Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I, Part 78

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 650

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 78

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 1852 Harrison Matson brought from Philadelphia a liquid called camphene, a fluid made from camphor and sulphuric acid. This made a fine light and was entirely free from smoke, but it was too costly. It burned rapidly and cost sixty cents a gallon. I used some of it myself.

In 1850 a process was discovered to make oil from coal, hence the name coal oil. E. W. Birney and other Scotchmen at Boghead. Scotland, manufactured some oil from bitu- minous coal. In 1855 distilleries for this manufacture of cannel coal oil were erected somewhere near Freeport, Pa. This coal oil was used for medicine. In that year a small refinery for petroleum was opened in Pitts- burgh. Crude petroleum sold in that year for seventy-five cents a gallon.

In 1858, or the spring of 1859, an agent came to Brookville with two lamps made mostly of copper, and great stress was laid on the fact that these lamps could not explode. As I recollect one of these lamps was sold to Dr. A. M. Clarke for three dollars and fifty cents. In any event, he was the first person to use coal oil for light in Brookville.

The first natural gas used in Brookville was enjoyed in September, 1885, by James E. Carroll, Esq. This gas was piped from what is now known as the machine shop into and along Main street from Carroll's shoe shop to McKnight's drug store. About eighty fires were supplied in that year. This enterprise was conducted by James L. Brown and Capt. S. A. Craig.

The first oil struck in Jefferson county was found about the 22d of October, 1895. The well was located on Lathrop's land, on Callen Run, in Heath township, and was drilled by the Standard 1,609 fect-a flowing well of twenty- five barrels a day was struck. The well now flows about eight barrels a day.

Electricity was first used in Brookville on

October 15, 1897, by Charles Corbet, Esq. This illuminant was introduced by a company organ- ized by C. R. Hall.

We can now in Brookville, 1910, not only light our houses and streets by electricity, but we can cook, heat, wash, iron our clothes, sweep and run our sewing machines by it, too.

TIIE PIONEER STORE

FIRST STORE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY-SCOPE OF ITS PATRONAGE

On March 27. 1830, J. B. Evans opened a general merchandise store at Port Barnett, Jefferson Co., Pa. On December 31, 1830, he moved this business to Brookville and opened a store to the public there.

I have in my possession his day book of charges made with a quill pen, while in Port Barnett and Brookville, until January 8, 1832. Having the only store in the county in 1830, he sold goods to James L. Gillis, who lived six miles above Ridgway; to Enos Gillis and Reuben Aylesworth, who lived in Ridgway. and to all those who lived in that northern section of the county. In Punxsutawney he sold to Elijah Heath, Thomas McKee. Benoni Williams, Daniel Graffius and others. Every nook and corner of the wilderness of the county was represented in this book. Of profes- sional people I find the Rev. William Ken- nedy. a Presbyterian preacher ; Dr. R. K. Scott, Dr. Thomas Pritner, and John Fergison, a schoolmaster. From the book charges every pioneer bought whiskey and drank it; this whiskey was homemade. It was made at Long's and at Barnett's distillery. It was pure, clear as amber, sweet as musk and smooth as oil. Every customer appears to be charged with tobacco. For the information of this generation I will say that in 1830 and later it was the rule for women to smoke pipes, and those that did not were exceptions. I find but one charge of cigars, and that is to James L. Gillis, as follows, twelve cigars, twenty-five cents.

In 1830 money was scarce, most all trans- actions being by harter and county orders at a cliscount. At Port Barnett J. B. Evans acted as deputy postmaster for Joseph Barnett, and I find Jefferson county got letters and sent letters on credit. I find charge after charge against the old pioneers, from every extreme of the county, for postage on letters of ten cents, eleven cents, twelve and a half cents, eighteen and three-fourths cents, thirty-one and a fourth cents, etc. It cost ten cents to send

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a letter from Brookville to Indiana. J. B. Evans was appointed the first postmaster for Brookville, in September, 1830. Ile was the first person married in the new borough. He married Jane McCreight.

Among the many charges that 1 find in this book is one on April 5. 1830. as follows : Samuel Jones to one sword Sio, to buckskin cover 37726, to belt and epaulets, $5.00. Jones Was captain of the Third Company of the First Militia Regiment organized in the county in 1826. The pioneer was patriotic.

1 find also December 27, 1830. charged in this book to John Wise ten pounds stovepipe SI.8o. to one stove $5.50. This was a ten- plate stove to burn wood, called then the "Lit- the Devil," invented by Franklin in 1745. This was a stove of ten castiron plates, open in front except near the top, with sliding shutter by which the hole might be closed entirely or in part. The hearth projected in front. and was cast with double ledges to receive the edges of the upright plates.

Evans had in 1831 two oxen and a cart and delivered wood at fifty cents a cord in the town.

The prices of goods in Evans' book that I find charged at retail are as follows: Pro- duce-Wheat. $1.00; rye, 450; oats. 250: tal- low. 100 : beeswax. 25c ; butter. fc; molasses, 75c; salt. per barrel, $5.00: deerskin, fic per pound; bearskins, $1.50 each; shoe black. 12120. Groceries-Sugar, 1212c. 1834c ; maple, &c: coffee, 200: tea. $1.25; chocolate, 25c; whiskey. 3772c per gallon; wine, $2.00; brandy, $2.00 : tobacco, 25 a pound; bald, 13c : powder, 50c a pound ; foolscap paper, ic a sheet ; flints, ic each; chestnuts, 6c per quart ; hazel nuts, bought but no price given ; percussion caps. 25c a box ; sole leather. 30c and 33€ per pound ; ham, 11e a pound. Drugs- Copperas. 121ze per pound; rosin, 25c ; salts. 25c; alum. 12%2c; allspice, 50c; pepper, 500 ; camphor. 12120 an ounce; indigo, 25c an ounce ; alves, be an ounce; asafoetida, 100 an ounce ; cinnamon, Se an ounce : white lead. 100 pounds. $7.00; turpentine. $1.50 per gallon; whiting. Se per pound; borax, 50c per pound ; saltpeter, 500 ; worm tea, 198 a paper ; British oil. 13c a bottle ; castor oil and sweet oil, 31c a bottle: one nutmeg, 1212c. Boards Pine. $3.00 and $3.50 per thousand : shingles, $2.00; nails, eight penny, 12 20; spikes, 200; bed- stends. $2.50; bed cords. 371/c cach: horse blankets, 500; spinning wheels, $3.75 each; scythes. $1.50; axes, $2.25 ; augers, 62 20; tin enps. 7e; tumblers, toc each ; spoons, half dozen set. 75c : one set knives and forks, $1.50:

bowls, 10c and 20c ; coffee pots, 38c; cups and saucers, 614c each : plates, Sc and 10c each. Labor a day, 50c.

Retail prices of dry goods in Evans' store, as per charges on book: Broadcloth, $4.00 a yard; satinette, $1.00 per yard; silk, $1.00 per yard; calico, 20c and 50c; muslin, common, 121/20; bleached muslin, 1834c ; gingham, 30c; ticking, 33c; blankets, $1.00 each ; tablecloths, $1.00 each; bobbinet. $1.1212 per yard; fur hats, $4: wool hats, 50c and 621/20; shoes, coarse, $1.25 a pair ; boots, $5.00; fine shoes, from $1.50 to $2.00; socks, 25c a pair; silk stockings, $1.00 a pair: handkerchiefs, from 371/2c to $1.50; candle wicking, 371/2c a pound ; candle sticks, 25c each ; umbrellas, $1.25 to $2.00; Leghorn bonnets, 1 find two charges, each at $4.00 for one bonnet. Women were cheated the same then as they are now in their purchases : one of these bonnets was bought on April 14, 1830, and after being kept, in- spected and canvassed with an ox cart for two months and four days was then returned to Mr. Evans as not desired. Women then wore sunbonnets in summer and hoods in winter.

In 1831 I find William Jack charged with one bushel of oats 25c. by his black boy.

The second store in Brookville was opened January 3, 1831, by Maj. William Rodgers.

The pioneer wheeled vehicle made in what is now Jefferson county was a wooden ox-cart, constructed by Joseph Barnett in 1801. The wheels were sawed from a large oak log, and a hole was chiseled in the center for the hickory axle. Walter Templeton, a very in- genious man, and forced to be a "jack-of- all-trades" for the people who lived in what is now Eldred township, made two wooden wagons in 1820, one for himself and one for his neighbor, Isaac Matson. These wagons were all wood except the iron linchpin to keep the wheels in place. The wheels were solid. and were sawed from round oak logs. The hind wheels were sawed from a larger log, and a hole was chiseled in the center of each for the axle.

Draying in those days was usually done with two oxen and a cart : but Daniel Elgin bought these black oxen from Matson, and used one of them for some time for a one-ox dray in Brookville.

1830 was the age of pure Democracy-Jack- son was president, with free trade, human slavery, ignorance, superstition, drudgery, disease, hardships, poverty, ox-carts and the "low cost of living." This is the era of Re- publicanism, with free schools, free speech. free press and free men ; the era of protection,

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invention, sanitation, progress, prosperity, autos, airships and "the cost of high living."

PERTINENT PARAGRAPHS

ITEMS OF AN HISTORICAL NATURE

Pioneer or first Daguerrean artists in Brook- ville, in August, 1850, issued the following advertisement : "Only one dollar and fifty cents for the best Daguerreotype Likeness ever made in Brookville. Witman & Cobb re- speetfully inform the ladies and gentlemen of Brookville and vicinity that they have taken rooms for a short time, at the 'Arcade,' and are fully prepared to execute Daguerreotype Likeness in a style not to be surpassed in this country. Miniatures taken from sunrise to 5 o'clock p. m. Those desirous of procuring per- fect likenesses, or to examine specimens will please call soon. Instructions given in the art on reasonable terms."

The second artist to visit Brookville was Simeon Snyder, in the summer of 1851. You had to sit seven minutes then, without stir- ring or moving a muscle.

Fifty years ago there was no School Directors' Association of Jefferson county. The present association was organized in 1891.

About the last of June. 1851, George Linden- muth went from his home in Warsaw, in what is now Hazen, to watch a lick that belonged to Louis Irvin. Irvin was not aware of Linden- muth's intention and after dark he went out to the lick himself, approaching it on the deerpath. Lindenmuth heard the noise of Irvin's com- ing, and supposing it to be made by a deer shot at the noise and killed Louis Irvin. This lick was on the farm now known as Theo- dore Irvin's.

The last rattlesnake killed in the borough limits of Brookville, a large one, with nine rat- tles, was found in September, 1857, at or near where Jenks' foundry is now. In November of that year a deer was caught alive while crossing Taylor's mill dam.

Sixty years ago the nation had "Personal Liberty Laws," and negro slavery and free trade; whiskey was three cents a drink, and could be had on trust. Our money was mostly sent to Enrope for goods.

Golden Jubilee of Dr. and Mrs. McKnight

It is appropriate to close these reminiscences with mention of the Golden Wedding cele- bration of Dr. and Mrs. W. J. MeKnight. which took place January 9, 1910. A Brook-

ville paper had an interesting account of the event, from which we take the following :

On January 9, 1860, at the home of Dr. A. MT. Clarke, the bride's father, on Main street, Brookville, where the residence of Mrs. M. Ada Means now stands, occurred the wedding of Dr. William J. McKnight and Miss Pene- lope Goddard Clarke, and on Monday of this week, at the home of the bride and groom of fifty years ago, on Franklin avenue, sur- rounded by children and grandchildren, the fiftieth anniversary of that never-to-be-for- gotten day was celebrated. Although all with- out was bleak and cold, around the family hearthstone there was warmth and good cheer, for a reunited family gathered to commem- orate an occasion which but few are permitted to observe. Seated at the table with their father and mother on this occasion were the children : Amor A. McKnight, of Denver, with his wife; Mrs. Harry H. Kennedy, with her husband and two daughters, Penelope and Jean ; J. B. McKnight, wife and son William ; Mrs. George R. Matson, husband and son Tom; Rev. and Mrs. J. T. Adams and a few close relatives. As announced last week, there was no celebration of the day other than the family gathering. The afternoon was spent most joyously in recounting the days gone by, and Dr. and Mrs. McKnight cer- tainly had reason to rejoice over the scene pre,- sented by the family eircle on this occasion. In the carly evening, before the wedding din- ner was served, Rev. J. T. Adams, of the United Presbyterian church, made a brief and pertinent address, in lieu of the performance of the wedding ceremony. His words were a fitting tribute to the life and work of the hon- orable parents who were the center of the day's doings. In part he said :

"Fifty years ago, in the springtime of your days, your lives flowed down together like two mountain streams, and for half a cen- tury they have been one; your joys and sor- rows, your prosperity or adversity, your hopes and aspirations, one. If I had power to por- tray the past the first scene would be that of your wedding day, when your lives became one, and a new home was established. The next scene would be that of the young phy- sician riding over the hills and valleys of Jefferson county in the darkness of the night, in storm or sunshine ministering to the sick and dying, while the wife remains at home. cares for its duties, trains the children and awaits your return. The next scene would be that of a sad parting from wife and children, and the marching away with the boys in blue

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into the great civil strife that shook this nation from center to circumference, to fight the bat- tles of our country while the wife remains at home, and in her loneliness and anxiety fights the bravest battles of all. The next scene is that of the physician and soldier seated in the Senate chamber at Harrisburg using his influence for the enactment of laws that per- tain to the welfare of the common people with whom he had lived in closest touch ; one of which was a law pertaining to anatomy which prepared the way for the development in the science of surgery in our State and nation. The next scene is that of the physi- cian, soldier and statesman in the evening time of his days seated at his desk, writing a Pioneer History of Western Pennsylvania, a history of its original inhabitants and wild animals, of the heroic struggle of the pioneers to subdue the forces of nature that they might hand down to the generations to be the rich legacy of plenty and peace and the privilege of worshiping the God of their fathers. The next scene is that of the physician, soldier. statesman, and historian, with the one who has shared his struggles and victories, dwelling quietly in the community where they have labored through all the years, surrounded by children and friends, honored and respected by all who know them. Physician, soldier, statesman, historian-that represents a many- sided life, a life that has touched humanity at many different points to help and bless, and the man who has made such splendid achieve- ment shares the crown of success and victory with the wife who has been his inspiration and help for half a century. That first wedding scene was the beginning of the struggle; this golden wedding scene represents noble achieve- ment and the glory of victory.

"As you stand on the summit of fifty years of wedded usefulness and blessedness, sur- rounded by children who occupy honorable and useful positions in life, surrounded by children and grandchildren who love you and rise up to call you blessed, whose one purpose is to make the closing days of your life happy and blessed, your last days are your best days, and you are ready to say 'Hither too the Lord hath led us.' Love is the bond of union that has bound your lives together, and that love has been purified by a love divine, and therefore your future pathway is brightened and beauti- fied by foregleams of heavenly glory."

.At six-thirty o'clock the guests were seated at the dinner table, which was handsomely

decorated in gold and white, festoonings of tinsel cord and smilax being used in the dec- oration, while at each corner of the table a candle, with golden shade, fitted into the gen- eral scheme of decoration. A magnificent bouquet of white roses and chrysanthemums occupied the center of the table, and the white china was decorated in gold. The dinner was of the finest, and left nothing to be desired, and dainty souvenirs, consisting of a tiny pair of golden slippers, were given each guest. At its conclusion Dr. McKnight addressed a heart- to-heart talk to his children, referring in feel- ing terms to his regard for them, and his ap- preciation of their unfailing loyalty to and love for their father and mother. Drawing upon his wide experience in life as a theme, the Doctor gave to his own flesh and blood a fatherly admonition to continued uprightness and usefulness in the world, recounting the blessings that had been theirs, and urging upon them recognition of the fact that they live in a favored land and time, with great opportu- nities before them-opportunities which in their turn bring great responsibilities. It was an address which showed that time has but mellowed the vigorous mentality of the Doc- tor, and that in the sere and yellow leaf of life he stands with his head far above the fogs of mediocrity in thought and method of expression. The evening concluded with a so- cial hour, and the thought in every one's mind as the time for parting came was, "when shall we meet again?" The eldest son, Amor, took his departure for the West on Tuesday morn- ing, and the Doctor, with his customary fore- thought of the necessities of the printer, with which fraternity we are pleased to number him, set out early Tuesday morning for the Repub- lican office, where he placed in the hands of the office force a brand-new five-dollar gold piece. naively explaining that he gave the printer a dollar when he was married, and after fifty years' experience with her, he thought the bride was worth at least five times his early estimate.

Although the fact that the golden wedding anniversary of this most estimable couple was observed quietly robbed many of our people of the opportunity of greeting them and of wishing them continued happiness and years of life among us, we know that that thought is uppermost in the hearts of all our people, among whom Dr. and Mrs. McKnight have lived so long and usefully.

CHAPTER XXII PINECREEK TOWNSHIP

EARLY TOWNSHIP HISTORY-PIONEER TAXABLES-POPULATION-PORT BARNETT-PIONEER TIM- BER RAFT, LUMBERING, ETC .- PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS

Pinecreek township, created in 1806 by an act of Assembly, and taken from the district of the same name in Lycoming county, so called because of the pine trees within its bor- ders, embraced all the county until 1818, and was the mother of all the other townships. Its historic reminiscences are well commem- orated in the general history of the county.

POPULATION

The resident taxables in 1807 were as fol- lows: Joseph Barnett, farmer and distiller ; John Dickson, weaver; Elijah M. Grimes, laborer; Lewis Heeb, farmer; Peter Jones, blacksmith; John Jones, farmer; Moses Knapp, farmer : Samuel Lucas, tailor ; Thomas Lucas, farmer, and grist and sawmill ; William Lucas, tailor ; Ludwig Long, farmer and dis- tiller; Alexander McCoy, farmer; Jacob Mason, laborer : Stephen Roll. cooper ; Daniel Roadarmil, farmer; John Scott, Sr., farmer ; Samuel Scott, miller, saw and gristmill; John Scott, Jr., farmer : Adam Vastbinder. farmer ; Jacob Vastbinder (single man), farmer ; John T'astbinder ( single man), laborer : Fudge Van Camp (colored), farmer. Number of horses, twenty-three; number of cows, thirty-five.

.\ "complete list of pioneer taxable inhabi- tants or fathers of Jefferson county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1820," reads as follows : Robert Andrews; William Andrews, single man : Joseph Barnett, sawmill and gristmill: John Barnett, single man; Andrew Barnett, single man; Thomas Barnett, gristmill; Summers Baldwin, single man, half a sawmill; Israel Bartlett : David Butler, single man; Peter Bartle ; Harmen Bosley, single man ; J. Bowen ; Joseph Clements; Paul Campbell; Joseph Carr ; Euphrastus Carrier, single man ; Samuel Corbett, single man; John Dixon; Robert Dixon, single man : John Z. Early, two saw- mills : T. Stephens, half a sawmill; Henry Fye, Sr .: Henry Fye, Jr., single man ; George Fye.

single man: Aaron Fuller ; Solomon Fuller, sawmill and gristmill; John Fuller, sawmill; Elijah Graham; Andrew Grinder; Alexander Hatter, single man: John Hise; Christopher Himes ; William Himes, single man ; Frederick Hetrick; John Jones, single man; Robert Knox : Henry Kailor; Moses Knapp: Lewis Long; John Lucas; John Lattimer, single man ; Thomas Lucas ; Henry Latt ; John Mat- son, half a sawmill; Jacob Mason ; Abraham Milliron ; Philip Milliron ; William Morrison ; Joseph Mccullough ; Samuel McGill; William Milliron : John Mason, single man ; John Mc- Cartney, single man ; John McClelland, single man; Adam Newenhouse: John Nolf, Jr .; John Nolf, Sr., sawmill; Peter B. Ostrander, half a sawmill; Alexander Powers; Jacob Pierce, single man ; John Reed ; Hnlet Smith ; James Shields ; Samuel Shaffer ; Henry Sharp ; Walter Templeton: Adam Vasbinder, Sr .; Jacob Vasbinder ; William Vasbinder ; Henry Vasbinder; John Vasbinder ; Andrew Vas- binder. Jr., single man; Fudge Van Camp, colored : Richard Van Camp, single man, colored ; Sarah Van Camp, colored ; Enos Van Camp, colored; Hugh Williamson; John Welsh. sawmill: Charles Sutherland, colored.

In 1810 the population had increased to 161 ; 1820, 356; 1840, 628; 1850, 778; 1860, 729; 1870, 941 ; 1880, 1.189: 1890, 1.347; 1900, 1, 162; 1910, 1, 162.

Though the county was organized pro- visionally in 1804, it seems there were no records kept nor any elections held until 1807. The pioneer election district in the county and in Pinecreek township was created by an act creating certain election districts, and making alterations in other districts already enacted, approved March 31, 1806, which read as fol- lows:

"SECTION 9. And be it further enacted by the authority aforcsaid, That the county of Jefferson shall be a separate election district, and the electors thereof shall hold their general

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elections at the house now occupied by Joseph Barnett, on Sandy Lick creek, in said county."

The pioneer election returns were as fol- lows :

"1807-Jefferson county. At an election held at the house of Samuel Scott, in said county. on Friday. the 20th of March, .\. D. 1807. the following persons were duly elected : "Supervisors, John Scott had eighteen votes. Peter Jones had eighteen votes. Signed. Samuel Scott, Thomas Lucas, Judges."

"ISOS- At an election held at the house of Samuel Scott, in said county, on the 18th day of March, \. D. 1808, the following persons were duly elected as returned below :

"Supervisors. John Jones, Alexander Mc- Coy, were duly elected; auditors. Samuel Lucas, Samuel Scott, Moses Knapp and Adam Vastbinder were duly elected. Signed, Samuel Scott. John Dixon, judges."

These returns are as copied from the records of Indiana county, where the returns had to be made, this county then being under the legal jurisdiction of Indiana.

The pioneer explorers of the land were Andrew Barnett and Samuel Scott. in 1796. The pioneer settlers were Joseph Hutchison and wife, in 1798. The patriarch was Joseph Barnett, who settled here in the fall of 1800. The first white child born in the township was Rebecca Barnett, in 1802. The pioneer mar- riage was that of Sarah Barnett to Elisha M. Graham, March 30, 1807. The earliest min- ister of the gospel to visit and preach here was a Rev. Mr. Greer. a friend of Joseph Barnett. Ile came on a visit in 1801, remained two weeks, and preached several times. lle re- turned on a visit in 1802, and again preached. The pioneer death was that of Andrew Bar- nett. in the fall of 1707. He was buried on the bank of Mill creek, by Samuel Scott and two friendly Indians, and to this day no man knows the exact place of his burial.

The second family to follow the Barnets into this wilderness was that of Peter Jones. from Centre county, Pa. He came in 1801. In the winter of ISO! Stephen Roll, August Shultz, and a negro named Fudge Van Camp started on foot near Easton for the Barnett settlement. When they struck "Meade's trail." at the mouth of Anderson's creek, there yet re- mained for them to travel thirty-three miles of unbroken wilderness. They were foolish enough to start on this part of their journey without anything to cat on the way. After they started it snowed all day in this wilder- news until the snow was two feet deep. Van Camp was a large and powerful man. He

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I, Part 78

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 650

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 650