(logo)
(navigation image)
Home American Libraries | Canadian Libraries | Universal Library | Open Source Books | Project Gutenberg | Biodiversity Heritage Library | Children's Library | Additional Collections

Search: Advanced Search

Anonymous User (login or join us)Upload
See other formats

Full text of "Historical and biographical annals of Columbia and Montour counties, Pennsylvania, containing a concise history of the two counties and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families .."

NYPl- 



RESEARCHUBBAB'Ef 




gg08l8l748_2 



I! 



/ 




/^ 



/- 



Historical and Biographical Annals 



OF 



Columbia and Montour 

Counties 



PENNSYLVANIA 



r^ 



Containing 

A Concise History of the Two Counties and a 

Genealogical and Biographical Record 

of Representative Families 



IN TWO VOLUMES 

ILLUSTRATED 



VOLUME I 



CHICAGO 

J. H. BEERS & CO. 

1915 



THE JiEV/ VOf>K 

PUBLIC LIBRARY 

783455 

j ASTOR, LENOX AHD 
P »9|7 



PREFACE 



In the preparation of this history of Cohimbia and Montour counties the 
pubHshers have been guided by several factors, the principal one being to record 
facts. In this vicinity of quaint legend and marvelous incident it is perhaps quite 
natural that writers of the past should have yielded much to the temptation to 
romantic narrative. Pains have been taken to revert to the unimpeachable 
records of the early times, which are still available to investigators, and for 
verification of the statements in the present work we direct attention to files of 
newspapers of the period in question, and other records to be found now in the 
Bloomsburg and Danville public libraries and the courthouses of the two coun- 
ties, as well as in the archives of the Columbia County Historical Society and 
in private homes. 

An important feature of this work, in which appear items of history which 
would be preserved in no other way, is the genealogical record of many of the 
families of this section whose ancestry were instrtmiental in the building of the 
Commonwealth and this portion of it in the days of settlement and trial. The 
utmost care has been exercised in the compilation of these family records, and 
in nearly every instance the biographical sketches were submitted to those imme- 
diately interested, thus affording ample opportunity for revision and correction. 

In compiling data for the history the publishers have had the assistance and 
supervision of the following residents of this division of the Keystone State: 

In the history of Columbia county proper the matter prepared by a represen- 
tative of the publishers has been reviewed by George E. Elwell, of Bloomsburg, 
who also supplied the Bench and Bar chapter; the Bloomsburg chapter, includ- 
ing the industries, churches, organizations and the first account in permanent book 
form of the Bloomsburg Centennial; and much other matter that has been used 
in the proper places through the body of the work. 

The detailed and authoritative account of the electric trolley and lighting sys- 
tems which cover both counties was supplied by A. W. Duy, Esq., of Blooms- 
burg. The story of the building of the Catawissa railroad was written by Charles 
E. Randall, of the Catawissa Nczi.<s Item. The interesting narration of the 
founding and development of the great car works at Berwick was written by the 
district manager of the American Car and Foundry Company, William F. Lowry. 
The article on the establishment of the tirst Methodist congregation in this sec- 
tion of the State, the history of the Berwick Water Company, Berwick Store 
Company, and of the Y. M. C. A. of Berwick, are from the pen of F. A. 
Witman, of Berwick. 

The material for the chapter upon the medical profession of Columbia 
county was supplied by Dr. L. B. Kline, of Catawissa. The matter for the 
article on the highways and roads of the counties was furnished by Arthur M. 
Clay, district superintendent of the State Highway Commission, stationed at 



Bloomsburg. Credit should be given to Miss Martha E. Robison for the his- 
tory of the origin and work of the Columbia County Sabbath School Associa- 
tion, to which organization she has devoted many years of her life. 

The entire history of Montour county has been reviewed by Hon. H. M. 
Hinckley, of Danville, who has written the greater part, devoting much time to 
the history of the religious denominations of the county, and to the correct 
description of the founding, development and growth of the town of Danville 
and the industries, improvements and historical occurrences brought about or 
participated in by the present and past residents of this division of the State of 
Pennsylvania. 

The publishers also acknowledge their indebtedness to Col. J. G. Freeze's 
early history of Columbia county ; gratitude to F. M. Gotwalds, of Danville, and 
Percy Brewington, of Benton, for aid in the progress of the work; Boyd Tres- 
cott, of Millville, and S. N. Walker, of Bloomsburg, for assistance rendered; 
to Daniel N. Dieffenbacher, of Danville, and William W. Evans, of Blooms- 
burg, for data for school history; and to Miss Edith Patterson and Miss Jennie 
Bird, librarians at Bloomsburg and Danville, respectively, for courtesies ex- 
tended. 

In behalf of the various writers of this work, cordial thanks are expressed to 
the officials of the counties, the members of the press, the clergy, and all others 
who have assisted in making this an exhaustive and accurate treatise on the 
region which has been its province. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



COLUMBIA COUNTY HISTORY 

CHAPTER I CHAPTER XDC 

PAGE PAGE 

The Indians 1 Benton Township — Benton Borough 210 

CHAPTER II CHAPTER XX 

Founding of Pennsylvania 13 Briarcreek Township 218 

CHAPTER m CHAPTER XXI 

Topography and Geology— Iron— Coal 19 Centre Township 221 

CHAPTER IV CHAPTER XXII 

Agriculture 28 Locust and Oeveland Townships 224 

CHAPTER V CHAPTER XXIII 

Transportation Facilities— Lighting— Roads, Turn- Fishingcreek Township— Stillwater Borough 228 

^'^^^ ^^ CHAPTER XXIV 

CHAPTER VI Franklin Township 231 

Religious Denominations 57 CHAPTER XXV 

CHAPTER VII Greenwood Township— Millville Borough 232 

Bench and Bar 65 CHAPTER XXVI 

CHAPTER Vin Hemlock Township 238 

The Medical Profession of Columbia County.... 74 _t,_^„_ 

CHAPTER IX Jackson Township 241 

War Records of the Counties 77 CHAPTER XXVIII 

CHAPTER X Madison Township 343 

County Formation 82 CHAPTER XXDC 

CHAPTER XI Main Township 246 

Columbia County After 1850 84 CHAPTER XXX 

CHAPTER Xn Mifflin Township — Mifflinville 248 

Educational Growth 94 CHAPTER XXXI 

CHAPTER XTTT Montour Township 252 

The Press 99 CHAPTER XXXH 

„„ _ Mount Pleasant Township 255 

CHAPTER XIV ^ 

Bloomsburg 104 CHAPTER XXXin 

Orange Township — Orangeville Borough 256 

CHAPTER XV 

Berwick and West Berwick 149 CHAPTER XXXIV 

Pine Township 261 

r. * ■ ^ CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XXXV 

Catawissa Borough^Catawissa Township 188 Roaringcreek Township 262 

CHAPTER XVH CHAPTER XXX\T: 

Centralia Borough— Conyngham Township 201 gpott Township 264 

CHAPTER X\ail CHAPTER XXXVH 

Beaver Township 208 Sugarloaf Township 269 

V 



MONTOUR COUNTY HISTORY 

CHAPTER I CHAPTER XI 

PAGE PAGE 

Early History — County Organization, etc 273 Anthony Township 386 

CHAPTER II CHAPTER XII 

Some of the Early Families 277 Cooper Township 390 

«^^T=^ ™ CHAPTER Xin i 

Internal Improvements 293 

Derry Township — Washingtonville Borough 391 

CHAPTER IV 

Military Record 296 CHAPTER XIV j 

CHAPTER V ^'^^'^^ Township 394 

Schools of Montour County 303 CHAPTER XV 

CHAPTER VI Limestone Township 396 , 

Bench and Bar 311 CHAPTER X%T ; 

CHAPTER VII Mahoning Township 397 j 

Physicians 32 1 

CHAPTER XYil ' 

CHAPTER Mil '. 

Officials 325 ^^^J^'"y Township 398 ; 

CHAPTER IX CHAPTER XVIH ■ 

Danville 327 Valley Township ...400 

CHAPTER X CHAPTER XIX j 

Township Formation 386 West Hemlock Township 402 , 



BIOGRAPHICAL SECTION *^^ 



■n 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



COLUMBIA COUNTY 



Aborigines - 2 

African il. E. Church 146 

Aggi-essions, Indian.. 13, 188, 248 
Agricultural Associations ... 31 

Agriculture 28 

Indian 5 

Alton (Almcdia) 367 

AiKman, Alexander 331, 628 

Ahnedia 267 

American Car and Foundry 
Co.— 

Ber\vick 161, 163 

Berwick Rolling Mill Co., 

1873 (View) 161 

Berwick Store Co. (View) . 165 

Bloomsburg 113 

Jackson & Woodin First 

Store (ViewO 168 

Jackson & Woodin JIfg. Co., 

1873 (View) 161 

Lower Works (View) 163 

Steel Car Department 

(View) 165 

Upper Works (View) 163 

Amusement Houses — 

Bloomsburg 147 

Anthony, Judge Joseph B. 66, 313 

Anthracite 26 

Apple Orchards 39 

Area of Pennsylvania 12 

Aristes ("Montana") 206 

Assessment and Valuation.. . 91 
Assessors, Township and Bor- 
ough 88 

Associate Judges 71 

Athletic Park 134 

Attorneys, District 87 

Baldy, Edward H 317, 576 

Baldy Guards 81, 398 

Baldy, William J 318, 576 

Bands — 

Benton 218 

Berwick 184 

Bloomsburg 148 

Catawissa 193 

Banks 18 

Benton 315 

Berwick 155 

Bloomsburg ■ 121 

Catawissa 193 

Centralia 303 

Millville 334 



Baptists 

63, 144, 176, 233, 337, 343, 245 
Bar, Members of Columbia 

County 71 

Barkley," Charles G 127 

Bear Kun (Mordansville) . . . . 355 

Beaver Township 208 

Beaver Valley (Sliuman- 

town) 308 

Bench and Bar 65 

Benton Borough 310 

Benton Township 210 

Berwick Borough 149 

Berwick Bridge 53 

Site of Steamboat Acci- 
dent (View) 56 

Berwick Circuit 60, 171 

Berwick Guards 184 

Berwick Hospital 186 

View 186 

Berwick Schools 1159 

Berwick Store Company 165 

Department Store (View) . 165 

Billheimer, Michael 17 

Bloom Township 108 

Bloomsburg 104 

Bloomsburg, County Bridge at 54 

View 56 

Bloomsburg Hospital 119 

View 186 

Bloomsburg Soldiers' Monu- 
ment 193 

View 120 

Bloomsburg State Normal 

School 124 

View 124 

Agricultural Department... 28 
Bloomsburg, Town Fountain. 113 

Bloomsburg, Town Hall 113 

Boatyards 266 

Boone. Samuel 17, 104 

Boroughs — 

Benton 210 

Berwick 149 

Catawissa 188 

Centralia 301 

Millville 332 

Orangeville 256 

Stillwater 338 

West Berwick 158 

Bosley, Fort 11 

Boundaries. Pennsylvania ... 13 
Bowman, Bishop Thomas.... 59 

vii 



Boy Scouts Troop 181 

Boyle's (Brady's) Fort 392 

Briar Creek 219 

Briarcreek Township 218 

Bridges 53-56 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Berwick ( View) 56 

County Bridge at Blooms- 
burg (View) 56 

Bricn. William 150, 151 

Brobst, Christian. .. .44, 189, 197 

Buck Mountain 19, 209 

Buckhorn 239 

Buckwheat 28, 34 

Business Establishments — 

(See Borough and Town- 
ship Chapters.) 
Byrnesville 207 

Campbell (Central) 271 

Canal Trade 42, 43 

Canalboats 43, 107, 266 

Passenger Boat, 1868 

(View) 168 

Canby 255 

Car Works, Berwick 163 

Views 163, 165 

Carver, Prof. Henry 126 

Catawissa Borough 188 

Catawissa Bridge 54 

Catawissa Guards 81 

Cataw-issa Friends Meeting 

House 196 

View 168 

Catawissa Mountain 19, 246 

Catawissa Soldiers' Monument 193 

View 120 

Catawissa Township 188 

Catholics — 

(See Greek and Roman 
Catholics.) 

Cattle Epidemic 30 

Cemeteries 

57, 147, 186, 301, 340, 251, 267 
Centennial Celebration, 

Bloomsburg 135 

Central 271 

Centralia Borough 201 

Centre Township 231 

Centerville (Centralia) ■ 303 

Centre ville (Lime Ridge) .... 223 
Chapman, Hon. Seth 65, 311 



vni 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



Cherrington Family 263 

Christian Denomination. . .63, 
14G, 177, 216, 230, 236, 242, 272 

Churches 57 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Circuits, M. E 60, 171 

Civil War 78 

Columbia County in the .... 80 

Drafts 79 

Clayton, Thomas 104, 105 

Cleared Land, Acreage 92 

Clerks, County 87 

Cleveland Township 224 

Qubs, Literary and Social — 

Berwick 182 

Bloomsburg 132 

Catawissa 201 

Coal 19, 20 

Dredging 27 

Mining 26 

Coal Mines, 26, gOS, 206, 207, 209 

Cole Family 269 

Cole's, Billy 271 

Cole's Creek 269, 271 

Collieries 26 

Columbia County, History of 1 
Columbia County, Organiza- 
tion 82, 273 

Columbia County after 1850. 84 
Columbia County Agricul- 
tural, Horticultural and 
Mechanical Association ... 31 
Columbia County Bar Asso- 
ciation 71 

Columbia County Medical So- 
ciety 75 

Columbia County Courthouse 84 

Views 84, 277 

Columbia County Historical 

Society 134 

Columbia County Jail 85 

. View 120 

Columbia County OflTicials... 87 

Columliia Park 222 

Columbia County Poorhouses 86 
Columbia County Sabbath 

School Association 63 

Columbia Guards 78, 81, 297 

Commissioners' Clerks 88 

Common School Law 94 

Conestoga Wagons 36 

Congressional Districts 89 

Congressmen 89 

Conner Implement Works... 258 

Connecticut Claims 13, 14, 104 

Conviigham, Judge John N . . 

. ." 66, 312 

Conyngham Township 201 

Cooper (Bloomsburg Pioneer) 104 

Copper Ciaze 27, 270 

County Bridge, Bloomsburg. . 53 

View 56 

County Commissioners 88 

County Fairs 31 

County Jail 85 

View 120 

County Seat Contest. 83, 373, 275 

County Treasurers 88 

Courthouses at Bloomsburg, 
Old and Present (Views) . . 84 
At Danville (Views) 277 



Crawford, Capt. Jack 203 

Creasy 350 

Creeks 19 

Creveling Grape 39, 268 

Cumberland Pike 36 

Dens 242 

District Attorneys 87 

Districts — 

Congressional 89 

Judicial 65, 70 

Legislative 89, 90 

Doan, John 17, 104 

Donnel, Hon. Cliarles G...66, 312 
"Durham'' Boats 43 

Early Physicians 74 

Eaton, Frederick H 163, 513 

Educational Growth 94 

Jlodern Development 95 

Statistics 95, 97, 98 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Election Districts 86 

Electric Ligliting 50, 111, 316 

Electric Railways 48, 50, 203 

Elk Grove 271 

Elwell, Judge William 

66, 313, 673 

Ent Post, G. A. R 133 

Episcopal (Protestant) De- 
nomination 

63, 139, 174, 300, 304, 244, 271 

Espy 366 

Esther Furnace 23, 235 

Evangelical Denomination. . . . 

63, 145, 

176, 177, 179, 209, 217, 319, 
320, 323, 237, 242, 251, 354, 368 

Evans, Judge Charles C 

70, 314, 433 

Evans, William W 135, 577 

Evansville 219 

Eves, .John 17, 233 

Explosion on River Steamboat 

(1826) 43, 153 

Eyer, Ludwig 105 

Eyer's Grove 335 

Eyerstaedtel (Bloomsburg) . . 105 

Fairs, County 31 

Farmers, Prominent 30 

Fernville 149 

Fire Companies 

Ill, 160, 193, 316 

First Settlers 15 

(See also Borough' and 
Township Chapters.) 

Fisheries 264, 271 

Fishing Creek 229 

Fishingcreek Township 228 

Floods 53-56 

Foot and Mouth Disease .... 30 

Forks 230 

Formation of County 82, 373 

Forts. Frontier. . .9, 104, 221, 393 
Fort McClure Chapter, D. A. R. 

11. 104, 134 

Founding of Pennsylvania... 12 

Foundry ville 151, 230 

Fowlerville 222 



Franklin Township 231 

Fraternal Organizations — 

Aristes 306 

Benton 318 

Berwick 185 

Bloomsburg 128 

Buckhom 240 

Catawissa 194 

Centralia 304 

Centre Township 323 

Espy 26T 

lola 236 

Millville 235 

Numidia 225 

Orangeville 358 

Friends, Society of 57, 

58, 150, 170, 188, 196, 326, 236 
Friends' Meeting House, Cata- 
wissa 196 

View 168 

Frontier Forts... 9, 104, 231, 393 

Fruit Raising 39 

l'\iniaces. Anthracite and 

Charcoal 23 

Columbia County 

23, 230, 235, 246, 264 

Montour County 24 

Abandoned 35 

Furry Family . . . .' 188 

Galena Ore 30, 27 

Gas Lighting 48 

Geology and Topography, 

Iron, Coal 19 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Germantown 307 

Glen City (Scotch Valley) ... 309 

Grange, Patrons of Husbandry 30 
(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Grassmere Park 271 

Gravel Picker, for Buckwheat 34 

Greek Catholics 63, 179, 206 

Greenwood Township 232 

Gristmills, Old... 32, 189, 208, 
319, 235, 229, 333, 235, 239, 

347, 248, 354, 257, 363, 365, 369 

Guava 371 

Harrison (Sugarloaf) Town- 
ship 269 

Hemlock Township 338 

Herring, .Judge Grant 70, 313 

Hinckley, Hon. Henry M. . . . 

68. "313, 318, 448 

Historical Society, Columbia 

County 134 

Horse Breeding 30 

Homes, Pioneer 15 

Hopkins, Rev. Caleb. 62, 139, 244 
Hospitals — 

Berwick 186 

Bloomsburg 119 

Views 186 

Hughesburg (Catawissa) . . . 189 

Hurley Guards 81 

Ikeler, Judge Elijah R 

69, 313, 420 

Indians. The 1 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



IX 



Indian Aggressions 13, 188 

Costumes 6 

Customs 5 

Feasts and Sports 7 

Fishing and Hunting 8 

Government 7 

Names 3, 20, 188 

Origin and Local Tribes . . 2, 188 

Patlis and Trails 3 

Religion 7 

Treaties 13 

Villages and Settlements . . 4 
Wars and Forays 8 

Inns, Old... 38, 105, 150, 202, 
206 211, 222, 224, 226, 240, 257 

lola 336 

Iron 19, 20, 230 

Industry 23, 238 

Mills ^- 24 

"Iron Guards" 79, 80 

Jackson, Col. Clarence G 

161, 184, 464 

Jackson Guards 184 

Jackson, Mordecai W 161, 416 

Jackson Township 241 

Jackson & Woodin Mfg. Co.. 101 
First Store, 1865 (View).. '168 

Works, 1873 (View) 161 

Jail, Columbia County 85 

View 130 

Jamison City 270 

Jenkins, Fort 10, 221 

Jerseytown 243 

John Family 246 

Jonestown 229 

Judges- 
Associate 71 

President 71 

Biographies 65-70 

Judicial Districts. 65, 70, 311, 312 

Karkaase 17, 328 

Kernsville 325 

Kline Family 256 

Knob Mountain 19, 256 

Lead Ore 20,27 

Legislative Districts 89, 90 

Lesher, Prof. Albert U 169 

Lewis, Judge Ellis 66, 311 

Libraries, Public — 

Berwick 166, 180 

Bloomsburg 119 

Life Story of a Great Indus- 
try 161 

Light Street 265 

Lighting, Gas 48 

Electric 49 

Lime Ridge (Centreville) 222 

Limestone 20, 222, 239, 254 

Literary and Social Clubs — 

Bloomsburg 132 

Berwick 182 

Little, Judge Robert R 

69, 313, 418 

Locks, Canal 43, 154 

Locust Township 224 

Locustdale 207 

Lodges, Indian 5 

Lutherans 61, 

141, 147, 173, 177, 178, 197, 



198, 206, 209, 219, 220, 223, 
226, 236, 240, 245, 247, 250, 
251, 254, 256, 260, 262, 267, 268 
Lyon, Robert 104 

McAuley, Alexander . . 17, 208, 224 

ilcAuley Mountain 19, 209 

McClure, Fort 11, 104 

McClure, James 11, 17, 104 

McHenry, Daniel 17 

McHenry, John G 212 

McWilliams, Robert 16 

Madison Township 243 

Magee Carpet Company 114 

.JIail Routes, etc 17, 38 

Mail Service, Ancient and 

Modern 17, 39, 152 

Main Township 246 

Mainville 247 

JIallery, Garrick 162, 461 

Martzville 219 

Masonic Fraternity, Blooms- 
burg 128 

(See also Borough and Town- 
sliip Chapters.) 

Maus Family 

17, 274, 282, 400, 407, 445 

Medical Profession 74 

Medical Societies — 

Columbia County 75 

Montour County 75 

Methodist Church and Acad- 
emy, Berwick 168 

Me'w. 1840 168 

Metliodist Episcopal Denomi- 
nation 

59, 143, 146, 171, 179, 200, 
204, 209, 219, 223, 227, 230, 
232, 236, 240, 245, 247, 251, 
254, 256, 261, 262, 263, 267, 272 
Methodist Episcopal Circuits — 

Berwick 60, 171 

Bloomsburg 60 

Northumberland 60, 171 

Methodist Protestant Denomi- 
nation 63, 179, 217 

Mifflin Bridge 55 

Mifflin Crossroads 209 

Mifflin Township 248- 

Mifflinville 248 

Military 77, 132, 184 

Mill Grove 263 

Millertown (Canby) 255 

MiUville Borough 232 

Mineral Products 19-27 

Mines, Coal. .26, 203. 206, 207, 209 

"Mollie Maguires." Trial 72 

Montana or Aristes 206 

Montgomeiy, William 17 

(See also Montour County.) 
Montour County Agricultural 

Society 32 

Montour County Medical So- 
ciety 75 

Montour. "Madame 4, 373 

Montour Township 252 

Monuments — 

Soldiers', Catawissa 193 

Soldiers' and S a i 1 o r s', 

Bloomsburg 120 

Views , 120 

Mordansville 255 



Moses Van Campen Chapter, 

D. A. R 182 

Mount Pleasant Township . . . 255 
jM u n i c i p a 1 Improvements, 

Bloomsburg 110 

National Road 36 

Nationality of Early Settlers 14 

Newlin 225 

New Media (Numidia) 225 

Newspapers 99, 218, 235 

North Branch Canal 

42, 153, 250, 253 

North Mountain 19 

Northumberland Circuit, 

Methodist 60, 171 

Northumberland Presbytery. . 59 

Numidia 225 

Oak Grove 123 

Officials— 

Benton 216 

Berwick 158 

Bloomsburg 108 

Catawissa 190 

Columbia County 87 

MiUville 234 

Orangeville 258 

West Berwick 158 

Old Gristmills 32 

Old Inns 38, 105, 150, 202, 

206, 211, 222, 224, 226, 240, 257 

Orange Township 256 

Orangeville Academy 259 

Orangeville Borough 256 

Orchards 29 

Organization of County... 82, 273 

Orphanage, Mifflinville 251 

Ostricli Farm 268 

Owen, Evan 

..17, 35, 104, 105, 149. 150, 155 

Owensville (Berwick) 150 

Oyertown (Bloomsburg) .... 105 



Paper Mills 191, 265 

Paradise 270 

Passenger Boat, Pennsylvania 

Canal (View) 168 

Patrons of Husbandry ....... 30 

(See also Borough and 
Township Cliapters.) 

Peat 266 

Peckham, Hon. Aaron K. . . . 66 

Penn. William 12 

Pennsylvania Canal 43 

PassengerBoat. 1868 (View) 168 
Pennsylvania, Founding of . . 12 

Area 12 

Boundaries 12 

Pensyl (Willowvale) 232 

Pentecostal Denomination .63, 146 

Physicians, Early 74 

Physicians, Registered 76 

Pine Summit 262 

Pine Township 261 

Pioneers 16 

(See also Borough and 
Township Cliapters.) 

Pioneer Station 270 

Polkville (Waller) 241, 242 

Pollock, Judge James 66, 312 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



I'oimlatiou — 

(See Borough and Town- 
ship Chapters.) 

Post Offices 38 

List of 40 

Postal Rates 17, 39 

Postal Service. ..38, 152, 317, 234 
Postmasters — 

(See Borough and Town- 
ship Cliapters.) 

Postriders 38, 152, 217 

Presbyterians 

58, 142, 174, 179, 

206, 216, 223, 236, 260, 3G7, 372 
Presbytery, Northumberland. 59 

President Judges, List 71 

Press, The 99 

Benton 218 

Benvick 102 

Bloomsburg 99 

Catawissa 102 

Centralia 103 

Millville 101, 235 

Protestant Episcopal Denomi- 
nation 

. .63. 139, 174, 200, 204, 244, 271 

Prothonotaries 87 

Purchase Line 334 

Quakers 57, 

58. 150. 170. 188, 196, 326, 236 

Quaker Meeting House, Cata- 
wissa 196 

View 168 

Quarries 20, 222, 239, 267 



Railroads 44, 154, 

Railway JLul Service 

Ratti, Josepli 114, 

Raven Creek 

Rea, Alexander W...73, 302, 

Recorders, County 

Reformed Denomination 

61, 141, 178, 300, 210, 220. 
233. 336, 231. 245, 247, 350, 

Registers, County 

Religious Denominations 

Reminiscences 

Rhoadstown 

Roads 

Catawissa 

Cumberland Pike 

Indian 

State-aided 

Roaring Creek 

Roaringcreek 

Roaringcreek Township 

Roberts. Moses 

Rohrsburg 

Roman Catholics 

63, 145, 178, 204, 207, 

Rosemont Cemetery 

Rupert 

Rupert Grove 

Rupert, Leonard 

Rupert. Old Aqueduct 

Rural Free Delivery 39, 

Ruthenian Greek Catholic 
Church 



190 

39 

119 

218 
307 

87 



360 
87 
57 
17 

236 
35 

193 

36 

3 

43 

225 

225 

262 
17 

335 

227 
147 
252 
123 
17 
43 
152 

179 



Salmon. Joseph 321, 256 

Salvation Army 178 



Schools 94 

Buildings 96 

State is'ormal, Bloomsburg 124 

State Normal (View) 128 

Summer 98 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

School Superintendents 99 

Scotch \alley (Glen City) ... 209 

Scott Township 364 

Secret and Fraternal Socie- 
ties — 

Aristes 306 

Benton 218 

Berwick 185 

Bloomsburg 128 

Buekhorn 240 

Catawissa 194 

Centralia 304 

Centre Township 233 

Espv 267 

Ligl'it Street 265 

Millville 235 

Numidia 225 

Orangeville 259 

Sereno 261 

Settlers, Early 15 

Homes 15 

Nationality 14 

(See also Borough and 
TowiLship Chapters.) 

Settlements, Indian 4 

Shawnee Park 322 

Sheep 30 

Sheriffs 87 

Sliuman 208 

Shumantown 208 

Slabtown 224 

Slate 20, 27, 339 

Smith, Frederick B 192, 595 

Societies, Secret and Fraternal 
138, 185, 194, 304, 206. 218. 
223, 225, 235. 340, 359, 365, 367 
Societies, Literary and So- 
cial — 

Berwick 183 

Bloomsburg 133 

Catawissa 301 

Society of Fi-iends 57, 

58, 150, 170, 188, 196, 336, 336 
Old Meeting House at Cata- 
wissa (View) 168 

Soldiers' Monuments 130, 193 

Views 130 

Stagecoach Days 35, 37 

State-aided Roads 43 

State Highway Department . . 40 
State Highways in Counties 

41, 193 

State Representatives. 90 

State Senators 89 

Statistics — 

Agricultural 33 

Church 59, 64 

Land 92 

Military 82 

INIinerai 27 

Mines 26 

Population 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 
Property Values 91 



Roads 41 

School 95, 97, 98 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Stock 93 

Taxables 93 

Taxes 92, 93 

Stillwater Borough 228 

Stock Raising 29 

Sugarloaf (Cole's CYeek).269, 271 

Sugarloaf Township 369 

Summer Hill 219 

Susquehanna River 8, 42 

Bridges 53 

Floods 53-56 

Susquehanna River Fisheries. 264 
•'Susquehanna," Steamboat 

Explosion 42, 152 

Site of Accident (View)... 56 

Talmar 261 

Tamenund 3 

Taurus 218 

Taverns, Old.. 38, 105, 150, 203, 
306, 211, 233, 334, 336, 340, 357 

Taylor, John H 166, 168, 864 

Topogi-aphy and Geology, 

Iron, Coal 19 

( See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 
Townships, Formation and 

List of 86 

Beaver 208 

Benton 210 

Bloom 108 

Briarcreek 218 

Catawissa 188 

Centre 221 

Cleveland 224 

Conyngham 201 

Fishingereek 228 

Franklin 231 

Greenwood 333 

Hemlock 338 

Jackson 241 

Locust 224 

Madison 243 

Main 246 

Mifflin 248 

Montour 252 

Mount Pleasant 355 

Orange 256 

Pine 361 

Roaringcreek 262 

Scott 264 

Sugarloaf 369 

Trails, Indian 3 

Transportation Facilities.... 35 

Treaties 13 

Turnpikes 35 

United Brethren . 63, 306, 337. 264 
United Evangelical Denomi- 
nation 63, 145, 

176, 177, 179, 209, 217, 319, 
220, 223, 237, 342, 251, 354, 268 

Van Camp 230 

Van Campen, Moses 10, 221 

Chapter. D. A. R 182 

Villages, Indian 4 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



XI 



Waller 242 

Waller, Rev. D. J 59, 135, 175 

Waller, Rev. D. J., Jr 

137, 143, 566 

Walter, Mary Emma 196, 648 

War Footing, Columbia Coun- 
ty 83 

War Records of the Counties 77 
Waterworks — 

Benton 215 

Berwick 158 

Bloomsburg 110 

Catawissa 193 



Centralia 203 

Millville 234 

Welliver. Daniel 17 

Welliversville 255 

Welsh, Judson P., Ph. D 137 

West Berwick Borough .. 149, 158 

Wheeler, Fort 10 

Whitmire 223 

Wigwams 4 

Wilburton 40 

Williamsburg (Light Street) . 365 

Williams Grove 330 

Willow Grove 223, 233 



WilloAV Springs 333 

Willowvale 233 

Wirt, Paul E 116 

Woodin, Clemuel R 163, 489 

Woodin, William H 161, 488 

Woodward, Hon. Warren J. . 66 

Wyoming Valley, Geology ... 20 

Young Jilen's Cliristian Asso- 
ciation 146, 166, 179 

Young Women's Christian As- 
sociation 146 



MONTOUR COUNTY 



Academy, Danville 307 

View, 1S80 362 

African M. E. Church 355 

Agricultui'al Societies, Mon- 
tour County 33 

Amerman, Dr. Alonzo 322 

Amerman, Charles V 320 

Ammerman, R. Scott 319, 688 

Angle, F. C 319, 60g 

Anthony, Judge Joseph B. .66, 312 

Anthony Township 386 

Associate Judges 314, 326 

Attorneys 314 

Attorneys, District 326 

Baldy, Edward H 317, 576 

Baldy Guards 81, 298 

Baldy, Peter, Sr 

287, 328, 329, 347, 576 

Baldy, William J 318, 576 

Banks, Danville 375 

Exchange 388 

Baptists 352, 355, 389 

Bare, Harry C 320 

Beaver, Thomas 364,384,406 

Beaver, Thomas, Free Library 362 

View 362 

Bench and Bar 311 

Best, Valentine 276, 325, 336, 373 

Biddle, William 291 

Billmeyer Family 394, 482 

Billmeyer's Park 393 

Bitler, Di-. Benjamin E. . .333, 679 

B'nai Zion Synagogue 355 

Borouglis — 

Danville 327 

Washingtonville 391 

Borough Officials, Danville... 372 

Bosley Mill and Fort 11, 393 

Boundarv Lines 376 

Boyd, John C 286, 423 

Boyle's (Brady's) Fort 392 

Brickyards 336 

Bridges — • 

Danville. . .53, 330 (View), 369 

Liberty Township 395 

Bright, Peter 288, 457 

Brower, D. H. B., Recollec- 
tions 382 

Brown, George B 290, 384, 563 

Butler, George D 317 



Canal, North Branch 

Catholics 356, 

Cattle Epidemic 

Cemeteries 57, 398, 399, 

Centre Turnpike 

Oialfant, Charles 

Chalfant, Thomas 291, 

Chapman, Judge Seth 65, 

Churches (See Under Denom- 
inations) 
Circuits, Methodist Episcopal 

60, 

Civil War, Montour County 

Soldiers 298 

Civil War, Roster 298 

Clark, Col. Robert 

Clark's Tavern 284, 

Cleaver Family 398, 

Clerks, Countv 

Coal .■ 

Cock Robin Mill, Danville . . . 

Columbia Guards 78, 

Columbia Seminary 

Conily 

Comly Family 

Comly, Joshua W 

Commissioners, County 

Company Store, Old, Danville 

View 

Congregationalists, Welsh . . . 
Congressional Districts. . . .89, 

Congressmen 89, 

Continental Fire Company . . . 
Conyngham, Judge John N. 

66, 

Cooper, John 

Cooper Township 

Co-operative Iron and Steel 

Works 

Cornelison, .Joseph 292, 

County Buildings, Montour — 

Original 

Present 

County Fairs 

County Officials 

County Organization 273, 

County Seat Contest.. 83, 273, 
County Superintendents, 

School 

Courthouse 274, 



294 
390 
30 
403 
293 
320 
326 
311 



343 

-304 
■304 
386 
358 
399 
337 
19 
333 
297 
394 
388 
315 
315 
326 
384 
330 
355 
325 
325 
376 

312 
314 
390 

332 

480 

274 
377 
33 
325 
276 
275 



310 

277 



Courthouses, Old and Present 
(Views) — 

At Bloomsburg 84 

At Danville 277 

Creeks 19 

Cross Keys Tavern 358 

Curry, Dr. Edwin A 323, 452 

Curry Family 394, 400 

Dam, Roaring Creek 399 

Danville Academy 307 

View 363 

Danville Blues 396 

Danville Borough 273, 327 

Danville Bridge 53, 369 

View 330 

Danville Female Seminary. . 307 

Danville Fencibles 299 

Danville Foundry & Machine 

Co 334 

Danville High School 310 

Danville Institute 307 

Danville Light Horse Com- 
pany 296 

Danville Iron Foundry 334 

Danville Iron Works 333 

Danville Militia 297 

Danville Milling Company. •• 336 
Danville Nail & Mfg. Co". ... 334 

Danville Post Office 368 

Danville Stove & Mfg. Co... 333 
Danville Structural Tubing 

Co 331 

Deen. John, Sr 284, 557 

Delaware. Lackawanna & 

Western Railroad 294 

Derry Church 388 

Deri-y Township 391 

District Attorneys 326 

Districts — 

Congressional 89, 325 

.Tudicial 70, 311 

Legislative 89, 90. 326 

Donnel, .Judge Charles J. . .66, 312 

Earlv Families, Montour 
County 277 

Earlv History, Montour 
Countv 373 

East End Mission 357 

Eckman, Col. Charles W.398. 454 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



Electric Light. Danville. . .50, 371 

Electric Railroads 50, 295 

Elwell, Judge William 

66, 312, 673 

Emmet, John 284 

Enterprise Foundry & Ma- 
chine Works 334 

Episcopalians (Protestant).. 

346, 389 

Evangelical Denomination . . 

354, 390 

Evans, Judge Charles C 

70, 314, 432 

Exchange 387 

Exchange Hall 390 

Fairs, County 32 

Famine 392 

Farmers, Prominent 30 

Finney, Robert 394 

Fire Companies, Danville... 376 

Floods 53, 369 

Foot and Mouth Disease .... 30 

Formation of Townships ... . 386 

Forts, Pioneer.. ..9. 104. 321, 392 

Foundries. Early, Danville. 25, 328 

Franklin Court 35S 

Frazer, Daniel 282 

Frazer, John, Recollections. . . 376 

Free Schools 308 

Frick, A. J 317 

Frick, Arthur W 317 

Frick, Dr. Clarence H 321 

Frick, George A 314 

Friendship Fire Company. . . . 376 

Frontier Forts... 9, 104^ 231. 393 

Fruitstown (Wiite Hall)... 387 

Furnace, Valley 401 

Furnaces 19. 24. 395 

Galbraith, Thomas J 318 

Gas Light. Danville 371 

Gaskins, Thomas 284 

Gearhart, Charles P 320 

Gearhart, Edward S 319 

Gearhart Families 

398, 449, 455, 517. 638 

Geisinger, George F 368, 481 

Geisinger, George F., Memo- 
rial Hospital 365 

Views 365. 366, 368 

Geisinger, Mrs. George F.365, 480 
Birthplace and Home 

(Views) 480 

Geology 22 

Gibson Family 396 

Gibson, Schoolmaster 305 

Glendower Iron Works 332 

Good Will Hose Company... 376 

Goodman, Philip ". . . . 358 

Grangers 30 

Grier Families 283, 317. 412 

Grier. Rev. Isaac 283, 338. 412 

Grier, I. X 317, 412 

Grier. Hon. Robert C 314 

Gristmills, Old 33 

View 328 

Grovania 390 

Grove Furnaces 333 

Gulics, John C 282 

Harpel, Dr. Francis E...333, 549 



Hartman. \\'illiam 282 

Ha user. Dr. Raymond J. .324, 938 

Hebrew Synagogue 355 

Herring, -Judge Grant 70, 313 

High School, Danville 374 

Hinckley, Judge Henry M . . . 

68, 313, 318, 448 

Hoax. 1860 383 

Hoffa, Dr. Jacob P 322 

Hospitals — 

For Insane 360 

Views 360 

George F. Geisinger 365 

Views 365, 366, 368 

Hotels. Danville 358 

Howe & Samuel Steel Plant. 335 

Howellville 398 

Hughes. Ellis 282, 306 

Hutchinsons 392 

Ikeler, Judge Elijah R 

69, 313, 420 

Insane. State Hospital for, 

Danville 360 

Views 360 

Institutes, Teachers' 310 

Institutions, Philanthropic, 

Danville 360 

Internal Improvements — 

Countv 293 

Danville 295, 369 

Internal Improvement Sys- 
tem, State 294 

Iron 19 

Iron Jlills 24 

Iron Mines 398 

.Tack. Rev. Alexander B 341 

.lapanese Embassy Hoax.... 383 

.Tolmston, William C 317 

.Jordan. .Judge Alexander. . . . 312 
Judges — 

Associate 314, 326 

President 311 

Judicial Districts . 65, 70, 311, 312 

Karkaase 17, 328 

Kase, Simon P 289, 329 

Kelso, Prof. .John M 307 

Kirk. Rev. James W., D. D. 

341, 550 

Kirkham. Samuel 282, 306 

Kisner. Ralph 320, 880 

Knitting Mills, Danville 335 

Laundries. Danville 336 

Legislative Districts. .80, 90, 326 

Leidv. Paul 317 

Lewis. .Tudge Ellis 66, 311 

Libertv Furnace 395 

Liberty Township 394 

Librarv, Thomas Beaver Free 362 

View 362 

Lightner. Rev. Edwin N 347 

Limestone Quarries 20, 390 

Limestone Township 396 

Limestoneville 396 

Limestoneville Institute. .307. 397 

Little, Judge Robert R 

69, 313. 418 

Lundy. John 286 

Lundv. Rev. .John P 286 



Lutherans 344, 353, 

354, 391, 393, 395, 399, 401, 402 

McClure, Capt. William M. 

298, 299 

McCormick. James 292 

McHenry. B. Frances 320 

McHenry, Dr. Montraville , . . 

322, 1161 

McNeal. Ann 583 

McWilliams Familv 394, 583 

Magill. Dr. William H 

287, 321, 372 

Mahoning Presbyterian 

Church 338 

Mahoning Township 397 

Mahoning Township, Old Tax 

List 397 

Market Square Park. Danville 372 

Marr, Alem 314, 325 

Martin Family 583 

Maus Family 

17, 274, 282, 400. 407, 445 

Maus, Phillip 281 

Mausdale 401 

Mausdale Gristmill, Built in 

1800 401 

View 328 

Mayberry Township 398 

Mechanicsville 397 

Memorial Park. Danville.... 372 

Meredith, Dr. Hugh B 

322, 362, 544 

Metal & Machine Co 328, 335 

Metal Engineering Company 

328, 335 

Methodist Episcopal Denom- 
ination. . . .343. 353. 355, 357. 
394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399. 403 

Circuits 60. 343 

Methodists, Primitive 390 

Mexican War, Montour County 

Soldiers 297 

Military Record 296 

Montgomery, Gen. Daniel. . . . 

". . . .274. 280, 327, 360 

Montgomery Family 17, 278 

Montgoniei-y. .John C 318 

Montgomery. -lohn G 316 

Montgomery. Gen. William.. 

■. 278, 337 

Home at Danville (View) . 328 
Montgomery. .Judge William. 281 
Montgomery. Rev. William B. 284 
Montour County, History of. 273 
Montour County Agricultural 

Society 32 

Montour County Medical So- 
ciety 75 

Montour. Madame 4, 273 

ifontour Rifles 298 

Monument, Soldiers' 372 

View 277 

ilooresburg 395 

IMourer, L. K 321 

Muster Rolls, Chapter IV .. . 296 

National Guard 304 

National Iron Company. .331, 334 
Newbaker. Dr. Philip C. .333, 640 

New Columbia 402 

Newspapers. Danville 336 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



Xlll 



North Branch Canal 394 

Northern Montour Agricul- 
tural Society 32 

Northumberland M. E. Cir- 
cuit 60, 342 

Officials, County 335 

Officials, Danville 373 

Oglesbv, Dr. James 323, 498 

Oglesby, William V 330, 499 

Old Gristmills 33 

View 328 

Old Taverns, Danville 358 

Oldest House in County 

(View) 338 

Organization^ Momtour County 

273, 276 

Ottawa 39G 

Pants Factory, Danville 336 

Parks. Danville — 

Market Square 378 

Memorial 373 

River Front 372 

Patrons of Husbandry 30 

Patten, Dr. EoDert S 325, 855 

Patterson, Rev. John B 

339, 388, 393 

Paules, Dr. William R . . 324, 1008 
Pennsylvania Railroad. . .294, 295 
Petrikin. Dr. David. .321, 325, 328 
Philadelphia & Reading Rail- 
road 394 

Philanthropic Institutions, 

Danville 360 

Physicians 331 

Planing Mills. Danville 330 

Pollock, Judge James 66. 312 

Poor Farm 397, 401 

Postmasters. Danville 368 

Postmasters, ^^^lite Hall 387 

Postmasters. Exchange 387 

Post Office, Danville 368 

Post Offices, List of County. 40 

Presbyterians 

338. 349. 357. 388, 393, 395, 402 

Presbyteries 339 

President .Tudges 311 

Primitive itethodists 390 

Prominent Farmers 30 

Protestant Episcopal Denom- 
ination 346, 389 

Prothonotaries 327 

Purscl, Dr. Isaac 323 

Quarries 390 

Railroads 294 

Rank, Daniel W 318, 854 

Rank, Isaac 288 

Reading Iron Company . .329. 334 
Recorders. County 327 



Red Horse Hotel 387 

Reformed Denomination) .... 

351, 391, 393, 397, 401, 402 

Reminiscences, Danville .... 376 
Representatives — 

Congressional 89, 325 

State 326 

Republican Rally 383 

Rescue Fire Company 376 

Rhodes. B. K 317 

Rhodes. -John 293 

Ridgeville 391 

River Front Park, Danville . . 372 

Roads, Turnpike 293 

Roaring Creek 398 

Roaring Creek Furnace. . .24, 399 

Robbins, Dr. James E . . . 324, 547 

Rockefeller. Judge William M. 312 

Roman Catholics 356, 390 

Sandel, Dr. .1. H 333, 694 

Scarlet, James 318, 440 

Schools 305 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Danville 374 

Schools, Free 308 

School Superintendents, 

County 310 

Danville 374 

Schultz. Dr. Solomon S 

322, 361, 429 

Sechler, H. B. D 288 

Sechler, .Jacob 285 

Seidel, Arren E 393, 859 

Senators, State 326 

Settlers, Early 274, 277 

(See also Borough and 
Township Chapters.) 

Sharp Ridge 398 

Shelhart, Jacob 289 

Sheriffs 327 

Shoop, Gideon M 289 

Shreeve, Capt. .loseph E . . 299, 303 
Shultz. Dr. Benjamin F..390, 323 

Silk Mill, Danville 335 

Simington. Dr. R. S 332 

Smack. Daniel 396 

Soldiers' Monument, Danville 372 

View 277 

Spanish-American War, Mon- 
tour County Soldiers 304 

State Hospital for Insane, 

Danville 360 

Views 360 

State Senators 335 

State Representatives 326 

Steel Plant. Danville 335 

Strawberry Ridge 393 

Strawbridge. Dr. .James D... 321 
Strawbridgc, Ool. Thomas... 394 
Stver's Corners 402 



Surveyors 327 

Suspender Factories, Danville 336 
Susquehanna River.. 293, 369, 398 
Swenoda 402 

Taverns. Old 387 

Danville 358 

Taxables. List of, 1798 (Ma- 
honing Tp.) 397 

Teachers' Institutes 310 

Telephones 295 

Toll Rates, 1828 370 

Topography and Geology .... 19 

Township Formation 386 

Townships — 

Anthony 386 

Cooper 390 

Derry 391 

Liberty 394 

Limestone 396 

Mahoning 397 

Mayberry 398 

Valley ." 400 

West Hemlock 403 

Tradesmen, Early, Danville.. 380 
Training School, Geisinger 

Hospital 367 

View 368 

Treasurers, County 326 

Turnpikes ". 293 

Valley Furnace 401 

Valley Township 400 

Van Alen, T. 390 

van Fossen, George W 321 

Vastine, Dr. Jacob H 322, 444 

Vincent, Henry 318 

Voris, James 287, 725 

Walker, Robert 392 

War of 1812, Montour County 

Soldiers 296 

Washington Fire Company. . 376 
Washingtonville Borough . . . 391 

Washingtonville. Fort 393 

Waterman & Beaver Store, 

Danville 384 

View 330 

Waterworks. Danville 370 

Welsh, Thomas C 320, 683 

West, William K 319, 492 

West Hemlock Township .... 402 

White Hall 387 

AVhite Hall Hotel 38, 387 

Wilson. Capt. John S 397 

Wilson, Nathaniel 282 

Yeomans, Rev. Dr. John W.. 340 

Yorks Family 292, 683 

Young, Dr. Benjamin F 282 

Young Men's Cliristian Asso- 
ciation 365 

View 362 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Abiams, Abiam 1000 

Abrams, Isaac B 1000 

Achy, Epliraim 1202 

Achy, iXabery 1202 

Acor Family 897 

Acor, Joseph S 897 

Adams, Charles 647 

Adams, Charles E 633 

Adams, Emerson A 851 

Adams Families 

633, 646, 851, 890, 921, 963, 1192 

Adams, Miss Frances M 932 

Adams, Jacob W 1192 

Adams, John K 647 

Adams, Peter J 921 

Adams, Samuel W 963 

Adams, Ulysses K 890 

Ahlers, William 987 

Aikman Family 628 

Aikman, James E 629 

Aikman, John H 628 

Albeck Family 935 

Albertson, Bartley 1234 

Albertson, Edward 1234 

Alexander, Miss Harriet J... 582 

Alexander. Samuel D 582 

Alleger Family 1088 

Altmiller, Cliarles F., M. D. . . 612 

Altmiller Family 612 

Amerman, Dr. Alonzo 322 

Amerman, Charles V 320 

Amcsbury, Arthur 904 

Aniesbury Family 904 

Amnierman, Bernard 919 

Ammerman. .John B 793 

Ammerman, K. Scott 319, 688 

Andy, John 776 

Andy. AVilHam H 776 

Angell Family 1312 

Angell, Richard B 1312 

Angle Family COS 

Angle. Frank C 319, 608 

Angle. Theodore R 609 

Anthony. Judge Joseph B..66, 312 

Appleman, Eli 879 

Appleman Family 879 

Armes, John ..." 871 

Armes. William J 871 

Armstrong. Alfred H 1130 

Arnhold Family 1063 

Artley Family" 1227 

Artlcy, William H . 1237 

Artman, Clark D 123S 

Artman Family 1238 

Ash Family . .". 745 

Ash. Stewart A 745 

Aten Family 690 



Auten Family 899 

Auten, Robert C 899 

Averill, Archer 805 

Averill, Mrs. Margaret 805 

Baker, Charles W 1328 

Baker Families. 943, 950, 983, 1228 

Baker, Dr. Frank 983 

Baker, George G 950 

Baker, Samuel W 943 

Baldy, Edward H 317, 576 

Baldy Family 576 

Baldy, Peter, Sr 287, 576 

Baldy, William J 318, 576 

Bare, Harry G 320 

Barger, aiarles C 504 

Barger Familj' 504 

Barkley Family 523 

Barnard Family 1059 

Barnard, Orrin'H 1059 

Barton Families. . .568, 762, 1069 

Barton, Harry S 762 

Barton, Henry C 1069 

Bates Family' 1190 

Bates. Richa'rd 1190 

Baueher Family 816 

Bauman, Elias F 1065 

Bauman Family 1065 

Beach Family ' 1218 

Beaver Family 406 

Beaver, Henry P 758 

Beaver, Thomas 364, 384, 406 

Beck. Daniel B 660 

Beck Family 660 

Belles Families 830, 999 

Belles, Henderson F 829 

Belles. Jonatlian M 999 

Berninger, Aaron 818 

Bei-ninger, Arias J 818 

Berninger Family 706 

Beniinger, .Jonas 662 

Beyer Family 726 

Beyer, Levi "V 726 

Bibby, Mrs. Julia W 1077 

Bibby, Matthew A 1076 

Biddle Families 291, 644 

Biddle. Dr. John W 644 

Biddle, William 291 

Billig, Cliarles 1160 

Billig. Martin L 1160 

Billmej'er, Alexander 482 

Billmeyer Families 394, 483 

Billmeyer. Harry 483 

Bird Family . . '. 635 

Bitlcr. Benjamin E., M. D.323. 679 

Bitler Families 679, 907 

Bitler, Dr. Sherman E 90S 

xiv 



Bittner, Archible G 523 

Bittner Family 523 

Black, Alfred B 478 

Black Famih- 479 

Blank Famil'y 946 

Blee Families 587, 727 

Blee, Frank G 587 

Blee, Robert E 727 

Bloss Family 966 

Bloss, Frank E 731 

Bloss, John K 731 

Bloss, Nelson W 966 

Blue Family 715 

Blue, Horace C 715 

Bogart, Aaron 1124 

Bomboy Families 770, 890 

Bomboy, Frank 770 

Bomboy, Leonard E 770 

Boody "Family 572 

Boody, Lincoln H 573 

Boon'e Family 1113 

Boudman Family 835 

Boudman, .J. Roland 825 

Bower, Bruce H 732 

Bower, Clemuel R 1033 

Bower, Edward F 1250 

Bower Families ....598, 613, 
732, 796. 827, 838, 1129, 1250 

Bower, George M 598 

Bower, Hiram R 613 

Bower, Hiram VC 828 

Bower, Oscar M . . •. 838 

Bower. R. Orval 796 

Bower. Solomon 1033 

Boyd, Daniel M 422 

Boyd Family 423 

Boyd, John "C 286, 423 

Boyer Families 681, 689 

Boyer, .Jacob 895 

Boyer. Jacob H 689 

Boyer, Reuben 894 

Boyer. William E 681 

Boyles Family 843 

Boyles. Josluia 185, 842 

Brannen Family 430 

Brannen. James L 430 

Bredbenner Family 831 

Bredbcnner, Mrs. Lydia A... 805 

Bredbenner, Miles S 832 

Bredbenner, Wm. M 831 

Breisch, Ernest E 1177 

Breiseh Families ..588, 1110, 1177 

Breisch. George 1177 

Breisch. Hannon M 588 

Breisch. .John E 1110 

Brewington, Percy 621 

Bright, Hon. Dennis 456 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



XV 



Bright Families 288, 456 

Brjgiit, Mrs. Lucy M 458 

Briglit, Tfter 388, 457 

Brink Family 975 

Brink, Harry S 975 

Britt Family 1033 

Brittain Family 951 

Brittain, William C 951 

Brobst Families 1017, 1060 

Brobst, Thomas B 1066 

Brock way Family 1088 

Brockway, Roland O 1088 

Brower Family 476 

Brower, William H 476 

Brown, Benton B 561 

Brown, Edward J 1103 

Brown Families 

473, 474, 561, 1103, 1164 

Brown, George B...390, 384, 563 

Brown, James C 473 

Brown, John J., M. D 474 

Brown, W. Earle 1164 

Brown, William G 563 

Bruder, Miss Gussie A 1059 

Bnuler, John A 1059 

Brugler Family 894 

Bruner Family 508 

Bruner, John W., M. D 508 

Brunner Family 825 

Brunstetter, George 1343 

Bryan Family 693 

BrVan. John " G ,693 

Bucci Family '778 

Bucci, Giovanni (John Bush) 778- 

Bucher, Charles E 1113 

Bueher Family 1113 

Buck Family 798 

Buck, Thomas R 798 

Buckalew, Hon. Charles R 403 

Buckaiew Families 403, 630 

Buckalew, Capt. John M 406 

Buckalew, Louis W 502 

Buckingham Family 743 

Buckingham, George A 743 

Burhard, Rev. Edward A.... 824 

Burket Family 786 

Bush Family 981 

Bush, Frederick W 981 

Bush. John (Giovanni Bucci) 778 

Butler, George D 317 

Butler. Kent A 1047 

Butler, Thomas 1047 

Butt Family 517 

Butt, William A 517 

Cadman, Enoch 1247 

Cadman. John 1346 

Campbell. Charles H 1142 

Campbell Families 665, 1137, 1142 

Canouse, David M 1130 

Canouse Family 1130 

Canouse, Mrs. Parah C 1129 

Carrathers Family 802 

Carrathers, John A 802 

Carsc Family 666 

Carse, Robert A 666 

Catterall Families 808, 945 

Catterall, George H 945 

Catterall, .Toseph H 808 

Chalfant, Cliarles 320 

Chalfant, Thomas 291 

Chamberlain Family 735 



Chamberlain, Isadora F 735 

Chapman, Judge tSeth 65, 311 

Childs Family 915 

Childs, William F. P 915 

Chrisman Family 713 

Chrisman, Hon. William 713 

Clapp, Henry C 1353 

Clapp, Mrs. Mary E 1353 

Clark, David 451 

Clark Families 769, 1077 

Clark, Frank R., M. D 769 

Clay, Arthur S 581 

Chiy Family 581 

Clcwell Families 707, 1019 

Clewell, Laurence 1 767 

Cloud, Charles G 865 

Cloud, William J 865 

Cohen, Joseph, M. D 802 

Cohen, Lewis 802 

Coira Family 1053 

Coira, Henry L 1052 

Cole, Jacob H 928 

Cole, Thomas 928 

Coliey Family 730 

Colley, Richard F 730 

Comly Family 315 

Comly, Joshua W 315 

Conner, John 974 

Conner, Samuel J 974 

Conner. Theodore F 737 

Conyngham, Judge John N. . 

.." 66, 312 

Cook, Charles W 1119 

-Cook Family 1119 . 

Cooper, John 314 

Cornelison Families .480, 991, 1231 

Cornelison, James 1253 

Cornelison, Joseph 392, 480 

Cornelison, Robert 1231 

Cotner Family 697 

Cotner, George P 697 

Cotner, Hiram E 697 

Crawford, Clinton 1091 

Crawford Family 1091 

Creasy Families 

...614, 620, 652, 676, 982, 1004 

Creasy, Francis P 614 

Creasy. Dr. George E 620 

Cioasy, Harvey Lewis 982 

Creasy, Joseph A 052 

Creasy, William E 1004 

Creasy, Hon. William T 676 

Creveiing, Daniel H 773 

Creveling Families 774, 984 

Creveiing, Herman G 1210 

Crispell, Chester F 978 

CVispell Family 978 

Ci'ispin, Hon. IBenjamin 533 

Crispin, Benjamin F., Jr 534 

Ci'ispin, Clarence G 536 

Ciispin Family 528 

Crispin, M. Jackson 535 

Croop, Allen B 1064 

Croop Family 1176 

Croop, George 1063 

Croop. Milton H 1176 

Crosslev, Daniel F 708 

Ci'ossley Families. .708, 1069, 1232 

Crosslev, Robert 1069 

Culp, Cliarles 819 

Gulp, Reuben 819 

Cummings Family 713 



Cummings, John W 713 

Currin Family , 767 

Currin, Percival C 767 

Curry, Daniel M 453 

Curry, Edwin A,, M. D. . .323, 453 
Curry Families. .394, 400, 453, 792 
Ciury, John R. M 7U3 

Daniel, L. H 1080 

Daniel, L. L 1080 

Davenport Family 734 

Davenport, Ray H 734 

Davis Families... .583, 1054, 1175 

Davis, John J 1054 

Davis, William T 1175 

Davis, William W 712 

Dean Families 701, 991 

Dean, Joseph 991 

Dean, Mrs. ilargaret B 991 

Deen Familj' 557 

Deen. John, Sr 284. 557 

Deily Family 1219 

Deil'y, John 1319 

Deitrick, Elmer F 815 

Deitrick, William 815 

Delanty Family 853 

Delay, Emmanuel 1115 

Delay Family 1115 

Delay, Mrs. Mary 1115 

DeLong Families. . .592, 668, 1233 

DeLong, Frank E 592 

DeLong, .lerome B 668 

DeLong, Perry 668 

"De Mott. Cyrus 740 

De Mott Family 740 

Dengler Family 848 

Dentler Family 955 

Dentler, Frank D 955 

Depew, Jonathan 1244 

Derr, Cliarles F 1098 

Derr Families. .554, 753, 863, 1098 

Derr, F. C 554 

Derr, J. Miles 753 

Derr, Mont 863 

Deutsch Family 920 

Deutsch, AVilliam L 919 

Dewald, John B 787 

DeWitt Families 641, 1003 

DeWitt. William 641 

Dice Family 1144 

Dice, .Joseph C 1144 

Dickson, Clark L 845 

Dickson, Conway W 579 

Dickson, David C 580 

Dickson Families 580, 845 

Dickson, Sterling W 579 

Dieffenbach Family 833 

Dieffenbach. Hervey E 833 

Diefl'enbacher, Benjamin S...1116 

Dieffenbacher, Daniel N 545 

Diefl'enbacher Families. .545. 1116 

Diehh Charles H 1058 

Diehl Family 1058 

Dietrich Families 866, 1185 

Dietrich, Karl L 1185 

Dietrich, Peter M 866 

Dietterick, Bruce C 1074 

Dictterick Family 1074 

Dietz Family . ." 733 

Dietz, John'H 732 

Dildinc, Charles H 1053 

Dildine Families 1005, 1053 



XVI 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Dildine, John A 

Dillon. Jolni L 

Dirk, iliss Clara Belle 

Dirk, William J 

Divel Family 

Divel, Judge Henry 

Dixon Family 

Doan Family 

Dodson, Boyd H 

Dodson Familj' 

Dodson, John 

Donnel, Judge Charles G. . .G6, 

Doster, Jacob 

Doster, John 

Doster, .John, .Jr 

Doster, Theodore 

Dreibelbis, Amos W 

Dreibelbis Families 81S, 

Dreisbach, Benjamin F 

Dreisbach Families 749, 

Drinker, Edward R 

Drinker Family 

Drinker, Jliss Lydia W 

Duggan, .John J 



Dutt Family . . . 
Dutt, Nelson S. 
Duy, Albert W. 
Duy Family . . . 



East Family 

East, Harry R 

Eaton, Clark D 

Eaton Family 

Eaton. Frederick H 162. 

Eck. Miss Anna E .' 

Eck Family 

Eck, Reese M 

Eckman, Col. Charles W. .298, 

Eckman, ilrs. Sophia G 

Eckroth Family 

Edgar Family 

Edgar, Thomas 

Edmondson Family 

Edmondson. George D 

Edwards Families ... 

654, 821, 1182, 

Edwards, Henry J 

Edwards. .James S 

Edwards, Jesse 

Edwards. Thomas E 

Eisenhauer Family 

Eisenhauer. John H 

Elliott. .Tohii F 

Elliott. Samuel 

Ellis, Mrs. Annie E 

Ellis Families 565, 591, 

Ellis, James F 

Ellis, .James .J 

Ellis. John D 

Elmes Family 

Elmes, William E 

Elwell Family 

Elwell. George Edward 

Elwell, George Edward. .Jr. . . 
Elwell. .Judge William 

66, 312 

Emmet. .John 

Emmett, Andrew .1 

Emmett Family 

Ent, Charles B 

Ent. Edwin H 



1005 

728 

1065 

1064 

548 

548 

748 

626 

462 

462 

1134 

313 

1185 

1184 

1184 

1185 

818 

1239 

1060 

1060 

596 

596 

597 

1218 

1218 

1058 

1058 

760 

760 

1198 

1198 

680 

512 

, 512 

812 

811 

812 

, 454 

455 

1021 

1085 

1085 

490 

490 

1187 

821 

654 

1187 

1182 

797 

797 

HOG 

1106 

886 

, 886 

591 

885 

565 

816 

816 

673 

675 

676 

, 673 
284 

1095 

1095 
536 

1073 



Ent Families 536, 1073, 1254 

Ent, Gen. Wellington H 426 

Enterline Family 898 

Enterline, W. G 898 

Ervin, Barton E 1090 

Ervin, Stephen 1090 

Eshleman, Benjamin L 948 

Eshleman Families 948, 1096 

Eshleman, Harold 949 

Evans, Andrew J 742 

Evans, Judge Charles C 

70, 314, 432 

Evans, David 875 

Evans Families 432, 

574, 578, 742, 983, 1151, 1155 

Evans, James L 574 

Evans, John D 875 

Evans, John W 1151 

Evans, Oliver E 983 

Evans, Mrs. Sarah E 743 

Evans, William W 135, 577 

Everett, Edward, M. D 587 

Everett Family 587 

Evert Family ' 1099 

Evert, George H 1099 

Eves, C. Scott 553 

Eves, E. Tmman 758 

Eves Families. .553, 733, 759, 1047 

Eves, Joseph C 733 

Eves, John Emery 1047 

Eyer, Luther 594 

Ever, Rev. William J 594, 619 



Fahringer Family 

Fahringer, Harry 

Fairchild Family 

Fail-child. Wesley B 

Fallon, Ed. F 

Fallon Family 

Fallon, William 

Farley Family 

Farley, Robert M 

Faiver Family 

Farver. George 

Faus Family 

Faus, Frank 

Faust Families 937, 

Fedorco Family 

Fedorco, .John 

Fegley, Daniel E 

Fegley Family 

Fensteniaker Family 

Fenstemaker. George C 

Fensterraacher Family 

Fenstermacher, Grant 

Fenstermacher, Michael W. . . 

Fenstermacher. Scott E 

Fergerson Family 

Ferris, Courtney E 

Ferris Families. . .736, 1034, 

Ferris, Olaf F 

Fettorman, David F 

Fetterman Family 

Field Family 

Field. Henry P 

Field. Mrs. Katharine J 

Fielding Family 

Fielding. Wilfred G 

Fiester Family 

Fiester, Henry A 

Fitield, Benjamin P 

Fifield Family 



1189 

1189 

847 

847 

688 

687 

688 

906 

906 

1077 

1077 

849 

849 

1087 

1256 

1256 

1213 

1213 

1158 

1158 

993 

1234 

993 

992 

1115 

1034 

1241 

736 

1043 

1043 

579 

579 

.579 

1108 

1108 

1114 

1114 

1112 

1112 



Finnigan, .James C 877 

Finnigan, William 877 

Fisher, Charles J 495 

Fisher Families 

: . ..464, 495, 756, 1083 

Fisher, George A 465 

Fisher, Horace M 465 

Fisher, John L 466 

Fisher, William C 466 

Fisher, William H 756 

Fisher, William S 464 

Fister Family 1135 

Fister, Ranslo 1125 

Fleckenstine Family 616 

Flick Families 709, 727, 931 

Forney Family 907 

Fornwald, Cliarles S 964 

Foinwald Family 964 

Foniwald, George A 965 

Fortner Family 1251 

Foster Family 695 

Foster, John G 695 

Foulk, Benjamin F 889 

Foulk, Charles L 868 

Foulk Family 889 

Foust Family 915 

Foust, Philip H 915 

Fowler Families 

569, 1104, 1159, 1208 

Fowler, Jeremiah R 569 

Fowler, Lillian D 569 

Fowler, Theodore B 1104 

Fowler. Willard G 1208 

Fox, Charles S. W 499 

Fox Families 428, 499 

Fox, Dr. James T 428 

Fox. Dr. .John C 429 

Frank, John 1047 

Frazer, Daniel 282 

Frazier, Daniel H 718 

Frazier Family 718 

Freas, Barton D 503 

Freas Families 503, 1074 

Freas, Rush T 1074 

Freeze, Col. John G 424 

Freeze Family 425 

Frey Families 788, 1196, 1212 

Frey, Freeman W 788 

Frey. Henry 1196 

Frick, A. J 317 

Flick, Arthur W 317 

Frick, Dr. Clarence H 321 

Frick. George A 314 

Fritz. Hon. Andrew L 513 

Fritz Families 513, 822 

Fritz, Rush M 823 

Fritz. Verner E 822 

Fry Family 1200 

Fry. George A 1300 

Funk, Rev. Henry 466 

Funk, Nevin U 467 

Furman. Chester S 521 

Furman Family 521 

Furman, Miss Julia H 522 

Gaertner, Emil 942 

Galbraith, Thomas J 318 

Gallagher, Michael 1128 

Gallagher, Miss Rose A 1128 

Garrett. William H 851 

Garrison, Aaron 810 

Garrison, Calvin D 959 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



xvu 



Garrison Families 

539, 752, 810, 1087, 1251 

Garrison, Mrs. Lydia S 959 

Garrison, William 752 

Gaskins, Thomas 284 

Gearhart, Bonliam R., Jr.... 519 

Gearhart, Cliarles P 320 

Gearhart, Mrs. Cordelia E. . . . 451 

Gearhart, Edward S 319 

Gearhart Families 

449, 455, 517, 638 

Gearhart, George M 449 

Gearhart, M. Grier 638 

Gearhart, Robert Y 517 

Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A. . . 480 
Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A., 

Birthplace and Home 

(Views) 480 

Geisinger, David 1211 

Geisinger, George F 481 

Geisinger, Mrs. Margaret R..1210 

George Family 1029 

George, William J 1029 

Gernert, John H 925 

Gibson Families ...396,544,901 

Giger Family 775 

Giger, Josiah H 775 

Gilbert Family 468 

Gilbert, Rev. Richard H 583 

Gilds, Charles J 747 

Gilmore Family 989 

Gilmore, W'illi'am H 989 

Girton Families 599, 667 

Girton, Prof. Maurice J 667 

Girvan Family 1023 

Girvan, John A 1022 

Glenn, Edwin A., M. D 1072 

Glenn Family 1072 

Gordner, Jonathan R 1217 

Gotshall Family 1101 

Gotshall, Heniy 1101 

Gotwalds. Francis M 692 

Graham Families 611, 1229 

Graham. Marks 611 

Gresh Family 1236 

Gresh, Joseph D 1236 

Grier Family 412 

Grier, Rev. Isaac ...383, 338, 412 

Grier, Isaac X 317, 412 

Grier, Rev. John B 413 

Grier. Hon. Robert C 314 

Grotz Family 664 

Grotz, John K 664 

Grove Family 540 

Grove, Herbert S 540 

Grozier Family 764 

Grozier, Prof. "Harry .... 184, 764 

Gruber, David L 1081 

Gniber Family 1081 

Guest, David" L 918 

Guest Family 919 

Guie, Edwin B 1097 

Guie. James 1097 

Gulics, John C 283 

Gulliver Family 994 

Gulliver, James H 994 



Hagenbuch. Charles W 1188 

Hagenbuch. Emory D 1190 

Hagenbuch Families 

749, 1036, 1150. 1188, 1190 

Hagenbuch, Frank W 1087 



Hagenbuch, Franklin W 1150 

Hagenbuch, Frederick 749 

Hagenbuch, Mrs. Sarah K...1189 
Hagenbuch, Miss Sarah M... 752 

Hagenbuch, William A 1026 

Hager Family 656 

Hager, William M 656 

Hagerman Family 935 

Hagerman, Joshua 935 

Hall, Horace A 575 

Hancock, Charles P 410 

Hancock Family 410 

Harder, Charles M 765 

Harder, Clark F 581 

Harder Families 

581, 589, 765, 1230 

Harder, Mrs. Sarah B 582 

Harder, Thomas E 589 

Harder, Thomas R 1320 

Harding Family 737 

Haring, David E 564 

Haring Family 564 

Harman Families 435, 514 

Harman, James Lee 435 

Harman, Samuel H 514 

Harmon Family 794 

Harpel, Francis E., M. D.322, 549 

Harris Families 961, 1209 

Harris, Levi 888 

Harris, William J 888 

Harter Family 976 

Harter, Theodore C, M. D... 976 

Hartjine, Prof. Daniel S 872 

Hartline Family 872 

Hartman, Charles L 772 

Hartman Families 

771, 995. 1030, 1035, 1072, 1123 

Hartman. Frank S 1123 

Hartman, Frederick B 772 

Hartman, George A 1020 

Hartman, John F 1035 

Hartman, Nelson C 995 

Hartman, William 283 

Hartman, William E 1020 

Hartzell, John B 853 

Hassert Family 471 

Hassert. George E 471 

Hauck, Charles E 461 

Hauck Families 461, 1259 

Hauck, William H 1259 

Haupt, Clarence E 516 

Hauser, Dr. Raymond J.. 334, 938 

Hayden Family 916 

Hayden, .James 918 

Hayden, Nicholas 916 

Hayman Families 1038, 1094 

Hayman, James P 1038 

Hayman. William H 1094 

Heacock Family 1243 

Heacock, Jeremiah R 1243 

Heim, Joseph 719 

Helm. .Julius 719 

Heller Family 1174 

Heller, Samuel K 1174 

Helwig Family 781 

Helwig, Noah" 781 

Hendershott. Mrs. Mary M. . . 664 

Hendershott. Norman J 663 

Hendricks Family 1311 

Hendricks. George M 1211 

Hendrickson Family 881 

Hendrickson, John F 881 



Henkel, Rev. David M 618 

Henkel Family 618 

Henkel, Mrs. Susan E 619 

Henkelman Family 1005 

Henkelman, George 1005 

Heurie Family 635 

Henrie, William H 635 

Henry Family 986 

Herr Family 543 

Herr, John N 543 

Herring, Alexander B 584 

Herring Families 506, 584 

Herring, George A 506 

Herring, Judge Grant 70, 313 

Herrington Family 690 

Herrington, Frank M 691 

Hertz Family 836 

Hertz, William J 836 

Hess, Bruce A 1174 

Hess, Charles M 1243 

Hess Families . . . 437, 600, 803, 

957, 971, 975, 1173, 1193, 1243 

Hess, Hany F 971 

Hess, Harvey W 438 

Hess, Isaiah J 1173 

Hess, .John 1 920 

Hess, Leslie E 930 

Hess, Dr. Milton J 436 

Hess, Orion M 1193 

Hess, Reuben H 1244 

Hess, William H 600 

Hetler Family 1024 

Hetler, Mahlon C 1024 

Hicks Families 

636, 648, 812; 1257 

Hicks, Joseph S 636 

Hicks, Millard W 1357 

Hidlay Families 751, 1153 

Hidlav. William J 1153 

Hildebrand. Camden W 1049 

Hildebrand Family 1049 

Hile Family ". 1136 

Hile, William H 1136 

Hill Family 750 

Hinckley, .judge Henry M... 

■ 68, 313, 318, 448 

Hine, Daniel E .' . . .1133 

Hine Family 1123 

Hixson, John F 870 

Hock Family 1304 

Hock, Michael B 1304 

Hockman Family 1172 

Hoffa Family 892 

Hoffman Family 747 

Hoffman, Lewis 700 

Hoffman, Simon K 747 

Holdren Family 876 

Holdren, Phineas 876 

Hollingshead, William 546 

Holly, Daniel W 822 

Holly Family 822 

Hoppes. Clarence .J 1216 

Hoppes, Elias 967 

Hoppes Families 1157, 1217 

Hoppes, George T 1157 

Hortman Family 1199 

Hosier Family '. 1138 

Hosier. Georg'e B. W 1139 

Houck Family 1143 

Housenick Family 953 

Houtz F.amily . . ". 839 

Houtz, 0. V 839 



XVlll 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Hove Family 923 

Howe, Fred \V 923 

Hower, Charles E 52-t 

Hower Families. . .534, 1045, 1106 

Hower, Hiester V., M. D HOG 

Hower, Dr. Hiram C 1090 

Hughe.*, Chester K 630 

Hughes, Ellis 282 

Hughes Families 

768, 910, 1169, 11T6 

Hughes, George M 768 

Hughes, Mrs. Harriet 630 

Hughes, Walter A 1169 

Hull, Charles E 823 

Hull Family 823 

Hunsinger Family 103T 

Hunsiuger, .Josiah F 1037 

Hunt, George W 873 

Hunt, John H 873 

Hyde Family 896 

Hyde, Thomas E 896 

Hyssong, Austin L 973 

Hyssong, Elisha B 973 

Ikeler, Judge Elijah R.69, 313, 420 

Ikeler Families 421, 958, 990 

Ikeler, Frank A 422 

Ikeler, Fred T 419 

Ikeler, Mrs. Helena 422 

Ikeler, Roland R 958 

Ikeler, Samuel W 990 

lies Family 852 

lies, William 853 

Irland, James M 459 

Ivey, Edward W 590 

Ivey Families 590, 1185 

Ivey, George A 1185 

Ivey, Ricliard 590 

Jackson, Col. Clarence G 

161, 184, 464 

Jackson Families 416, 1168 

Jackson, Frank R 456 

Jackson. Mordecai W....161, 416 

Jackson, Jlorrison E 624 

Jacobs Families 541, 1152 

Jacobs, George B 1152 

Jacobs, John R 1153 

Jacobs, William F 541 

Jacoby Family 643 

Jacoby, Guy 643 

Jaeoby, John G 819 

Jacoby, Legrand S 819 

James, B. J 916 

James Family 916 

Jarrard, Clemuel L 1021 

Jarrard Families 1021, 1147 

Jan-ard, Merton L 824 

Jarrard, William E 1147 

Jayne, Samuel C 696 

John Families 

346, 632, 833, 1040, 1354 

John, J. Stacey, M. D 1040 

John, Ralph R 632 

Johnson, Bartlett H 527 

Johnson Families 

527, 744, 807, 936 

Johnson, George W 807 

.Johnson, James 1123 

Johnson, .Joseph R 744 

Johnson, Dr. Ralph E 324 

Johnson, Reagan B 999 



.Johnson, Samuel B 

Johnson, Stephen C 

•Johnson, William S 

.Johnston, Charles M 

.Johnston Family 

.Johnston, William C 

Jones, Mrs. Catherine (Maus) 

.lones, Evan 

.Jones, Horatio C 

.Jones, John L 

Jordan, Judge Alexander. . . . 

.Jordan, Francis 

Jordan, Mrs. Jennie B 



998 

998 
936 
860 
860 
317 
447 
939 
448 
939 
312 
903 
903 



Karchner, Charles Franklin. . 1016 
Karchner Families ....1016, 1018 

Karchner, George E 1018 

Kase. Simon P 289 

Kaufman, Mrs. Anna M 905 

Kaufman, Oliver 1 905 

Keck Families 1027, 1213 

Keck, Henry S 1313 

Keifeit Family 1118 

Keifer, Henry H 1118 

Keiner, .Jolm F 997 

Keiner, William 997 

Kelchner Family 1113 

Kelchner. John 1113 

Keller Family 1126 

Keller, William 1126 

Kellev. Bruce C 559 

Kelley Families 559, 1062 

Kelley, James 1062 

Kellogg Family 1034 

Kepner, Bruce A 974 

Kepner Families 

974, 997, 1203, 1355 

Kepner, John A 1255 

Kepner, Samuel F 1303 

Kerswell Family 733 

Kerswell. Thomas F 731 

Kester, Benjamin F 663 

Kester, E. Ross 1113 

Kester Families 663, 1113 

Ivile Family 1333 

Kile. George B 1223 

Kimble Family 1124 

Kimble, Frank 1124 

Kindig Family 1181 

Kindig, Michael E 1181 

Kingsbury, Adelbert R 996 

King.sbury Family 996 

Kirk Family 550 

Kirk, Rev. James W 341, 550 

Kirkendall Family 1026 

Kirkham, Samuel 383, 306 

Kisner Families. . .880, 1199, 1303 

Kisner, Ralph 330, 880 

Kisner, Samuel 703 

Kistler, Benjamin 1080 

Kitchen Family 775 

Kitchen, Frank R 775 

Klase Family 699 

Klase, Jesse 699 

Kline, Abraham 813 

Kline, Cliarles B 1235 

Kline, Cliarles S 467 

Kline, Edgar E 1107 

Kline Families. .415, 438, 467. 

631, 705, 813, 962, 1107, 1225 

Kline, Harry H 962 

Kline, Isaac 813 



Kline, Jacob L 705 

Kline, John J 1064 

Kline, John L. C 622 

Kline, Luther B., M. D 415 

Kline, Riley L 438 

Klinetoh, Dr. Dalbys B 652 

Klinetob, David G 1186 

Klinetob Families 651, 1186 

Klinetob, Harvey L 651 

Kling Family 1086 

Klinger, Elmer 1209 

Klinger, Gideon 1309 

Knapp, Christian F 741 

Knecht, Jacob 817 

Kiieeht, Mrs. Martlia E 817 

Knepper Family 1147 

Knittle, Daniel F 665 

Knittle, Miss Ella 645 

Knittle Families 645, 665 

Knittle, .Joseph B 645 

Knorr Families 786, 793, 985 

Knorr, Harvey E 785 

Knorr, Henry T 793 

Knorr, Samuel M 985 

Knouse, Ehvood 1107 

Knouse F.amily 1107 

ICoeher, Edwin M ] 001 

Kocher Families 

867, 1001, 1038, 1057 

Kocher, Thomas C 1038 

Koons Family 779 

Koons, Julius C 779 

Kostenbauder Families 

1011, 1100 

Kostenbauder, Jesse J 1011 

Kostenbauder, Oscar P 1100 

Kramni Family 905 

Krebs Family 413 

Kreischer Family 1204 

Kreischer, William H 1204 

Kreisher, Clarence E 660 

Kreisher Family 660 

Kressler Family 1014 

Kressler, Samuel P 1014 

Krumm Family 1206 

Kuhn, Isaac S 848 

Kuhn, Mrs. Susan 848 

Kunkel, Charles 1163 

Kunkel Family 1163 

Kurtz Family 720 

Kurtz, Hon. .Jennings U..121, 720 

Landis, David E 571 

Landis, John B 571 

Laiib Families 757, 1117 

Laub. George A 757 

Laub, Jacob A 1117 

Daubach Fam.ilies 552, 1031 

Lazarus, Charles E 940 

Lazarus Families 940, 958 

Lazarus, Henry 959 

Learn, Alexander J 844 

Learn Family 844 

Lechleitner Family 804 

Lechner, .Joseph F 868 

Le Due, Emile J 870 

I^e Due Family 870 

Lee Families 911, 1101, 1177 

Lee, George S 1101 

Lee, Isaac C 911 

Lee. James 1177 

Lee, Thomas M 1224 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



XIX 



Lefller, Mrs. Carrie (Russell) .1259 

Legien Family 1214 

Legien, Herman R 1214 

Lehmau Family 942 

Lehman, Frank 942 

Leiby Family 1114 

Leiby, Simon 1114 

Leidy Family 933 

Leidy, John H 933 

Leidy, Paul 317 

Lemon, Michael 842 

Lemon, William M 842 

Lenhart, C. Fred 526 

Lenliart Family 526 

Lenhart, George W 988 

Letteer Family 1255 

Letteer, Oscar E 1255 

Levan, CD 878 

Levan (Le Van) Families. 501, 878 

Levan, Joseph 1078 

Levan, Wilson 1078 

Lewis, Judge Ellis 66, 311 

Litchard Family 655 

Litcliard, James H 655 

Little, Mrs. Deborah T 419 

Little Family 418 

Little, Judge Robert R 

69, 313, 418 

Livziey, Harvey C 930 

Livziey, William 930 

Lockard Family 1030 

Lockard, James S 1030 

Lockhart, Charles C 1143 

Lockhart Family 1143 

Long, Charles C 846 

Long Families 707, 952 

Long, Jolin F 952 

Longenberger Family 1260 

Loreman Family 962 

Loreman. .Jonathan 962 

Lormer Familv 1128 

Lormer. Scth C 1128 

Lovett, William 997 

Lovett, William T 997 

Lowry, William F. ._ 162, 744 

Lundy, John 286 

Lundy, Rev. John P 286 

Lutz, Charles B 754 

Lutz Family 754 

Lyman Family 486 

McAnall, Charles K 1031 

McAnall, John 1030 

McAnall, John R 1030 

McBride. Charles G 1080 

McBride Family 1089 

McBride, Hugh' D 1080 

McBride, .James D 717 

McBride, Miss L. Rachel 1090 

McBride, Oscar E 10S9 

McCollum, Alfred F 1096 

McConnell Family 593 

McConnell. George 593 

McCormick, James 292 

McHenry, Abram L 1148 

McHenry, B. Frances 320 

McHenry Families 

657, 814, 1148, 1160, 1194, 1235 

McHenry, Ira R 1160 

McHenry, James B 1235 

McHenry, John G 212, 657 



JIcHenry, Dr. Montraville .... 

322, 1161 

JXcHeniy, Oliver S 814 

iloKiUip, Harvey A 573 

Mcilahan I'amily 1225 

JlcMahan, Capt. James 1161 

McJlichael, James 1149 

McMichael, William F 1149 

McNeal, Ann 583 

McVicker F'amily 655 

McWilliams Families ...583, 864 
MaoCrea, Alexander B., M. D. 516 

MacCrea Family 516 

ilacdonald Families. 609, 668, 1156 
lAlacdonald, John T., M. D...1156 

Jlacdonald, John L 609 

Maclntyre Family 668 

Madden Family 693 

Madden, William T 692 

Magill, Dr. William H 

287, 321, 372 

Magreevy Family 1241 

aUllery, Garrick 162, 461 

Maloney Family 1241 

Jlanning Family 1039 

Manning, William H 1039 

Mansfield Family 1131 

Mansfield, William J 1131 

Jlarkle, Daniel R 1169 

Markle Families . 1043, 1140, 1170 

Marks Family 634 

Marks, Robert L 634 

Marr. Alem 314, 325 

Martin Family 583 

Martin, James 941 

Martin, Patrick 941 

Martz, Ambrose 925 

Martz. Charles N 1062 

Martz, David B. F 1042 

Martz, Edward S 1154 

Martz Families 810, 

908. 924, 1042, 1050, 1002, 1154 

Martz, Henrv 924 

Martz, Jacob 90S 

Martz, Jacob W 929 

Martz. Jolm 924 

Masteller Families 478, 1097 

Masteller, William 1097 

Masters Family 619 

ilasters, Francis P 619 

Masters, Mrs. Orpha L 620 

Maus Families 

17, 274, 282, 400, 407, 445 

Maus, Philip E 407 

Mauser, Alonzo A 1191 

JIauser, David 1305 

Mauser Families. .938, 1191, 1305 

JIauser, Jlrs. Sarah J 1306 

Jlelick, Henrv W 1082 

Jlelick Families 1055, 1082 

Mensch Families 

586, 630, 781, 1224 

Menseh, Frank 1324 

Mensch. John S 586 

Mensch, Lewis C 630 

Mensch, William 781 

Jleredith Familv 544 

Meredith, Hugh'B., M. D 

323, 363, 544 

IMericle. Theodore 815 

Merkel Familv 1071 

Mcrkel. William A 1071 



Messersmith Family 787 

Messersmith, Jesse B.... ... 787 

Michael Families. .511, 1139, 1215 

Micliael, Obediah 1140 

Milheim Family 1179 

milliard Family 521 

Millard, William H 520 

Miller, Daniel H 801 

Miller, David M 1125 

Miller Families 

801, 1084, 1125, 1163 

Miller, George W 1084 

Miller, Harry D 801 

Miller, James N 776 

Miller, Reuben J 1163 

Mills Family 684 

Mills, .Samuel A 684 

Milnes F-amily loiQ 

Molyueaux Family iiys 

Molyneaux, Walter R 1195 

Monroe, William R 491 

Montgomery, Ditniel 280 

Montgomery, Gen. Daniel 

274, 280, 337, 360 

Montgomery Families 17, 278 

Montgomery, John C 318 

Montgomery, John G 310 

Montgomery, Gen. William . . 

378, 327 

Montgomery, Judge William. 281 
Montgomery, Rev. William B. 284 

Moomey Familj- 849 

Moomey. George iS 849 

Moore, Evan B 1141 

Moore Families 

525, 631, 1141, 1194 

Moore, John E 631 

Moore, William H 1194 

ilordan Family 1166 

Mordan, Harman L 1166 

Morgan Family 989 

Morgan. John L 989 

Jloser Family 682 

ilourcr, L. K 321 

Mowery Family 1105 

Mowery, George 1105 

Mowrei-, Mrs. Annie S 867 

Mowrer, .John 867 

Mowrer, William K 867 

Jlowrey, Mrs. Eleanora 1216 

Mowrey Family 1216 

Mowrey, George Y 1316 

Mowrey, Isaac 1216 

Munson, David 1122 

Munson Family 1123 

Munson, ilrs. Louisa 1132 

Murray, David E . 658 

Murry Family 1307 

Muriy, Miles 1207 

Musselman, Beverly W., Sr.. 855 
Musselman, Beverly W., .Jr.. 719 
Musselman, Mis.-B Elizabeth L. 850 
Musselman. Miss Sarah C. . . 856 

Myerley. George W 850 

Myerlcy, Mrs. Harriet S 851 

Myers Families 976, 1025 

Newbaker Family 640 

Newbaker. Dr. Philip C..332, 640 

Xewman Family 777 

Newman. -lohn H 777 

Xevhard Familv 840 



XX 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Neyhard, Samuel 110, 840 

Noss Family 1037 

Nuss Family 1032( 

Nuss, Jeremiah B 1032 

Oglesby Family 498 

Oglesby, George 498 

Oglesby, Dr. James 333, 498 

Oglesby, William V 330, 499 

Ohl, Boyd T 1007 

Ohl Families 1007, 1111 

Ohl, Michael T 1111 

Oliver Family 1166 

Oliver, William 1166 

Oman Family 1110 

Oman, Thomas C 1110 

Orth, William H 869 

Oswald, Mrs. Anne 6 634 

Oswald Family 636 

Owen, Hudson 955 

Oxley Family 1332 

Oxley, Lewis 1322 

Oyster Family 887 

Oyster, George N 887 

Paden, Claud C 994 

Paden, David F 995 

Parker Family 1244 

Parker, Theodore 1344 

Patrick Family 1347 

Patrick, Gus 1247 

Patten, Robert S., M. D. .325, 855 

Paules Family 1008 

Paules, William R., M. D . . . 

324, 1008 

Peckham, Aaron K 66 

Pentz, E. D 1259 

Peters, Edward W 542 

Petrovits Family 603 

Petrovits, Rev. Joseph J. C. . 602 

Petty Family 945 

Pfahler Family 600 

Pfahler, James F 599 

Pfahler, John E 1059 

Pliillips Families 788, 1353 

Phillips, Lewis S 788 

Phillips, Ralph G 1353 

Ploch. Frederick 831 

Poe Family 615 

Pohe Family 1120 

Pohe, Stephen C 1120 

Polk Family 414 

Polk, Rufus K 414 

Pollock Family 700 

Pollock, Judge James 66, 312 

Pollock, James B 700 

Price Families 496, 947 

Price, Thomas J 496 

Price, William R 947 

Purpur, Edward 459 

Purpur Family ■ 459 

Pursel Families 433, 

505, 555, 560, 820, 1079, 1109 

Pursel, Frank P 432 

Pursel, Henry J 1079 

Pursel, Jasper N 555 

Pursel, Jonathan 1109 

Pursel, Norman S 505 

Pursel, William G 560 

Pursell Family 738 

Quick Family 783 

Quick, John G 783 



Quick, William G 783 

Quigg, Thomas 678 

Quigg, William 678 

Randall, Charles E 585 

Randall Family 585 

Rank, Daniel VV 318, 854 

Rank Family 854 

Rank, Isaac 288 

Raseley, Charles A 573 

Raseley Family 573 

Raup, Abraliam L 1061 

Raup Family 1061- 

Rcagan, George L., M. D 597 

Reagan, Mrs. Tillie E 598 

Rebman, Samuel C 871 

Reed Families 691, 1083 

Reed, Guy A 1083 

Reed, J. Orville 941 

Reed}', Daniel 791 

Reedy Family 791 

Reese, Charles R 809 

Reese Family 809 

Reifsnyder Family 789 

Reifsnydcr, Karl P 789 

Reiter, Augustus 1183 

Reiter Family 1183 

Remley, David 1036 

Renilcy Family 1180 

Reynolds Family 927 

Reynolds, Theodore 926 

Rhawn Family 481 

Rhawn, William H 481 

Rhinard Family 1226 

Rlioads Family 834 

Rhodes, B. K 317 

Rhodes, .John 393 

Riciiard. Frederick J 493 

Richard, Jacob F 494 

Richardson Family 483 

Richardson, John L 483 

Richie, C. W 1127 

Rieketts, Edward 930 

Ricketts, George E 930 

Rider, Lloyd T 537 

Rinard, Abraham L 608 

Rinard Family 607 

Rinard, Joseph H 607 

Ringrose. Aaron 971 

Ringrose, William R 971 

Rishel, Dorance R 434 

Rishel Family 434 

Rishel, James P 863 

Rishel, John R 862 

Rittenhouse Family 1171 

Rittenhouse, MarkE 1171 

Ritter Family 1337 

Ritter, FoiTcst N 1237 

Robbins Family 547 

Robbins, James E., M. D. .334, 547 

Robinson, Edwin H 1132 

Robinson Family 1132 

Robinson, .John M 1133 

Robinson, .Joseph J 1134 

Robinson, Thomas C 902 

Robinson, William M 1132 

Robinson. William R 902 

Robison Family 566 

Robison, .James B 566 

Robison. Miss Martha E 568 

Rockefeller, .Judge William M. 313 
Rodenhoffer Family 943 



Rodenhoffer, George 943 

Roderick, David M 883 

Roderick Family 883 

Rogers, David J 1230 

Rogers, Thomas J 694 

Rogers, William J 694 

Roiirbach Family 1315 

Rohrbach, Lorenzo D 1215 

Rook Family 1028 

Rote Family 551 

Rote, George L 551 

Roup Family 1144 

Roup, William 1144 

Rowe Family 869 

Rowe, George L S69 

Rowe, John 790 

Rowe, Riciiard W 790 

Rowe, Mrs. Sarah 790 

Ruch Families 843, 1090 

Ruch. Henry 574 

Ruch. William F 574 

Ruhl, Robert J 602 

Runyan, Mrs. Ann Maria 1189 

Runyan, Elmer W 1189 

Rupert Family 506 

Russell Family 1258 

Russell, William M. C 1258 

Rutter Family 441 

Rutter, John C, Jr 441 

Ryan Family 871 

Ryan, James 871 

Sandel, ,John H., M. D. . .323, 694 

Sands Family 1122 

Sands. William E 1121 

Savage Family 1045 

Savage, George N 1045 

Savidge Family 1221 

Savidge, Ralph A 1331 

Scarlet Family 440 

Scarlet. James 318, 440 

Schlee, Frederick 1063 

Schlee, Peter 1063 

Schott Family 1237 

Schott, Thomas A 1336, 

Schram Family 784 

Schram, Martin H 784 

Schultz Family 439 

Schultz, Dr. Solomon S. . .333, 429 
Schweppenheiser, Abram.806, 817 
Sehweppenheiser Families . . . 

805, 817, 1337 

Schweppenheiser, William C. .1237 
Sechler Families .... 717, 867, 870 

Sechler, H. B. D 288 

Sechler, Jacob 385 

Sechler, Mrs. Mary C 582 

Sechler, M. De La'fayette 717 

Sechler, Mrs. Rosanna 716 

Sechler, Samuel 582 

Sechler, William A 718 

Seely, Col. Andrew D 856 

Seely Families 739, 856 

Seely, S. Britt 739 

Seidel, Alfred F 858 

Seidel. Arren E 393, 859 

Seidel, Clarence W 859 

Seidel Families 714, S5S 

Seidel, Joseph B 714 

Seidel, Mrs. I^ucy C 859 

Seiple Family 1085 

Seiple, Stephen C 1085 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



XXI 



Seybert Family 1189 

Shaffer, Alfred C 1186 

Shaffer, Hon. Charles A 704 

Shaffer, Edward 1210 

Shaffer Families 

704, 1186, 1210, 1246 

Shaffer, Rev. Theodore B 1246 

Shalter, Edmond H 893 

Shalter Family 891 

Shalter, John 891 

Shambach, Jesse Y 643 

Shannon, Qark W 1093 

Shannon Families 760, 1093 

Shannon, Hun. William W.. . 760 

Sharpk'ss, Arthur W 835 

Sharpless, Benjamin F 970 

Sharpless Families 835, 969 

Sharpless, George H 970 

Shelhart, Jacob 289 

Sheriff, John W 858 

Sheriff, Mrs. Matilda A 858 

Sherman, Nathan 1167 

Shew Family 791 

Shew, John'W. E 791 

Shires, Charles E 874 

Shires Family 874 

Shive Family 842 

Shoemaker, David C 1100 

Shoemaker Families 

834, 888, 1075, 1100 

Shoemaker, William 1258 

Shoop, Gideon M 289 

Shugars Family 1135 

Shugars, Jolm H 1135 

Shnltz, B. F., M. D 290, 333 

Shultz, Charles W 724 

Shultz Families 662, 

734, 830, 903, 936, 1065, 1093 

Shultz, Glen L 1065 

Shultz, Philip G 663 

Shultz, R. M 1092 

Shuman, Ambrose, M. D 512 

Shuman, Mrs. Angeline 511 

Shuman, Cliarles S 541 

Shuman Families 

509, 541, 1077, 1245 

Shuman, Franklin L 510 

Shuman, John T 512 

Shuman, .John W 1345 

Shuman, Paris H 511 

Sidler, Emanuel 548 

Sidlcr Families 548, 686, 875 

Sidlor, William L 686 

Sidler, William S 875 

Simington, Dr. R. S 333 

Sitler, aiarles E 1016 

Sitler Families 648, 796. 

972, 1016, 1032, 1161, 1175, 1182 

Sitler, .James W 1161 

Sitler, Reuben H 796 

Smethers, Miss Amy B 957 

Smethers, Edward H 985 

Smethers Families 

957, 961, 985, 1243 

Smethers, Hurley K 1242 

Smethers, Jacob C 957 

Smethers, John A 1343 

Smethers, John H 1301 

Smethers, Miss Katlierine. . .1242 
Smethers, Philip McClellan.. 961 

Smith, Adam 1103 

Smith, Allen E 1104 



Smith, Charles H 790 

Smith, David 933 

Smith Families 

520, 804, 932, 934, 

944, 1081, 1103, 1118, 1165, 1249 

Smith, Fred K 1248 

Smith, Frederick B 193, 595 

Smith, George W 790 

Smitli, H. Montgomery 520 

Smith, James E 944 

Smith, John B 936 

Smith, Joseph 925 

Smith, Lloyd E 1081 

Smith, Miles W 934 

Smith, Robert M 1165 

Smith, Stephen 926 

Smith. Theodore L 804 

Smithers, Benjamin F 932 

Smithers Family 922 

Snyder, Allen L 1052 

Snyder, Charles W 1096 

Snyder Families . . . .614, 687, 
761, S85, 909, 1052, 1096, 1322 

Snyder, H. Alfred 885 

Snyder, Prof. Harlan R 761 

Snyder, John 755 

Snyder, Joseph H 909 

Snyder, Mrs. Sarah M 615 

Snyder, Stephen E 687 

Snyder, William H 614 

Snyder, W. L 755 

Sober Family 711 

Sober, Dr. Harry M 711 

Sones Family 1146 

Sponenberg, Edward J 807 

Sponenberg Families . 646, 807, 987 

Sponenberg, James E 987 

Sponenberg, Philip 646 

Stackhouse Family 637 

Stackhouse, Milton E 637 

Startzel Family 560 

Startzel, William B 559 

Stees, Harry R 748 

Steinman, Andrew J 681 

Steinman Family 683 

Sterner Families 463, 832 

Sterner, Harry 463 

Sterner, Prof. Lloyd P 833 

Stifnagle, Philip 784 

Stifnagle, William 784 

Stiles, .John J 1188 

Still. Adoniram J 556 

Still Family 556 

Stine Family 1111 

Stine, Michael E 1111 

Stock, George A., M. D 684 

Stone Family 610 

Stout, Mrs. Elleretta 1086 

Stout Families 761, 1025 

Stout, Sheridan W 1087 

Stout. William T 1025 

Strawbridge, Dr. James D... 331 

Stuart Family 1205 

Stver, Cyrus F 893 

Stver Family 893 

Suit, Alonzo ■ J 1010 

Suit Families 1010, 1094, 1197 

Suit, Headley 1094 

Siilt, .Jacob N 1197 

Suplee (Supplee) Families... 

740, 1033 

Sutliff Family 850 



Swank Families 

504, 685, 853, 1208 

Swank, Joseph G 504 

Swank, Thomas J 853 

Sweutek, Mrs. Amelia 939 

Swentek, Paul P 940 

Sweppenheiser, Dr. Claude E. 949 
Sweppenheiser Family 949 

Taylor Families 864, 927, 950 

Taylor, Frank M 950 

Taylor, John H 166, 168, S64 

Taylor, William H 937 

Teple Family 477 

Teplc, James E 477 

Tewksbury, Eugene D 632 

Tewksbury Family 622 

Thomas Families. 1040, 1164, 1250 

Thomas, Martin L 1164 

Thomas, Miss Mary il 1153 

Thomas, Samuel R 1151 

Thompson Family 960 

Thompson, Hugh 960 

Tliornton Family 913 

Tilley, Rodman E 1061 

Tilloy, William 1061 

Tooey, James 933 

Tooey, John 933 

Tooley, John 683 

Tooley, John F 683 

Townsend, Mrs, Elizabeth. . .1057 

Town.scnd Families 1056, 1102 

Townsend, John R 468 

Townsend, Jonah H 1103 

Townsend, Louis J 1056 

Traugh Family 773 

Traugh, Henry F 773 

Trego Family 839 

Trego, William H 829 

Trescott, Boyd 508 

Trescott Family 508 

Trowbridge, Harry M 1046 

Trumbower, Mrs. Mary S . . . . 870 

Trumbower. Samuel M 870 

Tubbs Family 1027 

Tubbs, William E 1027 

Turner, William 938 

Turner, William G 938 

Umstead, David M 1133 

Um.stead Family 790 

Umstead, Mrs. Harriet E 1133 

Unangst Family 826 

Unangst, George B 836 

Updegraff Family 1149 

Utt Family 1093 

Utt, William S 1092 



Van Alen, T. 




390 


Vanderslice, Charles T 




497 


Vanderslice Family . . 




498 


van Fossen. George W. 




321 


Van Horn Families . . . . 


.780, 


1082 


Van Horn. Robert W. . 




1082 


Vannan Family 




453 


Vannan, Forbes H.... 




453 


Vannan. Irvin, Sr 




1348 


Van Natta Family .... 




741 


Van Natta, Sade 




741 


Vastine Families 


..443 


, 603 


Vastine, George H., M. 


D.. . 


444 


Vastine, Dr. Jacob H. 


. .322 


. 444 



XXll 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Vastino, Jacob M, M. D 445 

Vastine. William 60C 

Vastine, William M 445 

Vincent Familiesi 659, 9G8 

Vincent, Henry 31S 

Vincent, Thomas G 9GS 

Vincent, Walter J 659 

Voris, Charles E 725 

Voris Family 725 

Voris, James 2S7, 725 

Vought Families 594, 1029 

Vought, Peter H 594 

Vought, William C 1029 

W^agenseller Family 1067 

Wagenseller, George 1067 

Wagner Family 938 

Wagner, Harvey G 938 

W^alker, Silas N 731 

Waller, Eev. David J., Jr . . . . 

127, 143, 560 

Walp, Charles 1' 826 

Walp Family 826 

W'alter Family 895 

Walter, Mary Emma 196, 648 

Walton Fami'lies 539, 837 

W'alton, Harry E 837 

Walton, Rev. Morris 539 

Waters, Dennis 858 

Waters Family 1206 

Waters, George W 1206 

Watson Family 879 

Watson, John F 949 

Watters Family 984 

Watters. William A 984 

Watts Family 698 

Watts, James S 698 

Weikert Family 903 

Weller, John " 910 

Welliver. Charles E 538 

Welliver Families 

539, 1001, 1015, 1057, 1078 

Welliver, George W 1001 

Welliver, John E 1078 

Welliver, Samuel J 458 

Welliver, Warren W 459 



Welliver, Wilbur C 1057 

Wells, Mrs. Lemuel E 407 

Welsh, Abner 954 

^V'elsh, Isaac 954 

Welsh, James 682 

^^'elsh, Jayne G 955 

Welsh, Robert G 1041 

Welsh, Thomas C 320, 682 

Weniier Familv 1002 

Weiiner, Frank E 1002 

Wertnian Familv 923 

Wertmaii. Felix P 923 

W'ertman, Henry D 929 

West Family . .■" 492 

West, Isaac "D 493 

West, William Kase 319, 492 

W'halen, Daniel J 1240 

Whalen Family 1240 

Wheeler, Edward 1041 

Wheeler, H. C 1041 

White, Alem B 967 

White, Bruce M 795 

White, Jbs. Esther E 967 

White Families 469, 

795, 967, 1009, 1068, 1192, 1229 

White. Frank B 1229 

White, Harry E 1009 

White, Hiest'er V 409 

W'hite, John P 1068 

White. Leslie H 1192 

Whitmire Families ....1162, 1179 

Whitmire, Morris J 1179 

\Vigfall Family 423 

Wigfall, Samuel 423 

Williams, David C 545 

Williams Families 

666, 912, 982, 988, 995 

Williams, George C 546 

Williams, Guy 988 

Williams, J. J 1128 

Williams. William E 912 

W"illits Familv 623 

Wnilits, Isaiah W^, M. D 623 

W^ilson Family 1108 

W'ilson, Nathaniel 382 

Wilson, W. P 1108 



Wintersteen, Andrew J 900 

Wintersteen Families 

702, 882, 900 

Wintersteen, Henry 702 

\Vintersteen, Joseph H 1232 

Witman, Rev. Edwin H 460 

Witman, Franklin A 768 

Wolf Families 617, 1127 

Wuodin, Clemuel R 162, 489 

Woodin Family 488 

Wuodin, William H. (de- 
ceased) 161, 488 

Woodin, William H 489 

Woodward, \Varren J 66 

Wyatt Family 913 

Yagel, Charles J 1053 

Yagel Family 1053 

Yerrick, John 863 

Yorrick, Rush 863 

Yetter, Clyde C 753 

Yocum Family 623, 1137 

Yorks Family 292, 683 

Yorks, Miss "M. Ida 684 

Yorks, William 683 

Y'ost Family 1201 

Yost, Isaac'E 1201 

Young, A. Philip 570 

Young, Dr. Benjamin F 282 

Young Families 

570, 935, 1051, 1168 

Young, Herman T 1051 

Young, Jeremiah W 1168 

Young, Dr. Jesse B 417 

Young, Mrs. Mary B 1168 

Young, Omer F 935 

Youngman, Maj. John C. . . . 449 
Y"oungman, M. Grier 448 

Zarr Family 956 

Zarr, Frank P 956 

Zarr, Robert R 956 

Zehnder. Cliarles H 162, 460 

Zehner Family 800 

Zehner. William P 800 

Zerbe Family 799 



HISTORY OF 



COLUMBIA COUNTY 



CHAPTER I 



THE INDIANS 



Civilization struck the native savages of this 
continent hke a bhght. The great and pop- 
ulous tribes and their strong bands of war- 
riors and hunters, fiercer than any wild beast 
and as untamable as the eagle of the crags, 
have faded away, and the remnants of the once 
powerful and warlike nations are now huddled 
upon reservations, and in stupid squalor are 
the paupers of our nation, begging a pitiful 
crust of bread, or in cold and hunger awaiting 
the allowances doled out by the government 
for their support. The swiftness with which 
they are approaching ultimate extinction, the 
stoicism with which they see and feel the in- 
evitable darkness and destiny closing upon 
them and their fate, forms one of the most 
tragic epics in history. Soon their memory 
will be only a fading tradition. To real history 
they will give no completed chapter, because 
they did nothing and were nothing as factors 
in the grand march of civilizing forces. They 
gave the world no thought, no invention, no 
idea that will live or that deserves to be classed 
with the few things born of the human brain 
that live and go on forever. As a race they 
had no inherent powers of self -development 
or advancement. Like the wild animal they 
had reached the limits of their capacity, and 
had they been left here undisturbed by the 
white race they would have gone on indefi- 
nitely in the same circle — savages breeding 
savages. 

Such are nature's resistless laws that the 
march of beneficent civilization is over a great 
highway paved with the bodies and broken 



bones of laggard nations, nations who pause 
within the boundary line separating the ig- 
norant savage from intelligent progress. 
Nature tolerates none of this sentimental stuff 
of "Lo, the poor Indian." It wastes no time 
in futile tears over the suft'erings of ignorance 
and filth, but "removes" them and lets the 
fittest survive, and to them belong the earth 
and the good things thereof. And yet even 
the poor Indian had rights that civilization 
should have been bound to respect; and civili- 
zation had it within her power to help rather 
than rob the red men of the forest. 

The one characteristic that will ever redeem 
the memory of the Indian race from contempt 
is his intense love for his wild liberty and his 
unconquerable resolution never to be enslaved 
— a menial, drawing the wood and water and 
receiving the blows of the lash from a mas- 
ter's hand. He would sing his death song and 
die like the greatest of stoics, but he would not 
be yoked. When penned up as a criminal, he 
beat against the iron bars like the caged eagle 
and slowly perished, but died like an Indian 
brave, and rejoicing that thus he could escape 
the further tortures that to him were far be- 
yond death itself. 

The treatment of the red men by the govern- 
ment has not been wise and often unjust. Not 
only were they cruelly robbed of their lands at 
times, but government traders swindled them 
of their pelts, furs and game, and gave them 
the worst evils of our civilization — whiskey, 
powder, lying, deceit and hypocrisy. Govern- 
ment agent.= and missionaries preached and 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



enjoined upon them our splendid Cliristian 
code of morals, but the busy traffickers robbed, 
swindled and debauched and murdered them 
without hindrance or rebuke. 

William Penn and Lord Baltimore were 
more than a century ahead of their age. Their 
treatment of the Indians is the fairest page in 
the history of American settlement. In their 
dealings with the savages they leaned to the 
side of charity and paid them their own price 
for the lands purchased, respecting their rights 
and keeping the compacts made with them. In 
this respect they earned the unfaltering regard 
and trust of the natives, the only injuries ever 
done to the members of the Society of Friends 
being perpetrated by the renegade allies of the 
French. 

ORIGIN OF THE INDIANS 

It is probable that the aboriginal inhabitants 
of the territory within the limits of this county 
belonged mainly to the Lenni Lenape, who 
held that they were the original people and of 
Western origin. The Delawares claimed that 
their ancestors lived, many hundred years ago, 
in the far distant wilds of the West, and were 
the progenitors of forty other tribes ; that after 
many years of emigration towards the rising 
sun, they reached the Mississippi river, where 
they met the Mengwe, who came from a very 
distant region and had reached that river high- 
er up towards its source; that they found a 
powerful nation east of the Mississippi, who 
were called Alligewi, and from whom origi- 
nated the name of the Allegheny mountains; 
that the Lenape wished to settle near the Alli- 
gewi, which the latter refused, but allowed 
them to cross the river and proceed farther to 
the East; that when the Alligewi discovered 
how multitudinous the Lenape were, they 
feared their numerical strength and slew the 
portion that had crossed the river, and threat- 
ened to destroy the rest if they should attempt 
to cross ; that the Lenape and Mengwe united 
their forces against the Allegewi, and con- 
quered and drove them out of that part of 
the country ; that the Lenape and Mengwe lived 
together in peace and harmony for many years. 

Their tradition relates further that some of 
the Lenape hunters crossed the Allegheny 
mountains, the Susquehanna and Delaware 
rivers, and advanced to the Hudson, which 
they called the Mohicannituck river; that on 
their return to their people they represented 



the country which they had discovered so far 
towards the rising sun to be without people, 
but abounding in hsh, game, fowls and fruits ; 
that thus the Lenape were induced to emigrate 
eastward along the Lenape-zvhittuck, the river 
of the Lenapes, also called Mack-er-isk-iskan, 
which the English named the Delaware, in hon- 
or of Lord de la Ware, who entered Delaware 
bay in 1610 and was governor of the Colony of 
Virginia from about that time until 1618. The 
Dutch and Swedes called it the South river 
to distinguish it from the North river, which 
bears the name of Hudson. 

That such was the tradition preserved by the 
Delawares is truthfully stated by Rev. John 
Heckewelder, a Moravian missionary, in his 
"Account of the History, Manners and Cus- 
toms of the Indian Nations who once Inhab- 
ited Pennsylvania and the Neighboring States," 
published, in 1819, under the auspices of the 
historical and literary committee of the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society. The passing re- 
mark may here be made that Indian laws and 
historical events were not preserved on parch- 
ment, paper or in books, but were handed 
down by tradition from one generation to an- 
other. 

DIFFERENT TRIBES 

The Iroquois have a tradition that the val- 
ley of the Susquehanna was first inhabited by 
the Andastes, a branch of the Lenni Lenape, 
whose local tribal name was Susquehannocks. 
These the Iroquois drove out and possessed 
themselves of the lands. 

The Shawnees were driven out of Georgia 
and South Carolina, and came to the mouth of 
the Conestoga, within the present limits of Lan- 
caster county, Pa., about 1677, and spread 
thence over what was afterwards Cumberland 
county, along the west branch of the Susque- 
hanna, in the Wyoming valley, and thence 
to the Ohio. As early as (if not earlier than) 
1719 Delaware and Shawnee Indians were 
settled on the Allegheny. About 1724, says 
Bancroft, the Delaware Indians, for the con- 
venience of game, emigrated from the Dela- 
ware and Susquehanna rivers to the branches 
of the Ohio; in 1728 the Shawnees gradually 
followed them, and they were soon met by 
Canadian traders, and loncaire, an adopted 
citizen of the Seneca tribe, used his eloquence 
to win them to the side of the French. 

Over the whole country watered by the 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Susquehanna the Six Nations, composed of 
the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondagas 
and Senecas, and later the Tuscarora Indians, 
claimed the right of conquerors and reigned 
supreme, and with them all of the treaties 
between the whites and red men were nego- 
tiated. To these savages we owe the musical 
and romantic names borne by the diiTerent 
streams and sections of these two counties. 
Here was the home of the famous chief, 
Tamenund, whose name is perpetuated in the 
Society of Tammany in New York and by a 
county in the State of Louisiana. 

The names of Indian origin in Columbia 
and Montour counties are Susquehanna, mean- 
ing river of the winding shore ; Chillisquaque, 
derived from "Chilisuagi," an Indian word 
meaning a place frequented by snowbirds 
(Conrad Weiser crossed it March 8, 1737; 
he called it "Zilly Squache" in his diary) ; 
Muncy, from the Monsey tribe; Wyoming, 
Maughwauwama — large plains ; Catawese, 
pure water; Loyalsock, middle fork; Mahon- 
ing. The Indian name for Briar creek was 
Kawanishoning, for Pine creek, Tiadaghton 
and for Roaring creek, Popemetung. William 
Penn was called Miquon by the Indians with 
whom he had dealings. 

INDIAN P.^THS OR TR.MLS 

The valley of the Susquehanna was at one 
time thickly populated by the Indians and the 
remains of many villages and burying grounds 
have been uncovered in the last centurj-. The 
most important legacy from these savage 
predecessors is the foundation they laid for 
subsequent exploration and development by 
means of the numerous trails or paths they 
made through an otherwise trackless wilder- 
ness. Through the dense forest, over the hills 
and amidst the morasses ran these trails, 
scarcely fifteen inches wide, but worn to the 
depth of a foot by their constant use from 
the feet of generations of savages and savage 
beasts, and patted to the density of rock by 
this soft yet resistless pressure. 

The Shamokin path began at Sunbury and 
continued up the West Branch to the mouth 
of Warrior run, where an Indian town was 
located, and thence through the gap to the 
town of Muncy, the home of the Monseys. 

The Wyoming path left Muncy on the West 
Branch, ran up Glade run, thence through a 
gap in the hills to Fishing creek and across 
the creek, passing into Luzerne county through 
the Nescopeck gap, and up the North Branch 
to Wyoming. 



The Wyalusing path was traced up Muncy 
creek to near where the Berwick road crosses, 
then to Dushore, thence to the Wyalusing 
flats. 

The Sheshequin path ran up Bowser's run, 
thence to Lycoming creek, near the mouth of 
Mill creek, thence up the Lycoming to the 
Beaver dams, thence down Towanda creek 
to the Susquehanna river, thence up the river 
to the Sheshequin flats. 

The Fishing Creek path started on the flats 
near Bloomsburg, ran up Fishing creek through 
Rosemont cemetery to Orangeville, on to or 
near Long pond, thence across to Tunkhan- 
nock creek. It was on this path that Moses 
\'anCampen was captured. 

One of the most frequently traveled trails 
passing through the county was that leading 
from Wyoming to Aluncy. It followed the 
river from Wilkes-Barre to Shickshinny; 
thence through the notch at the eastern end 
of Knob mountain and along the northern 
base of that ridge, entering Columbia county 
near Jonestown, in Fishingcreek township, 
following thence down Huntington creek to 
the Forks and down Fishing creek to near the 
mouth of Green creek ; thence up that creek 
to a point below Rohrsburg; thence along 
the northern base of the Mt. Pleasant hills to 
Little Fishing creek at a point between Mill- 
ville and Eyer's Grove ; thence over the divide 
between the waters of Fishing creek and the 
Chillisquaque, and thence northwestward un- 
til it joined the path up Glade nm from 
Muncy. It must have been a prominent path 
or trail, as frequent mention is made of it in 
the old surveys of 1769 which cover the west- 
ern part of Columbia and the northern part 
of Montour county. It made a short and 
direct route from the North Branch to the 
West Branch and was -free from any steep 
hills, in fact, the grades were so easy that 
when the time came to locate the Wilkes- 
Barre & Western railroad, from near Wash- 
ingtonville to Shickshinny, there was no place 
in a distance of nearly twenty-five miles 
where this railroad was more than a half mile 
from this old trail over which the Indian 
traveled ages before. Near the mouth of 
Green creek above Orangeville this trail joined 
the trail from Nescopeck to the Great Island, 
which was at what is now Jersey Shore, in 
Lycoming county. 

All these trails found their outlet towards 
the settlements by way of Shamokin and the 
river, and when first seen by the whites bore 
evidence of constant use. There was only one 
important trail to the southeastern settlements 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



—the one from Wyoming to the forks of the 
Delaware, at Easton. To all other pomts the 
trail along the Susquehanna was not only the 
great Indian thoroughfare for the natives of 
the valley, but for the whole Iroquois con- 
federacy. 

MADAME MONTOUR 

From authentic sources the story of Madame 
Montour is as follows : She was the daughter 
of a French gentleman named Montour and 
an Indian woman of the tribe at that time 
inhabiting Canada. Her first marriage was 
to an Indian of the Seneca tribe. She was 
at Albany in 171 1 and acted as interpreter. 
In 1744 she again acted as interpreter m a 
treaty held at Lancaster, Pa. Her second hus- 
band was Carondawana, a chief of the Unei- 
das and she had altogether four sons and two 
daughters, but by which union they were born 
is not positively known. She seems to have 
been a friend of the proprietaries, for large 
erants were given to her sons, Andrew, Henry, 
Robert and Lewis, on the Chillisquaque, near 
Montoursville and at Shade Gap, in Hunting- 
don county. In 1745 she resided at Shamokin, 
where she died, but the date is not known. 

Madame Montour's daughter Margaret had 
several children, three of them daughters. She 
it was who was termed "French Margaret 
One of her daughters, Esther, married Ech- 
eohund, a chief of the Mousey clan. She was 
accused of complicity in the Wyoming mas- 
sacre although no direct evidence could be 
cxathered to prove the fact. Tradition ascribes 
to another daughter of Margaret the founding 
of the famous Catherinestown, the home and 
temple of the sorcerers of the Cat Clan ot 
the Senecas, who were the enemies alike of 
the whites and the other tribes of Indians. 

INDIAN VILLAGES AND SETTLEMENTS 

Any attempt to locate the sites of Indian 
villages in this part of Pennsylvania must de- 
pend entirelv upon tradition. It is accepted 
as fact that the sites of Bloomsburg, Berwick, 
Catawissa and Danville were at one time oc- 
cupied bv large Indian settlements, as the 
remains and relics continually found at these 
points indicate the presence in the remote past 
of large and thriving communities. Most ot 
the first settlers encountered these natives on 
their arrival and were for some time after- 
wards frequently terrorized by the return of 
occasional bands of Indians who camped on 
the sites which had from time immemorial 
bee;i their favorite stopping places. 



The nearest large village of which accurate 
record has been left us, in this portion of the 
State, is that of Shamokin, now the site of Sun- 
bury, Northumberland county. In 1728 Shi- 
kellamy, a prominent Cayuga chieftain, was 
governor of the village, which was populated 
principally by the Delawares. He governed in 
a wise and judicial manner until his death in 
1749. The natives after that date were gradu- 
ally forced out by the whites, who in 1756 built 
the fort called Augusta at this point. From 
this nucleus grew up the present town of Sun- 
bury. 

More than a century and a half has passed 
since the withdrawal of the Indians from the 
territory of Columbia and Montour counties, 
and the history of the Indian customs and 
habits would soon be lost if not revived by the 
historian of each decade. It is well, therefore, 
to review in brief the manner of life of our 
aboriginal predecessors as a reminder of the 
contrasts between those days and the present 
age of wonders and achievement. 

The towns and villages of the Indians in- 
habiting the valley of the Susquehanna and its 
tributaries were located immediately upon the 
banks of the streams, on ground high enough 
to be out of reach of floods. But little atten- 
tion was paid to location for defensive pur- 
poses, except that a spot free of timber and 
usually on a point jutting out into the stream 
was selected, in order that canoes could be 
easily landed and the squaws have ready access 
to the water. 

Wigwams were constructed in a substantial 
manner to resist wind and storm, and to keep 
the inmates comfortable during the winter. 
Some were nearly twenty feet in diameter, 
large and roomv, while others were smaller; 
mott of them either oval or round in shape; 
of bark or matting laid over a framework of 
poles stuck in the ground, bunched together 
at the top and tied with thongs. _ The winter 
wigwams were covered with skins, with an 
opening at the top to allow the escape of smoke, 
and flaps at different points arranged to be 
used for entrance, according to the direction 
of the wind. Even in 'these modern days it 
is quite an art to erect a "tepee" that will be 
weatherproof and at the same time not suf- 
focate the occupants with the smoke of the 
fire. In winter these wigwams were lined with 
matting, woven of rushes, grasses and reeds ; 
bunks were built of poles, with skins and furs 
for bedding. The clay cooking pots were hung 
from the center over the ever-burning fire. 

In the larger settlements the Indians built 
loo- cabins, roofed with bark and sod, a hole 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



being left in the center to let out the smoke. 
These were often fitted up in a very comfort- 
able manner, and formed the model after which 
the white settlers built their first habitations. 
The whites, however, far exceeded the savages 
in craftsmanship and design, and their homes 
were fitted with that highest evidence of 
superior civilization — the chimney. 

Many persons have read of the Indian 
"lodge," yet few are familiar with its construc- 
tion. Lodges were not used for permanent 
habitation, but mostly for camping and war 
purposes. Saplings were stuck in the ground 
in the form of a bow, something like a series 
of croquet hoops set in a row, only about five 
feet in height. A "lodge-pole" was lashed 
along the tops of the hoops and over all were 
thrown skins or matting, thus forming a long 
hut, in which the sleepers lay. Cooking was 
done outside at the camp fire. 

The agricultural operations of the savages 
were crude and their tools still more primitive. 
Hoes were made from sharpened sticks and 
the earth was simply scratched to receive the 
seed. Corn, beans, pumpkins and tobacco 
were the crops, and the tilled spots remained 
unfenced, the horses being pastured at a dis- 
tance to prevent depredations. After the 
coming of the whites seeds were purchased 
from the traders and the -variety of crops was 
more extensive, some fruit trees being also 
set out and tended. The rude implements 
were replaced by others better fitted for the 
cultivation of the soil, and better tools were 
introduced into the wigwams. Steel traps 
took the place of "deadfalls" and pits ; muskets 
replaced the bow and arrow ; awls and needles 
made from the bones of birds and animals 
were no longer used in sewing the skin cloth- 
ing and fitting together the matting coverings 
of the wigwam; and the iron hoe made culti- 
vation easier for the overburdened squaw. 
Before the introduction of the pots and pans 
of civilization food was prepared by roasting 
on twigs stuck over the fire or, in the absence 
of clay pots, boiled in skin kettles, heated by 
dropping hot stones in them. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS 

The squaws bore the burden and toil of life 
in an Indian camp. There was no "sufifragette" 
propaganda then. While the male members of 
the village hunted, fished, went on foraging 
and warlike expeditions, or slumbered before 
the fire, the females did the heaviest and most 
degrading labor. They cut poles and built the 
wigwams and cabins, performed all the vil- 



lage drudgery and cooking, cared for the 
ponies, gathered fuel, cultivated the soil, 
planted the seed and harvested the crops, cut 
up and preserved the meat brought in by the 
hunters, tanned the skins and made the cloth- 
ing for the entire family, bore and nursed the 
children, and when on a journey carried great 
bundles of camp equipage. They were un- 
demonstrative and patient, bearing up under 
their eternal burdens with much fortitude, 
and when in the pain of childbirth uttered not 
a sound. The squaw who cried or groaned 
was forever disgraced. It was believed that 
her sons would grow up to be cowards. Not- 
withstanding all these hardships the squaws 
were loyal and divorces were unknow-n, while 
the custom was for a warrior to have but one 
wife, except in rare cases. 

The warrior was the head of the wigwam; 
his wishes were obeyed without question and 
his word was law. The papooses were taught 
from infancy to be quiet and scarcely ever 
cried. The only occasion in which the writer 
ever heard an Indian baby cry was when he 
as a child wandered down to the river and 
found half a dozen papooses suspended on 
boards from the branches of a tree. They 
were facing each other and making a queer 
cooing sound, but as soon as they caught sight 
of the strange white face they set up a chorus 
of howls that quickly brought the squaws to 
the spot. They set upon the trespasser with 
canes and chased him crying from the vicinity. 

In the winter the babies were allowed to 
roll around over the dirt floor of the wigwam, 
and in summer along the lanes between the 
tepees. When carried they were lashed to a 
forked stick or rough hewn board, with ample 
wrappings of skins and blankets. When a halt 
was made they were sometimes suspended 
from a tree if the parents were likely to be 
absent, thus protecting them from animals : 
but if the stop was short the tightly bound 
infant was simply stood against a convenient 
tree, and not always in the shade; yet the little 
one would blink in the glaring sun without a 
whimper. 

As they grew older the children were given 
all the training that would fit them for their 
savage life. The boys were early turned over 
to the men, who gave them instructions in 
fishing, hunting and woodcraft, while the girls 
were soon forced into the dreary routine of 
the squaw's life of drudgery. The young of 
both sexes developed early; at the age of 
fifteen the boys were free to come and go 
without restraint ; two years before that the 
girls had budded into womanhood, and it was 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



a rare thing for a maiden to reach the age of 
fifteen without being appropriated by some 
buck. 

Courtship and marriage were not attended 
with much ceremony or delay. When a buck 
cast his eye on a maiden he went to the father 
and offered a price for her, usually in ponies. 
The main ceremony consisted in the settlement 
of her value between the contracting parties, 
the after-ceremonies of the medicine man 
being brief and simple. Yet these unions were 
seldom broken except by death. 

In moving from place to place the squaws, 
as usual, had all the work to do. The wig- 
wams and household goods were made into 
large bundles and packed on the backs of the 
ponies, or on "sweeps" made of poles lashed 
to each side of the animal and connected be- 
hind with crosspieces. The squaws also car- 
ried some of the burdens, while the bucks 
stalked ahead smoking their pipes. When a 
halt was made for meals the ponies were not 
unloaded, except at night. Sometimes there 
were spare ponies enough to permit the squaws 
to ride, but only after the bucks had been pro- 
vided with a mount. Riding or walking, the 
squaws carried the papooses on their backs. 
All rode astride, with but a blanket beneath, 
and no bridle was used, the animals being 
guided by slaps on the side of the head or by 
words. 

On arrival at a suitable location it was the 
duty of the squaws to unload, erect the wig- 
wams, cut the firewood and perform all the 
heavy work without assistance. When their 
work was over they retired to the depths of 
their skin robes, simply removing their clothing, 
with the exception of the skirt, while the war- 
riors retained only the breechclout. 

COSTUMES 

Indian dress in the earlier times was ex- 
clusively made of skins. Great taste was 
shown in the manufacture of these costumes, 
which were trimmed with fur, and ornaments 
made of fish scales, shells, beads, colored 
grasses and feathers. The designs were beau- 
tiful and artistic, and the material thoroughly 
finished. Indian tanned skins have always, 
even to the present day, commanded high 
prices. 

After the coming of the whites cloth began 
to be used by the squaws in the manufacture 
of clothing; the brighter the colors the more 
popular the pattern — red being a favorite. The 
squaws dressed in the gayest costumes their 
tastes could devise ; beautifully worked and 



beaded moccasins, soft deerskin leggings, rich- 
ly decorated and fringed with the brightest 
colored beads, ornaments and pendants ; and 
their plump busts and arms were almost 
covered with the many strings of ornaments, 
shells, beads and stone pendants. In winter 
an e.xtra skirt was worn, and furs wrapped 
around the'neck and head. 

Warriors, old and young, were most particu- 
lar as to their appearance. Their hair was 
pulled out by the roots after the age of pu- 
berty had been reached, and but a "scalplock" 
was allowed to grow. To this was fastened 
a plume of feathers or horsehair. Nose and 
ears were pierced for rings ; the bodies were 
left bare to the waist, with many handsome 
belts of wampum thrown across the shoulder. 
The face and body were profusely painted with 
colors made from clays and simple woodland 
flowers, and a belt around the waist bore the 
knife, warbag of charms, and other tools of 
the chase or warfare, and served to hold the 
leggings up. Through this belt was passed 
the ends of the breechclout, made of linen or 
other cloth, in early times of skin. It was 
eight or nine inches wide and nearly a yard 
long, and the manner of wrapping it around 
the body denoted the clan or tribe to which 
the wearer belonged. 

Moccasins of many kinds were worn, and 
in all cases the ankles were covered to protect 
the feet from snakebites and thorns. On long 
expeditions a fringed skirt was worn to protect 
the body from bushes and briars, the leggings 
being then exceptionally heavy. The differ- 
ence between the hunters and the warriors on 
the warpath consisted in the lack of paint on 
the faces of the former and the lack of cloth- 
ing of the latter. On marauding expeditions 
the warrior greased himself all over to make 
the hold of his adversary insecure. 

There was general pride in the skill of the 
hunters and the achievements of the warriors. 
The taking of the first scalp by a young war- 
rior was an occasion of special excitement and 
rejoicing. The return of a party from the 
warpath or a hunting expedition was always 
attended with a public reception in the village ; 
but after the expedition ended the lazy life of 
the heroes began, and when winter set in they 
had nothing to do but lie around until the 
spring should come, smoke their pipes and 
relate their deeds of prowess. On bright days 
they sometimes got up a little excitement over 
a game of football or a footrace ; occasionally 
there was a dance or a feast, but as a rule the 
winters were passed in idleness. Smoking was 
their chief comfort under all conditions, 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



whether half asleep in the wigwams, or loll- 
ing in the sunshine outside. Their pipes were 
made of corncobs, clay, stone or wood, and 
upon them were expended all their taste and 
capacity for decoration. 

GOVERNMENT 

The Indian government was distinctly social- 
istic in character. In the wigwams and vil- 
lages, with the warriors and hunters, between 
the young and old, in all situations of life, 
there was perfect equality; in their character 
and conduct were seen a strong sense of inde- 
pendence, a great aversion to anything that 
savored of caste or subjugation. They gloried 
in their native liberty, and for one to show a 
feeling of superiority was an effective barrier 
to all further success. A chief being asked if 
his tribe were free, replied: "Why not, since 
I myself am free, although their chief?" The 
chief of a tribe was not a ruler but a coun- 
selor; he could neither make peace nor war, 
and except as others were guided by his ex- 
ample he had no control of tribal affairs. 

A brave was chosen war chief upon his own 
merit as a warrior, after having demonstrated 
exceptional bravery or skill ; the village chief 
was selected as one possessing administrative 
ability, commanding address and great elo- 
quence, and well versed in the traditions of 
the tribe and their relations to neighboring 
tribes. Possessing these distinguishing traits 
of character and influence enough to be chosen 
leader, it was equally necessary for each to 
maintain his standing as a hunter and warrior. 

For purposes of consultation, and as a place 
to assemble the chiefs and braves, a council 
house was usually built near the center of the 
village. There all met on an equal footing to 
determine questions of common interest ; the 
calumets or pipes of peace and war were placed 
side Ijy side, the choice of each to be made by 
the signal taps of the war club. There the 
Indian warriors gave vent to bursts of native 
eloquence, for which they were so justly fa- 
mous. Although an Indian seldom spoke 
under ordinary circumstances, when he did 
break the silence he said something of import. 
It was at these councils that opportunity was 
afforded to acquire that popularity and influ- 
ence which would promote the speaker to posi- 
tion and authority. 

RELIGION 

Personal pride was the controlling influence 
in the Indian's religion. He believed that the 



Great Spirit was ruler over all, and that spirit 
was an Indian. Manitou was the name most 
generally given the Great Spirit. The Indians 
believed that they were the first of the human 
race created; that they sprang from the brain 
of the Great Spirit; that they possessed all 
knowledge, and were under the special care of 
their creator. Their traditions were vague, but 
their religious sentiments were clear. They 
had no fixed days or manner of worship. 
They believed in a future state of reward and 
punishment in the "happy hunting grounds" 
beyond the grave; that all who did well would 
be happy, but all who did ill would be mis- 
erable ; they justified their barbarous outrages 
and savage warfare, their cruel torture of men, 
women and children, upon the precept of 
"blood for blood," and among themselves, as 
one of their famous chieftains said, they let 
each individual "paddle his own canoe." 

What principles of religion they had they 
followed closely. They believed in a good 
spirit and an evil one, and a number of lesser 
deities that were active in managing the affairs 
of the universe. To these they made sacrifices 
to avert calamity, to secure blessings and suc- 
cess, and in the way of thanksgiving for bene- 
fits received. They also believed firmly in pun- 
ishment and reward in this life. 

Their medicine men, who had the care of 
the sick and were in charge of all religious 
feasts and observances, were held in great re- 
spect as possessors of supernatural powers. 
By the practice of their magical arts they 
were supposed to have close relations with 
the Great Spirit. Their medicines, made from 
roots and herbs, were in their use surrounded 
with all mystery possible, and all the arts of 
the conjurer were solemnly practiced. 

Indian burials were conducted with as much 
form as any of their ceremonies. In the grave 
with the corpse were buried the rifle and trap- 
pings of the warrior or hunter, his pipe and 
tobacco, and sufficient provisions and parched 
corn to last him on his journey to the happy 
hunting grounds of the future life. There was 
no common place of burial, each grave being 
located in the forest or on the hills, to suit 
tlie wishes of the surviving friends. When 
an Indian or his squaw died the survivors 
would remain in mourning for a year, being 
afterwards at liberty to marry again. 

FE.\STS AND SPORTS 

The regular times for feasts were when the 
green corn could be first used, when the first 
game of the season was killed, and when a vie- 



8 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



tory was celebrated. Notices of these feasts 
were sent to the wigwams and to the friendly 
tribes by means of a runner, who bore small 
pieces of painted wood. He would give the 
date and program verbally. When the feast 
occurred the bucks, squaws and young Indians 
would sit around the fires, on which were boil- 
ing the kettles of green corn, juicy venison, 
bear meat, fat coon and hominy. Warriors 
and squaws dressed in their best, and the occa- 
sion was one of vast ceremonial. Each was 
provided with a wooden bowl and a spoon of 
bone or metal, and they helped themselves 
whenever the food had been cooked to their 
notion. 

None but the warriors participated in the 
wild excitement of the war dance, but the 
youths were allowed to look on in order to 
prepare for their later initiation, which was 
severe and nerve-testing. There were other 
dances in which the young and old joined with 
loud shoutings, the clangor of tomtoms and 
other rude instruments ; winding dances with 
intricate figures ; wild square dances, in which 
the maiden might show her preference for the 
favorite hunter ; and these dances often were 
continued all night by the light of the blazing 
camp fires. 

The sports and pastimes of the savages were 
in character more in the way of preparation 
for and incentive to the objects and pursuits 
of their life, and consisted of running and 
canoe races, jumping, wrestling, shooting, 
throwing the tomahawk, and, in the days be- 
fore the introduction of firearms, of practice 
with the bow and arrow. Football was a very" 
popular game, the excitement lasting some- 
times for days and involving the entire village 
in the sport. 

FISHING .^ND HUNTINn 

The Susquehanna and the streams flowing 
into it were the favorite spawning and feeding 
waters for the choice varieties of the different 
fishes native to this section, and during the 
cool months the Indians speared them and 
trapped them in wicker baskets and nets. The 
younger people had great sport in following 
the larger fish in the shoals and rapids and 
killing them with spears and arrows; and in 
winter they cut holes in the ice and through 
them speared the finny denizens of the stream. 

Trapping of animals was the most profitable 
pursuit followed. It was a good school for 
the youths, furnished employment for the old 
or disabled men, and gave the braves the means 
wherewith to supply themselves with neces- 



saries and finery from the traders. It some- 
times happened, when the season was favorable 
and game was plenty, that the whole tribe 
would devote the winter to the traps, which 
were located at all favorable points along the 
trails and streams, sometimes occupying a ter- 
ritory of thirty miles in circumference. Bea- 
ver, otter and bear skins were the most val- 
uable, but the skins of muskrats, mink, weasels 
and other small game also were not rejected. 
The great abundance of game in the woods, 
the rich soil of the valleys in which were 
located the villages, provided an unfailing 
source of supply to the savages. Knowledge 
of woodcraft and of the habits of the birds 
and beasts of the forest was the first requi- 
site for existence in savage life, and in this 
the Indians excelled. They had expedients 
for every emergency. One great accomplish- 
ment was the ability to imitate the notes and 
calls of the birds and the cries of the beasts 
of the forest. Warriors used these calls in 
their forays, and the first white settlers soon 
learned to suspect the cry of a bird if sounded 
at an unusual time. 

WARS AND FORAYS 

The war party was the most carefully organ- 
ized band that left a village, the numbers of 
which it was composed depending upon the 
character of the expedition. One or two 
braves might start on a bushwhacking or 
scalping expedition of their own, or a band 
of five or six might start out to destroy some 
isolated cabins and massacre the inmates. 
Larger parties were made up to attack the 
settlements. When starting out all the braves 
donned the warpaint and oiled their bodies, 
then formed into a single line and marched 
through the village singing war songs. Just 
before leaving the limits of the village a salute 
would be fired, but from that time until the 
attack was made not a sound broke the still- 
ness of the forest. A war party of Indians 
could pass within a few feet of the camp of 
the whites or the cabins of the settlers and 
make not a sound or leave a single trace of 
their passage. 

The Indians' method of fighting, which has 
survived even to the present day, vvas a sys- 
tem of rapid attacks and retreats. They would 
lie in wait for the enemy and after a sudden 
attack would fall back to some other ad- 
vantageous point. In the fight the whole force 
was formed in an irregular line, covered by 
anything that the topography of the country 
afforded. Thev seldom met the enemv in a 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



stand-up fight, but would strike suddenly and 
retreat, yet there was not a drop of cowardly 
blood in an Indian. When parties were sent 
out on a raid it was customary to send as sup- 
port in case of reverses a band of hunters, with 
squaws and camp equipage, to locate an ad- 
vanced supply camp not far from the scene 
of battle. From this center the hunters would 
go out after game and act as a rear guard, 
awaiting the retreat of the war party. 

The return of the successful warriors was 
the occasion of much rejoicing and excitement. 
They came in with shouts of victory, waving 
the bloody scalps and driving before them the 
captured victims that had been preserved for 
the sacrifice, their hands tied behind them and 
their faces blackened as a sign that they were 
to be burned at the stake. First the victims 
were made to run the gauntlet. Indians of 
all ages, squaws and children, stood in a long 
double line, between which the prisoner was 
compelled to run, sometimes blindfolded and 
bound. The savages were armed with any 
weapons that came to hand, sticks, clubs, 
switches, whips, knives and tomahawks, with 
which the unfortunate was struck and slashed, 
often to death. Sometimes sand was thrown 
in the eyes to impede progress. In most in- 
stances the captive was allowed to live long 
enough to be lashed to the stake and burned. 

The hardy pioneers of this country became 
inured to these acts of rapine and reprisal 
and in many instances returned the debt with 
interest. It would be impossible to overdraw 
the horrible pictures of death and torture that 
were the experiences of many of the pioneer 
settlers of this country. An Indian would not 
hesitate to dash out the brains of a family of 
children in the presence of the father and 
mother, and then scalp the parents and burn 
the home. In return, there was no quarter 
given the savages when captured. No prison- 
ers were taken by either side in the latter days 
of the warfare between the whites and In- 
dians. A good Indian was usually a dead 
one. Chapter after chapter could be filled 
with the stories of the hardships and cruelties 
suffered by our forefathers, but space will not 
permit their repetition. 

It sometimes happened that prisoners were 
spared by the Indians through superstition or 
intent, and in these cases the captive was care- 
fully guarded against escape while being in- 
itiated into the life of the savage. Some of 
the captives married squaws, became satisfied 
with the mode of life and remained with the 
Indians. Children sometimes were preserved 
from death and adopted into the tribe, in later 



years becoming as much attached to their 
foster parents as if they had been born into the 
life. These seldom were reclaimed to a life of 
civilization. Interpreters for the tribes were 
usually selected from these captives, and it 
was often found they had grown to like the 
savage existence and attained positions of trust 
and responsibility. However, some of the 
white men who voluntarily entered the Indian 
tribes became more fiendish and inhuman than 
the natives themselves. With the names of 
Butler and Brandt are associated all that the 
human mind can conceive that was cruel and 
devilish. They seemed to revel in carnage 
and blood. 

As a contrast to this, instances are to be 
found where the native sense of honor of the 
Indian caused him to withhold his hand from 
the destruction of those who had befriended 
him and to warn them of the attacks of other 
tribes. In this respect the Quakers were 
singularly exempt from attack and murder, 
through their fixed policy of dealing in a just 
manner with the Indians. Few instances are 
recorded where a member of the Society of 
Friends suiifered from the depredations of the 
savages, who had learned of their high sense 
of humanity and justice. 

FRONTIER FORTS, COLUMBI.\ .XND MONTOUR 
COUNTIES 

The treaty and purchase of 1754 between the 
Penns and the representatives of the Six 
Nations caused great dissatisfaction among 
the Shawanese, Delawares and Monseys, who 
considered that they had been defrauded of 
their lands, which had been guaranteed to 
them by the Iroquois. They therefore pro- 
ceeded to go on the warpath, and the settle- 
ments were raided, the settlers scalped and 
their homes destroyed. 

This being brought to the attention of the 
proprietaries, preparations were made for the 
protection of the settlers, and Benjamin 
Franklin ordered the construction of Fort 
Augusta, at what is now the site of Sunbury. 
This was followed by the erection of many 
other forts along the valleys of the North and 
West Branches of the Susquehanna, viz. : 
Fort Jenkins, in Briarcreek township, Colum- 
bia county; Fort Wheeler, on Fishing creek, 
about three miles above its mouth; Fort Mc- 
Clure, on the Susquehanna within the limits 
of the present town of Bloomsburg; Fort 
Rice, on the headwaters of Chillisquaque 
creek, thirteen miles from Sunbury; Mont- 
gomery's Fort, twelve miles below Muncy on 



10 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



the West Branch; Bosley's Mills, on the 
Chillisquaque, now the site of VVashington- 
ville, Montour county; Fort Freeland, on 
Warrior run, four miles above its mouth ; Fort 
Meninger, at the mouth of Warrior run; 
Boone's Mill, seven miles from Fort Freeland, 
at the mouth of Muddy run; and Fort Swartz, 
about one mile above Milton. 

These old forts were mainly designed to 
afford temporary shelter to the settlers from 
the raids of the Indians. In time of war they 
were regularly garrisoned by rangers. One 
of the methods of defense, which had been 
brought to America by natives of Europe, and 
formerly one of the weapons of the Romans, 
was the use of the "caltrop" or "crowsfoot," 
an iron instrument having four barbed points, 
which projected in all directions, so that when 
thrown on the ground at least one point stood 
upright. These implements were a great 
deterrent to the barefooted or moccasin-clad 
savage, and the unfortunate who stepped on 
one of them soon gave evidence of his pres- 
ence. After the cessation of hostilities the 
settlers frequently complained of the presence 
of these barbs in their pastures, where cattle 
would get them fastened in their feet, the rusty 
iron often causing inflammation and death. 

It is unnecessary to describe the forts out- 
side of Columbia and Montour counties, as 
they have little bearing on local history, so 
we will simply detail the origin, history and 
ultimate fate of the forts which were erected 
within the present limits of the two counties. 
In relating the history of these forts the nar- 
rative would be incomplete without a brief 
sketch of Moses Van Campen, the builder of 
two of them. He grew to manhood and first 
came into prominence as a member of Col. 
John Kelly's command on Big Isle, on the 
West Branch of the Susquehanna, in 1777. In 
177S he had been promoted from orderly' ser- 
geant to lieutenant, and in that year built Fort 
Wheeler. In 1779 he did scouting duty for 
Sullivan's army near Tioga. In 1780 he was 
captured by Indians, his father, brother and 
uncle killed, and he, Peter Pence and Abram 
Pike carried into captivity. One night they 
rose, and after killing nine of their captors 
and wounding the remaining one made their 
escape. In 1781 Van Campen spent the sum- 
mer in scouting and the winter in guarding 
British prisoners. In 1782 he marched with 
Robinson's rangers, of which he was a lieu- 
tenant, back to Northumberland, and after a 
few days' rest was ordered to build Fort 
Muncy. Later he was sent to Big Isle, where 
he was attacked by a large body of Indians 



and captured. He was sold to the English 
and remained in captivity for some time, but 
at last exchanged, returned home to recuper- 
ate, and then was sent to Wilkes-Barre, where 
he remained until the close of the war. He 
removed to New York State in 1795, and 
there, after an active life as surveyor and 
engineer, he died at the advanced age of ninety- 
two. 

FORT JENKINS 

This fort was erected in the fall of 1777, or 
during the winter and the early spring of 1778, 
and was simply a stockade around the home of 
a Mr. Jenkins, one of the first settlers. Its 
size was 60 by 80 feet and it stood on the 
North Branch of the Susquehanna in Centre 
township, midway between Berwick and 
Bloomsburg. The old canal passes between 
its site and the river. A heavily wooded island 
stood in the river directly opposite, but re- 
peated floods have long ago destroyed it. 

Soon after the building of the stockade the 
fort was garrisoned by thirty men, under 
Colonel Hartley. Col. Adam Hubley, who 
succeeded him, marched the garrison away, 
and County Lieutenant Colonel Hunter fur- 
nished sufficient men to hold the fort until the 
arrival of Col. Ludwig Weltner and the Ger- 
man battalion. The latter held the post until 
1780, when they departed to assist in the de- 
fense of Forts Rice and Augusta. Soon after- 
wards a party of Tories and Indians came by 
way of Knob mountain, and finding the fort 
deserted set fire to it and the surrounding 
buildings. 

After peace had been declared Mr. Jenkins 
sold the land on which the fort had stood to 
James Wilson, one of the signers of the Decla- 
ration of Independence, who sold it to Capt. 
Frederick Hill. The latter moved onto it, 
built a dwelling on the site of the fort and 
kept a tavern there, calling it the "Fort 
Jenkins Inn." His son Jacob succeeded him 
and conducted the tavern for a time, but was 
converted at a Methodist revival and aban- 
doned the sale of liquor to take up farming. 
Charles F. Hill, the son, followed as owner. 
Charles S. Yorks is the owner of Fort Jenkins 
in 1914. 

FORT WHEELER 

In April, 1778, Lieut. Moses Van Campen 
began the building of Fort Wheeler, on the 
farm of Isaiah Wheeler, on the banks of Fish- 
ing creek, about three miles above the present 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



11 



town of Bloomsburg, on the Bloomsburg & 
Sullivan railroad, in Scott township, near the 
site of the Paper Mill. It was built of logs 
and surrounded by a stockade sufficiently large 
to accommodate the families of the neighbor- 
hood. They had hardly completed the fort 
before the Indians arrived and attacked it, 
but the defenders soon put them to flight. 

Van Campen made this fort his headquarters 
when not engaged in scouting. One of the 
attractions to him was the daughter of Wheeler, 
for whose hand Van Campen and Col. Joseph 
Salmon, another scout, were rivals. Salmon 
finally married the girl. Van Campen's father 
also for a time lived near the fort. 

Fort Wheeler was the only one of the long 
line of defenses in this section of the State 
that was never abandoned or destroyed by 
hostile hands. Time alone did the work of 
disintegration. Peter Melick, one of the com- 
mittee of safety for Wyoming township, lived 
near here. The old graveyard where the 
soldiers were buried is still recognizable, 
and the spring that supplied the fort with 
water is still running. The land is now owned 
by the Creveling family. John Crawford, 
grandfather of Joseph Crawford, an old citi- 
zen of Orangeville, was the second child born 
in this section, his birth taking place inside 
the stockade of the fort soon after its com- 
pletion, in 1778. No vestiges of the fort are 
now to be seen, but the site is known to most 
of the residents of that section. 

FORT MCCLURE 

At the time of the destruction of Fort Jen- 
kins there was a line of forts reaching from 
the West Branch to the North Branch of the 
Susquehanna, comprising Forts Muncy, Free- 
land, Montgomery, Bosley's Mills, Wheeler 



and Jenkins. The loss of the latter fort left 
the right flank exposed to the marauders, so 
on Van Campen's return from captivity he 
stockaded the home of Mrs. James McClure, 
on the bank of the Susquehanna, one mile 
above the mouth of Fishing creek, and on the 
later site of the house of Douglas Hughes, be- 
low Bloomsburg. This fortihcation took the 
name of Fort McClure, and became the head- 
quarters for stores and expeditions as long as 
the defense of the frontier was necessary. 
This fort was never seriously attacked, though 
the near residents often fled to it for security. 
It was never more than a stockade and further 
fortifications were not built. A residence now 
stands on the site. A marker has been placed 
here by the Fort McClure Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revolution, Bloomsburg. 

FORT BOSLEY 

This only fortified work in Montour county 
was really the stockaded stone mill of a Mr. 
Bosley, in the forks of the Chillisquaque, at 
Washingtonville, Derry township. The mill 
was built in 1773, and stockaded in 1777. When 
the Indians became troublesome it was gar- 
risoned by about twenty men and became a 
place of importance in the lines of defense. 
Captain Kemplon was in command here in 
1780, and assisted in repelling many attacks of 
the savages. 

The site of the old mill is easily recogniza- 
ble by the race and dam at the lower end of the 
town of to-day. The headrace has been con- 
tinued across the road, and the old dam site 
has been used as a location for the more mod- 
ern mill of Snyder Brothers. 

The land on which the fort or mill stood was 
the property in past years of Jacob Hartman 
and Jesse Umstead. 



CHAPTER II 



FOUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA 



Two hundred and seventy years ago was 
born in the city of London the subsequent 
founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. He 
was the son of WiUiam Penn, of the County of 
Wilts, a vice admiral in the time of Cromwell, 
whom Charles II knighted for his successful 
naval services against the Dutch. The son, 
William, was a studious youth, and receiving 
religious impressions in his twelfth year was 
converted to the tenets of the Society of 
Friends by the preaching of Thomas Lowe, a 
Quaker leader. While in Oxford College he 
continued his religious practices, which the 
authorities condemned and for which they 
finally expelled him. 

Young Penn's father vainly endeavored to 
turn him from his views on religion, hoping to 
persuade him to follow the profession of arms, 
but finding him obdurate gave him a severe 
beating and turned him from his home. His 
mother prevailed on the father to reinstate him 
and he later took up the study of law, gradu- 
ated, and under the Duke of Ormond served as 
military aide in Ireland. There occurred the 
turning point of his life. He again came under 
the influence of Thomas Lowe, joined the 
Quakers, and was imprisoned for attending 
their meetings. 

Again he disagreed with his father, the 
cause being his refusal to remain uncovered 
in the presence of the king and others. This 
rupture was permanent until just before the 
father's death, when they became completely 
reconciled. The entire estate being left to the 
son he was now in position to devote his life 
to the cause of the persecuted sect, and such 
was his influence with the king that he obtained 
the patent for the Province of Pennsylvania, 
in consideration of his father's services and a 
debt of f 16,000 due the estate from the crown. 
After a long and searching course of proceed- 
ings, lasting from June 14, 1680, till March 4, 
1681, the charter was granted, in which the 
boundaries of the Province are thus prescribed : 
"Bounded on the east by Delaware River, from 



twelve miles distance northward of New Castle 
town (Del.) unto the three and fortieth degree 
of northern latitude, if the said river doth ex- 
tend so far northward, but if the said river 
shall not extend so far northward, then by the 
said river so far as it doth extend ; and from 
the head of said river the eastern bounds are to 
be determined by a meridian line, to be drawn 
from the head of said river unto the said forty- 
third degree. The said land to extend west- 
ward five degrees in longitude, to be computed 
from the said eastern bounds, and the said 
lands to be bounded on the north by the begin- 
ning of the three and fortieth degree of north- 
em latitude, and on the south by a circle drawn 
at twelve miles distance from New Castle, 
northward and westward, unto the beginning 
of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and 
then by a straight line westward to the limits 
of longitude above mentioned." 

By a calculation of the contents of those 
charter boundaries the Province contained 
35-361,600 acres. The present area of the 
State of Pennsylvania, according to the census 
of 1910, is 45,126 square miles, or 28,880,640 
acres. The area was diminished by the sub- 
sequent adjustment of the boundaries between 
this and the States of Maryland, Virginia and 
New York. The impossible southern line, men- 
tioned in the charter, caused much dispute be- 
tween Penn and Lord Baltimore, which was at 
length permanently fixed by Mason and Dixon, 
who were eminent mathematicians and astrono- 
mers, between 1763 and 1766. 

In December, 1774, the boundary line be- 
tween Pennsylvania and New York was ascer- 
tained and fixed by David Rittenhouse on the 
part of the former, and Samuel Holland on the 
part of the latter, to be north latitude 
42°, with a variation of 4° 20'. (This was the 
declination in 1790. It is now about 10°. ) The 
forty-third parallel of north latitude, men- 
tioned in the charter, extends through central 
New York. Messrs. Rittenhouse and Holland 
placed a stone on a small island in the western 



12 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



13 



branch of the Delaware river as a monument 
on the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, vkfith 
the words and figures New York, 1774, and 
the above-mentioned latitude and variation 
cut upon the top. They also placed another 
stone, four perches due west from the former, 
cutting on the top thereof the word Pennsyl- 
vania and the same latitude and variation as 
on the other. The extension of that line 
farther west was postponed until 1786-87, when 
it was completed by Andrew EUicott, on the 
part of Pennsylvania, and James Clinton and 
Simeon Dewitt on the part of New York. 

By act of March 27, 1790, ^300 were granted 
to Reading Howell for delineating on his map 
all the lines of this State, as established by 
law or otherwise ascertained. 

Penn sailed in the ship "Welcome" Aug. 30, 
1682, for his newly acquired province. He 
arrived after a long passage at New Castle, 
Del., where the colonists, English, Dutch and 
Swedes, assembled to welcome him as their 
beloved proprietor. He wished the province 
to be called New Wales, but the king persisted 
in naming it "Pensilvania." In reference 
thereto Penn wrote to his friend, Robert Tur- 
ner, on the 5th of January : 'T proposed, when 
the secretary, a Welshman, refused to have it 
called New Wales, Sylvaiiia, and they added 
Penn to it, and though I much opposed it, and 
went to the king to have it struck out and al- 
tered, he said it was past and would take it 
upon him ; nor could twenty guineas move the 
under-secretaries to vary the name ; for I 
feared lest it should be looked on as a vanity 
in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it 
truly was, to my father, whom he often men- 
tions with praise." 

Notwithstanding his rights under that char- 
ter, Penn, with his characteristic sense of jus- 
tice, purchased the territory from the Indians 
at a fair price. It is sad to relate that later 
owners of land in the State did not follow in 
his footsteps in their dealings with the natives 
and settlers. 

Before leaving England Penn drafted what 
he called the "Fundamental Law and Frame of 
Government of Pennsylvania," from which we 
cite the thirty-fifth section : "All persons liv- 
ing in this province who confess and acknowl- 
edge the one Almightv and Eternal God to be 
the Creator, L^pholder and Ruler of the world, 
and that hold themselves obliged in conscience 
to live peaceably and justly in civil society, 
shall in noways be molested or prejudiced for 
their religious persuasion or practice in mat- 
ters of faith and worship, place or ministry 
whatever." Herein was granted a greater de- 



gree of religious liberty than had been allowed 
elsewhere in the colonies. 

INUI.AN TREATIES AND AGGRESSIONS 

More than a hundred and fifty years elapsed 
from the date of the settlement of Jamestown, 
Va., ere the more venturesome of the pioneers 
came to the portion of the Commonwealth in- 
cluded in the boundaries of Columbia and Mon- 
tour counties, and eighty-six years had elapsed 
since William Penn made his first bargain with 
the Indians. Before detailing the settlement 
of this section we will review the diflierent in- 
cidents which occurred previous to that time 
which had tlieir effect upon the history of the 
counties of Columbia and Montour. 

The first treaty between Penn and the In- 
dians took place in July, 1682, at Shackamaxon, 
and was negotiated by William Markham, the 
former's representative. In the following 
November Penn arrived with a party of col- 
onists and cemented the former treaty, proba- 
blv also making another one. Various other 
purchases were made by the Penns in the years 
1696, 1700, 1718, 1732 and 1736. The pur- 
chase of 1749 came to within a few miles of the 
territory now included in the counties of 
Columbia and Montour. 

At that time few of the white leaders had 
any idea of the vast extent of the country, and 
the Indians could eive them no definite descrip- 
tion of the boundaries or extent of the tracts 
that they had disposed of. Connecticut at this 
time was seeking to enlarge its boundaries, and 
cast envious eyes on the rich Wyoming valley, 
part of which is located in the northern end of 
Columbia county. In a conference held with 
the Indians at Albany in 1754, the Connecticut 
delegates made a large purchase of land in this 
valley and formed the Susquehanna Company, 
to promote the settlement of the lands. The 
proprietaries of the State of Pennsylvania had 
also made a purchase of these identical lands 
at an earlier date, the savages having little re- 
gard for the letter of their obligations and be- 
ing actuallv ignorant in many instances of the 
real location of the several tracts sold. The 
Connecticut company at once began to sell the 
lands thus purchased, and a few venturesome 
settlers came to the portion now included in 
Fishingcreek township. 

The success of the French in 1754 and Brad- 
dock's defeat in the following year brought the 
Indian war into this section and it resulted in 
the depopulation of the country in 1763. It 
was not until the purchase of 1768 that the 
country was finally permanently opened to set- 



14 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



tlement. As soon as the Connecticut authori- 
ties heard of the Penn purchase they sent a 
small party of settlers to reoccupy the lands 
abandoned in 1763. This brought on a bitter 
controversy between the two parties who 
claimed the land. Forts and blockhouses were 
erected bv both sides, and some blood was shed. 

The dispute was taken to the London Coun- 
cil, which decided against the Penns. In 1775 
the matter was brought before the Continental 
Congress, who also decided in favor of Con- 
necticut. This decision was rejected by the 
Pennsylvania Assembly, and it was not till 
1802 that Congress finally gave the titles to the 
Penns. 

Settlers from Connecticut had come to 
what is now the eastern part of Columbia 
county and entered upon the land under the 
Connecticut claim, and the grantees from the 
Penns came to the same region and made claim 
to the lands under surveys made in 1769 and 
1772. This led to much friction between the 
settlers and it was finally settled by the Decree 
of Trenton, which awarded all the lands in 
the "Seventeen townships of Luzerne county" 
to the Connecticut claimants and all outside 
of Luzerne county to the Penns, with a pro- 
viso that any lands in the seventeen townships 
which had been sold by the Penns to settlers 
should be ceded to the State and the purchase 
money refunded. From that time on the rival 
claimants lived in peace with their neighbors. 

The Penn treaty made with the savages in 
1768, at Fort Stanwix, was the primal incen- 
tive to the settlement of the land of which this 
history is written. The whites, secure in a 
clear title to the country, took peaceable pos- 
session of their purchases and the Indians re- 
treated to the fastnesses of the hills, but few 
remaining in their old villages of Nescopeck, 
Catawissa, and the one on the Mahoning creek, 
the site of Danville. 

The Revolutionary war brought with it a 
renewed fear of the savages, and after many 
forays and minor attacks the terrible massacre 
of Wyoming occurred, July 3, 1778. This 
caused a general flight of all the settlers in this 
section, most of them taking refuge at Sunbury 
and Northumberland. 

The authorities took prompt measures to pro- 
tect the settlers. Colonel Hartley and a regi- 
ment of the line were at once sent to the scene, 
built a fort at the home of a settler named Jen- 
kins, six miles below Nescopeck falls, pursued 
the Indians and drove them from that sec- 
tion. That winter the savages were not active, 
owing to the extreme cold. The following 
April they attacked the fort, but were repulsed. 



the whites losing three and having four 
wounded. Again in May the Indians attacked 
a party of settlers at Mittlinville, killing and 
scalping four of a family. These ravages con- 
tinued through the entire year, the troops being 
too few to make adequate return. In 1779 the 
campaign of the whites was begun in earnest, 
and by the end of the year the country was in 
a more tranquil state. This resulted in the 
withdrawal of some of the soldiers, and in 1780 
most of the defense of the frontiers devolved 
on the poorly equipped and hard-worked 
militia. In that year the savages made a con- 
certed attack on Fort Jenkins and destroyed 
it, carrying off the stock and burning the stores 
of grain. The garrison had got wind of the 
attack and retreated. 

The following June a company of rangers 
was organized, with Thomas Robinson as cap- 
tain and Moses Van Campen as ensign. Later 
Van Campen was made lieutenant, the com- 
mand devolving on him, as Robinson was not 
experienced in scouting. In the spring of 1781 
this company built a fort on the plantation of 
the Widow McClure, the farm now included 
in the limits of Bloomsburg, and there stored 
their supplies. 

The close of the Revolution brought about 
a cessation of hostilities, and the treaty of 
1784 removed the last barrier to settlement. 

NATIONALITY OF THE IMMIGRANTS , 

The first settlement in Columbia county was 
made by an Irish Quaker. Next came the 
Diitch, from the Minisinks; the Welsh, from 
Uwchland; the Germans, from Berks county; 
and the Scotch-Irish, from New Jersey. The 
available lines of travel had much to do in 
determining the location of the pioneers, who 
followed the line of the Susquehanna and its 
tributaries. 

The Quakers settled at Catawissa and Green- 
wood, but the poor character of the soil at the 
former place caused these thrifty farmers to 
pass on to Ohio and Canada. Those at Green- 
wood, finding the soil satisfactory', remained, 
and their descendants are scattered through- 
out the county. 

The German immigration set in about 1788, 
these people coming mostly from Berks county, 
although many were from the Fatherland. 
They were more persistent and plodding than 
the Quakers, and most of them remained in 
their adopted homes. This nationality forms 
the greater part of the present population. 

The New Jersey immigrants were mostly 
English dissenters. They occupied the coun- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



15 



try north of the river and their posterity com- 
prises the bulk of the population in the northern 
townships. There are also a large number of 
the descendants of the Connecticut settlers to 
be found in that locality. 

In Locust township a considerable portion 
of the population is of Welsh descent, and they 
are among the best of the farmers of the 
county. In Conyngham township there is a 
large population of foreigners of many nation- 
alities, the predominating race being Slavonic. 
These are employed principally in the coal 
mines. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF THE COUNTY 

The evolution of the present prosperous com- 
munity from the raw material of the past is a 
story of romantic and enthralling interest. The 
casualties in the founding of an empire by war 
are not more numerous than those endured by 
the founders of a community in the wilderness, 
peopled by savages and wild beasts. 

The different members of Columbia county's 
piSneer society came from widely separated 
localities ; they were led to emigrate by a vari- 
ety of motives, and they differed as much in 
social prejudices, habits and conditions as in 
nationality. The common object of all was 
the planting of a new home, where patient, 
persevering toil would gain a moderate compe- 
tence for old age and provide greater advan- 
tages for the growing families. There was no 
established rule for success in this venture, 
and the unbroken forest contained enough dif- 
ficulties to develop the individuality of the pio- 
neer to the fullest. 

The selection of a home site was determined 
largely by accident. The chance acquaintance 
with a speculator, or the story of a friend or 
relative who had emigrated to the new pur- 
chase, led to the removal of the listener to the 
same section. Very often, as is the case in 
present days, the purchase was made before 
examination ; in some cases a careful tour of 
inspection was made ; while in other instances 
the fever of immigration to new territory 
seized the head of the family, and without ade- 
quate preparation the household was broken 
up, property sold at a loss, the few portable 
household goods placed on the backs of horses, 
and the trip begun without definite aim or des- 
tination. 

With the difficulties of travel, the amount of 
goods brought narrowed down to only the nec- 
essaries that were easily carried. Carts and 
wagons were taken only as far as Sunbury. 
Beyond there, and in other routes into the 



county, the packhorse was the only means of 
transporting goods. Sometimes oxen and 
cows were taken, and their ownership was an 
evidence of wealth. One man was offered all 
the land he could see from a considerable emi- 
nence for one cow, but refused to make the 
deal. 

The locations were determined by the con- 
dition of the ground and the class of trees upon 
it, and its nearness to water. Many grievous 
mistakes were thus made, as the forest growth 
in this vast empire of the west bears little rela- 
tion to the character of the soil. Some of the 
best land in the county was left to the wild 
denizens of the forest, while poorer soil in 
apparently better locations was eagerly seized 
upon. The location once settled upon the fam- 
ily was to be provided with shelter, and for 
this the abundant timber supplied the materi- 
als ready to hand. But the hewing and shap- 
ing of the trees into the form of a home was 
the work of men, and few of the present gen- 
eration would voluntarily take up the labor of 
constructing a log house with the crude and 
simple implements of their pioneer ancestors. 
Each family was a company of architects in 
itself, and but little aid was needed to erect the 
first rude home. When more pretentious struc- 
tures came into being they were the result of 
the united labors of the entire neighborhood, 
expended during one of the famous old "log 
rollings." With willing hands to assist the 
house was built one day and occupied the ne.xt. 
"Setting to rights" was not a laborious process. 
A few wooden pegs driven into the logs suf- 
ficed to hang a scanty wardrobe, and two larger 
ones over the fireplace supported the rifle and 
powder horn. A puncheon floor — a later lux- 
ury — and a loft were deemed unnecessary until 
the long winter evenings and stormy days pre- 
vented outdoor labor. 

The most important part of the home was 
the ample chimney of stone, which in this cli- 
mate was placed at the end of the house, with 
a broad mouth surmounted by a wide mantel, 
upon which accumulated most of the visible 
treasures of the household. This great wide 
fireplace was found in every home, some of the 
more pretentious having one at each end of 
the house. In it were hung the pot-hooks and 
hangers, and the "spit" of the old country 
would sometimes be found there also. Upon 
the massive and ofttimes artistic "firedogs" 
rested the heavy logs that threw out a glorious 
blaze and served for both warmth and light. 
Here stood the "tin oven" and the older "Dutch 
oven," within which were baked the corn pone 
and johnnycake. In the ashes were put the 



16 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



potatoes and roasting ears, and while the meat 
was trying in tlie skillet the cottee pot sim- 
mered among tne coals, is there a picture of 
comfort more alluring in these days of restau- 
rants and fiats ? 

Cooking stoves did not make their appear- 
ance until 1835, the old "ten-plate ' stove serv- 
ing as a lieater, if such a luxury could be af- 
forded. 

The careful housewife had brought with her 
from their former home the homespun bed- 
ticks, as well as bedclothing, and until the hrst 
crop of corn supplied the "shucks" the forest 
was resorted to for dried leaves for the bed- 
ding. The simple methods of transit precluded 
the carrying of furniture, so this lack was sup- 
plied from the forest also. The ax and the 
drawing-knife were all the tools at hand, but 
with these the pioneer fashioned the needed 
articles. Rough benches with sapling legs sup- 
plied the seats and tables, but the bedstead 
literally had but one leg to stand on. The head 
and one side were the walls of the cabin, 
while the poles forming the other sides were 
supported by a post set into the ground at the 
proper distance. Cords or deerskin thongs 
were laced across from the walls to the side 
pieces, supporting the shuck-filled tick. 

It was not an uncommon thing to find a fam- 
ily consisting of father, mother and six or more 
children living in a house about twenty-two 
feet square, with two rooms, and a loft reached 
by a ladder. In the bedroom were two beds 
(not counting the "trundle-bed," which slid 
under the larger one), a "chest of drawers," a 
table and a chair or two. In the kitchen were 
the beds of the older children, surrounded with 
boxes, barrels and the many bins of grain and 
sacks of necessaries. Yet limited as the space 
was, there was room for all. 

But little support could be expected from the 
land at first, so dependence was had upon the 
surplus stores of the neighbors who had come 
previously, and in instances where the family 
were the pioneers there was much suft'ering 
until the fields had yielded their harvests. For- 
tunately the wild game and fish were abundant, 
and there was never recorded a case of actual 
starvation. 

There was no opportunity for the pioneers, 
even had they the knowledge, to carry on "in- 
tensive" farming. The land had to be cleared, 
and the newcomer devoted all of his energies 
to this end. The more industrious families 
worked far into the night burning the logs and 
brush heaps. The soil was filled with unde- 
cayed roots of the herbage, so that the rude 
plows simply tickled the land ; and it laughed 



forth abundantl)- in response. Except for a 
lew simple vegetables, corn alone was culti- 
vated, and supplied all the wants of man and 
beast. Every part served some useful purpose. 

As the resources of the land were gradually 
developed the support of the family became 
a less serious problem. The stock found sup- 
port in the forest and scarcely needed the fod- 
der stored in the log barns. Hogs fattened in 
the forests upon the abundant mast. With 
milk, pork, meal, game, fish and wild berries 
there was small chance of famine in the house- 
holds. A patch of flax was sown after a time, 
spinning wheels and looms fashioned, and each 
home soon became a factory which turned out 
clothing for the whole family. Buckskin formed 
the wear of the men, but the women's chief de- 
pendence was upon "linsey-woolsey," a combi- 
nation of flax and wool, in the manufacture of 
which much skill and taste were employed. In 
those days there was no thought of the "high 
cost of living," neither was there any struggle 
for the cost of high living. Most of the wants 
of the household could be supplied from ma- 
terials at hand, and the outside world was 
almost a sealed book to them. 

In those days amusements were few and 
were allied closely to some useful occupation, 
the result of a night's frolic being an addition 
to the store of clothing or food. The women 
organized woolpickings, quilting and spinning 
bees, while the men reveled in log-rollings, 
house raisings and husking bees. The lack of 
quick communication caused these affairs to 
be strictly local, and the isolated settlements 
of the past were really farther apart than com- 
munities now separated by thousands of miles. 

The religious sects of the time formed their 
own communities and developed customs of 
their homes in the "old country" into many of 
the habits that are now ingrained in their de- 
scendants. The influence of these customs was 
on the whole beneficial, and the religious en- 
thusiasm of the immigrants was slowly modi- 
fied by contact with others of dififerent views 
than those of the communities in which they 
had been born. This mixture of nationalities 
is one of the wonderful causes of the develop- 
ment of the present great American nation — 
a nation without racial or religious prejudice. 

ADVENTUROUS PIONEERS OF THE PAST 

As far as can be ascertained the first actual 
white settler in the territory comprised within 
Columbia and Montour counties was Robert 
McWilliams, who with three sons, Hugh, John, 
and Robert, and a daughter, Jane, wife of 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



17 



Robert Curry, came from Ireland in 1771 and 
settled in that part of this section now known 
as Liberty township, Montour county. His 
complete history, as well as that of the other 
pioneers mentioned further on in this chap- 
ter, will be given in the separate sketches of 
the diiTerent divisions. 

James McClure, a Scotch-Irishman from 
Lancaster county, Pa., settled in 1772 near 
where the town of Bloomsburg is now located. 
About the same time Evan Owen (founder of 
Berwick) and John Doan bought land and 
located near him. Another later settler here 
was Samuel Boone, a Quaker, in 1775. 

Moses Roberts, the builder of the first house 
at Catawissa, is next in order of coming. He 
was a Quaker, from Maiden-creek, Berks 
county. 

John Eves, the famous Quaker ancestor of 
all the members of that name in this section, 
locateil permanently at Millville in 1774. The 
same year Alexander AIcAuley, whose mysteri- 
ous disappearance later on aroused the entire 
community, settled temporarily in Beaver town- 
ship, on Scotch run. 

In the year 1775 Michael Billheimer and 
Daniel Welliver, both from New Jersey, lo- 
cated amid the headwaters of Chillisquaque 
creek, now in Madison township, Columbia 
county. 

On Nov. 26, 1774, William Montgomery pur- 
chased from J. Simpson 180 acres of land on 
Mahoning creek, on the north bank of the east 
branch of the Susquehanna, called "Karkaase," 
and on which the town of Danville was laid out 
in 1792 by his son Daniel Montgomery. In the 
fall of 1776, or early in the spring of 1777, 
William Montgomery moved his family to this 
section and occupied their recently built stone 
house. There, Oct. 8, 1777, was born his 
youngest son, Alexander. This house still 
stands in the town of Danville and is occupied 
by the descendants of William Montgomery in 
1914. It is still in a good state of repair. 

The year after the settlement of the Mont- 
gomerys was not one of general exodus to this 
section, owing to Indian depredations, but in 
1779 an unfortunate family, whose name is un- 
known, were exterminated by the savages soon 
after they arrived at the site of Mifflinville. 

Valley township, Montour county, was the 
next scene of new arrivals, in the persons of 
Philip Maus and family, who came in 1782. 
The year following was the date of the settle- 
ment of the county above Orangeville, the 
leader of the party being Daniel McHenry. 

Abraham Kline, whose name is a household 
word in that section, came from Germany in 



1785 to establish himself and his large family 
on Fishing creek, around Orangeville. Three 
years later Leonard Rupert established his 
home at the mouth of Fishing creek and fixed 
upon that point a name which will forever cling 
to it. 

These were the leaders of the immigration 
to this county and their names will stand forth 
upon the pages of history beside those of others 
of this great nation who have made smooth the 
way of the present generation by conquering 
the wilderness and the savages who shared its 
sovereignty with the wild beasts. 

REMINISCENCES 

The conditions of society, the modes of liv- 
ing and the methods of business in Columbia 
county a hundred years ago and for twenty- 
five years thereafter were quite different 
from those of this brisk and prosperous 
age. Mr. I. W. Hartman, a former mer- 
chant of Bloomsburg, living in 1914, re- 
called many interesting things by which 
comparison may be made of the past with 
the present. Mr. Hartman said that if the 
average merchant of today was obliged to do 
business handicapped as they were in those 
days he would consider it almost an impossibil- 
ity. When the everpresent commercial drum- 
mer was an unknown quantity, the only means 
the merchant had of replenishing his stock was 
by personally going to Philadelphia, which he 
did semi-annually, spring and fall. And as 
there was no railroad nearer than Pottsville 
the trip was not only costly but consumed a 
great deal of time. In those days there was 
only little cash business, all goods being sold on 
six months' time. Prior to his going to Phila- 
delphia to purchase the stock the merchant 
would call upon his customers, collect from 
them what was coming, and taking the money 
with him would pay for the goods he had pur- 
chased six months previously. This was re- 
peated twice a year, yet notwithstanding this 
crude financiering many of them amassed what 
in those days was considered an ample fortune. 
Of course a few goods were purchased in the 
interim, but owing to the cost of transporta- 
tion and the time consumed in their delivery 
this was the exception. 

The mailing facilities were as crude as 
others. There was a mail route from Williams- 
port to this place passing through Jerseytown. 
The mail was usually carried by a man on 
horseback, but in inclement weather he used a 
covered wagon. The postage at that time was 
five cents and subsequently reduced to three 



18 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



cents, at which sum it remained for many 
years, until within the recollection of many 
it was reduced to two cents. 

The only bank in this section of the State was 
at Northumberland, and William McKelvy, a 
resident of Bloomsburg, who was one of 
the directors, drove down every Monday morn- 
ing to attend a meeting of the board. Mr. Hart- 
man remembers going down on horseback one 
time and making a deposit of $500 for his em- 
ployers, Eyer & Heffley, returning the same 
day. The merchants did but little bank busi- 
ness — scarcely any at all. The principal busi- 
ness was the making of deposits for safe 
keeping. 

In the "good old days of the past" few of 
the present conveniences were even dreamed 
of. As a rebuttal to the claims of the surviv- 
ors of those times that the old days were the 
best, let us review some of the details of life 
in those times. 

In the good old times of the early years of 
the eighteenth century every gentleman wore 
a queue and powdered his hair. His clothes 
were more elaborate than now, more unsan- 
itary, and of brilliant colors which often faded 
badly. There was only one hat factory in 
America, and that made "cocked" hats. Dry 
goods consisted of "men's stuff" and "women's 
stuff," and was limited in character and 
quality. 

Stoves were unknown and all cooking was 
done before open fireplaces. China plates were 
a great luxury, and were generally objected 
to because they dulled the knives. It seems 
that the only habit left us from the past is the 
one prevalent in some classes of society of 
eating with the knife. A girl was not permitted 
to marry till she could bake a loaf of bread and 
cut it while warm into even slices. When a 
person had enough tea the spoon was placed 
across the cup. Pewter spoons and steel knives 
were highly prized and were handed down 
from one generation to the other. Wooden 
bowls, platters and trenchers were the usual 
table utensils. 

Books were very expensive, many small vol- 
umes costing $15 each. There was not a pub- 
lic library in America, and most of the books 
in private libraries came from Europe. 

Virginia contained one fifth of the popula- 
tion of the United States, and the Mississippi 
valley was not as well known as the heart of 
Africa is now. Two stagecoaches bore all of 
the travel between New York and Boston, and 
the trip required six days. Two days were 
occupied in the trip from New York to Phila- 



delphia, while the journey from New York to 
Charleston by land occupied twenty days. 

In those good old days there was no regu- 
lar post office department, all letters being car- 
ried by private post, the cost of the letter vary- 
ing from one to three shillings. There was not 
a mile of railroad in the country, no steamboats, 
no street cars, no telephones, no telegraph lines, 
and the news in the papers was usually about 
ninety days old when it was printed. 

There were then no kerosene lamps, no elec- 
tric lights, and the chief method of illumination 
was by tallow candles. Matches had not come 
into general use, so flint and steel were car- 
ried by all who went on a journey, while the 
housekeeper kept a coal of fire lit all the time. 
Sometimes when the fire went out it would be 
necessary to mount a horse and go to the near- 
est neighbor for a light, the coals being carried 
in a wooden bucket filled with ashes. 

The church collections were taken by means 
of a bag on the end of a pole, with a bell at- 
tached to awaken the sleepers whom the par- 
son's prosy and long-drawn-out sermons had 
lulled into slumber. If the sermon did not 
suit the hearer he dare not criticise it lest he 
be heavily fined. 

Imprisonment for debt was a common prac- 
tice, and the whipping post and pillory were 
means of punishment. An old copper mine in 
Connecticut was then used as a prison, and 
many of the inmates died from the effects of 
their incarceration in it. Yes, these were the 
"good old days" we sometimes hear about. 

Another important event in those days was 
court week. The county seat was at Danville, 
subsequently removed to Bloomsburg, and peo- 
ple from ail over the county attended. The 
hotels for days were busy making preparations 
for the entertainment of the crowd, and as 
newspapers were scarce it was a time when 
information was exchanged as well as the busi- 
ness which brought them transacted. Mr. I. W. 
Hartman frequently saw men walking from 
the upper end of the county at the present loca- 
tion of Jamison City, to Danville to attend 
court. The first day they would walk as far as 
Orangeville, stay over night, and finish their 
walk the next day. This was necessary, as 
there was no other way of getting there except 
by driving down and many did not keep a horse. 

There were no bridges to cross the river and 
the only one along Fishing creek was at the 
site of the present double bridge at the Lazarus 
farm below town. At that time it was a single 
track affair and very primitive in its construc- 
tion. There was a foot bridge over the creek 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



19 



at the red rock on which people crossed in going 
to and from the Foulk mill. 

Going to Catawissa in those days was not an 
easy matter by any means. The only way of 
getting there was by going around by what is 
now the Aqueduct mill and fording the river 
at the site of the Rupert railroad bridge, or 



being pushed in a flat, there being no rope 
ferries at that time. Or one could go down the 
valley to the Deimer farm, then over the hill 
and cross the river at Catawissa in the same 



CHAPTER III 

TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY— IRON— COAL 



Separated from the earlier settled portion 
of Pennsylvania by the Kittatinny range of 
hills, and defended from the storms of the 
northwest by the AUeghenies, the portion of 
the State in which lie the counties of Columbia 
and Montour is particularly blessed in the 
possession of both natural beauty and mineral 
wealth. Few of the elevations reach the dig- 
nity of mountains, although they rise in grace- 
ful curves to the height of over 1,500 feet in 
some instances. From their summits may be 
obtained a view of the beautiful and fertile 
valleys, clear streams and gently rolling hills 
of as fair a land as that written of by the Irish 
poet, who said : 

Bounteous nature loves all lands, beauty wanders 

everywhere. 
Footprints leaves on many sands, but her home is 

surely there. 

The community in general is distinctly agri- 
cultural. On every hand are to be seen the re- 
sults of men's efforts to gain a support from 
the willing soil. Upon the basis of the pro- 
ductiveness of the land is built the success of 
the two counties, and almost every man of 
affairs can trace back to three generations of 
agricultural progenitors. 

Montour county bears in her center the pro- 
ductive Limestone ridge, from which much of 
the ore and stone of the past have been taken. 
On her southern boundary is the famous Mon- 
tour ridge, like a wall between it and North- 
umberland county. In the eastern end is the 
first rise of Catawissa mountain, which passes 
down through Columbia county, forming the 
division between Main and Locust town- 
ships. At Catawissa the Susquehanna has 
forced a passage through the range, showing 
all the strata of the rocks of this section in all 
their odd and interesting forms. Dividing 
Locust and Conyngham townships is Little 



mountain, with a parallel ridge south of it, 
separating the fertile regions from the anthra- 
cite coal fields, the only evidence of whose 
existence is the black waters of Catawissa 
creek. 

Between Mifflin and Beaver townships lies 
Nescopeck mountain, which extends from the 
Luzerne county line to Mainville. McAuley 
and Buck mountains, with their small deposits 
of hard coal now almost worked out, complete 
the list of elevations in the southern part. 

North of the Susquehanna the most impor- 
tant elevation is Knob mountain, at the site of 
C)rangeville, a clear cut, green-clad elevation 
of great scenic beauty. Eastwardly this ridge 
is called Huntington and Lee mountains, after 
a division at the edge of the county. The most 
picturesque portion of the county lies in the 
extreme northern part, where a spur of the 
AUeghenies forms the lofty North mountain, 
the source of Fishing creek and its branches. 
This is the home of the trout and the paradise 
of the summer boarder. 

Elsewhere in the counties the surface is 
constantly broken by a succession of hills of 
varying height, the fertile slopes of which are 
cultivated entirely to the top. Around these 
hills meander the numerous streams of this 
well watered country. 

Fishing creek and its tributaries afford the 
sole drainage of that section of Columbia 
county north of the river, with the exception of 
a small portion in the extreme east drained by 
Briar creek. On the south of the river the 
country is drained by Catawissa creek. Roar- 
ing creek and Ten-Mile run. 

Montour county is drained almost entirely 
by Chillisquaque creek and its many branches. 
This stream flows through Northumberland 
county and empties into the West Branch of 
the Susquehanna. The portion of the county 
around Danville is drained by Mahoning creek. 



20 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



GEOLOGY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 

Columbia and Montour counties lie wholly 
within the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton basins 
of the anthracite region, known as the Wyo- 
ming Valley. This section was part of the ter- 
ritory claimed by Connecticut and afterwards 
awarded to Pennsylvania. It gains the name of 
Wyoming from the Indian title of Maughwau- 
wama, a Delaware word, meaning large plains. 
Although broken by lofty hills, the term applies 
very appropriately to this section of the State, 
owing to the broad and comparatively level 
valleys that lie between the hills. Few of these 
hills attain the dignity of mountains, the high- 
est being but i ,600 feet, but they afford charm- 
ingly varied views of a prosperous and pictur- 
esque country from their different summits. 

The general geological structure of the rocks 
of these counties includes the Pocono or Potts- 
ville Conglomerates in the higher elevations, 
the Catskill and Chemung rocks in the lower 
hills, and in the valleys the outcrops of the 
Hamilton, Lower Helderberg and Salina for- 
mations. These rocks are only included in the 
Older Secondary system and comprise the vari- 
ous strata Nos. \' to XI, inclusive, classihed by 
the second geological survey of the State. 

Columbia and Montour counties are just 
outside of the mining region of the anthracite 
fields, although many mines have been opened 
and operated continuously for years in the ex- 
treme southeastern part of Columbia county. 
The anthracite veins are usually above the high- 
est layers of rock on the summits of the hills of 
these counties, therefore "out of sight" in this 
immediate section, but to the east and south of 
the borders of Columbia the coal veins sink to 
points where they can be profitably mined. The 
soft coal strata of the western part of the State, 
which have made the fortunes of thousands, 
are here completelv eroded away and are the- 
oretically at .IvOOO feet in the air above us. 

The rocks of this section are not only com- 
pressed and twisted into strange forms, but thev 
are forced up into steep ridges and basins, but 
for which the operations of the miner would 
be more difficult and hazardous. This uplift 
has forced many of the strata into the light and 
greatly assisted in the work of mineral research 
and exploitation, besides adding to the pictur- 
esnue beauty of the cliffs and valleys. 

In addition to the action of the subterranean 
forces of past ages the more recent (compara- 
tively) erosion of the glaciers has further di- 
versified the surface of these regions. The end 
of the sreat glaciers or sea of ice that covered 
all of New York State and extended to the 



Susquehanna was marked by a terminal 
moraine, or ridge, of boulders and debris left 
by the melting of the ice. This moraine was 
l^ter torn apart and scattered in places over 
the land by the immense streams of water that 
arose from the rapidly melting ice fields, so 
causing the deep beds of sand and gravel all 
over this section. The glacial rivers also cut 
the deep clefts in the strata to be seen where 
the rivers and creeks force their way through 
Montour ridge and other elevations. 

The mineral products of these counties are 
few, agriculture leading as a source of wealth. 
However, in the past the iron ores were of great 
industrial importance, atid supplied the raw 
material for furnaces at Bloomsburg and Dan- 
\ille. These veins of ore have been worked 
out in the last twenty years, or have been found 
to descend to such depths as to make exploi- 
tation unprofitable. The iron ores of the Lake 
Superior region can be mined and shipped to 
this point for less than it takes to produce the 
native ores, and the old methods of smelting 
being replaced by the more simple modern ones 
caused the abandonment of the furnaces in this 
region. 

The quarrying of slate for mantels and roof- 
ing purposes was prosecuted in Hemlock town- 
ship, Columbia county, but through lack of 
knowledge of the business and deficiency of 
funds the enterprise was abandoned some years 
ago. The raw material is still there and, with 
modern machines and a cultivated market, 
would probably make it well worth while to 
revive the industry. 

The mining of limestone for Ijurning pur- 
poses was at one time the leafling industry of 
both counties, but at present the plants in use 
are found only in the vicinity of Lime Ridge, 
in Columbia county, along the line of Montour 
ridge, south of Frostv Valley and as far west 
as Limestoneville, in Montour county. At 
Lime Ridge and west of there two firms are 
quarrying the limestones for ballast and burn- 
ing purposes, producing a fine grade of 
hydrated lime and some small quantities of 
building stone. Near Espy, Rhone Trescott 
has a quarry in the Bossardville limestones 
which contains a thin vein of galena, from 
which he obtains several carloads of ore per 
year, yielding a high percentage of lead. This 
is jirobably the source of the lead brought to 
the Fishing creek neighborhood by the Indians 
during their occupation of the section of 
country near Orangeville. At that time the 
owners of the land believed that the lead was 
obtained at a nearer point. 

The onlv mines of anthracite coal in this sec- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



21 



tioii are to be found in Beaver and Conyngham 
townships, Columbia county, although it was 
formerly thought that coal could be developed 
in Briarcreek township, while in 19 1 4 discover- 
ies of coal have been made in the vicinity of 
Exchange, Ivlontour county. The mines are 
treated m the separate sketches of these town- 
ships. 

GEOLOGY OF THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS 

Following are short reviews of the charac- 
teristic formation and elevations of the town- 
ships and boroughs of Columbia and Montour 
counties, Columbia being the tirst in order of 
description. 

Columbia County 

Scott — Most of the strata of the Clinton and 
Helderberg formations are exposed in this 
township along Montour ridge. Fossil iron 
ore was formerly extensively mined at several 
points, but is now exhausted. Several quar- 
ries were at one time operated along the ridge 
for lime burning, but are now abandoned. The 
highest elevation of Montour ridge in this 
township is 900 feet. 

Centre — Most of the formations character- 
istic of this part of the State are shown in this 
township, along Montour ridge and Hunting- 
ton mountain. The Bossardville and Lower 
Helderberg limestones are extensively mined 
for lime burning and cement purposes, while 
the Bastard limestone between, which caused so 
much trouble in the past to quarrymen by rea- 
son of its hardness and awkward location, is 
now broken into a fine quality of road material. 
Lead and zinc were found in granular state in 
small pockets in the Upper Salina limestone 
beds, and were supposed to warrant exploita- 
tion, but although thousands of dollars were 
spent in investigation there were no tangible 
results. The entire valley of this township 
south of Lime Ridge is covered with boulders 
and gravel, deposited in the past by glacial 
and alluvial action. The highest point of the 
Huntington mountain in the township is about 
1,500 feet. 

Briarcreek — Here the Montour axis passes 
under the tow-n of Berwick, while Hamilton 
and Knob mountains pass almost entirely across 
the area of the township. Both elevations are 
about 1,500 feet above the sea. Glacial action 
cut the valley between these mountains and re- 
mains of ice deposits of boulders and trash are 
to be abundantly found. These were the ac- 
cumulations from the great terminal moraine 



of the glacier that at one time covered the State 
of New York and extended as far south as 
Berwick. 

Mifflin — The rocks of this township extend 
from the Pocono beds in the summit of Nesco- 
peck mountain to the Lower Helderberg lime- 
stone in the bed of the Susquehanna opposite 
Mifflinville. The glacier that came as far south 
as Berwick did not cross the river to this town- 
ship, but poured its melting ice streams into the 
Susquehanna. Later stream action caused the 
deposits of rounded boulders and gravel to 
cover the surface of this section. The crest 
of Nescopeck mountain, which forms the 
southern border of the township, is 1,625 feet 
above sea level. 

Sugarloaf — The rocks of this township be- 
long to the Catskill formation, with the excep- 
tion of a narrow belt of Pocono which forms 
the summit of North mountain. Drift heaps 
and gravel beds cover most of the area. The 
highest elevation in this township is 1,275 f^^t^- 

Benton — The Catskill and Chemung rocks 
predominate here. Drift and gravel beds pre- 
dominate. The greatest altitude in this town- 
ship is 850 feet. 

Jackson — Catskill and Chemung red sand- 
stones are found here, with many boulder beds. 
Glacial remains abound. The greatest altitude 
is 1,280 feet. 

Pine — Chemung, Catskill and Hamilton for- 
mations predominate in this section. Genesee 
shales and Tully limestones are also found. The 
greatest elevation is 1,315 feet. 

Greemvood — Chemung and Hamilton rocks 
here predominate. There are also found areas 
of Genesee black shale. In the Chemung sand- 
stones a quarry was once operated near the 
Mount Pleasant township line, furnishing 
rough building stone. This township is prac- 
tically free from boulders. The land is gener- 
ally free from stones, and the rocks are of the 
black shale. The highest elevation is near 
Millville— 825 feet. 

Fishingcreek — Pocono, Catskill, Chemung, 
Genesee and Hamilton rocks are here exposed. 
Glacial deposits form the great plain along 
Huntington creek. The highest point is Hunt- 
ington mountain, 1,500 feet above sea level. 

Orange — The rocks in this township run 
from the Pocono to the base of the Chemung 
formation. Great heaps of rounded boulders 
are scattered over the hill summits and give 
evidence of the sea having covered this section 
of the State in past ages. From the summit of 
Knob mountain an extensive view is had of the 
counties of Montour and Columbia. This alti- 
tude is 1,430 feet. 



22 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Mount Pleasant — The Chemung, Lower Hel- 
derberg and Salina formations predominate 
here. The limestones are shghtly magnesian 
and would make good Portland cement. Others 
can be burned for lime. At the forks of the 
road near Little Fishing creek the highest point 
above the sea, just above Mordansville, is 535 
feet. 

Hemlock — Almost a complete section from 
the Catskill formation down to the basal beds 
of the Clinton is found in this township along 
the banks of Fishing creek. A large quarry 
was formerly operated in the Hamilton shales, 
from which a hne grade of slate for mantels 
and tables was sawn, by the Thomas Slate Com- 
pany. At this quarry the Marcellus slates were 
also mined for roofing and school slates. The 
Lower Helderberg limestone was mined at 
this place for the Bloomsburg furnaces, also 
about a mile east of Buckhorn. The Blooms- 
burg Iron Company and William Neal & Sons 
quarried the fossil iron ore in the Montour 
ridge. The highest elevation in this township 
is 975 feet. 

Montour — Catskill, Chemung and Genesee 
shales are the range of rocks in this township, 
covering a section of 4,784 feet. Between 
Catawissa bridge and Rupert the exposures 
along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 
railroad, at the end of Montour ridge, are the 
most complete in the county. A student of 
geology will find much of value to observe here, 
and the lover of the picturesque will be gratified 
by the varied scenery to be found at this spot. 
Indications are found here that the Susque- 
hanna once flowed in a channel directly west- 
ward to Danville through the valley north of 
Montour ridge. The Bossardville limestone 
has been quarried for agricultural uses by sev- 
eral persons in this vicinity, but was found too 
impure for building uses. The fossil iron ore 
was also at one time mined about a mile and a 
half west of Fishing creek. The highest point 
of Montour ridge in this township is 755 feet. 
Bloornsbnrg — The Clinton, Salina, Lower 
Helderberg and Hamilton formations are ex- 
posed along the banks of Fishing creek beside 
the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad tracks. At 
many places outcroppings of fossil iron ore are 
found and have been almost completely mined 
out in the past. The town of Bloomsburg is 
located on three terraces composed of deposits 
from streams in the past. The highest terrace 
in Bloomsburg is on Second street, where the 
altitude is 571; feet. 

Main — Cutting through Nescopeck moun- 
tain, Catawissa creek here exposes all of the 
Pocono and Catskill formations. The Catskill 



sandstones here were at one time quarried for 
building purposes. About 1,500 feet is the 
height of the mountain at this point. 

Catawissa — All of the diflferent formations 
characteristic of this county are shown along 
the Susquehanna from Catawissa to the 
Bloomsburg bridge, along the bluffs of Cata- 
wissa (or Nescopeck) mountain. None of the 
limestones here have been commercially 
worked. The height of Catawissa mountain is 
estimated at 1,600 feet. 

Franklin — Only a few of the characteristic 
formations of this county are exposed in this 
township. A dividing ridge, part of Catawissa 
mountain, separates the Susquehanna from 
Roaring creek in the central part of the town- 
ship. Elevations range from 900 to 1,400 feet 
above sea level. 

Locust — Little mountain, along the southern 
border of this township, has an elevation of 
1,040 feet, and exposes the Pocono formation 
to some extent. Other strata are shown at 
various gaps in the hills and mountain, made 
by the branches of Roaring creek. 

Montour County 

Cooper — In the tunnel cut to drain the old 
quarry of Grove Brothers, at Grovania, the ex- 
posures of Catskill and Chemung rocks are 
very complete. The Lower Helderberg lime- 
stone is the one quarried here now for lime, as 
it was for furnace uses in the past. Some fos- 
siliferous iron ore was also mined in the past, 
but is now exhausted. The ancient valley of 
the Susquehanna, through vvhich that river 
once flowed before it carved its way through 
the Montour axis, is shown in the center of 
this township, and forms the basis of the best 
farms in this vicinity. The elevation of the 
ridge here is about 760 feet. 

Mahoning — The formations characteristic of 
Montour ridge are to be found in this township. 
A number of limestone quarries were formerly 
operated in this township to supply the fur- 
naces at Danville, but are now idle. Iron ore 
was also extensively mined, but has long since 
been exhausted. About 700 feet is the height 
of the ridge here. 

Liberty — The lowest beds of the Clinton 
slates form Montour ridge here, while the 
Oriskany chert and the Lower Helderberg lime- 
stone make Lime Ridge in the northern border 
of the township. The Hamilton and Bossard- 
ville limestones have here been extensively 
quarried. Montour ridge stands 900 feet above 
sea level, while Lime Ridge is about 100 feet 
lower. 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



23 



Valley — Most of the rocks in this township 
are of the Chemung-Catskill formations. The 
Clinton iron ore has been extensively mined 
along the sides of Montour ridge, being fol- 
lowed to great depths by means of drifts, the 
dip being about 30 degrees. Limestone quar- 
ries were numerous in the days of iron work- 
ing, but now have passed into disuse. About 
800 feet is the greatest elevation in this town- 
ship, on Montour ridge. 

PVest Hemlock — As is the case in the adjoin- 
ing townships, the Chemung-Catskill forma- 
tions here predominate. The Hamilton beds 
are too deeply buried to make profitable work- 
ing here. The greatest elevation in this town- 
ship is almost 1,000 feet above the sea. 

berry — The Hamilton, Helderberg and Che- 
mung rocks are here to be seen. A large quarry 
was formerly operated near Washingtonville, 
the product being lime and building stone. The 
greatest elevation in this township is 900 feet 
above the sea. 

Limestone — Limestone ridge, the southern 
boundary, is composed of the Oriskany sand- 
stones and the Helderberg limestones. Many 
limestone quarries were operated in this sec- 
tion, getting their product from the Bossard- 
ville and Stormville beds.. The greatest eleva- 
tion is 780 feet, on Limestone ridge. 

Anthony — This township was once a vast 
valley filled with a mighty stream, remains of 
whose action are shown in the boulder heaps 
that strew the surface. The only rocks that 
here appear above the horizon are the Hamil- 
ton and Chemung. In the highlands of the 
north the greatest elevation is 1,200 feet. 

Mayberry — The formations in this township 
are of similar character to those in Franklin 
township, Columbia county, adjoining. No 
quarries have been opened here, although the 
rocks have been used for building purposes 
locally. Sharp ridge, running through the 
center of the township, is about 300 feet above 
sea level. 

THE IRON INDUSTRY 

The mineral productions of Columbia county 
are of considerable value and form one of the 
sources of wealth for the people, but the yearly 
output is only a fraction of that of the past. 
During the operation of the iron furnaces at 
Bloomsburg and other points the production of 
this metal was the most important business in 
the county. All of the ore came from the sides 
of Montour ridge and was of a fossiliferous 
character. Near the surface the ore was like 
loose soil, but below the layers became harder 



and filled with limestone and many fossils. 
Below the fossiliferous horizon the ore is poor 
and the cost of working it prohibitive. For this 
reason the mines of the county were gradually 
abandoned as fast as the upper layers of ore 
became exhausted. 

The discovery of iron ore in Columbia county 
was made in 1822 by Robert Green, a farm 
laborer employed by Henry Young of Hem- 
lock township, while plowing a field near the 
end of Montour ridge, on the bank of Fishing 
creek. He opened a drift and demonstrated 
the value of the vein. For twenty years this 
ore was mined and transported to the Esther 
and Penn furnaces, across the Susquehanna. 

Columbia County Furnaces 

Before the discovery of ore in the northern 
part of the county the Catawissa furnace was 
built in Main township on Furnace run, near 
Catawissa creek, by John Hauck, in 181 5. He 
had the advantage of proximity to the road to 
Reading and abundant wood for charcoal. The 
ore was at first procured from the neighbor- 
hood of Bloomsburg, but after the discovery 
of the deposits in Hemlock township most of 
the raw material came from the latter source. 

For several years this was the only furnace 
in the county. The product was sent to Read- 
ing to be forged and the finished iron returned 
for home consumption. This was changed by 
the construction in 1824 of a forge near the fur- 
nace by Harley & Evans and the double han- 
dling done away with. Both furnace and forge 
were operated until 1883, when the distance 
from the mines and the cost of fuel caused 
their abandonment. The introduction of the 
anthracite process of smelting also made the 
furnace obsolete, as it was of the old charcoal, 
hot-blast design. A crumbling wall, overgrown 
with bushes, now marks the site of this once 
famous iron works. 

The grading of the stage road to Reading 
through Locust township in 181 7 caused the 
construction of the Esther furnace by Michael 
and Samuel Bittler. It was located on land 
originally patented to Samuel Shakespeare in 
1773, on Roaring creek, nineteen miles from 
Fort Augusta (now Sunbury). David Shake- 
speare inherited the land and his executors 
deeded it to Jacob Yocum, from whom it passed 
to the Bittler family. 

There was neither iron nor limestone near, 
but an abundance of wood. Most of the ore 
came from the Fishing creek region after the 
opening of the mines there. After various en- 
largements the furnace was leased successively 



24 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



to John and Samuel Trego, and Fincher & 
Thomas. In 1845 Samuel Uiemer became les- 
see. Later owners were John Richards, John 
Thomas, D. J. Waller, Sr., Casper Thomas, 
Jacob Schuyler and J. B. Robison. The open- 
ing of the canal along the Susquehanna in 1832 
made Catawissa the main shipping point of the 
county and the furnace was abandoned. 

The Irondale furnaces were built by the 
Bloomsburg Railroad & Iron Company in 1844 
and were lined-up and blown-in in 1845 by 
James Ralston, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. 
A railroad was built around the hill along Fish- 
ing creek to connect the furnaces with the 
canal. At that time iron ore was found in 
great quantities in the hills all around the 
town and the canal offered a cheap means of 
transporting the coal and finished product. 
During the Civil war there was a mint of 
money in the iron business and the furnaces 
were kept running constantly, turning out 
about thirty tons of pig iron a day, the price 
going at one time to $40 a ton. 

The plant in 1886 consisted of two furnaces, 
a waterpower house and a steampower house, 
a large store, a mansion house, twenty-three 
tenement houses comprising the settlement 
known as Morgantown, and a narrow-gauge 
railroad from the furnaces to the Lackawanna 
& Bloomsburg railroad. The company also 
had leases on many thousands of acres of ore 
lands in the county. 

C. R. Paxton was president of the company 
and resided in the mansion near the furnaces. 
On his removal to Virginia, about 1874, E. R. 
Drinker became superintendent. But the iron 
trade had declined, and the ore beds in this 
section were worked out, necessitating the 
transportation of most of the ore used from 
Snyder county (Pa.) and Maryland, thus in- 
creasing the cost of production. 

In 1889 the stock of the Bloomsburg Iron 
Company was purchased by Col. S. Knorr and 
L. S. Wintersteen, and the management 
changed. But iron continued to decline in 
price, and Colonel Knorr's death occurring soon 
after, the furnaces were shut down. In 1893 
the Bloomsburg Iron Company, through its 
president, L. S. Wintersteen, sold the property 
to H. C. Pease, who tore down the furnaces 
and began the erection of a stone building in- 
tended for manufacturing purposes. This 
operation was stayed by injunction, and the 
executrix of Colonel Knorr's estate, desiring 
an accounting, petitioned the court for the ap- 
pointment of a receiver, which was granted, 
H. A. McKillip being the appointee. After 
proceedings in court. Pease reconveyed the 



property to H. A. McKillip, receiver, and the 
property was sold by him at public sale to the 
Bloomsburg Water Company, the title pass- 
ing on June 11, 1896. So passed out of exist- 
ence what had for many years been the leading 
industry of Bloomsburg. The store building 
has been unoccupied for years, the Paxton 
mansion, whose occupants were so long among 
the social leaders of the town, is now a tene- 
ment house, and every vestige of the furnaces 
has disappeared. The waterpower house has 
passed into the ownership of the Irondale Elec- 
tric Light Company, and been rebuilt, and is 
a well kept property. 

In 1852 an agreement was entered into by 
William McKelvey, William Neal and Jacob 
Melick to erect and operate an anthracite iron 
furnace, taking the ore from the farm of the 
latter, east of Fishing creek. In 1853 seventeen 
acres were purchased from Daniel Snyder and 
Joseph W. Hendershott on the canal, east of 
the town of Bloomsburg, and in April, 1854, 
the "Bloom" furnace was blown-in. In 1873 
the firm name was changed from McKelvey, 
Neal & Co. to William Neal & Sons. Up to 
1875 the gross product of this furnace was 
17,968 tons, but later the yearly product was 
greatly increased. By 18S3 the ore deposits 
near Bloomsburg were exhausted and the fur- 
naces in the vicinity were supplied from mines 
in New Jersey. 

All of these furnaces were abandoned in 
1892, the property sold and the furnaces torn 
down. The site is now occupied by the power- 
house and car barn of the North Branch Tran- 
sit Company, the only visible remains of the 
furnace being the brick water reservoir and the 
slag heaps along the abandoned bed of the 
canal. The slag is now broken up and used 
to ballast the streets of Bloomsburg. 

Two other furnaces were built at Light 
Street between 1844 and 1850 by Gen. Matthew 
McDowell and Samuel Bettle. Both were 
shortlived, their greater rivals at Bloomsburg 
getting the advantage in shipping and receiv- 
ing facilities. One of these furnaces was oper- 
ated by Peter Ent and stood just above the 
upper mill. The B. & S. railroad runs through 
the center of the slag heap. The other fur- 
nace stood at the lower end of the town. Both 
are completely gone. 

Montour County Furnaces and Mills 

The first charcoal furnace was built by Eli 
Trego in 1837, near the crossing of the Read- 
ing railroad at Mill street, Danville. 

The first anthracite iron furnace in 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



25 



Montour county was built by Burd Pat- 
terson near the mouth of Roaring creek, 
in Mayberry township, in 1839. After 
passing through successive hands it came 
into the possession of Simon P. Kase, of 
Danville, in 1857, who ran it for a short 
time and then abandoned it. The ore was ob- 
tained from Montour ridge and carried across 
the river on flats. 

In 1838 Patterson built a charcoal furnace 
at the site of the present Lackawanna railroad 
crossing in the eastern part of Danville. This 
he operated for a short time, but the intro- 
duction of anthracite coal soon made the fur- 
nace obsolete, and it was therefore abandoned. 
Later Patterson built a nail factory near it, 
but this also was a failure. 

Michael and John Grove were the first suc- 
cessful furnacenien, after anthracite coal was 
adopted. They built two furnaces, one in 1840 
and the other in 1859, on Mahoning street, Dan- 
ville. A 400-horsepowcr engine ran the blast 
and about seventy-five men were employed. 
They closed down in 1880. 

Chambers & Biddle built two furnaces in 
1840, and another in 1845. A rolling mill was 
added in 1844, and the plant took the name of 
Montour Iron Works. Here the first T rails 
in the East were made, U rails having been 
previously the chief product. A foundry and 
machine shop were added in 1852, and in 1857 
a new rail mill was added. This foundry dur- 
ing the Civil war cast many of the cannon and 
mortars used by the Union forces. It had cast 
in 1842 the first cannon in the United States 
made of anthracite iron. 

In 1880 the works came into the hands of the 
Philadelphia & Reading Iron Company, which 
now operates them. 

The last furnace built in Montour county 
was the Chulasky furnace, on the line of North- 
umberland county, in 1846. Its capacity was 
6,500 tons of soft gray forge pig iron per an- 
num. It was idle after 1893. 

Besides the plants mentioned, Danville has 
had numerous other iron foundries and mills, 
among them being these old ones : Enterprise 
Foundry. Danville Iron Foundry, National 
Iron Foundry, Co-operative Iron & Steel 
Works, Glendower Iron Works, National Iron 
Company's Works and the Danville Stove 
Works. The present plants are the Readmg 
Iron Works, the Danville Stove Works, the 
Danville Steel Works, the Tube Mill and the 
Danville Foundry & Machine Works. 

At present Danville is the only strictly iron- 
making town in the two counties. The Ameri- 
can Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, have 
a pipe works and a rolling mill, but only for 



their own use. There are two large foundries 
at the car plants, a general machine shop, and 
a small foundry for the manufacture of sash 
weights, at Bloomsburg. This completes the 
list for the two counties in 19 14. 

Furnaces Abandoned 

At present there are no furnaces in operation 
in either Columbia or Montour counties, most 
of the iron works consisting of foundries and 
rolling mills, which obtain their raw material 
from the furnaces around Pittsburg. Those 
who have no knowledge of the old charcoal 
furnaces and their operation will find a descrip- 
tion of the methods then used interesting. 

The early furnaces averaged twenty-five feet 
in height by seven feet across the "bosch," or 
widest part of the interior. The fuel was 
strictly charcoal and the blast was cold, being 
driven by leather bellows through a "tuyere" 
into the mass of charcoal and ore. Later on 
wooden "tubs" were used to create the blast, 
somewhat like short cylinders, with a piston 
working horizontally, the power coming from 
a water wheel in the nearest stream. These 
"tubs" were used as late as 1878, even after the 
introduction of anthracite coal as fuel. 

The product of these charcoal furnaces was 
from ten to twenty-five tons of pig iron per 
week, which sold at the furnace at fifteen dol- 
lars a ton. Some of the furnaces in later years 
produced stoves, pots and plows. 

After the charcoal furnaces were abandoned 
and the process of smelting by anthracite in- 
troduced the highest period of development in 
the iron industry ensued. It was the most im- 
portant source of wealth to the people and 
gave employment to thousands. Owing to 
its success the growth of Danville and Blooms- 
burg from 1844 to 1890 was due, but the clos- 
ing of the mines and the abandonment of the 
furnaces did not seriously affect the prosperity 
of these places, for the wealth gathered from 
the earth was not of an evanescent character 
and the people had made use of their opportun- 
ity to establish the towns on a permanent foun- 
dation. 

In filling the old anthracite furnaces, alter- 
nate layers of ore, coal and limestone were 
used, about three tons of ore making a ton of 
pig iron. The furnaces were run continuously, 
being filled from the top as fast as the iron 
was drawn from the bottom. Casting was 
done twice a day. Not only did the local foun- 
dries use the product, but" it was in great de- 
mand by the foundries all over the eastern 
half of the State. 

During the years when the iron mines of the 



26 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



two counties were in operation the annual 
production was an average of 20,000 tons. For 
each ton of pig iron were required 3.25 tons 
of ore, 2.05 tons of coal and 1.59 tons of lime- 
stone. 



COAL MINING 

Practically all the anthracite coal produced 
in the world comes from an area of 484 square 
miles in northeastern Pennsylvania. In this 
region 87 per cent of the total acreage of coal 
lands is owned by eleven railroad corporations. 
The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com- 
pany controls 63 per cent of all the anthracite 
coal in the United States, and more than half 
of the mines in Columbia county. These rail- 
roads own the mines, the rails and rolling stock, 
the yards and pockets in the cities, operate the 
wholesaling companies and control the retail- 
ers. Thus they fix the price of coal to the 
consumer. 

The cost of mining a ton of coal in the 
Schuylkill region is Si. 80. The roads owning 
the mines charge $1.50 a ton freight for house- 
hold sizes of coal transported to tidewater. 
This is 30 per cent more than the rate for gen- 
eral merchandise. Coal at the mine mouth is 

$3.75 per ton. The freight charge is $1.50; 

the railroad's wholesaling branch charges 

twenty-five cents for handling, and the retailer 

adds $1.25 more, making the cost of a ton of 

coal to the householder $6.75 in New York. 
The United States government owns and 

operates a coal mine at Williston, N. Dak., 

where the cost of mining a tori is $1.78. This 

includes all charges except transportation. 

Although within the coal region of the east- 
em part of Pennsylvania, Columbia county has 

few mines of that precious mineral. These are 

located in Beaver and Conyngham townships, 

the latter being the only ones profitably 

worked. 

There is a great difference in the soft and 

hard coal mining regions. In the former the 

beds lie low down in the strata and are regu- 
lar in character and easily mined. But anthra- 
cite coal beds are contorted, turned over and 

jammed into strange and irregular forms. 

Squeezed by enormous pressure in past ages, 

they disappear in one spot only to expand 

Name Location Operator — 1882 Tons 

Bast Big Mine run P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 90,161 

Potts Locustdale P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 83,941 

Hazel Dell Centralia L. A. Riley & Co 7,638 

Continental Centralia Lehigh Valley Coal Co 16,542 



into thick layers in another. They plunge to 
a depth of two thousand feet in one place 
below water level, and in a short distance 
rise more than a thousand feet above the sea. 
In the Pottsville region, of which Columbia 
beds are a part, the coal lies in long, narrow 
basins under the valleys of the streams, the 
edges of which rise to the tops of the moun- 
tains and the centers sink several hundred 
feet below the surface. 

Most of the mining is done by "stripping" 
off the upper layers of conglomerate rock 
which are characteristic of the hard coal re- 
gions, and as the stratum of coal sinks slopes 
are run in the same direction until the bottom 
of the basin is reached. The coal is hauled 
to the "breakers" and there broken, sorted and 
freed from slate. Vast piles of refuse or 
"culm" have accumulated in years around 
these breakers and render the scene gloomy 
and desolate. 

Coal was discovered in Beaver township in 
1826, but not till 1854 was any attempt made 
to mine it. The Columbia Coal & Iron Com- 
pany was formed in 1864 by Simon P. Kase, 
of Danville, and a railroad built to McCauley 
mountain. In 1867 shipments of the coal be- 
gan and in 1869 the mines were exhausted and 
the railroad removed. The mines are now 
operated by the Beaver Valley Coal Company, 
and produced 4,000 tons in 1913. None of the 
companies here have ever made more than 
bare operating expenses, as the coal is on the 
extreme tops of McCauley and Buck moun- 
tains, in shallow strata and difficult of access. 
The mines in Conyngham were opened be- 
tween 1854 and 1867. Most of them are lo- 
cated on the lands of the Girard estate and 
leased by the Reading and Lehigh \'alley Rail- 
road Companies. The principal mines now 
open are the Continental and Repellier col- 
lieries at Centralia ; the Midvalley collieries 
at Aristes ; and the Morris Ridge and North 
Ashland collieries, below Centralia. 

According to the figures published by the 
State Geological Commission in 1882 the total 
production of the mines then in operation in 
Columbia county was 722,114 tons. Follow- 
ing are the names of the mines, location and 
operators : 



Monroe Montana 

Logan Centralia 

Centralia Centralia 



A. H. Church 35,8S4 

L. A. Riley & Co 231,169 

L. A. Riley & Co 88,283 

Bear City Centralia John Q. Williams 2,000 

Morris Ridge Centralia May & Co SS.490 

North Ashland Centralia P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 111,036 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



27 



The Bast, Monroe and Bear City collieries 
have been abandoned. With the exception of 
the colliery at Locustdale, all the mines are 
now under the control of the Lehigh Valley 
Railroad Company. Three mines have been 
opened since the above table was published, the 
Repellier and the Midvalley Nos. i and 2. 

From the mines in Conyngham and Beaver 
townships during 1913 there were produced 
1,078,481 tons of anthracite coal. Based on 
the average wholesale selling price of $2.38 
per ton, tiie value of this coal was $2,566,- 
784.78, or almost one and three tenths per 
cent of the total production of hard coal in 
the State. The average cost of mining was 
$2.07 per ton. 

Although the early ironmasters of Danville 
often prospected for coal in various parts of 
Montour county their efforts were never re- 
warded by success. It remained for the 
drouth of 1914 to reveal the hidden veins of 
anthracite to two farmers of the vicinity of 
Exchange, who were seeking deeper veins 
of water for their stock. 

For many years Judge J. L. Brannen of 
Exchange had noticed in the bed of the Chil- 
lisquaque rounded fragments of coal, but he 
did not seek to ascertain their source. In 
October of 1914 P. C. Dennen and William 
Houghton, farmers of the neighborhood of 
Exchange, about the same date dug new wells, 
both going to a depth of over seventy feet. 
At that depth they simultaneously struck a 
stratum of anthracite coal, measuring from 
three to four feet in thickness, which on test- 
ing proved to be of similar character to the 
best product of the hard coal regions. The 
coal lies in the usual basin-shaped form so 
characteristic of this grade of fuel, and will 
be worked by "stripping" and shafts. The 
quantity and extent of the deposit have not yet 
been demonstrated. 

Along the Susquehanna river are a number 
of dredges, which operate in low stages of 
water, bringing up from the river bed the coal 
which has "drifted down in flood time. This 
coal, unlike the soft variety, will not disinte- 
grate. During 19 13 these dredges washed 
out 133,986 tons of salable coal. 



The coal is washed into the river from 
the culm banks, where the slate sinks into the 
crevices, while the coal floats down slowly 
and steadily, year by year, until it is lifted 
to the surface by the dredges. Most of the 
coal taken out has been in the water at least 
thirty years, as its rounded shape would indi- 
cate. The dredges are simple and their cost 
is low, about $200 covering engine and boat. 

OTHER MINERALS 

No estimate can be had regarding the pro- 
duction of lime and limestone, or cement. 
There are a number of large and small plants 
in both counties, most of which cater to the 
local trade. 

At one time the slate mines near Buckhorn 
were a source of profit to their owners, but 
they have been abandoned for many years. 

The production of galena or lead ore is so 
small as to be of little interest to the reader, 
the greatest quantity being insufficient to war- 
rant exploitation. It is obtained in connec- 
tion with the limestone at mines near Lime 
Ridge and Espy. 

In this connection reference may be made 
to the copper deposits of Sugarloaf township, 
which are of no real value, but were consid- 
ered valuable by the promoters of the company 
who built the smelter near Central and sank 
a large sum of money in the vain endeavor 
to reduce the ore commercially. 

STATE REPORTS 

According to the reports received by the 
State Geological Survey the mineral produc- 
tion of Columbia and Montour counties 
showed a decline in 1913 of over $125,000, 
as compared with 1912. This is in marked 
contrast with most of the counties of the 
State and to the State as a whole, which 
showed a very distinct increase in value. 

The products reported were brick and tile, 
anthracite coal, sand and gravel, pottery, lime- 
stone and lime. It is impossible to give the 
details of production, without itemizing the 
individual output. 



CHAPTER IV 



AGRICULTURE 



Owing to the lack of complete reports from 
the agricultural department of the State, no 
reliable statistics are to be had regarding the 
agricultural productions and stock raising 
possibilities of Columbia and Montour coun- 
ties at present. The principal products of 
these counties now, as in the past, are wheat, 
buckwheat, oats, corn, rye, potatoes, and other 
farm products of lesser importance. Probably 
most of the available land in both counties is 
now under cultivation, and the crops will bear 
comparison in quality and quantity with those 
of the other States of the Union. 

Among the grain producing States Pennsyl- 
vania ranks first in buckwheat, fourth in rye, 
eleventh in wheat, twelfth in oats, and four- 
teenth in corn. In the production of wheat 
this section of the State stands second, but in 
buckwheat it is at the top. One of the famous 
products of Columbia county at one time was 
an Amber wheat, developed and introduced 
throughout the United States by William J. 
Martin, of Catawissa. The numerous grist- 
mills of the two counties, described at length 
in another chapter, are an evidence of the im- 
portance of the growing of grain in this sec- 
tion. Among them is the Millville mill, which 
ranks among the largest buckwheat mills of 
the Union. 

In early times buckwheat was the chief crop 
of this section, as it will grow on new and 
partially reclaimed land, so the pioneer farm- 
ers depended on it principally. This estab- 
lished the fame of the region for buckwheat, 
and the years have seen but little diminution 
of the product. Most of the buckwheat of 
these years is grown around Millville, Benton, 
Orangeville and Washingtonville, although 
quantities are also grown in other parts of 
both counties. The rapid growth of this grain 
is one of the reasons for its continued popu- 
larity, only ninety days being required for 
planting, growth and harvesting, in compari- 
son with the 270 days needed for a crop of 
wheat. 



The flour from buckwheat is used chiefly 
for griddle cakes, one of the prominent hotels 
of New York City making a specialty of serv- 
ing cakes made from Fishingcreek buckwheat. 
A small amount of the flour is used to make 
"scrapple" by butchers, while in Holland it 
is extensively used in the manufacture of gin. 
In 1904, when wet weather damaged the crop, 
quantities of buckwheat were exported to Hol- 
land from Columbia and Montour counties. 

In the matter of wheat but little can be 
ascertained, although there are many mills 
equipped with the modern roller process, 
which grind the grain for the local markets. 
Little wheat is exported from this section, 
the crop being about sufficient to supply all 
demands of the mills, with a small surplus. 

A comparison of the agricultural methods of 
the past and present is unnecessary. It can 
be said, however, that our farmers are sup- 
plied with all the implements that modern sci- 
ence can devise for the harvesting and working 
of farm crops. In addition the Bloomsburg 
State Normal School has a department of agri- 
culture, under the charge of Professor Hart- 
line, which devotes considerable time to lab- 
oratory and field work of a practical character. 

A comparison of values in early times with 
those of the present will be of interest to the 
reader. From an old copy of the Danville 
Observer we learn that in 1824 wheat sold in 
the open market at 65 cents a bushel, rye at 28 
cents, corn at 25 cents, oats at 15 cents, flax- 
seed at 55 cents, buckwheat at 20 cents, bees- 
wax at 28 cents a pound, pork at 4 cents, but- 
ter at 10 cents, and lard at 6 cents. 

In 1914 wheat sold at 90 cents a bushel, 
rye was not in the market, corn sold at 85 
cents, oats at 40 cents, flaxseed was not in the 
market, buckwheat was 65 cents a bushel, bees- 
wax 25 cents a pound, pork 13 cents, butter 
30 cents, and lard 12 cents. 

It is interesting to note that the price of 
beeswax has scarcely changed over three cents 
on the pound for more than one hundred 



28 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



29 



years. It is a natural product that man has 
never been able to imitate successfully. 
■ Among the famous products of this section 
was the Creveling grape, propagated by Mrs. 
Charity Creveling. wife of John Creveling, a 
member of the Society of Friends, residing 
near Espy. The first vine, from which cuttings 
were sent all over the Union, ran over a large 
pear tree beside the residence of Mr. Crevel- 
ing. 

Catawissa, which gave a variety of wheat to 
the world, was also the home of two fruits of 
national fame, which has not been dimmed 
even in this modern and rapid age. The 
Catawissa monthlv raspberry was propagated 
from a single plant discovered in the Friends' 
burial ground there and is noted from the fact 
that blossoms and berries appear at the same 
time from July to October. The Sharpless 
seedling strawberry was originated in 1872 
by J. K. Sharpless, of Catawissa, and extens- 
ively exploited by J. L. Dillon, of Blooms- 
burg. 

One of the industries of these counties 
wiiich has lapsed into the realm of memory is 
the production of maple sugar. In early days 
maple syrup and sugar were staple commo- 
dities, one townshiji — Sugarloaf — being named 
from the chief of its products. The sugar sea- 
son was as anxiously anticipated as the wheat 
harvest, and was more sure and lucrative. In 
the present time the loss of the noble maples, 
devastated by the woodman's axe, has caused 
an almost entire abandonment of this once 
famous industry. 

APPLE ORCHARDS 

Pennsylvania is third in the list of apple 
producing States, and has practically driven 
the western apple from the home market, be- 
cause a better apple can be produced here at 
a lower cost. This is true also of Columbia 
and Montour counties, where several varieties 
of apples have originated, among them being 
the Fornwald. Priestlv and Pennock varieties. 
Some of the best apples exhibited at recent 
State fairs have been from these counties and 
have received honorable mention. 

The pioneer commercial orchardist in Col- 
umbia countv is "Farmer" Creasy, master of 
the State Grange, who has developed to per- 
fection several varieties of apples on his farm, 
east of Catawissa. J. L. John, of Millville. in 
an old orchard that had been declared unpro- 
ductive, produced hundreds of bushels of 
marketable apples. .\. G. Everett of Pine 
township took Inold of an old orchard that had 



never given him a profitable crop, and in the 
tirst year sold over three hundred bushels of 
good apples. The next year he sold almost 
six hundred bushels of a better quality, and 
in the fourth year he harvested nearly twelve 
hundred bushels. 

Another instance is the experience of Ira 
Cherrington, of Roaringcreek township, 
Columbia county. He put brains, hard work 
and attention into an old orchard, and the 
first year after he began experimenting harv- 
ested a larger crop than ever before in its 
history. The following year he picked from 
the old trees a crop of 1,800 bushels of mar- 
ketable apples. 

Instances of this kind are occurring all over 
the two counties, and will be multiplied in the 
coming years, after the intelligent care now 
being bestowed on the orchards brings forth 
fruit. Some of these farmers have received 
over a dollar a bushel for their fruit in the 
local markets, but at less prices the industry 
is still very remunerative. If the counties 
continue to progress in this way during the 
coming vears Adams county, now the foremost 
fruit raising county in the State, will have 
to put forth renewed efforts to retain the prize 
medal. 

Aside from the big apple crops that are 
raised in Columbia and Montour counties there 
are a multitude of smaller fruits that, while 
singly insignificant, together form an aggre- 
gate of no mean volume, and are a source of 
considerable revenue to the farmer and his 
family. Each farm has a number of cherry, 
peach, quince, pear and other fruit trees, bear- 
ing a more or less valuable burden each year. 
There are one or two large peach orchards, but 
most of the farmers content themselves with 
raising only enough for local trade. Nor are 
the cultivated fruits the onlv profitable prod- 
ucts. The crabapple. huckleberry, elderberry, 
chestnut, walnut and hickorynut are plentiful 
and afford a source of spending money for 
the younger generation that is not of inconsid- 
erable importance. When taken altogether 
the financial value of these fruits and nuts 
assumes proportions that makes them count 
in the statistics of the counties. 

SWINE RAISING 

It is taken for granted that the average 
farmer will raise enoueh pork for his own use, 
and that is true of Columbia and Montour 
counties, but in addition enough hogs are 
raised to make the industry quite a lucrative 
one to the shippers supplying outside markets. 



30 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



The most popular breeds are the Berkshire, 
Chester- White, Duroc-Jersey and Poland- 
China, all of the fat or lard type of swine. It 
is not possible to designate the particular 
breed that is in the lead, neither can we state 
the number of animals shipped. Sufficient to 
say that the industry is a thriving one and in 
the future will be of considerable importance 
in this section of the State. 

SHEEP 

Only enough sheep are raised in Columbia 
and Montour counties to supply the local 
butchers, the wool being a side issue, and of 
little importance in a monetary way. There 
are many reasons for the decline of this in- 
dustry here. First come the many useless 
dogs, which soon develop a fondness for 
sheep killing. Then the fences are rapidly 
being taken down on the farms, and sheep are 
death to crops. Third, the farmers of the 
West are in a better position to raise sheep at 
lower prices than in the East. Lastly, the con- 
stant care required by this most defenceless 
animal makes the industry an unprofitable one 
to the farmer, who can utilize his energies in 
more lucrative employment. 

HORSE BREEDING 

Before the Civil war the breeding of horses 
was one of the chief of the side lines of the 
farmer in these counties, but in later years the 
Western horses came into the market at prices 
that made home-raised stock unprofitable. 
There was a time when a good Western team 
could be bought for $300, but the prices are 
slowly increasing as the Western ranches are 
cut up into farms, and the local horse breeding 
industry is regaining some of its lost prestige. 

A number of farsighted farmers are enter- 
ing this field, but still the local market cannot 
be supplied by local breeders, and from six to 
ten carloads of Western horses are each year 
brought in by dealers, who hold frequent sales 
at prominent points in both of the counties. 

CATTLE EPIDEMIC IN MONTOUR COUNTY 

Montour county has been unfortunate in 
having been the point in central Pennsylvania 
from which the aphthous fever, or foot and 
mouth disease of cattle, originated. The first 
discovery of this disease was made on Nov. 
9, 1908, on the farm of Jacob Shultz, of 
Cooper township. Almost at the same time 
it broke out among the cattle of Edward 



Shultz, of Boyd's Station, on the south side 
of the Susquehanna river, opposite Danville. 
It also infected the herds of the town. The 
first germs came from cattle shipped here from 
Buft'alo, N. Y., in that year. 

About the first of November, 1914, there 
was an outbreak of the aphthous fever, or 
foot and mouth disease, among the cattle of 
Columbia and Montour counties. It was 
brought to this section in shipments of cattle 
from Buft'alo and Lancaster. Several fine 
herds were found to be infected and prompt 
measures were taken by the State Livestock 
Sanitary Board to stamp out the disease. At 
the farm of Henry Cooper in Limestone 
township, Montour county, over thirty head 
of cattle and several hogs were killed by the 
State ; at the farm of Calvin Cooper in Madi- 
son township, Columbia county, about the 
same number \vere killed ; and on the fann of 
Charles Umstead, near Washingtonville, ten 
cows and a lot of hogs were killed. The in- 
fection of all of these came from one ship- 
ment from Buffalo. At Danville two herds 
were found to be diseased and promptly killed. 
They were in the stock-yards of William 
Mourey and at the farm connected with the 
Danville Hospital for the Insane. At the 
latter place over one hundred head of cattle 
and sixty hogs were killed. The infection 
here came from a shipment from Lancaster 

PROMINENT F.'^RMERS 

Among the prominent farmers of Montour 
county are Dr. W. R. Paules, whose large 
farm is near Washingtonville ; D. R. Roth- 
rock, owner of Pleasant Hill farm; Alexander 
Billmeyer, who owns fifteen farms, aggregat- 
ing a thousand acres, near Washingtonville ; 
George W. Watson, owner of Buttonwood 
Spring farm; and William L. Satteson, who 
operates Wilmshurst farm, near Exchange. 
T. E. Hyde, a stock raiser and extensive 
fanner, has a farm called Edgemont, on the 
edge of the two counties, near Grovania, that 
is a model in its methods of operation. An- 
other enterprise is the Guernseydale Stock 
Farms, near Rupert, owned by a corporation 
of considerable size, with still another farm 
near Catawissa. 

GRANGERS, OR PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY 

One of the strongest orders in Columbia 
and Montour counties is that of the Patrons 
of Husbandry, or Grangers, as they are gen- 
erally called. They have existed in Pennsyl- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



31 



vania for forty-two years and nearly every 
township in these two counties has an organ- 
ization in thriving condition, the members in 
many cases owning their hall and conducting 
a cooperative insurance association. Colum- 
bia county has fifteen granges, and Montour 
county, six. Every county in the State has 
a number, the total being 820, with a member- 
ship of 75,000. Columbia county has the most 
prosperous insurance association, the Briar 
Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company, car- 
rying $14,000,000 of insurance. 

The Master of the State Grange and editor- 
in-chief of the "Pennsylvania Grange News," 
Hon. William T. Creasy, is a resident of Cata- 
wissa township, directly opposite Bloomsburg, 
where he has one of the finest farms in the 
county. 

The platform of the Grange calls for equal- 
ization of taxation, the initiative, referendum 
and recall in State matters, and on national 
issues the organization has favored a grad- 
uated income tax, the parcel post, election of 
senators by direct vote, conservation of 
natural resources and waterpower, and opposed 
a ship subsidy, a centralized bank, and the 
sale of American goods at lower prices abroad 
than at home. All of these but the last have 
been accomplished, partly through the efforts 
of the Grange. 

In matters of legislation the Grange counts 
many victories. Through its efforts the agri- 
cultural colleges of the country now teach 
agriculture. Before the Grange turned its 
attention to them they were agricultural only 
in name. It was a Grange demand that de- 
feated the bill to reissue the patents on sewing 
machines and almost immediately machines 
that could not be bought for less than $100 sold 
for less than $25. The Grange secured the 
important and far-reaching decision from the 
courts that the creature is not greater than the 
creator, and that as railroads must come to the 
people for their charters or rights to be, they 
are amenable to the will of the people. The 
Grange made possible the Hatch act for the 
establishment of experiment stations. The 
agricultural departments at Washington and 
Harrisburg owe their existence to the Grange. 
The Inter-State Commerce Commission came 
into being as a result of the interest taken by 
the Grange in the transportation question. It 
was a persistent Grange demand that started 
the rural free mail carrier on his daily rounds 
over country roads. National and State oleo- 
margarine and pure food laws have saved the 
dairy business and have done much to preserve 
the public health. They are on our statute 



books only because of the persistent demands 
of the Grange. Recently the Grange took a 
leading part in securing from Congress the 
denatured alcohol bill. 

COUNTY FAIRS 

The first steps for the exhibition to the pub- 
lic of the products of the ground in Columbia 
county were made by Dr. John Ramsay, B. F. 
Hartman, Caleb Barton, William Neal and 
I. W. Hartman, under the suggestion of Dr. 
John Taggart, who had visited a successful 
county fair in the northern part of the State 
in 1855. The exhibition was held in Mr. Bar- 
ton's field, at the foot of Second street, 
Bloomsburg, the grounds being inclosed by a 
rail fence and almost the entire gate receipts 
at ten cents a person being expended in police 
protection. There was enough left to pay 
two dollars to B. F. Hartman as premium on 
a driving horse, the only one entered. A few 
specimens of grain and vegetables and a 
second-hand grain drill completed the "ex- 
hibits." 

The following year a fair was held in the 
Sloan field, on the south side of Si.xth and 
west side of Market streets, which was char- 
acterized by a marked improvement in the 
number and character of the exhibits. The 
third fair was held in grounds situated on 
Fifth, between Market and East streets, and 
the fourth on the grounds now in use by the 
present organization. 

During the first three years of this move- 
ment each person worked upon his own plan. 
Lumber dealers in the town loaned the ma- 
terial for the sheds, etc., which were torn down 
after each exhibition, but after the organiza- 
tion in 1858 some discipline was introduced 
into the methods. In that year a charter was 
granted to the "Columbia County Agricultural, 
Horticultural and Mechanical Association" on 
the application of B. F. Hartman, James 
Masters, \Villiam G. Shoemaker, Caleb Bar- 
ton, Matthias Hartman, Jacob Harris, J. H. 
Ikeler, A. J. Sloan, Palemon John, E. R. 
Ikeler, C. G. Barkley, Joshua Fetterman, 
Thomas Creveling, Joseph P. Conner and John 
Taggart. After a number of annual meet- 
ings the charter was amended in 1885 to pro- 
vide for perpetual membership and remove 
restrictions against the holding of real estate. 

Before completing the history of this asso- 
ciation we will refer briefly to other societies 
which were at one time or other in existence 
in the county. The "Northern Columbia and 
Southern Luzerne Agricultural Association" 



32 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



was chartered Feb. i6, 1884, and held its first 
fair near Berwick in September of that year. 
After five annual exhibitions the association 
dissolved and the grounds were sold, being 
now a part of West Berwick. 

The "Benton Agricultural Association" re- 
ceived its charter on Oct. 3, 1885, held five 
annual fairs, and then closed for lack of finan- 
cial support. 

Since 1886 the Columbia County Agricultural 
Association has added more land to its hold- 
ings, doubled the capacity of the grand stand, 
and developed its fair into one of the largest 
in the State. The association is conducted 
on strictly business principles. It neither pays 
dividends nor levies assessments, the surplus 
going to make improvements to the grounds 
and buildings, and to increase the premiums. 

The officers in 1886 were: Samuel Camp, 
president; William Shaffer, J. M. DeWitt, 
Baltis Sterling, Jere Kostenbauder, vice presi- 
dents ; J. C. Brown, treasurer; H. V. White, 
secretary ; Thomas Webb, librarian ; James P. 
Freas, John Appleman, Dr. A. P. Heller, ex- 
ecutive committee ; K. C. Ent, J. P. Sands, 
George Conner, auditors; Capt. U. H. Ent, 
chief marshal. 

The present officers are : E. D. Hagen- 
buch, president; A. N. Yost, secretary; 
Jacob H. Maust. treasurer; Harry S. Barton, 
librarian ; Ellis Ringrose, A. R. Henrie, A. V. 
Kressler, H. J. Pursel, vice presidents; E. W. 
Hagenbuch, H. B. Correll, Elliott Adams, ex- 
ecutive committee; Austin Ohl, J. C. Cryder, 
Guy Mensch, auditors. 

Montour's f.mrs 

The Montour County Agricultural Society 
was organized Feb. 18, 1856, with the follow- 
ing officers : Thomas R. Hull, president ; 
Philip F. Maus, C. Garrettson, Robert Patter- 
son, P. Wagner, D. Wilson, E. E. Haas, J. 
Sheep, G. Shick, William McNinch, Jacob 
Sechler, vice presidents ; James McCormick, 
secretary; Dr. C. H. Frick, corresponding 
secretary; B. K. Rhodes, librarian; and D. M. 
Boyd, treasurer. The board of managers 
were : John Best, George Smith, James G. 
McKee, James McMahan, Jr., A. B. Cum- 
mings, Jacob Sheeo. A. F. Russell, Stephen 
Roberts. William McHenry. William Yorks, 
Jacob Cornelison, Edward Morrison, J. M. 
Best, Mavberrv Gearhart, Joseph Fevers, John 
Hibler, .Samuel D. Alexander, Robert Blee, 
William Snyder. E. Wilson. 

The fair of that year was held at the mouth 
of Mahoning creek, and the annual fair was 



later held at Washingtonville. In the course 
of time a difference arose between the repre- 
sentatives from the town and country and the 
society divided, the Northern Montour Agri- 
cultural Society being organized. The head- 
quarters of the latter are at Washingtonville, 
where the annual fairs were held. The Mon- 
tour County Agricultural Society held annual 
fairs in Danville. At present there are no 
fairs held in Montour county, most of the 
people attending the Bloomsburg fair. 

ST.XTISTICS 

Working out the averages of the State, to 
Columbia county, it is ascertained that farm 
laborers in this section work nine hours and 
forty-five minutes each day. There are 148,- 
000 farm laborers in the State and their 
average monthly compensation is $20.60 with 
board and $32 if the laborer boards himself. 

Forty-two out of every one thousand hogs 
die in this county, a decrease of one from the 
figures of 1913. There are 1,130,000 head of 
hogs in the State, and they are valued at 
$15,594,000, or at the rate of $13.80 a head. 

The Columbia county horse has an average 
value of $139. There are 584,000 horses doing 
work on the farms of the State, which are 
valued at over $81,000,000. Last year they 
were only worth an average of $133. 

THE OLD GRISTMILLS 

Grain feeds the world and in the history of 
any nation the grinding of it into flour is 
found to be the first industry to be established. 
Handmills were known to the Chinese, the 
Egyptians, the lesser civilized nomads of 
Asia, and to the barbarians of Europe. The 
development of the handmill into the mill 
driven by animal power, and the subsequent 
application of waterpower to this work, is a 
matter that has been treated by many writers 
of the past. We will describe only the advent 
of the pioneer millers into the valley of the 
North Branch of the Susquehanna. 

When the Quakers and their immediate 
successors, the Germans, came id this section 
of the State they at once noted the ample 
waterpower of the streams, and set to work 
to harness it to the millstone. The early 
settlers in Columbia county had to ride to 
.Sunburv to get their grist ground until the 
first mill in the county was built in 1774 on 
Catawissa creek. It was a crude affair, run 
by the only undershot wheel ever used in the 
county, and was so often out of repair that 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



33 



the settlers gave it little work to do. This 
mill was later rebuilt by Christian Brobst. 
Jonathan Shoemaker built another mill on the 
creek here in 1789, which was afterwards 
converted into a paper mill. 

The next oldest mill was the Brown mill, 
on Ten-mile run, in Mifflin township, operated 
for years by successive Browns, ancestors of 
former Postmaster Brown of Bloomsburg, 
and now in the hands of P. A. Fetterolf. it 
is unique in having a wooden flume entering 
its second story, which operated a 22-foot 
wooden overshot wheel. Other mills on this 
stream where the Yohe and Nungesser mills, 
both long since gone. 

In point of age the next is the Jacob Cleaver 
mill, built in 1785 on Roaring creek, near its 
mouth, in Mayberry township. This mill had 
a fine fall of water and a dam bolted to the 
solid ledge of rock above the rock cut forebay. 
It now has a concrete dam and forebay. 

The mill at Slabtown, on Roaring creek, 
in Locust township, was one of the best of 
the efforts of that old-time millwright, Samuel 
Cherrington. This mill had a good fall of 
water and was only once frozen up in winter. 
That freeze caused its destruction, for the 
proprietor sought to thaw it out with straw 
and set it on fire. On this creek were also 
built the Mendenhall, Snyder, Hughes and 
Mourey mills, some of which are still in 
operation. 

Other mills on Catawissa creek were built 
at Mainville and Shumantown. Some are 
modern in fittings, while others are operated 
by the old methods. 

The oldest mill on the north side of the 
river was the Pepper mill on Hemlock creek, 
in Hemlock township. It is now abandoned. 
The old McKelvey mill below Eyer's Grove 
was last operated by John Betz in 1878. The 
Beagle mill in Hemlock township was aban- 
doned in 1903. 

The first flouring mill was built in Millville 
by John Eves, and has undergone so many 
changes that the former owner would not 
recognize the present structure as the suc- 
cessor of the first. This mill is one of the 
largest buckwheat mills in America and 
produces more flour of that kind than any 
other mill in Pennsylvania. 

The Ever's Grove mill, in Greenwood town- 
ship, is the only brick one in the two counties, 
and bears a strong resemblance to a church. 
It was built in i860 by Jacob Ever, son of the 
founder of PSloomsburg. The lola mill in the 
same township, was built in 1828, and those at 
Sereno, Pine township, and Mordansville, 
Mt. Pleasant township, a little later. 



The Cole mill and the Swartwout mill, on 
Fishing creek, in Sugarloaf township, were 
both old-timers and famous for buckwheat 
flour. There are also the Edson and Thomas 
mills on this creek, the former destroyed by 
fire some years ago. Both are now running 
and have modern ecjuipment. 

The Red and the White mills, on Hemlock 
creek, near Bloomsburg, were both built by 
members of the Barton family, and are still 
in good condition, both having modern equip- 
ment. The Aqueduct mill, at the mouth of 
Fishing creek, has a flume running under the 
old North Branch canal bed, and has the dis- 
tinction of never being out of water. It is a 
finely fitted up mill, grinding a high grade of 
wheat flour. 

The Mather mill at Benton was at first a 
planing mill. It now has a fine concrete dam 
and is modern in every respect. The site of 
the Stillwater mill is now occupied by a paper 
mill, as is also that of the Trench mill, just 
above Bloomsburg. 

The mill at Jonestown, built by the family 
of that name who founded the town, is now 
operated by H. C. Gruver. The Herring mill 
at Orangeville has been superseded by an 
electric light plant. 

The McDowefl and Bettle mills at Light 
Street are both still running, as are Ikeler's 
and Shuitz's mills, near Rohrsburg. 

On Briar creek only one mill remains of the 
several of former years — the Ash mill, near 
the mouth of the stream. The others were 
the Rittenhouse, Hughes, Traugh and Hoff- 
man mills, all in Briarcreek township. 

Bowman's mill, west of Orangeville, has 
remained in the family for several generations, 
and still turns out a high grade of buckwheat 
and excellent wheat flour also. It has modern 
machinery. 

The mills of the White Milling Company 
and R. R. Ikeler at Bloomsburg, the mill at 
Jerseytown owned by Mrs. R. G. Greenly and 
operated by Rohm Brothers, and the mill of 
J. C. Chrisman at Berwick, are steam mills 
with modern equipment and all do a thriving 
business. 



The oldest mill in Montour county is the 
Bosley mill, built in 1788, at Washingtonville, 
on the site of the fortified one of early times, 
called Boyle's or Brady's Fort, on the banks 
of the Chillisriuaque. The present mill is a 
modern one and built of stone. 

The first mill built in the county was that 
of William Montgomery, the founder of the 



34 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



settlement at the mouth of Mahoning creek, 
which later became the site of Danville. 
Montgomer\-'s mill was probably built about 
1778. It stood until 1S63 and then was razed 
to make way for modern establishments. 

The Crownover mill at Exchange has been 
replaced by a more modern structure, operated 
by Charles J. Yagel. The mill in Liberty 
township, built in 1814 by John Auten, has 
long since passed away, as has also the Simp- 
son mill in \'alley township. 

The mill built by Philip ]Maus at the site 
of Mausdale, in 1793, was quite a pretentious 
structure. The millrace was dug by Irish 
laborers, part of them Protestants and part 
Catholics. Eleven barrels of whiskey were 
consumed in the course of the work, and Mr. 
Maus had frequently to jump in and disarm 
the two factions when a division occurred on 
religious lines. 

There were many other small mills in dif- 
ferent parts of Montour county, along the 
Chillisquaque and its branches, but they have 
long passed away or relapsed into ruin, their 
memories not even being preserved by the old- 
est inhabitants. The comparatively level 
topography of Montour and the absence of 
many streams of sufficient size to aflford 
power deterred the old settlers from building 
mills, and not until the advent of steam did 
the gristmills begin to appear outside of the 
larger towns. 

At present the principal mills of the county 
are located at Danville, Washingtonville, 
Mausdale, Mooresburg and in Limestone town- 
ship. All of them are operated either par- 
tially or entirely by steampower, and most of 
them are fitted with the modern roller process. 



The great majority of these mills began with 
a primitive equipment consisting of a pair 
of grinding stones, many of which were shaped 
from boulders found near at hand and a round 
reel covered with silk cloth. The "system" 
was very short, comprising but two processes, 
namely, crushing or grinding the grain between 
the upper and nether millstones, and separat- 
ing or bolting the mass from the stone on the 
long reel, thus obtaining the good old-fashioned 
flour and the equally good old-fashioned 
"shorts" and bran. 

With the advent of competition came the 
demand for white flour — and more of it from 
a bushel of wheat. Many of the mills put in 
additional "runs" of buhrs and more bolting 
reels, and thus, by first breaking the wheat, and 
scalping off the bran, they were in a position 



to handle the flour-yielding portion to much 
better advantage. The Fowler mill at Espy 
reached the highest state of perfection, hav- 
ing had several runs of large French buhrs 
and a long line of scalping and finishing reels. 

The modern roller mill with its intricate 
system and machinery brought the milling 
business to a scientific basis and the mill own- 
er who did not bring his mill up to date in 
equipment soon found himself with only 
neighborhood custom trade, that yielded little 
or no profit. 

To think of a kernel of wheat traveling over 
a mile and a quarter from the time it entered 
the stock bin until the finished product reached 
the flour sack and feed bag, was beyond the 
ability of the average miller. The man who 
studied the system until he could follow the 
twenty or more reductions and separations, 
and knew when each one was right, and 
changed his mill until all were producing the 
best results, became the successful miller. 
Such men were not plentiful in Columbia 
county, with the result that only a very few 
mills are in position to turn out a "fancy 
patent" flour that will compete successfully 
in the market. 

Quite fittingly, the "gravel picker," which 
has revolutionized the milling of buckwheat 
all over the United States, is the invention of 
a Columbia county man, Charles FoUmer, of 
Benton. Through the inventor's failure to 
patent his machine, which is used today every- 
where buckwheat is milled, it has brought him 
no financial return. 

When the buckwheat heads are harvested, 
it is almost impossible to keep gravel from 
mixing with them. Then, when the seeds are 
ground into flour, the tiny bits of rocks are 
ground with them, and produce gritty flour. 
For years this difficulty could not be over- 
come. Plnally Follmer devised a system of 
three pipes through which air currents were 
drawn. Beneath them the buckwheat was 
passed, the seeds being drawn up, while the 
gravel was left. 

Manufacturers quickly seized upon the in- 
genious device, which Follmer thought too 
simple to be worth patenting. So successful 
was it that on one occasion a car of buck- 
wheat flour sent from the White Mills to the 
South soon after the "picker" had been pro- 
duced was refused. The Southern purchaser 
insisted that the buckwheat flour was too white 
to be pure buckwheat, and could not be con- 
vinced that no wheat flour had been mixed 
with it. Buckwheat under the old system had 
been of dark color on account of the ground 
stone which it contained. 



CHAPTER V 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES— LIGHTING— ROADS, TURNPIKES 



During the period of early settlement this 
portion of Pennsylvania was a country of 
"magnificent distances." The means of com- 
munication with distant points was slow, te- 
dious and inadequate. As the population in- 
creased and the people gained in wealth the 
urgent necessity for easier means of com- 
munication with the more densely settled por- 
tions of the Commonwealth became apparent. 
The Lancaster turnpike, the first of that class 
of roads in the State, was built in 1795, at a 
cost of $7,516 a mile, and this aroused the 
people of this section to the possibilities of 
road building. 

In 1787 Evan Owen, the founder of Ber- 
wick, was commissioned to superintend the 
construction of a road by the State from Easton 
to the Nescopeck falls, and two years later 
the Indian trail which was part of the route 
was improved sufficiently to permit the passage 
of wheeled vehicles. On March 19, 1804, the 
Susquehanna & Lehigh Turnpike & Road 
Company was incorporated, and in the fol- 
lowing year graded and completed the road 
at an enormous expense for those times. 

In 1806 the Susquehanna & Tioga Turnpike 
Road Company was chartered, and by 18 18 
the road was completed from Berwick to 
Newtown on the Tioga river, in New York 
State. After the completion of the bridge at 
Berwick in 1814 a connecting line of roads 
extended from Towanda to Easton. John M. 
Buckalew, one of the prominent citizens of 
Columbia county, was a stockholder in the 
company and graded a mile of the turnpike for 
the sum of $350. This company has never 
forfeited its charter, and in the annual state- 
ments of the treasurer of the State an item 
of some thousands of dollars appears as an 
asset, consisting of shares in the Susque- 
hanna & Tioga Turnpike Company. 

"Centre" turnpike, so called from being al- 
most in the center of the State, was begun in 
1808, and ran from Reading to Northumber- 
land, passing tlirough the township of Conyng- 



ham, Columbia county. The chief promoter of 
this road was Gen. William Montgomery, of 
Danville. In 1814 a branch turnpike was 
built from Danville to connect with this main 
road, and formed one of the important routes 
from Montour county. In 1788 the Reading 
road was laid out from Catawissa to Ashland, 
Schuylkill county, where it connected with the 
"Centre" turnpike. In 1810 it was made a 
State road and partially rebuilt. About 1817 
a sum of money was appropriated to regrade 
it, and in 1825 a line of stagecoaches was 
established by Joseph Weaver. In 1839 Ben- 
jamin Potts started an opposition line, both 
changing horses at the famous Yeager tavern 
at Slabtown. It was the most important road 
on the south side of the river and bore an 
immense amount of traffic. Great covered 
Conestoga wagons slowly wound their way 
over the tortuous route across the mountains, 
their limit of loading being twenty bushels of 
grain for two horses. The journey to Read- 
ing required eight or ten days then. Now 
an automobile can make it in three hours to 
Ashland, and about the same time to Reading 
from the latter place. This road is now route 
No. 183 of the State highways. 

The second Reading road was opened in 
1812 through Roaringcreek township, Colum- 
bia county, and for a time bore a part of the 
stagecoach traffic, but the superior attractions 
of the older road caused a decline after a short 
time. This road is now the chief route for the 
farmers to the mining towns of Schuylkill 
county. 

The turnpike from Bloomsburg to Muncy, 
by way of Jerseytown, Whitehall and Ex- 
change, was established in 1817, and for many 
vears was a prominent road for travelers to 
that section, until abandoned in favor of the 
railroads. The road from Berwick to Milton 
also passed through Jerseytown, making that 
town a prominent point in the days of the 
stagecoach. 

The road from Benton to Unityville, Ly- 



35 



36 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



coming county, was built in 1S28, and made 
a mail route at the same time. It bore its 
share of the traffic of the coaching era. 

In 1856 the State Legislature made an ap- 
propriation for the construction of a road 
through the valley of Little I-'ishing creek from 
Bloomsburg to Laporte, Sullivan county. 

THE NATIONAL ROAD 

This article would be incomplete without a 
description of the great National Road, or 
Cumberland Pike, as it was sometimes called. 
Passing as it does through a considerable por- 
tion of Pennsylvania, and built at the time of 
the commencement of the coaching era, it is 
of vast historical importance in the present 
age, when good roads are being demanded by 
all the parties and the people. 

This road was proposed in Congress in 1797, 
an act for its construction was passed nine 
years later, and the first coach carrying the 
United States mail passed over it in August, 
1818. It was a splendid road, sixty feet wide, 
built of broken stone over bedstones of enor- 
mous size, with a covering of gravel, rolled 
by an iron roller. Mordecai Cochran was the 
contractor for the section from Cumberland, 
Md., to Wheeling, W. Va., through the south- 
ern part of Pennsylvania, and he employed 
over a thousand Irishmen to build that route 
of 130 miles. 

The intention was to build the road clear 
through to Alton, 111., but it was completed 
only as far as Vandalia, 111., although the route 
was laid out the rest of the way. Over this 
road passed most of the prominent persons of 
the days before the railroads, and for years 
there was a constant stream of vehicles of all 
kinds traveling along this fine route towards 
the West. Since the Highway Commission 
has been established in this State the Nation- 
al Road has been improved greatly. So well 
was the work of the original contractor done 
that in many places the old foundations are 
still in place. 

Not only was this road macadamized, but 
stone bridges were built over the rivers and 
creeks, the distances indexed by iron mileposts, 
and the tollhouses supplied with strong iron 
gates. 

THE "cONESTOGa" WAGON 

The first appearance of this wagon in his- 
tory was at the time of Braddock's expedi- 
tion in I7S,S> when Benjamin Franklin issued 
an advertisement for 150 four-horse wagons 



and 1,500 saddle or pack horses for the army's 
use. He agreed to pay fifteen shillings for 
the use of the wagons each day, and to com- 
pensate the owners if the wagons were lost or 
damaged. This oft'er later on was almost the 
cause of Franklin's bankruptcy, as the battle 
resulted in the capture by the English of almost 
all the wagons and stock. 

At the time of Braddock's expedition the 
pack horse was the most common means of 
transporting goods, but after that date the 
roads were widened and the wagons entered 
the field, much to the disgust of the pack driv- 
ers, who fiercely resisted the invasion. 

Pennsylvania may rightly be proud of the 
Dutchman who designed the Conestoga wagon, 
for even in this day it is the ideal wagon for 
the transportation of goods over the roads. It 
gained its name from the township in Lan- 
caster county where the first vehicle of the 
kind was made. These wagons had a boat- 
shaped body with a curved canoe-shaped bot- 
tom which fitted them especially for mountain 
use ; for in them freight remained firmly in 
place at whatever angle the body might be. 
The body of the wagon was arched over with 
six or eight hickory bows, of which the center 
ones were the lowest, covered with a strong 
white hempen cloth, corded strongly down at 
the sides and ends. Underneath hung the 
tar-lodel or greasepot, and the water pail. At 
the rear was the great feed box, with a wood- 
en cover, slanted to shed the rain. On the 
sides were the long tool box and storage box. 
The wheels had broad tires, often a foot wide, 
many of the turnpike companies giving re- 
bates to the teamsters who had wide tires on 
their wagons. 

Sleek, powerful horses to the number of six 
to ten drew these heavy wagons, which could 
be loaded to the top of the cover with a mis- 
cellaneous freight of from four to si.x tons. 
The horses were clad in handsome harness of 
fine leather, bore bells, and were driven mostly 
by word of mouth. The drivers rode some- 
times on the "near wheeler," who bore a sad- 
dle, or on the "lazy board," a seat inserted on 
the left side, but it was more often the case 
that the driver walked alongside his team. 

The number of these wagons on the main 
roads was vast. At one time over 3,000 ran 
constantly out of Philadelphia to the surround- 
ing towns. Most of the teamsters made 
freighting their regular vocation, and lived on 
the road with their teams. They carried their 
own "grub" as well as feed for the horses, and 
also a long mattress for their use in the tav- 
erns or on the road, sleeping usually on the 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



37 



lap-ioom floor, paying a small fee for the privi- 
lege. JJefore rcLiring many potations were in- 
dulged in, and from the resulting battles the 
old "wagon inns" gained their hard names. 

These wagons after the development of rail- 
roads in this State became the "prairie schoon- 
ers" of the West, and bore many an emigrant 
and his household to the far distant home- 
steads of that portion of our country. 

STAGECOACH DAYS 

The first coach was made in England in 
1555 by Walter Rippen for the Earl of Rut- 
land. Eight years later he made one for 
Queen Elizabeth. The early English stage- 
coaches were clumsy things, without windows 
or seats, but necessity soon developed them 
into the hne vehicles of later years. These 
vehicles were imported into the Colonies in 
1737, but the colonists were compelled from 
the nature of the country to develop their own 
conveyances. 

In 1795 a stage line ran from Philadelphia 
to New York, the fare being four dollars. The 
vehicle had four benches, without backs or 
cushions, placed across the interior, the pas- 
sengers being compelled to climb over each 
other to get to the back seat, the coveted one, 
owing to the opportunity to rest the back 
against the rear of the coach. Leather cur- 
tains covered the top, and the passengers had 
to stow their baggage under the seats, where 
it shifted at every move of the lumbering 
coach. Having no springs, this vehicle was 
one to create terror in the heart of the unfor- 
tunate traveler who had a long journey before 
him. 

The coaches of 18 18 had "thoroughbraces" 
fitted to them, which made the motion much 
easier. These were leather straps, by which 
the body of the coach was suspended from 
hickory bows. At this date the coach also had 
a seat for the driver, with a footboard, and 
had a trunk-rack bolted to the rear. Many 
other modifications were from time to time 
made in the coaches, all of which were super- 
seded by the famous Concord coach, first built 
in Concord, N. H., in 1827. This famous 
coach is still the model for vehicles of its 
class at the present time. 

The word "stagecoach" strictly applies to 
a vehicle for the transportation of passengers 
over a route at different stages of which the 
horses are changed, and the word "omnibus" 
indicates a coach used for short distances. The 
first stages from Philadelphia to New York 
made the trip in three days, but later the trip 



was made in much shorter time. The National 
Road was a famous coaching route, at one time 
four lines of coaches being run upon it. 

The coaches in this section of the State 
were of similar character to those elsewhere, 
l)ut the roads were not as good and the hills 
more steep. The rivalry between the different 
lines was great and in many instances the war- 
ring drivers cut the rates to almost nothing 
in order to drive their rivals out of business. 
Upon the patronage of these stage lines and 
their passengers depended the prosperity of 
many of the towns of Columbia and Montour 
counties. The village of New Columbus 
(just over the line in Luzerne county) was 
founded especially to cater to the coaching 
traffic, but failed almost in birth, owing to 
the advent of the railroads. 

The journey by stagecoach was a mixture 
of pleasure and pain. The autumn was prob- 
ably the best time to travel, for then the roads 
had settled to their best condition. In summer 
the dust so covered the passengers that some- 
times one could not tell the color of their gar- 
ments. In winter and spring the coaches sank 
to the hubs in the soft soil of the poor roads, 
or bumped over the loose stones of the turn- 
pikes. It seemed to be adding insult to injury 
to demand toll from the passengers for a 
journey over such highways. And the toll- 
gates seemed to appear at remarkably frequent 
intervals. 

There was one curious and most depressing 
condition of stage travel. It seemed no mat- 
ter how little or how long the journey was, 
nor where the destination, the coach always 
started at daybreak, or before. The traveler 
had to rise in the dark, dress by the feeble 
illumination of a tallow dip, and start out in 
the cold, depressing gloom of the early dawn, 
without breakfast. As most deaths occur in 
the early hours before dawn, it is surprising 
that the poor travelers of those days did not 
gladly shuffle off this mortal coil to evade the 
terrors of the journey before them. Some- 
time later in the morning the breakfast post 
would be reached, and something warm taken 
within, just as the victim had almost de- 
spaired of keeping alive the vital spark. It 
was no unusual thing for the coach to make 
ten miles ere the travelers were given their 
breakfast. From three to five in the morning 
were the starting hours of the coaches, and 
the journey often lasted until eight at night. 
In such a journey many miles could be aovered 
in a day. 



38 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



OLD INNS 

The history of Pennsylvania shows that the 
taverns of this State were many and good, 
especially after the Revolution. These taverns 
or inns were generally kept by the most prom- 
inent citizen of the town and were not simply 
drinking places, but the center of social life 
for the inhabitants. The better class of 
taverns usually had a parlor for the women, 
with an open fireplace, from which the roaring 
fire cast grateful warmth and cheerful illumi- 
nation. Most of these parlors were well fur- 
nished and served as a place of resort for the 
family of the innkeeper as well as the traveler's 
wife or daughter. 

The taproom was usually the largest room 
of the inn, had a bar, a great fireplace, and was 
furnished with wooden benches and tables. 
Often there was a rude writing desk for the 
accommodation of the early traveling sales- 
man or lawyer. One of the furnishings of 
the fireplace was a pair of smoking tongs, to 
pull a coal of fire from the embers for the 
pipes of the habitues. Of the drinks that were 
served here and the meals partaken much has 
been written by others, so we will pass over 
that part and give a brief list of the prominent 
taverns or inns of Columbia and Montour 
counties. 

One of the first inns was that of Frederick 
Hill, who built on the site of Fort Jenkins, 
east of Bloomsburg on the road to Berwick. 
He and his son ran it for many years. When 
the stagecoaches came into constant use in 
1/99 Abram Miller built the "Half-Way 
House," where horses were changed on the 
journey between -the two towns. 

Probably the oldest tavern on the south side 
of the Susquehanna was the Red Tavern, built 
in 1804 by John Rhodenberger on the crest of 
Locust mountain. For almost a decade he 
catered to the immense traffic along the old 
Reading road. An inn still stands on the site 
in 1914, more than a hundred years later. 
Another inn was built about the same time at 
the foot of Buck mountain on the other Read- 
ing road, by Adam Michael. 

^^^^en this Reading road was in its high 
tide of prosperity there were two inns located 
on it that were famous all over this section. 
One was the hostelry of John Yeager, at Slab- 
town, and the other Casper Rhoads' tavern, at 
Rhoadstown. 

An inn stood on the road from Bloomsburg 
to Danville at the spot now called Grovania 
(then bearing the title of Ridgeville), but the 
name of the proprietor has passed away with 



the building. In 1838, when the coaches ran 
to every point out of Danville, there were 
four inns at Washingtonville, all of which did 
a rushing business. 

Probably the most interesting of the old inns 
now remaining in this part of the State is 
the one from which the village of White Hall 
gained its name. The first inn here was the Red 
Horse Inn, built in 1810 by Andrew Schooley, 
but it was razed some years later to make way 
for a storeroom. White Hall Inn was built 
in 1818 by Capt. John F. Derr, and rebuilt 
in 1849 by Ferdinand Ritter, who had the 
ambition to make it a famous resort for 
travelers. It is probably the most elaborately 
carved building in this section of Pennsyl- 
vania, the work being done by Samuel Brugler 
of Jerseytown. Over the wide porch is a 
panel of some length, depicting an eagle hold- 
ing two American flags and standing upon two 
cannon. Above the door is a large piece of 
scrollwork, while on each side are fantastic 
animal heads. The panels of the door are 
also hand-carved, as are also the capitals of 
the fine Corinthian columns. When in its 
prime, and with a coat of pure white paint 
upon it, this inn must have presented an im- 
posing appearance to the arriving traveler. 
Even in its last days of decay and neglect it 
has an impressive dignity that makes it over- 
shadow the more modem structures around 
it. The well from which many a traveler 
watered his weary horse is still in use by the 
side of the road in front of the old hotel, 
which is now owned and occupied by John 
O. McWilliams. 

In the larger towns there were many inns 
of more or less repute, chief among them being 
the Cross Keys and Golden Lamb, at Berwick ; 
the Forks Inn and Chamberlain's Hotel, at 
Bloomsburg; the Susquehanna House, still 
standing at Catawissa ; and the Ferry Tavern, 
the Jackson Tavern, the Cross Keys Inn, and 
the Rising Sun Inn, at Danville. 

POSTRIDERS POST OFFICES 

Before the establishment of post offices and 
mail routes the public had to depend on the 
casual traveler to communicate in writing with 
friends and relatives in other parts of the 
State. The first postriders were men who 
embarked in the carrying of mail for their 
own gain, and many different rates were 
charged, according to distance and condition 
of the roads. In 1773 Hugh Finlay was made 
postal surveyor by the English government 
over the territorv from Canada to Florida, 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



39 



the penny post having been established in 
1753. He found many abuses in force, but 
failed to correct them. 

In 181 1 the United States government 
ordered a topographical survey of the post 
road from Passamaquoddy to St. Mary's, in 
Massachusetts, and in 1815 published a list 
of the post towns of the country, their dis- 
tances apart and the charges for letters de- 
livered. To make this information more avail- 
able to the people the report was printed on 
linen handkerchiefs and sold at a low rate. 
Some of these unique records are still in a 
good state of preservation. 

According to this table a single letter was 
conveyed for a distance of 10 miles or less 
for 6 cents ; up to 60 miles, 8 cents ; 100 miles, 
10 cents; up to 250 miles, 17 cents; and for 
450 miles a fee of 25 cents was charged. 

The first post office route was established in 
Pennsylvania in 1683 by William Penn, be- 
tween Philadelphia and New Castle, Del. The 
first postmaster of Philadelphia was Benjamin 
Franklin, in 1737. In 1753 he was made post- 
master for the Colonies, and in 1775 was ap- 
pointed postmaster general by the Continental 
Congress. 

The rates on letters in this State remained 
the same as in the above table until 1842. All 
letters had to be prepaid, postage averaging 
12 cents each, and the postmaster was obliged 
to give the sender a receipt and then forward 
a description of the letter, the amount of post- 
age paid, the date of sending and other neces- 
sary information to the department at Wash- 
ington. Fortunately for the old postmasters 
there were few letters transmitted in those 
days. 

The high rates, the poor service and other 
causes broug'ht into existence many private 
expresses, which carried letters in defiance of 
the law for much less than that charged by 
the government. 

Berwick first appears as a post village in 
1797. Three years later Jonathan Hancock 
carried the mail over the route from Wilkes- 
Barre. 

A pony mail was established in 1806 from 
Danville to Sunbury, the round trip being 
made in a week. It took two weeks for an 
answer to be received from Philadelphia. The 
route from Sunbury to Painted Post was 
awarded in 181 1 to Conrad Teter, who sublet 
the route from Wilkes-Barre to Miller Hor- 
ton. The route from Shickshinny to Jersey- 
town, through the Fishing Creek post office, 
was established in 1815. 



A mail route from Fairmount Springs, 
Luzerne county, to Taneyville, Lycoming 
county, by way of Cole's Creek, Campbell and 
Division, was operated on contract by James 
N. Park, his son Orrin being the carrier. All 
mail was carried on foot over the rough and 
almost pathless country, and it was not till 
1848 that the amount of mail matter war- 
ranted the use of a horse. 

in 1856 Capt. John Derr ran the tri-weekly 
mail coach from the Exchange Hotel at 
Bloomsburg to the White Hall Hotel at White- 
hall. In 1857 the route was extended to 
Turbotville. 

The post office department reduced the rates 
in 1845 to 5 cents for a half ounce, over a 
radius of 300 miles ; a greater distance cost- 
ing 10 cents. As usual, the letters had to be 
prepaid. In 1847 stamps were first introduced, 
but did not come into general use until 1855. 
Rates were reduced to 3 cents in 1863, and 
again in 1883 to 2 cents for each half ounce. 

Free delivery of letters over a restricted 
route in large cities took effect in 1863. In 
1865 it was extended to cover small cities, and 
in 1873, and then in 1887, the delivery system 
was made applicable to small towns and vil- 
lages. 

In 1896 the rural free delivery, which has 
caused the abolition of so many small post 
offices, was tested in different sections with 
such success that it was greatly extended in 
1904 and later years. At present the rural 
routes are being extended as fast as condi- 
tions warrant into every part of the Union. 

Two of the latest additions to the conven- 
iences of the post office, which have in a short 
time become absolute necessities, are the postal 
savings banks and the parcel post. The latter 
was declared but a few years ago by inter- 
ested parties to be impossible of establishment, 
yet in the two years of its existence it has 
demonstrated its great value and almost put 
the great express companies out of business. 



R.XILWAY M.\IL SERVICE 

The first railway mail car was given an offi- 
cial test in 1864. Two mice were responsible 
for the introduction of the traveling post 
office. Before that date the mail was dis- 
tributed according to the addresses at certain 
designated post offices, which usually were 
the distributing points of whole States. It 
was slow and laborious work. At one of these 
distributing points. Green Bay, Wis., a pair 



40 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



of mice made their home in a pouch that had 
lain in the post office for several days. When 
Jhe pouch finally reached its destination, near 
the upper shores of Lake Superior, the receiv- 
ing postmaster found not only the rodent 
homeseekers, but also a larger family of little 
mice. They had made beds of chewed-up let- 
ters. The postmaster reported the matter to 
the Chicago office and sent along the mice as 
an exhibit, which was received by George B. 
Armstrong, the assistant postmaster. To pre- 
vent the repetition of such an occurrence Arm- 
strong sought to speed up the mail service, and 
finally evolved the idea of having the mail dis- 
tributed on the trains while in transit. The 
plan was ridiculed. One man declared : "The 
government will have to employ a regiment of 
men to follow the trains to pick up the letters 
that would be blown out of the cars." 

However, the first postal car, an ordinary 
baggage car equipped with racks and pigeon- 
holes, made its initial run from Chicago to 
Clinton, Iowa, over fifty years ago, and today 
every nation in the civilized world is dis- 
tributing a large part of its mail matter in 
railway mail cars. In the United States over 
eighteen thousand railway mail clerks are 
separating over ninety per cent of all the mail 
originating in this country and a large volume 
coming from foreign lands. They have sepa- 
rated in a single year nearly twenty-three bil- 
lion pieces of mail matter, not including reg- 
istered mail. They travel an aggregate dis- 
tance of five hundred million miles every year 
on the twenty-seven thousand domestic trans- 
portation routes having a combined mileage of 
four hundred and fifty thousand miles. 

The service has been raised to the highest 
point of efficiency to-day and the present ratio 
of errors in distribution has been reduced to 
one in ten thousand pieces of mail. The clerks 
are expected to distribute the mail so that there 
will be no rehandling in the post offices of large 
cities, and to separate it into packages corres- 
ponding with each mail carrier's route in the 
cities. In the case of the largest cities they 
must separate it according to sections or sub- 
stations. Considering the speed at which the 
clerks sort the mail, the swaying of the train 
plunging along at fifty miles an hour, and the 
thousands of railway connecting points, the 
locations of over sixty thousand post offices 
in the United States and the frequent illegi- 
bility of the hand written addresses, it becomes 
a marvel how the railway mail clerk can work 
without a greater proportion of errors. 



Post Offices in Columbia County, ipi4 



Almedia 
Aristes 

Beaver Valley- 
Benton — 6 
Berwick — 3 
Bloomsburg — 5 
Briar Creek 
Buckhorn 
Catawissa — 5 
Central 
Centralia 
Elk Grove 
Espy 

Eyer's Grove 
l<"ishing Creek 
Forks — I 



lola (discontinued July ist) 

Jamison City — i 

Jerseytown — 2 

Light Street — i 

Lime Ridge 

Mainville — i 

Mifflinville 

Millville — 3 

Numidia 

Orangeville — 2 

Pine Summit 

Roaring Creek — i 

Rolirsburg — i 

Rupert 

Stillwater — i 

Wilburton 



Post Offices ill Montour County, 1(^14 



Ottawa 

Strawberry Ridge 
Washingtonville 
White Hall 



Danville — 7 

Exchange 

Grovania 

Mausdale 

Mooresburg 

* The Hgure after the name of the office indicates 
the number of rural routes emanating therefrom. 



STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 

For many years Pennsylvania has stood 
almost at the bottom of the list of States in 
the matter of good roads. Except in a few 
isolated instances, very little aid has been given 
in the past to the builders of roads here by 
the State. The first act for the establishment 
of a Highway Department was that of 1903, 
which was supplemented by the acts of 1905 
and 1907. The act under which the present 
State Highway Department is operated is 
commonly known as the "Sproul Road Act," 
enacted by the 191 1 session of the Legislature, 
and approved in May of that year by Gov. 
John K. Tener. 

This act called for a reorganization of the 
existing State Highway Department, and pro- 
vided for the taking over as State highways 
the roads comprising 296 specified routes, 
forming connecting links between county seats 
and the principal cities and towns, and in ad- 
dition forming trunk lines extending from one 
end of the State to the other. The act pro- 
vided that the new department should have 
full charge of maintaining and constructing 
these routes after June i, 1912; carry on ex- 
isting State-aid contracts; and further pro- 
vided for the iiuprovement of township roads 
to the extent of two million dollars, fifty per 
cent of which was to be supplied by the State, 
and the other fifty per cent by the county or 
township applying for aid. 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



41 



The department was organized in July, 
191 1, and the State divided into fourteen dis- 
tricts, District No. 3 consisting of Columbia, 
Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder 
and Union counties, with headquarters at 
Bloomsburg. The State Highway head- 
quarters is at Harrisburg, the officers consist- 
ing of Edward M. Bigelow, State highway 
commissioner ; Joseph W. Hunter, first dep- 
uty State highway commissioner; E. A. Jones, 
second deputy State highway commissioner ; 
Samuel D. Foster, chief engineer; Howard W. 
Fry, chief clerk ; and W. R. D. Hall, statisti- 
cian. The field work is under the direction of 
a bridge engineer, fifteen assistant engineers, 
and fifty superintendents. The auditing de- 
partment is under the charge of a certified ac- 
countant, and the maintenance department is 
under the direction of a competent engineer. 

In addition to the work done in the counties 
of Columbia and Montour, considerable work 
was done upon the historic highway in the 
southern part of the State, known as the "Na- 
tional Road" or "Cumberland Turnpike." 
This road was built by the United States gov- 
ernment in the years 1804 to 1814, and con- 
nected Baltimore, Md., with Alton, 111. The 
highway department has improved almost the 
entire length of this road through Pennsyl- 
vania, and intends to make it a model road of 
modern construction. The great width of this 
road is a standing rebuke to the "skimpy" 
methods of the road builders of the past in 
this State. 

The funds expended by the highway depart- 
ment in the years 1912-13 were derived from 
the following sources : 

State highway fund appropriation $3,000,000 

Automobile tax receipts appropriated 1,800,000 

State-aid appropriation 1,000,000 

Balance State-aid appropriation, 1907-1909. 660,642 
State-aid funds returned by counties and 

townships 410,950 

National Road appropriation 300,000 

Experiments and tests fund appropriation. . 50,000 

Traveling fund appropriation 88,000 

Contingent fund appropriation 79.000 

Expense fund, automobile division 100.000 

The roads placed under the care of the State 
highway commission aggregated 8,827 miles, 
and the different classes of construction are 
as follows : Brick, asphaltic-concrete, asphalt- 
ic-macadam, waterbound-macadam, and con- 
crete. There were 296 main State highway 
routes and 306 alternate lines, the averaa:e cost 
of surveying per mile being $47.87, plotting 
$11.36 per mile, and checking and tracing 
$7.96 per mile. In addition to surveying the 



State highways, 35,512 miles of country roads 
were surveyed and maps prepared showing 
the roads, towns, villages and other important 
places in the districts. 

The average expense for maintenance of 
approximately 6,000 miles of roads in 1912-13 
was $169 per mile. The following 'numbered 
routes of the State highways are those passing 
through Columbia and Montour counties: 
Route No. 2, Sunbury to Danville; No. 3, Dan- 
ville to Bloomsburg; No. 4, Bloomsburg to 
Wilkes-Barre via Berwick; No. 16, Blooms- 
burg to Laporte via Benton; No. 161, Potts- 
ville to Sunbury via Centralia; No. 183, 
Bloomsburg to Pottsville via Catawissa and 
Centralia; No. 185, Laporte to Wilkes-Barre 
via Benton ; No. 239, Bloomsburg to Williams- 
port via Millville and Sereno; No. 240, Wil- 
liamsport to Danville via Washingtonville ; 
No. 249, Bloomsburg to Lock Haven via Still- 
water, Rohrsburg, Millville, Jerseytown, 
White Hall and Exchange ; No. 259, Danville 
to Lewisburg via Mooresbtirg; No. 283, 
Bloomsburg to Sunbury via Catawissa and 
Pensyl's Mill ; No. 303, lola to Muncy via 
Pine Summit; No. 321, Laporte to Benton, 
and over route No. 16 to Bloomsburg ; No. 
327, Bloomsburg to Berwick via Almedia, 
Espy, Lime Ridge and Briar Creek. 

Under the provisions of the act of 1909 the 
revenues derived from the registration of 
motor vehicles and operators' licenses were 
set aside for the improvement of the State 
roads. From Jan. i, 1910, to June i, 1913, the 
receipts from this source were $2,031,921. It 
is estimated that the annual receipts from this 
source will be over a million dollars a year 
hereafter. 

During the period above referred to the 
length of routes in' the two counties under 
discussion was 127.24 miles, and the total 
expended for maintenance upon them was 
$13,659. The work of surveying tlie town- 
ship roads was in progress, but the completed 
maps had not been placed in the hands of the 
printer. 

The commission is given power to divert or 
rebuild any State roads, when necessary, to 
purchase and free of charges all toll roads, re- 
build all bridges where necessary, take over all 
roads running through towns or boroughs 
where it is necessary to comolete the improve- 
ment of a route, to aid to the extent of fifty 
per cent of the cost of the construction of a 
road through a borough when petitioned, and 
to make regulations regarding the laying of 
railroad tracks and pines or conduits upon 
and under the said roads. 



42 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



The State-aid roads are built by the higli- 
way department and maintained by them, one 
half of the cost of building and maintenance 
being borne by the State and the other half 
by the county and township. These roads are 
built to conform with the State standards and 
are under the supervision of the highway de- 
partment. 

. In 1914 a section of State-aided roadway 
8,555 fsst in length was built in the boroughs 
of Berwick and West Berwick, under the 
supervision of the State highway department. 
The base w^as concrete and the road was sur- 
faced with Watsontown brick, laid in. tar. 
The contract price of the work was $31,265.33. 
A strip on each side of the street, including 
the gutter and curbing, was added by the two 
boroughs and laid under the supen-ision of the 
State engineers ; this additional strip was paid 
for by the boroughs alone. Its length was 
3,200 feet, and extended as far as the settled 
portion of the town of West Berwick. 

The present completed State-aid roads are 
located in Catawissa, Berwick, Danville and 
a stretch north and south of Benton. The 
road from Bloomsburg to Danville and 
through ^Montour county to Northumberland 
is macadamized and kept in a fine state of 
repair, while in other parts of both counties 
work is proceeding on the roads as rapidly 
as the amount of funds on hand held by the 
highway department will justify. 

NORTH BR.\NCH CANAL 

The Susquehanna was declared a navigable 
highway by the Provincial Assembly of 1771 
and a sum set aside to improve it. "Durham" 
boats, so named from a town below Easton, 
where they were built, were the first to navi- 
gate the river. They were sixty feet long, 
eight feet wide and two feet deep, and drew 
twenty inches of water when loaded with 
fifteen tons of merchandise. Four men, with 
setting poles, moved them against the current 
at the rate of two miles an hour. 

Many attempts were made to increase their 
speed mechanically before the invention of 
steam. Isaac A. Chapman, in 1824, built a 
boat at Nescopeck designed to be operated by 
horsepower, but it failed after repeated trials. 
It was fittingly named the "Experiment." 
Farmers and merchants of these counties re- 
sorted to the use of "arks," rafts and flats for 
the transportation of their merchandise, but 
they often lost the results of months of labor 
in a few moments in the rapids and eddies of 
the treacherous stream. According to the 



Danville Watchman of that year the trade on 
the Susquehanna in 1824, by means of "arks" 
and rafts, from Columbia county, was 100,000 
bushels of wheat, 3,000 bushels of clover seed, 
3,000 barrels of whiskey, 250 tons of pork, and 
a small amount of lumber. It seems that the 
forests were then beginning to be completely 
exhausted along the watercourses. 

In April, 1826, the "Codorus," a steamer 
built at Vork Haven and commanded by Cap- 
tain Elger, passed Berwick on its way to 
Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton. The follow- 
ing month Captain Collins, in the "Susque- 
hanna," a larger boat, attempted to pass the 
falls of Nescopeck, opposite Berwick, and in 
the attempt the boiler exploded, killing four 
and wounding a large number of the passen- 
gers. This settled the fate of navigation in 
the river, and steps were at once taken for 
the construction of a canal. 

Propositions had been made to build a series 
of dams across the river, but never went beyond 
the discussion stage. The North Branch 
canal, which was an extension of the Penn- 
sylvania State canal system, was begun in 
1826, the first excavation being celebrated at 
Berwick by a military parade and salutes from 
the cannon. Alexander Jameson drove the 
oxen and Nathan Beach held the plow handles 
as the first furrows were turned. 

The North Branch canal began at North- 
umberland and extended to the New York 
State line, there connecting with a canal to 
Elmira ; thence boats were towed down Seneca 
lake to the branch of the Erie canal, through 
which either the Atlantic or the Great Lakes 
could be easily reached. The canal was opened 
as far as Nanticoke falls in September, 1831 ; 
the W'yoming extension to Pittston, seventeen 
miles, was completed in 1834; the Tioga 
branch, to connect w-ith the New York canal 
system, was begun in 1836; also the line from 
Pittston to Athens ; the Tunkhannock line was 
begun in 1838. 

The North Branch Canal Company was in- 
corporated in 1843 and took over the unfin- 
ished portion between the Lackawanna river 
and the New York State line, but did not 
carry out the contract, and in 1848 the State 
regained control of that part. The entire 
canal and its branches was finally completed 
in 1853, but not fully opened until 1856, when 
the "Tonawanda" passed up from Pittston to 
Elmira with a cargo of coal. The total cost 
of the North Branch canal and its branches 
was $1,598,379.35. 

The length of the canal through the counties 
of Columbia and Montour was about twenty- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



43 



four miles. In this section there were five 
locks, located at Berwick, Bloomsburg, Rupert 
and Lime Ridge and one near Danville. These 
locks were twenty feet wide, twenty feet deep, 
with three sets of gates at distances of ninety 
feet. They were very substantially built of 
earth, lined with stone, covered with a wooden 
sheathing fastened to the stones by iron rods 
and wedges. The capstones along the walls 
were of Pottsville conglomerate, fastened to- 
gether with iron staples sunk in holes previ- 
ously filled with melted lead. Some of these 
locks could easily be used at present, while 
others have been destroyed by fire and flood. 
The most important monument in Columbia 
county to the ability of the old canal builders 
is the aqueduct at Rupert, which is now used 
by the electric railroad as a bridge. The stone 
piers are in excellent shape and the timbers 
are still in fair condition after eighty-three 
years of use. 

In 1830 the first canalboat — the '"Wyom- 
ing"^-built at Northumberland passed Ber- 
wick in the river, the canal being still un- 
completed. The following year the "Luzerne" 
came up the canal. In 1835 the first boats 
built exclusively for passenger trade, the 
"Denison" and the "Gertrude," constructed 
by Miller Horton and A. H. Cahoon, were 
launched at Northumberland for the trade 
between that town and Wilkes-Barre. They 
were drawn by six horses. For a period of 
some years before the advent of the railroads 
the canal was a favorite route for passenger 
traffic, as the stagecoaches were barely com- 
fortable and more expensive. Although the 
progress on the canal was slow — about six 
miles an hour — the scenery was beautiful, the 
accommodations excellent, and the food could 
be eaten in peace and at leisure. Many picnic 
and excursion parties were made up and the 
practice continued even down to the last years 
of the life of the canal system, when small 
light-draft steamers were used for the pur- 
pose. 

Boatyards were established at Northumber- 
land, Espy and Wilkes-Barre, where the boats 
were built and repaired. The canal company 
in later years operated its own boats, but any 
person could carry on a freight business by 
paying the regular tolls and complying with the 
rules. In winter the canal was emptied of 
water and all the necessary repairs were then 
made. In the spring it was necessary to mow 
the long grass in the canal bed before the 
water was let in, as it greatly interfered with 
rapid transit. 

For some years the business done by the 



canal was immense. It was the main avenue to 
the seaboard and coal could be profitably sent 
through it to Philadelphia for one dollar a ton 
from Wilkes-Barre. The railroad rate is now 
nearly double that. Canalboats were on an 
average eighty-five feet long and drew two 
feet when loaded. The average depth of the 
canal was five feet. The largest cargo ever 
shipped in one boat was a mixed one of 285 
tons. 

The entire canal system in this section of 
the State was sold in 1858 to the Sunbury & 
Erie Railroad Company and by them to the 
North Branch Canal Company. In 1869 it 
was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany, who formed the subsidiary company 
which for some years operated it under the 
name of the Pennsylvania Canal Company. 

In 1880 the traffic on the canal began to de- 
cline and in ten years after that it became 
apparent that the canal would have to be 
abandoned. The unprecedented freshets of 
1889 had destroyed the Juniata division, from 
Newton Hamilton to Rope Ferry, a distance of 
fifty-six miles, and the West Branch canal was 
also damaged, all that portion west of the 
Loyalsock being almost totally obliterated. 
Having no connection below Northumberland, 
the canal became almost useless and was finally 
abandoned in 1891. The Pennsylvania Rail- 
road Company sold it to the Delaware, Lacka- 
wanna &• Western Railroad Company, the pres- 
ent owners, later on. 

The Pennsylvania Canal Company operated 
the section of the canal from Northumberland 
to Wilkes-Barre, a distance of sixty-five miles, 
but owned altogether about 338 miles of canals. 
Their capital stock was fixed at $5,000,000 and 
the officers were all Philadelphians, stockhold- 
ers of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 
The locaP superintendents in this section were 
Hugh D. Quick of Rupert and Hudson Owen 
of Berwick. The chief engineer was Thomas 
H. Wierman of Harrisburg. 

In this year of 1914 there is little evidence 
in sight of the past glory of the canal, although 
but a few years have elapsed since its abandon- 
ment. Nature has done her best to obliterate 
the work of the past and man has assisted her 
by tearing down the embankments and de- 
stroying the stone work. The authorities at 
Danville have almost entirely filled up the bed 
of the canal, but in Bloomsburg and Berwick 
and along most of the intervening space it re- 
mains open, filled in places with stagnant water, 
a menace to the health of the public. The locks 
at Rupert and Bloomsburg are still visible, 



44 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



but those at Dainille and Berwick are covered 
up under tons of earth. 

The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- 
road Company has placed metal signs along the 
line of the canal, warning the public against 
trespassing. Many persons object to this pro- 
hibition, but in a way it is a blessing to the peo- 
ple. It prevents adjacent landowners from 
shutting off the river from the public use and 
has permitted the growth of trees to continue 
unrestricted, thus converting many parts of 
the canal towpath into a veritable "lovers' lane," 
embowered with foliage and affording a shady 
walk for miles along the beautiful Susque- 
hanna. The canal could be easily converted 
into a level and permanent highway at but 
moderate expense, if the railroad could be in- 
duced to turn it over to the State Highway 
Commission. 

RAILROADS 

The honor of being the first to promote and 
construct a railroad in this section of Pennsyl- 
vania belongs to citizens of Catawissa, the 
head of the project, and for a time the only 
advocate of the plan, being Christian Brobst. 
The story of the building of this road is an 
interesting and romantic one, and has been 
compiled in the follovving accurate narrative 
by Charles E. Randall, editor of the Catawissa 
News Item and vice president of the Columbia 
County Historical Society. 

In the issue of Jan. 20, 1825, Danville 
Watchman, appeared a letter from Christian 
Brobst, Catawissa, dated Jan. 15th. At that 
time water transportation was considered the 
solution of the problem of communication be- 
tween the great manufacturing centers, the 
State canal being partially completed. A route 
for water communication was sought between 
the Schuylkill river and the North Branch of 
the Susquehanna. 

In his letter to the Watchman Mr. Brobst, 
who was one of Catawissa's "live wires," a 
merchant miller, owning the upper mil! at that 
place, the farm now owned by Harman Breisch, 
and a number of other properties in this sec- 
tion, advocated a route between the two rivers 
by way of the Little Schuylkill river and Cata- 
wissa creek. He claimed the route was prac- 
tical and that he was acquainted with every 
foot of the way. His plan was to come up the 
Schuylkill river, then up the Little Schuylkill 
to its headwaters ; cross over to the headwaters 
of Catawissa creek, "a distance of three miles, 
part of the way through a small mountain" ; 
then down Catawissa creek to the North Branch 



of the Susquehanna; "the levels showing that 
every foot of the waterways could be made 
navigable." 

"This could be made a part of a route from 
Philadelphia to the lakes," he stated, "by going 
down the North Branch and up the West 
Branch to Sinnemahoning creek, 100 miles; up 
the Sinnemahoning to Toby's (or Sandy) creek, 
40 miles ; down Toby's creek to Allegheny river, 
Oo miles ; up the Allegheny to French creek, 
25 miles; up French creek to Waterford, 28 
miles; then by canal 14 miles across country 
to Erie." This route, he claimed, would neces- 
sitate the construction of but thirty miles of 
canals. Flis idea was that the streams could 
all be made navigable by a series of dams. 

Nothing ever came of this project, and it 
was not until 1829 that the transportation 
question came up again. This time it was the 
railroad project. Mr. Brobst had been elected 
to the Legislature from Columbia county, and 
kept hammering at the State authorities for 
transportation between the Schuylkill and the 
North Branch. Fortified by the survey he had 
made on the waterway project, he succeeded 
in getting the Legislature, in 1828, to pass an 
act authorizing the Pennsylvania Canal Com- 
mission to "employ a competent engineer to 
make surveys and examinations between a 
point on the Schuylkill canal near Pottsville, 
and a point on the Susquehanna river between 
the towns of Catawissa and Sunbury," as to 
the feasibility of building a railroad between 
those points. 

The waterway levels taken by Mr. Brobst 
were by means of a "Jacob's staff" and a home- 
made water level, made by himself, and they 
were so accurate that in surveys in later years 
by professional engineers the levels varied only 
about six feet in the entire distance between 
Catawissa and what is now Lofty. An engi- 
neer named Robinson was employed by the 
canal board to make the surveys, three terminal 
points on the North Branch of the Susque- 
hanna river being considered — Catawissa, 
Danville and Sunbury. The engineer elimi- 
nated Danville on account of "insurmountable 
natural obstacles," and after a lengthy survey 
reported to the commissioners in favor of a 
route through the Ouakake and Catawissa val- 
levs with Catawissa as the terminal, saving 
that this route was "adapted to locomotive en- 
gines." while the route with Sunburv as a 
terminus was "adapted to horse nower only 
for the greater part of the route." Besides, 
"the Catawissa route would p^ive three distribu- 
tive points — Pottsville. Little Schuvlkill and 
the Lehigh." 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



45 



In spite of the engineer's report the canal 
commissioners favored the Sunbury terminus, 
one of their number, Gen. Daniel Montgomery, 
being particularly active in Sunbury's support. 
On February 7, 1829, a meeting was held at 
the home of Christian A. Brobst (a son of 
Christian Brobst), Catawissa, to "protest 
against the activity of said Gen. Daniel Mont- 
gomery, he being a canal commissioner, in 
furthering Sunbury's claims as a terminal 
against the report of the engineer in favor of 
Catawissa." Mr. Brobst was chosen presi- 
dent of the meeting and Joseph Paxton and 
Dr. Isaac Pickering, secretaries. A committee 
was appointed to see that the Catawissa route 
got a fair show, the committee to attend the 
meeting of the canal commission at Harris- 
burg. The committee was as follows : Col. 
Joseph Paxton, William McKelvy, Joseph 
liroljst (a son of Christian), Dr. Harnian Gear- 
hart and Dr. Isaac Pickering. 

The project of the State building the rail- 
road fell through, but the Catawissians did not 
give up the idea, but turned to Philadelphia 
capitalists and business men with whom they 
had business connections. Two years later 
they succeeded in interesting Philadelphia capi- 
tal and the Little Schuylkill & Susquehanna 
Railroad Company was formed. 

In the charter granted by the Legislature 
on March 21, 1831, Charles Sidney Coxe, 
George Troutman, Thomas Reeves, Jr., Rob- 
ert Earp, Nathan Smith and George W. Tryon, 
of Philadelphia ; George DeB. Keim and 
Mathias S. Richards, of Reading, Berks 
county; William Audenreid, Burd Patterson, 
of Pottsville, Schuylkill county ; Christian 
Brobst and Joseph Paxton, of Catawissa, 
Columbia county; and Wm. McElwy (Mc- 
Kelvy) and Ebenezer Daniel, of Bloomsburg, 
Columbia county, were appointed commission- 
ers to open books for stock subscriptions. 

By 1S35 sufficient money had been raised by 
stock subscriptions and the financial support 
of a Philadelphia bank (either the Bank of 
North America or the Bank of the United 
States) to start the work. 

One provision of the charter was "that the 
said road shall not be more than four rods 
wide, and shall not pass through any burying- 
ground, or place of public worship, or any 
dwelling-house, without the consent of the 
owner thereof, or any outbuildings of the value 
of three hundred dollars, without such con- 
sent." 

Edward Miller was appointed chief engineer 
and he came to Catawissa early in 1835 and 
started the survey. The first right of way 



secured was of John Fortner, whose farm 
(i'ranklin township), now owned and tenanted 
by his granddaughter, Miss Alvaretta Fortner, 
extended down to Catawissa creek. The sur- 
vey began at the west line of the Fortner prop- 
erty. 

Chief Engineer Miller built the house known 
as the "Monroe house" at the corner of Sec- 
ond and South streets, and the office of the 
company was located there. The property is 
now owned by Oliver Miller, of Aristes. 

The work continued during 1835-36-37-38, 
the right of way being secured, the grading 
completed and the bridges erected, the line 
enduig at what was later known as the Lehigh 
Valley switchback, below Ryan's tunnel, at the 
foot of an inclined plane starting midway be- 
tween Lofty and Ryan's tunnel and ending half 
a mile below in the Quakake valley, where the 
Wilkes-Barre turnpike crosses the Little 
Schuylkill river. It was the intention to con- 
tinue the line through the Quakake valley to 
Philadelphia. The grade of the plane was 10 
feet 9 inches, to the one hundred feet. 

The bridges were wooden lattice-work, the 
timber being sawed by sawmills set up on the 
ground. Not a bolt or spike was used in any 
of the bridges, the framework being put to- 
gether with wooden pins. 

Not a rail was laid on the right of way, how- 
ever, though a quantity had been prepared and 
stored at the foot of the inclined plane. The 
stringers were sawed out of logs to a suitable 
size and a strap rail of iron nailed on the top. 
The old plane, graded in 1838, is plainly tracea- 
ble today from the trains passing that point 
on the Reading. 

A locomotive was built in England for the 
Little Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad Com- 
pany, but was never used as no track had been 
laid. It was stored at Philadelphia until the 
Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie Railroad was 
built. It weighed about fifteen tons and was 
called the "Catawissa," and was about the 
size of one of the little "dinkeys" used in later 
years by superintendents. It was never run 
practically, except on the C. W. & E. Railroad, 
where it was used for a short time to haul the 
officials over the road, having been first over- 
hauled by Harry Clayton, of Tamaqua, master 
mechanic of the Little Schuylkill railroad. 

In 1838 the bank that had financed the road 
failed and the work stopped, not to be re- 
sumed until 1853, when it was taken up by a 
new corporation, the Catawissa, Williamsport 
& Erie Railroad Company, chartered in 1850, 
which took over the property of the Little 
Schuvlkill & Susquehanna Railroad Company, 



46 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



and was authorized to extend the road to 
WiUiamsport. This company surveyed a new 
route from the head of the old inchned plane, 
abandoning that route, going to Tamanend, 
where it connected with the Little Schuylkill 
Navigation & Railroad Company, which was 
built irom Port Clinton to meet them. 

The contractors from Catawissa to Taman- 
end were Alexander Christy and a man named 
Malcom, both Scotchmen. They tore down 
the old lattice-work bridges and erected trestles, 
except at Alainville, Fisher's, Aline Gap and 
Long Hollow, where Burr arch bridges were 
erected. The old bed graded by the original 
company was repaired and used. The road 
was completed to Rupert in 1854. 

Beyond Rupert to Milton, where it joined 
the P. & E. railroad, Thomas Emmet was chief 
engineer and contractor, and he was permitted 
to make out his own estimates. He must have 
been an honest man, as no charges of graft 
were ever made against him. The road was 
completed to Milton in the fall of 1854. 

The first locomotive used on the line, the 
one used in track-laying and ballasting, was 
the "Massachusetts." It was built in that State 
by Hinkly & Drury, and was delivered at 
Columbia, Pa., from where it was brought to 
Catawissa on a canal flat in 1853. It was un- 
loaded at a point opposite the head of the 
"cove" below town, run over a cribbed-up track 
to the river bank, where it was loaded upon a 
large flat and ferried across the river to a 
point near the dwelling house that used to stand 
just below the Pennsylvania junction. From 
that point it was hauled up a temporary track 
to an engine house that had been erected near 
the old Nick Fisher home, the end of the grad- 
ing then. The rails used were made at Dan- 
ville, weighed 56 pounds to the yard, and were 
delivered across the river and hauled over the 
bridge by teams, being stored at the engine 
house and at the paper mill crossing. 

The "Massachusetts," afterwards known as 
No. 2, weighed about twenty-five tons, was a 
wood-burner, and had Samuel Carpenter as 
engineer and Frank Wright as fireman, both 
from Columbia. Joseph Shuman, of Beaver 
Valley, was night watchman at the enginehouse 
and engine wiper. 

In 1853 a line was run from the old grading 
at the Fortner line down the river to Danville, 
crossing the river at Boyd's. Colonel Paxton, 
one of the promoters of the company, owned 
the farm at the mouth of Fishing creek (now 
the Boody farm) and wanted the railroad to 
go to Danville by way of his farm. He suc- 
ceeded in getting passed a supplement to the 



act of the Legislature incorporating the Cata- 
wissa, WiUiamsport & Erie Railroad Co., ex- 
tending the line to WiUiamsport, "Provided, 
That any road located under authority of this 
section shall not diverge more than one mile 
distant from the mouth of Fishing creek." The 
road was built by way of Fishing creek and 
the town of Rupert resulted. 

Another line was run from Rupert through 
Millville and Aluncy to WiUiamsport, but noth- 
ing was ever done with this route. 

The Catawissa-Tamanend end of the road 
was completed first and mixed trains were run 
between Port Clinton and Catawissa, the first 
one on the i6th or 17th of July, 1854, the C. W. 
& E. having trackage rights over the Little 
Schuylkill to Port Clinton, where they con- 
nected with the Reading main line. The creek 
bridge had been completed and the Catawissa 
station was located on the present site. The 
yard comprised the home of Isaac S. Monroe, 
who sold to the company and purchased the 
home built by Chief Engineer Miller at the 
corner of Second and South streets. The old 
Monroe homestead was moved down opposite 
the station and was for many years used as 
offices, being torn down a few years ago. 

The first through train from Port Clinton to 
Milton (with connections through from Phil- 
adelphia) was run in September or October, 
1854. The first scheduled train started from 
Catawissa to Port Clinton on Monday in July. 
It came up from Tamaqua on Sunday, the i6th 
or 17th, to be here ready for Monday's start. 
There were two trains running from opposite 
ends of the line. The engineer of the first reg- 
ular train out of Catawissa was John Johnson, 
afterwards a machinist in the shops here, and 
the fireman was his brother-in-law, a man 
named Coe. The conductor's name was Du- 
Bois. That Sunday was a gala day in Cata- 
wissa, thousands of people coming from all 
over this section to see the train come in. W. 
G. Yetter, then sixteen years of age, saw the 
train arrive that afternoon. The first station 
agent at Catawissa was George Hughes, father 
of Mrs. Sarah Vastine. The first at Rupert 
was George S. Gilbert, a member of the en- 
gineer corps. 

The locomotive was turned at this place by 
means of a Y, that extended out to the river 
bank from the old station and back to Roberts' 
run (now Corn run). 

The C. W. & E. was built at a uniform grade 
of 33 feet to the mile from Catawissa to Lofty. 
The maximum curvature was 12 degrees, ex- 
cept at "Nigger Hollow," where it was I2>4. 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



47 



From Lofty to Tamanend the descending grade 
was 66 feet to the mile. 

The Catawissa railroad had seven wooden 
trestle bridges (the largest being that at Dark 
Run, which was 546 feet high and 574 feet 
long) and about as many tunnels. The bridge 
at Mainville was 115 feet high and 727 feet 
long. It was the only one in Columbia county. 
A fine steel bridge now occupies its place, the 
old piers of the first one still remaining. All 
the others have been replaced by steel. 

The Catawissa' shops were built in 1864, the 
repair work before that time being done at 
Tamaqua. The first master mechanic was 
George H. Prescott, and his brother, "Andy" 
Prescott, was foreman. 

The Catawissa railroad was extended from 
Milton to Williamsport in 1871, under George 
Webb, superintendent and chief engineer, with 
W. G. Yetter as assistant engineer. In 1882 
W. G. Yetter, resident engineer, laid out and 
built the extension from Williamsport to New- 
berry. The extension from Milton to Wil- 
liamsport cost $1,200,000, the estimate hav- 
ing been $1,000,000. 

The Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie had a 
strenuous time and in i860 gave up the ghost. 
The property was purchased at public sale by 
the Catawissa Railroad Company, a corpora- 
tion formed for that purpose. In 1872 the 
road was taken over by the Philadelphia & 
Reading Railway Company under a lease, 
under which the latter company still holds con- 
trol and operates the road. 

The officers of the road have been: Presi- 
dents—William D. Lewis, T. H. Dupey, M. P. 
Hutchinson and Franklin B. Gowen (after the 
Reading took charge in 1872) ; superintendents 
— Thomas M. McKissock; Henry Fondy ; 
Stanley H. Goodwin, who resigned in May, 
1863 ; followed by George Webb, who resigned 
in 1872 ; succeeded by Daniel Reinhard until 
March 17, 1887, when W. G. Yetter was ap- 
pointed until June, 1893, when the Catawissa 
railroad was consolidated with the Shamokin 
Branch of the P. & R. under Mr. Bertolet as 
superintendent, until he was succeeded by A. 
T. Dice, who was followed by J. E. Turk, the 
present superintendent. 

The second railroad built through this sec- 
tion of the county was the Lackawanna & 
Bloomsburg road, projected by citizens of 
Wilkes-Barre, who had no means of reaching 
Philadelphia but the circuitous route through 
Scranton and New York City. This road was 
completed in 1857 to Rupert, connecting there 
with the Catawissa road, and the first train 
passed Bloomsburg on Jan. i, 1858. Two years 



later the road was extended to Northumber- 
land. At first but two trains, one passenger 
and one freight, were in service, but addi- 
tions of two trains were made every ten years 
until 1881, when it came into the control of 
the famous Lackawanna, "The Road of An- 
thracite," which now operates the line. At 
present four passenger trains are run daily 
each way, and an equal number of freights. 
The line is equipped with automatic block sig- 
nals and is one of the finest in the State. 

The North & West Branch railroad was con- 
ceived in the mind of Rev. D. J. Waller, of 
Bloomsburg, who reasoned that the logical 
route for a railroad was along the southern 
bank of the Susquehanna. This route had 
previously been the one selected by Simon P. 
Kase as the one for his telegraph line, but 
was abandoned in favor of the Hazleton route. 
Mr. Waller wrote the charter for the new road, 
and Hon. C. R. Buckalew had it passed by the 
Legislature in 1871. It was ten years, how- 
ever, before the road was completed to Wilkes- 
Barre from Catawissa. J. C. Brown was chief 
engineer, and Samuel Neyhard, assistant. The 
charter of the company provided that a bridge 
be built over the Susquehanna, with a wagon 
way beside the tracks, the county to pay two- 
fifths of the cost. That bridge was never built, 
but the road was constructed under the name 
of North & West Branch Railroad Company, 
with almost unlimited powers to construct 
branches, etc. It came into the control of 
the Pennsylvania system in 1886. At the pres- 
ent time the road is in a prosperous condition. 
Six passenger trains and numerous freights 
are run daily through Catawissa. 

In 1870 the Danville, Hazleton & Wilkes- 
Barre road was built by the efforts of Simon 
P. Kase, of Danville. It, also, is now in the 
control of the Pennsylvania. It follows the 
east bank of the Catawissa creek, passing 
through Main and Beaver townships, connect- 
ing Catawissa with Hazleton and the hard coal 
region. 

The Bloomsburg & Sullivan Railroad Com- 
pany received its original charter from the 
State in 1883, and was completed in 1888. The 
first ground was broken at the bridge a short 
distance north of Orangeville, in August, 1886, 
the road was completed and operated to Benton 
the following year, and to Jamison City in 1888. 
The promoters of the road were: Hon. C. R. 
Buckalew and Col. John Jamison, of Blooms- 
burg, and the constructing engineer was John 
A. Wilson, of Philadelphia. James C. Brown, 
a former postmaster of Bloomsburg, was 
the surveyor of the line. The entire right of 



48 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



way was secured through the efforts of Capt. 
H. J. Conner and Silas McHenry. John Bush 
(Giovanni Bucci), of Bloomsburg, was the 
contractor. The road is twenty-nine miles 
long, its route being through the beautiful and 
historic Fishingcreek valley, where at many 
points are located the camps and cottages of 
the summer residents from Bloomsburg, Cata- 
wissa, Berwick and the adjoining towns in the 
county. There are many highly productive 
farms along the line, which passes through 
Light Street, Orangeville, Forks, Stillwater, 
Benton, Coles Creek, Central and Jamison City. 
Connection is made at Bloomsburg with the 
Lackawanna and the Reading, and at Paper 
Mill with the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & 
Berwick roads. The road operates six pas- 
senger trains each day, and several freights, 
although the trade has fallen off since the re- 
moval of the sawmills at Jamison City. An 
extension was projected northward to connect 
with the Lehigh Valley road, and a route was 
once surveyed, but nothing further has cul- 
minated. 

The present officers of the road are : Samuel 
Wigfall, president; H. T. Dechert, vice presi- 
dent ; \V. C. Snyder, superintendent and treas- 
urer ; George A. Ritter, secretary and auditor ; 
W. C. Fortune, supervisor. About fifty men 
are employed by the company. 

The Wilkes-Barre & Western railroad was 
commenced in 1885, ran the first train from 
Watsontown to Millville in 1887, and in 1891 
was completed to Orangeville. Subsequently 
the management changed hands, the name was 
changed to the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & 
Berwick Railroad Company, the line to Orange- 
ville abandoned, the route made through Light 
Street and the line completed to Berwick in 
1903. Over this road most of the cars manu- 
factured by the American Car & Foundry Com- 
pany, of Berwick, are forwarded to their 
owners. 

The line traverses a picturesque region of 
hills and deep valleys, passing through Light 
Street, Paper Mill, Jerseytown, Eyer's Grove 
and Mordansville, with a branch to Millville. 
The terminus of the road is at Watsontown, on 
the west branch of the Susquehanna. Samuel 
B. Haupt, president of the road, died in Sep- 
tember, 1913, from injuries received when his 
private car was struck by a switch engine in 
the Berwick yards. Since his death the road 
has come into the control of the Pennsylvania 
system. 



ELECTRIC R.'MLWAYS — LIGHTING 

For the following concise and correct his- 
tory of the development of gas and electricity 
in the counties of Columbia and Montour we 
are indebted to A. W. Duy, a prominent attor- 
ney of Bloomsburg, who is personally associ- 
ated with these companies. 

Gas Lighting 

The first gas company to be incorporated and 
begin operations in Bloomsburg was the Blooms- 
burg Gas Company, which corporation received 
its charter from the court of Common Pleas 
of Columbia county on May 9, 1874. The au- 
thorized capitalization was $30,000 (Deed 
Book 27, page 433), and the promoters of this 
enterprise were as follows : H. J. Clark, John 
La Wall, Freas Brown, D. A. Beckley, Samuel 
Knorr, H. H. Grotz, E. R. Ikeler, Enos Jacoby, 
A. L. Turner, J. C. Brown, J. K. Grotz, A. C. 
Smith, C. Bittenbender, C. F. Knapp, J. H. 
Maize, Ed. M. Warden, Jacob Schuyler, C. G. 
Barkley, D. J. Waller, William Peacock, J. J. 
Brower, I. W. Hartman, Robert F. Clark, 
John A. Funston, C. W. Neal, Joshua Fetter- 
man, W. M. Reber, D. Lowenberg, M. C. 
Woodward, J. S. Sterner, E. H. Little, Louis 
Bernhard, Wm. B. Koons, Isaiah Hagenbuch, 
W. F. Sloan, H. L. Dieffenbach, C. W. Miller. 

These gentlemen after receiving their char- 
ter purchased the tract of land at the intersec- 
tion of Seventh and Market streets in the town 
of Bloomsburg, there constructed a gas plant 
and laid mains throughout the main portion 
of the town, and conducted a very prosperous 
business until Sept. 2, 1899, when the company 
leased its property, rights and franchises for 
a period of nine hundred and ninety-nine years 
(Misc. Book 6, page 454) to the American Gas 
Light Company of Bloomsburg, a corporation 
formed under the act of 1874, for the purpose 
of taking over the property, rights and fran- 
chises of the old Bloomsburg Gas Company. 

The American Gas Light Company of 
Bloomsburg received its charter Aug. 25, 1899 
(Misc. Book 8, page 665), its authorized capi- 
talization being $40,000, together with an issue 
of bonds of equal amount, and the incorpora- 
tors of the company were: William D. Boyer, 
John B. Russel, Grant Pelton, George W. Rey- 
nolds, P. R. Bevan, all of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 
It continued in business until Nov. 16, 1906, 
when by virtue of an agreement of merger and 
consolidation between it and the American 
Electric Light Company, the property, rights 
and franchises of the company became vested 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



49 



in the United Gas and Electric Company of 
Bloomsburg, the incorporators of the last 
named company being E. li. Tustin, John B. 
Russel, P. R. Bevan, Harry S. Barton, A. W. 
Duy. The gas business in Bloomsburg was 
conducted under the management of this com- 
pany until Feb. 7, 191 1, when by another agree- 
ment of merger and consolidation it was 
merged with twenty-two other gas and electric 
companies, covering the territory between the 
borough of Nescopeck in Luzerne county, and 
the borough of Riverside in Northumberland 
county, both inclusive, forming the Columbia 
Gas and Electric Company, the details of whose 
consolidation are referred to later on. 

The Columbia Gas and Electric Company 
sold and conveyed all of its property, rights 
and franchises to the Columbia and Montour 
Electric Company in March, 1913, and the gas 
business is now being conducted under the 
management of that company and is keeping 
pace with the rapid strides in the general in- 
dustrial development of Bloomsburg. 

The Danville Gas Company was created by 
special act of Assembly, approved the 8th day 
of May, 1854 (P. L. 1855, page 710). This 
company purchased the lot of land where the 
present gas and electric plant is located and 
erected a gas plant, constructed mains through- 
out the borough of Danville and proceeded to 
engage in the business of furnishing gas to the 
citizens of that borough. The property of the 
Danville Gas Company was next acquired by 
the Consumers Gas Company, a corporation 
which was created under the act of 1874, on 
Nov. 8, 1882, and this company conveyed by 
lease for the term of nine hundred and ninety- 
nine years, its property, rights and franchises 
to the Standard Gas Company (Deed Book 19, 
page 606). 

Electric Lighting 

The pioneers in the electric lighting business 
in Columbia county were the following gentle- 
men and firms : W. R. Tubbs, Harman & Has- 
sert, Robbins & Peacock, W. H. Brower, C. M. 
Creveling, L. S. Wintersteen, B. F. Sharpless, 
T. L. Gunton, Isaac S. Kuhn, J. R. Schuyler, 
J. C. Brown, I. W. Willits, Frank P. Billmeyer, 
C. W. Miller, N. U. Funk, E. V. Hartman, H. 
V. White, L. T. Sharpless, C. A. Kleim, A. G. 
Briggs, J. E. Wilson, J. M. Robbins. Mathias 
Geist, R. W. Oswald, James McCloskey, H. P. 
Chamberlain, L. N. Moyer, D. W. Kitchen, 
W. R. Kocher, H. J. Clark & Son, Freas 
Brown, Charles G. Barkley, Paul E. Wirt, 
George Rosenstock, David Hensinger, Frank 



P. Drinker, M. G. Hughes, John Appleman, 
James Magee, J. H. Mercer, William Chris- 
man, L. E. Waller, John A. Funston, B. F. 
Gardner, William Krickbaum, H. W. McRey- 
nolds, L. Gross, John L. Moyer, C. W. Neal, 
John B. Casey, J. H. Maize. 

On Dec. 11, 1889, the above gentlemen, all 
of whom were prominent in the affairs of the 
county, received a charter from the governor, 
effected an organization under the name of 
Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Com- 
pany (Misc. Book 3, page 440), purchased a 
lot at the northeast corner of tlie intersection 
of Eighth and Catharine streets, Bloomsburg, 
and there erected an electric light plant, the 
original equipment consisting of two small 
Keeler boilers ; two fifty horsepower Taylor- 
Beck engines; two fifty kilowatt Thompson- 
Houston alternating generators, one fifty light 
direct current Thompson-Houston arc gener- 
ator, and a wooden panel switchboard. 

A contract for lighting the streets of Blooms- 
burg was secured from the town council, pole 
lines and wires were erected throughout the 
built up portion of the town, arc lights placed 
at the intersection of the principal thorough- 
fares and electric light turned on about the 
1st of April, 1 89 1, a truly historic event in the 
advancement of Bloomsburg. 

This company on Sept. 2, 1899 (Misc. Book 
6, page 451), leased its property, rights and 
franchises to the American Electric Light Com- 
pany, a corporation which was formed for the 
purpose of taking over the old company, hav- 
ing received its charter Aug. 21, 1899 (Misc. 
Book 8, page 664), of which company the in- 
corporators were William D. Beyer, Grant Pel- 
ton, G. W. Reynolds, P. R. Bevan, all of 
Wilkes-Barre. This company conducted the 
plant until the i6th of November, 1906, when 
it entered into an agreement of merger and 
consolidation with the American Gas Light 
Company of Bloomsburg, forming the United 
Gas and Electric Company of Bloomsburg 
(Misc. Book 9, page 17). 

The Irondale Electric Light, Heat & Power 
Company was incorporated on April 7, 1902 
(Misc. i3ook 7, page 503), the incorporators 
being C. M. Creveling, W. S. Moyer, Dr. W. 
M. Reber, Charles W. Runyon, N. U. Funk, 
Grant Herring, H. A. M'Killip, J. N. Thomp- 
son, C. A. Kleim, J. C. Brown, Dr. J. J. Brown. 

The Irondale Electric Light, Heat and Power 
Company acquired by purchase the dam, mill 
race, wheel house, and water rights of the 
Bloomsburg Iron Company, and in the year 
1902 erected and equipped at Irondale a hydro- 
electric plant, receiving its waterpower from 



50 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Fishing creek, the water being conveyed from 
the old Irondale dam by way of the headrace 
and developing about two hundred horsepower. 
For a number of years the Irondale Electric 
Light, Heat and Power Company and the 
Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Com- 
pany were both engaged in the furnishing of 
electricity to the community, developing a spir- 
ited competition, resulting in a rate which while 
beneficial to the citizens produced disastrous 
results to those having investment in the enter- 
prise. 

The Berwick Electric Light Company was 
incorporated on Aug. 4, 1892 (Misc. Book 4, 
page 70), the following gentlemen being in- 
terested in the enterprise at that time: F. H. 
Eaton, C. D. Eaton, W. F. Lowry, C. C. Evans, 
F. W. Brockway, W. E. Elmes. They subse- 
quently incorporated the West Berwick Elec- 
tric Light Company, which was a company 
subsidiary to the Berwick Electric Light Com- 
pany, furnishing electric current in the borough 
of West Berwick. These two companies later 
joined the merger and consolidation forming 
the Columbia Gas and Electric Company. 

The first electric light company to be incor- 
porated in the borough of Danville, Montour 
county, was the Standard Electric Light Com- 
pany, which received its letters patent from 
the Commonwealth on Oct. 6, 1899 (Deed Book 
21, page 435), the incorporators being John 
B. Russel, W. D. Boyer, G. W. Reynolds, Grant 
Pelton, P. R. Bevan, and this company took 
over by purchase the electric light business in 
Danville which had formerly been conducted 
by John R. Bennett, as an individual. 

ELECTRIC RAILWAYS 

The first electric railway company organized 
in Columbia county was the Bloomsburg Elec- 
tric Street Railway Company, which was in- 
corporated on June i, 1892, under the act of 
1889 (Misc. Book 4, page 41), by J. L. Dillon, 
L. E. Waller, C. C. Peacock, I. W. Willits, W. 
R. Tubbs, C. W. Miller, for the purpose of 
constructing two miles of road in the town of 
Bloomsburg. This enterprise was subse- 
quently abandoned, as the traffic was not 
deemed sufficient to support it. 

The Bloomsburg and Berwick Electric Rail- 
way Company was incorporated Feb. 9, 1899 
(Misc. Book 6. page 265), by R. Steen Martin, 
Franklin Ingraham, J. M. Emery, L. E. Waller, 
F. E. Miller, C. W. "Miller, with its route from 
Bloomsburg to Berwick. This road was com- 
pletely financed through the efforts of Mr. C. 
W. Miller, but owing to the inability of the 



company to procure all of the rights of way 
from abutting property owners, the subscribers 
temporarily abandoned the construction of the 
road. 

The North Susquehanna Transit Company 
was incorporated Aug. i, 1895 (Misc. Book 
7, page 449), by the following named gentle- 
men : E. S. Whitney, Robert E. Wright, Allen- 
town, Pa. ; Wilson M. Gearhart, James Scar- 
let, R. S. Ammerman, John K. Geisinger, Dan- 
ville, Pa. ; E. R. Sponsler, J. M. Fitzgerald, 
Harrisburg, Pa. ; all of whom constituted the 
first board of directors. The charter route of 
this company extended from the borough of 
Danville in Montour county through the town 
of Bloomsburg to the village of Espy in Colum- 
bia county. 

On Oct. 31, 1899, the Bloomsburg and Ber- 
wick Electric Railway Company and the North 
Susquehanna Transit Company entered into 
an agreement of merger and consolidation, 
forming the Columbia and Montour Electric 
Railway Company, with an authorized capital- 
ization of $375,000; bonds were issued in the 
sum of $375,000 secured by a first lien mort- 
gage to the Commonwealth Trust Company of 
Harrisburg, as trustee, the company secured a 
tract of land, the site of the old Neal furnace, 
where they erected a powerhouse and car barn, 
and the first electric railway in the history of 
Columbia county was constructed and com- 
pleted between the borough of Berwick and 
the town of Bloomsburg, with a branch four 
miles extending from the town of Bloomsburg 
to the borough of Catawissa. The road was 
opened for traffic in October, 1901. 

The Danville and Bloomsburg Street Rail- 
way Company was incorporated on Sept. i, 
1903 (Alisc. Book 8, page 259), with an 
authorized capitalization of $250,000. The in- 
corporators were R. H. Koch, W. C. Billman, 
Frank C. Angle, Charles P. Hancock, W. F. 
Pascoe. Bonds in the sum of $250,000 were 
issued secured by a first lien mortgage to the 
Easton Trust Company, of Easton, Pa. They 
secured a site at the village of Grovania, half 
way between Danville and Bloomsburg, and 
there erected a powerhouse and car barn, and 
constructed the road between Danville and 
Bloomsburg. 

A number of charters for other electric 
railways to be constructed with terminus at 
Bloomsburg have been granted, but up to 1914 
none of them went further than the projected 
stage. The exception was the Bloomsburg & 
Millville Railway Company, incorporated in 
1901. A route from Millville to Bloomsburg 
was partially graded and about two miles of 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



51 



track laid. The cgmpany was then reorgan- 
ized as the Bloomsburg, Millville & Northern 
Railway Company and preparations were made 
to equip the line with storage battery cars, but 
nothing detinite was accomplished. The offi- 
cials and promoters of this road in 1913 were: 
D. O. Coughlin, president, Wilkes-Barre ; 
Walter Hughes, treasurer, West Berwick; W. 
P. Zehner, secretary, Bloomsburg; directors, 
William Masters and Ellis Eves, Millville; 
Walter Hughes, C. W. Miller, J. C. Brown, 
James Magee, W. P. Zehner, Bloomsburg; J. 
B. Kester, Mainville; L. E. Waller, Wilkes- 
Barre. 

In passing it seems well to observe that in all 
of the foregoing enterprises, which have con- 
tributed so much to the development of Colum- 
bia county, Mr. C. W. Miller, a member of 
the Columbia county bar, was the pioneer, and 
to his indefatigable energy and farsightedness 
the community is largely indebted for the prog- 
ress which it has made, not only in the de- 
velopment of public service corporations, but 
many manufacturing industries as well. 

In the fall of 1908, at a time when the de- 
velopment of the electrical industry in the 
nation was beginning to assume that position 
in the economic scheme which it is one day 
destined to attain ; and when science had dem- 
onstrated the fact that electrical energy might 
be profitably transmitted for long distances, 
certain gentlemen affiliated with the Pardee 
coal interests, at Hazleton, conceived the idea 
of establishing a gigantic electric power plant 
adjacent to the vast culm banks at the Har- 
wood Mines, and a corporation w'as formed 
known as the Harwood Electric Company, 
who there erected a modern electric plant at 
a cost of over a million dollars, with capacity 
to furnish electric energy and distribute it for 
hundreds of miles. 

Recognizing the possibilities which this en- 
terprise offered, Mr. A. W. Duy, of Blooms- 
burg, at that time counsel for the electric rail- 
way company and the gas and electric com- 
panies, together with Mr. E. R. Sponsler, of 
Harrisburg, Pa., the president of the Colum- 
bia and Montour Electric Railway Company, 
conceived the idea of amalgamating all of the 
electric light, gas and electric railway com- 
panies in Columbia and Montour counties, and 
a corporation was formed by them under the 
laws of Delaware, known as the Columbia 
Power, Light and Railways Company, with an 
authorized capitalization of $850,000, and an 
authorized bond issue of like amount. The 
incorporators of this company were E. R. 
Sponsler, Harrisburg; A. W. Duy, Blooms- 



burg; W. F. Lowry, Berwick; Myron I. Low, 
Lime Ridge; C. M. Creveling, Almedia; R. H. 
Koch, Pottsville; W. C. Billman, Reading; P. 
R. Bevan, Wilkes-Barre; M. F. D. Scanlon, 
St. Davids; B. F. Meyers, Harrisburg; W. M. 
Pyle, Wilmington, Del. ; R. Scott Ammerman, 
Danville, Pennsylvania. 

This company acquired by purchase a con- 
trolling interest and in some instances all of 
the capital stock, a majority of the bonds, and 
in some cases all of the bonds, of the follow- 
ing companies : Berwick Electric Light Com- 
pany of Berwick; West Berwick Electric 
Light, Heat and Power Company, of West 
Berwick ; United Gas and Electric Company 
of Bloomsburg; Irondale Electric Light, Heat 
and Power Company of Bloomsburg; Standard 
Gas Light Company of Danville ; Danville 
Electric Light Company of Danville; Nesco- 
peck Light, Heat and Power Company of 
Nescopeck ; Columbia and Montour Electric 
Railway, and Danville and Bloomsburg Street 
Railway Companies. 

In order that the territory of operation of 
the company might be legally organized and 
the light, heat and power furnished by any one 
of the subsidiary or operated companies man- 
aged by the company and as required by the 
statutes of the Commonwealth, the company 
procured to be organized and purchased all of 
tlie capital stock of the following named light, 
heat and power companies : Briar Creek Elec- 
tric Company, Catawissa Electric Company, 
Centre Township Electric Company, Cooper 
Electric Company, Gearhart Electric Company, 
Hemlock Electric Company, Mahoning Elec- 
tric Company, Miftlin Township Electric Com- 
pany, Montour Electric Company, Riverside 
Electric Company, Salem Electric Company, 
Scott Township Electric Company, Shickshin- 
ny Electric Company, Valley Township Elec- 
tric Company. West Hemlock Electric Com- 
pany — $5,000 each, the total being $75,000. 

It was the ultimate purpose of the company, 
as the sole or principal stockholder of the re- 
spective subsidiary or operated companies, to 
cause the merger of the railway companies 
into one company and all of the light, heat and 
power companies into one company, so that 
the subsidiary or operated companies should 
consist of one transportation company and one 
light, heat and power company. This was 
accomplished bv agreements of merger and 
consolidation dated Feb. 7, 191 1, forming the 
Columbia and Montour Electric Railway Com- 
pany and the Columbia Gas and Electric Com- 
pany, and all the territory operated by the 
company through its subsidiary companies in 



52 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



the counties of Luzerne, Columbia and Mon- 
tour brought under the requirements of the 
statutes of the State relative to tlie supply 
of light, heat and power within the territory 
of the franchise and to persons and companies 
in the territory contiguous thereto. 

In undertaking the work of the operation 
of the various subsidiary companies, the neces- 
sity of a change in the power for operation 
was early felt. Each of the respective operated 
companies was producing its own motive 
power, with a multiplicity of engines, gen- 
erators and machinery, and each with its force 
of employees. Indeed it was one of the pri- 
mary conceptions in the economic operation of 
these companies to secure either a common 
center of power within the territory, or a 
power from a distance outside of the terri- 
tory from which all the subsidiary companies 
might be operated from a common source or 
by the manipulation of a single unit. In con- 
summation of this design the company, through 
the Nescopeck Light, Heat and Power Com- 
pany, on the 5th day of June, 1909, caused the 
execution of a contract for the supply of 
power with the Harwood Electric Company, 
by which the latter named company agreed 
to furnish by the ist of January, 1910, suffi- 
cient common power to operate the transporta- 
tion companies and all of the light, heat and 
power companies, to the maximum amount of 
five thousand kilowatts. 

The plant of the Harwood Electric Company 
is located at Harwood Mines, in Luzerne coun- 
ty. Pa., distant some sixteen miles southeast 
of Berwick. The steampower for the genera- 
tion of electricity is produced by the consum])- 
tion of the refuse of the mining operations of 
the Pardee Estate extending over a period of 
some forty years, which, having been produced 
in mining operations when only the choicest 
coal was sent into commerce, contains vast de- 
posits of washable and commercial coal as 
used in modern economics, amounting to mil- 
lions of tons, which under the present rate of 
consumption will not be consumed in half a 
century. In addition to this, vast deposits of 
virgin coal owned by the estate may be con- 
sidered supplementary or additional to the 
capacity of this vast concern. 

The plant proper constitutes one of the 
finest, if not the finest, plants for the produc- 
tion of electricitv known to modern engineer- 
ing. It has been recently constructed, with 
the most approved and latest appliances, at an 
expenditure of several millions of dollars, and 
has a present contemplated maximum capacity 
of some twenty-five thousand kilowatts, now 



operating 9,000 kilowatts and supplying an ex- 
tensive territory in the immediate location of 
the plant, besides the power furnisned to our 
local companies. The current is transmitted 
by a douDie line of triple wires or cables, con- 
stituting two units of transmission, so that 
an accident to one line may be overcome by 
the use of its alternate. 

Under the contract, the power is delivered 
at a point in Nescopeck township, Luzerne 
county, on the south bank of the Susquehanna 
river and is carried thence over the river by 
cables suspended upon steel abutments or 
towers, clearing the entire water space by one 
span, the length of which is 2,300 feet. Tlience 
it is carried to Berwick, where it is measured 
by a system of meters and reduced and divided 
to the uses of the respective operated com- 
panies. This is accomplished by a line of 
cables extending from Berwick to Danville, 
erected proportionately by each of the respec- 
tive power companies the territory of which is 
invaded by the line, each company using such 
part of the current as its necessities may re- 
quire. The transportation companies use the 
current after a transmutation from alternat- 
ing current to direct current, by efficient gen- 
erators employed by these companies. 

As an auxiliary and additional power, the 
plant of the Irondale Light, Heat and Power 
Company has been equipped to develop its 
waterpower to a potentiality of eight hundred 
horsepower, with an equal alternate or auxil- 
iary steampower, which under the Harwood 
contract may be used singly or doubly, at the 
pleasure of that company. The powerhouse 
at Irondale has consequently been remodeled 
and new and effective machinery installed for 
this general purpose. The primary purpose of 
the Irondale equipment is to act as a governor 
and reduce the peak of the load, and in opera- 
tion not only does this, but reduces the general 
consumption of the Harwood current. This 
effects the most approved engineering scheme 
for the reduction of the cost of power under 
the contract with the Harwood Electric Com- 
pany and in effect produces in the operation of 
both plants a constant, unfluctuating and effi- 
cient current, which is surpassed at no plant 
in the United States. 

All of the various subsidiary companies were 
operated by the Columbia Power, Light and 
Railways Company as a holding company un- 
til May 26, 191 1, when the gentlemen inter- 
ested in the company, believing that its securi- 
ties would find a more ready market if each 
company were operated direct, rather than 
through the medium of a holding company. 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



53 



caused to be incorporated the Columhia and 
Montour Electric Company. 

The incorporators ot this company were E. 
R. Sponsler, \V. F. Lowry, Myron I. Low, 
C. M. Crevehng, A. W. L)uy, the company 
having an authorized capital of $525,000 and 
an authorized bond issue of $525,000. This 
company subsequently purchased outright 
from the holding company and from the 
various subsidiary companies all the right, 
property and franchises of the gas, electric 
light and power companies, and they are now 
being operated by the Columbia and Montour 
Electric Company, which company also ac- 
quired ninety-hve per cent of the capital stock 
of the Columbia and Montour Electric Railway 
Company, and controls the management and 
operation of that corporation. 

In 1913, the name of the Columbia and 
Montour Electric Railway Company, because 
of its similarity to the name of the power 
company, was changed by appropriate action 
and is now the North Branch Transit Com- 
pany. Since June i, 1913, both the power 
company and the transit company have been 
under the management of H. D. Walbridge & 
Company, No. 14 Wall street. New York. 
Nearly all of the original local incorporators 
retained an interest in the two companies. 

Through the firm of H. D. Walbridge & 
Company the local companies are affiliated with 
the Northern Central Company and the North- 
umberland County Gas and Electric Company, 
and supply w^ith gas and electricity the follow- 
ing territory : Nescopeck, in Luzerne county ; 
Berwick, West Berwick, Bloomsburg, Cata- 
wissa and intermediate villages, in Columbia 
county; Danville, in Montour county; Selins- 
grove and Lewisburg, in Union county; Sun- 
bury, Northumlierland, Milton, Watsontown 
and Turbotville, in Northumberland county. 

BRIDGES 

BERWICK 

The first bridge across the Susquehanna at 
Berwick was authorized by the Legislature in 
1807, and an organization was made five years 
later, with Abraham Miller as president; John 
Brown, treasurer, and Silas Engle, Thomas 
Bowman and Elisha Barton as managers. This 
bridge was completed in 1814 by Theodore 
Burr at a cost of $=^2,000. Its length was 1,260 
feet and it rested on timber piers, boxed in 
with heavy planks. In the winter of 1835-36 
it was carried away by the ice. The follow- 
ing year Jesse Bowman, Josiah T. Black, 



Samuel F. Headley, A. B. Wilson and Robert 
McCurdy secured an appropriation of $10,000 
from the Legislature and erected the second 
bridge. This was a covered wooden arch 
bridge, and was operated for some years as a 
toll bridge by the company. It was made a 
free county bridge by proceedings in court in- 
stituted by a petition of citizens of Berwick 
and Nescopeck filed May I, 1899. A. J. Derr, 
J. C. Brown and G. W. Keiter were appointed 
viewers, and on Sept. 25, 1899, they reported 
in favor of a free bridge, and assessed the 
damages to be paid to the bridge company at 
$25,349, which action was approved by the 
grand jury. After some delay caused by a 
motion for time to file an appeal by the bridge 
company, the court made an order on Feb. 5, 
1900, declaring this bridge a free county 
bridge. This being a bridge between Colum- 
bia and Luzerne counties similar action had 
been taken in the Luzerne County court, and 
a similar order made. The Luzerne county 
viewers were George J. Llewellyn, W. H. 
Sturdevant and C. A. Shea, who with the 
Columbia county viewers had met and con- 
sidered the matter, and had made their joint 
report in favor of the bridge and assessing 
the damages on July 21, 1899. This bridge 
was destroyed by the flood of March, 1904. 
Proceedings were at once started to have it 
replaced by the State in April, 1904. The 
report being favorable, the contract was let 
on June 13, 1905, to the York Bridge Company 
for $209,500, and an iron and steel bridge 
was erected and completed in 1906. It is 
one of the finest structures that crosses the 
river anywhere. A free ferrv was maintained 
by the two counties during its construction. 

DANVILLE 

The Danville Bridge Company was chartered 
Jan. 2, 1S28, the officers of the company being: 
Daniel Monts'oinerv, president ; James Long- 
head, treasurer; John Cooper, secretary; John 
C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter Baldy, Sr., Wil- 
lifim Boyd, Andrew McReynolds, Robert C. 
Grier, managers. On the 3d of March of that 
year a contract was made with John P. Schuy- 
ler and James Fletcher for the construction of 
the first bridge. The work on the foundations 
began in that month, and in January, 1829, 
the bridge was completed, the company accept- 
ing it the following month. The State held a 
small amount of stock in this bridge. Daniel 
HofTman was appointed the first toll collector, 
at a salary of $65 a year. 

On Alarch 14, 1846, the bridge was swept 



54 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



away by a flood, Daniel Blizzard being carried 
down with it and rescued with great difficulty 
near the old stone house. The company until 
then had declared eleven dividends, but it was 
not till 1863 that another was declared. After 
the destruction of the bridge the company 
made a contract with Chester Evans and David 
N. Kownover to rebuild it. Evans disposed 
of his share in the contract, and his partner 
completed it. 

The second bridge stood the storms and 
floods for many seasons, until 1S75, when it 
too was swept away by the terrific impact of 
the Catawissa bridge, which was borne down 
upon it by a tremendous flood on St. Patrick's 
day of that year. The following year the 
bridge was rebuilt, H. F. Hawke & Co. doing 
the stone work, and the Smith Iron Bridge 
Company, of Ohio, the framework and super- 
structure. This was also a toll bridge and 
the toil keepers at different dates were : Daniel 
Hoffman, Rudolph Sechler, E. Mellon, Isaiah 
S. Thornton and Joseph Hunter. The bridge 
was a fourth of a mile in length, with a 
covered footway on each side, shut entirely off 
from the central roadway. 

The officers of the company in 1886 were : 
A. J. Frick, president; J. C. Grove, secretary 
and treasurer; W. H. Magill, A. J. Frick, Isaac 
X. Grier, Wilson Metter, G. M. Shoop, B. R. 
Gearhart, Amos Vastine, managers. 

This bridge was replaced in 1904 by a steel 
structure of truss construction, by the State 
and county authorities of Montour and North- 
umberland, and was made a free bridge by 
order of court. Henry R. Leonard was the 
engineer for the State, and the contractors 
were the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

CATAV/ISSA 

The necessity for a bridge across the river at 
Catawissa induced citizens of that town to pe- 
tition the Legislature as early as 1816 to 
authorize the opening of subscription books 
for that purpose. Although some stock was 
subscribed for, the project languished for 
twelve years. Then the near completion of 
the North Branch canal caused renewed inter- 
est and an appropriation of $5,000 was obtained 
from the State. Subscriptions were obtained 
with more ease and a committee, consisting of 
George Taylor, Jacob Alter, Philip Rebsome, 
George Keim, John Rebsome, George Getz, 
Henry Foster. John C. Appelman. Samuel 
Brooke, Benjamin Beaver, Peter Schmick, 
George H. Willets, Stacy Margerum, John 



Barton, William McKelvey, reorganized the 
company on a firm financial basis and erected 
a bridge at a cost of $26,000. It was opened 
for travel Jan. 15, 1833. 

The location was changed from that first 
selected, at the mouth of Fishing creek, to the 
site of the present bridge. This bridge suf- 
fered several times from freshets and ice. In 
1846 five spans were destroyed, but were re- 
built the following year. In 1875 the entire 
superstructure was swept away, and a truss 
bridge was built to replace it the same year. 
All of these bridges were operated on the toll 
plan. 

When proceedings were started for a free 
county bridge at Bloomsburg, the stockholders 
of the Catawissa toll bridge became fearful 
that their property would be depreciated there- 
by, and so they and other citizens filed a peti- 
tion in court in December, 1892, asking the 
appointment of viewers to report on the ex- 
pediency of making the Catawissa bridge a free 
county bridge. H. H. Hulme, J. W. Hoffman, 
White Snyder, Joseph Sponenberg, A. K. 
Smith and P. Hippensteel were appointed 
viewers, and filed their report in September, 
1893, in favor of the proposition, fixing the 
price to be paid by the county at $34,000. On 
the same day the grand jury approved the re- 
port. Exceptions were filed, and after a hear- 
ing and numerous delays the court ordered the 
bridge made free of tolls on Nov. 9, 1893. The 
same day the commissioners approved of this 
action, and tolls ceased at 2 :30 p. m. on Friday, 
Nov. II, 1893. 

In September, 1896, the bridge was lifted off 
the piers from end to end and thrown over into 
the river by a windstorm. The commission- 
ers, acting under the law of 1895, providing 
that the State shall rebuild county bridges that 
are destroyed by stonn or fire, took the prop- 
er legal steps to have the State replace the 
bridge. The contract for an iron and steel 
bridge was let to the Penn Bridge Company, 
for $124,900. It was completed and accepted, 
and used until March 9, 1904, when the ice 
flood carried away two spans. Again the State 
rebuilt it, putting up an entirely new struc- 
ture, much better than the first one. This 
was opened for travel in May, 1908. During 
the intervals when these bridges were build- 
ing the county maintained a free ferry at this 
point. 

BLOOMSBURG 

On Aug. 23, 1S92, a petition was presented 
to the court by citizens asking for a free county 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



55 



bridge across the Susquehanna river at Blooms- 
burg, and on the same day the court appointed 
C. H. Moore, M. C. Vance and Simon Hons 
viewers to report on the same. On Sept. 21st 
a petition was presented by citizens of Cata- 
wissa to stay the proceedings. An answer was 
filed and depositions taken, and Judge Savidge 
of Sunbury was called in by Judge Ikeler to 
hear and decide the case. The latter petition 
was dismissed by Judge Savidge, and to this 
action exceptions were filed, and also a peti- 
tion for reviewers, the first viewers having re- 
ported in favor of a bridge. After some 
skirmishing between the parties, C. W. Eves, 
W. S. Fisher and G. B. Hendershott were ap- 
pointed, and on May i, 1893, they reported in 
favor of a bridge; this report was laid before 
the grand jury on May 3d and approved by 
them with the recommendation that the bridge 
be erected at the expense of the county. 

On May 4th more exceptions were filed by 
opponents of the bridge, and the matter 
dragged along from time to time until Nov. 
9th, when the court made the following order: 

"And now, November 9, 1893, all excep- 
tions having been withdrawn in open court and 
all adverse proceedings abandoned, the report 
of the reviewers and Grand Jury is approved, 
and it is adjudged that the said bridge is neces- 
sary as a county bridge, and that the same is 
too expensive for the township of Catawissa 
and tile Town of Bloomsburg to bear, and upon 
the concurrent approval of the same by the 
county commissioners the said bridge is ordered 
to be entered of record as a county bridge." 

The commissioners concurred, and on Nov. 
25th they had a letting, and after due consid- 
eration awarded the contract for the super- 
structure to the King Bridge Company, and 
for the masonry and other work to Joseph 
Hendler. J. C. Brown was employed by the 
commissioners to prepare the plans and speci- 
fications, and to make an estimate of cost, and 
also to be the supervising engineer of the work. 
The estimated cost was $69,256. Jesse Rit- 
tenhouse, B. F. Edgar and C. L. Sands were 
the county commissioners at the time. The 
bridge is iron and steel, and is 1,150 feet long, 
with six spans. The cost of the superstruc- 
ture was $35,500; of the substructure $35,- 
415.46, and the riprapping and filling $2,384.21, 
making the total cost $73,299.67. 

MIFFLIN 

Feeling the necessity for a bridge across the 
river at Mifflinville, citizens of Mifflin and 
Centre township presented a petition to the 



court on January 7, 1901, asking for the ap- 
pointment of viewers. T. H. B. Davis, J. P. 
Fry and J. C. Brown were appointed. On 
Feb. 4th the viewers reported in favor of a 
bridge, and on the same day the grand jury ap- 
proved it. Then came exceptions and a peti- 
tion for reviewers, but this finally resulted in 
an order of the court in favor of the bridge 
on July 7, 1902, and the same day the commis- 
sioners approved the same. On July 26th the 
commissioners adopted plans, specifications 
and estimates submitted by J. C. Brown at their 
request, he having been selected as supervis- 
ing engineer. The estimated cost was $96,547. 
The contract was awarded to C. H. Reimard 
for $93,985, who sublet the superstructure to 
the King Bridge Company for $56,600. The 
work was well under way, and three spans 
were completed when the flood of 1904 de- 
stroyed the bridge. It looked then as if the 
bridge would never be rebuilt by the county. 
In 1905 a bill passed the Legislature which 
authorized the State to build uncompleted 
bridges exceeding 1,000 feet in length over any 
river, whenever any portions of said bridge 
already erected have been destroyed by floods 
before final completion thereof, and where it 
appears that over half of the contract price has 
already been paid before such destruction. 
The bill was drawn by Hon. Fred Ikeler while 
a member, and was passed largely through 
his influence. Proceeding under this law, a 
petition was filed in the Dauphin County court 
asking for the appointment of viewers in the 
matter of rebuilding the bridge across the Sus- 
quehanna river at Mifflinville. W. H. Eyer, 
C. A. Small and E. C. Hummer were appointed, 
and filed their report on June 25, 1905, in favor 
of the bridge. The report was approved by 
the court, and the bridge ordered to be built 
by the State. Exceptions were filed and after 
some delay by litigation the contract was 
awarded to the York Bridge Company for the 
superstructure. 

The work was progressing and the second 
span was just completed when, Dec. 10, 1907, 
as the workmen were fastening it to the pier, 
the false work underneath was carried away 
by the flood in the river at the time, and the 
entire span went down, carrying with it forty 
men, all but seven of whom were rescued. 
The bodies of the latter excepting two were 
recovered down the river at various points, 
some a long distance away. The loss to the 
builders was about $10,000. The bridge was 
completed and opened for travel in 1908. A 
long delay was caused by litigation with the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the latter 



56 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



objecting to a grade crossing. The litigation 
ended by a decision of the Supreme court that 
an overhead crossing must be provided, and 
this was accordingly done. This bridge is 
1,226 feet long, with six spans, and is a fine 
structure of iron and steel. 

Prior to the building of the Mifflin and 
Bloom bridges ferries were operated at Mifflin- 
ville. Lime Ridge, Espy and Bloomsburg. 

In 1914 Columbia county has over two hun- 
dred bridges to keep in repair. Most of the 
smaller bridges are being replaced by con- 
crete structures, which will last for ages with 
no repairs. The one at Slabtown, over Roar- 
ing creek, built in 1913, is as fine an example 
of this class of bridge as can be found in the 
State. 

BRIDGES AND THE FLOOD OF I9O4 

The Susquehanna valley was visited by a 
flood in January, 1904, which surpassed in ex- 
tent any previous flood in this section. The 
river was gorged with ice, and the rapid rise 
of the water turned it from the channel out 
on the low lands all along the course of the 
river. The lower portions of Bloomsburg, 
Catawissa, Rupert, Espy, and all along the line, 
were submerged, and the trolley and railroads 
were unable to operate for three days. Great 
damage was done to property, but no lives 
were lost. The flood subsided without carry- 
ing away any of the river bridges, but the ice 
gorge still remained. 

Only two weeks later the waters rose again, 
causing the greatest flood in the history of the 
valley. The first movement in the ice gorge 
was observed at Berwick on Tuesday, Feb. 
9th, and the Berwick bridge was soon torn 
from the piers and toppled over into the rag- 
ing flood. One span was carried down stream 
on the ice to Mifflinville, where it jammed into 
the uncompleted iron bridge, and carried of? a 



span. The remaining spans soon followed. 
Of the other spans of the Berwick bridge, one 
lodged near the Berwick falls and the others 
were carried downstream to a point near 
Briar Creek. The commissioners of Luzerne 
and Columbia counties at once decided to burn 
these spans to prevent their being carried down 
stream to do damage to the bridges below, and 
this was accordingly done. 

For two weeks the flood conditions im- 
proved. There were warm rains which gave 
rise to the hope that this would rot the ice, so 
that it would break up and pass off without 
gorging. And then came a third flood, more 
disastrous than the first two, the water ris- 
ing more than forty-one feet above the low 
water mark. When it is stated that in some 
places icebergs weighing many tons were left 
in fields a half mile away from the regular 
channel of the river, the extent of the flood 
may be more fully realized. All the railroads 
except the Bloomsburg & Sullivan were again 
out of commission, and great damage was 
done from one end of the valley to the other. 
The Bloomsburg bridge seemed doomed, as 
the ice was up to the floor, but it escaped with 
only the west end being sprung out of place 
about three feet, and when the ice passed 
away it settled back into place. 

The Catawissa bridge did not fare so well. 
Two of the spans were carried ofT, and lay 
bent and twisted about one hundred yards be- 
low. The covered wooden bridge at the paper 
mill over Catawissa creek was swept away 
and lodged up against the Pennsylvania rail- 
road bridge. By an agreement with the com- 
missioners the railroad company was permitted 
to destroy it to save its own. Many other 
county bridges were also destroyed by this 
flood. 

As previously stated, the Catawissa bridge 
was again erected by the State, and completed 
in 1908. 




County Bridge at Bloomsdl'kg, Pa. 




Berwick Bridge — Where Steamboat Accident Occurred 



CHAPTER VI 

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS 



The earliest influence tending to bind to- 
gether the colonists in Columbia and Montour 
counties was a religious one. Most of the 
pioneers had strongly cherished religious 
affiliations, and were thus brought togetlier 
in the practice of their individual form of 
worship of the Creator. These bonds of 
sympatuy compacted the community and 
eventually led to some more permanent form 
of organization in a religious way. By this 
means the various denominations in early 
times established the foundations of their 
churches which have since been most faith- 
fully preserved and deepened, until in 1914 
the strength of religious convictions has be- 
come so firmly fixed in the two counties as 
to be a part of the life and well-being of the 
entire community. 

Fifty years ago it was no uncommon thing 
for a country minister to travel twenty miles 
on a Sunday to serve three congregations. 
Now, in 19 14, the automobile has made travel 
so much easier that even the little country 
parsonage has a garage attached to it and the 
parson may often be seen speeding along the 
highways to visit a parishioner or hold Sab- 
bath services. The auto has also proved an 
important factor in the reduction of the coun- 
try church attendance. Farmers can now at- 
tend the larger churches in the towns and 
mingle with the urban worshipers there, often 
causing such a dwindling of attendance at the 
little village church that it is finally forced to 
close. Many of the wayside temples are now 
abandoned, while others are opened only at 
irregular and infrequent periods. The final 
abandonment of many of them has been de- 
layed by the associations of the old burying 
grounds beside them, where fathers and grand- 
fathers, mothers and grandmothers are laid at 
rest. Manv of these cemeteries are over a hun- 
dred years old — for example, Hidlay in Scott 
township, the Quaker burying grounds at 
Catawipsa. Millville, Roaringcreek and Green- 
wood, Columbia county, and the old cemeteries 



at New Columbia (Swenoda), Derry, VVash- 
ingtonville and Danville, Montour county. 
These ancient places of sepulture will always 
be tenderly cared for, and the old churches 
near will be preserved as monuments to the 
piety of the past. 

In this year of 1914 the work of country 
ministers is difticult and poorly paid. Most 
of them serve several charges, which means 
holding service in one church in the morning, 
another in the afternoon, and a final service 
in the evening. The salary of the pastor is 
seldom large enough to warrant the purchase 
of an auto, but many of the ministers of 
Columbia and Montour counties have been 
compelled to draw upon their meager stipend 
for this purpose. Still, as in the past, these 
faithful pastors jog along the country roads, 
chatting with the farmers, cheering the down- 
hearted, comforting the disconsolate, settling 
petty quarrels, praying with their parishioners, 
marrying them, baptizing the little ones, mak- 
ing their wills, and finally burying them and 
giving consolation to the mourning family. 

Rev. A. Houtz, of Orangeville, is one of 
these old-time pastors carried on into the mod- 
ern days, and now retired from active work. 
He says that the labors of the country pastor 
are as hard as in the early days of the churches, 
but the compensation is still the same. How- 
ever, he says the congregations in the country 
churches are more appreciative — they seem 
almost to hunger for the services. 

The growth of the churches here has been 
steadily upward, as may be seen from the de- 
tailed descriptions which follow. The oldest 
sect, the Societv of Friends, which was at one 
time the most important in the State, has 
dwindled in numbers greatly during the years 
that have elapsed since the first monthly meet- 
ing was established, but though the tendency 
of the present day for more worldly methods 
of worship has diminished the numbers of the 
Quakers, their deeds and records of the past, 
all of a beneficial and substantial character, 



57 



58 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



religious and material, will always remain 
'interwoven in the fibre of the history of Penn- 
sylvania, and brighten its pages for all time. 

Were it not for the custom of the Quakers 
to care for the education of the children, but 
few of the settlers of other sects could have 
gained a knowledge of the necessary rudiments 
of the English language. And still more cred- 
itable to the admirable system of the Quakers 
was the fact that any could attend these schools 
without attempts being made to influence their 
religious belief. 

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS 

In the absence of regular ministers the 
Society of Friends was best equipped for 
establishing public worship, and the presence 
of a considerable number of this sect at Cata- 
wissa led to the founding of a meeting there 
in 1787. For twenty years it continued to be 
the rallying point for the denomination in this 
region. A monthly meeting was established 
here in 1796, but in 1808 this was removed to 
Muncy on account of extensive emigration of 
the sect from Catawissa. 

In 1795 a meeting was established in Green- 
wood township, and a year later another was 
established in Locust. In 1S14 a monthly 
meeting was established at the latter place 
and is still continued. A monthly meeting was 
also established at Berwick in 1800, which con- 
tinued with gradually diminishing strength un- 
til about 1865, when it ceased to e.xist. 

The society was more firmly established in 
Greenwood township, where many members 
of the sect have resided continuously since the 
first settlement. In 1834 the different meet- 
ings of the sect were associated in a half-yearly 
meeting here, and in 1856 the Muncy meeting 
was transferred here also. Although the 
name is retained and occasional meetings held 
in Locust and Catawissa, the chief activity of 
this denomination is confined to Greenwood, 
where there are two well supported meetings. 

PRESBYTERIAN 

The Scotch-Irish were an important element 
in the pioneer life of this State and gave early 
prominence to the Presbyterian denomination, 
to which they generally belonged. James Mc- 
Clure, who came to the region of Bloomsburg 
in 1772, was probably the first representative 
of this sect in Columbia county, but it was 
some years later before any organized effort 
was made to propagate its tenets here. 



In 1789 this region is mentioned under the 
name ot ' Fishingcreek, in connection with 
Mahoning, Chilhsquaque and neighboring 
localities, as in the Presbytery of Carlisle. This 
Presbytery had been formed three years be- 
fore, but this region probably remained un- 
occupied until 1792, when Rev. Mr. Wilson, 
a licentiate of the Synod of New York, and a 
Mr. Henry were appointed to cultivate the 
field. Two years later Rev. John Bryson was 
sent to this region and became pastor at War- 
rior's Run and Chilhsquaque, where he con- 
tinued to serve for nearly half a century. In 
the following year Rev. John Porter was com- 
missioned to start from Fishing creek and 
missionize up the river to Wyoming and Tioga 
Point. The names of Rev. Benjamin Judd, 
Ira Condit and William Spear, the latter a 
licentiate, appear also as appointed to mission- 
ize at this period along the east branch of the 
Susquehanna. Revs. Andrews and Gray also 
did more or less missionary labor in this field. 

The first church of this denomination, known 
then as "Briarcreek" and at present as "Hid- 
lay" Church, was organized about 1796 in 
Centre township, the house of worship being 
built in that year. In 181 7 a second church 
was organized in Bloomsburg with three mem- 
bers, who immediately set about erecting a 
commodious building. A third organization 
was eft'ected at Berwick in 1827; another in 
Orange township in 1842 ; in Greenwood the 
following year; in Scott in 1853; in Sugarloaf 
in 1858; and in Centralia in 1867. The Sugar- 
loaf church was later removed to Benton. 

The first pastor to reside permanently in this 
section was Rev. Asa Dunham, whose home 
was near Buckhorn. He was a soldier of the 
Revolution, having served directly under 
Washington. In 1799 he was appointed to 
serve in the counties of Luzerne and North- 
umberland, the latter then including Columbia 
county, and for many years served the churches 
at Briar Creek and Fishing Creek, traveling 
through the entire region and preaching 
wherever a class could be assembled. 

After 1817 Rev. John B. Patterson and Rev. 
Samtiel Henderson were engaged in the work 
in these counties, the former at Bloomsburg 
and the latter at Briar Creek. From 1824 to 
1830 the pastors who labored in this field were 
Revs. John Niblock, James Levs'ers, Crosby, 
Matthew B. Patterson, Robert Bryson, Robert 
Dunlap and Ezra S. Ely. 

In 1832 Rev. John P. Hudson, a Virginian, 
was appointed stated supply for the churches 
at Bloomsburg, Briar Creek and New Colum- 
bia. He always rode a blooded horse, famous 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



59 



for speed, which served him well in the many 
and lengthy trips around the circuit. 

The succeeding pastor to this charge was 
Rev. M. Tobey, who remained but a short time. 
Rev. Daniel M. Barber, who had established a 
school for young ladies near Washingtonville, 
ne.xt took the New Columbia charge. At the 
same date Rev. D. M. Halliday was pastor at 
Danville. 

Next in 1838 came Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., 
whose life work in both the religious and 
material field has left a permanent impress on 
the history of Columbia county. His charge 
embraced all the country from the mouth of 
Roaring creek to Little mountain, and along 
the Susquehanna to Nanticoke, with North 
mountain for the upper boundary, a territory 
nearly forty miles square. One sermon a fort- 
night was all that could be allotted to Blooms- 
burg and Berwick, while other points were 
restricted to services once a month. 

At first the residence of the pastor was at 
Espy, as the most central point, but later, when 
Berwick was set ofif as a separate charge, Cata- 
wissa offered better inducements for a time. 

Among the early pastors in this section may 
be mentioned Revs. Daniel M. Barber, A. H. 
Hand, S. S. Shedden, George W. Thompson, 
Charles Williamson and James J. Hamilton, 
in Columbia county ; and Revs. John Bryson, 
Halliday, Yeomans, John B. Patterson, Dun- 
ham, William Smith, Nicholas Patterson, 
Isaac Grier, Hood and Ijams, in Montour 
county. 

Detailed histories of the different churches 
of both counties will be found in the chapters 
devoted to the separate divisions. The list of 
pastors, location of churches, and other statis- 
tics for 1914 are here presented : 

Sunday 

Pastor Members School 

William Gemmill, Millville 

J. Horner Kerr, Orangeville 70 72 

John B. Grier, Danville 

James W. Kirk, Mahoning 337 27s 

William R. Mather, Raven Creek 

Spencer C. Dickson, Bloomsburg 443 440 

Edward A. Lou.x, Berwick 499 361 

Robert P. Howie, Mooresburg 92 132 

Arturo D'Albergo, West Berwick 

G. A. Lenkel, Centralia 48 60 

All of the above churches are in the Presby- 
tery of Northumberland. The following 
churches are vacant, the pulpits being occa- 
sionally filled by request : Briar Creek, New 
Columbia, Washingtonville, Benton, Derry and 
Rohrsburg. 



METHODIST 

The introduction of Methodism into Colum- 
bia county was made probably through the in- 
strumentality of Bishop Asbury, the founder 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ameri- 
ca. It was under his preaching in Northamp- 
ton county that the Bowmans were converted. 
They subsequently removed to Berwick, and 
it was probably through their representations 
that the Bishop was led to come here. At that 
time he ordained these men who subsequently 
became such a power for good. Other itin- 
erants who came here on missionary tours were 
Revs. William Colbert, James Paynter, Morris 
Howe and Robert Burch, but they did not seem 
to etfect any permanent organization. 

In the valley of Briar creek, four miles dis- 
tant from Berwick, near the present village of 
that name, resided the Bowmans, Thomas and 
Christopher, both ministers of the Methodist 
Church. In order that the neighborhood could 
have regular religious services, Thomas Bow- 
man fitted up the third story of his rather 
pretentious stone house as a place of worship, 
and invited the Methodists to hold services 
therein. This house was used for religious 
purposes for many years and stood in a fair 
state of repair until 1912. It is now only a' 
ruin. Rev. Thomas Bowman later became 
the celebrated and eloquent Bishop Bowman, 
whose death occurred in 191 4. 

In the year 1805, under the joint ministry 
of Revs. James Paynter and Joseph Carson, a 
great revival was held, the country for forty 
miles around feeling the impulse. As a direct 
result a class was formed at Berwick, and this 
point was made a regular appointment of the 
Wyoming circuit, which extended from North- 
umberland to Tioga Point. In 1806 it was 
attached to the Northumberland circuit, with 
which it. was associated until 1831, when the 
church work had so increased that the Ber- 
wick circuit was formed, embracing twenty- 
eight preaching places, of which the following 
were in Columbia county : Benton, Berwick, 
Bloomsburg, Buckhorn, Espy, Jerseytown, 
Light Street, Mififlinville and Orangeville. 

In 1886 there were forty-two churches in 
Columbia county of the Methodist denomina- 
tion, and in Montour county there were eight. 
Since that date the denomination has grown 
steadily in strength and numbers and in the 
year 19 14 is the strongest religious denomina- 
tion in both of these counties. 

The first regular conference appointments 
for the different stations in Columbia county 
were made in 1791, when it was in the North- 



60 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



uniberland circuit, which extended from that 
town up the North Branch to the Wyoming 
valley, and up the West Branch to Great Island. 

The distance traveled by the circuit rider 
in making his rounds was three hundred miles, 
which was accomplished in six weeks. When 
the nature of the country and roads, and the 
pittance allowed the ministers of those times, 
are taken into consideration it may well be 
admitted that their labors were distinctly un- 
selfish, and the results of their efforts re- 
markable. 

This territory was for many years supplied 
by only two ministers and included the pres- 
ent circuits and stations of W'illiamsport, 
Newbury, Muncy, Milton, Northumberland, 
Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, Catawissa, Blooms- 
burg, Berwick. Bloomingdale, Orangeville, 
Sunbury and Bellefonte. Previous to 1804 
Danville circuit belonged to the Philadelphia 
conference, but in that year was transferred to 
the Baltimore conference. In 1807 it was re- 
turned to the Philadelphia conference, in 1810 
it was included in the Genesee conference, and 
in 1S20 it was reassigned to the Baltimore con- 
ference. 

The preachers who labored in the old North- 
umberland circuit were : 

1791 — Richard Parrott. Lewis Browning. 

1792 — James Campbell. William Colbert. 

1793 — James Campbell, James Paynter. 

1794 — Robert Manley. Jolm Broadhead. 

1795 — James Ward. Stephen Timmons. 

1796 — John Seward, Richard Sneath. 

1797 — John Lackey, Jolm Higby. 

179S — John Lackey, John Lead. 

1799 — James Moore, Benjamin Bidlack, David 

Stephens. 
1800 — Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkin, Asa 

Smith. 
1801 — Johnston Dimham, Gilbert Carpenter. 
1802 — .^nning Owen, James .'\ikins. 
1803 — Daniel Ryan, James Ridgeway. 
1804 — Thomas .\dams. Gideon Draper. 
1805 — Christopher Prey. James Saunders. 
1806 — Robert Burch. John Swartzwelder. 
1807 — Nicholas Willis. Joel Smith. 
1808 — Thomas Curren, John Rhodes, 
1809 — Timothy Lee, Loring Grant. 
1810 — .Abraham Dawson, Isaac Puffer, 
l8n— B. G. Paddock, J. H. Baker. R. Lanning. 
1812 — George Thomas, Ebenezer Doolittle, 
1813 — Joseph Kincaid, Joseph Chambcrlayne. 
1814 — John Haggard. Abraham Dawson. 
1815— Reynolds M. Everts, I, B. Cook. 
1816 — John Thomas. Alpheus Davis. 
1817 — Benjamin Bidlack, Peter Baker. 
1818 — Gideon Lanning, Abraham Dawson. 
1819 — John Rhodes. Darius Williams. 
1820 — John Rhodes. Israel B. Cook. 
1821 — Marmaduke Pearce, John Thomas. 
1822 — John Thomas, Mordecai Barry. 
1823 — Jacob B. Shephard, Mordecai Barry. 
1824 — Robert Cadden. F. McCartney. 
1825 — Robert Cadden, Richard Bond. 



1826 — John Thomas, George Hildt. 
1827 — John Thomas, David Shaver. 
1828 — Charles Kalbfus, William James. 
1829 — James W. Donahay, Josiah Forrest. 
1830 — James W. Etonahay, A, A, Eskridge. 

Berwick circuit was formed in 183 1, Dan- 
ville remaining in the old Northumberland cir- 
cuit until 1836. The pastors of the Danville 
circuit were : 

1831 — David Shaw. 

1832 — Marmaduke Pearce. James Forrest. 

1833 — Josiah Forrest, James Reed. 

1S34 — Henry Tarring, Oliver Ege. 

1835 — Henry Tarring. Jolm Guyer, R. Beers, Thomas 

Meyers. 
1836— Joseph S. Lee, R. W. H. Brent. 
1837 — Samuel Ellis. Stephen Hildebrand. 
183S— Robert T. Nixon, William Hirst. 
1839 — Robert T. Nixon. J. W. Houghewent. 
1840 — George Bergstresser, Joseph A. Ross. 
1841 — George Bergstresser, George Guyer. 
1842 — Tohn Ball, Tames Guyer. 
1843— John Ball, S. G. Hare. 
1844 — James Ewing, George A. Coffey. 
1845 — James Ewing, B. ¥. Brooks. 

Pastors of the Berwick circuit were : 

1831 — William Prettyman, Wesley Howe. 
1832 — William Prettyman, Oliver Ege. 
1833 — Marmaduke Pearce. Alem Brittain. 
1834-35 — John Rhodes, J. H. Young. 
1836— J. Sanks, J. Hall. 
1837 — J. Sanks, George Guyer. 
1838— Charles Kalbfus, J. Hall. 
1S39 — Charles Kalbfus. Penfield Doll. 
1840 — James Ewing. William R. Mills. 
1841 — James Ewing, W. F. D. Clemm. 
1842 — Thomas Taneyhill, Joseph A. Ross. 
1843 — Thomas Taneyhill, Thomas Bowman. 
1844 — Francis N. Mills, W, L. Spottswood. 
1845 — John Bowen, W. F. Pentz. 
1846— John Bowen, J. W. Bull. 

The Bloomsburg circuit was formed in 1847, 
and the pastors in charge were : 

1847 — S. L. M. Couser. J. Turner. 

184S— G. H. Dav, J. W. Elliott. 

1849— John W. Gere. G. H. Dav. 

1850— J. S. Lee, E, H. Waring. 

1851— J. S. Lee, T. M. Goodfellow. 

1852 — Thomas Taneyhill, W, E, Buckingham. 

1853 — Thomas Taneyhill. J. A. DeMoyer. 

1854— J. A. Ross, A. W. Guyer. 

1855 — J. Moorhead, F. M. Slusser. 

1856 — George Warren, S. Barnes. 

1857 — George Warren. N. W. Colburn. 

1858-59 — J. Guyer, T. Sherlock. 

i860— F. Gearhart, A. R. Riley. 

After 1862 the Bloomsburg circuit was di- 
vided and Bloomsburg was made a station. 

The following are the circuits and stations 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Colum- 
bia and Montour counties, together with the 
number of members, value of church property 
and the names of the pastors in charge in 1914 : 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



61 



Station or Circuit Members I'aluation Pastor 

Benton circuit 335 $21,000 H. W. Newman 

Berwick station •. 1,094 68,000 J. H. Ake 

West Berwick station 148 10,200 J. E. Beard 

Buckhorn circuit 136 6,000 George Martin 

Catawissa station 304 21,500 R. H. Stine 

Centralia station 185 8,000 Charles W. Bryner 

Conyngham circuit 230 17,000 H. E. Crow 

Danville station— St. Paul's 384 33.5oo C. H. Witman 

Danville station— Trinity 312 27,500 Alexander Scott 

Elysburg circuit 313 19.050 T. F. Ripple 

Espy — Lime Ridge circuit 306 3.000 Edmund J . Symons 

Jamison City circuit 251 9,ooo J. N. Diehl 

Jonestown circuit 177 8,000 Philip Thomas 

Mifflinville circuit 240 6,500 J. W. McAlarney 

Millville circuit 332 IS.7S0 William Faus 

Orangeville circuit 268 12,800 Ariel R. Turner 

Roaring Creek circuit 179 8,600 John H. Greenwalt 

Rohrsburg circuit 106 7,000 William Shannon 

Washingtonville circuit 80 3.900 L. A. Remley 

REFORMED AND LUTHERAN creek, Miftlin and occasionally Fishingcreek 

townships. His missionary labors extended 

Most of the German immigrants to this all over both Columbia and Montour counties, 

section were members of either the Lutheran and througii him the church was placed on a 

or Reformed Churches, and they brought their firm basis. In 1822 lie removed to Espy and 

religious books with them. These they read continued there to preach until his death in 

and discussed constantly, in the effort to pre- 1824. He devoted himself so completely to 

serve their religious convictions, hoping when the work of the church that he acquired con- 

the time was propitious to be able to have the sumption and brought to an untimely close a 

benefits of the ministration of leaders of their career whose importance to the community 

sects. They were not long without the service was just beginning to get appreciable results, 

of their pastors. Among the first of the Luth- He was a fine singer, and he preached ex- 

eran missionaries who came to this section clusively in the German language, 

were Revs. Seeley, Sharretts, Plitt, Pauls, Kra- In 1829 Rev. Daniel S. Tobias took charge 

mer and Baughey, who organized churches — of the Bloomsburg congregation, and in 1844 

in 1795 at Catawissa ; 1805 in Briarcreek ; 1808 he was assisted by Rev. Henry Funk, who held 

in Locust; 1809 in Mifflin; 1810 in Hemlock; services in the English language. In 1854 

and 1812 in Orange townships. In 1886 the Rev. W. Goodrich succeeded them, serving 

Lutherans had eighteen churches in Columbia his people for half a century. At the close of 

county and ten in Montour county. his ininistry the charge consisted of six con- 

The denominational lines between the Luth- gregations, and by his advice the Orangeville 
erans and the adherents of the Reformed charge was formed, consisting of the Orange- 
Church were not very strictly regarded in ville, Zion and St. James congregations, while 
pioneer times, the first churches built by the the remainder included the Bloomsburg, Heller 
German settlers being used by both denomina- and Catawissa churches. In 1886 there were 
tions, alternately, all the people usually attend- twelve Reformed churches in Columbia county 
ing both services. This custom of having and three in Montour county. In most in- 
union churches has continued until the present stances the congregations were cooperating 
time in almost every instance, the occasional with the Lutherans in the use of a single 
exceptions being due to local disagreements, church building. This is also the case in some 
The schism in the Lutheran Church has about instances at the present time, although in the 
equally divided. the denomination in these two ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ denominations are separated, 
counties but there is a lack of the rancor be- j^ ^,^^ Susquehanna is the dividing line 
tween the members sometimes met with m , ^ ^ i, ^ . „, . , „ />„ 
other parts of the State. ^^^^V^^" the Wyoming Classis and East Sus- 

The first minister of the Reformed Church quehanna Classis, both of which take in parts 

in this section was Rev. Jacob Dieffenbach. of the counties of Columbia and Montour. 

He came to Bloomsburg "in 1815, when he There are sixteen churches of the Reformed 

was in the prime of life, "and preached in that denomination in the two coiinties, details of 

town as well as in Mahoning, Catawissa, Briar- which are given in the following table: 



62 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



No. of 
Church Members 

Mainville — Emmanuel 138 

Mifflinville— St. Matthew 36 

Numidia — St. Paul 300 

Bear Gap — Grace 164 

Briarcreek — St. Peter 32 

St. James 164 

Zion 69 

Orangeville 75 

Hidlay 49 

Bloomsburg 249 

Danville — Shiloh 432 

Danville— St. John 114 

St. James 114 

Strawberry Ridge — Trinity 225 

Emanuel 93 

Berwick — Salem 10 

Rev. W. S. Gerhard was succeeded in October, 1914, by Rev. J 



Sunday 




School 


Pastor 


45 


R. Ira Gass 




R. Ira Gass 


234 


John F. Bair 




John F. Bair 


64 


J. K. Adams 


175 


W. S. Gerhard 


124 


W. S. Gerhard 


126 


W. S. Gerhard 


140 


W. S. Gerhard 


330 


P. H. Hoover 


325 


J. N. Bauman 


126 


F. W. Brown 


152 


F. W. Brown 


17s 


A. F. Dreisbach 


85 


A. F. Dreisbach 


25 


J. K. Adams 


M. Shaffner 





PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL 

Among the New Jersey immigrants to this 
section were many who adhered to the Estab- 
lished Church of England, the American 
branch of which was the Protestant Episcopal 
denomination. Rev. Caleb Hopkins was chief- 
ly instrumental in establishing the church at 
Bloomsburg in 1793, and in 1812 at Sugarloaf. 
A third organization was effected at Jersey- 
town at an early date, but no records what- 
ever are available regarding it. In i860 Rev. 
E. A. Lightner began services in Catawissa 
which resulted in the founding of a church 
there, and in 1866 Rev. M. Washburn did a 
similar work in Centralia. These were the 
only churches in Columbia county in 1868, and 
in 1914 the number has been increased to five, 
the church at Berwick having been founded in 
1903. 

The Episcopal Church in Montour county 
came into being at Danville in 1828, under the 
ministrations of Rev. James Depew, of Blooms- 
burg. St. James' Church at Exchange was 
erected in 1848. Services had been held there 
by Rev. Edwin Lightner from 1843, how- 
ever. In 1914 the number of Episcopal 
churches in Montour county was two. 

BAPTISTS 

This denomination was chiefly recruited 
from the English settlers of the county. The 
first church in Columbia county was organ- 
ized in Madison township, through the efforts 
of Revs. Wolverton, Smiley and Coombs. Two 
years later Revs. Joel Rogers and Elias Dod- 
son organized another one in Jackson town- 
ship, and about 1841 other churches were 
founded in Berwick and Bloomsburg. In 1851 
an organization of thirtv members was inade 
in Centre township, and in 1886 another of 
twelve members was effected in Centralia. 



The first Baptist services in Montour county 
were held in the courthouse at Danville in 
1841, Rev. J. S. Miller being the leader at 
that period. Services were also held at that 
date in the schoolhouse at Exchange. The 
Danville church was built in 1844. Rev. An- 
drew F. Shanafelt assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the church at Whitehall in 1858, and 
the same year the first building there was 
erected. 

At present there are five Baptist churches in 
Columljia county, and three in Montour 
county. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC 

Although one of the latest of the religious 
denominations to establish themselves in this 
section, the Roman Catholics have within re- 
cent years attained considerable prominence 
and are possessed of valuable property in 
various parts of the two counties, while the 
congregations have shown a steady and 
healthy growth. 

The sacrament of the Mass was celebrated 
in Bloomsburg as early as 1829, by Father 
Fitzpatrick of Milton, but there is no record 
of other services liere until 1844, when Father 
Fitzsimmons held services on several occa- 
sions in a private house. The first regular 
services in a building of their own were held 
by the members of this denomination in 1874. 
The organization of the church at Centralia 
was made in 1869 by Father D. J. McDermott, 
and the cornerstone of the church there was 
laid in the same year. The church at Berwick 
was established in 1899, under the ministra- 
tions of Father J. R. Murphy, of Bloomsburg. 

The mission of Father J. P. Hannigan, in 
1847, resulted in the establishment of St. 
Joseph's Church at Danville. The first church 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



63 



there was built the same year, while the pres- 
ent one was built in 1869. St. Hubert's church 
was built at Danville in 1862. St. James' Ro- 
man Catholic Church at Exchange was estab- 
lished many years ago, and in 1910 the old 
church on the hill was abandoned and a splen- 
did new one built in the village. These repre- 
sent the number in Montour county in 1914. 
In Columbia county there are two churches in 
Berwick, one in Bloomsburg, one in Centralia, 
one in the edge of the county at Mount Car- 
mel, and one in Locust township, just com- 
pleted in 1914. 

EVANGELICAL 

This denomination came to Columbia county 
in 1848, and to Montour county in 1858. In 
1886 it had three churches in Scott township, 
one at Mifflinville, two in Jackson township, 
two in Centre township, two in Briarcreek 
township, one in Beaver township, and one in 
Bloomsburg. In the same year there was one 
church in Danville, and two in other parts of 
Montour county. The present number of 
churches in Columbia coiinty is thirteen. In 
Montour county there are now three churches. 

OTHER DENOMINATIONS 

The Methodist Protestant, United Brethren, 
Christian, Pentecostal and Greek Catholic de- 
nominations are represented in the two counties 
by organizations which are mentioned in the 
sketches of the different sections in which 
they are located. 

The following table will convey some idea 
of the relative standing of the different de- 
nominations in both counties. It might be in- 
ferred that the Methodists have lost in num- 
bers in both counties, but such is not the case, 
the only loss being in the number of the 
churches, caused by the removal of the mem- 
bers to the cities and towns. In fact, the 
majority of the denominations have gained in 
numbers steadily, the exceptions being the 
Quakers and the Methodist Protestant sects. 

Columbia Montour 

Co. Co. 

. Denomination 1886 1914 1S86 1914 

Methodist 42 36 10 9 

Lutheran 18 21 10 10 

Evangelical 13 13 I 3 

Reformed 12 12 3 5 

Presbyterian 8 10 5 5 

Baptist 6 5 3 3 

. Episcopal 4 5 2 2 

Roman Catholic 2 S 2 3 

Christian 6 5 

United Brethren S 3 

Greek Catholic 2 4 

Pentecostal I 

Society of Friends (Quakers) 3 3 

Methodist Protestant 2 



COLUMBIA COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL 
ASSOCIATION 

was organized at Bloomsburg in 1868, and in- 
cludes all Protestant evangelical Sunday 
schools in the county. It is an auxiliary of 
State and national organizations of similar 
names, and has held many annual conventions 
since its formation. Rev. Alfred Taylor, of 
New York, was the conductor of the first meet- 
ing and was probably the organizer. 

The second convention was held in 1870 at 
Bloomsburg, but no records are to be had re- 
garding it. In 187 1 the third convention was 
held at Espy, and here J. B. Robison was 
elected president. He was succeeded after 
one year's service by a series of presidents, all 
ministers, well known in the county, among 
them being Revs. Stuart Mitchell, A. Houtz, 
N. Spear, F. P. Manhart and U. Myers. This 
continued until 1889, conventions having been 
held each year to the present since 1873. ex- 
cept in the year 1879, when the records merely 
state that the secretary had died. 

In 1889 H. R. Bower, of Berwick, was 
elected president and served three years, when 
he was succeeded by Myron I. Low, who has 
served ever since, making a record for con- 
tinuous and efficient service unequaled in the 
State. 

At the first convention of which we have a 
record there were eighteen delegates from the 
local schools and twenty-five from outside the 
county, representing in all sixteen schools. 
This does not convey, however, an idea of the 
number of Sabbath schools in the organization 
at the time, since every Protestant evangelical 
school in the county became automatically a 
part of the association. 

In 1880 the executive committee was di- 
rected to effect the township organization, and 
at the 1882 convention district or township vice 
presidents were appointed, within a few years 
every township or borough in the county 
being represented by an organization. This 
system prevailed until a redistricting along less 
cumbersome lines was authorized by the con- 
vention of 191 1, and before the 1912 conven- 
tion was held the county had been subdivided 
into thirteen districts, all of which are actively 
at work. 

About 1900 departmental organization was 
begun, and at present there are at work in the 
county superintendents of elementary, second- 
ary, adult, teacher training, home, temperance, 
mission and rural departments, with a com- 
plete corresponding organization extending 
throughout the districts. 

In 1907 the State Association erected a 



64 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



high standard of organization for its counties, 
and Columbia was one of the first two coun- 
ties to attain this standard, maintaining and 
passing beyond it year by year until 1913, when 
a still higher standard was set by the State, 
and again Columbia was one of the first to 
attain it. 

Some idea of the growth of the work in the 
county may be had by the statement that for 
some years less than forty dollars was the 
amount of annual receipts, and this was not 
all used at first. In 1913 the county expenses 
were over four hundred dollars, the amount 
being contributed by the schools and indi- 
viduals interested in the work. 

Besides what is accomplished by volunteer 
helpers, the county organization during the 
years 1906-1907 maintained its own field secre- 
tary, Miss Martha Robison, who gave her en- 
tire time to the work, relinquishing the posi- 
tion in 1908 to take a similar one with the 
State Association. Since that time the work 
has been carried on by the corps of county 
officers, now nvmibering almost twenty. 

At present there are in the county, and there- 
fore a part of the association, 135 Protestant 
evangelical Sundav schools, with a total en- 
rollment of over 22,000, and reporting in 
19 1 3 over 2,000 accessions. Twenty-five per 
cent of these schools reported a complete or- 
ganization, almost all had "Cradle Rolls," and 
the other departments of the work were main- 
tained in the same proportion. One of the 
sources of strength of the association was the 
continuous service of manv of the officers, who 
were familiar with the county and therefore 
able to do the most efficient work. In 1877 
A. W. Spear became treasurer of the organiza- 
tion, and served until i88s, when he was made 
corresponding secretary, which office he still 
holds. Mrs. Anna McHenry has served as 
treasurer since 1800. while other officers also 
have rendered valuable and extended service. 

The present officers are: Myron I. Low, 
president : H. R. Bower, Thomas Ash, C. A. 
Shaflfer, L. C. Mensch, M. E. Stackhouse. 



Peter Wills, vice presidents ; Miss Martha 
Robison. field and statistical secretary ; Miss 
Ethel Creasy, assistant secretary ; Mrs. C. E. 
Kesty, recording secretary ; A. W. Spear, cor- 
responding secretary ; Fred Holmes, financial 
secretary ; Mrs. Anna McHenry, treasurer. 
The department superintendents are : Miss 
Mabel Moyer, elementary ; O. H. Bakeless, 
teacher training; Mrs. C. E. Trescott, home; 
Rev. C. E. Miller, O. A. B. C; R. L. KHne, 
temperance; Rev. W. J. Dice, missions; Rev. 
P. H. Hoover, secondary ; N. Beishline, rural. 
A summary of the statistical report for 1913 
is as follows: District No. i, Berwick and 
vicinity, total enrollment, 4,870; church acces- 
sions, 745 ; increase in enrollment, 768. Dis- 
trict No. 2, West Berwick and vicinity, enroll- 
ment, 1,971; church accessions, 107; increase 
in enrollment, 226. District No. 3, Centre 
and part of Briarcreek townships, enrollment, 
1,137; increase in enrollment, 190; church ac- 
cessions, 180. District No. 4, Bloomsburg, 
Catawissa, Montour townships. Espy and Al- 
media, enrollment, 6,250; increase in enroll- 
ment, 317; church accessions, 456. District 
No. 5, Orangeville and Light Street and vicin- 
ity, enrollment, 977 ; increase in enrollment, 
17; church accessions, 6. "District No. 7, Ben- 
ton and vicinity, enrollment, 1,002; increase, 
75 ; church accessions, 55. District No. 8, 
Sugarloaf township, enrollment, 492; decrease 
in attendance, 78. District No. 6, Benton and 
Fishingcreek townships, enrollment, 760; de- 
crease, 75 ; accessions, 43. District No. 9, Mill- 
ville and vicinity, enrollment, 840 ; increase, 76 ; 
accessions, 11. District No. 10, Hemlock and 
Madison townships, enrollment, 671 ; increase, 
43; accessions, 33. District No. 11, Cleveland, 
Locust, Roaringcreek, Franklin and Cata.wissa 
townships, enrollment, 1.002; increase, 75; 
accessions, q8. District No. 12 (last year's 
figures, partly), Conyngham and Centralia, 
enrollment, 835 ; accessions. 140. District No. 
13, enrollment, 446; increase, 69; accessions, 
18. Totals, enrollment for county, 21,770; 
church accessions for county, 1,923. 



CHAPTER VII 



BENCH AND BAR 



In entering into the history of the Bench 
and Bar of this district it may not be out of 
place to compare the present with the past. 
The lawyers of eighty years ago in the rural 
districts found all their surroundings, as well 
as the legal procedure, very different from 
those of to-day. The country was compara- 
tively new, the facilities for travel by public 
conveyance most meager. Carriages with el- 
liptic springs had not yet been invented. The 
judges and members of the bar usually trav- 
eled on horseback, sometimes riding fifty miles 
in a day to reach a distant county seat. The 
districts were then much larger than now. The 
courthouses were not of the present style of 
architecture, the accommodations often being 
of the most primitive character. A wood 
stove furnished heat for the usually small 
room, and the work at evening was done by 
the light of tallow candles. Court was con- 
vened by the sound of a dinner horn blown 
by the crier at the door. Trials were long- 
drawn-out owing to the necessity of writing 
down all the testimony of witnesses and other 
proceedings, by the judge and counsel. Ste- 
nographers were then unknown, their intro- 
duction in the courts not having become gen- 
eral until within the last forty years, and the 
innovation has enabled the courts to transact 
in one day what formerly required three or 
four. 

Splendid courthouses, some of them palaces, 
with all the conveniences of modern inven- 
tion, have taken the place of the old-time seats 
of justice, and with these changes have come 
changes in legal procedure intended to facili- 
tate the dispatch of public business, though 
in regard to the latter there lingers in the 
minds of the laity a belief that there is still 
room for improvement. While the transac- 
tion of business has thus been expedited, there 
still remains the delay and uncertainty in the 
administration of justice, by reason of the 
fact that able lawyers, inspired by a large re- 
tainer on either side, differ in their interpreta- 

^ 65 



tion of the law where the facts are not dis- 
puted. The court below may differ with both, 
and the higher courts may differ with the 
court below — frequently bringing on a new 
trial, with a repetition of the costs and worry. 
While it is generally agreed that a remedy 
for this condition is desirable, no one has ever 
been able to suggest an acceptable one, and 
probably no one will ever be able to do so 
until the time shall come when all men are of 
one mind, a situation that is not likely to oc- 
cur before the millennium. 

During his administration it was no un- 
common experience for Judge Elwell to see 
practicing before him in Columbia county 
many of the ablest lawyers of the State, some 
of whom — previously or subsequently — held 
prominent public positions. Among them may 
be mentioned Judge Jeremiah S. Black, Chief 
Justice George W. Woodward, Judge John W. 
Maynard, Hon. F. B. Gowen, Judge James 
Ryan, Gov. Henry M. Hoyt, Judge Edward 
O. Parry, Judge F. Carroll Brewster, Attorney 
General Henry W. Palmer, Judge W. A. Marr, 
Hon. George F. Baer, Hon. John B. Packer, 
Hon. Francis W. Hughes, Hon. S. P. Wolver- 
ton, as well as many other gifted men. 

From 1814 to 185 1 Columbia and North- 
umberland counties formed the Eighth judicial 
district with Lycoming and Union counties. 

Hon. Seth Chapman, the first judge of 
this district, held court in January at Dan- 
ville, which was then the county seat of Co- 
lumbia county, court convening in the sec- 
ond story of a log house on the river bank, 
a few doors east of Mill street. Gen. Wil- 
liam Montgomery and Hon. Leonard Rupert 
were his associates. Henry Alward, of Mil- 
ton, was the first sheriff. The first prothono- 
tary was George A. Frick, who later became a 
prominent attorney of Danville. 

Of those who came to the court at Dan- 
ville to practice law were Charles Hall, 
Charles Maus of Berlin, Hugh Bellas of Sun- 
bury, Samuel Hepburn of Rlilton, Bradford 



66 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



and George Porter of Center county, James 
Carson of Philadelphia, and Ebenezer Green- 
ough of Sunbury. Judge Thomas Duncan 
and Judge Charles Huston came here from 
Center county to attend court. They were 
both afterwards members of the Supreme 
court. William G. Hurley, of Bloomsburg, 
James Pleasants of Catawissa, Alexander 
Jordan and Charles G. Donnel, of Sunbury, 
attended court in Danville regularly. 

Judge Ellis Lewis, who succeeded to the 
bench in 1833, was a native of Lewisburg, 
Pa. He began life as a printer, subsequently 
occupied the editorial chair, studied law, and 
was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty- 
five. Two years later he was appointed dep- 
uty attorney general for Lycoming county ; 
in 1832 was elected to the Legislature; in 
1833 was appointed attorney general for the 
Commonwealth, and the same year appointed 
as successor to Judge Chapman. After ten 
years of service here he was transferred to 
the Second district^ later elevated to the Su- 
preme court, in 1851, and became chief justice 
in 1855. Subsequently he was appointed one 
of a committee of three to revise the criminal 
code. He died March 19, 1871. 

Charles G. Donnel, of Northumber- 
land county, was appointed to the vacancy on 
the bench of the Eighth district Jan. 14, 1843, 
and held his first term in April of that year. 
He died the following year, before he could 
accomplish his work, but held high in the 
respect and esteem of those who had known 
him and admired his attainments. 

Judge Joseph B. Anthony, who suc- 
ceeded to the bench in 1844, was the first to 
hold court at Bloomsburg after the removal 
of the county seat from Danville. His first 
session there was held in January, 1848. Judge 
Anthony was a native of Williamsport. In 
1830 he was elected to the State Senate, and 
in 1834 to Congress, and reelected two years 
later. In 1843 he was appointed judge of 
the court for the adjustment of the Nichol- 
son claims, and in March, 1844, to the bench 
of the Eighth judicial circuit. He died in 
185 1, nine months before the expiration of 
his term. 

Judge James Pollock was born in Milton 
and studied law under Judge Anthony. He 
graduated from Princeton and was admitted 
to the bar in 1833. Two years later he was 
appointed district attorney, and in 1844 was 
elected to Congress from the Thirteenth dis- 
trict. In 1851 he was appointed to the bench 
to succeed Judge Anthony, and held the place 
until the judges were made elective, in 1851, 



when he refused to be a candidate. In 1854 
he was elected governor; in i860 appointed a 
delegate to the peace congress at Washington ; 
in 1861 appointed director of the mint at 
Philadelphia; resigning the otSce under the 
administration of Johnson, he was reappointed 
by Grant in 1869, held the position until 1882, 
and was then made collector of internal rev- 
enue. He is the originator of the motto on 
American coins, "In God We Trust." He 
died April 19, 1890. 

John Nesbit Conyngham succeeded Judge 
Pollock on the bench in 1851.- He went 
upon the bench of the Luzerne district 
in 1839 by appointment of the governor, and 
when Columbia was put in that district Judge 
Conyngham became the president judge here, 
and so continued until the formation of the 
Twenty-sixth district, in 1856, composed of 
Columbia, Sullivan and Wyoming counties, 
which took Columbia out of his jurisdiction. 
He was one of Pennsylvania's most eminent 
jurists, and presided in the Luzerne district 
for thirty years, until 1870, when he resigned. 
In 1871 he met with a railroad accident which 
resulted in his death. He was beloved and 
respected by all who knew him. 

Warren J. Woodward was appointed judge 
in May, 1856, and in October following was 
elected for a term of ten years. He served 
until December, 1861, when he resigned to 
accept election as president judge of Berks 
county, and moved to Reading. At the expira- 
tion of this term he was reelected for a second, 
and served until 1874, when he was elected a 
justice of the Supreme court, which position 
he occupied until his death, in 1879. Judge 
Woodward was born in Bethany, Wayne 
county, and received an academic education 
in Wilkes-Barre. He taught school, learned 
the printer's trade, and later studied law at 
Wilkes-Barre, where he became the leader of 
the bar. He was a hard student, a conscien- 
tious and upright judge, and a man of intel- 
lectual power. He was considered one of the 
ablest Supreme justices of his time. 

Aaron K. Peckham was appointed to fill 
the unexpired term of Judge Woodward, De- 
cember. 1861, after which he declined to be 
a candidate for election to the position, and 
resumed his practice at Tunkhannock, where 
he remained until his death. 

William Elwell was elected president 
judge of the Twenty-sixth district in 1862, ac- 
cepting the nomination at the request of a com- 
mittee of the bar. He had no opposition at 
the first election, and none at the time of his 
reelection in 1872. In May, 1874, Wyoming 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



67 



and Sulli\an counties were placed in the 
Forty-fourth district, and Columbia and 
Montour made the Twenty-sixth, which is the 
condition in 1914. On the expiration of Judge 
Elwell's second term the bar of the district 
unanimously requested him to accept a third 
term, to which he consented, was later nomi- 
nated on the tickets of both leading parties, 
and at the following election was unanimously 
given the office. Afterwards, at different 
times, he was urged to become a candidate 
for the Supreme bench, but declined. He 
also refused to have his name used in the 
canvass for the office of governor, although 
warmly urged. 

In 1871 Judge Elwell was chosen to um- 
pire the difficulties between the miners and 
the operators in the coal regions, which he 
did to the satisfaction of both sides. Later 
the Mollie JMaguires case, a description of 
which is given at the end of this chapter, was 
tried before him. His decision in this case 
was affirmed by the Supreme court. 

It is believed that Judge Elwell tried more 
cases than any other judge upon the bench 
of the State, as many important cases were 
certified to Columbia county from other dis- 
tricts and tried before him. It is worthy of 
mention that of all the cases tried in the courts 
of Oyer and Terminer, Quarter Sessions and 
the (Drphans' court, not a single one from this 
county was reversed during the more than 
twenty-six years he was upon the bench, and 
very few in the Common Pleas court. 

It may not be out of place here to record 
the fact that a tribute was publicly paid to 
Judge Elwell during his lifetime that does not 
often fall to the lot even of distinguished citi- 
zens. It is almost the universal custom to 
wait until after the cold clods have rattled 
upon the casket before public appreciation of 
a man's life and character is expressed. When 
such action is taken during a man's life- 
time it is a matter of great gratifica- 
tion to him who receives the recognition, and 
it is also highly creditable to those who are 
responsible for its expression. As the inci- 
dent here referred to has appeared in print 
only in the newspapers, the files of which are 
accessible to but few people, and as the mat- 
ter is a part of the history of the court of 
Columbia county, it is deemed proper for it 
to be here recorded in full, so that it may be 
preserved in permanent form. 

On Monday morning, Sept. 2.^, 1889, when 
court opened, the room was filled with an 
audience including many ladies, who had been 
drawn there by the report that proceedings of 



an unusual character would transpire at that 
time. The president judge, Hon. E. R. Ikeler, 
and Hons. C. B. McHenry and C. G. Murphy 
were upon the bench. Court Crier D. R. Coft- 
man opened the session by the usual proclama- 
tion, and then B. F. Zarr, Esq., soHcitor to 
the county commissioners, W. G. Girton, 
Jesse Rittenhouse and Ezra Stephens, ad- 
dressed the Bench in the following words : 

"If Your Honors please, before the court 
proceeds with its regular business, I wish to 
bring to your attention a matter in which we 
all feel a lively interest. 

"There presided in these courts for a period 
of more than twenty-five years a jurist dis- 
tinguished for his legal knowledge, high moral 
character, courteous treatment of the bar, uni- 
form kindness and impartiality to all — the 
Honorable William Elwell. The best years 
of his life were spent here, and he is to-day 
a venerable citizen of the county, one whom 
the people delight to honor. 

"Appreciation of the qualities that endear 
a man to his countrymen is testified not more 
by the rearing of imposing monuments than 
by giving fitting expression to the sentiment 
in their hearts. There may be in all the 
walks of life great men, but great only when 
by their acts they have signally benefited man- 
kind. The preacher becomes great only when, 
by his power and p>ersuasiveness, he causes 
men to reverence and to obey the laws of God. 
The soldier becomes great when, by his con- 
quests over the enemies of liberty, he gives to 
the people liberty and a home ; the statesman, 
when by his wise economy he secures to them 
prosperity ; the philanthropist, when he has 
alleviated human suffering; the judge, when 
he has faithfully administered the laws. True 
greatness is always recognized and honored 
by the people, and the man who makes it his 
life work to labor for the good of the race is 
entitled to such recognition and honor . 

"The citizens of Columbia county hold in 
the highest estimation the ability and integrity 
of Judge Elwell. His reputation as an able 
and conscientious administrator of the law 
is not confined to the limits of the county, but 
extends throughout the length and breadth of 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and even 
beyond her borders. His opinions and rulings 
are cited with confidence by the pleader in 
the courts, and are received by the highest 
tribunals as authority of weight. 

"The countv commissioners, joining with 
other citizens in their just estimate of the 
distinguished services rendered to the Com- 
monwealth by Judge Elwell, have deemed it 



68 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



eminently proper to cause to be prepared this 
portrait" (here Prothonotary W. H. Snyder 
withdrew a green cloth hanging on the wall 
behind the Judges, disclosing a lifesize bust 
portrait in handsome gilt frame) "of the Hon- 
orable William Elwell, and to place it in this 
temple of justice, not so much as a monument 
to the past as a testimonial to the future, and 
as an offering by which he himself may learn 
the kindly feeling of our hearts. ... It 
is my privilege, and I assure you my pleasure, 
on behalf of the commissioners of the county, 
to present to the court, to the bar, and to the 
citizens, this portrait of His Honor, Judge 
Elwell." 

Judge Ikeler made the following response : 
"In behalf of the bench, the bar, and the 
citizens of the county, we accept this portrait 
of Judge Elwell, as an appropriate memento 
of him and of his honorable judicial career. 
It cannot fail to be a constant reminder to us 
who have been intimately associated with him, 
to follow so far as possible in his footsteps. 
Of the present commissioners of Columbia 
county, a majority reside at a distance from 
the county seat. Their act is undoubtedly 
prompted and sustained by the public senti- 
ment of respect, admiration and love for Judge 
Elwell, which permeates the county _ to its 
remotest bounds, but which, great as it is, is 
only an index of our appreciation of his merits. 
We, the members of the bar, who have been 
closely associated with him in the administra- 
tion of justice, though ours has been the fo- 
rensic strife about a question of property, of 
liberty, or of life, while it has been his office 
well fulfilled to hold the seat of Justice with 
her* sword and scales, conducting before him 
unawed, unruffled and unswayed our legal 
struggles, we have been taught by his rulings, 
led by his learning, instructed as to manhood 
by his dignified bearing. The perpetual pres- 
ence here of this portrait, reminding us of 
him and of his character, will be to us a con- 
tinued incentive to diligence in our calling, and 
to the cultivation of all manly graces. It will 
stimulate the young men in training for the 
bar ; they will learn the history of the eminent 
jurist whom this portrait represents, and they 
will be stirred with emulation of his great at- 
tainments in legal lore, and of his surpassing 
virtues as judge, and they will be infused with 
new energy in working for the highest ideal 
of achievement, and to usefulness in their 
day and generation. 

"If any of us should be so fortunate as to 
arrive at the advanced age that Judge Elwell 
has already reached, he will be happy if he 



is able to look back upon a life's work as well 
done as his — upon every duty as scrupulously 
and zealously performed as it was by him 
whose likeness hangs upon this wall." 

In this connection it should be noted that 
after the death of Judge Ikeler his portrait 
was presented to the county. Of all the judges 
who have presided over the courts of Co- 
lumbia county, the likenesses of these two 
jurists are the only ones that hang upon the 
walls of the court room. 

In November, 1887, Judge Elwell con- 
tracted a cold which resulted in chronic 
catarrh, and so affected his hearing and his 
general health that he tendered his resigna- 
tion to the governor, to take effect on July 31, 
1888. From that time he led a retired life 
until his death, which occurred on Oct. 15, 
1895, when he was aged eighty-seven years. 
A more complete story of the life of this great 
judge appears among the biographies. 

Judge Elwell's resignation left a vacancy to 
be filled at the November election, with an ap- 
pointment by the governor of a president 
judge to serve until January, 1889. Henry M. 
Hinckley of Danville received the appoint- 
ment. 

Judge Henry M. Hinckley was born June 
2, 1850, in Harrisburg, Pa., where he received 
his early education, and was graduated at 
Princeton College in 1874. Having pursued 
the study of law during his college course, he 
was admitted to the bar of Montour county in 
1875, and to the Supreme court in 1878. He 
has long been recognized as one of the ablest 
attorneys in this section of the State. He was 
nominated for president judge by the Repub- 
lican party in the district to succeed himself, 
but the district being strongly Democratic he 
was not elected. During the brief period of 
his incumbency he discharged all his duties 
with fidelity and marked ability. Since his 
retirement from the bench he has devoted him- 
self to his profession, and has a large prac- 
tice, not only in Montour and Columbia coun- 
ties, but in other counties outside of the dis- 
trict. Before his appointment to the bench 
he was for some years associated with I. X. 
Grier, Esq., of Danville, in law business. 

For the first time in the history of this ju- 
dicial district, after Judge Elwell resigned 
there were opposing aspirants for the nomina- 
tion for president judge on the Democratic 
ticket, Elijah R. Ikeler and Charles G. Bark- 
ley, both of Bloomsburg, being the candidates. 
An active and energetic canvass was made, 
resulting in the nomination of Mr. Ikeler in 
both counties, and he was elected in Novem- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



69 



ber, 1888, entering upon his duties in January, 
1889, and serving until Aug. i, 1898, when the 
hand of death was laid upon him. He con- 
tracted a cold which resulted in pneumonia, 
and after only a week's illness passed away. 

Elijah R. Ikeler was a self-made man. 
His studious and industrious habits enabled 
him to obtain sufficient education at Green- 
wood Seminary to enter upon the study of 
law, which he took up after being engaged in 
the milling business for a number of years. 
He moved from Millville to Bloomsburg and 
registered as a law student with Colonel 
Freeze in 1864, and was admitted to the bar 
in May, 1867. He soon forged ahead, and be- 
came one of the leading practitioners of the 
county. As a judge he was patient and care- 
ful, always evincing a desire to do right ac- 
cording to his best judgment. 

At the time of his death Judge Ikeler was 
a candidate for renomination, his opponent 
being Robert R. Little — both Democrats. The 
county conventions of both counties had been 
held, Montour county instructing its conferees 
for Ikeler, and Columbia county for Little. 
The death of Judge Ikeler brought about a 
complication in the judicial situation, such as 
had probably never before occurred in the his- 
tory of the State. On Aug. 10, 1898, Gov- 
ernor Hastings appointed Grant Herring as 
president judge to serve until January, 1899. 
Robert R. Little was the Democratic candidate 
in Columbia county for election for the full 
term. What the situation was in Montour 
county no one seemed to know, as Judge Ike- 
ler had named his conferees in that county, 
but they had not yet accepted. It was also 
doubted whether their appointment would 
stand after his death. There were also com- 
plications in the Republican party on the 
judgeship, Montour county having instructed 
for James Scarlet and the Columbia conferees 
favoring Charles C. Evans, Scarlet being 
afterwards made the nominee. 

•Appreciating the necessity of taking some 
action in the matter, a call was issued for a 
meeting of the Columbia bar on Aug. 17, 1898, 
which was signed by thirty-eight members. 
The call stated that "impressed by the convic- 
tion that the selection of a president judge is 
of transcendent importance to the public, and 
observing that the ordinary agencies for the 
nomination of a candidate do not in this in- 
stance promise to succeed in giving to the 
people harmonious and desirable results, we 
do agree to confer together upon the selection 
of a judge who shall be competent, inde- 
pendent, and impartial, who shall be free from 



faction, without friends to reward or enemies 
to punish, and, if possible, wholly unconnected 
in position or interest with past or present con- 
troversy or dispute upon the question of the 
judgeship, and take such action as the major- 
ity of those present shall judge to be advisable, 
prudent, wise, and necessary, to secure or aid 
in securing, the selection of a president judge." 

But eighteen of the signers were present at 
the meeting. Hon. C. R. Buckalew was 
chosen chairman, and a resolution was adopted 
for the appointment of a committee, "to act 
for and represent us in the conference which 
must take place and enable us to present for 
endorsement by the people of this district a 
man competent and eminently fitted to serve 
as president judge." Nothing ever came of 
this action, however, mainly for the reason 
that no lawyer from outside the district could 
be found who was willing to enter the con- 
test as a candidate, where there were so many 
local aspirants, and where he would be a com- 
parative stranger. 

Meanwhile the fencing for advantage went 
on. On Aug. 10 Mr. Little and conferees went 
to Exchange, Montour county, and there met 
the conferees appointed by Judge Ikeler, and 
a judicial conference was organized, resulting 
after several ballots in Mr. Little's nomina- 
tion. The next day the Democratic standing 
committee met at Danville. Judge Herring 
claimed that the conference at Exchange was 
void, for the reason that the conferees named 
by Judge Ikeler had no authority to act, as it 
ceased when Judge Ikeler died. The com- 
mittee took this view of it and proceeded to 
name a new candidate for Montour county, 
Judge Herring being their choice. Judge Her- 
ring then carried the matter to the Dauphin 
county court to settle the question as to whose 
name should be printed on the ballots as the 
regular nominee. After hearing, the court 
decided that the Exchange conference was a 
nullity, as the evidence showed that the Ikeler 
conferees had not been appointed in fact. 
Judge Herring then appointed conferees for 
"Montour, and after several meetings Herring 
withdrew and Little was unanimously nomi- 
nated, and was elected in November, 1898, de- 
feating James Scarlet, the Republican nomi- 
nee. He served until Feb. 26, 1906, when his 
death occurred, after a protracted illness. 

Judge Robert R. Little was born in Ber- 
wick in May, 1852, and was the son of E. H. 
Little, who was for many years a prominent 
attorney of Columbia county. He graduated 
at the Normal School in 1871, and subse- 
quently attended the University of Rochester, 



70 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



and Hamilton College, New York, after which 
he read law with his father, and was admitted 
to the bar on Sept. 4, 1874. He was elected 
district attorney in 1878 and again in 1881, 
filling the office with much ability. He was 
possessed of an even temperament and quick 
perception, and was considered a safe and 
careful counsellor. 

The death of Judge Little again made a 
vacancy on the bench of the district to be 
filled by an appointment by the governor. 
There were a number of aspirants among the 
Republican members of the bar, and strong 
influences were brought to bear. On March 
30th Governor Pennypacker appointed Charles 
C. Evans, Esq., of Berwick, as president 
judge, to serve until January, 1907. He was 
nominated by the Republican conventions of 
both counties to serve for a full term. In the 
Democratic party the candidates for the nomi- 
nation were John G. Harman and Grant 
Herring, both of Bloomsburg. The Montour 
county primaries were held first, resulting in 
a vote of 1,030 for Herring and 528 for 
Harman, giving the former twenty-three dele- 
gates in the convention, and the latter five. 
The following week the Columbia county pri- 
maries were held, when Harman received 
2,484 votes and Herring 1,912, thus giving 
the conferees to Harman. This resulted in 
a deadlock, and in September the case was 
carried to the Democratic State executive 
committee by Mr. Harman, after every effort 
to secure an agreement by the conferees had 
failed. The committee after several hear- 
ings decided that they had jurisdiction, and 
nominated Mr. Harman, to which Mr. Her- 
ring filed exceptions in the Dauphin county 
court, and after hearing the court decided that 
Harman's nomination was invalid, thus leav- 
ing the Democrats without a nominee. Both 
candidates filed nomination papers. This 
made a three-cornered fight, which resulted 
in the election of Judge Evans, the Repub- 
lican and Prohibition candidate, by a plural- 
ity of 241 votes in the district, Evans receiv- 
ing 4,474 votes, 3,325 in Columbia county and 
1,149 in Montour; Harman, 4,233, 3,578 in 
Columbia and 655 in Montour; Herring, 
2,936, 1,964 in Columbia and 972 in Montour. 

Thus for the first time in its history has 
the district had a Republican president judge 
elected for a full term. Judge Evans's term 
will expire in January, 1917. 

Judge Grant Herring, who served from 
August, 1898, to January, 1899, was a son of 
George A. Herring, and was born in Centre 
township, Columbia county. He graduated 



at the Bloomsburg Normal School in 1879, 
and at Lafayette College in 1883. He read 
law with E. R. Ikeler, Esq., and was admitted 
to the bar in February, 1885, entering into 
partnership with his preceptor at once, and 
so continuing until Mr. Ikeler's elevation to 
the bench. He served four years as collector 
of internal revenue of this district during 
President Cleveland's administration, and as 
State senator from 1890 to 1894. A man of 
strong personality, a brilliant speaker, and an 
able lawyer, he acquired a large clientele. In 
1907 he moved from Bloomsburg to Sunbury, 
and entered into a law partnership with Hon. 
S. P. Wolverton which continued for several 
years, when it was dissolved, and Judge Her- 
ring engaged in practice by himself. In 191 1 
his health began to fail, and in 1912 he went 
to Europe to visit his daughter, who was 
studying music in Berlin, and to seek medical 
assistance. While in Germany an attack of 
his old complaint resulted fatally, and at his 
own request he was buried there. His death 
occurred on Aug. 4, 1912, in Berchtesgaden, 
Bavaria. 

Judge Charles C. Evans was bom in 
Briarcreek township, Columbia county, Jan. 
10, 1858. He graduated at the State Normal 
School at Bloomsburg in 1877, ^"d ^t Lafay- 
ette College in 1881. He immediately entered 
the law office of Hon. Simon P. Wolverton, 
at Sunbury, and July 14, 1883, was admitted 
to the bar of Northumberland county. In 
August. 1883, he commenced the practice of 
law at Berwick, where he continued to prac- 
tice until his appointment to the bench. 

Judge Evans has made a good record on 
the bench. He is careful and conscientious, 
of even temperament, and his opinions show 
that he makes exhaustive research in arriving 
at legal conclusions. Like all judges, he has 
had some of his decisions reversed by the 
higher courts, but in this respect his record 
will compare favorably with most of the judges 
of the State. He has been called a number of 
times to hold court in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, 
Philadelphia, and other places. 

JUDICIAL DISTRICT 

The territory now embraced in Columbia 
county was formerly a part of Northumber- 
land county, and was included in the Eighth 
judicial district, composed of Northumber- 
land, Union and Luzerne. Later on it was 
placed in the Eleventh judicial district with 
Montour, Luzerne and Wyoming, and again 
with Sullivan and Wyoming in the Twenty- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



71 



sixth. In 1872 Columbia and Montour be- 
came the Twenty-sixth district, and have so 
remained until the present (1914). 

Herewith we give a list of the president 
judges who have presided over the courts in 
this territory since 1813, with the dates of 
their appointment or election. The first court 
held in Bloomsburg, after the change of the 
county seat from Danville, was in January, 
1848, Judge Joseph B. Anthony presiding. 
Col. John G. Freeze, at the time of his death, 
July 8, 1913, the oldest member of the Co- 
lumbia county bar, personally knew all of 
these judges from Judge Anthony to the pres- 
ent incumbent. 

President Judges 

Seth Chapman, appointed July 11, 181 1, re- 
signed Oct. 10, 1833 ; Ellis Lewis, appointed 
Oct. 14, 1833, served until Jan. 14, 1843; 
Charles G. Donnel, appointed Jan. 14, 1843, 
died March 18, 1844; Joseph B. Anthony, ap- 
pointed in March, 1844, died Jan. 10, 1851 ; 
James Pollock, appointed Jan. 16, 1851, com- 
mission expired Nov. 5, 1851; John N. 
Conyngham, appointed Nov. 15, 1851, district 
changed; Warren J. Woodward, appointed 
May 19, 1856, resigned Dec. 10, 1861 ; Aaron 
K. Peckham, appointed Dec. 10, 1861, com- 
mission expired Nov. 3, 1862 ; William Elwell, 
elected Nov. 3, 1862, commission expired in 
January, 1873; re-elected Nov. 6, 1872, com- 
mission expired in January, 1883; re-elected 
Nov. 7, 1882, resigned July 31, 1888; Henry 
M. Hinckley, appointed Aug. i, 1888, com- 
mission expired ]an. i, 1889; E. R. Ikeler, 
elected Nov. 6, 1888, died Aug. i, 1898; Grant 
Herring, appointed Aug. 10, 1898, commission 
expired Jan. i, 1899; R. R. Little, elected Nov. 
8, 1898, died Feb. 26, 1906; Charles C. Evans, 
appointed March 30, 1906, commission ex- 
pired in January, 1907; elected Nov. 6, 1906, 
commission expires in January, 191 7. 

Associate Judges 

John Murray, appointed Oct. 11, 1813; 
William Montgomery, appointed Aug. 5, 1815; 
Leonard Rupert, appointed June 27, 1816; 
William Donaldson, appointed March 26, 
1840; George Mack, appointed March 27, 
1840; Samuel Oakes, appointed March 6, 
1845; Stephen Baldy, appointed March 11, 
1845; George H. Willits, appointed March 12, 
1850; John Covanhoven, appointed March 
12, 1850; Leonard B. Rupert, elected Nov. 10, 
185 1 ; George H. Willits, elected Nov. 10, 



1 851; Peter Kline, elected Nov. 12, 1856; 
Jacob Evans, elected Nov. 12, 1856; Stephen 
Baldy, appointed Jan. 12, 1861, elected Nov. 
23, 1861 ; John McReynolds, elected Nov. 23, 
1861 ; Peter K. Herbein, elected Nov. 8, 1866, 
died in office April i, 1869; Iram Derr, elected 
Nov. 8, 1866; James Kester, appointed April 
23, 1869 ; Charles F. Mann, elected Nov. 26, 
1869, died in office Jan. 24, 1870; Isaac S. 
Monroe, appointed Feb. i, 1870; Iram Derr, 
elected Nov. 17, 1871 ; George Scott, elected 
in November, 1875, died in office April 10, 
1876; Mayberry G. Hughes, appointed April 
26, 1876; Franklin L. Shuman, elected in 
November, 1876; Isaac K. Krickbaum, elected 
in November, 1876; Franklin L. Shuman, 
elected in November, 1S81 ; James Lake, 
elected in November, 1881 ; Charles G. Mur- 
phy, elected Nov. 2, 1886 ; James Lake, elected 
Nov. 2, 1886, died in office Jan. 4, 1887; Cyrus 
B. McHenry, appointed Jan. 8, 1887; elected 
in November, 1887, died in office Jan. 8, 1890 
Mordecai W. Jackson, appointed Feb. 3, 1890 
Charles G. Murphy, elected Nov. 3, 1891 
Mordecai Millard, elected Nov. 4, 1890, and 
Nov. 5, 1895; James T. Fox, elected Nov. 3, 
1896, and Nov. 5, 1901 ; J. U. Kurtz, elected 
Nov. 3, 1896; William Krickbaum, elected 
Nov. 4, 1902, and Nov. 5, 1907; E. C. Yeager, 
elected Nov. 6, 1906; Charles E. Houck, 
elected in November, 191 1; M. H. Rhoads, 
appointed in January, 1913, elected in Novem- 
ber, 1913. 

The Columbia County Bar Association was 
organized Dec. 3, 1878. Morrison E. Jackson, 
of Berwick, was the first president ; Col. J. G. 
Freeze, vice president ; George E. Elwell, sec- 
retary; and C. G. Barkley, treasurer. Mr. 
Jackson died in July, 1879, and Colonel Freeze 
was elected president, which position he held 
up to the time of his death in July, 1913, Mr. 
Elwell continuing as secretary up to that time. 
The present officers (1914) are: A. W. Duy, 
president ; C. C. Yetter, vice president ; H. 
Mont. Smith, secretary; H. R. Stees, treas- 
urer. 



Members of the Bar * 



Robert C. Grier, 
William G. Hurley, 
James Pleasants, 
Samuel F. Headley, 
Morrison E. Jackson, 
LeGrand Bancroft, 
B. K. Rhodes, 
Charles R. Buckalew, 



Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Catawissa. 

Berwick, 

Berwick, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 



deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased, 
deceased. 



* Names listed in order of admission. 



72 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Robert F. Clark, 
Reuben W. Weaver, 
John G. Freeze, 
Robert S. Howell, 
Elisha C. Thompson, 
Franklin Stewart, 
Ephraim H. Little, 
Alexander J. Frick, 
Oliver C. Kahler, 
Wesley Wirt, 
Agib Ricketts, 
W. A. Peck, 
Charles G. Barkley, 
Samuel Knorr, 
Hervey H. Grotz, 
William H. Abbott, 
Chas. B. Brockway, 
Wellington H. Ent, 
M. M. Traugh, 
James K. Brugler, 
Peter S. Rishel, 
Michael Whitmoyer, 
M. M. LaVelle, 
Russel R. Pealer, 
Elijah R. Ikeler, 
Charles W. Miller, 
George S. Coleman, 
James B. Robison, 
J. H. James, 
M. E. Walker, 
O. B. Mellick, 
James Bryson, 
Milton Stiles, 
LeRoy Thompson, 
John M. Clark, 

B. Frank Zarr, 
A. C. Smith, 
Hervey E. Smith, 
John A. Opp, 
Warren J. Buckalew, 
George E. Elwell, 
Robert R. Little, 
Nevin U. Funk, 
William L. Eyerly, 
Charles B. Jackson, 
Frank P. Billmeyer, 
Levi E. Waller, 

T. J. Vanderslice, 
H. C. Bittenbender, 
W. H. Rhawn, 
William Brvson, 
Paul E. Wirt. 
Robert Buckingham, 
L. S. Wintersteen, 
Andrew L. Fritz. 
Andrew K. Oswald, 
Jacob H. Maize. 

C. C. Peacock, 
Hiester V. White. 
A. E. Chapin, 
John C. Yocum. 
David Leche, 

Guy Jacoby. 
William Chrisman. 
W. H. Snyder. 
William E. Smith, 
Grant Herring, 
A. N. Yost, 
C. E. Geyer, 
S. P. Hanley, 
Sterling W. Dickson, 



Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Espy, 

Bloomsburg, 

Berwick, 

Bloomsburg, 

Danville, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Wilkes-Barre, 

Berwick, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Catawissa, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Berwick, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg. 

Centralia. 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg, 

Centralia, 

Shickshinny, 

Bloomsburg, 

Centralia. 

Berwick. 

Berwick. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Plymouth. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg, 

Berwick, 

Montclair, N.J. 

Wilkes-Barre. 

Bloomsburg. 

Lincoln. Nebr. 

Catawissa. 

Centralia. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

New York, 

Bloomsburg. 

Berwick. 

Bloomsburg. 

Wilkes-Barre. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Catawissa. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Bloomsburg. 

Orangeville. 

Berwick. 

Sunbury. 

Bloomsburg. 

Catawissa, 

Berwick, 

Berwick, 



deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

not practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

left the county. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

left the county. 

left the county. 

left the county. 

deceased. 

left the county. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased, 
deceased. 

deceased. 

not practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

not practicing. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

practicing, 
practicing. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

not practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased, 
deceased, 
practicing. 

not practicing. 

left the county. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

deceased. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

deceased. 

practicing. 



James M. Fritz, 
William Leverett, 

A. M. Freas. 
James A. Rohrbach, 
William D. Beckley, 
E. H. Guie, 

J. Simpson Kline, 
H. A. McKillip, 
Fred Ikeler, 
Thomas B. Hanley, 
James L. Evans, 
Charles H. Weaver, 
John R. Sharpless, 
R. Rush Zarr, 
Wilson A. Everet, 
John G. Harman, 
George M. Tustin, 
Charles H. Bates, 
Christian A. Small, 
Frank Ikeler, 
Edward J. Flynn, 
Ralph R. John, 
G. M. Quick, 
H. J. Patterson, 

B. F. McHenry, 

D. Sylvester Pensyl, 
Albert W. Duy, 
Clemuel R. Weiss, 
Harry M. Hamlin, 

C. J. Fisher. 
Wm. C. Johnston, 
Clyde C. Yetter. 
Clinton Herring, 
J. Alexis Guie, 
Harry R. Stees, 
Harry M. Persing. 
C. H. Marks, 

C. E. Kreisher. 
R. O. Brockway, 
J. G. Jayne, 
L. C. Mensch, 
Boyd F. Maize, 
H. Mont Smith. 
William E. Elmes. 
Alex. C. Jackson, 
Charles S. Kline, 
A. J. Robbins, 
Warren S. Sharpless, 
Neil Chrisman, 
John A. Moran, 
Conway W. Dickson. 
Clark Dickson. 
G. W. Moon, 



Wilkes-Barre, 

Philadelphia, 

Wilkes-Barre. 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Seattle, Wash., 

Sunbury, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

New Y'k City. 

Berwick, 

Hazleton, 

Kingston, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Centralia, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Williamsport, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 
Bloomsburg, 

Catawissa, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Seattle, Wash., 

Bloomsburg, 

Shickshinny, 

Catawissa, 

Berwick. 

Berwick. 

Catawissa, 

Bloomsburg, 

Bloomsburg, 

Berwick, 

Berwick. 

Catawissa, 

Wilkes-Barre. 

Berwick, 

Wilkes-Barre, 

Centralia. 

Berwick. 

Berwick, 

Bloomsburg, 



practicmg. 
not practicing. 

left the county. 

not practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

left the county. 

practicing. 

not practicing. 

left the county. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

left the county. 

practicing. 

not practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

left the county. 

practicing. 

left the .county. 

left the county. 

practicing. 

left the county. 

practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
not practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

not practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing. 

practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing, 
practicing. 



TRIAL OF THE "mOLLIE MAGUIRES" 

The most important criminal case which 
ever came up before the courts of Cohtmbia 
county was the trial of the "MolHe Maguires" 
in 1869. This case was the beginning of a 
series of incidents which became of almost 
national fame, and finally resulted in a second 
trial, in 1877, which closed the matter for all 
time. 

On Sunday, Oct. 18. 1868, the body of Alex- 
ander W. Rea, agent for the Locust Mountain 
Coal & Iron Company, of Centralia, was 
found in the bushes on the road from Cen- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



73 



tralia to Mount Carmel, riddled with bullets. 
On Nov. 17, 1868, John Duffy, Michael Prior 
and Thomas Donohue were arrested for the 
murder, and lodged in the Pottsville jail. 
Later they were sent to Bloomsburg to await 
trial. Suspicion also fastened upon Patrick 
Hester, who had hastily decamped to Illinois, 
and he later on returned to Bloomsburg and 
surrendered. At the December session of 
court a bill was found against Donohue, Duffy 
and Prior, and at the February session, 1869, 
a similar bill was returned against Hester. 

The case was called by the district attorney 
on Feb. 2, 1869, Judge Elwell presiding, and 
separate trials granted the prisoners. The 
Commonwealth was represented by District 
Attorney E. R. Ikeler, Linn Bartholomew, 
Robert F. Clark, Edward H. Baldy and M. M. 
LaVelle. The prisoners were defended by 
John W. Ryon, John G. Freeze, Myer Strouse, 
S. P. Wolverton and W. A. Marr. 

The theory of the prosecution was that, 
Saturday being a general pay day in the coal 
regions, a party of assassins concealed them- 
selves at the point where the body was found 
in the hope of securing the large sum of 
money which Rea would carry. It was his 
custom, however, to pay off the men on Fri- 
day, a practice well known to all residents of 
the vicinity. This caused the prosecution to 
infer that the murder was committed by 
some persons unfamiliar with the locality. 

Donohue was tried and acquitted on Feb. 
II, 1869; on the nth of May the case against 
Hester was dismissed from lack of evidence, 
and on the same date Duffy was tried and 
acquitted. Prior also was tried and acquitted. 
Seven years then passed and no further clews 
to the murder were discovered. 

Made bold by the release of the accused 
miners, some laborers fn the hard coal regions 
developed an organization for purposes of in- 
timidation which soon absolutely controlled 
the community and caused a complete reign 
of terror over all of the southern part of 
Columbia county and a great part of Schuyl- 
kill and Carbon counties. 

A common method of intimidating the 
better class of coal miners was for a gang of 
ten or more toughs to sweep through the min- 
ing camps, forcing every man to join them, 
the gradually increasing numbers overawing 
any inclined to resist. On June 3, 1875, 0"^ 
thousand men stopped work at several mines 
near Mahanoy City, and a similar band did 
the same at Shenandoah. The same night a 
breaker at Mount Carmel was burned, and a 



few days later two contractors at the Oakdale 
mine were shot. 

Depredations became so common that every 
passenger train passing through the affected 
section had to be preceded by a locomotive 
carrying an armed posse. Watchmen and 
station agents were beaten, loaded cars put 
upon the main line, switches misplaced, ware- 
houses plundered, and bosses particularly 
hated by the malcontents were served with 
notices to leave, under pain of death. Such 
threats were almost invariably executed. 

The chief source of these atrocities was an 
organization formed by the lawless element 
and christened the "Mollie Maguires." They 
terrorized the entire coal region from 1865 to 
1875, had signs and passwords, and developed 
such strength that not a man could be hired 
unless he was approved by the society. 

In exposing and suppressing this society the 
president of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal 
& Iron Company, Franklin B. Gowen, em- 
ployed James McParlan, of the Pinkerton De- 
tective Agency. McParlan posed as a miner, 
joined the order, became one of the leaders, 
and finally brought most of them to justice. 
Nine of the "Mollies" were sentenced to death 
in Schuylkill county, two in Carbon, and some 
others were imprisoned for long terms. 

At this time there was a man named Daniel 
Kelly, an abandoned criminal, confined in the 
Schuylkill county jail on the charge of larceny. 
Suspicion having been directed against him as 
having some knowledge of the murder of 
Alexander W. Rea, he became frightened and 
offered to turn State's evidence if allowed to 
go free. Accordingly, on his testimony, Peter 
McHugh and Patrick Tully were arrested in 
the fall of 1876 as participants in the murder, 
and Patrick Hester was again arrested as ac- 
cessory before the fact. They were first 
lodged in the Pottsville jail, but later brought 
to Bloomsburg for trial. 

On Feb. 7, 1877, the trial began, Messrs. 
Hughes, Buckalew and District Attorney John 
M. Clark appearing for the Commonwealth, 
while Messrs. Ryon, Wolverton, Freeze, 
Brockway, Mahan and George E. Elwell ap- 
peared for the defense. All the accused 
pleaded "not guilty" and were arraigned to- 
gether. Daniel Kelly, pardoned by the gov- 
ernor, was made the chief witness against 
them. The trial lasted three weeks, when the 
jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and the 
prisoners were sentenced to hang. New trials 
were refused them and the governor and 
board of pardons would not interfere, so on 
Aug. 9, 1877, Tully, McHugh and Hester 



74 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



were executed upon a gallows at Bloomsburg, 
borrowed from the authorities of Carbon 
county. Two weeks before the execution 
Tully confessed to Attorney Elwell that he 
was guilty and corroborated the evidence of 
Kelly. Hester and McHugh did not confess 
their guilt in a public manner, although they 
had the ministrations of a priest on the morn- 
ing of their death. What they told the father 
confessor is not known, as the secrets of the 
confessional are kept inviolate by the Roman 
Catholic Church, but the priest saw Tully's 



confession and approved of its publication. 
The informer, Kelly, was subsequently 
made a witness in a similar trial at Wilkes- 
Barre, where he confessed to an appaUing 
series of crimes. His evidence was there 
given without stipulated immunity, but as his 
punishment would have prevented the bring- 
ing of others to justice through similar con- 
fessions of witnesses, he was allowed to go 
free. He left this section, and what subse- 
quently became of him is not known. 



CHAPTER VIII 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 
(By Luther B. Kline, M. D., Catawissa, Pa.) 



The noble profession of medicine has had 
many representatives in the past who have left 
their impress upon the history of Columbia 
county. Doctors have always been the inti- 
mate counselors and true friends of the peo- 
ple, and in this county there are many who 
have a warm spot in their hearts when the 
family physician is discussed. To the pioneers 
of this section of Pennsylvania the old-time 
country doctor was one of the welcome visitors 
at their isolated homes. In those days the 
practice of medicine required good horseman- 
ship, rugged health and all the courage and 
endurance that the physician could command, 
for the roads were often mere muddy trails, 
the homes far apart, and the dangers of the 
forests and morasses were added to by the 
terrors of wild beasts and still more ferocious 
savages. 

All of the earlier physicians were obliged to 
keep at least three good horses on hand at all 
times, for often when the doctor had ridden 
home from a twenty-mile trip he would have to 
retrace his tracks without sufficient time to 
make a change of garments. And besides the 
hardships of the constant and long rides, the 
old physicians were expected to wait for their 
pay for an indefinite time. In the days of lack 
of currency and trading there was some excuse 
for this, but at the present time the physician 
is still a waiter, and usually a good one. Most 
everyone gets his money before the doctor is 
paid, yet there is seldom a complaint from the 
long-sufifering medico. 

The first doctor who came to Columbia 
county is supposed to have been Dr. E. B. 



Bacon, who hailed from Connecticut, by way 
of Kingston. At that time his practice ex- 
tended from Catawissa to the headwaters of 
Fishing creek. He removed to Wellsboro in 
1817 and engaged in farming. 

Drs. Townsend and Krider were the next 
arrivals, and they located in Bloomsburg. The 
former remained but a short time, but the lat- 
ter practiced in the town until his death. 
About 1818 Dr. Roe came, and divided his time 
between healing and teaching school. He then 
removed up Fishing creek and went to farming. 

Dr. Ebenezer Daniels came to Catawissa 
about 1822, and was followed the next year 
by Dr. Harmon Gearhart, whom he highly 
recommended to the people of the town. Dr. 
Daniels sold his practice in 1834 to Dr. John 
Ramsay, and removed to Indianapolis. Dr. 
Gearhart died in 1833. 

Dr. Ramsay removed to Bloomsburg and 
took a leading part in the affairs of the town. 
He was especially active in the paths of educa- 
tion. He died suddenly in 1863. 

Dr. William Petrikin came to Bloomsburg in 
1834. He was a son of the famous Dr. David 
Petrikin, of Danville, and had all of his fa- 
ther's energy and brilliancy, but death carried 
him off in 1842. 

Dr. David N. Scott came to Bloomsburg in 
1842 and resided in the part of town nick- 
named "Scottown" from the fact that the 
Doctor laid it out into lots, and built the first 
house there. He removed to Kansas some 
years later. 

Dr. Thomas Vastine came to Bloomsburg in 
1833, but soon left for Williamsport. Later 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



75 



he located permanently in St. Louis. Dr. Ed- 
ward Hawkins also came to the town for a 
short time and then went to Michigan, after 
1848. Drs. George Hill and Thomas Butler 
were residents of Bloomsburg for a few years 
after 1846, the former going to Muncy. 

Dr. J. B. McKelvey came to Bloomsburg in 
1851. He had previously located at Mifflin- 
ville, in 1849, from there going to Graysville, 
Ky., and Arkadelphia, Ark. He continued to 
reside in Bloomsburg until his death. During 
1914, while some workmen were excavating in 
the alley beside his house on Main street, they 
uncovered some human bones, which had prob- 
ably been buried there after use in demonstra- 
tion work. For a few hours all sorts of rumors 
were current, until the true explanation was 
found. The Doctor had a wide circle of 
friends, and his death was a matter of regret 
to all. 

Mifflinville had few doctors at any period of 
its history. One of the first was Dr. F. C. 
Harrison, who located there in 1855. He 
afterwards went to Lewisburg and became a 
banker, a much more profitable occupation. 
After his departure Dr. Wells, of Wilkes- 
Barre, located there for a short time. 

In 1855 Dr. William H. Bradley came to 
Bloomsburg to practice, but soon after began to 
edit a weekly paper. In 1868 Dr. William M. 
Reber arrived in Bloomsburg. He had been a 
surgeon in the navy and was a man of much 
ability. 

In 1874 Dr. Benjamin F. Gardner came to 
Bloomsburg from Tennessee. He had been a 
surgeon of high rank in the Confederate serv- 
ice, and his change of location proved a wise 
one. He found more opportunities and 
speedier payment for his services in the North 
than in the impoverished South. He is still 
living, and is much respected by all the towns- 
people. 

Dr. Hugh McReynolds, another of the older 
physicians, came to Bloomsburg from Buck- 
horn, where he had practiced for some years 
previous to 1872. 

COLUMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY 

This society had its origin in 1858. On 
July 31st of that year a number of physicians 
of Columbia and Montour counties formed an 
organization for mutual protection and inter- 
change of experiences. Dr. John Ramsay pre- 
sided. In the following month it was decided 
to become auxiliary to the State society, and 
to invite the members of the profession in 
Northumberland county to unite with them. 



The name was changed to Susquehanna Union 
Medical Society in 1859, but in 1864 it was 
changed to Columbia and Montour Medical 
Society. Still later the name was restored 
to its first form. 

By the act of June 18, 1881, all members of 
the profession were required to register with 
the State authorities. All who had been in 
practice from 187 1 were permitted to continue, 
even if not graduates of a medical school. 
Others must produce certificates of graduation 
to continue in the profession. 

The years following organization were in- 
teresting ones for the members of the society. 
Many papers were read at the meetings and 
much done to elevate the standards of the pro- 
fession. So pleasant were the relations be- 
tween the members from the two counties that 
no thought of separation was held until June 
16, 1874. Then the members from Montour 
county, having quietly nominated only Co- 
lumbia county men for all the offices and suc- 
ceeded in getting them elected, stated their 
intention of organizing the Montour County 
Medical Society. The separation took place 
without a particle of friction, and the two 
societies still interchange ideas and visits. 

At present the Columbia county society 
meets in rotation at Berwick, Bloomsburg and 
Catawissa the second Thursday of every 
month, except in July, when the meeting is 
held at Benton. A paper called "The Roster" 
is issued monthly, edited by Dr. Luther B. 
Kline, of Catawissa, and contains reviews of 
the past work, programs of the future, and 
articles of special interest to the members. It 
has a circulation of 125 copies. The meetings 
are well attended and are taken up with dis- 
cussions of matters of value to the medical 
profession. The society has forty-four active 
members and one honorary member. Dr. John 
C. Rutter. 

The officers and committees for 1914 are: 
President, Dr. Joseph Cohen, Berwick; first 
vice president, Dr. Benjamin F. Gardner, 
Bloomsburg; second vice president, Dr. John 
M. Gemmell, Millville ; secretary and treasurer, 
Dr. Luther B. Kline, Catawissa; librarians — 
Dr. John W. Bruner and Dr. James R. Mont- 
gomery, Bloomsburg. Censors — Dr. J. Elmer 
Shuman, Bloomsburg; Dr. John H. Bowman, 
Berwick ; Dr. Charles K. Albertson, Fairmount 
Springs. Committee on Public Policy and 
Legislation — Dr. B. Frank Sharpless, Cata- 
wissa; Dr. John W. Bruner, Bloomsburg; Dr. 
Charles T. Steck, Berwick. Scientific Pro- 
gram — Dr. J. Brooks Follmer, Berwick; Dr. 
William C. Hensyl, Berwick; Dr. Edwin A. 
Glenn, Berwick. 



76 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



REGISTERED PHYSICIANS PRACTICING IN COLUMBIA COUNTY SINCE ACT OF 1881 BECAME A LAW 

Institution 
Jefferson Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 
University of Pennsylvania 
Pennsylvania Medical College 
Homeopathic Medical 
Jefferson Medical College 
Medical College of Virginia 
Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College 
Long Island Hospital 
University of Vermont 
Jefferson Medical College 
Hahnemann Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia College 
Philadelphia University 
University of Pennsylvania 
Jefferson Medical College 
Eclectic Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 
Eclectic Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 

Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 

Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Pennsylvania Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
Hahnemann Medical College 

Jefferson Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 
Jefferson Medical College 
Castleton Medical, Vermont 
Jefferson Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
University of Pennsylvania 
University of Pennsylvania 
University of Pennsylvania 
University of Pennsylvania 
Medico-Chirurgical 
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore 
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore 
Medico-Chirurgical 
Medico-Chirurgical 
Medico-Chirurgical 
Jefferson Medical College 
Hahnemann Medical College 
Jefferson Medical College 
University of Baltimore 
Medico-Chirurgical 
Jefferson Medical College 
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore 
University of Pennsylvania 
Jefferson Medical College 



Name 


Residence 


Diploma 


♦John K. Robbins 


Catawissa 


March lo, 


1842 


*J. B. McKelvey 


Bloomsburg 


April 8, 


1848 


*H. W. McReynolds 


Bloomsburg 


April 8, 


1848 


♦Jacob Schuyler 


Bloomsburg 


March 7, 


1843 


John C. Rutter 


Bloomsburg 


March 3, 


1855 


♦William M. Reber 


Bloomsburg 


March 10, 


1863 


B. F. Gardner 


Bloomsburg 


March 11, 


1861 


Isaiah W. Willits 


Bloomsburg 


March 11, 


1875 


Luther B. Kline 


Catawissa 


March 9, 


1867 


♦Thomas J. Swisher 


Jerseytown 


March 10, 


1862 


Alexander B. McCrea 


Berwick 


June I, 


i86s 


♦George L. Reagan 


Berwick 


June, 


1865 


tF. W. Redeker 


Espy 


March 12, 


1878 


Alfred P. Stoddard 


Orangeville 


March 12, 


1850 


J. Jordan Brown 


Bloomsburg 


March 12, 


1870 


♦Thomas C. McHenry 


Benton 


March 30, 


1870 


tRalph M. Lashell 


Centralia 






♦D. H. Montgomery 


Mifflinville 


March 10, 


1852 


♦John B. Patton 


MiUville 


Feb. 23, 


1869 


♦Josiah Smith 


Berwick 


April I, 


I8S4 


J. R. Montgomery 


Bloomsburg 


March 13, 


1880 


♦Abia P. Heller 


MillviUe 


Feb. 22, 


1854 


♦Pius Zimmerman 


Numidia 


April 2, 


1883 


♦J. H. Vastine 


Catawissa 


March, 


1858 


♦Charles C. Willits 


Catawissa 


March 30, 


1882 


tjohn W. Carothers 


Berwick 


April 13, 


1883 


♦L. A. Shattuck 


Bloomsburg 


May 6, 


1869 


Charles T. Steck 


Berwick 


March 28, 


1878 


♦John G. Schaller 


Rohrsburg 






♦Samuel A. Gibson 


Berwick 






George L. Jolly 


Orangeville 


March i, 


1883 


J. C. Wintersteen 


Numidia 


April 2, 


1886 


N. J. Hendershott 


Bloomsburg 






Isaac L. Edwards 


Benton 


March 11, 


1870 


Isaac E. Patterson 


Benton 


March 12, 


1869 


♦William B. Robbins 


Catawissa 


March 12, 


1873 


David E. Krebs 


Light Street 


March 3, 


i8S7 


♦Frank P. Hill 


Berwick 


March 14, 


1876 


tEverett W. Rutter 


Berwick 


March 6, 


1874 


J. R. Gordner 


Berwick 






B. F. Sharpless 


Catawissa 


March 23, 


1880 


tChristian Leuker 


Buckhorn 


March 12, 


1877 


♦J.'R. M. Evans 


Bloomsburg 


March 5, 


1859 


♦0. A. Megargell 


Orangeville 


June 15, 


1859 


♦Louis J. Adams 


Evansville 


March 10, 


1877 


♦John C. Fruit 


Jerseytown 


March 7, 


i8S7 


Honora A. Robbins 


Bloomsburg 






Ambrose Shuman 


Catawissa 


June 7, 


1894 


John H. Bowman 


Berwick 


May I, 


1888 


Ralph E. Miller 


Bloomsburg 


June 15, 


1904 


C. F. Altmiller 


Bloomsburg 


May 25, 


1901 


Delbert M. Hess 


Rohrsburg 


April 29, 


1902 


J. B. Follmer 


Berwick 


March 4, 


1884 


John S. Hoffa 


Benton 


May 23, 


1903 


Allen V. Carl 


Numidia 


June 8, 


1909 


E. A. Alleman 


Berwick 


May, 


1890 


J. S. Lazarus 


Bloomsburg 


March, 


1868 


Frank R. Clark 


Berwick 


April 7, 


1891 


Jesse W. Gordner 


Jerseytown 


June, 


1909 


George F. Drum 


Mifflinville 


April 14, 


1900 


♦Irving C. Breece 


Bloomsburg 






Samuel B. Arment 


Bloomsburg 


March 10, 


1877 


Howard S. Christian 


Millville 


March 15, 


1887 


J. F. Pfahler 


Berwick 






J. Stacy John 


Bloomsburg 


June, 


1896 


L R. Wolfe 


Espy 






♦ Deceased. 




t Removed. 









COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



77 



REGISTERED PHYSICIANS PRACTICING 



Name 
tAndrew Graydon 
tGeorge A. Poust 
tRuth Tustin 
Clifton Z. Robbins 
tjohn Rhodes 
tThomas C. Kutter 
tj. K. Levan 
tReuben O. Davis 
*Montraville McHenry 
tCarl H. Senn 
tDavid A. Hart 
■(■Frederick E. Ward 
tjames C. Davis 
tWalter C. Shew 
*George H. Vastine 
John T. MacDonald 
Edward L. Davis 
John M. Gemmell 
Theodore C. iriarter 
Edwin A. Glenn 
Henry Bierman 
tjacob A. Baer 
Joseph Cohen 
George E. Follmer 
John VV. Bruner 
Wilham T. Vanee 
tH. V. Hower 
J. E. Shuman 
William C. Hensyl 
tJ. F. Gardner 
J. M. Vastine 



Residence 
Bloomsburg 
Millville 
Bloomsburg 
Bloomsburg 
Numidia 
Berwick 
Berwick 
Berwick 
Benton 
Millville 
Mainville 
Berwick 
Berwick 
Jamison City 
Catawissa 
Bloomsburg 
Berwick 
Millville 
Bloomsburg 
Berwick 
Bloomsburg 
Berwick 
Berwick 
Orangeville 
Bloomsburg 
Orangeville 
Mifflinville 
Bloomsburg 
Berwick 
Millville 
Catawissa 



The following physicians are residents of 
Columbia county, but are not members of the 
local society, being either retired or connected 

Lewis R. Davis Centralia 

Howard C. Fortner Centralia 

J. Bruce Hess Benton 

Charles B. Yost Bloomsburg 



IN COLUMBIA COUNTY SINCE ACT OF 1881 BECAME A LAW — Cotlt. 

Diploma Institution 



1902 Jefferson Medical College 

1900 University of Pennsylvania 
1906 University of New York 

1890 Jefferson Medical College 
1868 University of Vermont 

1901 Medico-Chirurgical 

igi3 Baltimore Medical College 

1906 Medico-Chirurgical 

1909 Jefferson Medical College 
1906 Jefferson Medical College 

1891 University of Pennsylvania 

1910 Medico-Chirurgical 

1899 University of Pennsylvania 
1906 Maryland Medical College 

1881 College of Physicians and Surgeons 

1904 Hahnemann Medical College 

1888 Hahnemann Medical College 

1901 College of Physicians and Surgeons 

1906 University of Pennsylvania 

1907 Jefferson Medical College 

1890 Jefferson Medical College 
1881 University of Maryland 

1887 College of Physicians and Surgeons 

1891 University of Pennsylvania 
1904 Jefferson Medical College 

1900 Medico-Chirurgical 

with other societies (Dr. Everett is a member 
of the Lycoming county society) : 



Edward Everett Millville 

Honora C. Grimes Bloomsburg 

George L. Jolly Orangeville 

Thomas Kealy Centralia 



May 


29, 


June 


15, 


June, 




May, 




March 




May 


28, 


May 


12, 


June 


I, 


June 


7. 


June 


I, 


June, 




June 


6. 


June, 




June, 




May, 




April 


6, 


April 


29. 


June, 




June 


4. 


April, 




March 


4. 


March 


1'=;, 


May 


I, 


May 


27, 



June, 



CHAPTER IX 



WAR RECORDS OF THE COUNTIES 



The border troubles kept the military spirit 
of the pioneers of Columbia and Montour 
counties alive until the second war with Eng- 
land. Then followed the Black Hawk war, 
the Seminole war, the Mexican war, and lastly 
the Civil war. In these conflicts the two coun- 
ties took part to the extent of furnishing men 
and munitions of war, principally during the 
Civil war. During the period between that 
memorable conflict and the Indian times sev- 
eral companies were organized in Danville, 
Bloomsburg and Berwick, mention of which 
is made in the chapters devoted to those 
towns. 



During the war of 1812 the scene of hos- 
tilities was too far away to affect this sec- 
tion directly. When the British threatened to 
attack Baltimore, Governor Snyder ordered 
the militia of Northumberland, Luzerne and 
Columbia counties to rendezvous at Danville, 
under Major Post. For a few weeks they re- 
mained in camp, but the battle of New Orleans 
and the termination of the war caused the 
camp to be abandoned. 

The requirements of the militia system were 
at this time so simple that the military spirit 
of the county became quiescent until the out- 
break of the Mexican war caused its sudden 
revival. 



78 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



COLUMBIA GUARDS 

This military company, belonging especially 
to Danville, but famous all over Columbia 
county by its service in two wars, was organ- 
ized at Danville in 1817. At the breaking out 
of the Mexican war it was under the com- 
mand of Capt. John S. Wilson, and its offer 
of assistance being accepted was mustered 
into the United States service Dec. 28, 1846. 

A number of citizens of the county escorted 
the Guards as far as Pittsburgh, on their way 
to the seat of war, and all along the journey 
they met with a continuous ovation. They 
were placed in the 2d Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, then commanded by Colo- 
nel Wyncoop, and later under Colonel Geary, 
afterwards governor of Pennsylvania. 

Captain Wilson died at Vera Cruz on April 
10, 1847, and the command devolved upon 
Dr. C. H. Frick, who gallantly led the Guards 
during the campaign. Their first engagement 
was at the storming of \ era Cruz, and the 
second at Cerro Gordo, where they lost one 
man, John Smith. At the battle of Chapul- 
tepec they lost two men, William Dietrich 
and John Snyder. On approaching the City 
of Mexico, the defense of San Angelo, with 
all of the militarj' stores, was committed to 
the Guards, and on the 13th of September, 
1847, they were among the first to enter the 
City of Mexico in triumph. 

The Guards returned to Danville on July 
28, 1849, and the whole town turned out to 
welcome them. Hundreds of persons from 
all over the county thronged the streets, and 
such a demonstration as was then made has 
never been seen in Danville before or since. 

The Guards kept their organization until 
the opening of the Civil war, when they 
entered the service under Capt. Oscar Ephlin. 
On the expiration of their term they were 
honorably discharged, and the company then 
disbanded. 

The following is the muster roll of the 
Guards soon after their organization (see 
Chapter IV, IMontour county, for list of those 
in Mexican war). 

John S. Wilson, captain ; Clarence H. Frick, 
first lieutenant: Edward E. LaClerc, second 
lieutenant; William Brindle, second heuten- 
ant; George S. Kline, first sergeant; James D. 
Slater, second sergeant; Robert Clark, third 
sergeant; Charles Evans, fourth sergeant; 
John Adams, first corporal ; James Oliver, sec- 
ond corporal; John Smith, third corporal; 
Arthur Gearhart, fourth corporal ; Thomas 
Clark, drummer; Jesse G. Clark, fifer. 



The private soldiers were : Charles W. 
Adams, Alvin M. Allen, Jacob App, George 
W. Armstrong, Frederick Brandt, Samuel 
Bums, Flam B. Bonham, William Banghart, 
John Birkenbine, Samuel D. Baker, Francis 
Bower, Francis B. Best, William Brunner, 
William H. Birchfield, Randolph Ball, Peter 
Brobst, Abram B. Carley, Michael Corrigan, 
Wm. Dieterich (Dietrich), Wm. Erie, Daniel 
S. Follmer, Charles W. Fortner, Robert H. 
Forster, Sewell Gibbs, Edward Grove, George 
Garner, Thomas Graham, Shepherd W. Girton, 
Samuel Huntingdon, Adam Heisler, Henry 
Hemcastle, Oliver Helme, William S. Kertz, 
William King, Jerome Konkle, Charles Lytle, 
Ira Lownsberry, Robert Lyon, John A. Low- 
ery, Benjamin Laform, Benjamin J. Martin, 
Jasper Musselman, Edward McGonnel, George 
?^Iiller, William Moser, Archibald Mooney, 
Mahlon K. Manly, John G. Mellon, Alex. 
McDonald, Daniel Martial, Richard H. Mc- 
Kean, Charles Moynthan, Robert McAlmont, 
Hugh AIcFadden, James AlcClelland, Nor- 
man B. Mack, William McDonald, Casper 
Oatenwelder, Daniel Poorman, Peter S. Reed, 
Philip Rake, James A. Stewart, Peter M. 
Space, Jona R. Sanders, Oliver C. Stevens, 
Daniel Snyder, Edward Seler, Peter Seig- 
fried, John C. Snyder, John N. Scofield. Wil- 
liam Swartz, Joseph Stratton, William W. 
Sawaney, John A. Sarvey, Benjamin Tumble- 
ton, Adam Wray, William White, George 
Wagner, Jacob Willet, Jerome Walker, George 
Wingar, Peter W. Yamell. 

CIVIL WAR 

Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated Presi- 
dent of the United States Alarch 4, 1861. Fort 
Sumter was fired on April 12th, and on the 
15th of that month the President called on 
the loyal States for 75,000 men. Calls and 
orders were subsequently issued, under dates 
of May 3d, July 22d and July 25th, for an 
aggregate of 500,000 men. On the 2d of 
July, 1862, there was another call for 500,- 
000 men. and on the 4th of August one for 
300,000. 

On Sept. 5, 1862, the Confederates invaded 
Maryland, and a levy en masse was called in 
Pennsylvania. On Sept. 15th a large number 
of "emergency men" left Bloomsburg, and on 
the 17th the battle of Antietam was fought. 
On the 1 8th the Confederates evacuated 
Sharpsburg and recrossed the Potomac, and 
on the 22d more "emergency men" left 
Bloomsburg. 

On June 15, 1863, a proclamation was made 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



79 



for the militia. On Oct. 15th there was a 
call for 300,000 men, and on Feb. i, 1864, the 
President ordered a draft for 500,000 to be 
made on the loth of March. On the 14th 
there was a call for 200,000 more, on the 
1 8th of July one for 500,000, and on the igth 
of December one for 300,000. Besides these 
there were a lot of "ninety-day militia" and 
other irregular musters. These various calls 
were filled by enlistments, volunteering and 
drafts. 

There were four drafts made in Columbia 
and Montour counties — one by the State 
authorities for the militia; one Sept. 17, 1863, 
to fill previous calls; one on June 3, 1864; and 
one on April 14, 1865. Lee having surrendered 
April 9th, the men liable for service under the 
last were released. The last battle of the war 
was fought May 12, 1865, and the surrender 
of the last of the Confederates, under Kirby 
Smith, occurred on May 26th of the same 
year. 

During the war there were for Pennsyl- 
vania two great emergencies, the first in Sep- 
tember, 1862, relieved by McClellan's victory 
at Antietam. At that time Governor Curtin 
called for 50,000 men, and Columbia county 
responded by sending four companies, and 
Montour sent two. The second emergency 
was in June, 1863, when the President called 
for 100,000 men. Of the number required, 
Columbia county sent five companies, and 
Montour two. 

The first company in Columbia county to en- 
list for the Civil war was the "Iron Guards," 
under Col. W. W. Ricketts, from Orangeville, 
and the first man to enlist from the county 
was C. B. Brockway. Ricketts was a West 
Point cadet, and he soon had his company 
completed. He ofl:'ered it to the government, 
but was rejected. Not daunted, the members 
chartered canalboats and went to Harrisburg, 
where they were finally accepted. 

THE DRAFTS 

At the beginning of the Civil war the mi- 
litia of Pennsylvania existed practically only 
on paper. There was a form of military 
organization, and a tax was levied on each 
voter liable to duty save those in volunteer 
companies, but there were few companies in 
a complete state of organization. 

In 1862 an enrollment was ordered, and 
the number subject to military duty in Colum- 
bia county was found to be 4,587 ; the quota, 
under all calls, was 1,447 ; the number in serv- 
ice, 626; leaving a balance of 821 men to be 



supplied by draft or otherwise. The draft 
was ordered by the State to fill the ranks. 
The townships of Catawissa and Pine, and 
the borough of Berwick, filled their quota 
with volunteers, but in the other divisions of 
the county a total of 696 men were drawn. 
Bloom supplied 45; Briarcreek, 49; Beaver, 
40; Benton, 27; Conyngham, 60; Centre, 54; 
Fishingcreek, 50 ; Franklin, 5 ; Greenwood, 45 ; 
Hemlock, 25; Jackson, 19; Locust, 40; Mon- 
tour, 24; Main, 18; Mount Pleasant, 27; Mif- 
flin, 46; Madison, 48; Orange, 9; Scott, 36; 
Sugarloaf, 29. 

No opposition was manifested to this draft, 
in fact it had the effect of stimulating enlist- 
ments in the national service. The later drafts 
on the part of the national government, how- 
ever, were not received with equal unconcern. 
The first was drawn at Troy, Pa., Sept. 17, 
1863, and called for 634 men from Columbia 
county. There was considerable opposition, 
particularly in Fishingcreek, Benton, Sugar- 
loaf, Jackson and Pine townships, and the 
neighboring portions of Luzerne and Sullivan 
counties. A series of semi-public meetings 
was held in the disafifected sections for the 
purpose of discussing the situation, at which 
the usual windy oratory prevailed, but no 
definite plans were made to meet the ques- 
tion at hand. Some advocated resistance to 
the draft, others suggested the hiring of sub- 
stitutes, but all finally acted on their own sug- 
gestions, individually. There were a number 
who refused to report for duty, and, as is cus- 
tomary in wartime, they were declared to be 
deserters by the military authorities. This 
angered the people greatly and many wild 
threats were made by individuals, who after- 
wards regretted their sudden ebullition of tem- 
per. The culmination of the trouble came 
when, in August, 1864, Lieutenant Robinson 
of Luzerne county was shot and fatally 
wounded by a party of citizens whom he had 
challenged on the road near Raven Creek 
post office. It has since been established that 
Robinson had no official authority to appre- 
hend deserters. 

In the same month a detachment of United 
States troops arrived in Bloomsburg and 
camped at the Fair Grounds, ostensibly for 
the purpose of enforcing the draft. This 
force was increased later until it included 
almost a thousand men, a company under Colo- 
nel Lambert, part of the Keystone Battery 
from Philadelphia, under Lieutenant Roberts, 
a battalion of infantry under Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Stewart, and a battalion of the Veteran 
Reser^-e Corps. On Aug. i6th Major Gen- 



80 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



eral Couch, commanding the Department of 
the Susquehanna, arrived and conferred with 
leading citizens. He was assured of the non- 
resistant character of the inhabitants of the 
affected townships, so he offered to remit the 
charge of desertion if the drafted men would 
report themselves before noon of the follow- 
ing Saturday. He returned to Harrisburg be- 
fore the time set, and the recalcitrants not hav- 
ing reported Colonel Stewart proceeded with 
a body of troops to Benton on Aug. iSth. On 
the 28th Major General Cadwallader arrived 
in Bloomsburg from Philadelphia, assumed 
command, and followed the first troop to Ben- 
ton. On the 31st about a hundred arrests 
were made and the prisoners brought to Ben- 
ton, where a preliminary examination was 
made. Of the number, forty-four were dis- 
patched under guard to Harrisburg. The sur- 
rounding country was explored for alleged 
"forts" and other evidences of resistance, but 
none was found. General Cadwallader re- 
turned to Philadelphia and the larger number 
of the troops were withdrawn, but some re- 
mained and arrests were made from time to 
time. The aggrieved parties and their friends 
took legal steps to release the prisoners and 
to test the legality of the arrests. On Oct. 17, 
1864, twenty-one of the prisoners were granted 
conditional release. Of these five had been 
previously discharged owing to illness and one 
had died in prison. On the same date the 
trials of the remaining twenty-three were be- 
gun before a military commission at Harris- 
burg. Seven were convicted and sentenced 
to terms ranging from six months to two 
years. One prisoner paid a fine of $500, one 
was pardoned by President Lincoln and five 
by President Johnson, several were acquitted, 
and the charge against the rest was later with- 
drawn. 

Among the citizens of Columbia county even 
at this late day there are conflicting opinions 
regarding these troubles, their origin and the 
results of the trials. One side claims that 
there was an organized and armed opposition 
to the drafts, that threats were made against 
the authorities, that peaceable citizens were 
threatened by violent sympathizers, and that 
the military occupation was necessary to re- 
store order and safety. The other side claims 
that dishonest enrollment was made, that there 
was no organized resistance, that no threats 
were made, military interference was unnec- 
essary, that the soldiers were guilty of many 
outrages, that many innocent men were im- 
prisoned without warrant of law, and that the 



main object was to intimidate Democratic 
voters in the presidential election of 1864. 

These are matters that will in time work 
out to a definite series of facts of history, and 
the trouble will be looked upon with the same 
lenience with which the old veterans of the 
Civil war now view the deplorable conflict in 
which they participated. 

COMPANIES AND REGIMENTS 

Notwithstanding the draft troubles, Colum- 
bia county was well represented at the front 
of battle in the war. One of the first com- 
panies to see service was the "Iron Guards," 
mentioned previously. As members of the 
35th Regiment, 6th Reserves, they were mus- 
tered in July 27, 1861, participated in many 
battles and skirmishes all through the war, 
and were finally mustered out June 11, 1864, 
at Harrisburg. 

The 178th Regiment, drafted militia, was re- 
cruited in Columbia, Montour, Lancaster and 
Luzerne counties. Companies A, H and I 
were from Columbia county, and F and G 
mostly from Montour county. They were 
mustered in Oct. 30, 1862, and mustered out 
July 27, 1863, at Harrisburg. They were in 
several skirmishes, but no important actions. 

Company H, i ith Regiment, was from Mon- 
tour county and served for three months, be- 
ing in the engagement at Falling Waters, Md., 
against the redoubtable "Stonewall" Jack- 
son. 

Company C, 14th Regiment, was also from 
Montour county, but did not see much service, 
being on guard duty near Washington. On 
the termination of the three months' service 
many reenlisted in other regiments. 

Company C, i6th Regiment, from Berwick, 
was mustered in April 30, 1861, for three 
months' service, and saw much fighting in 
Virginia. Many of the company re-enlisted 
after their first term ended. 

Company C, 193d Regiment, was from Mon- 
tour county, was mustered in July 17, 1864, 
and mustered out Nov. 5, 1864. They served 
as guards along the Baltimore & Ohio railroad 
and on scout duty, but were never in any bat- 
tles or skirmishes. 

Company A, I32d Regiment, from Montour 
county, was mustered in Aug. 15, 1862. It 
had a first-class war record, being in the bat- 
tles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville, and was mustered 
out May 24, 1863. Clinton W. Neal, of 
Bloomsburg, was quartermaster of the regi- 
ment. Company E of this regiment was com- 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



81 



posed of the "Columbia Guards," recruited in 
Bloomsburg. Company H, mustered in at 
the same date, was the "Catawissa Guards," 
recruited entirely from that town. 

Company I, 136th Regiment, was from Co- 
lumbia county and first formed part of the 
defense of Washington. Later it went through 
a number of engagements, the regiment at the 
battle of Fredericksburg losing 140 men. It 
was mustered out May 29, 1863, at Harris- 
burg. 

Company A, 74th Regiment, was recruited 
mostly in Columbia county, for one year's 
service, in March, 1865, did guard duty along 
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and was mus- 
tered out at Clarksburg, Va., Aug. 29, 1865. 

Company B, 103d Regiment, coming mostly 
from Bloomsburg, was mustered into service 
in the early part of 1865, and mustered out at 
Newbem, N. C, June 25, 1865, after a few 
skirmishes and lots of guard duty. 

Company E, 209th Regiment, was recruited 
in Columbia county in 1864 and sent to the 
front at once, but saw little fighting except at 
Forts Steadman and Sedgwick, which latter 
they captured. After railroad work and scout- 
ing they were mustered out May 31, 1865, at 
Alexandria, Virginia. 

Company E, 35th Regiment, 6th Reserves, 
was recruited in Montour county. May 14, 
1861, and saw service at South Mountain, 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Spottsylvania 
Court House. They were mustered out June 
II, 1864, with an unstained military record. 

Battery F, ist Artillery, 43d Regiment, was 
recruited in Columbia and Montour counties 
in 1 86 1 and participated in the engagements 
at Winchester, Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spott- 
sylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. It 
remained in service till the close of the war. 

Company G, 52d Regiment, was recruited 
in Columbia county in 1861, being among the 
first in the field and the last out. They saw 
service in the advance on Richmond, in the 
battles of Fair Oaks and Mechanicsville, the 
assault on Port Royal, S. C, the attacks on 
Forts Johnson and Sumter, and were at Ral- 
eigh when Johnston surrendered. They were 
mustered out at Harrisburg July 12, 1865. 

Company D, 84th Regiment, also known as 
the "Hurley Guards," was recruited in Co- 
lumbia and Montour counties, a few men be- 
ing later received from other points. They 
reached Hancock, Md., Jan. 2, 1862, and were 
in the battles of Winchester and Port Re- 
public. They were also in the battles of Fred- 



ericksburg and Chancellorsville, and the cam- 
paign in the Wilderness, down to Petersburg. 
In 1862 they were mustered out, but many of 
them entered the 57th Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, serving until June 29, 1865. Sam- 
uel M. Bowman of Columbia county was colo- 
nel of the 84th Regiment. 

Company H, 93d Regiment, was composed 
of the "Baldy Guards," recruited in Dan- 
ville and named from one of the town's prom- 
inent citizens. It saw much and arduous serv- 
ice, many of its members being killed and 
wounded. They were in the following en- 
gagements : Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair 
Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Marye's 
Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. On 
Jan. 25, 1865, they were mustered out. Col. 
Charles W. Eckman, of Montour county, rose 
to the command of the regiment. 

Company B, 184th Regiment, was recruited 
in Montour county and joined the Army of the 
Potomac as it crossed the Pamunky river. May 
28, 1864. The next day they were in the bat- 
tle of Tolopotomy creek. At the battle of 
Cold Harbor they lost heavily, and in constant 
service in the assaults lost 350 men in twenty- 
six days. They were continuously in battles 
and skirmishes until the surrender at Appo- 
mattox Court House, and then participated in 
the grand review at Washington. 

Company C, 187th Regiment, was formerly 
Company D, 1st Battalion, organized for six 
months' service and mustered out Jan. 9, 1864. 
Upon reenlistment they went to Cold Harbor, 
arriving there during the battle. Later they 
were in all the heavy fighting before Peters- 
burg. They headed the procession^ at the 
burial of Lincoln, and were mustered out Aug. 
2, 1865, at Harrisburg. 

Battery F, 2d Artillery, 112th Regiment, 
was recruited in Columbia and Montour coun- 
ties. They garrisoned Washington for some 
time and" then participated in the battles of 
the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, 
losing heavily at the famous mine explosion. 
At Fort Harrison they lost 200 killed and 
wounded. They remained in Virginia after 
the evacuation of Petersburg until the end of 
the war, being discharged at Philadelphia. 

Company A, 52d Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, contained many Columbia county 
men. It was in the Peninsular campaign, the 
movement against Richmond, the taking of 
Charleston, and its flag was the first that 
floated over recaptured Fort Sumter. A num- 



82 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



ber of Columbia county men were also in Com- 
pany H of this regiment. 

The 7th Cavalry, 80th Regiment, contained 
a number of men from both of these counties, 
to be found on the rolls of Companies D and 
H. They saw long and severe service under 
Buell in Kentucky and Tennessee, being dis- 
charged Aug. 23, 1865. 

COLUMBIA county's WAR FOOTING 

With the world at war in 1914, it is inter- 
esting to read the report of the assessors of 
that year to the adjutant general at Harris- 
burg, showing the number of men in this 
county, between the ages of twenty-one and 
forty-five, subject to military duty. The total 
is 4,572, and in addition there are many who 
would volunteer in case of war, thus making 
a very respectable showing. The number by 
districts is as follows : 

Beaver 81 

Benton Borough 82 

Benton Township 82 

Berwick 525 



Bloomsburg, East 375 

Bloomsburg, West 354 

Briarcreek 1 56 

Catawissa Township 56 

Catawissa Borough 225 

Centraha, ist 167 

Centralia, 2d 180 

Centre 143 

Cleveland 73 

Conyngham 210 

Fishingcreek 60 

Franklin 62 

Greenwood 136 

Hemlock 144 

Jackson 53 

Locust 90 

Madison 123 

Main 80 

Mifflin 120 

Millville 59 

Montour 79 

Mount Pleasant 26 

Orange Township 52 

OrangeviUe Borough 23 

Pine 74 

Roaringcreek 57 

Scott 45 

Sugarloaf 102 

Stillwater Borough 8 

West Berwick, ist 146 

West Berwick, 2d 325 



CHAPTER X 

COUNTY FORMATION 



The three original counties laid out by the 
immortal founder of Pennsylvania were Bucks, 
Philadelphia and Chester. Though the Prov- 
ince was divided in 1682 into the three men- 
tioned counties, their boundaries were not 
distinctly ascertained until several years there- 
after. 

In 1729 the extension of the settlements and 
the purchases from the Indians led to the estab- 
lishment of Lancaster county. At that time 
the Susquehanna marked the western limit of 
the Province, but the purchase of 1736 opened 
a triangular area west of the river, which was 
attached to Lancaster county until the increase 
of settlements demanded the erection in 1749 
of York county, and in the following year of 
Cumberland. The Indian boundary line of 
the Kittatinny range marked the northern lim- 
it of these counties. In 1752 the counties of 
Berks and Northampton further divided this 
section. 

In 1771 Bedford county was erected, and 
in 1772 the county of Northumberland, from 
the territory of which Columbia and Montour 
counties have since been formed, came into 



being. It included an area now covered by 
twenty-six counties and originally extended to 
the border line of New York. It was organ- 
ized March 27, 1772, and took in all the valley 
of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and, 
with a small exception, the whole of the north- 
ern part of the State. It contained 28,922 
square miles, a territory larger than Connecti- 
cut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey 
combined. 

At the first court held in that county, on 
April 9, 1772, the county was divided into the 
townships of Penn, Augusta, Turbut, Buffalo, 
Bald Eagle, Muncy and Wyoming. Columbia 
and several other counties were included with- 
in the three townships of Augusta, Turbut and 
Wyoming, the other four townships being cut 
off from Northumberland in 1786 and included 
in Luzerne county. 

The territory of Northumberland was again 
curtailed in 1789 by the formation of Mifflin 
county; by Lycoming in 1795 ; Center in 1800; 
Union and Columbia in 1813 ; and Montour in 
1850. The townships also were gradually cut 
up. Turbut township was bereft of territory 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



83 



in 1775 to form Mahoning, and in 1786 another 
portion was removed to torm Derry township. 
The same year Chillisquaque was formed from 
Mahoning. In 1785 "Catawassa" was formed 
from Augusta, the name of that township grad- 
ually being changed in spelling to "Catawese," 
"Catawessa," and finally remaining as "Cata- 
wissa." This latter township was again re- 
duced by the erection of Ralpho or Shamokin 
township in 1788, and by Mifiiin township in 

1797- 

In 1786 the county of Luzerne took away 
part of Wyoming township and the remainder 
was named Fishingcreek. In 1797 this area 
was again abbreviated by the formation of 
Green Briarcreek township, and the following 
year the township of Bloom was erected. In 
1799 Greenwood was formed from Fishing- 
creek, and in 1812 Harrison or Sugarloaf was 
formed from the latter. 

Columbia county was taken from North- 
umberland and separately organized in 1813, 
by an act of Assembly of March 226, and in- 
cluded the townships of Chillisquaque and 
Turbut. Danville was named in the report of 
the commissioners appointed by the governor 
to lay out the county and select a county seat. 
In 181 5 the two townships of Chillisquaque 
and Turbott (or Turbut, as it is now spelled) 
were returned to Northumberland. This 
prompt return of the townships after the loca- 
tion of the county seat was construed by many 
to be a trick to give Danville preference over 
Bloomsburg, and for years thereafter a con- 
tinual controversy raged between the rival 
towns as to the location of the courthouse. 

In 1816 the Assembly restored a portion of 
the two townships to Columbia county, the 
parts annexed being now Liberty and Lime- 
stone townships in Montour county. Again 
in 1818 another legislative act cut off a large 
part of the eastern side of Columbia and gave 
it to Schuylkill county. This dismemberment 
of the county did not satisfy any of the rival 
claimants for the county seat. Repeated ap- 
plications were made to the Legislature to re- 
move the seat of government to Bloomsburg, 
and finally in 1845 the act was passed to author- 
ize a vote on the question. The result was a 
decisive one, the majority for removal being 
1,334 out of a total of 4,492 votes. The 
county buildings being completed, the records 
were removed from Danville in November, 
1847. 'ind the first session of court was held 
in Bloomsburg in January, 1848. 

But the location of the county seat at 
Bloomsburg created another complaint from 
those who now had to travel a great distance 



to reach the courts and officials, and the case 
was as bad as before, except that now Danville 
was the sufferer. So by an act approved May 
3, 1850, the county of Montour was created, 
including the townships of Franklin, Mahon- 
ing, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Derry, An- 
thony, and the borough of Danville. 

The wrangling was not over, however, and 
complaints were made that too much territory 
had been taken from Columbia, so finally in 
1853 the division line between the two counties 
was established as it is at present. By the 
same act, what was Madison township in 
Columbia county was renamed Pine, and the 
parts of Madison township which had been 
set off to Mount Pleasant and Hemlock were 
reannexed to the old territory in Columbia 
county. 

The division line as named in the act was as 
follows : Beginning at the Northumberland 
county line, at or near the house of Samuel 
Reader, thence a direct course to the center 
of Roaring creek in Franklin township, twenty 
rods above a point in said creek opposite the 
house of John Vought, thence from the middle 
of said creek to the Susquehanna river, thence 
up the center of the same to a point opposite 
where the present county line of Columbia and 
Montour strikes the north bank of the river, 
thence to the said north bank, thence to the 
schoolhouse near the residence of David Smith, 
thence to a point near the residence of Daniel 
Smith, thence to the bridge over Deerlick run 
on the line between Derry and Madison town- 
ships, thence by the line between said town- 
ship of Madison and the townships of Derry 
and Anthonv to the line of Lycoming county. 

The township of Roaringcreek and parts of 
the townships of Franklin, Madison and West 
Hemlock were also taken from Montour and 
reannexed to Columbia. As at present consti- 
tuted, Columbia countv contains an area of a 
little over 400 square miles, and a population of 
48,467 persons. 

The division line of 1850 so dismembered 
the townships of Madison, Hemlock and Mon- 
tour that some readjustment of the lines be- 
came necessarv, so in 1852 what remained of 
Madison south of Millville was attached in 
part to Mount Pleasant and part to Hemlock, 
the old name adhering to that portion which 
extended alonsf the coimty line northwest of 
Greenwood. By the act of 1853 the latter was 
renamed Pine, and the restored portion, with 
those attached to Hemlock and Mount Pleas- 
ant, formed into a township under the old 
name. 

The division effected in the township of 



84 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Roaringcreek by the act of 1850 was subse- 
quently made permanent, the restored portion 
being named Scott. This was found to con- 
flict with a township north of the river, then 
under the advisement of the court, and a 
month later the name of the southern township 
was changed to Locust. Scott township was 
formed the same year at the same session of 
court, from the township of Bloom, which 
had become too unwieldy for the election 
commissioners. 

A petition was laid before the court in 1855 
stating that the township of Locust was from 
twelve to fourteen miles long and from eight 



to ten miles wide, and that the southern end 
was chiefly a mining district, while the north- 
ern end was devoted to farming, and asking 
for the formation of a new township from 
part of it. The commissioners reported 
favorably, the court confirmed the report, and 
the new township was named Conyngham, 
after the judge of that date. 

Finally, to complete the division of Colum- 
bia county, the township of Cleveland was 
formed from Locust in 1893, and named after 
the president who had just been elected on 
the Democratic ticket. 



CHAPTER XI 



COLUMBIA COUNTY AFTER 1850 



The year 1850 fixed the date of the new 
dispensation for Columbia county and the 
birth of Montour county. At that date the 
population of Columbia was 17,700. From 
then until the present year of 1914 Columbia 
county has steadily gained in population and 
prosperity. Although the townships and some 
of the smaller towns have lost somewhat, this 
is only due to the modern tendency to concen- 
trate in the places of greatest size and attrac- 
tions. However, it is believed that the coming 
years will show another exodus to the land 
and give to this county the agricultural stimu- 
lus which is all that is needed to make it an 
earthly Eden. 

The population of Columbia in i860, accord- 
ing to government census figures, was 25,065 ; 
in 1870 it was 28.766; 1880, 32,439; 1890, 
36,832 ; 1900, 39.896 : 1910, 48,467. The total 
area of the county is a little over four hundred 
square miles. 

COLUMBIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE 

The first courthouse, which was used dur- 
ing the time that this county also included 
the territory of Montour county, is described 
in the annals of the latter county in another 
part of this volume, as its history has always 
been a part of the history of Danville and it 
was later again used for the business of the 
new county of Montour. 

One of the arguments of the opponents of 
the removal of the county seat from Danville 
to Bloomsburg was that the cost of the erec- 
tion of the necessary public buildings would be 



a severe burden upon the Bloomsburg people. 
The act removing the county seat provided 
that within three years thereafter the citizens 
of Bloomsburg should erect at their own ex- 
pense suitable buildings of brick or stone of 
the most approved plans, and that the old pub- 
lic grounds and buildings at Danville should 
be disposed of, to pay the original subscribers 
thereto, the surplus, if any, to revert to the 
county treasury. 

The Bloomsburg people met all these argu- 
ments with the offer to donate the ground and 
erect the buildings at their own expense, and 
in carrying out these engagements they acted 
in no niggardly spirit. William McKelvey 
and Daniel Snyder were the prime movers in 
this matter, and as soon as the question of re- 
moval was settled entered actively upon the 
work of erecting the courthouse and jail. 
Elisha H. Biggs, who had made a liberal sub- 
scription to the fund for erection, bought the 
lot opposite the "Exchange Hotel," which he 
at that time owned, and offered this as the site 
of the courthouse. William Robison, who 
owned the lot on the upper side, also donated 
sufficient land, so that after the alleys on each 
side were laid out the building site contained 
about ninety feet front. Mr. Snyder con- 
tributed two lots fronting on Center street, and 
extending back to the upper line of the court- 
house lot, for a jail site, which was accepted. 
At this time the Presbyterian Church was plan- 
ning for a new house of worship, and Rev. 
D. J. Waller, Sr., went to Philadelphia to 
secure approved plans for the two structures. 
These plans were drawn by Napoleon Le Brun, 




Old Courthouse, Bloomsburg, Pa. 




Columbia County Courthouse, Bloomsburg, Pa. 



i 

A 

! 




COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



85 



and were scrupulously followed by the con- 
tractors. 

The new courthouse was constructed of 
brick, burned by Daniel Snyder himself, and 
was of the pure Ionic order of architecture. 
It was 40 by 60 feet in size, with the county 
offices below and the court and jury rooms 
above. The cupola was fitted with a bell and 
clock, the former put up in 1848, at a cost of 
$400, and the latter provided by private sub- 
scription. In 1868 the courthouse was ex- 
tended by the addition of a 25-foot building, 
the upper story for the law library and the 
use of the judges and juries, and the lower 
for the court records. The roof was also 
raised at this time, which destroyed the true 
architectural proportions. In 1882 a new clock 
was installed in the cupola, and a year later 
steam heating was introduced into the build- 
ing. 

At the September session of court, 1890, a 
petition, signed by a large number of taxpayers, 
was presented, asking for some changes and 
improvements to the courthouse. This was 
referred to the grand jury, who recommended 
that an addition be built to the front of the 
old building. In accordance with this the 
county commissioners inspected plans sub- 
mitted by architects, adopting those of A. S. 
Wagner, of Williamsport. Bids were invited, 
and the contract awarded on Nov. 19, 1890, 
to Matthias Shaffer, for $21,600, that being 
the lowest responsible bid. There was some 
opposition to the expenditure of this money, 
as there always is to public improvements, and 
a move was made to procure an injunction to 
prevent Shaffer from beginning the job, but 
before this could be done he was at work with 
his men early in the morning, and had the stone 
steps and part of the porch at the front of the 
building torn away. There was no injunction 
asked for. While the work was in progress 
Mr. Shaffer died, and the contract was com- 
pleted by his son. Barton Shaffer, as adpiin- 
istrator. The work was finished, and ac- 
cepted by the county commissioners on Feb. 
29, 1892. 

The board of commissioners at the time the 
contract was made was composed of William 
G. Girton, Jesse Rittenhouse, and Ezra 
Stephens, with J. D. Bodine as clerk. In 
January, 1892, a new board went in office, 
consisting of Jesse Rittenhouse, B. F. Edgar 
and C. L. Sands. C. M. Terwilliger was 
elected clerk. 

This addition to the courthouse is 70 feet 
on Main street and 40 feet deep to where it 
joins on the old building, and is three stories 



high, with a large square tower and a portico. 
In the new part are the offices of the prothono- 
tary and commissioners, on the first floor. On 
the second floor are the judge's office, county 
superintendent's office, jury rooms, and a re- 
tirnig and rest room for women. A second 
courtroom, 26 by 44 feet, is located on the third 
floor, where is also a room occupied by the 
Historical Society. The other county offices 
remain as before. The building is heated by 
steam and well supplied with all modern con- 
veniences. The material in the addition is 
brick, with brownstone trimmings. It pre- 
sents an imposing appearance. 

COUNTY JAIL 

The first jail was constructed of brick and 
stone, and combined the usual features of 
jailer's residence and prison. It served the 
county well for thirty years, although its in- 
security in later years caused considerable 
complaint. For a number of years successive 
grand juries recommended the erection of a 
new jail, but the opposition of the people pre- 
vented any action. Finally the county com- 
missioners made it known that if another jury 
recommended action it would be taken. The 
fourth grand jury sanctioned the report of its 
predecessors, and in 1877 the county commis- 
sioners began measures for the construction of 
a new jail. For various reasons it was decided 
to abandon the old site, and the Pursel lot, on 
Market street, below Third, was conditionally 
purchased for $4,000. These moves gave rise 
to severe criticism of the commissioners' 
plans. 

The plans for the new prison were drawn 
by a Mr. Wetzel, and on April 21, 1877, the 
contract was awarded to Charles Krug. This 
action intensified the dissatisfaction of the 
critics, who rapidly included a large propor- 
tion of the population in their ranks. It ap- 
pears that there had been ten proposals, rang- 
ing from $41,075 to $119,025, and that the 
award was made to the second lowest bidder, 
at a price $5,900 higher than the lowest one. 
It was at once charged that these were grave 
reasons for suspecting jobbery on the part of 
the architect. The commissioners were urged 
to dismiss him, abandon the new, expensive, 
"mud-bottom" location, and either order a new 
letting or promptly accept the lowest bid. The 
commissioners refused, and on April 27th an 
injunction was applied for to restrain the 
authorities from building on the Pursel lot 
and from entering into a contract with Krug. 
The hearing developed that the lot was too 



86 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



narrow, and would require changes in the plans 
that were radical, therefore the court granted 
a temporary injunction. 

In the meantime Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., had 
offered a lot on Iron street, between Seventh 
and Eighth, and in July the commissioners 
abandoned the former location and accepted 
Mr. Waller's donation. The new site was 
open to some of the objections of the first one, 
but the commissioners adhered to their final 
decision. In the construction of the building 
they evaded the order of the court by grantmg 
contracts for the different parts of the struc- 
ture to various contractors, some of whom 
were smiply hirelings of Krug. Another com- 
plaint was made that the cost had been in- 
creased from the contract price of $56,975, to 
$70,000. 

The prison is a picturesque stone structure, 
surrounded by bearing fruit trees and well 
kept lawns. It has a high basement, and two 
stories above, with a square tower on the 
middle front. An oblong extension in the 
rear contains the cells, which are arranged in 
two tiers on either side of a corridor, lighted 
by skylights in the arched roof. In the base- 
ment are the workshops, steam heating plant 
and the dungeons. Baths, closets, ventilation, 
lighting and heating are all well provided for, 
and the cells are reasonably secure, being lined 
with metal and having two doors, of steel and 
wood. 

POORHOUSES 

The only other public buildings in the county 
are the several district poorhouses. In early 
years the poor were "farmed out" to outsiders, 
a most unsatisfactory method. In 1866 an act 
was passed authorizing a county poorhouse, 
but when the question was submitted to a vote 
it was found that only Bloom, Greenwood and 
Hemlock townships supported the project. In 
1869 an act was passed authorizing the erec- 
tion of a poorhouse in Bloom township and 
providing that the application of ten taxables 
in any other township should cause an election 
to be held to decide whether that township 
should unite with Bloom to form a poor dis- 
trict. Under this act the townships of Scott, 
Greenwood and Sugarloaf united with Bloom. 
A farm of 100 acres on Fishingcreek was 
purchased, in Mount Pleasant township, hav- 
ing thereon a brick and a frame house, the 
inmates being housed in the former. Other 
additions and imnrovements have since been 
made. In later years the borough of Millville 
has united with the Bloom poor district. 



In 1869 the township of Conyngham and 
the borough of Centraha organized a district, 
and a farm of seventy-five acres was pur- 
chased, together with suitable buildings, all 
of which were exempted from taxation. In 
1872 Madison township also formed a poor 
district and bought a farm of 100 acres, upon 
which its poor are comfortably provided for. 
The county itself has never had a poor farm, 
and apparently it is not greatly needed, for 
paupers are scarce in this thrifty section of the 
State. 

TOWNSHIPS 

The several townships of Columbia county 
and the dates of their erection are as follows: 

Catawissa 1785 

Fishingcreek 1789 

Briarcreek 1797 

Bloom 1798 

Greenwood 1799 

Mifflin 1799 

Hemlock 1801 

Sugarloaf 1812 

Madison 1817 

Mount Pleasant 1818 

Roaringcreek 1832 

Montour 1837 

Jackson 1838 

Orange 1839 

Franklin 1843 

Centre 1844 

Main 1844 

Beaver 1845 

Benton 1850 

Locust 1853 

Pine 1853 

Scott 1853 

Conyngham 1856 

Cleveland 1893 

Scott, Pine, Locust, Conyngham and Cleve- 
land townships were formed after the erection 
of Montour county. 

There are fifty-five election districts in 
Columbia county in 19 14, their names being as 
follows: 

Beaver, Benton borough, Benton township, 
Berwick northeast, Berwick southeast, Ber- 
wick northwest, Berwick southwest, Bloom 
first. Bloom second, Bloom third, Bloom 
fourth, Briarcreek east, Briarcreek south, 
Briarcreek west, Catawissa township, Cata- 
wissa borough, Centralia first, Centralia 
second, Centre north, Centre south, Cleveland, 
Conyngham east-north, Conyngham west- 
north, Conyngham west No. i, Conyngham 
west No. 2, Convngham southwest, Conyng- 
ham southeast, Fishinecreek east, Fishing- 
creek west, Franklin, Greenwood east, Green- 
wood west. Hemlock north, Hemlock south. 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



87 



Jackson, Locust north, Locust south, Madison, 
Main, Mifflin, Millville, Montour, Mount 
Pleasant, Orange township, Orangeville bor- 
ough. Pine north. Pine south, Roaringcreek, 
Scott east, Scott west, Sugarloaf north, 
Sugarloaf south, Stillwater borough. West 
Berwick No. i, West Berwick No. 2. 

COUNTY OFFICIALS 

In the smaller counties the offices of protho- 
notary and clerk, and register and recorder, 
are consolidated. Under the constitution of 
1790 the county officers, with the exception of 
the sheriff and coroner, were appointed by the 
governor, but in 1838 it was provided that they 
be elected. The old constitution provided that 
the people elect two candidates each for the 
offices of sheriff and coroner, and that the gov- 
ernor appoint one of them. By the amend- 
ment of 1838 the people were permitted to 
select these officers themselves, the governor to 
commission them. The various offices have 
been filled as follows : 

Prothonotaries and Clerks 

George A. Frick, appointed 1813; David 
Petrikin, appointed March 15, 1821 ; John Rus- 
sell, appointed Jan. 14, 1824; Jacob Eyerly, 
appointed Jan. ly, 1830; James Donaldson, ap- 
pointed Jan. 8, 1836, May i, 1838, and Jan. 10, 
1839; Valentine Best, appointed Jan. 18, 1839; 
Jacob Eyerly, elected in 1839; Jesse Coleman, 
elected 1863; Wellington H. Ent, elected 
1869, died Nov. 5, 1871 ; R. H. Ringler, ap- 
pointed 1871; B. F. Zarr, elected 1872, and 
1875; William Krickbaum, elected 1878, and 
1881 ; William H. Snyder, elected 1884, and 
Nov. 8, 1887; G. M. Quick, elected Nov. 4, 
1890, and Nov., 1893 ; W. H. Henrie, elected 
Nov. 3, 1896, and Nov. 3, 1899; C. M. Terwil- 
Hger, elected Nov. 4, 1902, and Nov., 1905 ; 
Freeze Quick, elected in November, 1908, and 
again in 191 1. 

Registers and Recorders 

Josiah McClure, appointed in 1814; Ellis 
Hughes, appointed 1821 ; Rudolph Sechler, ap- 
pointed 1824; John Cooper, appointed 1830; 
Alexander Best, appointed 1836; Philip Bill- 
meyer, appointed Jan. 18, 1839, and elected in 
the fall of 1839; Charles Conner, elected in 
1842 and 1S45 ; Jesse G. Clark, elected in 1848 
and 185 1 ; Daniel Lee, elected 1854, and re- 
elected twice ; John G. Freeze, elected 1863 
and 1866; Williamson H. Jacoby, elected 1869, 



and reelected three times; George W. Sterner, 
elected 1881 and 1884; Charles H. Campbell, 
elected 1S87 and 1890; Charles B. Ent, elected 
1893 and 1896; John C. Rutter, Jr., elected 
1899 and 1902; Frank W. Miller, elected 1905 
and 1908; James H. Mercer, elected 1911. 

District Attorneys 

District attorneys were first elected in 1854. 
Up to that time the duties were performed by 
a deputy attorney general appointed for each 
county. The following persons have held the 
office of district attorney since it became elec' 
tive : 

Robert F. Clark, 1854 to 1857; E. H. Little, 
1857 to 1868; E. R. Ikeler, 1868 to 1871 ; James 
Bryson, elected in 1871, resigned 1874; John 
M. Clark, appointed Dec. 7, 1874 (to fill Bry- 
son's unexpired term, his own term com- 
mencing in January) ; John M. Clark, 
elected in 1874; Robert R. Little, 1877 
to 1883; Robert Buckingham, elected in 1883, 
resigned 1885 ; F. P. Billmeyer, appointed in 
1885; F. P. Billmeyer, elected in November, 
1885, and in 1888, resigned in 1890; William 
Ciirisman, appointed in April, 1890, elected in 
November, 1890; Thomas B. Hanley, elected 
in November, 1893, resigned June 27, 1896; 
John G. Harman, appointed July 11, 1896; 
John G. Harman, elected in November, 1896, 
and in November, 1899; A. W. Duy, elected in 
November, 1902 ; C. A. Small, elected in 1905, 
reelected in 1908 and 191 1. 

Sheriffs 

The constitution of 1790 provided that sher- 
iffs and coroners shall be chosen by the people 
at the regular election ; two persons were 
chosen for each office, one of whom respec- 
tively was appointed by the governor. They 
held office for three years or during good be- 
havior, and until a successor was qualified, 
but the sheriff could hold office only one term 
in any period of six years. This was amended 
by the constitution of 1838, so that only one 
person could be chosen for each office. The 
following persons have filled the office of 
sheriff since the organization of the county : 

Henry Alward, commissioned Jan. 13, 1814; 
Joseph Prutzman, commissioned Oct. 10, 1816; 
John Underwood, commissioned Oct. 8, 1819, 
died in office; William Robison, appointed to 
fill vacancy, Sept. 16, 1822 ; Andrew McRey- 
nolds, commissioned Oct. 14, 1822 ; John 
Rhoads, commissioned Oct. 22, 1821; ; William 
Kitchen, commissioned Oct. 22, 1828; Isaiah 



88 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



Reed, commissioned Oct. 24, 1831 ; Isaiah Sal- 
mon, commissioned Oct. 25, 1834; William 
Kitchen, commissioned Oct. 18, 1837; John 
Fruit, commissioned Oct. 30, 1840; Iram Derr, 
commissioned 1843; Benjamin Hay man, com- 
missioned Nov. 5, 1846; Peter Billmeyer, com- 
missioned Oct. 24, 1849; John Snyder, com- 
missioned 1852; Stephen H. Miller, commis- 
sioned 1855 ; John Snyder, commissioned 1S58; 
Josiah H. Furman, commissioned 1861 ; Sam- 
uel Snyder, commissioned 1864; Mordecai Mil- 
lard, commissioned 1867; Aaron Smith, com- 
missioned 1870; Michael Gruver, commis- 
sioned 1873, <i'^d in office; Charles G. Murphy, 
coroner, was sworn in April 5, 1876, and served 
until May 5, 1876; Charles S. Fornwald, ap- 
pointed by the governor May 5, 1876, served 
until January, 1877 ; John W. Hoffman, elected 
fall of 1876; Uzal H. Ent, elected fall of 1879; 
John Mourey, elected fall of 1882 ; Samuel 
Smith, elected fall of 1885 ; John B. Casey, 
elected fall of 1888; John Mourey, elected fall 
of 1891; J. B. McHenry, elected fall of 1894; 
W. W. Black, elected fall of 1897; Daniel 
Knorr, elected fall of 1900; W. W. Black, 
elected fall of 1903 ; Charles B. Ent, elected 
fall of 1906; W. P. Zehner, elected fall of 
1909; B. F. Rice, elected fall of 1913. 

County Commissioners 

The following persons have served as county 
commissioners in the years mentioned, since 
1866. From that date until 1875 °^^ person 
was elected each year for a term of two years. 
After that three commissioners were elected 
every three years. 

1866 — Montgomery Cole, Allen Mann, John 
F. Fowler. 1867 — David Yeager, John F. 
Fowler, Montgomery Cole. 1868— W. Grier 
Quick, Montgomery Cole, David Yeager. 1869 
— David Yeager, W. G. Quick, Cyrus Robbins. 
1870 — W. G. Quick, Cyrus Robbins, H. J. 
Reeder. 1871 — William Shaffer, Cyrus Rob- 
bins, H. J. Reeder. 1872 — William Lawton, 
H. J. Reeder, William Shaffer. 1873— Wil- 
liam Shaffer, William Lawton, John Herner. 
1874 — William Lawton, John Herner, John 
Ent. 1875 — Silas W. McHenry, John Herner, 
Joseph E. Sands. 1878 — Stephen Pohe, 
Charles Reichert, A. B. Herring. 1881 — 
Charles Reichert, B. F. Edgar, Joshua Fetter- 
man. 1884 — Stephen Pohe, Washington Parr, 
Theodore Mendenhall. 1887— W. G. Girton, 
Jesse Rittenhouse, Ezra Stephens. 1890 — 
Jesse Rittenhouse, B. F. Edgar. C. L. Sands. 
1893— G. M. Ikeler. J. G. Swank. W. H. Utt. 
1896 — John N. Gordon, William Krickbaum, 



N. Kitchen. 1899— W. H. Fisher, William 
Krickbaum, N. Kitchen. 1902 — W. H. Fisher, 
William Bogart, G. W. Sterner. 1905 — C. L. 
Pohe, J. A. Hess, Elisha Ringrose. 1908 — C. 
L. Pohe, J. A. Hess, C. F. Lenhart. 191 1 — 
G. S. Fleckenstine, C. E. Welliver, C. F. Len- 
hart. 

Commissioners' Clerks 

Since 1866 the clerks to the county commis- 
sioners have been : Robert C. Fruit, William 
Krickbaum, John B. Casey, J. D. Bodine, C. 
M. Terwilliger, D. Z. Mensch, R. F. Vander- 
slice, J. W. Hidlay, A. B. Black, Charles E. 
Smith. 

County Treasurers 

This list shows the incumbents of this office 
during the terms in the years before their 
names, prior to 1870; from and after that time 
the dates show when they began their terms : 

1816, James Langhead; 1818, Josiah Mc- 
Clure; 1820, 1822, William Wilson; 1826, 1828, 
Andrew McReynolds; ' 1830, Hugh McWil- 
Hams; 1832, 1834, John Fruit; 1836, 1838, 
Hugh McWilliams; 1842, Leonard B. Rupert; 
1844, David Clark; 1846, Charles F. Mann; 
1S48, Emanuel Lazarus; 1850, Amandus Lev- 
ers; 1852, Samuel Creasy; 1854, John Doak; 
1856, Jacob Harris ; 1858, James S. McNinch ; 
i860, John A. Funston ; 1862, James S. Mc- 
Ninch ; 1864, Daniel McHenry; 1866, John J. 
Stiles; 1868, Jacob Yohe ; 1870, David Lowen- 
berg; 1873, John Snyder; 1876, H. W. McRey- 
nolds ; 1879, H. A. Sweppenheiser ; 1882, A. M. 
Johnson; 1885, P. A. Evans; 1888, George A. 
Herring; 1891, John L. Kline ; 1894, J. R. Fow- 
ler; 1897, G. S. Fleckenstine; 1900, Jeremiah 
Snyder ; 1903, A. B. Croop ; 1906, M. H. 
Rhodes; 1909, John Mourey; 1912, I. L. Rabb. 

Toivnship and Borough Assessors 

The township and borough assessors for 
1914 are as follows : Beaver — Emanuel Har- 
ger ; Benton borough — O. E. Sutton ; Benton 
Tp. — John Ipher ; Berwick — Cyrus Smith ; 
Blooni, W.— W. C. Sloan; Bloom, E,— P. B. 
Heddens ; Briarcreek — William Ash ; Cata- 
wissa Tp. — James Bibby ; Catawissa borough — 
O. D. L. Kostenbauder ; Centralia, ist — M. W. 
Brennan ; Centralia, 2d — A. T. Conway ; Cen- 
tre — Frank Harris ; Cleveland — F. P. Small ; 
Conyngham — Peter J. McHale ; Fishingcreek 
— H. W. Hess; Franklin— D. M. Reeder; 
Greenwood — W. L. Kelchner; Hemlock — • 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



89 



Chas. L. Hartman; Jackson — M. O. Everhart; 
Locust — D. C. Yocum; Madison — John J. 
Kreamer; Main — Jerry Kelchner; Mifflin — P. 
C. Glodfelter; Millville— Tillman Stadler; 
Montour — Albert Newman ; Mt. Pleasant — 
R. M. Creasy; Orange Tp. — Elmer Kline; 
Orangeville borough — VV. W. Allabach ; Pine 
— B. F. Karshner; Roaringcreek — C. M. 
Yocum ; Scott — Harry Deiterick ; Sugarloaf — 
Jesse Fritz; Stillwater borough — George 
Dresher; W. Berwick, ist — William Croft; 
W. Berwick, 2d— L. M. Pettit. 

Representatives in Congress 

Columbia county has been joined with a 
number of other counties at dili'erent times in 
the formation of a Congressional district. It 
was originally placed in the Tenth district, 
which included the counties of Northumber- 
land, Union, Lycoming, Luzerne, Bradford, 
Potter, Susquehanna and Tioga, with two Con- 
gressmen, and was represented by the follow- 
ing persons : William Wilson and Jared Irwin, 
elected 1814; William Wilson and David 
Scott, elected 1816. In 1817 Mr. Scott was 
elected a judge and resigned, and John Murray 
was elected to fill the vacancy. John Murray 
and George Dennison were elected in 1818; 
George Dennison and W. C. Ellis in 1820. In 
1 82 1 Ellis resigned, and Thomas Murray, Jr., 
was elected to fill the vacancy. 

In 1822 Columbia was put in the Ninth dis- 
trict, with Union, Northumberland, Luzerne, 
Susquehanna, Bradford, Lycoming, Potter, 
Tioga and McKean, having three members, as 
follows : W. C. Ellis, Samuel McKean, George 
Kreamer, elected 1822 ; Samuel McKean, 
George Kreamer, Espy Van Horn, elected 
1824 and 1826 ; Philander Stevens, James Ford, 
Allen Marr, elected 1828; Lewis Dewart, Phi- 
lander Stevens, James Ford, elected 1830. 

In 1832 Columbia was placed with Luzerne 
as the Fifteenth district, with one member. 
Andrew Beaumont was elected in 1832 and 
1834; David Petrikin in 1836 and 1838; B. A. 
Bidlock in 1840 and 1842. 

In 1843 Wyoming was joined to Columbia 
and Luzerne, forming the Eleventh district. 
Owen D. Leib was elected in 1844 and 1846; 
Chester Butler in 1848; Hendrick B. Wright 
in 1850. 

In 1852 Columbia was in the Twelfth dis- 
trict with Luzerne. Montour and Wyoming. 
Hendrick B. Wright was elected in 1852; 
Henry M. Fuller in 1854 ; John G. Montgomery 
in 1856 (he died before taking his seat, and 
in 1857 Paul Leidy was elected) ; George W. 



Scranton in 1858 and i860 (he died in March, 
1861, and at a special election in June, H. B. 
Wright was elected). 

In 1861 Columbia was joined with Bradford, 
Montour, Sullivan, Wyoming and all of North- 
umberland, except Lower Mahoning township, 
in the Twelfth district. Northumberland was 
transferred to another district in 1862, and the 
remaining counties elected Henry W. Tracy in 
1862; Ulysses Mercur in 1864, 1866, 1868 and 
1870; Dr. J. D. Strawbridge in 1872. Mercur 
resigned in 1872, having been elected to the 
Supreme bench, and at a special election, in 
December, Frank Bunnell was chosen for the 
short term. 

In 1S73 Columbia was put in the Eleventh 
district with Montour, Carbon, Monroe and 
Pike counties ; the townships of Nescopeck, 
Blackcreek, Sugarloaf, Butler, Hazel, Foster, 
Bearcreek, Buck, Salem, Hollenback, Hunting- 
ton, in Luzerne county; Fairmount, Roaring 
Brook, Spring Brook, and that part of Scran- 
ton south of Roaring Brook creek and east of 
the Lackawanna river, in Lackawanna county ; 
and the boroughs of Dunmore, New Columbus, 
Gouldsboro, White Haven, Jeddo, and Hazle- 
ton, in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. It 
was known as the "Shoestring" district. F. P. 
Collins was elected in 1874 and 1876; Robert 
Klotz in 1878 and 1880; John B. Storm in 
1882 and 1884; C. R. Buckalew in 1886 and 
1888. 

In 1890 the Sixteenth Congressional district 
was made up of Columbia, Montour, Northum- 
berland and Sullivan counties, and so remains 
in 1914. S. P. Wolverton was elected in 1890 
and 1892; M. H. Kulp, 1894 and 1896; Rufus 
K. Polk, 1898 and 1900 (died in office, and 
Alexander Billmeyer was elected to fill the un- 
expired term) ; Charles H. Dickerman, 1902; 
E. W. Samuels, 1904; John G. McHenry, 1906, 
1908 and 1910 (died shortly before the expi- 
ration of his third term, and the vacancy was 
not filled) ; John V. Lesher, 1912 and 1914. 

State Senators 

Columbia county was first placed in a Sena- 
torial district with Luzerne, Susquehanna and 
Union, Columbia and Union being added upon 
the formation of the counties. This district 
elected two senators, Thomas Murray, Jr., and 
William Ross, Murray being reelected in 1814, 
the first election for senator in which Columbia 
participated. 

In 181 5 the Ninth Senatorial district was 
formed, and included Northumberland, Colum- 
bia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna, with 



90 



COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 



two senators, chosen alternately, the term being 
four years. Charles Frazier was elected in 
1816; Simon Snyder, 1818; a special election 
was lield in i8iy to till the vacancy caused by 
the death of Simon Snyder, and Kobert Wil- 
lett was elected. In 1820 Redmond Conyng- 
ham was elected. 

In 1822 the Tenth Senatorial district was 
formed of Luzerne and Columbia, with one 
member. In 1824 Robert Moore was elected. 
The term was then changed to three years. 
In 1827 Moore was reelected; Jacob Urum- 
heller, 1830; Uzal Hopkins, 1833. 

Another change of district took place in 1830, 
when Columbia and Schuylkill were made the 
Ninth district, with one senator. Charles 
Fraley was elected in 1837; Samuel F. Head- 
ley, 1840. 

In 1843 Columbia and Luzerne were again 
put together, as the Thirteenth district. Wil- 
liam S. Ross was elected in 1844; Valentine 
Best, 1847. 

In 1850 Montour was added to these two 
counties, and the district became the Sixteenth. 
Charles R. Buckalew was elected in 1850 and 
reelected in 1853; George P. Steele, 1856. 

In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Northumber- 
land and Snyder formed the Thirteenth dis- 
trict, and C. R. Buckalew was elected senator, 
but resigned at the end of one session. Reuben 
Keller was elected in 1858 to fill the vacancy, 
and reelected in i860. D. B. Montgomery was 
elected in 1863. 

In 1864 Sullivan was substituted for Snyder, 
and the district was changed to the Fifteenth. 
George D. Jackson was elected in 1866, and 
C. R. Buckalew in 1869. 

In 1871 Lycoming was substituted for North- 
umberland, and Thomas Chalfant was elected 
in 1872. 

In 1874 the State was redistricted, no change 
occurring in this district except the change of 
the number to the Twenty-fourth. In 1874 
and again in 1876 Robert P. Allen was elected ; 
George D. Jackson, 1878, died in office, and 
E. J. McHenry was elected in 1880 to fill the 
vacancy; W. W. Hart, 1882; Verus H. Metz- 
ger, 1886; Grant Herring, 1890; J. Henry 
Cochran, 1894. 1898, 1902 and 1906; Charles 
W. Sones. 1910 and 1914. No change has 
been made in the formation of the district 
from 1871 to the present (1914). 

Members of General Assembly 

By the Eighth section of the act creating 
Columbia county in 1813 it was provided "that 
the inhabitants of the counties of Northum- 
berland, Union and Columbia shall jointly elect 



four representatives" to the General Assembly. 
Samuel Bound, Leonard Rupert, Thomas 
Murray, Jr., and George Kreamer were elected 
in 1813; David E. Owen, Robert Willett, 
Joseph Hutchison and Henry Shaffer in 1814. 

In 1815 Columbia was made a separate dis- 
trict, with one member, and James McClure 
was elected in that year; Samuel Bond, in 
1816, 1817 and 1818; James McClure, 1819; 
John Snyder, 1820; John Clark, 1821. 

In 1822 the county was given two members, 
and William McBride and Alexander Colley 
were elected, and reelected in 1823; John Mc- 
Reynolds and Eli Thornton, 1824; John 
McReynolds and William McBride, 1826; John 
McReynolds and Christian Bropst, 1827; John 
McReynolds and John Robinson, 1828. 

The representation was reduced to one mem- 
ber in 1829, and John Robinson was elected; 
Uzal Hopkins, 1830 and 1831 ; Isaac Kline, 
1832 and 1833; John F. Derr, 1834 and 1835; 
Evan O. Jackson, 1836; John Bowman, 1837; 
William Colt, 1838 and 1839; Daniel Snyder, 
1840, 1841, 1842, 1843; Thomas A. Funston, 
1844 and 1845 ; Stewart Pierce, 1846, 1847, 
1848; Benjamin P. Fortner, 1849. 

In 1850 Columbia and Montour were joined 
in a district, and John McReynolds was elected ; 
M. E. Jackson in 1851; George Scott, 1852 
and 1853; James G. Maxwell, 1854; John G. 
Montgomery, 1855; Peter Ent, 1856. 

In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Sullivan and 
Wyoming were put together, with two mem- 
bers, and Peter Ent and John V. Smith were 

elected ; George A. Jackson and — ■ — 

Oakes, 1858 and 1859 ; H. R. Kline and 

Osterhaut, i860; Levi L. Tate and 



Tutton, 1861 ; G. D. Jackson and J. C. Ellis, 
1862 and 1863. 

In 1864 Columbia and Montour were made 
a district, and W. H. Jacoby was elected that 
year and 1865; Thomas Ch