USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 28
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The oldest Baptist church in the county is the one at Curwensville, founded in 1836.
The largest Baptist church in the county is the Zion church, which maintains four places of worship-Ansonville, Marion, Bell's Landing and Kerrmoor. There are in all fourteen Baptist churches in the county.
Clearfield county is not a Baptist strong- hold; but commendable progress is being made, and only one church now reports a smaller membership than it did ten years ago. The average annual rate of increase is three per cent. There are today one- third more Baptists in Clearfield county than there were ten years ago.
Evangelical Lutheran Church (English) -In the year 1832, Father Phillip Geulich, called the "Father of Lutheranism," in Clearfield county, began to preach monthly to the people of Luthersburg, in Brady township. Ten years later a Union church
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First Methodist Church, Clearfield
Lutheran Church, Clearlich
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Presbyterian Church, Cleartiek
St. Francis Church, Cleartich
St. Francis School, Clearfield
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was built by the German Lutherans and Reformers, and services were held there by all branches of the Lutheran faith. In 1845 the first English Evangelical Lutheran church in the county was built near Luth- ersburg.
Since that time this denomination has grown greatly in membership, and there are now about twenty-two English Evangelical Lutheran churches in Clearfield county. They are united with the Allegheny Synod.
The Catholic Church-As early as 1815, priests of the Roman Catholic church visited this county for the purpose of saying mass for the few members of that faith who re- sided here. But it was not until 1830 that a church building was erected at Clearfield. Some years later, about 1841, another Cath- olic church was built at Frenchville. These were the only Catholic churches in the county for many years but when the min- eral resources of the county began to be mined, a foreign population, largely of the Catholic faith, came into this region, includ- ing many Greek Catholics.
Since that time the number of the Catho- lics has steadily increased, until they have a membership of about twenty thousand, and thirty church edifices.
Protestant Episcopal Church-Although services were held in this county as early as 1832, no regular organization of the Protes- tant Episcopal church was made until 1849, when a church of that faith was established at Clearfield.
In 1851 a church building was erected, and named St. Andrews. For many years, this was the only Protestant Episcopal church in the county, but in 1884, two more
churches were built-one at DuBois and one at Houtzdale.
Although the growth of the denomina- tion has been very gradual its members are noted for their devotion and loyalty to their faith.
Society of Friends-The first meeting of this Society in the county was held at the home of James Moore, in Penn township, in 1813. Several years later a school-house was built in the vicinity, and here the Friends met for worship until 1824, when a meeting-house was built on a lot donated by James Moore. In 1833 this meeting was regularly established as a monthly meeting by Warrington Monthly Meeting in York county, and the name West Branch was given it.
There are now two Friends meeting- houses in the county-one on the original lot near the town of Grampian, and one in Curwensville, built in 1878.
African Methodist Episcopal Church- There are but two churches of this de- nomination in Clearfield county-one at Curwensville and one at Clearfield. The total membership of these two churches is thirty-two. Although they are few in num- ber they are strong in faith and untiring in their efforts to promote Christianity among their people.
United Brethren Church .- This church has a large membership in various parts of Clear- field county.
One of the earliest churches of this denom- ination was the Shiloh church, organized in 1847. The services of this church were held in Shiloh school-house until 1886, when a large church building was erected.
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There are several other churches of this faith in the eastern townships of the county, and the total membership is very large.
German Reformed Church .- Brady town- ship, with its large German population, is the stronghold of all branches of the Lutheran faith, and the German Reformed Church in Clearfield county had its beginning in that lo- cality. In 1842 the German Lutherans and the members of the Reformed church com- bined forces, and erected a Union church, three miles from Luthersburg. But in 1851 these two congregations could no longer agree. and in 1853, the Reformers erected a church of their own.
A Reformed church was built in DuBois in 1883, and another in Huston township in 1884.
The membership of the denomination is local, confined almost entirely to the north- western section of the county.
Other Religious Denominations .- There are several other religious denominations in Clearfield county, the memberships of which are too small to support regular churches.
Among these are the Dunkards, the Meth- odist Protestants and the Menonites.
The Primitive Methodists, though not large in membership, have several churches through- out the county.
The Salvation Army supports two barracks in the county-one at DuBois and one at Clearfield.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS
There are three Young Men's Christian As- sociations in the county, one at Clearfield and two at DuBois.
The Clearfield Young Men's Christian As-
sociation was incorporated February 11th, 1903. The officers at the time of organiz- ation were as follows :
President, W. D. Bigler ; Vice Presidents, H. B. Powell and A. B. Reed; Secretary, H. E. Trout; Treasurer, Andrew Harwick ; General Secretary, S. W. Smith.
The association owns its building, situ- ated on Second street in a fine location, near the center of the business portion of the town. The building is well equipped with sleeping rooms, a fine bowling alley, a swimming tank, gymnasium, and assembly room.
The association has about one hundred and fifty members and the present officers are as follows :
President, Hon. A. O. Smith ; Vice Pres- idents, H. B. Powell, George R. Bigler ; General Secretary, H. F. Beck; Recording Secretary, William Bigler; Treasurer, A. Harwick : Assistant Treasurer, R. I. Fulton.
Directors-Hon. A. O. Smith, C. T. Kurtz, A. Harwick, W. I. Betts, J. B. Nev- ling, W. P. Sheeder, Geo. R. Bigler, Wil- liam Bigler, A. B. Reed, James Mitchell, J. L. Gilliland, A. K. Wright, H. B. Powell, A. O. Campbell, F. B. Kerr, R. B. Thomp- son, Alfred Graham, Raymond C. Ogden, A. J. Musser, D. B. Lucas, C. B. Porter, Hugh Woodward, Scott McKelvy.
Trustees-Thomas H. Murray, C. W. Smith, F. B. Row, H. J. Flegal, B. F. Chase, W. C. Miller.
The DuBois Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation was incorporated November 5th, 1894. Austin Blakslee is the president of the As- sociation and it has a board of directors, composed of prominent business men of DuBois.
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The Association occupies a desirable building, well equipped for its purposes and it has about two hundred members at the present time.
The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Rail- way Young Men's Christian Association was organized by the officials of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railway Company in order to furnish a suitable place of rec-
reation and rest for their employees in and about Du Bois.
The Railway Company has been very liberal in the support of the Institution. The Association has a fine building, well equipped with the necessary facilities for carrying on its work.
R. L. Bogardus is the secretary. The Association now has several hundred mem- bers.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE TOWNSHIPS
Sketches of the Different townships-When erected-Boundaries-Population-Occupation of the Inhabitants, etc.
BECCARIA TOWNSHIP'
This Township is situated in the southern part of the county, having for its southern boundary the dividing line between Clearfield and Cambria counties, and being bounded on the east by Gulich Township, west by Chest and Jordan Townships and north by Bigler Township.
This township was one of the earliest set- tled in the County, but was not created into a township until 1807. It was named in honor of the distinguished Marquis DeBeccaria. The township was erected by a decree of the Court of Centre County to which county Clear- field County was attached at that time for jul- dicial purposes.
The principal industries of the township arc the mining of bituminous coal and agriculture. The population, according to the census of 1910 was 3.095.
The first settler in this township was un- doubtedly Captain Edward Ricketts, an old Revolutionary soldier, who in the latter part of 1798 or the spring of 1799, in company with The first, or one of the first roads in the township was cut across the mountain to Ty- rone in 1813. This was for hauling shingles, the first product of the cut timber. About this time also the first saw-mills were erected, Samuel Turner putting up a saw-and grist-mill a party of Indians, came to the place now known as Keaggy's Dead Water, on Clear- field Creek. His first stay was brief, but he subsequently returned, bringing with him his wife. He died not long after his settlement here, partly from the hardships he had en- on Turner Run. Square timber then sold at
dured and partly from an injury received while hunting. It is believed that he was not only the first settler in Beccaria township, but also in Clearfield county. In 1801 he was fol- lowed into the wilderness by his sons James and Edward, the former of whom afterward moved to what is now the site of Utah- ville.
In 1830 when the township was erected it was so thickly covered with timber-chiefly pine, hemlock and oak-that few pioneers were hardy enough to attempt a settlement. Many after a brief stay, allowed their lands to be sold for taxes and moved to other locations. The few who remained permanently, however, in time reaped a rich reward, or at least laid the foundation of an abundant prosperity for their descendants. Such among the pioneers were John Cree, the Carsons, James Ray, the Turners, John Hegarty, John and James Gill. Henry Dillen, Joseph Leonard, James McNeal, Edwin and James Ricketts and Samuel Smiley, all of whom paid taxes on farm land in 1810-12.
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five and six cents per cubic foot, and the best pine boards brought but $6 or $7 per thousand.
The first church was built at Mt. Pleasant, or Utaliville, as it is now called, in 1813, though the township then had less than 75 in- habitants. It was of the Baptist denomina- tion and Dr. John Keaggy was its first pastor. This same Dr. Keaggy during the week was engaged in medical practice. He was killed by a fall from a horse in 1819.
In the next year after the building of the church the first schoolhouse was built, on the site of the building later known as the "Wil- liams schoolhouse." It was of course a log structure and had a clapboard roof.
In 1810 John Gill made the first opening of bituminous coal in this township, discovering a vein 14 inches thick, which he used for black- smith purposes. Other veins were soon opened, Samuel Hagerty making the first opening for shipping purposes. Other inter- ests of the township-its transportation facil- ities, its boroughs, etc., will be found treated of under their respective headings, in other chapters of this volume.
BELL TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized by a decree of Court on May 4th, 1835. It is situated in the extreme western end of the county, having for its western boundary part of the dividing line between Jefferson and Clearfield Counties, and part of the dividing line between Indiana and Clearfield Counties. It is bounded on the north by Brady and on the east by Penn and Greenwood Townships and on the south by Burnside and Chest Townships. The princi- pal occupation of the inhabitants of this Town- ship is agriculture, although in the last few
years some coal operations have been opened up in the township.
The population, according to the census of 1910 was 1682.
The township is well watered by various streams, chief among which are Chest Creek, which enters the township on the southeast and discharges its waters at or near the bor- ough of Mahaffey, on the south or southeast side of the river; North Run and Deer Run, which discharge their waters therein from the south; and Snyder Run, a small tributary of Chest Creek. The streams discharging into the river on the north side are Bear Run, Whiskey Run, Millers Run, and Laurel Run, all of which are small tributaries. The north- ern part of the township is drained by the head- waters of the east branches of the Mahoning, while Curry's Run has its source in the north- east part of the township.
Bell township was settled somewhat slowly, as the tide of emigration came from the count- try down the river, and from the east and northeast, and it was moreover somewhat dis- tant from the county seat. When the natural advantages of the location near the mouth of Chest Creek became better known, however, settlers came in abundance and today their la- bors and those of their descendants are visible in the present thriving borough of Mahaffey.
The pioneer of the township was Johannes Ludwig Snyder, a Revolutionary veteran, who came to this country with his father's family about the time of the French and Indian war. Coming from Lewisburg about 1820, he set- tled on lands on Chest Creek. He died in 1860 at the remarkable age of 115 years. His wife, it is said, lived to the age of 108-a truly, venerable couple.
He was followed soon after by John Smith,
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who built the first schoolhouse about 1827 or 1828, it being succeeded in 1835 by a more pretentious building.
Samuel Sunderlin and family came about 1823. having previously resided in Union county. His improvement was made on the river above the site occupied by McGee's. He was a sterling citizen and the first class leader of the M. E. church.
The McGees, Wetzels and Johnsons came in 1826. the Rev. James McGee coming from Center county. He erected a saw-mill and later a grist mill and in course of time made many substantial improvements in the town- ship, in which example he was followed by the younger member of the family. He died in 1855. Later settlers were John Weaver, Peter Smith, William Ramsey, Thomas Campbell and Nathaniel Sabins. The last mentioned. who came in 1831. was the Nimrod of the set- tlement and many stories are still extant of his prowess in hunting. Mr. Campbell was on the first school directors after the organization of the township in 1835. his son, James A. Campbell being a successful teacher.
Another old settler was Asaph Ellis, who came about 1835. built a saw-mill on the river and engaged in lumbering. He was the first justice of the peace elected after the township was formed.
The Bell family were the pioneers in the upper part of the county. Arthur Bell, Sr., was undoubtedly the second pioneer adven- turer up the West Branch, following Daniel Ogden, whom he assisted in the erection of his cabin. He was known as Squire Bell, being commissioned a justice of the peace by Gov. Thomas Mckean. The township was named for A. Bell. Esq., and his son, Greenwood.
There was no church edifice in Bell township
until the year 1860, when the Methodist Epis- copal society erected a house of worship. Their society had been formed, however, as early as 1830. The Protestant Methodists were also organized about that year, their early services being held in the house of John Weaver.
Mention of the borough of Mahaffey will be found in the succeeding chapter of this volume.
BIGLER TOWNSHIP
This township is of recent formation, having been erected by a decree of court in 1883. The township was named in honor of Hon. Wil- liam Bigler, a former Governor of Pennsyl- vania and who was a citizen of Clearfield County. The history of its early settlement is contained in the histories of Beccaria, Geu- lich, Knox and Woodward townships, from which it was formed.
The township is bounded on the north by Knox and Woodward Townships, on the east by parts of Woodward and Geulich Townships, on the south by parts of Geulich and Beccaria Townships and on the west by parts of Bec- caria and Jordan Townships.
The principal business of the township is the mining of bituminous coal, which is carried on on a very large scale, the principal opera- tions being at Madera, in Bigler Township. This place, situated on the east side of Clear- field Creek, was originally called Puseyville after Charles Pusey who owned a large part of the lands upon which the town is built.
The population, according to the census of 1910 was 4013.
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
This township was erected by a decree of
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court, dated January 14, 1860 and was formed from parts of Penn, Pike, Brady and Union townships. This township is bounded on the north by Union Township, on the east by Pike Township, on the south by Penn Township and on the west by part of Brady Township.
The principal occupation of the people of Bloom Township is agriculture. The popu- lation, according to the census of 1910, was 451.
The township was named in honor of one of its pioneer families, and the descendants of William Bloom are now scattered by hundreds all over the county and in various states. Its surface is generally hilly and mountainous. It is watered by Anderson and Little Anderson Creeks, the former flowing in a generally southeast direction through the eastern and northeastern part of the township, the latter being a tributary stream.
The settlement of the township was slow, owing chiefly to its distance from the river, and also because it was heavily wooded, neces- sitating much labor in the clearing of farms. Among its first settlers were Isaac Rodden, who settled on lands along the line of the turn- pike in 1815, and who had a numerous fami- ily. He was a man noted for his ceremonious transaction of business. James Bloom, son of William Bloom, the pioneer, was a prominent man in the affairs of the township and was an associate judge of the county. He was pro- prietor of the "Forest House," on the "pike," and also postmaster, his place being a post of- fice station.
same time, and lived about a mile south of the hotel. He was a great hunter and kept a num- ber of dogs of various kinds.
John Ellinger settled in the eastern part of the township, coming from Brady. He was still living at an advanced age in 1887. The turnpike to which reference has been made was the Susquehanna and Waterford Turnpike road, incorporated in 1818. It was not long in use, however, being superseded by others. An- other turnpike company was incorporated in 1828 and was known as the Snow Shoe and Packersville Turnpike Co. The town of Packersville, now extinct, was named after Isaac Packer, a person of some prominence in the early days in this region. He built and operated a hotel at this place, which was torn down about 1777 by Henry Reams. John Neeper was the second proprietor of the hotel. Henry Reams was the first class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which belonged also the families of Squire Smith, Joseph Whit- more, William Henry and others.
The Methodist Protestants also held early meetings in the "Greenville" schoolhouse, James Cleary, who officiated for a time as a preacher, being a leading member of the so- ciety. Other members of this society were John Ellinger, John Bilger, Isaac Thompson (a local preacher), George Leech and others. The United Brethren, Baptists and Dunkards have also at different times mustered some strength in the township, but in view of the total population of the township, none of these societies have at any time been large or pow- erful.
Jonathan Taylor, a blacksmith, was another pioneer, who lived for a time on the site on The township has adequate schools with effi- cient teachers, being as well provided for in this respect as any other township, in propor- which the Forest house was built. He had a large family. Another man of large family was James McWilliams, who came about the tion to its size. The inhabitants are quiet and
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orderly and as a whole represent a good class same year on the banks of Clearfield creek, as of citizenship. also did George Wilson.
BOGGS TOWNSHIP
This township is situated in the eastern part of the County and is bounded on the north by Bradford and Lawrence Townships, east by Graham and Morris Townships and a part of Decatur Township, south by Decatur and Woodward Townships and a part of Knox Township, and west by Knox and Lawrence Townships. The township is about nine and one-half miles from east to west by four and one-half miles from north to south. It was erected by a decree of court in 1838; the exact date cannot be given, because the original pa- pers have been lost or mislaid in the prothono- tary's office.
The principal occupation of the inhabitants of this township is agriculture. The popula- tion, according to the census of 1910, was 1154.
The earlier history of Boggs township be- longs to Bradford township, of which it was formerly a part. George Shimmel made a set- tlement on lands about half a mile from the present borough of Wallaceton in the year 1810. In the same year Peter Shimmel began clearing a farm on the old State road, near the point known as Maple Springs. Henry Shim- mel, another member of the same family, began improvements in the same year.
Henry Folk began a clearing in the forest on the present site of Wallaceton in 1813. be- ing the pioneer in this work. In the same year Abraham Hess came from York county, set- tling on the east side of Clearfield creek. An- other pioneer of 1813 was Nimrod Derrick, who made a clearing on the old State road. Abraham Lits also began improvements in the
The following year, 1814, saw the advent of Andrew Kephart and Jacob Haney. who be- gan clearing land on the old State road, George Wilson in the same year building a saw-mill near the mouth of Long Run.
The first tavern in the township was built by Alexander Stone in 1820, on the line of the old Erie turnpike, William Lamadue building another on the pike about the same time, which would seem to indicate that there was then a fair amount of travel over the pike.
The Millwood farm was made in 1820 on the road leading from Philipsburg to Clear- field, the road, however, not having yet been built : and in the following year Bresaler's tavern, on the Erie turnpike, was built.
In 1815 the Elder saw-mills and carding- machine were erected near the mouth of Little Clearfield Creek, and began operation. Abra- ham Elder's saw-mill, located a short distance from Blue Ball, was built in 1828. The saw- mill of Jerry Smeal, at Blue Ball, was built in 1838. These were the most important settle- ments and improvements made before the erec- tion of the township.
The first election was held in 1838, with the following result : Supervisors, William Lamadue and Abraham Hess: constable, Geo. McCord: overseers, Jacob Haney and John Beers : school directors, George Wilson, George Turner, George Goss, George Shimmel, John L. Gearhart and Abraham Hess.
In 1839 the township had a population of less than 225 persons.
In 1840 Warren's saw-mill was built on Laurel Run. In 1860 Thompson's grist-mill was built on Morgan Run.
The surface of Boggs township is hilly and
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rough, though it has less of the mountainous formation than may be found in some other localities in the county. The chief stream is Clearfield Creek, which forms the western boundary for a few miles, and which has a number of tributaries, the northern one of these being Long Run. Morgan Run is prob- ably the largest tributary of Clearfield Creek lying within the township, and as the lands ad- jacent have produced fine timber, many saw- mills have been erected on it. Other streams watering the township are Camp Hope Run, Sanborn Run and Raccoon Run. all of which discharge into Clearfield Creek.
Boggs township is amply supplied with good schools and teachers. Several church socie- ties are represented, the United Brethren building their first church edifice in 1848, about two miles west of Wallacetown borough, from which parent society several others have since grown. The borough of Wallaceton will be found treated of in the succeeding chapter.
BRADFORD TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by a decree of the court of Centre County made at August Ses- sions, 1807. Clearfield County being at that time attached to Centre County for judicial purposes.
The township was named Bradford in honor of former surveyor-general. William Bradford of Pennsylvania. The township is bounded on the north by parts of Goshen Township and Girard Township, east by Graham Township, south by Boggs Township and west by Law- rence Township and part of Goshen Township.
Many of the people of Bradford Township are employed in the fire brick works at Wood- land and Mineral Spring, and in addition to this industry, the principal business is farming.
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