USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
the families above named. The society, at the present time, has no regular minister.
The early meetings of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Lumber City were held at Spencer Hill, and this may be said to be an offshoot or branch from that as the parent church. The church at Spencer Hill, however, was vacated, and from the society of that, as a plant, have grown the church at Lumber City, and that at Pennville borough. The Methodist Episcopal edifice at this place was built something like a quarter of a century ago. Prominent among its members have been the families of James Cupples, Robert Jamison, Samuel Watts, David Hoyt, John N. Hile, William Hile, James Rorabaugh, Mrs. Hudson Lytle, Mrs. John P. Hile, and others. The building, a small frame structure, stands on Main street, a short distance west from the United Presbyterian Church. Services are held here every two weeks.
Lumber City is a pleasantly situated borough on the north side of the West Branch River. Main street, the principal thoroughfare of travel, and, in fact, the only one passing through the town east and west, contains, along its sides, a number of fine residences of brick and frame material. Lateral streets lead from Main to the river. On the south side of the river is a steep bluff, or mountain, several hundred feet high ; but the beauty of its slope is somewhat marred by the cutting out of its best timber. On the north and to the east of the town is a gradual ascent leading back to and approaching the famous Grampian Hills. Fine farms surround the borough on all sides, save the south. Agricultural pursuits are becoming the leading industry of the vicinity, the forests being so far devastated as to turn the tide of occupation into other chan- nels.
THE BOROUGH OF PENNVILLE.
In the year 1885, the residents of that part of the township that lay in the vicinity of the Grampiam Hills post-office, which vicinity had previously been known both as the Grampian Hills and Pennville, being desirous of having the surrounding lands incorporated and entitled to the distinction and government of a borough, presented a petition to the September term of the Quarter Ses- sions, asking for the due incorporation of the borough. The petition was, as required by law, referred to the grand jury for such action as they might deem expedient. After mature consideration of the premises, that body reported favorably upon the project, and on the 30th day of December, 1885, the bor- ough of Pennville became a municipality, authorized and empowered to make ordinances for its own government, separate and distinct from Penn township, of which it had hitherto formed a part.
Geographically, Pennville occupies a central position in the eastern part of the township, on what has been, for about three-quarters of a century, known as the Grampian Hills, concerning which previous mention has been made.
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BOROUGH OF PENNVILLE.
Anderson Creek, a stream of some note, and a tributary to the West Branch, has its head-waters in the township and flows through the borough, furnishing motive power for such manufacturing industries as are in the vicinity.
The first election of borough officers was held February 16, 1886, at which the following persons were elected to the several offices: Burgess, I. Currier ; town council, F. Orcutt, E. F. Spencer, R. M. Hoover, G. E. Davis, Jonathan Wall, and a tie-vote between G. W. McDonald and W. C. Russell; justices, J. W. Damer and W. C. Russell ; constable, M. M. Flynn ; high constable, S. C. Hepburn.
The business interests of the borough are represented by two well appointed mercantile houses ; the one owned by Spencer Bros. (Elisha F. and Harry B.), and Allen McDonald, both of which are general merchandise stores. Besides these there are two other smaller stores kept by M. M. Flynn and Thomas L. Rafferty, respectively ; the Grampian Hotel, under the proprietorship of Frank Orcutt ; a combined planing and grist-mill, the property of Samuel Hepburn, jr., and the estate of William F. Johnson. The local postmaster is M. G. Bloom, who, in connection with his official duties, has a notion and confection- ery store.
The most substantial building in the borough is that occupied by the two mercantile firms first above mentioned. This is a substantial frame building, two stories high, the upper floor being occupied as a hall, and covers both stores. The block is owned, as a stock concern, by E. M. Davis, Joseph Davis, R. M. Hoover, the estate of William F. Johnson and Elisha F. Spencer. The borough also provides one school for educational purposes, and besides this there is one other school, a part of the township institutions.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Pennville was erected upon the divis- ion of the old society of that denomination, that for years had worshiped on Spencer Hill. The society had become large, and many of its members were compelled to travel a long distance to attend divine worship, and for the con- venience of those members residing in this and the north part of the township, in the year 1861, the Pennville Church was built. It is a substantial edifice, built of wood, and cost about eight hundred dollars. There are about forty- five regular members of this church. It is under the same pastoral charge as the Lumber City Church. Of the ministers who have from time to time served this charge there have been Revs. Thomas R. Butterfield, James Hunter, Cur- ley, Lee, Lynn, Coleburn, Watson, Buckley, Wharton, Adams, Hamlin, Ed- wards, Noble, Shoemaker and Warner.
The Pennville Lyceum .- This society was organized about the year 1857. It was started by Miss Rebecca Reynolds. Its first constitution was drafted by John Russell, Abram Davis and Jeremiah Moore. Regular meetings were held until the year 1869, a period of twelve years, when it was discontinued, the principal cause being the want of a proper house in which to meet. The seed
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
of literature, however, had been sown in the young heart, and Penn township became a modern Athens. Elisha Fenton was its master spirit, being a man of unusual information and ability. He bequeathed, in his will, one hundred dol- lars in money, and three hundred dollars worth of books, toward starting a library.
In October, 1875, a party of boys started from Pennville on a " coon hunt." They got as far as a little saw-mill, then owned by Jeremiah Moore, when it was proposed by W. W. Spencer and W. A. McDonald, to go into a little room in the mill, and hold a debate; and soon those dark, cobwebbed walls were dimly lighted by a tallow candle ; but soon young faces glowed, as they told the stubborn facts as to which was of the greatest use, the horse or the ox. There and then was laid the corner-stone of the present Literary and Library Association.
This society obtained a charter, and started a library in the year 1878. The need of a proper place in which to meet and keep the library, led to the erection of the present hall in Pennville, by William F. Johnson, E. F. Spencer, Joseph Davis, R. M. Hoover and Elisha M. Davis, in the year 1880. Mr. Da- vis has always been an ardent supporter of the literary society, and much of its success has been due to his efforts. The library is controlled by six trustees, elected by the stock owners. It contains upwards of four hundred volumes ; among them Appleton's American Encyclopædia, and the Edinburgh Encyclo- pædia, and other complete works, both prose and poetry, history, fiction and science.
The Herald, published by the lyceum, is bound in four large volumes, and is in the library for use. The literary society meets regularly every two weeks. There are very few young men and women in the community but that are "per- fectly at home " before a public audience.
The Pennville Rifle Team, a society organized for the purpose of acquiring proficiency in markmanship, and for competition in trials of conclusions with other similar organizations, has its base of operations at the borough, although its membership is drawn from the township generally. For two years the team has held the county championship, having defeated all competitors.
The resident physician of the borough is Dr. Jonathan Currier, who in con- nection with his professional duties has a drug-store.
The present borough officials are as follows : Burgess, W. A. McDonald ; constable, M. M. Flynn ; high constable, S. C. Hepburn; assessor, W. G. Der- rick; overseers, Peter Pifer, J. P. Farwell ; auditor, W. W. Spencer; collector, Charles Helper.
Church Societies of the Township .- Heretofore in this chapter incidental mention has been made of the religious services held at an early day by mem- bers of the Society of Friends. There is not in the entire township any society that has exhibited greater strength than this. The settlement of the Friends
627
BOROUGH OF PENNVILLE.
was made during the first ten years of the present century, who occupied lands in and around the present borough of Pennville. In the year 1813 the Friends met at the house of James Moore and there held meetings for worship. The families at the time were few, and the names of most of them can be recalled : Samuel Johnson, James Moore, Jason Kirk, Caleb Davis, Gideon Widmire, Jo- seph Iddings, David Wall, Jonathan Wall, and others. After meetings had been held for a few years at James Moore's a school-house was built, which was oc- cupied by the society until the year 1824, when a comfortable meeting-house was built on a lot of land donated and deeded to the society by Mr. Moore. This lot is situate about half a mile southeast from Pennville, and is still owned by the society. A part of the lot has been used as a place of burial. In the year 1846 the house was burned, but another was built in its stead during the same year. This building is 30 by 50 feet in dimensions. In 1833 a monthly meeting was commenced for the purpose of discipline, and to attend to the affairs of the society.
In 1863 a Sabbath-school was organized, the first in the township under the care of the Friends. The first year showed an enrollment of eight teachers and sixty-eight scholars. The society had a membership in 1860 of one hun- dred and eighty persons. In 1880 the members numbered one hundred and twenty persons. Among the members of the society, other than those named above, may be mentioned the families of Andrew Cleaver, Caleb Way, Job Way. These persons established a Friends meeting at the house of Andrew Cleaver, who was a minister. Mr. Cleaver was the first recorded minister of the West Branch monthly meeting. On his death the meetings were discon- tinued. He came to Pike township in 1835.
Reference has been made to the Spencer Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. The building was erected in the year 1844, although the society had an exist- ence prior to that time. The early members of the " class" were Abram Spen- cer and wife, Andrew Spencer and wife, Moses Owens and wife, Ann Cullings- worth, John William, Catharine, Sarah and Mary Wrigglesworth, Manley and Sarah London, Thomas and Penelope Rettoo, Samuel Hepburn, Martha Neeper, Rufus and Millicent Slawson, Mary Siford, Jane McDonald, Sidney Jackson, David Cochran, Mary Rettoo, Susan Siford, Job Stugart, Peter Siford, Harriet Wood, John Hepburn, Peter and Jane Owens, Richard and Sarah Lon- don, Nancy McCracken, William Siford, Susan Spencer, Eliza Smith, Elisha and Ann Fenton, William Porter, Rebecca Paulhamus, Jackson Bonsall and others. In 1841 Abram Spencer was chosen class-leader ; an office he has filled from that to the present time, in connection with the Spencer Hill or the Penn- ville M. E. Church. The early meetings of the parent society were held at the house of Mr. Spencer and in school-houses until the building of the church edifice. Among the early ministers there can be recalled the names of Rev. Joseph Lee, Rev. Rose, Rev. Benjamin Butler, Rev. Day and Rev. Beers.
628
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
About the year 1860 this society, for convenience, became divided, one part joining in the erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lumber City, and the other at Pennville. The church at Spencer Hill was thereafter abandoned.
The Roman Catholic Church of Penn township was among the early estab- lished institutions thereof, having been organized and erected in the year 1837 for the accommodation of the people of that denomination residing in the town- ship. The western part of Penn was settled by Irish people, who, with some other assistance, built the edifice. A new church was erected some years ago. The society is of fair size, and under the pastoral charge of the Clearfield society. No reliable data is procurable concerning the progress of this church or its society. It is located about a mile west from Pennville, convenient of access by the members of the congregation residing in the township.
Penn Grange No. 534, P. of H .- This is one of the substantial organiza- tions of Penn township, having been organized on the 13th day of April, 1875, by O. S. Cary, then deputy for the district. The charter members were as follows: Samuel Widemire, James Miller, Charles Cleaver, Leroy Widemire, Joseph Davis, Miles Wall, O. D. Kendall, Elisha M. Davis, John Smith, John Widemire, M. S. Spencer, John Pentz, Richard Freeman, T. E. Wall, John Porter, William F. Johnson, Emily Kendall, Elizabeth Widemire, Jane Wide- mire, L. D. Miller, Elizabeth Davis, Elizabeth Wall, Catharine Davis, Lucy M. Spencer, Priscilla Johnson. The first officers were : Master, Samuel Wide- mire ; secretary, Miles S. Spencer. The present officers are : Master, William E. Davis; secretary, Alice W. Kester. Present membership ninety-seven. The meetings are held in the Penn Grange Hall.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HISTORY OF PIKE TOWNSHIP AND THE BOROUGH OF CURWENSVILLE.
DIKE township is situated near the center of Clearfield county, and is bounded on the north by Pine and Union, east by Lawrence, west by Penn and Bloom, and south by Knox and Ferguson townships. The land is mostly of a mountainous character, interspersed with narrow valleys and roll- ing plateaus, and varying in elevation from eleven hundred to fifteen hundred feet above the sea level. From the farm of James Norris, two miles from Cur- wensville, a beautiful view can be obtained of the valley of the Susquehanna, and the town of Curwensville; while from the hills about Bloomington the eye can wander for miles over magnificent mountain scenery ; on the farm of
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PIKE TOWNSHIP.
Moses Norris a view unsurpassed in extent and beauty is obtainable. From this spot (according to old settlers) portions of eight different counties can be seen. On the high table lands, and along the river valley, are located some of the most productive farms in the county, and despite the extensive lumber- ing operations of the past many fine bodies of timber still exist.
The geological features of the township are somewhat peculiar, the central line of the second coal basin crossing its southern part. In the high hills, between Bloomington and Curwensville, are beds of coal of most excellent quality, from four to six feet in thickness, while upon the western side of the river a somewhat different quality of coal is found in smaller beds, and at a much lower elevation, and in some places covered by large beds of fire- clay of superior excellence, interspersed with an impure ferruginous limestone.
These coal measures have never been fully developed, and at present are operated only for local use; nor has any systematic effort yet been made to practically utilize this magnificent and seemingly inexhaustible deposit of fire-clay.
By reference to the records of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Centre county (to which Clearfield county was formerly attached for judicial pur- poses) we find the following entries :
" April Sessions, 1813:
" Petition presented by divers inhabitants of Clearfield county, for the di- vision of Chincleclamoose township.
" Viewers Appointed :
" Roland Curtin, Charles Treziyulny, and Joseph Miles."
" November Sessions, 1813 :
"Report of viewers approved and confirmed by the court, laying out Law- rence and Pike townships; boundaries of Pike as follows :
" Beginning at the intersection of the old line, formerly known as the line between districts three and four, thence south along the same until it strikes Little Clearfield Creek, thence up the same to its head, thence a direct line to the mouth of Chest Creek, thence up the Susquehanna River to the county line. All lands lying west of the above line erected into a new township to be called Pike."
The township was named after General Zebulon Pike, an officer in the United States Army during the War of 1812, who was killed at Toronto, Can- ada, in the year 1813.
From the territory included in the above description, Brady township was set out in 1825, part of Chest in 1826, and subsequently Burnside, Bell, Penn, part of Ferguson, Greenwood, part of Union, Bloom, and Pine townships.
Paul Clover was probably the first settler in the township, having arrived in 1797, and built a house and blacksmith shop where the " corner store," in Curwensville, now stands. Thomas McClure, William McNaul, Elisha Fenton,
80
630
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
the Blooms, Spencers, Moores, John Smith, Robert Ross, Samuel Caldwell, William Dunlap, the Hartshorns, Robert Maxwell, Dr. J. P. Hoyt, James Mc- Cracken, the Rolls, Hugh Hall, John and William Irvin, Arthur Bell, John Patton, sr., and Daniel Barrett, were among the early pioneers.
Dr. J. P. Hoyt came to Clearfield county from Halfmoon Valley, in Centre county, about the year 1814, and located at Curwensville. Here he remained for some years, and then removed to a property near Lumber City. He was a man of strict integrity, and by a long life of industry and excellent business abilities accumulated considerable property, which he lived many years to en- joy, dying at the ripe age of ninety-one years.
John Patton, sr., was born in Philadelphia, in 1783 ; moved to Curwensville in 1828; he served as associate judge of the county for five years ; was justice of the peace for a number of years, and died in 1848, aged sixty-five years.
Jason Kirk, sr., came to Clearfield county about 1812; settled in what is now Penn township, at that time in Pike, and was one of the most respected citizens, living to an old age, and leaving a large family.
" Samuel Caldwell was one of the first settlers, arriving about 1804. He was an influential citizen, and left a considerable family.
John W. McNaul and his wife, Sarah, née Ferguson, emigrated from the northern part of Ireland to this country in about 1793. Mr. McNaul was a Scotchman. On landing in this country they resided, for a short time, in Chester county, thence removing to Lock Haven, and later living in Nittany Valley. Of their eight children, Margaret, James, John, and Ann were born in Ireland, William, Alexander, Zachariah, and Mary, were born in this country. William McNaul was a tanner, and first started business on his own account in Halfmoon, Centre county, where he married Hannah Way. In the fall of 1813, he, in company with Dr. John P. Hoyt (then a young physician prac- ticing in Halfmoon), started on horseback, one snowy morning, to cross the mountains and see the famous new town of Curwensville, recently laid out by John F. Curwen. Early in the following spring William McNaul, with his family, moved to Curwensville, occupying a log house located on the lot where the residence of Mrs. Martha Thompson now is. ' He soon proceeded to erect a house on the site of the present McNaul residence. He also built the tan- nery adjoining. His children were: Robert, Zachariah, Jane, Urbane, Lydia, John, and Mary. The McNauls belong to the Society of Friends, and are most highly respected, both at home and abroad.
The Hartshorn family is one of the oldest, and is widely connected, and as a class are model, respectable citizens. Benjamin Hartshorn, sr., was born in 1765. He married Isabella McClure, and they emigrated from Maryland to Centre county in the year 1796. In 1806 he moved his family to Clearfield county, living on the land now known as the Jonathan Hartshorn farm. This was then nothing but woods, and the family endured untold hardships before a
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PIKE TOWNSHIP.
home could be provided. The children were: Margaret, Anna, Jonathan, William, Benjamin, Nancy, Eliza, and Mary Ann, all of whom married, and whose families reside in or near Curwensville.
About the year 1750 the family of Spencers emigrated from England to America. In 1808 Joseph Spencer, sr., moved from Northumberland county to Clearfield county. His family consisted of three sons-Samuel, Joseph, and Jesse-and three daughters. From Benjamin Fenton he purchased four hun- dred and forty acres of land, which was in its primitive state, excepting two acres which was cleared, and had a small log house upon it. The tract was situated between the present site of the village of Pennville and Susquehanna River, about one mile south of Pennville. This was divided into four farms, the father retaining one and setting apart a farm of corresponding size for each of his three sons. These farms rank among the best in the county, and with the exception of the Samuel Spencer farm, remain in the hands of the direct descendants of the family. Most of the family were and are consistent mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and are eminently respectable and prosperous citizens. Joseph M. Spencer lives at Bridgeport, Harrison W. and Mrs. Mary Spencer, widow of James (sons of Joseph), reside in Curwensville.
The Blooms, as a class, are worthy citizens ; almost all farmers, and are the largest family in Clearfield county. William Bloom, sr., was born in Ger- many, and emigrated to this country at an uncertain time, reaching Clearfield county in 1801. Previous to this he had been in the State of New Jersey, also in Penn's Valley, Centre county, Pa. During the Revolutionary War he served for some time in the ranks, but we have no means of ascertaining the length of time. He was born on February 26, 1752, and married Mary Met- ter on April 2, 1778, who was born April 10, 1754. The pioneer Bloom came to Clearfield county alone, and settled on what is now known as the " Irvin farm," one mile up the river from Curwensville. Here he proceeded to make a clearing and succeeded in getting out a five-acre field of wheat and a few turnips, preparatory to bringing his family to the scene of operations. Little did he imagine that the name he was then striving so hard to maintain was destined to become the most common one in a rich and populous county of 60,000 inhabitants. In all eleven children were born of this union-seven boys, and four girls, as follows : Annie, born October 31, 1779; Isaac, born August 8, 1780; William, born April 17, 1782 ; Elizabeth, born August 22, 1784; John, born January 25, 1786; Peter, born February 7, 1789; Ben- jamin, born December 31, 1790; Mary, born September 25, 1792; Abraham, born April 10, 1795 ; Sally, -; James, born February 28, 1798.
Pike township is the stronghold of the Blooms. Probably two-thirds of the family are located here.
Andrew Moore, sr., emigrated to America from Ireland in 1688, and settled in Chester county, Pa. James, the second son of Andrew Moore, jr., was born
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
January 8, 1760, at Sadsbury, Chester county. He married in 1785, Lydia, daughter of Abram and Anna Sharpless. In 1795, they removed to Half- moon, Centre county, and in 1810, James, with his son Jeremiah and daughter Lydia, started on foot across the mountains, and in due time arrived at the place where Pennville, in Penn township, Clearfield county, is now located. He purchased three hundred and seventy-five acres of land ; built a cabin, and commenced clearing ; the rest of the family following. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, and trained up his family in that religious faith. His children were Abraham, Esther, Lydia, Anna, Jeremiah, Andrew, Rebecca, and James. They were all of orderly and industrious habits, and all married and settled in the neighborhood. James Moore died September 17, 1834. Thomas W. Moore, son of Andrew, David S. Moore, son of James, jr., and A. M. Kirk, grandson of Andrew, reside in Curwensville.
In 1809 Dr. Samuel Coleman settled on a tract of three hundred acres north of the site of Pennville. Dr. Coleman was a Scotchman, and had no family. He gave the name of " Grampian Hills " to his place, remarking that it reminded him of the renowned hills of the same name in Scotland. This name the neighborhood and post-office has retained. He held office about the time of the organization of the county, being clerk to the county commission- ers. His grave is on the farm of Colonel Miller, of Penn township. At the last meeting of the "County Medical Association" a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions toward erecting a monument to the memory of the pioneer physician of Clearfield county.
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