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 33

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 33
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 33
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 33
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 33

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CHAPTER XVI.

LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.

TOPOGRAPHY -- MINERALS-OIL WELLS-COAL MINES AND COMPANIES-POPU- LATION-ELECTION IN FEBRUARY, 1890-RESIDENT TAX-PAYERS, 1843-44- STATE ROAD-STORES-DISASTERS AND FIRES-MISCELLANEOUS.

L AFAYETTE TOWNSHIP occupies almost the west half of the center of the county. It is distinguished by three great plateaus or table lands: the Lafayette, in the center, extending from the southwest to northeast five miles, and attaining a width of two and a half miles north of Lafayette corners; the Alton, east and southwest of the East branch, extending into Bradford, Keating and Hamilton townships, being eleven miles long in its southwest course, and five miles wide in a line north of Alton, or from Craw- ford's to the east fork of Three Mile run; the Marshburg, west of the east branch of the Tuna, and east of the west branch, extending southwest to the valley of the Kinzua, one branch running into the center of Hamilton township, which forms the divide between Chappel fork on the north, Turnip run on the east, and the Kinzna on the south. The greatest length is twelve miles, from a point west of Custer, through Marshburg to Union run. At Lafayette corners the elevation is 2,143 feet above the ocean; at Marshburg, 2,108 feet; the divide between Winter Green aud Turnip runs is 2,165 feet; at Buttsville,

Je Hainman

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

1.998 feet; at Alton, 2,072 feet; on creek at Big Shanty. 1,666 feet; at head of Two Mile run, 2.058 feet, and at Bingham's dry well, 1,673 feet. The dip of the rock in the sixth bituminous basin averages only twenty feet per mile to the southwest. Alton being in the central portion, the greatest dip occurs there, being fifty-eight feet between Bond Vein and that point. a distance of little over a half-mile. The lowest dip averages five feet per mile, between Marshburg and Lafayette.

King & Co.'s well, the first at Big Shanty, showed oil sand at a depth of 1,545 feet, or 127 feet above tide water; while in the Prentiss well, Lewis run, oil sand was struck at 227 feet above tide, or at a depth of 1,378 feet.

The Clermont coal deposit underlies the slate, shale and sandstone-capped peaks northeast and southwest of Alton, throughout the Lafayette plateau. and in the summit, southwest of Marshburg, where the cap rocks are deep. the coal is valuable, as in the old Davis mine, and in the old openings on the Newell, Bullock, Root and Whitman lands, the bottoms of all of which rest from 2.130 to 2,145 feet above tide level. This deposit is generally separated from the Alton upper coal layers by Johnson run sandstone, the thickness of which ranges from fifty to sixty feet; but near Bond Vein a black and blue slate occupied this position; on the Bullock lands a hard sandstone, and on the Matthews' lands a sandstone, separated by a six-feet deposit of red rock, rests on a twelve-inch bed of coal. The Alton deposit ranges from four to seven feet. It has been worked at Buttsville. Alton and Bond Vein. The latter mine was worked in 1877-78, by James E. Butts, for the Longwood Coal Company, giving three shallow beds above the bottom, third bed 2,034 feet above tide. The Malony mine showed six to eight feet of bony coal near the roof, and Alton coal. in two distinct beds, before reaching the hard, sandy. fire-clay deposit.

In July, 1863, the Lafayette Coal Company was incorporated, with William Cockroft of New York City, president. The Owen mine, near Buttsville, was opened years ago by Mr. Owen. In April, 1868. the Longwood Company- James E. Butts. E. Sears, I. P. T. Edwards, E. D. Winslow, G. P. Hayward, Lem. Shaw and W. F. Grubb, directors-began operations, 2,065 feet above tide level, on a solid two and one-half feet bench; but owing to its irregularity. work was abandoned. At James E. Butts' house the lower coal was found twenty-eight feet below the surface. In 1865 the Lafayette Coal Company began operations near Mr. Alton's log house, constructing a 280-feet slope to a point in the cannel and bituminous deposit, seventy feet below the level of of the opening. This and several other shafts were abandoned. On the Haga- dorn and Armstrong lands and at the old Davis mine explorations were made years ago.

The Seven Foot Knoll, on the Keating township line, was opened 2,053 feet above tide level, and won its name on account of the four heavy coal benches discovered in a seventy-two-feet hole, the coal being overlaid by thin beds of carbonate of iron; while in Shaft No. 1, opened 2,083 above tide, 270 feet southwest of the mouth of the drift, nodular iron ore takes the place of iron carbonate. In the vicinity several shafts were constructed, and the enterprise was carried so far by Allen Putnam, of Boston, as to explore near the old Butts saw mill, on Three Mile creek, at an elevation of 2,037 feet. The drill went through 113 feet, meeting only two small seams.

Lafayette township had a population of 1,266 in 1880. Of this number seventy-three were residents of Buttsville. In 1888 there were 128 Repub- lican, 127 Democrat, 5 Prohibition and 12 United Labor votes recorded, a total of 272, which multiplied by five represents a population of 1,360. Fol-

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

lowing are the returns of the vote cast in Lafayette township in February, 1890: For road supervisors, Peter Wagner (D.), 124; James Barnes, Jr. (D.). 103; Walter Cassidy (R.), 131; Charles Harding (R.), 95. For school directors. D. Kennedy (D.), 134; J. C. Cannon (D.), 77; P. H. Freel (R.), 140; John Green (R.), 125. For collector, J. H. Fleming (D.), 143; J. C. Haven (R. ), 101. For town clerk, M. Ryan, Jr. (D. ), 124; H. L. Sherwood (R.), 109. For constable. First District, W. W. Lenox (D.), 102; Second District, Frank Sprague, 93. For auditors, James Donovan (D.), 141; M. McCarten (D.), 150; J. C. Jones (R. ), 116; C. L. Milton (R.), 100.

The resident tax-payers of Lafayette township in 1843-44, as certified by Jasper Marsh, assessor, were Jane Armstrong, Abram and Mary Anderson, Al- bert and Rufns Beeman, Joe Brush, George W. Brown, Abram Brothwell, Andrew Cush, L. Davis, Allen, David and William Foster, William Grannis, Aaron Hagadorn, James Hoop, William Howard, Washington Higby, J. Iver- son. C. Leach, Jacob Lewis, Henry Luce, Jonathan, J. C. and Jasper Marsh. John Mulligan, Oliver Matthews, David Monteith, John Newton, William G. Presley, Job Poots, Lewis Ransom, John Shepley, Nathan and George Tenney. Zira Tobbs and William C. Webber. The total value of their property as assessed was $4,580, while the unseated lands were assessed at $27,688.

The east and west State road was laid out by Joel Sartwell. Hiram Payne and Jonathan Marsh through the center of Mckean county in 1838, at a time when only four families, Joseph Brush, Nathan Tenney, Hoop and Anderson, resided in Lafayette, and two years before Taintor, Davis and Hagadorn settled there.

Albert Beeman, who died near Mount Alton, in February, 1880, was cred- ited with being the discoverer of the coal beds about Alton and Lafayette. For years he was king of the hunters of this county, and was also farmer and lumberman.

Mary Anderson, who died at Anderson Station, on the Kinzua, in Decem- ber, 1889, was in her one hundred and third year. She settled there in 1836. and five years later her husband was frozen to death near Marshburg. Her son James is now seventy-seven years old.

Mount Alton, the leading village of the township, contains a number of industrial establishments and the usual number of stores found in villages of its size. Chief among its industries are the Mount Alton Chemical Work-, McClain & Co.'s and Weaver & Droney's lumber factories, and J. B. Phillips saw mill, which give employment to many of the inhabitants.

The Alton Chemical Works were established in October, 1887, at Bond Vein. with twelve retorts, and had contracts for all the acetate of lime and wood alcohol that could be produced up to 1888. " The acid works were destroyed by fire in March, 1889. The flames spread through the spacious building-the dimensions of which were 200x175 feet-and in a short time it was reduced to smoulder- ing ruins. The loss on the building and contents is estimated at $15,000; in- surance, $6,000. The Alton Chemical Company is composed of J. C. Greene- wald, A. L. Wyman, Steins & Milligan of Bradford, and J. W. Beacom and D. Hilton of Alton. No time was lost in re-establishing this important manu- facturing concern. In July, 1889, George Beaumont was appointed post- master at Alton.

In the fall of 1866 Newcomb & Hagadorn established their store at Alton, and in March, 1867, L. S. Bard and A. N. McFall opened their hotel (which was burned afterward), and a daily mail service to Smethport established.

Kinzua Lodge No. 442, I. O. O. F., the leading secret association of Mount Alton and neighborhood, elected the following named officers in December,

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

1889: N. G., George H. Graff; V. G., C. D. Tenny: Sec .. J. S. C. Gra- ham; Asst. Sec., Simon Crites; Treas,, J. M. Park; W., F. Aldrich; Con., H. L. Sherwin; O. G., P. A. Evarts; I. G., C. Harding; R. S. to N. G., M. Quinn; L. S. to N. G., T. Elmore.

Alton Encampment, Knights of St. John and Malta, at Alton, was organ- ized in 1888.

The cyclone of September 28, 1884, swept away six houses, as well as the new Methodist church building at Alton. In April, 1886, thirty Italian laborers found themselves imprisoned in the Erie Railroad Company's burning cor .- struction shanty at Alton. Twenty-four men escaped only to witness the roast- ing of six companions, whose lives went out with the blaze.

The Mount Alton tragedy of September 26. 1889, resulted in the death of Mrs. Isabel Quinn. Her husband. J. H. Quinn, a Scotch-Irishman, was the murderer, and his insane jealousy the cause. A coroner's jury found in accord- ance with the facts. The murderer was taken to jail at once, but during the evening he wove a rope out of his large silk handkerchief and some time after 3 o'clock on the morning of the 27th hanged himself in the cell.

The post office of Lafayette was discontinued in November. 1872, owing to the resignation of the postmaster, but was soon after restored.

CHAPTER XVII.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP-BOROUGH OF PORT ALLEGANY.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP-TOPOGRAPHY-GEOLOGY-COAL MEASURES AND MINES- OIL WELL - EARLY SETTLERS, ETC. - RESIDENT TAX-PAYERS, 1836-37 - EARLY STORES-POPULATION-OFFICERS ELECTED IN FEBRUARY, 1890- CHURCHES-CEMETERY-FIRES.

BOROUGH OF PORT ALLEGANY-INTRODUCTORY-CANOE PLACE-PIONEERS. ETC .- POPULATION-FIRES AND FLOODS-MUNICIPAL MATTERS-INDUSTRIES -BANKS-CEMETERY ASSOCIATION-HOTELS-CHURCHES-PUBLIC SCHOOLS- SOCIETIES, ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.

L IBERTY TOWNSHIP stretches along about half of the eastern line of the county. It is the gateway to the Sinnemahoning, as well as to the upper waters of the Allegheny, northwest of Coudersport. This river enters the township at Burtville, five miles above Port Allegany, and flowing northwest exits in the center of the west half of the north town line (the lowest elevation), about three and one-half miles below the town, a mile and one- half below the mouth of Two Mile creek, and three and one-half miles below the confluence of Lillibridge creek, which flows from the northeast corner, as well as Coleman creek, above Port Allegany. Allegheny Portage creek (which rises across the line, near the head of the Sinnemahoning portage) joins the parent river just above the Port, and this receives several streams from the summits of Norwich, such as Comes creek, as well as a few short streams from the borders of Pot- ter county. For altitudes the township may claim a part of Prospect hill, the peak of which (2,495 feet high) is in Keating township: a mile east of that hill the height is 2,415 feet, gradually falling to 1,800 feet as Skinner creek is approached; near Keating depot the altitude is 2, 400, although at the depot

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

only 1.876 feet; at Liberty 1,641, at Port Allegany 1,477, and at Sartwell 1,447 feet. The rock exposures show 890 feet, of which 190 form coal meas- ures and conglomerate, 250 to 300 Mauch Chunk and Pocono, 300 red Cats- kill, and 100 Chemung. In the center of the Skinner creek coal region the highest stratum is found, Kinzna creek sandstone, at an altitude of 2.140 feet. In the year 1855 Seth A. Backus opened two coal beds here, finding eighteen or twenty inch benches forty feet below the surface and below a nine to twelve- inch deposit of iron ore, which showed fifty-six per cent of metal. S. H. Barrett also opened a mine here, finding a twenty-eight-inch seam of good coal six feet below the surface. In the vicinity of the Backus bed Thomas Petturick found a four and one-half feet vein of cannel coal in 1856. From Port Allegany to Comes creek summit the soil is red; also to the head of the Lillibridge and up Two Mile run.

The oil well at Sartwell was drilled 723 feet in 1877, but abandoned. In July, 1887, the work of drilling the gas well at Port Allegany was commenced on the Dolley lands. This well was bored 2, 400 feet. but without the desired result. although sufficient to supply light and heat to a section of the borough was obtained.

In 1788 a party of immigrants came up the Susquehanna and Sinnemahon- ing to Emporium in canoes, left their barks there and crossed the portage on foot. making a road hither and camping here beyond the river, on what in later days was known as the W. J. Davis farm. E. Fitch, who contributed much valuable history to the pages of the Reporter, is inclined to believe that this same party made the first settlement at Franklin, Venango county. The first road from Canoe Place to Smethport crossed the river at Red House, thence by the mouths of Skinner and Portage creeks across the flats; thence up the hill and along the ridge to Nunundah creek, where it crossed another road at Horace King's corners. Samuel Curtis is credited with cutting this road. In 1844 Gideon Irons was employed to cut a wagon-road from the Port to Larra- bee. Years before this a road was cut through and regular culverts built, but at the period of building the Turtle Point mill it was hid under fallen trees or underbrush, and the culverts disappeared in decay.

In 1822 the first bridge in this township was erected across the Allegheny by Judge Nathan White, who resided on Marvin creek, four miles from Smeth- port. This structure was near Davis' Red House, and up to 1839 some por- tions of it were visible. Daniel Stanton's still-house was near this bridge.

The mill erected in 1815, where the Daniel Clark mills stood in 1876, was the joint property of Obediah Sartwell, W. W. Whitney, Benjamin Burt and David Burt. In 1820 Maj. Lyman purchased the concern, and sold it to Daniel Brooks in 1823. This Brooks erected the first grist-mill in 1824, but in 1827 he sold the old saw mill as well as the new inill to William Moore, who in turn sold it to Sartwell & Arnold in 1835. Three years later they sold to Coats & McKee, but, through foreclosure, resumed ownership in 1841, and then sold to Barnaby Brothers, who, after establishing a pail and sap-bucket factory there, had to give up the property. N. L. Dike then purchased from Sartwell & Arnold in 1844, who sold to A. M. Benton in 1845. He continued the industries until 1869, when Daniel Ciark became owner.

The first farmer was David Burt, who cultivated lands where George Mc- Dowell settled in 1833. Obediah Sartwell owned the farm where Seth Hackett settled in 1835, and where he resided until his removal to Emporium, about 1869, while Benjamin Burt, one of the pioneers, resided here until his death, February 28, 1876, in his ninety-seventh year. The old barn belonging to W. J. Davis in 1876, near the cheese factory, was built in 1816 by Benjamin Burt

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

and Daniel Stanton, and the oldest dwelling house. coming down to centennial year, was that in which Owen Coyle resided. William Moore, one of the old owners, being accidentally killed at Cincinnati in 1844.

The first mill on the Portage was that built in 1838 by Luke. John and Har vey Gibson. At that time the family of Horace Barnaby was the only one on the Portage. D. Cornelius and Stephen Rowley operated for some time, until S. A. Backus purchased it. The old mill was burned, but rebuilt for Jacob Coss in 1852 by Nathan Boylan. In 1853 steam machinery and a circular saw were introduced the first time in this township, but in 1856 Mr. Coss removed to a point below Olean, intending to use the water-power there. The building was burned soon after. but a new mill was erected by Fordyce Lawton, who sold to J. Campbell. who sold to A. L. Wright. the owner in 1876. In 1849 David Cornelius and S. S. Lillibridge built the second mill on the Portage. which, in 1873, became the property of L. H. Dolley. J. M. Grimes built the third mill near Liberty depot, which, in 1869, became the property of Ira Weir.

Horace Barnaby, A. P. Barnaby and one Upton were the first settlers on this creek, having opened their farms in 1830. In 1833 Philander Read and Elisha H. Bent were road supervisors. In 1866 John Tallamadge built his mill, later the property of the Goodyears. A. S. Arnold & Co. built the first lath-mill in 1852; A. M. Benton the first shingle-mill in 1855, and John G Hall the first sash and blind factory in 1866-67. The records of survey around Canoe Place in 1811-12 mention Conrad's mill and Hitt's place, and Robert Gilbert's and John Bell's lots on the Oswayo. In 1817 John King and E. B. Foster surveyed lots on the l'ortage branch, above Kingsville, near the Straw bridge lands, and at other places. In 1818 surveys in the Rensselaer Wright neighborhood were begun: mention is also made of Jonathan Moore's lot and of Isaiah Tyler's lots.

The resident tax payers of Liberty township in 1836-37 were Ralph P. Andrews, D. Allard, Henry Bryan, Elisha H. Bent, Dan. Bellows, H. and A. P. Barnaby, J. C. Coleman (now living, saw-mill owner), Horace Coleman. Pete Corsaw, Levi Coats, Hiram Coon, Edward Cummings, John Chase. A. and S. B. Eastwood, John and Horatio Fobes, John R. and Sam Grimes, Eph raim Green, Seth Hackett, Lod. Lillibridge, Isaac and Harry Lyman, Moses Lucore (saw-mill owner) Andrew Moore, William McKee, George McDowell. Solomon Sartwell, Sartwell & Arnold (saw-mill owners). Jacob Simcox, Hub- bard and Elisha Starkweather, Daniel Wright (a wheelwright) and B. H. Wil marth (blacksmith); William Moore was the assessor.

A. M. Benton came into this township in 1846, where he purchased about 3,000 acres of pine lands, and also the N. L. Dike mills above Port Allegany at Burtville. where Hubbard's steam mill now stands. In 1852 Mr. Benton found an old hunter on the Summit, living in a shingled house, who gave his leisure hours to making the spring rivulets flow north, south, east or west. For twenty-six years Mr. Benton continued the fine industry, sometimes employing 100 men on the rafts and in the mills. After the pine era vanished he built a mill below Eldred (the same which is now operated by the Wolcotts) nineteen years ago, which, after thirteen years' use was destroyed, and a new mill was erected. In that mill he continued the hemlock industry for seventeen years. when he sold to the Wolcotts.

A. S. Arnold died at Port Allegany April 1, 1874, aged sixty seven years. He came to the county in 1833, opened a store at Smethport, moved to Canoe Place in 1836, and joined Solomon Sartwell in his lumber business.

In February, 1847, S. A. Backus had a store. and later H. Coleman was

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

granted a tavern license. In February, 1848, A. M. Benton, L. Wells and Marvin were merchants, and later S. M. Russell. The merchants in 1852 were Arnold, Davis & Medbery. Martin W. Barker (small grocery), A. M. Ben- ton and Johnson Slerozier (small store).

In February, 1885, Peter Brion. of Liberty township, killed a cranberry bear. This animal had long, thin legs, with a long sharp nose and red fur. In May H. Berfield and W. Burlingame captured four black bears in Wharton township. Potter County.

Liberty township in 1880 had a population of 2,029, of which number 731 were credited to Port Allegany village. In 1888 the vote of the township, out- side Port Allegany, was 146 Republican. 186 Democratic, 1 Prohibitionist, and 32 United Labor, or a total of 365. which multiplied by five represents a popula- tion of 1.825. The officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Super. visors, Mart Simar. Henry Lynch; justice of the peace, R. M. Dunbar; con- stable. W. D. Thomas; collector. John Acre; town clerk, W. R. Franklin; school directors, George Backus, H. R. Meeker; auditor, F. A. Fitch; judge of election. Samuel Grimes; inspectors, John O'Brien, George W. Baxter

The Methodist Church of Liberty township was incorporated in February. 1854. on petition of Samuel M. Hopkins, James R. Proctor, Nathaniel West, C. B. West. B. M. Pride. S. H. Barrett and J. F. Cone.

The Grimes District Cemetery was incorporated in February, 1981. with Samuel Grimes. Z. J. Sherwood. A. Ostrander and Lester Grimes, directors. Among the other stockholders were S L. Strang. Runa Keeler, G. W. Wet- more. H. JJ. and Abel Eastwood, G. Amidon. D. W. and J. R. Sherwood. C. Ostrander, A. Lewis, L. Burrows and A. D. Freer.

F. H. Goodyear & Co.'s upper mill at Liberty, seven miles southeast of Port Allegany, was destroyed in 1877. The loss was about $9.000 .... The George D. Briggs steam saw-mill at Liberty depot was burned in April. 1886- the second destroyed on that site.

The Birch Grove Mills of H. Palmer are located two miles below Port Allegany. There, on August 5, 1889. was organized a branch of the W. C. T. U., with Mrs. H. Palmer, president; Mrs. N. Palmer. vice-president; Mrs. M. Robinson, corresponding secretary; Mrs. S. Proctor, recording secretary, and Mrs. L. Burleson, treasurer.

The Allegheny River. Sartwell Creek and Fishing Creek Improvement Company elected the following named officers in November, 1889: C. E. Hub- bard. president : F. E. Rowley, secretary and treasurer; F. H. Arnold, E. P. Dalrymple and C. E. Hubbard, directors, with F. L. Peck and J. H. Steele directors of the Allegheny River Improvement Company.

BOROUGH OF PORT ALLEGANY.

The phenomenal growth within the past few years of this bustling and thriv- ing place has far surpassed even the most sanguine expectations. And this development is dne not alone to the vast lumber districts and magnificent farm- ing country surrounding the place, or to its unlimited water-power privileges, but in a very large measure to the well-known enterprise of its solid business men.

Until about the year 1840 the point, which is now the site of Port Allegany. was called " Canoe Place, " so named for two different reasons, as handed down by tradition. One is that it was the custom of the aborigines on the Atlantic slope to move up the Susquehanna periodically to what is now Emporium. shelter their canoes there, and march over the divide to the Allegheny river at this point. The other reason advanced is that a number of immigrants came

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

up the Susquehanna river and across the country to this same point, where they erected rude huts and commenced the work of hewing out canoes. In the following spring there came a flood, and the party had to take to their canoes and hurriedly paddle or float away from the scene of danger.

About the close of the first decade of this century pioneer Stanton came into this wilderness and settled on the river bank, where the Red House stood on the W. J. Davis farm. The pioneer was soon joined by another, Foster, and the beginnings of Port Allegany were made.

The first saw-mill was established by Daniel Stanton and Dan. Webber (six rods east of Arnold & Dolley's dam) in 1824. Five years later. Stanton, being sole owner, sold the concern to Gideon Irons, who, in 1832, sold to Solo- mon Sartwell. In 1835 A. S. Arnold purchased an interest, and with Sartwell continued in business until 1849, when W. J. Davis and C. I. Medbery pur- chased Sartwell's interests and became Arnold's partners. In 1869 this com- pany sold to F. H. Arnold. E. B. Dolley and C. L. Bellows, the latter going out in 1873.

The first postmaster was Dr. Horace Coleman, who served from 1828 to 1838. During the first few years it bore the name of Keating, then changed to Liberty, but on A. S. Arnold being appointed master in 1838 the present name was conferred. In 1841 William Moore was appointed. He was suc- ceeded in 1843 by J. S. Barrett; he by E. Fitch, in 1847, and in 1849 Dr. Coleman. the pioneer postmaster, was appointed, keeping the office at his house. A short time after S. H. Barrett was appointed, but held the office only three months, when Elihu Starkweather became postmaster. William Wilkin succeeded him in 1853, and served until 1861, when Dr. B. S. Gould was commissioned. Within six months O. D. Coleman was appointed; and shortly afterward Orrin Vosburg, who held the office until succeeded by N. V. Jackson in 1865. In 1869 A. N. Lillibridge was appointed, and in 1873 C. A. Larrabee, who served until succeeded in 1885 by W. J. Davis, the pres- ent postmaster. In April, 1888, the office became a presidential appoint . ment.

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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