History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2, Part 13

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885, ed; Hungerford, Austin N., joint ed; Everts, Peck & Richards, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 912


USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 13


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72


The first person who united with the Method- ists in Lewistown was Mrs. Jane Gillespie, who was soon followed by a number of others, when a class was organized and Peter Smelker appointed the first leader. The names of the members of this infaut organization, as far as can now be ascertained, were John Gillespie, Jane Gillespie, Charles Hardy, Minnie Hardy, Heury Butler, Rachel McCord, Jane McCord, Mar- garet MeCord, Mary McGinness, Rachel Wor- ley, Experience Row, Nancy Row, Samnel Martin, Jacob Wonder, Hannah Wonder and a Mr. and Mrs. Graham.


For some time the Methodists, as well as the Presbyterians, worshipped in the old court-house. Subsequently the former occupied the old stone school-house in the rear of the long brick school- house building ou West Third Street. In 1815 a small brick edifice was erected on East Third Street, midway between Brown and Dorcas Streets, and was occupied as a place of worship until 1830, being the same building subsequently used by the Baptist denomination, and owned by the heirs of General Burns. Early in the year 1816, Elizabeth Keiser (now familiarly known as Mother Stoner) joined the struggling band, and one of her first acts of benevolence was to collect seventy dollars to pay for the plastering of this antiquated structure. In 1830 a larger church building was erected on the corner of Dorcas and Third Streets, and this becoming too small for the rapidly-increasing congrega- tion, galleries were added about the year 1844. In this shape it was used until the pastorate of the Rev. D. S. Monroe, 1867-69, when it was remodeled and enlarged as it now stands.


Lewistown remained a part of Anghwick Cir- enit until the close of the Conference year 1833, when it was set apart as a station, and the first stationed preacher was Rev. S. Kepler, who served the charge in 1834. But few are now living who united with the church previous to this time. In 1874 but six are among the membership who were in the society before Lewistown became a station, -Nancy Row, Mrs. Stoner, Mrs. John C. Sigler, George Wiley, and Mr. and Mrs. John Evans, all of whom are still quite active in the church. Many of pre- cions memory who identified themselves with Methodism here during the carlier periods of its history have passed away-such as Andrew Keiser and wife, Mrs. Dr. Ard, Mrs. George Green, James McCord and wife, Joseph Martin and wife, Jane McCormick, Henry Stoner, Mrs. William P. Elliott, Elizabeth Clark, Margaret Hardy and others.


The foregoing sketeh was written in 1874, and as it contains all the material history to the present time, it is here given. The following is a list of the ministers who served this charge when it was on the Anghwiek Circuit and after it be- came a station, until now :


In 1815, Jacob Gruber was presiding elder on the Anghwick Cirenit, whose term ended with 1817. The preachers were in 1815, Tobias Riley and William Butler; 1816, Thomas Larkin and Jacob L. Brom- well; 1817, Samuel Davis and James Wilson.


1818-21,- -, presiding elder. 1818, Thomas Larkins and William H milton ; 1819, Gideon Lan- ning and Jacob Larkin, 1820, Robert Cadden and Bazel Barry ; 1821, Robert Cadden and William P. Poole.


1822-25, -- - , presiding elder. 1822, Thomas McGee, Jacob R. Shepherd and N. B. Mills; 1823, Thomas McGee and John Bowen ; 1824, Robert Min- shall and John A. Gear; 1825, David Steele.


1826-29,- ---- , presiding elder. 1826, Joseph White; 1827, Joseph White; 1828, Jonathan Mun- roe; 1829, Amos Smith.


1830-33, David Steele, presiding elder. 1830, Amos Smith ; 1831, Samuel Ellis and Josiah Forest; 1832, Henry Taring and Peter MeEnally; 1833, Henry Taring and Thomas Larkin.


1834-37, R. E. Prettyman, presiding elder. 1834, Samuel Kepler (Lewistown became a station); 1835, Tobias Riley ; 1836, Henry Taring; 1837, Henry Taring.


1838-40, John Miller, presiding elder. 1838, Joseph . Merrikin; 1839, Joseph Merrikin ; 1840, John S.


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


Martin ; 1841, David Thomas (George Hildt, presiding elder, 1811).


1842-45, Henry Furlong, presiding elder. 1812, Thomas Myers (great revival) ; 1818, Q. Q. Brooks ; 1811, G. G. Brooks; 1815, George Guyer.


1816 MldJohn Miller, presiding older. 1816. George Guver; 1817 IS, Mayberry Goheen ; 1819, S. V. Blake.


1850-53, T. II. W. Monroe, presiding elder. 1850, S. V. Blake; 1851-52, James HI. Brown ; 1853, Ben- jamin II. Creaver,


1854-57, A. A. Reese, presiding elder. 1854, Ben- jamin HI. Creaver ; 1855, G. W. Cooper ; 1856, William Wickes; 1857, Joseph .1. Ross.


1858-61, John A. Gere, presiding older. 1858, Joseph A. Ross; 1859-60, Sammel Kepler ; 1861, J. S. Mc Murry.


1862-64, George D. C. Chenoweth, presiding elder. 1852-63, John Guyer; 1864, Sammel Barnes,


1865-68, Thomas Barnhart, presiding elder. 1865- 66, Wilford Downs ; 1867-68, D. S. Monroe.


1869-72, B. B. Hamlin, presiding elder. 1869, D. S. Monroe ; 1870-72, John Thrush (died July, 1872).


1873-76, Milton K. Foster, presiding elder. 1878-75, W. G. Ferguson ; 1876, G. T. Gray.


1877-80, Thompson Mitchell, presiding elder. 1877-78, G. T. Gray ; 1879-80, Samuel Sears.


1881-84, Richard Hinkle, presiding elder. 1881-83, Thomas Sherlock; 1884, John J. Pearce (present pastor).


1885, Jacob S. MeMurry, presiding elder.


ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH .-- The first clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church to hold service in this section of country was the Rev. Charles Snowden, who, in 1820, preached in the old court-house, that then stood in the Diamond. He soon after was rector of an Episcopal Church that was organized in Thompsontown, now Juniata County. In the spring of 1823 the Rev. Norman Noch, a mis- sionary of the church, sent out from Philadel- phia, visited the town and organized the parish, the members of which elected a vestry. Late in the same yer application was made to the Legislature for a charter of incorporation, which was granted January 2, 1821. The following were constituted as corporators : Adam Strode, James Kellogg, Jr., Jolm Hoyt, Sr., Elias W. Hale, Christopher Marks, David W. Hulings, William P. Elliott, William A. Patterson and Robert Buchanan.


The parsonage adjoining the church was the gift of the daughters of Elias W. Hale to the congregation. The addition of fifteen feet to


the rear of the church building and the stone front were made under the pastorate of the Rev. Thomas Martin. The chapel was erceted under the care of the present rector. Soon after the society was incorporated a lot was secured on Main Street, and in the same year the present brick church building was created, and conse- crated in the fall of the same year by Bishop White.


The Rev. Mr. Nash, who remained with the society for a year or two, was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Piggott, D. D. (afterwards rector of Holy Trinity Parish of Sykesville, Md.). The following is a list of his successors :


1828, Rev. John P. Robinson; 1832, Rev. Corry Chambers ; 1835, Rev. T. M. Whitesides ; 1835, Rev. J. T. Hoff; D. D. ; 1839, Rev. J. B. Noblint ; 1810, Rev. W. T. Brown ; 1840, Rev. W. W. Bronson ; 1843, Rev. II. T. Heister ; 1849, Rev. T. B. Lawson, D.D. ; 1853, Rev. George B. Hopkins; 1854, Rev. J. T. Hutchinson ; 1855, Rev. W. Bowers; 1860, Rev. Jobn Leithead ; 1865, Rev. Edward Hall ; 1868, Rev. Thomas Martin ; 1874, Rev. W. Henry Platt ; October 1, 1883, Rev. B. F. Brown, the present pastor.


CHUR DE OF THE SACRED HEART .-- At the time the Juniata Canal was building, many Cath- olies were among the workmen, and Father Millaly was placed in charge of members of the Catholic faith in this region. Services were held at different places along the line. Lewis- town was a central point, and it was deemed desirable to locate a church edifice at the town. In accordance therewith, the Right Reverend Henry Conwell, D.D., Roman Catholic bishop of Philadelphia, purchased, April 11, 1828, of William Moore, of the borough of Lebanon, a lot of land in Lewistown, sixty by two hundred feet, fronting on Third and extending back on Dorcas Street. On this lot a chapel was built and a brick parsonage. The chapel was used until the completion of the present brick church, in 1870. The congregation was in charge of the Pittsburgh Diocese and was served from Hun- tingdon and Bellefonte until 1868, when it was attached to the Harrisburg Diocese, then just formed. In 1872 it became an independent station and was placed in charge of the Rev. T. J. Fleming, who remained two years. He was snecceded by Father Galvin, who was followed in 1875 by the Rev. P. A. MeArdle, who re-


£


523


MIFFLIN COUNTY.


mained in charge until 1880, and on July 29th of that your the present pastor, the Rey. T. F. Kennedy, assumed the pastoral charge of the congregation, which now contains two hundred souls.


FIRST REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church was organized, with eleven constituent members, September 21, 1810-William M. Jones, David Hough, Sabra D. Weckes, James Barnard, Catharine Swartz, Sarah A. Boner, John R. Weekes, James Brenner, Emily Sonts, Phebe P. Weckes and Isabella Barnard. John R. Weckes was chosen deacon. Aid was asked from the Missionary Society of Philadelphia to assist them in the support of a minister. A number of ministers were called, and remained but a little while, for various reasons. The first was the Rev. Alexander Gamble, who was ordained in January, 1846, and preached his farewell sermon April 19th the same year. December 3, 1818, the Rev. David Williams was called to preach to them one-fourth of the time, and the church was incorporated Jannary 1, 1849. The church edifice of the Associate Reformed Society, on Third Street, cast of Brown, was purchased some time previous and used. The society was not able to keep the property, and returned it to the Associate Re- formed Society, and rented the building umtil April 16, 1854. A call was extended to the Rev. Joseph Sharpe, of Philadelphia, which he accepted October 7, 1849. He preached his first sermon October 28th following, was or- dained Jaunary 16, 1850, and resigned in Jime following. The Rev. David Williams sue- ceeded from December 24th, having also Lock- port and other congregations in charge. The Rev. David Hunter served in the summer of 1852. The Rev. Amos B. Still served from March, 1853, to October of the same year, during which time the association met with the church, services being held in the Lutheran Church. The Rey. William B. Harris became pastor, and served one year from April 21, 185 1. From 1859 services were held at various times in the town hall and Apprentices' Hall. The Rev. David P. Philips preached in 1862, '63 and 64. The church from this time was almost without organization until 1871, having only


occasional service. December 6th, in that year, a meeting was called, trustees were elected, and the Rev. W. 7%. Coulter was called as pastor, and served about two years. He was succeeded by the Rev. D. W. Hunter, who began Otto- ber 5, 1879. On December 21, 1879, the church adopted new articles of faith, and on the 18th of February, 1850, reorganized and was constituted with twenty-one members, retaining the Rev. D. W. Hunter as pastor, and with A. Ridlen, deacon. Apprentices' Hall was rented, and service was held in that place until the present edifice was in readiness. The MeCord lot, on Third Street, was purchased in 1881, and the present neat brick chapel was erected upon it, which, with the lot, cost three thousand five lumdred dollars. It was dedicated, free of debt, December 16, 1883. The Rev. D. W. Hunter resigned in the summer of 1885, and the church is at present without a pastor.


EVANGELICAL CHUR U. - The society was organized about 1876 by the Rev. Samnel Sei- bert, who was succeeded by the Rev. -- Senger, Charles Finkbinder and Robert Runyon, who is the present pastor. The society purchased a lot on Logan Street, opposite the Presbyterian Cemetery, and in 1882 erected a brick chapel at a cost of two thousand dollars.


AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. -The first society of this church in Lewistown was organized in 1816 by the Rev. Richard Allen and Bishop White, of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The Rev. Richard Allen became the pastor, and remained until 1831. In 1840 the Rev. J. S. Griffith moved to Lew- istown, and has been in charge of the church to the present time. In 1878 a lot was por- chased on Juniata Street, and the present church edifice erected at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars. The society has about twenty-five members.


The second African Methodist Episcopal Church Society was organized in 1872 by the Rev. Mr. Torry, who remained about two years. Under his change the present church edifice was created on Third Street. The Rev. Mr. Torry was succeeded by the Rev. Solomon Whiting, Rev. Mr. Trimble and the present pastor, the Rev. J. Pendleton.


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


CEMETERIES .- The first cemetery, and the ouly one for many years, was situated on the corner of Water and Brown Streets. It was laid out for that purpose at the time of laying out the town, and was deeded to the county of Mifflin by Samnel Edmistou, January 11, 1802, and were lots Nos. 15 and 16, as marked on the general plan of the town. They were placed under the care of the borough of Lewis- towu. The borough ordinance here given shows the care taken of the grounds in an early day,-


" March 20, 1820.


" That whereas the Grave Yard in the Borough of Lewistown is Publick property and under the care of the officers of said Borough. Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said Grave Yard be re- paired by rebuilding and roofing the wall, and by put- ting up the Gate, . . . and that a partition fence of boards and posts be made between said Grave Yard and the adjoining Lot . . . and that the Chief Bur- gess take the necessary measures to carry said ordi- nance into effect immediately by selling the said work to the lowest bidder."


The grounds are still in charge of the bor- ongh, but are litde used, as other cemeteries are better adapted for burial purposes.


The burial-place, known as Henderson's, ou Third Street, was part of the church lot pur- chased by the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations January 3, 1814. It was used as a burial-place until 1854. On the 10th of May in that year the society purchased two and a quarter acres of land, on the canal-bank, of John 1. Sterrett, for use as a burial-place. It was at once fitted up and the remains of those buried in the Henderson yard were mostly removed to the new grounds. A small addition has been made and the whole is neatly inclosed and is used at prezent as a burial-place by the congregation.


The grounds of St. Mark's Cemetery are beautifully located on the cast bank of the Ki-hacoquillas Creek, adjoining the borough of Lewistown. The society under whose manage- ment they are was incorporated April 1, 18 15, and received of George D. and Caroline Morgan a tract of land for burial purposes. In 1872, Mr. R. B. Ellis, many years a member of St. Mark'a Imasch, bequeathe d to the society a tract. of land adjoining the first for the same purpose.


The grounds at present embrace abont fourteen acres and are finely and neatly arranged.


The Methodist Society purchased of Isaac Wiley, September 11, 1831, three-quarters of an acre of land on the bank of the canal for a burial place, and on March 19, 1850, two aeres and sixty-five perches on the west side of the original purchase of John A. Sterrett, and soon after a lot adjoining ou the east, thirty by thirty-three feet, of Daniel Fichthorn. This ground is used by the society and is kept in good order as a cemetery.


The Presbyterian Society purchased of James Milliken oue aere of land, on Logan Street, Jau- nary 4, 1842, which was arranged as a burial- place and is still used.


The African Cemetery was opened abont 1835 on the bank of the canal and is still used. LODGES AND SOPUSTIES .- The first Masonic lodge in this section of country was No. 68, lo- cated at Mifflin. Its charter was dated March 21, 1796. Dr. Ezra Doty was designated as Mas- ter. It remained in force for eightecu years and on the 4th of April, 1814, the charter was va- cated.


Jackson Lodge, No. 203, also located at Mif- flin, was chartered Jime 6, 1825. Soon after that time the anti-Masonic excitement broke ont, and the lodge had for years a feeble existence and finally was removed to Lewistown, where it was reorganized with the same number, and is at present Lewistown Lodge, No. 203, the date of its reorganization being May 27, 1845.


The first officers under the new organization were Francis Mcclure, W. M .; John R. Weekes, S. W .; Christian Ritz, J. W. ; John Kennedy, Treas .; John A. Sterrett, Sec.


Meetings were held in the stone building at the foot of Main Street for several years, a short time in the old Jacobs house, on Market Street, and for many years past, as at present, in the upper floor of Odd-Fellows' Hall.


The present officers are II. M. Vanzandt, W. M .; W. Irwin, S. W. ; Frank J. Zerbe, A. W. ; D. C. Robeson, Treas. ; C. A. Zorbe,


The following is a list of Pa-t Master- living : J. A. Wright, John Davis, Laiab Moford, Wil- Ham Willis, John A. MeKce, Riley Pratt, Joseph


525


MIFFLIN COUNTY.


F. Mann, J. B. Sclheimer, Jacob C. Blymyer, Oliver O. MeClean, Joseph M. Selheimer, (. .. Zurbe, Robert Il. MeClintie, David E. Robeson, Rev. William Henry Platt, R. H. MeClintic, Joseph H. Alter, Samuel Belford, Dr. A. 11. Sheaffer, S. MeClay Brown, S. A. MeClintie, Robert P. MeMonigle.


Lewistown Chapter, No. 186, F. and .A. M., was constituted June 23, 1856, with the follow- iug officers : C. M. Klink, M. E. II. P. ; John A. Wright, King; George V. Mitchell, Seribe; II. J. Walters, See .; H. W. Junkin, Treas.


The chapter contains sixty-three members, The present officers are as follows : George E. Heimback, M. E. HI. P .; L. C. Heskitt, Sr., King; William Irwin, Scribe ; D. E. Robeson, Treis ; C. A. Zerbe, Ser.


The following is a list of the Past High Priests who are living : J. A. Wright, 1. 11. McCord, William Willis, HI. J. Walters, John A. McKee, J. B. Selheimer, J. C. Blymyer, George Macklin, W. II. Swanzey, J. F. Mann, John Davis, J. M. Selheimer, Charles A. Zerbe, D. E. Robeson, A. II. Sheaffer, W. HI. Platt, Henry R. Zerbe, I. M. Vanzandt.


Lewistown Lodge, No. 255, K of P., was chartered June 2, 1870, and was organized in Odd-Fellows' Hall, where their meetings have since been held. The membership is at present one hundred and nineteen.


A charter was granted for Ongpatonga Tribe, No. 6, Improved Order of Red Men, on the Seventh Sun of the Buck Moon, G. S. D. 376. It has at present eighty members. The present officers are William Hall, S. ; II. Il. Matter, S. S. ; William C. Davies, J. G .; C. C. Secrist P .; Orrin Braman, C. of R. ; Joseph H. Al- len, K. of W.


Lewistown Lodge, No. 97, I. O. of O. F., was created by a charter bearing date August 19, 1844, and mentioning the following persons as officers: John Hamilton, N. G .; L. J. Eberly, V. G .; A. W. Groff, Sec .; Joseph Sourbeck, Asst. See .; William Yerger, Treas. A stock company was organized in 1841 of members of the lodge, who purchased a lot on the corner of Market and Doreas Streets, and, in 1815, created a brick building at a cost of


and third floors for lodge and society-rooms. After a few years the building passed entirely to Lodge No. 97, who now own it. The lodge has a membership of one hundred and sixty- five. The present officers are as follows: Wil- liam Smith, N. G. ; James Smith, V. G .; A. T. Hamilton, See .; W. S. Settle, Treas.


Lewistown Encampment, No. 256, I. O. (). F., were chartered September 13, 1881, and holds its meetings in Odd-Fellows' Hall. It has sixty-five members. George S. Hoffman, Sec .


Bell Lodge (Rebecca Degree), No. 141, I. O. of O. F., holds a charter bearing date May 12, 1884, and has at present fifty-two members. Its meetings are also held in Odd-Fellows' Hall.


Juniata Lodge, No. 270, K. of P., was chartered October 26, 1870, and was organized in the Davis Honse, where meetings were held for about two years. Arrangements were then made for the use of Odd-Fellows' Hall at the present place of meeting. The lodge has a membership of one hundred and thirty five, commanded by the following officers: John Mertz, C. C .; Jefferson Sheesley, V. C .; George W. Goddard, K. of R. of S .; A. T. Hamilton, M. of F .; W. W. Tront, M. of E.


COLONEL HULINGS POST, No. 176, DEPART- MENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, G. A. R .- This post was organized December 10, 1868, as Post No. 176, in the hall of the Apprentices' Library Society, by a committee from Post No. 58, of Harrisburg, Pa.


The following officers were elected at the time : Commander, John P. Taylor ; Senior Vice-Commander, Robert W. Patton ; Junior Vice-Commander, A. J. Hiland ; Adjutant, C. J. Arms; Quartermaster, F. II. Wintz ; Sur- geon, A. T. Hamilton ; Sergeant-Major, Michael Hiney ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, C. M. Shull.


The post adopted the name of Colonel IIn- lings Post, No. 176, in January, 1870, in honor of Colonel Thomas M. Hulings, who was a mem- ber of the Forty-ninth Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and was killed at Spottsyl- vania May 10, 1861.


The minutes of August 31, 1871, show that six thousand dollars, with lot, fitting the second , that was the last meeting under the original


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


organization. It was reorganized in April, 1880, by Junior Department Commander Burchfield and a large deputation from Post 62, of Altoona. Forty six recruits were mu- tered, and C. G. Marks was elected commander and was succeeded in the order named,-W. W. Tront, 1881-82; Thomas M. Strang, 1883; Henry T. Mitchell, 1881; William II. Felix, 1885; William M. Bobb, 1886.


The post is in a flourishing condition and has a membership of one hundred and eight.


An Agricultural Society was formed before Dr. Charles S. Undbut ; John Shaw, married


MIFFLIN COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION .- 1850, which, after a few years, was disbanded. The one above named was organized Novem- ber 19, 1874, with a capital stock of six thou- sand dollars. A tract of twenty-one acres of' land was purchased of William R. Graham, lying cast of the borough of Lewistown. In the summer of 1875 the grounds were fenced, a half-mile track was graded, two buildings, forty fort by sixty, and a grand stand one hundred feet in length, were erected, and a fair held in the fall of that year, and fairs continued to be held until 1879, when the association was aban- doned, the last meeting being held in February of that year.


The presidents of the society were J. Ritz Burns, David Muthersbaugh, W. R. Graham and W. C. Bratton.


Albert Hamilton and C. S. Marks, wore the secretaries of the association.


BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES.


ARTHUR B. LONG.


Arthur B. Long, the son of James Long, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., on the 5th of November, 1806. He received a common- school education in his native county, and carly deciding to become master of a self-supporting trade, served an apprenticeship with his unele to that of a wagon-maker. On secking a suit- able location for business, his steps were directed towards Lewistown, where he at once began the pursuit of his trade. The following year he purchased property, including a shop and lot,


erecting on the latter a comfortable dwelling. On the Ist of December, 1829, Mr. Long married Anna Eliza Shaw, granddaughter of William Shaw, of Northumberland County, and daughter of William Shaw and Catherine Watson, whose father emigrated from Ireland and settled wear Philadelphia, where he was united in marriage to a Miss Corey.


The children of Mr. and Mrs. Long are William James, married to Margaret Albright ; Robert Watson, deceased ; George Henry, mar- ried to Kate Scheller ; Mary Catherine, wife of to Kittie Rosa ; Anna Mary, deceased ; and .Al- bert Buchanan, married to Sarah Chesney.


Mr. Long followed his trade successfully for four years, aud in 1833 began a remarkable business career, which, though interrupted by singular reverses and vicissitudes of fortune, eventually led to the accumulation of a large and valuable estate. In the year above men- tioned, in connection with his father-in-law, William Shaw, he built the Mount Rock Flour- Mills, located in the suburbs of Lewistown, which were successfully operated for a period of ten years. During this time he embarked in the manufacture of threshing-machines, which proved so lucrative as to induce him to dispose of his interest in the flouring-mill. Soon after he purchased, for six counties, the right to man- ufacture the Hathaway stove, and erected for the purpose a foundry at Lewistown. These stoves were conveyed by teams to various por- sons of the territory, and permission asked to place them in the houses of the residents. Their purchase soon after was a matter of little ques- tion, the enterprise proving exceedingly profit- able to the manufacturer. In 1816, Mr. Long, in councetion with a partner, erected the Isa- bella Furnace at Lewistown, and later rented the Hope Furnace in Mifflin County. This project proved disastrous, and wrecked the fortune he had acemnulated by years of industry. Nothing daunted, and with an ambition and recuperative power rarely manifested in the face of reverses, he at once laid the foundation for a larger for- tune. Repurchasing, at sheriff's sale, the Isa- bella Furnace, he began the manufacture of iron used for railroad construction, and at the same




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