Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 85

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 85

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).

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing number of acres of cleared land, 20,005; timber land, 2,497; taxables, 412; valuation of taxable real estate, $396,475; number and value of horses assessed, 360- $16,485; number and value of cows assessed, 344-$5,821; cost of assessment of township for 1913, $6,408; money at interest, $125,- 584.66.

SHELOCTA BOROUGH

On the border of Crooked creek, nine miles west of Indiana, on the pike leading to Kit- tanning, is located the borough of Shelocta. The place was called Sharpsburg, or Sharp's Mill, till 1836, when the village was platted by Abner Kelly, and called Shelocta, for an Indian chief, as tradition has it, who fre- quented "Caliposenk" or Crooked creek.

The first house was erected in the spring of 1822, by Thomas and Joseph Sharp, a short time after the construction of the Eb- ensburg. and Butler pike. In the summer of the same year they erected a sawmill, and in township, the United Presbyterian Churches 1824 a gristmill, known as Sharp's mill, which ground the grain until 1874. The lo-

At present there are four churches in the of Crete, West Union and Shelocta and the Curry Run Presbyterian Church. It is the cation of the old mill can still be seen. only township in the county in which Pres- The Detar & Lytle gristmill was erected in 1874, and is now owned by Edwards & Son, byterianism is almost universal. Nowhere else in all this section of country can be found who have made great improvements by in- three United Presbyterian Churches so close together.

stalling the roller process of the very best material. The mill is patronized from a large scope of country, customers coming four or five miles. It has a large trade in oats, corn, bran, and winter wheat flour- every few days a carload of grain is received at this

The Andersons of Armstrong township have a remarkable record of longevity which is worthy of mention here. William Ander- son and Elizabeth Logan, who were married in 1814, lived together for fifty-seven years, mill. and the following is the record of their chil- Mr. Kelly built a tannery in 1833, when dren: John Anderson and Eliza Caldwell, he came to the site of the village. The tan-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

nery used water power till about 1876, when McChesney, John Anthony, Robert Johnston, steam was instituted.

The first blacksmith was David Ralston, afterwards a sheriff of the county. The sec- ond was Jacob Downey, who labored at the trade over sixty-eight years. At present there are two blacksmith shops, Shafer's and McGaughey's.

Shelocta was incorporated as a borough April 15, 1851. Prior to 1836 Thomas Sharp, Joseph Sharp and Jonathan Peacock were postmasters. The postmasters from 1836 to 1861 were Joseph Clarke, Daniel Metzgar, Dr. Robert McChesney, Samuel Walker. J. J. Anthony held the office from 1861 to 1872; G. W. Kelly from 1872 to 1884; Rankin Hef- felfinger from 1884 to 1897; T. M. Carnahan from 1897 to the present time. The first man to take the mail from Shelocta to Pittsburg was Alna Kelly, who carried it once a week in a saddlebag on horseback. It was also carried to Pittsburg by Abram and Philip Frantz and Jacob Silvis. From Shelocta north to Barnard it was carried by Samuel Henderson and John Russell. Robert Mc- Creight was the first mail carrier on the pike east and west on horseback; he carried the mail twice a week. It was carried by Henry Smith and William Wilcox in a buggy; in a two-horse hack by Mr. Henry, Harry Wood and Samuel Jewart. The mail was carried by Peter Croyle by hack when the B. R. & P. railroad was built. Then the contract was let to T. E. Sharp to carry the mail from Shelocta station to Shelocta, Elderton, Gas- town and Advance, coming around in a circle to Shelocta. He began carrying March 5, 1905, continuing until January 31, 1908, at which time the star route was discontinued. At present there are three rural routes start- ing from Shelocta. The first started Septem- ber 15, 1905, and has been carried contin- ously since that time by Steel Kerr; the sec- ond, on February 15, 1906, carried by John A. Campbell; the third, February 1, 1908, carried by T. E. Sharp. Shelocta has two arrivals and two departures by mail daily except Sunday. The carriers in order are : John Russell, W. F. Sell, Earl Sell and John Russell.

and J. S. George were elected members of council.

The first Crooked creek bridge on the pike was erected in 1822, and has been rebuilt three times. The Shelocta bridge was built in 1835, and was replaced in 1866.

The first merchant was James Thompson, succeeded by Thompson & Nixon, and Robert M. Nixon. J. J. Anthony commenced mer- chandising in 1839, in Ralston's blacksmith shop. Then the firm of Henderson & Mc- Cartney, followed by Samuel McCartney, were in operation. G. W. Kelly opened a store in 1853 and continued in business over thirty years. At present there are two gen- eral stores. The proprietors are W. S. Carn- ahan and W. W. Harbison.

For several years William Richards had a carding machine in the upper part of the old Sharp mill. He removed to Jefferson county. The mill was rebuilt by Joseph Henderson in 1847. The second carding ma- chine was built by Henderson & McCartney, about forty feet above the Sharp mill, re- ceiving its power from the race. Subse- quently, it was purchased by John Anthony, who had obtained possession of the Sharp saw and grist mill. The carding machine has been removed, and the sawmill has not been in operation for many years.

The first shoemaker was John Vaugh, in 1832. James Hunter was the second, and Aaron Smith, in 1841, was the third.

The population of Shelocta in 1910 was 117. The borough supports one school. Select schools have been conducted by R. E. Har- bison, J. T. Henry, J. C. White and J. F. Russell. There is no church in the borough at present.

The first physician was Hugh Calvin, who was succeeded by Robert McChesney, with whom his son, W. A. McChesney, was after- wards associated. John McChesney also be- came a licensed physician, but died about the time he began to practice. The next physi- cian was Dr. Marlin. The present physician is J. H. Smith.

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing: Taxables, 60; valuation of taxable real estate, $21,700; number and value of horses assessed, 23-$710; number and value

The first election was held in the house of William Lowry. The election officers were: Judge, Joseph Henderson; inspectors, Alex- ander Walker and J. J. Anthony; Samuel of cows assessed, 11-$220; money at interest, W. Douds was elected burgess, and R. M. $30,510.25.

CHAPTER XXII

BANKS TOWNSHIP-GLEN CAMPBELL BOROUGH

Banks, the most northwestern township of H. Strickland was the moving spirit for the Indiana county, was formed from Canoe town. The coal operations were first started township in 1868, the report of survey bear- by Harvey Bowers, of Punxsutawney, Pa. A ing the date of March of that year. It re- schoolhouse was located at Sidney during the lumber boom and taught four years by R. J. Beckett. It was then abandoned and the ceived its name from William Banks (father of Attorney John N. Banks of Indiana), a well-known attorney of Indiana, Pa. This schoolhouse moved to Logan, a small coal town one mile southeast of Smithport. The Bear Run Coal & Coke Company operates there at present.

name was selected by Squire D. G. Gorman and Henry Prothero. When the township was formed from Canoe the vote for or against the division was taken June 6, 1868, and re- The Superior Coal Company has an open- ing on Bear run, near the Jefferson road, the old underground railroad. The town has sulted in 110 voting for the division and none against it. The first officers of the town- ship were: Justice of the peace, Daniel been named Lockvale. Weaver; assessor, George Devers, school di- It is worthy of note that in the northern rectors, J. T. Sebring, William H. McFar- part of this township, in the vicinity of Flora land, Andrew Pearce, James Elsey, David P. O., some of the best farms and most pros- Neal, and John Cesna.

perous farmers in Indiana county are found.

, Banks township can boast of its great amount of valuable white pine that has been cut, of some of the most fertile farms, the highest snowdrifts in the winter, the best roads in the summer, and the most healthful climate in Indiana county. Until about 1901 lumbering was the chief occupation of the neighborhood. The principal part of the lumber was taken to Burnside and MeGees, and rafted on the Susquehanna to Lock Ha- ven and Marietta. Afterwards logs were floated on Bear run and Cush creek, by way of the Susquehanna to Williamsport. In later years, the timber was manufactured on the ground, the pine shipped to Williamsport, and the hemlock, cut into fencing boards six inches wide, was hauled to Indiana, Pa. It took two days to make the round trip to In- diana, a distance of thirty miles.

In 1870 the township had a population of 747, and in 1910, a population of 1,872, aside from the borough of Glen Campbell, which has a population of 1,099. In 1870 there were six school districts, one of which, "The Fry," was a joint district. The Washington dis- triet included what are now known as the Pleasantdale and McKee schools. The

Brickell district is now known as Fetter- man's school; the Urey district, as the Pine Grove and Cross Roads schools; Brady dis- trict, as the Rowley school. The Smithport and Fry districts remain unchanged. The Graham and Sidney schools have been estab- lished in later years.

In 1870 the vicinity north of Bear run was called "The Wilderness," but the immense amount of valuable white pine and hemlock that has been cut in that wilderness has proved its value. The Graham tract of timber, which is still standing in this vicinity is by far the most valuable piece of timber land in Indi- ana county.

At present the coal underlying is occupy- ing the attention of many of the inhabitants. The flourishing borough of Glen Campbell was taken from Banks township. Sidney, on Bear run, once a lumber town, is now a coal The churches of the township are the Chris- town. The Pennsylvania railroad runs tian and Methodist in Smithport, the M. E. through Sidney. The length of the railroad Church, known as Steffy Chapel, near Flora, within this part of the county is four miles. and the Covenanter Church, near Bear run. The town was started by Issett & Wray. W. A United Presbyterian Church on the Jef-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ferson road about a half mile from the school were. Hon. John P. Elkin, of Indiana, Covenanter Church, was burned about twelve Pa .; Charles Riddle, an attorney of Seattle; years ago. Rev. Mr. Given was pastor of this James Campbell, real estate agent in Pueblo, church for more than twenty years. He lived at Richmond and never disappointed his congregation but twice; once he got to Smithport and could not go any farther on account of the drifts. For many years he preached two sermons a day. Rev. Mr. Given died in Indiana in 1912.

The following old settlers are still living: Mrs. Eliza Jane Baird, Messrs. Samuel Brady, James Hanna, James Graham, James Martin, James Pierce, Andrew Limerick, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weitzel.

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing number of acres of cleared land, 14,295; timber land, 5,415; number of tax- ables, 557; valuation of taxable real estate, $237,431; number and value of horses as- sessed, 236-$7.985; number and value of cows assessed. 219-$2,404; cost of assess- ment of township for 1913, $84.30; money at interest, $10,158.95.

Smithport .- The old settlers in the vicinity of Smithport were: Joseph Steer, George Pearce, Simon Uber, George Huffman and John M. Hughes. The first settlers on the site of Smithport were: Simon Uber, a hunt- er; Casper Smith; John Winsheimer. and John Havelick. In 1848 Mattias Smith erected a log cabin. In 1854 M. C. Getty built a store house and commenced the sale of mer- chandise. The place was called Smithport on account of the number of Smiths in the neighborhood who owned land upon which the village was situated. The village was sur- veyed in 1864 by Edmund Paige, and resur- veyed by him in 1867. The post office (Hor- tons) was established in 1856. Mrs. E. G. Horton, the mother of John Horton, for whom the post office was named, was in charge until 1866, when she was succeeded by Henry Prothero, who was postmaster until 1892. and for many years a successful merchant at that place. Smithport is on the dividing line between the eastern and western waters. The house of John Horton, located in the town, is so situated that the water falling from one side of the roof runs into the Sus- quehanna river, and from the other side into the Little Mahoning, the waters of which finally reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Smithport has been a center of business enterprise and schools. Some of the most successful select schools in the county have been at that place. Teachers of the select

Colo .; Attorney H. E. Anderson, and J. T. Stewart. The writer can look back to the summer of the Johnstown flood, when he taught his first term of select school in Smith- port, and recall with pleasure the names of some of the pupils who attended his school : Clark Gorman, who is now a successful physi- cian in the northern part of the State; S. J. Smith, who was assemblyman from Indiana county, and also in the state of Oklahoma, and is now mayor of Sapulpa, Okla .; Ney Prothero, who is a prominent physician of Jeannette, Pa .; John T. Kane, a successful merchant of Glen Campbell, and Mrs. Hallie Gorman-Bird, a very successful teacher in the Pittsburg public schools.

Urey, first called Bryson, is a coal town north of Glen Campbell about two miles from the Clearfield county line. Operations were begun there in 1889. Henry and George Prothero gave eleven or twelve acres for the town in order to have the Pennsylvania rail- road come to the place. The mines are all drift mines and the veins worked are "B" vein and "C" and "C Prime." They range from four feet to eight feet in thickness. Urey is located in what they call the Irish settle- ment.

GLEN CAMPBELL BOROUGH

The town of Glen Campbell was first started in 1889. It was incorporated as a borough September 27, 1894. In 1900 it had a population of 1.628, and in 1910, a popula- tion of 1.099. For many years Glen Camp- bell was the most flourishing coal town in Indiana county. It is the oldest coal town in the county, and at present supports one bank, six schools, three churches, and two lodges. The citizens are progressive, and have always taken an active part in the af- fairs of the county and State. S. J. Smith, now mayor in Sapulpa, Okla., served two terms as Assemblyman from Indiana county, and I. R. McMasters served one term as treasurer of Indiana county.

The petition for Glen Campbell to become a borough is dated March 5, 1894. The papers were presented to the grand jury and after hearing the parties, and a full investi- gation of the matter, it was found that the law, under Act of Assembly, had been complied with and the prayer of the petitioners was granted. It was authorized that the election

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

be held annually, the third Tuesday of Feb- Campbell as a clerk for Clark & Watson, ruary, as provided by the constitution. The court decreed further that the first election be held October 13, 1894, at the wareroom of B. B. Kime, in the said borough, between the hours of eight o'clock A. M. and seven o'clock P. M., and designated S. J. Smith to give due notice of said election. The court appointed Andrew Patrick judge and William Lewis and D. I. Stadden inspectors.

The election resulted as follows: Justices of the peace, I. R. MeMasters and J. E. Mil- ler ; town council, I. E. Clark, A. M. Riddell, S. J. Smith, Irwin Ryan, Irwin Gardenier, D. I. Stadden; constable, Henry Barkey ; high constable, Grant Snyder; overseers of the poor, H. E. Williams and Daniel Ruffner; auditors, L. D. Mumau. R. S. Craig, S. L. Fyock; tax collector, A. M. Riddell; assessor, B. B. Kime; school directors, J. H. High- berger, J. O. Clark, John Baird, Charles Caldwell, Dr. G. M. Glasgow, and L. D. Gardiner; district treasurer, J. O. Clark; judge of election, Mass Work; inspectors, Scott Marsh and Irwin Gardenier; burgess, James Black.

The following are the places of business :

The Burnside Supply Company conducts a general merchandise store in the building first occupied by T. J. Gates and D. I. Stad- den, in 1889, and afterwards by Smith & Stadden. The general manager of the pres- ent store is P. T. Grist, Portage, Pa. Mrs. Barbara France conducts a millinery store. Mr. A. M. Hamaty for eight years has con- ducted a fruit store. Michael Hamany for nine years has conducted a shoe and grocery store. J. T. Kane, a former teacher of the county, for the last sixteen years has con- ducted a racket store. S. C. Long for the last eighteen years has conducted a butcher shop ; Mr. James Nelson, since 1889, a grocery store ; Mr. F. A. Nelson since 1890, a millinery store ; Mr. L. D. Mumau, since 1889, a barber shop. Mr. J. E. Miller, a contractor and jeweler since 1890, built the first houses in Glen Campbell. Mr. W. S. Marts for five years has had a general store, and prior to this time was clerk for Gates & Stadden. Mon- month Supply Company, started fourteen or fifteen years ago, by H. E. Clark and D. S. Ake, with Mr. Charles Sloan, now of Creek- side, as manager, is now owned by the Irish Brothers, of Philadelphia, Pa., and is run in connection with the mine. Mr. C. L. Shrode, for fifteen years, has carried on a butcher shop. Grant Snyder, the proprietor of the "Commercial Hotel," who first came to Glen

lumber dealers, opened up the "Capitol Hotel," which was conducted by Snyder & Fitzpatrick; he has been proprietor of the "Commercial Hotel" the last four years. Mr. W. J. Trevesick, who conducts a novelty store, came to Glen Campbell as manager. for Reikard Bros. Coal Company, Philadelphia, Pa. The Standard Oil Company conducts a business here with Anthony Gorman of La- Jose, Pa., as local distributor. Mr. J. E. Coalmer has conducted a feed store and har- ness shop for seventeen years. A. H. Good- man has conducted a clothing store, selling men's furnishings, for the last sixteen years ; when he came here first he had but a small stock of goods and opened in the Weaver building, but now occupies a part of the Odd Fellows' building. L. D. Gardner & Bro., have conducted a hardware store since 1890. H. W. Thomas has an undertaking establish- ment. T. J. Fee has an extensive repair shop and has charge of the local garage. John B. Conner has conducted a drug store for the last twenty years. Mrs. Sarah A. Evans has a grocery and confectionery store.

The town has two blacksmith shops and two livery stables. The streets are not paved, but there are two miles of concrete pave- ment. For the last fourteen years the Glen Water Company has supplied the town with water.

The First National Bank, Glen Campbell, Pa .- This enterprising country bank was organized in 1899, and opened for business July 25th of that year with a paid-in capital of $50,000, which was increased to $100,000 in January, 1905. It is known as a careful and conservative institution, conducted in the interest of its depositors, stockholders and the community, and has been a very potent factor in the development of Northern Indi- ana county. The confidence which its patrons have in the management is indicated by the steady and healthy growth as shown by the comparative statement of resources for each alternate year from date of beginning busi- ness, as follows :

July 25th, 1899 (Opening Day) $ 42.286.97

January, 1901

175,144.41

January, 1903 316,198.94

January, 1905

422,113.24

January, 1907

453.085.15

January, 1909 459,350.71

January, 1911

542,512.31

January, 1913

641,574.48

In January, 1905, a cash dividend was de- clared and since that time the stockholders

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

have been receiving cash dividends regularly Run, Clearfield Co., Pa. Their authorized each quarter, and in addition thereto a sur- plus and undivided net profit account has been accumulated out of the earnings, which at the present time amounts to $41,332.50.

The incorporators selected as president John W. Clark, one of the most successful, widely known and highly esteemed business men of the county, who continued in this of- fice and directed the bank's affairs until his

This company operate seven mines located death, in April, 1905, at which time the di- in Indiana and Clearfield counties, are in- rectors filled the vacancy by selecting from terested in several other operations, and con- their number Joseph O. Clark, a son, who has trol by contract the output of several mines, so that their maximum daily capacity is ap-

continuously held this office since his father's death. Mr. Clark has a pleasing personality, proximately three thousand gross tons. is a hard worker, and while he is extensively interested in other directions much credit is due him for the strong position this institu- tion holds in the community. Mr. J. D. Ake, another of the influential business men of this community, was selected for vice president, which office he has continuously held. Mr. J. A. Klingensmith, formerly of Saltsburg, this county, was selected as cashier, which position he resigned in January, 1901, and S. L. Clark, who held the position of book- keeper from the time the bank started, was promoted to succeed him, holding the position until January, 1908. He then resigned to take up more actively his personal interests, which required the major portion of his time and necessitated moving his family to Phil- adelphia. In order that the bank might have the benefit of his experience and counsel he was elected second vice president, which of- fice he now holds. Mr. T. Stewart Pearce, formerly cashier of the State treasury de- partment, succeeded Mr. Clark as cashier, which position he resigned on account of poor health April, 1910; Mr. Nathan C. Har- vey, then occupying the position of assistant cashier, was promoted to fill the vacancy. The officers at this time are: J. O. Clark, president ; J. D. Ake, first vice president ; S. L. Clark, second vice president; N. C. Harvey, cashier; Everett Ake, assistant cashier. The directors are: J. D. Ake, S. L. Clark, John H. Patchin, H. P. Dowler, George MeKeage, Carl E. Patchin, Dr. R. E. Schall, William MeMillen, J. O. Clark.

The Clark Brothers Coal Mining Company was organized under the laws of Pennsyl- vania during the latter part of 1905, by H. E. Clark, J. O. Clark and S. L. Clark, their general office being at Twelfth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, Pa., with branch offices at Glen Campbell, Indiana county, and Smoke

capital is $100,000. The officers of the com- pany are: J. O. Clark, president; S. L. Clark, secretary and treasurer. The directors are: H. E. Clark, J. O. Clark, S. L. Clark. Mr .. S. L. Clark has charge of the Philadel- phia office, from which point the coal is sold throughout the Eastern States, New England States and Canada.

The Clark Brothers Coal Mining Company were unable to secure an adequate car supply and other facilities from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, such as they had a right to expect from any common carrier. In order to enforce their rights in this respect they in connection with the Hillsdale Coal & Coke Company brought suit before the Interstate Commerce Commission, at Wash- ington, D. C., and the State courts, which re- sulted in an unanimous verdict from the seven members of the commission strongly condemning the methods employed by the railroad company in distributing its coal cars equipment, and award in the sum of $31,- 127.96, quoted from report of Commission, as follows : "It is ordered, That the above named defendant be, and it is hereby, auth- orized and directed to pay unto complainant, Clark Bros. Coal Mining Company, on or before the 1st day of June, 1912, the sum of $31.127.96, with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent per annum from June 25th, 1907, as reparation for defendant's discrim- ination in distribution of coal cars, which discrimination has been found by this Com- mission to have been unlawful and unjust, as more fully and at large appears in and by said reports of the Commission."

This company won its case in the County and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania, the verdict rendered amounting to $124,443. Every independent producer of coal has been benefited by these decisions and it is quite certain that the old system of favoring cer- tain operators who distributed their coal stocks gratuitously among railroad officials has forever passed. Much credit is due Hon. D. L. Krebs (deceased), of Clearfield, Pa., Hon. Harry White, Indiana, Pa., A. M. Liveright, Esq., Clearfield, Pa., and A. L. Cole, Esq., DuBois, Pa., counsel for Clark Bros. Coal Mining Company for the able manner in

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 85

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930