USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania > Part 65
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In this way they spent the summer, and put in crops on the land which
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they cleared. After the fall seeding was done they began the erection of a small log house, which they completed and moved into about Christmas.
In 1807 Conrad Moyer came from Sugar Creek, Armstrong county, Pa., and settled on a tract of land south of St. Petersburg, now known as the Ritts farm. About this time William Porter settled on the land now owned by Hiram Neely. On this farm Richard Peters, the proprietor of the "Peters land," built a house where he lived by himself for many years.
Many early settlements were made in the vicinity of Chestnut Ridge. Jacob Hale settled there in 1812, Daniel Knight in 1818. Mathias Gilbert settled prior to 1829, and Jacob Heeter settled in 1829. Robert Mackelwaine settled on the Slicker farm early, but never received a title to the land. An- drew Porter settled in the Conver school district about 1831. In 1814 Cap- tain Henry Neely moved from near Edenburg, Clarion county, and settled on the Isaac Neely farm. He purchased four hundred and thirty-five acres, then unimproved, from the heirs of Edward Butler.
During the early history of the township, the majority of the people at- tended the Reformed Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. Later, services were often held in the different school-houses of the township.
The first school-house was built on the Porter farm, now owned by Hiram Neely, about the year 1816. The house was built of round logs, and roofed with clap-boards. For a chimney, sections of several logs were cut out at one end of the building. Then a stone foundation was made, and upon the stone a chimney was built (outside of the house) of poles with mud mixed with straw for mortar. For windows there was a section of a log taken out on each side of the room, and about every three feet props were placed upright, and over the openings thus formed greased paper was pasted to serve as window-lights. Robert Mackelwaine was the first teacher. This house was afterwards vacated, and the residence of Richard Peters, located on the same farm, was used for a school-house. The next school-house built in the township was erected in 1824, where the Conver school-house now stands. In 1826 a school-house was built near where the old Bostaph school-house stood. There are now ten school-houses in the township, and three in the Independent Foxburg district.
The Allegheny Valley Railroad was the first in the township. This rail- road, extending along the western border of the township, was built in 1865. The Foxburg, St. Petersburg, and Clarion Railroad was built in 1877. Soon after, it was sold to the Pittsburgh, Bradford and Buffalo Railroad Company, and finally the Pittsburgh and Western.
The first store kept in the township was owned by Louis Collner, and was located on the road between St. Petersburg and Emlenton. He afterwards located in St. Petersburg, where his sons, the well known Collner Brothers, still continue the business. Before the opening of this store, the people from the township went to Emlenton or Lawrenceburg to make their purchases.
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
In 1818 the first grist-mill of the township was built on the Clarion river, near Alum Rock, by George Myers. This mill was burnt, and Mr. Myers built another one where Martin's mill now stands. The first saw-mill in the township was built on Alum Rock Run by Henry and John Neely about 1820. The famous millwright, Harry Jenkins, performed the work.
In 1862 the first post-office established in the township was located at Alum Rock, in the house of Daniel Bostaph, who officiated as postmaster. At that time mail was received only once a week. The mail was carried from Emlenton to Callensburg, via Agnew's Mills and St. Petersburg.
In 1832 the land upon which Keating's furnace was erected was bought of Richard Peters by Jacob Frederick, who sold to John Keating and John Ven- sel. The land was found to contain much rich iron ore, and in 1846 the fur- nace was built. In 1866 operations were suspended. It was never re-opened, and is now a thing of the past.
About the time of the first oil excitement at Oil City, a company was formed composed of Isaac Neely, William H. Neely, Daniel Bostaph, Alexander Wilson, Henry Barr, Edward Murray, and others. They began drilling a well at Alum Rock, on the Isaac Neely farm. The tools and apparatus for drilling were then very crude, and progress was made very slowly. Now and then operations were suspended for want of money to carry on the work. The first drilling was done by hand, then by horse-power, and finally, after the war, work was again resumed on the well. A set of tools was obtained, which stuck in the well, and it was finally abandoned as a failure. Much gas was found, but no oil. This was the first well that was ever drilled in Rich- land township. Oil operations were then suspended until about 1870. In the spring of that year John Galey leased a piece of land belonging to Judge Keat- ing, situated on the Clarion River at a place called the Grass-flats. The well was a success, producing sixty or seventy barrels per day. Excitement spread rapidly. Land was leased and other wells were drilled soon after.
In 1871 Hulings & Company drilled a well at Antwerp, on the Ashbaugh farm. It produced three hundred barrels per day. This caused intense ex- citement, not only in the immediate vicinity, but throughout this and adjoining counties. People flocked from all parts of the State. Other wells were drilled and found to be good producers, and in a short time a flourishing town had sprung up.
In the fall of 1872 the town was burnt. During the two short years of its existence, it had grown to be a town of about a thousand inhabitants. It was never rebuilt, and the few buildings which escaped the flames were afterward torn downfand moved away. The school-house, built in 1871, which stood on the hill above the town and escaped the flames, was moved down in the fall of 1882, and is the only building left to mark the spot where the town once stood.
JOHN KEATING.
S.LITTLE PHI. A
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In 1872 oil was found on the Hiram Neely farm, a short distance east of Antwerp. Soon after wells were drilled on the Isaac Neely farm, Keating farm, and around Turkey City.
FOXBURG.
The history of this village properly commences with the oil excitement in 1870. It is built on land owned by the Fox heirs, all on leased lots, hence the name. The post-office was established in 1870, and Colonel Gibson was appointed postmaster. C. C. Bone opened a news-room and stationery store about the same time. Then followed other stores, a meat-market or two, dwell- ings, etc. Mr. Jos. Hart came here in 1870, building an oil refinery across the river in 1873. In 1876 he moved it upon the hill above Foxburg, and subse- quently sold it to the Standard Oil Company.
Fires .- The first fire occurred here in 1876, when all the buildings on the river side of the A. V. Railroad were burned, including Porterfield & MComb's store, express office, Smith's meat-market and other buildings, amounting in loss to about $25,000. The same ground was again burnt over in 1881, tak- ing two restaurants, Wales's hardware store, Moore's grocery, express office, billiard-room and oil-well supply store.
In the spring of 1883 the Fox Hotel was burned, and during the next two years the present fine building was erected by the Fox estate.
The Valley depot was burned in 1884, and the present neat building erected the next summer.
In July, 1886, another fire occurred in this place, burning Smith's meat- market, D. C. Hart's store, and Odd Fellow's Hall, a room above, Barnes's tin- shop, and a millinery store. After all these fires most of the buildings were rebuilt.
There have been several societies organized in Foxburg from time to time, including I. O. O. F. in 1871, A. O. U. W. about three years afterwards, and later the Knights of Honor, G. A. R., and others.
The round-house and car-shop were built in 1880. The school-building was erected here in 1874, by heirs of the Fox estate. It is a neat, two-story building, containing three rooms, well furnished. Mrs. Samuel Fox has been a liberal contributor to the schools there ever since they were organized, giv- ing to their support $1,000, $1,500, and sometimes as much as $2,000 per year, besides taxes on the estate, which included the greater part of the public funds raised there.
The Fox mansion is pleasantly situated on an elevation some distance above the town, and is a beautiful country residence.
Turkey City was at one time a flourishing oil centre, but is now on the decline.
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
HISTORY OF RIMERSBURG BOROUGH.1
L OCATION .- The borough and post-village of Rimersburg is situated in the southwestern part of the county, partly in Madison township, and partly (the greater part) in Toby township.
Previous to 1829 the site of the town was a barren, covered with a dense growth of underbrush, through which deer and other wild animals roamed.
Early History and Settlement .- In the year named John Rimer built a rude cabin on the lot of ground at present known as the Henry Crick property. Here, in primitive style, an abundance of old-time rye whisky was served to the thirsty pioneers from the bar established by Rimer. The tavern became quite a popular resort, and was often the scene of boisterous revelry.2
The next building was "slab cabin," which stood where James H. Abrams's residence now stands.
It is on record 3 that in 1833 a number of the pioneers celebrated the Fourth of July near one of these cabins. When the proposition was made that it would be in order to have the Declaration of Independence read, the com- pany were considerably nonplused because of an inability to procure the his- toric document. James Pinks, however, came to the rescue, by producing a child's handkerchief, on which the Declaration was printed. D. R. Lawson, as orator of the day, then read it in such a manner as to elicit the hearty ap- plause of the assembled company.
In 1839 Mr. Rimer and several other land owners laid out a number of town lots, and from the description given of the event by some of our older citizens, the sale must have been an unique affair. The lots were sold at dollars apiece. At the consummation of the sale of each lot a good drink of whisky was taken by seller, buyer, and each of the by-standers. Doubtless if the number of lots sold was at all considerable, the company must have been in a hilarious state by the time the auction was ended.
As an inducement to settlers it was proposed to name the prospective village in honor of the man who should, after the town was laid out, build the first house. James Pinks purchased a lot and erected a house, rather a shanty, of moderate diminsions, one and a half stories in height, upon the piece of ground lying at the intersection of the Lawsonham road with Main street, where it stands at present; the house owned by Mrs. William Abrams, and occupied by Dr. J. H. Hepburn as a residence and office. Part of the original building is said to be included in the present structure. Here Mr. Pinks kept a little store. It is claimed by some that Mr. Pinks kept store here as early as
1 By W. W. Deatrick. 2 See "Caldwell's Atlas of Clarion County," p. 16. 3 Ibid.
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1812, and that it was the first store in Clarion county.1 A barrel of sugar, a sack of coffee, a box of tea, and a few other articles were sufficient supplies for nearly a year. Mr. Pinks became the first postmaster of Pinksville, as the village was then called, the post-office having been removed from Maple Grove, about a mile distant, where it had formerly been.
The town grew rapidly at first, the location being elevated and pleasant, being, moreover, on the Clarion and Watterson road. This was the third public road laid out in the county, and was for many years quite a thorough- fare, traversed by stage-coaches and numerous teams. To accommodate the traveling public three hostelries were erected in Rimersburg, two being at at present used as hotels, and now known respectively as the Sheridan and Berlin Houses. The old Forest House is now used as a residence. The titles of these hotels have varied from time to time as their proprietors have changed.
Incorporated a Borough .- In the year 1853 Rimersburg was duly incor - porated as a borough. James Pinks was one of the first councilmen. The borough, as originally laid out, was a rectangle three hundred rods long by one hundred rods wide, the general direction being south-southeast. Pre- vious to 1862 the dead of the community were interred in the Bethesda grave- yard of the Presbyterian Church, near town, and in the burying-grounds be- longing to the Methodist Reformed and Associate Presbyterian congregations within the borough limits. In the year named Peter Switzer, Abram Pro- basco, Samuel Hosey, R. Klingensmith, David Crick, John Arner, sr., James Feely, and perhaps some others, formed a company, bought a tract 'of land northeast of town, and laid it out in lots for a general cemetery. Shortly afterwards the cemetery association was incorporated by law, and either by the incorporation act, or by a borough ordinance, further interments within the borough limits were prohibited. Many of the dead in the Methodist and Reformed grave-yards were raised and reinterred in the cemetery, since which these grounds have not been used, and are now in a shamefully ne- glected condition. As the burying ground of the Associate Presbyterian congregation was so near the borough limits the members of that denomina- tion strongly objected to abandoning it, and made a strenuous effort to have their grave-yard cut out of the borough. Considerable feeling and strife was thereby engendered, the town council and the majority of the citizens strongly opposing the proposed measure. To the surprise and chagrin of their oppo- nents the Associate Presbyterians finally gained their point, securing a special act of the Legislature (passed April 14, 1863), by which " the lines of the borough of Rimersburg are . . . so changed as to exclude the grave-yard of the associate congregation of Cherry Run Church and the lot of John Boyls from said borough limits, and include the said grave-yard and lot of John Boyls within the township of Toby, from which they were taken." This change
1 Caldwell's atlas, p. 9.
.
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
rendered the northern boundary of the borough irregular in a very peculiar way.
Selection of Name .- Originally, the southern part of the village was known as Pinksville, and the northern end as Rimersburg. When a name was to be selected for the whole town when incorporated, there arose quite a controversy in the matter. One party desired to retain the name Pinksville. Others pro- posed Sloansville, in honor of Colonel Levi Sloan. A third party claimed that the town should be called Rimersburg, after its earliest settler, John Rimer.
Several accounts are current explanatory of the final selection of the name. Some say that it was a compromise between the claims of the Sloan and Pinks factions. Another, and probably the correct version of the matter, is that the name Rimersburg was chosen because the consumers of Rimer's old rye whis- key were more numerous and influential than the patrons of the Pinksville post-office and the customers at James Pinks's store. However that may be, the present generation of Rimers are among our most respected and temperate citizens, and our town has been for years an example of practical prohibition.
School-houses .- In early times there were two school-houses in or near the present borough limits-one was called Benn's school-house, and stood near where Mr. Thomas Wilson's house now stands; the other, built in 1835, proba- bly before the erection of Benn's school- house, was known as Jackson's school- house. This occupied nearly the site of the present Reformed Church. It was a rude structure of logs, with a gable towards the Lawsonham road. In the one end was an immense fire-place. It had a rough puncheon floor, and seats of slabs. Along the walls were ranged high seats for the writing pupils, part of whom faced the walls, seated at rude desks made of a flattened log resting upon pins inserted in the timbers of the building. This building had glazed windows, and not, as the "County Atlas " states, merely sashes filled with greased paper. The window in front was a regular double sash window, while the other sides were lighted by a double row of panes of glass, set in immov- able sash extending nearly the whole length of the sides of the room.
In - the first public school was erected on the back street. It con- tained two rooms, and was built of logs.
In 1875 this building was replaced by a neat weather-boarded building, painted white, containing two rooms, and equipped with patent desks. The location, however, is most unfortunate, being on the back street, in close prox- imity to stables and other uninviting surroundings.
Clarion Collegiate Institute .- Shortly prior to 1858, the people of the Reformed Church in this section of country, proposed the establishment of a classical academy. Several sites were proposed, among others Curllsville and New Bethlehem. However, as a larger amount of money was contributed for the proposed institution by the people of Rimersburg and adjacent neighbor- hood, and as Rimersburg was then a thriving and growing village, being on
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the principal thoroughfare of the county, the school was located here and named Clarion Collegiate Institute.
In the spring of 1858 the school was opened, with Rev. Lucian Cort, A. M., as principal, and until the Institute building was ready for occupancy, was con- ducted in the Reformed Church near by. In 1859 the Institute was incorpo- rated under a liberal charter from the State. In 1871 a new charter was granted.
July 6, 1859, the corner-stone of the building was laid, on which occasion Rev. Henry Harbaugh, of blessed memory, delivered an address on Christian- ity and Mental Development. In 1860 the building was completed, and was immediately occupied by the school. The first catalogue, issued in that year, shows that one hundred and six pupils had been in attendance during the year 1859-60. At this time Rev. Abner Dale was associated with Mr. Cort as a co-principal. In the winter of 1860-61, on account of failing health, Mr. Dale severed his connection with the school and congregation, and in the following spring Mr. Cort also resigned, entering pastoral work for a while, but soon engaging again in educational work elsewhere.
Rev. Joseph H. Apple (now D. D.), was his immediate successor. For nine years, years of discouragement and trial, for it was the time of the civil war, which depleted the attendance in institutions of learning everywhere, Dr. Apple stood at the head of the school, and during this time did noble and successful work. Many of his students exchanged their books and gowns for swords and muskets, while many others turned their energies to the work of teaching, or entered the gospel ministry.
Rev. Charles Knepper was next entrusted with the care of the school. For a while the school prospered, and a paper, The Collegiate Monthly, was published. Serious difficulties between principal and students were engen- dered, and these resulted in the establishment of a rival academy in the public school building, and finally in the retirement of Mr. Knepper from his position, after two years' service.
For about a year the regular management was temporarily suspended,1 and a private school was carried on by Mr. R. B. Huey, who rented the build- ing for this purpose.
In the spring of 1873 Rev. J. J. Pennepacker, A. M., became principal, and conducted the school successfully for several years until a severe personal injury compelled him to relinquish his work. He was succeeded in 1874 by Professor A. J. Davis, later superintendent of public schools of Clarion county, and at present principal of the new State Normal School at Clarion. Mr. Da- vis continued in charge until November 1, 1880, and at times was assisted by enthusiastic and able instructors, among whom may be mentioned Rev. Pen- nepacker ; Dr. J. T. Rimer, now of Curllsville; Rev. A. Fleming, now rector of
1 At this time the Classis decided to abandon the school, and ordered the property to be sold.
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
the Episcopal Church at North East, Erie county ; Mr. W. A. Beer, of Cal- lensburg, and others. During the incumbency of Professor Davis the school was prosperous and considerable repairs were made. Rev. J. J. Pennepacker be- came principal again at the close of the year 1880, and occupied that position until in January, 1882, he resigned and entered the pastoral work.
For nearly a year the school was closed, and the buildings were becoming dilapidated, and the grounds sadly neglected. In October, 1883, a call was extended to Rev. W. W. Deatrick, A. M., to become principal. He accepted the call, reopened the institution January 7, 1884, and has remained at its head from that time to the present.
The school now enjoys an unusual degree of prosperity. Very extensive repairs have been made to the building, both on the exterior and on the inte- rior. The beautiful natural grove in which the institute stands has been im- proved and beautified. Within the last few years an extensive and valuable collection of mineral and other specimens has been gathered, a library of nearly five hundred volumes has been acquired, and other important improvements have been made.
The institute building is a three-story structure, forty by sixty feet, sur- mounted by a cupola. The lower floor is occupied as a residence by the prin - cipal, the second is devoted to recitation-rooms, and the third contains the dormitories of the students.
The institution is owned and controlled by Clarion Classis of the Reformed Church, and is managed by a board of trustees appointed by that body, yet the school is not sectarian ; students are admitted irrespective of their denomi- national relations. As now constituted the board of trustees consists of Rev. J. F. Wiant, president ; Rev. W. W. Deatrick, secretary and treasurer ; Rev. R. C. Bowling ; Rev. David B. Lady ; and Mr. Philip Bittenbender.
Churches .- There are four religious denominations represented in the town by organized congregations and church edifices. There are the Associate Presbyterians, Reformed, Methodist Episcopal, and Presbyterian.
Associate Presbyterian Church .- The Associate Presbyterian Church ad- joins a pleasant grove in the northern part of the village. Rev. Robert Bruce, resident within a short distance of Rimersburg, is pastor.
The Reformed Church is a brick building situated on the west side of Main street, just north of the ground of the Clarion Collegiate Institute. The con- gregation known as the Jerusalem congregation, was organized early in 1841 by Rev. Henry Koch, out of material previously belonging to the church at Curllsville. For some years the congregation worshiped at Arner's school- house about three-quarters of a mile north of Rimersburg. Rev. Koch served them for several years until his death, August 7, 1845. In 1846 Rev. Hoff- man took charge. He was succeeded in 1848 by Rev. L. D. Leberman. The church building was erected in this year. Rev. Leberman remained a year,
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and was followed by Rev. George Wolff, who served this people some five years. Rev. N. E. Gills entered upon the pastorate as his successor, March, 1854. In June, 1856, Rev. J. G. Shoemaker became pastor, continuing in that relation until in June, 1860, the congregation was erected into a separate charge. Rev. Abner Dale served the new charge for about six months. Early in 1861 Rev. Joseph H. Apple became pastor, and continued at the head of the church and of the Clarion Collegiate Institute, of which he was principal, until near the close of 1869. Rev. C. Knepper ministered to the congregation during 1870 and 1871. For three years the charge was vacant until Decem- ber, 1874, when Rev. J. J. Pennepacker became pastor. This arrangement held until in 1879, when the congregation was again joined to the Curllsville charge, with Rev. John M. Evans, as pastor, who in his turn was followed by Rev. David B. Lady, who since the beginning of 1885 has ministered to the spiritual necessities of the people. The congregation now numbers over one hundred adult members.
Methodist Church .- The Methodist Episcopal Church, also on the west side of Main street, is somewhat south of the center of town. This is a neat frame structure of considerable size, and surmounted by a cupola containing a sweet- toned bell.
The history I of this society dates back to 1817, when a class was organ- ized at the house of John Lawson on the road leading to Lawsonham, near the lime quarry. Meetings were held in private houses until 1832, when a log church was built about one-half mile east of Rimersburg, on lands then owned by John Bingham, who gave to the society thirty acres of land. On part of this ground was a grave-yard used for many years, but of it there is now little or no trace, the land having passed into other hands, and being under cultiva- tion. In 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. R. Peck, a new church was com- menced near where the present church stands, but was not completed until 1848, under the pastorate of Rev. G. F. Reeser. In this building the congre- gation continued to worship until 1871, when the present church was built and dedicated under the pastorate of Rev. W. M. Taylor. The old building was bought by Mr. Alfred Warren, who had it removed across the street and fitted up for a town hall.
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