USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 52
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Lewis Clark, superintendent of outside and lumber de- partment, died December 24th 1872. A general suspen- sion of work was ordered. Masonic ceremonies were conducted at the grave. He was buried in Blossburg.
Wells, L. C. Shepard, John L. Sexton jr., O. W. Pattison, Frederick Wells, C. L. Pattison, C. L. Ford, C. E. Hal- sey, Frank Lewis, A. W. Taylor, John Morse, Robert Logan, John Smith (Irish), John Smith (English) and many others whose names appear in the history of the various lodges, societies and churches. Patrick Dwyer has served the company consecutively over twenty-five years, having commenced at Blossburg, before the rail- road was completed to Fall Brook, worked upon it, and, since its completion in 1859 and the commencement of shipping coal, attended to the loading of the cars at the schutes. John McCann has been employed consecu- tively eighteen years, and John Junk about the same length of time. James Peters and Thomas Bannon are old employes, but for the past few years have been una- ble to work; also John Lewis, a very worthy old miner.
tism and suffered severely a number of years. Duncan S. Magee was at Fall Brook just before his departure for Europe in the fall of 1868, and learning of the illness of his old explorer gave orders that he should be given $100. We recollect well that visit of Mr. Magee to Fall Brook. While he was shaking hands with his old employes and wishing them success and prosperity, although we cheer- fully wished him a safe return with health restored, we felt a premonition-which proved too true-that this was the last hand-shaking for us with Duncan S. Magee; that he was going away to die among strangers in a strange land. As he stood on the balcony of the hotel and cast his eyes over busy, thriving and prosperous Fall Brook, and reflected on his former struggles to create this pros- perity, the tears stole silently down his cheek. His emo- tions were too deep for utterance.
William Griffiths, recently of Clermont, Mckean county, was employed consecutively from 1855 to 1880. He was on the first exploring expedition, in 1856, and worked at Fall Brook until 1874, when he was trans- ferred to Clermont. During his residence in Fall Brook he was for many years foreman of drifts Nos. 3 and 2A, and was assisted by David J. Davis, now of Antrim. He was one of the most valuable men in the company's em- ploy.
Fred S. Bragg for nearly fourteen years had charge of a locomotive, drawing the entire product of the mines- over two millions of tons-to Somerville and Blossburg, besides drawing the mail train over six years from Somerville to Fall Brook. In sunshine and in storm, in frost and snow, he was ever at his post, meeting with no
Of the early employes of the company there were a considerable number who were first employed in building serious accident and causing but little damage to the the railroad and opening the mines, who soon left and rolling stock of the company. His work was chiefly upon what may be justly termed inclines, having a grade of over 100 feet to the mile. About six years ago he was transferred to Corning, where he is still employed. His service for the company began April 12th 1861. their places were filled by others. Still a great number have remained many years consecutively in the employ of the company, either at Fall Brook, Antrim, Corning, Watkins or Clermont. Among the early employes of the company at Fall Brook were David J. Davis, Alexander |For eleven years James Baty was conductor on the same
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
train with Bragg, and he has continuously been in the employ of the company since 1863. He also resides at Corning. John Keating was employed by the company many years, and his father, Michael Keating sen., has been employed since 1862. He is now at Antrim.
Frederick Wells, mining boss, has been employed in various capacities, with an interval of only a few months, since 1859. A. J. Owen, cashier, with the exception of an interval of a year or two, has worked for the com- pany since 1862, first as clerk in the office at Corning, and after 1864 as general agent at that place; at Fall Brook since 1873, where he is now cashier and superin- tendent of the company's store. John Hinman was many years in the employ of the company, both at Fall Brook and Antrim, at the latter place as cashier. John Forrest jr. was for a number of years in the office at Fall Brook and cashier at Clermont. John Forrest sen. has worked for the company since 1866. He is now at Antrim. James Pollock also has been employed with only a short interval since 1859. William Saxe has been many years an employe, and Malachi Kane since 1863. Robert F. Cummings was employed by the company from 1863 to 1881, a number of years outside superin - tendent of lumber, teams, etc., and some years clerk in the cashier's office. He served one or two terms as bur- gess of the borough. Edward Mitchell has been con- tinuously employed by the company since 1859. Fer- nando C. Owen was an employe of the company in the store for some years, then at Corning and is now at Himrods, on the line of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corn- ing Railroad, which is operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company. Robert Russell, one of the mining bosses, has been for many years in the service of the company, and has been prominent in the establishment of churches, lodges and societies, and a trusty and honest citizen.
Among the old settlers should also be enrolled the physicians. Doctor Davidson, now of Canton, Pa., was the first resident physician. He was succeeded by Dr. William Hartman, he by the venerable and trusty Henry Kilbourn, and he by Dr. Cleveland. Dr. John B. Christie came in 1865, remained about two years, and was suc- ceeded by his cousin Robert Christie. The latter re- mained a year, and was followed by Dr. A. R. Barton, of Watkins, Schuyler county, N. Y., who remained about five years. Dr. Barton was an accomplished gentleman, a good physician, and did much toward the establish- ment of the Odd Fellows' lodge, the Library Association and other institutions having for their aim the elevation of the human race. His health failed and he removed to Jamestown, New York, and finally went south for the benefit of his health. When he found there was no hope of recovery, he, accompanied by his friend John Hinman, who had known him in Fall Brook, returned to James- town, to die a few hours after his arrival. Dr. E. G. lutely necessary to carry on the work. Now it begins to Drake succeeded him; then came Dr. Griffin, and the | assume more of the aspect it wore in the brisk times resident physician is now Dr. C. K. Thompson. The citizens of Fall Brook have thus far been fortunate in their selection of physicians.
It is a delicate and difficult task, with our limited space, to name the numerous men who have acted a con- spicuous part in the history of Fall Brook and its coal trade for the past twenty-three years, but we have en- deavored to do justice to all.
The managers at Fall Brook for the Fall Brook Coal Company were: H. Brewer, from 1862 to the time of his death, December 25th 1867; James Heron, from Decem- ber 26th 1867 till his death, September 21st 1872; D. W. Knight, from September 22nd 1872 to 1875. In 1875 the position of manager was abolished, and its duties were divided, A. J. Owen taking charge of the financial affairs and management of the store, tenements, etc., and James Pollock assuming the position of mining superin- tendent. In 1880 Mr. Pollock was transferred to Cler- mont, taking the management of the mines there, and Frederick Wells succeeded him in the position at Fall Brook, all the works at Fall Brook being under the gen- eral supervision of Anton Hardt of Wellsboro, general superintendent and engineer for the company.
The leading employes of the Fall Brook Coal Com- pany at present are as follows:
Cashier and store superintendent, A. J. Owen; clerks in cashier's office, A. N. Williams and R. W. Davis; clerks in store, R. B. Webb, James R. Mills; mining boss, Fred H. Wells, assisted by Robert Russell; car loader, Patrick Dwyer; weighmaster in drift No. 2, John G. Jones; weighmaster drift No. 3, Charles Cook; shipping clerk, John F. Dwyer; dock boss at drift No. 2, James Chambers; at drift No. 3, John Bran; foreman black- smith, Sandford Dewey; foreman of outside work (em- bracing the lumber department), J. W. Taylor; resident physician, Dr. C. K. Thompson.
Until the year 1874 Fall Brook was one of the most tidy and well appearing mining towns in northern Penn- sylvania. A large number of the dwellings were painted and well repaired, occupying lots, and not in blocks as in many towns. Many of the miners and laborers were during 1874 and for a year or two later transferred to Antrim, or to Clermont, McKean county, leaving many dwellings unoccupied, which gave the town a cheerless look. Within the last two years the company has re- fitted and repainted many of the dwellings, the store and the hotel, repaired the sidewalks, and otherwise brushed up the central portion of the borough, and made it more cheerful and inviting. The demand for coal recently has given the miners steadier work and the place appears more active. About 16,000 tons are now (December 1881) mined monthly. Under the management of H. Brewer, James Heron and D. W. Knight the place con- tinually improved; but after the panic of 1873 and the dull times following Fall Brook did not present so favor- able an appearance. For four or five years the business would not warrant any outlay beyond what was abso-
from 1860 to 1873. For many years the social relations of the people of Fall Brook were most pleasant, but the former leaders in society are now scattered.
223
FALL, BROOK INCORPORATED-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
BECOMES A BOROUGH.
In August 1864 application was made by the citizens of Fall Brook to the court of common pleas of Tioga county, to be incorporated as a borough. The petition was numerously signed. At the same time the citizens of the township outside the village of Fall Brook petitioned . the court to set them off in a separate election district. The petition of the citizens of Fall Brook was placed in the hands of L. C. Shepard, with instructions to present it to the court and to employ counsel. Opposition was made to the granting of the prayers of the petitioners, for the reason that the citizens of Fall Brook were inclined to be disloyal; that to create a borough where one mar or company owned all the property was a dangerous thing, that freedom of speech and freedom to exercise the right of the elective franchise were not permitted, etc.
It was shown by the petitioners-first, that in Fall Brook and the township of Ward, on a basis of 148 voters over 300 persons had either volunteered, commuted or furnished substitutes to the Union army-an instance un- paralleled in the history of the country; second, in rela- tion to freedom of speech and an exercise of the elective franchise, that while the manager, H. Brewer, was a Democrat, two of the drift masters, two of the boss mule drivers, the chief explorer, the doctor, the master me- chanic, two of the weighmasters and others in the em- ploy of the Fall Brook Coal Company were Republicans and exercised their rights freely, and that if there was any intimidation on the part of those residing there, it was by the Republicans, and not by the Democrats or by the company; that the company selected men on account of their business capacity and fitness for their work, their politics never entering into the matter at all.
The petition was finally granted, and an election was ordered for the 16th of September 1864. At that elec- tion L. C. Shepard was elected burgess, and he was an- nually re-elected up to January 1873, when he refused longer to accept the duties of that office. At the first election of councilmen James Heron, H. Brewer, James Tracy, William D. Lynahan and Charles N. Cranmer were chosen. Charles L. Pattison was the first treasurer, Burr Noble the first clerk of the borough, and Michael Peters, Thomas Murray, David O'Heron, L. B. Johnson, Walter Mason, A. W. Taylor, Patrick Donley, William Buckley, James Quinlish, Frederick Wells, James Baty, F. S. Bragg, William Farr and Thomas Buck constituted the original borough police force. At the spring election following other officers were elected.
The borough officers for the year 1881 were: Burgess, Robert Russell; councilmen, Patrick Dwyer, Robert Ray, Noble Breese, Patrick Ryan, Walter Allen, James Junk; justice of the peace, C. K. Thompson; judge of election, Michael Lyon; school directors, F. W. Lyon, Walter Al- len, John McCann, John Junk, William Saxe, James Chambers; president of school board, John Junk; secre- tary, James Chambers; inspectors of election, William Saxe, David Nicol; constable, F. W. Lyon; assessor, John F. Dwyer; auditors, Henry McGrath and John G. Jones; borough clerk, Edward P. Dwyer.
We give the following statement of the vote for bor- ough officers in 1882 on the authority of the Wellsboro Agitator:
Burgess-J. W. Taylor, 76. Councilmen-A. N. Wil- liams, 37; Noble Breese, 75; Frank Smith, 73; John Wil- ber, 26; James Mills, 76; William Saxe, 76; Walter Allen, 3ยบ; John Kennedy, 45. School directors-F. H. Wells, 76; Robert Russell, 76; Thomas Ford, 76; William O'Donnell, 51; John Walker, 25. Justice of the peace -Robert Russell, 76. Constable-John Booth, 75; Pat- rick Higgins, I. Assessor-N. A. Wells, 50; John Jones, 26. Assistant assessors-E. W. Jaquish, 1; John F. Dwyer, I. Judge of election-Michael Lyon, 74. In- spectors of election-David Nicol, 76; D). S. Dewey, 75. Auditor-E. W. Jaquish, 76; John Rogers, 73. Poor- master-John Walker, 3: Robert Reay, 3.
Fall Brook now has about one thousand inhabitants. Since 1873 the population has varied considerably, ow- ing to strikes, dull times and transfers to Antrim and Clermont. The population as returned by the census marshal in 1870 was evidently erroneous. He reported 1,390, when there were at least 2,000 inhabitants, every dwelling being occupied and the boarding houses full to their utmost capacity. In 1872 the population was at its greatest number, reaching nearly 2,300. There are now many vacant dwellings.
SCHOOLS.
In 1861 the Fall Brook Coal Company erected for the township of Ward a school-house in Fall Brook, with two departments, located on the west side of the street in the " Fallow," nearly opposite where the present school- house is situated, it being the front part of the present school-house. In the fall and winter of 1864-5 another was built, in the southern portion of Fall Brook, on Cat- awissa street. Both of these buildings, being too small to accommodate the increasing number of scholars, in the summer of 1873 were enlarged and remodeled, and since have been of ample size. Among the early teach- ers in the Fallow school were David Cameron, Oscar Beardsley, Miss Belle Dyer, Miss Lue Pitts, Miss Simp- son and J. I .. Sexton jr., Mr. Sexton being employed there about seven successive years. The present teacher is Miss Mettie Kiff.
Among the early teachers in the school-house on Cat- awissa street were Miss Bessie Brewer, Mrs. Lucy Cran- mer, S. A. Gaskell and others. The present teacher is Miss Lucy Junk.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian .- A church organization was effected by the Presbyterians in 1860, a petition having been made to the Presbytery of Susquehanna. The petititioners were Alexander Pollock sen., James Heron, Alexander Pollock jr., James Pollock, Peter Cameron jr., Robert Logan, James Logan, John Dunsmore, George Snedden, William Watchman, E. J. Evans, David Pryde, and H. Brewer. The first officers were: Trustees of funds, Hon. John Magee, Duncan S. Magee, and Alexander
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IIISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
Pollock sen .; treasurer, H. Brewer; secretary, James reading being kept up by John Hinman and Isaac S. Heron; committee of management, Alexander Pollock sen., Robert Logan, David Pryde, Samuel Heron, William Watchman, and Reese Thomas.
In conjunction with Morris Run this church secured the services of Rev. George Blair, September ist 1861. Rev. William McCormick was selected as pastor in the fall of 1863 and remained one year. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Caldwell, who also remained one year. Rev. E. Kennedy commenced his pastorate in the summer of 1866, and remained until October Ist 1870. Then Rev. G. R. H. Shumway, of Lawrenceville, supplied the pul- pit, and he was succeeded in October 1871 by Rev. Phil- ander Camp, who remained until 1875. Rev. William Young at intervals after this supplied the pulpit. For many years there was connected with the church a large and interesting Sunday-school, with Alexander Pollock sen. as superintendent. During the pastorate of Rev. E. Kennedy a neat little church edifice costing $2,200 was erected; the Fall Brook Coal Company donating $1,000 of that amount. There is now no regular or stated min- ister, and the Sunday-school is under the management of James R. Mills.
A large and prosperous Sunday-school was sustained St. Thomas's Church .- In the summer of 1864 Rev. for some time, but during the slack times in Fall Brook E. D. Loveridge, of Hammondsport, N. Y., made a visit many families removed, and it was allowed to dwindle away. It is at present kept up. Miss Honora Dwyer, Miss Lucy Junk and Mary Dwyer are now teachers. Rev. P. J. Murphy, of Blossburg, officiates in the church. to his friend C. E. Halsey, at Fall Brook. During his visit he held the first Episcopal church service in Fall Brook, July 31st 1864. In August 1866 Fall Brook was visited by Bishop Lee, of Delaware, and on the 24th of SOCIETIES. that month he confirmed Miss Mary Frazer and Miss Mary Brewer. About that time C. E. Halsey and John The Fall Brook Friendly Society was organized May 15th 1869. It is a beneficial society. Its first officers were: James Pollock, president; George Forsythe, vice- president; Robert Russell, treasurer; Robert Brownlee, secretary; managers-John L. Sexton jr., Thomas Mar- tin, Joseph, James and William Wardrop; auditors- Thomas Gaffney and Titus Drainsfield. Hinman organized a Sunday-school and gathered in over a hundred scholars. The school was held in the Fallow school-house. It was deficient in the necessary books and catechismis. Through the energy and liberality of Messrs. Halsey and Hinman the want was supplied. St. John's church, Catherine, Schuyler county, N. Y., also made the school generous donations of books. On
Christmas eve 1866 nearly a hundred scholars were present at a Christmas tree offering. Rev. N. L. Kern, then a missionary in the mining district, located at Bloss- burg, was present and addressed the assemblage. The interest in the Sunday-school continued for years and was the means of bringing about a church organization.
July 30th 1867 application was made by Charles E. Halsey, John Hinman, John L. Sexton jr., Lewis Clark, John B. Christie, J. W. Personeus, John Alderson and Thomas Gaffney of Fall Brook to the court of common pleas of Tioga county to be incorporated under the title of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Thomas's Church, Fall Brook. The application was granted December 5th 1867 and ordered on file in the office of the prothonotary. The first officers were: Charles E. Halsey, senior warden; John Hinman, junior warden; vestrymen, Lewis Clark, John B. Christie, Joel W. Personeus, John L. Sexton jr. and John Alderson.
Rev. M. L. Kern officiated every alternate Sabbath in the Fallow school-house until November 28th 1869, and for several years the church was without a minister, lay
Marshal. In 1874 Marcellus Karcher, a deacon in orders, came and located in Fall Brook, and officiated very acceptably (being ordained in the meantime as min- ister) until the year 1876, since which time there has been no regular service. The total number of communi- cants since the organization is about 200.
Catholic Church .- In July 1873 Rev. John Wynne, stationed at Blossburg, made an effort to erect a church at Fall Brook, and succeeded in getting pledged among the Catholic brethren and other friends the sum of 81,000. The Fall Brook Coal Company then generously gave him $1,000 more, and this enabled him to enter into a contract with Joseph Hyland, of Blossburg, for the erection of the edifice. On the 31st of August 1873 Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, assisted by Revs. Gerald McMurray, John A. Wynne and John McDermott, laid the corner stone with the imposing ceremonies of the Catholic church. The new building was so far com- pleted by Sunday April 26th 1874 that it was then opened for service, Rev. Father Garvey, of Williamsport, delivering the opening sermon.
At its fourth anniversary a parade and dinner was given, and addresses were made by Dr. A. R. Barton, J. L. Sexton jr., James Pollock, Rev. Philander Camp and Rev. William Young. The committee of arrange- ments consisted of James Chambers, Andrew Couser, William Wardrop, George Snedden and John Walker. Samuel Chambers was marshal, with James Chambers and Andrew Nelson as assistants. At the Fallow school- house yard members of the Friendly Society, with citizens and the teachers and scholars of the public schools, formed a procession, which marched to the music of the Arnot brass band through several streets, stopping at the residence of D. W. Knight, manager for the Fall Brook Coal Company. Mr. Knight received them kindly, and welcomed them in a neat little speech. Thence the com- pany marched to the school-yard, where refreshments were served and speeches made. It was announced that the society had received $1,866.95 and expended $1,580 .- 13 in funeral expenses and weekly allowances to the sick. During the slack times from 1873 to 1880 many of its members moved away from Fall Brook; but it has been the means of doing a very great amount of good.
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SOCIETIES AT FALL, BROOK-IMPROVEMENTS.
Its present officers are: Sanford Dewey, president; Walter Allen, vice-president; James Chambers, treasurer; William F. O'Donnell, secretary; Alexander Hunter, John Shearer, John Kirkpatrick and Andrew McCann, managers; Robert Muir and D. S. Dewey, auditors.
Catholic Temperance Society .- For a number of years the Catholic Temperance Society was in existence, and was the means of doing much good. It has at present no organization. John McCann, James Junk and Michael Lyon were among its early and most steadfast members.
Fall Brook Lodge, No. 765, I. O. O. F. was chartered May 8th and constituted May 15th 1871. The first offi- cers were: A. R. Barton, N. G .; Robert Dick, V. G .; Robert Brownlee, secretary; Joseph McNish, assistant secretary; Alexander M. Allen, treasurer.
This has been one of the chief benevolent associations of the borough. The lodge now occupies elegant quar- ters in the new hall, which is furnished neatly and taste- fully. It is a strong institution. The Knights of Honor and the Rebekah lodge occupy the same hall. Fall Brook Lodge has among its members some of the best men in the mining region.
Its present officers are: James Sampson, N. G .; John G. Jones, V. G .; Alexander Jarvie and Lawson Renwick, secretaries; W. I .. Thomas, treasurer.
Saturday June 15th 1872 the lodge celebrated its first anniversary with a picnic. The Arnot brass band fur- nished the music. At TI o'clock A. M. a procession was formed in front of the lodge room and marched to a grove near the big spring in the northern part of the bor- ough, where the dinner was spread. After dinner ad- dresses were delivered by Dr. A. R. Barton, S. I .. Barber, of Covington, J B. Anderson, of Morris Run, Rev. Mr. Jones and William Young.
".Agnes " Rebekah) Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 126, was char- tered November 19th 1880, the charter members being Mary Jane Chambers, N. G .; Jane Sampson, V. G .; Eliza Nicol, secretary; Florence Shepard, assistant secretary; and Janette Reeves, treasurer. The lodge was named in memory of Mrs. Agnes Muir. It meets in Odd Fellows' Hall, and at present is very prosperous.
Knights of Honor .- Fall Brook Lodge, No. 2,506, was instituted July 20th 1881, by A. J. Owen, D. G. D., with 28 charter members. The present officers are: P. I)., Robert Russell; dictator, A. J. Owen; V. D., J. W. Taylor; A. D., Frank Church; reporter, William Tipton; F. R., A. N. Williams; treasurer, Dr. C. K. Thompson; chaplain, Rev. J. H. Acornley; guide, William Saxe; guardian, Noble H. Breese; sentinel, Charles B. Thomp- son .. This lodge bids fair to increase in numbers and prove of great benefit to its members.
Fall Brook Library Association .- During the winter of 1872-3 the Odd Fellows of Fall Brook, through the ef- forts of Robert Russell, Robert Brownlee, Robert Dick, Samuel Chambers and others, inaugurated a series of lectures in their lodge room. Rev. N. L. Reynolds, of Wellsboro, Rev. Charles Jones, of Morris Run, Dr. A. R. Barton and John L. Sexton jr. of Fall Brook, delivered lectures. The object was two-fold, to impart instruction and to establish a library association in Fall Brook. The latter object was accomplished April 15th 1873, and a
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