USA > Pennsylvania > Warren County > History of Warren County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 65
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From about 1840, or a little later, until May, 1876, when he died, Noah Hand occupied a farm a few rods south of Ezra Trim's. He was an indus- trious farmer and a very prominent man. He became wealthy, and in later years engaged considerably in trading. For many years, also, he converted his house into a tavern when the comfort or convenience of wayfarers de- manded it. His health became poor at last. He was an active man in town- ship affairs, and was devoted to the destiny and principles of the Republican party. He was twice married and had but one child. His farm was first set- tled by a man named Willis, who died early and was buried there, and was, in- deed, the first person buried in the township.
Leicester Kelley lived in the south part of the· township, and engaged in- dustriously in farming until about 1864 or 1865, when he became inoculated with the oil fever and sold out, removing with all his family.
ALITTLE
J.S. Sanford
547
ELDRED TOWNSHIP.
Jeremiah Main lived rather to the east of the township center, and engaged in farming. Although not a prominent man in political affairs, he was strongly Democratic in sentiment. During the oil excitement of more than twenty years ago he sold out and removed to the State of New York. A daughter, Mrs. Levi Pierce, is still residing in Eldred.
Cyrus S. Oviatt, still residing here, lived in 1844 about one and one-half miles north of his present farm. He has been twice married, and a number of his twenty-four children are still in Eldred.
David H. Sanford, a brother of Samuel W. B. Sanford, came here at the same time and settled southwest from his farm, on the same tract. After liv- ing there about fifteen years, he removed to Erie, Pa., where he remained un- til about 1874. He then returned to Eldred, and here died in the spring of 1876. Although he has no descendants in town, they are scattered through the State.
About 1842 David White immigrated hither from the vicinity of Albany, N. Y., and settled in the south part of the township, on the place now occu- pied by Mr. Hatmaker. It is said that previous to the War of 1812 that farm was occupied for a time by a man of the name of White, who went away dur- ing the war because of fear of the Indians. The Jeremiah Main place was also settled as early as 1806, for a very brief period, by Richard Cunningham, who went away during the War of 1812. On this (Hatmaker) farm David White died a number of years ago. He was quite prominent and took con- siderable interest in township matters. He was a member of the old Whig party. Two of his sons and two of his daughters now reside in this township, named respectively Alonzo and John, and Mrs. George Chapple and Mrs. Mary Brown.
Charles M. Williams came here with the Sanford family in 1838, and set- tled on the same tract. He died in about ten years.
Jacob Young came from New York State in 1838 and settled in the north- east corner of the township, where he remained to the day of his death, ten or eleven years ago. He was a good, quiet, industrious man, by occupation a farmer and blacksmith. Three sons, Mansel, Joseph, and Wesley, now live in Eldred township.
Early Industries, etc .- The first mill in the township was built by David White on his farm. Mr. White operated this mill for many years, until, in spite of frequent repairs, it was worn out and went down. The first store was kept by Stephen Mead on the David White farm, and was opened during the oil excitement, about 1862. The first regular tavern was opened by Leicester Kelley a few years before the war, and continued until about 1865.
The first postmaster was David Cutler, who was appointed some time pre- vious to 1850. The office, as now, was called Eagle. Cutler's successors have been Benjamin F. Wallace, Alvin Way, Benjamin F. Wallace, and the present
548
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
incumbent, who was appointed under President Cleveland's administration. About fifteen years ago the post-office called "Star" was established by the appointment of John Main. In about five years Charles Carr followed him, and the office was removed to Grand Valley. E. W. Thompson was then ap- pointed, and has been succeeded by F. A. Wood, and the present postmaster, William Pierce, appointed by the present administration.
Grand Valley .- Not until after the construction of the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad some sixteen years ago, was there a suspicion that the site of Grand Valley was so soon to be covered by a thriving and promising village. During the earlier years of the township the ground was owned and occupied by Stephen Mead, who succeeded David White, and who kept the first store in the township. Enos W. Thompson-still a respected resident of this town-at a later date, but still quite early in the history of the township, owned the most of the village site, and engaged extensively and suc- cessfully in farming. About 1864 or 1865 he purchased the store of Stephen Mead and moved it to his place, where he kept it until about three years ago. He then sold it to his sons, A. R. & A. L. Thompson, who still engage largely in mercantile operations.
Another man, to whom is due much credit for his enterprise and public spirit in building up this village, is L. B. Wood. Shortly after the railroad was opened Mr. Wood started a store, which he still owns and conducts as a hard- ware store. He also bought the mill of McIntyre, Merritt & Co., which was built some sixteen years ago, and still operates it. Grand Valley now contains not far from 200 population, more than half of the village being the direct fruit of the oil excitement.
Among the saw-mills and other factories in the township may be men- tioned that of C. H. Whaley. He has a saw and shingle-mill about one mile west of Grand Valley. Although he has made shingles for not less than twenty years, he has owned the saw-mill but four years. George Whaley also owns a shingle-mill about half a mile north of Grand Valley, which he built some three years ago. A. M. Parker, in partnership with the Reno Oil Com- pany, owns and operates a saw-mill about one and a quarter miles north of Grand Valley, which they built in the summer of 1886. The saw-mill of Rome & Brother, in the northern part of the township, was built about four years ago.
There are five stores in Grand Valley. The oldest, which has already been mentioned, is that of A. R. Thompson & Brother. The store of J. P. Miracle was first opened by L. B. Wood, who with his brother, F. A. Wood, kept it for a number of years, and in April, 1886, sold to the present owner. L. B. Wood & Brother are now in the oil-well supply and hardware trade, and have invested in oil, gas, and lumber. They have a saw-mill at Newton, in Deer- field township, besides the one in Eldred.
549
ELDRED TOWNSHIP.
Since his appointment to the postmastership, in the spring of 1886, Will- iam Pierce has kept a grocery connected with his office. The drug store of G. W. Peck was established by him in Grand Valley, in the spring of 1886. Previous to that time he had been one of the firm of G. W. Peck, Wood & Co., which for about two years kept a store at Star Station. They were there succeeded, when Mr. Peck came to Grand Valley, by Samuel Graham.
The first hotel at Grand Valley was built early in 1879, and opened in April of that year by J. N. Gerow. It was burned on the 19th of September, 1883, and on the 20th of the following September, Mr. Gerow moved into his present house. He now has room for many guests, and is well qualified both by nature and training, to provide for the comfort of travelers. Previous to his beginnings here in the hotel, he had for about twelve years been in the employment of L. B. Wood & Co., in the lumber business.
Schools and Churches .- At the time of the formation of this township, there were but thirteen votes in Eldred. Previous to 1843, and as early as 1836, however, a school was supported by subscription in a joint district of Crawford and Warren counties. About 1840 a log school-house, the first in Eldred, was built about a mile northeast of the present Sanford school-house, and was very soon, within a year, followed by a school-house near the John R. Smith farm. Upon the formation of the township in 1843, the schools were no longer maintained by individual subscription, as theretofore, but were kept up by the unseated land tax and State appropriation, and as other settlers came in other schools were built. There are now eight good schools in Eldred. The most active friend of the schools, for many years from the beginning, was S. W. B. Sanford, to whom is due the organization of the township, any many other acts of praiseworthy character. The present school-house at Grand Valley was built in the fall of 1885, and has two well-conducted departments. The present, and first principal, is Mr. McClellan. The attendance here is nearly two hundred.
The first church edifice in Eldred was erected by the United Brethren about 1860, previous to which time services were held at irregular intervals in school-houses and private houses. The first religious organization in Eldred was of the Methodist denomination. Services were held by them as early as 1840. Samuel W. B. Sanford was one of the foremost Methodists in town. These are the only denominations now in the township. It is stated on good authority that soon the Methodist Church will erect an edifice at Grand Valley, and that the preparations are already complete. The first Methodist preacher in town, remembered by the inhabitants, was Rev. Rev. M. Hinebaugh, who supplied this appointment from Youngsville in 1844.
550
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HISTORY OF GLADE TOWNSHIP.
LADE township, lying northeast of the center of Warren county, is an irregular tract, bounded north by Pine Grove and Elk townships, east by Allegheny River, separating it from Kinzua, south by the same stream, sepa- rating it from Kinzua and Mead, and west by Conewango Creek, separating it from Conewango township. This township has in past years produced to its inhabitants and others considerable wealth from the abundance of its timber, and in the future, as to some extent it has in the near past, it may be product- . ive of oil in great quantities, but as a farming town, it is destined to no very brilliant achievements, except by the most stupendous labors of the population, and generous fertilization. Much of the soil, in which an average clay pre- dominates, is reasonably productive, but the surface of the country is so rocky and broken as to be almost inaccessible to the plow. Nevertheless a few tracts which have been improved, are doing well. The name Glade was first applied to the stream now known as Glade Run, probably from the surrounding scenery, etc., and upon the organization of the township, on the 8th of March, 1844, it was extended to the entire territory comprised within the township limits.
Early Settlements .- Undoubtedly the first permanent settler within the present boundaries of Glade was James Shipman, who emigrated hither pre- vious to 1800, cleared land embracing the present farm of Guy C. Irvine, and built and occupied a plank house. The plank were sawn at Morrison's mill just over the river in Mcad. Previous to 1817 Shipman removed to what is still known, after him, as Shipman's Eddy, still in Glade, on land which had been for a short time previously occupied by a blacksmith named John Mor- rison. His first farm, now the Irvine place, was next occupied by Levi Leon- ard, who remained there a few years, went down the river to Conewango town- ship, where he froze to death about 1830. Meantime Shipman continued at the Eddy until his death about 1838 or 1839. He was a man of extraordinary stature, and was seemingly well fitted for the toils of a pioneer. He had a large family, and his three sons, William, James, jr., and Matthew, lived near him. Matthew, who remained there longer than the others, died ten or twelve years ago, and left a daughter, now Mrs. John Eddy.
After Levi Leonard left the Irvine lot, Josiah Hook was taken into the de- scrted house, and left to the ravages of the small-pox, which had "gat hold on him." After his death the house was burned. The property remained then in the hands of Jacob Hook, of whom Andrew Irvine bought it in 1835, and re- moved to it in the following year.
551
GLADE TOWNSHIP.
Jacob Hook owned all the land along the creek, including the entire site of Glade City, before 1816, though he lived at his saw-mill across the river in Mead. This mill, which had five saws, was one of the largest mills on the Allegheny River at that day. In 1819 he built the large barn now standing on the farm of Guy C. Irvine. He died at Pittsburgh in 1827, while there on business. At that time he was one of the most extensive of the lumbermen in the entire State. He owned also a quarter interest in the old Pittsburgh bridge. He was a brother of Orren Hook, who will be mentioned in a later page. The family came from New Hampshire. He was a bachelor, and at the time of his death was in the prime of life. Another brother, Moses, owned his mill after his death, and later still transferred it to Orren Hook, who in turn operated it until it went down. The property is now known as Wardwell's, and it is the center of quite an oil field.
A short time prior to 1816, too, David Jackson lived in Glade, but in 1822 removed to Warren, where he soon built the Mansion House. His farm in Glade included the property now designated as the Frank Hook farm. David Jackson lived in Warren county until his death, a little more than twenty years ago. John King, father of J. H. King, now of. Warren, was with David Jackson in Glade from 1817 to 1822, under a separate lease, on the farm now owned by Thomas Struthers.
It was in 1818 that one Thomas Murphy came up the river from Pitts- burgh in a keel boat with a load of flour, and went up the Conewango, through Pine Grove, to Jamestown, and across Chautauqua Lake to Mayville, after which he returned by the same route to Pittsburgh with a load of salt. This was one of the first trips ever taken for mercantile purposes along this route and in this manner. Murphy now lives near Pittsburgh.
By the time that Glade was formed the settlers had become quite numer- ous, and tax lists afford a good avenue of information concerning their names and property acquisitions. The following were among the most prominent of these early settlers :
John Allen came to the township about 1836, when he was already well advanced in years. He settled in Indian Hollow on the farm now owned and occupied by Jacob Sutter. His death probably took place soon after the for- mation of the town. His wife died on the same farm. No children are living in Glade now. William Goodrich, of Union, is a grandson of John Allen.
Previous to 1836 John S. Davis settled and cleared the farm now owned by Albert Kerberger, where he also engaged to some extent in the business of a carpenter. He removed at a later day to Illinois, where he died. His son, Jerome, is now a resident of Warren. James L., John N., and Ferdinand S. Davis were the other sons of John S. Davis, and lived with him. James L. improved the place now owned by L. A. Siggins.
Eliakim Davis settled, long prior to 1836, on the farm on Quaker Hill now owned by William Gebhardt. He went to Ohio soon after the year 1845.
552
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
David Cook, a farmer, settled about 1830 on the place now owned by Ross Kerr, near Cobham Park. He died, probably, as early as 1850. His son James now lives in Glade, and two other sons, Amariah and Norton, reside in Warren.
About 1836 William Culbertson settled at Big Bend, on the place now occupied by Randall Geer, and there, before a road had been opened to the farm, built the first tavern within the limits of Glade as now constituted. Dur- ing the lumber seasons he had a good trade, especially in whisky, of which he sold large quantities. He died in Glade but a few years ago. In the earlier days of the township he was quite a prominent man. One brother, Isaac, now resides in Glade, and others of his relatives and descendants are scattered through the county. Alexander Culbertson, a brother of William, died in Glade some thirty years ago or more, having passed a number of years on the farm opposite Kinzua, first cleared by John Strong.
Zachariah Eddy, jr., now a citizen of Warren, lived in 1845 on the Lacy farm, in Glade, just above the home of Guy C. Irvine. While in Glade Mr. Eddy was very active, energetic, and public spirited. He did not remain there long after 1850.
John S. Gilson, who lived in Glade at this time, and who died more than thirty years ago, was a hunter by trade and occupation. He lived at what is known as the Round Turn, where Willis's Hotel now is. One son, Samuel, is now in Michigan, and another, Peter, is in Tiona.
Adam Harmon, still living in Glade, in 1845 had quite a clearing at the mouth of Hemlock Run. He has earned his competence by hard and honest labor, and is one of the worthiest citizens of the township, by cominon con- sent.
S. D. Hall settled on the place now owned by Ira Eggleston, and became by virtue of his activity and good sense one of the most prominent men in the township. He was frequently placed in positions of trust and responsibility. His death occurred about thirty years ago. Two of his sons, Milo and Oscar, and one daughter, Mrs. H. A. Jamieson, now reside in Warren.
Hugh Holt, an Englishman, lived on and owned the farm now the property of Philip Lenhart, in Hatchtown. He came to Glade as early as 1836, but did not immediately settle on the Lenhart farm. Ile was an industrious farmer and lumberman, and was constable of Glade township for a number of years. Not far from 1850 he removed to Conneaut, Ohio, where he still lives. Abel Holt, his brother, lived in the same neighborhood, and went to Richmond, Ohio, a few years after the removal of Hugh. William Holt, their father, who came to Glade as early as 1830, lived in the same vicinity, and became quite prominent. He died previous to 1850, and his son James now occu- pies the old homestead.
John Hackney, a Mohawk Dutchman, so called because he came of an old
553
GLADE TOWNSHIP.
Dutch family in the Mohawk valley in New York, settled about the time that the township was formed on the farm now occupied by his son, Tanner Hack- ney, where he lived until his death, about 1858 or 1860. He was active, prominent, and influential in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his town, and was often made to serve in some official capacity. Although not a lum- berman, he invested in land to some extent. He was a man of good charac- ter, and was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. His daughter Sarah now resides in Warren.
Walter W. Hodges and Derrick Hodges, brothers, came from Yates or Tompkins county, N. Y., previous to 1840, and went back, it is thought, as early as 1845. The former owned land now owned by David Beaty, adjoin- ing the Kerberger farm, by did not live there. Derrick lived at what is called Hodges's Run, then in Glade, but now in Elk.
Dorastus Hatch, from whom is derived the name of Hatchtown, was here quite early, and cleared, owned, and occupied the farm in Hatchtown now owned by James H. Eddy, where he remained until his death, but a few years ago. He was there as early as 1820. He had served ably as a soldier of the War of 1812, and showed himself to be a man of worth in war and in peace. He owned a small saw-mill, and engaged quite successfully in the lumber trade. He had a large family of sons and daughters. Of them all, Joseph now lives in Chautauqua county, N. Y., Erastus is in Kentucky, and one daughter is in California.
Francis Hook came from New Hampshire to Warren, and thence, about 1836, settled in what is therefore called Hooktown, where he remained until his death, more than ten years ago. He was a good business man, a farmer, horse dealer, speculator in land, etc. He built the first iron abutment under the bridge across Conewango Creek.
Orren Hook, uncle to the last mentioned, was a conspicuous figure among the speculators in land and lumber in this part of Warren county for many years. As early as 1834 he owned no less than 900 acres of land in Glade, including Glade City, and to the present farm of John McWilliams. In 1836 he lived just below the dam, on the farm now owned by Thomas Struthers. In 1837 he went to Hook's Mills in Kinzua township, though in a few years he returned to Glade. On his return he built a hotel in Glade Run, called the " Glade Run House," and about 1856 built a large dwelling house near the site of the present railroad station, where he died but twelve or fifteen years ago. He was a man of almost unlimited personal resources of mind and body, and besides his prominence in business, was an active and influential public citizen. In 1851 he was elected county commissioner, which position he filled to the perfect satisfaction of his constituents. A number of his children sur- vive, among them being Clinton Hook, at Glade Station, and Mrs. Irvin Mead. Two sons, Frank and Orren, were killed in the last war.
554
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Andrew Irvine bought 394 acres of land of Orren Hook in 1834, which in- cluded the farm now owned by his son, Guy C. Irvine, and in 1835 built the brick portion of the house which is still standing on the farm. In 1836 he removed into it from Bradford county, when Guy C. Irvine was in his thir- teenth year, he being a native of Towanda, in Bradford county. Andrew Ir- vine was born near Watsontown, Pa., and emigrated to Bradford county in 1813 or 1814. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and followed that busi- ness in Towanda, and in some measure here in connection with farming and lumbering on the river. He was a prominent and useful business man, and always took an active and vigorous part in the matters relating to the well- being of the township. He died at his home in Glade in 1853, and was fol- lowed by his widow about 1866. His eldest daughter, Jane D., died there in June, 1886; Mary F. died in 1876; B. Franklin died in Tununangwant, N. Y., more than ten years ago. Guy C. and Thomas now reside in Glade, and a daughter, Catherine Parker, lives in Bradford.
Philip Lenhart, the father of his namesake now living in Conewango, lived on the farm on the creek now owned by Thomas Struthers, and built a brew- ery there about the year 1846, the only brewery that ever blessed the surface of the township. He was a prominent farmer and lumberman. He died a few years ago in Conewango township, where his son Philip now has a brew- ery. He has left numerous children in the county, all of whom are accounted respectable and worthy.
James McAffee, father of Mrs. Andrew Irvine, was a native of Northumber- land county, served as a major in the War of 1812, at Erie, Buffalo, and other points. During his stay in Glade he lived with Andrew Irvine, and died about 1855.
Hugh Main, a Scotchman and a farmer, lived on the farm now owned by S. J. Page on Glade Run, near Cobham Park. He came thither as early as 1828 or 1830. He afterward kept a meat-market and general store in Warren, and removed thence to Red Wing, Minn., where he died thirty years ago. He was remarkable for his quiet and unobtrusive industry and economy.
Barney Owen was an old settler in the northwestern part of the township, on the farm now owned by his nephew, Orrin Jones. He died there about 1875 or 1876. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, provident and good-natured, and is spoken of as a " nice old man." He left no children.
Amariah l'lumb, who died about fifteen years ago, was a cooper by occu- pation, and settled near Cobham Park prior to 1840. Before that time he lived for a time in Warren. He was several times married, and left a number of grandchildren here, though his children are all gone.
Davidson Russell was the first and a very early settler on the farm after- ward owned and occupied by Hughi Holt, and now by Mr. Lenhart. He was a son of Robert Russell, of Pine Grove. About 1840 he went to Kiantone, N. Y., and thence at a later time to the West.
David Beat
555
GLADE TOWNSHIP.
Thomas Struthers, of Warren, owned a part of what is called City Point as early as 1837.
John Strong cleared the farm afterward occupied by Alexander Culbertson, and lived there from 1832 or 1833 until his death, about 1845. He used to quarry stone on his place and dispose of it in Warren for hearths, headstones, sidewalks, etc. Several of his sons are now in Kinzua. He was a man of in- dustrious and temperate habits, and was universally respected and liked.
William Snyder seems to have come from Yates county, N. Y., previous to 1830, and settled on the farm east of Cobham Park, now occupied by Peter M. Smith. In the decade of years intervening between 1850 and 1860 he died, on the farm now occupied by John Cramer. Norman, John, Mrs. Abel Porter, Mrs. Hugh Holt, and Mrs. Johnson were his children. He was a bright-minded man, a good farmer, a resolute Whig, and an enthusiastic Baptist. He was an old man at the time of his death. His family are all gone.
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