Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 60

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 60

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Patrick Cassidy donated a lot on the east- ern side of the town to the Catholic and one on the western side to the Lutheran church, provided they would build within one year.

BAPTIST CHURCH, HOLLIDAYSBURG

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOLLIDAYSBURG

METHODIST CHURCH, HOLLIDAYSBURG

ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOLLIDAYSBURG

LUTHERAN CHURCH, HOLLIDAYSBURG

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This was back somewhere about 1800. The first house was constructed of logs and oc- cupied the site of the present graveyard. In 1853 Robert McNamara and wife do- nated a small tract of land to the Lutheran church. About 1832 the first brick house was built. It continued in use up to 1874 when it was torn down and replaced by the present handsome structure.

The first Catholic church was constructed in 1816. The first priest was the famous Prince Gallitzin. A number of changes in the priesthood followed until it came under the pastorate of Rev. James Bradley, in 1832, who continued to minister to the spir- itual wants of his people for about fifty years. The erection of the present brick structure dates back to the first year of his pastorate, 1832.

The late Justice John Dean in a speech at the semi-celebration of Blair county said :

"The Irish Catholics settled what is now Blair township about the close of the Revo- lutionary war; the borough of Newry is, next to Frankstown, the oldest village in the county. I have heard the late James M. Hewit say that when he was a boy he went to Newry to see a circus; Hollidays- burg was then too insignificant to warrant the showman in stopping; Newry was the larger town. This Irish settlement for a time throve and was prosperous, but the location of the canal and the Portage rail- road north of it with their junction at Hol- lidaysburg arrested its growth and Holli- daysburg forged ahead just as the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad six miles north of Hollidaysburg, created Altoona, leaving Hollidaysburg standing still. But the Cath- olic Irish settlement at Newry and Blair township for many years was a very impor- tant part of Huntingdon county. The old settlers were progressive and exemplary cit- izens, none better. The Cassidys, McIn- toshes, Conrads, McGraws, Malones and others were all active in the formation of the new county. Besides these Catholics as I have already said, there were others

scattered all over the county, but for many years Newry had the only Catholic church. There was when I was a boy a small Cath- olic graveyard in Williamsburg, how old I do not know; but here, every now and then, some devout member of the church was laid to rest in consecrated ground. A neat church has been erected there within thirty years."

Newry has given the county one associate judge, Joseph Fichter, and two superintend- ents of schools, John B. Holland and John H. Likens.

Lutheran Church .- In July, 1801, Patrick Cassady and wife, who were Roman Catho- lics, gave to the Lutheran congregation at Newry, then in Frankstown township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, a tract of land containing three-fourths of an acre, with the provision that a church thirty feet long and twenty feet wide be built within that year.

A log structure was built and before it was completed the congregation held serv- ices in it, the people sitting on the sleepers, blocks of wood, logs, etc., amidst the laurel, while the preacher stood on a platform of rought boards and had for a pulpit a few scantling nailed together, with a rough board for the top.

It is probable, from the best information obtainable, that there was an organization formulated as early as 1785-87 by some Lutheran ministers who traveled from Har- risburg to Frankstown and Newry during the closing days of the Revolution and con- ducted their services in private houses.

ROARING SPRING.

This town derives its name from the famous roaring spring which flows from the hill on the southern side and flows through the center of the town. Geologists say that Morrison's cove contains a subterranean lake and that this spring is an outlet from it. There is a large flow of pure cool limestone water clear as crystal. It is surrounded with a beau- tiful grove which has been preserved in its

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11ative state, and beautified by clearing away the underbrush and constructing a basin which forms a beautiful lake that reminds one of the river that flows from the throne of the celestial city on the verdant banks of which stands the tree that sheds its leaves for the liealing of the nations.

There is considerable descent and the way was rocky and this caused the water to ripple and gurgle which in the stillness of the prim- itive forest created a sound that could be heard for some distance. Hence the name "Roaring Spring." The spring is now in- closed in a stone arch, much of its water di- verted into pipes and the stones removed from its channel, and its "roaring" has turned to a gentle murmur.

Nature seemed to be lavish in bestowing its gifts upon this place both in the realm of the esthetic and the useful. The deep ravines, sloping hillsides and the towering mountain with the stream of limpid water, gives to the lover of the beautiful and sublime feelings of enchantment. It was from its first discovery an inviting field for the enterprising. It was at this place that the first mill was built in the upper Juniata valley. From the early settle- ment there is associated with it some interest- ing history. Some is founded upon tradition and the real facts may not be known. It was here that Jacob Neff, the Dunkard miller, built the first mill in this section of county and had the encounter with the Indians and violated the principle of non-resistance held by his church in meeting the common enemy in deadly conflict. We will here quote from U. J. Jones' "History of the Juniata Valley," which gives an account of the occurrence in detail :

"The band of Indians, after the Tunker massacre, worked their way towards the Kittanning warpath, leaving behind them some few stragglers of their party whose appetite for blood and treasure had not been satiated. Among others, an old and a young Indian stopped at Neff's mill. Neff was a Tunker; but he was a single excep- tion so far as resistance was concerned. He

had constantly in his mill his loaded rifle, and was ready for any emergency. He had gone to his mill in the morning without any knowledge of Indians being in the neighbor- hood, and had just set the water-wheel in motion, when he discovered the two Indians lurking within a hundred yards in a small wood below the mill. Without taking much time to deliberate how to act he aimed through the window and deliberately shot the old Indian. In an instant the young Indian came toward the mill, and Neff ran out of the back door and up the hill. The quick eye of the savage detected him, and he fired but missed his aim. Nothing daunted by the mishap the savage followed up the cleared patch, when both as if by instinct, commenced reloading their rifles. They stood face to face, not forty yards apart, on open ground, where there was no possible chance of concealment. The chances were equal; he that loaded first would be victor in the strife, the other doomed to certain death. They both rammed home the bullet at the same time-with what haste may we1l be conjectured. This was a critical juncture, for while loading, neither took his eye off the other. They both drew their ramrods at the same instant, but the intense excite- ment of the moment caused the Indian to balk in drawing his, and the error or mishap proved fatal, because Neff took advantage of it, and succeeded in priming and aiming before the Indian. The latter now finding the muzzle of Neff's rifle bearing upon him, commenced a series of very cunning gyra- tions and contortions to destroy his aim or confuse so that he might miss him or en- able him to prime. To this end he first threw himself upon his face, then suddenly rising up again, he jumped first to the right, then to the left, then fell down again. Neff, not the least put off his guard, waited till the Indian rose again, when he shot him through the head.

Neff, fearing that others might be about, left the mill and started to the nearest settle- ment. A force was raised and the mill re-

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visited, but it was found a heap of ashes, and the dead bodies of the Indians had been re- moved. It is altogether likely that the rear of the savage party came up shortly after Neff had left, fired the mill and carried away their slain companions.

For the part Neff took in the matter he was excommunicated from the Tunker society. Nevertheless he rebuilt his mill; but the Tunkers who were his main supports pre- viously, refused any longer to patronize him, and he was eventually compelled to abandon the business."

Although this is given with an air of cer- tainty, it is after all only traditional and may be wide of the true facts. It is said to have occurred in November, 1777, when a party of Indians invaded the Big Cove to massacre the settlers and carry off their scalps to secure the bounty paid by the British government, but the assessment reg- ister for 1778 shows that Jacob Neff then owned only unseated land. Besides in trac- ing the title from the present owner, Mr. D. M. Bare, back to the original purchaser from the state in 1766, the name of Jacob Neff is not included. These two circum- stances, viz .: the unseated land one year after this remarkable occurrence, and his name never connected with the title of the Roaring Spring property makes the story somewhat inconsistent; especially as Mr. Jones says he "rebuilt his mill."

Notwithstanding the rich gifts of nature in bestowing her facilities for manufactur- ing with a single exception of the mill, that was enlarged, no attempt was made to build a town and provide for its mainte- nance until the Bares took possession in 1863. They are of German origin and pos- sess the thrift peculiar to that nationality to embark in successful enterprises. Daniel Bare, Sr., was a native of York county and in 1831 left that place and located in Sink- ing valley. In casting about he found a place more to his ideal at Three Springs, to which place he removed in 1836; thence to Bedford county in 1841; thence to Water-

side in 1858; to Pattonsville in 1860, and to Roaring Spring in 1866. His death oc- curred here in 1869. By his death his son, D. M. Bare, became the sole owner.

Up to this time the Spang residence and farm buildings, a very ordinary log house, store building, formerly occupied by Jacob L. Martin, and grist-mill constituted the village. In 1865 the first town plot of fifty lots was laid out by D. M. Bare and Company, pany, and under the firm name Eby, Morri- son and Company, the first paper-mill was commenced the same year. About all the families then residents of the hamlet were D. M. Bare and his brother-in-law, John Eby, Daniel Garber, a laborer, B. J. Daniels, blacksmith, J. A. J. Williams and George Himes, carpenters, Frederic Glass, miller, Abraham Shiffer and John B. Sullivan. Sullivan was killed at the paper-mill in 1876. James and Job M. Spang kept a hotel. The only store was owned by the paper mill manufacturing company.

George H. Spang, as proprietor, laid out town lots in 1874, as did also Isaac Bowers. A number of lots lying on the west side of the railroad were laid out by S. B. Replogle.

John Eby died in 1866 and after his death his brother Jacob became a member of the firm and its name changed to Morrison, Bare and Company. Isaac Bowers, a mem- ber of the firm, was accidentally killed on the railroad near Mendota, Illinois, in Sep- tember, 1875, and in 1876, J. K. Cass came into the firm and the name was changed to Morrison, Bare and Cass.

The railroad to Henrietta was completed in 1871. This gave a wonderful impetus to all lines of trade and the town grew rap- idly. The old mill was torn down, and a larger and more modern one was built in its place. It has a capacity of four tons of flour and five tons of chop per day.

After the completion of the railroad the town grew rapidly and substantially. Ex- pansion and enlargement seemed to be the battle cry. The town was spreading out, large and costly residences were being

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erected, and smaller buildings replaced by larger, new industries springing up and the population steadily increasing.

The town was incorporated in 1880 with a poulation of 489. In 1890 it had grown to 920, which increased to 1,340 in 1900 and at present it is estimated at 1,800.

And for all the town is in wealth and honor to the county, and its industries in giving employment to hundreds of people, making them prosperous, the honor is due to D. M. Bare through whose sagacity, perseverance and upright dealing has made these things come to pass.

The following letter from Mr. Bare's pen is given as the true data of the progress of his business :

"ROARING SPRING, PA., November 15, 1909.

Elder Jas. A. Sell.

Dear Sir and Brother .- Refering again to your favor of the 4th inst., I would say from the old warrants and deeds received from the Spangs when we purchased the farm in 1885, I am able to give you the following informa- tion :

Ist. A warrant for what is called "The Mill Seat Land" was issued for 169 acres to Edward Sanders, December 22, 1766. This warrant was signed by Governor Thos. Mif- flin. Edward Sanders conveyed this land to Dan'1 Ulrey March 16, 1780, and on January 2, 1781, Daniel Ulrey conveyed the same land to his son, John Ulrey, for which a warrant of acecptance was issued to John Ulrey, July 28, 1795, and signed by Governor Thos. Mifflin as above stated. Two other warrants were issued to John Woolery (alias) Woolerick, one dated June 6, 1791, and the other July 14, 1795, for 337 acres. This warrant is signed by Andrew Ellicott, secretary. of the Land office of Pennsylvania.

2d. On March 20, 1821, Johanes Ulerick conveyed to Geo. B. Spang 388 acres of land. The spelling as it is given above is the same as in these warrants. I have no papers in my possession that would indicate that Daniel Neff ever owned this mill property. In fact,

Attorney D. S. Brumbaugh told me not very long ago that he did not believe that Neff ever owned the old mill property in his own right, but according to the traditional story of his fight with the Indians he must have occu- pied it. If you wish to investigate this any further, I would refer to Mr. Brumbaugh, he got his information in regard to Neff from the late Dan'l Holsinger, who lived near Baker's Summit.

In 1863, my father and I bought the mill property with eighty-nine acres of land with it from Job Mann, and in 1885, I bought the farm of about IIO acres from Rufus C. Haderman, trustee for Hon. George H. Spang and wife, from this it will be seen that part of the Ulrey property remained in the possession of the Spang family for sixty-four years and has been in the Bare family for forty-six years. I have no information as to when Ulrey re- built the grist mill.

We began building the first paper mill in the autumn of 1865 and started it in April, 1866. At first we used rags, jute bagging and straw; for the first few months we run the mill only in day time and made about 1,200 pounds of paper. We soon, however, began running it twenty-four hours a day and six days in a week, using mostly straw with some jute stock with it, producing about 3,000 pounds finished paper in twenty-four hours. We began using wood in 1876, after which our daily product went up to about 11,000 pounds. At present our daily average of fin- ished product is about 57,000 pounds of ma- chine finished and super-calendered book papers and blank book writing papers. Our first mill burned down about six months after it had been started, we had also several boiler explosions during the first few years of its operation, but have had no explosions since 1875.

We have twelve steam engines with a steam boiler capacity of about 3,000 horse power, about thirty per cent of that power is used in cooking wood, making up liquors, etc. We have three paper machines. The firms' names have been as follows: Eby, Morrison & Co.,

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Morrison, Bare & Co., Morrison, Bare & Cass, D. M. Bare & Co., and since 1907, The D. M. Bare Paper company. We employ about 190 men and twenty women in and around the mill. We use about fifty-five cords of wood a day and at present have about 23,000 cords of wood in the wood yards about the mill ( would much sooner carry only 7,000 or 8,000 cords if we could regulate it)."

From the beginning the paper-mill com- pany also conducted a store bearing the same firm name. The first store-room was 30 x 60 feet and they carried a full line of first class goods which was handled by two clerks. As the paper-mill business in- creased, the store also expanded, and at this time the room is 40 x 170 feet, with basement and upper story. It is stocked with goods to the value of $35,000, and em- ploys ten clerks besides the general man- anger.

Roaring Spring Blank Book Co .- The history of the Roaring Spring Blank Book Co., is closely allied with that of the D. M. Bare Paper Co. Along in the '8os, Mr. Bare conceived the idea of creating a greater demand for the production of his paper and pulp mills.

In 1886, Mr. Bare formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. George W. Cross, of Sauger- ties, New York. Mr. Cross had been for a number of years, manager of the Sheffield Manufacturing Co., Saugerties, New York. This company made blank books and school goods of various kinds. Mr. Cross having resigned his position in 1886 with the Sau- gerties company, was open for engagement, and accepted a position with the Roaring Spring Blank Book Co., a general partner- ship formed in the latter part of 1886, and made up of the following parties: Messrs. D. M. Bare, H. C. Lorenz, D. R. Wike, George W. Cross, E. G. Bobb, and A. L. Garver. Mr. Bare furnished almost the en- tire capital to start the new concern, amounting to about $25,000. Mr. H. C. Lo- renz was made general manager, George W. Cross, general superintendent.

Ground was broken for the first biulding early in 1887. This building was a one- story frame structure, 100 x 100 feet, and was rapidly completed, and about mid-sum- mer of the same year, goods were being turned out and shipped and the new concern was on fair way to success. However, the pathway to success was not to be achieved so readily. Adjoining the new frame build- ing, was a blacksmith's shop. This shop took fire one night in September, 1887, and fire was communicated to the blank book company building, and owing to lack of facilities we were unable to combat the fire, and everything went up in smoke.

The insurance on the plant was inade- quate, and when the adjusters came around, they reduced the amount to be recovered. The direct loss was considerable. Nothing daunted, however, the young concern went at it immediately again, and erected t two- story solid brick building on the old foun- .dation, and were turning out and shipping goods early in 1888.

In 1889 Mr. Lorenz resigned from the company, and his interests were taken over by the remaining members of the firm. Mr. Cross was made general manager, and A. L. Garver, treasurer.

During the first years the product was not large, amounting to less than $50,000 per annum, and number of employees about thirty.

In 1891, Mr. Cross resigned and his in- terest was taken over by the remaining members of the company. A. L. Garver was then made general manager. The growth of the plant from this time on was rapid. Special new machinery was invented to produce the goods more rapidly, more perfectly, and more economically, and better goods were turned out which sold freely.

In 1895, an additional three-story brick building was built, 100 by 50 feet, to accom- modate the growing business, which contin- ued to expand until 1900, when a three-story limestone building, 187 by 60 feet, of hand- some design was erected, containing all the

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modern improvements. The business contin- ued to expand until 1905 an additional three- story brick building, 100 by 57 feet, was erected, and immediately occupied. These several buildings have a floor space of over two acres, wherein are manufactured and shipped, over 3,000 different kinds of blank books, tablets and other school goods. To make these different items gives employment to over 200 employes, about half of whom are females. The monthly pay roll amounts to between $5,000 and $6,000, and the monthly production amounts to about $30,000 to $40,000 worth of finished goods, which are distributed to nearly all the civilized countries of the world. All the machinery is electrically driven.

In 1899, Mr. Bare transferred his interest in the company to his daughter, Mrs. William Eldon. In order to perpetuate the business, it was incorporated in 1907, with capital stock of $260,000, all common stock, and held by the directors and officers of the company, viz .: E. G. Bobb, president ; D. R. Wike, vice pres- ident; A. L. Garver, secretary, treasurer and general manager. These are also directors, including the following: Mrs. William Eldon and James W. Smith. Mr. James W. Smith is general superintendent of the manufactur- ing department.

The largest portion of paper used in the blank book factory is purchased from D. M. Bare Paper Co., amounting to about one-third of the entire product of the paper mill, thus accomplishing the results desired by Mr. Bare when he formed the Blank Book Co., in 1886.

Among the faithful employes of the Blank Book Co., who have been with it almost from its inception and deserve special mention in its history, are the following: J. S. Williams, chief accountant; Oder Burket, assistant ac- countant; Anna McAuliffe, chief stenog -. rapher; Frank Lorenz, traffic manager ; Jer. Benn, chief engineer; Misses Julia and Stella Herron, assistants in finishing department ; Ira. L. Dick, assistant superintendent of man- ufacture of school goods; David Dick, super- intendent of memorandum department, War-

ren Zook, superintendent of ruling depart- ment; Eugene Sullivan, superintendent of folio goods department; C. E. Wilson, chief electrician; Lawrence Swope, superintendent of printing department.

The Roaring Spring Blank Book Co. has been one of the factors in building up the town of Roaring Spring, by giving steady em- ployment to a large number of people residing in the prosperous town of Roaring Spring. This company, with careful management, is destined to be one of the leading industries of the town and of Blair county, for years to come.

Hotel .- Roaring Spring is unique in its hotel business. Public sentiment is over- whelmingly in favor of temperance. The pub- lic desire has been respected by the court and no license has been granted for a number of years. But the rapid growth of the town and the necessity for a good public house caused anxiety that a license for the sale of liquor might be granted. Accordingly Mr. D. M. Bare, A. L. Garver, Wm. Eldon and Mr. Bobb erected and equipped a first class hotel as strictly a house wheretravelers and board- ers could find accommodations. The house is a brick structure, spacious and fitted up with all the modern, up-to-date appliances that make for comfort or convenience. Beside the storage rooms it contains office, parlor, din- ing room, kitchen, toilet rooms, reception rooms and seventeen bed rooms. Its construc- tion and furnishings cost about $25,000. In license court Judge Bell remarked that if all towns would do as Mr. Bare had done at Roaring Spring, no license would be granted for the reason that the traveling public were already provided for. The house is called the "Eldon Inn" and is an honor to the town.

Newspaper .- The first newspaper was pub- lished in 1906. Mr. Amos Claar, who had successfully conducted the Windbur Era for eight years, sold that paper and started "The Weekly News" at this place. He occupied the second floor of the bank building the first year. Meeting with encouraging success he purchased a property on Main street, remod-

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eled and enlarged it and has now a well equipped office. The "News" contains eight pages, six columns, and the type is set by a linotype and printed on a power press. Mr. Claar is editor and proprietor and his enter- prise is meeting with deserved success.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The history of this congregation since its organization in 1830, in the small stone schoolhouse built by Dr. Peter Shoenberger at Rodman, is so in- teresting that we give it for the benefit of its many friends who have left us.

On the corner stone of the present church building are cut three dates. The first of these in 1830. From the records it appears that in that year Dr. Peter Shoenberger caused a stone building to be erected at Rodman to be used both for church and school purposes. It was called by the name of "Middle Maria Forges." Here was organized a Methodist Episcopal class, but there are no records of its early members or preachers. Under date of 1841, with Elisha Butler as pastor, the Will- iamsburg charge, consisting of twenty-four churches, includes in the number Maria Forges. In 1854, the circuit had been changed . and Maria Forges now belonged to the Wood- bury charge. In 1856, we find the name of Richard Hinkle, who endeared himself to us last winter, as junior preacher on the charge. Under the date of 1866 we find this record : "About his time John A. J. Williams, a local preacher, moved from Wilmore to Roaring Spring and joined the society at Maria Forges. Through his efforts a gracious revival of re- ligion was had, which resulted in the conver- sion of about a hundred souls. A new church building was at once projected and located at Roaring Spring. It was dedicated in the fall of 1867, the second date upon the corner stone of this building, by the Rev. J. S. McMurray, assisted by the pastor, Rev. John Morehead. Another charge had been made in the circuit and the charge was now called the Martins- burg charge.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 60

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