History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 127

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 127
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 127
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 127

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).

John Leonard, another son of Lewis, settled on the pike at the place now called "No. 17," and erected first a water-power saw mill, and afterwards applied steam. He at one time owned large and

valuable tracts of timber land, but the estate, after passing through several hands, is now owned by Judge Giles Green, of Ariel. Charles Washburn, who has already been mentioned, settled near his brother-in-law, along the loaded track of the Penn- sylvania Coal Company's railroad, two or three miles above Middle Valley. He was not very successful as a lumberman, and finally sold out and went to Minnesota, where he died a few years ago.

Among the others who settled in this locality are Charles Farrer, Emory E. Jones, Daniel Brundage, Jacob Curtis, Samuel Elliston, Daniel and William Evarts, and the late Laurain Moore.

Salmon Jones, a brother of Deacon Asa Jones, came to Salem some years before Asa. He had seven children-three sons and four daughters ; Albert, the father of three children ; Irving, who had six ; Norton, who died in California ; Evaline, Adaline, Caroline and Sarah. Salmon, the only son of Albert, was for many years a successful raftsman on the Lackawaxen.

ADVENTURES OF EARLY SETTLERS .- The dense forests into which the early settlers inoved were filled with game; the ponds and streams abounded with fish, and the thickets were the home of the bear, the panther and the wolf. These latter ani- mals proved exceedingly troublesome to the pio- neers, and made it necessary to watch for the safety of the sheep and stock continually. On some of the clearings nearest to the swamps it was necessary to build strong stockades in which to fold the sheep and cattle during the night ; and ofttimes, even then, a midnight sally of the gray pests would call the farmer from his bed to rescue his flocks. Not only were the sheep to be guarded, but young children had to be closely looked after, particularly in the winter, when the wolves were half famished; and, in more favorable seasons, grown people were not safe in the woods after nightfall, unless well armed. At one time, Mary Ann, a daughter of Elder Dobell, accompanied by her half-brother, went to the woods that skirted their father's clearing to drive in the cows just after sunset. They had found the cattle, and had turned their faces toward the house, when they heard the wolves howling just behind thein. The children were in sight of the house, and felt quite safe; so they began to mock the wolves. Scarce

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had they uttered the first sound, when the infu- riated pack dashed from the laurels, and rushed at them. Fortunately, the children were close to the cabin, into which they escaped, while the wolves howled around the house, and attacked the sheep-fold. None of the older members of the family were at home, and the frightened children did not dare to go to the rescue. The bleating of the terrified lambs increased the fury of the pack, which was augmented by reinforcements from the swamp until it numbered forty or fifty. The children saw that the situation was desperate, and at last plucked up courage to go to the rescue. There were no guns about the house, all the arms having been taken by the older members of the family as a protection in a journey through the woods ; but the lad had not lived ten years on a clearing without gaining both courage and saga- city to protect the place. Each of the children caught up a splint broom, dipped it into some tar that there happened to be about the place, and igniting this rude torch, rushed out, brandishing the flames at the wolves. Snarling and growling, the wolves gazed in surprise at the strange method of attack, though scarce retreating as the bran- dished flames drew nearer. At last, when the burning pitch was within but a few feet of the foremost of the pack, the light breeze blew the flames in his face, and, with a howl of pain, he turned and dashed into the woods, followed by the others.

Some years afterward, relates Mrs. Frances Ramble, who was another daughter of Elder Dobell, the sheep-fold was again robbed. The pen was composed of stout poles so high that it was believed to be impossible for a wolf to get in, or, if in, to get out, and for several days it was thought that a two-legged wolf was committing depredations. Soon, however, unmistakable signs of a genuine wolf were discovered, and the pen was built a little higher. The next morning an- other sheep had disappeared. Grandfather Jones, as the deacon was always called, was consulted, and, at his suggestion, a big bear trap was set on what was considered the best side of the pen. The next morning the trappers were on hand as soon as it was light, and, to their surprise, found the trap missing, though all the sheep were there. The dogs were called and given the trail. After

sniffing a moment, off they started to the woods, followed by half the male population of the neigh- borhood. About nine o'clock notice was given that game was ahead, and soon hoarse growls from a dense laurel thicket showed that the wolf was found. The clump of bushes was carefully surrounded, and when the huge animal, with the trap still attached to one of its legs, was driven out of her hiding-place, five bullets finished it. The wolf was the largest ever caught in that part of the township, and probably in the county. It measured twelve feet and an inch from tip to tip.

Early Industries .- The first saw-mill erected in what is now Lake township, of which there is any record, is one which Amos Polly and Asa Jones built on Five Mile Creek, the outlet of Jones Lake, as early as 1816. Subsequently Joel Jones built a second mill on the same stream, but much nearer the lake, and after that the mill now owned by H. W. Polly and J. S. Smith was put up. The first permanent dam at the outlet of the lake was constructed by Joel and E. R. Jones in 1829. There had been a temporary structure put up by Asa and Salmon Jones, who also had built a rude saw mill; but it was so inefficient that when E. R. Jones and Lawrence Tisdel came to the town- ship in 1822 they found it necessary to go to the saw-mill of Moses Shaffer, in South Canaan, for lumber for building purposes. The early settle- ments were so identified with Salem that little was done in the way of home industries until the com- pletion of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's road. Prior to that (in 1846) Elder Dobell bought a tract of land on the head-waters of Five Mile Creek, and built a saw-mill. After his death, in 1867, it passed into the hands of Walker Brothers, who put in a steam engine and circular plant. Subsequently the mill took fire, and was entirely destroyed. The property is occupied by Amos Belcher at present.

Forest Mills is a busy hamlet near the western edge of the township, that has grown up through the large lumber and manufacturing interests that have centred there. The place is pleasantly situ- ated on the line of the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad, and is connected by a branch road with the Pennsylvania Coal Company's road. The hamlet has two stores, a church, a school-house

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and a number of neat dwellings, and bids fair to be a thriving place in the near future.

In the fall of 1866, J. T. Barnes bought a large tract of excellent timber land from the Cadwalla- der estate, and erected a large saw-mill, taking his water-supply from the Cobb Pond, which is near by. In 1867 and 1868 he built a branch to con- nect with the Pennsylvania Coal Company's road, and increased the capacity of his mills until the output was over three million feet annually. By an arrangement with Messrs. Robertson and Gale, who were then running a large tannery at Middle Valley, he controlled the lumber on two hundred thousand acres, including the fine water power afforded by the Cobb Pond, or, more properly, Moosic Lake. This beautiful spring-fed sheet of water is on the summit of the Moosic Mountain, and is nearly two miles. long. So clear are its waters that the fine sand and white pebbles on the bottom can be seen many feet below the surface. The lake is just on the edge of Lackawanna County. The land on the west side of the pond is excellent for grazing, and contains some good farms owned by Theodore Mitchell, Z. Keizer, Garrett Sickles, J. S. Collins, William Black, Abraham Bullard, Henry Halleck and others. The Collins place was taken up by Alonzo Col- lins, one of the first settlers in Bethany. The north and west sides of the pond have been taken up chiefly by employees of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, of whom there is quite a little settle- ment. A school-house near the county line is the regular meeting place for two denominations who have stations there, and Rev. Jacob Harris, a noted itinerant worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, lives near by and keeps up regular preaching. ·

In the hamlet of Forest Mills there is a branch of the Evangelist Church, which has also a camp- ing-ground, where meetings are held annually. The industry which has given the place its impetus was commenced by a company.

There also have been other lumber interests. In 1870 W. Sharp and W. S. Gibbs built a saw mill about a mile from Forest Mill, on the Hollisterville and Canaan road. It was burned shortly after, and has never been rebuilt. In 1883, H. Masters and J. Gromlich erected a new mill that puts out 7,000 feet daily. It is a mile from the Sharp mill.

GRAVITY is a small village that has grown up

at the head of Plane No. 12, of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's railroad, and has been sett'ed since the beginning of that enterprise. The first inhabi- tants were from Canaan. Beazilla Shafer had lo- cated there a short time before the railroad was surveyed, and was soon followed by Eli and John Shafer, Asher Enslin, Joseph McCoy and others. The first store in the place was kept by Edward Rogers, and the first tavern opened by John Shafer. A new hotel has been recently erected by Charles Masters. Since the opening of the Erie and Wy- oming Valley Railroad, during the past few months, a commodious depot has been built, and Gravity promises to become an important shipping point. There are several excellent farms in the vicinity. G. M. Patterson is the postmaster, having been ap- pointed this year, when the office was established.

TRESSLERVILLE, a hamlet near the Lake and Canaan line, owes its origin to the building of a small tannery at the junction of Halsey Brook and Middle Creek by Benjamin Kelley, Jr., in 1822. He afterwards sold to Samuel Shaffer, who enlarged the plant and did a large business for a number of years. Mr. Kelley, afterwards, about 1837, started a second tannery a mile further south on the North and South Turnpike, near the farms now occupied by O. Miller and Benjamin Jackson.

About 1850 David Tressler built a stone house south of Light Track of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's Railroad, and gave a name to the place. Since then a number of houses have been built there, and the hamlet has a school house, and an Evan- gelist Church edifice, which was erected last year.

In 1844 Edward Andrews erected a water saw mill about a mile west of the Light Track. This mill, after passing through the hands of George Kimble and Charles Masters, has been converted into a steam mill, and is now owned by Harvey Bishop. Benjamin Jackson, who has been several terms a justice of the peace here, lives on a portion of the old Kelly farm.

THE VILLAGE OF ARIEL owes its existence to the building of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's Railroad, and has sprung up about Plane No. 19 on the light track. It was considered an import- ant station from the first, being midway between Hawley and Dunmore, and also the terminus of the branch road that leads from Plane No. 12. Within the past few years it has become quite a

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favorite summer resort for visitors from up and down the Lackawanna Valley, and its two hotels are well filled with pleasure seekers the season through. The village is within a few hundred yards of Jones' Lake, one of the largest and most beautiful natural ponds in Wayne County. It is a little less than a mile in length from north to south, and about a quarter of a mile in width ; at its southern extremity, it bows out to the west for half a mile farther. In some spots a line will run down for sixty feet, but for the most part it is only of ordinary depth. The shores were formerly wooded down to the very water's edge, but a few years ago, a forest fire got into the timber on the west side, and destroyed several very beautiful groves, while the lumberman's axe has done much more damage. The east shore is still covered with a fine growth of hemlock and hard wood, as is too a large point near the outlet, known as " Plumley's Point," a gentleman of that name having there erected the first permanent lodge for summer sojourners. The lake is remarkably free from snags and other obstructions, and a pretty islet dots the western arm. On this were found many Indian relics, a number of which are in the collection of Mr. Sandercock, a merchant of the place, and seem to bear out the tradition that this was a favorite camping-ground for the aborigines. The lake was filled with fine fish in the early days and though most persistently fished, is still well stocked. Of late years, the fish have been cared for, and several new varieties added ; but before it passed into the hands of its present owner, it was no unusual thing for several tons of pickerel to be taken through the ice in a single week.

The first house built in Ariel was that still oc- cupied by Judge Giles Greene. It was erected about 1848, by the Pennsylvania Coal Company, at the time the road was built, and was first occu- pied by a man named Wilcox, who was one of the early employees of the company. Giles Greene was born in Clifford, Susquehanna County, and in common with General Nathaniel Grcene, of Revo- lutionary fame, is descended from an English family that came to Rhode Island at an carly date. His early life was spent on a farm, and on arriving at manhood, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and was appointed engineer in charge of Plane No. 19. He married

Harriet L. Schenck, a daughter of Colonel Jacob Schenck, of Cherry Ridge, and located at Ariel with his wife, in November, 1850. Early in the history of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, its freight business was leased to Coe F. Young, of Honesdale, and Mr. Greene was employed to take charge of the business at No. 19, though he still continued to run the engine at the Plane. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster, and in 1864 made general lumber agent for the company. In 1870 Mr. Greene purchased large tracts of timber land, near No. 17, where he had a saw-mill and went extensively into the lumber business. Subse- quently he resigned his position with the company, and devoted all his time to the mill. He had served several terms as justice of the peace, and in 1876 was elected associate judge of Wayne County. He has two children, Homer Greene, Esq., who has been district attorney, and a daughter, Sarah S., the wife of J. S. Sandercock.

Mr. and Mrs. Greene began keeping house in the only frame dwelling in the place. The other buildings were the engine-house and two or three board shanties occupied by the workmen, and the nearest . clearing was at Jonestown, a mile across. the lake. A road had been cut from near the en- gine-house to the turnpike near the house of Joel Jones. This was used but a few years, until the road now in use was laid out. The clearing at Ariel was only large enough for the few buildings mentioned, and now and then a deer would come out of the woods to gaze on the innovation of steam. But it was an important station, and the little clearing was speedily enlarged. Soon the company erected the residence still occupied by Dwight Mills, superintendent of engines on the eastern section of the road. In 1851 he added to his improvements, and is now the largest holder of real estate in the place. Mr. Mills is a man of strong opinions and much energy. He has four children : Elizabeth, wife of James A. Bigart, of Sand Pond; William W., of Dunmore; Frances, the late wife of Jonathan Brown; and Charles, who is also an employee of the company.

Ralph Potter who was one of the early settiers at Ariel built the first tavern, on the spot now oc- cupied by Smith's Hotel. It was rather a primi- tive structure, and depended chiefly for custom upon the " runners," or trainmen, who were de-

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layed at No. 19 over night. This hotel was burned in 1860, and Mr. Potter rebuilt. About 1870 J. S. Smith bought the property, Potter having sold out to Dwight Mills and moved west. Another fire occurred in 1876, destroying the hotel and Sandercock's store. The present commodious building rose up on the old site the following year, and has been well patronized since then. J. S. Smith, the proprietor, moved from Windsor, Broome County, N. Y., in 1858, and settled at Middle Valley, where he was in the employ of Robertson, Gale and others connected with the tannery for a number of years. He is assisted in the hotel business by his two sons, Lee and Orr.

C. H. Mills came from New York City, in 1859, and was for a number of years employed as a measurer of lumber for the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He has several sons.

Dr. William L. Marcy moved from Hawley in 1873, and has since practiced medicine, and car- ried on a drug store. He is a son of Joseph Mar- cy, who with Lorenzo Collins took a sub-contract to build the first court-house at Bethany.

Among the other well known residents of Ariel are: E. G. Stevens, postmaster and merchant, who moved from Sterling in 1875; William J. Hand, engineer in charge, who was for many years at Plane No. 15; J. W. Sandercock, merchant, who came from Cherry Ridge ; Sylvanus Osborn, for many years the company's architect and builder, and S. L. Dart. The latter moved from Canaan in 1875, having bought Jones Lake. Up to this time, the lake had been common property and was a fishing resort for people for miles around. Mr. Dart forbade trespassing, and as his orders were disobeyed, considerable litigation fol- lowed. He was victorious, and has since stocked the lake with bass and landlocked salmon, and much improved the property. In 1876 he erected his residence, which has since been enlarged for summer boarders, and during the past year he has completed a fine hotel building, forty by sixty- four, and four stories high, which stands in a fine grove on the lake shore. There are fleets of boats, fishing camps and other facilities for outing on the lake, and several parties near by have pleasure groves.

barn of Amasa Jones, during the summer of 1823. Rebecca Goodrich, a daughter of Scth Goodrich, of Salem, was the teacher. It is probable that this was the means of interesting the people in the subject of education, and led to the erection of a school-house the following year. This was known as " the Block School-house " from the fact that it was made of square timber laid up block fashion, and was built by Esquire Polly and Lawrence Tisdel. It was subsequently replaced by the octagon stone building now in use.

The school-house at No. 17 district was built by the Leonards soon after they located at Sand Pond, probably about 1840, and is still used for religious and school purposes.

Jones Lake stone school-house was erected by subscription in 1851-52, Messrs. Megargle, of Sterling, doing the masonry, and R. D. Lesher the wood work. It was used until 1878 for relig- ious and other meetings. The school-house at Ariel was put up by subscription in 1852. The first teacher was Miss Emma May Buckingham, and Rev. G. B. Arnold preached the first sermon in it.

Jones Lake Baptist Church was organized Feb- ruary 15, 1854, fifteen members received, chiefly by letter from the church at Purdytown. The Council of Organization consisted of Revs. Sanford Leach, Zelotes Grennell, J. Ross and Newell Cal- lender. The church edifice was enclosed in 1875, and was sufficiently completed in 1878 to admit of its use for the first meeting of the Baptist Asso- ciation, held in Lake. The following have been the pastors of the church in the order of their suc- cession,-Reverends Sanford Leach, O. L. Hall, -Bullafant, Silas Coontz, T. M. Grennell, Ben- jamin Miller, William Jones, D. W. Halstead, S. B. Maryott, the present pastor.

THE POST-OFFICE .- The post-office was estab- lished at Ariel in 1851, William Lesher being the postmaster. He kept the office until 1857 or 1858, when Joel Jones succeeded him. Jones and many of his family were southern sympathizers, and when the war broke out, a Confederate flag was flung to the breeze over the post-office. Lin- coln removed Jones and appointed Giles Green, who was a strong Union man, so that in 1861, the office was moved to No. 19. It remained there

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES .- The first school of which there is any record was one held in the until Johnson's accession to the Presidential chair,

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and was then removed to the house of E. R. Jones, who was an ardent Democrat, and lived at Jones- town. As the business of No. 19 continued to grow, the location became more and more in con- venient, and, in 1877, E. G. Stevens was ap- pointed, and the office once more returned to a central location. It is at present in Mr. Stevens' store, and there is a daily mail in both directions.

The post-office at Gravity was established in 1884, with G. M. Patterson as postmaster. There is also at Forest Mills a post-office.

THE SECOND CHRISTIAN CHURCH is located at Chapmantown. It was organized, December 15, 1867, by Elder Henry Black, being composed partly from members of the First Church and partly from new converts in the vicinity of its location.

Among its first members were,-Enos Swingle, Elizabeth Swingle, Mary Bell, Rosa Keesler' Robert Swingle, Caroline Swingle, Leander Chap- man, Mrs. L. Chapman, Esther Sheik, Mrs. - Bishop, Alfred Chapman, Mrs. Alfred Chapman, W. B. Lesher, Maria Lesher, Jas. Lesher, Adaline Lesher, etc.

The pastors who have served this church are Henry Black, served about ten years; Geo. W. Headly, served about three years ; J. J. Harvey, served about one year ; - Wallace, served about one year ; J. W. Lowber, served about one year ; C. E. Mills, served about four years.

Their house of worship was built in 1870, and dedicated January 15, 1871. Elder Milton Clark, of Madisonville, Lackawanna County, Pa., preached the dedication sermon. Its value is estimated at one thousand six hundred dollars.

Some time in June, 1885, steps were taken to have the church legally formed as a corporate body, accordingly, on the 15th of July, 1885, papers of incorporation were granted by the court of Wayne County.

The trustees are Jas. Swingle, Conrad Swingle, Enos Swingle, Robert Swingle and James Lesher. This church has passed through many trials and vicissitudes, but is now laboring harmoniously with the other two churches, under the care of the present pastor, who preaches alternately for each. It has now upon its roll sixty-five names. Its present officers are C. E. Mills, pastor; Enos Swingle, elder ; Leander Chapman, deacon ; George H. Swingle, clerk and treasurer.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

. HON. GILES GREENE.

Hon. Giles Greene, of Lake township, though not one of the "early settlers," has been, for a quarter of a century, one of the prominent citizens of Wayne County, and an important factor in its progress and history.

He comes from the Rhode Island family of Greenes, of whom General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame, was, perhaps, the most illus- trious representative.

His father, James Greene, came from Coventry, R. I., in the year 1820 and settled at Clifford, Sus- quehanna County, Pa. - James Greene's wife was Susan Westgate, who belonged to a Coventry family of Quakers. He died at Clifford in 1858, and his wife died at the same place in 1874. Giles was the fifth of a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to mature years. He was born at Clifford, on the 9th of November, in the year 1823. His father's farin was small, the family was large, and the children were put to work so soon as they arrived at an age when their labor was of any practical value. No exception was made in the case of Giles, and the two or three months of at- tendance at the district school each winter was all of his time that could be spared for educational purposes. Even this ceased when he grew old and strong enough to make his winter work of value. In November, 1843, on the day when he became twenty years of age, his father gave him a new suit of clothes and his time during the remaining years of his minority. That winter he attended school at the academy in Dundaff, a few miles front Clif- ford, and the following spring he went to Carbon- dale, and began work as a teamster, drawing sup- plies for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co.'s railroad which was then in process of construction. At the end of three or four years he had, by the practice of strict economy, accumulated enough to purchase for himself a full teaming outfit, includ- ing a span of excellent horses. About this time " The Washington Coal Company," the name of which was soon afterward changed to " The Penn- sylvania Coal Company," began the construction of their gravity railroad, from Pittston to Hawley, and the young teamster readily found employment with this company for himself and his team in

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History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 127

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