USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 71
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E. L. SPERRY was born at Gates, N. Y., March 7th 1829, and came here in 1851. He lived on the farm for- merly owned by William Pickel, who was the first settler on what is now known as Pickel Hill. Mr. Sperry has been secretary of the normal board of trustees many years, and was for eight years a school teacher, and always one of our best citizens. His father-in-law, John Baynes, also came from Gates, in 1852.
WILLIAM M. BARDEN, M. D., was born at Benton, N. Y., February 14th 1812, and was educated at the medical college in Geneva, N. Y. He came to Mansfield in 1852, where he introduced the homoeopathic practice, and where he has ever since resided, enjoying the confidence and esteem of the people. At the time of his coming there were fifteen allopathic physicians within a radius of nine miles, and the opposition to homoeopathy was pretty strong. His first year's practice amounted to but $46, and $32 of this he never received. But there were better times in store for Dr. Barden, who through his skill and untiring energy soon established for himself an enviable reputation, securing at the same time a large practice. For his success in establishing a new theory, against such odds, he certainly deserves great credit. He has been faithful in his attention to the sick in every condition of life. He is the father of Dr. John Barden, of Mansfield, and Dr. Oliver Barden, of Tioga-both first-class phy- sicians.
Ross & WILLIAMS .- Andrew J. Ross was born in Pike, Bradford county, Pa., February 23d 1827, and came to
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C. W. BAILEY-PROF. C. H. VERRILL-EARLY EVENTS IN RICHMOND.
Mansfield in 1855. Philip Williams was born in Troy, Pa., in 1826, and came here in 1837. In 1855 these gentlemen formed a copartnership, and they have ever since been known as our most prominent business men, engaging largely in nearly every branch of business, and wielding a controlling influence in the monetary affairs of the village and surrounding country. On the 24th of May 1872 they commenced banking business, which is still continued. Mr. Ross died August 18th 1875, and his son, C. S. Ross, has succeeded to his father's busi- ness. Mr. Williams has been for many years treasurer of the normal school.
CLARK W. BAILEY was born in 1806, and came to Mansfield from Charleston township in 1857. He pur- chased the grist-mill since known as the Mansfield Mills, which was built by Terrence Smythe about the year 1850. In 1860 Mr. Bailey built a steam saw-mill, since known as Bailey's Mills, which he sold to his sons T. H. & J. W. Bailey, in 1866, and which contained the first cir- cular saw ever seen in these parts. This mill was burned in 1877, and a new one erected in its place. He also had a foundry, and was for many years actively engaged in business transactions. He was a prominent member of the Methodist church, and an earnest worker in building the seminary, and in every enterprise calculated to build up the place. He married a daughter of Rev. Gaylord Judd, and raised a large family, of whom Thomas H. Bailey, our present excellent and honorable burgess, is one. Mr. Bailey died in 1881, aged 75 years.
honored by his presence. There are few better educators in the United States at the present time than Charles H. Verrill.
OTHER COMERS during the period between 1850 and 1870 were: I .. Cummings, Augustus Cass, and Henry Huested, in 1850; Elias Miller, in 1851; Lewis Ham- mond, in 1852: Charles Hammond, in 1854; William Day and Asa Cleveland, in 1855; also William Adams, who was justice of the peace 20 years, and father of John W. Adams, an attorney and counselor at law, admitted to the bar in 1867; also, during the same year, Henry Allen, another attorney, who was admitted to the bar in 1850, and who came from East Smithfield, Pa. Mr. Allen was Mansfield's first burgess, having been elected in 1857. Elias Frost came here in 1857, and Delos Hub- bard and John C. Howe in 1859. Truman Graves came in 1860, Robert Crossley in 1862, Zimri Allen in 1863, R. R. Kingsley in 1865, F. A. Stewart and Thomas Goodall in 1866, Rev. J. S. Palmer, Asa Bullock, R. E. Olney and N. Kingsley in 1867, Dr. A. J. Cole in 1868, and M. M. Spoor in 1869.
GENERAL HISTORICAL SUMMARY.
The events of interest transpiring between ISoo and 1810 may be summed up as follows:
The shooting of Edward Gobin, which happened about the year 1802.
The building of the first saw-mill, in 1803, and the first grist-mill, in 1805 or 1806, by Elihu Marvin. Pre- vious to this the early settlers took their rye (which was their principal bread on horseback to Williamsport, and it took four days to go to mill. In those days candles were made from deer's tallow, and most of the meat eaten was venison.
PROFESSOR CHARLES H. VERRILL was born in Dor- chester, Mass., May 29th 1837. In 1858 he entered Bow- doin College, and graduated in the class of 1862. He taught district school during vacation and paid his own expenses. In 1865 he received the degree of Master of Arts from Bowdoin College, and in 1881 the degree of The coming of Asa Mann, the founder of Mansfield, in 1804, and the keeping of the first hotel and store by him. Doctor of Philosophy from? Lafayette College. In Sep- tember 1865 he was appointed professor of mathematics in the State normal school, and held the place four years, The building of the first Spencer grist-mill, some time prior to 1810, by Amos Spencer. when, in 1869, he was appointed acting principal. Pro- fessor Streit was principal at this time, but his health The building of the first frame house, about the year ISIo, by Peter Kelts. was such that he could not perform the duties of the office, and upon his decease a little later, during the fall The building of the first frame barn, in 1810, by Eli- jah Clark. term, Professor Verrill was elected principal. He re- mained such for four years, or until 1873, when he re- Dr. Cannon, the first physician, came in 1813 and staid two years, living in one of the Kelts houses, north from the present depot. signed and left Mansfield for two years, one year being occupied at Homer |N. Y. Academy, and one year in teachers' institutes in New York and Pennsylvania. In In 1822 Dr. Pliny Power located at Canoe Camp. He was the second physician, and remained there several years. 1875 he was again appointed principal of the State nor- mal school, this time holding the office for two years, or until 1877, when he became principal of Delaware Lit- In 1822 the first post-office was established at Canoe Camp, with Amos Spencer as postmaster. A few years later it was removed to Mansfield, and Asa Mann ap- pointed postmaster. He kept the office until his de- parture for the west, in 1839. erary Institute, a position which he still holds. He was thus connected with the normal school in all ten years, four years as professor of mathematics and six years as principal-a longer time than any other professor has been connected with the school. He gave instruction to In 1824 Richmond township was formed from Coving- ton. In the same year a tannery was erected by Chand- every class but one graduating between the years 1866 and 1878, having the classes of '74 and '78 in their junior |ler Mann, and a woolen factory by Almon Allen and years. He was one of the very best principals and teachers the normal school ever had, and Mansfield was Solon Richards. Excepting saw-mills these were the first manufacturing establishments.
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
In the same year Dr. Dexter Parkhurst located at Mansfield, near the entrance to Smythe Park. He was the third physician. His brother, Joel Parkhust, now of Elkland, lived with him in 1825, and kept a few goods for sale, which he had spread on a table in an upper room. Benjamin Peterson also came at this time and lived with Parkhurst.
In 1826 Jerusha Lamb, widow of Gad Lamb, organ- ized the first Sunday-school in Richmond township, at her own house. This shall be told as a memorial of her when this page is moth-eaten and yellow with age.
In 1826 Daniel Holden built the first store in Mans- field. Previous to this, in 1824, he built the house after- ward occupied by Clint. Holden, and which is the oldest house now standing in Mansfield borough. Afterward Asa Mann and William B. Mann, his son, kept a store where the post-office now stands. The same building was next occupied as a store by Almon Allen; then (in 1833) by Loren Fenton, and later by R. W. Washburn; Isaac Hall next kept a store on the ground where S. J. Shepard now keeps, in a building afterward occupied by B. M. Bailey.
In 1829 Captain Samuel Hunt came to Mansfield, where he kept a hotel until his death, in 1851. He built the hotel now occupied by R. K. Brundage. He was born in 1789, and was the father of Albinus Hunt (de- ceased), Mrs. Alden Allen (deceased), Mrs. Gurdon Ful- ler and Mrs. L. Cummings.
Samuel Goodall also settled in the township in 1829, having come from England. He married a daughter of Peter Whittaker.
In 1830 Daniel Sherwood & Sons built a saw-mill be- low Lamb's Creek.
In 1833 Loren Fenton was a merchant in Mansfield. In May of this year there was a great flood in the Tioga River, which swept away large quantities of lumber be- longing to him and others.
In 1837 six " arks " were built in the river at Mans- field by C. N. Sykes, Samuel Sykes and Christian Charles, which were loaded with coal brought from Blossburg, and then taken down the river to Painted Post. This was while the river ran to the east of what is now the park. Asa Mann also built a boat, and took it down the river for use on Seneca Lake.
That Mansfield in 1830-40 was a genuine border town, but little better than Leadville, may be judged by one of many similar occurrences. One night some of the fore- most women took Oliver Whittaker's gate off the hinges, and, dragging him and others from their beds, placed them upon it and gave them a free ride, one after another, to Captain Sam Hunt's bar, where the ladies poured a bottle of whiskey on their heads instead of down their throats, and then paid the bill of several dollars.
There was a militia company at this time, with Chand- ler Mann as captain. All were Jackson Democrats. At a training they had a grove of hickories planted along Wellsboro street north of the tavern, where the Pitts block now stands. One of these trees was found to be
a bitternut, whereupon it was riddled with balls from their muskets until there was little left of it but slivers. E. W. Hazard lived in Mansfield about this time. He was the first regular lawyer.
Mansfield was on the great stage route from Williams- port to Lawrenceville, owned by John Magee, who used to run four-horse coaches. John C. Bennett, now of Covington, was a driver on this route from Covington to Lawrenceville.
Ben Gitchell, who had been sheriff in 1834, built in 1841 the first brick house in town, which was afterward owned by Mat. Swan, and is still standing on the flat in the south part of the village.
In 1842 and 1843 Hon. Daniel L. Sherwood, of Mans- field, was elected a representative in the State Legisla- ture from the counties of Tioga and Potter. In 1844, 1845 and 1846 he was elected to the Senate from the counties of Tioga and Bradford, and was chosen speaker in 1846.
In 1845, 1846 and 1847 a number of canal boats were built at Mansfield and taken down the river for use on the Erie Canal, together with some other boats known as " lakers," for use on Seneca Lake. They were built by Edward Faulkner and Amos Bixby, and by Gurdon Ful- ler and John Holden.
In July 1850 there occurred a great flood in the Tioga River.
In 1855 the furnace was built by Charles F. Swan for the Mansfield Iron Company. Since then many thousands of tons of ore have been manufactured into iron at this furnace.
On the 13th of February 1857 Mansfield was incorpor- ated a borough, and on the 27th of March following the first officers were elected, as follows: Burgess, Henry Allen; council, P. Gaylord, L. H. Elliott, J. M. Cassells, H. Davis, M. Kelley; justices, Lyman Beach, William Adams; constable, Alvin. Gaylord.
In 1860 Hon. S. B. Elliott was elected a representa- tive in the State Legislature.
In the spring of 1865 there was a great flood in the Tioga River.
In 1865 F. M. Spencer began his photograph business in Mansfield, which is now the oldest in the county.
In November 1865 Rev. D. P. Maryatt and family left Mansfield for the west. They had been in the township and village since about the year 1850, and were among the very best families ever residing here.
In 1869 Hon. Daniel L. Sherwood left Mansfield for Northumberland, Pa., after having resided here for 30 years.
In 1870, April 18th, 19th and 20th, there was a great flood in the Tioga River, and much damage done to property.
In 1870 a law was passed by the State Legislature pro- hibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors within two miles of the State normal school.
In 1870, December 24th, Mart King's factory burned. In 1871 the Ross & Williams block was erected, at the southeast corner of Main and Sullivan streets.
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RECENT EVENTS IN MANSFIELD-NEWSPAPERS-THE FIRST CHURCH,
In 1872, April 7th, the new Methodist church was ded- ing, dining hall, office, hardware building, hand stand, icated.
In 1873 Robert Crossley started a green-house, which he still keeps up.
In 1873 the Pitts block was erected, at the southwest corner of Main and Wellsboro streets, by D. H. and A. J. Butts, L. F. Allen, T. H. Bailey, and B. Moody, M. Pitts. trustees.
In 1874, September ist, the new normal school build- ing was dedicated. It stands 150 feet north and the same distance east of the old building.
In 1875, January 14th, the boundaries of Mansfield borough were enlarged.
In 1875 a colony was organized in Mansfield by Rev. H. S. Parkhurst, to settle on Hood River, Oregon. November 12th 1875 Mr. Parkhurst died at Ogden City, Utah, while en route with his colony for Oregon.
In 1876, and again in 1878, Dr. Elliott was elected a representative in the State Legislature.
In 1878 the Allen block was erected, at the northeast corner of Main and Sullivan streets, by Professor Allen.
In 1879 Smythe Park was opened to the public, and the first Tioga county agricultural, mechanical and in- dustrial fair held upon the grounds.
In ISSo Edward Doane & Co. commenced running a sash and blind factory, which is still in operation.
In 1880 the population of Mansfield was 1,615, and the population of Richmond was 1,559.
In 1881 the new graded school-house was built.
In 1882, September 27th, 28th and 29th, the Tioga county agricultural, mechanical and industrial fair was held in Smythe Park. It was a great success, over ten thousand people visiting the grounds during the second day, while the display in all departments was very fine- better than ever before.
In 1882 a new steam grist-mill and wood-working fac- tory was erected on Main street, near Corey Creek, by the New Era Manufacturing Company, which is com- posed of Albert Sherwood, L. L. Flower, Clark B. Sher wood and Andrew Sherwood. A new depot was built by the railroad company; new residences, some of them the finest in the county, are going up in every direction. The State normal school, soldiers' orphan school, graded school and business college are in full operation, and Mansfield is booming.
SMYTHE PARK,
one of the attractions of Mansfield, was opened in July 1879. Here is annually held the Tioga county agricul- tural, mechanical, and industrial fair-the largest and most successful fair in northern Pennsylvania-while the place has already become a great resort for excursionists from all the surrounding towns and villages. It was long known as "the island," the river having formerly run around it to the east, between it and the railroad. Na- ture has done much for this beautiful park, and with a little assistance at the hand of man it will shortly become a grand adjunct to Mansfield. Ten thousand dollars have already been expended, not including cost of ground. There have been erected a main building, a ladies' build-
and 300 horse and cattle stalls, with walks and drives. The officers of the Park Association are: Mart King, president; J. A. Elliott; vice-president; C. S. Ross, sec- retary; Philip Williams, treasurer; Burt Schrader, D).
JOURNALISM AT MANSFIELD.
In 1856 the first newspaper was started in Mansfield, with I. M. Ruckman as editor. He was succeeded in the editorial chair by Hon. S. B. Elliott, and afterward by J. S. Hoard. The paper was at first called The Bal- ance, but afterward the Mansfield Express, and was printed in the basement of the old Methodist church. The type and fixtures were subsequently sold and taken to Kansas, and during the anti-slavery agitation were pitched into the Missouri River.
In 1872 the Valley Enterprise was brought to Mansfield from Lawrenceville. During the same year the name was changed to the Mansfield Advertiser, under which name it is still published. The editors have been H. C. Mills, V. A. Elliott, O. D. Goodenough. D. A. Farnham, Pratt & Goodenough, and W. A. Rowland.
THE MANSFIELD CHURCHES.
Organisation of the First Church .- The record reads: " July 5th 1832 the following individuals were constitut- ed a church of Christ, by the Rev. David Higgins and the Rev. Elijah D. Wells, a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Bath: Amariah Robbins, Joel Harkness, Joseph Thompson, John Backer, John W. Donaldson, Timothy Orvis, John Kelley, Mary Cooley, Hannah Kel- ley, Thanks Webster, Delia Donaldson, Emily Sexton, Anna Finks, Roxalana Brown and Rachel Orvis. The church thus constituted was denominated The First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, and the following are their articles of faith and covenant ":
[Here follow a confession in ten articles and a covenant, all of which, excepting perhaps the doctrine of infant baptism by sprinkling, would be readily accepted by any believer at the present time.]
" After the organization of the church a sermon was preached by Mr. Higgins, from John vii. 32, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered.
" DAVID HIGGINS, "E. D. WELLS, " Committee.
" A true copy.
" ASA DONALDSON, " Missionary."
It would be interesting to copy the proceedings of this carly church, did time and space permit. In 1835 there were 36 communicants, and up to August 17th 1848 there had been 62 names on the church book. The last record was made on the 27th of June 1857, when Lorin Butts was elected ruling elder in place of Amariah Rob. bins, deceased. But, owing to the decease and removal of inany of the members, and to the lack of a pastor, this
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
little church, which at one time promised so much, seems to have become entirely extinct. As a visible organiza- tion it ceased to exist many years ago.
The Baptist Church .- On the roth of April 1840 cer- tain Baptists residing in and about Mansfield were or- ganized as a branch of the Sullivan Baptist church. On the ist day of April 1843 the ten members composing this branch (Deacon Daniel Sherwood and Anna his wife, Hon. D. L. Sherwood and Caroline his wife, E. P. Clark and Fanny his wife, Oliver Elliott, Thomas Jerald, Martha Utter and Lorena Ripley, together with Rev. Abijah Sherwood and Maria his wife, were organized as an independent church, to be called the Baptist Church of Mansfield, which was consummated by the following exercises: Reading of the Scriptures, Rev. S. Bullock; introductory prayer, Rev. J. L. Coffin; sermon, Rev. T. S. Sheardown; constituting prayer, Rev. M. Rockwell; right hand of fellowship, Rev. G. Spratt; charge to the church, Rev. S. Grinnell; concluding prayer, Rev. A. Sherwood; benediction, Rev. S. Bullock.
Of the twelve constituent members seven are still liv- ing, four of whom are members of this church. Hon. D L. Sherwood and wife are members of the Northumber- land (Pa.) church, while Martha Utter belongs to a church in the west. Deacon Daniel Sherwood and wife, with their son Rev. Abijah Sherwood, and Thomas Jerald, have gone to their reward. During the first year two, Levi Cooper and Rachel his wife, were baptized into the church. The first death was that of Anna Sherwood, in the fifth year; the last, that of Thomas Jerald, in the present year. The church is now in its fortieth year, and numbers 150 members.
With the exception of the years 1852 and 1853, when the desk was filled by Rev. G. W. Stone, and 1853 and 1854. when it was filled by Rev. D. P. Maryatt, the first pastor, Rev. Abijah Sherwood, served the church until 1860; and the two or three years he preached to them while a branch of the Sullivan church made his pastorate cover a period of about twenty years. His sucessors were Rev. N. L. Reynolds, 1860-66; Rev. G. P. Watrous, 1866, 1867, 1869-73; Rev. J. W. Henry, 1867, 1868; J. E. Bell, 1874, 1875; Rev. H. Bray, 1875-78; Rev. G. M. Righter, 1878-81; and Rev. S. Earley, who is now the pastor.
The deacons have been: Daniel Sherwood (who took the first steps toward founding the church), 1843-59; Cornelius Putman, D. C. Crandall, S. F. Utter, Henry Hollands, Aaron Baldwin, Oliver Elliott, and the present incumbents-Albert Sherwood, Zimri Allen, S. J. Shepard, and A. A. Hall. The clerk is P. Newell; the trustees are F W. Clark, Oliver Ide, and Andrew Sherwood.
The house was built in 1848-9, in a fine location at the corner of Main and Sherwood streets. The sheds and chapel were built in 1882.
There is a very large and flourishing Sunday-school in connection with the church, of which W. H. Kinney is superintendent. Average number of pupils, 125; teach- ers, 14.
This is the oldest of the existing churches in Mans- field, and has, seemingly, a bright future, although sub-
jected to great trials in the past. During the civil war, politics was introduced, and the church was divided, so that its destruction seemed inevitable. A re-union was finally effected however. In 1874 and 1875 the church was again shaken to its foundations, during the pastorate of J. E. Bell, who was deposed from the ministry for his wicked conduct. At this time the world came in like a flood; while the arch enemy, through his own chosen emissary, made unparalleled efforts to overthrow the little church. But the storm is past, and the good old Baptist church still lives.
The Methodist Church .- Ministers of this denomina- tion came through here at an early day, generally on horseback, and held meetings in dwellings and barns, and sometimes in the open air. These fiery evangelists were doubtless the pioneer preachers, found then as now on the farthest frontiers; and we cannot help thinking there is something grand in the lives of these men, who have left all and gone to the most distant outposts, there to proclaim the glad tidings.
But it was not until 1841 that stated services were held in Mansfield, and not until 1845 that a church was organized. February 1oth 1845 a petition was presented, signed by S. F. Utter, H. G. Martin, P. Doud, Elijah Clark, Russell Davis, Alvin Gaylord, R. C. Shaw, Isaiah Seelye and P. M. Clark, asking to be incorporated as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Mansfield, which petition was granted on the 20th of the same month. But two of these petitioners are now living, viz. H. G. Martin and Russell Davis. The trustees then were Elijah Clark, Simeon F. Utter, Phineas M. Clark, Rodney C. Shaw, Alvin Gaylord, John Cochran and Marvin Perry. It would no doubt be interesting to know more of the proceedings at the organization of this church, but unfortunately all record of its early history is lost, having been destroyed by fire at the burning of Rev. G. C. Jones's house in 1876.
Services were held at first in a teilding erected for a wagon shop, at the corner of Main and Sherwood streets, opposite the Baptist church, and afterward in the old white school-house at the corner of Sullivan and Acad- emy streets. In 1849 they numbered fifty members, and with Rev. Orson Trowbridge in charge they built the edifice at the corner of Main and Elmira streets, now used by the Universalists. This building cost $1,600, and was used until the year 1872, when, on the 17th of April, the new M. E. church, at the corner of Sullivan and Academy streets, was dedicated. This last building, which is perhaps the finest church edifice in the county, was erected during the pastorate of Rev. W. D. Taylor, at a cost of $16,000. It is of brick, and was designed by Hon. S. B. Elliott. It is capable of seating six hun- dred persons, and is heated with a furnace. It contains, besides the auditorium, a Sunday-school room, parlors, kitchen, class rooms and coal room. The windows are of stained glass, and several of them are memorial win- dows. This church in all its arrangements is an orna- ment to the place and the pride of everybody residing in and around Mansfield.
CHURCHES OF MANSFIELD.
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Rev. J. T. Brownell is the pastor. It is a strong church, of 252 members, and has numbered among its ministers such able and excellent men as Cranmer, Lam- kin, Parkhurst, Moyer and others.
There is a large and flourishing Sunday-school con- nected with the church, of which W. W. Thoburn is superintendent. The average attendance is about 100, and there are 12 teachers.
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