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 34
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 34
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 34
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 34
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 34
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
1 By Samuel Sterrett.
-----
-
- ---
655
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
mill; Andrew Uls, 35; Jacob Waggoner, 117 ; Jacob Weiam, 100; John Waggoner, 118; John Whils, 80; Elihn Wilson, 180; Andrew Wonder, 87; Adam Waggoner, 30; Daniel Waggoner, 330; John Weeks, 171 ; Anthony Warner, 150; Godfrey Warner, 200; Henry Waruer, 100; Henry Waggoner, 70; Jacob Yetter, 140, saw-mill; John Yetter, 100; Ludwig Yetter, 150; Samuel Zigler, 220; Adam Zigler, 130; Juli Zigler, 250; Henry Zigler, 200; George Zigler, 208; Jolm Zartman, 809).
EARLY LOCATIONS, -- The valley along Jack's Oreck was not settled as early as the valley of the Kishacoquillas. The dates of warrants of the earliest settlers are here given : The first warrant bears date August 1, 1766, and was taken by Jacob Bach, and contained two Inn- dred and fifty acres. Jolm Gilchrist took ont, on an order of survey, Jannary 26, 1763, three hundred acres ; George Frey, three hundred acres, February 12, 1767. Of these names, only the name of Frey was in the township in 1815. In 1784, George Ziegler, or Sigler, took a war- rant for land at the head of Long Meadow Run, a branch of Jack's Creek. He took up lands also in 1786, 1789, 1793, and in the latter year was in possession of four hundred acres. Hle had been a resident upon these lands many years before his warrants were taken out, as in 1775 he was taken prisoner by the Indians and was in captivity one year, and released the day independence was declared, July 4, 1776. Hle returned home and lived and died on the homestead. Ilis children were John, George, Henry, Adam, Samuel, JJacob and a danghter, Elizabeth. John took ont a warrant for one hundred aeres May 16, 1786, and Henry one Indred acres December 11, 1793. Thompson G. Sigler, now living on the homestead, is a grandson of George Sigler. Absalom, also a grandson, lives in the township. Johnson Sig- ler, of Derry township, is a son of Adam Sig- ler.
The family of Stroup were early settlers in the territory of' Derry township (now Decatur). Philip and William Stroup were warrantces, and their descendants are living in the county.
John Stroup, who died December 11, 1867, aged seventy-four years, was of the family, and was born in November, 1793. After a limited education he began life as a farmer, liest
working for his father and subsequently rent- ing a farm. He then, having inherited a portion of the homestead in Decatur town- ship, purchased the remainder, where he resided nutil his death. He was also for many years extensively engaged in the purchase and sale of stock. He was married, in 1817, to Margaret Bair, one of' eleven children of Michael Bair and Catherine Bowersox, who was of German de- scent, and born in York County, Pa. Her death occurred Jannary 21, 1843. Their chil- dren are William, born November 9, 1817; Catherine, May 16, 1819; John, November 5, 1821 ; Elizabeth, October 2, 1823; Margaret, September 17, 1824; Sarah, September 5, 1826 ; Henrietta, December 30, 1828 ; Sophia K., November 2, 1830; Mary, November 21, 1832; Susan II., December 3, 1831; Martin Luther, March 1, 1837 ; David .A., March 21, 1839 ; John L., September 25, 1811 ; Imeinda 1., December 18, 1842; of whom nine are still living. Mr. Stroup, as an exemplary and re- spected citizen, wielded much influence in the community. Apart from various township offices held by him, he manifested no desire for distinctions of a political character. He was a member and for many years an older in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Decatur town- ship.
Sarah, daughter of John Stroup, was born on the homestead and married in Lewistown, Pa., on the 19th of January, 1816, to JJoseph Moh- Ier. To them were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Moh- ler reside upon their farm in Derry township. The latter mited with the German Baptist Church in 1848, of which she has since been a regular attendant.
Sophia K. Stroup was born in Decatur town- ship, and on the 19th of May, 1853, was married, at the house of her sister, Mrs. Bridge, of' Decatur township, to John G. Yeager. After engaging for five years in the business of hotel-keeping in C'entre County they returned to Decatur town- ship and resided for three years upon a farm. They resumed hotel-keeping at Millersburg, l'a., and ultimately removed to the farm now ocen- pied by Mes. Yeager, in her native township, where Mr. Yeager died on the 13th of August,
-
--
656
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
1876. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Yeager are Oscar W. and James W., the latter being deceased.
David A. Stroup resided with his father until |
portion of his father's estate, purchased a farm in the same township. Having sold this prop. erty, he purchased again in Derry township, Susan H. Stroup, the tenth child of .k in and Margaret Stroup, was born in Decatur township, and married, on the 11th of October, 1853, to John M. MeAnley. They have had six chil- where he now resides. He married, October 5, 1857, Caroline, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Schuylkill County, Pa., their children being John M., Sallie, Katy J., Jacob W., Harry B. dren, three of whom survive. The present home and Frank M. Mr. Stroup is a member and of Mr. and Mrs. MeAnley is at Locke's Mills, , has served for years as deacon of the Evangeli- Mifflin County.
ical Lutheran Church of Decatur township.
John L. Stroup, also born on the homestead,
John House
twenty-four years of age, meanwhile assisting in Decatur township, was married to Mary Dressher, of Centre County, Pa. They have had seven children, all of whom, with the ex- ception of a son, Mcclellan, are now living. him on the farm. He has more recently been engaged in the wood and lumber business, ! though much of his life has been spent as a farmer. He married, AAugust 6, 1862, Mary E., "Mr. Stroup has always been engaged in the ent- daughter of Thomas and Mary Kearns. Of their eleven children, seven are now living.
ployment of a farmer and resides at Painters- ville, Mifflin County, Pa. In politics he has been for years a Democrat.
Martin Luther Stroup was born in Decatur township and received limited alneational ad- Of other warranties were John Bell, who war- vantages at the public school. For years he ranted one hundred acres March 1, 1756. He, assisted his father on the farm, and, receiving his | with MeClenahan and Dorman, came up the
------
-
657
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
Juniata, and after examining the richer lands near the mouth of Kishacoquillas and Jack's Creek, journeyed up the latter ereck and located lands along its banks and vicinity, for the reason that the locality was better hunting-grounds. In 1815 the sons-John P., William, James, George and Arthur Bell-were in possession of eight hundred and fifty acres. James was in the War of 1812-11. William resided where Ross Au- rand now lives, and died in 1825. They settled near Belleville, and later drifted to other parts. John H. Bell settled on the township line of Derry and Decatur, where his son, William S. Bell, now lives. He married Mary E., a daughter of George Sigler, and settled on a tract of land given to her by her father. Thompson JJ. Bell, of Kellyville, is also a son of John IT. Bell. In 1793 John Brady warranted three hundred acres July 6th ; Jacob Roff four hundred aeres January 21st ; and Conrad Robb, Jr., the same date, four hundred acres; Frederick Baker, April 12th, one hundred and ninety-six aeres; John, Elizabeth and Daniel Gross, over four hundred aeres. On the 19th of September, 1794, Rob- ert Duncan warranted four hundred acres.
Of families remaining in the township who were residents in 1812, are the Bells, Bower- SOxs, Everharts, Hoffinans, Hardsters, Knepps, Klines, Lepleys, Lanvers, Riggles, Reagers, Siglers, Stumpfs, Spegles, Shillings, Tresters, Wagners and Yeaters. Many of the lands in the township were sold at sheriff's sale years ago, and passed from the original owners. Caleb Parshall was an early settler in the township, and in 1793 owned a grist-mill upon the Long Meadow Run. He continued the mill many years, and died there. He and his wife are bur- ied on the James Glasgow farm, Glasgow being his brother-in-law. His son married a sister of Mrs. William Brown, of Armagh township. The Parshall farm and mill passed to Robert Sample, and later to Dr. Joseph B. Ard. About 1840 Joseph Burkholder bought the property, the old mill having gone to decay. He built a new one abont twenty rods down the stream, continuing the old race down to the new mill. The farm and mill are now owned by Mrs. Fear. The Glasgow farm is now owned by Sanmel Sterrett.
On the farm of Robert MeClelland, in 1815, was a large distillery, which was carried on for many years. The farm is now owned by Mrs. Mary Stewart. The Sigler lands reached from the head of Long Meadow Rum down the Run below the old Parshall mill. The property below the mill is now owned by John Steel. The saw-mills on Jack's Creek are many of them on old mill-sites. The one farthest up the stream, on the Snyder and Mifflin County line, is now owned by Edward Lash ; in 1812 it was owned by George Everhart. Below is the mill for- merly owned by Jacob McAuley, now by George Krich; on a branch of the ereck below, John Burkholder is running a saw-mill; below on the ereck is an old mill formerly owned by Jolm Sigler, later George Oldts, now Jacob Troch ; still below is a mill built by John Mil- ler, Sr., now owned by F. HI. Miller ; down the stream is the John Stroup mill, now in pos- session of Henry Stine; next is a mill of George and John Reagle, and near the Derry township line is a mill formerly owned by Ja- cob Yeager, now owned by George Frain. A distillery was built by Mitchell Jones and Peter Hauer in 1856, which was continued two or three years and abandoned.
The first road through the territory was an old Indian path from the Susquehanna to the Juniata ; later it became the stage-route and a township road through the valley. The Sun- bury and Lewistown Railroad follows the val- ley the entire length of the township, along Jack's Creek and the base of Jack's Mountain.
Post-OFFICES,-The first post-office in the township was at the old tavern of Stephen Hinds before 1812. An old letter is found directed to John Miller, Sr., to this place in that year. This office was continued several years and abandoned. In 1853 a post-office was estab- lished one mile west of the oldl office, which is still continned. George Sigler, Esq., was ap- pointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Miss E. Sigler, A. M. Ingram, Esq., and by the present incumbent, Sammel Muthersbongh. Upon the opening of the Sunbury and Lewis- town Railroad three other offices were opened in the township,-one at Paintersville; the following have served as postmasters : Abram
]
-
-
,
658
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Kaley, D. B. Weeber, F. M. Fisher and Joseph Sigler, who is the present. postmaster. Sorado- ville, three miles cast of' Paintersville, with F. 1. Miller postmaster. Wagner, two miles far- ther cast ; Joseph II. Wagner has filled the posi- tion of postmaster from the opening of the office.
MALLBYVILLE .- About 1836, S. P. Lilley, a local preacher of the Methodist Church, bought the Isaiah Mathews farm and built thereon a grist and saw-mill and erected a store ; the lat- ter was conducted by his son Walter. The business was conducted by them for many years. The place was of slow growth, and when it ar- rived to the dignity of a name was called in honor of Mr. Lilley. At present it contains a mill, two stores, a Methodist Church, a school- house and anumber of dwellings, and two stores, one kept by Squire William Swartz, the other by J. C. Burkholder. A hotel was erected in 1854 by Elias B. Hummel, and kept by him for several years, and at present by John Huum- mel.
WAGNER .- This town was laid out soon after the railroad was opened, a post-office established and a store was opened which is now owned by William H. Gibboney. The tannery near the town was built, about 1853, by William Mitchell & Son, and is now carried on by George Saylor & Son. A Methodist Church is also at the place.
SORADOVILMAR was laid out by F. H. Miller, and contains a post office and a few dwellings and a railroad station and the Lacleid Hotel.
PAINTER, also a station ou the railroad, con- tains a post-office, a store and a few dwellings.
CHURCHES .- The first church edifice in the limits of Decatur township was begun in 1820 on the lands of John Miller, Sr., on Jack's Creek, near the present town of Soradoville. The members of the Entheran and German Reformed congregations mited in the ercetion. Before its completion, however, strife occurred between them, and it was abandoned. Ju the year 1837 another effort was made by the same congregations, and the Stronp Church edifice was built under the care of the Rev. Mr. Smucker. This later passed entirely to the Imtherans, who now have it in charge.
PRESBYTERIAN ChuRen. - In 1843 the con- gregation of Little Valley, at Belltown, erected an edifice for their use, the church to which they belonged being seven miles distant, at Kellyville. James Dorman, Sr., George Sigler, Esq., and John MeAnley, Sr., were appointed as building committee. The Rev. D. L. Inghes was chosen pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph S. Smith, Samuel Cooper, Cooper Wilson, Wil- liam Prideaux, John Clarke, John MeKean and by the present pastor, the Rev. George Chappel. The congregation in later years grew weak in numbers, and it was thought best to sell the church edifice to the Evangelical congregation, which had increased to considerable extent in the locality. The building was conveyed to that society August 13, 1881.
SAMUEL'S CHURCH.1-In 1848, Samuel Barr donated a lot of land to a board of trustees of the Lutheran and German Reformed congre- gation.
This congregation was a considerable portion of the members of the church at Black Oak Ridge (St. Jolmn), living west of that place, some a great distance, who came to the conclusion to put up a church building more convenient for them. The corner-stone was laid November 3, 1849. It was finished and dedicated to the worship of the Trine God on the 16th of June, 1851. It was built for the use of the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed denominations. The house is a log frame, and weather-boarded, painted white. The building is two stories high, with galleries on three sides. The seats are so ar- ranged as to accommodate about five hundred in- dividuals. At its dedication it was named Sam- uel's Church, after the owner of the land. The dedicatory ceremonies were performed by Rev. J. P. Shindel in the presence of a very large con- course of people. On the 6th of November the Rev. J. R. Shindel commenced his labors among them as pastor of the Imtherans, and Rev. Hack- man became the pastor of the German Reformed congregation. They preached alteruately cach every four weeks, so that service was held reg- ularly every two weeks.
The first communion was held on the 1st day
! By Rev. J. P. Shindel
659
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
of May, 1853, when ninety-six members com- muned. Rev. Shindel continued to preach for them until November, 1857, when, on account of ill health and physical prostration, he resigned the congregation after having served them five years and seven months. The successors were John Kempfer and J. G. Breininger, who served a short time, followed by Rev. Groenmiller, who was their pastor a very brief period. Rev. Stettler then became their pastor, who served them some years.
BAPTIST PREACHING .- About the year 1810 services were held by the Baptists in the Me- Auley school-house, the Rev. - Bunker and the Rev. David Williams making occa- sional visits to the locality. The families who were connected were the Houghs and Samples, No church was erected, and preaching was abandoned after about five years.
METHODIST CHURCH AT LILLEYVILLE .- In 1852 a church was built upon lands of the Rev. S. P. Lilley, who was a local preacher of the denomination and resided at the place. The congregation is supplied by pastors on the cir- cuit.
METHODIST CHURCH AT WAGNER STATION. -In 1861 a lot was purchased of Edward Krichbaum; a Methodist chapel was erected under the care of the Rev. Samuel C. Smith, who was then preacher in charge of the circuit. It was dedicated as the Kemmerling Chapel, in honor of John Kemmerling, who was largely
instrumental in its establishment. The church is supplied by pastors on the circuit.
THE ALBRIGHT METHODIST CHURCH .- This congregation worshipped for many years at the house of Samuel and Jacob Louver, in the winter season, and in the big barn in the sum- mer. The congregation increased, and in 1865 the Louver Church was built on a lot left the society, by will, for their use.
SCHOOLS.
The schools prior to 1836 were pay or sub- scription-schools, and were taught either in rooms in houses or some abandoned building fitted up for the purpose. The directors ap- pointed at the November term of court, 1834, under the law of April preceding, were Samuel Bair and John II. Bell, who took charge of the schools of the township and formed them into districts. The first school-house was known as Siglers', and stood near the old Parshall mill. Four districts were formed under the law, which were increased as occasion de- manded, and at present there are seven districts. In the Bowersox school-house the German lan- guage was taught until 1860. The largest house in the township is at Lilleyville, and con- tains two schools. It was finished Septem- ber 1, 1885, at a cost of ten hundred and forty-five dollars, Samuel Sterrett being the contractor. The present school directors are F. IT. Miller, R. W. Ingram, Emanuel Oldt, Henry Goss, George Benfer and John S. Groff.
HISTORY OF JUNIATA COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Erection and Organization of the County-Location of the County Seat-Public Buildings-Rosters of Officials from 1831 to 1885.
THE ERECTION OF JUNIATA COUNTY .- The canses that brought about the erection of Juni- ata County, in 1831, had their beginning in 1789, when Mifflin County, of which this territory was a part, was erected. In the sketch of the ercetion of Mifflin County will be found a pe- tition which recites the troubles existing at that time, and shows that as late as 1801 petitions were sent to the Legislature asking for a remov- al of the county-seat. These petitions were not granted, and soon after so great was the feeling, that petitions began to be circulated among the people, having for their object the division of the county. A bill was introduced into the Senate carly in February, 1813, entitled " An act erecting that part of Mifflin County which lies east of and below the Black Log Moun- tain and Long Nai. ows into a separate county."
On the 12th of February it was read the see- ond time, and upon the question the Senate was equally divided, but one of the members who voted against it moved a reconsideration, when, two members (Messrs. Graham and Poe) being absent, it was carried by a majority of two votes.
The bill was amended so as to read " An act ereeting part of Mifflin County into a separate county, to be called Juniata," and it was ordered that the bill be transcribed for a third reading.
The following extract of a letter, dated Har- risburg, February 23, 1818, was sent to the od- itors of the Juniala Gazette, Lewistown, and is of interest in this connection :
"The people below the Narrows of your county have almost unanimously petitioned for a division. They wish the Legislature to make the line where nature fixed it along the rugged chain of mountains that run through the county. The bill has passed the Senate by a majority of two votes. Either end of the county now is as numerous and possessing double the wealth which the whole county did in the year 1789, when it was divided."
The bill did not pass at this time, and peti- tions were again circulated for and against among the inhabitants, both above and below the Narrows. The officers of the court and the tavern-keepers at Lewistown resorted to all kinds of arguments to defeat the measure. The route of travel from the upper end of Tusca- rora Valley by the Long Narrows was urged in favor of a new county. To offset this the people of Lewistown petitioned court for a road across the mountains from Lewistown into Tus- carora Valley. Viewers were appointed, who made a favorable report. The court confirmed and ordered a road to be laid out six feet wide. The township refused to open it. In 1816 a law was passed granting five hundred dollars to assist in its construction. Part of the road over into Licking Creek was made with this money, and it may still be seen as one of the antiquities that mark the annals of the past. It has in some places a grade of twenty-four degrees, or seven feet to the perch, and it is not known that any one ever risked his neck or that of his horse in riding down that road, and had it been finished it would have taken five thousand dol- lars and then been utterly unfit for any vehicle except a one-wheeled cart. It crossed the Blue Ridge near the route of the Fort. Granville path and is sometimes mistaken for it, though both
661 天
662
JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
may yet be easily found. In 1818 a road was laid ont from the paper-mill to intersect this tavern-keeper's road. Few people in Licking Creek to-day know that they have a laid-out road to Lewistown.
The Juniata Gazette, dated January 26, 1816, gives the following letter from a correspondent at Harrisburg concerning the division of counties :
" The rage for dividing counties, and erecting new ones, is greater this season than at any former period. Among others, Mifllin County is like to come in for her share. The bill for the erection of a new county out of that part of Mifflin County that lies below the Long Narrows, to be called Juniata, has passed the Senate, and been presented to the Lower House for their concurrence. Of its ultimate fate there we can- not form an opinion."
It is evident it did not pass the Lower House, as in the session of 1818 -- 19 the following pe- tition was sent to the Senate and House of Representatives.
It asserts that every year for seven years from eleven to thirteen thousand of the people below the Narrows have petitioned the Legis- lature for a division, and recites the condition of the territory at that time as follows:
"The old townships of Milford and Fermanagh alone in our proposed new county are now nearly as numerous and much more wealthy, and will sell for more money than all the county of Mifflin would have done at the time of its erection, in 1789. In our pro- posed new county we have twenty-eight grist and mer- chant-mills, forty-nine saw-mills, three fulling-mills, thirteen carding-machines, three oil-mills and one complete paper-mill, and it will be seen by the printed documents herewith submitted that there are seventeen counties in the State that are fewer in umber than either the old or new county would be if divided, and twenty counties in the State that the lands are not valued half as high as is Mifflin County, and some of them are entitled to two members. . . .
" The people below these Narrows have all to come from east south and west to one entering-place, and then to go up the Long Narrows and through the mountains, a distance of nine or ten miles -- the whole distance they have to travel to the seat of justice is from nine to forty miles. . . .
" Nature has fixed a boundary, which ought, at least, to separate counties ; that boundary is a chain of high mountains between Mitllintown and Lewistown. Besides, there exists so much prejudice and jealousy between the people above and those below that al-
most all public improvement is at a stand while the question is pending. .
" Therefore your memorialists most solemnly pray your honorable bodies to restore harmony and good- will among the people by putting this long-litigated question and the people to rest by passing a law to divide the county agreeably to the prayers of the peti- tions, and they will, as in duty bound, ever pray."
This petition, although brought before the Legislature, failed to bring about the ercetion of the new county. Petitions had been sent to the Legislature from people living above the Narrows protesting against the dismemberment of Mifflin County, and all the efforts of the people below the Narrows for seven years had been defeated. For a time their efforts ceased. The idea was not, however, abandoned, and the Mifflin County opponents sought to dismember their county partly with a view of holding the central part. To this end effort was made by the introduction of a bill, in 1823, to the Leg- islature to annex Lack township to Perry. A bill was also introduced, in 1828, to annex Greenwood township to Union County (then including Snyder). On February 4, 1828, John Patterson, Esq., then a member of the Legislature, writes that " the bill to annex Greenwood to Union County has passed the Senate," and asks for remonstrances. Hulings, he says, pretends to be against it, but will pri- vately favor it, and Speaker Middleswarth is in favor of the annexation to his county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.