USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
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Churches .- Before the year 1830 the first Methodist itinerant threaded his way through the forest and preached to the few settlers of " Bennett's Branch " valley (Huston township).
The church records of that distant period are not to be had, and hence this sketch will be very imperfect. In 1829 Revs. Oliver Ege and Alem Brit-
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ain came from Philipsburgh and preached the Word to the people at Penfield. Since then the line of ministerial succession, with but few exceptions, has been unbroken. To these two honored names should be added those who have successively preached at Penfield down to the present time, namely : Revs. Burlingame, Jackson, Bowen, Hallock, Waring, Goodell, Riglesworth, Caru- thers, Benn, Shafer, Hockenberry, Wirtz, Holland, Patterson, Fulton, Berry, J. L. Chandler, A. S. Chandler, Ash, J. R. King, Hooven, Heck, Chilcoat, and McCloskey. Revs. F. E. Hewitt and Thomas Hewitt also preached for years as local preachers. Rev. A. B. Hooven has twice served the charge, in 1869-71 and 1878-80.
During the pastorate of L. G. Heck, in 1872-4 a church edifice was built at Penfield, but unfortunately the society made their plans too extensive, and were not able to carry them out. It should be said that this is the exception with the Methodist Episcopal Church at large, as they are building and pay- ing for two churches every day of the year.
The panic, with its pressing influence, increased the financial difficulties of the Methodist Society at Penfield; but E. M. Chilcoat came on the circuit, and there occurred in the new church a great revival, which wonderfully strengthened Methodism and also Presbyterianism in Penfield. During Rev. Chilcoat's pastorate the Caledonia circuit was divided into two charges named the Penfield and Benezett circuits, respectively. The church thus made strong by the revival, attempted to pay the church debt, but in spite of all the build- ing was sold during the pastorate of A. B. Hooven, and passed into the hands of O. Dodge, to whom $1,100 was due. In addition to this sum, J. H. Kooker held a claim, which, though not strictly legal, the society felt bound in honor to pay. After the sale of the church, pastor and people set to work to redeem it, and before Mr. Hooven left $500 was paid to Mr. Dodge. During the term of A. D. McCloskey the remainder of Mr. Dodge's claim had been paid, and Mr. Kooker, having canceled half of his claim, has received the remainder, save a small sum assumed by the Ladies' Aid Society. The church edifice is a two- story building with a cupola, having within it a fine bell, weighing eight hun- dred pounds, a lecture-room and two class-rooms below, and an auditorium above. The present membership is one hundred and forty, and a Sunday- school in connection of about one hundred members. L. M. Brady is the present pastor. The charter of incorporation for the Penfield Church was secured in November, 1882.
Penfield circuit embraces five appointments : Webbs, in Elk county, and Mill Run, Penfield, Winterburn, and Hickory, in Huston, Clearfield county, Rev. E. M. Chilcoat was the first minister who preached in the town of Win- terburn, the services being held in a barn.
Presbyterian Church .- The Presbyterian church at Penfield was organized September 3, 1872, with twelve members. The church edifice was erected in
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1874, on a lot 60 by 239 feet, donated by Hiram Woodward, who also gav- $600 in cash. For most of the time, up to October, 1876, the pulpit was occupied by the following ministers : Revs. D. W. Cassett (about three months), S. T. Thompson, - Montgomery, J. L. Landis, - Fleming, and J. R. Henderson, mostly under the appointment of the Board of Home Missions. After this Rev. William M. Burchfield, of Du Bois-at that time-preached alternate Sundays till March, 1881. On May 21, 1881, Rev. J. V. Bell became the regular pastor until he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Garver.
There is a good parsonage in connection with the church, and all free from debt. The present membership is over one hundred and thirteen. A union Sunday-school was organized at an early date. The Presbyterian Sunday- school was organized in 1872. The present number of scholars is about one hundred.
This organization was somewhat instrumental in organizing Bethany Church at Du Bois, through the efforts of Mr. L. Bird.
Reformed Church .- In August, 1883, Rev. Daniel H. Leader, a mission- ary of the "Reformed Church in the United States," at Du Bois, commenced work on a church building in Hickory Kingdom. The corner-stone was laid in September of the same year, and the church was dedicated June 22, 1884. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. J. M. Evans, of Curlsville, Pa. The building cost $780. The membership of this congregation is about twenty-five. A Sunday-school was organized May, 1883. R. E. Crum is the present pastor.
Free Methodists .- During 1883 or '84 this denomination effected an organ- ization at Mount Pleasant, but the writer failed to secure data.
Orders and Societies .- Good Templars : Penfield Lodge of I. O. of G. T. was organized in 1868. Among the leaders of the movement were John H. Kooker (now in Florida), David Horning, H. A. Pearsall, and Mrs. H. Wood- ward. The organization at the start had from twenty-five to thirty members, and the membership soon reached eighty, but general apathy setting in, the membership fell to about forty at the present writing.
Open Temperance Society -This society was organized about 1882 by Rev. D. D. McCloskey. It continues to hold monthly meetings, and is doing good work.
G. A. R .- The T. B. Winslow Post No. 266 (of Penfield) was instituted in July, 1882. A charter was granted July 19, the same year. A "Court " charter was granted September, 1884, to this post, qualifying it to own real estate. The leading organizers were George Williams (deceased) and Dr. J. H. Kline. The post started with seventeen charter members, and soon counted fifty-five members, but this number was diminished by removals, deaths and other causes to a present membership of sixteen. The post owns real estate which it values at $3,500; indebtedness, $2,200. 72
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
K. of P .- This order effected an organization (in Penfield) June 29, 1883, with twenty-seven charter members; its present membership is sixty-nine. The lodge is in a prosperous condition ; no debts, and a surplus in the treasury. Future prospects are good. The present officers are P. C., J. H. Bowersox ; C. C., J. F. Redifer ; V. C., G. W. Daugherty ; P., L. C. Shreckengost ; M. A., William Larkin ; I. G., T. B. Turner ; O. G., W. S. Frisbie ; K. R. and S., T. W. Letts; M. of F., W. L. Bear ; M. of E., J. M. Daily. The lodge has twelve past chancellors. The D. D. G. C. belongs to this lodge.
P. O. S. of A .- Washington Camp No. 220 was organized (at Penfield) December 2, 1886, with twenty-nine charter members. The number of mem- bers on roll March I, 1887, is forty, number of members balloted for at above date, but not initiated, twelve. The " Camp" is growing rapidly, and is in a flourishing condition, is out of debt, and has about one hundred dollars in its treasury.
I. O. O. F .- On March 11, 1887, Penfield Lodge No. 567, I. O. O. F., was installed by Past Grand Master F. V. Vanartsdalen, assisted by Past Grand P. G. Plant. The lodge started with twelve charter members, and by dispen- sation twenty-seven were received and given three degrees, making a mem- bership of thirty-nine. The following officers were elected and installed : N. G., Ed. Rubley; V. G., F. P. Simmins; treasurer, F. E. Hewit; secretary, W. D. Woodward ; assistant secretary, B. A. Buck.
Noble Grand's appointments : R. S., W. De Laney ; L. S., P. W. Boyle ; war., L. Pfleger ; con., W. S. Brown; R. S. S., E. C. Lewis; L. S. S., R. Smith ; O. G., William Frisby ; I. G., L. C. Shreckengost.
Vice Grand's appointments : R. S., Warren Lamb; L. S., F. B. Turner. This lodge starts under favorable auspices.
Bands .- Penfield enjoys a well organized "brass" band. The writer solic- ited, but failed to secure data.
CHAPTER XLII.
HISTORY OF JORDAN TOWNSHIP.
J. ORDAN township was formed from Beccaria September 4, 1834. Alexan- der Irvin, David Ferguson and Robert Ross were appointed commissioners . to view, lay out and fix the lines for the new township. They viewed the pro- posed location, and reported favorably November 18, 1834. Their report was confirmed February 5, 1835, and the township named Jordan by the court, in honor of Hugh Jordan, an associate judge of the county, and an ex-soldier of
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the Revolutionary War. The greater number of the early settlers of this part of the county were industrious, frugal and pious, and have left to their poster- ity a lasting monument in the shape of a model character, and some of the richest and most beautiful farms in the county. The citizens are devoted chiefly to agricultural pursuits. The soil is fertile, and under the skillful tillage of the live farmers, produces abundant crops.
James Rea, the first settler of what is now Knox township, moved in 1819 to the land now owned by his sons, and thus became the first settler of the territory now embraced in Jordan township. He was the only son of Samuel Rea, who came from Ireland, and settled in York county, Pa. James was a large, muscular man, well suited to pioneer life. Some time after he settled in Jordan township, he and some of his neighbors concluded to seek their fortunes in the West. Mr. Rea was delegated a committee to go out and take a view of the country. He went as far as Iowa, but returned with a very unfavorable report, saying he had concluded to live among the hemlocks, and drink the pure water of Clearfield county while he lived. This resolution he carried out, and remained on his farm the balance of his life, which terminated in February, 1862. Samuel, his eldest son, married Lydia Ricketts, of Mount Pleasant, and located on a farm in Knox township, of which place he was a citizen until his death, January 5, 1887; Nancy married John Patterson, mentioned elsewhere, and has been dead for several years; Thomas married Hannah Bloom, whose death we have chronicled in the history of that family. He survives and lives on his farm, which is a part of his father's purchase. James married Jane, daughter of John Dillen, of Mount Pleasant. She died and he is now married to Mrs. Eliza Corrigan, of Columbia, Pa. He also lives at the old homestead. His brother, Robert, whose wife is dead, lives with him. Crawford is dead.
About 1820 John Swan, sr., left his home in New York State, where he had married Miss Phœbe Tubbs, and started to the State of Ohio. He stopped at or near where Tyrone now is, on account of some of his party being sick and not able to proceed. He stayed there for some time, being a forgeman by trade. He finally concluded to come over into what is now Clearfield county, where land was cheap. Accordingly, in company with Truman Vitz, he came into what is now Jordan township, cutting his way through the forest all the way from Tyrone. He and Mr. Vitz purchased four hundred and thirty-three acres of land, the same land now constituting the beautiful farms owned by his son John, and Major D. W. Wise. Some time after this, we cannot learn how long, Mr. Vitz moved to Meadville, Pa., and we can learn no more about him. Mr. Swan commenced the manufacture of lye soon after his arrival. Kettles holding twenty barrels, were procured at Pittsburgh, Pa. Large quan- tities of wood were cut and burned, the ashes were leached, and the lye boiled down and shipped in barrels down the river on rafts. This made a market for wood ashes, and his neighbors for some distance around hauled their ashes to
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
this immense lye factory. This was soon improved upon by building a large oven, and concentrating the liquid by intense heat into potash, which answered the same purpose, and brought better prices, with a reduced cost of transpor- tation. He also erected machinery for grinding rock oak bark for tanning pur- poses. This he boxed and shipped to Philadelphia on an ark, receiving sixty dollars per ton for it. He also turned his attention to agriculture, which sup- plied the family with products of that kind, although in a commercial way it did not pay, for wheat brought only forty-five cents per bushel. Mr. Swan died here, and was buried at Zion Cemetery. Anson, the eldest son, for whom Ansonville was named, was never married, but lived with his friends at Anson- ville, until his death in 1883; Sophronia married William Hartshorn, who is now dead, and his widow is living at Curwensville, with her daughter, Mrs. Doctor Crouch ; Harvey moved to Ohio and married there. He died in 1857. Eliza married a Mr. Winslow, of New York State. Both are now dead. John married Catherine Williams, a sister of David Williams, mentioned elsewhere. They are both living on the old homestead about one mile from Ansonville. Henry married Lucinda, daughter of Benjamin Bloom, of Pike township. He is a prominent citizen of Ansonville, and has done much to build up the place. He kept the only store there for many years. He is now justice of the peace, which office he has held for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Swan died at her home in Ansonville, September 4, 1883. Harriet, a twin sister of Henry, married Edmund Williams. They moved to Illinois, where she died in 1867.
James McNeel emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland, when about twenty-one years old, and settled in Sinking Valley, where he married Eliza- beth Crawford, of that place. He stayed there a short time, and then came to Jordan township, and purchased three hundred acres of land, the same being now owned by his sons James, Joseph and Isaac, his daughter Mary, his grandson Taylor McNeel and John Mays. The children of the first wife were Nancy, who married James Ramsey, and moved to Illinois; Thomas married a Miss Russell. He died in Illinois. Ann married William Atleman, and moved to Centre county, where she died. Ellen married William Speer, and lived in Johnstown until her death ; Marshall, the youngest, died in California in 1883. His second wife was Mary Ricketts, daughter of Isaac Ricketts, of Mount Pleas- ant, and to them eight children were born. Eliza, the eldest, married John Hunter, and lives on a farm near Ansonville; John married Mary Jane Glas- gow, of Blair county. He is now a widower, and lives with his son, Taylor. James G. married Mary Jane Lynch, of Pike township, and lives on part of the old place ; Joseph married Mary Jane McCreight, and lives on his farm, which was part of his father's purchase; Mary married Frank McCormick, of Ireland. He is dead, and his widow lives on her place, which was a part of the original purchase. Lydia married Lance Root; both are dead. Isaac married Mary Jane Davis, of Mount Pleasant, Pa., and lives near his old home.
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Caroline died when twelve years old. The parents lived to a good old age, the mother surviving her husband several years, died at the old homestead about four years ago, and was buried by his side in Fruit Hill Cemetery.
David Williams came here from Centre county in April of 1833. He pur- chased the large tract of land which is now owned by his sons, James G., and William, and Martin, Nolen, and Mrs. Green, of Ferguson townships, from Shoemaker and Irvin. He built a shanty on the Spring Run, below the present residence, in the woods, where the trees were so thick they could not see the sun except when looking straight up through the trees. He built a grist-mill on the run the same year, which was one of the first mills in this part of the county. The millwrights were Joseph, Michael, and Silas Solly. The bolting-cloth for this mill was purchased at Lewistown, Pa., and brought here by private conveyance. Mr. Williams also turned his attention to farm- ing and improved the land mentioned above, but still kept the mill running until it was worn out. Some parts of the old dam is all that is left to mark the spot where it was located. Mr. Williams has been dead many years, but his widow, who was, previous to her marriage, Mary Glenn, is still living at the age of seventy-seven, and attends to all the household duties herself, living with her son William, who owns and cultivates the farm. He was never mar- ried, and is the support and companion of his aged mother. James G. lives on a part of the old farm. He married Matilda, a daughter of Alfred D. Knapp, who improved the farm now owned by James McKeehen, and after- ward moved to Iowa, where he now lives. Martha married Alexander Hen- derson, and lives in Illinois. Lucinda, John, and Austin are dead.
Robert Patterson came with his parents from Ireland and settled first in Virginia. From there they moved to Maryland, and afterward to Centre county, Pa., where he married Elizabeth McCormick. He then came to what is now Clearfield county, and lived for some time in Lawrence township. From there he moved to Beccaria, afterwards Jordan township, probably about 1823 or '24, and took advantage of the offer made by Morgan, Rawles, and Peters, of fifty acres gratis, by buying the other fifty acres of a hundred acre tract, at four dollars per acre. The land in that vicinity is yet known as " Morgan's Land." Mr. Patterson possessed a knowledge of books, as well as of clearing land and cultivating it, and put his talents to use by farming during the summer season and teaching school in the winter. Of his children, Agnes married Thomas Witherow, who died some years ago. She is still living with her sons in Knox township, at the age of eighty-two. Jane married Christian Erhard, whose name we have mentioned in the history of Knox township. She died in 1882 at her home in New Millport, leaving several sons and daughters, who are mostly citizens of the latter place and vicinity. Joseph married Margaret Erhard, a sister of David, and lived on his farm in Ferguson township until his death, three years ago. His widow died April 15, 1887, at
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the home of her daughter, Mrs. David Johnston, at the age of eighty-four years. Robert married Catherine, daughter of John Thomson, sr., of this township. He lives on his farm in Knox township. Mrs. Patterson died some years ago, and his widowed sister, Mrs. Eliza High, lives with him. John married Nancy, daughter of James Rea, mentioned elsewhere. She died sev- eral years ago, and he married Margaret, daughter of John Hunter, of Jordan township. She is also dead, and he is now married to Mrs. Nancy Bright, and lives on is farm in his native township. James married Rebecca McCormick, of Armstrong county, and is at present living on a farm in Beccaria township. Jemima married James Wilson and lives in Jordan township.
Abram Bloom came from Northampton county, N. J., to Northampton, county, Pa., and from there moved to Jordan township in 1831. He located on the land now known as the Lafayette Bloom Farm, near Fruit Hill Church. He lived here a few years and returned to Northampton county. Three of his children now live in the township. William T. lives on his farm near Fruit Hill, and carries on the undertaking business in Ansonville. Isaac lives near Johnston's school-house, and has been justice of the peace for a number of years. Abraham, jr., lives on his farm in the township. When I commenced to write this sketch I reported Mrs. Thomas Rea the only daughter here as living, but ere I had it completed she was called to her eternal home. Jane married Joseph Caldwell, but is now a widow. Elizabeth married Metzgar Price. They are both living in Pike township.
The Johnstons are numerous in this township. They are all descendants of Robert and James, two brothers, who came to this country from Scotland fifty or more years ago. Robert settled on the tract now owned by his son David. Seven children survive him. Robert M. married Priscilla Wise, a sister of ex-Treasurer D. W. Wise, of this township. He lives on his farm, one of the most valuable in the township. John C. has been in the mercantile business in Ansonville for many years. His first wife was Christina Curry, who died about five years ago. His present wife was Mrs. Martha Witherow, widow of Henry Witherow, deceased, and daughter of Frederick Shoff, of Beccaria township. He is now in partnership with John McQuilkin in a meat market in Ansonville. David married Martha Patterson, and lives on the old home- stead. James married Mary Jane, daughter of John Witherow, deceased, of Knox township, and lives on his farm near Ansonville. Mary married Reu- ben Caldwell, and lives in Knox township. Belle married Isaac Bloom, and Elizabeth married Samuel Witherow, both well-to-do farmers of this township. Mark was killed by a tree while chopping a clearing. William was killed by a runaway horse while returning from Charles Lewis's smith shop. James Johnston located where his son James now lives, near Johnston's school-house. Some thirty years ago, one Saturday afternoon, he attended a meeting of the session at the Fruit Hill Presbyterian Church. By a previous arrangement
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he had intended to go home by way of John Thomson's, having some busi- ness with Mr. Thomson, but for some reason changed his mind and concluded to go over a day or two later. He was riding horseback, and just after he passed where R. M. Johnston now lives, a dead chestnut tree that stood by the road side fell, mashing the horse and his rider to the ground. Why it so happened that he changed his mind and went home by that road, and why the tree fell on that calm still day just as Mr. Johnston was going by it, are questions which mortals cannot answer. Two sons, James, jr., and Robert survive him, and both live in the township. Mrs. John Glasgow, of Glen Hope, is the only daughter living.
John Thomson, sr., came here from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1832. He purchased land and made an improvement in sight of where Ansonville is now located, being now in possession of Hon. W. A. Wallace, of Clearfield. Soon after settling here he wrote to his only son, John, who had preceded him to this country about two years, and was living at Pottsville, Pa., that the Car- sons wanted to sell their improvement. Young John at once packed his effects, came to Jordan and purchased the Carson place. He married Rebecca, daugh- ter of Thomas Lord, and settled down to improve the farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. As a result of his labor we find one of the most beauti- ful and valuable homes in the county, owned now by his son Joseph, a promi- nent citizen of the township. Of the thirteen children, six are now living. Joseph and Benjamin live in Jordan township ; Thomas married Lucinda, and Jerry, Harriet, daughters of John Swan. They, with their brother David, live in Colorado. John, the eldest son, married Nancy Lynch, and lives in New Mexico. John Thomson, sr., died in 1872 at the ripe old age of ninety-six years ; his son, surviving him but ten years, died in 1882, aged seventy-six.
Zion Baptist Church .- Rev. Samuel Miles preached occasionally in this part of the county as early as 1835. The meetings were held in private houses at first, but afterward the old school-house that stood near where the old Zion Church now stands, was used for church purposes. In 1841 Rev. Miles organ- ized the society with the following members: David Williams, Thomas Davis, Hannah Davis, George W. Peters, Mary Peters, and Harriet Swan. This little society of six members soon increased in numbers, and steps were taken to- ward building a house of worship, which was completed some time between 1843 and 1846. The location is about three miles from Ansonville. The church is yet used on funeral occasions, as the Baptist cemetery adjoins the church-yard, and a majority, or perhaps all of the persons that were instru- mental in the organization of the society here repose in this rural city of the dead. In 1872, by vote of the congregation, the place of worship was moved to Ansonville. The present commodious and substantial brick structure was reared that year under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Van Scoyic. The build- ing complete cost eleven thousand dollars, of which George G. Williams, a
.
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member then in moderate circumstances, contributed more than two thousand dollars. Rev. Miles remained with this congregation twenty-four years with- out intermission. During the seven years he lived at New Washington, Pa., he preached here occasionally, and in 1880 became the regular pastor, and is at this writing.
In 1862 Rev. Runyan preached here some six months, and the next year Rev. Lovell, who afterward united with the Swedenborgian denomination, preached about the same length of time. Rev. Thomas Van Scoyic, the wealthy minister of Mount Pleasant, served the charge most acceptably from 1865 to 1875. He was followed in 1876 by Rev. E. C. Beard, who remained four years. In 1884 a house of worship was erected at Marron, in Ferguson township, for the convenience of the members in that district, but it is only a branch of the parent society, and not a separate church. The deacons are George G. Williams, John Swan, sr., and Robert L. Miles. Arthur B. Straw is the clerk.
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