History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 60

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424

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The Milton Knitting Company was organized and incorporated in 1883. The first officers were W. A. Schreyer, president; H. G. Cohill, secretary and treasurer; W. A. Schreyer, R. F. Wilson, S. J. Shimer, S. L. Finney, A. Cadwallader, M. Lieberman, and Joseph Musser, directors. Operations were begun in February, 1889; the product consists of hosiery exclusively. The present president is S. J. Shimer; secretary and treasurer, A. Cadwallader.

Miscellaneous Industrial Establishments include cigar factories, brick yards, etc., which, although relatively small individually, preceptibly increase the capacity of the community to furnish employment, and swell the aggregate of local production. The repair shops of the Philadelphia and Reading Rail- road Company employ several hundred men.

FLOODS AND FIRES.

While immunity from calamity and disaster is the fortunate attribute of a very small number of towns, it is questionable whether there are many that have experienced a visitation of the destructive element to such an extent as Milton in the year 1880. Preceding this were several minor casualties, which may first receive attention.

On Saturday, August 9, 1817, the waters of Limestone run, swollen to an unprecedented height by heavy and protracted rains in the region of its sources, swept away the three-arched stone bridge in Front street; the inn of Mr. Hill, occupied by George Nagle; the dwelling and store house of Arthur McGowan; Mr. Markle's saddler shop; the store house of Daniel R. Bright, and the foundation of his tavern, occupied by Henry Wolfinger; the store house of Moses Teas, and one corner of George Eckert's stone mill. The force of the current was so great that two large mill stones were swept away

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

and never recovered, and a gravel bar was formed at the mouth of the run, extending half-way across the river. Such was the first public calamity ex- perienced by the citizens of Milton.

The river flood of 1847 carried away the middle section of the Susque- hanna bridge, and the great flood of March 17, 1865, demolished that struct- ure entirely, flooding the town and doing considerable damage to stores, residences, and streets. On the 1st of June, 1889, a repetition of these experiences occurred; the bridge was again carried away, residences and stores were flooded and their contents seriously damaged, and the water rose to a height never before attained within the recollection of the oldest inhab- itant.

The great fire of Friday, May 14, 1880, was one of the most serious dis- asters that ever involved an inland town of the size and population of Milton. It originated in the framing shop of the Milton Car Works, just above Locust street, east of the canal and opposite D. Clinger's planing mill, and the alarm was given at fifteen minutes before twelve o'clock by the blowing of the whistles. The day was bright and clear, but a high wind prevailed, and, although when first discovered the fire had just begun, it was rapidly com- municated by the combustible materials of the shops to the dry house and other buildings on the south; burning faggots were carried by the wind directly toward the business and residence portion of the town, and only a few minutes elapsed before several houses and the Lawson and Bickel & Bailey foundries were being rapidly consumed. By this time the alarm had called out the citizens, and heroic efforts were being made to suspend the progress of the conflagration. The utter futility of their work became ap- parent when it was seen that the Reformed and Methodist churches were in flames, and with the increasing volume and velocity of the wind it became evident to the most sanguine that the work of the citizens was utterly inade- quate; telegrams were sent to neighboring places for assistance, and the people, abandoning efforts at united resistance, turned to their houses to save, if possible, their most valuable effects. Families left their homes, carrying with them such things as could be hastily collected, or, in many instances, glad to escape with life and limb unimpaired. At one o'clock in the after- noon the entire district lying between Locust and Broadway had been con- sumed, except the west side of Arch and either side of Front above Walnut. The Academy of Music, Associate Reformed, Methodist, Reformed, Presby- terian, and Catholic churches, with a number of residences and stores and several factories, were in ashes.

The desolating element had also included in the theater of its activities that part of the town south of Broadway; and soon after the Reformed church was found to be in flames, fire was discovered in the postoffice build- ing on the south side of Lincoln park, occupied by the Western Union tele- graph office, the Miltonian, etc. Thence the flames spread to the opposite

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side of Front street, and down that street on both sides as far as the bridge, where their progress in that direction was stayed by the action of the wind and the efforts of the firemen. In an easterly direction, from Front street to the railroad, and from Broadway to Lower Market, scarcely a building re- mained except a planing and flouring mill and a few small houses between the canal and railroad at the Mahoning street bridge. Prominent among the buildings destroyed in this part of the town were the Baptist, Lutheran, and Evangelical churches, the Milton National Bank building, the principal stores and hotels of the town, with a number of residences and industrial establish- ments. Of the business of the place but two small groceries and one drug store remained. In three hours one hundred twenty-five acres had been burned over, involving a loss of property aggregating in value two million and a quarter dollars, six hundred sixty-five buildings of all kinds were con- sumed, and six hundred families were rendered homeless.

Immediate measures were taken for the relief and comfort of the desti- tute. A relief committee was formed, composed of Rev. S. H. Reid, J. F. Bucher, George J. Piper, Robert Riddle, W. A. Schreyer, W. P. Dougal, J. M. Hedenberg, Alem Dieffenderfer, R. F. Wilson, C. C. Straub, C. H. Dougal, George W. Strine, Moses Chamberlin, C. W. Tharp, Daniel Weidenhamer, J. F. Wolfinger, W. C. Lawson, A. Cadwallader, George Barclay, S. L. Fin- ney, W. H. Reber, Cyrus Brown, Jacob Seydell, Frank Bound, and O. B. Nagle, by whom an appeal was issued to the country at large for assistance. This appeal met with a prompt response. Lewisburg and Williamsport were the first to send provisions; the next was a car from Harrisburg, and these, with wagon-loads from the adjoining farming region, supplied the immediate necessities of the people. On Saturday a consignment of tents was received from Harrisburg, and these afforded protection and temporary shelter. Cash contributions to the amount of eighty-seven thousand eight hundred nine- teen dollars, nineteen cents were received from various cities and towns through- out Pennsylvania and adjoining States, and distributed among the sufferers by the fire under awards made by Benjamin S. Bentley, James Gamble, and Samuel Linn, masters in chancery appointed by the court of common pleas of Northumberland county, August 12, 1880. The expenses of this com- mission were deducted from the relief fund, and a small balance, less than a hundred dollars, was placed to the credit of the borough for the benefit of the poor. Assistance from outside sources was also received in the rebuilding of churches, and the legislature made an appropriation to aid the directors in erecting a school building. While the town was thus almost completely demolished, its resources remained substantially unimpaired, and under the energetic efforts of its citizens the work of rebuilding was promptly begun and continued, with such results to the general material, religious, and edu- cational interests of the community as need no amplification here.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

The following is a list of secret societies, with dates of institution or or- ganization: Milton Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M., September 13, 1851; Pil- grim's Encampment, No. 160, I. O. O. F., November 18, 1857, and May 17, 1880; Mutual Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., June 1, 1880; Canton Mutual, No. 7, I. O. O. F., August 17, 1886; Henry Wilson Post, No. 129, G. A. R., April 12, 1881; Hepburn Pollock Camp, No. 21, S. of V., July 6, 1883; Washing- ton Camp, No. 188, P. O. S. of A., March 19, 1886; Milton Castle, No. 265, K. G. E., April 3, 1889; West Branch Council, No. 414, Jr. O. U. A. M., March 12, 1890.

CHURCHES.

The earliest religious services in the immediate vicinity of Milton of which there is any well authenticated account were held by a minister of the Reformed church on the west bank of the river. They were attended by the families of Andrew Straub and others, who crossed the river in boats. The clergyman was from Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church had its origin immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war, and is the oldest parish in the valley of the West Branch. Although its early history is largely traditional, it is well authen- ticated that a rude log building was erected for religious purposes and some interments made on the farm of Martin Kieffer by the Catholics of Turbut township as early as 1787, and before the Indian troubles of the frontier had subsided. A missionary priest would occasionally visit the settlement to cele- brate Mass, instruct and baptize the children, and preach the word of God to the little congregation, thus keeping alive the spark of Catholic faith in the hearts of these pioneer families. Among the pioneers of this faith at Milton and in the adjoining country districts were the families of Martin Kieffer and sons, John and Martin, Morris Lawrence, Jacob Spring, and the Buoys, Cauls, McGees, O'Donnells, Riffles, Avels, Fillmans, Gibsons, McBrides, McEl- arneys, Murphys, Schells, Shadmans, Divels, Walters, Wolfingers, Yoegys, and others. The heads of these families were principally natives of Ireland and Germany, who had left the land of their forefathers to escape both religious and political persecution. Many of them died here and were buried in St. Joseph's cemetery, two miles east of Milton.

Four acres of ground for parochial and burial purposes were finally deeded to Rev. Francis Neale of Georgetown, D. C., by John and Margaret Kieffer, May 13, 1805, adjoining the site of the primitive log church in which the congregation first worshiped, and early in the present century a more' pretentious log structure replaced the old building. The timbers were cut and prepared on Montour ridge by Jacob Spring, and hauled to their desti- nation by John, Dennis, Peter, and Daniel Caul, Dennis Buoy, and other members of the congregation. The building was in the form of a square,

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with the entrance on the northwest, the altar opposite, and a gallery over the entrance. In due time it was dedicated, and placed under the patronage of St. Joseph, by Rev. Francis Neale, who also consecrated the cemetery on the same occasion. A brick parochial residence was afterward erected by Rev. John Fitzpatrick, and many years later an orchard was planted in the north- ern part of the grounds; of the church and residence scarcely a vestige remains, but the orchard is still in a flourishing condition.

Jacob Spring was the most munificent benefactor of St. Joseph's church, and his memory should forever be held in grateful remembrance by the Catholics of the West Branch valley. On the 13th of September, 1836, he deeded to Rt. Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick, bishop of Philadelphia, a farm of two hundred twelve acres in Chillisquaque township, the annual income derived therefrom to be devoted to the maintenance of the pastor of St. Joseph's church. About one half of this farm is under cultivation, and to the wise foresight of its generous donor St. Joseph's largely owes its present prosperity. Mr. Spring also bequeathed at his death sufficient means to build a stone wall around the graveyard, which project was afterward car- ried out.

The priests who first officiated here were from Philadelphia, and the Jesuit Mission of Conewago, Adams county, Pennsylvania. About the year 1820 Harrisburg became a parish, and included this congregation in its field of labors. Subsequently it was attached to Pottsville, and about 1825 Rev. John Fitzpatrick was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Joseph's church. The following is a list of the successive pastors since Father Fitzpat- rick: Reverends Father Curtin, Edward Maginniss, Father McGlorian, John C. Flannigan, Father Fitzsimmons (under whose pastorate the first church at Milton was erected in 1844), Father O'Keefe, John Hannigan, Father Kin- ney, Basil Shorb, Michael Sheridan, George Gostenschnigg (who died while pastor, May 2, 1860), M. Muhlberger, Emil Stenzel, J. J. Koch, Emil Stenzel, M. A. O'Neill, Thomas J. Fleming, Louis Grotemeyer, W. F. McElhenny, and H. G. Ganss, the present incumbent, who became pastor, November 14, 1881.

For more than half a century the congregation continued to hear Mass and have the Gospel preached to them in the successive log churches on the Kieffer farm. But when a new church finally became a necessity it was de- cided to erect it at Milton, as a more convenient and desirable location. Father Fitzsimmons was then pastor, and in 1844 a site was purchased and a church erected thereon, at the brow of the hill on the north side of Broad- way, a short distance northeast of the old Milton Academy. It was a plain brick structure two stories high, costing twelve hundred dollars, and was the place of worship until its destruction by fire, May 14, 1880. A temporary frame building was then erected and occupied until the completion of the present church. On the 1st of March, 1882, Father Ganss bought the prop-

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erty previously known as the old academy hill, lying south and east of the brick parochial residence built by his predecessor, and upon the exact site of the academy he erected the present handsome church at a total expense of about ten thousand dollars. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Shanahan, September 3, 1882, and its dedication took place, September 23, 1883, Bishop Shanahan officiating, assisted by Reverends McBride, Koch, McGovern, O'Neill, and Ganss. Father Ganss subsequently laid out the grounds in lawns and terraces, and the property is now one of the handsomest in Milton. All this was accomplished under the most trying difficulties, but with in- domitable zeal and perseverance Father Ganss carried the project to a suc- cessful completion. The interior of the church is a perfect gem in design and finish, and the whole building is in thorough harmony with the best and most approved ideas of English Gothic architecture. It is conspicuously lo- cated on the old academy hill, one of the most historic spots in Milton, and around which cluster many of the tenderest ties and most sacred memories of pioneer days.

The Protestant Episcopal Church erected the first place of worship at Milton. There were a number of English families in the vicinity of the town at an early date, among them those of John Covert, William Hull, Joseph Marr, - McCurley, Samuel Stadden, and Matthias Webb, who, with the fam- ilies of Hepburn, Rittenhouse, Seydell, and others in the village were early organized as a parish. In May, 1793, Matthias Webb appeared at the dioc- esan convention in Philadelphia as their representative with a petition requesting that Caleb Hopkins might be appointed minister of "Christ church in Turbut township." But as Mr. Hopkins had never studied the Greek and Latin languages, his qualifications were not deemed sufficient, and a committee was appointed to make further inquiry regarding his character and ability. At the convention in the following year Bernard Hubley appeared as delegate from Christ church in Derry township and Christ church in Turbut township, and repeated the request for Mr. Hopkins's services as rector. The committee having reported favorably, Mr. Hopkins was accordingly ordained. He re- sided at that time or at a date several years later at Bloomsburg, Columbia county; East street in that town was laid out by him, and was known for some years under the local name of Hopkinsville. He is represented as a man of tall and portly form, and although not a classical scholar, his dis- courses were often eloquent. His field of labor included that large part of Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties embraced between the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna, with preaching places at half a dozen points, and to his work is justly due the honor of having estab- lished the churches of his denomination in this section of the State.

On the 18th of August, 1795, Joseph Marr donated to Matthias Webb, Samuel Stadden, and John Covert, trustees of the Turbut or Milton "Christ Church," a small field from his farm for the double purpose of a church site

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and burial ground. A small log church edifice was erected thereon, with gallery, and pulpit of the style then in vogue. This was situated on Marr's lane, the boundary of the borough as erected in 1817, and at the site of the present Lincoln Street school house. It was just beyond the original north- ern limits of the borough, but may properly be regarded as a Milton church, although Mr. Hopkins occasionally preached in the afternoon under the trees on the bank of the river above Broadway to a promiscuous congregation com -. posed of his regular attendants at morning service and other residents of the village. The Marr's lane church was occupied until the year 1849, when a brick edifice was erected on the north side of Upper Market street on a lot of ground donated for the purpose by Roland McCurley of Union county. Rev. B. Wistar Morris was pastor at the time, and the dedication occurred, July 17, 1849, Bishop Potter officiating. This was ,the only church edifice that was not destroyed in the great fire of 1880, and was appropriated to the use of the Ladies' Relief Committee during the period of destitution that followed that calamity.

In the year 1820 Mr. Hopkins was succeeded by Rev. Elijah D. Plumb,! who remained until 1826, and from that date the succession of rectors has- been as follows: James Depui, 1826-34; Isaac W. Smith, 1835-36; Joshua Weaver, 1844; B. Wistar Morris, 1847-49; John G. Furey, 1850; William White Montgomery, 1853;, J. W. Gougler, 1858; John G. Furey, 1861-63; Lewis W. Gibson, 1863-64; R. Hill Browne, 1865; J. H. Hobart Millet, Charles A. Vandyke, 1868; George F. Rosenmiller, 1872-73; B. R. Phelps, 1874; George. F. Rosenmiller, 1875-76; Charles L. Newbold, 1876; M. Karcher, 1877; W. H. Johnson, 1881; M. W. Christman, 1890, present incumbent. At various times throughout its history the parish has been without established pastoral service and dependent on the diocesan mission- ary or the clergy of neighboring parishes for preaching and the administra- tion of the sacraments.

Methodist Episcopal .- The itinerant system of this denomination is well adapted to the extension and sustentation of its organizations in sparsely settled districts, and hence at an early period in the history of the church in this section its enterprising clergy had penetrated the valley. of the West Branch and established small but permanent societies. One of these was at Milton, but the exact date of its organization and its constituent membership can not be ascertained, although it is known that the family names of Bennett, Buoy, Chamberlin, Clark, Covert, Cowden, Crouse, Evans, Forest, Gillespie, Goodlander, Harris, Henry, Hetherington, Hougendobler, Huff, Jones, Kepler, Longan, Markle, Mears, Mervine, Murdock, Moody, Patterson, Randolph, Reeder, Strine, Tharp, Sweney, Trego, Wheeland, White, Wilson, Woods, etc., were conspicuous in the early records, although few of them are repre- sented at the present day.

The first services were held at private houses, and the introduction of

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Methodism therefore antedates the year 1796, when the first school house of the town was erected. From that time until 1807 this school building was occupied; in the latter year upon ground donated by Andrew Straub a one- story log church was built on the north side of Lower Market street, and the first ministers who preached here were Reverends Nicholas Willis and Joel Smith. This was the place of worship during the ensuing thirty years, and in a burial ground at the rear many of the older members were interred. The location of the building was somewhat elevated, and as the eastern wall was only partially constructed, there was an open space beneath the floor, in which it is related that a flock of sheep sometimes retired on sultry summer Sundays, confounding the eloquence of the pulpit in a manner scarcely less exasperating than amusing. The story is also told of a clergyman from Virginia, who remarked the number of dogs in the audience and the absence of children, admonishing his hearers that the canine element might well be dispensed with entirely and much more attention bestowed upon the juvenile portion of humanity. These incidents may serve to illustrate the humorous features of the somewhat uneventful current of religious life in an inland village half a century ago.

But the growth of the congregation at length exceeded the capacity of this old church, and in 1837 it was sold to B. Bowers, by whom the materials were removed and converted into a dwelling house on the north side of Lower Market street, which was burned in 1880. A one-story brick church was built on the ground now occupied by Center street where it crosses Fil- bert on the east side of the canal; there was a basement beneath, in which the Sunday school was conducted, and here the congregation worshiped twenty-one years. In 1859 the lot was sold to the borough authorities, and in the same year the third church edifice of this congregation was built on Arch street above Broadway on the lot subsequently occupied by the resi- dence of John J. Fausnaught. In the construction of the second edifice Thomas Evans had been chairman of the building committee and the moving spirit; in the erection of the third this position devolved upon Moses Cham- berlin. The latter building was substantially constructed of brick, two stories in height, without tower or dome, and was the place of worship until destroyed by the fire of May 14, 1880, a period of twenty-one years. As it was thought that a more central location was desirable a site was secured on the east side of Front street below Center, and in the summer of 1880 the erection of the present church edifice was begun thereon. It is a stone structure in the Gothic style of architecture, ample in extent, and conveniently adapted to the various purposes of a large congregation. The chapel was dedicated, November 27, 1881, Bishop Andrews, Reverends Swallow and Yocum, offi- ciating. William K. Wertman, S. W. Murray, and Moses Chamberlin were largely instrumental in the success of this enterprise.

The Northumberland circuit, embracing the entire West Branch valley

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with other extensive territory, was formed on the 6th of May, 1791, at a meeting of the Methodist Episcopal conference at Baltimore, Maryland. Milton circuit was formed in 1841, and this church became a station in 1853. Under these different arrangements the following clergymen have preached in this part of the county and at Milton at the respective dates: 1791, Rich- ard Parrott, Lewis Browning; 1792, James Campbell, William Colbert; 1793, James Campbell, James Paynter; 1794, Robert Mauley, John Broadhead; 1795, James Ward, Stephen Tinmous; 1796, James Seward, Richard Sneath; 1797, John Lackey, Daniel Higby; 1798, John Lackey, John Leach; 1799, James Moore, Benjamin Ridlack, Daniel Stevens; 1800, Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkins, Asa Smith; 1801, Johnson Dunham, Gilbert Carpenter; 1802, Anning Owen, James Aikens; 1803, Daniel Ryan, James Ridgeway; 1804, Thomas Adams, Gideon Draper; 1805, Christopher Fry, James Saun- ders; 1806, Robert Burch, John Swartzwelder; 1807, Nicholas Willis, Joel Smith; 1808, Thomas Curren, John Rhodes; 1809, Timothy Lee, Loving Grant; 1810, Abraham Dawson, Isaac Puffer; 1811, B. G. Paddock, J. H. Baker, R. Lanning; 1812, George Thomas, Ebenezer Doolittle; 1813, Joseph Kinkead, Israel Chamberlin; 1814, John Hazzard, Abraham Dawson; 1815, Renaldo M. Everetts, Israel Cook; 1816, John Thomas, Alpheus Davis; 1817, Benjamin Ridlack, Peter Baker; 1818, Gideon Lanning, Abraham Dawson; 1819, John Rhodes, Darius Williams; 1820, John Rhodes, Israel Cook; 1821, Marmaduke Pearce, John Thomas; 1822, John Thomas, Mor- decai Barry; 1823, Jacob R. Shepherd, Mordecai Barry; 1824, R. Cadden, F. McCartney, R. Bond; 1825, Robert Cadden, Richard Bond; 1826, John Thomas, George Hildt; 1827, John Thomas, David Shaver; 1828, Charles Kallfuss, William James; 1829, James W. Dunahay, Josiah Forest; 1830, James W. Dunahay, Alfred B. Eskridge; 1831, David Shaver; 1832, Mar- maduke Pearce, Isaiah Forest; 1833, Isaiah Forest, J. Reed, Jr .; 1834, Henry Tarring, Oliver Ege; 1835, Henry Tarring, J. Guyer, R. Beers, T. Myers; 1836, Charles Kallfuss, J. T. Chaney; 1837, Charles Kallfuss, John Hall; 1838-39, James Sanks, Ira T. Stratton; 1840, Thomas Taneyhill, William Hirst; 1841, Thomas Taneyhill, James W. Miles - John Bowen, William Hirst; 1842, John Bowen, Thomas M. Reese; 1843, George Guyer, George A. Coffey; 1844, George Guyer, Alfred Wiles; 1845, Alem Brittain, E. T. Busey; 1846, Alem Brittain, J. W. Tongue; 1847, H. G. Dill, J. J. Pearce; 1848, H. G. Dill, B. B. Hamline; 1849, M. G. Hamilton, David Castleman; 1850, M. G. Hamilton, John Moorhead; 1851-52, P. B. Reese; 1853-54, J. S. McMurray; 1855, Franklin Dyson; (Milton circuit: 1853, John Stine, S. Barnes; 1854, Thomas Taneyhill, C. C. Maybee; 1855, Thomas Taneyhill, Franklin Dyson); 1856-57, S. Barnes; 1858-59, P. Rescorl; 1860-61, John W. Langley; 1862-63, Reuben Wilson; 1864-65, George W. Cooper; 1866 -67, S. W. Sears; 1868-69, E. W. Kirby; 1870-72, William A. Houck; 1873 -74, S. C. Swallow; 1876-77, A. D. Yocum; 1878-80, A. M. Barnitz; 1881,

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 60

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829- Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424