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 62
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 62
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 62
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 62
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 62
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James Banks was a large, muscular man, of fine figure. He was well-informed and very entertaining in conversation. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years a ruling elder, and also a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. The cir- cumstances of his death were somewhat remark- able. Being at church-for he was always ae- enstomed to attend when it was possible -- the minister asked him to lead in prayer, which he did with his accustomed earnestness, withont any apparent faltering of the voice. At the close of the prayer he sank down, and in a few min- utes breathed his last. This was indeed a fitting close to a life that had been so largely devoted to the progress of God's cause as his was,-speedy and peaceful transfer from the church on earth to that on high.
beth Banks, was born May 13, 1793. His earliest years were spent at work on the farm, but inelining to study, he attended a classical school taught by Rev. John Hutcheson, in Mif- flin. He walked three miles every day to re- cite, and made rapid progress in his studies. Ile was an accomplished scholar in Latin, Greek and German. He pursued his course in law at Lewistown, and after being admitted to the bar he married Katharine Keiser, an es- timable lady of Lewistown, and located in the town of Mercer (1819). He was very suc- cessful in his profession, and grew rapidly in the esteem and confidence of the people. He was chosen to represent his district in Congress, (1830) was twice elected his own successor, and was the youngest member of the Congress of Clay and Webster. After serving eleven years he resigned and accepted a presiding judgeship from Governor Ritner, for the counties of
Northampton, Lehigh and Berks, which office he filled with credit and distinction eleven years, after which he resigned, and was nomi- nated for Governor on the Whig ticket in 1841.
The State at that time being largely Demo- cratic, he was defeated, although his personal strength reduced the State majority. Subse- quently he was elected State treasurer, after which he gave exelusive attention to the prac- tice of law, and was engaged in very many heavy suits, involving the highest legal ability in the State. After his appointment to the ju- diciary, he removed from Mercer to Reading, where he resided until the date of his death, April 3, 1864. Jolm Banks was a man of many valuable traits. He was intellectually very strong, refined in his manners and upright in his habits. He was distinguished for his integ- rity and high sense of honor, and in exeentive and legal ability ranked among the first men of the State, while socially, he commanded the respect of all who knew him.
His widow still lives in Reading, spending the evening of life in the quietude of her own pleasant home, enjoying the constant presence and affection of a dutiful daughter and son, all that remain of a large family of ten children.
WILLIAM BANKS was born November 17, Jons, the second son of Andrew and Eliza- | 1795. He worked on the farm until he had at-
JUNIATA COUNTY.
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tained nearly to years of manhood. But his health giving way, he was compelled to seek some less severe occupation. For a time he tanght school and in the mean time pursued a somewhat liberal course of classical and other studies. He studied law in the office of his brother, Jolm, and after being admitted to prae- tice, located in the town of Indiana, 1826, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred Angust 10, 1871.
After entering upon the duties of his profes-
continued to reside in Juniata County, a some- what more extended mention of him may be appropriate here. He was born May 23, 1798, and spent his entire life in sight of the place of his birth. His carly education was such only as could be acquired at the common schools. Being diligent, however, and apt to learn, he became a reasonably good scholar. He grew up on the farm, and, after his older brothers left home and his father had became too old to work, he succeeded to its management, his father re-
David Banks
sion he soon obtained a large and profitable practice, and, as a result, accumulated a very handsome estate. He was once elected to the State Legislature, the only official position he ever sought. He lived single until late in life, when he married Mrs. Charlotta Patton, and died childless. ITis widow, a lady of intelli- gence and remarkable force of character, sur- vived him thirteen years, when, in a good old age, she followed her husband to the grave.
DAvib was the youngest son of Andrew and Elizabeth Banks; and as he alone of the family
taining a third interest in the proceeds. April 10, 1827, he was united in marriage to lane T.V MeAlister, daughter of the late Judge William Me Alister, and granddaughter of Major Me- Alister, of whom mention is made in an carlier part of this narrative, as having been among the very first settlers in Lost Creek Valley. And we may be permitted to say, in passing, that it would not be easy to speak too highly of the many valuable qualities of this estimable lady.
With a helper in life every way suited to his
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
wants, David Banks addressed himself indus- triously to the cultivation and improvement of the farm. The buildings were repaired and roi- dered more commodions and comfortable. .1 purchase of eighty acres from the Walker estate, and which bordered his farm on the south, added greatly to its valne, as did also a tract of woodland on Horning's Ridge, a mile and a half away. At the death of his father he came in- to full possession of the farm, the improvement .of which may be said to have been his life- work. As he advanced in years and became disqualified for severe labor, he passed the man- agement of the property over into the hands of his son William, whose ambition has been realized in making it one of the best farms in the county.
The life of David Bauks was a somewhat nneventful one. He disliked publicity and ex- citement. Ile was chosen one of the associate judges for the county in 1856, and served faithfully till 1861. He was once selected as a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Legisla- ture, but as the district was hopelessly Republi- can, he made no effort for securing an election. Although defeated, he proved much stronger than his party. He was deeply interested in national affairs. He believed in the constitution and laws, and during the Rebellion favored the vigorous prosecution of the war for their de- fense. In stature he was five feet six inches, and weighed two hundred and twenty pounds ; he has dark hair and dark eyes. He was widely known in the county, and highly esteemed as a citizen. In his family he was extremely kind and sympathizing, and his children remember him rather as a congenial, playful companion than as a severe parent. And yet they also well remember that in the household his word was law. His government was not harsh, but it was strong.
of his intentions and his readiness for the step he had taken. He was a devont, humble, hope- ful Christian.
David Banks died of heart disease. He was taken ill in November and lingered during the winter, gradually failing. His sufferings at times were great, but he bore them patiently and with Christian resignation, Everything was done to stay the progress of his disease and mitigate his sufferings that could be done, but all was of no avail. He began to sink rapidly, and on Sabbath morning, March 6, 1870, he quietly breathed his last, in the seventy-second year of his age. The next Tuesday his remains were followed to the Lost Creek burying- ground by his bereaved family and a large pro- cession of sympathizing friends and neighbors. Ilis wife, Jane T. Banks, survived her husband ten years. She died July 29, 1880, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. After the death of her husband she continued to live in the old homestead until it took fire and burned down. After this she lived in the family of her son William. The last years of her life were very calm and peaceful. The frequent visits of her sons, in whose welfare she always took the deepest interest, gave her great pleas- ure, as did also the presence of her mmicrons friends in the neighborhood.
She can hardly be said to have died of disease. The vital forces had done their work and simply ceased to act. She suffered very little pain during her decline, and only one day did she complain of any. Death had no ter- rors for her. She had prepared for her depart- ne, and when the sunmons came she was ready to go and be with Christ. The funeral took place on Saturday, July 31st. The Pres- byterian Church having no pastor at the time, the services were conducted by Rev. Joseph Mathers, of Bell's Mills, and an intimate friend of the family. She was buried by the side of her husband, and in the same grave-yard where sleep the remains of her parents, two of her sons and numerons friends and relations.
In religion he was a Presbyterian by educa- tion and honest conviction. It is somewhat remarkable that although a quiet, regular attendant at church, a life-long student of the Bible and a strict observer of the Sabbath, he David and Jane Banks had seven children, all sons. did not make a public profession of religion until late in life. But when he did do so he The oldest son, James Andrew, grew up a bore most convincing testimony to the sincerity | young man of considerable promise, Resolved
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to make his own way in the world, he left home, and after living for short periods in vari- ons places teaching school, or working at car- pentering, he went to California about the time the "gold fever" was at its height. In the excitement which prevailed during the reign of | the vigilance committee he took an active part. At a time when many who had been church- members in the East were casting aside their religion he mited with the First Presbyterian (Dr. Anderson's) Church, and was elected first president of the Young Men's Christian Asso- viation of San Francisco. He grew rapidly in influence, and was elected five times to the Leg- islature and three times to the Senate of Cali- fornia, and was Speaker of both branches of the legislature. He afterwards moved to Nevada, as superintendent of a mining company ; was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution, and at the time of his death was Speaker of the State Assembly.
His death, which occurred Angust 1, 1867, was peculiarly sad. He was spending a few days on a visit to friends at Fort Winfield Scott, in Paradise Valley, in the northwestern part of the State. One day, when up the Humboldt River, only a short distance from the fort, he was waylaid and shot by three In- dians. Ilis body was recovered and subse- quently removed to San Francisco for burial, where the Young Men's Christian Association have erected a monument to his memory. The letters written to friends in the East, the obituary notices published in the papers and the ad- dresses made upon the occasion of his burial fiilly attest the high esteem in which he was held by all classes of society.
ROBERT EDWIN, the fifth son of David and Jane Banks, began a course of liberal education at Airy View Academy, and had entered the sophomore class in Cannonsburg College. Two of his fellow-students, boarding in the same honse with him, took the typhoid fever and died. Ile had waited on them assiduously dur- ing their sickness. He was then himself taken down with the same disease, but seemed on a fair way to recovery, when he took a relapse, and, after lingering about three months, died April 17, 1858. His death was a very painful
stroke to the family, for he was a lovely youth and gave great promise of being a very useful man. ITis body was brought back to Juniata County and lies in the family burying-place.
Jons EDMOND, the fourth son, died in in- fancy, April 7, 1836.
The living sons of David and Jane Banks are William, David Stuart, John Nelson and Lancian.
WILLIAM resides on the farm in Lost Creek Valley ; he married Jennie Hamlin, oldest daughter of Dr. Philo Hamlin. Their family is composed of six children living, named as fol- lows in the order of their ages : William, James, Andrew, Ella, Philo and Jennie; Anna May died in infancy.
DANIEL STUART is a Presbyterian minister of reputation, now pastor of a church in Apple- ton, Wis.
Jour is an attorney in the town of Indiana, Indiana County, Pa. ; is married to Ella Wilson, of Monongahela City, Washington County, Pa. They have two children-Willie and Anna.
LUCIAN is a physician, residing in Mifflin- town.'
There are many other families, who were res- idents in this territory before 1800, of whom much might be said, but it is impossible to men- tion all, and it has been the intention to mention the most prominent.
SCHOOLS .- One of the carliest school-houses in the township was built about 1800, on the Elias Horning property. A log house was built bont 1810, on the line of Samuel Thomas' and Howe's farm. It was built by subserip- tions of the neighbors, and was called a Union school-house. Among the early teachers were William McCoy, James Cummings, James Mathers and John Purdy, who taught the last school there about 1820. Dr. Cunningham, abont 1810, tanght school in a log house in Happy Hollow. In an altercation with one of his pupils one of his eyes was gouged out and he did not remain long after this occurrence. Andrew Banks taught in the honse in 1815-16. John Knox and William Banks were teachers about 1820.
I The above sketch of the Banks family was written by a friend.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The Pine Grove school-honse was built of stone, by the neighbors, cach contributing work or material, abont [815. James Cummings, Charles B. Meldrum and Jacob A. Christy were early teachers. It was used many years as a preaching place for the Methodists, until the church was built.
At Big Run a school was taught by James . Butler, Thomas Henderson and Samnel Craw- ford.
In 1838 the directors of the township, under the school law, established six schools, as fol- lows :
No. 1. Millintown, two schools.
No. 2. Near Judge Daniel Christy.
No. 3. On Big Run, near Thomas MeCurdy.
No. 4. Near John Horning.
No. 5. Adolphus Reynolds'.
No. 6. Near J. Reuno's.
In the annmer of 1873 a brick school- honse, twenty-eight by thirty-six, was built near Cuba Mills at a cost of one thousand eight hin- dred dollars.
The old house and lot were sold at Horning- ton in the spring of 1880, and the present brick house, twenty-four by forty, was erected.
The school-houses in the township are at present known as Cuba Mills, Arch Rock, (for- merly Hornington), Happy Hollow, Big Run, Renno and Slim Valley-at which two hundred and eighty-five pupils attend.
PINE GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHERen .- In the vicinity of what is now Jor- icho, over half' a century ago, were several fami- lies inclined toward the faith of the Methodists, of whom were Samuel Reynolds, Henry G. Hes- ser, Joseph Cummings, Thomas Shorthill. Ser- vices were held by itinerant ministers in the old stone school house for several years, and about 1828 a stone church edifice was built. Among the carly preachers were Henry G. Fearing, Wesley Howe, - Thomas and - Tanne- hill. The station was under the charge of the Baltimore Couference for many years, and later under the Pennsylvania Conference. It is still on the circuit and in charge with Thompson- town, Salem and Plonts Valley. The old church was entirely remodeled in 1857, and re- paired in 1858, and re-dedicated September 224 in that year.
CHAPTER XVI.
PAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
Ar the December term of the hmiata Conuty Court, in 1833, a petition was presented, asking for a new township to be formed from Ferman- agh and Greenwood. Wherenpon the court ap- pointed James Hughes, George Gilliford and Alexander Patterson as viewers, who, in ac- cordance with the order, laid out the proposed new township and reported to the court on March 24, 183 4.
This report was confirmed at a court held December 4, 1834, and the new township was named "Fayette."
It is bounded by West Perry township on the north, Monroe on the cast, Delaware and Walker on the south, and Fermanagh town- ship on the west.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS .- The first settlers in this locality were designated as living on the North, the Middle or the South Forks, which unite and form the Lost Creek, near Jericho. In carly days the region of country near the con- fluence of these forks, and above it, was known as " the Lost Creek settlement." Conjectures are many and stories various as to how the creek obtained its name. It is mentioned in a receipt given by Edmund Physick, in charge of the Land-Office, to William Armstrong, and dated February 6, 1755, which makes it certain that the name was known in Philadelphia be- fore that time. The following statement is by Robert MeMeen, of Mifflintown, and is the most reasonable of the traditions :
" As early as the year 1749 the first white men who visited the cast end of what is now Juniata County came up the north bank of the Juniata River, or possibly by canoe on the water of that stream. They had doubtless heard of the friendly Indians of the Cedar Springs, and of their being the principat source of the D. O. Run. They, therefore, kept the course of the river till they came to the month of D. O. Run. They took the course of this stream and came easily to the Cedar Springs. From this point they explored the surrounding country, and passing the ridge about half a mile north from Cedar Springs, came upon the creek.
" This party returned to Harris' Ferry, &c., without having made any settlements. When the secured ex-
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
ploring party came, composed in part, doubtless, of the first, they, by mistake, left the river at the mouth of Delaware Ran, and soon became involved in the labyrinth of steep ridges and deep vales which lie between the river and the beautiful Lost Creek Val- ley. 'They wearied themselves' to find the creek, but in vain,and returned to the settlements cast of the Susquehanna. The failure to 6nd the valley and creek were discussed and it was determined rightly that the second party had left the river too soon, and the next season a third scouting party came up, took the course of the first party, arrived at Cedar Springs, pressed north and eastward and found the Lost Creek. It has borne this name in the earliest land war- rants issued, viz., those of February, 1755, and that lovely and fertile valley having a pretty uniform width of two miles, bounded on the west by Shade Mountain, on the south by Cedars Spring Ridge, on the east by the Ridge at Me Alisterville, and sweeping westward eight miles to the Jumiata River, at Mifflin- town, is called Lost Creek Valley."
The reader is referred to the article on " Tax- able Industries" in Greenwood and Fermanagh townships for the carly mills and other interests of Fayette.
r
There were four traets of land, close together, that were taken up, February 3, 1755, by Will- iam Giltnockey, William Armstrong, John Ir- win (now Washington MeAlister's) and David Hope (Mitchell farm, now Benjamin Shelleuber- ger's). The Giltnockey tract is that part of Me- Alisterville east of the alley between Dr. Weid- V man's office and Isaac T. MeAlister's dwell- ing. It passed to Hugh Watts, and, later, to Peter Springer, who patented it May 20, 1812. Hc resided where Judge. Jacob Smith now lives, and, abont 1840, sold part of the traet to Jacob Suchman. William Armstrong located a tract, most of it on warrant also dated February 3, 1755, an account of which will be found in the sketch of MeAlisterville. Samuel Mitchell and V Hugh MeAlister, Scotchmen, residing south of the Blue Ridge, after the opening of the New Purchase, started out to explore the country, with a view of selecting a site on which to set- tle. They crossed the Juniata and passed be- youd where James Patterson had located, at Mexico, and came into what was known as Last Creek Valley, and decided to remain there. William Giltnockey, William Armstrong, Ed- ward Armstrong, John Irwin, David Hoge and others had already located lands in this valley.
There were two tracts, that lay adjoining cach other, that they selected, at that time owned by John Irwin and David Hoge, and which were warranted February 3, 1755. Hugh MeAlister purchased the tract of John Irwin, which is shown in the draft of the Hoge or Mitchell tract as lying south of it. The following is the text of the deed as given by David Hoge to Samuel Mitchell :
" Know all men by these presents, that I, David Hoge, of the County of Cumberland, yeoman, for and in consideration of the sum of four pounds, ten shillings, to me in hand paid by Samuel Mitchell, of said county, have granted, bargained and sold my improvement on a claim and right to claim to a cer- tain improvement and tract of fand lying on the East branch of Lost Creek, bounded on the east by land named to William Armstrong, on the south by a small ridge, the line between it and John Erwin's land, and to the westward and northward by Bar- rens. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 22nd day of July, 1756.
" DAVID Hock. " Jonathan Hoge, witness present."
The above-described tract is said to have been the first on which any white person settled in the valley.
Samuel Mitchell settled upon his improvement, but was driven off, as were all the settlers, in 1756, and returned to Carlisle or Sherman's Valley. He returned again in 1763, and, after getting settled, was again compelled to leave with his family, and did not return until 1766, from which time he, with others who had deter- mined to settle here, remained. In August, 1766, he took ont two warrants, for ninety aeres and one lunindred and two acres. He was one of the settlers, in May, 1780, who organized to protect the frontiers. He died in 1783, and in 1793 his widow is mentioned as owning the land he had purchased.
Their children were William, Robert, Jeannet and Naney. William married, in 1796, Nancy, V a daughter of Major Hugh MeAlister. She died in child-birth in December, 1797, and is buried in the Lost Creek Presbyterian Church- yard. The property later passed to David Myers, by whom it was left to his son Sammel and is now owned by Benjamin Shellenberger.
That portion of his land that was taken up in 1766 lies between Benjamin Shellenberger
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
and the town of MeAlisterville, and in time passed to Nicholas Myers and to his son David, and finally to John Musser, who now owns it.
The tract of John Irwin, adjoining the Hoge tract, which was sold to Samuel Mitchell in j 1756, was soon after sold to HIngh MeAlister.y Ile was of Scotch-Irish descout. His father was Hugh MeAlister, who emigrated from the north of Ireland to this country in 1780, and married a Miss Harbison. They had three sons-John, Hugh and William. John settled early in 1755 in Sherman's Valley, and Hugh and William both settled in Lost Creek Valley.
Hugh MeAlister, Jr., settled upon his land in 1756. He joined the forces of Captain Forbes, and served faithfully until the close of the Indian hostilities which then resulted from the con- spiracy of Pontiac. The families then living in Lost Creek were again compelled to flee to Sherman's Valley, Carlisle and other places of' safety, where their friends were congregated in greater numbers. At this time several of the men of the settlement were ont with the forces of Captain Forbes. These families of MeAlister, Mitchell and others buried their pots and ket- tles, and taking the few things they could carry and tying packages upon their cattle, slowly and painfully made their way to Sherman's Valley and joined their friends.
Hugh MeAlister and his brother William were, in 1776, enlisted in Captain John Hamil- ton's forces, which joined Washington's forces the day after the capture of the Hessians at Tron- ton. Hugh was successively promoted to be lieutenant, captain and major. At the close of the war he was in command of the forces sta- tioned at Potter's Fort (now Centre County), and commanded an expedition sent to punish the Indians for depredations committed near Great. Island (now Loek Haven) at the elose of the Revolution, and settled upon his farm and lived peacefully the remainder of his days. He died September 22, 1810, aged seventy-four years, and his wife, Sarah, died July 6, 1802.
The children of Hugh and Sarah Me. Mister wore Robert, Hugh, John, William, Nancy and Polly.
Robert married Elizabeth Thompson and settled in Tuscarora Valley ; Hugh, the second
son, married Catharine Elliot, March 12, 1795, and lived on the homestead. His wife, Catha- rine, died July 16, 1811. He established a store in MeAlistertown, as it was then called, and, in 1817, moved into the new brick house he then built, and where he lived till his death, July 16, 1813, aged seventy-four.
Their children were John E., Sally N., Jane II., Hugh T., Elizabeth E. and James Sharon. John E. settled on the farm, for several years kept tavern in the stone house and moved to a farm north of MeAlisterville, where he died. He has two sons living,-Russell, in Philadel- phia, and James, in Harrisburg. Sally N. married William Richards, and, in 1810, moved to Illinois. JJane H. married John North, and lived at MeAlisterville. He died there and Mrs. North is still living, eighty-four years of age. Of their sons, Calvin B. resides at Selinsgrove; Hugh MeA. is an attorney at Columbia, Lancaster County ; and Edmund D. is an attorney at Lancaster City.
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