Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 34

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 34

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).

Among the others of the old settlers of Penn township, and who came in about or soon after the year 1810, were the families of Samuel Johnson. David Wall, Caleb Davis, Gideon Widmire, Jonathan Wall, Joseph Giddings, Jonathan Taylor, David Allen and others from time to time, down to the erection of the town- ship, in the year 1835, and later.

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PIKE TOWNSHIP

This township was erected by a decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Centre Coun- ty, to which Clearfield County was then at- tached for judicial purposes, dated November Sessions 1813, and was named in honor of General Zebulon Pike, an officer in the United States Army, during the War of 1812.

The township is bounded on the north by Pine Township, on the east by Lawrence township, on the south by Knox Township and west by Bloom, Penn and Ferguson Townships.

The township contains many fine and well cultivated farms, also many fine coal and fire clay deposits, which are now being operated on an extensive scale.

The population, according to the census of 1910, was 1671.

The land of Pike township is mostly of a mountainous character, interspersed with nar- row valleys and rolling plateaus, varying in elevation from eleven hundred to fifteen hun- dred feet above the sea level, and presenting many beautiful scenic effects. On the high table lands, and along the river valley, are lo- cated some of the most productive farms in the county, and despite the extensive lumbering operations of the past many fine bodies of tim- ber still exist.

Paul Clover was probably the first settler in the township, having arrived in 1797, and built a house and blacksmith shop where the "corner store," in Curwensville, now stands. Thomas McClure, William McNaul, Elisha Fenton, the Blooms, Spencers, Moores, John Smith, Robert Ross, Samuel Caldwell, William Dunlap, the Hartshorns, Robert Maxwell, Dr. J. P. Hoyt, James McCracken, the Rolls, Hugh Hall, John and William Irvin, Arthur Bell,

John Patton, Sr., and Daniel Barrett, were among the early pioneers.

Dr. J. P. Hoyt came to Clearfield county from Halfmoon Valley, in Centre county, about the year 1814, and located at Curwens- ville. Here he remained for some years, and then removed to a property near Lumber City. He was a man of strict integrity, and by a long life of industry and excellent business abilities accumulated considerable property, which he lived many years to enjoy, dying at the ripe age of ninety-one years.

John Patton, Sr., was born in Philadelphia, in 1783; moved to Curwensville in 1828; he served as associate judge of the county for five years; was justice of the peace for a number of years, and died in 1848, aged sixty-five years.

Jason Kirk, Sr., came to Clearfield county about 1812; settled in what is now Penn town- ship, at that time in Pike, and was one of the most respected citizens, living to an old age, and leaving a large family.

Samuel Caldwell was one of the first set- tlers, arriving about 1804. He was an influ- ential citizen, and left a considerable family.

John W. McNaul and his wife, Sarah, née Ferguson, emigrated from the northern part of Ireland to this country in about 1793. Mr. McNaul was a Scotchman. On landing in this country they resided, for a short time, in Ches- ter county, thence removing to Lock Haven, and later living in Nittany Valley. Of their eight children, Margaret, James, John and Ann were born in Ireland, William, Alexander, Zachariah, and Mary, were born in this coun- try. WilliamMcNaul was a tanner, and first started business on his own account in Half- moon, Centre county, where he married Han- nah Way. In the fall of 1813, he, in compa-

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ny with Dr. John P. Hoyt ( then a young phys- ician practicing in Halfmoon), started on horse- back, one snowy morning, to cross the moun- tains and see the famous new town of Cur- wensville, recently laid out by John F. Curwen. Early in the following spring William McNaul, with his family, moved to Curwensville, occu- pying a log house located on the lot where the residence of Mrs. Martha Thompson now is. He soon proceeded to erect a house on the site of the present McNaul residence. He also built the tannery adjoining. His children were: Robert, Zachariah, Jane, Urbane, Lydia, John and Mary. The MeNauls belong to the Society of Friends, and are most highly respected both at home and abroad.

The Hartshorn family is one of the oldest, and is widely connected, and as a class are model, respectable citizens. Benjamin Harts- horn, Sr., was born in 1765. He married Is- abella McClure, and they emigrated from Mary- land to Centre county in the year 1796. In 1806 he moved his family to Clearfield county, living on the land now known as the Jonathan Hartshorn farm. This was then nothing but woods, and the family endured untold hard- ships before a home could be provided. The children were: Margaret, Anna, Jonathan, William, Benjamin, Nancy, Eliza and Mary Ann, all of whom married, and whose families reside in or near Curwensville.

AAbout the year 1750 the family of Spen- cers emigrated from England to America. In 1808 Joseph Spencer, Sr., moved from North- umberland county to Clearfield county. His family consisted of three sons-Samuel, Joseph, and Jesse-and three daughters. From Ben- jamin Fenton he purchased four hundred and forty acres of land, which was in its primitive state, excepting two acres which was cleared,

and had a small log house upon it. The tract was situated between the present site of the village of Pennville and Susquehanna Riv- er, about one mile south of Pennville. This was divided into four farms, the father retain- ing one and setting apart a farm of corre- sponding size for each of his three sons. Most of the family were and are consistent mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and are emi- nently respectable and prosperous citizens.

The Blooms, as a class, are worthy citizens ; almost all farmers, and are the largest or one of the largest families in Clearfield county. William Bloom, Sr., was born in Germany, in 1752 and emigrated to this country at an un- certain time, reaching Clearfield county in 1801. Previous to this he had been in the State of New Jersey, also in Centre county, Pa. Dur- ing the Revolutionary War he served for some time in the ranks. In 1778 he married Mary Metter, who was born in 1754. The pioneer Bloom came to Clearfield county alone, and settled one mile up the river from Curwens- ville. Pike township is the stronghold of the Blooms. Probably two-thirds of the family are located here.

Andrew Moore, Sr., emigrated to America from Ireland in 1688, and settled in Chester county. Pa. James, the second son of Andrew Moore, Jr., was born January 8, 1760. at Sads- bury, Chester county. He married in 1785, Lydia, daughter of Abram and Anna Sharpless. In 1795, they removed to Halfmoon, Centre county, and in 1810, James, with his son Jer- emialı and daughter Lydia, started on foot across the mountains, and in due time arrived at the site of Pennville, in Penn township, Clearfield county. He purchased three hun- dred and seventy-five acres of land; built a cabin. and commenced clearing : the rest of the

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family following. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and trained up his family in that religious faith.

In 1809 Dr. Samuel Coleman settled on a tract of three hundred acres north of the site of Pennville. Dr. Coleman was a Scotchman, and had no family. He gave the name of "Grampian Hills" to his place, remarking that it reminded him of the renowned hills of the same name in Scotland. He held office about the time of the organization of the county, being clerk to the county commissioners. His grave is on the farm of Colonel Miller, of Penn township. At the last meeting of the "County Medical Association" a committee was ap- pointed to solicit subscriptions toward erecting a monument to the memory of the pioneer physician of Clearfield county.

The first assessment of the township was made in 1814, and contains the following names: Robert Askey, David Allen, George Brown, Alex. Caldwell, Sam'l Cochran, Jesse Cookson, Wm. Bloom, Jr., Joseph Bloom, Ca- leb Bailey, Benj. Bloom, John Brink, Wm. Bloom, Peter Bloom, John Bloom, Isaac Bloom, John Bell, Arthur Bell, John Bennett, Benj. Carson, Dr. Samuel Coleman. Amos Davis, Wm. Dunlap, Nimrod Derich, David Dunlap, Caleb Davis, Jonathan Evans, Peter Everhart, Joseph Edding. John Fullerton, Da- vid Ferguson, John Ferguson, Jonah Griffith, John Haughenberry. Hugh Hall, Benj, Harts- born, Wm. Hepburn, James Hayes, Saml. Johnson, Mark Miller Jordon. John Kyler, Jason Kirk, John Kirk, David Liggit, Elijah Meredith, Sam'l Miller. Robert Maxwell, Jos. McCracken, Robert McGee, Robert McCrack- en, John McCracken, Thomas McClure, Thos. McCracken, James McCracken, Daniel Mc- Cracken, James Moore, Job Ogden, Job Par-

ker, Merchant; Abraham Passmore, James Reed, Alexander Reed, Jr., Alex. B. Reed, Wm. Reed, John Rolls, blacksmith; Geo. Shaffer, Geo. Shaffer, Jr., Wm. Smith, Nicholas Shaw, John Stuggart, Philip Stuggart, Joseph Spencer, Joseph Spencer, Jr., Sam'l Spencer, Francis Severas, Wm. Tate, James Woodside, David Walls, John Wrigley, merchant; Geo. Williams, weaver; Gideon Widemire, Geo. Welsh, Jacob Wilson. Town lots in Curwensville were assessed at $12.50; cows, $10; horses, $30; unimproved land, and timber at $1 per acre; farm land at $2 to $3 per acre. The early settlers experienced many trials and privation. The roads were but little more than trails through the woods. Indians frequently visited the locality and usually en- camped on the bank of the river. An Indian burial-place was located at the mouth of An- derson Creek, and before the floods had made inroads on the lands, stone arrow-heads, and tomahawks were occasionally found.

In 1819 Mathew Caldwell cut out the first road from Curwensville to Bloomington. The principal towns are Bloomington and Olanta. (For Curwensville borough see succeeding chapter ).

PINE TOWNSHIP

This township was erected by an act of the Legislature approved the Ioth day of April 1873. It has practically no inhabitants and no separate township organization, but for the purpose of taxation, is annexed as a part of Lawrence Township.

The township is bounded on the north by Huston Township, on the east by Lawrence Township, on the south by Pike Township and on the west by Union Township. It consists mostly of a vast wilderness.

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The population of the township, according phia. The nearest mill was on the Clarion to the census of 1910 was 32.

SANDY TOWNSHIP

This township was erected By a decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Clearfield County at September Sessions 1878. It is bounded on the north by part of the dividing line between Jefferson and Clearfield counties and part of the dividing line between Elk and Clearfield Counties, on the east. by Huston and part of Union Townships, on the south by Brady Township, and on the west by part of the dividing line between Jefferson and Clear- field Counties.

The township contains valuable coal depos- its, which have been operated for a number of years, also many valuable farms, and is one of the most prosperous townships in the County.

The population, according to the census of 1910 was 5695.

Prior to 1812 John Casper Stoeber had pre- empted some land in western Pennsylvania, which came in possession of Mr. Stoeber's daughter, who was married to a Mr. Scheffer, father of Michael. George, and Frederick Scheffer (now all dead), and ancestor of the present generations of Shafers-as they now write it-in Sandy township.

In 1812 the senior Scheffer left Dauphin county. Pennsylvania, with his family, and set- tled on the pre-empted land of his father-in-law, John Casper Stoeber, which was situated near the present limits of DuBois, then belonging to Centre county. They landed on May 12, 1812, and on the next day erected a "bark shanty," beside a cooling spring. There was no store nearer than "Old Town"-as Clear- field was then called. The merchants at the time "wagoned" their goods from Philadel-

River, forty miles distant. In 1814, however, a mill was built at Curwensville, on the Susque- hanna River, nineteen miles distant. These early settlers subsisted chiefly on deer and bear meat, and other game. They lived here for ten long and lonesome years before they had any neighbors. Soon after this time some Germans commenced to settle about Trout- ville, which section was long known by the local name of "Germany."

J. P. Taylor and W. N. Prothero were elect- ed the first justices of the peace.

After the incorporation of DuBois, 1879, J. A. Bowersox and J. R. Keel were elected justices ; the latter resigned, and John Lank- ard was appointed until the next municipal election (February, 1884), when William Lid- del was elected to fill the regular term. J. A. Bowersox at the expiration of his first term was re-elected in February, 1886. Samuel Postlethwait was the first township treasurer, and served four years. He was followed in 1883 by Michael Shaffer, who served four years, and was re-elected in February, 1887. The first constable in the township was Henry Raught. The population in 1880, estimated (including Du Bois), 3,700. (See borough of DuBois in succeeding chapter.)

The first store in Sandy township at "West Liberty," as far as known, was opened by John Hoover, followed by Joseph Cathers, and he by S. Lobough. "Jerry" Heasly established a foundry about this time: John Heberling opened a general store, which he kept for about twenty years, he also was postmaster during this period at West Liberty-post-office name, "Jefferson Line." The post-office was re- moved in 1885 to the railroad "cut," at the point where the railroad crosses the "Water-

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ford and Erie" pike, there being a regular sta- tion of the same name as the post-office, "Jef- ferson Line."

The first practical mining in this township was commenced in 1874 or '75 by the "Centen- nial colliery," opened and operated by Messrs. Jones Bros. in 1876. This colliery, being lo- cated on disputed land, there was more or less litigation from the start, which culminated in the shooting of Montgomery, a representative claimant, by Peter Jones (of the firm of Jones Bros.) in self-defense, in May 4, 1878. The mines were shortly after abandoned.

In 1876 the Sandy Lick Gas, Coal and Coke Company commenced to ship coal. They em- ployed about one hundred men, and shipped about five hundred tons per day. Mr. Miles B. McHugh was superintendent. This com- pany operated a few years, when trouble arose between it and Messrs. Bell, Lewis & Yates, on the question of royalty due the latter, which resulted in the closing of the "drift," when the Sandy Lick Company opened the "Hildrup" mine on the opposite side of Sandy Lick Creek, but it too was finally closed.

The firm of Bell, Lewis & Yates began to develop its property in the year 1876 (con- sisting of about four thousand acres, lying prin- cipally in Sandy township), under the manage- ment of A. J. McHugh. They shipped their first coal from Rochester mines on March 27, 1877.

The early educational efforts and interests were identical and equally shared with Brady township, from which township the greater portion of Sandy was taken. At the time of the organization of the township in 1881, there were nine schools with two hundred and eighty- one pupils, male and female. The number of schools had grown to thirteen in 1887, with five

hundred and ninety pupils. The educational interests are in a fair stage of development, and the public school fund in a healthy con- dition.

UNION TOWNSHIP

This township was erected by a decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Clearfield Coun- ty, dated December Term 1848. It is bounded on the north by parts of Sandy and Huston Townships, on the east by Pine Township, on the South by Bloom Township and on the west by parts of Brady and Sandy Townships.

Although a large part of this township is not suitable for agriculture, yet in the northern part of the township are many farms well cul- tivated, and very productive. The population of the township according to the census of 1910 was 785.

The main stream of the township is Ander- son Creek. Its source is in Huston, on the north, from whence it flows a generally south course, entirely across Union, enters Bloom, then bears to the east by south into Pike, and discharges its waters into the Susquehanna River, at the borough of Curwensville. An- derson Creek is a stream of considerable size. The runs auxiliary to the creek, and emptying into the same from the east, are Montgomery Run and Blanchard Run, each of which lay almost wholly within the township. On the west and having its entire course within the township, is Dressler Run, so named for the Dressler family, who were pioneers in this lo- cality, and one of the most respected of the early settlers. The stream known as Sandy Creek also has its head-waters in the western part of Union township, from which it flows a north and west course into Brady, thence across that township and into Jefferson county

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on the west. Sandy, although of less size than inger: Peggy, Barbara, who married George Anderson Creek, has been nearly as prominent as the latter, during the period of extensive lumber operations, for which both of these streams have been so noted.

The settlers who were possessed of sufficient hardihood and determination to attempt an improvement in this remote locality at an early day, were indeed scarce, and, in fact, no such attempt was made until the river and bottom lands were well-nigh taken up. The only pos- sible inducement, even after the first quarter century of the county's history had been made, was the presence of Anderson's Creek, and its course through the township. This was then parts of Brady and Pike townships. Across the line in Brady there were a few straggling settlers, but generally, the country was a heav- ily wooded district with hardly sufficient open- ing for the erection of a cabin.

Caleb Bailey was born in Lycoming county in the year 1797, and came with his father to this county about the year 1809. After hav- ing resided in the upper part of the county for about eighteen years, he moved to lands that were, in 1848, erected into Union township. the line being especially run so as to include the Bailey farm within the new township.

Another of the pioneer settlers in this re- gion was John Laborde, a native of Lancaster county. He came to this county in the early part of the year 1828, and located in Brady township, but two years later moved to a point a short distance from Rockton village, where he made an improvement. His brother, David Laborde, lived nearly a mile west of this. They were the first settlers in the vicinity. Both had large families. The children of John Laborde were John, Peter, Jacob, David, Christopher, Polly, who married Henry Lin-

Doney; and Betsey, who married Lewis Do- ney. The early life in the township was at- tended with great privations and dangers, and the Laborde's seem to have had their full share of each. There was no store nearer than Curwensville, and no mill nearer than Penn- ville. The country at times seemed full of panthers and other dangerous animals, and various members of the family occasionally came in contact with them.

John Hollopeter came soon after and com- menced an improvement on the line of the pike leading to Luthersburg and west of Rockton. Matthias Hollopeter, brother of John, came to the county a year later and took up his res- idence with John. He soon began an im- provement, and by hard and steady work made a good farm.

In the year 1839 John Brubaker came to the county and commenced an improvement on lands which he yet occupies about half a mile north of Rockton village. Mr. Brubaker was a native of Mifflin county, now Juniata county, and was born in the year 1810. In his family were nine children, viz .: Mary, Fanny, Dan- jel, Susan, Sarah, John, Joseph, Reuben and Jacob. About the year 1840 Mr. Brubaker built a still-house that the product of his farm might be utilized. This he was compelled to do as grain was then a drug in the market, and the merchants at Clearfield would not receive it in exchange for goods. About 1843 or 1844 he commenced drawing shingles and boards to Clearfield town from a small mill he had built on Sandy Creek. This proceeding was looked upon by his neighbors as a piece of folly, but when they saw the good results of it, numer- ous other saw-mills were soon afterward erected, and lumbering became a leading pur-

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suit, and agriculture was proportionately neg- lected.

About this time, or possibly a little earlier, Jacob Burns came to the region. He built a cabin and commenced an improvement in the Dressler neighborhood. He remained here but a short time when he sold out to Dressler, and moved over on Anderson Creek, where he built a cabin and made a clearing, the first in that section. This was about a mile above the old mills at Lower Rockton. Burns soon found another opportunity to sell to good advantage, which he did, and moved still further east in the township, which was then a part of Pike.

John Dressler, who is mentioned as having succeeded Jacob Burns, was born in Union county, and came to Clearfield county in the year 1841. The farm he occupied is now reck- oned among the best in the county. At the time he purchased it there was no settlement nearer than three miles. The Dresslers have been among the most thrifty and enterprising people of the township. John Dressler died in 1856. He had a large family consisting of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons. David Dressler, his son, was the first justice of the peace elected in the township after its organization.

Henry Whitehead was a native of England and came to this country nearly a half century ago. He took lands on the turnpike leading from Clearfield to Luthersburg, on the east side of Anderson Creek. By hard work and energy he made a fine farm, one of the best in the eastern part of the township.

The Welty family came into Union town- ship in the year 1855, from Brady, where they settled in 1832, and was among the pioneers in the region north of Luthersburg. David Welty was the head of this family. He was year 1885.

born in Centre county in 1807. His first pur- chase in this township comprised about one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, but by subsequent purchases he acquired a tract of about five hundred acres.

Incidental mention has been made of the fact that John Brubaker built a small saw and shingle-mill on Sandy Creek about the year 1843, from which he hauled the first lumber and shingles to Clearfield, and there found a market. Within the short period of eight or ten years thereafter, other mills were built by David Horn, Joseph Lyons, John Dressler, John Hollopeter and Philip Laborde. The other early mills were owned by Samuel Arn- old and one Munn, the latter living at the mouth of Little Anderson Creek.

At an early day and something like fifty years ago, Jason Kirk and Jeremiah Moore, two substantial residents of Penn township, came to the waters of Anderson Creek at the point now known as Lower Rockton, where they built a mill. The land hereabouts, to the extent of fifty acres, was given them for a mill-site, on condition that they make the im- provements. Here was built a saw-mill. and subsequently a grist-mill. A store was estab- lished here many years ago.

There stood at Lower Rockton an old build- ing that was formerly occupied as a woolen- mill, the property of William F. Johnson, of Pennville. The saw and grist-mills, and other property at this point were owned by Joseph Seiler and sons, who became proprietors thereof in the year 1877. Upper Rockton was started through the efforts of Jolin Brubaker. and others engaged in lumbering. A steam- power feed-mill, owned and operated by Jason E. and David W. Kirk was built during the

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

The first school in the township stood near county dated February 3. 1846, and was this place. It was built prior to 1839, a log named in honor of the late Judge Woodward. structure with a board roof. Some years later it was replaced with a more substantial and modern building.

AAn enrollment of the taxable inhabitants of Union township, made by R. W. Moore, as- sessor, in the year 1851, showed the following list of residents and landowners for that year. who were of the age of twenty-one years and upwards: Josiah Boomel, Jacob Burns, Peter II. Booze. Caleb Bailey. Daniel Brubaker, Robert Britton, Henry Baily, John Brubaker. Joseph Cuttle. John Clowser, George Clowser, John Cunningham, Nicholas Doney, Lewis Doney, George Doney, David Dupler, Frank- lin Dutry, John Dupler, Sr., John Dupler, Jr .. Enos Doney. Isaac Graham, Jacob Gilnett. John Haze, David Horn, Jr., Matthias Hollo- peter, Elias Horn, Jr., Samuel Horn, Jr., John Hare, John Hollopeter, Jr., Samuel Hare, Frederick Hollopeter. Jr., David Irwin, John Kritzer, John Kiesigle, Hugh Krise, Jacob Laborde, John Laborde. Sr., Luther & Car- lisle. Joseph Longacre, Peter Laborde. Philip Laborde, David Laborde, Jr., Henry Lininger, John Laborde, Jr .. David Laborde, Sr., Peter Laborde, Jr., AAbram Laborde, Christian La- borde, Nathan Lines, John Long. Moore & Whitehead. Samuel Miles. R. Moore, Jr., Moore & Kirk, John Nelson, Jr .. John Potter. Jr .. John Potter. Sr., John Pawley, Daniel Pawley, Henry Shull. William Shull, Alexan- der Schofield. Shaw & Lines, Joseph Scho- field. Henry Whitehead, Jonas Weller, John H. Reed and Samuel East.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 34

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