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 83

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 83
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 83
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 83
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 83

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).

In 1856 Sisters Frances, Ruperta and Anselma, with Sister Scholastica as Superior, went to Erie and established the present convent there. Miss Ried- derer accompanied them as a postulant. There are now sixty-seven sisters there. In March, 1857, Mother Emerana, accompanied by Sisters Benedicta, Alfonsa, Philomena and Mienrad, went to Indiana, Penn., but finding the location un- suitable, moved to Newark, where they established the present convent. In June, 1857, Mother Benedicta Reip moved to St. Cloud, Minn., with the greater number of the sisters of this house and established a convent there. After the departure of the pioneer prioress, Sister Theresa was appointed. She presided over the convent until 1875, when Mother Isadore (Miss Magdalene Piltz), who entered here in 1861, succeeded, having hitherto filled the posi- tion for one year. In July, 1857, Sister Wendelin (Miss Margaret Rieder) and others were received. In 1858, there were four postulants received, among them Miss Sarah Ann Blakely (Sister Beatrice), the first directress of the new academy, which position she filled until 1863, when she and other sisters moved to Nebraska City, Neb., to establish the convent there." In 1859 the work of building a house was commenced, and in 1860 the large stone convent was completed under the supervision of Father Giles, then prior of the monas- tery. This building was opened in December, 1860. At this time there were over thirty sisters forming the community, exclusive of all formerly sent forth to found new convents. In 1859-60 a few receptions are recorded, among whom were Sister Ida, now in the convent, and Sisters Martha, Floriana and Justiniae, and in October, 1861, Sisters Mary (Miss Mary Glenn), Cunnigunda (Miss Christina Thomas), Frances (Miss Magdalena Fox) and Agnes (Miss Tillie Ackerman). The latter is deceased, but the other Sisters are now in the

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

convent. In 1862 Miss Weidenboerner (Sister Bernardo), Miss Piltz (Sister Isadore), Miss Paulus (Sister Elizabeth), Miss Binder (Sister Mechtild) and Miss Anna Bush (Sister Scholastica) entered the convent, and are now here. In 1862 three sisters from the convent went to Shakopee, Minn., to found a new convent there-Sisters Adelaide (Elder), Clara (Vogel) and Mechtild (Richter). The Johnstown convent was founded in 1870 by nuns from St. Mary's, Sister Mary being one of the founders. In 1863 there were ten receptions, and dur- ing the last twenty-six years there were about 130 sisters made profession here. Twenty-five sisters died here and are buried in the convent cemetery. In August. 1887, Mother Isadore retired at the expiration of term, and Mother Pia was elected. She entered the convent in May, 1871, being formerly Miss Anna Tegler, of St. Mary's. The total number of the community in August, 1889, was sixty-four. In May, 1868, the convent at Richmond, Va., was founded by nuns from the mother house, among whom were Sisters Edith (Vogel), Philomena (Magill) and Clara (Mary Vogel).

The mission schools of this convent were established at Tidioute, Lucinda and Fryburg, 1876; Kane, 1878; Warren, 1883, and Centreville, 1884. These are, in fact, branch houses of the house at St. Mary's. Sister Wendelin, Ed- warda. Luitgard. Bernarda, Aloysia (Miss Theresa Nissell), Adelbertha (Miss Glath) and Adelbertha second (Miss Mary Withman) are numbered among the dead of all the sisters who entered from St. Mary's.

The convent chapel was built by Andrew Miller, of Philadelphia. He also donated the three beautiful altars, valued at over $2,000, together with $4,000 expended on the building. Any one who has ever been within a convent chapel may understand what beauty in church decoration means, and apply the paint- ing of the imagination to this beautiful house of worship. The only daughter of the donor-Sister Stanislaus-is a member of this community.

Academy .- In 1853 St. Benedict's Academy was established, with Mother Walburg Deitrich, directress; Sister Boniface, teacher of English, and Bene- dicta, of German. School was continued in the pioneer house until 1860, when the new convent building was erected. In 1859 Mother Beatrice took the place of Madame Walburg, and presided over the academy until Sister Mary was appointed. in 1863. She served until 1870, when Sister Boniface (Cassidy) was appointed, filling the position for three years, but not continuously. Sister Genevieve (Doran), one year; DeSales (Burgoon), one year; Pauline (McDer- mott), nine years; Mary (Glenn), three years; Boniface (Cassidy), one year; Agnes (O'Connor), the present directress. Sister Beatrice (Wimmer) presides over the music class; Sister Edith, over the primary class; Sister Benedicta, over the senior classes; Sister Mary over the drawing classes; Sister Walburg, over the fancy work. The academy is attended variously, the boarders mim bering from eighteen to fifty, and day pupils about thirty-five. The present academy building is 80x45 feet, four floors in height, with basement; supplied with hot and cold water throughout, and heated by steam. There are fifteen large rooms, together with the great dormitory on the third floor and the study- hall. Such rooms extend almost the whole length of the building.

Public Schools .- Prior to 1848 the schools of this section were conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers, but in February of that year a school district was organized, with Gerhard Schoening, president: I. Garner, secretary and L. Vollmer, treasurer. George Weis, Adamn Vollmer and Philip Stephen were members of the first board. In March. same year. a tax of ten mills was an- thorized, and in April, Louis Germanhausen's house was rented for the use of the teacher. The old school-house stood west of the priory, and is now a car- penter shop. T. F. Klarinaar was the first lay teacher, he coming in 1847.

Bure E. Carteing het

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

and serving in that capacity here at $25 per month. It appears that a school board had been previously organized, for in January, 1849, F. X. Bieberger is referred to as having been collector in 1847, and exonerated from paying the sum of $28.28. In 1850 Charles Roth took Klarinaar's place as teacher. Lawrence Wesnetzer was also employed with E. C. Schultz; Michael Frey was secretary, followed by Sosenheimer, who, with M. Wellendorf as presi- dent, served in 1851. Charles Luhr succeeded Schultz as teacher of En- glish in 1852, with a Mr. Tresh. B. Weidenboerner was then a member of the school board. In September, 1852, Anthony Baecker was employed as teacher, at $25 per month. Ignatius Garner presided, with George Weigel as secretary, and the sisters presided over the female school. The tax duplicate at the time was $387.89, and a school-house was erected. In 1853 Joseph Windfelder was secretary, but gave place to M. Wellendorf, who was president in 1854, with Bernard Eckle, secretary. A. Schmidt, E. Schultz and Charles Luhr were teachers then. B. Weidenboerner suc- ceeded as president in 1856, and in May of that year, Francis Weis* was appointed president, John Butsch being secretary. Charles Kahler, a mu- sician of some merit, was then a teacher in the school. In 1857 John Butsch was succeeded by Louis Vollmer, and Francis Weis. by George F. Shaefer; among the teachers was John Butsch, who taught outside the borough. In 1859 Louis Vollmer and Bernard Eckle filled the offices of president and secre- tary, respectively, and continued in same until 1864. when Edward Babel suc- ceeded Vollmer as president. F. X. Haberbusch was elected president in 1866; Joseph Windfelder, in 1867; Louis Vollmer, in 1868; Joseph Wilhelm, in 1871, and, in 1875, Bernard Eckle was succeeded by Michael Brunner as secretary. John Sosenheimer was elected president in 1875; George Krellner, in 1876; Leonard Wittmann, in 1878: George Imhoff, in 1884; Charles Luhr, in 1885: J. E. Weidenboerner, in 1886-87: Charles A. Lion, in IS88, and John Haas, in 1889. F. X. Haberbusch was chosen secretary in 1876; John Foster, in 1877; J. B. Foster, in 1878; Charles Luhr, in 1880; Andrew Geeck, in 1884: Albert Weis, in 1888, and Charles Luhr, in 1889.

During 1870-72, J. A. Blater took charge of the male school, succeeding Mr. Brockbank. Frederick Barnhart came in 1873, and remained until early in 1888, when W. H. Devereaux came to preside over the senior boys' school.

Under date of February 23, 1857, an agreement was entered into by the board with Prior Rupert Seidenbusch, by which the latter bound himself to pay to the school board of Benzinger township the amount expended in refitting the house on Boniface street, whenever circumstances would require such house for monastery schools.

In early years the sisters taught the public school near the monastery for $25 per month. A frame building was erected in 1854, below the church, where the rear part of the present large brick structure, put up in 1869, stands. There, Sisters Luitgard, Hildegard, Boniface and Nepomecene pre- sided over the several classes. The last named is still engaged in the new brick school-house, enlarged in 1885, where also the present Reverend Mother taught. There are six teachers employed: Sisters Nepomecene, Cecelia, Gabriela, Stanislaus, Aloysia and Antonia. The number of pupils is 600. ... In December, 1889, the plan of providing books, free of charge for the pupils of Benzinger township, was adopted.

Societies. St. John's Fraternal Society of St. Mary's was incorporated June 3, 1857, with the following-named members: B. Eckle, Edward Babel, Casper Wehner, J. Wegener, John Meyer, John Kries, Francis Kellar, D.

* . Joseph Gerber presided over the old Benzinger district, then separate from St. Mary's.

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

Redant, Joe Kroft, Sebastian Hahn, B. Neilmuller, Joseph, Thomas and George Kerner, Charles Luhr, F. Scratzenstaller, M. Schineebeck, Paul Eberl, A. Fochtman, L. Deitz, Mathias Becker, Michael Hogerel, Joe Eckert. L. Wes- netzer, Joe Windfelder, Thomas Scheidler, G. Weigel, John Wendl, Peter and J. Gluxner, Xavier Biberger, B. Weidenboerner, Joe Gerber, Joe Kreig, George Dehl, C. Ritter, Val. Hoffman, Joe Paullus, Fred Miller. J. Sosenheimer, A. Semmler, Joe Willberle, Daniel Kries, J. Schmidstbauer, L. Gohr, M. Aumann, C. L. Kackler, F. Schneider, Michael and Adam Zimmott, Anthony Seidler, Casper Emmert, Andrew Grass, George Wegemer and Bart. Geyer. The organization was simply a benevolent one, to relieve the unfortu- nate or helpless families of the district. It has at the present time 254 mem- bers, and $2,800 reserve fund. Charles Luhr is president, having served fifteen years, and Michael Brunner contemporary secretary. Joseph Sporner is one of the present officials.

Lieut. M. W. Lucore Post, No. 216, G. A. R., was mustered in January 12, 1882, with W. W. Ames, C. ; L. W. Gifford, S. V. ; Lafayette Coop, J. V. : Dr. W. B. Hartman, surgeon; Jacob Dice, chaplain; F. M. Hanes, Q. M .; L. H. Garner, adjutant; P. C. Shaffer, O. D .; J. D. Stover, O. G .; William Gille- lan, S. M., and George Krellner, Q. M. S. A week later the roster contained forty-four names. The charter was granted August 23, ISSI, to W. W. Ames, L. W. Gifford, W. B. Hartman, J. A. Dice, W. A. Hartranft, W. E. Gillen, J. A. Muttersbongh, H. S. Williams, William Irwin, Robert Warner, J. H. Rickards, Philip Shaffer, L. H. Garner, Samuel Madara, Elias Moyer, M. A. Lowry, John Koch and Frank Hanes. Since that time the position of com- mander has been filled by W. W. Ames, L. W. Gifford, W. W. Ames, William McCoy, G. C. Brandon, George W. Boyer and L. H. Garner, and that of adjutant by L. H. Garner, William McCoy, G. C. Brandon, W. W. Ames, L. W. Gifford, G. W. Boyer, L. H. Garner, W. A. Hartranft. The present number of members is thirty-seven. The officers of the post for 1890 are Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Com. ; Rufus Lucore, S. V .; T. Thompson, J. V .; L. H. Garner, acting adjutant; W. E. Hewitt, chaplain; Dr. Hartman, surgeon; G. W. Boyer, Q. M .; C. Schnyder, O. of D., and J. Sullivan, O. of G.

Xerxes Hut, O. O. of H., was instituted November 4, 1882, with thirty-one members. The officers were G. C. Brandon, L. W. Gifford, W. B. Hartman, George Spowart, Sam. Madara, Thomas Low, Harry Weis, William Koch and Thomas Valentine.

The I. C. B. U., Branch, No. 469. was organized in July, 1883, and char- tered January 13, 1884, with the following-named members: N. J. Tierney, Patrick Rogan, James Fleming, Jr., A. Gibbons, P. Sweeney, James Rogan, Sr., Mathew Kangley, M. Sullivan, R. Cloak, John J. Kreig, Edward Gorman, Frank Leary, George Laber. In May, 1883, a temporary organization was effected, with N. J. Tierney, president, who has served in that position since. except in 1887, when W. E. Meagher was elected. The first secretary was James Fleming, succeeded by Anthony Gibbons, W. J. McClure, Edward E. Timm, M. C. Butsch and John Fehely. The latter has served two years. the others one year each. The branch comprises 128 members, with place of meeting at Rogan's Opera House.

St. Johannes Wittwen Verein was incorporated January 2, 1887, with J. A. Hanhauser, G. Krellner, M. C. Butsch, J. Heindl, Joseph Schauer. Joseph Diehl, Joseph Kraft and Alois Stopf. all of St. Mary's, stockholders.

St. Mary's has not been without a band organization since 1845, when I. Garner, F. X. Kohler, Michael Frey and John Moyer held the brass instru- ments. This was the pioneer band of the four counties treated in this volume.

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

In 1847 Charles Luhr joined the society, holding the piccolo. In 1851-52 a second band was formed, with I. Garner, George E. Weis, C. Luhr, C. Weis, William Weis, John Butsch, M. Brunner, L. Wesnetzer, John Sosenheimer, F. X. Kohler, Frederick Schoening, members. This organization continued twenty-one years. In the " seventies" another band came into existence, and in 1882 the Silver Cornet band. In 1887 the Benzinger band was organized. The Citizens' band was organized February 5, 1889, with John G. Volk, presi- dent; Joseph J. Luhr, secretary; G. F. Schaut, treasurer, and Max Miller, teacher. The other members were Charles B. Garner, Edward Wittmann, Jacob Meisel, Joseph Meisel, Frederick Luhr, M. J. Heocherl, Joseph Frein- del. Louis Hauber, Frank Dornish, Stephen Geotchling and Frank Wilhelm. Mountain Queen Lodge, No. 459, K. of P., claims the following officers for 1890: David Heath, P. C .; David Puncheon, C. C., and Daniel Seward, K. of R. and S.

Keystone Assembly 10547, K. of L., organized some time ago, is a pros- perous association.

The Elk County Agricultural Society and Trotting Park Association was incorporated September 17, 1883, on petition of James Rogan, J. K. P. Hall, Andrew Kaul, B. F. Hall, G. C. Brandon, G. E. Weis and Henry Luhr. The place of meeting was fixed at St. Mary's, round which are found the agricult- ural wealth and leading farmers of all this section.

Miscellaneous .- In the convent may be found some valuable paintings, among which a few, by Sister Mary, are prized very highly. The "Christ on the Cross," by Von Hoeck (born at Antwerp in 1598, and a student of Rubens), brought from Belgium in 1849 by Baron Charles Van Ersal. is now in possession of Ignatius Garner. In 1882 he shipped it to Munich, to be restored. A certificate by Dr. Carl Foerster, art expert and president of anti- quarian society of Bavaria, dated December 10, 1882, shows the painting to be one of Von Hoeck's. He also bears testimony to the work of restoration, and terms it a fine, well-preserved and undoubted original, which bears the truthful characteristics of the Rubens school.

The Bible of the Old and New Testaments, translated into German by Rev. Dr. Johan Eclen, with permission of church and king, in 1537, is in possession of Ignatius Garner; also a copy of Dr. Johan Deitenberger's translation of 1587, published at Cologne by Kerwinum Calenium. Each large volume is perfect in paging and printing, while the illustrations are almost as clear as they were over 300 years ago. The last mentioned volume is in the original hog skin binding, with embossed cathedral figures. He has also a smaller Bible in Latin vulgate, printed in 1679, at Cologne, by Herman Demen, and approved by Pope Clement VIII. This last-named relic was presented to Mr. Garner in 1874, by Father Burns. He also has a bell, cast about the four- teenth century, bearing the names of the evangelists. Dr. Earley has one of the old Bibles of the twelfth or thirteenth century, written on vellum in the monastic style of that period, and also one of the early printed volumes.

In 1877 a flint stone dresser was found in the crevice of a rock west of St. Mary's by A. Aumann. About this time an old lady found a steel sword, with brass handle and guard, under an old log near the Barrens.

In 1845 Ignatius Garner was commissioned postmaster. In 1855 George Weis was appointed and served until 1860, when Fred Schoening was ap- pointed. James Blakely was appointed after the war, followed by Charles McVean, who gave place to I. Garner in February, 1887. H. A. Parsons was appointed in 1889 .... The first railroad agent was W. E. Armstrong. He was followed by John Collins. In 1877 or 1878 Samuel Mutherbach was appointed, and in 1882 L. H. Wilson. P. Fisher is assistant agent.

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII.

FOX TOWNSHIP.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION - SETTLEMENT-SOME FIRST THINGS-RESIDENT TAX- PAYERS, 1844-ELECTIONS-UNITED STATES LAND DEEDS-COAL AND OIL COMPANIES-VILLAGES-CHURCHES, INDUSTRIES, ETC.

OX TOWNSHIP is mainly in the trough formed by Boon's mountain on the east and Shawmut mountain* on the west. The Appalachian chain stretches along the northeastern line for two miles, when it diverges west- ward for two miles and then runs south 25° west, crossing the southern line two miles east of the southwest corner. East of this divide the headwaters of Kersey creek and Cherry run have their sources, while west is Little Toby and its feeders, running southwest, and the southern feeders of Elk creek, flow- ing north. Sandstone-capped Boon's mountain reaches a height of 2,265 feet east of Centreville, and on the road from Kyler's to Weedville 2,085 feet; a hill just southwest of Kyler's, 1,950 feet, affords one of nature's observa- tories. The valleys east of the mountain are deeper and narrower than those on the west side, and the topographical appearance is very dissimilar.

The trough contains the principal coal deposits. the exploration at North- western Mining & Exchange Company and the Connor mines (opened in 1866 by the owner), being carried to a depth of 516 feet prior to 1883, showing two heavy outcrops and nine distinct bodies of coal. The Peter Connor coal field is on Warrant 4077, at an elevation of 1,875 feet. This field was leased by D. Eldridge, who abandoned it. The Kersey Coal Company opened a de- posit of Alton coal in 1866, about three and one-half miles south of the Phila- delphia & Erie Railroad, on the western side of the Daguscahonda Railroad. In 1848 Dr. Earley opened a bed at the heads of Coal run and Toby branches, which in 1884-85 was part of Northwestern Mining & Exchange Company's field. On the Hawk farm, on one of the feeders of Mill run, Na- thaniel Hyatt opened a mine in 1847 or 1848. This was immediately north of the Kersey Coal Company's old mining village. One mile north of Kyler's was Enos Hayes' coal mine; but the first in that district was opened by Judge Kyler, whose trade extended to Allegany.

Limestone is exposed on Toby creek, southeast of Kyler's Corners, at an elevation of 1,570 feet above tide. This exposure is six feet in depth. It is also exposed on the head of Sawmill run, from which it was quarried by Judge Kyler for lime-burning. At a point one mile west of Kyler's, on the Thomp- son farm, near Brandy Camp, a red bog-iron ore was discovered some years ago. The quality is similar to that near Ridgway and in Spring Creek town- ship, and consequently of little commercial value until new methods of reduc- tion are introduced. Sandstone is found here, as in all other sections of the county.

In 1811 the Fox & Norris Company offered fifty acres to each of six families as an inducement to settlement. In 1812 Jacob Wilson, John Kyler, Elijah Meredith, Samuel Miller, Amos Davis and Jonah Griffith accepted this bonus.

*The old Shawmut Railroad was constructed almost on the summit of this ridge.

asMartín

6.& Chamberlin

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

and brought their families into the wilderness (Davis came in about 1807 or 1810 as the pioneer), but the three last-named left in a few years. The farms of the three first-named still bear the titles of their original cultivators. Will- iam Morgan taught the first school, in John J. Bundy's house, now on the Breham farm, Dr. William Hoyt succeeding him, and William Christie pre- sided over the third term. The company built a mill between Daguscahonda and Centreville, at Old Burnt Mills. A second mill was erected, to replace the pioneer one which was burned, and this gave place to Peter Connor's mill, and later to the John Koch grist-mill. Stephen Oyster's grist mill on Little Toby was completed on the site of the old mill, February 15, 1851. George Weis and Daniel Oyster were dealers in that year, the latter with A. Harrington; R. Brown, at Brandy Camp, and Nathaniel Hyatt, kept hotels. Jesse Kyler operated the coal mines. Dr. Lewis Giddings resided two miles south of Centreville.

The resident tax payers in 1844 were George Artz (joiner), Michael Brown, Chauncey Brockway, Philetus Clark (saw-mill), Daniel Clark, Joseph T. Comley (tannery), Jeremiah Callahan, Henry Carnes (saw-mill), Josiah Earl, Clark Eggleston, Patrick Fern, Amos Fox, John Green, W. F. Green, Henry Gross, Miles German, Catherine Hays, Jeremiah Hewitt, William Hoyt, James R. Hancock, Eddy, Daniel and Nathan Hyatt, John and William Horning, Mar. tin Huhn (blacksmith), Conrad Huhn, Isaac and Charles Horton, James and William Iddings, Reuben Iddings (saw-mill), David R., Jesse and John Kyler. Jacob Kregar, John and George Kellar, Plummer Little. Patrick and John Largay, Conrad. Jacob, Elias and John Moyer, William McCauley, Elijah, Elijah, Jr., David and William Meredith. Thomas, John, James and Patrick Malone, Terence, Matthew and Arthur McQuone, John Miller, William Max- well, James L. and Edward M. Moore, John, Daniel. George and Lawrence Nolf, Jonathan Nichols, Daniel Oyster (grist and saw-mill), William Pauley, Andrew. Ira and Jesse Pauley, Jonah, Joseph and Uriah Rogers, Nelson Riggs. James Reeseman, Thomas Rielly, Patrick Shelvy, John (mason), and Robert Sullivan, Andrew Shafer, Jacob Schmeltzer (saw-mill), Peter, George, John and Rufus Thompson, Reuben Thompson (saw-mill). G. B., David, Will- iam, Jacob, Josiah, Joel and Joseph Taylor, Alanson Viall, Michael White. Jason Wadsworth, Samuel and Jacob Wilson, Gardiner Weaver and John Wonderly. The United States Land Company, represented by James Wilson, owned a large part of this township; the Kersey Company owned the mill tracts; five acres formed the area of Horton's saw-mill lots, and a number of small tracts were credited to non-resident owners.

At the election held February 27, 1844, Chauncey Brockway and Eddy Hyatt were chosen justices; Joseph Rogers and John Horning, supervisors; Joel Taylor and Uriah Rogers, constables; George Thompson, assessor; P. B. Little, E. Hyatt, Joe Taylor, J. T. Comley, W. W. Horning, Joseph Rogers and Jacob Taylor, school directors; C. Brockway, clerk: William Maxwell and Nathaniel Hyatt, overseers of poor; Daniel Oyster, E. Hyatt and James Iddings, auditors: Jacob Schmeltzer, judge, with W. S. Meredith and Jacob Moyer, inspectors of elections. Isaac Horton was elected justice in 1846; Chauncey Brockway and Peter Thompson in 1849. The officers for Fox town- ship chosen in February, 1890, were Charles Straessley and W. J. Frantz, school directors; Patrick Quinn and Henry Gross. Jr., supervisors; C. Miller. overseer of poor; William Thomas, auditor; A. M. Cut, treasurer; John Poutzer, clerk; Michael Keeley, collector.

In December, 1844, the United States Land Company deeded to the Ger- man Agricultural Society (Nicholas Reimel, John Albert, Matthew Schweitzer

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HISTORY OF ELK COUNTY.

and Peter Richterwalt, trustees) a tract of land (1.012 acres) in the vicinity of the place hitherto known as Strasburg, and another of 510 acres known as the "facility tract." The consideration mentioned is $187 (with other goods and valuable considerations). The Strasburg tract was surveyed (Warrant 4370 December 11, 1793, was granted to James Wilson, who sold to Samuel M. Fox in April, 1795). The facility tract, No. 4371, was surveyed at the same time, and passed through the same ownership. In 1840-41 new surveys were made by Amos and Little, and an elaborate chart of the Kersey tract was prepared by them. In 1808 Samuel M. Fox died, and Joseph M. Fox represented the heirs.

The Toby Creek Coal and Oil Company was organized in March, 1865, with Andrew Dutcher, W. H. Armstrong, Elias S. Lowe, Fletcher Coleman and Frederick Lovejoy, members. The object was to develop the mineral lands in Fox township. This company drilled a well on this land .... The Noble Coal and Oil Company was incorporated in February, 1865, with Orange Noble, George B. Delamater, John W. Hammond, John H. Bliss and Herman Janes, for the purpose of developing coal and oil lands in Fox town- ship. The company still own their lands, but the timber has been sold to Oyster & Short. ... The Kersey Coal Company was incorporated in 1866 for the purpose of mining coal in and around Kersey.

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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