Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 78

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 78

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vigorous representative of the old Demo. cracy. On retiring from office, Governor Johnson entered into active business life. He was appointed by President Johnson collector of the port of Philadelphia, but owing to the hostility of the United State Senate to most of that President's appointments, he was not confirmed He died at Pittsburgh, October 25th, 1872.

XII. WILLIAM BIGLER, 1852-1855.

WILLIAM BIGLER, the son of Jacob Bigler, was born Jan. 1st, 1814, in Shear. man's Valley, Cumberland, now Perry county. He received a fair school edu- cation. Learned printing with his brother from 1830 to 1833, at Bellefonte. In the latter year he established the Clearfield Democrat, which he success- fully carried on for a number of years. He subsequently disposed of his paper and entered into mercantile pursuits. In 1841 he was elected to the State Senate, chosen Speaker in the spring of 1843, and at the opening of the session of 1844. In October following, he was re elected to the Senate. In 1849 appointed a revenue commissioner. In 1851, elected Governor of the State, serving for three years. During his term of office he favored and secured the passage of Legislation favor- able to the great plan of internal im- provements which has so largely devel- oped the resources of this State. In January, 1855, he was elected for the term of six years to the United States Senate. Governor Bigler was a protni- nent delegate of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1873, and to his labors are we indebted for a number of the beneficial features of that instrument. He was one of the earliest champions of the Centen- nial Exposition of 1876, and represented Pennsylvania in the Board of Finance, and his efforts ministered greatly to its successful issue. Gov. Bigler died at Clearfield, August 9th, 1880, and there buried.

XIII. JAMES POLLOCK, 1855-1858.

James Pollock, the son of William Pollock, was born at Milton, Northumber- land county, September 11th, 1810. His early education was committed to the care of Rev. David Kirkpatrick who had charge of the classical academy at Mil- ton. He graduated from Princeton in

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September, 1831; in 1835 he received the degree of A. M., in course, and in 1855 the honorary degree of L. L. D. was con- ferred upon him. Jefferson College con- ferred a like honor in 1857. In Novem- ber. 1833, he was admitted to the bar; in 1835 appointed District Attorney for Northumberland county; from 1843 to 1849 served as member of Congress; in 1850 appointed President Judge of the Eighth judicial district and in 1854 elected by the Know Nothings, then in the height of political power, Governor of the Commonwealth. After a brilliant term in the Executive office, he became an active o. ganizer and leader in the Frec Soil movement which gave rise to the Republican party. In the so-called com- promise convention assembled at Wash- ington city in February and March, 1861, Governor Pollock represented Pennsyl~ vania. From 1861 to 1866 he filled the office of Director of the United States Mint, under the appointment of President Lincoln. He resigned when President Johnson entered on his term, and was rex appointed in 1869 by President Grant.

XIV. WILLIAM F. PACKER, 1858-1861.

WILLIAM FISHER PACKER, son of James Packer, was born in Howard township, Centre county, April 2, 1807. At the age of thirteen he began to learn the profession of printing in the office of Samuel J. Packer, at Sunbury. Mr. Packer's newspaper being discontinued, William F. returned to Centre county, completing his apprenticeship in the of- fice of the Patriot. In 1825, he was ap pointed clerk in the register's office of Lycoming county. In 1827 he began the study of law, but purchasing an interest shortly after in the Gazette, he continued his editorial career with that paper until 1836, when he assi-ted in establishing the Keystone at Harrisburg. remaining connec- ted therewith until 1841. In February, 1839, he was appointed a member of the Board of Canal Commissioners ; in 1842, Auditor General of the Common wealth ; in 1847, and 1848, elected member of the Legislature, being chosen the latter year Speaker of the House ; in 1849, elected to the Senate ; and in 1857, Governor of the Commonwealth, and was undoubtedly one of the strongest executive and ad- ministrative Governors that the State has

ever had. His term preceded the tri- umphal advent of the new Republican party, which was marked by all the fierce contentions of the canvass struggle, and by the excitement of the Harper's Ferry raid in Virginia under John Brown. He died in the city of Williamsport, Septem. ber 27, 1870.

XV. ANDREW G. CURTIN, 1861-1867.

ANDREW GREGG CURTIN, son of Ro land Curtin, was born April 23d, 1815 in Bellefonte, Centre county. He was edu- cated under Dr. Kirkpatrick, at Milton, studied law at Carlisle and Bellefonte, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1837. In 1840 he took an active part in politics in the Harrison campaign, and in 1844 can vassed the State for Henry Clay. On the 17th of January, 1855, he was appointed Secretary of the Commowealth by Governor Pollock, and in virtue of his office became Superintendent of the Pub- lic Schools. His superintendence has one · great landmark. the institution of normal schools. In 1860 he was elected Gover- nor of Pennsylvania. Hisadministration of that office during the war gave him renown throughout the country, and added historic grandeur to the annals of his native Commonwealth. His foresight caused the organization of the Pennsyl- vania Reserves, and contributed largely to save our National Government, im. perilled by the disaster of Bull Run. His ever enduring record, however, in con- nection with the war, was the establish- ment of orphan schools for the children of those who fell in the service of their country. In 1869, he was appointed, by Pres ident Grant, Minister to Russia. He was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1873, and now represents the Twelfth District in the House of Repre. sentatives of the United States.

XVI .- JOHN W. GEARY, 1867.1873.

JOHN WHITE GEARY, son of Richard Geary, was born near Salem, Westmore- land county, December 30th, 1819 He taught school, became a merchant's clerk in Pittsburg, afterward studied at Jeffer- son College; finally became a civil en- gineer, and for several years was con nected with the Allegheny Portage rail- road. He was lieutenant colonel of the second Pennsylvania regiment in the

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Mexican war; wounded at Chapultepec, anl for meritorious conduct was made first commander of the city of Mexico after its capture and colonel of his regi- ment. In 1849 was made postmaster of San Francisco, soon after alcalde of that city, and its first mayor. In 1852 return - ed to Pennsylvania and settled on his farm in Westmoreland county. From July, 1856, to March, 1867, he was Gov. ernor of Kansas. Early in 1861 he raised and equipped the 28th Pennsylvania vol. unteers; was promoted brigadier general of volunteers April 25, 1862; wounded at Cedar Mountain; led the 2d division of the 12th corps at Fredericksburg, Chan. cellorsville, Gettysburg, Washatchie and Lookout Mountain; commanded the 2d division of the 20th corps in Sherman's march to the sea; appointed military gov- ernor of Savannah on its capturc, Decem- ber 22, 1864; clected Governor of Penn- sylvania, 1866, serving two terms. He died suddenly, at Harrisburg, on February 8th, 1873. His career was certainly an adventurous one, and as useful as it was eventful In recognition of his invaluable services to the State and nation the Gen - eral Assembly erected a handsome monu- ment at his grave in the cemetery at Har. rishurg.

XVII. JOHN F. HARTRANFT, 1873-1879.

JOHN FREDERICK HARTRANFT, son of Samuel E Hartranft, was born in New Hanover township. Montgomery county, December 16th, 1830. In his seventeenth year he entered the preparatory depart- ment of Marshall College, and suhse quently was transferred to Union College, Schenectady, where he graduated in 1853; studving law, he was admitted to the har in 1859. At the outset of the civil war he raised the Fourth Pennsylvania regi- ment. At the first Bull Run hattle he served on General Franklin's staff, the period of enlistment of his regiment, hav- ing expired one day previous. Upon the muster out of this "three months" regi- ment, Colonel Hartranft organized the Fifty-first. He accompanied General Burnside in his expedition to North Caro. lina in March, 1862, and with his regi- ment was in all the engagements of the Ninth corps, including Vicksburg; led the famous charge that carried the stone

hridge at Antietam; was made brigadier. general May 12th, 1864; in command of the Third division, Ninth army corps, March 25th, 1865, gallantly recaptured Fort Steadman in the lines before Rich- mond, for which he was hreveted major. general. Was elected auditor general of Pennsylvania, in 1865, and on August 29th, 1866, the President tendered him the position of colonel in the regular armny, which he declincd. In 1868. Gen- eral Hartranft was re elected auditor general. Iv 1872 he was chosen Gov- crnor of the Commonwealth, and re- elected in 1875 for the term of three years. At the close of his gubernatorial career, he removed to Philadelphia, and filled the offices of Collector of the Port, and Postmaster of that city with marked ability. During that period and at pres- ent he is Major General in command of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.

XVIII. HENRY M. HOYT, 1879-1883.

Henry Martyn Hoyt, son of Ziba Hoyt, was horn in Kingston, Luzerne county, Junc 8th, 1830. He remained upon his father's farm until his seventeenth year, when, having finished his preparatory studies under the Rev Dr. Reuben Nel- son, he entered Lifayette College. He finished his academic course at Williams College, Mass., where he graduated in 1849. Opened a high school at Towanda, Pa , and was a Professor of Mathematics at the Wyoming Seminary in the Wyom- ing conference; read law with Chief Jus- tice George W. Wood ward, and admitted to the har in 1853. At the outbreak of the civil war he was active in the raising of the 52d regiment, P V., and was ap- pointed by Governor Curtin lieutenant coloncl. Served in Naglee's brigade, army of the Potomac, until January, 1863, when the brigade was sent to join the land forces intended to co operatc with the nava! attack upon Fort Sumter under Admiral Dupont. He was ergaged in the siege of Morris Island under Gen- eral Gillmore, and was captured in a night attack in small boats across Charles . ton tlarbor on Fort Johnson. Upon his exchange he rejoined his command, and at the close of the war was mustered out with the rank of brevet brigadier general. In 1867 he held the office of Additional

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Law Judge of the courts of Luzerne county, under appointment of Governor Geary. He was elected Governor in November, 1878, and was inaugurated in January, 1879. At the close of his official term he resumed the practice of the law. XIX. ROBERT E. PATTISON, 1883-1887.

ROBERT EMORY PATTISON, son of the Rev. Robert H. Pattison, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born December 8th, 1850, at Quantico, Somerset county, Maryland. He was educated in the Grammar school of Phila- delphia, and graduated from the Central High school, being the valedictorian of his class. He was registered a law stu- dent with Lewis C. Cassidy, of Philadel- phia, in December, 1869, and admitted to the Bar in 1872. In 1877 he was nomi- nated for City Controller of Poiladelphia, and elected; and in 1880 re-elected to the same position by a large majority. In 1882 he was nominated for Governor, elected in November and inaugurated in January, 1883, the youngest person who has ever filled the Gubernatorial office, as also the only Executive who was not a native of the State. His last message to the General Assembly was an able paper, aud credit must be given Gov. Pattison for ability, honesty of purpose and faith- fulness to the fundamental law of the State.

XX. JAMES A. BEAVER, 1887-1891.

JAMES ADDAMS BEAVER, the son of Jacob Beaver, was born October 21st, 1837, in Millerstown, Perry county. He was educated at Jefferson College, Can- nonsburg, where he graduated in August, 1856, having previously passed two years at the academy at l'ine Grove Mills. He studied law in the office of Hugh N. McAllister, Esq., in Bellefonte, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1859. As a member of the Bellefonte Fencibles, a volunteer company of which Governor Curtin was captain, he acquired some knowledge of military tactics. At the outbreak of the war that company tendered its services, of which he was chosen first lieutenant, and was the third company to arrive at the camp of rendez- vous at Harrisburg. At the expiration of the three months' service he aided in re. cruiting the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania regi-

ment, and was chosen its lieutenant colonel. The regiment was ordered to South Carolina, and did good service there. In August, of 1862, a regiment was recruited almost entirely in Centre county, and Lieut. Col. Beaver was made its colonel, the regiment, being the One Hundred and Forty-Eighth. The regiment was ordered to join the army just before the battle of Fredericks- burg. In the battle of Chancellorsville, Col. Beaver was shot through the body and severely wounded. As soon as he was able to he moved he was sent North, arriving in Harrisburg while Lee was marching toward the Susquehanna- Though still suffering from his wound, he took a position on General D N. Couch's staff, and was placed in com- mand of Camp Curtin. He rejoined his regiment in the latter part of July, 1863. At the battie of Auburn Hill, and again at the battle of Bristoe Station, he dis- tinguished himself, and did good service in all the battles of the Army of the Po- tomac. At Cold Harbor, while in com- mand of the brigade, he was wounded in the right hip, and at Petersburg he was blown up by a shell, which exploded al- most under his feet, and severely wounded in the left side by a piece of the missile. On recovering, he returned from the North, and reported for duty in time for the battle of Ream's Station, on August 24th, 1864. In this battle he was struck in the right leg, which was very badly shattered, and the next day amputated at the hip. This necessitated his retirement from and active military service, he

was mustered out in 1865. Upon returning home General Beaver re- sumed the practice of law at Bellefonte. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago, and was the unanimous choice of the delegation from this State for Vice President, but peremptorily declined the honor. He was also a candidate for United States Senator in the memorable contest which closed by the election of Senator Mitchell. In 1882 he was nominated by the Republi- cans for Governor, but through defection was defeated. In 1836, he was unani- mously nominated for the same office and chosen by a handsome majority. It may

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be stated in this connection that General Beaver's distinguishing characteristics are his earnestness in the discharge of duty. and complete inastery of every subject he undertakes. His career as the Execu- tive of this great Commonwealth prom. ises to be a brilliant one. W. H. E.

MORAVIAN MISSION.

A HISTORICAL SPOT IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.

The Old Indian Settlement-East and West Moravia-The Town and Its Busi- ness Men, With Old Residents.

Moravia is located abou tsix miles south of New Castle, on the main line of the P. and L. E. R. R. and the Erie and Pitts- burg R. R, in North Beaver township. The village has a historical record, and many are the legends handed down from old inhabitants long ago to the present generation. Years ago, away back in the early part of the past century, before the white man had reached this part of the country, the red man had undispute } possession of the mighty forests which ranged on either side of the Beaver river. The original town of Moravia was form- erly located on the east side of the river. Here is the site of the old Moravian Mis- sions which were established about the year 1755, although the buildings at that time were located further north than the present Pittsburg and Lake Erie depot. Missionaries and their converts passing up the Beaver river in 1772 were surprised to find an Indian village composed en- tirely of girls, who were pledged never to marry. The village was located be- tween Newport and Moravia, on the west side of the river. In 1772 the Indians moved with the missionaries across the river to the west side and located a village a short distance north of the present E. and P. R. R depot In 1773 the Moravi- ans left this part and went to Gnadenhut- ten, Tuscarawas county, O., where a large number were massacred a short time afterward by a party of whites, who accused them of being spies of the white

people's enemies. [The writer Was: present a few years ago at the 100th anni- versary of the massacre at Gnadenhutten, and a large number of the descendants of the Moravian Indians were present at the meeting. The descendants live princi- pally in Canada. They were noted for peace loving qualities ana were a quiet, orderly set of people. ] Long after 1773 the white people again settled near Mora- via and this time they remained. About 1798 Wm Forbes settled just below the present village, and built a grist mill and a saw mill on the Beaver river. The buildings were erected about the year 1800. They were rude structures of logs, and the first in the neighborhood. A grist mill, however, was erected on the present. farm of Hon. Henry Edwards in about. the year 1790. (See Hon. Henry Ed- wards.) William Forbes operated the mill for some time. The grist mill had one set of stones and the bolting ma -- chine was run by a crank turned by hand .. Mr. Forbes was the first Justiee of the Peace in these parts. and died just before. the war of 1812. John Alsworth and wife with six children came from Frank- lin county, this State, in 1804 and located on a farm near here. The village of Mo. ravia was laid out by D. W. Freeman in 1864, soon after the Beaver Valley rail- road was open for travel, and the town grew rapidly from that time on. On the east side the Pittsburg and Lake Erie and the Pittsburg and Western railroads have been constructed within the past five or six years, and this has been the means of opening up the limestone quarries on that side. The town has increased in size since the railroads were built. Some of the oldest houses in the county are lov cated rear here, and from the fact that the old Moravian Missions were first established on this side, it is concluded that East Moravia is the oldest settlement. in the county. Mrs. Mary M'Conahy, mother of Joseph M'Conahy, of the west side, is the oldest settler in the neighbor- hood.

Hon. Henry Edwards

was born in Washington, D C., Septem- ber 21st, 1814 His father was a farmer and a slave-holder of St Mary's county, Maryland. He came to Washington City soon after President Jefferson's in-

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auguration and was appointed a midship- man in the United States navy. His father was 87 years old when he died, and his mother had reached the age of 85 year. When a child Henry Edwards Came to Beaver county, near Homewood, with his father, who bought a farm there in 1818. Mr. Edwards was married to Margaret Clarke, of near Moravia, De- cemher 12th, 1839, and came to Moravia ·( west side) in 1845, and has resided on his present farm ever since. He has five children living and six dead. Those living are: Mrs. Mary Hoffman, at home; Joseph, married, at home; Mrs. Maggie Graham, of Shenango township; Mrs. Jessie Cross, of Nebraska, and Henry, jr., at home. Probably the oldest mill in the county stood on his place until Mr. Ed- wards tore it down and erected a new grist mill, which was carried away by the water in 1860. The old mill was built in about the year 1790. Mr. Ed. wards carried on milling and farming nearly all his life, although he has heen a contractor on public works, such as canals and railroads. He is the grand- father of seven little ones. He has heen elected to several small township offices, hut would not accept the positions. In his younger days Mr. Edwards was a powerful man, and has had large experi- ence with horses Inaddition to his own boys be has raised four hoys of other persons. Mr. Edwards has a common school education, procured in the good old log school houses of earlier days. He has never whipped one of his children, and his children, now adults, are all good .citizens and an honor to the community in which they live. Mr. Edwards is a kind neighhor and a first class citizen. He was elected to the Assembly last No- vemher and is now in Harrisburg in the halls of Legislature. He was an old line Whig, and is now a good Republican.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical

CXXXVII.

MCKINNEY-BUCKALEW. - John Buck . .alew m. Miss Mckinney and moved from New Jersey to Northumberland county, Pa., in 1774. He was one of the Com-

mittee of Safety for Turbet township in 1776. The settlers were driven to seek refuge in block houses and forts by hostile Indians. J. B. finding himself without employment, he and his family and Mr. Mckinney, his father-in-law. moved down to Harris Ferry, and from thence to Rock Run, Maryland, and was there employed hy the Con- tinental Congress. Amos Buckalew,

John's son, was born at Rock Run, July 5th, 1781. Atter the close of the Revolution John Buckalew and his family returned to Northumberland Co., Pa. Amos there married Miss Mary Laird. He and his brother, John M. Buckalew (father of the Hon. Charles R. Buckalew, present member of Congress- elect), purchased several hundred acres of land in Fishing Creek township in 1808. Amos afterwards moved to Marietta, in Lancaster county, where he became a lumber merchant. After remaining there a year or two he moved to Columbia, where he embarked in the lumber husi- ness with Daniel Musser in 1811. In the year 1812 they purchased several acres of land south of Union, hetween Second and Third streets, and Perry street in Columbia, and laid the same out into building lots. It was known as the "Musser and Buckalew Plan." Amos Buckalew seems to have taught school for a short time in Columbia also. He died in Columbia in 1816. The late Judge Mckinney, of Harrisburg, came from this family.

SAMUEL EVANS.

THE UNDERGROUND KAILROAD.

A Chapter in Its Local History.

The reverberations from Fort Sumter, on the 19th April, 1861, proclaimed to the American people several things, one of which was, that the last train on the "Underground Railroad" had reached its destination. This Institution had for its object the assistance . frunaway slaves to a place of safety, and whilst its lines ex- tended throughout the length and breadth of the land, it cannot be said to have been a regularly organized hody. That is to say, it worked under no charter granted by any earthly authority; had no officials, not even a treasurer, but was

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simply composed of those individual men and women whose sense of right and jus- tice was strong enough to enable them to lend a helping hand to the fleeing slave- public sentiment and the laws of the land to the contrary, notwithstanding And whilst many of the operators were mem- bers of the Anti Slavery Society and sub- scribers for The Liberator and The Free. man, deriving inspiration and comfort therefrom, the road which they operated was in good running order before Mr. Garrison began his warfare against that "relic of barbarism," the "peculiar insti- tution."

The work of the "Underground Rail- road," as its name imports, was carried on in secret and without records; its tran- sactions, therefore, live only in the mem- ory of the few surviving actors, and un- less some modern Herodotus shall search out these survivors, tradition will soon be almost the only source from which to gather information concerning an institu- tion, which in the old days of slavery created no small stir.

We are able to contribute, at this time, but a single chapter of its history, noting a few incidents relating to but one of the stations.

A large portion of the colored men who sought freedom by flight, traveled either singly or in pairs; pushing forward at night and hiding by day, their path way was the mountain ranges and their guide the Polar star. These usually succeeded in gaining their object without much as sistance from the "Under Ground Rail- road." But when half a dozen or morc traveled together, especially if women and children were of the company, their case would have been well nigh hopeless without help by the way.

One of the routes from Western Mary- land and Eastern Virginia lay through Paxtang Valley, where dwelt a settlement of Abolitionists, prominent among whom for many years, was William Rutherford, a philanthropist, who for fifty years shel- tered and assisted every poor slave who knocked at his door. His house, which was the principal station in the valley, stood about a quarter of a mile north of the turnpike road, and was connected therewith by a private lane, at the mouth of which, and near the center of the high-

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 78

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: s.n. Number of Pages: 618

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618