History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 77

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

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NEWSPAPERS.

In February, 1888, S. D. Forrest began the publication of The Riverside Intelligencer. It was issued monthly, and was devoted to local affairs, having, also, well-chosen selections for home reading. On August 17, 1889, it was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and appeared under the name of the Covington In- telligencer, which was issued weekly until Mr. Forrest's death, November 15, 1892. His widow sold the plant to A. and C. C. Redfield, who issued the first number of the Weekly Monitor, February 3, 1893. In November, 1895, C. C. Redfield removed the paper to Painted Post, New York. On December 5, 1895, I. R. Doud began the publication of the Covington Record, a seven-column folio, published weekly and devoted to local interests. It suspended publication in the fall of 1896. On January 23, 1897, C. C. Redfield, former publisher of the Weekly Monitor, began the publication of the Covington Sun. It appears weekly and is devoted to local affairs.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the borough was established as early as 1815, and was sus- tained by subscription. In 1816 a one-story school building was erected near the site of the present graded school building. After being used many years it was torn down, and a building, near the site of the Presbyterian church, which had been erected for a store, was used for school purposes until 1868, when the present graded school building was erected. Until the establishment of the graded school, that portion of the borough west of the river was a separate school district. At the present time three teachers are employed. There is an average of eight months school each year. Among the names of the earlier teachers, still remembered by the living, are those of Joel Harkness, Arminus Fellows, Robert Bailey and Lucy Putnam.

In 1841 Prof. Julius Doane established a seminary on the west side of the river, with Miss Lucy Putnam as preceptress. Instruction was given in the lauguages, higher mathematics, music, etc. It was maintained for three years and had an average attendance of seventy students.

CHURCHES AND SECRET SOCIETIES.

The Church of Christ of Covington was organized by Elder James Whitehead, October 7, 1829, with the following members: James Whitehead, Hannah Whitehead, Adam Empy, Anna Empy, Norman Lanphear and Joshua Newell. Elder Whitehead served as pastor until 1835. His successors have been James Welton, 1838-42; H. A. Pratt, 1842-44; Ira Brown, 1844-45; M. Buzzell and Calvin Newell, 1845-48; Theobald Miller, 1848-53; B. R. Hurd, 1853-55; C. D. Kinney, 1855-59; A. G. Hammond, 1859-66; J. G. Encell, 1867-68; J. W. R. Stewart, 1869-70; I. R. Spencer, 1870-82; G. W. Headley, 1882-84; J. O. Cutts, 1884-87; M. S. Blair, 1891, and U. A. White, 1891-96. Rev. Leon J. Reynolds, the present pastor, took charge in January, 1897. On June 2, 1848, the building committee of the church entered into a contract with James Levegood for the erection of a church building on a lot west of the river. The building was erected and dedicated January 13, 1849, being the first house of worship completed in the borough. It is still used, having been kept in good repair. The church now numbers 160 members, and is one of the largest in the county. There are 130 teachers and pupils in the Sunday-school, of which the pastor is the superintendent. The pastors of this church have also served the church at Canoe Camp, in Rich- mond township.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Covington was organized over fifty years ago. Itinerant Methodist ministers, it is said, visited the Tioga valley and preached in Covington as early as 1809. The pioneer among these was Rev. Caleb Boyer. Following him came Rev. Hiram G. Warner and Rev. Caleb Kendall. In 1848 a church building was erected, the class then numbering fifteen members. May 9, 1853, the society was incorporated, the incorporators being Joseph Hubble, Richard Videan, Alonzo Barber, Jacob Whitman and L. E. Sampson. Until 1867 this church was in the same charge with the church at Mansfield. From 1867 to 1884 it was in the same charge with the church at Blossburg. Since 1884 it and the church at Lamb's Creek have constituted one charge. The names of the

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COVINGTON BOROUGH.

pastors are as follows: Ira Smith, 1841-42; Enoch H. Cramer, 1842-43; R. M. Reach, 1843-44; Samuel Nichols, 1844-45; William E. Pindar, 1845-46; R. L. Stillwell, 1846-48; O. Trowbridge, 1848-50; W. C. Mattison, 1850-51; A. H. Shurtliff, 1851-52; W. Manning, 1852-54; L. L. Rogers, 1854-56; J. R. Jaques, 1856-57; H. N. Seaver, 1857-58; R. L. Stillwell, 1858-60; W. Beach, 1860-61; W. Cochran, 1861-63; W. M. Haskell, 1863-65; Harvey Lamkin, 1865-67; M. S. Kymer, 1867-69; Harvey Lamkin, 1870-73; C. G. Lowell, 1873-76; C. H. Wright, 1876-79; R. N. Leake, 1879-84; F. E. Van Keuren, 1884-87; W. M. DuBois, 1887- 89; F. H. Rowley, 1889-91; D. L. Pitts, 1891-94; Cornelius Dillenbeck, 1894-95, and W. B. Armington, 1895-97. There are ninety members in the Sunday-school, of which J. W. Bradley is the superintendent. C. E. Barber is president of the Epworth League, which has a large membership.

The First Baptist Church of Covington was originally known as "The Particular Baptist Church of Covington." It was organized September 19, 1840, at the district school house in Covington. The original members were Rev. George Spratt, whose labors here resulted in the formation of the church; David S. Ireland, Samuel Morgan, Elizabeth Spratt, Mary Binley, Chastina Macomber, Eliza Marvin, Sarah P. Kelts, Maria Marvin, Margaret Ireland, Ann Morgan and Margaret Harris. The members met in the school house until about 1855, when a church edifice was erected on Main street. A parsonage was erected in 1882. The society existed under its old name until about 1861, when it adopted the rules of faith and practice of the Regular Baptist denomination. The names of those who have served this church as pastors, are as follows: Revs. George Spratt, 1839-45; Abijah Sherwood, 1845-50; Levi Stone, 1851-52; D. P. Maryatt, 1852-57; N. L. Reynolds, 1860-65; G. P. Watrous, 1865-72; E. L. Mills, 1875-78; Ross Ward, 1878-81; S. F. Matthews, 1881-83; A. Tilden, 1883-86; E. J. Lewis, 1886-87; G. H. Trapp, 1888-90; James Jones, 1893-95, and T. C. Davis, 1895-96. The pastor of this church also serves the church at Cherry Flats. The Sunday-school was organized January 1, 1881. The present superintendent is F. M. Patchen. There is an average attendance of 100 pupils. Mr. Patchen is also president of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.

The First Presbyterian Church of Covington was organized July 27, 1841, by Rev. Julius Doane, Rev. Samuel Hopkins, of Corning, New York, and Rev. Samuel Storrs Howe, of Painted Post, New York. The names of the original members are as follows: Joel Harkness and Hubbard Clarke, ruling elders; Mrs. Eunice Clarke, William Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Silas C. Perry, Lucy Putnam, Mrs. Eliza Kress, Isaac Baker and Mrs. Elizabeth Baker. This church has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Julius Doane, 1841-42; Octavius Fitch, 1843-44; E. B. Benedict, 1851-54; L. K. Beauge, 1854-57; Henry Losch, 1857; J. F. Calkins, 1868; J. A. Rosseel, 1870-71. Services were suspended until 1878, when a revival of interest resulted in giving new life to the society. The pastors since that time have been Rev. George D. Meigs, 1878-82; W. S. Carter, 1882-85; George Rodgers, 1885-86; J. B. Woodward, 1889-94, and Charles E. Hoyt, who took charge in February, 1894. He is also pastor of the church at Mansfield. The society first met in the "Seminary" building, west of the river. In 1847 the society was incorporated and a church building erected on the lot adjoining the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

present Bartlett Hotel on the north. This building cost $1,763.50. When it was dedicated there was a debt of $890.50, the money having been advanced by Edwin Dyer, who took a mortgage on the property. In 1895 his heirs cancelled this debt and presented the building, unincumbered, to the society. Another lot was purchased further south on Main street, and the building removed to it. The church now numbers forty members. A Sunday-school was organized January 7, 1894. It now numbers eighty members. The superintendent is Miss Isabella T. Dyer.

The Secret Societies of Covington are as follows: Covington Lodge, No. 274, I. O. O. F., instituted August 10, 1848, has a large membership, and is in a prosperous condition. Emma Colfax Lodge, No. 15, D. of R., was organized September 22, 1869, with forty-seven charter members, and was the pioneer lodge in the county. Covington Preceptory, Local Assembly, No. 300, K. of L., was organized in September, 1881. Washington Camp, No. 626, P. O. S. of A., was organized December 28, 1891, and now contains forty-two members.

CHAPTER LII.

BLOSS TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-STREAMS-FOREST GROWTH-MINERAL DE- POSITS-LIMITED AGRICULTURE-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-CHANGES IN AREA AND POPULATION-THE BLOSSBURG COAL COMPANY-ARNOT - CHURCHES - SOCIE- TIES-LANDRUS.

DLOSS township, taken from Covington township, and named in honor of Aaron Bloss, the founder of Blossburg, was organized in June, 1841. As originally created it embraced the area included in the Blossburg borough limits, and a large portion of that of Hamilton township, the one organized in August, 1871, and the other in December, 1871. The area included in the present boundaries embraces about twenty square miles, being four and three-fourth miles from east to west and four and one-fourth miles from north to south. The township is rough and rugged, the altitude varying from 1,400 feet in the Johnson creek valley to 2,000 feet on the mountain summits. The streams of the township are small, the principal ones being Johnson creek and Bellman run in the east and southeast; Babb's creek in the southwest; Sand run in the northwest, and a small unnamed run or branch in the northeast. The original forest growth of the township consisted principally of pine, hemlock, beech, birch and maple. The pine has been all cut down and

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manufactured into lumber, and the hemlock nearly so. Large quantities of hemlock and beech are also used in the mines for props, etc. Nearly the whole of the area of this township is underlaid by three workable veins of semi-bituminous coal, known as the Seymour, Bloss and Bear Run veins. The Bloss vein is the one that is being mined both at Arnot and Landrus. There is also an extensive deposit of fire clay of the very finest quality, as well as of potter's clay, and a clay from which a good mineral paint can be manufactured. In all of these resources the township is ex- ceptionally rich.

With the exception of a limited area in the northwest corner, occupied by the farms of H. D. Wood, J. E. and C. M. Henry, Daniel Davis, Selah Phillips, William Reese and a few others, the township is composed of wild land, the property of the Blossburg Coal Company, whose business is confined to the mining of coal, the manufacture of lumber, and the shipping of tan bark.

Although containing a mining town, which at one time had a larger population than any other place in the county, no effort to secure a borough charter has ever been made, and the entire township, including the villages of Arnot and Landrus, is under township government. The office of justice of the peace has been filled as follows: Evan Harris, 1842; re-elected, 1845; Francis Welch, 1842; re-elected, 1845, 1862; Martin Stratton, 1844; John Evans, 1849; re-elected, 1854; George Jacquemin, 1850; John James, 1854; re-elected, 1859; Isaac M. Bodine, 1859; E. J. Bosworth, 1861; Lewis B. Smith, 1866; re-elected, 1871; J. P. Monell, 1867; Richard Williams, 1869; Peter Cameron, Jr., 1872; James Heffron, 1872; Matthew Waddell, 1874; Reuben E. Howland, 1874; David T. Evans, 1879; D. C. Waters, M. D., 1879; re-elected, 1887, 1892; Samuel Heron, 1884; Jonathan E. Hutchin- son, 1884; John McKay, 1886; W. R. Logan, 1889; James Bonnell, 1894, and D. C. Waters, 1897.

In 1871 Blossburg was made a borough, and in 1872 a part of Bloss township went to make up the new township of Hamilton. This gave a reduced territory and population in 1880, the number of inhabitants being 2,814, all but 31 being resi- dents of Arnot. In February, 1883, the township area was enlarged by the addition to it of that part of Charleston lying between it and Duncan. In 1890 it contained 2,550 inhabitants, of which 644 resided on farms and in the village of Landrus.

THE BLOSSBURG COAL COMPANY.

The successful operation of the coal mines at Morris Run and Fall Brook, and the increasing demand for Blossburg coal-the name given to the product of these mines-drew the attention of capitalists to Tioga county, led to extended explora- tions in Bloss township, and to the discovery of a large deposit of coal on Johnson creek, four miles southwest of Blossburg. In order to develop this new coal field, the Blossburg Coal Mining and Railroad Company was formed, and was duly in- corporated April 11, 1866. The incorporators were Constant Cook, John Arnot, Charles Cook, Henry Sherwood, Franklin N. Drake, Ferral C. Dininy, Henry H. Cook and Lorenzo Webber. Financially, this company was a strong one, and was composed of men noted for their energy, enterprise and public spirit.

A tract of several thousand acres of land, embracing nearly the entire area of Bloss township, having been purchased, preparations were made for developing the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

new coal fields and marketing the coal. An office was opened in Blossburg, and a wagon road, from the coal openings, cut through the forest to the Williamson road, a distance of two miles, for the transportation of materials and supplies to the site of the new village, which was named Draketown, in honor of Franklin N. Drake, the first president of the company and a leading spirit in the enterprise. F. C. Dininy was the general superintendent; James R. Cameron, mining superintendent, and E. K. Mandeville superintendent of the outside and lumber department.

A village site was selected and cleared, a saw-mill built, and Nicholas Schultz- now the outside foreman of the company, placed in charge as head sawyer. A number of dwellings and a store building were also erected. This gave employment to a large number of woodsmen, carpenters and other mechanics, and created a scene of activity, evidencing the earnestness and energy of the company. A railroad was also completed from Blossburg during the summer of 1866. In the meantime, Drift No. 1 was put in by James R. Cameron, John Dunsmore and others. Drifts Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were afterwards opened under Mr. Cameron's direction. Drift No. 6, three miles southwest, was opened by J. J. Davis, under the direction of S. B. Elliott, and a narrow gauge railroad built to it in 1880. A weighing office was established in Blossburg, with M. G. Lewis as weighmaster and shipping clerk.

The encouraging results following the opening of the mines and of the explora- tions carried on during 1867 and 1868, led the company, in the latter year, to purchase the Tioga railroad, extending from Lawrenceville to Blossburg and Morris Run. This gave the company thirty-four miles of road, including the four miles from Blossburg to Draketown, and connection with the "Erie" at Corning, New York.

In 1868 the office of the company was removed from Blossburg. In March, of that year, H. J. Landrus was appointed cashier, and in 1874 was made manager. He resigned May 1, 1876, and was succeeded by S. B. Elliott, who resigned Sep- tember 1, 1881, having been promoted to chief engineer. From 1876 to 1880, when he resigned, John J. Davis was superintendent of mines, during which period he re-opened the lower drift, experimented with the coal and demonstrated its coking qualities. In 1881 Mr. Landrus again became manager, and held the position until 1886, when he was succeeded by Frank J. Lyon. In 1890 Mr. Lyon was succeeded by the late Richard T. Dodson, who died in December, 1896. The present manager is Edward E. Loomis.

After the purchase of the Tioga railroad, the output of the mines was largely increased, and there was a corresponding increase in the number of employes until 1882, when there were 1,400 names on the company's pay roll. In the summer of 1881, the Arnot and Pine Creek Railroad Company, composed mainly of stock- holders of the Tioga and Elmira State Line Railroad Company, was formed. The officers of the company were: L. H. Shattuck, president; D. S. Drake, secretary and treasurer; S. B. Elliott, William Hull, A. S. Spicer, J. B. Niles and M. F. Elliott, directors, and Ransom Dupuy, chief engineer. This company built a standard gauge railroad from Arnot-the new name of Draketown-to Hoytville, a distance of twelve miles. It was completed in 1882, in which year the Blossburg Coal Mining and Railroad Company established a saw-mill on Babb's creek, five miles southwest of Arnot, around which soon grew up a village to which the name of Lan-

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BLOSS TOWNSHIP.

drus was given, in honor of H. J. Landrus, manager of the company. In 1888 the company opened up mines a short distance above Landrus, on Babb's creek. These are known as the Bear Run mines.

As the result of strikes, the financial depression of the last few years, and the opening up of mines in other parts of Tioga and Clearfield counties, the working force of the company has decreased somewhat and the annual output of the mines fallen off. When running full force the mines at Arnot have a production of 1,400 tons of coal a day, and those at Landrus 625 tons a day. In 1894 the mines at Arnot produced 190,035 tons, and those at Landrus 86,871 tons. The manufacture of lumber and the shipping of tan bark form an important part of the company's business. It has a saw-mill at Arnot, with a capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 feet of lumber per day; one at Landrus, with 60,000 feet per day, and one at Morris- including seven miles of narrow gauge railroad-with 50,000 feet per day. The mills at Landrus and Morris produce 15,000 feet of lath per day. A mill at Bloss- burg, producing 20,000 feet of lumber per day, was dismantled in the summer of 1895.

The officers and foremen at Arnot and Landrus are as follows: Edward E. Loomis, successor to the late Richard T. Dodson, superintendent; Frank H. Dartt, assistant superintendent; A. P. Fowler, chief clerk; H. W. Meyers, mining en- gineer; Richard Simpson, mining foreman, at Arnot, and Joseph Maxwell, at Landrus; Nicholas Schultz, outside foreman, at Arnot, and George Watson, at Landrus.

In 1885 the control of the roads owned by the Blossburg Coal Mining and Railroad Company passed into .the hands of the "Erie," and were embraced under the title of "The Tioga and Elmira State Line Railroad." At this time, also, the name of the company was changed to the Blossburg Coal Company, the words "Mining and Railroad" being dropped.

ARNOT.

In 1867, when Nicholas Schultz came to Draketown as head sawyer, there were but three houses in the place. In the following year a postoffice was estab- lished and the name changed from Draketown to Arnot, in honor of John Arnot, a well-known banker and financier of Elmira, New York, and one of the incor- porators of the company. The first postmaster was James R. Cameron, and his successors have been Delos Bodine, J. L. Higgins, H. J. Landrus, F. J. Lyon and F. H. Dartt. Dr. Charles S. Logan is the assistant postmaster.

Arnot increased rapidly in population and soon became the largest place in the county. In 1882 it contained between 3,500 and 4,000 inhabitants. School houses and churches had been erected, lodges and societies organized, and an indus- trious, thrifty and prosperous community established. Notwithstanding strikes, business depression, etc., it still remains the leading mining town in the county, its churches, schools, lodges and other societies being well maintained.

Shortly after the opening of the mines a company store was established. In 1873 a second building was erected by the company and leased to H. S. Drake, who stocked it with drugs, groceries, clothing, etc. He died in December, 1873, and was succeeded by J. K. Tillotson, of Elmira, New York, who, a few years later,

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

was succeeded by L. H. Drake. In 1886 W. W. Bradbury became manager of the company's store, and in 1891 became proprietor, a recently enacted law making it necessary for the company to discontinue that branch of its business. In 1893 the W. W. Bradbury Company succeeded to the ownership of both stores, Mr. Bradbury retaining a half interest. He died June 1, 1893, his widow succeeding to his in- terest. The name of the company remains unchanged. The stores are now in charge of Mack Scudder and Matthew A. Blair, managers. Mr. Scudder took charge June 19, 1893. Mr. Blair entered the company's employ in 1869; worked in the mines until September, 1884; had charge of the store at Landrus from 1887 until August, 1893, when he was promoted to his present position. W. R. Logan was head clerk in the store devoted to dry goods, groceries and notions, from 1871 to 1897. The drug and clothing store is in a separate building. The Arnot Hotel has been in charge of Frank H. Welch since 1889. Mr. Welch is also engaged in the livery and under- taking business. These enterprises, with a feed-mill and a meat market, constitute the leading business interests of the village.

In 1870 Dr. John Caldwell located in the village. Among the physicians who have succeeded him were Dr. Byron Smith, Dr. Hunter, Dr. H. L. Davis, Dr. William Caldwell and Dr. Winsor. The profession is represented at present by Dr. D. C. Waters and Dr. Charles S. Logan.

As Arnot grew, schools were established, until there were four public school buildings in the village. In 1890 these were replaced by a handsome graded school building, two stories high, containing eight rooms, and costing $4,000, in which the different schools, aggregating 600 pupils, were consolidated, and placed under charge of a principal, that position being filled at present by Charles Frick. Among the earlier teachers were a Mr. Rockwell, of Troy, Pennsylvania, who first taught in a dwelling; R. E. Howland and wife; Mrs. David McIntyre, Frederick L. Gray and S. A. Gaskill, now a physician of Covington, Pennsylvania.

CHURCHES.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized October 22, 1868, with the follow- ing members: James Ellison and wife, Peter and Christina Cameron, James and Roxanna Cameron, John and Janet Dunsmore, Robert and Jane Baird, James and Elizabeth Nelson, Joseph and Ursula McNeish, William and Jane McNeish, Henry and Jesse Smedden, David and Ellen Brown, William and Catherine Watchman, and Mrs. Agnes Waddle. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Graves, who was succeeded, / September 5, 1869, by Rev. David Aiken, who served until September, 1870. His successors have been: Revs. George Morton, September, 1870, to November, 1871; J. Ludlow Kendall, November, 1871, to April, 1874; S. A. Rawson, July, 1874, to August, 1875; Robert Christian, December, 1876, to April, 1878; E. S. Schenck, March, 1880, to 1885; D. D. Lindley, March, 1887, to June, 1888; E. D. Rawson, March, 1889, to April, 1893; A. S. Elliott, May, 1893, to March, 1895; W. A. Brown, May to October, 1895, and J. C. M. Johnston, who took charge November 10, 1895. The first ruling elders of the church were James Ellison and Peter Cameron, Sr. In 1872 a sightly and commodious church building, costing $3,500, was erected. The Sunday-school, which is in a flourishing condition, numbers 180 pupils and teachers. It is in charge of Richard Simpson, superintendent.

NORose

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BLOSS TOWNSHIP.

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, formerly the Church of the Mediator, dates the beginning of its history to a meeting held in the old school house on the after- noon of August 15, 1874, by Rev. John D. Rockwell, at that time rector of St. Luke's church, Blossburg. The mission was called the Church of the Mediator, after the church of that name in New York City. These services were continued until October 3, 1875, when they lapsed, but were resumed May 20, 1877, and con- tinued without interruption until February 15, 1879, when Mr. Rockwell left Blossburg. No further regular services were held until December, 1893, when Rev. A. R. De Witt was sent by the bishop to this section and given charge of the churches in Antrim, Arnot and Fall Brook. Services were held in the Disciples' church, the building being rented for that purpose. In September, 1894, Mr. DeWitt was suc- ceeded by Rev. Marcellus Karcher, who also has charge of the churches in Bloss- burg and Fall Brook. On the afternoon of May 15, 1895, the corner stone of a new church building was laid, and the name changed from the Church of the Mediator to Christ Church. The first services were held in this building Sunday, November 3, 1895. The church has not yet been chartered, nor has the building been consecrated. This handsome house of worship, erected under the supervision of R. T. Dodson, F. H. Dartt and Mack Scudder, building committee, is of cut stone, has a seating capacity of 200, and cost $5,000.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 77

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