USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Our country and its people. A historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. > Part 49
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It lies near the center of the northern boundary of the county and con- tains 12.580 acres of excellent land. The surface generally is undulating, of good quality : better adapted. however, to the raising of stock than of grain. although there is an ample portion suitable for the latter. In the northern part there is some low and marshy land. French Creek enters the township about the center of the eastern border, and. meandering centrally across it. turns to the south and forms a part of its western boundary. The remainder is formed by Conneautee Creek. which flows south from Erie County, and unites with French Creek. The excellent land of the French Creek flats has no superior for grain-raising, while the gently rolling surface beyond covers a rich clay loam. Dairying is the chief pursuit of the inhabitants.
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The name of the township was taken from the village of Cambridge. which had been settled long before the formation of the township. It was founded by Mr. Christie, from Massachusetts, who doubtless christened it in honor of the New England university town of that name. But the earliest settlers were families of Irish and German birth who came from the valley of the Susque- hanna. From 1812 to 1820 there was a tide of immigration from New Eng- land. while much later many came from New York State. About the same time quite a settlement of Germans took possession of much of the low land in the northern part.
Most of the land in Cambridge Township belonged to the Holland Land Company, and their records show that a number of tracts were settled before
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the close of the eighteenth century. Henry Baugher was probably the first. who contracted for one hundred and fifty acres in 1797, and took possession of his farm the same year. He came from Harrisburgh, and settled in the south- western corner of the township, where he patented two tracts, on both of which he managed to hold a settlement by building his double log cabin exactly on the line. He was a carpenter by trade, and is remembered as a very eccentric character. He afterwards removed to Mercer County. Robert Humes settled in Cambridge Township in 1797, and is often given as the first inhabitant. He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country in 1796, spending a year in Meadville, where he is said to have helped to raise the first frame cabin built in the village. His brother. Archibald, came about the same time and settled on a farm in Tract 137, where he died in 1806. Isaac Braden settled near the mouth of Conneautee Creek and remained until his death at an ad- vanced age.
Calvin Snell occupied what was known as the "sand bank farm," from the fact that a large bank of sand was found on the place. from which immense quantities have been taken for building purposes. Edward Hicks came from the Susquehanna and selected a tract on the northern bank of French Creek within the present limits of Cambridge Springs. Job Van Court was a native of Holland who settled on the present site of the borough of Cambridge Springs. He was an eccentric character, and was ousted as an intruder by the Holland Company. He remained in the vicinity until his death, following his trade of shoe-making. Many curious tales are told of him and his super- stitious beliefs, and for many years the children feared to pass at night by the spot near the State road, where he was buried. His son. Benjamin Van Court, contracted to settle a neighboring farm, but only remained during one year. Leonard Doctor, a German from Lycoming County, and David Adams, an Irishman from the Susquehanna Valley, both became life-long residents.
James Blair was an Irishman by birth, and made one of the first selections of land in the township. He had the impression that the largest trees indicated the best land, so he chose a farm on the clay summit where the chestnut timber grew heaviest. He did not remain long but removed to Erie County. Thomas Fullerton came from Muncie in 1802, and, with his three sons, Baily, William and James, settled a mile northwest of Cambridge Springs. His first cabin was erected so near the banks of French Creek that it was almost invariably partially submerged during the freshets. He kept a tavern. and he was a rather credulous old gentleman. His guests found him a good source of amusement. Among anecdotes of him it is related that a Yankee once sold him his own axe for a new one, after having scraped the handle to change its appearance. His son Baily was a farmer and distiller and lived south of the creek.
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James Birchand, from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and Amos Ames, from the same State, came in 1813; and Dr. Perkins and Charles T. Cummings, who came the same year, purchased a large tract of land, which was settled by emigrants from Massachusetts, and was for a long time known as Yankee Hill. Daniel and Sylvester Root, brothers, from Hampshire County, Massachusetts, settled in the township in 1819. These early settlers were accustomed to go to Erie for salt and other necessities, which were con- veyed on forked poles drawn by a yoke of oxen. This was a rude convey- ance, one which the descendants of those worthy pioneers could scarcely be induced to adopt at the present day, but one which was well adapted to the times and the condition of the rough forest paths through which they passed.
Samuel Jones was another early resident, who came during the first years of the century, and made a settlement in Cambridge Township. Frederick Doctor, a brother of Leonard, resided here several years, but afterward re- moved to Clarion County. Mr. Zarn was a pioneer of German birth, who occupied a claim on the banks of French Creek, opposite Venango, and others who came about the same time were John Hays, Jacob Saeger, John Weatherby and William Bailey. In 1815 the first bridge built over the creek at Cambridge was constructed by John St. Clair, the means being furnished by private sub- scriptions.
It was several years before any systematic attempt to establish schools was made. They were rare during the early days. Occasionally a subscription paper would be circulated among the settlers, and if enough money could be secured a term would be held in some deserted log cabin. The first one is said to have been held on the banks of French Creek in 1808, and was taught by Cornelius Campbell. Owen David taught the second, and he was succeeded by David Terrell. In 1896 there were seven schools in Cambridge Township, employing seven teachers. The school year was six months in duration, and there were one hundred and forty-nine scholars in attendance. Almost nine- teen hundred dollars was expended during the year for their support.
Drake's Mills is a hamlet in the northwestern part of the township. The first improvement in that vicinity was made by Simeon and Reuben Bishop. They built the first saw-mill, and also' operated a carding mill. constructing a dam on Conneautee Creek to give the necessary water power. John Marvin built a grist mill here and opened the first store, which he afterwards sold to Mr. Drake, for whom the settlement was named. A postoffice was established, and the hamlet now contains several dwelling houses, a store, the mills and a blacksmith shop.
A congregation of the German Lutheran Church was formed at Drake's Mills before 1850, and in 1851 a church edifice was erected. Henry Racob, Frederick Arnaman, Ernst Hornaman and Henry Steinhoff were among the earliest members, and Rev. Nonamacher was the pastor while the building
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was being erected. A large number of the farmers of German descent who reside in this vicinity are members of the congregation, which numbers about one hundred. Rev. Mr. Mizner is the present pastor.
The first religious meetings in the township, when it was still a part of V'enango, were held on the bank of French Creek, near the cemetery. The worshipers assembled under heaven's blue canopy, sheltered by the forest trees. A stump, cut down the center, with one side left a few feet higher than the other, served as a pulpit. while the congregation sat upon logs and such other conveniences as the location afforded.
BOROUGH OF CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS.
Cambridge Springs is located near the center of Cambridge Township, on the banks of French Creek. In 1866 a petition, signed by forty-five citi- zens, to incorporate Cambridge as a borough, was presented to the grand jury, which reported favorably. The decision was confirmed by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and the village was incorporated under the name of the Borough of Cambridgeboro. An election was ordered to be held, which re- sulted in the selection of A. B. Ross for burgess; N. L. Snow, justice of the peace : and D. D. Birchard, Abel Drake, S. B. Hadley, R. W. Perrin and P. K. Carroll for members of the council. A postoffice was also established here under the name of Cambridgeboro. On April 1, 1897, the name of the bor- ough was changed by the courts to Cambridge Springs, and at the same time the Postoffice Department made a similar change in the name of the office. Jesse C. Allee is the present burgess, and Wm. H. Klie is the postmaster.
Although the village is an old one, its growth was for many years very slow. Much of the land now occupied by the boroughi was tract No. 127, which was first settled by the Van Courts, as related in Cambridge Township. The cabin of Job Van Court occupied the present site of M. B. Ross' resi- dence. on Venango Avenue. Bailey Fullerton, in 1809. occupied what is 110w the southern part of the village, and remained a resident until his death in 1845. He operated a distillery in addition to following the occupation of a farmer. In 1815 the two-hundred acre tract from which the Van Courts had been ejected was sold by the Holland Land Company to Nathan Cummings, who took possession and erected a log cabin at the head of Venango Avenue, liear the present site of the American House. He afterwards sold one hun- dred acres of the tract to his brother, Joseph T. Cummings, a former resident of Evansburgh, who, about 1822, soon after the turnpike was constructed, laid out the village plat. Nathan Cummings was a physician, and beside him there were Drs. Lorin West, William Killison, J. A. M. Alexander, Peter Faulkner and Joseph Gray, who all followed the same profession in this vicin- ity. The first stores were established by Dr. West and John Marvin, and soon afterwards Ralph Snow and John W. McFadden became local inerchants.
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A tavern was opened by Edward Hicks. before 1812. within the present limits of the borough, on the north side of French Creek, and another was kept in the same locality by Thomas Fullerton. Nathan Cummings and Horatio G. Davis were contemporary tavern-keepers south of the creek.
Until about 1860 it developed very little, being nothing more than a small trading point for that portion of the county, but the construction of the At- lantic and Great Western, now the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Rail- road. infused new life into the village, and a steady growth commenced which has continued up to the present day. George Thomas erected a cheese factory. the first of the present system in the county, and afterwards built a saw-mill on Church Street in connection with it. This was successful for some time. but was afterwards burned. Kitchen Hoag had built the first saw-mill in the village in 1847, and after several years of active business it was con- sumed by fire. B. M. Sherwood then erected a large saw and planing mill on the same site, which has since been one of the most important industries of the village, employing at some times as many as forty men. It is now operated by Sherwood and Son, and includes a grist mill and shovel-handle factory. besides the saw and planing mill. Similar industries are carried on by Tryon and Mattison and the Phoenix Novelty Works, and their production each year forms an important item in the business of Cambridge Springs.
The village is well supplied with dry goods, grocery. boot and shoe. jew- elry. clothing, hardware, drug. furniture and other kinds of stores, besides bakeries. livery stables and a photograph gallery. Several physicians and dentists are also located there. Carriage shops, blacksmith shops, shoe shops, harness shops and other similar establishments are in sufficient number to supply the wants of the village and surrounding country. A tannery is op- erated by Jacob Bolard : S. Hartman is the proprietor of a hay press and trans- acts a large business in pressing and shipping hay; and a marble works is owned by L. L. Jones. There are also in the village a warehouse, numerous excellent hotels. and bottling works which prepare enormous quantities of min- eral water and ginger ale for the market. Two well established banks carry on business at Cambridge Springs, The Farmers' Savings Bank and J. L. & A. Kelley. C. Blystone is the president of the Farmers' Savings Bank, and L. A. Marcy is the cashier.
The first newspaper established at Cambridge was the "Index." a small sixteen-page monthly, commenced by A. W. Howe in 1869. It succeeded in winning the favor of the public. and was gradually enlarged and became a well established weekly. Upon the death of Mr. Howe. in 1872, the paper was purchased by D. P. Robbins, who continued it under the same name, and largely increased its circulation. In 1877 it was sold to F. H. and George O. Morgan, who removed it to Meadville. Realizing that a town like Cambridge required a newspaper of its own, W. L. Perry, immediately following the re-
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noval of the "Index," issued the first number of the "Cambridge News." It was well received, and he continued as its publisher and editor until 1883. when he transferred it to Moses & Wade. It is now owned and edited by the Eckles Bros., and is a bright, newsy, eight-page weekly, issued every Thurs- day. The "Cambridge Springs News" is Republican in politics, and has a highly creditable circulation. The Cambridge Springs "Enterprise" is a younger newspaper venture, which has secured a good circulation in Cam- bridge Springs and vicinity. It is Republican in politics, and is edited by Moses & Lamb.
A Conservatory of Music was established in 1883 by Professor E. P. Russell. Its course included vocal and instrumental music, elocution, draw- ing and painting. It had a faculty of six instructors, and during the first term sixty-eight pupils were in attendance. The institution attained marked suc -. cess, but was discontinued after a brief existence.
About ten years ago it was discovered that a spring of water on the prop- erty of Dr. Gray was possessed of remarkable medicinal qualities, and as its properties were made known and the fame of its cures spread abroad, Cam- bridge became the resort of many who wished to benefit by its curative powers. To accommodate them a fine large hotel, constructed and furnished especially for use as a health resort, was erected near the banks of the creek, and within a few minutes' walk of the Gray Mineral Springs. Visitors from every direc- tion who came here found Cambridge an ideal place for rest and recreation. and their numbers so increased in a few years that it was found necessary to build other hotels for their accommodation. Among these the Cambridge House, the Hotel de Vita. the Highland Hotel. Shady Lawn Hotel and the American House are the more prominent. and these, with numerous boarding houses. are taxed to their utmost each summer to accommodate the hundreds of guests who come from all quarters in search of health and pleasure.
The popularity of Cambridge Springs as a health resort increases from year to year, and among its visitors are many who, from their wealth and po- sition, are well known throughout the nation. In order to provide a fit place of entertainment for guests of this class. W. D. Rider conceived the idea of erecting. on a hill overlooking the village and surrounding valley, an hotel of such size and appointments as would equal in magnificence and comfort any similar establishment on this side of the Atlantic. It was commenced in the summer of 1895. and large forces of workmen were kept constantly employed during the next two years. It was nnished and opened to the public in August, 1897, and its tasteful appointments, convenient arrangement and thor- ough service entitle it to the rank claimed for it by its builders. The Hotel Rider. as it is called, is five stories in height. and from its windows are scer some of the finest views in the picturesque French Creek Valley. It is of pressed brick, with cut-stone trimmings, and, standing as it does on an emi-
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nence above the town, presents an imposing appearance. There are five acres of floor room in the hotel, and in addition to the numerous parlors, offices and sleeping apartments, two large dining-rooms, a well equipped ball-room, a theater with a seating capacity of four hundred, swimming pools, a billiard room and bowling alley provide inexhaustible indoor amusement for the guests of the hotel.
In April, 1897, a fire broke out in a building near the center of the town and soon spread through the business portion. The village was possessed of no protection against fire, and both sides of Main Street as far as the railroad were soon in flames, and the entire business section, together with several houses, was completely consumed. One life was lost, A. W. Hays being caught under a falling wall and burned to death before he could be extricated. Fire companies arrived from Meadville, Union City and Corry, and with the aid of portable engines succeeded in saving most of the residence portion of the village. Many fine business blocks were burned, among them the Cam- bridge House, a commodious and well furnished hotel erected but a few years before.
But, Phoenix-like, Cambridge rose from her ashes, larger and more beau- tiful than before. On the site of the former buildings, many of which were of wood, large brick business blocks have been erected, of a uniformity of size and construction, which gives Main Street an urban appearance not often seen in a village of similar size. Among these are the New Cambridge House, Ma- sonic Building, and the Kelly, Graves, Root, Fellows, Palmer and McDaniels blocks. These buildings are occupied by progressive and enterprising busi- ness men, and their stores are well stocked and furnished with a greater va- riety of goods than is usually found in places of its size. The village occu- pies both banks of French Creek, which are connected by two bridges, one a suspension bridge and the other of iron. The development of the minerai springs and the building of the large hotels have been sources of prosperity to Cambridge Springs, and have increased not only the population but the value of property. New streets have been opened and many fine residences built within the past five years. The population during the summer months is es- timated at two thousand.
The first schoolhouse in the borough was on Main Street, on the A. B. Ross plot, opposite the present location of the New Cambridge House. It was a small frame building, but one story in height. It was lighted by six small windows placed in the roof. this novel arrangement being adopted in order to withdraw from the pupil the temptation to gaze upon external nature, thus promoting application to study. Among the early teachers in this unique structure were S. R. Jackson, Mr. Lowry, Ezra Jones and Polly Reader. In 1838 it was replaced by a frame building on a lot adjoining the property of the Methodist Church. It was in turn succeeded, in 1855, by a two-story
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frame building erected on Venango Avenue. This continued in use until 1875. when the present schoolhouse was erected upon the sante lot. It is a hand- some, commodious building, and its various departments are now filled to their utmost capacity.
In 1896 there were six schools in Cambridge Springs, and the school year was eight months long. There were three hundred and thirty-four pupils ini attendance, of whom one hundred and forty-eight were boys. The average cost for each scholar per month was $1.41. During the year more than eighteen hundred dollars was raised by taxation in the borough for the sup- port of the schools, and the total expenditure for educational purposes, includ- ing the amount received from the State appropriation, exceeded three thou- sand dollars.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Cambridge Springs was organized about 1828, and the first meetings were held in the schoolhouse and in John W. McFadden's old distillery, which occupied the present site of the Congre- gational Church. Christian Blystone, Eleazer Rockwell, Stephen Mory, Ber- nard and Rebecca Rockwell, and John M. McFadden were prominent among the early members of the society. In 1832 a church building was erected on East Church Street, on the site of the present church, and was the first religious edifice built in Cambridge. In 1865 it was replaced by the building which is still in use. Cambridge Circuit was organized in 1831, and continued until 1844. It then became part of the Rockville Circuit, but in 1855 the Cam- bridge Circuit was temporarily restored. It was permanently established in 1878, and included besides the Cambridge society those of Venango and Skelton, in Venango Township. The church building has been remodeled recently, and a large congregation now worships there. Rev. J. C. Skelton is the present pastor.
The Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs was originally the Lebanon Baptist Church, which was organized in Rockdale Township on October 31, 1812, by Revs. William West and Thomas Rigdon. There were twelve origi- nal members, and a church building was erected in Rockdale Township, where services were held for some time. But as a majority of the members lived in and about Cambridge, the society was removed there, and in 1835 a place of worship was built on Venango Avenue. This was used until 1865, when a third church edifice was erected on Main Street, during the pastorate of Rev. M. Thomas. Its cost was $6,000, and it was capable of seating three hundred and eighty persons. A new lecture-room and parlors have since been added to the property, and a large and flourishing membership now maintains worship here. The first pastor was Rev. George Miller, and Rev. L. B. Underwood is now in charge.
From the minutes of the "Forty-ninth Annual Session of the French Creek Baptist Association" we learn that the members of the Cambridge
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Church at its organization were George Miller, Alex. Anderson, Isaac Kelley, John Langley, James Anderson, Sally Clark, Barbar Miller, Hannah Kelley, Elizabeth Daniel, Christiana Miller and Lydia Anderson; and the following extract indicates the discipline of the early church: "In the early history of the church every member was required to attend every meeting; if any one but once failed to do so he was required to give an excuse; if he failed twice he was visited by brethren appointed by the church, who reported at the next meeting. Brethren appointed on any committee were required faithfully to perform their duty; if any one committed a misdemeanor which came to the knowledge of the church, some judicious brother was appointed to admonish him. A yearly meeting was held which all were expected and were glad to attend, and which was even attended by members of sister churches, com- mencing Saturday P. M. and continuing over the Sabbath. Their greetings on these occasions were hearty. Their evening meetings often extended far into the night. When they voted to hold a special or protracted meeting, they gave themselves to prayer and fasting, arranged their business so that all could attend from the first, and gave word to their friends near and far. Neighboring pastors would attend. These meetings were short, but frequently from the first sinners would ask for the prayers of Christians."
A Congregational society was organized in Cambridge about 1850, and a church building erected. In 1852 there was a division among the members, and two organizations were formed, a Presbyterian and a Congregational Church. By mutual agreement the Presbyterians retained the building already erected, and the Congregational society at once built a church on the south- west corner of Church and Prospect Streets, which they still occupy. The church was organized April 21. 1852, the six original members being A. B. Ross, D. O. Wing. Mrs. Maria T. Fullerton, Mrs. Harriet R. Ross, Mrs. Rebecca Rockwell and Mrs. Jane Wing. Rev. L. L. Radcliffe was the first minister, and remained several years. The membership is small, and there is no pastor at present. The First Presbyterian Church of Cambridge Springs was organized in 1852 by Revs. E. W. Beebe, Craighead and Kerr. As stated above, they retained possession of the church on the north side of Church Street, which had been erected by the old Congregational society, from which both the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches originated. The first pas- tor was Rev. G. W. Hampson, who was succeeded by Rev. William A. McCar- rel. In 1875 Rev. William Grassie became the pastor, which position he still retains. In 1895 a handsome new church building was erected on Main Street at a cost of $13,000. It is of pressed brick, trimmed with cut stone, and con- tains, in addition to the main room, a chapel, parlors and dining-room. The church membership numbers about one hundred, and is in a very flourishing condition.
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