USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 46
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Markton-Postmasters: Abraham B. Sil- verling. December 26, 1895: J. H. Botten- horn, April II, 1911 ; A. L. Thomas, Novem- ber 19. 1915.
Mary AIunsville-See Schoffner's Corners.
Melser-Postmasters : Mathias Melzer, May 17, 1899: David G. McHenry, July 11. 1899; Mathias Melzer. September 14. 1905. Dis- continued September 15, 1910. Mail to Mill- stone.
Mcrata-Postmaster: John Philliber, ap- pointed February 19, 1851. Discontinued Au- gust 8, 1853.
Montmorency-Postmasters : Reuben A. Aylesworth, appointed February 14, 1826; Jesse Morgan, March 13, 1828; James L. Gillis, April 7. 1828. Discontinued March I, 1832.
Munderf-Postmasters: Newton C. Web- ster, appointed February 5, 1885: changed to Munderf. March 5. 1886, and Newton C. Webster reappointed; Linn C. Webster, De- cember 13. 1899; S. Williamson, April 4, 1904 : N. W. Webster. December 31, 1907: A. S. Davis, May 17. 1911.
New Petersburg-Postmasters: John H. Hinderliter, appointed December 3. 1869; James N. Chambers, April 16, 1872; Henry Snyder, April 4, 1873: Henry Hinderliter, August 9, 1876: Daniel H. Harrison, Novem- ber 11. 1878. Discontinued March 15, 1883. Mail to Ringgold.
North Freedom - Postmaster: Jonathan Yount, May 25. 1889. Site changed to Armi- strong county.
Olil-Postmasters: Edward M. Ohl, ap- pointed Dec. 1, 1886; D. B. Kifer, Sept. 22, 1887: G. L. Allshouse, Oct. 16, 1888: John A. Guthrie, Oct. 11, 1890; Adam H. Reitz, April 29. 1892.
Oliveburg-Postmasters : Eli Miller, ap- pointed Jan. 7. 1862; Rachel Bell, June 13. 1866; William H. Redding, Sept. 25, 1871 ; Henry M. Means, May 29. 1872; John B. Fink, Sept. 28, 1875: Andrew G. Evans, Ang. 12, 1889; William J. Morrison, Oct. 1, 1892 : E. Jane Johnston, Jan. 17, 1900: William D. Morris, Feb. 4. 1916.
Oyster-Postmasters: Reuben J. Thomp-
son, appointed Nov. 20, 1883; M. M. Brock- way, July 11, 1887; name changed to Carrier April 5, 1890, and MI. M. Brockway appointed postmaster; C. M. Carrier, June 11, 1891; Robert T. Buzard, Dec. 29, 1899. Name changed that date to Carrier, which see.
Packer-See Heathville.
Pancoast-Postmasters: M. J. Farrell, ap- pointed May 17. 1876; Hannibal Hutchison, Dec. 17, 1882; James W. Rogers, Dec. 22. 1886. Discontinued Dec. 28, 1887. Reestab- lished Jan. 12. 1888, and James W. Rogers re- appointed. Discontinued April 2, 1895. Re- established June 1, 1895, and S. T. Travis ap- pointed postmaster. Discontinued Oct. 21, 1899.
Panic-Postmasters: James B. North, ap- pointed July 11, 1881; George A. Morrison, March 10, 1882; Albert T. Sprankle, July 7, 1882; Norman Brown, Oct. 29, 1883; James B. North, March 29, 1887; Edward Zetler, Dec. 23, 1887. Discontinued Nov. 19, 1888. Reestablished Dec. 3. 1889, and W. W. Fales appointed postmaster; George M. Johns, Oct. 14, 1890; M. D. McGee, Jan. 25, 1893; Reed B. Johns, Feb. 26, 1894; Clinton H. Smith, June 28, 1900; Reed B. Johns, Sept. 11, 1903. Discontinued Nov. 14, 1904. Mail to Punxsu- tawney.
Pansy - Postmasters : Samuel Thomas, served two years; Aaron Reitz, five years; B. C. Reitz, twenty years ; E. W. Reitz, appointed Jan. 10, 1913.
Pardus-Postmasters: Henry Redding, ap- pointed November, 1903; Edward P. Newton, May, 1909.
Patton's Station - Postmasters : Walker Smith, appointed Sept. 13, 1879; Lillian Smith, June 14. 1904. Discontinued Nov. 13, 1913. Mail to Summerville.
Pekin-(No record).
Porter-Postmasters : Henry Snyder, ap- pointed June 1, 1850. Discontinued Aug. 13. 1850. Reestablished April 15, 1854, and Rob- crt A. Travis appointed ; Martha Travis, Feb. 2, 1875; James HI. Elkins, Jan. 30, 1880; John A. Timblin, March 27. 1886; George Bish, May 17, 1887: James H. Elkins, April 19. 1889: George Bish, March 26, 1894; James H. Elkins. April 29, 1897 : James F. McHenry, Nov. 19, 1913.
Prescottville - Postmasters : William H. Reynolds, appointed Feb. 8, 1889: Charles A. Shaffer, Sept. 8, 1893: Agnes Handyside, Oct. 4, 1897 ; Thomas E. McCreight, Dec. 19, 1908. Discontinued July 31, 1913. Mail to Reynolds- ville.
Prospect Hill-See Reynoldsville.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Pueblo-Postmasters : Mertin W. Cham- berlin, appointed July 14, 1897; Silas G. Yount, May 19, 1900. Discontinued June 15, 1915. Mail to Richardsville.
Punxsutawney-Postmasters : Charles R. Barclay, appointed Feb. 28, 1826; John W. Jenks, Dec. 15, 1828; David Barclay, Nov. 2, 1830; Charles R. Barclay, Dec. 21, 1831 ; John Hunt. Oct. 17, 1837; James McConaughey, Feb. 11, 1839; John R. Rees, Dec. 29, 1843; John M. McCoy, Aug. 6, 1845; Thomas L. Mitchell, Nov. 13. 1849; Thomas McKee, June 6, 1853 ; Andrew J. Johnston, March 19, 1861 ; William Campbell, Aug. 20, 1863; William Davis, Aug. 13, 1864; Homer C. Bair, April 20, 1885; John Hastings, July 2, 1887; John B. Hastings, Dec. 9, 1887. Office advanced to presidential class April 16, 1889, and William C. Torrence appointed ; William C. Torrence, April 16, 1889; Charles A. Jenks, Feb. 16, 1894: David M. McQuown, Feb. 11, 1898; Sidney S. Smith, March 7, 1906; Henry G. Teagarden, Nov. 22, 1910; William M. Carter, June 9, 1915.
Ramsaytown-James E. Bixby has been postmaster since office was established Feb. 21, 1907.
Rathmel-Postmasters : Luther A. Hays, appointed Nov. 27, 1883 ; John Smith, Nov. 8, 1889; Adam A. Swab, March 9, 1894; A. W. Mulhollan, Nov. 18, 1895; George B. Bowser, March 15, 1898; Jay E. Marshall, Aug. 4, 1914; Azor L. Keagle, November 14, 1916.
Reynoldsville ( Originally Prospect Hill)- Postmasters: Tilton Reynolds, appointed May 18, 1842; Thomas Reynolds, Dec. 29, 1845; Reynoldsville-Thos. Reynolds, Feb. 23. 1850; John S. Smith, January 6, 1851; Orlando Gray, October 27, 1854: John S. Smith, Sep- tember 26, 1856; Frederick C. Farmer, Feb- ruary 16, 1858. Discontinued August 31, 1859. Reestablished September 13. 1859. and
Thomas Reynolds appointed postmaster ; Thomas Montgomery, December 12, 1862; Thomas Reynolds, April 5, 1865; Tilton C. Reynolds, June 9, 1881. Office advanced to presidential class, October 14. 1881, Tilton C. Reynolds reappointed October 14, 1881 ; Wil- liam C. Schultze, October 19. 1885; John W. Foust, February 11, 1800; Evan T. McGaw, March 29, 1894; Allen M. Woodward, March 16, 1898; Edward C. Burns, April 5, 1902; Smith McCreight, April 1, 1910; Henry C. Deible. January 18, 1915.
Richardsville - Postmasters : David W. Moorhead, appointed January 18, 1849; Wil- liam R. Richards, July 6, 1852; David W.
Moorhead, August 14, 1858; Joshua Long, February 2, 1859; Jackson Moorhead, Feb- ruary 20, 1860; William Evans, July 31, 1883; Lewis Rhoads, July 17, 1885; John McGarvey, December 17, 1886; William Evans, April 22, 1889; G. C. Sartwell, September 5, 1893; Robert W. Moorhead, April 26, 1897; Maggie G. Moorhead, April 3, 1900; William Wasson, April 21, 1902; S. L. Gayley, May 6, 1907.
Ringgold - Postmasters : Robert McFar- land, appointed November 11, 1847; George Mercer, May 30, 1850; Philip H. Shannon, July 8, 1852; Robert T. Perry, June 6, 1854; Samuel Miller, September 1, 1856; John A. Freas, October 10, 1856, Martin H. Shannon, December 3, 1857; Philip H. Shannon, Oc- tober 1, 1859; James Dean, October 12, 1860; A. J. Monks, September 3, 1861; Robert Perry, November 6, 1861; Susanna Reitz, August 6, 1885 ; E. A. Holben, April 22, 1889 ; William M. Stear, September 28, 1893 ; Charles Stewart, July 12, 1897; Earle M. IIolben, July 30, 1909.
Rockdale Mills-Postmasters: William H. Gordon, appointed January 13, 1863; Elisha L. Evans, April 26, 1864; Thomas Mont- gomery, May 1, 1867; Scott McClelland, March 29, 1872; C. D. Evans, May 22, 1876; Sophia Evans, April 8, 1878; Anne Mathews, October 2, 1878; Sophia Evans, November 4, 1879; Eliza McGarey, December 3, 1898; John Moore, August 3, 1904. Discontinued De- cember 31, 1908.
Rocky Bend-See Fuller.
Sandy l'alley - Postmasters : John W. Riggs, appointed August 20, 1872; William Boner, July 31, 1876; William T. Cox, Decem- ber 6, 1889; Samuel Steele, May 13, 1893; William J. Boner, June 21, 1897; John K. Wells, January 21, 1904.
Schoffner's Corners ( Originally Mary Anns- ville )-Postmasters : Mary Annsville-Thos. Craven, appointed June 10, 1858; Schoffner's Corners-George Smith, appointed January 20, 1859 : Philip Hetrick, August 3, 1863 ; John Snyder, March 17, 1864; Henry Heber, June 16, 1864; John Andrews, June 22, 1865; Syl- vester Davis, May 9, 1866; Frank Ross, July 3, 1896; Sylvester Davis, June 30, 1897. Dis- continued. Mail to Munderf.
Sebeck-Postmasters : George H. Bush, June 20, 1900; T. C. Jackson, January 21, 1908. Discontinued March 31, 1909.
Sigel-Postmasters : James McNeal, ap- pointed May 26, 1862 ; Henry Truman, March 3, 1868; George A. Carroll, August 24, 1885; Sylvester Truman, March 29, 1889; George A.
238
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Carroll, AAugust 30, 1893; Frank Truman, August 3, 1897 ; Ilarry Truman ; J. W. Copen- haver : Jude Ilagerty, February 9, 1914.
Soldier-Postmasters : John M. Carroll, appointed May 12, 1889; Arthur H. Murray, appointed January 20, 1900; John I. Ray, re- signed carly in 1909, George W. Straley suc- ceeding him and being regularly appointed February 3, 1910.
Sprankle Mills-Postmasters: Peter Seiler, appointed August 24, 1857 ; Mary Seiler. Jan- tary 24, 1803; William Eisenhart, March 7. 1863; Robert Geist, March 30. 1888; George Baughman, July 29, 1889. Name changed to Sprankle Mills April 30, 1894, and Robert Geist appointed postmaster; Daniel Seiler, May 3. 1897; John F. Eisenhart, Jan- uary 10, 1913: Lusher E. Startzell, December 1, 1916.
Stanton-Postmasters : James Hill, ap- pointed April 15, 1862; James R. Hill, Jan- uary 11. 1864: Alexander IIill, September 7. 1864; Abner J. Smathers, November 9, 1865: Edward Reitz, July 20, 1869: Jacob R. Miller, December 20, 1875: Edward Reitz. January 23, 1879: George W. Baughman, September 8, 1893; G. C. Reitz, April 20, 1897 : Edward Reitz, November 28, 1899: Annie B. Gilligan, July 19. 1909. Discontinued June 30, 1911. Mail to Baxter.
Sugar Hill-Postmasters: Alexander Mc- Connell, appointed February 27, 1877 : William .A. Shaw, April 28, 1886; John H. Simmons, May 27, 1886; William A. Shaw, January 26, 1893; O. II. Sibley, February 28, 1894. Dis- continued December 31. 1908.
Summerville-Postmasters : David Losh. appointed February 14, 1839: George Rich- ards, October 4, 1839; Samuel B. Taylor, Oc- tober 20, 1840: James Gardner October 4. 1841; Ira Baldwin, January 12, 1843; Jona- than Milliron, December 15. 1846; Benjamin S. Wesson, January 28, 1848; Iliram Carrier, February 22, 1849: 1.copold Heilbruner, March 21, 1856: Benjamin S. Wesson, De- cember 6, 1856; Harlow R. Bryant, February 4. 1862; Ifiram Carrier, August 28, 1866; Harlow R. Bryant, May 17, 1876: John H. Strong, October 16, 1871 : Frederick J. Strong, March 3. 1873: Joseph Guthrie, July 28, 1885; F. J. Strong, May 14, 1889: James Guthrie, .August 30, 1803: F. J. Strong. November 10. 1897: James Baldwin, January 1. 1903 : II. W. Carrier, December 9, 1904: J. E. Guthrie, January 18, 1915.
Sykesville-Postmasters: Jacob B. Sykes, appointed October 8. 1883: Joseph 11. Akc. December 2, 1886; Asa W. Scott. July 20,
1889: Joseph H. Ake, August 30, 1893; Samuel B. Long, August 21, 1897.
Timblin-Postmasters: John A. Timblin, February 25, 1889 ; name changed to Timblin : John 1. Timblin, May 18, 1889; David Haas, May 18, 1806; George W. Himes, August 29, 1896: Nancy A. Timblin, June 7, 1897; G. W. E. Snyder, April. 1904. Office discontinued in 1907 or 1908 and rural free delivery estab- lished. Office reopened November 5, 1910; M. J. Watkins, postmaster since.
L'alier-Postmasters: John M. Means, ap- pointed August 4. 1885; Mary M. Postle- thwait. April 15, 1886; John M. Means, Au- gust 6, 1889; Amanda J. Means, June 12, 1893 ; John M1. Means, April 19, 1897; M. C. Sutter, August 31, 1914.
l'antassel-Postmaster: John C. Vantassel, appointed December 31, 1890. Discontinued AAugust 28, 1891.
IF'alston-Postmasters : Daniel N. Mc- Intyre, appointed November 25, 1885 : William Dayton; J. B. Lingenfelter; J. E. Morgan : F. C. V. Gatti, July 15, 1910.
Il'arsaw - Postmasters : Thomas MeCor- mick, appointed August 15, 1836; David Mc- Cormick, January 17, 1838; Moses B. St. John, May 12, 1839; John H. McKee, June 23, 1853; Jacob Ranght, January 25, 1854: John Reed, September 9. 1854: John Sheasley, June S, 1860; Isaac W. Temple, July 12, 1861 : Wil- liam P. Mather, November 12, 1871; S. W. Temple, January 9. 1882; S. W. Pettibone, February 1, 1887; Richard Mayes. September 19. 1889: James M. Raught, December 21, 1801 ; William Gregg, October 30, 1893; A. O. McWilliams, March 2, 1885: L. E. Rishel, December 22, 1911. Discontinued December 31, 1913. Mail to Allens Mills.
Westville - Postmasters : Alexander Mc- Kay, appointed April 20, 1892; A. J. Wiser, May 20, 1896; Harry Taylor, June 5, 1912.
I'hitesville-Postmasters: John Keim, ap- pointed December 14, 1835; James C. Maize, October 6, 1836. Discontinued October 17, 1837. Reestablished September 24. 1841, and Gilmore Montgomery appointed postmaster. Discontinued February 17, 1842.
W'inslow ( Originally Hudson)-Postmas- ters: Augustus G. Winslow, appointed June 30, 1860: Tobias J. Long. August 12, 1885; George B. Long. November 19, 1887. Name changed to Winslow January 7. 1888, and George B. Long reappointed ; A. G. Winslow, April 15. 1880: William W. Bowers, March 26, 1804: Azariah 1 .. Gibson, August 27, 1897.
Wishawe-Postmasters: James Ewing, ap- pointed July 1, 1899; S. E. Shankel, took office
239
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
March 19, 1904; A. McDonald, February 17, 1905: William J. Webb, October 5, 1914.
Worthville-Postmasters: Henry Fox, ap- pointed February 6, 1854. Discontinued March 28, 1855. John C. MeNutt appointed June 2, 1864; Morris R. Putney, February 2, 1875 : Samuel V. Shick, March 13, 1883 ; Jacob B. Mauk, September 28, 1888; Amos Holben, January 14, 1889; S. M. Geist, August 30, 1893; Amos Holben, September 16, 1897; M. S. Dinger, August 10, 1914.
As will be seen, Jefferson county has four offices of presidential class, Brookville, Rey- noldsville, Punxsutawney and Brockwayville.
City delivery was established in Punxsutaw ney September 1, 1903, in Brookville, Novem- ber 1, 1906. The first rural route in the county was started November 1, 1904, and was from Reynoldsville. We give a list of the post- offices having rural delivery service in Jeffer- son county and the number of rontes operated therefrom :
Baxter, 2 routes ; Big Run, I route ; Brock- port (Elk county), I route ; Brockwayville, 2 routes ; Brookville, 6 routes; Falls Creek (Clearfield county), I route ; Punxsutawney, 4 routes; Reynoldsville, 4 routes; Sigel, 2 routes ; Summerville. I route ; Walston, I route.
PRESENT OFFICES IN COUNTY
Office and Postmaster Date of Appointment
Allens Mills, Dillis Allen. . Jan. 10, 1913
Anita, James Barron. Nov. 3, 1914
Baxter, George C. Barrett. Nov. 1, 1907
Big Run, Ulysses G. Bowers .. March 3. 1915
Bowersville, Harlen W. Rhoads Dec. 3. 1907
Brockwayville, James A. Cooper May 26, 1914
Brookville, Norman D. Matson Feb. 13, 1915
Office and Postmaster Date of Appointment
Cloe, Joseph H. Rhoads. March 3, 1914
Coal Glen, Frank B. Blakeslee. April 12, 1905
Conifer, John F. Keating, Jr. Oct. 13, 1913
Coolspring, Miles I. Kunselman. June 11, 1912
Corsica, John T. Luther .. .Aug. 31, 1914
Crenshaw, William S. Steell. May 5, 1899
De Lancey, Samuel Woodhall. Sept. 27, 1907
Desire, May B. Loos. Oct. 10, 1914
Dora, James C. Geist. May 18, 1901
Eleanor, William Ecklund . May 25, 1915
Erdice, Peter Hetrick. June 19, 1897
Florenza, John Mclntyre. May 2, 1902
Frostburg, A. Amos Mohney . Dec. 22, 1910
Grange, John G. Stewart .. . Sept. 26, 1903
Hamilton, Samuel J. Morris. .Nov. 11, 1915
Hazen, John G. Mayes. Sept. 27, 1897
Heathville, William A. Smith May 11, 1910
Horatio, Harry S. Owens. . . Nov. 11, 1913
Knox Dale, John L. Cummings . Jan. 21, 1904
Lanes Mills, Fred A. Humphreys Nov. 4, 1915
Langville, Lyda Young. Nov. 19, 1915
Markton, Allen L. Thomas. Nov. 19, 1915
Munderf, Ambrose S. Davis. May 17, 1911
Ohl, Adam H. Reitz. April 29, 1892'
Oliveburg, Wm. D. Morris. Feb. 4, 1910
Pansy, Everett W. Reitz ... .Jan. 10, 1913
Pardus, Edward P. Newton May 1, 1909
Porter, James F. McHenry Nov. 19, 1913
Punxsutawney, Wm. M. Carter June 9, 1915
Ramsaytown, James E. Bixby Feb. 21, 1907
Rathmel, Azor L. Keagle .. Nov. 14, 1916
Reynoldsville, Henry C. Deible. Jan. 18, 1915
Richardsville, Samuel L. Gayiey May 6, 1907
Ringgold, Earle M. Holben. July 30, 1909
Sandy Valley, John K. Wells. Jan. 21, 1904
Sigel, Jude Hagerty. Feb. 9, 1914
Soldier, George W. Straley. Feb. 3, 1910
Sprankle Mills, Lusher E. Startzell. Dec. 1, 1916
Summerville, J. E. Guthrie. Jan. 18, 1915
Sykesville, Samuel B. Long. Aug. 21, 1897
Timbliu, Miller J. Watkins. Sept. 26, 1910
Valier, Milton C. Sutter. Aug. 31, 1914
Walston, Felix C. V. Gatti July 15, 1910
Westville, Harry Taylor. June 5, 1912
Winslow, Azariah L. Gibson Aug. 27, 1897
Wishaw, Wm. J. Webb. Sept. 26, 1914
Worthville, Melvin S. Dinger Aug. 10, 1914
CHAPTER XIII
BENCH AND BAR
JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION IN PENNSYLVANIA AND JEFFERSON COUNTY- - TERMS OF COURT-PRESI- DENT JUDGES-ASSOCIATE JUDGES-STATE JUDICIARY-PIONEER COURT SESSIONS-ATTOR- NEYS-ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR-PRESENT MEMBERS, JEFFERSON COUNTY BAR-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION IN PENNSYLVANIA
The first legislation creating a judiciary in this State was called the Provincial act of March 22, 1722. This court was styled "The Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Gaol Delivery." The Orphans' court was es- tablished in 1713. The Constitution of 1776 provided for the continuance of these courts. By the Constitution adopted in 1790 the judi- cial power of the State was vested in a Su- preme court. in a court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery, Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, Orphans' court, and Regis- ter court for each county, and justices of the peace for boroughs and townships. The early judges were appointed by the governor.
In 1806, for the more convenient establish- ment of the Supreme court, the State was made into two districts, the Eastern and West- ern. The salary of a county associate judge was one hundred and fifty dollars per year.
Up to 1840 the judges were all appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Supreme court judges were ap- pointed for fifteen years, district judges of the court of Common Pleas were appointed for ten years, and the associate judges were appointed for five.
Both the president judge of a district and the associate judges for a county were ap- pointed in this State until 1850, when the State Constitution was changed to make them elec- tive. The term of the president judge ran ten years, but the term of the associates was for five. The president circuit judge's salary was sixteen hundred dollars a year and mileage.
Pennsylvania has had four Constitutions, the first one, September 28, 1776. Under this Constitution the General Assembly consisted of but one house. The members were elected
yearly. The laws were called "Acts of As- sembly."
A new Constitution was framed in 1790, when the Senate body of the Legislature was created. Under this Constitution a free col- ored man could vote at any election in the State, hence all public notices were addressed to the freemen of the locality.
The third revision was in 1838. Under this Constitution the free colored man was denied his vote. All life offices were abolished. In 1838 the amended Constitution as adopted lim- ited the rights of any one man to serve in the office of governor to six years out of nine. Under the first Constitution of 1790 the limit of service in this office was nine years out of twelve. It was customary then in Pennsyl- vania to publish laws and public documents in separate books, in English and German. The debates of the 1838 convention were so pub- lished. This custom prevailed until about 1856.
The fourth revision was in 1873. One of the principal points in this Constitution was to restrict local legislation, and under it the colored man was again given his right to vote. From 1843 to 1850 members of the Legislature received one dollar and fifty cents per day ; in 1850 their pay was increased to three dol- lars per day for one hundred days, and one dollar and fifty cents per day for every day after that in session.
By an act of the General Assembly of April 13, 1791, the counties of Westmoreland, Fay- ette, Washington and Allegheny constituted the Fifth Judicial district, and on March 26, 1804. the newly erected Jefferson county was attached to Westmoreland for judicial pur- poses. On June 2, 1803, Samuel Roberts was commissioned president judge for the Fifth Judicial district by Governor Mckean. This
240
241
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Samuel Roberts was Jefferson's pioneer terri- torial judge until March 10, 1806. Judge Rob- erts was an able jurist and a literary man of note. He compiled and published, in 1817, a text work on law, a digest of the British stat- ttes, with notes and illustrations. Samuel Roberts was born in Philadelphia September 10, 1761, and as judge he continued to preside in Allegheny county until his death, in 1820.
By an act of Assembly of February 24, 1806, the counties of Somerset, Cambria, Indiana, Armstrong and Westmoreland were made into the Tenth Judicial district, and John Young, of Westmoreland, was commissioned judge for that district March 1, 1806.
By an act of Assembly of March 10, 1806, the county of Indiana was organized for judi- cial purposes, to take effect the first Monday in November, 1806.
By an act of Assembly of March 10, 1806, Jefferson county was annexed to the county of Indiana, and the authority of the county com- missioners and other county officers of said Indiana county was extended over and within the county of Jefferson. Until 1830 all legal business had to be transacted at Indiana.
Jefferson remained annexed to Indiana county until 1824, and for judicial purposes alone, until by act of Assembly, approved by Governor Wolf April 2, 1830, to organize the provisional county of Jefferson for judicial purposes, it was stipulated in Section 2 that the county should be attached to and form part of the Fourth Judicial district ( and of the Western district of the supreme court), and that the president judge of the Fourth Judicial district, and the associates to be ap- pointed, should have like power as other counties, etc., on and after the first Monday in October, to do and perform all duties, etc. Hon. Thomas Burnside, of Bellefonte, Center county, was then the president judge of this Fourth Judicial district, composed of Mifflin, Center, Huntingdon and Bedford counties, and by this act of the Legislature he was made the pioneer judge to hold court in and for Jef- ferson county. Our first term of court was held in the upper rooms of the old jail, in December, 1830, and was presided over by Burnside.
HON. THOMAS BURNSIDE was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, July 28, 1782. His father emigrated to Philadelphia, Pa., in 1792. In 1800 Burnside read law with Hon. Robert Porter, of Philadelphia, who died suddenly in Brookville in 1842, being found dead in his bed in the morning at the "Red Lion Tavern," kept by John Smith. Judge Porter had
stopped off the stage to rest over night while traveling through this wilderness. He is buried in the old cemetery. On February 13, 1804, Hon. Thomas Burnside was admitted to the Philadelphia bar. In the month of March of that year he moved to and settled in Belle- fonte, Center Co., Pa. In ISII he was elected to the State Senate. In ISI5 he was sent to Congress. In 1816 he was appointed a presi- dent judge. In 1823 he was again elected a State senator and made speaker. In 1826 he was again appointed president judge, and in 1845 he was commissioned judge for the Supreme court of Pennsylvania. In stature Judge Burnside was of medium height, dark complexioned, and very homely. He was a learned lawyer, an able jurist, and a kind, honest open-hearted gentleman. He served as judge in Jefferson county until September I, 1835, when the Eighteenth Judicial district was organized. Like other judges of his period, he could get "drunk through and through" every court week.
JUDICIAL DISTRICT
By an act passed April 8, 1833, the counties of Potter, Mckean, Warren and Jefferson were made the Eighteenth Judicial district, from and after September 1, 1835, and the governor was required to appoint a president judge for the district.
From 1835 to 1840 the Eighteenth was com- posed of Jefferson, Potter, MeKean and War- ren. In 1840 Warren was detached and Clarion added. From 1840 to 1849 the Eighteenth district was Jefferson, Potter, Mc- Kean and Clarion. In 1849, April 5th, the State was reapportioned, making the Eight- eenth Venango, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk and Forest counties. In 1851 Elk was dropped. In 1852 Clearfield was added to the Eighteenth, but in 1853 was dropped, and Mercer county was joined to the Eighteenth. About 1859 or 1860 Mercer and Venango were made a sep- arate district. In 1866 the Eighteenth was composed of Jefferson, Clarion and Forest. In 1874 the Eighteenth was composed of Clarion and Jefferson. In 1885 the Eighteenth was Clarion county, with Jefferson attached. On June 12, 1895, Jefferson was made a sep- arate district, numbered the Fifty-fourth.
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