Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 48

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 48

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Punxsutawney about twelve miles to the south,

located on Mahoning creek. He liked the name and decided to go there, and next morn- ing his host showed him the trail through the woods. After traveling what seemed a long way he came to the settlement, situated in a wide deep valley surrounded on all sides by high hills, covered with timber, principally pine, hemlock, red and white oak. The Ma- honing creek, coming in from the east, after making a turn Howed from east to west around the base of the hills to the south, which rose to the height of one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the creek. The principal street, now known as Front street, ran north and south facing the stream. The buildings, about fifteen in number, were mostly of hewn logs. There were two hotels, or taverns as they were then called, and a couple of unli- censed houses for the traveling public, the oldest of these being a log house built and kept by Abram Weaver about 1816; it had no license until some time in the thirties. It stood on the present site of the "Waverly Hotel," corner of Penn and Mahoning streets. The other was a two-story log house on the southeastern corner of the "Green," as the park was then called. This plot of ground was donated by David Barclay as a public _ common. Joseph Long built the house in 1824. In later years it was weather-boarded, painted and otherwise improved, was pur- chased by the late Capt. John T. Bell, and is still occupied by his family. Though the old- est building now ( 1916) standing in the town, it compares very favorably yet with many oth- ers erected at a much later date. The first tavern was built by Elijah Heath in 1824, on the site of what until recently was the "City Hotel," now known as the "Park House." It faced the "Green." The dining room and kitchen of the present hotel were part of the original house. It was called the "Eagle Ho- tel," and had its signboard with a large painted eagle, along with the proprietor's name, swing- ing from a post in the front. There was a wide entrance or alley to the barn from the street on the south side. upon which the kitchen door opened where a pump and water- ing trough stood, supplying both the house and barn as well as the whole neighborhood with water for many years. A small one-story log house was on the corner, facing Mahoning street. It was built by Charles Barclay, who started the first store there in 1820. The site is now occupied by the large brick addition to the old "Eagle Hotel." The other build- ing, the largest at that time ( 1832), was also

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built by Charles Barclay, as a dwelling house, in 1821, and was later purchased by Joseph Long, who died there in 1832. James Camp- bell bought it shortly after, and turned it into the "Mahoning House." It stood on the cor- ner of the present site of the "Pantall Hotel." The first schoolhouse, built of round logs in 1822, stood next to it on the south. A log church was built by the Presbyterians about 1820, a few feet west of where the Baptist church was afterwards built, and remained many years. The site is now occupied by Carl North's livery stable on North Jefferson street. Dr. Jenks had a mill on Elk run, and Jacob Hoover had a gristmill in the western section of the village, which afterwards be- came the borough of Clayville, now better known as the West End, having been consoli- dated with Punxsutawney and divided into wards. Such were the principal business buildings when James Torrence arrived and stopped at the "Eagle Hotel." He made known the object of his visit to the leading men of the place, among them David Barclay, Presby- terian minister, and his son Charles R. Bar- clay, who was the first postmaster ; Dr. John WV. Jenks, a brother-in-law ; Elijah Heath, who married the Doctor's sister Mary : Jacob Hoo- ver; James E. Cooper; James St. Clair ; Wil- liam Campbell; Ephraim Bair; John Drum (these two had arrived but a short time be- fore) ; James Winslow ; Isaac Carmalt ; John Hess, and Charles Gaskill. The latter was sent from Philadelphia by the Holland Land Company in ISI8 to sell out their large hold- ings of land in Jefferson and adjoining coun- ties. He remained here for over thirty years. after the company's lands had been sold re- turning to his former home in or near Phil- adelphia, in 1849, and dying there in 1872.

Mr. Torrence liked the situation better than any he had yet seen, and the people were anxious to have him settle among them and start this new industry in the place. He de- cided to do so, and purchased a tract of land upon which to build his tannery and dwelling. It was situated on Mahoning street. at that time a State road running from Indiana through Punxsutawney and Smethport to a small town called Ceres, and known as the Ceres road. commenced in 1825, finished in 1828. This tract extended south 160 feet, ten feet of which were taken off for an alley and extended to Findley street, being named Tan- ners' alley. The property formed half a square, for which he paid seventy-five dollars. It was partly covered with trees and scrub brush. After making the necessary arrange-

ments for building in the spring, he returned to his home by way of Indiana, stopping there at the hostelry of William Caldwell. It was at this time he first met Mary, eldest daughter of the proprietor, and was very favorably im- pressed with her gentle and ladylike appear- ance. Having arrived home, that winter he made the final arrangements for leaving when the weather became sufficiently settled to com- mence building. In the spring of 1833 he turned his face toward his future home. Com- ing by way of Indiana, he renewed his acquaintance with the Caldwell family, partic- ularly the daughter, and was favorably re- ceived, as his father's family were not unknown to them, Mr. Caldwell having been raised in Westmoreland county, near New Alexandria. He obtained permission to visit Miss Mary in the near future. Reaching Punxsutawney, he proceeded at once to gather his men and teams to get out the lumber for his tannery, which had to be hauled about a mile to the sawmill. While he was thus em- ployed a terrible storm took place, a veritable cyclone, coming from the west over the hills through the present fair grounds and lands adjoining into the valley, striking the creek on the outskirts of the village, then sweeping on its destructive way east. A funnel-shaped cloud was first noticed, then a roaring and rumbling as of distant thunder. Soon limbs of trees were flying overhead with terrific force, trees near began to snap off and crash around the men, who on the first alarm rushed their teams to an open space near, escaping without injury. Mr. Torrence believed they owed their safety to their being one side of the center of the storm belt-it was less than a quarter of a mile in width-otherwise they would have fared disastrously. It was fear- ful enough to make even strong men quake. After it passed. which was in a very short time, they started for home, but found it no easy job in the wild tangle confronting them. Great trees uprooted lay across their way, and. new paths had to be made around them or cut through. In time the lumber was ready, and on the northwest corner of the property he erected the first tannery in the town and the third in the county.

Not long after obtaining his first tract of land James Torrence purchased a second plot, for which he paid two hundred and fifty dol- lars. It lay to the north facing the first tract, divided from it by the public road, and ex- tended from Gilpin street along Mahoning east to Findley street, then north to what is now Torrence street, named for him by Dr. Gil-

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pin, in compliment for the interest he had taken in having Gilpin street named after the Doctor. He laid his tract out in town lots and in time sold them all. The corner lot on Mahoning and Gilpin, where the Murray de- partment store is located, and the one on the other corner, Mahoning and Findley, where the Weber building stands, were sold for three hundred and fifty dollars each. . The other lots, between these, as well as those on Tor- rence street, were sold at various prices, ac- cording to the location, at much less per lot. In connection with his tannery Mr. Torrence dealt in lumber. Some time in the early for- ties he took a contract offered him by Charles Gaskill to clear two acres of land for him on top of the hill at south side, above where the Punxsutawney Brewery now stands, and the P. & N. W. railroad tracks run. He was to get twenty dollars per acre, and the lumber that was taken off. Ile soon set his men to' work, and the result was forty dollars cash and two rafts of good lumber. It cost very little aside from the wages of the men, for the logs were rolled down the side of the hill into the creek below, which at that time flowed at its base. Some years later the present channel was made and the waters turned in, thus straightening to some extent the serpentine windings of the creek, making it safer and easier for the raftsmen to bring their lumber through. The rafts from the lumber taken off the hill were floated down to Pittsburgh, where they were sold for part cash, the re- mainder in trade-a large quantity of meat packed in huge barrels or hogsheads and taken up the river to Kittanning, whence a number of teams hauled it to Punxsutawney. The people came ten or twelve miles to buy. This proved a wise investment, netting Alr. Tor- rence a goodly sum in cash. besides skins of various kinds and bark for his tannery taken in trade.

After making several trips to Indiana Mr. Torrence became engaged to Mary Caldwell with the full consent of her parents, William and Martha Caldwell. They were to be mar- ried as soon as his dwelling was under way. Dr. Jenks had been living in his log cabin, standing on what is now the lower end of Russell Martin's home lot, facing an alley opening on to Mahoning street, and had just moved to his new house on the south side of Mahoning street, facing the creek. He of- fered his cabin to James Torrence to live in until the construction of his own dwelling was sufficiently advanced, this kind offer being gladly accepted, as it enabled him to marry

sooner than he otherwise could have done. Here he lived by himself until his marriage, April 14, 1835, bringing his bride to the cabin home. Their own house was ready to move into in the spring of 1836, and their first child, Silas Fenton, was born there Nov. 17th of the same year. The house stood on the eastern side of his business section, divided from it by an alley or driveway which ex- tended through to Tanner's alley, and was surrounded by a large yard. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Torrence : Silas F., now deceased ; William C., of Punxsutawney ; Louisa, and Anna, both deceased ; James Mon- roe : George H., of Punxsutawney ; and John, deceased. The mother, born May 27. 1817, died July 3. 1857, leaving five sons and one daughter, another daughter having died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Anna, was sent to Glade Run, to attend the academy. It was here Mr. Torrence met his second wife, Mrs. Nancy Jane (Kier) Mellhose, daughter of James and Hannah Kier, of Elders Ridge, Pa., then superintendent of the young ladies' department of the school. This acquaintance ripened into mutual liking, which culminated in their marriage July 1, 1858. At the same ceremony her sister Elizabeth was united to Rev. Daniel W. Townsend, their lifelong friend and pastor, Rev. Dr. Donaldson. of Elders Ridge, officiating. This marriage was a blessing to Mr. Torrence and his family, for Mrs. Torrence proved to be a wise and able companion, as well as a kind and affectionate mother to his bereaved children. Three chil- dren were born to this union, the youngest, Nannie, dying when two years old, a victim of the terrible epidemic of scarlet fever rag- ing in 1870. The others, Elizabeth H. K. and Ella, still survive. Mrs. Nancy Jane Tor- rence, born Dec. 9. 1824, died Dec. 10, 1897.

In the fall of 1835 a man by the name of Timblin applied for the position of teacher for the Punxsutawney school. Ile was ex- amined by the board of directors, composed of Charles C. Gaskill, chairman, James Wins- low and James Torrence ; the examination was held in the home of the latter, then living in the Jenks cabin. He was examined in spell- ing, reading and arithmetic, the books used being the United States speller, English Reader and Western Calculator. Timblin was the first public school teacher installed under the then new school system. Punxsutawney was opposed to this system at first. The schools previous to this had been supported by subscription, paid for in money or trade, ac- cording to the circumstances of the person.

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The price amounted to about fifty cents a month per scholar for a term of three months.

It was in 1833 that the Presbyterians, find- ing the old log church too small to accommo- date the congregation, which was rapidly growing, decided to build a new house of worship, making it of brick. It was placed on the Green or public square. John Hunt, father-in-law of Ephraim Bair, furnished the brick at two dollars and fifty cents a thou- sand, delivered on the ground. In the fall the brick work was finished. John Drum and Ephraim Bair managed the carpenter work. It was completed far enough to hold services that winter, and dedicated, although it was some years before it was entirely finished. The Presbyterians worshipped there for three years, when some misunderstanding arose be- tween the Presbytery and the pastor, David Barclay. The latter withdrew from the Pres- bytery, and about Feb. 1, 1836, organized the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. They demanded that the keys of the church be turned over to them. William Campbell and James Torrence were trustees, and held the keys, but refused to give them up. An en- trance was effected, however, and the Cum- berlands took possession. This action broke up the Presbyterian congregation, as the ma- jority had gone with their pastor. Mr. Camp- bell united with the Baptists, who organized a church here in 1840 or 1841. After a time James Torrence united with the Cumberlands. and was elected one of their elders. In 1860 a Presbyterian Church was again organized, under Rev. Mr. Hennigh. But there were not sufficient numbers to sustain a minister and after three years it was dissolved, some of the members placing their letters with the Cumberlands and others uniting with the Pres- byterian Church at Perry, about seven miles distant. Among these were Mrs. Eliza Dun- lap, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Shields, and Phineas Jenks' family (although Dr. Jenks, his fa- ther, united with the Cumberlands at the time of their organization, he requested before his death and emphasized it in his will that his children be raised in the Presbyterian faith of his fathers). James Torrence placed his letter in the congregation at Covode, six miles distant, and remained in her communion until the present First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1884, with Rev. Mr. Helm as pas- tor. He was elected one of the first elders and served as such faithfully until his death.

Punxsutawney was located in Young town- ship until 1849, when it was organized a bor- ough. At the first election after it was made

a separate district, May 5, 1857. James Tor- rence and Ephraim Bair were elected school directors. On July 9, 1860, the Republican party was formed in Jefferson county, with William E. Gillespie as chairman. Adam B. Miller (father of our townsman Horace G. Miller, editor and proprietor of the Punxsu- tawney News) and James E. Mitchell ( who some years later served as associate judge ) were delegates from Punxsutawney. Among the officers nominated were James Torrence, associate judge for the term of five years, and J. J. Y. Thompson, of Brookville, for one year. Mr. Torrence was elected with a majority of four hundred-the largest that had been given for a county office up to that time. His eldest sons, Silas and William, had purchased a two- hundred-acre tract of fine timber land lying between Punxsutawney and Reynoldsville, for which they were to pay one thousand dollars, one hundred down and the remainder in in- stallments. A camp was made, and with their men that winter they took out two large rafts which were floated down to Pittsburgh in the spring ( 1861). On their way thither they heard of the fall of Fort Sumter, and arrived two days after President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand men. William decided at once to enlist. He was told it would be useless to attempt it on account of the im- mense throng surrounding the recruiting sta- tion, but he was not to be turned aside by any such obstacle. With quiet persistence he suc- ceeded in reaching the officer and was enlisted in the three months' service, the first man from Jefferson county (so far as is known) to enlist in the Civil war. So quickly had Pennsylvania's quota of men been filled that thousands were not sent forward to the front, but were placed in camps in and around Pitts- burgh and drilled, as a farseeing governor and legislature directed. William Torrence be- came a member of the "City Guards." Com- pany G, of Allegheny, John B. Brookbanks, captain, which on the 28th of June became part of the 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Re- serves. The enlistment of his brother left to Silas the responsibility of disposing of the lumber, which had no market owing to the excitement over the war. Securing his rafts, he returned home much discouraged, ready to throw up their contract. When his father, not wishing them to lose the money already paid, offered to take it over in his own name, paying off the nine hundred dollars remain- ing, and return to each the money already in- vested, this arrangement was satisfactory to all. This proved a valuable tract, as it was

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found to be underlaid with coal, and was sold a number of years after to the Rochester Coal & Iron Company for sixteen thousand dollars, to say nothing of the thousands of dollars worth of lumber that had been taken off. Another son of James Torrence, James Monroe Torrence, enlisted in Company K, 105th Regiment, Pa. V. I., and started to the front in the fall of 1861. Three years later Mr. Torrence closed out his tannery, as the place had become too centrally located for that business. He erected a large two-story frame business block, facing on both Mahoning and Gilpin streets. He had bought a shoemaking and repairing shop for his son John, who had learned the trade, his intention being to start a shoe manufacturing establishment, with his son as partner and manager. But unfortu- nately his son was taken down with pneu- monia and died, April 25, 1870. The project was then given up. In the spring of 1864 his son George, a boy of only sixteen, enlisted as a soldier in Company B, 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served to the end of the war. Those were anxious days in the home, waiting for news from the front, yet in constant dread of hearing that one or more of their loved ones had fallen. Monroe was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville. and came home for medical treatment. After three weeks he started back to rejoin his regi- ment ; upon arriving in Harrisburg he was placed in the convalescent camp, much to his disappointment. It was while being detained there that the battle of Gettysburg was fought, in which his regiment gave such a good ac- count of itself. Day after day passed and still they were held in camp, young Torrence suffering with his wound and disgusted with the insanitary condition of the place. He wrote his father to try to get him out. His father wrote to Governor Curtin, stating the case, and wished to know what steps he should take to get his son. The Governor replied. "Come and get your boy ; it will be all right." He at once started for Harrisburg, arriving there the next evening, only to find the sol- diers had been ordered to the front that morning, his son Monroe among them. Re- turning home, he shortly after received a let- ter from him, telling of his safe arrival and the hearty welcome his comrades gave him, as they thought he had been killed in battle.

As the years advanced and James Torrence passed his threescore and ten, he settled his estate as he wished it, remarking to his wife: "I have lived over the allotted span of life and am ready to go when the summons

comes." He lived to bury his son Silas, who died March II. 1891. On the morning of the 20th of the following May he arose in his usual health, saying to his wife that he had not felt so well in years. While breakfast was being prepared he walked around the yard, finally coming into the house and sitting down on the couch in the dining room. His daugh- ter had just come downstairs, and stopping for a moment at the window, hearing an un- usual sound looked up to see her father falling to one side. With a startled cry to her mother she ran to him, slipping her arm under his head to raise him up. He gave a gentle sigh, and his spirit was gone. A physician was summoned, but there was no hope. The spirit had left the house of clay and returned to the God who gave it. His sudden death, so unex- pected at the time, was a great shock and grief to his family, especially to his aged wife, who never fully recovered from it, and in a few short years followed him. Thus passed away an affectionate husband, a loving father. a kind neighbor, a patriotic citizen, and a true Christian gentleman.

The old home was left jointly to William C., Elizabeth and Ella Torrence, the daughters to get the house. After the mother's death the property was divided, William taking the east- ern third, which he afterwards sold to Luther Lowe, who sold part of it to Snyder Brothers and the remainder to Dr. John E. Grube, the latter erecting the present handsome stone structures thereon. Elizabeth and Ella sold part of their two-thirds to Weiss Brothers and erected the first three-story building on the block in 1900, a few years after selling to R. E. Brownell. The Peerless Shoe Com- pany now own it. The Misses Torrence erected their present home. "Hill Top." in East End, where they now reside.

WILLIAM C. TORRENCE, son of James Tor- rence, is the oldest native resident of Punxsu- tawney at this writing (1916) .. He was born March 15. 1839. and had the conscientious training which James Torrence gave to all his children, including the best educational ad- vantages then possible. Brought up in a house- hold where the sense of responsibility was impressed on the children at an early age, he learned the lessons of industry and self-reli- ance thoroughly. As a boy he was employed about the tannery, but he was ambitious to try something on his own account, and in the win- ter and spring of 1860-61 was a partner with his brother in the enterprise previously re- lated, which ended when he enlisted-the first man from Jefferson county to offer his serv-

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ices to the Union. His friend Christ Miller (later associate judge of Jefferson county ), who was with him at the time, was the sec- ond. After completing his three months' term William C. Torrence reenlisted, for three years, which he served with the 38th Pennsyl- vania Regiment, originally the 9th Reserves : and joining the 20th Pennsylvania Volunteers. a Philadelphia regiment, on his second reen- listment, he took part with Sherman's troops, remaining in the army until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Washington. Mr. Torrence was a prosperous business man at Punxsutawney until his retirement in 1908, both as a shoe merchant and in the grocery trade. For six years he was borough post- master, being appointed during the Harrison administration, has served as member of the council, and for several years as constable. performing his public duties with the utmost fidelity and regard for the interests of his townsmen. He holds membership in Capt. E. H. Little Post, No. 237. G. A. R., of Punxsu- tawney, and has always taken an active part in its functions. In religion he adheres to the church of his forefathers, being associated with the Presbyterians.

Mr. Torrence married Mary Little, only daughter of Jacob Little, formerly of Somer- set county, Pa., who settled at Punxsutawney. Mrs. Torrence died March 4, 1907, and is buried in Circle Hill cemetery. Of the five children born to this union, Carl is deceased ; Floy married Frank L. Campbell ; Nancy mar- ried Frank Neff and is living at Indiana, Pa. ( they have one son, William T. ) ; Mary Cald- well is at home ; Ella died young.

REED B. TEITRICK. Though he now maintains his residence at Carlisle, Cumber- land county, and his official headquarters are at Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylva- nia, Reed B. Teitrick was born and reared in Jefferson county and in his character and achievements has so signally honored his native county that he is eminently entitled to specific recognition in this history. He is now serving with marked efficiency as Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Pennsylvania, a preferment that not only at- tests to his high intellectual attainments but also to his executive ability.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 48

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