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 21
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 21
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 21
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 21
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 21
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The Armagh township district built a school- house on the property of Hugh Aitken in 1856. It was built of hemlock fence-rails. It was never considered a comfortable house, but was used for public schools until the spring of 188 1. Milo Cooper was the first teacher and Miss Minnie Shelly was the last one. In the sum- mer of 1881 the directors of Armagh township had the old building taken down, and a new, substantial frame house built in the same place. Miss Alice Siebert was the first teacher in the new house, and Howard Aitken the second.
The school directors of Armagh District
built a new frame school-house in Siglerville in 1861, on a lot which they bought the same year. It was twenty-five by thirty-five feet, and was weather-boarded up and down with stripping on the seams, and painted brown. This was used as a public school-house until 1882, when the increase of inhabitants made it necessary to have a larger building. Therefore, in 1882, the school directors bought an addition to the present lot, and built the present double brick school-house on it, moving the location nearer to the public road than the place where the first house stood. This house is thirty-two by forty-seven feet, with a vestibule seven by thirty-two feet long, and is arranged for two schools. This house cost twenty-six hundred dollars, and William MeDowell and Miss Kate MeAnley were the first teachers.
In 1864 the directors erected a frame school- house on the east end of James M. Brown's farm, on the west side of the road. The house is twenty-five by thirty-five feet and weather- boarded. It is painted brown and is still used.
EAST KISHACOQUILLAS ACADEMY .- The citizens in the vicinity of Locke's Mills united in a stock company and built the East Kisha- coquillas Academy. The house is built of brick and is twenty-three and one-quarter by thirty feet. It was used several years as an academy, but did not prove a success.
On the 21st of September, 1865, the stock- holders and owners of the academy sold it to the school directors of the Armagh District for a public school-house, instead of the Beatty's Knob school-house, which was abandoned the same year. The directors paid eight hundred dollars for this house, which is still in use.
On the 10th of December, 1867, a lot was purchased of David Hooley, part of the prop- erty lately owned by Henry Kanagy. On this lot the directors built a frame house, with two rooms, making cach room twenty-five by thirty feet. It is weather-boarded and was used for school purposes until several years ago. It is not at present used, but is not aban- doned by the directors.
In 1876 it was found that the above-named double school-house was too small to accommo- date the pupils of the district, and it was de-
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MIFFLIN COUNTY.
cided by the directors to build another school- honse on the same lot. On the 19th of Feb- mary, 1872, a contract was made with Isaiah Coplin to build a two-story brick building, thirty by fifty feet, with four class-rooms, the building to have a vestibule on the south side. The contract price was three thousand dollars. The work progressed smoothly for some time, but, for some canse, Coplin did not complete the work. It passed into the hands of another contractor, who completed the building. This second contract made an additional cost of eight hundred dollars. This house has the late improvements in desks, etc., and the schools are in a prosperous condition.
On the 21st of July, 1877, Thomas B. Me- Nitt sold to the board of directors a lot, upon which they erected a brick school-house, twenty- five by thirty-five feet, which is still used.
POST-OFFICES IN ARMAGH TOWNSHIP .- The first post-office in what is now Armagh township was established in 1828, and was called the Valley Post-office. William Thomp- son was postmaster. It was located above, or northwest, of what is now Milroy, at the house of William Thompson, who continued to be postmaster until 1843 or 1845, when it was re- moved to the village of Milroy, and Jesse Win- gate was appointed postmaster. He continued in office till he moved away, in 1849. The name was changed to Milroy Post-Office in 1850. James Thompson was appointed post- master after Wingate, and Mrs. Cooper con- ducted the office until 1853 or 1854, when Isaiah Coplin was appointed postmaster. He continued in the office until 1861, at which time A. W. Graff was appointed postmaster and con- tinned in the office until November 30, 1867, when W. V. B. Coplin was appointed postmas- ter. Ile continned in office until July 1, 1868. Holmes Maclay was appointed postmaster on the Ist day of July, 1868, and the office was con- dneted by A. W. Graff until July 1, 1876, when Moses Thompson, the present postmaster, was appointed.
A post-office was located in Sigleville, Ar- magh township, on the Ist day of July, 1871, and Robert Me Nitt was appointed postmaster. The office was conducted by S. A. MeClintie
until January 17, 1878, at which time Wm. R. Barefoot was appointed. Ile still continues in office.
The post-office at Locke's Mills was estab- lished about 1846, when James K. Polk was President. E. E. Locke was appointed post- master and continued in that capacity until some time in March, 1865, when he gave up the office. N. W. Sterrett was appointed post- master instead of Locke, who moved away from that place abont the last of March, 1865. The office did not remain long under the control of N. W. Sterrett. It was taken away from Locke's Mills entirely, and since that time there has been no post-office at that place.
MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES .- The list here given contains the names of persons in Ar- magh township, in 1781, who were operating mills, tan-yards and distilleries,-
William Brown, two mills, two stills (two negroes); William Beard, tan-yard; Matthew Taylor, two stills (negro); Samuel Galloway, tan-yard ; Samuel Holli- day, two mills and a still; Daniel Jones, mill; Wil- liam Junkin, mill; George Mitchell, two stills.
In the year 1793, William Brown, Esq., crected a grist-mill and saw-mill on a tract of three hundred aeres, John Beard erected a saw- mill and James McFarlane a grist and saw-mill ; in 1828 he also had a fulling-mill and distillery. In 1835 they were owned by William MeFar- lane. In 1812 David Williams advertised that he " had had for some time a wool and cotton- factory and now has complete new machines for carding, and proposes to do carding at eight cents per pound." Robert Work, in the same year, built a new filling-mill in Kishacoquillas Val- ley, adjoining John Fleming's mill. The prop- erty was sold the next year to Aaron Work.
The first mill in the east end of the Kishaco- quillas Valley was erected by John Sterrett. The work upon the mill and the race (which was about three-quarters of a mile long) was completed in 1816. The mill was started and three bushels of wheat were ground, when Mr. Sterrett was taken ill with a fever, which lasted but a few days and resulted in his death No- vember 7, 1816.
This mill was a large-sized, three-story frame building, with two high overshot water-wheels
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and four pairs of burrs. After the death of John Sterrett a part of his farm property was sold, including the mill, and Rebecca, wife of' John Sterrett, became the purchaser. After- ward, on the 22d day of February, 1833, Re- becca Sterrett sold the mill property to John Sterrett, son of Robert Sterrett, who operated the mill in connection with the still-house until February 9, 1811, when he sold it to E. E. & 1. Locke. The Lockes continued to operate the mill, with the still-house and alcohol-house, until July 25, 1857, when, about four o'clock in the afternoon, Locke's mills and four other buildings were destroyed by fire. The work of rebuilding began in November, 1857, and the mill was finished in June, 1858. John Todd was the millwright. This mill is built of brick, and is forty-six by seventy fect, and is three stories high. It has a brick extension at the south side. On the north side of the mill, and adjoining, is a brick still-house, which is forty- five by seventy feet. This was a steam distil- lery, with a capacity of over one hundred bush- els per day. The fermenting tubs were in the cellar, and were made of white cedar planks. The whiskey made here was converted into alcohol in another building a few rods north of the still-hon-e. The fixtures in the alcohol- house were of the most modern improved style, from which they made the ninety- five per cent. alcohol. Rebuilding the mill, still-house, alcohol-house, whiskey-house, cooper- shop and several stables so involved the Messrs. Locke that their property passed into the hands of the sheriff, and was sold in November, 1863, to E. C. Humes, William Me Allister, Andrew G. Curtin and James T. Hale, of Bellefonte, Centre County. The property was sold to Thomas Diven in February, 1871, and in March of the same year lohn M. MeAukey bought the undivided half, and in October, 1871, he bought the other half of this mill property. Me Auley still continues to be the owner.
James Alexander built a mill on his property on the Havice Branch of East Kishacoquillas Creek, about one mile north of Siglerville. The mill-house is a small frame building, and has two pairs of mill stones, and was built in
1830. Alexander afterward sold or traded it to William Strunk and his son, Benjamin Strunk. The Strunks did not own it very long, until it was sold from them by the sheriff of Milllin County, and E. L. Benedict, Esq., attorney, became the purchaser. It remained the property of Benedict until his death, and is now owned by his heirs. The mill is still kept running while the stream continues to fur- nish a sufficiency of water. Frequently the stream is so small that the mill must stop.
Samuel MeGrorey built a mill on his prop- erty, at the first bend in Honey Creek, below the mouth of Dry Creek. This mill had two pairs of mill-stones. After operating it some time McGrorey sold it to Robert Mitchell and John Wherry. The mill-honse was built of logs. The great drawback connected with this mill was that the dam would wash away. Var- ions dams were built, but none of them stood. Finally they became discouraged and the mill was stopped entirely.
After the Wherry mill ceased to run James McFarlane built a small frame mill on his prop- orty, about a half mile farther down, along the same creek. This mill had two pairs of mill- stones. It was operated for many' years. About 1828 MeFarlane built a fulling-mill, and a carding machine was put in operation in the same building. At that age woolen factories were unknown in that section of country. Each family spun their own woolen yarn, and the cloth was woven on domestic looms, which were common at that time. After the cloth was woven it was taken to the fulling-mill and was there fulled and dyed, and made ready for the tailor's shears.
William and Thomas Reed built the woolen mill subsequently known as Thompson's fac- tory in 1810. It was a frame building, forty by fifty feet, three stories high. It contained one set of cards and mules, for the manufacture of cloths, satinetts, blankets, etc. The building was enlarged in 1817, and its capacity doubled. It was again enlarged in 1861, and the third set of machines added. This factory was first oper- ated by Thompson & Hawn. In 1847 Thomas Watson and James Thompson operated it and continued to 1852. After that time it was oper-
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MIFFLIN COUNTY.
ated by James Thompson. This building was entirely destroyed by fire the 23d day of De- cember, 1883. The present factory was rebuilt, partly on the foundation of the former one, the following year. The lower story is of stone and the second story is of brick. The building is forty-eight by one hundred and forty-six feet. There are several other buildings near the far- tory which are used in connection with it. The pieker-house is two stories high, twenty-two by forty-two feet, and is built of stone and brick. A one-story dye-house, twenty-six by sixty feet, is built of stone, and a two-story dry-house, fourteen by fourteen feet, is built of brick.
It is devoted exclusively to the manufacture of stocking yarn and hosiery, and is now oper- ated by the Thompson Brothers, sons of one of the original proprietors.
A tannery was erected half a mile north of Milroy many years ago by Valentine Gardner and was conducted by him a few years, and later by George Keller, Henry & Jacob Moyer and Samnel Brisbin. It closed before 1850.
The following is a list of distilleries that at one time were in operation in Armagh town- ship. The dates of their erection have been found in some instances. The owners and loca- tions are here given. These early distilleries were built of logs and supplied with two copper stills, except otherwise mentioned. They were all abandoned before 1835 except Sterrett's, Strowley'sand Coplin's. Jolm MeMonigle built one in 1809 on the John Montgomery property, at the foot of the mountain; Samuel MeNitt built on the property now owned by James B. MeNitt ; Felix Lee built on the farm now owned by William Aitken ; James Alexander built abont half a mile south of Felix Lee's still- house. Others were located as follows :- Wil- liam Longwell, near where the Benedict mill now stands ; Matthew Longwell, at the north side of Beatty's Knob, farm now owned by II. 1. Close ; John Smith, on the farm now in pos- session of O. P. Smith ; Robert Neely, stone still-house, on the present farm of Brown Me- Vitt; Jolm Fertig, in the cellar of the log dwelling-house which still stands in Milroy at the north side of dosiah Showalter's mill ; William and Thomas Reed, on the west side of
the creek, opposite the Milroy Mill ; Foster Milliken, an extensive frame still-house, on the opposite side of the road from Marion Furnace.
George Swartzell, about 1825, built on his farm a still-house which was operated by John Kenard and Zebulon Philips, property now owned by George Swartzell, dr. Robert Mitchi- ell had one on the west side of Honey Creek, in front of the present residence of Andrew Me- Farlane. James McFarlane had a log house opposite the Stone Spring-House; later another on the south side of the mill-race and east of the mill, to which the stills were moved. The dis- tillers were John Kennedy, Joseph Bower, Robert Shared, Zebulon Philips, Charles De- vine Edward Cox, - Dudley, Gottlieb Richards and Isaac and David Phillips. John Hawn built one in 1808, on a farm a short dis- tanee west of the Milroy mill-dam ; abandoned in 1810.
Caleb Strowley erected a still-house at the end of Hawn's Knob, near the north side of Joseph Ilawn's farm, after the others in the township were abandoned, except Sterrett's. The prop- erty is now owned by the heirs of Reed Sam- ple.
Isaiah Coplin, in 1858, erected a stone still- house on land which he bought of William Thompson. It was later in possession of Na- thaniel W. Sterrett, who operated it for a time. It is now owned by his heirs.
John Sterrett, Sr., who died in November, 1816, erceted a log still-honse, a few years prior to his death, north of the present road. In 1821 John Sterrett, a nephew, and William Reed & Co., erected a large log still-house on the same property, a short distance northwest of the Sterrett mill, and on the opposite side of the road. On the 224 of February, 1833, Re- becca Sterrett, widow of John Sterrett, sold the mill and distillery property to John Sterrett, a son of Robert Sterrett. The distillery was en- larged by an extension as large as the original. The copper stills were removed and steam was introduced. After operating several years, a new frame building was created at the north side of the mill. This building had a esllar under it, in which the fermenting tubs were , placed. The washing and pumping was done
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
by a gearing connected with the mill. On the 9th of February, 1841, John Sterrett sold the mill and stills to E. E. Locke, of Philadelphia. They continued to operate it as an alcohol dis- tillery until the 25th of July, 1857, when the mill, still-house and four other buildings were destroyed by fire. They began to rebuild the same year, and in June, 1858, the mill and still-house were completed.
The still-house adjoins the mill on the north side, and is forty-five by seventy feet. All the machinery was of the latest improved style, with a capacity of distilling one hundred and ten bushels per day. The whiskey was converted into alcohol before it left the premises, and in no case was the whiskey sold for any purpose. The alcohol-house stood a short distance north of the distillery. In this building there was one copper still which held twelve barrels of whiskey containing forty gallons cach. These twelve barrels were converted into ninety-five per cent. alcohol in one day. E. E. & L. Locke contin- ued to operate this distillery until the 19th of November, 1863, when the sheriff of Mitliin County sold the same to E. C. Humes, Wil- fiam Me Allister, Andrew G. Curtin and James T. Hale. These parties sold to Thomas Diven in February, 1871, and John M. MeAuley bought the undivided half of the same from Diven in March, 1871, and in October of the same year MeAnley bought the other half. After John MeAuley became the full owner of the still- house he disposed of much of the inside material, and again refitted it with a much smaller capacity. About one or two months in each year he distils whiskey for medical and mechan- ical purposes.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
David Sterrett, before 1809.
George Green, 1824-39.
Win. Sloan, IS 10-19.
Wm. B. Maclay, 1850-53.
John Barger, 1854-58. Peter Fertig, 1859-63. John Barger, 1864-80. Adam A. Brown, 1881.
The following are the justices of the peace elected for the east end of Armagh township : John C. Cooper, 1810-19. ---
John Swartzell, 1871-75. William Ramsey, 1849-54. Win. Bell, 1855-65. Adam A. Brown, 1876-79. T. A. Crissman, 1879-83. Adam A. Brown, 1866-70. 'Samuel D. Coldren, 1884.
FOSSIL REMAINS. - In 1872, while workmen were engaged in excavating about sixteen fect below the surface at the quarries of Charles Naginey, bones were thrown out. They at- tracted the notice of John Swartzell, who carried them home, and in course of time sent them to Professor Leidy, of the University of Pennsyl- vania, for examination. The following from the Lewistown Gazette of January 17, 1873, gives the facts :
"The fossil animal remains found in Charles Na- giney's limestone qnarty a year ago, and referred to in a recent issue of this paper, were discussed by Pro- fessor Leidy a few weeks ago at the Academy of Sciences, when he gave as his final opinion that they belonged to a species of peccary, and conferred on them the name 'Platygons Vetus,' meaning an ancient peccary, only one other species having ever been discovered in this State. Dr. Leidy is said to be preparing a monograph on extinct species of pecca- ries, so we may hope to hear something further in re- gard to our unique representative. Much honor is due Mr. Swartzell for the thoughtful care shown by him in preserving the remaining fragments from the destructive carelessness of the workmen at the quarry, as otherwise this species might never have been known to science. Mr. Swartzell has decided to do- nate the specimens to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. They will be forwarded to their destination at an early date. Professor Morrill, of the Lewistown Academy, has made several plaster- of-Paris casts of the most perfect bones, one of which will be placed in the cabinet at Lewistown."
The donation was made to the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the specimens arrived in safety.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN MCDOWELL.
Mr. MeDowell was born near Milroy, June 26, 1800. Il was of Scotch descent, his grand- father having emigrated to the colonies about the middle of the last century, settling in what was then Cumberland (now Franklin) County, Pa., and from thence removing in 1751 to Kish- acoquillas Valley, where he passed the remain- der of the days allotted to him on earth. Ilis father was engaged at different times in agri- cultural and mercantile pursuits, and served his
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MIFFLIN COUNTY.
county, which comprised what is now both Mif- tin and Juniata Counties, as sheriff for one or more torms. His mother's maiden-name was Jane Mitchell. The subject of this sketch was the oldest of nine children. He lived and worked upon the farm during his minority, re- wiving such elementary education as farmers' -ons usually obtained in those times in common schools ; not, however, schools sustained by the State, but by the families in cach partienlar
body and mind with which God had endowed him, he succeeded, through hisown exertions, in acquir- ing a considerable estate. The record of indom- itable energy, industry, steadfast perseverance and economy which marked his carlier years ; his skill and foresight in the management of his affairs ; and the determination with which he met and triumphed over difficulties and dis- couragements, stand as an encouragement to any who may be struggling with adversity or
John MC bourer fr
neighborhood. His mind being naturally good, entering upon the battle of life. Naturally pri- by reading and association with men of intelli- dent and having a discriminating judgment and large experience, he was frequently consulted in the purchase of property, and a number of times appointed administrator of estates. He was not only a member, but also an efficient and judi- cions trustee of the East Kishacoquillas Pres- byterian Church. In 1861 he was elected a commissioner of the county, in which office he served two years, until his death. He was prominent in the management of township af- lairs, and was the counselor and friend of many in gence, he acquired a considerable amount of general information, which well qualified him for the ordinary business of a citizen and for the offices of trust to which he was sometimes chosen. ITis business during the whole of his life was farming, and he was truly a self-made man, in the sense in which we usually employ those words. Thrown upon his own resources in carly manhood, having no capital with which to begin life, except those powers and faculties of
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
circumstances of want and embarrassment, who, to his honse for two weeks, was caused by the relieved by his timely aid, revere the memory rupture of' a blood-vessel. of his acts of kindness and interest in their temporal welfare. A man of commanding presence, of true and honest purpose, especially HENRY L. CLOSE. useful by his wise and peaceful counsels, a true Henry L. Close is the grandson of Peter Clo- (or Klose), who came from Lancaster County to Millin, (then ('umberland) County, and set- tled on the farm now owned by the subject of friend, a genial companion, his demeanor that of the humblest and plainest of men, he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community in which he lived. He was married, December 21, j this sketch. This land was first purchased by
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1811, to Miss Mary Brisbin, daughter of James Brisbin, Esq., and native of the same valley, who is still living and by whom he had four children, two of whom are living,-the soul, John McDowell, residing at the old homestead and engaged in farming, and the daughter, Mar- garet J., the wife of Rev. A. II. Parker, pastor of East Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church.
Mr. McDowell died March 29, 1863, in the sixty-third your of his age. His death, sudden and unexpected, although he had been confined
a Mr. O'Connor, in 1767, and by him trans- ferred, on the 29th of September, 1787, to Hon. Thomas Mifflin. He sold, in turn, to one Christopher Boker, who gave a deed of the property to Peter Close on the 23d of Novem- ber, 1787. The latter married Catherine Liv- ingston, of Lancaster County, whose children were Peter, Henry, Elizabeth and Adam. Henry removed to Ohio, Adam to Venango County, Pa., and Elizabeth, who married George Bridge, settled on an adjoining farm. Peter,
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who was born in Lancaster County in 1786, and settled on the homestead in Mifflin County, married Jane, daughter of John Orr and Cath- erine, his wife, of the same county and town- ship. Their children were John, born December, 1810, who settled in his native county ; Heury 1 .. Elliott, born August 5, 1815, now residing in Milroy, Mifflin County ; Eliza, born Angust, 1819, deceased, who married William Akins, of the same township; William T., born Angust 1, 1821, a farmer in Armagh township. Mr. Close during his lifetime followed the employ- ment of a farmer. His character for prohity, integrity and intelligence was such as to make his infhience for good apparent in the community. Hle was also active in the affairs of the East Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. His death occurred March 21, 1838, and that of his wife March 26, 1864. His son, Henry L. Close, was boru May 19, 1813, on the homestead, which is his present residence. The common school afforded oppor- innity for acquiring a limited education, the winter only being devoted to study, as during the summer he was ocenpied on the farm. During his father's lifetime he was one of his most industrious helpers, and on the latter's death a portion of the estate became his own. In 1812 he built the house now occupied by his son, James IT. Close, and in 1877 his present cou- venient residence. Mr. Close was, on the 12th of November, 1815, married to Francina M., daughter of William Ramsey and his wife, Elizabeth, of the same township. Their chil- dren are William T., born September 1, 1846, deceased ; Edmund M. and Edwin (twins), No- vember 3, 1847, of whom Edwin is deceased, Edmund having married Clara P., daughter of William and Sarah Nale ; Elizabeth B., July 23, 1849; S. Jennie, May 29, 1853, wife of James B. Smith, of the same township ; James II., July 28, 1856, married to Mary Blanche, daughter of James and Elizabeth AAlexander, of C'entre County, Pa. The last-named son re- sides on the farm of his father. Mr. Close has seldom been attracted by business specula- tions or commercial ventures from the routine of farm labor to which he was educated. He has been either a Whig or a Republican in politics,
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