Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 55

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 55

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It was Martin Bell who conceived the idea of utilizing the gas that escaped from the tunnel-head of the furnace for generat- ing steam and he invented a device to con- vey it to the boilers for that purpose. Elizabeth furnace has the distinction of be- ing the one upon which it was first success- fully treated.

The improvement was patented in 1840, and Martin Bell became entitled to a roy- alty from all iron workers who installed his device. After realizing about $3,000 from rights that were sold, he never pressed his claim and very generously allowed a free use of what he was justly entitled to.

The different industries mentioned were somewhat scattered and brought about them a number of families, but the place had .not the appearance of a town. It was not regularly plotted till 1877, though prior

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to this a town was growing up and was be- coming a place of some importance. A Baptist church was built in 1856, a Presby- terian church in 1865, Methodist church in 1868 and Lutheran church in 1876.

In 1872 a narrow-gauge railroad was con- structed from Bellwood to connect with the coal mines that were being opened in the Alle- gheny mountain to the westward. It ran a grade in places of 150 feet to the mile, and had on it a curve similar, though not so large as the famous horseshoe curve on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad.

The road penetrated a region rich in coal and lumbering timber. It was, therefore, extended from time to time from one place to another until finally in 1883 it was constructed to Punxsutawney, in Jefferson county, and changed from a narrow to a broad, or stand- ard gauge road, and the name was changed to the Pennsylvania & Northwestern. As it con- nected with the main line of the Pennsylvania at Bellwood and brought down the rich treas- ures of the mountain it added very materially to the trade and growth of the town.

In 1891 the Pennsylvania erected a system of shops for repair work on this division. They consist of three main shops, with a num- ber of annexes. The wheel, machine and blacksmith shop are all spacious and substan- tially constructed buildings, equipped with all machinery and devices for repairing both cars and engines. There is also a large roundhouse that is used for the shelter of engines and for doing light repair work. The machinery is electrically driven. The yard connected with the shops is about one-half mile in length and can conveniently handle 150 cars and about six engines. The plant gives employment to from 160 to 200 men. The pay-roll is on an aver- age of $20,000 per month. In 1903 the Penn- sylvania & Northwestern railroad was made a division of the Pennsylvania, known as the Bellwood division.

Although the town is beautifully located and has the natural facilities, such as beautiful and healthful surroundings, abundance of water and level land to make a thriving town,

for many years it lacked the essential element of growth, business. The coming of the moun- tain railroad with its shops gave the place a boom. Since then the growth has been steady and healthful. Some fine substantial business houses were erected with stores, three hotels and two banks, all doing a successful business. Some of the land on which the town stands was left in its primitive state until it was sold as lots. Trees had to be felled and stumps blasted out to make way for the foundation of houses in comparatively recent times.

In addition to the industries already described that contributed to the prosperity and substan- tial improvement of the town, there are located about three-fourths of a mile west, just outside the corporate limits the repair shops of the H. S. Kerbaugh company, limited. This is an ex- tensive railroad contracting firm and erected this plant for the manufacture and repairing of its own implements. The new work is con- fined exclusively to the building of dump cars. The main shop is a mammoth affair equipped with all the necessary machinery of drills and lathes, planers and steam hammers, driven by a powerful steam engine. There are also a number of smaller shops and sheds for finish- ing, painting and shelter. The plant is con- nected with the Pennsylvania railroad by a sid- ing and has an abundance of water brought from Sugar Run for its own special use. It gives employment to upwards of 250 men, and the payroll averages about $5,000 per month. The employes are mostly citizens of Bellwood, so that the importance of this industry to the town is apparent. The shops were erected in 1905 and have been in successful operation ever since.

In 1894 the Logan Valley Electric Railway company extended its tracks to Bellwood and soon afterwards the line was extended to Ty- rone. Cars run to Altoona and Tyrone every half hour.

The town was incorporated in 1889. The first burgess was Christ Houser and the coun- cil was composed of D. L. Wray, L. W. Irwin, George Miles, Benjamin Boyer, Rev. J. H. Mathers and D. R. Morrow. Since then it has

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had three additions to its corporate limits. The first was in 1907 when what is now known as Fourth and Clark streets were added. The territory was small and made no perceptible change in routine business.

Again in 1908 what is known as Lowther's extension was admitted. This was on the southwestern part and was not of much import- ance. However, there are at this time some cozy residences erected in that quarter.

In 1910 a movement for a more extensive addition was inaugurated, and upon petition by the citizens, an ordinance was passed taking into the borough that part of the town kn wn as "the hill." With the admission of this ter- ritory the limits of the town and of the borough are practically the same.

While other towns have suffered for lack of water in seasons of drouth, Bellwood since the construction of its water system in 1893 has never been so effected. Its supply of purest mountain water is abundant. The borough owns and controls the water rights, except in the part recently admitted. It is supplied by the Tyrone Water company. As yet no steps have been taken for a change. The elec- tric light plant is owned by the Logan Valley Electric Railway company.

The borough council passed an ordinance on November 17, 1909, granting the right to the People's Natural Gas company to furnish the town with natural gas on the following con- ditions for thirty years; to be installed within one year from date at an annual bonus of $100; the price for the first five years 37 cents per foot with a discount of two per cent, and at no time in the price to exceed 50 cents per foot.

The population of Bellwood in 1890 was 1, 146, and in 1900 it was 1,546. The census of 1910 will show about 1,800.

The people of Bellwood have always taken great pride in their schools. The town has a commodious eight-room brick school building, and nine teachers, including the principal of the high school, are employed.

Bellwood Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1844 when James Brads was the pastor

of the Williamsburg charge, he organized a class of eight Methodists which met there- after in the Antis schoolhouse near the pres- ent Logan Valley cemetery, and for that year made the class a part of his circuit. The next spring it was added to the Bir- mingham charge, where it continued until 1869, having been served in the intervening years by twenty-three different pastors, among them some of the most prominent men in their conference. On the fourth day of January, 1869, a commodious two- story frame church was dedicated, which for twenty-six years thereafter was used as a place of worship. That same year Bell --. wood became a part of the Logan Valley charge, and so continued until 1889, when its growth demanded the time and service of a stationed pastor, and the charge be- came a "station." During the pastorate of E. M. Stevens it was decided to build a new and better church to meet the needs of the growing congregation. The next pastor, S. D. Wilson, undertook the building and heroically carried it through to its comple- tion in May 1898, when it was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. It is an ele- gant and commodious stone structure of English Romanesque style, covering an area of 7,000 square feet, with a parsonage of the same material, so constructed as to be practically of the same building. The valuation of the entire property is about $35.000. The congregation is a very active one with a membership closely approaching 500. It has a most thriving Sunday school .: with a membership if anything larger, running over 500. An active Epworth league with en- couraging junior department, a faithful Ladies' Aid society, and various missionary organiza- tions all indicate the character of this inter- esting church.

United Brethren in Christ .- The church of the United Brethren in Christ was or- ganized in 1891 with thirty-five members. A house of worship was erected in 1891-92 at a cost of $1,869. The present value is $2,500. In 1909 a parsonage was built at a

CORNER MAIN AND CAMBRIA STREETS, BELLWOOD

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BELLWOOD

BELLWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL, BELLWOOD

METHODIST CHURCH, BELLWOOD

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cost of $3,500. The present membership is 130 .. The Sunday school has an enrollment of 180.

- THE LOGAN VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT BELLWOOD, PA.

The church was founded in 1837 with twenty-three members. In 1845 the first church building was erected near Tipton. At the beginning of the pastorate of Rev. Joseph H. Mathers, D. D., in 1868, the church had sixty members.

A church building was erected near Bell's mills in 1865. In 1883 the present building was erected in the borough of Bellwood, which was formerly Bell's mills. In 1887 a modern brick manse was built near the church.

At the beginning of the present pastorate in October, 1907, the membership of the church was 170. The present membership is 260; sabbath school enrollment 210.

Baptist Church .- This church was or- ganized in 1837 and shortly after a house of worship was erected, which continued to be used up to 1853, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1854 a house was built at Typ- ton at a cost of $1,000, where services were held till 1856, when the present brick house was erected at a cost of $9,000. This church was organized with a membership of forty, and increased to about 200. The Baptist churches in Altoona and Tyrone grew out of the Bellwood church and also took from it about fifty members. Since its organiza- tion it enrolled about 1,100 members. At present the membership is 196, with 244 enrolled in the Sunday school. In connec- tion with the house of worship there is a parsonage and a three-acre lot.

The town contains one weekly newspa- per, Bellwood Bulletin. It was started Feb- ruary 28, 1888, by J. W. Elway. On Janu- ary I, 1891, he sold out to W. F. Balls- bauch who has continued its publication to the present time.

The borough officials are progressive cit- izens and are working for the improvement

and development of the town as the follow- ing from the Bulletin of January 21, 1910, will show.

The public may think that the matter of asking the Pennsylvania Railroad company to construct a bridge over their tracks at Antis street has been abandoned by borough officials. In conversation with Chief Burgess Ira R. Burns recently, he told us of an interview which he had with the company's officials in regard to the bridge and they informed him that the Pennsy would begin to improve the freight yards, just east of town, in the spring, and having their plans already completed, could not comply with his request to have a wagon bridge erected at the point mentioned above, but may erect a foot bridge there. A number of years ago the company purchased some properties on Main street with the intention of widening the trackage at that point, and running all the loaded cars from the Bellwood divi- sion over the main line tracks of the Pennsylvania at a point near where the old coal wharf now stands, and down into the new yards, which will be made east of the borough. The Altoona and Logan Valley Electric railway company will move its track over sufficiently to give the Pennsylvania company room for their improve- ment. Mr. Burns also said the company intends to abandon the grade crossing at Fostoria and erect a wagon bridge at a point between this place and Fostoria.

DUNCANSVILLE.

Duncansville is situated on the line of the old Portage railroad, partly in Blair and partly in Allegheny townships. The line of the old Philadelphia and Pittsburg pike forms its principal street. It is beautifully located and is watered by the Blair creek, which has its source in the Allegheny moun- tain, west of the town. It seems that a tav- ern, so common in the early days, along the old pike, was built by Francis Smith prior to 1802, on the site of the present town, then in 1810, he built a small tannery, and so far as now known, his was the first building and business in the place. Among the people who took up their residence here between 1810 and 1830 were the Duncans, Gibboneys, Walters, Lloyds, Mitchells, Henrys and McCahans. In 1831 Samuel Duncan as proprietor laid out the town plot of Dun- cansville. About the same time Jacob Wal- ter laid out a plot to the eastward and called it Walterstown, or Waltersville. Soon after the two men agreed to cast lots to decide if the name should be Duncansville or Wal- ' terstown, and Mr. Duncan won, hence the

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name Duncansville. In addition to the two plots mentioned, there was one laid out by Gilbert A. Lloyd, another by Davis Mitchell and another by Captain Henry, and still another by James McCahan. These are now all included in the one town.

John M. Gibboney opened the first store in 1830. Willis Gibboney came from Wood- bury, Bedford county, in 1806, and operated a fulling-mill near Eldorado for several years. In 1808 he built a fulling and wool- carding mill at the same place and contin- ued with his sons to operate them till 1828. In this year he settled near the Duncans and built the woolen factory which con- tinued for many years in the Gibboney fam- ily, until it was destroyed by fire July 4, 1865 and was never rebuilt. The land is still in the possession of the Gibboney heirs.

Samuel Duncan and Francis Floom kept tavern and the latter also operated a brewery. John Berry, Samuel Smith and a Mr. Walter were wagon-makers. John Mc- Cabe was the first postmaster. Samuel Duncan was making preparations to build a grist mill, but before his plans were per- fected, he entered into a partnership with Mr. McNamara and they erected a forge in- stead. This was in 1837 or 38. After a few years the forge was converted into a rolling-mill, and a nail factory was erected, which a few years later was destroyed by fire.

The rolling-mill some years later passed into the hands of Joseph Higgins, who was at the time quite a prominent man. He re- built and enlarged the nail factory and oper- ated it in conection with the rolling-mill. After his death the plant was leased to dif- ferent parties and operated at irregular in- tervals and was finally purchased by John Musselman.

In 1882, William Wheatly and A. Whit- ney entered into partnership and purchased the entire plant and proceeded at once to repair and enlarge the works. They erected large buildings and installed a fifteen-inch train and eight-inch guide train of rolls.

The power to operate these, with the atten- dant machinery was supplied by three new engines whose aggregate power was that of 300 horses. The mill employed about 100 men and had a capacity of fifty tons of fin- ished merchantable iron daily. It was a flourishing enterprise and ranked among the most important industries in the in- terior of the state. The principal finished product was cotton ties and hoop-iron. The former was used in the baling of cotton and the latter for hooping oil barrels. The largest yield of the mill in any one year was 13,000 tons, which was purchased by the Standard Oil company.

In 1842 Alexander McKinney built a foundry, but no work was done before 1848. John Gibboney became the owner and did a successful business up to about 1861. When business ceased it became dilapidated and soon went to ruins.

In 1896 the rolling-mill firm commenced the erection of wire nail-works. The mill was completed and the machinery installed and operations commenced in July, 1908. The plant consisted of a number of build- ings and annexes for the machinery for the different processes through which the metal had to pass until it ended in a finished prod- uct. The main building was 50x330 feet, with an annex 30x120 feet; a bath room where the wire was passed through a solu- tion of chemicals to remove some acids ob- jectionable to the nail, 61x61 feet; a rod- mill, 50x238 feet; a rumbling-house, 30x90 feet. Three large boilers generated the steam for two Corliss engines, one 250 and the other 400 horse-power.

The daily output of finished nails was 450 kegs. The entire plant was sold to the American Steel and Wire company, who took possession in 1899. After working up the stock on hand, operations ceased and the work of dismantling commenced, and did not cease until every piece of machin- ery and every building connected with both the rolling-mill and nail factory was torn down except the brick office building which

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was connected with the old rolling-mill. So that this valuable plant, the pride and glory and support of the town, which cost mil- lions in its construction and operation, ceased to be. The two mills stood side by side and were operated by the same firm and the product of the one became the material for the other, so that they were practically one plant. It gave employment to about 700 men. Much of, the work was of a na- ture that required the services of skilled workmen, for which they commanded the highest wages.

When it became evident that the rolling- mill was permanently located and was in successful operation and the extensive wire nail factory was also taking its place as an industry, the town received a wonderful boom. New plots were added and lots sold at extravagant prices. Houses sprang up as if by magic, business was lively and money flush. The population increased rap- idly and the town became a hive of industry. Stores increased in number and all seemed to be doing a thriving business. Farms and smaller plots of ground in the vicinity nearly doubled former prices in value. But when it was in the zenith of its glory, the evil day came, the rolling-mill and nail fac- tory, the pride and boast of the town, and source of all revenue, went into other hands and disappeared, and now quiet broods over the place where the rumble of machinery sent out the red hot ribbons of iron. All business is paralyzed and values are on the decline. Many people were caught in busi- ness ventures beyond their depth and be- came bankrupt. Properties were offered at half the former values and could not be dis- posed of for want of purchasers. After a number of removals and readjustments, things began to assume a more hopeful ap- pearance and business started up again in a more quiet way. The men found employ- ment in Altoona or Hollidaysburg, and as it is a pleasant place in which to live, Dun- cansville has become a quiet residential town.

Frank Smith built the first tannery about 1802. He was succeeded by his son John, who continued the business up to 1846. It was then sold to William Smith, who also purchased a small tannery from John Miller at the foot of No. 10, in 1853. This was torn down and moved to Duncansville and combined with his plant there. He en- larged the capacity in 1857 and continued to do a thriving business until June 16, 1872, when the entire plant was destroyed by fire. He proceeded at once to rebuild and greatly enlarge his capacity, so that before the close of the year his buildings were completed with eighty vats in service.

Smith's death occurred in 1884, when Judge Joseph Fichter was appointed to set- tle up his estate. The work was continued under the superintendence of Mr. Knee un- til all the stock was used up. Operations then ceased and were never resumed after- wards. A valuable industry of the town in its palmiest days went down with its distin- guished owner. In the beginning, even up to 1846, when it came into the hands of Mr. Smith, the bark was ground by horse power. But as time advanced, machinery was in- stalled until it was well equipped with all the appliances of an up-to-date tannery. It was soon afterwards dismantled and at the present time only a few remnants mark the site.

David Albaugh De Armond, who served nineteen years in congress from Missouri, and who was burned to death in the de- struction of his home at Butler, Mo., in 1909, was a native of this place. On his mother's side he was connected with the old pioneer Albaughs. His uncle David and his grand- father David, were ministers in the Breth- ren church.

Josiah D. Hicks, who served six years in congress as a representative of the Twen- tieth Pennsylvania district, was a native of this place.

General Grant in his memoirs says that the first railroad that he ever saw or rode on was the old Portage that passed through

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Duncansville. It was when he was on his way from his home in the west to the mili- tary academy at West Point. George Washington passed through here on the march to western Pennsylvania with Brad- dock's army.

The first church edifice was built by the Baptists in 1844. The membership was never large and the removals were greater than the additions and accordingly in 1855 the church disbanded. The church during the time of its existence was presided over by Rev. A. K. Bell, father of Judge Martin Bell, 1847-49; Rev. A. J. Hay, 1852-53 and Rev. D. J. Yerkes, 1854. The second church was erected by the Presby- terians in 1847. The membership was never large, but had among its number some of the most substantial citizens. The first pastor was Rev. White. The building is still standing and though antequated in style still presents the ap- pearance of a new house.

The records of the court show that upon a petition of citizens the Lutheran church was incorporated in 1858. The first church was organized July 18, 1846, by Rev. Henry Baker, with forty-four charter members. A one-story solid brick house, 40x50 feet was built soon after. The laying of the corner stone occurred at the time of a freshet and it was taken into the Baptist church where the ceremonies were held and the stone laid. It was afterwards taken out and put in its place in the Lutheran church.

On the IIth of August a contract was awarded to A. U. Selwitz for the erection of a new church edifice, 36x50, at a cost of $2,900. The same corner stone was used and it was put in place on September 10, 1883. Rev. J. W. Henderson conducted the services in the Methodist church. The house was dedicated on the 21st of September, 1886. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. W. Criley. On July 18, 1896, a semi-centennial service was held. At first the church belonged to the Newry cir- cuit, but was separated about 1890, when Rev. Isaac Krider became the pastor, and he has been retained until the present time. During its history it has had twelve pastors, as follows :

Baker, Ehrenfelt, Steck, Might, Hunt, Berlin, Frazier, Earjart, Boyer, Henderson and Krider. Four of the pastors were living at the time of the semi-centennial service, and five of the original charter members. The present membership is 261. The Sunday school has a total enrollment of 279. There is also a Methodist church in Duncansville.

Duncansville has always had good schools. It has a commodious brick building with six rooms and a frame building. John M. Kyle, Esq., who is a member of the Blair county bar, has been principal of the borough schools for many years, and six teachers are associated with him in the educational work of the town.

The clay and sand deposits of the Blair's Creek valley form a composition for a superior quality of red brick, and kilns were erected in this locality at an early date. William Vaughn erected the first brick yard about 1856. After operating for some years he sold to George Wilt, who operated it for a number of years. The kiln was at the extreme lower end of the town.

In 1881 Aden Hicks established a kiln at the Y switches, now New Portage junction. After a few years he sold the entire plant to John Musselman, who after operating it for several years sold it to J. D. Hemphill, who in turn sold it to W. Lovell Baldrige, the present owner and operator. At first the bricks were made by hand but now machinery is installed and they are made quite extensively.

Among the prominent citizens of this town was James Funk. He served as sheriff of the county before the civil war and later was jury commissioner and county commissioner. In 1850 he embarked in the lime burning business at his home town. He was so successful that he extended his business to other points. Some of his kilns were said to be the largest in the United State. He gave employment to about eighty men.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 55

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036