History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 34

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

no doubt, however, that had the Quaker element not died out in Wellsboro, she would have been a Quaker until the day of her death.

"She was very much devoted to her children, and believed that the office of mother was the highest one a woman could hold, and that it was her duty to educate her children, in addition to their secular education, in the principles of strict Chris- tian morality. In this she was seconded by her very excellent husband. They had two sons and two daughters.

"Mrs. John Beecher, who lived to be nearly ninety-five years old, was in many respects a remarkable woman. She was a resident of Wellsboro when I came there in 1828, but removed to Williamsport in 1838. She was not a religious woman while she lived in Tioga county, but some years after settling in Williamsport she joined the Methodist church. She was a representative woman, as a woman accounted in a new county. On Beecher's island [in the Cowanesque], when a farmer's wife, in Wellsboro, when the wife of a tavern keeper, when the wife of a merchant or an office- holder, a railroad contractor or a member of the legislature-for Mr. Beecher was very versatile in his pursuits-she was eminently 'a helpmeet' for her husband. Always active, managing, energetic and economical, she was ever ready to second him without question, in whatever line of business he engaged. Matters went on all right whether he was at home or abroad. As a landlady she was a bountiful caterer for her guests, and as a manager of the internal affairs of the house few excelled her. In her younger days she was fond of amusement, in middle age her taste that way had not decreased, and in her very old age her eyes brightened up whenever she talked of 'the good old times.' She was the mother of three sons and two . daughters."

POSTOFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.

The Wellsboro postoffice was established January 1, 1808, and Samuel Wells Morris was the first postmaster. The mail at that time was carried weekly, on horse- back, over the State road from Williamsport. A pair of saddlebags were sufficient to contain all the matter, with room to spare. Newspapers were few in those days, the Lycoming Gazette being the only paper printed within a radius of a hundred miles; and as postage was high, few letters were written. No envelopes were in use then; letters were written on foolscap and made as long as possible, covering all the avail- able space, leaving only room enough for the address, when the sheet was folded and sealed with red wax or a wafer. A stamp or signet of some kind was used to press the paper into the wax or wafer, which left an impression and gave the enclosure an official appearance. The amount of postage was written, usually, on the upper right hand corner of the letter, and the price was governed by the distance carried. And it was collected at the end of the route from the party to whom it was ad- dressed. The name of the first mail carrier has not come down to us, but in those days the duty was generally performed by a bright, active, venturesome boy. The route from Williamsport laid through a gloomy wilderness nearly all the way. The log cabins of settlers were few. Panthers and wolves roamed the forest and their howls frequently caused the mail boy to spur up his horse and dash swiftly through the gloom.

One of the early mail carriers was John Sheffer, Jr., born in Williamsport, February 8, 1803. When thirteen years of age he carried the mail from Williamsport

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WELLSBORO.

to Painted Post on horseback, a distance of seventy-nine miles, by the way of the State and Williamson roads. The former started at Newberry and passed through Wellsboro. It required nerve in those days to make this journey, and when the youth of the rider is considered it is still more remarkable.

The parents of this plucky mail boy were early settlers at Liberty, or the Block House, as it was then known, locating there in February, 1814. It is probable that he either went by this route on going out, or on returning, as he could make a complete circuit by doing so. The Williamson road passed through Block House, Blossburg, Covington and Tioga. The first post office in the county was established at the last mentioned place January 1, 1805. At Wellsboro he could leave the State road and proceed to Covington by the East and West pike, as it was called, or vice versa. It is highly probable, therefore, that he made the round trip in this way. It is fortunate that something of the history of this early mail boy has been preserved. A sketch of his life will be found in another chapter.

Postmaster Morris did not require much of an outfit to transact the business of his office. A small desk was sufficient, and often he could carry all the matter he received by a single mail in his hat. During the year 1808 the statistical re- ports show that the gross receipts were $27.06, and his compensation was $8.23. But he served the government faithfully for four years, retiring December 31, 1812. Since that time the succession has been as follows: Benjamin Wistar Morris, appointed January 1, 1813; William Bache, April 10, 1822; James P. Magill, July 24, 1845; Josiah Emery, September 6, 1845; George Dwight Smith, May 18, 1849; Alexander S. Brewster, April 26, 1853; Ira D. Richards, December 18, 1855; Alex- ander S. Brewster, July 20, 1860; Hugh Young, March 8, 1861; Morgan Hart, August 29, 1866; Joseph L. Williams, January 18, 1869; George W. Merrick, January 27, 1869; Susan R. Hart, June 14, 1882; Louis Doumaux, August 10, 1886; James L. White, February 1, 1891; Frederick K. Wright, February 1, 1895, present incumbent.

'Squire Brewster is the only postmaster thus far to hold the office twice; and Mr. Bache held it for the longest period-twenty-three years, three months and fourteen days. The term of Joseph L. Williams was the shortest-nine days. That was during the exciting period when President Johnson was in conflict with Congress, and postmasters were appointed by his excellency and quickly refused confirmation by the Senate.

Eighty-eight years have passed since the first office was opened. And during that time the most wonderful advances have been made both in postal facilities and the amount of mail matter received and forwarded. In the beginning a weekly mail sufficed; now it comes several times a day. The following tabular statement, showing the gross receipts, and the compensation of the postmaster, by decades since 1810, will afford food for reflection:

Year.

Gross Receipts.

Compensation.

1808,

$ 27.06,

$ 8.23

1810,

31.62,

10.11

1820,

81.52,

26.76

1830,

188.55,

60.52

1840,

525.75, .

190.36

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Year.

Gross Receipts.

Compensation.

1850,

848.42,

354.59

1860,

1,017.59,

506.67

1870,

2,014.14,

945.00

1880,

3,938.11,

1,450.00

1890,

5,368.08,

1,700.00

At the close of the tenth decade the receipts will probably exceed $7,000, and the salary of the postmaster will be nearly $1,900. In 1805 there was but one post office in the county, and in 1808 there were two. Now there are eighty-eight. What an increase in ninety years!

OLD TIME TAVERNS AND LANDLORDS.

It is probable that X. Miller, an old soldier who served under Napoleon at Mos- cow, was the first tavern keeper in and about Wellsboro. At first his house stood outside of the original limits of the town, but the extension a few years ago took it in. When he commenced, or how long he was engaged in the business, is not now remembered. The second tavern keeper is supposed to have been Israel Green- leaf, the old Revolutionary soldier. But the location of his tavern cannot, with certainty, be pointed out at this day. It very likely stood in the vicinity of the public buildings.

Alpheus Cheney, the first sheriff and third county treasurer, doubtless came next with a better house. It stood on the site of the old Robinson store and bank. At the August term of court, 1813, Greenleaf and Cheney were both granted licenses, for which they paid a fee of $1.15 each. Cheney sold out after the expi- ration of his term as sheriff, in 1815, and soon removed from the county. Israel Greenleaf died June 1, 1847, aged eighty-two years, consequently he must have been about fifty years of age when he opened his tavern.

Records in the prothonotary's office show that Alanson Thompson was granted. a license for Wellsboro at May term, 1816, and that he was granted a license annually up to 1822. Joseph Fish was granted license at September term, 1816, and again in 1818, when his name disappears.

John Beecher received license September 15, 1817, and it was renewed each year up to 1821. His house was known as the "Cheney Tavern." Beecher was born in Massachusetts in 1784, came to Tioga county with his parents and settled at Beecher's Island, now Nelson borough, where he lived until he came to Wells- boro. He became a prominent man in the community; was county treasurer in 1820, sheriff in 1824, and a member of the legislature in 1829-30. His vote in that body was the only one cast against the resolution expressing confidence in the United States Bank. Mr. Beecher afterwards kept a tavern in what was known as the Mcclintock property, which stood on the site of the Cone House.

James Kimball, who became famous as a landlord of the olden time, was first granted a license at May term, 1819, and was continuously in the business until 1856, or perhaps later. He commenced business in a house which stood on the site of the Wilcox House. He sold out to Charles Seeley. This tavern was owned in the early fifties by B. S. Sayre. Then C. L. Wilcox became the owner. In 1859 the property was purchased by William Robinson, D. H. Smith and B. B. Holliday, and was kept as a hotel for ten years. In 1859 it was leased to Sol. Bunnell, who

Mos Bacher

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WELLSBORO.

kept it till the spring of 1873. Then Mr. Holliday took possession and refurnished the house throughout, but in the fall of 1873 it was destroyed by fire.

When James Kimball sold his house to Charles Seeley, he moved across the street to what is now known as the Sherwood corner and built a new tavern, which he named the Pennsylvania House. There he had, as a writer puts it, "the best well of water in town and the best liquor!" It was a popular place with the public for many years. After the retirement of Kimball it was kept by different parties, among whom may be mentioned L. D. Taylor. Early in 1872 B. B. Holliday pur- chased the property, and on the 22d of February, of that year, it was destroyed by fire. It was never rebuilt. The site was cut up into lots, sold at assignee's sale, and the present row of law offices was built on it.

Capt. Lyman Adams, who had served as the first coroner of the county, came to Wellsboro in 1822 and kept a tavern until 1827, when he returned to Tioga and there died.

Dr. John B. Murphey was granted tavern license May 19, 1828, and kept a public house, which stood on the site of the present Coles House. How long he kept the house is unknown, but it could not have been very long, as he died a few years afterwards.

Erastus Fellows, born in Canaan, Connecticut, in 1800, came to Wellsboro in 1827 and purchased 160 acres of land in the northern part of the town. About 1831 he opened the Fellows House, which was principally kept by him until his re- tirement in 1870. It was a popular place in his day. The house is still kept and is known as the Farmers' Hotel. Mr. Fellows died November 21, 1883. His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cole, born in Otsego county, New York, August 25, 1795, died June 7, 1889, in the ninety-fifth year of her age.

The old-time tavern was a place of good cheer and social enjoyment. Whiskey in those days cost three cents a drink, or five for a shilling; twelve for twenty-five cents, and a long credit for three cents net, when marked down. The method of charging was a straight mark for a drink, and a tally mark for five, with the cred- itor's name at the top of a page. This method was adopted as a necessity, as it would sometimes have required two or three clerks to make the charges in the reg- ular way.

MODERN HOTELS.

About thirty-five years ago David Hart erected a two-story frame hotel build- ing on the north corner of Main and Queen streets. He kept it as a temperance house, his sign of a crystal fountain being a familiar land-mark for many years. This house burned in 1866, having had several landlords. The Dr. Otis L. Gibson dwelling house was then moved on the site and transformed into a hotel, with Minor Watkins as the landlord. His successor was William B. VanHorn, who in turn was succeeded by Sol. Bunnell. The latter remodeled the building and raised it three stories. In 1876 James S. Coles became proprietor. A year later his brother, W. R. Coles, joined him as partner, continuing until 1882. In February, 1885, the house was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt.

Prior to his death in 1853, Hobart Graves kept the United States House, which occupied the site of the present Coles House. After Mr. Graves' death A.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

P. Cone purchased the property. During his ownership the landlords were P. P. Cleaver, Reuben Farr, Nelson Austin and D. G. Ritter. The house was burned in 1866 or 1867, and the lot remained vacant until 1869, when Mr. Cone began the erection of the largest and most substantial hotel building in Tioga county. It was opened in 1870 as the Cone House, the first landlord being A. B. Graves. About 1873 B. B. Holliday purchased the property, which within a year or two passed into the possession of Joel Parkhurst, and the name of the hotel changed to the Park- hurst House. From 1875 to 1883 Thomas Vesey was the landlord. He was fol- lowed by Charles Hussey and by C. C. McClellan, each remaining about a year. In February, 1885, the Bunnell House was destroyed by fire, J. S. Coles being the landlord at the time. He immediately leased the Parkhurst House, changed its name to the Coles House, and ran it until November, 1893, when his brother, W. R. Coles, succeeded him as landlord and lessee of the property, which he purchased in July, 1896. The house has since been greatly improved and thoroughly renovated. It is well equipped and has a large patronage.

Charles Sandbach is proprietor of the house bearing his name. He was born in Prussia, emigrated to this country in 1850, and after living in various places finally settled at Germania, Potter county, and opened a public house, which he con- ducted for a short time. He removed to Wellsboro in May, 1881, and purchased the Baldwin House, formerly the O'Connor. After thoroughly refitting and refur- nishing it he gave it his own name, and has conducted it up to the present time.

The Wellsboro House, near the railroad station, is owned by Hon. Stephen F. Wilson. It was built in 1872 by Joseph Riberolle, and was first known as the Riberolle House.

The Wilcox House was erected about 1875 by J. C. Wheeler and C. L. Willcox as a business block, and was occupied by a store for a few years. It was then re- modeled and changed to a hotel, and has since had a number of landlords. The property is now owned by C. L. Willcox. The present landlord, Frank S. Dunkle, has conducted the hotel since November 1, 1892, and has enjoyed a prosperous business.

CHAPTER XVIII.

WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

VILLAGE SCHOOLS-THE OLD ACADEMY-ITS INCORPORATION-ITS EARLY AND LATER HISTORY-THE BUILDING NOW USED AS A CHURCH-COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM ADOPTED-FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING-LATER BUILDINGS AND TEACHERS-WILLOW HALL SCHOOL.

MONG the pioneer settlers of Wellsboro were a number of men who had received A' the benefits of what was then termed a "liberal education," and, as might be expected, they took an active interest in the early establishment of good schools, in order to insure to their children, as far as conditions and environment made it possi- ble, advantages similar to those they themselves had enjoyed in their youth.

Soon after Benjamin Wistar Morris built the Quaker Meeting House, classes were taught there, it being the only building in the village suitable for that purpose. In this rude and unpretentious structure the splendid educational system of Wellsboro had its beginning. A few years later came the movement which led to the establish- ment of the Academy and the employment as teachers of graduates of the best classical colleges in the land. This spirit, which manifested itself so early in the history of Wellsboro, has known neither waning nor relaxation, but, on the contrary, has grown broader and stronger with the passing years. It is true that the Academy has passed out of existence, being superceded by the common schools of the borough, after having nobly fulfilled its mission; but the pleasant memories which cling round its history are enduring as the rock-ribbed hills and are handed down by ancestor to descendant as priceless legacies.

Among the early teachers in the Quaker Meeting House were Lydia Cole, Chauncey Alford and Benjamin B. Smith. The school was supported by subscrip- tion and the compensation of the teachers exceedingly moderate. The county, in compliance with a law then in force, paid for the instruction of poor children, the names of whom were required to be returned by the assessors.

THE OLD ACADEMY.

One of the early institutions of Wellsboro, around which still cling pleasant memories, was the old Academy, which was chartered by the legislature March 25, 1817. The act provided for a grant of $2,000 "to be paid, by warrant drawn by the governor on the state treasurer, to the trustees of the Wellsboro Academy, or a majority of them," and that this amount "shall be placed in some productive fund or funds, the increase whereof shall be applied in aid of the resources to compensate a teacher or teachers in said Academy, but the money hereby granted shall not be paid until the trustees certify to the governor that the sum of $1,000 shall have been

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

secured to be paid by private subscription for erecting a suitable building and for the benefit of the said institution." It was also provided that, "there shall be admitted into said Academy any number of poor children, not exceeding five, who may at any time offer, to be taught gratis, but none of said children shall continue to be taught longer than two years."

The trustees named in the act were: Samuel W. Morris, Alpheus Cheney, John Norris and William Bache, of Wellsboro; Justus Dartt and Nathan Niles, Jr., of Charleston; William D. Bacon, Robert Tubbs, Eddy Howland, Joseph McCormick and John Knox, on the Cowanesque; Uriah Spencer, Asa Mann, Daniel Lamb and Ambrose Millard, on the Tioga; James Gray and Nathan Rowley, of Sullivan, and Isaac Baker.

The first meeting of the trustees was held at the prothonotary's office in Wells- boro, Monday, May 5, 1817. Daniel Lamb was elected temporary chairman and John Norris secretary, and rules adopted for the government of the board. A permanent organization was effected by the election of Samuel W. Morris, president; John Norris, secretary, and Benjamin W. Morris, treasurer, each to hold his office for one year. The meetings were first fixed for Monday evening of each court week, but were afterwards changed to Tuesday.

At the meeting held July 3 and 4, 1817, the site of the Academy was fixed, and a committee appointed to contract with Mr. Morris for the lot. It was decided to erect a brick building, and a commitee was appointed to contract for the brick and lumber-the cost of the former not to exceed $5.00 per 1,000. A committee consist- ing of William Bache, Sr., Uriah Spencer and Samuel W. Morris was also appointed to prepare a plan for the building and make an estimate of its probable cost. A building committee, consisting of Justus Dartt, William Bache and John Norris, was also appointed.

At a meeting held Tuesday, September 16, 1817, the sum of $300 was appro- priated for the purchase of brick and lumber, and a resolution adopted that a certifi- cate be prepared to be presented to the governor for the purpose of obtaining the state appropriation, the requisite amount having been subscribed. The following resolutions were also adopted:

1. That the money when obtained shall be divided into four parts and loaned for five years upon unexceptional landed security, clear of every encumbrance; $500 in Delmar, $500 in Deerfield and Elkland and $1,000 in old Tioga township.

2. That those persons to whom the money shall be loaned subscribe two per cent. annually on the sum loaned, and that they pay all expenses attending the security, recording the mortgage, etc.

3. That the sum of $500 each be loaned to John Ryon, Jr., John Gray, James Ford and Samuel W. Morris upon the conditions before named, and that the treasurer be directed to pay over said money when obtained, and that he require good freehold security to at least double the sum loaned.

A special meeting was held January 19 and 20, 1818, at which it was resolved "that if James Gray, Sr., gives a mortgage on a certain piece of land, now held by John Gray, the said John first conveying his right to said James, and a judgment bond, it shall be sufficient security for $500 loaned to him by the trustees of the Wellsboro Academy."

James Ford having declined the loan allotted of $500 to him, Uriah Spencer

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WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

applied for it, offering as security the Joseph Martin warrant. This was declined by a vote of the board, when, in addition, he offered the John Barron, Jr., warrant, for which he had a tax title, and it was "Resolved, That the tracts be accepted as sufficient security from Uriah Spencer, provided, also, that James Ford becomes bound with Mr. Spencer in a judgment bond for $500, to be loaned to said Spencer," Mr. Ford, however, declined to sign the bond.

At the meeting held February 17, 1818, Mr. Spencer again applied to the trustees for the loan of $500 on the security of the two warrants mentioned above; but Judge Morris, the president, notified the board that he would not give an order on the treasurer for the money, as he believed the security offered to be worthless, and the matter was dropped.

At the election held April 16, 1818, the following members of the old board were re-elected: Justus Dartt, Nathan Niles, Jr., John Norris, Samuel W. Morris and Robert Tubbs. The new trustees were Roswell Bailey, Daniel Kelsey, Jeremiah Brown, Caleb Austin, Oliver Willard, David Henry, William Patton, Ebenezer Jack- son, Ira Kilburn, Ebenezer Seelye, Arnold Hunter, Allen Butler and Richard Ellis. Uriah Spencer was among those not re-elected. The result was considered a vindica- tion of Judge Morris for the firm stand he took against loaning the money on the doubtful security; though it would seem that other considerations might have effected the result, as at the meeting of the new board, May 4, 1818, Daniel Kelsey was elected president; John Norris, vice-president; Dr. Jeremiah Brown, secretary, and Nathan Niles, Jr., treasurer.

It may be mentioned as a historical fact that ever after the failure of Mr. Spencer to secure the loan, he was an implacable and bitter foe of Wellsboro, and more especially of Judge Morris, and his hatred of the town only terminated with his death.

At the meeting of May 4, 1818, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

Whereas, James Ford and Uriah Spencer have failed in giving requisite security for the loan of $500, therefore

Resolved, That the said money is now open to applicants from the north part of old Tioga township.

Resolved, That the sum of $500 be loaned to Ira Kilburn upon his giving unexcep- tionable landed security to the satisfaction of the president and secretary. 4

A new building committee, consisting of David Henry, Dr. Jeremiah Brown and Justus Dartt, was appointed and instructed to report at the next meeting a plan and estimate of the cost of a suitable Academy building. At the meeing of May 19, 1818, this committee reported as follows:

Your committee, etc., have deliberately taken into consideration the subject referred to them, and beg leave to report that it is our opinion, provided we erect the building of wood, forty-eight by twenty-two, making two large rooms below and a hall eignt feet wide, one large room above and two small ones, all the necessary material and the work laid out for building the Academy would amount to $1,500.

The report was approved. The idea of erecting a brick building was abandoned, and the Academy was constructed in accordance with the plan recommended. At a meeting held June 15, the following resolution was adopted:

That Samuel W. Morris, Justus Dartt and David Henry be appointed a committee with full power and authority to erect a building agreeably to a plan approved by the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

board; that they or a majority of them be authorized to contract for materials for the Academy, engage workmen to do all necessary work, clear off the lot proposed for the site, and that they give certificates or orders on the treasurer in favor of those they may contract with, which orders, when countersigned by the president and secretary, shall be paid by the treasurer.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 34

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454