History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 57

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

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In the latter part of 1878 E. M. Bixby, formerly of the Elkland Journal, began the publication of the Westfield Free Press. In 1881 he sold out to J. F. Rugaber, who conducted it until January 1, 1890, when J. Hart Miller and A. C. Kimball purchased it. At the close of the year Mr. Kimball bought Mr. Miller's interest and has since conducted the paper alone. In January, 1896, he changed it to an all home print. It is independent in politics, being devoted to local news and the interests of the northwestern part of the county. It is bright, readable, and ably conducted.

RAILROADS.

In the year 1882 the Fall Brook Railroad Company completed a line of railroad from Lawrenceville to Westfield, and to Harrison Valley, in Potter county. The first station agent, J. C. Edwards, was succeeded in 1883, by E. S. Horton, who still fills that position. The Addison and Pennsylvania railroad was also built in 1882 as a narrow gauge road. In March, 1895, it was changed to standard gauge. At Westfield it turns southwest and follows the Mill creek valley, passing through Westfield, Clymer and Gaines townships into Potter county. The agent at Westfield is G. H. Tremain, who has held that position since the opening of the station, which is located in the eastern part of the borough. These two lines of railroad make Westfield an important business and shipping center, and since their completion the borough has more than doubled the number of its inhabitants. There has also been a corresponding increase in the amount of business transacted. In the business district the old frame buildings have given place to handsome brick blocks, and the town wears a wide-awake, enterprising and progressive appearance.

CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Westfield, incorporated September 11, 1855, was organized about 1830, under the ministration of Revs. Marshall, St. John, David Fellows and Samuel Conant. Meetings were first held in the old school house west of the Main street bridge, near the mill race. Among the early pastors were Rev. Theobald McElhaney and Rev. Samuel Nichols, the latter being appointed to this charge in 1842. No list of the names of the pastors serving between this year and 1854 has been obtainable. In 1854, however, Rev. William Armstrong took charge. He was followed in 1857 by Rev. Thompson Jolly and Rev. A. Davison. Their

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

successors have been Revs. J. J. Turtin, appointed in 1858; James Duncan, 1859; A. Sweet, 1860; William M. Haskell, 1861; Walter Stathen, 1862; Veranus Brownell, 1863; C. L. F. Howe, 1865; Myron H. DePuy, 1866; C. Rowley, 1867; O. B. Weaver, 1868; W. W. Hunt, 1871; Isaac Everitt, 1873; G. S. Transue, 1875; O. N. Roberts, 1878; H. Peck, 1879; J. Knapp, 1880; G. W. Howland, 1881; H. B. Mason, 1883; J. W. Barnett, 1886; D. A. Parcells, 1887; W. I. Janes, 1892, and W. O. Peet, the present pastor, in October, 1895. A church building was erected in 1854, during the pastorate of Mr. Armstrong. It was replaced in 1887 by the present edifice, which cost $7,500. The pastor's residence was erected in 1869, during the pastorate of Rev. O. B. Weaver. It cost $2,500.

The First Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church of Westfield, incorporated Janu- ary 14, 1875, was organized June 14, 1846, by Rev. S. Hall and G. A. Lambert, who were the early pastors. Their successors have been Revs. L. Salisbury and G. P. Burdick, 1854; Amos Chapman, 1855; Francis Strang, 1869; P. S. Slanson; S. W. Jennings, 1877; J. S. Fausey, 1882; S. W. Jennings, 1883; J. S. Fausey, 1886; W. A. Scribner, 1895, and John Drake, who took charge in May, 1896. In 1870, through the exertions of Rev. Francis Strang and Rev. Stephen A. Leonard, a house of worship, costing $1,000, was erected. The church now numbers 130 members, with fifty pupils in the Sunday-school.

St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church is the outgrowth of meetings held during 1882, by Rev. Percy Clinton Webber, at that time rector of St. Andrew's church at Tioga. The first meetings were held in the Methodist Episcopal church and after- wards in a room over C. E. Krusen's store, rented for the purpose. Mr. Webber made occasional visits. Rev. William Painter was the first resident minister, serving also the churches at Gaines and Elkland. Rev. William Du Hammel and Rev. L. B. Thomas, also paid the mission visits. August 1, 1895, Rev. W. N. R. Ashmead, the present rector, took charge. Among the early members of this church were Frank Yeager, Guy Clark, Joseph Eberle, Mrs. Mary H. Eberle, Mrs. Charles Bliss, Cora A. Bliss, W. H. Vermilyea, M. F. Sherman and wife, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Claus- son, Miss Ann Ackley, Mrs. Edward Bulkley, Mr. and Mrs. William Clark, Mrs. A. Christie, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Dengle, Mrs. C. E. Krusen, Mrs. S. I. Krusen, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Everitt. Through the generosity of Mrs. John H. Sherwood, of New York City, a sister of D. B. Clausson, who contributed $5,000, the society was able in 1893 to begin the erection of a house of worship, which was completed and opened for service November 8, 1895. This edifice, which cost $7,500, is one of the handsomest church buildings in northern Pennsylvania. It is built of bluish-gray stone, quarried on the hill north of the borough. The blocks are small, laid irregularly, and the masonry is what is known as "rock-finish" work. The interior is semi-Gothic and finished in natural wood. Handsome stained glass memorial windows were contributed as follows: John H. Sherwood, by the society; Kate A. Wakeley and Maud E. Wakeley, by the family; Lafayette Hill, by his widow; Frank Eberle, Frank Eberle, Jr., and Fannie C. Eberle, by the family; W. H. Vermilyea, by Mrs. W. H. Vermilyea, and Margarette A. Wells, by the family. The building was erected under the supervision of W. F. Everitt, Albert F. Yahn, J. W. Smith, G. H. Tremain and C. E. Krusen, building committee. The

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church, which numbers about forty members, has not yet been chartered. There are twenty pupils in the Sunday-school, which is in charge of the rector.

The Universalist Church of Westfield was organized June 26, 1887. As early, however, as 1851 ministers of this denomination visited Westfield. The first of these was Rev. Wallace Bullard, who was followed by Rev. Mr. Darrow, Rev. Earl Wesley, Rev. Mr. Fuller, Rev. Mr. Whitcomb, Rev. J. S. Palmer, Rev. W. H. Mc- Laughlin and Rev. Emma E. Bailey. In June, 1887, through the efforts of Ambrose Close, William Converse, Stephen Martin, Jr., and Rev. H. W. Hand, an organization was effected. On September 29, of the same year, the corner-stone of a neat and attractive house of worship was laid by Rev. George Adams, of Athens, Pennsyl- vania. The building, which cost $3,500, was designed by G. B. Davis, and the con- struction superintended by Ambrose Close and William Converse. It was dedicated December 14, 1888. Among the early members of this church were William Con- verse, Ambrose Close, S. Martin, G. B. Davis, A. C. Kimball, G. A. King, Mrs. G. A. King, Cora Close, Mrs. A. Sayles, G. H. Tremain and J. G. Osborn. The first officers and trustees were Ambrose Close, president; Mrs. R. R. Parshall, secretary, and William Converse, Sunday-school superintendent. The pastors have been Revs. C. C. Richardson, F. Temple Lathe, T. M. Alvord, G. W. Barnes and Marcia D. Selman. The church now numbers fifty members. There are twenty-five pupils in the Sunday-school, of which H. J. Stocking is the superintendent.

The First Baptist Church of Westfield was organized August 5, 1891, and incor- porated October 17, 1895. The names of the original members are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Van Dusen, Mrs. S. M. Cottrell, Lena Cottrell, Mrs. Amasa Ellis, Mrs. Harrison, Rev. A. W. and A. E. Mettler, Mrs. J. Richardson. The names of the pastors are as follows: Revs. A. W. Mettler, 1891-93; C. A. Wilson, 1894, and S. A. Field, the present pastor, who took charge in 1895. The society holds its meetings in Tucker's hall, the use of which was given free for five years. About a quarter of a century ago the Baptists had an organization in Westfield, but removals, deaths, etc., depleted its membership. The present church, though a new one, is the second organized in the borough.

The Krusen Cemetery, situated in the northern part of the borough, was estab- lished in 1867 by Richard Krusen. It occupies a circular, mound-like knoll, less than 100 feet in diameter, which rises about eight feet above the level of the surrounding land. Some are inclined to believe it an old Indian mound, but no attempt to explore it has ever been made. This cemetery contains the graves of many early settlers. The limited area caused it to be quickly filled, and burials there ceased several years ago.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery Company was organized April 19, 1892, the officers and incorporators being O. A. Tremain, president; Albert Baker, secretary; Clar- ence Hancock, treasurer; James Tubbs, superintendent, and J. W. Hancock, James Champlin and John G. Bowman. The company owns forty acres of land northeast of the borough which is devoted to burial purposes.

SOCIETIES.

Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., was organized December 28, 1870, by R. W., R. C. Simpson, D. D., G. M., with the following officers and members: T. C.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Sanders, W. M .; N. J. Krusen, S. W .; E. B. Bulkley, J. W .; A. D. Ashcraft, S. D .; Nelson Doty, J. D .; E. H. Stebbins, S .; Isaac Plank, T .; John Davis, S. M. C .; K. B. Hill, J. M. C .; E. P. Fish, P .; O. B. Weaver, C .; A. K. Sayles, T., and Sylvester D. Phillips, Dr. James Masten, Philetus E. Corbin, Charles Bliss and Levi Skinner. The lodge now numbers over eighty members.

Westfield Chapter, No. 265, R. A. M., was organized December 19, 1883, with the following officers and members: W. H. Vermilyea, H. P .; Gilbert H. Tremain, K .; Elijah H. Thompson, S .; Lovel Plank, T .; James Masten, M. D., S .; John Champ- lin, T., and W. H. Fuller, James F. Lewis, Niles W. McNaughton, George W. Fisk, Justus E. Green and Adelbert R. Vermilyea. The office of High Priest has been filled as follows: William H. Vermilyea, Gilbert H. Tremain, Elijah H. Thompson, Niles W. McNaughton, Edson G. Davidge, Charles E. Krusen, George S. Trim, Wil- liam B. Riddell, Wentworth D. Vedder, M. D., and Lovel Plank. There are now thirty-two members in this chapter.

Jemison Lodge, No. 332, I. O. O. F., was organized November 20, 1883, the charter being a re-issue of a charter granted October 16, 1848, to Cowanesque Lodge, No. 232, of Knoxville. The original lodge flourished until 1867, when it was re- moved to Mansfield. In 1872 another lodge known as Deerfield Lodge, No. 800, was organized in Knoxville. This maintained an organization until 1883, when it passed out of existence and the records were transferred to Jemison Lodge, Westfield. The first officers and charter members of this lodge were as follows: L. H. King, N. G .; A. P. King, V. G .; C. H. Martin, S .; A. B. Beers, A. S .; P. V. Rolason, T., and G. A. King, J. S. Barto and S. L. Bouvier. The lodge now numbers sixty-four members, several of whom are residents of Knoxville borough and Deerfield township. West- field Encampment, No. 272, the members of which also belong to this lodge, was organized August 22, 1887, and has now sixty-four members.

R. P. Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., was organized July 11, 1882. The first officers were A. A. Amsbry, C .; C. C. Ackley, S. V. C .; Seth Tremain, J. V. C .; S. P. Chase, C .; A. K. Sayles, Q .; A. D. Ashcraft, S .; W. M. Kiser, O. D .; M. D. Whip- ple, O. G .; M. D Foster, A .; D. Whitmarsh, S. M., and S. K. Rumsey, Q. S. This post numbers among its members many of the soldiers of the late Civil War, resident in Brookfield, Westfield and Clymer townships as well as in Westfield borough. It is strong and prosperous.

R. P. Babcock W. R. C., No. 128, was organized February 6, 1889, with the following officers and members: Lucy Kimball, P .; Lizzie Sturdevant, S. V .; Nettie Kizer, J. V .; Nora Johnson, S .; Addie Manning, T., and Anveretta Close, Kate Horton, Mariah Van Dusen, Sarah Jones, Emma Scott, Amelia Moore and Kate McNeil. This corps at present numbers forty members.

There are also a number of other secret and beneficiary organizations in the borough, some of which have a large membership. The Knights of Honor are repre- sented by Westfield Lodge, No. 1206, which was organized September 16, 1878, and chartered in January, 1885. Westfield Council, No. 3, Chosen Friends, was organ- ized in 1881, with thirty members, but has not met for several years, though a few members pay dues regularly. Westfield Local Branch, No. 1077, Order of the Iron Hall, had a good membership before the suspension of the order. It has held no meeting for two years. A lodge of the Sons of Temperance was organized as early

G. He cremain

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as 1854, since which time there have been several lodges, both of the Sons of Tem- perance and of the Good Templars. Westfield Lodge, No. 67, S. F. I., was organized December 18, 1890. It now numbers fifteen members. Eulalia Grange, No. 1088, P. of H., was organized August 18, 1893. It is in a flourishing condition and has eighty members. Westfield Tent, No. 155, K. O. T. M., was organized March 10, 1893, with forty members, since increased to sixty-five. Westfield Hive, No. 46, L. O. T. M., was organized March 13, 1894, and chartered July 31, 1894. It now numbers thirty-four members. Fleetwood Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, was organized December 2, 1896.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-LOCATION AND AREA-PHYSICAL FEATURES-STREAMS-FOREST GROWTH-POPULATION-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-EARLY SETTLERS-MILLS AND FACTORIES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES-VILLAGES.

B ROOKFIELD township, so named from the number of brooks that traverse its surface, was organized in February, 1827, and was taken from Westfield township. It is the northwestern township of the county, the New York state line forming its northern and the Potter county line its western boundary. It is seven miles from east to west, with an average width from north to south of four miles, · and contains twenty-eight square miles. Deerfield township lies east and Westfield township south of it. Its northern, eastern and western boundary lines are straight, and its southern boundary line irregular, due, so it is alleged, to the surveyor getting his figures mixed. This irregular line, however, follows the general direction, from southwest to northeast, of the Cowanesque river, which flows through the northern part of Westfield township. The southern half of its surface is mountainous, the tillable land being confined to narrow and deep valleys, traversed by brooks which are fed by numerous springs. The mean elevation above the sea is 1,550 feet, the range being from 1,300 feet, in the lower creek valleys, to 1,800 feet on the mountain tops. The northern half of the township, though somewhat rugged and hilly, may be better described as rolling. It embraces the upland area, and is nearly all -- summits, hillsides and valleys-tillable and under cultivation.

The North Fork creek enters the township from Potter county, midway of the western boundary line, receives Brown run, which flows down from the village of Brookfield-also known as Mink Hollow and Brookfield Hollow-and enters West-

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

field township near the fair grounds. California brook rises about a mile and a half southeast of Brookfield, and flows southeast into Westfield township north of West- field borough. Purple brook rises north and east of the centre of the township, and flows into Westfield township north of Cowanesque. North brook rises near the New York state line, in the northwestern part of the township, flows in an easterly direction for three miles and a half and unites with Troup's creek. This latter stream is referred to in early deeds as "Troup's Town Branch." It was named for Robert Troup, attorney for David Cathcart (Lord Alloway), and Masterson Ure. owners of an extended landed estate in Steuben county, New York, where it has its source. Its general direction is southeast and it flows through the northeastern part of Brookfield township into Deerfield township and unites with the Cowanesque river at Knoxville. At Austinburg it receives the waters of South brook, a small run flowing from the southwest. Inscho run rises in the eastern part of the township and flows southeast into Deerfield township.

When the township was first settled the greater portion of its area was covered with a heavy growth of pine and hemlock. So long as the timber supply lasted, lumbering was an important industry, but now that it is practically exhausted, the people of the township rely for revenue and support upon the products of their farms. Brookfield is, therefore, one of the distinctively agricultural townships of the county. Its farms are well cultivated and its people prosperous.

There being no large towns or villages within the township its population shows but little change from decade to decade. The census of 1840 gave it 438 inhabitants; 1870, 885; 1880, 910, and 1890, 1,021.

The office of justice of the peace has been filled by the following named persons: Isaac Metcalf, 1828; Allen Frazer, 1830; Colton Knox, 1832; Archibald Campbell, 1833; Edward C. Young, 1834; John Walker, Jr., 1835; Eddy Howland, 1838; Byram Hunt, 1838; re-elected in 1840; William Simmons, 1840; re-elected in 1845, 1850; Horace Seely, 1845; S. H. Murdock, 1850; re-elected, 1860; George W. Bacon, 1855; L. D. Seely, 1855; John Simmons, 1860; re-elected, 1865, 1870, 1875; John G. Holmes, 1865; re-elected, 1870, 1875; C. H. Murdock, 1880; Malcolm L. Holmes, 1881; re-elected, 1882, 1887; S. P. Chase, 1886; re-elected, 1891, 1896; Frank Clark, 1892, and E. E. Holmes, 1897.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The permanent settlement of the township began in 1809. At this time there were two small camps of Indians of six or eight persons each within the township- one near Mink Hollow, now the village of Brookfield, and the other on what was afterwards known as the J. S. Grantier place. These Indians were friendly to the settlers and took frequent occasion to show their good will. One of them, known as Indian Jim, often hunted with the whites and frequently supplied them with lead for bullets. It is said he procured this metal in Potter county, but would never disclose the location.

About the year named-that is, 1809-Bedford George, Titus Ives, Elihu Hill and Curtis Cady came into the township with their families. Bedford George settled on Troup's creek, in the northeastern part of the township, a short distance east of the R. P. Schoonover store in Austinburg. Titus Ives, who first came into the

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county in 1794 or 1795, and lived for a time in Tioga township, settled nearly a mile further up the creek, on the place still owned by his descendants. The first frame house in the township was built by him about 1829. Elihu Hill settled in the northwestern part of the township-known in the early days as Hilltown-on the Bacon place. Curtis Cady settled west of Hill on what was afterwards known as the Stryker place. Twin daughters-the first white children born in the township- were added to his family here. John Joseph, the next settler, came from Elkland and located on the John Dougherty farm. In 1812 Samuel Baker and his sons, Ira and Amos, settled on the old Baker homestead, south of Brookfield. John H. Brown, a Revolutionary soldier, came about the same time, and settled on the Brookfield village site. Luman Seely, a native of Cornwall, Connecticut, settled, in 1814, on the place afterwards occupied by his son, Luman D. Seely, now a resident of Knox- ville. He built a log house with no chimney, the smoke finding an outlet through a small hole in the roof, which was also utilized for smoking hams. In 1814, also, Daniel Schoonover settled on Troup's creek, on lands now owned by Jonas Kilburn. Joseph Swimeley appears to have resided in the township about this time, his son Christopher being born here in 1814. He soon afterwards removed to Westfield township. Stephen Lane, a son of Joseph and Susannah (Ives) Lane, was born in Danville, New York, in 1812. His father died in 1814, and his mother, who was a daughter of Titus Ives, a pioneer settler on Troup's creek, returned to Brookfield township, where Stephen grew to manhood and settled on the farm now owned by his son, William G. Lane.

Asahel Nobles and his stepson, William Simmons, settled on the old Nobles homestead in 1815. Young Simmons, who was born in April, 1804, was married in 1819, when fifteen years of age, to Mary A., a daughter of John H. Brown. This was the first wedding in the township. His son, John Simmons, born March 9, 1820, is the oldest living person born in the township. Soon after his marriage William Simmons moved on and cleared the farm now occupied by his son, Andrew J. Sim- mons. In 1819 Godfrey Bowman, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, settled near the north road and built a large frame house, long known as the Godfrey Bow- man house. This building, which was never completed, was used as an inn until about 1881, when it was torn down to make room for a new building. Simeon B. Lewis, a native of Renssalaer county, New York, settled in 1820 on the farm now owned by George Reitter and lived there until 1851, when he removed to Westfield. Hibbard Bonney, a physician, settled in the township about 1820, practiced his pro- fession for several years and removed to Iowa, where he died. John Coffin, a native of New Hampshire, settled in the northwestern part of the township in 1822. Isaac H. Metcalf settled on the Adam Loper farm in 1824. He was one of the first justices of the peace and the first postmaster of the township. In 1826 Ambrose Parker settled on the farm now owned by Charles Brown, and later cleared and lived on the farm now owned by his son, I. P. Parker. Lovel Plank, a native of Pomfret, Con- necticut, settled in 1831 on the old homestead, where his grandson, W. L. Plank, now resides.

The foregoing names include those of the more prominent settlers between 1809 and 1831. They were the men who cleared the first farms in the localities in which they settled, facing all the dangers and experiencing all the hardships and

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HISTORY OF TIOGA. COUNTY.

privations of pioneer life. With few exceptions, the old homesteads are owned and occupied by their descendants, who rank among the most intelligent and pro- gressive citizens of this prosperous township.

MILLS AND FACTORIES.

At one time there were a number of water and steam saw-mills in different parts of the township. Of those the only ones left are the Schoonover mill, at Austinburg, and the Gardner mill, on North Fork, near the Westfield township line. This latter mill, first run by water power, was built about 1840, by Jonathan Pierce, and sold by him a few years later to John Gardner, who operated it until his death, in 1885, since which time it has been owned and operated by his son, Milo Gardner. It is now run by steam and has a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber per day. A cheese factory, near the Clark school house, on Pulple brook, is operated by O. H. Snyder, who also operates factories at Brookfield and Sylvester. These constitute the principal enterprises of the township, the people of which devote their energies to agriculture. Considerable attention is paid to dairying, and the cheese factories of the township are well supported by the farmers in their immediate vicinity. The product of these, factories averages annually not far from 500,000 pounds.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the township was taught about 1817 by Asa Bushnell, in Curtis Cady's house. Among his pupils were four of Curtis Cady's children, four of John Joseph's, two of Mr. Roberts', and William Simmons, then thirteen years of age. The first school house was built about 1820, at the foot of Noble's hill, about where the school house of District No. 2 now stands. Rev. Samuel Conant was. the first teacher here. He was succeeded by Anna Van Camp and Luman Seely. J. B. Murdock and J. B. Seely were also early teachers in the township. The first select school was taught in 1846 by William B. Price. After the passage of the public school law, in 1834, the township was divided into school districts, and three new school houses built before 1840. Three more were completed before 1860. There are now ten public school districts in the township. Frame school buildings have replaced the primitive log structures, and modern methods and appliances make the work easier for teachers and pupils.

CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brookfield, incorporated September 8, 1859, was organized about the year 1818, and grew out of meetings held by Rev. Thomas Magee-the first minister to preach in the township-and Rev. Mr. Nash. It was first known as the Methodist Episcopal church of Mink Hollow. The first place of meeting was at John Joseph's dwelling house, and the first members were Ira Baker, Amos Baker, Samuel Baker, John Joseph, William Joseph, Azel Nobles and their wives, and Hannah Joseph, Deborah Joseph and Curtis Cady. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Magee, whose successor was Rev. Mr. Nash. In 1836 Rev. Nathan Fellows took charge and during his pastorate conducted a very successful series of meetings at Curtis Cady's house. Meetings were held from house to house throughout the township, resulting in such an increase of members that

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 57

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