USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 54
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The water furnished by the company is pumped from the North Fork Creek, a stream unsurpassed for purity, being fed by innumerable springs along its banks, being but seldom unfit to use on being pumped from the stream.
Natural Gas in Brookville.1-In 1875 the first well for oil was drilled south of Brookville, one mile from the court-house, on lands belonging to R. D Tay- lor. Mr. R. J. Nicholson at that time was the enterprising spirit in its devel- opment, having secured the leases and given contract to have the well put down. At the depth of 783 feet sufficient gas was struck to supply the boiler. The well was drilled to the depth of 1,620 feet and abandoned, and on account of the abandonment it was currently reported that Mr. Nicholson had been paid large sums of money by the Standard people for the abandonment.
In those days, if the people had any cause of suspicion that their neighbors were getting along in worldly affairs any better than they were, it was the Stand- ard Company that was helping them. Everything was laid to the Standard Oil Company-a monopoly that was consuming the earth If in digging a well you should be fortunate enough to strike a good vein of water, it would be ex- pected that the Standard agent would be around before night to make advances on the well. I speak of this as being the first well drilled for oil. Several at- tempts have been made, but with light tools and crude machinery, such as were used in the early days of the oil excitement. In 1861 John Smith drilled a well on the point near Christ's brewery, but owing to such light tools could not penetrate our hard rocks very far. William Reed drilled a well at the depth of 280 feet at his planing-mill in 1862. The well is situated near the creek, below Taylor's dam. It used to flow to the height of three or four feet above the wood conductor ; but of late years, owing to the curiosity of boys, in putting in stones and other rubbish, it has ceased to flow as a fountain. It escapes over the conductor, coloring the rocks in its descent to the creek. It has been known as our sulphur spring, the water having a peculiar taste, of a sulphurous nature, coming undoubtedly from off a coal bed.
In 1875 the excitement ran high as to the finding of oil. Every one who
1 Prepared by James L. Brown, of Brookville.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
owned a patch of ground could count his wealth, or at least could locate how many wells it would do to have on his lands. The thousands of derricks that imagination could picture out, sticking in and around our hills, caused some to sell their beautiful homes, because they could not bear the thoughts of living in an oil town-such as their imaginations had pictured out -- but finally the excitement died away and remained so until the gas craze took the country in 1882. Charter after charter of towns throughout Western Pennsylvania were being piled up in Harrisburg, giving to corporations certain rights and a mo- nopoly. Every town of importance was seized upon. The struggle for the supremacy in Pittsburgh brought out the decision of the Supreme Court, giv- ing equal rights to those who were legally incorporated.
In 1883 the Brookville Natural Gas and Heating Company was incorpo- rated, a charter being granted to William B. Meredith, V. Neibert, Joseph Mccullough and George Fox, of Kittanning borough, and James L. Brown, of Brookville; but owing to a feeling of jealousy existing among some of the citizens of the borough of Brookville, in having our charter controlled by non- residents, the Kittanning party sold their interest to James L. Brown and J. B. Henderson, from which a new company was organized, comprising James L. Brown, J. B. Henderson, S. A. Craig, J. E. Long and Henry Gray. The or- ganization being complete, James L. Brown was chosen president, and S. A. Craig, secretary and treasurer. A contract was entered into with Shaner & McLain to drill a well to the depth of two thousand feet. Drilling was com- menced April 1, 1884, on a town lot located in the central portion of the town, belonging to Mrs. Sebastian Christ. A large vein of salt water was struck at 230 feet, while at 1,920 feet, gas sufficient to supply the boiler ; but, not being satisfied, the company concluded to send the drill down deeper; but, owing to poor machinery and too light for the business, 2,430 feet was as far as the con- tractors could go.
Well No. 2 was located seven hundred feet south of No. I, on lot belong- ing to the president, James L. Brown. It was drilled to the depth of 1,950 feet, and abandoned, after putting in a forty- quart torpedo. The torpedo did not increase the flow of gas, the supply being somewhat limited. J. L. Brown utilized what little there was for his own private use. The company being somewhat discouraged, J. L. Brown and S. A. Craig bought the remaining stock and piped the gas from No. I well to Main street, making attachments to forty fires. A new company was then organized, Brown & Craig selling part of the stock to Keatley Brothers, of North Clarendon, T. L. Templeton, of Warren county, E. H. Clark and J. N. Garrison, of Brookville.
A contract was given to Keatley Brothers for a well to be located in what was called Ghost Hollow, two and one-half miles from town, west, on the Clarion pike. The well was abandoned at the depth of 2,210 feet. A second contract was made with Keatley Brothers to drill a well one mile south of
473
HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
Corsica, on David Simpson's land, to be located on what was supposed to be the Anthony's Bend anticlinal. This well was abandoned as a duster at the depth of 2,260 feet. The company having been unfortunate in their invest- ments concluded to increase the number of shares of stock, many of our citi- zens taking stock.
Well No. 5 was located on lands belonging to Thompson & Darr, three- fourthis of a mile northwest of town. Drilling was commenced November 16, 1886, and finished January 25, 1887, at the depth of 2,186 feet. Gas was struck at 1,203 feet, but not enough to supply the boiler. A sixty-quart tor- pedo was inserted, and increased the flow of gas one-half more; but after stand- ing several months it dropped back to its former condition. The well was sold to E. H. Clark and W. D. J. Marlin, at one-third its cost. They then piped it into town and now are utilizing the gas for their own use.
The Brookville Natural Gas and Heating Company have expended over $14,000 in trying to obtain gas, in the five wells they have down. If every- body's advice had been followed, they probably would have had plenty of gas to supply the town. From actual count kept of the different localities where they ought to bore for gas, 386 wells would have determined the gas question in and around Brookville.
Photography .- The first dawn of photographic light diffused its rays upon the rural village of Brookville, in 1851, when Simon Snyder, the "itinerant pioneer" of the art, "took your picture for cash in advance " in room No. 2, Arcade building. He was followed in 1853, by a Mr. Bridge who, by a side- light window of a room in the old court-house, "took the pictures" of Brook- ville's pioneers.
The same year, J. S. Chase in the month of July in the same building, catered to the public desire of having an impression of their face and figure in shape for future generations to gaze upon.
WV. D. J. Marlin, daguerreotype artist displayed his skill in the profession in same building during 1854.
About 1857 Charles Windsor opened a studio in the second-story west room of the Evans block. The new brick " Blood block," now occupies the ground. He used the process then known as the melainotype.
L. C. Dillon and Abram Hall imported a "picture car" during 1858, which was located on the south side of the street, in front of the present " Marlin block; " made daguerreotypes, experimented with photographs by develop- ment, not meeting with much success.
Ira C. Fuller in 1859, was the first to use a side and sky-light studio in Brookville. It was in the second story of a frame building, on the site of the Caspar Endress brick block; he made melainotypes and ambrotypes, in con- nection with a book-store on first floor of same building.
During the summer and winter of 1861-62 Henry Darr occupied the second
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
story northeast room of the Uriah Matson block, as a studio for the produc- tion of ferrotypes and ambrotypes on dark purple glass.
In March, 1862, E. Clark Hall started a studio in the second story over Enoch Hall's store for the production of ferrotypes and ambrotypes. In the latter part of July he went to Meadville and learned the new art of producing photographs on paper. J. D. Dunn of that place was his preceptor. Return- ing in September, he rented the Dillon car, located it on Main street, in front of Edmund English's residence, and in the spring of 1863 remodeled the second story of Enoch Hall's store building, by putting in a large sky and side- light, reception and chemical room, using the entire second story. This was the pioneer effort of successful working of paper pictures in Jefferson and sur- rounding counties. The nearest studio was that of Mrs. DeWolf, in Franklin, Venango county. Meadville and Pittsburgh had photographic studios, which were the only ones in Western Pennsylvania. In 1863 he re-visited J. D. Dunn, at Meadville; from there he went to Newburg, N. Y., on the Hudson, taking lessons for one month of Mr. Reynolds, in the improved art of photography and porcelain miniatures. At that time Mr. Reynolds was one of the foremost operators in the profession ; from there he went to New York city, gathering information relating to the art in the studios of Sarony, Gurney, Fredericks and Kurtz, considered the master hands and minds of the United States in the art, and visited the best studios in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, in June, 1866. On account of failing health, sold his studio to W. H. Gray, who had taken in- structions of him, and went to reside in Philadelphia. In 1869 Arnold Hoff- man refitted the Fuller studio, and shared the public's patronage with Mr. Gray. September 3, 1870, E. Clark Hall returned, bought Mr. Hoffman's studio outfit with half interest of Mr. Gray's studio, consolidated the two under the firm name of Hall & Gray in 1875. Wilt Brothers, of Franklin, started a new studio in a one-story frame building; the new Methodist Church now occupies the site ; they sold out to Ferdinand Hoffman, who retired in 1876.
In 1875 E. C. Hall purchased Mr. Gray's interest in the studio, which was destroyed in April, 1876, by fire, with all its contents; he immediately leased ground on the burnt distriet from C. M. Garrison, built a one-story temporary studio, went to New York, bought an entire new outfit, and commenced work again, June 1. On the 4th of July a cyclone, which demolished chimneys, etc., nearly elosed him out again ; water was two inches deep on the floor, and the former warmth of his ardor for success was very much dampened. November, 1878, he moved into the large, commodious and elegant studio in the new Rodgers block, fitted with large sky and side-light, operating room 20x 582 feet, two chemical rooms 16 x 20 feet, each adjoining. A rack holding six back grounds, sliding into the wall out of the way, all fitted with newest styles of interior, palace, forest, park and lakeside scenes, with accompanying accesso- ries, chairs, rocks, stumps, bridges, balcony, cottage, rustic fence, iron fence,
475
HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
gate-stile, etc., making it as complete in its appointments as any of the city studios. Cameras, large and small, enamellers of latest improved style, enable him to complete work in style and finish up to the times in every particular. Mr. Hall has followed the gradual progress of the art for over a quarter of a century, keeping posted and wide awake for improvements in every depart- ment which tend to produce superior work. Persons who have not visited his studio, have no idea of the complete manner in which it is furnished. All sizes of work from the smallest locket miniature to the largest portrait, taken direct from the sitter, and finished by himself.
Taxables, Population, etc .- The taxables in Brookville in 1849 were 177 ; in 1856, 273 ; in 1863, 297; in 1870, 526; in 1880, 689; in 1886, 837.
The population by census of 1840, was 276; 1850, 1,063; 1860, 1,360 ; 1870, 1,942 ; 1880, 2, 136; in 1887, it is over 3,000. In 1860 there were 346 dwellings, 383 families and 400 voters.
The triennial assessment gives the number of acres seated as 378; valua- tion, $12,765 ; value per acre, $34.56 ; number of houses and lots, 837 ; valu- ation, $189,758 ; three grist and four saw-mills, valuation, $13,350; acres un- seated, 20; valuation $250 ; number of horses, 170; valuation, $4,243 ; aver- age value, $24.90 ; number of cows, 138; valuation, $1,138 ; average value, $24; occupations, 461 ; valuation, $11,235 ; average, $24.37. Total valua- tion subject to county tax, $232,739 ; money at interest, $36,636; carriages, 62; valuation, $2, 115.
Elections .- The first election of which there is any record for the borough of Brookville, was in 1835, when Joseph Sharp was elected constable, and re- elected in 1836. The next entry in the record of elections is the following : 1837, Brookville borough, constable, Johu McLoughlin ; burgess, Thomas Lucas; council, James Corbet, John Dougherty, John Pierce, Samuel Craig, William A. Sloan ; school directors, L. G. Clover, Samuel Craig, David Henry, C. A. Alexander, William A. Sloan, James Corbet.
The following comprise the officials of the borough of Brookville for 1887 : Justices of the peace, Robert R. Brady, John W. Walker ; constable, J. Mc- R. Mohney, tax collector, I. F. Steiner; assessor, Charles J. Hodgkinson ; town council, John J. Thompson, Thomas M. Carroll, Thomas L. Templeton, Robert Stewart, John N. Garrison, F. W. Ingraham ; burgess, Samuel Cham- bers ; high constable, George H. Grove; auditors, D. A. Henderson, E. A. Litch ; school directors, John J. Patterson, Thomas R. Hastings, A. F. Balmer, George H. Kennedy, Frank X. Kreitler, Cyrus H. Blood ; judge of election, Joseph Darr; inspectors, F. W. Ingraham, B. T. Hastings.
476
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
DINE CREEK township was established by act of Assembly in 1806, and by some writers is supposed to have been named from the creeks running through its bounds, the banks of which were covered with pine trees ; but we are inclined to believe that the name was given to the township by Joseph Barnett, who first settled within its limits, and gave it the name from his old home, "Pine Creek," in Lycoming county. This township was the mother of all the others, and until 1818, when Perry was organized, was the only town- ship in the county-the only place where any kind of business could be exe- cuted. So that in writing the early history of the county, that of Pine Creek, which for over twenty years comprised all that was known of the county, has been written in the foregoing pages of this work.
No township in the county is more broken by deep ravines and valleys than this of Pine Creek. Its surface indeed is a continuous succession of rugged hills, forbidding alike to the farmer and miner, because, in the one case tillage is extremely difficult, and in the other, the rocks, with few exceptions, contain little of value.
Within its bounds are three of the principal streams of the county which unite to form Redbank. These are Sandy Lick, which flows along the southern edge of the township, Mill Creek flowing southwest across it, in a ravine no less deep than the other, though less wide; North Fork flowing south along the western side. Water level at Port Barnet (where Mill Creek and the Sandy Lick come together and make a curious succession of bends in the channel way) is about 1,225 feet above mean tide, Atlantic Ocean. The highest sum- mits on the upland, as for example one especially prominent point on the Reynoldsville Road, east of Baum's Hotel, is not less than 1,750 feet above tide.
The names given to these streams by the Delaware Indians are furnished us by Mr. John W. Jordon, vice-president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. "The North Fork was ' Tangawunsch-hanne,' i. c. Little Brier Stream, 'the stream whose banks are over-grown with the green brier.' Sandy Lick was called 'Leganwimahoni.". In the Delaware tongue Sandy was, or is Legamwi-(a Lick)-mahoni, also Sandy- Legamwi-(Creek)-hanne, these are for Sandy Lick and Sandy Creek."
That the Indians inhabited Pine Creck is proved by the reminiscences of the late Mrs. Graham, given elsewhere. The names given to streams, towns and localities by the red men of the forest were generally based upon some natural characteristic, hence the name given to the Little Brier.
477
PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Fines for Misdemeanors .- In the early days of the county's history the penalties prescribed by the laws of the Commonwealth for any offense against any of the statutes was rigorously enforced, seemingly without regard to the social standing of the offender. Sabbath breaking, swearing, and intoxication seem to have been the sins most vigorously punished by the arm of the law. In an old docket, opened on the 15th day of January, 1810, by Thomas Lucas, the first justice of the peace of Pine Creek township, are the following entries :
[L. S.] " Jefferson county, ss.
" Be it remembered that on the Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ten, Gabriel Puntus, of sd County is Convicted before me Thos. Lucas, Esqr, one of the justices of the peace in and for sd County, going to and from the mill unneasersirly upon the Sixth day of May instant being the Lord's day Commonly Coled Sunday at the county aforesaid, Contrary to the act of asembly in Such case made and provide, and I do adjudj 'him to forfeit for the same the Sum of four dollars. Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid.
" THOS. LUCAS.
" Commonwealth vs. John Dixkson .- Jefferson county, ss.
[L. S.]
" Be it remembered that on the 13th day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve John Dixkson, of pine Creek township in the county of Jefferson is Convictted before me Thomas Lucas one of the justices of the peace in and for sd county of being intoxicated with the drinking of Spiritus Liquers and for Cursing one profain Curse in these Words God Dam, that is to say this Day at pine Creek township aforesaid Contrairey to the Act of general assembly in such Case made and provided, And I Do agudge him to forefit for the Same the Sum of Sixty Seven Cents for each ofence. Given under my hand and Seal the day and Year afore s'd.
" THOS. LUCAS.
" Justices costs 35 cents.
" Constable cost 31 cents."
Lewis Long is also convicted in 1815 for "having hunted an carried the Carcis of one Dear on the 23d Day of July instant being the Lords Day Com- monly Coled Sunday, up pine Creek township aforesaid " and sentenced to pay four dollars penalty.
The first entry in this old docket is an action for debt. "Thomas McCart- ney vs. Freedom Stiles, to recover, on a promisary note, dated June 20, 1805, for $4.25."
The next entry is an action of surety of the peace :
57
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
" COMMONWEALTH
VS. HENRY VASBINDER.
Justice Costs.
information I3c.
Warrant.
15
2 recognizants
40
notice to refferees 15
I Sums, 3 names .19
I Sum', 1 name.
IO
Sums, 3 names.
19
Swearing 3 witnesses
56
5 referees. . 35
Eentering rule of renewment 10
Constable's cost. $1.96
referees
2.50
Witnesses
1.50
Surity of the peace and good behavour on oath of Fudge Van Camp, January 25, 1810.
Warrant issued January 25, 1810.
Fudge Van Camp, principal tent in $100. to appear, &c,
Samuel Lucas, (bail) tent in
$100.
to prosicute, &c.
referred to Sam' Scott, John Scott, Elijah M. Graham. Petter Jones and John Matson.
" We the refferees within named refferees having heard the partis the proofs and alligations to wit, we find from Evidence that the run is to be the line between Fudge Vancamp and Henry Vasbinder, from the line of the tract of land to the corner of - by the camp and thence along the old fence row to the corner, thence by a direct line the same across the ridge to the run and each party to enjoy these clearings till after Harvest, next, Fudge Van- camp to enjoy the benefit of his sugar camp till the line is run and John Jones and Moses Knap is for to run the line between the parties and eavery one of the partis is to move there fence on there one ground Sd Vancamp is to leave sixteen feet and a half in the Clear between the stakes of the fences for a Lane or outlet between the partis and each party is to give surity for there Good Behavour unto each other, there goods and Chiattles for the term of one year and one day from entring of surity to be entried ameditly if it can be had, if not to be had at the present time Bail is to be entred on Tuesday the Sixth day of Febuary A. D. 1810, the plaintiff to pay fifty cents costs, and the defendant the remainder of the cost of Sute, Witness our hands and seals this second day of febuary A. D. 1810.
" SAMUEL SCOTT [L. S.] " JOHN SCOTT [L. S.] " ELIJAH M. GRAHAM [L.S.] " PETER JONES [L. S.] "JOHN MATSON, [L. S.]
" Before me, " THOS. LUCAS."
The fines for Sabbath breaking, profane swearing and intoxication seem to have been rigidly enforced all through the term of office of Mr. Lucas, as we find numerous entries, in some instances the fines amounting to twelve dollars for one person. Numerous other offences are entercd, the most curious being
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PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
the indictments of the " Commonwealth vs. Francis Godyear and Mollie Tay- lor for Poligamy " September 12, 1835.
In these same old dockets is the account of Thomas Lucas, fees on pro- bates on fox, wolf and wild cats, from February 14, 1832, to June 11, 1838. Among the hunters are the names of William and Michael Long, Adam, Philip, Henry and William Vasbinder, John, Samuel and James Lucas, John and Thomas Callen, Jacob Shaffer, James Linn, Ralph Hill, John Wyncoop, William Dougherty, Frederick Hetrick, Nelson T. McQuston, William Horam and William Douglass. The list embraces thirty wild cats, forty-eight wolves, seventy-six foxes and one panther, (shot by Thomas Callen). The justice's fee on each probate was twelve and a half cents.
On the whole, however, the early settlers of the county seem to have been a law abiding people, for, with the exception of a few actions for " assault and battery," there were no serious breaches of the peace in the first quarter of a century that this old docket legally chronicles.
The first births that occurred in Pine Creek township were those already stated of Joseph Barnett's children-Rebecca born in 1802, and J. Potter in 1803. The first marriage was that of Joseph Barnett's daughter, Sarah, who was married to Elisha M. Graham, on the 30th of March, 1807. There was no minister or justice of the peace within the bounds of the county at that time, so the young couple went to Armstrong, now Clarion county, and at the house of John Hindman had the knot tied by John Corbet, esq., an uncle of Colonel W. W. Corbet, of Brookville.
The first minister of the gospel who penetrated into these wilds was a man by the name of Greer, who had been a friend and neighbor of Joseph Barnett when he lived on Pine Creek, in Lycoming county, and who, as Mrs. Graham says, came to visit his old friend in 1800, when he spent two weeks and preached to the few settlers then in the county. A year or so after he made them another visit, and again dispensed the Word of God.
The first death we have already recorded, was that of Andrew Barnett, whose grave " no man knoweth the place thereof."
The early settlers of Pine Creek, beginning with the Barnetts, have already been mentioned. The first family who followed the Barnetts into this wilder- ness was that of Peter Jones, who came from Mash Creek, in the Bald Eagle Valley, in Centre county, in 1801. Peter Jones was the son of Swiss parents, who came to the United States from Switzerland in the latter part of the eighteenth century. His father, Abraham Jones, served for a time in the American army in 1812. His son, Peter, was born and raised near Philadel- phia, but after his marriage to Rebecca Scott, a daughter of John and Rebecca Scott, who had emigrated from Scotland and settled in Dauphin county, he removed to Centre county.
When Peter Jones and his wife first settled in Centre county, the early set-
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
.
tlers were in almost constant peril of their lives from the sudden incursions of the Indians. On one of these occasions the family of Mr. Jones had taken ref- uge, with many others, in a stockade fort, built in Penn's Valley, by General James Potter. It is said of Mrs. Jones, that "she worked with a will in making cartridges for the men to use in defending the fort." Peter Jones resided in Pine Creek township until 1817, when he removed to Armstrong county (now Clarion) and settled near Strattanville. Of his sons, John, Samuel and Isaac, the latter alone survives, and now resides in Corsica. John Jones is men- tioned by Mrs. Graham as being a frequent companion of Jim Hunt in his hunting excursions, and Samuel was the father of Joshua Jones, now a resident of Brookville, Jared of Polk township, John of Clarion and Sarah, wife of John Clark, Mrs. Isaac Lyle, of Warsaw township and Mrs. James Harris of this township.
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