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 80

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 80
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 80
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 80
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 80

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Among the private troops killed on the field or who died from the effects of wounds were W. W. Barr and Joseph N. Hoffman, killed at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864; Martin Kelly, Cyrus Marginson, Willard Aylin, at Harrison- burg, June 6, 1862; John Wenrick and John A. Spencer, at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; Hiram Woodruff, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, while A. S. Davis died of wounds received there; W. D. Watkins was accidentally killed at Alexandria; D. Nolin committed suicide; Charles K. Coleman, James Cas- siday, Ben Fuller, Alanson Holly, Jerry Sullivan, Ezra P. Tillson, and John Imes died in service; John Miller was killed while drawing the attention of the enemy; John P. Arts and Allen C. DeBeck, were missing after the affair of May 30, 1864, at Bethesda Church. Among the wounded discharged were Clinton Bundy, W. H. Chase, G. C. De Beck, John F. Dailey, James H. Elder, Ben Ireland, J. A. Lehman, Allen Mahlen, John Reinhart, Angust Rhanewalt and Jackson Stewart.

The private troops discharged on surgeon's certificates are named as fol- lows: Simon B. Benson, Lafayette Bingham, A.' C. Carpenter, Orlando Davis. William Daniels, G. W. English, A. J. Graham, J. J. Garrison, Thomas A. Gross, James H. Hollis, C. Lukens, R. W. Lenish, T. Montgomery, James McDonald, Ben Sparks, Edward D. Sawyer, George Shaffer, John Sheeley, W. L. Stark, N. H. Tubbs and Jesse D. Varner. The troopers sentenced by court-martial to be discharged were D. M. Henderson and Michael McCoy.

The transfers to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment, May 31, 1864, were Clinton Bundy, Levi Bateman, Napoleon Burnett, James C. Cummings, F. G. Cordes, Marcus Kline, Joseph Farley, Floyd Holly, J. A. Hollingshead, Reuben Keller, W. Kreecht, J. W. Miller, Marshal Quay, Cyrus Robbins, James Rawley, F. H. Robinson, A. J. Simers, Elhannan Stephens, J. W. Strubble, Robert L. Sharer, C. Wansall and Lawrence Willey.

The private troops mustered out with company, June 11, 1864, were John F. Darley, G. C. DeBeck, Tartulas J. Garrison, T. B. Johnston, John W. Leeman, Thomas H. Ryan, G. W. Scott, J. W. Wharton and Joseph Walshe. Among the men transferred to other regiments were Thomas Fur- long and John Imes to the V. R. C., and James Gross and George H. Price to the Sixth U. S. Cavalry; A. Kearns, L. Lewis and R. C. Winslow were not on roll at this date; William Warner and J. H. Whitehead were on detached service; Edward Doan was reported as missing in June. John Showers and James A. Graham in August, and George R. Norwood in May, 1861; Rufus Padget and W. D. Warner in June, 1863; Solomon King was a soldier in Company I. Among the soldiers of the Forty-second residing here belong- ing to the regimental association are Levi Bateman, L. W. Gifford, T. B. Johnson, William Kreecht, Reuben Keller and L. Lucore.

Capt. Anthony A. Clay, of Rasselas, served in the Fifty-eighth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and has been a resident of Elk county for over twenty-three years. He was born at Vienna, Austria, in 1839.

Among other soldiers from this county are the following named from St. Mary's and neighborhood: James Phelan, 58th; Anthony Schauer, 10th; Jere- miah Sullivan, 58th; Louis Garner; George Krellner, 6th: Sebastian Metz- gar, 6th; George Kingsley; Charles Scheider; M. Stevich; Thomas Zimmett, 111th; Jacob Schubert, 111th; George Smith, 111th; Capt. Charles Volk, 111th; Frank Bieberger, 111th; Frank Weidenboerner; Charles Harpstritt,

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

111th; Andrew Dippold, 111th; Frank Weis, 111th; George Nissell. 111th: Stauffer, Sr., 111th; - - Stauffer, Jr., 111th; Stephen Henry; Frank Sosenheimer, 105th; John Langenfeld; - Nissell; A. Brahm; John E. Weidenboerner, 105th; John Fischer, 105th; Wendel Lion; Philip Wil- helm, U. S. Cavalry; William Krackle, 10th; John Kries; John Miller; Jacob Miller; John Oyster; Reuben Kellar; Nicholas Brockway; Henry Largay; John Wellendorf; Peter Albel. 105th, (killed), and a few others.

Dr. Bardwell was appointed local surgeon of the invalid corps January 1, 1865, on which date there were fifty-six invalid soldiers placed in the old court- house, now the Bogert House, under Capt. Short. Two months later another detachment arrived and were quartered in the old school-house across the river. All the men recovered and were discharged.

R. W. Petrikin, born in Benezette township in 1843, was killed by Indians in Mexico, October 15, 1882, while acting as chief of construction on the Mexi- can International Railroad. He entered West Point in 1861, and in 1866 was assigned duty as lieutenant at Baltimore.

The Elk County Guards organized in August, 1854, with R. Maginniss, cap- tain; Harvey Henry, first lieutenant; W. N. Whitney, second lieutenant; J. F. Dill, ensign; W. C. Healy, first sergeant ; Crawford, second; Wilcox, third. and H. Souther, fourth; H. A. Parsons, first corporal; P. T. Brooks, second; L. Brigham, third, and C. Mead, fourth.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT, P. V. I.

The Ridgway Rifles, Company H, of the Sixteenth P. V. I., was organized in 1874, with Frederick Schoening, captain. Among the first members were J. O. W. Bailey, T. W. Benson, W. S. Horton, J. W. Morgester, M. S. Kline, P. R. Prindle, C. W. Barrett, C. Bowers, Harry Wilson, Henry J. Iloff, Michael Luly. Joseph Holseybooth, W. S. Mcveigh, W. A. Cummings, H. A. Parsons, Jr., J. D. Fullerton, L. W. Ely, Henry Warner, Joseph Metts, L. Luther, C. H. Rhines and C. F. Howe. The total enrollment up to July 31, 1887, was 209, of which number 54 were discharged, 4 re-enlisted, and 3 died. All the volunteers enrolled up to July 31, 1887, were residents of Ridgway. Of the original members, Will. S. Horton and H. A. Parsons, Jr., are still mem- bers of this company, the former succeeding Fred. Schoening as captain, and the latter succeeding Joseph Bailey as first lieutenant, who succeeded G. R. Woodward. This Joseph Bailey was commissioned vice J. O. W. Bailey, who died in 1878 at Camp Chautauqua. C. H. Rhines was the pioneer second lieutenant, followed by George R. Woodward, Joseph Bailey came next, fol- lowed by Charles F. Geary, the present second lieutenant. The company was called out during the riots of 1887-88, and has been present at all State drills since 1874. The present strength of the command is 61, of whom 50 were at Camp Kane, Warren, in July, 1889.

In 1888 Company H won the regimental trophy for rifle shooting, and claims twenty-nine sharpshooters' badges, having lost in 1887 by only two points. O. T. Miner, a soldier of 1861-65, was a member of this command until recently. The State decoration is awarded all guardsmen who at the 200 and 500 yard ranges, five shots at each range, possible 50, make at least 25. Those who make 42, and upward, are designated as "sharpshooters," and get a silver bar. Following is the list for 1888, giving points and years of service:

Sharpshooters-W. S. Horton, 50, 6; Joseph A. Lewis, 46, 2; William B. Shean, 46, 2; Henry A. Parsons, Jr., 45, 6; C. A. Olmsted, 45, 6; F. E. Nichols, 45, 6; L. B. Elliott, 45, 6; A. F. Beman, 45, 3; Horace Huston, 45,

Moms Very Respectfully

625

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

1; George R. Woodward, 44, 6; Charles F. Geary, 44, 2; William Collom, 44. 4; James L. Henry, 44, 2; A. S. Motter, 44, 2; Charles Moore, 44, 1: D. E. Moore, 44, 2; James D. White, 43, 6; A. E. Ross, 43, 2; William Cunning- ham, 43, 1; George McFarlin, 43, 3; David Lobaugh, 43, 2; W. B. McCor- mick, 42, 6; Isaac N. Benton, 42, 2; Milton Sleight, 42, 6; Claud Kime, 42, 1; Amos DeVoge, 42, 1; O. S. Winslow, 42, 1; A. M. Ent, 42, 2; H. Ellinger. 43; Clyde Kime, 43.

Ordinary marksmen-W. M. Elliott, 40, 6; Joseph Cassidy, 40, 1; Martin Mitchell, 40, 2; Jack E. Barrett, 38, 1; W. T. Moore, 36, 1; True Gilman, 35, 1: James A. Neill, 35, 1; D. W. Healy, 34. 1; John Cunningham, 32, 2; John Wallgren, 32, 1; J. W. Curry. 32, 1; Fred. Hartley, 31, 1; Mack Lewis, 31, 1; John Davis, 30, 2; C. E. Luther, 30, 1: Harry Ellinger, 30, 1; F. S. Tinthoff, 30, 1: D. A. Meilus, 29. 1; John Meicht, 29, 1; O. T. Minor, 28, 1: W. C. Beman, 27, 1; W. E. Horton, 27. 1: George Barrett, 27, 1; J. P. Keys, 26, 1: Charles Quinn, 26, 1.

In 1889 the silver bar honor was won by the same members, with one or two exceptions.

CHAPTER VIII.

RAILROADS.

PHILADELPHIA & ERIE RAILROAD-SUNBURY & ERIE RAILROAD-PITTSBURG & NEW YORK RAILROAD-OTHER ROADS-ACCIDENTS, ETC.

THE Philadelphia & Erie Railroad was chartered April 3, 1837, as the Sun- bury & Erie, and the work of construction was commenced in 1852. The whole line was opened October 17, 1864. In January, 1862, it was leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at 30 per cent of the gross earnings. In 1870 the lessors agreed to receive the net revenue. The total length is 287.56 miles.

A letter dated Ridgway, December 23, 1846, signed by Leonard Morey and Henry Souther, advises Ignatius Garner of his appointment as delegate to the Philadelphia railroad convention of 1847, from Elk county, the convention being called to consider measures for the completion of the Sunbury & Erie Railroad. In July, 1851, a railroad meeting was held at J. Luhr's house, St. Mary's, George Weis presided, with Philip Stephan and Ed. Babel, vice- presidents, and C. Luhr, secretary. Books were opened and $8, 100 subscribed. An address by E. C. Schultz was followed by an increase of subscriptions to $15,500. Ignatius Garner, John Susenbonner, A. Stockman and others favored the building of the Sunbury & Erie road. At Ridgway M. L. Ross. Dr. C. H. Fuller, Maj. Maginnis, H. A. Parsons, Charles Horton and George Dickinson were the leaders in favor of subscribing to this road, while the pioneers of Benezette also favored it.

A convention of delegates from the townships was held February 17, 1852. This convention instructed the commissioners to subscribe to the stock of the Suubury & Erie Railroad Company. Negotiations were at once entered into. and on September 6, 1852, a subscription of $100,000 was authorized, subject

626

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

to the confirmation by a general meeting of citizens to be held October 5, that year. This meeting ratified the action of the commissioners, and on October S the grand jury authorized a subscription of $39,383 to the stock of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, and the commissioners acquiesced. In May. 1853, bonds for the latter subscription were issued, and in July $20,000 bonds of the former subscription were signed.

Thomas L. Kane was one of the directors of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Company. To him is credited the discovery of the low summit of the mountains in Mckean county. In 1856 he came to spend the summer at Williamsville, and while there studied the geological structure of the country. and planned the line of the Big Level road as well as of many of the railroads of MeKean and Elk counties. The location of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. as at present constructed. has been questioned by a number of engineers. Be this as it may, the present line with its first prominent summit at West creek, north of St. Mary's, at an elevation of 1,695 feet, and its more western summit at Kane. with an elevation of 2.020 feet, shows a much more preferable line than those preliminary surveys run to the north, of which Col. Jarret's was one, with the eastern summit at an elevation of 225 feet higher than the present highest summit at Kane.

On June 23, 1863. S. Wimmer came to Elk county as principal assistant engineer of the Pennsylvania company, to complete the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad from Whatham to Warren, of which E. Miller and Milton Courtright were chief contractors. In July. 1864, the road was practically completed; but not until March, 1865, did Mr. Wimmer sever his connection with the road, owing to his acceptance of a position as engineer on the Vera Cruz rail road, where the Wimmer bridge stands as one of the memorials of his work. near La Cumbres de Maltrata. In March, 1869, he took charge of the build- ing of the Benezette and Driftwood division of the Low Grade, and subse- quently. of the road from Benezette to DuBois, which was completed in 1874.

The railroad accident of April 7, 1875, resulted in the death of Adam Brehm. The accident occurred just east of Rathbun. .... The accident east of the rail- road bridge at Ely's mill. of November 1, 1877, when the day express ran into the Empire freight, resulted in the death of Calvin D. Shearer, and William Col- lins, engineers; Morris Farrell, fireman, and William Stevens, brakeman; and William Gallagher, fireman on freight. D. C. Oyster, a passenger, escaped, like other passengers. with some little injury.

The wreck of August 11, 1889, occurred just above Whistletown. Bert Anderson, an Erie brakeman, of Bradford, was buried beneath the wreckage. where he was found dead that Sunday evening. It is said that his invalid wife had warned him not to go on the trip, feeling that he would never return alive. He too, felt very uneasy, for on bidding her good-bye he promised her that he would leave off railroading on his return. He said this would be his last trip. The locomotives telescoped each other, and were twisted into a mass of crushed and broken iron. Ten cars of the Erie train and fifteen of the Philadelphia & Erie train shared the fate of the engines. The wreckage was piled high npon the track, and soon caught fire. Two cars loaded with naphtha were ig- nited, and with a loud explosion increased the extent of the blaze. The fifteen cars of the Philadelphia & Erie were about all consumed in the flames, while the Erie cars fared better.

In July, 1881, work commenced on the Pittsburg & New York Railroad be- tween Ridgway and Whistletown. The line was projected from a point oppo- site Red Bank creek to Mahoning creek, and thence by Brockwayville and Ridg- way to Bradford. The building of this road led to much trouble, but a truce

627

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

was called. At midnight. on April 14. 1882, the truce between the New York. Lake Erie & Western and the Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad Companies was broken, and by the morning of the 15th a quarter-mile of track was con- structed on the disputed right of way between Ridgway and Johnsonburg. By May 4 there were two miles of track placed between Ridgway and Whistle- town, and on May 6 the quarrel was settled by the New York, Lake Erie & Western Company relinquishing all claim to right of way between the towns on the west side of the Clarion, agreeing to run over the Philadelphia & Erie between the points named, while the Rochester & Pittsburgh surrendered an equal length of their line from Ridgway to the mouth of the Toby.

The accident on the Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad, at Rasselas, twenty- five miles southeast of Bradford, took place July 1. 15$3. S. N. Toles, con- ductor. Michael Downs, brakeman, R. A. Clement. George Quinn, Adamo Angelo and Sam I. McKee, all of Bradford, except the Italian, were killed out- right, and John Collins, mortally wounded, died July 2. The accident was caused by the rear portion of a heavy freight breaking away from the main train, and rushing down a grade of fifty-eight feet per mile dash into the sec- ond division driven by Patrick Downs, who instantly reversed the engine and jumped for his life.

The Daguscahonda Railroad, though a short one, has played an import- ant part in the development of a large section of the country. Dr. C. R. Earley was superintendent in 1871, and like other progressive enterprises in which he is interested, made this a success. In August, 1871, Track-walker Dan Downs fell asleep on the track, four miles from Ridgway, and was killed by the ex- press train. The Daguscahonda Railroad accident of September 30, 1571, resulted in the wreck of six freight cars. On February 3. 1872, Patrick Mc- Tige was killed at Ridgway depot.

The Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad was completed from Driftwood, Cameron county, to the mouth of Red Bank creek in Clarion county. in 1874. .... The Ridgway & Clearfield Railroad. 27.23 miles in length to Falls Creek was opened November 9, 1883. but its extension of 7.64 miles was not completed until 1885. . . . In August, 1883. it was proposed to extend the McKean & Buffalo Railroad from Clermont to Johnsonburg, under the name of Clermont & Johnsonburg Railroad. Byron D. Hamlin being president.

The Wilcox & Burningwell Railroad Company was organized in March, 1886 .... The Johnsonburg Railroad Company was chartered in March, 1887. to build a road from Johnsonburg to Clermont in McKean county, eighteen miles, then to connect with the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad. In July, 1889, the road was completed and leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. Several important points at which stations have already been located are Glen Hazel, Instanter (new) and Clermont. This new connection is used mainly as a feeder in the interest of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

A standard gauge railroad is to be built from Portland to Hallton, thirteen miles, by Andrew Kaul, J. K. P. Hall, W. H. Hyde, J. K. Gardner and others. In March, 1890, B. E. Wellendorf made a preliminary survey of the route. A tannery at Carman and several large saw-mills it is said, will follow. The Clar- ion River Railway Company elected, in February, 1590, J. K. Gardner, vice- president: J. K. P. Hall, secretary and treasurer; B. E. Wellendorf, engineer. and Harry Alvan Hall, general manager.

628

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

CHAPTER IX.

MEDICAL.

THE PIONEER PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY AND LATER PRACTITIONERS-RECORD OF PHYSICIANS WHO REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OF 1881.

TN 1809 the pioneer physician of the county arrived in the person of Dr. Rogers, of whom a good deal is related in a former chapter. In 1818 Dr. Nichols came, then Dr. Clark, and before 1823 Dr. Hoyt was in Fox town- ship. In 1843 Madam Dorothea Wolfram came as an accoucheur under spe- cial contract with the colony at St. Mary's. Dr. D. Miner was in Jones township in 1844; Dr. Earley came about 1846, and practiced at Ridgway as early as 1855. When Dr. Van Volsey arrived in 1861, Jeremiah Chapman was Dr. Earley's first partner in the drug business, and later Dr. Hill was associated with him. Lewis Iddings, A. B. Pulling and Buchman were in Fox township in 1850-51, and at that time Dr. Earley was a resident of Jay township. Dr. W. J. Blakeley was at St. Mary's, and he and Earley, Bardwell and Me- Knight were the only regular physicians of the county in 1863.

The record of physicians who registered under the act of June 8, 1881, is given as follows, also the place and date of diploma, as well as the year of registry.

Those who registered in 1881 were as follows:

+ Dudley B. Day, Cincinnati, 1877. +S. Michael Free, Ohio, 1880.

"Herman Straessley, practice, -. +John S. Bardwell, . 1856.

*Theo. S. Hartley, Buffalo, -

+E. L. Ernhout, Wilcox, 1879.

+C. G. Wilson, Jefferson College, 1873.

A. M. Straight, Bellevue, - -.

Eben J. Russ, Nat. Med. College, 1861.

Fred Saurwald, St. Mary's,

+Cyrus A. Haskins, Buffalo, 1878.

¿Edward T. Williams, Centreville, -.

+William B. Hartman, Pa. Med. Col., 1856. #Andrew Meisel, Elk county, 1871.

Samuel B. Hartman, Jefferson College, -.

+Walter L. Williams, practice, 1869. +C. R. Earley, -, 1846.

Those who registered in 1882 were as follows:

¿Carolum W. Anderson, Geneva, 1861. Jeremiah K. Bowers, Phila. -

#Jacob D. Woodruff, Buffalo, 1882. #T. R. Williams, Baltimore, 1882.

Those who registered in 1883 were as follows:

+D. D. Fislier. Vermout, Joseph H. Hoffmau, Philadelphia, -. Jason T. Waid, Buffalo, 1883.

+Francis W. Sapp. Baltimore, -

A. A. Sweier, Philadelphia,

Those who registered in 1884 were as follows:

Edgar T. Williams, practice, 1871. A. B. Bevier, Bellevue, -

James H. Wells, Bellevue, - -

William H. Tassell, Baltimore,

Those who registered in 1885 were as follows:

V. R. Corbett, Philadelphia, Byron Clark, Baltimore,

Francis G. Early, Philadelphia, 1885. Sherman E. Ayars, Ec. College, N. Y., -.

Charles R. Earley, - , 1846. A. Kelly Corbin, N. Y. College, -. Hugh Henry, Cleveland,

L. Gibbons Smart, Baltimore, - -.

Those who registered in 1886 were as follows:

Mrs. H. M. Mullhaupt, Philadelphia, 1886. * W. C. Quinn, Baltimore, 1886. William C. Jones, Michigan, 1886.

*Deceased. 1Present. $Moved.

-V Laag M Sharon

631

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

Those who registered in 1887 were as follows:

+W. J. MeKnight, Pennsylvania. 1886. +H. P. Holt, Baltimore,

+James G. McCoy, Ohio, 1873.

J. A. Burgoon, Clarion County, John L. Wright, Philadelphia, 1881.

Henry H. Smith, Philadelphia, 1887.

Those who registered in 1SS8 were as follows:

William C. Niver, practice, 1852. F. H. Sinning, Philadelphia, 1885.

R. J. Hillis, Baltimore, -.

"Charles M. Blakeslee, practice, 1853.

Those who registered in 1889 were as follows:

Merrit Wilcox, Philadelphia, William R. Palmer, Buffalo, -

Walter B. Hottel, Cleveland, +John C. McAllister, Jr., Baltimore, ----.

L. L. Sapp registered in March, 1890: Dr. Hartman came in 1865, Dr. H. T. C. Krumme about 1867, just after W. W. Shaw's advent. C. H. Ful- ler was an old botanical doctor.

CHAPTER X.

BENEZETTE TOWNSHIP.

ELEVATIONS - MINERALS-POPULATION - ELECTIONS-RESIDENT TAX-PAYERS. 1844-THE TOWNSHIP IN 1850-VILLAGE OF BENEZETTE-MISCELLANEOUS.

RENEZETTE TOWNSHIP, east of the Appalachian chain, is the home of Bennett's branch of the Susquehanna. The highest measured point is at the head of Mix run, near the southern line of the county, 2,130 feet, and the lowest point, near the village of Dent's run, 1,100 feet, while the depot at the village is only 925.8 feet above tide level.

The strata underlying Benezette are represented in the section of the Bene- zette dry hole. This hole was originally a salt well, and was drilled to a depth of 600 feet about twenty-six years ago. The hole was three inches in diameter, and salt water was thrown up over the derrick, by gas, for half an hour at a time. The water came from a depth of 300 feet. It was afterward drilled to a depth of 721 feet in search of oil, and was abandoned in February, 1878. Well-mouth above ocean level, 1.005 feet. The record is as follows:

Conductor. 7 Hard blue limestone .. 130

Red and gray rock 17 Light slate 134

Gray shale. 57 Dark slate. 152

blue Red rock. 61 Sandy slate. 178 Hard gray and rock. 699

Gray slate. 73 Slate 200

Red rock. 91

Red rock 204

Red rock. 707

Blue slate 99

Gray hard rock 207

Gray rock 713

Blue sandy rock 103

First sand. 217 Second sand (not

Blue slate 123 White clay 225

Red rock mixed. 625

Gray sandstone. 633

Red rock .. 657

through). +21

The Winslow coal veins were among the very first worked in this township. The location was near the confluence of Trout and Spring runs, and at the heads of Autens' and Dent's runs. The place was known as the " Winslow Colliery "-titles never conferred on coal mines or banks by Americans. In 1863 an examination of the beds showed several veins of good coal. Simon P. Romig, Judge Jones, E. Fletcher & Brother, Harbison & Walker and Barr & Radcliff were the principal operators from 1872 to 1878 in coal and fire-clay deposits. In June, 1881, Emery & Reading leased large tracts in Benezette

*Deceased. +Present.

J. N. Smith, Cleveland,

632

HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

township for oil-well and mining purposes, and in 1882 some wells were drilled. At the beginning of 1890 the oil stampede, referred to in the first chapter, took place.

The ferriferous limestone of Benezette has been burned for many years with success. Ten years ago Winslow's quarry furnished enough to the adjoining kiln to yield from thirty to forty-five bushels per day. The lime from the kiln sold at 10 cents per bushel for farm and mortar purposes: but for plasterer's use it had to be picked at a cost of 4 cents per bushel extra. In the kiln of that period it required one bushel of coal to burn six bushels of lime. In 1874 Romig burned 300 bushels of lime from this stone. Iron ore was found near the junction of warrants 5015-14 and 5020-21. It was simply ferriferous limestone heavily charged with iron, but unprofitable to work.

Fire-clay deposits between the villages of Benezette and Rock-hill were opened in 1879. So early as 1854 a deposit on the Jones farm, 8,000 feet south-west of Benezette, was opened at an elevation of 1,330 feet, or almost 300 above Jones' dwelling. Reed and Harbison worked this bed in the "seventies," and in 1880 Harbison & Walker were owners. Near warrant 5482 a clay bed was worked in 1874 by the Fletchers, and in later years by Harbison & Walker, who found a market at Pittsburgh, the price being $3.50 per ton delivered in that city. The deposit.known as Barr's clay mine was opened in 1875, and produced an excellent clay for fire-brick.

The population in 1880 was 835, including 297 in Benezette village. In 18SS there were 101 Democratic, 97 Republican and 5 Prohibition votes cast 203×5 representing 1,015 inhabitants.

So many references have been hitherto made to the old settlements in this township, the writer confines this sketch to the recorded history of the last fifty years. The first township election for Benezette, was held in February, . 1846. E. E. Winslow was chosen justice; Henry Derring, constable; Car- penter Winslow and John English, supervisors; William Boyer, John Murray. R. C. Winslow, Simpson Johnson, Samuel Overturf and Theodore Johnson, school directors; John Collins, Ralph Johnson and William Johnson, auditors; R. C. Winslow, clerk; John C. Hicks and Benjamin Johnson, overseers of poor; George English, assessor; Thomas Overturf, judge, with Ellis Lewis and Theodore Johnson, inspectors of election; Charles Winslow and Coleman Johnson, fence viewers. Henry Derring was chosen justice in 1849, E. C. Winslow in 1850. In February, 1890, D. W. DeHass was elected justice of Benezette township; L. Lucore and G. W. Mahon, supervisors; W. A. Shaffer. treasurer; J. E. Daugherty, school director; L. D. Rearich, auditor; D. E. Hewett, collector, and F. S. Blesh, clerk.

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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