History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 71

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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I. IL Mcdowelly

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

a large and influential one in the community. It has been ministered to by Revs. Hugh Gallagher, John Reed, M. J. Mitchell, C. M. Sheehan, Father Creeden, Arthur McConnell, J. J. Gallagher, Patrick C. McGrath, William Pugh, Peter Brady, John Donnelly and J. H. McAdam, the last being the present pastor. All Saints is the pioneer Catholic congregation of the county, and is in quite a flourishing condition. The present pastor has accomplished a great deal since taking charge.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Charleston was built in 1850, on land given to the society by Henry Campbell. William Glindwell was the con- tractor. The society had been organized in 1840, with only eight or ten mem- bers, under the leadership of William Miller. He was succeeded by James Murdock, John Henderson, John Pierce, James Anderson, Henry Jennings, John Henderson, Jr., B. Hughes and Jacob Zahniser. A hewed log house of humble pretensions was erected about the time of organization. The congre- gation is in good condition and has a comfortable house of worship. -

The Big Bend Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the autumn of 1867, Mr. Z. Hancock furnishing the site. The building, a plain one of mod- est pretensions, 35x50, is the first one, the early preaching having been done at school-houses and private dwellings. Rev. L. L. Lewis was the first preacher after the erection of the present house.

The Free Methodist Church was organized in 1881, at what is known as "Jefferson Hall," by Rev. Jeremiah Barnhart. The pastor of the congrega- tion, numbering twenty-two, is William Rupe, and the trustees of the same are Henry Davis and Cornelius Shaffer.

LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP.

This township, as it was originally known, was formed in 1805. It con- tinued without alteration until 1846, when New Wilmington Township, as it was then called, was detached. In 1848 a petition was received in court asking that another division be made. Accordingly Maj. Thomas Graham and Gen. Thomas S. Cunningham were appointed viewers, with authority to divide the township and determine the boundary. They reported in favor of a division, and fixed the line of separation as the Little Neshannock Creek. This action was confirmed August 17, 1849, and the portion situated on the west side of the line of division has retained the original title.

The origin of the name "Lackawannock " is supposed to be two-fold. The French word, lac, means in English, lake, while the latter part, Wan- nock is believed to have been the title of an early Indian chief, who settled many years ago beside the bank of the lake situated in the northern part of East Lackawannock Township. Nothing definite has ever been found con- cerning this chieftain, and were it not for the fact that some theory is required to account for the name, his very existence would doubtless be considered mythical.

The township is rich in mineral and coal deposits. Underlying the sur- face are rich veins of coal. The soil above is especially fertile, and in places cannot be surpassed by that of any other section of the county. The sur- face is comparatively well broken, and hills rise up from adjacent valleys, forming marked contrasts. The drainage is not especially good, although amply sufficient. The principal stream is the Little Neshannock, which rises in the township of Jefferson, and flows in an almost direct southern course along the eastern border, whose boundary line it forms. The small branches that shoot out from the parent stream into the farm lands lying along the west- ern bank form the chief network in the drainage system of Lackawannock Township.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Early Settlers .- As usual in nearly all of the localities of the county, the date at which the first settlers arrived is so involved in obscurity that rival claimants have waged contest for recognition as the real pioneer. The prior- ity of each of these was established clearly in his own mind, and is now emphatically believed by his adherents. The two who thus lay claim to this honor in the township under treatment are James Young and Nathaniel Cozad. The best evidence at hand goes to demonstrate conclusively that each of these arrived in the region in the year 1798.

There is a tradition to the effect that even these were not the first settlers. Nearly two years previous a settler, whose name has never been ascertained, arrived from Washington County and began a clearing on what afterward be- came the Yarion place. Here he remained a short time, planted the first peach-seeds ever sown in the county, became discouraged, abandoned his cabin and left the vicinity. On his journey out from the township, the story relates that he sold the information he possessed about the territory, and also the fact of his settlement, to Cozad for $1. The latter made practical use of this, and was thus enabled to enter the region of his future home with some knowledge of its desirability. The Yarion place is located in the northeast- ern part of the township, and was surveyed for a man named Isaac Johnston, May 20, 1795, in pursuance of a warrant bearing date of April 21, 1794.

Of the two who arrived in 1798 more is known. They were both natives of New Jersey, and both came to Mercer from Washington County. . Cozad, according to reports, was a man of wonderful resources. He possessed an in- domitable will and an invincible determination. This, coupled with the fact that his physical strength was fully equal to his industry and energy, made him vastly superior to the average pioneer. An instance of this fact is given. He came to the county in great poverty. As his sole possessions, besides a few household articles of prime necessity, he brought with him nothing but an ax and a grubbing-hoe. With these he undertook to complete a clearing and effect the erection of a suitable home. Not one man in a score would have ventured upon such an arduous task without better preparation. But Cozad was not an ordinary man. He succeeded, after labors which can better be imagined than described, in completing both tasks, and did this, too, with no other assistance. It is related that Young at one time made a covert allu- sion to his poverty, and said, rather lightly, that he (Cozad) "need not expect to succeed with such utensils as those," pointing to the hoe and ax. But the following spring Young himself was forced to resort to his less wealthy neigh- bor for seed-grain, his own crops having failed. In common with his fellow- settlers, Cozad experienced much difficulty in getting supplies for his family. In 1799 he left on an overland journey to Pittsburgh, proposing to bring back with him some few necessaries of life. Owing to rains and unexpected delays his return was not made within the time he had set for the completion of his trip. His family, who were awaiting him expectantly, soon exhausted the meager store of provisions which they possessed. Without means of replen- ishing the empty larder, they were in time forced by sheer hunger to dig up a patch of green potatoes, which had not attained a size larger than that of hazel-nuts, and upon which they subsisted. But even these did not hold out. "At last, as an extreme resort, the agonized mother, followed by the half- famished children, set off for Young's house, several miles distant, resolving to throw herself upon his charity. While on the way she fainted several times from exhaustion. But fortunately she was enabled to reach her destination safely, and soon recovered.

James Gilkey was among the early settlers of Mercer County. About

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

1798-99 he settled near Wilmington. He was one of the pioneer surveyors of the county. He was the father of nine children, six of whom are living in Mercer and adjoining counties. It was he who first developed the celebrated Neshannock potato, also called the "Mercer " and the " Gilkey."

Archibald Rankin, a native of Ireland, settled in 1798-99 near Charles- ton, in Mercer County, where he died a few years after his settlement. His descendants are now residing in various portions of the county.

Matthew Dawson, a native of Washington County, settled in Lackawan- nock Township early in the present century. He was a soldier of 1812, and held a commission as captain. He was the father of a large family. He died in 1863.

Among the other early settlers might be mentioned the names of two brothers, Robert and James Hawthorne, who settled about the year 1800 on. the land afterward owned by John Young. Their first place of abode, accord- ing to a story yet related, was the trunk of a hollow tree. David Hunter was also an early pioneer, arriving as early as 1805, at which time he began a clear- ing on the place afterward owned by his son William. William Gordon entered the township near the same time, and located on the farm afterward in the possession of his descendants. Many others came to the region during the first quarter of the present century, and although they may be fairly termed early settlers, their arrival and subsequent experiences were not sufficiently uncommon as to need further mention.

Two things were very usual sights to the early settlers-Indians and wild game. Both were tolerably abundant. Mercer County can never lay claim to being the theater of many Indian adventures, but she may reasonably feel distinguished on account of the game, especially deer, bear, wild turkey and smaller animals, that abounded in her primitive forests. Among the names of the savages who were prominent in Lackawannock Township may be mentioned Mohawk, Flynn and Kindoshawa.

Greenfield is the most important village in the township. The ground upon which it now stands was cleared in 1820 by Archelas Wilson, prominent in the early political history of the county. He erected a log cabin on his new farm, and thus became the veritable pioneer of the hamlet.

Unity Church of Greenfield. In the spring of 1832 a plat of ground was procured from William Jewell, sufficient for a church, burying ground and out-ground. A petition was prepared by the Presbyterian friends, and pre- sented to the presbytery of Hartford when it convened in session at New Castle, June 26, 1832, by James Marquis. It contained fifty-four names, asking for a church organization. The petition was acted upon the next day, with the following result: "Resolved, that the prayers of the petitioners be granted, and that they be constituted a congregation to be denominated Unity." In the meantime a house of worship had been erected, and occasional services held. On August 27 the congregation assembled for organization. Rev. James Satterfield preached a sermon, and thirty-four persons were enrolled as members of the church, viz. : Joseph Porter, Nancy Coyle, John and Rachel Hawthorn, William and Esther Jewell, Hannah Shaffer, William, Margaret and Robert B. Young, Isabel, Robert, Martha, John and Jane Coyle, James and Mary Marquis, David and Elizabeth Jackson, Nathaniel and Jane Cozad, Margaret Graham, Rebecca Campbell, Isabella Porter, William, Agnes, Samuel and Miss Agnes Gordon, George and Margaret Blackstone, Davis and Mary Pollock and Esther Jewell. William Young, James Marquis and Matthias Zahniser were elected and ordained the first elders.

In the summer of 1837 a new house, 36x50, was erected on land secured

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

from John Wilson, on the road leading from Mercer to West Middlesex, about midway between the two places. During 1838 Samuel Marquis, Francis Scott, David Jackson, Benjamin Vanatta and Robert McClelland were elected and ordained deacons. In June, 1853, the congregation decided to erect a new house, 41x56, on the south side of the road. It was dedicated December 18, 1853, the cost being $1,474.12. Rev. James Satterfield was the first pastor, and remained several years. Rev. Samuel A. McClain was pastor from 1838 to 1841.

LAKE TOWNSHIP.

This township, originally a portion of the old Cool Spring Township, was formed by the division of September 21, 1850, which separated the old organi- zation into the new ones of Lake, Jackson, Fairview and Cool Spring. The alteration was accomplished with a view toward facilitating the collection of taxes, and also to secure more convenient elections. The petition for the for- mation of the new township was presented in court at April sessions, 1850. David Findley, W. J. Hunter and J. P. Garrett were elected as commissioners. Their work was accomplished so satisfactorily that the report which they pre- sented was confirmed on the date given above, September 21, thus insuring to the inhabitants of the new subdivisions the advantages for which they peti- tioned.

Lake Township derives its name from the presence of a large body of water, known as Sandy Lake, which lies within its bounds. It is a singular fact that the names of both the parent township and the new one were each sug- gestive of water-Cool Spring, from whose cool recesses bubbled forth a bounteous supply of the clear, refreshing liquid, and Lake, in whose confines the aggregated volume of the spring's discharge might find a final lodgment.

The surface of this township is very greatly diversified. There is perhaps no part of the county where the ruggedness of the contour is so marked. Hills shoot abruptly up, and give way as abruptly to precipitous valleys. This of course is merely in miniature. But the contrasts are just as sharp as they would be were the hills mountains, and the valleys veritable ravines. There are portions, however, where the surface is comparatively rolling, while others yet manifest the characteristics of small table-lands. The soil is likewise vari- egated. In places it is barren and sterile, elsewhere there are streaks of rich loam, while in other portions of the township nothing but the ordinary soil is found. Taken all in all, Lake Township cannot be classed among the best agricultural townships in the county. Its wealth consists almost wholly in the rich measures of underlying coal and other deposits, the mining of which comprises by far its most important industry. The richness of these deposits is visibly manifested in the vicinity of Stoneboro, a borough which has sprung up almost like magic on account of the coal interests centered in it. Apart from the coal there are strata of good building stone. In the matter of drain- age the township is notably deficient. With the exception of the lake, which acts as a sort of general reservoir for all water-fall in the vicinity of its shores, and an insignificant branch of Mill Creek, which traverses a portion of the south- eastern corner, there is really no system of natural drainage within the borders. This, however, does not act disadvantageously, as will be evidenced by the fact that there is no more marsh land in Lake than in many of its better drained competitors.

Pioneers .- The year 1796 and the fore part of the month of April, wit- nessed the arrival of the first settler. His name was Matthias Zahniser. He was of German birth, and removed to this country in 1751, locating in Lancas- ter County, Penn., the county that furnished Mercer County with so many of her

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

earliest settlers. While living here he became acquainted with, and eventually married, Miss Mary Lint, by whom he had thirteen children, eleven boys and two girls. In 1789 he changed his residence from Lancaster to Allegheny County. Becoming favorably impressed with the accounts he had heard con- cerning the region known now as Mercer County, he resolved to penetrate still further toward the great Northwest, and accordingly started on his long and wearisome journey in search of a new home, accompanied by his wife and children. He arrived in what is now Lake Township at an auspicious time. The ground was covered with beautiful wild flowers, while the forest trees, just peeping forth in their new drapery of green foliage, resounded with the glad carolings of birds. On every hand the evidences of a renewed life inspired the most sanguine expectations. Reaching the spot which many years afterward be- came the farm of James Zahniser, he determined to locate. This he did, and began at once active preparations toward securing for himself and family a comfortable abode. It is related that on this journey the new-comers, packing their goods and making difficult way through the almost unknown wilderness, were met by Thomas McMillan at a place called Indian Springs. The party at once placed themselves under his guidance, and, by the aid of a small pocket com- pass which he carried, were enabled to reach their destination in safety. Had it not been for this timely assistance, they would in all probability have en- countered more trouble than they did, owing to their unfamiliarity with the country through which they were traveling.

There were a number of settlers scattered throughout the territory into which the Zahnisers penetrated. But the winter of 1796 was an unusually severe one, Heavy snows fell, and an unprecedented frost early in the fall warned the inhabitants that their position in the new country was an exceed- ingly perilous one. Accordingly nearly everybody made preparations to leave, and at length did depart back to the more populous counties south of them. So far as is known but two families remained during that winter in what afterward became Cool Spring Township. These were the families of Benjamin Stokely and Matthias Zahniser. Strictly speaking, however, the latter's household did not remain intact. All but three returned to their former home. But these three, consisting of the father and his two sons, Michael and John, resolved to brave the winter's storms and cold. They had with them five head of cattle. These suffered terribly from hunger and cold, but by the strenuous efforts of their owners were kept alive. The food which was available for the cattle's consumption consisted of the leaves and tender branches of underbrush and small trees, which were uncovered from the snow. The men had succeeded during the summer in raising some potatoes, pumpkins and turnips. They had not, however, had opportunity to remove these from the ground before the advent of cold weather, and, as a result, their food comprised frozen potatoes and pumpkin mush. Even this scanty store was rendered unfit for use before the season was over, for a big thaw occurred, which softened the vegetables, after which they again froze solid, thus making them totally valueless for human diet. But by incredible suffering and perseverance the winter was endured. The return of spring brought back the remaining members of the family. Clearings were continued, a better house was erected, and preparations for a continuous sojourn made. By the coming of the second winter the pioneers were in such a situation that they could view its approach with much less apprehension. Their second year was passed under much more favorable circumstances. It was not long until their condition became comparatively comfortable.

During the spring of 1797 another pioneer arrived. This was Francis

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Drane, who settled upon what is latterly known as the Love farm, his tract consisting of 150 acres. Here he began a clearing, and in time succeeded in erecting a cabin. It is said that in the same year of his arrival he sowed an acre with wheat, claimed to have been the first wheat sown in the township.

The same year witnessed the coming of Daniel Harper, an old veteran of the Revolution. He located upon the tract of land many years subsequently known as the Williamson place. He was, it is related, a very peculiar man in many respects, being in particular a devout Baptist. The subject of religion was to him one of deep, immediate interest. Harper's house, which in later years was used as a sort of improvised tavern, was known far and wide as the Baptist headquarters, from the frequency with which the ministers of that de- nomination assembled in it. It appears, however, that even the devoutness of Harper did not operate to render him tenacious of his theological views, for he afterward became as firm a Presbyterian as he had been a Baptist. But even the subtleties of Calvinism did not suffice to chain his faith, for his last years were spent in the folds of the Methodist Church.

Robert McClure, a native of Ireland, came to Mercer County in 1797 or '98, locating on a tract of land in what is now Lake Township, where he re- sided until his death. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His descendants are still occupying the old homestead.

In 1800 arrived William McCauley, who settled near the present site of Stoneboro, and Andrew McClure, from Washington County, Penn., and a brother of Robert. He took up 150 acres of land near what is now known as Coulson Station, and began clearing off the timber. Both he and Rob- ert became prominent in the local affairs of the township. Among other early settlers might be mentioned Robert Hamilton, who settled on land after- ward owned by V. B. Coulson in 1802; John and James Rice, two brothers, whose land was located not far from Hamilton's, and who arrived in the town- ship about the year 1803, and Richard McClure, who settled on another part of Coulson's farm in 1814. There may have been others of considerable prom- inence-doubtless there were; but the insufficiency of preserved records ren- ders any treatment of them impossible. One thing is especially noticeable in Lake Township's history-it is so blended with that of the parent organiza- tion, Cool Spring, that nearly every attempt to separate the two is met with confusion.

The early accounts of game are very numerous. From these it appears that many varieties existed in the region in great profusion. Deer and wild turkey are known to have been abundant. An occasional bear was seen in early days, and also upon one or two occasions a panther. Smaller animals, however, such as squirrels, foxes, raccoons, etc., were quite numerous. Nearly every pioneer was an ardent disciple of Nimrod, and indeed in more ways than one imitated that mighty hunter.

There was, so far as is known, but one' mill within the bounds of Lake Township. That was a saw-mill erected in 1815 by Richard McClure. The machinery consisted, as nearly all of the primitive mills did, of a single upright saw, the motor power for which was supplied by a large water wheel. It was located on the bank of the Little Run, a short distance below Coulson Station.

Churches .- A Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1868, a short dis- tance west of Coulson Station, on the Western, New York & Pennsylvania Rail- road. The structure erected for the accommodation of these zealous followers of John Wesley is a neat one. Rev. Milton was their first pastor. Since then the congregation has been under the care of the different preachers which the itinerant system of Methodism provides for its membership.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

The Bethany congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was or- ganized April 1, 1876, in Lake Township, by Rev. J. M. Gallagher, with seventy members. The present membership is about 140. The house of worship used is a frame structure that was erected in 1859 at a cost of $1,000. The first ses- sion consisted of John Kemm, David Zahniser, Daniel McClure, William Mckay and F. M. Fleming. Since that time Thomas Kemm, John Zahniser and James S. Palmer have been chosen. The congregation is out of debt, and therefore enjoying peace and prosperity. It has regular preaching by its first and only pastor.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

This township, forming the extreme southeastern corner of the county, was carved out of Wolf Creek, February 17, 1851. The surface of Liberty is considerably varied, at places being level, elsewhere rolling, and again broken. The scenery is particularly pleasing and picturesque. The town- ship is not especially rich in mineral wealth, but is rather an agricultural cen- ter. The soil is fertile, and well adapted to the purposes of farming. Coal, however, is mined in several places, and is of a very fair quality, the chief impediment to the development of a large mining industry being the fact that the coal strata are somewhat thin. Gas is also found, the first gas and oil well in the county having been put down on the farm of James George. In the matter of drainage Liberty Township excels. The ample means sup- plied by Wolf Creek and its numerous small tributaries have long since ren- dered the drainage advantages of the township famous. In fact, in almost every respect, the territory lying in this corner of the county compares fav- orably with any other portion.

Pioneers .- Probably the first settler of what is now Liberty Township, though this is not an established fact, was William Gill. The date of his coming is set by some at the year 1797 and by others at 1798. He was an old Revolutionary veteran, and had suffered on many a battle-field in his devo- tion to the cause of liberty. It is related that upon one occasion he received a wound while in an engagement. This wound was so severe that he was unable to join his companions in their retreat, and was reluctantly abandoned by them to the British. Suffering as he did from the effects of his disability, he resolved at all hazards to avoid capture. The enemy's dragoons were scouring the forest in which he lay in every direction. He could hear their movements as they passed by. What should he do? He revolved the question in his mind for a long time, and was about to give up, when he accidentally espied a hollow log lying some distance off. He crawled slowly to it, every action causing sharp pain, and by an almost superhuman exertion succeeded in concealing himself within it. Scarcely had he done this when a scarleted trooper dashed forward and began a search for the "rebel." He had seen the latter moving. The feelings of Gill may be imagined as he breathlessly listened to the efforts of his enemy to discover his hiding place. The Briton carefully went over every spot of ground in the vicinity, passing and repassing the log where the object of his search anxiously lay. So near did he come that Gill afterward said that he could have touched the hem of the former's coat. At length he gave up in despair, and rode away. Gill lay within the log twenty-four hours, not daring to venture forth. At the expiration of that time he came out, and in time, by dint of great exertions, rejoined his com- pany in safety.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 71

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288