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 136
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 136
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 136
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 136
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The Seventh Day Baptist Church of Hebron was incorporated September 23, 1869, with J. M. Greenman, J. H. R. Greenman, W. C. Reynolds, W. H. Hydorn, G. W. Stillman and S. Greenman, officials. The Hebron Cemetery Association was organized in February, 1882, with the object of establishing a burial ground near Hebron post office. The directors were Sylvester Green- man, L. R. Burdic, W. Hydorn, G. W. Stillman and J. T. Randall .. .. In 1889 the John Schollard store at East Hebron was assessed as a first-class store . The post-offices of the township are Hebron, in the southwest corner, and East Hebron, in the east center.
The officers of the township elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Supervisor, Mark Harvey; constable, E. D. Clare; treasurer, Edwin Hollen- beck: collector, H. W. Press; town clerk, John Schollard; auditor, F. M. Van Wegen; overseer of the poor, E. E. Swift; school directors, R. H. Peet, C. H. Sherwood; judge of election, Albert Eggleston; inspectors of election, Floyd Estes, Miles Higley.
PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Pleasant Valley varies in formation from Clara only in the greater width of elevated plateau. Sartwell creek flows south, and the feeders of Bell's run of the Oswayo runs north. The Chemung formation forms a narrow strip along the northern section, as an introduction to the fairer land of Sharon. The hills are
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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
bold and steep, and the canons narrow and deep, except in the agricultural valley of Sartwell creek. The population in 1880 was 211, increased, by 1888, to 300, the latter figure being based on the twenty-five Republican and thirty- five Democratic votes cast. The number of tax-payers in 1889 is 101, and the assessed value, $47,445.
Pleasant Valley township was assessed, in 1855, by Israel Burt, who found here S. M. Beckwith, L. Benjamin, Joseph Clark, George Coss, J. C. Fessen- den, Rodney, S. R. and William Fessenden, Nelson Fluent, D. Hause, William Jackson, Isaac Lyman, Louis Lyman, Hannibal Lad, Matthew and Henry McDowell, William Monroe, William North, Jacob Palmer & Son, James Read. J. J. Roberts, D. P. Roberts, George Weimer, J. T. Warren, William Warden and Dan. Yentzer.
In 1832 religious meetings were held from house to house, in Pleasant Val- ley, by Elder Pasco. More lately a congregation of United Brethren was organized. About this time, and later, the Indians built a lodge upon the land of George Weimer, which they used for their chief camp while hunting and fishing in this region. In 1846 the first school-house was raised by J. C. Fessenden (who suggested the name of the township after it was set off from Clara), and Miss Sally Standish was called to teach. Isaac and Peter North erected the first grist-mill in this township in 1851, at the head of Bell's run. It was a little concern of one run of stone, and used more as a corn-crusher than as a grist-mill. Simeon Beckwith opened the first blacksmith shop in 1868, and in March, 1884, Pleasant Valley post-office was established, with Pulaski Reed, master. The only post-office now in the township is Willis- ton .... In 1857 the first store was established, by Luther Benjamin.
The officers of Pleasant Valley township, chosen in February, 1890, are as follows: Justice of the peace, N. C. Hammond: constable, John McDowell; supervisor, Henry Yentzer; clerk, Wilson McDowell; treasurer, I. V. Reed; collector, John McDowell: auditor. Elmer Deming; judge of election, D. T. Yentzer; overseer of the poor, A. M. Beckwith: inspectors of election, E. B. Keeler, B. A. Haynes; school directors, J. L. Yentzer, H. D. North.
CHAPTER XIII.
GENESEE TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES-SETTLEMENT-NAMES OF PIONEERS-FIRST STORE -SCHOOLS- CHURCH-VILLAGES-ELECTIONS IN FEBRUARY, 1890. GENESEE FORKS POSTMASTERS-ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.
G ENESEE TOWNSHIP, bounded north by the New York State line, shows T the Chemung lands along the border and in the valleys of the west and middle branches of the Genesee river. Those streams in the eastern half flow north, while the sources of the Oswayo here flow west, leaving the great Pocono mountain in the center, bounded by the Catskill hills. At Genesee Forks the two branches named join the Genesee river, while from the east come in Cot- ton and Mundy brooks.
The population of the township in 1880 was 883. In 1889 there were 86 Republican, 99 Democratic, 7 Prohibition and 3 Union Labor votes
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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
cast. representing 975 inhabitants. There were 289 tax-payers in 1889, assessed $73,971. This township appears to have been established under the name of Loudon, but in 1830 the present name was given. The resi- dent tax-payers in 1831 were Cornelius Gannon, William and Wells Chaf- fee, George S. and T. Cady (later of Ulysses), N. Doty, Ben. D. Dolbee, Rich- ard, Consider and Harry Ellis (whose sons reside at Ellisburg), Russell Goff, John, Oliver and Lemnel Lovell, George Maynard, Horatio A. and Henry Nel- son, William Peet, John H. Rose, William Atherton and Fred Tanner. H. A. Nelson was assessor, assisted by Consider Ellis and Lemuel V. Lovell. Among the taxables was Goff's saw-mill, Richard Ellis' grist- and saw-mill, at Ellis- burg, and Ben. Dolbee's saw-mill, just north of Genesee Forks. The first settlement made in the Irish colony was in 1841, by Martin Moran, an Irish- man, and James Osborne and the Owens family, Americans.
Mr. Moran died about eighteen years ago. His son, Matthew, was the postmaster of Ore Bed. a post-office established in 1884 at the Irish settlement, now discontinued. Patrick Burke, Martin Moore, Patrick O'Donnell, M. O'Donnell and John Shamus were the first settlers at this point, coming in 1842; the Morans settled in Oswayo; and others, named in other pages, were also here; John Hart, M. McHale, Lawrence Moran and Peter Cunningham came in 1846. Henry Roche opened the first store in the Irish settlement, in Genesee township, in 1871. The first school-house in that settlement was built in 1850, and the first school was taught by B. Avery. There are now six schools in the settlement.
The Catholic Church of Genesee township (St. Mary's) was founded in 1844, when Bishop O'Connor, Rev. Smith and Rev. Gallaher visited this point. Rev. John Burns came next, followed by Father J. P. Cody. In 1849-49 Patrick Burke donated one acre for church building, and the old church building, still standing, was erected. Rev. J. R. Madigan succeeded Father Cody, and remained eleven years, attending all the churches of Mckean and Potter counties, or the district now attended by five priests. The present large church was commenced in 1879, and dedicated by Bishop Mullen June 28, 1881. Rev. Madigan and Rev. Pue were here after the war; Rev. Martin Meagher came in March, 1871; Rev. J. L. Madigan, in March, and Rev. P. Cosgrove in June, 1874. The same year Father Madigan returned, and on his removal to Coudersport, in 1883, Rev. M. R. Flood, the present pastor, was appointed.
Ellisburg, at the confinence of the head streams of the west branch of the Genesee, is a village on the roads which run from Genesee Forks to Coudersport and Raymond's Corners. In 1870 the old Stannard and Dickinson hotels fronted on the latter; the school-house, the houses of J. E. Munroe, S. G. Rouse, J. C. Cavenaugh and Mrs. Thompson, on the former; the Ellis store and dwel- lings, the saw-mill, Ellis' harness shop and the Harlow dwelling, on the main road. In 1836 Richard Ellis' dwelling and grist-mill were the only buildings there. This mill was erected by Ellis in consideration of a large land bonus. The general stores of Webster & Wilson and R. E. Henry are credited with a large business.
In December, 1886, W. H. Scoville, of Andrews Settlement, discovered a mound at Ellisburg. On exploring it were found parts of the skeleton of a man measuring between seven and eight feet. A large birch tree grew on the top of this mound, and round it were hemlocks two and two and one-half feet in diameter.
Keech post-office, on West creek, was established in July, 1883, with James H. Tilburgh, postmaster. Elias Keech erected a saw-mill here in 1844-45 .... Perryville, at the confluence of the Middle branch and Genesee river, early in the seventies was made up of H. O. Perry's woolen factory and dye house,
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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
a saw-mill, G. W. Hackett's grist-mills, and the dwellings of H. O. and A. H. Perry, G. W. Hackett, O. W. Hickox. F. Howard. T. Moon and W. Hill.
The officers of the township, chosen in February, 1890, are as follows: Supervisor, Thomas Maxwell; treasurer, John Simons; constable, H. G. Hurd; collector, H. G. Hurd; town clerk, F. S. Alexander; school directors. Ira Easton, J. A. Keech; overseer of poor, N. Chapman; judge of election, James McNulty; inspectors of election, J. F. Collins, D. O'Donnell.
Genesee Forks .- The first post-office at the Forks was established on the hill before the war, with Isaac Annis postmaster, and Isaac Dawley mail-car- rier to Joel Raymond's office at North Bingham. Seth Roberts came next, then Resolva Easton, next Mr. Whittaker, followed by Easton, all before the war. About 1867 Jerome Diamond built the first hotel in the present village, and carried on the office until Mr. Carpenter was appointed in 1880 or 1881. J. B. Robbins was appointed by the late administration, and served until S. F. Alexander was appointed in 1889. He established his store here in March, 1886, buying the interests of Hiram L. Jones, the first tenant of the store.
The Waterman House was built in 1886, for Jerome J. Waterman, at a cost of about $4,000. On December 25 that year it was opened by a party of 147 couples. The first store at Genesee Forks was established, twelve years ago, by John H. Carpenter, who is in business now. He started in the old cheese factory, now the Waterman House barn, and continued one year until he built his present store.
Martin V. Ryan Post, No. 372, G. A. R., was chartered October 17, 1883, with the following members: Jerome J. Waterman, 37th New York; Patrick Kane, Pennsylvania Artillery; A. H. Perry, 53d Pennsylvania; W. A. Whittier, New York Infantry; Isaac Dawley, 149th Pennsylvania; G. A. Leach, 85th New York; M. R. Grover, 53d Pennsylvania; George Barlow, 53d Pennsylvania; James Ryan, 46th Pennsylvania; W. D. Atherton, - Pennsylvania; Isaac Har- ris, James Tilburgh, T. R. Tracey. B. F. Bishop, John Collar, C. G. Woods, William Hawks, J. Odell, A. J. Barlow, E. L. Fuller, E. Hackett, J. A. Keech, Isaac Harvey and Lewis Fish. J. J. Waterman was first commander, followed by M. R. Grover, James Briggs and Amos C. King, the present com- mander. T. R. Tracey has served as adjutant since 1883, except for a short term when the position was held by J. Tilburgh.
Dennis Clancy Camp, S. of V., No. 205, was organized June 22, 1888, with D. W. Kane (captain), F. Dawley, George Gray, N. Wright, T. T. Gray, B. L. Chapman, C. E. Kenyon, M. W. Briggs, G. O. Briggs, G. Kenyon, C. W. Tracey, Patrick H. Kain, J. D. Claucy, E. Hawks and W. M. Berry. T. T. Gray is now captain.
The K. of H., No. 2016. was chartered August 27, 1880, with Norman Chapman, B. F. Sherman, I. E. Easton, F. M. Teater, E. L. Fuller, A. C. Ellis, V. M. Stannard, J. J. Waterman, C. L. Crum, C. J. Hackett, D. Lewis, J. Lewis, S. Robbins, A. L. Robbins, John Ahearn, J. Carpenter, W. C. Whittaker, W. W. Howard and A. A. Elliot.
Genesee Forks, E. A. U., No. 366, was organized December 20, 1883, with C. L. Palmer, F. B. Bingley, W. C. Hawks, Willard Hickox, Stephen C. Hurd, A. Childs, William Atherton, C. W. Parker, James Patterson. Geo. Leach, D. Freeman and Elsworth Hawks, officials.
Acme Division, No. 136, Sons of Temperance, was organized August 9, 1886, with Mesdames A. H. Briggs, R. A. Cassy, E. J. Genung, E. C. MeCarn, S. T. Smith, A. C. Race and Julia Slawson; Misses Cora Robbins, Ione Briggs, Carrie Gates, Kate Roche, Gertie Easton, Kate Tilburgh and Ella Ellis, and fourteen male members.
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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
Genesee Forks Cemetery Association was incorporated in September, 1887. with Thomas Coulston. J. J. Waterman, John C. Keech, Ira Easton and Gra- ham Hurd, directors.
The frame for a church building was erected at Genesee Forks in 1850, but this was the extent of the venture. The various Christian associations have representatives there, however. The mercantile circle comprises M. D. Briggs, J. H. Carpenter and W. C. Alexander & Son, general merchants, and Jerome J. Waterman, hotel-keeper.
CHAPTER XIV.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
EARLY NAMES AND LOCATIONS-FIRST SCHOOL TEACHER-EARLY CHURCHES -BUSINESS HOUSES, HOTELS, MILLS, ETC. HARRISON VALLEY-BUSINESS CIRCLE-METHODIST AND BAPTIST CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ETC. THE VILLAGE OF MILLS-ITS LUMBER AND OTHER INTERESTS-I. O. O. F .- TOWNSHIP OFFICERS ELECTED IN FEBRUARY, 1890.
H ARRISON TOWNSHIP occupies the northeast corner of the county. Here the headwaters of the Cowanesque wander everywhere through Chemung valleys, all productive as well as picturesque. The Catskill forma- tion, however, covers the greater area, with Pocono just peeping in from the south and east. A grit of grindstone outcrops a mile southeast of Harrison valley, on the old H. Holcomb tract, distinct layers appearing above the Cowanesque, while in the northeast corner a ferruginous limestone exists in the junction layers of the Chemung and Catskill, which supplies a good lime for agricultural purposes, and may be used for mortar. The old lime-kiln is remembered by N. H. Stone for forty five years; but Mr. Stevens states that there was no lime burned there since he arrived.
The population in 1880 was 1,162. In 1888 there were 288 Republican, 77 Democrat, 19 Prohibitionist and one Union Labor votes, representing 1,925 inhabitants. In 1889 there were 590 tax-payers, while the assessed value was $123,693. Thaddeus Stone and William H. Warner came in 1825, settling one mile west of White's corners, and immediately after immigration flowed in until 1831. There were in the township the following tax payers: William, Thomas and Hiram Colvin (moved to Mercer county); Abel (died in Michigan) and Calvin (died here) Commings; Joe H., Francis and Thomas J. Cornish (all dead); Peter and Lewis Chamberlin, Joseph Cole (who settled on the old John White farm), Henry A. Cousens, George Champlin, Silas Billings, S. R. Barton, George Bowman, Samuel Baker, Leonard Brace, Squire Benjamin, Theo. Doty (lived in Bingham) and son, Thomas English (died six years ago), George Doty, Elisha English (died in New York State), John Erway (died many years ago), Jolin Foy, Alb. Ferris, Amasa Finch, William Gleeson (moved away), Samuel, Owen and George Gardner (Owen Gardner killed his wife by accident), Samuel Goodrich, Giles Hurlbut (died half a mile below the village), David Holmes, Samuel Ingersoll, Joseph Johnson, Archibald Knox, Aaron Kelly, Steve Hall, Charles H. Metcalf, Stephen Outman (died fourteen years ago), Ansel Purple, Asa Perry (lived on North fork, and hanged himself about forty-
Rodney L tickets
1087
HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
eight years ago), Bazle, Robert and Levi Phelps, James Rose, Dennis Hall. Dan Rooks (died about 1879); Thaddeus (died in 1885), Rensallaer, Levi K. and Levi Stone; Horace Streeter, Henry Stebbins, Nathaniel Summers (moved to Mercer county, Penn. ), Zalnathan Smith, Samuel W. Stone (died in 1888). Joseph Shourgoun, Martin Snyder, Miles Thompson (died on Kettle creek), Eli and Hiram Taylor (died here in early years), Isaac Thompson (saw-mill owner and Baptist deacon), James Trowbridge, Elijah Tubbs, William H .. Samuel and Nathaniel Warner, Dan Wise, Philander Wise and Charles H. Richman; William H. Warner (who died west of White's corners about twenty- eight years ago, and had an old-time buggy or gig), and Elisha English and Thomas Colven, the assessors; Zalmon Robinson, who was an old surveyor, resided here, and also Samuel Robinson, the Whites, Phil Mccutcheon, Jonathan Smith and the Pearces, one of whom was killed by a tree.
The early locations are pointed out as follows: Half a mile southwest of the village was Springer's log cabin, in 1849. Deacon Thompson had a frame house where the village of Mills now is, also Jerry Thompson, his son ; while between the settlers named was a deserted house, afterward occupied by B. Stillson; Kenny's log-house was just west of that village, while, beyond, Aaron Webster held the present Hubbard Harrison farm; the Beebe and Fuller farms being beyond this. At the foot of the Beebe hill, one Commings was killed during a quarrel, in 1851 or 1852. On the old State road to Genesee fork lived Ira Ellis, about half a mile beyond H. N. Stone's present house; while beyond was the log-house of Elijah Ellis, and still farther, Arnold Hunter, then Ephraim Olney, Amos English, - Head, Thomas and Elisha English. the Schofields, Thomas Cornish, Willard Pearce, Aaron Marble, and Solomon Burtis; Benj. Tubbs (father of Elijah, named above) was one of the oldest settlers; Samuel Haynes was here prior to 1849, when Kelsey Stevens' family arrived. There were several farms cleared along the valleys, in 1849, but where Harrison Valley now is, only one house, Goodman's, existed then, which was a frame; while below, where Henry Commings' widow resides, was a double log-house, built by Harvey Metcalf before the " thirties;" but when Mr. Stevens came in 1849, a farmer named Daggett resided there. Thomas Colvin's house was a half mile below where Rednor now resides, near the tannery in which he kept hotel; half a mile farther down was Hiram's house, still standing and looking almost as well as it did in 1849; Nathaniel Sum- mers, Israel Doge's saw-mill, the Erways, Mr. Courtright (a soldier of 1812), the Sacketts, Claus Warner, Scoville and Daniel Rooks (one of the pioneers). On the road to White's corners were S. W. Stone, and one-half-mile north Ezra Commings, on the H. Laughton place; also Thomas Laughton. When the Stevens family arrived they purchased the next farm owned by Abel Commings, who moved to Michigan, next Calvin, Ezra. Henry and Alfred Commings; Samuel Howe, Thaddeus Stone, Henry Hurlbut, Giles Hurlbut. Samuel Robinson; then Samuel Howe and Harvey Metcalf (west of the main road); the Taylors lived above Robinson; Samuel Haines (now part of the Erway farm), then Stephen Outman; next the Smiths, Aaron Marbles, Dr. White, a pioneer physician (Dr. Rich resided here before 1849), the Hunts, and the Warners: John White (the merchant), Sol Burtis (who held the Tubbs farm), the Lattas, William H. Warner and sons, and the Dickeys resided on the Rose farm, and so on to the three corners, where the settlements ended. The following named also resided on the road down the creek: the Richmonds, the Wykoffs (where Dan Metcalf lived in 1849), and between the Colvins was Sol. S. Robinson. Scattered throughout the township, in 1849, were Samuel Metcalf, Oliver Potter, Theo. Holcomb (came later), Theo. Metcalf.
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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
Charles Gill, Silas Fox (a soldier of 1812, whose widow is now a pensioner), Charles Gill, Oliver Jacob, Isaac Herbert (where is Fletcher's farm), the Jacobs and Bazil Phelps. In another district were the Hubbards, the Cottons, David Kibbe (on the Whistler, owned by H. N. Stone for the last thirty years), Phil. MeCntcheon, Lewis White (on the Alex. White farm); William Gill has resided on the Whitney farm for the last forty years. East of White's corners were Morgan Johnson and De Witt White ( who lived on the old Pearce farm for forty years); Thomas Statham has resided on the Asa Perry farm for forty years; the Steadman farm was occupied by J. Smith; also Henry Clark's farm, and, north, the Statham farms.
East of the Statham farms, toward the northeast corner of the county, were Octavus Steadman and Nelson Gill, while on the Tioga county line were Simeon Lewis, the Wilkinsons, Joseph Lilly, Reuben Harris (the peddler and store- keeper at North Fork, who made potash and black salts), Ezekiel Hotchkiss (the blacksmith, whose wife used the camp-fire for a kitchen), J. I. Harris and Samuel Warner (an old gray-haired man in 1849, who traveled on his bare feet).
David Gardner's water saw-mill was erected near the lime-kiln which is in running order still. On the cross road running west were Eber and Lyman Dibble, Thomas J. Kibbe, Joe Cotton; and west from E. Hotchkiss' house were James Snyder, Frank Steadman and John Snyder. White's Corners Cem- etery, and sundry graves on the bank of the river, near the Harrison Valley lumber mills, show where many of the early settlers were buried, Mrs. Giles Hurlbut being among the first adults buried there. Mrs. Rensallaer Stone, now a resident of Hector. was one of the first school teachers in Harrison.
The post-offices in Harrison township are as follows: Elmer, Harrison Valley, Mills, North Fork and White's Corners.
The Baptist Church of Harrison Valley was incorporated September 22, 1855, on petition of J. C. Thompson, Isaac Thompson, J. B. Watrous, Thomas A. Watrous, Kelsey Stevens, O. Watt, B. W. Stillson, Lewis S. Robertson, P. W. Griffin, S. S. Rasco, S. K. Stevens and George Hurlbut, the trustees, and other members, but prior to this the Baptists of the district were Lewis Manning, Will- iam Gill and Elder Thomas. In 1837 John Rooks, the clerk of the society here, reported thirty-five members. In 1850 the society was received into the Canisteo Association, and in 1862 the association assembled at Harrison Valley. The Methodist Church of Harrison township was incorporated in December, 1855, with Thomas Statham, Edwin Statham, Henry Clark, Merrill Sackett and Nel- son Gill, trustees. A church house was built by the society at North Fork, which is still in use. White's Corners Cemetery Association was organized December 15, 1874, with W. J. Latta, James Ladd, W. L. Warner, Lewis White and E. Statham, trustees. The cemetery is about as well kept as that at Ulysses. The general stores of W. H. Warner and H. O. Chapin are located in this old settlement. At North Fork is the O. H. Snyder store, and at Elmer is that of Manning & Dodge.
The township officers elected in February, 1890, are: Justice of the peace, A. A. Swetland; supervisor, Frank Steadman; constable, Fred Harrison; town clerk, L. G. Stevens; treasurer, George White; collector, Mckinney Erway; school directors, O. W. Strang, J. W. Stevens; auditor, C. Van Debo; overseer of the poor, H. N. Stone: judge of election, J. O. Potter; inspectors of election, G. E. Havens, E. Outman.
HARRISON VALLEY.
The first post-office Mr. Stone remembers at Harrison Valley was at Col-
1089
HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.
vin's, and Bennett, who lived there in 1849, was postmaster. Among the old postmasters were Henry Commings, Widow Fletcher, Hamilton White (who re- signed and left the settlement without an office), Norman Buck (appointed about 1865). Jason W. Stevens (appointed in 1869, and served until succeeded by Hamilton White in 1885). In April, 1889, C. H. Doud was appointed. The first store at Harrison Valley was that of Richard Goodman, who was in bus- iness here about 1844. Henry Commings opened a grocery and notion store some time later. Lewis Stone opened a stock in 1852-53. In 1860 Simon Wilcox built a store-house, which is now the rear of the Opera House. Nor- man Buck followed Wilcox, and continued business from 1863 to 1870; Morris Kizer followed in 1870-71, when Brown & Noble rented the store from Buck, while S. K. and J. W. Stevens purchased Kizer's stock. The pioneer store was continued by Widow Goodman from about 1855 (the time of her husband's death) to 1867, when G. W. and S. K. Stevens rented the building and purchased the stock, which, next year, was sold to L. S. Robertson & Son, who in 1869 sold to J. W. Stevens, who carried on business in the old house until 1876, when he erected his present store-house. In 1878 Mrs. Goodman resumed business in the old house, and continued two years, after which the house was variously occupied. In 1884 G. W. Stevens & Son built their present store adjoining the old building.
The first hotel, other than Colvin's, which stood where the Harrison Valley House now stands, was an old log-house, built about sixty years ago by one Stratton, and the hill, where H. N. Stone's house is, was called Stratton Hill. Purple followed about 1835, and he was followed by Hiram Colvin, next by his widow, then by Richard Goodman, next by Sam. Goodell or Bartholomew, Jed. Thompson, G. W. Stevens and H. N. Stone; the latter bought Stevens' interests and sold to Isaac Hurlbut twenty-one years ago. Hurlbut sold to Phillips, who rebuilt the house, and sold to Mrs. Rosalind Hurlbut. Early in the " seventies" the village was made up of Hurlbut's hotel at the cross roads: N. Buck's store, opposite; Kruser's grist-mill and blacksmith shop, on the northwest corner; the Baptist Church, northeast of the hotel; J. W. Stevens' store; Justice Beebe's office; J. P. Simmons' general store; E. H. Robinson, blacksmith and wagon shops; Drs. H. R Kendall's office, and the dwellings of the persons named, with those of J. Dunham, J K. Burton, Charles Doud, Mckinney Erway, J. Jennings. Mrs. Commings and Mrs. Good- man. The Erway House was built in 1876 by Mckinney Erway, who has since conducted the house. J. Bottom & Co., grain dealers, 1883, were the first railroad agents here and at Nelson (they erected a grain warehouse); then Dewitt Baxter, who was succeeded in December. ISSS, by W. A. Ellison. The depot was built in 1883.
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