USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 81
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In March 1837 the wolves killed two sheep for Abel Hoyt upon the flat within ten rods of his residence. Using the carcass of one of the slaughtered sheep for bait, Hoyt set a trap upon the "Windfall " and caught one of the wolves. Lyman P. and Chester B. Hoyt killed the wolf. A bounty of $25 was paid for its scalp. This was the last wolf killed in the township.
Bears have a great partiality for pork. It may be mentioned as a curious fact that many of the dwelling houses of the new settlers were built with a projecting front porch or " stoop," under which the hogs were not only allowed but encouraged to make their nests, to pro- tect them from the incursions of their devouring enemy. Many of the first houses in the township were so built for that purpose.
INDUSTRIES AND TRADE.
"Here, within thy seaward valley, Mirth and labor shall hold their truce ; Dance of water and mill of grinding. Both are beauty and both are use."
Agriculture is the predominant employment of the people of Osceola. They possess rich alluvial flats for tillage, and well watered grassy hillsides and uplands for pasture ranges. The arts of husbandry have undergone great changes during the years covered by this history. Formerly flax was raised upon every farm as much as the
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
grain crops, but now not a single stalk is grown in the upon the Island Stream north of the residence of Charles township. The various industries growing out of the manfacture of flax and wool in the household have been entirely abandoned, and the men no longer are adepts at the almost forgotten arts of "breaking." "swingling " and " hetcheling," nor do the women plv their cards or
Bulkley. The water was taken from the Cowanesque near the residence of Burton E. Lewis, and conducted in a race to the Island Stream. David Jay, James Beaty and Jacob Cummings were employed as millers. The mill had but one run of stones. It continued in opera- busy themselves at wheel or loom. In the early years of tion ten or twelve years and then fell into disuse.
this century every house was furnished with a big wheel In 1850 Robert Tubbs built a grist-mill near his saw- mill, and used the same water power. It was fiited up with four runs of stones. In 1871 steam power was added, to be used in times of low water. This mill de- scended to H. and J. Tubbs, sons of Robert, and by them has been sold in whole or in part several times. It is now owned by Hoyt Tubbs and L. B. Cadugan. and a little wheel for spinning, and every maid and matron were familiar with the mysteries of "dye-tub," " quill wheel," " warping bars " and loom. These have almost entirely disappeared. In recent years large breadths of our territory have been planted to tobacco, broom corn, hops and amber cane. While there have been seasons of scarcity and short crops, at no time has Distilleries .- At the beginning of this century the use the earth refused to yield her increase on account of of intoxicating liquor was universal among all classes in drouths or drenching rains.
Saro-Mills .-- In 1810 Ebenezer Taylor built the first saw-mill in the township, upon Holden Brook. It was located just above R. Hammond & Co.'s tannery. It was rigged with a flutter wheel and a single up-and-down saw, and was capable of cutting 1,000 feet of panel pine lumber in twelve hours. It was burned about 1815. " The song of its jarring saw, sent far up and down the wooded glen in olden times, long since has ceased to tell the story of its former usefulness and glory."
In 1825 Andrew Bozzard built a saw-mill upon Holden Brook, about a mile from its mouth. It had an upright saw, and was driven by a flutter wheel. Arthur F., son of Andrew, made many repairs and improvements upon this mill, and owned and managed it for about twenty years. It ceased running in 1852.
In 1837 Robert Tubbs built a saw-mill upon the Cow- anesque, which is still in operation. This mill has been the center of most of the lumbering operations of the township. It has undergone many changes in its con- struction and proprietors. At first it was rigged with a single upright saw and flutter wheel. New and im- proved machinery has been substituted, and its capacity enlarged by putting in gangs of saws, and later a circular saw. It is now owned by Hoyt Tubbs and L. B. Cadugan.
In 1849 Messrs Culver & Slosson built a saw-mill near the mouth of the Island Stream. It was located on the south end of the lot now owned by Charles Tubbs. It had a center vent wheel, a gang of saws, and other im- provements. It was surrounded by boarding houses for the men, one of which was always known as the " Corn- Cracker." This mill was driven by water brought in a race from the Cowanesque. It lay idle about one year, and was burned down in 1860.
In 1864 George Sharp Bonham built a steam saw-mill on Holden Brook. It is 32 by 100 feet. It is driven by a thirty horse power engine and rigged with a circular saw. In 1866 a gang of saws was added and a lath-mill. For ten years after it was built about twenty men were employed in running it, and it cut about three million feet of pine lumber annually. It is still doing business, and cuts about one million feet of oak and hemlock per year.
Grist-Mills .- In 1814 Israel Bulkley built a grist-mill
society. The preacher in his pulpit and the teacher at his desk alike partook of the bewildering draught. It was indulged in by people of both sexes and all ages and conditions, from the cradle to the grave. Children put to sleep by sucking bread syaked in whiskey gave no trouble to mother or nurse, and the aged drowned their sorrows and their aches in the " flowing bowl." No "husking," "raising," "logging bee" or quilting, nor any public business or social meeting of the inhabitants. took place without the abundant product of the still. It was universally regarded as an article of prime necessity as a medicine and as a beverage. This general demand called for a supply, and in those days of poor roads re- sulted in the establishment of distilleries in every com- munity.
The business of distilling also furnished a market not otherwise to be found when there was a surplus of grain. In an early day the distilleries in this valley were not able to supply the demand. In 1814 Joseph Colvin brought from Canajoharie, N. Y., three wagon loads of whiskey-six hogsheads of 100 gallons each-and readily sold it out at a dollar and a half per gallon.
In 1815 Israel Bulkley built a log distillery near his grist-mill upon the Island Stream. The prices of corn and rye were much higher at that time than they were after 1820. The usual price for corn was about one dol- lar per bushel in this valley previous to 1820, and whiskey was consequently high. The years 1816 and 1817 were years of short crops and great scarcity of pro- visions, and the business of distilling liquor suffered with other interests. Mr. Bulkley discontinued the business about 1818.
In 1816 Andrew Bozzard built a log distillery where a small tenant house is now situated, on the highway in front of the residence of Alvers Bosard. He used the water of the spring on the north side of the road, bring- ing it into the still-house in pump logs. He in some way overcame the stringency in the grain market suffi- ciently to keep his distillery in operation about six years. In fact, in those days liquor was considered about as much of a necessity as other articles of food .*
* In 1783 the Pennsylvania troops stationed at Wyoming were sup- plied with " 216 Gill of Liquor " to one pound of bread .- Pennsylvania Archives.
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BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN OSCEOLA.
In 1818 George Parker established a distillery by a he fashioned his sugar bowls, salt dishes, and whiskey large spring on the north side of the road opposite the kegs by the use of a turning lathe. Some of these arti- residence of Chester B. Hoyt. It was also built of logs. This still-house continued in operation until 1824. A great many " sprees " and drinking " bouts " took place at this distillery.
Nursery .- When Israel Bulkley came from Connecti- large quantities of ashes from the farmers, mixed them cut in 1800 he brought with him a saddle bag full of apple seeds. He planted these and raised young trees to sell. All the old orchards in the valley originated in this nursery.
Carding Mill .- In 1814 Israel Bulkley built a carding machine, and drove it with the water power used at his grist-mill. In connection with it he also had a fulling- mill for finishing cloths woven in the hand looms then to be found in every house. Henry B. Trowbridge then had charge of the carding and fulling-mills.
Hotels .- Nathaniel Seely opened his house on the bank of the river, near where Hiram Stevens resides, as a hotel in 1812. An inspection of his book of original entries reveals the nature of a landlord's business in those days. A few items are given below :
" Dec. 29 1815 .- Samuel Tubbs Dr. to 4 gills gin, 4 shillings. Paul Gleason Dr. to 2 gills gin, 2 shillings. " Dec. 30 .- Robert Tubbs Dr. to Club Bill, 1/ 6."
"April 13 1816 .- Andrew Bozzard Dr. tor sling, 1 / 6" " May 25 .- Ebenezer Taylor Dr. to 3 pints wh'y, 4 / 6."
" January 27th 1816 .- Alpheus Cheney Dr. to 12 gill gin, 6d. 8 qts. oats, 2s. Supper, Is. To lodging, 6d. 2 horses to hay, 3s."
" July 15 1826 .- Stennett Crandall Dr. to 6 qts. wh'y, 9/."
Mr. Seely entertained the public at his house until kilns and then allowed the concern to fall into disuse
1830. On his sign was inscribed the single word " Inn." No license was required.
it as a hotel. It was located near the site of the resi- dence of Chester B. Hoyt. The main business of the house consisted in the sale of liquors. He was suc- ceeded in the business in 1830 by Anson Buck. The place was closed as a hotel in 1835, when it was pur- chased by Abel Hoyt, and the swinging sign of this way- side inn was taken down.
In 1851 Allen Seely built the "Osceola House," on the site of the present hotel. This house has had a succession of landlords about as follows: 1851, Allen Seely; 1855, James Atherton; Joseph Weaver; 1859, Charles Frederick Culver; 1861, John S. Seely; 1862, Stewart Dailey; 1864, W. E. Cooper, Benjamin B. Barse; 1867, Charles Graham; 1868, James Martin; 1870, Eugene O. Martin; 1873, Arthur F. Bosard; 1882, Hoyt Tubbs. This house was consumed by fire in 1870 and rebuilt in 1873. From 1873 to 1882 it was known as the " Bosard House," since which time it has resumed its ancient name. It has seldom had a license to sell liquor.
cles may yet be found in the houses of the old families. Potash Works .- In 1839 Robert Tubbs established a potash manufactory. He put up his leaches on the bank near the residence of George Barker. He purchased with lime, put them into the leaches and covered with water. He drew off the lye and evaporated it to dryness in huge iron kettles. This process makes potash. In 1841 he added a pearling oven to his works. The potash made as above is calcined in the oven, thereby driving off the sulphur and burning out the carbon in its compo- sition. It is then broken up, mixed with water, and fil- tered through a wooden cistern having a perforated bot- tom covered with straw. When evaporated to dryness in large flat-bottomed iron pans it is known as pearlash. Mr. Tubbs hauled his potash and pearlash to Ithaca, N. Y., and Williamsport, Pa., whence they were shipped to New York city and Philadelphia for sale. He discon- tinued this business in 1843.
Brick Yards .- In 1827 Robert Tubbs began to manu- facture brick for sale. He continued the business at intervals.
The first brick house erected in Tioga county was built at Osceola, by Robert Tubbs, in 1829. Stephen Potter, from Rhode Island, was the master-mason and had charge of its construction. It is still standing.
In 1848 Andrew K. Bosard made brick at his yard in the swamp. He continued the business about twenty- five years, making and selling to the public. He sold his yard and works to Henry Seely, who burned a few
about 1880.
Lime Kiln .- In 1848 Philip Taylor burned a kiln of
In 1824 George Parker fitted up his house and opened limestone upon Holden Brook, just above the site of R. Hammond & Co.'s tannery. The lime was poor in quality, and with this kiln the enterprise was abandoned. Tar Kilns .- In 1838 Isaac Van Zile burned two kilns of tar by the roadside in front of the residence of O. S. Kimball. He hauled his knots and pitch-pine wood from Norway Ridge. He continued the business two or three years, making and selling to the public.
In 1839 Jacob Rowley burned a few kilns of tar upon a large rock on Brier Hill, on the farm now owned by Charles Tubbs.
Charcoal .- Charcoal was burned by Israel Bulkley on the flat near the river as early as 1810. As all the black- smithing was done by its use until after 1830 the pits were generally put up and burned by the blacksmiths. It was usually managed in this way: The blacksmith would procure a few gallons of whiskey and make a " bee." Timber cost nothing. Every farmer was anxious to have a pit burned on his premises. Men owning oxen came to the "bee," hauled the wood into huge piles, and covered it with dirt. The blacksmith himself would Henry Mott, Bartholomew Thing, Godfrey Bowman, Bela Graves and Lowell Carr supplied their forges with
Wooden W'are .- In 1827 Josiah Holcomb opened a shop for the manufacture of wooden ware on the north then take charge of it and burn the pit. In this way side of the main road, west of John Tubbs's. He pro- cured black ash knots from the swamp, and from them
43
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
coal. Several pits were burned near the Tubbs grist- mill.
Lumbering .- Since 1830 the energies of the people have in a large degree been devoted to cutting down, sawing and marketing the magnificent trees with which this township was covered. For the first twenty years of this era white and Norway pine and oak only were dealt in, but latterly hemlock, ash and hard wood timber are subjects of traffic. Robert Tubbs, and his sons Hoyt and John after him, were the principal lumbermen for many years. They have been succeeded by Slosson & Culver, Walker & Lathrop, George S. Bonham, Vine Crandall and others. In the height of the lumbering era (1840 to 1850) all the athletic young men in the county were employed in cutting, hewing, hauling and sawing the lumber. Then it was rafted down the river to mar- ket. The experiences of the lumber camps and rafting trips furnished themes of unending talk before the great war came to eclipse them with its tales of gore. In those ante-bellum days in every chimney corner could be heard stories about running "out of the creek," to "Tiog' P'int," " to Marietta," and " down to tide." The imag- ination of young boys was greatly inflamed by stories of hair-breadth escapes said to have taken place at Mahan- tongo bars, Gentie's Notch, Shamokin Dam or Conewago Falls. The river pilot was a great man as he ran off his tongue a list of eddies and riffles, with wayside remarks about Harrisburg Bridge, Highspire and the White House tavern. The losses of lumber by rafting were so great that gradually it fell into disuse as other means of transportation came to hand. The last rafts left Osceola in 1875. They belonged to Hoyt Tubbs and H. Seely.
Blacksmiths .- In 1810 Henry Mott built a shop near the present residence of Charles L. Hoyt, and began the business of blacksmithing. This was a trade of great importance in a new settlement. All the nails used in building in those days were forged. Shoeing oxen and making and mending tools furnished the smith's chief employment.
In 1815 Godfrey Bowman* built a small log shop near the residence of Mrs. Marilla Carr, and in it carried on the trade about three years.
In 1818 Bowman was succeeded by Bela Graves, who went on with the business in a shop located on the bank of the river near Hiram Stevens's residence. The mak- ing of cutting tools and trap springs was a specialty with Graves.
In 1822 a new shop was built of logs where Russel Crandali's store is located, and it was first occupied by Bartholomew Thing. He was succeeded by Lewis
Lowell Carr, who occupied the shop and carried on the trade from 1824 to 1830.
In 1822 George Bulkley went to East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., and learned the trade of black- smithing. He established his shop on the farm he long owned-now a part of Charles Bulkley's farm-and car- ried on the trade until 1855.
In 1828 William Barker built a shop, and he carried on the business until 1860, when he was succeeded by his son George. The shop has recently been demolished.
In 1850 Oliver Rice Gifford established himself at Osceola as a blacksmith, and he still carries on the trade.
The other members of the craft at the present time are Sylvester Tierney and L. R. Heath.
Merchants .- In 1836 Benson Tubbs purchased a stock of goods and opened the first general store in Osceola. The commercial crisis of 1837 and the hard times which followed made it impossible to do business except by giving long credit. This state of things was not favor- able to mercantile pursuits, and in 1840 the business was discontinued. This store was located near George Barker's residence.
In 1841 Clark Kimball opened a store for the sale of dry goods and notions. He had previously kept a small stock of drugs in his harness shop, beginning in 1835. He was in the mercantile business continuously with a few short interruptions until 1880.
In 1841 Russel Crandall began his career as a mer- chant in Osceola. He is still actively and energetically engaged in the business. During these forty-one years he has had as partners Clark Kimball, Morgan Seely, David Coates and Francis M. Crandall. His son Albert Stennett Crandall is at present associated with him.
In 1848 Slosson & Culver began trade, and they con- tinued in the business until 1854.
Truman Crandall and his sons, Philetus, Charles and Silas, were variously associated in trade under different firm names from 1857 to 1875. Augustus Smith at one time was a partner with them, as was also Vine Crandall. Truman M. Crandall, who began business in 1875, is the successor to these various firms.
In 1852 H. C. Bosworth began a trade in dry goods and drugs, which he continued during his life (till 1870). In 1854 Samuel Ellison succeeded Messrs. Slosson & Culver, and continued the business about three years.
In 1856 V. C. Phelps began the mercantile bus- iness. He carried it on four or five years.
From 1848 to 1862 Hiram Mapes manufactured and sold tin ware. In 1862 he associated Almon P. Martin with him in business, and they added stoves to their George A. Kinney brought in a full assortment of hard- ware goods. In 1870 Kinney was succeeded by Edward Elmore Bosworth, who in turn sold out the whole bus- iness to T. V. Moore in 1878. Henry Aldrich became a partner of Moore, and that firm in 18So was succeeded by the present dealers, Seely & Duley.
Charles R. Taylor from 1871 to 1876 was engaged in
* Godfrey Bowman was born in Connectient, in 1792. In 1802 he emi- stock. This firm soon dissolved, and Martin and grated to Kingston, Pa., and in March 1813 enlisted in the Kingston vol- unteers under Captain Thomas. He was assigned to duty in the ship- yard at Erie, and worked upon the ships for Perry's fleet. He was ordered aboard the " Somers" in August 1813, commanded by Captain Amy, and took part in the celebrated naval battle on Lake Erie Sep- tember Juth Is13, known in history as "Perry's vietory." He was wounded in the battle, but after his wound was dressed returned to his post. In testimony of his bravery on this occasion the State of Penn- sylvania presented him with a medal, which is now in the possession of his son, the Hon. Charles O. Bowman, of Corry, Erie county, Pa.
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BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN OSCEOLA.
trade, for the first few years as a partner of Morgan Seely.
Isaac G. Hoyt entered upon a mercantile career in 1876, and is still engaged in the business; as is also Augustus Cadugan, who opened his store in 1879. Charles H. Bosworth in 1873 began trade in drugs and groceries, and soon enlarged his stock by adding dry goods to the list. He is still in business.
In 1869 Norman Strait opened a general store. Hi daughter Ella has succeeded to the business and con- fines it to drugs.
Banking House .- In 1870 Morgan Seely opened a banking office in a small building on the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. In t880 he removed his business to the large and commodious building with vault which he occupies at present, on the corner of Main and Tus- carora streets.
Oil Wells .- In 1865 a company composed mainly of land owners along the valley furnished the money and employed Joseph Barker to bore a well in search of oil. The well was sunk to a depth of about 800 feet near the Island Stream, upon lands of Charles Bulkley. No oil was found.
In 1879 a stock company was formed for the purpose of discovering oil in a certain tract of land which had been leased for that purpose. The officers of this company were: Hoyt Tubbs, president; Charles Tubbs, sec- retary; Morgan Seely, treasurer. Hoyt Tubbs con- tracted to bore a test well. He erected a derrick near Holden Brook, upon lands of Allen Seely, and 1879 and 1880 sunk the well to a depth of 1,300 feet. Charles Boise did the drilling. No oil was found and the well was abandoned.
Tanneries .- In 1852 Messrs. Tubbs and Crandall built a tannery on the bank of the Cowanesque River, opposite the mill pond. In 1857 Crandall disposed of his interest to Lyman P. Hoyt, who conducted the business until 1860. From this time until 1864 it lay idle. In Sep- tember 1864 Robert Hammond leased the property, and carried on tanning operations until March 1866, when the building was destroyed by fire; it was never rebuilt.
In 1866 R. Hammond & Co. built an extensive tan- nery upon Holden Brook, one-fourth of a mile from its mouth. It employs about thirty-five men daily, and year by year is enlarging its capacity. At present it turns out 70,000 sides of sole leather annually.
Cheese Factory .- In 1872 William Bosard and James F. James built a cheese factory upon Holden Brook and furnished it with improved machinery. In 1875 it was purchased by Hoyt Tubbs and A. F. Rose, by whom the business was conducted two years. Since 1877 it has not been in operation.
Stone Quarry .- In 1873 George N. Bulkley opened a quarry of flagging stone upon the "North Hill." Atherton Brothers have leased and worked this quarry for the past three years.
Sash Factory .- In 1854 Enoch M. Steen and Eleazer Clark built a factory, and manufactured sash, blinds and doors until 1863, when they sold out to Hoyt Tubbs and
V. C. Phelps. Subsequently this factory was owned in whole or in part by A. K. Bosard, Robert Hammond, I. M. Edgcomb, Timothy S. Coates, William T. Fitz- gerald and Levi Skinner. William Wilkins and Henry W. Howland were superintendents. It shut down in 1872 and has not been in operation since.
Sugar- Mill .- In 1882 Charles L. Hoyt erected a mill for the purpose of manufacturing syrup and sugar from amber cane. It is now in successful operation, and is largely patronized by the public.
Stock-raising .- In 1877 Henry Tubbs purchased and brought into the township the imported Percheron- Norman stallion "Valiant." Since that time the breed- ing and raising of heavy draught horses has been made a specialty among the farmers.
SCHOOLS.
The first teacher in Osceola was Mary Ann Landon. She taught a school in 1812 in an old log house upon the Island Stream, near the residence of the late Abel Hoyt. Some of her scholars were Ira Bulkley, Hiram Bulkley, Horace Hill, Elisha Hill, Benjamin Hill, Edwin Hill, Ann Tubbs, Julia Gleason and Nelson Gleason. The arrangements and furniture of this house were of the most primitive character. Webster's spelling book and the New Testament comprised the list of text books. Little children on their way to school crossed Holden Brook upon a tree that had been felled across it, as there were no bridges. Until 1834 there was no school system in this State. Schools and school-houses pre- vious to that time were entirely voluntary affairs. One old house after another was fitted up by the neighbor- hood and used for school purposes. An old log shop that was located in front of the residence of Vine Cran- dall was used as a school-house from 1814 to 1822. A few years later another disused log house, situated west of the residence of John Tubbs, was metamorphosed into a school-house; and still another, located where the Methodist church now stands. Another school was " kept " in the " front room " of the dwelling house of Robert Tubbs, and at another time in the house of Wil- liam Barker. " The Bulkley school-house," erected in 1822, was the first house built for school purposes within the present limits of the township. It was used for twenty years.
The teachers who taught in the various log cabins enumerated above, and in dwelling houses about the neighborhood and at the Bulkley school-house, were as follows, as near as can be ascertained: 1812, Mary Ann Landon; 1813, John Hammond; 1814, Jonathan Bonney; 1815, Chester Giddings; 1816, Mahala Seelye; 1817, Car- oline Gardner; 1818, 1819, Nathaniel Seely; 1820, Mar- tin Stevens; 1821, William T. Gardner; 1822, Amsa Smith; 1823, Elihu Hill; 1824, John Smith; 1825, Polly Howland; 1826, Harriet Byers; 1827, Ira Simpson; 1827, 1828, Chester Giddings; 1828, Lewis B. Cole and John Cilley; 1829, George Dorrance; 1830-34. Joshua R. Gold- smith; 1836, Lyman C.Wheat; 1837, J. C.Whittaker; 1838, Maria Bacon; 1839, Sylvina Bacon; 1840, Ard Hoyt Bacon
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