USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 36
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Robert Collins built a log house on the site of the present Mansion House. It was built, as near as can be ascertained, about the year 1807, soon after Collins came to the place. Ebenezer McGee soon after built near Collins.
The Shirley family were among the first and occupied a log house near the residence of the late Dr. Wilson, on the corner of Locust and Second streets.
Andy Kaufman lived in a log house located where G. L. Reed's residence stands, on the southwest corner of First and Market streets.
After the departure of Granny Lathers a family named Watson occupied the cabin. It was located near where A. F. Boynton's barn now stands. Watson, whose given name was John, had a wife, but no children. They were very fond of company and welcomed all visitors to their house, and were especially joyful if anything strong was to be had with which to entertain their guests.
After the first commissioners were appointed the erection of the first court- house was commenced. Robert Collins was awarded the contract. It was built during the years 1814-15, but the exact date cannot now be fixed. It cost about $3,000. The jail was built about the same time, but not on the Locust street lot. It stood on the site now occupied by Dr. Burchfield's resi- dence on Second street. This jail was built of logs one story in height, and served the required purpose until the stone jail was built in rear of the court- house on Market street, about 1841.
In 1810 the town had a population of about twenty inhabitants and re- ceived no considerable increase up to 1822. In the year 1836 the town had only about three hundred population. In an address delivered during the year 1876, Dr. Hoyt, referring to his early recollections of the town, said there were but three houses in Clearfield town in 1819; one occupied by Robert Collins, another on the site of Shirk Brothers' tannery, and the third on the Kratzer place, occupied by one Perks.
On the site now occupied by the residence of Judge McEnally stood an old tannery, said to have been built about 1810, but not operated to any ex- tent until several years later. It must have been built prior to 1813, as the tax list made early in 1814 shows Thomas Reynolds, the proprietor, assessed for a tanyard.
Jacob Irwin built a tan house about 1814 or 1815 on the land in rear of the Boyer residence on Second street. 43
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These seem to have comprised the manufacturing industries of the town up to about 1825.
After the completion of the court-house the jury room was used for some time as a school, and taught by Dr. A. T. Schryver.
There were, in 1822, three taverns within the town limits of Clearfield. Robert Collins made an addition to his house, part frame and part brick, and there entertained the traveler at what was for many years known as Collins Hotel. From the best information obtainable Collins commenced keeping public house about the year 1817, soon after the completion of the court- house.
The next hotel was established by Thomas Hemphill about the year 1819, on the site now occupied by, the fine brick residence of W. M. Shaw. This was torn down in 1866, and a new, the Shaw House, erected in its place by Richard Shaw, sr. The Shaw House was destroyed by fire in 1881. About the year 1820 the Western Hotel was built on the corner of Second and Market streets, by George D. Lenich. It was managed several years by George Lenich, and after his death by various persons. The old building still stands, but is now occupied for business purposes. The stable attached to the hotel on the east side fronting on Market street, has been remodeled and altered, and is now occupied by M. G. Rook as a clothing store. William Philips had charge of the Western Hotel in the year 1822.
At the time the first court was held in Clearfield in October, 1822, three applications were made for hotel or tavern license, each of which was granted, the landlords being Robert Collins, Thomas Hemphill, and William Philips.
Post- Office and Postmasters in Clearfield Town and Borough .- After the town had acquired a population sufficiently great to warrant the establishment of a post-office, an application was made to the department to that end. It resulted in the appointment of Thomas Hemphill, proprietor of the hotel on Market street, as postmaster, and the office was removed from Reedsboro, on the ridge, to town. Hemphill held this position several years, and was suc- ceeded by William L. Moore. The latter moved the office to the storehouse on Second street, on the site of Colonel Walter Barrett's law office.
William Radebaugh was the next appointee, and kept the office in Shaw's frame row on Market street.
Radebaugh was succeeded by John H. Hillburn, who occupied a part of the old Western Hotel on Second street, near where the First National Bank stands.
Next in order of succession was Charles D. Watson. He located the office on Second street, below Market, and adjoining the Mansion House.
Michael A. Frank succeeded Watson and moved the post-office to Irvin's storehouse, next to Mossop's store on Market street.
Peter A. Gaulin was next appointed and retained the storehouse location
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for a time, but afterward moved the office to his building on Market street, between Second and Third streets. Captain Gaulin held the position longer than any of the appointees either before or since, being about sixteen years in office. He was succeeded by Samuel J. Row, who changed the location to Second street, in the store building now occupied by him.
Mr. Row was succeeded by A. B. Weaver, the present incumbent, who was appointed in 1886. The office is now located in Weaver's store on Second street.
Old Families of the Town and Borough .- From the time the town was laid out down to the time the county organization was completed, in 1822, set- tlement in the town proper was very slow, but from that time until 1840, and even later, it was more rapid. The names of many can be recalled at this time, yet the exact date of their coming to the town cannot with accuracy be fixed. Among those mentioned there appears names of families who have since become prominent, and have taken a conspicuous part in the affairs of the town and subsequent borough, as well as in the county. William Alex- ander was the head of one of these families. From 1816 to 1819, he was sheriff of Centre county, and arrested the notorious Monks, murderer of Reuben Giles, after that offense was committed. Sheriff Alexander, during his resi- dence here, was elected justice of the peace. He resided on the old jail lot on Second street, and for a time was landlord of the Mansion House ; at another time he lived on the corner of Second and Market streets, on what is now the Graham property. Of his children, Ann, the eldest, married Judge Fleming, of Clinton county; Emily married Abraham K. Wright; Elizabeth married James B. Graham, and Jane became the wife of Joseph Hagerty. Colonel William Alexander, a son, went to Clarion and edited the Clarion Democrat many years. When Mr. Alexander first came to the county he lived for a time at Forest, on Clearfield Creek.
Jonathan Boynton came to the county about the year 1835, for the purpose of engaging in the lumber business. This he did, not extensively, however, as a producer, but largely as a dealer, buying and selling. He was one of the firm of Fitch & Boynton. He afterward located permanently at Clearfield, and has since become president of the First National Bank, having filled that office since the bank was incorporated, in 1864. Mr. Boynton married Mary Nevling, who bore him three children, viz .: Ai F., Edith, and Ira N.
Frederick G. Betts came to the town about 1840, and officiated as pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He lived on the corner now owned by Judge Krebs. Of his sons, Lockwood was killed in the late war; William W. be- came, and now is the partner of John F. Weaver, in the lumber business, and in 1886, was elected to the State Senate, representing this senatorial district. David, another son, lives at Charlestown, W. Va.
John Beaumont was a blacksmith of the town, and had his shop where
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William V. Wright's residence now stands, on the corner of Market and Third streets.
William Bigler came to Clearfield town in 1833, and soon after started the newspaper called the Clearfield Democrat. In 1836 he married Maria Jane, daughter of Alexander B. Reed, by whom he had five children, viz. : Reed, John W., William D., Edmund A., and Harry F. In 1842 Mr. Bigler was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1844. In 1848 he was a candi- date for the nomination in the State convention for the office of governor, but was not successful. The succeeding term, 1851, he was again a candidate, and elected. He was again a candidate in 1854, but defeated. After his term of office expired he was made president of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company, which position he held one year, when he was elected to the United States Senate and served until 1861. In connection with the Centennial Ex- hibition at Philadelphia, in 1876, he occupied a prominent position. From the time of his coming to the county until the time of his death, William Bigler was a prominent figure in social and political life. He engaged extensively in lumbering, and acquired considerable real estate. He died in September, 1880.
Among the early settlers there was one who, although he never attained any degree of distinction above his fellow men, will readily be called to mind as one of the characters of the town. This was A. T. Bradley. He came here from Philadelphia. For several years his son, William T. Bradley, kept the hotels where the Leonard House and the Allegheny House are respectively located. Bradley's wife had no liking for town life, and induced her husband to move into the thickly wooded district about three miles from town. On all parade and review days, and during court time as well, Bradley was always on hand with his old covered wagon, drawn by an ox, selling ginger cakes and small beer to all whom it concerned, and especially to the indispensable small boys.
George R. Barrett was a native of Curwensville, born March 31, 1815, where his boyhood days were spent. In 1831 he was apprenticed to John Bigler to learn the trade of a printer. In 1834 he went to Brookville, where he edited the Brookville Jeffersonian until 1835, and at the same time read law. In the latter year he moved to Lewisburg, where he was admitted to the bar of Union county in 1836. He came to Clearfield in 1836, and, in the succeeding year, was made deputy attorney-general for Clearfield and Jeffer- son counties. During the long years of service in public office, Judge Barrett always made his home in Clearfield after 1836. So much has been said of him and his professional life elsewhere in this work that further reference is unnecessary at this place. In 1834 he married Sarah, daughter of William Steedman, of Lewisburg, who bore him fifteen children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. They were Clarence L., Walter, Sophie, Fred,
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Frank, Alice, Charlie, Fanny, Annie, and George, all of whom, except Fanny and Annie, still live. Colonel Walter Barrett married Sophie, daughter of Rev. Alexander MacLeod.
Henry B. Beisell, was a local tinsmith of the town, and had his shop at one time on Front street, near where James Alexander afterward lived. Beisell was captain of one of the old militia companies of the place, and prominently identified with musical organizations. He left the town many years ago, and died recently at Beaver Falls.
Isaac Lewis Barrett, was one of the sons of Daniel Barrett, and brother of Judge George R. Barrett. He resided and made his home with his brother, and was interested in the store on Cherry street with George R. Barrett and Mr. Kratzer. He was at one time nominated for sheriff on the Democratic ticket, but owing to disaffection on the part of many Democrats, they joined with the Whigs in the support of William Powell, who was subsequently elected. Mr. Barrett subsequently went to Philadelphia and kept a hotel there, but is now a resident of Lock Haven.
Henry S. Bamford will be remembered as a potter of the town at an early day. His shop was on Cherry street, east of Third street, now the property of James L. Leavy.
Lewis C. Cardon came to the town about 1823. He was a Frenchman by birth and parentage, and emigrated to this country at an early day. He walked from Baltimore to Clearfield, where he lived and died. William Clement Cardon, son of Lewis, became owner of the Mansion House in 1876, and man- aged it about seven years, and still owns it, although now leased to his brothers, Frederick M. and Charles F. Cardon.
John L. Cuttle, by birth an Englishman, came to Clearfield in 1839. From that time he has been prominently identified with the affairs of the town and county. He was a justice of the peace in 1845, and county surveyor in 1853, holding the latter office two terms. In 1859 he was elected prothonotary, and in 1882, associate judge of the county. He formerly lived on Market street, adjoining Kratzer's store, on the place where Captain Gaulin's store now stands. His present residence is on Reed street, between Second and Third streets.
Francis Dunlap, another of the early residents of the town, worked for many years at the " red mill." He lived in the old toll-house at the east end of the Market street bridge. Mr. Dunlap died about 1846, after which his widow moved to Nebraska.
Joseph Gaylor was proprietor of a drug store that stood on the lot now occupied by Dr. A. P. Hill's residence. Gaylor was an unmarried man, and soon after 1845 went west.
John Flegal, son of the pioneer Valentine Flegal, and father of Lever Flegal, of Lawrence township, lived in town at an early day. He had several occu- pations-local preacher, hotel keeper, and blacksmith. About 1845 he run the Mansion House and worked at the blacksmith trade at the same time.
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Michael Frank was a tailor, and had a shop on the front part of Dr. Hill's lot. He was appointed postmaster to succeed Charles A. Watson, and was, in turn, succeeded by Captain Peter A. Gaulin in 1866. After leaving the town, Frank went to Nebraska.
Isaiah Fullerton was one of the early settlers, and lived on the lot between the residences of William M. and Arnold B. Shaw, on Front street. Fullerton, with Hugh Leavy, built the Market street bridge.
Thomas Hemphill was one of the worthies and political leaders of his time. In 1822 he kept the hotel on Market street, and was appointed postmaster the first in the town. His son, William J. Hemphill, became a member of the Legislature. Constance C. Hemphill, another son, succeeded to the hotel business after his father, and he, too, was a prominent figure in local politics. John, the third son, was a printer.
Esther Haney moved into town and lived on Market street, east of Third. She was the widow of Frederick Haney, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, and the builder of the first ark run down the river, but which " stove " at Rocky Bend. The correct surname of the family was " Hanich," but by usage and common consent the name was changed to Haney.
Frederick P. Hurxthal was one of the prominent men of the town. He kept store on the corner where George L. Reed now lives, for many years. He built Irvin's mill at Lick Run, founded the hamlet afterward called Wood- land, and otherwise contributed to the welfare of the county. Mr. Hurxthal now lives in West Virginia.
On the corner of Front and Market streets Ellis Irwin built a store and dwelling, which he occupied for many years. The building was subsequently remodeled, and is now occupied by Joseph Shaw as a residence. Irwin became a popular man in the county. He succeeded to the office of prothonotary after Joseph Boone, and still later was sheriff of the county. This store building was erected prior to 1840, and was one of the best in the town.
Alexander Irvin had a residence on Market street, just east of Ellis Irwin's storehouse. He is well remembered by all the older residents of the county. He was the first congressman ever elected from the county, and in this con- nection made a remarkable "run " as a candidate of the Whig party, which party he organized and was its acknowledged leader in the county. His election to Congress occurred in the year 1847. He held various offices of trust in the county. At one time he was elected State senator, and at another time was prothonotary of the county.
Jacob Jackson (colored) was one of the early-day characters of the town. He lived with his family on Locust street, east of Third. Jacob never dis- played any great ambition for manual labor, and his wife, "Aunt Liddie," as she was commonly called, was the mainstay of the family, supporting them by " taking in " washing from such of the town's folk as could afford this extrava-
ALEXANDER IRVIN.
ALITTLE.
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gance. The Jacksons were one of the earliest families in the county, having settled in the vicinity known as " Guinea Hill" soon after the year 1800.
William Jones was a shoemaker and brick-maker, and lived on Market street, east of Third, where his shoe-shop was located. His brick-yard was south of the.Shirk tannery. Jones died in Clearfield a few years ago. His son, Joseph H. Jones, also carried on the business of shoemaking, and also lived on Market street.
Christopher Kratzer came to the county soon after 1824. He was a cab- inet-maker by trade, and took up his residence at the corner of Front and Cherry streets, and still lives there. Mr. Kratzer, during his many years of life in the town, has been identified with much of its progress. He founded the first newspaper in the county, in 1827 ; has engaged extensively in lum- bering and other branches of trade; was twice made county treasurer, and otherwise prominently before the people for over a half-century. His son, Harry A. Kratzer, is now one of the leading merchants of the borough, having a place of business on Market street.
George D. Lenich came from Virginia and settled in the town about the year 1820. He built the old Western Hotel on the corner of Second and Market streets, and managed it many years. He died about twenty years ago.
John Lytle was one of the family of George Lytle, a pioneer of the "upper country " in the vicinity of Lumber City, and came to Clearfield town about 1840. He lived on Cherry street, back of St. Andrew's Church. John G., William J., and James H. Lytle were sons of John Lytle. The firm of Lytle Brothers is composed of John G. and James H. Lytle, doing a grocery busi- ness on Market street.
James T. Leonard was a son of Abraham Leonard, and was born in the year 1800. His business life in town commenced in 1839, when he formed a partnership with William L. Moore, and carried on business on the site now occupied by Colonel Barrett's law office. He married Amanda Lenich. In political life Mr. Leonard was a conspicuous figure for many years. During his residence in Bradford township he was constable. He was county treas- urer, prothonotary, and associate judge at various intervals during his residence in town, and at the time of his death, in July, 1882, president of the County National Bank. In 1857, during the strife between the rafters and floaters on the river, Mr. Leonard ran as an independent candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated. The Leonard Graded School was founded by him, and he contributed largely to its erection. It was so named in his honor.
Andrew Leonard, brother of Judge Leonard, was another old and well known resident of the town. He was interested in the firm of Leonard & Moore.
Dr. Henry Loraine was one of the leading physicians of the town in early
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days. He came here from Philipsburg. In 1836 he lived on the site of G. L. Reed's residence, at the corner of Front and Market streets. Later he resided on the location of Eli Bloom's house on Market street, near Third. Concern- ing Dr. Loraine further reference will be found in the medical chapter of this work.
David Leitz lived and had a small shop where Senator Betts's residence now stands, on the corner of Second and Locust streets. Leitz bought the foundry and machine shop property on the hill where the Leonard Graded School now stands, in 1849. Here he made stoves, plows, and did machine work and light castings for several years. The business proved unsuccessful, and was sold. Judge Leonard became the owner. Leitz moved out to Brad- ford township, where he died in 1886.
Hugh Leavy came from New York about the time the Catholic Church was built. He was a bricklayer by trade, and was employed on the church edifice. He married Sarah Wrigley, by whom he had several children. Of these, James L. and Augustus B. Leavy only survive. James L. Leavy is an exten- sive lumberman, and one of the firm of Leavy, Mitchell & Co. He is propri- etor of a livery stable at Clearfield, and runs stage lines between Clearfield and Du Bois, and Curwensville and Du Bois. He has also a business as under- taker and funeral director. Augustus Leavy lives up the river, in the county.
Charles Miller, the chairmaker of early days, had a shop and residence on Locust street. He left the town and moved to Clarion county.
John Moore was a gunsmith living on Cherry street on the lot now occu- pied by C. Whitehill. His shop was at the same place.
John McPherson was born in Centre county, and came to this county when a young man. He lived at Luthersburg, Brady township, working in a small tannery at that place. Soon after 1830 he came to the neighborhood of Clear- field town, and in 1835, or about that time, built a tannery on a piece of land south of the town, which has been included in the borough by the extension of its limits. He operated the business until his death in 1864, after which his sons Reuben and James L. succeeded. They managed it about a year, and then leased to Shirk Brothers, who ran it six or seven years in connection with their tannery at Clearfield borough. Some parts of the old building are still standing, but have not been operated for many years. The children of John McPherson, by his marriage with Margaret Bloom, were: Louisa, who married Henry Snyder, Thomas, Benjamin B., who was killed in the army, James L., Reuben, now superintendent of Wallaceton Brick Works, William R., superin- tendent of the Clearfield tannery, and formerly sheriff of the county, John H., Miles, and Clark. After the death of his wife Margaret, John McPherson mar- ried Sarah Cary, who bore him one child.
William Merrill came to the town soon after 1825. He was a carpenter by trade, but became proprietor of a hotel north of the Collins Hotel, on Second
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street, on the site now occupied by the Masonic building. The hotel was built by Collins. Merrill died in the borough about twenty-five years ago.
William M. Mccullough first came to Clearfield county in 1840, and located near New Washington, as a minister of the Methodist Protestant Church. From there he lived in various places in the county, performing clerical work, and engaging somewhat in lumbering, and finally took up a permanent residence in Clearfield borough. He married, in Chester county, Jane Smith, by whom he had seven children, viz .: Mary Ann, Thomas, a lawyer, who died in 1885 ; Jane, Levis K., justice of the borough; Zara C., who died from wounds received in the army ; William K., one of the leading lawyers, and for- mer district attorney of the county, but now deceased, and James M., a justice of West Clearfield borough.
John McGaughey was born near Dayton, Armstrong county, in the year 1827. In 1844 he came to this county to work in McPherson's tannery. His coming induced others of the family to locate here some years later. John McGaughey married Caroline Wrigley, daughter of James Wrigley. For twelve years he engaged in mercantile business at Clearfield.
David McGaughey, brother of John, came to the county some few years later. He entered the army with the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves; was made captain and was severely wounded at Spottsylvania. On returning from the service he engaged in business as a photographer. In 1874 he was elected to the office of county treasurer over J. Blake Walters, the Democratic nominee. He subsequently engaged in lumbering operations, which he has since success- fully followed. Captain McGaughey was one of the firm of Lee, Ramey & Co., and Leavy, Mitchell & Co. At present he is one of the Clearfield Lumber Company.
William McClellan, one of the old residents of the town, lived on the lower end of Senator Wallace's lot. He was a laborer, and was quite an old man when he came here. His descendants still live in the borough.
James M. Marshall came to the county and worked on Reed's Mill in 1850. He came from Armstrong county. In 1876 he bought the brickyard property in the upper part of the borough, from M. B. Cowdrick, and has since manu- factured brick. His lands comprise about ten acres. Mr. Marshall married Elizabeth, daughter of George Welch, a pioneer of the county.
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