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 32

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 32
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 32
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 32
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 32

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).

McKean Post No. 347, G. A. R., was mustered in June 21, 1883. At the beginning of 1889 the following named were active members, names marked * being charter members:

B. F. Wright*, First Pennsylvania Rifles, Smethport. William H. Grumbine*, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. S. D. Freeman*, Bucktails, Smeth- port. D. A. Easterbrook#, Second United States Signal Service, Kendall Creek. A. H. Peirce*, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, Smethport. N. D. Foote#, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, Farmers Valley. J. D. Barnes*, Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kas- son. R. Sartwell#, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. W. H. Rifle", Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Norwich. S. G. Bush*, Fifty-eighth Pennsylva- nia Volunteers, Smethport. W. Broekham#, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. W. Ogilvie#, First New York Dragoons, Coleville. M. S. Sheldon", Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. A. Reed", One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers, Farmers Valley. E. P. Pratt", One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. J. Howard*, One Hundred and Forty-first New York Volunteers. Farmers Valley. H. S. Sawyer *. First Volunteer Cavalry, Farmers Valley. Charles S. Sanford*, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Smethport. George Ogilvie", First New York Dragoons, Farmers Valley. M. Rowan*, Thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, Smethport. J. L. Stanton", Fifty-sixth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. N. F. Ferris", Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. W. W. Brewer*, Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Mount Jew- ett. Emil Thamm*, Forty-first Missouri, Smethport; J. H. MeQuaid". Tenth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. M. O'Reilly", Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Smeth- port. R. E. Hooker", First New York Dragoons, Farmers Valley. M. R. McCauley", One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. William Smith#, One Hundred and Fifth New York Volunteers, Mount Jewett. J. M. Robinson, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kasson. A. L. Hughes, Indiana Cavalry, Smethport. P. Rowan, Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, Smethport. J. E. Henderson, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colegrove. S. W. Evans, Fifty- eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Norwich. John A. Marsh, Sixth Vermont, Norwich, F. Cox. One Hundred and Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kane. A. Ostrander. Two Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Port Allegany. W. Ostrander, Two Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Port Allegany. J. II. Sowers, Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, East Smethport. Thomas Walker, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, East Smethport. , II. K. Moore, Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Cole- ville. A. A. Wolters, Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. D. Smith, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth New York, Coleville. D. Sterrett, One Hundred and Thirty- first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Washington. E. Grover, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colegrove. S. Martin, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylva- pin Volunteers, Smethport. O. Brink, Thirty-third New York Battery, Smethport. H. L Burlingame, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. Jacob Hafner, One Hundred and Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Clermont. William Wilkins, Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kanesholm, F. J. Vickery, One Hun - dred and Ninety- fourth New York, Smethport. J. H. Ellsworth, One Hundred and Sev- enth New York, Smethport. J. Colegrove, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Cole- grove. W. H. Curtis, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. L. Rogers, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. W. C. Dickenson, Second United States Signal Service, Norwich. W. Grigshy. Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. H. M. Choate, Twenty-first New York Volunteers, Smethport. R. Kassel- bach, One Hundred and Tenth New York Volunteers, Olean. J. M. MeElroy, One Hun- dred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. J. H. Stull, Fifty-eighth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, East Smethport. H. B. Vincent, Fifty-first New York Volunteers, Smethport. A. Fields, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kane. G. W. Talbot, United States Navy, England. L. W. Searfass, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Kane. T. A. Morrison, One Hundred and Twenty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smeth- port. G W. King, One Ilundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, East Smeth- port. Ilerman Young, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. J. A. Briggs, One Hundred and Ninety-fourth New York Volunteers, Smeth- port. S. E. Quick, One Hundred and Forty fourth New York Volunteers, Keating. C. F. Holmes, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, Keating. T. W. Chandler, One Ilundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. D. Y. Lee, Sixth New York Artil- lery, Smethport. Asa Champlin. Thirteenth Artillery, Farmers Valley. William Cas-

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

key, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. G. H. France, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. D. E. Robbins. Sixth New Hampshire Artillery, Smethport. P. O'Brien, Third New York Volunteer Excelsior Brigade, Smethport. S. Lewis, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers, Colegrove. E. R. Mayo, Third Maine Light Battery, Smethport. T. Ray, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. Il. C. Hammon, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. J. C. Backus", J. K. Graham". E. V. Chadwick#, Joseph Hoover*, Patrick MeCabe*, George Badger*, R. E. Tooker", J. Londragon". Henry Herring". B. II. Farman".

B. F. Wright was chosen commander. and J. K. Graham was acting adju- tant until appointed adjutant in July. In 1884 A. L. Hughes succeeded Gra- ham. but H. L. Burlingame filled the office until he was appointed, rice Hughes, in July. J. C. Backus was commander in 1885 and Burlingame adju tant. William H. Grumbine was chosen commander in 1886; Lucius Rogers in 1887, with the adjutant of 1885-86 still in office. In December. 1887. J. M. McElroy was elected commander, and H. M. Choate adjutant, who served until January, 1889. when Adjt. Choate was elected commander, and Lucins Rogers was appointed adjutant. The officers for 1890 are: S. G. Bush. C .; C. S. Sanford, S. V. C .; H. L. Burlingame, J. V. C .; Emil Thamm, Q. M. : T. W. Chandler, Chap .; J. D. Barnes, Surg. : J. H. Sowers. O. of D .: J. H. Ellsworth, O. of G. ; M. O'Reilly, O. S.

Women's Relief Corps No. 23. Smethport, was organized September 17. 1885, with Madams Kate L. Wright, Helen S. Morrison, Rebecca Kerns, Al- minia Backus, Sarah Grumbine, Hattie P. Colegrove. Julia L. Easterbrook. Rose E. Peirce, Elminia Thamm and Amelia Bush, members. Mrs. Wright was elected first president and Mrs. Morrison secretary. In 1887 Mrs. Cham- bers was elected secretary, and Mrs. Thamm president. succeeded in ISSS by Mrs. Helen Morrison as president. and Miss Ella J. Wright secretary. In July. 1SSS. Miss Lena Wright took the former secretary's place and was appointed in December. 1889. when Mrs. Morrison was re-elected president. On the latter's election as president of the department of Pennsylvania. W. R. C .. Mrs. Kate Wright was elected president, and Mrs. Bertie Choate vice-presi- dent. The officers for 1890 are: President, Miss Lena Wright: senior vice- president, Mrs. Nina Rumsey; junior vice-president, Mrs. Amelia Bush; treas- urer, Mrs. Sarah Vickery; chaplain, Mrs. Julia Pratt; conductor, Mrs. Rose Peirce; guard, Miss Maud Stephens.

The K. O. T. M. is a recent organization at Smethport. I. S. Reynolds presides over the lodge, with M. B. Greer, recorder.

The Central Home Relief Society was organized at Smethport August 20. 1863, with Mrs. P. Ford, president; Mrs. H. Hamlin, vice-president; Mrs. C. Cornforth, treasurer; Mrs. W. Cowles, secretary; Madams A. N. Taylor, W. H. Richmond, L. A. Stevens, A. S. Swift, M. A. Holmes and J. R. Chad- wick, collecting committee. The object was to furnish aid to the families of volunteers.

The County Prohibitory Constitutional Association was organized at Smethport in February, 1889, with W. W. Brown, president; Byron D. Ham- lin. vice-president; E. E. MeElwaine. secretary, and B. F. Hazelton, treas- urer. W. A. Young, Mrs. Young, W. H. Dodd and Reuben Dennis were chosen delegates. In May of this year the association established The Amend- ment Herald, and by other means essayed to educate the people in temperance affairs, carrying the question so far as to win 3,054 votes for the amendment, against 2,058 recorded for maintaining the evil to which they were opposed.

The Women's Christian Temperance Association was organized March 13, 1883, and reorganized May 2, 1885. The names of original members are Madams L. T. Medbury, F. L. Chadwick, A. Corwin, F. M. Blodgett. R.

272

HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

Kerns. B. F. Wright, C. L. Douglas, E. J. Bush, J. G. Strong, S. J. Gifford, T. A. Morrison, K. E. Kidder, Charles Leemler, C. A. Burdick, M. L. Georgia, Emma Gifford, E. P. Hubbell, E. Sterrett and M. D. Bush. Mrs. L. T. Medbury was president of the old society. After reorganization Mrs. H. Hamlin presided, and next Miss S. A. Scull. The present president is Mrs. T. W. Chandler. The first corresponding secretary was Mrs. T. A. Morrison, with Mrs. F. L. Chadwick, recorder. Since reorganization Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Bogisch, Mrs. E. Richardson and Mrs. Chadwick have held the secre- tary's position. The officers elected in July. 1889, are Mrs. D. L. Forsyth, president; Mrs. E. F. Chandler, vice-president; Mrs. M. E. Richmond, recording secretary; Mrs. Esther Keefe, corresponding secretary; Mrs. M. A. Backer, treasurer. Vice-presidents in churches: Mrs. A. T. Palmer. Methodist; Mrs. B. F. Wright, Baptist; Mrs. A. F. Brown, Episcopal. Su- perintendents: Mrs. Martha Chadwick, literature; Mrs. M. A. Backer, heredity; Mrs. B. F. Wright, soldiers and sailors; Mrs. Esther Keefe, jail and alms- house; Mrs. D. L. Forsyth, Mrs. M. E. Richmond, assistants jail and alms- house. Delegates to county convention: Mrs. Martha Chadwick, Mrs. Esther Keefe. Alternates: Mrs. A. T. Palmer, Mrs. E. F. Chandler.

The I. O. G. T. was organized in January, 1871, with S. B. Sartwell, Anna Potter, H. S. Sartwell, M. L. Armstrong, J. C. Bard, L. O. Chadwick, R. D. Hays, E. V. Chadwick, L. S. Bard, D. C. Young, Mrs. A. E. Taylor, B. Downey and G. Corwin filling the offices of the lodge.

The Young Women's Christian Temperance Union is one of the new addi- tions to the ranks of temperance workers. Mrs. W. P. Burdick is president, with Miss Lydia Burlingame, secretary.

The C. M. B. A. elected the following named officers for 1890: Chancellor, J. F. Rooney; president, Morris Mulvehill; first vice president, James Lynch; sec- ond vice-president, Peter Conely; recording secretary, Ed. Obertrifter; assistant recording secretary, James A. Mckean; financial secretary, Daniel Bacon; treasurer, Dennis Quinlisk; marshal, Thomas O' Brien; guard, William Cov- ley; representative to Grand Council, John F. Rooney; alternate, T. H. Purtle; trustees (two years), J. F. Rooney, P. Conely.

On July 18, 1875, the St. Elizabeth's Total Abstinence Association was organized.

The Knights of St. Martin and the Iron Cross are presided over by Dwight Waller. with Fred Gallup, scribe, and Rev. J. H. McCandless, warden.

The Mckean County Musical Convention held its first session in February, 1875, with C. S. Diffen, president; J. W. Hilton, Dr. E. A. Van Scoy and T. J. Campbell, vice presidents; Albert DeGolier, secretary; and Loyal Ward. treasurer.

The Equitable Aid Union is presided over by Lucius Rogers, with W. H. Knight, secretary.

Smethport Lodge 182, A. O. U. W., was instituted August 19, 1880, with G. Lyman, S. V. Godden. H. L. Burlingame, W. O. Congdon, George R. Brownell. W. F. Specht, Frank Kerns, S. W. Pattison and S. G. Bush, hold- ing the respective offices. At the annual election in December H. L. Burlin- game was chosen master.

The Wild-Cat Base Ball Club was organized at Smethport in May, 1873, with A. W. Colegrove, president; Henry Biever, vice-president; M. L. Arm- strong, treasurer; B. T. Downey, secretary. The directors were Robert Wol- ters, C. A. Burdick and Patrick McLea.

Hotels. -- About 1822 the first regular hotel was completed by Willard, whose wife carried on the house in 1826. Some short time after came Squire

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

Crow from the Sinnemahoning country to compete with the Willard Hotel. The house which he erected occupied the site of the Bennett House. This last named hotel was erected in 1851 by O. R. Bennett. This house, and the Haskell store, built in 1857 by B. D. and Henry Hamlin, were destroyed by fire in May, 1882.

In January, 1847. O. R. Bennett petitioned the court to open an inn at his house in Smethport. This petition was signed by Edward Hartnett, O. A. Holmes, B. D. Hamlin, Ferd. Hamilton, W. F. Ormsby, O. R. Bennett, Nathan Barrett. J. B. Taylor. Gideon Irons, Adam Brockham. W. F. Young and N. W. Goodrich.

Mr. Williams, at whose house the judges and officers of the court made their home for years after 1826, came about 1822, when John Keating Williams was born as the first white child of the settlement. Squire Williams had many of the pioneer's experiences. On one occasion he was making lard from a hog killed for the purpose, and left this lard in an iron kettle to render during the night. Later there was heard a terrible racket in the cellar. and the Squire, descending, discovered a huge bear with his head trapped in the kettle. The Squire had little difficulty in killing " bruin. " The late Mrs. Asa H. Cory remem- bered this event.

Rockwell House was built in IS80-81. by S. J. Rockwell, who conducted it for a few months; C. W. Dickinson followed, then H. S. Sartwell. John Hussey carried on business here for two or three years, when the property was bought by H. B. Vincent, who changed the title to Chautauqua House, and conducted it for three years, when J. L. Thomas became proprietor.

The Wright House, built in 1875. is modern in arrangement and manage- ment, and is generally credited with being one of the first-class hotels of this section of the State.

The Grand Central Hotel building, begun early in 1880 by Andrew Reilly, was completed in June, 1881. The intention of Mr. Reilly was to make it one of the finest hotel buildings in the northern part of the State, and in carrying this intention forward he gave to Smethport a house 67x82 feet, containing sixty-two rooms fitted with all modern improvements and elegantly furnished. The plans were drawn by S. A. Bishop, assisted by Mr. Reilly. The latter superintended the mason work. The building cost $40,000 and was opened by Mr. Reilly June 22, 1881. Gen. Hammer, of the Bennett House, leased the building soon after, and after two years H. S. Sartwell conducted the house. In the year 1883 the property passed into the hands of Mrs. A. N. Taylor, from whom the popular Frank N. Taylor leases the house. The lessee and his chief clerk, Ham Hill, conduct this hotel on modern principles.

Banks. - In the history of Bradford City the story of the old Mckean County Bank is told. It was established in 1857, and in opposition to the de- sire of many of the local stockholders Bradford was fixed upon as its head- quarters, which action led to legal proceedings to change headquarters to Smethport.

The Hamlin Bank may be said to date back to 1862. Since that year Henry Hamlin has been the recognized leader of the banking business at the county seat, if not in the county. His store office was the bank office, and drafts of exchange, as well as loans, were negotiated in much the same form as at pres- ent. In 1874 he retired from mercantile life, and established a banking office over the old Hamlin store, later known as the Haskell store. In 1880 S. C. Townsend was employed as cashier. After the fire of May, 1882, the office was in B. D. Hamlin's office, and in 1885-86 in the room now occupied by Wells' drug store until the present building was completed in January, 1887.

274

HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

It is one of the best finished buildings of its size in the State, and fully equipped for banking purposes. The cost of this ornamental pile was $15,000. In February, 1889, Moss M. Coleman took the position of assistant cashier and book-keeper. The financial condition of this house July 8, 1889, is shown as follows:

DR.

('R.

Due to Banks

585.63

Due from Banks and Bankers. . $ 43,647.46

Deposits. .

496,741.60

Discounts .. 553,214.44

Exchange

782.69

Stocks and Bonds. 11,750.00

Profit and Loss.

108,891.16

County Order.

4,590.00

Interest and Discount.

19,380.27

Cash . 12,339.18

Expense. 840.27

$626,381.35.

$626,381.35

The Mckean County Savings Bank was chartered in February, 1872. A. N. Taylor, V. P. Carter, J. C. Backus, J. E. Butts, Jr., J. R. Chadwick, J. F. Gallup and D. C. Young being incorporators. This banking company was never organized.

Water and Gas Systems .- The beginning of Smethport's water system dates back to 1874, when the commissioners purchased a spring lot and con- nected the spring with the jail by means of a small pipe. E. V. Chadwick secured the use of the surplus water for $10 per annum and had a pipe ex- tended from the main pipe to his dwelling, but the supply being limited the contract was rescinded. The Smethport Water Company was incorporated in April. 1881. with thirty-seven stockholders. Henry Hamlin held twenty-four, Byron D. Hamlin ten, W. J. Colegrove and D. R. Hamlin five shares each. The works were completed within the year.

The Smethport Gas Company was incorporated September 20, 1881, with C. A. Backer, E. L. Keenan. Robert H. Rose, David Sterrett, Leroy Tabor and L. J. Backer. directors. In January. 1890, the following named officers were chosen: C. P. Byron, president; H. McSweeney, secretary; A. B. Arm- strong, treasurer; and they, with R. H. Rose and W. D. Gallup, directors. The gas well on the Eben Gallup farm was opened in January, 1890.

Floods and Fires .- The rains of May 31 and June 1. 1889. swelled the tributaries of Marvin and Nunundah creeks and raised these streams får above all high-water marks of previous floods. The citizens of Smethport emerged from their homes Friday morning to find the low lands everywhere covered with several feet of water, while the rain still fell in torrents. Some residents of East Smethport were forced to take refuge in the second stories of their buildings, and anchor their houses to neighboring trees. The only way to reach the depot was by means of a boat. The railroads were undermined and damaged in many places, and traffic was suspended for several days. The bridge on the poor-farm, which was built at the expense of the county. was swept away, and Gifford's upper dam was damaged, necessitating the suspen- sion of work.

In the destruction of G. W. White's house (two miles southwest of Smeth- port) in March, 1852, a three-year-old son was burned to death, and the father severely burned while trying to rescue the boy ... . The Smethport fire of March 24. 1868, destroyed the Astor House block, property of William Haskell. A. N. Taylor's store, Miss Holmes' building, and the barns. all valued at $40 .- 000 and insured for $19.000 .... The Smethport fire of May. 1882, originated in the Bennett House, destroying Haskell's large store-building on the other side of the street. the banking office of Henry Hamlin in that building, the Bennett House and Sterrett & Rose law office.

275

HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

Miscellaneous. - The Smethport Cemetery Society was chartered in 1863 on petition of S. C. Hyde, C. K. Sartwell, L. R. Wisner, Miles Innis and W. A. Williams.

The question of building a plank road from Clermont to Olean was pre- sented to the people of MeKean county in November, 1849, by O. J. Hamlin. He estimated the number of acres of coal land in the county at 10,000, and stated that the selling price ranged from $1.50 to $3 per acre. In less than two years after this proposition was made the Smethport & Olean Plank Road Company organized (June 21, 1851), with S. Sartwell, president: Henry Ham- lin, secretary; William K. King, treasurer; R. Phelps Wright, G. Irons, Ran- som Larrabee, Dr. McCoy and J. W. Prentiss, directors. Railroads now follow this route, the Mckean & Buffalo Road being practically completed to Smeth- port in 1875, and pushed thence to the mines. In 1889 the road was contin- ved from Clermont to Johnsonburg in Elk county.

Smethport has celebrated the anniversary of national independence for fifty years. As if to emphasize this fiftieth celebration, the Fourth of 1889 was a day especially prepared for festivity. From a late hour on the evening of July 3 to the dawn of next day rain poured down in torrents to moisten the parched earth. Early on the 4th the streets were rolled smooth, and before noon were in excellent shape for the parade, the sunbeams giving token that old Sol himself was pleased with the intentions of the people. The procession, which was the feature of the day, was composed of the following well-equipped bands, hose companies, etc. : Marshal. J. M. McElroy, and aids; Smethport Band: MeKean Post 347, G. A. R., and guests; Dr. Freeman, commanding second division, and aids; Gorton's Gold Band; J. Gorton Hose No. 1. Friend- ship, N. Y. ; Eldred Band; Mountaineer Hose No. 1, Emporium; Forest Band; Citizen Hose No. 2, Emporium; Bolivar Cornet Band; Citizen Hose No. 2, Bolivar, N. Y .; Smethport Hose No. 1; president of the day and speakers in carriages.

The exercises in the court-house opened with music by the Smethport Band. E. L. Keenan, president of the day, delivered the address of welcome. and at the suggestion of the sheriff, extended a general invitation to visitors to share the hospitalities offered by the citizens. Rev. T. W. Chandler delivered an excellent prayer; Capt. Rogers read the "Declaration," and W. J. Milliken, of Bradford, delivered the oration-which was eloquent as well as historical. At night the festivities were continued, one of the features being a merry march from East Smethport to the court-house square, lead by the Eldred Band. The hose companies, without an exception, presented a handsome appearance, and the music rendered by the different bands mentioned was of a high standard.

The history of the Keating, the Bingham and the Ridgway lands in this county is related on other pages. Smethport has been for years the Mecca of land hunters, as there the agents of the great estates ultimately congregated and established their offices. Robert C. Simpson, the general agent of the Bingham estate, resides at Wellsboro, Penn. Robert H. Rose was the first agent : W. B. Clymer had charge of the estate until Mr. Simpson was appointed, dur- ing the war. Robert H. Rose is attorney for the estate and local agent at Smethport. Much of the land is leased, and this, with the unseated lands. aggregates over 40,000 acres in MeKean, and an equal area in Potter county. Smaller areas of lands belonging to the other proprietors are still unsold.

East Smethport may be said to date back to the establishment of the Ex- tract Works at that point. Shortly after the large buildings were erected the place began to assume the features of a village, and with its railroad commun-

276

HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

ication would be a strong contestant for the business center, had it any one of the physical advantages possessed by the old town. The ground is low and marshy, and in seasons of heavy rain subject to the overflow of Nunundalı creek. Opposite the Western New York & Pennsylvania depot is the planing- mill of Bush & McIntosh, near by the Bottling Works, and in the vicinity the Extract Works. On the corner of Main and Railroad streets is the store and post-office building of James M. Tracy; below is the large store building of Stickney, Bell & Co. The Exchange Hotel is conducted by John H. Sowers; a few rods westward of this hotel is the Sherwood grocery store, and opposite it the meat market of J. H Stull. The English Protestant Episcopal Chapel is near the bridge, and across the creek, near the mouth of Marvin creek, the first of a series of saw-mills on the latter stream is found. A number of small dwelling houses, occupied by Swedish workmen and their families, are scat . tered here and there, all forming the nucleus of what enterprise may convert into a large business town.

There is no history of failure attached to Smethport. The men who came here to build up a prosperous community knew no such word as fail, and con- sequently the story is one of success following perseverance, tolerance and intelligence. To the wisdom and policy of John Keating, who selected this location, much is due, but without the pioneers the place might be still in the wilderness, as it would undoubtedly be still comparatively primitive withont the modern pioneers of commercial and professional progress. To the latter the achievement of placing Smethport above all other towns in the district, in beauty and cleanliness, and equal to any in modern conveniences, is due, and to their enterprise and virtues must be credited her substantial business and social life.

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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