Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 3

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 3

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Others who settled along the river about this time were Robert Creswell. Benjamin Jor- don. George and John Welch, John Ferguson, Peter Young, Samuel Ewing, Nicholas Straw, Samuel Fulton (the first prothonotary ) and Leonard Kyler. for whose family Kylertown is named. After the organization of Clear- field county in 1804, the population of this ter- ritory increased rapidly.

Of the many who came then, we mention the following: Thomas Forcey, Joseph Pat- terson (a maker of spinning-wheels). John Moore, William Tate, Robert Maxwell. Wil- liam Kersey, James and Samuel Ardery. Ben- jamin Hartshorn (who built the first tannery in this county), John Bennett, Nun England, William Hepburn, Joseph Spencer. Francis Stephens, Samuel Cochran (an escaped slave), James Gallagher, Hugh Carson, James Moore

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(at whose home the first public religious ser- these courageous and industrious pioneers be- vices were held), the Johnsons, David Wall, came more thickly populated year by year. Large and productive farms were made, good roads built, towns and villages sprang up, un- til today it is hard for us to realize that all this country was once a vast forest. It is harder still for us with our latter day com- forts and luxuries to understand the privations and hardships which these first citizens en- dured. But as we read these names, which have come to stand for so much in our country, state and nation, we are moved to a deeper respect and appreciation of these men who made our country, our prosperity-and even ourselves, possible ! Caleb Davis, Gideon Widemire, Jonathan Wain, Dr. Coleman (who named our Gram- pian Hills). Joseph Boone, Abraham Goos, Nicholas and Henry Kephart, Valentine and David Flegal, Absalom Pierce, John Gearhart, Benjamin and Nicholas Smeal, James Rhea, James McNeil, the McKees, Dunlaps, Cath- carts, Ames, Feltwells, Thompsons, Currys, Williamses and Swans: Robert Collins, Jacob Spencer, William Alexander, Robert and Sam- uel Hagerty, Ignatius Thompson, Moses Nor- ris. John Rowles, Archibald and Robert Shaw, David Hanna, the Smileys, Dillons and Goons.

From this time on, the country opened up by

CHAPTER V

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY

Penn's Division of Pennsylvania into Three Counties-Thirty-sir Counties Formed in 1803- Additions in 1804, Including Clearfield County-The Act in Regard to Same-Annexa- tion of Clearfield to Centre County-Settlement of Jurisdiction-Appointment of Commis- sioners to Select Seat of Justice-The Site Selected and Named Clearfield-Population of the County-Election Laws-Organisation of the Townships and Boroughs -- Histor- ical Society-Clearfield-The County Scat.

In 1682 William Penn divided the original territory of Pennsylvania into three counties --- l'hiladelphia, Bucks and Chester. No other division was made for nearly 50 years, when Lancaster was formed from part of Chester in 1729.

Other counties were created in quick succes- sjon until, in 1803, Pennsylvania was divided into thirty-six counties as follows: Philadel- phia, Bucks. Chester. Lancaster, York, Cum- berland, Berks, Northampton, Bedford, North- umberland, Westmoreland, Washington, Fay- ette, Franklin, Montgomery, Dauphin, Lui- zerne, Huntingdon, Allegheny, Delaware. Mifflin, Somerset, Lycoming, Greene, Wayne, Armstrong. AAdams, Butler, Beaver, Centre, Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Venango, Warren and Indiana.

On the twenty-sixth of March, 1804, by an .Act of Legislature, six new counties were added to these. They were Jefferson, Mc- Kean, Potter, Tioga, Cambria and Clearfield.

The following is that part of the Act refer- ring to the boundaries and erection of Clear- field county :

"Section III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That so much of the county of Lycoming included in the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning where the line dividing Cannon's and Brodhead's district strikes the west branch of the Susquehanna River: thence north along the said district line until a due west course from thence will strike the southeast corner of Mckean county ; thence west along the southern boundary of Mckean county to the line of Jefferson coun- ty : thence southwesterly along the line of Jef- ferson county to where Hunter's district line crosses Sandy Lick Creek; thence south along the district line to the Canoe Place on Susque- hanna River; thence an easterly course to the southwesterly corner of Centre county on the heads of Muchanon Creek: thence down the Muchanon Creek, the several courses thereof to its mouth ; thence down the west branch of the Susquehanna River to the place of beginning. be, and the same is hereby erected into a sep- arate county to be henceforth called Clearfield county, and the place of holding the courts of justice in and for said the county, shall be fixed

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by the Legislature at any place which may be most beneficial and convenient for the said county."

It will be noticed that no mention is made of Huntingdon county, although at that time the lands lying between Moshannon creek and the West branch were a part of Huntingdon coun- ty, so that Clearfield was formed from parts of both Huntingdon and Lycoming counties.

Section VII provided for the appointment of three commissioners to mark the boundaries of the county.

The next section provided : "That as soon as it shall appear by an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants within the counties thus created, that any of them according to the rates which shall then be established for apportion- ing the representation among the several coun- ties of the Commonwealth, shall be entitled to a separate representation, provision shall be made by law for apportioning the said repre- sentation, and enabling such county to be repre- sented separately, and to hold the courts of jus- tice at such place in said county as is, or here- after may be, fixed for holding the same by the Legislature, and to choose their county offi- cers in like manner as the other counties of this Commonwealth."

Section IX required the governor to appoint three trustees "who shall receive proposals in writing for the grant or conveyance of any lands within the county, or the transfer of any other property, or the payment of any money for the use of said county, for fixing the place of holding courts of justice in the county."

And further. in Section XI it is provided "That for the present convenience of the in- habitants of said counties of Clearfield and Mc- Kean and until an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants of the said counties shall be made.

and it shall be otherwise directed by law, the said counties of Clearfield and Mckean shall be and the same are hereby annexed to the county of Centre, and the jurisdiction of the several courts of the county of Centre, and the author- ity of the judges thereof shall extend over, and shall operate and be effectual within said counties of Clearfield and Mckean."

This annexation of Clearfield to Centre in the early days of our county's history chas given rise to the mistaken idea that Clearfield was once a part of Centre county. We hope that the above quotation will correct this im- pression.

It is not strange that a question soon arose as to just how great an extent the officers of Centre county had power in Clearfield county.

This question was settled in 1805 by an Act which announced that the jurisdiction of Cen- tre county justices of the peace did not extend over this county in cases of debts or demands, but provided that the authority of the com- missioners and other officers of Centre county should extend over and be full and effectual in this county. Also, that the inhabitants of this county were entitled to exercise and enjoy the same rights and privileges, and to be subject to the same regulations as if this were a part of Centre county ; and further, that the Centre county officers should keep separate books of the affairs of this county.

By Section IV it is provided "That the county of Clearfield shall be an election dis- trict, and the electors thereof shall hold their general elections at the house of Benjamin Jordon, in the said district, and shall be enti- tled to vote for members of the Federal and State Legislatures, sheriffs, commissioners, and other county officers for Centre county."

The above named district was known as

HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

"Chencleclamousche," and it comprised the en- tire county.

In the year 1803, the governor issued the following order:

"Pennsylvania, ss.

Thomas MeKean

In the name and by the ( Place of the Great Seal.) authority of the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania : Thomas Mckean, Governor of the said Commonwealth. "To Roland Curtin of the County of Centre, John Fleming, of the county of Lycoming, and James Smith of the county of.

"Gentlemen :-

"Sends Greeting.

"Whereas, In and by an Act of the General Assem- bly of this Commonwealth, dated the fourth day of April, instant, it is amongst other things provided, that the governor shall be authorized and empowered to ap- point three disinterested commissioners, who do not reside or own any land in the County of Clearfield, which Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall meet at the house of Benjamin Patton in the town of Bellefonte, on the twentieth day of May next, and from thence proceed to view and determine on the most eligible and proper situation for the seat of jus- tice and public buildings for the county of Clearfield.

"Now Know Ye, That having full confidence in your integrity, judgment and abilities, I have appointed, and by these presents I do appoint you the said Roland Curtin, John Fleming and James Smith, Commission- ers for the purpose aforesaid: Hereby requiring you and each of you, with all convenient dispatch to pro- ceed in the execution of the trust in you reposed as aforesaid, and to make a full and accurate report 'in writing, into the office of the Secretary of the Common- wealth, on or before the first Monday of December next.

"Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the State at Lancaster, this sixth day of April, Anno Dom- ini. 1805, and of the Commonwealth the twenty-ninth. "By the Governor,

"T. M. THOMPSON, "Secretary of the Commonwealth."

These commissioners met as directed on the twentieth of May, at the house of Benjamin Patton in Bellefonte.

Several proposals were made to them and they visited the county in order to examine these localities. They considered the lands of Paul Clover, at the mouth of Anderson creek, those at the junction of Clearfield creek and the Susquehanna, and also the farm of Martin Hoover, about half way between Chenclecla- mousche and Curwensville.

Finally they decided upon the lands of Abrahanı Witmer as a site for the county seat, upon which the Indian town of Chencleclam- ousche had stood.

Abraham Witmer, who was a resident of Lancaster, gave a town lot for the court-house, another for the jail, one for a market, and three for an academy.

Besides all this land, he contributed three thousand dollars, half of which was to be used in erecting the public buildings and the other half for the use of an academy or public school.

The Commissioners made the following re- port to the Governor as soon as the location was decided upon :

"SIR :- By virtue of an act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled, 'An act authorizing the appointment of Commissioners to fix upon a proper site, for the seat of justice in Clear- field county.'

"We, the subscribers, appointed by his excellency, the governor, agrceable to the provisions of the above mentioned act, passed on the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five -Report, That agreeable to the provisions of the above mentioned act, we met in the house of Benjamin Pat- ton, in the town of Bellefonte, on the twentieth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and five, and after receiving the different proposals made by several per- sons, proceeded to view and determine on the most eligible and proper situation for the seat of justice and public buildings for the said county of Clearfield, and do find that the old town of Chineleclamouse in the said county (the property of Abraham Witmer of the township of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) situated on the south

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side of the west branch of the Susquehanna river in the county aforesaid, is the most eligible and proper situation for the seat of justice and public buildings in the said county; and that we have laid out the said town; and we also further report that we have received from the said Abraham Witmer, his bond, which is hereto annexed for the conveyance of certain lots and the payment of certain sums of money at the time and for the purpose therein mentioned.

"We are with respect your humble servants,

"ROLAND CURTIN, "JNO. FLEMING, "JAS. SMITH.

"To Thomas Mckean,

"Thompson, Esq., Secy."

The proceedings of the General Assembly, following and relating to the report of the Commissioners, confirmed their report as fol- lows: "The commissioners appointed by this act fixed the place of holding the courts, etc., on lands of Abraham Witmer, at Chinglegla- mouch, old town, on the west branch of Sus- quehanna, and the new county town is now laid out and called Clearfield."

The elections of the district of "Chencle- clamousche" (which embraced the entire coun- ty) were appointed to be held at the house of Benjamin Jordon; the counties of Lycoming, Centre, Clearfield, McKean, Tioga, and Potter, having an aggregate of four thousand five hun- dred taxables, were entitled to have one mem- ber in the State Senate, while Centre, Clear- field and Mckean counties were entitled by number of taxables to one member of the House of Representatives.

Clearfield County itself, by the enumeration of taxable inhabitants in 1806, was found to have a total of 104, sixteen of whom were single.

The township of Chincleclamouschie was di- vided in 1807, and two new townships, Bec- caria and Bradford, were formed.

The next enumeration of taxables, in 1808, showed Chincleclamousche to have III, Brad- ford 36 and Beccaria 28-a total of 175, which proved that the county taxables had increased in two years by just 71 !

In 1812 the General Assembly passed a law providing that the electors of the county be authorized to choose Commissioners at the next election, in October, and "that the powers and authority of the Commissioners of Centre county over Clearfield county cease and deter- mine, except the provision relating to the se- lection of jurors, in which case the Commis- sioners of Centre county shall retain jurisdic- tion in the county."

Finally, the limited organization of the county was made complete by the Act approved January 29th, 1822, by which Clearfield coun- ty became entitled to all the rights and privi- leges of other counties of the State. It also authorized that courts should be held in the county, the Courts of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and "such other courts as by law are authorized." The first term of court was ap- pointed to be held the following October, and all suits already commenced by citizens of the county, and then pending, were transferred from Centre to Clearfield county, but all coun- ty prisoners were left in the Bellefonte jail un- til one could be erected in Clearfield.

In the 106 years which have elapsed since the organization of our county, it has grown from a poorly organized, sparsely populated group of three townships, having in all a tax- able population of 175, to the splendid organ- ization comprising 30 rich townships and 20 prosperous boroughs, with a total population of nearly 100,000 which we know today as Clearfield county !

HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS.

From the time of its organization until the year 1807, Clearfield County had but one town- ship, known by the Indian name of "Chincle- clamousche." This township comprised the entire territory of the county, and had a taxa- ble population of 104.

This arrangement was found to be very in- convenient, for often citizens, in order to vote, had to travel a distance of from fifteen to thirty miles to the place of holding elections- a distance which was most difficult to cover in those days of few and almost impassable roads.

So, in 1807 two divisions were made of old Chincleclamousche, and the townships Brad- ford and Beccaria were formed from the part south and east of the West Branch.

This was better than before, but soon the voters grew tired of the unnecessary incon- venience arising because of the large territory included in each township. So again Chincle- clamousche was divided and in 1813 Pike and Lawrence townships were made.

For the same reasons of greater convenience Covington and Gibson townships were formed in 1817 from that part of Chincleclamousche lying north of the West Branch.

Gibson township had a brief life, for in 1843 part of it was taken in forming Elk county, and the rest was added to the township ad- joining it.

Sinnamahoning township (afterwards named Fox) was also short-lived. Erected in 1821, part of it was, in 1868, added to Synder township, Jefferson county; part to Horton township, Elk county, and part to Huston township of this county.

From this time on new divisions of the orig-

inal township of Chincleclamousche were made, until that name was dropped altogether.

Following is a list of the present townships in order of their formation: Bradford and Beccaria, 1807; Pike and Lawrence, 1813; Covington, 1817; Brady and Chest, 1826; De- catur, 1828; Girard, 1832; Penn and Jordan, 1834; Bell and Burnside, 1835; Morris, 1836; Boggs, 1838; Ferguson, Huston and Karthaus, 1839; Goshen, 1845; Woodward, 1846; Union, 1848; Knox, 1854; Graham, 1856; Gu- lich, 1858; Bloom, 1860; Pine, 1873; Green- wood, 1875; Sandy, 1878; Bigler, 1882 ; Coop- er, 1884.

Boroughs-The first town to become inde- pendent of its township and to be incorporated was the old town of Chincleclamousche, better known then as "Old Town."

In the year 1840 this village became a bor- ough under the name of Clearfield.

The town of Curwensville, laid out by John Curwen in 1798, was the next to become a bor- ough. It was incorporated as such in 1851, and for seven years Clearfield and Curwens- ville shared the distinction of being the only boroughs in the county.

But in 1858 the hamlet of Lumberville be- came a borough under the name of Lumber City, and in 1859 New Washington and in 1864 Osceola were incorporated.

No other boroughs were added to this list for eight years, when, in 1872, the village of Houtzdale was incorporated. From that year on the number of boroughs increased rapidly and in the following order: Wallaceton, 1873: Burnside, 1874; Newburgh, 1875; Du- Bois and Glen Hope, 1881 ; Chester, Hill, Coal- port, Brisbin and West Clearfield 1883 : Gram- pian, 1885; Mahaffey, 1889; Trautville and Ir- vona, 1890; Ramey, 1893; Westover, 1895.

Second and Market Streets, Clearfield

South Second Street, Cleartich

South First Street, Clearfield

Y. M. C. A. Building, Clearfield

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West Clearfield was consolidated with Clear- field in the year 1901, so that the number of boroughs in the County at the present time is twenty.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CLEARFIELD

COUNTY

The Historical Society of Clearfield County was incorporated August 15th, 1910. The ob- ject of the Society is the collection and preser- vation of historical data pertaining to the nat- ural, civil and literary development of the County of Clearfield.

Membership in the Society is divided into three classes :

Ist. Contributing members.

2nd. Corresponding members.

3rd. Honorary members.

The Contributing membership is limited to thirty persons, residing in Clearfield County, elected by ballot, and who each pay annual dues not less than $5.00.

Corresponding membership consists of per- sons residing in the County and duly elected to membership, who in consideration of their ser- vices or contributions to the Association, are not required to pay dues.

Honorary membership is limited to fifteen persons, not residing in the County of Clear- field, who shall contribute to the Society or the cause of historical research.

Four stated meetings of the Society are held each year, to wit: On the first Mondays of March, June, September and December. At the June meeting, the officers are elected.

This society which has been incorporated, during the preparation of the present history of Clearfield County, will be of great value to the future historian, who may desire some re- liable information in regard to the early his-

tory of the County, and by reference to the records of this society, will be able to ascertain the facts without the great difficulty and delay experienced by the editor of the present history.

The present officers of the Society are as follows :

Thomas H. Murray, President; W. C. Pentz, Vice President; Alexander Paterson, Treasurer ; L. C. Norris, Secretary.

Trustees-Thomas H. Murray, Roland D. Swoope, A. B. Reed, Singleton Bell, John F. Short, A. M. Liveright.

CLEARFIELD-THE COUNTY SEAT

Long before the history of the white man in this region began, there had been an Indian vil- lage on the present site of Clearfield. This group of native huts was called in the Indian tongue "Acht-schingi-clamme," the English of which is, "It almost joins." This referred to the bend in the river at this point. Another interpretation of Acht-schingi-clamme is given in the journal of Bishop Ettwein, who will be mentioned later. He says it signifies "No one tarries here willingly," and has reference to an old Indian legend of an eccentric brave, who hid in the rocks along the river bank and terrified his tribesmen by "appearing in fright- ful shapes."

The few early chroniclers who mentioned Acht-schingi-clamme in their writings, spelled the word as it sounded to them, and so we have the following wide diversity of spelling from which to choose: "Chincleclamoose," "Chinklacamoose," "Shinglemuce," "Shingla- clamush," "Chinglecamonche" and "Chincle- clamousche." The last of these is the one most generally used.

The first recorded history of this ancient

HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

town begins with the French and Indian war, long been recognized as a favorable place for at which time the French started to build a fort at this point. They were attacked by the Eng- lish, and the Indians, themselves, burned their village rather than have it taken by the enemy.

The same year (1758) Frederick Post, a Moravian, passed through the remains of this village on his way to the Ohio to confer with the Indians there. Of the fourteen years which intervened from this time until the flight of the Moravians to Ohio, we have no history.

In 1772 this band of 151 souls set forth on their long journey from the banks of the North Branch to the Ohio.

They were divided into two companies, one of which was in the charge of Bishop John Ettwein. The latter kept a careful journal of daily events, from which we quote the follow- ing: "Tuesday, July 14th-Reached Clear- field Creek, where the buffalos formerly cleared large tracts of undergrowth so as to give them the appearance of cleared fields. Hence the Indians called the creek "Clearfield." This repudiates the theory that the Indians, themselves, cleared fields here, as is generally understood. Here again recorded history ceases, and for twenty-five years we have no facts concerning this spot.

In 1797, Daniel Ogden and his son, Mat- thew, came "up the river" and settled near the ruins of old "Chincleclamousche." Here other settlers came in the next few years, and a little settlement called "Old Town," sprang up. This name referred, of course, to the ancient Indian village.

After the organization of Clearfield County in 1804, the next step was to decide upon the location for a county seat. It was quite nat- ural that the site of "Old Town," located at al- most the exact centre of the county and having

dwellings, should be selected for this purpose. Most of the land belonged to Abraham Wit- mer, of Lancaster county, who donated several lots and three thousand dollars for the erection of public buildings. The town now received the name of Clearfield and was laid out in the following way: Market street, the main street running east and west, was laid on the old Milesburg road, and the northern and southern limits of the town lay two squares on each side of this street. Walnut and Locust lay parallel to Market on the North, and Cher- ry and Pine on the South. The river formed the western boundary and streets ran north and south as follows: Water street, Front or First street, Second street, Third street and Fourth street, which formed the eastern boundary.

The first jail was built on Second street, near Cherry. It was a very rude structure of logs, but it was used until the erection of a new jail, on the site of the present Opera house block. This was used until 1870, when the jail now in use was erected.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 3

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1040