History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 72

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

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He was commissioned by Governor Snyder in 1809, lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Militia, and afterwards captain, which commission he held during the war of 1812, but was not called into active service. He was a practical millwright and a contractor on public works. He built the first dam on the Potomac, above Washington City; the first dam on the outlet of Seneca Lake, New York, and the grist mill at Montoursville, known as the "State Mill," for General Burrows in 1828. He was one of the contractors and builders of Shamokin dam, Sunbury, and he built the section of the canal which passes Linden. He built the first grist and saw mills in Nippenose valley, and erected the grist mill at Millport for Daniel Antes. In connection with Abraham Sypher and Christian Showers he built the first school house in the valley. It stood near the Limestone church and was used as a church also until about fifty years ago. He held the offices of school director, assessor, collector, and supervisor. He collected tax in Wayne township when it included the whole valley; but seventy-five people were assessed and the taxes amounted to but $78.

In 1834 he built a saw mill on Larry's creek for a Philadelphia party in what was then a forest of white pine and hemlock. The party failed to pay him for his work and he took the mill. In the spring of 1837 he moved his family there and began lumbering for himself. In the same year (1837) he cleared land, built a grist mill, houses, and shops, and started the settlement. A few years later he laid out the town of Salladasburg, and built the first church on a lot he had set apart for that purpose. It is now a borough and perpetuates his name.

Captain Sallade was a generous, good natured man and had many friends. Phys- ically he was a giant, standing over six feet in height and weighing about 245 pounds. His strength was great and he handled heavy timbers and mill-stones with ease, while working at his trade. He was not a quarrelsome man, but it did not take him long to quell a disturbance if one occured in his presence. While engaged one day in looking over some papers he was stricken with paralysis, which caused his death, October 21, 1853, at the age of sixty-five years, seven months, and twenty-one days. His remains were taken to Nippenose valley and laid in the family burial ground. His wife died, August 4, 1863, in her seventy-second year. A beautiful granite monument, erected by Col. Jacob Sallade, marks their resting place. Captain Sallade and wife had a family of seven sons and five daughters, all of whom are deceased but Jacob of Williamsport, Thomas of Virginia, Simon, who lives near Trout Run, and Catharine, wife of James Carpenter of Loyalsock township. The deceased are Lydia, who married Michael Fenstermaker; Phoebe, who married Michael Shadle; George; Nancy, who married Elias Moore; John; Elijah; Julia Ann, who married Christian Weidler, and Abner.

Mills .- It has been stated that the first saw mill in the valley was built by Cap-

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

tain Sallade. This was about 1812. He then built one for Christian Showers. up Rauch's gap, in 1821; then a grist mill for himself at the mouth of the gap in 1828. and in 1829 a saw mill near it. In 1835 he built the grist mill at Millport for Daniel Antes and James Murray, assisted by his son, Col. Jacob Sallade. In course of time the mill property passed into the hands of John J. Sanderson. This was about 1848. Mr. Sanderson had settled there as early as 1837 and engaged in the mercantile business, which he conducted for several years. The mill property is now owned by G. L. Sanderson, but the mill is not running.

At present there is one saw and grist mill in the valley, owned by John Angler. The mills are located on the stream coming out of the mountain on the Buffington place opposite Collomsville. The grist mill was first built by Henry Clinger about 1852.

Postvillages .- The first postoffice in Limestone was established at Millport, November 21, 1828, and called Nippenose. Daniel Antes was the first postmaster. It was discontinued, August 20, 1891.

Collomsville, located in the eastern end of the valley, is a postvillage of about 200 inhabitants. A postoffice, under the name of Collomsville, was established here December 20, 1841, and Jesse Bower was appointed postmaster, and Henry Clark, June 1, 1854. The office was discontinued February 19, 1855. Oval was then established to take the place of Collomsville, June 18, 1855, and George Clark was appointed postmaster. He served until May 15, 1862, when Oval was changed to Collomsville, and George Eonte was appointed postmaster. His successors have been David A. Clark, appointed December 7, 1876, and Hugh Denworth, December 6, 1883. Oval, situated about midway between Collomsville and Jamestown, was re-established, November 10, 1886; H. J. Moore was appointed postmaster, and he is still the incumbent.

Collomsville takes its name from Seth Collom, an early resident. Limestone is the only township in the county that enjoys the distinction of having a weekly news- paper. The Weekly Ledger was started at Collomsville, August 8, 1890, by H. J. Moore, and is still published.

Jamestown, a postvillage in the western end of the valley, was laid out by James Gamble about 183S, and takes its name from him. An office was established here September 30, 1872, (named Oriole) and Zebulon S. Rhone was appointed postmaster. He has had two successors, viz: George B. Wolf, appointed May 25, 1874, and J. H. Grier, October 26, 1875, present incumbent.

Churches .- There are four churches in the valley to-day-two Lutheran and two Methodist. The first church was built about 1815 in the woods on the ground now enclosed for a cemetery and adjoining the present Limestone Lutheran. It was built of logs, "chunked and daubed," had six small windows, slab benches, a small box in one corner for a pulpit, an old-fashioned ten-plate wood stove, and at night it was lighted by tallow candles. It was built by the early settlers and was designed for both a church and school house. The Lutherans, Evangelicals, Methodists. Baptists, Reformed, Presbyterians, and Tunkers made use of it. Rev. T. J. Frederick, in his history of the Lutheran church of the valley, says that Rev. Gustavus Schultze, a Lutheran minister, Rev. B. Schneck, Reformed, Rev. J. H. Grier, Presbyterian, and Rev. Tucker, Baptist, and others were the first ministers to hold services in this

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LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP.

primitive church. In the year 1841 Rev. Tucker held a protracted meeting here which was considered the first successful revival ever held in the valley. The ground whereon the church stood, and that included in the cemetery, was donated for a common burial ground by Christian Showers, Abraham Sypher, and Samuel Stewart, each one at different times giving a part. A daughter of Christian Showers, named Juliana, is supposed to have been the first one buried there. The grave was made while the ground was yet covered by timber. No fence enclosed the grounds. When the grave was filled up saplings were cut and a fence of one rail's length was made to enclose it. This enclosure was gradually enlarged as more graves were needed, until when the old log school house was no longer of any use, it was sold and the proceeds used to enclose the whole cemetery. Here the early settlers were buried.

In this log building Rev. B. Schneck, a Reformed minister, held catechetical lect- ures in 1826. A number of those attending his lectures were confirmed in the Lutheran church, and because there was no Lutheran minister in the valley at that time they frequently walked ten miles across the mountain to Sugar valley, and there received the rite of confirmation at the hands of Rev. George Heim, who was then Lutheran pastor in that valley. This is the earliest known circumstance which gave rise to the Lutheran church in Nippenose valley. Those two sister denominations existed for some time together, and united in church work until finally the Reformed congregation was absorbed by the Lutheran and ceased to exist as an organization in the western end of the valley. -

About 1835, says Rev. Frederick, Adam Epler and Henry Kliuger secured a cor- ner of wooded land, now comprising the old cemetery at Collomsville, for the sum of $5. This purchase was made from Elizabeth Smith with the agreement that it was to be used for a burial ground, and the erection of a building for church and school purposes, but no night meetings were to be held there, and it must be for the exclusive use of the Lutheran, Reformed, and Presbyterian denominations. Before this time the people living in that end (east) of the valley buried their dead on a small piece of ground now owned by Samuel Buffington. These graves are still to be seen in their isolated condition.

An Irish Presbyterian lady by the name of Simpson was the first to be interred in the cemetery bought from Mrs. Smith. Soon after securing the lot the people agreed to build a church. The work was mostly done without charge by small par- ties at different times. The building was constructed of logs, was nearly square, and "chunked and daubed;" it had slab benches, a ten-plate wood stove, and a small stand boarded up for a pulpit. Fourteen feet were afterward added for the increasing congregation. This gave the building such an odd appearance that it was called the " bark house." Here Revs. Schultze, Grier, Weighand, Barnitz, and Evans held services. Thus the Lutherans and Reformed co-operated in the eastern end of the valley.

Soon after the first church was built Seth Collom organized a Sunday school, which was held in the old church. Collom wrote a constitution for its government and was its first superintendent, assisted by Jesse Bower. Rev. Gustavus Schultze was the first Lutheran minister in the valley. In 1838 the members and friends raised by subscription $39. 70 to be paid him as his salary, but his receipts show that he only got $29. 70. A sketch of this pioneer minister will be found in the review of Hepburn township.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Before the close of Rev. Schultze's ministry steps were taken to build a new church in the western end of the valley. The money was raised by subscription, and in May, 1842, the corner stone was laid. Colonel Sallade was the contractor. The building cost about $700, and as the foundation walls were built of limestone it was called the "Limestone church." It was dedicated in the fall of 1842. The building was frame, 36x40 feet, and stood on the opposite side of the road from the cemetery, and back of the present church. It was quite an improvement. This church stood until 1866, when steps were taken for the erection of a new one. The money was raised and a building 65x40 feet was erected and dedicated in 1867. The cost of the church and furniture was about $5, 000. A parsonage was built at James- town about 1879 at a cost of $1,600. The Collomsville church was refitted and improved in 1877 at a cost of about $600. Since the time of Rev. Schultze in 1831 to the present, there have been seventeen or eighteen pastors in charge of these churches.

The Methodist churches are located at Jamestown and Collomsville (Oval). They. are plain frame structures and cost about $2,500 each. They were built about 1845.

Schools .- The first school house, as heretofore noted, was built in 1824. There are now eight in Limestone township, named as follows: Reidy, Mosquito, Col- lomsville, (first grade and primary), Oval Normal, Jamestown, Ecke, and Moore. The report for 1891 shows six months taught with six male and three female teach- ers. The average pay of the males was $33.33 per month and the females $30.66. Number of male pupils, 150; females, 121; average attendance, 189.

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP.

This township was formed out of parts taken from Nippenose and Armstrong at December sessions, 1838. It is the forty-first in size in the county and contains 3,940 acres, with a population of 294 by the census of 1890. It is bounded on the east by Armstrong, on the north by the river, on the west by Nippenose, and on the south by Bastress. Geologically this township consists of Clinton shales (No. V) inclined at a high angle on the north face of Bald Eagle mountain, and reaching to its summit. Next occurs Lower Helderberg limestone (No. VI) concealed along the base of the mountain and in the river bottom. Many exposures of the shales and fossiliferous calcareous layers exist in the cuts of the Philadelphia and Erie rail- road in its passage through the township. Fossil iron ore (Clinton No. V) has been opened on the face of the mountain. The surface of the township is rough and mountainous, except at the base of the mountain. Here the river makes a bend in sweeping around by Linden, forming a rich alluvial bottom of very fine farm land.

In 1769, when the surveyors were first at work on early applications, this was named the "Upper bottom," in contradistinction from the plateau on which the borough of South Williamsport is built, which was called the "Lower bottom." Samuel Wallis secured five tracts of land for which warrants had been granted to applicants on the opening of the land office. These tracts ranged in quantity from 310 to 338 acres, and footed up a total of 1,592 acres. The admiuistrators of Samuel Wallis offered them at private sale to Robert Coleman for $4 an acre, but as he refused to give that price, they were sold by the sheriff on the 2d and 3d of May to Thomas Grant for $2,016.67. The best of these lands are worth to-day $200 an acre.

John Paulhamus

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BASTRESS TOWNSHIP.

The first settlers of whom it is possible to obtain any information were Anthony Moore, Thomas and John Miller, Alexander Beatty, and others. John Gibson, father of William H. and Robert, settled there about 1801 and commenced making improvements. They found a few cleared spots on the "bottom," but previous to their advent no special effort had been made to make anything like permanent improvements. The descendants of Mr. Gibson who live there to-day own choice farms, and the entire " bottom " is in a good state of cultivation.

There are no streams of any importance in this township, and no industries of any kind. Nisbet, a post hamlet of about a dozen houses, is near the railroad sta- tion of the same name. A postoffice was established here, November 23, 1867, and James Gibson appointed postmaster. He was succeeded, July 8, 1870, by John S. Gibson, who is the present incumbent. At an early date a factory for the manu- facture of cloth was built by Mr. Mckinley on a small stream called Mill run, where, previous to this the Gillespies had built a small grist mill. In later years G. F. Braun built a grist mill on the site of the first, but, like the others, it has disappeared.

There is no church in the township, although Rev. John H. Grier held religious services in the school house and private houses very early in the century. The first school teachers were a Mr. Pendergast and a Mr. Lee. There is only one school house to-day, and the report for 1891 shows eight months taught by one male teacher, who was paid $36.25 per month. The pupils numbered thirty-four males and thirty-three females, with a total average attendance of forty-two.

BASTRESS TOWNSHIP.

This is also one of the smallest townships in the county. At May sessions, 1854, a petition was filed praying for a division of Susquehanna township. The court appointed Samuel Torbert, Thomas Hughes, and Mark Slonaker commissioners to view the ground. They reported in favor of a division, and on the 13th of Decem- ber, 1854, the court confirmed their report and ordered the new township to be erected and called Bastress. This was in honor of Solomou Bastress, of Jersey Shore, who was an associate judge and ex-member of the legislature.

Bastress township is the thirty-eighth in size in the county and contains an area of 6,400 acres, with a population of 236 by the census of 1890. It is bounded on the east by Armstrong, on the north by Susquehanna, on the south by Limestone, and on the west by Nippenose township. Geologically it consists of Hudson River shales and Utica shales (No. III) on the south side, forming part of the rim around Nippenose valley. Next above this occur Medina, Oneida conglomerate, and sand- stone (No. IV). Along the north edge of the township are Clinton shales (No. V). It lies principally in the Bald Eagle mountain, but has some fair agricultural land in a valley of disintegrated rocks from the adjoining measures, though much of the land is rough. Morgan valley in the west end of the township contains Medina sandstone. There has been no i ineral development in the township. The only streams are Jack's run, Panther run, and Morgan valley run. There are no saw mills or grist mills iu the township.

The first school was taught by Michael Myers in 1840, where the postoffice is now situated. There is but one school now conducted under the free-school system, and

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

the report shows that for 1891 six months were taught. The teacher, a male, was paid $30 a month, and there were seventeen male and six female scholars.

There is but one postoffice in the township and it is named Bastress. It was established February 21, 1857, and George W. Agold was appointed postmaster. His successors have been Charles Otenweller, appointed May 5, 1864; Jacob Reigh- ard, July 12, 1870; Charles Otenweller, September 16, 1870; Mary Otenweller, May 2, 1881. She is the present incumbent, and keeps a store, the only one in the town- ship, at the postoffice.

Bastress township was first settled by Germans, for whom the lands were pur- chased in 1837. The Rev. Nicholas Steinbacher, a German Catholic priest, was the leader or founder of the colony. In 1840 a Catholic church-the only one in the township-was built on the southern boundary. In 1853 it was replaced by a large stone building. A flourishing school is connected with the church. Father John . Lempfert is the present pastor of the church, which is called the Immaculate.

Considering the forbidding appearance of this mountain region and the diffi- culties that had to be overcome, the hardy German settlers have accomplished much and surrounded themselves with comfortable homes. But to succeed great industry, pluck, and economy had to be strictly observed.

CHAPTER XLI.

LOYALSOCK, HEPBURN, AND ELDRED.

LOYALSOCK .- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY-A TOWNSHIP DIS- PUTE-EARLY OFFICIALS AND ASSESSMENTS-EARLY HISTORY-MCKINNEY IRON WORKS -SAW MILLS-EDUCATIONAL-CHURCHES-CEMETERIES.

HEPBURN .- ORGANIZATION-MINERAL RESOURCES-AN INDIAN VILLAGE-PIONEERS-BALL'S MILLS-COGAN VALLEY STATION-CRESCENT IRON WORKS-FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY -- EDUCATIONAL-CHURCHES.

ELDRED .- ERECTION-GEOLOGY-FIRST SETTLERS-STREAMS AND MILLS-WARRENSVILLE -EDUCATIONAL-CHURCHES.

LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP.

W ITH the increase of population it was found necessary to organize a new township out of territory taken from Muncy. This was done by a decree of the court of Northumberland county at February sessions, 1786. This was nine years before Lycoming county was erected. The territory lay between Loyalsock and Lycoming creeks, and extended northward for an indefinite distance. Except- ing along the river, and for a mile or two up the creeks. there were scarcely any settlers at that time. The northern part of the township was an extremely wild and almost impenetrable region.

Loyalsock is a corruption of the Indian word Lawi-Saquick, signifying the mid- dle creek, because it lies midway between Muncy and Lycoming creeks. Lycoming

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LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP.

creek, the boundary line on the west, is corrupted from Legaui-hanne, signifying a sandy stream. Heckewelder says the Delawares invariably called it by this name. On Scull's old map of Pennsylvania it is written Lycaumick, which was the first transition from the original.

The township of Loyalsock has lost much of its original territory in the last hundred years, and as it stands to-day it is the seventeenth in size and contains 15, - 360 acres. According to the census of 1890 the population was 2,498. At least two-thirds of this population practically belongs to the city of Williamsport, as the streets in many instances extend beyond the limits.

The township is bounded on the east by the borough of Montoursville, Fairfield, and Upper Fairfield townships; on the north by Eldred and Hepburn, on the west by Lycoming and Old Lycoming, and on the south by the city of Williamsport and the river.

Geologically the township consists of Clinton shales (No. V) in the southeast corner adjoining Loyalsock creek, which are succeeded by Lower Helderberg lime- stone (No. VI) in Lime ridge, above which occurs the Oriskany sandstone, the for- mation running parallel with Lime ridge at Sand Hill. Above this occur the Chemung measures, (No. VIII) which, with various subdivisions, form the surface rocks north of Williamsport, extending from the quarry in Portage (VIII e) on Mill creek to McClintock's quarry on Lycoming creek, in the front of which the infe- rior measures show all along the higher ground on the back streets- of Williams- port, while back of this line of foot hills the upper series of the measures (VIII f) occurs to the north line of the township, where a red belt of rocks occur supposed to be Red Catskill (No. IX). There are observed a number of good exposures for flagstone in the township, and fair flag and curbstone are got out at McClintock's quarry, and good building stone (VIII d Genesee) at the Poor House new quarry.

Lime ridge, two miles east of Williamsport, affords a good opportunity for burn- . ing cheap lime for building and agricultural purposes. Many more quarries might be opened in the township, as the formations exist here that are in adjoining town- ships where they are worked, and there is no reason why they should not be operated.

There are many opportunities for those interested in the study of the rocks to see them in good exposures on Loyalsock and Lycoming creeks, while fossils will be found at many places.

The surface of the township is rolling, and quite hilly in some parts; much good bottom land is found ou Lycoming and Loyalsock creeks, and along the river east of the city. Truck gardening is extensively carried on both east and northwest of the city. Three-fourths of the territory embraced in the city of Williamsport was taken from Loyalsock township; the balance was taken from Old Lycoming, west of the creek.

The eastern and western borders of Lovalsock township are washed by two large creeks, and a few small streams drain its interior. They are Mill creek, which emp- ties into Loyalsock; Bull run, Miller's run, and Wallis run, all of which empty into the river. The latter, which in late years has come to be known as Grafius run, flows through a portion of Williamsport, and on account of its extensive water- shed, often overflows in the city and causes much trouble. On the west side are

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Log run and Mill run. The latter runs by Ball's Mills; both empty into Loyal- sock.

A Township Dispute .- In 1810 a dispute arose between Loyalsock and Muncy townships, which is best explained by the following from the court records:

Thomas Caldwell, Samuel Torbert, and Samuel E. Grier, the persons appointed by an order of this court of May sessions, 1810, by virtue of a petition of sundry inhabitants of Loyalsock township being presented complaining that Loyalsock township line as it is now established takes in all Loyalsock creek where the public road crosses the same, and that they are burdened with keeping all the fordings in repair, and therefore praying the court to take such measures that the middle of said creek be made the line of the two townships, made report as follows: " Having met and viewed the said creek they do in their judgment report that the center of the large creek called Loyalsock be the boundary line between the two townships of Loyalsock and Muncy." Whereupon the court upon due consideration confirmed the said report, and ordered it to be entered of record.

September Sessions, 1810.

ELLIS WALTON, Clk.

Early Officials and Assessments .- The records show that the township officers for Loyalsock in 1787, the first year such officers were chosen, were as follows: Constable, Uriah Barber; overseers: Amariah Sutton, John McAdams; supervisors: William Winter, William Hammond; viewers of fences: Samuel Sutton, William Jones. In 1789 they were as follows: Constable, William Winter; overseers: William Hepburn, William Winter; supervisors: William Winter, William Ham- mond; viewers of fences: William Jones, Samuel Sutton.

For 17SS the assessor reported 23,146 acres taxable in Loyalsock township, sixty-one horses, and sixty-four cows. Valuation, £19,079; State tax, £50 3s; county tax, £24 10s. Six single men werereported. The assessment book for 1796, the first year an assessment was made after the organization of the county-which is still in an excellent state of preservation-shows the following: Amount of seated land tax, £8,326 7s 1d; unseated, £3,230 10s. Samuel Harris was assessor for 1796-98, and William Benjamin for 1799. For 1800 Joseph Williams was assessor and Michael Ross and Joseph Grafins collectors; 1801, Thomas Smith, assessor, Jacob Grafius and John Updegraff, collectors; 1802, Robert McElrath, assessor, John Wilson and Daniel Tallman, collectors; 1803-04, Robert McElrath, assessor, Peter Vanderbelt and William F. Buyers, collectors; 1805, Thomas Huston, asses- sor, Apollos Woodward and Roland Hall, collectors; 1806-07, Thomas Huston, assessor, William Landon and William Vanhorn, collectors. The borough of Will- iamsport was formed in 1806, but it does not appear that any assessment was made before 1808.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 72

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