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Full text of "Centennial edition of the ... of Saturday morning, May 12, 1888, containing a history of the founding of the city of Meadville and settlement of Crawford County, and its growth and development during one hundred years; an account of the first centennial celebration ... together with historical and biographical sketches .."

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PH(ENIX B1;0(:K, Southeast Corner Water and Chestnnt Streets, Meadville, Pa. 




M. OHLMAK i SON. JOHN !. SHRYOCK. DEUMATER 4 CO.. Bankers. M. P. JENKS, INGHAM 4 CO JOHN J, SHRYllCK. 

DELAMATEK BLUC'K, Northeast Corner Water and Chestiiiil Streets, Meadville, Pa. 



©ENTCNNiAL 








CENTENNIAL EDITION 



OF IH E 



Dailjj Tribune -Republican 

OF SATURDAY MORNING. MAY 12th, 1888, 



CUNTAINIXG A 



History of the Founding of tlie City of lleadville and Settlement of Crawford County 



AND ITS 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DURING ONE HUNDRED YEARS; 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

FIRST CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

HELD AT MEADYILKE, MAY 11 and 12, 1888. 

T O G E T H E R W I T H 

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF PROMINENT MEN AND EVENTS. 



I LLUSTRATBL) 



TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY, Printers, Publishers, and Binders, 
MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA. 



PUBLISHER'S ANNOUNCEMENT. 



O commemorate Crawford County's arrival at its 
one hundredth milestone, the publisher of the 
Tribune-Republican had gathered a large 
amount of valuable historical matters relating to 
the early settlement and growth of the City of Meadville 
and the County at large, and puljlished the same in a 
twenty-eight page paper on the morning of May 1 1 th, 
1888. The demand for copies was so great that the 
entire edition was exhausted before the sheets were folded 
from the press. Thousandswere therefore disappointed, 
and hence the reproduction of the issue of May nth in 
this form, with tlie addition of a full account of the 
manner in which the celebration of our city's centennial 
was observed. In addition to the features referred to, 
a great variety of other interesting matter, reminiscences.- 
historical, biographical, and statistical, has been added 
to that contained in the original edition, which makes 
the Tribune's Centennial Pamphlet the most con- 
' venient and accurate history of the Count)' ever given 
to the public. 

In order to insure accuracy of statement, we were for- 
tunate in enlisting the hearty and active co-operation of 
leading citizens, and to them, mainlj , belongs the credit 
of the historical matter and reminiscences contained 
in the following pages. It is possible that a few errors 
have crept in here and there, but in the main, we have 
faith to believe, the work will meet with the unqualified 
endorsement of the public. 

At the outset it was not contemplated to make such 
extensive additions to our previous efforts — our purpose 
being to simply reproduce the paper of May i ith, and 
add to it a full description of the celebration, but 



as we worked the pages grew, and our original plans 
were completely changed. We make this exjalanation 
chiefly to account for the use of the newspaper illustra- 
tions, designated thus * in the index. These cuts were 
prepared for newspaper work only, and would not have 
been used had we expected at the outset to bring out so 
large and important a book. 

As our labors near completion, we are called upon to 
face the fact that the limit has been reached, and sev- 
eral matters must be omitted. This is not as we would 
like, but the pages are full and we iriust stop. A word 
more and we are done : It has been no part of our 
purpose to weary the reader with a long-drawn-out 
story of the founding of the city of Meadville and the 
settlement of Crawford County, but to present, in the 
form of reminiscences the wonderful story of the pro- 
gre.ss Crawford County has made in the past century — 
its transformation from a howling wilderness into a 
highly productive and populous County — eleventh 
in point of importance in the grand old Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania. Having recorded the transi- 
tion referred to, the Tribune-Republican leaves to 
the historian of the second century the task of taking 
up the work where we left oft, and carrying it forward 
as a precious legacy to those who are to follow. Great 
changes have taken place, but could we, as we write, 
be permitted to look at our beautiful city one hundred 
years from to-day, we do not doubt but that we would 
be filled vrith as much wonderment as would the 
dusky savage of 1788, if he could look on this busy 
and prosperous valley, and the thousands who throng 
our streets on this beautiful May morning in 1888. 



COMPOSITION AND PI>£SS WORK, 
TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN JOB ROOMS. 



PORTRAITS AND RESIDENCES BY 
THE MOSS ENORAVINn CO.. NEW YORK. 



FRONTISPIECE DRAWN Sf 
M. T FORKER. MEADVILLE. 



TABLE OK CONTENTS 



History of the Growth and Develop- 
ment of Crawford County . . Hon. Wm. Reynolds . i 

Recollection of an Early Settler. . . . Hon. John Dick ... 9 
Boyhood Memories — The Early Days 

of Meadville A. \V. Shipptn ... 13 

Past, Present and Future Hon. Pearson Church 16 

Reminiscences — Early Life in Mead- 
ville Prof. t. Huidekoper . 17 

Former Days in Crawford County. . .Alfred Huidekoper . . 18 
The One Hundredth Anniversary — 
The Historical Society Resolves 

to Celebrate Hon.G.B. Delamater 21 

The Manner in which the Cele- 
bration was Observed Trihune- Republican 22 

Why the First Pioneer Came to Mead- 
ville Hon. Thos. VanHorne 32 

Rev. Timothy Alden — The Founding 

and Growth of Allegheny College,y. C. Hayes 33 

The Meadville Theological School. . Prof Geo. L. Carv . . 36 

Meadville Conservatory of Music 36 

Smith's Business College 37 

The Schools of the County Prof. J. W.Sturdevant 37 

Our Old Citizens - Born prior to 1 820 . Compiled. 40 

Recollections of Lincoln Major D. V.Derickson 44 

President Lincoln's Order Hon. S. Newton Pettis 47 

A Snow Ball One Hundred Years Old, /vz««z> B. Compton . 48 

Old John Brown Hon. G. B. Delamater 49 

Reminiscence of the Great Naturalist 53 

Our One Hundredth Anniversary — 

A Poem John B. Compton ... 54 

A Centennial Ballad Inez Hall 54. 

Girlhood Memories of Early Life in 

Meadville Mrs. Jane Benius ... 55 

Ancient Military of Crawford County, Hon. A. B.Richmond 56 

The Irish Blood John Hull 58 

First Stern Wheel Steamer on Western Waters 59 

The Dairy Interests of the County. .A. AI. Fuller 60 

Library, Art and Historical Assoc'n, Joshua Douglass ... 61 

Copy of Patent Granted David Mead . . 62 

Time and Eternity Hon. F. H. Bemis. ... 63 

Meadville Hospitals Contributed 64 

Meadville Board of Industry C. F.. R 65 

President Taylor's Visit to Meadville 66 

James McHenry and A. & G. W. R y, 66 

The Dangers of Pioneer Life C. Van Home, Sr . . . 66 

Greendale Cemetery CM. Bonsh 67 

Religious History of Crawford County — 

First Churches in the County. . . Rev. R. Craighead. . 67 

The Presbyterians Rev. T. D. Logan . . 69 

The United Presbyterian Church, Rev. H. H. Hervey . 72 

The Methodists Rev. G. H'. Clarke. . 73 

Christ P. E. Church Contributed 74 

The Reformed Church Rev. F. B. Halin. . . 75 

Park Ave. Congregat'n'l Church, Rev.J.G.Carnachan, 76 

MeadviUe's Church Societies in General 77 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union 81 

Young Men's Christian Association 84 



Crawford Co. Branch Pa. Society P.C. A. y<7i^!<a Douglass. . 82 

Ancient Order United Workmen. . . M. IV. Sackett 83 

Donation Lands William Mc Arthur . 85 

A Remarkable Life — Story of the Life 

of Joseph Dickson A. S. Dickson 91 

" The Chautauquan" — A Great Publishing House 96 

City Improvements Rev. A. A. Livermore 97 

Telegraph and Telephone £. M. Boynton 100 

Our Financial In.stitutions Compiled 102 

The Harvest Home S. J. Logan 103 

Lafayette's Visit 104 

The Crawford County System F. P. Ray 105 

We, Us & Co. — The Tribune-Republican and the People 

Who Print It 106 

The Meadville Post Office 108 

David Lamphier , rog 

Townships and Boroughs in 

Postoffices of the County 1 14 

Mineral Springs of the County J. H. Montgomery . . 1 14 

Eureka Mineral Springs 104 

Ponce de Leon Mineral Springs ^. . . 139 

Knights of Labor 115 

Fire Laddies — History of the Organ- 
ization C. M. Boush 116 

The Royal Arcanum Cyrus See, D. D. S. . 1 20 

Our Famous Band 1 20 

The Conneaut Lake Ice Co., Limited 121 

German Societies 121 

Crawford County in the War of the Rebellion — 

Allegheny College Volunteers. . Capt. E. H. Henderson 122 

The Eighty Third Regiment. . . Capt. A. McGill 123 

The Meadville Volunteers 124 

Second Pennsylvania Cavalry. . . E. S. Skeel 125 

The I nth Pennsylvania Reg't . .Lieut. Jesse Moore . . 126 

Company A 21 ith Pa. Ree't A. C. Huidekoper . . . 128 

Company K. 57th Pa. Reg't Capt. E. C. Strouss . 129 

Company F. 58th Pa. Reg't Hon.H.L. Richmond 131 

The 150th Pennsylvania Reg't . . Col.H.S. Huidekoper 132 

1 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Capt. J. W. Smith. 1 32 

Companies that went from the county 133 

Aid for the Sick and Wounded 134 

The Union Dead 98 

Patrons of Husbandry H. M. Cutshall . ... 1 34 

Society for Improvement of the Poor, E. W. Laffer 135 

The Bar of Crawford County D. M. Fairelty .... 135 

Centennial Executive Committee 157 

Transportation of Oil in Pipe Lines. . IV. H. Abbott 163 

Refining of Petroleum. W. H. Abbott 164 

The City of Titusville Jonathan Watson. . 165 

Rice, Robinson & Witherop ... 166 

International Oil Works 166 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. .J. IV. Hannen .... 166 

City Government Arthur L. Bates .... 1 67 

Contributors to the Centennial Celebration Fund 168 

Fuller's Cash Carrier 1 68 

Meadville Distilling Company 168 

Adams Express Company 168 



fAGE. 

Anderson, George I43 

Andrews, Hon. W. H i6i 

Apple, Hon. Andrew G >5° 

Bailey, Edwin J 163 

Bates, Arthur L 144 

Bates, Prof. S. P 168 

Beach, Isaac 148 

Beatty, Hon. A. S 150 

Best, Capt. W. B .■ 146 

Bole, W. R 145 

Brunn, C. A 15° 

Carter, Col. John J 152 

Chase, Hon. Edward H 155 

Chase, Judge Joseph L 154 

Church, Hon. Gaylord 156 

Church, Hon. Pearson. 159 

Colter. Thomas 109 

Compton, Col. David 160 

Compton, Col. John B 1 50 

Delamater, Hon. G. B 141 

Delamater, Hon. G. W 149 

Derickson, Joseph 14' 

Derickson, Maj. D. V 145 

Dick, Gen. John 140 



BIOGRAPHIES. 

PACE. 

Dick, Col S. B 143 

Dickson, H. M 162 

Dickson, Joseph, Sr 91 

Dorrance, Col. J. Ford 153 

Douglass, Joshua 144 

Dunn, Rev. J. J 151 

Edson, Abner B 1 62 

Hood, Dr. Theodore L 148 

Fuller, A. M 151 

Gaskill, W. H 163 

Gehr, Balthazer 149 

Gill, James D... 157 

Henderson, Hon. John J. 161 

Huidekoper, Harm Jan 141 

Humes, Hon. H.J 146 

Hurst, Gen. Henry 151 

Johnson, Hon. Henry C 142 

Keese, Col. Oliver 162 

Kitchen. Cyrus 151 

Lindsay, Walter A 163 

Mc Arthur, E. W 148 

McArthur, Wm 153 

McArthur, Hon. Wm., Sr 161 

McDowell, Sylvester C 162 



I'AC.E. 

Mantor, Hon. Frank 151 

Marley, Henry P ... 163 

Nichols, Hon. Forrest R. 150 

Pettis, Hon. S. Newton 158 

Porter, Hon. John 142 

Reynolds, Hon. Wm 160 

Richmond, Hon. A. B 144 

Richmond, Maj. Chas. E 146 

Richmond, Hiram L., Sr 145 

Richmond, H. L , Jr 150 

Roberts, Hon. W. B 155 

Seeley, F. L 162 

Shattuck, Geo. S. 159 

Shryock, James J 141 

Smith, Hon. C. N 150 

Sturtevant, John C 146 

Tate, Miles W 146 

Thomas, Hon. James P 158 

Thomas, Wm 159 

Van Home, Cornelius 138 

Waid , Francis C 99 

Waid, Ira C 99 

White, A. McLean 162 

Winter, Very Rev. Franz 151 



ILLUSTRATIONS, 



Academy of Music . . ; 77 
Allegheny College — 

Bentley Hall 3i 

Conservatory of Music "3 

Hulings Hall 34 

Carew's Barrel Works* 84 

Carman's Livery Stable* 66 

Centennial High School Building 39 

Chautauquan Building 96 

Churches — 

African M. E. Church*. .-. 7' 

Baptist Church* 70 

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church. . . 75 

First M. E. Church* 73 

First Presbyterian Church, Meadville* 68 

First Presbyterian Church, Titusville .. 143 

Park Ave. Congregational Church. . . 77 

Second Presbyterian Church* 69 

State St. M. E. Church* 72 

St. Agatha's R. C. Church* 79 

St. Bridget's R. C. Church* 78 

St. Paul's German Reformed Church*. 76 

Unitarian Church* 74 

City Hospital 64 

City Market House* 50 

Clover Creamery*. 60 

Conneant Lake from the Pavillion 89 

Court House 80 

Cussewago Mills 62 

Dunn & Stalker's Carriage Works* 58 

Electric Light Station* 51 

Eureka Mineral Springs, Ssgertown .... 87 

Figure of Pioneer 3' 

Fuller's Cash Carrier 168 

Greendale Cemetery Entrance* 67 

Historical Sketch — First Court House — 
First Steamboat — First Jail — Court 
House ol 1825 — Old Mercer Street 

Bridge 15 

Hotel Brunswick, Titusville 137 

Lake Canadohta 1 36 

Library Hall* 61 

Merchants' National Bank 82 

N. v., P. & O. Railro.id Shops 108 

Oil Works- 
International, Titusville 145 

Rice, Robinson & Withrop, Titusville. 144 

Old Academy School Building* 38 



Park Ave. Carriage Works* 57 

Pennsylvania Distilling Company S6 

Pennsylvania Glass Works 52 

People's Savings Bank* 81 

Phoenix Iron Works 85 

Portraits — 

Anderson, George 27 

Andrews, Hon. W. H 47 

Apple, Hon. Andrew G. no 

Bailey, Edwin J. . 134 

Bates. Arthur L 1 14 

Bates, Prof. S. P 147 

Beach, Isaac 93 

Beatty, Hon. A. S in 

Beaver, Gov. James A 95 

Best, Capt. W". B 92 

Bole, W. R .• 45 

Brunn, C. A 109 

Carter, Col. John J 138 

Chase, Hon. Edward H 156 

Chase, Judge Joseph L 157 

Church, Judge Gaylord 162 

Church, Judge Pear.son 164 

Compton, Col. David 159 

Compton, Col. John B . . 131 

Delamater, Hon. G. B 18 

Delamater, Hon. G. W 105 

Derickson, Joseph. . 17 

Derickson, Maj. D. V 24 

Dick, Gen. John. 10 

Dick, Col. S. B.. .  26 

Dickson, H. M 135 

Dorrance, Col. J. Ford 90 

Douglass, Joshua 28 

Dunn, Rev. J. J 147 

Edson, Abner B 1 35 

Flood, Dr. Theodore L. . . 97 

Fuller, A. M 147 

Gaskill, W. H 135 

Gehr, Balthazer 102 

Gill, J. 1), 147 

Henderson, Hon. John J 32 

Huidekoper, Harm Jan 12 

Humes, Hon. H. J 92 

Johnson, Hon. Henry C 22 

Keese, Col. Oliver 133 

Kitchen, Cyrus 147 

Lindsay, Walter A 134 

McVrthur, E. W 94 

McArthur, Wm 147 

McDowell, Sylvester C 135 

McLane, Col. John W 124 

M.TUlor, Hon. Frank 153 



i'AGE. 

Marley, Henry P 134 

Nichols, Hon. Forrest R in 

Pettis, Hon. S. Newton 115 

Porter, Hon. John 20 

Reynolds, Hon, Wm 147 

Richmond, Hon. A. B 44 

Richmond, Maj. Chas. E 91 

Richmond, Hiram L., Sr 23 

Richmond, H. L., Jr 130 

Roberts, Hon. W. B 154 

Seeley, F. L 46 

Shattuck, Geo. S 160 

Shryock, James J 19 

Smith, Hon. C. N in 

Sturtevant, John C 48 

Tate, Miles W 92 

Thomas, Hon. James P 161 

Thomas, Wm 48 

Titus, Jonathan I58 

Tribune-Republican Staff 107 

Upchurch, John J 83 

VanHorne, Cornelius, Sr 21 

Waid, Francis C 100 

Waid, Ira C 99 

White, A. McLean 147 

Winter, Very Rev. Franz I47 

Residences — 

Carter, Col. John J 1 39 

Church, Mrs. Gaylord 163 

Delamater, Hon. G. B 148 

Delamater, Hon. G. W 132 

Dick, Col. S. B 166 

Dick, j. R 167 

Emerson, E. 142 

Fertig, Hon. John 141 

Flood, Theodore L 98 

McKinney, J. C 140 

McKelvy, David 149 

Reynolds, Hon Wm 146 

Roberts, Hon. W. B 155 

Schiede, W. T 149 

Thomas, Hon. J. P 149 

Waid, Francis C 101 

Richmond Block 59 

Scene on S. Water St., 1838.' 49 

.Schauweker's Leather Belting Works. . 63 

Smith's Business College : . . . . 1 29 

St. Joseph's Hospital* 65 

Theological School* 36 

Tinker & Hull Novelty Works* 53 

Titusville Oil Exchange 150 

Unveiling of Pioneer .Statue 88 

Welton & Co.'s Feed Store* 56 



DAILY 





Eepmljlkfttt 



Vol. VIII. No. 1,177. 



MEADVILLE, PA., MAY 12, 1888. 



Price, 25 Cents. 



CRAWFORD_CODNTY. 

A HISTORy OF ITS GROWTH AND 
DEVELOPMENT. 



Tales of Pioneer Life — Dangers and 
Hardships of the Early Settlers- 
Early Social and Industrial Con- 
ditions — Railroad Develop- 
ments — Prominent Pio- 
neers-Vital Statistics. 



BY HON. WILLIAM REYNOLDS. 

THE beautiful hunting grounds and the 
ancient homes of the Indians comprised 
within Northwestern Pennsylvania, by the 
treaty of Fort Stanwix, October 22d, 1784, 
with the Six Nations, and by the treaty with 
the Delawares and Wyandottes at Fort Mcin- 
tosh, January, 17S5, had been ceded to the 
State. During 1785 and 1786 the 6th and 7th 
districts of donation lands had been surveyed 
by William Power, and the 8th district by 
Alexander McDowell. At the commence- 
ment of the centennial era of Crawford county 
the Indians had generally migrated to their 
reservation on the upper Allegheny or beyond 
the western limits of the ceded territory. 
Many remained, to some of whom the early 
settlers were indebted for friendly services and 
timely warnings of threatened dangers. Of 
these should be borne in memory the chief 
Connedaughta and his three sons, "Flying 
Cloud," "Standing Stone" and "Big Sun," 
whose wigwams were at the mouth of Conne- 
aut creek on Lake Erie; the renowned "Corn- 
planter," his half brothers "Half Town" and 
'Wire Ears," who resided on the Allegheny, 
and an old Mohawk chief, "Stripe Neck," 
who, with his numerous family, lived after the 
early settlement on the west side of French 
creek near the site of the present tannery in 
Kerrtown. He died regretted by all on ac- 
count of his many services to the whites. He 
was buried near the intersection of Dock street 
with the railway. 

THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

In the twilight of an evening of one hundred 
years ago, May 12, 1778, a party of ten men 
built their camp tire beneath a wild cherry 
on the bank of French creek, near the pres- 
ent site of the Mercer street bridge. They 
were the first settlers in Crawford county — 
Cornelius VanHorne and Christopher Snyder, 
from New Jersey; David Mead and his 
brothers — Darius, John and Joseph — John 



Watson, Thomas Martin, James F. Randolph 
and Thomas Grant, from Sunbury, Northum- 
berland county. 

On the next day these pioneers built a 
cabin on the deserted corn fields of the Indi- 
ans on the bottom, between the Cussewago 
and French creek, and commenced their first 
planting. Cornelius VanHorne afterward 
located a tract of land one and one-half miles 
south, on the west of the creek. David 
Mead first located west of the creek, designat- 
ing his tract "Cussewago Island." Grant 
selected the present site of Meadville, but 
abandoned his settlement the same summer, 
when David Mead took possession and built a 
double log house on the bluff banks of French 
creek, where is now the residence of James 
E. McFarland, Esq. This house was built 
with a view to defense against Indian attacks, 
and was surrounded with a stockade and pro- 
tected by a small, square log block house on 
the northwest corner. John Mead settled on 
the west side of the creek, north of Cussewago 
Island survey, and Randolph located on the 
east side of the creek two miles south. Joseph 
Mead, Thomas Martin, John Watson, Chris- 
topher Snyder and Thomas Grant made no 
permanent settlement. 

THE FIRST WIIWE CHILD BORN IN CRAWFORD 
COUNTY. 

In the fall of 1788 David and John Mead 
brought their wives and families from North- 
umberland. In the David Mead house was 
the first white child born in the county, his 
daughter Sarah, afterwards the wife of Rev. 
Mr. Sutterfield, of Mercer county. Within 
the two years following David Mead built a 
saw mill on the north side of a deep precipi- 
tous ravine then extending from the present 
property of James E. McFarland, Esq., to the 
north side of the red mill. The power for 
this mill was supplied by a small stream long 
since gone. 

During 1789 the little colony known as 
"Mead's Settlement" was reinforced by the 
arrival of the family of Darius Mead, Frederic 
Baum, and Robert Fitz Randolph with their 
famihes, Frederick Haymaker,William Gregg, 
Samuel Lord and John Wentworth. On 
April 1st, 1791, the settlers were warned by 
Flying Cloud of threatened danger from the 
hostile western tribes, and on the same day 
eleven strange Indians were seen a few miles 
northwest of the settlement. The women and 
children of the colony \<-ere gathered within 
the Mead house and cellar and on the next 
day sent in canoes to Fort Franklin. The 
Indian chief Half Town was encamped here 
at the time with twenty-seven of his '-braves." 
Twelve of these he sent to guard the canoes, 
six on each side of the creek, and with his re- 



maining warriors he joined the settlers in a 
fruitless search for the hostiles seen by Gregg. 
On the following day all the men departed for 
Franklin with their horses, cattle and move- 
able effects. 

ATTACKED BY THE INDIANS. 

On May 3d Cornelius VanHorne, William 
Gregg and Thomas Ray returned to plant the 
spring crops. Stopping for the night at Gregg's 
cabin, they shelled a bag of corn, part of 
which they ground the next morning at the 
Mead house. Arriving at the corn field. Van 
Home laid his gun on the bag of seed corn 
and ploughed while Gregg and Ray planted. 
At noon Gregg and Ray returned to the Mead 
house for dinner and fresh horses. While 
ploughing, VanHorne saw two Indians emerge 
from the woods. The one dropping his bow 
and the other his gun, they rushed to the at- 
tack with their tomahawks. VanHorne 
grasped the uplifted arm of the first savage 
and entered on a struggle for life. By his 
superior strength and agility he shielded him- 
self from the attack of his more formidable 
foe with the body of his weaker antagonist, 
calling loudly for help. After a time the In- 
dians promised his life on condition of sur- 
render. Mounting the horses, VanHorne be- 
tween them, they crossed the Cussewago, 
and entering a ravine on the hillside they met 
two other Indians. They tied the arms of 
their prisoner and three returned to the corn 
held. Van Home and the Indian rods the 
horses to Conneaut Lake and crossed the out- 
let. Here they dismounted and VanHorne 
was tied by the ends of the rope which secured 
his arms to a tree while his captor left in 
search of game. With a knife he had secreted 
he succeeded in cutting the rope and made 
his escape to the settlement where by good 
fortune he found thirty soldiers under Ensign 
Jeffers, on their return from Erie to Fort 
Franklin. 

Gregg and Ray returning with the horses 
discovered the three Indians and fled, cross- 
ing the Cussewago near its mouth. Gregg, 
after reaching the opposite bank, was wound- 
ed, and seating himself on a log he was shot by 
his pursuers through the head with his own 
gun. Ray was captured and carried to De- 
troit, then occupied by a British garrison. 
Here he was recognized by an old school-fel- 
low of his boyhood in .Scotland, Captain 
White, who purchased him from his captors 
for two gallons of whisky, furnished him 
money and sent him on a vessel to Buflalo, 
from whence he was piloted to Franklin by 
Stripe Neck. He made his settlement; and 
ended his days in the northwest corner of 
Mead township. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



In the summer of the same year Darius 
Mead, the father of David and John, was cap- 
tured near Franklin. His body was found 
side by side with that of one of his captors, 
Captain Bull, a Delaware chief. The duel 
had been to the death and they were buried 
side by side where found, near the Shenango 
creek in Mercer county. 

The exposure of the frontiers by the defeats 
of General Harmer (October 1790) and Gen- 
eral St. Clair (November 1791) necessitated 
the abandonment of the settlements on French 
creek during the greater part of 1791 and 
1792. During the winter of these years 
Mead's house was garrisoned by a detachment 
of fifteen men from Fort Franklin. The com- 
mand of the army in 1793 by General Wayne 
encouraged the return of the settlers, who 
were for a time protected by a garrison of 
twenty-four soldiers under Ensign Lewis 
Bond. This company having been withdrawn 
by Genera! Wayne, and the settlers being 
again warned by the faithful Flying Cloud, 
the greater number returned to Franklin. 

Restored confidence in 1794 added many 
new colonists, and substantial improvements 
were commenced. Law was in some degree 
enforced and a small company of militia was 
enrolled under the command of Mr. Van- 
Home as Ensign. Alarms were, however, 
not infrequent, and many times the Mead 
house and cellar gave refuge to the women 
and children from apprehended danger. On 
August 10, 1794, James Dickson was wounded 
from an ambush of three Indians, near the in- 
tersection of Spring street and the Terrace. 
For the better protection of the increasing set- 
tlement a block house was built in the autumn 
of 1794, on the northeast corner of Water 
street and Steer's alley, of hewn timber, 
square in form with a projecting second story, 
with loop holes for musketry and embrasures 
for a swivel. 

The crushing defeat of the western Indians 
by General Wayne (.\ugust 20, 1794) re- 
stored safety to the frontiers, and many settle- 
ments were made on the navigable streams of 
the county. The previous year David Mead 
had laid out the nucleus of our present city, 
and had sold a few lots as early as February, 

1793- 

Near this time, probably between 1790 and 

1795, David Mead built a grist mill for grind- 
ing corn, on the south side of the ravine before 
mentioned, where is now the intersection of 
Water street and the street to Island Park. 
This was very primitive in construction, con- 
sisting of a tub wheel and a shaft bearing on 
its apex the upper mill stone. The meal was 
sifted by hand. The water power was in- 
creased by a timber dam built east of Water 
street and a race extended to Mill run, near 
Liberty street. 

EARLY SEITLERS. 
Of the settlers of 1794 were William Dick 
and his wife, coming from Pittsburg to Frank- 
lin by keel boat. They arived in Meadville 
in the month of December, traveling on horse- 



back from Franklin, through a remarkably 
deep snow and in a driving storm, Mrs. Dick 
carrying her young infant (the future Hon. 
John Dick) the entire distance. 

Among the residents of the village at the 
close of 1795, many of whose names were 
afterward identified with the enterprises for 
the development of the public interests of the 
town and county, were John Brooks, Henry 
Richard, Jacob Rasor, John Davis, Dr. 
Thomas R. Kennedy, Major Roger Alden, 
Colonel Joseph Hackney, Henry Marley, Cap- 
tain Richard Patch and James Hennington. 
Before the close of the century we may add 
the names of James Gibson, Samuel Torbet, 
John Carver, William Clark, Henry Hurst, 
William McArthur, David Compton, Rev. 
Joseph Stockton, Patrick Davis, Alex. 
Buchanan and James Herriott. 

In 1795 the town was surveyed by David 
Mead, Dr. Thomas R. Kennedy and Major 
Roger Alden, who had become interested 
with Mead. On June 3d of this year was the 
last demonstration of Indian hostility in the 
county, the murder of James Findley and 
Barnabas McCormick, six miles south of Mead- 
ville, and one mile west of French creek. 

The first school was opened by Jennet 
Finney (afterwards wife of David Mead) in 
"795. in ^ log house on North Market street. 
The block house, no longer needed for de- 
fense, was soon by David Mead made suitable 
for school purposes, and in it was opened a 
school in the winter of 1798-99 by an Irishman 
by the name of Kelly. The population of the 
accessible portion of the county was greatly 
increased during these years, at the close of the 
century the residents numbering 2,346, in 
eluding those of the town, 166. 

Mr. VanHorne in 1789 planted apple seeds, 
which, by their vigorous growth, had supplied 
trees and fruit to the inhabitants. Potatoes 
were successfully cultivated as early as 1791. 
In 1797 Dr. Kennedy brought a few quarts of 
wheat in his saddlebags, which, distributed 
among the farmers, had yielded returns of a 
thousand fold. Rye was next introduced, and, 
in turn, buckwheat, oats and barley made 
their appearance. 

THE YEAR 180O. 

On March I2th, iSoo, the counties of Arm- 
strong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Mer- 
cer, Warren and Venango were created, the 
territory of Crawford having formed a part of 
Allegheny county. For judicial purposes, 
owing to the sparse population, the counties of 
Erie, Mercer, Warren and Venango were in- 
cluded in the Crawford county district, the 
courts of justice to be located at Meadville, 
"Provided, The inhabitants or proprietors of 
Meadville and its vicinity subscribe and secure 
the payment of ^4,000 to the trustees of the 
county, within four months from the passing 
of the act, for the use of a seminaiy of learn- 
ing, within the county." David Mead, Fred- 
erick Haymaker and James Gibson were ap- 
pointed trustees by the Governor, with power 
to mark the boundary lines of the new county. 



At the close of the century the village con- 
sisted in great part of log dwellings scattered 
on Dock, Water, Chestnut, Centre and Walnut 
streets. A few frame buildings had been 
built, some of which remain to the present 
time. The residence owned by'Mrs. Byllsby, 
at North Water and Market streets, was built 
for David Mead in 1796, and the frame 
building on the northeast corner of Water 
street and Cherry alley was built by William 
Dick, 1795. The streets mentioned had been 
cut out and made passable for the wagons of 
that day by a corduroy of logs laid in the low 
and swampy grounds. 

The first court convened on July 6th, 1800, 
m the house of William Dick, before David 
Mead and John Kelso (of Erie) associate 
judges. On that day Edward Work and 
Henry Baldwin were admitted as attorneys. 
On July 8th Steele Sample, George Armstrong 
and Thomas Collins, and on October 6th 
Alexander W. Foster were added to the list. 
Dr. T. R. Kennedy was the first prothonotary. 
A small log cabin on Steers alley, west of Water 
street, owned by Mr. Richard, was used as a 
jail until the building of the log jail and court 
house on the public square, 1S04. 

The earliest religious meetings of which we 
have account were under a missionary delega- 
tion of the Presbyterian synod of Ohio. Rev. 
Elisha McCurdy and Rev. Joseph Stockton 
were the delegates and visited Meadville in 
1799. Mr. Stockton was invited to preach 
statedly, dividing his time with the growing 
settlement at Little Sugar Creek (now Coch- 
ranton). He removed to Meadville with his 
young wife in the summer of 1800 and ful- 
filled the pastoral duties until June 27th, iSlo. 
The first elders of the Meadville church were 
John Cotton, Robert Stockton and Hugh 
Cotton. 

The toil and privation incident to pioneer 
life in Western Pennsylvania left little leisure 
or inclination for attention to improvements of 
a public character. The trees first cut on the 
ground selected for the settler's home formed 
his rude log cabin, which often sheltered the 
first generation to mature life. The sunshine 
through the leafless tree tops of the unsightly 
"deadening," ripened scanty harvests. The 
grain was reaped with the sickle, threshed 
with the flail and winnowed with a sheet or 
blanket. 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OV PROGRESS. 

It may not be out of place to recall the 
condition of the country at large at the close 
of the past century as to industries and im- 
provements of advanced civilization. It must 
be rememtiered that the only powers of nature 
subjected to the control and assistance of man 
in his labor were wind and water. The for- 
mer was little used, except on the sea coast. 
Water power, although abundunt oyer all parts 
of the country, was thiefly u ilized for grind- 
ing grain and cutting lumber. Weaving of 
cotton and wool by the power loom had been 
introduced to a limited extent as early as 1790 
at Pawtucket, R. I., at Beverly and Bridge- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



water, Massachusetts, and at Philadelphia, yet, 
at the close of the century, mill manufacture 
of cotton or woolen goods was not a success. 
Iron manufacture was confined to coarser 
articles, the finer being imported from Shef- 
field or Birmingham. Labor-saving machinery, 
as we see it, was practically unknown. Had 
manufacturing industry been more extended 
and prosperous, the absence of transportation 
to the newly opened west would have ex- 
cluded the pioneer from benefit. Turnpike 
roads were confined to the eastern or to those 
portions of the middle states in the vicinity of 
the seaboard, and were of very imperfect con- 
struction. The roadways were badly graded 
and being built through low lands and swamps, 
with corduroy of timber, rapid traveling or 
speedy transportation by land was impossible. 
Canals for arteries of commerce were not yet 
constructed. 

The falls of the Connecticut had been 
turned by a few miles of short levels with 
locks, giving an outlet for the productions of 
the upper valley ; and some six miles around 
the falls of the Mohawk, opened water com- 
munications between the Hudson and Lake 
Ontario. These, with a short line between 
Boston and Lowell, comprised the canal im 
provements of the period. Inland commerce 
depended chiefly on natural water courses 
and lakes. These, with the few eastern turn- 
pikes and wood cut roads, were the only 
channels of communication between the east 
and the frontier settlement. 

News of the death of Washington, Decem- 
ber 14, 1789, reached Boston December 24th — 
ten days. The account of the mauguration of 
Jeffersim, March 4th, 1801, reached Boston 
March 13th. 

The pioneer, however limited his wants, 
was nevertheless dependent to some degree 
upon the productions of mechanical industry 
and commercial enterprise. The necessity 
for household conveniences, spinning wheels 
and looms, wagons and implements of hus- 
bandry, soon established in each village and 
country hamlet the black and tin smith, the 
cabinet, wagon and spinning wheel maker, 
and the proprietor ot the miscellaneous con- 
gregation of merchandise forming the country 
store. 

Our village, even at that early day num- 
bered among its citizens many men of broad 
views, great enterprise and much above the 
average in intelligence and education. 

The unbroken forests by their dense foilage 
prevented evaporation and caused abundant 
rain fall. French creek and Le Breuf were 
larger streams than at present and were navi- 
gated for the greater part of the year by canoes 
and batteaux. The importance of this river 
communication was recognized during the 
French occupation, and the portage between 
Presque Isle and Le Bceuf was used for trans 
portatisn of supplies to their posts on the Alle- 
gheny and Ohio. As early as 1791 a state ap- 
propriation of S200 was made for the improve- 
ment of French creek. In 1795 a road was 



cut through the forrest from Le Boeuf to Erie. 
With the increase of population on the upper 
Ohio this communication became very mipor- 
tant, as all the salt consumed in the Ohio 
valley was for many years brought from the 
Onondaga Springs in the State of New York 
by this transit. 

The first enterprises by the settlers were 
those necessary for their immediate wants — 
' mills for grinding grain and for sawing lum- 
ber. The first mill after that of David Mead 
was a grist mill built by Archibald Humes, on 
Gravel run, 1797-99. Near the same time 
Isaac Paden built one in Conneaut. Jabez 
Colt built at Linesville in 1800 and Alexander 
Power in Spring township early in the century. 
Major R. Alden erected a grist and sawmill 
on French creek at Saegertownin l8oi-2, and 
in 1805 James Dickson built on Woodcock 
creek. .Subsequently the number was in- 
creased as the population demanded. 

Lumber soon became a large export, finding 
a market on the Ohio, the lower Mississippi 
and New Orleans. The raftsmen returned 
from New Orleans by sailing vessels to Phila- 
delphia (Fare $20 — -water found) and thence 
home by foot, or, as was often the case, walked 
the entire distance through the wilderness, 
enduring great hardship and suffering, and ex- 
posed to imminent peril. 

In 1804a court house and jail were built 
on the west side of the public square north of 
Cherry alley, of hewn timber, with a yard 
surrounded by a high stockade of round 
pointed logs. The lower floor was occupied 
by the jailer and family in front, and by the 
prisoners in the rear. On the upper floor, ac- 
cessible by a double outside front stairway, 
was the court room. This room waj also their 
only place for public worship until the erec- 
tion of the brick church on Liberty street in 
1820. 

The Meadville Academy was opened under 
the charge of Rev. Joseph Stockton in 1S05, 
in the first brick academy building on the 
southwest corner of Chestnut and Liberty 
streets. 

EARLY NEWSPAPERS. 

On January 2d, 1805, the first number of the 
Crawford Messenger was published by Thomas 
Atkinson and W. Brendel. It was the first 
newspaper in the state west of Pittsburg. 
The Centinal 0/ the Northivestern Territory 
(Cincinnati 1793), The Western Spy and 
Hamilton Gazette (Cincinnati 1799), and the 
Scioto Gazette, Chilicothe 1801), were the 
only other newspapers in the United States 
west of Pittsburg. The paper for the Mes- 
senger was brought for several years from the 
mills near Pittsburg on horseback. In this 
year one mail per week was carried from 
Pittsburg to Erie through Franklin and Mead- 
ville. 

It will be of interest to note the time re- 
quired for the transmission of news to our 
village. From Lancaster, 14 days; Philadel- 
phia, 14 days; Boston, 22; Washington, 21; 
New York, 18; London, 60 to 76 days; Paris, 



71 to 85 days. A mail was established from 
Washington to New Orleans for letters ex- 
clusively, 1,206 miles, time 17 days. In 1807 
an express mail was established between 
Washington and Detroit, time 9 days. 

In 1805 Samuel Torbett commenced the 
manufacture of nails in a log building on Cen- 
ter street and Mulberry alley. Cut nails were 
not then made and all used in the first houses 
of the town were wrought by hand. 

A tannery was opened (1805) west of 
Water street and south of Mill run by Patrick 
Davis. In the following year a second was 
built by James White on the Terrace, north of 
the residence of A. C. Huidekoper, Esq. This 
residence was built by Mr. White in 1806 or 
1807, and is probably the first brick building 
in this part of the state. 

The manufacture of whisky was introduced 
at an early date by David Mead and it soon 
became an important article of export. The 
distilling was by the old copper boiler and 
worm still. The machinery being inexpensive, 
stills were soon built by farmers and operated 
at leisure times, in many parts of the county. 

On February 5, 1807 was organized "The 
Meadville Society for the Encouragement of 
Manufactures and Arts," Roger Alden Pres- 
ident, Thomas Atkinson Secretary. The ef- 
forts of this association accomplished much 
for the interests of the youthful settlement in 
furthering industrial enterprises, and in the 
improvement of stock; particularly in the 
breeds of sheep. 

The only public road from Franklin to 
Meadville and Waterford for many years was 
what is know as the creek road. In 1807 
state appropriations were made for the im- 
provement of the road from Franklin to Mead- 
ville, j!400; from Meadville to Waterford, 
S450; S300 for the road between Mercer and 
Meadville, and $500 for the improvemen of 
French and Le Bo2uf creeks. 

In 1806 "The Waterford and Erie Turn- 
pike Company,,' was organized, and in 1808 
the company commenced collecting toll with 
the road in an incomplete condition. This 
enterprise, although outside the liniits of our 
county, was closely identified with its com- 
mercial interests and enlisted the support of 
its citizens. The subscription books were 
opened at the store of Joseph Hackney (still 
standing next north of the brick store of the 
late John McFarland). Among its advocates 
and active promoters were Dr. Thomas R. 
Kennedy, Joseph Hackney, Major R. Alden, 
David Mead and Henry Baldwin. 

On April 26th, 1793, "The Holland Land 
Company" purchased 499,000 acres of land 
between French creek and the Allegheny 
river at three shillings, four pence per acre. 
The surveys were completed prior to 1800. 
Samuel B. Foster and Alexander W. Foster 
were the agents for the company from 1796 
to 1799, succeeded by Major Roger Alden to 
the close of 1804, when the duties were as. 
sumed (January 2, 1805,) by Harm Jan 
Huidekoper, Esq. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



The Population Land Company was organ- 
ized in December, 1792. Its first agent was 
Thomas Rees, of Erie, succeeded in 1802 by 
Judah Colt for the lands situate in Erie county, 
and Jabez Colt at Meadville for lands within 
Crawford connty. 



Mercer street until the erection of the present 
iron structure by the county. Toll was col 
lected until the construction of the free bridge 
at Dock street, 1828. The timber used in its 
construction was rafted from Kennedy mills on 



the prevention clause of the Act of 1792, re- 
sulting in bitter contests between the company 
pnrchasers and actual settlers, which for many 
years discouraged and retarded settlement. 

PERIOD OF 1810. 

It may be interesting at the termination of 
the first decade of the century to notice the 
general condition of the county. Its popula- 
tion was 6,150; Meadville 300. The number 
of horses, 2,142; cows, 5,389; .sheep, 4,120; 
spinning wheels, 934— being one to every 6.5 
of inhabitants; looms, 313 — being one to every 
20 of inhabitants ; male weavers, 166 ; female 
weavers, 181 ; total, 347 — being one weaver 
to 18 of population. 

Manufactures for the year— Linen cloth, 
53,330 yards; woolen cloth, 16,818 yards; 



sonal enterprise. It stood at the crossing of of riflemen will leave this place for Erie in a 

few days." Two wagons loaded with 500 mus- 
kets, and powder, lead and flints, left Harris- 
burg on the 2ist for this place." Aug. 19. 
"Two companies of the militia will leave this 
place to-day for Erie." Aug. 26. "Major 
Clark has arrived from Erie with the intelli- 
gence that five British vessels were seen above 
Erie; that four expresses arrived there last 
night with news that Indians were landed in 
the neighborhood of Sandusky." "All com- 
munication with Gen. Hull's army is cut off." 
"Every man capable of bearing arms is re- 



Great trouble arose from the construction of the Connewongo, Chautauqua county, New 



York, to Franklin and towed to Meadville by 
our aged citizen, Mr. Joseph Dickson. 

On October nth, 181 1, Rev. Robert John- 
son was installed as pastor of the congrega- 
tions of Meadville, Little Sugar creek (Coch- 
ranlon) and Conneaut (Evanshurg) with a 



salary from the Meadville church of S200 per quired to march forthwith." Sept. 16. "An 



year. 

An evidence of the taste and culture of the 
citizens of the village in 181 2 was the organi- 
zation of the "Meadville Library." It con- 
tained 150 volumes of standard works, history, 
biography and travels, and not a single work 
of fiction. The association afforded good 



express arrived with orders to Maj. Clark to 
call out his quota of 2,000 men." Sept. 25. 
"This village has assumed a warlike appear- 
ance. Our brave volunteers are collecting 
rapidly. Five companies from Washington 
county, one from Erie, two from Greene, one 
from Miftlin and one from Center have arrived 



reading until the donations to Allegheny Col- and are regularly encamped." Oct. 28. "On 

lege enlarged the literary field. Incited by Sunday two rifle regiments left this place for 

this example, the citizens of Fairfield estab- Niagara, the 1st regiment of infantry is ex- 

lished the "French Creek Union Library," pected to march on Saturday or Sunday next." 



cotton cloth, 3,212 yards— a total of 73,399 which appears to have had efficient snpervision Nov. 2. "The residue o( the first detachment 



yards, or 12 yards per capita. Maple sugar, 
70,000 pounds. 

Exports — Whisky, black salts, lumber and 
staves (for pipes) to New Orleans. 

Prices — Coffee, 50 cents per pound ; tea, 
$2.00 per pound J whisky, 62 cents per gallon ; 
calico, 31 to 60 cents per yard ; muslin, 40 to 
75 cents per yard. 

Cost of transportation from Philadelphia to 
Meadville, $6 to 37 per 100 pounds. 

There were but nine vessels on Erie and the 
upper lakes, averaging 50 tons. 

Drs. T. R. Kennedy and Daniel Bemus 
were the physicians for the village and county. 



for many years. Among the old citizens iden- 
tified with it were Col. James Cochran, David 
Humes, David Nelson and Mr. Mumford. 
These associations are worthy of notice as 
being the first of the kind west of Pittsburg. 
WAR OF 1812. 
Meadville shared the general excitement of 
the war of 1812. On July 12th, a town meet- 
ing was held and Gen. Mead, Col. J. Hackney 
and Maj. Patrick Farrelly were deputed to 
visit the Indians on the Allegheny reservation 
to make explanations of facts and secure their 
pacific attitude. The deputation held a coun- 
cil at Genestongue with a number of the 



Four stores by Srmuel B. Magaw, James , . , 1 t j- r .u c . u 

"■ " oivj'i-a 1 fa ' J chiefs and Indians of the Seneca tribe, among 

Gibson, James Harriott and Joseph Hackney , r- 1 . ci 1, 1 j .u 

" ' J"' ^ _ _ . whom were Cornplanter, Silverheels and the 



of volunteers left this place on Monday even- 
ing." 

1814. 
The increase of population in the western 
counties of the state and the necessity for 
greater money facilities for commercial and in- 
dustrial enterprise resulted in the creation of the 
"Northwestern Bank of Pennsylvania," with a 
capital of $200,000 in 4,000 shares, appor- 
tioned 1,000 shares to Crawford, 1,000 to Erie, 
1,000 to Mercer and 1,000 to Venango and 
Warren counties. .Subscription books were 
opened at the house of Samuel Torbett in 
Meadville, May 4, 1814, by Thomas Atkin- 
son, Henry Hurst, John Brooks and Samuel 



sufliiced for the county. John Brooks manu 
factured that universal article of household 
necessity, the spinning wheel, and Jacob 



Old Prophet. 



Torbett, commissioners. On Oct. 28 the 
After .speeches by Cornplanter stockholders elected James Herriott, Eliphalet 



Maj. Farrelly and others, Cornplanter gave 
the reply for the Senecas, from which we 



Raysor made irons for spinning wheels and ^^^^ ^ ^,^^^j ^^,_.^^j_ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ,.^1 



repaired guns. 

To this time all wool carding was done 
with small hand cards— a slow and tedious 



Belts, Wm. Clark, John Reynolds, John 
Brooks, Rufus S. Reed, of Erie; Roger Alden, 
Samuel B. McGaw, Henry Hurst, Jacob 
Shyrock, Patrick Farrelly, Wilson Smith and 
William Connelly, of Franklin, directors. The 



Marlin : 

"Brothers: — We are very glad to see you 
to day. Our forefathers made an agreement bank was located at Meadville, and Samuel 
process. The necessary fulling of the woolen ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^,^ ^^ 1^^,.^^ j^ ^^^ B. McGaw elected president. At a subsequent 
cloths by hand^ was a very great hbor. As bushes grow up in the road we will cut them date Joseph Morrison was appinted cashier. 

down. You have now come forward to renew The bank for many years had good credit and 
our friendship. We made this agreement a successful career, making dividends of from 
with the United States — that we should have six to eight per cent, per annum; but in the 
our lands together, and should always be financial troubles of 1820 became embar- 



early as 1807 the "Society for the Encourage 
ment of Manufactures and Arts" offered a 
liberal advance in money for the establishment 
of a fulling mill within ten miles of the town. 



The following year one was built on French , • , , ., , . , ., . , , ,  . r 1 .  .1 r 11 r 

. . .. ' . . . . friends as long as the sun shines and the water rassed and went into liquidation in the fall of 

1822. 



creek in Venango county, but the first of n » » « tj . . -lu .1 

*" ■' runs. * » * By our treaty with the 

which we have account in Crawford county n .. . o. . j .u 1 .u . ■<■ 

' United States we made the agreement that if 
was November 10, 1810, near Alden's mill 



(Saegertown). In 181 1 a carding machine 
was operated by Samuel Sloane on the farm 
of Cornelius VanHorne. A year later another 
was placad on Watson's run by Lot Lewis, 
after which time the carding machine grad- 
ually superceded the hand process. 

FIRST liKIDGE OVER FREN'CII CREEK. 



In December, 18 14, Rev. Mr. Johnston, in 
connection with Thomas Atkinson, organized 
the first Sabbath school in the county. Mr. 
Johnston was the father of Hon. .S. P. John- 
ston, of Warren, Pa. 



an Indian should kill a white man he should 
pay J5200, and if a white man should kill an 
Indian he should pay the same" (A com- 
pensation for murder hardly in accordance 
with modern ideas.) 

The following from the Messenger will show 
the feeling of the day. Aug. 5. "Maj. Clark express passed through Meadville, which left 
has called into service two hundred volunteers Washington the preceding Tuesday, 14th, for 
This year Dr. Thomas R. Kennedy erected who are being stationed along Lake Erie as a Erie, with the glad tidings of peace." The 
the first bridge over French creek, as a per- frontier guard." Capt. Cochran's company time and distance traveled (four days and four 



PEACE. 

On Saturday morning, February, 1815, an 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



5 



nights) proves the improved condition of 
the public roads at that time. The shortest 
dates of published news in Meadville for this 
year are, from Boston, 20 days; New York, 
13 to 20; New Orleans, 32; London, 65. 

Two more bridges were built over French 
creek in 1815, one at Broad Ford and one at 
Dead Water (Cambridge). Atoll bridge was 
also built over Conneaut, near its entrance 
into French creek, by William May, who for 
some years had controlled a ferry at that 
point. 

FOUNDING OF ALLEGHENY COLLEGE. 

In the spring of this year (April 14) Rev. 
Timothy Alden, a native of Massachusetts, 
became a resident of Meadville. Well edu- 
cated for the times, energetic and ambitious, 
he soon occupied a prominent position as a 
leader in all movements of an educational or 
philanthropical character. Through his efforts 
a public meetmg of the citizens was convened 
at the old court house, on Tuesday evening, 
June 20, 18 1 5. Major R. Alden was called 
to the chair and John Reynolds, Esq., appoint- 
ed secretary. At this meeting the foundation 
of Allegheny College was laid by the appoint- 
ment of Rev. Timothy Alden, president, and 
professor of oriental languages and of ecclesi- 
astical history, and Rev. Robert Johnston 
vice president and professor of logic, meta- 
physics and ethics. John Reynolds was ap- 
pointed treasurer. Mr. Alden revisited his 
native state to secure aid to the undertaking, 
and the first name on the subscription list was 
that of ex-President John Adams. He after- 
wards canvassed the New England states. New 
York and Pennsylvania, and on March 2, 
1816, reported as result: land, ^2,000; books; 
$1,642.30; cash, M>6; total, §4,103.30. The 
subscriptions in Meadville, at that time num- 
bering less than 500 of population, amounted 
to $5,685. The act of incorporation did not 
become a-law until March 24th, 18 17, and on 
July 4th of the same year the organization was 
completed. The cost was, for tuition, $6 per 
quarter, boarding $1.50 per week; or, total 
for year, including boarding, washing and 
tuition, $130, The classes were for a time 
instructed in the court room, and afterwards 
at other places until the erection of the col- 
lege edifice. Samuel Lord donated five acres 
of land for the site of the institution. 

The first Bible society in the county was 
organized on July 20, 18 15. The society was 
an active agency for the distribution of the 
Scriptures for many years, and to perpetuate 
the memory of those who appear to have been 
the active members in the cause, the names 
connected with the organization are appended: 
Roger Alden, president; Hon. Jesse Moore, 
vice president; Rev. Timothy Alden, corre- 
sponding secretary; Rev. Robert Johnston, 
recording secretary; John Reynolds, treasurer ; 
Dr. Daniel Bemus, auditor; Hugh Cotton, 
George Davis, James Hamilton, Col. Robert 
Stockton and Peter Shaw, managers. 

Dunng the session of 181 1-12 a bill was pass- 
ed for the incorporation of the "Susquehanna 



and Waterford Turnpike Co." Three hundred 
shares were allotted to be subscribed by Ve- 
nanago county; Mercer county, 30Q; Crawford 
county, 450; Erie county, 80. The state was 
to subscribe $125,000 upon condition of a 
subscription of 2,000 shares having been made 
within a period of three years. The commis- 
sioners for Crawford county were James Her- 
riott and Henry Hurst. The war and general 
business depression prevented the subscription 
until the charter and state appropriation were 
jeopardized. On August 19, 1815, an effort 
was made by the citizens to prevent such dis- 
aster, and Maj. R. Alden, John Reynolds, H . 
J. Huidekoper, F. F. Cummings, Samuel B. 
Magaw, Thomas Atkinson, Joseph Morrison, 
Samuel Torbett, Patrick Farrelly, E. Betts, 
James Foster, James Herriott, Henry Hurst, 
Wm. Clark and John Brooks were appointed 
a committee to secure by correspondence a 
united effort for the completion of the enter- 
prise. In January, 1816, the subscription was 
completed. 

At the close of 181 5 Col. Wm. Magaw and 
William Clark commenced the manufacture 
of salt in the western [.art of the county (Bea- 
ver township) finding brine at the depth of 
130 feet and using thirty kettles for boiling. 
Daniel Shryock afterwards became a partner, 
and the drilling was carried to a depth of 300 
feet. The production was about ten barrels 
per day, and the price from $10 to $12 per 
barrel. Owing to the decline in value the 
works proved unprofitable and the manufac- 
ture was abandoned in 1S21. 

ARSENAL BUILT 

The recent war with Great Britain induced 
the legislature to build an arsenal in the 
wertern part of the state sufficiently remote 
from the lake to be safe from surprise. Mead- 
ville was selected as a suitable location and a 
brick arsenal was erected on the site now oc- 
cupied by the North ward school. The 
building was 100 feet long and 30 feet wide, 
of two stories, with attics and dormer windows. 
On the first floor were sever, compartments for 
cannon and work-shop. The second story 
and attic were divided into rooms for storage 
of small arms and millitary equipments. The 
arsenal was used until 1858, when the old 
arms and equipments were sold, and in 1869 
the site was given for school purposes. 

On August 23d died General David Mead, 
at the age of 64. 

THE STATE ROAD. 

By the act of March 13, 1S17, thirteen 
commissioners were appointed and ordered to 
lay out a road of 50 feet in width, beginning 
at the north line of Warren county, at the 
termination of the road to Angelica, and run- 
ning thence to Meadville. S3,0(jo was appro- 
priated by the state for opening and clearing 
the road. James Miles, John Brooks and 
Major James McGrady were appointed com- 
missioners to make the survey and location. 

Durmg the same session was incorporated a 
company for the construction of the "Mercer 
and Meadville Turnpike." John Reynolds 



and Thomas Atkinson were the commission- 
ers appointed from Crawford county. The 
stock was not subscribed in time for contract- 
ing the work until November, 1818, and the 
road was not opened for use until 1821. 

During the year 1819 the county erected 
public offices at a cost, including lots, of 
$2,579. This buildmg yet stands next south 
of the Unitarian church. 

In 1S20 the population of the county was 
9,379, an increase of 3,201. The town num- 
bered 540 inhabitants, an increase of 366. 
The ordinary expenditures of the county were 
$3,915. Add for new office buildings $2,579. 
Total, $6,494. Seated tax, $4,967. Prices, 
log chains, 26 cents, plough shares, 28 cents 
per pound. 

Roads had been opened from Franklin to 
Meadville and Waterford by the creek route, 
and from the latter pomt to Erie the turnpike 
was in nse. The state road had been cut out 
for part of the distance, and other rude ways 
extended to the various centers of settlement. 
These, while passable, were of the most prim- 
itive character, as may be believed, when it is 
stated that the entire amount expended by the 
county for roads and bridges for the five pre- 
ceding years was less than $2,000, and for 
I S18, but $98.67. Neither of the turnpikes 
connecting with the town had been completed. 
French creek was the chief artery of com- 
merce. Upon its surface the exports were 
carried to the market by flat boats or rafts and 
imports brought by keel boats from Pittsburg. 
MANUFACTURES. 

Manufactures for 1820: 89,626 barrels 
sugar; 23,626 gallons whisky; 15,000 pounds 
wool, carded; and 9,600 yards of cloth, 
dressed. The county contained 49 saw mills, 
30 grist mills, 4 carding machines, and 4 full- 
ing mills. 

Mercantile houses i8io-'20; Samuel B. 
Magaw, James Gibson, James Herriott, Joseph 
Hackney, Henry Hurst & Co. (1S13), Wm. 
B. foster (1813), Magaw & Betts (1813), Jas. 
Herriott and Jas. Foster (1813), Jacob Shry- 
ock & Co. (1814), Connor Clark (i8i4),Wm. 
Magaw and Jas. Herriott (1815), Joseph T. 
Cummings (1815), Wm. and James Foster 
(1815), Wm. W. White (1S15), Daniel Per- 
kins (1816), Daniel LeFevre (1817), Wm. 
Magaw and David Dick (18 18), James Gib- 
son and John Gibson (1819), Andrew Smith, 
Arthur CuUum. Druggist, J. A. Blossom. Man- 
ufactures: Spinning wheels, John Brooks; 
chairs, A. Bradley; nails, scythes and axes, 
James Hamilton; watch makers, A Johnson, 
Jacob Hull; .Saddlers, J. P. Davis & Co., Hora- 
tio Davis; John Dick, hatter; tanneries, Patrick 
Davis, John Findley, Jos. and John Patterson, 
(1814), James White; stone cutter, John 
Birth; cabinet maker, S. Derickson (18 14). 
Hotels, Samuel Torbett, George Hurst (1819, 
Andrew Work. S. Kirkpatrick, weaver; gun- 
smith, Jacob Razor; nail maker, Robert Por- 
ter, S. Torbett; Alva Flint, cloth dressing; black 
smiths, A. Radle (1814), L. Barton (181S). 

On July 5, 1820, the cornerstone of Bentley 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



HaU(Allegheny College) was laid with great 
ceremony, on the site presented by Samuel 
Lord. 

FIRST BRICK CHURCH. 

During this summer the brick church on 
Liberty street was completed, and on August 
14th the pews were sold by auction to pay the 
cost of construction, by a committee consist- 
ing of John Reynolds, H. J. Huidekoper, Livi 
Barton, John Brooks and James Hamilton. 
This was the 6rst brick church west of Pitts- 
burg, and had a seating capacity of over 500. 
On December 22d was celebrated in this 
church the second centenary of the landing of 
the pilgrims, with music, orations and an ode 
written for the occasion. The last surviving 
participant in this ceremony was the late Hon. 
David Derickson. 

INVENTION OF STRAW PAPER. 

A mill for the manufacture of paper was 
this year commenced by Colonel Wm. Magaw, 
Thomas Atkinson and David Carr, on Wood" 
cock creek, four miles north of Meadville. 
Colonel Magaw afterwards became the sole 
proprietor and conducted the manufacture 
with success for many years. It was in this 
mill that straw paper was first made. Colonel 
Magaw being the inventor of this now univer- 
sal manufacture. 

On November 7th arrived at Meadville the 
first mail stage from Bellefonte, Phillipsburg 
and Franklin. This line was established by 
Robert Clark, of Clark's Ferry, and by it a 
stage connection was made with Erie over the 
finished portion of the S. & W. turnpike. 

We again, at the commencement of the 
decade, notice the general condition of ma- 
terial progress of the country. On Erie and 
the upper lakes were thirty sailing vessels 
averaging 50 tons, and one steam boat which 
arrived at Erie from Blackrock on Aug. 21st, 
and was intended to make weekly trips from 
Blackrock to Erie, Cleveland and Detroit. 
The steamboats on the Ohio and western riv- 
ers numbered not quite one hundred, and on 
September loth the "Franklin" was the first 
steamboat to reach Kaskaskin, eighteen days 
from New Orleans. 

The shortest time of published news at 
Meadville was from New York, 10 to 13 days; 
from Wasliington, 12 to 13; from Philadelphia 
9 to 13; St. Louis, 30. 

In 1821 the Mercer and Meadville turnpike 
was opened, completing a turnpike connec- 
tion from Erie to Pittsburg. 

The Crawford county Sabbath school union 
was organized this year, embracing eleven 
schools, the first of which was opened in 1819. 
Among the managers we notice the names of 
Rev. G. Alden, pastor; Alex. Johnson, elder, 
secretary; David Brcckcnridge, treasurer; 
Robert Stockton, elder; John McClure, elder; 
Joseph T. Cummings, James Urawley, Jacob 
Guy, John Galbreath, Esq. 

The impetus given to internal improvements 
by the grand schemes of De Witt Clinton in- 
duced the legislature of Pennsylvania, in the 
session of 1821-2, to authorize surveys to as- 



certain the practicability of a connection by 
canal of Lake Erie with the Ohio. The ex- 
plorations were made during the summer of 
1823 by French creek and Waterford and by 
the western route which was afterwards 
adopted. 

In 1824 the United States government or- 
dered a corps of engineers to make surveys 
from the Potomac at Washington to Lake 
Erie to ascertain the practicability of a con- 
nection by a canal communication. The 
corps consisted of Gen. Barnard and Captain 
Poussin (formerly French officers under the 
empire) and Colonel Totton and Major Doug- 
las. In August the party spent some weeks 
in Meadville while prosecuting their explora- 
tions. 

The mail service between Pittsburg, Mead- 
ville and Erie was in February, 1824, extend- 
ed to three mails per week. 

During this year was completed the first 
brick court house on the eastern side of the 
public square, at the time considered an im- 
posing specimen of architectural skill. 

In December, 1824, died Hon. Jesse Moore, 
president judge since the short official service 
of Judge Addison. 

January 24th, 1825, Hon. Henry Shippen 
was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by 
the death of Judge Moore. 

At a meeting of the "Sabbath School 
Union" this year si.xty-four schools were re- 
ported, forty of which were in Crawford 
county. A library of over one hundred vol- 
umes had been provided exclusively for the 
use of the scholars connected with the Union 
under the following restriction: "Every pupil 
who shall have recited with little or no 
prompting rnenioriter ^,000 verses from the 
Bible, shall have the right to take one book, 
those who have recited 10,000 verses, two 
volumes, and for 15,000, three volumes at 
one time." Certificates of nineteen rights 
had been granted. 

VISIT OF LAFAYETTE. 

June 29th is memorable in the annals of the 
town for the visit of Lafayette, who spent a 
few hours on his route from Pittsburg to Erie, 
Many citizens yet live who remember the oc- 
casion. 

The mania for canal improvements had be- 
come general and lines were projected in all 
parts of the country. Internal improvement 
conventions were held at all points. 
Arthur Cullum and John B. Wallace were de 
puted to represent this county at a convention 
at Harrisburg. The U. S. Engineers made an 
elaborate report of the explorations from the 
Potomac to Lake Erie, pronouncing the feasi- 
bility of the canal from Pittsburg to the lake. 

The connection by turnpike of the entire 
distance between Philadelphia and Erie in 
1824, and the completion of the Erie canal on 
October 26, 1825, aroused new enthusiasm by 
giving access to an eastern market for pro- 
ductions of the west hitherto excluded, and 
at the same time reducing the time of travel 
and the cost of transportation. 



QUICK TRAVELING. 

A Troy paper of that period says: "The 
rapidity of traveling in the United States and 
the means of public conveyance have so in- 
creased within a few years as to become a 
matter of astonishment." "A gentleman now 
in Troy traveled from Erie in seventy nine 
hours." "Such are the signs of prosperity in 
a land of freedom." The Pittsburg Gazette 
publishes the fact that a resident of the city 
"had traveled from Detroit in three days." 
The Crawford Messenger notes the arrival of 
a merchant from New York City in the unpre- 
cedented time of five and onehalf days. The 
time from Meadville to Pittsburg was thirty 
hours and to Philadelphia six days. 

The cost of transportation from New York 
to Buffalo was reduced to $1.12^ per 100 
pounds, to Erie 25 cents, Erie to Meadville, 
25 cents ; total from New York to Meadville, 
$1,621^ per 100 pounds. Wheat was worth 
in Meadville, per bushel, 75 cents; at Erie, $1. 
Cast iron ploughs were first introduced into 
the county this year by Mr. John McFarland. 
Unimproved lands were sold at from S3 to S4 
per acre ; improved farms at from S5 to $8 
per acre. 

Meadville, with a population of nearly 900, 
contained ten stores, ten taverns, one grist and 
fulling mill, oil mill, carding machine and 
grist and saw mill at outlet of the Cussewago. 
Manufactures in the county — Black salts and 
potash, 177,360 Dounds ; whisky, 48,754 gal- 
lons; sugar, 145,821 pounds. 

The lakes were navigated by 100 sailing 
vessels and six steamboats. Thirty-four steam- 
boats were employed at New York, consuming 
70,000 cords of pine wood annually at S5 per 
cord. 

"The Internal Improvement Society of 
Crawford County " was organized in April, 
1826. To its efforts the western part of the 
State was in a great msasure indebted for the 
construction of the Beaver and Erie canal. 
Its officers were Hon. Henry Shippen, presi- 
dent ; Rev. Daniel McLean, Hugh Brawley, 
William Wicoff and Joseph T. Cummings, 
vice-presidents; David Derickson, recording 
secretary ; John B. Wallace, corresponding 
secretary ; Stephen Barlow, treasurer ; H. J. 
Huidekoper, Thomas Atkinson, Joseph Mor- 
rison, John P. Davis, John Reynolds, William 
Foster and John H. Work, acting committee. 

On November 9th, the new brick academy 
(now the High School) was opened under the 
charge of John Adams and Henry Pettibone. 

The surveys for the French creek feeder 
from Conneaut Lake to French creek were 
made this year by Major Douglass. 

On April nth, 1827, the cornerstone of 
Christ church was laid with appropriate cere, 
monies by Rev. Charles Smith, rector, assisted 
by Rev. B. Hutchins. The building commit- 
tee were Hon. Stephen Shippen, Jared Shat- 
tuck, William Magaw, David Dick and Rob't 
L. Potter. This was the first Episcopal church 
west of Pittsburg. 

On August 27th ground was broken for 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



the Beaver and Erie Canal opposite 
the present residence of A. C. Huidelcoper, 
Esq., with a grand parade of the volunteer 
companies and citizens. The oration was de- 
livered by Henry Baldwin, Jr. After the 
ceremonies of the occasion a collation was 
served at the Lord spring, where a barrel of 
whisky was opened for the refreshment of all 
who desired. 

A daily mail from Pittsburg, Meadville and 
Erie was established, and also a stage and 
mail route opened over the new turnpike to 
Harrisburg via Bellefonte, accomplishuig the 
distance in three and one-half days. 

On March i8, 182S, a newspaper in the in- 
terest of the supporters of Andrew Jackson 
was published by Jacob Williamson — the 
Meadville Gazette. 

Christ church was consecrated on August 
1 6th by Bishop Onderdonk. 

The impel tant improvement of the year for 
the convenience of the town was the erection 
of a free bridge over French creek at tlie ter- 
mination of Dock street. 

1829. 

Bentley Hall, of Allegheny College, having 
been in a great measure completed, the faculty 
was increased by the appointment of Dr. Rey- 
nold Coats, of Philadelphia, and Rev. David 
McKinney as additional professors. 

On November 28th, 1829, water was let 
into the first division of the French creek 
feeder, an occasion celebrated by the citizens 
with great enthusiasm. 

MEADVILLE IN' 1830. 

Population of county, 16,030; of Meadville, 
1,104. Merchants of Meadville — James 
Herriott, Leon and Sebastian Chappotin, 
Isaiah Kellogg, George S. King, Smith & Col- 
son (1829), John McFarland & Co., John P. 
Davis, Wm. W. Perkins, Wm. Whitley ( 182S), 
Oscar Cullum (1829), Foster & Co (1829), 
Dick, Reynolds & Co. (1828), L &' W. P. 
Rupp (1829), Wood & Cady (1828). Mer- 
cantile houses between 1820-30 — Jared Shat- 
tuck, Wm. A. V. Magaw (1827), John Brooks 
(1823), Jas. L. Smith.(i827), Wm. A. Foster 
(1828), Wm. Davis. Attorneys John B. 
Wallace, George Selden, David Derickson, 
Chas. B. Power, Robert L. Potter, John W. 
Farrelly, John Stuart Riddle, Miles Green. 
Physicians — Daniel Bemus, Reynold Coats 
(1830), Wm. Woodruff, Edward Ellis (1830), 
Chas. W. Yates (1825), Dr. Warner (1825). 
Druggist — Samuel Magill (1825). Hatters — 
Hill& McCurdy (1829). Silversmiths -Hull 
& Walters. , Cabinet-makers — T. McDowell, 
A. Grimes. Wm. Davis, tin and sheet-iron 
manufacturer. Tanners: W. C. Clark. John 
Patterson, James White. Prices paid for labor 
on canal, %\o per month. Prices of wheat 
per bushel, 75 cents; corn, 40 cents; hay, per 
ton, S7; flour, per barrel, $4.50; beef, 5 cents 
per pound per quarter; whisky, 25 to 38 cents 
per gallon. Merchandise was brought from 
Philadelphia in four or six-horse connestoga 
wagons, the trip to and from Philadelphia be- 



ing made in eight or nine weeks. About ten 
days were consumed in going to and returning 
from Pittsburgh. A large part of the trans- 
portation from Pittsburg was by keel boats, 
which carried about 12 to 15 tons and were 
propelled up the rapid current by setting poles, 
a very laborious task. 

At this date there was of completed canal 
and other artificial navigation in the United 
States, 1,343 miles; in progress, 1,848 miles; 
completed railroads, 44 miles; in progress 422 
miles. On the lakes were eleven steamboats 
of from 50 to 400 tons, and ninety schooners 
averaging 70 tons. The importance of French 
creek as an outlet for the exports from the 
surrounding country may be seen from the 
fact that on April 1st between ninety and one 
hundred flat boats descended the stream with 
an average tonage of twenty-seven tons, with 
an approximate total valuation of ^50,000, 
while an equal or greater number were pre- 
paring for the voyage. Add to these the large 
export of lumber by rafts, and the value of 
creek navigation can be appreciated. 

Time of travel from Philadelphia to Mead- 
ville, 3 days and 1 2 hours; New York to Bos- 
ton 48 hours. 

Wolf bounties for 1829, S186.70; for ten 
years, 82,217.23. County expenditures for 
1839, $8,093; borough, $571. 

During this year the first church of the 
Methodist Episcopal congregation was com- 
menced on Arch street. 

In November the aqueduct over French 
creek was completed. 

The successful navigation of the Allegheny 
by the steamboat Wm. B. Duncan from Pitts 
burg to Franklin in January, 1828, and by 
the "Allegheny" (built by David Dick and 
others of our citizens, introducing for the first 
time the stern wheel on western waters) to 
Warren in 1830, and to Olean in 1S31; and 
the completion of the French creek feeder to 
the aqueduct excited a reasonable expectation 
that a system of artificial navigation on French 
creek to connect with steam on the Allegheny 
would prove of great public benefit. 

Slack water navigation from the aqueduct 
to Franklin became a favorite scheme and the 
legislature was induced to undertake its con- 
struction. Early in December, 1833, five 
freighted boats descended French creek from 
Meadville to Franklin by the canal and the 
slack water, and by the river to Pittsburg. 
Hon. John Dick had the honor of conducting 
the first boat through this improvement. On 
April 29th, 1834, the " French Creek Pioneer " 
was launched — the first and probably only 
canal boat for passengers between these 
points. We note her arrival on June 6th and 
on December 13th. The French creek feeder 
was completed to Conneaut Lake in Decem- 
ber. In July, 1837, the dam at Bemustown 
was broken, and the canal and slack water 
improvements seriously damaged by a great 
flood. No appropriations for repairs were 
made, and in 1840 the estimated sum neces- 
sary for these repairs was $131,174. The 



French creek division proved a great disap- 
pointment to its friends, and the cost of con- 
stniction a total loss to the state. 

On November 4th, 1833, Allegheny College 
was opened under the auspices of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal denomination, with Rev. Mar- 
tin Ruter President. 

The first foundry was established by Jared 
Shattuck, on the south side of Randolph 
street, opposite the present school building, 
and in it was the first steam engine operated 
in the town. The Red mill this year was con- 
verted from a paper mill to a grist mill by E. 
Derby. 

On May 2, 1835, the last of the beavers in 
Northwestern Pennsylvania was killed in Ve- 
nango county. This last of his race had been 
known for thirty years. 

On August 15, 1836, the Unitarian church 
was dedicated. 

The rapid increase of western immigration 
and consequent traffic is proved by the com- 
mercial development on the lakes, the number 
of steamboats having in five years increased 
from eleven to thirty-four, and schooners from 
ninety to one hundred and fifty. 

Judge Shippen died in March, 1839. The 
vacancy was filled by the appointment of Na- 
thaniel B. Eldred. James Thompson was also 
appointed president judge of the district court. 

During this year the white daisy first made 
its appearance in this county, an unwelcome, 
and it is to be feared, a permanent settler. 
SEMI CENTENNIAL OF MEADVILLE. 

1840. The commencement of this decade 
IS so nearly coincident with the semi-centen- 
nial of the settlement as to make it a proper 
period for a consideration of the condition of 
the county after fifty years of settlement. 

Its population was 31,734, an increase in ten 
years of 15,694. The tax assessment was 
$12,091.76; rate per capita, 38 i-io cents. 
Borough population, 1,406; increase in ten 
years, 302. Tax assessment, $1,228 ; rate per 
capita, 87"^ cents. Value of labor— Mechan- 
ics, per day, 75 cents to $1.25; labor, per day, 
62 J^ to 75 cents; labor, per month, $10 to $11 
and board. Prices board and lodging, per 
week, §1.50 to $2.00; prices current (retail) — 
Flour, $3.50 to $3.75 per barrel ; beef, 4 to 5 
cents ; sugar, 12 to 18 cents per pound ; tea, 87 
cents to $1.00; coffee, 10 to 12 cents. 

A tri-weekly mail coach connected with 
Harrisburg and a daily with Pittsburg and 
Erie. Time of travel to New York or Phila- 
delphia, 3 to 3)4 days. Meadville was the 
business centre, not only for Crawford, but also 
for portions of Mercer and Venango counties. 
Merchandise was transported from Pittsburg 
and Erie by four or six-horse conestoga wagons, 
keel boats having gone from use. The time 
for transportation of merchandise from New 
York and Philadelphia was from thirteen to 
sixteen days. 

Business houses between 1830 and 1S40 — 
Wm. Magaw (1833), Smith & Colson (1830), 
Ebenezer Betts (1832), Wm. Watson (1S32), 
George King (1833), I. & W. P. Rupp (1830;, 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Hylus Ellis (1833), Magaw & Chappotin 

(1833)- 

Business houses in Meadville in 1840 — John 
McFarland & Co,, Cullum & Thorp, Hastings, 
Smith & Bagley, Gill and Derickson, Joseph 
Douglass, Daniel Shryock, Samuel Wilson, 
Rodney Burt, Fleisher & Tuckner, John & 
David Dick. 

The Crawford County Medical Society was 
organized in 1841 with a membership of ten : 
Doctors Chas. M.Vates, James White, A.Yates 
Harlow, Edward Ellis, Philip Spencer, Wm. 
Woodruff, Rufus Ashley, Joseph Bloomfield, 
Ebenezer Hyde, H. Boyd. 

Crawford county Bar — G. Church and A. 
Huidekoper, David Derickson, J. S. Riddle 
and Wm. H. Davis, Arthur Cullum, J. W. 
Farrelly and C. B. Power, D. M. Farrelly, 
Thomas V'anHorne. 

Druggist, Norman Collender; books, Allen 
& Brother ; hatters, Osborn & Burgess, J. & H. 
Hemler ; cabinetmakers, John Carr, C. P. 
Cochran, Samson Hamilton ; chairmakers, A. 
Bradley, D. V. Derickson, W. J. McFadden; 
carriage and wagonmakers. Proctor & For- 
syth ; tin and sheet-iron manufacturer, W. 
Bartle & Co. 

In the spring of 1S42 the Trustees of Alle- 
gheny Co[lege opened a female seminary in 
the building formerly known as Torbett's hotel. 
In the fall of the same year a steam paper 
mill was erected by Edward A. Reynolds on 
the site now occupied by the Sennett machine 
shops. 

On May 24th, 1843, fifteen years after 
" breaking ground " for the French creek 
feeder, the " Hudson " and " Pilot " landed at 
the Chestnut street basin, laden with freight, 
from Pittsburg, the first boats over the line 
frem Beaver to Meadville. The .State had ex- 
pended nearly $4,000,000 during these years 
on the canal from Beaver to Erie and Mead- 
ville and the slack water to Franklin. The 
estimated amount for the completion of the 
canal was $211,000, yet at the session of 
1842-3 all the work done at such cost was 
granted to the Erie Canal Company, in con- 
sideration of finishing the work. The old mill 
at the head of Water street was converted into 
a woolen factory by Wm. A. V. Magaw. 

On June 2d, 1S44, the new school (Second 
Presbyterian) church was dedicated, and on 
October 24 the brick Cumberland Presbyterian 
church, on Centre street and Cranberry alley, 
was dedicated by the Unitarians as Divinity 
Hall. 

TIIK FI.ANK ROAD CRAZE. 

After the completion of the canal from 
Beaver to Erie (December, 1844,) no public 
improvements of note were undertaken in the 
county until the spread of the " plank road " 
mania in 1848 9. This method of road build- 
ing met with popular favor. Calculations of 
large profits were easily made when the per- 
ishable nature of the roadway was left out of 
the estimate, and the possession of a plank 
road charter was regarded as a stepping stone 
to a fortune in prospective dividends. Craw- 



ford county did not escape the contagion. In 
the winter of 1848-9 a public meeting was con- 
vened at the court house and the advantages 
of this system of road building set forth by J. .S. 
Riddle, Esq. It must be borne in mind that 
at this period the county was, with the excep- 
tion of the turnpikes, destitute of good public 
roads, especially the eastern portion. Farms 
were widely separated by unimproved lands, 
large blocks were held by the Holland Land 
Company, or under tax titles, often aggre- 
gating many thousands of acres in compact 
bodies. To open these lands and induce set- 
tlement, the plank road scheme was favorably 
received. A charter was obtained for the 
"Meadville, Allegheny and Brokenstraw Plank 
Rood " in the spring of 1849, and the company 
organized by the election of J. S. Riddle 
president, and John Dick, Alfred Huidekoper, 
Wm. Thorp, John M. Osborne and William 
Reynolds, managers. On February 19, 1850, 
a contract for ten miles was given and the road 
completed to Guy's Mills in 1853. The antici- 
pated results were not realized, and in 1857 
the road was abandoned by the company to 
the public. 

During the winter of 1849-50 a charter was 
granted to the "Meadville, Klecknerville and 
Edinboro Plank Road Company." Books 
were opened on March 5, 1850: The com- 
pany was organized with Gaylord Church, 
president; Edward Sanger, Isaac S;eger, Wm. 
Reynolds and others as managers. The 
road was completed to a connection with 
the Edinboro and Erie plank road in 1851, 
and the line of mail stages to Erie transferred 
from the Waterford turnpike to this road. 
Toll was collected for some years, but the re- 
ceipts were insufficient for the necessary re- 
newal of the roadway and the road was sur- 
rendered by the company for public use. 
1850. 

Population of the county, 37,849 — an in- 
crease in ten years of 6,125. Tax assessments, 
$15,681; rate per capita, 41 43-100 cents. Bor- 
ough population, 2,578; increase in ten years, 
1,172. Tax assessments, $1,900; rate per 
capita, 73 710 cents. Mercantile houses in 
Meadville — H. & C. Cullum, O. Hastings, 
J. R. Dick, Derickson & Fuller, Donnelly & 
Lenhart, John McFarland & Co., D. V. Der- 
ickson, John P. Davis, J. & M. Hilbroner, T. 
M. Kean ; grocer — ^J. C. C. Brooks; druggists — 
N. Collender & Co., Chas. W. Burton, Chas. 
M. Yates ; hatter — John M. Osborne ; clothing 
— A. Seiple & Co.; books — H. B.Balch&Co., 
D. Sexton; foundries — Hiram Steele, Watson 
Case, Pardon Sennett; woolen mill — H.& C. 
Cullum ; salaratus manufactory — John McFar 
land; chairmakers — W. & R. McCabe, A. 
Bradley ; silversmith — Isaac Myers. 

The first telegraph office was opened this 
year in the jewelry store of C. W. Mead, on 
Chestnut street, by the Pittsburg & Erie Tele- 
graph Company. 

The first building used as a Catholic church 
exclusively was the frame building still stand 
ing on the northwest corner of Liberty and 



Pine streets. The corner-stone was laid by 
Father Steinbacher, September 25th, 1849, 
and the building was completed and dedicated 
August 10, 1850. The congregation was or- 
ganized by the same Rev. Nicholas .Steinbacher 
in February, 1849. 

On January 9, 1654, a charter was granted 
to the Meadville Gas and Water Company. 
The projectors and stockholders were citizens 
of New Jersey. After ten years of unsuccess- 
ful operation of the works, the stock was pur 
chased by residents of Meadville, a new site 
purchased and entirely new works erected , 
with a largely increased capital. 

THE RAILROADS. 

On October 8th, 1852, representatives of 
several railway interests in this State, New 
York and Ohio, met at Cleveland to perfect a 
scheme for a connection from Ohio to the 
city of New York through Northwestern 
Pennsylvania. At this meeting Meadville 
interests were represented by Darwin A. Fin- 
ney and William Reynolds. This was the 
initiation of the " Pittsburg & Erie Branch," 
afterward merged into the ■' Meadville Rail- 
road," subsequently known as "Atlantic & 
Great Western Railway," and at the present 
time the " New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio." 
Hon. Gaylord Church and William Reynolds 
were appointed to represent the Pennsylvania 
interests at a meeting in New York with the 
New York & Erie Railroad Company. The 
conference resulted in a survey of the line in 
the autumn of 1852. 

On August 19th, 1853, ground was broken 
for the railway on the bank of French creek, 
south of the borough line. On the 22d a sub- 
scription was made by the commissioners of 
the county, in consequence of an expression 
of opinion by a vote of the citizens on August 
iSth, of 3,235 in favor and 170 adverse to 
such subscription. On the same day Joseph 
McArthur, Samuel B. Long, Alexander 
Power and William Reynolds were appointed 
directors on behalf of the county. William 
Reynolds was appointed by the board of 
directors superintendent of construction of the 
"branch." About ten miles were graded 
southwest of Meadville at a cost of $76,000, 
when the contractors abandoned the work in 
December, 1854. Thirty thousand dollars of 
the county bonds had been expended in the 
coiKtruction. 

On November 11, 1856, a convention of 
the several interested companies was held in 
Meadville to mature a plan for resumption of 
work: Thomas J. Power and William Rey- 
nolds were appointed to represent the P. & E. 
R. R. interests at a meeting in New York 
City. 

On May 27th, 1S57, " The Meadville Rail- 
road Company " was incorporated, George 
Msrriman, Gill & Shryock, A. W. Mumford, 
Gaylord Church, John McFarland, John Dick, 
James E. McFarland, Richard Craighead, 
Darwin A. Finney, James R. Dick and Wil- 
liam Reynolds, corporators. The organiza- 
tion of the company was eftected by the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



election of William Reynolds president, John 
Dick, Gaylord Church, Darwin A. Finney, 
James J. Shryock, George Merriman, L. D. 
Williams, A. W. Mumford, James R. Dick, 
directors; Harper Mitchell, secretary; James 
R. Dick, treasurer. 

On July 27th all the " branch " interests of 
the P. & E. Company were transferred to the 
"Meadville Railroad Company." 

On June 8th the commissioners of Crawford 
county applied for an injunction prohibiting 
the further issue of county bounds and a decree 
for the cancellation of the entire county sub- 
scription. On February i6th, 1858, a con- 
tract was given to Henry Doolittle and W. S. 
Streator for the construction and equipment of 
the road. Individual subscriptions of some 
what over $200,000 had been made and nego- 
tiations effected in Europe for a portion of the 
necessary funds. 

On October 25th, 1858, the Supreme Court, 
by decree, annulled the Si 70,000 of unissued 
county bonds, basing their decision upon the 
fact that "the Pittsburg & Erie Railroad Com- 
pany, at the time the county subscription was 
authorized by the legislature (1846) was des- 
titute of legal basis." This decree was a 
serious disaster to the project, the European 
negotiations having been based on vhe county 
and individual subscriptions. The latter were 
made conditional upon the completion of a 
certain portion of the work within a limited 
time. The delays occasioned by new nego- 
tiations rendered these subscriptions void. On 
March loth, 1859, the name of the company 
was changed to "The Atlantic & Great 
Western Railroad Company, of Pennsylvania." 
It subsequently became necessary to organize 
a new company in the state of New York to 
effect the desired connection with the Erie 
railway. This was done on May 21st, 1859, 
under the name of the Atlantic & Great 
Western Railroad Company in New York; 
William Reynolds, president; John Dick, 
Gaylord Church, James E. McFarland, \V. S. 
Streator, J. J. Shryock, Pearson Church, 
Henry A. Kent, William Thorp, Henry 
Doolittle, D. C. Doan, Marvin Kent and E. J. 
Lowber, directors. The latter company pur- 
chased the right of way and the work done by 
the Erie & New York City Railroad Company. 
The track was laid to Corry May 27th, 1861, 
and was completed to Meadville October 22, 
1862. 

On June 1st, 1863, the line was opened to 
Franklin. On November 3d, 1863, the first 
train (freight) entered Cleveland from New 
York over the A. & G. W., and on June 20th, 
1864, the last spike was driven at Dayton. 

The Oil Creek railroad was built from 
Corry to Titusville of the same guage as the 
A. G. & W. (six feet) and connecting there- 
with at Corry, by the assistance of the friends 
of the A. & G. W. Co., in 1862. 

The Pitttsburg & Erie Railroad Company 
was chartered in 1845. A new charter was 
obtained under the name of the Erie & Pitts- 
burg Railway Company, in 1856. Under 



this charter the road was graded through the 
western part of Crawford county in 1S59, and 
completed to New Castle in 1864. 

i860. ANOTHER DECADE. 

The population of the county in i860 was 
48,755, an increase in ten years of 10,906. 
Tax assessment, 139,089.35; rate per capita, 
80 cents. Borough, population, 3,702, an 
increase in ten years of 1,124. Borough tax 
assessment, $3,531, rate per capita, 95 38-100 
cents. 

On February 15, 1866, a new charier was 
granted, and Meadville became a city. 

STATISTICS FOR I87O. 

County, population, 63,832, an increase in 
ten years of 15,077. Tax assessment, S79,- 
691.73, rate per capita, Si. 24 87-100. City, 
population, 7,103, increase in ten years, 3,401. 
Tax assessment, $22,662.00, rate per capita, 
$3.19. On November 29th, 1870, the Beaver 
& Erie canal was sold to the Erie & Pittsburg 
Railroad Company. In 1S71 the mam line 
was abandoned, and the water drawn from the 
feeder in 1872. 

CITY WATER WORKS. 

The city was left without a water supply 
for tire purposes, and in 1873, the Mayor, 
James D. Gill, recommended the construction 
of water works by the city for hre protection 
and supply to the citizens. The expenditure 
for such purpose was strongly opposed, and 
the proposition being submitted to a vote, was 
rejected. The insecure condition of the 
rapidly growing city against the danger of fire 
induced the ofl'er by the city to capitalists of a 
contract for a water supply for fire purposes. 
On October 30, 1874, "The Meadville Water 
Company" was incorporated. Every effort 
was made to secure a general popular stock 
subscription, the amount to be subscribed by 
any one person being restricted. The com- 
pany was organized by the election of J. J. 
Shryock, president; James D. Gill, Pearson 
Church, Samuel B. Dick, George B. Dela- 
mater, F. W. Huidekoper, William Reynolds, 
Hiram L. Richmond, Jr., F. W. Ellsworth, 
J. C. Porter, directors. The works were 
completed in September, 1875. 
1880. 

County, population, 68,607, increase in ten 
years, 4,777. Tax assessment, $139,598.77, 
rate per capita, $2.03 48 100. City, popula- 
tion, 8,860, increase in ten years, 1,757. Tax 
assessment, $35,330, rate per capita $3.98 
64-100. 

THE MEADVILLE * LINESVILLE R. R. 

The necessity of a competing railway from 
our city induced many of the business men to 
undertake its construction. A meeting was 
held at the court house in March, 18S0. E. 
W. Shippen was appointed chairman and T. 

A. Delamater, secretary. As a result the 
Meadville & LmesviUe Railroad Company, 
with a capital of $125,000, was organized on 
July 7th, 1880, by the election of James J. 
Shryock president, A. C. Huidekoper, Samuel 

B. Dick, G. W. Delamater, S. C. Stratton, A. 
S Dickson, Cyrus Kitchen, W. S. Harper 



and W. P. Porter, directors; F. W. Ellsworth, 
secietary; G. W. Delamater, treasurer. The 
road was completed in October, 1881. 

Manufactories of window glass and bottles, 
silk works, and wire nail manufactories have 
been added to the list of industries since 1880. 

CENTENNIAL SUMMARY. 

At the close of the century of settlement of 
the county, a statement of its status will be 
appropriate. Population (estimated) 70,000. 
Tax assessment for 1887, $134,928.34, rate 
per capita, |i. 92 75-100. Acres of improved 
land, 423,631; timber land, 179,307. Valua- 
tion (by assessors) $10,248,157. Farm build- 
ings, mills and manufactories, $2,091,710; lots 
with buildings, $4,003,088; vacant lots, 
$138,852. Horses and mules, over four years 
of age, 10,519; cows, ditto, 21,215; oxen, 
ditto, 869; total valuation of personal property 
and occupation, $985,124; money at interest, 
mortgages, etc., $2,433,223; total valuation, 
$17,000,000. City population (estimated), 
lo,ooo for 1887. Tax assessment, $37,036.- 
22, rate per capita, $3.70 36-100. 

*m* • 

RECOLLECTIOXS OP A\ EARLY 
SETTLER. 



Stories of Pioneer Life, Indian Trou- 
bles, Personal Experiences, Etc. 



(BY HON. JOHN DICK.) 
I have been urged by many friends to com- 
mit to writing my early recollections of the 
first settlers and residents of Meadville and 
the surrounding country, together with such 
information as I have obtained from my asso- 
ciation with many who were resident at an 
early period. 

In 1794. my father, William Dick, removed 
with his family from Pittsburg to Meadville. 
His family were four in number, viz: his wife 
and two sons, George and myself. I was 
between four and five months old when we 
arrived in Meadville. At that period there 
were no means of transportation but by the 
Allegheny river, or by pack horses. My 
father chose the former, and embarked, with 
his family and goods, on board a keel boat, 
destined for Frankhn, at the junction ol the 
French creek with the Allegheny river. This 
journey occupied three weeks to Frar.klin. 
Franklin was then a military post, established 
by the government for the protection of the 
settlers. The fort was under the command of 
Left. Polhemus and Ensign Rosencrantz. 
Several of the members of his command sub- 
sequently became residents of Meadville, 
amongst whom were John Wentworth, Luke 
Hill, Sargeant Muzzy, Samuel Lord and Mar- 
tin Kicenceder, names now familiar to many 
of the old citizens. 

On the arrival of the boat at Franklin, my 
father procured pack-horses for the transpor- 
tation of his goods and family. I have often 
heard my mother speak of her journey on 
horseback with me on her lap, along the 
Indian path which in many places was over- 



lO 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



hung with bushes that nearly swept her from 
her seat. On arriving at Meadville, General 
Mead invited them to his house until some 
provision should be made for them. I believe 
this was in September or October. 

GEN. mead's stockade HOUSE. 

General Mead resided on the ground now 
occupied by the residence of James E. Mc- 
Farland. There was a stockade erected about 
his premises, as a protection from the attacks 
of the Indians, who were very numerous and 
troublesome. The stockade was built by 
planting timber close together, and was about 
fifteen feet high. I have a distinct recollec- 
tion of seeing them standing many years after- 
wards Within the stockade were three 
buildings, or cabins; two were built of round 
logs and one, which was occupied by General 
Mead, was a frame one story 
filled in between the studding 
with clay mortar and boarded 
on both sides to prevent the 
clay falling out. One of the 
log houses was occupied by 
James Dickson and family, 
who had settled a farm four 
miles up French creek, and 
he removed there in the 
spring, where he resided 
many years, and until his 
death. The other cabin, 
which had been used as an 
out house, or store house, was 
put in the best repair that 
could be under the circum 
stances, for the occupancy of 
my father's family. We re- 
mained there until the spring 
of 1795, when my father re- 
moved to a log cabin on the 
corner of Water and Center 
streets. The ground is now 
occupied by the Rupp hotel. 
The building we occupied 
was a part of what was called 
a double house, there being 
a space between two cabins 
with the roof extending over 
the space between, and the 
door of entrance to each be- 
ing under cover. The other part was occupied 
by David Ralyea, one of the earliest settlers. 
.Some of his family are yet residents of this vi- 
cinity. The only residents at the time of our 
arrival were Gen. David Mead, James Dickson, 
Thomas Ray, David Ralyea, William Jones, 
Robert F. Randolph, James Finney and Cor- 
nelius VanHorne. 

In 1796, my father built a two story resi- 
dence on the coiner of Water street and an 
alley and removed his family there the same 
fall. In 1797, he contracted to build a house 
for General Mead, which now is standing at 
the head of Water street — Dr. Ellis' residence 
— being the oldest building in the city. In 
1798, my father built the house corner of 
Water street and Cherry alley, now owned by 
J. n. Gill. The frame was erected at that 



time, the roof put on and also the w^eather- 
boarding, but owing to the difficulty of obtain- 
ing material to finish it, it remained in that 
unfinished state until March 12th, 1800, when 
the legislature passsd a law to organize Craw- 
ford county. As soon as the officers of the 
county were appointed, the commissioners 
contracted with my father to finish off the 
building for a court house, which was com- 
pleted early in the summer and the first court 
held by David Mead and John Kelso, asso- 
ciate judges, in July 1800, and by Judge 
Addison, in l8ol. Judge Kelso and Judge 
Bell being the associates. 

THE EARLY BAR. 

In 1S03 my father contracted with the 
county commissioners to build a court house 
and jail on the west side of the Diamond — site 




dJENEKAL JOHN DICK. 

of Mr. Brawley's law office — which was occu- 
pied for many years as such. At the early 
period of judicial business in this county, there 
were many of the first talents of the bar in 
regular attendance on the courts. Hon. 
Henry Baldwin, late Supreme Judge, Hon 
William Wilkins, John Woods, Thomas Col- 
lins, Steel Sample, James Ross, Parker Camp- 
bell and George Armstrong, all men of more 
than ordinary ability, and some of them not 
surpassed by any in their day. Of the resi- 
dent lawyers we had several who were at the 
head of the profession: Alexander W. Foster, 
Patrick Farrelly, Samuel B. Foster, John W. 
Hunter and others. The first prolhonotary 
was Dr. Thomas R. Kennedy, and William 
Moore register and recorder. Alexander 
Stewart was first sheriff, who, after the term 



of his office expired, returned to Lycoming 
county, where he formerly resided. 

For several years following the removal of 
my father to Meadville, there were many 
added to the population of the town and 
county. The successful campaign of General 
Wayne the same year against the Indians, and 
his treaty with them, rendered more secure 
the settlers, and there was a consequent in- 
crease of immigration. Amongst those who 
located here previous to 1800, were Luke 
Hill, Rodger Alden, Alexander W. Foster, 
John Carver, James Gibson, John Davis, 
Samuel Torbett, David Compton, Daniel 
Razor, Daniel Roger, Henry Hurst, George 
Hurst, John Brooks and many others scattered 
through the county. 

A SEVERE STORM. 

My earliest recollection of 
any particular circumstance 
in connection with personal 
interest was a terrible storm 
in June, 1797, which pros- 
trated everything in its way 
for many miles. Several 
houses 'were blown down 
--.. and others unroofed I was 

then three years old, had 
strayed away from home and 
found myself on the bank of 
French creek. When the 
storm came on, I started for 
home, but was caught by 
the wind and carried to the 
middle of Water street. A 
two story log building, oc- 
cupied as a hotel or tavern 
by John Carver, was blown 
down to the first story, and 
the logs and other timbers 
piled over me. The first log 
fell parallel with my body, 
the next fell at right angles 
and supported all the rest 
from pressing upon me. A 
number of persons from with- 
in saw me but dared not 
venture out until the storm 
subsided. As soon as it was 
safe some eight or nine men 
rushed out and removed the timber, and Alex- 
ander Power, Esq., late of Conneautville, car- 
ried me to my father's. Dr. Kennedy was 
soon with me, and by judicious and active 
treatment restored me to consciousness. A 
young man by the name of Dunn was killed 
at the same time by a log blown from a house 
striking him on the head. We have never 
had so violent a storm since. 

Previous to iSoo — 1789-'90 — General Mead 
had built a saw-mill, which furnished all the 
lumber used here for several years. In the 
fall of 1790 he built a small grist mill, near 
the sawmill. Both were located near where 
the red mill now stands. Both mills were 
operated by water from Mill run, there being 
sufficient then to run both mills the greater 
part of the year. Soon after there were sev 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



II 



eral saw mills erected in the vicinity C. Van 
Horne, General Wilkins, and George Dickson 
built saw mills Rodger Alden built a grist 
mill in l8ci at Saegertown; Archibald Humes 
built one on Gravel run; James Dickson built 
one on Woodcock; Alexander Power one on 
Conneaut creek. Thus the country was saved 
much labor and expense in procuring food for 
their families. 

THE PRIVATIONS OF SETTLERS. 

For many years after our removal to Mead- 
ville, we suffered many privations, for want 
of the actual necessaries of life. For the first 
year, all our supplies were brought from Pitts- 
burg on pack horses. Late in the fall of 1795, 
my father started with four horses to pack a 
supply ot flour from Pittsburg for his family 
during the winter. He expected to be absent 
about eight or ten days, but did not return for 
nearly six weeks, in consequence of the fall of 
snow about four feet deep. There were no 
roads opened and consequently no travel to 
break the roads. I have heard my mother say 
that she and her children subsisted principally 
upon frozen potatoes, venison and bear meat 
until my father's return. The few inhabitants 
here were no better oft' than we, but a dis 
position to divide with and assist each other 
was strongly manifested by all. During the 
summer, large bodies of Indians were encamp 
ed in and about the village, hunting and fish- 
ing. French creek abounded at that time 
with fine fish and eels, and deer and turkeys 
were often killed within the lines of the village. 
THE INDIANS. 
The Indians in general were peaceable ex- 
cept when under the influence of whisky, 
which was furnished them by traders. On one 
occasion, when a large number of them were 
encamped on the point or bend in the creek, 
where now stands the freight house of the N. 
Y., P. & O. Railroad, my father went down 
and purchased a dressed deer skin. When 
■returning he met an Indian, who challenged 
him with stealing the skin and attempted to 
take it from him. But he, being a stout and 
resolute man, did not feel disposed to yield to 
his demands. He felled him to the ground, 
then picked up an ox gad and belabored him 
right soundly. He was soon after surrounded 
by a large number of Indians, who were de- 
termined to have revenge; one of thera ap- 
proached from behind with a large knife, but 
a bystander called to father to warn him of his 
danger, when he wheeled round, caught the 
fellow in the act of striking him, threw him 
down, seized the knife and in drawing it from 
him, cut the savage's hand nearly through. 
Finding himself surrounded and in danger of 
his life, he made his way to General Mead's 
house, where, in a short time, the building 
was surrounded by Indians, demanding the 
surrender of my father. Owing to the firm- 
ness of General Mead and a few others who 
remained with him during the night, any 
further hostility was prevented. After explana- 
tions were made and the conduct of the Indian 
explained, the mass of the Indians were satis- 



fied that he deserved what he got. During 
that night, my mother sufi'ered great anxiety 
for my father's safety, and much fear lest in 
their rage they would attack her house. 
Amongst the prominent Indians who were 
Irequently in the village, was a celebrated 
chief whose name in English was Half Town, 
another, Logan, another. Cheat, and Twenty 
Canoes. Others, when translated in English, 
were probably characteristic of the gentlemen 
so named — Laughing Thief, Stinking Fish 
and Surly Bear. I remember, upon one oc- 
casion, Half Town and his squaw came into 
my father's and asked for something to eat. 
My mother set before them some cold meat, 
bread, butter and milk. After having satisfied 
their hunger, they left with many expressions 
of thanks, shaking hands with mother. He 
remarked, "Good squaw, very good." About 
two or three months after, near Christmas, our 
old friend Half Town again made his appear- 
ance with one of the largest and fattest wild 
turkeys I ever saw, completely dressed, and 
presented it to my mother. She asked him 
how much was to pay. Half Town seemed 
quite indignant and said, "Good squaw, you 
much good squaw, you keep him," and turned 
and walked away. He was not to be outdone 
in acts of kindness. As the country became 
settled and the game scarce, they retired to 
other hunting grounds. 

AN Indian's joke. 
There is one other circumstance in con- 
nection with the business of the place, which 
may not be of much importance, but may be 
somewhat amusing to those who love a good 
joke. Colonel Joseph Hackney was about 
the first in this place to trade with the Indians, 
and had provided such articles as were usual- 
ly required by them. He kept his little sup 
ply in a small frame building on the corner of 
the lot where John McFarland's store now 
stands. Amongst the prominent articles of 
trade with the Indians were beaver, otter and 
musk rat skins. At that period there were 
large quantities of the beaver taken in the 
streams and marshes of this county. Colonel 
Hackney had traveled amongst the Indians 
and acquired a pretty good knowledge of their 
language, aiid many of the nations were quite 
familiar with him. On one occasion an Indian 
came into the store and said: "Brother, buy 
beaver skin ?" "Yes." "How much give?" 
"Six shillings." "Well, take him." The 
colonel threw the skin up through a hole in 
the floor into the loft. After the Indian went 
out, he saw a rude ladder against the end of 
the house where there was an opening in the 
loft. Placing it so that he could reach in, he 
stole the beaver skin and an hour after, he 
came back and said: " Brother, I another 
beaver skin. How much, six shillings ? " 
After being paid, he retired, but soon after 
returned with another beaver skin. The 
colonel, never suspecting, asked him why he 
did not bring them all at once. He replied: 
"No get; one at time." The colonel paid the 
third time, and soon the Indian appeared with 



another beaver skin. He began to suspect all 
was not right and examined the loft and found 
he had been buying the same skin over again. 
When he taxed the savage with his rascality, 
he roared and laughed and thought it a first 
class joke. And .so did all the colonel's ac- 
quaintances, for I have heard them twit him 
about it many years afterward. 

TROUBLE WITH THE INDIANS. 

In speaking of the troubles and difficulties 
the early settlers had to encounter, I will 
mention the attack by the Indians on James 
Dickson, in 1794, when returning from his 
farm up the creek. He was attacked by three 
or four Indians near where William Reynolds 
now resides. They fired upon him from an 
ambush, one of the balls breaking his arm, 
another passing through his hat. Mr. Dickson 
had his rifle with him — no one traveled in 
those days without arms — and immediately 
wheeled round, presented his rifle, and called 
to them to come out and fight him. The 
cowardly rascals he succeeded in keeping at 
bay until he reached his home. 

Another circumstance that occurred about 
or before that time, may still further show what 
our fathers had to endure in the early settle- 
ment of the counli-y. I refer to the capture 
of Captain Cornelius VanHorne and Thomas 
Ray by the Indians. They were carried off 
and tied in the woods, with their hands tied 
behind them, then secured to a tree, but so 
far apart that they could not communicate 
with each other. The Indians then left them 
for a time until they made a raid on some 
other of the settlers. Captain VanHorne had 
picked up a small knife a day or two before 
and stuffed it into the cuft" of his coat. After 
the Indians had left him, he remembered the 
circumstance and after some time secured the 
knife, cut the thongs, and released himself 
from the torture that was in store for him. 
His companion, Ray, did not fare so well, but 
was taken to 1 'etroit and after some delibera- 
tion the savages decided, by way of amuse- 
ment, to have him run the gauntlet. The 
gauntlet consisted of two lines of savages 
facing each other about eight feet apart, each 
man being supplied with a well trimmed 
hickory. The prisoner is then made to run 
up and down between them, each savage 
striking him on the bare back as he passes, 
a process which would result in flaying the 
flesh from his body. After the process, a 
British officer who proved to be a countryman 
of Ray's — he being a Scotchman — bargained 
with the Indians and bought him off for two 
gallons of whiskey, and then furnished him 
with means to return to his family, which re- 
quired some months to perform. 
A DUEL. 

Another event of the early days of the city 
was one which probably will not interest the 
present residents, but as a matter of history, 
may with cropriety be recorded. A duel was 
fought in 1804, between General Roger Alden 
and Alexander W. Foster. I am not fully in- 
formed as to the origin of the difficulty but I 



12 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



believe a woman was at the bottom of it. 
They fought on a point of land on French 
creek about two miles from the court house 
on the Randolph flats. At the first fire, Alden 
fell, his antagonist's ball having shattered his 
thigh bone . He was brought home in a canoe 
by James F. Randolph and George McGun- 
negle. Doctors Wallace, of Erie, and Ken- 
nedy, of Meadville, acted as surgeons on the 
occasion. Such an event in our village would 
necessarily produce a great deal of excitement, 
each ol the belligerents having their p'ersonal 
friends. But by judicious forbearance, all 
trouble soon subsided and the harmony of the 
citizens was not disturbed. 

HOLLAND LAND COMPANY. 

General Alden was at that time agent for 
the Holland Land Company in Pennsylvania, 
Paul Bush, of Philadelphia, be 
ing the general agent for the 
company in Pennsylvania and 
New York. Large bodies of 
land were conveyed to the 
company by the government in 
payment of money furnished 
them to carry on the Revolu- 
tionary war. The settlement of 
these lands caused much trouble 
and litigation in our courts for 
many years, which retarded, in 
a great measure, the settlement 
of the country, General Alden 
soon after resigned the agency ; 

and was succeeded by Harm 
Jan Huidekoper, who some 
years after purchased the entire 
interest of the company in this 
State. His history in this and 
the surrounding country is fa- 
miliar to most persons, and will 
not require any further notice 
from me, other than to say that 
he lived in this community, 
much respected for his philan- 
thropy and benevolence, and 
died much regretted by his nu- 
merous friends and acquain- 
tance.s. 

General Alden served with 
distinction in the revolution- 
ary army and was considered a brave 
and chivalrous officer. He was in posses- 
sion, at one period, of some of the most 
valuable property in this vicinity. He became 
embarrassed in his pecuniary aflairs, in conse- 
quence of the revulsion of money matters, 
after the war of 1812, and all his valuable 
possessions were sold to satisfy his creditors. 
He lived some years after in this place in very 
embarrassed circumstances, then received an 
appointment as military store-keeper at West 
Point, where he resided several years, and 
where he died between eighty und ninety 
years of age. 

There is one other circumstance which 
would, perhaps, as a matter of history, be 
worth recording ; particularly so, as it finally 
terminated in the possession of the property 



by the descendants of the original parties. In 
1793 or '94, I am not certain which, William 
Gill took possession of and settled on the tract 
of land directly north of the Lord tract on 
French creek. He built a cabin and raised 
corn and potatoes during the summer. In 
the fall he went to Pittsburg, where his family 
were, intending to lay in supplies and return 
with his family. But, owing to the winter set- 
ting in early, he deferred his return until the 
following spring. When he arrived, he found 
the cabin occupied by Jenny Finney, who 
claimed possession of the land and stood in 
the door with rifle in hand and warned him to 
leave the premises ; or, if he attempted to dis- 
possess her, she would put a ball through him. 
Mr. Gill, believing discretion the better part 
of valor, abandoned the settlement and went 




HARM JAN HUIDEKOPER. 

further up the stream. Jenny Finney remain 
ed in possession long enough to perfect her 
claim, and soon after married Gen. Mead, he 
being a widower at that time. Perhaps the 
General could not have selected a more suita- 
ble companion. She was well educated, pos- 
sessed a strong mind, indomitable will and 
great energy of character. The tract of land 
settled by her finally became the property of 
her daughter Maria, who was subsequently 
married to William Gill, the son ol her adver- 
sary in the land claim. In the end, singular- 
ly enough, the descendants of the contending 
parties became joint owners of the property. 

In April, 1803, Hon. Jesse Moore was ap- 
pointed president judge of the judicial district 
composed of the counties of Beaver, Butler, 
Mercer, Crawford and Erie. The entire cir- 



cuit was performed on horseback, there being 
no public conveyance of any kind for many 
years after. The roads in the spring and fall 
seasons were almost impassable. Judge Moore 
continued to preside from that period until his 
death, which occurred in December, 1824. 
It is a remarkable fact that in all the twenty- 
one years of his administration he never lost a 
single term, week or day of the courts under 
his jurisdiction. 

Judge Moore was one of the purest and 
noblest of mankind. All who had the pleas- 
ure of his acquaintance, young or old, rich or 
poor, loved and respected him for his amiable 
and benevolent feelings to all. As a judge, 
he was sound, honest, impartial and upright. 
In his opinions and decisions he was uniform- 
ly sustained by the Supreme Court, with but 
few exceptions. He died re- 
gretted by the bar and officers 
of the Court and all others, 
who, either in judicial or social 
intercourse, had ever mst him. 
He was succeeded by Hon. 
Henry Shippen, in 1825, who 
presided for many years, and 
until his death. 

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. 
In 1800, the population of 
Meadville consisted of twenty- 
five or thirty families. The sur- 
rounding country was fast filling 
up, consequently an increased 
demand for the necessaries 
which a growing population re- 
quired ; to supply which keel 
boats and canoes were employed 
in the transportation, by way 
of the Allegheny river and 
French creek, the latter stream 
being navigable for boats of 
ten or twelve tons as far up as 
Waterford. At that period, and 
for many years afterward, the • 
navigation of the stream was 
uninterrupted during the whole 
summer. As late as the sum- 
mer of 181 2, the navigation was 
open nearly all the season, when 
the keel boats were employed 
in transporting the necessaiy armament for 
the fleet in process of building at Erie. 
All (he cannon balls, and ammunition of 
every description, together with the cord- 
age, anchors and spikes, were shipped to 
Pittsburg for Waterford, and from thence 
hauled by ox trains to Erie. In the early set- 
tlement of the western part of the state, many 
of the necessaries of life were transported from 
the seaboard on pack horses across the moun- 
tains. Amongst those essential to the house- 
keeper was salt, which necessarily made it 
come very high to the consumer. I have 
heard my father say that he often paid fifty 
cents for a quart of salt. About the year 1807 
salt was produced in large quantities at Ana- 
dagua, in the state of New York, and sent to 
Erie by water, thence hauled over to Water- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



13 



ford during the winter when the sledding was 
good, to be shipped to Pittsburg, Cincinnati 
and Louisville and the intermediate towns on 
the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The boats 
used for transportation were called arks or 
broad horns, being from seventy to eighty feet 
long and about eighteen feet wide. They car- 
ried about two hundred barrels of salt. I 
have counted from twenty to thirty boats of 
this description passing Meadville in a single 
day. This trade increased and continued for 
several years, and though the Canaway Salt 
Works, which were erected about i8l2, fur- 
nished a sufficient supply to render the Ana- 
dagua trade Jess profitable, it did not cease 
altogether until 18 19. I mention these facts 
to show how important to the interest, not 
only of this section, but a large extent of 
country beside, was the navigation of French 
creek. Much inconvenience and danger at 
tended the inhabitants in that early period for 
want of bridges across our principal streams. 
In April, 1809, a melancholy disaster occur- 
red in which three persons lost their lives. 
Joseph Andrews, David Patten and James 
Milligan were on board a ferry boat near where 
the old Kennedy bridge stands. There were 
several other persons on board, beside a yoke 
of cattle and three horses. The boat being 
overloaded went down about the middle of the 
stream and the three above named, one horse, 
and one ox were drowned. The next year 
Dr. Thomas R. Kennedy built a bridge, it be- 
ing the first ever built across the creek ; and it 
is now standing, a monument of the Doctor's 
enterprise.* 

There are many other circumstances of a 
minor character that might be introduced. I 
believe, however, that I have given the prin 
cipal events of interest within my knowledge 
and information, up to the period last named. 
As there are many now living who are famil- 
iar with subsequent events, I leave it for them 
who are perhaps better qualified, to write and 
embellish the history of the county. 



*This article was prepared by General John Dick 
several years prior to tiis death, which occurred 
May 29, 1872. 



BOYHOOT) MEMORIES. 



Recollections of the Early Days of 
Meadville. 



(BY E. W. SHIPPEN.) 

I cheerfully comply with your request for a 
contribution to your Centennial number and 
as an eminent writer says, "two men traveling 
together upon the same road see different 
objects," so may I hope to give you a few 
Items different from your other correspondents, 
which may be of interest to some of your 
various readers, of my recollections of boy- 
hood days. The items here given were near- 
ly all of a time previous to the year 1837. 

I was born in Huntingdon, Pa., and brought 
to this city an infant in my mother's arms, in 
the year 1825. My mother repeatedly in- 
formed me that shortly after my arrival here 



I was nursed by a colored woman who, with 
her two children, were fugitive slaves and 
sought refuge for a short time under her wing 
at her house, which then stood on the line of 
the street on the lot where now stands the 
house of the Hon. N. S. Pettis, Meadville then 
being on the line of the underground road 
between Maryland and Canada. The house 
of Taylor Randolph, on the Franklin pike, one 
mile below the city, was one of the stations on 
the underground road. 

THE INDIANS. 

About my earliest recollection is of a time 
when a party of Indians were encamped on 
Muddy creek, a few miles northeast of the 
town, who came into the town in the winter 
(I suppose about 1830 to 1832) with their 
horses hitched with harness, made from deer 
hides with the hair on, to sledges made from 
bent hickory poles, the sledges laden with the 
hindquarters and saddles of venison, which 
they sold at two cents per pound, after which 
they became so filled with firewater that the 
women and children were in terror lest they 
would be massacred — at least an aunt of mine 
kept all the doors of the house locked and 
would not let me go out of doors to see the 
Indians as I wished to do. 

At a subsequent period a party of Indians 
were encamped in their wigwams, built of 
hemlock boughs, covered with bark, in the 
valley, about one mile east of town, on or near 
the spot where now stands the house built or 
owned by the late Prof L. D. Williams. I, 
with a number of boys and girls, was taken 
out to visit them, and upon our approach the 
squaws, hearing the sound of our sleighbells, 
rushed out of their wigwams to detach from 
the limbs of the trees their pappooses, which 
were bound to pieces of boards and had been 
dangling in the wind, and which they then 
rested upon the ground, leaning them back 
against the wigwams. 

The boys emd young men of the tribe visited 
the town, selling bows and arrows, and to wit- 
ness with what dexterity they could shoot, the 
town boys would put up their cakes, apples, 
pieces of pie, etc., which they had for their 
dinner between school hours, to be shot at, 
the Indian boys winning them if they would 
hit them, which they almost invariably did. 
Mr. Octavius Hastings, who kept a store on 
the east side of Water street, above Dock 
alley, placed a sixpence in a post which stood 
at the corner of the pavement, northwest cor- 
ner of Water and Dock streets, and said to an 
Indian boy, who stood on the pavement in 
front of his store, that " he could have it if he 
would hit it in three shots." It was knocked 
out the first shot with an arrow from his bow. 
Mr. Hastings then said, " I will give you a 
half dollar if you hit that pigeon." pointing to 
a tame pigeon resting upon the top of the 
brick house northwest corner of Dock and 
Water streets. The words were not much 
sooner out of his mouth than the feathers were 
out of the tail of the pigeon. The money was 
handed over. 



THE DIAMOND. 

One day in the summer of about the year 
1833, a drove of mules numbering about one 
thousand, on their way from Kentucky to 
New York, passed through the town, and as 
they crossed the Diamond, which then much 
resembled the Sahara or great desert, but few 
blades of grass growing upon it, nearly every 
mule dropped to the ground and rolled in the 
dust. Such a cloud of dust I have never 
before or since witnessed, except upon the 
following day, when another drove, said to 
contain eleven hundred mules, passed over the 
same ground with a like result. 

NAVIGATION OF FRENCH CREEK. 

Captain Samuel Patch (grandfather of D. V. 
Derickson), who lived in the stone house 
southwest corner of Chestnut and Market 
streets, was master of a keel boat that made 
trips to New Orleans. For the benefit of some 
of your younger readers I will state that keel 
boats were long, narrow, flat-bottomed boats, 
rounded at the sides, with pointed ends, and 
having narrow foot-walks with cleats nailed 
across, extending the whole length upon each 
side of the boat, and having sides and rpof, 
forming a long house between the foot-walks. 
These keel boats, in going down stream, were 
carried along by the current, but the tug of 
hard labor came when being propelled up 
stream. The latter was done by men placed 
upon either side on the foot-walks with long 
poles placed in their hands, which, being 
thrust to the bottom of the water, the should- 
ers of the men were applied to the upper end 
of the pole, and the boat was pushed along by 
walking from stem to stern. Then withdraw- 
ing their poles they carried them back again 
from stern to stem, and again repeated the 
process. It might be an interesting problem 
in arithmetic for some of our young readers 
to calculate how far a man would walk in 
thus propelling a boat from New Orleans to 
Meadville, and the time required in making 
the trip, walking at the rate of one or two 
miles per hour, ten hours per day. 

The writer well remembers the ware- 
house that stood on south side of Chestnut 
street, where are now the ruins of the Olmstead 
block, owned by Mr. Torbett (grandfather of 
the Hon. S. B. Dick), with its tackle and 
rope pendant from the roof that projected over 
French creek and the keel boats lying along 
side in French creek being unloaded with 
supplies brought from Pittsburg. 

CANAL AND SLACKWATER NAVIGATION. 

I think that it was in the year 1832 that the 
French creek feeder canal from Bemistown 
dam to Conneaut Lake and the French creek 
slackwater navigation from Meadville to 
Franklin was opened. To celebrate the occa- 
sion some of the officers of the state (the canals 
were state institutions) and citizens of Frank- 
lin chartered a keel boat from off the Alle- 
gheny river, to which horses were attached, 
and with their wives and children came to 
visit Meadville. The following day some of 
the ladies, gentlemen and children of Mead- 



H 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



ville joined them and made an excursion to 
Conneaut Lake. The landing of the boat was 
immediately below the bridge which crossed 
the canal on South Main street, at a point at 
the northeast corner o( Pine and South Main 
streets, or near where now stands the hose 
house. 

I am under the impression that the keel 
boat with the excursion party was the only 
boat and only trip ever made ascending the 
slackwater navigation from Franklin to Mead- 
ville. At least I do not remember ever hav- 
ing seen or heard of another. The locks of 
the slackwater soon became out of order, so 
that the upper boatmen, with their broad, flat 
boats, descending French creek from above, 
had so much trouble in passing their boats 
through the locks that they assembled in 
bodies and cut out the dams forming slack- 
water navigation. A younger brother of the 
writer fell into the locks of Conneaut Lake 
from off the excursion boat and came near 
being drowned. 

SOME OLD MILLS. 

The grist mills of the time were the old mill 
then known as the Huidekoper mill, operated 
by Mr. Sidman, miller on the west bank of 
French creek, now the site of the modern 
structure of Messrs. Gill & Shryock ; the mill 
at Saegertown known as Saeger's mill ; a mill 
at Cochranton, on Little Sugar creek, then 
known as Cochran's mill, to the latter of which 
the writer has straddled a horse carrying a bag 
of grain to be ground. 

The saw mills of the near vicinity were on 
Mill run. One known as the McNamara mill 
was situated at the foot of the hill in front of 
the house where Mr. William Magaw now 
resides ; one on the Ellis farm about northeast 
of the Theological School ; and one alongside 
of the old red mill at the head of Water street, 
then owned by Mr. W. A. V. Magaw, who 
lived in a house on the site where now stands 
the house of Mr. James E. McFarland. The 
water from Mill run was carried to a pool at 
the southeast corner of Market and Randolph 
streets, from where it was carried to the saw 
mill on top of a wheel about 24 feet in diame- 
ter. One day I witnessed Mr. Magaw tie a 
rope to an arm of the water wheel, passing the 
rope across and tying it to another arm on the 
opposite side, several feet from the buckets of 
the wheel. He then .sat upon the lope and 
asked the boys to open the gate and let the 
water run, which we did, when he was carried 
around inside the wheel, trying to keep his 
head perpendicular, which he did not accom- 
plish, and we fearing that he would be killed, 
soon stO])ped the wheel. 

There was also a paper mill operated by 
Samuel Quail, on Mill run, situate a little ea'st 
of north from the Theological college. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The largest manufacturing establishment 
was the hub and wagon manufactory of Mr. 
Cyrus Townsend, which stood at the southwest 
corner of Steers alley and Water street, south 
of the present premises of Mr. James E. Mc- 



Farland. The hubs and wagons not required 
in this vicinity were loaded on flat boats and 
taken to the Pittsburg market. This was be- 
fore the opening of the canal. 

The manufacturing of potash, pearlash and 
black salts was a great industry of the time, 
and was carried on by some of the Dick 
brothers on Dock alley, nearly south from the 
present banking house of J. R. Dick & Co.; 
also by McFarland and Stewart on the north 
side of Walnut street near French creek. 
Many were the stalwart trees of the forest that 
were felled by the pioneers in clearing their 
land, turned into ashes, and transported to the 
asheries. 

An axe factory was built and operated by a 
man named Proctor, over Mill run on the site 
now occupied by the Irvin House, on Market 
street. The power used for grinding was 
from the water taken out of the canal. 

The only machine shop in the town was one 
run by Mr. Goodrich, at which a man's foot 
was the power for running the lathe to do the 
turning. The making of wooden pumps was 
combined thereto. 

Mr. Forker, gunsmith, father of the present 
gunsmith of this city, had his shop on north 
side of Arch street, west of Liberty street, at 
the corner of the alley, and invented a gun 
with a sliding breech to hold four charges of 
ammunition, the first repeating gun of which 
the writer has any knowledge. 

Robert Hope carried on wagon making, on 
northeast corner of North and North Main 
streets. I have seen him place a flour barrel 
with one head out, partially tilled in with 
brush and stone, in Mill run, opposite his 
house, and catch half a bushel of fish, weigh- 
ing one to two pounds each, in an afternoon. 
One Fourth of July he took a cannon out of 
the old United States arsenal, which stood 
where the North ward school house now 
stands, loaded the cannon, then straddled it 
and touched it off, causing his "hair to stand 
on end by its rebound. 

There were two iron foundries, one on the 
site oi the present Eagle Iron Works, south 
side of Pine street, west of South Main, and 
the other on the south side of Randolph street 
a short distance west of North Main street. 

Colonel William Magaw, the father of Leon 
and William Magaw, was the inventor of 
straw paper and had his mill on French creek 
four miles up. He lived at northeast corner 
of Water and Center streets in the building 
now the Central Hotel. The building now 
used as a stable was a warehouse used for 
storing potatoes bought at a shilling a bushel, 
which were loaded on flat boats in French 
creek and sent to Pittsburg. 

The first theatrical performance that I ever 
witnessed was in the second story of the ware- 
house. Colonel Magaw also had a hay press 
on the south side of Center street and shipped 
large quantities of hay by flat boat to Pitts- 
burg. 

A SMALL WHEELBARROW. 

'Squire Robert D. Potter, who lived on 



Water street, on the lot where John Zone's 
old livery stable now stands, made a wheel- 
barrow of wood with a metal tire, the whole 
only weighing as much as three grains of 
wheat. It was considered such a great curi- 
osity that it was placed in Peale's museum in 
Philadelphia. 

Writing of the Dick brothers reminds me of 
an incident that occurred during their early 
manhood days. A young lady from Philadel- 
phia was visiting a lady friend in the town. 
Whilst she and her friend were perambulating 
the streets, they were met by a young gentle- 
man who bowed to them. She asked her 
friend the name of the gentleman, to which 
the reply came, "Mr. Dick," and as they con- 
tinued their walk they met at intervals a sec- 
ond, a third and a fourth brother, with a like 
result, when the Philadelphia lady turned to 
her companion and said "are all the young 
gentlemen of this town named Dick?" 

I am under the impression that the Hon. 
David Dick was the first instigator of the 
navigation of the Allegheny river by steam- 
boat. 

The first fire apparatus, a hand machine 
worked by levers on front and rear, was 
housed on the north side of Center street on 
ground now occupied by Market street. 

The first public lecture room, with ball 
room up stairs, was built on Center street, west 
of Market street. 

SKATING PONDS. 

The ground on the north side of Chestnut 
street west of Park avenue, now occupied by 
the postoffice, Howe's furniture store and 
Rouche's stove store, on Chestnut street and 
the Prenatt block, on Park avenue, was a 
basin connected with the canal, for the laying 
up of canal boats. Another boat basin is now 
partially occupied by Park avenue and the 
Rockland silk works. These basins and the 
mill pond before mentioned, southeast corner 
of Market and Randolph streets, were the 
favorite skating places in winter. Mr. Horace 
CuUum was the fancy skater of the time. Mr. 
CuUum afterwards built the first woolen mill 
in MeadviUe on the site now occupied by the 
postoflice. It was burned in September 1865. 

GAME. 

Squirrels and wild pigeons were very num- 
erous, and in some years were pests to the 
farmers. Squirrels in particular, owing to 
their migratory habits, accumulated in vast 
numbers and destroyed wheat and corn fields. 
Shooting matches were in great vogue. Two 
captains were first chosen, who first drew lots 
as to who should have first choice in selecting 
the first member of his company, then each 
captain made selection alternately on his side 
from among the best shots of the town. After 
having hunted for one day the men would as- 
semble in the evening and count the game. 
The side having the fewest number were re- 
quired to pay for a supper for the whole party 
upon the following evening. Upon one of 
these occasions Mr. Octavius Hastings pro- 
duced over three hundred black and gray 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



15 



squirrels, which he shot in the Cussewago 
bottom within four miles of town, but he had 
several guns and men to load for him. My 
eldest brother Edward shot sixty two on top 
of the hill just above the Huidekoper park and 
within one mile of town. I was permitted to 
accompany him and help to carry the game, 
being then too young to carry a gun. Many 
were caught by the boys from apple trees 
within the limits of the borough. About 95 
per cent, were jet black, whilst about only 5 
per cent, were gray. The market price among 
the boys for a fine living specimen of a black 
one was sixpence, whilst I sold one beautiful 
gray one for a half dozen. 

Wild pigeons were in such abundance that 
some mornings in their flight over the town 
they fairly darkened the sky. Some were 
killed with poles from the house tops. 



week departed for Franklin, and, returning, 
entered the yard o( the Rupp house, then kept 
by Mr. Jesse Rupp (now the Crawford house) 
just opposite to my father's dwelling house. 
Upon one occasion I managed to secrete my- 
self unnoticed in the boot of the stage and was 
well nigh to Franklin before I was discov- 
ered. Little did I then think of the pangs of 
distress that I occasioned my dear mother and 
friends that night and the next day by my 
absence, whilst they were seeking for me 
through the town and in French creek. 

Upon one occasion the late Hon. David 
Dick, whilst in Pittsburg, wishmg to return 
home, started early one morning from the 
hotel, a few hours before the time for the de- 
parture of the stage, remarking that he would 
walk ahead and enter the stage when it over- 
took him. The stige overtook him in or near 



round upright rungs similar to the old style 
chairs. It was looked upon as a great curi- 
osity and visited by a large concourse of men 
and boys. 

SHOWS. 

The first circus or show of which I have 
any realization was held in a stable yard near 
the southeast corner of Chestnut and Water 
streets, on ground now occupied by the Phoe- 
nix Block, about the year 1830. The first 
elephant came to town a year or two later, and 
was domiciled in the stables of the present 
Crawford House, I think in the same one that 
stands there to-day. Well do I remember 
that some of the boys remained out of their 
beds all of the previous night and strewed the 
road from Mill run to the old arsenal with po 
tatoes and apples in hopes of stopping him 
that they might get a good sight of him; and 




Bear were very plentiful one fall. One was 
shot by Doctor Yates, on the Hosier farm, a 
half mile below the Kerrtown bridge. Three 
were found basking in the sun in a barn yard 
on the Franklin pike, a half mile below the 
town. The boys were afraid to venture out 
into the woods. 

THE OLD STAGE-COACH. 

The old four-horse stage-coach was the 
greatest attraction of the times. As the hour 
would approach for its arrival, many were the 
ears open to listen for the first blast from the 
driver's tin horn, and soon thereafter could 
many citizens be seen wending their way to 
the northwest corner of the diamond, where 
Mr. Daniel Andrews kept the postoffice in the 
second building from the corner of North 
Main street. Well do I remember the team 
of four snow-white horses as they twice per 



Meadville. I cannot say whether he got in 
or not. 

VEHICLES. 

The pleasure carriages of the period were 
very few in number, and only owned by the 
citizens of the town. My impression is that 
there were only about five or six four-wheeled 
pleasure vehicles, two of which were in the 
old style, with their folding steps, similar to 
the one used by General Washington, and two 
or three two-wheeled gigs, all of which were 
hung upon the old fashioned "C" springs, with 
leather bands of several thickness, passing 
over them and under the bodies similar to 
those of the old style stage coach. 

The first buggy with the elliptic springs was 
broUL;ht to town by the Hon. David Dick and 
Mr. Wm. P. Shattuck from Pittsburg. It was 
without a top, and the back was formed with 



1 recollect their disappointment, by his keeper 
having him covered up and hurrying him 
along. But we had the satisfaction of seeing 
and measuring his tracks, and comparing them 
with the size of a half bushel measure. 
boy's pranks. 
Among the pranks of the boys was an occa- 
sion when a few of them one dark night en- 
tered the old Presbyterian church which stood 
on Liberty street, on the site of the present 
modern building. Ascending to the belfry 
they tied the end of a ball of wine to the 
clapper of the bell, then threw the ball down 
over the roof. Upon descending they un- 
wound the ball and carried the end up into 
the hay mow of the old log stable that stood 
upon the back end of the lot owned by Mr. 
Thomas Atkinson, now the site of the south- 
ern end of the court house and jail yard, 



i6 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



where they awaited the hour of midnight. 
When the citizens were in their beds they be- 
gan ringing the bell until they observed some 
ofthe men with lanterns groping their way 
through the mud up the alley from the dia- 
mond, when they ceased. From their retreat 
the boys could see through the windows, the 
men looking about the church, but finding no 
one, the men returned home. After waiting 
a sufficient time, when they supposed the men 
to be again comfortably ensconced in their 
beds, they again rang the bell. Men again 
came, and as they passed near the stable the 
boys could hear them vowing vengeance on 
the disturbers of their rest. After the men in 
vain searched the church inside and out from 
foundation to roof, they again left. The boys 
waited another interval, when they rang the 
bell. Men returned a third time and finally 
ascending up into the belfry, found the string, 
which they burned oft with a candle taken 
from a lantern. Observing this, the boys left 
for parts unknown. The writer was not of 
the party, but learned who the boys were. A 
reward was offered for their names, but I doubt 
if they are known to this day. 

MILITIA TRAININGS. 

Diamond park was the scene of the militia 
trainings, held in May or June, which were 
very attractive to the boys. The Meadville 
Grays were a company of well accoutred and 
disciplined men, and carried of the palm. 

The artillery company were dressed in a 
uniform of dark colored cloth, trimmed with 
yellow, and in their caps was a short plume, I 
think made of sheep skin died yellow. Horses 
were attached to a cannon and a caisson, 
which the company maneuvered. 

The Hibernia Greens were a company from 
the country dressed in a uniform of bright, 
medium .shade, green color, light material. 
The coat was a loose fitting blouse or frock 
coat reaching nearly to the knees, with a broad 
lay down collar over the shoulders, the collar 
and skirt both iestooned with a green fringe. 
The Cussewago rangers (or Cussewago In- 
dians, as the boys called them, also nick-named 
Shirt tail Rangers) were a company from up 
the Cussewago creek, dressed in a uniform 
consisting of coat or blouse of white, home- 
made linen or tow cloth, which reached to or 
a little below the knees, and was bound and 
trimmed with broad red bands of other mate- 
rial. This company was particularly attrac- 
tive to the boys, as they performed evolutions 
different from the other companies, marching 
around in a circle and in files, intertwining 
themselves somewhat in the manner of the 
circus riders upon their grand first entree into 
the circus ring. 

The majority ofthe militia were dres,sed in 
their everyday suit, some carrying muskets 
obtained from the U. S. Arsenal, others carry- 
ing their private rifle or shot gun, whilst others 
whittled out a pine stick shaped as a gun, and 
many carried clubs, corn-stocks and canes. 
Each comp.-iny had their fifes, drums and flags. 



FOURTH OF JULY. 

Fourth of July was for many years celebrated 
by the raising of a tall liberty pole, with the 
bark off, from which floated the flag, alongside 
of which was erected a bower made of forked 
poles planted in the ground, over which were 
placed cross poles covered with fresh boughs 
and leaves, forming a shade. Under the bower 
was built a long table with seats at the sides. 
Here would assemble citizens of the town and 
county, and after enjoying a sumptuous dinner 
patriotic speeches were the order of the day. 
These bowers were sometimes built upon the 
Diamond and in other parts of the city. The 
last large one that I remember was built upon 
the ground between Dock street and French 
creek, east of the railroad, the liberty pole of 
which stood for many years. 

Bowers and liberty poles were erected in 
the groves alongside of town by the boys, 
where they and the girls would assemble and 
picnic. Upon one occasion I had taken my 
father's horse and wagon to haul out supplies, 
without permission, and at a time that he de- 
sired to use him. Upon returning, I found 
him out of humor, and being scolded, I replied: 
"Why, father, I supposed I could do as I 
pleased on the Fourth of July," at which he 
smiled and the controversy ended. 
time's changes 
As I was growing to manhood, in the year 
1844, I was sojourning for a short period at a 
hotel in the city of Harrisburg. One evening, 
whilst there, Mr. Taylor Randolph (before 
mentioned as living about one mile south of 
town) arrived at the same hotel. During the 
evening's conversation he said he had nevei 
seen a railroad or a locomotive, and requested 
that I should accompany him in the morning 
to the depot. Harrisburg was then the west- 
ern terminus of the Pennsylvania railroad, 
which belonged to the State. About daylight 
the following morning Mr. Randolph knocked 
at my door and called for me, and before 
breakfast we visited the depot, where he for 
the first time witnessed the operation of a 
locomotive. He then said to me, " I have 
lived to see the Indian's trail, the bridle path, 
the wagon road, the turnpike and the canal 
all passing over my farm, and I wonder if I 
shall live to see a railroad passing over it." 
He did live to witness it. 



PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 



Some Remarks on the Changes of the 
Last and the Next One Hun- 
dred Years. 



(liY HON. PEARSON CHURCH.) 
In undertaking to contribute a topical paper 
appropriate to the centennial celebration of 
the founding of Meadville, I am disagreeably 
confronted with the dreadful threadbareness 
of the subject matter. So much has been said 
(I had almost added sung) in the newspapers 
ofthe city upon the neverto-be-faded glory 
of this long expected event, and so much is 



now saying, and singing, and doing for the 
purpose of "celebrating" something, that little 
or nothing is left for the ordinary and humble 
penman to do, in contributing towards this 
great mass of "celebration " 

Moreover, in the prosaic mind there is a 
difficulty in generating any great degree of 
enthusiasm about what was, after all, a very 
commonplace event. .\11 towns were settled 
"once upon a time." It has so happened that 
Meadville was no exception to this universal 
rule. The men and women who came to 
this spot and made themselves homes did 
so, not because they thought of doing or in- 
tended to do any notable thing, but did it 
just as many men and women had done 
before under similar circumstances, just as 
they are now doing in the "Wild West," 
and just as they will hereafter continue 
to do so long as there is any place 
left to settle. Hence there is nothing 
remarkable in the founding or laying out of 
Meadville. The proprietor or first settler in 
this beautiful valley laid out Meadville, not 
because he designed to found a city, as Dido 
laid out Carthage, or as Romulus built Rome, 
and thus send down an imperishable name 
through future and admiring ages ; but because 
he hoped to realize at good prices on the sale 
of his corner lots. 

For this reason and through this effort 
Meadville came here, and it came to stay. It 
has stayed, and it has grown with the growth 
of the century ; and has increased in popula- 
tion, in wealth, in enterprise, in industry, in 
learning, in culture, in refinement, and in 
everything that goes to make up a beautiful 
and well ordered city and a happy, prosperous 
and contented people. 

Every person living here, and every person 
who has ever lived here, ought to feel, and, 
let us hope, does feel proud of this little place, 
nesting (whatever that may be) amongst the 
hills, &c. (poetical strain), and in which and 
through which appear the meanderings and 
sinuosities of French creek and Mill run, and 
not unmindful of the latter beautiful streams 
when they forget their good manners and in- 
dulge in an old-fashioned riotous dashing thro' 
the property of the citizens. By anyone in a 
reflecting mood it cannot be doubted that, 
since the tread of the pioneer footstep first 
echoed through these surrounding hills (more 
poetical thought), "the times have greatly 
changed and we have changed with them." 
This «ow/ sentence might have been written 
in classic Latin, but I have thought old-fash- 
ioned English not inappropriate. Therefore, 
I repeat, "times have changed." 

One hundred years ago llie laborer took his 
rifle with him to the field of his industry. 
This for protection against man and beast, and 
for use in obtaining food. Today the peace- 
ful dinner pail is the weapon for use at the 
"nooning." The rifle is scarcely employed 
except against the innocent turkey at a Thanks- 
giving raiHe ; and the "villainous saltpetre" is 
more generally used to equip the hip-pocket 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



17 



pistol as it deals its destruction on the didn't- 
know itwas-loaded principle. Man needs no 
extraordinary protection against wild beasts, 
and no defense against man, except himself, 
and his own appetites and passions. 

A hundred years ago men cut and hewed 
and cleared, and ploughed and sowed and 
reaped with the rude implements for the pur- 
pose that were placed in their hand. To day 
they cultivate the ground with myriads of 
labor-saving and ingeniously made machines 
of every description, and which relieve work 
of so much of the toil and drudgery to which 
our forefathers were subject ; and thus, "the 
labor we delight in physics pain." And so 
the same may be siid of every other form of 
active, everyday labor. 

A century ago mankind was contented to 
live a quiet, equable life, ''every 
man sitting under his vine and 
under his fig-tree," content with 
what he had and only satisfied 
to earn a good living for himself 
and family, accumulate a little 
competency, so that either he 
might not leave a dependent 
wife and children helpless "at 
the mercy of a rude world," or 
that he might give a part of his 
farm to a son starting out for 
himself, or a modest "setting 
out" to a daughter as she left 
the paternal roof to join her life 
"for better or for worse" with 
the choice of her heart. In 
short, being "poor and content 
he was rich, and rich enough." 
Now-a-days men rush and push, 
thrust at and among their fel- 
lows, in the wild scramble for 
gain, work night and day with 
hand and brain, to gather togeth- 
er a few or rather a many more 
dollars than they already have, 
and are never .satisfied. Avarice 
never can be -satisfied. They 
seem almost literally to "want 
the earth," and as a consequence 
don't live out their days, and 
don't rationally enjoy the days 
they do live. 

One hundred years ago a man woith ten 
thousand dollars was a rich man. Now-a-days 
he must be worth a million, or else he is sim- 
ply in comfortable circumstances. 

One hundred years ago Meadville had not 
arrived at the conclusion that a market house 
was the proper thing to own, for the purpose 
of renting and farming it out, and did not then 
think it a wise policy to levy a tax upon every 
person who entered its boundaries to furnish 
its inhabitants with the necessities and con- 
veniences of lite. 

One hundred years ago the city council of 
Meadville did not lie awake o' nights studying 
"how not to do it," or how to keep incompe- 
tent and unemployed men in office, and did 
not neglect their duty to keep the streets. 



alleys and back-yards in the city clean and 
powerless to breed disease and death ; and did 
not neglect to repair and rebuild old, decayed 
and dilapidated side-walks, so that a journey 
through the town would not bring danger of 
loss of limb and probably loss of life. 

It is doubtful if the orators and poets of this 
week's festivities will have much to say of wo- 
man's part in the founding of this city. Let 
me say, therefore, that in the presence of wo- 
man we Meadvillians of to day have much the 
advantage of our fore fathers of one hundred 
years ago. The primitive homes of the early 
settlers were indeed rude in the absence of 
this "heaven's last and best gift to man." To- 
day the pedestrians on our streets encounter 
the handsomest women, the prettiest girls and 
the happiest children that are to be met with 




JOSEPH DERICKSON. 

in the world. We are proud of this fact and 
challenge comparison with all other cities. 
Let us see to it that we always treat them 
with the respect, the courtesy and the chivalry 
that beauty and virtue and tenderness demand 
at our hands. 

Reader, it may be that mankind is happier 
to-day than it was a hundred years ago, but I 
doubt it. There is too much longing for the 
unattainable, too much of unsatisfied desire, 
too much ambition, too much envy, too much 
strife, and too much wrath for us of the pres- 
ent generation to be entirely happy. I here 
remind myself that there is danger of this little 
essay turning out a sermon and I must close 
with a single remark. Meadville is a beauti- 
ful little city, peopled with a prosperous, a 
reputable, an intelligent, industrious, virtuous, 



law abiding and Godfearing people, notwith- 
standing the efforts and attempts of some of its 
officious officials and of some estimable but 
misguided citizens in a public meeting of less 
than a year ago, to slander and traduce its 
good name, fame and reputation. Fortunate- 
ly, however, neither the outside nor the inside 
public believed this denunciation to be war- 
ranted, and Meadville survived. 

One hundred years hence Meadville will 
celebrate its bicentennial, and this will be a 
much bigger event than the present than can 
well be imagined. None of us will be hereto 
help on this festive occasion, but let us hope 
that it will be worthy of our successors. One 
hundred years is a goodly number and indeed 
cannot easily be realized so far as the years in 
human lives are concerned, but in looking 
forward to a future celebration 
let us take heart of grace and 
possess our souls with patience, 
and we can moke believe that 
the years will soon roll around 
by saying to ourselves (after the 
manner of the local columns of 
the Daily Tribune for the 
past six months in continually 
reminding their readers of the 
gradual approach of this event- 
.. ful season) that we will only 

have twenty-five mayoralty elec 
tions before this bi-centennial 
will be upon us; and then in 
only four more years we can re- 
duce the number of mayoralty 
elections to twenty four, and so 
on and so on, until the first thing 
we know we find ourselves, or 
rather our great-grandchildren 
will find themselves, preparing, 
under a new and vigorous "Cen- 
tennial Executive Committee," 
for a much more elaborate com- 
memoration. 

One thing in conclusion, I 
would suggest to the city officials 
of that day, that when this bi- 
centennial comes upon us, our 
streets will all have found a dry 
and solid foundation, even if it 
does occasionally rain a little ; that the 
loose and worn out and decayed boards 
on our sidewalks will have been repaired at 
least once, and that accident insurance poli- 
cies will be unnecessary documents for the 
foot traveler on our streets. When that happy 
day arrives, the mayor of that period will then, 
with proud satisfaction, bear witness to the 
municipal millennium. 



REMINISCENCES. 



Description of Various Features of the 
Early Life of Meadville. 



(BY PROF. FREDERIC HUIDEKOPER.) 

Meadville in its earlier days had an exten- 
sive swamp, reaching from north of Chestnut 
street southwards to what is now Poplar 



I{ 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



street. Chestnut street was impassable, and 
all transit from Water street to the Public 
Square was by the way of Centre street. At 
what is now Poplar street General Mead left 
from Water street westward twenty feet as a 
water way, though the ditch which was to 
drain the swamp was not dug till long after 
his death. From Poplar street southwards 
the swampy ground trended towards the canal, 
there being a large body of alluvial soil 
between it and the creek. Between Poplar 
and Arch streets the swamp was rendered 
worse by the influx of a little stream called 
Neeson's run, which was afterwards inter- 
cepted by the canal. Chestnut street has 
been filled up in some places six or eight feet. 
The town originally extended only to South 
alley. Water street, which is on the line of 
the old Indian path, between 
Franklin and Waterford, (trav- 
eled by Washington before the 
Revolution) stopped at South 
alley. Here the Meadville and 
Mercer turnpike had its com- 
mencement. This differed by 
one or two degrees in its course 
from that of the street, which 
has caused no little p<?rplexity 
in the subsequent extension of 
Water street southwards. 

The first bridge across French 
creek was erected by Dr. Ken- 
nedy at the foot of what is now 
Mercer street, on the line of the 
Mercer turnpike. It was a toll 
bridge, and was like many of 
the early bridges in Pennsylva- 
nia — a covered one. Its mate- 
rial was sawed in Warren coun- 
ty, floated down to Franklin and 
brought up from there via French 
creek to its destined locality. 
The house of the toUkeeper was 
on the west side of the creek. 
Many years afterward another 
bridge was erected at the foot 
of Dock street, and toll ceased 
to be taken at the Kennedy 
bridge. Before the erection of 
this bridge on Dock street the 
favorite swimming place of men and boys 
had been near this spot at a point called the 
"Board Kiln." This was a portion of the front 
branch at no great distance from its junction 
with the back branch. It derived its name 
from a board kiln having been burned there. 
The front branch was in early days the larger 
of the two, but a break in the canal noith of 
town filled it with earth, thus diverting the 
water into the back branch. 

Among the peculiarities of our neighbor- 
hood were three prairies, one of them on the 
east bank of the creek southward from Mead- 
ville and about four miles in length. Two 
others were northward, each of them about 
one and one half miles in extent, one of them 
being on the west side of the creek and the 
other on the east. The former commenced 







where Vallonia now is, and the latter about course unknown, and bullet-moulds were oc- 
one hall mile further north. casionally employed as an instrument for pul- 

The audibility of the human voice in the ling teeth, 
early days of quiet could hardly be compre- The only fuel known was wood, and I can 
hended at present. A person calling from remember, when a little boy, bringing a small 
the front fence of H. J. Huidekoper could be piece of bituminous coal from Pittsburg as a 
heard by men at work halfway up the hill on curiosity, that I might watch the smoke from 
the opposite side of the creek. it when laid upon the coals. 

While the swamps and foiests prevailed South Main avenue originally terminated 
mosquitoes were common and tried the pa- at what is now South alley, from which the 
tience of those who were sensitive. It was Franklin turnpike diverged to the east, and a 
then not unusual to have mosquito bars around row of houses grew up where Main avenue 
the bed as the only means of obtaining a quiet now is. Twenty years of patient efifbrt were 
night's rest. Those who had no such bars requisite for opening it through these obstruc- 
spent not infrequently some time in a mosquito tions, and when it was almost through the 
hunt before going to bed. With the disap- first building for the gas works was placed 
pearance of swamps and forests the mosquitoes directly in its line, 
seem almost totally to have disappeared. The custom of affixing a building line to 

_ the sale of lots was initiated on 

the property between Poplar and 
Mercer streets west of Water 
street and subsequently applied 
to other property between Water 
street and the canal. 

The first line of stages was 
a weekly one between Pittsburg 
and Erie. They traversed the 
muddy roads at a rate of not 
more than three miles per hour. 
Wagons were scarce throughout 
the county. Farmers did their 
hauling largely in wmter time 
on sleds made by themselves. 
These sleds were often soled 
with ironwood instead of iron or 
steel. 

India rubber was unknown, 
and those unwilling to wear 
cowskin shoes were apt to suffer 
from colds, The first pair of 
India rubbers brought to Mead- 
ville had been moulded on a flat 
board perpendicularly and prov- 
ed unendurable to the intended 
wearer. 

In some respects matters were 
better then than now. About 
the year 183S or 1S39 there was 
but one person on the poor list 
in the borough of Meadville, 
Also, with the drying up of the swamps a dis- and not one in the township of Mead; the 
ease called the goitre passed away. There former having a population of more than nine 
were several cases of it in the earlier days of hundred persons and the latter of about twelve 
Meadville, but it is now, I think, unknown. hundred. 

No market existed in those early days. 
The poultry yards and vegetable gardens 
needed to be well stocked against the con- 
tingencies of the table. The productiveness 
of potatoes in the fresh soil of that day was 
noteworthy. One hundred and twenty-five 

bushels were sometimes produced from a C*^' Alfred huidekoper.) 

quarter of an acre, and in those days potatoes Passing over with a brief notice of the ex- 
were rarely poor ones. The vegetable garden pedition early in the winter of A. D. 1753, 
was also expected to supply a good stock of of then Major George Washington, and his 
medical herbs, for physicians were not plenti- companion Mr. Gist, who passed up French 
ful nor always of the best quality. These creek valley en route to Waterford to de- 
herbs were carefully dried each autumn and mand of the French commander by what 
stored up against need. Dentists were of right he held thai place; the blunt reply 




HON. «. B. DELAMATER. 



FORMER HAYS. 



Sketches of Early History of Crawford 
County and Meadville. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



19 



given him that it was held by order and 
claim of France ; the courtesy shown to 
Washington by the French officers; and (his 
horses having given out) the dangerous and 
wearisome tramp back on foot of Washington 
and his comrade to the Allegheny river; their 
having to make a raft, from which Washing- 
ton, by collision with ice, was thrown into 
the river and obliged to spend the night on 
an island walking about to keep from freez 
ing, while his comrade, less fortunate, had 
his fingers frozen; I proceed to comment on 
the valley of French creek, as it presented 
itself, including the island and for a mile or 
two above and below the present city, to the 
first pioneers who came here. 

It is difficult to believe that Indians, with 
their simple instruments, could ever have 
cleared away such a forest as 
would naturally grow on such 
fertile land. The Indians alleged 
that the work had not been 
done by them; a tradition among 
them attributed it to a larger and 
more powerful race of inhabit- 
ants who had preoccupied the 
country. From relics turned up 
in ploughing it would appear 
that the common implements of 
the Indians here were the stone 
war club and the flint arrow 
head. The interments probably .;-/;;V 

indicate where the Indian set- 
tlements were most dense. One 
of these was situated west of the 
aqueduct, six miles below town, 
another on a bluft' on the Fish 
farm. In a skeleton taken from 
this one, was found embedded a 
flint arrow, the probable cause 
ol death. In the valley a short 
distance below the glass works 
was a funeral mound some fifty 
feet long and some three feet 
high, which, when leveled down 
a few years ago, presented sev- 
eral skeletons and some Indian 
implements, now oreserved in 
the Library museum. By the 
side of one of the skeletons was 
a smooth, perfectly round hole some two or 
more feet deep and a foot or so in diameter, 
where food had no doubt been placed for the 
deceased; whatever it was it had disappeared 
through time. Another place of interment 
was across the creek near Mr. VanHorne's 
mill. 

INDIAN REMAINS. 

The signs of Indian occupation are far 
more numerous along the Pymatuning swamp 
than in the French creek valley. In the lat- 
ter locality some years ago the remains of 
what had been stockade forts could easily be 
seen, some half dozen on the east side and 
one on the west. As at the period these forts 
were constructed wild game was abundant, 
and millions of pigeons, as they did in the 
days of my boyhood, annually visited this sec- 



tion of country, one can conceive the induce- 
ment Indians had to live in that locality. 
These forts were uniformly round, the earthen 
walls being some three feet high, in which 
the wooden stockade, originally driven, has 
long since disappeared. The interior is full 
of little pits containing charcoal and ashes, 
where the Indians cooked their food. In one 
fort on the west side of the swamp, some 
miles south of the others and in the forest, a 
number of trees were embraced in the earthen 
wall ; one of them, an oak, which I measured, 
was over ten feet in circumference. I am 
sorry to say that no conservative spirit on the 
part of the land owners has protected these 
forts, and I doubt if any of them now exist. 

As a problem for historians I would say 
that in the year 1834, when surveying near 




JAMES J. SHRTOCK. 

Sorrel Hill in the extreme west part of the 
county, I came across trees that had been 
blazed on a north and south line, apparently 
with a sharp axe, 112 years before that time, 
or 166 from present time. Who could have 
done this ? 

On the loth of August, 1794, James Dick- 
son (known as Scotch Jemmy to distinguish 
him from a namesake), when seeking his 
cows on the farm of Samuel Lord, Esq., was 
attacked by Indians in ambuscade. He was 
wounded in his shoulder, his hip and his 
hand, and while stooping, trying to see his 
foes, a ball passed through his hat. The old 
man, with a shout of defiance, exclaimed in 
broad Scotch "come out of that you rascals, 
and fight us fair." The Indians showing no 
assent to the proposition, Dickson commenced 



a retreat. The Indians, their guns being un- 
loaded, followed with tomahawks, but were 
afraid to approach near him. The old man 
always insisted afterwards that just when he 
was going to fire, a low voice said "don't 
shoot," whereupon, reserving his load, he 
thereby preserved his life. He was willing to 
join with three or four men who started out 
in pursuit of the Indians, but the latter escaped 
by a timely retreat. The wife of Darius 
Mead died this summer in Meadville, being 
(except those occasioned by Indians) the first 
death in Crawford county among the white 
inhabitants. 

On the third day of June of this year James 
Findlay and Barnabas McCormick were 
killed by Indians while splitting rails for John 
Halens about a mile west of the aqueduct. 
Guns having been heard, search 
was made and they were found 
dead and scalped by their savage 
assailants. The bodies were 
placed in one coffin and interred 
m the Meadville cemetery. The 
treaty of General Wayne with 
the western Indians on the third 
day of August, 1795, ratified on 
the 22d day of December 
brought peace so far as Indian 
hostilities were concerned to 
Northwest Pennsylvania. 

Meadville, the county seat, 
'.■.■.••.■.■■. .;- was originally planned in 1790 

by General David Mead, but the 
plan was enlarged and matured 
in the year 1795 by Major Roger 
Alden and Dr. Thomas R. Ken- 
nedy. The plot for the town 
was divided into 75 squares, by 
streets, alleys and lanes. The 
Diimond was laid off in the form 
of a paralellogram, measuring 
300 feet east and west by 600 
north and south, designed for 
public use. On the east side of 
this now stands a large, commo- 
dious brick court house, built in 
1825, planned by Mr. Strickland, 
of Philadelphia. On the west 
stands the Episcopal church from 
plan of Bishop Hopkins, of Verm.ont. On the 
south stands the Unitarian church of brick with 
Doric columns from plan of General George 
W. Cullom. On the west side of the Dia- 
mond, some half way between Center and 
Chestnut streets, stood the first jail, made 
strongly of hewed logs with a palisade pro- 
tected yard behind it, the story above the jail 
being of frame work and used for a court 
house, the judges having an elevated seat at 
the south end and a circular enclosure divid- 
ing the bar and jury from the audience. It 
was in this court room that Van Holland, the 
murderer of Hugh Fitzpatrick in 1817, and 
David Lamphier, who killed a constable with 
an axe when attempting to arrest him, were 
tried and convicted, being as yet the only crim- 
inals ever publicly executed in this county. 



20 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



The brick building south of the Unitarian 
church was built for the office of the county 
commissioners. When they removed to the 
court house. President Timothy Alden used it 
as a library for the books donated to Alle- 
gheny College, the building of the latter being 
then prospective. 

SCHOOLS. 

In iSoi an act was passed incorporating a 
seminary of learning, and James Burchfield, 
James Herrington, John Brook, Henry Rich- 
ards, William Moore, John Patterson, John 
Limber and Henry Hurst were made trustees. 
A one story brick building containing two 
rooms was completed in the fall of 1805 at 
the southeast corner of Liberty and Chestnut 
streets, where it stood for about twenty years. 
In it the Rev. Joseph Stockton gave instruc- 
tion in Latin and Greek, 
and the common branches 
of English education. Some 
years afterward Mr. Andrew 
Deffingwell taught an Eng- 
lish school in the same build- 
ing. I recall an amusing 
incident under his rule. 
Wishing to punish a boy for 
misbehavior, he requested 
Mr. Wilson Dick, then a 
pupil, to go out and cut a 
switch for him. The latter, 
thinking the errand rather 
an undignified one for a boy 
of his size, after a long delay 
came back with two poles 
fifteen feet long and laid 
them with gravity before the 
teacher — the gravity not ex- 
tending to the rest of tlie 
scholars. 

Rev. Timothy Alden taught 
a classical school in the 
small frame house two doors 
west of St. Joseph's Hospi- 
tal, and Judge Derickson 
taught one in the Clinton 
Cullum house and afterward 
in a house now gone, about 
where the opera house now 
stands. 

I recall when a very small boy going to a 
very primitive school taught by a Mr. Doug- 
lass on Arch street. The boys all sat on low 
benches and the teacher used, to preserve 
order, an instrument called "taws," made of 
leather strings fastened to a handle. If a boy 
misbehaved the taws was thrown at him and 
he was required to carry it to the master and 
abide results. A spell of sickness shortened 
my term to a week and I am happy to say 
I had no experience with "taws." 

OLD HOUSES AND RESIDENTS. 
I close my article with a notice of old 
houses or residents on Water street. Near 
where the freight depot is now, stood the res 
idence of Hon. William Clark, who I think 
was Secretary under the administration of 
John Quincy Adams in 1824. One old house 



standing back from the road about half way fugitives stood trembling in their shoes until 
from Kennedy's bridge to Wafer street was he added, "if you did, keep on; don't stop 
occupied by John Gibson. The next house here." 

standing back east of Water street with On the southeast corner of Water and 
a yard planted with trees in front was that Chestnut streets was the store of Arthur Cul- 
of H. J. Huidekoper, erected in 1805 It lum, the elder. South of this store was a 
was a frame house with two recessed wings, large barnyard of Samuel Torbet. In this 
North of it was a plastered brick building yard was exhibited the first menagerie visiting 
used for a land office. Here a large pari of Meadville. When Mr. White, a young medi- 
the lands of the Holland Land Company in cal student, entered the exhibition room a lion 
four counties, and of the Pennsylvania Popula- became greatly excited. Mr. White went 
tion Company in two counties, were sold by home and changed his clothes, but as soon as 
H. J. Huidekoper, their agent. Both these he reappeared the lion became so excited 
houses have been supplanted by new ones, again that the manager had to request Mr. 
East of Water street, near now Pine street. White to retire again. 

was the next house, occupied by Barzella Across Water street was the once Torbet 
Goodrich, a carpenter, crippled with rheuma- Hotel, which any citi?en now living who ever 
tism, but whose ingenuity made him the attended the dancing school of Mr. Tobias in 

the hotel ball room will re- 
member, as a place full of 
pleasant memories. 

Across Chestnut street 
from the Cullum store was 
the Gibson Hotel, noted for 
its order and excellence, and 
north of it beyond the alley 
still stands the frame building 
where the first courts were 
held in now Crawford county; 
the judges, until the county 
was separated from Alle- 
gheny county, coming from 
Pittsburg. The building was 
also used at times for relig- 
ious services. Acro.ss from 
this building was the old log 
house, much sunk at the 
ends, the home of the Waab- 
er & Piosler family, the origi- 
nal owners of the island. On 
the east side of the street, 
north of the court room, was 
the home of Eliphalet Belts, 
in his day the leading, if not 
the only, village tailor. Small 
in size, he is said to have 
been in early life one of the 
most popular riders in horse 
racing, at that time a very 
common amusement. North 



HON. JOHN PORTER. 

Mayor of the City of Meadville 1S88-92. 

factotum of the village at that early time, of Mr. Belts lived Gen. Geo. Hurst, a promi- 

Following up the east side of Water street nent citizen, and northward across Centre 

near Mill run was the hotel of Roswell Sex- street lived Col. Wm. Magaw,who built paper 

ton, and connected with it was the office of mills in Woodcock township and discovered 

Samuel Lord, Esq., who at that time was the how to make straw paper, a process only 

owner and lived on the place now ol Mr. known in the East Indies prior to his discovery. 

William Reynolds. In common with many North of Col. Magaw's house was the 

others of that day the Squire was somewhat dwelling of Dr. Daniel Bemus, who married 

addicted to profanity, Imt when the minister a daughter of Mr. William Miles, of Union 

one day coming up heard him, and tapping City. Across the street was the home of John 

him on the shoulder said, "Squire, suppose Reynolds, who married the widow of Dr. 

you skip some of those hard words," it is said EUicotl, the person who built the bridge over 

the remark left its impression on him. One French creek leading to Kerrtown. North of 

morning en route to his office the Squire saw Mr. Reynolds, across an alley, still stands the 

several black men on the other side of the very old store of Major Harriot. Eastward 

street luirrying northward towards Canada, across the street from this store was the old 

Looking at them sternly, in his stentorian voice Meadville Bank, of which Mr. Joseph Morri- 

he said, "did you run away?" The poor son was casliier. It has lately been taken 




CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



21 



down to make room for a large brick building. 

I pass on to the house of Geneial Mead, 
who died Aug. 23, 1S16. The house the next 
year became the home of Mr. Jared Shattuck, 
who, having purchased a large body of land 
m partnership with a Mr. Peck, moved here 
to attend to it. Mrs. Shattuck was a daughter 
of the Governor of Hayti and was driven out 
of the island when the Haylians achieved 
their freedom. For many years she received 
from the French government a pension which 
the writer of this collected for her. The 
Mead House has lately been occupied by Rev. 
Mr. Byllesby. 

I have of course omitted some persons and 
some places I would have liked to refer to, 
but space is limited. 



THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



MEETS AND 



RESOLVES TO 
BRATE 



CELE- 



resolved to celebrate the event, and fixed the 
time for May 1 2th, 1888. They appointed a 
large general committee to arrange as to the 
manner of celebration. The members of this 
committee were as follows: 

President, William Reynolds ; Vice-Presi- 
dents, A. M. Fuller, S. B. Dick; Secretary, 
Samuel P. Bates ; Treasurer, Cyrus Kitchen ; 
Geo. B. Delamater, Joshua Douglass, Pearson 
Church, L. C. Magaw, John J. Henderson, 
D. V. Derickson, A. B. Richmond, E. W. 
Shippen, H. L. Richmond, A. C. Huidekoper, 
A. S. Dickson, J. D. Gill, Wm. McArthur, 
Thomas VanHorne, David Compton, J. E. 
McFarland, A. McLean White, Joseph C. 
Hayes, John J. Shryock, Frank Mantor, G. W. 
Delamater, Rev. James J. Dunn, A. G. Apple, 
Rev. F. Winter. 

This committee made due arrangements ; 
prepared a program of lectures, poem, proces- 
sion, etc., for the occasion, all of which were 
successfully carried out. Through a sub-com- 
mittee, it procured and ertcted on Diamond 



The One Hundredth Anniversary of the 

Settlement of Crawford County and 

Founding of the City of Mead- 

ville — The Committees — 

Genealogy of the Mead 

Family, Etc. 



The Historical Society of Crawford County 
should be credited with success in collect- 
ing and preserving many historical items, 
relating to Meadville and vicinity. It has, 
since its organization, given the public lectures 
and hi^orica! readings, the former by Prof. 
S. P. Bates, Messrs. Alfred Huidekoper, Wm. 
Reynolds, Joshua Douglas, Frank Mantor, J. 
D. Minniss, A. C. Huidekoper, G. B. Delama- 
ter, Reverends R. Craighead, J. V. Reynolds, 
D. D., D. H. Wheeler, D. D., H. H. Hervey, 
Judge Crozier, Dr. Gamble, and others. 

It has secured contributions of valuable 
manuscripts,  books and files of local news- 
papeis from an early period down to the 
present time, which are placed permanently 
in its cases for use and reference. 

It was at a meeting of members of its ex- 
ecutive committee: Prof. S. P. Bates, Wm. 
Reynolds, Joshua Douglas, and Rev. H. H. 
Barber, at the Library of its President, G. B. 
Delamater, in November 18S6, that measures 
were proposed for a Centennial celebration, 
and a call issued for a meeting of its members 
and the citizens generally, to consider the 
matter of properly recognizing the Centennial 
of the settlemen' of the county and the found- 
ing of Meadville. In pursuance of this call, a 
meeting of the society and citizens was held at 
Library Hall, to whom the matter was pre- 
sented. The City Council and Board of Trade 
were represented by committees, and a large 
number of citizens, among whom were the 
Hon. Pearson Church, J. J. Henderson, A. B. 
Richmond, S. B. Dick, H. L. Richmond, 
Cyrus Kitchen, D. V. Derickson and A. S. 
Dickson, who at this, and adjourned meetings. 




CORNELIUS VAN HORNE, Sr. 

Park, a granite statue of the ideal pioneer of 
1788, with carved illustrations of the period 
on the base of the pedestal. A report of the 
action of the committee will appear on the 
records, and among the papers of the society. 

This society has, through the kindness of 
the Hon. Frank Mantor, recently received a 
genealogical paper relating to the Mead fam- 
ily, which has been contributed by its author. 
Dr. W. H. Egle, State Librarian at Harris- 
burg, Pa., who is also author of a valuable 
history of the State. He at the same time 
presented the society with an autograph letter 
of Gen. Mead, dated July nth, 1793. These 
papers are preserved by the Historical Society 
and may be examined by its members. From 
the facts narrated a few are submitted for the 
information of the readers of the Centennial 
Edition of the TribUiNE-Republican. 

According to Dr. Egle, the Meads came 
originally from Devonshire to the county of 
Essex, England, during the reign of Henry 
VI, 1422, and first settled at EInidon. The 



first mention of the name we have in America, 
is found in the records of the town of Stam- 
ford, Connecticut, as follows: "December 
7th 1641, William Mead received from the 
town of Stamford, a house, lot and five acres 
of land." This William Mead, with his broth- 
er John Mead emigrated from England about 
the year 1640. He settled at Stamford, where 
he died about 1670. He married Ruth Hardy 
who died September 19, 1657. His brother 
John removed in 1650 to Greenwich, Fair- 
field county, Connecticut, where he died. 
This commences the line of General David 
Mead with his ancestor Wm. Mead. 

Dr. Egle's record shows a line of descent 
in the following order (omitting collateral 
members of successive famiUes); 

First — William Mead, who came from 
England to .Stamford, Conn., about 1640, 
where he died 1670. 

Second — John Mead, son of said William 
Mead, born 1616, married Hannah Portee, 
and in 1696 died, leaving a family. 

Third — David Mead, son of said John 
Mead, born 1666, and resided in Westchester 
county, X. Y., at one time. He died leaving 
a family. 

Fourth — Ebenezer Mead, son of said David 
Mead, had a family, but there is no record as 
to date. 

Fifth — David Mead, son of said Ebenezer, 
was bore in 1702. Married and had a family. 
Sixth — Darius Mead, son of said David, 
was born March 28th, 1 7 28. He removed 
from Stamford to Hudson, N. Y,, about 1750. 
About 1770 he left there for the Wyoming 
settlement on the Susquehanna, and subse- 
quently followed his sons, David and John, 
to Western Pennsylvania, where he was 
killed by the Indians in 1791. His wife, 
Ruth Curtis, mother of General David Mead, 
was born May 27th, 1734, in Connecticut, and 
died in Meadville in 1794, this being the first 
death from natural causes among the white 
settlers of Crawford county. 

Seventh — General David Mead, son of said 
Darius and Ruth, was born January 17th, 
1752, at Hudson N. Y., and died August 23d, 
1816, at Meadville, Pa. 

David removed to the Wyoming valley in 
1770, and obtained a tract of land under the 
Pennsylvania title, from which he was sub 
sequently evicted by the "Connecticut intru- 
ders." He then took up his residence on the 
west bank of the north branch of the Susque- 
hanna, six miles north of the town of North- 
umberland. In the summer of 1787, in com- 
pany with his brother John, he came to West- 
ern Pennsylvania and selected a site for his 
future home, to which he returned in the 
spring of 1788, having been joined by others 
from Northumberland. After making a per- 
manent settlement, they brought their families 
in the autumn of the same year. This new 
home he called Cussewauga, but it was fa- 
miliarly known as Meadstown, and eventually 
settled into its present name of Meadville. In 
1791 the settlement was temporarily broken 
up by Indian incursions, in one of which 
David Mead's father was killed by the sav- 
ages. David served in the Revolutionary 
War as an officer. On March 31st, 1796, 
Gov. Mifflin commissioned him a Justice of 
the Peace for Mead township, then in Alle- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



gheny county, and upon the organization of 
Crawford county, March I2th, 1800, he was 
appointed one of the Associate Judges, which 
office (save during a brief period) he held 
until his death.* He was appointed a Major 
General of militia by Gov. McKean, and re- 
appointed by Gov. Snyder, and during the 
war of 1812-14 rendered important service in 
the defense of Erie. General Mead was 
twice married; in 1774 to Agnes Wilson, 
daughter of John and Janet Wilson; she died 
in 1795, leaving nine children. In 1796 he 
married Jeannette Finney, daughter of Rob 
ert Finney, by whom he had seven children, 
whose names are omitted for want of space. 
I will state, however, that one daughter, 
Elizabeth, was married to Patrick Farrelly, a 
lawyer and member of Congress, and anoth- 
er, Maria, his youngest, was 
married to William Gill, 
both of whom have de- 
scendants well known in this 
city. 

The following is a copy 
of the letter referred to as 
presented to our Historical 
Society : 

CUSSEWAUGA, ■» 
July II, 1793. / 

Sir: — We are just inform 
ed that the Federal troops 
at this station have been 
ordered to march in a few 
days down the Ohio. Of 
course the post will be 
evacuated, and the settle- 
ment of the country much 
discouraged. Therefore, we 
request that you will be 
pleased to order a surjeant's 
command of State troops to 
support the Post. B u t 
should it not be in your 
power to grant us any re- 
lief, we wish you to let us 
know by the first opportu- 
nity what prospects we can 
have, and also that you for- 
ward the enclosed letter 
without delay. 

I am, in behalf of the inhabitants, your 

most obedient and very humble servant, 

Uavid Mead." 
To Col. Nevili.. 

The foregoing letter is illustrative of the 
times and the man. 

G. B. Delamater. 



*In July, 1800, he and John Kelso, of Erie 
county, .\ssociate Judges, held a court of 
Quarter Sessions at Meadville for the counties 
of Crawford, Erie and Mercer, at which time 
they appomled con.stables and supervisors of 
highways for those counties, and ordered 
fourteen roadvicws. This was the first court 
held in Northwestern Pennsylvania. This 
Court was held in the old building now stand- 
ing on the corner of Water street and Centre 
alley, the property at this writing of J. D. 
Gill, Esq., of this city. 



THE CELEBRATION. 



THE M.iNNER IN WHICH IT WAS 
OBSERVED. 



The Trades Procession — The Addresses. 

Unveiling of the Statue — Planting 

of the Centennial Oak — The 

Committees, Etc., Etc. 



Friday, May nth, was the day set for the 
opening of the grand celebration in honor of 
the hundredth anniver:,ary of the founding of 
Meadville and settlement of Crawford County. 
The committee of arrangements and the sev- 
eral subcommittees had been tireless in their 




labors for the success of the celebration, and 
when the city awoke on Friday morning its 
people were greeted with one of earth's fair- 
est days, the beautiful weather seeming to con- 
spire with the citizens for the success of the 
celebration. For once at least Meadville was 
in holiday attire. Towering arches of ever- 
green, gaily decorated with flowers and na- 
tional colors, had been erected in various parts 
of the city, while the buildings along the 
principal streets looked like walls of ever- 
green and fluttering colors. It was a grand 
display and one worthy of the occasion. 

The visitors began to arrive Thursday and 
with the dawning of Friday morning addition- 
al crowds poured in from all directions. The 
trains were all loaded and by noon it was 
estimated that fully 20,coo visitors were in the 



city. The grand parade moved shortly after 
I o'clock and along the entire route the streets 
were lined with people, while in the principal 
streets the throng was simply a dense mass of 
humanity, forming a solid wall on either side 
of the street. It may give an idea of the 
length and importance of the parade to men- 
tion that the route of march was up Park 
avenue to Randolph, thence to and down 
Water to Pine, up Pine to Liberty, etc., and 
that when the column had passed clear around 
the line of Park avenue, Randolph, Water and 
Pine streets, the head of the column met the 
rear at the corner of Park avenue and Pine 
streets, showing the line to be about two miles 
in length. The streets and buildings were a 
wilderness of decorations and everything in 
connection with the parade was a grand and 
most gratifying success. 
About 5 o'clock a light sprin- 
kle of rain began falling 
and umbrellas came handy, 
but it was not heavy and 
did not last long, hence the 
day may justly be recorded 
as pleasant. 

About 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon a large crowd 
assembled on Diamond park 
to enjoy an open air con- 
cert by the Northwestern 
Band, and certainly music 

never sounded sweeter than 

it did on that occasion It 
is but fair to speak of the 
excellence of the Northwes- 
tern's music, for ifwas cer- 
tainly of a very high order. 
IX THE EVENINC. 
The celebration continued 
in the evening. The city 
was brilliantly illuminated 
and rockets, Roman candles 
and general pyrotechnic dis- 
plays were t6 be seen in 
every direction. Great 
crowds of people thronged 
the streets until a late hour, 
and the enthusiasm of cele- 
bration continued until after 
midnight. 
AT THE ACAIiEMV OF MUSIC. 
The Academy of Music was filled to over- 
flowing, Friday evening, the occasion being 
the evening program in connection with the 
celebration. 

The interior of the building was tastefully 
adorned with flowers, the gift of A. Krueger, 
of the Greendale conservatory. 

The following gentlemen occupied seats on 
the stage: Col. J. B. Compton, Hon. L. C. 
Beach, O. H. HoUister, Hon. William Rey- 
nolds, Major D. V. Derickson, Hon. C. W. 
Stone, Col. James E. McFarland, George 
Anderson, Rev. R. Craighead, Col. Frank 
Mantor, of Conneautville, Rev. A. A. Liver- 
more, John Fox, of Union, Mayor John Porter, 
Hon. J. G. Foster, Col. Alex. Power, Jesse 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



23 



Smith, of Titusville, A. M. Fuller, Wm. Hope, 
J. L. Henry, of Union, John Marley, of Green- 
wood, James Brawley, of East Fairfield, 
James Davis, of Mead, George Foster, of Con- 
neaut. Judge Crozier, of Conneautville, Hon. 
A. S. Dickson, George Campbell, of Shenango, 
Sylvester Wilder, of Randolph, Hon. G. B. 
Delamater, David Ellis, of Mead, Dr. Farrelly, 
of Townville, Judge Samuel Woods, of 
Phillippi, W. Va., Prof. S. P. Bates, John J. 
Shryock, A. E. Kingsley, of Venangoboro, 
Joshua Douglass, Esq., Hon. H. L. Rich- 
mond, Hon. S. H. Findley, of Atlantic, G.W. 
Brown, of West Shenango, Hon. A. G. Apple, 
Col. S. B. Dick, Hon. W. S. Harper, Hon. A. 
S. Beatty, Henry C. Davis, Hon. M. Park 
Davis, Hon. John J. Henderson, S. Merrill, 
Rev. T. D. Logan, F. H. Davis, Peter A. 
Gage, of Cambridgeboro, and 
D. P. Compton. 

At 8: 10 Mayor Porter was 
introduced by Hon. William 
Reynolds, and delivered the 
address of welcome, which was 
as follows : 

MAVOR porter's ADDRESS OF 
WELCOME. 

fellow-citizens and Guests of 

Crawford County: 

We have met to celebrate an 
event that marks the birth of 
our fair city. Many of you have 
come from distant places to 
renew early associations and to 
join us in this Centennial anni- 
versary. 

In behalf of our good people 
of Meadville I extend a hearty 
welcome to all. Vou will miss 
familiar faces. Your friends 
have grown old. Well-known 
streets and favorite walks have 
been changed, but there are cer- 
tain land marks which, amid the 
transformations of the past, re- 
main, and without which you 
would hardly recognize t h e 
Meadville of years ago. 

The hills that surround this 
beautiful valley, though stripped 
of their forest, greet you as of yore — the erratic 
Mill run, the silent Cussewago and French 
creek murmur as they did when your silvery 
locks were black as the raven's wing, and your 
wrinkled faces flush with the beauty of hope 
and youth ; these remain, and you will bear 
me witness that the famed hospitalities of our 
city are unchanged ; the latch-string, a well- 
known characteristic of the pioneer's cabin, is 
still out, and we greet you. May your stay 
with us be a realization of your fondest antici- 
pations, and an event that wdl ever be pleas- 
antly remembered. 

One hundred years ago David Mead, with 
several others, began a settlement on the banks 
of French creek, which was the first in the 
county. They were brave and vigorous men ; 
they suflered all the privations of pioneer life. 



PVom time to time other settlers came. 
They manfully contended with the forests, 
the wild beasts, and the more dangerous In- 
dians. How they succeeded the present will 
answer. From this small beginning Craw- 
ford county now has a population of nearly 



toiled that we might enjoy the blessings of the 
present. Some of us know what life was 
thirty, forty or fifty years ago. The children 
of to-day have no more conception of it than 
we have of the lives of those noble men and 
women who came here eighty, ninety or a 



70,000; within her borders are the flourishing hundred years ago. 

cities of Meadville and Titusville; there are All honor to them, and it is fitting that this 
twelve prosperous villages; about two-thirds mighty concourse of people has assembled to 
of the land is under cultivation; the primeval pay tribute to their memory, 
forest has passed away; tens of thousands of We, who have now entered on the second 
cattle, horses and sheep graze on the hills century of our history, have a work to per- 
and m the valleys; not a dozen log houses re- form. We know the political and social evils 
main; the roads are excellent; churches are with which we are afflicted. We know the 
not only found in the cities and villages, but preponderance of greed and the untold misery 
in country places; free schools are easily ac- it begets. To eliminate first and extend that 
cessible to every child; in the factories are charity which, because of one common father- 
made nearly every kind of machinery; Titus- hood, is due from man to man, is the work of 

the present. 

If we do it as well as the pio- 
neers of Crawford county did 
theirs, then at the second cen- 
tennial, when all of us and our 
children have been gathered to 
our fathers, the future orator on 
that occasion will voice the sen- 
timents of the vast multitude by 
saying of us as we say of those 
whom we now honor, "They, 
too, builded better than they 
knew." 

Applause followed the deliv- 
ery of the address. 

Next on the program was a 
selection by the Northwestern 
Orchestra. 

A fervent prayer was offered 
by Rev. A. A. Livermore, the 
venerable president of the Mead- 
ville Theological School. 

Then was rendered a selection 
by the Allegheny Glee Club, 
"The Pope," in a superb man- 
ner. The young men were 
warmly encored, and in response 
gave a medley, which was very 
acceptable. 

Mayor Porter read a telegram 
from several residents of Kansas 
City, Mo., who formerly lived 
ville, the Queen City, is one of the largest re- here, expressing regret that they could not be 
fining centers in the world; six different lines with us at the celebration, 
of railroad intersect the county; the towns are The historical address, by Hon. William 
all connected by telegraph or telephone; our Reynolds, came next. The address, which 
citizens are in communication with the world; was a synopsis of the historical article from 




HON. HIRAM L. RICHMOND, SR. 



any great event happening in Europe, our 
people would know it within three hours. 
We have an able and well-sustained press, 
there being seventeen daily, weekly and 
monthly publications. Our people are intelli- 
gent, happy and prosperous. Could the pio- 



Mr. Reynolds' pen, appearing elsewhere in 
this pamphlet, was listened to with much in- 
terest througiiout. 

Hon. Pearson Church arose and said he 
had for exhibition a copy of the Meadville 
Messenger of date of May 29th, 1805, and 



neers who wisely laid the foundations of this said when the paper was compared with the 



glorious superstructure be called back to see 
Crawford county as she is, on this her cen- 
tennial birthday, would they not exclaim, "We 
builded better than we knew ? " 

We cannot respect too much those who 
hewed down the forests, who suffered and 



Centennial edition of the Tribune-Republi- 
can, it was made doubly interesting. 

Mayor Porter here took occasion to an- 
nounce the program for Saturday. 

Alter a selection by the College Glee Club, 
"Who Was George Wasliington ?" which, by 



24 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



the way, was so well rendered that "the boys" 
were compelled to respond to an encore, and 
the thanks of the speakers having been ten- 
dered to the audience through Mayor Porter, 
the benediction was pronounced by Rev. R. 
Craighead, and the assemblage dispersed. 
CENTENNIAL BALL. 

The Centennial ball at Library Hall was a 
fitting wind-up of Friday's celebration. The 
ladies were attired in costumes of the olden 
time, and the different dresses worn were of 
unique pattern and much skill was exhibited 
in the make up of each. The gentlemen 
wore full dress suits. The Northwestern Or- 
chestra occupied the stage and to the beauti- 
ful strains of music, old fashioned dances, as 
well as those popular at the present day, were 
indulged in. The names of the ladies who 
appeared in the attire of a cen- 
tury ago as follows: Misses Maud 
Roudebush, Helen Thompson, 
Odie McLean, Adelaide Thomp- 
son, Emma Fowler, Hattie 
Thompson, Anna Davis, Hattie 
Porter, Georgie Sennett, Hattie 
Gill, Sarah McClurg, Margaret 
Gary, Anna Stoneroad, Marion 
Boileau, Lizzie Lultgen, Sallie 
Sayer, Miss Wood burn, of Frank- 
lin, and Mrs. V. M. Delamater. 

SATURDAY, MAY I2TH, 
The second and last day of the 
Centennial celebration, opened 
under the most auspicious cir- 
cumstances, and at 7 o'clock, 
when the ringing of bells, the 
blowing of whistles, and the firing 
of the salute of 100 guns, by 
the College Battalion, under 
command of Major Kreps, was 
inaugurated, it was evident that 
Meadville proposed to let every- 
body know that she was 100 
years old, and was proud of it. 
The salute was fired on the 
vacant lot at the northwest cor- 
ner of North and North Main 
streets. 

THE CENTENNIAL OAK. 

Early on this beautiful morn- 
ing a large crowd of people assembled on 
Diamond Park to witness the ceremony of 
planting a Centennial oak. Mr. A. M. Fuller 
presided and introduced Hon. Joshua Doug- 
lass, who spoke as follows : 
Fellow- Citizens: — 

We meet this Centennial morning with 
pleasant greetings and hearty congratulations 
for one and all — grateful for the century gone, 
and grateful and trustful for the century to 
come. This tree is planted to note the divid 
ing line between the two decades, not as a 
stopping place, but as a signal — a living wit- 
ness to the line of the progress of the age ; 
to grow and flourish in this beautiful place 
where our successors may open the exercises 
of the next Centennial celebration under its 
broad i)ranches and glorious shade. 

We plant this tree in honor of those brave, 
loyal, noble men and women who unfolded 
their tents and spread their blankets first on 



this delightful spot which they so fortunately the planting of that young tree. Yonder col- 
selected 100 years ago. All honor to their umn of cold and lifeless granite, not as yet 
memory and honor to the memory of those unveiled to the public, is intended to remind 
who followed their leading and example, us of the century that is gone. This life giving 
They were all animated by the brave and and life-receiving oak, in itsyouth, its vigor 
loyal spirit of the true patriot. Liberty and and in its growth, is emblematical of the years 
freedom of conscience was forbidden in the that are to come. 



empires and kingdoms of the old world and a 
few brave spirits bid defiance to the wiles of 
the monarchs and lords of fossilized Europe 
and come over the stormy .Atlantic to plant 
the .seeds of free and independent thought 
and action on the broad continent of Amer- 
ica. A few of their sons and daughters, in 
spired by the enthusiasm of their parents, 
came to this promising place and prepared 
the delightful ways and the splendid opportu- 
nities which we now improve and enjoy. 
May their memory ever be cherished. 

At 8:30 the Northwestern Band took po- 
sition on Diamond park, near where the 
Centennial oak had been planted, and the 




MAJOR D. V. DERICKSON, 

music rendered soon caused a large crowd to 
assemble. 

Members of the Centennial Executive 



The one stands as a reminiscence of the 
forest primeval where the murmuring pines 
and the hemlocks, bearded in the moss and 
in garments green, indistinct in the twilight 
once stood like Druids of old, with voices sad 
and prophetic. 

The other will rear its head, as the begin- 
ning of a new forest where under the shade of 
its branches will dwell a newer race and with 
newer customs and habits. 

If it be true, as was once wisely and wittily 
said, that whoever could make two ears of 
corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a 
spot of ground where only one grew before 
would deserve better of mankind and do more 
essential service to his country than the whole 
race of politicians put together, 
then it is likewise most true that, 
in this utilitarian age, the one 
who plants an acorn has con- 
firmed a lasting benefit upon 
man and upon Mother Earth, 
from which he receives his nur- 
ture and support. 

During the years that are past 
since the settlement of this city, 
the country has been denuded 
of its forests for the fitting and 
for the habitation and support of 
its peoples. Vet, now on the 
threshold of the second century 
of its existence, it is time to 
begin the cessation of any wan- 
ton or useless destruction of 
trees, and the authorities of the 
State do now annually set apart 
a day to be devoted to the build- 
ing up and strengthening of so 
important an element in our 
physical and .^^thetical life and 
happiness. 

The planting of this young 
oak is thus, in addition to its 
marking of an era, typical of our 
common taste, and common 
hope, and of our common future 
prosperity. 

The oak is the Monarch of 
the Forest ; the patriarch of 
trees. 

Best of all adapted for the 
general uses and needs of man, 
it is an emblem of strength, 
of beauty, of utility, and of dura 
bility. It is, therefore, peculiar- 
ly fitted to mark this epoch in 
our local history, and to stand, as it were, 
on the line dividing the century past, from 
the century to come ; and a^ it sh.ill peren- 
nially review its growth, its strength. 



J -- o - . o , Its vigor. 

Committee and a large number of old citizens and its beauty through the grass as they pass, 
ofthe city and county occupied seats on the it will serve to remind us, and those who 



platform. 

Mr. Fuller introduced Joshua Douglass, 
Esq., as president of the meeting, and he 
made a short but patriotic address, recalling, 
briefly, the achievements of the past century, 
and the good work of the pioneers. In con- 
clusion Mr. Douglass introduced Hon. Pear- 
son Church, who spoke as follows: 

Amidst the series of pageants that find a 
place in this commemoration, the one we 
have just witnessed is by no means the least 
noteworthy. 

It was indeed most fitting that one of the 



come after us, of this day and its ceremonies, 
and of time as it takes its flight through the 
century, and at the close of another hundred 
years it will, in its prestive beauty, cast its 
benignant shade over the third and fourth 
generation from us, reminding them of this 
day's work of us their ancestors, and it will 
speak more eloquently than yonder statue. 

The one will crumble and decay. This 
will increase and endure. The one the work 
of men's hands, the other the result of the 
Almighty Workman who planted the first 
tree in the garden. 

" Then here's to the oak. 
The brave old oak. 



memorials of this day and occasion should be Who stands in his prime alone ; 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



25 



And still flourish he, 
A hale, green tree. 
When a hundred years are gone." 

And when a hundred years are past our 
descendants on such an occasion as this may 
in their turn sing: 

"A song to the oak, 

The brave old oak. 
Who hath ruled in the greenwood long ; 

Here's breadth and renown 

To his broad green crown, 
And his tifty arms so strong ; 

There's fear in his frown 

When the sun goes down. 
And the fire in the west fades out. 

And he showeth his might 

On a wild wind night, 
When the storm through his branches shout." 

After another selection by the band, Mr. 
Fuller announced that further exercises would 
be held at the Academy at 10 o'clock. 

AT THE ACADEMY. 

The Academy of Music contained one of 
the largest audiences ever assembled within 
its walls. On the stage were seated members 
of the different church choirs of the city, and 
residents of the city and county. 

At 10:15 Hon. William Reynolds made a 
brief address and introduced Hon. John 
Swartz, Mayor of Titusville, as president of 
the meeting. Mayor Swartz spoke as follows: 

We are assembled here to-day to commem- 
orate an event which tooff place a century 
ago, the memories of which have been hand- 
ed down from generation to generation to the 
present time. 

What a flood of recollections this occasion 
will call to the minds of many of you who 
come here to assist in making this day one 
long to be remembered. 

Friend meets frietKi and discusses by-gone 
pleasures and pleasant reminiscences. Each 
notes some change in the other and each 
comments on the changes which time and a 
progressive age have wrought in the locality 
with which he or she is most familiar 

Friendships are renewed and old differ- 
ences are forgotten. A renewal of friendship 
is always pleasant, and when it brings with it 
a review of pleasant events of the past, the 
pleasure of the occasion must be increased 
many fold. 

I cannot myself bring to your minds any 
pleasing recollection with a certainty of our 
being mutually familiar with them. Will 
leave that to other gentlemen who take a 
prominent part in to-day's exercises, and who 
are no doubt more familiar with the county's 
history than I am, having themselves taken 
an active part in many of the events which 
make up the history of this region. I will 
venture, however, to say that the past century 
has produced two cities of which the county 
may well be proud. Namely, Meadville and 
Titusville. 

They are alike prosperous and furnish a 
market for the products of the many fine 
farms surrounding them. The entire county 
is necessarily concerned in the success and 
prosperity of their business interests. My wish 
that they may continue to prosper is, I trust, 
in the hearts of all who have come here to 
witness and assist in today's proceedings. 

A celebration of this kind does much to 
unite a people and promote good will and 
brings to them a realization of their common 
interest in the country's prosperity. 

I feel privileged to extend to you all the 
good will of the citizens of Titusville, and will 



now make way for other features of the pro- 
gram which will prove more interesting. 

Next on the program was "The American 
Hymn," which was sung by the combined 
church choirs of the city, under direction of 
Prof. F. A Reynolds, of the Conservatory of 
Music, with accompaniment by the North- 
western Band, led by F. B. Nichols. 

Rev. Dr. J. V. Reynolds led in prayer. 

The Northwestern Band followed with a 
medley of National airs, which aroused a 
popular feeling of enthusiasm on the part of 
the audience. 

Hon. A. B. Richmond was introduced and 
spoke as follows: 

One hundred years ago! 

In retrospect how long seems the period of 
time spanned by that short sentence. In the 
history of our race what changes have tran- 
spired in the mental and physical condition 
of mankind ; to the travelers on life's weary 
thoroughfare how long, dreary and tiresome 
seems that journey which spans in its length 
that of three generations of men ; which 
exceeds by one-half the allotted period of 
human life, and yet in the infinitude of time 
it is but one beat of that great pendulum that 
vibrates between the eternities of the past and 
future— but one atom of dust 

"With Him from out whose hand 
The centuries fall like grains of sarnd." 

And, although it may have been prolific in 
great events that have happened to our race ; 
though during its period nations have been 
born, and empires may have died ; though in 
the calendar of men it may form an impor- 
tant part on the pages of history, yet it will 
soon be lost in the vastness of the future. 
The record of most of its deeds will be blot- 
ted out of the memory even of history itself 

Like a name written on the sands of the 
ocean shore, which every approaching and 
receding wave renders less and less distinct, 
and finally totally obliterates — so will the suc- 
ceeding years of centuries yet to come erase 
every physical vestige of the events that have 
happened on our earth since one hundred 
years ago. 

On the pages of the records of the past and 
future of our race it is but a moment lost 
amid the hours, days, years, centuries and 
eons of passing lime. In the history of the 
present nations of the earth it is an epoch 
whose influence will be felt until time shall 
be no longer — like seeds scattered by the 
hand of the husbandman or strewn by the 
summer's wind, the events of the last century 
have been sown, and successive generations 
will gather a harvest, either of good or evil, 
from the germs thus cast on the broad domain 
of man's future destiny. The seeds of religion 
and morality, propagated during its time, will 
grow beneath the fostering care of the Most 
High, and, long after its events are forgotten, 
men will gather from vine and tree the fruits 
of its transmitted prosperity. The thorns and 
thistles of evil it planted will be uprooted by 
advancing enlightenment and burned in the 
fires of progressive experience ; their ashes, 
spread broadcast, will serve to fertilize the fair 
fields of human progress. 

On this earth the weeds and noxious plants 
grow spontaneou.sly, and flourish amid the 
rocks and sands of barren fields and hillsides, 
while the life sustaining grains require the 
care of a careful husbandman. So it i^ with 
the mental and moral culture of mankind — 
morality and religion must be cultivated to 
the very time of the harvest, while vice and 
immorality grow like natives of the soil, and 



must be uprooted by law and virtuous teach- 
ings ere their seeds are scattered and their 
sins propagated by indifference and neglect. 
Marc Antony, in his address over the body 
of the murdered Caesar, said : 

"The evil that men do lives after them; 
The good is oft interred with their bones." 

This is not true in a general sense, else 
would there be no advancement in our race. 
As a rule under the law of the survival of the 
fittest, it is the good that lives in the evolu 
tion of mankind, while the evil dies the death 
of the outlaw and criminal. We build monu- 
ments to commemorate the acts of the great 
and noble among men, while the guillotine 
and gallows are erected in memento vita: and 
memento mori of the vile and lawless. 

Our beautiful monument just unveiled amid 
the plaudits of a happy and prosperous peo- 
ple, commemorates not the vices, but the vir- 
tues of the hardy pioneers of a century ago. 
Their sins were those incident to mankind, 
and are forgotten, while their virtues, their 
courage and patriotism will be remembered 
long, long after our monument has crumbled 
into dust. 

The men of 100 years ago have left us as a 
legacy not only a country whose fair and fer- 
tile fields their courage wrested from forests 
and savagery, but they have also bequeathed 
to us the principles of religious and personal 
liberty, a heritage far exceeding in value the 
wealth of Ophir or the riches of Golconda. 
The descendants of those men have pre- 
served that legacy on the battle field, and the 
ocean's waters against the assaults of the most 
powerful nation on earth. The principles of 
good for which they contended survived 
the storm of battle anrl live to-day, while the 
ships and cannon of the contest are rotting on 
the shore or crumbling with rust and decay 
on tlie bottom of the deep, emblematic of the 
death of the spirit of evil that prompted the 
contest. 

When domestic discord and civil war 
stained our land with the blood of northern 
patriots, when the principles of human free 
dom fought against those of human bondage, 
again the good prevailed over the evil. The 
fittest survived, and to-day our great national 
sin lies buried in the graves of those who 
fought for its perpetuity, and never more in 
any Christian nation on earth shall manacles 
and letters bind human limbs in the servitude 
of slavery — never more will men contend for 
the wild, the wicked heresy, "that man can 
hold property in man." 

Verily, it is the good that men do that lives 
after them, while the evil is buried in their 
graves. 

Nations, like individuals, have both charac- 
ter and reputation. The one what they ac- . 
tually are, the other what they are reputed to 
be. The character of a nation is but the ag- 
gregate of those of its citizens. 

As the rain-drops of a summer shower, fall- 
ing on meadow and hillside, collect in nils, 
torrents, rivers and lakes, and at last aggre- 
gate in the rush and foam of Niagara's 
sounding waters, so the individual industry, 
artisan skill, intelligence and morality of the 
citizens, when aggregated, gives the final char- 
acter to the current of national greatness. As 
the courage of the private soldiers give 
prowess to the company, the prowess of the 
company force to the regiment, the force of 
regiment strength to the army, so the quali- 
ties of courage and patriotism in the individ- 
ual citi/ens form the reputation of the nation 
and secure to it the respect due to its flag. 
The general education of the people gives se- 
curity to our institutions and b»gets respect 
for our laws, while ignorance of the masses 
leads to a communism that would convert the 



26 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



civilization of the world into savagery and 
barbarism. For this reason that hydra- 
headed monster. Socialism, and its sin-bred 
whelps, Anarchism and lawlessness, must be 
crushed by the iron heel of the law, or they 
will devour the liberties and the rights of the 
people. 

In this Centennial celebration we are not 
only reminded of the past, but it is full of 
prophetic visions of the future. While we re- 
joice in commemorating the heroic deeds of 
the pioneers, the sound of whose axes Hrst 
broke the stillness of the forests that once 
covered our beautiful valley and its hillsides; 
while we erect our monument in honor of 
them, the present deserves our attention and 
future our consideration. We should not be 
so elated with our past progress as to overlook 
the present and future. Nations are not per 
manent, no matter how great and powerful 
they may become; but like the restless waters 
of the ocean, where wave succeeds wave, 
only to be broken into foam and bubbles on 
the shore, so do nations come 
and go, ri-ie in grandeur and 
power, only at last to fall in 
fragments, to be cast up as 
wrecks on the shores of time. 

Other nations have lived 
whose grar.deur and power have 
been the subject of the histori- 
an's pen or the poet's theme, 
and yet a few curiously-carved 
fragments of stone scattered on 
the plains of Palestine, or in 
the almost impenetrable forests 
of Central America, are now the 
only evidence of their former 
existence. They are fragments 
of wrecks cast upon the strand 
of time, evidence of its infinitude 
and the insignificance of man. 

It is not the works of our 
hands that shall live lorever, but 
the thoughts or conceptions of 
men. A principle of good once 
evolved from the thinking mind 
can never die ; a truth of nature's 
laws once discovered is never 
lo.st, but as centuries roll on the 
good will become better, while 
the best will from a distance 
ever beckon man on with the 
promise of its attainment. The 
truth discovered will, with unerr- 
ing certainty, point ahead to 
other truths yet concealed in the 
arena of nature, and the time 
will never come when the last 
hidden fact shall be found, and 
man's researches ended forever, 
when the last unknown problem 
shall be solved, and science will 
have reached the very throne of infinite knowl- 
edge and wisdom. 

One huinlred years ago the principles of a 
republican form of government were compar- 
tively new to the world. The divine right of 
kings was a part of the religious sentiment of 
all the nations of the earth. It was sustained 
by the wealth of kingdoms and the power of 
empires, But at la.st, in the wilderness of 
America, far away from the pomp of courts 
and the pride of a titled nobility, a germ of 
freedom and personal liberty was planted in 
the minds of the hardy pioneers, beneath 
whose sturdy blows the wilderness was falling 
like grass before the scythe of the husband- 
man. The temple of our free government 
had been dedicated, and though rude in its 
proportions and primitive in its architectural 
design, yet its foundations were laid on the 
principles of justice and freedom, and the 
storms of a century could not shake it. Our 
tree of liberty had been planted in the wilder- 



ness of the new world, and it grew and flour- 
ished as if it was a native of the soil. This 
simile was versified by one of the noblest pa- 
triots of the Revolution, yet one whose name 
has come down to us covered with unde- 
served obloquy by the bigotry of the past, but 
his songs are a part of the literature of the 
day. In 1776 he wrote a poem that was sung 
by the army of the Revolution as enthusias- 
tically as was "John Brown's Requiem" by 
the Federal soldiers of the war of the Rebel- 
lion. I will repeat three verses of this cele- 
brated song, without mentioning the author's 
name, that you may judge of its merits with- 
out prejudice: 

"In a chariot of light from the regions of day, 

The Goddess of Liherty came. 
Ten thousand celestials directed her way 

And hither conducted the dame. 
A fair budding branch, from the gardens 
above. 

Where millions with millions agree. 




COLONEL S. B. DICK. 

.She brought in her hand, as a pledge of her 
love. 
And the plant she named Liberty Tree. 

"The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground. 

Like a native it flourished and bore; 
The fame of its fruit drew the nations around 

To seek out this peaceable shore. 
Unmindful of names or distinction they came. 

For freemen like brothers agree; 
With one spirit imbued, they one friendship 
pursued, 

And tlieir temple was Liberty's Tree. 

'•Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of 
old. 

Their bread in contentment they ate, 
L'nvexed with the troubles of silver and gold, 

The cares of the grand and the great. 

From the east to the west blow the trumpet to 
arms, 



Through the land let the sound of it flee; 
Let the far and the near all unite with a 
cheer. 
In defense of our Liberty Tree." 

THE century past. 

The century just past will go down to his- 
tory as one of the most remarkable that have 
left their impress on the dial of time. Re- 
markable in the progress of human thought, 
in the advancement of civilization, in explora- 
tion of unknown portions of the world, in the 
prominence of great men, and in wonderful 
scientific discoveries and inventions that now 
make the elements do the labor once only per- 
formed by human hands. 

One hundred years ago but little was known 
of the power of steam To-day the steam 
engines of the world have the aggregate of 
46;ooo,ooo horse power, and approximately 
represent the work of 1,000,000.000 of men; 
more than double the force of the working 
population of the whole earth. What may we 
prophesy of the next century ? 
One hunared years ago bul lit- 
tle was known of electricity, ex- 
cept as its destructive force was 
displayed in the storm cloud, 
where it defied the control of 
man. Now it is the most obedi- 
ent of his servants. Submissive 
to his commands, it illuminates 
the nights of our cities with the 
glare of noonday, lights our 
dwellings with subdued and 
gentle rays, turns the wheels of 
our factories, conveys our mes- 
sages with the swiftness of 
thought, and whispers the famil- 
iar tones of aftection into listen- 
ing ears hundreds of miles away 
from the lips that uttered them. 
What will it have accomplished 
one hundred years from now ? 
One hundred years ago com 
paratively little was known of 
the geological formation of our 
earth. Now science has delved 
into its secret caverns, and read 
from tablets of stone there en- 
tombed and inscribed by God's 
own hands the history of our 
world's creation. 

One hundred years ago the 
stars shone as now upon the 
sunless earth, and astronomers 
wondered from what source 
came their light, and what was 
the fuel that kindled their glow- 
ing fires. To day the scientist 
in his darkened room admits 
their rays through a spectros- 
cope, and from a screen at his 
side reads the names of the chemical elements 
they are consuming as easily as he would from 
a printed page ; or learns therefrom that they 
shine from the reflected light of other suns. 

One hundred years ago but twenty-two ele- 
ments were known to chemistry, and from a 
combination of these alone it was supposed 
that all the beautiful forms of natural objects 
were constructed. Now science has discover- 
ed over seventy, yet her foot is only on the 
threshold of that great storehouse in which 
nature has concealed her treasures, and where- 
in are hidden the mysteries of her laboratory, 
yet to be yielded up to man's researches. 
When another century has passed away, the 
little children that will play around our nionu 
ment in anxious expectation of the coming 
pageantry of another day like this, will indeed 
be wiser than their fathers, and will know 
more of the causes of natural phenoniMia than 
the sage or savant of the present time. 

One hundred years ago we were separated 



CENTENNIA L EDITION TRIE UNE-REP UBL ICA N. 



27 



from the commerce of the old world by long The type then used was very imperfect and press, and the engine, will continue to mold 

months of ocean navigation, that depended the presses rudely constructed. A weekly the opinions o( mankind, protect their rights 

alone on the treacherous winds to drive the edition of 500 copies was a most laborious and liberties from lawlessness and anarchy, 

loaded ship across the pathless deep. To-day task. Now there are over 600 daily papers decrease the physical labor of men, and in- 

hundreds of pal.itial steamers weekly go and printed in the United States with a yearly crease the prosperity of our race. And in 

come and like great shuttles between the circulation of about 900,000.000, and nearly the not distant future this God like trinity will 

warp and wool of commerce, are weaving the 5,000 weeklies with an annual circulation of decree that arbitration, not war, shall settle 

destinies of nations harmonizing the conllict- 600,000,000. To day by the most approved the contentions of republics and empires; that 

ine interests of men, and are fast hastening printing devices 100,000 printed sheets are the cannon of unholy conllict, purified by fire, 

the time when wars shall be no more. struck per hour, thereby scattering the news shall be mou'ded into plow shares; the swords 

One hundred years ago the population of of passing events as well as the best thoughts and bayonets into pruning hooks and the 

of men over the continent as plentiful as the noise of battle shall be heard no more. Then 

snow flakes are scattered by a winter's storm, the motto, "Peace on earth and good zaili to- 

What can be more ephemeral than thought? wards men" will be inscribed on the flag of 

the frozen regions of the It is but a vibratory action of the gray matter every nation on earth. And verily 1 say 

north to the southern land of perpetual sum- of the brain translated by that incomprehensi- unto you before the next century shall pass 

mer and east and west literally from the ris- ble thing we call the human mind, and it away this prophecy will be fulfilled. 

ing to the setting sun. leaves no more impression after it has passed Now let us for a few moments leave the 

Daniel Webster, in his eulogy on England, than does the voice ot the harp string on the arid region of facts and statistics and visit 

said "That her morning drum-beat following air that surrounds it. What can be more those realms where fancy paints her pictures 

the sun, and keeping company with the hours, evanescent than thought unrecorded? What in somewhat fantastic colors. We are now 

circles the earth with one continuous and un- more enduring than thought seized by the celebrating the first century of our local exist- 

broken strain of her martial airs." But we printing press and embalmed by the magic ence as a community — and what is a century ? 



the United States did not exceed four millions, 
now it numbers nearly sixty-five millions, ex- 
tending over a country whose vast dimen- 
sions reach from the frozen regions of the 



can say with equal truth that 
the sun never sets on the posses- 
sions of this nation. Between 
our Atlantic and Pacific bound- 
aries there are one hundred de- 
grees of longitude, and during 
the longest days of our summer, 
when evening is casting her 
shadows over the rocky coast 
of Western Alaska, morning is 
spreading her rosy wings over 
the hills and forests of Eastern 
Maine. And though no martial 
drum-beat follows the sun in its 
pathway across our continent ; 
yet in this Christian land the 
matin song or vesper hymn and 
prayer greets it through every 
hour of its radiant journey. 

One hundred years ago our 
population was principally con- 
fined to a narrow border of 
.states along the shores of the 
Atlantic All the west was an 
unbroken wilderness, save here 
and there a sparsely settled town 
or hamlet, where advancing civ- 
ilization was battling with a sav- 
age people for the possession of 
a pathless forest. The waters 
of our lakes and rivers, unvexed 
by keel or rudder, slumbered in 
the stillness of primeval solitude. 
There were no roads or high- 
ways of travel, and the only 
means of conveyance was the 
pack-horse or the rude cart or 
wagon of the pioneers. The 
borders of civilization were often 
marked by the ashes of the 
burned cabins of the early settlers, whose 
thresholds and hearth-stones had been stained 
with the blood of murdered women and chil- 
dren ; now towns and cities are thickly scat- 
tered across the continent to the very shores 



Instinctively do we judge of 
things and time comparatively, 
both as to the size of objects and 
tlie duration of events it is a part 
of our common education to 
form our opinions ol what we do 
not know from that which is 
familiar to us. Let us estimate 
the length of our years and cen- 
turies by comparison with those 
of some of our sister planets. 

We measure our epochs of 
time by the movement of our 
little earth in the celestial orrery. 
Once it circles around the sun 
and it is our year; 100 times the 
endless journey is performed and 
it is a century — an event we cel- 
ebrate today. One hundred 
seasons come and go and we 
commemorate the history of 
their deeds and the acts and 
lives of their illustrious men. 
Yet, compared with the lengih 
of the years of other worlds in 
our solar system, how insignifi- 
cant or how great is a century 
of our registered time, as we 
may select other orbs as our 
standard of comparison ? Yon- 
der on the very verge of our 
horizon is the planet Neptune, 
wliose lonely pathway is nearly 
3,000,000,000 miles from our 
sun. A portion of our year it 
is a morning and then an even- 
ing star. It is the outermost 
member ol our solar system. It 
is 85 times larger than our earth 
and performs its annual circle 
power of its impress ? We erect monuments or revolution around the sun in about 165 of 
of granite to commemorate some great event our years. 

or to render the name and fame of some illus- Now let us imagine that like our earth it is 
trious man immortal. Centuries pass on with inhabited by intelligent beings who count 
ceaseless tread and those monuments have their time as we do by the annual revolution 
crumbled into dust. But, preserved by the of their world. A young and blooming 




GEORGE ANDERSON. 



of the Pacific. Hundreds of steamboats trav ... . - 

erse our lakes and rivers while the iron roads printing press, the incidents of the events they maiden there of sweet sixteen, that is one 

of civilization cover the country like spider commemorate are as fresh in the memory of who has seen the roses of sixteen Neptunian 

webs a summer meadow. To-day we have men as if they occurred but yesterday, while summers bloom and fade, by our measurement 

more miles of railroad than all the rest of the the thoughts of the distinguished dead have of time would be about 2,640 years old; while 

world, while the number of our steam vessels become as familiar as household words, and one of those excellent ladies so common on 

on our lakes, rivers and the ocean waters ex- repeated in books or printed sheets will live this planet, who after thirty five years of celi- 

ceed that of all the other nations of the globe long after their monuments have vanished bate happiness never grow older, and who, 

combined. What may we not predict for and are forgotten. though so often reviled by ungallant newspa- 

American enterprise in the hundred years to To-day it may be truly said "that the pen is per men, are among the most worthy of our 

come ? mightier than the sword," the printing press 

One hundred years ago there were only more powerful than the artillei7 of a thousand 

forty six weekly newspapers published in the battle fields, while the steam engine moves 

United States and only one daily. These pa- the world with the force of the lever of 

pers had a very limited circulation, and the Archimedes. 

editors of those days did not suddenly acquire And as time shall move on with tireless weary way of buttonless linen and dilapidated 

vast wealth as they do at the present time, footsteps this trinity of power, the pen, the underwear for fifty Neptunian years, if, while 



institutions. Such a one, if a resident of Nep- 
tune, might well hesitate to announce her age 
as 5,775 years, computed by our standard 
of time. While the cold-blooded, unsympa- 
thizing old bachelor, who has shivered on his 



28 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



visiting this planet, was asked his age, might 
well blush as he answered — Well, on your 
earth, I would be about 8,250 years old. And 
yet, from the appearance of some of my 
friends of this class, whom I now see in this 
audience, the statement might not seem in- 
credible. 

In Neptune an infant whose eyes first saw 
the light in early spring, and around whose 
cradle were falling the leaves of autumn, 
would, as he lay there playing with his rattle 
and teething ring, be a rosy cherub of 82 of 
our years of age, while the ordinary Fourth of 
July oration, comparatively, of our usual 
patriotic proportions, or an average political 
speech, would occupy about 16 of our months 
in their delivery. Oh ! What a field for ora- 
torical greatness does that planet aftbrJ, and 
what a pity it is that some of our prominent 
statesmen could not be transported thither. 

"Let us take another example to our pur- 
pose quite." 

Nearest to our sun is that 
beautiful little planet Mer- 
cury. From its size and po- 
sition it is seldom seen with 
the unassisted eye. At brief 
periods of each year it is also 
alternately an evening and a 
morning star, a shining cres- 
ent with a bright, white light. 
Its pathway is 35,000,000 
uiiles from our sun, and it 
performs its annual revolu- 
tion in 88 days, or about 
three months of our time. 
Now, suppose a yoUng man 
in that planet had lived to 
the callow period of itudeisnt 
— that is, twenty Mercurian 
years.7— by oitr time he would 
have reached the age of five 
years, and would probably 
have the same degree of 
mental capacity of one of 
that species fully developed 
on this earth, while the 
maiden of sixteen would be 
four years old. The lady, 
who, on this earth, can say 
to time, "so far shalt thou 
come, and no farther," would 
be only nine years of age. 
The bachelor of fifty would 
would be twelve years and 
two months old. The al- 
lotted period of human life, 
which the sacred page fixes 
at three score years and ten, 
counted by the calendar of 
that world, would, on our 
planet, occupy the insignifi- 
cant period of seventeen and one-half years, 
or just about the time when a young man here 
is longingly contemplating the potentiality of 
lip and chin. A Fourth of July oration or a 
pohtical speech would be completed in fifteen 
minutes of our time ; an average sermon in 
five, and a lawyer's plea, by our rules of court 
there applied, could not possibly exceed ten 
of our minutes in length, so you will observe 
that the inhabitants of that little world have a 
few blessings to compensate them for their 
ephemeral existence. Scientific researches of 
of the last one hundred years now most posi- 
tively assert the fact that many of the worlds 
that throng our firmanrenl in countless num- 
bers, are as well fitted by their obvious con- 
ditions to sustain life as. s this comparatively 
microscopic atom of dust which we call our 
earth, and upon which sojfw of us are supposed 
to live. It certainly would seem to the finite 
mind to be a waste of creative power to have 
the uncounted millions of orbs that shine in the 



star depths around us, but so many uninhabited, 
useless constructions of Him who could have 
peopled them with immortal souls ; and great 
is the vanity of the man, and greater his ego- 
tism, who believes that this vast universe was 
made for him alone. The power and bene- 
volence of the Creator seems to be boundless, 
and to compass all he has created within its 
folds. 

"While man exclaims : 'See all things for 

my use!' 
" 'See man for mine,' replies a pampered 

goose." 

It is now positively known to science that 
some of the planets in our solar system are 
nearly in the same physical condition as that 
of our own. Mars, whose orbit is just outside 
that of our earth, can be well observed. Its 
snow line can be seen to recede from its 
equator as the summer of the planet advances, 
and as its poles stand at an angle to the plane 
of the ecliptic as do those of our earth, its 




JOSHUA DOUGLASS, Esq. 

changes of seasons must be very similar to 
ours. Mars appears to be in a condition to 
beget and sustain animal life. And if life, 
why not intelligence? And if intelligence, 
why not immortal souls? 

It is a narrow bigotry indeed that refuses to 
receive the demonstrations of science through 
fear of danger to some pet creed or dogma, 
and the minister of to-day who, in his pulpit, 
scoffs or sneers at the demonstrated truths of 
scientific investigation, one hundred years from 
now will be recorded on history's page as a 
theological Dogberry, and it will not need the 
genius of the Bard of Avon to give him un- 
enviable notoriety. When another century 
shall have added its knowledge and discover- 
ies to the treasures already accumulated by 
man, if we judge the future by the past, the 
footsteps of science will cross the boundaries 
of worlds now unknown to us, and every suc- 
ceeding discoveiy will but increase man's 
reverence for Him who holds the universe in 



his hands, and with Whom all centuries past 
and all time to come is but one eternal now, 
and yet, 

"Who sees with equal eye as God of all 
A hero perish, or a sparrow fall ; 
Atoms or systems into ruin hurled. 
And now a bubble burst, and now a world." 

From what man has already accomplished 
we may form a faint conception of the possi- 
bilities of his future. Scientifically speaking, 
our world is yet in its youth or early manhood, 
and every succeeding century will develop 
hitherto unknown truths, unseen existencies, 
and unrecognized phenomena. The opinions 
of men will change as their knowledge in- 
creases, and many of the pet creeds and 
theories of to-day will but excite a smile of 
derision one hundred years from now. 

As long as this earth shall continue to be 
the theater of human life and action, so long 
will man continue to advance in the know- 
ledge of nature's laws. The religious beliefs 
of the present will be modi- 
fied by the discovery of new 
truths, as they have been in 
the past, and the world will 
be better and happier there- 
for. Compare the terrible 
doctrine of what a century 
ago was called " The retribu- 
tive Justitre of the Creator'^ — 
the belief in the awful doom 
of those born in the darkness 
of ignorance, who, from no 
fault of their own, had never 
heard of a Savior or the 
atonement, and who were as 
guiltless of disobedience to 
laws they never knew as 
the babe in the cradle to-day 
is guiltless of infringement of 
those in our statute book. 
Compare the horrible creeds 
and dogmas of 100 years ago 
with those now taught by 
an educated and pious min- 
istry, and add another cen- 
tury of Christian enlighten 
ment to the experience of 
mankind, and what will be 
the result? Verily the change 
will be great, and men will 
no longer be ostracized for 
opinion's sake. The past 
had its racks and instruments 
of physical torture to con- 
vince men of their error. 
To day those cruel and 
bloody arguments are modi 
fied into obloquy and social 
ostracism, and the time is not 
far distant when even these 
will disappear and men will extend charity to 
others as they would have it extended to 
them ; when in the religious sects of the world 
the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, 
and the little child that was born in a manger 
shall lead ihem. Again I say unto you that 
tk enext eentury shall not pass away and 
leave this prophecy unfulfilled. 

And now one more thought in conclusion 
e'er we part never to meet again as on this 
occasion. To-morrow our pageantry will be 
among the events of the past, and soon even 
its pleasant recollections will have gone from 
our minds. In a few moments this audience 
will pass through yonder doors never again to 
enter them in a celebration of another centen- 
nial anniversary of the first settlement of this 
beautiful valley, endeared to us because it is 
our home ; because here we have spent the 
greater part of our lives ; because here we 
dave lived and loved, and sorrowed over our 
head. Here we have formed earthly projects 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



29 



and ambitions as visionary as the baseless 
fabric of a dream. Here we have enjoyed the 
pleasures of life, and wept over our untold 
griefs ; here the good we have done will live, 
it is to be hoped, long after the evils of our 
lives have been forgotten among men ; here 
we have shaped our future destiny for weal or 
woe ; here we have made our records of the 
past, and from here many of us will start on 
the never-ending journey of the future. Soon 
others wili take our places in the active drama 
of life, and we will be remembered no more. 
Who and what will they be ? Will our chil- 
dien's children take part in the ne.xt centen- 
nial of our beautiful city? Or will no lineal 
descendants of ours meet to remember us even 
with the faint recollections of long past per- 
sons and events ? Will our monument still 
stand ICO years from now? If so, who will 
gather around it as we have done to day in 
grateful feelings towards the most High for 
the blessings He has bestowed with a gener- 
ous hand ? 

"Who'll press for gold this crowded street 
A hundred years to come ? 
Who'll tread yon church with willing feet 
A hundred years to come ? 

Pale, trembling age and firey youth 
And childhood with its brow of truth. 
The rich, the poor, on land, on sea, 
Where will the mighty millions be 
A hundred years to come? 

"We all within our graves shall sleep 
A hundred years from now. 
No living soul for us will weep 
A hundred years from now." 

"But other men our lands will till. 
And others then our places fill. 
And other worlds will be as gay. 
And bright the sunshme as to-day 
One hundred years from now." 

Mr. Richmond, just before the close of his 
oration, was obliged to close, his voice being 
drowned by the patter of rain on the roof. 
The Northwestern Band rendered a selection 
during the time of waiting. 

Mr. Richmond, when the music of the band 
had ceased, stepped forward and finished the 
delivery of his oration, long continued ap- 
plause following. 

A musical selection by a ladies' chorus of 
voices, led by Prof. Reynolds, was very ac- 
ceptably rendered. 

The following poem, prepared specially for 
the occasion, was read by its author. Prof. S. 
P. Bates: 

"THE INDIAN'S PROPHECY." 



A DRRAM OF A HUNDRED YEARS. 

"Come close, my child, and list to what I say," 
The Indian Sachem to his offspring spoke; 

"Some ill betides our tribe, and we must lay 
This unction to our dearest Indian folk. 

"As on the bank of Cussewago's stream, 
I lay at eventide, with listening ear 

I heard far off, as in a fitful dream, 

A steady tramp — the tramp of pioneer ! a 

"Twelve moons ago I heard that self-same 
tread, b 
The pksh of oar, footfall on crumpled leaf; 
It came — its echoes vanished where it led. 
And joy once more resumed the place of 
grief. 



"But now, again, I hear that fateful knell, 
Resounding over mountain, over vale; 

The hoofs of steel c clang out the purpose fell. 
And songs of joy ring forth the dreadful 
tale." 

THE SONG OF THE PIONEER. 
He comes '. he comes ! 
"O'er mountain we come, by the fast rolling 
river, 
Through valley, and meadow, and deep 
tangled leaf. 
The blue vault is o'er us, the home of the 
Giver, 
We quaff at the fountain, we follow our 
chief. 

(Chorus.) 
"Tramp, tramp, tramp, the jolly pioneer, 

With axe and plow he comes, he comes ! 
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the jolly pioneer. 

The song he sings, he comes, he comes ! 

"On Dunham's fair plain, 'neath the o'erhang- 
ing heights. 
On banks of Venango we mean to take seat. 
Who cares for old Indian ? he merits no 
rights, 
P.ut we'll meet him half way, in friendship 
to greet. 

(Chorus.) 
"We're bound for cool French creek, so quick ! 
clear the way, 

'Tis as goodly a stream as ever was seen; 
The bold Cussewago will drive the wheels 

gay. 

And Meadville be a fair place as ever has 
been. 

(Chorus.) 
"Do you doubt what I say ? just listen to me ! 
The fates shall treat kindly that bright, 
cheery town; 
A place of great learning this Meadville 
shall be. 
To coming gen'rations in honor go down. 

"A College and Conservatory of song, 

A school theologic, wise men not a few. 
Shall honor the right, and shall banish the 
wrong 
As the sun drives away the fresh morning 
dew. 

"Hurrah for fair Meadville, we'll sing as we go. 

The song of cool French creek, the mill 

wheels and all. 

The sound of piano, the voice sweet and low. 

The sound of great learning, of College and 

Hall." 

The Sachem to his son resumed: 
"Beneath the shelt'ring pme last night they 
slept. 
At dawn (hey roused them from their slum- 
bers deep; 
By Susquehanna's tide their course they kept. 
And Allegheny's waters soon they'll leap. 

"And now in vision I behold the light 

Of years stretch onward in the busy scene; 

A hundred winters robe the ground in white, 
A hundred summers deck the earth in 
green. 

"And what, my son, shall come to us and ours ? 

Here have we lived for generations gone. 
Here have our children filled the circling 
hours. 
With sports and pastimes on the verdant 
lawn. 

"Few spots in all the earth are like to it. 
The morning sunlight and the evening 
shade; 



The clouds are painted, and the star is lit 
With fire by the Almighty spirit made. 

"By Conneaut's d waters, under harvest moon. 
The warrior bold and dusky maid 

Have led the dance which ended all too soon; 
At noontide feasted in abundant shade. 

"How oft on Pymatuning's grateful round, 
We've watched the coming of the wild- 
dove's e flight. 
The tam'rac's laden boughs have swept the 
ground. 
Their winnowing wings have rustled all 
the night. 

"Our camphres here were kindled for our 
rights. / 
And here the tribes assembled far and near. 
The supple warrior fed his wild delights. 
And Sachems bold held converse with the 
Seer, 

"Deep in the somber shades of Oil Creek 
Lake, 

We join in worship of the Spirit Great; g 
And as the surface quick the spark doth take. 

Billows of fire ascend, emblem of fate. 

"The waters of the streams no hindrance feel, 
As on 'they murmur, hasting to the sea ; 

In all our borders wide, no dam nor wheel 
Has ever held, or vexed the current free. 

"They sing the same sweet song of earth, 
And babble onward throught the flow'ry 
land. 
As when He spake creation into birth. 

And poured the waters from His hollow 
hand. 

"The sylvan grove has stood its ample shade. 
As when He planted it with virgin seed; 

It ne'er has felt the woodman's cruel blade, 
Nor creaked and groaned to sate the red 
man's need. 

"On many hilltops rest in quietude. 

The Chiefs and Sachems of a race of braves; 

No fear distressed, lest any should intrude, 
To force their children to a race of slaves, 

"You cannot think, my child, that this shall be 
That Big Sun now shall take a menial 
place. 

That all this pleasant land which here we see. 
No more shall know the lordly Indian race. 

"Can you, my son, whose arm hath been my 
pride. 
Believe that all these goodly hunting 
grounds. 
Sweet waters of the springs at wigwam's side, 
Shall be to us as unfamiliar sounds ? 

THE PROPHECY. 

" 'Tis true! by my vision which never deceived, 
I see the van coming, through wild»wood 
and brake, 
Fitz-Randolph and Grant, Tom Martin and 
Mead, 
The doughty VanHorn, the leadership 
take. 

"By Venango's soft current, 'neath wide- 
spreading tree, h 
They will slumber to-night, on the spot 
where we stand; 
I must hasten to tell you of what there shall 
be 
Before we may look on that pioneer band. 

"I see stretching onward, through full hun- 
dred years, 
Which I compass in vision that's given 
to me, 

A round hundred villages, echoing with 
cheers, 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Men, swarming like bees round a well- 
chosen tree. 

"On the day that shall close that cycle of time, 
Since they first saw the light of this beauti- 
ful vale, 
A great concourse shall come with songs and 
with chime. 
To echo its praises, and sound the glad tale. 

"The loud roar of cannon shall usher the 
morning, 
With gay trappings the war horse shall 
rival the sun. 
Triumphal procession, a full hour in formmg. 
Shall move to the music of trumpet and 
drum. 

"The pride of their workshops, the cunning of 
smiths. 
The fruits of rare culture, the growth of 
their fields; 
The secrets of nature no longer are myths. 
They talk with the lightning ! and bridle a 
steeds ! 

"You shall hear them 'hallo' there, the an- 
swer comes 'well,' 
From wigwam that nestles on far away 
stream; 
And they talk, and they giggle, and easily 
tell 
All the nonsense that maketh the stuff of a 
dream. 

"They take some rough iron, and chunks of 
cold steel, 
And roast them in ovens very like to hell 
fire; 
And they pound and they sweat till they 
surely must feel. 
As Vulcan who forged for Achilles' mad 
ire. 

"And when all is fashioned, and set upon 
wheels. 
They feed on cold water, and a little rough 
sand; 
They touch a soft spring, in a twinkling it feels 
The breathing and wheezing as it runs 
through the land. 

"Then it whistles and screams from its hoarse 
brazen throat, 
Sends upward, in circles and rings, its hot 
.breath. 
And echoes from mountain return the shrill 
note. 
Till all is made vocal o'er the wide circling 
earth. 

"It tears down the valley, it plunges 'neath 
mountain, 
It laughs as it passes the cataract grand; 
It scorns at strong drink, as it sips at the 
fountain, 
And pleads by its strength for the cold 
water band. 

"It starts in the morning, it scarcely knows 
where 
The night fall will find it, and resting-place 
be. 
But onward and onward, like the bird of the 
air. 
Its wing never tiring, its course ever free. 

"Venango's bright waters may quench its first 
thirst, 
Allegheny's proud stream, its nooning place 
be, 
Susquehanna and Delaware quickly are passed. 
At midnight it takes a long breath by the 
sea. 

"A hundred devices, as mad as this one, 
1 see in procession wind gaily along — 



Some paint and gay feathers they e'en dare 
to stick on 
Poor Indian, and chant his misfortunes in 
song. 

"But a thing that much grieves me is yet to be 
told— 
On a beautiful park in the heart of their city 
Where bright waters sparkle, where holidays 
hold. 
Where lovers assemble, and murmur sweet 
ditty, 

"They have set up a statue of that same pioneer 
Who, all uninvited, with no right to the 
land. 
Has pushed, and has crowded, and set him- 
self here. 
And carried injustice with a very high hand. 

"And now the poor Indian, who always has 
lived here, 
And dreamed that his children would ever 
remain. 
Must pocket displeasure, must wipe the sad 
tear, 
Must go ! of this land not a vestige retain. 

"Does your blood stir with anger at this har- 
rowing tale ? 
Do you clutch the swift arrow, the scalping 
knife keen ? 
'Tis vain ! all in vain ! the bom hero would 
fail !— 
No ! a change of blind fate i was never yet 
seen. 

"The sun in his course, ashe goes to his setting. 

Nightly beckons us on to the limitless sea. 

The caves of the lava beds have our last 

greeting. 

Then good-bye to this land forever and e'e'." 

Samuel P. Bates. 

a. Mcadville was setttled May 12, 1788, by nine 
pioneers from Northumberland. 

b. David and John Mead visited this valley in 
the summer of 1787, and selected the site for the 
settlement, where they returned for the party of 
1788. 

<:. They came with horses, plows and instruments 
of husbandry, by the Bald Eagle and Chinklaece- 
moose path to the Allegheny river at the mouth 
of the Venango. 

(/. Conneaut Lake, the largest in Pennsylvania, at 
present a summer water place. 

(■. Around Pymatuning is a growth of tamaracs, 
which furnished a roosting place for vast flocks of 
wild pigeons, which so crowded the limbs that 
some were bemg constantly pushed oft, which kept 
a continual flutter the whole night through, not un- 
like the distant roar of Niagara. 

/. Pymatuning was the favorite assembly ground 
of the Indians. 

S. The oil was lighted with a torch. At the sight 
of the Ifames the Indians gave a triumphant shout, 
that made the hills and valleys re-echo again! 
Mere, then, is revived the ancient fire-worship of 
the East — tiere then are the children of the sun. — 
Day. 

h. They camped the first night, May 12, 1788, near 
the head of Mercer street bridge under the wide- 
spreading branches of a wild cherry tree. — I'nn 
Horn. 

/, The Indians were fatalists. 

Hon. William Reynolds arose and said that 
the Centennial edition of the Tribune-Repub- 
lican having been exhausted, if orders for 
three thousand more copies could be secured, 
the edition would be reprinted. 

"The Song of the Pioneer," composed by 
Prof. S. P. Bates and set to music by Prof. F. 
A. Reynolds, was rendered by the church 
choirs, and was followed by the singing of two 
verses of the National Hymn, "America," the 
audience arising and joining in the singing of 
the latter. 

Hon. Wm. Reynolds moved that the editor 



of the Tribune-Republican be requested to 
to print an extra edition of 3,000 of the Cen- 
tennial paper. The motion was seconded and 
carried unanimously. 

At 12 o'clock the benediction was pro- 
nounced by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Hamnett, and 
the audience dispersed. 

THE EXERCISES AT DIAMOND PARK. 

As early as I o'clock the crowd began to 
assemble around the- pioneer monument on 
Diamond park, to witness the ceremonies at- 
tending the unveiling of the granite pile which 
will stand as a monument to our city's first 
hundredth anniversary. By 2 o'clock, the 
hour set for the ceremonies to begin, about 
8,000 people were assembled. 

The speakers' stand was occupied by the 
Centennial committee and old citizens, the 
Mayor and city Councils, nearly all of whom 
wore Centennial badges. 

At 2:15 the Northwestern Band arrived on 
the ground and in five minutes more the 
crowd had reached fully 12,000 people, in- 
cluding the school children who marched up 
behind the band and took their position di- 
rectly in front of the monument. It was the 
largest public meeting ever held in Meadville 
and as enthusiastic as any that ever occurred 
in the history of our city. 

THE CEREMONY. 

While the crowd was getting into position 
to hear the speeches, the band rendered a 
selection, following which the ceremony open- 
ed with "America," the school children join- 
ing with the band in the National air. Prof. F. 
P. Boynton acting as musical director. 

President William Reynolds stepped to the 
front of the platform and announced that the 
first act would be the unveiling of the statue, 
which was done by Hon. H. L. Richmond, 
and accompanied by loud cheers. 

Prof. H. H. Barber, pastor of the Unitarian 
church, then read the centennial hymn, com- 
posed by Rev. Thomas Hill, D. D., of Port- 
land, Me.: 

Eternal God, thine endless years. 
Know not the shadow of a change; 

While our brief days forever see 

.Strange things give way to scenes more 
strange. 

But every change thy mercy shows — 
Thy goodness' unexhausted wealth; 

In each, we see Thy loving hand 

That still supplies our life and health. 

We bless the Providence that led 
Our fathers to this lovely spot; 

That shielded them from savage foes 
And filled with good their earthly lot. 

We pray the fathers' God to bless 

The children, wheresoe'er they roam; 

To shield them from their hidden fose. 
And lead them to a heavenly home. 

Help us to fill our father's place ; 

Help us to be in all things true 
Toward men on earth, toward Christ in 
heaven. 

And do Thy will as angels do. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



31 



Next in order was the 

ADDRESS OF JUDGE HENDERSON. 
" Fellozo citizens, ftliow Pennsylvania's, fel- 
low eoitniryinen: 

We have met to place a way-mark in the 
path of our local history — to erect a memorial 
to the heroic men who planted civilization in 
this valley. The beginnings of things are 
always interesting, and certainly few could be 
more so to this people than an event so far- 
reaching and widely beneficial in its influence 
as the founding of their community. Stand- 
ing at the summit of the century with an un- 
obstructed view of the eventlul years through 
which we have grown as a people, it is profita 
ble to pause in our progress to contemplate 
the character and view the labors of those 
who laid the foundations of government and 
set in operation the forces which have pro- 
duced such wonderful social and commercial 
life. 

Sitting in the shade of wide spreading trees 
or plucking the fruit from their bendmg 
branches, our attention may well be called to 
the labor of those who in the far-away dayf 
converted the wilderness into fertile fields and 
planted the seeds which now yield their an- 
nual tribute of blossom and fruit. The culti- 
vation of reverence for our ancestors and ap- 
preciation of their toils and sacrifices and a 
just estimate of their moral worth produces in 
our minds higher sentiments of patriotism, 
clearer apprehension of the true objects of life 
and firmer resolutions to exert some energy, 
at least, for the promotion of the general wel- 
fare. 

It is true that in a vague and general way 
we are never indifferent to the benefactors 
who have preceded us, but we need the 
presence of some visible witness to quicken 
our feelings, and to speak to us from day to 
day of the achievements of other years — to 
remind us of those early sowers into whose 
harvest we have entered. 

Here, therefore, on the soil where they first 
rested, amidst the scenes of their struggles 
and sacrifices, and near the spot where their 
bodies lie buried, in the presence of many of 
their descendants and a multitude who ack- 
nowledge themselves their debtors, we pre- 
serve in enduring granite the memory of the 
pioneers and set up a perpetual memorial of 
their work and worth. 

I count it a fortunate fact in their history 
and that of the community which they found- 
ed that they were Pennsylvanians. 

Among civilized Commonwealths Penn- 
sylvania has from her earliest settlement been 
entitled to stand in the front rank. The spirit of 
liberty, charity and peace which animated the 
statesman and philanthropist whose name she 
bears, infused itself into the public mind, 
found expression in the laws enacted, and hap- 
pily influenced the great career on which the 
new State was entering. With the first 
Constitution of Pennsylvania were intro- 
duced those principles of free govern- 
ment, the right of suffrage, trial by jury, 
and freedom of the press, which are 
still, after the lapse of 200 years, our se- 
curity and pride. Attracted by the religious 
tolerance and freedom of individual action 
which the colony offered,hardy, brave, liberty- 
loving emigrants in great numbers, sought an 
asylum within her borders. By a process sim- 
ilar to that which blended various people in 
England, and gave us the high type of Anglo 
Saxon life, the union of Swedes, Danes. Ger- 
mans, English,and other European people gave 
to the colony a homogeneous population long 
.before the Revolution. The stirring events of 
the colonial period developed a spirit of 
liberty which made Pennsylvania a prominent 
actor in the Revolution, and gave her an im- 



mortal history in that decisive struggle. With- 
in her borders transpired events which changed 
the destiny of the continent, and marvelously 
affected the civilization of the world. 

Surrounded by such influences, participat- 
ing in such history, the men of 1788 were 
thoroughly equipped to be founders of new 
States. The time of their migration was 
auspicious. Our local history began with the 
history of the United States. The same year 
which heard the first strokes of the setder's 
axe on the banks of the Venango, saw the 
adoption of the Federal Constitution and the 
birth of a new nation. The long struggle of 
the Revolution had ended in triumph ; peace, 
like an angel from heaven, had come to dwell 




FIGURE OF THE PIONEER 

Erected on Diamond Park. 

in the land ; a new era of unparalelled enter- 
prise and hope dawned upon the new Repub- 
lic. By the adoption of the Ordinance of 
17S7, the Northwest territory, then compris- 
ing all the public land of the United States, 
was forever dedicated to freedom and oppor- 
tunity was given to all who desired to settle 
on the unoccupied land of the Commonwealth 
and the Republic. Then began that remarka- 
ble movement which advanced the picket 
line of civilization far westward into the 
wilderness, and opened up the fertile valleys 
of our own region, and the wide expanse of 
the Northwest to the habitation of the hardy 
settlers. Across mountains, through forest 
paths, over unbridged streams, resolute and 



invincible men made their way to tht frontier. 
They came not as explorers or adventurers, 
whose hasty departure left no permanent im- 
press, but bidding good-bye to the scenes of 
their early life, they brought with them their 
families and their property, and established 
homes for themselves and their children in 
the new country. Neither the violence of 
savages nor the rigors of climate, nor their 
remoteness from centres of business and social 
life could deter them from their purpose. 

Before their vigorous blows the forest 
melted away; from the presence of their cour- 
age the warriors of the woods retreated 
further into the wilderness; humble homes 
.sent their columns of smoke, like incense, 
into the sky; fields began to glisten with ripen- 
ing grain; tinkling bells marked the presence 
of growing herds; highways opened up the 
country to commerce, and that which had 
lately been the undisturbed haunt of the red 
man gradually unfolded into comfortable and 
productive abodes of intelligent citizens. The 
men who achieved these results were brave in 
the face of danger, "given to hospitality," 
sympathetic towards the unfortunate, loyal to 
their country. Though possessing little gold 
they were rich in faith and hope. Animated 
by an adventurous spirit, they belonged to 
that race who, with faces set toward the west, 
advanced step by step, bearing the banner of 
liberty, exploring mountain and valley, and 
paused not until the golden shore of the Pa- 
cific flashed the sunlight into their astonished 
vision. The pioneers and explorers have de- 
parted. Their work has been accomplished, 
but as long as there are happy homes and 
free people memory will turn with gratitude 
to their services to their country and to their 
fellow men. 

But the conquest of nature is not the high- 
est claim which these men have upon our 
grateful consideration. The log cabin, the 
cultivated fields, and the gathered harvests 
contributed to their physical welfare, and 
made easier the labor of those who came 
after them; but their chief merit lies in the 
fact that they exhibited the moral qualities 
which fitted them for founders of society, and 
that they brought with them those ideas of 
law, and order, and justice, and religion, 
which have left their impress during the cen- 
tury. Whatever advantage may come from 
material good conferred, he is the benefactor 
of his kind and most entitled to the dutiful 
regard of posterity who seeks to elevate the 
intellectual and moral condition of his fellows. 

As soon as the demands for subsistence 
were met, the settlers addressed themselves 
to providing the means of education for the 
young. Tlie spirit of inquiry and desire for 
knowledge whicii the excitement and discus- 
I sion of the Revolution produced, followed 
them to their western homes and stimulated 
them to make provision to the extent of their 
ability for the education of their children, and 
it is a remarkable fact that in a few years 
after the first settlement was made, while the 
country was for the most part unbroken 
forest, with little means but with great faith, a 
charter was procured for an institution of 
higher education, and the buildings which 
look down upon us from the hill tell the 
story of that enterprise and the result of that 
faith. 

Beneficent, however, as have been the re- 
sults of those early efforts for the diffusion of 
knowledge, that to which we owe most for 
our growth and prosperity and happiness, is 
the religious influence which came with the 
settlers and gave tone and color to all their 
intercourse. 

The Christian religion was, in the colonial 
days, as it is now, a part of the common law 



32 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



of Pennsylvania. The people then were 
strangely imbued with religious sentiments, 
and all their thoughts of liberty were associ- 
ated with their sense of dependence upon a 
Supreme Being. This law and these ideas 
they brought with them to their western 
home. One of their first concerns was the 
providing means of worship, and that aspira- 
tion which guided them in all their experi- 
ences, which modulated their triumphs, miti- 
gated their defeats, has been to thousands 
who .succeeded them a consolation and a joy. 
The great principles of our government are 
founded upon religion. It is our strong wall 
of defense, the cable which holds society at 
her moorings. They builded wisely, there- 
fore, who made religion the corner stone of 
their social fabric. Political equality, exact 
justice, organized public charity, and general 
education have nowhere been attempted ex- 
cept in a Christian country. 

The monument we have erected looks two 
ways; it not only calls to our attention those 
who laid the first stones in that 
mighty structure of which we 
form a part, but it also faces the 
future. To the present and on- 
coming generations it stands not 
only as a memorial, but as a 
monitor. It represents the cour 
age — hardy as its own granite — 
and the faith, immovable as its 
own foundation — of our ances- 
tors, and tells of their effort for 
civilization. It also reminds us 
that the second century brings 
greater opportunities than the 
first. It suggests to us the value 
of liberty and law, of order and 
peace, of home and country, and 
bids us guard our priceless herit- 
age with the utmost fidelity. 

In entering on the second cen- 
tury of our history let us, there- 
fore, cheerfully and hopefully 
contribute our share toward the 
further elevation of mankind. 

President Reynolds, at the 
conclusion of Judge Henderson's 
address arose and said : 

^^ Fellow citizens: — Sixty-eight 
years ago our fathers laid the cor- 
ner stone of Allegheny College, 
and when they did so they placed 
therein a history of the constitu- 
tion and other articles, to be 
opened only when the building 
\i destroyed. We now propose 
to send the history of what has 
taken place to-day and during 
this celebration to future genera- 
tions. It shall contain the full 
history of this occasion; of the 
pioneers of our city and county 
and of what has been in the past century. After 
this is done I wish to introduce to you one who 
has come here to visit us, and who used to 
live here forty years ago." 

At the conclusion of the remarks of Presi- 
dent Reynolds the articles alluded to, which 
had been previously placed in an air-tight 
copper box and this box in a larger box 
made of granite, were placed in a receptacle 
prepared in the base of the monument. This 
box, it is but just to say, was the gift of Messrs. 
A. Grindrod and J. P. Hailwood, who built 
the monument foundation. It is made of 
granite slabs, dovetailed together and sealed. 
It will last for countless ages. 

After the placing of the historical box m the 



base of the monument. President Reynolds 
introduced Judge Samuel Woods, of West 
Virginia, whose remarks undulated from the 
extreme of pathetic eloquence to mirth pro- 
voking wit. Judge Woods is .a grand look- 
ing man and an able speaker. The following 
was in substance, what he said : 

"Mv fellow citizens: In looking over this 
vast sea of upturned, happy faces, full of hope 
and life, I recognize not a single one of all 
the loved ones I knew here forty years ago. 
Time rolls on its ceaseless course and all is 
changed. You will not expect me, under the 
circumstances, to present to you anything like 
a connected address or savoring of orator)'. 
As I journeyed over the mountains on my 
way back to your city, my heart swelled as 
I recalled the happy days of my boyhood. I 
thought perhaps all those things that came so 
vividly before my recollection had certainly 
been forgotten by everybody else, but I was 




my friends, that there is a wideness in God's 
mercy like unto the wideness of the sea." 

The ceremony was closed and the thou- 
sands of people turned their attention to getting 
a better view of the monument, while the 
band delivered a closing selection. Many 
lingered about the park during the entire 
afternoon, while others dispersed about the 
city. 

The closing ceremonies of the grand cele- 
bration were conducted in the evening, on 
Diamond park, where the Northwestern Band 
rendered one of its most delightful open air 
concerts before an audience of thousands of 
spectators. Thus closed the observance of 
Meadville's first hundredth anniversary, and 
as the curtain in the great drama of life is 
rung up on our city's second century it finds 
our people happy and prosper- 
ous, ready and willing to return 
to the sterner duties of life's re- 
quirements, fully satisfied with 
the result of their city's centen- 
nial celebration. 



WHY THEY CAME. 



How the First Pioneers Hap- 
pened to Start for What is 
now Meadville. 



HON. JOHN J. HENDERSON, 

President Judge Thirtieth Judicial District. 

astonished last evening to learn that my dis 
tinguished friend, [meaning President Rey- 
nolds], had transferred the greater portion to 
history, and this morning the speaker, [ Hon. 
A. B. Richmond], robbed me of all I wanted 
to say — robbed me even of my poetry and 
every little thought, leaving me only a beg- 
garly account of empty boxes." 

The speaker kept the audience laughing 
for a few minutes and closed by saying : 

"It does my heart good to look in your 
faces and feel that you are my countrymen. 
We enjoy the shade of these spreading trees, 
to-day, and my heart swells when I remember 
that I was here when tliey were planted ; yes, 
when the holes were dug. I remember when 
the Episcopal church was built — the old one — 
and in it I learned the catechism, I am now 
a Methodist class leader, and I do thank God, 



(BY HON. THOS. VANHORNE.) 
Charles 11 of England granted 
to the governor of Connecticut 
all the land of the width of the 
state, from the western boundary 
thereof through to the Pacific 
ocean. A grant was also made 
by the same monarch to the 
Penns for the land within ths 
boundaries of this State. Penn 
afterwards acquired the title 
from the Indians. 

Cornelius Van Home, David, 
John and Joseph Mead, Christo- 
pher Snyder, James Fitz Ran- 
dolph, Thomas Grant, John 
Watson and Thomas Martin 
were among those who had 
acquired title from the Penns to 
 lands in the Wyoming valley. 
During their occupancy the 
Connecticut claimants came in and seemed 
determined to oust the Penn claimants 
from their possession. This proceeding gave 
rise to much trouble and some bloodshed. 
While this conflict was in progress, the Revo- 
lutionary war broke out, and this great and 
important event, in a measure, swallowed up 
the minor difiiculties of the Connecticut and 
Penn claimants. 

The result of the conflict between these 
adverse claimants was that the Penn parties 
were driven out and they were obliged to look 
elsewhere for homes. Some of the number 
had seen, or heard of, the report of Colonel 
Washington to Governor Dinwiddle, in which 
mention was made of the flat lands along the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



33 



banks of French creek in this vicinity. At 
that time French creek was known as Venango 
river. The nine pioneers above referred to 
joined company at Sunbury, Westmoreland 
county, and journeyed through the wilderness 
until they reached the Allegheny river about 
opposite where Oil City now stands. They 
followed down the river to a point opposite 
Fort Franklin where they crossed, and after a 
short rest started up French creek in canoes. 
They landed near the mouth of Mill run on 
the east bank of the creek, and slept the first 
night under a large wild cherry tree. So 
much has been said about the movements of 
the early settlers after their arrival on May 
12, 1788 that it would be mere repetition on 
my part to say anything about it here. Years 
after the settlement had been made at Mead- 
ville, the title to the lands in dispute in the 



REV. TIMOTHY ALDEN, D. I». 



The Story of the Labors of Dr. Alden 
and His Associates in the Found- 
ing of Allegheny College. 



(BY J. C. HAYES.) 
The subject of this article made his appear- 
ance amongst the people of MeadviUe in the 
early part of the present century, and at once 
embarked in an enterprise which many 
thought was a visionary project. But the 
movement stamped upon that generation an 
evidence of zeal in education that stands unpar- 
alleled in the history of colleges. That an 
institution of the magnitude of Allegheny Col- 
lege should grow up amidst such discourag- 
ing circumstances and become the outgrowth 
of such small beginnings, is astonishing to all 



colleague with Rev. Samuel Haven, D. D., in 
the South Presbyterian church of Portsmouth, 
N. H., November 20, 1799. He was honor- 
ably discharged from his pastorate July 15th, 
1805, was afterwards principal of an academy 
for both sexes in Portsmouth; of a young 
ladies' academy in Boston, and of the young 
ladies' boarding academy in Newark, N. J. 
F'rom there it would appear he removed to 
Meadville in the year 181 5. 

The population of the town at that time 
amounted to but 666, a very small number 
to start, build and sustain a college. But not- 
withstanding the paucity of the numbers that 
could be expected to take part in an enter- 
prise so gigantic as the founding of a college, 
it had no discouraging effect on Mr. Alden. 
The outlook did not appear to dampen his 
ardor. Noteworthy as to his zeal and ability 




BENTLEY HALL, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE. 

Wyoming valley was settled in the courts in conversant with its surroundings. Its giowth in infusing encouragement into all around 

an ejectment between Cornelius Van Home and progress shows what indomitable zeal him, is the fact that a meeting was at once 

and John Dorrance — and the case is reported and effort will accomplish. This success called for the purpose of discussing the feasi- 

at length in 2 Dallas page 304. was all owing to the vigor infused by the man bility of the undertaking. He had interested 

It was determined in the action .above re- whose name stands at the head of this article, in the project John Reynolds, Esq., the father 

ferred to that the Penn claimants had the bet- a name that should be prominent in this the of Rev. J. V. Reynolds, D. D., a man of abil- 

ter title, but the commonwealth of Pennsyl- first year of Meadville's Centennial. ity and character, who was always known to 

vania did not enforce the decree of the court Genealogical history makes him to be a be ready and willing to enter upon and assist 

and put the Penn claimants into the posses- lineal descendant of John Alden, who landed in any good work. His counsel and aid was 

sion of the lands which rightfully belonged on Plymouth Rock, November 15th, 1620. always invoked and heartily given to every 

to them, and from which they had been so Timothy was born August 28th, 1771, his project having for its object the advancement 

unceremoniously driven. Instead of perform- father being Rev. Timothy Alden, who was a of learning or religion. The meeting w.as 

ing this act of justice, the authorities of the graduate of Harvard and the pastor of a held on the evening of June 20th, 1815. 

State caused the lands to be appraised, and Presbyterian church in Yarmouth, Mass., and Major Alden, a distant relative of Timothy 

many years afterwards, when most of the whose mother was Sarah Weld, a lineal de- Alden, was called to the chair, and John 

actual owners were old men, paid the amount scendant of John Fox, the martyr. The sub- Reynolds chosen secretary. Rev. Alden ad- 

of the appraisement over to the Penn claim- ject of this sketch was also a graduate of Har- dressed the meeting, and so ably did he set 

ants in lieu of lands. vard of the class of 1794, and was ordained a forth the feasibility and advantages of the en- 



34 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



terprise that he induced the handful of men 
present to zealously enter upon its prosecu- 
tion. A preamble, set of resolutions and plan 
of operations were at once adopted, an outline 
was drafted of the institution, and it was bap- 
tized "Allegheny College," when in fact there 
was nothing of it but the conception of it in 
the brain of its projector. 

The meeting was not blind to the fact that 
means were necessary to carry their plans to 
a successful issue. A committee was ap- 
pointed, therefore, to procure a charter and 
open a subscription book 
placed in the hands of the John Reynolds, 
who was appointed treasurer. Dr. Alden 
was to visit the eastern and middle States to 
.solicit money and donations of books for the 
embryo college, a task which 
required much self denialand 
labor at a time when rail- 
roads, steamboats, and all 
modes of fast locomotion, 
were unknown. But he ac- 
cepted the duty and perform- 
ed it in a spirit of vigorous 
alacrity. On the 2d of March 
following he wrote the trus- 
tees that he had collected 
S461 in money, $1,642.30 in 
books, and j2,ooo in land. 
He had also secured amongst 
friends many promises to do- 
nate books which were fully 
realized in good time, giving 
to this college the most val- 
uable college library proba- 
bly then existing in the Unit 
ted .States. 

The college edifice w.as to 
be called "Kentley Hall," in 
gratitude due to Rev. \Vm. 
Bentley for a munificent be- 
quest of books made at his 
demise, said to be the most 
rare theological works in this 
country and valued at S3000. 
Mr. ISentley was a divme of 
Salem, Mass., born in Boston 
and ordained over the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian church in 
1786, and died suddenly in 
1 819, leaving his cabinet and 
library to Allegheny College. 

Many other valuable donations were made 
the college, purely out of the regard of the 
donors for iJr. Alden. The most munificent 
of these was that of Hon 



The history of Mr. Alden is so intimately 
blended and united with Allegheny College 
that for all those years they are one and in- 
separable. Of necessity the history of one is 
the history of the other. 

After procuring a library such as had been 
obtained, the erection of suitable buildings 
was the next thing in order. For several 
years the students were taught in various 
places, sometimes in the old frame court 
house, under which prisoners were kept in 
jail, and to which old Mr. Throop carried 
The latter was the keys as jailer. That stood on the Dia- 
mond, on the corner of the alley which Judge 
Derickson occupied for so many years, next 
to his residence. At other times the classes 
were called together at Dr. Alden's residence. 




HIILINOS HALL, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE 

which stands on East Pine street, upon the 
west side of St. Joseph's Hospital. 

The committe appointed at the first meet- 
ing held, in 1815 had, by dint of much labor 
James Winthrop, and persuasion, procured a subscription of 



LL. D., of Cambridge, Mass., who gave his 
library, consisting of 3,150 volumes, valued at 
83,000. Rev. Winthrop was born at Cam- 
bridge, Mass., April 8, 1752; graduated at 
Harvard 1769, and possessed a high reputa- 
tion for scholastic attainments. He devoted 
most of his time to literaiy pursuits, and jjar- 
ticularly to ancient and modern languages. 
It will be readily observed that Dr. Alden's 
friends were among the most scholarly men 
of his day; hence the pride he always took in 
pursuing similar studies. 



$5,685, which, together with $2,000 granted 
by the State, encouraged the trustees to erect 
suitable buildings, and in 1820 the first step 
was taken in this work. 

I must be allowed to place on record the 
names, with the amount given by each of 
these generous men, and, be it remembered, 
that no rich men had as yet come out to 
speculate and grow richer by investments in 
"corner lots" and coveted tracts of land. 
Having probably acquired a home here in 
what was then called the backwoods, they de- 



sired to build up an institution for the benefit 
of their children and their posterity. They 
were as follows: Major Roger Alden, Hon. 
John B. Wallace, Hon. Wm. Griffith, each 
gave $500; Samuel Lord and Daniel Le- 
fevre gave 225 acres of land, valued at $450; 
Dr. Daniel Bemus, H. J. Huidekoper, Daniel 
Lefevre, General David Mead, Hon. Jesse 
Moore, John Reynolds and Jared Shattuck, 
each $300; Hon. Patrick Farrelly, Samuel 
B. Magaw, Col. Ralph Marlin and James 
White each gave $200; Samuel Torbet, $150; 
Rev. Timothy Alden, $120, in books; James 
T. Cummings & Co, $110; Thos. Atkinson 
and Henry Hurst, each $100; Eliphalet Betts, 
$75; James Foster, |6o; Daniel Perkins, 
S55 ; Moses Allen, James Hamilton, Rev. 
Robert Johnston, Alex. Mc- 
Dowell, Jos. Morrison, Alex. 
Power and Wm. W. White, 
each $50 ; John Cotton, $40 ; 
Lewis Weill, $35; David 
Compton, $30; John John-' 
ston and Noah Wade, each 
$20; Hugh Cotton and Hugh 
Cotton, Jr., each 3 10. 

"When we consider," says 
the historian of that day, 
"that Crawford county was 
but sparsely settled at this 
time, and had not recovered 
from the eflects of the war 
of 181 2, we must confess this 
subscription exhibited a spirit 
of very generous and rare 
liberality." 

On the 5th of July, 1820, 
the ceremony of laying the 
corner stone of " Bentley 
Hall" took place, in which 
Dr. Alden took a very con- 
spicuous part as a Master 
Mason, for it was laid under 
strict masonic rules and regu- 
lations. It is said to have 
taken place in the presence 
of a large concourse of peo- 
ple from Crawford as well as 
the adjoining counties. A 
procession had been fornfed, 
headed by Marshals and the 
committee who had selected 
the site for the building, who, on reaching 
the ground, found it handsomely decorated, 
and Samuel Lord, Esq., the donor, handed 
over the deed for the premises to the trustees. 
After much formality in properly disposing of 
many articles, which will be great curiosities 
when that corner stone is opened, the cere- 
monies were concluded by speeches and ora- 
tions by the students: ist, Hebrew Oration, 
T. J. Fox Alden, son of the President; 2d, 
Greek Oration, A. M. White; 3d, Latin Ora- 
tion, R. W. Alden; 4th, German Oration, 
David Derickson; 5th, Poem on the Occasion, 
O. Taylor; 6th, Oration on American Inde- 
pendence, T. J. Fox Alden; 7th, Address on 
War, J. W. Farrelly; 8th, Speech on the Fall 
of Ca;sar, David M-. Farrelly; and, finally, an 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



35 



address on the occasion by David Derickson, 
Esq. The only survivor who took part in 
these exercises is the Hon. David M. Far- 
relly, whose venerable form is frequently seen 
amongst the members of the bar in the court 
room, where he participates with as keen a 
relish and as clear a perception of law as any 
that take part in the cases before the court. 
Of the vast number who listened on that oc- 
casion, a very few remain, and of the active 
participants, I know of none but Mr. Farrelly. 

During a considerable portion of the time 
Dr. Alden liad remained in Meadville, he 
preached very frequently in the old Presby- 
terian church, that stood, up to 1875, °" "^^ 
ground on Liberty street, corner of Centre, 
now occupied by the stately First Presbyterian 
church. Always active in everything that 
pertained to its interests and the good of the 
community — the advancement of the young 
and rising generation lay next his heart. In 
1826, from a lengthy article in the Crawford 
Messenger of the 19th of October, we find him 
at the head of a scheme for establishing a 
"Sunday School Union" of all the schools in 
Crawford, and the surrounding counties. As 
usual, he was surrounded by such men as 
John Reynolds, Esq., Rev. Wells Bushnell, 
Alex. Johnston, Stephen Allen, Richard Cus- 
tard, Wm. Cook and David Brackenridge, 
who all took an active interest in this organi- 
zation. It was to be composed of all officers 
and teachers of schools within its bounds, and 
conducted by a board of twenty managers, 
elected annually, and a prudential committee, 
whose duties were fully set forth. Among the 
most important, and, in the opinion of Dr. 
Alden, the most essential matter, was the 
formation of a select library for the scholars. 
The regulations for procuring books there- 
from were somewhat stringent — scholars who 
should distinguish themselves in memorizing 
5,000 verses of scripture were only to be en- 
titled to receive one volume each week ; those 
having repeated 10,000 verses, should have 
the privilege of taking out two books per week, 
and those memorizing 15,000, three books per 
week. A list of names entitled, under this 
rule, to take books from the library were pub- 
lished at that time, and the only persons thus 
privileged, known to the writer of this article, 
were Hiram Johnson, of Beaver, Jefl'erson 
Lowry, of Conneautville, Harriet Cornelia 
Cooper, nee Cotton, of Hayfield, Andrew 
Smith Cotton, now of this city; and Col. 
Alexander Power. 

No society was ever so methodically or- 
ganized as this one. The chronological or- 
ganization of each school was given from 
1819 to 1826, and the names of all who re- 
ceived certificates to take books from the 
library are also stated. The constitution pre- 
scribes rules for conducting schools which 
would be considered peculiarly unnecessary in 
these days. For instance, it was ordered that 
officers and teachers "must perform their 
duties gratuitously," and that the schools 
should be opened with prayer, the reading of 



the scriptures, and, "when convenient, with 
singing." Such rules will scarely be neces- 
sary in these days. Teachers never expect 
pay, and singing forms the largest part of the 
exercises! 

Notwithstanding the high hopes entertained 
in regard to the college, it did not prove a 
success. It was expected, on account of its 
location and the impetus given to it through 
Dr. Alden's influence, that it would be taken 
under the charge of the Pittsburg Presbyterian 
synod. But western Pennsylvania had already 
two colleges — one at Jefferson, the other at 
Washington. They were antagonistic in their 
location, and eventually had to be united 
But at the time referred to, they each had 
friends who were working against the other. 
Allegheny college was not received with favot 
by either party. The friends of this college 
were anxious to make it a success, and there- 
fore made a proposition to the Methodist 
Episcopal church conference in 1832, to give 
it to that Ijody in charge. In 1833 that body 
met in Meadville, and accepted the proposi- 
tion, and the college, its magnificent library, 
laboratory and mineralogical collection, which 
had been principally collected by the assiduity 
of Dr. Alden, was transferred to the care of 
the M. E. church. Prior to this transaction 
for two years the college had been closed. 
But the final transfer seemed to break the 
spirit of its founder, and he retired for a time 
to East Liberty, near Pittsburg, and had charge 
of a seminary there for both sexes. Returning 
to Pittsburg, he died in 1839. But Rev. 
Timothy Alden must, as long as Allegheny 
college has a history, be honored as its founder. 
Meadville, the country at large, and the world 
are this day reaping untold benefits and bless- 
ings flowing from the founding of this institu- 
tion. Although Dr. Alden did not see the 
college arrive at the distinction he may have 
anticipated, nor participated in making it what 
it is, it has risen under more favorable circum- 
stances to a position beyond his reasonable 
expectations, and to him belongs the honor of 
being its founder. And, on this, the anniver- 
sary of the hundredth year of our city's exist- 
ence, we turn our thoughts to him, who, under 
God, was the originator of the greatest bless- 
. ing bestowed upon our community. From 
this college has gone forth a host of worthy, 
intelligent, well educated men, who are spread- 
ing science and religion in almost every land 
and clime ; whose influence no man can com- 
pute, and will not be understood until the final 
consummation of all things. 

The Major Roger Alden above spoken of 
made himself somewhat famous by being one 
of the principals in the first if not the only 
duel ever fought in Crawford county. It took 
place in the summer of 1800, in this way. 
The major had a difficulty with Alexander W. 
Foster, Esq., it is said, about a young lady 
named Carver, and they met in the parlor of 
Gibson's old hotel which stood on part of 
the ground now occupied by the Delamater 
block. The major had with him a pair of 



duelling pistols which he laid upon the table, 
demanding that Foster should take his choice, 
and then and there across the table settle their 
difficulties. Friends, however, interfered and 
a future meeting was arranged. On the day 
appointed, Mr. Foster, accompanied by his 
second. Dr. Wallace, of Erie, rode down the 
east side of the creek to a clustsr of thorn 
bushes a mile and a half below Meadville, 
and Maj. Alden and Dr. Kennedy, his second, 
rode down on the opposite side and swam 
their horses across the stream. The ground 
was measured oft' and word given to fire, when 
Major Alden fell, wounded just below the 
knee, the bone being broken. He insisted 
on being propped up for the exchange of 
another shot. The seconds would not con- 
sent, and he was conveyed back to town in a 
canoe. He was lame ever after but he gained 
the lady in question. 

Although he showed much liberality to the 
college he appears to have become poor in his 
later years, lor we find in a sheriffs sale, pub- 
lished in the year 1826, that even his pew in 
the Presbyterian church was levied on by the 
sheriff to satisfy a debt of his, due the old 
Northwestern bank of Pennsylvania, an insti- 
tution then existing in Meadville. 



A Brief Sketch of the Present Status of the 
Institution. 

Allegheny (College is beautifully situated on 
the summit of a hill, on the north side of the 
city of Meadville. The college campus em- 
braces thirteen acres, having an elevation o( 
two hundred feet above the river. It is well 
shaded with trees, and has a beautiful outlook 
upon the town and the adjacent hills and val- 
leys. 

BUILDINGS. 

There are three large buildings belonging 
to and used by the college, as follows : Bent- 
ley Hall bears the name of Rev. Wilham 
Bentley, D. D. , of Massachusetts, who gave 
his valuable library to the college. The cor- 
ner-stone was laid July 5, 1820. It combines 
a central building, which is three stories high 
above the basement, with two wings, each of 
two stories. The basement rooms are used 
for laboratories and shops. The stories above 
are used as recitation rooms, society halls, and 
the office of the president of the college. 

Ruter Hall, named after Rev. Martin Ruter, 
the second president of the college, is a sub- 
stantial brick building, erected chiefly by the 
citizens of Meadville in 1855. This building 
contains the museums of the college, the libra- 
ry and chapel. 

Hulings Hall is a large brick edifice erect- 
ed in 1 88 1 by Marcus Hulings, Esq., of Oil 
City, and the citizens of Meadville. It is used 
as a home for lady students, and has rooms 
for eighty persons. It is about one hundred 
by eighty feet on the ground, and four stories 
in height, including the mansard roof, and is 
supplied with gas and water, and heated by 
steam. 

The college possesses a well equipped chem- 



36 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



ical laboratory and extensive cabinets of 
mineralogy and conchology, and a complete 
chemical and philosophical apparatus of the 
most improved form. 

The museum embraces several valuable and 
costly collections of minerals, shells, fossils, etc. 

The college library contains about 12,500 
volumes, many of them rare and valuable 
works, which are accessible to all students. 
The library and reading rooms now occupy 
the whole third floor of Ruter Hall. Foreign 
and domestic periodicals are found in the read- 
ing room. 

COURSES OF STUDY. 

The college offers three courses of study, 
the classical, the scientific, and the course in 
Latin and modern languages. The degree of 
bachelor of arts is conferred upon those who 
complete either of these courses. The college 
also confers the degree of civil engineer, mas- 
ter of arts and doctor of philosophy. 

A military department aftbrding the ad. 
vantages of tactical instruction is also main- 
tained. 

Candidates for the ministry 
find in the college the means 
of the theological training. 
The cost of living is moder- 
ate. 

LITERARY SOCIETIES. 

There are four literary so- 
cieties : the Allegheny, Philo- 
Franklin, Ossoli (the ladies' 
society) and the Athenian. 
These societies have their re- 
spective halls and libraries, 
the latter aggregating 3,000 
volumes. The members hold 
public exercises and prize 
contests. The societies ren- 
der efficient service in the 
literary and forensic training 
of the students. 

A post graduate course has 
been recently introduced. 

The Meadville Conservatory of Music and 
the College of Business are connected with 
Allegheny College. 

According to the last annual catalogue, the 
number of students in attendance was 425. 

The Board of Instruction consists of Rev. 
W. G. Williams, D. D., president ; Rev. Jona- 
than Hamnett, D. D., librarian; D. H.Wheel- 
er, D. D., LL. D., James H. Montgomery, A. 
M., Samuel E. Stilwell, A. M., Ph. D., Sec- 
ond Lieut. Jacob F. Kreps, William S. Twin- 
ing, C. E., Albert E. Colegrove, Prof. John A. 
Miller, Miss M. Broas and Miss S. D. Rouse. 



None ol these projects, however, assumed 
definite shape ; and even when, towards the 
close of the year, Rev. Frederick Huidekoper 
decided to invite to Meadville young men 
desirous of preparing for the Christian minis- 
try, and undertook, with slight help from 
others, to furnish the necessary training and 
instruction, he entered upon this work with 
no expectation that the issue would be the 
development, within his own lifetime, of a 
flourishing institution supplying to the Uni- 



To the inhabitants of Meadville it may be 
interesting to know that, at its opening, the 
school met in the office of Alfred Huidekoper, 
in the basement of his present residence on 
Chestnut street, but that it soon removed to a 
building which had been erected by the Cum- 
berland Presbyterians for church purposes, 
and which, when sold at auction, had been 
purchased by H. J. Huidekoper and presented 
to the school. This building stood east of 
Diamond Park, not far from the court house, 



tarian denomination no small proportion of and is no longer in existence. The corner 



its active and successful clergymen east as 
well as west, besides sending out many effi- 
cient workers into other fields. 

The Meadville Theological School held its 
first session on the first day of October, 1844, 
five students being in attendance. From that 
time to this there has been a gradual increase 
in numbers (though with many fluctuations), 
until the roll of the present academic year 
shows an attendance of thirty seven. 

Some months before the opening of the first 
session it became apparent that there would 




The Mcathille Theological Sehool. 

(BY PROF. GEORGE L. CARY.) 
The history of this institution covers a 
period of something less than fifty years. 
Prior to 1843 several plans had been sug- 
gested for the establishment of a Unitarian 
Theological School in some part of the west. 



THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 

be need of more than a single instructor, and 
Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, of Leominster, Mass., 
was invited to become a professor in the 
school and to assume its presidency. The 
American Unitarian Association co operated 
with its Meadville friends in securing Mr. 
Stebbins' acceptance of the offer, and he at 
once entered upon the work, presiding over 
the new institution with marked efficiency for 
a period of twelve years. He was succeeded 
by Rev. Oliver Stearns, and he, seven years 
later, by Rev. A. A. Livermore, who this 
year completes his quarter centenary of hon- 
orable service. Prof. Huidekoper retained 
his connection with the Board of Instruction 
until 1S55, and thereafter, for several years, 
continued to give instruction in the school, 
whenever circumstances made it necessary 
and the state of his health allowed. To this 
chosen work he has given the loving and 
gratuitous service of the most vigorous portion 
of his life. 



stone of the present school building was laid 
on the first day of July, 1 85 2, and its dedica- 
tion as "Divinity Hall" took place on the 
2Sth day of June, 1854. Its present accom- 
modations are taxed to nearly their full ca- 
pacity, and it is hoped that a separate building 
for the reception of the library, which consists 
of some 18,000 volumes, may be erected at 
no distant day. 

The charter of the school is altogether un- 
sectarian, and forbids the application of any 
denominational test to candidates for admis- 
sion. The result of this free- 
dom has been that students 
_ have come to the institution 

from many different branches 
of the Christian church, al- 
though the great majority 
of its graduates have fou^^d 
their way into the Unitarian 
ministry. In the early years 
of the school many students 
came from the " Christian 
Connexion," but the supply 
from this source has nearly 
ceased since the" establish- 
ment of the "Christian Bibli- 
cal Institute"at Stanfordville, 
N. Y. 

The course of instruction 
is not limited to the study of 
the tenets and usages of the 
denomination with which the 
institution is especially affili- 
ated, but an effort is made to give a broad and 
comprehensive theological education, while 
not forgetting that training for the practical 
work of the ministry with a view to which 
the school was originally established. 



MeadviHe Conservatory of Music. 

This is the youngest of our city's educa- 
tional institutions. It is by no means, how- 
ever, the least, having been of good size from 
its birth. It was organized in the summer of 
1886, and opened its doors to students in 
September of that year. As the result has 
shown, the place for such a school was al- 
ready here waiting to be occupied. For 
many years our city had been noted for the 
musical taste of its people, and for the culture 
and ability of its musicians. A Philharmonic 
society, rivaling similar organizations in the 
large cities, had been long maintained. Then 
came, in the order of progress, the admission 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



37 



of young women to Allegheny College, and 
the demand for thorough instruction in music 
from that source. This, united with the same 
demand from the Meadville Business College, 
from the citizens of iVIeadville, and from the 
region patronizing her various schools, was 
the reason of the Conservatory's existence. 

Accordingly, in the summer of 1886, citi- 
zens of the city pledged a guarantee fund for 
the establishment and suppoit of such an in- 
stitution, until such time as it was believed it 
could be self-sustaining. A broad and liberal 
charter, embracing the several line arts, was 
obtained, and the school was organized by the 
election of a board of trustees, consisting of the 
following persons: John W. Babcock, David 
Emery, A. M. Fuller, Cieorge P. Hukill, L. C. 
Magaw, John Dick, T. L. Flood, E. A. Hemp- 
stead, T. B. Lashells, Lewis Walker and W. 
G. Williams. This board organized by the 
election of T. L. Flood, president; T. B. 
Lashells, vice president ; E A. Hempstead, 
secretary, and Lewis Walker, treasurer. The 
same trustees and officers continue at this date. 
The trustees had the fortune to secure at the 
start a faculty of instruction of such repute 
and ability as to be at once a pledge of the 
high grade and thorough work of the institn- 
tion. Prof. F. A. Reynolds was chosen direc- 
tor, and by his musical culture, skill as a teach- 
er and untiring industry has demonstrated his 
notable fitness for the position he occupies. 
Mrs. Juvia C. Hull was elected to the depart- 
ment of voice culture, and her reputation, both 
as a singer and a teacher, has greatly aided in 
giving the conservatory the high character it 
possesses. The other departments were filled 
by Professors F. B. Nichols, L. W. Sabin, 
Fred P. Boynton and W. B. Van Valkenburg, 
each of them eminently qualified for his 
special work. 

At the beginning of the second year Prof. 
Van Valkenberg was succeeded by Prof. Geo. 
W. Dixson, a teacher of much ability and ex- 
perience. At the same time the trustees saw 
fit to introduce the new department of art, 
which was placed in charge of Mrs. A. D. 
Sturdevant, a lady of rare qualifications as an 
art teacher. This department possesses a 
thoroughly equipped studio, and ofl'ers facili- 
ties for art study equalled only by those found 
in the great cities and art centers of the coun- 
try. 

By reference to the catalogue published last 
June it will be seen that nearly one hundred 
and fifty students were enrolled the first year. 
These represented several states. The cur- 
rent year will show a gratifying increase upon 
this number. 

The school is modeled upon the most suc- 
cessful schools of music in Europe and Amer- 
ica. It aims to make thoroughly cultured 
musicians as well as competent teachers. The 
course of study for graduation embraces four 
years, but students may enter and pursue any 
particular branch they desire. Instruction is 
provided in every branch of music, as indi- 
cated in the following list of schools into 



which the instruction given is classified ; A 
school for the piano, a school for the organ, 
a school for singing, formation and cultiva- 
tion of the voice, concert singing, etc. ; a school 
for tlie violin, orchestra, quartet and ensemble 
playing ; a school for all orchestral and band 
instruments, and the art of conducting ; a 
school for harmony, composition, theory and 
orchestration ; a school for church music, ora- 
torio and chorus practice ; a school for train- 
ing music teachers for public schools, conven- 
tions, etc. ; a school for the Italian, French 
and German languages. 

By its affiliation with Allegheny college, 
work done in the Conservatory of Music is 
accepted as an elective study in the former 
institution. This provides for the many cases 
where collegiate and musical education are 
desired by the same person. Our city is to be 
congratulated on the presence of this the 
youngest of the institutions of learning which 
have contributed so much to the history and 
prosperity of its first hundred years. Already 
the Meadville Conservatory of Music has 
shown sufficient proof of its mission to war- 
rant it in asking that a permanent building be 
provided for its occupancy. It has brought 
many young people to our city, and families 
are moving hither on account of its advant- 
ages. Our people should see to it that it lack 
nothing needed for the best accomplishment 
of its work. 

«*♦ 

BUSINESS COLLEGE. 



A Sketch of the Bryant, Stratton & Smith 
Business College, of Meadville. 

The Business College is an American insti- 
tution. In the summer of 1886 the National 
Business College Association, which met in 
New York, sent one of its representatives to 
Europe to visit the institutions of learning, 
and more especially that class of schools that 
fitted young men and women for the business 
pursuits of life. He vi.sited England, Ireland, 
Scotland, France, Italy and Germany, and 
found only two institutions of learning in all 
of these countries that approached the busi- 
ness colleges of America. These institutions, 
like all other American enterprises, had their 
small beginnings, but their growth has been 
rapid and permanent. 

The first business college was established 
in Boston about the year 1845, and in 1850 
there were but three of these institutions west 
of the Allegheny mountains, and one of these 
was Bryant, Stratton, I.usk & Spencer's Mer- 
cantile College at Cleveland, Ohio. This 
institution soon became so popular that the 
proprietors were solicited by the citizens of 
Buffalo, Detroit and other cities to establish 
branches in their respective cities. These 
branches formed what is known as the "In- 
ternational Chain of Business Colleges," sev- 
eral of which, long established in Canada, 
gave the name "International." 

The Meadville branch was the last link, the 
53d, in this chain; for within thirty days after 



this institution was opened, Mr. Stratton died, 
when the different resident principals met in 
convention at Cleveland on July 6, 1866, and 
organized the present International Business 
College Association. In the United States 
there are now about 230 Business Colleges, 
2500 teachers and an annual attendance of 
about 75,000 students. This number does not 
include commercial departments of classical 
colleges, academies or high schools. In Can- 
ada there are now from 10 to 20 business col- 
leges, but nearly all are branches of institu- 
tions located in the United States, and the 
teachers are largely from this side of the line. 

The Meadville College was opened on the 
25th of January, 1866, at which time Judge 
Clinton, of Buffalo, and the "learned black- 
smith," Elihu Burritt, of New York, made ad- 
dresses. 

The founders were H. B. Bryant, of Chicago; 
H. D. Stratton, of New York ; J. C. Bryant, 
of Buffalo, and A. W. Smith as resident 
principal, under whose charge the institution 
has been for nearly a quarter of a century. 

The branches taught are those that are 
calculated to fit young men and women for 
business, among which are bookkeeping, pen- 
manship, mathematics, telegraphy, steno- 
graphy, commercial law, political economy, 
type writing, and English branches. 

The number of students who have attend- 
ed the different departments up to the present 
time is about 3,150, or an average attendance 
of nearly 150 per year, although for the last 
few years the average attendance is fully twice 
that amount. Nearly every State and Terri. 
tory in the Union, as well as a large number 
of foreign countries, have been represented 
among its attendants, and its graduates are 
found filling responsible positions all over this 
country. 

In 1886 reciprocal relations were formed 
with Allegheny College, which makes it the 
commercial department of that institution, 
thereby giving the patrons of both institutions 
advantages not to be found in any similar 
institution of learning in this country. 

OUR SCHOOLS. 

A Historical Sketch of the Schools of 
Crawford County. 



(CONTRIBUTED.) 

One of the questions that early pressed it- 
self upon the attention of the pioneers of 
Crawford county was the education of their 
children. The settlers naturally did, in a 
somewhat modified way, what they had seen 
done or participated in doing at their farmer 
homes. Many had come from New England, 
New York, and the older settlements of Penn 
sylvania. In these colonies schools had ex. 
isted for fifty years, and in some instances for 
a hundred years. In the Southern and West- 
ern portion of the county the intellectual 
Scotch-Irish predominated — many of whom 
became teachers. Besides there were scat- 



38 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 



tered throughout the county sturdy Germans 
with traditions of education brought from the 
Fatherland. Nor should the student of the 
history of our county forget that its earliest 
settlements were made in the very year — 
counting forward in months from the date we 
today celebrate that the new nation, with 
its new constitution, its first president, its 
bright hopes, and its increased responsibilities 
began. 

At no previous time in any nation had the 
common people had so great an incentive to 
educate. Moreover, this county was a part of 
that good Province of which William Penn 
becajne proprietor more than one hundred 
years before, and whose second Assembly, in 
1783, enacted a wise and comprehensive law 
in regard to the education of children. It 
reads : " To the end that the poor as well as 
the rich may be instructed in good and com- 
mendable learning, which is to be preferred 
before wealth, all persons in this Province 
having children shall cause 
such to be instructed in read- 
ing and writing, so that they 
may be able to read the 
Scripture, and to write by 
the time they attain the age 
of twelve years, and that 
they be taught some useful 
trade or skill that ye poor 
may work to live, and ye rich, 
if they become poor, may not 
want, of which every county 
court shall take care." There 
is a provision that the parent 
or guardian shall pay five 
pounds fine for each violation 
of this law unless " there 
should appear incapacitie of 
body or understanding to 
hinder it." The teaching at 
this time was done in the 
family or by private teach- 
ing. 

THE I'lRST SCHOOL. 

The first school in Craw- 
ford county was established by Gen. Mead, 
at his own expense, in the famous Block- 
House on Water street, Meadville, in the 
winter of 179S 9. The teacher was an Irish- 
man named Kelley. 

From the most authentic sources at our 
command, we learn that schools were estab- 
lished in the various townships as follows : 
Hayfield, about 1 800; East Fairfield, 1802; 
Mead and Sadsbury, 1805 ; Cussewago and 
North Shenango, 1804; Greenwood, 1807; 
Cambridge, 1808; East F"aIlowfield, 1809; 
West Fairfield and Venango, 1810; Spring, 
181 1; Summerhill and Woodcock, 1812; 
Randolph, 1813; Rockdale, 18 16; Oil Creek 
(now Titusville), 1817; Conneaut, 1818; 
Troy, 1819; Bloomfield, 1820; Pine, 1824; 
Athens, Iteaver and Richmond, 1826. 
LOG SCHOOL HOUSES. 

The early schools were held in log school 
houses and abandoned cabins. The first 



school houses are described as being of log, 
usually about 12x16; floor of puncheon, that 
is, logs split in halves with flat side for floor ; 
roof of shakes ; door on wooden hinges ; 
chimney of sticks or stones and mud. The 
window or windows were made by cutting 
out a part of one or two logs and putting in 
panes of greased paper. Near this the writing 
desk, usually composed of a slab held up by 
pins or legs, was placed. The seats were of 
puncheon and faced the window. Sometiines 
when the settlers decided to have a school, 
they would make a "bee" and construct the 
entire building and outfit in one day. The 
first school house in Troy township, for in- 
stance, was built in this manner, in one day. 
The teacher was paid a certain sum per pupil 
by those patronizing the school, usually from 
75 cents to Si. 50 for term of three months. 
Sometimes the teacher was engaged by the 
month, the wages being from $5.00 to ^ lo.oo, 
the latter being considered high. Very often 




OLD ACADEMY BUILDINO. 

Erected in 1826. Torn down in 1888. 

the teacher received his wages in produce. 

The branches taught were few. Such 
school books as Webster's spelling book, the 
English reader and DaboU's arithmetic were 
common. Great stress was placed on writing 
and spelling, but none at all apparently on 
grammar and correct English — except the 
spelling. In some schools the Bible and the 
catechism were included. It is said that one 
school cautiously introduced Kirkham's gram- 
mar in 1836, but it was rarely that a grammar 
was seen in a school up to 1854. Quill pens 
were used in writing and it was a part of the 
teacher's duty to make pens and to keep 
them in repair. It was not an uncommon 
thing for pupils to have to travel three or four 
miles to reach school. 

The instruction was mostly individual, no 
classes or few classes being possible. The 
chief faculty that the teacher tried to cultivate 
seems to have been the memory. The dis- 



trict school gave the bright pupil education 
enough to read and write, and occasionally 
produced a fair mathematician. The be- 
ginner was kept for months on the letters; but 
had to do them in the end unconsciously, be- 
fore he could read with ease what the pupils 
now do from the start — learn the powers of 
the letters. 

Great stress was placed on learning to spell, 
but the purpose for which one learns to spell, 
namely, to write correctly, seems to have 
been entirely lost sight of. It is stated by 
some of the earliest publishers of newspapers 
that it was rare to receive even tolerable man- 
uscript from any but collegians. There was 
enough time spent on memorizing columns of 
words never required by the learner in prac- 
tical life, and in getting rules and pages ver- 
batim, to have given the pupil a fair knowl- 
edge of correct English and wider general in- 
formation, if the time had only been used for 
that purpose. 

DISCIPLINE. 

The most reprehensible 
thing we meet in glancing 
down the century of school 
life is the severity and cruelty 
of the discipline. Any teach- 
er who did not wield the birch 
freely was considered incom- 
petent to teach. To toughen 
juvenile skins rather than to 
penetrate juvenile brains, was 
the foundation of many peda- 
gogues' reputations Much 
of this cruelty came, no 
doubt, from the severe rule 
of parents both in the old 
world and in the colonies. 
But the early teachers sowed 
the wind and reaped the cy- 
clone. For with the in- 
creased attendance and the 
changed relation of teacher 
and pupil, following the free 
school law of 1834, the 
teacher usually had a struggle 
with his pupils to hold his position. The large 
country boy went to school with a pri- 
mary purpose of "putting the teacher out" 
and a secondary purpose of learning 
something of the three R's, if he failed in his 
main object. Sometimes the struggle was 
ended quickly — often against the teacher — 
and sometimes it was prolonged throughout 
the entire term — to the great detriment of 
scholarship and "sweetness and light." In 
many an instance it is a sad story of cruelty, 
wasted opportunity and life-long regret ; and 
not a few of our citizens, above middle age, 
know the story well. It is indeed but a short 
time since our schools became entirely free 
from this spirit of conflict ; and even to day 
some of our older people are still looking for 
teachers to govern instead of teachers to teach. 
There were, however, a few teachers who 
were in advance of their times, and whose 
methods were good and whose schools were 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



39 



attractive. These are entitled to all honor ing over the reports and addresses of State tion in the primary and common branches, 

among the men and women who have borne and county superintendents and leading This led to the establishment of a separate 

a brave part in promotmg our civilization. teachers, at seeing with what zeal they have school. The academy was formally incor- 

The two most important eras in the schools carried on their work — a work that was more porated in 1807. The academy existed with 

of this county, as well as of the entire State, than perfunctory. varying prosperity, a matter of some interest 

were, first, when the free school act of 1834 , and pride to the people of the town, apparent- 

was passed, and second, when the law creating first teachers insti e. ly enjoying its palmiest days from 1852 until 

the county superintendency, in 1854, was Crawford Country may glory in having held i860, the attendance reaching nearly 400, the 

passed. The history of the struggle for the the first teachers' institute in Pennsylvania number of each being about equal. Many of 

free school law would form a chapter in itself, outside of Philadelphia. This institute con- its students became teachers. In 186 1 it 

Suffice it to say that in 1809 a law was passed vened at Meadville, March 25, 1850. It was passed into the hands of the board of control 

providing for the education of the poor gratis, a voluntary organization of teachers, which of the city. 

It had not proved successful. Some children continued its semi-annual meetings until the In 1838 Meadville is reported as having 
were educated at the county's expense, but annual institute was provided for by law in seven free schools, kept open 71^ months, 
few parents were willing to be advertised as 1867. The annual institutes were held in the with two male and five female teachers, re- 
paupers. Thaddeus Stevens in his powerful various boroughs of the county, and were ceiving respectively %'i\.\(i and 14.50, and 
speech in favor of free schools declared that migratory until 1S79, since which time they attended by 1 18 male pupils and 113 females; 
the law of 1S09, instead of being termed a have, by the appointments of the County total, 231. In 1861 the board of control for 
public school law, ought to be termed "an Superintendents, been held in Meadville. the city was formed, and all the schools of 
act for branding and marking the poor so that The county institute has from the first been a MeadvilUe (only ten in number) organized 
they may be known from the rich and proud." strong feature in our educational work. The under it. In 1868 the South Ward school 
The free school law was passed with a condi- awakening that comes from its yearly meet- building was erected, and in 1869 that of the 



tion that it was optional 
for each district to accept 
or reject its provisions. A 
main feature of the law 
was its provisions for lay- 
ing and collecting taxes 
for public schools. And 
in passing it should be 
observed levying and col- 
lecting taxes always lies 
at the foundation of pub- 
Uc schools. The liberality 
or parsimony with which 
this is done will largely 
determine the quality of 
the schools. Many dis- 
tricts of the State, fully 
one fourth out of the 987 
had not accepted its pro- 
visions up to 1837, as is 
shown by the reports. But 
to the great credit of 
Crawford, be it said that 
each of her twenty-seven 
districts accepted the free 



school law when it was offered. 

With the county superintendency came from the annual overflowing of the Nile. 
closer school supervision, the licensing of is now on a better foundation than ever before, 
teachers, school visitation, and reports upon for by the act of 1887 teachers receive liberal 
the condition of the schools, more attention compensation for the time devoted to the 
to the institutes — in a word, better organiza- institute, 
tion. Our first county superintendent was S. 
S. Sears, who served from 1854 to 1856, re- 
signing on account of insufficiency of salary, 
it being but S400. He was followed by J. 
Clifton Marcy. He was succeeded by S. P. 
Bates, and he in turn was followed by S. R. 
Thompson, who served from i860 to 1864. 
Hugh R. Stewart served from 1864 to 1865, 



North Ward. From 231 
pupils in the year 1838 
the number increased to 
615 in 1855, to 1,278 in 
1875, and to over I,- 
800 in 1888. In the 
meantime the number of 
teachers has increased 
from 7 to 41. No one 
fact speaks more for the 
growth of Meadville than 
the increase in number of 
pupils and teachers in its 
school (in the 27 years) 
since 1861 . the number 
of teachers then being 
but ten and the number 
of pupils 300. The first 
city superintendent, Geo. 
W. Haskins, was appoint- 
ed in 1867. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1869 by W. C. 
J. Hall. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1872 by his 
predecessor, who was fol- 
ings has well been compared to the benefits lowed in 1875 by S. P. Bates. H. R. Roth 

It served from 1 88 1 to 1886 and was succeeded 




^.^— _4^ j;^t-^=C5S^;£=^ts^fe^^^^ 



CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. 

Erected in 1888 on the site of the Old Academy. 



MEADVILLE AND TITUSVILLE SCHOOLS. 



by the present incumbent, H. V. Hotchkiss. 

Titusville did not become a city until 1866. 
In 1 86 1 there were but three schools and 140 
pupils. It now has twenty-eight schools and 
about 1,650 pupils. Its first superintendent 
was H. C. Bosley, who served nearly ten years. 
R. M. Streeter has filled the position since 
1879. 



GROWTH OF THE SCHOOLS. 
As showing something of the growth of the 



The schools of Meadville and of Titusville 
in time became separate from those of the 
county. By the act creating Crawford Coun- 
ty in 1800, a condition was attached constitut 
ing Meadville the county seat, if the inhabi 

tants would contribute $4,000.00 in money or iree school system in the entire county we 
and Daniel R. Coder from 1865 to 1866. land to found a seminary of learning. Out of find that in 1836 there were but few more 
The eighteen years from 1866 to 1884 were this grew the Meadville Academy. In this than 100 schools in the county, with an esti- 
filled by H. D. Persons, James C. Graham the ancient languages, etc., were taught, and mated attendance of 4,200 pupils. In 1861 
and Charles F. Chamberlain, respectively, pupils of all grades applied, but many parents there were 335 schools with an enrollment of 
who served two terms each. In 1884 James who had contributed to establish it could not 1,3,873 pupils. In 1888 there are 574 schools 
W. Sturdevant was elected and is now filling obtain for their children what was more (405 outside of .the two cities) and nearly 
his second term. One is impressed in look- needed than classical studies, namely, instruc- 16000 pupils. 



40 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



OUR OLD CITIZENS. 



Residents of Crawford County Born Prior 
to 1820. 



The following is a partial list of people at 
present residing in Crawford county who were 
born prior to the year 1820. The list is 
doubtless incomplete, but it numbers sufficient 
to assure the world that Crawford county is a 
healthy as well as a pleasant and desirable 
place to live: 

E. P. Slocum, Cochranton, born November, 
1S12, in Susquehanna county, Pa. 

Abraham Brink, Cochranton, born June, 
1792, in New Jersey. 

John F. Hogue, Cochranton, born Novem- 
ber, 1806, in Ohio. 

Lydia Bell, Cochranton, born in 1813, in 
Crawford county, Pa. 

Hemy Whitling, Cochranton, born Decem- 
ber, 1807, in France. 

John McClintock, Cochranton, born in 

1813, in Centre county. Pa. 

Samuel Birnes, Cochranton, born in 1800, 
in Ireland. 

Elizabeth McQuiston, West Greenwood, 
born October, 1802, in Cumberland county. 
Pa. 

Philip Shafer, Custard, born December, 
1804, in Europe. 

Joseph Evans, Cochranton, born February, 

1814, in Crawford county. 

Philip Karnes, Cochranton, born August, 
180 1, in Huntingdon county. Pa. 

Robert Norton, Cochranton, born July, 
181 3, in York State. 

Robert McFate, Cochranton, born Febru- 
ary, 18 1 6, in Venango county, Pa. 

Katherine Kelly, Pettis, born in 1S03, in 
Ireland. 

Nancy Burns, Franklin, born in 1808, in 
the United States. 

James Brawley, Shaw's Landing, born in 
1808, in Crawford county. Pa. 

German Roche, Cochranton, born August, 
18 1 9, in France. 

Peter Roche, Cochranton, born October, 
1817, in France. 

George Klinger, Cochranton, born April, 
1808, in Dauphin county. Pa. 

David Gourley, Cochranton, born Novem- 
ber, 1819, in Ireland. 

Sebastian Leit/,, born June 26, 181 1, in 
Wurtemburg, Germany, came to Meadville in 
May, 1839. 

Casper Beiersmitt, born in Wurtemburg, 
Germany, February 28, 1810, emigrated to 
this country in 1847, ^"^^ ''^^ since lived in 
this county, now resides in Woodcock town- 
ship. 

Mrs. Levi Peters was born in York county, 
Pa., August 23, 1814, has been a resident of 
this county since 1824. 

Mrs. Susan Dewey, born in Massachusetts, 
April 26, 1812, came to Crawford county in 
1825. 

Francis Brunot, born in France, October 
25, 1816; came to Randolph township in 
1847. 

Mrs. Laura Walton, of Mead township, 
born in Chester, Hamden county, Mass., De- 
cember II, 1811; came to this county October 
II, 1828. 

Mrs. Isabel Marshall, of Fairfield township, 
born in Chester, Hampden county, Mass., 
March 9, 1816; came to this county October 
iS, 1828. 

Mrs. Maria Lord, born in Chester, Ham- 
den county, Mass., February 13, 1818; came 
to this county October 18, 1828. 

Mrs. Susan A. De Hass, this city, was born 



prior to 1 820 and has been a resident of 
Meadville since its very early settlement. 

James Campbell, born in Venango town- 
ship, June 13, 1806; residence in Woodcock 
township. 

Reuben L. Patterson was born in Gaines- 
ville, N. Y., February 28, 1816; has been a 
resident of Crawford county since 1837. 

Simeon Odell, Tryonville, born in Graw- 
ton, Geuga county, N. Y,, March 10, 1815; 
came to this county in November, 1S38. 

James Andrews, Tryonville, born in War- 
ren county. Pa., December 16, 1816; came to 
this county in 1861. 

D. E. Castle, Tryonville, born in Litch- 
field, Conn., August 28, 1818; came to this 
county in 1839. 

HoUis Kellogg, Tryonville, born in Dumer- 
son, Vermont, November 28, 1 793; came to 
this county in 1836; was in the war of 1812. 

John R. Titus, Tryonville, born .September 
10, 1816, in this county. 

Nathan P. Trude, Tryonville, born in Sar- 
atoga county, N. Y., August 28, 1818; came 
to this county in i860. 

Marvin Hartwell, Tryonville, born in 
Ellery, N. Y., in 1807; came to this place in 
November, 1846. 

John Waid, Tryonville, born in this county, 
near Guy's Mills, December 15, 1S20. 

Merret Post, Tryonville, born in Saratoga 
county, N. V., December 31, 1804; came to 
this county in 1843. 

James Tryon, born in Connecticut June 24, 
1799; moved to Tryonville in 1821. 

David Tryon, Tryonville, born in Litch- 
field, Conn., August 4, 1804; came to this 
county in 1821. 

Sherman E. Cook, Tryonville, born in 
Winchester, Conn., March 22, 1813; came to 
this county in 1866. 

Mrs. Nellie Odell, Tryonville, born in New 
York State in 1795; came to this county April 

Mrs. John Mallery, born in Greenwood 
township, August 20, 1817, now resides in 
Fairfield township. 

Silas C. Bishop was born in Pine township, 
where he still resides, April 3, 1819. 

E. G. Stackpole, Venango township, was 
born in Maine, July 12, 1812; came to Craw- 
ford county in 1841. 

Luther Marsh, Townville, was born in 
Franklin county, Mass., in 1809, and became 
a resident of this county in 1833. 

Elizabeth Marsh, Townville, was born in 
Erie county. Pa., in 18 11, and became a resi- 
dent of this county in 1847. 

Mrs. Catherine Lammel was born in North- 
hamshire in 18 10, came here in 1839, lives in 
Woodcock township. 

Leonard Irwin, Cussewago, born in Cusse- 
wago township, January 30, 1S03. 

Mrs. Leonard Irwin, Cussewago, born in 
Hayfield township, January 6, 1818. 

Minor Walton, born May i, 1815, in Sum- 
merhill. 

Benjamin Minium was born February 6, 
1810, in Saegertown, now of Erie 

Henry Mimum, Woodcock township, was 
born April 19, I Si 9, in Woodcock. 

John Clark, Woodcock township, born in 
Woodcock, March 11, 1814. 

Thomas Clark, Woodcock township, born 
in Woodcock, in 1816. 

George Shearer, Woodcock township, born 
in Woodcock, August 16, 1816. 

Mary M. Shearer, Woodcock township, born 
in Woodcock, April 8, 1816. 

Mary Long, Woodcock township, born in 
Woodcock July 7, 1816. 

Mrs. Francis Seavy, born in Hayfield in 
1809. 

Samuel Peters, now of Union, born in Hay- 
field July 4, 181 1. 



Mrs. Saloma Smith, Saegertown, was born 
in Hayfield April 25, 18 18. 

Abram Isaac Flaugh, of Cambridge, was 
born in Sadsbury township, April 30, 1818. 

Mrs. Henry B. Beatty, Saegertown, born 
in Greenwood township, (now Union) July 
22, 1819. 

Mrs. Charles Martin, Hayfield, born on 
the place where she now resides, March 14, 
1811. 

John J. Long, Woodcock township, born 
in Woodcock township December 30, 181 6. 

Samuel B. Long, born in Woodcock town- 
ship in 1806. 

William B. Long, born in Woodcock town- 
ship in 1S19. 

James Campbell, Woodcock township, re- 
sides one mile north of Saegertown; was born 
early in 1800, the precise date not known. 

Mrs. Jacob Brookhouser, Hayfield, born in 
Saegertown 1819. 

Mrs. Joseph Fox, Hayfield, born in Hay- 
field township 1819. 

Henry Rick, Saegertown, born in Crawford 
county 18 1 2. 

Mrs. Henry Rick, Saegertown, born in 
Saegertown, 18 19. 

D. O. Wing, born October, 1816, in Al- 
bany, N. ^'. 

Robert Quay, born September 14, 181 3, in 
Crawford county. 

William McArthur, born October 14, 1814, 
in Meadville, Pa. 

Rebecca McArthur, born in 18 10, in Mead- 
ville, Pa. 

Moses McArthur, born May, 1812, in Mead- 
ville. 

D. P. Smith, born May, 1812, in Massa- 
chusetts. 

Rachel Clemson, born June, 1809, in Mead- 
ville. 

Clara S. Minniss, born December, 1817, in 
Crawford county. 

Jane McCoy, born May, 1813, in Crawford 
county. 

B. Brown Williams, born May I, 181 5, in 
North Carolina. 

A. Blum, born October 9, 1814, in France. 

James E. McFarland, born at Chambers- 
burg, Pa., January 4, 1817; came to Meadville 
in 1835. 

Barbara Houser, Meadville, born in Bava 
ria in December, 1805. 

Mary M. Beerbowe, Meadville, born in Ba- 
varia in June, 1819. 

Mary Smith, Kerrtown, born in Ireland in 
1S13. 

Mary Batmen, Meadville, born in Hunt- 
ingdon county, Pa., in April, 1803. 

Margaret Pentz, Meadville, bom in West- 
moreland county. Pa., in July, 1818. 

Elizabeth Krieter, Meadville, born in .Ba- 
varia in February, 1817. 

John Barrett, Meadville, born in Ireland in 
June, 181 1 

Hon. Jesse Smith, Titusville, was born 
October 7. 1817. 

Mrs. Maiy Ann Henlan, born in Meadville, 
September 9, 18 12, and has lived here nearly 
all her life. 

John Braymer, Blooming Valley, born Jan- 
uary 3c, 1 818. 

Joseph Keycensider, born November 14, 
1803, in a log house near Cussewago Mills, 
between the two creeks, lives in Kerrtown. 

Mrs, Priscilla Woodruff", widow of Dr. Wil- 
liam Woodruft", formerly well known in this 
city, was born in Binghampton, N. Y., on April 
19, 1802. Removed to Meadside in 1824, 
where she has since resided. She is to-day 
in excellent health and has apparently many 
years before her. 

Richard Hanna, born in Wayne county, N. 
Y., December 26, 1797, settled in Steuben 
township, this county, in 1838. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



41 



Weld Noble Alden, born in Yarmouth, 
Mass., January 16, 181 1; came to Meadville 
in 1817. 

Robert Allen was born in Lancaster City, 
Pa., September 7, 1818, came with his parents 
to Crawford county in 1S19, and has resided 
in Wayne township ever since. His wife, Re- 
becca McKnight Allen, was born in Ran- 
dolph township, August 26, 181 5. They 
were married November 20, 1851. 

Ethan Allen, of Mead township, was born 
in Meadville in 1S05. Has lived on the farm 
where he now resides for fifty years 

Deacon George Anderson, born in Vir- 
ginia, March 4, 1799; moved to Crawford 
county with his parents in 1801; lives in 
Kerrtown. 

Will. Armstrong was born in York county. 
Pa., February 19, 1814, came to Crawford 
county, Hayfield township, March i, 1834, 
where he now resides. 

Hugh Arters, born in New Castle, Pa., 
March 21, 1808 ; came to Meadville April 6, 
1886. 

B. G. Baird was born in Mead township, 
July 5, 1815. 

William M. Baird,born November, 1812, in 
Crawford county. 

John Barrett, born in Ireland, June 15, 
181 1, came to Meadville in 1840. 

Casper Baldwin, of near Steamburg, was 
born in Tompkins county, New York, in 
1810. 

William Baker was born in Northumber- 
land county, Shamokin township. Pa., August 
27, 181 1, came to Meadville, August 29, 1829. 

Worthy Birchard, Woodcock township, was 
born in Becket, Mass., in 1800, and has lived 
in this county since 1813. 

A. Blum, born near Strausburg, France, 
October 27, 1S14; came to the United States 
about 1846 and to Meadville about 1862. 

Isaac Blystone, born in Venango, Crawford 
county. Pa., January 3, 1802: came to Mead- 
ville between 1840 and 1845. 

David Boyles, Vernon township, was born 
in North Lansing, Tompkins county, N. Y., 
September 21, 180S. 

Sarah Hamilton Boyles, Meadville, was 
bom in Mead township March 27, 1814. 

Mrs. Rebecca Bowen, born in Vernon town- 
ship, July 28, 1808. Lives in Meadville. 

D. W. Braymer was born in Washington 
county, York State, 1815; came to Crawford 
county at the age of i year. 

John B. Brown, Frenchtown, born in 
France, January 15, 1S04, moved to Mead 
township, Crawford county, in 1843. 

John Brown, born December 19, i8i2, in 
Vernon township, Crawford county. 

George W. Brown was born in Whiting- 
ham, Windham county, Vt., March 18, 1810, 
became a resident of Crawford county in 1841. 

Jacob T. Brown, born in Vernon township, 
April 1,1807; 'ives on the farm on which he 
was born. 

J. F. Breed,born February 5, 181 1, in Massa- 
chusetts. 

James Brawley, born in Randolph town- 
ship, October 16, 1808; now living in East 
Fairfield. 

Jane M. Burchfield, born May, 18 18, in 
Crawford county. 

Katy Butler, born near Harmonsburg, this 
county, in 1806. 

O. F. Bush, of near Conneautville, was born 
in New York in 1 8 10. 

Daniel Bunting was born in LeBeouff, Erie 
county, October 15, 1808: moved to Rock- 
dale township in 1837; resided here ever 
since. His wife, Mrs. Nancy Bunting, was 
born March 21, 1813. They were married 
December 19, 1833, and now live near Mil- 
ler's Station. 

J. S. Byham, born in New York state while 



his parents were en route to Crawford county, 
June 15, 1816. 

Mary M. Byham was born in Massachusetts, 
August 14, 1817, and came to Crawford coun- 
ty in 1838. 

Miss Margaret Cotton was born in 1 80 1, in 
Vernon township. 

Robert Cochran, born February, 1809, in 
Crawford. 

James Clark, born at McGriffin's Falls, this 
county, April 15, 1815. 

W. A. Carpenter, Guy's Mills, born in Ver- 
mont, February, 1814. 

William Curry, Sr., born in County Antrim, 
Ireland, December 11, 1811; came to this city 
June 16, 1830. 

William Chase, born in Mead township, 
November 1806, and has been living in 
Meadville for the past twenty years. 

James Campbell, Woodcock township, was 
born in 1806. 

Thomas S. and John S. Cole were born in 
N. Y. State, April 13, 181 3, and moved to 
Hayfield township, this county, in 1836. 

Mrs. Morina Coon, Hayfield township, was 
borne in Locke, N. Y., in 1818. 

Peter Cares was born July 27, 1800, in 
Northumberland county. Pa., has been a resi- 
dent of this county for the past four years. 

Abram Cartright was born in Delaware in 
1802, and has been a resident of this county 
65 years. 

W. S. Crozier, born in Venango, Pa., August 
I, 1807, moved early to Conneautville, which 
he has since made his home. 

Mrs. David Campfield was born in Hunt- 
ingdon county. Pa., April 25, 1803; came to 
Meadville, March 12, 1828, has resided in 
Meadville over sixty years. Still in good 
health. 

0. M. Cain, was born in Schoharie county, 
N. Y., December 4, 1819, resided in Craw- 
ford county since May 9, 1851, and is now a 
resident of Meadville. 

Andrew Smith Cotton, born in Vernon 
township, March 21, 1814; came to Meadville 
October 6, 1S74. 

Orlando Coburn, born in Rutland county, 
Vt., November 17, 1811; came to Meadville 
in July, 1S47. 

George W. Clark, born in Stark county, 
O., July II, 1810; came to Meadville in 1835, 

John Carr, born in Lock Haven, Pa., No- 
vember 30, 1810; came to Meadville in the 
fall of 1 8 16. 

David Compton, now of Mead township, 
born March 14, 1810, in thecity of Meadville, 
in the house now called the "Barr'' house, on 
Water -street. He has always resided in this 
county. His wife, Eliza N. Compton, was 
born April II, 1813, and was the daughter of 
Judge John Brooks, one of the early settlers of 
Meadville. 

Thomas D. Durant, born in Palmer, Ham- 
den county, Mass., May 22, 1808; moved to 
Crawford county in 1834, and to this city in 
1857. 

J. H. Dungan, born April, 1817, in Beaver 
county. 

1. S. Doane, born in Brookfield, Mass, 
April 30, 1818; moved to Meadville in 1854. 

James W. Douglas, born in Meadville Sep- 
tember 20, 1818. 

D. V. Derickson, born in Meadville, April 
9, 1818. 

Peter Doty, born June 20, 1800, in the 
town of Elmira, Chemung county. New York, 
moved to Turnersville, Crawford county. Pa., 
15th of February, 1837. 

Eliza Compton Dunn was born October 12, 
1800, in Mead township. 

Dr. Christopher Dart, Conneaut township, 
was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 
1806, and has been a resident of this county 
since 1835. 



Cyrenius Davenport, born in Lister county, 
N. Y., July I, 1810; has resided in Meadville 
since 1850. 

James Dickson, born in Hayfield township, 
March 11, 1815, came to Meadville in 1831. 

Joseph Derickson, born in Dauphin county. 
Pa., July 5, 1801 ; came to Meadville in Sep- 
tember, 1824. 

James H. Davis, born in Union township, 
September 25, 1815, and removed to Mead 
township, where he has since resided, about 
1821. His general health is very fair. 

Mrs. Martha E. David, widow of the late 
B. G. David, of Saegertown, was born March 
2, 1819, at Philadelphia, Pa., and removed to 
this county, where she has since resided. 

Alexander Ewing, Meadville, born in Craw- 
ford county, March, 1808. 

Margaret Ewing, Meadville, born in Craw- 
ford county, March, 181 1. 

Joseph Evans, of Cochranton, was bom in 
Bemistown, Crawford county, February 24, 
1814, and has always lived in this county. 

F. Ellsworth, Meadville, was born in Utica, 
N. Y., in 1809, and moved to this city in 
i860. 

D. M. Farelly, born March, 1807, in Mead- 
ville. 

W. E. Fellows, born in Wellsboro, Essex 
county, N. Y., October 20, 1815; moved to 
Pennsylvania in 1831, and to Meadville in the 
fall of 1S81. 

Mary M. Farelly, Meadville, born in Craw- 
ford county, May, 1 81 8. 

Mr. George Fordyce, born in Eldersley, 
Renfrewshire, Scotland, in November, 1804; 
came to the United States in 18(35 and to 
Meadville in 1875. 

Mrs. George Fordyce, born in Renfrew- 
shire, Scotland, in June, 1804; came to the 
United States in 1835 and to Meadville in 
1875. 

Matthias Flaugh, born in Woodcock town- 
ship September 4, 1817, where he still lives. 

Catherine Flaugh, born in Vernon town- 
ship, January 12, 1818. Lives in Woodcock. 

Albert Fish, born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., 
April 12, 1 8 10, came to Crawford county with 
his parents, February 22, 1816, and has since 
lived on a farm two miles south of Conneaut- 
ville. 

Lydia First was born in Pottsville, Schuyl- 
kill county, July 14, 1810, and moved to 
Crawford county in October, 1823, has been 
a resident ever since. 

William P. Floyd was born in Shephards- 
town, Cumberland county. Pa., October 31, 
1814 ; came to Crawford when about 18 years 
of age, and has resided in the county ever 
since. 

Hugh Graham, born in Beaver county. Pa., 
March 12, 1808; came to Meadville in 1884. 

Mrs. Anna Graham, born in Beaver county. 
Pa., March 16, 1807; came to Meadville in 
1884. 

Bina Grover was born in Monroe county, 
N v., June 8, 1812, and moved to Conneaut 
township in 1837. 

Wm. C. Greenfield, of near Conneaut Cen- 
ter, was born in New York in 1805. 

Almon Greenfield was born in Herkimer 
county. New York, in 1814, removed with his 
family to Conneaut township in 184.0, where 
he has since resided. 

Peter A. Gage was born June 14, 1808, at 
Ferrisburg, .Addison county, Vermont ; came 
to Pennsylvania February 22, 1816 ; has re- 
sided in Crawford ever since. 

Oliver A. Gage was born in Waterford, 
Erie county. Pa., November I, 1 819; has 
lived in Crawford county since 1821. 

William R. Gray was born in Tompkins 
county, N. Y., April II, 1813, and moved to 
the farm he still occupies, in Richmond town- 
ship, October 3, 1838. 



42 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Mrs. I'earlelt Gaudiellot, of Frenchtown, 
was bovn in Department du Doubs, France ; 
came to this county in 1837, and has lived on 
the same farm fifty one years. 

W. W. Glenn, now residing at Chautauqua, 
N. Y., was born in this city, June 30, 1S17, 
and spent the greater portion of his life in 
Meadville. 

Philip Harpst, Vallonia, was born in Hunt- 
ingdon county, June 15, 1S13, and moved to 
Meadville in 1839. 

Mrs. Phillip Harpst, Vallonia was born in 
Lancaster county September 25, 18 1 3. 

Henry Hatch, Athens township, was born 
at Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., 
April 30, 1S03; came to Crawford county in 
1S24, and settled in the township where he 
still resides. 

George W. Hamilton, Troy Center, was 
born in Mead township April II, 1808. 

Samuel Hamilton was born in Mead town- 
ship May I, 1S12. 

Calvin Hatch, Randolph township, was 
born in White Hall, Washington county, N. 
Y., July 7, 1803; moved to Randolph town- 
ship, this county, February 13, 1821. 

E. Hathaway was born in Ontario county, 
N. Y., August 19, 181S, and moved to this 
county in 1828. 

A. J. Hunter, born November, 1815, in 
Crawford county. 

Elizabeth Huidekoper, Meadville, born in 
Meadville, January, 1819. 

Frederick Huidekoper, Meadville, born in 
Meadville, April 1817. 

Alfred Huidekoper, Meadville, born in 
Meadville, March, 1810. 

Henry Hemler, born in Alexandria, D. C, 
November 7, 1809; came to Meadville April 

15' 1833- 

Noah Hope, born 18 19, in Gloucester- 
shire, Old England, moved to Turnersville, 
Crawford county. Pa., in 1864. 

Mrs. Leonard Hatton, born December 9, 
18 14, in Mercer county. Pa., moved to Craw- 
ford county. Pa., in 1861. 

Samuel Hower, born in Union county, Pa., 
January 28, 181 1, settled in Crawford county 
in December, 1834. Residence at Saeger- 
town. 

John C. Hayne, born in Wortemburg, Ger- 
many, November 24, 1 8 10, came to Fairfield 
township in 1832. 

J. L. Henry, Union township, born in Mer- 
cer county. Pa., January 20, 1811; came to 
this county in 1820. Came to Meadville six 
years later and took up his present residence 
in Union township in 1859. 

Phoebe Havens, born April 18, 1814, in Al- 
bany county, N. V.; moved to Crawford 
county in 1816, and is now a resident of Sum- 
merhill township. 

Jonathan Hainnett, born in Pittsburg Janu 
ary 10, 1816; came to Meadville in 1845. 

Joseph C. Hays, born in Somerset, Pa., 
July 4, 1810; came to Meadville in 1836. 

William Hope, born in Mead township, 
near the five points, July 8, 1806 ; came to 
Meadville to live in 1S08. 

Jere Hecker, born in Lehigh county, Pa,, 
July 29. 1800; came to Meadville in 1828. 

Solomon Hilbronner wrs born in Bavaria, 
December 28, 1819, came to Meadville in 
1847. 

Hiram B. Hopkins, of Rundels, was born 
March 13, 1815, in Champion, Joflerson county, 
N. v., and came to this county, October 8, 

1853- 

Joseph Henry, of Cussewago township, born 
November 28, 1796, in Somerset county, Pa. 
Came to Crawford county in 1800. 

R. C. Johnson, born March 4, 1805, in New 
York, came to Crawford in 1832. 

Isaac Kiser, born February 12, 1812, in 
Westmoreland county. Pa. 



Edward Jones, born in 1805 ; his wife, Eliza, 
was born in 1808, and they have lived in 
Rockdale township over forty years. 

Michael Karleskind, Wayland, born in 
France, June, 1S17. 

Isaac S. Kiser, born in Unity township, 
Westmoreland county, Februai-y 13, 1812; emi- 
grated to Meadville, Crawford county, in 1816. 

Mrs. Ann Margaret Kepler, mother of S. 
W. Kepler, of this city, born in Northumber- 
land county, Pa., January 18, 1802, and 
moved to Bloomfield township, this county, 
with her parents, in 1 8 10. 

Israel Kuder, born January 14, 1806, in 
Northampton county. Pa , moved to Turners- 
ville, Crawford county. Pa., April, 1837. 

Elizabeth Kuder, wife of Israel Kuder, 
born August 9, 181 8, in Sandusky county, 
Ohio, moved to Crawford county. Pa., 1837. 

John A. Keller, of Vernon township, born 
in Canton Oran, Switzerland, December 29, 
1816, landed in New York in August, 1831, 
settled in Vernon township in May, 1832, and 
moved on present farm in 1835. Still strong 
and active. 

Jacob Kightlinger, born in Mead township, 
Crawford county. Pa., September 25, 1812. 
Bought and moved on the farm on which he 
has since made his home in 1836. 

John A. Keene was born in Crawford coun- 
ty. East Fallowfield, in 1819, on the farm 
where he now lives. 

E. D. Lamb, Townville, born in Cortland 
county, N. Y., September 27, 1819, moved to 
this county in June, 1836. 

J. Wesley Lang, born February 1820, in 
Crawford county. 

Horatio P. Langworthy, was born May 3, 
1809, in Addison county, Vt. He moved to 
Athens township in the year 1833, and has 
since lived on the same farm. 

Jacol.i L. Leberman, born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, October 8, 1819; came to Meadville in 
1859. 

Mrs. Mary Lewis, born in Cussewago.March 
6, 1804. 

Mrs. Marian Lefever was born in Locke, 
N. Y., in 1815 ; now lives in Hayfield town- 
ship. 

A. A. Livermore. born in Welton, Mass., 
October 30, 181 r, came to Meadville in 1863. 
. Ross Lane, born in Nelson, Madison coun- 
ty, N. Y., March 26, 1S06 ; came to Mead- 
ville in 1839. 

Thomas Jefferson Limber, born in Wood- 
cock township, August 16, 1S07. 

John McClure, Harmonsl;)urg, was born Feb- 
ruary 21, 181 1, at Conneaut Lake. 

James McClure, Harmonsburg, was born 
April 23, 1808, at Conneaut Lake. 

Thomas C. McKnight, born July 1 8 10, in 
Crawford. 

Mary .S. McKnight, born December, 18 12, 
in Crawford. 

Robert S. McCleary, of this city, was born 
in Mead township in July, 1815. 

Loren Marsh, Riceville, was born in Haw- 
ley, Mass., in 1803, and moved with his pa- 
rents to Bloomfield township, this county, in 
1832. 

Mrs. Marjorie Maxwell, born in Forfet- 
shire, Scotland, C)ctober 4, 1 816; came to the 
United States in 1854, and to Meadville in 
1866. 

C. W. Morse, born in Hartwick, Otsego 
county, N. Y., August 8, 1812; moved to 
Crawford county in February, 1837, and to 
Meadville June 1, 1887. 

Hugh McDill, born in Mead township, 
August 9, 1812, and still lives there. 

John Mahoney, born on ship on the ocean, 
December 6 1810; came to Meadville August 

7. 1837- 

Ale.\ander McClure, born August 17, 1815, 
at Lancaster, Pa., moved to Meadville in 



1834, was absent in the west thirteen years, 
lived here since 1848. 

Mrs. Jacob Moyer, born in Union county. 
Pa., February 4, 1S18, settled in Crawford 
county in April, 1834. Residence, Cusse- 
wago. 

John McCormic, born October 2, 1810, in 
Fayette county. Pa,, moved to Crawford 
county in 1826. 

James E. McFarland, born in Chambers- 
burg, Pa., January 4, 1S17; came to Meadville 
in 1S35. 

Thomas McCune, born in Old Radford, 
England, September 17, 1817; came toMead- 
vilie in 1S61. 

A. W. Mumford, born in F'airfield township, 
Crawford county, September 8, 1 808, and still 
lives in same township. 

Mrs. Jane McClintock was born in Fairfield 
township in July, 1S12. 

Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald, born in F'airfield 
township, this county, April 2, 1802, and has 
lived on the same farm for a period of fifty- 
six years. 

John Maxwell was born on the farm on 
which he still resides, in Conneaut township, 
in 1818. 

Sebastian Miller, professor of music, was 
born December 23, 181!, ir Hollendroff, Ger- 
many; came to America December, 1853, to 
Meadville in 1854. 

Josiah McNamara, born June 6, 1 813, in 
Mead township, where he still lives. 

George McNamara, born in 1806, in Mead 
township. 

James McNamara, born in 1804 in Mead 
township. 

Robert McDowell, born in East Fallowheld 
township December 16, 1817 ; lives in Sads- 
bury. 

Alexander McNamara, born in Mead town- 
ship, where he still lives, F'ebruary 17, 1S18. 

Mary McConneil was born January 2, 1807, 
in Florida, Montgomery county, N. Y., came 
to Randolph township in 1856, where she now 
resides. 

David Morris, born in Hayfield township, 
December 12, 1816; came to Meadville in 1848. 

Thomas S. Minniss, born in Venango 
county, November 21, 1815; came to Mead- 
ville April I, 1825. 

Benjamin McNeil, born in Genesee county, 
N. Y., February 5, 1809 ; came to Meadville 
July, 1828. 

George McFadden, born in Meadville, 
March 2C, 1806. 

Elizabeth McFadden, born in Connecticut, 
April, 1812, came to Crawford county in 1817. 

James McClure, Harmonsburg, was born 
April 23, 1808, at Conneaut Lake (Lynce's 
Landing), and has always lived in this coun- 
ty with the exception of sixteen years in Mif- 
flin county. Pa. His wife, Frances (Bunnell) 
KicClure, was born in Crawford county, Pa., 
May 28, 1816, and this county has always 
been her home. 

William McArthur, born in this city, where 
he still resides, October 19, 1814. 

Alexander Mellon, born in -Sadsbury, where 
he still lives, in June, 1819. 

Henry McCoy was born in Baltimore, Md., 
April 17, 1819, and has been a resident of this 
city since the second Tuesday in May, 1839. 

W. W. Nelson, horn in Fairfield township, 
Crawford county, November, 1816. 

Allen Nelson, born in Fairfield township, 
Crawford county, June 6, 1814, and still lives 
on part of the same farm on which he was 
born. 

Daniel Nelson was born in Fairfield town- 
ship, November 21, 18 19, moved to this city 
October 25, 1847. 

Jacob Nisley, born September 14, 1806, in 
Dauphin county. Pa., now living in Cusse- 
wago township. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION 1 ^^ IBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



43 



Mrs. Elijah O'Daniel, born in New Haven, 
Conn., May 21, 1814; moved to Meadville 1820. 

Augustus Person was born in Greenwood 
township, where he still lives, Sept. 10, i8ig. 

Merit Past, Tryonville, was born in Sarato- 
ga county. N. Y., ' December 31, :8o4; emi- 
grated to Crawford county in June 1S43. 

'I'homas Patterson, Troy township, was born 
in Westmoreland county. Pa,, March 9, 1816, 
and moved to Troy township, March 27, 1S43. 

Mrs. James R. Porter was born in Ohio,near 
Canton, March 30, 1 81 7, came to Meadville 
in 1825. 

James R. Porter was born November 22, 
1S13, in West Fairfield township. 

C. F. Purse, born in Groton, N. Y., Decem- 
ber 24, 1S17; came to Meadville in 1835. 

Henry Peterman, born in Fairfield town- 
ship, Crawford county. May 16, 1819. 

George Potter was born in Conneaut town- 
ship, where he still resides, Sept. 12, 1812. 

Augustus Peterson, born in Greenwood 
township Septemberio, 1819; still lives there. 

Alexander Power, born in Greenwood 
township, November 6, 1806; came to Mead- 
ville to live in 1858. 

Nial Pease, born m Massachusetts, July 6, 
1799; bought the Mead tract in 1828, and 
came to Meadville to live about 1849 or 1850. 

James Power was born June 9, 1S07, in 
Conneautville, and is still living in that place. 

Mrs. Sarah A. Pardee, born in Randolph 
township, March 26, 1S16. Has always lived 
there. 

Solomon Peifter, Mosiertown, was born in 
Bloomfield township, January 21, 1808 ; has 
always lived in Crawford county. 

Benjamin Peiffer was born in Woodcock 
township, January 4, 1819 ; now resides in 
Jamestown, Mercer county. 

Isaac Peiffer, of Venangoboro, was born in 
what is known as Peiffertown, February 23, 
1818, and has always resided in the county. 

Cornelius Lawson Rushmore, of Conneaut- 
ville, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 20, 
1817 ; came to Crawford county in 1824. 

Jacob Glass Rupert, of Conneautvdle, was 
born in Taneytown, Maryland, April 4, 181 1 ; 
came to Conneautville in 1 83 1. 

A. B. Ross, Cambridge, was born in Peru, 
Mass., November 26, 181O; moved to Cam- 
bridgeboro, this county, in 1837. 

Mrs. A. B. Ross, Cambridgeboro, was born 
in Sandwitch, N. H., February 12, 1816, 
moved to Cambridgeboro, this county, in 1837. 

Philip Regan, born March, 1810, in Ire- 
land. 

Mrs. Mary Robeitson Bancroft was born in 
Merrimack county, N. H., May 25, 1807; 
moved from there to Athens, this county, in 
the fall of 1836, where she still resides. 

Andrew Reed, born May 23, 1809, came to 
Fairfield township in 1840. 

T. G. Richardson, born in Clarion county. 
Pa., April 21, 1819, came to Crawford county 
in 1874 and now lives at Blooming Valley. 

Mrs. Polly McDowell Rupert, wife of 
Jacob Glass Rupert, of Conneautville, was 
born in Summerhill township, Crawford 
county, March 17, i8li. Daughter of John 
McDowell, a pioneer, 

Mrs. Harriett W. Ross, Centerville, was born 
in Keen, Cheshire county, N. Y., March 20, 
1804, and has been a resident of Crawford 
county for nineteen years. 

Rev. L. L. Radcliffe, born in 1812. Has 
resided a great many years in this city. 

John V. Reynolds, born in Meadville .April 
12, 1815. 

Horace C. Rounds, Townville, was born in 
Lock, Cayuga county, N. Y., February i, 1814. 
Mrs. Oliver B. Scott, Athens township, was 
born in Connecticut March 7, 1815, and came 
to this county, with her parents, when she was 
about five years of age. 



Rushton Skelton was born in Philadelphia, 
February 8, 1800. In June of the same year 
his parents settled on the farm where he still 
lives, in Venango township, this county. 

Sarah Shaw, born January, 1807, in Craw- 
ford. 

Oliver B. Scott was born in Ellisburg, Jef- 
ferson county, N. Y., May 25, 1808; came to 
Crawford county April 17, 1834; now lives in 
Athens township. 

Nelson Smith was born in New York State 
in 1813, and came to this county with his 
parents at the age of 6 months. Resides at 
Rundles. 

Harvey Sackett, born March, 1807, in 
Massachusetts. 

David Swift, Woodcock township, was 
born in Charleston, .S. C, November 3, 1816, 
and moved to Woodcock township April i, 
1838, where he has since resided. 

Frederick Smith, born at Long Sutton, 
Lincolnshire, England, February 16, 1819; 
emigrated to the United .States in December, 
1849, and came to Meadville in Sept., 1863. 

Chauncey S. Smith first saw the light of day 
in Lichfield county. Conn., in 1807, and be- 
came a resident of Crawford county in 1840. 

Mrs. Julia M. Smith was born in Plymouth, 
Lichfield county, Connecticut, February 4, 
1792; came to Crawford county Feb. 12, 1838. 

Nancy J. Sanderson, of near Steamburg, 
was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 181 1, 
and came to this county about 1854. 

Mrs. Frances Shippen Huidekoper was 
born at Lancaster, Pa , March 23, 181 8; was 
married to Edgar Huidekoper, June 28, 1838, 
at Meadville, Pa. 

Jacob Sherred, born in Venango township, 
in 1800. 

M. D. Shaw was born in Duchess county, 
N. Y,,in 181 1. Came to this State in 1836. 

Isaac Sperry was born in Connecticut in 
1804, and has been a resident of this county 
64 years. 

James M. Snodgrass was born in South 
Shenango, Crawford county. Pa., June 29, 
1815, and has always resided in the township 
where born. 

Thomas Stimpson was born in Sussex, Eng- 
land, in 1805, came to Conneaut township in 
1835, where he has since resided. 

Oliver Perry Saeger, Conneaut township, 
was born in New York, September 8, 181 2, 
and has been a resident of this county since 
1824. 

Nathan Southwick was born May 22, 1806, 
in Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., 
came to Meadville February 12, 1821, and has 
lived in Crawford county ever since. 

Margaret K. Smith, daughter of William 
McKnight, Esq., born in Wayne township, 
Crawford county. Pa., January 10, 1815. 

Daniel P. Smith, born in Clinton, Mas.s., 
May 24, 1812; came to Meadville in June, 
1821. 

William Godfrey Smith was born in Bed- 
fordshire, England, July 24, 1812, landed in 
New York, July 28, 1843, ^"^^ ^'^^ resided in 
Crawford county over thirty years. 

Joseph Sayre, Richmond township, was born 
in New Jersey in 1819 and came to this coun- 
ty, at which time his parents settled in Rich- 
mond township in 1822. 

Mrs. Mary Schenberg, born in France July 
20, 1817 ; came to Meadville in 1828. 

O. H. P. Shreve, Riceville, was born in Oil 
Creek township, October 27, 1814. 

E. B. R. Sackett, born in Massachusetts, 
July 6, 1816, came to Crawford county, in 
1824, lived here ever since. 

Joseph Taylor, born October, 1819, in 
Northumberland. 

B. F. Taylor, Riceville, was born in Elli- 
cott, Chautauqua county, N. Y,, January 29, 
1818; came to Crawford county .April 3, 1846. 



Samuel Trace, born April, 1814, in Craw- 
ford county. 

S. H. Thompson, born in Pittsburg, Octo- 
ber, 1817; came to this county in 1835, and 
to Meadville in 1863. 

Gilbert Thomas, born December 11, 1809, 
in Millville, Mass., moved to Turnersville, 
Crawford county. Pa., in 1849. 

Mrs. Catharine Tyson, born in Westport, 
Fairfield county. Conn., November 2, 1808; 
arrived in Meadville October, 1862. 

Miss Nancy Thickston, born in Cussewago, 
January 10, 18 1 2. 

Robert W. Tower, born October 29, 1804, 
moved to Crawford county in April, 1849. 

Sophia R. Tower, wife of the above, was 
born June 8, 1815 ; came to Crawford county 
the same time. 

John Thomas, of Conneaut township, was 
born in Utica, N. Y., December 27, 1811, 
came to Crawford county with his parents in 
January, l8l8, and has resided there ever 
since. 

Thomas Thomas, of Conneautville, was 
born in Utica, N. Y., February 14, 1808, 
came to Crawford county with his parents in 
January, 1 8 18, has remained here since. 

E. A. Tenny was born in Cussewago town- 
ship, where he still resides, July 7, 1813. 

R. C. Thomas, of Oil Creek township, was 
born in Woodcock township, in April, 1S18. 

John Trace was born on the farm on which 
he still lives, in Vernon township (then Sads- 
bury), February 24, 1812. 

John VanHorn was born in Union town- 
ship, Crawford county, November 19, 1809, 
and still resides in the same township. 

Thomas VanHorne, born in Vernon town- 
ship, July 26, 1809. 

John Williams, Greenwood township, was 
born in the township in which he now lives 
(then East Fallowfield), in February, 1816. 

Ephraim H. Williams, born April, 1809, in 
Crawford county. 

J. B. Walker, Riceville, born in Lawrence 
county. Pa., in 1819, and moved to Crawford 
county in 1850. 

James Williams, born in Hamdero, Dela- 
ware county, N. Y., July 4, l8l9;-moved to 
Meadville in 1877. 

H. B. Wadsworth, Randolph township, was 
born m Farmington, Conn., February 15, 1815, 
came to Crawford county in 1830. 

Hudson J. West, born in Cayuga county, 
N. Y., December 13, 1815; came to Meadville 
in 1827. 

William Warner, Meadville, born in Massa- 
chusetts, September, 1815. 

Mrs. Eli.^abeth Walp, born in Rhembaum, 
Germany, September 24, 1819, came to 
Meadville in August, 1833. 

Amasa Walton, born October 2, 1818, in 
.Summerhill. 

Benj. P. Wheeler was born in Lower Can- 
ada and came to Conneaut township in 1836, 
and settled on the farm where he now resides. 

Mrs. Peggy Warren was born in Conneaut 
township, where she still resides, in 1809. 

Byron Webster, Fairfield township, was 
born in Courtland county, N. Y., .August 2, 
1802, and has been a resident of this county 
since 185 1. 

Mrs. Nancy McLean White, widow of the 
late Dr. James White, was born in South .She 
nango township, Crawford county, July 9, 
1805, and now lives near Hartstown. .She 
was the eldest of Rev. Daniel McLean's chil- 
dren. 

John H. Wintermuth, born fn Sussex 
county, N. J., February 9, rSig; came to 
Crawford county in the summer of 1829, and 
now resides near Linesville. 

R. B. Welton, born 1809, in Litchfield 
county. Conn; for many years a resident of 
this city. 



44 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF LINCOLN. 



Crawford County Soldiers on Duty at the 
White House — Reminiscences. 



(BY MAJOR D. V. DERICKSON.) 
When the President made his call, on the 
1st of July, 1862, for more troops, I concluded 
to again enter the service, and soon made ar- 
rangements to recruit a company for the new 
" Buck tail " regiment then being formed by 
Colonel Wister. On the 28th day of August, 
1862, we started with the company for the 
seat of war. On the same day I received the 
appointment ot U. S. assessor, which I had 
applied for in June, but it came too late. I 
had put my hand to the plow, and could not 
look back. After some delay in Harrisburg 
we proceeded to Washington. 
On our arrival I called at the 
office of Governor Boutwell, 
commissioner of internal reve- 
nue, and tendered my resigna 
tion, requesting the appointment 
of my friend, J. H. Lenhart. 
The appointment was immedi- 
ately made out and forwarded 
to him. As I left the Treasury 
Building I met an old friend, a 
former State Senator from our 
district, who was early very rad- _, . ...Jir: 

ical on the abolition question 
I asked him what he thought 
of the situation. His reply was, 
" It looks dark, dark ! Would 
to God that we had a President 
with a heart and determination 
to put down and crush out this 
wicked rebellion ! " I was much 
surprised, and inquired what 
was wrong. He replied <hat the 
President did not move as fast 
as the Icyal people of the coun- 
try desired, and expected him 
to; that he should immediately 
emancipate and arm the slaves, 
and put them into the service. 
On the 5th day of September I 
was mustered into the service 
as Captain of Co. K, 150 P. V., 
commanded by Colonel Langhorn Wister. 

It is not for man to direct his steps ; and 
little did I think that I would soon be so 
pleasantly associated with the President, and 
find him the most anxious and determined 
person that I had met, on the question of put- 
ting down the rebellion, and preserving the 
Union. He soon after said to me that the 
whole aim and object of his administration 
was to crush the rebellion and preserve the 
Union, and that, having accomplished that, he 
would willingly lay down his life on the altar 
of his country (words almost prophetic); that 
if he could preserve the Union and free the 
slaves, he would free the slaves, but, if it be- 
came necessary to perpetuate slavery in order 
to preserve the Union, he would say let it be 
perpetuated ; but that the Union must be pre- 
served at all hazards. 



Lincoln was raised up by Providence from 
among the common people of the country, to 
be the instrument for carrying out the great 
work of emancipating four million slaves. He 
stood between the radical anti-slavery advo- 
cates of the north on the one hand, and the 
conservative pro-slavery elements of the bor- 
der states on the other; and waited, watched, 
and acted just as fast as public opinion would 
allow. If he had issued his emancipation 
proclamation when he did his " hundred day's 
notice," September 22, 1862, most, if not all, 
of the border slates would, doubtless, have 
gone into the rebellion. The people of these 
states did not at first realize that the rebellion 
was the death warrant of American slavery. 
THE president's GUARD. 

On the morning of the 6th of September 




HON. A. B. RICHMOND. 

my company was detailed as permanent guard 
for the President of the United States, and 
stationed at the Soldiers' Retreat, three miles 
north of the city, to replace two companies of 
regulars who were that day to rejoin their 
regiment, as it marched through the city on 
its way to Maryland. 

The next morning the President sent a mes- 
senger with a note to my quarters, stating 
that he would like to see the captain of he 
guard at his residence. I immediately re- 
ported. After an informal introduction and 
hand-.shaking, he asked me if I would have 
any objection to riding with him to the city. 
I replied that it would give me much pleasure 
to do so, when he invited me to take a seat in 
the carriage. On our way to the city he made 
numerous inquiries, as to my name, where I 
came from, what regiment I belonged to, etc. 



I told him my name and place of residence 
He replied, " Oh, I know all about you. We 
appointed you as one of the internal revenue 
assessors a few days ago." He inquired how 
I got into the military service, and I explained 
the situation to him. He told me how it came 
that my appointment as assessor was so long 
delayed. 

When we entered the city Mr. Lincoln said 
he would call at General Halleck's headquar- 
ters and get what news had been received 
from the army during the night. I informed 
him that General Cullum, chief aid to General 
Halleck, was raised in Meadville, and that I 
knew him when I was a boy. He replied, 
" Then we must see both the gentlemen." 
When the carriage stopped, he requested me 
to remain seated, and he would bring the 
gentlemen down to see me, the 
office being on the second floor. 
. In a short time the President 
came down, followed by the 
other gentlemen. When he in- 
troduced them to me General 
Cullum recogm.ed and seemed 
pleased to see me. In General 
Halleck I thought I discovered 
a kind of quizzical look, as much 
as to say, " isn't this rather a big 
joke to ask the Commander in- 

chief of the army down to the 

street to be introduced to a coun- 
try captain ? ' ' 

On arriving at the White 
House the President invited me 
into the executive chamber, 
where I spent a half hour ver)- 
pleasantly. During that time 
he explained to me all about the 
situation of both armies, and 
read the official telegrams that 
had been received during the 
night from the different head- 
quarters of the army. I was 
much pleased with my inter 
.^ ■^"'" view with the President. I re- 

turned in the carriage to my 
camp quarters. 

Supposing that the invitation 
to ride to the city with the Pres 
ident was as much to give him an oppor- 
tunity to look over and interview the new 
captain as for any other purpose, I did 
not report the next morning. During the 
day I was informed that, if agreeable to me, 
it was the desire of the President that I 
should breakfast with him and accompany 
him to the White house every morning, and 
leturn with him in the evening. This duty I 
entered upon with much pleasure, and was on 
hand in good time next morning; and I con- 
tinued to perform said duly until we moved 
to the White House in November. It was 
Mr. Lincoln's custom, on account of the pres- 
sure of business, to breakfast before the other 
members of the family were up; and I usually 
entered his room at half past six or seven 
o'clock in the morning, where I often found 
him reading the Bible or some work on the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



45 



art of war. On my entering he would read ing our stay we visited the hospitals and saw 
aloud and offer comments of his own as he ings and fortifications which General Miles 
read. had been obliged to surrender a few days be- 

I usually went down to the city at 4 o'clock fore. We also visited the ground on Louden 
and returned with the President at 5. He and Maryland heights, which the rebels oc- 
often carried a small portfolio, containing pa cupied during the battle or seige of Harper's 
pers relating to the business of the day, and Ferry. In the afternoon we went to the head- 
spent many hours on them in the evening, quarters of General McClellan at Antietam 
Frequently, on our way home, he discussed The next two days were spent in reviewing 
points that seemed to trouble him. the different army corps. In moving from 

I found Mr. Lincoln to be one of the most one town or battle field to another, we all rode 
kind hearted and pleasant gentlemen that I in carriages or ambulances ; but when we 
had ever met. He never spoke unkindly of went to review the soldiers, all took to horse 
anyone, and always spoke of the rebels as and remained in the saddle most of the day, 
"those Southern gentlemen." He was not a Mr. Lincoln side by side with General Mc- 
member of any church, but usually attended Clellan at the head of the reviewing officeis, 
Dr. Paxton's (Presbyterian) church, where I consisting of the president's escort and the dif- 
frequently accompanied him. He was, I be- ferent corps and brigade commanders. Uur 
lieve, a Christian, and acted as ^ 

one in all his intercourse with 
his fellowmen. He was no re- 
spector of persons, but acted 
upon the principle that all per- 
sons of respectable appearance 
were entitled to respect, no mat- 
ter what their station in life. 
He would give respectful audi- 
ence to the most humble citizen, 
as soon as to those in the higher 
stations of life. 

THE CABINET. 

The President frequently re- 
quested me to remain in the 
executive chamber on the morn- 
ings of cabinet meetmg, to be 
introduced to the members of his j/gji 
cabinet, as they usually dropped ' 
in one by one half an hour or so 
before the hour of meeting. I 
found them to be very pleasant 
gentlemen. All parties entered 
into conversation on general 
topics. I could not help but 
observe that Mr. Lincoln was the 
leading spirit among them and 
all appeared to recognize the 
fact. He towered up in intellect 
as he did in physical stature. 
I was never introduced to Sec- 
retary Stanton. He never came 

to the cabinet meetings until the last moment, many of those wounded in the recent battles. 
and his entrance was the signal to proceed to The president took the lead with General Mc- 
business, when I withdrew. Not one of these Clellan, and made many kind and pleasant 
gentlemen is now living. remarks to the wounded .soldiers. During our 

A short time after the battle of Antietam, stay at Antietam we made our home at the 
the President visited the battle fields of Har- headquarters of General McClellan. On our 
per's Feriy, Antietam and South Mountain, return we went in carriages to Frederick via 
and invited me to accompany him, which I South Mountain, where all took to horse 
was pleased to do. President Garrett, of the again. We rode all over the battle field, vis 
B. & O. R. R., kindly furnished his official ited the spot where General Reno fell, and 
car for the excursion. The party consisted of returned to the road near the white house 
President Lincoln, Mr. Garrett, Hon. Hatch, which General McClellan used as headquar- 
Secretary of State of Illinois, Mr. Lamon, ters during the battle of South Mountain. 
Marshal of the District of Columbia, General While at Frederick we called to see General 
McClernand and staff, and myself. The first Hooker, who had been wounded in the late 
night we quartered with General Sumner, at battle. We then took the cars via Monococy 
Harper's Ferry, in a small white cottage on Junction and arrived in Washington about 12 
the hilltop on the west side of the town. at night, having had a very pleasant trip. 

After breakfast we visited the ruins of build- O.i our trip our larder was well supplied 




W. R. BOLE, Esq. 



with wine and other liquors, but Mr. Lincoln 
refused them on all occasions, saying that the 
never drank anything stronger than tea or 
cofiee. 

In two or three days after our return Mr. 
Lincoln asked me if I had heard any impro- 
per remarks or suggestions made by him when 
visiting the hospitals at Antietam. I replied 
that I had not, and inquired why. He said 
that a correspondent in a Baltimore paper had 
stated that he had made very improper re- 
marks to a wounded rebel soldier, asking him 
if he could sing a song, and suggesting that 
he sing "Jim Crow," or "Dandy Jim," or 
something of that kind. He felt very much 
hurt over the thing, and said it was positively 
untrue. 

I can truly say that all the singing I heard 
or that was suggested on that 
(to me) memorable trip was 
while we were riding in the cars 
or in the ambulances going from 
one town or headquarters to an- 
other. Mr. Ward Lamon sang 
several sentimental songs, one of 
which, I remember well, was a 
great favorite of the President. 
It was entitled " Some Twenty 
Years Ago." 

On one of these ambulance 
trips Mr. Lincoln said, " Ward, 
this is a very rough and tedious 
load, can't you give us some- 
thing lively?" Mr. Lamon 
struck up some popular negro 
melody. Mr. Lincoln on the 
same trip repeated a favorite 
poem, the authorship of which 
1^, I believe, in dispute, entitled, 
•• Uh ! Why Should the Spirit 
of Mortal be Proud ? " It made 
quite an impression on me, as 
he was a very good reader and 
the sentiment very sublime. 

On Christmas, 1862, the Pres- 
ident and Mrs. Lincoln visited 
our company while we were on 
dress parade. We saluted them, 
and the company was brought 
to parade rest. After shaking 
hands with the officers, and passing the 
compliments of the season, the President 
made a few remarks complimenting the men 
upon their fine soldierly bearing. He re- 
ferred to the rapidity with which time was 
passing, and to the great events transpiring, 
and said that he had come to regard us as a 
part of his family, and more than this, that we 
had never had any family jars. 

With a very few exceptions, Co. K was re- 
cruited from among the sons of farmers, 
young mechanics, and school boys of the 
county, including five graduates of Allegheny 
College, who had graduated at the former 
commencement. Their discipline and deport- 
ment were such as to entitle them to the 
confidence and respect of the President, and 
they maintained their position until after his 
death. 



46 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 



Lincoln's fearlessness. 

There was no fear or timidity in Mr. Lin- 
coln's make up. In fact I thought him rather 
careless or thoughtless as to his personal 
safety. He frequently walked to the theater 
with no escort but myself and his little son, 
and it was not at his suggestion that a guard 
was stationed at his residence. In fact, he 
said so to the military authorities. Kut future 
events proved the wisdom of this action. 

During the fall of '62 several efforts were 
made to supersede our company, Jjy parties 
wanting the position, which became so annoy- 
ing to the president that he issued the follow 
ing order, which placed the matter at rest: 

Executive M.\nsion, \ 
Washington, November i, 1862. \ 
Whom it may concern. 

Captain Derickson, with his company, has 
been for some time keeping 
guard at my residence, now at 
the soldiers' retreat. He and 
his company are very agreeable 
to me, and while it is deemed 
proper for any guard to remain, 
none would be more satisfactory 
to me than Captain Derickson 
and his company. 

A. Lincoln. 

MR. LINCOLN'S CALLERS. 
Some time in April, '63, I 
noticed rather a plain looking 
lady, on several occasions, in 
earnest conversation with the 
doorkeeper at the White House. 
I learned afterward that she 
was seeking an interview with 
the President, but not succeed- _ ^ 

ing she approached me one day 
as I entered the door and made 
known her wishes. After hear 
ing and becoming interested in 
her case, I told her I would see 
that she had an interview with 
the President. I went to his 
room and told him there was a 
lady from the State of Indiana 
waiting in the east room, whose 
husband was sick in one of the 
hospitals somewliere in the 
front ; that he had not been paid 
for nine months, and that she 
was poor and had a family 
to support. She had managed in some way 
to get money enough to come to Wash- 
ington, to see if she could not get him paid 
off and discharged. Mr. Lincoln told me to 
invite the lady up, and, after hearing her 
story, said he would do what he could for her. 
He gave her a small card on which was writ- 
ten, as nearly as I can remember, the follow- 
ing: "Mr. .Stanton, please see the bearer of 
this card, and assist her so far as you can con- 
sistently with your duty." He requested me to 
direct her to Secretary Stanton's office, which 
I did with pleasure. On her return from the 
front she informed me that she had accom- 
plished the object of her mission; that her bus- 
l)and had lieen paid off, and that he would be 
discharged as soon as he was able to travel. 



Un another occasion Mr. Jesse Winans, of when some one below said, " No, no! that is 
this county, called on me at my camp, and a rebel tune." Mr. Lincoln replied, "That 
informed me that he had six sons in the army tune fairly belongs to us. We captured it at 
that averaged si.\ feet in height, and that he the battle of Antietam." The band at once 
had been at the front to visit them. He had struck up " Dixie " in fine style, when a shout 
a great desire to see Mr. Lincoln before his went up from below, giving three cheers for 
return home. I requested him to wait until I President Lincoln, 
could see whether Mr. Lincoln was at leisure. Lincoln as a rail-splitter. 

When I entered the executive chamber I I said to him one day, "Mr. Lincoln, when 
found him alone. I told him a gentleman you were a candidate for President in i860, 
from Crawford county was visiting me, who your friends made much of the fact that you 
had thirlV'Six feet of sons in the army, and were a rail-splitter. How many rails did you 
that he had just made them a visit at the ever split in a day?" His reply was, that 
front, and would like to see the President be- when he was a lad about twelve years old, his 
fore returning home. His reply was: "Invite step-father moved the family from Kentucky 
him up. Captain, I want to see him just as to the state of Indiana, where he bought a 
much as he wants to see me." They spent farm of fifty acres. On it there was a field of 
half an hour very pleasantly together. five acres cleared and partly fenced, and 

Again, a gentleman from Erie county was enough rail timber cut to enclose the lot. • He 

said that he and his step father 
had split rails enough to com- 
plete the fence, and that this 
was all the rail-splitting he had 
ever done. 

Mr. Lincoln made no effort 
to conceal his humble origin, 
but rather delighted to dwell 
upon the incidents and trials of 
his early life. He often inter- 
ested me by rehearsing many of 
the stories and incidents of his 
youth, most of which have been 
published time and again, so I 
will not repeat them. But I 
will give one as he related it 
to me, that [ have never seen 
in print. 

LINCOLN As a captain. 

At the breaking out of the 
Black Hawk war in 1837, he 
was clerking in a store in a small 
village or settlement in Sanga- 
mon county, Illinois. A call 
was made on their county for 
volunteers, when he and forty 
others from his neighborhood 
enlisted. Another neighborhood 
ten or twelve miles distant raised 
forty four. When they came 
together there was one of the 
other party dressed in full uni- 
form, who, Mr. Lincoln supposed, was to be 
captain. But, when the mustering 




F. L. (SEELEY. 



visiting me, who had l)een frequently told, and 

was rather proud of the fact, that he looked the: 

like the President. At his request I went officer came to muster them into the service, 

with him to the White House and introduced he formed them into line and said that if there 

him. During the conversation I said, "Mr. were any candidates for the captaincy they 

President, my friend has often been told that would station themselves twenty paces in front 

he resembles you very much." Mr. Lincoln pf the line. The man in uniform stepped 

looked at him for a moment, and said: "I promptly to the front. " Our men," said Mr. 

don't see just where that compliment comes Lincoln, "knowing that I could read and 

in, as either of us would make a good subject write, urged me to stand a poll to be their 

for a comic almanac." captain, and I reluctantly stepped to the front. 

The Marine Band, of Washington, frequent- At the word, 'forward, march,' all my men, 

ly serenaded the president in the evening in and four from the other squad, marched to my 

front of the White House. On one of these rear, and I was elected and duly mustered as 

occasions, the band having played several captain." He said that he always regarded 

tunes, the president, who stood in an upper this as the turning point in the history of his 

window, requested them to play " Dixie," life. H.iving no military knowledge, he was 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



47 



thrown upon his own resources. He under- 
took to do the best he could ; with what suc- 
cess he would leave others to tell. On his re- 
turn home at the end of his service, he was 
met by a gentleman, whose name I cannot 
now recall, who inquired of him what he was 
going to do. He said he did not know, but 
rather thought he would go into the store 
again. Tliis friend told him that he had bet- 
ter study law, and that if he would come into 
his office he would give him a good chance, 
which offer he accepted. And we all know 
the sequel. 

A WORD FOR MRS. LINCOLN. 

Before going to Washington I had seen 
many newspaper articles stating that some one 
was improperly giving out cabinet secrets, and 
that it was likely to do great injury to the 
Union cause. It was more than hinted that 
Mrs. Lincoln was the party, the writers even 
going so far as to state that she had 
brothers in the rebel army, and was 
in sympathy with the South. I 
know this charge against Mrs. Lin- 
coln to have been a very great 
mistake. Although she had two 
brothers in the rebel army, Mrs. 
Lincoln was a hearty loyal woman, 
and one of the best rebel haters 
that I met during my stay in Wash- 
ington. She appealed to me, on 
more than one occasion, to urge 
the President to arrest and confine 
a certain official connected with a 
government institution in Washing- 
ton, whom she believed to be a 
rebel sympathizer. I spoke to Mr. 
Lincoln about it one day, when he 
replied that Mrs. IJncoln had men- 
tioned the matter to him several 
times, but that if he were to arrest 
and imprison all within our lines 
known to be in sympathy with the 
rebel cause, to say nothing about 
those who were suspected, it would 
keep the quartermaster's depart- 
ment employed most of the time 
in building new prisons. 

In the spring of 1S63, Congress 
passed what was known as the Enrollment Act, 
establishing the Provost Marshal's Bureau. 
Finding my duties very light, I told the Presi- 
dent that I thought my lieutanants could take 
care of him and the company and suggested 
that he appoint me provost marshal of our dis- 
trict. His reply was that if he had the appomt 
ment he would give it to me at once ; "but," 
said he, "the members of Congress think these 
appointments all belong to them." He asked 
me if I knew our member of congress and 
whether he was my friend. I replied that I 
knew him very well, but that he was not a 
citizen of our county, and I had not spoken 
to him on the subject. He said, "Well, you 
had better write him, anyway." I did so, and 
in a short time received a reply, stating that 
before receiving my letter, he had received 
fifteen other applications ; and that among so 



many good men, it was hard for him to make 
a choice I handed the reply to the presi- 
dent, who, after reading it, said, "Very well ; 
if he cannot make a choice, we will have to 
make one for him." 

On the 17th of April the president sent me 
a note saying that Secretary Seward and him- 
self would be pleased to inspect my company 
at 3 o'clock p. m. At the hour appointed Mr. 
Lincoln's son. Tad, then about 12 years old, 
came to where I had the company in charge 
and informed me that the president and the 
governor were in waiting at the lawn on the 
south-side of the White House I immediate- 
ly marched up and saluted "the inspecting of 
ficers, and after maneuvering, .the company for 
a short time, I put it in charge of Lieutenant 
Oetchel, who marched the company to their 
quarters. After a handshaking and a few 
words complimentary to the company, Mr. 



PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ORDER. 



A Measure Which Resulted in Enlisting 

1,800 Rebel Prisoners into the 

Union Service. 




WILLIAM H. ANDREWS. 

Chairman-elect Republican State Committee. 

Lincoln said to me quietly, "Captain, I was 
over at the war department, yesterday, and 
that little matter of ours is all right." I thank- 
ed him for his kindness, when we separated. 
The next day, I leceived my appointment, 
and made my arrangements to leave for home. 
I bid a final farewell to the president and his 
family, feeling conscious and proud of the 
fact that I had for a friend and acquaintance 
one of the kindest and greatest men this coun- 
try has ever produced. 



Origin of the Dollar. — Previous to July 
6, 1785, the English system of money was in 
use in the States. On that date the Congress 
established the dollar, although the e.xact 
weight was not fi.ned until July 8, 1786, when 
it was made to about equal that of the old 
Spanish dollar. 



(BY HON. S. NEWTON I'ETTIS.) 

In the summer of 1864, under the order of 
the War Department, J. B. Fry, Provost Mar- 
shal General of the United States, directed 
Captain D. V. Derickson, at the time Provost 
Marshal of this District, to make a draft of 
about two thousand men in this district, com- 
posed of the counties of Clarion, Venango, 
Mercer and Crawford, which Captain Derick- 
son promptly executed, whereupon the substi- 
tute business in this city, the headquarters of 
the Provost Marshal, became veiy brisk, 
drafted persons and their localities paying all 
the way from five hundred to a 
thousand dollars for substitutes. 

While the drafted men were re- 
porting to Captain Derickson, Chas. 
Wilson, a son of F. F. A. Wilson, 
came into my office and informed 
me that among the ten thousand 
rebel soldiers that had been captured 
by the Union army, and who were 
confined in the government prison 
at Rock Island, Illinois, there were 
three classes who would gladly en- 
list in the Union service of the 
United States for a bounty of one 
hundred dollars a year : first, some 
^^; that were impressed into the rebel 

y^: service ; second, those who enlisted 
^^ thinking the conflict would not 

amount to anything more than a 
\ holiday contest, and in that having 
been disappointed, desired to re- 
sume allegiance to the Union ; third, 
a class that entered the rebel army 
honestly believing in the doctrine 
of secession, but had become satis- 
fied that the cause of the South was 
a lost cause, and for that reason 
desired to again rally around and 
under the old flag of the Union; — 
and if I could procure an order from the 
President authorizing the enlistment of these 
men, and have them credited to this district, 
a million of dollars could be made by the 
operation, as all local authorities would will- 
ingly pay two or three hundred dollars more 
than that asked by the recruits, in order to 
save their citizens from being dragged to the 
front. 

I left the next day for Washington, after 
telegraphing Col. H. S. Huidekoper at Phila- 
delphia to meet me there. Our conference 
with President Lincoln resulted in the follow- 
ing executive order : 

"Executive Mansion, 1 

"Washi.ngton, D. C, Sept. i, 1864. j 

"It is represented to me that there are at 

Rock Island, III, as rebel prisoners of war, 

many persons of northern and foreign birth, 

who are willing to be exchanged and sent 



48 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



South, but who wish to take the oath of alle- 
giance and enter the military service of the 
Union. 

"Col. Huidekoper, on behalf of the people 
of some parts of Pennsylvania, wishes to pay 
the bounties the government would have to 
pay to proper persons of this class, have them 
enter the service of the United .States, and be 
credited to the localities furnishing the bounty 
money. 

"He will, therefore, proceed to Rock Is 
land, ascertain the names of such persons 
(not including any who have attractions 
southward) and telegraph them to the Pro- 
vost Marshal General here, whereupon direc- 
tion will be given to discharge the persons 
named upon their taking the oath of alle- 
giance, and then, upon official evidence being 
furnished that they shall have been duly re- 
ceived and mustered into the service of the 
United States, their number will be credited 
as may be directed by Col. Huidekoper. 

"ABRAH.4M Lincoln." 

The above is endorsed in Mr. Lincoln's 
own hand as follows : " A correct copy. A. 
Lincoln, .September 23, 1864." On the back 
is noted the following direction ; 

" The bearer will present the list of names 
contemplated within. The Provost Marshal 



with one hundred dollars for each man drafted 
from their sub district, which I paid to a rebel 
soldier for his one year bounty, and took his 
receipt therefor, and that being done. Captain 
Derickson, by direction of the government 
authorities, released the drafted men, which 
resulted in the release of about 1,800 drafted 
men in this (then) congressional district, in- 
asmuch as when mustering the men in at 
Rock Island I had the men enrolled as sub- 
stitutes for those drafted here, and properly 
credited to this district. At the same rate I 
gave some more to the counties of Butler, 
Erie, Warren, and at the earnest request of 
ex-Covernor Bigler, of Clearfield county, as 
well as some to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 
order to help the Provost Marshal there out 
of a difficulty, his request for such relief com- 
ing through, and at the earnest solicitation of, 
M. S. Cotton, Esq., now of Linesville, in this 
county. 

I gave no receipt for the nearly two hun- 
dred thousand dollars given me here to pay 
these men at Rock Island, which I there paid 



Huidekoper, a copy of which in conclusion 
of this communication is given below: 

Meadville, Pa., Sept. 1864. 
Mr. President, 

Sir: — I found upon reaching home that it 
it was impossible for me to go to Rock Island 
for some time. I gave Judge Pettis authority 
to act for me in enlisting such men as were 
affected by your order of 1st inst. He will 
explain all to you and inform you of his 
success. 

Everything has been done with the utmost 
fidelity on the part of Judge Pettis, and to the 
entire satisfaction of our people, who will be 
saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. The 
eflect has been to strengthen the arm of the 
government and inspire anew the hopes of 
our people, and to renew their energies in the 
great struggle in which we are engaged. I 
remain very respectfully your obedient ser- 
vant, H. S. Huidekoper. 



A Snow Ball 100 Years Old. 



(BY FANNIE E. COMPTON.) 
Thinking the following item might be of 
interest to some of the readers of the Centen- 
nial Number, I briefly state the history of 




^- -|tr iV'^ 




WILLIAM THOMAS, 

Cashier People's Savings Bank. 



HON. JOHN C. STURTEVANT, 

President First National Bank, Conneautville. 



General will please take the proper steps to 
liave them examined, mustered in and dis- 
charged from prison, so as to be properly 
credited, all according to the within. 

"A. Lincoln." 

September 20, 1864. 

To the above is added in Mr. Lincoln's 
own hand: " Also correct copy. A. Lincoln, 
September 23, 1864." 

Col. Huidekoper, stiil suffering physically 
from the shock of battle at Gettysburg, and 
not feeling able to carry out the order, au- 
thorized me to repair to Rock Island and su- 
perintend the execution of the President's 
order, which I did, enlisting and mustering 
into the service two regiments of rebel sol- 
diers, which were, and are still known as two 
regiments of Unittd States Volicnteers, being 
aided by Col. Johnson of New Jersey, com- 
manding the post, Rev. S. L. Gracey, the Chap- 
lain, and Lieut. Col. Andrew P. Caraher, the 
Provost Marshal of prisoners there. 

The sub districts of the counties of Clarion, 
Venango, Mercer, and Crawford furnished me 



over to them, individually, when they were 
mustered in. While there at Rock Island, I 
was offered by Baltimore authorities, as well 
as those from Boston, the sum of two hundred 
dollars a man for my soldiers, and in addition 
thereto, to pay the interest upon the money 
while in my hands, and the express charges 
returning the same to the persons here that 
had furnished me the money, which would 
have netted me % 1 80,000 — which offer is a 
matter of record, verified under oath. 

.M the request of these enlisted men, I 
asked President Lincoln to appoint Lieut.- 
Col. A. P. Caraherj the Provost Marshal of 
prisoners at the Rock Island Post, a Colonel 
of one of the regiments, which he did. Col. 
Caraher afterwards married a sister of Mrs. 
Pettis. The regiments both served out their 
term of enlistment with credit to their coun- 
try and themselves. 

The manner of the execution of the trust 
confided to me is best attested by a letter af- 
terward addressed to the President l)y Col. 



what I believe to be the oldest ornamental 
flowering bush in the county. 

In the year 1789, Robert F. Randolph, with 
his family, settled in what is now Mead town- 
ship, his son, James F. Randolph, having 
been one of the nine persons who first came 
to this county in 1788. Mr. Randolph and 
his family remained here until 1791, when on 
account of the warlike attitude of the Indians, 
they, with other settlers, left this region and 
returned to their former homes. In 1792 or 
1793 they came back, and Mr. Randolph set- 
tled upon a farm one mile south of Meadville. 
W this time the Randolph family brought 
with them a flowering bush commonly called 
a " snow ball," and planted it near their 
home. When, years later, Taylor F. Ran- 
dolph, son of Robert F. Randolph, sold the 
farm (now known as the Church farm) to the 
Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, 
he reserved a few acres of land upon which 
lie built a house, and there lived until his 
death. The snow ball bush was replanted 



near this new home. In the spring of 1867 
Mr. John B. Compton purchased the house 
and lot from Miss Maria F. Randolph, daugh- 
ter of Mr. Taylor F. Randolph. Miss Ran- 
dolph went West to live, and after two years' 
absence had a strong desire to see the old 
home once more. She arrived in Meadville 
and went at once to Mr. Compton's, and while 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 
OLD JOHN BROWX. 



49 



our eastern cities. His name is on the page 
of history and in volumes of biography. 
VALUE OF BIOGRAPHY. 
The memory of persons greatly distin- 
guished, especially if it is for good, brave or 
generous conduct, or for sufiering in a good 
cause, should be cherished and made to illus- 



Outlineofthe Development of His Senti- 
ments and Purpose — His Main Ob- 
ject Accomplished — A Sketch of 
the Hero of Kansas. 

(BY HON. G. B. DELAMATER.) 

John Brown, who became distinguished for trate our histoi-y. The limited space in the 

making general inquiries about the home, radical sentiments, firm will, brave actions Centennial-Tribune admits of only a brief 

where, with her father, she had spent so and his tragic end on a Virginia scafibld, was outline of our subject. The great events at 

many years, asked if there was a snow ball a pioneer citizen of Crawford county, and for the commencement of the era we celebrate 

bush in the yard. Upon being told there was, many years aided in its settlement and im- shaped the institutions of our country, giving 

and that the previous year it had bloomed provement during an important period of its it power as a Nation. They were the founda- 

profusely. Miss Randolph, with tears of joy, history. Although at his death he was only tion of its future growth in population and 

replied : " I am so glad ; my father brought 59 years of age, he had for several years been wealth. Provision was made against the ex- 

that bush here and planted it, and I know it known as "Old John Brown," a prominent tension in the territories of slavery, a system 

is nearly one hundred years old." Nineteen friend of freedom, an efficient antagonist of inconsistent with the fundamental principles 

years have passed since then, and still the slavery in the United States and its aggres- of our government, equal rights to all men. 
bush grows, and every summer is completely sions in the Territories. Let us premise, that the vast wilderness of 




SCENE ON SOUTH WATER STREET, 1888. 



covered with its great white balls of bloom. I 
believe it has fully reached its centennial 
year, and with Meadville should celebrate 
that event. It is pleasant to think that the 
early settlers brought their love of flowers 
into this wilderness in those days, to remind 
them of the homes they had left ; and to 
cheer and brighten their new heritage, they 
planted these emblems of the beautiful in 
nature ; and now. as we look over the broad 
and fertile valley lying around us, and think 
of our aged bush blooming these hundred 
years, we are reminded that - 

"God might have made the earth brinfj forth 

Enough for great and small ; 
The oak tree and the cedar tree, 

Without a flower at all." 

Yet He has also given us beautiful flowers, 
emblems of purity, which point us to the 
world where flowers "perennial bloom." 



Whether controlled by intelligence or im- 
pulse, sanity or insanity, wisdom and pru- 
dence, or folly and imprudence, his character 
and conduct have given him prominence in 
the recent history of his country. His name 
has been spoken in every mansion and cot- 
tage in the land, in legislative halls, by the 
orator in the popular assemblage, the citizen 
in the crowd and at home, by the slaveholder 
and the slave. It has been an inspiration to 
the soldier in the camp, on the march, and 
"On the perilous edge of battle." 

After his execution, in 1859, a gold medal 
was presented to his widow and family by 
Victor Hugo and other eminent savants and 
patriots of France. His statue has been or- 
dered by Kansas at her Capitol ; and art has 
finished it in granite and marble in some of 



country, north and west of the Ohio and Alle- 
gheny rivers, held by the French from 1749 
till 1763, had passed to the English. It is a 
peculiarly interesting fact that our city of 
Meadville and the valley of French Creek was 
on the line which the French had attempted 
to hold, and on which they had erected and 
held, in our vicinity, three forts — Presque Isle 
at Erie, LeBoeuff at Waterford, and Ma- 
cault at Franklin. These were held by the 
English in 1762, but the Indians, at the time 
of Pontiac's conspiracy, in 1763, burned these 
forts and destroyed the garrisons. They 
were, however, soon rebuilt and held by the 
English again. From 1776, during the war 
of the Revolution, a scrambling possession of 
them was taken and held by the United 
States, continuing until 17S7. 



50 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



The war of the revolution being ended in 
1781, Congressional and State action followed. 
The Northwest territory was erected and an 
ordinance was adopted restricting slavery. 
The gradual overthrow of this policy in more 
recent times, for the purpose of perpetuating 
and extending .-American slavery, developed 
the John Brown of history. In 1787, six 
years after the close of the war, a convention 
from the several original States, at Philadel- 
phia, framed the present Constitution of the 
United States. The same year, 1787', Con- 
gress at New York passed an ordinance for 
the government of the Northwest territory. 
The east line of this territory bounded that 
part of Pennsylvania from which in 1800, our 
county of Crawford was formed. The ordi- 
nance of 1787, provided among other things, 
in what was termed a perpetual compact, as 



been the destiny of this country ? But the 
Constitution was framed and adopted, the or- 
dinance was enacted, the settlement of Mead 
was made. Slavery had been previously 
abolished in Pennsylvania and other States. 

Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and other 
leading men had denounced it as unjust and 
perilous to the country. Jefferson had written 
in view of it that he trembled for his country 
when he remembered that God was just and 
that his justice would not sleep forever. 
MISSOURI COMPROMISE. 

But between 1787 and 1821 a change had 
occurred in the policy of many leading politi- 
cians of the south. In admitting Missouri 
into the Union in 1821, as a slave State, a 
compromise was adopted, which departed 
from the absolute restriction of 1787. The 
discussion on the subject had continued from 



involved in bloody results. He came in 1826 
and remained about ten years, a pioneer set- 
tler, at a time when the wilderness spread out 
sixty miles eastward from Meadville to the 
New York line, while only an occasional 
cabin, erected by some similar settler, could 
be found in that direction by the hunter or 
traveler. 

JOHN brown's tannery. 
At this period ten years was an age in the 
changes they wrought. Many of the men 
who made them were giants in industry, en- 
terprise and achievement. The state road, 
laid out by commissioners, from Meadville to 
the New York line, in 1817, had been with 
difficulty opened and made passable. Mr. 
Brown purchased land on this road, twelve 
miles east of Meadville, and cleared the dense 
forest from five acres, which afterwards ex- 




follows: "There shall be neither slavery nor 
involuntary servitude in said territory." 

The same year, 1787, General Uavid Mead 
visited our French Creek Valley, accompanied 
by several others, and they selected this place 
for a colony. The next year, 1788, he came 
on with this colony and took actual posses- 
sion, which has since been held, with only 
short interruptions from Indian hostilities. 
This was a most important era for the county 
generally, and this section particularly. If, 
as has been said, there are no great things, 
but many combinations of small things, what 
an aggregation of small things occurred in 
1787! If the Constitution had not been 
framed at this period, would it ever have 
been framed ? If the ordinance of 1787 had 
not then been adopted, what would have 



THE CITY 3IARKET HOUSE. 

1818 to 1821, three years, and was attended 
with great excitement among the people. 
John Brown, born at Torrington, Conn., May 
9, 1800, resided at this time (1821) at Hud 
son, O., where he married Diantha Lusk, 
June 21, 1820. Being about 21 years of age, 
he took deep interest in the very able and 
heated discussions, and final action on the 
question of restricting slavery in the admis- 
sion of Missouri. This congressional depart- 
ure from the policy of 1787 aroused deep 
feeling throughout the country, and when 
Brown, five years later, came a pioneer to this 
county he had a deep and intelligent convic- 
tion that slavery was not only "the sum of all 
villainies," but an institution that would, un- 
less promptly checked, become so powerful 
that trouble would come and the nation be 



panded into a farm. He erected thereon a 
double log house, built and put in operation a 
tannery, and aided generally in the improve- 
ment of the country. He chose this place 
for a tannery because of the facility with 
which he could obtain oak and hemlock bark 
for tanning purposes He intended to obtain 
hides from the Western Reserve, in Ohio, for 
a while, and at no distant period from the 
developing country in his vicinity. 

As there was then neither railroad nor canal, 
some hides were drawn from Ohio over the 
state road at this time, not only to Brown but 
in some cases to Jamestown, N. Y. Whether 
profitable or not, these operations gave a 
stimulus to the settlement of the country. 

The writer remembers seeing loads of hides 
on wagons standing over night in a shed near 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



51 



his father's old Richmond home, and hearing 
the howling of the wolves in the forest around 
them, attracted by the scent. This is a mem- 
ory of boyhood, and it is believed it occurred 
in 1828 

My father, the late Thomas Delamater, also 
a pioneer in Richmond, had erected a double 
log house eight miles east of Meadville, on 
the state road, four miles from Brown's. 
They became friends, and co operated in 
various enterorises. Each had a small family 
ol from three to six sons and daughters. 
They arranged that Brown should, during the 
winter and colder months, employ a school 
teacher and board, lodge and make a home 
for the children of Delamater; and in the 
summer and warmer weather Delamater 
should furnish similar accommodations for 
those of Brown. This was done for a few 
years, and a few scholars were admitted to 
such school from other pioneer families. 

This method of maintaining schools sug- 
gests the difficulties of 
pioneer life. It furnished 
a peculiar discipline, and, 
did your limits permit a 
picture of the domestic 
life, as I remember, it 
would probably have 
some interest. From this 
beginning an acquaint- 
ance continued until long 
after Mr. Brown removed 
to Ohio. This gives me 
a knowledge of many 
facts and a foundation 
for estimating his char- 
acter. 

Notwithstand i n g its 
privations, this period is 
remembered as a golden 
age in that vicinity. 
Game, such as deer, tur- 
keys, quail, partridge, 
woodcock and snipe were 
plentiful. 

A good hunter, the late 
Thomas McFadden, within the recollection of 
the writer, killed eight deer in one day. The 
dense forest prevented the rapid evaporation of 
the water from rainfall and the streams were 
much larger then than now. In these streams 
were large numbers of speckled trout, some of 
which were much larger than can be found 
in them now. Bears, wolves, panthers and 
wildcats were occasionally found in that sec- 
tion. A few Indians were to be seen in small 
parties, with their peculiar costumes, guns, 
tomahawks, knives, pipes, etc. The variety 
of game and wild animals furnished some ex- 
citement to the settler, and though John 
Brown gave them little attention, the adven- 
tures and experiences of the pioneer would 
have its value even to him. Among his 
neighbors latterly within a radius of a few 
miles were Lyon, Hunt, Hatch, Delamater, 
Culbertson, Townley, Town, Hall, Britain, 



Clark, Sayer, Gilbert, Guy, Brawley, Wilder, 
Wright, Hunt, and Dr. Taylor. Our subject. 
Brown, was recognized by them as a man of 
integrity and force — a leading citizen. 
CHARACTER OF JOHN BROWN. 
Shall I mention something of his character 
and conduct as estimated from my observa- 
tion and association with his familiar friends ? 
His ancestry was good. Both paternal and 
maternal ancestors did service in the war of 
the Revolution. He had a good practical 
education, from schools, private instructors 
and books. He was a practical surveyor, also 
a tanner, and gave at times attention to farm- 
ing, stock raising, and dealing in wool. Be- 
lieving in God, the Supreme Being, and 
Christ, the Savior, reconciling men to God 
and His government, he was very devout. 
Calvanistic in his theology, he laid great 
stress on the purpose of the Deity, and ulti- 
mately became convinced that it was his 
special mission to strike an effective blow at 




ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION. 

American slavery. He was tirm as Cromwell 
or Mahomet in the belief that such was his 
destiny. Ex-Governor Robinson, of Kansas, 
said, in a recent public address, that Brown so 
impressed his associates and others that they 
believed that if he had been asked for his 
authority to act, he would have pulled from 
his pocket a commission from God Almighty. 
This, though perhaps extravagant, illustrates 
his character. 

While residing in Richmond he lead in the 
organization of a small Congregational church, 
of which he was elected clerk. This church 
was dissolved by the removal of its members, 
and the original papers, in the hand-writing of 
Mr. Brown, are deposited with the Historical 
Society of Crawford county. 

His religion was practical, and he de- 
nounced on proper occasion, such as paid 
tithes of mint, anise and cummin, but neg- 



lected the weightier matters, judgment and 
mercy. His part was to undo heavy burdens, 
and let the oppressed go free — to remember 
those in bonds as bound with them. 

His library, though not large, was well 
selected, and generally of practical value. 
Besides the works of Edwards, Witherspoon, 
Bible commentaries, histories, etc., I remem- 
ber the Maxims of Franklin and ^^tsop's 
Fables as often read and much quoted. 

Several newspapers were furnished his fam- 
ily and hired men, who were expected to 
read up the events of the day. 

While in Richmond he encouraged and 
aided in the introduction of fine blooded 
horses, cattle, sheep and swine to the neigh- 
borhood. 

The formation of Richmond from Ran- 
dolph, and the establishment of New Rich- 
mond postoffice were moved by him. He be- 
came the first postmaster under the adminis- 
tration of President Adams, but upon the 
election of Jackson, re- 
signed, in view of Jack- 
son's maxim, " To the 
victors belong the spoils." 
He usually had many 
men in his employ, whose 
home was with him, and 
insisted on early rising, 
and family worship, in 
which the men, with his 
family, joined in reading 
from the Bible. Discour- 
aging the use of tobacco, 
alcoholic drinks and the 
indulgence of profanity, 
he encouraged athletic 
exercises, such as wrest- 
ling, leaping, contests in 
pulling, running, etc., as 
promotive of strength and 
skill. He also encour- 
aged mental exercises, by 
securing the formation of 
his men into a sort of 
domestic debating club, 
which held its meetings at his house in the 
long winter evenings. I was present at 
some of these debates, in which John 
Brown took part. His knowledge and 
power to present an argument skillfully was 
probably exercised with delicacy, not to 
mortify, but to encourage his opponents and 
develop his powers. He always seemed to 
speak anywhere, to any one or more, with- 
out embarrassment, and with the ease of a 
professional speaker. Years after this, my 
observations furnished evidence that he was 
quite able in argument, in a Socratic way, by 
asking questions and using answers to the dis- 
comfiture of his opponents. He had a sly- 
humor, which was quite refreshing on such 
occasions. 

Being a man of integrity, and decided in 
his conviction and manners, though modest 
and unassuming, he abhorred all shams or 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



pretense in others ; cant in religious matters 
was peculiarly offensive. He frequently re- 
minded the youthful circle, of which I was 
one, of Zeno's, saying that boys have two ears 
and but one tongue, therefore, they should 
hear much and talk little. We sometimes 
heard such sentences as these . 

" A continual dropping will wear a stone." 

" Lost time never returns." 

" God helps those who help themselves." 

" A small leak will sink a ship." 

He informed us of his early experience, 
saying that he had been treated with neglect 
by certain snobbish young men when he was 
young, in whose " set " he had not been in- 
cluded ; but later in life, their insignificance, 
the outgrowth of their indolence and folly, 
made them silent in his presence. While his 
self-reliance may have led him to undervalue 
or under-estimate, sometimes, those who dif- 
fered from him in principles or measures, it is 
certain that he admired brave, intelligent and 
skillful men and women with more than ordi- 
nary warmth, while he had for the empty- 
headed fop, or devotee of fashion, without 
aim or other object, mingled pity and con- 
tempt. 

He seemed to practice 
his theory, that everyone 
should have an object in 
life, and sometimes in 
death. When presenting 
to certain persons his 
scheme for operating 
against slavery, he said 
life was short at the long- 
est ; it was more import- 
ant how one died, than 
when; that they should 
consider whether an early 

death, in a good cause, " " ^■:S_*?* 

was not better than to 
rust out life in inaction 
for a longer period to no 
purpose. Was it not better to wear out 
than rust out? Death, he claimed, was not 
the worst of evils. As to death, it was only 
a question of time — of a very short time. His 
friends, however, must "count the cost," and 
should act according to their estimate. 

While John Brown was a man of generous 
emotions, he used intellectual methods to 
determine his course of conduct. The logic 
o( things — the idea of right and wrong, 
justice and injustice — he used in disposing of 
questions. In a given case he would say, 
" What is duty ? " 

He believed in strategy, if necessary, to ac- 
complish his purpose, and would appeal to 
one man's ambition, to another's self-esteem, 
to the pity of another, to the pecuniary inter- 
est of another, or to the love of ease or desire 
for fame, or the elevation of man, or the glory 
of God, or all these, as in the particular cir- 
cumstances might seem to be best. 
HIS PLANS. 

But our subject must be considered at a 
later period. Before Senator Seward had 



uttered the sentiment that there was an "ir- 
repressible conflict" in the country between 
opposing and enduring forces, and that the 
United States must become either an entirely 
slave holding nation, or a free labor nation ; 
• and further, that there was a higher law which 
controlled forces that would in the nature of 
things be utilized in this conflict. Brown held 
the same, and the impression grew on him 
that he had or would have serious duties to 
perform in the matter, and he was inclined to 
accept the responsibility cheerfully. 

I had long interviews With him in Ohio, and 
other places, in 1842 and earlier, in which he 
explained the purpose he was cherishing un- 
der circumstances which sealed my lips for 
over fifteen years. 

I had faith in moral suasion and political 
and legislative action against the inter-state 
slave trade, slavery in the District of Colum- 
bia and the territories. He had none, or very 
little. He further claimed that arms put in 
the hands of slaves would inspire them with 
manhood, and soon fit them for defensive 
work — for they could be made to feel that 
"who would be free, himself must strike the 
blow." 




PENNSYLVANIA GLASS WORKS. 

He then reminded me of his old plan. The 
purpose he then cherished was, if circum- 
stances favored, to strike a blow against 
slavery, to weaken it, prevent its extension 
and ultimately destroy it, whatever might be 
the cost to him and his associates. He claim- 
ed that in remote mountain fastnesses in coun- 
ties where the slaves greatly outnumbered the 
whiles, with defensive weapons and skilful 
strategy, large numbers could be freed, and 
property in men be made insecure. Then 
results would follow which would secure leg- 
islation favorable to freedom. 

He and others associated with him would 
be prepared for emergencies, having counted 
the cost and "taken their lives in their hands," 
and they might die violent deaths in self de 
fense or pass through a trial in court to the 
scaffold. In such an event their voices and 
blood should testify to their abhorrence of 
slavery and kindle sentiments as to its moral 
and political character, which would ultimate- 
ly destroy the institution. He would have 
heroic, firm men as leaders, and he illustrated 



the power of such men by citing the case in 
Roman history when Caius Mucius before 
Porsena thrust his right hand into the flame 
burning on the altar, and held it there till it 
was consumed, which so affected Porsena that 
he released him. The action of the Spartan 
soldiers at Thermopylae to impress the Per- 
sians with the nature of their warfare was 
another illustration. He proposed a case Of 
victory or death, or victory and death. In 
either event, victory. 

But his schemes were necessarily provis- 
ional, and we must refer to certain events 
which paved the way for what followed. In 
1846 David Wilmot, a member of Congress 
from Pennsylvania, moved a proviso in Con- 
gress declaring that in all territories acquired 
from Mexico slavery be forever prohibited — 
thus proposing the same policy as the ordi- 
nance of 1787. Though largely supported by 
the people led by Chase, Van Buren, Adams, 
Giddings and others, it failed. This was fol- 
lowed in 1850 by the compromise measures 
admitting California as a State and establish- 
ing territories, all without restriction as to 
slavery, resolving against the power to abolish 
slavery in the District of Columbia, or to in- 
terfere with the inter- 
state slave trade, and 
providing for the recov- 
ery of fugitive slaves. 
Thus the policy of 1787 
was abandoned, and 
Blown, like the citizens 
of the North generally, 
felt indignant and 
grieved. 

In 1854 came the Kan- 
sas-Nebraska bill, which 
introduced what was 
called squatter sovereign- 
ty, and allowed the peo- 
ple of a territory to intro- 
duce or exclude slavery 
as they might determine. There was now no 
escape from the contest predicted. The actual 
settlers soon included John Brown, Jr., and his 
brothers — all sons of Old John Brown. They 
were all fine specimens of manhood, deserving 
more notice than can be given here. When 
the time for holding elections for territorial 
ofticers came, large bodies of men from Mis- 
souri, with flags flying and drums beating, in- 
vaded every voting precinct except some two 
or three, and they thus voted the ballots 
which they claimed elected a legislature, 
which enacted most barbarous laws, and at- 
tempted to force them on the people. 
GOES TO KANSAS. 
Old Brown, who did not reside there, was. 
appealed to in writing by his sons and others 
for aid, and went forward. His hour had 
come. An invading force on August 30, 1856, 
shot and killed his son Frederick, who was a 
native of this county, born at Richmond, De- 
cember 21, 1830. The house and library of 
John Brown, Jr., who had been elected a 
member of the free state legislature, were 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



S3 



burned, and his cattle driven off. Tlie thrilling 
history of the part taken by Brown in the de- 
fense of Kansas must be omitted, but a few 
incidents may be given illustrative of his pe- 
culiar methods. It is said that he managed 
to get forward to the settlers some good arms 
and ammunition; that he, as a surveyor, ob- 
tained information as to the force and plans 
of the invaders, by running lines through their 
camp; that he arranged to give the enemy at 
least shot for shot, and to make it understood 
that it was no holiday task to establish slavery 
in border ruffian style in Kansas. 
PRAYERS AND PISTOLS. 

Though armed to resist force with force he 
adhered when circumstances permitted to his 
old method of recognizing the Deity by asking 
a blessing at the table, and having daily pray- 
ers in his family or party morning and even- 
ing. This, under the circumstances, with 
armed men friends and foes, occasioned some 
curious scenes. At the battle of the Spurs, in 
Kansas, he captured four 
out of forty-two mounted 
men from an attacking party, 
and causing them to dis- 
mount, put negroes on their 
horses. They swore. He 
ordered them to be silent, as 
he would have no profanity 
in his presence. They re- 
peated the offense. "Kneel !' 
said Brown sternly, drawing 
his pistols. They knelt, and 
he ordered them to pray, 
and it is said he compelled 
them to pray night and morn- 
ing till they were released. 
On one occasion a certam 
judge and others were pres- 
ent while he was engaged 
in prayer, as was his custom. 
The judge was amused at 
this, to him, unusual exer- 
cise, and made some de- 
monstration which disturbed 
Captain Brown. He suspended his prayer and 
said: "Judge C, if this annoyance is repeated I 
will attend to your case on my own responsibil- 
ity without consulting the Deity." He then 
finished his prayer without further disturbance. 
I cannot vouch for the truth of this story, but 
it would have been much like John Brown. 

Mr. Steans, of Boston, rallying him on one 
occasion, said : "I suppose that if Judge Le- 
Compte had fallen into your hands he would 
have fared rather hard." " If," said Brown, 
"the Lord had delivered Judge LeCompte 
into my hands I think it would have required 
the Lord to take him out again." 

In 1859 he transferred- his operations to 
Virginia to divert attention from Kansas, and 
carry out his old plan. He said to friends in 
his secret as he left Brooklyn for Harper's 
Ferry, " I may be hung but I will not be shot. 
But what I will do is this: I will raise a storm 
in the country that will not be stayed so long 
as there is a slave on its soil." 



He had passed through showers of bullets 
so often he thought himself destined to be safe 
from them ; but this statement sustains my in- 
terpretation of his plan. He went forward to 
Virginia to prepare fully for his movement, 
but soon found evidence that a person who 
had been employed to drill some of his men 
had betrayed the project. Rather than aban- 
don it he entered upon it prematurely, and 
Robert E. Lee, who surrendered to General 
Grant at Appomattox, led a military force 
which killed two of Brown's sons, Oliver and 
Watson, and others, and severely wounded 
and captured him. His son Owen, with a 
companion, Charles P. Tidd, after the tragic 
scenes at Harper's Ferry, started northward 
with Stevens and the survivors of the party. 
Stevens and others, to relieve their hunger, 
exposed themselves to capture and were taken 
back to Virginia and lost their lives. Owen 
Brown and Tidd came along mountain ranges 
and through forests, avoiding recognition, to 




of Scotland, perished barbarously in the same 
way — yet their names are immortal, and their 
fame the pride of their respective countries. 

Let it be remembered that Old John Brown 
here long cherished the inspiration as to his 
destiny. The ashes of his first wife repose in 
our soil at Richmond. Here he hiamed his 
second wife, Mary A. Day, daughter of Chas. 
Day, another pioneer. His son, Frederick 
Brown, born here, was one of the first victims 
of the slave-holding invaders in Kansas. 
Relatives of his sons, Watson and Oliver, 
slain at Harper's Ferry, are here. Is it not 
proper for our citizens to recognize these 
among the other reminiscences of the century ? 

While we honor his heroism, we also honor 
the brave sons of other pioneers, whose valor 
aided in crushing the slave-holders' rebellion 
and sustaining our country's flag. Welcome 
the new Centennial of Freedom ! 

A REMINISCENCE. 



riNKER A. HILL'S NOVELTY WORKS. 

TownviUe, where they found a temporary 
home and protection in the fall of 1859 at ray 
house. Then followed the peculiar trial and 
the execution of our pioneer. Old John Brown, 
December 2, 1859. He died in a large field, 
about 4,000 troops, artillery and infantry 
around him. Even then his enemies trem- 
bled at his presence. American slavery was 
doomed. "A fire unblown consumed it." 
The slave-holder could not rest. His dreams 
were of trouble. A mania spread through 
the South. Slavery gathered its forces and in 
its madness attacked the Government, whose 
constitution and early traditions it feared. 
The spirit of Old John Brown was abroad, 
though his body rested at North Elba. The 
end came. Slavery perished. A cross or a 
scaffold may be glorious as a throne or a 
crown. 

Good men have been executed in other 
countries at other times — Socrates drank the 
poison hemlock by order of court — Wallace, 



The Great Naturalist, 
Audubon, Visits Mead- 
ville in 1824 in an Im- 
pecunious Condition. 

In the summer of 1824 a 
gentleman arrived at the 
Lion tavern, kept by John 
E. Smith, on Water street, 
in a frame building, where 
is now the Gable House. 
He had been on an extended 
excursion in Upper Canada 
in search ot birds and to 
study their habits. 

He had been robbed of 
his money and found him- 
self without resources. He 
was some 44 years of age, 
tall and slender, but of 
strong,' wiry frame, with long 
dark hair reaching to his shoulders, keen 
eye and pleasant countenance. He was 
dressed in a long gray hunting coat, and 
brought with him a collection of his sketches 
of birds found in his Canadian tour. With 
his portfolio he walked up the street, and at 
the door of a frame store building on the 
corner opposite the Corinthian block he 
accosted its proprietor, Mr. Colson, exhibited 
his drawings and, explainining his condition, 
proposed to make a crayon portrait to replen- 
ish his purse. 

Mr. C. was interested, and collected some 
of his friends. Dr. A. E. Kennedy, Sebastian 
Chappotin, Colonel Blossom and John Mc- 
Farland. 

A studio was improvised in an oat bin 
up stairs, the likenesses of the young men 
transmitted to posterity, the purse filled, and 
the great naturalist, Audubon, well satisfied 
with his new friends, enabled to continue his 
journey. 



54 
Onr 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



One Hundredth Anniversary, 
One Hundred Lines. 



(BY JOHN E. COMPTON.) 
One hundred years have passed away, 
Since first on Meadville dawned the day 
Our fathers came to seek a home 
Upon our soil, no more to roam ; 
To work and toil for daily fare, 
To hunt the deer and chase the bear, 
To build their huts in forests deep, 
To dig and plant, to sow and reap. 
Their western exodus begun 
Towards regions of the setting sun. 
With blessmgs from the parent hearth 
Upon these manly sons of earth. 
They toiled along the dangerous way 
Where savage men and beasts of prey 
Beset their pathway here and there. 
From wooded copse and secret lair. 
Still on they came through forests vast. 
And many a hill and river past, 
Till on Venango's bank they stand, 
That hardy, brave, heroic band. 
That day in lovely charming May, 
One hundred years ago to-day. 
Here, came to join from year to year 
The brave and hardy pioneer ; 
Still others, true in head and heart, 
To do and dare, in manly part, 
Their duty in the coming strife, 
In toils and cares of rugged life, 
The land to bless, in years to come, 
In works and deeds so nobly done. 
Oh, noble band, we sing thy praise, 
In grateful songs and cheerful lays ; 
.\nd with thy sons we all conspire 
To magnify each worthy sire. 
RETROSPECTIVE. 
How distant seems the century past. 
When o'er its days we look at last, 
Back through the vista of the years. 
While here the mile stone now appears. 
What progress made on every hand 
In all the arts throughout the land, 
What changes mark the hundredth year 
Since first our heroes tented here. 
In days of yore the stage is seen. 
With tow-boat next upon the scene. 
Then came the steam and iron horse, 
With puff of smoke and whistle hoarse 
Along the track and winding path. 
Then soon appears the telegraph, 
-And next we hear within our home 
The wonder-working telephone. 
1 n the blest days of long ago, 
(Well, our good fathers told us so,) 
They used the hoe, the earth to tame, 
And swung the flail in threshing grain. 
While plow and harrow, round and round, 
They made to cultivate the ground. 
Then came the time to sow and reap. 
And gather in the hay and wheat ; 
With scythe and fork the work was done, 
From early mom to set of sun ; 
They stored the crops so nice and fine. 
Through the long days of harvest time, 



Till out from fields, in grateful tone. 
Came the glad song of "harvest home." 
Look now on many a fertile field. 
By skill of man increased in yield 
In all the products of the soil. 
By implements for saving toil 
The husbandman to bless and cheer. 
In all his work from year to year. 
In all the arts of peace and war. 
They followed still their guiding star, 
And blest the land they helped to free, 
With valiant deeds on land and sea. 
So following down diverging lines, 
Yet still in their descendants shines. 
Full many a brave, heroic name. 
Enrolled upon the scroll of fame. 
Still looking back o'er days now past. 
We count our five-^core years at last. 
And in this passing swift review 
We bid our heroes now adieu. 

PROSPECTIVE. 
In taith we turn another page, 
Beyond this grand heroic age, 
And view the wonders yet to come. 
In every land beneath the sun, 
And see the ages yet beyond. 
With gentle peace and light adorned. 
Oh ! days to come, how glad and bright ! 
With glories meet our'onward sight ! 
While here the past and present greet. 
In union now no more to meet ; 
And when another mile stone's raised. 
Be its more perfect glories praised, 
In nobler songs along the way. 
Upon that happy day in May. 

INVOCATION. 
God of our fathers! we come to bless. 
And all Thy goodness here confess; 
" To thank Thee tor the era done. 
Arid trust Thee for the opening one." 



A CENTENNIAL BALLAD. 



(BY INEZ HALL, MEADVILLE.) 

Come with me to realms of fancy, 

Now behold a country new, 
With its many mighty changes 

Passing us in grand review. 

Come — behold a lonely valley. 

Through which silvery waters glide. 

Imaging the grand old forest. 
Turning on each grassy side, 

Stretching in unbroken beauty. 

Over valley, plain and hill. 
And the wild birds from the branches 

The soft air with music fill. 

'T was evening — away in the west 

The sun was sinking low, 
Filling the grand old forest 

With a glorious sunset glow. 

Till the whole world seemed enchanted, 
Like some fairy scene of old. 

O'er which an unseen hand had flung 
Garlands of glittering gold. 

When suddenly, deep in the wood. 

But plainly to our view. 
Came, slowly plodding onward, • 

Two creatures strangely new. 



On, on they came, but halted where 

Two silvery waters meet, 
And builded there a small camp fire 

And cooked that they might eat, 

And drank of the crystal waters. 

Which, unused to this strange sight. 

Crept softly by, then leaped and laughed 
In frolicsome delight. 

The strangers cared not, heeded not. 

But joyfully looked around. 
And thought an earthly paradise 

By them had just been found. 

The red man, who, until that day. 
Reigned lord of the wood and waves. 

Stood sullenly by, with strong arms crossed. 
As he gazed on his father's grave. 

Sadly he watched the great sun roll 

Till the morn and the noon were passed. 

And sighed, for he knew each day must bring 
Less joy for him than the last. 

Scarce had a twelvemonth rolled 

O'er this, our valley fair. 
Till the merry ring of the woodsman's axe 

Fell on the slumbering air. 

The low of kine, the plowman's call, 

Sounding till set of sun — 
These, and the upturned soil, proclaimed 

A settlement begun. 

Ah ! what fond hopes must then have cheered 

Each manly heart and brain. 
As with a careful hand they sowed 

The beauteous yellow grain. 

They dreamed of a golden harvest 
And, when their toils were o'er, 

A glorious home of plenty 

On French creek's verdant shore. 

Then Progress took her golden wand. 
And a deft touch here and there 

Soon changed those grand old forest lands 
To homesteads sweet and fair. 

She changed the log house for the frame. 

The frame for brick and stone. 
With mansard roofs, and marble front. 

And columns grand and lone. 

She banished all real home-made goods. 

The old style swifts and reel; 
No more is heard the busy loom 

Nor buzzing spinning wheel. 

The poor old scythe's of little use. 

The mower just the thing ; 
The sower, reaper, thresher, too — 

Who heavy flails would fling ? 

Then came the oxen, cart, stage coach, 

Canalboat, too, and sail. 
Before the steamboats were tlie rage. 

And traveling by rail. 

And O, the mails! how slow they were;. 

What agony to wait 
For tidings of one dearly loved 

Who lingered near death's gate. 

But now, ah, me ! a message flies 

Away on lightning's wings. 
And telephone to listening ears 

A loved one's voice oft brings. 

In those old days few could afford 

Portrait of child or wife ; 
Now, by new processes, we have 

Them cheap and true to life. 

Then the homemade tallow candle 
Illumined parlor and banquet hall. 

Casting its feeble, flickering rays — 
And tallow — over all. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



55 



And when the great Rebellion came, 

Our city took her part ; 
Her bravest gave, and many slept, 

Still lone, how many a heart ! 

Then came days of wild excitement, 
When from fountains in the earth 

Oil in tremendous quantities 
Came madly pouring forth. 

Some men were crazed, and lost their wealth ; 

Some grew rich in a day. 
But the sperm and tallow candles 

Were doomed to pass away. 

Then lamps and gaslight filled our homes 
And hearths with joy and mirth, 

And we dreamed not that a brighter light 
Could come to sons of earth. 

We gazed at the flashing lightning, 

Nor wished for aught so bright, 
Until was introduced to us 

Modern electric light. 

And now our great Centennial 

Doth occupy the iloor. 
I note the fact, and bid adieu 

To a century, and more. 



GIRLHOOD MEMORIES. 



Recollections of Early Life in Mead- 
ville by Mrs. Jane Bemus. 

While collecting material for the centen- 
nial number, a Tribune reporter called upon 
Mrs. Jane Bemus. of this city, who gave him 
many interesting reminiscences of her early 
days. The vivacity of the genial old lady's 
conversation cannot be reproduced, but the 
following is, in substance, the result of the in- 
terview : 

" I believe I am the oldest citizen of Mead- 
ville now living, having been born in 1802, 
and remaining a resident ever since that time. 
I was married when I was sixteen to Conner 
Clark, one of the first merchants in the town. 
Our bridal trip was taken to Franklin on horse- 
back, my wardrobe being carried in saddle 
bags and that of my husband in a valise strap- 
ped to the saddle. My traveling dress was a rid- 
ing habit of plum colored broadcloth, with a 
square crowned hat of the same color; and my 
wedding dress was white silk, made in a style 
that is fashionable now, I hear, for evening 
dresses ; it was short in the skirt and very 
scant, very short in the waist and low in the 
neck, with deep lace falling over the waist, 
and forming the short sleeves; I wore long 
kid gloves that came above the elbows. My 
bridesmaid. Miss Eli7a Alden, wore a thin, 
white muslin, made as mine was. Mr 
Samuel Witherow was groomsman. After the 
wedding ceremony, which was performed by 
the Rev. Timothy Alden, the company all sat 
down to a hot supper, served on a long table. 

There were no vehicles that I remember, 
except those having two wheels, called gigs, 
and two carriages (painted yellow) which be- 
longed, one to Judge Mead, the other to Mr. 
Huidekoper. When we went to housekeeping 
we did not have the conveniences that make 
domestic duties so much lighter in these 
modern days. Instead of a stove, we had a 
large open fire-place, with a crane from which 
our few cooking vessels were suspended. C)ur 



bread baking was done in a large iron kettle, 
which we set in a bed of coals, also covering 
the lid with them. But the bread was just as 
good as that from the best modern oven, and 
there was less dyspepsia in the country. 

SOCIAL .AMUSEMENTS. 

The young people in those days had various 
forms of social amusement. They had to work 
more than the young ladies and gentlemen of 
to-day, and had less time for pleasure; but 
we had social parties at which, in many sim- 
ple ways, we found recreation and amuse- 
ment The ladies used to give parties for the 
children, who enjoyed them hugely, in ways 
less detrimental to health than the pleasures 
of children to day. 

In Mr. H. J. Huidekoper's yard there was 
a large frame swing that used to be a source 
of great pleasure to the children. It had a 
seat large enough for two, and was free to all. 
Mr. Huidekoper was a very kind man, and 
took pleasure in furnishing amusements to 
the children. 

We had frequent dancing parties at the 
hotels, which were attended by old and young, 
fathers, mothers and children. The gentle- 
men who didn't care to dance played whist, 
but almost everybody danced. The church 
people in those days were rather strict about 
amusements, and all did not sanction dancing. 
But, as a general thing, that innocent amuse- 
ment was indulged in by the majority. Major 
Alden, who was at one time one of General 
Washington's aides, often presided at the sup- 
per, although he did not participate in the 
dance. 

GENERAL TRAINING DAY. 

The great time for amusement was the 
"general training day" of the militia, in May, 
which lasted three days.  Whole families 
would come from the surrounding country, 
with provisions, and stay through the entire 
time. The "diamond" was cleared up, and 
benches placed along the west side. Hem- 
locks were placed behind the seats to furnish 
shade, and there the people assembled to wit- 
ness what to them was a grand display. Gen- 
eral Mead was the major-general. Judge 
Clark was one of his aides and Mr. Patrick 
Farrelly another. Dr. Daniel Bemus, my 
second husband, was surgeon of the staff, and 
in the war of 181 2 hospital surgeon under 
General Mead. General Mead wore knee 
breeches and buckle shoes. He was quite a 
striking figure, for he was a large, fine looking 
man, and bore himself with great dignity. He 
rode a fine, large black horse called Bona- 
parte. General Mead's voice could be heard 
from one end of the diamond to the other, 
when giving his commands. At about 10 
o'clock a. m., the patriotic and martial strains 
of the fife and drum corps were heard and the 
parade began, and ended about 3 or 4 in the 
afternoon. It was an affair of great import- 
ance and unusual interest in our quiet little 
village, and would engage the thoughts and 
conversation of the people for weeks before 
and after it took place. 



In the days of Indian hostility the settlers 
had to be constantly on their guard. When a 
field was to be planted a body of armed men 
would go to the place, and while some plant- 
ed the rest stood guard, with arms in hand for 
instant use. The women and children would 
frequently be sent to General Mead's block- 
house at night for safety. General Mead was 
one of the kindest and most considerate of 
men. When he took a company of soldiers 
to Erie during the war of 181 2, he provided 
out of his own means for the support of the 
families of such as were needy. 

THE SINGING SCHOOL. 

Among the features of those early times 
was a singing school, held where the Barr 
house now stands. A day school was kept in 
the front room, and the singing school was 
held in the evening. Among those who sat 
in the common school seats for the culture of 
their vocal powers were Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. 
Huidekoper, Mrs. Mead and her daughters, 
Mrs. Foster and two Misses Heron. Colonel 
Joseph Stockton conducted the school and 
drilled us on the singing of old style tunes. 

LOWRY'S ARK. 

Among the eccentric characters of the time 
was one James Lowry. He became con- 
vinced that there was going to be a second 
flood, and to providefor the safety of his family 
he built a sort of ark. It had two rooms 
in it and was moored on French creek. The 
family lived in this about two years. No flood 
came except the regular spring freshets, and 
the ark was placed on trucks and moved by 
several yoke of oxen, to a place near where 
the court house now stands. Its owner lived 
there on high ground for three or four years, 
but as the expected flood did not come he 
ultimately abandoned his peculiar habitation. 

ABDUCTED BY INDIANS. 

When I was about four years old I was car- 
ried off by the Indians. There was a camp 
near by, and the Indians were in the habit of 
coming to our house for milk. One Sunday 
morning an Indian named Simon came and 
procured some milk as usual. Seeing me, he 
told me he had something for me at the wig- 
wam, and I, child-like, became eager to go 
with him. My mother reluctantly consented 
to my going, upon the promise of the Indian 
that he would bring me back soon. Late in 
the day my mother became anxious over my 
absence and called my father, who sent the 
bound boy after me. The boy shortly return- 
ed and reported that the Indians were all 
gone, and that he could not find me. My 
father at once secured several neighbors, and 
the party started with guns in pursuit ol the 
Indians. They tracked the savages up Mill 
run, and after traveling about eight miles 
came up with them. They immediately de- 
manded my surrender, which was reluctantly 
granted, and I was taken back to my home 
and anxious friends. I have but a dim recol- 
lection of this episode of my life, but have 
heard it so often repeated that it seems very 
real in all its particulars." 



56 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



THE ANCIENT MILITARY OF CRAW 
FORD COUNTY. 



(BY HON. A. B. RICHMOND.) 

"War's whole art each private soldier knows, 
And with a general's love of conquest glows.' 



muskets that were a terror to those that held description of various companies. 
them, while accidental death was the probable The " Cussewago Rifles " wore a neat uni- 
fate to those at whom they were aimed. But form consisting of a green hunting frock and 
the crowning gloi7 of the equipment was the leggins fringed with yellow, a light wool hat 
hats. Words fail to convey to the present or cap with a short yellow plume, and a black 
denizens of earth even a faint conception of leather belt in which was hung a toinhawk 
—Addison, their shape or gravity. Verily, "they were and scalping knife. Suspended by a strap 
It is meet in this our centennial year that fearfully and wonderfully made," bell crown- from the shoulders was a powder horn, so thin 
the glory and power of the ancient military of ed in the widest sense of the term, of the size and transparent that its contents could be dis- 
Crawford county should not be forgotten, of an ordinary camp kettle, a rigid frame tinctly seen; a bullet pouch and charger com- 
Fifty years ago, when I was a boy, the great covered with shining black leather, on their pleted their equipment. Each member of the 
day of the year, the day that in my youthful front a metallic shield as large as those car- company carried a long American rifle, the 
opinion was that for which all others were ried by the crusaders of old and, blazoned pride of its owner, with which their skill was 
made, was general "training day" It was with the form of our national bird. This shield such that they could hit a squirrel's head on 
usually appointed the last of June, at which supported a lofty plume of scarlet wool. From the top of the highest forest tree. The mem- 
time it was supposed the farmers would have the projecting eaves of the crown were sus- bers of this company were farmers, well skilled 
their corn hoed and could well afford to pended festoons of white cotton cord, curiously in the woodcraft of those early days, and would 
spend one day for their country's glory. At braided, and from these white tassels de- have been formidable adversaries to the trained 
that time the military of the commonwealth pended in tasteful profusion. A metal clasp troops of France or England. It was such 
was divided into volunteers and militia. There passed from the sides of the crown under the men as these that gave Lexington and Bunker 
were a number of uniformed volunteer com- chin. This was of sufficient size and strength Hill their renown, and wrested our forests 
panics in our county, but the great mass of to ensure the artilleryman on a battle-field _ from savagery and wild beasts. Every bullet 
the bone and sinew — male — were mustered that if he could only hit a hat the soldier would forced by sturdy hand into those long slender 
under the militia law, and were compelled to be decapitated. iron tubes was a death warrant, and every 



practice the art of war two 
days in each year. This was 
for the purpose of educating 
the yeomanry in the science 
of military tactics ; so that, 
if called out to defend our 
country from a sudden invas- 
ion of a foreign foe, they 
might be termed veterans 
in the science of war. Of 
course it was not expected 
to give the average farmer 
a West Point education in 
two days' time, yet it was 
expected that they could be 
taught to execute the com- 
plicated military maneuvers 
of " right and left wheel," 
" shoulder arms," " stand at 
ease " and " break ranks," in 
a manner that would strike terror to any 




man who carried them was 
skilled in its execution. 

The S^egertown company 
presented a neat and soldier- 
like appearance. Their uni- 
form consisted of white 
pants, black swallow-tailed 
coats with white cross belts 
sustaining cartridge box and 
bayonet sheath; black fur 
" plug " hat, on the side of 
which was fastened a white 
cockade, in the center of 
which was a ten-cent piece. 
Well do I remember how 
my boyish avarice coveted 
the wealth thus publicly 
'==^^^^— Jr<3i« displayed. They carried 



M. M. WELTON & CO., FLOUR AND FEED. 



muskets which were supplied 
to the troops from thegovern- 

THE MILITARY BAND. ment arsenal, situated where the North Ward 

invading foe that might land from foreign ships The military band of this company consisted School House now stands, 

into the " back woods " of Pennsylvania. of a fife, tenor and bass drum; and its inspir- Next in the roll of fame of the ancient mil- 

I have said that there were a number of ingstrain5,evenat this distant day,echo through itai-y of Crawford county was the "Meadville 

uniformed companies in the Volunteer Regi- the recesses of my memory with painful dis- Dragoons." Here my pen fails me in an at- 

ment, and these were marshalled in battle tinctness, while Yankee Doodle has become tempt to accurately describe the goreeous 

array the day before the "general militia an important factor in the formation of my equipments of this celebrated body of warriors 

training day." The uniforms usually varied now educated musical taste. Many of our old or their martial appearance on days of parade, 

according to the taste of the soldiers. Many citizens will remember little Jesse Baldwin, Their coats and pants of steel gray the former 

of the companies, however, preserved their whose distinguishing uniform was a scarlet glittering with globular buttons of brass; their 

characteristic style and color to such an ex- coat, and who beat the tenor drum so skill- leather helmets surmounted with a crest of 

tent that a naturalist would have been able to fully, while grimvisaged war was delineated horse hair that hung down their backs to the 

determine their genus, even if he failed to de- on his every feature. Well do I remember crupper of the saddle, affording a complete 

tect their .species. He at least would know with what feelings of mingled awe and ad- protection against invidious sword cuts from 

that they were uniformed volunteers, no mat- miration I gazed upon him as he marched an enemy in the rear- their ponderous swords 

ter what doubts he might have as to the com- along in all the glory of his position, and how of polished iron like that of Sir Hudibras- 

pany to which they belonged. Several of the my boyish ambition coveted the attainment, 

companies were well and even handsomely in the distant future, of his fame, skill and 

uniformed. The Meadville Grays was the uniform. To reach such a point in military 

" crack company " of the regiment. Their greatness seemed to me to be the consumma- 

uniform was white pants, gray coats, with buff tion of human glory, and I determined to at- 

crossbelts, to which were suspended a cartridge tain it or perish in the attempt. But alas! size of small artillery; dangerous weapons to 

box, a priming wire, and a small brush to while ambition urged me on, ability lagged the troopers themselves, what must they have 

clean the pans of the formidable flint lock behind and I never reached the goal. been to an advancing foe ! The horses were 



"With basket hilts, that would hold broth 
And serve for fight and dinner both. 
In whicli could be melted lead for bullets 
To shoot at foes and sometimes pullets." 

Holster pistols with flint locks and bores the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



57. 



of all colors, size and sex, from the mustang but were generally composed of the ordinary 



to the plow horse, or the high stepping blood- 
ed charger, to those that "were without pride 
of ancestry or hope of posterity." I well re- 
member one June morning that a member of 
the company appeared on parade with a 



holiday suits of the farmers, ornamented with 
white belts and colored scarfs. I remember 
a fragment of a company called the ** Wash- 
ington Guards," The only distinctive feature 
that remains in my recollection was a large 



maternal dam and her playful ofl'spring. The shield of painted tin in front of their hats, 
juvenile steed somewhat interfered with the These were kept in place by red cords passing 
military evolutions of the company and was through holes in the top and bottom of the 
promptly ordered under guard by the captain, shields and around the hat crown, where they 
The mother and son were accordingly led to were tied in a bow with pendant tassels. The 
the stable of the Crawford House, at that front of the shields were ornamented with the 
time the fashionable hotel of the place. The letters W. G. in yellow. There was also a 
colt, (against loud maternal protests) was con- company called the Greenwood Rifles, with a 
fined in a vacant stall, and the mother and uniform similar to the Cussewago Rifles. A 
rider took their place at head of the column company called the Liberty Guards from 
near the band, a "single bugler.". The order Blooming Valley mustered in numbers. Their 
"forward march ; music," was given. The members were expeit with their rifles, their 
column started across the public square ; the uniform hunting frocks and leggins well suit- 
iand blew an inspiring blast, in which the ed to the times and forest warfare, 
disconsolate mother thought she recognized The Meadville Artillery, commanded by 
the plaintive appeals of her imprisoned off- Captain Samuel Doud, was a formidable ar- 
spring and answered with an affectionate ray of twenty five or more veterans, uniform- 
response that completely 
drowned the bugler's 
cheering notes. A halt 
was called, and the 
owner of the mother and 
colt was ordered out of 
the ranks, whereupon he 
refused to go, in a style of 
language highly orna- 
mental. For the balance 
of the day the deceptive 
notes of the bugle con- 
tinued to mislead the 
maternal mind, and were 
affectionately answered 
by the bereaved mother. 
From that time the com- 
pany was known as the 
"Meadville Stock-raising 
Dragoons." 

Of all the volunteer 
companies of those early 
days none were more patriotic than the Mead- ed in grey coats and white pants. Their gun 
ville Dragoons. Afterwards, in 1845, when was a brass six-pound cannon, with a "vent " 
the war cry " 54 — 40, or fight," resounded almost as capacious as the muzzle, rendering 
over our land, I was orderly sergeant of the the feat of " spiking " it one of great difficulty 
company, very young in years but aged in unless a cannon ball was used. This com- 
military ambition. Well I remember how the pany was very popular with young "pioneer 
cry fired the hearts of the Dragoons. Our America" of that day. 

swords almost leaped from their scabbards But Oh ! the gathering of the militia or 
with patriotic zeal. Our pistols rattled in their " flood wood " as they were sometimes called, 
holsters with an ominous war-like sound, while The " diamond " was the parade ground, and 
every horse hair on the crests of our helmets at that time it was a sea of dust whose surface 
"bristled on end like the quills of a fretful was as restless under the summer's wind as 
porcupine." We all regretted when the white the ocean's waters in a storm. Promptly at 
hand of peace smoothed war's frowning face 10 o'clock a. m. the citizen soldiers were call- 
and corrugated brow, and continued to regret ed to arms. These arms usually consisted of 
until the news came that war had been de- old shot guns, dilapidated muskets, rifles, and 
clared against Mexico, when the Meadville bean poles. The line was formed three deep 
Dragoons suddenly disbanded. "Sic transit and extended from end to end of the public 
gloria muniii." square. After a short practice in the " manual 

There were several fragmentary portions of of arms," the soldiers were put through a sys- 
other uniformed companies at that time that tem of evolution that must have been copied 
seemed to be fossiliferuos remains of past ages, from a western cyclone. This continued an 
Their uniforms were diversified and unique ; hour or two, when the line (?) was again form- 




PARK AVENUE CARRIAGE WORKS. 



ed and the inspection of arms took place. 
While the brigade inspector passed along in 
front of the men, numerous bottles of liquid 
refreshments were surreptitiously passed from 
hand to hand in the rear, and when the final 
order, " break ranks, dismissed," was given, a 
more happy and " inspired " array of men 
never rallied under the flag of any nation. 

It was a day long to be remembered, and 
what citizen of our county who has almost 
reached the alloted period of human life, does 
not recollect the relish with which we, boys, 
feasted on " general training days," on a 
quarter section of good old Jacob Fleury's 
ginger bread, washed down with that " nectar 
fit for the gods," a bottle, of small beer; and 
how anxiously we longed from month to 
month, from week to week, and finally from 
day to day for a return of those, the happiest 
days of our boyish life ; and how we sorrow- 
ed when a cruel, malicious legislature, by one 
fell swoop, repealed the militia law and made 
us miserable forever. 

" Still o'er these scenes 
my memory wakes. 
And fondly broods with 
miser's care ; 
Time but the impression 
deeper makes. 
As streams their chan- 
nels deeper wear." 

Yes, " general train- 
ing days" are no more; 
long, long years ago those 
bright green oases in the 
desert of life were cov- 
ered with the drifting 
sands of passing events. 
Most of the men who 
then answered their 
country's call " to arms ! " 
are no more, and it mat- 
ters not how fantastic 
were the uniforms they 
wore, for " The clothes 
are but the guinea's 
stamp, the man's the goud for a' that." 

They were true soldiers in the best sense of 
the word ; inured to hardship, brave, inde- 
pendent and patriotic. They were ever to be 
relied upon when danger threatened either 
their neighbors or the country. Kindly to 
each other and hospitable to strangers, they 
were honest and truthful, always to be trusted 
as friends and to be feared as foes. They 
were in fact the germs of a great people sown 
in the virgin forests of a new world, and from 
which has been propagated a great nation 
whose institutions will eventually mould and 
model the future governments of the earth. 

A nobler race of men than the early pioneer 
soldiery of America never lived. Alone with 
the Creator in this sublime forest temple, they 
were naturally reverential and religious. The 
evening prayer daily ascended from many a 
rude cabin in the wilderness, while the family 
Bible was read by every fireside. They pray- 
ed on the eve of battle, yet took good care to 
"keep their powder dry." Theirs was " faith 
with works," and the result is a nation of free- 
men, a Christian people who acknowledge no 
supremacy on earth; and no sovereign but 
Him whose throne is on high. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 



THE IRISH BLOOD. 



Men from the Isle of Genius who have 

Helped to Mould the History 

of Crawford County. 



to the other three hundred, but about this ried on his back, and before he got it com 

time McArthur, opposed by General Mead, pleted, in the fall of the year, a friendly In- 

was elected to represent in the State Senate dian told him that he would have to leave as 

the district composed of the counties of Erie, the " cross Indians " were coming and would 

Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Warren, and kill him. The Indians did come .-ind .slaugh- 

through his legislative exertions the settlers to tered many settlers in the French creek val- 



(BY JOHN HULL.) 

Smce the day of the return of William Penn 
to America with his Irish Secretary, James 
Logan, a native of the County Armagh, Ire- 
land, the Irish have been coming to Pennsyl- 
vania. Logan was an educated linguist and a 



ley. Arthur McGill, as well as his neighbors, 
were frequently driven from home. His house 
was known far and near for its hospitality and 
was visited by many Irishmen who came to 



whom the land companies would only allow 

one hundred acres got two hundred. 

Senator McArthur married Rebecca Mc 

Clean in 1805. She was a daughter of Col. 

Moses McCIean of the Revolutionary Army, counsel with him on the propriety of settling 

Col. McClean and his brother Archibald as- in the western wilderness. With pride would 
mathematician of great ability. At different sisted m running the now famous Mason and he in his old age narrate the fact that Commo- 
periods he filled the positions of provincial sec- Dixon line. After serving two terms in the dore Perry stopped at his house all night, as 
retary, commisioner of property and receiver State Senate, William McArthur was appoint- he was traveling from Fort Duquesne to fight 
general, Mayor of Philadelphia, recorder of ed by Governor Snj-der, prothonotary of the 
the city, and president judge of Common Pleas, several courts of Crawford county, and one 
It was undoubtedly his acquaintance and in- year after he was appointed register and re 
fiuence with his countrymen, as well as the corder, positions which he held for about 12 
assurance of civil and religious liberty, which years. He was the father of six children, ship on a beautiful site on the banks of French 
induced so many Irish, whose woolen industry three girls and three boys. His oldest son, creek. He lived the alloted three score and 
had been destroyed by an alien Parliament, to Moses, now lives on his farm in South She- ten years and died the owner of seven or eight 

farms. He had six children. 



the celebrated battle on Lake Erie. 

One of Arthur McGill's nearest neighbors 
was Henry Bole. He came to Meadville in 
1795, and in 1797 he settled in Venango town- 



seek homes in the new col- 
ony. The early Irish settlers 
sent for friends and relatives, 
and each succeeding batch 
of Irish emigrants followed 
the example until the best 
blood of Ireland flowed in 
the veins of more than one- 
third of the population of the 
Commonwealth. One his 
torian says that " The de 
struction of the woolen man- 
ufactures of Ireland com- 
pelled a multitude of Epis- 
coplian Protestants to desert 
the country." Large num- 
bers of them settled in Penn- 
sylvania,where their descend, 
ants to-day hold prominent 
positions in politics and all 
the learned professions. 

"The Agrarian insurrection in part of the 
north of Ireland, in 177 1," says another histo- 
rian, "led a multitude of the people to emi- 
grate to America. Of these the province 
founded by Penn received a considerable pro 
portion." 

One of the first Irishmen to come to Craw- 
ford county was William McArthur, grand- 
uncle of the present postmaster of Meadville. 
He was by profession a land surveyor, and 




UUNN & STALKER'S CARRIAGE WORKS 



nango. William, his second son, was ap- 
pointed justice of the peace for the city of 
Meadville by Governor Porter in 1840, and 
two years later was elected prothonotary and 
clerk of the courts of Crawford county for a farm, he came to Meadville and engaged in 
term of three years. He is now engaged in mercantile business, which he carried on for 
the real estate business in the city of Mead- nearly a quarter of a century. He then retired 



His son Uavid was the father 
I' of W. R. Bole, a member of 
the Meadville bar, and one 
of the foremost lawyers in 
Western Pennsylvania. 

About the year 1822, a 
young man named John Mc- 
C'loskey found employment 
with Henry Bole. McClos- 
key married the youngest 
(laughter of Arthur McGill, 
and they were the parent^ of 
J. N. McCloskey, now a resi- 
dent of Meadville, an attor- 
ney enjoying a lucrative 
practice, and the grandson 
of Patrick McGill, is the 
honored governor of Minne- 
sota. 

John Brooks settled on a 
farm in what is now Greenwood township, in 
1794. He was a native of County Donegal, 
Ireland, where he learned the trade of wheel- 
wright. Afler remaining a few years on his 



to his farm, on the Franklin turnpike about 
three miles southeast of the city, where he died 
in 1831. He was first justice of the peace in 
Crawford county after its organization ; was one 
of the State commissioners to lay out and con- 
tractthe Erie and Waterford turnpike, and was 



ville. John, the youngest son, left the home 

of his childhood for California in 1855, and 

died in San Francisco soon after. In an early 
was employed in the Northwest, from 1794 day John was captain of a militia company 
until 1800, surveying land for the settlers and and was very popular with his command, 
the Holland and Population land companies. In the year of 1795, Arthur McGill, a stal- 

He was the first surveyor sent here by the wart and enterprising Irishman, found his way twice elected county treasurer. During the 

State authorities after the formation of the to the valley of French Creek and with his war of 1812 he organized and commanded a 

county. McArthur was the opponent of the brother Patrick settled 800 acres of perhaps company. While at Erie he was appointed 

land grabbers of his time. After the passage the best land in the county. The best portion aide to General Mead, division commander, 

of the Settlers' Act of 1792, the Land com- of the land between Woodcock creek and with the rank of major. In 1817 he was ap- 

panies began to parcel the land into four hun- Broad P'ord was once the fruitful domain of pointed, by Governor Snyder, associate judge 

dred acre plots and claimed it as their own. the McGills. Their hands directed the first of Crawford county, which he held until his 

Then came the actual settlers, and the conflict plow along the winding furrows and converted death. He was grandfather to John Comp- 

between tliose who wanted land for homes and the impervious forest, which almost shut out ton and the late J. B. Brawley. The biog- 

the land speculators. The companies wanted the light of day, into broad fields laden with rapher says : "He was a man of more than 

to compromise with the settler by giving him golden grain. The first house built by Arthur ordinary ability, a good English scholar, and 

■one hundred acres for preserving their claim McGill was constructed of logs which he car- well read in the literature of his day." 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



59 



There was born in Ireland, near Belfast, in There are more native born Irish in Craw- LlCANis the leading newspaper in northwestern 

17^9, Archibald Humes. He came to Amer- ford county to-day than there are people of Pennsylvania. 

ica before the revolution, and was a teamster any other nationality. But it is the descend- W. H. Andrews, his brother, chairman-elect 
in the army of Washington. In after years ents of the Irish pioneers and other able men of the Republican State committee, was born 
he used to tell of Washington and Lafayette of Irish blood who have reflected the most in Youngsville, Warren county. Pa., January 
riding along one day, when the drivers stop- honor on the Irish race. S, 1840. At an early age he entered on a 
ped their teams for fear of throwing mud on g^^;^^^ ^^^ ^^„ „f I^i^^ bl„„^ ^,^,,^y „,„. mercantile career, but is distinguished as a 
the distinguished generals, and Washington ^^^^^^^ j^ .j-^^,^^^^ j^^^^^^ j^^ 3„„ ^f ^„ j^i^^ great organizer of both men and commercial 
said: "Drive on, boys; never mind the ^ther, and one of the promising lawyers in enterprises. He is a man of even tempera- 
mud." Humes came to Crawford county m ^^3,^^^ Pennsylvania. He has a tine legal ""e"'- Po^^^sses great fealty to his friends and 
1797, and built one of the first grist mills in ^^j^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ is expected of him by 



those who best know his abilities. 

Frank P. Ray, who is another able lawyer, 
is decended from the Reas, of Ireland, a tal- 
ented family, a branch of which came to 
America in the middle of the last century. 

James D. Roberts, district attorney, is also 



the county. He had four sons and three 
daughters. His son James, grandfather of ex- 
Senator Humes, was with General Mead at 
Erie in 1813, when it was thought that the in- 
vasion of Pennsylvania soil by. the British 
soldiery was imminent. For this service his 
widow was granted a pension in alter years. 
Archibald Humes, the old revolu- 
tionary soldier, died at his home in 
this county in 1832, at the advanced 
age of 93 years. 

Among the law makers who as- 
sembled at Washington in the first 
quarter of the present century, none 
were more popular than Patrick 
^arrelly. He was born in Ireland, 
and came to Philadelphia in 1798. 
He studied law in Lancaster county, 
and settled in Meadville in 1807 ; 
he was the first Irish lawyer that 
practiced in Crawford county, and 
was a man of great influence and 
undoubted ability. He was three 
times (1820-22-24) elected to rep- 
resent his district in congress. In 
those days the district comprised all 
Western Pennsylvania except Alle- 
gheny county. His son, David M. 
Farrelly, is now a member of the 
Crawford county bar, ripe in years, 
rich in legal lore, and honored by 
all the profession. It was mainly 
through the influence of Patrick 
Farrelly that the first appropriation 

was made for the improvement of a On February 28th, 1828, the 

harbor by the United States Con- tii^e^srS .y-s>.^-> --;<.ia^iaK»!a'«:-i35Sa~rS!^v»;i^v-,-.va3 steamboat " Wm. Duncan, of 80 

gress. He asked Congress for $5,000 tons, ascended the Allegheny to 

for an improvement of the harbor RICHMOND BLOCK. Franklin, but with great difficulty, 

at Erie, and although all the South- on account of the very rapid cur- 

ern members considered such an appropriation of Irish descent. In fact, some of the bright- rent and crooked channel. Robert L. Potter, 
unconstitutional, yet, because of their esteem est minds of the Crawford county bar are men Esq., one of the Meadville Bar, became inter- 
for the author of the measure, they refrained of Irish blood, and the same can be truthfully ested in experiments made by Mr. Blanchard, 
from voting, thus permitting it to become a law. said of the bar of every judicial district in by the substitution of stern for side wheels on 
This appropriation was the entering wedge for Western Pennsylvania. the Connecticut river, 

all subsequent ones for rivers and harbors. W. R. Andrews, editor of the TribuneRe- Through Mr. Potter's instrumentality Mr. 

There came in the ship which brought Pat- PttBLlCAN, is the son of an educated Irish phy- Blanchard came west and examined the river, 
rick Farrelly to this country, the grandfather sician. He was born at Sugar Grove, Warren David Dick, Esq., became interested, and with 
and great grandfather of Judge John J. Hen- county, December 23, 1837. In early man- other citizens of the town furnished the means 
derson. They settled at a place in Mercer hood he entered into mercantile business and for the construction of a steamboat with the 
county which was subsequently called Hen- was engaged in the wholesale trade in New newly invented wheel. The "Allegheny " was 
dersonville, after the family. Judge Hender- York City for many years. The firm which launched at Pittsburg in March, 1830, and 
son is known to and honored by the profes- he founded was in point of sales the third of in April made her trial trip, arriving at Frank- 
sion for his legal learning, and the number of its kind in the United States. In 1874 he en- lin on the i8th and proceeding as far as War- 
votes cast for him when he was elected to his tered on a literary career, which he has fol- ren. She made seven trips during the year, 
present position bears testimony to his popu- lowed ever since. One of his publications at one time ascending to Olean. This was the 
larity and the appreciation in which he is held had the largest circulation of any other of its introduction of the stern wheel on the western 
by the people without regard to party. kind in this country, and the Tribune-Repub- waters. 




his political party, and has all the aptitude of 
his race for politics. He has keen discern- 
ment which enables him to understand men. 
This attribute, coupled with patience, energy 
and steadfastness to what he believed to be 
right, has placed him in the front rank of 
political organizers. 

The Irish, wherever their lot may be cast, 
need not feel ashamed of the rep- 
resentatives of their race in Craw- 
ford county. Some of their forefath- 
ers came here to a wilderness, pre- 
ferring the freedom of the forest to 
the oppression of an alien Parlia- 
ment, and the companionship of the 
Indian and wild animal to the ruth- 
less sway of the, Irish landlord. 
Here in their new home, the cour- 
age, energy and industry of Irish- 
men, untrammeled by landlordism, 
have shown the possibilities and 
mental capacities of the Irish race 
in a free country. 

There were other early Irish 
settlers in Crawford county whose 
names, but for lack of space, should 
be mentioned here, and other men 
of Irish blood living in our midst 
whose abilities entitle them to even 
more than a passing notice. 



First Stern Wheel Steamer on 
Western Waters. 



6o 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



THE DAIRY. 



The Butter and Cheese Interests 
Crawford County. 



during the first year 540 boxes of cheese, the 
second year 1,360 boxes, and later increasing 
of to 3,000 boxes per year. 

The Morse & Root factory might also be 

mentioned among the first factories built in 

(BY A. M. FULLER.) the County. In 1870 there existed in the state 

The dairy interest in Crawford county is the 27 factories, eight of which were in Crawford 
leading agricultural industry of our farming county. In the year 1878 it was estimated 
population. The increase in the number of that there were in Crawford county 68 lac- 
milch cows in this county in recent years has tories, producing 6,310,000 pounds of cheese, 
been very great, and will, in a measure, ac- In recent years the factories have dimmished 
count for the prominence of this portion of in number, and more attention has been given 
northwestern Pennsylvania as one of the lead- to private dairying, stock raising, and other 
ing dairy sections of the country. branches of farming. 

In 1850 there were 16,912 milch cows in The dairy interests, however, is regarded at 
Crawford county, in i860, 21,509; 1870, the present time as the most profitable branch 
24,247, and in 1880, 31,479. The manufac- of farming in the county, and it is believed 
ture of cheese and butter under the factory that the coming year will show an increased 
system in cheese factories and creameries con- interest in dairying in this section. As the 
sumes one-half of the entire milk product of country becomes more thickly settled and 
the county. Only a small portion of the competition grows keener in all branches of 
cheese and butter made at the factories is farming, the peculiar adaptability of this farm- 
consumed by our own peo- 
ple. The remainder of the >■ 
ihilk product supplies the 
requirements of the home 
markets, and that portion 
which is not used in its nat- 
ural state is made into but- 
ter. The first attempt at 
factory cheese making in 
Crawford county was made 
in the year 1849 at Mosier- 
town, under the superinten- 
dence of Messrs. Clark & 
Stebbins,they manufacturing 
what were called English 
dairy cheese, in weight about 
. 16 pounds and selling at 3c 
per pound. It differed from 
the present system m that 
the patrons delivered curd 
at the factory instead of milk. 
The second factory was 
built also in Mosiertown in 
1850 by Messrs. Mosier & 
McFarland and continued in 
operation for three years, at which time the ing section for the production of the best 
parties having engaged in other business this quality of dairy goods will unquestionably re- 
system of factory cheese making came to an suit in a still larger development of the dairy 
end. In subsequent years there existed in the business. 

eastern portion of this county many large There are at this time 43 cheese factories 
private dairies, notably those of D. D. and and creameries in Crawford county. The 
Cyrus Burchard, consisting of dairies number- average number of cows supplying milk to 
ing from 20 to 60 cows. Cheese at this time each factory during the season of six months 
(1850 to 1862) sold at from five to eight cents commencing April 15 is about 350. The 
per pound, and from 1862 to 1867 at an product of these factories in butter and cheese 
average price of thirteen cents. at the present market rates will amount to 

The first factory under tee present system $500,000 annually. At the present time about 
was built by George Thomas in 1867, at Cam- one fourth of the cheese marketed from this 
bridge, securing the milk of 250 cows the first county is sold by Leon C. Magaw, ol Mead- 
year, 600 the third year, and 820 the sixth, ville. The cheese is branded "Crawford's 
The average price of factory cheese in 1867 Favorite," is well known and eagerly sought 
was twelve cents per pound, and of farm after throughout the eastern and western states, 
dairies nine to ten cents. and is favorably known in the Liverpool 

The second factory, known as the Wood- market. The rapid growth of the dairy in- 
cock First Premium, was built in 1868 by terests in this county was largely due to the 
Messrs. D. H. Gibson & Co., manufacturing benefits derived from thorough organization 




"CLOVER" CREAMERY. 



by the farmers and dairymen. In 187 1 the 
Crawford County Dairymen's Association was 
organized at Venango boro. The first officers 
of the association were president, Joseph Bly- 
stone ; secretary, D. H. Gibson ; treasurer, J. 
H. Marcy ; vice presidents, H. C. Green, J. 
H. Blystone and Thomas Van Home. In 
1875 the name of the association was changed 
to the Pennsylvania State Dairymen's Asso- 
ciation and a state appropriation of S350 per 
annum was secured for its maintainance. A. 
M. Fuller was elected president of the asso- 
ciation in 1875 ^°<i served in that capacity for 
a period of six years. Subsequently, Messrs. 
John C-ole, John Fuller, J. H. Lenhart, M. C. 
Oliver and J. B. Phelps have been elected to 
the office, and in the year 1888 Hon. J. C. 
Sibley, of Franklin, Venango county, was 
elected president. 

A board of trade for the buying and selling 
of cheese and butter was organized in Mead- 
ville in the yeai 1875. Leon C. Magaw was 
elected president, H. C 
Green, secretary, and Hon. 
S. B. Dick, treasurer. The 
oft'ering of cheese frequently 
amounted to ten thousand 
boxes per week. The A. & 
G. W. and Erie railroads 
assisted the business very 
materially by introducing 
ventilated and iced cars for 
the transportation of cheese 
and butter to the eastern 
markets. The first cheese 
fair in the United States was 
held at Meadville in Octo- 
ber, 1875, and proved a 
great success. The cheese 
exhibited in Philadelphia in 
1875, utider the auspices of 
the Meadville board of trade 
did much to establish our 
reputation for the produc- 
tion of fine cheese. The 
per cent, of the perfection 
in the exhibits of cheese 
from the individual states and United 
States collectively and Canada collectively 
were as follows : Connecticut, 50.00 ; Ohio, 
60.00 ; Wisconsin, 76.00 ; United States,76.82 ; 
New York, 79.05 ; Pennsylvania, 83.22 ; 
Canada, 87.36. 

Our dairymen have much to be proud of in 
their success in all the contests in which they 
have taken part. A hundred years hence we 
have every reason to believe that an industry 
which has been prominent in all countries 
and in all ages, will still survive in this locality, 
and that the farms of Crawford county will 
continue to yield an ever increasing quantity 
of the products of the dairy. 



The first steamboat was launched on the Del- 
aware in 1788; the first steamboat plied the 
Hudson ini8o7, and the first locomotive in the 
United States was built in Hartford, Conn., in 
1798, and was first used practically in 1829. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



6i 



ART AND LEARNING. 



A Sketch of the Meadville Library, Art 
and Historical Association. 

(PREPARED BY J. I).) 

The officers of the society for the first year 
were: President, Wm. Reynolds; secretary, 
Samuel P. Bates ; treasurer, G. W. Adams. 
Managers, Samuel P. Bates, Geo. B. Dela- 
mater, Edgar Huidekoper, G. W. Adams, 
Miss E. G. Huidekoper, Thomas Roddy, 
Joshua Douglass, Geo. B. Sennett. 

Ofiicers for the year 1887 and 1888 : Miss 
E. G. Huidekoper, president ; Samuel P. Bates, 
clerk ; Rufus Adams, treasurer. Managers, 
Miss E. G. Huidekoper, William Reynolds, 
Geo. L. Carey, Cyrus Kitchen, H. H. Barber, 
Mrs. C. P. Young, Joshua Douglass, E. H. 
Dewey, Samuel P. Bates. Susan McCracken, 
librarian. 

The Meadville Library, Art and Historical 
Association was organized and incorporated on 
May loth, 1879, with a capi- 
tal of 2,000 shares of I25 
each. It is a corporation of 
the first class, hemg purely 
for public benefit, without 
remuneration to its stock- 
holders. In August a pur- 
chase was made of property, 
fronting on the south side of 
Centre street, 93 feet, and 
bounded on the east by Park 
avenue, 200 feet. Upon it 
was the Central Hall, erected 
by Alfred Huidekoper, Esq., 
in 1857, and several addi- 
tions subsequently made for 
manufacturing purposes. The 
accessible and central loca- 
tion commended it for the 
purpose. 

Many changes and exten- 
sive improvements were nec- 
essary to render it convenient 
for the objects contemplated. 
Work was commenced in 
September. Part of the building was re- 
moved, a considerable portion of the walls 
were rebuilt, and carried to a greater height, 
and all covered by a tin roof. 

The interior has been completely remodeled. 
With additions, a vestibule, spacious halls and 
a wide stairway, it contains a lecture room of 
seating capacity for seven hundred, a library 
and reading hall of 34x51 feet, historical room, 
15x34 feet; art room, 34x20 feet, and a hall 
of natural history, 34x15 feet, and directors' 
room. The basement has been neatly finished. 

l"he primary object of the association is the 
maintenance of a public library of the best 
character, where the excellence of the books, 
the convenience of access, and the comfort of 
the surroundings shall invite the child, the 
youth and those of mature years to spend 
many pleasant hours in storing the mind with 
what may be useful and enjoyable, and where 
will be open to all, free of cost, and the read- 



ing of the periodicals and newspapers of the 
day. The experience of the past encourages 
the belief that the young will here form tastes, 
which by constant growth, will develop a fond- 
ness for solid and useful reading which will 
prove more attractive than the frivolous and 
vicious pursuit of pleasure in the haunts of 
dissipation. The city library and this asso- 
ciation agreed upon terms of merger, by 
which the library was transferred to this cor- 
poration. " ^" '* 

The books were transferred to the new hall 
on the 3d of March. Miss E. G. Huidekoper 
was appointed president of the library depart- 
ment, and under her supervision the books 
have been placed upon their shelves and 
catalogued and re-numbered. 

LIBRARY DEPARTMENT. 

Officers the first year: President, Miss E. 
G. Huidekoper; secretaiy, Thomas Roddy; 
treasurer, G. W. Adams ; managers, Miss E. 
G. Huidekoper, William Reynolds, G. W. 




LIBRARY HALL. 

Adams, Thomas Roddy. Officers for 1887-8 : 
President, Miss E. G. Huidekoper ; secretary, 
Mrs. C. P. Young; librarian. Miss Susan Mc- 
Cracken ; managers. Miss E. G. Huidekoper, 
Mrs. C. P. Young, Wm. Reynolds, Samuel P. 
Bates, H. H. Barber. 

The number of books is 5,000. 

The library and reading room was opened 
to the pubUc March 31, 1880. 

THE ART DEPARTMENT. 

While to the library was accorded the chief 
place in the plan of the association, it was 
deemed important that sesthetic culture should 
not be neglected. That in addition to the 
pleasure to be derived from the researches of 
other minds, in the realms of Philosophy, 
Poetry, History or Fiction, the education of 
taste for the beautiful in nature or in art would 
contribute immeasurably to the enjoyment of 
intellectual attainment. 

To educate this taste, to promote this love 



for the beautiful, is the object of the Art 
Department. "The Meadville Art Society," 
was organized March 11,1880. Ofificers first 
year : President, Samuel P. Bates ; recording 
secretary, Mrs. L. D. Douglass; correspond- 
ing secretary, Mrs. Ruth E. Tingley ; treasurer, 
Mrs. Sarah Sennett. Managers : George 
L. Cary, Mrs. Ruth E. Tingley, A. C. Huide- 
koper, Mrs. Sarah Sennett, Mrs. L. D. Dou- 
glass, William Reynolds. Officers for the 
year 1887-8: President, Samuel P. Bates; 
secretary, Mrs. C. P. Young. Managers, 
Samuel P. Bates, Wm. Reynolds, E. H. Dewey. 
In its rooms it is intended to place casts 
from the most famous works of antiquity, and 
such works of the modern sculptor as the 
resources of the society will permit. Copies 
of noted paintings of the several schools of 
art, photographs and engravings of merit, il- 
lustrating art progress, and such works of 
modern artists as may be donated or placed 
on exhibition by friends. Painting and sculp- 
ture may here be studied, 
and much is hoped from the 
influence on the present and 
future generations. 

Time and patience will 
be required before the art 
room will show its excel- 
lence, yet through the gen- 
erosity of friends it has 
opened with credit. A co- 
lossal cast of Venus de Milo 
was presented by the teach- 
ers of the city schools ; a cast 
of the head of "Moses," 
from the statue of Michael 
Angelo, was the gift of He- 
brew friends; the bust of 
Shakespeare was the offering 
of the Shakespeare Club, 
and others donated the casts 
of " Venus de Medici " and 
" Boy extracting the thorn." 
George B. Sennett, Esq., has 
presented an old Flemish 
painting of a sea fight of 
Admiral Von Tromp. Mrs. Cortazzo has kind- 
ly loaned to the society two beautiful copies 
from Titian (Madonnas), copy of the Fates, by 
Michael Angelo, and the Visitation. Miss Sarah 
Clark, of Boston, has presented a beautiful 
charcoal "View in the Tyrol ;" also ten 
photographic views of Egyptian scenery. Mrs. 
E. G. Huidekoper has loaned a painting of 
the Temple of . Prof. Bates an en- 
graving of the battle of Gettysburg, and Mrs. 
James Freeman Clarke a portrait of H. W. 
Longfellow. 

These, with loans of paintings from friends, 
have rendered the art room an attractive resort- 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
Closely allied to the fine arts is the depart- 
ment of natural history. To the student of 
nature a new world is disclosed — a world of 
mystery and charm, wherein he may roam 
amid scenes ever new and ever more attract- 
ive. To create a desire to explore this realm 



62 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



of enchantment, to develop a love for the J. C. G. Kennedy, Washington, D. C; O. H. 
study of nature, the department of natural Marshal, Buffalo, N. Y.; T. B. Kennedy, 



AN OLD DOCl MEST. 



history was organized February 23, 1880. 
Officers first year : President, George B. Sen- 
nett; recording secretary. Dr. George Elliott; 
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Ruth E. Ting- 
ley ; treasurer, Edward Huidekoper ; curator. 



Chambersburg, Pa.; T. B. Swearingen, Pitts 
burg. Pa.; J. E. Rupert, Conneautville, Pa.; 
Col J. H. Cogswell, Titusville, Pa.; A. P. 
Whitaker, Franklin, Pa.; S. C. T. Dodd, 
Franklin, Pa.; W. S. Garvin, Mercer, Pa.; 



H. R. Lorandi; managers. Prof. Christy, Col. Frank Mantor, Conneautville, Pa.; Col. P. 
Edgar Huidekoper, Prof. J. Tingley, Miss B. Carpenter, Conneautville, Pa.; Hon. L. W. 
Maxwell. Officers for 1887-8: President, Thickstun, Mosiertown, Pa.; James D. Minnis, 
Rev. E. P. Sprague; secretary, Dr. Elliott; Athens township, Crawford county; Hon. 
managers, Geo. L. Cary, Wm. Reynolds, Frederick Bates, Titusville, Pa.; A. W. Mum- 
Joshua Douglass. ford, Fairfield township, Crawford county. 
Sections for the various branches — zoology, Pa.; Col. O. O. Potter, Cussewago township, 
ornithology, entomology, paleontology, etc.— Crawford county, Pa.; Hon. John H. Gray, 
have been thoroughly organized, and from Cambridge, Pa. 

the interest manifested by its members, and records OF EARLY history. 

the well-known enthusiasm and practical In the rooms of the society are collected 
knowledge of its officers and heads of sections, and preserved the records of the early history 
we may expect a most valuable and perfect of the county and State. Old letters, contain- 
collection of all pertaining to the natural his- ing descriptions of this part of the State or 
tory of this part of the State. Generous dona- county, reminiscences of the early settlers, 
tions and loan contributions by friends have their manner of living, etc. Old maps, manu- 
already rendered the rooms ^ 

of the society replete with 
interest. Some 260 birds 
and 60 mammals, comprising 
a large proportion of the 
fauna of Western Pennsylva- 
nia, have been placed in its 
cases. A large collection of 
nests and eggs, shells and 
insects, of agates and geodes 
and other minerals, insects, 
sea mosses, wood mosses and 
shells. A classified cabinet 
of minerals and a case of 
shells, from French creek 
and the Ohio, and other 
contributions, combine t o 
form a museum of great 
value to the student of nature. 
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
While providing for the 
diffusion of knowledge by the library and read- script or printed. Old newspapers and pamph- 
ing room ; for the culture of art and the study lets. Autograph signatures and letters. Oil 
of nature ; the preservation of the history of the portraits of citizens and others, of life size, 
past, and the perpetuation of that of the present, photographs, etc. Old account books. Tro- 
has not been overlooked. For these ends the phies and mementoes of the recent war. Indian 
Historical Society of Crawford County was or- and pre historic relics. Many valuable books, 
ganized February 16, 1880. Officers, first year : letters, manuscripts, maps and archaeological 
President, Joshua Douglass ; first vice-presi- relics have already been contributed by those 
dent, Alfred Huidekoper ; recording secretary, interested in its objects. Many of the relics 
T. R. Kennedy ; treasurer, A. M. Fuller ; of the stone age, from the mounds and graves 
managers, Samuel P. Bates, William Reynolds, in this county and from the excavations at 
George B. Sennett, J. V. Reynolds, A. C. Madisonville, O., are exhibited in its cases. 
Huidekoper, G. A. Carstensen, P. A. Laffer, From the relics of the prehistoric age the 
T. H. Delamater. Officers for 1887-8: Presi society hopes to aid in the solution of the 
dent, G. B. Delamater; secretary, Arthur L. mystery which has thus far enshrouded with 
Bates ; managers, Wm. Reynolds, Cyrus impenetrable mist the races of antiquity who 
Kitchen, Joshua Douglass, Samuel P. Bates, peopled our land. We propose to add our 
H. H. Barber. dim taper light for the exploration of the dark- 

Corresponding members of the Historical ness of their history, and perchance even by 
Society are: Gen. Frederick DePeyster, LL.D., its feeble glimmer some dim outline may be 
F. R. H. S., president New York Historical traced among the illusive shadows which may 
Society; Gen. Harry White, Indiana county, give the clue to more certain knowledge of 
Pa.; William Reese, Washington, D. C; Hon. this mysterious people. 




CUSSEWAGO MILLS. 



Copy of the Original Patent Granted to 
David Mead. 

The document, of which the following is a 
literal copy, was given to David Mead by 
Governor Mifflin, January 15, 1796. Its great 
historic interest and value is too evident to 
need further comment : 

THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNA. 

To ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL 

COME, Greeting : 

Know Ye, That in consideration of the 
sum of Forty-two pounds seventeen & nine 
pence lawful money now paid by Daniel 
Meade into the Receiver General's office of 
this Commonwealth there is granted by the 
said Commonwealth unto the said David 
Meade a certain tract of land called Mead 
Ville situate including an improvement on 
the West side of the River Ohio, Allegany 
and Connewango Creek, in Allegany County, 
beginning at a black oak 
near French creek, thence 
by land of Capt'n Jeffers, 
North seventy-five degrees, 
East four hundred and eight 
perches to a white oak, 
thence by land of Hugh 
Dupry, North one hundred 
and forty-four perches to a 
Post, thence by land of Wil- 
liam Mead, South seventy- 
five degrees. West eighty-one 
perches to a Post, North 
forty-one perches to a Post, 
South seventy-five degrees. 
West two hundred and sev- 
enty-one perches to a Post 
at an Island, and thence 
down French Creek, by the 
several Courses thereof three 
hundred and twelve perches 
to the Beginning containing four hundred and 
thirty-nine Acres, one hundred fifty-six 
perches and allowance of six per Cent for 
Roads &c. Which said tract was surveyed in 
pursuance of an Act of the General Assembly 
passed the 3rd April 1792 for William Mead 
Who by Deed dated i January 1796 convey- 
ed the same to the said David Meade, to 
whom a warrant of acceptance issued the 1 2, 
January instant with the appurtenances. To 
HAVE AND to HOLD the Said tract or parcel of 
land, with the appurtenances, unto the said 
David Meade and his Heirs to the use of him 
the said David his Heirs and Assigns forever, 
free and clear of all restrictions and reserva- 
tions as to Mines, Royalties, Quit rents, or 
otherwise excepting and reserving only the 
fifth part of all the Gold and Silver Ore for 
the use of this commonwealth to be delivered 
at the pilt's montli clear of all charges. 

In Witness whereof Thomas Mitllin Gov- 
ernor of the said commonwealth hath hereto 
set his HAND, and caused the .State Seal to be 
hereunto affixed the fifteenth day of January 
in the year of our LriRD one thousand seven 
hundred and ninety-six and of the common- 
wealth the twentieth. 

Attest . James Trimble, Deputy Sec. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



63 



TIME A>D ETERMTY. 



Our Bequest to the Next Century — Mate- 
rial Progress the Handmaid of 
Spiritual Development. 

(BY HON. V. H. BEMIS.) 

" One hundred years ! (Jne hundred years ! 

How much of human power and pride, 

What glorious hopes ! What gloomy fears ! 



Let it once be believed that the grave is these school, church and hospital buildings 

the goal of our human existence ; that the have been erected ; how, with generous and 

soul does not survive the wreck of the clayey ready self-denial, the large annual expense of 

tenement which enshrines it ; that our hopes supplying them with teachers, nurses, minis- 

our affections and our aspirations perish with ters and so forth has been met ; if we make 

it ; " that in this life only we have hope," a careful estimate of the cost of all of these 

then indeed the virtuous, the pure, and the schools and churches, to say nothing of the 

loving would have reason to exclaim : " We radiating charities that go out from them, we 

are of all creatures most miserable." The shall then begin to realize how large a propor- 

foundations in human character of whatsoever tion of the wealth of our people is devoted to 



Have sunk beneath its sweeping tide," 

Other writers in this Centennial number of things are lovely and of good report would other than mere bodily necessities — to perma- 

the Tribune Republican will interest its forever be destroyed. If this were so, then nent and abiding results. Such is the estimate 

readers with personal reminiscences, or with <, 'Twere best at once to sink to peace, ''^^ thoughtful, intelligent and cultured citi- 

historical sketches, showing the gradual growth Like birds the charming serpent draws zens of Meadville during the century now 

To drop headforemost in the jaws 
Of vacant darkness and to cease." 



of Meadville, from its settlement one hundred 
years ago to the present time. They will 
doubtless recite the trials, dangers and depri- 



closing, have placed upon these great interests. 
Such is the practical testimony to our suc- 
cessors of the next century of their paramount 



But it is not so. Our institutions of learn 

vations incident to pioneer life, and they will ing, of charity and religion were built upon 'importance to all other interests. Such the 

point with justifiable pride to her slow, but no such faithless and uncertain foundation, great trusts committed to their keeping, 

steady and sure, progress through all her past They are based upon a belief in personal im- Surely in the past it has not been said, "Let 

years. They will tell you how, under the mortality. Without such basis a Christian or us eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow we 

magic influence of intelligent industry, patient a religious superstructure would have been im- die." It has rather been : 
perseverance and in- 
domitable resolution, 
preceding generations 



have accomplished 
the remarkable 
achievements of to- 
day. They will tell 
you of her intellect- 
ual, social, charitable 
and religious enter- 
prises; of her schools, 
her hospitals, her 
beneficiary and be- 
nevolent societies and 
her churches. A 1 1 
this is well. It is but 
preliminary to what I 
have to say, to the 
more presumptuous 
task I have assumed, 
to the deductions I 
would make, and the 
jesson they seem to 




SCHAUWEKER'S LEATHER BELTING WORKS. 



'■ Let us, then, be up 
and doing. 
With a heart for 
any fate ; 
Still achieving, still 
pursuing. 
Learn to labor and 
to wait." 

Our past history 
forcibly illustrates the 
admonition of the 
poet, " learn to labor 
and to wait." It took 
the founders of Mead- 
ville thirty-five years 
of labor and waiting 
to convert their set- 
tlers' hamlet into a 
borough ; and it took 
their successors forty- 
three years more to 
convert that borough 
into a city. Thus we 
see how one genera, 
me to teach. That lesson is, that the busy possible. Our schools and our churches were tion after another labored and then patiently 
generations of Meadville during the last established on the presumption that bodily waited for the next to enter into its labors, and 
hundred years have been planning and necessities and comforts were to be supplied carry them forward to full fruition. And now, 
working to wiser purposes and diviner ends but as a means to higher ends, as incidental as I look back over forty years of Meadville's 
than they knew. Every legitimate enter- to continued existence. history, during which period I have been an 

prise undertaken has had (perhaps uncon- If we but reflect for a moment upon our humble participant, through personal observa- 
sciously), a nobler purpose than mere selfish past history we shall see how this thought has tion and experience, I think I discover evi- 
agrandisement Our humane societies for the pervaded it. Think how, during the last forty dences of remarkable social, intellectual and 
care of the unprotected; our benevolent or- years, the people of Meadville have recognized religious progress. We have all been at school 
ganizations for the relief of the suffering ; our the demands of other than mere bodily — a school where all have been teaching and all 
educational institutions for the enlightment of necessities. Forty years ago Bentley hall was learning; audit has seemed to me that all 
the mind ; our churches for the cultivation of Allegheny college. The Theological school classes of society, including trades, occupa- 
the religious sentiment, involving the senti- was domiciled in an obscure building on tions, schools and churches, have constituted 
ment of human brotherhood, all bear testi- Center street. The primary education of the a common university in which Providence, 
mony that the toil and sweat we endure, and children of Meadville was supplied in two through divine methods and agencies, has 
the self-sacrifice we make, are least of all for small one-story brick buildings, (still standing) been educating and fitting us for a higher 
those things which perish with the using, one on North street, the other on Chancery state of existence. The effects of this com 
These are but secondary and tributary to more lane, near Pine street. We had no public pulsoi^, modifying and moulding process is 
imperishable results. Yes, practically our library. All but tliree of our fourteen church perhaps best exemplified and most apparent 
people have been saying : edifices have been built during that period, in our churches. Church members have 

To say nothing of sundry charitable societies learned to respect the opinions of others. 

\ J "^i  . . ' , we have two well equipped public hospitals. They have more exalted and creditable views 

And the grave is not its goal ; n rr r r j 

Dust thou art to dust returnest Now, if we but consider for a moment how, of God and human destiny. They are more 

Was not spoken of the soul." with lavish expenditure of time and treasure, courteous, more charitable to each other, and 



64 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



as a consequence more truly Christian. They of the hospital. At a meeting of the board of 
are beginning at last to realize something of directors held July 31st, 1880, Messrs. R. 



the spirit of Christ's prayer, "that they might 
all be one" by laboring together for a com- 
mon end, and waiting for its fulfillment. 

" Far out in the harvest field of Time 

The grain for the reaper is standing ready, 
And they who come to the work sublime 

Must toil with a patience calm and steady. 
Truth never was subject to Chance or Fate — 

Its sickle, so sharp, cuts clean and even. 
Then labor and wait, both early and late. 

For the seed-field of Earth yields the har- 
vest of Heaven." 



Craighead, George W. Haskins and William 
F. Dickson were appointed a committee " to 
inquire and examine into all matters and 
things necessary and important for the board 



dollars. An addition was subsequently built 
at an expense of eighteen hundred dollars, 
and the lot on the west side of the building 
was purchased for the benefit of the hospital. 
Messrs. R. Craighead and Colonel J. B. 
Compton were appointed to confer with Mrs. 



MEADVILLE'S HOSPITALS. 



Meadville City Hospital. 



The Meadville city hospital is of recent 
date, and its history is readily given. In the 
month of January, 1880, while 
some of our kind and humane 
citizens were visiting the sick 
and destitute, they conceived 
the idea of procuring a suitable 
place where these would receive 
proper care and attention. Other 
persons were consulted, and in 
due time became interested in 
the project, which resulted in a 
call for a public meeting to be 
held at the court house. At 
this meeting it was determined 
to organize under the provisions 
of the act of assembly of April 
29, 1874. The following per- 
sons were selected as directors ; 
Joshua Douglass, George W. 
Haskins, R. Craighead, John B. 
Compton, Leon C. Magaw, C. M. 
Boush, Henry W. Reynolds, 
William Roddick, WiUiam F. 
Dickson. The hospital was duly 
incorporated with the above 
named persons as directors, by 
the decree of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas of Crawford county, 

Pa., on the 28th day of June, 

1880, under the name of " The Meadville City 
Hospital." 

■< The purpose for which the corporation is 
formed is that of a purely public charity, 
in the establishment and maintenance of a 
public hospital in the city of Meadville and 
state of Pennsylvania. The term for which 
said corporation is to exist is perpetual. The 
capital stock of this corporation is fixed at ten 
thousand (10,000) shares of the par value of 



to know in regard to purchasing or renting of Sa^ah A. Stewart in regard to taking charge 

real estate for the use of the corporation as a 

hospital." 

The by-laws prepared by the committee 
previously appointed were read and referred 
to a meeting of the stockholders, to be held at 
the court house August 10, 1880. At this 
meeting the by laws wf:re read, corrected and 
adopted. At a subsequent meeting of the 
board of directors, in accordance with the 
by laws, an advisory committee consisting of 
a number of ladies was appointed, " whose 



duty it shall be to call the attention of the 




NEW CITY HOSPITAL. 

public to the wants of this institution; to solicit 
subscriptions to the stock of the corporation, 
to procure aid and assistance, and to advise 
with the directions about the management of 
the affairs of the hospital." 

The committee on real estate, after having 
examined a great number and variety of pieces 
of property, reported to the board January 3rd, 
1881, that "the Walde property, situated on 
Randolph street, with a two-story frame house 



five dollars, (^S-oo) each, making a total of thereon, can be purchased for the sum of 



$50,000. The number of directors 
corporation is fixed at nine." 

The first meeting of the directors of the 
Meadville City Hospital was held July 24th. 
1880, at which time Joshua Douglass, esq., 
was elected president; C. M. Boush, clerk; 
and William S. McGunnegle, treasurer. A 
committee consisting of Joshua Douglass, R. 
Craighead and C. M. Boush was appointed to 
prepare a code of by-laws for the government 



of this twenty-five hundred dollars, five hundred dol- 
lars in hand and the residue in thirty days." 



of the hospital. They reported favorably, 
whereupon she was appointed April 8th, 1881, 
matron and acting superintendent of the 
hospital. The president was requested to take 
possession of the property and make arrange- 
ments with Mrs. Stewart, the matron, to take 
immediate charge of it. 

The first person received into the hospital 
was Mr. Joseph R. Johnson. He was a native 
of Huntington, Fairfield county, Connecticut. 
He was a soldier in the war of 1812; settled 
in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1822 ; be- 
came a resident of Crawford 
county in 1835, entered the hos- 
pital April 29th, 1 88 1, lived a 
contented, happy life and died 
December 11, 1884, aged 91 
years. In the course of some 
three years the building was 
found inadequate to accommo- 
date the applicants for admis- 
sion, at times every bed being 
occupied. This led to the deter- 
mination on the part of the di- 
rectors to erect a more com- 
modious building. And while 
discussing this question, Alfred 
Huidekoper, Esq., with his well 
known generosity, informed the 
directors that if they would pur 
chase the plot of ground in the 
Second ward known as the 
Anson Porter property, contain- 
ing about three acres, and erect 
thereon a suitable building for a 
hospital, he would donate the 
land. Negotiations were at once 
commenced, and the purchase 
consummated for the sum of 
$2,500, which was paid over to 
us by Mr. Huidekoper. Thus we received 
the most eligible location that could be found 
in the city. 

The contract for the erection of the build- 
ing was given to Mr. James Welland of this 
city, January, 1887; and to Mr. William Mo- 
ran, of Titusville, the contract for furnishing 
the steam heating apparatus. The hospital 
was completed and dedicated with appropriate 
religious services on the 15th of December, 
1887. The whole cost of the building and 
furnishing, including the grounds, the grading, 
and the sewer, is about twenty-five thousand 



This report was submitted to a meeting of dollars. 



the stockholders January i8th, 1881, and they 
authorized the board of directors to complete 
the purchase of the property and make such 
incumbrance on the same as might be neces- 
sary to secure the purchase money. Improve- 
ments were made on the building in the 
month of April to the amount of hve hundred 



The hospital is situated on an elevated piece 
of ground with nothing to intercept the free 
circulating of air on every side. It is 86 by 
42 feet, the foundation of solid stone masonry, 
and the super structure of brick. It is two 
stories high, the first 14 feet and the second 
12 feet, with mansard roof, and upper and 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



65 



lower porches 12 feet wide on two sides of 
the building, with 10 foot halls the entire 
length, and kitchen and laundry separate. It 
is heated by steam, and is supplied with 
abundance of water, natural and illuminating 
gas. The ventilation is perfect in eveiy room, 
and all the modern improvements now used 
in the best hospitals have been introduced. 

Mrs. Sarah A. Stewart, the kind and suc- 
cessful matron and acting superintendent, on 
entering the new building resigned her posi 
tion on account of her age and health. Her 
place was supplied by Miss Emily Arthington, 
a lady eminently qualified, havmg graduated 
in Leed's hospital, one of the largest and best 
training schools in England. In addition to 
her training in English hospitals she has had 
experience in the Pennsylvania hospital at 
Philadelphia. 

Nurses are being trained under her, and 
others of more extensive experience, are pre- 
pared to go out into this and neighboring 
cities and towns, where fam- 
ilies may desire their ser- 
vices. We have an excellent 
staff of physicians and sur- 
geons, and persons seeking 
treatment can have all the 
attention and skill to be 
found in our large city hos 
pitals, and at a much reduced 
rate. 

The officers at present 
are Rev. R. Craighead, pres- 
ident ; C. M. Boush, clerk 
and treas-urer ; directors, 
Joshua Douglas, Geo. W. 
Haskins, John B. Compton, 
A. McLean White, D. V. 
Derickson, G. D. Shryock, 
Henry W. Reynolds and 
Leon C. Magaw. 



premises attached to the hospital southward as 
far as Poplar street. 

The hospital is under the charge of the Sis- 
ters of St. Joseph, of whom the following are 
at present resident there : Sister Superior 
Clotilda, Sister Aloisuia, Sister Magdelina, 
Sister Philomena, Sister Genevieve, Sister 
Mary Anne and Sister Boneste. On first floor 
are located the reception room, music room, 
chapel, dining room, and kitchen. Over all 
three broods an atmosphere of calm comfort 
and an impression of solicitude pervades the 
halls and alcoves, which fitly finds a hallowed 
center in the curtained twilight of the cosy 
chapel in the eastern end of the building. The 
second floor is devoted to pleasant chambers 
for patients, each room being tastefully fitted, 
aftbrding accommodations for about 25 per 
sons. Bath rooms, wash rooms, etc., are on 
this floor. The building is heated by a fur- 
nace, supplied by the best water service, and 
has every convenience for hospital uses. Scru- 



The Board 



St. Joseph's HospitaL 

Pleasantly located just be- 
yond the busier portions of 
the city, and near one of the 
many beautiful bits of woodland which surround 
Meadville, on Pine street, stands a substantial 
two-story frame building. Over the front door 
appears the modest inscription, "St. Joseph's 
Hospital." 

In the year 1S64 Mother Agnes, of the Sis- 
ters of St. Joseph, erected out of her own pat- 
rimony, aided by subscription, the main por 
tion of the present building, and founded an 
orphan asylum. As such the institution was 
conducted for four years, but in the meantime 
did much for the homeless, sick and wounded. 
In 1868 the applications of this character be- 
came so numerous that the orphans were sent 
to Erie and the whole institution was devoted 
to hospital purposes. In 1S70 it was regular- 
ly established by an act of the legislature as a 
hospital, and Dr. T. B. Lashells, of Meadville, 
was appointed surgeon in charge. In 1872 
the building was enlarged to its present capa- 
city and recent donations have extended the 




ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. 

pulous cleanliness, devoted and skilled nurs 
ing, and the attendance of the best medical 
talent are features of St. Joseph's Hospital. 
As the institution now stands it is designed to 
be a place where any physician ol repute can 
find accommodation for any patient who needs 
especially careful nursing ; also if persons 
from abroad need treatment for chronic or 
lingering disorders here is where they may 
find skilled medical aid and suitable attend- 
ance. In no case is there any distinction to 
be made in the admission of patients on ac- 
count of sex, race or condition, or religion. 
There has been no change in the physician in 
charge since the institution first received its 
charter. There have been at least 1,000 per- 
sons treated at St. Joseph's since its founding. 

The Meadville Board of Industry. 

(BY C. E. R.) 

For many years Meadville had felt the 
necessity of a Board of Trade to look after its 



interests in the manufacturing and commercial 
world, but never was any action taken that 
realized practical results, until, on the evening 
of March 22d 1886, some of the most push- 
ing and energetic young business and profes- 
sional men of the city met together and 
organized the Meadville Board of Industry. 
A constitution was adopted suitable to the 
exigencies of the case, and the following of- 
ficers elected : John J. Shryock, president ; 
Fred G. Andrews, vice president; Benjamin 
Blum, secretary ; A. Arthur Gill, treasurer; 
Chas. E. Richmond, corresponding secretary. 
The Board undertook their self-assamed task 
vigorously, and after many discouragements 
first succeeded in locating in our city the 
Rockland Silk Co., formerly of Patterson, N. 
J , which is now running with full force, em- 
ploying over 100 hands, and undoubtedly will 
be the nucleus for a large branch of the silk 
industry. 

spent some time considering 
many applications, and next 
located here the Meadville 
Wire Nail Co., formerly of 
Sharon, Pa., which is now 
running a large plant in the 
southern part of the city. 

The Pennsylvania Glass 
Bottle Co. from Rochester, 
Pa., was next secured, and 
proved to be a very large and 
successful plant, bringing 
many new citizens here and 
employing over 100 hands. 
A car of freight per day is 
received and shipped from 
this factory alone. The 
Board has worked constant- 
ly and patiently for the wel- 
fare of the city amid the 
many discouraging circum- 
stances natural to a work of 
that nature, and already our 
city has felt the impetus given 
to it. A large number of 
new factories have been es- 
tablished with local capital, and all of the 
manufacturing interests of the city have re- 
ceived a decided boom. Many new commer- 
cial houses have come from abroad to share 
our prosperity, and to add to the general wel 
fare. 

At the annual meeting April last the Board 
was re-organized, many new members added 
to the roll, and the foUovfing officers elected: 
John J. Shryock, president; E. A. Hempstead, 
vice president; R. Ed. Ashley, secretary; 
M. Clhlman, treasurer ; Chas E. Richmond, 
corresponding secretary. 

Never before in the history of our city has 
it made more rapid advancement than in the 
last two years, and very much of this is due to 
the energetic actions of the Board of Industry, 
and our citizens can rest assured that with 
proper assistance and encouragement the new 
Board will look untiringly to the future pros- 
perity of Meadville. 



66 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



TAYLOR'S VISIT. 



James McHenry and the Atlantic & labor supply by the enlistment and draft of 



Visit of President Zachary Taylor to 
Meadville August 24, 1849. 

When the announcement was made on the 
22d of August that President Taylor and Gov- 
ernor William F. Johnson would visit our city 
on the 24th inst., an impromptu meeting of 
prominent citizens, irrespective of party, was 
held to make proper arrangements for their 
reception. Hon. Gaylord Church presided, 
when a committee of reception was ap- 
pointed, consisting of Hon. J. W. Farrelly, 
Col. John Bliss, Hon. G. Church and Gen. 
John Dick. On Friday morning said com- 
mittee, with many other citizens, proceeded 
to Sheaklyville, where they met the Presi- 
dent's party, and escorted them to Meadville, 
via the Mercer turnpike, in coaches and car- 
riages, that being our only mode of public 
conveyance at that time. 

The road was literally lined with people all 
along the route. On the 
arrival of the party at 
Custard's Hotel, nine 
miles below Meadville, a 
short speech was made 
by Hon. J. W. Farrelly, 
and responded to by the 
President and Governor 
Johnson. The procession 
reached our city about 
noon, on one of the hot- 
test days of the season, 
and was greeted by hun- 
dreds of cheers by a very 
enthusiastic crowd. 
Water and other princi- 
pal streets being filled by 
all classes and parties 
who had turned out en 
masse in their gala day 
dress. The procession, 
in charge of Col. James 
Cochran, Chief Marshal, 
moved up Water to Wal- 
nut, up Walnut to the Diamond, around 
the Diamond to Chestnut, down Chestnut to 
Water, and down Water to the Sherwood 
Hotel (now Gable House), where the recep 
tion committee took the party in charge. 
Gen. Dick delivered a very feeling address of 
welcome, which was briefly responded to by 
President Taylor and Governor Johnson. 
President Taylor claimed not to be a public 
speaker, and did not make much of an effort 
in that direction, but what he did say was 
very proper to the occasion. Governor 
Johnson, who was a good speaker, spoke 
more at length. -During the evening a recep- 
tion was given in the parlors of the hotel, at 
which there was a very large attendance. 
The reception could not have been anything 
but gratifying to the President and his party, 
and certainly was to the people of Meadville. 

The President 'and party left at 7 o'clock 
next morning for Erie, via the Waterford 
turnpike, accompanied as far as Waterford by 
the reception committee and other citizens. 



Great Western Railroad. 

The Centennial Tribune would be incom- 
plete without a recognition of the most valua- 
ble services of James McHenry, Esq., of Lon- 
don, in the construction of the grand enter 



i,oco,ooo men, and the terrible depression 
and discouragement as to the national future, 
the Atlantic & Great Western R. R. was com- 
pleted in the three states and the last spike 
driven in August 1864, and, in addition, the 



prise which has contributed so greatly to the extensive shops commenced at Meadville. 

material prosperity of our city and county, Mr. James McHenry, its financial agent, 

and of the three states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and, after the death of Mr. Doolittle, the con- 

and New York— "The Atlantic & Great West- tractor, made the negotiations and supplied 

em Railroad." 'he money and iron for its completion, with 

,, ,, TT  » 1 ii, £ 1 exception of the work commenced in Ohio, 

Mr. McHenry was appointed the financial '^ 

agent of the Meadville (afterward the A. & ^""^ "^" ?=""' P^-^-^hased from the Erie, and 
G. W.) R. R., in 1859. Messrs. Doolittle New York City Railway Company-anun- 
and Streator were the contractors, and Mr. 
McHenry undertook to negotiate the securities 
and furnish the money and iron necessary for 
the completion of the road and equipment. 

Many great and unexpected obstacles em- 
barrassed his plans, 



precedented financial success. 



R. 



The Dan§rers of Pioneer Lite. 

The following interesting paper by Cor- 
nelius Van Home, was handed us by F. 
The application of the Huidekoper: 



county commissioners and the cancellation of 




From the spring of the year 1791 to the 
fall of the year '95, there 
were depredations com- 
mitted on the northwest- 
ern frontier of Pennsyl- 
vania in different parts ; 
but I will commence in 
the summer of '93. Then 
'Squire Lord came up 
from Franklin and warn- 
ed us at Meadville to 
clear out or we would be 
scalped by the Indians. 
Somewent away ; a few 
stayed. General Wilkins 
at Pittsburg wrote up to 
me to employ fifteen men 
as a sergeant's guard, 
which I did. We were 
continued embodied until 
the 31st of December, 
when we were disband- 
ed. In the summer of 



1794 some men were 
wounded near Meadville ; 



W. H. CARMIN'S LIVERY STABLE. 

j! 1 70,000 of unused county bonds by decree two men killed and scalped near Franklin, 
of court, and the consequent loss of some Word of this went to Pittsburg, when John 
!!>200,ooo of individual subscription, limited Gibson, General of the militia of Pennsylva- 
in time, involved his negotiations in serious nia, sent me an Ensign's commission, and for 
embarrassment. Yet, in the face of all, the me to enlist forty odd men to defend the set- 
work was commenced by the company on his tlement, which we did, and built a block- 
assurances, house, and mounted a cannon in the second 
It became unexpectedly necessary to build story, with a sentry box over all. We were 
a new line in the state of New York. Mr. continued embodied until the last of Decem- 
Mc Henry promptly offered to negotiate for ber, when by the General's order we were 
the iron and cash, and the New York com- disbanded. 

pany was organized. Extremely hard times In the month of June, 1795, Finly and Mc- 

in the money market for a time shortened the Cormack were killed by the Indians, within a 

supplies, and then the rebellion burst upon us few miles of Meadville, and Powars, the sur- 

with threatened destruction. American en- veyor's camp, was plundered, and James 

terprises were discredited in England, and on Thompson taken prisoner. Word of this was 

the continent, and it seemed madness to make taken to John Gibson ; he sent me a Captain's 

an effort for any railway on this side of the commission, and for me to enlist a Captain's 

Atlantic. Mr. McHenry was undaunted, and company, which I did; with orders to guard 

surrounded himself with a bulwark of finan- the settlement of Meadville, also to guard the 

cial strength. It is only necessary to add boats transporting provisions from Meadville 

that, in the face of American discredit, mone- to Waterford, as there had gone on to Erie 

tary demoralization, with all the difiiculties of commissioners and a number of men to lay 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



67 



out a town at Erie and another at Waterford, 
and also for us to open a wagon road through 
the woods from Meadville to Waterford ; also 
to guard ourselves. The last of December of 
said year we were discharged. We have had 
peace with the Indians ever since. In those 
three years the number of men employed 
with me exceeded 120; now I know not of 
more than eight, some of them like myself, 
far advanced in life and needy. If Congress 
would grant them a pension it would be very 
acceptable unto the feeble few ; and as I have 
their enlistment, with the dates when it com- 
menced and when it ended, which I will de- 
clare under oath before a Justice of the Com- 
monwealth, and that certified by the Prothon- 
otary of the county court, there can be no 
fraud. 



GREENDALE CEMETERY. 



A Historical Sketch of Meadville's Beau- 
tiful Burial Grounds. 



(BY C. M. BOUSH.) 
An act of the Legislature approved the nth 
day of March, 1852, incorporated the follow- 
ing citizens of Meadville: John Dick, John 
Reynolds, John McFarland, Frederick Huide 
koper, Darwin A. Finney, Gaylord Church, 
Calvin Kingler, Joseph Derickson, William 
Thorp, Horace Cullum, David Derickson, 
William Reynolds, James E. McFarland, 
Joseph C. Hays, Richard Craighead, James 
D. Gill, William McLaughlin, Arthur Cullum, 
D. Sexton, R. C. Boileau, Kennedy Davis 
and Edward Ellis, under the name and title 
of "The Meadville Cemetery" (which name 
was subsequently changed to that of "The 
Greendale Cemetery") and conferred upon 
them and their successors all the powers nec- 
essary for the proper government of the cor- 
poration, its officers and aftairs. 

In accordance with the provisions of this 
act of incorporation, an organization was ef- 
fected on the 2ist day of April, 1852, and the 
following officers were chosen; Managers, 
Hon. John Dick, president ; Hon. Gaylord 
Church, Rev. Calvin Kingsler, Rev. Frederick 
Huidekoper and William Reynolds, Esq 
William McLaughlin, secretary; Joseph C. 
Hays, Esq., treasurer. The same year the 
following lands were purchased for the 
purposes of the cemetery : From A. Huide- 
koper, 20 acres; from H. Huidekoper, 
14 acres; from John Reynolds, 9 acres, 
1 2 perches ; from D. Shryock, 9 acres, 
82 perches ; from Diller, 80 perches ; 
total, 53 acres and 14 perches. To which 
was added in 1876, by purchase J. R. Dick's 
heirs, 28 acres, 12 perches; in 1882, by pur- 
chase from Edward Stebbins' heirs, 5 acres, 
14 perches; from James McNeil, 103 perches; 
from Denney's heirs, 120 perches. Total 
amount of land contained in Greendale Cem- 
etery, 87 acres, 103 perches. 

The first 53 acres purchased were at once 



enclosed with a substantial fence, and about 
ten acres of it adjoining the eastern bounda- 
ries of the town were improved and laid out 
in burial lots ready for use. Mr. Herman 
Leo, a graduate of one of the best agricultural 
schools of Europe, was the engineer. On the 
31st of August, 1853, the cemetery was pub- 
licly dedicated to its intended purposes. Rev. 
John Barker, president of Allegheny College, 
Hon. Gaylord Church, John Reynolds, Esq., 
and Rev. Alexander Varian officiated in the 
ceremonies, which were witnessed by a large 
concourse of people. 

Permanent and valuable improvements were 
made from time to time. An arched gateway 
of stone was built in 1865. A receiving vault 
was built in 1874 A lodge or superintend- 
ent's house was erected near the entrance in 
1875. Water supply was brought to the 
cemetery, and improvements in roadways and 
paths, in grading, paving and draining, etc., 
were continually going on. The most im- 
portant and valuable improvements were 
made under the superintendency of Mr. Her- 
man Munz, a thoroughly educated landscape 




gardener and horticulturist, who took charge 
of the grounds in the spring of 1875. His 
usefulness came to an end by his unexpected 
and untimely death in January 1880, at the 
age of 32. Mr. A. J. Hetler, the present 
superintendent, succeeded Mr. Munz, and he 
has charge of Greendale cemetery at present. 
The present board of managers are Rev. John 
Hamnet, president; James D. Gill, Esq., C. 
M. Boush, Esq., Hon. John Henderson, L. C. 
Magaw, Esq. Mr. Norman C. McLaughlin is 
secretary and treasurer. 



OUR CHURCHES. 



RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CRAW- 
FORD COUNTY. 



Early Missionaries and Preachers — Their 
Labors in the Wilderness — Early 
Religious Life of the Peo- 
ple — Present Condition 
of the Churches. 



EARLY CHURCHES. 



Wedding Anniversaries. — At the end of 
one year is the cotton wedding ; two years, 
paper ; three years, leather ; five years, 
wooden ; seven years, woolen ; ten years, tin ; 
twelve years, silk and fine linen ; fifteen years, 
crystal ; twenty years, china ; twenty-five 
years, silver ; thirty years, pearl ; forty years, 
ruby ; fifty years, golden ; seventy five years, 
diamond. 



Organization of the First Churches of 
the County. 

(BY REV. RICHARD CRAIGHEAD.) 

The first ministers who preached within 
the bounds of Crawford county were Rev. 
Elisha McCurdy and Rev. Joseph Stockton. 
The former was born in Carlisle, Pa., on the 
15th of October, 1763. His father and fam- 
ily subsequently settled in Westmoreland 
county, Pa. Mr. Stockton was born near 
Chambersburg, Pa., February 25th, 1779. In 
the year 1784 he removed with his father's 
family to the vicinity of Washington, Pa. 
They were both licensed to preach the gospel 
by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 26th of 
June, 1799, at the church of Upper Buffalo, 
Washington county. Pa., and were sent out 
on a missionary tour through what is now 
Mercer, Crawford and Erie counties, and 
among other places preached in Meadville. 
During the next year, 1800, Mr. Stockton re- 
ceived an invitation to preach statedly in 
Meadville. In the autumn of the same year, 
in company with his young wife, he left his 
paternal home in Washington county. Pa., on 
horseback, bringing some household goods 
with them, and in due time reached Mead- 
ville, their future residence. Over this church, 
in connection with that of Little Sugar 
Creek, now Cochranton, he was ordained as 
pastor on the 24th of June, 1801. He con- 
tinued to perform the duties of a pastor to 
these churches, dividing his time equally be- 
tween them, until June, 1810, when the rela- 
tion was dissolved by the Presbytery of Erie. 

The second pastor of the church of Mead- 
ville was Rev. Rolwrt Johnston, who was said 
to be a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, 
by Bridget, the eldest daughter of the Pro- 
tector. His paternal grandfather emigrated 
to this country early in life, and settled in 
New Jersey. Rev. Robert Johnston was born 
in Perry county. Pa., August 7th, 1774. "He 
studied at Canonsburg Academy, was licensed 
by the Presbytery of Ohio, April, 1802, 
preached eight or nine years in Venango 
county, and on the 15th of October, 181 1, 
was installed pastor ot the churches of Mead- 
ville, Little Sugar Creek (now Cochranton), 
and Conneaut (now Evansburg), dividing his 
time equally between Meadville and the other 



68 



CENTENNIA L EDI TION TRIB UNE-REP UBL ICA N. 



two congregations. This relation continued prominent trait in his character. In his has arisen in so short a time from such 

until April, 1817. He was the father of the ministerial labors he was often found wmding obscurity to occupy so prominent a position. 

Hon. S. P. Johnston, of Warren, Pa., who for through the paths of the forest, fording and In 1 80 1 he was licensed as an exhorter, in 

several years was the President Judge of this swimming streams, climbing rugged hills, and 1802 licensed to preach, in 1815 was appoint 

district. sometimes at night tying his horse under a ed a Presiding Elder, and in May, 1816, was 

I-'IKST RELIGIOUS SERVICES. tree, he slept on the ground with his saddle elected and consecrated a Bishop in the 

The first public religious services in Mead- for a pillow, and pressed on to meet his ap church, 

ville were held in the old Gill House, situated pointments to preach the word of God." 
on Water street and still standing. Subse- the Methodist episcopal church. 

quently the preaching was in the court room One of the earliest and most prominent 

over the old jail, that stood on the ground members of this church was Robert R. Rob 

now occupied by the law oflfice of Messrs. erts, afterwards Bishop Roberts. lie was building still standing on the southeast corner 

Haskins and McClintock. In the year 1818 born in Frederick county, Maryland, August of Main and Arch streets. It was erected by 

the old brick church on Liberty street was 2d, 1778. At the age of 7 years his father Mr. John Luper, and the lower part used by 

commenced and completed in the year 1S20. removed into the valley of Ligonier, West- him as a blacksmith shop. Over this shop 

All the inhabitants of the town continued to moreland county. Pa. In the spring of 1796, was a large unfinished room, which, it is said, 

worship in it until 1825, when three other de- when young Roberts was 18 years of age, he, Mr. Luper finished and furnished at his own 

nominations effected organizations that same in company with his brother Thomas and three expense for a church. This building was 

year. other young men, started out in quest of lands occupied for this purpose for some nine years. 

OIL CREEK CHURCH. for a home for themselves. They traveled on The next place of holding public worship was 

As early as 1802 a request was sent to the foot, carrying their provisions on their backs, in the brick building on Arch street, on the 



The Methodist church of Meadville was 
organized with eighteen members in the year 
1825, by Rev. Robert C. Hatton. The first 
regular place of holding meetings was in the 



Presbytery of Erie from Oil Creek 
for "supplies." In 1803 the request 
for " supplies " was repeated under 
the name of Titus's, Mr. Jonathan 
Titus, from whom Titusville took its 
name, having settled here in the 
year 1798. He came first as a 
surveyor in 1793. The first com- 
munion was held in the barn of Mr. 
Titus by Messrs. Joseph Stockton 
and Samuel Tait, the latter having 
settled at Cool Spring, Mercer 
county, in the year 1800, The 
formal organization of the church 
of Oil Creek, or Titusville, as it was 
afterwards called, devolved upon 
Rev. Amos Chase. He was born 
near Boston, Mass., on the 12th 
day of May, 1760. He graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1780. He 
was ordained and placed over the 
church of Litchfield, C^onn., June, 
1787. He continued as pastor in 
this field for some twenty-six years, 
and at his own request was dis- 
missed in 1814. He left Litchfield 
on horseback for Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and on reaching the Alle- 
gheny river at Olean, he descended 
by raft as far as the present town of 




- A -ti^K 



FIRST PRESBVTEKIAN ('HIRC H. 



lot on which has been erected the 
Irish Catholic church. It was com- 
menced in the year 1830 and fin- 
ished in November, 1834. This 
continued to be the place of meet- 
ing for thirty four years, until the 
erection in 1868 of the large, ele- 
gant.-massive stone building on the 
corner of the Public Square. 

THE ASSOCIATE FRESliVTERIAN 
CHURCH. 

This church efl'ected an organiza- 
tion in this county in i8oi. Rev. 
Daniel McLean was the first minis- 
ter of this denomination to enter 
this field. He was born in Lan- 
caster county, Pa., September 10, 
1771. He removed with his fath- 
er's family to Washington county. 
Pa., and settled on a farm near 
Cannonsburg, where he prosecuted 
his academic and theological stud- 
ies. He was licensed to preach in 
'799 by the Associate Presbytery of 
Chartiers. In the year 180 1 he 
began his labors in Shenango town- 
ship, and in the same year he organ- 
ized a church consisting of ten 
members ; and it has very appro- 



priately been called "Old Jerusa- 

Tionesta, in Forest county, and from thence and their guns on their shoulders, for the pur- lem," being the mother of all the churches 

again on horseback to Titusville. Having pose of defense and securing game on their of this denomination in this whole region, 

spent some months in missionary labor, he re- journey. Two of the young men soon became January i, 1802, he received calls from 

turned to Connecticut, and on the 15th of discouraged and returned home. The others Shenango, and from Sandy and Salem 

February, 1815, started with his family for kept on their way, crossed the .Mlegheny churches in Mercer county, and was installed 

this county to enter upon a pioneer life, known river near where P'reeport now stands, came pastor over them. He continued pastor of the 

to be lull of labor and of trials. He organ- up to Franklin, and followed up French creek church ol Shenango fifty-four years. This 

izcd the churches of Oil Creek and Centreville to Meadville. From this place they went out relation was dissolved .\pril, 1855, and he 

in 1815, and continued to preach to them till on the headwaters of Shenango creek, where died June 5th ensuing, in the 84th year of his 

1830, when the pastoral relation was dissolved, they finally settled. In the year 1798 the age and the 56th of his ministry, "an old man. 

He died at his home in Centreville, Decem- parents of Mr. Roberts took up their residence full of days, riches, and honor." 

ber 23d, 1849, in the 90th year of his age, and in Shenango, near their children. In this The firet services held by this congregation 

the 63d of his ministry. The following same year a Methodist class was organized, were under a tent. About the year 1805 a 

description of him is from the pen of Samuel and Robert R. Roberts was appointed their log house was erected in which to worship, 

Minor, Esq.: "In person he was tall, erect, leader. This was the nucleus of Methodism and in 1S18 a frame building which was occu 

and of full size and proportion. A determined in this county. Probably no man in the minis- pied until 1879, when a neat and substantial 

energy of purpose and action constituted a try in the Methodist church in this country edifice was erected. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



69 



In May, 1858, the Associate and the Asso- 
ciate Reformed churches of this country were 
nnited under the name of the l-'nited Presby- 
terian church of North America. 
BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In the valley of the Cussewago, about two 
miles in a northwest direction from Mosier- 
town, is situated the Cannel Baptist church. 
It has the honor of being the first orgamzation 
of this denomination in the county. .\s early 
as 1802 Mr. Lewis Thickston settled in this 
township, and others with hke religions views 
with himself moving into the settlement, they 
were in the year 1S05 constituted and known 
as the Carmel Baptist church. Their first 
minister was Rev. Thomas G. Jones. In the 
year 1 8 10 their first house of worship was 
erected. It was built of hewn logs. This 
was replaced by a frame building in 1839. 
This m due time gave place to an- 
other buildiiig, which was erected 
in 1856. 



THE PRESBYTERIANS. 



A History of Their Churches in 
Crawford County. 



(BY REV. T. D. LOG.VS.) 
The Presbyterian church was the 
pioneer in religious labor in Craw- 
ford county. The early settlers were 
generally of Scotch-Irish extraction 
and in sympathy with the Presby- 
terian church, or those churches 
nearly allied to it. Removing from 
the eastern coimties, or coming di- 
rectly from Scotland and the north 
of Ireland, these Presbyteria n s at 
once set up the family altar, in- 
structed their children in the Scrip- 
tures and the catechism, and eagerly 
awaited the coming of ministers 
that they might enjoy the pnbUc 
ordinances of religion. Xor did 
they wait long. In the year 1799 
Elisha McCurdy and Joseph Stock- 
ton, two young men who had just 
been licensed to preach the gospel, 
were sent on a missionary tour to the coimtry 
bordering on Lake Erie. In going and return- 
ing they preached at a number of places within 
this county — at MeadvUIe, at Davis' on French 
creek, at the outlet of Coimeant Lake, and at 
the house of a Mr. Wilion, on the margin 
of the Pymattming Swamp. Mr. Stockton 
returned the following year. The Presbytery 
of Erie, within the botmds of which Craw- 
ford county is still included, was organized in 
1801, being the third Presbytery west of the 
.■\llegheny mountains. Seventeen churches 
have since been oiganized within the cotmty, 
all bnt four still maintaining a vigorous life. 
nRST PRESBYTERLA^J CHURCH OF ME.\D\"II.LE. 
The church owes its origin to the mission- 
ary tour of Messrs McCurdy and Stockton in 
1 799. The next year Rev. Joseph Stockton 
received an invitation to preach statedly at 



Meadville. When he received hi» call he were : John Reynolds, H. J. Huidekoper, 
was but 21 years of age. On the 24th of Levy Barton, John Brooks and James Hamil- 
June, i8ot, he was ordained and installed as ton. All the inhabitants of the village used 
pastor of the churches of Meadville and Little this building as a place of worship tmtil 1825, 
Sugar Creek (now Cochranton). This pas- in which year the Methodists fitted up a room 
toral relation continued till June 27th, 1810, on South Main streeL 

when it was dissolved by the Presbytery of Rev. John Van Liew was the third pastor. 
Erie, of which Mr. Stockton was one of the He was ordained and installed August 22d, 
original members. The early records of the 1 821, devoting his entire time to the Mead- 
church have been lost, and with them the viHe church. His pastorate continued three 
names of the first members. The first elders years, when it was dissolved June 2l3t, 1824, 
were John Cotton, Robert Stockton and Hugh on account of impaired health. He was snc- 
Cotton. The second pastor was Rev. Robert ceeded by Rev. Wells Bushnell, ordained and 
Johnston, who was installed October 15th, installed June 22d, 1826. This pastorate was 
181 1, over the churches of Meadville, Little a very vigorous and snccessful one, being con- 
Sugar Creek and Conneaut (now Evansburg), tinned seven years, when Mr. Bushnell went 
dividing his time equally between- Meadville as a misionary to the Indians, the church 
and the other two congregations. This rela- reluctantly consenting to his withdrawal. The 
tion continued till April 2, 1817. During his pastoral relation was dissolved June 26th, 1833. 

Rev. Nathaniel West, D.D., was 
. ^-.-^ . & t^^ is^t pastor, installed May I Ith, 

1836, and released two years later, 
June 26th, 1838. Mr. West was a 
man of decided ability, with strong 
personahty, and although his pastor- 
ate was short, he exerted great influ- 
ence throtighout the community. 

Rev. John V. Reynolds, D.D., 
succeeded Dr. West, being ordained 
and installed November 13th, 1839, 
and continuing his ministry with 
great acceptance for thirty years, 
when at his request the Presbytery 
dissolved the relation, April 21, 
1869. 

The next pastorate was that of 
Rev. James G. Camahan, LL. D., 
which continued twelve years and 
was dissolved .\pril 14th, 1881. 
The present handsome building 




SECOND PRESBYTERI.VX CHURCH. 



pastorate, with the assistance of Thomas 
Atkinson, of the Messengtr, Mr Johnston 
organized a Sunday school, which was opened 
in December, 1S14. The first services were 
held in private houses, and afterwards in the 
old academy on the comer of Chestnut and 
Liberty streets, and in the court room of quest November 10, 1887. 



was erected in 1874-5 at a cost of 
about $43,000, and dedicated .Aug- 
ust 22d, 1875. By the death of 
Alanson Lindley in May, 188 1, the 
church received quite a substantial 
ftmd for the benefit of the poor and 
named the ".\lanson Lindley Fund 
for the Poor," of which only the 
interest can be used. The parson- 
age on the adjoining lot was deeded to the 
church by Lucy K. Lindley and came into 
full possession at her death. 

The eighth and last pastorate was that of 
Rev. Edward P. Sprague, D.D., constituted 
November 3, 1881, and dissolved at bis re- 
in the summer of 



the old log court house and jail, which stood 
on the site of Haskins & McClintock's office, 
near the home of the late Judge Derickson. 
On the 5th of February, 1818, a contract for 
the erection of a church was let to George 
Davis. It was to be a brick building 60170 
feet in dimensions, finished within two years 
at a total cost of 86,500. The site chosen 
was immediately in front of the present edi- 
fice. When the building was completed the 
pews were sold, .August 14th, 1820, to pay the 
cost of construction. The sale committee 



1886 the church was thoroughly repaired and 
the interior neatly frescoed. At the present 
time the pastorate is vacant, bat the pulpit is 
regularly supplied. 

The loss of the earlier records makes it 
impossible to determine the number of mem- 
bers who have been connected with this or- 
ganization. 
SECOSD PRESBYTERHS CHXjRCH, MEA DTTIXE. 

A series of misunderstandings and differ- 
ences of opinion respecting matters affecting 
the doctrine and government of the church 



70 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



culminated in the year 1838 in the division of 
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
church into two branches, commonly known 
as Old School and New School. The divi- 
sion continued until 1869, when the two 
bodies were happily reunited. The division 
of the Assembly led to the dividing of Pres- 
byteries, and, in some instances, of churches. 
The Presbytery of Erie, while meeting in 
Meadville, June 27th, 1838, divided by a vote 
of 28 to 16, the majority adhering to the New 
School Assembly. The Meadville church 
was vacant at that time, but the elder and the 
former pastor. Rev. Nathaniel West, adhered 
to the New School. Under these circum- 
stances when a call was extended to a pastor 
June 17th, 1839, and taken to the Old School 
Presbytery ot Erie, a large part of the con- 
gregation held that the action was illegal, and 
in the language of their record 
" determined to continue the con- 
stitutional organization of the Pres- 
byterian church in the United 
States." The names of forty male 
members are appended to this 
declaration. Nearly all of these 
were married men, and their wives, 
with other female members, increas- 
ed the number to about 100. Claim- 
ing to be the constitutional church 
of Meadville there was no formal 
organization. 

The first stated supply was Rev. 
E. W. Kellogg, who continued his 
labor- till April 25th, 1841. Rev. 
Robinson S. Lockwood was called 
to the pastorate June 5th, and in- 
stalled September 8th, 184 1, This 
relation continued till October 19th, 
1843. In the spring of 1842 there 
was an extended revival of relig- 
ion, during which over fifty were 
added to the membership. 

After the division the congrega- 
tion at first worshiped in the frame 
lecture room on Centre street, cor- 
ner of Park avenue, and then in the 
building erected by Colonel Wil- 
liam Magaw as a ware room, and 
now used as the stable of the Central Hotel. 
The next move was to the building known as 
the Cumberland Presbyterian church, opposite 
the jail. In this place the congregation wor- 
shipped till the completion of the lecture 
room of the present edifice. 

The first definite movement towards erect- 
ing a building was made September 20, 1841. 
It was decided to build a brick structure, with 
dimensions not less than 40x60 feet with base- 
ment story for the lecture room on the lot cor- 
ner of Centre street and Plum alley. The 
first board of trustees, consisting of A. Lind- 
ley, S. Wilson, William Gill, Z. Sacket, Hugh 
Cotton and James Sacket, was elected Decem 
ber 19, 1841, The church was dedicated 
June 30, 1844. The adjoining lot was pur- 
chased in 1859. 

At the request of the session Rev. Richard 



Craighead occupied the pulpit the first Sab- 
bath of November, 1843, and on April 8, 
1S44, he was unanimously called to be pastor. 
The formal acceptance of the call was delay- 
ed in the first instance, and no further action 
was taken till a meeting of Presbytery held in 
Meadville, April 14, 1852, wher. he was regu- 
larly installed. Mr. Craighead's pastorate was 
long and useful. For thirty-one years he 
labored with indefatigable energy to advance 
the temporal and spiritual interests of his 
charge. In 1869 the building was enlarged, 
the towers in front being added and the seat- 
ing capacity increased one-third at an expense 
of $9,000. The building will now accom- 
modate 450 persons. In November 1873, 
after preaching thirty years, Mr. Craighead 
resigned his charge on account of tailing 
health. At the request of the congregation 




BAPTIST CHURCH. 

the matter was deferred from time to time 
and supplies were engaged to fill the pulpit, 
but as his health was not sufficiently restored 
to allow him to resume his work, the pastor 
again presented his resignation, and the rela- 
tion was dissolved October 24, 1874. The 
entire period of his labor in this congregation 
was 31 years. 

The present pastor. Rev. Thomas D. Logan, 
was engaged as temporary supply for six 
months, and preached his first sermon on the 
last Sabbath of March, 1874. He was then 
a licentiate of the Presbytery of Allegheny 
and about to graduate from the Western 
Theological Seminary. He supplied the pul- 
pit till the last Sabbath of the following Sep- 
tember. A unanimous call was extended to 
him November 14, which he accepted and 
preached his first sermon as pastor-elect De- 



cember 20, 1874. On the 20th of January, 
1875, he was ordained and installed pastor by 
the Presbytery of Erie. This pastorate has 
continued thirteen years, while the entire 
period of his labor has been more than 14 
years. During this time the church has been 
refurnished, and an organ with water moter 
purchased at a cost of $2,000. 

At the time of the separation Messrs. Jabez 
B. Sacket and Joseph Dickson were ruling 
elders in the old church and were among those 
composing the new organization. Mr. David 
Compton who had been a ruling elder of the 
Cussewago church was appointed to the same 
office in this church at the first communion 
service. 

The entire membership enrolled up to the 
present date is 1,158, of which 183 took part 
in the organization or were received under 
the ministry of Messrs. Kellogg and 
Lockwood, 584 were received dur- 
ing the thirty-one years of the pas- 
torate of Rev. R. Craighead, and 
391 under the pastorate of Rev. T. 
D. Logan. Seventy nine members 
have died during the 13 years of 
- the present pastorate. The enrolled 

membership is 376, the resident 
membership 325. A Sabbath school 
has been maintained from the or- 
ganization to the present time. It 
now has a membership of 240 with 
an average attendance of 180. John 
B. Compton is superintendent, T. 
H. Apple, assistant superintendent, 
and Richard Graham, principal of 
the infant department. The church 
is out of debt and is enjoying a high 
degree of prosperity. 

riTUSVILLE. 
Under the name of Oil Creek, 
this church was organized in 18 15, 
but services were held several yeasr 
earlier. The first communion was 
held in 1809 by Rev. Joseph Stock- 
ton, of Meadville, and Rev. Samuel 
Tait, of Cool Spring, Mercer coun- 
ty, in a log cabin of Jonathan Titus, 
standing near the present Fletcher 
Block, on the east side of Franklin, be- 
tween Pine and Spring streets. In 181 5 a 
permanent organization was effected with a 
membership of 40, some of whom lived twelve 
or fifteen miles di.stant, by Rev. Amos Chase. 
For eleven years this pioneer minister labored 
as a missionary in portions of Warren, Venan- 
go and Crawford counties, and in 1826 he 
accepted a call lo preach at Oil Creek one- 
half his time, and one fourth at Centreville, 
devoting the other fourth to missionary work. 
This relation continued till 1830, when at the 
age of 70 years, Mr. Chase retired to Centre- 
ville. The next regular pastor. Rev. George 
W. Hampson, began his labor September 1st, 
1830, and was settled in due form June 27th, 
1832. He continued his ministry twenty two 
years and six months, or until March 1st, 
1853. Between that date and 1858 there was 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



71 



a vacancy in the pulpit most of the time. Rev. Associate Reformed, afterwards the United 
George H. Hammer was called July ist, Presbyterian church. That organization.which 
1858, and he and two elders, William Kelley is now the Presbyterian church of Cochranton, 
and Caleb M. Allen, called a church meeting seceded from the United Presbyterian church 
October 31st of that year, at which the con- in 1848, and formed a Reformed Presbyterian 
gregation was reorganized with 28 members, or Covenanter church. This was transferred 
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Hammer resigned to to the Presbyterian church in 1867. The 
command a cavalry company enlisted in this present pastor, Rev. J. T. Crumrine, was in- 
county. His successors in the ministry have stalled December 29th, 1887. The church 
been Rev. Samuel Wykoff, Rev. W. C. Curtis, buildmg was erected in 1852. 
Rev. William H. Taylor, Rev. Alexander Sin- Cambridge. 

clair. Rev. Robert Sloss, Rev. W. J. Chiches- The Presbyterian church was organized 
ter, Rev. J. A. Maxwell, D.D. The present April 22d, 1852. A Union Congregational 
pastor. Rev. M. D. Kneeland, D.D., was in- and Presbyterian church had been previously 
stalled February 9th, 1888. built, which by mutual agreement was re- 

The first preaching was in private houses, tained by the Presbyterians. Rev. G. W, 
school houses and groves. About 181 2 a Hampson was pastor from 1853 till his death 
small round log meeting house was erected in 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. W. A. 
just east of the old cemetery, at the head of McCarrell, 1871 to 1875. The present pas- 
Franklin street. It was used for 
some time, but never entirely fin- 
ished. A short distance west of it 
a hewed log church was commenced 
in 18 15, but not wholly completed 
till 1823. A frame church was 
commenced in 1833 and completed 
in 1837. The cost was $1,500, 
and it stood directly at the head of 
Franklin street, on the site of the 
present German Reformed church, 
and west of the old log church. 
The ground -for this church was 
donated by Jonathan Titus. In 
1863 a lot was purchased on the 
southeast corner of Walnut and 
Franklin streets. The church build- 
ing was finished in 1865 at a cost of 
g 1 7,000. The parsonage, nearly 
opposite the church building, came 
into the possession of the congrega- 
tion in 1870. An elegant brown 
stone church has just been erected 
to take the place of this structure, 
at a cost of §40,000. Since the oil 
development in 1865 the Titusville 
church has displayed a commenda- 
ble spirit of liberality in its contri- 
butions to missionary objects, as 
well as to their own support. 

CONNEAUTVILLE. 




AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH. 



tor. Rev. William Grassie, then took charge. 

This church was organized with nine mem- Under his earnest and efficient ministry the 

bers by Rev. Peter Hassinger, October 31st, church has attained a high degree of pros- 

1835. The following ministers have served perity 

the church as regular pastors or supplies : 



Run. A separate organization was effected in 
1 866. John H. Culbertson and J. W. Scott 
were the first elders. Rev. D. Waggoner was 
pastor from 1870 to 1881. At other times the 
pulpit has been occupied by supplies. 
EVANSBURG. 
This church was formerly known as Con- 
neaut. The date of its organization is uncer- 
tain. In 1811-1817 it formed part of the pas- 
toral charge Of Rev. Robert Johnston in con- 
nection with Meadville and Cochranton. The 
building was erected in 1831. 

HARMONSBURG. 

Organized June 13, 1829, by Rev. D. Mc- 
Kinney, with 41 members and 5 elders, viz: 
John McClure, John Neal, David Brecken- 
ridge, Thomas Chidester and Robert Stock- 
ton. The building was erected in 1844 at a 
cost of $800. The present pastor 
is Rev. R. R. Moore. 

kerr's hill. 
Situated in Oil Creek township, 
-_ two miles west of Titusville, was 

organized and the building erected 
in 1853. The early elders were 
Peter T. Curry, Wm. McGinniss 
and Wm. Kerr. The church has 
been ministered to by the Rev. 
Messrs. Samuel Wykoff, Wm. Elli- 
ott, Wm. Smith, John McLaughlin 
and S. B. Stevenson. 

GREENFIELD 

is located in the western part of 
Greenwood. It was organized and 
the building was erected in 1854. 
The settled pastors have been Rev. 
James Coulter, Rev. George .Scott, 
Rev. D. Waggoner, and Rev. I. W. 
McVitty. The first elders were 
Elliot Logan and John R. Slaven. 

ATLANTIC. 

This church was organized in 
November, 1874, with forty mem- 
bers from Greenfield and Adams- 
ville. The first elders were James 
Hamilton, George K. Miller, John 
N. Kerr and S. M. Kerr. The build- 
ing was erected in 1876 at a cost 

The present pastor is Rev. J. P. 



of 83,300. 
Irwin. 



EXTINCT CHURCHES. 



Rev. R. Lewis and Rev. D. Waggoner, Rev. 
J. W. Dickey, Rev. L. P. Bates, Rev. G. W. 
Zahnizer, Rev. N. S. Lowrie, Rev. R. L, 
Stewart, Rev. M. D. A. Steen, Rev. W. W, 
McKinney, Rev. R. R 
church was erected in 



GRAVEL RUN. 

This church, located at Woodcock borough, 

is the oldest Presbyterian church in the county 

outside of Meadville. It was organized about 

1809. The church was divided into the old 

Moore. The first and new school branches from 1838 to i86g. 

1838. The present The building, a substantial brick structure, 



h5ndsome brick structure was built in 1871 at was erected in 1854. The following ministers 

a cost of $17,000. have labored here : Rev. Messrs. Peter Has 

COCHRANTON. Singer, A. Cunningham, J. F. Read, D.D., G. 

The church known as Little Sugar Creek W. Hampson, J. W. Dickey, W. A. McCarrell 

was organized about 1 800, and was part of the and William Grassie. 
charge of Rev. Joseph Stockton, 1801 to 1810, VENANGO, 

and Rev. Robert Johnston, 181 1 to 1817. The church building was erected in 1853, 

About 1820 it passed into connection with the the members being connected with Gravel 



There was a church organization and build- 
ing at CentreviUe from 1815 to about 1S50, 
and also at Spartansbnrg from 1844 to 1875, 
when it was transferred to the Congregational 
body. The church known as Cussewago, near 
Mosiertown, was organized about 1835 ^"'^ 
lived but a few years. Mention is made of an 
organization of Presbyterians who at that ear- 
ly date built a house of worship about a mile 
north of Springboro. Rev. John Boyd was 
the pastor. From various causes these organ- 
izations were abandoned. 



The present national colors of the United 
States were not adopted until the year 1777. 



/- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



THE U. P. CHURCH. 



History of the United Presbyterians in 
Crawford County. 



(BY REV. H. H. HERVEY.) 
The United Presbyterian church of North 
America is the linea'l descendant of the Re- 
formed, or Covenanter, and the Associate, or 
Seceder, churches of Scotland. These bodies, 
being represented by persons living principal- 
ly in eastern Pennsylvania and New York, at- 
tempted a union. As early as 1777 the effort 
was begun, and after years of patient perse- 
verance it was accomplished, and the Associ- 
ate Reformed church took its existence in the 
year 17S2. The articles forming the basis of 
her existence were chiefly from the pen of 
the celebrated Dr. John M. Mason. In 1799, 
after sixteen years of labor, the 
standards of her profession were 
finally adopted at Greencastle, 
Pa. 

As is often the case, instead of 
one church, there were three. 
The brethren who did not go 
into the union kept up their ex- 
istence. In 1838 negotiations 
were opened for a union be- _^ 

tween the Associate, Reformed 
and the Associate churches. The _^ . 

Reformed were included in the 
first efforts, but soon dropped 
out. Conventions were held, 
and meetings for conference and 
a better understanding of each 
other, till on May 26, 1858, in 
the city of Pittsburg, the desired 
end was attained, and the U. P. 
church was formally organized. 
There was again a small frag- 
ment of both churches that re- 
fused to go into the union. In 
the old city hall was the scene 
of the nuptial ceremony, and on 
the banner that floated in air 
was inscribed, " The truth as it 
is in Jesus," and "Forbearance 
is love." The body thus formed 
had a strength something like 
this : 42 Presbyteries ; 306 pas- 
tors, no without charge; licentiates and stu- 
dents, 75; communicants, 56,000; congrega- 
tions, 640. In 18S7 there are 10 Synods, 60 
Presbyteries, nearly 100,000 members, 750 
ministers, 885 congregations, 144 mission sta- 
tions, 3 theological seminaries, and 5 colleges, 
two being well endowed. The foreign mission 
work carried on by the church is principally in 
Egypt and India. These missions are of con- 
siderable importance, and have attracted the 
attention of the Christian world. Egypt has 
been in great measure given over to the Unit- 
ed Presbyterian church by the Christian world, 
and her labors have been greatly blessed and 
largely successful. 

Lake Presbytery is one of the sixty com- 
posing the whole body. Within her borders 



lies Crawford county, whilst scattered more or 
less over the county are the great bulk of the 
churches to be found in the southwest. The 
oldest congregation of the denomination in 
the county is Shenango, in the township of 
South Shenango. It was organized in 1801 
with ten members, by Rev. Daniel McLean, 
then from Washington county, Pa. In 1802 
he accepted a call. In 1840 there were 350 
members in the congregation. His congrega- 
tion reached to near Conneautville on the 
north, and Greenville on the south. From his 
abundant and faithful labors have sprung ail 
the congregations in this part of the country. 
He was contemporary with McCurdy and 
Stockton. He died June, 1855, aged 84. 
His pastorate lasted fifty-four years in all. 
The pastors since were Rev. J. A. Collins, 
from 1858 till 1863; Rev. J. B. Waddle, from 




STATE STREET M. E. CHURCH. 

1866 till 1 87 1; Rev. John Annslrong, from 
1875 till 1877; Rev. D. F. Dickson, 1880 till 
1883; Rev. J. C. Herron, 1884, and he still 
serves them. The history of mother congre- 
gations is verified in Shenango. Organizations 
have sprung up around her till she gives signs 
of weakness. The present membership is 83. 

HARTSTOWN. 

Organized in 1830. The first pastor was 
Rev. S. F. Smith, of Sugar Creek, (now 
Cochranton). He died 1846. Rev. Dalzell 
served the congregation one year. In 1853, 
June 15th, the present pastor was ordained — 
H. H. Hervey. The membership in 1853 
was about 50 ; now it is 220. 

NORTH SHENANGO. 

North Shenango was organized in 1849 by 



Rev. H. H. Thompson. The enrollment was 
30 members. This congregation was taken 
from Hartstown. The first pastor was Rev. 
Dalzell, and he was succeeded by Rev. H. H. 
Herv6y, the present incumbent. It now num- 
bers 130. 

ADAMSVILLE. 

Adamsville was organized in 1854. It was 
another slice from Shenango. An indisposi- 
tion to write histoiy, or unwillingness to tell 
what they knew, has left their numerical 
forces at the beginning a secret. It made a 
good healthy start, however. Rev. William 
Bruce was their first pastor. He was installed 
in 1854, I think. There is no date. He was 
pastor until the 8th of February, i860. Rev. 
John Wallace succeeded him, 1862 till 1866. 
He went into the Reformed church and died. 
Rev. W. R. Stewart was ordained and in- 
stalled May 5th, 1868. On June 
14th, 1870, he was released and 
sent to Oregon as a missionary. 
Rev. T. W. Winter served them 
from October 4th, 1872 till 1880. 
' Rev. W. J. McCrory served 

them from his ordination and 
installation, which took place 
October loth, 1881, till July 
6th, 1882. The next and pres- 
ent pastor is Rev. J. L. Clark. 
He was pastor at Kerr Ridge, 
and from there he was called to 
Adamsville, and was installed 
July 2d, 1883. The membership 
of the congregation at present 
is 229. 

EVANSBURG. 

Evansburg (Conneaut Lake), 
organized in 1826. First pastor. 
Rev. M. Snodgrass, from 1827- 
1856; William Bruce, stated 
supply, 1 856- 1 860; Rev. J. B. 
Wadde, pastor, 1 863- 1 87 1 ; Rev. 
.S. M. Black, 18734; Rev. J. 
McNab, 1S75-1885. 

WATSON'S RUN. 

This is in Vernon township. 
Organized March 6th, 1869. 
Rev. Waddle served the congre- 
gation for a time, and in 1873 
Rev. S. M. Black became its 
there and in Meadville, where the Associate 
Reformed church had a congregation, from 
1817-20. Rev. S. F. Smith from 1828-46. 
When he died Rev. H. H. Thompson 
preached from 1847- 1865 ! Re\. David Don- 
nan became pastor in 1866, and is still at 
work. Two hundred and twenty-eight mem- 
bers are reported. 

POWER. 

Power, in Hayfield township, has been a 
part of the Cochranton charge for many years, 
and still is. It was organized into a congre- 
gation April 17th, 1865, with 43 members. 
Rev. Donnan still serves them. By last report 
the membership is 70. 

KERR RIDGE. 

Organized 1852. Rev. A. Murray was pas- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



71 



pastor. Rev. J. McNab served them in con- 
nection with Evansburg from 1875 ''" '^85. 
COCHRANTON. 
Organized 1815, under the care of Monon- 
gahela Presbytery, which then reached to 
Lake Erie. Rev. Allen D. Campbell preached 
tor from 1857 60; Rev. John Jamieson, stated 
supply, 1864-5 ; Rev. J. L. Clark, pastor from 
1876; 1876-83, vacancy. Forty members. 

ROMETOWN. 

Organized December, 1878; supplied; 
membership, 40. 

EBENEZER. 

Organized May 27th, 1865. Its first and 
only pastor was Rev. James Borrows. He 
died May 13th, 1886. He with his charge 
was received from the A. R. church south, 
September, 18S1. The congregation is lo- 
cated in South Shenango ; membership, 80. 

Summary: —There are in the county 6 pas- 
tors, II congregations, 1,220 members, 50 
elders. Jamestown 
congregation, on the 
line, draws members 
firom this county. 



years the church "in his" house, and the first 
Methodist church in Crawford county. Mr. 
Benn became a very useful local preacher and 
was greatly beloved by those who knew him. 
The same year there was another church or- 
ganized twelve miles northeast of Meadville, 
in the house of Abram Daniels, who also be- 
came a preacher and did effective work. 
During the next year there was preaching in 
several places, some conversions both in pri- 
vate houses and at camp meetings, and some 
societies formed, of whose first members there 
is no present record. In 1812 a church was 
organized near the state road, four miles from 
Meadville, consisting of Simeon Brown and 
wife, O. Chase and wife, E. Douglas and 
wife, John Grimes and wife, William Smith 
and Anna Glenn. The leader, Simeon Brown, 
was very efficient and faithful in the cause, 
and the society prospered greatly under his 
care and management. 



METHODISTS. 

A History of Meth- 
odisin in Crawford 
County. 



(by G. VV. CLARKE, D.D.) 

Unlike what now 
lakes place in our 
frontier settlements, 
Methodism did not 
enter this county along 
with the adventurous 
pioneers, who came 

to cut away the forests and make them 
homes in the wilderness. The church was 
aggressive then as now, perhaps more so; 
but to be first, or among the first, in every 
new field was simply impossible. "The har- 
vest was great and her laborers few." The 
rule adopted was to bestow labor where it 
was most needed. So other divisions of the 
Lord's army were here long before the 
ubiquitous circuit rider put in an appearance. 
Their valiant men were not only on the 
ground, but occupied strong positions with 
ability to maintain their hold on the people. 

In 1800, twenty-two years after the first 
settlement was begun, Rev. B. P. Davis, a 
solitary itinerant, sent out by the Baltimore 
conference, entered the county, and labored a 
short time with success in the Mumford 
neighborhood, but he had to leave them soon 
to fill other appointments on his large circuit, 
and no permanent results were secured. 
Three years later another Baltimore confer- 
ence preacher. Rev. Noah Fidler, came and 
formed a small society in the eastern part of 
the county, near where the Titusville road 
crosses .Sugar Creek. The organization was 
first at Mr. Henry Kinnear's, but afterward 
removed to Jonathan Benn's, and was for 




FIRST M. E. CHURCH. 

FIRST CHURCH IN MEADVILLE. 

For a long time Meadville seemed to have 
no room for the Methodists. In other parts of 
the county the cause made some advance- 
ment, while only an occasional sermon was 
preached at the county town. But in 1824, 
under the ministry of Rev. R. Hatton, there 
was a gracious revival. A church was or- 
ganized consisting of John Luper and wife, 
Wesley Bowman and wife, Griffith Bennett 
and wife, Hannah Lowery, "Bhnd Betty," 
Sarah and Margaret Johnson. It seemed to 
some a small beginning, but others were soon 
added, and the little band held the fort in 
hope of still more glorious success. They 
worshipped for some time in the upper story 
of a blacksmith shop on the corner of South 
Main and Arch streets. In 1830 Aurora 
Callender and Alured Plimpton being preach- 
ers on the circuit, the members, though few 
in number, and mostly poor, resolved to build 
them a place of worship. The brick walls 
were put up, the building enclosed, and the 
floors laid, not without great difficulty, and, 
though occupied, it remained some years in 
an unfinished state. Joseph S. Barris was the 
first stationed preacher, and Meadville for a 
long time the only station in the county. The 



rest of the work was arranged in four weeks' 
circuits, one preacher in charge and one as- 
sistant generally giving the people at each ap- 
pointment one sermon in two weeks, with 
much extra service at protracted meetings. 
GROWTH IN THE COUNTY. 
Fifty years ago there were but five pastoral 
charges in the whole county, and less than 
five hundred members, but the work was well 
organized, and the system, when understood, 
proved to be, as in other places, well adapted 
to the wants and wishes of the people. There 
are now in this county, where at first there 
seemed but little encouragement other than 
the promise of divine aid, twenty-eight con- 
ference preachers, thirty-one local preachers, 
with a small army of stewards, class leaders 
and e.\horters, all of whom might be, and 
some are, very useful. There are sixty five 
churches, most of them adapted to the wants 
and tastes of the communities where they are 
located. Their aggre- 
gate value is S254,- 
700. There are 
twenty-two parson- 
ages, valued at S28,- 
200. The last min- 
utes show 5,541 mem- 
bers, and $21,089 
were given for minis- 
terial support the last 
year. The collections 
for missions, including 
82,717 raised by the 
women's societies, 
h o m e and foreign, 
aggregated $2,768, 
and the other benev- 
olent collections, S3,- 
482. In those charges 
which have some members residing in other 
counties, these statistics are as nearly correct 
as it was possible to make them ; in the others 
they are just as found in the official records. 

The Methodists in the county have gener- 
ally felt a deep interest in Allegheny College, 
which came under the control and patronage 
of the church soon after her ecclesiastical or- 
ganization in this region was accomplished. 
The debt, that was a serious embarassment at 
the time the transfer was made, has been 
paid, additional buildings put up, all needed 
facilities for educational work greatly in- 
creased, and some endowment provided. 
More is needed, and the members of the 
church in the county where the college is lo- 
cated should do more than they yet have 
done, in sending their students and increasing 
the endowment funds. 

THE OLD TI.ME ZE.\L. 

Those who accept the doctrines and love the 
church can study her history in this county 
with satisfaction. As a people highly favored 
they may set up an Ebenezer, saying, "Hith- 
erto the Lord hath helped us," giving some 
success, and unspeakable blessedness to the 
humblest servants who have been workers to- 
gether with him. Some adverse criticisms 



74 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



are possible, and a few of the older members just such men as became in an early day re- 
speak sadly of the changed characteristics of nowned preachers, admired and extolled for 
our quarterly meetings, and an apparent de- their eloquence. Their coming to charges 
cline of interest in them. The change is not served by able men may excite less general 
denied, and some loss is confessed, but it has interest, but their godly presence, wise coun 
been more than compensated. Those meet- oils and faithful ministrations are a benedic- 
ings were in the earlier days a quarterly rally- tion to the pastors and churches. The ab 
ing of the hosts of our Israel, both ministers sence of great occasions and great excitement 
and laymen. The more gifted, earnest and is compensated by more frequent meetings, 
consecrated members, class leaders, stewards, instructive discourses and an intimate fellow- 
exhorters and local preachers, coming often ship of those in the same community who 
fifteen or twenty miles, full of faith and zeal, speak often one to another of their joys and 
to participate in the exercises, the occasions their sorrows, their comforts and their cares, 
could hardly be other than interesting. To There is satisfaction in saying that the Metho- 
people thus prepared, eagerly expectant and dist Episcopal church in this county is very 
receptive, an ordinary sermon, if evangelical far in advance of what she was in the earlier 
and delivered with earnestness, was powerful, periods of her history. She has a more thor- 
They heard the word with gladness, sustain- oughly trained and competent ministry, and a 
ing with their prayers, and encouraging with more intelligent, devoted membership, ready 
hearty responses those who published it. for every good work. She has merited and 
They looked for much, and were not disap- obtained recognition as an ally in all the re- 
pointed. Sinners were converted, and be- formatory and philanthropic enterprises of the 
lievers built up in their 

most holy faith. The .s-. ' 

prayer meeting Saturday 
night, after the sermon 
and exhortation, was ex- 
pected to be, and usually 
was, a time of refreshing. 
Power divine was present 
to wound and heal, to kill 
and make alive. And 
then such testimonies as 
were heaid in the love 
feasts, from men and 
women who really "loved 
to tell the story," are not 
readily forgotten ; while 
the old time singing, if 
less artistic, was in the 
spirit, not a performance., 
but worship, making mel- 
ody in the heart to the 
Lord. Yes, the differ- 
ence between then and 
now in the matter of 
quarterly meetings and of some other things people, and, what is more, holds by common 
is admitted. Some change was inevitable, consent an honorable place in the front ranks 
It came naturally and necessarily, from the of the militant Christian hosts who are valiant 
changed condition of .society. for the truth and who together will yet tri- 

PROGRESS OF THE PRESENT. umph gloriously. 

But, after all, there is real progress. It is We are the youngest of the large ecclesias- 
well to remember the past with all the good tical bodies in the county. When the itiner- 
there was in it ; but we would not if we could ants here commenced their work as evange- 
return to our primitive circuit system, and to lists others were in the field, antl were found 
the condition of society that made the old- holding their vantage ground with commenda- 
time meetings possible. It is not best to listen ble persistency. They had churches, an 
to those who complain that "the former days educated ministry, and a denominational 
were better than these." They were not. If literature that was creditable. Their theology 
the methods then employed were adapted to was generally accepted, and to some extent 
the condition of things at the lime, those now taught in the schools. It is a pleasure to say 
in use are not less suitable in our changed that many of the "regular clergy" or settled 
circumstances. Men do not now crowd our pastors who were here in the first fifty years 
churches as formerly, when the presiding of our civil history, were able men, and work- 
elder was expected. But the ministers who men that needed not to be ashamed. If they 
now superintend the work are generally better seemed too intolerant of other sects and claim- 
fitted for the positions they occupy, and do ed the exclusive right to hold the territory 
the work better than would be possible for and mould the sentiments of the communities 



banner waves over 




UNITARIAN CHURCH. 



where they were established, they were none 
the less good and true men because of their 
zeal in opposing what was considered "heresy 
or strange doctrine." fin like circumstances 
Methodists would have done the same). The 
thought of a new denomination in less than a 
half century having anything like equality 
with theui seemed preposterous. Probably no 
one entertained it. But the unexpected and 
improbable has come to pass, and Methodism 
is at the front, surpassing others in the num- 
ber of her members, in churches, and other 
facilities for aggressive evangelistic work. 
The new denomination was for a time suspect- 
ed, and spoken against, but when her vindica- 
tion was complete she was cordially received 
into the sisterhood of churches, with nothing 
to mar the fellowship enjoyed. There is now 
among Christians, of whatever name, much 
harmony, and a growing feeling that we are 
"one army of the living God." The same 
us, and the rights of all 
are fully recognized. We 
are competitors still, but 
only for prizes that, ob- 
tained, are a common 
heritage, the rejoicing of 
all. 

The African M. E. 
church, with the same 
doctrines and usages, has 
a separate organization, 
and, of choice, worship 
in churches of their own. 
They have among them 
some able and eloquent 
ministers, who have been 
abundant with useful la- 
bors, and would be heard 
with satisfaction a n y  
where. They have two 
churches, with something 
over loo members, and 
are doing a grand work 
among the colored peo- 
ple of the county, who, 
as a class, appreciate their civil and religious 
privileges, and show themselves worthy of the 
citizenship they here enjoy. 

The Free Methodists also hold services in 
several places, but do not seem to increase in 
numbers or influence. Possibly they are do- 
ing more good than yet appears. 



CHRIST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH. 



A Sketch of the Organization of the So- 
ciety and Construction of the 
Fine Church Edifice. 



This parish was organized Januai-y 25, 1825, 
by the Rev. John Henry Hopkins, D. D., then 
rector of Trinity church, Pittsburg, and who 
afterwards became bishop of Vermont and 
presiding bishop of the House of Bishops in 
the United States. The Hon. John B. Wal- 
lace had before that time come from Philadel- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



75 



phia to the village of Meadville, and was then in the city of Philadelphia); the Rev. Thomas of departed friends — was nearly 835,000. On 

a leading lawyer here. He had been reared 

and educated a devoted Episcopalian and 

feeling the need of church services, persuaded 

Dr. Hopkins to pay a visit to this place to 

inaugurate the good work. Ur. Hopkins 1846; the Rev. Dr. 

remained here for a time, during which he til 1850; the Rev. 



Crumpton until 1840, who is now rector of a Sunday, March 23, 1884, the new church was 

parish in the city of Pittsburg ; the Rev. John formally opened for divine services by the 

P. Hosmer until 1841 ; the Rev. Orrin Miller Right Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, D. U., 

until 1844; the Rev. Alexander Varian until bishop of the diocese of Pittsburg, assisted by 



Wm. M. Carmichael un- 
Alexander Varian again 
baptized thirty-two adults and forty-three until 1858; the Rev. R. W. Lewis until 1859 ; 
children. the Rev. Morison Byllesby until 1869; the 

On the 1 8th of January, 1826, the Rev. Rev. George C. Rafter until l870;theRev. 
Charles Smith was appointed to become rector W. G. W. Lewis until 1875; the Rev. Daniel 
of the newly organized congregation, and at L Edwards until 1878; the Rev. G. A. Cars- 
once entered upon his labors. In August of tensen until 18S2; the Rev. Wm. H. Lewis 
the same year the erection of a church build- until 1885 ; the Rev. Rogers Israel is the pre- 
ing was determined upon, and on the nth of sent rector. 

April, 1827, the corner stone was laid by the .Since the organization of the parish up to 
rector of the parish, 
assisted by the Rev. 
Benjamin Hutchins. 

On the 1 6th of 
August i8z8, the 
church, which stood 
on the northwest cor- 
ner of the public 
square, was conse- 
crated to the worship 
of Almighty God by 
the Right Rev. H. W. 
Onderdonk, bishop of 
Pennsylvania. This 
was the first Protest 
ant Episcopal church 
erected in the state 
west of the Allegheny 
river. It seated about 
250 persons and cost 
about 88,000. It was 
said to be, in point of 
architec t u r e, the 
handsomest church 
building in the dio- 
cese. 

Of the lead i n g 
members of the par- 
ish at that time men- 
tion may be made of 
Henry Shippen, pres- 
ident judge of the 
several courts of the 
district of which this 
county formed a part; 
William Magaw, the 
father of Mr. Leon C. 




the rector and visiting clergy. 

Upon the parish lot and near the church is 
a neat and comfortable lectory, built in 1878, 
at a cost of 82,700. The Sunday school 
building has been enlarged many times to 
provide for the constantly increasing wants of 
the people, and in its turn will no doubt soon 
have to be torn down to give place to one 
more fitted for the uses of this large and in- 
fluential parish. The present church edifice 
is unquestionably the most beautiful specimen 
of ecclesiastical ar- 
chitecture in the city 
of Meadville,and both 
in exterior and inte- 
rior exhibits the refin- 
ed taste and generous 
expenditure which is 
characteristic of this 
branch of Christ's 
Holy Catholic and 
Apostolic church. 



THE REFORMED 
tHURCH. 



A Sketch of the Ori- 
gin of this Denom- 
ination--Its Rapid 
Growth in Craw- 
ford County. 



CHRIST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND RECTORY. 



(BY REV. F. B. HAHN.) 
The Reformed 
church had its origin 
in the reaction against 
the teaching of the 
Roman Catholic 
church, known as the 
Reformation. It took 
its rise in Switzer- 
land, under the lead- 
ership of Ulrich 
Zwingli, one of the 
leading reform e r s , 
who began to preach 
the reformation views 
least one year before 



Magaw, of this city; the present time (April 1888) there have been as early as 1516, at 

Jared Shattuck, David Dick, the uncle of the a total of 878 baptisms and of 610 confirma- Luther began the reformation in Germany, 

members of the present firm of J. R. Dick & tions. There is now a total number of com- This religious movement soon spread through 

Co.; and Robert L. Potter, all leading citizens municants on the parish roll of 341. The Switzerland, France, Holland, Hungary, 



of the place. The building was enlarged in 
1832. and again in 1863, under the rectorship 
of the Rev. Morison Byllesby. It thus re- 
mained until 1883, when it was torn down 
and the present beautiful church was erected 
on the original site. 

The various rectors of the parish have been 
as follows : the Rev. Charles Smith until 
1829; the Rev. J. W. James until 1832; the 
Rev. Edward J. Buchanan until 1834, (this 
gentleman was a brother of president James 



Sunday schools number 42 officers and teach- Bohemia, the Palatinate, the Netherlands, 

ers and 321 scholars, and the congregation and into England, Scotland and Wales, 

and Sunday school shows a constant and Thus arose many Reformed churches, all hold 

vigorous growth both of adults and children, ing substantially the same belief concerning 

and of families and individual members. the Lord's Supper, in distinction from Luther 

The present beautiful church edifice was and his co-workers. These churches were 

built in the year 1883, during the rectorship distinguished from one another by the name 

of the Rev. W. H. Lewis. The total cost of of the country to which each belonged. One 

the church, including organ, altar, pulpit, lee- was the Reformed church of France, another 

turn and chancel furniture of every descrip- the Reformed church of the Netherlands, an- 

tion, which latter were the gifts of individual other the Reformed church of Scotland, an- 



Buchanan, and is still living at a ripe old age members of the church in having in memory' other the Reformed church of Germany, etc. 



76 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



This latter, the Reformed church of the In the spring of 1866 the Reformed church dedicated to the worship of God. Besides an 
Palatinate, Germany, was formally organized sold their interest in the old church to the audience room, capable of seating about 250, 
in 1563, through the agency of its civil ruler, Lutherans, and erected a brick building on it contains a commodious ladies' parlor, parti 
the elector Frederick III. The Heidelberg the. southwest corner of Park avenue and tioned from the former by glass doors, a vestry 
catechism was adopted as the doctrinal stand- Poplar streets, which was dedicated in the and a kitchen in the basement, 
aid. Subsequently, when terrific persecutions spring of 1867. .Soon after the dedication a In December, 1885, it was determined to 
wasted their native land, these Palatines of portion of the congregation seceded on ac- proceed with the erection of the main au 
the Reformed faith, with other refugees from count of their opposition to English services, dience room. A building committee, of 
Alsace and France, migrated to America, in since which tmie the services are prevailingly which Mr. James J. Shryock was chairman, 
the beginning of the last century, and laid the English. was appointed and the contract for the build- 
foundation of the Reformed church in this erection of the SUNDAY school chapel. ing was given to Mr. William Morrison, of this 
new world, now known as the Reformed Rev. Ebbinghaus was succeeded by Rev. city. Operations were commenced in April, 
church in the United States. Of this body D. U. Leberman in July, 1867, who has 1886, and on October 2, 1887, the edifice was 
the Reformed churches in Crawford county served the congregation acceptably until the solemnly consecrated. On that occasion the 
are an integral part. spring of 1885. In the winter of 1879-80 a pastor was assistad by the Rev. G. Frederick 

Sufficient data are scarcely available to frame Sunday school chapel was erected Wright, D. D., professor of new testament 

trace the origin and history of the diflerent close to the church at a total cost of $1,400. Greek in Oberlin Theological seminary, and 

congregations in the county. Perhaps the In September, 1885, Rev. F. B. Hahn, the by the Rev. Henry M. Tenney, pastor of the 

oldest congregation is what is known as the present incumbent, was installed pastor of First Congregational church, Cleveland, Ohio. 

Watson Run Reformed church. A preaching this church. This congregation, like nearly The very impressive services were attended 

point was here established prior to 1835. Rev. all the other Reformed churches of this by an audience in which all our city churches 

Philip Zeiser, of blessed memory, was the county, has been growing in strength and were represented, and which filled to their 

then frontier missionary over all the territory efficiency, so that owing to its increased utmost capacity church, chapel and ladies' 

composing Mercer and Crawford counties, membership and earnest religious activity it is parlor, the glass partition doors between these 



He served as high as fifteen 
congregations, or preaching 
points, and gathered nuclei 
which in later years have 
developed into strong and 
efficient congregations. 

The Dutch Hill congre- 
gation, known as St. John's 
Reformed church in Union 
township, was organized in 
January, 1836. At about the 
same time, or soon there- 
after, the congregations at 
Deckard's run and Zion's at 
McDaniel's were organized. 
The missionary. Rev. Zeiser, 
preached also in Saegertown, 
Mosiertown, and perhaps in 
nearly all the places in the 
county where now congrega- 
tions are established. Trinity, 
marsh, and St. Marks, on the pike, were or- 
ganized later. 

ORGANIZATION OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 

St. Paul's congregation was organized in 
the year 1842. Rev. Benjamin Boyer was 
the pastor. 



parts of the building being 
thrown open. The Rev. Dr. 
Wright preached the dedica- 
tory sermon in the forenoon, 
taking for his text Romans 
I, 16, and the Rev. H. M. 
Tenney preached in the eve- 
ning from II Chronicles VII, 
last clause of the 1st verse. 

The cost of the entire 
building, ground and all, fur- 
nishing included, amounted 
to « 26,383. 

The organ, which is the 
largest in our city, was built 
by Messrs. Labagli & Kemp, 
of New York, the oldest 
firm of organ builders in this 
country. It was the gift of 
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN REFORMED CHIRCH. j^e Young Ladies' society, 

across the recognized as a church of spiritual force and and is in every respect a first class instrument. 




prominence in our city. 



It consists of two manuals and pedals, with 
twenty-three musical stops and the necessary, 
copulas and shifting pedals, and has in .all 
1,388 pipes. 

The whole number of persons admitted to 



Park Aveiine Congregrational Church. 

(BY REV. JAMES G. CARNACHAN, LL. D.) 

Park Avenue Congregational church was 

This congregation worshiped at organized May iS, 1881, its nucleus being membership in Park avenue church has been 

first m the court house, until 1847, when a lot composed of the pastor and 128 members of 263, of wliom ig have been removed by death 

was purchased of J. A. McFadden, on Pine, the First Presbyterian church of Meadville. and 21 dismissed by letter to unite with 

between South Main and Liberty streets, by Library hall was rented by the congregation, churches in other cities, leaving a present . 

the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, and there they worshiped until the growth of membership of 223. The .Sunday school has 

and a frame building was erected thereon at this, the youngest of our churches, demon- thriven to a rem.arkable degree under the able 

an expense of $i,8oc, which was mutually strated the expediency of building a house of superintendency of Mr. Lewis Walker, and 

borne by both the Reformed and Lutheran worship. With this view the very eligible lot numbers 235 members with 25 officers and 

congregations. « * * Rev. Boyer served on the corner of Chestnut street and Park teachers. The infant class, of which Mrs. 

from 1847 to 1850, and was succeeded by avenue was purchased, and plans for a church A. L. Davis is the efficient teacher, has on its 

Rev. D. D. B. Ernst. After Rev. Ernst left, and chapel were procured from Mr. J. W. roll 64 scholars. The writer is disposed to 

a number of independent preachers ministered Volk, architect, of New York. In the sum- regard this Sunday school as a model school, 

to the wants of both congregations. But in mer of 1883 building operations were com- with a model superintendent, who has suc- 

the year 1859 Rev. L. D. Leberman, a regu- menced, which were confined to the erection ceeded in inspiring those over whom he pre- 

lar Reformed minister, reorganized the Re- of the chapel, the building occupying that sides with an enthusiasm rarely paralleled, 

formed congregation and served until the part of the lot fronting on Chestnut street The best proof of this lies in the fact that ihe 

close of 1865. He was succeeded April i, being held on an unexpired lease. In Febru- scholars contributed the stained glass windows 

1866, by Rev. W. J. Ebbinghaus. ary, 1884, the chapel was completed and was in the chapel at a cost of S350, which sum 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



77 



they collected in the short period of four 
months. They also paid to the church build- 
ing fund $ 1 ,000 ; and for all purposes they 
have collected since their organization up to 
the 1st of April last, the handsome sum of 
iS2,28i. Their Easter offering this year 
amounted to ^152. 

THE EFFICIENT CHOIRS. 

Very laborious and efficient service has 
been rendered by Miss Evangeline White as 
musical directress, and by Mrs. Ella Town- 
send as organist, in training the church and 
the Sunday school choirs, both of which are 
second to none in our city. 

In November, 1881, Messrs. Dr. D. M. 



present date, for home and foreign missions, 
in cash and boxes of supplies to missionaries, 
about S320. 

The Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. G. 
W. Adams is president, was organized in 
June, 1 88 1, and has collected for church pur- 
poses about Jf2,ooo. The Young Ladies' 
Society, numbering upwards of forty mem- 
bers, with Mrs. Lewis Walker as president, 
was organized in May, 1882, and has collected 
for church purposes upwards of j!2,70o. 
THE PRESENT PASTOR. 

The pastor is the Rev. James G. Carna- 
chan, LL. D. He is a native of Glasgow, 
Scotland, and came to this country in 1856. 



THE CHURCHES. 



Sketches of a Number of Meadville's 
Church Societies. 



THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH. 
The corner stone of the massive stone struc- 
ture on the southwest corner of South Main 
street and the Diamond, was laid by Bishop 
Calvin Kingsley, June 5, 1866, and was dedi- 
cated July 29, 1868, Bishop Mathew Simpson 
preaching in the morning, and the Rev. Pun- 
chon, of Ontario, Can., at the evening service. 
The building was presented during the latter 
service, on behalf of the congregation, by 




^-^ i. w-^-^^-^^^ 



PARK ATE. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 



ACADEMY OF MUSIC. 



Calvin, Edward A. Reynolds, James C. Will- 
son, and Robert G. Graham were elected and 
ordained to the office of deacon. Of these, 
Mr. Reynolds resigned in November, 1884, 
and Mr. Willson, to the church's deep regret, 
departed this life on November 30, 1885. 
The board of trustees consists of nine mem- 
bers, of whom Mr. A. M. Fuller is president, 
with Mr. G. W. Hecker as secretary, and Mr. 
J. G. Foster as treasurer. Mr. Harry W. 
Reynolds fills the office of church clerk. The 
Ladies' Missionary Society, of which Mrs. J. 
G. Carnachan is president, was organized in 
November, 1881, and has collected up to the 



He is an alumnus of the university of his na- Hon. H. L. Richmond, to Bishop Kingsley, 

tive city, his student life in which extended who thereupon performed the ceremony of 

from November, 1843, ""til May, 1853. His dedication. It has a seating capacity of 1,200, 

first charge in this country was that of the and cost about $69,100, and the lot 815,000, 

united churches of Nelson and Farmington, The pastorate of this church has been held 

Tioga county, Pa., from the fall of 1856 until successfully by the following ministers : Revs, 

September, 1858; then at Troy, Bradford Robert C. Hatton, J. W. Hill, I. H. Tackitt 



county. Pa., until May, 1866; next at Dan- 
ville, Montour county, Pa., until July, 1869, 
when he became pastor of the First Presby- 
terian church of this city, which church he 
served until the organization of Park avenue 
church, into the pastorate of which he was 
formally installed on October 12, 1881. 



C. Brown, J. Leach, I. H. Tackitt, Job Wil 
son, W. R. Babcock, N. Callender, A. Callen 
der, A. Plimpton, J. S. Barriss, D. Preston 
H. J. Clarke, J. Robinson, R. Clapp, E. Bir 
kett, J. J. Steadman, Solomon Gregg, J. H 
Whalon, B. S. Hill, C. Kingsley, J. R. Locke, 
Alfred G. Sturgis, M. Hill, A. Callender, M 



78 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Hill, T. Graham, M. Bettes, John Bain, E. J. 
Kenney, N. Norton, G. B. Hawkins, G. W. 
Maltby, E. A. Johnson, T. Stubbs, J. E. 
Chapin, W. F. Day, B. Excell, L. D. Williams, 
J. Peate, Alfred Wheeler, W. W. Wythe, W. 
F. Day, T. L. Flood, J. G. Townsend, E. D. 
McCreary, A. C. Ellis, and C. E. Hall. 
FIRST EVANGELICAL, PROTESTANT. 

The First Evangelical Protestant church 
was organized in 1867 by seceders from St. 
Paul's Reformed church, who wanted services 
conducted in German. Its pastors have been 
Revs. Robert Koehler, G. F. Kaufman, A. 
Gillis, Jacob Blass and P. Kraus, the present 
pastor, 

ST. BRIDGET'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

All of the Catholics in this vicinity be- 
longed to St. Agatha's church until the spring 
of 1862, when St. Bridget's church was or- 
ganized. Some of the original 
members were John Riordan, Thos. 
McGuigan, James O'Connor, Wal- 
ter Furlong, Richard Wheelan and 
Thomas Breen, with their families. 
On the 13th of May, 1862, Thomas 
McGuigan and James O'Connor, on 

behalf of the congregation, rented 

the building then known as "Divin- 
ity Hall," which stood on the south- 
east corner of Center street and 
Chauncey lane, where mass was 
celebrated and the gospel preached 
in the English tongue. An influx 
of English-speaking Catholics, in 

1862, swelled the numbers of the 
little congregation, and "Divinity 
Hall" was purchased for the sum 
of S750. It was dedicated by the 
Rt. Rev. J. M. Young, Bishop of 
Erie, and the congregation placed 
under the charge of Rev. M. A. De 
La Roque, of Frenchtown. It was 
principally attended by his assistant, 
Father Gilibarti, who finally, in 

1863, was appointed the first resi- 
dent pastor. In 1865 Father De 
La Roque again took charge of St. 
Bridget's, and was settled here as 
resident pastor. Early in 1866 
Father De La Roque purchased 

the old Methodist church and parsonage on 
Arch street, near the corner of Liberty, for 
the sum of S7.000. It was fitted up and 
dedicated the same year by Bishop Dom- 
enec, of Pittsburg. The old property on 
Center street was then utilized for school pur- 
poses, but was subsequently sold for the orig- 
inal purchase money. Rev. James Perry was 
assistant in 1865, and Rev. James Haley a 
portion of 1866. The latter was succeeded 
by Rev. John L. Finncane, who became pas- 
tor in 1868. He was a native of Ireland, and 
was a well known lecturer and an eminent 
pulpit orator. He served as pastor of .St. 
Bridget's until June, 187 1, and died in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., some four or five years afterward. 
Rev. John L. Madigan was the next pa.stor of 
the church ; he, too, being a native of Ireland, 



but ordained by Bishop Young, of Erie. Dur- 
ing his pastorate the present school building 
was erected. In March, 1874, Rev. James J. 
Dunn became pastor of St. Bridget's, and 
furnished and opened the school in the fol- 
lowing September. In 1877 Father Dunn 
purchased the lot on the northeast corner of 
Arch and Liberty streets for S 1,500, and 
moved the old parsonage on to it. The time 
had now come when St. Bridget's needed a 
new church, and on Sunday, August 11, 1878, 
the corner-stone of the present beautiful brick 
edifice was laid by the Rt. Rev. Tobias 
Mullen, of Erie, in the presence of a large 
concourse of people, who had gathered from 
every portion of the county to witness the im- 
pressive ceremonies. It was carried to com- 
pletion and dedicated November 24, 1881, 
by Bishop Mullen, assisted by a large number 




ST. BRIDGET'S (IllKI II. 

of priests of the diocese and Bishop Gilmour, 
of Cleveland, O., who preached the dedica- 
tory sermon. The church cost, complete as it 
stands today, about Si 5,000, and has a seat- 
ing capacity of about 600. 

MEADVILLE HEBREW SOCIETY, 

Was organized in 1866 and hold their ser- 
vices in the .Shryock Block, on Water street. 
The Society has had several ministers and 
teachers, the Rev. Victor Caro being the most 
prominent. Though there are now only 
about ten members in the Society, it used to 
contain as high as thirty, the membership 
having been reduced by removals. 
ST. AGATHA. 
In 1845 I^^'^- ^- ^- ^^ ^'^ Roque, pastor 
of St. Hippolytus' church, at Frenchtown, 
Crawford County, Pennsylvania, visited Mead- 



ville, where he found but two Catholic fami- 
lies, viz.: John and Patrick Riordan, and 
George and Conrad Fisher, who attended 
services at Frenchtown, of which Meadville 
was then a mission. Within a few years a 
number of others located in the borough, and 
steps were taken to effect an organization ; 
which was accomplished by Rev. Nicholas 
Steinbacher, a Jesuit missionary, in February, 
1849, under ihe name of St. Agatha's Church. 
Mass was celebrated at private houses until 
the completion of the frame building on the 
north-west corner of Pine and Liberty Streets. 
The corner stone of that structure was laid by 
Father Steinbacher, September 25th, 1849, 
and the building was completed and dedicated 
to the worship of God, August loth, 1850. 
This building, was the cradle of both St. 
Agatha's and St. Bridget's churches. Rev. 
Joseph Hartmann was the first reg- 
ular pastor of the little congrega- 
tion, serving from August, 1850, 
to February, 1851, when Rev. Peter 
Lechner became pastor. 

The latter was succeeded in 
April, 1 85 1, by Rev. Father Shifif- 
erer ; and in September, 1851, 
Rev. Anton Reck assumed the pas- 
torate, and ministered to the church 
until the close of 1854. The pas- 

tors of .St. Agatha's since that date 

have been as follows : Revs. Jos- 
eph Hartmann, Peter Lechner, 
Father Schifferer, Anton Reck, 
Peter Kline, Anton Reck, Michael 
J. Decker, George Meyer, Melchoir 
Appel, Anton Reck, Franz Winter, 
the present incumbent. 

The congregation grew rapidly 
through the passing years, and in 
1862 the English-speaking portion, 
who did not understand the Ger 
man language, organized St. Brid- 
get's Church. In a few years the 
old frame was too small to accom- 
modate the increasing flock, and on 
the 8th of August, 1869, the cor- 
ner-stone of the present imposing 
brick edifice on the northeast cor- 
ner of South Main and Pine streets, 
was laid by Rt. Rev. Tobias Mullen, assisted 
by the pastor. Father Decker, and other 
priests of the diocese. The building was 
completed under the pastorate of Father 
Meyer, at a total expense of about $60,000, 
and dedicated by Bishop Mullen, October 19, 
1873. It is one of the finest edifices in Mead- 
ville, is handsomely frescoed throughout the 
interior, and has a seating capacity of over 
1 ,000. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 
This church was organized September 27, 
1 83 1, with 14 persons. The first meeting of 
the church after its organization was held at 
the house of Samuel Kirkpatrick on Arch 
Street. A small frame building was erected 
on the corner of Arch and Liberty streets, and 
opened for services June 8th, 1883. This 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



79 



building was used for about 20 years. In 
April, 1852, the lot on which the present 
building stands on Center Street, was pur- 
chased for the sum of §1,050, and the erection 
of a new brick edifice commenced that year. 
The work was pushed forward through 1854. 
The old building having previously been sold, 
the congregation rented the lecture-room of 
the First Presbyterian Church, which was 
used until their own was finished. Early in 
1865 the main audience-room was completed ; 
first occupied February i6th, and dedicated 
on Sunday, February 19th, 1865. In the 
summer of 1875 an addition of thirty feet was 
made to the building, heating furnaces put in, 
and other improvements carried out, at a total 
expense of $5,500. The building now has a 
seating capacity of about 400. 

The following ministers have occupied the 
pulpit of the First Baptist Church 
since its organization : Revs Adri- ^ 

an Foote, E. Hicks, Edward M. — 

Miles, William Look, Franklin Kid- ^^ 
der, John Nicholson, G. L. Stevens, 
J. M Chapman, Wm. A. Caldwell, 
J. H. Hayen, George W. Fuller, J. 
M. Chapman,Wm. Look, B. C. Wil 
loughby, R. B. Kelsey, R. H. Aus- 
tin, J. H. Langille, W. B. Grow, 
William M. Young, George Whit- 
man and E. M. Haynes. 

AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH. 

The African M. E. church was 
organized in 1850, with five mem- 
bers, by Rev. Jacob Palmer, the 
first pastor of the congregation. 
They held services for a time in a 
small brick building in the rear of 
the Lutheran church, but in 1853 
purchased from the Baptists for ^500 
their present property on the north- 
east corner of Liberty and Arch 
streets. The building was repaired 
in 1867, partially destroyed by fire 
in 1876, and rebuilt the same year. 
The church record only goes back 
to 1 86 1, smce which time the fol- 
lowing preachers have had charge : 
Revs. John Franklin, Hanfield, 
John Gibbons, W. H. Brown, Benj. 
Wheeler, J. M. Morns, Benj. Wheeler, W. J. 
Phillips, W. P. Ross, E. C. Herbert, J. M. 
Griffin, John Russel, J. M. Palmer and R. H. 
Jackson. 

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CRAWFORD 

COUNTY. 

(BY REV. JOSEPH H. ORR.) 

The pioneer work of the Lutheran church 
began before the close of the last century, 
though the names of the pastors and the date 
of their pastorates cannot now be determined. 
Indeed, the work was largely that of the 
itinerary preacher. Before 1816 Lutherans 
were accustomed to meet for divine worship 
at Venango, where the first church, a log 
structure, was built in 1820. This building 
was improved and enlarged nine years later, 
and continued in use until 1881, when the new 



church, now used by Zion's congregation, was 
dedicated. About 1865 certain members left 
the old organization and formed a congrega- 
tion now in connection with the General 
Synod, one of the general bodies of the Lu- 
theran church. 

Mosiertown was another center of organ- 
ization. At this place the Lutherans and Re- 
formed used one building, owned by the two, 
conjointly, which arrangement continued un 
til about 1870, when the Lutherans withdrew 
and erected their own church, whereby snch 
accommodation was secured as was impossi- 
ble, under the old arrangement. 

Another important centre which has become 
the most important, is Saegertown. Here 
also the first building was used jointly by the 
Lutherans and Reformed congregations. The 
separation took place in i86g. 




ST. AGATHA'S CHURCH. 

At Meadville a church was erected in 1847, 
by the joint efforts, again, of Lutherans and 
Reformed. In 1865 the former bought out 
the interest of the latter, thus gaining that 
very necessary thing, a building under their 
own control, to be used as best accorded with 
their own principles and needs. 

Other Lutheran churches were erected at 
Cambridge, Drake's Mills and Black's Cor- 
ners. 

Space and the diflaculties of the subject will 
not allow any particular mention of the names 
of the many pastors who have labored in the 
churches mentioned above, the determination 
of their chronological order, and the notation 
of their several abilities and character. 
Prominent among them was the Rev. Mr. 
Mueckenhaupt, who also practiced medicine. 



and who is known to have preached in Straw's 
barn, near the "Broad Ford," a short distance 
above Saegertown, and to have administere'^ 
the Lord's Supper in Pfeifer's barn, Pfeifer- 
town ; the Rev. F. C. Heyer, whose name is 
so prominently connected with the history of 
the Teluga Mission, India ; the Rev. M. Kuct- 
ler, who is known to have installed an elder 
and a trustee at Meadville in 1828 ; the Rev. 
Mr. Keil, whose earnest preaching is still 
gratefully remembered by the oldest members 
of the Saegertown and Mosiertown churches, 
and the Rev. Nunnemaker, for many years 
the esteemed pastor at Saegertown. 

The present pastors in Crawford County 
are Rev. J. G. Hultkras, Titusville ; Rev. J. 
H. Ritter and Rev. I. W. Young, Venango; 
Rev. George W. Critchlow, Saegertown, and 
Rev. J. H. Orr, Meadville. 

In conclusion, I deem it my duty 
to state that I am indebted for most 
of the information above given to 
Rev. G. W. Critchlow. 

STATE STREET M. E. CHURCH. 
In the winter of 1869, a band 
of zealous Methodists opened and 
conducted for several weeks a series 
of revival meetings in what is known 
as Kightlinger hall, at the junction 
of Washington and State streets. 
There was a general awakening 
and the interest in the neighbor 
hood became so marked that one 
evening W. D. Sackett proposed 
that a church be built. The idea 
took, and in the course of a few 
weeks the society was organized. 
The lot of ground, 200 feet deep, 
with a 65-foot frontage on State 
Street, was bought of Henry Stew- 
art and the church erected at a cost 
of ?9,ooo. The date of the charter 
is September 20, 1869, and the 
original trustees were John McClin- 
tock, W. D. Sackett, H. R, McClin- 
tock, F. L. Clark, H. C. McClin- 
tock. The church building is a 
substantial frame, architecturally 
plain, two stories high, with a bell- 
tower ; the main auditorium has a 
seating capacity of over 400, and the Sunday 
school room on the first floor a capacity of 
about 200. 

The church was duly dedicated in the autumn 
just after conference, and Rev. T. P. Warner 
was placed in charge as the first pastor. Then 
followed in succession. Revs. Sampson, AI- 
bertson, Wilson, Bear, Babcock, Dobbs, Es- 
pey, Lindsay, Decker, Mead, Allen, and M. 
Miller, the present incumbent, who is now 
closing his third year. The membership now 
numbers about 300 souls, and the society is 
entirely out of debt, property in good repair. 
The Sunday school has an enrollment of over 
200 and a library of nearly 200 volumes. 

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH, 

The only organized church of this name in 
Crawford County, and for a long period the 



8o 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



only one in western Pennsylvania, is situated 
in Meadville, and was founded more than 
sixty years ago. The story of its origin well 
illustrates that independence in religious con- 
viction and action, which more than any pe- 
culiarities in doctrine or ritual, has character- 
ized the body to which it belongs. 

When Mr. H. J. Huidekoper, who had set- 
tled in Meadville early in this century, as the 
agent of the Holland Land Company, found a 
family growing up in his home, it became a 
serious question with him what religious con- 
victions he should seek to implant in his chil- 
dren's minds and hearts, and under what 
church influences they should be reared. 
With that conscientious thoughtfulness which 
he brought to the consideration and decision 
of every important question, he set himself to 
the careful and systematic study of the Scrip- 
tures, especially of the New Testament. The 
result was, as in many similar cases, that he 
came out of this investigation with the firm 
conviction that the Bible does not teach the 
doctrines of the Trinity, the total depravity of 
all men, and the sub- 
stituted sufferings of 
Jesus Christ for the 
deliverance of men 
from the penalties of 
their transgressions, 
which doctrines were 
reckoned fundamen- 
tal in the religious 
teachings then domi- 
nant in this neighbor- 
hood. 

On the other hand 
Mr. Huidekoper 
found himself in sub- 
stantial agree m e n t 
with those Christians 
in Great Britain and 
America who were 

beginning to be called Unitarians ; of whom 
Dr. Priestly and Dr. Channing were among 
the most eminent ministers. Through the 
influence of Dr. Priestly, who had been 
driven from his home in England by a mob, 
for his devotion to political and religious 
freedom, Unitarian churches had been found- 
ed in his American home, Northumberland, 
Pa., and also in Philadelphia. In New Eng- 
land a large number of churches had been 
disfellowshipped by the Congregational body 
for their adherence to Unitarian convictions. 

In selecting instructors for his children, 
Mr. Huidekoper naturally applied to young 
men who were graduates of Harvard Univer- 
sity, which was then as now largely under the 
control of Unitarians. These young men 
were frequently candidates for the Christian 
ministry, and were at length engaged with 
reference to their willingness to hold religious 
services in this place. 

The first regular preaching of Unitarianism 
here was in the fall of 1825, by Rev. John M. 
Merrick, of Massachusetts, who held services 
on alternate Sundays for about two years. 



These services were held in the old Presby- 
terian church. Mr. Huidekoper was a large 
proprietor in this meeting house, and a clause 
in the constitution of the church permitted 
such use by others at such times as it should 
be unoccupied. 

Rev. Washington Gilbert was the preacher, 
and under his ministry, in 1829, the church 
was more definitely organized, with the name 
of the Independent Congregational Church of 
Meadville. Any one who believed in the ex- 
istence of a God and the divine mission of 
Jesus Christ was eligible as a member ; and 
there was not then, nor, save for a short 
period about 1844, has there since been, any 
distinction between members of the church 
and members of the society. The vote of the 
regular members of the congregation has, 
however, usually been taken in regard to the 
business matters coming before the church. 

Not far from the beginning of the year 1830 
the services of the church were transferred to 
the court house, where they continued to be 
held until the erection of a house of worship. 




COURT HOUSE. 

The habit of engaging the young men who 
acted as tutors to Mr. Huidekoper's children 
as also preachers for the church necessitated 
changes every year or two ; and a consider- 
able number of men since distinguished in the 
Unitarian ministry were m this way brought 
into connection with this society. After Mr. 
Gilbert, followed in successive years Ephraim 
Peabody, George Nichols, A. Brigham, A. D. 
Wheeler and W. H. Channing — the two lat- 
ter each for only a portion of the year 1834. 
In the fall of this year Rev. John Q. Day was 
settled as the first pastor of the church and re- 
mained its minister for three years. It was 
during his ministry that the present church 
building was erected, and dedicated August 
20, 1836. The sermon on that occasion was 
preached by Rev. Henry Colman, then or 
soon afterward pastor of the Boston Square 
Church in Salem, Mass. It is interesting to 
note that the plans for the church were made 
by Captain (now General) George W. Cul- 
lum, and that his only surviving brother, 
Horace, was joined with Edgar Huidekoper 
on the building committee. The house was 



erected by Edward Derby. Miss Margaret 
Shippen, who had been a member of Dr. Fur- 
ness' church in Philadelphia, but who resided 
here at this time, by her wise forethought se- 
cured the favorable location for the church, 
and the land was her gift jointly with H. J. 
Huidekoper. Miss Shippen subsequently 
gave her house, adjoining the church, to the 
society for a parsonage. 

Among the leading subscribers to the erec- 
tion of the church, besides those already 
named, are O. Hastings, John Smetzer, A. L. 
Smith, Stephen Barlow, Wm. D. Tucker, A. 
Huidekoper, Roswell Sexton, H. W. Leffing- 
well and S. W Bowen. Substantial gifts to- 
wards the building came from the Unitarian 
Church in Philadelphia and other friends. 
The organ was presented by members of the 
Unitarian Church in Buffalo. Substantial re- 
pairs and changes were made in the church in 
1874. The chapel, with its commodious 
rooms for the Sunday school and for various 
parish uses, was erected in 1876. 

In 1873 Rev. Henry Emmons became the 
pastor of the church, 
and continued in this 
relation till the spring 
of 1843. He is the 
earliest among the 
preachers to this 
church who still sur- 
vive. Rev. James 
Freeman Clarke, of 
Boston, next preached 
for a few months, as 
he also did at a later 
period. Rev. E. S. 
Holland, afterward 
a leading minister of 
the Christian connec- 
tion, preached for the 
year ending October 
1,1844. It was near 
the beginning of this engagement that Rev. 
Frederic Huidekoper was ordained as a Uni- 
tarian minister-at-large in this neighborhood, 
and began to exert himself to establish the 
Theological School, to which he has freely 
devoted the studies and active years of his 
life. 

In October, 1844, Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins 
came to Meadville to become at once the pas- 
tor of the church and the president of the 
new Theological school. Dr. Stebbins' ener- 
gy, ability and organizing powers were speed- 
ily felt throughout this community and coun- 
ty, and accomplished much to commend Lib- 
eral Christian sentiments, and social and 
humanitarian reforms to the people of this 
neighborhood. He is still widely remem- 
bered as a preacher and lecturer, as he is also 
known and honored throughout the country 
as a religious educator. 

Rev. N. S. Folsom, D.D., succeeded Dr. 
Stebbins, when the duties of the latter as an 
instructor compelled his retirement from the 
pastorate in 1849, Prof. Folsom was in turn 
succeeded by Rev. C. A. Staples in 1853, who 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



remained till 1857, and was then succeeded 
in turn for a year by Rev. R. R. Shippen, 
who had been, like Mr. Staples, a theological 
suident under the two pastors preceding them, 
continuing thus a succession of religious faith 
and work efl'ective and successful, if not for- 
mally apostolic. Mr. Shippen was also a son 
of this church, belonging to a family identi- 
fied with its interests from its foundation, and 
It was perhaps never more prosperous than 
during his stay with it. Rev. Dr. Oliver 
Stearns, who had succeeded Dr. Stebbins as 
president ol the Theological School on the re- 
tirement of the latter in 1855, preached on 
the mornings of the year following Mr. Ship- 
pen's withdrawal (18589), Prof Kolsom of- 
ficiating in the evening. 

The later ministers of the church have 
been: Richard Metcalf, 186065; 
J. C. Zachos, 186668; H. P. Cut- 
tmg, 187073; R. S. Morrison, 
1874-78; J. T. Bixby, 187983; 
William P. Tilden, 1884-85; H. H. 
Barber, 1885-88. 

The ministries of Mr. Metcalf 
and Mr. Morrison were broken and 
terminated by illness; and the de- 
voted work and character of each 
are remembered with grateful ap- 
preciation by the society and the 
community. In the intervals between 
these ministries, the church has been 
acceptably served by President Liv 
ermore, Profs. Cary and Huideko- 
per and others. 

The membership of this church 
has never been large, nor have its 
views of religion been very widely 
extended through this community 
and county. Yet its faith has helped 
to form the characters and mould 
the lives of a considerable number 
of worthy and useful men and 
women who have lived here ; and 
to be their solace in bereavement 
and their hope for the life that now 
is and for that which is to come. 
Its members, too, have been 
among those who have led or helped in 
most of the charitable, philanthropic and re- 
formatory work that has sought to stay the 
evils or advance the best interests of the com- 
munity and of mankind. Some missionary 
work has been attempted at different times, 
by preaching and establishing Sunday schools 
in towns and neighborhoods about Meadville, 
and some portion of the present membership 
is the result of such missionary effort. A very 
large amount of liberal Christian literature 
has been sent out through the agency of the 
Brooke's Fund to ministers of all religious de- 
nominations. In the year 1831 a periodical 
was started, called the Unitarian Essayist, 
under the editorial charge of the Rev. E. Pea- 
body, and when he left town it was carried 
on for a second year by Mr. H. J. Huide- 
koper. Not many years ago, in 1879-81, a 
similar publication for the dissemination of 



Unitarian Christianity was carried on for 
three years by Mr. F. H. Bemis, assisted by 
Rev. George W. Cutter, of Buffalo. 

THE REVISED CONSTITUTION. 

The revised constitution of the church, 
adopted 1845, ^"*^ ^^^^^ ^^ force, declares its 
bond of union to be "belief in the existence 
of one God and in the divine mission of His 
son Jesus Christ, and of a common hope — the 
hope of a blessed immortality." Its purpose 
is "improvement in religious knowledge and 
virtue ;" and it welcomes to its fellowship 
"any person of good moral character who 
professes his belief in God and in the divine 
mission of His son Jesus Christ ; and who de- 
clares it to be his intention and wish to make 
the will of God, and the teachings of Jesus as 



THE W. C. T. U. 



A Sketch of the Organization in Craw- 
ford County. 




PEOPLES SAVINGS BiXK, 

revealed in the gospels, the rule of his life 
and conduct." 

Simple as is this rule of faith and fellow- 
ship, no one is excluded because of any ver- 
bal difficulty in regard to its terms, or its rites 
of baptism and the Lord's Supper ; but all are 
welcome to its fellowship who earnestly de- 
sire to join in its worship and honor its spirit- 
ual ideal, and who endeavor in pure and 
worthy lives to fulfill the Christian service of 
God and man. After sixty years the Inde- 
pendent Congregational church of Meadville 
rejoices in the large advancement of religious 
freedom, charity and practical endeavor in all 
Christian denominations, and is confirmed in 
its faith and hope that "the spirit of life that 
was in Christ Jesus" shall yet be justified in 
the union of all men upon the basis of ration- 
al piety, loyal witness of righteousness, and 
the reverent service of humanity. 



A temperance convention was called on 
Monday, December 19, 1 881, by Mrs. A. P 
Hamilton, vice president of the State W. C. 
T. U., for the purpose of organizing a county 
union for Crawford county. On Monday 
evening an address was delivered by Miss 
Francis Willard, president of the Women's 
National Temperance Union, giving a com- 
prehensive view of the work done by the W. 
C. T. U. from the time of its inception. A 
large number of delegates, representing differ- 
ent parts of the county, met in the audience 
room of the First M. E. church, Meadville, 
on Tuesday, at 9:30 a. m. Mrs. 
L. D. Douglas was chosen tempor- 
ary chairman, and Mrs. Dr. Bugbee 
secretary. 

The address of welcome by Mrs. 
Dr. Eagleson was a very fine effort, 
and showed a thorough conception 
of the evils which as a W. C. T. U., 
they were called upon to combat, 
and a deep conviction that some- 
thing must be done. The response 
by Mrs. Rev. Eckles was equally 
fine, and, coming from one who 
was a pioneer in the work of the 
W. C. T. U., who, in fact, was a 
member of that memorable tem- 
perance convention and prayer 
meeting at Chautauqua in 1874, 
at which the thought of a W. C.T. U. 
was first originated, her words were 
forcible and made a deep impres- 
sion. 

The reports from Unions being 
called for, Titusville leported a 
thriving Union of 165 members, a 
temperance school and a Holly 
Tree Inn. Atlantic reported a live 
Union. Cochranton one recently 
organized. Meadville three Unions, 
a W. C. T. U., a Y. W. C. T. U., 
also a Y. W. C. T. U. at Allegheny College, 
all in a flourishing condition and giving indi- 
cations of great usefulness. 

At 12 o'clock the convention adjourned 
until 1.30 p. m. After an address by Mrs. 
Hamilton, as to the plan and object of the 
convention, the constitution of a county or- 
ganization was adopted, and the following 
officers elected for the coming year : Presi- 
dent, Mrs. C. P. Young, Meadville; secretary, 
Miss Sprague, Atlantic ; corresponding secre- 
tary, Mrs. J. D. Wyman, Meadville ; treas- 
urer. Miss Miner, Titusville, which officers 
constitute an executive committee. The 
committee on principles reported a platform 
which was unanimously adopted. The com- 
mittee previously appointed for that purpose 
reported a plan of work which was also 
adopted. 

Since our organization the number of 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Unions in the county has increased from six 
to thirty, and we have now county superin- 
tendents of twenty two departments of work. 
Every year, semi-annual as well as annual, 
conventions have been held, giving greater 
impetus to temperance work in the different 
localities where they have been held. The 
sixth and last annual convention was held in 
the chapel of the First M. E. church, Septem- 
ber 28 and 29, 1887, at which time the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : President, Mrs. 
B. Bosch, Titusville; president at large, Mrs. 
J. D. Wyman, Meadville; secretary, Mrs. 
Rose Bennett, Linesville ; correspondmg sec 
retary, Mrs. C. P. Young, Meadville ; treas 
urer, Mrs. F. M. Guy, Guy's Mills. The fol- 
lowing superintendents of work were also ap 
pointed: Railroad work, Mrs. L C. DeMary, 
Meadville ; scientific temperance instruc- 
tion, Mrs. Esther Shontz, Evansburg; tem- 
perance literature, Mrs. C. P. Young, Mead- 
ville ; prison and jail work, Mrs. M. A. 
Wilson, Meadville ; young woman's work. 
Miss Cornie Andrews, Geneva ; soldiers 
and sailors, Mrs. P. A. Painter, Titusville ; 
hygiene and heredity, Mrs. L. D. Douglas, 
Meadville ; .Sabbath desecration, Mrs. L. 
Van Ness, Cambridge ; unfermented wine, 
Mrs. L. A. Mc Entire, Stony Point ; county 
fairs, Mrs. D. C. Catler, Guy's Mills ; evan- 
gelistic. Miss Lorinda Wheeler, Riceville ; 
tobacco habit, Miss Agnes Smith, Titus- 
ville ; day of week of prayer, Mrs. Rose 
Warner, Townville ; juvenile work. Miss A. 
M. Starkweather, Titusville ; Sunday 
schools, Mrs. Dr. Cotton, Meadville ; 
flower mission. Miss Hattie Findlay, Harts 
town ; legislative work, Miss Nannie Bur- 
well, Linesville; press work, Mrs. Dr. 
Strayer, Cambridge ; legal work, Mrs. J. D. 
Wyman, Meadville; social purity and 
mother's work, Mrs. Dr. Hassler, Cochran 
ton; relations of temperance to labor and 
capital, Mrs. R. W. McFate, Cochranton ; 
influencing other influential bodies, Mrs. A. 
R. Bullock, Cambridge. 

Each local Union has its own superin- 
tendents, through whom the various lines 
of work are carried on throughout the 
county, each reporting to her respective 
county superintendent, the county to the 
State and the State to the National. It would 
be impossible to give the details or even a 
summary of the work accomplished during 
the six years of our existence, in the limited 
space allowed for this sketch. Therefore we 
can only say that in every community where 
a W. C. T. U. has been formed it has come to 
be recognized as a great power for good in 
educating public sentiment to the standard of 
total abstinence, in training the young, in try- 
ing to save the inebriate and to secure the 
complete banishment of the liquor traffic. 

VIGOROUS REMO.NSTRANCES. 

The remonstrance work has been vigorous- 
ly pressed by many of the Unions, and will 
continue to be until Crawford county can 
stand side by side with Potter, Washington, 



Greene, Indiana, Forest, Huntington, Somer- 
set and Warren counties — a no-license coun- 
ty. The brave women of Venango, where we 
have just held a most delightful convention, 
in the face of great opposition, by their faith- 
ful and persistent efforts in this direction have 
been victorious, and now no licensed bar or 
dram shop exists to disturb the peace and har- 
mony of the community. All this work is but 
paving the way for the struggle for constitu- 
tional amendment, which we most earnestly 
hope may be indorsed by our legislators at 
the next meeting of the Legislature. 

Using the words of one of our W. C. T. U.: 
"What a grand victory will that be when 
Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, shall en- 
graft upon her constitution the prohibitory 
amendment which will make her the key- 




MERCH.4NTS NATIONAL BANK. 

stone in the temperance arch that shall yet 
span our beloved country from sea to sea." 



A WOKTHY SOCIETY. 



The Crawford County Branch of the 
Pennsylvania Society for the Preven- 
tion of Cruelty to Animals. 

(BY JOSHUA DOUGLASS.) 
[Charter.] 
(Ofiicial Seal.) 

PHii.ADEi.rillA, March g, 1886. 
To ail whom it mav concern : 

I!e it known that Pearson Church, Joshua 
Douglass, H. H. Davis, Cyrus Kitchen, Sam 
uel B. Dick, J. D. Gill, A. M. p'uller, SturgeS 



T. Dick, Edward P. Sprague, John W. Bab- 
cock, T. L. Flood, Thomas D. Logan, G. W. 
Delamater, William Reynolds, A. A. Liver- 
more, Francis I. Davis, together with their 
associates and successors, are hereby consti- 
tuted " The Crawford County Branch of the 
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals," with full power to enact 
such by-laws for the government of said 
Branch Society as may not conflict with the 
charter of the Parent .Society, or with the 
Constitution of the State, or of the United 
States. 

The said Branch Society shall organize by 
the election of proper officers, and shall re- 
port monthly or quarterly to the Parent So- 
ciety. It shall also be responsible for its own 
acts, and shall have full power to appoint its 
own agents and necessary officers. 

Done by unanimous resolution of the 
Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania 
.Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals, in the city of Philadelphia, this 
gth day of March, A. D. 1886. 

Robert W. Ryerss, 
Attest : President. 

M. V. B. Davis, Secretary. 

I IRGANIZATION. 
March 17th, 1886, the parties named, 
pursuant to the recited authority of the 
Pennsylvania society, met and enacted a 
system of by-laws, and organized by elect' 
ing the following officers: President, 
Joshua Douglass; vice presidents, Cyrus 
Kitchen, Frances I. Davis; secretary 
Mabelle Douglass ; treasurer, Sturges T. 
Dick ; board of managers, Joshua Doug- 
lass, Cyrus Kitchen, Pearson Church, E. P. 
Sprague, A. A. Livermore, S. B. Dick, 
John W. Babcock. 

The following are extracts from the 
by laws: 

Article i. — Members. — This society shall 
consist of all persons in the county of 
Crawford, Pennsylvania, who pay the sum 
of five dollars into the Treasury; and of 
honorary members who are noted for their 
efficiency in the cause at home or abroad, 
and who may be elected to membership 
by the Board of Managers. 
Article 2. — Election of Officers. — The of- 
ficers and managers shall be elected by ballot 
at the annual meeting, and shall hold their 
respective positions until their successors are 
chosen, and shall serve in their respective 
positions without compensation. 

The society is in a prosperous condition. 
The officers first elected continue to serve 
and will until their successors are chosen. 
During the time of the existence of this 
branch organization in Crawford county, many 
cases have received attention and relief given. 
The earnest co operation of all citizens of 
the county is solicited. Full information as 
to the objects, purposes and powers of the 
society can be obtained upon application to 
the president or secretary. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



83 



THE A. 0. U. W. 



United Workmen an unknown and untried To-day, through the success and influence of 

experiment. the A. O. U. W., the poor man, from the 

This organization challenges the admira The date of the organization, twenty years scanty savings of his daily toil, is enabled to 

tion of the world. Nothing in the history of ago, was most opportune for its growth and provide his loved ones security against future 

our beautiful city has so spread its fame as the success. The confidence of the public in old want and distress. 

founding of this order here. Meadville is a line life insurance had been much shaken by Twenty years ago, when death claimed as 

name familiar in every city and town from extended frauds and wholesale bankruptcies of a victim the bread winner of the poor family, 

the shores of Maine to the Pacific coast, and the companies of the country; and a plan of unorganized charity was powerless to protect 

from the lakes to the gulf. Nor does this mutual protection such as the order presented from want and distress. To day organized 

compass the measure of glory for which we commended itself to the judgment of the peo charity, as demonstrated in the A. O. U. \V. 

rejoice in this event. More truly thankful are pie and secured their good will and affiliation, and kindred organizations, steps in and makes 



we that here first was in- 
augurated a system of 
organized charity, new in 
its inception, practical in 
its operations and in its 
results, conducive of 
more substantial good to 
humanity at large than 
any other philanthropic 
or business interest of the 
age, perhaps, the church 
alone excepted. 

All great and good 
movements, that have 
become noted in history, 
shed luster and renown 
upon the place of their 
birth. Bethany had its 
Jesus ; Mt. Vernon its 
Washington ; Springfield 
its Lincoln ; Meadville 
had its Upchurch ; and 
from the small seed he 
planted here, has grown 
the mighty tree of mutual 
protection, under whose 
shelter to-day millions 
rest in security from 
future want and depend- 
ence. 

The Ancient Order of 
United Workmen lays no 
claim to distinction as 
the originator of the idea 
of life insurance, as that 
existed many years prior 
to the birth of the order ; 
but its claim to originali- 
ty (and such claim is 
recognized by the world 
at large) rests in the fact 
of its applying the prin- 
ciples of life insurance 
in a new, secure, and 




MI{. JOHN J. UPCHURCH. 

Founder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



provision for the future, 
and few widows and or- 
phans are left destitute. 

Did space permit, it 
would be a pleasure to 
have recorded in this 
Centennial edition of the 
Tribune-Republican a 
detailed history of this 
order, from its institution 
in our city, October 27, 
1 868, to the present date ; 
noting its trials and its 
achievements, and i t s 
growth from obscurity to 
world wide renown. But 
the limit of space will 
allow but a short sum- 
mary of statistics from 
which may be gathered 
the most prominent items. 

The Ancient Order of 
United Workmen was 
organized on the 27th 
day of October, 1868, in 
the city of Meadville,Pa., 
by the originator and 
founder, John Jordan 
Upchurch, a mechanic at 
that time in the employ 
of the Atlantic and Great 
Western Railroad. Mr. 
Upchurch was a man pos- 
sessed of no marked lit- 
rary attainments, but was 
a keen observer of men 
and occurences,possessed 
good reasoning powers, 
and above all, had a kind 
and philanthropic heart. 
His main object in insti- 
tuting the order was not 
so much to inaugurate a 
system of insurance, as it 



cheap way, as an organized charity, coupled The A. O. U. W. was the pioneer in the great was to bring together conflicting mterests of 

with that other equally essential element of work, the result of which has been to almost capital and labor, and by arbitration and 

good, the care of the sick, the relieving of the entirely revolutionize the mammoth business mutual contact settle difficulties that were 

distressed, and the moral, social and intellec- interest of life insurance in this country. then constantly arising between employer and 

tual betterment of its membership. The idea From its ranks have sprung most other employee. To him, however, is conceded 

of forming a society that should not only com- organizations of like character, and all mutual the honor of engrafting upon the order that 

pass the good features of existing fraternal benefit organizations and assessment associa- feature of mutuul protection which soon as- 

organizations, but in addition should extend its tions owe their success in a great degree to sumed prominence to the exclusion of the 

beneficence to the widows and orphans of its the reputation established by the A. O. U. W. other design. Viewed in the light of today; 

deceased members, in a stipulated amount suf- popularizing this method of insurance. the order at its start was crude and unbusiness 

ficient to secure them from want and distress Twenty years ago, future protection for the like, and its success may truthfully be said to 

when their main support was removed, was, widows and orphans through the medium of have rested more upon the integrity of pur- 

until the organization of the Ancient Order of life insurance was for the rich and well-to do. pose and the honesty of action of its members 



84 



than upon correct business principles and 
laws essential to its future success. The first 
6ve years of the history of the order were 
years of but little success and much opposi- 
tion ; and not until the session of the Grand 
Lodge, held in Meadville, January, 1873, at 
which time the order numbered some 800 
members, did it make promise of future 
growth and greatness. From the organization 
of the Supreme Lodge in February, 1873, 
may be dated the beginning of the record of 
the great prosperity of the organization. Since 
that date we have very correct statistics of the 
work accomplished. The following is a sum- 
mary taken from the reports of the officers of 
the Supreme Lodge, showing the disburse 
ment of its Beneficiary Fund to Jan. i, 1888: 

YEAR THE ENTIRE ORHER 

1868 to 1878 ...$ 849,217.66 

1878 639.979.90 

1879 1,064,956.94 

1880 1,305,887.50 

1881 1,503,555.80 

1882. 1,792,603.34 

1883 2,031,047.20 

1884 2,180,126.30 

1885 2,566,458.36 

1886 2,942,957.00 

1887 3,453,287.00 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 
THE Y. M. C. A. 



Sketch of the Organization in Crawford 
County. 



The history of the Young Men's Christian 
Association of Crawford County, involves 
that of four separate organizations, namely : 
Meadville, Allegheny College, Railroad, and 
Titusville Associations. 

MEADVILLE ASSOCIATION. 

At a Young Men's Christian Association or- 
ganized in the Second Presbyterian Church, 
May 3, 1870, the following officers were 
elected : President, James Marvin ; Vice- 
President, J. B. Brawley ; Recording Secre- 
tary, C. M. Wood ; Corresponding Secretary, 
J. L. Leberman ; Treasurer, L. C. Magaw. 
The society decided to hold Saturday even- 
ing meetings, but no record is found of 
rooms having been secured for that purpose. 

In 1876 there was an organization known 
as the " Christian Laymen's Association ;" in 



Total $20,330,077.00 

In addition to the above the order has dis- 
tributed several millions of dollars to sick and 
distressed members, and those out of employ 
ment. The cost for the past nine years to 
each member to secure the protection of 
$2,000 guaranteed by the order, has on the 
average been but $17 per year. 

The membership of the order on August 
I, 1888, and the receipts and disbursements 
for the same month are contained in the fol 
lowing table : 





^ 


HI 


H 






tro 


cro 




^■pb 


S p p 
3.3 ~ 


iz 


LODGE. 




t* h.- 


3^— 




 ws 


:5i 


: n 




i ?■? 


: ^- m 


: 3 


Pennsyh'ania Grand Lodge... 


129,043 


$20,000 


15,30(1 




13,337 


14,000 


3,840 




2,92(' 




1,4.57 


Indiana Grand Lodge 


4,33il 




2,2.50 


Iowa Grand Lodge 

New York Grand Lodge 


6,1142 


■4,000 


3,3.32 


.'i..,s::_' 


'J.M.-JT.-. 


Illinois Grand Lodge 


:i,.i'0 


-.(..umi liii,-]!., 


Missouri Grand Lodge 


:;.■-, 17J 


,;,s.iinl L'n,-14o 




lu,ls4 


11^,000, ,'j,r)0O 




11, .37 2 


U,oooi (i.oim 








2,354 




12,883 


10,000 


12,889 




35,264 


:i4,ooo 


18,127 


<,erirt;ia, Ala., Miss., N. C, S. 








C. and Fla. Grand Lodge.... 


3,180 
12,913 




1,651 


lii,ooo 


12,926 








15,1174 


Oregon and Wash. G. Lodge... 


3,619 


4,000 


4,U30 


Massachusetts Grand Lodge... 


98 


6,00(1 


13,234 


Maryland, N. Jersey and Del. 








Grand Lodge 


5,458 


8,000 


5.4611 












4,278 


4,00 


3,450 


Colo., N. Mexico and Arizona 










1(1,027 


M,(KK 


4,20(1 


Nebraska Grand Lodge 


12,418 


14 000 


4.93:', 


Individuals under the immedi- 








ate jurisdiction of S. Lodge... 


18 


18,000 


9 




total henefi- 



Totiil beneficiary received, $.341,078 
ciary disbursed, $:i4(;,001 ; total membership, 208, 2ii5. 

In our city is located Jefferson Lodge No. 
I, the first lodge of the order, instituted Octo 
ber 27, 1868, by Mr. Upchurch. Herman 

Lodge No. 83 is also located here. Both of Frank Braymer, L. H. Walker, C 
the above lodges are in prosperous condition, £_ h. Langford, F. D. Denny 



The 



( ARKW'S BARREL WORKS. 

1880 it changed its name to the " Young 
Men's Christian Association," and its constitu- 
tion accordingly. Both ladies and gentlemen 
were admitted to membership, which regula- 
tion proved impracticable, and resulted in an 
early failure ; the latest record extant bears 
date of May, 1 881. 

The present Y. M. C. A. was organized 
August 27, 1882, in the Board of Trade 
rooms in the Delamaler Block ; when the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : President, A. 
L. Dunbar ; Vice-President, J. D. Roberts ; 
Recording Secretary, R. G. Graham ; Treas- 
urer, G. W. Delamater. These officers, with 
the following persons, composed the first 
Board of Directors : H. M. Clay, John J. 
Shryock, Uavid Kay, James Kepler, W. M. 
Woodruff, J. C. Smith, H. W. Reynolds, 

M. lioush, 
and Wm. 



as is the order in the State and at large. 1 iie p^^.^^^ ^^^ j^^ ^^^o^'Ca'i prior to this date S 
office of the Supreme Recorder and Supreme 
Receiver is located in our city. 

M. W. S.^CKEll. 



P. Long had been acting as general secretary 
under the direction of A. L. Dunbar; Mr 



Long continued to act until October 31, 1882, 
when Wilmer Crow, of Harrisburg, entered 
upon the duties of that office, which he held 
until August, 1883. In December, 1882. 
rooms were opened on the first floor of the 
building on the northeast corner of Park 
Avenue arid Chestnut Street, on the site now 
occupied by the Park Avenue Church. In 
September, Mr. Long was again secured as 
secretary, and continued to act until June, 
1884. 

The seventeenth annual convention of the 
Young Men's Christian Association of Penn- 
sylvania was held in Meadville October 16 19, 
1884. Soon after this, the Board of Directors 
engaged M. S. McMullin, of St. Louis, as 
general secretary ; and moved into rooms in 
the Magaw Block, corner of Water and Chest 
nut streets, in December, 1884. In the new 
quarters the work was carried on with a 
greater degree of satisfaction than ever before ; 
the reading room, game room and newly- 
equipped gymnasium were thoroughly appre 
ciated by the young men of the city. 

One advantage that the association has en- 
joyed, and that has been a source of great en- 
couragement to its members, is the help it has 
received from the christian women of the city, 
who have given largely of their time and 
energy, and several times have aided financial- 
ly, thereby averting disaster that without their 
aid had seemed inevitable. 

The present privileges afforded to young 
men are : A reading room, supplied . with 
leading dailies, etc., in which is a table with 
writing materials; a parlor, a game room, 
supplied with checkers, chess, crokinole, etc., 
a room supplied with Indian clubs and dumb 
bells ; and a toilette room. 

Young men's meetings are held every Sun- 
day afternoon at 4 o'clock, and are well at- 
tended. Under its auspices several classes 
have been carried on : Literary, musical, and 
educational; a mechanical drawing class, 
composed of about forty young men employed 
in machine shops, and taught by Mr. Becket, 
of the Phcenix Iron Works, has met once a 
week during the past season ; also a class for 
systematic study of the bible. Mr. C. P. 
Warner is the present secrtary. 

ALLEGHENY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION. 
During the winter term of Allegheny Col 
lege, 1875, through the influence of Rev. T. 
13. Logan — State Secretary Taggart came to 
Meadville and organized this branch. W. G. 
Williams, now President Williams of AUe 
gheny College, was the first president. 

The members have labored with great zeal ; 
in addition to their work among the students, 
they have started Sunday schools in Vallonia, 
and a locality north of the city. Prayer and 
song services have been begun at the City 
Hospital,, and Sunday meetings have been 
conducted at the jail, with good results. 

On May 2, 1881, the association met at the 
residence of Dr. Hyde, and formed a Y. M. 
C. A. Missionary Institute; they organized 
with twenty-six members, five of whom are 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



85 



now in foreign fields. W, G. Warner was 
the first president ; they now have a member- 
bership of thirty-nine. 

In the winter of 1884 through the influence 
of C. M. Miller, a Sunday school was started 
in the Reisinger school house. In April 
1887, W. E. Fetch was instrumental in start- 
ing one in the Pierson school house, east of 
the city. It is now under the superintendence 
of Mr. Stevens. In addition to the work 
mentioned, the boys hold a class prayer meet- 
ing among the students, from the preparatory 
to the senior classes, and a Sunday vesper 
service at the college. 

The present officers are : G. H. Patterson, 
president ; W. A. Elliott, vice president ; T. 
E. Cramer, secretary ; C. S. Jewell, treasurer ; 
W. S. Askue, executive secretary. 

RAILKOAD ASSOCIATION. 

In August, 1877, the railroad employes of 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, (now 
New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio), were vis- 
ited by Mr Edwin D. Ingersoll, railroad sec- 



ized March 3, 1886. The first officers of the 
organization were : O. W. Archbold, presi- 
dent ; S. S. Bryan, vice president ; A. P. 
Cooley, recording secretary ; Theodore W. 
Reuting, treasurer ; W. S. Speece, general 
secretary. 

The expenses during the first year of its 
existence amounted to $1,970, and during the 
second year to $1,638. The rooms occupied 
are located in the Chase block. The rooms 
are five in number, including the general sec- 
retary's oflice, and are all well furnished. 
The association has the custody of the city 
library, numbering 3,556 volumes. It also 
supports a reading room, in which is found 
the choicest current literature. There is a 
very pleasant hall for meetings, with a seat- 
ing capacity of over two hundred, in which is 
held eveiy Sunday afternoon a song service. 
These meetings are well attended, and are a 
source of much interest. There is a promis- 
ing junior department connected with it, 
which meets every Monday evening ; also a 



DONATION LANDS. 



(BY WILLIAM M'-ARTHUR.) 

As Crawford county is largely made up of 
donation lands — that is, lands given by the 
State for arrearages of pay, to the Pennsylva- 
nia soldiers in the war of the Revolution — a 
short sketch concerning them may not be un- 
interesting to the citizens of the county. 

The depreciation and donation lands were 
the twin progeny of patriotism and necessity. 
The northern section of the land, divided by 
the act of March 13, 1783, was appropriated 
for donations to be made to soldiers of the 
Pennsylvania line. 

The second section of the act provides that 
a certain tract of country, beginning at the 
mouth of Mogulbughtiton (probably Mahon- 
ing) creek, thence up the Allegheny river to 
the mouth of Cagnawaga (Conewango) 
creek, thence due north to the northern 
boundary ol this State ; thence west by said 
boundary to the northwest corner of the State; 



t g^^ . . 




z:^: 



y/ /^ ^ .,-■- ^. ^^ , /, iij_ I, //I II II II II lJi£ J_e // // f ji ; I !i !| i | M « 



t \ W ^ ' 



\ -',  V, ^ zssz 



\ S,NV\S,^Il sz 



retary of the international corfimittee of the 
Y. M. C. A., who made them acquainted with 
the workings of a railroad association. The 
idea of taking up a branch of the work 
especially for railroad men was favorably 
considered, and an organization effected. The 
first president was Richard Grahairi ; secre- 
tary and treasurer, O. M. Barnes. Immedi 
ately after organizing they rented a room on 
Market street, where they held meetings for 
over two years, when they moved their head- 
quarters to the reading room at the depot. 
Here they remained until 1884, when a union 
was effected with the city association. At 
this time Samuel Long was elected general 
secretary. 

Early in its history the association, by 
means of a subscription, had purchased a lot 
in Greendale Cemetery, in which homeless or 
destitute men who died or were killed m th» 
railroad service, might receive decent burial. 
Three such interments have been made. 

TITUSVILLE ASSOCIATION. 

The Y. M. C. A. of Titusville was organ 



PHttlNIX IRON WORKS, Limited. 

gymnasium partially equipped. The associa 
tion has gained a strong foothold in Titusville, 
and its friends confidently beheve it has come 
to stay. The present officers are, C. W. Archi- 
bald, president ; S. S. Biyan, vice president ; 
E. V. Wheeler, recording secretary, Theo- 
dore W. Reuting, treasurer ; D. F. Hatmaker, 
acting general secretary. 

There is also a ladies' auxiliary to this asso- 
ciation, of which the following are the offi- 
cers : Mrs. Roger Sherman, president ; Mrs 
C. W. Archibald, 1st vice president ; Mrs. 
John J. Carter, 2d vice president ; Mrs. J. R. 
Gray, secretary ; Mrs. M. W. Quick, treas- 



Wedding Anniversaries. — At the end of 
one year is the cotton wedding ; two years 
paper ; three years leather ; five years wooden ; 
seven years woolen ; ten years tin ; twelve 
years silk and fine linen ; fifteen years crystal ; 
twenty years china ; twenty- five years silver; 
thirty years pearl ; forty years ruby ; fifty years 
golden; seventy- five years diamond. 



thence south by the western boundary of the 
State to the northwest corner of lands appro- 
priated to the discharge of depreciation cer- 
tificates ; thence east by said lands to the 
place of beginning ; which said tract of coun- 
try shall be reserved and set apart for the only 
and sole use of fulfilling and carrying into ex- 
ecution the said resolve. The sixth section 
forbade any improvement, location, warrant, 
grant, right, title or claim under the Indians, 
the late proprietors, or other person or per 
sons whatever, upon the limits of the two de 
scribed tracts of country, and made void all 
such claims. It also put it out ot the power 
of non commissioned officers and privates to 
sell their share of land until actually surveyed 
and laid off. The act of March I, 1780, had 
exempted the soldiers' lands from taxation 
during their lifetime unless alienated. 

The act of March 16, 1785, made the same 
provision. The act of March 24, 1785, fol- 
lowed, directing the mode of distributing the 
donation lands, and directed the surveyor 
general to appoint deputies, who were re- 



86 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



quired to make oath not to select the best deserve notice, with the situation and distance, for cultivation. French Creek is about 150 

lands, or to favor any of these classes to the and particularly the land unfit for cultivation yards wide. From French to Oil Creek is 

prejudice of the others. In running the The agent was required to make oath to per- about eight miles. Oil Creek is not laid down 

boundaries, the surveyors were to define well, form his duties impartially, and was to receive on any map, notwithstanding it is a large 

by marking trees on the lines at short dis- ^i los. for every day employed, not to ex- stream, not less than 80 or perhaps 100 yards 

tances, and particularly the angles and cor- ceed four months. wide, and at the mouth, of considerable 

ners, and on the northwest corner of each lot The report of General Wm. Irvin, the agent depth, both of which characteristics it retains 

the number of the lot should be marked. appointed for the above-mentioned purpose, to the first fork (Pine Creek), which is at 

The thirteenth section of the act of March says, in exploring the donation land: least 20 miles up. There are several hun- 

24, 1785, provided for the distribution of the " I began on the line run by Alex. McClean, dred acres of good land at the forks. 

lots by lottery, the ticket containing the num- Esq., between that and the tract appropriated " From Oil Creek up the Allegheny to 

ber of the lot to be drawn from a wheel, well for the redeeming depreciated certificates, Cushkushing, an old Indian town, is about 17 

turned around before drawing. There were which was ascertained by a due north line, to miles ; the whole of this way is barren and 

to be four wheels, one containing 50o-acre be about 30 miles from " Fort Pitt," and by mountainous. At this place there is a narrow 

tickets, one containing 350 acre tickets, one the common computation along the path, bottom two miles long, of good land, and a 

containing 300-acre tickets, and one contain- leading from Fort Pitt to Venango, at the very fine island of 50 or 60 acres, where the 

ing 200-acre tickets. The major general was mouth of French Creek — which some affirm Indians formerly planted corn, 

entitled to draw four 500-acre lots; a briga- was actually measured by the French when "From this place to another old Indian town, 

dier general three 50O-acre lots ; a colonel they possessed the country — I found it to be also on the bank of the river, is about six 

two 500-acre lots; a lieutenant colonel one 40 miles. East of this path, along Mr. Mc- miles; this place is called Canenakai, or 

500-acre lot and one 250-acre lot ; a surgeon. Clean's line for five or six miles, the land is Hickory Bottoms. From thence to a place 

a cap- pretty level, well watered with small springs, named by the Indians the "Burying Ground" 

— from the tradition 



chaplain or major two 300-acre lots 
tain one 50oacre lot ; 
a lieutenant two 200- _ 

acre lots; an ensign 
or regimental surgeon 
fine 300-acre lot ; a 
sergeant, sergeant ma- 
jor, or quartermaster 
sergeant one 250-acre 
lot ; and a drum ma- 
jor, fife major, corpo- 
ral or piivate,one 200- 
acre lot. 

The donation lands 
were laid out in ten 
districts, running east 
and west. No. i be 
gan at the line of the 
depreciation Iands,the 
others followed num- 
erically to the north- 
ern boundary of the 
State 

On the 5th of May, 




WORKS OF PENNSYLVANIA DISTILLING COMPANY, Limited. 



they have that some 
extraordinary person 
was buried there 
many hundred years 
a g o — i s about i 3 
miles ; most of the 
way is barren, with 
very high mountains. 
You may have to 
travel the most of the 
way in the bed of the 
river. To Brooka- 
loons.or Brokenstraw, 
Creek from the last- 
named place, is about 
14 miles, and from 
Brokenstraw to Cone- 
wago (Conewango) is 
about eight miles ; 
there is a narrow bot- 
tom of good land all 
the way, and there is a 



1785, the surveyor general appointed the fol- and of tolerable quality (about New Castle) ; remarkably fine tract of land at the mouth of 
lowing named deputy surveyors, viz.: Wil- but from thence, east to the Allegheny River, the Conewango, of a thousand or more acres ; 
liam Alexander for district No. i, John which is about 25 miles, there are no lands fit from the whole of which you have a corn- 
Henderson for No. 2, Griffith for No. 3, for cultivation, as far as French Creek. All manding view, up and down the main branch 
Andrew Henderson for No. 4, Benjamin along the Venango (Indian) path, to the Alle- ' of the Allegheny and also of Conewagoo a 
Lodge for No. 5, William Christy for No 6, gheny, there is very little land fit for culti- considerable distance. Conewagoo is 150 
William Power for No. 7, Alexander McUow- vation. yards wide, and is navigable for large boats 
ell for No. 8, James Dickinson and Griffith " On the lower side of French Creek, a', its to the head of Jadaqua (Chatauqua) Lake. 
Evans for No. 9, and David Watts for No. 10. mouth, where the fort called Venango former. The head of Jadaqua Lake is said to be only 

The act of March 24, 1785, had required ly stood, there are 300 or 400 acres of what is 12 miles from Lake Erie, where the French 

the surveys to be made and returned by Feb- commonly called upland, or "dry bottom," are said to have hatl a good wagon road from 

ruary i, 1786, and after their appointment very good land. On the northeast side, about it to the lake. Conewagoo forks about 30 

they immediately set out for their respective one mile from the mouth, another good bot miles from the mouth of the east branch, and 

districts. torn begins, of 400 or 500 acres ; on the hills is lost in a morass, where the Indians fre- 

On the same day, May 5, 1785, commission- on the same side, there are a few hundred quently carry their canoes into a large creek, 

ers were appointed to run and mark, the west- acres of land fit for cultivation ; this is all in called the Caterague (Cattaraugus), which 

em boundary of the State, from the Ohio this neighborhood nearer than eight miles at empties into Lake Erie. Distance from Fort 

River to Lake Erie. An agent duly qualified, the forks of the creek (Big Sugar Creek.) On Pitt, about 154 miles. 

to be appointed by the Council, was required, the road leading from French Creek to Oil ,. " I returned the most direct route to the 
to explore the country appropriated to dona. Creek, within three or four miles from Venan- Burying Ground, being about 21 miles. Here 
tion lands, noting the quality of the soil, the go, there is a bottom of fine land on the bank three old Indian paths branch off, one to Cay- 
hills, mountains, waters, creeks, marshes, up- of the Allegheny, containing 400 or 500 acres ahaga, on Lake Erie, one to Cushkusky, on 
land, bottom land, and such other matters as (now Reno) ; there is little on Oil Creek fit the west branch of Beaver Creek, and the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



87 



tlie end for which I was appointed agent, as 
well as lies in my power. 

" Wm. Irvin, Agent." 

Dated July, 1785. 

In August, 1785, Gen. William Irvin, the 
agent appointed by the State to explore and 



third to a salt spring, higher up the same tion. From where McClane's line strikes the 

branch of Beaver. From hence, I crossed great or west branch of the Beaver, I con- 

the chain of mountains that run along the tinued exploring the country up the several 

river, and in traveling what I computed to be western branches of the river, viz.: the most 

about 25 miles, reached the first fork of Oil western branch, and two branches denomi- 

Creek (Pine Creek.) On the most easterly nated the Shenangoes. 

branch there are vast quantities of white pine " The distance from the above named examine the Donation Lands, reported to the 

fit for masts, boards, etc.; in this fork there is line to the old Moravian town is about supreme executive council those parts of the 

a large body of good land, though high ; and four miles ; from thence to the Shenango, lands he considered unfit as gratuities to the 

along the west branch very rich and extensive two and a half miles ; thence to the forks of .soldiers of the Pennsylvania line. Among 

bottoms, several miles in length along the the second branch (Neshannock), two miles, these he found the land north of the Depre- 

creek, which is a beautiful stream, from 30 to From the mouth of the Shenango to Cuskus- ciation lands and eastward of the path from 

40 yards wide and pretty deep. From the west key on the west branch (Mahoning), is six Fort Pitt to Venango, at the mouth of French 

branch of Oil Creek, I proceeded on a west- or seven miles, but it was formerly called Creek, beginning about forty miles above Fort 



erly course, about ten 
miles, along a ridge 
which is difficult to 
ascend, but when you 
get up, it is Hat on the 
summit, four or five 
miles broad, very level 
and with fine springs 
from the declivity on 
both sides. 

"The land is heavi- 
ly wooded with hick- 
ory, large oak, maple, 
and very large chest- 
nut. From the west 
end of this ridge sev- 
e r a 1 large springs 
arise, which form the 
most easterly branch 




EUREKA MINERAL SPRINGS, S^GERTOWN, PA. 



Pitt, pretty good for 
about five miles; 
thence to the Alle- 
gheny River, about 
twenty-five miles due 
east, no land was fit 
for cultivation. 

In consequence of 
this report, the coun- 
cil left out of the 
wheels the lots within 
the extreme eastern 
part of the second 
Donation Dis t r i c t . 
This part has since 
been known as the 
"Struck District," 
and was generally un- 
derstood at the time, 



of French Creek, (which is called Sugar Cuskuskey by the natives along this branch, to be subject to actual-settlement under the act 
Creek by Mr. Hutchins), all of which as high as the salt springs, which are twenty- of April 3, 1792. 



have fine bottoms, but the upland, or ridges five miles from the mouth of Sher.ango. 

between, are stony, moist and broken, chiefly 

covered with beech, pine and chestnut. At "'^^"'^ '' '"^^ => similarity in almost all the 



the fork or junction of Sugar Creek with the 



lands on the branches of the Beaver Creek, 



west branch of French Creek, which "^^^ ^ particular description of each would be 



mere repetition. I shall therefore briefly ob- 
serve, that the bottoms generally are the most 
excellent that can be imagined, and are very 
extensive. The upland is hilly and some- 
times bad, but most of the hills are fertile and 
of very rich soil. From the falls of the Great 
Beaver up the west branch, and twenty miles 
up the Shenango branch, and to a considerble 
distance on either side of those creeks, there 



These surveys, however, were generally 
completed in 1786, though a few were made 
later. 

The seventh section of the act of March 
12, 1783, had directed, that all officers and 
privates, entitled to land, should make their 
application, within two years after peace 
should be declared, and should any die, their 
heirs, on executors should make application 
within one year thereafter. This period was 
extended from time to time. Many of those 
entitled to lands, having failed to appear, or 
to apply, the Legislature, on April 6, 1792, 
passed an act, authorizing the land officers, on 
July 2, 1792, to draw lots for every person 
entitled to Donation Land, who had not re 



is only eight miles up from -Venango, there 
are some very fine plains, and a large extent 
of meadow ground. There are but few bot- 
toms and little or no upland, beside what is 
above mentioned, for twenty miles up this 
branch, when there is a considerable quantity 
of meadow ground ; besides, there is not 
much good land until you reach Le Boeuf. 

" From V^enango I returned along the path 
leading to Fort Pitt, to within seven miles of '^ ""'^ '''"^> ^'"- '"^^ ^^ cultivated, and I be- 
Flat Rock Creek. Here I took a westerly "^^^ "° '^°"""'y '^ ^^^^" watered. 
course along a large dividmg ridge, already " I hereby transmit a sketch of that part of ceived the same, according to the list furnish 
noticed, for about ten miles, when I struck a the country (northwest of the Allegheny and ed by the Comptroller General; in the same 
branch of Canaghquenese, or Beaver, about Connewango creek), only which my duty as manner, as if the persons entitled were pre- 
thirty yards wide, and which joins Flat Rock agent obliged me to explore. This, I trust, sent. Patents were to issue within two years 
before it empties into the main branch. On together with the remarks herein contained, to such claimants from the date of the act. 
this creek are very fine and large bottoms, will give a better idea of the tract of country The supreme executive council in 1788, in 
and in some places some good upland, though than any map yet published. Though I do consequence of the suggestion of Andrew 
much broken with high, barren hills and deep not pretend to say it is correct, as the dis- Ellicott, recommended to the assembly the 
morasses. This creek (probably Neshannock), tances are all supposed, and there are prob- subject of the reservations at the mouth of the 
is not laid down on any map I have seen. ably several omissions in this sketch, yet more Conewango, Venango and LeBoeuf. The as- 

"After having explored this creek and lands creeks, hills, streams, etc., are noticed than sembly, by a resolution of 17S9, authorized 

adjacent, I proceeded on a southerly course have been before, and their courses and near the council to have surveys, not exceeding 

till I struck McClane's line, within eight miles connections by hills and ridges ascertained. 3000 acres, made for the use of the state at 

of the Great Beaver Creek, which I followed No creek or branch is laid down which is less these places, and at the "Erie Triangle," it 

to the creek. All this distance is ver)- hilly, than twenty yards wide. On the whole, I by this time having become the property of 

There are some small bottoms, but the major have endeavored, as well in the remarks as in the state, 

part of those eight miles is not fit for eultiva- the sketch, so far as I have gone, to answer These surveys were made by John Adlum, 



88 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



and reported to the council, and submitted to 
the assembly in September 1789. 

This was followed by the act of April 18, 
1795, to provide for laying out, and establish- 
ing towns and outlets, within the several tracts 
of land, heretofore reseryed for public use, 
situate at Presque lie, (Erie), mouth of 
French Creek, (Franklin), mouth of Cone- 
wango Creek, (Warren) and at Fort LeBoeuf, 
(Waterford). The commissioners, were re- 
quired to survey 300 acres into town lots, and 
700 acres into outlots, at each of those places 
with streets, lanes and alleys and reservations 
for public uses as the commissioners shall 
direct. The act of April nth, 1789, for sell- 
ing the reserved tracts at Erie, Franklin, 
Warren and Watertord, provided for actual 
surveys of the parts of these reservations, not 



posed of the balance of the unappropriated 
land, north and west of the Allegheny and 
Conewango Creek, by ofl'ering it for sale, to 
any person who would cultivate, improve and 
settle on a tract of land containing 400 acres, 
at the price of £■] 10 shillings per 100 acres, 
with an allowance of six per cent, for roads 
and highways. 

The ninth section of said act is in these 
words, viz.: "That no warrant or survey to 
be issued or made, in pursuance of this act, 
for lands lying west of the Ohio and Alle- 
gheny, and the Conewango creek, shall vest 
any title in, or to, any lands therein men- 
tioned, unless the grantee has, prior to the 
date of such warrant, made, or caused to be 
made, or shall, within the space of two years 
next after the date of the same, make or cause 



provided . always, nevertheless: That if any 
actual settler, or any grantee in any such orig- 
inal or succeeding warrant, shall, by force of 
arms of the enemies of the United States, be 
prevented from making such actual settle- 
ment, and be driven therefrom, and shall per- 
sist in his endeavors to make such actual set- 
tlement as aforesaid, then, in either case, he 
and his heirs shall be entitled to have and to 
hold the said lands in the same manner as if 
the actual settlement had been made and con- 
tinued.'* 

The above law was evidently intended for 
the benefit of men of moderate means, who 
would settle on and improve the land, and se- 
cure to themselves homes, after the trials, dis 
couragements and conflicts of a seven years 
war. In all this extensive region of country 




UNVEILING OF THE PIONEER STATUE AT DIAMOND PARK, May I'itli, 1888. 



before laid out in town, and out lots, not ex- 
ceeding 150 acres each, designating in the 
drafts the quality of each, as, first, second, 
and third quality. It granted 500 acres, to be 
laid off in each reservation, for the schools, or 
academies, as might be established by-law, in 
said towns. After these drafts were returned 
to the surveyor general, copies were to be 
transmitted by the governor, to the commis- 
sioners, for the sale of the towns. It was 
provided that proper notice should be given 
and half the town and out lots in each place, 
should be sold in Philadelphia ; one-fourth at 
Carlisle, and the other fourth at Pittsburg. 
Property to be appraised before sale ; pur- 
chasers to build a house, 16 feet square, with 
brick chimney, within two years after sale, 
&c., &c. 

The act of assembly of April ;, 1 792, dis- 



to be made, an actual settlement thereon, by 
clearing, fencing and cultivating at least two 
acres, for every 100 acres contained in one 
survey, erecting thereon a messuage for the 
habitation of man, and residing, or causing a 
family to reside thereon, for the space of five 
years next following his first settlement of the 
same, if he or she shall so long live ; and if, in 
default of such actual settlement and residence, 
it shall, and may be lawful, to, and for the 
Commonwealth, to issue new warrants to 
other actual settlers for the said lands, or any 
part thereof, reciting the original warrants, 
and that actual settlements and residence 
have not been made in pursuance thereof 
An'd so, as often as default shall be made, for 
the time and the manner aforesaid, which 
new grants shall be under and subject to, all 
and every regulation contained in this act ; 



above described, there was for the poor man, 
and young beginners "A Settlement Right," 
by the laws of Pennsylvania, according to 
which any young or poor man could come 
into the State as a peaceable settler, and take 
possession of any tract of 400 acres of vacant 
land ; and by having it surveyed, building a 
small log house, clearing two acres for each 
100 acres in his survey, and living on it for 
five years, he could effectually claim it for 
himself, and secure a legal and equitable title 
to the 400 acres at the low price of S50. He 
had, moreover, this great advantage, that he 
had ten years in which to pay the purchase 
money, at three per cent, interest. 

A tract of 400 acres thus settled upon in 
1792, would cost him six pence per acre or 
^'10 Pennsylvania currency for the whole 
tract, with the addition of 6 per cent, allowed 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



89 



for roads, making 424 acres. When the tract 
was patented, it would cost, at one-eighth of 
a dollar per acre, precisely $50, with 12 shil- 
lings interest yearly. I am justified in assert- 
ing that there was not in the world so great a 
blessing of that nature, held out to a body of 
industrious men, as the terms of the act of 
assembly of April 3, 1792. 

But that apparently innocent proviso in the 
ninth section of the above act, like "Pan- 
dora's Box" contained all its ills, not leaving 
"hope" for the settler. It appears that men 
who have in modern histories been eulogized 
as able financiers, and managers of the land, 
and other public interests of the State, had 
secured large quantities of continental bills of 
credit, and bills emitted by the resolutions 
and acts of assembly, at the lowest depre- 
ciated prices, and turned them into the land 



and P. C. Van Eaghen. Many of the stock- 
holders of this company held honorable posi- 
tions in the State, both civil and military, and 
had a favorable opportunity of seeing where 
their personal interests would be attained. 
They having secured large amounts of bills 
of credit and depreciated certificates, applied 
at the land office, and had 640 warrants is- 
sued ; 390 of which were laid in the "tri- 
angle" in what is now Erie county, and the 
balance of this issue, 250 warrants on the 
waters of Beaver and Shenango Creeks. 
These warrants were issued in 1792, and the 
early part of 1793, and surveyed the same 
years. Subsequently they secured 500 tracts 
more, making in all for this company, 1 140 
tracts of 424 acres each, amounting to 483,- 
360 acres. They had two years from date of 
each warrant to make a settlement, consist- 



April 3, 1792, and under like terms of settle- 
ment, &c ; about 900,000 acres of land in 
Pennsylvania, being 276,000 acres of land 
more, than is contained within the boundary 
of Crawford county, beside a much larger 
amount m the state of New York. On 
August 21, 1793, the company, through its 
agents, Herman Leroy and Wm. Bayard, 
merchants of New York City, paid to the 
Hon. Jas. Willson, of Philadelphia, one of 
the judges of the supreme court of the United 
States, and also one of the stockholders of 
the Population Company, the sum of ^34,860 
in specie, being the purchase money of 464,- 
800 acres of land, lying north and west of 
the rivers Ohio, Allegheny and Conewango 
Creek. The contract was for the sale and 
purchase of 499,660 acres of land, between 
French Creek and the Allegheny river. It 




CONNEAUT LAKE FROM THE PAVILION. 



office, at their face value in gold and silver, 
hurriedly secured their warrants, by employ- 
ing extra clerks and sent out their surveyors 
to secure the land. 

THE POPULATION COMPANY. 
Early in 1792, an association of capitalists 
organized, for the purpose of securing land, 
(under the act of assembly, passed April 3, 
1792,) for speculation. This association was 
known as the Population Company ; the sub- 
scriptions of stock was opened iif May, 1792, 
about one month after the passage of the 
above mentioned act, and closed in Decem- 
ber following. The original subscribers for 
the stock, were General Wm, Irvin, Daniel 
Leet, George Mead, General Walter Stuart, 
John Hoge, Theophilus Cozenove, Tench 
Francis, John Nicholson, G. Gau, A. Ashton, 
Aaron Burr, Captam E. Denny, Robert 
Bowen, J. Kitland, T. Kitland, Robert Morris, 
Judge James Willson, A. Gibson, N. Van 
Staphorst, J. H. Volenhoven, P. Stadnitski 



ing of building a cabin fit for the habitation 
of man and by clearing two acres for each 
100 acres, contained in the tract. When this 
company had thus secured the land, they 
offered to convey 150 acres gratis to each of 
the first 50 families, who would purchase and 
settle a tract in order to complete title, and to 
the next 100 families, 100 acres on the same 
terms- 

THE HOLLAND COMPANY. 

About this time another company of capital- 
ists, nrfade its appearance, known as the Hol- 
land Land Company, consisting of eleven 
stockholders, viz: Wilhem Willink, Nicholis 
Van Stamphorst, Peter Stadnitski, Christian 
Van Eeghan, Hendrick VoUenhoven and 
Rutger Jan Sehimmelpannink of the city of 
Amsterdam, Holland ; perhaps the other five 
members may be included in the stockholders 
of the Population Company. This company 
purchased, through the agency of said Popu- 
lation Company, under the act of assembly of 



was stipulated that the lands consist partly, of 
912 tracts of 430 acres, with allowance of 
6 per cent, for roads, &c., which Mr. John 
Adlum, by a contract dated April 26, 1793, 
had engaged to secure to the said Judge 
Willson, and 250 tracts of 430 acres each, 
were to be taken from the lands entered for 
Judge Willson, by Mr. Jas. Chapman, con 
venient to the first named in point of location, 
the Holland Company, having the right, if 
not satisfied with the latter tracts, to substitute 
other lands east of French Creek. 

The act of assembly of March 21, 1781, 
already referred to, makes paper bills of 
credit given to soldiers, &c., receivable at the 
same rate as gold and silver, in arrearages of 
purchase money, due for land, or lots sold, or 
to be sold, or conveyed by the State. The 
act of April 1st, 1784, section eighth, provides: 
"That no certificate of depreciation be re- 
ceived from any person, who was not at the 
time of issuing said certificate a citizen of 



90 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



the State, &c." The members of the Holland 
Land Company, not being citizens of the 
State, in order to secure land under the act of 
April 3, 1792, would be required to pay 
£•] 10 shillings per 100 acres in gold, silver, 
or Pennsylvania bank currency, about Si 32, 
per 424 acres. Fortunately for them, there 
were citizens of Pennsylvania, who composed 
the majority of the Population Company, who 
well knew how to secure land warrants at a 
nominal price, and had already secured 483,- 
360 acres, for themselves being 22,560 acres 
acres more of land, than there are in Erie 
county. 

These gentlemen furnished the Holland 
Company with warrants for 1162 tracts of 
430 acres each, and allowance of 6 per cent, 
for roads, etc. 

Judge Jas. Willson, of 
Philadelphia, who received 
the money paid by the agents 
of the Holland Company, 
for their lands, was a stock- 
holder in the Population 
Company. TheopheJis Coze- 
nove was one of the manag- 
ers of the Population Com- 
pany, and at the same time 
agent of the Holland Com- 
pany, and continued to act 
in that capacity until 1799. 
Gen. Wm. Irvin, who direct- 
ed the donation surveys, and 
well knew the location of 
the best lands in the north- 
western corner of the State, 
was also a manager of the 
Population Company. Tench 
Francis, agent for interests 
of Wm. Penn's heirs at Fort 
Pitt, was cashier, and John 
Nicholson, who purchased 
large quantities of the de- 
preciated bills of credit, is- 
sued by the State, and one 
of its most extensive land 
owners, was its president. 

John Adlum, an old sur- 
veyor, testified in the case of 
Commonwealth vs. Tench 
Coxe, in the Supreme Court "mandamus" case 
in March, 1801 : " That he sold to the late Jas. 
Willson, Esq., part of the locations which the 
Holland Land Company afterward purchased, 
situate in Allegheny County, and, in the latter 
part of August, or fir.st of September, 1793. he 
was informed by Mr. Cozenove that the war- 
rants were paid for ; that in December, 1793, 
he went to the Surveyor General's office, and 
directed the warrants to be sent to the several 
Deputy Surveyors, according to their districts. 
There was so much business in the office, that 
he could not get his done during the winter, 
and in the spring following, he employed Mr. 
Parker, with the permission of the Surveyor 
General, as he was not a clerk in the office, 
to do the writing part. 

In April, 1794, this business being accom- 



plished, he sent out the warrants by particular 
messengers to the respective Deputy Survey- 
ors, and contracted with Wm. Power and 
Thomas Reese to execute them in the districts, 
and went out himself in the fall. 

This rush of business was owing to the fact, 
that the land companies were hurrying out 
their warrants in order to have priority of 
date, as the holder of a warrant had two years 
to make the first settlement and improvement. 

.\CRES 

There are now in 1795. surveyed (jff in do- 
nation lands, say about .. 7"fl,0ll0 

Reservations, 3,000 acres each, at Venango, 
Warren, Waterford and Erie .. 12,000 

There has been surveyed and warrants 

issued for the two companies of 1.400,000 

Malting an aggregate of land that cannot 
be occupied by a settler on the terms 
r)f the act of Assembly of April 3, 1792.. li, ll:i,()00 

The early settlers who had came out prior 




<^ 



(01. 



KORI> DORRANCE. 



to 1792, and taken possession of 400 acres of 
land, were secure from the covetous grasp of 
monopoly. 

Others who came subsequent to that time, 
including the patriots who had driven the In- 
dians from the frontier, with the intention and 
expectation of securing homes under the pro- 
vision of the act of Assembly, found to their 
great disappointment, thai the companies' sur- 
veyors had preceded them, and little valuable 
land could be found open for settlement. 

The question then was, how the company 
could hold this large body of land without 
complying with the law requiring settlement 
and improvement in each tract of 412 acres. 
Some few settlers took possession of land that 
had been surveyed but not settled, the two 
years from the date of the warrant having 



expired. Each of the parties had taken a 
step in the right direction, the one by settle- 
ment and improvement, and with a credit of 
ten years to pay £•] 10 shilling per one hun 
dred acres; the other had paid for the land, 
but had not settled or improved it. Neither 
could they, if there had not been an Indian in 
the country, and they knew it. Their only 
alternative was to fall back on the proviso in 
the 9th section of the act of April 3rd, 1792, 
and cry, Indian hostilities ! which ' those in- 
terested did most effectually. The Indians 
of the six nations in Northwestern Pennsylva- 
nia had acted in good faith since the treaty 
of 1784 and 1785, to the final defeat of the 
western tribes by Gen. Wayne, in 1794, on 
the Maumee. While Gen. Wayne was bring- 
ing the Indians under subjection, the United 
States government had raised 
an army of 12,000 men tu 
compel some Scotch-Irish 
farmers below Pittsburg to 
pay an excise tax of four 
cents per gallon on the 
whisky they manufactured. 
Perhaps if the tax had been 
called by any other name, it 
would not have been so ob- 
jectionable. In 1793, the 
news of the French Revolu- 
tion created a panic in Phil- 
adelphia, and the yellow 
fever ravages spread desola- 
tion an dterror ; and in fact, 
few sections of country in the 
State presented a more peace 
ful aspect than Northwestern 
Pennsylvania. In the sur- 
veys made of the ten dis- 
tricts of Donation Lands in 
1785, the western and north- 
ern lines of the State, and 
the companies' surveys dur- 
ing the years 1792-3 4-5, not 
a surveyor, or one of the par- 
ty, was killed or injured by 
an Indian. It is perhaps 
true that a half dozen of 
white men were killed in 
private altercations, and per- 
haps a greater number of Indians; but these 
violations of the peace could not be attributed 
to the public enemy of the United States under 
the proviso. 

The question then was, had the warrant 
holders secured a title to this vast body of 
land, without settlement and improvement, as 
the law required ? They argued that they 
had been prevented from doing so by the 
enemies of the United States, thereby shelter- 
ing their claims under the proviso of the ninth 
section of the act of assembly of April 3, 
1792. 

In 1800 a test case was agreed upon to se- 
cure the opinion of the Supreme Court of 
Pennsylvania in the case of the Common 
wealth vs. Tench Coxe. Present, Shippen, 
Chief Justice, Yeates and Smith, Justice 






CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



91 



Tliis was directing the secretary of the land 
office to show cause why a mandamus should 
not be awarded, commanding him to prepare 
and deliver patents to the Holland Company, 
for various tracts of land for which warrants 
had previously been issued in their favor, 
under the act of April 3, 1792 (on the 
strength of prevention certificates). The At- 
torney General (McKean), M. Levi, W. 
Tilghman and Cooper now showed cause for 
discharge of the rule, and Lewis E. Tilgh- 
man, Ingersoll and Dallas argued for making 
it absolute. After able arguments by the at- 
torneys, Judge Shippen, after reciting the 
proviso in the ninth section of the act of April 
3, 1792, says: "Here, besides that the gram- 
matical construction of referring the word 
•persist' to the last antecedent, is best .an- 
swered; the sense of it is only ap- 
plicable to settlements begun, and 
not to the condition of the grantees. 
There are two members of the sen 
tence, one relative to the grantee, 
who never began a settlement pro- 
per. The act says in either case ; 
that is, if the grantees are prevented 
from making their settlements, or 
if the settlers are driven away, and 
persist in their endeavors to com 
plete their settlements, in either case, 
they shall be entitled to the land." 
The Judge continues: "If the set- 
tlements were not made within that 
time, owing to the force of reasona- / 

ble dread of the enemies of the 
United States, and it was evident 
that the parties had used their best 
endeavors to effect a settlement; 
then, by the express words of the 
Law, the residence of the improv- 
ers for five years afterwards, was 
expressly dispensed with, and their 
title to the lands was complete, and J^ 

patents might issue accordingly." 
Judges Yeates and Smith disagreed 
with the above opinion and decided 
that improvement and residence for 
five years was indispensable to 
acquiring a title. By the Court : 
" Let the rule be discharged." 

The land disputes between the warrant- 
holders and the actual settlers were carried 
before the Board of Property, thence before 
the Legislature, but too late to secure relief. 
The courts were called upon for a legal 
opinion. In the case of Balfour et al against 
George Meade, ejectment for four tracts of 
land which plaintift" had surveyed, and upon 
which he had partly completed cabins in 
1793, and which were taken possession of by 
Meade in 1794, Judge Washington charged 
that settlement and residence were irdispen 
sible in securing title. Meade being in 
possession, jury found verdict for defendant. 
In the case of Huidekoper vs. Douglass, in 
the United States Circuit Court for Pennsyl- 
vania, February term, 1805, the defendant 
was in possession, as was Meade in the above 



stated case, but the court says; " By persist- 
ing, he (the plaintiff) has become an actual 
settler, and the part of the proviso which ap- 
plies to actual settlers protects him." This 
opinion was just the opposite of the one in the 
case of Balfour vs. Meade, and required no 
settlement by the warrant-holders, if they per- 
sisted in being scared by Indians ; although 
if an actual settler was willing to run all risk 
of danger from that quarter, and settle on a 
tract of land, he was called an intruder. If 
he could do no better than accept of 100 
acres of land for completing the title of 424 
acres for the company, I hey called it a gra- 
tuity to the settler, when he was in fact secur- 
ing their right to a patent for the same, and 
increasing the value of the balance of the 
tract at least loq per cent , as they proposed 
to sell the remainder of. a tract settled on for 
S1.50 per acre. 



A REMARKABLE LIFE. 



THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF.IOSEFH 

DICKSON, FROM THE CRADLE 

TO THE GRAVE. 



Life in the Infant Settleinent — Hardships 
of the Early Pioneers — Indian At- 
tacks — Boating — A Soldier in 
the War of 1812 — His Sur- 
render at Last to the 
Grim Destroyer. 




MAJOR CHARLES E. RICHMOND. 

John Reynolds, Esq., says, in Crawford 
County History : " The land disputes were 
very injurious to the prosperity of the country, 
and retarded its settlement many years. Men 
who had made large improvements abandoned 
all and went to what was known as the "new 
State," viz.: Ohio. A public prejudice unfav 
orable to this region operated extensively, pre- 
venting immigration, while the contiguous 
parts of Ohio and New York were filled with 
an industrious and intelligent population." 

Now, Mr. Editor, thanking you for your 
polite invitation to contribute something to 
your mammoth centennial paper of May II, 
1888, relating to earlier times, I leave to 
more able historians to show the great ad 
vances made in Northwestern Pennsylvania 
in agriculture, manufactures, commerce and 
education, as well as the means within reach 
of the people for securing the necessary com- 
forts of life since the times of which I have 
written, during the first years of this century. 



Joseph Dickson died at his home on North 
street, in Meadville, Pa., April 3d, 1888, at 
the advanded age of 98 years, I month and 
21 days. Having been a resident 
of Meadville and vicinity ninety- 
four years, nearly the entire cen 
tury, and having been intimately 
acquainted with all the first settlers, 
it makes his life and recollections 
of great interest at the present 
time. 

He was the father of eight sons 
and five daughters, twelve of whom 
lived to manhood and womanhood. 
The twelve children were alive at 
the mother's death, which occurred 
March 27th, 1862. At the time of 
death he had six children, sixteen 
grandchildren and twenty-three 
great grandchildren ; his children — 
Mrs. E. B. Comstock and Joseph 
H., of Meadville, Mrs. G.W. Ready, 
of Painesville, O., and Mary M., 
Arch. S. and Jane A. Dickson, in- 
mates of the home in which their 
aged parent for so many years en- 
joyed the society of young and old. 
Mr. Dickson united with the 
Presbyterian church in 1822, and 
was a ruling elder for fifty-six years. 
When nearing his 90th birthday it 
was decided at a church meeting 
that the event should be duly cele- 
brated at the church. A sketch of 
his life, prepared and read by Rev. 
T. D. Logan on that occasion, part of which 
is here introduced, the information having 
been obtained from the venerable man's own 
lips : 

"Mr. Joseph Dickson came to Meadville at 
a very early age. * With the exception of 
about a year and a half he had been a resi- 
dent of this city or its vicinity. Prior to the 
War of the Revolution the entire region north 
of the Ohio river and west of the Allegheny 
was a disputed territory, claimed by both 
French and English ; and after the French 
had been driven out, the occupation was still 
disputed by the savages. As a consequence 
of these conflicts, the settlements were few, 
previous to the last decade of the eighteenth 
century, .\bout the year 1787 the first set- 
tlers found their way to the valley of French 



92 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



creek, or Venango river, as it ought to be 
called, but did not make any settlement until 
the following year. Owing to the hostile atti- 
tude of the Indians, they were soon compelled 
to leave, but they returned in 1790, deter 
mined to remain at all hazard-. For their 
protection they built a block house and stock- 
ade near the bank of the creek, on land now 
occupied by James E. McFarland, on Water 
street, near the corner of North street. The 
town was laid out at an early date, and set- 
tlers began to arrive ; but it was not till after 
the defeat of the Indians by General Wayne, 
in 1794, that a peaceable settlement was 
found possible. It was during this period of 
danger that the father of Mr. Dickson, with 
his family, came to Meadville. 

"James Dickson was born near Dumfries, 
Scotland, in 1754. He was married Decem- 
ber 1 2th 1782 to Barbra Brown by Rev, John 
Ewart. Having taken a lively interest in the 
straggles of the American colonies for inde- 
pendence, he determined to make his home 
in the new world. In the fall of 1785 he 
landed at Philadelphia with his wife and two 
children. They had been eight weeks on the 
ocean. Remaining but a short tin.e in Phila- 
delphia, the family went west as far as Pitts- 
burg. It was the intention of Mr. Dickson 
to take up land at once, but the unsettled 



ville alone early in 1 793. It is not known how 
he made his way hither. He remained all sum- 
mer and raised some corn and potatoes, either 
on the Island or on the Vallonia flats. Theie 
he stored for the use of his family the next 
season, and returned in the fall to Pittsburg. 
Next spring, 1794, as soon as the river was 
safe for navigation, which was some time in 
April, thfe family was placed in a small keel 
boat, in which they were to ascend the Alle- 
gheny, as far as Franklin, and thence by way 
of French Creek to Meadville. In crossing 
Pittsburg to take the boat they passed through 
the woods where now is the most densely 
populated portion of the city. 

They brought with them furniture and 
utensils adapted to frontier life. Among other 





and children were carried to the shore. Owing 
to the rapid current the men could not stand 
in the water, till at length one of them se- 
cured a foot hold and held the polls as a rail- 
ing for the others. Mr. Dickson remembers 
being carried ashore on the back of one of 
the men, who said to him as he clung about 
his neck, "if you don't hold on I'll throw 
you into the river." The family remained on 
the bank of the river nearly a week before 
another boat came along, on board of which 
they were taken. At Franklin they obtained 
supplies in place of those which had been 
lost, and during the second week in May they 
reached their destination. They at once 
found shelter m the block house. Mr. Dick- 
son's recollection of this block house is that 
it was a small log structure built square and 
but one-story high. In 1795 a new block 
house was constructed of hewn logs, at a short 
distance from the fort. This building is re- 
membered by many of our older citizens, but 
it must not be confounded with the first block 
house. Around this there was a stockade, 
considerably higher than a man's head, en- 
closing an area of about half an acre. Within 
the inclosure General Mead had two log houses 
under the same roof, with a covered passage 
between them. The Dickson family remained 
in the block house all that summer. 



^»«^ 



MILES W. TATE, Esq. 

state of the frontier made it imprudent to do 
this, and accordingly he remamed in or about 
Pittsburg for several years. Three children 
were born while there, and three alter their 
removal to Meanville. In all there was a 
family of eight children. Joseph Dickson 
was the fourth child. He was born February 
12, 1790, on the south side of the Mononga- 
hela river, opposite Pittsburg. The place 
which was afterwards called Birmingham, is 
now included in the city limits. The family 
afterwards removed farther down the river, 
and lived near the mouth of Saw Mill Run. 
Mr. Dickson can remember watching his 
older brother push cakes of ice into this run 
during a freshet which occurred during the 
spring of 1794. James Dickson came to Mead- 



CAPT. W. B. BEST. 

things there was a hand-mill, 
which was used for several 
years by the entire popula- 
tion of Meadville. Mr. Dick- 
son distinctly remembers 
seeing this mill fastened to 
a post in front of his father's 
house, on Water street. The 
balance wheel was made 
heavier by means of four 
cannon balls placed on oppo- 
site sides, and connected 
by iron rods. After it acquir- 
ed considerable momentum, 
the weight of these balls kept the mill in motion 
without much eflbrt on the part of the grinder. 
About a bushel of corn could be ground in an 
hour by a strong man. This mill, or a part of it, 
is now in possession of A. B. Richmond, Esq. 
The voyage up the river was long and tire 
some, as the boat had to be poled by men the 
entire distance. When they reached a point 
near the present town of Parker they met 
with a'serious accident. In polling up through 
swiftly flowing water, called in river language 
a riffle, the man at the bow lost his hold, and 
the boat swung around against a rock, being 
nearly capsized. The current washed away 
some of their clothing, provisions and other 
property. 

It was with great difificulty that the mother 




HON. H. J. HUMES. 

During the year 1794, William Dick, Wil- 
liam Gill, Thomas Ray, William Jones, 
Thomas Rallyea and others, some of them 
with their families, arrived at the settlement. 
The Meads, Randolphs, Van Homes, Lords, 
and a few others had arrived previously. On 
the loth of August of this year an event oc- 
curred which will cause the name of James 
Dickson always to be associated with the early 
history of our city. For some time there had 
been rumors of an Indian attack. It had 
been stated that the Cornplanter Indians had 
threatened to drive the settlers from French 
Creek, if they were not at once removed by 
the government. On the day named Mr. 
Dickson was walking out north of the town 
with his gun in hand, for in those days no one 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



93 



went into the woods unarmed. He had 
reached a point near the intersection of Spring 
street and Terrace, a short distance south of 
Athens' Mills, when he heard a sound which 
he supposed to be made by a deer. He stood 
still for an instant, thus making himself an 
easy mark, and heard three shots fired simul- 
taneously by as many Indians. Each bullet 
struck him — one passed through his left 
hand, splitting the little finger from the others. 
A second struck him in the breast, and lodged 
between the breast bone and shoulder blade, 
where it ever afterward remained. The third 
shot took effect in the left hip and lamed him 
slightly. Instinctively Mr. Dickson brought 
his gun to his shoulder and prepared to fire, 
but no enemy was to be seen. All that ap- 
peared was a rifle pointed at him, and know- 
ing that there must be a head 
behind it, he took aim along 
the barrel. But before he could 
fire the rifle was discharged ; 
the bullet cut his cap, but did 
not touch him. This roused his 
Scotch blood, and he called to 
the savages, " Come out, ye cow- 
ards, and give me fair play !" 
Two showed them6elves,running 
from tree to tree, till one was on 
each side of him. Mr. Dickson 
was about to seek the shelter of 
a tree, when it occurred to him 
that he was surrounded, and that 
as the guns of his enemies were 
empty, he must act promptly. 
-Accordingly he pointed his gun 
toward the Indian who was be- 
tween him and the fort, and he 
drove him from his shelter. 
Then with his finger on the trig- 
ger, and walking backward, he 
kept the Indians in check till he 
reached Samuel Lord's log cab- 
in, near the present residence of 
William Reynolds. By that time 
one of his pursuers had reload- 
ed, and another shot was fired 
at him, but he was not again 
struck. The Indians then bound- 
ed out of sight, going down towards the creek. 
The wounded man made his way as rapidly as 
possible towards the block house. When 
near the location of Red Mill he met Samuel 
Lord, John Wentworth, Luke Hill and a 
Iriendly Indian named Flying Cloud, going 
out to his relief. They passed on and fol- 
lowed the trail of the attacking party across 
the creek, but owing to the thickness of the 
underbrush on the other side, they did not 
think it prudent to continue the pursuit. 

It was supposed that the attack on Mr. 
Dickson was intended for a feint to draw the 
men away from the fort, when another party 
would attack the unprotected women and 
children. But no such attack was made, and 
as soon as the news of Wayne's victory 
reached th'e Indians all who were unfriendly 
at once disappeared. Mr. Joseph Dickson's 



recollection of the scenes of that day was building on Water street, between North and 

very clear. In company with the other chil* Randolph streets. There were probably 

dren of the settlement, he was playing on the about a dozen scholars. The teacher was a 

bank of the creek immediately in the rear of strict disciplinarian, and when she detected 

Mr. McFarland's house. Suddenly a mar. any misconduct in a scholar, she would throw 

came running down and hurried them all in- her "taws" or cato' nine-tails at his feet. The 

side of the stockade. Shortly after this his guilty scholar was then required to bring the 

father came in, gun in hand, and covered with taws to the teacher, who admini.stered chas- 

blood. He was very much excited. Mrs. tisement to whatever extent seemed proper. 

Dickson was of course alarmed, and, running Joseph Dickson was then under 5 years of 

towards her husband, who, having seen his age, and naturally regarded the school as a 



family safely housed was about to go out 
again, said, " Stop ; let me wash your 
wounds." His Scotch blood was still up, and 
he ran out into the yard saying : " Let me 
alone ! I'll have revenge on the yellow ras- 
cals." The wounds never had a surgeon's 
care, though they were dressed as carefully 




place of amusement. In the midst of his fun 
the taws were thrown at his feet. He picked 
them up and threw them back at the teacher. 
This insubordination could not of course be 
allowed to pass without rebuke. The child 
was not whipped, but the meaning of the 
taws was explained to him, and this was suf- 
ficient to convince him that 
school was not a very desirable 
place. He ran out and went 
home. This was the extent of 
his experience in Meadville's 
first school. 

"Independence Day was cele- 
brated in the year 1795 by the 
entire population, which, how- 
ever, was not large. Tables 
were arranged at a place about 
midway between the residence 
o( James Kepler and James E. 
McFarland, and they were plen- 
tifully supplied with food, of 
which all partook. Two young 
men thought that the only appro- 
priate way of celebrating inde- 
pendence was by getting drunk, 
and by making everyone else 
drunk. Their efforts in many 
cases, though not in all, were 
successful. They made a drink 
called egg nog, which they sup- 
plied liberally to all, not exclud- 
ing the children, and some of the 
little ones actually became intox- 
icated. Mr. Dickson was then 
about five and a half years old. 
"James Dickson bought two 
lots on Water street, where the 
Eagle Hotel now stands, and built a house 
of hewed logs, in which the family lived 
till the spring of 1796. The appearance 
of the town at that time was as follows: 
There was the stockade with the block- 
house, and houses of Mr. Mead as described 
before. At the head of Water street, near 
where the red mill now stands, there was a 
rude saw mill, which had been built for Mr. 
Mead by Matthew Wilson m 1790. Along 
Water street, north of Centre, there were a 
few log cabins. During the two years of 
the residence of the Dicksons in Meadville, 
more of these cabins were built, and some 
houses of a more substantial character. The 
house now standing on the corner of Water 



ISAAC BEACH. 

as the circumstances would permit, and they 
soon healed. 

In the excitement which followed the at- 
tack on Mr. Dickson, every one in the settle- 
ment who could use a firearm was enrolled 
for service. Robert Dickson, the eldest son, 
then but 9 years old, had his station at a loop- 
hole, and was ready to fight if it had been 
necessary. For this service, performed when 
a child, he afterwards received a pension 
from the State. 

"Some time after this exciting occurrence 
the Dickson family moved into a house on 
Water street, where it is intersected by the 
bed of the canal. While living in this house 
Joseph Dickson attended the first school ever 
held in Crawford county. The teacher was street and Cherry alley, was built by William 
Miss Jane Finney, afterward Mrs. Gen. David Dick in 1795. This is the building in which 
Meade. The school was held in a smal 



the first court was held in 1800. The house 



94 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 



on the corner of Water and Centre streets, 
owned by Mrs. Streit (and lately torn down), 
was built about the same time. Bartholomew 
White kept a public house there in 1796. 
Samuel Lord's tavern was on the next lot, 
now owned by John Sergeant. The town 
reached along Water street nearly as far as 
the crossing of the run below Dock street. 

"Mr. Dickson did not have any recollection 
of any other open streets previous to 1796. 
All other parts of the town were covered with 
forest. There was a sugar grove where the 
residence of J. C. Limber now stands on Park 
avenue. Two men were shot by Indians near 
the mouth of Conneaut in 1794. One of 
them named McCormick, had been a boarder 
at Dickson's, and the body was brought to the 
house for burial. 

"In the year 1 796 James Dick- 
son took up two tracts of land 
of 400 acres each, on the west 
side of the creek about four 
miles north of Meadville. At 
that early day the place was 
called McGuftm's Falls, because 
a man named McGufifin had 
taken some levels with the in- 
tention of building a mill dam. 
There was, however, no dam or 
mill there till after a number of 
years. Mr. Joseph Dickson's 
boyhood was spent on this farm. 
He attended a school kept by 
Martha Orrie, the grandmother 
of James Kilday, near his pres 
en' residence on the road be 
tween Meadville and Coon's 
Corners. The school house 
afterward became a part of the 
family residence and is still 
standing, though in a dilapidated 
condition. The distance from , 
McGulfintown to the school 
house is about two miles. Being 
one of the younger children, Mr. 
Dickson was sent to make up 
the time lost by those who were 
older, so that his early school- 
ing amounted to but two months 
in each of two winters. In this 
time he had learned to read, 
and had read entne the new testament, which 
was the principal text book. Other books 
were very scarce, but every family had a 
bible, and as a consequence the minds of the 
young were well stored with moral and 
religious truth. It is no doubt owing to this 
early training that Mr. Dickson's recollection 
of scripture was so clear even in his old age. 
During his boyhood he attended several other 
schools in the neighborhood. 

Joseph Anders taught two winters on the 
Dickson farm, and Abram Jones taught one or 
two winters. Mordcai Thompson taught on the 
Ray farm. In 1810-11 he attended a school 
of a higher grade in Meadville, taught by 
John Reynolds. Durmg the first winter, the 
school was held in a brick building on the 



corner of Liberty and Chestnut streets, on the 
site now occupied by the residence of James 
Davis. At the same time Mr. Old taught 
school in a frame building near at hand. 
Between the schools there was considerable 
rivalry; and on an occasion, feeling aggrieved 
at certain reflections cast upon him and his 
companions, Mr. Dickson sent a challenge to 
the other school in the shape of a problem in 
mensuration. It was never answered. The 
scholars from the country came in on foot in 
the morning and returned in the evening, ex- 
cept during a short time when the creek was 
impassable, when they boarded in town. The 
road to McGufftntown. then lay along the 
creek on the line of the canal. l!ike most of 
the roads at that day, it was simply cut 
through the woods without being graded and 




E. W. McARTHUR. 

Postmaster of Meadville, 1886-90. 

it was at times impassable, except on horse- 
back or on foot. 

In 181 1 Mr. Reynold's school was held in 
the building now occupied as the Barr House, 
on Water street. This was the year of the 
earthquake. It occurred just before the open 
ing of the school, Alexander White and Mr. 
Dickson being the only persons in the room. 
There was a very perceptible motion of the 
floor, like waving water. The shock lasted 
but a few seconds. When Mr. Reynolds 
came in he tied a string at the ceiling and 
fastening a chip at the end, made a pendulum 
by which they might detect the slightest 
vibration ; but the shock was not repeated. 

Living so near the water, Mr. Dickson took 
to it naturally. He owned a canoe about 80 



feet long and 2),^ feet wide. It had been 
dug out of a pine log. With this canoe it was 
possible to carry merchandize on the creek 
when the water was too low for keel boats. 
In 1809 the Mercer street bridge was built by 
Mr Kennedy. The siding was brought from 
a mill on Conewango, being floated down the 
river as far as Franklin. Robert and Joseph 
Dickson, being then young men, went to 
Franklin with a canoe and brought up ten 
thousand feet of lumber in two trips. In Aug- 
ust, 1812, a similar trip was undertaken by 
Joseph Dickson and a young man whom he 
employed to assist him. The government was 
anxious to send some lead to Waterford to 
supply the army, but the water was too low 
for ordinary boats, and there were no good 
roads. Hearing of this, Mr. Dickson started 
early one morning with the ca- 
noe and reached Franklin m 
time to obtain the lead and start 
on a return voyage before eve- 
ning. He had neglected to take 
any recommendation, and the 
officer in command at first re- 
fused to give them the lead. 
Mr. Dickson was acquainted 
with Marcus Hulings, the father 
of the liberal benefactor of Alle- 
gheny College but Mr. Hulings 
could not be found. At length 
the officer was satisfied from 
their appearance that the young 
men were honest, and gave 
them a cargo. They had on 
board over 2,200 pounds of pig 
^ lead and two boxes of candles. 

It required three days to make 
the trip to Waterford In many 
places the water was so shallow 
that it was necessary to carry 
the pigs of lead over the rifl'es 
and then pole the empty boat. 
They were paid two dollars a 
hundred pounds for the lead in 
Waterford, and they certainly 
earned their money. 

Mr. Dickson was also a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812. He 
had been enrolled in the militia 
at an early age, but was not called 
into service until January 2d, 181 3. At that time 
it was found that the British would cross the lake 
on the ice from Long Point and burn the war 
vessels in the harbor at Erie. A general call 
having been issued for all able-bodied men, 
Mr. Dickson went to Erie with Captain Isaac 
Mason's company, of which he was orderly 
sergeant. They were quartered in the Court 
House, and did not sufter from the severity of 
the weather. One night it was reported that 
the British were within fifteen miles of Erie, 
and the command was mustered in the public 
square ; but the alarm proved to be false, and 
they relumed to their quarterss. Shortly after 
this all danger of a British attack was over, 
and the militia were allowed to retSrn to their 
homes. They were in service thirty-seven 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



95 



days. In the year 1815 James Dickson and On the occasion of his goth birthday recep- 
his son began the construction of a mill. A fion he was called upon and in a few words 
race was dug about three-quarters of a mile thanked those present tor the high compli- 
in length, and the water was taken from the ment paid him. He spoke of the incidents 
creek a short distance below the mouth of the connected with their moving from this place 
Woodcock. Owing to the great length of this to their farm at McGuffin's Fall, and said the 
race and other difficulties in the way, the mill home to which he went was not a palace, but 
was not put into operation till 1819. a log cabin, the ceiling was the roof, the floor 

.\lthough they were hard workers, the was the ground, the carpet was the huckle- 
young men in those days had their good berry bushes, and the windows were greased 
times. Their manner of making New Year's paper. As soon as the logs could be cut and 
calls is worth remembering. At 12 o'clock hewn, a floor was made in the cabin. The 
midnight a party of young men would start first visitor they had was a huge wolf which 
out with their guns and salute all the young they took to be an Indian's dog, and were 
women of the neighborhood. No matter afraid to kill it for fear the Indians would do 
what might be the hour of the night at which them some injury. He also spoke of their 
they arrived, they 
were invited in and 
feasted with ginger 
bread and cider. Mr. 
Dickson was married 
to Mary Frazier, Aug- 
ust 13, 181 8, by Rev. 
Timothy Alden. Sam- 
uel Kirkpatrick was 
groomsman. The 
name of the brides- 
maid was not remem- 
bered. The wedding 
took place on Thurs- 
day, a the house of 
the bride's parents. 
On Friday there was 
an in-fair at Mr. 
Dickson's father's 
house, and the follow- 
ing Sabbath the new- 
ly-married couple 
made their appear- 
ance at meeting in 
Meadville. Service 
was then held in the 
Court House, which 
occupied the site of 
the law office of Has- 
kins and McClintock. 
The jail, built of hewn" 
logs, was below and 
the court-room on the 
second story. Steps 
on the outside led to 
the court-room with- 
out passing through 

the jail. The room was about 30 feet square 
and the bar was fenced in by a high railing, they were very destructive on their cornfields, 

Mr. Dickson and his wife began house and would carry off the young pigs, unless 
keeping at once in a house near his mills, they had old hogs to protect them. If a bear 
which were located on the site now occupied came in sight of the hogs, the old ones im- 
by Mr. Fuller's paper mill. The first bridge mediately formed a circle, with heads out 
was built at McGuffin's Falls'just below the and the young inside, the circle, when they 
mills by Mr. Dickson in 1819. It was after- were thus protected, the bear would not risk 
wards rebuilt in a more substantial manner, an attack He gave an account of killing a 
the timber being framed by David McFad- huge black bear, one morning before break- 
den. It was then adopted by the county. In fast, and named the many kinds of game, 
connection with Col. William Magaw, Joseph said the early settlers did not prize deer meat 
Dickson built a dam across the creek a short as highly as many do to-day. 
distance above the mills, but shortly after he Living nearly a hundred years, he saw 
sold out the water power and mills, and came changes more wonderful than any we read of 
to Meadville in 1838." in any history before his day. Hon. Samuel 




GENEK.\L JAMES A. BEAVER. 

Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
troublesome neighbors, the bears ; and said 



Woods, of West Virginia, in congratulating 
him on reaching ninety-fifth mile stone on 
life's journey, says : 

"Born in 1790. You have lived through 
the most eventful period of the world's his- 
tory. Older than any of the United States, 
except the old thirteen colonies, you have seen 
their population increase, from less than four 
to more than fifty millions, (at the time of his 
death 60,000,000) and the borders of civiliza- 
tion move from the western line of Pennsyl- 
vania to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. 
You have lived through every administration 
of the government of the United States, from 
that of General Washington. You remember 
every Presidential election from that of the 
elder Adams; and 
voted at every such 
election from that of 
Madison, down to th a t 
of President Cleve- 
land! 

You were 22 years 
of age when Congress 
declared war against 
Great Britain in 1812. 
You are older than 
the great French Rev- 
olution. You have 
seen the rise, the glory 
and the ruin of the 
first and the second 
French empires,under 
the first and third 
Napoleons. During 
your lifetime nearly 
every kingdom, dyn 
asty, principality and 
power in Europe has 
been revolutionized, 
subverted and recon- 
structed; the rights 
and powers of kings 
and potentates r e - 
stricted and limited, 
and the rights and lib- 
erties of its subjects 
enlarged, established 
and secured. You 
have witnessed the 
rise, progress and de- 
velop ment of th e 
steam engine, in its 
application to manufactures, and modes of 
travel by the land and by the water, over 
the mountains, deserts, rivers, lakes and 
oceans, with a speed outstripping the winds, 
and with such resistless force as laughs at 
storms and winds and waves. The sun 
now paints the portraits of the friends we 
love. The lightning carries our messages to 
the uttermost ends of the earth with a speed 
which outruns the sun in his daily journey, 
and by the telephone, while sitting in your 
chamber in Meadville, you converse as face 
to' face with your friends in Pittsburg. When 
you became 21 years of age, no railroad, 
steamboat, steam engine, locomotive or rail 
road car was in existence. The scientist, 



96 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



philosopher or prophet, who had then dared family, and asked a blessing, until four days Pearse, Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer, The 

to dream of crossing the American continent before his death. Hon. Wm. VVindom, The Rev. Washington 

or the Atlantic ocean in seven days, or of In early manhood and middle age, he was Gladden, D. D., Bishop H. W. Warren, I.L. 

conversing by telegraph with his friends in a man of restless and untiring energy, inured D., Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Bishop 

London or Paris, would have been regarded to all the hardships of life in. a new country ; W. W. Mallalieu, U, D., LL. D., Dr. Titus 

by the wise men of that day as an idle a man whose mind held him constantly above Munson Coan, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, LL. D., 

dreamer or a lunatic. Since that day we circumstances, and one whose strength of Lg^jj filler, Esq., Prof. Charles J. Little 

mind and body was constantly developed and „, „ „ kii- ■, -^ , r, 

augmented by his mental and physical labors. ^^- °" '^^°'"g<= Alfred Townsend, General 



have pierced the bowels os the earth and 
"the rocks have poured us out rivers of oil." 
Far awav in the distant past, I can remem 
ber the day when the ground was first liroken 
in Meadville for the construction of the 
French creek feeder to the Erie canal, and 
then after long weary years of waiting, I re- 
member of running with all my speed to the 
canal bridge over Arch street, to see your 
canal boat, the first boat that ever came 
through from Pittsburg to Meadville I How 
bright the world was then! What a grand 
sight that old dingy canal boat was to the 
denizens of Meadville ! What golden visions 
of commercial prosperity, delighted their 



He was a true type of the founder of frontier 
towns. He was a positive man. anil did not 
hold opinions for the sake of wliat he could 
make out of them ; but on the stern simplicity 
of his nature was imprinted these twin ele 
inents indispensible in the formation of great 
characters, heroism and truth. 



A. W. Greeley, Senator H. W. Blair, Mrs. 
Mary A. Livermore, Dr. J. M. Buckley, 
Frances E. Willard, Charles Barnard, Edward 
Atkinson, Lyman Abbott, D. D., G. Brown- 
Goode, Hon. T. B. Reed, Clarence Cook, 
John Burroughs, W. T. Harris, Julia Ward 
Howe, Maurice Thompson, Senator A. H. 
Colquitt, Joseph Cook, General Clinton B. 
Fisk, H. W. Mabie, Bishop H. C. Potter, 
Bishop E R. Hendrix, Bishop S. M. Merrill, 
Senator J. J. Ingalls, Edward Everett Hale. 
While devoted to the interests of the Chau- 
Since 1880 Meadville has been the head- tauqua Literary and Scientific course, and 
quarters of one of the leading magazines of publishing one half of all the reading of that 



"THE CHAUTAUQUAN." 

The Growth and Present Condition of a 

Great Publishing House 

in Meadville. 




liopeful imaginations I How sweet to my 
boyish ears was the music of the "mellow 
horn" of that old boat, as it proudly plowed 
its way, at the rate of five miles an hour, 
through the water, and settled safely in its 
dock, where like some old tired horse, it was 
securely tied to a dilapidated fence post ! 

Few of the beloved forms Jien instinct 
with life and joy now remain to greet you, as 
you near the end of life's journey, — for 
" The mossy marbles rest. 
On the lips that you have pressed 

In their bloom. 
And the names you loved to hear. 
Have been carved for many a year 
On the tomb." 
During Mr. Dickson's long life, he was 
never confined to bed an entire week by 
sickness or accident. He attended church 
regularly until May, 1S86. Being feeble the 
past two years, he seldom went from home, 
but was able to walk about the house, and en- 
joy company. He came to the table with the 



"THK CHAI'TAIKJUAN" Bl'ILDING. 

the country. The Chautaitquan^ the official 
organ of the Chautauqua Literary and Scien- 
tific Circle. This magazine, now in the eighth 
volume, has a circulation of about sixty thou- 
sand monthly copies. It goes into every state 
and territory of the union, to Canada, to all 
the countries of Europe, to South Africa, 
India, China, Japan, the Hawaiian Islands, 
Ceylon, Chili, Turkey in Asia, Persia, Mexico, 
Bermuda, Siam, New Zealand, Syria, New 
Foundland, Burmah and Bolivia. The Chati- 
taitquan is a high-class literary magazine, and 
numbers among its regular contributors such 
writers as Chancellor J. H. Vincent, LL IX, 
Dr. C. Fred Pollock, F. R. S. E., F. R. C. S. 
E., Dr. Henry McCook, Olive Thorne Miller, 
Prof. H. H. Boyesen, Wra. H. Rideing, 
George Parsons Lathrop, Eugene Lawrence, 
Prof. W. G. Sumner, LL. IJ,, James Parton, 
Richard T. Ely. LL. D., Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, 
George Park Fisher, LL. D., Bishop J. F. 
Hurst, D. D„ LL. D., The Rev. Mark Guy 



course, it also contains full and rich literary 
and editorial departments devoted to topics of 
the times. 

The Chautauquan is owned and edited by 
Dr T. L. Flood (of whom a sketch is given 
on another page of this issue). Dr. Flood 
brought this magazine to Meadville because 
of the nearness of the town to Chautauqua 
Lake, its central position between New York 
and Chicago, and Pittsburg and Buffalo, and 
the existence here in the colleges of unusual- 
ly fine library privileges. A trial of six years 
has convinced him that he made no mistake 
in his selection of a location for his publish- 
ing interests, and in the spring of 1886, more 
extensive facilities for producing the magazine 
being imperative, he began the building now 
so well known as The Chautauquan block. 
It is situated on the corner of Park avenue 
and Center street. The architect of the 
building was Mr. Jacob Snyder, of Akron, 
Ohio. It is a brick structure, one hundred 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



97 



eight feet in length by forty in width, two 
stories in height, and surmounted by square 
towers ; roof and towers are finished by a 
battlemented parapet capped with white stone. 
In planning the building its adaptability to 
tlie work was consulted at every point. The 
ventilation and light are perfect ; natural gas 
furnishes heat; illuminating gas and city wa- 
ter add to its convenience ; the machinery is 
run by steam power ; and pneumatic? speak- 
ing tubes put all the rooms in direct commu- 
nication. The front entrance to the block is 
into a pleasant square hall; following the 
winding stairs into the upper corridor, we find 
the office of the editor in chief, occupying the 
corner of the upper floor directly over the 
vestibule. From this pleas- 
ant room with its open grate 
and handsome furnishings, 
come the plans which ani- 
mate the building. Two 
large and finely equipped 
rooms occupied by the assist- 
ant editors and proof read- 
ers, on the opposite side of 
the hall, complete the edito- 
rial suite. 

At the right of the stair- 
case is the business office, 
the hnk connecting the mag- 
azine with the outside world. 
Here all mail is received, 
opened, and distributed. 
During the period of "mak- 
ing up the list" five hundred 
or more letters containing 
from one thousand to two 
thousand subscriptions are 
frequently received in a day. 
Keeping the books, and 
looking after advertising are 
also the work of the busi- * 

ness office. Opening from 
the business office is the sub- 
scription department, where 
the names and addresses of 
the subscribers are put into 
type, corrected, and added 
as the time demands. The 
portfolio of printed sheets 
containing the thousands 
upon thousands of names, are 
most suggestive and interesting. From them 
the path of The Chautaiiqitan can be traced 
north and south, east and west, into the many 
foreign lands into which it goes. 

THE COMPOSING ROOM. 

The entire north end of the building is de- 
voted to the composing room. The chief 
furniture of this room is the cases and racks 
for holding the type, the "imposing stones," 
and the "proof press." Nearly three tons of 
type are used in making The Chautauquan. 
The rest of the upper floor is in stock rooms, 
where extra copies of each number, sets of 
back volumes, and supplies for the editorial 
and business offices are kept. 



THE PRESS ROOM. 
The greater part of the first floor of The 

Chautauquan block is devoted to the press 
room. It contains three of Campbell's best 
book presses, a Gordon job press on which 

The Chautauquan circulars and stationery 
are printed, two folding machines, a number 
of tables tor stacking forms as they come from 
the press, and the engine and boilers which 
furnish the motive power to the machinery. 
The ink and paper, which the pressman uses, 
are in stock in the store room in the basement 
of the building. Of ink he will require for a 
number, something over two hundred pounds 
for cover and forms, and of paper it will take 
a car and a half full. Sixty thousand copies 




THEODORE L. FLOOD, I).l). 

of each of the five forms and of the cover of 
The Chautauquan are printmg at the present 
writing. It is a task that requires the three 
presses every day of the month. Printing by 
no means ends the work with the form. These 
great sheets must be dried and folded. Three 
folding machines are busy almost the entire 
month with this work. 

THE STEREOTYPING ROOM. 

Adjoining the press room is the stereotyping 
room. Here is a large moulding press heated 
by steam, in which a mould, or matrix, is 
made of each page of the form. This matrix 
is put into a casting box and melted metal 
from a furnace in the room, poured around it, 
forming a cast of the face of the type. These 



plates are squared to a regular size, and from 
these printing may be done precisely as from 
the types themselves. A lasting copy of each 
page of every issue is in the possession of the 
office. The matrices from which the moulds 
are made are kept in the large vault opening 
from this department. 

THE BINDERY. 
Opening from the press room is also the 
bindery, where the five forms, of which the 
magazine is composed are stacked — sixty 
thousand of each — in bins to await gathering. 
In the bindery the forms are counted, one 
person going over the monthly stock of three 
hundred thousand. The gatherer here places 
them in order and passes them to the stitchers, 
who sew them together on 
sewing machines. From the 
stitcher the magazines go to 
the paster, who puts on the 
covers and lays them in piles 
for drying. When dried they 
are passed in piles of from 
fifty to one hundred to the 
cutter and trimmer. With 
his perfectly adjusted ma- 
chine, in a trice, he trims 
the rough edges and cuts the 
leaves. When they leave 
his knife the magazines are 
ready for mailing. 

When six thousand or sev- 
en thousand copies have left 
the cutter, the mailers take 
possession of the mailing 
room, adjoining the bindery. 
This room presents a lively 
scene during mailing week. 
To dispose of about fourteen 
tons of magazines in six days 
means quick work, when 
each copy must be stamped 
with its proper address, and 
all going to the same post- 
, office tied in bundles. A 

row of striped canvas bags, 
bearing the familiar inscrip- 
tion U. S. (I) MAIL, receive 
the bundles from the wrap- 
pers. When a number of 
these are filled, the mailing 
wagon of the establishment 
is brought to the doors opening from the room, 
the bags are tumbled in, and the magazine is 
driven away to be consigned to the efficient 
care of the postal service. 



CITY IMPROVEMENTS. 



Some Excellent Suggestions for the 
Further Improvement of Our City. 

(BY REV. A A. UVERMORE.) 
It is natural, in looking back over the past 
one hundred years of our beautiful city, to in- 
quire wherein we and our forefathers may 
have fallen short in public improvements, and 
how we may make the future better than the 



98 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



past. Not that we wish to find fault with along our public streets and highways. " Ar- most delightful beauties. The railroads abroad 

what has been done, lor we and our ancestors bor day " will soon be at hand, and would and some in our own country, take pride in 

have done what we could, and that is eulogy it not be well for us to pay more attention having their grounds adorned with splendid 

than we have hitherto done to our Governor's beds of flowers. Each college in the city 

announcement of that day. Let every school might have its campus a miracle of beauty, 

child set out at least one shrub or tree. Let We all waste time enough in idle reverie, or 

each householder contribute so much toward social gossip, or foolish amusements, to turn 

making our city more beautiful. our city into the paradise of the State and 

country. 



enough for anybody. 

I. We know how much we are struck in 
visiting some villages and cities in our coun- 
try by the general aspect of neatness of streets, 
door yards, squares, and public parks, while 
in other cases there is a general air of neglect 



5. The public health demands more atten- 
and unneatness. The public walks may look tion than we give to it. Instances of severe 8. We have hinted at some of the most ob- 
shabby and neglected, refuse matter lying sickness are constantly occurring by want of vious improvements which we might cultivate 
about, and a common air of sloveliness in attention to this duty, and violations of sani in the new era on which we are about to 
buildings and grounds. Meadville has some tary laws in sewerage, ventilation and tempera- enter. Into the holier duties of a pure Chris- 
model streets and neat dwellings, but there ture of public buildings, shops, factories, and tian civilization we have not proposed now to 
is an opportunity for great changes for the private homes. No more important benefac- venture, but have chiefly dwelt on the ex- 
better in this respect. It is a citizen's duty to tor exists than the health officer. He ought In some of our towns great attention is paid 
clean up his own premises, and make them to be encouraged and sustained in all wise to these graceful ornamentations of nature's 



look as tasteful as possi- 
ble. A word to the wise 
is enough. 

2. We should do a 
good thing as a people, 
if we could enter on the 
new century with our 
Public Library made en- 
tirely free. This is the 
movement which is now 
making all over the coun- 
try, to establish libraries 
open to the whole peo 
pie. It is the logical 
completion of our free 
school system. The max- 
im is true : who reads, 
rules. We have already 
an excellent library, but 
even the small fee for 
tickets may deter many 
from its use. Let it be 
made free to all, rich or 
poor, by city appropria- 
tion in conjunction with 
arrangement with the 
Library Association. 

3. We have many good 
laws, statutes of the State 
and city ordinances, but 
unfortunately many of 
them are not carried into 
effect. This is especially 







KESIDEME OF THEODORE L. FLOOD, D.D 



ternals of our town life. 
The teachers of our 
children, the professors 
o f o u r higher institu- 
tions, and the ministers 
of religion will doubtless 
have something to say on 
these higher themes. We 
could wish our public 
journals might use more 
courtesy one to another, 
and be less devoted to 
sensational events and 
methods. We could wish 
that the members of the 
dift'erent churches felt the 
duty of charity to one 
another. The habits of 
profanity, slang, quarrel- 
someness, the self-indul- 
gence of drinking and 
smoking, the idle sports 
which cultivate habits of 
dissipation and loafing in 
young men, need reform- 
ation. But we see no 
way for a better future in 
these respects except the 
awakening of a nobler 
spirit of manhood, which 
will drive out these lesser 
evil spirits. I,et each 
one ask himself, "What 
can I do to make Mead- 
ville a better city, more worthy of its noble 



the case with the regula- 
tions to restrict intemperance, gambling, the and efficient measures. Meadville requires a 
social evil, profaneness, Sunday violations, vigorous reform in some of its streets and past, more worthy of its grander future? 

and rioting. Many towns and cities have es- alleys, and the second century of its existence  ^ • 

tablished, with good effect, law and order is a good time to begin it. 

leagues and societies. We believe the time (3 places where man and beast can quench 



THE UNION DEAD. 



List of Our Country's Defenders 
^Vhose Dust Lies in Greendale 
Cemetery. 



has come when something of this kind would (heir thirst should be multiplied on our streets 

do great good in our city. The friends of jhe town pump has a classic and historical 

good morals must be a majority in a city of fame. Cold water is the elixir of life. Foun- 

courts, colleges, schools, and churches, and ,ains in our public squares are the most grace- 

they only need to combine their forces to ful of all ornaments. In the hot summer day ggn^ Mathias S., Co. H, 169th Pa. D. M. 

make Meadville a model town in this respect. ,he thirsty horse or dog should have ready ac- Bredin,'john, capt. Co.'c, 150th Pa. Vols. 

But at pre.sent they do not act as a unit, or ^ess to places where they can drink and be Drinker, W. H., Co. K, l'34th Pa. Vols, 

combine their forces in a solid phalanx to be satisfied. Temperance coffee houses, too. Brown George E Co E iioth Ohio Vols, 

a terror to evil-doers and a praise to them ,„igh( supplant with advantage the saloons. Boslough, Melville S., cor'p. Co. H, 150th Pa. 

7. Beds of flowers are needed in our squares Vols. 

4. There is still a deficiency of shade trees and parks, and around our railroad depots. Chambers, Samuel A., Co. K, 5th Pa. Cav. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



99 



Church, Dr. William, surg. 141st Pa. Vols. 
Crocker, James M., Battery C, ist Wis. Vols. 
Cushin, Edward, drum corps, 9th P. R. V. C. 
Davis, William, Co. I, 2d Pa. Cav. 
Durant, Henry J., asst. surg. 65th Pa. Vols. 
Dickson, William F., Co. H, 150th Pa. Vols. 
Eastman, Gilbert B., Battery M, 3d Pa. Art. 
Ellis, John, Co. B, 2d Mich. Cav. 
Eagleson, J. S., adjt. 78th Ohio Vols. 
Emerick, Samuel R., Co. F, 199th Pa. Vols. 
Fay, John B., capt. Co. C, 150th Pa. Vols. 
Finney, Horace, Co. E, ilith Pa. Vols. 
Flower, Rev. Josiah, chap. 83d Pa. Vols. 
Frazier, Joseph U., Co. F, 9th P. R. V. C. 
Gail, James T., Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols. 
Gollagher, Charles, Co. H, 150th Pa Vols. 
Grimes, John H., Co. H loth N. Y. Cav. 
Grimes, William H. H., Co. F,9th P. R. V. C. 
Haas, Joseph, Co. H, 150th Pa. 

Vols. 
Haas, Daniel, Co F, 9th P. R. 

V. C. 
Haak, John W., asst. surg. 46th 

N. Y. Vols. 
Hastings, William, sergt Co. F, 

9th Pa. Vols. 
Hathaway, E. W., Co. F, 58th 

Pa. Militia. 
Hope, James, Co. B, 105th Pa. 

Vols. 
Hope, Samuel, Co. F, gth P R. 

V. C. 
Huidekoper, H. J., major, 29th 

U. S. C. T. 
Kennedy, T. R., lieut. Co. F, 

9th P. R. V. C. 
Koehler, Rev. Robert, chap. 

io8th Ohio Vols. 
Lee, E. B., major 211th Pa. 

Vols. 
Lykins, David, Co. F, 5th Ohio 

Cav. 
McCall, James V., capt. Co. K, 

14th Wis. Vols. 
McCall, Levi, Co. K, 1 50th Pa. 

Vols. 
McCall, Samuel, Co. K, 150th 

Pa. Vols. 

McCormick, George D., Co. K, 

150th Pa. Vols. 
McFarland, John, lieut. com. U. S. N. 
Metcalf, L. H., Ellsworth Zouaves. 
Mitchell, William H., Co. E, iilth Pa. Vols. 
McKean, Thomas, musician, loth P. R. V. C. 
McLeod, Rev. Alex., chap. D. S. N. 
McMulIin, John, sergt. Co. F, 58th Pa. Militia. 
Moe, H. W., Ship Ironsides, U. S. N. 
Moore, Mrs. Hannah, U. S. San. Com. 
Morris, Levi B., Battery B, 2d Pa. Art 
O'Daniel, Elijah, Co. I, 2d Pa. Cav. 
Patterson, Charles, 13th P. R. V. C, Ist 

Bucktails. 
Porter, David R., lieut. 4th U. S. Cav. 
Price, B. C, Ship Hartford, U. S. N. 
Quail, Richard H., Co. F, 9th P. R. V. C. 
Quiggle, George, Co. E, : I Ith Pa. Vols. 
Reisinger, Charles S., ist sergt. Co. H, 150th 

Pa. Vols. 



Robinson, George S., Co, H, 107th Pa. Vols. 
Robbins, Luman F., Co. I, iiith Pa. Vols. 
Sample, R. K., Co. B, loth Wis. Inft. 
Selden, George D. V., lieut. 2d U. S. Cav. 
Sellew, William W., Co. H, 150th Pa. 

Vols. 
Seymour, Wallace, Co. F, gth P. R. V. C. 
Swartout, Henry, major, 17th U. S. Inft. 
Swartou , Robert, Co. A, 211th Pa. Vols. 
Thompson, Alex, Q. M. I nth Pa. Vols, 
Warnock, R. B., Co. G, 145th Pa. Vols. 
Williams, Professor L. D., chap, iiith Pa. 

Vols. 
Williamson, George R. , capt. Co. A, 22d Wis. 

Vols. 
Wilson, James C, Ship North Carolina, U. 

S. N. 
Wilson, George W., Co. K,,iooth Pa. Vols. 




IRA C. WAID. 

White, W. S., Co. B, 2d U. S. Eng. 
York, Theron D., Co. A, 22d U. S. Inft. 



Biosriiplij- of Ira C. Waid. 

Ira C. Waid was born August 15, 180 1, in 
Lithfield county, Connecticut, and died Janu- 
ary 27, 1871. He came to Meadville with 
lared Shattuck when he was fifteen years of 
age, driving a four-horse team the entire dis- 
tance, it taking them six weeks to make the 
journey; his father's family followed him the 
next spring. He worked nearly four years for 
Mr. Shattuck, after coming to Meadville, and 
in 1817, helped haul bricks to build Allegheny 
College. 

His father, Pember Waid, who was born at 
Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, on 
January 26, 1774, was a ship carpenter, a 



vocation he followed chiefly until he came to 
this county, where after constructing canal- 
boats for a short period, he withdrew from 
active life. He remembered seeing the British 
troops when they burned the American ship- 
ping at Pettibaug (now Essex), Connecticut. 
He died in February, 1852, and was buried 
beside his wife in Blooming Valley cemetary, 
as were also his parents and otlier members 
of the family. 

In June, 1825, Ira C. Waid married Eliza- 
beth P. Morehead of Farmington, Connecticut. 
To them were born four children, viz; Robert 
L., George N., Franklin P. and Francis C, 
boys seeming to predominate m the Waid 
family. His residence was for many years 
known as the " Drover's Home," it being the 
regular stopping place for drovers, summer 
and winter; as many as three 
drove of cattle have been seen 
there at one time, under charge 
of fourteen men. A drove of 600 
from Texas was the largest that 
ever passed that way. 

Mr. Waid was • kind-hearted 
and generous, not only among 
his kindred, but to everyone, 
and especially to the poor, to 
whom he was a true friend in 
sickness, and in the darkest 
hours of life his willing heart 
and hand have often helped to 
supply their wants. His son, 
Francis C. Waid, in speaking 
of him, has said: "When I look 
at my father's pasi history for 
some good quality or rule of 
action, I can always find it. 
Blessed is the memory of the 
Just While they have gone to 
their reward, we are left to hll 
our mission in life, and we gather 
much from the lives of good 
men who have gone before. 
My father treated all his chil- 
dren alike. There was no par- 
tiality shown, he being particu 
lar to do just as much for one 
son as the other. Indeed, I used 
to think he was too particular, 
but I do not now, for I see the justice of it 
and revere his memory the more on account 
of it." Not only the community in which he 
lived, but the world at large, is the better 
for such men having lived in it, setting an 
example for those who come after. 



Biography of Francis C. Waid. 

We have, in the gentleman whose name 
heads this biographical sketch, an example of 
what can be accomplished by steady industry, 
persevering efi'ort and a resolute working for 
success. Francis C. Waid, and his twin 
brother, Frankhn P., youngest sons of Ira 
and Elizabeth Waid, were born in Woodcock 
township, Crawford county, Pa., April 23, 
1833. Franklin died at the age of 21, leav- 
ing a void in his brother's heart that nothing 



lOO 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



could ever fill. Francis' early days were 
spent in assisting his father about the farm, 
and attending the common schools. In 
185 1-2 he attended Allegheny College for two 
terms, and the next year he attended a school 
in Waterford, Erie County, which, with one 
term at the Meadville Academy, comprised 
his entire education, aside from what he ob- 
tained at the common schools. 

He was married on his twenty-first birth- 
day to Eliza C. Masiker, with whom and their 
three sons, Franklin, Guinnip and Fred, he led 
a happy and harmonious life until quite re- 
cently, when Mr. Waid was called upon to 
mourn the death of his wife. On a beautiful 
■"In Memoriam" card, which he sent his 
friends at this time, it is stated that she died 
July 4, 1888, aged 56 years, 2 months and 21 
days In August, 1884, Mr. Waid 
erected in Blooming Valley cem- 
etery a monument of plain gray 
Quincy granite, nine feet in 
height, to the memory of his 
parents and other relatives. A 
duplicate of this monument has 
been ordered, and the two will 
hereafter be known as the twin 
monuments, dedicated to the 
memory of his wile and twin 
brother. 

Starting, as we have seen, 
from the bottom round of the 
ladder, he has worked his way 
upward to competency. When 
asked once how he had succeed- 
ed in accumulating so much 
property, he replied, "by eam- 
mg one dollar at a time and put- 
ting that one to work to help 
me earn another," forcibly illus- 
tr.^itmg our Lord's teaching in 
the parable of the ten talents. 
Mr. Waid is said to be the 
wealthiest farmer and largest 
taxpayer in Woodcock town- 
ship, where he resides, five miles 
east of Meadville. 

Strikingly prominent among 
his characteristics is his filial 
piety. The afiection and kind 
thoughtfulness shown his parents during their 
lifetmie, was quite touching, and since then, 
no pecuniary consideration has been allowed 
to stand in the way, of showing their memory 
all due respect, in the manner he considered 
most fitting, viz.: collecting and publishing 
a history of his family in all its branches, 
copies of which he presented as souvenirs to 
his kindreds and friends. We are informed 
that the cost of publication of this book, to- 
gether with the work ordered for the history 
of Crawford county, was J!2,ooo, a rare in- 
stance of disinterested liberality ; that he is a 
generous supporter of the arts and industries, 
is evidenced by his liberal patronage of the 
printer. 

In these days of universal self seeking, one 
seldom meets with a character like his, pos- 



sessing such public spirit, large heart and 
ready sympathies, his whole soul seems filled 
with the desire of doing good, and promoting 
the welfare of his fellowmen In this con- 
nection we are reminded of the lines of Leigh 
Hunt's beautiful legend. 

"Abou Ben Adhem — may his tribe increase, 
Awoke one night from a deep dream of 

peace, 
And saw, amid the darkness of his room — 
Making it bright, and like a lily in bloom — 
An angel, writing in a book of gold. 
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold. 
So, to the vision in the room he said — 
"What writest thou ?" The angel raised his 

head. 
And with a look, made of all sweet accord. 
Answered, "I write the names of those who 

love the Lord." 
"And is mine one?" said Adhem; 




FRANCIS C. WAID. 

"Nay, not so," replied" the angel. Adhem 

spake more low 
But cheerily still — "I pray thee then. 
Write me as one who loves his fellowmen." 
The angel wrote and vanished. 
The next night he came again with a great 

wakening light. 
And wrote the names of those whom love of 

God had blessed. 
And lo \ Ben Adhem's name led all the rest." 
One noteworthy feature in his life is that, 
to express it in his own words, " in all my 
business transactions, and in all the collection 
of my dues, during the fifty-five years of my 
life, I have never sued or forced a collection by 
law, though I admit I have sometimes suffer- 
ed loss by not calling in the aid of the law, 
yet, taking into account all the points to be 
considered, the result lo me has been satis- 
factory. I have been asked if I could give a 



reason for the success which has attended my 
labors in life ; if the above does not point in 
that direction, I will ask you, voung man, to 
consider the following remarks, for it is said 
there is good in everything, and I know by 
experience that it was good for me to obey my 
parents, and far better for me to render obedi- 
ence to Him who taught as never man taught, 
and I will answer the question by saying I 
have tried to do both, thus far in my life ; 
though my parents are gone, their influence 
lives, and this calls to mind the reply of my 
mother, when I informed her of my intention 
to get married. It was on my 21st birthday, 
April 23, 1854, and though my father knew 
of it, I had not told my mother. I said to 
her, " Mother, I intend to get married." 
" Well," she replied, " you will have to work 
for a living." It seems to me 
now, after thirty-four years of 
labor — and I love it yet — never 
were truer words, and I am still 
grateful to her memory for hav- 
ing uttered them. But I wish 
to give another reason why I 
think the Giver of all good has 
ever remembered me in tem- 
poral as well as spiritual bles- 
sings, for I believe in giving the 
Lord credit first. When in youth, 
at a protracted meeting in the 
M. E. Church, on the Stale 
road, I sought the Lord and 
found Hmi whom my soul lov- 
eth, and of whom Moses and the 
prophets did write. I want to 
testify to the truth, as I love this 
way as my years pass so smooth- 
ly on. And now let me quote 
three verses from the Bible : 
" But seek ye first the kingdom 
of God and His righteousness, 
and all these things shall be 
added unto you." " The bles- 
sings of the Lord maketh rich, 
and He addeth no sorrow with 
it." "They that seek the Lord, 
shall not want any good thing." 
In closing this brief biography 
of Mr. Waid, we can only add 
that his kind heart, his generous impulses, his 
many charities to the poor, his liberal dona- 
tions to the church and all deserving projects, 
together with his great warmth of hospitality, 
have endeared him to the hearts of all who 
know him, and who unite in wishing him a 
long life, and a happy one. 



TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE. 



A Sketch of the Introduction and Growth 
of the Electric Service in Meadville. 



(BY E. M. BOYNTON.) 
The first telegraph office was opened in 
Meadville in 1848 by what was known as the 
"Pugh Line," running from Erie to Pittsburg, 
William Shippen being the first operator or 
manager. As near as my data inform me. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



lOI 



1 think there were but two offices between 
Erie and Pittsburg, one being at Meadville 
and the other possibly at New Castle. At this 
early date of telegraphy, when reading by 
sound (as at present) was almost unheard of, 
the "register," an instrument familiar to all 
old-time operators, was the method of receiv- 
ing all communications by wire. There be- 
ing no other telegraph office in this section of 
the country, Meadville was the telegraph des- 
tination of many towns as far distant as Oil 
Creek, Franklin and Titusville ; and among 
some of the early messenger boys we might 
mention Rolla Boileau, who could furnish an 
enjoyable evening's entertainment in relating 
his many exploits in delivering messages on 
horseback to the surrounding country. Mr. 
Shippen was succeeded by C. W. Mead, who 
received Zachariah Taylor's inaugural address 
as President of the United States, on March 
4, 1849. The office at that time was on 
Chestnut street, in or near the building now 
occupied by H. E. 
Wilson's liquor store, 
or just above there. 
Afler the consolida- 
tion of the "Pugh" 
and other different 
lines, making what is 
now known as the 
Western Union Tele- 
graph Company, C.W. 
Mead became super- 
intendent of the lines 
(which, meant! m e> 
had spread into the 
oil country), through 
this and the oil re- 
gion. Ernest Jeunet, 
the present manager 
of the Western Union 
at Franklin, became 
manager of the Mead- 
ville office. He was 
succeeded by E. L. 
Armstrong. 

The first wire strung upon the Atlantic & 
Great Western Railway was from Salamanca 
to Jamestown, N. Y., in i860. In 1861 it 
was extended to Corry, and in the spring of 
1862 it reached Meadville. In the fall it was 
completed to Warren, O., thus opening to 
Meadville local communication with the points 
between Salamanca and Warren. 

The United States Telegraph Company 
reached Meadville from Cleveland, via Girard 
and Conneautville to Meadville and the oil 
regions in 1864. Wm. Woodruff, who was 
also division operator of the Atlantic & Great 
Western Railway, was the first manager, and 
Chas. W. Bradley, who was superintendent of 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railway tele- 
graph, was made superintendent of the Pe- 
troleum division of the United States Tele- 
graph Company. About 1866 or 1867 the 
United States Telegraph Company was merged 
into the Western Union, the office being in 
what is known as the Olmstead block. In 



1867 Wm. M. Woodruff succeeded E. L. 
Armstrong as manager at Meadville, during a 
portion of which time S. Brady Derickson 
was operator, and continued in charge until 
November 15, 1872, when he resigned to en- 
gage in life insurance, and was succeeded by 
E. M. Boynton, the present manager, who had 
been connected with the Western Union main 
office in Cleveland for some time. At this 
date the office was located in what was known 
as the "opera block," corner of Water and 
Chestnut streets. Orlando P. Wood was the 
assistant operator, who was soon after suc- 
ceeded by W. W. Cummings as operator, and 
later by Miss Jennie M. Clarke, who has since 
been with the Western Union office here. In 
April, 1876, the office was moved into the 
Delamater block, corner of Water and Chest- 
nut streets, where the Western Union is still 
located. Among the many messenger boys 
employed by the present manager we can re- 
call Charles Shumaker, who has for several 




RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS C. WAID. 

Built in 1861. 

years past been a train dispatcher for the New 
York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railway; Lew J. 
Bredin, deceased ; Will Pollay, at present a 
resident of the city; George Decker, who is 
a fine operator and now in Oil City ; W. D. 
Boynton, at present in the dispatcher's office, 
this city; Charles G. Haskins, Lewis H. Budd, 
Joseph Boynton, all of Meadville; Clarence 
A. Scheafnocker, now of the Pittsburg Com- 
mission Company ; Frank Newman, deceased; 
Banks E. Trace, now connected with some 
railway at Nashville, Tenn.; U. G. Scheaf 
nocker, now connected with natural gas com 
pany ; Harry Sherman and George Kirk- 
patrick, the latter having been in the tele- 
phone company's employ several years; A. H. 
Smith, Harry Steffon, Fred Stem, Clarence 
Underwood, Fred Miller, Herman Ogden, 
and at present Ru-sh A. Minnis and Albert 
Salmon, all of Meadville. 

On March I, 1885, the morning Tkibune- 
Rei'UBlican commenced taking the full Asso- 



ciated Press report here, and the company 
secured one of the finest operators in their 
employ, Mr. James W. Peffers, who on this 
date began his services here in the Tribune 
office, where he is still located The Western 
Union placed two special wires for the Tri- 
bune service exclusively. The number of 
words received daily at the Tribune office by 
Associated Press will average about 10,000, 
or nearly 4,000,000 words annually. Mr. 
Peffers has for weeks at a stretch taken this 
amount of telegraphing without a single break. 
In November, 1873, the Atlantic & Pacific 
Telegraph Company reached Meadville from 
Cleveland via Ashtabula, Girard and Con- 
neautville, and opened an office in Yates' 
drug store, corner of Dock and Water streets, 
under the management of H. C. Beman, who 
was succeeded by E. S. Sullivan. About 
1875 or '76 the A. & P. Co. was consolidated 
with the Western Union. 

The next and last telegraph company that 
reached this city was 
the Postal Telegraph 
Company, about 1882 
or '83, on their way 
from Chicago to New 
York. Their first 
office here was a test- 
ing office, and located 
i n Carman's livery 
stable on Park ave- 
nue. Later they 
opened for local busi- 
ness on Water street, 
adjoining the Colt 
House, under the 
management of W. C. 
Weinman, with Chas. 
Johnson as messeng- 
er. Upon the resig- 
nation of Mr. Wein- 
man, Chas. Johnson 
was appointed mana- 
g e r, with Charles 
Beierschmitt as mes 
senger. Mr. Johnson is the present manager, 
with Herman Ogden, messenger, and located 
at 226 Chestnut street, over Wilson's jewelry 
store. Both the Western Union and Postal 
maintain a system of electric messenger call 
boxes for the use of the prominent business 
places in the city. 

RATES REDUCED. 

It might be well to show the comparative 
telegraph rates since my connection with the 
Western Union Telegraph Company here. In 
1872 the lowest rate to any office was 40 cents 
for ten words. The rate to New York City, 
Washington, Baltimore, Cincinnati, etc., was 
Si. 10 for ten words, while the present rate to 
these points is 25 cents. The rate to Cali- 
fornia and the Pacific coast was ^2.50 for ten 
words, while at present the highest rate be- 
tween any two Western Union offices is Jl.oo, 
and it takes the sun nearly five hours to rise 
over the entire system. 

The Atlantic Cable rate was Si. 10 (gold) 



I02 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



per word, while at present the rate is 12 cents 
per word. 

TELEPHONES. 

In September, 1879, I constructed for Dr. 
T. B. Lashells a private hne, extending from 
the office of Dr. Lashells, in the Magaw block, 
to the drug store of J. L. Williamson, thence 
to the residence of Dr. Lashells, on North 
Main street, the terminus being St. Joseph's 
Hospital on Pine street. Also, a line from J. 
R. Dick & Co.'s bank to the residence of 
Sturges T. Dick, High street, and another 
line from Gill & Shryock's store, on Water 
street, to the Cussewago mills, all of which 
were equipped with Edison telephone, which 
instrument the Western Union Telegraph 
Company were handling at that time, in oppo- 
sition to the Bell telephone. 

In January, 1881, Mr. Truex, of the Bell 
Telephone Company, called upon me with a 
view to organizing a telephone exchange in 
this city, upon the condition that they would 
start an exchange with twenty- five subscribers. 
Mr. Truex and myself, upon a brief canvass 
with our citizens, became assured of securing 
that number, but owmg to circumstances I 
could not give the matter the attention it re- 
quired to put up the lines, etc., when they en- 
gaged Mr. H. C. Beman, who opened the ex- 
change on May 10, 1 88 1, with more than the 
requisite number of subscribers. Mr. Beman 
contmued in charge, and quite largely in- 
creased the system until January i, 1884, at 
which time E. M. Boynton, the present super- 
intendent, took charge, when there were 
twenty seven subscribers. Since this time the 
exchange list has gradually increased, and to- 
day we have between seventy-five and eighty 
subscribers, with connecting lines reaching 
Oil City, Franklin, Utica, Erie, Buffalo, War- 
ren, Bradford, Jamestown, and all intermedi- 
ate points, including nearly all points in Craw- 
ford and Erie counties. The rate for business 
places — stores, offices, etc.^ — is $60, and for 
residences $42 per annum. George Kirkpat- 
rick is the day and Frank Davenport the 
night operator. 

OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

Banks and Bankers, Old and New, of 
Meadville. 



came a member of the firm and on January, 
I, 1875, J- ^- '^'•^'^ retiring, the firm contin 
ued as J. R. Dick & Co., with Samuel B. Dick 
and Sturgis T. Dick as the partners. Col. S. 
B. Dick having begun as a clerk in the bank 
as early as 1853, it gives him 35 solid years 
of experience and makes him one of the old- 
est bankers living to-day in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. Norman C. McLaughlin became 
cashier in 1864 and is still connected with 
the bank. 

This institution has been interested heavily 
in a large proportion of the most notable com 
mercial and industrial enterprises of this part 
of the state. During the war, and before the 
establishment of the First National Bank, 
it did a mammoth United Slates business, 
handling as high as 85,000,000 annually. In 
the constructing of the A. & G. W. (now the 
N. Y., P. & O.) they handled all the currency 
for the pay rolls as the construction gang 
proceeded from Corry, Pa., to Ravenna, Ohio, 
this amounting to many hundred thousand 
dollars, and to-day the entire house is made 



J. R. UICK ft CO., BANKERS. 
This banking firm, with the single excep- 
tion of N. Holmes & Son, of Pittsburgh, is the 
oldest private bank in Western Pennsylvania, 
having been in continuous existence for 38 
years. The house was established in 1850 
by John and James R. Dick, under the 
firm name of J. & J. R. Dick. Gen. John 
Dick retired from the firm in 1855, and the 
business was conducted under the name of 
J. R. Dick. In 1863 Samuel B. Dick entered 
the firm, which then became J. R. Dick &Co. 
In 1867 Jesse M. Dick became a member of 
the firm. Jesse M. Dick died in 1874 and 
on the first of July, 1874, Sturgis T. Dick be- 




BALTHAZAR GEHR. 

Died at 102 Years of Age in Summit Tp. 

up of our strongest and most successful 
financiers who are identified wilh most of 
the leading local mining and manufacturing 
enterprises. 

MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK. 

The Merchants' National Bank, of Mead- 
ville, was chartered in Januaiy 1865, and on 
the 19th day of that month was organized by 
a meeting of the stockholders and the elec- 
tion of Messrs. James E. McFarland, John 
McFarland, John McClintock, S. Newton 
Pettis, L. C. Magaw, David Dick and John 
Porter as directors. The first officers elected 
were James E. McFarland, president; John 
Porter, cashier; and Thomas T. McFarland, 
teller. 

The bank was opened for business on the 
last day of April, 1865, in the old Flury 
building on Water street on the lot where the 
Meadville Savings Bank is now located. The 
capital stock was $100,000, the same as at 
present. The bank made its first dividend 
nine months afterwards, January i, 1866, of 9 
per cent. It has passed but one dividend in 
the 22 years of its existence. 



There were thirty stockholders originally. 
Of these but nine are now living in Meadville. 
The stock is held at present by forty four dif- 
ferent persons. It has always commanded a 
premium and always a ready sale. 

The present bank building was erected in 
1869, and is a substantial structure, in a desir- 
able location, and is owned by the stockhold- 
ers. The Merchants' is the only National 
Bank in Meadville. The presidents have 
been, Jas. E. McFarland, John McFarland, 
and Alex. Power. The cashiers, John Porter, 
Jas. E. McFarland and W. S. McGunnegle. 

Mr. McFarland, now President of the 
Bank, is the oldest banker in Meadville, and 
he has few seniors in the business in the state 
of Pennsylvania, The deposits of the bank, 
during the last three months, have been lar- 
ger than in any equal period of time since its 
incorporation. 

people's savings bank. 

The People's Savings Bank was organized 
April 13th, 1 87 1, and with Gideon Mosier as 
president, J. H. Lenhart cashier, and A. B. 
Breckenridge book-keeper, was opened for 
business July 3d, 187 1. This bank has al- 
ways been recognized as one of the strongest 
financial institutions of the county. The cap- 
ital stock of $30,000, is owned by responsible 
persons throughout the county, and the busi- 
ness induced by their influence is of large 
volume. Forty in number, they are in the 
front rank of every enterprise that has for its 
object the building up of the business interests 
of the community. Individually liable, they 
present a solid front , in which the public may 
repose entire confidence. Their neat two- 
story building, with stone front, one of the 
finest in the city, was built expressly for bank- 
ing purposes; and, being located on the lower 
side of Water street, just above Chestnut, is in 
the heart of the business part of the city. The 
present officers are Walter .S. Harper, presi- 
dent; Wm. Thomas, cashier; J M. Dunbar, 
assistant cashier, and John J. Farnicorn, 
book keeper and messenger. 

MEADVILLE SAVINGS BANK. 

Organized and commenced business April 
1st, 1867, with a capital stock of $30,000. 
Cyrus Kitchen, president, an3 .Samuel P. 
Officer, cashier. In 1869, built and moved 
into their magnificent berea-stone front build- 
ing, now occupied by them, at 944 Water st. 
Cyrus Kitchen has been the president from its 
organization to the present time. W. R. 
McCoy succeeded to office of cashier on the 
retirement of Mr. Officer in August, 1884. 
The board of directors are well-known for 
their business integrity. The Meadville 
Savings Bank is one of the oldest financial 
houses in the city, and is entitled to a li'oeral 
share of the business and the entire confidence 
of the public. 

DELAMATER ft CO., BANKERS. 

This banking house was organized and be- 
gan business in May, 1876. The members of 
the firm were Geo. B. Delamater, G. W, Del- 
amater, T. A, Delamater, and Wm. S Mc- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



1 03 



Gunnegle, the latter gentleman acting as 
cashier until January 1st, 1888, when he re- 
tired to accept the cashiership of the Mer- 
chants' National Bank. Having large capital 
and credit they have since their organizaation 
commanded the confidence of the public and 
received a large share of its patronage. The 
present active managers, V. M. Delamater, 
cashier, and G. W. Delamater, assistant cash- 
ier, are both conservative men and deservedly 
popular. 

farmers' cooperative association. 
The Farmers' Co-operative Bank, located 
at the corner of Chestnut and Market streets, 
was organized in 1874, as a partnership with 
sixty partners, and was reorganized, chartered, 
and its name changed in 1887. At this time 
the number of stockholders was increased to 
two hundred of the leading and representative 
farmers of Crawford county. The officers are: 
Jos. Brown, pres't ; C. Reitze, vice pres't ; John 
S. Kean, S. E. Sunday, L. A. Marcy, I. T. 
Aikin, A. F. Ellis, Halsey Terrill, Frank C. 
McCurdy, A. W. Smith, directors; W. W. 
Dean, cashier. Mr. Dean was the organizer 
of the Cochranton cooperative bank in 
1881, and the Union City cooperative bank 
in 1883. Arrangements are now making 
towards the establishing of other similar in- 
stitutions in different parts of the county. 
The association is chartered at S60.000 and 
has doubled its business since it began. 



THE HARVEST HOME. 

(BY S. J. LOGAN.) 

The Harvest Home as an institution had its 
origin in South Shenango, Crawford county, 
nineteen years ago (in 1869), on the occasion 
of a social gathering, under the auspices of 
the Sabbath school at " The Old Church," in 
which the community generally took part. 
A table was spread of considerable length, 
upon which were placed the contents of the 
many baskets provided by the ladies, with 
the necessai-y viands for a social dinner. 
When completed, the table presented an ap 
pearance of luxurious plenty — adorned by 
vases of flowers, indicating the refined tastes 
of those whose fair, but slightly sun-burnt, 
hands had prepared the bounteous feast. 

It was at the season just following the 
gathering and storing of an abundant harvest, 
and a feeling of thankfulness pervaded the 
community. Ceremonies appropriate to the 
occasion were adopted, and, at the close, it 
was suggested that a similar meeting be held 
the next year, as a thanksgiving to the God 
ol the Harvest for his bounteous dealings 
with his people, and in crowning the labors of 
the husbandman with an abundant reward 

Accordingly, a committee of arrangements 
was appointed for the ensuing year, and steps 
were taken to complete an organization, look- 
ing to the celebration of the ingathering of 
the harvest. Thus it assumed its relation to 
the harvest as a day of general rejoicing and 
thanksgiving, and mutual congratulation after 



the labor and toil incident to the summer's 
work was ended, and the reward of the hus- 
bandman safely stored. The table for refresh- 
ments was abandoned, and the vast concourse 
of people separated themselves into groups, 
composed of families, neighbors and friends, 
and the spotless linen was spread on the 
earth's green covering, and each group 
gathered around a repast " worthy of a feast 
of kings," with all the rural simplicity of the 
farmers' home. These characteristics sug- 
gested to a great degree its name. 

During several of the first years after this 
beginning, no record was kept of its proceed- 
ings, but it grew in popular favor and seemed 
to strike a sympathetic cord in the popular 
heart. The people responded to its call by 
thousands; old and young, rich and poor 
met and mingled together, and greeted each 
other, with hearty good will. 

In August 1S75, '^^ '^'^^' written record of 
its proceedings were made; Rev H. H. 
Hervey, Rev. James Burrows, and J. L. 
Lightener, Esq., were appointed a committee 
on constitution and by-laws, who reported to 
the assembly ; and their report was adopted. 
That part of their report relating to the object 
of the organization is as follows ; 

"I. This organization shall be known by 
the name and style of the " Harvest Home 
Association of Southwestern Crawford." 

2. Its officers shall consist of a president, 
two vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, 
and an executive committee. 

3. The officers shall be elected by the peo- 
ple assembled each year, and shall be nomi 
nated by the officers of each preceding year. 

4. The duties of officers, and the committee 
shall be, to designate the day to be observed 
each year, appoint all sub committees, and 
make any other arrangements for the peace- 
ful and satisfactory enjoyment of the day. 

5. The grand object of the association is, to 
devote a day annually, immediately after 
harvest, to thankful acknowledgment of God's 
goodness, as manifested in the gathered fruits 
of the field, and give expression to their 
gratitude in innocent sports and social inter- 
course, and in whatever way most in keeping 
with intelligent, moral and christian civiliza- 
tion and usages ; among which shall be ad- 
dresses, music, and a basket picnic." 

This constitution was adopted at the sixth 
annual meeting, at which David Logan, then 
of South Shenango, was president, J. L. 
Lightner, secretary, and Hon. W. C. Plum- 
mer, then of Titusville, delivered the annual 
address. Addresses were also made by 
Hon. M. P. Davis, Rev. H. H. Hervey, Rev. 
Darius Woodworth, of tlhio, and others. At 
the close of the ceremonies the vast assem- 
blage rose and sang the looth Psalm, to the 
tune of "One Hundred," and was dismissed 
with the benediction, by Rev. M. M. M. 
Brown. 

I cannot extend this article to the length 
necessary to give a detailed account of its 
proceedings from that date until the present. 



but will add the following list of names of 
gentlemen who have presided at its several 
meetings: J. D, Gamble, Scott A. Marshall, 
S. J. Logan, E. W. McArthur, J. P. Marshall, 
R. G. Craven, John M. Davis, J. S. Martin, 
J. A. Jamison and J. P. McArthur. Addresses 
have been delivered by Prof. S. R. Thompson, 
now of Westminster College ; Rev. J. G. Car- 
nachan, D.D., now pastor of Park Avenue 
Congregational Church, Meadville, Pa., whose 
brilliant address on the " Phenomenon of 
Growth " will long be remembered ; Rev. 
Dr. Jeffers, President of Westminster College, 
on " Farming Then and Now," a contrast 
between Bible times and the present ; Rev. 
A. A. Hyde, D.D., of Allegheny College, Sub- 
ject, " The Silent Partner ; " Rev. Thos. D. 
Logan, of Meadville, subject, " The Scotch- 
Irish Emigration." Addresses were also 
delivered by Dr. Wheeler, D.D., of Allegheny 
College ; Prof. Cooper, of the State Normal 
School, Edinboro, Pa.; Hon. Hiram L. Rich- 
mond, Col. Frank Mantor, Hon. H. J. Humes, 
Hon. James Sheakley, Hon. J. J. Henderson, 
Hon. Pearson Church, and many others. 

The place of meeting — " The Old Church " 
— is itself an historic spot. 

" The groves were God's first temples. Ere 

man learned 
To hew the shaft, and lay the architrave. 
And spread the roof above them — ere he 

framed 
The lofty vault, to gather and roll back 
The sound of anthems ; in the darkling wood, 
Amid the cool and silence, he knelt down 
And ofiered to the Mightiest solemn thanks 

and supplication." 

The land upon which it was located was 
donated by the Holland Land Company, about 
the year 1798. After worshiping for some 
time beneath the wide spreading branches of 
the forest trees, a rude building was erected 
and the Rev. Daniel McLean became the 
pastor of the church organization. 

A few years afterward, a lot containing 
about ten acres of land was donated for the 
purpose of a public burying ground, adjoining 
the land occupied by the church. About 
three acres of ground were cleared and used 
for that purpose. The remainder was still 
primeval forest. 

The embryotic " Harvest Home," began the 
work of subduing the " tangled wildwood," 
and improving and beautifying a place for its 
annual meeting. Year after year the work 
progressed, the numbers increasing until the 
land was occupied to its fullest extent. Nor 
did the work cease here, " The Old Church " 
grounds and the burying ground, hitherto 
neglected, were beautified and adorned, and 
as the " Jerusalem " of the Jewish people — 
each year they put on their garments and 
clad in holiday raiment, made preparation for 
the great feast. Thus, in the shadow of the 
old church, and by the side of the " Silent 
City of the Dead," grew up the Harvest 
Home ; inspired by the religious sentiment 
inculcated by the one, and a feeling of sub- 
dued and profound reverence for the other. 



104 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Scores of thousands of people have threaded 
their way through the many winding aisles of 
sculptured marble and jostled each other in 
the throng ; searching for ancestral tombs, or 
antiquarian inscriptions, and to their lasting 
credit be it said, no act of vandalism, or deed 
of desecration, has ever yet been committed. 
Although reared amid such somber sur- 
roundings, I know of no festal occasion that 
awakens stronger or more heart felt emotions. 
There is a tone of sacred and solemn feeling, 
that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the 
spirit to a state of hallowed and elevated en- 
joyment ; I do not know of a grander effect 
of music on the moral feelings, than to hear 
the full band or the voices of the vast assem- 
blage, filling every fretted aisle of that grand 
cathedral of nature with triumphant har- 
mony. One beautiful feature in the Harvest 
Home is its being a grand reunion. It has 
been made the season for gathering together 
of family connections, and drawing closer 
those bands of kindred hearts, which the 
pleasures and sorrows of the world are so 
liable to cast loose ; of calling back the chil- 
dren who have launched forth into life, and 
wandered widely asunder, once more to as- 
semble on their native heath, that rallying 
place of the affections, these to grow young 
and loving again, amid the endearing mem- 
ories of childhood. There is something also 
in the very season of the year that gives a 
charm to this festivity ; it is a time we derive 
a great portion of our pleasures from the 
beauties of nature ; our feelings sally forth 
and dissipate themselves over the sunny land- 
scape, and we live "abroad and everything " 
The song of the wild bird, the murmer of 
the stream, the breathing fragrance of the 
flowers, the soft voluptuousness of summer as 
it merges into the golden pomp of autumn ; 
earth with its mantle of refreshing green, arid 
heaven with its deep, unfathomable blue, and 
its cloudy magnilicence, all fill us with mute 
but exquisite delight, and our hearts overflow 
with thankfulness, to the God of the Harvest, 
who has made and adorned this earth so 
beautifully, for the dwelling-place of man. 
Thousands who have attended the numerous 
celebrations of this parent institution became 
deeply impressed by the spirit of harmony, 
and hospitality that prevailed. 

The spirit has gone forth from the historic 
shades of " the Old Church," and the " Har- 
vest Home" is now celebrated in several other 
localities in Crawford county. " Luper's 
grove " was the second to organize, with the 
venerable Judge Crozier as president. Con- 
neaut Lake came next, and will celebrate its 
ninth anniversary on the third Thursday of 
August next. It has extended to many other 
counties in Pennsylvania, west and east of 
the Alleghenies ; and Ohio — with its numer- 
ous organizations — hails it as second only to 
the glorious Fourth of July. 

Thus I have endeavored — I fear at too 
great length — to give the origin, and history 
of one of Crawford counties institutions. 



which stands high in public favor. Concern- 
ing its future I may say that as the offspring 
of an intelligent christian civilization, it has 
come to stay. That so long as an industrious 
intelligent and christian people till the soil, 
they will look up with gratitude to God for 
his lavish beneficence. The cessation from 
ordinary pursuits, the crowded groves, the im- 
pressive ceremonies, will speak its eulogy, 
and generations yet to come will observe, 
honor, and reverence the Harvest Home. 

[The antiquity of the Harvest Home is 
shown by the following extract from an 
eucyclopedia of 1798. " Among the Romans, 
under the Empire — the people kept the feast 
of the Goddess Vacuna in the fields, having 
then gathered in their fruits and sown their 
corn -, whence seems to be derived our popu- 
lar festival called Harvest Home. The name 
was also given to the song sung on that oc- 
casion." — Ed. Tribune.] 



LAFAYETTE'S VISIT. 



long memorable in the early history of Mead- 
ville and of Crawford county. 

While here, Lafayette, with his son and 
others, visited Allegheny College. On the 
registry of the college for the year 1825 appear 
the following signatures, which have been 
specially reproduced for this issue of the Tri- 
bune- Rki'UHLICAn : 



A Brief Account of the Visit of the French 
Patriot to the Village of Meadville. 



On the 2nd of June 1825, Marquis de 
Lafayette, the great patriot and companion of 
Washington, visited Meadville while on his 
way from Pittsburg to Erie. Watches were 
posted to give notice of his approach, and 
when the carriage containing Lafayette, his 
son and attendants came rolling into the vil- 
lage, the booming of cannon told the expec- 
tant citizens that the distinguished visitor had 
arrived. It was between one and two o'clock, 
on a warm and pleasant afternoon, 

A large number of people were in from the 
surrounding thinly settled country, and all 
were eager to catch a glimpse of the great 
patriot. The crowd was arranged in long 
lines along which the benevolent and kindly 
looking old Frenchman passed, bowing and 
shaking hands with all within reach. This 
ceremony over, the aged hero was conducted 
to Samuel Torbett's hotel, where the leading 
ladies held a reception in his honor. Here he 
met many old revolutionary soldiers, whom he 
greeted with great tenderness. The citizens 
tendered him a public banquet, but his en- 
gagements compelled him to decline and push 
on, after a stay of a little more than two 
hours 

As the coach bearing Lafayette was driven 
away, the air was filled with cheers and grate- 
ful blessings by the hundreds who had 
gathered to greet the gallant champion of 
American independence. In the evening a 
grand ball was given in honor of the occasion, 
and much disappointment was felt that the 
stay of Lafayette could not have been longer. 
One accident marred the perfect enjoyment of 
the day. Patrick Shannon had one hand blown 
off while assisting to fire the salute announc- 
ing Lafayette's arrival. The day was one 




C. (AT ."VVW^^^^^-^ 



EUREKA. 



A Sketch of the Eureka Mineral Springs 
at Saegertown. 



Never in the history of mineral springs 
have any become so popular in so short a time 
as the Eureka Mineral Springs of Saegertown, 
Crawford county. Pa. Four years ago they 
were unknown, as possessing a medicinal vir- 
tue, but within the last three years the com- 
plete cures effected by the use of their waters 
have so far exceeded those accomplished at 
any other resort for the afflicted, that the 
springs have, in this short time, attained a 
national reputation. 

They are now patronized by the afflicted 
from every state in the Union, who, as a rule, 
return to their homes restored in health, liv- 
ing witnesses of the wonderful healing virtue 
of these waters. They are ever ready to tell 
of the benefits they received and what they 
have witnessed done for other patients. It is 
liut three years since the first water was ship- 
ped from these springs, but in this short time 
the demand for the water and the ginger ale 
made from it has so rapidly increased that 
there is now said to be more shipped from 
these springs daily, than from all the other 
springs in the State of Pennsylvania combined. 

These waters are prescribed by scores of 
the leading physicians, with the best results, 
many of whom have voluntarily contributed 
their written testimonials in their behalf, and 
hundreds of others have testified to their ef- 
ficacy. Limited space prevents a description 
of the springs, analysis of the waters, etc., all 
of which, with much other interesting matter, 
is contained in pamphlets published by the 
proprietors, the Eureka Mineral Springs Com- 
pany (limited), Saegertown, Pa. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



105 



Origin of the Present Method of Nomi- 
nating Candidates for Political 
Honors. 



THE CRAWFORD COUNTY SYSTEM, tion. And when counted up and certified by To the Democratic party is due whatever 

the officers of the meeting, one copy of the credit there may be for the origin of " The 

returns shall be left with the secretaries and Crawford County System." 

the other copy shall be taken charge of by This system was abandoned by the Demo- 

the chairman, whose duly it shall be to make cratic party Februaiy II, 1850, and their 

a return of the same to the county conven- present delegate system accepted. 

(BY F. P. RAY.) tion on the day above mentioned. Upon the The Republican party, some four years after 

The methods by which a great people gov meeting of the return judges they shall choose its formation in this county, at a convention 

em themselves, or secure' the nomination of out of their own number one person as presi- held June 20, i860, passed the following 

the officers to fill the various positions of dent and two persons as secretaries. And resolutions : 

honor and trust in a great nation, can never when the convention shall be so organized Resolved, That we are in favor of submit- 

be without interest ; and to keep alive that in- they shall proceed to cast up the votes given, ing the nomination directly to the people— 

terest the following article is submitted ; and the two highest in vote shall be declared Republican voters — and that delegate con- 

The system of nominating candidates for duly nominated for members of assembly ; veniions for nominating county officers be 

office by the votes of the electors had its and for all the other offices, those having the abolished ; and we hereby request and in- 

origin in this county. It may therefore be of highest number of votes shall be declared struct the county committee to issue their call 

some interest to he citizens of this county to duly nominated. In case the chairman of the in 1 86 1 in accordance with the spirit of this 

trace the origin and growth of the system township meeting cannot attend, one of the resolution." 



which has obtained widespread 
adoption and fame as " The 
Crawford County System." 

Early in the year 1842, the 
Democratic party of Crawford 
county held a convention and 
adjourned without making any 
nominations. This brought 
about a sort of political chaos, 
and the members of that party, 
in order to bring about a re-or- 
ganization of their broken lines, 
issued a call for a meeting of 
Democratic citizens. 

Pursuant to that call a large 
meeting was held on Tuesday, 
August 9, 1842. Court being in 
session the meeting was organ- 
ized in the Court House yard. 
Col. James Henry, of Fallow- 
field, was chosen president. Col. 
Wm. King and J. Y. Gilmore 
vice-presidents. The meeting 
then adjourned to the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian church near 
the Court House. 

Mr. Geo. Shellito, of Sads- 
bury, submitted a series of reso- 
lutions which was referred to a 
committee of five persons. Col. 
John McArthur, Geo. Shellito, 




HON. G. W. DELAMATER. 

State Senator 1887-90. 



June 8, 1861, in accordance 
with the foregoing resolution the 
Republican county committee 
met at the office of J. W. Howe, 
J. W. Howe, president of the 
meeting, and James C. Hays, 
secretary. 

A committee to draft a plan 
of holding primary meetings and 
electing candidates under reso- 
lution of last county convention 
consisting of Dr. J. H. Gray, C, 
T. Holcomb, Geo. Hamilton, 
Geo. S. SmuU, and H. C. John- 
son, was appointed, and pre- 
sented the following report, 
which was adopted : 

1. The candidates for the 
several officers shall have their 
names announced in one or 
more of the county papers at 
least three weeks previous to the 
primary meetings, stating the 
office, and subject to the action 
of the party at the said primary 
meeting. 

2. The voters belonging to 
the Republican party in each 
town, ward or borough, shall 
meet on the 30th day of August 
at the usual place of holding 
the spring elections, at 2 p. m., 



E. R. Hall, Robert Adrain, and 

Col. A. Power. This committee reported secretaries shall take charge of the returns and proceed to elect one person for judge 

the following resolutions, which were unani- and act in his place in the county convention; and two persons for clerks, who shall form 

mously adopted ; and thus the Crawford county and in the event of there being a tie between a board of election to receive voters and 

system was inaugurated : any two of the candidates, the convention determine who are proper persons to vote, 

"Resolved, That a convention shall meet ou shall choose one of them, who shall be the and shall hold the polls open until 6 p. m. 

the last Tuesday of June in every year here- candidate. After the polls are opened, the candidates an- 

after, at the Court House in the borough Resolved, That all persons who wish to be nounced as aforesaid shall be balloted for. 

of Meadville at i o'clock P. M., and that candidates shall have their names published The names of each person voting shall be 

there shall be meetings held in the several at least three weeks before the township meet- written on a list at the time of voting, no per- 

districts of the county on the Friday preced- ings. son being allowed to vote more than once for 

ing the meeting of the convention between Resolved, That for this year district meet- each office. 

the hours of 3 and 6 o'clock P. M., when the ings shall be held Friday, September 9th and 3. After the polls are closed the board shall 
qualified voters shall choose one person for convention Tuesday, September 13th." 
chairman and two persons wTio shall act as This system was ratified at a meeting 
secretaries of the meeting. The Democratic presided over by Col. R. C. Johnson; vice- 
electors shall then proceed to vote by ballot presidents. Dr. James Gray, Geo. Shellito ; 
for the different candidates for the various of secretaries, S. G. Krick, Geo. Foster, Dec- 
ficers to be filled at the ensuing general elec- ember 13, 1842. 



proceed to count the votes that each candi- 
date has received, and make out the returns 
accordingly, to be certified to by the judge 
and attested by the clerks. 

4. The judge (or one of the clerks ap- 
pointed by the judge) of the respective elec- 



io6 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



tion districts shall meet at the Court House in 
Meadville on the Tuesday following the pri- 
mary meetings, at i o'clock P. M., having the 
returns and a list of the voters, and count the 
votes, and the person having the highest 
number of votes for any office shall be de- 
clared the regular nominee of the Republican 
party. 

5. Any two or more persons having an 
equal number of votes for the same office, the 
judges shall proceed to ballot for a choice, the 
person having the highest number to be the 
nominee. 

6. The Return Judges shall be competent 
to reject by a majority the returns from any 
election district where there is evidence of 
fraud, either in the returns or otherwise, and 
shall reject them where there is evidence of 
three or more persons voting at the primary 
meetings who are not Republicans. 

7. The Return Judges shall have power to 
appoint Conferees, Senatorial and Congres- 
sional, as may be hereafter required, who shall 
be recommended to support the person who 
may receive the largest number of votes cast 
for that office in this county. 

8. That the aforesaid Return Judges may at 
any time change the mode and manner of 
selecting candidates, as they may be instructed 
by the people at their primary meeting, due 
notice being given them by the County Com 
mittee. 

There is no substantial difference in the sys 
tem adopted by the Republican party in 1861 
and that of the Democratic party in 1842. 
The Republican party still retains the system 
and have from time to time amended and 
perfected it until it is being adopted by 
many other counties of this State, and, 
indeed, by other states of the country. Its 
great excellence consists in putting the nomi- 
nation of candidates directly in the hands of 
the voters of the party, and while somewhat 
troublesome to carry out in all its details, is 
believed to be the best system yet devised. 

The system has received the sanction of the 
law, and is now surrounded by all the safe- 
guards of a general election. The officers of 
the boards are sworn and penalties provided 
for the violation of the statutes to protect the 
purity of the ballot-box in party nominations. 
Within the limits of this article only a brief 
reference can be made to the .statutes legaliz- 
ing this method of making nominations. 

The Act of June 29, 1881, (Purdon's Digest, 
page 667, sections 195 and 196), legalized the 
system and required the officers of the primary 
meetings to be sworn, and enacted penalties 
for fraudulent practices or false counting. 

The Act of June 8, 1883, (Purdon's Digest, 
pages 466-7, sections 346-47-4849-5051-52- 
53-54-55-56, enacted further and more efficient 
safeguards about the system. 

The origin of the system, whatever may be 
the opinion of its merits or demerits, is due to 
the Democratic party ; its perfection and per- 
petuation is due to the Republican party. The 
honors are about equally divided. 



WE, US & CO. 



THE TRIBUIVE- REPUBLICAN AND 
THE PEOPLE WHO PRINT IT. 



A igth Century Newspaper -A Small 

Centennial Toot of Our Own Horn. 

Once in a Hundred Years. 

Here we go for another 100 years, but be- 
fore we go let us see where and what we are 
to-day. May 12, 1888. This pamphlet, which 
follows our Mammoth Memorial Centennial 
number of yesterday, we present as the 
flower of a newspaper enterprise whose 
growth and prosperity is no less than phe- 
nomenal, and we are confident in the belief 
that there are none who do not share with us 
our natural pride in this extraordinary suc- 
cess, which has actually been won by hard 
work, push, pluck and a persistent purpose to 
meet the demands of the public. 

There is no doubt that the unprecedented 
and withal unexpected triumphs achieved by 
the Tribune Republican are the direct re- 
sult of the one overshadowing purpose of the 
whole institution, to always give to the pat- 
ronizing public more than the worth of its 
money. The Tribune- Republican always 
does what it promises and then goes in with a 
bonus. The public appreciates this. The 
public has caught the spirit of the thing and 
now the onward and upward course of the 
Tribune-Republican is a matter of public 
solicitude. The paper has become a part, a 
characteristic feature of the Meadville of to- 
day and prosperity to the Tribune-Republi- 
can means lively business and industrial ac- 
tivity for the city itself. To-day we can say, 
and say it safely, that nothing like the Cen- 
tennial Tribune-Republican in its mammoth 
size, elegance of makeup, variety of literary 
matter, profusion and beauty of illustration, 
and general typographical excellence, has 
ever been delivered to the subscribers of any 
daily in Pennsylvania, if indeed its equal in 
some respects has ever been issued from any 
press in the State. It is a fit memorial and 
we are glad of it. So are you all. 

To fully appreciate the power and scope of 
the printing press of to-day compared with 
the output three-quarters of a century ago, 
just take a look at some old papers of that 
date — that tells the story of the glory of the 
printing press and the printing office of the 
19th century. 

WHO MAKES THE TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 

It takes work to make a paper like this ; it 
has taken faith and work and brains to build 
up this institution. Founded in 1884, it was 
the successor over the graves of several at- 
tempts to publish a daily paper in Meadville, 
and the competitor of two existing institu- 
tions. The projector, W. R. Andrews, who 
had for years been a bold operator in the 



newspaper seas of the larger cities, saw that 
Meadville could be made the seat of a live, 
modern and expensive morning daily; but he 
was about the only man who could see the 
possibility. He made the venture; being 
fearless almost to rashness, a bundle of ner 
vous vital forces, tenacious as a braided steel 
rope, he went in to win the day and he has 
won it. The morning daily of 500 or 600 
issue is now a morning and evening paper of 
large circulation, with a weekly edition of the 
largest circulation of any newspaper in west- 
ern Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburg. Both 
morning and evening editions contain the full 
press telegraph dispatches from all over the 
civilized world, and cover in editorial com- 
ment the whole ground of science, art, litera- 
ture, politics, and religion. Naturally, in this 
flood tide of prosperity the other smaller and 
less venturesome competitors were soon ab- 
sorbed — and the- Tribune-Republican still 
holds the fort. 

THE personnel. 

Mr. Andrews, the animating spirit and al- 
most ubiquitous presence in the establish- 
ment, is ably aided by the following, the 
group of whose portraits accompany this 
article. 

Captain H. S. Phillips is city editor of the 
morning edition, and everybody knows " The 
Captain," who is a Meadville boy and the 
city knows it. The Captain is for the 
Tribune-Republican first, and Meadville 
always. 

Alex. C. Pardee, the city editor of the 
Evening Republican, is the " local hustler " 
of the town and its a lightning item that gets 
away from " Pardee." Mr. Pardee is a native 
of old Crawford. 

Miss Elizabeth Thompson is exchange edi- 
tor. She is a Meadville lady and the state 
items and neighborhood paragraphs are the 
results of her patient labors. 

Will A Baker presides at the counting 
room, keeps the books and an eagle eye on 
subscribers and advertisers and several other 
dozen duties that keep him from going to 
sleep. Baker is a Crawford county boy. 

Miss Lizzie E. Flanigan has charge of all 
subscription lists and ably assists Mr. Baker 
in the multifarious requirements of the count- 
ing room. 

Charles M. Cott is the general superinten- 
dent of the mechanical department of the 
whole concern, a position for which long ex- 
perience as a practical workman, and an am- 
bitious study of his profession admirably fits 
him. Mr. Cott is a Pennsylvanian. 

Fred. A. Miles is telegraph editor and 
foreman of the morning edition, a young man 
who believes in printers and printer's ink and 
type, and knows how to Imndle all three of 
them. 

S. M. Engle, the veteran of the office, is 
foreman of the evening edition. Mr. Engle 
has been a resident of Meadville over twenty- 
five years, a.id is a fine type of the printer of 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



107 




J. W. PEFFERS. 
MISS ELIZABETH M. THOMPSON. 
H. S. PHILLIPS. 

FRED A. MILES, 

SAM. M. ENGLE. 



W. A. BAKER. 

W. R. ANDREWS. 

CHAS. M. COTT. 

J. H. LOVE. 



M. T. FORKER. 

MISS LIZZIE E. FLANIGAN. 
ALEX. C. PARDEE. 
CHAS. C. THOMPSON. 
JOHN POSTANCE. 



THE TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN STAFF. 



io8 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



thirty years ago, careful and accurate almost 
to a fault. 

Charles C. Thompson is the foreman of the 
job rooms and he makes it a point to keep the 
Tribune output up out of the fog. Charlie is 
a native of Meadville. 

J. W. Peffers, operator at the office wire, 
handles all the telegraph for both editions, 
and bears up under a "roast" or a president's 
message with equanimity and accuracy. 

M. T. Forker, another Meadville young 
man, does the art work and general all-round 
pencil work, and always comes in handy 
when we get out Centennial numbers. 

James H. Love is the pressman, and upon 
his skill the readers of this beautiful Cen- 
tennial souvenir can bestow their thanks for 
the clear print and the clean fresh appear- 
ance of every number of the Tribune at 
breakfast or tea. 

John Postance is foreman of the book 
bindery, a long time resident of Meadville, 
and a master mechanic in his special line. 

Add to these staff operators, the composi- 
tors in both the press and job rooms, regular 



" Danny " was postmaster, mailing clerk, 
special delivery boy and letter carrier all in 
one, and he had his office on the north-west 
corner of the Diamond, where Rev. Clark 
now resides. He retained his position 27 
years, retiring in 1841, Chas, L. Rowan being 
his successor. Rowan had the office at the 
old Magaw property about where the Central 
Hotel bar now is. John J. Douglass was the 
next incumbent and had the office at about 
the spot where the Park Avenue church now 
stands; Archie Stewart followed Douglas and 
served the public in the frame building just 
above the McFarland bottling works. James 
E. McFarland was postmaster from 1853-1861. 
He first located where Griffith's bakery now is 
on Chestnut street, and later he built the 
frame building now occupied by Miles W. 
Tate, lawyer. Joseph C. Hays followed him 
and kept postoflice in the Boileau brick, cor- 
ner of Second (now Market) and Chestnut 
streets, from May, 1 86 1, to September, 1862. 
Clinton Galium was in office from 1862 to 
1869, with the office a part of the time where 
Fowler's photo-parlors now are. D. V. Der 



There are to day made up here an average 
of forty-five mail pouches and tie-sacks daily 
All the mail of over twenty of the surround- 
ing towns and villages is handled through the 
Meadville office, and nine tenths of the mat- 
ter of as many more, including Conneautville, 
Cochranton and Cambridgeboro. To handle 
this with the local matter requires the whole 
of the present apartments, which are 23x94 
feet, fitted up with handsome and convenient 
appurtenances in every department, for which 
an annual rental of S 1,000 is paid by the 
Government to Mr. Edgar Huidekoper. 

During the last decade the business of the 
office has increased 33 per cent., notwithstand- 
ing in that period there have been several 
material reductions in postage, including the 
letter stamp from 3c. to 2c. The gross receipts 
during the fiscal year, ended March, 1888 
were §17,600. The running expenses of the 
office for the same time amounted to $6,500, 
thus netting to the government %\ 1,000 profit. 
The amount of matter in bulk sent out from 
this office is 175 tons, annually, the amount 
received being about one-third that quantity. 




carriers and collectors, etc., and the names 
engrossed upon the ordinary monthly pay roll 
of the institution reaches the rather imposing 
number of fifty. The office is open day and 
night the year round, for business. 

Business is business, and We, Us & Co. 
are proud of our good looks, proud of the 
biggest newspaper Meadville ever had, and 
proud of the solid paying printing office 
plant, the finest in northwestern Pennsylvania, 
the result of four years hard work, tact and 
tenacity. 

This pamphlet edition of the Centennial 
Tribune-Republican is a product of our job 
rooms, and attests the skill and enterprise of 
that department. 



The Meadville Post Office— Cliroiiolosj'. 

Though a postoffice was established at 
Meadville as early as 1801, and Frederick 
Haymaker, Edward Work, James Gibson 
and Henry Hurst, were successively post- 
masters up to 1814, yet, it is "Danny" An- 
drews who comes down to the memory of the 
present inhabitants as the " First Postmaster." 



N. Y., P. & 0. RAILROAD SHOPS. 

ickson was his successor and moved the of 
fice to the Joseph Derickson block, Chestnut 
street, where J. E. Richmond's grocery now 
is. In 1873 Prof. L. V. Williams was ap- 
pointed, and during his term removed the of- 
fice to the Richmond block. In February, 
1878, John F. Morris took the office, followed 
in March, 1882, by J. W. H. Reisinger, who 
moved the office to the present location, cor- 
ner of Park avenue and Chestnut street, where 
E. \V. McArthur, the present mcumbent, suc- 
ceeded him in 1885. 

THE POSTOFFICE OF TO DAY. 
Instead of faithful " Danny " Andrews 
alone, the office to-day requires the constant 
attention of the following : Postmaster, E. 
W. McArthur; assistant, Capt. I. E. Myers; 
mailing clerk, Isaac Williams; money order 
department. Miss Laura M. Russell ; delivery 
clerk, D. R. McLaughhn; special delivery 
messenger, Herbert Borrell ; letter carriers, 
regular, J. Kaler, First ward ; R. C. Mc- 
Michael, Second ward ; Santa Hilbroner, 
Third ward; and Jacob Moritz, Fourth ward, 
with two substitutes. 



The money order department handles $250,- 
000 annually. During the last fiscal year 
there were sold 120,064 one-cent stamp, 480,- 
050 two cent, 6,690 four-cent, 7,400 five- 
cent, 3,560 six-cent, 100 30 cent, )f3,6oo 
worth of periodical stamps, and 108,000 
postal cards. 

During the last year 1,450 special delivery 
letters were handled. During the month of 
March last, the carriers handled 108,753 
pieces of mail. The carrier system was 
established July i, 1887, and the first month 
the delivery amounted to 39,718 pieces. 
There are 37 letter boxes for the reception of 
mail at various points over the city and, taken 
all in all the local postal service in Meadville 
is calculated to be all that a reasonable 1 888 
being can justly demand. 

CAPT. ISAAC E. MYERS 

The assistant postmaster, Capt. Isaac E. 
Myers, has been a factor in the operations of 
the postoffice for the past 16 years. He en- 
tered the office as a clerk, under Postmaster 
Derickson after a service of 8 years on the 
railroad, and he has done a large proportion 
of the business ever since, some of it beihg 
of more than ordinary bulk and responsibility. 
The length of service and the character of 
the work done speaks volumes for the Captain's 
accuracy, capability and faithfulness to duty. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



109 



DAVID LAMPHIER. 



A Sketch of His Execution — His Confes- 
sion, from the Original Manuscript. 



One of the earliest recollections of my 
childhood days was the execution of David 
Lamphier for the murder of Samuel W. Smith, 
a deputy sheriff of this county, who had a 
warrant for his arrest on a charge of obtaining 
goods upon false pretense. The execution 
took place on the hrst day of November, 1822. 
Although I did not witness the execution, I 
remember the circumstances very distinctly. 
The gallows was erected on the south bank 
of the ravine running east from near the Athens 
mills, about midway between the canal and 
Baldwin street. The execution was piiblic and 
was witnessed by a large 
number of persons (about 
four thousand), of all ages 
and both sexes, from all parts 
of the county. I have often 
heard it said that if the trial 
had taken place in recent 
years, Lamphier would never 
have been found guilty ; but 
I can see nothing, even in 
his own statement, to lead 
to such a conclusion. 

The officers of the court 
at the time were as follows : 
President judge,Jesse Moore; 
associate judges.John Brooks 
and James Birchfield ; sher- 
iff, Samuel Withrow; clerk of 
courts, Daniel l.e Fevre. 
George Seldon was district 
attorney and conducted the ^^ 

trial. Samuel Lord was 
foreman of the grand jury 
who found the indictment, [ \ 
and the names of the petit 
jurors who tried the case are 
given below. It is a singu- 
lar fact that the trial of this 
case was never entered on 
the docket of the Court of 
Quarter Sessions. 

Petit jury — James Baker, 
Obed Garwood, Nelson Smith, George W. 
King. George Davis, Joseph Hide, Cooper 
Ray, John Khne, Elder Hutchison, William 
Walker, John Daniels, James Oliver Johnson. 

The following is a literal copy of the state- 
ment made by Lamphier: 

Crawford County, ss. 

The examination of David Lamphier of 
Conneaut township, in the said County of Craw- 
ford, taken before one Sheldon Sherwood, 
Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in and 
for said County on the 30th day of June, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and twenty-two. — Saith that he left Mr. 
Joseph Aliens in Company with Isaac Gar- 
wood and Jesse — his Son — on Thursday eve- 
ning last, went as far as John Galloways at 



the Four Corners — we stoped a few minutes. 
I then went to Mr. Campbells to endeavor to 
close a bargain for a .Saw. as I Came to Mr. 
Campbell's bars I saw Abel Freeman and one 
or two other Persons & bid them good eve- 
ning I Stept over the Bans and walk'd along 
towards the Porch. I got along towards the 
end of the house and saw Mr. Smith the Con- 
stable Coming out of the entry partly behind 
me. I turned Round and spoke to him and 
said I understand you want to take me to- 
night but I don t mean that you Shall. Mr 
Smith then step'd up to me I took my ax off 
my shoulder and I told him to stand back or 
I would strike him, as he Came up I Stepd 
back a few steps Intending to Run and get 
out of his way. as he advanced upon me I 
made use of my ax I hardly know how, whether 




C. A. BRUNN. 

Division Superintendent N. Y., P. & O. R. R. 

with the edge or the Head or how, as Soon 
as I made the Blow I turned and Run but 
did not know that I Injured him untill I Saw 
Men Coming to My father's in Ohio with guns 
and Supposed they might be after me. I took 
down my Brother Andrews Rifle and I went 
Back into the woods and Stay'd the most of 
the day. I came up to the Back of the House 
in the Evening and saw one person before the 
House I think with a gun in his hand. I then 
laid down the gun in edge of the field and 
went back into the woods — traveled back a 
peace and Stayed all night. In the Morning 
I thought I would come down in the neigh- 
borhood of Mr. Campbells see what I had 
done. I travell'd all that day in the woods 
and got lost several times and stay'd that night 
in the pine woods near the widow Padins, 



where they made shingles last winter. Sun- 
day I travell'd across Padins Mill Creek and 
meant to keep the Swamp, but got out of my 
way & cross'd the Road beyond John Freys, 
travell'd on Some ways, and lay down and 
Slept till night then got up and travelld on all 
night until almost daylight and came in Sight 
of Isaac Garwoods fields and then lay down 
and slept untill sunup. When I got up I was 
lost and did not know where I was for a few 
minutes, but travelld on an,d soon Came to a 
Run which I knew led to John Cullimys and 
followed it up and went up to some Brush 
wood in the field near the Barn. I saw John 
Callomy near House Howing Potatoes and 
Called to him, and he Came out to me I asked 
him what I had Done to Mr. Smith if I had 
hurt him much, he Said he would tell me 
nothing about it but would 
make a prisoner of me if I 
would not hurt him. but 
from what he said I Con- 
cluded that Smith was dead. 
I told him I would not hurt 
a hair of his head nor of no 
other man. I told him I 
wanted him to tell me the 
Sircumstances, whether I 
had hurt Smith or not wee 
sat down on a log and taked 
a few Minutes and I then 
got up and went along with 
him towards Mr Campbells 
as Callomy had told me I 
must go there. In answer 
to my Questions Callomy told 
me I must go to Jail and 
Stay there untill Court when 
I would have my tryal and 
know all about it. on our 
way to Mr. Campbell's we 
meet Mr. Cummings, Mr. 
Potter, Mr. Troup & one 
other Person on Horseback, 
who turned back with us to 
Mr. Campbells Barn, where 
I was fed and Bound and 
Conducted to Esq. Sher- 
woods. HIS 

David X Lamphier. 

MARK 

Subscribed before me this 3rd day of June, 
1822. Sheldon Sherwood. 



THOMAS COLTER. 



Some Recollections of One of the Early 
Settlers of Venango To^mship. 
Many of the old residents of the northern 
part of the county still remember the late 
Thomas Colter, who was a native of Venango 
township, and prominent among the early 
settlers of that part of Crawford county. A 
monument in the Venango Cemetery attests 
that he was born March i, 1803, and that he 
died .September 29, 1S54. He was a farmer, 
and never held any other than a township of- 
fice, so he had no prominence coming from 



no 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE- REPUBLIC AN. 



the circumstance of official position; but he 
had a prominence in the neighborhood, owing 
to certain forcible and interesting traits of 
character, and is entitled to honorable men- 
tion, as one of the courageous pioneers who 
confronted the dangers and overcame the dif- 
ficulties and privations of pioneer life. 

In this time of centemiial reminiscence a 
statement of some recollections of him may 
be of interest, at any rate to the surviving 
older settlers of that locality who personally 
knew him. 

His grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War, on the side of the Colonists, 
and was killed while in that service. His 
father, also nained Thomas, was then about 1 1 
years old. Thomas Colter, Sr., spent his boy- 
hood with an uncle named Brooks, near Phila- 
delphia. When of age he came as 
far west as Williamsport, where he 
remained for a few years and was 
married to Elizabeth Logue. In 
1797, he and his wife and three 
children came over from Williams- 
port and settled in what is now 
Venango township, in this county. 
No one of his own relatives came 
over then, but two brothers and 
five sisters ol his wife settled in the 
northern part of the county about 
the same time. 

Of the brothers of his wife, Rob 
ert Logue settled on an adjoining 
farm, and Thomas Logue on a tract 
of land a few miles below Mead 
ville. One of her sisters, Sarah, 
was married to Darius Mead ; Mary, 
to John Long; Rebecca, to a Mr. 
Crawford ; and one of the other two 
sisters to a Mr. Hamilton ; the other 
to McCfanahan. There is a large 
relationship from these several fam- 
ilies still residing in the county. 

Thomas Colter, Sr., had three 
sons, born after his settlement in 
the township, namely : Robert, 
Thomas and Wilson. The oldest 
of them, Robert, is said to have 
been the first white child born 
in the township. The youngest, 
Wilson, lived for many years on a farm 
a few miles east of Meadville, and was the 
father of J. J. Colter, now of Geneva. In 
passing I remark this, in reference to the pa- 
rents ol the Thomas Colter of whom I am 
writing — they did not come over from Wil- 
liamsport in a palace car. How these early 
settlers did make their way to their western 
homes through the woods, bristling on all 
sides with dangers, is a matter of interesting 
conjecture. This one, the family tradition 
says, made his way with his wife and three 
little girls over the Indian paths on horseback. 

Most of what is now Venango township 
was a vast wilderness in 1803, the year in 
which Thomas Colter, Jr., was born. There 
were then no school houses, and churches 
were few and far between. He lived to see 



the woods converted into excellent farms; the what it all meant. He finally ventured to 
township divided into convenient school dis- ask some one in the crowd if this .A.dams 
tricts; all the farms supplied with good roads they were cheering for was his old friend 
and the community well provided with Robert Adams, of Washington township, 
churches. He was active and influential in The crowd showed its appreciation of the 
helping to make these improvements. He joke by a howl of derisive cheering and 
served often as a road viewer, and managed, laughing. Mr. Colter felt the ridicule keenly, 
generally, to give satisfaction in that responsi- and resolved that there should be, thereafter, 
ble but vexatious office. He was also for less occasion for such ridicule. This resolu 
many years one of the school directors of the tion must have been well formed and faith- 
township. Our present common school sys- fully followed, for he afterwards became 
tem had its commencement in his lifetime, noted and prominent as a sell educated man, 
but did not exist in his own boyhood. The particularly in the line of political information, 
fact that he did not himself have the benefit In politics he was an enthusiastic Demo- 
of free schools only gave him a greater zeal crat, and took a live interest in all the cam- 
and interest in helping to establish them for paigns from Andrew Jackson's first election 
the children of his time and their successors, to that of Franklin Pierce. There is no 
He was loyal and devoted to the Presbyterian doubt that the continuing tendency of Venan- 
go township, to give Democratic 
majorities, is owing in a great meas- 
ure to his earnest advocacy of its 
principles, in common with a few 
others, prominent with him in the 
early township matters. His force 
of character was at once indicated 
by a striking personal appearance 
and peculiarity of manner. He was 
slightly over six feet in height, of 
large frame, as straight as an Indian 
and possessed of great physical 
strength. In manner he was in-' 
tensely earnest, and he was, alto- 
gether, capable of great emphasis 
and convincing power in conversa- 
tion and controversy. 

The church, the school house, 
and the newspaper have done much 
in these days towards bringing men 
up to a common plane of intelli- 
gence, so that leadership has be- 
come more a matter of tact in 
directing and using the various 
forces of society, than a matter of 
direct personal influence. 

.\ man is now rated as the best 

politician who never makes a 

speech, and never, or hardly ever, 

writes a letter. But in those ear- 

ANDRfcW w. Al PLh. lig^ times personal influence was 

Member of State Legislature .887-8. ^^^^ direct. Candidates, or per- 

church. In 1852 he, with David M. Bole, sons wishing to influence popular decisions, 

Darius Mead, John Bole, William Bole, mingled with the people and made direct ap- 

Joseph W. Scott, Robert Colter and others, peals for support. The militia drills, the 

built, in Venangoboro, the excellent church mass meeting and the local gatherings were 

which is now used by the Presbyterians at favorite places for such purposes. In connec- 

Venango. • tion with such assemblages, Mr. Colter is 

In this early time political opinion was in most prominently remembered. With unlini- 

fluenced vastly more by public speaking than ited earnestness, enthusiasm and geniality, 

at present. Newspapers had not then much and a willingness on all occasions to defend 

circulation, and even Presidential nominations his opinions, he attained at once in such 

and party platforms were proclaimed mainly matters a prominence. Possessed of such 

from the stump. qualities, as well as the sterling traits of 

In the fall of 1824, when he was in his honesty and integrity, it is not surprising that 

twenty-first year, Mr. Colter had to go to Erie he is yet kindly, and even aft'ectionately, 

on some errand, and the time of his visit hap- remembered by the surviving associates of 

pened on a big convention day of the .\dams those days. 

campaign. He heard nearly every one hur-  Venango. 

rahing for Adams, and could not make out 




CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Ill 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 

Crawford county is divided into thirty-four 
townships, seventeen boroughs and two cities. 
The characteristics of the several townships 
and boroughs are herewith set forth ; 
TOWNSHIPS. 

Athens — Organized 1831. Soil well adap- 
ted for farming and is well watered. Rail- 
road facilities fair. Lumbering and farming 
chief industries. Little Cooley principal cen- 
tre. Area, 17,113 acres; population 1880, 

i-4'9- 

Beaver — Organized 1 8 11 . Surface level 
and well timbered. Soil good for farming 
and grazing. Area, 21,668 acres; Popula- 
tion 1880, 1,136. 

Bloomfield — Organized as at present 1830. 
Principal industries, dairying and lumbering. 
Good soil, well watered and good railroad fa- 
cilities. Riceville principal centre. Area, 
39,465 acres; population 1880, 1,491. 

Cambridge — Organized 1852. Soil fertile 
and well watered. Railroad facilities good. 




HON. FORREST R. NICHOLS. 

Member of Legislature 1887-8. 

Cambridgeboro principal business centre. 
Area, 11, 162 acres; population 1880,745. 

Conneaut — Organized 181 1. Soil strong 
and productive. Well watered and timbered. 
Good railroad facilities. Area, 23,896 acres ; 
population, 18S0, !,6oi. 

Cussewago — Organized iSii. Surface ele- 
vated and broken. Soil a strong productive 
loam. Dairying, stock raising, and cheese 
manufacture extensive. Principal centres, 
Crossingville and Mosiertown ; population, 
1880, 1,697. 

East Fallowfield — Organized 1804. Sur- 
face undulating and well timbered. Atlantic 
is the principal business centre. Area 16,616 
acres; population, 1880, 1,306. 

East Fairfield — Organized 1869. Surface 
rolling and well timbered. Soil fertile and 
vei7 productive. Well watered. Railroad 
facilities good. Cochranton is the principal 
centre. Area, 7,734 acres; population, 1880, 
748. 



Fairfield — Organized 1811. Surface rolling, 
well watered, good railroad facilities. Area, 
10,756 acres; population, 1880,929. 

Greenwood — Organized 1830. Surface gen- 
erally level. Soil quite productive, well wa- 
tered, railroad facilities fair. Geneva, prin- 
cipal centre. Area, 19,387 acres; population, 
1880, 1,614. 

Hayfield — Organized 1830. Surface roll- 
ing. Good soil, well watered Area, 22,642 
acres; population, 1S80, 1,954. 

Mead — Organized 1790. Surface general- 
ly hilly. Soil fairly productive. Meadville is 
the point of purchase. Area, 25,472 acres; 
population, 1880, 2,857. 

North Shenango — Organized 181 1. Sur- 




ing. Lumbering and grazing are the principal 
industries. Railroad facilities good. Con- 
neaut Lake is in this township. Evansburg 
and Shermansville, principal centers. Area, 
11,996; population, 1880, 895. 

South Shenango — Organized 181 1. Sur- 
face level, and soil good; population, 1880, 
991. 

Sparta — Organized 1830. Surface rolling. 
Lumbering carried on extensively. Spartans- 
burg, a busy trade center, is the principal 
point. Area, 23,913 acres; population, 1880, 
1,181. 

Spring — Organized 181 1. Springboro is 
the principal business center. Contains some 
of the best soil in the county, and is well tilled. 
Fine stock raising extensively carried on. 
Well watered, good railroad facilities. Area, 
26,102 acres; population, 1880, 1,524. 

Steben — Organized 186 1. Surface rolling. 
Railroad facilities fair. Good soil generally. 
Well watered. Townville is the principal 
center. Area, 13.772 acres; population,l88o, 
782. 



HON. ALEX. S. BEATTY. 

Member of Legislature 1887-8. 

face level. Soil good. Well watered, and 
good railroad facilities. Area, 15,865 acres; 
population, 1S80, 942. 

Oil Creek — Organized 1820. Surface hilly. 
Soil strong. Lumbering extensive. Water 
power and railroad facilities good. Area, 18,- 
679 acres; population, 1880, 1,578 

Pine — Organized 1847. Surface level. 
Soil best adapted to stock raising. Lines- 
ville is the principal business centre. Area, 
6,369 acres; population, 1880, 385. 

Randolph — Organized 1824. Surface hilly. 
Soil well watered and best adapted to stock 
raising. Lumbering carried on extensively. 
Guy's Mills is the principal supply centre. 
Area, 23,697 acres; population, 1880, 1,869. 

Richmond — Organized . Surface hilly. 

Soil adapted for dairying. New Richmond, 
principal centre. Well watered ; population, 
1880, 1,490. 

Rockdale —Organized 181 1. Surface hilly. 
Soil in the valleys very rich and productive. 
Lumbering, dairying, and farming, chief in- 
dustries. Miller's station, principal centre. 
Area, 21,702 acres; population, (88o, 1,603. 

Rome — Organized 1830. Surface rolling. 
Soil well watered and very productive. Lum- 
bering an extensive industry. Centerville, a 
thrifty place, is the principal centre. Area, 
22,554 acres: population, 1880, 1,324. 

Sadsbury — Organized 181 1. Surface roll- 




HON. C. N. SMITH. 

Member of Legislature 1887-8. 

Summerhill— Organized 1830. Soil fertile, 
and well watered. Dicksonbui^ is the prin- 
cipal center. Area, 14,603 acres ; popula- 
tion, 1880, 1,202. 

Summit — Organized 1841. Soil fertile and 
well watered. Harmonsburg, principal cen- 
ter ; population, 1880, 1,058. 

Troy — Organized 1830. Lumber has been 
the principal product. Troy Center is the 
principal point of supplies. Area, 17,581 
acres; population, 1880,1,327 

Union — Organized 1867. Soil marshy, but 
can easily be reclaimed, and will be valuable ; 
population, 1880, 603. 

Venango —Organized 18 11. Surface roll- 
ing. Soil very fertile. Farming extensive. 
Well watered. Railroad facilities fair. Ve- 
nango is the principal center. Area, 9,871 
acres; population, 1880,602. 

Vernon — Organized 1830. Surface hilly; 
population, 1880, 1,919. 

Wayne — Organized 181 1. Well timbered 



1 12 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



and watered. Area, 20,066 acres ; popula- 
tion, 1880, 1,597. 

West Fallowfield — Organized 1845. ^"'■' 
face broken. Well timbered with hemlock 
and hard woods. Adamsville principal cen- 
tre. Area, 6,629 acres; population 1880, 
482. 

West Shenango — Organized 1863. Rail- 
road facilities good. Well watered. Soil 
good. Population 1880, 277. 

Woodcock — Settled ra 1791. Surface 
broken. Contains many fine farms. W^ell 
watered and timbered. Railroad facilities 
good. Saegertovvn, Blooming Valley and 
Woodcock principal centers. Population 
1880, 1,499. 

PRODUCTION OF THE COUNTY. 

Appended will be found the agricultural 
production of the county for the year 1880, 
the latest date to which reliable figures can 
be given. We also give the production of 
1870 for comparison; 



BARLEY. 


BUCKWHEAT. 


Acres 
1880 


Bu.-hels 
ISSO 


Bushels 
1870 


Acres 
1880 


Bushels 
1880 


Bushels 
1870 


155 


%fra 


1,215 


8,421 


128,807 


73,134 



CORN. 


n.\TS, 


Acres 
1880 


Bushels Bushels 
1880 1870 


Acres 
1880 


Bushels 
1880 


Bushels 
1870 


24,618 


829,369 674,538 


32,072 


1,128,674 


924,392 



BYE. 


WHEAT. 


Acres 
1880 


Bushels 
1880 


Bushels 
1870 


Acres 
1880 
18,088 


Bushels Bushels 
1880 1870 


571 


6,227 


26,537 


232,149 257,249 



The price per bushel of the leading cereals 
for the year was, viz.; Wheat, Si. 05; oats, 
40 cents; corn (shelled) 56 cents; rye, 65 
cents. 

Below will be found the total number of 
live stock (on farms) in the county at the 
end of 1880, and also the number for 1870: 



Horses 


Mules 


Working 0.xen 


1880 1870 


1880 


1870 


1880 


1870 


17,071 13,911 


96 


I2;i 


1,147 


1,919 




Cows. 


Other Cattle. 


Swine. 


1880 1870 


1«80 


1870 
23,721 


1880 
18,3'24 


1870 


31,479 24,24-i 


41,607 


14,68.i 



The price of live stock in the county for 
the year 1 881 has been on the average, viz.: 
Horses, $105; mules, Siii; cows, S34; 
ewes, S4.25, and lambs, $3 per head. 

The commissioners of the county return as 
taxable for 1882, the following stock over four 
years old: Horses and mules, 10,077, value 
8422,172; oxen, 507, value 818,153; cows, 
20,515, value $249,133. 

In the production of tobacco, Crawford 
county is credited in l88o with six acres, 
yielding 3,297 pounds. 

The area of bituminous coal in the county 
is estimated by geological survey to be 3,200 
acres. The bed known as the "Sharon Hori- 
zon" has an average thickness of three feet, 
and is estimated to contain 14,400,000 tons, 
but the thinness of the vein places it beyond 
successful operation. 



The iron interests of the county are among 
its least developed industries, and but three 
concerns make a return to the Bureau of In- 
ternal Statistics. These show a yearly pay 
roll of $56,059. 

Lumber statistics for 1881, as returned, 
show the total amount paid in wages to be 
$18,333.05 ; white pine, 1,135,656 feet; hem- 
lock, 3,991,000 feet; oak lumber, 1,019,325 
feet; other lumber, 757,871 feet; shingles, 
1,050,000; lath, 900,000, and staves and 
heading, 250,000. There are without doubt 
many concerns in the trade which make no 
return at all, and from personal observations, 
we are assured that the value of the industry 
is largely in excess of the State's figures. 

Tanneries. — The county returns six tan- 
neries, giving employment to thirty-nine men ; 
distributing $12,521.25 yearly in wages, and 
producing, viz : Calf skins 30,690 ; other 
leather, 24,760 sides. 

SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

There were in Crawford county at the end 
of school year, June 6, 1881, schools, 461 ; 
teachers, males 182; females 498. Average 
salary of males per month $26.73, ^""J o'^ 
females $19.26 per month. 

The total number of scholars in attendance 
was, males 8,286 ; females 8,026. Cost of 
each scholar per month 66 cents. Total 
amount of tax levied for school and building 
purposes $101,717.12. 

The total number of taxable inhabitants in 
the county for 1882, was 21,822. Real estate 
assessed valuation $16,842,250.00. Personal 
property assessed valuation $865,158.00, in- 
cluding occupation tax. Amount of money at 
interest, subject to tax, $516,294.00. Bonded 
debt January 1, 1883, $235,000. 
CONCLUSION. 

The foregoing statement of the county's 
production, characteristics of townships, taxes, 
school statistics, &c., are compiled from exist- 
ing official sources and are as nearly correct 
as it is possible to state them. In reference 
to the commercial wealth of the county, and 
the characteristics of the various communities 
throughout it, we submit, in the following 
pages, the results of five months' assiduous 
labor to that end. That nothing has been 
unduly lauded, we need not assure the resi- 
dents of the respective communities treated, 
while to those outside of them, we can only 
say, ** a personal investigation will fully bear 
us out." 

CONNEAUTVII.I.E. 

Conneautville, located on the old Beaver 
and Erie canal, was incorporated as a borough 
in 1843. John E. Patton was the first bur- 
gess, and Wm. S. Crozier, Minor T. Carr, 
Geo. M. Meyler, and Chas. Rich, the first 
council. The population in i860, was 1,200; 
and in 1880,941; the decrease was owning 
to the discontinuance of the canal on which 
most of its business interests centered. In 
1829 a Methodist congregation was formed ; 
in 1835 a Presbyterian ; in 1S43 a Universalist ; 
in 1850 St. Peter's Catholic congregation, and 



in 1870 Trinity Episcopal church was 
erected. Among its industries may be special- 
ly mentioned the extensive tannery of J. Bol- 
ard & Co.; the Saxon Chemical Works, where 
acetate of lime, alcohol, tar, and charcoal are 
produced from hard woods; the foundery of 
Moulthrop & Sons ; the furniture establish- 
ments of Wm. Derby, and J. Field ; two grist 
mills, owned respectively by O. O. Tichnor 
& Co., and Butts & Co.; and the woolen mills 
of Jl W. Crider. The first number of the 
Conneautville Courier was issued in 1847 by 
A. T. Mead and S. W. Brown; in 186411 
was purchased by J. E. & W. A. Rupert, pub- 
lishers of the Record, and was consolidated 
with that paper under the name of Record 
and Courier until 1 870, when the old name 
Conneautville Courier was restored ; the pa- 
per is Republican and has a wide circulation. 

The Conneautville National Bank was 
organized January i, 1864, with a capital of 
$ 100,000. 

The Crawford County Agricultural Society 
is the pioneer organization of that kind in the 
county, it held its first fair in 1852. 

The present borough officers are: J. A. 
Brown, burgess; J. W. Crider, I. Field, coun- 
cil. 

CENTERVILLE 
was incorporated a borough 1865; the first 
officers elected were George W. Rockwell, 
burgess ; A. P. Waid, James Clark, L. B. 
Main, O. F. Himes, and T. L. Noble, council. 
In 1880 it had a population of 307. A Pies- 
byterian church was organized in 1815. A 
Congregational church in 1841, a Methodist 
church in 1831 and a Baptist church in 1862. 
The present burgess and council are : T. J. 
Patten, burgess ; Henry Caroll, D. B. Hotch- 
kiss, A. A. Atherton, council. 

CAMBRIDGEBORO. 

Incorporated as a borough in 1866; it is 
located on the banks of French Creek; and 
had in 1880 a population of 674. A. B.Ross 
was the first burgess, and D. D. Buchard, Able 
Drake, S. B. Hadley, R. W. Perrin, and P. K. 
Carrol, council. The first newspaper venture 
was the Index, started in 1869, by A. W. 
Howe; in 1877 J. L. Perry issued the first 
number of the Cambridge Xews, which was 
purchased in 1883 by Moses & Wade, who 
were succeeded by Eckles Brothers, the 
present publishers. It is an eight page week- 
ly, independent in politics, and_ possesses a 
highly creditable circulation. The Baptist 
church was organized in 1S12; the Methodist 
in 1832, the Congregational in 1852; the 
Presbyterian in 1852 ; Universalist and 
Lutheran congregations existed here at one 
time. In 18S3 a Conservatory of Music was 
opened by Prof. E. P. Russell, which has at- 
tained marked success. It has within the 
last two years become quite a celebrity as a 
health resort on account of its mineral springs, 
a large well appointed sanitarium has recent- 
ly been completed. The present burgess and 
council are: E. J. Hinkley, burgess; A. 
Mattison, J. V. Gage, T. D. Holt, council. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



"3 



COCHRANTON. was organized in 1830; tlie Methodist in 1840 ; 

Incorporated as a borough in 1855 ; the first a church edifice was erected in 1852 by the 

burgess was James Greer ; and the first coun- Covenenters, which was afterward owned by 

cil, Charles Cochran, D. M Devore, Samuel a congregation of German Reformed, and now 

Markle, Wilham T. Dunn, and Hugh Smith, is the property of the Zion congregation. The 

The first church organization, now known as present burgess and council are ; D. B. Moyer, 

the United Presbyterian, was made in 1827; burgess; M. D. Satterlee, E. Hunter and J. S. 



the Methodist in 1S39; the Presbyterian in 
1848; and St. Stephen's Catholic church in 
1874. The Cochranton Times was started in 
1878, by R. H Odell ; the present proprietor 



Nevins, council. 

HYDETOWN. 
Settled by Peter Titus, father of Jonathan 
Titus, founder of Titusville. Oil Creek — as it 



is C. A. Bell ; the newspaper is independent was formerly called — was incorporated as a 
in politics. The present burgess and council borough in 1868; W. C. Hyde was first bur- 
gess. The Methodist church was organized 
in 1847; 'he Baptist church in 1879. Avery 
successful literary society has been in opera- 



tion since 1 881. The present burgess and 
council are: H. Malin, burgess; E. J. Roffee 
and T. Ridgway, council. 

LINESVILLE. 

This borough is situated in Pine township, 
on the Erie & Pittsburg railroad, and is also 
the western terminus of the Meadville & Lines 
ville railroad. In 1880 its population was 550. 



are : S. H. Nelson, burgess ; Homer Hazel- 
tine, Jno. Bartholemew, council. 
EVANSBURG. 

This beautiful little borough is situated at 
the outlet of Conneaut Lake, on the Mead- 
ville & Linesville Railroad. It is well known 
as a delightful summer resort, the neighbor- 
hood being particularly popular among camp- 
ing parties ; the town contains five hotels, and 
the first soldiers' monument erected in the 
county. In 1880 the population was 197. It 
was incorporated as a bor- 
ough in 1858. Religious ser- 
vices were held at a very 
early day by Seceder, Pres- 
byterian, and Methodist con- 
gregations. The present 
burgess and council are ; I. 
G. Pollard, burgess: H. H. 
Walford, and A. A. Findley, 
council. 

BLOOMING VALLEY. 

Located on a branch of 
Woodcock Creek, it was in- 
corporated a borough i n 
1867. The first burgess was 
S. L. Thompson; the coun- 
cil, Michael Coy, A Drake, 
N. Roudebush,George Floyd /r- '— 
and Thomas Chipman. A 

Methodist congregation was formed more It was settled by Amos Line, a surveyor in the 
than fifty years ago; an Advent congregation employ of the Pennsylvania Population Com- 




in 1849 ; and a Protestant Episcopal mission 
was started in 1 88 1, by the rector of Christ 
church, Meadville. The present burgess and 
council are : W. C. Wygant, burgess ; John 
Roudebush, M. W. Babcock and Ralph 
Roudebush, council. 

GENEVA. 

Incorporated as a borough in 1872 ; the first 
burgess was Jonathan Smock ; the first coun- 
cil, J. D. Christ, Cyrus Carman, Cyrus Adsit, 
D. E. Smith and J. H. Tiffany. The place 
had formerly been known as Sutton's Corners, 
and before the A. & G. W. R. R. was built, 
consisted of but seven or eight families. The 
Methodist church was organized in 1S20; the 
United Brethren in 1870. The present bur- 
gess and council are : D. J. Christ, burgess ; 
F. E. Crist and H. J. McEntire, council. 

HARTSTOWN. 

Incorporated in 1850; the first burgess was 
B. Ewing ; the village is located in West Fal- 
lowfield township ; in 1880 it had a popula- 
tion of 167. The United Presbyterian church 



pany in 1800. The first newspaper was started 
in 1875, '^y BriMon & McCoy, under the name 
of the Leader; in 1 88 1 it passed into the 
hands of H. D. & F. C. Lowing, its present 
proprietors, who changed its name to the 
Herald; in politics it is Republican. The 
Methodist congregation is the oldest in the 
village ; for many years meetings were held 
in the school house, and in i860 a church 
edifice was erected ; the Baptists erected one 
in 1852: in 1870 St. Philip's Catholic church 
was erected ; in 1873 a Universalist church 
was organized, and some years since a Liberal 
League was formed, but regular services have 
been discontinued. The borough was incor- 
porated in 1864, and R. P. Millar was the 
first burgess. The present burgess and coun- 
cil are : Thos. Limber, burgess ; A. Carnes 
and W. L. Mackey, council. 
RICEVILLE. 
Incorporated in 1859, when the following 
officers were elected : Joseph Knight, burgess ; 
A. H. Eby, Eli Farrington, Daniel Conner, 



R. B. Westgate, and Y. G. King, council. 
Samuel Rice, the first settler, came here in 
1831 and built a cabin in the unbroken forest. 
The earliest religious services were held by the 
Christians in 1838; the methodist church was 
organized in 1849, and the Congregational in 
1858. The present burgess and council are : 
E. M Rice, burgess; Halsey Hyde and C. R. 
Parsons, council. 

S.UGERTOWN. 

This borough is beautifully situated on 
French creek, and is widely known as a-heahh 
resort, on account of its mineral springs, chief 
among which is the Eureka spring ; facilities 
for bathing are of the best, and the hotels 
accommodate hundreds of people during the 
summer. It was incorporated in 183S. The 
Lutherans organized a congregation in 1816; 
the German Reformed in 1829; the Metho- 
dist in 1839. The present burgess and coun- 
cil are : W. W. Deichman, burgess ; E. T. 
Wheeler, A. B. Floyd, council. 

SPARTANSBUKG. 

This thriving borough — in early times called 
Akinsville — was incorporat- 
ed 1856. The census of 
1880 showed a population 
of 486. The Western New 
York and Pennsylvania Rail- 
road passes through it, also 
the east branch of Oil creek, 
affording excellent water 
power. The Baptist church 
-^was organized 1820 ; the 
.^■.- Methodist in 1827; the Pres- 
byterian in 1844, and the 
Congregational in 1875. The 
present burgess and council 
are: L. W. Day; E. A. 
Hoffman, J. Goldstein and 
Thomas Snodgrass. 
' — ' SPRING. 

This borough is located on 
Conneaut creek and contains many handsome 
residences. It was incorporated in 1866; its 
first burgess was Jonathan Sheldon ; its first 
council : W. C. Booth, W. D. Lefevre, H. 
West, Jr., E. E. Eighmy and A. V. Baldwin. 
The vilLage contains three churches, viz.: the 
Christian, organized in 1825 ; Methodist, or- 
ganized 1828; Baptist, organized 1833. The 
present burgess and council are : C. M. Sar- 
gent, burgess; W. B. Sheldon, E. M. Hall, J. 
H. McCray, J. W. Greenfield, E. E. Eighmy 
and L. C. Graves. 

TOWNVILLE. 

Noah Town founded this village in 1824. 
It was incorporated a borough in 1867 ; ^• 
R. King was first burgess ; Horace C. Rounds, 
Horace Shontz, Salmon Philips, Byron Smith 
and John Hawthorn, council. The Baptist 
church was organized in 1836; the Metho- 
dist in 1845; Calvary church (Episcopal) 
was organized in 1867; there was formerly a 
Congregational church in the village. The 
present burgess and council are ; F. T. Radle, 
burgess; John Kingsley and J. W. Zents, 
council. 



114 CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 

VALLONIA. Bousson. Fauncetown. OL'K SPRINGS. 

Located on French creek, directly opposite Brown Hill. Frenchtown. 

Meadville, it was laid out by F. W. Huide- Calvin's Corners. Gelirton. The Remarkable Mineral Springs of 

koper in 1866, and incorporated as a borough Cambridgeboro. Geneva. Crawford County. 

in 1868. T. J. Colwood was the first bur- Centre Road Station. Glyndon. 

gess. In 1880 it had a population of 528; it Centreville. Gresham. (by j. H. Montgomery, A. M.) 

owes its growth to the railroad shops of Mead- < hapinville. Guy's Mills I have frequently heard old residents relate 

ville. In 1881 St. Andrew's chapel (Episco- Cochranton. Harmonsburg. why certain families settled in particular parts 

pal), was erected and is maintained as a mis- Conneautville. Hartstown. of the country, and the reason given was the 

sion by Christ church, Meadville. The pres Coon's Corners. Hayheld locality of a spring of pure water. It is very 

ent burgess and council are : Patrick Flynn, Crossingville. Hickernell. natural that a man searching in a wilderness 

burgess; James Armstrong, John Slavin and Custard's. Hydetown. of forest for a place to build a cabin would 

Stephen Bradley council Deckard. Kerrtown. select a site as near to the best spring of water 

Dicksonburg. Lincolnville. as circumstances would permit, and if land 

VENANGOBORO. Drake's Mills. LintsvilU. equal to any in the country were found near 

The first settlement on the site of this bor- East Titusville. Little Cooley. the spring, he would choose to begin his fron- 

ough was made in 1797, by Philip Straw. It Espyville. Long's Stand. tier life near living water, 

was incorporated in 1852. Its first officers Evansburg. Lyona. Crawford county has as much, as pure, and 

were : Isaac Peifter, burgess ; as palatable water as any county 

Jacob Kepler, John Kleckner, , ,-B^?^^^^^^Sa^ '" '^^ Union. Its springs are 

Anthony W. Mumford and M^^fi^^'-S^^i^ ^^,^ numbered by thousands. Many 

Charles P. Penayer, council. In ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^ i^^^^^^^^ °^ "^^'" '"^ '^rge, and there 

1880 it contained a population .fl^^^^^r^^*^" ^^'^^Mb- ^^^ ''"' ^^^ °^ them which are 

of 347. The oldest religious 1^^^^^ ^^^^ not, or were not, comparatively 

congregation is the Zion Evan- W^^p. ^ pure. Some of these springs flow 

gelical Lutheran, General Coun- iW^ 8 enough water to turn machinery, 

oil, organized in 1816; the 8^^ ^jtrsiir--- ^^^- fi while others, coming from hill 

Methodist was organized i n . lC*^P ;^tf^^^R g^P'P "y sides, though small and hum- 

1842, and the Evangelical Luth- \\Wi "^^^'"^ ble, are as cool as winter. The 

eran, General Synod in 1875. \ v ^ water supply of any country has 

The present burgess and coun- ^^^ :^K^*" ' more to do with the prosperity, 

oil are: Frank Skelton, burgess ; *W ''^i ^ - contentment and happiness of 

R. J. Shearer and R. B. Parks, ^ ^IS^i'S^ ^^'^J*- the citizens than almost any 

council. ^^^$^ - .^l^^fe^ .k. other feature. 

VOTE OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. ^^^ ^ffi ^^^^t, _ M. ^^"^^ ^^^ ""^"^^ throughout 

„, . ^ , . ^  I- - ^^^^^ ^^^^m "5^^^^^ ^^ -^ <""■ borders are found springs 

The total vote cast in Craw- ''^'' ^^^ twSmh. ~^^^ iK^S'-s^ ^ i.- ,. . r & 

f J . r n -J .- OP WB \m«m&^ * J?^^^^ " which have been known as min- 

ford county for President in 1 084 it^S nl^m&s,t^ ^^^#Vi«S.^ ^^t^ -^ 1 

6q f 11 ''^^ '''''pMtoS^^^^*"^^^^^^?^ ^: ^^^^^^^ eral waters, and some of these 

Blaine (Republican) 7,233 ll^x»^^ ! ^^K W^^x^^ ^^^^t" ^""^^'i^e ^qualit'ies."''' Bu" 

Cleveland (Democrat)... 5,633 WW^\^ \ ^ »; / the satisfied, healthy, contented 

Butler (Greenback) 1,185 \'^ i^. \ ^^x ^ / citizens of Crawford did not real- 

St. John (Prohibitionist) . . 644 V \ / ...- ^"^ , f ize that there were other locali- 

The total vote cast in Craw- ^^ V ' ^^^ I '^^^ "°' ^° abundantly blessed by 

ford county for Governor in ^^'---^^^ tf** nature ; and, while they did not 

1886 was 13,096, as follows: ^^^^^V.?*' i>'^^ need the curing virtue of these 

Beaver (Republican) 6,404 '^} " .springs, they forgot to call their 

Black (Democrat) 5,337 ^ neighbors to be healed by the 

Wolfe (Prohibitionist),. .. 1,103 ARTHUR L. BATES. medicine which they allowed to 

Houston (Labor) 252 run into the gulfs. It is only 

The total vote in Crawford county for AleadvilU. Sugar Lake. within a few years that much attention has 

State Treasurer in 1887 was 13,917, as fol- Millers Station. Tamarac. been paid to these springs, but the work has 

lows : Mosiertown. Taylor's Stand. begun with so much vigor, and so much suc- 

Hart (Republican) 7,218 New Richmond. Teepleville. cess has attended the efforts of those who are 

McGraw (Democrat) 5.751 Norrisville. Titusville. trying to introduce Crawford county mineral 

Kennedy (Labor) 29S Penn Line. Townville. water into our large cities, that we may expect 

Irish (Prohibition) 650 Pettis. Troy Centre. soon to class this as one of our great industries. 

« » -» Pinney's Corners. Tyronville. While water is not the only mineral which 

OUR POSTOFFICES. Randolph. Turnersville. our county can boast of, it is the one which is 

Riceville. Vallonia. most talked of and most worked to-day. The 

The Postoffices in Crawford County, Rundel's. Venango. water of any spring in this county will be 

May II, 1888. Sagertown. Vrooman. found by analysis to contain certain minerals 

Shaw's Landing. Watson Run. which are almost sure to be present in consid 

[Those printed in italics are money order Shirley. Wayland. erable quantity. These substances are lime, 

offices.] Spartansburg. Westford. magnesia, silica, salt, etc., and while only the 

Adamsville. Black Ash. Springboro. " West Greenwood. fraction of a grain of any one of them is found 

Atlantic. Bloomfield. Steamburg. Wilson's Mills. in each gallon, together they often make sev- 

Beaver Centre. Blooming Valley. Stony Point. Woodcock. eral grains. Some of these minerals, as lime, 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



115 



are necessary to good health and proper 
nourishment, while others do no harm, but 
no particular good, and they also render wa- 
ter palatable and pleasant to the taste. Pure 
water is almost as difficult to drink as any 
other tasteless insipid liquid. 

Now, though these minerals are present in 
all natural waters in the county, they do not 
make every spring a mineral spring. The 
mineral must be in much greater quantity or 
of a different kind to enable us to classify a 
spring as a mineral spring. The definition of 
a mineral sprmg given by most writers on this 
subject makes curative properties one of the 
necessary requirements ; but in the light of 
what is now known about the origin of dis- 
ease these springs may have quite the opposite 
effect. Any spring carrying in solution more 
mineral matler than is ordi- 
narily found in fresh water, 
or one containing salts of 
rare metals or some unusual 
combinations of ordinary 
elements may be termed a 
mineral spring. The princi- 
pal mineral in springs of this 
county is iron, and rather the 
large majority of mineral 
springs are those which con- 
tain solutions of iron com- 
pounds. As the iron is held 
in solution by the presence 
of carbonic acid gas, these 
waters usually discharge the 
iron as a precipitate shortly 
after leaving the ground, or 
as soon as the gas escapes. 
There are, however, a few 
which have salts of iron that 
are soluble in water, and 
these retain the iron indefi- 
nitely. One of these springs, 
situated about twelve miles 
east of Meadville, escapes in 
a large stream from the top 
of a hill, is as clear and 
bright as air, but it precipi- 
tates large quantities of iron 
oxide within fifty feet of its 
source. So much iron has 
been deposited by these waters that many 
tons of the oxide have been hauled away to 
smelting furnaces, and a large quantity still 
remains. 

To enumerate the springs would be un- 
profitable, yet certain localities may be men- 
tioned as being centers of chalybeate waters. 
The entire valley of French creek through 
Crawford county has iron springs of more or 
less value as ferruginous water. Some of 
these are to be condemned, however, on ac- 
count of the organic matter which they con- 
tain. 

Another class of springs common in this 
county is salt. These were known to the 
early inhabitants as "deer licks." They are 
scattered throughout the entire county and 
are usually but feebly saline. There has 



been but a limited number of these ana- 
lyzed, and it is not possible to tell or predict 
the value of their waters. In drilling for 
oil and gas many wells of salt have been 
found which carry large quantities of mineral. 
One lately finished is twenty-six hundred feet 
below the surface, or over fifteen hundred 
feet below sea level. It yields a salt water 
which contains large amounts of chlorides of 
calcium, sodium, magnesian, &c., also iodine 
and bromin. The chloride of lime makes it 
unfit for salt manufacture and the large 
amount of mineral makes it useless as a 
medicinal water except for baths. Othei 
wells, which yield oil and salt water, are be- 
ing utilized in the manufacture of salt for 
farm use as for stock and fertilizer. 

The rare spring m this country is the 



KNIUHTS OF LABOR. 




HON. S. NEWTON PETTIS. 

alkaline spring. Crawford county has its 
share of this kind of water, and no doubt 
many springs of this character, of more 
or less importance, will be found in the 
future. 

Kxaminations of waters from several parts 
of our county have proven that sulphur 
springs are to be used in the near future for 
medical purposes. 

We have neither space nor disposition to 
enter into details on this subject, but enough 
has been said to call the attention of our 
citizens to the facts which have been so long 
neglected. With such climatic advantages, 
such beautiful scenery, such pure water, such 
mineral water, and a little push and energy, 
Crawford county may have thousands of 
visitors every summer. 



A Sketch of the Organization in Craw- 
ford County. 

Of the early history of this order in our 
county very little at this time can be obtained 
by your correspondent, and as each local as- 
sembly has complete control of its own af- 
fairs, the same as a business firm, I am un- 
able to give more than a passing notice. 

Local Assembly, No. 2261 was founded in 
the city of Meadville, September 30, 1882, 
and chartered by the general assembly, Octo- 
ber 5th 1882. The charter bears the names 
of some of our best and most competent 
workingment. After a struggle for life amid 
adverse circumstances this assembly lapsed 
about a year from the date 
of organization. 

Meadville L. A. No. 6871 
wa» founded April 28, 1886, 
and commenced work about 
the l6th of June. From the 
day of organization until this 
time, every effort for good 
made by this local has been 
successful. There has been 
no grand rush, as we learn 
of in other parts of the coun- 
try, but a regular continuous 
growth, and prosperous out- 
come of all ventures. 

Keystone L. A., No. 9815, 
was organized in the city of 
Meadville, March 14. 1887. 
This local has grown in 
numbers, perhaps not as fast 
as the senior assembly, but 
with regularity. Since its 
organization it has moved 
jointly with No. 6871, and 
has partaken of the same 
prosperity. 

French Creek L. A., No. 
10941, was organized in the 
city of Meadville, Septem- 
ber 30th 1887. At the time 
of organization this local had 
a larger roll than any of its 
predecessors, and has had one continued line 
of prosperity. It has been the means of 
adding greatly to the prosperity of the other 
assemblies. 

Meadville Preceptory, L. A., No. 300, dates 
its existence from near the time of the build- 
ing of the Meadville Glass Works. This 
organization works entirely under the direc- 
tion of L. A. 300, and the membership is 
confined to glassworkers. Although confined 
to one trade, they work jointly with and take 
a deep interest in the welfare of the whole 
order. 

Ladies' Enterprise, L. A., No. was 

organized in this city, April 24, 1888. It is 
composed of a large number of ladies, who 
are enthusiastic in the good work they have 
undertaken. 



ii6 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



These organizations, located in the city of townville. were also procured and the first fire depart- 

Meadville, all occupy the same meeting place, Central, L. A., No. 10734, Townville, was ment of Meadville was set on foot, but not 

with reading rooms and other accommoda- organized September 10, 1887. We learn through regularly organized companies. When 

tions attached, and having and exercising from this assembly that they have had a a fire broke out everybody turr.ed out and 

common right to the property for use, the peaceful and safe journey so far, and a gradual lent a helping hand. Some fell into line with 



whole being managed by a joint executive increase in membership. 



board. 



SPRINGBORO. 



Springboro, L. A., No. 6534, was organized 
April 23, 1886. This local has been one 
of the most earnest, and has for a reward at- 
tained permanency, and still continues an up- 
ward course. 

TITUSVII.LE. 



Local assemblies of ihe order can and do, 
in many instances, work for a time in secret,' 
thus avoiding discussions and opposition, 
much of which at times will arise without 
reason or foundation, and to a new organiza- 
tion may prove detrimental ; therefore, your 



the bucket brigade and some turned the 
cranks of the engines. From the peculiar 
mode of working these engines they were 
nicknamed '-the coffee grinders." Officially 
they were known as the " Diligent" and the 
"Vigilant." 

The first regular fire company was organ- 



Titusville, L. A., No. 6921, organized April good work may go on, and our county at 
30, 1886, is the largest in numbers in this j^rge be the gainer in the end. 
county, and the only one in the county regu 



correspondent, not having obtained special i^ed in August, 1838, after a petition signed 
permission to give further information, will by a large number of taxable inhabitants had 
conclude this sketch with the hope that the been presented to the town council requesting 

the levy of a special tax for the aid of a fire 



larly incorporated under the laws of the 
state. This local owns its own buildings, and 
is prosecuting the work of the order earnestly. 
Coopers' Union, L. A., No. 8128, was 
organized in the city of Titusville, July 6, 
1886, and was originally composed of mem- 
bers of the Coopers' Union. They, as a 
union, disbanded and became an assembly of 



FIRE LADDIES. 



History of Oyr Fire Department, 
From Its Organization to the 
Present Time. 



company. The following named persons 
were found to be the organizers of the first 
fire company of Meadville : 

David Dick, William Bemus, J. P. Coch- 
ran, Horace CuUum, S. A. Torbet, Simon ?. 
Snyder, W. M. Logan, J. B. Hunter, John 
Carr, W. H. Davis, Richard Patch, Edward 
Stebbins, Cyrus Townsend, George Davis, Jr. , 
Joseph Finney, W. W. Hope, J. H. Lewis, 



(BY C. M. BOUSH.) 

Bv some of our oldest citizens living we George Ramsdale, Joseph Morrison, Jr., H. 
the order. This assembly deserves well, for ^^g j^j^j (j,^f ;„ ti,g g^rly days of Meadville L. Richmond, Samuel Andrews, A. F. Stew- 
in prosecuting the work of the order it has every able bodied male inhabitant of the town art, W. Davis, Jr., James Douglass, William 
no superior. Members are seldom out of ^^g ^ fireman. The alarm being sounded, Gill, Jr., Samuel Quail, Daniel O. Staftbrd, 
employment, and when they are, the ma- ^11 rushed for their buckets and ran to the William Davis, John Dick, Joseph Vickers, 
chinery is immediately put in motion to (j^g_ Those who could afford it had leather Peter Jones, K. Davis, S. N. Callender, O. 
obtain it. It never fails, and there is nothing buckets made for the purpose. At the fire a Hastings, A. M. Grimes, C. P. Cochran, 
that will give more impetus to an assembly' self-constituted chief formed the people in two This company was named "The Meadville 
than this work. lines, and the buckets were passed from hand Fire Company." They adopted a constitu- 

SPARTANSBURG. to hand from the water supply to the foot of tion and by-laws which were presented to the 

Spartansburg, L. A., No. 8756, was organ- the ladder and up to the daring man who town council, approved by it, and are found 
ized September 24, 1886. This assembly has faced the heat and threw the water upon the on the town records in book No. I, page 
advanced steadily sinde organization, and \i devouring element. Then he dropped the 250. 

always on time. empty buckets, which were caught by stout In 1S39 a large hand engine with suction 

Harvest, L. A., No. 9324, was organized arms below, and, from hand to hand, went attachment was purchased from W. Piatt & 
December 25, 1886, at Lincolnville, and back to the water supply to be refilled. The Co,, Waterford, N. Y., for the sum of $1,- 
afterwards permission was obtained to change work of throwing the water on the fire with 080.45, which was placed in charge of this 
location to Riceville. The assembly received buckets was soon found to be exceedingly first fire company. The same year an engine 
a backset before changing location, but since hazardous and difficult. A public meeting house (the first regular engine house in Mead- 
that time has steadily advanced. It seems was held and the people prepared a petition ville) was built on the southeast corner of the 
that this assembly had a harder fight to main- to the town council requesting them to pro- Academy lot on Centre street. A special tax 

vide machinery for that purpose; in pur- (called the engine fund), was levied for sev- 
suance whereof, the town council passed, on eral years to pay for this engine. In 1842 a 
the 9th day of May, 1829, the following reso- suitable reel for hose to the new engine was 
lution : obtained. There was also at that time anoth- 

Resolved, That it be expedient, and it is er fire company called "The Apprentices' 
hereby ordained, that one or more fire engines Vigilant Fire Company," which had the old 
be procured at the expense of the borough, small crank engines in charge. At some of 
and that John Dick and David Derickson be the fires that occurred about that time the two 
No. 10317, Hayfield, a committee to carry this resolution into ef- companies got into little skirmishes, in conse- 



tain true temperance and sobriety than others, 
but being right, they have attained victory. 
HYDETOWN. 
Hydetown, L. A., No. 9616, organized 
February 10, 1887, has steadily advanced in 
membership, and is living a complacent life. 
HAYFIELD. 
Old Honesty, L. A., 



was organized June 4, 1887, and is the most feet; and that said committee be authorized quence whereof, in February, 1844, the town 
enterprising and enthusiastic assembly for its and instructed to contract with some mechan- council appointed General John Dick as chief 
membership and location in the county. No jc of the borough to make such a number of engineer and Colonel Samuel Quail as assist- 



efTort is spared in carrying on the work. A 
gradual increase in membership, and final co- 
operation, will win for Old Honesty deserv- 
ing prosperity. 

CONNEAUT. 



ladders and hooks, and of such quality and tant of both lire companies during their action 

dimension as they may deem prudent at fires. 

Two small hand engines were procured. On January I ith, 1847, a public meeting of 

They were operated by four or five men work- citizens of Meadville passed resolutions re- 

ing at a crank on each side. They had no questing the town council to purchase another 



Conneaut Lake, L. A., No. 10431, was suction attachment and the water had to be large engine for additional protection against 

organized June 28, 1887. This assembly poured into them. The machinery simply fire. At the same meeting some of the less 

has been prosperous, and is growing fast, forced the water ont and threw it upon the progressive element proposed to re-establish 

The work of education was begun in earnest, fire. The bucket brigade had still to furnish the old bucket brigade, and requested council 

and nothing now can prevent success. the supply. A few ladders and some hooks to enact a law for each property owner to 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



117 



furnish two leather buckets for use at fires. 
This request was tabled by the couticil, and a 
new. engine was purchased of L. Button & 
Co., Watertown, N. Y., which was given in 
charge of a company organized by J. J. Doug- 
lass, C. W. Burton and others, called the 
" Rough and Ready Fire Engine Company." 
Wilmot Bartle, Esq., was the first captain of 
this company. The same year, 1847, the town 
council resolved to purchase 250 feet of hose 
and a hose reel, and to build an engine house 
for said company. The engine house was not 
built till 1850. It was built on Mulberry alley, 
on the lot fronting on Chestnut street now oc 
cupied by H. Pierson as a meat market. In 
1847 the town council also required the fire 
companies to elect a chief engineer and two 
assistant engineers, form a fire association, 
and adopt fire regulations subject to the 
approval of the council. This was, however, 
not done till in March, 1849 The first set of 
rules and regulations for the Meadville fire 
department are found in the town records, 
book II, u.ider date of March loth, 1849. 
Wilmot Bartle was elected chief engineer. His 
uniform consisted of a long tail frock coat 
made of scarlet-red woolen cloth, with two 
rows of large brass buttons, and a half-high 
block hat made of leather, painted scarlet- 
red, with a plate in front on which his title, 
"Chief Engineer," was displayed. The old 
Meadville Fire Engine Company changed its 
name to "The Cussewago Fire Engine Com- 
pany," in 1847, when the Rough and Ready 
Fire Engine Company was formed. 

In 1850 another new engine was purchased 
from L. Button & Co., Watertown, N. Y., 
named Cussewago No 2, and was given in 
charge of Cussewago Fire Engine Company 
No. I. J. D. Gill, Esq., was captain of the 
company at the time. This company was at 
the same time equipped with new hose and 
reel. 

In August 1858, a new company was or- 
ganized, named the Eagle Fire Company, No. 
3, and the old Cussewago engine, the first 
suction engine bought by the council in 1839, 
given into their charge. In 1861, the Cusse- 
wago Company ceased to exist, and the Cus- 
sewago engine No. 2 and all the apparatus 
thereto belonging was given in charge of 
Eagle Company No. 3, which, however, soon 
adopted the name of Cussewago Fire Engine 
Company No. i. C. M. Boush, Esq., organ- 
ized this company, and was captain of it 
eleven years. This company was kept up 
continually for eighteen years, at a member- 
ship of 80 to 90 able bodied men, and was 
the only company ready for service at the big 
fire in November 1865, which destroyed eight 
store rooms on the west side of Water street, 
from Dock street south to a private alley. 
This fire seemed to be a warning to our town 
fathers, and convinced them of the fact that 
the town needed some power to furnish pro- 
tection against destruction by fire, of more 
endurance than human muscle. At once the 
council resolved, upon a motion presented by 



John Porter, then a member of the council, 
to purchase a steam fire engine and to pro- 
cure a thorough re-organization of the fire de- 
partment. 

In a few months after that the town had an 
efficient well organized fire department. J. D. 
Gill, Esq., was appointed chief engifieer and 
James Hazlet and P. A. Affantranger assis- 
tants. The department was equipped with a 
new first class rotary steam engine, and with it 
were connected two hose companies, Taylor 
Hose No. I, and Hope Hose No. 2. A thou- 
sand feet of new hose were procured. Also a 
hook and ladder company was organized and 
fully equipped with the necessary apparatus. 
Hand engine company, Cussewago No i,was 
in excellent condition, and had a hose com- 
pany connected with it. 

The Rough and Ready hand engine com- 
pany No. 2, was reorganized and fully equip- 
ped in connection with a hose company at- 
tached thereto. Also a volunteer fire police 
of 40 men was organized, which was an 
original idea, first realized in this town, and 
afterwards adopted by numerous towns all 
over the United States. From that time on 
to this date Meadville holds the reputation of 
having the best volunteer fire department 
within a hundred miles. 

The A. & G. W. R. R. company also had a 
hand fire engine which they kept near their 
depot and shops, and it was worked by their 
employes. In 1 871 the Torrent Fire Engine 
Company was organized, and the railroad 
company gave their hand engine in charge of 
said company. An engine house was built 
for this company on State street, and the 
company were equipped with the necessary 
hose and reel. New engine houses were built 
of brick for all the machinery and apparatus, 
except the Taylor hose, which was housed by 
the railroad company near the depot. The 
apparatus of the Hook and Ladder, Hope 
hose, and the Fire Police, and also the 
steamer, were placed on the first floor of the 
city building. For the Cussewago,No. i, a brick 
house was built on Center street, and for the 
Rough and Ready, No. 2, a brick house was 
built on Market street. 

In 1867-68 a number of cisterns were con- 
structed throughout the town to furnish the 
water supply for the fire engines, but this sup- 
ply proved to be inefficient. In some instances 
the cisterns were entirely worthless, and the 
question of water supply was much agitated, 
until in 1875 the Meadville Water Company 
was organized, which entered into a contract 
with the city authorities to construct water 
works and to supply the city with water for 
fire purposes by hydrants and fire plugs. The 
water works proved a success, so far as a pro- 
per supply for fire purposes was concerned. 
All the pressure needed to throw the water 
upon the highest building in the city is ob- 
tained at the fire plugs and no engine is needed 
within the city limits to force the water 
through the hose. 

In December 1875, the hand engines were 



set aside and afterwards sold, and the com- 
panies formed into hose companies. Two 
new hose companies were also formed, so that 
the fire department then consisted of Steamer 
J. D. Gill, No. I. Keystone Hook and Lad- 
der Co., No. I. Taylor Hose Co., near depot. 
No. I. Hope Hose Co., Fourth ward. No. 2. 
Cussewago Hose Co., First ward. No. 3. 
Empire Hose Co., Fourth ward, No. 4. S. B. 
Dick Hose Co., Second ward No. 5. M. P. 
Davis Hose Co., Third ward. No. 6. Inde- 
pendent Fire Police Co., No. i. Delamater 
Coffee Engine Co., No. I . 

From that time the fire department of Mead- 
ville remained in excellent condition and went 
on in a regular way with only the usual varia- 
tions of an occasional fire, which at no time 
had a chance to get much headway in Mead- 
ville. 

The annual fire parades and inspections 
were regular gala days for Meadville, and af- 
forded much amusement for the firemen and 
the citizens generally. In olden times, prior 
to 1 860, the fire companies generally had their 
parades on the fourth of July, sometimes in 
connection with other organizations or a gen- 
eral citizens' march through town, which was 
followed by a dinner or banquet in some grove, 
and general athletic sports. After the organ- 
ization of the fire department in 1865, they 
had their public parades in connection with 
the annual inspection of the department by 
the mayor and city council, on which occa- 
sions fire companies from abroad took part in 
the parade. Some of these parades were 
magnificent affairs, consisting of 800 to 1,000 
men in line, with their apparatus richly deco- 
rated with flowers by the ladies of the town. 
The parades were generally followed by a 
grand banquet, prepared by the citizens and 
served by the ladies, and a ball in the even- 
ing. 

ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Following is a complete list of the chief 
engineers of the Fire Department and their 
assistants, from its organization up to the pres- 
ent time : 
1844 — General John Dick, chief; Colonel 

Samuel Quail, first assistant. 
1849 — Wilmot Bartle, chief; Hiram Bets, 

first assistant. 
1866 — J. D. Gill, chief; first assistant, James 

Hazlet; second assistant, P. A. Affantran- 
ger. 
1868— L. H. Sherwood, chief; first assistant, 

James Hazlet ; second assistant, P. A. Af- 
fantranger. 
1869— J. D. Gill, chief; James Hazlet, first 

assistant; P. A. Affantranger, second as 

sistant. 
1872 — M. P. Davis, chief; James Hazlet, first 

assistant; J. M. Clark, second assistant. 
1873 — John M. Clark, chief; George Sidler, 

first assistant. 
1874— John M. Clark, chief; W. H. Rose, hrst 

assistant ; T. J. Doyle, second assistant. 
1875 -John M. Clark, chief; W. H. Rose, 

first assistant ; T. J. Doyle, second assistant. 



Ii8 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



1876— H. L. Richmond, Jr., chief; L. B. 
Michel, Krst assistant; Joseph Mason, sec- 
ond assistant. 
1877— H. L. Richmond, Jr., chief; W. R. 
Bennett, first assistant ; John C.Anderson, 
second assistant. 
1878 — H. L. Richmond, Jr., chief; James 
McLaughlin, first assistant ; Frank A. Strif- 
fler, second assistant. 
1879 — William A. Logan, chief; James Mc- 
Laughlin, first assistant ; Frank A. Striffler, 
second assistant. 
1880 — William A. Logan, chief; James Mc- 
Laughlin, first assistant ; Frank A. Striffler, 
second assistant. 
1881— FrankA. Striffler, chief; Louis Day, 
first assistant ; John A. Barker, second as- 
sistant. 
1882— John M.Clark, chief; William Brown, 
first assi-stant ; George Sidler, second as- 
sistant. 
1883 — John M. Clark, chief; James Roddick, 
first assistant ; G. W. Burnett, second as- 
sistant. 
1884 — Win S. Rose, chief; James Kiernan, 
first assistant ; George H Lark ins, second 
assistant. 
1885 — James W. Curry, chief; Frank C. 
Baker, first assistant ; C. C. McCoy, second 
assistant. 
1886— James W. Curry, chief; E. P. Welsh, 
first assistant; J. J. Foley, second assistant. 
1887 — James W. Curry, chief; J. J. Foley, 
first assistant ; G. V. Dreutlein, second as 
sistant. 
1888— H. S. Phillips, chief; G. V. Dreutlein, 
first assistant ; Andrew Mullrainy, second 
assistant. 

Harry M. Evans is secretary at present. 
CAPTAINS, FOREMEN AND ASSISTANTS. 
General John Dick and Mr. John McFar- 
land were the leaders in the Meadville Fire 
Engine Company No. I from 1839 to 1847. 
In 1847 James D. Gill was elected captain 
and Major D. V. Derickson first lieutenant. 
That year the company adopted the name of 
Cussewago Fire Engine Company No. i. 
About 1852 Major D. V. Derickson was 
elected captain and Thomas Stebbins first 
lieutenant. A year or two after Thomas 
.Stebbins was elected captain, and in 1861 the 
company dissolved. In 186 1 the Eagle Fire 
Engine Confpany No. 3, which was organi/.ed 
in 1858, became to be Cussewago Fire Engine 
Company No. i, and C. M. Boush captain 
and H. Oster, first lieutenant of No. 3 became 
the officers of No. i, and remained until 1869. 
In 1869 Henry Oster was elected foreman 
and Martin Kuppler assistant. 
1873 — Martin Kuppler, foreman ; F. Schad- 

ley, assistant. 
1874 — F. Schadley, foreman ; F. Ridenour, 

assistant. 
1875 — F. Schadley, foreman; Frank Beltz, 

assistant. 
1876 — Frank Beltz, foreman; Nick Hessler, 

assistant. 
1877 — This company adopted the name of J. 



M. Clark Hose Company No. 3, Frank 
Beltz, foreman ; Peter Linen, assistant. 

1878 — Henry Oster, foreman; Balth Kuhn, 
assistant. 

1879 — Henry Oster, foreman; John Bark, as- 
sistant. 

1880 — Henry Oster, foreman; John Bark, as- 
sistant. 

1881 — Henry Oster, foreman; John Bark, as- 
sistant. 

1882 — Peter Oster, Jr., foreman ; Frank Oster, 
assistant. 

1883 - Peter Oster, Jr., foreman; Frank Oster, 

assistant. 

1884 — The company was named J. F. Dor- 
ranee Hose Company No. 4, George 
Dreutlein, foreman ; A. Martin, assistant. 

1S85 — -George Dreutlein, foreman ; A. Martin, 
assistant. 

1 886 — George Dreutlein, foreman; Dell Ferris, 
assistant. 

1887 — Charles Devore, foreman; Michael 
Schrubb, assistant. 
Dissolved November, 1887. 

ROUGH AND READY COMPANY. 

1847- — William Bartle, captain ; H. Cullum, 
1st lieutenant. 

1848 — Wilmot Bartle, captain ; S. B. Derick- 
son, 1st lieutenant. 

1849 — S. B. Derickson, captain; John M. Os" 
burn, 1st lieutenant. 

1850 — S. B. Derickson, captain; J. J. Shry- 
ock, 1st lieutenant. 

1851— S. B. Derickson, captain; J. J. Shry- 
ock, 1st lieutenant. 

18523-4 — Wilmot Bartle, captain; Henry 
Hartman, 1st lieutenant. 

1856 7 — Wilmot Bartle, captain ; James Haz- 
lett, 1st lieutenant. 

1858-62 — James Hazlett, captain ; Henry 
Hartman, 1st lieutenant. No organization 
1863-4-5-6. 

1867 — Edward Pentz, foreman; J. McMul- 
len, 1st assistant. 

1868-9 — Edward Pentz, foreman; Jas. Shar- 
tle, 1st assistant. 

1870 — Edward Cushin, foreman ; George 
Harpsh, ist assistant. 

187 1 — Edward Cushin foreman; Jas. Shar- 
tle, 1st assistant. 

1872 — James Larkins, foreman ; William Mc- 
Fadden, ist assistant. 

1873— Geo. Harpst, foreman; J.D.Sweeney, 
1st assistant. 

1874 — J. D. Sweeney, foreman; John Mat- 
tocks, Ist assistant. 
Title changed to Empire Hose Company 

No. 4. 

1875 — Joseph Masson, foreman; John. Lar- 
kins, assistant. 

1876 — William Eggleston, foreman; William 
Yates, assistant. 

1877 — E. C. Balizet, foreman; I. G. Meyers, 
assistant. 
Title changed to H. L. Richmond Hose 

Company No. 4. 

1878 — E. C. Balizet, foreman ; S. C. Derby, 
assistant. 



1879 — W. C. McFadden, foreman ; Samuel 

.Schissler, assistant. 
1880 — Louis Day, foreman ; Samuel Schissler, 

assistant. 
1881— Henry Dreutlein, foreman; W. Worley, 

assistant. 
1882 — Henry See, foreman; John Hernnka, 

assistant. 
1883 — Henry See, foreman; Martin Bell, as- 
sistant. 
18S4 — Henry See, foreman ; Joseph Stewart, 

assistant. 
1885 — John H. Stine, foreman ; Frank Han- 

nen, assistant. 
18S6 — J. H. Stine, foreman ; John Housnick, 

assistant. 

Dissolved. 

EAGLE FIRE ENGINE COMPANY NO. 3 
Was organized in 1853. C. M. Boush was 
captain and Henry Oster was 1st lieutenant of 
it from the organization of the company to 
1 86 1, when this company was placed in 
charge of Cussewago Fire Engine Company 
No. 2, and the apparatus pertaining thereto, 
and adopted the name of Cussewago Fire En- 
gine Company No. 1. 

TORKENT FIRE ENGINE COMP.\NY NO. 3 
Was organized in 187 1, and was located on 
State street. Second ward. 
1871 — George Roland, foreman; Geo. Sidler, 

1st assistant, 
1872 — George Roland, foreman ; J. N. McCoy, 

1st assistant. 
1873 — George Sidler, foreman ; T. B. Stew. 

art, 1st assistant. 
1874 — Henry Stewart, foreman; Norman 

Ellsworth, 1st assistant. 
1875 — Norman Ellsworth, foreman; R. B. 

Kightlinger, 1st assistant. 

Dissolved with the close of 1875. 
KEYSTONE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. I 
Was organized in 1865. 
1865-6 — Thomas A. Stebbins, foreman; Thos. 

McFarland, Ist assistant. 
1867 — Thomas R. Cowell, foreman ; George 

Carr, 1st assistant. 
1868— Thomas R. Cowell, foreman; M. P. 

Davis, 1st assistant. 
1869 — Thomas R. Cowell, foreman; M. P. 

Davis, 1st assistant. 
1870 — M. P. Uavis, foreman; J. W. Curry, 

1st assistant 
1871 — J. W. Curry, foreman; T. J. Doyle, 

1st assistant. 
1872 — T. J. Doyle, foreman ; Chas. Blystone, 

Ist assistant. 
1873 — L. L. Lord, foreman ; John A. Carr, 

1st assistant. 
1874 — John A. Carr, foreman ; Frank Curry, 

1st assistant. 
1875 — James McLaughlin, foreman; Charles 

Blystone, ist assistant. 
1876 — James McLaughlin, foreman ; G. W. 

Burnett, 1st assistant. 
1877 — James McLaughlin, foreman; G. W. 

Burnett, (st assistant. 
1878 — G. W. Burnett, foreman; Frank Por- 
ter, 1st assistant. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



119 



1879 — A. P. Reisinger, foreman; John Mar- 
tin, 1st assistant. 

1880 — Sim Green, foreman ; J. A. Barker, 1st 
assistant. 

1881 — Sim Green, foreman; Joseph Martin, 
1st assistant. 

1882 — John Miles, foreman; G. W. Burnett, 
1st assistant. 

1883 — F. A. Miles, foreman; U. Ferris, 1st 
assistant. 

1884 — Edward Welsh, foreman; Mat Clark, 
1st assistant. 

1885— Ed. Welsh, foreman; C. Shell, ist as- 
sistant. 

1886 — C. Shell, foreman ; A. J Zimmer, 1st 
assistant. 

1887 — P. J. Moffit and James Kearnan, fore- 
men ; F. L. Seaman and Arthur Brown, 
1st assistants. 

1888 — F. L. Seaman, foreman; Chas. Frobie, 
1st assistant. 

TAYLOR HOSE COMPANY NO. I 

Was organized December 23, 1865. 

1866— G. H. Hepburn, foreman ; H. H. Met- 
calf, 1st assistant. These officers served 
for several years. The company was re-or- 
ganized in 

1872— W. H. Rose, foreman ; W. H. Her- 
bert, 1st assistant. 

1873 — W. H. Rose, foreman; A. McLarren, 
1st assistant. 

1874 — F. Braymer, foreman ; M. C. Kauf- 
man, 1st assistant. ' 

1875-6 — J. C. Anderson, foreman; Anson 
Beatty, ist assistant. 

1877-8 — Henry See, foreman; W. F. Meadows, 
1st assistant. 

1879 — William Welsh, foreman ; W. B. Steele, 
1st assistant. 

1880 — William Welsh, foreman; Fred Boyer- 
smith, 1st assistant. 

1 88 1 — Henry See, foreman ; Fred Boyer 
smith, 1st assistant. 

1882 — Wesley E. Michels, foreman; Edward 
Welsh, 1st assistant. 

1883 — Oscar Hartman, foreman; H. Boyer 
smith, 1st assistant. 

1884 — Oscar Hartman, foreman; Geo. Lar- 
kins, 1st assistant. 

1885 — Oscar Hartman, foreman; J. Foley, 
1st assistant. 

1886 — George Larkins, foreman; John Co- 
burn, Ist assistant. 

1887 — John Coburn and Patrick Shehan, fore- 
men ; A. Mulrainey, ist assistant. 

1888 — Ed. Eiler, foreman ; George Schreiber, 
1st assistant. 

John Farnicorn is secretary at present. 
HOPE HOSE COMPANY NO. 2 

Was organized February 19, 1866. 

1866 — William Babington, foreman; D. G. 
Shryock, 1st assistant. 

1867 — William Babington, foreman; G. L. 
Mahoney, 1st assistant. 

1868 — G. L. Mahoney, foreman ; James E. 
McFarland, jr., Ist assistant. 

1870-1 — James E. McFarland, foreman; Mal- 
colm McFarland, Ist assistant. 



1872 — M. L. Bauslough, foreman ; W. R. Gill, 

1st assistant. 
1873 4 5— W. R. Gill, foreman ; W. A. Logan, 

1st assistant. 
1876— W. R. Gill, foreman; J. S. Breken- 

ridge, ist assistant. 
1877 — Otto Kohler, foreman; James Kline, 

1st assistant. 
1878 — Charles Colt, foreman; J. G. Linde- 

man,lst assistant. 
1879 — W. A. Logan, foreman ; Otto Kohler, 

1st assistant. 
1S80 — Otto Kohler, foreman; James Cum- 

mings, 1st assistant. 
1881 2 — Otto Kohler, foreman ; Chas. Cham- 
berlain, Ist assistant. 



foreman ; F. C. Ba- 
foreman ; J. Elmer 
E. C. Seavy, 



1883-4— W. H. Gaskil 

ker, 1st assistant. 
1885— W. H. Gaskil 

Pratt, Ist assistant. 
1886— F. C. Baker, foreman 

1st assistant. 
1887-^H. S. Phillips, foreman ; F. S. Prenatt, 

1st assistant. 
1888— H. S. Phillips, foreman; F. C. Baker, 

There are 44 men in active service. E. S. 
Knapp is secretary at present. 

S. B. DICK HOSE COMPANY NO. 5 
Was organized December 5, 1875, and was 
located on State street, Second ward. 
1876 — W. R. Bennett, foreman ; John B. 

Brawley, Ist assistant. 
1877 — R. B. Kightlinger, foreman; Daniel 

Steffon, 1st assistant. 
1S78— W. S. Wright, foreman; L.W.Phil 

lips, 1st assistant. 
1879 — W. H. Brown, foreman; John Onslow, 

1st assistant. 
1880 — W. A. Brown, foreman ; John Reitze, 

Ist assistant. 
1881 — H. A. Sidler, foreman ; John Reitze, 

1st assistant. 
1882 — Win. S. Rose, foreman ; W. E. Jones, 

1st assistant. 
1883 — W. A. Boyles, foreman ; Frank Schats, 

Ist assistant. 
1884 — W. M. Hines, foreman; W. E. Jones, 

1st assistant. 
1885 — W. A. Boyles, foreman ; O. A. Oakes, 

1st assistant. 
1886— O. A. Oakes, foreman ; H. E. Dick- 
son, 1st assistant. 
1887 — H. C. Mechtersheimer, foreman ; H. 

E. Dickson, 1st assistant. 
1888— H. E. Dickson, foreman; A. W. Mor- 
rison, 1st assistant 

J. Remler is secretary at present. 

M. P. DAVIS HOSE COMPANY NO. 6 
Was organized in December, 1875. 
18767 — James W. Curry, foreman; W.C.Mc- 

Fadden, ist assistant. 
1878-9 — James W. Curry, foreman ; Frank 

Striffler, ist assistant. 
1880 — James W. Curry, foreman; Charles 

Wahl, 1st assistant. 
1881 — James W. Curry, foreman; Henry 

Keim, ist assistant. 



1882 — Charles Wahl, foreman ; Adam Wer' 

ley, 1st assistant. 
1883 — Adam Werley, foreman ; Daniel Nash, 

1st assistant. 
1 884 — Adam Werley, foreman ; Peter 

Kebort, 1st assistant. 
1885 — Adam Werley, foreman ; A. J. Deutsch, 

1st assistant. 
1886 — A. J. Deutsch, foreman; Chas. Schiel, 

1st assistant. 

1887 — Joseph Deutsch, foreman; Frank 
Guenther, Ist assistant. 

1888 — John Schadley, foreman ; Jacob Mar- 

hoefer, 1st assistant. 

OUK COFFEE COMPANY. 

This company was organized in the fall of 
1874 with F. M. Braymer captain, and Joseph 
Allen, lieutenant. The company received 
their apparatus in the spring, 1875. Hon. 
G. B. Delamater was the largest contributor 
to work, procuring the apparatus and the com- 
pany was named " G. B. Delamater Coffee 
Company." Its object is to furnish to the 
firemen hot coffee to drink while actively en- 
gaged in the service. The members were 
generally young men from 16 to 20 years of 
age and from this company the ranks of the 
Hose companies were generally filled up, 
especially Taylor Hose No. i and Hope Hose 
No. 2. In September, 1883, the members of 
the Coffee company took a hold of the ap- 
paratus of Taylor Hose Co. No. i, and re- 
organized that company and younger men 
stepped in and re-organized the Coflee com- 
pany under the name of '■ Our Coffee Com 
pany." Its officers were : 
1884 — E. T. Lashells, captain ; Harry Morris, 

lieutenant. 
1885 — Daniel Fowler, captain; William Mil 

ler, lieutenant. 
1886 — Frank Weber, captain; Julius Reefer, 

lieutenant. 
1S87 — Frank Weber, captain; N. C. Mc 

Laughlin, lieutenant. 

1888 — Harry M. Evans, captain ; Arthur H 
Smith, lieutenant. 

The company is now named Henry C, 
Johnson Coffee Company No. i, and occupies 
the engine house in the first ward on Centre 
street. Harry E. Brown is secretary at pre- 
sent. 

THE INDEPENDENT FIRE POLICE 

was organized in December, 1865. Mr. Wil- 
liam Gill was the first captain. He acted in 
that capacity for several years. F. B. Porter 
was his successor. 
1874 — C.T.Shaw, captain; G. W. Adams, 

1st lieutenant. 
1875 — G. W. Adams, captain; Charles Bly- 

stone, 1st lieutenant. 
1876 — Cyrus Harper, captain ; D. R. Coder, 

1st lieutenant. 
1877 — D. V. Derickson, captain ; D. R. Coder, 

1st lieutenant. 
1878 — D. R. Coder, captain; M. S. Cooper, 

ist lieutenant. 
1879-80 — Myron S. Cooper, captain; F. E. 

Wilson, 1st lieutenant. 



I20 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



i88l-2 — D. H. Boyd, captain ; James Wright, 

1st lieutenant. 
18834— D. H. Boyd, captain; T. B. Stewart, 

1st lieutenant. 
1885 D. H. Boyd, captain; John Ridle, 1st 

lieutenant. 
1886 — D. H. Boyd, captain ; C. C. Thompson, 

1st lieutenant. 
1887— D. H. Boyd, captain; Henry Oster, 

1st lieutenant. 

N. Y., p. 4 O. HOSE COMPANY 

was organized July 7th, 1885, with a member- 
ship of twenty-live, for the protection prin- 
cipally of the property of the railroad com- 
pany. In 
1885— Dick Griffeth, foreman; F. B.Smith, 

1st assistant. 
1886 — W. C. McKenzie, foreman ; J. Hainen, 

1st assistant. 
1887 — Joseph Hainen, foreman ; M. J. Ogden, 

1st assistant. 
1888 — Andrew Maxwell, foreman; H. Van 

Riper, ist assistant. 

R. G. Moore is secretary at present. 



THE ROYAL ARCANUM. 



(BY CYRUS SEE, D. D. S.) 

The Royal Arcanum was organized under 
the laws of the commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts at Boston, June 23rd 1877, with nine 
members in the Supreme Council. The objects 
of the order, are — ist. To unite fraternally 
all white men of sound bodily health, and 
good moral character, who are socially ac- 
ceptable, and between twenty-one and fifty 
five years of age. 

2d. To give all moral and material aid in 
its power to its members and those dependent 
upon them. 

3d. To educate its members socially, moral 
ly and intellectually ; also to assist the widows 
and orphans of deceased members. 

4th. To establish a fund for the relief of 
sick and distressed members. 

5th. To establish a Widows and Orphans' 
Benefit Fund, from which, on the satisfactory 
evidence of the death of a member of the 
Order, who has complied with all its lawful 
requirements, a sum not exceeding three thou- 
sand dollars shall be paid to his family or 
 those dependent on him, as he may direct. 

The general management is vested in the 
Supreme Council, which meets annually at 
such places as shall by vote be determined. 
This body makes the laws necessary for the 
government of the order, and in fact is its 
supreme authority. Grand councils are organ- 
ized in the states, territories and Canadas, 
which have charge of the growth and welfare 
of the order in their respective jurisdictions. 
Subordinate councils are organized wherever 
desired, except in the states of Texas, Louis- 
iana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, 
South Carolina, and that portion of the states 
of Tennessee and Kentucky lying west of the 
Tennessee river, also that portion of south- 
eastern Georgia bordering on the Atlantic, 



including in the counties of Chatham, Bryan, 
Liberty, Mcintosh, Glynn, and Camden. 

The councils that have been instituted in 
the territory just mentioned are each limited 
and restricted in their membership, and all 
other councils of the order are prohibited 
from receiving the application of any person 
residing in the aforesaid territory. 

The wisdom of these restrictions in certain 
states will be seen when it is understood that 
the widows and orphans' benefit fund is sus- 
tained by assessments on the membership as 
often as needed ; there being but one assess- 
ment jurisdiction. In this way the member- 
ship in the more healthful localities are not 
called upon to support the order in states 
where the death rate averages much higher. 

The assessment plan is what is now known 
as the graded level (original, however, with 
the Royal Arcanum). The rate is based on 
the age of the applicant ; so that if each mem- 
ber lives out his allotted time, each would 
contribute same amount to the widows and 
orphans' benefit fund. 

The order is now about eleven years old, 
and its membership numbers over 82,000. 
During these eleven years it has received and 
disbursed among the beneficiaries of its 
deceased members over $9,000,000. 00, and 
yet no member has been burdened with as- 
sessments, the highest number paid in any one 
year being fourteen and the annual average 
less than ten. As soon as the Supreme Coun- 
cil was organized, deputies were sent out to 
plant the order in the different states, terri- 
tories and Canada, and in no state is there a 
greater interest taken or more loyalty shown 
to the order than in Pennsylvania. Her mem- 
bership consists of one hundred and seventy- 
seven subordinate councils, with ten thousand 
members, exceeded only by Massachusetts and 
New York. Five of these subordinate coun- 
cils with a membership of four hundred and 
eighty, are located in Crawford county. To 
Meadville belongs the honor of organizing 
the fourth council in the state, and the 78th 
in the order, to wit : Meadville Council No. 
78. It was instituted April l6th, 1878, with 
ten charter members. This council now 
numbers one hundred and sixty members, and 
meets in Arcanum hall, Phoenix Block, on the 
second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each 
month. 

Titusville Council No. 109 was instituted 
June 1 8th 1878, with twenty-one charter mem- 
bers. Its membership is now seventy-two. 
It meets the second and fourth Monday even- 
ings of each month. 

Success Council No. 194 is located at 
Spartansburg, and was instituted November 
15th 1878, with a charter membership of 
twenty. Its present membership is thirty- 
nine. It meets the second and fourth Mon- 
day evenings of each month. 

French Creek Council No. 325, located at 
Meadville, was instituted April 23rd 1879, 
with twenty five charter members. Its pres- 



ent membership is one hundred and eighty. 
It meets on the first and third Monday even- 
ings of each month, in Arcanum hall. This 
hall, of which it is the proprietor, is on the 
second floor of the Phcenix block, is hand- 
somely furnished, and is in every way a 
desirable place for lodge meetings 

Linesville Council No. 560 was instituted 
February 4th 1881, with twenty- three charter 
members, and now has a membership of 
forty-nine. It meets on the second and fourth 
Tuesday evenings of each month. 

These councils are all in a flourishing con- 
dition, and are composed of the best citizens 
of their respective localities. 

While the Royal Arcanum is beneficial, it 
IS also fraternal, for it is founded upon virtue, 
mercy and charity. Time and space permit 
me to speak only in a general way of the 
many instances wherein the burdens and sor- 
rows of a member or member's family have 
been lifted and borne, so far as in their power, 
by the brothers in the order. When the 
family ties have been severed and the one on 
whom dependence was placed for the main- 
tenance of home has answered the final sum- 
mons and crossed the silent rivet, the way 
is made clear to finish paying for the home 
or to educate the children or at least to make 
life s burdens lighter by the financial assist- 
ance that the order affords ; and that which is 
true of the Royal Arcanum is true of kindred 
organizations. 



OUR FAMOUS BAND. 



Sketch of the Northwestern Band and 
Orchestra, of Meadville. 



This celebrated band was organized in 
1868, with a State charter, under the name of 
the .Silver Cornet Band of Meadville. The 
first teacher was O. B. Young, who taught 
for about six months. The next teacher was 
Prof F. P. Boynton, who was director until 
1881, except two years, when A. D. Ellis and 
Otto Van Olker respectively had charge. For 
two years the band belonged to the .State 
Militia. About 1876 the name was changed 
to the "Northwestern Band." Luc Houze 
took charge of the band in 1882, and in the 
spring of 1884 was succeeded by Mr. L. W. 
Sabin, formerly of Reeves' celebrated band 
of Providence, R. I. In the fall of 1887 Mr. 
Sabin retired, and Mr. Fred B. Nichols be- 
came director, which position he fills at the 
present time. The band owes its continued 
existence to Mr. L. A. Leberman and Mr. L. 
L. Lord more than to any other individuals. 
For over fifteen years the former acted as 
president of the organization. The following 
is the membership of the Northwestern band, 
the first ten constituting the Northwestern 
Orchestra. Fred B. Nichols, Director; L. L. 
Lord, John A. McNiel, John N. Browning, 
Elmer Bush, Conrad Fisher, Jr., A. W. McCoy, 
W. B. McNeil, George Wilkins, John Ross, 
L. A. Lelierman, Jacob Snyder, Albert Burk- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



121 



hardt, James Colgrove, John Marley, Alva 
Johnson, Charles Miller, Frank Fellows, 
Thomas Dennis; H. S. Phillips, Drum Major. 

THE NORTHWESTERN ORCHESTRA. 

In 1878 the Northwestern Orchestra was 
organized with Mr. Fred B. Nichols as leader, 
its members bemg nearly all members of the 
Northwestern Band. This orchestra is one 
of the very finest in the State. In addition to 
its regular engagements at the Academy of 
Music, it has all the work it can attend to, be- 
ing called upon from various points in North- 
western Pennsylvania, in New York State 
and Ohio. To show the popularity of this or- 
chestra, it may be stated that in June of last 
year it filled thirty two engagements at various 
places. In the summer season also the or- 
chestra is kept busy. It has filled six season 
engagements at Chautauqua lake, four of 
them being at the Assembly grounds, and for 
the past two seasons has played at the Cassa- 
daga, N. Y., spiritualist camp ground, where 
it is also under engagement to play the com- 
ing season. 

Mr. Fred B. Nichols, the present leader of 
the band and orchestra, is a pupil of the cele- 
brated violinist, Jacobson, of Cincinnati. 
Under his leadership the band is working 
steadily toward the highest musical ideals. 
Its reputation for dealing with the highest 
grade of music is being enhanced, and it is 
now studying the classical works of composers 
like Wagner, Mozart, Rossini and Verdi. Mr. 
Nichols is professor of the violin in the Mead- 
ville Conservatory of Music, and his high pro- 
ficiency on this instrument is so well known 
as to need no praise. 

The Northwestern Band and Orchestra 
have been engaged by the Centennial Execu- 
tive Committee to furnish music during the 
celebration. 



THE CONNEAUT LAKE ICE COM- 
PANY, (LIMITED). 

Its Successful Career— The Extent of its 

Business — Out-look for the 

Future — Etc. 



In August, 1S80, there was quietly formed 
in Meadville a company of capitalists under 
the name of the Conneaut Lake Ice Com- 
pany, with the following officers: President, 
D. G. Shryock ; secretary and treasurer, W. 
S. McGunnegle ; manager, D S. Richmond ; 
board of directors, D. G. Shryock, G. W. 
Delamater, W. W. Reed, Erie, J. D. Gill, W. 
S. McGunnegle, and D. S. Richmond. 

This company represents §1,500,000, at 
least, of capital, and are at present owners of 
about 1,500 acres of land surrounding Con- 
neaut Lake. 

We learn by consulting the records that this 
land was originally bought of John S. Rich- 
ards by D. S. Richmond, of this city. The 
deed conveys all the land embraced between 
the present water fine of the lake and the 



high water mark of the same when it was at 
its highest, before the cutting of the dike. 
Commencing at Evansburg, this includes all 
the land on the north side of the road, and 
that on the east side ol the lake up to high- 
water mark, along the margin of the lake to 
Power's line, and then a strip six rods wide 
round the lake to the place of beginning. 
This Mr. Richmond bought and transferred to 
the Conneaut Lake Ice Company (limited). 
The late decision of the Supreme Court con- 
firms the title, and it seems to be a good time 
to congratulate Crawford county people that 
the control of the ice business on Conneaut 
remains in the hands of home parties. We 
are informed, however, that the Meadville 
parties were only about twenty-four hours 
ahead of Cleveland and Pittsburg capital, 
which was on the point of buying the lake for 
ice purposes, and in foreign hands we hardly 
think the interests ol the lake would have 
fared so well as they will in the hands of 
home people. It was by the shrewd manage- 
ment and business tact of Mr. D. S. Rich- 
mond that matters came out as they did. 
CAP.\C1TY OF THE ICE HOUSES. 

The Ice Company at once began the erec- 
tion of ice houses, and last winter employed 
one hundred and eighty-five men in housing 
the magnificent crystals which, with the aid 
of the, most improved machinery, they cut 
from the bosom of the limpid lake as she lay 
sleeping in the embrace of the Ice King. 
The houses erected at present afford a capa- 
city of storing 52,000 tons. There is no 
doubt that in the near future the company 
will handle upwards of 100,000 tons of ice 
annually. 

There never was a better body of water 
from which to gather a rare quality of pure 
ice. The lake lies far inland, away from con- 
tamination from rivers that run by large towns; 
is fed from springs of the clearest water, and 
is in every respect unequaled for the purpose of 
furnishing ice. The ice houses of the com- 
pany are located on the Meadville branch of 
the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad, and thus a 
cheap and direct transportation is given to 
southern markets. 

GROWTH OK THE COMPANY. 

The magnitude to which the operations of 
this company may grow are, of course, un- 
known, but sufficient is already established to 
guarantee that they will give employment to a 
small army of men and teams during the ice 
making season. To the neighborhood around 
the lake, therefore, this means business and 
consequent prosperity, and the section that 
has been sleeping for a decade will awaken to 
a new and stirring life. It is no small thing 
to have $1,500,000 sending its influence in 
cash throughout a neighborhood. 

There have been fears expressed that the 
Conneaut Lake Ice Company was to be a 
monopoly ; that they were to control the hunt- 
ing, fishing, pleasure boating, picnicking, etc., 
with an iron hand. So far, indeed, are the 



company from such intent, that they propose 
to add everything in their power to the attrac- 
tions of the lake as a summer resort. They 
will encourage by every means in their power 
any movement which will give the lake a 
name and lame at home and abroad. We 
have it from one who ought to know, that the 
company will, as soon as possible, rid the 
lake of the voracious garfishes which now 
abound there, and stock the waters abundant- 
ly with all the higher grades of edible fish. 
The only thing which the Conneaut Lake Ice 
Company want to control is the shipment of 
Conneaut lake ice. Of ice for domestic use, 
they have no desire to deprive anyone. 



GERMAN SOCIETIES. 



Description of Meadville's Various Ger- 
man Orders, Benevolent and Social. 



GERMAN BROTHERHOOD. 

The oldest German society in Meadville is 
the so called " Deutsche Brueder Verein " 
(German Brotherhood). It was founded the 
26th of July, 1859. It is independent, and 
does not belong to any particular order. Its 
object is to take care of the sick and also to 
defray the funeral expenses of the deceased 
members. The founders and first officers 
were: 

A. Newhain, president; N. Dudenhoefier, 
vice-president; C. M. Boush, secretary; John 
Rize, treasurer ; M. Schn.idt, Daniel Roschi, 
Con. Dieter, trustees. The society has at pre- 
sent only twenty nine members, with a capital 
fund of $850. 

ALLEMANNlA LODGE. 

Allemannia Lodge No. 116, D. O. H. is a 
subordinate lodge of the German Order 
Harugari. This order has lodges all over the 
United States. The order dates back as far 
as Herrman, the Cherusker's time. Harugari 
is an old German word, and means " Inhabi- 
tant of the Forest." The object of the order 
is benevolent. The Allemannia Lodge in 
Meadville was founded September nth 1865. 
The first officers and founders were ; Albert 
Schmidt, Ex. B.; Ad. Wagner, O. B.; Ad. 
Oster, U. B.; S. Striffler, secretary ; Jacob 
Heckmann, finanz secretary^; Jacob Gebhardt, 
treasurer. The lodge meets regular every 
Monday evening in Bett's block on Water 
street and has at present forty members. All 
transactions are in the German language. 

HERRMAN LODGE. 

Herrman Lodge No. 83, A. O. U. W., was 
founded the 23rd of October, 1874. Its 
founders and first officers were : Ad. Wagner, 
ex-M. W.; C. M. Boush, M. W.; Joseph Kon- 
rad, foreman; Fr. Moessner, overseer; John 
Mechtesheimer, guide ; G. Delp, secretary ; 
M. F'ischer, finanz secretary: Jacob Vollmer, 



122 



treasurer; Dr. L. A. Garver, J. Conrad, A. 
Wagner, trustees. The lodge meets every 
Friday evening in the .Shryock block, and has 
at present eighty-eight good standing mem- 
bers. All transactions are in German language. 

GERMAN SOCIAL SOCIETIES. 

Germania Maenner Chor, (singing society) 
was founded in October, 1868. The founders 
were Henry Sartorius, Albert Schinidt, Henry 
Schweizer, Jacob Heckmann, Anton Stehr, 
Henry Fender and Charles Faber. The first 
officers were: H. Sartorius, president; Geo. 
Rupp, vice president ; Julius Heffner, secre- 
tary; Albert Schmidt, finanz secretary; M. 
Keener, treasurer. The first musical director, 
L Winter, teacher at the German Catholic 
school. Object of the society is the cultiva- 
tion of German singing, especially German 
male chorus, preservation of the German 
language, manners and costumes. In order 
to accomplish this, the society arranges, for its 
members and their families, concerts, drama- 
tic entertainments, lectures and dancing diver- 
sions. The members first met in a building 
near the old canal known as the " old iron 
clad." From there they moved into the third 
story of Porter's block on Water street, and 
in 187 1 first occupied their present quarters in 
Shryock block. This society can truthfully 
boast of possessing the finest furnished and 
equipped rooms of any society in Meadville. 
The main hall, which is beautifully frescoed, 
contains a stage, completely furnished with 
all sceneries and curtains. Besides this, the 
society has a library, containing the latest 
publications in literature, illustrated and 
scientific works. The society meets every 
Tuesday evening for singing rehearsals. The 
membership, which encludes not only Ger- 
mans, but also a great many of our best 
American citizens, is at present one hundred 
and forty. 

The Harmonic Singing Society was founded 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 

OUR BOYS IN BLUE. 



CRAWFORD COUNTY IN THE WAR 
OF THE REBELLION. 



Soldier Life, in Camp and on the March. 

Wild Rides and Heroic Charges. 

Crawford's Crown of Glory. 



THE ALLEGHENY COLLEGE VOLUN- 
TEERS, lOth P. R. V. C. 



Narrative of the Brave Deeds of the 
College Boys in the War. 



(BY CAPT. E. H. HENDERSON.) 
When the breaking out of the rebellion 
awoke the martial spirit of the North, volun- 
teers were ready on every hand to respond to 
the president's call for troops for ninety days' 
service, and the quota of Pennsylvania (four- 
teen regiments) was soon filled. 

There were many companies organized 
throughout the state, that could not be ac 
cepted under this call, and on the 15th of 
May, 1861, the legislature passed an act pro- 
viding for the organization of a Reserve Corps, 
to consist of thirteen regiments of infantry. 



missioner of Customs) colonel; James T. 
Kirk, lieutenant colonel, and Harrison Allen, 
major. 

From this time on the Allegheny College 
Volunteers were known as company " I." On 
the 1 8th of July the regiment started for 
Cumberland, Maryland, but while at Boiling 
Springs, a few miles from Hopewell, orders 
were received to countermarch and report at 
Harrisburg. Here, on the 21st of July, t86i, 
the day on which the disastrous battle of Bull 
Run was fought, the Tenth was mustered into 
the United States service for "three years or 
during the war." On the night of the 22d it 
went by rail to Baltimore, and on the evening 
of the 23d marched through the city witli 
muskets loaded and bayonets fixed. On the 
24th the regiment went to Washington and 
encamped about a mile east of the capitol. 
The next move was to Tenallytown, a few 
miles north of Georgetown, where the division 
commanded by General McCall was organized 
into three brigades commanded by Reynolds^ 
Meade and Ord, the Tenth being a part of the 
Third Brigade. The division moved into 
Virginia on the loth of October, and taking 
position on the right flank of the army, as- 
sisted in keeping "all quiet along the Poto- 
mac." The only break in the monotony of 
camp life during the winter was the battle at 
Dranesville on December 20th, 1861, where 
the College Volunteers received their baptism 
of fire, and where the Third brigade, com 



one of cavalry, and one of artillery. Of this posed of the Sixth, Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth 



body of troops, the Allegheny College Volun- 
teers, a company organized at the college and 
composed of students, school masters and 
and farmer boys, became a part. It was the 
first company of three years' men sent out 
from the county. The officers were : Captain, 
Ira Ayer, jr.; first lieutenant, Sion B. Smith; 
second lieutenant, Oscar Hennig. They were 
ordered to report at Camp Wilkins in Pitts- 
burg. Meadville had no railroad connections 



The obiect of *' '''^' time, and on the evening of the fifth of camp, the Reserves- 



on the 23rd of April, 1880, 

this society is the very same as that of the June, after partaking of a banquet on the col 



Regiments and the "Buck Tails" (1st Rifles), 
defeated an equal number of rebels and drove 
them in confusion from the field. This was 
the first victory for the Army of the Potomac. 
Early in March, 1862, when the grand for- 
ward movement of the army was made, the 
Tenth, with the balance of the division, 
marched to a place called Huntei's Mills, and 
after twenty-four hours of picket duty started 
for Alexandria. After a few days spent in 
-now a division of the 



Germania, the only difference between these 
two societies being that the Harmonie will 
admit nobody to membership who cannot 
speak German. The first officers and founders 
were : S. Strifller, president ; A. E. Schmidt, 
vice-president; Ed, Engel, secretary; B. 
Beyerschmidt, finance secretary ; Frank Shad 
ley, treasurer. H. Sartorius, N. Dudenhoef- 
fer, L. Michael, trustees. The society has its 
regular singing rehearsals and meeting rooms 
in Derst's block, on Water street, and has at 
present eighty members. 

ST. JOHN SOCIETY. 

This society was founded by the German 
Catholics in Meadville, in February, 1869. 
First president, Lorenz Hasler; fir.st -secretary. 



lege green, the Volunteers took passage on a 
canal boat which had been placed at their 
disposal, and followed by the prayers and good 
wishes of the citizens, started on the journey 
which to many of them was the way to death. 

Though not a rapid mode of traveling, it 
proved to be a sure one, and in due course of 
time the destination was reached. This march 
by canal boat was something of a triumphal 
one. At every town along the route the peo- 
ple turned out in full force and greeted the 
embryo soldiers with cheers and patriotic 
songs, and many tears were shed by matron 
and maiden as they bade adieu to the fair 
young fellows whom they had never seen be- 
fore and would never see again. 

At Camp Wilkins, which was on the fair 



Mike Hasler. The society is independent of ground in the upper part of Pittsburg, many 

any order, and its object is to support its mem- other companies were assembled, and in the 

bers in case of sickness. Meetings every sec- latter part of June the Tenth Regiment of the 

ond Sunday in the month. Membership at Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps was 

present, eighty-five. . formed, with John S. McCalmont (now Com- 



First Corps under McDowell — marched thro' 
Fairfax and Centreville (where the wooden 
guns were still in position) to Manassas Junc- 
tion, from there to Catlett's Station, and thence 
across the country to Fredericksburg. Col- 
onel McCalmont resigned about this time and 
Lieutenant Colonel Kirk was elected colonel. 
The Division was sent by water to the Penin- 
sula, and on the 14th of June was attached to 
Porter's Corps and held the right of the line 
near Mechanicsville. 

On the afternoon of the 26th of June, un- 
der a scathing artillery fire the Tenth marched 
out to the brow of the hill near Beaver Dam 
Creek, and, taking position in line with the 
balance of the brigade, did its part in repuls- 
ing the furious assaults of the rebels. The 
battle lasted till after dark, but the reserves 
held their ground, and slept on their arms 

This was the first of the seven days' battles. 
The line of Beaver Dam Creek was aban- 
boned early on the morning of the 27th, and 
that afternoon the Tenth was again in battle 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



123 



at Gaines' Mill. Company I lost severely, as 
did the balance of the regiment, and, indeed, 
all the troops engaged. When night put an 
end to the strife the Union forces retreated 
across the Chickahominy. 

On the 30th of June was fought the battle 
of Charles City Cross Roads. The Tenth 
again lost heavily, but captured a stand of 
colors and many prisoners. The next day, at 
Malvern Hill, the regiment was under fire, 
but not actively engaged. At Harrison's 
Landing Major Sion B. Smith, formerly of 
Company I, resigned, and was succeeded by 
Captain Knox, of Company E. The Reserves 
left Harrison's Landing on the nth of August, 
and on the 23d they joined the army of 
General Pope, being the first contingent to 
report for duty from the Potomac. 

Having again become a part of the First 
Corps the Reserves fought in the second Bull 
Run August 29th and 30th. At the battle of 
South Mountain, on September 14th, the di 
vision succeeded in gaining the crest of the 
ridge, thereby turning the enemy's flank and 
capturing a large number of prisoners. The 
Reserves again led the advance and on the 
1 6th of September opened the great battle of 
Antietam. The Tenth, commanded by Col- 
one! Warner, was especially mentioned by 
General Meade who commanded the division 
(Colonel Kirk having been wounded, resigned 
previous to this time, and Captain Warner, of 
Company G, was promoted to fill the vacancy). 
When the army under Burnside moved to the 
attack on Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, 
the Third Brigade, to which the Tenth 
belonged, covered the pontoniers and forced 
the passage of the river, three miles below 
the city, and on the 1 3th the division was 
selected to make the charge on the enemy's 
position. The outer works were carried and 
the line broken, but the ground could not be 
held as there was no support on either flank. 
In this battle all the regiments lost severely, 
and after the " mud march " the entire di- 
vision was relieved from duty at the front, the 
Tenth again being quartered on East Capitol 
Hill. But the bronzed and weather-beaten 
veterans would hardly have been recognized 
as the novices who made their appearance on 
the tragic stage less than two years before. 

June 26th, 1S63, found the Reserves again 
with the Fifth Corps. They reached Gettys- 
burg on July 2d and went into the battle on 
the evening of that day. Driving the enemy 
before them, the Tenth took the low ground 
between Round Top and Little Round Top, 
which position was held until the end of the 
engagement. 

During the flank movement from Culpepper 
the Tenth was engaged at Bristoe Station on 
October 14th, and was under fire but not 
actively engaged at Rappahatmock Station. 
C)n the Mine Run campaign the Third brigade 
supported the cavalry, and after a sharp fight 
drove the enemy from his position at New 
Hope church. 

Returning from this campaign the army 



went into winter quarters, the Tenth being 
stationed at Manassas Junction. Company I 
was detailed to act as provost guard at brigade 
headquarters. Major Ayer having been pro- 
moted to lieutenant colonel, to fill the vacancy 
caused by the resignation ol Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Knox, commanded the regiment untd he 
was wounded in the battle of the wilderness. 
When the army assembled at Culpepper in the 
spring of 1864 the Reserves were there. 
They marched to Germania Ford, crossed the 
Rapidan, and on the night of the fourth of 
May were at the Old Wilderness Tavern. 

On the 5th they were among the first to be- 
come engaged in the battle of the Wilderness. 
On the 8th and 9th, at Spottsylvania, they 
were hotly engaged, and charged the enemy's 
intrenchments three times ; but were repulsed 
each time. The Fifth corps crossed the North 
Anna at Jericho ford on the 23d, and a spirited 
engagement followed, in which the rebels 
were defeated. That night they recrossed the 
North Anna, and, marching to Hanovertown, 
crossed the Pamunkey on the 28th. On the 
30th, at Bethesda church, they were attacked 
by a large force of rebels, whom they routed 
and drove from the field in great confusion, 
capturing many prisoners. The enemy left 
over 300 dead on the Held.* 

This was the last engagement of the Re- 
serves and of the Allegheny College Volun- 
teers, and when it was ended, they furled their 
battle flags and bade farewell to the army, 
whose fortunes and misfortunes they had 
shared for so long a time. They were mus- 
tered out June nth, 1864. Those of the Col- 
lege Volunteers who had re enlisted as veter- 
ans, and the recruits whose time was not yet 
out, became a part of company K, 191 P. V., 
and served till the end of the war. 

Casualties in Company I : Killed and 
mortally wounded, 26; wounded, 36; died, 
8; discharged for disability, 25. 



*At the time when the battle of Bethesda 
church was fought, I was A. A. G. of the 
Third brigade, and h^d, among my official pa- 
pers, the order from Corps headquarters 
relieving us from further service ; but we were 
attacked before the troops that were to take 
our place arrived on the grounds. 



THE EIGHTY-THIRD REGI3IENT. 

The Crawford County Contingent — They 
Were the Sons of Our Soil. 



(BY CAPT. A MCGILL.) 

The brilliant record of the Eighty -third 
Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers must 
ever be associated with the glory of the past, 
and its fame is inseparable from our local his- 
tory. It carried upon its muster-rolls more 
Crawford county men than any other military 
organization in the state, and though it was 
organized at Erie, and known as an Erie 
county regiment, Crawford furnished more 
men than Erie county to fill its ranks. 

On those rolls may be found the names of 
many lineal descendants of the original 



pioneers of Meadville, and a very large pro- 
portion of the families permanently settled in 
the county prior to A. D. 1800, were repre- 
sented in the Eighty third. It was the same 
blood, the same enterprise, the same manly 
courage that planted our civilization in 1788, 
rounding out the latter part of the century 
with magnificent results. 

The regiment as an organization was mus- 
tered into the service of the United States at 
Erie, Pa., September 8th, 1 861, with John W. 
McLane as colonel ; Strong Vincent, lieuten- 
ant colonel, and Louis H. Nughol, major. 
Crawford county furnished four companies 
complete : Company " A," Titusville, Captain 
C. B. Morgan ; Company " B," Meadville, 
Captain John F. Morris; Company " F," 
Meadville, Captain D. C. McCoy ; Company, 
" H," ConneautviUe, Captain P. B. Carpenter. 
In addition to these, other companies drew 
largely on this county in making up their lists, 
notably " D," " E," "I" and " K," and sub- 
sequently Crawford county recruits were as- 
signed to all the companies in the command 
except perhaps " C." 

On the i6th of September, 1861, the regi- 
ment left Erie and arrived at Washington, D. 
C, on the 20th, and camped on Meridian 
Hill. From thence it marched via Long 
Bridge and Arlington Heights to Hall's Hill, 
Va., opposite Georgetown, where it went into 
camp permanently, being assigned to the 
Third brigade of General Fitz-John Porter's 
division, subsequently known as the First Di- 
vision, 5th Army Corps. The Third brigade 
consisted of the 17th N. Y., Colonel Lansing; 
i6th Mich.. Colonel Stockton; 44th N. Y , 
Colonel .Stryker; 83d Pa., Colonel McLane. 
From that time on operations were confined 
to drill, picket and camp duty, the details of 
which are not interesting, until March 10, 
1862, when the army moved upon Manassas 
and the enemy evacuated the place. 

The advance to Yorktown was made April 
4th and the memorable siege began. The ap- 
proaches were made by parallels and it was 
about May ist when it was determined to ex- 
tend a parallel from the head of an estuary, 
known as Wormsley Creek, to the York river 
well up to the principal fortifications of the 
enemy, and the work devolved upon a portion 
of the 83d. In the afternoon army engineers 
pointed out to officers charged with the enter- 
prise, the course and termini of the proposed 
entrenchment and night found us concealed 
under the brow of a hill, armed with shovels 
and muskets. When darkness closed in Ser- 
geant John B. Compton, of Meadville, with a 
squad of men pushed out well to the front for 
the purpose of intercepting parties who might 
be sneaking around with a view to making 
discoveries. Captain John F. Morris headed 
the working column and moved out on the 
line indicated very slowly. Another officer 
followed in the rear and at each four paces 
dropped off two men with instructions to lay 
their arms within easy reach, take the shovels 
and as rapidly as possible dig a hole four feet 



124 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



square and four feet deep, throwing the dirt 
up in front, then work in opposite directions 
until they intersected the excavations made by 
comrades to the right and left ; and then pro- 
ceed to enlarge the trench and complete the 
parapet as much as possible before daylight. 
The column steadily passed on until the York 
was reached and the last file were placed, all 
of whom went to work vigorously as soon as 
their positions were indicated. We then 
placed other out posts, with full instructions as 
to Compton's position and purposes, and re- 
turning along the line found the work silently 
and vigorously progressing. We then posted 
a detachment in the rear at the most favora- 
ble point, to either re enforce the workers and 
out-posts, or for a rallying point should they 
be suddenly driven in. To the rear, under 
cover of a strip of woods, were not less than 
six thousand men under arms. 

At the first streak of day Compton came in 
as instructed. Our tired boys who had worked 
all night shouldered their tools and filed out 
of the trench, leaving a formidable earthwork 
where the evening before there was nothing 
but open plain. Fresh troops moved in and 
occupied the works, fully able to hold them 
against assault. With daylight the rebel ar 
tillery opened furiously, but without etTect, 
and our trench proved to be the " last ditch ' 
at Yorktown. Prominent officers were hastily 
summoned from Richmond to view the aggres- 
sive parallel, and Yorktown was pronounced 
untenable, and on the night of May 3d was 
evacuated. 

ON TO RICHMOND VIA THE YORK AND PA 
MUNKY. 

At West Point, May loth, a night recon- 
noisance up the York river railroad. May 
13th marched to Cumberland; thence via 
White House and Cold Harbor to Gaines 
Farm. May 27 marched out 18 miles and at 
tacked Branch at Hanover Court House and 
won a brilliant little victory. June 26 the 
Pennsylvania Reserves resist Lee's advance at 
Mechanicsville. We first march out beyond 
Cold Harbor to repel a cavalry advance and 
then move up to support the Reserves. Next 
morning we fall back to Gaines Mill and here 
the regiment fights its greatest battle and wins 
laurels that can never fade. A description of 
the desperate fighting of the regiment in this 
battle is impracticable here. In this connec- 
tion we have often thought of the remark 
made by a great French general when wit- 
nessing the charge at Balaklava: "It is 
grand, but it is not war." The Eighty-third 
were fighting over the dead bodies of their 
commanders and they knew no alternative 
but to fight. They had no orders to do other- 
wise and their instincts suggested nothing else. 
That they came out of five distinct and furi 
ous encounters without a repulse, and brought 
oft their organization intact, is almost incredi- 
ble, but it is true. 

We find them next in line at Peach Orchard ; 
then at Savage Station, White-oak Swamp 
and Glendale. At Malvern Hill, July 1st, 



their staying qualities were again tested from 
the rising to the going down of the sun. 

From the Peninsula to the Second Bull Run 
was a weary march, but August 30th they 
charged, in the face of a withering fire of in- 
fantry and artillery , to the brink of the rail- 
road cut that was the citadel of the enemy on 
that day, and we read of no troops going any 
farther in that battle. 

Antietam, in Maryland, September 17th, is 
their next engagement. Here, on the centre, 
they are led to the right and to the left — now 
on the double quick to support Hooker on the 
Potomac— now away to the left to assist Burn- 
side in maintaining a position on the hills of 
Antietam. December 13th we find them in 
the slaughter pen at Fredericksburg, in the 
very center of the conflict, and this engage- 
ment closes the campaign of 1862. Their 
marches have been long and wearisome. 
They have won victories and encountered 
defeats, and from April 4th to December 14th 
they have scored twelve great battles to their 
credit on the records of the War Department. 

The campaign of 1863 opened with the 




COL. JOHN W. McLANE. 

battle of Chancellorsville, May 3d. Soon 
after this we find them campaigning with the 
cavalry under Pleasanton, and driving the 
enemy from Middleburg through Ashby's Gap 
to the west side of Blue-Ridge; then far to 
the north they stand on the summit of Little 
Round Top at Gettysburg, where the graven 
tablet marks the rock upon which Vincent 
fell, and makes an imperishable record of 
their valor. 

Next they are again upon the now familiar 
plains of Virginia, charging the forts of the 
enemy at Rappahannock .Station, and the 
operations of the year close with threading 
the mazes of the Wilderness in the desperate 
advance upon the works of the enemy at 
Mine Run. 

The great campaign of 1864 begins May 
5th with a charge at the Wilderness, led by 
the Eighty-third Pennsylvania and the Eight- 
eenth Massachusetts, in which Colonel Wood- 
ward falls and Colonel D. C. McCoy succeeds 
to the command. May 6th and 7th the bat 
tie rages all day. Again on the 8th the Eighty- 
third Pennsylvania and the Forty-fourth New 
York charge the rebel breastworks at Laurel 



Hill, and for more than half an hour fight 
face to face with the enemy over their own 
parapets until supports came up. From the 
8th to the 2 1st fighting in the vicinity of 
Spottsylvania is incessant. May 23d, at North 
Anna, the Eighty-third, under Colonel McCoy, 
and the Sixteenth Michigan charged to the 
rescue of General Sweitzer, whose command 
was enveloped by the enemy, smashed in the 
flank of a rebel brigade, captured their com- 
mander and restored the broken lines of the 
corps. 

May 30th, 31st and June 1st, the regiment 
had frequent encounters in the Tolopotomy 
region, and June. 2d fought at Bethesda 
church. June i6th they crossed the James 
and on the i8th engaged the enemy in a fierce 
conflict in front of Petersburg, and from this 
time on took part in the operations of the 
great siege. 

On the 1 8th and 19th of August participa- 
ted in the capture and defense of the Weldon 
railroad at the Yellow House, and on the 21st 
repulsed a spirited attack of the enemy, cap- 
turing a large number of prisoners. 

September 30th, under Colonel Rogers, 
they charged a rebel fort at Peebles' Farm, 
and won a brilliant victory, 

October 27th, fought at Hatcher's Run, and 
December Sth and 9th destroyed the Weldon 
railroad south of Stony Creek station; this 
adventure being known in history as the 
" Weldon Raid." 

The battle of Dubury's Mill took place Feb- 
ruai7 6th, 1S65, in which the Eighty-third lost 
several good men. 

The last campaign against Lee commenced 
March 29th, 1885, so far as the infantry were 
concerned, and terminated April 9th, with the 
surrender. The Eighty-third were with the 
army taking part in the active operations of 
the campaign, but were temporarily detached 
from the Old Third Brigade in which they 
had served throughout the year, and for this 
reason were not in line when the brigade re- 
ceived the arras of the rebel army. The 
honor, however, was theire as much as if they 
had stood in their usual place at the head of 
the column, and it was so intended by the 
great generals in command. 

Their history is well rounded out, the meas- 
ure of their fame is full, and unborn genera- 
tions of Americans will point with pride to 
the valor and renown of the old soldiers of 
1861. 

The Eighty-third Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers met with the second greatest loss 
in killed and wounded of all the 2,000 regi- 
inents composing the United States army. 
They lost 282 killed, and 689 wounded, total 
971, out of 1,800 on their muster rolls. 



The Meadville Volunteers. 

The first company organized in Crawford 
county for service in the war of the Rebellion 
was ** The Meadville Volunteers," which was 
formed at Meadville on April 22, 1861. Of 
this company Samuel B. Dick was captain. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



125 



George H. Bemus first lieutenant, and T. R. 
Kennedy, second lieutenant. After the for- 
mation of the company it went into camp on 
the old fair grounds where now stands the 
passenger station of the N. Y., P. & P. R'y. 
About the first of May they were ordered to 
Pittsburg and went into camp at Camp Wil- 
kins. The first call for 75,000 troops being 
already tilled this company remained in camp 
near Pittsliurg until the formation of the Penn- 
sylvania Reserve Corps, when they became 
known as Company F, of the Ninth Regi- 
ment, of this corps. 

After the first battle of Bull Run, which re- 
sulted so disastrously to our troops, the Presi- 
dent issued his call for 300,000 men for three 
years or the war, when the entire division of 
the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was mustered 
into the United States service. The history 
of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps is so well 
known that it is unnecessary to particularize, 
but it is enough to say that the Meadville 
Volunteers, now known as Company F, of the 
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, participated in 
all the numerous engagements of this celebra- 
ted division, beginning at Drainsville, Va., 
September 20, 1861, where this company had 
the honor of opening the fight, and participat- 
ing in the first victory of the Army of the 
Potomac, in which Captain Dick wes severely 
wounded. Captain Dick's company was the 
first company enlisted in Crawford county, the 
first company under fire, and Captain Dick 
himself was the first man wounded from the 
county. The losses of this company during 
its service were 13 killed and 46 wounded out 
of a total of 120 men on the muster rolls. 

The Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, of which 
the Meadville Volunteers and the Allegheny 
College company were a portion, was cele- 
brated throughout the war as a remarkable 
body of men. A division that had among its 
officers such men as John F. Reynolds, the 
hero of Gettysburg, George G. Mead, and 
Major General E. O. C. Ord as brigade com- 
mander, could not but make itself famous, 
even with ordinary men in the ranks ; but as 
it was organized on the first call of the Presi- 
dent for troops, only the best men were taken, 
and a remarkably fine body of troops was the 
result. There were 13 infantry regiments, 
one cavalry and one artillery. The Pennsyl- 
vania Reserve Corps was always put in the 
thick of the fight and relied upon to do the 
hardest and most important work. 



Sketch of Second Peiiusjivania Cavalry. 

(BY E. S. SKEEL.) 

A short sketch of the first company of 
cavalry recruited in Crawford county for the 
war of the rebellion may be of interest to 
many of your readers. I will briefly outline 
some of the facts in connection with the 
organization and service of Company I, Sec- 
ond Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry. This 
regiment was recruited in the fall of 1861 in 
various sections of this State, but principally 
in Philadelphia and in the counties of Craw- 



ford, Tioga and Armstrong, and rendezvoused 
at Camp Patterson, six miles from Philadel- 
phia. 

Company I was organized at Conneautville 
by Captain R. C. Johnson, of Fairfield, and 
Lieutenant Ebenezer Whipple, of Hayfield. 
The following are the names of tho.se men 
who composed the company when first 
organized, and were mainly residents of Hay- 
field, Summerhill, Conneaut, Beaver a.id 
Spring townships, and Conneautville. By 
reference to the company roll you will find 
each man of the company accounted for as it 
appeared on the 9th of September 1862 short- 
ly after the second battle of Bull Run, which 
I have copied from a letter I wrote on that 
date to Lieutenant Whipple. R. C. John- 
son, captain, discharged September 9, 1862. 
F,benezer Whipple, first lieutenant, discharged 
September 9, 1S62; M. L. Stone, second 
lieutenant, present for duty. E. S. Skeel, first 
sergeant, present for duty. J. R. Sitler, Q. M. 
sergeant, present for duty. Frank Williams, 
sergeant, sick in camp. Edmon Grubb, ser- 
geant, sick in camp. O. J. Coates, A. A. 
Sweetland, hospital, present for duty. R. S. 
Caldwell was made sergeant major of regi- 
ment. Luther Gates, corporal, in hospital. 
R. C. Foulk, corporal, present for duty. E. 
D Byers, corporal, present for duty, Septem . 
ber 9, 1862. J. B. Phelps, corporal, present 
for duty. R. Kennedy, corporal, in hospital. 
C. Cummmgs, corporal, in hospital. A. J. 
Whitmgton, corporal, prisoner. E. H. Power, 
corporal, orderly for General Birney. M. H. 
Luse, corporal, prisoner. H. Badger, first 
bugler, sick in camp. H. L. Sitler, second 
bugler, present for duty. William Halliday, 
saddler, present for duty. Charles Landon, 
farrier, prisoner. I. W. Hallock, blacksmith, 
in hospital. John Bumes, wagoner, on duty. 
H. Lutes, wagoner, on duty. Armstrong, 
C, private, prisoner. Brander, William, 
private, orderly for Birney. Brewer, Hiram, 
private, present for duty. Carpenter, D. 
W., private, prisoner. Carman, S. B., pri- 
vate, sick in camp. Coulter, Josiah, private, 
present for duty. Courtney, J. M., private, 
discharged. Crate, Thomas, private, at home 
sick. Critsor, John, private, sick in camp. 
Cram, C, private, prisoner. Clark, Frank L., 
private, prisoner. Clancy, John, private, 
present for duty. Daly, James, private, pre- 
sent for duty. Dibble, Milo, private, dead. 
Dibble, Ruben, private, sick in hospital. 
Dodge, D. W., private, prisoner. Davis, Wil- 
liam, private, present for duty. Davis, Frank 
K., private, present for duty. Farr, Able, pri- 
vate, in hospital. Ferris, B. B., present for 
duty. Foulk, R. C, at home sick. Foulk, 
A. R., in hospital. Frantz, Jacob, orderly for 
General Birney. Gowdy, James A., present for 
duty. Haines, Seth W., discharged. Han- 
nah, James K., prisoner and wounded. Han- 
nah, John B., present for duty. Hawley, S. 
W., private, present for duty. Hunt, Herman, 
private, present for duty. Hunt, Leyman, 
private, present for duty. Hammon, George 



W., private, in hospital. Henderson, G. M., 
private, deserted. Irwin, George, private, 
present for duty. Jones, William H., private, 
present for duty. Johnson, Porter, private, 
present for duty. Johnson, Andrew, private, 
in hospital. Lawrence, Hiram, private, pres- 
ent for duty. Lawrence, Edwin, private, 
prisoner. Marks, Samuel, private present for 
duty. Maxwell, A, K., private, in hospital. 
Miles, Lucius, deserted. Minnis, C. N., in 
hospital. Moyer, James, present for duty. 
McGuire, prisoner. McDill, present for duty. 
Meyler, Thomas J., present for duty. Meyler, 
James K., in hospital. Osborn, J. P., present 
for duty. O'Daniel, Elijah, in hospital. 
Parker, D. W., discharged. Parks, George 
G., prisoner. Paddock, D. W., present for 
duty. Purse, Philelus, in hospital. Ross, W. 
H., prisoner. Stone, Russel, present for duty. 
Stevens, A. M., present for duty. Sturtevant, 
E. F., deserted. Tower, Henry, in hospital. 
Thompson, H. C, present for duty. Tubbs, 
A. B., present for duty. Vaughn, William 
W., prisoner. West, Horace, present for duty. 
Young, George W., prisoner. 

On April 1st 1862, we left Philadelphia and 
arrived at Baltimore on the 5th, where we 
were reviewed by General Dix on the i8th, 
who complimented the regiment on its fine 
military bearing. We reached Washington 
on the 25th and encamped on Capitol Hill 
near the old Congressional cemetery. Here 
we were mounted and drilled and performed 
some patrol duty in the city until the 27th of 
June, when we crossed the Long Bridge and 
advanced into Virginia, our first camp being 
at Cloud's Mills, where we were assigned to 
the brigade of General Cook, first Reserve 
Army Corps, General Sturgis. We moved on 
the 26th of July through Centerville to War- 
renton. Here Company I was detached as 
escort for General Buford and advanced 
rapidly through Little Washington, Culpep- 
per, Sperryville and Woodville. We reached 
Madison Court House on the 5th of August. 
I shall not attempt to follow the company 
farther than to say its subsequent career is 
closely identified with the history of the 
cavalry of the Army of the Potomac. Our regi- 
ment participated in the engagementsof Bull 
Run, Wyatt Farm, Boydton Plank Road, Mc 
Dowell's Hill, Five Forks, and other minor 
engagements, and was present at the surren- 
der at Appomattox Court House. 

Captain Seip in his diary concludes his ac- 
count of the service of the regiment in the 
following words, as it appears in Bates' history 
of Pennsylvania troops : " The story of their 
rough rides and fierce conflicts will be re- 
hearsed with honest pride; for they fought 
well, obeyed cheerfully every order, and 
shirked no dangerous duty. Under Buford, 
or under Sheridan, they rode with only the 
desire to uphold the flag and subdue the rebel 
lion. Their record is a noble one, and will 
not fade. Pennsylvania carefully preserves 
the war-worn banner of the regiment, and has 
inscribed on its folds its historic memories- 



126 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



As a regiment the second attained a high pro- 
ficiency in drill, and in battle it enjoyed a 
reputation second to none. On the skirmish 
line it was noted for its steady plucky advance. 
On parade it was distinguished for the regu- 
larity of its dress, its fine appearance, its 
cleanliness and esprit. It furnished several 
staff officers for the General commanding. 
But few of the original officers remained at 
the muster out, their number being greatly 
reduced by rough duty and loss by battle. 
The regiment was filled up three times during 
its period of enlistment. At the return no 
formal welcome was extended, and none ex- 
pected, other than the general reception each 
soldier met with at his own social circle. This 
reunion was dearer than any civic demonstra- 
tion. The long separation was over, and 
friends clasped hands, made rough by saber 
grasp and bridle rein, with all the enthusiasm 
of youth. All but the dead, whose bones, 
bleaching from the Potomac to the Blackwa- 
ter, mark the track of the army in its battle- 
march, and testify to the glory won on the 
field of honor," 

The surviving members of the regiment 
hold reunions annually in this county at the 
residence of some comrade and enjoy them- 
selves as only old veterans can. Their wives 
and children meet with them and enjoy the 
occasion by listening to the comrades rehears- 
ing their numerous daring and amusing ex- 
ploits, and by singing patriotic songs. The 
ladies on each of the reunions furnish rations 
for the " old boys," and serve them in full 
better shape than we were served during our 
service with " Uncle Sam." The comrades 
are now widely separated, but on each of 
these annual gatherings every living comrade 
is notified of the time and place, and when 
not able to attend, usually sends letters of 
regret, but frequently comrades have traveled 
thousands of miles to be present and clasp 
hands once more with the men with whom 
side by side they have faced death, shared the 
last " hard tack," and drank from the same 
canteen. My subject is worthy of an abler 
pen, but no one could write with more feeling. 
As I earn my bread by the "sweat of my 
brow," and not by writing history, I will close 
this imperfect outline of as noble and worthy 
a body of men as ever marched in defence of 
their country. 



THE nith PENNSYLVANIA. 



History of the iiith Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer Infantry. 



(BY LIEUTENANT JESSE MOORE, COMPANY E.) 
Camp Reed, at Erie, Pa., was opened early 
in September, 1861, for the rendezvous of the 
1 1 1 th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
This was at a time when the Union cause was 
suffering from apparent defeats in the first 
clash of arms in the field, and the would-be 
Confederacy was holding almost unbroken the 
lines they sought to establish as the boundaries 



between the contending states. The com- 
panies were all organized and mustered into 
the service late in November. The regimen- 
tal organization was completed on January i, 
1862. Matthew Schlaudecker, of Erie, was 
elected colonel ; George A. Cobham, of War- 
ren, Pa., lieutenant-colonel ; Thomas M. 
Walker, of Erie, major; John A. Boyle, of 
Elk county, adjutant; Alexander Thompson, 
of Meadville, quarter master ; Prof L. B. 
Williams, of Meadville, chaplain; W. B. 
Stewart, Indiana county, surgeon ; W. A. Mc- 
Curtiie, Conneautville, Pa., hospital steward. 
The companies were from several counties of 
western Pennsylvania, as follows : Company 
A, Erie, Warren and Elk ; Company B, War- 
ren and Erie ; Company C, Erie ; Company 
D, Warren, McKean and Erie ; Company E, 
Crawford ; Company F, Erie ; Company G, 
Crawford and Erie ; Company H, Erie, Craw- 
ford, Warren and Elk ; Company I, Crawford 
and Erie ; Company K, Mercer, Elk and 
Forest. 

The regiment left Erie, Pa., February 25, 
1862, with a total of 1,036 men, rank and 
file. Halting a few days at Harrisburg, re 
ceiving our colors, arms, uniforms, etc., we 
were forwarded to Baltimore, Md., arriving 
there March ist. 

Entering the field of active operations at 
Harper's Ferry, Va., May 25th, 1862, at the 
time of General Banks' retreat out of the 
Shenandoah Valley, our first introduction to 
the enemy was by the regiment with two 
pieces of artillery and a company cavalry 
making a reconnoissance to Charleston, Va., 
where we exchanged our first fire with the 
enemy under Stonewall Jackson. The result 
was a hasty retreat and return to Harper's 
Ferry, with the loss of one man killed and a 
few wounded. Soon after this all the union 
troops in and belonging to General Banks' 
command moved up the valley under General 
Siegel. 

Many were the marchesand counter-marches 
made during June and July, resulting in the 
battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., near Culpepper 
Court House, August 9th, 1862, with the forces 
that were then moving with the intent of in- 
vading northward. The battle was a severe 
one, and the losses of the 1 1 1 th were 21 killed 
and 60 wounded, with Major Boyle and 15 
others taken prisoner on the field. The 
Brigade then consisted of the 109th and 1 1 1 th 
Pennsylvania Regiments, io2d Regiment, New 
York, 3rd Maryland Regiment, and the 8th 
and 1 2th Regiment of United States Regulars, 
Knapp's Pennsylvania Battery of six guns. 
Owing to the overpowering force of the ene- 
my all other regiments suffered equally with 
the III th. The battle closed after dark with 
the field the ground between the two lines. 

.\ugust i8th commenced the movement 
known as Pope's retreat. Then followed a 
long series of night marches, with daily skir- 
mishing and fighting, prominent of whicti was 
Rappahannock Station, August 23, where the 
enemy was severely repulsed in several 



charges by their infantry and cavalry. August 
26, at midnight, we heard the artillery fire at 
Manassas, in our rear. On the 27th we moved 
to Catlet Station, where we remained. August 
31, the rear guard, consisting of the troops 
engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain, nar- 
rowly escaped capture, at Ellicott's Mills, 
where the iilth assisted in destroying 150 
loaded cars, 5 locomotives and 70 wagons, to 
prevent them from falling into the hands of 
the enemy, who then held Manassas Junction 
of the railroad between us and Washington. 

Passing within the defences of Washington 
after participating in the battle of Chantilly, 
Va., on September i, on September 4 we 
crossed the Potomac, moving northward in 
Maryland, and were drawn up in line of bat- 
tle September 6 near Rockville, Md. .^fter 
an hour's skirmish we are moving northward, 
passing through Frederick City, Md., Septem- 
ber 13, and on the 14th inst. we (General 
Banks' corps) act in support at the battle of 
South Mountain, a pass in the Blue Ridge that 
was the key to the great battlefield of Antie- 
tam, Md., September 17, 1862. Thenith 
entered with 300 muskets before it was clear 
day and fought with valor for nearly nine 
hours, for which the regiment was presented 
with a stand of colors by the division com- 
mander on the field after the battle closed. 
Our loss in the day's struggle was 32 killed, 
78 wounded and 8 missing, or more than one- 
third our number. Leaving the battlefield, 
where lay more than 4,000 dead and 20,000 
wounded of the two armies, the Potomac is 
recrossed by us at Harper's Ferry into Vir- 
ginia again, after four months of almost con 
stant marches of 12 to 20 miles per day. Two 
months of quiet, with the entire army of the 
Potomac, and December 9, 1862, we leave 
our camp, marching through several inches of 
snow in the mountains of Virginia. We move 
toward Fredericksburg, fail to reach the place 
in time to participate in the battle under Gen- 
eral Burnside at that place, but share in the 
great "stick-in-the-mud," as that move was 
known ever afterwards to the army. After 
marching more than 150 miles we halt at Fair- 
fax Court House about December 20, 1862. 

January 20, 1863. All the corps now under 
command of General Slocum move to Acquii 
creek landing, Va., the water base of supply 
for the army of Potomac, and go into winter 
quarters. Here the 1 1 1 th are detailed to as- 
sist in doing the wharf duty in handling the 
army supplies. While at this place in Feb- 
ruary the 1 1 1 th were awarded the honor (by 
General Hooker, then commanding the army) 
of the Pennsylvania troops as the only Penn- 
sylvania Regiment attaining the required 
standard in drill discipline, camp and other 
equipage, in order to meet the ideal mark of 
perfection. There were but ten regiments in 
the entire army of the Potomac awarded the 
compliment referred to. 

The Chancellorsville campaign opened by 
a serie-i of long detour marches, the Ilith 
moving April 27, 1863, participating in the 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 127 

three days' fighting of May I, 2 and 3, which " Let them fire, they will have to give those noisance, believing the city to be evacuated, 
resulted in a drawn battle, the reasons being guns up to us soon." Half rations and dou- They entered the city without the loss of a 
obvious. The losses in this series of battles ble duty followed for some four weeks, then man and again unfurled their colors in the 
to the III th were 36 killed and wounded, opened, on November 23, the engagement rebel stronghold. Captain Wells, of Corn- 
Returning to our old camp and resting quietly around Chattanooga, in which the in th reg- pany F, and Captain W. L. Patterson, of Com- 
unlil June 12th, 1863, we again began the iment aided in fighting the battle above the pany E, were the only line officers present, 
severe marches and another movement north- clouds on November 24, waving theirs as the the latter the only officer of the regiment who 
ward, crossing the Potomac, 30 miles above first colors of the Union army on Lookout's had participated in  every engagement of the 
Washington, into Maryland. Our corps peak, overlooking the besieged city. A shout entire campaign. Colonel Walker, corn- 
reached Littlestown, Adams county. Pa., June went up from the lines for miles around in manding the regiment, had done nearly the 
30, having made more than twenty miles per the valley below, on seeing the flag waving same thing by being constantly present, 
day. Another ten miles and we reached over the key to the whole situation. Of the brave men of Crawford county's 

Geltysburg, on the extreme right of the union .Soon after this series of battles Governor Company E who had started on the campaign 
line, at 3 o'clock p. m., on July i, and there Curtin sent a committee in the name of the to Atlanta, at date of entry into the city ten 
participated in the fighting in all its despera commonwealth to compliment the Pennsyl- were dead, as many more were cripples for 
tion July 2 and 3. History records the fell- vania soldiers for their grand achievements m life, while several others were in hospital with 
ing of trees by the fire of the musketry be- the battles of Chattanooga. About Decem- ugly wounds. The tilth was detailed to do 
twern the contending lines. In this work the ber 1st steps were taken for the re-enlisting of the provost duty of the fallen city, while oc- 
1 1 1 th contributed their full share, having fired the old soldiers for a term of three years, cupied by Sherman's forces, known afterwards 
140 rounds per man on the day of the 3d. Theillth Regiment was the second Penn- as Sherman's Bummers. Captain Patterson 
The great artillery duel of that day and many sylvania regiment to report itself as re-enlisted was given charge of the railroad depot and 
other thrilling incidents were ours to share for a second term of service, rank and file re- local transportation, and while so on duty had 
and witness. The effectiveness of the work joining almost to a man. On May 3rd the the distinction forced upon him of superintend- 
of the 1 1 1 th, in the ratio of our loss in our mth Regiment, with 540 muskets and 21 ing the largest family general moving ever 
own ranks, exceeded any engagement we officers, was on the move in the Atlanta cam- kuown in this country, Sherman's order com- 
participated in during the long struggle, being paign, by a forward movement of the entire pelting all citizens to quit Atlanta within 
but five killed, seventeen wounded, none miss- army of General Sherman. May 8 the bat- fifteen days. 

ing With Lee defeated and in 'hasty retreat, tie of Rocky Face and Snake Creek Gap The 1 1 1 th, as stated, were first to enter 
after a series of long marches making more ushered in the opening of the one hundred the city, and on November 16, 1864, left the 
than 350 miles, the halt was made on the Ime days and nights of almost hourly roar of ruins of Atlanta as rear guard. General 
of the Rappahannock river in Virginia, Sep artillery or hissing of the minnie ball in the Sherman had replied to a delegation of citi- 
tember 16. The 11 th and 12 th army corps wake of the contending armies over the 137 zens of the place who inquired where he was 
were ordered west to the reUef of General miles of space between Chattanooga, Tenn., going next, "Just where we please to go." 
Rosecrans, then shut up in the defences of and Atlanta, Ga. The engagements that gave We reached Milledgeville, Ga., November 23, 
Chattanooga, Tenn. The route traveled was them name in history were Buzzard's Roost, where the officers of regiment of General 
via Washington, D. C, over the Baltimore & Dalton, Resaca three days, Kenesaw, Dallas Geary's division found the tables of the legis- 
Ohio railroad via Wheeling, W. Va., Colum- seven days, New Hope Church, Grier's Farm lativehallof state loaded with fresh unfinished 
bus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind., Louisville, Ky., three days, Altoona Pass, Gulp's Farm, Big business. They convened a mock legislature 
railroad to Nashville, Tenn. Halting at Shanty, Coosawatchie Creek, Tunnel Hill, in full working order and completed the 
Stone river, Tenn., we aided in the rebuild- Dug Gap, Cassville, Ackwurth, Addairsville, partially done work, published the full pro- 
ing of the railroad to Bridgeport, Ala., and Marietta, Kolb's Farm, Burnt Hickory, Stone ceedings in the next day's city paper then be- 
crossed the Tennessee river October 27, 1863, Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree ing run by the much despised and hated Yan- 
to raise the siege of Chattanooga, 28 miles Creek, July 20, (where the writer lost an arm kee. 

distant. by a gun-shot wound). The losses of the Savannah, Ga., next point of interest was 

Moving up the valley with rebel signal sta mth in this latter engagement were 73 reached December 11, 1864, and after several 
tions in full view on Lookout mountain, less killed, wounded and missing. Of the 14 of- days of severe shelling and an exclusive rice 
than three miles distant, halting outside of the ficers going into this battle but three were left diet for the invaders, the 1 1 1 th's pickets, be- 
besieged place some six miles, with only Gen- to rally the remnant of the regiment. Among ing nearest the city, reported on night of the 
eral Geary's division with a large train of sup- the killed was the gallant Colonel George A. 20th that they believed the city was being 
plies, we were attacked in the night, and the Cobham. The field was won and the siege of evacuated. Before daybreak the whole bri- 
1 1 1 th sustained a very prominent part and Atlanta begun on that day. July 22 the more gade, headed by the 1 1 1 th, were on their way 
position in an engagement, the most severe complete investment of the place was made into the city. The city authorities met the 
and almost hand to-hand conflict, of some by the troops of the brave Mcpherson in the advance, and surrended in due form to Col 
four hours, that was our lot to enact during battle of Jonesboro. Then for nearly forty onel Walker, commanding the advance guard, 
the war. The position was held until rein- days the 1 1 1 th took part in the work of Again the 1 1 1 th was one of the first regiments 
forced. The line of supplies opened by this erecting counter lines as close to the works of to unfurl the United States flag over a rebel 
battle is known in history as Wauhatchie, the enemy as darkness would permit them to stronghold. They were also given the order 
Tenn. The loss to the III th, then number- work. The work was far from being mono- and protection of the city, as a compliment 
ing less than 300 men in line, was 13 killed tonous, owing to shelling by the enemy, who for their efficiency and discovery. Here a 
and 36 wounded, among whom was the fath- were trying to prevent the work in hand, number of the absent, sick and wounded re- 
erly Major Boyle, Lieutenant Pettit, com- Skirmish during the day and dig all night joined their commands, reaching them via 
pany B, and a brother of the writer. General was the way the boys expressed it. August New York steamers. 

Grant visited the division, on the field of our 25 the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, Returning to Raleigh, the line of March 
night fight, the next day. While so doing a now the Twentieth Corps, fell back some six was resumed, Washington, D. C, being the 
battery of rebel guns on Lookout mountain's miles to the west to the banks of the Chat- objective point, via Richmond, Va. We 
summit, in full view, opened up a furious can- tahoochie river as a strategic movement, and reached and participated in the final grand 
nonade. Grant was silent a few moments, on September 2, the 1 1 1 th Pennsylvania Regi- review of the army. May 24th, I S65; three 
then remarked to the in th's commander: ment and io2d New York made a recon- years after leaving the city of Baltimore, in 



128 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



1862, for the front. June I3tli, 1 1 1 th was 
sent into the city and put on duty as guards 
of guests of the government stopping at the 
Capitol and Carrol prisons. The most noted 
of these was the arch fiend, Captain Nirz, who 
tried to make his escape in open day, but who 
was pinioned to the ground by the bayonet of 
a member of the well tried 1 1 1 th. July iQth, 
1865, the regiment started for Pittsburg, Pa., 
and were mustered out and disbanded on 
July 29th, 1865. 

Summary : The 1 1 1 th received as recruits, 
August 30th, 1863, 1863, from the draft of 
that year, 277 men, 96 of whom deserted 
within 60 days thereafter, while en route from 
Virginia to Tennessee. Also 148 recruits 
while home on veteran furlough. Received 
from the 109th Regiment, by consolidation, 
10 officers and 317 enlisted men. 

There were of enlisted men killed in bat- 
tle, of Company A, 25; Company B, 31; 
Company C, 29 ; Company U, 34 ; Company 
E, 33; Company F, 31; Company G, 18; 
Company H, 23 ; Company I, 22 ; Company 
K, 22; total, 268 men. Died of disease, 
about same number. Officers killed in action, 
7. Died of disease, 4. Wounded, 27. 

There were 253 who re-enlisted as veterans 
for a second term of service. 

The official roster of the regiment shows 
the number wounded of the regiment to be 
325, in three years of field duty. Those 
missing in action, and forever unknovyn, num- 
ber 31 men. Of Crawford county's Company 
E, there was a total of 190 names on the mus- 
ter rolls. Of this number there were but 43 
that answered at the roll call at muster out, 
July 29, 1865. Thirty-three were killed in 
action, 34 wounded, many of whom died of 
their wounds, many crippled for life, others 
died of disease, a few deserted, some were 
discharged tor disabilities, and 30 of the 
Company reenlisted as veterans. Seventeen 
of the original members of the Company at 
Camp Reed, Erie, in 1861, were left, and 
were mustered out with their Company in 
July, 1865. A personal record would make a 
volume for Company E, alone, were we to re- 
cite their many heroic acts ; how they marched 
in the Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Ala- 
bama, Georgia and the Carolinas ; how they 
marched to the sea under the unassuming 
Sherman ; saw the white flag fluttering in the 
breezes, offering the surrender of the last 
remnant of armed rebellion and State's rights 
to a magnanimous conquering army composed 
of our intelligent mass, not equalled by any 
nation on earth. 



211tli PENNSYLTAJilA VOLl'NTEERS 



A Thrilling Narrative of the Brave Deeds 
of Company A. 



(BY A. C. HUIDEKOi'KR.) 

Company A, 211 th Regiment Pennsylvania 

Volunteers, was recruited from Crawford 

county. It was made up of such men as E. 

B, Lee, Robert Swartwout, Henry K. Bagley, 



Atticus Lewis, Chief of Police Scheafnocker, 
of this city, the Blanchards, Likes, Wildey, 
Lybresta, H. Hunter, John, the Radles, 
Duchanois, Fred Bogardus, Timothy Brittain, 
Allen, &c., of Randolph township, the 
Peiffers, Woodring. Wm., Beige Monroe, of 
Woodcock and Venango township ; the 
Keans, of Sadsbury, and this class of men 
all over the county, who are now worthy 
citizens and neighbors. 

There was plenty of young blood in the 
company, Bagley and fourteen others being 
under 21 years of age when they enlisted. 
There were others of more mature age, such 
as .Squire John S. Kean, the Likes, John 
Peiff'er, Tuthill Radle, Elias Thayer, who left 
families behind them, and such men were 
certainly prompted to go to the war to try and 
help end it, from a strong sense of duty. We 
all went under the call of our beloved presi- 
dent, Abraham Lincoln, who once more 
called for 75,000 men for one year's service 
or the war. 

A big United States flag hanging from a 
dilapitated building where Ohlman's clothing 
store now stands in the Delamater block, pro- 
claimed that recruits were wanted, and there 
E. B. Lee and myself as recruiting officers 
had our headquarters. Dewitt C. Blanchard, 
a wounded veteran of the 83d Regiment, re- 
cruited in Randolph township, and others re- 
cruited in a smaller way throughout the coun- 
ty. A wet, stormy September day in 1864 
found the company clustered with their fami 
lies and friends at the old arsenal, located 
where the north ward school house now stands, 
prepared to start for the war. 

A few days at " Camp Reynolds " in Pitts- 
burg where uniforms were issued, a few days 
at Washington, D. C, where arms were issued, 
and then we embarked on a steamer, landed 
at City Point, marched to Bermuda Hundreds, 
and then found ourselves the front of the 
" Provisional Division of the Army of the 
James," occupying the gap between General 
Butler's troops on the right of the James 
river and the Army of the Potomac on our 
left. 

Nineteen days from the time of enlistment 
one of the regiment was killed and others 
wounded, by a shell from a Confederate bat- 
tery, while we were making a demonstiation 
to help General Terry, in his attack on Rich- 
mond from the right bank of the James river, 
an attack that we could plainly see from our 
advanced position. 

Here, for a part of the winter of 1864, we 
acted the part of soldier when on the picket 
line and learned the school of the soldier with 
great persistency when in camp. It was a 
hard winter. Company A did credit to itself 
on the advanced posts, but the malarial fever 
from the James river played sad havoc with 
our ranks in the rear. The ranks were empty, 
the hospital full, and depleted ranks made 
picket duty doubly severe. The picket lines 
were only about 500 yards apart, and gener- 
ally an accepted neutrality made it not un- 



pleasant on the advanced line. But at times 
the Howlitt House battery (which was just in 
our front) would undertake to shell Butler's 
men in the " Dutch Gap Canal," and then we 
would pitch into the Howlitt House battery 
with the heavy guns in our camp. This would 
lead to war on the picket lines, and " Hunt 
your holes, Yank's," and " Hunt your holes. 
Johnnies," was the order of the day. At such 
times picket duty was decidedly unpleasant. 
The details and reliefs had to sneak into their 
rifle pits under cover of night, and the day 
through it was fight, fight, fight, in a general 
random kind of a way. 

And still, my comrades, it is pleasant to 
look back upon. Do you not remember our 
first night on picket ? Of course you do. 
How we marched along with arms "aport," 
trying our best to look like veterans; how 
surprised we were to see the picket line and 
the pickets of the enemy within easy range, 
and how we wondered at it all and asked few 
questions ; and how glad we were at last to 
get to our designated position in the rifle pits, 
and how we mused as to whether our guns 
were really loaded all right, and what a vile 
taste that powder left in one's mouth as you 
bit the cartridges open, and as the darkness 
came and you carefully threw out your vidette 
until he could almost reach the vidette op- 
posed to him, how strictly you informed him 
what to do in case of an attack, and how sad 
he looked as we left him on his solitary post ; 
and then we sat in the rifle pits with strained 
eyes and bated breath trying to pierce the 
darkness ; and then you will remember how 
in the dark midnight came that strange, loud 
shout of Halt, boy ! Halt, boy ! and how we 
clutched out guns and how, breathless with 
haste, we ran to our vidette, and there we 
found faithful Fred Duchanois en garJe, and 
at the end of his musket, white with fear, a 
rebel deserter; and how glad we were, and 
how proud we felt with our prisoner, all ours ; 
and then when the daylight came and a flag 
of truce was sent through us to the com- 
manding general, it did just seem as if the 
responsibility of the war was right on our 
own shoulders. And, comrades, you will re- 
member that niglit of the 17th of November, 
1S64, when the picket line was assaulted and 
Corporal James Turner, Eli M, Berhn, George 
Groft", Joseph Hague and Joseph Rudler, all 
of Company A, were lost, died while bravely 
repelling the attack, or captured as prisoners, 
we know not which, but some of them never 
to return And you will remember that other 
night, when the fight was hardest on the 
picket line, how Corporal Elias Thayer stood 
out in the open behind the rifle pits, where 
the bullets were thickest, because, as he said, 
he wanted more elbow room when he was 
shooting ; a good, brave corporal was he. 

Then came the fall of 1864, and with it 
winter quarters ; and just as Company A was 
fixed for the winter " as snug as a bug in a 
rug," except for the occasional shells that 
played havoc in our camp, orders came to 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



129 



move, and we were marched to the Peters- 
burg front and became a part of the Second 
Brigade, third Division, of the ninth Army 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac. 

In the September number of The Century^ 
of 1887, will be found a graphic account of 
the capture of Fort Steadman by General 
Gordon and his confederate troops. The 
article closes with the curt sentence that "at 
8 a. m. the works captured in the morning 
were occupied by General Hartranft and his 
reserves," and I thought how you, comrades, 
could have told how on that morning you, 
with that good general, John F. Hartranft, 
(•' Black John " as you called him), came trot- 
ting down the road past the " Avery House " 
in plain sight of the whole rebel main line 
that opened on you with shot and shell, and 
how that good General Hartranft threw you 
into the gap just made by General Gordon, 
and his victorious troops, and charging them 
with full brigade front, turned the defeat into 
victory, and how you. Company A, steadily 
keeping the line on the right of the 211 th, 
rushed to the assault, retook the works, with 
your full quota of prisoners, arms, battle flags 
and trophies, and I thought how satisfactory 
it must have been to General Grant to receive 
that second dispatch, which told him that 
Fort Steadman, captured in the morning, had 
been recaptured by you and yours, and the 
old line established,, and how well your work 
satisfied General Parke, in command, was 
shown by the general order issued by him the 
next day congratulating you on your success, 
and commending you for your readiness and 
steadiness in that, your hrst signal engage- 
ment, and how well they liked the work at 
Washington was shown by the second star 
that came to the shoulder straps of your 
worthy commander, General Hartranft, 

During the winter of 1864-5 Company A 
participated in the raid to Hatcher's Run and 
the extension of the line towards the left. 
During the winter we had ample time to 
study that frowning line of forts before us, 
with Petersburg in plain sight, and wonder 
if it would be within the range of possibili 
ties that we would be called to assault them 
in the spring. They certainly looked im 
pregnable, with first the heavy nfle pits, then 
the abattis, then the cheval-de-frise, before 
even you could reach the deep ditches, filled 
with water, that surrounded the forts well 
lined with cannon and supported by infantry. 
It seemed too much for mortal man to be 
asked to do. We raised our spirits with hopes 
of flank movements ; and it was not until 
.\pnl 1st, '65, that General Hartranft rode up 
to our headquarters, and, dismounting, quiet- 
ly explained how, in the morning, you would 
be ordered to assault this line, and how you 
were to steal quietly to your places in column , 
of regiments; how a determined detachment 
of men were to capture the enemy's picket 
line, and there must be no talebearers to re 
port to the enemy what was being done. 
How that brave pioneer corps, axes in hand. 



were to rush forward and cut away the abattis 
cut the cheveauxde-freis and turn it around 
to make a way lor you to rush to the assault 
against frowning " Fort Mahira " (" Fort 
Damnation " as you called it), lined with can- 
non and men. that would belch forth its storm 
of shot, shell and bullets. It almost sickens 
one to think of it, and still it was all done, 
done just as ordered. And when silence 
came in the grey of that morning, after a 
bombardment that lasted the whole night 
long from every gun on both lines, then you 
were in your places as quiet as a hunter on 
the runway of a deer, until one shot from 
Fort Sedgwick (" Fort Hell " as it was called) 
rushed you to the assault ; and well you re- 
member how brave Captain Lee, sword in 
hand, led you into that storm of shot and 
shell, until he fell shot to death himself, and 
then the recoil from the shock as you met 
that sheet of lead, then once more to the as- 
sault, and then amidst your dead and dying 
comrades you grappled with the enemy liand 
to hand, bayonet to bayonet; one moment 




li 



^ " .5^ " v V'V.r-^-C 



SMITH'S BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

more and the fort was won; but, oh, at what 
a sacrifice ; but not a word of that Once 
more to the front, until the second line is 
taken, and then, absolutely exhausted, you 
threw yourselves into the captured trenches 
and fought, and fought savagely for the next 
sixteen hours, with little food and no water, 
repelling every attack made by a re enforced 
enemy, to prevent you from piercing their 
center. 

Then, comrades, you will remember that 
long, long dark night, as you laid amidst your 
dead camrades, trying to close up your shat- 
tered ranks for the assault that must be 
ordered in the morning ; and then that elori- 
ous morning — do you remember how spring 
like it was, how the peach trees in an orchard 
in your front were just breaking into bloom — 
and how you seemed to sniff victory in the 
morning air, for you burst through the 
skirmish line in your front and carried your 
shattered battle flag into Petersburg. Then 
it was trot, trot, trot, with sore feet and ach- 
ing todies, but burning spirits, as we hastened 
forward to cut off Lee, until that happy morn- 
ing at Appomatox when all was ended. 

Ves, comrades, it was your good lortune to 
have borne an honorable part in a campaign. 



short, sharp and glorious. Then the return 
home, the last great " march past," before our 
great captain. Grant, and you were home, 
those that were left of you, to take up the 
cares and duties of civil life. And that your 
sons may grow up to know but one great 
united country, ever united against a com- 
mon foe, but ever seeking peace when it can 
be found with honor, is the wish of your for- 
mer captain. 



THE 57TH PENNSYLVANIA. 

A History of Company K, 57th Pennsyl- 
vania Veteran Volunteers. 

(BY CAPTAIN E. C. STROUSS. 

This company was recruited at Titusville, 
Pa., in the fall of 1861. The nucleus of the 
company was thirty-six men, who lelt Titus- 
ville on the 1st day of October, 1861, and 
proceeded to Harrisburg, Pa., where at Camp 
Curtin in the following November it became 
a part of the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Vol 
unteers. The organization of the company 
was completed, and the following were ap 
pointed as the commissioned officers of the 
same : Captain, Cornelius .S. Chase ; first 
lieutenant, Alanson H. Nelson ; second lieut- 
enant, Chester L. Morse. 

The regiment originally numbered about 
850 men and was commanded by Colonel 
William Maxwell, of Mercer, Pa., who re- 
signed in March, 1862. He was succeeded 
by Colonel Charles T. Campbell, of Franklin 
county. Pa. This officer was severely wounded 
at Fair Oaks and at Fredericksburg, Va. He 
was afterwards promoted to Brigadier General 
and assigned to a command in the depart- 
ment of the northwest. Colonel Peter Sides, 
formerly Captain of Company A, then took 
command of the regiment. He was wounded 
at the battle of the Wilderness and did not 
return to active duty. 

When the organization of " .A.rmy Corps " 
was ordered by President Lincoln in March. 
1862, the 57th formed a part of Hamilton's 
Division of the Third Corps. About the 3d 
of May, 1862, General Hamilton was relieved 
in command of the division and was succeeded 
by General •' Phil Kearney," who was killed 
at Chantilly, Va., September 1st, 1862. His 
body was sent inside our lines by General R. 
E. Lee, alter which two companies of the 
57th, under command of Captain J. B. Moore, 
of I'ittsburg, acted as escort to the body of 
General Kearney as far as Alexandria, Va. 

After the death of Kearney, General D. B. 
Birny assumed command of the Division. 
When the Maryland campaign began in Sep- 
tember, 1862, General George A. Stoneman 
commanded the Division until about the first 
of November, when General Birney, who had 
been absent, returned, and assumed command 
until October, 1864, when he was assigned to 
command the loth Army Corps. 

At Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the 57lh 
formed a part of Graham's (First Brigade), 



130 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Birney's (First iJivision), Sickles' (Third 
Corps). 

In the fall of 1863, the Third Corps was 
commanded by General W. B. French, who 
retained command until the army of the Poto- 
mac was reorganized in March, 1864 The 
old Third Corps was then disbanded, and the 
old divisions of Hooker and Kearney, then 
commanded by Birney and Mott, were as- 
signed to General Hancock's Second Corps, 
and were designated as the Third and Fourth 
division'- of that Corps. In the month of 
May, 1864, all that was left of the "Old 
Third Corps " was consolidated into one di- 
vision and was known as the Third Division 
of the Second Corps and was commanded by 
General Birney. The latter remained in com- 
mand of the division until he was assigned to 
the Tenth Corps as above staled. 
General Gershom Mott then as- 
sumed command. After General 
Hancock left the Army of the 
Potomac he was succeeded by 
General A. A. Humphreys, wdio 
commanded the Second Corps 
until the close of the war. 

During the last campaign of 
the Army of the Potomac, the 
57th formed part of the 2nd 
Brigade (General B. R. Pierce) 
3rd Division (General Mott), 
2nd Corps (General Humph- 
reys). The heaviest losses in- 
curred by the regiment occurred 
while it was composed of the 
men who enlisted for three years 
in 1 86 1, and of the three years' 
volunteers who joined the regi- 
ment while it was on " veteran 
lurlough," in January and Feb- 
ruary, 1864. The casualties 
sustained by the regiment subse- 
quent to September ist, 1864, 
were trifling compared to those 
that had occurred previous to 
that time. 

During its term of service the 
Fiftyseventh Pennsylvania par- 
ticipated in 35 engagements, its 
total losses being as follows : 
Officers killed, 1 1 ; wounded, 33; captured, 5. 
Enlisted men killed, 93; wounded, 472; cap 
tured, 194 The 84th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers and the " Old 57ih " were consolidated 
into one regiment by special order of January 
6, 1865, therefore known as the 57th. Com 
pany K of the 57th, after the consolidation, 
was known as Company I'".. Total loss of the 
regiment, 808. 

The consolidated 57lh I'ennsylvania Veteran 
Volunteers was mustered out of service at 
Bailey's Cro.ss Roads, near Alexandria, Va., 
June 29, 1865, and was finally discharged at 
Harrisburg, Pa., July 6th, 1865. Of the 850 
men that originally composed the 57th, but 
one officer and 97 men remained when it was 
mustered out of service. 

The field officers of the consolidated regi 



nient were as follows : Colonel, George 
Zinn, of the 84th ; lieutenant colonel, George 
W. Perkins, of the 57th ; major, Samuel 
Bryan, of the 84th. The 57th served with 
the Army of the Potomac in all its campaigns 
from Yorktown to Appomatox. The 84'th had 
its first fight at Winchester, Va., March 23d, 
1862. Then at Front Royal, Port Republic 
and Second Bull Run. Its subsequent service 
was with the Army of the Potomac until the 
close of the war. 

ROSTER OK COMPANY K, 57TH I'ENNSYLVANIA 
VETERAN VOLUNTEERS COMMISSIONED OF- 
FICERS. 

Cornelius S. Cha.se — Enrolled at Titusville, 
Pa. Commissioned captain September 4, 1861. 
Wounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Died 
of effects of wound and typhoid fever at St. 




HON. H. L. RICHMOND, Jr. 

Joseph Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., June 17, 
1862. 

Alanson H. Nelson — Enrolled at Titusville, 
Pa. Commissioned first lieutenant Septem- 
l)er 4, 1861. To'rank as captain from June 
17, 1862. Honorably discharged by reason 
of expiration of term of service November i, 
1864. 

Ellis C. Stiouss enlisted as private at Titus- 
ville, Pa., September 2d, 1861. Promoted 
sergeant. May loth, 1863. First sergeant, 
September 28th, 1863. Re enlisted at Brandy 
Station,. Va., December 2 1st, 1863. Com- 
missioned to rank as second lieutenant, June 
28th, 1864. To captain, to rank from Nov- 
ember 15th, 1864. Wounded at battle of 
Charles City Cross Roads, June 30th, 1862, 
and at Wilderness, May 6th, 1864. Mustered 



out with company, June 29th, 1865, and 
honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., 
July 6th, 1865. 

Thomas J. Crossley enlisted and appointed 
sergeant at Titusville, Pa., September 2, 1861. 
Commissioned and mustered as first lieuten- 
ant December 1, 1862. Taken prisoner at 
the Sherfy House at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 

1863. Arrived at Libby Prison, Richmond 
Va., July 18, 1863. He was in prison at Dan- 
ville, Va., Saulisbury, N. C, Charlotte, N. C, 
Augusta and Macon, Ga., and at Charleston, 
S. C. Escaped from "Camp Sorghum," 
Columbia, S. C, November 24th, 1864. Re- 
captured at Edgefield, S. C, December Ist, 
1S64. Rescaped from Columbia, S. C, Dec- 
ember 6th, 1864, and entered the Union lines 
near Waynesboro, Ga,, December, 1864. 

Died at Titusville, Pa., Sep. 
tember 15, 1875. 

John W. Parks, assigned to 
Company K from " Old Com- 
pany E," upon consolidation of 
the regiment January 16, 1865. 
He did not serve with Company 
K, but acted as first lieutenant 
and quartermaster. Promoted 
quartermaster of regiment May, 
1865. Wounded at Peach 
Orchard, near Yorktown, Va., 
April II, 1862, and at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va.,^May 3d, 1863. 

John A. Silliman enlisted as 
private at Titusvijle, Pa., Sep- 
tember 2, 1861. Re enlisted at 
Brandy .Station, Va., December 
21st, 1863. Promoted sergeant 
January Ist, 1864. First ser 
g e a n t December ist, 1864. 
Commissioned to rank as sec- 
ond lieutentant from March i, 
1865. First lieutenant to rank 
from April 18, 1865. Wounded 
at Chancellorsville and at Wild- 
erness, Virginia. 

Chester F. Morse, enrolled at 
Titusville, Pa., commissioned as 
second lieutenant, to rank from 
September 4, 1861. Wounded 
at Charles City Cross Roads, Va., 
June 30, 1862. Resigned on account of phy- 
sical disability at Camp Pitcher, Va.. October 
4, 1883. 

John M. Robinson, enlisted as private at 
Titusville, Pa., for three years, December, 
1861 ; promoted sergeant June 7, 1862; and 
commissioned second lieutenant, to rank from 
December 1st, 1862; honorably discharged 
by virtue of physical disability June 27, 1864. 
Joseph H. Freeman, enlisted for three years 
at Titusville, Pa., September 2d, 1861. Re- 
enlisted at Brandy .Station, Va., December 
2ist, 1863. Promoted Corporal January 1st, 

1864. Sergeant, December 1st, 1864. First 
Sergeant, April 19th, 1865. Commissioned 
to rank as second lieutenant from April i8lh, 

1865. Wounded at Fredericksburg and at 
Wilderness, Va. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



131 



')8TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. 



A Sketch of Company F of the 58th 
Regiment, Three Months, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. 

(BY HON. H. L. RICHMOND, JR.) 

The union army defeated at Fredericksburg 
in December, 1862 and at Chancellorsville in 
May, 1S63, I.ee moving up the Shenandoah 
Valley alarmed the north. On the 9th of 
June, 1863, the War department established 
two new military departments ; Monongahela, 
embracing Western Pennsylvania, West Vir- 
ginia and Ohio, headquarters at Pittsburg, 
.Major General William T. H. Brooks in com- 
mand ; Susquehanna department, comprising 
Eastern Pennsylvania. On the 12th of June, 
Governor Curtin issued a 
proclamation calling atten- 
tion to these departments, 
and urged the volunteering 
of a suflficieht force to defend 
the state. On Sunday morn 
ing, the 28th of June, word 
reached Meadville that Lee's 
army had entered the state 
and was pressing towards 
Marrisburg and Pittsburg. 
I In the receipt of the intel- 
ligence the court house bell 
was rung, and our citizens 
soon filled the old court room 
to overflowing, to ascertan 
the cause of the alarm. Before 
the meeting adjourned, over 
one hundred men signed the 
roll for the front. The action 
of this meeting was sent for- 
ward, and on the 1st of July 
transportation wras secured 
and the company bid good- 
by to their relatives and 
friends, left for Pittsburg by 
way of Ravenna, Ohio, on 
the A. & G. W. R'y, the "■ 

r.earest railway route at that 
date. The company, under 
command of George H. 
Benius, captain, arriving at 
Pittsburg, we found evei7thing putting on a 
war-like appearance, fortifications being con- 
structed on surrounding hills, and a general 
preparation to defend every avenue of ap- 
proach to the city. Our company took quar- 
ters at Camp Howe, at which place the 58th 
Regiment was organized, of which our com- 
pany was a part, and the only one from Craw- 
ford, other companies from Crawford entering 
other regiments. The Regiment was recruited 
and mustered into service for three months, 
under the following command: Colonel, 
George H. Bemus ; lieutenant-colonel, Wil- 
liam P. McNary ; major, Henry J. Van Kirk ; 
adjutant, Henry Dubbs ; quartermaster, Joseph 
T. Chase; quartermaster 'sergeant, Charles B. 
Lee, with other field and staff officers. The 
regiment consisted of ten companies. Our 



company was known as Company F and its 
roll shows the following names : Captain, 
Frederick W. Huidekoper; first lieutenant, 
Sol L. Kightlinger; second lieutenant, H. L. 
Richmond, Jr.; first .sergeant, Charles K. Ellis; 
sergeants, Robert Andrews, Robert Adrain, 
Jr., James J. Davis, John M. Mullen ; cor- 
porals, Harvey Henderson, Orange Lindley, 
Thomas S. Mctarland, Henry A. Bagley, 
Edward Huchanan, Arthur C. Huidekoper, 
Walter S. Harper, Connor C. Selden. Pri- 
vates: Simon Adler, Charles H. Bagley, 
John A. Barber, David Buchanan, Thomas 
M. Bortner, Sylvester Breckenridge, George 
S. Cullum, Perry Corson, Francis Cole, Har- 
vey C. Conger, David P. Compton, Henry 
Clump, Henry W. Chase, William Z. Claffen, 
David C. Dunn, Henry L. Davis, William H. 




COL. JOHN B. COMPTON. 

Chief Marshal Centennial Industrial Procession 

Dunn, Gilbert B. Eastman, James D. Gibson, 
David McGill, Ansel M. Gorton, Richard P. 
Ha-tings, Herman J. Huidekoper, Joseph .1. 
Hickman, Alvin M. Hill, Edward M. Hath- 
away, George K. Houser, John Hosmer, 
Edward B. Jones, Jeremiah Kinnifl, Jarus H. 
Kirkpatrick, Arrison Keen, Charles B. Lewis, 
Ralph Lutton, Jr., William Zuphart, George 
Mahoney, William B. McNeil, John Mc 
Namara, Alfred Northam, Omar Nelson, 
Squier A. Newbold, Peter Ridle, William F. 
Randolph, Albert H. Steele, Robert M. 
Stubbs, Edwin H. Sawyer, Davis Swaney, 
John A.Taylor, James N. Voorhees, Cornelius 
Van Home, Byron Wright. 

The regiment left Camp Howe, and moved 
to a camp of their own near Homewood sta- 
tion. Lee was defeated at Gettysburg, driven 



back, and our state pronounced for a time se- 
cure from invasion. About the time Lee 
crossed the Potomac, John Morgan, a rebel 
cavalry leader, left Sparta, Tenn., with lo,- 
000 picked men, for a raid through western 
Ohio and Pennsylvania, in hopes of meeting 
Lee at Lake Erie. He crossed the Ohio river 
at Bandenburg on the 7th of July, with a some- 
what depleted command, having lost heavily 
in encounters prior to that date. Learning of 
the defeat of Lee, he turned back, but was 
prevented recrossing the Ohio river by guard- 
ing gunboats. General Shackelford and five 
Pennsylvania regiments, the 58th being one, 
and on Sunday the 26th of July Morgan was 
captured. Our regiment guarded fords along 
the river, turning him back at Legrange and 
Steubenville. On the night of the 25th we 
were moved by rail to Haiu- 
mondsville, on the C. & P. 
railway.' .Arriving there 
about 2 in the morning, we 
lay down for a rest in an old 
ashery yard. About day 
break of the 26th we were 
aroused by the tread of 
horsemen and the clatter of 
saber.<. Down the hill on 
the left of Hammondsville 
came General Shackelford 
and his worn-out command. 
■\lter a short consultation, a 
movement was planned. We 
boarded our coal cars and 
Shackelford went off on a 
road to the right. We were 
ordered to drop a company 
at each road crossing the 
railroad leading to the Ohio 
river. Two companies had 
been stationed when the 
train brought us to the camp 
of 245 of Morgan's com- 
mand. They were on the 
left of the track, had just 
'■' ' finished their morning ra- 

tions, and were about to 
move. They surrendered 
and were taken in charge by 
two of our companies. They 
were tired of hardships and willingly threw 
down their arms in hopes of an early exchange. 
Their camp that night was at the outer limits 
of the small town Seleinville. At 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon Shackelford had headed oft^ 
Morgan with the balance of his command, 
who surrendered without resistance. Five 
hundred and sixty five men were captured, 
with Morgan and his staft. Morgan, some- 
what disabled, rode in an old rockaway bug- 
gy, drawn by two fine cream-colored horses. 
His men had but little of the Confederate 
uniform, as they had exchanged at clothing 
stores, many wearing silk hats, broadcloth 
coats and patent leather boots, well provided 
with money taken from citizens along their 
route. Their horses were fresh from farm 
bains and fields. Title to property to meet 



132 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



their wants was never questioned by them. 
The men were taken to Columbus by Com- 
pany's A and F, Morgan and his stafl' by 
Shackelford, and delivered to the authorities. 
This was the last of a rebel armed force upon 
northern soil. Many incidents could be men- 
tioned, pleasing and sorrowful to those com- 
posing the 58th and Company F, but it is our 
purpose to simply present the record of Com- 
pany F. To those of that company, a glance 
:it the roll will recall that long day in the his- 
tory of our country's rebellion. (.)ur regi- 
ment returned to Pittsburg when all danger 
I if a returning foe was over, and were mus- 
tered out with the rest that answered to the 
war governor's call. 



ger, Sigler and Huidekoper, who were com- 
missioned as captains. 

As soon as the troops were uniformed and 
armed I was designated by the adjutant gen- 
eral as lieutenant colonel, and through his 
courtesy was allowed to select the number for 
the regiment, and from some half dozen or 
more not already appropriated I selected the 
number "150." The field and staff were 
commissioned on September the 4th — Lang- 
home Wister as colonel, Thomas Chamberlin 
as major, R. L. Ashhurst as adjutant, Dr. 

O'Hara as surgeon, and Voorhis as 

quartermaster. As captam of Co. K, in my 



place, Lieutenant D. 'V. Derickson was com 
missioned. The term of enlistment was for 
three years, and upon the conclusion of the chief reasons for the failure of his campaign 



spring of 1863 this brigade was, with Custer's 
Michigan brigade, organized as the third di- 
vision cavalry corps, under General Kil- 
patrick. 

In the Gettysburg campaign the division 
moved northward through Fredericks, Mid- 
dletown, Littletown to Hanover, Pa-, where a 
hot engagement occurred with Stewart's caval- 
ry, in which the 1 8th lost several men in 
killed and wounded. This fight was impor- 
tant as the means of preventing the enemy's 
cavalry from joining Lee's army, the absence 
of which is given by that officer as one of the 



war in April, 1865, having served with gal 
lantry and credit, the regiment was mustered 
out of service at Elmira, N. V. 



loOTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 

A Brief Sketch of the Organization and 
Service of the Regiment. 



(BY COLONEL H. S. HUIDEKOPER.) 

In July, 1862, written authority was given 
to me by Major 



of invasion. In the charge by the enemy on 
the i8th regiment in the streets of Hanover, a 
rebel soldier gave Captain Britton of Com- 
pany " F " a cut over the head with his sabre, 
while the captain was harmlessly snapping his 
rusty pistol in the face of the officer. When 
Captain liritton found it would not go oft' he 
(BV CAPT.^lN I. w. SMITH.) threw it away and putting spurs to his horse 

Crawford county furnished two companies got out of reach without once thinking of his 

own sabre. He 



18TH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY. 

A Recital of the Dashing Deeds of the 
i8th Penna. Cavalry Volunteers. 



Roy Stone, recruit 
ing officer at Har 
risburg, to recruit 
four companies in 
Crawford county, 
to form part of an 
organization to be 
known as the 
Bucktail Brigade, 
o f which Major 
Stone was to be 
the head, first as 
colonel of the First 
Regiment and af- 
terwards as the 
duly commission 
ed commander of 
it. The Major had 
then served a year 
in the field as ma 
jor of the old First 
Bucktails and wa^ 
home on recruit 
ing service by rea 
son of a wound 
received in battle. 

Upon the papers sent me I delegated the 
right to raise companies (one company each) 
to J. W. H. Reisinger and John B. Fay, of 
Meadville, and to J. W. Sigler, of Titusville, 
leaving one company to be raised by myself. 
By the end of August the four companies 
were ready for transfer to Harrisburg, and 
upon reaching that rendezvous were attached 
to a regiment of which Langhorne Wister liad 
been designated as the colonel. He had 
brought with him from Philadelphia four com- 
panies, A, B, E and F. Two companies, D 
and G, from Union and McKean counties, 
were assigned to the same body, which, with 
our four companies C, H, I and K, completed 
the organization. Our companies were mus. 
tered into the service of the United States 
about August 25th, 1862, under Fay, Reisin- 













if 






M 




RESIDENCE OF HON. G. W. DELAMATER, Chestnut Street 

for the Eighteenth Regiment Pennsylvania 
Cavalry Volunteers ; Company " B," Captain 
J. W. Phillips, recruited at Meadville, Septem- 
ber, 1862, and Company " U," Captain Joseph 
Gilmore, recruited at Titusville about the 
same time. 

On December Sth, 1862, the regiment 



felt deeply morti- 
fied at his discom- 
fiture, for he said 
h e could easily 
have cut his an- 
tagonist's head off, 
if he had only 
thought of his 
weapon ; and no 
doubt he could, 
foi he was a large 
and powerful 
man. He is now 
on the police force 
in New York In 
this engagement 
.\. W. Stone was 
shot through the 
fa ce , destroying 
the sight of one 
eye, and nearly 
that of the other. 
He is a butcher 
by trade and at 
last accounts was 
living in Edin- 
boro. Here also George D. Taggart was 
taken prisoner, but in the hurry his captor' 
neglected to disarm him, and before'he got to 
the rear our forces counter-charged, and the 
rebel got in a hurry and rode ahead of his 
prisoner, when Mr. Taggart gave him a charge 
from his carbine that made him bite the dust. 



moved to Hradensburg, Md., where it was and then Tnggait was at liberty to rejoin his 
partially armed and equipped and began the comrades. 



mounted drill. (.)n January, 1863, it crossed 
the long bridge and encamped on the Virginia 
side of the Potomac, within the fortifications. 
About two weeks later the regiment was 



On the morning of the 4th ol July the 3d 
division of cavalry took up its march south- 
ward, through Emmitsburg and over South 
Mountain at Monterey Springs, where we 



moved out beyond Fairfax C. H, and brigaded struck Ewell's wagon train about midnight, 

with the 5th New York and 1st Vermont A charge scattered the train guard, and two 

cavalry regiments, under Colonel Percy pieces of artillery, and 1,000 prisoners and 

Wyndham, and here began its first real mill- 200 wagons and ambulances fell into our 

tary service, picketing and scouting. In the hands. The captured train was sacked and 



Errata — On page 133, the statement in relation to Lieut. David T, McKay should 
read that he was exchanged instead of executed. 
On page 154, the second paragraph beginning at thu I Ilh line should read. 
"In 1783 the Legislature appointed < ol. Olis McClean, Joseph and 
William Montgomery, commissioners to settle the difficulty between the 
Connecticut and Pennsylvania settlers at Wyoming on the Susquehanna 
.River. Mrs. McArthur was married in 1 X2y to Moses Scott, Esq , who 
died May 6, 1834. She died January 6, 1S42 in the 67th year of her age. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



133 



Imrned the next day near Smithfield, it being 
impracticable to take it out. On the night of 
the 5th Kilpatrick delivered his prisoners to 
General French at Boonsboro. On the 6th 
he engaged the enemy in Hagerstown, where 
the i8th made a gallant charge, losing Cap- 
tain Lindsay of Company A, and muny valua- 
ble lives besides. Here Colonel Dahlgreen 
lost a leg. Sergeant Joseph Brown was shot 
by a lady from the window of a house. He 
was taken into a private house and nursed till 
he died some days afterwards. He was a 
noble Christian gentleman and a brave sol- 
dier. Here E. N. Tubbs, of Little Cooley, 
received a gun shot wound in the face. 
Edward Carr, of Richmond township, was 
wounded here also. 

In the afternoon we were pressed back sev- 
eral miles, every inch of which 
was contested in order to delay 
the enemy while Buell should 
destroy his pontoons at Williams- 
port. This was done, and here 
was the grand opportunity for 
Meade to crush Lee's army. The 
Potomac was up and there was 
no bridge. Lincoln saw the op- 
portunity and every private in 
Meade's army saw it. The 
enemy was short of amunition, 
and no army will fight in a cor. 
ner as they were. Every private 
in Lee's army expected t h e 
worst. Meade had not the 
nerve. The Potomac subsided 
and Lee passed over to his old 
stampnig grounds. Kilpatrick's 
division captured about five 
hundred prisoners of the rear 
guard at Falling Waters, and 
two pieces of artillery that had 
been abandoned. Among the 
prisoners was an acquaintance 
o( Captain Phillips and the 
writer, a member of the 7th 
Tennessee, and a member of 
Captain Morris' company. Cap- 
tain A. U. Morris graduated with 
high honor from Allegheny Col- 
lege in i860. 

At Culpepper Court House in September, 
Lieutenant, David T. McKey, in leading a 
charge fell into the enemy's hands and was 
held a prisoner at Columbia and Charleston 
till March, 1865, when he was executed. He 
was a dashing officer, brave to recklessness, 
and much esteemed by his regimental com 
mander. In the spring of 1864, the Eigh 
teenth went with Kilpatrick on his raid to 
Richmond, and again under General Wilson 
in the wilderness campaign, strikmg valiant 
blows for the Union at Spottsylvania Court 
House, where Marion Southwick fell in a 
charge. 

Rejoining Mead's army at the South .Anna 
river, the cavalry was engaged day and night 
almost without rest or sleep until Grant 
crossed the James and took up his position in 



front of Petersburg. At St. Mary's church 
the eighteenth lost two officers and about 
thirty men. On the 7th of August the first 
and third divisions embarked at City Point for 
Washington, and joined the army of the 
Shenandoah. At Washington the first brigade, 
including the 88th Pennsylvania, was armed 
with Spencer's repeating carbines. The 
campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in the fall 
of 1864 was a picnic for .Sheridan's cavalry. 
The enemy fled before our repeating carbines, 
and the country was full of bread and butter 
and apple butter and applejack, besides 
chickens and flour and hams; and the flank- 
ers and skirmishers who could leave the 
column generally helped themselves. There 
was hard fighting and sometimes it was our 
turn to run ; but. wilhal, there was so much 



" gave up the last full measure of devotion " 
to their country. Many died in hospitals, 
some in rebel prisons ; and those are none the 
less heroes, and are entitled to equal honor 
with those who fell on the field of battle 
Together now they tent " on fame's eternal 
camping-ground." It becomes those who 
survive to keep their memory green and hand 
down their fame to generations yet unborn. 



FROM CRAWFORJ». 



Some Companies that Went to the Front 
From Crawford County. 




COLONKL OLIVER KEESE. 

County Treasurer, 1888-go. 

freedom and so much dash in the campaign 
that we enjoyed it. Space forbids detail, but 
the cavalry arm of the service never did so 
good work during the war as in the Shenan 
doah Valley in the fall of 1864. Custer, with 
two regiments, captured fourteen stands of 
colors and forty six pieces of artillery at the 
end of the fight at Cedar Creek. 

The Eighteenth went into winter quarters 
on the Maryland side near Harper's Ferry, 
thus securing the first rest from picket duty it 
had known since it crossed the Potomac in 
January 1863. 

The Eighteenth Pennsylvania cavalry has a 
proud record. It faced the enemy in not less 
than thirty five engagements, great and small. 
It saw exacting and hard service, and many 
noble sons of Crawford county in its ranks 



12TH V.\. CA\ ALRY. 

The 113th, 1 2th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was 
organized at Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall of 

1862. Term of service, three 
years. Mustered out July 20th, 
1865, at Winchester, Va. Co. 
B, of this regiment, was from 
Crawford county, and was re- 
cruited at Titusville. 

I36TH PA. VOLUNTEERS. 
The 136th Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers was organized at Harris- 
burg, Pa., in August, 1862. Term 
of service, nine months. Mus- 
tered out of service May 29th, 

1863, at Harrisburg, Pa. Co. I, 
of this regiment, was from this 
county. It was commanded by 
Captain .Asa Chapman, who died 
of wounds received at Freder 

: ;_ icksburg, Va. 

I39TH FA. VOLUNTEERS. 

The 139th Pennsylvania Vol 
unteers was organized at Har- 
risburg, Penna., in the fall of 
1S62. Term of service, nine 
months. Mustered out June 1st 
and 2nd, 1863. Co. B was from 
Crawford county, and was com- 
m a n d e d by Captain DeLos 
Walker. 

I45TH PA. VOLUNTEERS. 

The 145th Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers was organized at Erie 
Pa., in fall of 1862. Term of 
service, three years Mustered out on May 
31st, at Alexandria, Va. This regiment was 
commanded by Colonel Hiram Brown, who 
was previously a captain in 'he 83d Pa. Vol- 
unteers. Co. H of the 145th was from Craw- 
ford county, and was commanded by Captain 
A. J. Mason, who died of wounds received at 
P'redericksburg, Va., September 13th, 1862. 

169TH IiRApnED MILITIA. 

The 169th Pennsylvania Drafted Militia 
was organized at Pittsburg, Pa. Term of ser- 
vice, nine months. Companies C, H, I and K 
were from Crawford county, and were com- 
manded by Captains Adam Davis, Jesse Bald- 
win, Samuel Johnson, and I. E. Myers, respect- 
ively. Mustered out in July, 1863, at Harris- 
burg, Pa. 



134 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



I99TH PA. VOLUNTEERS. 

The 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers was 
organized at Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall of 

1864. Term of service, one year. Mustered 
out of service — except recruits — June 28th, 

1865. Co. F was from Crawford county, and 
was commanded by Captam I. E. Myers, who 
was formerly of the 169th Pa. Militia. The 
colonel of the 199th was J. C. Briscoe, who 
was well known in the old Third Corps of 
the Army of the Potomac, having served on 
the staff of Generals Kearney and Birney. 
ERIE REGIMENT INFANTRY PENNSYLVANIA 

VOLUNTEERS. 

This regiment was organized at Erie, Pa., 
April 27th, 1 86 1. Term of service, three 
months. Discharged at Camp Wright, near 
Pittsburg, Pa., July 20th, 186 1. This regi- 
ment was commanded by Colonel John W. 
McLane. He was afterward colonel of the 
83d Pa. Volunteers of the three years' service. 
While in command of the 83d he was killed 
in action at the battle of Gaines' Mill, June 
27th, 1S62. Co. D of the Erie regiment was 



There are at present nineteen subordinate 
granges in the county, about one-half of 
which own a hall, and the order is in a flour- 
ishing condition. The society originated in 
the depressed condition of agriculture follow- 
ing the war of the rebellion, and was especial- 
ly designed to redress the grievances of farm- 
ers in the west on account of the injustice of 
railroad companies in their charges for carry- 
ing agricultural products, and on account of 
the exorbitant prices paid middlemen for 
handling such freight, and for supplying agri- 
cultural implements and stores. The plan of 
the organization is similar to the Odd Fellows 




HENRY P. MARLEY. 

County Commissioner, l888-go. 

from the vicinity of Conneautville, Pa., and 
was commanded by Captain J. L. Dunn. Co. 
F. was from Titusville, Pa., and was com- 
manded by Captain Chas. Morgan. 



PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 



(BY H. M. CUTSHALL.) 

A national association of agriculturists, of 
which Mr. O. H. Kelley, a native of Boston, 
Mass., is the reputed founder. "Grange "is 
the familar name of the organizations, whether 
subordinate, county, state or national. 

The organization dates back to the year 
1867. In 1874 the number of granges num- 
bered 30,000, with a membership of 2,500,- 
000. In the state of Pennsylvania there are 
over 800 subordinate granges, with a mem- 
bership of nearly 40,000. In Crawford coun- 
ty there are] nineteen subordinate and one 
" Pomona " Grange with a membership of up- 
wards of 1,200. 

The first grange in Crawford county was 
organized in 1870 at Woodcock township. 




All) FOR THE BRAVE. 



The Work of the Meadville Relief Asso- 
ciation for the Sick and Wounded 
in the Army. 



and sons were rushing to the defense of her 
national life and the protection of our homes, 
the ladies of Meadville, with true patriotism, 
began to work for their comfort, furnishing 
supplies of different kinds; but it was not 
until October 4th, 1S61, that "The Meadville 
Relief Association for the Sick and Wounded 
in the Army " was organized. Mrs. Hannah 
Moore was made presiflent, with secretary, 
treasurer and various committees to assist. 
She filled the office most faithfully and effi- 
ciently, devoting her time and strength to the 
work, and much of its success was due to her 
earnest and wise management. October 7th, 
1863, she was forced to resign on account of 
ill health, and Mrs. Wm. Thorp was chosen 
to the office, the duties of which she discharged 
in a most devoted and satisfactory manner to 
the end of the work. 

In January, 1862, the society became a 
central depot for forwarding supplies for 
county societies. Auxiliaries were formed in 
almost every village and neighborhood in 
the county, and generous donations were 



WALTER A. LINDSAY. 

County Commissioner, i888-go. 

and is designed to bring the farmers of the 
country into active co-operation for mutual 
protection. Each grange elects its own of- 
ficers, women being admitted to membership 
equally with men, but no one is eligible of 
either sex unless they are engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. 

In 1874 the National Grange issued its 
declaration of purposes, declaring the objects 
of the order to be " to develop a higher and 
better manhood and womanhood among our- 
selves ; to enhance the comforts and attrac- 
tions of our homes ; to buy less and produce 
more, in order to make our farms self-sustain- 
ing ; to discountenance the credit system, the 
mortgage system, and every other system 
tending to prodigality and bankruptcy; to se- 
cure harmony, good will and vital brother- 
hood among ourselves and make our order 
perpetual." 

This order has been instrumental in secur 
ing some necessary and needed legislation in 
many states and also in congress. The period 
of depression which overtook this organiza- 
tion has passed by, and the order in not only 
this country, but in all the states, has taken in 
more members during the past year than in 
the last five years taken together, and is in a 
healthy condition. 




When the cloud of civil war broke upon 
our land and hundreds ot our brave fathers 



EDWIN J, BAILEY. 

County Commissioner, 1888-90. 

received and forwarded to the front. After 
a brief experience, finding independent 
shipments hazardous and expensive, it was 
decided to send through the Soldiers' Aid 
Society of Northern Ohio. In the " Histori- 
cal .Sketch of Cleveland Branch, U. S. Sani- 
tary Commission," is the following report ; 
" Society of Meadville, Pa. Presidents, Mrs. 
Hannah Moore, Mrs. Wm. Thorp; secretary, 
Miss E. C. Callender ; treasurer, Miss E. G. 
Huidekoper. This society, though properly 
reporting its business to the credit of the State 
of Pennsylvania, was, for convenience of rail- 
road transportation, a tributary to the Soldiers' 
Aid Society of Northern Ohio. From its 
organization — October, 1861 — to the close of 
the war, the Meadville Aid Society was an 
important auxiliary to the Cleveland Sanitary 
Commission. Besides shipments of two hun- 
dred and sixty-one packages of choice hospi- 
tal stores, and liberal supplies furnished to sick 
soldiers and their families in and near the 
city, its books show a cash disbursement of 
S6,68l.2i. The citizens of Meadville contri- 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



135 



buted, through their Aid Society, to the Cleve- 
land Sanitary Fair, articles valued at S746-00, 
and to the Pittsburg Sanitary Fair S500.00." 
When the war was over, and the society 
was notified to send no more supplies, there 
was still money in bank, and garments and 
stores on hand. These were distributed among 
soldiers' orphan schools, disabled soldiers, 
local charities, and the city hospital. 



PHIL.INTHROPY. 



ficers in charge : President, Rev. T. D. 
Logan; vice president, Mrs. S. T. Dick'; 
treasurer, G. W. Delamater ; secretary. Miss 
E. C. Callender. 

The work was thorough and encouraging, 
and the following year, with a new corps of 
officers and board of directors, the society, 
designmg to make itself a permanent organiza- 
tion, added to its work a sewing school, night 
school, day nursery, employment bureau, etc. 



A Sketch of the Meadville Society for 
the Improvement of the Con- 
dition of the Poor. 

(BY E. \V. l.AKl'ER.) 

In every community, however industrious 
and thrifty its people, there is always a certain 
proportion of unfortunate or idle and im- 
provident ones who constitute a formidable 
company of helpless poor. The relief of this 
class is a work which every conscientious 
citizen feels he dare not neglect. But the 




N 



\V. H. 

Clerk of 



GASKILL. 

Courts 1888-90. 




wisest way to assist, without fostering pauper- 
ism, is a problem, the solution of which many 
thoughtful minds have pondered, Meadville 
is not without its generous proportion of 
indigent ones, and the charitably disposed 
have tried various methods and plans for their 
relief. Societies have been organized during 
the winter, when want and suftering prevail, 
and money donated and disbursed for tem- 
porary relief, with little eftect upon the per- 
manent bettering of the condition of the 
poor. To the minds of some who wished to 
secure not only 'he relief of the needy but 
their highest good, a more extensive work of 
education and elevation seemed necessary. 
To teach every man and woman to be self- 
supporting is the only safe guard against a 
perpetuation of pauperism, the influence of 
which would be most baneful on the morals 
of any community. In realization of this 
fact, a society with these more extended aims 
was organized in 1885, under the name of 
The Society for the Improvement of the 
Condition of the Poor, with the following of- 




H. M. DIC'KSO\. 

Register and Recorder. 1888-90. 

the demand of the public. One means of 
doing good in this public charity have been 
crippled by the meagre support we have re- 
ceived from the community in general, our 
donations coming from a generous few, in- 
stead of the entire ciiy. 

The oflicers for the year 18S6-7 were: 
President, Rev. Rogers Israel ; vice-president, 
Mrs. N. C. McLaughlin ; treasurer, Daniel T. 
Kash; secretary, Mrs. F;. W. Lafler. Income, 



$447.79. Disbursements, S398.98. Balance 
in treasury, J48.81. 

Officers for the year 1888 : President, Rev. 
H. H. Barber; vice-president, D. V. Derick- 
son ; treasurer, W. S. McGunnigle ; secretary, 
Mrs. E. W. Lafier. Income to date, S276.86. 
Disbursements, S263.92. Balance, $12.94. 



THE BAR. 

A History of the Bar of Crawford 
County. 



(BY D. M. FARRELLY.) 
The county of Crawford was organized witli 
its present boundaries by an act of the legis- 
lature passed in the early part of the year 
1800. The record shows that the first court 
was held at Meadville, the county seat, by the 
associate judges David Mead and John Kelso 
on the 6th day of July, 1800, when the fol- 
lowing named persons were admitted as prac- 
titioneers at the bar of said county. Edward 



SYLVESTER ( . McDOWELL. 

Sheriff, 1888-90. 

The sewing school is now in most successful 
operation. The other branches of the work, 
for lack of appreciation on the part of those 
those whom it was to benefit, have been 
abandoned for the present, but are subject to 




ABNER B. 

Prothonotary. 

Work, Henry Baldwin, Stephen Semple, 
George Armstrong, Thomas Collins, Alex- 
ander W. Foster, Andrew Graff, Cunningham 
S. Semple, Elias W. Hale, John W. Hunter, 
Robert Callender. At subsequent courts m 
the early part of the centuiy and to 1821 
James Ross, John Woods, Parker Campbell, 
Patrick Farrelly, William Wilkins, Ralph 
Marlin, Samuel B. Foster, Richard Bean, 
John B. Wallace, George Selden, Thomas H. 
Sill. From 1821 to 1830 inclusive John J. 
Pearson, John Galbraith, David Derickson, 
John Stuart Riddle, Henry Baldwin, jr., James 
Thompson, Robert L. Potter, Samuel Miles 
Green, W. W. Dick, Cyrus T. Smith, T. J. 
Fox Alden, John W. Farrelly, Charles B. 
Power, D. M. Farrelly. From 1830 to the 
present lime Gaylord Church, Alfred Huide- 
koper, Hiram L. Richmond, William H. 
Davis, Darwin A. Finney, Thomas VanHorne, 
A. B. Richmond, D. C. McCoy, M. P. Davis, 
A. S. Davis, S. N. Pettis, W. H. Doughty, J. 
Porter Brawley, W. R Bole, F. L. lilackmar, 
C. M. Boush, J. B. Brawley, Thomas N. 



1.36 



CENTFNNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



Brooks, Pearson Church, A. G. Church, John 

B. Compton, George F. Davenport, Frederick 
H. Davis, Joshua Douglass, J. F. Dorrance, 
E B. Flower, R. C. Frey, Arthur L. Bates, 
Norton L. Gleason, Robert G. Graham, P. F. 
Hallock, John J. Henderson, Harvey Hen- 
derson, William Henderson, H. J. Humes, L. 
H. Lauderbaugh, Emmet McArthur, J. N. 
McCloskey, John O. McClintock, John D. 
McCoy, B. B. Pickett, M. C. Power, F. P. 
Kay, Roe Reisinger, H. L. Richmond, jr., A. 
G. Richmond, H. M. Richmond, James D. 
Roberts, Thomas Roddy, W. R. Scott, J. W. 
.Smith, C. W. Tyler, John 
W. Farrelly, jr., Corne- 
lius VanHorne, Lewis 
Walker, Jas. D. Minniss, 
Jas. Doughty, A. J. Har- 
per, Wm. Reynolds, J. W. 
Spear, Chas. M. Wood, 
H. E. Russell, David T. 
McKay, George W. Has- 
kins, G. B. Delamater, G. 
W. Delamater, Julius 
Byles, G. A. Chase, W, 
M. Dame, Samuel Grum 
bine, F. B. Guthrie, M. J. 
Heywang, F. L. Seeley, 
.Samuel Minor, Rogt i 
Sherman, L. W. WilcoN, 
J.Willis Witherop,W.H. 
Addle, Charles A. Der- 
ickson, Clark Ewing, 
Charles Faber, Charles 1'.. 
Guthrie, John W. Howe, 
Thomas Rustin Kenne 
dy, William S. Morri'^, 

C. R. Marsh, B. F. Mc 
AUister, Henry Shippen, 
jr., William D. Tucker, 
Charles L. Wescott, Jas. 
B. White, George W. 
Hecker, William C. Bear, 
James R. Andrews, E. M. 
Guthrie J. D. Bowman, 
Geo. Williamson, Luther 
Beatty, J. Kinniff, James 
Addle, W. B. Best, G. A. 
Nodine, Isaac Monde- 
reau, S. R. Miller, Chas. 
Boush, Frank Lowe, Otto 
Kohler, Charles E. Rich- 
mond, Harry Flood, M. 
W. Tate, John E, Adams, 
Martin A. Gilson, John H. Apple, John Apple, 
N. .S. Ernst, R. P. Miller. All who were admit- 
ted as attorneys previous to 1830 are dead. 
Since 1 830 those who have died are as follows : 
I. Porter Brawley, Gaylord Church, W. 
H. Addle, J. H. Baker, Arthur Cullum, 
David Derickson, Charles A. Derickson, 
Clark Ewing, Charles Faber, Patrick Farrelly, 
John W. Farrelly, John W. Farrelly, jr., Dar- 
win A. Kinney, Charles B. Guthrie, John W. 
Howe, Thomas Rustin Kennedy, C. R. Marsh, 
B. F. McAllister, William S. Morris, Joseph 
Morrison, John Reynolds, H. M. Richmond, 
J. Stuart Riddle, George Selden, Henry Ship- 



pen, jr., H. L. Richmond, sr., John B. Wallace, 
William D. Tucker, Charles L. Wescott, 
James B. White, George Williamson, W. W. 
Dick, \\. C. Bear. 

The president judges of the court of Craw- 
ford county were Alexander Addison, from its 
organization to April, 1803, Jesse Moore, from 
April, 1803, until his death in 1829. Then 
Henry Shippen until his death in 1838. Na- 
thaniel B. Eldred from 1839 to 1843, when 
he resigned. Gaylord Church was appointed 
in April, 1843. John Galbraith, after Church, 
until his decease in i860. Rasselas Brown 





SUNSET ON I5EAUTIFIL LAKE CANADOHTA, (Hloomlieltl T«p.) 



of additional law judges, David Derickson 
was elected in 1856 for ten years, and in 1866 
John P. Vincent was elected for a like term. 
Alexander Addison was an able and enlight 
ened judge. His disposition, however, was 
overbearing and arbitrary, which led to his 
impeachment in 1803. Henry .Shippen was 
an able, honest and impartial judge. Judge 
Eldred, I do not think, was as sound a law- 
yer as some of the others. He had, how- 
ever, a large amount of good common sense, 
and a thorough knowledge of human nature. 
Of the attorneys that practiced in the courts 
of Crawford county, many 
were eminent in their 
^^^ g— I profession and filled pub- 
lic trusts with honor to 
themselves and useful- 
ness to the country. Of 
such as are not living a 
short notice will be made. 
James Ross, a member 
of the bar but a resident 
of Pittsburg, represented 
Pennsylvania in the Unit- 
ed States Senate from 
1794 to 1803, and for 
about two years was pres- 
ident pro tem of that 
Ijody. He was prominent 
among the many able 
and enlightened men who 
stood at the head of the 
old Federal party. 

William Wilkins was a 
senator from Pennsylva- 
nia from 1831 to 1834. 
During the administra- 
tion of General Jackson 
he was minister to Russia 
for about one year. He 
rep resented Allegheny 
county in the State sen 
ate from 1856 to 1859. 

Henry Baldwin was 
the first district attorney 
of Crawford county. The 
office was then called 
deputy attorney general. 
He removed to Pittsburg 
in 1804, and rose to emi- 
nence in the legal profes- 
sion. From 18 1 6 to 1828 
he represented Allegheny 



appointed to fill vacancy in consequence of county in congress with distinguished ability. 



the death of Galbraith. Samuel P. Johnson, 
elected in i860. Walter H. Lowrie, elected 
in 1870. S. N. Pettis, appointed to fill va 
cancy at the death of Judge Lowrie. Pear- 
son Church, elected in 1877. John J. Hen- 
derson, elected in 1887. Hon. James Thomp- 



In 1830 was appointed a judge of the supreme 
court of the United States, and held the of- 
fice until his death in 1844. For some years 
previous to his death his home was at Mead- 
ville. On his first visit to Meadville after his 
appointment as judge he was given a public 



son was appointed judge in 1839 pursuant to dinner by his many warm friends, without re- 

a law then in force authorizing the appoint- gard to party, at the Gibson hotel. He 

ment of district judge for five year?, to l)ring seemed to appreciate this token of regard 

forward unfinished business which had large- from his own friends, and addressed them, 

ly accumulated. His term was extended to and in his remarks expressed his appreciation 

six years. of their kindness and esteem. He was one 

Pursuant to a law providing for the election of the really gre.at men of the country. 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



'37 



Alexander \V. Foster practiced law in 
Crawford county for several years, removed 
to Pittsburg and aftewards to Greensburg, 
Westmoreland county, and attained a high 
degree of distinction in his profession. 

Samuel B. Foster, brother of the preced- 
ing, one of the early members of the bar of 
this county, possessed high legal attainments, 
great reasoning power and a fine classical ed- 
ucation. In addressing either court or jury 
his argument was clear and lucid, and when 
proper he spoke with impressive eloquence. 

Patrick Farrelly came to the United States 
from Ireland, in 1798, studied law at Lancas- 
ter, Pa., came to Meadville and was admitted 
to the bar in 1802. He represented this dis- 
trict in the State legislature either before or 
about the beginning of the war of 181 2. He 
was elected to congress in 1820, and twice 
successively immediately afterwards. Died 
at Pittsburg, on his way to congress, in 1826. 
He was well liked by his fellow members of 
the house of representatives, as the following 
circumstance, which was communicated to 
the writer by the late Hon. John Sergeant, of 
Philadelphia, will show : Farrelly offered an 
amendment to the general appropriation bill, 
then under consideration, appropriating sev- 
eral thousand dollars for the improvement of 
the lake harbor at Erie. At that day mem- 
bers of congress, generally, knew nothing of 
Erie or its harbor. After an explanation by 
Mr. Farrelly there was a quiet exclamation 
from members, " let Farrelly have his appro- 
priation." The amendment was carried and 
became a law. Some members, particularly 
from the south, declined to vote. They were 
not in favor of the amendment, but were 
friendly to its author and did not care to vote 
against it. This appropriation of $4,000 or 
35,000, (the exact sum is not now remem- 
bered ) as Mr. Sergeant at the time remarked, 
" was the commencement of appropriations 
of money by congress for the improvement of 
harbors and rivers, and other works of un- 
questioned national character and importance 
Similar appropriations followed at almost 
every session of congress In the present 
congress the bill reported by the proper com- 
mittee appropriates sums exceeding in the ag- 
gregate nineteen million dollars. Mr. Far- 
relly was a thorough classical scholar, and in 
the list of attorneys in this county from 1800 
until this time it is doubtful if he had an equal 
in that respect. 

John B. Wallace came to Meadville, from 
Philadelphia, in 1821, and had a large gen- 
eral law business. He was an excellent law- 
yer, well read and informed in all its branches, 
and was well informed in the civil law, founded 
under Roman jurisprudence. He spoke ably 
and well and with great earnestness. His 
arguments on legal questions showed a pro- 
found and extensive knowledge of legal 
principles. By his refined culture and intel- 
ligence he was an ornament to society. His 
private character may be described as that of 
an accomplished Christian gentleman. 



George Selden, in 1819, came to Meadville 
from Philadelphia, and engaged in the practice 
of law. He had a fine mind and rare legal 
abilities. The prospect before him was a bril- 
liant success in his profession. But this hoped 
for success was destroyed by engaging in other 
kinds of business, in which he was not suc- 
cessful. 

John Stuart Riddle was a well read and emi- 
nent lawyer. He was industrious, careful and 
correct, and was always well prepared when 
he went into court to try a cause. He had a 
large practice and was very successful. He 
was pleasant and gentlemanly in his manners, 
and his private life was without reproach. He 
held no public office, but a judicial position 
would have been his save for his untimely 
death. 

John Banks was distinguished for itirect- 
ness and force of argument, in addition to his 
character as an excellent and able lawyer. 
He was appointed judge of the court of Berks 
county by Governor Ritner, and discharged 



k.kjAiiiiiijii^ i'i te 




HOTEL BRUNSWICK. 

Titusville, Pa. 

his duties with fidelity and great ability. He 
was state treasurer in 1847. 

John J. Pearson was one of the distinguished 
members of the bar. He was appointed by 
the governor president judge of the courts of 
Dauphin county. This is one of the most 
important districts by reason of the legislature 
investing the court with the trial of important 
cases in which the commonwealth is con- 
cerned. He discharged the duties of his of- 
fice for thirty years — ten by appointment of 
the governor and two terms by election of the 
people. 

Thomas H. Sill, of Erie, practiced at the 
Meadville bar. He was a first-class lawyer 
and an excellent man. He was distinguished 
for great power of argument and for chaste 
and effective eldquence. 

David Derickson was an able lawyer and 
thoroughly versed in legal learning. There 
was but little oratory in his efforts before a 
jury. He, however, spoke with force and 
earnestness, and was in every respect an able 
and successful attorney. He was elected ad- 



ditional law judge in 1856, for ten years, and 
discharged the duties of the office ably and in 
a manner satisfactory to the public. 

James Thompson had considerable legal 
practice in the courts of Crawford county. 
He was an eminent attorney and was em- 
ployed in many important cases. He had a 
strong mind, was a good reasoner and ready 
m applying legal principles to the facts as 
given in evidence. In his argument to the 
court or jury he spoke well and eloquently. 
He at first resided in Franklin, Venango coun- 
ty, and afterwards in Erie, but attended the 
courts here. He represented the Erie district 
in congress from 1847 to 185 1. He was 
judge of the supreme couit for fifteen years, 
the term commencing on the first Monday in 
December, 1857. 

John P. Vincent succeeded him as addition- 
al law judge, for the same period, and dis- 
charged the duties of the office faithfully and 
well. 

Gaylord Church was a prominent attorney, 
tried his cases well and was always well pre- 
pared for trial. He spoke easily and fluently 
and made himself well understood by the 
jury. He was elected to the Legislature in 
1840 and 1841. In 1843 he was appointed 
by Governor Porter judge of Crawford and 
Erie counties. He was an able and honest 
judge. He was appointed by the governor 
judge of the supreme court, to fill the vacancy 
in consequence of the resignation of Judge 
Porter. He served as such for about a year, 
until his successor was elected. 

John W. Farrelly vvas an able lawyer. He 
was admitted to the bar when he was less than 
21 years old. Judge Shippen refused to ad- 
mit him as he was not of sufficient age. The 
late John B. Wallace proposed to Judge 
Shippen that Mr. Farrelly should go to Pitts- 
burg, apply for examination for admission to 
the bar there. Mr. Farrelly went to Pitts- 
burg, passed an excellent examination and 
was sworn in as a member of the bar. He 
returned, presented his certificate as a mem- 
ber of the bar of Allegheny county and was 
admitted as a member of the bar of Craw- 
ford. He rose rapidly to distinction in the 
legal profession. He had a thorough know- 
ledge of legal principles. He was remarkable 
for the quickness with which he perceived all 
the points in the case, no matter how numer- 
ous the questions presented by a complicated 
array of facts. He was equally remarkable 
for the skill with which he elucidated his case 
and the clearness with which he presented it 
to the jury. He was not a good speaker. He 
nevertheless had great influence with the jury. 
They generally knew him and had confidence 
in his integrity. He never misstated the evi- 
dence in his argument. In 1836 he was 
elected to the Legislature. In 1841 he was 
elected to the State Senate. In 1846 he was 
elected to Congress. In 1849 President Tay- 
lor appointed him Sixth Auditor of the Treas- 
ury Department. 

Darwin A. Finney was a distinguished 



138 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



member of the bar of this county. Like the 
last mentioned attorney he was quick to per- 
ceive the true points of a case. He was a 
sound and able lawyer and a ready speaker. 
He argued a case forcibly and well. He was 
a good reasoner. Besides argument in his 
speeches to a jury, there were occasional 
touches of wit and humor, and not seldom re 
marks full of keen and cutting sarcasm. He 
died in the prime of life, with bright and 
cheering prospects before him. In 1856 he 
was elected to the State Senate. In 1866 he 
was elected to Congress and died before his 
term had fully expired. 

H. L. Richmond, at the time of his death, 
was one of the oldest attorneys of the county. 
He was an able attorney and an eloquent 
speaker. He argued his cases either in ad- 
dressing the court or jury 
clearly,* forcibly and fairly. 
He was elected to Congress 
in 1S70, and served one 
term. 

William H. Davis was an 
earnest and zealous lawyer, 
a good scholar, and well 
versed in law, history, Eng- 
hsh classics and general lit 
erature. He was elected to 
the Legislature in 1852 and 
served two terms. He served 
ably and faithfully as district 
attorney. He discharged the 
duties of the office with sin 
gular fidelity and earnest- 
ness. 

Walter H. Lowrie was 
judge of the courts from 1870 
until November, 1876, the 
time of his death. He was 
distinguished for his learning 
and talents. He was an able 
and upright judge. 

In the list of attorneys 
who served in the courts of 
Crawford county, I have said 
nothing as to character and 
qualifications of those who 
are living. Those of whom 
brief mention has been made 
have closed their earthly career. They are 
examples for the livmg and their successors, 
and if their lives are studied with a sincere 
desire to reach their high character as law- 
yers and men, the living and their successors 
of this bar will be an honor and blessing to 
the county of Crawford and the Common- 
wealth. 



from Holland to this country over a hundred 
years before his birth. His father died a short 
time before the Revolutionai'y war, intestate, 
although after his death the draft of a will 
was discovered, unexecuted, which indicated 
the manner in which he wished to dispose of 
his property among his six children; but 
under the laws of England then in force in 
the colonies, Cornelius became sole heir to 
his father's estate. But the subject of this 
sketch, not being willing to take the advant- 
age of his brothers and sisters which the law 
gave him, took immediate and effective steps 
to have his brothers and sisters put into the 
possession and ownership of the different parts 
of the estate to which the unexecuted will, if 
it had been properly executed, would have 
entitled them. The part allotted to Cornelius 




Sketch of Cornelius ViiiiHonie. 

(IIV C. VANHO.KNK.) 

Cornelius Van Home, one of the original 
pioneers of Crawford county, who lived the 
greater part of his long and useful life here, 
was born in Hunterdon county, N. Y., De- 
cember t6, 1750. He was the eldest child of 
Thomas and Jane Vanllorne, and was of 
Dutch descent, his ancestors having come 



COLONEL JOHN .1. CARTER. 

was a tract of land in the Wyoming valley, 
near or upon which the city of Wilkesbarre 
now stands. He moved onto this tract of 
land, but during his service in the revolu- 
tionary army a man named John Dorrance, a 
Connecticut claimant, and an ancestor of Col. 
J. F. Dorrance, of this city, took possession of 
the land. There was much trouble and liti- 
gation about the title, which was finally de- 
cided in favor of VanHorne, and is reported 
in 2d Dallas, 304. The State, however, fear- 
ing a rebellion of the Connecticut settlers 
against the State authorities, in case the decree 
of the court against Dorrance and the other 
settlers should be enforced, had the lands 
involved in the dispute appraised, and many 
years afterward paid the actual owners smal' 
stipend for their title. 



AN EXPLORING I'AKTV. 

Having voluntarily given up a large estate 
in New Jersey, and being driven from his 
rightful heritage in the Wyominc Valley, Van 
Home, in the spring of 1788, decided to ex- 
plore the valley of French creek, or, as it was 
then called by the French and the Indians, 
Venango river, referred to by Gen (then Col.) 
Washington in his report to Gov. Dihwiddie, 
of Virginia. He joined a company with 
David, John and Joseph Mead, John Watson, 
Thomas Martin, Thon.as Grant, James F. 
Randolph and Christopher Snyder at Sun- 
bury, and on the 12th day of May, 1788, after 
a tedious journey through the wilderness, en- 
camped under a large wild cherry tree near 
where the east end of the Mercer street iron 
bridge stands. 

ARRIVAL AND SETTLEMENT. 
The only reliable date of 
the arrival of the earliest set- 
tlers is that given by Van 
Home, in his narrative, writ- 
ten about 1835, twelve or 
thirteen years before h i s 
death, and now in the pos- 
session of the Historical So- 
ciety ol Pennsylvania, at Phil- 
adelphia. After some time 
spent in exploring, they 
erected a temporary abode 
on the spot where Meadville 
now stands. 

CAl'TUREIl UV INDIANS. 

On ihe 5lh day of May, 
1 79 1, while engaged in 
marking out corn ground in 
company with two men, 
named Gregg and Ray, near 
where the passenger station 
of the N. v., P. & O. R-. R. 
now stands, VanHorne was 
attacked by the Indians and 
taken prisoner. His com- 
panions were, at the time of 
the capture, gone to dinner, 
and were to bring his to the 
field. When these compan- 
ions returned to the field they 
were attacked by the same 
Indians, and Gregg was killed and scalped, 
and Ray taken prisoner. The subject of this 
article was conducted to the outlet of Con- 
neaut Lake, and there tied to a small tree, 
and the old chief who had him in charge 
crawled into the bushes and went to sleep, 
while waiting for his comrade**, with Ray in 
charge, to come up. 

While the chief was asleep, his prisoner 
managed to loosen the thongs that bound him 
to the tree and ran, with his arms tied behind 
him, through the wilderness to the point on 
the west side of French creek opposite the 
spot which he and his companions had camped 
on May 12, 1788. 

At this point, what has always seemed to 
me to be an almost unaccountable incident 
took place. The escaped prisoner had, some 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



139 



time previously, planted some apple seeds did. They coninued in tlie service until the many people even in those early times to bene 

near the place above referred to, and at the last day of December, "vhen they were dis- fit by their healing and curative properties, 

time of the escape the young trees were to be banded. It is said by old residents that parties used to 

seen above the ground ; weeds had sprung up HIS SIX CHILDREN. come from points as far away as I'itisburg, 

among them and died the year previous, and Cornelius VanHorne was a lieutenant in the and camp out near the springs for weeks at a 

there was danger, if fire should catch in the Revolutionary army. He held a command as time, that they might be cured by this pure 

weeds, that the apple trees would be de captain tmder Anthony Wayne, and was the medicine of nature The settlers who lived 

stroyed. After all that had happened that acting sheriff in this section when this portion in the vicinity of the springs were in the 

day — taken prisoner, conveyed to Conneaut of Pennsylvania was Allegheny county. He habit of carrying away jugs and bottles filled 

Lake, escaped, and with his arms pinioned at was married to Sarah Dunn in the year 1797, with these remarkable waters, for family use. 

the elbows, behind — VanHorne, seeing the ind they had born to them six children, viz : Tradition also says that the primitive inhabi- 

danger to his young trees, stopped in his flight Jane, who married George Anderson ; James; tants of the forest, the Indians, knew of the 

and began to pull the weeds from among the Priscilla, who married T. J. P'ox Alden,a cele- curative properties of these waters, and used 

trees. While engaged in that operation he brated lawyer ; Cornelius, Harriet and Thomas, them freely with other medicines from nature's 

was seen by John Fredebaugh, who, from the the last named of whom is the only survivor, store house. 

opposite side of the creek, took him for an and is residing on the homestead farm patented About a year ago Mr. Johnson, knowing of 

Indian skulking in the bushes, and was about by his father in the year iSoo, under the name the great purity and medicinal properties of 

to shoot, when a recognition took place. Van- of Southampton. He died July 26th, 1846, in the water from these springs, determined to 

Home then waded the creek and found a his g7th year. Much more might be written of give the outside world the benefit of their use. 



young officer and 
some men at the 
block house, who 
were en route from 
Fort l.eHreuft to Fort 
Franklin. 

THE SETTl.EMENl 

ABANDONED. 
The settlement was 
abandoned for the 
time being. It is not 
knownt hat any white 
man visited the set 
tiement of Meadville 
again that year except 
VanHorne, who, i n 
company with an In- 
dian named McKee, 
came back and got 
ten or twelve bushels 
of grain, and took il 
in a canoe down the 
creek to Fort Frank- 
lin. After this Van 
Home visited h i s 
mother in' New Jer- 
sey, and in the aut- 
umn returned to the 
settlement. He is sup- 
posed to be the first white man who passed a this sturdy pionee 
winter in or near Meadville. tiresome, I wi: 




RESIDENCE OF COLONEL JOHN J. CARTER, Titiisville. 



, but for fear of becoming 



close. 



When VanHorne returned in the fall, after [A portrait of Cornelius VaiiHorn appears 
his capture and escape, he learned of the fate o" P^g« 21. — Ed.] 
of his companions, Ray and Gregg. Gregg 



Pure water is such an 
indispensable article, 
and the water furnish 
ed for drinking pur 
poses in most of our 
large cities is so full 
of impurities thai 
breed disease, that a 
ready market has 
been found for the 
water of the Ponce de 
I, eon Springs. It is 
safe to say that no 
purer water is found 
on the globe than 
this. The springs are 
situated at an altiuide 
of about 1,200 feet 
above sea level The 
water flows directly 
out of the rock, and 
there is no possible 
source of contannna- 
tion in that vicinity. 
The result is a water 
absolutely pure, spark- 
ling with the life of 
nature. 

The medicinal val- 
ue of the water is shown by the analyses made 
by several chemists of eminent reputation. 
One by the celebrated Henry Leftman, M. L)., 
shows the following results: 



had been shot with his own gun, and Ray had 
been captured and taken to Sandusky, where 
he met a trader who was an acquaintance, 
and who exchanged liquor with the Indians 
lor him. Ray made his way back to Pittsburg, 
where he found his wile. 

MORE INDIAN TROUBLES. 



PONCE DE LEON 



A Sketch of Meadville's Mineral Springs 
A Growing Industry of our City. 



Sodium Sulpfiate, 
Sodium Cfiloride. 
Calcium Bi-Carbonate, - 
Ma,£jnesium Bi-Carbonate, - 
Sodium Bi-Carbonate, 
industry has Silica, ----- 
Dr. Leftman adds that 



riiim to hnpe 
GalUut. 

0.21 
- i.oS 



2.27 
- 0.56 

20.30 

Within the past year a new industry has Silica, .----- 0.84 
sprung up in our midst, that of supplying the Dr. Leftman adds that " it belongs to the 

outside world with the water of the now cele important class of springs of which Vichy and 

brated Ponce de Leon Springs. These springs Vals are the types, and its uses will be the 

In October, 1793, Samuel Lord arrived at are located two miles east of the city, on the same as those to which these famous waters 

the settlement from Franklin and warned all estate of Hon. Henry C. Johnson, a well- are applied "; and that "the water will keep 

to fly for their lives, as there was danger again known citizen of Meadville, a biographical its activity indefinitely." He further states 

threatening from the Indians. This warning sketch and portrait of whom will be found on that "the aflections to which alkaline waters 

caused most of the settlers to remove. Gen- another page of this issue. These springs are applicable are numerous and of frequent 

eral Wilkins wrote VanHorne from Pittsburg were known to the earliest settlers of this sec- occurrence," such as " dyspepsia, disorders of 

to engage a sergeant's command, which he tion, and the virtues of the waters brought the liver and other abdominal organs, gouty 



140 



CENTliNNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



and rheumatic conditions, certain skin affec- (ine quality of ginger ale. A great drawback 

tions, diseases of the kidneys," etc. He says to the manufacture of ginger ale heretofore 

in conclusion that where alkaline waters of a has been the difficulty of procuring pure wa- 

mild character are needed " the water in ter, which would remain for an indefinite 

question will fulfill every condition," and that period without change. By the use of the 

" the moderate amount of Salts contained in pure water of the Ponce de Leon Springs, 

this water, its freedom from organic impurity, Mr. Johnson is manufacturing probably the 



BIOGRAPHY. 



SKETCHES OF PKOMIXEST CR.XW- 
FOKl) (Ol'NTY MEN. 



and its permanence, render it especially suita- 
ble for general use, even when its therapeutic 
effects are not required." 

An analysis by J. H. Montgomery, A. M., 



best ginger ale made in the world. 

A large and extending market is being 
found for the waters of these remarkable 
springs. In large cities " temperance bars " 



Sodium Chloride, 17.76 parts, 

Sodium Carbonate, 220.24 parts. 
Calcium Carbonate, 16,3 J 
Magnesium Carbonate, 9,0 - 
Silica, 2.5 \ 



Citizens of Various Professions and Oc- 
cupations Identified with Past and 
Present Interests of Our 
County and City. 

GENERAL JOHN DICK. 
Portrait Page 10, 
General John Dick, deceased, who was of 



professor of natural sciences in Allegheny are being opened in opposition to the saloons. 

College, Meadville, is as follows : and at such places the preparations made from 

There are, in every million parts by weight. Ponce de Leon water have a large sale. 

Grains per gal. Many young men, who formerly visited the 

12. .s; bar where intoxicating liquors are sold, now 

J ^^ treat their companions to a glass of Ponce de Scotch Irish descent, was born in Pittsburg, 

Leon ginger ale, and thus the sale of these Penn., June 17, 1794, son of William and 

Total Solids, 266.00 15.46 preparations is doing a noble work in the Anna (McGunnegle) Dick, and the eldest of 
From these chemical and analyses it may cause of temperance. In the large cities, four brothers who attained mature age, John, 
be seen that the water of the Ponce de Leon where, especially in the summer season, the David, James R. and Wilson W., all now de- 
Springs is of unusual curative value, and that water from the pipes is not fit for drinking ceased. He was brought to Meadville by 



in our city we have a 
fountain of health that is 
equal to the famous Euro- 
pean Springs of Vichy 
and Vals. The water has 
been submitted to the 
medical fraternity of our 
city, and testimonials to 
its extraordinary purity 
and medicinal qualities 
have been given by Drs. 
D. M. Calvin, L. A. Car- 
ver, T. B. Lashells, E. C. 
Parsons, W. D. Hamak- 
er, Susan F. Rose, E. H. 
Dewey, John C. Cotton, 
J. N. and E. H. Pond. 
It has been used by citi 
zens of our city for years 
before it was placed upon 
the market, and all who 
have used it bear testi- 
mony to its purity and 
medicinal value. 

In placing this water 
upon the market, Mr. Johnson has shown com- 
mendable business enterprise. He has se 
cured the best machinery to be found for 
bottling the water, so that it shall reach 
the consumer in as pure 
Hows from the orifice in 



his parents in the year of 
his birth, when the place 
was but a hamlet of log- 
houses. He was married 
November 16, 1830, to 
Jane A., eldest daughter 
of Samuel Torbett, Esq., 
one of the pioneers of 
Crawford county, and 
many years largely inter- 
ested in real estate busi- 
ness. To this union were 
born six children. George 
M., J. Henry, Samuel 
Bernard, Anna C, Mary 
E., and John. 

Gen. John Dick died 
May 29, 1 87 2, in the 78th 
year of his age, leaving 
behind him the inestima- 
ble heritage of a good 
name. He was for many 
years a successful mer- 
chant of Meadville and 
was one of the founders of 
purposes, the sale of the Ponce de Leon wa- the private banking house of J. R. Dick & Co. 
ter is proving a boon to the people. When which in 1S50 was known as J. & J. R. Dick 
purchased in cases, and kept in the cellar or In 1S40 he was a member of the electoral 
other cool place, a delightful and healthful college which cast the vote of Pennsylvania 
a state as when it d.ii'.k is supplied during the heated summer for Gen. Harrison. In 1850 Gov. Johnson 
the rock. He has months, when so much sickness is usually appointed him associate judge of Crawford 




/f "/>'/ 



RESIDENCE OF .T. C. McKINNEY, Titusville. 



also improved the water for family use by a caused by the use of impure water. To fully county, and the following year he was 
process of carbonizing, whereby each bottle is appreciate the value of Ponce de Leon water, elected and commissioned to the same 
charged with pure carbonic acid gas, giving one must spend a few days in some of our place. It was while filling this position 
the water tone and sparkle, ar.d adding to its large cities in July or August. In Boston, for that he was first elected to Congress from 
medicinal value. The gas used in carboniz- instance, the water pipes often become clogged the district composed of the counties of 
ing the water is of the highest purity, pre- with a mass of dead eels, which have found Erie and Crawford, in 1852, continuing to re- 
pared by a new and improved process. The their way into the pipes from the lake which present it for three consecutive terms. The 
water is put up in a very tasteful manner, in supplies the water ; and in that city a pitcher military titles conferred on Gen. Dick com- 
quarts, pints and half pints, beautifully labeled in which water has been standing for a few nienced early in life, and ran through a rapid 
and sold in cases of 50 bottles. The pur- days will smell so strongly of fish that it will and uninterrupted promotion. At the .ige of 
chaser may obtain the water either carbonized have to be cleansed in order to endure the use 27 he was elected Major of the First Battalion, 
or in its natural state, as preferred. "f '^^^ water. When these facts are under- a^j ^^^g jq commissioned by Gov. Heister in 
T jj>- t >u I r .1 . r stood it is not surprising that the Ponce de „ to, , ^ , , ,- , 
In addition to the sale of the water for ^eon water has such a wide sale, and that '«^'- I" '825 he was made Colonel of the 
medicmal purposes, Mr. Johnson has perfected such a vast business has been built up in our Thirty-first Regiment ; in 1831 he was corn- 
arrangements for its use in making an extra city by the fortunate proprieter of the springs, missioned, by Gov. Wolf, Brigadier-General 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



141 



of the Second Brigade, Sixteenth Division, Edgar), before these lands were placed in the Iwelve years he carried on successfully various 
composed of the counties of Beaver. Butler, hands of contented settlers. A sketch of Mr. business enterprises, including merchandise, 
Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Venango and War- Huidekoper's life would be the histoiy of the manufacturing, and oil operations. In 1864 
ren, extending from the banks of the Ohio to Holland Land Company in Pennsylvania. he returned to Mead ville, which has since 
the shores of Lake Erie. In all matters roSEPH derickson. been his home. One of his leading charac- 
of improvement for the general good he was an Portrait Page 17. teristics has been his great love of literature 
earnest co-worker and a generous contributor. Joseph Derickson was born at Liverpool, and books, which has led him to accumulate 
The eastern plank road was constructed (then Dauphin county). Pa-, on the 5th of one of the largest and best selected private 
mainly through his instrumentality, and to July, 1801. At the age of three years he libraries in the State, including law, scientific 
him is Meadville, as well as surrounding moved with his father to Milton, Northumber- miscellaneous ; and though until recently he 
country, indebted in a large measure for the land county, where he resided until he was 23 has been actively engaged in many enter- 
Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. He was years old, excepting one year which he spent prises, his habit of study has been so constant 
one of the trustees of Allegheny College, in Philadelphia. He came to Meadville in that he has been and is among the best in- 
President of Crawford Mutual Insurance Com- September, 1824, where he has resided ever formed of men upon all subjects, 
pany for several years; first President Green- since, excepting three years residence in He has promoted and been connected with 
dale Cemetery; at one time Captain of the Waterford, Pa., where he was engaged in most of the enterprises which have contribu- 
Cussewago Fire Company, the first organ- manufacturing hats. In 1832 he returned to ted to Meadville's growth. Among these are 
ized in this city, over forty years ago, and Meadville and entered into the general mer- Allegheny College, the Agricultural Works, 
at the time of his death he was the oldest cantile business, which he successfully carried the gas and water companies, the National 



vestryman of Christ Pro- 
testant Episcopal church, 
Meadville, having been 
elected to that position 
February 7, 1829, and for 
more than forty years de- 
voted his best energies 
to the welfare of the par- 
ish. 

General Dick was em- 
phatically the foremost 
man in the community in 
which he lived, and one 
of Meadville's best and 
truest friends was lost to 
it forever when he re- 
sponded to the dread 
summons of the Great 
Destroyer. 

HARM JAN HUlDEKOl'EK. 
Portrait Page 12. 
Born April 3d, 1776, at 
Hogereen, Holland, and 
came to Meadville, Pa., 
in 1806. Died at Mead- 
ville, Pa., May 23d, 1854. 
H. J. Huidekoper for 
himself as landed propri- 
etor, as agent of The 




RESIDENCE OF HON. ,IOHN FERTKi, Titiisville. 



banks, the Glass Works, 
the Meadville & Lines- 
ville Railway, the Fuel 
Gas Company, the Dela- 
mater Block, and Dela- 
mater & Co., bankers. 
He has contributed lib- 
erally to church, educa- 
tional and other institu- 
tions. In politics he has 
ever taken a lively inter- 
est. PVom the first a free 
soil and anti-slavery man, 
he has ever since the or- 
ganization of the Repub- 
lican party been its active 
and strong supporter. 
Only once has he ever 
aspired to office. I n 
1S70 he was elected by 
the district comprising 
Erie and Crawford coun- 
ties to the .State Senate, 
when he served three 
years. Declining to per- 
mit the use of his name 
for re-election, he has 
since been content to be 



rather a counsellor than 

Holland Land Company, and as agent of the on until the year 1850, when he retired from an actor in political affairs. At the age of 67 
Pennsylvania Population Company, sold large the active business of life. He was for many he still retains his strength of body and mind, 
tracts of land in Crawford, Erie, Warren, Ve- years a trustee and treasurer of Allegheny This brief sketch may be fittingly closed by the 
nango. Forest and Beaver counties, in this College, in which he took great interest. He words of a life-long friend, "In youth he was 
State, and ever retained the confidence of the is now in his 87th year, enjoying good health, studious, industrious and circumspect ; in man- 
proprietors he represented and the settlers to and has the respect and confidence of all who hood modest, cautious and successful; his 
whom he sold his land. know him. 

Only a person who has a full knowledge of 
the history of The Holland Land Company 
in this State can have a correct idea of the 
disturbed state of the land titles when Mr. 
Huidekoper came here in 1806. With a 



HON. G. B. 11KI.AM.\TEK. 
Portrait Page iS. 



more mature life is honorable, cheerful and 
influential." 



JAMES J. SHRYOCK 
Geo. B. Delamater, son of Thomas Delama- Portrait Page 19. 

ter, was born at Whitehall, N. V., Jan. 14th, Was born in Conneautville, Crawford county, 

\ 1821. In 1822 he removed with his parents Pa., March 12th, 1821. Became a resident of 

firm, considerate hand he brought system out to Richmond township, Crawford county. Pa. Meadville in 1822. In 1839 engaged with 

of chaos. The legal title to The Holland He received a very practical and liberal his father as a partner in the sale of general 

Land Company's land in this part of the coun- education, and having studied law was admit- merchandise, and continued . in this business 

ty was determined in the U. S. Supreme ted to the Meadville Bar in 1847. In 1850 until 1857. In 1855 was appointed one of 

Court in the case of Huidekoper vs. Douglass, he removed to Voungsville, Warren county, the county directors in the Erie & Pittsburg 

reported in 4 Dallas, page 392, But it took Pa., where for a time he edited and published railroad company, by the commissioners of 

years of hard work and good management (a a newspaper. Thence in 1852 he moved to Crawtoid county. In 1858 was one of the 

work that descended to his sons Alfred and Townville, Crawford county, where for incorporators and elected one of the directors 



142 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



ai the Pennsylvania division of the Atlantic & Democrat, and although never distinguished 

Great Western railroad company. In 1859 as an inspirant for public office, was called to 

was one ol the incorporators and elected one serve in the Council of this city during the 

of the directors of the New York division of years 1863, 1864 and 1865. At the last 

the same company. In 1865 was elected primaries of his party Mr. Porter was nomi- 

president of the Pennsylvania division. In nated for the mayoralty of our city, his elec- 

1866, after the consolidation of the New York, tion following by a very complimentary ma. 

Pennsylvania and Ohio divisions, he was jority. Socially, Mayor Porter is one of the 

elected vice president and general- manager most genial men our city ever knew, his 

of the consolidated companies. In 1867 he broad acquaintance and happy, good word 

was appointed assistant to the receiver of the for everybody, making him very popular. He 

above company. In l868 he was elected took his seat as Mayor, April 2d, and is elec- 

president of the Shenango & Allegheny rail- ted for a term of four years. His administra- 



tion starts oft with every promise of success, 

and our citizens generally look for a good 

government with Mr. Porter as the executive. 

HENRY C. JOHNSON. 

Portrait Page 22 

Hon. Henry C. john-Son is a native of Penn- 



road. In 1874 was elected president of the 

Meadv;lle Water company. In 1880 was 

elected president of the Meadville railroad 

company. In 1886 was appointed one of the 

purchasing committee by the Shenango & 

Allegheny bond holders. 

Was also a director in 

several other railroad 

companies during this 

time, and served for sev- 
eral years as one of the 

trustees of Allegheny col- 
lege, and one of the 

board of managers of 

Greendale cemetery. 
HON. JOHN PORTER. 

Portrait Paj^e 20. 
Hon. John Porter, 

Mayor of the City ol 

Meadville, is a son of tht- 

late William Porter, of 

Fairfield township, wherc 

he was born on the family 

farm, February 6, 1832. 

His parents, who were 

natives of Eastern Penn- 
sylvania, were among the 

very early settlers of 

Crawford county, settling 

i'n Fairfield township in 

1808. Mr. Porter re- 
mained at home until he 

was 19 years of age, at- 
tending the com m o n 

schools of his district in 

the winter and assisting 

his father on the farm 

during the summer. He received a portion of sylvania and a lawyer by profession. He has 

his education at the Meadville Academy, and filled many important public positions, among 
during the winter of 1849 taught school which are those of Attorney General of New 
in Mercer county. Mr. Porter branched Mexico, District and Prosecuting Attorney for 
out for himself at an early age and in the Crawford County, member of the Legislature 
spring of 1850 came to this city and began of this State several terms, and at one time 
life as a clerk in a di;y goods store. In 1852 Speaker of the House. He was Chairman of 
he accepted a clerkship in the hardware store the Judiciary Committee, and one of the joint 
of Derickson & Fuller, where he remained committee to examine the work of the corn- 
three years. In 1855 Mr. Porter engaged in mission for the codification of the laws; was 
business for himself, becoming a partner in one of the committee of seven for conduct- 
the hardwnre firm of McDowell, Foster & ing Mr. Lincoln's second contest in Pennsyl- 
Porter, in which, business he has .since contin- vania, and one of the electors for the State 
ued with marked success. He is at present a when General Grant was re-elected. He 
member of the firm of J. & W. P. Porter, an presided at the .State convention which nomi- 
establishment that is known throughout all nated General Hartranft for Auditor General, 
Northwestern Pennsylvania. and was often a delegate to State and county 

In politics Mr. Porter has ever been a conventions, frequently serving on county 




RESIDENCE OF E. 0. EMERSON, Titiisville 



and State committees of his party. He was 
appointed Commissioner of Customs by Presi- 
dent Grant April 8th, 1874, was unanimously 
confirmed and filled the place with great 
ability until the spring of 1885, 

That Mr. Johnson was universally honored 
and esteemed may be seen from the following 
extracts from newspapers : The Critic (Wash- 
ington) of April 6, 1885, says : " Among the 
recent resignations from official positions, not 
one should cause greater regret than that of 
Judge Johnson, the retiring Commissioner of 
Customs. Having served a longer term than 
any officer in the treasury department, he is a 
familiar personage in Washington, where he 
is held in the highest esteem. A typical gen- 
tleman of the old school, he united to a strict 
performance of his official duties an affability 
and courtesy that made 
intercourse with him at 
all times a pleasure. A 
faithful official, a sincere 
friend, and a true man, 
Washington can ill aff"ord 
to lose such a one." 

The Capital (Wash- 
ington) of April 5, 1885, 
says: "Hon. Henry C. 
Johnson, Commissioner 

SI 1'^^^ of Customs, is called 
I El Dean of the Treasury 
^ '" ■' from the fact that his 

commission ante dates 
that of any other com- 
missioned officer now in 
the Treasury serv ice. 
The title of Dean passes 
to the rank of seniority. 
He IS one of the three 
Controllers of the Treas- 
ury, and this class of of- 
cers receive the honorary 
title of Judge. Mr. John- 
-son was born at Pittsburg, 
ino Id Fort Fayette, which 
his father commanded for 
many years. From the 
date of the organization 
of the Republican party 
Judge Johnson has taken 
an active interest in politics, and is one of the 
best known of many eminent Pennsylvanians. 
He was appointed Commissioner of Customs 
April 7, 1874, and has held the place by con- 
tinuous commission ever since. He is one of the 
most industrious, punctual and hard working 
men in the service. Something of the realiz- 
ing sense of the great labors of his office may 
be gleaned from the fact that the accounts 
for 8197,000.000 of collection and of S22,- 
ooo,o<^io for disbursements were settled by him 
in 1884, and the records of the department 
show that from the time of his appointment 
up to the close of the last fiscal year the losses 
and defalcations in the customs service have 
been less than in any other corresponding 
time since the foundation of the government. 
The condition of his office for despatch of 



CENTENNIAL EDITION TRIBUNE-REPUBLICAN. 



143 



work and general tliorougliness is second to ber 26, 1836, and received all the advantages Va , where he assumed command of all the 

none other in the department. His adminis- of the best private schools and colleges at lorces at that point, relieving Gen. Kelly. At 

tration has received the universal commenda- home, but left college to enter into business the expiration of this service, he returned to 

tion of all who have had business with his before he took his degree. He was engaged private life, and resumed the bankmg busi- 

oftice, and his unfailing courtesy is recognized with his father and uncle in the banking busi- ness in Meadville, in which he is still engaged, 

and appreciated by all who have sustained ness at the breaking out of the war of the and is now at the head of the tirm of J. R. 

personal relations with him. In the discharge Rebellion, and he at once tender