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 57
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The incursions of the Indians becoming very frequent, and these ontrages so ularmi- ing, it was determined to carry into the country occupied by them, the same system of destructive warfare, with which they visited the settlements. For this purpose an adequate force was provided, under the immediate command of Gen. Brodieail. The troups pro- ceeded up the Allegheny River, und at Rrady's Bend a battle was fought, and the Indians were routed, many were killed on the banks of the river and in the stream.
Io Alman's American Remembrance, will be found the official report of Brodlieud's expedition up the Allegheny in 1779.
An expedition was made above the Conewango, atul the Indians scattered, their cabins and corn burnt and destroyed, The Indians were thus quieted for some time, but spies were kept out to watch their motions and guard against sudden attacks, on the set- tlements.
In 1780, an expedition was set on foot to proceed uguinst anil destroy the Indian towns on the Coshocton, a branch of the Muskingum River. Wheeling was the place of rendezvous, and the comunind conferred upon Col. Brodhend. As part of its opera- tions, it is related, that "it was secretly and actively pushed forward, till they surrounded one of their towns, before the enemy were apprised of their danger. Every man, wo- moo and child were made prisoners, without the firing of a gun." The prisoners were taken to Fort Pitt and after some time exchanged for an equal number of captives held by the Indians.
" About six miles below Warren, near the month of Brokenstraw Creek, in Warren County, is the town of Comoplanter. On the flats below the village, ance stood an Indian village, called Buckaloon, which was destroyed by a Detachment under Col. Brodhead from Pittsburg in 3781. It required u siege of some days to drive out the Indians, who retreated to the hills." (Itis. Col. p. 653.)
Washington, in a letter dated April, 1779, directed Col. Brodhead to make preparo- tions for a Winter expedition against Detroit, but January 4th, 1780, he again wrote to him countermanding the order, in consequence of the operations against South Carolina, and his ability to reinforce Fort Pitt in case of a disaster. By another letter dated Feb- rnary 4th, 1780, he again declined a compliance with Col. Brodhead's renewed solicita- tion for a detachment to enable him to march to the reduction of Detroit ; ou the ground, that his " regular troops would ab be needed to co-operate with our French Allies, and that militia too capricious to attempt anything with them which depend upon more than a very short time to accomplish the object." On the 13th of October, 1780, be again writes from "Camp near Passaie Falls." "The smallness of your force will not admit of an ex- pedition of any cansequence, had you magazines. You must therefore, of necessity, con- fine yourself to partisan strokes, which I wish to see encouraged." This letter also states that, "the State of Virginia are very desirous of an expedition against Detroit, and would make great exertions to carry it into execution," For reasons above given the project was abandoned.
At the close of 1781, Gen. Brodhead was transferred to other duties, and his further military acts cannut now be traced. The army was reorganized, probably from expiration of service, fir in 1783, his signature as made to the organization articles of The Society of the Cincinnatti, is " Daniel Brodhead, Col. Ist Pennsylvania Regiment," anil Samuel Brady's, n ho served under him nt Fort Pitt, appears as Captain 3d Pennsylvanin Regiment.
This Society, July 4th, 1791, appointed n committee of three-Thomas L. Moore, Francis Johnson and Daniel Brodhead-to take proper measure, for obtaining an Act of Encorporation, which was subsequently obtained. The original formation of this ecle- brated Society, was made on the 10th of May, 1783, at "Cantonment of the American, on Huden River," by the general officers of the army, Major-General Baron de Steuben presiding.
On the 3d of November, 1789, he was elected by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, Thomas Mifflin President thereuf, to the office of Surveyor-General of the Commonwealth. This office he heid for several successive terms, ani most all of the bound surveys in Wyoming will be returned to him as such.
He was minrried a second time, nnil Mrs. Rebecca Mifflin, the widow of General Samuel Mifflin, was his second wife; but there was no issue by this marriage.
Her death occurred at Milford, (then) Wayne County, November 15th, 1809, at the age of abont serenty-three years. In 1871, his remains were removed from the old grave- yard to the beautiful new cemetery there, and a monument to his memory as a soldier and civilinn, erceted by his surviving descendants and connections, who are numerous and scattered throughont Pennsylvanin nnil other States.
COL. THOMAS HARTLEY.
Among the many heroes of the Revolutionary times, there are none who deserve to be more gratefully remembered by the people of the Susquehanna Valley, than he whose name huls this sketeh. After the big runaway, the settlers manifested great reluctance nt returning, until Col. Hartley took charge of the defenses of the frontier. His dispo- sition of troops was effectual.
Ile planned, and effectually carried out an expedition, the purpose of which was to carry the war into the enemy's country, destroy their towns and places of rendezvous. An extract from his report to Congress, given below, furnishes the soldiers of the present with a elear perception of the trials of the troops of the Revolution.
Col. Hartley was born in Berks County, September 7th, 1748. He studied law, and commenced practice in York. At the breaking out of the war, he entered the army, and soon beenme distinguished. He was a member of Congress from 1788 to 1800, und held various offices within the Commonwealth, He died, December 21st, 1800, uged fifty-two ycars.
JUDGE THOMAS COOPER.
There are few people living in Northumberland County, who have not heard of Judge Thomas Cooper, and something of his trinl, before the Senate of Pennsylvania, sitting as a court of impeachment, for sundry offenses, committed, or alleged to have been committed, against the dignity of the Commonwealth, while Judge of Northumberland Court. Some of those charges, as judged by the light afforded by the experience of the past fifteen or twenty years, appear exceedingly trivial, and to-day, with the rulings of a Busteed or Durant before us, they would not be noticed. Mr. Cooper appeared well able to manage his own ense, and, in his reply, takes up the charges in detail, answering them fully. The various counts in the arraignment have been resurrected, and are herewith published in full :
First charge .- That he has in many instances fined, and even immuredl in prison, men of respectability, for no other fanlt than a mere whisper.
Second charge .- Ile has imprisoned n respectable citizen, for wearing a hat in cen- formity to a religions habit. The much injured citizen, in this case, wus John Hanna, who was ut one time Commissioner of Lycoming County. Publie sentiment of to-day, would nequit Judge Cooper on this charge.
Third charge .- He has, after passing sentence on a felon, from mere hearsay, called hini from prison, and pronounced a second sentence, increasing the penalty.
Fourth charge .- He has, unauthorized, decided important ports in n cause in which he was interested in a pecuniary view.
This is effectually disposed of by Judge Cooper, whose statements are substantiated by William Montgomery, one of the Associate Justices of the Court at that time.
Fifth charge .- He has set aside the verdict of a jury, in an intemperate and pas- sionate manner, and declared that he would do the same in every successive verdict, in the same enuse, unless it corresponded with his opinion.
Sixth charge .- He has frequently brow-beaten counsel and witnesses, to the great injury of parties concerned.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Seventh charge .- He has appeared in Court, armed with weapons, colenlated to nie the peaceful citizen.
Eighth eburge .- Ile hus often refused to hear persons in their own defense.
Ninth charge .- He has issued n proclamation against horse-racing, and afterwards, by the solicitation of his friends, ordered 4 suppression of the proclamation, and told them that no legal notice should be taken of the concern.
Tenth charge .- lle has fined and imprisoned n constable for neglecting to execute a process, which was issued contrary to the constitution and Inws of the country, as after- wards determined by the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth. This is the whole ground of offending on the part of Judge Cooper. It would probably be difficult to find 80 monch ridiculous nonsense wrapped up in a few words, as is embodied in the ten charges against Judge Cooper. His answers are full, und must have been sufficient in the minds of an unbiased Court, to acquit him of any wrong intent. William Montgomery, asso- cinte with Judge Cooper, closes an able defense of his superior, in these words:
" I must sny on the whole, that although sometimes one or more of the assistants have differed in opinion with the Judge, he has either submitted cheerfully to their opinion, or, when having a minjority, the opinions of others of the judges has been treated with decorum and decency, and when he differed in opinion with any of the gentlemen of the bar, he has left them freely to take their exceptions. As to an improper brow-beating of counsel, witnesses, ur parties, I do nat recollect of being a witness to it.
Signed,
February 12th, 1811.
WILLIAM MONTGOMERY."
Charge second was n strong point against his honor in the Democratic duys of 1810. A correspondent arraigns him in the following strong language: "He has signulized his career by a regulation, than which a more tyrannical one never was made by the Otto- man prince, or Asiatie despot ; it is pulling off' the hat upon entering court." John Hanna, the offended citizen, who was imprisoned as charged in second count, priblishes, over his own signature, his views :
" The judge and the nose-biting doctor, muny combine to buy plantations, drink Maderia, and carve turkies, but they had better not combine to publish for truth whint every one knows to be false. If it be right for Judge Cooper to fine and imprison me for wearing my own hat, let us sce the law and constitution to justify it.
Northumberland, 26th of February, 1811.
JOHN HANNA."
The committee of the Senate to which was referred the case of Mr. Cooper with the evidence, som up the case and report as follows: "Your committee for the prennses, nre. of the opinion that the official conduct of President Judge Cooper, has been arbitrary, unjust and precipitate, contrary to sound policy, and dangerous to the pure administra- tion of justice. They therefore submit the following resolution: Resolved, Thut n com- mittee be appointed to draught an address to the Governor for the removal of Thomas Cooper Esquire from the office of President Julge of the courts in the eighth judicial district of Pennsylvania." In accordance with above resolution, Judge Cooper was removed by Governor Snyder. Mr. Cooper was a man of letters, und of nttainments well qualified to creditubly fill any station in life. Ilis overbearing temper, the unre- stroining of which involved him in this disgrace was probably the only cause of com- pluint. The liberty-Joving Democracy of the Susquehanna, could not hrvok such auto- gance from an aristocratic Englishman and his judicial decapitation followel.
The following testimonial as to his worth and attainments, written fifty years after his removal from office, probably unveils the whole secret of his persecutions, in the claim that he lived in advance of the age. Ilud Judge Cooper presided on the bench of Northumberland in the last three ileendes of the nineteenth century instead of the first, the same characteristics which marked him as a tyrant then, would enlist in his behalf the encomiums of all law-abiding citizens of his judicial district. Mr. Penree in his admirable history of Luzerne County says. Thomas Cooper succeeded Jucob Rush as President Judge of this district in Angust term 180G. Mr. Cooper was born in England and came to NortInimberland County, soon after Dr. Priestley. IIe practiced! law in Luzerne County before his appointment as judge. Ile was a man of learning and of sprightly imagination. IIe wns in advance of the age in which he lived, in his knowledge of mineralogy and geology. Ile corried with him a hammer and acids and was testing the qualities of different specimens, and was believed, by some persons, to be impaired in intel- lect on that account. Hle was the firm friend of freedom, and his boll pen caused his imprisonment under the Alien and Sedition low. After his release, Governor MeKein appointed him one of the commissioner, to carry out the Compromise Law of 1799, and to his energetic action were doubtless due the quiet and harmony, that speedily ensned in the long troubled and unhappy valley of Wyoming. He was impeached and wrote a pani- phlet in his defense, which perfectly demolished the whimsical bosh that was offered in evidence against him at his trial. He died in South Carolina in 1839, grently respected as a gentleman und scholar.
JOHN BOUBNE.
This gentleman is the present Chief Burgess of the borongh of Sunbury, He wns bora in Germantown, Pa., June 10th, 1822. Hle was left fatherless at the age of seven. When about sixteen, he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, for which he possessed a special talent.
In 1842, the family located in Stmbury, and young Bonrne found employment at his trade in the machine-shops of the Danville and Reading Railroad Company, until 1850. Hle then returned to Sunbury, and superintended the erection of the foundry and machine- shops of E. Y. Bright, and filled the position of foreman in the same, till 1853. From this time, until 1857, he had charge of the steembont Susquehanna, that plied on the river, between Northumberland and the Shamokin Dam. Hle there became engineer upon what was then known as the Philadelphia and Sunbury Railroad, between the lat- ter place and MIt. Carmel. Upon the completion of the Northiero Central Railway, in 1858, he engaged with that company, and ran the first passenger train between Williams- port and Lock Haven, and was retained on the same road after it had passed into the hanils of the Sunbury and Eric Company. In the Spring of. 1863, he returned to the employ of the Northern Central Railway Company, and remained io the same until 1874. He won the reputation of being one of the most reliable and safest engineers on the line, and during an experience of some twenty years n engineer, there occurred no serious injury to any passenger or employee,
. In March, 1845, he married Miss Charlotte, daughter of Daniel Baldy, of Sunbury. His family consists of four sons and three daughters.
Mr. Bourne was educated in the Henry Clay school of politicians, and is a staunch member of the Republican party. In February, 1875, he was placed in the responsible position he now occupies as Chief Burgess, and is filling the same with honor.
For many years, also, he has been nn influential member of the Town Council. Mr. Bonrne is n man of strong convictions and of strict integrity; speaks what be means, and does not hesitate, when necessary, to give expression to his opinions.
REV. JOIIN J. BEIMENSNYDER, A. M.
This gentleman was born in Angusto County, Va., June 2d, 1812, and was educated in the schools of the South. He received the degree of A. M., From Roanoke College, Va, and, at the age of twenty, was ordained as a minister of the Lutheran Church, and continued such for n perioil of twenty-two years.
In 1851, he came to Pennsylvania, and wus pastor of the Lutheran congregation, in Milton, till April 1st, 1854, when he resigned on account of a severe affection of the throat.
On June 1st, 1854, he was elected the first County School Superintendent of North- umberland County, and in 1857, was honored with a re-election and an increase of salary. These two terms of service embraced six years.
In 1860 and 1862, he received the nomination for Congress from the Democratic County Conventions, but each time conceded the same to one of the adjoining counties of the district.
In 1863, he was elected Prothonotary of Northumberland County, and served two terms-six years in all.
Ile subsequently turned his attention to the how, and nus for a fine under the in- struction of the llon. Alexander Jordan, before whom he was examined for admission to the bar, on March 14th, 1876. Of his preparation for this position, Judge Jordan asserts that Mr. Reimensnyder passed the most brilliant examination of any candidate for the bar, that he ever had before hnu during his experience of twenty years on the bench, Though somewhat late in life, Mr. Reimensnyder, nevertheless, has entered npon the profession of the law with the decided advantages of a liberal culture, and an extended literary experience, which, coupled with a thorough legal preparation are promising omens of his professional miecess,
When Mr. Beimensnyder first entered on the duties of County School Superin- tendent, he had much to contendl with that is not experienced hy school officers of the present day. But, undaunted by opposition, he addressed himself to his work in good earnest. He held institutes in the principal towns, delivered educational addresses in various parts of the County, and stirred up the people by articles in the county papers, and niso in the Pennsylmanin School Journal, some of which were necessarily of a contro- verinl nature.
On May 3d, 1838, Mr. Reimensnyder married Miss Susan M. Bryan, of Angusta County, Va., and bas n family of eight children. The oldest son, Cornelius, is un Atturney in Toledo, Ohio. Junios B., is a Lutheran pastor, in Savannah, Georgia ; and John Milton is pastor of the Lutheran Society, in Lewistown, Pa. The fourth son, George B. Reimensnyder, was Deputy Prothonotary for his father during the latter's second term. In April, 1871, he entered the Becuriler's office as Clerk, and in Decem- ber, 1872, was promoted to Dequity Recorder, and held the office till April 1st, 1876, when he resigned for the purpose of completing his studies for udmission to the bar, for which he will be well fitted by his lung experience in these county offices, as well as by his neknon ledged talent for the profession.
The youngest son, Millard Fillmore, is in the Drug business in Coatesville, Pa.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
PROF. WM. M. BOAL.
This young gentleman is the present Superintendent of the Public Schools, of North- umberland, Pn. He was born in Centre County, this State, July 25th, 1848. When he was eight years of age, his father's family moved from Pennsylvania to Johnson County, ) Iowa, where they still reside.
In 1863, young Bonl returned to Pennsylvania, spent a couple of years at the Acad- emy, in Milton, and about a year at the Bloomsburg Normal School, after which he entered Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa, He was not able, however, on account of pecu- niary considerations, to complete the college course, having been, since the age of fifteen, dependent upon his own efforts for support.
Accordingly, in 1872, he entered the teacher's profession, taking charge, for a year, of the District Normal School, in Columbia County. This was followed by a two years' principalship of the Academy, at MeEwensville.
In the Spring of 1875, Prof. Boal was brought forward by his friends, as candidate for County School Superintendent, and though his name was urgently pressed, the Pro- fessor modestly declined the proffered compliment.
In the Aution of the same year, he became the Superintendent of the Public Schools of Supbury, and in the Summer of 1876, was called to the position winch he now occupies in Northumberland. Of this change, the Northumberland County Democrat, published at Suubury, very appropriately says:
"We very much regret that he is going to leave us. Ho has been with us but one year, and in that short time onr schools have attained a much higher grade than at any time in the past. His strict discipline, always administered with the utmost impartiality, and his thorough methods of instruction, have gained for him mony warm friends among those of our community who appreciate eduention and are capable of judging and appre- ciating the merits of a teacher. He is a christian gentleman and a thorough classical scholar. We congratulate the Board of Directors for their eminently wise selection, and the citizens of Northumberland for having a Board of Directors who seek to serve so well the interests of their constituents.""
DANIEL M. SCHWARTZ.
The subject of this notice is the Clerk of Commissioners of Northumberland County, Pa.
Ile was born in this County, on the 24th day of July, 1830. He was renred upon a farm, and enjoyed only the limited facilities of the ordinary Winter term of the early-dny common-school. By improving such advantages as he had, however, he fitted himself to teach, and, at the age of sixteen, taught a Winter school, in the vicinity of his home. For quite a number of years subsequent, he employed his Winters in the same manner, teaching in Schuylkill, Monotour, Dauphin, and Northumberland Counties.
Bring of a mathematical turo of mind, he turned his attention to surveying, in which he was more or less engaged for some twelve years.
In 1858, he was elected Justice of the Peace, of Jordan township, has been re-elected cach terin since, and still holds the position, which fact is a gratifying testimonial to his popularity, as public magistrate.
On November 12th, 1854, he was married to Miss Susanna Coleman, daughter of Solomon Coleman, of Schuylkill County, Pa. His family consists of two daughters.
In 1872, he was appointed Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, of Northumberland County, aml held the office one year, when he was succeedled by an occupant of a different political complexion,
In 1875, he was aguin appointed to the position which he now ocenpies.
'Squire Schwarte is a genial, accommodating gentleman, and a good citizen.
PROF. SAUL SHIPMAN.
This gentleman was born in Northumberland County, Pa., January 4th, 1844. Ranred to labor from his early boyhood, he had but few educational advantages.
In Angust, 1862, when ahont eighteen years of nge, uml weighing only one hundred and three-and-a-half ponads, he entered the army is a volunteer for nine months' service. After his discharge, at the end of this term, being in too dleliente health for hard labor, he took a preparatory collegiate course, in Freeburg Academy, under the instruction of Professor Wm. 11. Dill, but his limited means prevented him from going further.
In 1864, he commenced his pedagogical career-in which he has become very promi- nent-by taking charge of a public school in his own district.
In 1869, he was elected County School Superintendent of Northumberland County, and re-elected in 1872, serving six years in ull. In this position he made a very efficient officer. Characterized as a hard worker, he followed up what he undertook with an energy and perseverance worthy of imitation. Punctual in all his appointments, he allowed nothing to interrupt their fulfillment, but frequently walked miles to fulfil engagements. Ile has the reputation of having been the most efficicut examining officer that ever filled the position of School Superintendent of this County ; also, the credit of having held the best series of institutes ever held in the County.
By his thorough course he greatly elevated the grade of certificates. In the Summer of 1870, he condueted a Normal School at Shumokin-the first movement of the kind in this section of the country-which proved a gintifying success,
The annual reports prepared by him ure concise, pithy, suggestive, and outspoken documents, and form a valuable contribution to the county school literature.
L'nder his administration, all the so-called non-accepting districts wheeled into the educational ranks, and some of them now have excellent schools.
Mr. Shipman is an independent thinker, and very positive in his opinions and actions, and too conscientious to be justiy calleil a time-server.
HENRY E. DAVIS.
This enterprising young gentleman is a brother of J. K. Davis, Jr., just noticed, und second son of James K. Davis, of Selinsgrove. He was born in that place, June 7th, 1845, and educated in the Selinsgrove Missionary Institute.
At the uge of twenty he began a business career, to which he has since devoted him- self. Ilis first experience was a two years' clerkship in a store in his native town. This was followed by a position as salesman in the New York Branch Empire Mercantile House, in Mendville.
In 1867, he entered the First National Bank, of Sunbury, where, for some two years, he served in the capacity of elerk. At the expiration of this time, he was compelled to relinquish this position on account of ill health,
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