war, and bitterly attacked Lincoln's policy during its continuance, joined in the general rejoicing over the triumph of the Union.
" CLARION REJOICING OVER THE GOOD NEWS.
" On Monday and Tuesday the news of the surrender of Lee's army was received and confirmed. The court-house and church bells were rung, a salute fired, and preparations made for holding a meeting. On Tuesday even- ing almost every house in Clarion was brilliantly illuminated, and flags dis- played in great numbers. A large meeting of ladies and gentlemen was held in the court-house ; William L. Corbett, esq., was chosen president, Dr. James Ross and James Sweeny, esq., vice-presidents, and R. B. Brown and Samuel Young, secretaries. The exercises were opened by the audience standing up and singing the doxology, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow, etc.,' and prayer by Rev. Graham. Appropriate and patriotic speeches were made by Cor- bett, Reid, Graham, Montgomery, Barr, and Myers; Guth's brass band, and a company of young ladies and gentlemen accompanied by a melodeon, enlivened the occasion by playing and singing patriotic airs. The rejoicing was general and heartfelt, and all look forward with great hope to a speedy termination of the war, and a return of our brave soldiers to their homes and friends, so that all may enjoy the blessings of peace and harmony."
This intelligence, as well as all war news of importance for two months previous, was received by telegraph. The Democrat of February 18, 1865, says: "The telegraph office in Clarion is now open, and dispatches can be sent to all parts of the country. When we get a railroad through the county, we will then be out of the woods." The first office was in one of the front rooms of the upper story of the court-house, and there remained for a number of years. Mr. Armstrong was the first operator. 53
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
Early Cycling .- A Democrat of 1869 says: " A couple of velocipedists from Meadville, we are informed, attempted to raise a school of instruction in the art of riding the velocipede, in Clarion, but not meeting with sufficient en- couragement, gave up their efforts." Clarion has made wonderful progress in rapid locomotion since, as the numerous cycles, of all descriptions, seen on our streets testify.
About 1868 there was a craze among the youth of the town for battles with " fire balls," that is, balls of ignited paper, or rags, which could be picked up and hastily thrown without burning the fingers. They were only indulged in at night, and as the fiery projectiles streamed through the darkness, to and fro between the contending lines, the effect was very striking. The sport, however picturesque, was too dangerous to life and property to be long tole- rated. Main street was also the theatre of many a stubborn foot-ball contest.
Conflagrations .- 'Several times the forest fires, which blasted most of the noble timber along the hillside overlooking the river, threatened to wipe the county seat out of existence ; and the citizens were compelled to turn out and fight the flames. The most severe of these fires was that of 1865.
Clarion has been singularly blessed in its exemption from epidemics, riots, murders, and disastrous storms. Large fires have been exceedingly rare. The only ones outside of the court-house, which may be dignified by the name of conflagrations, were the fire of March 2, 1874, which destroyed the residence and store of N. Myers, and the store of T. C. Wilson, involving a loss of $30,000 ; and that of December 24, 1884, which burnt the store and dwelling house of B. H. Frampton, and A. H. Sarver's store, destroying property to the amount of $15,000.
In 1871 the spirit of improvement reawakened, and stimulated by the opening of the Clarion oil field and the increased prosperity of the community, it has progressed favorably ever since. For the past fifteen years Clarion has had a gradual, but healthy and permanent development. In that time the value of real estate has doubled. In 1870 Cottage Hill was a collection of uninhabited outlots, and there was not a single house fronting on Seventh avenue. The years 1875 and 1886 were the leading years in building; in the former the aggregate value of improvements, exclusive of the new prison, was $72,250 ; the buildings commenced and completed in the latter year represent more than $100,000. Among them are Frampton's Block and Opera House, the new public school and the Normal School structures.
A comprehensive ordinance, passed September 6, 1873, enacted a number of reforms in town matters, the most notable being that section requiring each property holder on Main street to maintain a brick pavement.
The contract for the water works was awarded August 20, 1875, to P. H. Shannon, of Titusville, and completed in November of the same year, at a cost of $25,000. At the station two Eclipse pumps force the water to the 2,400
Frank W. arnoldo,
495
CLARION BOROUGH.
reservoir on Seminary Hill, a vertical height of 481 feet above the river level. The total length of the mains, composed of four and six-inch pipe, is above 9,000 feet ; average pressure on the mains, forty-three pounds to the square inch. Ten Hutchinson fire-plugs were located throughout the town. The original officers of the Clarion Gas and Water Company were James Campbell, president ; N. Myers, treasurer ; R. D. Campbell, secretary ; R. B. Thomas, superintendent. The present officers of the organization are, president, Will- iam L. Corbett; treasurer, N. Myers; secretary, William H. Ross; superin- tendent, James Knox.
The fire company was the natural outcome of the water works. It was organized December 18, 1875, with A. H. Beck, captain. Major Henry Wet- ter's liberality furnished the company with a hook and ladder truck, and it thereupon took the name of the Wetter Hose Company. The small hand- engine, purchased by the town council the year before, was discarded for hydrant power. The services of the company were first called upon in Febru- asy, 1876, to quench a blaze at Mrs. Evans's house. John G. Meisinger is the present captain.
The growth of the town, and the public and private improvements which 1875 saw, made that year an era in its history.
The engine house and council hall was erected in the spring of 1877, by T. C. Wilson, contractor.
The first railroad train entered Clarion December 4, 1877. The formal opening of the Emlenton, Shippenville and Clarion Railroad, on December 24, was a gala day for the good people of Clarion. About 400 excursionists, in- cluding notable railway officials and editors, were met at Edenburg by a dele- gation from the town, and on their arrival escorted to the music of several bands to the court-house, where they were addressed by Colonel Knox, and others. The guests were then dined, and a return excursion started for Em- lenton, the other terminus, where the festivities concluded with a ball.
The Clarion Light and Heat Company was chartered in December, 1882, with a capital stock of $3,600; W. W. Greenland, president ; F. M. Arnold, treasurer ; J. F. Brown, secretary ; R. D. Campbell, superintendent. In July the stock was increased fivefold. After an ineffectual attempt to revive a famous old gasser at Black's Forge, the company struck a fair vein, August, 1883, near the " Fountain Well," on the river, east of the town, and in No- vember, 1883, the people of Clarion began using natural gas. In course of time, this supply proving insufficient, a number of fruitless endeavors were made to obtain an additional well-five wells in all being drilled. In the winter of 1884 the gas was at a very low ebb, and a re-enforcement for the next winter was absolutely necessary. On August 25 Stewart & Ogden's gas well, near Mechanicsville, was purchased for $1,200 ; 30,000 feet of three inch casing purchased, and the gas piped to Clarion, a distance of five miles. This well yielded an abundant flow of the ærial fuel.
496
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
August, 1886, the Citizens Gas Company, a rival association, struck a strong vein of gas near the Stewart & Ogden well. Negotiations resulted finally, October 27, 1886, in the union of the two companies, and a reduction in rates. The company bears the old name, though controlled by the stock- holders of the Citizen's Gas Company. Hon. James Campbell is president ; F. M. Arnold, treasurer ; Samuel K. Clarke, secretary ; George Banner, super- intendent. The corporation is about to issue their first dividend. There are now very few houses in the borough which do not use gas.
On August 21, 1884, upon the petition of numerous citizens, and the recommendation of the grand jury, the borough limits were widely extended. The chief aim of this enlargement was to secure the better maintenance of the roads leading to the town. The general outline of the present boundary is a line embracing the Fair Ground, and thence taking a northeast course across the turnpike to the river, a little west of the upper bridge; thence up the river to the mouth of Corbett's (or -Knapp's) Run ; thence by a broken line in a southeastern course to the east boundary of E. Knapp; thence through lands of W. R. Curll and Samuel Sloan's heirs south to the northern boundary line of the Agey farm; thence a general western line through the Sloan lands to their western boundary ; thence by the same north to the railroad ; thence along the railroad, west to 5th avenue crossing ; thence northeast sixty degrees to the 4th avenue extension ; thence by the same to the old southern boun- dary line, and along that and the western one to the place of beginning.
Population, 1870, 709 ; 1880, 1, 169 ; present about 1,800.
CHAPTER L.
HISTORY OF CURLLSVILLE BOROUGH.1
C URLLSVILLE is a somewhat scattered village located in the southwest corner of Monroe township, and mainly on the right bank of the Big Licking Creek.
As far as can be learned the first settler here was James Pinks, the pioneer merchant of the county, who early in the present century built a log house near the creek.
The town took its name from Mr. William Curll, who by some is regarded as the first settler. It appears, however, that Bennsville would have been the more fitting name, as the lots were chiefly sold from the Benn farm, which lay on the right bank of the creek. Benn, however, lived a little out of town, and
1 By W. W. Deatrick.
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CURLLSVILLE BOROUGH.
as Curll lived in the town and kept a store there, the place was called after the latter.
At an early day Curllsville was the only post-office in the southern part of the county, according to the statement of Judge Clover in the County Atlas (p. 9.) It is probable, however, that the post-office was not in Curllsville, but about a mile south of the town, where David Stoner, who was remarkable for his height, standing about seven feet in his boots, kept a store, and was post- master at an early date, and for years after Curllsville was laid out. The store- house is still standing on the west side of the Watterson road opposite the resi- dence of Mr. Thompson. At that time the mail was carried from Greensburg, Westmoreland county, to Strattanville, the round trip being made in a week. The post-offices on the route in our county then were Maple Grove, near Ri- mersburg, at Stoner's, Reidsburg, and Strattanville.
The village is well supplied with stores. There are the general stores of the Patrick Brothers, L. C. Pritner, and E. M. Lee; also the millinery estab- lishment of Mrs. S. J. Pence. A. W. Hunter carries on an undertaking estab- lishment, and manufactures and keeps in stock a good assortment of domestic and city-made furniture.
Among the industries of the town must be mentioned the pottery, operated by Mr. - Hamilton; the brickyard by Thomas Lee ; smithies by John T. Snyder and by S. T. Jones, the latter also being engaged in the manufacture and repair of buggies and carriages ; and the wagonmaker's shop of E. B. Lewis. A grist-mill is situated on the right bank of Licking Creek, at the eastern end of the town, generally known as the Keystone; it is driven by steam, the water supply for this purpose being drawn from the creek near by. The mill was built by Philip Kaster, remodeled by Jeff. Lee and Andrew Lee, and is now operated by Messrs. Aites and brother. Before the erection of this mill there was a mill on the opposite side of the creek lower down. Near the grist-mill is an old saw-mill, which was formerly operated by Jeff. T. Lee. About 1846 the Keystone Foundry was established by Andrew Lee, Moses and Daniel Conrad, and George Keller, some or all of the parties being from Huntingdon county. It successively passed into various hands, Kaster's and others, and finally J. M. Turney's, under whose management it burned down.
For some years there was a tannery, originally established and carried on by John M. Reynolds, who was also engaged in harness-making and the sad- dlery business.
The public school of the borough is accommodated in a two-story frame, weather-boarded building, originally erected by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for some time used by them as a lodge hall.
Churches .- Methodist Church .- The town contains two churches. The Methodist Church, at present served by Rev. Weldron, is near the edge of the village on the Rimersburg road; it is a neat wooden building, seating over
498
HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
three hundred worshipers, and surmounted by a belfry containing a sweet- toned bell. The church was erected in 1870.
Grace Reformed Church .- The other church is known as Grace Reformed Church. The building is on the south side of the Brookville road, near the center of the village; it is a wooden building, about thirty-eight by fifty-four feet, neatly furnished within, and glistening in its fresh coat of white paint, is a conspicuous object as seen by the traveler as he crosses the brow of the hills surrounding the town. It is located in a yard of considerable size, in which have been planted numbers of trees which promise to afford a grateful shade in the near future. The building is equipped with a bell. This church and congregation was formerly called " Licking," and also " St. John's."1 A num- ber of Reformed families moved to this section of the country in the beginning of the century ; the Brinkers among others were here in 1802. Occasionally a Reformed minister would visit these people and remain a short time, preach- ing the Gospel to them. At that time the church in the east was accustomed to send candidates for the ministry on long missionary tours to North Carolina, Western Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In this way the people were kept together, and had broken to them occasionally the bread of life. Rev. William - and Rev. H. E. F. Voight are remembered by some of the most aged among the present members. There was also a Rev. Ho- - -, who remained here for over a year, and served the people in spiritual things.
The first settled minister was Rev. Henry Koch, who was pastor from 1819 to 1838. Rev. Henry Hoffman, from the Seminary at Mercersburg, took charge of a part of the field of labor about 1845. Shortly before this young brother reached his destination the old servant of the Lord (Mr. Koch) laid down his armor in death on the 7th of August, 1845.2 At the end of two years Rev. Hoffman was succeeded by Rev. L. D. Leberman. A year afterward (1849) Rev. George Wolff was called to this field. He remained about five years. The next minister was Rev. Nicholas E. Gilds, who began his work here in March, 1854. He remained two years. His successor was Rev. Joseph G. Shoemaker, who served the charge eighteen years. After him came Rev. John Dotterer, July 1, 1874. Rev. John M. Evans took charge November 1, 1878, and Rev. David B. Lady, March 1, 1885. The latter is still pastor. There were organized out of material belonging to this congregation at different times the Salem congregation at Frogtown, Jerusalem congregation at Rimersburg, St. Luke's congregation at Squirrel Hill, and Zion's congregation at Mt. Zion, two miles northeast of Callensburg.
The first church was of logs, erected about 1818. A brick edifice took its place in 1841. These buildings were owned jointly by the Reformed and Lu- therans. In 1873 the Reformed congregation built the present church at Curlls- ville, owned and occupied by them exclusively. At this time the name was
1 This sketch of the congregation has been largely;prepared by Rev. D. B. Lady.
2 Clarion Classis Minutes, Vol. I, p. 156.
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EDENBURG BOROUGH.
changed from St. John's to Grace. There is also a parsonage, owned by this and the neighboring congregations served by the same pastor. This parson- age is nearly opposite the church. It has lately been repaired. Services are held in the church every alternate Sunday. Sunday-school is held every Lord's day during nine months of the year. The membership of the congre- gation at present is one hundred and twenty-five.
Professional Men .- The professional men of the town are Dr. J. T. Rimer and Dr. J. A. Brown. Dr. Reichard was for many years the physician in this town. Mr. William A. Curll at one time occupied the offices of commissioner and associate judge of the county. William Pritner, sr., was one of the first commissioners of the county appointed by the governor.
Hotel .- The town contains one hotel, the Sheridan House, a three-storied brick edifice, erected in the days when the road through Curllsville was more of a thoroughfare than it is now.
Anti-Horsethief Association .- The Curllsville Anti-Horsethief Association requires some mention. The project, which has become so popular in this sec- tion of country, was inaugurated by Robert Thome. The Curllsville Associa- tion was the first of its kind in the county, and is now about thirty years old. During all this time, while horses have been stolen on all sides from persons not members of the company, the members of the company have not suffered except in two instances. One of the animals stolen (?) was Colonel Coulter's old family horse, afflicted with all the ailments horseflesh is heir to. This ani- mal suddenly disappeared and search failed to reveal its whereabouts. The insurance money was paid after quite a long time. The other animal stolen was a fine horse belonging to J. M. Turney. It was not recovered, and the company promptly paid one hundred dollars to partly compensate for its loss. The value of the association thus appears to be rather a preventative of thiev- ing (as members have secured remarkable immunity from depredation), rather than an efficient detective force in recovering stolen property.
CHAPTER LI.
HISTORY OF EDENBURG BOROUGH.1
T' HE history of Edenburg dates back to about 1840, at which time J. G. Mendenhall purchased from a man named Neff the premises now known as the Mendenhall farm. Later he purchased a part of the Attleberger farm, one mile west of the present site of Edenburg. He also owned another farm
1 By M. E. Hess.
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
one mile east of his homestead. Possessing these three tracts of about 160 acres each, with his dwelling and barns located on the middle farm, he named the place Eden. The beauty of the place can be best understood by study- ing the peculiarity of its location. It lies immediately east of one of the high ridges that abound in this section, and nestles close under the hill which slopes toward Canoe Creek. The ridge curves around here, and thus protects the place from the strong winds that blow from the north and west. Here Mr. Mendenhall opened a place of entertainment and called it " Eden Inn." Later Drake & Richardson opened a country store. After the store opened, a post- office was established. The name given it was Knox, by which it is still des- ignated. At a still later date Coulter & Patrick kept a store, and they were followed by John M. Kurtz, who was followed by P. F. Kribbs. Mr. Kribbs opened an extensive general store in 1861. On the discovery of oil in the county in 1871, the excitement soon reached Edenburg, by which name the place had been known for a number of years. Soon after oil had been struck in the lower part of the county, a number of leases were secured by pioneer oil men, and operations here began. Among the pioneers we note the names of Prentis, Baliett, Hahn, Kribbs, Fertig, Plummer, Gray brothers, Brundred, Turner, Wetter, and others. The first well "reached the sand in February, 1873. It was owned by Mr. Brundred, and was dry. It was located on the Oelschlager farm. In the following March Jacob Hahn and George Kribbs got a small producing well on the Kiser farm. In April Mr. Baliett finished a dry hole on the J. I. Best farm. In anticipation of oil being found, some buildings had been erected, but developments indicating dry territory, a sort of panic took possession of the new-comers, and many of them left. Some pulled down their buildings before going. Turner, Kelly, and others stuck to the field, and in June, 1873, were rewarded by striking oil in the St. Lawrence well, which proved a great producer. This strike was followed by others, and the fact soon became known' that Edenburg was a paying territory, and the town at once began to grow. Building was begun in earnest. The structures, however, were of a temporary nature, and very little time was necessary in which to put up a house.
E. W. Northrop was the first physician, William Whitling the first to start a drug store, J. D. Wolf the first hardware store, and Harrington & Irving the first grocery. In 1874 T. J. Crawford secured the appointment of postmaster.
Formerly Mr. Mendenhall kept a park of deer, and on the advent of the oil excitement he still kept wild geese, but on the arrival of the wild catters the wild geese disappeared.
Hotels .- An abundance of oil being assured in this vicinity in 1874, hotels and saloons were established. The first hotel was erected by Page Maple- stone. Robert Orr, of St. Petersburg, secured the Maplestone site by pur- chase, and refitted it for the accommodation of the public, naming it the "Ed-
M. Estess
H.LITTLE.
501
EDENBURG BOROUGH.
enburg House." This hotel was twice swept away by fire, and the present house is the third erected on the spot.
The Bennett House, subsequently built on North Main street, afforded good accommodations, and was well patronized in its day. Among others we recall the Clarion House, Grand Central, Rialto, Moran, St. Cloud, United States, Ross, City, Apollo, and Petroleum Hotels.
Machine and Boiler Shops .- J. & F. H. Boles's was the most important. Sheridan's machine shop was among the first. P. V. Kinnear's, on State street, and West Point, back in the field, together with the Novelty Iron Works of Smith Brothers, constitute the principal works in this line. Of these, only the Novelty Iron Works remain, and continue to manufacture and repair drilling tools and other oil well supplies on a large scale. Of boiler repair shops remaining at the present time, are Donovan's, Lincoln's, and Townley's, or Boiler Jack's.
Banks .- In the spring of 1876 developments for oil had proved so far suc- cessful that it was evident a bank could be profitably conducted in Edenburg. Messrs. F. Merrick and G. W. Conley were the first in the field, opening a bank and naming it " Edenburg Bank." They had little capital. Indeed it did not require much at this time. As soon as opened, capital in abundance, came into the bank, and it became a flourishing institution. The deposits ran up to hundreds of thousands. Seeking employment for this money, it was loaned in large sums to operators and others. With depression in the price of oil and value of oil property, came the day of reckoning. The bank had in- vested largely in oil property, some by purchase, and some as security for money loaned. After a struggle the managers were compelled to succumb, and made an assignment to S. M. Crosby, who unfortunately delayed settle- ment, hoping for a profitable turn in the fluctuation of values; but these con- tinued to decline, until financially, on closing the business of the bank, only thirteen and a half on the dollar was realized by depositors, leaving about $90,000 unpaid. This loss fell heavily on many who were unable to bear it.
"The Clarion County Bank" was opened about November, 1876, with Hon. J. M. Dickey, Hon. C. W. Mackey, E. W. Echols, B. W. Braden, Isaac Rummeor, P. R. Gray, O. C. McCormick, J. D. Wolf, and E. G. Crawford as. stockholders. This. bank has "lived" through fire and flame, and has ac- quired a reputation for stability.
" Huff's Bank" was first opened in Elk City, and on the decline of that place, came to Edenburg, to remove still later to Bradford.
Churches .- Efforts had been made, years before the discovery of oil at Edenburg, to organize a Methodist Church at this point, but without success. There were a few Winebrennerians in and about the place, and occasionally they had services in the school-house. They were the first to erect a church edifice, under the leadership of Rev. Vaneman, on land of J. I. Best, on South 54
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