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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
daughter of George and Elizabeth Sigler, of : deceased ; Florence, born November 11, 1852; the same county. Their children are Joseph, Josephine, born October 1, 1854, wife of Rev. born March 3, 1821, and George, born Novem- ber 16, 1827, who resides with his brother. The death of Mr. Rothrock ocenrred July 27, 1846, and that of his wife January 6, 1881. Joseph Rothrock was born in Decatur town- ship, Milllin County, and at the age of three 1. 1 .. Sieber, of Connellsville, Fayette County, Pa. ; Sibella, born Angust 29, 1858 ; John Lin- col, born July 12, 1863 ; and Samuel Sieber, born July 15, 1866. Mr. Rothrock has never been diverted from the legitimate business of an agriculturist, nor indneed to embark in meer- years removed, with his parents, to his present tain and hazardous commercial enterprises. His home in Fermanagh township, where the resi- I political sentiments have been strongly Repub-
Joseph Rothmock
dne of his life has been spent. After the usual , lican, though he has never craved office. He period of boyhood spent at school he acquired a has, however, served as jury commissioner, and knowledge of farming, and on the death of his ' his earnest sympathy with the canse of educa- father assumed the management of the prop- tion has induced his acceptance, for three terms, of the office of school director. He is a director t of the Juniata Valley Bank and member of the County Agricultural Society, of which he has been twice president, and is now chairman of the executive committee. He is also a member of Fermanagh Grange, No. 787. His integrity orty, which he has continued until the present time. He was, on the 15th of February, 18 18; married to Eliza, daughter of Samuel Sieber, of Walker township, Jimiata County. Their children are Sarah Minerva, born May 5, 1819, and married to John T. L. Sahn, of Wilkes- barre, Pas; Nancy Jane, born August 22, 1850, and superior business qualifications have caused
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his services to be much in demand as guardian, trustec of estates and excentor, which offices have invariably been filled with the strictest fidelity. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mifliintown, and president of its board of trustees. John Lincoln, the eldest son of Joseph Rothrock, was graduated at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Pa., and deciding upon medicine as a profession, en- tered the office of Dr. D. M. Crawford, of Mif: flintown, preparatory to graduating from the Medical Department of the University of Penn- sylvania. Sammel (, the youngest son, took a preparatory course at the Mifflin Academy, and has succeeded his father in the management of the farm.
Jacob Kauffman settled in the township in 1795, on land now owned by Joseph Rothrock. ITe became the owner of a large tract lying be- tween Happy Hollow school-house and the Bard tract, adjoining his original purchase. He died in October, 1824, aged seventy-three years. His children were Abraham, who died on the home farm in November, 1825, aged fifty-one years ; Isaac, who settled in Tuscarora Valley and died in July, 1833, aged eighty-one years ; John emigrated to Ohio and died in 1861, aged seventy two years ; Daniel also moved to Ohio and died in 1864, aged seventy-four; Jonathan located in Walker township, near the Adams finnmus, and died in April, 1869, aged seventy years ; Catharine married Michael Shirk and settled above the home farm, and died in Feb- ruary, 1869, aged eighty years ; Philip settled in Walker township, on the turnpike, and died in 1874, aged seventy-one years ; Elizabeth married Jacob Moist, and died in July, 1874, aged ninety-one years; Sarah, the youngest daughter, married William Rannels and settled on the Rannels farm. Their daughter Hettie became the wife of Adam Weidman and mother of Dr. J. C. Weidman, of MeAlisterville. The home farm, of one hundred and eighty-five acres, passed to John Rothrock in 1827, and is now owned by Joseph, his son. There is upon the farm a burial-place, set apart by Jacob, Kanflinan, in which he was the first one buried. Others of the family are buried there.
John Elliot purchased a part of the Purdy
lands, near Jericho, of James Purdy, Jannary 26, 1791, and lived and died upon it. His daughter Catharine, in 1795, married IIngh MeAlister, Father of Hugh T. MeAlister. A son John settled upon the farm and lived to an advanced age; sold it to Amos Gustine and moved to Ohio.
Ile had two sons, Edward and Huston. The former died in 1796, at the age of twenty-six; the latter in 1797, aged thirteen years. They are all buried in the old Cedar Spring burial- ground.
The first of the name of Cunningham who appears on the tax-roll of the township is Charles, who is assessed in 1770 on one hu- dred acres, one horse, one cow and one sheep ; in 1772 Arthur appears assessed on fifty acres, a horse and cow and each with ten acres cleared. In 1779 Charles has one hundred and fifty aeres, Wil- liam two hundred and ten and John owns two horses and no land. William lived upon his farm until his death, in 1796, and his widow kept the farm until 1808. The family have been quite mmerons and are still represented in the comity. Dr. Michael Cunningham was practicing in the township in 1808-9.
An assessment roll of Fermanagh township gives Enoch Anderson a grist-mill in 1786; Joseph, a saw-mill and fulling-mill from 1787, and 1792 to 1793 ; John, a saw-mill from 1817.
The Andersons lived in the neighborhood of' the Sharons, Purdy- and Banks. The lands passed to James Cunningham and Hon. David Christy, and are now owned by Michael Bash- ore and Jolm Byler.
In January, 1793, Peter, John, Philip, George, and Adam Darr cach took ont warrants for four hundred acres of land on the Macedonia Mountain. No improvement of any con- sequence occurred until abont 1843, when Samuel Hopper and John Hamilton erected a saw-mill on Macedonia Run. The power was a Barker wheel with one hundred feet fall, At this mill was sawed the mnd-sills which were laid through the Narrows when the Pennsyl- vamia Railroad was built. The mill has long since disappeared and no improvement of con- sequence is on the mountain. It is in large part owned by Robert MeMcen.
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The oldest member of the Banks family of whom any knowledge has been obtained was Ulugh, who resided in Ayrshire, Scotland, at the close of the sixteenth century. He appears to have been a man of vigorous physical and mental make-up, strong convictions, and decided moral and religions habits. He had one son, named James, who was the ancestor of the Banks family in America, and was born, most likely, in the town of Ayr, in 1732. Whilst there is no reason to believe that he was brought up in luxury, he enjoyed the advantages of a fair education, and, according to the custom of the place and day, was carefully indoctrinated in the principles of religion, the hopes and habits of which were strictly adhered to in all his subsequent lite.
Hle spent some time in travel in England, where he witnessed something of the profligacy and intolerance of the reigning power, and ac- quired an intense dislike for monarchical insti- tutions. Immediately upon his return from a second tour through England, he took, as the partner of his life, Miss Anna Small, a lady en- dowed with a vigorous constitution, personal beauty, intelligence and religion. The union was a very happy one, and James Banks had a wife well qualified to share with him the adven- tures and trials which were to follow. Shortly after their marriage they began to meditate em- igration to America. The chief hindrance to' this step in Mrs. Banks' mind was the fear that in this then new and far-off country they would be deprived of the ordinances of reli- gion, which she valned so highly at home.
Two brothers of Mrs. Banks had emigrated to America a short time previously, a circum- stance which may have had some influence in favorably disposing her toward the step they were about to take. Having collected together what little property they had, they sailed for America and landed at Christiana Bridge, in the State of Delaware. From here they at once went to New London Cross-Roads, Chester County, Pa., where they made their first home in this country, in a house owned by Captain William Clinton, a brave and noble-hearted man, who treated them with the utmost gener- osity and respect-a kindness and courtesy of
which they afterward made frequent and grate- fil mention. About this time the inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia were much annoyed by frequent incursions of bands of Indians, who broke in upon the border set- tlements, butchered the people and burned their dwellings. It became necessary to do something for their protection. A small army was raised, and Colonel Washington, then a rising young officer, was put in command. Captain Clinton raised a company of volunteers, in which James Banks enlisted and served two years, sharing in all the discouragements, toils and dangers of the campaigns of 1756-57 on the western frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia. After his re- turn from this expedition, James Banks, in 1758, enlisted in the army of General Forbes, which marched against Fort Du Quesne. The term of his enlistment having expired, James Banks returned to his home in Chester County, and resolved to settle down in the quiet pursuits of a farmer's life. With the money which he had saved from his meagre pay as a soldier he pur- chased a small tract of land in York County, Pa., about ten mites southeast of York, and eight miles from Wrightsville and two miles from Brogue Tavern. This was the first prop- erty owned by the family in America. He pur- chased another traet two miles south of the one on which he resided. This was known as "the Mount Gilboa tract."
In 1772, in company with Joseph Bogle, he took a tour through Cumberland County, which at that time embraced an immense tract in C'en- tral Pennsylvania. He purchased of William Sharon a tract of one hundred and seventy-two aeres, for about seven hundred, dollars, in Lost Creek Valley, now embraced in the Heckman farm, six acres only being cleared, and no build- ing on it except a little log hut. His compan- ion, Joseph Bogle, purchased the land on which MeAlisterville now stands.
Soon after making this purchase, James Banks sold his lands in York County, and removed, in 1773, with his family, to his new farm in Lost Creek Valley.
The route taken was by way of Carlisle, thence to the Juniata, crossing it at Miller-town. Here they spent the night in the woods beside
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
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a huge fire of pine knots. The next day, about noon, after a very tedions journey, they arrived at their little cabin in the wilderness. The day following their arrival being Sabbath, the fam- ily, worn out by their week's travel, rested; but James walked two miles to the Cedar Springs, where Rev. Mr. Kennedy preached to a few settlers. Whilst he was absent, a fire broke out in the woods, which for a time threatened to leave the new-comers entirely shelterless ; but by their strenuous exertions the hut was saved. During the summer this humble habitation un- derwent some improvement. The clapboard roof was taken off and it was raised four rounds of logs higher, and covered with shingle roof. This was the second shingle-roof in the neigh- borhood, that of Major MeMister's being the first.
Asalready stated, the tract in Lost Creek Val- ley upon which James Banks settled, in 1773, was for the most part heavily timbered. He, how- ever, entered upon the improvement of his new farm with characteristic vigor. Each year he added as much as possible to the amount of cleared land, and it was not long until he found himself possessed of a property of considerable value. The low marshy parts had been con- verted into good grass-producing meadows, and the higher ground into fields yielding heavy crops of wheat and corn. Sixteen acres had been added to his original purchase. After a lapse of ten years' umabated labor on his farm James Banks began to realize that he was in the decline of life. The severe endurance of army experience, and the subsequent years of toil in clearing and cultivating his land, now began to tell upon his naturally vigorous physical frame. He accordingly handed the management of the farm over to his sons and spent the evening of life in quietude. Retain- ing his mental vigor and being fond of books, he gave himself principally to reading. He had a large acquaintance with history, read many works on doctrinal and practical religion, and even acquainted himself with branches of science not at that time familiar to the gen- erality of readers. The Bible, however, was the book of his daily and diligent study. died in June, 1793, aged sixty-one years.
remains were interred in the place of burial at the " Old Seceder Church," two miles distant. In Scotland James and Ann Banks had both been members of the Presbyterian Church; but after coming to America, from some un- known cause, they joined the Seeders. The change may have been cansed by the absence of any church of their carlier preference in the neigh- borhood in which they resided in York County.
In stature James Banks was five feet nine inches high ; he weighed about one hundred and sixty pounds, had red curly hair, fair com- plexion and blue, piercing eyes. He was a con- genial companion, interesting and instructive in conversation, firm in his convictions and averse to controversy. He was a loyal citizen, and took a lively interest in public affairs. He was esteemed by all who knew him.
Ann Banks survived her husband a number of years. This period she spent in the home of her oldest daughter, Mrs. Walker. Becom- ing aged and infirm, and for the most part con- fined to her room, she passed much of her time in reading. She died November, 1805, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. She was buried by the side of her husband in the grave- yard at the " Old Seceder Church."
Mrs. Banks was low of stature, somewhat fleshy, of strong constitution and no way back- ward in the performance of household duties. She had black hair, black eyes and a very melodious voice. She was a woman of intelli- gence, vigor and remarkable powers of endur- ance. She was amiable, cheerful, affectionate and charitable. But, above all, she was a de- vont, faithful Christian.
James and Ann Banks had six children,- Margaret, Jean, Ann, James, Andrew and John.
Margaret, the oldest of the family, was born in Chester County. In 1780 she married Andrew Moore, of Lost Creek Valley. After living for a short time near the place where Patterson now stands, in 178 1 they removed first to Fayette County, and not long afterward to Westmoreland, where some of their descendants reside.
Jane, in 1782, married John Beatty, and they moved to Penn's Creek, where New Berlin Ilis | now is. She died in 1801, leaving two sons
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
and three daughters. John Beatty subse- quently moved to Ohio, where his descendants are a wealthy and influential people.
Ann, the youngest daughter, was born in 1755, and married David Walker, of Juniata County, who afterward served in the army of the Revolution, and was present at the massacre at Paoli. He narrowly escaped the sad fate of many of his companions. He, however, un- willing to leave the field without some trophy, transfixed with his bayonet a large piece of bacon and fled. A British horseman pursuing, overtook him on the edge of a deep marsh, and was upon the point of cutting him down with his sword, when Walker leveled his musket and fired. The horseman, to use his own words, " followed him no more." It was not until after his return from the army that his marriage with Ann Banks took place. In business he amassed a large estate. He stood high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and held various places of trust. Ile died at his residence in Walker township in August, 1831, aged about eighty years. Ilis wife died before him.
David and Ann Walker had eight children, -lames, Elizabeth, Aun, Margaret, Mary, Jane, Andrew and David. Mary, David and Andrew died young. The other children lived to mature age and died within the radius of a few miles of where they were born.
James Banks, the eldest son, was born in York County in 1765, and was consequently only about eight years old when the family settled in Lost Creek Valley. He was eighteen years of age when the entire management of affairs devolved upon him. At the age of twenty-four he married Catharine Nelson, and about this time a division of the tract embraced in the original purchase of their father, between him and his brother Andrew, was made. In this division the mansion and the western part of the farm fell to dames, whilst Andrew had the eastern part.
James Banks purchased of James Alricks what is now known as the " Oakland property." The purchase was made when money was plenty and property high. In the course of time, how- ever, this state of things was reversed, and James, on seeking new fields for investment,
disposed of the property at a loss. Our settle- ment had now reached an era in which new fields for investment began to excite the minds of many of our citizens, and flames conelnded Ten- nessee at this time offered an inviting home to new settlers ; he therefore resolved to move his family and locate where both climate and in- vestment were more inviting. His first settle- ment was in Henderson County, in the south- western part of the State, but he afterward pur- chased a tract of land adjoining the city of Memphis. After residing here about a year he died, leaving a large family. His age at death was seventy-two years.
Ile was a fine appearing man, and was five feet ten inches high. He was dark complex- ioned, had black eyes and black hair. He was a man of intelligence, firmmess and perseverance, was much interested in public affairs, was an active political partisan, was generous and lib- eral. The children of James and Catharine Banks who grew to manhood and womanhood were Ephraim, Enoch, James, Augustus, David, Martha, Ann, Margaret and Eliza.
The members of the family that accompanied their father to Tennessee were James, Augus- tus, Enoch, David and Eliza.
Enoch and James alone remained in Tenes- see. David removed to Kentucky. Eliza mar- ried a Mr. Huntsman and settled in Texas. He died, and she returned to Pennsylvania, and was again married to a Mr. Carnahan. Am married Robert Knox and lived in Pittsburgh. Augustus returned from Tennessee; was for a time editor of a paper in Huntingdon ; mar- ried a Miss McConnell, and afterward moved to Pern, Ind. Martha married Hugh Wilson, a merchant in Me Alisterville. Their children Lucian Banks and Latimer Wilson, are well- known citizens of Juniata County. Mrs. C'ath- arine Doty, widow of the late E. S. Doty, Esq., of Mifflintown, is the daughter of Hugh and Martha Wilson. Margaret married Wm. Me- Meen, and lived on their farin, near Me Alister- ville. Most of their children died young, but those that are still living ovenpy a very respect- able position in the communities in which they reside. Ephraim, the oldest son, entered the practice of the law, was married and resided in
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Lewistown ; was a man of many sterling qual- ities; was mich interested in public affairs; held numerons responsible official positions ; was an older in the Presbyterian Church and an active worker in every good canse.
Andrew, the second son of James and An Banks, was born in York County Jannary 12, 1767 ; was abont fifteen years of age when the management of the farm devolved upon him and his older brother James. On January 14, 1790, he married Elizabeth Lintner, the daughter of Christian Lintner. Their first place of residence was on the portion of land which had been allotted to him in the di- vision of the homestead farm. Here they re- mained a mber of years, but at length parted with that tract and went to live on his half of the joint purchase he and his brother James had made. Here he continued to live during the remainder of his life.
This farm was greatly improved, and com- fortable buildings were created. He made two trips through Western Pennsylvania on horse- back, and purchased a tract of land not far from New Wilmington, in what is now Law- rence County. On this his son James afterward settled, and it is still in possession of his de- scendants.
Andrew Banks was a man of medium height; his hair and eyes were black ; his constitution was very robust ; his figure erect and he always walked with a quick, elastic step. He acquired a fair English education and was a life-long reader. His power of memory was remarkable. ITe seemed able to recall names, dates and facts at pleasure. This made him remarkably inter- esting and instructive in conversation. never seemed to grow old, but retained a degree of youthful sprightliness down to the elose of his life. Ile was equally at home among chil- dren or people of mature years.
In religion he was a Presbyterian, and al- though not narrowly sectarian, he was very much interested in the progress of the church, in which he was for many years a ruling elder. Ile was very regular in his attendance upon the ordinances and even after his hearing became so impaired that he could get but little of the ser- mon he seemed to feel that it was good to be at
the place of worship. He was a diligent Bi- ble-reader and was acenstomed to memorize favorite passages of Scripture. These afforded him great satisfaction when, in extreme age, his vision became so impaired that he could no longer read.
The close of life was very peaceful. He en- joyed the respect of all his neighbors and the affectionate regard and kindly offices of the household in which he lived. His death was attended by no protracted sickness or suffering. lle was simply worn out. He sank beneath the weight of years. He realized that the time of his departure was at hand, and quietly commit- ting his soul to the care of that Saviour whom he had trusted and served so many years, he patiently awaited the moment of departure to the better country. He died on the 28th day of December, 1855, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, and was buried in the grave-yard at the Lost Creek Church by the side of his wife, who had been borne thither seven years earlier.
ELIZABETH BANKS, the wife of Andrew, as already stated, was the danghter of Christian Lintner, a respectable farmer in Lost Creek Val- ley. She was one of a family of nine children. Of these, the third son, JJohn, although a young man of extraordinary physical strength, died carly. The others all married and removed cither to Ohio or to some part of Pennsylvania. Elizabeth was born in Kingswood township, Hunterdon County, N. J., September 14, 1766.
When she was six years of age her father pur- chased a farm and settled in Lost Creek Valley. She grew up an intelligent, well-appearing young lady; and as the wife of Andrew Banks, aequit- ted herself with great credit, in patience and fortitude sharing with him the toils and priva- tions incident to the times in which they lived. She was a woman of great industry and econ- omy. Even in the decline of life she was no way backward in the discharge of household duties. She was a well-informed, devoted Christian; was interested in every good work, and spared no pains in the religions instruction of her grand- children, living in the same house with her. She died of asthma, April 4, 18 18, in the eighty- second year of her age. Her remains rest beside those of her husband, who followed her to the
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
grave a few years later. Andrew and Elizabeth Banks had four children, all sons. These were born and spent their earliest days on the farm on which Andrew first lived after the division of the property between him and his brother James, lately known as the Heckman farm. The school-house where these boys received their education was a little log structure which stood just at the bend of the road about one hundred and fifty yards southwest of the Hoffinan bridge. Close observation will enable the pass- er-by to discover the face of a flat rock at the surface of the ground on the east side of the road. It was on that rock that the school-house stood, and of which it probably constituted the floor. Who the instructors were is not now known ; but judging from the attaiments of the Banks children, it is clear that the rudiments of a good English education were imparted there.
JAMES BANKS, the oldest son of Andrew and Elizabeth, was born June 18, 1791. Ile lived with his parents on the farm until 1815, when he married Miss Law. He then removed to the farm which his father had purchased in Mercer County, where he continued to reside umtil the time of his death, which occurred at a very advanced age. Ilis family consisted of five children-two sons and three daughters-some of whom are still living in Western Pennsyl- vania.
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