History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 59

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

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The following named persons have served as justices of the peace of this town- ship: Allen Frazer, commissioned in 1830; Reuben Cloos, 1840; Burdick Hill, 1840; William Boardman, 1845; Ben. Van Dusen, 1845; William A. Falkner, 1848; Samuel Strawn, 1850; Ben. Van Dusen, 1850; Prince P. Howland, 1851;

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CHATHAM TOWNSHIP.

Abel M. Harris, 1853; F. W. Stark, 1855; Albert Clark, 1856; Reuben Morse, 1857; re-elected, 1862, 1867, 1872, 1877; F. W. Stark, 1860; A. A. De Grote, 1864; N. E. Hastings, 1865; Austin D. Rice, 1869; re-elected, 1882, 1890; Amasa Clark, 1879; Samuel W. Love, 1885; John A. Hornsby, 1886; re-elected, 1891; Alexander Wass, 1894; John W. French, 1895.

CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.

The Free Will Baptist Church of Chatham Valley was organized in 1846 with fifteen members. The names of the pastors who have served this church are Charles Fooles, A. D. Pope, W. S. Smith,A. G. Downey and N. J. Shirey. The church is without a regular pastor at present. In 1896 a neat church building, costing $1,200, was erected at Chatham Valley.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Chatham, at Little Marsh, was organ- ized about 1855. It is difficult to ascertain the exact year. It appears, however, that about this time a class was organized at the Boardman school house by Rev. Alfred G. Terry. In 1855, also, the existence of a church was recognized by the conference assigning Rev. James Duncan to Chatham. The accessible records, however, do not give a list of the pastors back of 1868, when Rev. O. P. Livingston took charge, remaining until 1871. His successors have been Revs. Elisha Hudson, 1871-72; Mr. Hinman, 1872-73; A. D. Ensign, 1873-75; O. P. Livingston, 1875-77; Woodruff Post, 1877-78; J. H. Perry, 1878-79; W. Beach, 1879-81; J. W. Miller, 1881-84; J. C. Stevens, 1884-86; W. S. Dubois, 1886-87; A. P. Cole, 1887-92; C. R. Morrow, 1892-95, and H. R. Wagner, who came in November, 1895. The church was duly incorporated September 10, 1870. The trustees of incorporation were Sidney Beach, Leonard Clark, John Mead, Alexander Wass and Lockwood Smith, and also included, but not as incorporators, Abel Close, A. D. Rice, Robert Hill and A. H. Roberts. A church building was erected in the spring of 1872, at a cost of $3,500. The church now numbers 108 members.

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church, otherwise known as the "Owlett Church," is situated in the northeastern part of the township, near the Middlebury township line, and was established about thirty-five years ago. In 1882 a church building was erected at a cost of $1,200. The same pastors have served this church and the church at Little Marsh, and the list given in its history answers for both. The church now has a membership of about fifty. The Sunday-school was regularly maintained until recently, when, owing to irregular attendance, it was temporarily discontinued. The society was incorporated April 3, 1882.

The First Chatham Cemetery Association was incorporated August 28, 1872, the incorporators being Reuben Morse, Reuben Cloos, Lon Avery, Amasa Clark, Jr., Philip T. Cloos and Alanson Clark. The cemetery controlled by this association is known as the old Cloos burying ground, where a number of early pioneers lie buried.

The Lee Cemetery Association was incorporated December 22, 1886, the officers and incorporators being Daniel H. Lee, president; Sylvester Treat, secretary; John Owlett, treasurer. The cemetery, which was established about fifty years ago, is located in the northeastern part of the township, near East Chatham postoffice. The remains of the early settlers of the neighborhood are interred here.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

The Robert Hill Cemetery Association was incorporated December 29, 1894, the incorporators being A. M. Roberts, A. Spencer, H. C. Warmsley, W. H. Thompson, Gurden Reed, G. D. Beach and C. E. Beach. This cemetery is situated between Little Marsh and Beach's Mills and has been used as a place of burial for nearly half a century.

The Boardman Cemetery, near the old Boardman school house, in the western part of the township, is an old burying ground. There is also a small cemetery near the Swing Gate school house, and also one at Shortsville.

SOCIETIES.

Chatham is fairly well supplied with societies, embracing the following organi- zations: Little Marsh Lodge, No. 2262, K. of H., was chartered August 27, 1880. It meets in a hall over the store of S. P. Beach, at Beach's Mills, and embraces about twenty-five members. Alfred Toles Post, No. 320, G. A. R., contains fifty mem- bers. It was organized April 21, 1883, and has a hall at Little Marsh. Alfred Toles Corps, No. 28, W. R. C., meets at the same place. It was organized September 4, 1889, and has a membership of nearly forty. Both the post and corps are pros- perous and help to keep alive a patriotic spirit in the township. Little Marsh Tent, No. 179, K. O. T. M., was organized May 31, 1893, and meets at the lodge room in Little Marsh. Excelsior Grange, No. 1136, P. of H., which meets at the hall over Beach's store, was organized May 16, 1895. It has a membership of twenty-six.

VILLAGES AND POSTOFFICES.

Little Marsh, so named from a small marsh about two miles northwest, up the Crooked Creek valley, is situated north and east of the geographical center of the township. The first settlers upon its site were Rensselaer Toles and Robert Hill. Toles settled below and Hill above the creek bridge within the village. They both located in the early thirties. In 1837 Nehemiah Beach removed from Knoxville, and engaged in lumbering here, remaining until 1847. The first store was opened here about 1855 by T. P. W. Stark, on the site of the present hotel building. Alvin H. Rice was also an early merchant, as were also Kelley & Smith, Seymour Guild and Abner Humphrey. There are now two stores in the place; one is carried on by Cooper & Carpenter and the other by E. S. Davis & Sons. In the second story of the Cooper & Carpenter building is the lodge hall of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Knights of the Maccabees. The first hotel in the village was built in 1878, by Erastus Rice-a son of Alvin H. Rice- who still keeps it. In 1889 Alexander Wass built a cheese factory, which he still operates. A wagon shop is carried on by C. W. Ordiway and a blacksmith shop by Charles Heath.

Dr. Harvey Leach, who settled in the township in 1837, was the first physician to practice here. His successors have been Dr. S. P. Kenyon, Dr. Simmons, Dr. Street, Dr. John Feltwell and Dr. B. J. Fulkerson, who remained about fifteen years. The profession is represented at present by Dr. Inman H. White, who came in the fall of 1895.

A postoffice was established in the township previous to 1840, at the residence

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CLYMER TOWNSHIP.

of Redding Macumber, who was the first postmaster and held the office a number of years. Amasa Clark was the postmaster during the war and was succeeded by Edward Miller, who held the office one year. In the fall of 1868 the office was established at Little Marsh, with John Mowrey, postmaster, who held it until 1876. His successors have been E. W. Toles, A. D. Rice, A. M. Roberts and A. D. Rice, who was appointed a second time in the fall of 1893. The village contains a good graded school. The population of the place numbers about 150, nearly all of whom are interested in agriculture.

Chatham Valley Postoffice, or Shortsville, is in the Crooked Creek valley, near the eastern boundary line of the township. A postoffice was established here about 1840. Henry Caton was the first postmaster. The office was located in his dwell- ing, a custom continued by his successors, among whom were William Spaulding, Samuel Cady, James Wiley, John W. French, E. W. Suffern, Redding Macumber and Russell Brigden. Mr. Brigden permitted the office to lapse. A new office was established February 6, 1883, and David H. Curtis, who still fills the position, appointed postmaster. He has the office in his dwelling, in which it was located in 1852, when his father-in-law, William Spaulding, was postmaster. There is one store, that of Hollister Leach, and two blacksmith shops, carried on by Joe Borden and David Short, in Chatham Valley.

East Chatham is the name of a postoffice established July 11, 1870, in the northeastern part of the township, at the residence of R. G. Treat, who still holds the office of postmaster, and serves for the accommodation of his neighborhood rather than for any honors or emoluments attached to the place.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

CLYMER TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-ORIGIN OF NAME-WILLIAM B. CLYMER-HIS GENEROUS TREAT- MENT OF SETTLERS-PHYSICAL FEATURES OF TOWNSHIP-FOREST GROWTH- STREAMS-AREA-EARLY SETTLERS-EARLY INDUSTRIES-SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES -CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES-SOCIETIES-VILLAGES AND POSTOFFICES.

C LYMER township, originally named Middletown, was formed from portions. of Westfield and Gaines townships in December, 1850, and was named in honor of William B. Clymer, a grandson of George Clymer, a distinguished Penn- sylvanian and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Clymer was the agent of the Bingham estate, to which, before its settlement, nearly all the land in the township belonged. Land was sold at $1.25 per acre, and Mr. Clymer

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

did much to encourage settlers to locate in the township, and many stories are told of his generosity toward those who, through failure of crops, sickness or other causes, not due to their own shiftlessness or lack of industry, were unable to meet their payments. In many instances he extended them time, loaned them money, refusing interest therefor, and did his best to put heart into them and encourage them to remain on their clearings and make their permanent home in the township. Many of the old settlers, who afterwards became prosperous and well-to-do farmers, freely admitted that, had it not been for his generous aid and encouragement, they would have been compelled to abandon their clearings and begin anew elsewhere.

The general elevation of this township is about 1,600 feet above the sea level. It forms a part of the watershed of northern Pennsylvania, the streams in the northern half flowing north into the Cowanesque river, and those in the southern part flowing south into Pine creek, a tributary of the West Branch of the Susque- hanna river. The surface of the land is rolling and hilly, but not enough so to interfere with cultivation, except to a very limited extent. The township is there- fore a good agricultural township, and abounds in well-tilled and productive farms. Unlike most of the other townships of the county, the timber growth at the time of its settlement was mostly hard wood, principally maple and beech, with a liberal admixture of hickory, cherry and hemlock. The lands were not, therefore, pur- chased, in the first instance, with a view to lumbering, but to cultivation.

The streams of the township are Potter brook, which rises in the northwestern part, and flows north into Westfield township, uniting with the Cowanesque river at the village of Potter Brook; Crance brook, which rises in the southern part of the township and flows north into Westfield township; Mill creek and its branches, which drain the central part of the township, flow north into Westfield township and unite with the Cowanesque at Westfield borough; Jemison creek, which has its source in the southeastern part of the township and flows north into Westfield township, emptying into the Cowanesque at Phillips Station; and Long run and its branches, which drain the southwestern quarter of the township, and flow south into Gaines township and unite with Pine creek.

The township is nearly square, being seven miles from east to west by about five and one-third miles from north to south, the superficial area being about thirty- seven square miles.

EARLY SETTLERS.

James Mix, who located at what is still known as Mixtown in 1818, is reputed to have been the first settler in the township. In 1820 Simon Rixford, a Revolu- tionary soldier, and a pioneer settler at Knoxville, purchased the Mix property. He was accompanied by his wife and his stepson, George O. Bristol. The latter assisted him in clearing his land and later purchased a tract for himself from Mr. Rixford's son David. At this time the entire township was a wilderness, the nearest neighbor being Stephen Potter, at the mouth of Potter brook, in Westfield town- ship. In 1823 Rufus Scott, a son of Luke Scott, a pioneer settler at Knoxville, located west of Rixford on the place now owned and occupied by his son, Eli D. Scott. George Briggs, another early settler, came about 1823, and settled east of

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Frank Eberle

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CLYMER TOWNSHIP.

Mixtown. Christopher Schoonover also settled about 1823 in the Mixtown neighborhood.

Silas S. Griffin, a native of Madison county, New York, settled, in 1833, in the eastern part of the township, on the farm now occupied by Charles L. Bruce, who married his widow. Peter Rushmore, a native of New York, and a tanner and currier, settled in Knoxville in 1820 and in 1835 removed to and cleared and im- proved the farm now occupied by Wilbur Churchill, passing his life there. In 1836 Lyman Hancock, a native of Madison county, New York, settled near Sabinsville, where he resided until 1868, when he removed to Westfield. In the same year Isaac Beach located in the Mixtown neighborhood on the farm now occupied by his son, Burdett Beach. Charles P. Douglas, also a native of Madison county, New York, located in February, 1837, near Sabinsville. In 1837, also, Orrin Stebbins settled in the Sabinsville neighborhood. Alonzo Giles Sabin, a native of Lebanon, New . York, settled in 1838, on the farm southwest of Sabinsville now occupied by his widow and his son, Luman E. Sabins. The village of Sabinsville was named in his honor. In 1840 Freeman Wilcox, a native of New York, settled on and improved the farm west of Sabinsville now occupied by his son, William W. Dixon South- worth settled in 1842, in the northeastern part of the township, on the farm now owned by his son Charles. He died in February, 1893, aged eighty-nine years. Erastus G. Hill located in the township in 1844, and afterwards removed to West- field and built the Hill House. In 1845 Thomas Barber settled in the Mixtown neighborhood. Aaron Yale, one of the oldest living settlers of the township, located in 1845 a short distance southeast of Sabinsville. In 1847 Thomas Eldridge, a native of Vermont, settled on the farm southeast of Sabinsville now owned by his son, John Eldridge. In this year, also, Reese I., Reuben and Hiram Reynolds settled on Jemison creek.

In 1848 Sylvester Davey, a native of Chenango county, New York, settled south of Sabinsville, in what was then Gaines township. In the same year Roswell Ackley settled in the Ackley school district, northeast of Sabinsville. His son, C. C. Ackley, now occupies the old homestead. E. G. Smith settled between Sabinsville and Mixtown in 1849, in which year John Sawyer came into the township. In 1849, also, Dennis D. Roberts, a native of Herkimer county, New York, settled near Sabinsville, and divided his time between farming and his trade. Be- sides those mentioned, the following were early settlers in the township: John King, Elihu Matteson, Willard Potter, Archibald Campbell, Samuel Swimelar, Orson Pemberton, Nathaniel Owen, Watson Trowbridge, who settled about 1839 or 1840; Nathaniel Skinner, William Larrison, Samuel Niver, C. R. Skinner, Caleb Trow- bridge, Peter Lovell and John Lovell, all of whom settled in and around Mixtown. Among the early settlers on Long run were George Harvey, Jared Davis, who located on the site of Davis Station; Calvin Newton, Moses Newton and William R. Burdic. Among those who settled in and around Sabinsville were Thomas Strait, Zachariah Heminger, William Rogers, Roswell Rogers, Demarquis Thompson, Frederick Swimelar, William Ladd, Lovel Short, Cyrus Paddock and George, William and Charles Labar.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

EARLY INDUSTRIES.

Before the forests were cleared away and the township reduced to its present high state of cultivation, nearly every settler had a "sugar bush," of from one to several hundred sugar maple trees upon his place, and the approach of spring was heralded by the lighting of the fires in hundreds of "sugar camps," and the manu- facture, during the sap-running season, of large quantities of maple sugar, which was hauled overland to the Cowanesque river and to Pine creek, and shipped on rafts down those streams, finding a ready market in Painted Post, Corning, Elmira, Towanda, Williamsport, Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The sugar camp was not only a scene of industry but of merry making, of which the young people took the fullest and freest advantage, and many a gray-haired sire and matron loves now to recall the frolics and dances that accompanied this pleasant and well-nigh departed occupation of each returning springtime.

Though not the leading industry, lumbering was carried on to a considerable extent, and mills for the purpose of home supply were erected on Mill creek and its branches, the lumber manufactured being used in the erection of houses and barns, though most of the settlers contented themselves for years with the log cabin, the typical home of the pioneer. In time these were replaced with neat frame resi- dences fit to domicile an industrious and thrifty people.

SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.

The first school house in the township was built in 1826 at Mixtown. In 1832 a school building was erected at Sabinsville, and as the township became settled new school districts were created, and proper attention paid to the education of the young. The school at Sabinsville is now a graded school, in which two teachers are employed. Among the early teachers in this school were Alonzo G. Sabin, Ambrose Close, Martin Purple, Alma Davey and Ann Benn. Other early teachers in the township were Hiram K. Hill, Horace P. Hill, Sarah Whittaker, E. O. Austin, J. B. Seely and Alveron Pritchard. Good school houses have been erected for the accommodation and comfort of the pupils and good teachers are yearly employed for instructing them in the courses of study adopted.

The office of justice of the peace has been filled by the following named persons: W. A. Douglas, 1851; re-elected, 1858, 1863; James Pritchard, 1853; Daniel Holmes, 1861; V. R. Gee, 1868; re-elected, 1873, 1878; Ira S. Stocum, 1873; re- elected, 1878, 1883, 1888, 1893; J. L. Thompson, 1882; re-elected, 1887, 1896; Alfred King, 1892; John Davis, 1893.

CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Clymer was organized about 1853, and a house of worship erected in 1856 at a cost of $1,100. It was dedicated December 17, 1859. A new church edifice was erected in 1888, and dedicated December 18, of that year. This was destroyed by fire December 9, 1893. This church being in the Westfield charge, the same pastors have served both societies. Since the burning of the church building, however, the organization has lapsed. Some of its members have united with other churches, while others attend the church in Westfield.

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CLYMER TOWNSHIP.

Clymer Baptist Church was organized in March, 1869, in the Methodist church in the Ackley school district, about a mile east of Sabinsville, by Rev. William Owens, evangelist. Among the early members were O. B. Colony, Barton Morse and wife, Mrs. Martha Reynolds, Mrs. Estoria Frasier, Mrs. S. J. Ackley, Noah Weeks and wife, Asa Gile and wife and Mrs. Betsey Davis. In 1871 the congregation began the erection of a house of worship in Sabinsville. It was completed and dedicated in 1877. It is a neat frame edifice and cost $3,000. The first deacons of this church were O. B. Colony, Willard Brown and L. H. Knapp. The following named minis- ters have served this church as pastors: Revs. Orson Schoonover, Martin Seagers, Mr. Todd, Charles Diffin, P. T. Reynolds, S. L. Bouvier, J. Mullany, A. W. Mettler and S. A. Fields. The church now numbers forty-eight members. There are sixty pupils in the Sunday-school, of which Mrs. R. J. Reynolds is the superintendent.

The Free Will Baptist Church of Sabinsville was organized in June, 1895, with the following members: Mrs. Minnie Ackley, Mrs. Nellie Nichols, Mary Vanloy, S. French, Frank Gill and wife, Daniel Brown and William Cole and wife. This congregation meets in the Baptist church. The pastor is Rev. J. C. Warren, of Keeneyville.

Cemeteries .- The Sabinsville cemetery is located in the southern part of the village. It is unincorporated and is a free burial place. The Ackley cemetery is situated southeast of Sabinsville, on the Main road to Wellsboro. The Labar bury- ing ground is near the Westfield township line on the Mud road. The West Beech Woods cemetery is one and one-half miles south of Sabinsville on the farm of Andrew J. Clark. The Bristol burying ground is two miles west of Sabinsville. In this graveyard lie the remains of Simon Rixford, the patriot and pioneer. The Owen cemetery is situated in the southwest corner of the township, near the Potter county line. The Barber cemetery is at Mixtown. The Larrison and Swimelar cemeteries are practically family burying grounds. In each of these places of burial rest the remains of the early settlers in the immediate neighborhood. Some originally family graveyards have become public cemeteries, while others have been set apart for the private burial of the relatives of the family on whose land the first graves were opened.

SOCIETIES.

The societies of Clymer are as follows: Sabinsville Lodge, No. 2300, K. of H., was organized October 2, 1880, and has fifteen members. Sabinsville Union, No. 253, E. A. U., was organized March 5, 1881, and embraces thirty members. H. C. Ackley Post, No. 469, G. A. R., organized January 19, 1885, contains a membership of thirty old soldiers who helped to defend the flag. Sabinsville Grange, No. 989, P. of H., has a membership of sixty-five. It was organized December 15, 1890, and is in a flourishing condition. Clymer Tent, No. 166, K. O. T. M., was organized April 26, 1893, and has thirty members. Sabinsville Hive, No. 95, L. O. T. M., was organized in 1895. Thus the township is well supplied with social and secret organ- izations, some of which have done much good in the community.

VILLAGES AND POSTOFFICES.

Mixtown, named for James Mix, who settled upon the site in 1818, is situated in the western part of the township, about a mile from the Potter county line. At

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

one time it gave promise of being a place of some importance as a trading point. It contained two stores, carried on by W. O. Bristol and J. H. Rushmore, but after the completion of the Fall Brook railroad to Westfield and Potter Brook, and of the Addison and Pennsylvania railroad to Sabinsville, trade was diverted to these places and the stores at Mixtown, discontinued business. A postoffice, established over fifty years ago, was discontinued in October, 1894, for lack of sufficient patronage. Among those who filled the office of postmaster here were Christopher Schoonover, James Pritchard, W. O. Bristol, J. H. Rushmore and Eli D. Scott. Mr. Scott held the office for seventeen years previous to its discontinuance. A cheese factory, erected in 1886, by J. H. Rushmore, and still owned and operated by him, is the only manufacturing industry in the place.

Sabinsville, situated in the Mill Creek valley, on the Addison and Pennsylvania railroad, about a mile south of the north line of the township, was named in honor of Alonzo G. Sabin. The first settlers here were Charles P. Douglas, Orrin Stebbins and Elijah Hancock. A postoffice was established in 1849, with C. P. Douglas as postmaster. He held the office sixteen years and was succeeded by E. H. Stebbins, who held it twelve years. His successors have been L. J. Stone, G. W. Douglas, who held it twelve years, and C. M. Davis, who was appointed June 18, 1894. The first store in the place was built by Butler B. Strang and stocked with goods by himself and C. P. Douglas. Among the other early merchants were D. A. Tooker, William Simmons, J. L. Thompson and L. J. Stone. Mr. Stone, who is still in business, is the oldest resident of the village. Those engaged in merchandising at present are J. F. Goodspeed, F. L. Sears, E. W. Southworth, L. J. Stone, C. M. Davis and E. Bevier. Mr. Bevier deals in hardware and is also in the livery business. George A. Roberts, the village blacksmith, is also a furniture dealer and undertaker. The first hotel was kept by C. P. Douglas. In 1865 D. A. Tooker built the Clymer House. Among those who succeeded him as landlords of this hotel were G. W. Schott, Lucius Inscho and John Eldridge. It was destroyed by fire in 1888, being at the time the property of the last named, who in the same year erected the Hotel Beach, a com- modious three-story edifice. The present landlord is Lester W. Rice.

In 1837 the first saw-mill in the township was built on Mill creek, within the present village, by Orrin Stebbins and Elijah Hancock. In 1872 Stebbins and Roberts built a steam saw and grist-mill, which was burned in 1877. At the present time a flour and feed mill is owned and operated by E. B. Schott. A cheese factory located in the same building is conducted by O. H. Snyder, of North Fork, Potter county. A shingle mill is carried on by C. B. Cole.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 59

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