USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. from a period preceding its settlement to recent times, including the annals and geography of each townshipAlso a sketch of woman's work in the county for the United States sanitary commission, and a list of the soldiers of the national army furnished by many of the townships > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
The events of the last thirty years are presumed to be too fresh in the public mind to render further itemizing necessary, and the record is now left to some future annalist. A few dates, however, may be acceptable.
The second large fire occurred in May, 1851, and swept the western side of the avenue, with the exception of one house on each end, viz., Searle's and Webb's.
The fire of November, 1854, was still more destructive ; commencing in the harness shop of A. Baldwin (where is now the drug store of Burns & Nichols), two houses east of that were burned-James Eldridge's large building and Mason Wil- son's store; then westward the stores of Bentley & Read, A. Turrell, and the dwelling of I. L. Post, then the only brick building in the place-and crossing the street, the residence of Judge I. Post, and all the buildings south on both sides of the street to the house of Mrs. Turrell and the storehouse of S. F. Keeler.
A week later the old "Farmer's Hotel"-once Howell's, Fuller's, and Hinds', etc., was burned. Before the next fire, No. 2 Fire Company was organized, and, like the first, com- prised many of the business men of the place. About 2 o'clock in the morning, March 19, 1863, the old foundry of S. H. Sayre & Brothers was totally destroyed by fire. The 'Re- publican' of the same week stated that the establishment had added $100,000 per year, for three years, to the prosperity of our business population. Its destruction was a great loss to the community. But, with favors from some of the liberal- hearted, the firm were able to re-establish themselves, and to extend their business. In 1870, they manufactured and sold seventy-five Hubbard mowing-machines, fifty with reapers at- tached-also repaired about two hundred in addition to their other business.
ยท The following is the number of hands employed by Sayre Brothers, in each department of the foundry : machine shop, 9; blacksmith shop, 3; wood shop, 6; moulding room, 13; clean- ing room, 2; painter, 1; steam-mill, 1.
Early in February, 1866, the Keystone Hotel, Wm. K. Hatch, proprietor, was burned. It stood upon the site of Mr. Sayre's house, which had also been burned fifteen years earlier, and had
331
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
been occupied by him as a residence several years, before he sold it to Mr. Hatch.
On the 26th February, 1870, Searle's hotel, also a bookstore in which the fire originated, and the express office were burned -the buildings all owned by L. Searle.
At present there are four fire engines in the place, two of No. 1 Company, one of No. 2, and one of the " Wide Awake" Company, who use the engine first brought here.
In addition to the manufactory and foundry of the Sayre Brothers, Montrose and vicinity has a fork factory, woolen mills, a " building-blocks" factory,1 eight dry goods and general merchandise stores, four shoe, and two jewelry stores, six groceries, three eating saloons (no liquor), two drug, and two hardware stores, four blacksmith shops, three insurance offices, three milliners, three or four mantua-makers, three liveries, three wagon shops, two tanneries; two shops of each of the following: cabinet-makers and undertakers, carpenters, turning and scroll-saw, coopers, saddle and harness, barbers, news- dealers ; also, two hotels, two meat markets, and two printing- offices ; one shop of each of the following : light-cabinet, pattern, upholsterer, and marble dealer; one banking house, a book- bindery, an ashery, an express office, and a photograph gallery ; thirteen lawyers' offices, two justices', six physicians', and one dentist's.
The court-house and jail are both fine structures.
A machine for bending hay, straw, and manure forks of every
1 The blocks were invented in December, 1866, and patent issued February 5, 1867. A few small sales were made in December, previous to granting of patent.
Early in 1867, the blocks were shown by Mr. Crandall, the inventor, to Bar- num, of New York, who was so much impressed with their novelty and beauty that he gave them a place in his museum, where they remained on exhibition for several weeks. By this time the demand for them had so much increased that the attention of Mr. Crandall was required at home in the invention and perfection of adequate machinery for their production. That year the sales amounted to about ten thousand dollars.
In January, 1868, a contract was made with the publishers of the ' American Agriculturist,' of New York, Messrs. Orange Judd & Co., for the sale of all the blocks manufactured, which amounted in that year to about thirty thousand dollars.
In October, 1868, Mr. George Welles Comstock, of New York, became a partner in the business, and the firm is now C. M. Crandall & Co. About twenty thousand dolllars' worth of toy railway trains will be manufactured this year. The market for these, as well as the blocks, is principally found in New York, from which, through the regular channels of trade, they find their way to every State in the Union. A few days since you might have seen in New York a case of Crandall's blocks marked for Australia, and several more for Liverpool, Eng- land. Messrs. Crandall & Co. will cut up this year about 200,000 feet of bass- wood lumber, and some 65,000 feet of hemlock boards will be required to make the packing-cases. About forty regular hands are employed this year. The factory is the second, or upper story of Sayre Brothers' foundry building, and is 40 feet wide and 250 feet long. Twenty circular saws are in operation, and other machinery in proportion. [From ' Republican,' 1870.]
332
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
description has lately been invented by G. R. Lathrop, and is now in use in the fork factory.
M. T. Jackson has lately obtained a patent for a carriage top; and H. L. Beach for a scroll-saw.
The population of Montrose by the census of 1830, was 415; in 1860, it was 1263, and in 1870, 1463.
The Montrose and Bridgewater Poor Asylum has been in successful operation for the last five years; and affords a com- fortable and pleasant home for our poor.
After the passage of the act of incorporation in the spring of 1864, the directors purchased a farm in Bridgewater town- ship, containing one hundred and twenty five acres, at a cost of $4357 ; also stock and the necessary farming implements. Not- withstanding this " enormous expense," the debt and interest have been paid ; additional personal property has been pur- chased; the paupers in both districts have been kept for five years, and now the property-real and personal-is worth $8000; all paid for at the rate of eight mills on the dollar of valuation, on an average each year-and this too, without resorting to the indictable offence of selling the keeping of paupers to the lowest bidder.
HON. ALMON H. READ.
Almon Heath Read was born at Shelburne, Vermont, June 12, 1790. He remained at home with his father, working on the farm, until seventeen years of age. He then entered Williams College, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1811. During his collegiate course, on one of his visits home, he gave his views on political affairs, favoring a Democratic policy ; and his father, a stern old Whig, threatened that unless he gave up his Democratic notions, he would take him from college, and set him to work on the farm. It appears, however, that after his graduation he studied law for two years in Albany, where his political notions were not disturbed.
In 1814, he was drafted into the military service, just before the battle of Plattsburg, and arrived there the day after the battle; his company was dis- banded, and thus suddenly ended his military career.
Soon after, he left his home in Vermont, on horseback, with a pair of saddle-bags, and a few dollars in his pocket, for the State of Ohio-then the far West-where he expected to settle. But, on reaching Mott's tavern on the old Newburgh turnpike, in New Milford township, the roads were nearly impassable, the mud being knee-deep to the horse. He learned that one of his young associates, Col. Wm. C. Turrell, had settled a few miles south of Montrose, and he concluded to turn aside from his route and spend a few days with him, hoping the roads would improve, and that he might then pro- ceed on his journey.
On reaching Montrose, which was then a new county-seat-the first court having been held the year previous-he was prevailed upon to remain, and was offered the position of clerk to the county commissioners. He applied for admission to the bar of Susquehanna County ; but the only settled (?) lawyer then in practice here, objected, as he had not pursued the requisite course of study in accordance with the rules of Pennsylvania courts. He was therefore compelled to enter his name as a student. in the office of Judge Scott, of Wilkes-Barre. Very soon after, the objection was withdrawn, and he became a regular practitioner.
333
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
In 1816, Mr. Read married Miss Eliza Cooper, of Southampton, Long Island, and then settled permanently in Montrose, where he prosecuted his profession1 (at the same time holding the office of county clerk, from January 1, 1815, to January 1, 1820), and became much interested in the pro- gress and growth of the town. He took a lively interest in the establish- ment of the Academy, and later, when the temperance movement was first agitated, he became one of its warmest supporters.
It does not appear that he took any prominent part in politics until about 1827, when he was elected as Representative.
In 1828, he was not a candidate, but was elected in 1829, '30, '31, and '32.
In 1833, he was elected State Senator and served for four years. He was soon after elected State Treasurer, which office he held one year, and was then elected a member of the convention to revise the Constitution of Penn- sylvania. He took a prominent part in this convention. After its close, the chairs occupied by the members were sold at public auction. The one used by Mr. Read was sold for $14 (being the first choice), and the remaining one hundred and thirty-one seats for prices varying from $3 to $10.
Soon after he accepted an invitation of the citizens of Erie County to a banquet at Erie, and they there presented him with a beautiful oak cane, having upon it six silver plates bearing the following inscription :-
Presented by the Democratic citizens of Erie County, to
Almon H. Read, for his dis- tinguished services in the
Convention to reform the
Constitution of Pennsylvania.
Commodore O. H. Perry's Victory, Lake Erie, Sept. 11, A. D. 1813.
" We have met the enemy and they are ours."
Taken from the Flag-ship Lawrence, Aug. 4th, A. D. 1838.
His name was sent by Gov. Porter to the Senate, as President Judge of one of the Western Judicial Districts of the State; but the Senate being equally divided between the Democrats and Whigs, the vote was a tie; and his nomination was not confirmed.
In March, 1842, he was elected to Congress to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Davis Dimock, Jr .; and, in the fall of 1842, he was re-elected for the years 1843 and 1844. In Oct. 1843, his wife died, after a short illness ; and soon afterwards, whilst on his way to Washington, he took a severe cold, which terminated in consumption, and which, during that session, prevented him to a great extent from participating in its deliberations. Even his po- litical enemies esteemed him a pure legislator.
During his sickness at Washington, in order to show his regret at having been a politician, he said to his son : " Never accept an office from the peo- ple. I have always been successful whenever my name came before the electors, for fifteen years, never having been defeated, and all I have ever received as compensation is this (holding up his Erie cane), and a few news- paper puffs ; leaving my family in a far different position from that which
! He was often called the " honest lawyer," from the fact that he was never known to engage in a case for a client, unless he honestly thought him in the right; and always discouraged the petty litigation so prevalent at the present day.
334
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
they probably would have held, had I pursued my profession ; besides de- priving myself, for a great portion of each year, of the comforts of a home."
Mr. Buchanan having called upon him and inquired after his health, he replied he hoped to be well enough to start for home in a few days. Mr. B. urged him to stay in Washington, as it was a better climate than the north for consumptives ; but he replied, "Mr. Buchanan, you have no children, no home-ties ; I desire to go home and die among my children."
He predicted that the slavery question would soon result in a terrible struggle between the North and the South.
Although very feeble, he succeeded in reaching home about the first of May, 1844, and on the third of June following he died, in the 54th year of his age.
The Hon. B. A. Bidlack pronounced a eulogy in the House of Represen- tatives upon the character and services of Mr. Read, in which he said : " He was possessed of a strong, vigorous, and cultivated intellect, which enabled him to be a distinguished member of all the deliberative assemblies with which he was associated, so long as the health of his body permitted the free and full exercise of the powers of his energetic mind."
Mr. Read was in politics a Democrat of the old school, as opposed to the Whig party.
HON. WILLIAM JESSUP.
William Jessup was born at Southampton, L. I., June 21, 1797. He graduated at Yale College, 1815. Three years later, he, with several others, left his native place for Montrose, and entered the law office of A. H. Read, Esq. The following winter, he taught the first term of the first academy here. He was admitted to the bar, February, 1820. In July of the same year he married Amanda Harris, of Long Island.
He held the office of register and recorder for the county by appointment of Governors Shulze and Wolf, from January, 1824, nine years, and declined a re-appointment in 1833. In 1838, he was appointed, by Governor Ritner, president judge of the eleventh judicial district of Pennsylvania, which then comprised the counties of Luzerne, Pike, and Monroe. "Upon the acces- sion of the Hon. John N. Conyngham to the presidency of the adjoining district, a transfer was made by the legislature of the counties of Luzerne and Susquehanna, that accommodated both judges in respect to residence. Upon the expiration, in 1848, of his first constitutional term upon the bench, Judge Jessup was re-appointed by Governor Johnston to the district then composed of Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming. Here he continued to preside until the term again expired in 1851 ; prior to which he had been nominated by a State convention of the Whig party, as one of the five judges of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth, but that party was, as usual, defeated at the following election. He then returned once more to his favorite profession." In this he was actively engaged until disabled by paralysis, in the year 1863. In 1848, Hamilton College conferred upon him the merited degree of LL.D.
As a lawyer, " he was quick and persevering, a strong advocate both with the court and with the jury, winning success with the former by the clear- ness and correctness of his legal knowledge, and with the latter by the force of his character, the fairness and strength of his argument." The first authority quoted, says : "One of his most brilliant forensic triumphs may be reckoned his defence of the Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, upon the charge of heresy, before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church."
The second authority continues : "His judicial course was characterized by great ability, clearness, impartiality, and a stern adherence to integrity and uprightness. As a citizen, he was a person of great public spirit, liberal in his views, and generous in his gifts, both of time and money, for the pub- lic welfare. He was affable and courteous in his bearing to the humblest of
-
335
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
his acquaintance. In politics he was strongly Republican, and entered into the prosecution of the late war with zeal."
The temperance movement, the interests of the oppressed, the cause of education, and the advancement of agriculture received his early and con- tinued hearty co-operation.
He joined the Presbyterian church of Montrose, September 3, 1826, and was ordained a ruling elder of the same, August 2, 1829. "It became almost a proverb," as stated in a discourse preached at his funeral, " that the pungent sermons of the pastor were fitly supplemented by Judge Jes- sup's glowing arguments and pathetic appeals."
"Much that is noble in the development, achievements, and position of many persons is directly attributable to him."
He was widely known and highly honored throughout the New-School branch of the church to which he belonged; but nowhere did his Christian character shine with greater lustre than among those who knew him best. He became vice-president of the A. B. C. F. M., and cheerfully gave up two sons as foreign missionaries. Of these, Henry Harris Jessup, D.D., is at present professor of Biblical Literature in the Protestant Theological Semi- nary at Beirut, Syria. Judge Jessup died September 11, 1868. Of his eleven children, eight are still living.
HENRY DRINKER, THE ELDER.
Henry Drinker, at the time of his decease one of the largest landholders in Pennsylvania, was the second son of Henry Drinker, of Philadelphia, and Mary Gottier, of Burlington, N. J. He was born 21st February 1734, (old style). When twenty-five years of age, he embarked for England, returning in the following year. Letters written by him during this tour are still ex- tant among his descendants, and they bear evidence to the fact that he was a man of observation, and graphic powers of description. Soon after his return, on the 13th January, 1761, he was married to Elizabeth Sandwith.
The lands of Henry Drinker were located in Wayne, Luzerne, Wyoming, Center, Clearfield, Indiana, Cambria, Bradford, Tioga, and Susquehanna counties, in Pennsylvania; and in Montgomery and Delaware counties, New York.
He was a staunch member of the Society of Friends, and for this reason, was not brought so much before the public, as he in all probability, other- wise would have been; the members of this denomination not being in the habit of taking an active part in public affairs. He was for many years a member of the firm of James & Drinker, shipping and importing merchants, of Philadelphia ; they were very successful in their business previous to the Revolution.
One of the cardinal doctrines of the Society of Friends is opposition to war in every form, and a firm and decided refusal to bear arms in support of any cause, however just. In consequence, he, with nineteen other persons, seventeen of the number being Friends, were arrested and taken, first to Staunton, Va., and afterwards to Winchester, Va., where they were kept in partial confinement nearly eight months, without provision being made for their support.
His first speculations in lands were in the purchase of farms in the settled counties, principally adjoining Philadelphia County, in which transactions he was very successful, and this led him into his large purchases of wild lands. He was a man of great business ability. He resided in Philadelphia, and died in 1808.
The late Esq. Raynsford, of Montrose, and Hosea Tiffany, were the first purchasers of any of his land in Susquehanna County, under the Pennsylva- nia title. They walked to Philadelphia to obtain their deeds.
336
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
HENRY DRINKER.
Henry Drinker, son of Henry S. Drinker of Philadelphia, and grandson of Henry Drinker the elder, founder of the "Drinker Estate," was born in the year 1804, near Philadelphia. After living for a short time at Strouds- burg, Pa., he came to Susquehanna County, about the year 1828, remaining for a time on a farm in Springville (now Dimock). He became a partner of the late James C. Biddle, in the agency of the Drinker estate; to the full agency of which he succeeded, upon the death of Mr. Biddle. In the year 1845 he was married to Frances Morton of Wilmington, Del., and continued to reside in Montrose until his decease, which occurred on the 5th February, 1868.
His life, like that of most of the residents of Montrose who have taken no active part in political affairs, was devoid of incident ; but it may be truly said of him, his instincts were generous, and his liberality worthy of example by others. It is to his influence and means that the congregation of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church of Montrose are largely indebted for the handsome house of worship they now occupy.
He took an interest in everything appertaining to agriculture ; was fond of, and took pleasure in the cultivation and ornamentation of the grounds about his residence, and had also a fondness for fine horses, as well as for other domestic animals. To his own proper employment he added that of a farmer and banker, and for some years previous to his decease, he had owned and superintended the operations of two farms in the immediate neighbor- hood of Montrose. He was at one time president of the County Agri- cultural Society.
JAMES C. BIDDLE.
James C. Biddle was a native of Philadelphia, born December 23d, 1802. He was early educated to business habits, having served his apprenticeship to the shipping and commission business, and on November 1, 1825, he left the counting-house of Smith & Stewardson of that city, and in the year 1826 came to Susquehanna County as agent for the Drinker estate, and soon won the esteem and confidence of the settlers by his liberality and indulgence. On the 3d April 1828, he was married in Philadelphia to Sally Drinker, a granddaughter of the founder of the estate ; and after his marriage, Mon- trose became bis permanent residence.
In order to qualify himself properly to conduct the business of his agency, he commenced the study of law under the Hon. Wm. Jessup, and in the spring of the year 1836, was duly admitted to the bar of Susquehanna County. He was pre-eminently a man of public spirit, and sagacious busi- ness qualifieations, and he won among his neighbors, and throughout the county, a popularity as extensive as it was well-deserved.
As president of the Bank of Susquehanna County, of the Mutual Insurance Company, and as an active director and patron of various other institutions, his services were important ; while his name, so far as it was known. yielded unbounded respect and confidence. Many had cause to remember his cheer- ful benevolence and unostentatious charity.
But eminent as was his usefulness in a public capacity, his private worth among his immediate friends and neighbors, and in the domestic circle, was more truly inestimable.
His death occurred at Philadelphia, whither he had gone on business, March 31st, 1841, in the thirty-ninth year of his age.
The usual resolutions of respect and condolence with the family were passed by the various corporations with which he was connected. Though highly eulogistic, they expressed no more than what every one who knew him felt was his due.
Kngdby A.H.Ritchie
337
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
Notice of the Baptist church having already been given in the sketch of Elder D. Dimock, a few items only need be added.
Henry Congdon, Asa Baldwin, Jonathan Wheaton, David Knowlton, Samuel Baldwin, and Luther Dean covenanted to- gether and were duly recognized "as the Baptist Church of Christ of Bridgewater, Pa.," April 9th, 1808, by Elder Dimock and other brethren of the Exeter church, at the log-house of Bartlet Hinds. Two days later, the church met at Henry Cong- don's, and received into membership Sarah Congdon, Mary Bald- win, Achsah Knowlton, and Betsey Baldwin. It was not until the 4th of May following that Bartlet Hinds presented testimonials of his membership of the 2d Middleboro' Baptist church, Mass., and was received here. His wife Agnes, Stephen Wilson, and John Gardener were baptized by Elder Dimock, and added to the church. During the following fifty years over one thousand members were received by baptism and by letter. Eleven had been ordained deacons, and ten licensed to preach. Several years, following April, 1837, were years of trial on account of a division of sentiment on the subject of slavery. Forty-six disaffected members received letters of dismission, August, 1839, and afterwards organized "The Montrose and Bridgewater Baptist church." This was disbanded, and most of the members returned to the old church (the anti-slavery party) during the great revival of 1842-3.
The pastors of the church have been : Elders Dimock, Wor- den, Post (" supply "), Taylor, Glanville, Ransted, Wyeth, Stone, Morse, Ford, and at present, John E. Chesshire, D.D. Others have occasionally ministered to the church some weeks at a time; Elder Fox was connected with one or two revivals here.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.