History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics, Part 109

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 109
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 109
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 109
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 109

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).

The Teachers' Institute was organized in 1867, and the seventh annual meeting held December 2, 1873, with J. B. Johnson, superintendent of schools, presiding. Miss M. C. Simpson presided over the business meeting with J. W. Eldred, secretary.

PHYSICIANS.

In the history of Elk county reference is made to the first physician who settled on Bennett's branch. The first physician who practiced within the limits of this county was Dr. Kincaid. * He settled near the present village of Sterling Run, and for years treated the various diseases that flesh is heir to. One incident occurred in his practice, that is remembered distinctly by the people who were living in the country at that time, that is somewhat amusing. He was treating a patient at the old Dent place on Bennett's branch. Leaving his saddle-bags outside, near the creek, while he went within the house, a cer- tain cow, not having the fear of the god Esculapius before her eyes, and in- stigated by the very spirit of mischief and with malice aforethought proceeded to eat the saddle bags and all their contents, and when the Doctor returned she was quietly chewing the end. If the proof of the pudding is in the chew . ing of the bag, by a parity of reasoning that cow should have obtained the full benefit of the medicine, but what was the actual effect upon the animal or what became of her, or how the Doctor replenished his stores, this deponent sayeth not, as history is entirely silent upon those points. We have to add

* From John Brooks' Centennial sketch.

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

that the Doctor was the father of the great Baptist missionary to India, Eugenio Kincaid.

In the sketches of the several townships, villages and boroughs mention is also made of the old physicians who practiced within what is now Cameron county.

The Cameron County Medical Society was organized July 25, 1879, and the following officers elected: President, W. H. DeLong, M. D., Emporium; vice-president, S. S. Smith, M. D., Driftwood; secretary, E. O. Bardwell, M. D., Emporium; treasurer, R. P. Heilman, M. D., Emporium. The list of members comprises W. H. DeLong, R. P. Heilman, E. O. Bardwell and S. S. Smith, of Emporium; E. G. Torbert, of Driftwood, and C. S. French, of Sterling.

February 16, 1882, the by-laws were approved by the State Society, and in May, 1882, the society was represented in the Pennsylvania State Society by E. O. Bardwell. In 1883, owing to the paucity of the membership, the society voted to join and did join the Elk County Medical Society. At the present time all the regular physicians in Cameron county are members in good standing of the Elk County Medical Society. John C. McAllister, Jr., registered in December, 1889, as a physician of Cameron county. In March of that year he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Balti- more, Md. Dr. J. G. Bryan died at Jacksonville, Fla., in December, 1889.

COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS.

Agricultural Societies -. The first agricultural society was organized Sep- tember 20, 1876, with the following named officers: President, John Brooks; vice-presidents, J. L. Cook, C. H. Sage; secretary, A. H. Boynton; treasurer, J. Henry Cochran.

With a view to the holding of a county fair early in October, the following gentlemen were selected as a committee of arrangements: Emporium-Dr. J. G. Bryan, J. W. Cochran, J. B. Newton, George W. Warner, John Day, J. W. Phelps, C. B. Gould, Jonathan Gifford, L. G. Cook. S. Kirk, C. C. Fay, J. C. Johnson. George Metzger, H. C. Olmsted, L. Taggart, D. P. Catlin, Joel Shives, Henry Edgcomb, J. M. Judd. Riley Warner, Dr. J. T. Lanning, J. W. Frank, R. M. Overhiser, E. R. Mayo, C. Sweazey, M. M. Larrabee, Seneca Freeman, James Matteson, A. G. Holbrook, J. F. Parsons, H. C. Rockwell, G. A. Walker, I. Morro, Amos Finton, J. P. Felt, Edward J. Ralph, N. Seger, F. D. Leet, M. C. Tulis. Shippen-J. S. Wiley, W. Russell, Allen Russell, Sol. Ross, John Jackson, Charles Weller, L. B. Jones, L. A. Freeman, Noah Parker, Karl Zimmer, N. P. Minard. I. L. Craven, George Thayer, R. E. Thompson, Gillis Bliss, B. S. Morrison, John Morrison, L. T. More, J. R. Buckwalter, W. C. Clark, C. C. Craven, George Dodge, B. Sweazey, Philip Lewis, Morris Lewis, John C. Lewis. William Lewis, Aden Housler, Joseph Housler, B. L. Emery, Franklin Hausler, John Chandler, Henry Haines, Henry Lewis, Penrose Chadwick. Portage-L. Lucore, D. Burlingame, W. L. Ensign, N. D. Sizer, E. D. Sizer. Lumber-P. W. Whiting. W. P. Her- rick, Philip Smith, John Chapman, C. C. Devling. C. C. Lyman, E. P. Lester, J. H. Barrows, G. H. Mayo, Matt. Phoenix, V. A. Brooks, Milo Bull. D. D. Alderfer, H. J. Smith, Joseph Ritchie, John Summerson. Gibson- John Mason, James Wylie, B. V. Wykoff, Hezekiah Mix, Levi Hicks, Adam Smith, Darius Barr, Reuben Collins, Harrison Logue, William Dent. G. W. Huntley, Isaac Smith, William Wylie, Washington Mason, William Miller. Drift- wood-Col. J. S. Bates, C. Y. White, D. J. McDonald. Levi Musser, J. B. Earl. R. Rothrock. Grove-R. M. Williams, G. A. Barclay, Josiah Fink.

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

Jacob Shafer, Washington Bailey, J. W. Phillips, George Goss, John A. Wy- koff, John C. Logue, Isaac Ramage, Joseph M. Shafer, A. P. Floyd.

The Cameron County Agricultural Society was incorporated November 19. 1881, with G. A. Walker, Joel Shives, J. B. Newton, Allen Russell, J. G. Bryan and J. W. Cochran, trustees. They, with the following named, were the stockholders: J. D. Logan, H. Edgcomb, R. P. Heilman, L. G. Cook, Frank Shives, H. C. Olmsted, William Frane, A. A. McDonald, C. C. Fay and B. W. Green.

Centennial Association. - The county organization. for the purpose of mak- ing arrangements for and carrying out the celebration of the Centennial Fourth in 1876, comprised: President : E. R. Mayo; vice-presidents: Shippen-J. S. Wiley, W. C. Clark, L. T. More, Benjamin Emery, Joseph Housler; Port- age -- William L. Ensign, L. Lucore; Lumber-P. W. Whiting, D. R. Nel- son; Driftwood-Henry Cochran, Levi Musser; Gibson-John Brooks, Heze- kiah Mix, G. W. Huntley; Grove-Charles Barclay, Isaac Ramage, R. M. Williams. Marshal, J. W. Phelps: assistant marshals, L. Taggart, J. O. Brookbank, J. M. Shafer. Committee of arrangements: Emporium-C. B. Gould, William Howard, G. A. Walker. J. W. Cochran. S. S. Hacket, F. D. Leet, L. G. Cook. Samuel Kirk; Shippen-W. C. Clark, Franklin Hausler, Charles Weller; Lumber-Green Mayo, R. and J. Barrows, Milo Bull; Driftwood-Col. Bates, Thomas Dougherty, Daniel McDonald; Gibson-M. J. B. Brooks. James Wylie, Isaac Smith; Grove-Joseph Shafer, Josiah Fink, Alonzo Bailey.

Semi- Religious Societies. - The County Temperance Convention was organ- ized at Sterling, April 10, 1874, with Levi Musser, president, and Thomas MI. Lewis, secretary. The delegates present were Miss Frances Pinney, Rev. L. H. Schenck, L. H. Chase, James Estes, William Herring, William Arnold, Rev. M. H. Moyer, David Chapman, Mrs. Jinks, Ella Herrick, John Lane, A. R. Smith, T. C. Page, Annie Page, Revs. A. E. Taylor, Washington Shaffer and J. W. Bell.

The County Sabbath school Association was organized in May, 1874, with L. Taggart, president; J. H. Cole, secretary; Philip Smith, treasurer; L. Musser, H. C. Whitner, Joseph Shaffer, Sr., D. R. Nelson, D. Burlingame. J. C. Chandler and George Metzger, vice-presidents.

RAILROADS.

In August, 1850, Lemuel Lucore sold to Cameron & Stanton the right of way for their railroad, then built as far as Salt Spring run. Work on the Phila- delphia & Erie Railroad was commenced in 1859, but suspended for a time. In January, 1862, the company entered into a contract with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to lease to the latter their partly-constructed road from Erie to Sunbury for a term of 999 years, subject to all incumbrances. The road was completed to Emporium October 20, 1863, and opened throughout its entire length in 1864. In December, 1881, the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad depot. above the junction of Bennett's branch extension of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, was moved to the junction, the last named company agreeing to leave title of building in the Philadelphia & Erie Company. The Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad was completed to Emporium December 23, 1872. The first rail was placed in October, 1867, on the old Buffalo & Washington Railroad. and completed to East Aurora January 23. 186S. Work was re- sumed September 15, 1870, and the road was formally opened to Emporium December 28, 1872, the borough entertaining the visitors. J. F. Parsons pur- chased the first ticket, and received the first bill of goods from Buffalo via this

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

road. This end of the road was called, in 1866, " The Sinnemahoning Portage Railroad."

The history of the Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad shows its completion from Driftwood to Red Bank in 1874 .... Lumber rail- roads run through several valleys, as noted in the township sketches.

CHAPTER VIII.

SHIPPEN TOWNSHIP-BOROUGH OF EMPORIUM.

SHIPPEN TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARY AND AREA-GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY-POPULA- TION AND ASSESSMENTS - MARCHI ELECTIONS, 1861 - PIONEER DAYS AND HOMES-LUMBER AND MILLS-OIL WELL, COAL MINING AND OTHER VEN- TURES-INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS-MISCELLANEOUS.

BOROUGH OF EMPORIUM-ITS EARLY HISTORY-MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS-POST- MASTERS AND POSTOFFICES-FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER COMPANY-BANK- MANUFACTURES-SOCIETIES-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-FIRES-FLOOD OF 1889- CONCLUSION.

S HIPPEN TOWNSHIP, bounded by Mckean county on the north, Elk county on the west, Portage and Lumber townships (Cameron county) on the east, Lumber township on the southeast and Benezette township (Elk county) on the south, is fourteen and one-half miles in length north and south, and eleven miles in breadth east and west, or 159.5 square miles, less 1.8 square mile, in the southeast corner attached to Lumber township. The area. if level, would be 102,080 acres, but owing to the number of high hills (some of them considered productive even to their summits), it is not an exaggeration to credit the township with 200,000 acres, of which the valley lands are par- ticularly rich.

The lowest elevation near the confluence of Canoe run and the Sinnema- honing, is 1,000 feet, the highest measured elevation, River Hill, just south of Emporium junction, 2,112 feet above ocean level. Northwest of Boon's Mount, anticlinal, it is a tableland of flat summits and drift-covered slopes of over 2,000 feet altitude, while southward it slopes to 1,700. The hills are covered with pine and hemlock, and in turn cover immense deposits of rock and in some instances mineral. North of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad are Elk run, Deep creek, Lewis, Britton and North runs, and Sinnemahoning Portage, all flowing into the Driftwood branch; Fishing. Clear, West, Canoe. Sterling creeks enter the branch from the southwest, while the headwaters of Hick's run and Dent's run are in the southwestern sections.

The population in 1880 was 1,217, excluding the 1,156 inhabitants of Em- porium, increased in 1888 to 2,070, the total being based on 230 Republican and 115 Democratic votes, recorded in November, 18SS. The assessment for 1889 was as follows: 448 taxables, exempt, $6,300; occupation, $12.001 ; seated real estate, $62,102; unseated real estate, $237,322; 215 cows and oxen, $2.862; 201 horses, 86,810; total, $321,097; money, etc., at interest, $10, - 791.97.

The assessment of Shippen township for 1836-37, was made by John Chad- wick. The resident tax payers, or those who paid taxes on improved lands, were Isaac Abbott & Co., twenty-two acres; W. Bassett, Joseph Britton, John

867

HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

Chadwick, Elihu Chadwick, Elizabeth Cummings, John Chandler, Elihu Chand- ler, Jonathan Colegrove, John Earl (the Cox heirs had sixteen acres improved). Benjamin Freeman, Brewster Freeman (owner of saw-mill and thirty-three acres improved) Samuel, Thomas and Joseph Hollon. Abram Housler (eleven acres), Joseph and Aden Housler, Stephen Lucore, Luther and Rufus Lucore. Lemuel Lucore, Robert, Daniel, William, Henry Lewis and William Lewis, Jr. * (had forty acres improved) and William Shields. David Crow (who had moved to Keating township), Ira Smith and Sylvester Squier had no improve- ments made on their lands. All the property, real and personal, of the above named, was valued at $8.456.

The March elections of 1861 for Shippen township, resulted as follows: Justice of the Peace : Philip Lewis, 70: Joseph Housler, 46; Franklin Cole, 81; John Beers, 59. Constable : Morris Lewis, 71; S. Ross, 76. Super- visor : William Lewis, 62; L. G. Cook, 85; Rob. Warner. 110. Auditors : George Thayer, 111; H. T. Taggart, 115; W. B. Jenks, 114. Election In- spectors : James Ingram, 10; D. Haas, 44. Assessors: Richard Chadwick. 61: M. C. Lucore, 48. Assistant Assessors : H. Havens, 98: William Pepper, 63: John Beers. 34. Clerk : J. M. Judd, 57; I. L. Craven, 43. Treasurer : C. C. Freeman, 65. School Directors: S. S. Hacket, 69; H. Lewis, 120; N. P. Housler, 109; H. F. Gifford, 113; J. Morrison, 114; N. P. Minard, 111; J. W. Morton, 48.

Ira Jenks was judge, S. Stiles and Daniel Haas, inspectors, with C. H. Ives and E. L. Bradley, clerks, of this first meeting.

From the beginning of 1876 to the close of 1882, no less a sum than $40.682.11 was expended on the forty or fifty miles of roads in Shippen township, and a debt of $27,000 created.

In this township the second series of settlements was made. Indeed, F. J. Chadwick groups the settlements together, and in his reply to John Brooks says: "The phrase ' first settlers ' includes Squire Freeman. Squire Crow, Col. Chadwick, Hiram Sizer, William Sterling. Joseph Ritchie, Joseph Mason. James Wylie. Benjamin Brooks, William Barr, Daniel Miller, James Mix, Hugh Coleman, James Shafer. William A. Wykoff, John Ramage, and others whose names do not at this moment come to my recollection. It is not dispar- aging to our forefathers to admit that as a class they did not become wealthy, for individual energy was insufficient to overcome the natural obstacles that hindered success, but to represent them as a class of profane, drunken boors, with less sense than the contemptible, disgusting savages, is worthy of a sharp rebuke, and if that is the way the 'rubric mothers' taught, may goodness save us from any more of that kind of teachings."

John Brooks, speaking of the pioneers, says: "Occupying, as they did, the remote outskirts of civilization, they were subjected to many privations inci- dent to this rugged section of country. Several of these early immigrants had done efficient service in the Revolutionary war, and in the war of 1812. Al- most all the vocations of the industrial classes were represented, and all could aid in the work of extemporizing a cabin for the accommodation of the recent immigrant. Among these early pioneers there were but few who professed Christianity, practically; most of them, however, held some theory of religion, mostly Baptist or Presbyterian in their views. Profanity was the common spice of conversation, and God was, if 'not in all their thoughts,' in all their mouths, and invoked in execrations and imprecations more frequently than by benedictions. The use of whisky was general; used by clergymen and

* William Lewis, one of the oldest settlers of Shippen township, born in New Jersey, in 1806, was found dead in his bed on May 6, 1889. A part of the site of Emporium belonged to him in years gone by.

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

at funerals, and upon all occasions; some more recent immigrants kept no cow, but always kept whisky in their houses, alleging that a barrel of whisky was of more value in a family than a cow." Some of the descendants of the early settlers yet have a remarkable prescience, and they prognosticate seasons and storms, with great assurance. Their prevision enables them to anticipate all the changes of the weather, and they are remarkable for their generosity, es- saying upon every opportunity to gratuitously advise all who may hear their converse of the future approaching vicissitudes, and mutations, that so much concern the lunatics. Some consult the milt or spleen of the hog, that organ situate in the left hypochondrium, and which was supposed by the ancients to be the seat of anger and melancholy; and from this organ they augur the sever- ity of the approaching winter. Some would quench their fires to prevent the generation of salamandies. The shrunken sinews in the shoulders of a horse were cured by placing some of the hair in augur holes, in some peculiar places, at some peculiar lunation. Incised wounds also were more readily healed by anointing the instrument that made the wound. Blood was stayed, pain miti- gated, and bots in horses cured by pow-wowing, or reciting some cabalistic phrase.

J. J. Chadwick, in his sketch of the Methodist Church, states: "About 1806. Joseph Ellicott opened a road from Dunstown, opposite Big Island, on the Susquehanna, to Ellicottsville, N. Y. Along its course, through the valley of the Sinnemahoning, twenty or thirty families settled previous to the general survey of the region, and as hunting was the general amusement, every adult male had a rifle, and every family a supply of hounds. In 1810 Cox, McMur- trie & Co. sent James Allen to lay out their town of Rich Valley." Surveyor Adlum ran the lines here years before, as related in the general history.

John Chadwick's home, burned in September, 1884. was built, mainly, in 1822, being the pioneer house of Rich Valley .... The forest fire of May, 1884, confined itself in this township to the destruction of standing timber. fences, etc. Payne, Cochran & Co.'s mill. and Hubbard's mill, at Cochran Station, were only saved by the greatest exertion. Buckwalter's mill, at Howard, had a narrow escape, while Judge More's residence and barn and other buildings at that place were several times on fire.

In July, 1876, the seven-year-old son of Denis Heher left home (Emporium) and lost his way. The people turned out en masse to search for the little trav- eler, but, after two days, the searchers returned unrewarded. Five days after the boy's disappearance, John Norris started for the woods, determined to make one more effort. On his way Norris overtook Peter Norton and Ed Mills, and the three went together. They proceeded up what is known as the Little George run, and when about a mile and a half from Plank Road Hollow, through a thick growth of underbrush and briars, Norris saw a place tramped down, and a number of little play-houses, apparently recently made, and a short distance from there. close by a log, under some bushes, the little fellow was discovered asleep. Mr. Norris immediately took him in his arms, and hurried to restore him to his frantic parents. He carried the boy fully three miles, only stopping once to give the child some water, which the little fellow piteously begged for. The news soon spread through the town, and there was general rejoicing. The child said he went to the place where found, the first night, and remained there during the time he was in the woods. He found plenty of berries, but got no water. He heard parties calling him, some of the party coming within a few feet of him, yet he kept quiet, probably through fear. The poor child was in a very weak condition, and probably would have been unable to even pick ber- ries after that day, on account of having no water during the time he was lost.

869

HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

The flesh on his feet and hands was terribly lacerated by the briars and bushes.

The business interests of the county have slowly developed. The first busi ness prosecuted, aside from the rude farming and hunting for the supply of immediate necessity, was that of lumbering. Each settler would get out a raft in the winter season, and in the spring run it to Big Island, as we have already seen, and trade it for supplies. Beyond this limited and individual enterprise. the first lumbering of any importance was started in the winter of 1846-47. by Jackman, Crocker & Co., at the Wiley place below Emporium. They erected a saw mill and began to manufacture sawed lumber for the market.

The business of floating logs began about 1849. John DuBois came to the county in 1847, and, in connection with John Brooks, first suggested the idea of a boom at Williamsport. He organized a company in 1848, and that winter got a charter for the boom at Williamsport. Wing and Getzel put in the first logs that were floated down the stream. They were put in near William Barr's. on Bennett's branch, and floated to the Williamsport boom in 1851. From this small beginning, the business of floating logs has grown to huge propor- tions, till millions upon millions of feet of lumber have been carried away, till the denuded mountains, panic-stricken, seem to be waiting in mute resignation for another class of toilers to inaugurate a new class of industries. Extensive saw-mills have been built at Sinnemahoning. Sterling. Cameron and in the vicinity of Emporium, and ere the panic of 1873 paralyzed the industries of the whole country, they were bringing wealth to the county, and since the revival of 1882 have contributed largely to the county's prosperity .... Amos C. Noyes, who represented this district in the legislature of 1870, was born in New Hampshire in 1818, and died in September. 1880. In 1847 he moved to Emporium, but in 1849 he went to Clinton county. He had large lumber and coal interests in Cameron, Clinton and MeKean counties. Col. Noyes was of Revolutionary stock.

The Clear Creek Logging Company was chartered September 17, 1884, with the same stockholders as the Driftwood company. ... The Mix Run Log- ging Company was incorporated September 21, 1883, Joseph W. and J. Henry Cochran being the local directors, and they, with F. A. Blackwell and W. G. Sanders. of Driftwood, were local stockholders, the others being residents of Will- iamsport ... . The Cowley Run Logging Company was incorporated March 21. 1884, with E. D. Sizer, G. F. Lane and W. R. Sizer, of Portage township, G. F. Smith and D. J. Smith. of Potter county, stockholders. . . . The Driftwood Log- ging Company was chartered September 9, 1884, with S. S. Hacket and H. L. Hacket, of Emporium, and the Howards and A. P. Perley, of Williamsport, stockholders .... Emery & Reading had 110 men in the woods of Dent's run, and a large force in their mill at Dent's run in June, 1887. The Emery & Reading Railroad was extended two miles. The Huntley mill was completed, and W. B. Robison, who moved his mill from Sinnemahoning, had it ready for work.

In November. 1864, John Brooks' tract, No. 5869, was leased to L. A. Ens- worth and others for lumbering purposes. In October of this year Herdic. Lentz & White purchased from C. C. Sellers and C. Ridder the pine and oak on tracts 4965 and 4966. In 1867 M. A. Mitchell sold to R. Parshall fifty acres of white pine, and in 1869 the Cameron Coal Company sold 4,000,000 feet of pine, hemlock and hardwood stumpage to Bremers & Neimann.

In September, 1877, the lumber statistics for the year were estimated as follows: Cochran Bros. take the lead as jobbers, and will put in 25,000,000 for the following parties :* Twelve million on Medix and Laurel runs, for Fin-

*Payne, Cochran & Co. and John E. DuBois closed the contract for the purchase of one of the most

870

HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

ley, Young & Co .; seven million on Hicks' run and Mosquito creek, for Wol- verton & Tinsman; three million on Mix run, for Merrimen & Son; three mil- lion for Pardee & Cook. on Mix run. In addition to this they will put in 2,000,000 for Ryan, Cochran & Co., on Mix run, making in all 27,000,000. Reading, Fisher & Co. will put in 8,000,000 on Laurel and Mountain runs, by J. Ardell and Demming Brothers; Ardell will also put in from 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 for Fletcher Coleman, on Mosquito creek, while Mr. Williams is op- erating for B. C. Bowman & Co. on Laurel run, and will put in 3,000,000; John A. Otto & Sons will put in several million on Laurel run by J. E. Put- nam & Co., probably running the amount up to 50,000,000 from this section. leaving 75,000,000 for other districts on the west branch.

As early as 1865 J. G. Bryan and Co. drilled a well at the mouth of Salt run, but the tools were lost at 450 feet; another, at the junction of Cowley run and Portage creek, was drilled to a depth of 1,400 feet, and a third, on the Weller farm, eight miles north of Emporium, to a depth of 700 feet. In this, at a depth of 300 feet, a show of oil was found. In 1868 A. H. Boynton drilled to 400 feet, one and one-half miles north of Bryan's No. 1. In 1873 the Emporium Company drilled 1,004 feet, and in 1877-78 Taylor, Aiken & Peet explored to a depth of 1,300 feet on the Wylie farm, and A. J. Houston put down a dry-hole on North creek. In September, 1881, the Cameron Coal Company put down trial wells on Canoe run.

In December, 1864, the development of 500 acres of the N. P. Minard min- eral lands was undertaken by John S. Dey. This Dey also leased the use of lands from Hiram Haven, G. W. Warner, William Aub, E. D. Sizer, Delos Burlingame, Mrs. L. Peaseley, L. Barr, C. S. Robinson, Solomon Ross and John Jackson. The object of Dey in leasing all this land was to engage in the petroleum, rock-oil and salt business. At this time B. S. Morrison, of Shippen township, leased to J. M. Judd & Co. a tract on Warrant 4950. The Judd Company also leased tracts from James S. Pearsall and J. K. Morrison on West creek, in Shippen township, but sold their interests in the leases to Charles C. Faries, December 31, 1864. In January, 1864, Rensselaer Hall purchased oil lands from William Floyd, but immediately thereafter assigned to John J. Lawrence and others .. . . The mineral lands of L. B. Jones in Ship- pen township were leased to John G. Bryan, and Mary D. Noland leased a tract on North creek to Berks Cornferth and Hiram Dodge.

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320