USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 29
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The population of the township, according to the census of 1910, was 2250.
The course of the West Branch of the Sus- quehanna river, which separates this township on the north from Goshen and Girard town- ships, is very tortuous and winding. Clear- field Creek passes on the west side, just touch- ing the township and dividing it at that point from Lawrence. The largest stream having its course within the township is Roaring Run, which drains the whole southern and south- west portion and has several tributaries, name- ly Fork Valley Run and Forcey's Run, on the north, and Jake's Run on the south. The streams discharging their waters directly into the river are Abe's Run, Devil's Run, Millstone Run, Bear Run and Moravian Run, the last mentioned, however, running but a short dis- tance through the township. Graffius's Run is a tributary of Moravian Run.
The surface of the land generally is very hilly, but not mountainous, some of the best producing lands being classed as "hill farms."
The population of the township, as origin- ally laid out, did not exceed, in all probability, 175 persons. There were 34 taxable inhabit- ants in 1809. besides three single freemen. At that time there was neither saw nor grist mill in the entire township. The year 1812 showed a slight decrease in the number of taxables. Many whose names appeared on the early rolls resided in that part of Bradford, which was subsequently erected into the townships of De- catur. Morris and Boggs, among them being Robert Ross, formerly of Huntingdon county, who settled about 1812 on the river, above the mouth of Trout Run. Many of his de- scendants are still living in this and other townships.
Matthew Forcey came to Bradford from old
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY
Chincleclamousche township, settling south of Clearfield town in the year 1804, and in Brad- ford about 1813 or 1814. His descendants have been numerous and some have been very prominent in the business life of the county.
Among other early settlers were Robert Gra- ham, who came in 1811 from Lawrence town- ship; Jacob Hoover, who settled in the eastern part of the township; two by the name of Samuel Turner, one coming in 1812 and the other in 1824; the Hurd family, who settled early in the eastern part of the township; John Dale, a hatter, who subsequently lived on the Hurd place; John Kyler, who located on the Susquehanna pike, between Wallaceton and Bigler : Absalom Pierce, who was the as- sessor of the township in 1812 and who lived in the vicinity of Bigler station; John Wool- ridge, a native of England, who located on the Clearfield road, about two and a half miles from Woodland: John Shirey, who settled in the Graham neighborhood; Richard Shaw, a pioneer of the Mt. Joy Ridges; David Wilson, who owned a farm adjoining Graham's ; Archie Campbell, John Stewart, the Graffiusses, May- hews, the Burges and others.
Owing to the numerous streams and the growth of the lumber industry, Bradford town- ship lands were taken up very rapidly about and subsequent to 1820. Numerous saw-mills appeared and the locality of Grahamton became thickly settled and manufactories were built there, largely through the enterprise of the Graham family. The construction also of the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad gave rise to the towns of Woodland and Bigler, in the for- mer of which places the Woodland Fire Brick Company established an extensive plant.
The township is well provided with churches and schools, the Methodists, Presbyterians and
United Brethren being especially represented among the religious population.
BRADY TOWNSHIP.
This township was named in honor of Cap- tain Samuel Brady, a noted Indian fighter and a mighty hunter. The township was organ- ized in 1826 and is situated in the northwest corner of the county and about 2000 feet above the sea level.
It is bounded on the north by Sandy Town- ship on the east by Union and Bloom Town- ships, on the south by part of Penn Township and Bell Township and on the West by part of the dividing line between Jefferson and Clearfield Counties. The surface is somewhat hilly with a gentle slope to the westward and there are many excellent springs, some of which are mineral. There is considerable coal development in the township but the principal business of its inhabitants is agriculture. Much valuable timber was destroyed in the process of clearing the farms. The popula- tion, according to the census of 1910 was 2823. The township is traversed by the B., R. & P. and the B. & S. Railroads.
The first white settler of this township was James Woodside, a native of Chester county, Pa. He located on a tract of land situated on the head waters of Stump Creek, which was surveyed to him in July, 1785, which was known as the "Woodside" and later as the Luther place. Here for twenty-two years he had no neighbors but the Red men of the for- est. He was then cheered by the advent of a new white settler, Joab Ogden, who located a mile further down the creek-this was in 1807, on the spot which afterwards became the site of Carlisle station on the B. R. & P. Rail- road.
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In 1812 George, Michael and Frederick Scheffer settled on Sandy Lick Creek, George locating on land that is now a part of the site of DuBois. Fred and Michael located a few miles further up the creek.
James, Benjamin and Thomas Carson came in 1814. In 1820 Lebbeus Luther, a native of Massachusetts, bought and settled on a tract of land located where Luthersburg now stands, the place being named after him. He was ap- pointed by Messrs. Fox & Co., who owned thousands of acres in this section, as agent to dispose of their lands. He made his first sale to Benjamin Bonsall, who came from Perry county in 1824. About this time also Freder- ick Zeigler, came from Center county and set- tled on what was later known as the "Thomp- son" place. Mr. Bonsall was appointed first justice of the peace after the organization of the township in 1826.
John Carlisle, who came from Lebanon coun- ty, was another settler on the site of Luthers- burglı.
In 1830 Jacob Kuntz, a native of Germany, settled near where the Reformed church was later erected. The year 1831 saw the advent of the Knarrs, Weisgerbers, Wingerts, Korbs, and Yoases, Jacob Trautwein coming in the following year. These settlers were soon fol- lowed by many others, whose names we have not space to record. Many of these early set- tlers "squatted" on land-that is, took posses- sion of it, without knowing to whom it be- longed, and by keeping undisputed possession of it for 21 years became the lawful owners.
The first mill in the township was Ogden's (near Carlisle Station). Two famous hunters among the early settlers were Fred Zeigler and "Uncle Billy" Long. Another excellent marksman was Lebbeus Luther. All these
men could tell great hunting stories, and, as game was exceedingly plentiful, did not have to draw much on their imagination, as modern Nimrods are so often accused of doing.
Luthersburgh was the first post office es- tablished in Brady township, dating back to the completion of the turnpike about 1820. David Irvin was the first postmaster. Trout- ville post office was established in 1857 to 1858, the first postmaster being Jacob Kuntz. The town had been laid out three years previous to this time, and was named, it is said, by Rev. John Reams, in honor of Jacob Trautwein, the name as finally adopted being a contraction of Trautweinville, which was found to be incon- veniently long.
Joab Ogden built the first grist mill in the township, some time previous to 1830, though the exact date is not now known. About 1849-50 Jacob Kuntz built a grist mill on East Branch (of Mahoning) a mile and a half south of Troutville ; this was later known as Rishel's mill. In 1854 Jeremiah built a steam and water-power grist mill on the head waters of Stump creek, two wiles west of Luthersburgh. It was subsequently operated by his son Sam- uel, and afterwards passed through various hands.
The first saw-mill was built, it is said, by Fred Zeigler between 1824 and 1830, Jesse Line's saw-mill being subsequently erected on the same site. The second saw-mill was built by Jeremiah Miles, it being later known as Zeigler's mill.
The first minister who preached in Brady township was a Rev. Mr. Anderson, who came about 1822, and held services in the bar-room of Luther's tavern. He was a Presbyterian. In 1827 came Rev. David Kennison, being sent by the Baltimore conference of the Methodist
17
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY
Episcopal church; he also preached in the tay- ern at Luthersburgh. About the same time came Rev. John Althaus, a Reformed minis- ter from Armstrong county, who made occa- sional visits preaching to the German settlers. These early pastors and others who soon fol- lowed them were the men who organized the religious element of the township and laid the foundation of the moral and religious devel- opment and thriving church societies that exist today in the township, and which in union with good schools, have had so much to do in mould- ing the character of its inhabitants.
BURNSIDE TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by a decree of court May 4th, 1835, and the township was named Burnside in honor of Hon. Thomas Burnside, the President Judge of the Courts of this county and the other counties then com- posing the Fourth Judicial District. The town- ship is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the county. It is bounded on the north by Bell Township, on the east by Chest Township, on the south by part of the dividing line between Cambria and Clearfield counties and on the west by part of the dividing line between Indiana and Clearfield counties. The principal occupation of the people of this township is agriculture.
The population, according to the census of 1910, was 1435-
The whole extent of this township was once covered with many varieties of timber-pine and hemlock, together with oak, chestnut, sugar maple, ash, beech and cherry. About 1827 the early settlers commenced to hew and run rafts of pine timber to market at Marietta, below Harrisburg. In later years it was cut into saw-logs and driven to the booms at Lock
Haven and Williamsport, where it was manu- factured.
The first settler was James Gallaher, who came in 1816, when Burnside was part; of Beccaria township. He held the office of jus- tice of the peace and was legal authority for all the neighborhood for many years. He was a tall active man and retained his faculties to a great age. He died in 1854 aged ninety- five.
Caleb Bailey came about 1820 and made a small improvement and patented about 400 acres of land two miles east of Burnside. He removed in 1826 to Union township. He died about 1886.
George Atchison, it is said, settled on the river bank above Burnside, in 1820, when there was no neighbor nearer than New Washing- ton. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, about 1792, and came to this country to avoid prosecution for poaching under the oppressive game laws of his native land. He was a man of strong character, who did much to mould public opinion in the community in which he had cast his lot. He was a strong anti-slavery man and one of the conductors of the "Underground Railroad." He left the Methodist church and united with the Wes- Jeyan Methodists, because he would not recog- nize the fellowship of slave holders. He died at Cherry Tree after the Civil war. Among later settlers were Samuel McKechan, John Byers with sons Lemuel, John, Samuel and George, with daughter Helen, who married John Mahaffey; Jacob Lee, who came from Center county in 1822, whose house was an early preaching place for the Methodists ; Hugh Riddle, a native of County Down, Irc- land, who came to America in 1798, at the time of the Irish Rebellion, and who married Re-
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becca Lee: David Fulton, from Center county, who settled in 1823 along the river, below the upper Burnside bridge (he was a tailor by trade and died in 1874 aged 87 years) ; John Westover, John Rorabaugh, David Mitchell, Joseph Hutton (1826), John King, Jacob Neff ( 1828), Christopher and Henry Neff and others.
The first preaching in the township was in Mr. Gallaher's cabin, in 1822, by Rev. John Bowen, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Members of the Evangelical church held meetings at an early day at the home of the Breths- Henry Adam and Peter-who came from Alsace, Germany. Camp meetings were held by this society for many years after An account of the boroughs of Burnside and New Washington will be found in the succeed- ing chapter of this volume.
CHEST TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by a decree of court dated October 16th, 1826. It is situ- ated in the southwestern part of the County and is bounded on the north by parts of Green- wood and Bell Townships, on the east by Fer- guson and Jordan Townships and part of Bec- caria Township, on the south by part of the dividing line between Cambria and Clearfield Counties and on the west by Burnside Town- ship. It is one of the oldest townships in the County.
The principal occupation of the inhabitants at the present time is farming. The popula- tion of the township, according to the census of 1910 was 872.
Among the early settlers of this township were Daniel Snider and Lewis Snider, Jr., and Sebastian and Jacob Snider, John Rorabaugh,
Jr., William Ramsay, John Lees, Henry Ross, Jacob P. Lingafelter, John Smith, James Mc- Ghee, Cyrus Thurstin, Elias Hurd, George Smith, Gilbert and Thomas Tozier, B. Tozier, David Rorabaugh, William Carson and Sal- mon T. Tozier, Joseph Michael, Nathaniel N. Sabin and Christopher Rorabaugh.
Valuable timber was found by the early set- tlers, and upon a market being opened, the greater part of it was cut and floated down to market. The settlers in Chest township mainly devoted their attention to farming, the growth of the villages being "slow but sure."
The year 1887 saw the advent of the rail- road, in the extension of Bell's Gap Railroad from Irvona, in Clearfield county, to Punxa- tawney, in Jefferson county, by the Clearfield & Jefferson Railroad Company. A branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad now traverses the western part of the township in an almost northerly and southerly direction.
From the southern boundary, through the whole length of the township, and to the north- western corner, flows Chest Creek, which has its source in Cambria county. Situated on this creek were some of the oldest lumber camps in the township. The creek is usually tortuous, and the difficulties attendant upon the float- ing of rafts on its waters, resulted in the sud- ren death of many an old time raftsman.
Upon the banks of Chest creek, near the northern boundary of the county, a settlement was made in early days which was first called Hurd's Post office, deriving its name from the Hurd family which lived in the vicinity, and where the first dwelling was erected by Henry Hurd. This town was incorporated in 1885 as Newburg borough, and further notice of it may be found in the chapter on Boroughs, which follows the present chapter. In the same
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY
chapter may also be found a notice of the other flourishing borough of Westover.
COVINGTON TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by a decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Centre County, to which Clearfield County was at that time attached for judicial purposes, at April Ses- sions 1817. The Township is situated in the Northeastern part of the County and is bounded on the north by part of the dividing line between the counties of Cambria and Clearfield, east by Karthaus Township, south by Cooper and Graham Townships and west by Girard Township.
This township was largely settled by people of French descent, the principal occupation of its people has been agriculture and the township contains some of the finest farms in Clearfield County.
Its population, according to the census of 1910 was 649.
The surface of Covington township is hilly, broken and irregular. The township is well watered and drained,-on the south by the West Branch and its tributaries, Sandy Creek, Mowry's Run and Rock Run. Sandy is a stream of considerable size and has Bigleman Run as its main tributary, besides a number of smaller ones. Mosquito Run forms the drain- age system for the whole northern part of the township, and has been an important factor in the lumbering trade of the upper region. Along the banks of Sandy Run are many fine farms. This stream has also been utilized for water purposes by many saw-mills.
In 1817 Covington township had not over 80 inhabitants. The list of its taxable inhab- itants in that year shows but seventeen names, and of these two were single freemen. They
were as follows: Jonathan Deckion, Freder- ick Geisenhainer, John Hanson, Jacob Michael, John Peters, Andrew Peters, Hugh Rider, William Russell, John Rider, Frederick Rider, Michael Rider, George Rider, J. F. W. Schnars, John Troutman, Harmon Young, the single freemen being John Neff and Michael Rider. Some of the above mentioned were residents of that part of Covington which was set off to the formation of Karthaus township in 1841.
While the earliest settlements in the town- ship were made by the above mentioned per- sons, no active steps were taken towards im- provements, and no material growth in popu- lation was accomplished until some twelve or fifteen years later, at which time the French settlements were begun.
One John Keating owned an extensive tract of land both in Clearfield and Clinton coun- ties, which he offered for sale. The first per- sons to locate on this land, as near as can be ascertained, were Nicholas Roussey and Irene Plubel, who took up lands in the year 1830. They were followed in this vicinity by Francis Courdriet, in 1831, and also by Claude F. Re- naud in the same year. Coudriet became a prominent person in the township and acquired a large estate. Soon after came many other French settlers, among them Peter Mulson, Hyacinthe Mignot, Francis Hugueney, Stephen Hugueney, Peter Brenool, Augustus Gaulin, John B. Fournier, P'. Bergey, Alphonso Le- conte, and others. These French immigrants were, of course, unable to speak English, but were accompanied by an agent, Jacon Weis- kopf. The central point of settlement was in the neighborhood of Frenchville, by which name the locality has always since been distin- guished. Since the date of the French settle-
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
ment many other immigrants have arrived- by the Maurers, who were in turn succeeded by French, German and American. Levi Lutz and others.
Among the early lumber men were Bigler & Powell of Clearfield, Leon M. Coudriet, Au- gustus and Alphonso Leconte. Francis La- Motte built a saw-mill on the Keating lands on Sandy Creek about 1837, and afterwards erected a grist-mill a short distance further down the creek. As help was scarce at that time, his daughters went to work in the mills, and, it is said, turned out both excellent lum- ber and flour. The property afterwards passed into the hands of the Coudriets.
Francis Coudriet built a grist-mill on Sandy about the year 1864. It was supplied with two run of French burr stones of fine quality. The property was purchased by Leon Coudriet at the time of his father's death. Another saw-mill was built on Sandy by Claude Bar- mont about 1845 and afterwards became the property of F. F. Coudriet. The Picard mill. one of the pioneer industries of the township, was built on Sandy Creek by John J. Picard, and was subsequently sold to Leon M. Cou- driet. The firm of L. M. Coudriet & Co. also had another saw-mill built on Sandy, on tract No. 1891, and above this stood the saw-mill of Liegiey & Beauseigneur. 'In 1839 Alphonso Leconte built a sawmill on tract 1892, it sub- sequently becoming the property of Augustus Leconte.
Another pioneer industry of the township was the Flood mill, at the mouth of Sandy Creek, which was builtt when lumbering was in its infancy. One Lutz had an early interest in it, but it afterwards passed into the hands of Lawrence Flood.
One of the first merchants of Covington was Mr. Alexander, who established a store near Frenchville about 1837. He was succeeded
A schoolhouse was established near French- ville about 1838, and it was followed by others at Mulsonburg, Fairmount, Mignot, Union and other places. The French settlers have always shown a disposition to educate themselves in English, rather than in their mother tongue, though French has been occasionally taught in the parochial school. The Rev. Father Leavey was the first priest in the township and said mass at the house of Irene Plubel. He was followed by other missionary priests, Father Oriack coming in 1841-42. About this time or soon after a log church was erected, which subsequently gave place to a more commodi- ous structure-a substantial stone edifice, a few rods north of the Clearfield and Karthaus road. The Evangelical Lutheran church was built at Keewaydin in 1869, during the pas- torate of Rev. Samuel Croft, a substantial par- sonage being also built. This was an offshoot from the Lutheran Church Society, whose house of worship was erected on Karthaus Hill.
Other interests of the township may be found mentioned under their respective head- ings in other parts of this volume.
COOPER TOWNSHIP
This township was erected from Morris township by a decree of the Court of Quarter' Sessions, dated the 18th day of January, 1884. The township was named in honor of the Cooper family, who were among the earliest settlers in the locality, Daniel Cooper having located near Kylertown, in 1828.
The township is bounded on the north by Karthaus Township and part of the dividing line between Centre and Clearfield Counties, which line also constitutes its western and
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY
southern boundaries, it is bounded on the west by parts of Morris and Graham Townships.
Valuable deposits of coal have been found in this township and are being operated at the present time. There are also many fine farms in the township. The population according to the census of 1910 was 5713.
Cooper is one of the youngest townships in the county and its earlier history therefore be- longs to Morris township, from which it was taken. It has had a considerable increase in population, as in the year 1887 it contained but 375 taxables, the increase having been due to the development of its coal and other mineral resources. The village of Kylertown is named from an old and highly respected fam- ily that settled in the locality many years ago, substantial representatives of which are still living. The other settlements are West Cly- mer. Winburne and Peale.
DECATUR TOWNSHIP
This township was formed in 1828, by di- viding Bradford township, and was named in honor of Admiral Stephen Decatur. The township is bounded on the north by Boggs and Morris townships, on the east by part of the dividing line between Centre and Clear- field counties, on the south by Osceola Bor- ough and Woodward township and on the west by Woodward township.
In the territory embraced in this township was one of the earliest settlements made in the county. Abraham Goss having located in the year 1797, at what is now called "Stump Town." There are also a number of coal op- erations in this township, also some well culti- vated farms.
1
The population of the township, according to the census of 1910 was 3.562.
This township, covered with magnificent forests of pine and hemlock, early attracted the attention of settlers. The greater part of the lands were owned by Hardman Philips, an Englishman, who settled in and gave his name 10 Philipsburg, a town in Centre county, where he also owned thousands of acres.
Mr. Goss, above mentioned as the pioneer settler at Stump Town, had a large family of thirteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity and assisted in settling the township. Ilis son, Abram, was living in 1887 at Osce- ola Mills, surrounded by numerous descend- ants.
Valentine Flegel came about 1800, his farm occupying the site subsequently occupied by the Steiner estate. He was an M. E. local preacher, and held services at "Goss's" as early as 1815.
.A man named Crane bought a tract of land from Mr. Philips and established a colony of negroes, but the settlement was a failure, ow- ing to the ravages made among these dusky sons of toil by disease.
Elijah Reece, an Englishman, settled on lands subsequently occupied by "Victor No. 3 colliery," coming in 1816, accompanied by his young wife. They' had three sons and two daughters, one of the latter marrying Rev. Harvey Shaw, a Presbyterian missionary to Mexico. Mrs. Reece died in 1873 and her husband in 1883.
Other settlers were James Reams, who lo- cated at the head of coal run in 1834; Henry Kephart, who located two and a half miles north of Osceola Mills, before 1803, and who had a numerous family ; John Crowell, whose farm was absorbed by the Logan and Logan Ridge collieries; and others, some of which settled in that part of Decatur which after-
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