History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 67

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

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

productive than might be supposed. The general prosperity of the inhabitants and the substantial improvements reared on every hand are evidences of fertility that can not be questioned.

Little Mnney creek cuts through the township nearly in its center. Its tribn- taries within the territory are Big run, Beaver run, Indian Camp run, Beach Bottom run, and other smaller streams. Laurel run drains the southern portion.

Pioneers .- Among the earliest settlers within the territory of Franklin may be mentioned John Rhen, Frederick Rhen, John Mecnm, David Mecum, William Howell, Nathan Howell, Peter Snyder, Solomon Reed, Joseph Lyons, Daniel Ritter, William Lore, - Raker, John Hartman, and Henry Funston.

Industries .- There are two steam saw mills in the township, viz: Henry Ponst's and Lowe Brothers.' There are also fifteen water power mills, owned as follows: John Houseknecht, Dugan & Houseknecht, Jacob Houseknecht, Spring Brothers, Philip Snyder, P. Crouse & Brothers, Raper & Phillips, P. J. Vandine, Bodine & Warn, Miller & Brothers, Jeremiah Phillips, Frederick Kleman, Russel Swisher, Andrew Robbins, and Henry Temple. These mills stand idle much of the time, as lumbering as an industry is yearly becoming less prominent. Already many mills have rotted down that will never be rebuilt.

The most important industrial enterprise in the township for some years was the Franklin tannery, located about half a mile below Lairdsville, and established in 1832 by Messrs. Enos Hawley and Thomas G. Downing. Mr. Simon Hawley, a resident of Chester county, had an interest in the business. The firm name was Hawley & Downing. It was one of the largest tanneries of that period in northern Pennsylvania, giving employment to a large number of hands, and affording a good and convenient market to the inhabitants of the surrounding country for bark and hides. In connection with the tannery the firm several years later opened a leather store and shoe factory in the borough of Muncy, of which branch of the business Enos Hawley then took charge and moved to Muncy, while Mr. Downing superin- tended the tannery. Simon Hawley attended to the purchase of hides and the sale of leather in Philadelphia. Downing finally sold his interest to John Starr, and thereafter the firm name for some years was Hawley, Starr & Company. The tannery is now in ruins, and in a few more years nearly all vestiges of what was once a place of interest and activity, and of great advantage to the inhabitants, will entirely disappear. The site is now owned by H. H. Ring.

Robert Hawley, Esq., one of Lycoming county's honored citizens, a member of the bar, and widely known for his poetical genius, was a son of Enos Hawley. He was not born at the Franklin tannery, but he spent some of the happiest years of his boy life there, and at the Lairdsville school received his first instruction, and had his hide tanned by both tanner and teacher, as often as occasion required. Muncy borough claims to be the place of his death. His brother, Alfred Hawley, now of Northumberland, was born at the tannery on the night of "the falling of the stars,'' in November, 1833.

Enos Hawley is remembered and honored by the generation that knew him as a man of the strictest integrity and morality. He was the first man in his community who had the courage to vote the Abolition ticket. He had considerable of the John Brown in his mental make-up, but being in sympathy with the Friends in his ideas

Adam Follmer

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JORDAN TOWNSHIP.

of war, he was not in the same spirit aggressive. He was appointed postmaster of Muncy, July 9, 1861, and served to March 12, 1873, a period of nearly twelve years. He died, October 2, 1881. Mr. Hawley was born in Chester county, near the Brandywine battlefield, in June, 1799, and his parents came to Lycoming county in 1802 and settled in Muncy township.

Lairdsville is the only village in the township. It has two churches, three stores, one hotel, one wagon maker shop, one steam planing mill, one grist mill. two blacksmith shops, and two physicians. It is pleasantly located on Little Muncy creek, on a beautiful alluvial flat, among the Muncy Hills. Benjamin C. Morris erected the hotel and opened a store in 1841, and these, it is said, were the first improvements.

There is a postoffice at Lairdsville. The old postoffice, known as Chestnut Grove, was abandoned. Lairdsville postoffice was established, February 20, 1829, and John Laird appointed postmaster. His successors served as follows: Hiram Funston, appointed May 11, 1831; Anthony Starr, June 2, 1835; Issachar Morris, December 23, 1840; Charles W. Funston, March 13, 1844; Brittain Magargel, June 14, 1845; William Howell, May 7, 1846; John Everitt, July 7, 1847; Levi C. Howell, August 4, 1848; Charles W. Funston, May 8, 1849; John F. Funston, February 12, 1850; John M. Fiester, February 19, 1852. Lairdsville was changed to Funstonville, March 16, 1852, and John Fiester was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Brittain Magargel. December 21, 1852. Funstonville was changed back to Lairdsville, October 15, 1855, and Brittain Magargel was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: Hiram Crouse, March 25, 1861; A. W. Ritter, June 29, 1881; Charles B. Raper, June 26, 1882; John P. Heill, September 24, 1885; Oliver P. Hess, September 5, 1887; Thomas J. Raper, present incumbent, July 20, 1889.

James Derr, who died April 6, 1892, at the age of seventy-nine years, was one of the oldest residents of the village. He had served as a justice of the peace for fifty years, and at the time of his death was the oldest justice in continuons service in the connty. His son Charles is the only survivor of the family.

Lairdsville Lodge, No. 986, I. O. O. F., was recently instituted in the village.

Mengue .- A new postoffice, called Mengwe, was established, November 28, 1891, and Mary E. Smith was appointed postmaster. It is on the road leading to Lairdsville, four miles from Hughesville. The name, Mengwe, was what the Delaware Indians called the Iroquois, or Five Nations. The office was not opened for business till January 1, 1892.

Schools. - Franklin township has six school houses. Their local names are Germany, Fairview, Lairdsville, Starr, Chestnut Grove, and North Mountain.

Churches .- The Lutherans and Baptists each have churches at Lairdsville. The Lutherans also have one in the township, viz., Franklin. The Albright Methodists have one known as Fairview, and there is also a Union church at Stone Heap, which makes five in the township. All have cemeteries attached except the Baptist church at Lairdsville. There are no other cemeteries in the township.

JORDAN TOWNSHIP.

Jordan township was detached from Franklin, by an irregular line running

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HISTORY OF LICOMING COUNTI.

nearly north and south. and organized into a separate subdivision of the county, February 7, 1S54. It was named after Alexander Jordan, who was president judge of the district of which Lycoming formed a part at that time. Jordan is the twenty-fifth in size in the county and contains 9,920 acres, with a population of 891 by the census of 1890. It is the last division of the territory extending from the West Branch of the Susquehanna to the North Mountain that was once known as Muncy Creek township. Looking at it on the map it will be found to be the extreme eastern part of Lycoming county, penetrating for some distance the counties of Columbia and Sullivan in the form of an acute angle. These counties therefore bound it on the north, east, and south, and Franklin township on the west.

Geology and Topography .- Geologically the township consists of Chemung (No. VIII) in the south, Red Catskill (No. IX) in the north and east, Pocono (No. X) on the extreme east end or point. Everywhere along the Sullivan county line on the northern borders of the township, and across the end of Franklin township, the soil and rocks are red.

The land is generally high, dry, and rolling, with deep ravines, and does not materially differ from that of Franklin and Penn; it is occupied by the same class of hardy, industrious inhabitants: and the improvements, dwellings, schools, and houses of worship indicate the same general thrift and growing desire for moral and intellectual advancement.

The eastern side of the township, that portion bordering on Columbia county, is the watershed from which Little Muncy creek has its source from numerous springs and rivulets; and it flows westward and empties into Big Muncy about two miles above the confluence of the latter with the river, at the borough of Muncy: and it is likewise the watershed from which Little Fishing creek rises, and flowing southward finally mingles its waters with Big Fishing creek, which dis- charges into the North Branch of the Susquehanna in the neighborhood of Blooms- burg.

The First Permanent Settler in the territory of what now constitutes Jordan township is believed to have been William Lore, who penetrated that wilderness region as early as 1812. After encountering many difficulties and enduring great hardships. he succeeded in founding a home. Some of his descendants are still living in the township.

Mills .- There is one grist mill in the township, owned by Marshall Stout, and three steam saw mills. They are owned by Bodine & Warn, John Stackhouse, and Clark Johnson; there are also four water power mills, run by G. B. Robbins, T. S. Minmer. Henry Gordner. and Daniel Gordner. Timber is rapidly becoming scarce and lumbering will cease in a few years.

Unityville is the only village in the township. It has one Temperance House, kept by John J. Fay, and two stores-Peunington, Moore & Seeley's, and A. H. Seward's. There are no summer residences within its borders, and no other industries but the grist mill. Inmbering, and farming. The postoffice, named Unityville, was established June 1, 1854, and Philip Yonng was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by James Young, appointed March 2S. 1855; Valentine Winstertein, October 23, 1872; John Robbins, Jr., November 23, 1876: Oliver Getty, May 31, 1877; Milton W.

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SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

Bolsford. February 17, 1879; Charles F. Seely, May 21, 1884; Thomas R. Everett, October 22, 1SS5; Charles F. Seely, March 23, 1889, present incumbent.

Unityville Lodge, No. 830, I. O. O. F., and Unityville Encampment, No. 284. I. O. O. F., were recently instituted.

Schools .- There are six school houses in Jordan township, and their local names are Salem, Derrick, Richie, Biggert's, Lore, and Prairie. The report of the county superintendent for 1891 shows an average of six months taught.

Churches .- Jordan township has three churches, viz: Evangelical, (Albright Methodist,) Union, (Baptist and Lutheran,) and the Gordner church, which is Lutheran. There are three cemeteries-Evangelical, Gordner, and Ritchard. The first two are attached to the churches of the same name.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

SHREWSBURY, WOLF, AND PENN.

SHREWSBURY .- POLITICAL ORGANIZATION -- GEOLOGICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES FIRST SETTLERS-HIGHLAND LAKE-MILLS VILLAGES POSTOFFICES SCHOOLS.

WOLF .- BOUNDARIES GEOLOGY-INCIDENTS OF EARLY HISTORY-INDUSTRIES-BRYAN MILL -SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

PENN .- ORGANIZATION -GEOLOGY - FIRST SETTLERS - MILLS - POSTOFFICES - CHURCHES SCHOOLS.

SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

YHREWSBURY is one of the oldest townships in the county, its separation S from Muncy dating back to 1804. It lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded on the east by Sullivan county, on the north by Plunkett's Creek township, on the west by Wolf, and on the south by Penn. It was originally a very extensive territory, embracing for a number of years (until 1847) a large part of what now constitutes Sullivan county. Its first loss of domain occurred in 1836, when Plunkett's Creek township was formed. Shrewsbury is the thirty-fourth in size and contains 8,533 acres.

The suggestion of the name is attributed to Theophilus Little, Sr. The Little and Bennett familes were among the early settlers, and as they came from Shrews- bury township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, it is presumed that the name of their old home seemed to them a suitable one for their new habitation.

The township as it now exists is located on the southern slope of the east ridge of the Allegheny mountain, and its northern or Plunkett's Creek border is on the summit of the mountain. It consists of the Chemung formation (No. VIII) in a narrow belt along Muncy creek. Next above occurs Red Catskill, (No. IX) occupy- ing the larger area of the township, and a small area of Pocono rocks (No. X) forming the summit of a corner of North mountain and making part of the south escarpment of the main range of the Alleghenies, which here trend northeast

568

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

into Sullivan county. This great mountain, which rises to an altitude of 2,550 feet above tide, stands as an impregnable northeastern barrier, and affords a magnifi- cent view of the surrounding country. Parties visiting the summit are entranced with the grandeur and variety of the panoramic scene which recedes from their vision like the billowy waves of the sea, until the lesser mountains and the valleys blend with the blue line of the horizon.

Shrewsbury is well irrigated by swift streams of pure, clear water. Its southern line follows Big Muncy creek. Roaring run, Big run, Fox rnn, and Lake run rise within the township, and flowing southward fall into Big Muncy; Lick run and Rock run head in Sullivan county. It has been suggested that grand toboggan slides might be constructed from various points above the escarpment of the mount- ain across the township to points on the creek below, and thus afford delightful and exciting recreation, and attract thousands of pleasure seekers in winter as well as in summer. The long and steep incline of the mountain would give such impetus to the toboggan that the foothills might easily be overcome, especially by following the courses of the streams as far as possible.

First Settlers .-- The census of 1890 gives this mountain township a population of 570. Considering its age its growth has been small. Among the earliest settlers within the present limits of Shrewsbury township was Peter Corson. He came to the neighborhood of Muncy from New Jersey in 1794, but settled in the woods on Muncy creek, on the property where his grandson, Jacob Corson, now resides, about 1798. He had five sons and three daughters, and his descendants are now numbered by the hundred, and are widely scattered. John Rynearson and Jacob Maish were the first permanent settlers on Big run, and Peter Buck was probably the first to drive his stakes on Lick run. Owen Malone was another of the first within the present borders. John Fox, John Craft, and Thomas Edkins were among the later settlers.

Highland Lake .- Shrewsbury is becoming celebrated for its delightful summer resorts. Near the northern border is Highland Lake, adjacent to which three large summer hotels are now attracting many pleasure seekers. The first erected was the Highland House, by S. H. & C. W. Burrows; then followed Hotel Grand View, by A. E. Burrows; and later, The Essick, by Dr. H. M. Essick. They are spacious buildings, furnished with all modern conveniences. There is also a cot- tage boarding house, owned by Farr Taylor. Besides the public houses, private cottages are owned by H. H. Rutter, of the Hughesville Mail, F. E. Gleim, cashier of the West Branch National Bank, Dr. William Du Four, George S. Maxwell, city editor of the Republican, of Williamsport, Mrs. Sarah Scull, of Overbrook, Pennsyl- vania, Edward A. Price, of Media, and S. H. Eyer, of Jersey Shore. A lot has been donated and a fund is now being raised for the erection of a union house of worship.

From these hotels and cottages a panorama of the finest scenery is a constant source of enjoyment and inspiration. The highlands of Shrewsbury are unsur- passed for healthfulness, and are steadily gaining their way into public favor. The lake, though small, forms a feature of an environment that makes the locality very interesting.

Immediately in the rear of the resort is the great primeval Allegheny forest, in

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WOLF TOWNSHIP.

which the lovers of wildness and solitude can find complete gratification of their tastes and whims, while in front a magnificent view of hundreds of square miles of hill and dale, field and woodland, alternating with pleasing irregularity, constitute a picture of grandeur and beauty that never fails to captivate the lovers of the beautiful in nature.

Mills .- The township has two steam saw mills-the Lyon Lumber, on Muncy creek, and the De Witt Bodine, on Lick run. There is a shingle mill on Roaring run, owned by John Frey.

Villages .- There are two villages in Shrewsbury, Tivoli and Glen Mawr. The former has one church, (Lutheran,) one store, one hotel, and one blacksmith shop; the latter, one hotel, two stores, and one Methodist Episcopal church, called Point Bethel. The Williamsport and North Branch railroad runs through both places. George Newman is the owner of a flagstone quarry near Tivoli.

Postoffices .- Shrewsbury has three postoffices, Tivoli, Glen Mawr, and Highland Lake. The former was established August 5, 1854, and called Corson's, and Daniel Corson was appointed postmaster. Jacob F. Carson succeeded him, February 9, 1857. Corson's was then changed to Tivoli, February 27, 1861, and George W. Hessler was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: John C. Little, February 2, 1870; Charles L. Taylor, July 17, 1874; William J. D. Edwards, May 31, 1877; Oliver W. Taylor, July 27, 1877; George Newman, March 6, 1883; · Thomas W. W. Taylor, January 15, 1886; Hannah R. Hill, April 12, 1889.

The postoffice at Glen Mawr, as the name appears on the records, was estab- lished March 5, 1886, and Henry G. Harriman was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Anson P. Starr, the present incumbent, June 22, 1889.

A postoffice was opened at Highland Lake, June 17, 1889, and Sabin H. Bur- rows was appointed postmaster. At the close of the season at the lake the office is discontinued, and then reopened when the next season begins, with the same postmaster. It is run in this way for the accommodation of summer visitors.

Schools .- There are four schools in this township, viz: Tivoli, Point, Pine Grove, and Indiantown. The report for 1891 shows: two male and two female teachers; pay of each, $28 per month; male scholars sixty-three, female seventy- three.

WOLF TOWNSHIP.

September, 1834, enough territory was taken from Muncy to form the township of Wolf, and it was named in honor of George Wolf, who was then Governor of the State. It is the thirty-ninth in size and its area is 8,960 acres, with a popula- tion of 734 by the census of 1890. Since its erection Wolf has contributed terri- tory to form two boroughs-Hughesville and Picture Rocks. In shape the township looks much like a shoe on the map. It is bounded on the east by Moreland, Penn, and Shrewsbury, on the north by Plunkett's Creek, on the west by Muncy, and on the south by Muncy creek. Muncy creek runs through the lower part of the town- ship and is fed by Sugar run, Gregg run, Pine run, Pea Vine run, and Laurel run. Wolf run falls into the river.

Geologically, Wolf township consists of Lower Helderberg limestone (No. VI) in the extreme south end and west of Hughesville, above which is next observed

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

(No. VIII) a broad area extending through the center and south part of the township, with a narrow band of the same across the upper part. Above this occurs Red Catskill (No. IX) in a narrow belt between the two bands of (No. VIII) and a broad area in the northern part of the township jutting up against the face of the Allegheny mountain range and forming the south escarpment of the same.

Limestone (No. VI) is quarried west of Hughesville for lime on a large scale. The fossil iron ore (No. VIII) passes across the township, but no developments are known. The surface of the lower part of the township is rolling, with fine farms, whilst the northern part is hilly and mountainous. There is much evidence of the glacial moraine in the northern part of the township, across which it passed.

There seems to be an inexhaustible supply of fine flagstone in the rocks (No. VIII), and it promises to become a source of great value. The following quarries are now being operated: J. D. Musgrave, near the head of Laurel run; Andrew Beilharz, on Laurel run, below Musgrave's; J. H. Green, below Beilharz; George West, on a west branch of Laurel run; Edwin Green, on an east branch of Laurel run; Martin Van Buskirk, on Wolf run; George West, at Picture Rocks, and Bilam- boz, near Picture Rocks.

Incidents of Early History .- There is much thrilling and interesting history relating to this township, but it is so blended with the general history of Muncy, the parent township, that it would be a work of supererogation to repeat it in detail here. As far as known David Aspen was the first settler within the limits of Wolf. The exact time is not known, but it must have been as early as 1777, as on the 8th of August, 1778, Rachel Silverthorn was despatched to waru him of the approach of the Indians. His cabin stood on or near the southern boundary line of the borough of Hughesville. Aspen took refuge at Fort Muncy, where he remained a few days, and then returned to look after his effects. Not returning a searching party started out to look for him. Near his cabin his dead body was found. He had been shot and scalped by the lurking savages. Until within a few years a pile of stones where the chimney of his cabin stood was pointed out, and an old apple tree still marks the place. Whence he came, his age, and whether he had a family, are, like his burial place, unknown.

Abraham Webster was another of the pioneer settlers. He came from England and located on what afterwards was known as Henry Ecroyd's farm. The Indians appeared at his place in 1778, killed his son Abraham, and carried a younger brother, Joseph, and two sisters into captivity. One of the girls was thrown from a canoe in Seneca Lake by an enraged squaw and drowned; the other was never heard from. Joseph returned after an absence of twelve years and married Anna Robb. Their descendants still live in the lower end of the county.

Industries .- One of the first improvements in the township was a grist mill erected by Mr. Clayton in 1816, which is still running. In 1842 Mr. Bryan built the woolen mill on Muncy creek, which was afterwards operated by Bryan & Colter. It origi- nally cost about $15,000, and was regarded at that time as a great improvement. It is now owned and operated by David Osler. About the time of the erection of this mill a second one was built by another firm, but in 1872 it was converted into a flour- ing mill by J. H. Stroeber. In 1858 Sprout and Sanders started a factory for mak- ing pumps and agricultural implements. It was operated for several years, when

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PENN TOWNSHIP.

George Steck became the owner. The place where these improvements are located is known as Villa Grove.

There is one water power saw mill on Laurel run, owned by Martin Van Buskirk, which manufactures lumber and shingles. Very little timber now remains in the township.

Bryan Mill .- A postoffice was established at Bryan Mill, April 8, 1892, and Charles W. Person was appointed postmaster. This is the only one in the township.

Schools and Churches .- The first school was opened in 1814 in the room of a building then standing on the farm of Christian Kahler. A log school house was built in 1818. Here in 1820 the Methodists organized the first religious society in the township, and here they worshiped until 1844, when they occupied a building of their own specially erected for a church. A union Sunday school was started in the old log school house under the direction of Jacob Shoemaker and Mary Camp- bell in 1827. A Lutheran society was organized and a church erected in 1850. It was an offshoot of the old Immanuel's church, in Muncy Creek township.

Wolf township now has six school houses, viz: Newman, Steck, Pine Run, Huntersville, Villa Grove, and Boak.

PENN TOWNSHIP.

Penn township was formed in 1828. Its name, tradition says, was given to it by Tobias and Isaac Kepner, who came from Penn township, Berks county, at an early date, and were solicitous to have a township in Lycoming bearing the same title, and in deference to them the court so named it. At all events the name of the illustri- ous founder is associated with it. It is bounded on the east by Franklin township and Columbia county, on the north by Shrewsbury, on the west by Wolf, and on the south by Moreland. In size it is the twenty-third, aud it has an area of 10,880 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 877.

Geologically it consists of the Chemung (No. VIII) in the southern part, and of Red Catskill (No. IX) in the north. The terminal moraine of the glacial period scarcely shows itself in Penn township.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 67

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