USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 39
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LOCAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANIES.
The Clearfield Water Company was incorporated January 3, 1882. The purpose of this corporation was to supply the borough of Clearfield with pure and wholesome water. The capital stock was fixed at $40,000, in two thou- sand shares of $20 each. The first officers were : W. W. Betts, president ; E. A. Bigler, secretary and superintendent; Jonathan Boynton, treasurer ; direct- ors, W. W. Betts, W. A. Wallace, Jonathan Boynton, Samuel I. Snyder, E. A. Bigler. The company obtained lands on both sides of Moose Creek, and built a dam to retain the water in a reservoir. For a distance of three miles on both sides, the company own an extensive wooded tract, from which the water supply is procured, and on this tract there is not one habitation. From the reservoir, which is about three miles from town, an abundant supply of pure, spring water is obtained. The company have about five and one-half miles of water main, about two miles being laid through the streets of the borough. At the present time there are about three hundred and fifty water takers. Fire hydrants are placed at convenient distances throughout the borough for pro- tection in case of fire. The present officers of the company are as follows : President, W. W. Betts; secretary and treasurer, H. F. Bigler ; directors, W. W. Betts, W. A. Wallace, A. F. Boynton, S. I. Snyder, and H. F. Bigler.
The Clearfield Gas Light Company became incorporated in the year 1859, but was not fully organized until 1873, when officers were elected and the object of the company completed. The authorized capital stock was $30,000, but the company did business with about half that amount. The buildings for the manufacture of gas and tanks were erected on lands north of the Tyrone and Clearfield depot. The first officers elected were: A. F. Boynton, presi- dent ; W. W. Betts, secretary and treasurer; A. M. Fleck, superintendent of works. About 12, 165 feet of main are laid through the streets of the borough, and lamp-posts are placed at suitable points for street lights. There are about one hundred and fifty consumers in the borough. The present officers are : W. W. Betts, president ; W. D. Bigler, vice-president; secretary and treas- urer, H. B. Powell ; directors, W. W. Betts, W. D. Bigler, H. B. Powell, A. F. Boynton, H. A. Kratzer ; superintendent of works, B. F. Bickle. Shares of stock outstanding, $21,200.
Clearfield Steam Heating Company. This corporation was created in June, 1883, for the purpose of supplying steam heat for the borough of Clearfield, with a capital stock of $30,000, in six hundred shares of $50 each. The first
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officers elected were : A. B. Shaw, president; T. W. Moore, secretary ; W. M. Shaw, treasurer; Edward Everett, superintendent. The company has a large boiler house built on lands in rear of the Opera House block. About nine thousand feet of pipe, three, four, and five inches in diameter, is laid through the streets of the borough. There were about sixty heat consumers in the place the first year; at the present time the number is increased to one hun- dred and thirty. Four large boilers are sufficient to supply the necessary heat in the most severe weather, and about twenty-seven hundred tons of coal are consumed annually at the works. The company are now furnishing heat for about three and a half millions cubic feet of space. The officers first elected have been continued in office to the present time. The present board of directors consists of A. B. Shaw, William Powell, J. F. Weaver, F. B. Reed, and T. W. Moore.
INDUSTRIES OF CLEARFIELD.
The earlier manufactories of this locality were nearly all removed years ago, but of the few that are still standing is that known as the Shirk Tannery. This industry was started at an early day by Orris Hoyt, and by him operated many years. The Shirk tannery was built on the same site, and managed by the brothers Shirk until a few years since. They were unsuccessful in business, and since their misfortune the buildings have not been used, although in fair condition.
The Clearfield Machine Shops were founded and built in 1867 by A. F. Boynton and George S. Young, under the firm style of Boynton & Young. They operated it until the latter part of the year 1870, when Mr. Boynton sold his interest to G. L. Reed and William D. Bigler, after which the firm name became Bigler, Young & Co., and so continued until the year 1880. At this time William H. Mulhollan purchased Young's interest, and Frank B. Reed took one-half of G. L. Reed's interest, and the name of the firm was again changed to. Bigler, Reed & Co.
The works are located at the corner of Fourth and Pine streets. The buildings comprise a machine shop, foundry, boiler, and blacksmith shops. The special feature of the company's work is the manufacture of fire brick machinery, and mill machinery in general, as well as castings, boilers, and machine work.
The Clearfield Fire Brick Company (limited), successor to the Clearfield Fire Brick Company, a defunct corporation, became the property of the pres- ent owners by purchase made by E. A. Bigler, at sheriff sale, representing the subsequent proprietors, they assuming the indebtedness of the old corporation. This new partnership was created about the year 1880. The owners are W. D. Bigler, E. A. Bigler, owning a half interest; Weaver and Betts one-sixth; G. L. Reed and J. G. Hartswick each owning one-sixth. . The company's works
W. M. Shaw
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are on Reed street. The clay used in the manufacture is procured at Woodland and Blue Ball, where the company own and lease lands. The company have facilities for the manufacture of over three millions of fire brick annually.
The Clearfield Tannery was built by Joseph B. Hoyt, of Connecticut, Daniel B. Fairweather, and H. S. La Due, of New York, in the year 1879, on lands then in Lawrence township, north of Clearfield, but included within the borough limits by the recent extension thereof. The works comprise a beam- house, dry-house, house for drying hair and rendering grease, leech-house, bark-sheds, and twenty-two dwellings for employees. The lands occupied contain about twenty-one acres. The manufactured leather is known as Union Crop sole-leather, about five hundred sides being " turned out " daily. Num- ber of employees, about one hundred. In 1884 Mr. Hoyt withdrew from the firm, the remaining partners continuing the business. This tannery is under the superintendence of W. Ross McPherson, of Clearfield.
The Spring Brewery, the property of Theodore Reis, was built for the manufacture of lager beer in the years 1873-4, by Charles Schafer. Not be- ing a successful business venture it was sold at forced sale, purchased by Judge Leonard and by him sold to Harmon Sheiffer. In 1882 it was pur- chased by the present owner. The brewery is situate north of the gas works, near a spring of pure water, from which the name is given the works, the " Spring Brewery." Its capacity is one thousand barrels annually.
The Clearfield Lumber Company (limited) was organized in the month of January, 1880. The property formerly known as the Thorn planing-mill, on Fourth street, was purchased and is now used by the company. The capital stock of the firm is $32,500, in three hundred and twenty-five shares at $100 each. The officers are W. W. Betts, chairman; John W. Wrigley, secretary and treasurer; David McGaughey, W. B. Townsend, and Asbury W. Lee, managers. The company manufacture doors, sash, blinds, flooring, and all other stock usual to a well appointed factory of the kind. They also own two saw and shingle mills, one at Porter Station and the other at Kermoor, where they are engaged in extensive lumber operations.
The Clearfield Roller Flouring Mill, the property of George W. Smith, was built by him in the year 1885. The building is located in the north part of the borough. It is five stories in height including an attic for storage. Steam power is used, and the machinery of the best and latest patterns. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels per day.
Marshall's Brick Yard, now the property of James M. Marshall, was pur- chased from M. B. Cowdrick in the year 1876. This is the only industry of the kind in the borough. The quality of brick manufactured is very good, and the yard is sufficiently large to supply all local demand for building pur- poses.
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
CHURCHES OF CLEARFIELD.
Saint Andrew's Protestant Episcopal Church .- The Protestant Episcopal Church was planted in Clearfield as birds often plant seeds from a neighbor- hood, thus extending the growth until, in many instances, it becomes the ruling plant in the new country.
In 1820, or thereabouts, Hardman Philips planted the seed of a Protestant Episcopal Church congregation in Philipsburg, Centre county, and from that weak and slender stalk sprang what there is of Episcopal growth and strength in Clearfield county. Its first manifestation was in the visit of Bishop Onder- donk to Clearfield town in 1832; there being no record or tradition of any other service of the church from that time until 1838, when he returned to Clearfield, and held service in the old court-house. No further service was held in Clearfield town or county until about 1843, when Rev. Tiffany Lord, who was rector in charge at Philipsburg, held occasional services in the court- house. After him the place was visited occasionally by the Rev. George W. Natt, of Bellefonte, who, under the direction of the bishop of the diocese, made periodical visits.
About the year 1847, Bishop Alonzo Potter sent the Rev. William Clot- worthy, who remained about one year, during which time his services were divided between Philipsburg, Morrisdale, Clearfield, and Curwensville, and without any particular manifestation of growth of the church in either of these places, but with a marked decline in its strength in Philipsburg.
At this time the only communicating members of the church in Clearfield that were known to the visiting bishop and clergy were John L. Cuttle, Mary A. Cuttle, his sister, William Hotchkiss, who had removed to Clearfield from Meadville, and his daughter Mary.
Before the advent of Mr. Clotworthy, and during the visits of Mr. Natt, to Clearfield, George R. Barrett had expressed his preference for, and an intention to connect himself with the Episcopal Church. In 1848 he opened a corres- pondence with Bishop Potter, the result of which was a visit of that prelate to Clearfield early in the summer, which visit brought about a union of the dis- tant, but interested persons in the cause of the church. There being at the time neither at Philipsburg, nor at any other point, a clergyman nearer than Bellefonte, it was deemed necessary to form an association sufficiently strong to support a clergyman in Clearfield county and Philipsburg. The friends of Dr. Alexander MacLeod believed that he had the personal influence among the people of all the localities to make this scheme successful; they therefore invited and (with the influence of Bishop Potter), succeeded in gaining his consent to unite his labors with those of the church workers in the district named. In December, 1849, Dr. Macleod came to Clearfield and preached his first sermon in the court-house, the result of which was the establishment
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of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Clearfield as an enduring institution, followed soon afterward by the building of a church edifice.
On the 25th day of February, 1850, a meeting was held in Clearfield for the purpose of organizing an Episcopal association. James Allport was presi- dent, and G. R. Barrett, secretary. The missionary field included Clearfield, Curwensville, Morrisdale, and Philipsburg, and Dr. Macleod was called to take charge of the same as missionary. At the meeting a resolution was adopted appointing John L. Cuttle, William Bigler, G. R. Barrett, and William Hotchkiss as a committee to fix a location and superintend the erection of a church edifice. Lands were purchased from Isaac Schofield at the corner of Cherry and Front streets, the deed, however, being made by Josiah W. Smith, who held the legal title.
The contract for the building was given to Dugan & Ralston, and was com- pleted in the winter of 1851, at a cost of $1, 194.
The first vestry was elected on the IIth day of March, 1851, John L. Cut- tle, G. R. Barrett, Joseph S. France, James Allport, and Isaac L. Barrett, be- ing chosen. G. R. Barrett was appointed senior, and John L. Cuttle junior warden. This was the first regular Episcopal organization formed in Clear- field county.
The church was called St. Andrew's, after the church of that name in Phil- adelphia, whose society had contributed liberally toward the support of the new in the payment of the rector's salary.
On the 26th day of October, 1852, the church was formally consecrated by Bishop Potter. At the organization of the church there were but two persons presented as communicants.
In March, 1853, Dr. Macleod severed his connection with the parish, which remained vacant until October following, when the Rev. A. I. Berger was called and remained one year.
In January, 1856, Dr. Macleod, returned to the parish and continued as rector until September, 1861; having, in the mean time, been appointed chap- lain in the army, he left the parish never to return.
From this time until 1866 the church was without a rector, when Rev. J. Taylor Chambers was called, and remained about a year. After his departure occasional services were held by Rev. S. H. Meade until the fall of 1869, when Rev. George Hall commenced his ministrations and continued in charge of the parish until 1873. No regular service was held after the departure of Mr. Hall until the month of January, 1875, when Rev. George C. Rafter minis- tered under the direction of Bishop Kerfoot. He was succeeded by and after- ward alternated with the Rev. John S. Protheroe, which continued until 1881. Rev. S. H. Griffith was called to the rectorship in 1882, but, being a person of delicate health, could not endure the severity of the winter months, therefore was obliged to leave the parish. In July, 1883, Bishop Kerfoot sent Rev.
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David L. Fleming, a deacon in orders, to take charge of the parishes of Clear- field and Houtzdale. He continued in charge until 1885, in the mean time being elevated to the priesthood. Next succeeding Mr. Fleming followed the Rev. G. B. Van Waters, who remained in charge until 1886, when he was called to a more important field of labor.
The Rev. F. C. Cowper was sent to take charge of all the Episcopal Churches of Clearfield county, and commenced his labors here about Christ- mas time in the year 1886, and since then, in connection with Rev. A. S. R. Richards, deacon of Osceola, have held all the services of the church in Clear- field.
Since the commencement of Episcopal education in Clearfield, the visiting bishops have been as follows : Henry Ustic Onderdonk, Alonzo Potter, Sam- uel Bowman, William Bacon Stevens, John Barrett Kerfoot and Cortlandt Whitehead. In 1865, a new diocese was formed and named " the Diocese of Pittsburgh," which included Clearfield county. This transferred the church of Clearfield from the jurisdiction of Bishop Stevens to that of Bishop Kerfoot, whose successor, Bishop Whitehead, is now in charge.
The Presbyterian Church .- The early records of this church are meagre and imperfect. As early as the year 1803, by direction of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, there was Presbyterian preaching in Clearfield by Revs. William Stewart and Henry R. Wilson. Under similar direction subsequent services were occasionally held for several years. In 1806, the general assembly or- dered copies of the catechism distributed in this region. The date of the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield is not known. It was in existence in 1819, with Hugh Jordon and Archibald Shaw as ruling elders. It was incorporated March 31, 1837. Among the very early members were Hugh and Ann Jordon, Archibald, Mary, John and Sarah Shaw, John and Jane Stewart, David and Susan Wilson, William and Margaret Daniel, James B. and Phianna Caldwell, Alexander B., Rachel, Jane, Maria J., and Jemima Reed, Richard and Mary Shaw, Eleanor and Eliza Ardery, James and Jane Irvin, Jane Moore, John R., Mary, James and Amos Read, Mrs. Robert Wal- lace, John Mitchell and William Dunlap. The earliest known trustees were elected October 29, 1836. They were Hugh Jordon, Richard Shaw, John Mitchell, Thomas Reed, George Welch and Robert Wallace. The first pastor was Rev. Garry Bishop, installed in 1826. He divided his labors between the ministry and the practice of medicine. He remained until 1834. During the next six years the church was without a pastor, but was supplied by Revs. David Mckinney, Samuel Wilson, J. B. Payne and Edward Mckinney. Rev. Frederick G. Betts was installed in 1840, but was taken away by the hand of death in 1845. Senator W. W. Betts and Lockwood Betts, the latter of whom was killed during the war, were his sons. During the pastorate of Mr. Betts the frame church building was erected on the site of the present one. It had a seat-
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ing capacity for about three hundred persons. Previous to this time services were held in the court-house. The third pastor was Rev. Samuel N. Howell, who remained but two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Miles T. Merwin, who served until 1853. The fifth pastor was Rev. Samuel M. Cooper ; sixth, Rev. John M. Galloway, who remained about seven years and died in the parson- age on First street. This property was purchased during his pastorate. Du- ring the pastorate of Mr. Galloway the church received large accessions in numbers and made good progress toward more perfect organization. The sixth pastor was Rev. J. G. Archer, installed June 20, 1865. Under him the church increased largely, forty members being received at a single communion. It was during his pastorate, too, that the beautiful stone church edifice was projected and nearly completed. Mr. Archer's life was suddenly terminated in a railroad accident January 12, 1869. The building, so nearly finished, re- mains a lasting monument of his time. It cost $45,000, and easily seats six hundred people. A lecture room in the rear seats two hundred persons. The architect was J. C. Hoxie, of Camden, N. J .; contractor of the stone work, Thomas Liddell ; superintendent of other work, George Thorn. The building committee consisted of William Bigler, William A. Wallace, A. C. Finney, John F. Weaver, Samuel Mitchell and James B. Graham. The building is lo- cated on the corner of Pine and Second streets. The pastorate of Rev. Henry S. Butler, the seventh of the succession, began with the occupation of the new church edifice, June 23, 1869, and continued fifteen years. During this time the church membership was largely increased and the benevolent work of the society admirably systematized and more than doubled.
In September, 1884, the present pastor, Rev. Russell A. Mckinley, en- tered upon his pastoral duties. He is a graduate of Allegheny College, Mead- ville, Pa., and of the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pa. During the short time Mr. Mckinley has held the pastorate the church mem- bership has increased by thirteen.
There is now a large country constituency connected with the church. The present elders are James Irvin, A. M. Hills, J. G. Hartswick, John F. Weaver, Henry W. Park, Miles Read and Thompson Read. At the time of their death, ex-Governor Bigler and James B. Graham were ruling elders. R. H. Shaw and Henry Mead are deacons. The present board of trustees con- sists of Harry F. Wallace, James Kerr, W. Ross McPherson, James Mitchell and Frank B. Reed ; treasurer, A. Bowman Weaver ; superintendent of the Sunday-school, Frank B. Reed. Both home and foreign missionary societies are sustained by the ladies of the congregation. An effort is now making to raise funds for a large pipe organ to be placed in the church.
Before the time of Mr. Archer the pastoral duties were divided between Clearfield, Curwensville and Kylertown, or other points, making the work very laborious. Many of the early pastors received from Clearfield only about
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$300, and this not entirely paid in money; the other points contributed but little for pastoral support.
The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The precise date at which Methodism was first established in Clearfield town, we have not been able to fix. Isaac Southard joined the church in 1822, and there was then an organized class of several members. Orris Hoyt was the first class leader, and Rev. John Ham- mond the preacher in charge. The class consisted of only a few members and met in a small house on the river, only a short distance below the present bor- ough. The class was organized several years prior to this time, and when there were but five or six houses in the town. John Moore came a few years after this and at once identified himself with the interests of the church. Preaching was held for a long time in private houses, but as the town increased the academy and court-house were used as places of worship until a church was built. A building committee was selected on the 14th day of October, 1837, which consisted of the following persons : Isaiah Goodfellow, Isaac Southard, John Moore, H. B. Beisell and William Antes. The building, a frame struc- ture, was located on Cherry street about midway between Second and Third. It was completed, and on October 5, 1839, was dedicated. This building still stands and is occupied as a dwelling house.
For many years, dating back from the present church edifice, the old building was inadequate to supply the wants of the growing congregation, and during the pastorate of Rev. D. S. Monroe, in 1865-6, plans were originated for building a new church. For this purpose Jonathan Boynton generously contributed two valuable lots on Second street, and in addition thereto, gave large cash contributions, which, with the other donations by members of the church and the citizens generally, enabled the society to erect the present sub- stantial brick edifice. It is two stories in height, 50 by 80 feet, in dimensions, and was built in the year 1868, during the pastorate of Rev. Asbury Guyer. On November 15, 1868, the basement was dedicated, Rev. William Harder officiating. The main audience room was completed soon after, the whole church costing about $30,000. It was dedicated January 8, 1871, Revs. Chap- lain C. C. McCabe and J. W. Langley preaching on that occasion. In the year 1884, under the pastorate of Rev. James Curns, the church was repaired and valuable improvements added at a cost of about $7,000. It was reopened March 8, 1885, Bishop C. D. Foss officiating. The lot adjoining the church has recently been purchased and presented to the church by A. F. Boynton, for the erection of a pastoral residence.
Prominent among the members of the church in addition to those already mentioned, have been George W. Rheem, William Radebaugh, Hester Ann Radebaugh, and Mrs. Mary Boynton, whose devotion to the church has made her name worthy of special mention in these annals.
Among the present members who hold official relation to the church are
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Rev. W. H. Dill, Rev. W. M. Mccullough, Jonathan Boynton, A. F. Boynton, D. W. McCurdy, George W. Rheem, Thomas H. Murray, J. B. McEnally, A. B. Shaw, J. W. Shugart, J. M. Stewart, F. G. Harris and others. The present membership numbers two hundred and seventy-eight persons.
Succession of pastors: 1822, John Thomas; 1823-4, unknown ; 1825, John Bowen ; 1826, W. P. McDowell; 1827, W. O. Lumsdon; 1828, David Ken- nison ; 1829, Oliver Ege and Allen Brittain; 1830, James Sanks and Zacha- riah Jordon ; 1831, Peter McEnally ; 1832, Allen Brittain; 1833, Stephen Smith ; 1834, John McEnally ; 1835, Eli Nicodemus and Isaac Stratton ; 1836, John Anderson and S. V. Blake ; 1837, S. V. Blake and Elisha Butler ; 1839, Joseph S. Lee and J. A. Ross; 1840, Joseph S. Lee and Gideon H. Day; 1841, Hildebrand and Stephenson; 1842, Elisha Butler and T. F. Mc- Clure ; 1843, Robert Beers and Samuel Register ; 1844, Robert Beers, Jacob Montgomery ; 1845, Elias Welty, Thomas Barnhart ; 1846, Elias Welty, John Lloyd, Rev. Hoffman ; 1847, John Steine, H. W. Bellman ; 1848, Peter Mc- Enally, Albert Hartman ; 1849, McEnally, J. A. Melick ; 1850, George Berg- stresser ; 1851, Bergstresser, Thaddeus Stauber ; 1852, George Guyer ; 1853- 4, Adam Hockenberry; 1855, A. M. Barnitz, W. W. Hicks; 1856, John Elliot ; 1857-8, Thomas Barnhart; 1859-60, W. Lee Spottswood ; 1861-2, Thomas Gotwalt; 1863-4, L. M. Gardner; 1865-6, David S. Monroe ; 1867-8, Asbury Guyer; 1869, W. H. Dill; 1870-1, James H. McCord; 1872-3-4, A. D. Yocum ; 1875-6, B. F. Stevens ; 1877-8-9, Jacob S. McMurray ; 1880-1-2, George Leidy; 1883-4-5, James Curns ; 1886-7, J. Harper Black.
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