USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 48
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Of the efforts of the early Methodists to establish a church but little is known. The present building on the south side of the river was erected in 1868, and the so- ciety is in a flourishing condition.
ELKLAND BOROUGH.
BY ALBERT M. LOOP.
LKLAND township formerly embraced all the teritory now included in the townships of Osceola, Farmington and Nelson. In 1849 an act of the Legislature incorporating the borough of Elkland was passed, and later the township was divided, the western part while the eastern part took the name of Nelson, and the old township of Elkland lost its identity, becoming the borough of Elkland.
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It is almost impossible to ascertain the precise date of its earliest settlement, as several abortive attempts were made previous to 1800. The first dry goods store was opened in 1824, by the late John Ryon and Robert Tubbs. In 1828 Joel Parkhurst came into the township and joined them, and after a short time he bought them out and became sole proprietor.
The Exchange Hotel is a new house, situated on the north side of Main street, and has good accommodations.
At this time there were living in Elkland George Dor- There are two dry goods stores, H. Miner and R. K. Kimm proprietors; the drug store of C. C. Ward & Son, a furniture store, two feed and flour stores, a hardware store, a tannery, a furniture factory, two wagon shops, a black- smith shop, a banking house, a shoe shop, a ladies' fur- rence, David Hammond, Lemuel Davenport, Robert Tubbs, Samuel Tubbs, Benjamin Tubbs, M. W. Stull, John Hammond, Linsford Coates, Philip Taylor, David Taylor, Nathaniel Seeley, Amasa Calvin, James Daily and Thomas Rathbun, who purchased the fine farms nishing goods store, a meat market, a flouring mill, a which now present so attractive an appearance to the eye saddle and harness shop, and two livery shops. There of the traveler journeying up the valley.
The principal business of the early inhabitants was lumbering, as the hills which skirt the valley were cov- ered by a heavy growth of pine, the manufacture of which into timber and boards occupied all the time of the hardy settlers. Saw-mills run by water power were constructed at different points on the river, where large quantities of pine logs were sawed into boards, which at the time of the annual spring freshet were rafted in the river and floated down to Liverpool, Columbia, Marietta and Port Deposit on the Susquehanna, where a market was usually found. It was not until 1850 that the people began to turn their attention to agricultural pursuits. Since that time a steady and progressive development has been going on, until at this time the valley of the Cowanesque is one of the most fertile and beautiful in the Keystone State.
is one practicing physician, Dr. W. W. Wright. There are two lawyers, Colonel R. T. Wood and John S. Ryon; one general insurance office, one notary public and pen- sion agent, and one real estate and broker's office. There are two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, and a large, elegant and commodious school building, under the exclusive control of a board of directors, employing three teachers, and having seats for 250 pupils.
Colonel L. Davenport built the first flouring mill, and was for many years one of the most active and energetic business men of the place. He died in 1879, and the extensive flouring mill is now owned by Hon. J. W. Ryon of Pottsville, formerly of this borough.
The vote for borough officers at the last election was as follows:
Burgess-R. McCann, 58; J. S. Ryon, 57. Council- men-H. Miner, 50; G. G. Dorrance, 61; W. H. Red-
There are now in Elkland borough two hotels. The field, 58; O. P. Babcock, 109; T. D. Case, 58; J. S.
Case House, of which T. D. Case is proprietor, is located on the northeast corner of Buffalo and Main streets, and is a large and commodious structure well suited to the convenience of the traveling public, having all the modern conveniences of our metropolitan hotels. Mr. Case, the genial proprietor, is assiduous in his efforts to
Leander Culver opened the first hotel, in 1836, upon the site now occupied by the Case House, purchasing it from a man by the name of Smith, who kept for a time previous a sort of inn. In 1841 D. B. and J. W. Sheff built the old hotel, subsequently burned down, on the site of the house which is now used as a tenement house; the experiment of using it for a hotel was not a success after the death of its projector, Mr. Culver.
being organized under the name of Osceola, render his guests comfortable and happy.
Find Donnance
Banj, Dorrance
205
THE DORRANCES OF ELKLAND.
Ryon, 47; C. D. Wakely, 6; A. J. Fillman, 53; L. B. known. In 1873 he joined the Presbyterian church, but Brown, 51; G. T. Harrower, 54; David Stull, 59; T. previous to that, throughout his whole life, he had been a generous contributor to the support of all charities having for their object the relief of human suffering and the spread of evangelical principles. He did no man intentional wrong, and his integrity and honesty were never questioned in the community where he spent his life. Coats, 55. School directors-I .. K. Parkhurst, 55; R. T. Wood, 57; W. W. Wright, 59. Justice of the peace- F. G. Loveland, 98; John Newbury, 2. Constable-L. W. Fenton, 64; Linsford Coats, 50. Assessor-W. Gleason, 53; G. G. Dorrance, 57; J. W. Page, 2. Assist- ant assessors-J. C. Dulso, 56; G. G. Dorrance, 37: J. W. Page, 54; W. Gleason, 49. Judge of election-C. P. Evans, 51; William Potter, 63. Inspectors of election- L. C. Wood, 44; J. W. Beard, 27; William Preston, 60; D. W. Stull, 2. Auditor-R. K. Skinner, 57; T. C. Campbell, 54.
LEADING CITIZENS.
GEORGE DORRANCE.
Among the very successful business men of the Co- wanesque Valley, and as one who stamped upon its busi- ness interests the impress of his own irreproachable character, George Dorrance occupied a prominent posi- tion. He was born in the town of Columbia, Tolland county, Conn., on the 10th of October 1802, and was a grandson of Colonel George Dorrance, one of the heroic defenders of the Wyoming settlers at the massacre in July 1778, where he was cruelly tortured to death by the Indians and tories under the command of Butler. In the spring of 1829 our subject emigrated to Elkland, then an almost unbroken wilderness, and purchased about 60 acres of land with a small clearing, where he erected a small frame house and commenced the business of farming in true pioneer style. In August 1832 he married Susan Hammond, daughter of David Hammond, one of the earliest settlers of the place. He soon after commenced lumbering in addition to his farming business, and as the country grew older he gradually extended his operations until he became one of the most extensive lumbermen in the Cowanesque Valley. The timber was cut upon the hills in the winter season and drawn to the river, where it was manufactured into boards, and in the early spring time was rafted in the swollen stream and floated down to the Susquehanna. Mr. Dorrance continued to reside on the old Iromestead, and as the years rolled away a family grew up around him. He made additions to his farm until the old 60 acres had expanded into an area of 320, and in place of the old house he erected one of palatial dimensions, which will compare favorably with any in the Cowan- esque Valley. He was the father of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom except one son (who died at the age of two years), with their aged mother, survived him. The second son, however, died within two weeks after the father's death.
Mr. Dorrance was well known throughout Tioga county, and in the community where he lived he was honored and respected by all. His hand was ever open to every good work, and the numerous benefactions he bestowed upon the indigent will be placed to his credit on that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be made
Politically Mr. Dorrance was a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian school, and during the dark and stormy period of the Rebellion his influence was on the side of the Union. He contributed freely to the payment of bounties to volunteers and to the support of their fami- lies while they were absent in the field.
He was a good practical farmer, of liberal and ad- vanced ideas, and the farmers of the Cowanesque will miss his example in the various improvements which have made this valley the garden of the State.
He died at his home in Elkland, on the 13th of June [881, and his remains were deposited in the new ceme- tery on the hillside which his own hands had helped to beautify and adorn.
HON. BENJAMIN DORRANCE.
The subject of this sketch was the second son of George and Susan Dorrance, and was born in Elkland township, May 3d 1836. His younger days were spent on the farm with his father, and in attending the district school and the academy taught by Samuel Price at Acad- emy Corners in this county. At the age of 18 he entered the junior class of Alfred University, Allegany county, N. Y., where he graduated at the age of 20 years, having during the meantime taught two or three terms of public school.
At this time (1856) the Republican party had assumed such proportions as to place a presidential candidate in the field, and John C. Fremont was chosen as its stand- ard bearer, while the Democrats had nominated James Buchanan of Pennsylvania. The campaign was a heated and spirited one, resulting in the defeat of the Republi- cans and the success of the Democracy. During the en - tire campaign Mr. Dorrance, although still in his minor- ity, took an active part in behalf of the new party. Wherever there was a mass meeting or torch-light pro- cession there he was always to be found, and his purse was ever open to help defray the expenses; and until the day of his death he remained true to his early convic- tions, although all the other members of his family were of the opposite political faith. He was afterward prop- erly recognized for his fealty.
After the close of his school years he settled at home, and for a term took charge of his father's extensive lum- bering interests, making frequent trips down the river on rafts, disposing of them at the various markets and re- turning to assist in the farm duties during the summer. In the year 1860 or 1862 he entered into copartnership with J. G. Parkhurst and David Dunbar in the mercan- tile business, in the brick block on the corner of Main and Buffalo streets in the borough of Elkland, where he
206
HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
remained until 1872, when the firm was dissolved, and he lived in vain, and his noble examples and deeds will live in memory as long as time shall last.
opened a drug store in the room adjoining. He con- tinued in this business about five years, when he sold
By strict honesty and close attention to business he his stock in trade to O. P. Babcock and Dr. W. W. had accumulated a competency of this world's goods, and Wright.
In the summer of 1877 he entered the political field as a candidate for the State Legislature to fill out the unex- pired term of Hon. Hugh Young, who had received the appointment of U. S. bank examiner. The great con- test was over the nomination, and the canvass was hot and spirited; but he was successful, and his nomination was ratified at the November election by a rousing ma- jority. In the summer of 1878 he was a candidate for re-election for a full term of two years. On account of the favorable impression he had made as a legislator, his party conceded him the nomination by acclamation, and in November he was elected by an increased majority.
The following session of the Legislature was a lengthy and exhausting one, extending into the summer months; and just before its close he was obliged to abandon his post on account of failing health. His physicians rec- ommended the dry and bracing climate of Colorado, as his disease was of a pulmonary character; and on the roth of June 1879, after a week's visit at home, he bade adieu to his friends and started on a pilgrimage in search of health and a renewal of his wasting energies. For a year he wandered from place to place, sometimes on the mountain summit where the snow glistened in the sum- mer sunshine, sometimes in the valleys where meandered the purling rivulet, and again traveling through the ever- glades of the sunny south, searching, still searching, for that he never found. Alone and in strange lands, among strangers and far from home, he dragged the weary hours away, vainly endeavoring to drive off the insidious dis- ease that was gnawing at his heart strings. He spent the winter and spring of 1880 in the south, and in the early summer made his way toward home by slow and easy stages, arriving in June after a year's absence. He was greeted by his friends with the warmest affection, and those most anxious thought his health somewhat im- proved; but to the close observer the pallid countenance and hollow voice still indicated the quiet and stealthy workings of the terrible canker that was so soon to snap the cords of life asunder. He spent the summer at his home, receiving the kindest of care from his brothers and sisters and his many friends; but when the leaves began to fall he again started in his search of life's elixir, this time going to Elmira and seeking treatment of those who had gained an enviable fame in their profes- sion. This also proved abortive. Science and skill were unable to cope with his disease, and on the 26th of June 1881, at his rooms in Elmira, in the early summer time, bade adieu to the home of his childhood and journeyed with the warm sun shining in at the open window, the Angel of Death entered, and the mortal part of Benjamin Dorrance was left but moldering clay.
In writing this brief biographical sketch of a lifelong friend we feel how futile are words to do him justice, and how vain are all our panegyrics to him who sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. We know he has not
in his last will he made a judicious disposition of them. He died in the prime of manhood, with honors just being bestowed upon him and a future big with promise; and yet let us believe that he had lived to a purpose, and his mission was already fulfilled according to the measure of his years.
JOEL PARKHURST
was born in Cheshire county, N. H., on the 8th day of April 1800. His ancestors were among the early settlers of the old Granite State. After receiving his education he left home, at the early age of 17 years, coming to Loyalsock, Lycoming county, Pa., where he taught a term of school in the winter season, and the next winter at Long Reach, a few miles above Williamsport. After closing his engagement with the inhabitants of that vicinity he proceeded to Painted Post, N. Y., and in the winter of 1822 he was employed at Antrim in the occupation of teaching, devoting all of his spare time to the study of medicine, which profession he consented to adopt, at the earnest solicitation of his friends. It was evident, however, that Mr. Parkhurst was not very fav- orably impressed with the profession which had been chosen for him, although his father and several brothers were eminent peactitioners of the healing art; for in 1822, in the early springtime, he was employed by the govern- ment to go to Michigan as a surveyor. He accordingly proceeded to Buffalo, where he took passage on the sec- ond steamboat that ever navigated lake Erie. A storm springing up the boat became disabled and put into Cleveland for repairs. Here he would have been com- pelled to remain several weeks; but the monotony of the situation was too much for his young and ardent nature, and he accordingly shouldered his baggage and walked to Steubenville, where he bought a horse and saddle for $45 and started for his home in New Hampshire, pro- ceeding leisurely along until he reached Pittsburgh, Pa. There he stopped for a short time to inspect the coal mines and vast iron manufactories in operation at place. After recuperating a short time he renewed his journey, and after many days of fatiguing equestrian exercise he reached his home in Richmond, N. H .; engaged to a merchant of that place, in the capacity of clerk, for a salary of $150 per annum, and there remained two years.
On settling with his employer he received his salary in merchandise of the value of $300. He purchased a horse and wagon on credit, and loading his effects he to Mansfield, Pa., where he remained for a while. In 1826 he went to Lawrenceville and formed a partner- ship with his brother. In 1828 the partnership was dis- solved and he went up the Cowanesque River to Elk- land, where he entered into copartnership with John Ryon and Robert Tubbs. This continued only a short time, when Mr. Parkhurst bought out the interests of his
Joel Parkhurst
John Maynard
207
JOEL PARKHURST.
two partners, and, becoming sole proprietor, conducted he experienced a series of afflictions which would have the business alone. Here for the first time in his some- appalled an ordinary man. In 1855 he married Martha what eventful life Mr. P. began to exhibit all those ster- H. Steele, daughter of the late Benjamin Harrower, of ling qualities which, added to his great business capacity, Lindley, and by her he had two children. contributed to his future success. From this time on to
In 1876 he conceived the plan of erecting at his own the breaking out of the civil war he was the leading expense a handsome and commodious school building in business man of the Cowanesque Valley. During the re. the borough of Elkland, at a cost of $6,000, which is de- vulsions and panics of 1836 and 1838 he moved steadily voted exclusively to the use of the district, under the supervision of the board of directors. Here the children and youth of the borough enjoy all the advantages accru- onward, and his great financial ability and active and industrious habits enabled him to successfully ride out the storm; while his philanthropic nature exhibited ing from such institutions in larger towns.
itself in the numerous cases of embarrassment occurring Mr. Parkhurst has all his life been a member of the among his business friends and acquaintances, where his Presbyterian church, and has always been identified with hand was ever ready to extend the needed aid. His its interests, contributing liberally to the spread of the business as a merchant extended over the whole county gospel in the erection of new churches, and to the ad- and into the border towns of Steuben county. He gave vancement of every measure having for its object the en- credit to all who applied where there was even a proba- couragement of religious culture and the improvement of bility of their being able to render the quid pro quo. His mankind.
losses from poor debts must necessarily have been num- Politically Mr. Parkhurst has always been an ardent erous and heavy; but he never staggered under the load, protectionist, a warm and devoted adherent of the doc- and he continued enlarging and extending his business trines of Henry Clay; and he may very justly be said to until the Rebellion began, when he was able in the great be the father of Republicanism in Tioga county. He was never an office seeker, however, and has persistently refused to yield to the solicitations of his party friends to
time of his country's need to take the county bonds is- sued by the commissioners of Tioga county, and furnish means for the payment of bounties to our volunteers, become a candidate for official favor; but he has always thus enabling us to fill our quota without trouble or been an earnest advocate of the principles of the party. delay.
In the various relations of life he has shown himself In 1835 he married Miss Emeline Allen, of Cortland to be the kind husband and father, the obliging and county, N. Y., by whom he had seven children, only one courteous neighbor, the true friend and honest man. of whom survives him, viz. his daughter Anna, who was During his long and eventful career he has never been married to C. L. Patterson, of Tioga county, a young engaged in litigation with his neighbors, and was never man of rare business qualifications and strict integrity, known to have a suit at law in the courts of Tioga who now has the entire control and management of Mr. county. Honored and respected by all he is now enjoy- Parkhurst's immense business.
ing a ripe old age, quietly awaiting the summons to enter
In 1853 Mr. Parkhurst lost his wife, and subsequently into the joy of his Lord.
SHIPPEN TOWNSHIP.
BY JOHN L. SEXTON JR.
HE township of Shippen was formed from the | chester Farm is alluvial soil, and produces corn, wheat, western portion of Delmar, in February 1823. oats, buckwheat, tobacco, grass and the orchard fruits. For many years the part of Shippen at the mouth of Marsh Creek, and west to the township line of Gaines, was the scene of large lumbering transactions. It is bounded on the north by Clymer and Chatham, on the east by Delmar, on the south by Delmar and Elk, and on the west by Gaines and Clymer. Pine Creek enters the The population of the township in 1880 was 441. Since that time it has increased probably roo, and there is every reason to believe that the construction of the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railroad will add to the population materially. township from the west, and flows centrally east- ward about two-thirds of the way across the township, and thence south and into the township of Elk. Marsh Creek empties into Pine Creek near the east line of the township, at a point where Pine Creek takes its depart- PIONEER TIMES. ure for the south, at a place known as the Manchester Farm. The township is hilly and mountainous, with Josiah Furman was the first settler in the township. He came up Pine Creek in 1804 and located at the "Big Meadows," at or near the mouth of Marsh Creek. He here and, there tillable lands along Marsh and Pine Creeks, and on the ridges east of Pine Creek, The Man-
208
HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
was afterward followed by his brothers and the Ellises and Harringtons. The Indians had not vacated that lo- cality at the time Mr. Furman came, but remained until the war of 1812.
The communication of the early settlers with the out- side world was by Pine Creek down to Jersey Shore and Williamsport, the waters of that creek affording passage by means of long boats hewed out of pine trees, or flat boats constructed for the purpose, and usually manned and handled by two men. The old east and west State road from Towanda via Sullivan, Covington and Wellsboro to this point, although laid out about the year 1806, was not completed through Shippen township and on to Cou- dersport, Potter county, until some years after the first settlement on Pine Creek in the township of Shippen.
At the time of the first assessment, by Asaph Ellis, in 1824, the township of Shippen, which then comprised the present territory of Gaines, contained the following resident taxpayers:
John Benn, Coonrod Benauer, Elijah Dimmick, Paul Dimmick, Sylvester Davy, Richard Ellis, John Ellsworth, Asaph Ellis, David Ellis, Consider Ellis, Richard Ellis, John Ellis, Robert Francis, Benjamin Furman, Josiah Furman, Aaron Furman, William Furman, Reuben Har- rington, George Huyler, Dudley Hewitt jr., John Smith, Wheaton Hewitt, Dudley Hewitt, Levi Murdock, Morris Miller, Richard Phillips, John L. Phenix, John Steele, Robert Steele, James Steele, Ephraim Steele, and Fred- derick Tanner.
David Ellis was the collector of taxes; William Knox, Hiram Beebe and Elijah Welch county commissioners; and D. Lindsay clerk. These settlers were located along Pine Creek from the Big Meadows, or the mouth of Marsh Creek, nearly up to the Potter county line. Sev. eral saw-mills had been erected, and the product was floated down Pine Creek to the west branch of the Sus- quehanna and found a market in southern ports.
The people of Pennsylvania were aroused upon the subject of public and internal improvements, of which we have written in the general history; the settlers on Pine Creek looked forward to the time when a canal would be constructed to Jersey shore, at the mouth of Pine Creek, from Harrisburg and the south, and by the year 1832 large investments were made along Pine Creek in tim- bered lands and in the erection of saw-mills. Enter- prising lumbermen came in from Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Chemung, Broome and Tioga counties in New York, as well as from Lycoming, Northumberland and Union counties in Pennsylvania, and purchased lands and engaged in the lumber business. A great flood in the year 1832 swept away nearly every mill on the stream, and with them the fortunes of the inhabitants. This was a great public calamity, and its effects were felt for many years afterward. However, the people rallied. New settlers and new business men came in, and by the year 1838 the western portion of the township was organized into the present township of Gaines. The division left the following taxables in the township of Shippen, as shown by the assessment made by Charlton Phillips:
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