History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 62

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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When peace was restored Culbertson returned, took up the adjoining land, and with increased energy proceeded to make improvements. He erected a saw and grist mill, and built a spacious dwelling for his family, a little distance from it a distillery, and a few years later a mill for expressing nut and linseed oils.

The saw mill was a plain log building, and its supply of water was received from a dam in the creek, nearly a mile away, conducted through a race about two feet wide and two feet deep, which was excavated by Andrew and William Hepburn. The mill stood on the river bank about twenty rods east of his dwelling. At a later date Culbertson tore down the log mill and erected a larger one on the same site. The power was an overshot wheel twenty-one and a half feet in diameter. The mill was standing in 1857, when it was torn down by Solomon Moyer and a new mill, with modern improvements, built on the same site. This third mill has also served its time during one generation, and is now being torn down and its heavy timbers removed. Moyer also enlarged the old mill race, making it eight feet wide and four feet deep. Charles Whitehead, of DuBoistown, who settled there in 1848, says that he obtained the information regarding Culbertson's original log mill from the old men of that time.

These improvements were of great advantage to the settlers, and the name of Culbertson was on the lips of every one for forty miles around. The little log saw mill, with its flutter wheel, " up and down saw," could probably cut 1,000 to 1,500 feet per day, which enabled him to supply the settlers with what "bill stuff" they wanted at that time. And the second and larger mill met the increasing demand.

The grist mill, built soon after the Revolution, stood on the river bank where the old mill race falls into the river. It was a very solid two-story frame structure, resting on a high and strong foundation of stone, and was weatherboarded. The wall touched the water's edge, and canoes could be paddled up so close that bags of grain were hoisted into the mill by means of a rope. The mill contained two run

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

of stones and made good flour. The power was an overshot water wheel, and received its supply of water from the same race that furnished the saw mill. Culbertson's mill became famous, because the stream of water which drove it never failed, and when 'other mills were unable to run, it steadily jogged along and ground all grists that came. Canoes laden with grain came from far up and down the river; the Indian path over the mountain from White Deer was "brushed out " so that horses carrying grists of grain could pass over it and return. This caused it to be called " Culbertson's path," a name by which it is known to this day. The old grist mill was accidentally destroyed by fire in the spring of 1850, by a spark blown from under a kettle on the river bank where some women were engaged in washing. Thus was a historic land mark removed, to the great regret of the older people of that time.

When Culbertson settled here walnut timber was so abundant that he built a fine stable out of that material for his horses, which continued to stand long after his death.

Culbertson's old mansion still stands and is an object of much curiosity. It must have been a grand affair in its day, for it is yet spacious and pleasant at the end of a century. It was built about 1796; is two stories high, of hewed logs, sawed oak joist 3x8, and the flooring yellow pine fastened down with wooden pins. The rafters are hewed and covered with shaved shingles. The dimensions of the main building outside are twenty-seven feet six inches by thirty-three feet, and inside it contains three rooms and a spacious hall on each floor. An immense chimney built of stones picked up in the fields extends from the cellar up through the roof, though of late years the portion above the roof has been replaced by brick. There is a large open fire place in each room and one in the cellar. The kitchen is 22x23 feet, and also has an immense stone chimney with a fire place in the cellar and one on the first floor. This structure is but one story high with a loft. The door hinges in the building are of the T strap pattern and were made by a blacksmith. The windows have nine lights in the lower and six in the upper sash. No nails were used in the floors, doors, and other parts of the building-wooden pins alone taking their place. This was on account of their great cost at that time. The old log mansion was " sided up" by Jacob Hinkle in 1835, for the second time, and plastered inside for the first time. Other improvements have been made to it from time to time, but the main building is the original and stands there to-day, weather beaten and scarred as a relic of almost forgotten times.

"Culbertson's," in those days, was a popular place of resort. The settlers would bring their grists to the mill and wait for them to be ground, meanwhile patronizing the distillery and playing games. In winter time the young people from Jaysburg and the country round would gather there to attend social parties and enjoy the hospitality for which the place was noted.

In February, 1807, when the old mansion was occupied by Charles Sarch, a very distressing accident occurred. A party had assembled to witness the nuptials of William Ray and Margaret Morris. Among the guests was a young man named James Duffey, from Larry's Creek. All was life, frivolity, and gayety. In the upper story of the house was a door which had been intended to open on a balcony, but it had not been built. Young Duffey being up stairs, and seeing this door,

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BOROUGH OF DUBOISTOWN.

thoughtlessly opened it and stepped out. He fell headlong to the ground, landing on a large flat stone which lay at the door of the north entrace, and was instantly killed! The stone lies there to-day scarcely changed from the position it occupied on that fatal night.

Andrew Culbertson died about 1797, and it is supposed he was buried in the Newberry graveyard. In his will, dated June 20, 1796, appears the following clause: "Mrs. Culbertson and family shall have possession of the two back rooms of the man- sion house and equal liberty to the kitchen and cellar, and the old walnut stable, until April 10, 1801, and they shall not still." In a codicil dated February following he appointed as his executors John B. Culbertson, John Boyd, and John Kidd.

The estate appears to have been heavily encumbered. On the 3d of March, 1800, the executors sold to Galbraith Patterson, for £1,600, and £500 to the heirs of John Cox, the following four tracts of land: Samuel Boone tract, 111 acres; Martin McGraw tract, 172 acres; Andrew Culbertson tract, 411 acres; James Cul- bertson tract, 2134 acres, making a total of 9073 acres, for which a deed was executed, December 3, 1800.

The wife of Andrew Culbertson was Miss Jennett Boyd, and they were married at Philadelphia in 1763. They had the following children: William, born April 15, 1765; John, born in 1767; Elizabeth, born in 1769, married Matthew Wilson; Boyd, born 1770; Andrew, born 1772; James, born 1774; Samuel, born 1776; Mary, born 1780; Jennett, born 1783. Mary married James Cummings and was the mother of the late Andrew Boyd Cummings, the donor of Brandon park to the city of Williams- port. Of the sons William married his cousin, Mary Culbertson, at Williamsport, in 1794, and the same year they emigrated to the western part of the State and settled near what is now Edinboro, Erie county. His brothers soon after followed and settled on adjoining tracts. The mother of this family, Mrs. Jennett (Boyd) Cul- bertson, died at Williamsport in 1802. W. C. Culbertson, who represented the Erie district in Congress in 1888-90, is a grandson of William Culbertson. He lives at Girard, Erie county, and is a man of wealth. His father, Andrew Colum- bus Culbertson, was born at Williamsport, June 20, 1795.

Another family, which afterwards became connected with the western Culbertsons by marriage, was that of Thomas Colter! About 1786 he came from Philadelphia and settled on the West Branch. Here he married Elizabeth Logue. They lived here until 1797, when, with their three daughters, they moved to what is now Craw- ford county and settled. Very likely they followed William Culbertson.

GALBRAITH PATTERSON.

Capt. William Patterson, who was prominent during the Indian troubles, married Mary Galbraith, of Donegal, Lancaster county. They had but one son, Galbraith Patterson, who was born at Patterson's fort in 1767. When he grew to manhood he went to Lancaster, studied law, and was admitted in 1789. He moved to Harrisburg and was admitted there in August, 1789. Thence he moved to the Culbertson place in 1790, where he died, February 26, 1801, in his thirty-fourth year, leaving a widow, Catharine, who afterwards married James Orbison, of Cham- bersburg, where she died, February 24, 1811. She had a daughter, Isabella, by Mr. Patterson, who married, first, David Maclay; second, Hon. Alexander T. Hayes,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

who for forty years was judge of the circuit court and of the common pleas court at Lancaster.

Patterson came here on account of his interest in the Culbertson estate, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county. He was noted for his eccentricity of character. Before his death he selected a spot on the north declivity of Bald Eagle mountain, not far in the rear of the residence of the late Solomon Moyer, where he requested to be buried. He explained that "he wanted to lie there and see the d-d blue stockings go to church," referring to the Presbyterians attending the old Lycoming church at Newberry, among whom were Andrew Culbertson and wife. His antipathy to these people likely grew out of his business transactions with them. His irreverent and last request was carried out and he was buried on the spot he had selected, from which there is an enchanting view of the river, valley, and mountains beyond, with the spire of the offending church in the foreground pointing heavenward. For many years his lonely grave was enclosed by a picket fence, but in DuBois's time it was plowed over and now all trace of the burial spot is obliterated. Among the later settlers it was known as " the fiddler's grave," because he was noted in life as an expert violin player.

The records show that John Rose and William A. Thompson became the admis- trators of Patterson's estate, and that on September 25, 1801, a mortgage was executed to the executors of Andrew Culbertson, to secure the balance of the pur- chase money due. The Culbertson-Patterson estate soon after passed into the ownership of Thomas Caldwell, then living where John Good's mill (which he had built) now stands, on Lycoming creek, and he carried on the old mill for many years.

SAMUEL CALDWELL.

McMinn in his reminiscences says that James Kinman built and ran a carding machine for many years in the Culbertson mill. He lived in the dwelling connected with the oil mill in 1823. Thomas Caldwell died, August 7, 1828, aged sixty-seven years. Frederick Ott came from Selinsgrove and ran the old mill two years. William Updegrove was one of the oldest millers, and ran the mill in Culbertson's time. James Wilson was the miller when Duffey was killed.

The estate of Thomas Caldwell was divided in partition, December 27, 1828, among his children, James D. and Robert getting the portion extending into Mosquito valley, and Samuel part of the tract along the river. June . 1, 1835, Robert and James D. sold 119 acres and forty-five perches to Jacob Hinkle.

While Samuel Caldwell lived here he built the fine stone mansion afterwards owned by Solomon Moyer. The latter purchased it in May, 1864, with twenty-three acres of ground for $4,500. His purchase included the old mill site, on which he built a new mill and commenced manufacturing lumber. His business was not very remunerative until the Linden branch of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad was built in 1874, when his piling ground was damaged. He brought suit and recovered $12,247; then came the Lycoming Gas and Water Company. They took their sup- ply of water from the stream that ran his mill. He brought suit and recovered $10,500 damages. This ended his conquests in the line of litigation and he died soon after.

525

BOROUGH OF DUBOISTOWN.

BEGINNINGS OF DUBOISTOWN.

What is now known as DuBoistown commenced its modern history when John DuBois and his brother Mathias, with Elias S. Lowe, bought a tract of 119 acres and 19 perches of land, June 24, 1852; Lowe and DuBois also bought of Samuel Caldwell 370 acres, October 10, 1857, for $4,000. They afterwards sold off several pieces of land including the tract on which the Culbertson mansion is sit- uated.

The first steam saw mill in DuBoistown was built by Maj. J. H. Perkins in 1854. It stood just west of the mouth of Mosquito creek. Since that time it has under- gone changes, and now has a daily capacity of 65,000 feet.

Having made land purchases, John DuBois laid out a town to which he gave his name, and it soon showed signs of prosperity. In 1856 Lowe & DuBois built a large saw mill of 90,000 feet daily capacity. They also erected a wire suspension bridge across the river for transporting their lumber to the canal. The lumber was pushed across through a pair of compression rolls, and was kept under control by other machinery. A narrow walk along side the trough through which the lumber passed, was used by pedestrians. The entire structure was destroyed by the great flood of 1865, and never rebuilt. The mill has been greatly improved since it was first built, and now has a capacity of 100,000 feet daily. It is known as the Teneyck mill.

In 1867 John DuBois built his model mill of stone a few rods southwest of the Major Perkins mill. It had a daily capacity of 75,000 feet. Unfortunately it was burned in 1SS4 and was not rebuilt. Soon afterwards Mr. DuBois transferred his business interests to Clearfield county and founded DuBois City.

Careful estimates place the total amount of lumber manufactured here by the different mills from the beginning to the present time at fully 500,000,000 feet.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

The quarter sessions records show that a petition praying for the incorporation of the village of DuBoistown was laid before the court on the opening of January sessions, 1878, and immediately referred to the grand jury for investigation. The matter was promptly attended to, for on the 11th a favorable report was returned. In the meantime some opposition to the movement was aroused. Citizens of Arm- strong township. from which the territory would be taken to form the borough, did not like the idea of having their township further reduced, and they remonstrated by petition. This caused the court to grant a mutual rule to take depositions and the question of creating a borongh was carefully considered. Finally, on the 14th of October, 187S, the court entered a decree incorporating "The Borough of DuBois- town."

The records show that C. C. Brown was chosen the first burgess, but as he moved away about the time of his election, the court was petitioned to appoint George Foulkrod. This was done, March 21, 1879, and he appears as the first executive officer of the new borough. His successors have been elected as follows: 18SO, Thomas Wheeler; 1SS1, James A. Dinehart; 1882-84. Henry Aurand: 18S5, A. B. Carnett; 1886, A. B. Harrison; 1887, Frederick Lannert; 1SSS, E. F. Layberger: 1889, F. L. Miller; 1890, J. C. Carson; 1891-92, W. C. Carson.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The first secretary of council was Joseph C. Carson. H. W. Whitehead snc- ceeded him in 1880, and served to 1883. A. W. Richard then filled the office from 1884 to 1885, when A. K. Brown was elected and served to 1890. C. B. Wilson succeeded him in 1891.

THE BOROUGH TO-DAY.

The streets of DuBoistown run nearly east by west and north by south. The main streets through the borough, east and west, are Main and Susquehanna, while those running north and south are named Spring, Summer, Valley, and High.

In addition to the steam saw mills, DuBoistown has three stores, two hotels, one carriage and blacksmith shop, two school buildings of brick, with graded schools, and one Methodist Episcopal church-a substantial frame building. The report for last year showed three schools and seven and a half months taught by two males and one female teacher. The population of the borough, according to the census of 1890 was 697.

DuBoistown was made a post station, June 7, 1886, and Sarah E. Sheaffer appointed postmaster. She was succeeded, June 12, 1889, by John F. Blair, and he is still the incumbent.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

BOROUGH OF SALLADASBURG.

FOUNDING OF THE TOWN-SCHOOLS-POSTMASTERS-INDUSTRIES-INCORPORATION-I. O. O. F.

A S shown in the review of Limestone township, Salladasburg was founded by Capt. Jacob P. Sallade in 1837, when he laid out lots, built a church for the Lutherans and Presbyterians only, and started the town. It now comprises a num- ber of stores and shops, one hotel, grist mill, and tannery; two schools are sus- tained, and there are three churches-Methodist, Evangelical, and Lutheran; and by the census of 1890 the borough is credited with a population of 374.

SCHOOLS.

Salladasburg has two schools. Last year six months were taught by one male and one female teacher. The former was paid $45 per month salary, and the latter $40. Forty-seven male and fifty-seven female pupils were registered. Average attendance, ninety-two.

POSTMASTERS.

As early as 1832 a postoffice was established at the mouth of Larry's creek- there scarcely being any settlers where the borough now stands-and Joseph B. Torbert was appointed postmaster. The office was named Larry's Creek. He served as postmaster till August 31, 1847, when Col. Jacob Sallade was appointed

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BOROUGH OF SALLADASBURG.

and the office was removed about two and a half miles up the creek, where the new postmaster lived. His successors were as follows: C. Caseman, appointed October 30, 1S4S; Robert H. Lawshe, November 22, 1848. The office had been moved to Salladasburg under Caseman. Origen Wheeler succeeded Mr. Lawshe, June 19, 1851, and he was succeeded by James P. McCollum, July 15, 1853.

The title, Larry's Creek, was changed to Salladasburg, December 21, 1854, and McCollum reappointed. Since that time his successors have been as follows: Charles W. Pepperman, appointed May 16, 1855; William W. Thomas, October 27, 1874; W. D. Buser. June 29, 1SS1; David B. Waltz, October 16, 1SS5; William L. Miller, May 10, 1887, present incumbent.

INDUSTRIES.

The first grist mill was built in 1837 by Col. Jacob Sallade. It was sold to John Cline, about ten years afterwards, and he operated it until 1867. Colonel Sallade and Stephen Bell built a new mill near Cline's in 1866. In the meantime Cline sold his mill to Good & Company, and it was soon after turned into a planing and cider mill. Cline finally purchased the new mill of Sallade & Bell, and after running it for a short time sold it to Waltz & Company. They ran it a short time, when, unfortunately, it was burned about 1887. Soon afterwards Thomas & Brothers erected the present mill.

The leading industry in the borough is the tannery of Robert Mccullough. The plant was first established by Robert Lawshe in 1848. He continued the busi- ness until about 1855, when he sold out to John A. Gamble & Brother. They con- ducted the business until 1870, when the buildings were burned. The firm rebuilt and soon afterwards sold out to John Gaffey. About 1874 the plant passed into the hands of Robert Mccullough, who carried on the business until 1SS2, when the buildings were again burned. He straightway rebuilt on a larger scale, and has continned the business up to the present time. The main building is 400x80 feet; the dry house is 230x40 feet, and there are 216 vats. Ample machinery of the latest style is provided, and there is a capacity to turn out 400 tanned hides daily. Nearly 9,000 tons of bark are used annually. Hides are hauled from the railroad station at Larry's creek, and when dressed are returned by the same means for ship- ment to market. The industry gives steady employment to between 75 and 100 hands.

INCORPORATION,

This is one of the youngest boroughs in the county. At May sessions, 1SS3, a petition was presented praying for the incorporation of Salladasburg as a borough. It was referred to the grand jury for consideration, and on the Sth of May a favorable report was returned. On the 1st of October a remonstrance was filed and the peti- tion was referred back. Nothing more was done until January 12, 1884, when, on the matter being called up, the court confirmed the report of the grand jury and entered a decree directing its incorporation and that it be called "The Borough of Salladasburg."

It is located on Larry's creek, five miles from its mouth, and the ground on which it is built was taken from Mifflin township. On the 7th of March, 1887,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Bernhard Sellinger petitioned the court to have his farm annexed to the borough. On the 9th the grand jury accepted his proposition and on the 12th of the same month the court made a decree admitting him to the borough.

Since its incorporation as a borough Salladasburg has had the following bur- gesses: 1884, R. Mccullough; 1885, D. B. Waltz; 1886, W. H. Fisher; 1887, W. H. Fisher; 1888, W. E. Kunkle; 1889, J. B. Robinson; 1890, W. H. Fisher; 1891, W. H. Good; 1892, A. M. Missimer.

I. O. O. F.

Salladasburg Lodge, No. 751, I. O. O. F., is the only lodge of the kind in the borough.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

BOROUGH OF SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT.

HAGERMAN'S RUN-FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF THE BOROUGH-MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT- INDUSTRIES-POSTOFFICES-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.

T THIS borough lies on the south side of the river from Williamsport, on a r plateau that was known among the early explorers and surveyors as the "Lower bottom," to distinguish it from the "Upper bottom," lying opposite Linden. It is bounded on the west by the borough of DuBoistown, which was organized in 1878. Practically it is a part of the city of Williamsport, only being separated from it by the river, but connected by two free iron bridges.

HAGERMAN'S RUN.

Hagerman's run, which drains the northern slope of Bald Eagle mountain, and emerges through a wild and romantic ravine, flows through the borough. The original reservoir of the Williamsport Water Company was built at the mouth of the ravine. It is now used by Gottlieb Fulmer as an ice pond. When there was a demand for more water the company built a storage reservoir further up the ravine, which is used in connection with its larger reservoir in Mosquito valley.

This stream takes its name from Aaron Hagerman. He was born in Holland about 1754 and came to this country before the Revolutionary war. After land- ing he settled in New Jersey, when he married. When he came to the West Branch is unknown, but it was probably after peace. He settled on the run which now bears his name, near where Koch's brewery stands. There is no record to show that he took up land, but the family tradition is that he moved across the river and located on the west side of Lycoming creek, on what was afterwards known as the Everett farm, about 1790. There he purchased eighty acres, which he added to in later years. By referring to the assessment list of

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529

BOROUGH OF SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT.

Lycoming township in 1796 and 1800 his name will be found, together with his son James. In 1800 his age was given at forty-six, and that of his son at twenty- two. Aaron Hagerman and wife had four sons and four daughters, viz: James; Isaiah, (born, December 9, 1786; died October 1, 1861,); Susan; Mary; Amariah; Samuel; Sarah, and Hannah. Mary married Peter Vananda. Isaiah, who is well remembered, married Rebecca Drake. They had nine children, viz: Asenath; Julia Ann; Mary; Jane; George; Augustus H .; Joseph; Elizabeth, and Sarah. Julia Ann married Samuel Strayer and was the mother of Mrs. S. L. Gage, of Williams- port.

FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF THE BOROUGH.

At quite an early period a village grew up here which was named Rocktown. Before the completion of the canal the descending trade on the river had become very heavy and the watermen required accommodations for rest and refreshment. At the mouth of Hagerman's run was a favorite place to "tie up," so that Mc- Michael McDonough established a tavern for the convenience of the public. The shad fishery at the beach near by was also a source of patronage. The tavern was located at a point where the public road from that portion of the county lying south of the river led to the county seat, both from Loyalsock gap and from Culbert- son's and the "Upper bottom." The Shaffer path from White Deer valley also came to the river at this place, so that the location was well chosen for its pur- pose.

The first real movement towards a town at this point was when Jacob Weise bought a tract of forty acres and laid it out in town lots. He also established a brick yard near McDonough's tavern and thus promoted trade in his settlement. The name of Rocktown was given as a slur upon the place, for although now pre- senting a smooth and fertile surface, it is said that in many cases enough large stones conld be quarried out of a cellar to build a wall around it. Jacob Weise built aud operated for many years an oil mill, which was torn away when the water company erected their reservoir. He also built a grist mill near the present brewery.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 62

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650