USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 25
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QUAKERS,
The only organized meeting of the Society of Friends, in Northumberland County, is in Shamokin township. The meeting was organized abont 1844. They hold their meetings in a plain frame building, pleasantly situated on a public road, two miles north of Bear Gap. The congregation is small.
PLATE XVT
RESIDENCE OF DR D.S. HOLLEN BACH, COR, OF EIGHTH & ARCH STS, SHAMOKIN , NORTH? CO,PA.
RES. OF G. W. RAVER , COR. SHAMOKIN & SPUPIHEIM STS SHAMOKIN, NORTH" CO., PA.
71
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
TAX-PAYERS OF RALPHO OR SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP, NORTHI'MBERLAND COUNTY, AS REPORTED BY JOHN WILTZER AND DANIEL MEAD, AS- SIXSORS, 1787 :
Black, James
Guys, Ludurek
Buyers, John
Gettig, C.
Martz, David MeLaughlin, Samuel
Bell, Alexander
Grant, Thomas
Martz, Conrad
Bnitz, Paul
Ileyerlind, J.
Moody, Samuel
Royle, William
Halloway, J.
MeMahon, G.
Baker, Aaron
Harris, Sammel
MeClout, August
Bower, Philip
Hoglin, W.
Pontius, Mark Patterson, Benjamin Pearson, George
Burk, James Binck John
Hites, Sihus Harrison, G.
Cline, John
Hall, George
Riehm, John Rousher, N.
Clintimon, John
Hunter, Widow
Rubental, Jacob
Conrad, J.
Haas, Widow
Renn, Adam
Clark, Uriah Coldman Peter
Joues, Samuel Keyser, G.
Riehm, N. Rounsefer, Andrew
Crooks, H.
Keel, H.
Renn, Bernard
Douty, H.
Kuntz, D.
Stoner, A.
Dewart, W.
Kindis, M.
Shreiner, N.
Dome, John
Kern, L.
Nchenk, S. Schisles, C.
Delong, J. Erter, J.
Laurence, J.
Simpson, John
Ergood, Bernard
Lebo, Henry
Smith, Peter
Epley, Martin
Lomison, C.
Sharp, D.
Eichinder, L.
Lov, Adams
Shenfield, N.
Gettis, C.
Lewis, Reuben
Soot, Abraham
Gray, W.
Ludwick, J.
Goodhart, H.
Loop, Christian
Goss, J.
Layeock, W.
Swarm, George
Gorman, R.
Lang, Michael
Tauner, George
Geiger, M.
Maclay, William
Thompson, J.
Groove, A.
Mr-Kinney, Abso.
Vanderslice, H.
Grant, Alexander
MeKinney, Widow
Withington, N.
Gibson, Reuben .
Mantz, Nich
Welker, M.
Green, Nilly
Miller, Adam
Welsh, Jr., Jacob
Gerlin, Peter
Murdock, William
Welsh, Sr., Jacob Wietsel, M.
Goss, Martin
Me Adams, William Mend, David
Wietsel, John
Gongh, Widow
Mead, Jolın
Wallis, Juseph
Gray, Jos. Goodhart, W.
Melig, David
Yougham, Jones
Gilger, Adam
McBride, Robert
Young, John
Giberson, Lewis
Martz, Jacob
Zimmerman, George
POINT TOWNSHIP.
On petition of sundry inhabitants of the County, the court at the February term of 1786, divided Mahoning township, and named that portion lying between the two forks of the Susquehanna, "Point." The name is probably owing to its peculiar shape. It is described as follows: Beginning at the ninc-mile track on the north branch, and extending westerly along Montour's Ridge to the fording at William Crook's mill, on the Chillisquaque Creck. The township is nearly surrounded by the north and west branches of the Susquehanna, and contains within its borders a great deal of fine bottom land. Montonr Mountains extend along the northern boundary, dividing it from Chillisquaqne township. Much of the surface is hdly, and poorly adapterl to agriculture, and nowhere, except along the banks of the rivers, enn the soil be cultivated with profit. The first officers were as follows : Joseph Corhett, constable; L. McCartney and Bernard Hubley, overseers of the poor; James Hepburn and James Jenkins, supervisors; Daniel Ruse and Daniel Kelly, viewers of fences.
EARLY SETTLERS OF POINT TOWNSHIP.
About 1756, Thomas Lemon settled ou the old path between the forks of the river and Danville, at what was known as the Old-stone Half-way House. He kept tavern here many years, and reared a large family, whose experi- enee in the harsh school of the pioneers developed powers, that eminently fitted them for the important role they were called upon to act after arriving at maturity. While living here in about 1760 or 1761, the Delaware In- clians made a descent upon the settlement. James Lemon, a Ind of fourteen years, was nbsent from the house when he discovered the Indians. He crept
unobserved underneath a bridge, near his home, and remained until the de- parture of the Indians. It is easy to appreciate the young lad's sensations, while hiding from his would-be murderers. The house was too strong for the savages, and they retired without making any attack.
After the death of his father, James occupied the all homestead, where he raised several children, two of whom are yet living. James dietl the same year.
Of James Lemon's family, four huys died at the oldl homestend. Percival moved to Wyoming County, and for many years was Judge of the Court. . Ile died about 1866. Of the two living, Martha married, in 1812, William Cook, son of the first Sheriff of Northumberland County. After his death, in 1825, she married General Jesse Horton, and now survives him, having attained the venerable age of eighty-two. General Horton died February 21st, 1873. Mrs. Horton still occupies the farm originally settled by her grandfather. To her and her son-in-law, we are indebted for the history of the Lemon family.
Mrs. Rebecen McWilliam, the other surviving child of James Lemon is now living in Montour County. Of the grandchildren of James Lemon, several are living in Northumberland County. Mrs. Simpson, wife of A. C. Simpson, Esq., of the town of Northumberland, and daughter of Martha Horton nee Lemon, and Miss Carrie Horton, still residing with her aged mother, near the same place, are the only ones in the immediate vicinity of the old home, which is still owned and occupied by members of the Lemon family.
The provinces of this and other townships of Northumberland County, north of the river, were composed of the hardy race, who have accomplished so much for the development of Pennsylvania, that emigrated from the north of Ireland, and were known as Scotch-Irish. These people were in- fused with characteristics that eminently fitterl them for the lives of frontiers- men. Courageons, honest, umused to toil and hardships, they could cope successfully with difficulties that would retard the progress of any other peo- ple. It was this people that opened the pathway to the wilds of the Susque- hauna, forced back the Indians, and made the settlement of these valley's possible. Very soon after the purchase of 1768, they began to flock in, and, ns will be discovered by an examination of the first assessor's returns, ocen- pied nearly all the territory in what is now known as Point township. After them eame the Germans, who purchased the little improvements, and developed the agricultural resources of the country ; hence a strong sprink- ling of German names is now found on the tax-book of the County. The names of a few of the early settlers have been obtained, and such facts as to their settlement, ns obtainable; will be embraced in this work.
James Hepburn and John Cowdan came from the north of Ireland prob- ably some time before 1780. They settled in the vicinity of Northumber- land, and become closely identified with the interests of the new county. Many of the prominent citizens of the county elaim direct descent from these men.
Captains John Boyd and John Bull, officers of the Revolutionary war, enme to the County soon after the war, and for many years lived in and nenr the forks of the river. They both are buried in the cemetery at Northının- berland.
James Wallis, a somewhat noted character, was also an early pioneer, from Berks County. He died here at the age of one hundred and two years. His sun, Joseph, died in 1866, at the age of eighty-four, and his grandeon, James, is still living at the age of seventy.
John and Henry Shreiner were also early settlers.
John Nixon, a grandson of the able financier and patriot, Robert Morris, settled on the north branch, five miles above Northumberland. He possessed many of those characteristics that marked his grandfather a man of dis- tinction. His descendants are among the most respected in the township.
John McCalla, the father of a large family of daughters, was an inhabi- tant of the County some time before the close of the last century. His char- meter, but not his name, is perpetuated in the lives of many of his family.
Thomas Taggart, of Scotch descent, was horn in Ireland, in 1728. He enme to Northumberland County, in 1772, bringing with him a numerous family, and much energy and great powers of endurance. His was a re- mmrkahle family, nudl while none have attainedl to any very great degree of eminence, many have evidenced ability far superior to that of some occupy- ing high positions. William, a son, was born in August, 1773, about the first male child born in the County. During the war of 1812, he hekdl the commission of major. He died at the age of eighty-four, and his descend- ents are found in nearly every part of the Union. Thomas, boru 1762, wns killed by the Intlinns, in 1780. David, the father of the venerable, John
Rartsbar, I.I.
Hawley, Daniel
Reutzel, Conradl
Coldrum, Robert
Harrison, John
Hurst, Stephen
Reely, Widow
Robins, Z.
Confield, N.
Cameron, D.
Kleiber, George
Lions, .I.
Silverwood, James Snyder, C.
.
Goben, Charles
Melig, John
Yoner, Jacob
72
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Taggart, still living at the age of eighty-one, was born February, 1769. He succeeded Simon Snyder, as treasurer of the County, in 1809, which office he held for three years. At the time of the election of Mr. Snyder to the Gubernatorial chair, Mr. Taggart, accompanied him to Harrisburg. The journey had to be made on horseback, through woods, neross streams, in one of which the distinguished party were involuntarily baptised. John Taggart, son of David, for many years, held the position of State Commis- missioner of Canals, which he resigned in 1838, and was succeeded by the great commoner, Thaddens Stevens. Of John Taggart's family, there have been three sons, and one daughter. David has served in the counsels of the State, having been elected to the Sennte, at the age of thirty-two. He was for one or more terms, spenker of the Senate. He joined the army in 1861, and served until 1873, and has now retired to private life, and having sm- rounded himself with an extensive and careful selected library, und innu- merable pets, in the shape of fancy fowis of all descriptions, he is prepared to travel the downward ruad of life with the greatest possible amount of en- joyment. Colonel David Taggart, is one well fitted to direct and lead, in far more important positions than any be has yet held, and it is to be regretted that he is so well satisfied with his life, as to deprive his country of the ser- viees of a writer of his ability. Elsewhere, will be found a eulogy on the character of Lincoln, delivered by him, which has scarcely been surpassed, for simplicity of style, forcibleness of Innguage, and true eloquence, by any writer, or spenker. James Taggart was killed at the battle of Glendale, before Richmond, June 30th, 1862. M. H. Taggart, now holds an important trust in the office of the Treasurer of the State. Mary, the only daughter of Johu Taggart, is married to Dr. Joseph Priestley, while her cousin and granddaughter of David Taggart, is married to M. R. Priestley, the only two living male descendants of the celebrated Joseph Priestley, whose biography will be found elsewhere.
As hefore stated, the Germans succeeded the Scotch-Irish in the settlement of the township, opening up every available spot, and establishing mills, etc. About 1790, a few English people, driven from their homes by the persecu- tions of their government, were attracted hither by the fertility of the soil, and desirable location, which formed the uncleus for the settlement of a highly intellectual and cultivated colony. Foremost among those men, the sons of Dr. Joseph Priestley, who porcbased large tracts of Iand, with a view to encouraging others, like situated with themselves. Among others, came John Binns, who was charged, in England, with high treason, aud saved his neck by making a hurried exit from the land of his nativity. Binns may have conducted himself iu such a manner as to arouse the indignation of the British lion, but, personally, his character was nhove reproach. He left England much involved, settled in Point township, established a distillery which proved remunerative, and he liquidated every dollar of his indebtedness. Such an example of moral honesty is worthy of all commendation. Mr. Binns became a leading politician of the Democratie school, finally removed to Philadelphia, became an alderman, and died full of years, about 1860.
Robert J. Walker, whose fine physiognomy adorns the twenty-five cent fractional currency, and was Secretary of the Treasury during Buchanan's administration, spent his enrly youth and manhood in Point township ; his father lies buried in the cemetery, at Northumberland.
Simon Cameron, the shrewdest politieinn of the age, was a poor boy in this County, many years ago. It was in Northumberland he received his first lessons in the "nrt preservative," and under the tutelage of the learned A. C. Huston, that he was indneted into the mysteries of type-setting.
Robert C. Grier, who retired from the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1874, on necount of old age, was another of the residents of Point township, in his early days. He succeeded to the principalship of Northumberland High School, on the retirement of his father, the Rev. Isnne Grier.
Matthew Huston was a prominent citizen of the township. His settlement dates nt an early period. He was, for two terme, a member of the legislature and clerk of the senate, while Laneaster was the capital of the State. Mr. Huston has been intimately associated with the development of the varied interests of the County, and his memory will he ever revered as having been a useful citizen. As would be expected, in a community where are nourished such talents, where the associations and surroundings nre such as to develop all that make men true und great, due attention is given to schools and churches. Probably, nowhere in central Pennsylvania do these institu- tions receive greater encouragement, than in the little nook denominated Point township.
CHILLISQUAQUE TOWNSHIP.
This was erected from Turbut und Mahoning townships, in May, 1786, and described and bounded us follows: " Beginning at the corner of Point township, on the top of Montour's Hill, nearly opposite to the nine mile tree, nud extending from thence to Joseph Wilson's, on the north side of Chillisquaque Creek ; from thence to the top of Limestone Ridge, to the house occupied by Neal Davis, on Colonel Francis' land ; from thence, a strnight course to the west branch of Susquehanna."
The first constable wns John Cheney. Overseers of the Poor-John Murray and John Gillespy. Supervisors-Thomas Strawbridge and James Stedman.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE ORIGINAL TAX-PAYERS OF THE TOWN- SHIP -- WILLIAM GRAY AND P. HIERTERMAN, ASSESSORS:
Alexander, John
Fisher, William!
Murray, John
Allen, William
Francis, Turbit -- > MeMehin, James
Bates, Daniel
Finney, Robert
Blare, Jr., John
Gillespy, John
Mc Williams, Robert MeBride, Hugh
Blare, Sr., John
Gillespy, Widow
Miller, Alex.
Biggart, Jos.
Gaddis, P.
Murray, James
Cheney, Johnston
Galloway, Jolın
Oliver, Stephen
Clurk, Abram
Gray, John
Oukes, Samuel
Clark, John
Hunter, ,John
Carsendon, Sr., James
Horn, Stephen
Carscadon, Jr., James
Hempleman, A.
Carscadon, William
Hewitt, Thomas
Caughran, Charles
Hustus, F.
Reed, William
Caughran, James
Harrimer, Thomas
Randles, David
Caughran, John
Harper, Samnel
Randles, James
Chuny, John
Irwin, George
Randles, Robert
Campbell, William
Irwin, Samuel
Sweeny, Archie
Cuny, John
Kelly, Lanrence
Suly, John
Dunlap, James
McMullar, Neal
Scott, David
Davidsou, James
Milligan, W.
Stedman, David Shaw, John
Davidson, Thomas
Mehue, Richard
Stedman, James
Donaldson, James
Murray, William
Shaddon, James \
Davis, Andrew
MeNiteh, Patrick
Strawbridge, Thos.
Funston, John
Morison, Job
Tecple, George
Funston, James
McMehin, John
Chillisqunque is sufficiently timbered, well-watered and generally healthy. The surface is rolling, and in many parts may be called rough. Agricul- turally, it is much inferior to the other portions of the original township of Turbut. But what it lacks in this particular, may be overbalanced four-fold, by the wealth hidden beneath the surface.
Iron ore is there in profusion, the stratum and the quality being identical with that which is found at Bloomsburg, at Danville, and at Turtle Creek, in Union County. This result is obtained from tests of the ore-beds upon lands of Hezekiah Parks, two miles from Montandon, and at other points.
Lime of the very best quality may be manufactured in most parts of the township. There are, within a mile of Montandon, ten kilns in continual blast, and have a constant demand for their product, for shipment to distant points.
All along the western part of the township, from the northern bound to Chillisquaque Creek, the soil is sand, which the farmer, from his point of view, despises. This layer of sand is twenty feet thiek, and so clear, that it requires no sereening for masonry or plaster. It is shipped by railroad and canal to Danville, Mifflinburg, and other places, and so favorably is it known there, that eoutracts for the ereetion of buildings and other structures are often so drawn as to oblige the contractors to procure Montandon sand for the work.
Immediately after the grants of land upon the river had been made, in 1769, to Colonel Hunter, Colonel Francis, and other officers, for military ser- vives, many speculutors, as well as pionver settlers, appeared in the country about Shamokin, and in Northumberland. From thence, they pushed on, and, of course, soon invaded the territory which is now embraced in this township. The mouth of Chillisquaque Creek was a point which would anturally offer attractions to prospectors, and we find that Richard Malone, had located himself there immediately after 1770. He was a prominent man through the struggle for independence-a member of the Committee uf Safety, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Colonel Turbut Franeis was also a resident in tlus part of the township which hore his (Christian) name, and Alexander Miller uml Jolm Alexander were there- men of mark, and of some wealth.
Palmer, Thomas
Rodgers, Thomas
Rees, Martin
Robinson, James
Donaldson, John
MeLay, Charles
Elliot, Benjamin
Martin, John
Shipman, James
.
73
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Before the township was partitioned from Turbut, Thomas Strawbridge had established a tannery; Archibald Sweeney, Jesse Funston, and William Alleu, had each a distillery, and Thomas Palmer a grist and saw-mill (proba- bly the predecessor of the old " Wilson Mill").
During the Indian wars, their irruptions and massacres were chiefly con- fined to localities further up the river, and Chillisquaque escaped most of these horrors. Fort Rice was loented at Chillisquaque Creek, and was the only one, of all the forts above Shamokin, which held out through all the war. Probably the protecting shade of Fort Augusta had much to do with its immunity from Indian attack, and there is also little doubt that the near proximity of that stronghold, enused Rice's defenders to remain, with more confidence than they would have felt, had they occupied the more remote posts.
It was garrisoued by a detachment of Weltner's ( Pennsylvania) German Battalion, who can hardly he said to have shown ns much eagerness to nid Fort Freeland in its extremity, as did the brave and devoted Ilawkins Boon and his gallant men, when they marched to its sueeor, on that fatal Summer morning, in 1779.
But it the location of these settlements saved them frum many of the hor- rors of that bloody time, still the brave men who lived there, did all their duty in the struggle. John Brady was a settler there, upon the river oppo- site Lewisburg, and near the present village of Moutandon. He lost bis lite by the savages, near Muney, and a favorite son was killed and sealped by then above the Loyalsoek; while another sou, the redoubtable Captain Samuel Brady, made his name a terror to red-skins of every degree, from Shamokin to the Ohio River; slaying them carly and late, not from love of slaughter, nor yet even for revenge, (though he had reason enough for it,) but as a matter of conscientious duty, to save those of his own race-innocent women and children-from the scalping-knife and the torture.
The war of 1812 was, of course, unfelt as to any effect produced by it here. A few, fond of adventure, entered the service, but this agricultural commu- nity moved on, in its usual pursuits, just as it always has, in times of pro- found peace.
The mails from Northumberland to Williamsport passed through the town- ship on horseback, from 1804, and the mail stages, after 1809-also a line across, from Lewisburg to Danville and the eastern towns.
Those great publie improvements-canal and railrond-both across the eutire township { the Philadelphia and Erie road from north to south, and the Philadelphia and Reading from cast to west).
Great expectations were indulged in of benefits to accrue from the canal, but it is hard to find where they have ever been realized. After its completion, produce went, and merchandise came by the canal, instend of the river or the land route, as before; but no towns have been built in Chillisquaque, nor any additional business brought here, as the result of its opening.
Still greater hopes were laid on the coming of the locomotive, and they have hardly been better realized in the meagre results at Pottsgrove and Montandon.
The Lewisburg bridge was built about sixty years ago, by a company of Union County stockholders. It was carried away (as were nearly all the bridges on the river) in the grent flood of 1865. In duo time it was rebuilt, and is now used, both for the public travel and for the passage of trains on the branch railroad, from the Philadelphia and Erie road to Lewisburg. On the completion of the Sunbury and Erie railroad through the township, a station was established opposite the head of this bridge, for the accommodation of travel crossing it, to and from Lewisburg. And the planting of this bridge brought into existence the village and post-office of Montandon, which con- tains one publie house, one general store and one drug-store. It has also one attorney at law, Robert M. Cummings, Esq., and two physicians, Drs. Purdy and James. As late as 1869, there was but a small cluster of houses and a very small store-kept in the railroad company's warehouse; one phy- sician, Dr. Purdy, and no church. There are now two, (Baptist and Metho- dist,) and a cemetery of about six neres, lying a half-mile east of the village. It is enclosed by an ordinary wooden fence, and has, as yet, but few embel- lishments; but further improvements are in contemplation, and it will doubt- Tess soon be innde a very handsome ground.
Pottagrove is a small village of something more than a hundred inhabitants, lying in the north-ensteru part of the township, and a short distance south of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. It has a post-office, tannery, mill, two stores (one belonging to Grangers,) and no church.
Sodom is a very small group of houses, less than a mile eust of Montandon, where the. road from Milton to Northumberland crosses that leading from Lewisburg to Danvdle. Once there was a tavern at these cross-ronds-n stopping-place for the mail stages of both lines. One of the first proprietors
of this inu was Lot Carson, from whom enme the name Sodom, the place where Lot lived. Poor Cnrson came to a sad end, being drowned in a well, into which he had fallen while under the influence of liquor, of which he was much too fond.
Chilliequaque post-office is in the south-eastern part of the township, near where Richard Malone lived a hundred years ago. There is no village there.
MILLS AND INDUSTRIES.
The flour-mill of D. ITeiser & Co. is on Chillisquaque Creek, near the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. It occupies the site of the old " Wilson mill" of sixty years ago, and also probably that of Thomas Palmer's, which was built by him as early as 1778.
Palmer's was a log structure; the Wilson mill was of stone, and its suc- cessor, Heiser's present mill, is a frame building. It does good work and prospers.
Steum Flour-mill at Pottegrove .- This mill was first erected on Limestone Run, in Turbut township, by William Follmer. It was there operated both by water and steam-power. Becoming unprofitable in that location, it was removed, and re-erected nt Pottsgrove, about 1872, by William Follmer, Michael Rissel, and James Smith. It is now doing a good business, under the management of Rissel, Smith & Co.
The steam lumber-mill of Chester Butler, is an establishment of moderate capacity, built in 1870. Its location is about one-and-a-half miles south of Montandon, between the canal and the river. A natural basin existed there, which saved a very considerable expense in the formation of the "log pool." In prosperous times; its business is good.
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