Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 39

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 39

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certain lands situated in the borough of Brook- ville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, which shall be known as Brookville Park, and to convey the same to the borough of Brook- ville, Pennsylvania, with such reservations and exceptions as will permit said lands to be used by the public for a park and playground for rest and recreation, for lawful games, field meets and general athletics, swimming and skating pools, for all of which purposes, sub- ject to reasonable rules and regulations adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors of this corporation, said lands shall be free to the people." Provision then follows for "Buildings and structures suitable for ag- ricultural and fair associations, conventions, Chautauquas, institutes, church, religious, fra- ternal and social functions, meetings and ban- quets, operatic and theatrical performances, baseball and other entertainments approved by the Board of Directors." An agricultural Fair Association was incorporated, and all profits must be used for buildings and park improve- ments. At the entrance of the park there is a splendid auditorium, a monument of public spirit, costing about fifty thousand dollars raised by public subscription through socials, teas, bazaars, festivals, Fourth of July cele- brations, the assistance of the Boy Scouts, etc .. to be used for theatrical purposes and gather- ings of all kinds. Dr. J. A. Haven. N. L. Strong, S. S. Henderson, L. A. Leathers, Ben C. Craig, L. V. Deemer, Sylvester Truman and W. N. Conrad constitute the present board of directors.

The Brookville Hospital was made a cer- tainty by the legacy of the will of Mrs. Nancy Neel, of $25,000. W. N. Conrad is the sole executor of the last will and testament of the benefactress. He is also president of the board of trustees of the hospital.

Mr. Conrad was the first president of the Brookville Community Club, which was pri- marily responsible for the park project, and nothing could be more expressive of the spirit which has animated him than the object of this organization. In the Brookville Repub- lican of Nov. 27, 1913. appeared the following comment on the Club from the editor :

"As is now quite generally known, although the policy of the organization is to keep itself out of the public prints, there exists in Brook- ville a Community Club, a company of repre- sentative business and professional men of cosmopolitan political and religious beliefs, who meet every two weeks to enjoy supper together and to spend an hour in discussion of subjects affecting the welfare of Brook-

ville, the members alternating as chairman of the meeting and introducing such subjects as they desire to have considered. It is not the province of the Club to act as an organization in taking the initiative in movements for civic betterment, but rather to awaken individual initiative among its members. W. N. Conrad, Esq., is the president of the club. At the last meeting of the organization Mr. Conrad read his inaugural address and also acted as chair- man, and the thoughts which he advanced were so broad and their consideration so vital to Brookville, that the members of the Club unanimously asked that the paper be pub- lished, and we are pleased to accede to their request."

We quote the address as published with the above remarks :

I believe that every member of the Community Club is now convinced beyond a doubt that its scheme of organization opens the door to an un- bounded scope of initiative and supplementary activ- ity, for sociological, economical, political and com- mercial betterment.

By common consent, irrespective of our religion, politics or business, we fortnightly meet at the third meal hour to nourish the body and to listen to the chairman of the evening discuss any subject he may, in his wisdom, introduce, and then lock horns in debate, thrust and parry, ridicule and applaud, agree and disagree. Does not the result verify an observa- tion of Heraclitus of Ephesus, who about five hun- (Ired years B. C. said, "Opposition brings men to- gether, and out of discord comes the fairest har- mony, and all things have their birth in strife"? Does not our plan have the advantage of having a private forum? Our views, ideas, notions or opin- ions, undergo the ordeal of a smelting process, and as a rule evolve modified and combined into a proposition, affirmed by a consensus of opinion. When we reach this stage of unanimity, we are prone to adjourn or pass on to another subject.

It has been said that "hell is paved with good intentions," and therefore I infer that its streets and boulevards must be grand and beautiful.

For the good of the community, which is our good, if we would further progress, and the realiza- tion of better things, it is vitally important that we translate our conclusions and intentions into actions, even if by so doing we diminish the attractiveness of enchanting promenades for some of our spirit friends. A subject should be continued from night to night, until it is thoroughly discussed, a verdict reached, and if it is a subject like we had at our last meeting, not leave it until we decide what we can do, how to do it, and until we have done it, not as a club, but as individuals, acting as principals, or as abettors.

Where can there be found on our continents and islands any equal area having such number, quantity and richness of natural resources as Jefferson county, with her subterranean vaults of oil, gas, coal, lime, rocks, clays and shales, or as favorable for agricultural and dairy pursuits, or having the abun- dance of wild berries, nuts and flowers, watered by creeks, brooks and springs, or having so varied and

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numerous a fauna? Our scenery is a masterpiece, spreading over myriad hilltops, Arcadian, dainty, witching, hospitable and inhabitable, with sunsets infinite in variety, and effulgent hues.

We are floating like sardines on a sea of oppor- tunities and fabulous wealth. We have three inde- pendent railroad systems passing through our town.

Harriman, Rockefeller and Carnegie were poor boys, and just ordinary young men of mortal com- position like ourselves, but with them to reach a conclusion was to commence an undertaking.

Why should we not have factories along South Pickering street to Conifer and residences and lawns along East Main street to Bootjack?

Individually we are tiny. Therefore, we should co-operate, but here comes the rub. So many per- sons will not co-operate unless they are satisfied there is an individual return, and therefore their expressed opinions are warped, and their activities hedged by a narrow selfishness. However, the light of a better age is upon us. Men are beginning to determine and contribute to that which is for the greatest common welfare, influenced by the realiza- tion that the indirect benefits thereby accruing to the individual are greater than the direct benefits derived by every fellow for himself. We all should be good enough sports to take our chances to get our share out of that which is for common good. Another deterrent to proper action, is the consideration, what will be the consequences to me if I say this, or do this, or how will I be benefited? ' Never let these interrogations befuddle us, because, if we are right, the consequences will take care of themselves, and be right for us, and this aside from any religious viewpoint, although appearances are that we are bumping our heads against a stone wall. We should be sufficiently broadminded, chivalrous, or shrewd, to assist every member of our common community, if the opportunity presents itself, for, by so doing. we raise our average welfare, and our total wealth. If we can help an opponent, be he a competitor, or a snarling enemy, to fill his coffers, we should, because while we may not enjoy his patronage, yet we are making chances for ourselves to tap the jingling stream issuing therefrom somewhere as it trickles around the town. If you are in a position to do a public service by serving as a member of the band, fire company, school board, town council, health board, or as a civic committeeman, esteem it an honor, and an obligation you owe the public, as well as yourself, and do not refuse because you have not only some personal motive, the penalty for which, if known, should be a disqualification.

This is my promised presidential address. I will now introduce my subject as chairman of the even- ing.

A good reputation for a town is as essential for the success, prestige and prosperity of a community as it is to an individual, and in a financial way, just as important, and one of the factors that will go a long way to turn the balance of trade in our favor.

Does it speak well of the capital city of our county, the seat of learning and culture, the municipal head- quarters of a subdivision of our Commonwealth, that it has no suitable place for the sessions of our County Institute, or other conventions? In losing the institute, did we not lose some of our tone, and has not the loss of our Fair added to our humiliation? May not other losses follow unless we awaken?

Several months ago our townsman, Alfred Tru- man, called some of our people together for the purpose of considering the purchase of what is com- monly known as the "Fair Grounds," and the organi-

zation of a Fair Association. Several plans were suggested, but the consensus of opinion favored some plan whereby the grounds could be acquired for gen- eral public purposes, baseball, athletics, Chautauqua, park, reunions, swimming pools, ice skating ponds, as well as for a fair association, and these thoughts aroused an unusual amount of enthusiasm among the persons present. Mr. S. S. Henderson offered to donate by deed his interest in the fair grounds, if such a plan was adopted. William Truman, F. P. Rankin and others offered very liberal cash contribu- tions, one offer being as high as one thousand dollars.

There are about eighteen acres in the peninsula in which the fair grounds are situated, and the pur- chase of all land between the Red Bank and Sandy Lick creeks was favored, which would therefore in- clude several residences. Samuel Arthurs owns the undivided one-half of the whole of four acres, and all of nine acres, which includes the Beach residence. S. S. Henderson has the remaining one-half in the four acres. The remainder of the eighteen acres is owned by the Edelblutes, Smith, Fawcett, Anderson and Engle. Mr. Truman had an option from Mr. Arthurs on his holdings for $8,000. Committees were appointed and the meeting adjourned.

The option committee has not been able to get an option from Mr. Arthurs for a less consideration and has failed entirely to secure an option from the Edelblutes. Many questions present themselves. How shall we acquire this land? What shall be the plan of ownership? There are two methods of acquisition, Ist, by purchase, 2d, by condemnation. Shall we purchase at the price asked, although it be deemed high? The borough may condemn it for park purposes by paying what viewers and juries may award the owners for damages. If this course is adopted, a legal question then arises, namely, can the borough give permits to a ball association or a fair association for the exclusive use of part or all of it upon certain days ?

If the land is purchased, and this method is obvi- ously preferable and more feasible, who shall be invested with the title, the borough, or a corporation of the first class, which is a corporation not for profit? If by the former, the land and its improve- ments and its uses would be largely regulated by the will of the people, as expressed by the town council. If by the latter, the land and its improvements and its uses would be regulated by a board of directors or trustees, selected in a manner prescribed by the laws of the corporation.

I presume that we all concede and agree that a baseball and a fair association would be separate corporations, and the only question would be the terms of issuing permits or licenses, or leasing to them. Two of the conditions I submit should be, Ist, that all improvements or buildings made or erected should become a part of the frechold and not removahle; 2d, that the said corporation should not be for profit.

There is probably no place in the whole world more suitable than the fair grounds for the pur- poses which I have mentioned and other purposes that may remain to be suggested. The grounds are ideally situated. They are central, and surrounded by unexcelled natural beauties. We can make them an advertisement for us, far and wide. A town that has so many magnificent edifices în the way of prop- erties costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, paid for by public subscription, bears eloquent testimonial of the energy, pluck and liberality of our people when they go on the warpath.

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Socially Mr. Conrad is a Mason, belonging to Hobah Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M. (of which he was the worshipful master in 1904), Jefferson Chapter, No. 225. R. A. M., Bethany Commandery, No. 83. K. T., of DuBois, Pa., Coudersport Consistory (thirty-second de- gree), and Jaffa Temple, .A. A. O. N. M. S., of Altoona, Pa. While a member of the Pres- byterian Church, he is not sectarian. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of New York, of the Pennsylvania Forestry Associa- tion, and of the executive committee of the No-License League. Ile was chosen delegate for the counties of Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion and Jefferson, constituting the Twenty- seventh Congressional district, to the Pro- gressive convention at Chicago, Ill., 1916.

Mr. Conrad has visited every State in the Union except Maine, Canada from Victoria to Quebec, parts of Mexico, and parts of Europe. He was a passenger on the "Lusi- tania" several months before it was torpedoed. When a boy he bicycled all over western Pennsylvania, and over parts of New York, Ohio and West Virginia. He has probably the largest local collection of kodak pictures, including photographs of an Apache Fiesta, a little known celebration of the Jicarilla Apaches in a remote corner of northern New Mexico, near Horse Lake.

Mr. Conrad married Martha V. Rhed. daughter of B. F. Rhed, of Snyder township, Jefferson county, and they have one child. John W.

ENOS G. NOLPII, who has lived at Punx- sutawney since retiring from active pursuits, is a native of New Bethlehem, Clarion Co .. Pa., and a son of the first white settler in that county. Now nearing the close of his eightieth year, Mr. Nolph has witnessed most of the transformation of this region from primitive to modern conditions, and like his father has borne his part in its progress. His life record is one of industry and fidelity to duty, showing the possession of the sterling qualities which have made all of this name re- spected for substantial worth.

Mr. Nolph's grandfather came from Ger- many and settled in Luzerne county, Pa .. where he died. His children were: George. Mrs. Henry Rhoads, Mrs. Sarah George, and Henry, the latter the father of Enos G. Nolph. Henry Nolph. well known in his day as "Gum' Nolph, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., and ran away from home when twelve years old, traveling on foot to Clarion county, where he settled among the Indians at the mouth of

Town run. This adventurous beginning to his career was quite typical of his character- energetic, self-reliant, fearless, enterprising ; in short, he had the very traits most necessary to a successful fight for existence in the wild region he chose. Hunting was his principal occupation at first, but later he engaged in lumbering, building the first sawmill in Clarion county, at the mouth of Town run. He ran the first lumber taken from that point to Pitts- burgh down Red Bank creek, making the trip back up river by canoe, and bringing material for his sawmill and other supplies by the same conveyance. He also had the first gristmill in the county, and owned the site where the town of New Bethlehem now stands. In 1842 he suffered great loss by the flood, the worst ever known in this section, which carried away his home, sawmill and all other buildings, de- stroying the work of years. In spite of hard work and the privations incident to pioneer life Mr. Nolph attained the great age of eighty- eight years, dying in Clarion county ; and his wife, Sarah ( Reed), died there aged ninety- nine years, eight months. She was a daughter of Peter Reed, formerly of Westmoreland county, who came thence to Jefferson county in 1802, making a settlement in what is now Oliver township. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nolph: Mary Ann died unmar- ried ; Lewis, deceased, married Hannah Yount ; Susanna married David Gwinn ; Sarah married Matthias Light : Rebecca married Al- exander Mauk ; one died in infancy ; Enos G. is next in the family; Thomas served during the Civil war in the 11th Pennsylvania Regi- ment and was killed in June, 1864, at Reams Station, while taking part in an engagement : Eliza died young : Samuel, who served during the Civil war in the 206th Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, was killed in 1876 by a falling tree, in Pinecreek, Jefferson county.

Enos G. Nolph was born Jan. 3, 1837. at New Bethlehem, Clarion county, where he was reared, working with his father up to the age of sixteen years. He had by that time be- come quite familiar with the lumber business, which he followed until the Civil war broke out, shortly afterwards, in July, 1861, joining Company L, Ith Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and serving to the end of the struggle, being honorably discharged Sept. 15, 1865. His service was arduous but interesting, his command being attached to the Army of the Potomac under Sheridan up to the time of Lee's surrender. At Reams Station Mr. Nolph was shot through the right knee, and follow- ing this he was promoted to the rank of cor-

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poral and later sergeant. His army service ended, he returned to Clarion county, and for two years afterwards suffered poor health as a consequence of the hardships of military life. When able to resume activities he ran a saw- mill on the Clarion river and was so engaged for ten years; for many years following he was employed as an expert saw filer at various mills, as he had become well qualified for this important work. Meantime, in 1874, he had bought a farm in Oliver township, Jefferson county, which he cultivated for three years. In 1882 he removed to Cool Spring, where he operated a handle factory very successfully for a period of eight years, and also held the position of postmaster at that place for a num- ber of years, becoming one of the best known residents of the town. In October, 1911, he removed to Punxsutawney, where he enjoys his days in leisure-taking a well earned period of rest. Ile is a member of the Church of God.

Mr. Nolph married Mary E. Morris, daugh- ter of James Madison and Phoebe ( Williams ) Morris, and they had two children, James Grant and Carrie Austella. The latter, born March 5, 1872, attended the Clarion State Nor- mal School and State College, and is now a teacher in the Punxsutawney public schools. Mrs. Nolph died Sept. 11, 1911. and is buried at Oliveburg.

JAMES GRANT NOLPHI, only son of Enos G. Nolph, is now one of the active figures in mercantile circles in Punxsutawney, where he has been in business since 1905. He was born June 27, 1870. in Pinecreek township. and attended the public schools during his boy- hood, later taking a course at the Clarion State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1893. For eight years thereafter he taught school in Jefferson, Forest and MeKean counties, until he entered the service of the United States government, in the war depart- ment, being stationed at Schuylkill Arsenal, Philadelphia. He was in the service six years, following which he was engaged for a year as business manager of Temple College, Phil- adelphia. He has since been located at Punx- sutawney, where in 1905 he embarked in busi- ness as a stationer and paper dealer. in the Beyer building. The scope of the enterprise enlarged gradually, taking in allied lines or other merchandise for which he found general demand. and as his first quarters became re- stricted he moved to the Winslow block, and in August. 1914, to his commodious store in the Pantall block, about which time the news

agency of the town was added to his business. He now has the largest establishment of the kind in this part of the State, his stock includ- ing books, stationery, office supplies, news- papers and magazines, cigars and candy, and in addition to retailing, he acts as wholesale agent to many smaller houses in the territory. In 1914 he established another place, at Ridg- way, known as the Ridgway News Stand, while his main business in "Punxy" is con- ducted under the name of J. G. Nolph & Co. There is no better example of enterprise well applied than this Nolph store, started so mod- estly, but of such rapid and substantial growth that its success is noteworthy among the mer- cantile houses of Jefferson county. Mr. Nolph has shown himself equally energetic in help- ing the local business men to organize for their own good. He was one of the founders of the Business Men's Association, and for several years served as its treasurer; he is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Socially he belongs to John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534. F. & A. M., of Punxsutawney. Mr. Nolph married E. Pearl Thompson, of Oil City, Pa., Aug. 21, 1889, and they have two children, Ceridwyn L. and James Grant, Jr. Mrs. Nolph was also graduated from the Clarion State Normal School, 1894, and for five years taught in the public schools of her home town. She also attended the Shoemaker School of Oratory and Elocution, Philadelphia.

ISAAC B. MCLAUGHLIN, of Summer- ville, has been a well known figure in that borough and Jefferson county for a number of years. At present he is serving as justice of the peace and State health officer. He is also a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, is a recognized friend of every good move- ment and enjoys the confidence of his many friends in the town and county. He has spent all his life in this region, having been born in Clover township Nov. 4, 1856, son of John MeLaughlin and grandson of Joseph Mc- Laughlin, through whom he is of Irish ex- traction, his father being a native of Ireland, who became an early settler in Westmoreland county, about 1834 bringing his family to Jef- ferson county. He spent the remainder of his life in this vicinity, he and his wife dying in their old log house in Limestone township, Clarion county, just across the Jefferson county line. They were sincere members of the Baptist Church, and active in its work. Their family consisted of ten children, namely : Sally, Mrs. Davis ; John ; George, who enlisted in the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment,

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and died in a hospital in Philadelphia after he had seen service in many battles; Mrs. Leah Miller : Jacob, deceased ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Wal- dorf : Henry. who died at the old homestead ; James, who lived at Kingsville, Clarion Co .; Abram, who served through the Civil war in the 105th Pennsylvania Regiment, and died from the effects of wounds received at the battle of Fair Oaks; Mary, who died unmar- ried. The mother of this family was of Ger- man descent.

John Mclaughlin, father of Isaac B. Mclaughlin, was a native of Westmoreland county, but grew up in Jefferson county. After his marriage he purchased a traet of land in Clover township, to which he added as his means permitted, and made his home there 111- til his death. in September. 1894. at the age of seventy-three years. Most of his time was spent in farming : he also carried on lumber- ing. Being industrious and upright, he pros- pered and won an estimable position among his neighbors. He married Harriet Carrier, who died in 1873. the mother of eight children. four of whom are deceased : Lucinda J., Mrs. J. F. Guthrie, deceased: Mary M., Mrs. Mooney : Nathan A. ; Isaae B .; Albert, Eliza and Ida, all of whom died in childhood; and Harriet. Mrs. Plyler. The parents were mem- bers of the Methodist Church.

Nathan Carrier, father of Mrs. Harriet ( Carrier ) Mclaughlin, came from Connecticut at an early day and was one of the first set- tlers of Summerville. He was extensively in- terested in lumbering in Jefferson county, where he was a leading business man for many years. He died at the age of seventy-three, his wife passing away in 1884. They had the following children : Darius; Hiram ; Har- riet. Mrs. MeLaughlin: Mrs. Lueinda Hurd : Mrs. Esther Weldon ; Isaac. a veteran of the Civil war, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Carner ; Mrs. Emaline Guthrie, and Mrs. Agnes Davis. All of this family joined the Methodist Church.

Isaac B. McLaughlin was reared on the home farm, and had the educational oppor- tunities afforded by the local schools. During his early manhood he was engaged at lumber- ing in Michigan, and later followed the same line of work in his home State, lumbering and rafting in Elk county from 1881 to 1884. Mov- ing baek to Jefferson county he settled at Summerville, and for a short time was em- ployed at farming. When the borough of Summerville was organized he was elected con- stable and continued to fill that position for sixteen years. In 1905 he was elected justice

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 39

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 972

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972