USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 63
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Then bury me where my last tattoo shall sound, With my Grand Army Badge on my breast.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
The order is an auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was started by the inothers, wives, sisters and daughters of the soldiers, sailors and marines of the veterans of the war of the Rebellion, and other loyal women of the land who desired to aid the Grand Army in its work of charity toward destitute soldiers, their widows and children. The order teaches children patriotism, and love of country ; to maintain trute allegiance
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to the United States of America, and to dis- countenance treason. There is no desire to perpetuate a war feeling or hatred toward those who aided the Rebellion, but to teach and encourage patriotism and the defense of the flag, wherever assailed, and, along with it, virtue, temperance, and truth, the crown- ing motto of the order being fraternity, charity, and loyalty. There are now four of these societies in Jefferson county.
Name, Place, Date of Organisation
Capt. J. C. Dowling, Corsica, May 5, 1886.
E. R. Brady, No. 74. Brookville, February 25, 1887. John C. Conser, No. 75, Reynoldsville, March 18, 1887.
E. H. Little, No. 16, Punxsutawney, February 14, 1800.
SONS OF VETERANS
Another organization that the Civil war cansed to spring up in the country, and which has become quite a large and well organized society, is the Sons of Veterans. This order is composed of the sons of those brave men who fought and won the battles that made this nation free. It should be kept up and en- coutraged, for in the years to come, when the last soldier of the Grand Army has been "mus- tered ont." the sons of veterans will have to take up some of the duties that now devolve upon the comrades of the Grand Army, one of which will be the beautiful ceremony of dec- orating the graves of "those dead heroes of ours." By 1887 there were in Jefferson county six camps of this order, all in good working order.
Vame, No .. Place. Date of Organization
Capt. R. R. Means, Brookville, October 31, 1883. Lambert, Punxsutawney, March 6, 1884.
James McKillip. No. 23. Corsica, March 22, 1884. Gen. Phil Kearny, No. 36. Reynoldsville, August 18, 1884.
Cant. Charles Metain, No. 16, Brockwayville, May 14. 1884 General Custer, No. 47. Brockwayville. December 3, 1885.
PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA
.
This order was first organized in the city of Philadelphia, in 1847; but prior to the Rebellion its organization was very imperfect ; and its progress consequently slow, the camps not extending much beyond the Middle States. When the war broke out a general enlistment of its members compelled its entire suspension. In 1866 the order was reorganized and placed
upon a more susbtantial basis. The objects are the inculcation of pure American prin- ciples ; the cultivation of fraternal love; the opposition to foreign interference with State interests in the United States of America ; the preservation of the Constitution of the United States, and the propagation of free education. The primary object is to build up an order based upon patriotism, education, charity and fraternity, aiming most particu- larly to educate its members in the principles of our government, to use all honorable means to defend and perpetuate the institutions of our country. Its immediate benefits are home benevolence, the care of its sick, the burial of its dead, the protection of and assistance to all who may be in need. There are two camps of this order in Jefferson county: Washing- ton Camp No. 268, of Reynoldsville, organ- ized May 9, 1883 ; and Washington Camp No. 13I, of Brockwayville, organized March 4. 1887.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES
In 1808 the first temperance society was formed in this country by Dr. B. J. Clark, of Moreau, N. Y. It was called "The Temper- ance Society of Moreau and Northumber- land." N. Y .. and consisted of forty-three members, who pledged themselves to refrain from the use of "rum, gin, whisky, wine, or any distilled spirits, or compositions of the same, or any of them, except by the advice of a physician, or in case of actual disease (also excepting wine at public dinners), under pen- alty of twenty-five cents. Provided that this article shall not infringe on any religious ordinance." This, in these days when many churches prohibit alcoholic wine from the communion table and when fermented liquors are placed by temperance agitators under a ban, would be considered a mild protest, but in a day when drunkenness was very preva- lent the society was thought to be taking an ideally advanced position.
Pioneer Temperance Work in Jefferson County
In what year the pioneer society was formed " in Jefferson county, and by whom, is un- known. I find the following call in The Jef- fersonian. Thursday, April 3. 1834:
TEMPERANCE MEETING
A meeting of the Jefferson County Temperance Society will be held at the courthouse on Monday
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
evening, the 7th day of April next. An address will be delivered by Mr. John Wilson. The ladies and gentlemen are invited to attend.
J. J. Y. THOMPSON, Secretary
This Jefferson County Temperance Society was an auxiliary to the Pennsylvania State Temperance Society.
A temperance society was formed in Brook- ville by a small number, principally young men, on the evening of the 23d of September, 1836. At this meeting there were only ten names signed to the pledge. The following officers were duly chosen: President, Andrew C. Hall; vice presidents, Samuel Craig, Wil- liam A. Sloan; recording secretary, James M. Craig : corresponding secretary, James Mc- Crackin; treasurer, James Park; managers, Thomas McGinty, Thomas M. Barr, John Shrenk.
The pledge was at first "only to abstain from ardent spirits"; but on the 2d of January, 1837. after several meetings held in the school- house, it was changed "to that of total absti- nence." The secretaries, in a report to the society on the evening of March 6, 1836, say since the organization of the society seven meetings have been held, at which the names of forty-one persons, at different times, have been added. "The secretaries feel that they, in connnon with all other members of this so- ciety, owe a tribute to the ladies of Brook- ville and vicinity, no less than nineteen of whom have nobly come out and attached their names to the pledge." Rev. Mr. Hallock, Rev. Mr. Barris, Thomas Lucas, and other speakers addressed the monthly meetings.
This no doubt was the Teetotallers, a society that originated in England in 1834. It swept the county with a craze.
Washingtonians
The Washingtonians originated in Balti- more in 1840. being founded by seven hard drinkers. In 1843 they organized temperance societies throughout the county.
In 1840 the Temperance League put forth strong efforts in the cause by holding public meetings and giving addresses in the county. In 1850, in addition to the hotels. there were thirty retail stores that sold whisky here. In June, 1848, Brookville had a "spike" temper- ance society. They had a pole, something like our telephone poles, erected in front of the courthouse. On joining the society, the new member drove a spike in this pole and gave
a pledge that he would abstain from liquor, or if he drank he would either draw the spike out with his teeth or pay a fine of ten dollars. I don't recollect anything further about it. I drove a spike in this pole myself, but I never drew it out or paid the fine.
In the fifties there was a tidal wave of sen- timent against the saloon and for prohibition in the United States. Vermont adopted pro- hibition in 1850. Illinois followed in 1851, but repealed the law in 1853. Vermont statute continued in force until 1903. Maine passed prohibition laws in 1851 and in 1858. Massa- chusetts adopted prohibition in 1862, and re- pealed the law in 1868; the same law was re- enacted in 1869 and repealed again in 1875. Rhode Island adopted prohibition in 1854 and the law continued on the statute books until 1872. Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Ne- braska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin, all adopted prohibition in 1855.
The prohibition movement was the marvel of the times. Delaware went back to an anti- prohibition status in 1857. Nebraska in 1858 and Michigan in 1875. The Indiana prohibi- tion law of 1855 was declared unconstitutional. The New York law of the same year was also declared unconstitutional. The Ohio law of that year was annulled by a license tax law, and the Wisconsin prohibition enactment of 1855 was vetoed by the governor. The tem- perance fight in Maryland in 1855 was espe- cially strong, the drys meeting with tempo- rary success ; the law they placed on the books. however, was repealed a few years later. The prohibition law of New Hampshire stood on the statute books from 1855 to 1903, the date of its repeal. Now in 1916 we have prohibition in nineteen States.
Prohibition was submitted to the voters of this State in 1854. Jefferson county going in its favor by over three hundred. A local option law for the State of Pennsylvania, allowing counties to vote on the license ques- tion, was passed March 27, 1872, and repealed April 12, 1875. At the election held in Jef- ferson county March 3, 1873, there was al- most nine hundred majority for local option. On April 16, 1877. the great Murphy move- ment was inaugurated in Brookville. On the 18th of June, 1889, Pennsylvania voted on an amendment to the constitution requiring pro- hibition ; it was defeated by 188,027 votes.
Since 1916 no licenses have been granted in Jefferson county.
The pioneers, men and women, were great users of tobacco and alcoholic liquors. The men chewed Baltimore plug and Cavendish.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
The women smoked pipes of it. It is estimated that now (1915) the United States spends annually two billion, two hundred million dol- lars for tobacco. Nicotine is its base and a deadly poison.
Whisky was considered a panacea and a blessing from God. It is estimated that now (1915) the United States spend yearly three billion, two hundred million dollars for alco- holic beverages. The per cent of alcohol con- tained in various spirituous liquors is shown by analysis to be as follows:
Per Cent. Alcohol
Rye Whisky
.50-60
Brandy
45-50
Gin
40
Port Wine.
.20
Champagne
9-12
Porter 8
Ate
6
Beer
3-7.5
Hard Cider.
3-7
Small Beer
1.28
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS
The first agricultural society in Pennsyl- vania (as well as in America ) was established in 1784.
Patrons of Husbandry
The first organization in the association known as Patrons of Husbandry was effected in Washington City. D. C., December 4, 1867. The officers were: William M. Ireland, mas- ter: Anson Bartlett, overseer; O. H. Kelly. secretary : J. R. Thompson, lecturer ; William Muir, steward ; William Saunders, treasurer. The order was incorporated in January, 1873. when over twenty-three thousand dispensa- tions had been granted to subordinate Granges. mostly in the South and West, and during the years 1873 and 1874 there were 18,641 addi- tional dispensations granted by the National Grange in Washington to subordinate Granges, mostly in the Eastern States. Since no dis- pensation was granted to less than thirteen nor more than forty persons, we can see how rapidly the association grew. In fact, when the first organization was effected in Jeffer- son county, there was an actual membership in the United States of more than eight hun- (red thousand. The pioneer organization of the Grange in Pennsylvania was instituted February 12, 1871. Following are the Granges organized in Jefferson county, giving the name, number, place, and date of organization :
Name, No., Place, and Date of Organization
Porter, No. 252, Brookville ( Porter), May 12, 1874 Elder, No. 503, Oliver township, March 16, 1875. Ridge, No. 516, Perry township, March 24, 1875. Beaver, No. 521, Beaver township, March 29. 1875. Mahoning, No. 587, Punxsutawney (now).
McCalmont, No. 590, McCalmont township, August 25, 1875.
Union, No. Cog, Pinecreek township, October 20, 1875.
Corsica, No. 640, Corsica, January 6, 1876.
Rose, No. 653, Rose township, January 27, 1876. Pleasant Hill, No. 656, Knox township, February 8, 1876.
Sigel, No. 666, Sigel, February 24, 1876.
Sugar Hill, No. 713, Sugar Hift, June 2, 1876. O. S. Cary, No. 693, Brockwayville, Aprit 8, 1876 Miti, No. 712, Allen's Mills, June 1, 1876.
Richardsville, No. 7-9, Richardsville, January 9, 1877.
Darling, No. 768, Rose township, February 3, 1883. Green Valley, No. 770, Knox township. March 31, 1883.
Howe, No. 777, Eldred township, February 20, 1884. Jefferson, No. 778. Polk township, February 27, 1884.
Since the first organization in the county there have been twenty-three dispensations granted, and a total of 633 charter members, and 856 initiates. Of these, six Granges are either dead or dormant, the others in good standing. In addition to these we have a county Grange known as Pomona Grange No. 20. of Jefferson County, organized December 4, 1875. The membership of the Pomona con- sists of the masters of subordinate Granges and their wives, and three delegates elected annually by each subordinate Grange. It meets on the first Wednesday of January, April. July and October, at the different Grange halls in the county. The officers are elected for a term of two years. This Grange has charge of the educational work of the order, and also recommends the persons to be appointed deputy. The deputies have been appointed by the State Grange master, and the following have served: R. A. Travis, from 1874 till 1876; succeeded by O. S. Cary, who in turn was succeeded in 1878 by C. A. Car- rier; his successors have been James Mc- Cracken. Tr .. and M. A. Fitzsimmons, ap- pointed in 1880, the latter being reappointed every year since; R. M. Morrison was ap- pointed in 1884, S. W. Temple in 1886, and James McCracken reappointed in 1887.
Jefferson County Agricultural Society
On February 10, 1879, a meeting was held at the office of James T. Carroll, Esq., in Brook- ville, for the purpose of organizing the "Jef-
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ferson County Agricultural Society." On motion Thomas R. Holt was elected president of the meeting, and James T. Carroll secre- tary. The object of the meeting was an- nounced in an address by Dr. W. J. McKnight, at the conclusion of which officers were elected, as follows: President, Thomas K. Litch, of Brookville; secretary, Thomas L. Templeton, of Brookville; assistant secretary, James E. Long, of Brookville ; executive com- mittee, Thomas R. Holt, of Beaver; Oliver Brady, of Pinecreek; David Eason, John N. Garrison, Nathan G. Edelblute, of Brookville.
The vice presidents were: Joseph Grube, Henderson township; James Mitchell, Punx- sutawney: Stacey Williams, Oliver; J. U. Gillespie, Clayville; R. A. Travis and George Gourley, Perry ; Harvey Lewis, Porter ; E. W. Jones, Beaver : Joseph Thrush and Uriah Mat- son, Rose; AAlbert Carrier. Clover; Robert Summerville, Union ; James A. Cathers, Wins- low; James McCurdy and A. L. Smith, Wash- ington ; A. J. Thompson, Snyder; Stephen Oaks. Eldred; Oran Butterfield. Barnett ; Thomas Craven, Polk: Dr. John Thompson, Corsica : John Smathers, Ringgold; William A'Harrah, Heath ; Daniel North, McCalmont ; Theodore Pantall, Young : Henry Brown, Bell ; L. P. Seeley, Reynoldsville : George K. Tyson, Big Run; Paul Darling, Brookville; S. A. Hunter, Knox; David McConnell and Levi Schuckers, Pinecreek; John Ostrander and John A. Fox, Warsaw ; Samuel Geist, Worth- ville.
The organization being effected, remarks were made by Mr. Holt. Mr. Carroll and others, pertaining to the organization of the society, and the beneficial influences that would result to the people of Jefferson county after it is made an assured success. The meeting adjourned until Tuesday evening, February TI. 1879. That evening the first regular meet- ing convened in the courthouse, and was called to order by Thomas Holt, acting president in the absence of Thomas K. Litch. On motion, Dr. McKnight was called upon and addressed the society, stating the object and advantages 10 be derived from its organization. Other addresses were made by Thomas R. Holt, R. J. Nicholson, W. P. Steele, Dr. Heichhold and Dr. Sweeney. At this stage of the proceed- ings the president of the meeting announced that the subscription list would be read by the secretary, after which persons present would have an opportunity to come forward
and take stock, at the end of which it was an- nounced that fifteen hundred dollars had been subscribed.
The association was incorporated May 2, 1879, under the name of the "Jefferson County Agricultural Society and Driving Park Asso- ciation," and the following officers elected for the year: Thomas K. Litch, president ; Thomas L. Templeton, secretary ; M. V. Shaf- fer, treasurer; with the original committee continued. A successful fair was held in the fall of that year, October 7, 8, 9 and Io, and the first season ticket read :
Jefferson County Annual Exhibit October 7th to 10th inclusive Admit Mrs. T. L. Templeton Membership or Season Ticket No. 1, Not Transferable
This ticket entitled the holder to pass in horse or horses and carriages; also to enter articles for exhibition without charge. For this ticket Mrs. Templeton paid one dollar.
In 1880 N. G. Edelblute was elected presi- dent, with Messrs. Templeton and Shaffer reelected. These gentlemen were continued the officers of the association until 1886, when W. H. Gray was elected president; S. H. Whitehill, secretary ; J. B. Henderson, treas- urer; directors, W. H. Gray, H. C. Litch, S. A. Hunter, G. B. Carrier, Joseph Bullers. There were originally 124 stockholders hold- ing 247 shares.
In 1884 the association bought two and a half acres of land, upon which the main build- ings of the association are erected, at a cost of $2,250, conveyed by deed February 7. 1887. They also rented other ground adjoin- ing, the inclosure occupied by the grounds covering about ten acres, a level plot lying in the bend of Sandy Lick creek, near where it unites with the North Fork and forms Red Bank. Two main buildings, machinery hall, grand and band stands, with good stabling for over five hundred horses and stock, and abun- dant accommodations for poultry, were con- structed. The half-mile track is an excellent one. The property is now included in Brook- ville Park.
The society has done much to improve the mechanical, industrial, agricultural and stock raising business of the county, as it has brought the farmers together, and by competition and comparison has added a new incentive to agri- culture.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
The total expenditures and receipts for the years 1879 to 1886 were as follows:
Expenditures
Receipts
1879
. $2,002 93
$2,315 13
1880
2,705 13
3,563 84
1881
4,650 15
5,047 84
1882
5,098 99
5,001 05
1883
5,250 37
5,250 39
1884
5,783 00
6,102 03
1885
5,801 47
4,558 65
1886
3,080 94
3,080 94
Improvements, floods, back water and in- undations were responsible for the high ex- penses during the first six years.
Punxsutawney Agricultural Association
The Punxsutawney Agricultural Associa- tion was organized and held its first fair in the fall of 1880. Dr. Joseph Shields was presi- dent, and Marion J. Dinsmore, secretary and treasurer.
CHAPTER XIX
POLITICAL PARTIES
FIRST POLITICAL PARTY-REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES-KNOW-NOTHING PARTY- OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES-PARTY PREFERENCE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, 1832 TO 1900- CAMPAIGN OF 1864-SENATORIAL STRUGGLE BETWEEN INDIANA AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES
FIRST POLITICAL PARTY
The Sons of Liberty was the first real na- tional party in this country. Its organization was the outcome of the obnoxious Stamp Act which England placed upon the colonists in 1764. When this act was proposed, loose secret organizations, chiefly of working men, were formed in various Colonies for united resistance. Col. Isaac Barre, in a speech in Parliament in 1765, used the phrase "Sons of Liberty," which was at once adopted by these societies.
The Sons of Liberty sprang up almost im- mediately in all sections of the Colonies, al- though no central organization existed, but the Sons of Liberty in the New York Colony developed the most strength. It was in that Colony that the first organization was effected. Songs helped materially in the recruiting of the ranks, one of the most popular having been written by John Dickinson, which started :
Come join hand in hand, Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at Liberty's call.
Branches of the Sons of Liberty were eventually in operation in all the Colonies from New Hampshire to South Carolina, and they performed a most important work in the early stages of the Revolution.
The Sous of Liberty in different communi- ties erected "liberty poles." At Providence, R. I .. they resolved: "We do therefore, in the name and behalf of all true Sons of Liberty
in America, Great Britain, Corsica, or where- soever they are dispersed throughout the world, dedicate and solemnly devote this tree to be a Tree of Liberty."
Their pole in the square at New York was cut down four times by the king's troops, but they purchased a plot of ground and then triumphantly erected a fifth. When a Mary- land patriot's house was burned, the Sons of Liberty rebuilt it.
As a kindred association the Daughters of Liberty came into existence. They usually as- sembled to knit or sew during the afternoons and to serve tea to the Sons of Liberty who came in the evening.
REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES
The original organization of the Republi- can party was effected in 1801 by Thomas Jefferson. The opposition were known as Federalists. This condition existed until about 1828, when, under General Jackson, the Re- publican party divided on issues and dis- tinctly new alignments and parties were formed, styled Democrats and Whigs. The Democratic party has continued its existence under that name since. It was the Jackson Republicans who became known as Demo- crats, the Adams and Clay Republicans be- ing National Republicans, a short-lived party which took part in only one election (1832). In 1834 it joined with other elements to form the Whig party, which became disrupted about 1856 over the slavery issues.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
On February 22, 1856, a number of self- appointed delegates from all parts of the Republic,
Men of principle, Men who had opinions and a will,
Tall men, sun-crowned, who lived above the fog, In public duty and in private thought,
met at LaFayette Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa., and organized the National Republican party, the first national convention of which was held that year at Philadelphia, Pa.
The call for the first meeting read as follows : To the Republicans of the United States :
In accordance with what appears to be the general desire of the Republican party, and at the suggestion of a large portion of the Republican press, the under- signed, chairmen of the State Republican Committees of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Penn- sylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin, hereby invite the Republicans of the Union to meet in informal convention at Pittsburgh, on the 22d of February, 1856, for the purpose of perfecting the National Organization, and providing for a National Delegate Convention of the Republican Party, at some subsequent day, to nominate candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, to he supported at the election of November, 1856.
A. P. STONE, of Ohio. J. Z. GOODRICH, of Massachusetts. DAVID WILMOT, of Pennsylvania. LAWRENCE BRAINERD, of Vermont. WILLIAM A. WHITE, of Wisconsin. RUFUS HASMER, of Michigan.
There were then in existence two other parties, viz., the Democratic and the Ameri- can National. This gave the country in the presidential race of that year three candidates for the presidency, Buchanan, Democrat ; Fillmore, American, and Fremont, Republi- can. Buchanan was elected, Fremont second, and Fillmore third in the race. In 1856 the Republicans in our county had more votes than the Americans, yet they had no organiza- tion, the Americans had, hence these two parties coalesced and formed the American Republican party.
KNOW-NOTHING PARTY
An Organization Existing in Jefferson County in 1854
The official name of the order was always the American party. The organization con- sisted of a national council, organized in 1852. State council and county council, with sub- ordinate cotincils. Members gathered clandes- tinely in mills, garrets, cellars and unused buildings. The members never approached these councils direct.
It was an oath-bound organization, sweep- ing all before it in a triumphal march through the United States in 1854, and, like a bee, was biggest the year it was born. The high officials were generally unscrupulotis men.
This particular party evoluted in New York City in the early portion of 1852. It really had its origin there in 1835, in a native Ameri- can party, and like every new party claimed to contain the universal panacea for all politi- cal ills. The society was introduced into Brookville and Jefferson county by James Mc- Cahen, Esq., a young lawyer of the town. He lived with us. McCahen removed to Leaven- worth, Kans., where he became a distinguished judge, and is now dead.
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