USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > History of the city of Altoona and Blair County : including sketches of the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. > Part 21
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CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
All the leading denominations have commodious churches, so that persons who are inclined churchward cannot go amiss in Tyrone.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
The public school building is among the best in the county. The schools are graded, and in a flourishing condition. There are also private schools, and within a short distance of town, is located the Mountain Seminary, a college for young ladies. Churches and schools may not directly add money to the coffers of the people, but they are safeguards thrown around society, and guardians of science, intelligence, morality, and those national virtues for which our fore- fathers "pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor."
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
J. M. Calderwood and Samuel Jones were the first justices of the peace. Both are living and do honor to the constituency that elected them. Mr. Calderwood is the Adams Express agent, and Mr. Jones is still acting as magistrate.
[For history of Tyrone newspapers see pages 53 and 54.]
MILITARY MEMORANDA.
In 1835, eleven years before the erection of Blair county, David Robinson, (killed by a runaway accident at Frankstown, on Friday, August 6) ; J. G. Fleck, of Sinking Valley ; Allen MeGlathery, E. B. Tipton, Robert Riddle, of Altoona ; O. P. Haggerty, of Logan township, and Thomas Smith, of Scotch Valley, were seven of the sixty persons who formed a military organization, called "The Union Cavalry Company." The company was organized in Pleas- ant Valley, and Martin Bell, of Elizabeth Furnace, uncle of Mr. Martin Bell, the Hollidaysburg attorney, was made captain. James Hutchison, now of Altoona, was made first lieutenant, and Joseph Irvin, of Hollidaysburg, was second lieutenant. Mr. Fleck has made some researches in order to ascertain how many of the original members of the Union cavalry are living to-day, and the result has been as follows: B. F. Bell, now residing somewhere in the west, about 67 years old; James Hutchison, of this city, about 70 years; Oliver P. Haggerty, of Logan township, 68 years old ; J. G. Fleck, of Sinking Valley, 60 years old ; John Hamilton, of Altoona, prob- ably 65 years old; Smith Hamilton, living in the west, 63 years old ; Allen McGlathery, of Altoona, 70 years old; David Henshey, of Antis township, about 70 years old ; Samuel Noble, who was born in the old log house that formerly marked the site of Altoona, but who now resides in Iowa, aged 60 ; Thomas Smith, of Scotch Valley, now about 65 years of age; E. B. Tipton, then a resident of Logan township, but now of Altoona, 69 years of age; Robert Riddle, now of this city, about 60 years old; Elias B. MeClellan, at that
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
time clerk at Allegheny Furnace, now living somewhere in the west, at the age of more than 60; Stephen Johnson, then living. at Bell's Mills, but now a resident of Indiana county, about 60; Thomas Trout, of Logan township, about 66 years of age; O. P. Trout, then of Logan township, but now in Bedford county, about 60 ; Jo- seph Irvin, then of Scotch Valley, but now of Hollidaysburg, about 64 ; Elias Moore, of Scotch Valley, about 65: James Hopkins, then of Logan township, now of Lee county, Illinois, about 65; A. K. Bell, then of Bell's Mills, but now pastor of the Baptist church of Altoona, about 65 years.
The Sheridan Troop was organized July 15, 1871, with C. S. W. Jones, captain, and J. C. Akers, first lieutenant. Mr. Jones was re- elected captain in 1876. George Grenninger was elected first lieu- tenant, July 1, 1874, and re-elected to same position July 1, 1879. T. M. Fleck was elected second lieutenant December 1, 1875. The company numbers fifty-eight men, who, fully equipped with uniforms, carbines, revolvers, saddles, bridles, etc., present a fine military ap- pearance. Connected with the troop is a fine cornet band.
EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION.
Up to the 8th day of July, 1880, Tyrone met with no serious ro- verses. Abont three o'clock on the morning of that day a fire broke out in the livery stable attached to the City hotel. The stable was burned to the ground. Its contents, including nine horses, a number of buggies, carriages, wagons, etc., were also destroyed. The third story of the City hotel, as well as a two-story frame building occu- pied by the Blair County Banking company, clothing firm of Mem- inger & Stewart, and by Dr. J. M. Gemmil as an office, disappeared with the flames; also, a frame two-story house with a one-story addi- tion owned by James T. Owens, and occupied by W. B. Stewart asa shoe store and dwelling and by Mrs. S. G. Black as a notion and stationery store. The next victim of the fire was a two-story frame building owned by John A. Crawford & Bro., of Sinking Valley, and occupied by John W. Thomas as a dwelling and by Smith & Gray, grocers. From this point the flames leaped across an alley and attacked a large brick building owned by the heirs of Wesley Nowlin, deceased, and occupied by Templeton, Crawford & Co., as a dry goods store, the roof and upper story of which were partially de- stroyed. A large frame warehouse in the rear of the store and a frame dwelling house in the same locality, also belonging to the Nowlin estate, met a similar fate. A frame dwelling honse, owned
243
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
by W. Fisk Conrad, was next consumed. A dwelling house adjoin- ing, owned by Mrs. Rebecca Walker, was totally destroyed. The "Herald" building, adjoining the City hotel, on Main street, the first floor of which was occupied by D. B. Wilson as a book and sta- tionery store, the second floor by the "Herald" printing office, and third floor by the Grand Army of the Republic, was partially de- stroyed-the first story remaining. Next to the "Herald" building a two-story brick house, owned by Patrick Flynn, the first floor of which was occupied by the Tyrone bank and the second floor as offices by D. T. Caldwell and John A. Mathias, as well as a two- story frame hall adjoining the bank building, also owned by Mr. Flynn, yielded to the flames. The latter building was occupied on the first floor by the post office ; P. Snecringer & Sons, tobacco dealers, and George H. Garner, dealer in drugs; second floor, "Democrat " printing office. Next destroyed was a frame building owned and . oc- eupied by P. Sneeringer as a dwelling, and by Messrs. Van Valzah & Wilson as a dry goods and grocery store ; also John Seullin's three- story brick building, occupied by him as a dwelling and merchant tailoring establishment; two-story frame building, used by I. P. Walton as a dwelling and jewelry store. An inconsiderable portion of personal property (goods, furniture, etc.,) was saved, and, in the absence of insurance the loss fell heavily upon many. The insur- ance, altogether amounted to about $100,000. The value of property destroyed was in the neighborhood of $150,000.
In response to a telegram transmitted by J. D. Hicks, of Tyrone, to Chief Engineer Rose, of Altoona, about an hour after the fire broke out, the latter gentleman with the Vigilant Steam Fire com- pany hastened to the scene of. the conflagration. When the call for help was received, Chief Engineer Rose and the firemen were in bed. Notwithstanding, in fifty minutes thereafter they arrived in Tyrone, fully equipped, and commenced the work of fighting the fire. Huntingdon had been called upon, and it was not long before it responded with a company of firemen and a steam fire engine. The Empire Hook and Ladder company, of Altoona, next made its appearance. These companies, with the Neptune, of Tyrone, all composed of fearless and active firemen, by concert of action, soon put an end to the devouring element.
REBUILDING COMMENCED.
Removing the debris from the burnt district commenced immedi- ately after the fire, and it was not long before active preparations
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
were made for the erection of more substantial and imposing build- ings on the site of those destroyed.
NEW RAILROAD DEPOT.
The new railroad depot, built on the site of the old one destroyed by fire, has just been completed. The ground plan is 474x68 feet, the basement is of the best and most durable stone, and the building consists of two stories above the basement. The north elevation shows one door in the centre; the east and west elevations, each two doors, and the south elevation, three doors, irrespective of the basement openings and the doors above the first story. On the first floor is the ticket office, dispatcher's office, express office, and several other departments. The apartments on the second floor are fitted and arranged for the office of the superintendent of the Tyrone di- vision, and his assistants. The main front elevation, with its octag- onal faces and angles, presents a fine appearance; but the entire building, finished in the best style of railroad architecture, is an im- posing and magnificent structure.
NEW IRON BRIDGE.
Besides these industries and improvements we may mention a new iron bridge which now spans the Bald Eagle creek. It is sev- enty-five feet in length-a very neat and firm structure. It is of sufficient width for wagons to pass each other, with extensions on each side for foot passengers. Soon another bridge, spanning the Ju- niata river, will be constructed.
TYRONE'S FUTURE PROSPECTS.
The iron-ore fields of Warriors-mark and Nittany valleys, and the Spruce Creek and Half-moon valley mines on the east; the inex- haustible coal* fields and lumber districts of Clearfield and Centre counties on the north and west, and the zinet and lead mines of Sinking Valley on the south-these resources, coupled with the beau-
*The product ranges from 40,000 to 60,000 tons per week. This coal is said to be superior to that mined in any other bituminons distriet. It yields, by analysis, seventy-four per cent. carbon, is comparatively free from impurities, makes but little ash, and consequently adds to its combustive power a medium percentage of volatile or inflammable gas. Large bodies of carbonate iron-ore, which mixes ad- vantageously with the hemitite and fossil ores of the Juniata valley, exists in part of the coal fields.
+ One of the lime-stone belts of the lower Devonian, cropping along the val- ley, yields a considerable amount of lead and zine, which, if properly developed through scientific skill, would start a remunerative business in the manufac- ture of oxides. Silex, or silica, in the form of glass-sand, is also abundant.
AUDERBACH
SINKING SPRING CAVE, NEAR TYRONE.
T
TELLN PUUNLATIONS
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
tiful Juniata}, which sends forth a never failing supply of pure wa- ter, together with its agricultural resources, must in the near future make Tyrone one of the most important and populous railroad towns of Pennsylvania. The health-imparting influences of the at- mosphere, and the beauty of natural scenery, combined with the ad- vantages already recited, point with unerring certainty to this result.
DIRECTORY OF TYRONE.
BOROUGHI OFFICERS.
Chief Burgess, C. S. W. Jones.
Treasurer. C. J. Kegel.
Assistant do, John F. Rung. Solicitor. J. D. Hicks.
TOWN COUNCIL,
Ist Ward-Samuel Berlin, E. J. Pruner. | 3d Ward-A. G. Morris, M. J. McCann. 2nd Ward-JJ. M. Smith, M. G. Crawford. 4th Ward-M. Stewart, Jno. Farrell, sr.
SCHOOL DIRECTORS. .
J. M. Calderwood.
A. B. Hoover.
D. P. Ray, st. J. S. Plummer. J. Il. Holtzinger.
S. S. Blair.
Constable, H. 1. Harpliam.
Borough Surveyor, II. V. Boecking.
CHURCHES.
Evangelical Lutheran (German) church, organized in 1869.
First Evangelical Lutheran (English) church, organized in 1872. J. I. Walterick, pastor.
Methodist Episcopal church, erected in 1855. Rev. J. F. Riddle, present pastor.
Presbyterian church, organized in 1857. Rev. S. M. Moore, D. D., pastor.
St. Matthew's Roman Catholic church. organized originally in Sinking Valley over thirty-five years ago ; church built in Tyrone in 1854. Rev. Father J. C. Farran. pastor.
Young Men's Christian Association, organized in 1870. President, Dr. J. C. Ham- ilton.
FIRE COMPANY.
The Neptune Hose Company. Organized in 1876. Incorporated as Neptune Steam Fire Engine Company in October, 1880.
# The historic Juniata flows through the valley, and at this point, has cut a narrow channel through the shale rocks of Brush mountain. Flowing nearly in the opposite direction, and reversely through the old primal bed of the JJuniata, is the Bald Eagle creek, which joins the river at Tyrone, in its ceaseless " march to the sea." Sinking Run, (see engraving of Sinking spring,) a beautiful mountain stream, enters a subterranean cavern at the upper end of town, comes to daylight on the margin of the Juniata, and forms its confluence with the river a short dis- tance above the mouth of the Bald Eagle. Sinking run is tapped some distance above the " Sink," by the main water pipe, and supplies the town with pure and un- adulterated water. Two other very fine mountain streams flow together below the " Big Fill" on the Tyrone and Clearfield railroad, and the pure, sparkling water comes rushing, gushing, foaming and bounding over the rocks, until it enters the Bald Eagle above East Tyrone. Numerous smaller runs and rivulets drain the basins that enter the great valley.
16
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Tyrone Lodge, 152, I. O. of O. F., re-organized in 1872. Meets every Wednesday evening in Heller's Hall,
Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, A. Y. M., organized in 1870. Meets the third Monday of each month.
MISCELLANEOUS ASSOCIATIONS.
Bald Eagle Building and Loan Association, incorporated in 1872. Sam'l MeCamant, president; JJ. M. Calderwood, secretary.
Emerald Beneficial Association, braneh 231, organized in 1872. William Vogt, president.
Tyrone Gas and Water Company, incorporated in 1868. C. Gnyer, president; 1. A. Stevens, secretary.
SHERIDAN BAND.
The Sheridan Band re-organized in 1879. Meets every Tuesday evening.
BANKS.
Tyrone Bank, organized in 1871. Caleb Gnyer, cashier.
Blair County Banking Company, organized in 1874. Robt. A. MeCoy, cashier.
BELL'S MILLS, OR BELLWOOD.
We are indebted to Miss Clarke, a daughter of Rowan Clarke, M. D., for the following article : Bell's Mills or Bellwood is a vil- lage, on the line of the Pennsylvania railroad, seven miles north of Altoona. It is named for Mr. Edward Bell, who was one of the first permanent residents in the village. Quite a large number of Mr. Bell's descendants are now living in or near Bell's Mills. The village is noted for its beautiful mountain scenery and pure healthy atmos- phere. The Allegheny mountains almost completely surround this valley. The only stream of water in it is the Juniata river, and it is so small at this point, that it can scarcely claim the name of river. There are quite a number of mills in the immediate vicinity of Bell- wood. It is also one of the principal coaling stations along the Penn- sylvania railroad. This place has become quite famous of late as the point to which all parties come on their way over the Bell's Gap railroad. This railroad was built eight years ago. Its chief object was to bring coal from the mines on the mountain to the Pennsylva- nia railroad cars; but it is much visited by strangers on account of the grand and romantie scenery surrounding it. The road is at present eight miles in length, but the company are building an ex- tension, which, when completed, will make a road twenty miles in length. The highest point is twelve hundred feet above Bell's Mills. The road winds along the side of the mountain, and crosses gorges over seventy-five feet deep. On all sides are mountains, and far be- low is the valley. On top of the mountain is a beautiful little re-
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
sort, called Rhododendron Park. This is a favorite place for picnics and excursions. The population of Bell's Mills has increased quite rapidly since the building of this railroad, and the business capacities of the place are much better than before. There are two stores and four churches in the village. In the cemetery are some graves bear- ing the date of the first years of the century. Bell's Mills has a population of about five hundred people. Nature has done much to make the village beautiful. A few touches from the hand of art would make it as pretty as any place of its size along the Pennsyl- vania railroad.
ROARING SPRING.
This thrifty little village is located in the southern part of the county, about seventeen miles south of Altoona, on the Morrison Cove railroad at the junction of the Bloomfield railroad. It has a population of about 600 inhabitants. The town derives its name from the spring located on the land of G. H. Spang, of Bedford, Pa. The spring sends forth large volumes of soft lime-stone water, and the beautiful surroundings are used as a favorite picnic ground by adjacent towns. The spring derived the name of "roaring" from the sonorous sound produced by the flow of the water over a rocky precipice at the fountain head, which could be heard for a mile or more. The artificial improvements, made some years ago, had the effect of destroying this gurgling sound. It still maintains its former name of Roaring Spring.
Daniel Bare and his son, D. M. Bare, of the grist and paper mills, purchased the major portion of the land on which the town is located from Job Mann, of Bedford, in 1863. These enterprising gentlemen at once saw that it was a very desirable location for a paper manufactory and the powerful volume of water emanating from the spring could be utilized to drive the machinery. They, in conjunction with John Eby and John Morrison, began the erection of a paper mill which they operated successfully, but it was destroyed by fire. It was again rebuilt and operated again for seven years when it was destroyed by an explosion. Phoenix-like, it arose from its ashes, and now it is one of the most complete paper manufac- tories in the State, employing in its various departments over one hundred persons. The enterprising firm have large stores in New York and Pittsburg. The mill is operated day and night, and the
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
mammoth Corliss engine is toiling its ceaseless rounds from Monday morning until Saturday night without stopping.
Besides the paper mill, Roaring Spring has a large grist mill, a commodious school edifice, four churches, telegraph office, etc. The spring itself, with its beautiful grove and charming surroundings, is a favorite resort for lovers of pleasure.
MARTINSBURG.
It is beautifully situated in Morrison Cove, about twelve miles from Hollidaysburg, on a branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, starting from Altoona. "Great Cove," in which it was situated, was settled in 1749, but the name was changed to " Morrison's Cove," in honor of a Mr. Morris, as early as 1770. It is an incorporated borough, with burgess and council. A number of rich ore mines are in the vicinity. This is the seat of the Juniata Collegiate Institute. [See page 25.]
This town was settled by Conrad Martin, a well-to-do farmer from Washington county, Md. Among the early settlers were ex- Sheriff Alexander Bobb, Abraham Stoner and Daniel Camerer. There are six churches within the borough limits-Lutheran, Metho- dist, Presbyterian, Church of God, German Reformed, and German Baptist. It contains a literary society and a cornet band.
About two and a half miles south of Martinsburg is a village called Fredericksburg, with about two hundred inhabitants, situated on Clover Creek, composed of "The Brethren."
WILLIAMSBURG.
This village is located in the southeastern part of the county, pleasantly situated on the Juniata river. It was laid out in 1794 by a German named JJacob Ake, who purchased the land of Col. Canan. It was called Akestown, but previous to his death he changed its name to Williamsburg, as an honor to his oldest son, William, who was about to leave him and settle in Tuckahoe Valley. The old plan of selling lots on lease, by payment of one Spanish milled dollar yearly, forever, was adopted by him, and to this day, most all the lots yield that tax.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
A spring of very fine water flows through the centre of the town, which supplies several mechanical works. The furnace property is at present idle, but five dry goods, one grocery, one hardware and two drug stores indicate business. Homer Hewit has erected on the outskirts of the town an immense house for the propagation of poul-' try of rare and valuable breeds, as well as swine.
-
GAYSPORT.
In his history of Hollidaysburg, commencing with page 201, Mr. Snyder makes allusions to Gaysport. We add that it was organized as a borough on June 9, 1841. It contains about eight hundred in- habitants, and is free from debt. It is separated from Hollidaysburg by the Juniata river.
BENNINGTON FURNACE.
This is a small village, composed, principally, of the employes of the furnace located there. The Bennington shaft supplies Hollidays- burg with coal for coke. In the neighborhood are the mines of Den- niston, Porter & Co., which supply Gap furnace with coal; also the mines of Kittanning Coal company, of Philadelphia, shippers to mar- ket. The place is improving, the Cambria Iron company having re- cently erected ten doublé houses, in addition to what they previously built. A good boarding house or hotel is needed. There are two churches ; population about 700.
KITTANNING POINT.
This place was so named from the great Indian path or trail, be- tween Kittanning and the valley of the Delaware, which crosses the mountain through this gorge. Coal is extensively mined in the neighborhood, two branch railroads, each two miles in length, run- ning up the ravines to the mines. Population about 250. The post office has been removed to Glen White.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
ARCH SPRING.
This is a village with a population of 300 or 400, containing three churches, a post office and a seminary for young ladies. It lies in the vicinity of Tyrone. It derives its name from a natural arch which spans the Sinking Spring. [See engraving on page 18.]
TIPTON.
This village contains three churches, among them a new Metho- dist church erected in place of the one recently destroyed by fire. Its location is ten miles east of Altoona and four miles west of Ty- rone, a station on the Pennsylvania railroad. Its population is about three hundred.
:
NEWRY AND DUNCANSVILLE.
Newry (a borough) and Duncansville are towns containing be- tween 300 or 400 inhabitants each. The other towns of the county are small settlements from fifty to one hundred inhabitants, all of which contain post offices. Their names appear in the list of post offices of the county, as follows :
POST OFFICES IN BLAIR COUNTY.
Altoona, Arch Spring, Bellwood, Bennington Furnace, Blue Knob, Canoe Creek, Clover Creek, Curryville, Duncansville, East Freedom, Eldorado,
Fostoria. Frankstown, Henrietta, Hollidaysburg, Glen White, (Kit'g Pt.,) McKee's Gap, Martinsburg, Mines,
Newry, Olivia, Ore Hill,
Poplar Run, Roaring Spring, Royer, Sabbath Rest, Sarah, Sinking Valley, Tipton, Tyrone, Williamsburg,
Yellow Spring.
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
POPULATION.
The population of Blair county in 1870 was 38,051. In that year the population of each township was as follows :
Allegheny township
1,913
Juniata township 621
Altoona city.
10,610
Logan township.
2.42)
Antis township
1.893
Martinsburg borough.
536
Blair township.
1,571
North Woodbury township
953
Catharine township
907
Snyder township
1,412
Frankstown township
1,553
Taylor township.
1,360
Freedom township
1,020
Tyrone township.
1,006
Gaysport borough.
799
Tyrone borough.
1,848
Greenfield township
1,233
Woodbury township
2,107
Hollidaysburg borough
2.952
Huston township.
1,335
Total
38,051
In 1875 the population of Altoona was 15,329, distributed as follows:
Fami-
Popu-
Fami-
Popu-
lies.
lation.
lies.
lation.
First ward.
418
2.322
Sixth ward.
478
2.267
Second ward ..
549
2.709
Seventh ward
114
557
Third ward.
373
2.088
Eighth ward.
262
1,265
Fourth ward:
417
2.093
Fifth ward ..
393
1,998
Totals 3,004
15,320
The population of the county in 1880 is 52,733. In one sense this is official, but after the revised report is issued from Washington slight inaccuracies may appear. We give the townships:
Allegheny township
2,148
Juniata township 723
Altoona elty.
19,740
Logan towhship.
4,582
Antis township.
2,282
| Martinsburg borough ...
567
Blair township ..
1.426
North Woodbury township.
1,695
Catharine township.
579
Snyder township 1.391
Frankstown township
1,783
Taylor township. 2,011
Freedom township
1,214
Tyrone township.
1,002
Greenfield township
1,286
Woodbury township.
1,900
Hollidaysburg borough
3,150
IInston township.
1,533
Total
52,733
It will be observed that the population for the last ten years has increased 14,682. Of this increase Altoona is credited with 9,130 ; Tyrone and Hollidaysburg, 198.
The following is the enmmeration of the various wards of Altoona for 1880:
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