History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 118

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438

USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 118
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 118
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MANUFACTURING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES. -There is but very little to record of the man- ufacturing interests of Starrueca, until the erec- tion of the tannery, in 1884.

The first mill for manufacturing lumber was built about the beginning of the present century. It was situated on the premises now owned by John Glover, and was owned by Henry Samp- son and John Crosscup. The second mill was known as the " Middle Mill," and was located nearly where now stands the saw-mill owned by Judge Strong. Soon after this numerous mills were erected, and lumbering became the princi- pal industry. The lumber, of course, was marketed at Philadelphia, and after being man- ufactured had to be hauled to the Delaware River, at Hale's Eddy, N. Y., from which point it was floated to market. When we re- member that this product had to be hauled a distance of twelve miles to the river, and then make the hazardous passage of the Delaware to Philadelphia, and that the price of lumber de- livered at Philadelphia was remarkably low, we can readily understand that this industry was very laborious and by no means profitable. Surely it must have required a hardy and per- severing people to continue it.

In or about the year 1818 the first grist- mill at Starrucca was built by Henry Sampson. The site cliosen by Mr. Sampson was the pic-

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turesque Starrucca Falls, on the farm now owned by James J. Dalton. The old mill, the foundation walls of which remain, stood in the weird chasm which now is spanned by the "high trestle " of the Jefferson Branch of the Erie Railroad. The shrieking locomotive does much to modernize the place, but the "Falls," with its old ruins, is Starrucca's favorite resort. The second grist-mill at Starrucca was built in 1842 by the late Judge Mumford. This mill was several times rebuilt, and finally, in 1884, was entirely destroyed by fire. At the time of its destruction it was owned by C. D. Mumford, E. C. Mumford and C. M. Keene, the latter a grandson of Judge Mumford.

After the destruction of the Mumford mill Mr. H. E. Spencer erected a flouring-mill, in which he has placed steam-power and all the latest improvements.

In the fall of 1844 was begun the building of the Starrucca tannery. For years this was the most important industry of this whole sec- tion. The tannery was first owned by McMur- ray, Graham & Cowan, the first two of Dela- ware County, N. Y., and the latter of Greene County, N. Y. Mr. H. McMurray, who is still living at Starrucca, began the building of the tannery. Judge Cowan, of Delhi, N. Y., was at one time a member of the firm. In 1848 the concern was sold to Hyde, Graham & Stone, and later on to Howe, Drake & Sals- bury, by whom it was sold to Major E. P. Strong. In 1863 the tannery was destroyed by fire, but immediately rebuilt. For many years the hides used at the tannery were hauled from Honesdale, and the leather, when manufactured, taken to Honesdale and shipped, by canal-boats, to New York. After the construction of the Erie Railroad, the carting was done to and from Hale's Eddy, N. Y., later from Susquehanna, Pa.

Major Strong continued to operate the tan- nery until the spring of 1884, at which time it was discontinued on account of the scarcity of hemlock bark. The building was burned down in the fall of 1885.

The first factory, for the manufacturing of acetate of lime, crude-wood spirits and char- coal, built in Wayne County, was the one erect- ed at Starrucca in 1876. There are now three

of these factories, commonly called "acid fac- tories," at Starrucca. The first is owned and operated by the Starrucca Chemical Com- pany ; the second, built in 1881, by the Susque- hanna Chemical Company ; and the third, built in 1882, by the Melrose Chemical Com- pany. None of these companies are incorpo- porated, simply operating as private business firms. All the products of these factories are obtained from wood,-beech, birch and maple. The process of manufacturing is this: The wood is placed in iron retorts, the fronts of which are carefully and securely sealed ; the back of the retort having an opening fourteen inches in diameter, to which is attached eighty feet of copper pipe. This pipe is coiled in a vat, filled with water so as to submerge the pipe. A fire is then kept burning under the retorts, thus charring the wood in the retorts and causing all fumes created by the charring of the wood to pass through the copper pipe. This condenses fumes, or gas, into liquid. The liquid is then passed to a second floor, where lime is mixed with it. The lime acts as a body wherewith to retain acid. This liquid is then transferred to stills, where the spirit is extract- ed, and the remaining portions removed to evap- orating pans, where it is reduced to an almost solid substance. From these pans it is taken to kilns, where it is dried, after which it is placed in sacks ready for market. The spirits, or liquid portion of the product, is shifted to · refineries, where it is rectified, and is known to the trade as wood alcohol. At one time this was a most profitable industry, but over-pro- duction has reduced prices to such an extent that at present only a very moderate percent- age on money invested is received by those who are engaged in the business.

From 1883 to 1885 the facilities for manu- facturing were increased to such an extent that in less than two years the production was more than doubled, thus overstocking the mar- ket and reducing prices to such an extent that several factories, in different parts of the coun- try, were, of necessity, closed. This relieved the market, and prices advanced, so that at the present writing the business is paying a mod- erate profit.

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To erect and equip one of these factories, of the average capacity, involves an expense of eighteen thousand dollars. The price now re- ceived for the acetate is three-fourths to one cent per pound, and for the crude alcohol, fifty to sixty cents per gallon.

A very important addition to the industries of Starrucca is the turning-works, owned and operated by the Osborn Turning Company. This enterprise was originated by Colonel George B. Osborn, who is, and has always been, one of the enterprising citizens of Star- rucea. Colonel Osborn, with his characteristic thoroughness, has equipped this factory with machinery of the most approved kind, for all kinds of wood-turning. The factory is sup- plied with steam-power and employs a large number of hands. This comprises all the manufacturing interests, excepting the manu- facture of hemlock lumber, which has been con- dueted on an extensive scale, at different times, by the late Judge Mumford, Captain H. L. Stephens, N. E. Spencer & Co. and many others.

MERCANTILE .- In 1844 Starrueca had one general store owned by McMurray, Graham & Cowan, and known by the appellation of " 7x9" store, so nicknamed because of the small size of the building. This store was situated on the site where now stands the residence of B. C. Kidder and the finely appointed millinery par- lors of Mrs. B. C. Kidder. The second store was established by S. D. Mumford. The first regular store building was erected in 1847 by McMurray, Graham & Cowan. In this build- ing the mercantile business was carried on at different periods by the following firms: L. A. Osborn & Co., Osborn Bros., E. P. Strong, W. W. Mumford & Co. and finally Geo. B. Osborn & Co., who continucd business in the " old store " until 1876, in which year they erected the store building now occupied by Quinn & Sherman. In this building, which is one of the largest, best finished and finest arranged buildings of the kind in the county, Osborn & Co. continued trade until January 1, 1885, when they were succceded by Aldrich & Sher- man, who rented the store of Osborn & Co. for a term of five years. The firm of Aldrich &

Sherman was dissolved in September, 1885, F. S. Sherman continuing the business for a time, and in May of the present year was succeeded by the firm of Quinn & Sherman.

Starrucca now has four general stores, each one of them being well stocked and doing a thriving business. The parties engaged in this branch of trade arc W. W. Mumford, Quinn & Sherman, Erk & Bundy and G. S. McMurray. In addition to this, there is one hardware store, two family goods stores as also the drug and book store of J. E. Farrell & Co.

SCHOOLS .- The first school was kept in an old dwelling-house near the present residence of C. D. Mumford. This school is said to have been taught by Miss M. J. Stoddard. This was about 1828. The first school building was erected in 1839 on the hill where the present Protestant Cemetery is. At present there are three school buildings in the borough,-one known as the " King Hill School," another as the "County Bridge School," the third being the Starrucca Graded School building, erected in 1882 and conducted the first year by Profes- sor Lindsay and Mrs. N. L. Woodmansee and the second and third years by Job S. Niles and Mary E. Farrell.

CHURCHES.

BAPTIST .- It is quite certain that among the carliest settlers of Starrucca borough, the Bap- tists were, by far, the most numerous. Tradi- tion says, that as far back as 1795 or 1796 ser- vices were conducted at Starrucca by an ordained minister of the Baptist Church, Rev. Ezekiel Sampson, of whom it is related that he rode on horseback, guided by marked trees, a distance of twenty miles, to Mount Pleasant township, where he officiated at the first mar- riage solemnized in that township.

The " Seott Baptist Church," a history of which is given by Bailey, in his " History of the Abington Association," published in 1863, was the original Baptist Church of Starrucca, and was formally organized November 5, 1823, at the residence of Squire Whittekar, which is almost opposite the hotel of Thomas Carr, where, ycars later, the first Methodist, as also the first Catholic, services at Starricca were

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

held. When first organized, the society con- sisted of fourteen members. The council of Baptist brethren who came to Starrucca Bap- tist Church was composed of members of the churches at Tompkins (now Deposit), N. Y., Masonville, N. Y., Windsor, N. Y., Mount Pleasant, Pa., Damascus, Pa., and Bethany, Pa. The first person appointed deacon of this church was Jirah Mumford, Jr., and Squire Whittekar was the first clerk.

Among the first Baptist preachers who offici- ated at Starrucca were Rev. Jason Corwin, of Franklin, N. Y., Rev. John Switzer, of Beth- any, Pa., Rev. James Clarke, Rev. Elijah Peck, also Rev. Michael Fredrick, of Great Bend, Pa., and Rev. Charles H. Hubbard, of Beth- any, Pa.

In 1830 the church was in a flourishing con- dition, having fifty-eight communicants, and up to 1840 continued to prosper, but during the next ten years experienced much trouble from within. Tradition has not handed down the ex- act nature of all these sorrows, but historian Bailey writes that during this period the church experienced many "painful and peculiar " trials.

In 1833 Mr. David Benedict (father of Mr. N. M. Benedict, of Starrucca) was appointed clerk of the church, and this year also the Ab- ington Association held its twenty-fifth anni- versary at Starrucca, and, according to the records, was " greeted with a hearty welcome."

From 1835 to 1839 Rev. Isaac D. Jones served the society, and was assisted in his min- istrations by Revs. Henry Curtis, J. W. Par- ker and Ezekiel Sampson.

March, 1839, Rev. J. J. Fuller became pas- tor, and so continued until 1843, being assisted at times by Revs. D. D. Gray and Silas Finn.

In 1843 Rev. James Spencer became pastor. Elder Spencer's immoral and unchristian con- duct brought odium on the society, and in August, 1848, he was repudiated by the church and no longer allowed to officiate.

From this time up to 1853 the society ap- pears to have been without any regular attend- ant minister, Rev. Rial Tower, Silas Finn and O. L. Hall officiating at intervals, also Rev. J. B. Worden. In 1853 Rev. J. W. Van Horn

assumed the pastorate of the church and for a time the society grew rapidly, ninety-one com- municants being reported in 1854. However, Elder Van Horn, like Elder Spencer, soon brought sorrow to the society by his licentious- ness, and on the 17th of March, 1855, was promptly excluded from the church "for his notorious wickedness," as the annals have it. From this time up to 1861 Rev. E. C. Cook and Rev. H. Sherwood (the latter of New York) officiated occasionally. From 1861 until 1863 Rev. Elder Tower acted as pastor and was succeeded by Rev. Geo. W. Evans, now of Sherman, Pa. Elder Evans was succeeded by Rev. Geo. Howe. In 1870 the church was again agitated and disheartened by the improper (or at least so reported) conduct of its pastor, and, as in the case of Elder Spencer and Elder Van Horn, convened a council and, after due de- liberation, withdrew the right hand of fellow- ship from Elder Howe and excluded him from the church.

Soon after this Rev. Mr. Addams, now of Hawley, Pa., became pastor and remained such until 1876. For some time the church was again without a pastor. In 1878 Rev. S. W. Cole was placed in charge and continued to act as pastor until 1881. Here again the church was left for a time without a minister. In 1883 Rev. S. E. Carr accepted a call from the church at Starrucca. Rev. Mr. Carr remained with the society until 1884, when he returned to Hamilton College to resume his studies. If this society has, at times, been dishonored by unworthy clergymen, it was surely honored in the person of its last pastor, "the blind preacher," Rev. S. E. Carr, who was in every acceptance of the term a Christian gentleman. His amiability, gentleness and scholarship-re- markable in one who from his sixteenth year had been entirely deprived of his eyesight- won for him the csteem and admiration of all, regardless of sect. From the time of Mr. Carr's withdrawal until the present writing the church has been once more without a pastor. Notwithstanding the fact that many of the wealthiest citizens of Starrucca were members of this society, no church edifice has been erected (however, the Baptists contributed

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liberally towards the erection of the present Methodist Church building). How long the congregation will remain without a suitable house of worship remains to be seen.

No fitter words can be found, wherewith to close this article, than the concluding sentences of historian Bailey's article on the same church in 1853.

" The field is still promising, and faithful brethren and sisters will, it is hoped, yet gather up their strength and gird themselves for the conflict on the scene of their former trials and triumphs."

THE METHODIST CHURCH. - The first authentic records of this society at Starrucea begin with the year 1838, in which year Nathaniel Lewis, a local preacher of South Harmony (now Susquehanna), Pa., eame to Starrucca, and after meeting many rebuffs in his efforts to secure a suitable place for holding service, finally succeeded in persuading Thomas Carr, the inn-keeper, to allow him to preach in his bar-room.

Mr. Lewis preached with so much effeet that Mrs. Carr, the landlady, and her daughter, Miss Carr, were at once convinced, and soon after Mr. Carr, the landlord, declared his belief in the truth of Christianity as set forth by Mr. Lewis.

For some time the preaching was continued in the same place, resulting in the formation of a society. Local preachers continued their labors, in which they were aided at regular in- tervals by ministers of the surrounding Meth- odist charges.

This resulted in a continned increase of mem- bers, and after a lapse of time the services were transferred to the school building at that time known as the "Baptist School-House." In this building the Methodists continued to wor- ship until the erection of the first Methodist Church at Starrucca, known as the " Old Church." The building still exists, and is one of the landmarks of the village. Some years ago it was removed from its original site to the lower end of the town, and is now used as a dwelling-housc.

The first charter granted the Methodist Episcopal Church at Starrucca was confirmed

by the Wayne County Court in December, 1853. The trustees named in this charter were C. A. Lakin, Lyman Woodmansee, Henry Sampson, C. P. Tallman and D. M. Benedict. The society continued to grow, and in 1871 the present tasty and commodious edifice was erected.

In the erection of the present church the society acknowledge their indebtedness to Judge E. P. Strong for munificent aid.

We append herewith a list of the regularly appointed ministers who. have officiated as pas- tors of the Starrucca Methodist Episcopal Church, from the time of its formation up to the present date, --

Alanson Benjamin. 1839-40

Philo Blakeman. 1841

Peter G. Bridgeman 1842-43

David Davis. 1844-45

Philip Bartlett 1846

N. S. Dewitt. 1848-49

C. V. Arnold. 1850-51

William Shelps

1852-53

Samuel G. Stevens 1854-55

Minor Swallow 1856

Joseph Madison 1857-58

Frederick Illman 1859

Joseph Williams. 1860

Geo. W. Leach & Carter Woodward .. 1861

Ira M. Pardee. 1862-63

N. I. Reynolds.

1864-65

J. D. Woodruff.

1866

S. G. Stevens 1867

H. H. Dresser 1868, 1869-70

W. B. Kenney 1871

David Laresh. 1872-73

Moses D. Fuller. 1874, 1875-76

James H. Taylor. .1877, 1878-79

F. A. Druay 1880-81

George A. Curl. 1882, 1883-84

D. A. Sanford. 1885-86

The present board of trustees consist of Dr. J. P. Shaw, William B. Stoddard, Hon. E. P. Strong, Myron P. Leach and Frank L. Van Hoesen.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH .- The history of the Catholic Church at Starrucca is very indefi- nite as to date. Of the carly Catholic inhabit- ants of the town, not one now remains in the locality. Like the first settlers of Starrucca, they have either passed away or have removed to distant parts of the country, where they can-

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WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

not now be reached. From non-Catholic sources the writer learns that up to the year 1851 services were not held regularly by the Catholics at Starrucca, but that the people were favored with an occasional visit from priests stationed at Honesdale, Pa., and Deposit, N. Y. Father O'Riley, of Susquehanna, was the first Catholic clergyman who visited Starrucca regu- larly. The first Catholic service was held in the ball-room of the old " Tom Carr " hotel (the same hotel in the bar-room of which the first Methodist service had been held years be- fore), and we are informed that the Catholics present did not number ten persons. During Father O'Riley's pastorate the society grew rapidly in numbers, and soon after his coming to Starrucca arrangements were made for the erection of a church edifice. The site was se- lected and lumber purchased, but for some reason, now unknown, the movement fell through. Soon after this, Starrucca was taken from Father O'Riley's parish by the Bishop of Philadelphia, and attached to Banagall, in Mount Pleasant township. Rev. Father Dele- nave then became pastor of the church at Star- rucca, and in time was succeeded by Rev. Father Brehony, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Judge. It was during Father Judge's pastorate the building of St. Paul's Church was begun. This was in 1871, and before the building was completed Starrucca was again made a part of the Susquehanna parish, and Rev. J. Slattery became pastor. Soon after this the church edifice was finishicd. For a time the congregation was attended by Rev. Father Brehony, who was succeeded by Rev. Richard Hennesey. Father Hennesey died very sud- denly in August, 1880, and from that time until the coming of Rev. P. F. Broderick the church at Starricca was, necessarily, sadly neglected. Father Broderick again established regular ser- vice, driving to Starrucca himself, after having celebrated Mass at an early hour in the church at Susquehanna.

After the departure of Father Broderick from Susquehanna, in 1883, the Starrucca Church was attended, for a time, by Rev. W. Nealon, who was succeeded by Rev. L. O'Loughlin.

The church is located finely on a beautiful

knoll in the centre of the village. The ground on which the church stands was donated by Judge E. P. Strong, to whom, as also to many other non-Catholics, the Catholics of Starrucca gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness for generous aid.

Since 1883 the church has been much im- proved (especially so since the coming of Rev. Father O'Loughlin), and at present is one of the most attractive church edifices in Northern Wayne County. Rev. A. J. Ryan, the " Poet Priest " of Alabama, who once lectured in the church, styled it the " Parlor Church " of the diocese.

SOCIETIES.

STARRUCCA LODGE No. 2903, KNIGHTS OF HONOR, is entitled to the honor of being the first Mutual Benefit Association organized at Starrucca. This lodge was instituted January 12, 1883, by W. G. Greely, of Honesdale, as- sisted by a delegation from the Knights of Honor Lodge at Thompson, Pa. The Supreme Lodge, Knights of Honor, granted a charter on the 30th of August in the same year, and since that time the society has made rapid progress. The membership has more than doubled, and, at the present writing, the Star- rucca Lodge, Knights of Honor, ranks high among organizations of its kind in the county. Their rooms (the Starrucca Library Rooms) are commodious and neatly furnished. The follow- ing were the first officers of the lodge : Past Dictator, C. D. Mumford; Dictator, George B. Osborn ; Vice-Dictator, W. W. Mumford ; As- sistant Dictator, Irwin Nash ; Reporter, Andrew Koehler ; Financial Reporter, A. C. Lindsay ; Treasurer, W. T. Finch ; Guide, Calvin Utter ; Guardian, A. R. Tennant ; Sentinel, E. G. Bowell ; Chaplain, E. J. Collyer.

STARRUCCA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, -This organization was formed September 1, 1879, with the following officers : President, Clarence G. Mumford ; Vice-President, Nelson, L. Woodmansee ; Treasurer, Major E. P. Strong ; Corresponding Secretary, B. C. Kidder; Recor- ding Secretary, James E. Farrell ; Board of Managers, Hon. W. W. Mumford, N. M. Ben- edict, Colonel George B. Osborn.

Within a few months from the time of its es-

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tablishment the society numbered two hundred and ten members, which, considering the popu- lation of the village, is somewhat remarkable. In less than one year from its formation the so- ciety accumulated a collection of a little more than six hundred volumes of choice works. Rooms were procured and neatly furnished. A librarian was appointed, a salary paid and the rooms opened to the public two afternoons and evenings of each week.

During the first five years of its existence the association maintained a course of lectures and entertainments, always employing the best available talent. Among the names of those who lectured before the association, we find the following : Hon. Schuyler Colfax, ex-Vice-Pres- ident, Benjamin F. Taylor, of Chicago, General Judson Kilpatrick, John Boyle O'Riley, of Bos- ton, Anna Dickinson, and many others.

Whatever the future of the association may be, this much is certain, it leaves to Starrucca as a heritage one of the finest collections of books to be found outside the county-seat, Honesdale. In the catalogue, constitution, etc., of the Library Association, printed at Binghamton, N. Y., in 1880, we find the following :

" The association gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to the following persons for generous donations of books and other aid : Hon. Edward Overton, Towanda, Pa., Mr. L. A. Osborn, New York, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Strong, Boston, Mass., Mr. W. J. Kellam, New York, Mr. E. A. Penniman, Honesdale, Pa., Hon. George M. Beebe, Monticello, N. Y., Mrs. H. L. Stevens, Starrucca, Pa.

CAPTAIN OLIVER MUMFORD POST, No. 373, G. A. R., was mustered in September 15, 1883, and was named "Captain Oliver Mumford Post," in honor of Captain Oliver Mumford, of Star- rucca, who was killed in the battle in front of Petersburg, May 18, 1863. This organization has been the " Banner Post " among the G. A. R. Posts of the county, and includes nearly all the surviving Union soldiers who reside in the townships of Scott, Preston and Starrucca, to- gether with some who reside in Buckingham township. The post meets the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, in the rooms occupied by the Starrucca Lodge, Knights of

Honor, and Starrucca Library Association. The first officers of the post were Colonel George B. Osborn, Commander ; J. M. Surrine, Senior Vice-Commander ; John Knapp, Junior Vicc-Commander ; Calvin Utter, Officer of Day ; J. H. Smith, Quartermaster : N. L. Dow, Adjutant ; M. Cramer ; R. F. Howard, Quar- master-Sergeant; A. A. Ayers, Sergeant-Major. The present membership is about one hun- dred.

ST. PAUL'S BRANCH, No. 32, C. M. B. A .- This branch of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association was instituted at Starrucca, June 12, 1886, by District Deputy Hasset, assisted by a large delegation from Susquehanna, Pa. The charter granted by the Supreme Council of the order bears date September 1, 1885. St. Paul's Branch, since its organization, has- like the Starrucca Lodge, Knights of Honor- made wonderful progress. Only a few months have elapsed to the present writing, and yet the membership has increased almost three-fold. The society meets each alternate Saturday, in the commodious branch-room at the Mountain House Hotel.

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 118

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 1438

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438