History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 76

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

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

near the southwest corner of the public square, until a short time before his death, March 24, 1843. This building was torn down in the fall of 1895. His remains and those of his wife, who died April 17, 1839, repose in the cemetery south of Cov- ington borough. The next to settle was David Clemons, who located three miles south of Covington borough, near the southern line of the township, on the farm now owned by W. J. Richards. He came from Vermont in 1806, and was the first person to mine Blossburg coal for shipment, hauling an occasional load overland to Painted Post.

Aaron Gillett, who settled in Tioga township in 1798, removed to Cherry Flats about 1804. L. L. Washburn, now a resident of Roaring Branch, says his father cleared the land at Cherry Flats, before 1806, on which Levi Elliott, who came into the township in 1808, settled in 1812. Elijah Putnam, a native of Worcester county, Massachusetts, came from Langdon, Cheshire county, Massachusetts, in 1809, and settled east of the borough, on the farm now owned by John Cleveland. Asahel Graves came in 1811, from Peru, Bennington county, Vermont, and settled on Elk run. Tilly Marvin came in 1817 from New Hampshire and settled on the west side of the river, near the mouth of Marvin creek. He was four times mar- ried, and was the father of twenty-four children. About 1825 Ephraim B. Gerould, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, settled just east of the borough. Among other early settlers were John Copp, who located in "Copp Hollow," west of Tilly Marvin; Alonzo Reddington, James Pettis, Jonathan Jennings, Isaac Bliss and Abraham Johnson, who settled on Elk run. Mr. Bliss was the father of P. P. Bliss, the celebrated evangelist, who lost his life in the railroad disaster at Ashta- bula, Ohio, December 30, 1876. The early settlers along the State road were Nor- man Rockwell and Avery Gillett. John Jaquish settled on Canoe Camp creek, near the Richmond township line, in 1828, on the farm now owned by his son, Charles Jaquish. About 1830 Lyman and Calvin Frost settled on Canoe Camp creek, east of Covington borough. Their brothers, Samuel, James and Elias, came later. These five brothers were the founders of the "Frost Settlement." They have left numerous descendants. After 1830 the township filled up rapidly, the valleys of the river and creeks being the first to be cleared and cultivated.

EARLY AND LATER ENTERPRISES.

In 1822 Daniel Harkness erected a distillery on the hillside east of the Glass Works. This he appears to have disposed of a year later to Isaac Walker, Jr. It was discontinued in 1826. In 1824 Daniel Harkness erected a grist-mill on the Tioga river, south of the borough limits. In 1834 the mill was transferred to James Husted, who operated it until 1837, when it became the property of Isaac Baker, who was succeeded by Israel L. Wells in 1840, who ran it until 1842, when it became the property of Joseph Hubbell. It was burned soon afterward, and on its site Mr. Hubbell erected a large three-story mill. This mill was afterwards operated by U. S. Diffenbaugh and by Evans & Brown. It was also destroyed by fire. In 1873 the present mill, which is operated by C. F. King, was erected, on a site near the old mills. It is a water-power mill, devoted to custom grinding.

A sash factory was erected in 1834, near the grist-mill, by William Hagenbach, In 1836 he disposed of it to George C. Kress. In 1837 a saw-mill was erected and

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COVINGTON TOWNSHIP.

operated in connection with the factory. It is related that the sash made in this factory were hauled overland to Pine creek, and rafted down that stream to Wil- liamsport and below. This was in addition to shipments by railroad into southern New York. In 1846 the enterprise was assessed to Weatherbee & Kress, who car- ried it on until 1848, when D. S. & W. H. Ireland became the owners. A year later D. S. Ireland became sole owner and carried it on for a number of years.

In 1837 Lyman Frost erected a saw-mill on Canoe Camp creek, in the "Frost Settlement." This he operated for a number of years. In 1839 Boyd & Cleaver erected a saw-mill near the mouth of Elk run. In this mill oak plank, seventy to eighty feet in length, for use in building canal boats, were sawed. After Mr. Boyd's death, in 1842, the mill became the property of Edwin Dyer. He ran it until 1848, when it was turned into a tannery, operated by Edward Milliken and Nathan Gitchell. It was destroyed by fire about 1851. In 1839 Asahel Culver built a saw-mill on Elk run, just below Cherry Flats, and in 1841 erected a grist-mill. These mills were sold to Joel Beebe, who ran the grist-mill until about 1853 and the saw-mill until 1862 or 1863. In 1843 Joseph Jaquish erected a saw-mill on Canoe Camp creek, near the Richmond township line. This he ran for several years. Levi Elliott and his sons, N. A. and Levi H. Elliott, built a saw-mill at Cherry Flats, which they ran about ten years. The "Elk Horn mill" was erected on Elk run, on the Rockwell place, about 1847, by Francis Weatherbee, Benjamin Kress and Orrin Day Weeks. It was operated until about 1870. About 1854 a saw-mill was erected just above the Edwin Klock place, by Abraham Johnson and Thomas Goodenow. It was operated for a number of years. In 1852 Irving Harkness estab- lished a tannery at Cherry Flats, which he operated until 1854.

The Covington Glass Works were erected in 1850 by David Hurlbut, south of the borough. After being operated by many owners, they passed into the control of Hirsch, Ely & Company, of Blossburg, about 1880, and were carried on by them for about ten years. For the past five years the works have been operated by a com- pany composed of citizens of Covington. A fine quality of window glass is manu- factured, and employment given to about fifty persons.

SCHOOLS.

Previous to the enactment of the public-school law in 1835, the schools of the township were supported by subscription. The first school houses were log struc- tures, crude in construction and primitive in appointments. Among the earliest were those erected in the Frost Settlement, in Copp Hollow, at Cherry Flats and at West Covington. After the public school law went into effect the township was divided into districts, and a better class of school houses erected. As the township increased in population the original districts were sub-divided, until in 1896 there were thirteen districts, in which school is maintained during six months of the year. Good teachers, generally graduates of the State Normal School at Mansfield, are employed, and good wages paid. The schools rank among the best public schools of the county.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

POSTMASTERS AND JUSTICES.

The postoffice of West Covington, the only one in the township, was established in 1869. Edwin Klock was postmaster until July, 1875, when Francis Kelley, the present incumbent, was appointed. The office is located in the Elk Run valley, two miles and a half northeast of Cherry Flats, on the stage route between Wellsboro and Mansfield.

The following named persons have held the office of justice of the peace in the township: John Gray, 1816; re-appointed, 1825; Eli Gitchell, 1819; Isaac Dewey, 1822; John Cochran, 1824; Ebenezer Ripley, 1824; John Marvin, 1825; re- appointed, 1835; Almon Allen, 1827; Ephraim B. Gerould, 1827; Thomas Dyer, 1827; James C. Turner, 1828; John Shaffer, 1828; Thomas Putnam, 1830; re- elected, 1845; David Hazzard, 1830; Rufus Smith, 1831; Daniel N. Hunt, 1832; Martin Robinson, 1832; Alanson Miller, 1834; Solon Richards, 1835; William Hill, 1835; Alfred Ripley, 1836; Evan Harris, 1837; Edwin Dyer, 1838; re-elected, 1840; Isaac Drake, 1838; Benjamin Kress, 1845; George Knox, 1850; Calvin Newell, 1850; Josiah Graves, 1851; Richard Videan, 1852; N. A. Elliott, 1856; James T. Frost, 1859; N. A. Elliott, 1861; S. F. Richards, 1864; re-elected, 1875; Silas S. Rockwell, 1866; H. G. Martin, 1867; re-elected, 1872, 1877, 1882; Joseph Whiting, 1869; S. C. Watkins, 1882; re-elected, 1887; J. B. Ford, 1887; re-elected, 1893; Charles Jaquish, 1890.

CHURCHES, CEMETERIES AND SOCIETIES.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cherry Flats originated in a class formed about thirty years ago. On June 9, 1877, the society was incorporated, the incorporators being D. G. Edwards, S. H. Wood, Thomas R. Bowen, George Cramer and H. G. Martin. In 1878 the present church building was completed and dedi- cated. The church has been in the East Charleston charge since its organization and is served by the pastors of the church at East Charleston, or Whitneyville. It maintains a well attended Sunday-school and has a large membership.

The Second Adventist Church owns a neat building in Cherry Flats. The mem- bers are residents of the western part of Covington and eastern part of Charleston. A Sunday-school is also maintained. Adjoining the church is a cemetery.

The Covington Cemetery, just south of the borough, is the resting place of the early settlers of the borough and vicinity. The first interments were made here about 1835. Here repose the remains of Aaron Bloss and Ruah (Lownsbury) Bloss, his wife, of Isaac Walker, Ephraim B. Gerould and other early settlers.

The Gray Cemetery was established in 1881 on the Victor Gray place, west of the river. The first body buried here was that of Charles Gray, a son of the owner of the ground. This cemetery is neatly fenced and well taken care of.

The cemetery on the Lewis farm, on Elk run, has been used as a burial place for many years. It is about a half mile east of West Covington. The remains of a number of the early settlers of the Elk Run valley are buried here.

Societies .- Covington Borough Grange, No. 1016, P. of H., was organized March 7, 1891, and now numbers twenty-seven members. It met in Covington borough until December, 1894, when the place of meeting was changed to the resi- dence of Bradley Wilkins, near West Covington. There is also a large and pros- perous grange in the Frost Settlement.

CHAPTER LI.

COVINGTON BOROUGH.

LOCATION AND SURROUNDINGS-POPULATION-EARLY SETTLERS-MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES-EARLY HOTEL KEEPERS AND MERCHANTS-BOROUGH ORGANIZA- TION AND OFFICIALS-POSTMASTERS AND PHYSICIANS-NEWSPAPERS-SCHOOLS- CHURCHES AND SECRET SOCIETIES.

YOVINGTON borough, created in May, 1831, was taken from Covington town- C ship, and is one of the oldest boroughs in the county. It is situated on both sides of the Tioga river, the valley of which is between one-half and three-fourths of a mile wide here, and nearly level, affording an excellent site for even a much larger place than the borough has grown to be. The area embraced within the borough limits is less than a square mile, the residence portion of the place extending on the south into the township. The public square and business center is at the crossing of the Williamson road, which runs north and south, and the State road, which runs east and west. The former road was cut through the Tioga valley in 1792-93, and the latter from Towanda, Bradford county, to Wellsboro, in 1808. At the crossing of these roads the village grew, taking the name of "Covington Four Corners." The tide of travel being over these two great thoroughfares, it soon became a place of im- portance and was at one time the largest village in the county, having no less than three hotels, besides several stores, shops, mills, etc. After the completion of the Tioga railroad in 1840, it was the point from which freight for Wellsboro was shipped overland, and continued so until the building of the Fall Brook railroad to the latter place. Though lacking much of the bustle and activity of former years, it is still a good business point, being in the midst of a rich, well-cultivated, prosperous and productive portion of the county. In 1870 it had 315 inhabitants; in 1880, 343, and in 1890, 496.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Sherman Day in his "Historical Collections of Pennsylvania" says:

Mr. [Isaiah] Washburn, Mr. Elijah Putnam and Mr. Mallory settled at Covington "corners" previous to 1806. Mr. [Aaron] Bloss and Mr. [Josiah] Hovey had settled about the year 1801 two miles below. Mr. Sackett also lived near the same place. The land titles were for a long time in dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania claimants. When at last they were settled in favor of Pennsylvania, or "Pennamites," as the " Con- nectient Boys " called them, Mr. William Patton came in as their agent and laid out the town, about the year 1822, and started a store and tavern. For some years the place in- creased very slowly and was known as the corners. In 1831 it assumed the dignity of a borough.

The first person to settle permanently on what afterwards became the borough site, was Elijah Putnam, who bought a tract of land, partly within and partly east of the borough limits. Peter Kelts, who had previously located at

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Mansfield, came soon after Elijah Putnam, whose daughter, Sally, he married January 1, 1818. Isaac Walker came from New Hampshire in 1813, reaching the borough site July 4. He settled on the farm west of the river now owned by Charles Howland. John Conrad Youngman, the first hotel keeper, came before 1812. The house kept by him stood on the northwest corner of the square. Christopher Huntington, the first blacksmith, was here as early as 1814 or 1815. His name appears on the assessment list of the latter year. Elijah Gaylord came in 1820, and located near the old sash factory. He afterward removed to Bloss- burg, where he passed the remaining years of his life. Samuel Barber came in 1825. He kept the hotel, established by Youngman, for a number of years. Ephraim B. Gerould, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, came about 1825. He built the first saw-mill in the borough and became prominent as a lumberman and merchant.

In 1820 Thomas Dyer came from Amherst, New Hampshire, and settled in the southern part of Richmond township. About 1835 he moved his family to Covington. His son, Edwin, soon afterward opened a store here and became the leading merchant and foremost citizen of the place. In 1837 Ira Patchen came from Bath, Steuben county, New York, and opened a gunsmith shop, continuing in business until his death, April 11, 1895.

The above named were the principal settlers during the earlier years of the borough's history. Others there were who came and remained temporarily, be- longing to the restless class, who followed up the pioneers, and found more interest and excitement in making new locations than in settling down permanently in any one place. They belonged to a large class who have left but a fleeting memory behind them, but who were, nevertheless, adventurous and daring, if not at all times as enterprising and industrious as those who remained and assisted in the upbuilding of town and country.

MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES.

The assessment list of Covington township for 1818 shows that William Pat- ton, proprietor of much of the land now embraced within the borough limits, was the owner of a saw-mill. The exact location of this mill cannot now be de- termined. It stood in Mr. Patton's name until 1819, when it appears to have been transferred to Peter Kelts, son-in-law of Major Elijah Putnam. He was succeeded as owner, in 1823, by Thomas Prosser, who owned it until 1825, when it disappears from the assessment list altogether. In 1823 Hiram Thomas, "tan- ner and currier," located within the borough, and in 1830, established a "tan yard," to which he added the business of shoe making in 1831. He operated it until 1833. A tannery was established on the site of the postoffice building in 1830, by George Knox, Sr., in which his son, George Knox, Jr., worked as "tanner and currier." In 1839 this tannery became the property of John G. Boyd, S. S. Cleaver and L. C. Levalley. After Mr. Boyd's death, in February, 1842, the partnership was dissolved, and the business discontinued. In 1843 L. C. Levalley and Ephraim B. Gerould erected a tannery near the present saw- mill. About 1849 they sold it to Isaac Berry and Thomas Jones, who carried it on until 1868, when it shut down. In 1830 John Gray, who had one-half

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COVINGTON BOROUGH.

interest, Pliny Burr and Ephraim B. Gerould, each having one-fourth interest, erected a saw-mill on the west side of the river, where the present mill now stands. Within a year Mr. Gerould acquired Burr's interest. Gray's interest was ac- quired by Richard Videan, who soon sold to Edwin Dyer. Mr. Gerould appears to have acquired Mr. Dyer's interest, and to have operated the mill until his death in 1845, after which his son, Otis G. Gerould, carried on the business until 1879, when H. S. Fick purchased the mill. He sold it a few years later to Lorenzo Doud, the present owner. Three mills have been destroyed by fire on this site. The one now standing was erected in 1866. It is a water-power mill, with an old- fashioned, upright saw, and is devoted to sawing for local demand.

In 1831 James Weeks established a fulling-mill between the old Knox tan- nery and the river. This, a few years later, developed into a woolen factory. In 1837 Edwin Dyer and E. B. Gerould acquired the property, which, in 1839, was purchased by John G. Boyd. After Mr. Boyd's death, in 1842, the enterprise ap- pears to have been discontinued. About 1843 Asa Crandall erected a factory in the southern part of the borough for the manufacture of furniture, making a specialty of bedsteads. He carried on the enterprise until a short time before his death, in 1850. In 1845 Edwin Dyer erected a building, intended for a foundry, beside the railroad, at the crossing of the State road. The depot burned that year, and the building has since been used as a passenger and freight station. The idea of starting a foundry was abandoned. About this time, also, James Weeks established a woolen factory, between the old Boyd & Cleaver tannery and the river. This was run successfully for a number of years. In 1866 George A. Spring came to Covington from Washington, D. C., and established a bottling works in the building now occupied by Robinson & Morris. A few years later his father-in-law, Jacob Hartman, became associated with him, and the business has since been carried on under the firm name of Hartman & Spring. They manufacture soda and mineral waters, and have a large trade, especially in the summer season. In October, 1881, Bennett & Spring erected a fruit dryer and evaporator, which they operated up to a few years ago, during good fruit seasons. The uncertainty of the fruit crop, however, lead to an abandonment of the enter- prise. The building is now used by the Standard Oil Company, who have recently established a distributing station in the borough.

EARLY HOTEL KEEPERS AND MERCHANTS.

About 1815 John Conrad Youngman began keeping hotel in a building erected on the northwest corner of the square. Among those who kept this house after Mr. Youngman, were Samuel Barber, who took charge in 1825; William Hagenbach, F. E. Young, Benjamin Phillips, Phineas Cleaver and Thomas Graves. Each landlord added something to the building, until in time it became a large three-story structure. It was destroyed by fire about ten years ago, being vacant at the time. About 1819 another hotel building, long known as the "Salt Box," was erected near the southwest corner of the square. J. O. Pine kept this hotel for many years. In 1835 Aaron Bloss removed from Blossburg and resumed hotel keeping here, continuing until a short time before his death, in March, 1843. It was afterwards kept by Phineas Cleaver and James D. Husted. In the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

fall of 1895 the building was torn down. A third hotel was built west of the river by Elijah Putnam. James Porter was the first landlord here. This build- ing, the only survivor of the early hotels, is now used as a tenement house. The Bartlett House, George A. Spring, landlord, is the only hotel in the borough at the present time. It was erected by Edwin Dyer for a store building.

Pliny Burr, the first merchant, opened a store in 1830. He appears to have discontinued business within a year, and to have resumed again in 1835, in which year, also, Benjamin Kress opened a store. On the assessment list of 1837, Pliny Burr is marked "moved." In 1836 Benjamin Kress sold his store to George C. Kress. Thomas Dyer embarked in business in 1837. About 1837, also, B. H. Taylor established a store. In 1839 Dyer sold to John G. Boyd. Edwin Dyer began business as a merchant in 1841. In this year, also, the mercantile firm of Packard & Taylor, consisting of Stephen Packard and B. H. Taylor, was formed. It lasted but a year. Packard continued in business alone for several years. Henry W. Graves is assessed as a "merchant" in the list for 1847. He was rich for those days, having $2,000 at interest. O. F. Taylor, who clerked for his brother, B. H. Taylor, embarked in business for himself in 1846, and afterward became a partner with Edwin Dyer. This partnership was afterwards dissolved, each of the partners engaging in business for himself, Mr. Dyer continuing until his death, in 1879. John Calvin Bennett embarked in business in 1849, and continued until his death, January 21, 1889, when he was succeeded by his son, A. M. Bennett, now superintendent of the Elmira Glass Works, Elmira, New York. This store is now conducted by Robinson & Morris, as the successors of Bennett & Robinson.

BOROUGH ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIALS.

The borough of Covington was created at the May term of the court. of quarter sessions in 1831, at which term the borough of Lawrenceville was also created. The first officers were, John Gray, burgess; Nathan Paul, Abiel E. Russell, Hiram Thomas, Ephraim B. Gerould and Abner Newland, councilmen, and Calvin M. Newland, constable. Regular borough elections were held and borough officers elected until 1834, the burgesses being James Weeks, 1832; Tilly Marvin, 1833, and Harmon Whitehead, 1834. From 1834 to 1851 the charter of the borough lapsed. It was revived in the latter year, since which time the following-named persons have filled the office of burgess: William C. Webb, 1852; George Knox, 1853; I. C. Bennett, 1854; Edwin Dyer, 1855; Thomas Putnam, 1856; H. M. Gould, 1857-58; Edwin Dyer, 1859; Ira Patchen, 1860; John C. Bennett, 1861; Leonard Palmer, 1862; P. P. Putnam, 1863-64; Leonard Palmer, 1865; O. G. Gerould, 1866-67; A. M. Bennett, 1868-69; Jacob Hartman, 1870; E. B. Deeker, 1871-72; A. M. Bennett, 1873; Charles Howland, 1874; T. B. Putnam, 1875; R. K. Skinner, 1876; A. M. Bennett, 1877; O. G. Gerould, 1878; W. H. Lamkin, 1879; S. Blanchard, 1880; Edwin Klock, 1881; J. M. Hoagland, 1882; T. B. Putnam, 1883; A. M. Bennett, 1884-85; H. S. Fick, 1886; F. M. Putnam, 1887; E. E. Phelps, 1888; Joshua Ingalls, 1889; George Ridge, 1890; John Kendrick, 1891-93; O. G. Gerould, 1894-96, and G. S. Harding, elected in 1897.

Since the re-organization of the borough, in 1851, the office of justice of

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COVINGTON BOROUGH.

the peace has been held by the following named persons: Richard Videan, 1852; Stephen S. Packard, 1855; re-elected, 1860, 1865, 1870, 1875; Ira Patchen, 1856; re-elected, 1861; Edwin Dyer, 1866; re-elected, 1871; Joseph O. Price, 1875; J. P. Walker, 1877; O. G. Gerould, 1879; re-elected, 1884; L. B. Smith, 1881; re-elected, 1886; S. D. Forrest, 1889; Colin B. Clark, 1891; Augustus Redfield, 1892, and John E. Brown, 1895.

POSTMASTERS AND PHYSICIANS.

Thomas Putnam, the first postmaster of Covington, was appointed in 1822. He held the office until 1826. His successor, Ephraim B. Gerould, continued in the office until his death, in 1845, when Edwin Dyer was appointed. His suc- cessors have been George Knox, David Caldwell, who held the office from 1857 to 1861; Julius Doane, who served for over twenty years; Floyd E. Phelps, and Miss Isabella T. Dyer, who was appointed in July, 1889.

The name of "Hyram Cannon, physician," appears upon the assessment list of 1816, as does, also, that of Stillman Cannon, afterwards a practicing physician at Mansfield and Mainesburg. It is presumed they both lived at Mansfield, and that Hiram included Covington in his practice. His name is missing from the assessment list of 1818. Dr. Pliny Power, a pioneer physician of Lawrenceville and Tioga, located in Mansfield in 1819, and included Covington in his practice. Dr. Hiram Whitehead located in the borough in 1831 and practiced for a few years and then devoted himself to farming. Dr. George Spratt came in 1835 and practiced several years. Dr. Henry Kilbourn located in the borough in 1840, and for nearly half a century practiced in Covington and Blossburg, residing at different times in each place. Dr. E. S. Robbins, who is still actively engaged in practice, came in 1856. Dr. S. Banks came in 1858, but remained only a short time. Dr. Henry Kilbourn, Jr., began practice in 1859, and continued until his death, in 1888. Then came Dr. C. W. Hazlett, Dr. Smith and Dr. Lewis Town- send. The present resident physicians are Dr. E. S. Robbins, Dr. Philemon Rum- sey, who carries on a drug store, and Dr. S. A. Gaskill.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 76

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