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 47
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The Watsontown Bank, chartered by the State of Pennsylvania, March 27th, 1872 ; commenced husinese January 2nd, 1873; A, Pardee, president ; De La Green, cashier. The cash capital paid in was twenty-seven thousand six hundred undl seventy dollars, which, on September 2nd, 1873, had been increased to one hundred thousand dollars, und on July 2nd, 1874, to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. On May 1st, 1874, Mr. De La Green resigned, nud R. R. Claxton, Jr., the present enshier, was elected io his place. The directors meet weekly and exercise a personal supervision over all the bank's affairs. The stockholders are individually liable to the creditors of the bank in double the amount of their stock, and an approved hond of forty thousand dollars is required from the cashier. The surplus fundl is at pres- ent six thousand six hundred dollars.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The only school building standing within the limits of Watsontown, when it was organized as a borough, in 1867, was the hrick-honse known as the academy, standing on First street, a short distance up the rising groundl to the eastward of Liberty street.
A year later, in the fall of 1868, a second one was built hy contraet, on Ash street above Seventh. It is of brick, and its size is thirty by fifty feet.
In addition to the two houses above mentioned, a part of the Methodist Church is occupied by the select grammar school. The number of schools is six, to which the attendance, last winter (1875 and 1876) was four hun- dred and twenty-seven scholars. Within the past year, three lown lots have been purchased, upon which, it is intended to build a school-house of suffi- cient rupacity to necommodate all the schools of the borough.
The present school board is, Daniel C. Hogue, president; Isane Vincent, secretary ; William M. Wagner, treasurer; Oscar Faust, S. M. Miller, Samuel DeArmond.
CHURCHIES, ETC.
First Presbyterian, of Watsontown. Presbyterian worship had been held in the Baptist house, for a considerable time prior to June Ist, 1872, nt which time their church organization was first effected, with William B. Bryson, Dr. Joseph H. Hunter and Sumuel W. Riddles as ruling elders, and Samuel Caldwell, Philip Shay and James L. Schonley as trustees. After this, their meetings were continued in the Baptist Church until April 1873, when they were transferred to the Methodist house of worship, and there they were held for nearly two years. Meanwhile, the erection of an edifice of their own had been decided on, the lot purehused and the building com- menced. It was so far completed, in January 1875, that the chapel wing was then dedicated, and services regularly beld there. The church is a fine large brick building, with slated roofs and spire, standing on the north-west corner of Main und Fourth streets. Its cost was ten thousand dollars.
Preaching was hud by supply, until the installation of their first regular and present pastor, Rev. George Elliott, who also hus in charge, the Warrior Run aud MeEwensville Churches. The Sabbath-school attendance is un average of about one hundredl.
Evangelical Lutheran,-Prior to 1866, the Lutherans of Wutsontown and vicinity, had neither regular place of worship, nor church organization. They had heid services in the nendemy building, from time to time, princi- pally condneterl by Rev. George Parsons, pastor of the Milton charge.
In the Spring of that year, au organization was reached, and officers elected, as follows: Trustees and Elders-Christian Gosh, mul Silas Ram- bacb; Deacons-A. T. Goodman, S. M. Miller; Treasurer, S. Rambach ; Secretary, A. R. Latshaw.
The number of members was forty-six. Rev. Mr. Parsous continued as supply pastor.
Looking towards the erection of a church building, a consultation was held with the officers of the Germnu Reformed Church, and an ngreement made ou July 14th, 1866, for the building of a house of worship, by the two congregations, in Union. Two Ints were purchased, and the corner-stone laid, July 15th, 1866, with appropriate services, by Rev. Jacob Albert. The church was dediented, May 12th, 1867, the Rev. Joshua Evans, of Lewisburg, and Rev. George Parsons, of Milton, being the officiating elergymen.
The first regular pastor was Rev. T. C. Bilheimer, who assumed charge in the Fall of 1867, and continued one year. Ifis successurs were: Rev. Charles Albert (supply,) Rev. - Lentz (supply,) Rev. J. R. Keller, Rev. P. S. Mack, and Rev. S. P. Orwig, the present pastor, who took charge October 1st, 1873. From forty-six members, in 1866, the number has increased to two hundred and twenty. A Sabbath-school was commenced in July, 1874, and now has au attendance of two hundred and fifty, including teachera. Their house is a good brick structure, thirty-seven hy fifty feet in size, with commodious basement for nse of Sabbath-school. It is called "St. Bartholo- mew's Church," and stands on Main street, nt its north-west corner with Fourth.
The Reformed Church was organized in 1865, by Rev. S. H. Reed, of Milton, who preached a short time as a supply. In 1866, the church was connected with the Paradise charge, andl Rev. Henry Masser, became their first pastor. Ile wns succeeded, in 1873, hy Rev. J. K. Millett, who still Inbors with them. Two years after the organization, they united with the Lutherans for building purposes, and erected a substantial briek edifice (" St. Bartholomew's Church, ) in which both congregations still worship. The reformed people have also a Sabbath-school, with a gondly attendance.
The Watsontown Baptist Church .- This is the old Union Baptist Church, of Delaware Run, nudler a change of name, which was made by unnoi- mous consent, November 17th, 1866. Their meetings, however, were con- tinued in the old edifice for several years after.
On July 2d, 1869, a building committee, of which Joseph Everitt was chairman, was appointed to collect funds for the building of a new meeting- house, and to prosecute its erection, which they did with so much vigor, that the new building, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, was dedicated February 26th, 1871, the morning sermon being prenched by Elder T. O. Lincoln, D.D., and that of the evening, by Elder G. J. Brensinger, of Sun- bury, which were so effectual, that seven hundred and seventy-five dollars and fifty cents was received in collections towards freeing the church of the debt which lay upon it, a small portion of which yet remains. From 1866 to 1868, preaching was supplied principally by Elder J. S. Hudson. In June, 1868, Elder A. C. Wheat, M.D., was elected pastor, and served from Novem- ber 7th, in that year, nutil April 1st, 1872. Elder A. H. Emmons followed him, September 1st, 1872, and remained three years, when he was called to Lima, New York.
For a few months, the church was without a preacher, but on January 15th, 1876, Elder P. T. Warren, of Maryland, assumed the pastorate, and is still in charge. The membership is at present one hundred and five.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Watsontown, was organized in 1862, by Rev. Franklin Gearhart, preacher in charge of Milton circuit, in 1862; the membership being fourteen.
In 1863, and 1864, and 1865, the appointment was connected with Milton circuit, under preachers Gearhart, Swallow, Hanghwont, Church, and Shoe- maker. In 1866, it was with Chillisquaque cireuit, preachers King and Chilcoat. In 1867, and thereafter, until 1874, it was Watsontown circuit, with preachers Wilson, Reese, Cleuse, Gearhart, Comp, Olewine, Burnley, and Pemberton; the Rev. John W. Olewine heing its pastor in 1873. In 1874. Watsontown uns made n station, and Rev. John A. Woodcock was appointed the pastor, which he continued to be until 1876, when Rev. Andrew W. Gibson, the present pastor, assumed charge.
During the pustorate of Rev. John W. Olewine, and through his earnest efforts, a church building was commenced, and so far completed, in 1872, that on the 10th of November, of that yeur, the basement-story was dedi- cated by Bishop Rowman. It is n good brick building, forty-five by seventy feet, standing on Third street, east of Main.
Previous to the building of this edifice, services had been held in the Academy.
The church membership is about two hundred. Their Sabbath-school attendance is over two hundred scholars.
The Young Men's Christian Association had its origin in the deep religious fervor engendered in its members during a week of prayer, in Watsontown.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
They at once proceeded to organization, which was effected in the first days of January, 1876. Their officers are: President, S. A. Speddy; Vice Pres- ident, William Bedford; Secretary, G. A. Lippincott; 'Treasurer, Oliver Leiser; Corresponding Secretary, C. C. Follmer.
They meet for prayer and religious advancement at the building associa- tion room, Miller's building, on Friday evenings, and in the different churches on Sabbath evenings.
The Watsontown Cemetery Association was incorporated November 5th, 1866. The officers clected were: President, George Burns; Secretary, A. B. Latshaw; Treasurer, Silas Ramhoch; Managers-Joseph Hollopeter, F. S. Whitman, A. B. Latshaw, Peter Schaeffer, Silas Rambach, D. S. Kramer.
The ground is a tract of eight acres, lying in the form of an almost per- fect rhomboid, upon the hill, on the north side of First street, above the Academy. It is enclosed by a paling fence, and the main entrance is ou First street. By the plan, it is divided into twelve blocks, but of these ouly eight are actually laid out.
A main avenue passes longitudinally through the centre, and is ornamented with circular mounds, planted with firs and arbor viter. Other avenues divide the blocks, and pass entirely around the margin of the ground. The Jots, within the blocks, are divided by foot paths, and a considerable number of shnde trees have been planted. The first interment there was that of Mrs. Joseph Everitt, and the second was of Mrs. George Buras; while among the first transfers from the old burying ground were those of the remains of de- ceased members of the Watson family, made by their surviving kinsman, Juhu L. Watson, Esq., of Miltou. The subsequent burials have been quite numerous, and there are many handsome monuments erected.
The old Presbyterian Burial Ground at Watsontown, dates back a full century. For, in an old log church that stood there, services were beld by Rev. P. V. Fithian, ou the 16th of July 1775. The exact date of the first interment is not known. The oldest legible inscription, is one " sacred to the memory of Jenny, wife of John Wilson, who died March 6th, 1787." Her husband survived her twenty-six years (February 15th, 1813,) and, during that time, married again. His second wife also lies beside him. An old but luxuriant mulberry tree is growing over their graves, and an ancient, crumbling wall, of rough stones, imperfectly encloses them. A similar rough, dilapidated wall surrounds the graves of the Ferrin family, who lived in Delaware township, above Watsontown. These have no inscriptions, and even the stones are hardly visible. There is a very pluin inscription opon the headstone of Daniel Stocks, who died April 16th, 1844, aged 71 years. David Bly, father of Captain John Bly, was interred there April 25th, 1827, but there is no lettering, and the grave is hardly recognizable. A very small stone, bearing the almost illegible letters " J. Il." marks the Inst rest- ing place of Jane Huff; the daughter of Charles Huff of Union County, who was himself' buried there in the year 1863. His, was the last interment; and so, after ninety years of use, the old ground was abandoned, and most of the remains were taken away .- It is n green nook, almost surrounded by the water of the Lumber Company's basins, and deeply shaded by old locust, onk, and walnut trees.
Mr.EWENSVILLE BOROUGH.
The first settler within the territorial limits, at present embraced in the borough of MeEwensville, was John Quigley, who came there about 1805, and built a log house on the spot where now stands the dwelling of John P. Benrd, on Main street, nearly opposite the Reformed Church. Here he com- meneed the trade of plough-munker and carpenter, at which he was reasonably prosperous, for there was a good demand for work in his enlling, among the Montgomerys, the Vincents, and other substantial farmers at Paradise, War- rior Run, and other parts of okdl Turbat township. In this way, he continued until 1812, when he moved up the river, after selling his property and his business to a Mr. Stalnaker, who kept up the trade till the time of his death, in June, 1813. After Quigley enme, other settlers followed, and among them was Alexander MeEwen, un unmarried Scotch weaver, who arrived in 1809. and first lived at the house of Thomas Wallace, a former of the vicinity, and who afterwards, during the thirty years of his residence, became a man of so much note, that the village (when it grew to be one) received his name.
Three years after his coming, the last war with England was declared, and then, ns be had, or elaimed to have had some experience in military matters, he obtained the endorsements of' Dr. James Dougal and General Giffin, and
having, by these, sveured a Captain's commission, he entered the army under General Scott, and was present nt Lundy's lane. At that, or another en- gagement occurring nenr that time, he was made prisoner, and remained in the hands of the enemy until the close of the war.
When Jobn Quigley built his house on what is now the main street of the borough, and when MeEwen came there, a weaver, a magnificent pine forest covered more than the entire site of Mr. Ewensville, but it was particularly heavy where Rev. George Elliott's residence now is, and also at Peter Jones' black- smith-shop, near where the Covenanters built their place of worship. From this, not only did the " Pines" Church receive its appellation, but the entire locality hecame known as Pine Grove, a name which clung to it for years, even after the Post-office Department bad set the seal of official recognition upon the name which the town now bears.
While Captain MeEwen remained a prisoner of war in Canada, it would sectu that he found some means of adding to his wealth, for, although in 1812, he had lett Pine Grove with very little of this world's goods, yet, on his return there, in 1815, he at once opened a general store on the main thoroughfare, and became apparently prosperous. On June 11th, 1818, he announced himself a candidate for the office of Sheriff, and added to the manonneement the following Nota Bene : " It is the usual manner, of elec- tioneering for the above office, to apply personally to the elector. This, in my opinion, is insulting to the elector, and mean in the candidate. Of course I will not adopt it. I hope my not doing so will not be considered as any disrespect to my fellow-citizens." Surely it seems as if his theory of candi- dacy was the correct one, but the voters of Northumberland County evidently liked the solicitation, or what accompanied it, and did not think the eustom more honored in the breach than in the observance, for, notwithstanding the honorable course pursued by the Captain, they refused to elect bin Sheriff.
The year before Captain MeEwen established the first store, at Pine Grove, William Moritz had opened the first public house in a log building which he built upon the spot where is now the furniture manufactory of MeLain & Brother, near the south end of the town.
In IMIG, Isaac Baker also built upon the highway, and opened a tavern, which, two years later, he sold to a young man, twenty-six years of age, who had been a miller, nt George Eckert's, in Milton, as well us at the Hower mill, on Warrior Run, and who, having taken unto himself a wife on the 15th day of September, in that year, at once ocenpied his newly-purchased house, and commenced business as an inn-keeper. That young man was Henry Reader, now the venerable ex-sheriff of' Northumberland County, who, at the age of eighty-four years, is still living in the same house to which he took his bride on that Autumn evening, fifty-eight years ngo.
The mania for tavern-keeping, which seems always to rage with pectdiar violence in embryo towns, now showed itself in Pine Grove. In 1820, when there were not, within the present borough lines, more than seven houses, all told-two of which were taverns-Captain MeEwen's ambition moved him to become aa inn-keeper, too ; so he built the third hotel, which, with him- selt as landlord, became, in a short time, the principal hostelry of the place. It still stands there, upon the main street, directly opposite the head of the Watsontown road. Upon its wenther-beaten sign (perhaps the same which its ancient military landlord placed there) is a painted picture, labelled as representing " General George Washington." Its present host, Mr. H. J. Render, nephew of the ex-sheriff; is the senior publican of the County, hav- ing been in the profession continuously for thirty-seven yems.
MeEueu, though an uneducated man, seems to have been well thought of by numy of the best people of that dny, who often called at his iun and be- stowed their patronage.
Long before there was n post-office there, the mail-couch, passing up and down the Northumberland road, made his house its stopping-place, nud thus materially enhanced its consideration. It was there, in 1825, at a military dinner, that the town first received its name. The event was then considered un important one, and was mentioned at length in the newspapers of the day. Early in that year, Adam Farver Ind laid out, and offered for sale, a considerable number of "village lots," on the road which is now the main street. Probably his sales were very meagre, but they drew publie attention to the place, as will be seen.
Cump Calhoun and the Christening of the Town .- On the 25th of October, 1825, a military encampment, of the Independent Battalion of Volunteers, was pitched at "Camp Calhoun," u short distance from Pine Grove. Lieu- tenant-Colonel James S. Dougal commanded, and his Majors were: Robert H. Hammond and John Montgomery. The batallion was composed of "the Northumberland Troop of Horse, Captain Anthony Arrustrong; Milton
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Guards, Captain Henry Frick; Warrior Run Infantry, Captain Wm. Ful- kerson; Lewisburg Guards, Captain Jackson McFadden; Union Guards, Captain James Finney, and the Lafayette Artillerists, Captain John Lud- wig." The reviewing officer was Brigodier- General Idam Light.
In reference to n portion of the ceremonies, the following is found in the Miltonian of November 5th, 1825: " After the review of the Independent Battalion of Volunteers, on the 28th of October, Captain Alexander McEwen inviteil Brigadier-General Light and his staff, the field-officers of the bat- taliou, and several respectable citizens, then on a visit to the cump, to partake of a dinner with him. After much conversation, it was observed that n new towu was about to he laid out in the vicinity of the camp-ground, and the inquiry arose, what was the town to be named? No one could tell. But we think the following sentiment, given as a volunteer tonst, by General Light, will be sufficiently indicative of what it ought to be called. The toust was loudly and must heartly applauded hy the company.
" By Brigadier-General Light-' Camp Calhoun-May we shortly have the satisfaction of seeing a new and flourishing village, situate in the imme- ' diate vicinity of Camp Calhoun, and may it be appropriately named Mc Ewen~ville !'
"By Captain Frick-'The town plot just laid out by Adam Surver-let the blank be filled with MeEwengrille, and may the town inerense with the exartness, neatness and rapidity of Camp Culliun, and vie with her more flourishing neighbors, Milton and Penusborough !'
" We have long been persuaded that n town ought to be laid out in the neighborhood of Captain MeEwen's. The people in that vicinity might easily have a post-office established there, which they would find very udvan- tageous."
It was prophetic. The newly laid-out town did receive the name in honor of the Captain. The establishment of a post-office followed, and the first post- master was Alexander MeEwen.
On the tenth day of December, 1827, John L. Watson moved from Wat- sontown to MeEweasville, and built the brick residence and store now oveu- pied by General Armstrong, and also the warehouse just above there. Ilis firm was Watson & Vincent, and they did a very heavy business in the purchase of produce, and sale of general merchandise. Mr. Watson lived in the town until 1840, when he removed to Danville.
A similar business was soon after commeneed by William Hayes and Robert H. McCormick, their style being Hayes & McCormick. They occu- pied a large store, on the west side of the main street, and directly opposite MeEwen's hotel. In the rear, upon the Watsontown road, was their ware- house.
Not only did the business of these firms prove profitable to themselves, but, for many succeeding years, the town experienced a rapid growth, and an importance in the trude of the surrounding country, equalled by no other business point between Northumberland and Money ( Milton alone excepted ).
In this year, too, (1827,) the first daily mail-coach commenced running through the place, and this, of course, ulded considerably to its activity. The proprietors were Joseph Hall and James Iluling, and this was the com- pleting link in the daily mail service between Harrisburg and Williamsport.
In 1833, MeEwen>ville received a new dignity, in the election of Henry Reader to the office of Sheriff of Northumberland County. This he held until 1836, and, in his absence during that time, at the county sent, the business of his tavern was managed by his brother, Michael, who died in the present year, at Turbutville.
About this time, the affairs of Captain Mr.Ewen became seriously involved, and the sale of his establishment became a necessity. It was purchased by several of the citizens, in shares of one hundred dollars ench. After MeEwen left the house, it was rented to John Egner, and afterwards to Mr. Eekbert, who, at one time, kept the "Spread Eagle Tavern," at Milton. These rentals covered about three years.
The Shedden School .- In 1842, Rev. S. S. Shedden, a Presbyterinn clergy- man, who had been a pupil of Kirkpatrick, at Milton, opened a subscription school, in the upper story of the foundry building, now occupied by Samuel Gray. Later, it was moved to the north wing, nud lower Hour, of the same building. This school, under charge of Mr. Shedden, continued for ahout ten yeurs. It stood very high in publie estimation, and its success, as an educator, was most distinguished. It is doubtful whether-with the single exception of the famous Milton Academy, under Kirkpatrick-it has ever known any superiors, or even equals, among the schools of Northumberland County. In the list of its students, are found many who have attniucd distinction; not only in Pennsylvania, but in other and distant States.
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The writer recollects, a few months ago, meeting a gentleman, u prominent citizen of Kansas, who had been oue of its first pupils. He spoke with evi- dent pride and uflection of the school, and his old preceptor, and, as he recurred to those years of his boyhood with the natural and justifiable tenderness which we all feel in such retrospeet, it seemed to him that in all Pennsylva- nia there never was nuother such a teacher us Mr. Shedden, nor such an alma mater as the okl " Foundry School," at MeEwensville.
"'T'in," or "Teeny" Robinson, was the widow of William Robinson, who had lived three miles northward from MeEwensville, nud, at his death, she removed into the southern part of the village, where she turned many an houest penny, by the sale of beer, cakes, and "kickshaws." The pupils of the Shedden school regarded her moilest shop as almost an institution of their own, and her relations to them were much the same as those which the famous " Benny Havens" bore for so many yeurs to the cadets at West Point. As long as they live, they will never forget the delicious sweetness of her cakes, nor the unrivalled sparkle of her beer.
The Me Ewensville Acodemy .- After the closing of the Shedden school, the project of an academy was conceived by a few of the citizens of the town, and they neted so promptly upon the conception, that, late in 1852, a commo- dions brick building (owned by private stockholders) was completed, at the north end of MeEwensville, and opened as a classical-school, under charge of C. L. Rypearson, (one of Dr. Shedden's pupils, ) as principal. Under his administration, the school received a good patronage, and achieved an euvi- able reputation. At the end of eight yenrs, he was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Hudson, After him, the Academy was successively in charge of the following gentlemen, as principals: Nelson Wagoner, Julius Reimeusnyder, Allen Albert, George Horner, and John Showers.
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