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 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
That day established his fame, and brought him elients and honors with- out stint. But it was not long that he staid to enjoy them. Even then the shadows were lengthening for him, and during the next year, 1806, both Daniel Smith and Andrew Straub, passed away.
The only physician then in town, wus Dr. James Dongal, and this position he held for about seventeen years, trom the time of Dr. Faulkner's departure in 1798, till Dr. Piper's coming, about 1815. His practice was very large. It not only embrneed Milton, but extended over nearly all of the County above the north branch, and an equally large territory on the west side of the river. His visits were made on horseback, carrying his medicines with him in saddle-bags, and making up his own prescriptions. To reach his patients at White Deer, Buffalo, Sugar Valley, and other points west of the river, he crossed on the old ferry nt the Marr form, a short distance above the town, or at George Hoffinnu's, below the island, when that ferry was established, somewhat later.
Horseback traveling was not confined to physicians, however. It was the usual means of travel for all. Of wheeled vehicles, there were but four then in Milton-a gig, owned by James Anderson; a nondescript, belonging to Dr. Dougal (a rude, home-maile affair, probably similar to the "buck- board"), while Daniel Pollock and William Pollock cach owned a lumber- ing two-horse carriage. These last-mentioned were considered very luxurious establishments, and were, upon extraordinary occasions, lent by their pro- prietors to favored friends.
As for stage-coaches, there were none entering Milton until 1809, when James Cummins established
THE FIRST'MAIL-COACH
between Williamsport and Northumberland, making the trip in que day. Its stopping place in Milton was Eckert's hotel, on Front street. Robert Moore, the former mail messenger, having faithfully served Mr. Cummins in that capacity, had been promoted to the office of driver, and we may imagine the pride with which he first reined up his horses in full view of Post-master Vincent, who had always been his friend and patron.
THE INCORPORATION OF MILTON AS A MIMROUGH
Dates February 26th, 1817. The first officers elected were: Chief Burgess, Arthur MeGowan; Assistant Burgess, Robert MeGuigan; Town Conneil- Christopher Woods, president; Samuel Hepburn, Duniel Scudder, Joseph Rhoads, George Eckert, Daniel R. Bright, Thomas Comly; Supervisors of Roads, John Jones, David Derrickson ; Town Clerk, John Tietsworth; High Constable, James Sharp.
116
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The population of the borough at the time of its erection, is not exactly known. Three years later (1820), it was one thousand and fifteen, which makes it probable that, at this time, it varied but little from nine hundred.
The town had improved, and grown steadily in importance during the twelve years preceding its jucorporation. Many of the new buildings had been erected of brick, und there had also been a few of stone, one of the principal of the latter class being the new residence of Bethuel Vincent, on Front street, just below his former tavern-stand, and this ranked among the chiel residences of the town. David Rittenhouse had, in the preceding year (1816), built the large brick-house on Front street, nw known as the United States Hotel. He first intended it as a dwelling-house, but after- wards rented it to Lemuel B. Stoughton, who opened it as a public house, anıl advertised it in the Miltoniun as follows: "Spread-Eagle Turern (first below where Bethuel Vincent formerly kept )-L. B. Stoughton respectfully informs travelers and others, that he has rented that spacious, airy and en- venient three-story brick-house of David Rittenhouse, E'sy., where he keeps a public house of entertainment, for the avenmmodation of travelers and others. No possible exertion will be spared to render general satisfaction."
.
The mention of this house recalls to mind the enterprise of Elisha Bab- bitt and Isane Straub, who, looking at the unusual height ( three stories) to which Mr. Rittenhouse hnd reared his dwelling, finciel that it was lofty enough for a shot-tower! and that it might be profitably used as such; and when Lemuel Stoughton opened it is a public-hou-e, the way seemed clear to the prosecution of this project. So they took a third stury room, and, from its window poured melted lead, through a sieve, into a large tub of water, which stood directly underneath. But the experiment was not sue- cessful, and they found that the height of three stories was far too little to enuse the lead to assume the necessary globular form in it- descent. The failure, however, was not a disastrous oue; in fuet, it ro-t them nothing more than a little good-natured ridicule.
George Eckert's mill was one of the recent erections which dignified the new borough. After the death of Andrew Straub, his executors had sold the mill property, on Limestone Ron, to James Manily, who, in turn, sobl to Dekert; and he, in 1816, demolished the ukl frame mill, which had done such good service to Straub und to the settlement, for nearly a quarter of a century, and, in its place, built the fine new stone mill, which has now been in constant operation-it inny almost he said, by night and day-for sixty yeurs, and it was an establishment most creditable to the new borough.
An institution conferring still greater dignity, was the
NORTHUMBERLAND I'NION AND POLI'MBIA HANK,
Which had commenced business, two years before, under a State churter, and was unw "in full tide of surrestul experiment," paying semi-annual divi- dends of four per cent., under the management of Feth Iredell, as president, and W. Cox Ellis, as cashier. Their banking-rontus were in a wooden build- ing, which stond on Front street, on the site now urcupied by Haff's Hotel. The bank was the feature, the accomplished fhet, which, more than any other, tended to mark the borough of Milton as a place of consequence-to remove all suspicion of rusticity, and to stamp indelibly upon it the charac- ter of a town,
A new and very substantial wnotlen builling had been creeted on Lime- stone Run, west of Front street, by Arthur McGowan, as a enrding-mill and sickle manufactory. About this time, D. R. Bright added to bis inn-keeping und general merchandising, an extensive iron-mongery, with drugs and medi- cines, paints and hardware.
David Rittenhouse had purchased the Sunbury Brush Manufactory, and removed the business to Milton, and nearly all the trades and vorations had received such augmentations and necessiuns, a> might he expectel in the natural course of the town's growth. Among them was the first public bakery, which was advertisel by its proprietor, as follows:
" BAKE-HOUSE IN MILTON.
" Libs Hudman, just from Philadelphia, has the pleasure of informing the citizens of the Borough of Miltou and vicinity, that he will commence the Baking Business, after the first of June, in the house lately necupied by Mr. Climson, in Market street. Such of the iubabitants as hecome regular ens- tomers, will be served with fresh bread, Hot Rolle, Twist, ete., every morning iu Philadelphia fasbion.
" Beer andl Cyder will be kept constantly on hand.
"N. B .- Tavern keepers and ferrymen may be supplied with every kind of bread or cakes, which will always be kept in hand.
Miros, May 24th, 1817."
The above appeared in the Miltonian, which was the first newspaper pub- lished in Milton, having been started in the previous September, by General Henry Frick. It is still in existence, and will be further mentioned in another place. The increase of the business of the borough, in one respect, however, was by many, regarded with other feelings than those of gratifica- tion. That is, iu the matter of the production and consumption of spiri- tnous liquor, for John A. Schneider had added a new distillery, making the third in Milton, while the number of' taverns had grown to twelve, or about one, to every seventy-five of the population, large and small. Ten years later, the public houses numbered seventeen, with five distilleries.
When the borough was incorporated, its principal lawyers were Samuel Hepburn and Alem Marr. Daniel Sendder aud Joseph B. Anthony were admitted to the bar in the following November. Mr. Seudder married Grace, the daughter of Daniel Smith, and he became alinost as emineut in the profession us was his father-in-law. He afterwards moved to Lock Haven, und died there. Mr. Marr removed to Danville shortly after.
The only physicians were Drs. Dougal and Piper. There was one James Steward, who pretentiously advertised in the Miltonian, announcing himself as "n successful physician and surgeon," as well as a professerl " botanist," and after enumerating twenty-five diseases, which he could invariably cure, wound up poetically in this wise:
"The polille I have notified, 'That I In Millon now resle."
"The healing int I do prufuss, Like innhy ber- In this place."
"I proctise physie al surgery both, From cast lo west, from north to soul lı."
"Two thousand, thousand miles I've rode, To find my patients on the road."
With much more of the same kind, showing plainly that there were ignorant pretenders and quaeks sixty years ago, as well as now. It was but a little later, that this some William Steward was advertised and denounced ns a strindler, in the same journal.
Dr. Piper afterwards removed from Milton to Turbutville, and Dr. James Dougal was killed by a fall of his horse, near where the Paradise churches now stand. His death occurred July 18th, 1818. For twenty years, he had practised very extensively, not only in Milton, but over a large section of country ou both sides of the river. Many of his students afterwards became eminent physicians.
RELIGIOUS WORSHIP
Was held by the Episcopaliaus, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Cath- olies, and the German Reformed. The two last named, and the Methodists, had no regular pustor. The Lutherans were under charge of' Rev. Philip Repass; the Presbyterinas undler Rev. Thomas Hood ; while the Episcopa- lian rector was Rev. Abijah Hopkins.
In that yeur occurred the destructive flood on Limestone Run, which not only swept away the Front street bridge, built seven years before, but did great injury to the street itself, und ako to private property. It was a memorable event, on account of the severe loss which it veensioned to the borough and the County, as well as to individuals. How the di-aster was regarded at the time, is shown by the following mention in the columns of the Milloninu of August 16th, 1817:
" Anful Chefumity,-The fine, industrious, and very thriving town of Mil- ton was visiteel, on Saturday lust, by an awful calamity. From Friday evening till Saturday, at four p. M., the rain poured forth in continual tor- rents, and the small streams emptying into Limestone Run, which enters the river through the town, increaseit with so much rapidity, that the in- habitants were compelled to guard against it, and, if possible, to impede the force of' that destructive element ; but though every effort of human industry was used, it was still unavailing. The stone bridge on the main street was undermined and almost entirely razed to the foundation, which filled up the channel, and opened a new one on the opposite side. The water continued to come with an increased force aud rapidity, undermining some houses, and sweeping the lots on which they stoodl to a level with the water. The houses swept away are: the inn of Mr. Hill, necupied by George Nagle, and dwell- iug aud store-house of Arthar MeGowan, and a small saddler's-shop, occu- pied by Mr. Morkle; the store-house of D. R. Bright, and the foundation of part of his inn, tenanted by H. Wolfinger; the store-house of Mr. Moses Tens. By the netivity of the inhabitants the moveable property was suved from de- struction. One corner of Mr. George Eckert's superb stone mill wns partially undermined, but, we are happy to state, this valuable edifice, so necessary to the community nt large, is now under repair.
Quy. 9.1811
117
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
" Mr. McGowau's carding-machines were also saved, together with the building in which they stood, and we rejoice to think that they can be put io operation iu n short time. This building stands upon the edge of' the run. Mr. Sumuel Tens' distillery sustained considerable injury, as did also the buildings attached to the distillery of Mr. John A. Schneider. A substantial bridge is now erecting over the run, on the old foot-bridge, to pass by Mr. Moses Tens', Mr. Eckert's, and the saw-mill, und then into the main street by Dr. Dougal's. The persons at work at this bridge procced with a celerity and industry highly creditable, nud we think the bridge will be passable by Monday next. Added to this calamity, we will have to regret the great in- pediment to travelers, as it will probably be eighteen months before we can possibly have the new bridge in the main street, together with all the other repairs uecessary."
The bridge that was destroyed had been of stone, with arches, but it was decided to replace it by a wooden bridge, resting on stone abutments, and such a one wns built and completed ju the succeeding year, by James Moore, Sr., as contractor. The borough received aid from the legislature, in addi- tion to the sum received from the C'onnty, towards the cost of rebuilding. This structure did good service to the public for thirty years, when, becom- ing so much decayed us to be judged nusafe, the wooden portions were rebuilt by Neil Kleckner, in 1847 or 1848, the old abutments being used in the rebuilding.
In 1869, this was demolished, and replaced by a double-nrched bridge of stone. The old one had existed long enough-the wooden portion was again decayed and unsafe, and the abutments themselves, were considered unfit to place a new bridge upon. So it was thought expedient to build anew, from the foundation. A higher, wider and more commodious bridge, in every particular, was wanted, and was decided on. The cost was ten thousand five hnodred dollars. The County paid seven thousand dollars, with the con- dition that the borough of Milton should furuish the remaining three thou- sand five hundred dollars; should cause the work to be done in a substantial monner, and guarantee it to stand for five years from time of' completion. David Starick was the builder. It has stood safely through the five years of guaranty, and will stand for a great many years to come, unless old Limestone Run should unexpectedly become even more ingovernable than it was on the ninth of August, fifty-nine years ago.
THE HARMONY CHURCH.
This old landmark was built by a uniou of the Lutheran, Presbyterian aud German Reformed congregations. It stoud in the south-eastern corner of the Presbyterian burying-ground, at the upper end of Mahoning street.
It was built of briek, and, in that day, was considered a splendid structure. It was commenced October 5th, 1817, but ( probably from the lack of funds) was not completed until the Spring of 1819. The event of its consecration was a very impressive one. Divine services upon that occasion, were held in both the English and German languages, and vecupied two days-the 23d and 24th of May.
The "union" appears to have still labored under pecuniary difficulties, in the way of paying for the church, for we find, on June 10th, 1822, announced the first of a series of Lottery Drawings, for the benefit of Harmony Church, with Joseph D. Biles and Adam Folbner, as managers. These drawings continued for a number of months, and it is presumable that they resulted favorably to the fiseal condition of the "union."
During the succeeding Summer, the building was struck by lightning, and considerably, though uot seriously, damaged in its interior.
By those who recollect the time, it is represented that there was but a suli- tary flash, and that from a cloud not much larger than n man's band-in fact so insignificant as to appear almost like a thunderbolt from a clenr sky ; but probably some allowavec should be made for the power of imagi- nation, especially when operating through nu interval of more than fifty years.
It was occupied in common, as a place of worship, until 1832, when the Presbyterians withdrew, The Lutherans followed in 1850, and the Reformed congregation remained alone until 1866, when they demolished the old build- ing, to use the material contained in it, in the erection of their new church. A severe blow to the importance of the town was the failure of the North- umberland Union and Columbia Bank. After a five years' existence, aud just as the citizens had come to regard it as one of the permanent institu- tions of the place. This occurred in 1820, and the charter was declared orfe Led in 1823.
THE POPULATION IN 1830
Was one thousand three hundred and fifty-two. A part of this accession was, of course, due to the building of the West Branch Canal, which, after several years of labor, had been completed to Muuey Dam in October, 1828. Freight bonts had commenced running upon it in 1829, and the people now looked for a new departure towards prosperity. It is questionable whether, as regards Milton, or Muney, or other towns similarly situated, the canal ever realized the citizens' anticipations in that direction, though it certainly changed the methods of their trade, to some extent, though Arks and Dur- ham boats continued to navigate the river, after the advent of the canal. Mr. John L. Watson recollects that he made trips with them, certainly as late as 1834.
But the Philadelphia grain and produce market was generally preferred to that of Baltimore, and thus the eanal received the preference.
It was certainly n long step towards encouraging the establishment of maunfactories, requiring heavy freighting; and it, without doubt, weot fur to induce Major Joseph Rhoads to build, in the year 1830, at Milton,
THE FIRST IRON FOUNDRY OX THE WEST BRANCH.
It was considered a novel enterprise, as well as one of doubtful success, and was visited out of curiosity by people from Williamsport, and other places in the valley. It was located on Upper Front street, and Major Rhoads manufactured there mill-genrings, stoves, wool carding machines, aod farming implements, and these, together with the brass-working, aud copper smithing, which he had started three years before, made a most suc- cesssul business.
THE FIRST BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER,
At Milton, was commenced in 1830, and completed in 1833. It was built by a bridge company, incorporated by the legislature, and composed of stock- holders iu Milton and vicinity. The bridge was built across the channels of the river, at the islands just below the mouth of Limestone Run. It con- sisted of three sections: First, that from the left bank of the river, across the east chaunel, to the first island; second, the section crossing the centre channel, between the two islunds; and third, that crossing the right hand channel, from the western island, to the Union County shore. It was a truss- bridge, with donhle tracks. The contract for building was awarded to Abraham and Isaac Straub, the price being twenty-two thousand dollars. This price was understood to be wholly unremunerative to the Messrs. Straub, but they took the contract, and carriedl it successfully through, being influ- enced by consideration of the great advantage which would accrue to their lumber and grist-mills, which they had built on the island in 1824. By dimming the outer channels, they had secured in the centre at head aod fall of four feet, and this, upon their re-action wheels, (the first of the kind ever used in the United States,) gave n water-power sufficient for their operations. So, as their mill business was a prosperous one, they were willing, for the sake of securing a good and permanent communication with the island, to build the bridge at the price uamed, but which afterwards provedl insufficient to cover their money nutlay.
The mills were operated successfully, until the budding of the Lewisburg dam, which injured them so mueb, by backing the water and ice upon them, that, iu 1840, they were removed to Muddy Run, a mile and a half above Milton. In 1846, an interest in them wus sold to Moses Chamberlin, and, in 1852, the remaining interest was purchased by Daniel Bisel; nud, after passing through various other hands, was burnt in 1874, as mentioned in the account of the " Boonville flour-mills," in Turbut township.
In connection with the building of this bridge, and before its completion, there occurred an incident, which, at the time, created great excitement along the river, und which is oow well remembered by many of the older in- habitants of the valley. It was
THE RESCUE OF JOSEPH BAILLY.
Late in the afternoon of the 4th day of February, 1832, Mr. Joseph Bailey, of' Jersey Shore, went down to the river side, to secure a flat-boat, whil he hail moored at the lower end of the island, opposite the town. The water in the stream was rising, and the ice was becoming loose and de- tached, notwithstanding that the weather was cold. Stepping ou board the flat, and having his atteution diverted for a moment, he was dismayed, on looking up, to find himself' not only loose from the sbore, and in the current of the river, but that his hont was so fasteued to, and encumbered with the masses of floating ice, as to be entirely unmanageable. He had neither oar
118
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
nor parldle, and, indeed, if he had, they would have been useless. He was in the swiftest part of the stream, and whirling along, sometimes broadside to the current, and sometimes stern foremost. But his shouts were heard on shore, and his neighbors were not slow in showing their will to help him. They mounted their horses, and armed with coils of rope, rode on to Linden, to head him off, and, as they believed, to rescue him there. But they had miscalculated their strength and skill, for they failed to reach him, and so the swift waters hurried him on.
At Jnysburg, they repeated the the trial, but only succeeded in cheering him by their shouts and assurances of eventual rescue.
Again at Williamsport, he went careering past, wedged nod helpless in the crowded masses of ice, and again they found themselves powerless to do more than to renew the promise to stand by and not desert him. But night bad now closed in, and there could be no hope of rescue till daylight should come, and by that time were would he be? They could not keep him in sight during the hours of darkness, and it must surely be a night of dauger and of suffering-both bodily and mental-to him. There was no bridge across the river at any point nearer than Milton, but the very faet of its distance was an encouraging one, for it was so far away, that he might not reach it until after daylight, and if he could safely pass the Muncy dam, and survive all the perils of the ice and the flood, and the cold, and if the friendly light would come before he renched the Milton bridge, they would certainly save him there. Su the mounted messengers went on, carrying the warning to Muncy aod Milton, and he was unwillingly left to the mercies of the night and the river.
The current was very rapid, and swept him on, till soon he wns nearing the dam at Money. We mny imagine, but we can never know, his anxiety as he approached it, his thankfulness, when he found himself safely past, uur the engerness of his gaze, as he looked in vain to the eastward, over the Money hills, for the first streakings of the February dawn. He was moving on as rapidly as ever, hour after hour passed, it was but a few miles more to the bridge, and the night seemed interminable.
It became evident that he must pass Milton in the darkness, and could now only look for his friends to save him at Lewisburg or Northumberland. He knew they would be there, if they failed at Milton. They would have stood by him to the Chesapeake, if need be!
Suddenly he felt himself moving slower, and soon he was stationary grinding among the loose ice, against the head of Tyler's (now Fisher's) Island, a short distance above Dewart.
In good earnest he set himself' at work, with what means he had, to get in and secure his flut to the island, but, after two or three hours of vain labor, he found his bont and himself moving into the current, and again carried irresistibly down the stream. But it was morning now, and the hard labor wbich he had had, in endeavoring to land the bont, bad moved his blood, and driven away the chill and numbness, so that when he approached the unfinished bridge, and saw the preparations made for his succor, he felt con- lident that his dungerous journey was nearly at an end.
The rescuers, when they saw he would pass in the eastern channel, had gathered upon that section of the bridge with ropes securely looped, and cast over the side-which was very conveniently done, as the bridge had not yet been wenther-boarded. They feared, however, that he would be too much benumbed with cold to secure himself' in the loups, or that he might lose bis hold and drop in the river, after his bont hud pissed from under him. As he came to the upper side of the bridge, General Henry Frick threw him a thick cloak, aml General Hammond, au overeont, so that if he failed to eateh the ropes, he might, at least, have a covering for his chilled limbs. But cont and cloak struck the water, and were carried away in nu instant. He did not need them, however, for, as he emme near the loop, he stood up, grasped it firmly, and, in a few moments, was standing on the floor of the bridge safe and sound, and, it must be snid, but little injured by his Winter- night's voyage down the west branch!
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.