USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Three > Part 38
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Another interesting municipality in the center of the anthra- cite regions of the State is Carbondale, fifth in seniority among the chartered cities of Pennsylvania and first in old Luzerne county. The city was planted in 1826 by the Delaware and Hud- son Canal company, whose line of transportation extended into New York State. The operations of the company in mining and
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shipping coal gave the little town an early advantage over its neighbors in the Lackawanna basin and resulted in such rapid growth that on March 15, 1851, the borough became an incorpo- rated city. In later years the full development of resources in the region has given other municipalities greater population and more diversified interests, yet Carbondale always has maintained its early prominence as a center of coal trade, and likewise has enjoyed an excellent reputation as a manufacturing city. The construction of the Delaware and Hudson railroad and also of the Jefferson branch of the Erie railroad have been factors in the pros- perity of the city.
In 1878, when Luzerne county was divided and Lackawanna county was created, Carbondale was included in the new jurisdic- tion, but the buildings went to Scranton, the latter being more central and also more populous. In 1840 Carbondale is said to have produced about eight or nine hundred tons of coal daily, and to have employed about three hundred men in the mines, which then was regarded as remarkable, but when compared with the present daily product or number of mining employés the above figures are quite insignificant. In 1840 the population of Car- bondale was 2,398 in both town and township. The population of the city was 7.714 in 1880, and 13,536 in 1900.
A little more than sixty years ago a newspaper published in Franklin, Venango county, contained the following interesting information. "The Seneca oil from the oil springs on Oil creek was used by the Seneca Indians as an unguent, and in their re- ligious worship. It is almost as celebrated as the far-famed naphtha of the Caspian sea. With it the Senecas mixed their war-paint, which gave them a hideous glistening appearance, and added great permanency to the paint, as it rendered it impervious to water." Another writer commenting on the natural features of the locality said: "There are several natural curiosities in the county, the most remarkable of which is the peculiarly inflam- mable oil found floating on the surface of Oil creek."
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From these statements it is quite evident that the inhabitants of the picturesque valley of Oil creek had not the remotest idea that their locality contained that which in later years was regard- ed as one of the most remarkable discoveries of the Nineteenth Century, and one which in its subsequent wide development has added more to the wealth of individuals than all previous discov-
James Gillispie Blaine's Birthplace, West Brownsville
Mr. Blaine was born 1830; died 1893
eries combined, and also has been the direct means of founding numerous important cities, boroughs and towns within the Com- monwealth.
The locality in which busy Oil City is situated was first set- tled about 1803, yet on the site previous to 1859 there were only three houses. The era of real development began with the oper- ations of Michigan Rock Oil company, about 1859-60, soon after the famous "Drake well" had gushed forth its great volume of
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petroleum. In 1861 the town gave signs of municipal activity and in 1862 was incorporated as a borough. In 1863 Laytonia and Imperial city were laid out, and were consolidated as Ve- nango City in 1866. In 1871 (March II), Oil City and Venango City were consolidated and incorporated under the name of Oil City-the name of a city now known throughout the country as the center of oil shipping interests in Pennsylvania, and also as a railroad point of more than ordinary note. The early history of oil producing in this locality is deeply interesting and the city is directly the result of oil discovery and development, but the subject is treated at greater length in another chapter of this work. In 18So Oil City contained 7,315 inhabitants; in 1890 the population was 10,932, and in 1900 was 13,254.
Meadville, the seat of justice of Crawford county, frequently mentioned by cotemporary writers as a city of wealth, educa- tion and refinement, is situated on French and Cassawaga creeks, on the main line of the Erie railroad, and is distant from Erie city about thirty-seven miles and from Pittsburg about ninety miles. Although adjacent to the rich oil fields of the western part of the State and deriving direct benefit therefrom, it nevertheless lies outside the "oil belt." In industrial pursuits its interests are chiefly those relating to railroad enterprises and varied manufactures.
Meadville was named in allusion to David and John Mead, who left their former abode in the Wyoming valley and located on French creek in 1787. The town site was laid out in 1790, and was enlarged in 1805, the place having been made the county seat of Crawford county in 1800. In 1805 Meadville academy was founded, and in 1815 the first measures were adopted which led to the establishment of Allegheny college. This was the be- ginning of the city's prominence as a seat of educational institu- tions. A State arsenal was erected in 1816, which added ma- terially to local interests. Here, too, for many years was the office of the Holland land company, and a principal station on
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the line of the State canal between Erie and Pittsburg. The first "straw paper" in the country is said to have been made here, while the Crawford Messenger, one of the oldest newspapers in the western part of the State, was established in Meadville in 1803.
Throughout the period of its history Meadville has advanced steadily, but never rapidly except in the years immediately follow- ing the construction of the first line of railroad. It was incorpo- rated as a city February 15, 1866. In 1840 its population was 1,319, and in 1880 had increased to 8,860. In 1900 the city con- tained 10,291 inhabitants.
Next to Meadville in point of population, but of equal im- portance in business and industrial activity, and in some respects a rival city, is Titusville, in the southeast corner of Crawford county, on Oil creek and within a short distance from the point where in 1850 the Drake well first disclosed the secret of mother earth's vast stores of petroleum. In its history Titus- ville dates back hardly more than three-score years, and by early writers is mentioned as a small village in an agricultural region in Oil creek valley. In fact the city dates its material history from 1859, and within five years next following the success of the Drake well experiment it acquired far greater population than was necessary to gain a charter; but at that time the inhabitants were occupied with personal concerns in the rush and bustle that descended like a whirlwind upon the town. Then there were neither railroads nor other convenient means of travel up and down the valley, yet from all directions there poured into the place a constant stream of humanity which overtaxed its capacity and gave it a city's population at least five years before the charter was asked for. This was done in 1866 ( February 28), when the fixed population was about five thousand, although the number of temporary inhabitants gave the place an apparent population of more than fifteen thousand.
Thus was planted what is now a prosperous and well-ordered city, supplied with all the requisites of municipal life and with in-
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dustries of much importance. The period of oil excitement long ago passed into history ; fire and flood have swept down the valley at great cost of property and life, yet the new city built up on the ruins is of better and more permanent character. In the main production many fortunes have been gained and more have been lost, yet to-day Titusville is a city of wealth and progress. Its population in 1880 was 9,046, and in 1900 was 8,244. This de- crease does not portend continued decline and is only the dis- appearance of that which is of little consequence in the public wel- fare.
In 1789 the legislature ordered that not more than three thou- sand acres of State lands on Allegheny river near the mouth of French creek be surveyed and set apart for the military uses of the Commonwealth. Two years previous to that time a company of federal troops had built Fort Franklin on the site where now is the city of Franklin, but there was no intention on the part of the general government to found a town, although that appears to have been done in 1795 by commissioners Gen. Irvine and An- drew Ellicott in connection with their work of laying out the old Waterford turnpike and the towns of Waterford and Erie.
Venango county was set off from Allegheny and Lycoming in 1800, and Franklin was designated the seat of justice. The first permanent settler here is said to have been William Connolly, who assisted in erecting the barracks in 1787, and in 1793 brought a stock of goods and set up as an Indian trader. As a trading post on the usual route of travel between Lake Erie and the southern and eastern portions of the State, Franklin early at- tracted settlers, and with the acquisition of the county buildings its number of families steadily increased. It was incorporated as a borough in 1828, and upon the completion of improvements by the French Creek Canal and Slackwater Navigation company, about 1843, it early gained prominence as a shipping port. In 1840 the borough population was about six hundred, but in- creased rapidly after the first railroad was opened, and especially
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Home of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Thirteenth and Locust streets, Philadelphia
Planting of the Cities
after the production of oil in the vicinity. The city charter was granted in 1868 (April 4), since which time there has been a steady growth in population and industrial importance. In 1880 the number of inhabitants was 5,010, and in 1900, 7.317.
The cities and boroughs in the valley of the West Branch of the Susquehanna river owe their existencetothe lumbering operations of early years and to the construction of the West Branch division of the State canal. The lands at the confluence of Bald creek and the West Branch, described in early Clinton county history as "the angle," were granted in 1769 by the Penn proprietary to Dr. Francis Alison, and through a series of later conveyances two hundred acres of the angle came into the ownership of "Jerry" Church, who is regarded as the founder of the city of Lock Haven. In 1833 Church made his purchase and in 1834 laid out a town site giving the place the name of Lock Haven, a name suggested by the "locks" in the canal opposite the town site and by the excellent "haven" for logs in the river at that point. The work of constructing the canal and the long dam across the river was completed in 1833-34.
In 1839 Lock Haven became the seat of justice of the new county of Clinton, in the creation of which Mr. Church was an influential factor. In 1840 (April 25) the borough was incor- porated, yet its real growth did not begin until the completion of the great log boom in 1849, when lots are said to have increased to more than double their former value in a single year, and the borough rivalled Williamsport in business importance. The Sun- bury and Erie railroad was opened in 1859, and thereafter the growth of the borough in all directions was constant. It became a chartered city March 28, 1870, and since that time has taken rank with important interior municipalities of the State. It is noted chiefly as a railroad and industrial center. In 1880 the population was 5,345, and in 1900 was 7,210.
In the southeast corner of Erie county, on the line of the old Atlantic and Great Western railroad, at a point about equi-distant
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(as the crow flies) from Erie, Meadville, Titusville and James- town (N. Y.) is the flourishing city of Corry, a town unknown half a century ago, and not even noted on the map as a settlement previous to about 1840. Corry-the city derives its name from one of its old families-was a swamp previous to the year men- tioned, and owes its existence and prosperity to its location at the junction of several railroad lines, the Erie ( formerly A. & G. W.) the Philadelphia and Erie, the Oil Creek and Buffalo, and the Cleveland and Pittsburg roads, all of which, except the Erie, now form a part of the Pennsylvania system. After the discovery of petroleum in Oil creek valley, Corry became a distributing point and subsequently oil refineries were built there. Other industries followed and established the growing city as a business and man- ufacturing as well as a railroad center. The city charter was granted March 8, 1866. In 1880 the population was 5,277, and in 1900 was 5,369.
On the west bank of Monongahela river, at a settlement then known as Parkinson's Ferry, the chief participants in the notorious "Whiskey Insurrection" held a great public meeting in 1794. At that time, however, the Ferry was not more than a frontier trading post and a convenient point for crossing the river. The name was changed to Williamsport in 1833, and to Monon- gahela City in 1837, when the borough incorporation was effect- ed. The city charter was granted March 24, 1873.
For more than a century the region in which this little city is planted has held prominent place in the history of Western Pennsylvania, and the development of the natural resources of Washington county has been productive of great good in the in- dustrial history of the State. This advance movement was begun soon after 1830, and has been continued with almost unvarying success to the present time. As early as 1840 the borough con- tained two glass factories and as many large steam saw mills and carding and cloth mills. In later years the character of manu- factures has changed, but all have steadily increased in number
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Johnstown
General view of the city after the flood, from the hill opposite the Pennsylvania Railroad station. Engraved especially for this work from a negative by E. D. Bonine
Planting of the Cities
and employing capacity until the city has become planted upon a secure commercial basis. In 1840 the borough contained less than eight hundred inhabitants; in 1880 its population was 2,904, and in 1900 was 5,173.
In addition to the cities the planting of which has been noted, there is another class of municipalities which claim at least pass- ing mention in this chapter. According to the scheme of civil government in this Commonwealth, each county must have its seat of justice, where county buildings are erected, courts are held, and public business affairs are transacted by county officers. It is not essential that any county seat shall be a chartered city, or shall have attained the character of a borough, but it must be con- veniently located as near the geographical center as possible and, under the present law, not less than ten miles distant in any direc- tion from the county line. Whatever is written relating to municipalities of this class will be briefly stated.
West Chester1 was laid out as a town in 1786, and for more than a century has been noted for the refined intelligence of its people, the permanent character of its institutions, clean and healthful surroundings, as well as being the seat of justice (since 1786) of one of three original counties established by Penn in I682. In 1800 the population of the borough was 374, and in 1900 was 9,524.
Doylestown, the county seat since 1812 of original Bucks county, was laid out and named in 1778. It is known as one of the most orderly and healthful municipalities in Eastern Pennsyl- vania. In 1840 the population was a little more than 900, and in 1900 was 3,034.
Carlisle, the home of Dickinson college, a widely known insti- tution of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also the seat of a famous Indian school, was laid out in 1751 and became a borough in 1782. This locality abounds in historic reminiscences and the
1Boroughs are mentioned in the order of
seniority of county organization.
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borough itself has been the scene of many important events. Its growth and development have been conservative, yet steady, the population having increased from 3,708 in 1830 to 9,626 in 1900.
Bedford, an old town on the Chambersburg and Pittsburg turnpike, was an important center of trade and travel in days pre- vious to the advent of railroads. The town was laid out in 1766, five years before it became the seat of justice of Bedford county. For several years the borough and Bedford Springs were rival localities, but the county seat always maintained its superiority in point of population and business interests. The population in 1840 was 1,022 and in 1900 was 2,167.
Sunbury, the shire town of Northumberland county, was laid out in 1772, when the county itself was established. As an im- portant point on the Susquehanna river during the Revolution it was the scene of many historic events, and later acquired more material prominence by reason of its commercial advantages and its proximity to the coal producing regions of the State. The population was about 1,000 in 1840, and 9,810 in 1900.
Greensburg, the county town of Westmoreland county-a region noted for its agricultural resources rather than for indus- trial enterprises -- was laid out in 1782, and was incorporated as a borough in 1799. During a century of development it has accumulated a population of 6,508, and is the most populous bor- ough in the county.
Washington, long noted as the largest borough in the county of the same name, the home of Washington college (founded 1806), was laid out in 1782, the year following the creation of the county. At length, however, the county town was compelled to yield its numerical and industrial ascendency to the flourish- ing town of Monongahela City, which since has been regarded as the county metropolis, while Washington has lost none of its old- time prominence, and now is a prosperous growing borough, a center of culture and wealth. The population in 1840 was more than 2,000, and in 1900 was 7,670.
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Uniontown, in Fayette county, was laid out in 1767 by Henry Beeson, a Friend, who came to the locality from Virginia, and in allusion to whom the place for many years was called Beeson's Town. Uniontown became a county seat in 1783. It is pleas- antly situated near the center of the county, on the high ridge
Johnstown
A scene in the residence section after the flood 1889. Reproduced especially for this work from a negative by E. D. Bonine
lands which divide the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, and in a region that abounds in mineral wealth. Madison col- lege was founded here in 1825, having been established as an academy in 1808. The population of the borough in 1840 was 1,710, and in 1900 was 7,344, which growth indicates a healthful increase in all departments of municipal life.
Chambersburg was laid out as a town in 1764, became a county town twenty years later, and is noted as the scene of many his- toric events during the French and Inlian war, the Revolutionary
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war, and also during the war of 1861-5. On July 30, 1864, the borough was attacked, plundered and burned by the confederate forces under Gens. Johnston and M'Causland. This was per- haps the most eventful period in Chambersburg history, and one which carried great personal loss into hundreds of homes. But a new borough was soon built up on the ruins of the old town and the place became better and more prosperous than ever before. The region is rich in agricultural and natural resources, and the progressiveness of the people has long been recognized through- out the State. Among the institutions of the vicinity of the county seat is Wilson Female college. Chambersburg contained 2,794 inhabitants in 1830, and 6,877 in 1880. It long ago be- came entitled to a city charter, but the interests of the people have not demanded a change in municipal government. In 1900 the population was 8,864.
Norristown, the seat of justice of Montgomery county, the largest borough in the State, and withal, an enterprising, grow- ing municipality, was laid out in 1784 and was incorporated as a borough in 1812. It was named for Isaac Norris, who bought the manor lands on which it stands of William Penn, jr., in 1704. During the colonial period and the Revolution which followed, this part of Philadelphia county was historic territory, yet of the events of that period no mention can be made in this place ; the best and most interesting history of the borough is that made during the years following the creation of Montgomery county in 1784, and especially during the last century, when the develop- ment of resources and the enterprise of individuals has accom- plished the splendid work of building up one of the most pros- perous and orderly municipalities in the Schuylkill valley. The town is noted for its manufactures, its large business interests, handsome residences and its worthy public institutions. These results have been achieved during the last half century. In 1840 the borough had barely 1, 100 population, and its principal fac- tories comprised locomotive works, rolling and nail mill, three
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cotton mills and a few other industries of less note. The comple- tion of the canal through the valley and the construction of rail- roads led to the establishment of these interests, and the extension of internal improvements stimulated greater effort on the part of capitalists and eventually made Norristown one of the important centers of manufacture in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1880 the borough population was 13,063 and in 1900 was 22,265.
Huntingdon, in the county of the same name, was laid out as a town and named in 1767, but the locality in its history antedates that event by many years and originally was known as "Standing Stone," the white man's designation of the site of an Indian vil- lage on the Juniata at the mouth of Standing Stone creek. Many interesting traditions and memories are associated with the early history of the locality, but this chapter must treat of more mod- ern and material things. The founder of the town was Dr. Wil- liam Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania, a dis- tinguished educator, whose appeals for assistance met generous response from across the Atlantic; and in honor of one of his benefactors, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, he named the town. The county was created in 1787, and was named for its principal town and seat of justice. The latter became an incorporated borough in 1796. The work of development in this locality had an early beginning, the Huntingdon furnace having been in oper- ation in 1795. In later years new industries were established as rapidly as the means of transportation was provided. In 1840 the town had become an important center of manufacture and trade and many of its citizens had acquired fortunes in business pursuits. These interests in subsequent years have not been suf- fered to decline, and progress appears to have been the watchword in all generations of the past. In 1840 Huntingdon's population was 1, 145 ; in 1880 was 4, 135, and in 1900 was 6,053.
Media, the seat of justice of historic and populous Delaware county, dates its municipal history from the year 1849, and was created in order to satisfy the demand that the county buildings
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be removed from Chester to some more central location. In 1847 the legislature authorized the removal, subject to the ap- proval of the people at the next election. This was done, and in 1851 the courts and county offices were removed to Media. The borough population in 1880 was 1,919, and in 1900 was 3,075.
Lewistown, the county seat of mountainous Mifflin county, was laid out in 1790, was incorporated in 1811, and became a trade and forwarding center of some consequence before the ad- vent of canals and railroads into the locality. The mining of ores and production of iron gave increased importance in later years and made Lewistown one of the largest boroughs on Juniata river. In 1840 the population was 2,058; in 1880 was 3,222, and in 1900 was 4,451.
Somerset, the shire town of Somerset county, was laid out in 1795 with the organization of the county, and for a time was called Brunnerstown, after its founder, a substantial German. It was incorporated as Somerset borough in 1805, and was reincor- porated in 1807. It was destroyed by fire in 1833, and was again visited with a similar disaster in 1872. The town was soon rebuilt, however, and now is a neatly laid out borough of mod- ern style, with a population of 1,834 in 1900.
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