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 49
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The Turbutville Cemetery is an enclosed ground of five-and-one-tenth acres, well situated on the main road, to the north-east of the town, and just out- side the limits. It was incorporated in 1867, the owners and managers being Samuel Leinbach and B. If. Barto. It is divided by the usual avenues and foot-paths, aud is laid off into four bundred and eighty lots, of which seven- teen are reserved for the free burial of the poor.
The first interment within it, was the wifo of Daniel Menges; the next, Mrs. William Levan; and the third was William Dentler.
The plank-walk from the town is extended as far us the cemetery. Thrifty maples are growing along its front, and a considerable number of evergreen- trees have been planted within the enclosure. It is the intention to inter- sperse these with ornamental, deciduous trees, which will add greatly to its beauty.
SNYDERTOWN.
This town derives its name from the venerable Jacob Snyder, who, soon after the war of the Revolution, eut a road through the wilderness, and settled, with a large family, about one-half mile above the present site of the town that, in its name, honors the memory of the hardy old pioneer.
Somne difficulty has been experienced in establishing the date of Mr. Snyder's advent into this section, his grandson, Barton Boughner, from whom the information is derived, maintaining that the first improvement was made by his grandfather about 1807 or 1808. The burden of testimony would establish about the date given above. The Lewis family, and some others, bad settled, previous to the close of the war, above Snydertown, and the safe preeminption woukl be, that this location, which was peculiarly eligible, was not left until twenty-five or thirty years afterwards. Again, Mr. Snyder's attention was directed, very soon after his settlement, to the building up of improvements of a publie character, and it is found that, within a short time after his settlement, he erected, on Shamokin Creek, near liis residence, n saw and grist-mill, a distillery, and linseedl-oil factory. These properties were not assessed as late as 1786, and, as it is not probable that the lynx-eyert revenue officials would overlook such valuable acquisitions to their assessment- book, the presumption again would be, that they were not built until about 1790. Mr. Snyder touk up a large tract nf land in the vicinity of Snyder- town, and set to work making a home in the wilds. The improvements built by him, have long since gone to decay. His son Jacob, a few years after- wards-probably about 1807-built a saw and grist-mill, near the site of the town, on the realty now owned and occupied by Jesse Genser.
Mr. Snyder was a public-spirited citizen, and early selected the spot where now stands the flourishing little town, and gave grounds for a church, school- house, and cemetery. On this ground a log-house was erected, which, for many years, served for school-house and church. This house was raised, and in its stead the frame building, now standing, near the Methodist Church, was built by Barton Boughner. This house served all denominations for a sanctuary, and, until the completion of the Methodist Chapel, was the only oue in the place. This chapel was erected, abant 1860, hy the Methodists.
Godfrey Rockefeller was another early settler here, having moved in a few years after Mr. Snyder, and located near his place. Mr. Rockefeller's son is still living in Sunbury, who, at the age of eighty-six, guides the compass and chain us unerringly as when a youth of twenty. His grandson, the Hon. Mr. Ruekefeller, orcupies the position of President Judge of the North- umberland County Court. Edward Colket built the first log-house in Spydertowa, where now lives Jackson Barriger. Peter Rockefeller opened a hotel about 1810, where William Farrow now dispenses good cheer to those who are ahungered or athirst; Mr. Rockefeller undoubtedly had a good stand for his business. At that time, mills were searce-farmers came a long distance to get their grain ground; and, in those duys, furmers were proverbially dry, and the bquor, then manufactured, having none of the poisonous properties which now make it as destructive to human nature as powder and lead, Mr. Rockefeller found abundant patronage.
James Alexander, another early settler in Snydertown, opened the first store, about 1812. The house built and occupied by him, was burned in 1870, and the more portentions edifice of Pencil Brothers erected in its place. A store, established near the railroad by Mr. Startzel, and still owned by him with the Pencil Brothers, forms the only trading-places in Snydertowu. There are now in town one blacksmith-shop, Que shoe-shop and one coach- maker's-shop. A large brick school-house has been erected in the past twelve years, which furnishes, in the second-story, a room for the society of Odd Fellows. This society is the oldest in the neighborhood, and for many years held its meetings at private houses, and wherever a suitable room, sufficiently retired, could be obtained.
Just west of the town, on the road leading to Sunbury, stands the German Reform and Lutheran Church. Many years ago, these societies, who generally, in the County, are united in the erection of their bonses of worship, assem- bled in a small frame-house, then standing in one corner of their cemetry, opposite the present imposing structure. This house becoming too small, in 1869, they unitedly built the brick church, which, in architectural design und finish does eredit to any locality. Their cemetery is tastefully laid out, occupying a sloping loention, near the church.
Snydertown is now in tri-daily communication with the outside world, by means of the Shamokin branch of the Northern Central Railroad. in May, 1872, upon petition of its citizens, the territory for some miles around was erected into a borough, since which time the place has steadily improved ; roads have been built, and well-cared for.
138
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ELYSBURG.
The location of Elysburg is peculiarly charming. After crossing over mountains and through vales, from the summit of a high hill, the view sud- denly is arrested by a beautiful scene, spread ont like a panorama, at the foot of the hill. Fifteen miles from the river, among mountains that offer but little attraction to the traveler, and, doubtless, much less to the husband- man, is situated the little hamlet, which, in earlier days, was christened Elys- burg. The valley has the appearance of a huge basin, with a spont on one side, surrounded by hills which renr themselves like huge walls, to guard the peaceful homes chistered at their base. Fields, waving with grain, lot the hills; farms, fringed with the dark-green folinge of the forest, form the filling- in to the background of a picture seldom seen and enjoyed from one point of observation. The town itself is beautifully situated, and has been built up by n people of cultivated taste. The houses are fine architectural specimens, and everything within and about indicates comfort and abundance. The surroundings and interior of the place all tend to impress one with the feeling that an earthly Eden, where the fell destroyer, Satan, has not yet come, has been reached. This delusion deepens when the entire absence of the blighting stain, left hy whisky, is observed.
The lands on which the town now stands were originally improved by a family named Campbell, some time before the Revolution, who were exten- sive landed proprietors in the County. The farms on which the town was built, were owned by Mr. Ely and Mr. Campbell. Mr. Ely built a house here in 1810 or 1811, which is still standing, in good state of preservation, on the farm then owned by him. Mr. Benjamin Campbell built where Mrs. Gulick now lives, about the same thne. On this spot the ancestors of Mr. Campbell resided anterior to the Revolutionary war, from whenee they were driven by the Indians, but subsequently returned. The plan of the town was originally conceived about 1825, hy Mr. Elisha Barton and Davy Dodge.
The first store in the place was started by John Irvin, abont 1815. He kept in the building now occupied by Mrs. Noble. His assortment was generally exchanged for such harter as the people could gather. Mr. Irvin dropped from view after a few years, and his place was filled by Meers. Fisher & Higgins, emigrants from New Jersey. Fisher soon returned to Jersey, and Mr. Higgins passed on into the future, to exchange his experience in this world for the uncertainties of the next.
The town now bonsts of three stores, all selling general merchandise of all kinds, except, liquid lightning. A tannery was started near the site of the town, nbont 1830, by Mr. Barton. This tannery has not been operated for forty years. The tannery was built on the lot now occupied by Charles Tietsworth. Mr. Hull started a taunery ahout 1836, about one-half mile from the town, where now stands the extensive establishment operated by William and Franeis Pencil. Schools had been established and sustained here before the close of the seventeenth century. As early as 1810, Mrs. Reeder, and some others still living, attended school where the brick school- house now stands. Now a fine public school-building and an academy grace the town. About 1840, the Methodist Society erected the first church-build- ing in Elysburg. Since that, the Presbyterians have erected a new brick edifice. Religious meetings were held in the neighborhood many years be- fore, in school-houses or any other place open to religions assemblages, The Methundist Society now numbers not less than one hundred members. The Presbyterian about bfty, ench ahly supported by regular pastors.
A foundry was started about 1860, that does sufficient business to supply the demands for their products.
The town now contains about forty residences-not a shabby-appearing house in its limits-and a population of about two hundred; a post-office, but no hotel. Its location is ubont fourteen miles from Sunbury ; Dine miles from Shamokin, un Little Shamokin Creek, one-and-half miles from its confluence with the Big Shamokin. Two blacksmith-shops and two wheelwright-shups.
GEORGETOWN.
This town is beautifully situated on the left bank of the Susquehanna River, seventeen miles south of Sunbury, and thirty-eight north from Harris- burg. The view from this place borders on the romantic. Spreading out in front with a width of nearly one mile is the Susquehanna, dotted with islets, onee the abuse of the aborigines of the country. Buck, rise the hills, run- ning with a gradual ascent from the river bank to an elevation of some bundred feet, just rapid enough to form good drainage. The site was selected
for a town by John George Brosius, and under his direction laid out by William Gray, D.S., in 1798, thus ranking next to Sunbury in age as a town. The land was patented to Thomas McKee, by the Penn Government, in 1767. It was sold by order of the Court of Northumberland County, September 27th, 1773, to William Dunbar, and by him sold the same day to Subastian Brosius, who, by will dated 1789, demised the same to his son John George Brosius, the originator of the town. The house built by Mr. Brosius is still standing, and now occupied by Tobias Long. Mr. Brosius erected a grist-mill on Stone Valley Creek, near his residence, the first in this seetion. This mill, although built abont 1777, is still stnwling.
The first settlers of Georgetown and vicinity were Germans, and the popu- lation of the day is largely mule up of their descendants, who cling to the enstoms and language of their Faderloud with wonderful tenacity, and evince a fondness for home and its associations that it would he well if Americans generally would imitate. Daniel Rothamel emigrated here prior to 1795, and after some years opened a hotel in the same building, now occupied hy his grandson, who keeps the house known as the Railroad Hotel. The first house erected on the site of Georgetown was built by John Borell, on the site now ocenpied hy Esquire Bubb's office. The first store at which the people could secure their favorite weed and rum, was started by George Brosius about 1810, in n house then standing where Mr. Spotts now lives. There are now in the place three hotels, two stores, one suw-mill, and one tin-shop, and a post-office. The Philadelphia & Erie Railroad passes through the town, but thus far no station has been built. The original schools of this section were somewhat primitive in character, and supported entirely by subscrip- tion. The opposition to the free-school system was very strong, and for many years the large mass of the people fought resolutely against the obnoxious innovation-as they viewed it-and at each successive election voted no schools, hut hetter counsels, or strategy rather, at last prevailed, and a board of school directors were elected, who at once attempted to set the wheel of pro- gress in motion by missing a resolution looking to an early opening of the schools, upon the free system. David Seiler, B. M. Bubb, Anlam Lenker, Franklin Markley, mil S. B. Heigh constituted the first board chosen in 1865. The opposition was still strong, and it was only by almost superhuman exertions that the efforts of the faithful few were at last crowned with suc- eess. In January, 1866, the last ohjection had been successfully met, and the schools were started with a good corps of tenchers. The German Reformo and Lutheran Church was organized about 1846, from the old Stone Valley Church-a house erected and pastor employed. This is the only church edifice in Georgetown. The place was once the site of a prosperous Indian village, and many relies are every your exhumed in excavating for wells and cellars. The savages held on to the town with great tenacity, and many years elapsed, und many white scalps of its early settlers dangled from the belts of the white man's foe, before the territory was seenred for the peaceful occupation of our ancestors. .
SOUTH DANVILLE.
This place is located on the north branch of the river Susquehanna, imme- dintely opposite Danvdle, known the world over as the great iron mart, with which city the town is connected by a bridge over the river. The land on which the town is located, belonged originally to the heirs of Harmon Gear- hart, and was Inid out in 1870, by W. F. Gearhart. The first house built in the new town, was by Andrew Drutther. The first store in South Dan- ville, was started by A. J. Lober. The town is regularly Inid out, and ocen- pies a high and healthy location, overlooking its more portentious neighbor neross the river. The place now contains forty to forty-five residences, one brick school-house and one hotel. The Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre Railroad passes through the town, affording daily communication with Snn- bury, and markets east. The bridge across the river here, has had its share of mishups. On the 17th of March, 1875, the water raised to an unpre- cedented heighth, owing to an ice-gorge formed below, and backed the water up to a level with the bridge, and carried away the entire structure. A new bridge was built at once, having been completed within four months from time of commencement, by the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, Ohio, at an expense of forty thousand dollars.
In Rush township, aud but a few rods from the line of South Danville corporation, stands the flouring-mill of H. B. Crane. This will was com- pleted in the Fall of 1875, and is complete in all parts. The cost was about twelve thousand dollars. A coal-yard, operated and owned by W. D. Wood- ross, is located near the mill. One of the institutions of South Danville,
PLATE XXX.
D" C. I. KRICKBAUM.
RES. OF O. H. OSTRANDER, RIVERSIDE, NORTH! CO., PA.
139
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
that should not be passed by, is the file-cutting manufactory of Mr. Rosen- stein. In this establishment, one of the happiest and merriest Teutons in the Commonwealth, will, in the short space of fifteen minutes, with a small chisel and large hammer, renovate an old file, and make it equal to the best. His files have well earned for him a wide reputation.
HERNDON.
This town is of recent origin, having been laid out about the time of the completion of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The land was owned by George Seiler, who enrly saw the advantage of position, and as soon as the railroad became a fixed fact, be laid out the town, and sold the plot to the railroad company. The place now contains one licensed hotel, one tem- perance house, and two stures. The post-office was christened Herndon, in honor of the brave Captain Herndon, who, us master of an Aspinwall steam- ship, lost his life in an effort to save his ship, off Hatteras Shoals. The luen- tion is pleasant and healthy.
PAXINOS.
This place, for a century, had becu in the enjoyment of a Rip Van Winkle state of' lethargy which promised to he perpetual, and it doubtless would have shimbered undisturbed for all time, if the quick eye of its present pro- prietor had not di-covered in its central location, its eligibility, the nucleus fur a settlement and prospective business centre. In the Summer of 1874, Dr. MitHlin, son-in-law of Jacob Leisenring, commenced the improvement>, by erecting tenement-houses, shops, and finally a three-story brick hotel, which wonhl do credit to muy Inenlity. This improvement necessitated un expenditure that the appearance of the place would scarcely justify at that time, but the good judgment of the ruling spirit has been well attested by the experience of the present. As before stated, the location is central ; rouils from all important points nenr converging, and drawing through here a vast amount of travel. The only communication with the extensive coal regions of Shamokin, from the west, is by road through Paxinos. These coal regions afford n market for the products of the farms and gardens, along the Susque- hanna and its tributaries, senrcely equaled by the large marts of Philadel- phin and suburbs. The scenery around the town is somewhat grand. Lofty hills reur their heads on all sides, as if contending in majesty with the clouds. These balls are peculiar in that they all have the appearance of individuality, shouting up prominently in ienluted peaks, but all connecter in one continuous range, which encircle the little basin where the town is located, and are dlesig- nated as Shamokin Hills.
The improvements of the place consist of a blacksmith-shop, wheelwright- shop, shoemaker-shop, store, hay-scales, and last, but not least, the hotel. This last is worthy of more than passing notice. The location as described is somewhat isolated, and would seem, to the eye of the stranger, to be too much outside of the world to justify the erection of such an edifice as now graces the town. It was built by its present proprietor, of material tound in the immediate locality. The brick were manufactured from clay dug from the flats, where n bed six feet in depth, of finest brick-clay, is found. The finishing is all of untive timber, cut from the bills adjoining. The external and internal arrangements of the house are complete.
Limestone was iliscovered in excavating for the foundation of the hotel, which will be opened and burned for agricultural purposes, for which there is a large demand. For the origin of the name and first settlements, see Annals of Shamokin township.
RIVERSIDE.
Riverside, situnte ou the south bank of the north-east branch of the Sus- quehanna River, and opposite Danville, was laid out in 1869, and incor- porated into a borough by an Act of Assembly, Muy, 1871. The contour of the lund is gently sloping towards the river, soil fertile, water good, location desirable, and scenery attruetive, The site of the town'embraces about three hundred acres of land, originally taken up and surveyed, under patents to Elijah Weed, Isaac Craig, and others, as early as 1769, and at that periud formed a part of Berks County. In 1868, one hundred and thirty acres of the above aren wus purchased from William Hancock by Thomas Beaver, Daniel Morgan, B. G. Welch, aud J. H. Torrence, and by them divided up into town lots.
The idea of founding a town so near to Danville, was considered by the Solons of the neighborhood as an impracticable seheme, but, contrary to such expectations, two-thirds of all the lots were sold within two years, at prices varying from sixty to one hundred and fitty dollors for each lot, on the plan of ten per cent., cash down, and balance in thirty-six monthly instal- ments, at six per cent. interest. The first house erected on the town site was built by William Spotts, in May, 1869, and occupied by him shortly afterwards.
During this year, a number of houses were put up and occupied by their owners, In the year 1870, some twenty or more cottage-houses were erected aurl occupied. At this time, the need of better school accommodations being apparent, a few enterprising citizens advanced the menns for the construction of a large and substantial two-story brick building, costing four thousand six hundred dollars, and rented the same to the school district, until such time as they would be able to purchase it.
There still being an active demand for town lots, William Faux, an ad- joining land-owner, made an addition of thirty-two aeres to the original plat, and disposed of the same in blocks and sections, in a few months rcolizing a handsome profit.
In the Fall of the year 1870, B. G. Welch, and others, purchased the adjoining farms of C. P. Gearhart and F. G. Van Norstran, laying on the south side of the public roadl leading to Sunbury, containing about one hundred and forty acres, which were subsequently laid out to conform to the general plan of Riverside; und, about the same time, Daniel Leiby laid out an allition of twelve acres, on the west side of the town, making the entire aren, embraced within the limits of the town, nearly three hundred and fifteen arres. In the year 1871. the town was incorporated into a borough, A post-offive was established here by the department at Washington, and many new buildings were erected. At this time an effort was made, by the friends of the Methodist congregation, who were holding their meetings in the schuul-house, to secure means for the building of a chapel. In the carlier part of the following year, a sufficient zum bad been raised, and work was commenced. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1872, with appropriate ceremonies, mund the chapel dedicated to the service of God in December, of the same yenr. This denomination has necomplished a great deal of good in the community, many new members having been received into the church since its erection. Rev. Alfred 8. Bowman was the first pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. James 'T. Wilson, the present incumbent.
During this yeur (1872), a bridge and boiler muunfactory was built hy the National Iron Company, of Danville, amt lensed to William H. Law, a master mechanic and bridge-buikier. This mannfactory hns turned out many excellent wrought-iron bridges, which are now spanning streams in Lehigh, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and other counties of the Commonwealth.
Among other branches of business carried on in the place, may be meu- tioned Keim's brick manufactory, the Riverside Dairy Company, wird Cliffe's green-house and nursery.
About the time the town was laid out, David Cliffe, an experienced florist and landscape gardener, settled here, starting a nursery on a small scale, gradually enlurgiog his business operations, until the name of Cliffe, as cou- neeted with the growing of flowers, plants, and trees, has become quite familiar to the country around.
Benutitully located ou the high ground, in the south-east part of the hor- ough, is the Mount Vernon Cemetery, and near which stil stands what is known as the "Old Gearhart Church."
The school district, in 1873, obtained an act from the legislature, author- izing the issue of six thousand dollars, in six per cent, bonds, to purchase the building rented for school purposes, and to buy additional ground.
The present imlebteilness of the district does not exceed three thousand four hundred dollars.
Owing to the financial panie of this year, business in every branch of trade became depressed, and has so continued for the past three years.
The growth of the new town has been retarded, and with the exception of a few cottage residences of the better class, but few notable improvements buve heen maile.
At this time ( 1876), thero afe within the borough limits seventy buildings, five of which are brick.
The assessable value of town property is one hundred and three thousand dollars, and the population of the place, four hundred.
The people of Riverside have evinced commendable taste in the building of their houses and fences, in the planting of many trees, and in the general adornment of their grounds. In fact, no town of equal age within the Com- monwealth enn boast of better or more substantial improvements
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