Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I, Part 95

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 95

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).

Lewis and Fannie Quigley ; Massy Ann Tin- dall; William, Charles, Israel and Samuel Graffitis; Abraham Milliron; William, Car- oline, Margaret, James and Elizabeth Smith; Henry and Barbara Weaver; Henry, Adam and Jacob Kuntz; Margaret and Christiana Rinehart.

The pioneer marriage was that of Daniel Graffius and Miss M. J. Rhodes.

The pioneer graveyard was the Rinehart burying ground.

The pioneer church was built at Grube's in 1870.

In the summer of 1852 a number of citizens of the Grube settlement, in what is now Bell township, became interested in the formation of a Sunday school, where the entire commit- nity could meet. The founders of this school were Joseph Cochran, A. Rudolph, John Graf- fius and his wife Elizabeth, Adam Kuntz, Joseph Hauck and his wife Mercy Ann, Sam- uel Graffius and John Grube, Sr. All these met on July 18, 1852, and organized what was known as the Forest Union Sunday school. They met in an old log schoolhouse on the Grube farm, and the school has been continued through all the years since until within a recent period, if not up to this date.

There are now two churches and five school- houses in the township.

FIRST ELECTION

The first election was held in Bell township in 1857. when the following township officers were chosen : Justices of the peace, 1. Rudolph. John Couch ; constable, Andrew Wil- kins; supervisors, John Milliron, I. C. Jordan : auditors, Henry Brown, William Johnson, John E. Bell; township clerk, Andrew Wil- kins ; judge of election, Joseph McPherson ; in- spectors, Samuel Graffius, Henry Gray ; school directors, John T. Bell. James McCracken. Samuel Steffy, David McKee, Alexander Fin-

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ley, Israel Graffius; poor overseers, Adam Kuntz, Abraham Graffius. Several of these men became prominent in the affairs of the county. One of them, Henry Brown, was afterwards elected to the office of prothono- tary, and another, James McCracken, was elected sheriff.

EARLY TAXABLES, 1858

Henry Brown, two yoke oxen, three horses, three cows, one sawmill, one watch; William E. and I. I. Bell, gristmill, sawmill; John T. Bell: John Beck, laborer; James H. Bell, farmer ; Isaac Bender, laborer ; James Brown, laborer; Calvin Brooks, land; George Beets, one cow : William E. Bell, two yoke oxen, three cows, one horse; David Bare, one yoke oxen ; George Bare, one yoke oxen, one cow ; Amos Bell, one buggy: Andrew Beeby, one cow: Andrew Bowman; Joel Black, one cow ; George Borts, two horses, two cows; Henry Beet ; Alexander Crimeraw, one cow, sawmill ; John W. Corey. one cow ; George Carey, land ; James Carey estate : John Carey ; Adam Cup- pler, laborer: Joseph Craft, one horse, one cow ; Isaiah Covert, one horse, two cows; John Condor. laborer; Samuel Craft ; John Couch, Esq .. one horse, three cows; Joseph Cochran. one horse, three cows; John Cary, two horses, one cow; Matthias Clawson; Benoni Claw- son ; Cornelius Clawson; James Davis, two horses, two cows; Jacob Dunmire, one horse ; Daniel Dougherty estate; Robert Duff, one cow : Alexander Duff, cow ; William Davis, Esq. ; Samuel J. Denny, laborer ; William S. M. Echer; Alexander Findlay, one cow, saw- mill: Daniel Fronce; Peter Frederick, two horses, three cows; George Fronce; George Findlay, laborer ; Henry Gray, one horse, three cows; David Grube, two horses, three cows : John Grube, one horse, two cows, one buggy : John R. Grube, two horses, two cows; Henry Grube, one horse, two cows; George Grube. two horses, four cows, one buggy ; Jolin Graf- fius, two horses, one cow; Ezekiel Green : Jacob Grube, one cow; Isaac Graffius, two horses, two cows: Samuel Graffius, one horse, three cows ; Charles Graffius, one horse ; Daniel Graffius, land ; Daniel S. Graffius; John Green, two horses, two cows; Abraham Graffius, one horse, two cows ; James Gillien ; Joseph Grube, one horse, two cows ; Joseph Hawk, one horse, four cows; James Ilunter, two horses, two cows ; Jacob Heilebrun, one horse, three cows ; Andrew Hawk, one horse, one cow ; Daniel Hawk, two cows : Phillip Hannold, two horses,

one cow; John Hannold, laborer; Uriah Hawk ; Valentine Hoe, two horses, three cows ; John Adam Hoe, one yoke oxen. two cows ; Mary Henry; Godfrey Helebrun, one yoke oxen, one cow ; Valentine Hoe, one yoke oxen, three cows; Solomon Harrold ; Adamı Hoey, one cow, one yoke oxen; Robert Jameson, one horse ; William Johnston, two horses, one cow; Joseph Jameson, one cow; Henry Jen- nings: Ephraim Johnston; John D. Jewel, laborer; Godfrey Kuhns, two cows; Adam Kuhns, one horse, one yoke oxen, two cows ; Henry Kuhns, one cow ; John Long, two cows ; Samuel London, one cow; Isaac C. London, two cows; Joseph Long, one cow; Nathan C. London ; John Lashure, one cow ; Philip Mock- seiner, laborer ; Christian Miller, laborer ; Rob- ert McGee, two horses, one yoke oxen, two cows; James B. Miller, two horses, two cows ; Robert Miller, two horses, one cow; James McCracken, one horse, five cows, sawmill, one watch; Joseph McPherson, one horse, two cows; John Milliron, one horse, three cows ; David McKee, two horses, two cows ; Thomas McKee, Esq .; \. Neal, laborer ; Samuel Neal, one horse, two cows; Thomas Neal, two cows ; Martin Neff, one cow, one yoke oxen; James Neal, one cow: Jacob Neff; Sarah Neff, widow, one cow; Isaac Newcomb; Peterson P. Pearce; Jacob Peterman; George Petter- man, one yoke cattle; Jacob Pearce, one cow ; Joseph Pierce, two cows; Edward Pierce, laborer, one cow; William Pifer; Frederick Rhinehart, one horse, one cow; Margaret Rhinehart ; Abraham Rudolph, Esq., one horse, two cows; John Rudolph, two horses, one cow; Reuben Rupert, two horses, one cow, one buggy ; Joshua Rittenhouse, one cow; John Rhodes; Coryell Randolph, one cow; Francis Rittenhouse, laborer ; Jacob Rudolph, one cow : Hannah Rudolph; William Roney, one cow ; Lewis Ring, one cow ; Levi Rudolph, laborer; James H. Reed, one cow: George Shilt, laborer; Henry Shesley, occupation ; John Shotts, laborer; Andrew Sheasley, laborer : George Sin, laborer, one cow ; Samuel Stiffey, one horse, three cows: Adam Sprow. two horses, two cows; William Steinbaugh, laborer: Benjamin Straighhoof, one cow; Peter Smith, one yoke cattle; John Smeyers, laborer ; Phillip Smyers, laborer; Thomas Smouse, laborer ; Christian Stoner, one horse, one cow; Adam Smouse, one cow ; Margaret Smouse; James Staggers, one cow; Henry Spindler, one yoke oxen, one cow : Jacob Stag- gers, one horse, two cows; Isaac Smouse, one horse, one cow; Jacob Straithoof, one yoke

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oxen, one cow ; Henry Smith. one horse, two cows, one buggy; Conrad Smouse, Jr .; John Y. Smitten ; Caleb Snyder, one cow ; Aaron Smouse, one horse; James Stout: Conrad Smouse, Sr., one cow: Samuel Smouse, laborer, one cow: William Smith; Adam Smouse, laborer ; Charles Tucker, two horses, five cows; James Torrance; John Trees, occu- pation ; Joseph Trees, occupation ; Isaac Trees, occupation ; Peter Ulan, occupation ; George Weaver, two horses, three cows, sawmill; Peter Weaver, farmer; Isaac Williams, one yoke oxen, one horse, four cows, sawmill; Andrew Withins, one cow; Christian Wise, two yoke oxen, two cows: John Williams, Sr., occupation ; George Weaver, one cow ; Parlin White, one horse; Sylvanus P. White, one

cow ; William Woolford : John W. Zeider, one yoke oxen, one cow; John Conrad Zeidler.

POPULATION, ETC.

In 1860 Bell township had a population of 792: 1870. 785 ; 1880, 887 : 1890, 1,015; 1900, 1,392; 1910, 1,928.

Cloe, a village with a small population, has the only post office in the township.

PRESENT OFFICIALS

At the election of Nov. 2, 1915, the follow- ing were chosen : Dallas Depp, H. W. Weaver, school directors; Jacob Priester, supervisor ; John J. Cochran, constable.

CHAPTER XLVI McCALMONT TOWNSHIP

ORGANIZATION, ETC .- PIONEERS AND PIONEER NOTES-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-BEAR STORIES -- FIRST ELECTION -- PIONEER TAXABLES, 1858 AND 1859-POPULATION-TOWNS

McCalmont township, named after the then president judge, John S. MeCalmont, was organized in 1857, being taken from Young township. It is bounded on the north by Win- slow and Knox townships, on the east by Winslow and Henderson townships, on the south by Bell and Young townships, and on the west by Knox and Oliver townships.

In the early days the territory now com- prised in the township was known as "Sha- moka," and was so called by nearly everyone.

The township is underlaid with coal. (See Jefferson county map in this volume.) Coal was first discovered there on the farm of Louis Elbell in 1840. This farm is now the site of Anita.

PIONEERS AND PIONEER NOTES

The pioneer settlers in what is now McCal- mont township were John Smith, Samuel Mc- Gee, Ellis Evans, David and Thomas Carr, William Best, John Deemer and Philip Bush, most of whom settled there in 1830. John Deemer probably cleared the first patch of land. Thomas Hopkins settled there in 1833, and Daniel and Joseph North about 1840. The first child born there was Alexander Deemer. The first marriage was Joseph North's. The

first death was Franklin Smith's. William Best built the first sawmill, in 1830, on Big Run. The first store was kept by George Mor- rison, in 1882, at Panic. The first Jumber- man was John Smith, on Sandy Lick creek.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES

The first school was taught in 1841 by J. P. North. The pioneer schoolhouse was erected on the Smith farm.

The first church was built about 1871 at Panic by the Cumberland Presbyterians and named Zion. Rev. Jacob Wall was the pioneer pastor. In 1888 there were two churches in McCalmont township, the Cumberland Pres- byterian and United Brethren ; also a cemetery called Zion cemetery.

BEAR STORIES

1.ike all the pioneer settlers in the wilder- ness of Jefferson county, those of McCalmont township had to exercise the utmost vigilance to guard against the wild animals which were so plentiful. On one occasion John Deemer went out to watch the bears off his wheat, and while he was hiding in a "shock" a large bear came and began to cat of the wheat that

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composed his hiding place. When asked after- wards why he did not shoot the bear, he replied, "Dod, it was too close."

In 1844 or '45 Daniel North was harrow- ing in one of his fields, and broke his har- row. He got his ax to repair it, and while at work on the repairs heard his hogs squealing in the woods near by. Going to see what the trouble was, he found a large bear trying to carry off a porker. The bear would pick a hog up, walk with it a short distance on its hind feet, and then throw the hog as far as it could. Mr. North ran up and struck the bear with the ax, which he had brought with him in his hand, intending to fell the brute, but the ax glanced, and bruin, letting the hog go, turned on Mr. North and chattered its teeth almost in his face. Mr. North took off his hat and threw it in the animal's face, which turned from him and ran. And then ensued an exciting footrace, North kicking bruin at nearly every jump. He nearly suc- ceeded in treeing the animal, but in running through the brush the bear had the advantage and so escaped. Mr. North considered it almost miraculous that the bear did not hug him to death.

FIRST ELECTION

The first election for McCalmont township was held in 1857, when the following town- ship officers were chosen : Justices of the peace, Joseph P. North and Daniel B. Straight- hoof ; constable, Isaac W. McGee; super- visors, James W. Bell and J. F. Pifer; auditors, Joseph P. North, Joseph A. Jordan, George Rhodes: township clerk, John Mc- Brier; judge of election, J. P. North; in- spectors. Thomas

Hopkins and George Rhodes ; school directors, Daniel North, John Smith, Samuel Rhodes. John Rhodes, John McBrier, Samuel Swisher; assessor, James McGee ; poor overseers, Thomas Hopkins and John Uplinger.

PIONEER TAXABLES, 1858

Martin Afton, cow; Fred Ackerman, cow, two horses; Daniel Brown, cow, two horses; Thomas Brown, three cows, two horses; Wil- liam Best, two cows, ox ; James W. Bell, three cows, horses: Jacob Beal, two cows, ox; Jacob Best, laborer : James W. Bell, Jr., horse ; Ludwick Bonnett, laborer: George Carey, laborer; Jonathan Deemer, three cows, two horses; Alex Dickey. cow, horse; Alex Deemer, horse; Jonathan Deemer; Josiah

Evans, two cows, two horses; Henry Earnest, two cows, ox; Henry Elbell, two cows, two horses; David Ellenbeiger, cow; John H. Earnest, laborer; Henry Fawkness; George Fronts; Thomas Hopkins, three cows, four horses; John G. Henry, two cows ; Frederick Henry, cow; Patrick Henry, cow, two horses; Jacob Haney ; William Hor- ner; Phillip Henneman, three cows, two horses, ox: Daniel Hawk; R. G. Jordon, two cows, two horses: Joseph N. Jordon, cow, horse : George Knarr, two cows, two horses; Conrod Knarr, cow; Phillip Klippel; Jacob Knarr; Simon Leabott; Richard Lawrence, cow: Anderson Lampton ; John Lampton, two cows, ox; Samuel McGee, cow, horse, gold watch, $20: John Miller, cow ; John McBriar, cow : William McGee, two cows, horse; Isaac W. McGee, Jr., constable, $25; Charles Muth, cow ; James McGee, cow, horse ; Joseph North, three cows, two horses; Daniel North, five cows, four horses; William Nickelson, two cows, two horses; John F. Pifer, two cows, two horses, $45 at interest ; William Pifer, two cows, horse, ox; Amos Rickard; George Rhoades, cow, horse, judgment $185: John Rhoades, two cows, two horses; Samuel Rhoades, two cows, two horses ; Solomon Shet- tery ; Alex Smith, cow, ox, sawmill $100, $40; D. B. Straitiff, two cows, two horses; Henry Snell, two cows, two horses; W. Edward Simpson, cow; John Swisher; John Smith, four cows, four horses; George Swartz, cow, ox ; Robert M. Shirey, three cows, horse ; John Shaffer, cow; Samuel Swisher, cow; Jackson Sheasley ; Jacob Smith; Simion Stahlman; Peter Uplinger, two cows, horse; Daniel Up- linger, two cows, horse; Abraham Varner, of John; Abraham Varner, of A. C. B., two horses ; John Varner, two cows, two horses; Henry Wolf, cow; John Wachob, three cows, two horses; George Weighand, cow, horse; Charles R. White; Adam Weaver, cow ; Adam Weaver; Andrew Weaver, two cows, two horses.

ASSESSMENT, 1859

Martin Afton, farmer, one cow; Frederick Acherman, one cow, two horses; Daniel Brown, militia, farmer, two horses; Thomas Brown, farmer, three cows, four horses; Wil- liam Best, one horse, one yoke oxen, two cows, one sawmill; James W. Bell, farmer, three cows, three horses ; Jacob Beal, militia, farmer, one yoke oxen, two cows: Jacob Best, militia, constable ; James W. Bell, farmer, one cow, one horse; Ludwick Bonnet, farmer ;

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Joseph Bell, laborer; George Carey, farmer ; William Covert, laborer, military; Jonathan Deemer. farmer, two cows, two horses; Alex- ander Dickey, militia, farmer, one cow, one horse ; Alexander Deemer, militia, laborer, one horse, one yoke of oxen : Josiah Evans, farmer, two cows, two horses: Henry Ernest, farmer, three cows, one yoke of oxen; Henry Elbel, farmer, two cows, two horses; David Elen- berger, militia, laborer, one cow; Edward Elbel, militia, laborer ; Henry Falkner, farmer ; George Frontz, militia, farmer, one cow; Thomas Hopkins, farmer, four cows, four horses; John G. Henry, farmer, militia, one cow; Frederick Henry, militia, farmer, one cow: Patrick Henry, farmer, one cow, one horse, one yoke of oxen ; Jacob Henry, laborer ; William Horner, farmer ; Harps estate, farm- ers: Philip Hinneman, farmer, one sawmill; Daniel Hawk, Sr .. farmer; Thomas Hawk, militia, laborer; Daniel Hawk, Jr., laborer, one cow ; Robert G. Jordan, farmer, two cows, two horses ; Joseph N. Jordan, farmer, militia, one cow. one horse; George Knar, farmer, two cows, two horses; Conrad Knar, militia, farmer, one cow ; Philip Klippel, laborer; John Kesler. laborer, one cow; Simon Labot, farmer, one cow, one yoke oxen; Richard Lawrence, farmer, militia, one cow; William Lewring, militia, farmer, one cow, one yoke oxen ; John Leam, militia, laborer ; Samicl McGec, farmer, one cow, one horse, one watch, John Miller, militia, laborer, two cows ; John McBrier, farmer, two cows; Isaac Mc- Gee, militia, farmer, one horse, two cows ; Charles Muth, farmer, one cow; James Mc- Gee, farmer, militia, one horse, two cows; Joseph North, farmer, three horses, four cows ; Daniel North, farmer, militia, one buggy. four cows, four horses ; William Nickelson, farmer, two cows, one horse, one yoke oxen; John F. Pifer, farmer, one cow, one yoke oxen, two horses; William Pifer, militia, farmer, three horses, one or three cows; Amos Pickard, farmer: Jonas Pifer, militia, laborer: George Rhodes, militia, farmer, two horses, two cows ; John Rhodes, farmer, two cows, three horses ; Samuel Rhodes, militia, farmer, two cows, three horses, one watch, one buggy ; Solomon Shetterly, militia, farmer; AAlexander Smith, two horses, two cows, one sawmill; D. B.

Straighthoof, farmer, militia, two cows, two horses ; Henry Smell, farmer, two horses, two cows; John Swisher, militia, laborer, one cow ; John Smith, farmer, two horses, five cows ; George Swarts, farmer, one cow, one yoke oxen ; Robert M. Shirley, militia, farmer, two horses, three cows; John Shaffer, laborer, one cow ; Samuel Swisher, farmer, militia, one cow, one horse; Jackson Sheasly, farmer; Jacob Smith, laborer; Jacob Shaffer, militia, farmer, one cow; Shrock & Hadden, farmers; Simon Stahlman, farmer, one cow, one horse; Jacob M. Shaffer, militia, shoemaker, one horse ; John Shots, laborer; William Stinebauch, laborer; William Shell, farmer; George Snell, militia, laborer, one cow, two horses; Peter Uplinger, farmer, one horse, two cows ; Daniel L'plinger, militia, farmer, one cow, two horses ; Abraham Varner estate; Abraham B. Varner, militia, farmer, one horse, one cow; John Varner, farmer. one cow, two horses; Henry Wolf, militia, farmer, one horse, one cow; Jolin Wachob, farmer, two horses, two cows; George Weighand, militia, farmer, one cow, two horses; Charles White, farmer: Adam Weaver, farmer, militia, one horse; George Weaver, farmer; Jacob Zimerman, militia, farmer, one horse, one cow ; Henry Zimmer- man, militia, farmer ; William Zeitler, militia, farmer : Codfield Zimmerman, militia, farmer, one cow.

POPULATION

In 1860 MeCalmont township had a popu- lation of 454: 1870, 483; 1880, 549; 1890, 1.031 ; 1900, 5,121 ; 1910, 4,785.

TOWNS

Anita and Eleanor (Elenora) are good- sized towns in this township, and there are post offices there and at Florensa ( Florence). Panic is a tiny village.

PRESENT OFFICIALS

W. D. Wachob and James Cowan were elected school directors on Nov. 2, 1915; at the same election E. M. Smith was chosen supervisor and Charles Berg constable.

CHAPTER XLVII

HENDERSON TOWNSHIP-BOROUGH OF BIG RUN

ORGANIZATION -- SETTLERS-CILAARACTERISTICS-INDUSTRIES - FIRST ELECTION - PIONEER TAX- ABLES, 1858-TOWNS-POPULATION-TOWN SHIP OFFICIALS-BOROUGH OF BIG RUN

Henderson township, organized in 1857, was named after Joseph Henderson, then associate judge. It was taken from Gaskill township, which bounds it on the south. It is bounded on the north by Winslow township, on the east by Clearfield county, and on the west by Bell and McCalmont townships.

SETTLERS-CHARACTERISTICS-INDUSTRIES

The pioneer settler in what is now Hen- derson township appears to have been Joseph Potter, in 1823. Hle cleared the first land and made the first improvement.

In 1829 John Pifer and Frederick Kuhns came from Westmoreland county and set- tled in what is now known as the Paradise settlement. This name is said to have been given to this region by one of the Longs, Michael or William, who on his first excur- sion into this wilderness was so impressed with the scene that met his vision, the lux- uriance and beauty of the flowers that grew at his feet or glowed from the thickets, the bright and varying green foliage of the trees, the cool and limpid springs that ran out from moss-environed depths, the songs of the bright plumaged and sweet throated birds that filled the woods with their melody, that in admira- tion of the loveliness he beheld he involun- tarily associated it with the land of the blest, and called it "Paradise," and the name has adhered to it through all the years that have since elapsed.

Mr. Pifer and Mr. Kuhns took up the gov- ernment lands at from fifty cents to a dollar an acre, and in 1829 Pifer and his two sons, John and Jonas, took possession of this pur- chase and erected thereon a small log cabin and made some other improvements. The rest of his family came in December of that year. Mr. Kuhns had brought his family with him in May, before any preparation was made for them.

Bears, deer and wild turkeys were plenty. and furnished them meat. A bear would come occasionally and carry off a fat hog or two, while wolves howled around their cabins at night. The first winter was a severe one, and Mr. Pifer had to go fifteen miles to procure straw. He obtained his supplies at Punxsu- tawney, whence he hauled them with an ox team on a "jumper." The only improvement at Big Run at that time was a sawmill, and there was no improvement in the neighborhood where Reynoldsville now is except a little log cabin that stood near Sandy creek. All around appeared to be a swamp.

It is a matter of interest to state that the distinguished general. Alexander Hamilton, owned land jointly with others in this town- ship, to wit, warrant No. 144, on which C. Muth now lives. The title to this land was still in his heirs in 1840.

In pioneer days himbering was the only, or rather the main, occupation of our inhab- itants. Henderson township was famous for its big cork pine trees, as well as its big people. A. M. MeClure commenced the lumbering business in 1861 in the wilds of Jefferson county. In 1884 he removed to Big Run borough, which is in Henderson township, and lived and died there. At the present agri- culture is gaining steadily in importance and bids fair to continue the favorite pursuit of the people. Wherever properly tilled, the soil has produced excellent crops of wheat, oats and other small grains. The slow and cum- bersome method of removing stumps by pul- lers, etc., when superseded by the giant powder cartridge, has thrown open, for the general purposes of agriculture, much valuable land. Corn seems to do well on all the bottoms, and wherever there is the rich alluvial soil to work. The county is well adapted for fruit, and in time will compare with more favored pom- ological regions. We note on the hillsides the luxuriant growth of the grasses, and this por-

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tends a development of the stock industry, an avocation hitherto much neglected by the farmers generally.

The township is a coal-producing field, coal having been found here first in 1840. (See Jefferson county map in this volume. )

A minister named Althause resided in or near Punxsutawney, and occasionally preached at Luthersburg, making the journey on foot. When more settlers came into the neighbor- hood he was invited to preach for them, the log cabin being the church. The first church was built in Paradise settlement in 1840, and the first schoolhouse in the same year. The first store was kept by David Kerr and John B. Wilson at what is now Big Run.

FIRST ELECTION

The first township election was held in 1857, when the following township officers were chosen by the voters: Justice of the peace, James U. Gillespie ; constable. Thomas Pifer ; supervisors, Daniel Smyers, Henry Lott; auditor, James U. Gillespie ; judge of election, George Pifer; inspectors. Abraham Davis, Henry Miller ; assessor, Henry Clark; school directors. Samuel Smith, George Snell, John T. Clark, Jacob Smith, Christian Hoover; overseers, William Brooks, David Haney, Abraham Milliron.

PIONEER TAXABLES, 1858

Levi Anthony, horse, two cows; Jacob and Levi Anthony, sawmill; Jacob Anthony, cow, yoke oxen; Tom Anderson. cow; Joseph An- derson, horse, blind; William Brooks, car- penter, cow, two oxen; Frederick Bayh, cow. ox: George Buhite, yoke. cow ; Frederick Bu- hite. cow : 11. and Samuel Beam, five horses, seven cows; George Boyer, two horses, cow; Peter Buhite, occupation. $20: William M. C'ochran, sawmill, yoke oxen, two cows ; Henry Clark, cow; John F. Clark, two horses, two cows; Charles Clapper, cow; Edward Clay- ton, mare, blind. cow; Isaac Cochran, horse ; Joshua Davis, horse, two cows, yoke cattle; Charles Deitrick, cow, yoke cattle: Jacob Davis, sawmill, cow; Abraham David, three cows, yoke cattle; Solomon Dickey, cow ; Abraham Eustis, two horses, cow; Elias France, cow; Mathias Fox, cow, yoke cattle ; llenry Fillhart, two cows, yoke cattle ; Daniel France, Sr., cow; John France; James Gil- lespie, horse, two cows, buggy, $15; Adam Gleason, cow ; John Haymaker, old mare, cow ;

David Harvey: Frederick Hawk, horse, cow ; George Hawk, yoke cattle, $50; Christ Hoover, horse, cow; Peter Hannamon, cow, yoke cat- tle: William Hancock, two horses, cow; George Kunly, horse, two cows; Godfrey Kel- ler, cow, yoke cattle : Fred Kunley, horse, two cows, ycke cattle; Fred Kitchner, cow, yoke cattle: William Kunrod, cow, yoke cattle ; David Kerr: George Kramer, two horses, three cows, buggy, $20; John Kunley, mare, cow; Thomas Kerr, horse; Godfrey Keller, Jacob Kunley, Henry Lott, mare $5, cow $9; Francis Leech. cow ; George Leech, two cows, yoke cattle ; Thomas Leech; Henry Lott, Jr., voke cattle; George Miller. cow, yoke cattle ; John Miller, cow, horse, buggy ; Joseph Mil- ler, cow ; T. L. McHenry, cow ; Charles Miller, two cows, yoke cattle: Henry Miller, two horses, two cows; Abraham Milliron, two horses, two cows; John M. Miller, cow ; James Miller, cow ; William Null, mare, cow ; Thomas Pifer, three cows, yoke oxen: David Pifer, three horses, four cows; George Pifer, two horses, cow; Jonas Pifer, three mares, five cows; Abraham Pell, two horses, cow: John Rider, horse, three cows, yoke cattle ; William Reams, cow; Thomas Rutter. horse, cow; Daniel ,Smyers, blacksmith, cow; Benjamin Smyers ; William Smyers; George Snell, cow ; Israel Swartz, mare, old, $15: Samuel Smith. three cows; Jacob Smith, Jr., three cows; John Shepley, two cows, yoke cattle; Isaac Shepley, two horses, three cows; B. Stiver, cow ; Peter Shields, cow ; Henry Trithart, cow; Phillip Trexler, horse, two cows, yoke cattle ; Godfrey Trexler, cow: George Tyson, cow. buggy; Adam Wise, Jr., horse, cow; Adam Wise, Sr., two cows: Jacob Weaver, two horses, two cows; Peter Weaver, two horses, cow; Jacob Weaver, Sr., two horses, old, two cows, yoke cattle; Henry Weaver, cow ; James Williams ; Henry Weaver, Jr., mare, $40, two cows ; Christ Walker, yoke cat- tle : Samuel Yohe, cow ; Ben Yohe, two horses, COW.

TOWNS

The borough of Big Run is in this township. as is also the village of Desire. Both have post offices.

POPULATION

In 1860 Ilenderson township had a popu- lation of 627; 1870, 884; 1880, 872; 1890, 1,024; 1900, 1,041 ; 1910, 1,316.

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TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS

On Nov. 2, 1915. C. W. Kuntz and D. A. Pifer were elected school directors for six years : J. D. Pearce, supervisor for six years ; Robert Hughes, constable for four years.

BIG RUN BOROUGH

Big Run was first settled in 1822, and for a long time the only post office in the region was located there. The Indian name was Gar-yar-nese. the equivalent for Big Run in Seneca. The name is derived from the stream called Big run, which here empties into the Mahoning. It has always been the center of the lumbering trade for all that section of the country, and since the building of the Butf- falo. Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad, upon which it is situated, it has become a town of importance.

The pioneer settlers were Joe Potter and a man by the name of Saulsbury, who made the first improvements. The first settlers and the first business enterprises of the town have been discussed somewhat in the history of IIenderson township. The pioneer preacher was named AAlthause. He lived in or near Punxsutawney. He preached occasionally at this point and at Luthersburg, making the journey on foot, and carrying his rifle with him for protection from animals. His church was the log cabin erected by Saulsbury.

The first lumber was taken out in 1838. Coal was first discovered here in 18440. The pioneer hotel was kept by James U. Gillespie, in 1850. The pioneer gristmill was built by Philip Enterline in 1867. The pioneer manu- facturing establishment was built by Daniel J. Smyers in 1867. The first lawyer was H. I. Wilson. The earliest doctor was Dr. George Wilson. 1872.

POPULATION

According to the census of 1870 the popu- lation was 206: 1880, 240; 1890, 731: 1900, 870: 1910, 1,032: 1917, 1,160.

BUSINESS IN 1888

Stores .- Dr. A. P. Cox, general store and drugs, started 1877: A. M. McClure, general store, started 1867, burned down 1870, rebuilt and opened 1880: Dr. C. A. Wilson, drug store, started about 1882: J. B. Ellis, general store, started in May, 1883 ; Pittsburgh Branch

Store. F. Simons, manager, opened about 1884: W. E. & S. Enterline, Mrs. Buss, Miss Enterline. J. U. Gillespie : J. F. Oswald. hard- ware, opened in 1884; E. G. Gray, grocery, started in 1882; W. S. Carlton, grocery and eating house.

Manufactories and Shops .- David McKee, shoemaker, started about 1882: James A. Hamilton, tannery and harness shop, started in 1883; P. Palmer, wagonmaker and black- smith, commenced in 1874; S. H. Gray, black- smith, in 1882 ; handle and axe factory, started by T. 11. Simon in 1887.

Mills .- The largest sawmill in Big Run was erected by a man named Farnsworth, in 1840. and owned in 1865 by William M. Cochran. from 1866 by A. M. McClure. It was operated by the Big Run Lunbering Company from 1885. The sawmill put up by Putney Brothers in 1882 came into the ownership of T. B. Krider. The planing mill of Q. S. Reems was built by David Pifer in 1860. There was a planing-mill and furniture factory owned by 1). J. Smyers & Son ; a gristmill, built by Philip Enterline in 1870, and after his death, in 1885, owned by his sons, S. and W. E. Enterline.

When the lumber business was in its palmy days Big Run was one of the lively villages in central Pennsylvania, but it has grown very slowly since. At present the tannery of the William Irvin Company, and the local railroad and mining interests, furnish employment to the majority of the working people.

ELECTIONS

The first election in Big Run after it was incorporated as a borough was held on Sept. 30, 1867. and the following persons were elected: Justices of the peace. George K. Tyson, John E. Gillespie : constable, Charles Sloppy; auditors, David Kerr, D. J. Smyers, William M. Cochran ; judge of election, Sam- tiel Yohe; inspectors, A. B. Stoner, Thomas D. Kerr: assessor. George K. Tyson: assist- ant assessors. Joseph McPherson, J. A. Ham- ilton ; school directors. D. C. Gillespie, George K. Tyson, John Miller, J. \. Hamilton, Joseph McPherson, Samuel Yohe; overseers of the poor, J. A. Hamilton. George K. Tyson : town council, D. C. Gillespie, Joseph Moor- head, David W. Kerr, William M. Hollowell, Samuel Sloppy.

On Nov. 2. 1915, Will II. Tyson and, August Weber were elected school directors for six years, and T. W. Kerr, constable for four years.

516

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CHURCHES

In 1800 the little schoolhouse of Big Run was used by the Methodists and Baptists for service -. About the year 1867 a movement was started by the Methodists to build a church. They had organized a congregation a year or two prior to that date. The active spirit was Rev. Clinton Jones, who was the pioneer regular minister in this church, which was built in 1870. The building was frame, fifty-six by forty feet. The building commit- tee was composed of the following: Abraham Rudolph. John Rudolph, John Amich and George K. Tyson. This church building was torn down in 1900, and the present splendid brick structure was erected on the same site. The building committee for the new church consisted of Rev. Anthony Groves, G. K.

Tyson, James Gourley, D. J. Pifer and John M. McClure.

The First Christian Church of Big Run was organized in July, 1891, with thirty members. To William Irvin is due, in large measure, the credit for the organization of the work. The present membership is one hundred and fifty. The Sunday school has an average at- tendance of about one hundred and forty. C. 11. Irvin has been the efficient superintendent of the school throughout its history. The church building, costing about four thousand five hundred dollars, was dedicated April 17. 1892. It is frame, gothic style, with seating capacity of four hundred : has steam heat and electric lights. The following ministers have served the church in the order named: G. J. Massey. J. F. Coss, M. C. Frick. M. S. Blair, G. B. Evans. G. A. Maldoon, C. H. Hood.

AUG : 1 1935

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I, Part 95

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