L51h
1169820
GENEALOGY COLL^^
HiC^N.
mmmi
3 1833 01179 3848
HISTTORY
COUNTIES
McKeAM, ELlCiBMI Al POTTEJ,
PENNSYLVANIA,
WITH
BIOGRAPHXAL SELECTIONS,
INCLUDING
THEIK EAKLY SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ; A DESCRIPTION OF THE HISTOIilC AND
t
INTERESTING LOCALITIES ; SKETCHES OF THEIE CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES ;
PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN; l!IO(iRAPHIKS OF REPRESENTATIVE
CITIZENS; OUTLINE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA; STATISTICS.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO :
J. H. BEERS & CO., PUBLISHERS,
1890.
^
>o PREFACE.
V 1169820
ifX — '^*''' —
\ Go fix some weight}' truth;
I ■ Chain down some passion; do some good;
I Teach ignorance to see or grief to smile;
Correct'thy friend; befriend thy greatest foe;
Be just in all things; make amends
For follies past, aud. with warm heart,
M Forgive, aud be forgiven. Let work not words
V ^,i Thy virtue prove. Go act as well as prate,
V And then thy counsels will be strong.
\ Thy reprimands avail. — Anon.
THE proviuce of the historian is to gather the threads of the past ere they
elude forever his grasp, and weave them into a harmonious web to which
, the "art preservative" may give immortality. Therefore he, who would res-
cue from fast -gathering oblivion the deeds of a community, and send them on
to futurity in an imperishable record, should deliver a plain, unvarnished tale.
In such a spirit have the compilers of the following pages approached the work
^ of detailing the history embodied therein, and trust they have been fairly
faithful to the task imposed. It has been their honest endeavor to trace the
history of the development of this section from that period when it was in the
indisputed possession of the red man to the present, and to place before the
reader an authentic narrative of its rise and progress to the prominent position
it now occupies in the Keystone State.
This volume has been prepared in strict accordance with the announce-
ments made in the prospectus issued more than a year ago. The publishers
were fortunate in securing the services of Prof. M. A. Leeson, whose many years
of labor in the field of local history have especially fitted him for the work. To
him was assigned the task of preparing the general histories of these counties.
The biographical sketches, which are an important feature of the work,
were prepared, for the most part, by a special corps of writers, who gathered
the facts from those immediately interested, to whom they were submitted, in
type-written form, for revision and correction. The personal and family his-
tories given in these sketches chronicle much interesting and valuable matter
which, through death and the ravages of time, would otherwise be lost, and it is
believed that in succeeding years they will be found to possess an additional
interest and value.
The volume is believed to contain a larger and more varied amount of his-
torical materials than was ever before embodied in a local history; but he who
expects to find it entirely free from errors or defects has little knowledge of
the difficulties attending the preparation of a work of this kind. To procure
material for its compilation, official records have been carefully examined;
newspaper files searched; manuscripts, letters and memoranda have been
IV PREFACE.
sought, and lumdreds of citizens interviewed. In some cases it was necessary
to reconcile contradictory statements. Some errors are unavoidable. The pub-
lishers trust that the book will be received in that generous spirit which is grati-
fied at honest and conscientious effort, and not in that captions spirit which
refuses to be satisfied short of unattainable perfection.
Throughout the pages of the history of the counties literary credit is given
to those, who, in earlier years, did so much for the cause of history in this
district; acknowledgment is made to others for the ready assistance given in
the prosecution of the work. The number who have assisted by suggestion,
relation or written testimony to render this volume what it is, is too large to
warrant individual mention here, but tlie aid and courtesy of each one are fully
remembered and appreciated.
Special thanks are tendered to the prothonotaries, commissioners' clerks
and recorders, and to all other officials of these counties, for their co-opera-
tion with the writer in searching the public record books and documents. To
the clerks of the boroughs and the record keepers of religious, secret, benevo-
lent, temperance and military organizations, acknowledgement is gratefully
made for their material aid.
To the members of the newspaper circle of McKean county, who not only
permitted the examination of their most valuable files, but also suggested manj'
interesting historical points, hitherto unpublished, much of the complete char-
acter of this volume must be credited. The files examined comprise the Miner,
in possession of Lucius Rogers; the Reporter, of A. J. Hughes; the Era and
older papers, as well as the Oil Neivs, of the Era Publishing Company, through
Editors P. C. Boyle and A. L. Snell; the Star, of the S/af Publishing Compam-,
through Editor H. F. Barbour; the Eldred Eagle, of A. D. Gould; the McKeau
Democrat, of Clark Wilson; the Kane Leader, of Ada C. Malone, and the
Oswayo Valley Mail, of J. P. Herriek; while a thorough summary was made
of the old newsjsaper tiles of 1832-42; of the King survey books of 1799-1805,
and historical papers of Orlo J. Hamlin, published in 1832, all in possession of
Byron D. Hamlin. The reminiscences of Loyal Ward, and the private docu-
ments in possession of Henry Hamlin, proved very valuable.
To the editors of Elk county an equal measure of thanks is extended. The
old files of the Advocate, in possession of Jerome Powell, the new ones, of
Editor Baker, the tiles of the Democrat, of George R. Dixon; the Gazette, of
the Wilmarth Brothers, and the Herald, of F. A. Jacob, yielded up a wealth
of local history. The j)amphlet entitled Our Common Schools, by George R.
Dixon, the papers by Erasmus Morey, Jefferson L. Brown and George A.
Rathbun, with short sketches by Henry Souther and Dr. C. R. Earley, con-
tributed largely to render the history of Elk county comi>lete; while the collec-
tion of old school records and documents in possession of Charles Luhr. and
the reminiscences of Ignatius Garner, were invaluable contributions to the
sketches of Benzinger township and St. Mary's borough. From copies of the
Clarion Breeze accounts of modern Johnsonburg and vicinity are taken.
Cameron county has been especially fortunate in the number of her his-
torians. In 1875 one of the pioneers of theSinnemahoning, John Brooks,
contributed a very interesting historical paper to the literature of the times.
He was followed by Dr. Lanning and J. B. Newton. All their writings were
published in the Cameron County Press. Prior and subsequent to Centen-
nial year the veteran editor of the Press. C. B. Gould, left little or nothing
undone to render his journal a great contemporary record, so that to the his-
torical writers named, and their editor, the complete character of the history
of Cameron county must be credited. From the tiles of the Independent, of
S. S. Hacket, many facts connected with the development of the lumber in-
dustry were taken, and from the Driftwood Gazette, of J. T. Earl & Co., much
relating to the progress of the lower townships.
In Potter county acknowledgments are due to Edwin Haskell, editor of the
Potter County Journal: to W. W. Thompson, owner of a valuable collection of
local newspapers; to A. J. Evans, of the Ulysses Sentinel: to D. W. Butterworth,
of the Enterprise, and to H. D. Caskey, of the Austin Autograph. To E. O.
Austin literary credit must be given for the history of Austin and Costello,
and their great industries, as published in the Autogragh : indeed, his history
published in 1869-71 must be considered the first written of Potter county. Dr.
E. S. Mattison's historical manuscript was unhesitatingly granted for the use of
the compiler, and from it many valuable pages of the county's history were
taken; to his earnest efforts much of the complete character of the story of
poneer life is due.
To all people, whose intelligent co-operation renders this work successful,
is sent a message of hope and belief that this volume will prove authentic
and be acceptable.
THE PUBLISHERS.
wt"^t;%^c
CONTENTS.
Historv of Pennsylvania.
INTRODITTORV.— First Settlers AloiiK tlie
Delaware- Willhuii l>enn~His Karlv Diffl-
culties- Hissrnsiniisiii tiic Culcnv 'IVnii^
SeeOIllI \ l-]f 1.. Ih.- I'IOMI,,-,' A,vr..Mnl|
Page.
Line— Struggle for Independence
)n iif 1787— Constitution of 1790—
Mil iirtion- Stone Coal— Conven-
7 rniiisylvania in the War of
"11 siiliseciuent Events 17-18
History of McKean County.
CHAPTER I.— Topography and Natu-
ral History.— Boundary and Area— Land
Cessions and Pun-hases- Population— As-
sessment Statistics— General Description-
Topography— Creek Nomenclature— Vege-
tation— Lumber Manufacture— GaiiU' and
Fish-Fossils-Coal Mines-Cris W.IK. .Tv!
CHAPTEl
eries of
Oil Comi
-The 1'.
Prodiiii-i
Well in
—Well r
Fii-
■^ Ml-r,
CHAPTElt ill.- PioNEKi;-^ \m. I'm. mm;
Days.— Prehistoric Keniiiin^ hMli:in- In
dlan Land Purchases— iialc- "I I.immI-. I ,iiI\
Surveys and Settlements- I ;:i 1 1\ \:i\ \Ki\r,.<
—Underground Kailroad— Ilniitiim simms
and Floods-First Court-house-First Hall
—Early Wedding — Early Incidents and
Reminiscences— County Centennial Celebra-
tion 95-105
CHAPTER IV.— Transactions of the
County Commissioners. — Organization
of the County— Holland Land Company's
Lands— John Keating's Liberality— Smeth-
port, the Coimty Town— Coimty Administra-
tion—County Buildings — Public Roads —
Bridges— Poor Farm— Mortgages— Forfeit-
ed Liinds 105-112
CHAPTER v.— Courts and Bar.— First
Courts— Character of the Early Bench and
Bar, with Dates of Admission of Members
Prior to 1878— Celebrated Causes— Judges
and Associate Judges— Prominent Attor-
neys, Prothonotaries, etc.— Attorneys Ad-
mitted to the McKean County Bar since May,
1878, Term— Orlo J. Hamlin— John W. Howe
CHAPTER VI.— Political Affairs.- In-
troduetory— Orlo J. HaniUn— Elections for
Governor, 1835— Elections from 1840 to ls,S3
—General Elections, 1884 to lS89-Prohibit-
ory Amendment Vote, 1889 121-128
I^HAPTER VII. — Military History.
Forty-second Regiment (Bucktailsi— Cc
Kane— Fifty-eighth Regiment, P. V. I.
Eighty-third Regiment, P. V. I.— One Hu
dred and Fiftiefli Regiment, P. V.
ment, P. V. I.— Miscellaneous 128-144
I'.riiilford
-Miscel-
of Land
nysi
Early Practitioners— Indian Doctors— Re-
markable Cure— Itinerant Disciples of JEs-
culapius— McKean County Medical Associa-
tion—List of Medical Men Who Have Regis-
tered in McKean County since 1881 144-154
CHAPTER IX.— Railroads.- The Kinzua
Viaduct— The Warren Railroad Convention
— Simbury & Erie R. R.— Buffalo, Bradford
& Pittsburgh R. R.— The Turkey i'ath-Sale
of the Western New York & Pennsylvania
R. R.— Olean, Bradford & Warren R. R.—
Bradford & Foster Brook R. R.— The "Peg
Leg" Line— Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua
R. R.— Brailford, DeGoUer & Smethport R.
R.— Pittsburgh, Bradford & Buffalo Ry., and
Big Level & Bradford R. R.— Big Level &
Kinzua R. R.— Bradford R. R. and Kinzua
R. R.— Bradford & State Line R. R. Co.—
Buffalo Division of Rochester & Pittsburgh
R. R. Co.— Miscellaneous 155-11
CHAPTER X.— Bradford Township and
City of Bradford.— Bradford Township.
—General Description— Census Statistics-
Early Settlers — Land Warrants and Com-
panies—Early Schools and Churches— Some
CONTENTS.
1 1 -AUit-
Asso-
Mhools
Town-
CHAPT
Toi)..
tion-
Poiiit
v'SHIP.— Otto
iilatinn-Offl-
Tax-i layers,
WelK- r
ISilii— 1 ,■ .
tler.s-^l:.
T■«^<'-(^-l
chants ^'
roaiis— Ih^
CHAl'l I l;
Sllill;;!. y. . • !:■ ., '.iiijli iif
Ehh,,< •'. I . History—
Gr(i«ii . . 1 . ■ I' . I n,: aiiMii-First
Courini - > !v .1,,,^,!, ,11 iv.«i_Hurri-
earn'.s. 1,;..^, « u . I a. ( uiii|.,aiy— Schools
anil Churrlirs — Societies - Banks— Water-
works— Gas Company— Industries— Miscel-
laneous 231-:
:HArTI"l: \T'\--U>'.Mi h,\ Tr.wNSHIP—
('ETMORE Township—
TV.—Wetmnrc Township
aiihy-<iil W.-lIs and
Biog-rapiiic
Page.
Annin Township 527
Bradford Township and City of Bradford 327
Ceres Township 5)1
Corydon Township .')(;7
Eldred Townsliip and Borough of Eldred 4s-l
Foster Townsliip and Borough of Kendall -nr.
Hamilton Township :.im
Hamlin Township Ml
Borough of Kane 554
Arnolrl \"s ll'i
Baker. H.S..
Barbour. H. 1
r,.Mit..ii. A, M
M. D
liai-e:::;;;:;:;:;:;;;::;;:: i"'
iLi>'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.".'.'.y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. '-■:■■
SSi^JSen::::::---::::::--:-:-:::-::--^
Fostir, C. H.
GiitBth, J.T.
1
I'i'i
History of Elk County.
CHAPTER I. — TOPOGRAPHV AND N.\T-
URAL History. — Formation — .Tud'_'p
(ieddes' Ke]iort — (ieneral Tii|inirnii)liv —
German Uuiou Boud Wutiety— Some i'hbt
Things in the County— Keminiscences of
Jolin Brooks 579-589
■HAPTKi; VIII.
■ K AiLROAHs. — Pliiladel-
,id— Sunliury & Erie Kail-
.V New Yo'rlc Kailroad—
Ml'iits, ete 025-G27
l\,-_Mi nil AL. — Tlie Pioneer
. Ml ti,.' I Minitv ;u].i l,ater Prac-
Ilrroni ,,i r:i\-:. :,iii- Wlio Eegls-
I il!.' A' t .ii 1-1 (i28-G31
\, — I'.KN I VI. II 1 TilWXSHIP.—
- Minerals— Population — Elec-
-i.lent Tax-payers, 1844 — The
111 1850— Village of Beuezette—
;'HAPXEI; XI -I
BOROUGH I
Toicih'iliip — ' '
CHAPTER Xin.-]1
HOKTON Towxsi;
Hi(ililiiiifl T.,in,s},
XIX.— BlOGBAPH]
CHAPTER XXI.-BiOGRAPHU
Sketches.— Benzinger Township ^
Borough of St. Mary's
Benezette Townsliiii ,
Benzinfier Tdwiislii]
Mary's
Blosraiihlcnl Sketches.
.lay Township 783
Jones Townsliip 745
Ridgway Township and Borougli of Rirtgway. 717
Brown, Rasselas W
Brown, Mrs. Rasselas W.
Brown, Isaac B
Brown, J. L
Cartwright, Biur E
Chamberlin, CI
Dickinson, George
Dixon, George R
Ely, Byron F
Ernhout, John
Gardner, J. K
J/istorv of Cameron Coiiiitv.
> to INSII
CHAPTER VI.-MlLITAi
troductory— War Meetiii
Cameron County riini|i;ii]
First Cavalry— l.u hi X i"
V. I— One film. I
—One Himdri-c I : .
One Humlreil ;iii -
Miscellaneous
CHAPTER VII -.1-1 i:-
TIOX — PHYSII IA\ I
TioN-s — Kati.i:..m.- -
Cmzen-Tli.- ITrs. | h..
Year I
Instltu
Others
ciety.
Societii
Religln
Salt Ml
B.,N. ^
stt'rllns ami Drift-
hklucation — Early
I ounty Superintencl-
riiitendent Pearsall
1SS.S— The Teachers'
— Dr. Kincaid and
I (lunty Medical So-
itinm — Agricultural
Association — Seini-
'x'aifroads — Road to
. & P. R. R.— mscellaneous.
R. R.-The
CHAPTER Till.— Shippen Township-
Borough OF Emporium.— SMppen Town-
ship— ^omiiisiri and Area— General Topog-
raphy—Population and Assessments— March
Elections, 1S61— Pioneer Days and Homes-
Lumber and mils- Oil Well, Coal Mining
and Other Ventures— Internal Improve-
ments— Miscellaneous. Borough of Emj)o-
rium— Its Early History— Municipal Affairs
—Postmasters and Postofflces— Fire Depart-
ment—Water Company— Banli— Manufact-
ures— Societies— Churches— Schools — Fires
—Flood of 1880— Conclusion 8(JG-900
Page.
li M'TIl: 1\ Cii -..s '\\.n N<iiM— HOR-
,.i .,(, ,.i iMMi IM....I. -.,,;,...„ l,.u-nHhlp
- r...iiii.l,ii V ^ ..,!i.l Ai. ;i i;i. AaiiMiis and
Election, l.S+4— Miscellaneous. "Bnrnuyh of
iri/f icood- Origin of the Place— Some First
Things— Incorporation— Municipal Affairs-
The Place in lS7fi— Manufactures, Fires,
Floods, etc.— Hotels— Churches— Schools—
Sdi.ii.tirsall.l Ass....iati(.Ms— Cullrllisinll ,000-910
■HArii:i; \,-r,\:,.\y r.,HN~iii|..-(,Torc
Survey and Sale c.f
Apple Tree— First
Hotels — Mails — E
Church, etc.— Societ
CHAPTER XI. -Li
Boundary — Topo;;i
Assessment— Electii
.S'fcr^i/if/— Origin an.
etc. t'ame-
t-ment- Fires,
elusion
CHAPTER XIII.
lU'iGRAPHICAL SkETCH-
."xsHip AXD Borough
1— i;rove. Lumber .\nd
\SHIPS 051J-075
Biog-rapliical Sketches.
and Borough of Dritt\yooa . 052
Cochran. ,T. W
Eaii, .JohnT
Felt, J. P
Gould, C. B
HeilmanR. P., M. D.
Historv of Potter Coiintv
formatimi r.i^-iK iiii.l Miaia. .-t.'. I.niii
lierinu- liiaiit Saw-inilN-l.uiiLlirr (alu|l^-
Experiencfs of the Woodsman— Tecluiii-al
itles of the Trade— Rafting and " Driving '
—Cyclones and Natural Phenomena 071
C HAPTEI
History
Stoi ehous
tleis Mm
—Religious
:onis ind
Pioneer
! 9159-1004
CONTENTS.
Paoe.
lat'cs— Elei-tidiis in Kcbniaiy. Isiiii— Ccne-
see Forks— Postmasters— Orclers and Soui-
eties luSl-1084
Hotels. Mills.
CHAPTI
OUGH
Populii
Post -I
Eesid^
Mattr
I/.; Townsliip
iri(tn — Assess-
irst Things—
ii..ns in Feb-
■. llOi-1109
;TX.— PoRT.\r,K Township-
chapter XI
(leoloKy of till
ulation anil \
NumlH-r ..r V
Reli^'ii.ii — Ml
CHAPTKi: M
Plk.\sam \
Township— U-
ers and Earl\
etc.— Election
Tnwiu<liip—\ >■■
tion— KosidiMi
CHAPTER XXII.— SHARny TOWNSHIP.—
Geological and Geograplucal— The Bouklers
Valualjle Stone— Nature's Freaks— Kelu's-
CHAPTER XXIV. -BlO(
SKETCHE.S.— EUL.\T.I.\ To'
Borough of Couderspoh
CHAPTER XX\'.-Ui..(;KAi'ri
ToVxsHii's '
Abbot and
•ike. West
STEWARUSOjr
121S-122T
-Biographical
i;S TOWXSHIP AND
ILLE. ALLEGHEXr,
SAJJT VAL-
122S-1251
Plea
lOGRAPHICAL
•TE, Homer. Por-
H OF Austin) and
IPS 1251-1201
Bio^ratytiical S/cefc/ic
Abbot Township
122.'i
Osw:ivo
Kiilalia InuiiMiip ami Borougli of Cm
....1243
...1107
:r,.,iji7
l~',-,7
Port:i./.
(;rii,..r,.-r,i,Mi.i,i|,
ll:iilisui]|M\uiship
llHinm T.>wii>Uip
Hector Townsliip
w.-t i;
Wliart.i
of Lewisvllle.1228
, & Co. iview of tannery), facing 112
OutUne map of McKean. Potter, Cameron, Elli, Forest anrl Warren Counties
Table showing the vote of Governors of Pennsylvania since the organization of the State.
Map showing the various purchases from the Indians
m
i^a
?J^^A ^..
McKEAN,
POTTER,
CAMERON,
ELK,
FOREST, and
WARREN COUNTIES,
PENNSYLVANIA.
IXTRODUCTORV.
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
First Settlers along the Delaivare— Williaji Penx— His Early Diffi-
culties— Dissexsioxs IX THE COLOXY— PeXN'S SECOXD ^'ISIT TO THE
Provixce — AccESSiox OF GovERXOR Keitii — Frexcii axd Ixdtax Wai: —
Franklin's Missiox to Exglaxu— The Boi'xdary Lixe— Struggle for
Independence — Convention of 1787— Constitution of 1790— Whisky
Insurrectiox— Stone Coal— Convention of 1837— Pennsylvania in the
War of the Rebellion— Subse(,iuent Events.
THE region which is now known as Pennsylvania was, prior to the coming
of Europeans, a vast forest, inhabited by its native Indians. The uncer-
tain traditions which these people have preserved of themselves have often
been recorded, and their sad history since the advent of the white man is
well known.
Early in the seventeenth century the region watered by the Delaware river
was visited by Dutch traders. Such was their success that posts were estali-
lished and trade was kept up during some years. They did not seek to estab-
lish colonies for the cultivation of the soil, but limited themselves to the
profitable exchange of commodities with the natives. They were followed by
the Swedes, who established settlements along the river and brought hither
the habits of industry and thrift in which they had been reared at home. Be-
tween the Swedes and the Dutch arose conflicts of authority and hostilities
which finally resulted in the subjugation of the former. The Dutch were in
turn dispossessed by the diplomacy and arms of the aggressive English, who
became masters of the territory along the Delaware in 1664.
William Penn became a trustee and finally a part owner of West New
Jersey, which was cJlonized by Quakers in 167"). To his father. Admiral
Penn, was due, at his death, the sum of £16,000 for services rendered the
English government. The son petitioned to Charles II to grant him, in liqui-
dation of this debt, a tract of land in America lying north of Maryland,
bounded east by the Delaware river, on the west limited as Maryland, and
northward to extend as far as plautable.
The charter of King Charles II was dated April 2, 16S1, and other grants
to lands south from the territory originally conveyed were procured in 1(58'2.
Not being in readiness to go to his province during the first year, he dis-
patched three ship-loads of settlers, and with them sent his cousin, William
Markham, to take formal possession of the country and act as dep.uty-governor.
It is hardly necessary to say that these settlers were of the then proscribed sect of
Quakers. Having made the necessary preparations and settled his affairs in
England. Penn embarked on the ship "Welcome," in August, 1682, in com-
pany with a hundred' planters, and set his prow toward the new world. He
arrived at New Castle in October, and on the site of Philadelphia in Novemlier
of that year. The arrival of Markham and Penn, with their colonists, on the
west bank of the Delaware was the inauguration of a new regime there; that
of the people who had never before enjoyed such a measure of self government
18 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
By reason of ignorance of the geography of this country the language of
royal grants was often ambiguous, and sometimes the descriptions covered ter-
ritory that had been previously granted. Conflicts of claims then arose that
■were sometimes difficult of settlement. Soon after his arrival Penn learned of
such a conflict in the claims of himself and Lord Baltimore, and he visited the
latter to adjust the matter, if possible. In this he was not successful. Sub-
sequent attempts to negotiate also failed, and finally Penn proposed to pay
Lord Baltimore for territory which he had already purchased from the crown.
This Lord Baltimore refused, and soon afterward made forcible entry on the
lands claimed, and drove off 'those who had purchased from Penn. The latter
also learned that secret and ex-parte representations of the case had been made
to the lords of the committee of plantations in England, and he decided to
return and defend his imperiled interests.
He accordingly empowered the provincial council, of which Thomas Lloyd
was president, to act in his stead; commissioned Nicholas Moore, William
Welch, William Wood, Eobert Turner and John Eckley provincial judges for
two years; appointed Thomas Lloyd, James Clay pole and Robert Turner to
sign land patents and warrants; and William Clark as justice of the jieace for all
the counties, and on the 6th of June, 1684, sailed for England, where his efPorts
were successful, though the boundary line was not definitely fixed till 1766. In
his absence the affairs of his province exhibited the great need of his strong
giiiding hand to check abuse, and direct the course of legislation in proper
channels.
He had labored to place the government in the hands of the people, an
idea most attractive in the abstract, and one which, were the entire population
wise and just, would result fortunately; yet, in practice, he found to his
sorrow the results most vexatious. The proprietor had not long been gone
before troubles arose between the two houses of the legislature relative to pro-
mulgating the laws as not being in accordance with the requirements of the
charter. Nicholas Moore, the chief justice, was impeached for irregularities
in imposing fines and in other ways abusing his high trust. But though
formally arraigned and directed to desist from exercising his functions, he
.successfully resisted the proceedings, and a final judgment was never obtained.
Patrick Robinson, clerk of the court, for refusing to produce the records in
the trial of Moore, was voted a public enemy. These fj-.-oubles in the govern-
ment were the occasion of much grief to Penn, who wrote naming a number
of the most influential men in the colony, and beseeching them to unite in an
endeavor to check further irregularities, declaring that they disgraced the
province, "that their conduct had struck back hundreds, and was ten thousand
pounds out of his way, and one hundred thousand pounds out of the country. "
In the latter part of the year 1686, seeing that the whole council was too
unwieldy a body to exercise executive power, Penn determined to contract the
number, and accordingly appointed Thomas Lloyd, Nicholas Moore, James
Claypole, Robert Turner and John Eckley, any three of whom should consti-
tute a quorum, to be commissioners of State to act for the proprietor. In
place of Moore and Claypole, Arthur Cook and John Simcock were appointed.
They were to compel the attendance of the council; see that the two houses
adm"it of no parley; to abrogate all laws except the fundamentals; to dismiss
the asseml)ly and call a new one; and finally he solemnly admonishes them:
"Be most just, as in the sight of the all-seeing, all-searching God." In a
letter to these commissioners he says: "Three things occurto me eminently:
First, that you be watchful that none abuse the king, etc. ; secondly, that you
get the custom act revived as being the equalest and least offensive way to
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 19
support the government; thirdly, that you retrieve the dignity of courts and
sessions."
Thomas Lloyd acted as president of the council after the departure of
Penn. At his own request he was relieved, and Samuel Carpenter waS ap-
pointed in his place, with Thomas Ellis as alternate. July 27, 1688, Penn
commissioned John Blackwell, who was at that time in New England, and
who possessed his esteem and confidence, to be lieutenant-governor. With the
commission the proprietor sent full instructions, chiefly by way of caution, the
last one being: ' ' Rule the meek meeklj'; and those that will not be ruled, rule
with authority." Though Lloyd had been relieved of power, he still remained
in the council, probably because neither of the persons designated was willing
to serve. Having seen the evils of a many-headed executive, he had recom-
mended the appointment of one person to exercise executive authority. It was
in conformity with this advice that Blackwell was appointed. He met the
assembly in March, 1689; but either his conceptions of business were arbitrary
and imperious, or the assembly had become accustomed to great latitude and
lax discipline, for the business had not proceeded far before the several
branches of the government were at variance. Lloyd refused to give up the
great seal, alleging that it had been given him for life. The governor, arbi-
trarily and without warrant of law, imprisoned officers of high rank, denied
the validity of all laws passed by the assembly previous to his administration,
and set on foot a project for organizing and equipping the militia under the
plea of threatened hostility of France. The assembly attempted to arrest his
proceedings, but he shrewdly evaded their intents by organizing a party among
the members, who persistently absented themselves. His reign was short, for
in January, 1690, he left the colony and sailed away for England; whereupon
the government again devolved upon the council, Thomas Lloyd, president.
Penn had a high estimation of the talents and integrity of Blackwell, and
adds : ' ' He is in England and Ireland of great repute for ability, integrity and
virtue. ' '
Penn's favor at court during the reign of James II caused him to be
suspected of disloyalty to the government when William and Mary had come
to the throne. He was three times arraigned before the lords of the council,
but was each time acquitted. He organized a large party of settlers for his
colony, but a great t?ccusation compelled him to abandon the voyage, and in-
duced him to go into retirement for two or three years. His personal griev-
ances in England were the least which he suffered. For lack of guiding
influence, bitter dissensions had sprung up in his colony, which threatened the
loss of all. Desiring to secure i^eace. he had commissioned Thomas Lloyd
deputy-governor of the province, and William Markham deputy-governor of
the lower counties. Penn' s grief on account of this division is disclosed in a
letter to a friend in the province : "I left it to them to choose either the gov-
ernment of the council, five commissioners, or a deputy. "What could be
tenderer? Now I perceive Thomas Lloyd is chosen by the three tipper, but
not the three lower, counties, and sits down with this broken choice. This
has grieved and wounded me and mine, I fear, to the hazard of all! * * *
for else the governor of New York is like to have all, if he has it not already."
But the trouliles of Penn in America were not confined to civil affairs.
His religious society was torn with dissension. George Keith, a man of con-
siderable power in argumentation, but of over-weaning self-conceit, attacked
the Friends for the laxity of their discipline, and drew off some followers. So
venomous did he become that on the 20th of April, 1692, a testimony of
denial was drawn up against him at a meeting of ministers, wherein he and his
20 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
condxict were publicly disowned. This was coutirmed at the next yearly meet-
ing. He drew off large numbers and set up an independent society, who
termed themselves Christian Quakers. Keith appealed from this action of the
American church to the yearly meeting in London, but was so intemperate in
speech that the action of the American church was confirmed. Penn was
silenced, and thrown into retirement in England. It can be readily seen what
an excellent opportu.nity these troubles in America, the separation in the gov-
ernment and the schism in the church, gave his enemies to attack him. They
represented that he had neglected his colony by remaining in England and
meddling with matters in which he had no business; that the colony in conse-
quence had fallen into great disorder, and that he should be deprived of his
proprietary rights. These complaints had so much weight with William and
Mary that on the 21st of October, 1692, they commissioned Benjamin Fletcher,
governor of New York, to take Ihe province and territories under his govern-
ment. There was another motive operating at this time, more potent than
those mentioned above, to induce the king and queen to put the government
of Pennsylvania under the governor of New York. The French and Indians
from the north were threatening the English. Already the expense for defense
had become burdensome to New York. It was believed that to ask aid for the
common defense from Penn, with his peace principles, woiild be fruitless, Init
that through the influence of Gov. Fletcher, as executive, an appropriation
might be secured.
Through the kind offices of Lords Rochester, Ranelagh, Sidney and
Somers, the Duke of Buckingham and Sir John Trenehard, the king was
asked to hear the case of William Penn, against whom no charge was proven,
and who would two years before have gone to his colony had he not supposed
that he would have iDeen thought to go in defiance of the government. King
William answered that William Penn was his old acquaintance as well as
theirs, that he might follow his business as freely as ever, and that he had
nothing to say to him. Penn was accordingly reinstated in his government by
letters patent dated on the '20th of August, 1094, whereupon he commissioued
William Markham lieutenant-governor.
Free from harassing persecutions at last, and in favor at court, Penn deter-
mined to remove with his family to Pennsylvania, and now with the expecta-
tion of living and dying here. Accordingly in Jul}', 16&9, he set sail, and, on
accoiint of adverse winds, was three months tossed about upon the ocean.
Great joy was everywhere manifested throughout the province at the arrival of
the j)roprietor and his family, fondly believing that he had now come to stay.
He met the assembly soon after landing, but, it being an inclement season, he
only detained them long enough to pass two measures aimed against piracy
and illicit trade, exaggerated reports of which having been spread broadcast
through the kingdom had caused him great uneasiness and vexation. In Feb-
ruary, 1701, he met the most renowned and powerful of the Indian chieftains
from the Potomac to the Onondagas of the Five Nations, and entered into a
formal treaty of active friendship with them.
Several sessions of the Legislature were held in which great harmony pre-
vailed, and mitch attention was given to revising and recomposing the consti-
tution. But in the midst of their labors for the improvement of the organic
law, intelligence was brought to Penn that a bill had been introduced in the
house of lords for reducing all the proprietary governments in America to
regal ones, under pretense of advancing the prerogative of the crown, and the
national advantage. Sttch of the owners of land in Pennsylvania as hap
pened to be in England remonstrated against action ttpon the bill until Penu
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 21
could return and be heard, and wrote to him urging his immediate comino-
hither. Though much to his disappointment and sorrow, he determined to go
immediately thither. He promptly called a session of the assembly, and in
his message to the two houses said: " * * * review again your laws, pro-
pose new ones, and you will find me ready to comply with whatsoever may ren-
der us happy, by a nearer union of our interests." The assembly returned a
suitable response, and then proceeded to draw up twenty-one articles. The
first related to the appointment of a lieutenant-governor. Penn jsroposed
that the assembly should choose one. But this they declined, preferring that
he should appoint one. Little trouble was experienced in settling everything
broached, except the union of the province and lower counties. Penn used
his liest endeavors to reconcile them to the union, but without avail. The new
constitution was adopted on the 28th of October, 1701. The instrument pro-
vided for the union, but in a supplementary article, evidently granted with
great reluctance, it was provided that the province and the territories might be
separated at any time within three years. As his last act before leaving, he pre-
sented the city of Philadelphia, now grown to be a considerable place, and
always an object of his affectionate regard, with a charter of privileges. As
his deputy he ajapointed Andrew Hamilton, one of the proprietors of East
New Jersey, and sometime governor of both East and West Jersey; and for
secretary of the province and clerk of the council he selected James Logan, a
man of singular urbanity and strength of mind, and withal a scholar. Penn
set sail for Europe on the 1st of Novemtier, 1701. Soon after his arrival, on
the ISth of January, 1702. King AVilliam died, and Anne of Denmark suc-
ceeded him.
(tov. Hamilton's administration continued only till December, 1702, when
he died. He was earnest in his endeavors to induce the territories to unite
with the province, they having as yet not accepted the new charter, alleging
that they had three years in which to make their decision, but without success.
He also organized a military force, of which George Lowther was commander,
for the safety of the colony. The executive authority now devolved upon the
council, of which Edward Shippen was president. Conflict of authority, and
contention over the due interpretation of some provisions of the new charter,
prevented the accomplishment of much, by way of legislation, in the assembly
which convened in i703; though in this body it was finally determined that
the lower counties should thereafter act separately in a legislative capacity.
The separation proved final, the two bodies never again meeting in common.
Though the bill to govern the American colonies by regal authority failed,
yet the clamor of those opposed to the proprietary governors was so strong
that an act was finally passed requiring the selection of deptities to have the
royal assent. Hence, in choosing a successor to Hamilton, he was obliged to
consider the queen's wishes. John Evans, a man of parts, of "Welsh extraction,
only twenty-six years old, a member of the queen's household, and not a
Quaker, nor even of exemplary morals, was appointed, who arrived in the col-
ony in December, 1703. He was accompanied by William Penn, Jr., who was
elected a member of the council, the number having been increased by author-
ity of the governor, probably with a view to his election. The first care of
Evans was to finite the province and the lower counties, though the final sepa-
ration had been agreed to. He presented the matter so well that the lower
counties, fi-om which the difiiculty had always come, were willing to return to
a firm iinion. . But now the provincial assembly, having become impatient of
the obstacles thrown in the way of legislation by the delegates from these coun-
ties, was unwilling to receive them. They heucoforward remained separate in
22 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
a legislative capacity, though still a part of Pennsylvania, under the claim of
Penn, and ruled by the same governor; and thus they continued until the 2()th
of September, 1776, when a constitution was adopted, and they vpere pro-
claimed a separate State under the name of Delaware. During two years of
the government of Evans, there was ceaseless discord between the council,
headed by the governor and Secretary Logan on the one side, and the assem-
bly led by David Lloyd, its speaker, on the other, and little legislation was
effected.
In conjunction with the legislature of the lower counties, Evans was instru-
mental in having a law passed for the imposition of a tax on the tonnage of
the river, and the erection of a fort near the town of New Castle for compel-
ling obedience. This was in direct violation of the fundamental compact, and
vexatious to commerce. It was at length forcibly resisted, and its imposition
abandoned. His administration was anything but efficient or peaceful, a series
of contentions, of charges and counter-charges, having been kept up between
the leaders of the two factions, Lloj'd and Logan, which he was powerless to
properly direct or control. He was relieved in 1709.
The experience with Gov. Evans led the proprietor to select a more sedate
character in his successor. After considering the candidature of his son for a
time, the founder finally selected Charles Gookin, who was reputed to be a man
of wisdom and prudence, though, as was afterward learned to the sorrow of
the colony, he was siibject to fits of derangement, which toward the close of
his term were exhibited in the most extravagant acts. He had scarcely arrived
in the colony before charges were prepared against the late governor, and he
was asked to institute criminal proceedings, which he declined. This was the
occasion of a renewal of contentions between the governor and his council and
the assembly, which continued during the greater part of his administration.
In the midst of them, Logan, who was at the head of the council, having de-
manded a trial of the charges against him, and failed to secure one, sailed for
Europe, where he presented the difficulties experienced in administering the
government so strongly, that Penn was seriously inclined to sell his interest in
the colony. He had already greatly crippled his estate by expenses he had
incurred in making costly presents to the natives and in settling his colony, for
which he had received small return. In the year 1707 he had become involved
in a suit in chancer}^ with the executors of his former steward, in the course of
which he was confined in the Old Bailey during this and a part of the follow-
ing year, when he was obliged to mortgage his colony in the sum of £G,GOO to
relieve himself. Foreseeing the great consequence it would be to the crown
to bu}' the rights of the proprietors of the several English colonies in America
before they would grow too powerful, negotiations had been entered into early
in the reign of ^^'illiam and Mary for their pui'chase, especially the "fine
province of Mi;. Penn." Borne down by these troubles and by debts and liti-
gations at home, Penn seriously entertained the p)roposition to sell in 1712,
and offered it for £20,000. The sum of £12,000 was offered on the part of
the crown, which was agreed upon; but before the necessary papers were ex-
ecuted, he was stricken down with apoplexy, by which he was incapacitated
for transacting any business, and a stay was put to further proceedings until
the queen should order an act of parliament for consummating the purchase.
A year ))efore the death of Penn, the lunacy of Gov. Gookin having become
troublesome, he was succeeded in the government by Sir William Keith, a
Scotchman, who had served as surveyor of customs to the English govermeut,
in which capacity he had visited Pennsylvania previously, and knew something
of its conclitinn. He was a man of dignified and commanding bearing.
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 23
endowed with cunning, of an accommodatiDg policy, full of faithful promises,
and usually found upon the stronger side. Hence, upon his arrival in the
colony, he did not summon the assembly immediately, assigning as a reason in
his first message that he did not wish to inconvenience the country members
by calling them in harvest time. The disposition thus manifested to favor the
people, and his advocacy of popular rights on several occasions in opposition
to the claims of the proprietor, gave great satisfaction to the popular branch of
the legislature, which manifested its appreciation of his conduct by voting him
liberal salaries, which had often been withheld from his less accommodating
predecessors. By his artful and insinuating policy, he induced the assembly
to pass two acts which had previously met with uncompromising opposition —
one to establish a court of equity, with himself as chancellor (the want of
which had been seriously felt), and another for organizing the militia. Though
the soil was fi'uitful and produce was plentiful, yet, for lack of good markets,
and on account of the meagerness of the circulating medium, prices were very
low, the toil and sweat of the husbandman being little rewarded, and the taxes
and payments on land were met with great difficulty. Accordingly, arrange-
ments were made for the appointment of inspectors of jirovisions, who from a
conscientious discharge of duty soon caused the Pennsylvania brands of best
products to be much sought for. and to command ready sale at highest prices
in the West Indies, whither most of the surplus produce was exported. A
provision was also made for the issue of a limited amount of paper money, on
the establishment of ample securities, which tended to raise the value of the
products of the soil and of manufactures, and encourage industry.
Though Gov. Keith, during the early part of his term, pursued a pacific
policy, yet the interminable quarrels which had been kept up between the
assembly and council during previous administrations at length broke out
with more virulence than ever, and he who in the first flush of power had
declared that "he should pass no laws, nor transact anything of moment relat-
ing to the public affairs, without the advice and approbation of the council,"
took it upon himself finally to act independently of the council, and even went
so far as to dismiss the able and trusted representative of the proprietary in-
terests, James Logan, president of the council and secretary of the province,
from the duties of his high office, and even refused the request of Hannah
Penn, the real goverAor of the province, to reinstate him. This unwarrant-
able conduct cost him his dismissal from office in July, 1726.
Upon the recommendation of Springett Penn, who was now the prospective
heir to Pennsylvania, Patrick Gordon was appointed and confirmed lieuten-
ant-governor in place of Keith, and arrived in the colony and assumed
authority in July, 1726. He had served in the army, and in his first address
to the assembly, which he met in August, he said that as he had been a
soldier he knew nothing of the crooked ways of professed politicians, and must
rely on a straightforward manner of transacting the duties devolving upon
him. George I died in June, 1727, and the assembly at its meeting in Oc-
tober prepared and forwarded a congratulatory address to his successor, George
II. By the decision of the court in chancery in 1727, Hannah Penn's authority
over the colony was at an end, the proprietary interest having descended to
John, Richard and Thomas Penn, the only surviving sons of William Penn,
Sr. This period, from the death of Penn in 1718 to 1727, one of the most
prosperous in the history of the colony, was familiarly known as the " Reign
of Hannah and the Boys."
In 1732 Thomas Penn, the youngest son, and two years later John Penn,
the eldest, and the only American born, arrived in the province, and were
24: HISTOKY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
receivoil with ,every mark of respect and satisfaction. Soon after the arrival
of tlie latter, news was brought that Lord Baltimore had made application to
have the proviaces transferred to his colony. A vigorous protest was made
against this by Quakers in England,- headed by Richard Penn; but lest this
protest might prove ineffectual, John Penn very soon went to England to
defend the proprietary rights at court, and never again returned, he having
died a bachelor in 1740. In August, 1736, Gov. Gordon died, deeply lamented
as an honest, upright and straightforward executive, a character which he
expressed the hope he would be able to maintain when he assumed authority.
His term had been one of prosperity, and the colony had grown rapidly in
numbers, trade, commerce and manufactures, ship-building especially having
assumed extensive proportions.
James Logan was president of the council, and in effect governor during
the two years which elapsed between the death of Gordon and the arrival of
his successor. During this period troubles broke out on the Maryland border,
west of the Susquehanna. The question of boundary was involved in these
difficulties, but the troubles were quelled by an order of the king and council.
George Thomas, a planter from the West Indies, was appointed governor
in 1737, but did not arrive in the colony till the following year. His inter-
course with the assembly was not at first harmonious, but became more so on
his relinquishmeat of the coercive policy which he at first adopted. After the
death of John Tenu, the eldest of the proprietors, he retired from the duties
of his office because of declining health.
Anthony Palmer was president of the council at the time of the withdrawal
of Thomas, and became acting governor. He continued at the head of the
government about two years. He was a wealthy retired merchant from the
"West Indies, and had come into the colony in 170S.
On the 23d of November, 1748, James Hamilton arrived in the colony from
England, bearing the commission of lieutenant-governor. He was bom in
America, a son of Andrew Hamilton, who had for many years been speaker of
the assembly. The Indians west of the Susquehanna had complained that set-
tlers had come upon their best lands, and were acquiring titles to them, where-
as the proprietors had never purchased these lands of them and had no claim
to them. The first care of Hamilton was to settle these disputes, and allay
the rising excitement of the natives. Richard Peters, secretary of the colony,
a man of great prudence and ability, was sent in company with the Indian
interpreter, Conrad Weiser, to remove the intruders. It was firmly and fear-
lessly done, the settlers giving up their tracts and the cabins which they had
built, and aceejsting lands on the east side of the river. The hardship was, in
many cases, great, but when they were in actual need the secretary gave money
and ])laced them on lands of his own, having secured a tract of two millions
of acres.
But these troubles were of small consequence compared with those that
were threatening from the "West. The French were determined to occcupy the
whole territory drained by the Mississippi, including that on the Ohio, by force
of arms, and a body of one hundred and fifty men, of which Washington was
second in command, was sent to the support of the settlers there; but the
French having the Allegheny river at flood-tide on which to move, and "Wash-
ington, without means of transportation, having a rugged and mountainous
country to overcome, the former first reached the point of destination, Con-
traca-ur, the French commander, with 1,000 men and field pieces on a fleet of
sixty boats and 300 canoes, dropped down the Allegheny and easily seized the
fort then being constructed by the Ohio Company at its mouth, and proceeded
HISTORY OF I'ENXSYLVANIA. 2o
to erect there an elaborate work which he called Fort Du Quesne, after the
governor-general. Informed of this proceeding, "Washington pushed forward,
and finding that a detachment of the French was in his immediate neighbor-
hood he made a forced march by night, and coming upon them unawares killed
and captured the entire party save one. Ten of the French, including their
commander, Jumonville, were killed, and twenty-one made prisoners. Col.
Fry, the commander of the Americans, died at Will's creek, where the com-
mand devolved on Washington. Though re -enforcements had been dispatched
from the several colonies in response to the urgent a^ipeals of Washington,
none reached him but one company of 100 men iTuder Capt. Mackay, from
South Carolina. Knowing that he was confronting a vastly suj^erior force of
the French, well supplied with artillery, he threw up works at a point called
the Great Meadows, which he characterizes as a " charming field for an encoun-
ter," naming bis hastily built fortification Fort Necessity. Stung by the loss
of their leader, the French came out in strong force and soon invested the
place. Unfortunately one part of Washington's position was easily com-
manded by the artillery of the French, which they were not slow in taking
advantage of. The action opened on the 3d of July, and was continued until
late at night. A capitulation was ^Jroposed by the French commander, which
Washington reluctantlj' accepted, seeing all hopes of re-enforcements reaching
him cut off, and on the 4th of July marched out with the honors of war and
fell back to Fort Cumberland. Gov. Hamilton had strongly recommended,
before hostilities oj)ened, that the assembly should provide for defense and
establish a line of block-houses along the frontier. But the assembly, while
willing to vote money for buying peace from the Indians, and contributions to
the British Crown, from which protection was claimed, was unwilling to con-
tribute directly for even defensive warfare. In a single year £8.000 were voted
to Indian gratuities. The proprietors were appealed to to aid in bearing this
burden. But, while they were willing to contribute liberally for defense, they
would give nothing for Indian gratuities They sent to the colony cannons
to the value of £400.
In February, 1753, John Penn, grandson of the founder, son of .Richard,
arrived in the colony, and as a mark of respect was immediately chosen a mem-
ber of the council, and made its president. In consequence of the defeat of
Washington at FoA Necessity, Gov. Hamilton convened the assembly in extra
session on the Gth of August, at which money was freely voted; but owing to
the instructions given by the proprietors to their deputy-governor not to sign
any money bill that did not place the whole of the interest at their disposal,
the action of the assembly was abortive.
Finding himself in a false position by the repugnant instructions of the pro-
prietors. Gov. Hamilton had given notice in 1753, that at the end of twelve
months from its reception, he would resign. Accordingly, in October, 1754,
he was succeeded by Robert Hunter Morris, son of Lewis Morris, chief justice
of New York and New Jersey, and governor of New Jersey. The son was bred
a lawyer, and was for twenty-six years a counselor, and for twenty chief jus-
tice of New Jersey. The assembly at its first session voted a money bill for
£40,000, but not having the proviso required by the proiwietors it was vetoed.
Determined to push military operations, the British government had called
early in the year for three thousand volunteers from Pennsylvania, with sub-
sistence, camp equipage and transportation, and had sent two regiments of the
line, under Gen. Braddock, from Cork, Ireland. Landing at Alexandria, Va.,
he marched to Frederick, Md., where, finding no supplies of transportation, he
halted. The assembly of Pennsylvania had voted to borrow £5,000, on its
26 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
owa account, for the use of tbe crown in prosecuting the campaign, and had
seat Franklin, who was then postmaster-general for the colonies, to Braddock
to aid in prosecuting the expedition. Finding that the army was stopped for
lack of transportation, Franklin returned into Pennsylvania, and by his com-
manding influence soon secured the necessary wagons and beasts of burden.
Braddock had formed extravagant plans for his campaign. He would
march forward and reduce Fort Du Quesne, thence proceed against Fort
Niagara, having conquered which he would close a season of triumphs by the
capture of Fort Frontignac. But this is not the first time in warfare that tlie
result of a campaign has failed to realize the promises of the manifesto. Accus-
tomed to the discipline of military establishments in old, long settled coun-
tries, Braddock had little conception of making war in a wilderness with only
Indian trails to move upon, and against wily savages. Washington had advised
to push forward with pack-horses, and by rapidity of movement forestall ample
preparation. But Braddock had but one way of soldiering, and where roads
did not exist for wagons he stoj^ped to fell the forest and construct bridges
over streams. The French, who were kept advised of every movement, made
ample preparations to receive him. In the meantime Washington fell sick; but
intent on being up for the battle, he hastened forward as soon as sufficiently
recovered, and only joined the army on the day before the fatal engagement.
He had never seen much of the pomp and circum.stance of war, and when on
the morning of the Dth of July the army of Braddock marched on across the
Monongahela, with gay colors flying and martial music awakening the echoes
of the forest, he was accustomed in after years to speak of it as the ' ' most
magnificent spectacle ' ' that he had ever beheld. But the gay pageant was
destined to be of short duration; for the army had only marched a little dis-
tance before it fell into an ambuscade skillfully laid by the French and Indians,
and the forest resounded with the unearthly whoop of the Indians and the con-
tinuous roar of musketry. The advance was checked and thrown into confusion
by the French from their well-chosen jiosition, and every tree upon the flanks
of the long drawn outline concealed a murderous foe, who with unerring aim
picked off the officers. A resolute defense was made and the battle raged with
great fury for three hours; but the fire of the English was ineffectual because
directed against an invisible foe. Finally, the mounted officers having all
fallen, killed or wounded, except Washington, the survivor^ being left without
leaders were seized with a panic, and ' ' they ran, ' ' says Washington, ' ' before
the French and Indians like sheep before dogs. ' '
Gov. Morris made an earnest appeal to the assembly for money to ward
off the imjjending enemy and protect the settlers, in response to which the
assembly voted £50,000; but having no exemj^tion of the 2~>i'oprietor' s estates
it was rejected by the governor, in accordance with his original instructions.
Expeditions undertaken against Nova Scotia and at Grown Point were more
fortunate than that before Du Quesne, and the assembly voted £15,000 in
bills of credit to aid in defraying the expense. The proprietors sent £5,000
as a gratuity, not as any part of expense that could of right be claimed of
them. In this pressing emergency, while the governor and assembly wore
waging a fruitless war of words over money bills, the pen of Franklin was
busy in infusing a wholesome sentiment in the minds of the people. In a
pamphlet that he issued, which he put in the familiar form of a dialogue, he
answered the objections which had been urged to a legalized militia, and
willing to show his devotion by deeds as well as words, he accepted the com-
mand upon the frontier. By his exertions a respectalile force was raised, and,
thouo-h in the dead of winter, ho commenced the erection of a line of forts
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 27
and block-houses along the whole range of the Kittatinny hills, from the
Delaware to the Potomac, and had them completed and garrisoned with a body
sufficient to withstand any force not provided with artillery. In the sjaring
he turned over the command to Col. Clapham, and returning to Philadelphia
took his seat in the assembly. The governor now declared war against the
Indians, who had established their headquarters thirty miles above Harris'
Ferry, on the Susquehanna, and were busy in their work of robbery and
devastation, having secured the greater portion of the crops of the previous
season of the settlers whom they had killed or driven out. The peace party
strongly objected to the course of the governor, and voluntarily going among
the Indians induced them to bury the hatchet. The assembly which met in
Maj', 1756, prepared a bill with the old clause for taxing the proprietors, as
any other citizens, which the governor was forbidden to approve by his instruc-
tions, "and the two parties were sharpening their wits for another wrangle
over it," when Gov. Morris was superseded by William Denny, who arrived
in the colony and assumed authority on the 20th of August, 1756. He was
joyfully and cordially received, escorted through the streets by the regiments
of Franklin and Dach6, and royally feasted at the State House.
But the promise of efficient legislation was broken by an exhibition of the
new governor's instructions, which provided that every bill for the emission
of money must place the proceeds at the joint disposal of the governor and
assembly; paper currency could not be issued in excess of £40.000, nor could
existing issues be conlirmed unless proprietary rents were paid in sterling
money; proprietary lands were permitted to be taxed which had been actually
leased, provided that the taxes were paid out of the rents, but the tax could
not become a lien upon the land. In the first assembly the contention became
as acrimonious as ever.
The finances of the colony, on account of the repeated failures of the
money bills, were in a deplorable condition. Military operations could not
be carried on, and vigorous campaigns prosecuted, without ready money.
Accordingly, in the first meeting of the assembly after the arrival of the new
governor, a bill was passed levying £100,000 on all property alike, real and
personal, private and proprietary. This Gov. Denny vetoed. Seeing that
money must be had the assembly finally passed a bill exempting the jirojjrie-
tary estates, biit determined to lay their grievances before the crown. To
this end two commissioners, Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, were
appointed to proceed to England and beg the interference of the royal govern-
ment in their behalf. Failing health and business engagements of Norris
prevented his acceptance, and Franklin proceeded alone. He had so often
defended the assembly in public, and in di-awing remonstrances, that the
whole subject was at his fingers' ends. Franklin, upon his arrival in Eng-
land, presented the grievances before the proprietors, and that he might get
his case before the royal advisers and the British public, wrote frequent
articles for the press, and issued a pamphlet entitled "Historical Review of
the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania. ' ' The dispute was adroitly
managed by Franklin before the privy council, and was finally decided sub-
stantially in the interest of the assembly. It was provided that the proi^rie-
tors' estates should be taxed, but that their located uHCultivated lands should
be assessed as low as the lowest uncultivated lands of the settlers; that bills-
issued by the assembly should be receivable in payment of quit -rents, and
that the deputy-governor should have a voice in disposing of the revenues.
Thus was a vexed question of long standing finally put to rest. So success-
^JS HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
tully had Franklin managed this controversy that the colonies of Massa-
chusetts. Maryland and Georgia, appointed him their agent in England.
In October, 1759, James Hamilton was again ajapointed governor, in place
of Gov. Denny, who had by stress of circumstances transcended his instruc-
tions. The British government, considering that the colonies had borne more
than their proportionate expense in carrying on the war against the French
and Indians, voted £200,000 for live years, to be divided among the colonies,
the share falling to Pennsylvania being £20,000.
The boundary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania had long been in
dispute, aud had occasioned serious disturbances among the settlers in the
lifetime of Penn, and repeatedly since. It was not definitely settled until
1700, when a beginning was made of a final adjustment, though so intricate
were the conditions -that the work was prosecuted for seven years by a large
force of surveyors, as men and pioneers. Finally, the proprietors, Thomas
and Richard Penn, and Frederick, Lord Baltimore, entered into an agreement
for the executing of the survey, and John Lukens and Archibald McLean on
the part of the Penns, and Thomas Garnett and Jonathan Hall on the part of
Lord Baltimore, were appointed with a suitable corjjs of assistants to laj' ofP
the lines. After these surveyors had been three j'ears at work, the proprietors
in England, thinking that there was not enough energy and practical and
scientific knowledge manifested by these surveyors, appointed Charles Mason
and Jeremiah Dixon, two mathematicians and surveyors, to proceed to Amer-
ica to take charge of the work. They brought with them the most perfect and
best constructed instruments known to science, arriving in Philadelphia on the
Idtli of November, 1763, and, assisted by some of the old surveyors, entered
upon their work. By the 4th of June, 1706, they had reached the summit of
the Little Allegheny, when the Indians began to be troublesome. They looked
with an evil eye on the mathematical and astronomical instruments, and felt a
secret dread and fear of the consequences of the frequent and long continued
peering into the heavens. The Six Nations were understood to be inimical to
the further progress of the survey. But through the influence of Sir William
Johnson a treaty was concluded, providing for the prosecution of the work
unmolested, and a number of chieftains was sent to accompany the surve3'ing
party. Mason and Dixon now had with them thirty surveyors, fifteen axmen,
and fifteen Indians of consequence. Again the attitude cH the Indians gave
cause of fear, and, on the 2yth of September, twenty-six of the surveyors
abandoned the expedition and returned to Philadelphia. Having reached a
point two hundred and twenty-four miles from the Delaware, and within thirty-
six miles of the western limit of the State, in the bottom of a deep, dark valley
they came ufion a well-worn Indian path, and here the Indians gave notice that
it was the will of the Six Nations that this survey proceed no further. There
was no questioning this authority, and no means at command for resisting, and
accordingly the ]iarty broke up and returned to Philadelphia. And this was
the end of the labors of Mason and Dixon upon this boundary. The line was
marked by stones which were quarried and engraved in England, on one side
having the arms of Penn, and on the opposite those of Lord Baltimore. These
stones were firmly set every five miles. At the end of each intermediate mile
a smaller stone was placed, having on one side engraved the letter P, and on
the opposite the letter M. The remainder of the line was finished and marked
in 1782-8-1: by other surveyors. A vista was cut through the forest .eight yards
in width the whole distance. In 1849 the stone at the northeast corner of
Maryland having been removed, are-survey of the line was ordered, and survey-
ors were appointed by the throe States of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mary-
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 29
land, who called to their aid JaiiipR D. Graham. Sorae few errors were dis-
covered in the old survey, but in the main it was found to be accurate.
John Penn, one son of Richard, and grandson of the founder, had come to
the colony in 1753, and having acted as president of the council, was in 1763
commissioned governor in place of Hamilton.
A difference having arisen between the governor and assembly on the vexed
question of levying money, the assembly passed a series of resolutions advocat-
ing that the ' ' powers of government oiTght to be separated from the power
attending the immense proprietary property, and lodged in the hands of the
king." After an interval of fifty days — that time for reflection and discussion
might be given — the assembly again convened, and adopted a petition praying
the king to assume the direct government of the province, though this policy
was strongly opposed by some of the ablest members, as Isaac Norris and John
Dickinson. The Quaker element was generally in favor of the change.
The great struggle for the independence of the colonies of the British
crown was now close at hand, and the first sounds of the controversy were be-
ginning to be heard. Sir William Keith, that enterprising governor whose
head seemed to have been full of new projects, as early as 1739 had proposed
to lay a uniform tax on stamped paper in all the colonies, to realize funds for
the common defense. Acting upon this hint, Grenville, the British minister,
notified the colonists in 1763 of his purpose to impose such a tax. Against
this they remonstrated. Instead of this, a tax on imports to be paid in coin
was adopted. This was even more distasteful. The assembly of Rhode Island,
in October, 1765, submitted a paper to all the colonial assemblies with a view
to uniting in a common petition to the king against parliamentary taxation.
This was favorably acted on by the assembly of Pennsylvania, and Franklin
was appointed agent to represent their cause before the British parliament.
The stamp act had been passed on the 22d of March, 1765. Its passage ex-
cited bitter opposition, and a resolution asserting that the colonial assemblies
had the exclusive right to levy taxes was passed by the Virginia assembly, and
concurred in by all the others. The Massachusetts assembly proposed a meeting
of delegates in New York on the second Tuesday of October, 1765, to confer
upon the subject. The Pennsylvania assembly adopted the suggestion, and
appointed Messrs. Fox, Morton, Bryan and Dickinson as delegates. This
congress met acciA-ding to the call and adopted a respectful petition to the
king, and a memorial to parliament, which were signed by all the members
and forwarded for presentation by the colonial agents in England. The stamp
act was to go into effect on the 1st of November. On the last day of October, the
newspapers were dressed in mourning, and suspended publication. The pub-
lishers agreed not to use the stamped paper. The people, as with one mind,
determined to dress in homespun, resolved not to use imported goods, and to
stimulate the production of wool the colonists covenanted not to eat lamb for
the space of one year. The result of this policy was soon felt by British man-
ufacturers, who l^ecame clamorous for repeal of the obnoxious measure, and it
was accordingly repealed on the 18th of March, 1760.
Determined in some form to draw a revenue from the colonies, an act was
passed in 1767 to impose a duty on tea, paper, printers' colors and glass. The
assembly of Pennsylvania passed a resolution on the 20th of February, 1768,
instructing its agent in London to urge its repeal, and at the session in May
received and entered upon its minutes a circular letter from the Massachusetts
assembly, setting forth the grounds on which objection to the act should be
urged. This circular occasioned hostile feeling among the ministry, and the
secretary for foreign affairs wrote to Gov. Penn to irrge the assembly to take-
30 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
no notice of it; but if they approved its sentiments, to prorogue their sittings.
This letter was transmitted to the assembly, and soon after one from the Vir-
ginia assembly was presented, urging union of all the colonies in opposing the
several schemes of taxation. This recommendation was adopted, and com-
mittees appointed to draw a petition to the king and to each of the houses of
parliament. To lead public sentiment, and have it well grounded in the argu-
ments used against taxation, John Dickinson, one of the ablest of the Pennsyl-
vania legislators, at this time published a number of articles purporting to
come from a plain farmer, under the title of " Farmer's Letters," which be-
came popular, the idea that they were the work of one in humble life helping
to swell the tide of popularity. They were republished in all the colonies, and
exerted a commanding influence. Alarmed at the unanimity of feelings
against the proposed schemes, and supposing that it was the amount of the
tax that gave offense, parliament reduced the rate of 1769 to one-sixth of the
original sum. and in 1770 abolished it altogether, except threepence a pound on
tea. But it was the principle and not the amount that was objected to, and
at the next session of the assembly in Pennsylvania their agent in London
was directed to urge its repeal altogether.
liichard Penn, son of the founder, died in 1771, whereupon Gov. John
Penn returned to England, leaving the president of the council, James Ham-
ilton, at the head of the government. John Penn, eldest son of Richard, sue
ceeded to the proprietary interests of his father, which he held in conjunction
with his uncle, Thomas, and in October of the same year, Richard, the second
son, was commissioned governor. He held the oifice but about two years, and
in that time won the confidence and esteem of the people; and so much
attached was he to the popular cause that upon his return to England, in 1775,
he was intrusted by congress with the last petition of the colonies ever pre-
sented to the king. In August. 1773, John Penn returned with the commis-
sion of governor, superseding his brother Richard.
To encourage the sale of tea in the colonies and establish the principle of
taxation the export duty was removed. The colonies took the alarm. At a
public meeting called in Philadelphia to consider the subject, on the 18th of
October, 1773, resolutions were adopted in which it was declared: "That the
disposal of their own projserty is the inherent right of freemen; that there can
he no property in that which another can, of right, take fiom us without our
consent; that the claim of parliament to tax America is, in other words, a
claim of right to levy contributions on us at pleasure." The East India Com-
pany now made preparations for sending large importations of tea into the colo-
nies. The ships destined for Philadelphia and New York, on approaching port
and being advised of the exasperated state of public feeling, returned to
England with their cargoes. Those sent to Boston came into the harbor; but
at night a party disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded the vessels, and break-
ing open the packages emptied three hundred chests into the sea. The min-
istry, on being apprised of this act, closed the port of Boston, and subverted
the colonial charter. Early in the year committees of correspondence had
been established in all the colonies by means of which the temper and feeling
in each were well understood by the others, and concert of action was secured.
The hard conditions imposed on the town of Bo.ston and the colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay aroused the sympathy of all; "for," they argued, "we know
not how soon the heavy hand of oppression may be felt by any of us. ' ' At a
meeting held in Philadelphia on the ISth of June, 1774, at which nearly eight
thousand people were convened, it was decided that a continental congress
ought to be held, and appointed a committee of correspondence to communi-
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 31
cate with similar committees in the several counties of Pennsylvania and in tbe
several colonies. On the 15th of July, 1774, delegates from all the counties,
summoned by this committee, assembled in Philadelj^hia, and declared that
there existed an absolute necessity for a colonial congress. They accordingly
recommended that the assembly appoint delegates to such a congress to repre-
sent Pennsylvania, and Joseph Galloway, Samuel Ehoads, George Ross,
Edward Biddle, John Dickinson, Charles Humphries and Thomas Mifflin were
appointed.
On the 4th of September, 1774. the first continental congress assembled in
Philadelphia. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was called to preside, and
Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, was appointed secretary. It was resolved
that no more goods be imported from England, and that unless a pacification
was efFected previously no more colonial produce of the soil be exported thither
after September 10, 1775. A declaration of rights was adopted, and addresses
to the king, the people of Great Britain and of British America were agreed
to, after which the congress adjourned to meet again on the 10th of May, 1775.
In January, same year, another meeting of the county delegates was held
in Philadelphia, at which the action of the colonial congress was approved,
and while a restoration of harmony with the mother country was desired, yet. if
the arbitrary acts of parliament were persisted in, they would at every hazard
defend the " rights and liberties of America." The delegates appointed to
represent the colony in the second congress were Mifflin, Humj^hries, Biddle.
Dickinson, Morton, Franklin, Wilson and Willing.
The government of Great Britain had determined with a strong hand to
compel obedience to its behests. On the 19th of April, 1775, was fought the
battle of Lexington, a blow that was felt alike through all the colonies. The
cause of one was the cause of all. A public meeting was held in Philadelphia,
at which it was resolved to organize military companies in all the counties.
The assembly heartily seconded these views, and engaged to provide for the
pay of the militia while in service. The second congress, which met in Maj",
provided for organizing a Continental army, fixing the quota for Pennsylvania
at 4,300 men. The assembly adopted the recommendation of congress, pro-
vided for arming, disciplining and paying the militia, recommended the organ-
izing of minutemen for service in an emergency, made appropriations for the
defense of the city, and offered a premium on the production of saltpetre.
Complications hourly thickened. Ticonderoga was captured on the 10th of
May, and the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on the 17th of June. On the
15th of June George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the
continental army, supported by four major-generals and eight brigadiers.
The royal governors were now an incumbrance greatly in the way of the
popular movement, as were also the assemblies where they refused to repre-
sent the popular will. Accordingly, congress recommended that the several
colonies should adojat siich government as should " best conduce to the hap
piness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general."
This meant that each colony should set up a government for itself, independent
of the crown. Accordingly, a public meeting was held in Philadelphia, at
which it was resolved that the present assembly is "not competent to the
present exigencies of affairs," and that a new form of government ought to be
adopted as recommended by congress. The city committee of correspondence
called on the county committee to secure the election of delegates to a colonial
meeting for the pui'pose of considering this subject. On the 18th of June the
meeting was held in Philadelj)hia, and was organized by electing Thomas
McKean president. It resolved to call a convention to frame a new constitu-
32 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
tiou, provided the legal fovms to be obseived, and issued an address to the peo-
ple. The convention for framing a new constitution for the colony met on the
15th of July, and was organized by electing Franklin president, and on the
28th of September completed its labors, having framed a new organic law and
made all necessary provisions for putting it into operation. In the meantime
the old proprietary assembly adjourned on the 14th of June to the 2f)th
of August. But a quorum failed to appear, and an adjournment was had to
the 23d of September, when some routine business was attended to, chiefly
providing for the payment of salaries and necessary bills, and on the 28th of
September, after a stormy existence of nearly a century, this assembly, the
creature of Penn, adjourned, never to meet again. With the ending of the
assembly ended the power of Gov. Penn.
The titles of the projDrietors to landed estates were suspended by the action
of the convention, and on the 27th of November, 1779, the legislature passed
an act vesting these estates in the commonwealth, but paying the j)roprietors
a gratuity of £130,000, "in remembrance of the enterprising spirit of the
foimder." This act did not touch the private estates of the proprietors, nor
the tenths of manors. The British government in 1790, in consideration of
the fact thftt it had been unable to vindicate its authority over the colony and
afford protection to the proprietors in the enjoyment of their chartered rights,
voted an annuity of £4,0OO to the heirs and descendants of Penn. This annu-
ity was regularly paid until within a few years, when, on the payment of a
round sLim to the heirs by the British government, the annuity was discon-
tinued.
The convention which framed the constitution appointed a committee of
safety, consisting of twenty-tive members, to whom was intrusted the govern-
ment of the colony until the proposed constitution should be framed and put
in of)eration. Thomas Kittenhouse was chosen president of this body, who
was consequently in effect governor. The new constitution, which was unan-
imously adopted on the 2Sth of September, was to take efPect from its passage.
It jDrovided for an assembly to be elected annually: a supreme executive coun-
cil of twelve members to be elected for a term of three years; assemblymen to
be eligible but four years out of seven, and councilmen but one term in seven
years. Members of congress were chosen by the assembly. The constitution
could not be changed for seven years. It jirovided for th^" election of censors
every seven years, who were to decide whether there was a demand for its
revision. If so, they were to call a convention for the purpose. On the 6th
of Aiigust, 1776, Thomas Wharton. Jr., was chosen president of the council of
safety.
The struggle of the parent country was now fully inaugurated. Parlia-
ment had resolved upon a vigorous campaign, to strike heavy and rapid blows,
and quickly end the war. The iirst campaign had been conducted in Massa-
chusetts and, by the efficient conduct of Washington, Gen. Howe, the leader
of the British, was compelled to capitulate and withdraw to Halifax in March,
1776. On the 28th of June Sir Henry Clinton, with a strong detachment in
conjunction with Sir Peter Parker of the navy, made a combined land and
naval attack upon the defenses of Charleston harbor, where he was met by
Gen. William Moultrie, with the Carolina militia, and after a severe battle, in
which the British fleet was roughly handled, Clinton withdrew and returned
to New York, whither the main body of the British army, under Gen. Howe,
had come, and where Admiral Howe, with a large fleet directly from England,
joined them. This foimidable power, led by the best talent in the British
army, Washington coidd muster no adequate force to oppose, and he was
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 33
obliged to "withdraw from Long Island, from New York, from Harlem, frcjm
White Plains, to cross into New Jersey, and abandon position after position
until he had reached the right bank of the Delaware on Pennsylvania soil. A
heavy detachment under Cornwallis followed, and would have crossed the Del-
aware in pursuit, but, advised to a cautious policy by Howe, he waited for ice
to form on the waters of the Delaware before passing over. The fall of Phil-
adelphia now seemed imminent. Washington had not sufficient force to face the
whole power of the British army. On the 2d of December the supreme coun-
cil ordered all places of business in the city to lie closed, the schools dismissed,
and advised preparation for removing the women and childi-en and valuables.
On the \'Ith the congress, which was in session here, adjourned to meet in Bal-
timore, taking with them all papers and public records, and leaving a committee,
of which Robert Morris was chairman, to act in conjunction with Washington
for the safety of the place. Gen. Putnam was dispatched on the same day
with a detachment of soldiers to take command in the city.
Washington, who had from the opening of the campaign before New York
been obliged for the most part to act upon the defensive, formed the plan
to suddenly turn upon his pursuers and offer battle. Accordingly, on the
night of the 25th of December, taking a picked body of men. he moved up
several miles to Taylorsville, where he crossed the river, though at flood
tide and filled with floating ice, and moving down to Trenton, where a detach-
ment of the British army was posted, made a bold and vigorous attack.
Taken by surprise, though now after sunrise, the battle was soon decided in
favor of the Americans. The victory had a great stragetic value. The British
had intended to push forward and occupy Philadelphia at once, which, being
now virtually the capital of the new nation, had it been captured at this junct-
ure, would have given them the occasion for claiming a triumphal ending of
the war. But this advantage, though gained by a detachment small in num-
bers yet great in courage, caused the commander of a powerful and well-ap-
pointed army to give up all intention of attempting to capture the Pennsyl-
vania metropolis in this campaign, and retiring into winter cantonments upon
the Earitan to await the settled weather of the sj^ring for an entirely new cast
of operations. Washington, emboldened by his success, led all his forces into
New Jersey, and jiushing past Trenton, where Cornwallis, the royal leader,
had brought his mam body by a forced march under cover of darkness, at-
tacked the British reserves at Princeton. But now the enemy had become wary
and vigilant, and, summoned by the booming of cannon, Cornwallis hastened
back to the relief of his hard-pressed columns. Washington, finding that the
enemy' s whole army was within easy call, and knowing that he had no hope of
success with his weak army, withdrew. He now went into winter quarters at
Morristown, and by constant vigilance was able to gather marauding parties of
the British who ventured far away from their works.
Putnam commenced fortifications at a point below Philadelphia upon the
Delaware and at commanding positions upon the outskirts, and on being sum-
moned to the army was succeeded by Gen. Irvine, and he by Gen. Gates. On
the 4th of March, 1777, the two houses of the legislature, elected under the
new constitution, assembled, and in joint convention chose Thomas Wharton,
Jr., president, and George Bryan, vice-president. Penn had expressed the
idea that power was preserved the better by due formalitj^ and ceremonj', and,
accordingly, this event was celebrated with much pomp, the result being de-
clared in a loud voice from the court-house, amid the shouts of the gathered
throngs and the booming of the captured cannon brought from the field of
Trenton. The title bestowed upon the new chief officer of the State was fitted
34 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
by its length and high-sounding epithets to inspire the multitude with awe and
reverence: "His Excellency, Thomas "Wharton, Junior, Esquire, President of
the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, Captain-General and Com-
mander-in-Chief in and over the same."
Early in April great activity was observed among the shipping in New
York harbor, and Washington communicated to congress his opinion that
Philadelphia was the object against which the blow would be aimed. This
announcement of probable peril induced the council to issue a proclamation
urging enlistments, and congress ordered the oj^ening of a camp for drilling
recruits in Pennsylvania, and Benedict Arnold, who was at this time a trusted
general, was appointed to the command of it. So many new vessels and trans-
ports of all classes had been discovered to have come into New York harbor,
probably forwarded fi-om England, that Washington sent Gen. Mifflin, on the
10th of June, to congress, bearing a letter in which he expressed the settled
conviction that the enemy meditated an immediate descent upon some part of
Pennsylvania. Gen. Mifflin proceeded to examine the defensive works of the
city which had been begun on the previous advance of the British, and recom-
mended such changes and new works as seemed best adapted for its protec-
tion. The preparations for defense were vigorously prosecuted. The militia
were called out and placed in two camps, one at Chester and the other at
Downington. Fire-ships were held in readiness to be used against vessels at-
tempting the ascent of the river.
Lord Howe, being determined not to move until ample preparations were
completed, allowed the greater part of the summer to wear away before he ad-
vanced. Finally, having embarked his force on a fleet of transports, he sailed
southward. Washington promptly made a corresponding march overland,
passing through Philadelphia on the 24th of August. Howe, suspecting that
preparations would be made for impeding the passage of the Delaware, sailed
past its moiath, and moving up the Chesapeake instead debarked fifty-four
miles from Philadelphia, and commenced the march northward. Great activity
was now manifested in the city. The water-spouts were melted to furnish bul-
lets, fair hands were busied in rolling cartridges, powerful chevaux-de-fi-ise
were planted to impede the navigation of the river, and the last division of
the militia of the city, which had been divided into three classes, was called
oiit. Washington, who had crossed the Brandywiue, soon confronted the ad-
vance of Howe, and brisk skirmishing at once opened. Seeing that he was
likely to have the right of his position at Bed Clay creek, where he had
intended to give battle, turned by the largely superior force of the enemy,
under cover of darkness on the night of the 8th of September, he withdrew
across the Brandy wine at Chad's Ford, and posting Armstrong with the mili-
tia upon the left, at Pyle's Ford, where the banks were rugged and precipitous,
and Sullivan, who was second in command, upon the right at Brinton's Ford,
under cover of forest, he himself took post with three divisions. Sterling's,
Stephen's and his own, in front of the main avenue of approach at Chad's.
Discovering the strong position which the American army occupied, the Brit-
ish general began a maneuver to turn it by a tlank movement. Washington,
always on the alert, promptly divined the enemy's intentions, and ordered
Gen. Sullivan to counteract the movement by flanking the flankers, while he
held his immediate command ready to attack the main force while in confusion.
The plan was rained, however, by Sullivan's failure to obey orders, and Wash-
ington had no alternative but to remain in position and make the best dispo-
sition that time would permit. His main body with the force of Sullivan took
position along the l)ro\v of the hill on which stands the Birmingham meeting-
HISTORY OF rENNSYLVANlA. 35
hoiiso, and tbf battle opened and was pushed with vigor the whole day. Over-
borne by luimbers, aud weakened by losses, Washington was obliged to retire,
leaving the enemy in possession of the field.
Congress remained in Philadelphia while these military operations were
going on at its very doors, but on the 18th of September adjourne 1 to meet at
Lancaster, though subsequently, on the 30th, it removed across the Susque-
hanna to York, where it remained in session till after the evacuation in the
following summer. The council remained until two days before the fall of the
city, when, having dispatched the records of the loan ofl&ce and the more valu-
able papers to Easton. it adjourned to Lancaster. On the '26th the British
army entered the city. Deborah Logan in her memoir says: "The army
marched in and took possession of the city in the morning. We were upstairs
and saw them pass the State House. They looked well, clean and well clad,
and the contrast between them and our own poor, bare-footed, ragged troops
was very great, and caused a feeling of despair. * * * * Early in the
afternoon Lord Cornwallis' suite arrived and took possession of my mother's
hoiTse. ' '
The army of Washington, after being recruited and put in light marching
order, was led to Germantown, where on the morning of the ;^d of October the
enemy was met. A heavy fog that morning had obscured friend and foe alike,
occasioning confusion in the ranks and, though the opening promised well and
some progress was made, yet the enemy was too strong to be moved, and the
American leader was forced to retire to his camp at White Maish. Though
the river had now been opened and the city was thoroughly fortified for resist-
ing attack, yet Howe felt not quite easy in having the American army quar-
tered in so close striking distance, and accordingly on the 4th of December,
with nearly his entire army, moved out, intending to take Washington at
White Marsh, sixteen miles away, by surprise, and by rapidity of action gain
an easy victory. But by the heroism and fidelity of Lydia Darrah, who as she
had often done before passed the guards to goto the mill for flour, the news
of the coming of Howe was communicated to Washington, who was prepared
to receive him. Finding that he could effect nothing, Howe returned to the
city, having had the wearisome mstrch at this wintry season without effect.
Washington now crossed the Schuylkill, and went into winter quarters at Val-
ley Forge. The coid of that winter was intense; the troops, half-clad and
indifferently fed, suffered severely, the prints of their naked feet in frost and
snow being often tinted with patriot blood. Grown impatient of the small
results from the immensely expensive campaigns carried on across the ocean,
the ministry relieved Lord Howe and appointed Sir Henry Clinton to the chief
command.
The commissioners whom congress had sent to France early in the fall of
1776 — Franklin, Dean and Lee — had been busy in making interest for the
united colonies at the French court, and so successful were they that arms and
ammunition and loans of money were procured from time to time. Finally, a
convention was concluded by which France agreed to use the royal army and
navy as faithful allies of the Americans against the English. Accordingly, a
fleet of four powerful frigates and twelve ships were dispatched under com-
mand of the Count D'Estaing to shut up the British fleet in the Delaware.
The plan was ingenious, particularly worthy of the long head of Franklin.
But intelligence of the sailing of the French fleet reaching the English cabinet,
they immediately ordered the evacuation of the Delaware, whereupon the
admiral weighed anchor and sailed away with his entire fleet to New York,
1169820
yC) HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ani.l D'Estaiiig, iipoa bis arrival at the mouth of the Delaware, found that the
bird had flown.
ClintoQ evacuated Philadelphia, and moved across New Jersey in the direc-
tion of New York. Washington closely followed, and came up with the enemy
on the plains of Monmouth, on the !28t.h of June, 1778, where a sanguinary
battle was fought which lasted the whole day. resulting in the triumph of the
American arms, and Pennsylvania was rid of British troops. The enemy was
no sooner well away from the city than congress returned from New York and
resumed its sittings in its forjner quarters, June 24, 1778, and on the following
day the colonial legislature returned from Lancaster. Gen. Arnold, who was
disabled from field duty by a wound received at Saratoga, was given command
in the city, and marched in with a regiment on the day following the evacua-
tion. On the 23d of May, 1778, President Wharton died suddenly of quinsy,
while in attendance upon the council at Lancaster, when George Bryan, the
vice-president, became the acting president. Bryan was a philanthropiist in
deed as well as in word. Up to this time African slavery had been tolerated
in the colony. In his message of the 9th of November, he said: "This or
some better scheme would tend to abrogate slavery, the opprobrium of Amer-
ica, from among us. * * * In divesting the State of slaves, you will
equally serve the cause of humanity and policy, and offer to God one of the
most proper and best returns of gratitude for His great deliverance of us and
our posterity from thraldom; you will also set your character for justice and
benevolence in the true point of view to Europe, who are astonished to see a
people eager for liberty holding negroes in bondage." He perfected a bill
for the extinguishment of claims to slaves, which was passed by the assembly,
March 1, 1780, by a vote of thirty-four to eighteen, providing that no child
of slave parents born after that date should be a slave, but a servant till the
age of twenty-eight years, when all claim for service should end. Thus by
simple enactment, resolutely pressed by Bryan, was slavery forever rooted out
of Pennsylvania.
At the election held for president, the choice fell upon Joseph Reed, with
George Bryan, vice-president, subsequently Matthew Smith, and finally Will-
iam Moore. Reed was an erudite lawyer," and had held the position of private
secretary to Washington, and subsequently that of adiutant general in the
army. He was inaugurated on the 1st of December, 1778. William Moore
was elected president to succeed Joseph Reed, from November 1-1, 1781. but
held the office less than one year, the term of three years for which he had
been a councilman having expired, which was the limit of service. James
Potter was chosen vice-president. In the State election of 1782, contested
with great violence, John Dickinson was chosen president, and James Ewing,
vice-president. On the 12th of March, 1783, intelligence was first received
of the signing of the preliminary treaty in which independence was ac-
knowlerlged, and on the 11th of April congress sent forth the joyful procla-
mation ordering a cessation of hostilities. The .soldiers of Bargoyne, who had
been confined in the prison camp at Lancaster, were put upon the march for
New York, passing through Philadelphia on the way. Everywhere was joy
unspeakable. The obstructions were removed from the Delaware, and the
white wings of commerce again came fluttering on every breeze.
In September, 1785, after a long al)sence in the service of his country
abroad, perfecting treaties and otherwise estalilishing just relations with other
nations, the venerable Benjamin Franklin, th ni nearly eighty years old, feel-
ing the infirmities of age coming upon him, asked to be relieved of the duties
of minister at the court of France, and returned to Philadelphia. Soon after
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 37
his ari'ival lie was elected president of the council. Charles Biddle was elected
vice-president. In May, 17>S7, a convention to frame a constitution for the
United States met at Philadelphia. The delegates from Pennsylvania were
Benjamin Franklin. Robert Morris, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Thomas
Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James "Wilson and Gouverneur Morris. Upon
the completion of their work, the instrument was submitted to the several
States for adoption. A convention was called in Pennsylvania, which met on
the '2\st of November, and though encountering resolute opposition it was
finally adopted on the 12th of December. On the following day the conven-
tion, the supreme council and ofBcers of the State and city government, moved
in procession to the old court-house, where the adoption of the constitution
was formally proclaimed amidst the booming of cannon and the i-inging of
bells.
On the 5th of November, 17S8, Thomas Mifflin was elected president, and
George Koss, vice-president. The constitution of the State framed in and
adapted to the exigencies of an emergency, was ill-suited to the needs of the
State in its relations to the new nation. Accordingly a convention assembled
for the purpose of preparing a new constitution in November, 17S9, which was
finally adopted on September 2, 1790. By Ihe provisions of this instrument,
the executive council was abolished, and the executive duties were vei^ted in
the hands of a governor. Legislation was intrusted to an assembly and a
senate. The judicial system was continued, and the terms of the judges
extended through good behavior.
The whisky insurrection in some of the western counties of the State,
which occurred in 1794, excited by its lawlessness and wide extent general
interest. An act of congress of March 3, 1791, laid a tax on distilled spirits
of fourpence per gallon. The then counties of "Washington, Westmoreland,
Allegheny and Fayette, comprising the southwestern quarter of the State,
were almost exclusivelj' engaged in the production of grain. Being far re-
moved from any market, the product of their farms brought them scarcely
any returns. The consequence was that a large proportion of the surplus
grain was turned into distilled spirits, and nearly every other farmer was a
distiller. This tax was seen to bear heavily upon them, from which a non-
producer of spirits was relieved. A rash determination was formed to resist
its collection, and a belief entertained that, if all were united in resisting, it
would be taken off. Frequent altercations occurred between the persons ap-
pointed United States collectors and these resisting citizens. As an example,
on the 5th of September, 1791, a party in disguise set upon Robert Johnson,
a collector for Allegheny and "Washington, tarred and feathered him, cut off
his hair, took away his horse, and left him in this plight to proceed. Writs
for the arrest of the perpetrators were issued, but none dared to venture into
the territory to serve them. On May 8, 1792. the law was modified, and the
tax reduced. In September, 1792, President Washington issued his proclama-
tion commanding all persons to submit to the law, and to forbear from fuither
opposition. But these measures had no effect, and the insurgents began to
organize for forcible resistance. Maj. Macfarlane, while in command of a
party of insurrectionists, was killed in an encounter with United States sol-
diers at the house of Gen. Neville. The feeling now ran very high, and it
was hardly safe for any person to breathe a whisper against the insurgents
throughout all this district. One Bradford had, of his own notion, issued a
circular letter to the colonels of regiments to assemble with their commands
at Braddock's field on the 1st of August, where they ajipointed officers and
moved on to Pittsbursrh. After havina: burned a barn, and made some noi-sy
3S HISTOEY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
clemoiiftrations, they were induced by some cool heads to return. These tur-
bulent ]iroceedings coming to the ears of the State and national authorities at
Philadelphia, measures were concerted to promptly and effectually check them.
Gov. Mifflin appointed Chief Justice McKean and Gen. William Irvine to
proceed to the disaffected district, ascertain the facts, and try to bring the
leaders to justice. President Washington issued a proclamation commanding
all persons in arms to disperse to their homes " on or before the 1st of Sep-
tember, proxijHo," and called out the militia of four States — Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia — to the number of 13,000 men, to enforce
his commands. The quota of Pennsylvania was 4,500 infantry. 500 cavalry,
and '2.00 artillery, and Gov. Mifflin took command in person. Gov. Richard
Howell, of New Jerse}', Gov. Thomas S. Lee, of Maryland, and Gen. Daniel
Morgan, of Virginia, commanded the forces from their States, and Gov.
Henry Lee. of Virginia, was placed in chief command. President Washing-
ton, accompanied by Gen. Knox, secretary of war, Alexander Hamilton, secre
tary of the treasury, and Richard Peters, of the United States District Court,
set out on the 1st of October for the seat of the disturbance. On Frida}' the
President reached Harrisburg and on Saturday, Carlisle, whither the army
had preceded him. In the meantime a committee, consisting of James Ross,
Jasper Yeates and William Bradford, was appointed by President Washington
to proceed to the disaffected district, and endeavor to persuade misguided
citizens to return to their allegiance.
A meeting of 200 delegates from the four counties was held at Parkinson's
Ferry on the 14th of Augnst, at which the state of their cause was considered,
resolutions adopted, and a committee of sixty, one from each county, was ap-
pointed, and a sub-committee of twelve was named to confer with the United
States commissioners, McKean and Irvine. These conferences with the State
and national committees were successful in arranging preliminary conditions
of settlement. On the 2d of October the committee of safety of the insur-
gents met at Parkinson's Ferry, and having learned that a well -organized
army, with Washington at its head, was marching westward to enforce obedi-
ence to the laws, appointed a committee of two, William Findley and David
Reddick, to meet the President, and assure him that the disaffected were dis-
posed to return to their duties. They met Washington at Carlisle, and several
conferences were held, and assurances given of implicit obedience; but the
President said that as the troops bad been called out, the orders for the march
would not be countermanded. The President proceeded forward on the 11th
of October to Chambersimrg, reached Williamsport on the 13th and Fort
Cumberland on the 14th, where he reviewed the Virginia and Maryland force.s,
and arrived at Bedford on the lUth. Remaining a few days, and being satis-
fied that the sentiment of the people had changed, he returned to Philadel-
phia, arriving on the 28th, leaviug Gen. Lee to meet the commissioners and
make such conditions of paciflcation as should seem just. Another meeting
of the committee of safety was held at Parkinson's Ferry on the 24th. at
which assurances of abandonment of opposition to the laws were received, and
the same committee, with the addition of Thomas Morton and Ephraim Doug-
lass, was directed to return to headquarters and give assurance of this disjw-
sition. They did not reach Bedford until after the departure of AVashington.
Bat at Uniontown they met Gen. Lee, with whom it was agreed that the citi-
zens of these four counties should subscribe to an oath to support the consti-
tution and obey the laws. Justices of the peace issued notices that books
were opened for subscribing to the oath, and Gen. Lee issued a judicious
addiess urging ready obedience. Seeing that all rei|uirements were being
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 39
faithfully carried out, an order was issued the 17th of November for the re-
turn of the army and its disbandment. A number of arrests were made and
trials and convictions were had, but all were ultimately pardoned.
With the exception of a slight ebullition at the prospect of a war with
France in 1797, and a resistance to the operation of the "homestead tax " in
Lehigh. Berks and Northampton counties, when the militia was called oiit, the
remainder of the term of Gov. Mifflin passed in comparative quiet. By an act
of the legislature of the 3d of April, 1799, the capital of the State was removed
to Lancaster, and soon after the capital of the United States to Washington,
the house on Ninth street, which had been Vniilt for the residence of the Pres-
ident of the United States, passing to the use of the Universitj' of Pennsylvania.
During the administrations of Thomas McKean, who was elected governor
in 1799, and Simon Snyder, in 1808, little beyond heated political contests
marked the even tenor of the government, until the breaking out of the troubles
which eventuated in the war of 1812. Pennsylvania promptly seconded the
national government, the message of Gov. Snyder on the occasion ringing like
a silver clarion. The national call for 100,000 men required 14,000 from this
State, but so great was the enthusiasm that several times this number tendered
their services. The State force was organized in two divisions, to the com-
mand of the tirst of which Maj.-Gen. Isaac Morrell was appointed, and to the
second Maj. -Gen. Adamson Tannehill. Gunboats and privateers were built in
the harbor of Erie and on the Delaware, and the defenses upon the latter were
put in order and suitable armaments provided. The act which created most
alarm to Pennsylvania was one of vandalism scarcely matched in the annals of
warfare. In August, 1814, Gen. Ross, with 6,000 men in a flotilla of sixty
sail, moved up Chesapeake Bay, tired the capitol, the President's house and
the various otftces of cabinet ministers, and these costly and substantial build-
ings, the national library and all the records of the government from its
foundation were utterly destroyed. Shortly afterward, Ross appeared before Bal-
timore with the design of multiplying his barbarisms, but he was met by a force
hastily collected under Gen. Samuel Smith, a Pennsylvania veteran of the Revo-
lution, and in the brief engagement which ensued Ross was killed. In the severe
battle with the corps of Gen. Strieker, the British lost some 300 men. The
fleet in the meantime commenced a fierce bombardment of Fort McHenry, and
during the day and ensuing night 1,500 bombshells were thrown, but all to
no purpose, the gallant defense of Maj. Armistead proving successful. It
was during this awful night that Maj. Key, who was a prisoner on board the
fleet, wrote the song of the Star Spangled Banner, which became the national
lyric. It was in the administration of Gov. Snyder in February, 1810. that an
act was passed making Harrisburg the seat of government, and a commission
raised for erecting public buildings, the sessions of the legislature being held
in the court- house at Harrisburg from 1812 to 1821.
The administrations of William Findley, elected in 1817, Joseph Heister, in
1820, and John Andrew Schulz, in 1823, followed without marked events. Par-
ties became very warm in their discussions and in their management of political
campaigns. The charters for the forty banks which had been passed in a lit
of frenzy over the veto of Gov. Snyder set a flood of paper money afloat. The
public improvements, principally in opening lines of canal, were prosecuted,
and vast debts incurred. These lines of conveyances were vitally needful to
move the immense products and vast resources of the State.
Previous to the year 1820, little use was made of stone coal. Judge Obe-
diah Gore, a blacksmith, used it upon his forge as early as 1769, and found
the heat stronger and more enduring than that produced by charcoal. In
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ami l»v llio l,ol\ij,;'l\ ;!|,VSt) t.Mis, Tin. staj,;.> »f wiitor l.oini;"insulVioi,>ut. .lams
tm.J sriiivvs\voi'oooi,st....-to.l ii..!i.' Mim.'h rimnk. in ISn». l.y wliiol. tlu- navi
),<tili.>ii WHS ii>n>r,>vo.l Tlio o.>al ln>!ils iis<>«l \v>m-o i;ro!i( sviiunv inks, si\tooi\ to
oi^'litivon foot wi.lo, aiul Iw.Mity l.i twoiily livo foot KmiiJ. At tirst. two .^f tlioso
woio joino.l t.'^^'tlior l>_v liinj^os, to ttll.iw tlioiu U> yioKl \ip juul il.nvit in passiiio-
o\ot' tl>o >lfu>(s l.'ii»)ill_\ as tlio l>o!tli<it\M l><vi»ino skillod in llio uavisjati.'u,
soNontI woro joino.l, nttninini; .-» loi\i;tli of ISt> foot, .\ftor ivaohinij Pluhi.lol
pliKt, ll\,vso IvniN w<>n> takoii l>> pi.vos, tho plank sol.l ittul tho hint's soi\t baok
fvM- oonstrnolni^' otl\.M>. Snol\ woro tito ormlo nioth.-vls !».U>plo.l in tin' oaily
.lt»\j< fvx- lMii\j;ini; ooal l.> a inaikot. \n IS'J." n laihwul was o.>uiniono.\l. whioli
wtts o.vmploto.l in ll(n'.< lu.Miths, nino inilos v>\ loiiijth. This, with tho oxooption
of v<no tit lv)\uno\, Mass.. .>f f.>ur niiUvs. bnilt in iS'Ji'>, was tho t\i-st »\Mistiuotovl
m tho l'nito.> Stntos, I'ho .l,vsoo»\t was vm\o hnn.i)\Hl foot por milo, tho o.'al
.livsoonvlin^ h\ »jra\ity in a hrtif honr, an.l tho oat's wo>v .Iraw n Iviok l\v mnlos,
whioh n>»h> >lv>wn witit tho <w>l, Hituininons »\v»l was vJtsoovoiwl atul its .|uali
li<vs nt\Ha,sl \»ot nmoh t^tilior than tho attthraoilo. A traot of vval latul was
takon up in t'hvuttoUl .\Mmty in 1TS.'\ In Mr. S. HoyAl, auvl in iSlM ho soi\t
an ark .l.<wn tho Sns.jnohattxta to l\»ln)\>bia,
n\>v\njj tho a,ln>nnstrat\v>ns of vJ«sm>;v Wolf. oUvtOil in 1S">.>. and J.vsoph
KitniM', oUvtovl ii\ lS;v'>, a «\\<vasiuv v>f jji^vU Ihmu>Iuvuoo to thoStatowas passo.l.
HIHTOKY or PENNRYLVANIA. 41
;ill.| lilull^^Wlt, illlcj !l ■,'00(1 cl.;<rr.Mf of HI]CCl!hHflll Op<!ratioll I.oUlilljr )(^KH tliJUl H
limad HyHl^mri of jjiihliondiicaiion. SoLooIh hiul bntni early ostaljIiHlied in Phila
ilc'lpliia, and ijaroeliial hcIjooIh in tho ruoro populoiiH portions of tlio Static from
i\,i- linio of (tarly HottJHmont. In 174'J, tbroufjli Uio infliionw; of Dr. Franklin,
a (diartiir wiiH obtainwl for a "collof^o, acadtnny, and charity Bcliool of Ponn-
sylvania," and, from thin tinjo to tbo hcf^inning of the present etiiitury, the
IriondH of education were earnest in ehtat>lishing colleges, the colonial govorn-
nicnt, and afterward the legislature, making liberal grants from tlm revenues
a(;ciiiitig from the sale of lands for their support, the University of Pennsyl-
vania being chartered in 1752, Dickinson College in 1788, Franklin ami Mar
Hhail Odlege in 1787, and Jert'erson College in 1802. Commencing near the
beginning of this century, and continuing for over a period of thirty years,
vigorous exertions were [)ut forth to establish county academies. Charters
well) granted for these institutions at the county seats of forty one counties,
and appro|))iations were made of money, varying from two thousand to six
thousand d(jilars, and in several instanccH of ipiile extensive land grants. In
ISO'.) an act was jiassed for the education of the "poor gratis." The asses-
sors in tiieir annual rounds were to make a nscord of all such as were indigent,
and pay for theii' (idnoation in the most convenient schools. . But few were
found among tiie spirited iijiahitauis of the commonwalth willing ii) admii
tiiat they were so f)oor as to l)e objects of charity.
|{y the act of April 1, 1884, a general system of i-(hicali(jn In common
scIiooIh was ((stablislied. Unfortunately it was complex and unwieldly. At
the iKixt session an attom|jt was made to repeal the act, and substitute the old
law of 180'.) for educating the " poor gratis," the lepeal having been carried
in the senate. IJut through the ap[)eals of Thaddeus Stevens, a man always
in the van in every movement for the elevation of mankind, this was defeated.
At the next session, 1831!, an entirely new bill, dis<;arding the objectionable
features of the old one. was j)repared by Dr. (ieorge Smith, of Di'laware
county, and adopted, and from this time forward it has been in cl'licieiit opc-ia
lion. In IS'il t.lie system was im[)roved by engrafting upon it tln' featuic ui'
thc< county superintondency, and in 18')',) liy providing foi- the <'stablislin]cnt nf
twelve normal scthools in as many districts inti, which lie' State was divided foi-
lh() professional training of teachers.
Jn I8;J7 a (convention assembled in Harrislmrg, and subse(piently in Phila
ilclphia, for I'evisitig the constitiiti(;n, which I'evision was adojited by a vote of
til., peoph,. (Jne of the chief objects of the (change was the breaking iij. of
wliat was known as "omnibus legislation." each bill being reijuired to have
but OIK) distinct subject, to be delinitely stated in the title. Much of the pat
ronage of the governor was taken from hini, and he was allowed but two terms
of three years in any nine years. The senator's term was fixed at three years.
The lerras t>! supreme court judges were limited to fifteen years, common i)leas
judges to ten, and aHS(jfiiate judges to five. A step backward was taken in
limiting suffrage to ivIiUe male citizens twenty-one years old, it having ])re-
viously been extended to citizens irrespectiv(« of color. Amendments could be
proposed (juce in live years, and if adopted by two successive legislatures, and
appi-oved by a vote of the [leoplo, they became a ])art of the organic law.
At the o[)ening of the gubernatorial term of David it. P(«'ter, who was
chosen in Octolier, 18;i8, a civil commotion occurred known as the "Buckshot
War," which at one time threatened a sanguinary result. Fraud in the election
returns was alleged, and finally the opposing factions armed for the maiute-
nan(5e of their claims. S(jme of them were supplied with buckshot cartridges,
hence the name which was iriven U, the contest. Tt ended without bloodshed.
42 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Francis R. Shunk was chosen governor in 1S45, and daring his term of
office the war with Mexico occurred. Two volunteer regiments, one under
command of Col. Wynkoop, and the other under Col. Roberts, subsequently
under Col. J. W. Geary, were sent to the field, while the services of a much larger
number were offered, but could not be received. Toward the close of his first
term, having been reduced by sickness, and feeling his end approaching, Gov.
Shunk resigned, and was succeeded by the sj^eaker of the senate, William F.
Johnston, who was duly chosen at the next annual election. During the
administrations of William Bigler. elected in 1851, James Pollock, in 1854.
and William F. Packer, in 1857, little beyond the ordinary course of events
marked the history of the State. The lines of public works undertaken at the
expense of the State were completed. Their cost had been enormous, and a
debt was piled up against it of over forty million dollars. These works, vastly
expensive, were still to operate and keep in repair, and the revenues therefrom
failing to meet expectations, it was determined in the administration of Gov.
Pollock to sell them to the highest bidder, the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany purchasing them for the sum of seven million five hundred thousand
dollars.
In the administration of Gov. Packer petroleum was first discovered in
quantities in this country by boring into the bowels of the earth. From the
earliest settlement of the country it was known to exist, and' it had been gath-
ered in small quantities and utilized for various purposes. In 1859 Mr. E. L.
Drake, at first representing a company in New York, commenced drilling near
a si^ot where there were surface indications. When the company would give
him no more money he strained his own resources and his credit with his
friends almost to the breaking point, and when about to give up in despair
finally struck a powerful current of jnire oil. From this time forward the ter-
ritory down the valley of Oil creek and up all its tributaries was rapidly
acquired and developed for oil land. In some places the oil was sent up with
immense force at the rate of thousands of barrels each day, and great trouble
was exj^erienced in bringing it under control and storing it. In some eases
the force of the gas was so powerful on being accidentally fired as to defy all
approach for many days, and lighted up the forests at night with billows of
light. The oil has been found in paying quantities in McKean. Warren,
Forest, Crawford, Venango, Clarion, Butler and Armstrong counties, chiefly
along the upper waters of the Allegheny river and its tributary, the Oil creek.
Its transportation has come to be effected by forcing it through great pipe
lines, which extend to the great lakes and the seaboard. Its production has
grown to be enormous. Since 1859 a grand iotal of more than three hundred
millions of l)arrels have been produced in the Pennsylvania oil fields.
In the fall of 1860, Andre^x G. Curtiu was elected governor of Pennsyl-
vania, and Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. The war of the
great rel)ellion followed, and in the spring of 1861 Pennsylvania was called
on for sixteen regiments, her quota of the 75,000 volunteers that were sum-
moned by proclamation of the President. Instead of sixteen, twenty-five regi-
ments were organized for the three months' service from Pennsylvania.
Judging from the threatening attitude assumed by the rebels across the
Potomac that the southern frontier would be constantly menaced. Gov. Curtiu
sought permission to organize a select corps, to consist of thirteen regiments
of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of ai'tillery, and to be known as the Penn-
sylvania Reserve Corps, which the legislature, in special session, granted.
This corps of 15,000 men was speedily raised, and the intention of the State
authorities was to keep this body permanently within the limits of the com-
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 43
monwealtb for defense. But at the time of the first Bull Run disaster in July.
ISOl. the national government found itself without troops, to even defend the
capital, the time of the three months' men being now about to expire, and at
its urgent call this fine body was sent forward and never again returned for
the execution of the duty for which it was formed, having borne the bnxnt of
the fighting on many a hard-fought field during the three years of its service.
In addition to the volunteer troops furnished in response to the several
calls of the President, upon the occasion of the rebel invasion of Maryland in
September, 1862, Gov. Curtin called 50,000 men for the emergency, and, though
tbi' time was very brief, 25,000 came, were organized under command of Gen.
John F. Reynolds, and were marched to the border. But the battle of Antie-
tarn, fought on the 17th of September, caused the enemy to beat a hasty
retreat, and the border was relieved, when the emergency troops were dis-
Ijanded and returned to their homes. On the 19th of October Gen. J. E. B.
Stewart, of the rebel army, with 1,800 horsemen under command of Hampton,
Lee and Jones, crossed the Potomac and made directly for Chambersburg.
arriving after dark. Not waiting for morning to attack, he sent in a flag of
truce demanding the surrender of the town. There were 275 Union soldiers in
hospital, whom he paroled. During the night the troopers were busy picking
up horses — swapping horses perhaps it should be called — and the morning saw
them early on the move. The rear guard gave notice before leaving to remove
all families from the neighborhood of the public buildings, as they intended to
fire them. There was a large amount of fixed ammunition in them, which had
l)een captured from Longstreet's train, besides government stores of shoes,
clothing and muskets. At 11 o'clock the station-house, round-house, railroad
machine shops and warehouses were tired and consigned to destruction. The
tire department was promptly out; but it was dangerous to approach the burn-
ing buildings on account of the ammunition, and all perished.
The year 1862 was one of intense excitement and activity. From about
the 1st of May, 1861, to the end of 1862, there were recruited in the State of
Pennsylvania 111 regiments, including eleven of cavalry and three of artillery,
for three years service; twenty-five regiments for three months; seventeen for
nine months; fifteen of drafted militia, and twenty-five called out for the
emergency; an aggregate of 193 regiments — a grand total of over 200,000
men — a great army in itself.
In June, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee, with his entire army of Northern Vir-
ginia, invaded Pennsvlvania. The army of the Potomac, under Gen. Joseph
Hooker, followed. The latter was superseded on the 28th of June by Gen.
George G. Meade. The vanguards of the army met a mile or so out of Gettys-
burg on the Chambersburg pike on the morning of the 1st of July. Hill's
corps of the rebel army was held in check by the sturdy fighting of a small
division of cavalry under Gen. Buford until 10 o'clock, when Gen. Reynolds
came to his relief with the first corps. While bringing his forces into
action, Reynolds was killed, and the command devolved on Gen. Abner Double-
day, and the fighting became terrible, the Union forces being greatly outnum-
bered. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the eleventh corps. Gen. O. O. Howard,
came to the support of the first. But now the corps of Ewell had joined hands
with Hill, and a full two thirds of the entire rebel army was on the field,
opposed by only the two weak Union corps, in an inferior position. A sturdy
fight was however maintained until 5 o'clock, when the Union forces withdrew
through the town, and took position upon rising ground covering the Baltimore
pike. During the night the entire Union army came up, with the exception of
the sixth corps, and took position: and at 2 o'clock in the morning Gen. Meade
44 HISTOBY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
and staff came oa the tield. During the morning hours, and until 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, the two armies were getting into position for the desperate
struggle. The third corps, Gen. Sickles, occupied the extreme left, his corps
abutting on the Little Round Top at the Devil's Den, and reaching, en
echelon, through the rugged ground to the Peach Orchard, and thence along
the Emmittsburg pike, where it joined the second corps. Gen. Hancock, reach -
ino' over Cemetery Hill, the eleventh corps. Gen. Howard, the tirst. Gen.
Doubleday, and the twelfth. Gen. Slocum, reaching across Gulp's Hill — the
whole being crescent shaped. To this formation the rebel army conformed,
Longstreet opposite the Union left, Hill opposite the center, and Ewell opposite
the Union right. At 4 p. m. the battle was opened by Longstreet, on the ex-
treme left of Sickles, and the lighting became terrific, the rebels making stren-
uous efforts to gain Little Round Top. But at the opportune moment a part
of the fifth corps, Gen. Sykes, was brought upon that key position, and it was
saved to the Union side. The slaughter in front of Round Top at the wheat-
field and the Peach Orchard was fearful. The third corps was driven back
from its advanced position, and its commander. Gen. Sickles, was wounded,
losing a leg. In a more contracted position, the Union line was made secure,
where it rested for the night. Just at dusk the Louisiana Tigers, some 1,800
men, made a desperate charge on Cemetery Hill, emerging suddenly from a
hillock just back of the town. The struggle was desperate, biit the Tigers
being weakened by the tire of the artillery, and by the infantry crouching be-
hind the stone wall, the onset was checked, and Carroll's brigade, of the sec-
ond corps, coming to the rescue, they were finally beaten back, terribly deci-
mated. At about the same time a portion of Ewell' s corps made an advance
on the extreme Union right, at a point where the troops had been withdrawn to
send to the support of Sickles, and unopposed gained the extremity of Culp's
Hill, pushing through nearly to the Baltimore pike, in dangerous proximity to
the reserve artillery and trains, and even the headquarters of the Union com-
mander. But in their attempt to roll up the Union right they were met by
Green's brigade of the twelfth corps, and by desperate fighting their further
progress was stayed. Thus ended the battle of the second day. The Union
left and right had been sorely jammed and pushed back.
At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 3d of July, Gen. Geary, who had been
ordered away to the support of Sickles, having returned during the night and
taken a position on the right of Green, opened the battle for the recovery of
his lost breastworks on the right of Culp's Hill. Until 10 o'clock the battle
raged with unabated fury. The heat was intolerable, and the sulphurous va-
por hung like a pall over the combatants, shutting out the light of day. The
fighting was in the midst of the forest, and the echoes resounded with fearful
distinctness. The twelfth corps was supported by portions of the sixth, which
had now come up. At length the enemy, weakened and finding themselves
overborne on all sides, gave way, the Union breastworks were reoecupied and
the Union right made entirely secure. Comparative quiet now reigned on
either side until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, in the meantime both sides bring-
ing up fresh troops and repairing damages. The rebel leader having brought
his best available artillery in upon his right center, suddenly opened with 150
pieces a concentric tire upon the devoted Union left center, where stood the
troops of Hancock, Doubleday and Sickles. The shock was terrible. Rarely
had such a cannonade been known on any field. For nearly two hours it was
continued. Thinking that the Union line had been broken and demoralized by
this fire, Longstreet brought out a fresh corps of some 14,000 men, under
Pickett, and charged full ujion the point which had been the mark for the can-
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 45
nonade. As soon as this cliarging column came into view, the Union artillery
opened upon it from right and left and center, and rent it with fearful effect.
When arrived within musket range, the Union troops, who had been crouching
behind slight pits and a low stone wall, poured in a most murderous lire.
Still the rebels pushed forward with a bold face, and actually crossed the
Union lines and had their hands on the Union guns. But the slaughter was
too terrible to withstand. The killed and wounded lay scattered over all the
plain. Many were gathered in as prisoners. Finally the remnant staggered
back, and the battle of Gettysburg was at an end.
So soon as indications pointed to a possible invasion of the North bj' the
rebel army under Gen. Lee, the State of Pennsylvania was organized into two
military departments, that of the Susquehanna, to the command of which
Darius N. Couch was assigned, with headquarters at Harrisburg, and that of
the Monongahela, iinder W. T. H. Brooks, with headquarters at Pittsburgh.
Urgent calls for the militia were made, and large numbers in regiments, in
companies and in squadrons, came promptly at the call to the number of over
36,000 men. who were organized for a period of ninety days. Fortifications
were thrown up to cover Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and the troops were
moved to threatened points. But before they could be brought into action,
the great decisive conflict had been fought, and the enemy di-iven from north-
ern soil. Four regiments under Gen. Brooks were moved into Ohio to aid in
arresting a raid undertaken by John Morgan, who with 2,000 horse and four
guns had crossed the Ohio river for a diversion in favor of Lee.
In the beginning of July, 1864, Gen. Early invaded Maryland, and made
his way to the threshold of Washington. Fearing another invasion of the
State. Gov. Curtin called for volunteers to serve for 100 days. Gen. Couch
was still at the head of the department of the Susquehanna, and six regiments
and six companies were organized, but as fast as organized they were called to
the front, the last regiment leaving the State on the '29th of July. On the
evening of this day. Gens. McCausland, Bradley Johnson and Harry Gilmore.
with 3,000 mounted men and six guns, crossed the Potomac, and made theif
way to Chambersburg. Another column of 3,000 under Vaughn and Jackson
advanced to Hagerstown, and a third to Leitersburg. Averell, with a small
force, was at Hagerstown, but finding himself over-matched, withdrew through
Greencastle to Mount Hope. Lieut. McLean, with fifty men in front of Mc-
Causland, gallantly kept his face to the foe, and checked the advance at every
favorable point. On being apprised of their coming, the public stores at
Chambersburg were moved northward. At 6 a. m. McCausland opened his
batteries upon the town, but, finding it unprotected, took possession. Ring-
ing the court-house bell to call the people together, Capt. Fitzhugh read an
order to the assembly, signed by Gen. Jubal Early, directing the command to
proceed to Chambersburg and demand one hundred thousand dollars in gold,
or five hundred thousand dollars in greenbacks, and if not paid to burn the
town. While this parley was in progress, hats, caps, boots, watches, clothing
and valuables were unceremoniously appropriated, and purses demanded at the
point of the bayonet. As money was not in hand to meet so unexpected a
draft, the torch was lighted. In less than a quarter of an hour from the time
the first match was applied, the whole business part of the town was in flames.
Burning parties were sent into each quarter of the town^ which made thorough
work. With the exception of a few houses upon the outskirts, the whole was
laid in ruins. Retiring rapidly, the entire rebel army recrossed the Potomac.
The whole number of soldiers recruited under the various calls for troops
from the State of Pennsylvania was 366.000. In May, 1861, the Society of
46 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, an organization of the officers of the Revolu-
tionary war and their descendants, donated $500 toward arming and equip-
ping troops. By order of the legislature the sum was devoted to procuring
flags for the regiments, and each organizaton that went forth was provided
with one emblazoned with the arms of the commonwealth. These flags, seamed
and battle-stained, were returned at the close of the war, and are now preserved
in a room devoted to the purpose in the State Capitol. When the war was
over, the State undertook the charge of providing for all soldiers' orphans in
schools located in different parts of the territory, furnished food, clothing,
instruction and care, until they should be grown to manhood and womanhood.
The number thus gathered and cared for has been some 7, 500 annually, at an
average annual expense of some six hundred thousand dollars.
At the election in 1S60. John W. Geary, a veteran general of the war, was
chosen governor. During his administration, settlements were made with the
general government, extraordinary debts incurred during the war were paid,
and a large reduction of the old debt of forty million dollars inherited from the
construction of the canals was made. A convention for a revision of the con-
stitution was ordered by the act of April 11, 1872. This convention assem-
bled in Harrisburg November 13. and adjourned to meet in Philadelphia,
where it convened on the 7th of January, 1878, and ttie instrument framed
was adopted on the 18th of December, 1873. By its provisions the number
of senators was increased from thirty-three to fifty, and representatives from
100 to 201, subject to further increase in proportion to increase of population;
biennial in place of annual sessions, making the term of supreme court judges
twenty-one in place of fifteen years, remanding a large class of legislation to
the action of the courts, making the term of governor four years in place of
three, and prohibiting special legislation, were some of the changes provided for.
In January, 1873, John F. Hartranft became governor, and at the election
in 1878, Henry F. Hoyt was chosen governor, both soldiers of the war of the
Rebellion. In the summer of 1877, by concert of action of the employes on
the several lines of railway in the State, trains were stopped and travel and
traffic were interrupted for several days together. At Pittsburgh conflicts
occurred between the railroad men and the militia, and a vast amount of prop-
erty was destroyed. The opposition to the local military was too powerful to
be controlled, and the national government was appealed to for aid. A force
of regulars was promptly ordered out, and the rioters finally quelled. Unfor-
tunately Gov. Hartranft"was absent from the State at the time of the troubles.
At the election in 1882 Robert E. Pattison was chosen governor. The
legislature which met at the opening of 1883, having adjourned after a session
of 156 days, without passing a congressional apportionment bill, as was
required, was immediately reconvened in extra session, by the governor, and
remauied in session until near the close of the year, from June 1 to Decemlier
5, without coming to an agreement upon a bill, and finally adjourned without
having passed one. ^
James A. I'x'aver was elected governor of Pennsylvania in November, 1886,
and is the |ircsciit incumbent. He is a native of Perry county, Penn., and a
o-raduate of JelTerson College. He read law, and was admitted to practice in
1859. In April, 1801, he went into the army as a first lieutenant, and served
with distinction, being mustered out in December, 1864, with the rank of
brigadier general. The most prominent law enacted during his administration
is the Brooks license law, passed in 1887. The proposed amendment to the
constitution, prohibiting Ihe manufacture or sale of intoxicants within the
State, was vot.'d on in the spring of 1889, and was defeated by a large majority.
HISTOKY OP PENNSYLVANIA.
47
TABLE SHOWING THE VOTE
OR GOVERNORS OP PENNSYLVANIA SINCE THE ORGAN-
IZATION OF THE STATE,
Thomas Mifflin . .
78,219 John W.Geary
Arthur St. Clair
.... 2,802 Joseph Ritner .■.■.■.■"
1793.
George E. Baum
' 6 Giles Lewis
Thomas Mifflin
1869.
91335 •'01^'' W Geary
F. A. Muhlenberg
--;" George Wol....^^^^-
290,552
1796.
Thomas Mifflin
Joseph Ritner
... 30,020 1835.
.... 1,011 Joseph Ritner
»8>i«5 w. D.^Keiiy.:'.'.'.'.:.;'.'.'.-.-.'.::
' 1
F. A. Muhlenberg
1799.
Thomas McKean
James Ross
::::;::: 65 8w 1872.
Henry A. Muhlenberg...,
... 38,036 ,„„„
... 32,641 18^8.
David R Porter
40,.586 John F. Hartrauft
Charles R. Buckalen
S. B. Chase
:.'.'.'.'.'.'.'317;760
117 8''7 William P. Schell
Thomas McKean
James Ross, of Pittsburgh..
::: '^^i i84i.
... 7,538 David R. Porter
John Banks
'"'" 1875.
John F. Hartranft...
1808.
136,504 C-yrus L. Pershing
113 473 R. Audley Brown
292445
13,244
T. J. Lemoyne.
^iZesl^s's"''
... 39;57g Samuel L. Carpenter
... 4,006 Ellis Lewis
4 J. W. Brown
^'S^t::::::z::::::::z
.
G.D.Coleman
James Staples .
::; r 1844.
2 Francis R. Shunk
Jack Ross
^^^S^^^:::::::::::::::..
J
1811.
Julius J. Lemoyne'.".'.'."'.'.!
John Haney
2 W.D.Brown
:::::;: 1
William Tighlman .'.V. "s%m " ,„,,
Scatfring.no record for whom 1,675 184..
1814. fam°eflr^in''"°'
' Ti^iZ-Jt:!.T'
1
1-16.081 1878.
Simon Snyder
Isaac Wayne
G. Lattimer
... 51,099 Emanuel U Reigart
.. 29,566 F. J. Lemoyne
910 George M. Eeim
•■■■""g Jn^e^rsni::::::::::::;:
^■""J Samuel R. .Mason
\ Franklin H. Lane
319,490
297,137
81,758
1848.
.. 66,331 William F. Johnston ,
.. 59,272 Morris Longstreth
1 E. B. Gaz2am..j
1817.
William Findlay
John McKee
168,522 g:uMiii;^:::;z:;;;::;:;;;'
1
168.225 J.H.Hopkins
48 A.G.Williams
Moses Palmer
Aaron Hanson
1 Scattering (no record)
:: } 1851.
:! William Bigler
2 William F.Johnston
John Seffer
Seth Thomas
Nicholas AViseman
ReTijamin R Morgan
186,4-. - '."'V"' "
178,",;i > - ,■
,:.:: }
William Til<rhman
Andrew Gregg
' 1854,
James Pollock
IS-.'O.
Edward E Orvis
„,„„ William Bigler
166,991 Jggo
WilUam Findlay ;;:;,
Scattering (no record)
1823.
J. Andrew Shuize
Andrew (iregg
■■ ' 21 1807.
William F. Packer
■■'•'^ r;..i....! F r^tt^nn
i8s,,Mi, ' ■; ~'', ': . ,,
•••■• 2*."^; sca.,«,ng„'„.,::::,::::;::::::.
' ,-«
John Andrew .Shulze
Alidrew<.ragg
■ 7,311 William stee! ;.'.'.'.'.':;:;:::;
1 1886.
"loiin^A. s^ndze'.'.'.'!.':'""";;:;;;
Isaac Wavne
- .1 Samuel McFarland
loi George F. Horton
1 James A. Beaver
7 Chauncey F. Black
,,,, o69,'fi:i'i
3 1860.
1 Andrevr G. Curtin
; Henry D. Foster
1863.
A. G. Curtin
CharlesS. \7o!fe
Robert J. Houston
202,346 Scattering
230,239
,„ 32,4:.S
(jeorge Bivan
1826.
Johnt'rg'am!",;:
. 72,710 George W. Woodward
. 1.175 John Hickman . ...
254!l71
Scattering (no record,
■ 1,174 Thomas M.Howe
}
.^^/r^^ ^;
HISTORY OF McKEAN COUNTY
McKEAN COUNTY.
CHAPTER r.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
BOUNDAUY AND AREA.— LaND CeS'^IOXS AXD PUHCIIASES— POPULATION— A.S.SKS.S-
MENT STATISTICS— General Description— Topography— Creek Nomen-
clature— Vegetation— Lumber Manufacture- Game and Fish- Fossils
—Coal Mines— Gas Wells.
^T^HIS couaty is bounded on the north by the New York-Pennsylvania line;
±. east by Potter county; south by Cameron and Elk counties, and west by
Warren county. The area is placed at 640,000 acres, a tract the most interest-
ing in the country, owing to its mineral resources and railroad systems; and
the most picturesque, on account of its ten thousand hills, many of which are
still clothed in their suits of hemlock.
Under the treaties of 1784 the lands of McKean and adjoining counties were
ceded to Pennsylvania by the Sis Nations Indians, and within a year thousands
of acres were sold by lottery. In 1796 John Keating made his first purchases
here (buying 300,0(30 acres for $80,000 from the original buyers), and a year
later a line was traced for a road from the head of Pine creek to the Oswayo.
Surveyors Lightfoot, King, Ayers and others were on the ground at an early
date, so that before the close of the first decade of the nineteenth century the
territory was explored, and a few villages established, Ceres and Instanter
being the most important.
In 1810 there were 142 inhabitants; in 1820, 728, and in 1830 there were
1,439, of whom 764 were white males and 674 white females, two deaf and
dumb and two blind persons. In 1840 the poiaulation increased to 2,975; in
1850 to 5,254; in 1860, exclusive of Shippen (added to the new Cameron
county), 7,651, and in 1870, 8,826. The population in 1880 was 42,578, the
remarkable increase being due to the development of the great oil field from
1875 to date of census. The total vote in 1888 was 7,709 or 4,066 Republi-
can, 2,922 Democratic, 426 Prohibitionists and 295 Labor Unionists. The
population estimated on this vote of November, 1888, is 40,424, as shown in
the sketches of the townships and boroughs.
By the assessment of 1829 the seated lands were valued at $39,340; the
unseated at 1490,740, and personal property at $32,707.25. The tax levy was
5 mills with $17.26 collected for duties on foreign merchandise amounting to
$102. 26. The valuation of trades and occupations in 1889 was $434, 710; of seated
real estate, $4,756,923; of unseated real estate, $1,650,620; of 4,064 horses, $94,-
035; of 4,547 cows and neat cattle, $48,735, or a total of $6,985,033. The moneys
at interest were estimated at $1,296,911, and for the luxury of kee^sing 2,228
canines the owners paid a tax of $2,512. The amount of money at interest.
54 , HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
including stocks, bonds, etc. , assessed at the rate of three mills on the dollar,
was $1,296,911. Smethport leads with $594,903. Bradford comes nest with
$264,162, and Port Allegany third with $94,228. Wetmore township stands
fourth with $83,004, and Kane seventh with $28,893. In January, 1889, the com-
missioners of Potter, McKean and Cameron counties agreed to value unseated
lands per acre for the next three years as follows: Barren lands, 50 cents to $1. 50;
sparsely timbered hemlock, $2.50 to $4; good hemlock, $5 to $8; sparsely
timbered pine, $6 to 18; good pine, $10 to $20. The assessed value of real and
personal estate in the boroughs of McKean county stand in the following order:
Port Allegany, $161,836; Smethport, $159,585; Kane, $100,538; Eldred,
$97,046; Kendall, $85,382.
The Gazetteer, giving a description of McKean county in 1832, says:
It is everywhere hilly along the streams, but nowhere mountainous, and abounds with
coal, iron and salt. The first is found in every township, and works have been erected
for manufacturing salt at the small village of Emporium, on a branch of the Sinnema-
honing. * * * * The only places that can claim the slightest pretention to be con-
sidered as towns are Smethport, Emporium and Ceres; neither of the two last named con-
tains six houses. * * * * * There is not a church in the county; yet an academy,
endowed by John Keating and others, and further receiving $2,000 from the State, was
incorporated January 19, 1829. There are in this town also a very substantial brick
court-house, and a stone prison; there is also a newspaper published here. Lumber seeks
the western market at Pittsburgh by the Allegheny, and the eastern markets by the Sin-
nemahoning creek.
The measured elevations of the county are given as follows [However the
average elevation must not be based on such figirres; as, within short distances
of the points named, mountain peaks rise abruptly to heights of from 300 to
700 feet above the track.]: Sergeant, 1,716 feet above mean ocean level; Clar-
ion summit, 2,025; Kane, 2,020; Cumming's siding, 1,878; Wetmore, 1,808;
May's siding, 1,739, and Ludlow, 1,604, in the southwest corner on the Phil-
adelphia & Erie Railroad. The elevation at the Forks of Kinzua creek is
1,304 feet above tide level; at the sulphur spring, near Kane, 1,619 feet, and
at Morrison's mill-dam, 1,264 feet.
Keating summit, 1,876 feet above tide; Liberty, 1,641; Port Allegany,
1,477; Sartwell, 1,447, Larrabee, 1,476; McKean & Buffalo Railroad junction,
1,472, and Eldred, 1,438 feet above tide, the track of the AVestern New York
& Pennsylvania Railroad being the measured elevation, which is comparatively
level from Eldred to the State line, except below Duffy's tannery, where the
elevation is more marked than at Eldred.
The Eldred or Dennis hill is at least 250 feet above the track; Frisbee.
1,459; Farmers Valley, 1,470; Smethport, 1,488; Crosby, 1,535; Colegrove,
1,538; Hamlin, 1,552; Wernwag, 1,855; Clermont, 2,074; Bishops Summit,
2,108; Bunker Hill, 2,095, and old Instanter, 2,200; CarroUton, N. Y., 1,394
feet; Limestone, 1,405; State Line and Babcock, 1,414; Tarport or Kendall
Creek, 1,433; Bradford, 1,439 (Mount Raub is 2,250 feet at summit); DeGol-
ier, 1,496; Lewis run, 1,560: Big Shanty, 1,667; Crawford's, 1,959; Summit,
2.133; Alton, 2,067; Bond View or Gilesville, 2,025, and Buttsville, 1,996;
Creek water at Kinzua crossing, 1,796; Howard Hill Hotel, 2,225: Kane and
Howai-d Hill road crossing, 2,196; Clarion crossing, 1,734; Schultz gas well
and Wilcox well No. 2, 1,646; Lanigan run, 1,634, and county line, 1,605 feet.
The places named, south of Buttsville, were measured in 1879 for the proposed
continuation of the road to Wilcox, in Elk county, the elevation of which is
1,526 feet; Dalton summit is 2,219 feet abov(> ocean level; Seven Mile sum-
mit, 2,200; crossing of Wilcox and Siiiflli|Hut State road, 2,18(5; head of west
branch of Warner brook, 2,-210; Tori Allegany depot. 1,477; Smethport depot,
1,488; cross roads (on warrant 3,(Hi4), 1,1) i:i: summit near southeast corner of
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 55
No. 2,083 warrant, '2,14(1 feet; isouthwest part of No. 2,073 warrant, 1,725
feet; the Devil's Elbow, on warrant. 2,0f53, is 2,060 feet, and the highest point
in Pennsylvania west of the fifth coal basin is Prospect hill, or the summit on
warrant No. 2,063, which is 2,413.") feet above tide.
The highest measured point between Ceres and Port Allegany is near the
cross-roads on the northeast corner of warrant 2,220, which is 2,185 feet above
tide. The lowest point is at Turtle bridge over Eock run, on No. 115 war-
rant, being 1,445 feet, or ten feet below the elevation of hotel at Ceres. The
highest measured point between Ceres and Eldred, except Dennis hill, is
1,558 feet above tide-water, being 120 feet above Eldred and 103 feet above
Ceres. Up Lillibridge creek from Port Allegany an elevation of 1.770 feet
is reached at the crossing of creek near warrant 2,236 or near the Ames farm,
but at the head the elevation is 2,260 feet. On warrant 2,203, near Annin
Creek post-office, the altitude is 2,255, and at the office 1,723; at Cooper's saw-
mill, southwest part of No. 3,444 warrant, 1,665 feet, and at the Methodist
building on same warrant, 1,740 feet. Between Port Allegany and Norwich
post-oliice the highest measured elevation above tide is 1,785 feet, the bridge over
Wolcott creek being the point measured. At the old Dennis well, near Brad-
ford, the elevation was found to be 2.055 feet above ocean level; Two Mile run
summit is 2,375 feet, and Comes creek summit, on road, is 2.255 feet. The
ridge between the branches of Brewer's run shows an altitude above tide of
2,232 feet.
The Allegheny river enters the county in the west center of Liberty town-
ship coming down from the heights of Potter county, receives the waters of
the Portage at Port Allegany, and of Nunundah creek south of Larrabee.
Hundreds of small streams enter the creeks named, while other hundreds feed
the main river directly. The river leaves the county at the State line, flows for
a short distance through New *'ork State and, returning to Pennsylvania, forms
the natural, but not the political, boundary of the north half of the county's
west line. The Tuna river and feeders water the central part of the northern
half, while the Kinzua and headwaters of the Clarion, fed by hundreds of
streams, are found in the south and southwest.
Over thirty years ago Orlo J. Hamlin completed his historical notes on this
county. From his unpublished manuscript, referred to in the chapter on pio-
neers, the writer learns that Kinzua creek is named from the Indian word Kinzu
(tish); Tuna or Tonuanguant creek, from Tunuan (big) and guant (frog or bull-
frog). Nun-un-dah (Potato creekj, fi-om the Indian word for potato; Marvin
creek, from the pioneer of that name who settled on its Ijank. Blacksmith run
and spring were named from the pioneer blacksmith's shop near the scaring in
the western part of Smethport; Cole's creek from Squire Cole, the pioneer of
its valley; Tobey, now known as the Clarion, and other creeks derive their
names in a similar manner. Mr. Hamlin, speaking on the name of Potato
creek, stated that Indians in the long ago lost some potatoes in this stream
through the upsetting of their canoe, and they called it Nun-un-dah. In 1832
he placed a potato before an Indian school-teacher, asking for its Indian name;
the teacher replied, "nun-un-dah." In after years he interviewed members
of the Cornplanter and Seneca bands, who gave it the same name. The stream
was also called "Six's creek," a Quaker name conferred likely by Francis
King; Conondaw and Cononondaw were titles conferred by some old surveyors,
likely in honor of some Indian who accompanied them, and in John Keating' s
letter to the county seat commissioners, he gives it the name " Cononoclan,"
undoubtedly reading "ondaw"'as "oclan. " Up to the period of Mr. Ham-
lin's death he always regretted the action of his fellow-citizens in adhering to
Ob HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
the anglicized form of the euphonious Indian name — Nuu-un-dah. It is not
too late yet to reform. The commissioners and courts may order the Indian
title to be used henceforth, authorize the change on the maps, and a few years
will banish the present barbarous name from a beautiful valley.
All the trees and shrubs common to northern Pennsylvania find a congenial
home on the hills and in the valleys of this county. Most of the pine has fal-
len beneath the ax of the lumberman, but great areas of hemlock remain al-
most untouched, while beech, birch, maple, elm, cucumber, iron-wood, butter-
nut, cherry, ash, walnut and other species of the hard-wood family present
themselves everywhere. The hemlock however may be said to be the pride of
the modern lumberman. Those dark-green forests of the once despised giants
now look admirable in his eyes, and he speaks of these gieat trees as the
jockey would of his pet racer, the pugilist of Sullivan, the oilman of his wealth-
giving well, or the engineer of his favorite locomotive. To point out the quali-
ties of this hemlock, the following story is told: On February, 28, 1S35, B.
H. Lamjihier, his father, and Squire AA'right cut down a cucumber tree with
the object of making from its wood troughs for sap. In falling it lodged
against a hemlock, which had also to be cat down. In 1885 B. H. Lamphier
found this hemlock in sound condition, and used part of it in his building of that
year. In 1849 an estimate of lumber manufactured here showed 14,500,000
feet of pine boards and 5,000.000 of cherry boards; 2,500,000 feet of square
timber (board measure) and 5,000,000 shingles. In modern times one mill-
ing concern aims to do even more than all the mills in this county, forty years
ago, accomplished in a year.
For ages this territory was the grand preserve of the Indian. He came
hither to hunt the panther, bear, wolf, fox and deer, and after a few months of
easy sport each year returned to his home on the Allegheny. When the pio-
neers came hither the animals, which the Red-men hunted, were. like the old
hunters, scarce; but enough remained to yield sport, bounty and food to the
daring vanguard of civilization. Up to 1875 wild animals existed here almost
as numerously as in the first years of the century ; but the oil prospector, wild-cat-
ter, scout, railroader and farmer came, and acting like the Irishman at Donny-
brook, struck at everything, upsetting the institutions of the wilderness. The
great tan-yards, the saw-mills which were built on every stream, the stream of
wasted oil which for twenty-five years has floated down the waters of the
county, have all contributed to thin out the finny tribe: but fish are still found
in sufficient quantities to entertain the angler; while many carp ponds have
been constructed and used successfully for fish cultiTre.
In 1876 Messrs. Ashburner & Fellows collected along the railroad on the
east bank of the Tuna (Tuniaanguant) near DeGolier, several specimens and
slabs of the spirifera disjuncta, a piece of canalomerate and leptodesma mor-
toni, at or above Bradford; on the branch of the New York, Lake Erie & West-
ern Railroad, a very indistinct brachiopod was found, and on the north slope
of the hill on the Big Shanty and Lafayette road, several lithological curiosi-
ties and leptodesma were found. In 1877 L. E. Hicks reported the follow-
ing discoveries at Big Shanty: Plant remains, slab covered with small oval
elevations, some having the appearance of roots or stems; rhynchonella (steu
oschisma) orbicularis; rhynchonella (stenoschisma) eximia; coelospira concava;
leiopteria dekayii, and modiomorpha quadrula. At Ludlow and Wetmore,
along the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, he discovered orthis, leucosia, streptor-
hynchus, chemungensis and athyrus angelica. At Larrabee, the streptorhynehus
chemungensis, just named, and spirifera disjuncta. weie found. At Kane,
arthrophycus harlani; orthoceras, small fragment; rhynchonella (stenochisma)
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 57
sappho; spirifera, lepidodendron and brachiopoda, small cast, poor. At Brad-
ford, cbonetes scitula; spirifera disjiincta; rbynchonella (stenoschisma) di^pli-
cata; rhyncbonella; productella hirsnta; crinoid columns, impressions of ends
and the plant. On Kinzua creek, near the county lines, he discovered ptycho-
paria salamanca; orthis leucosia, var. pennsylvanica; rhynchonella (stenoschis-
ma) sappho; spirifera disjuncta; lamellibranch, poor and broken, and orthis
impressa. In 1S78 A. \V. Sheaf er reported among others orthis leucosia and
plant impressions similar to those fonnd in the green sandstone at Eldred and
Emporium. The discoveries of shells reported include rhynchonella, etc.,
Bradford, point between east and west branches; also in that neighborhood
allorisma; crinoids; avicula; and rhynchonella and spirifer; grammysia, Brad-
ford, east side of Tuna; rhynchonella, etc., in SS. Bradford, west branch,
near "' Boss Well " (loose); orthoceras in cong., Rodger's farm, one-half mile
south of Bradford (loose) and at Morrison's dam; spirifer in cong. (two pieces,
loose); orthoceras. etc.. one and a half miles south of Bradford (loose), also
spirifer, there, on Sugar creek and on road from Tally Ho to the Swede church;
carboniferous plants, etc., Dennis well (two pieces) dug from Conductor hole;
aviculopecten, Tarport (loose), and spirifer at railroad level.
Iq 1880 E. A. Barnum discovered on the Bingham lands near Kinzua June
tion the root of a maple tree which was almost a perfect figure vi a girl two and
one-half feet in height. . . .Near Kinzua village, and at an elevation of almost
1,000 feet above, is a small pond fifty by twenty feet in dimension, and from
six to eight feet in depth. In this lake were found fish, most of them blind.
In 188-4 this locality was the home of rattlesnakes In April, 1878, H. F.
Northrup discovered (twenty rods east of the Windsor House, three miles east
of Port Allegany), the impression of a gigantic lizard in the sand rock. . . . In
the history of Bradford township reference is made to the remains of a large
race of men found some years ago.
The first semi-bituminous coal found in this county was discovered by a
surveying party (of which Jonathan Colegrove was chief) near Instanter in 1815
or 1810. They came to a windfall, and saw the stone coal lying beneath,
forming a bed for the roots and, in some cases, lumps of coal turned up with
the roots. Wheeler Gallup, who was one of the party, related the facts to O.
J. Hamlin in 1875. In 1817 Ransom Beckwith discovered coal on his lands
one mile from Instanter; later the Barrus bed, known as the " Lyman Mine,"
was opened, and in 1821 coal was found on the Clermont farm. In 1845 coal
was delivered at Smethport from the Barrus bed for 12^^ cents a biishel, and
shipped by team to Allegany and Cataraugus counties in New York State. In
1874 the Clermont mines were explored at the expense of Gen. George J.
Magee, and in September the Buffalo Coal Company was organized with the
General as j^resident and B. D. Hamlin and O. J. Hamlin, local stockholders.
The McKean & Buffalo Railroad Company was also organized with Byron
D. Hamlin, president, and D. R. Hamlin, local director. Work was begun
in October, 1874, and the road was completed to Clermont in 1875. Mr. John
Forrest, now of Smethport, was aj^pointed paymaster at that point. During
the year ending October 1, 1849, there were 1,000 tons of bituminous coal sent
by wagons into adjoining counties in this and New York State, and to-day the
coal fields of McKean, whether in the eastern or western portion of the county,
lend to the owners of manufacturing industries a confidence in supply of fuel
which neither gas nor oil can destroy. In other sections of this work the his-
tory of the several coalmining industries is given, and notes made on the
attemjits to manufacture coal oil from the smoky deposit.
In the history of the borough of Kane and of Wetmore, Eldred, Lil)erty and
58 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
other townships, references are made to the gas wells. In Ohio, New York,
Michigan, Illiaois and other States, gas veins have been opened when excavat-
ing for water wells, and the tiame converted into the uses of fuel; but the
modern well is a something which was discovered by accident in boring for oil.
Assistant State Geologist Ashburner, replying to Prof. I. C. White's state-
ment that all great gas wells are found on the anticlinal axes, points out the
exceptions in the Kane field, at Ridgway, at the old Mullin snorter and round
Bolivar, where large gas wells have been found in or near the center of syn-
clines. He says:
Altlioiigh it is ii fact that many of our largest Peiiu-i^'lvauia gas wells are located
near anticlnml axe=. yet tlip iio<;ilion in which gas may be found, and the amount to be
obtained, {lc|"'ii'l ii|i.'iii im tin- ])orosity and homogeneousness of the sandstone which
serves as a ii'S(.t\ nii to ImM i hr i;as; (4) the extent to which (he strata above or below tlie
gas sand air I'l-.ukrd: i. i llic dip of the gas sand, and the position of the anticlines and
Svncliues; [d) llie relative projiorlions oC \s:i'> i -i' i:m1 gas contained iu the sand; and
((■) the jii-essure under wliich gas exists bili '■ i piu'd by wells. All oil-bearing
sandstones contain a greater or less quanlii \ i most gas-producing sandstones
contain some oil, although a number of well- -an; ' i iii.iiiiice "drygas,"' or that in which
uo oil or water cau be detected, contain gas to the fxclusiou of fresh water, salt water or
oil.
Whether found in the synclines or anliclines the gas wells of McKean have
proved a luxury which even the poor may enjoy. Throughotit the cotinty gas
is used for light and fuel, giving peace to the home and promises of success
to every manufacturing industry.
In the Reporter of January 31, 1890, appeared the following poetical trib-
ute to McKean county from the pen of Mrs. Jennie E. Groves:
When morn with its splendor illumines the sky,
Save where a star lingers to watch the night die,
And the gray shrouding mist from the valley uprolled
Is changed by the sun to an ocean of gold
That bears on its bosom cloud land as fair
As ever took shape in the realms of the air:
Ah! who that, enraptured, has gazed on the scene
Can forget the briglit valleys and hills of JlcIveanV
CHAPTER II.
OIL FIELDS.
Kakly DiscovEitiES OK Oil— Coal Oil Mills .vnd Oil Wells— Oil Companies-
Wells OF THE Pioneer 1'eiuod— The Bradford Oil Field— ■■.siut-In "
BY PiiODUCEiis- Pipe Lines and Companies— Well Drilling, Past and
Presknt— Oil Scouts— Well Torpedoes— Miscellaneous.
THE earliest mention of oil liclds was made in the year 440 B. C, by
Herodotus, in connection with the Mark oil of Anderrica. Contemporary
geologists, as well as the people, appciir In have paid no attention to this .sub-
stance, and for over 2,000 years the mily known reservoirs of the world were
left uimoticed and undeveloped.
A discovery of oil was made July LS, \<S'l~i, by the French missionary, Pere
Joseph De la Roche, who described the Cuba oil spring across the New York
line in Allegany as La F'onfaine dc bi.hnne. France was too much engaged in
.sjiroading Ixer Roman civilization throughout the world to entertain an iclea of
(My^-<^^^:^K<.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 61
developing this fountain of hitnmen. There was no necessity for such devel-
opment, for before settlements were made at St. Augustine, Baltimore or
Plymouth Rock, that country was enjoying the fruits of plentj', and came next
to Rome herself in art and science. Thus these oil wells were left unnoticed
for almost 240 years. In 1694 Hancock and Portlock were granted patents
for oil made from rock, and in 1701 oil was distilled from bituminous shale.
Thirty-eight years later Col. Brodhead's division of Gen. Sullivan's army
rejjorted their discovery of petroleum on their return from the expedition
against the Senecas, and some years later, when the British Indians, soldiers
and Tory followers fled to Canada from the wrath of a free people, they pur-
chased oil for illuminating and lubricating purposes from the Indians of the
Thames Valley.
On September 19, 1767, Sir William Johnson, writing at Niagara, says:
" Asenshan came in with a quantity of Carious Oyle. taken off the top of the
water of some very small Leake near the village he belongs to."
In 1806 a pedrller, by name Nat. Carey, estalilished his " Seneca Oil" in-
dustry on Oil creek, where, later, Gen. Hayes of Franklin purchased three
barrels, which he shipped by wagon to Baltimore. The intelligent oil dealers,
to whom it was consigned, did not fancy the odor of the oil or appearance of
the barrels, and consequently had it emjjtied into the Chesapeake, and the bar-
rels destroyed by hre. From 1810 to 1817 Hecker and Mitis of Truscovitch,
Austria, refined petroleum, and at Bayne an official inspection of naphtha and
mineral oil was made in 1817, and in Starunia they were rectified. The
Greensburg Gazette of November IS, 1819, speaking of the first oil well, says:
"We are informed that John Gibson, of this town, in boring for salt water
near Georgetown, on the Conemaugh river, .struck a copious supply of Seneca
oil at a depth of 207 feet. He supposes that a barrel per day might be pro-
cured. ' '
In 1854, while the United States bid farewell forever to the Old-line
Whigs, one Toch, an Austrian, bid farewell to the United States, and going
to Vienna taught the oil men of Austria the method of refining used at Taren-
tum, Penn. , by Peterson & Dale, for whom he built the refinery. The Marvin
Creek Coal Company was organized February 12, 1855, with a capital stock of
$25,000. John Atkinson, of Erie, and Bryant P. Tilden, of Boston, owned
half this stock. Two years later the capital was increased, and 700 acres of
coal lands added. Near Smethport, at Crosby, works were erected where are
now the mills, and coal oil produced from the Clermont coal. In March,
1857, the following letter appeared in the Rochester (N. Y.) Democrat: " I
have just seen specimens of benzole, camphene oil and tallow from coal up
in the vicinity of Smethport, McKean county, superior to anything ever known.
One ton of coal makes eighty gallons of benzole, forty gallons of fluid, twenty
gallons of lubricating oil and fifteen pounds of tallow or sperm. The actual
cost of benzole, etc., will not exceed fifteen cents per gallon. * * * There
is a machine (for manufacturing purposes) now on the way to Bradford. De-
jaend upon it, this is no humbug." Nor was it, for buildings were erected
opposite the present Riddell House, and coal oil manufactured there. In
November, 1859, a New York and Boston company erected a coal-oil mill at
the Hermit opening between Marsh's Corners and Kinzua, where they hoped
to mine sufficient coal for obtaining this oil. Gilliert. one of the projectors,
did not then dream that oil existed here in oceans, although the Drake well,
at Titusville, was completed August 28, 1859, and even before this, in 1858,
J. M. Williams' well in Canada, and other wells in Enniskillen township, in
the county of Lambton, same country, were in operation. The coal oil man-
62 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
ufacturers had before them the efforts of S. Kier and Nevin, McKeown & Co.,
of March, 1857; the latter company's well at Greensburg, Penn. , in 1858;
the offer of $1,000 for a lamp that would burn petroleum made by S. Kier in
1857, and also the shipments made to New York in November, 1857, by A. C.
Ferris, and the introduction of a lamp in which the odorous oil would burn.
Col. Drake's well soon shadowed the coal-oil extract works out of existence,
and nothing was heard throughout Pennsylvania but stories of wells and drills
and oils.
In April, 1861, oil was found on the Beckvvith farm, a mile west of Smeth-
port; at Port Allegany the citizens drilled a well, while near McCoy's mill
pond (in the vicinity of Smethjjort) oil was discovered, and down the Tuna ex-
ploration was carried on. About this time some irreverent drillers placed a
sign on their new derrick, "Oil, Hell or China." Their resolution amounted
to little as they did not strike oil, or China. In 1862 the old Barnsdall
or Bradford well near west city line was drilled, a spring pole being part of
the machinery used. With this rude driller and ruder ideas of the reservoir,
it is no wonder that the tired and disaj)pointed owners abandoned the work at
a depth of 200 feet, or within 825 feet of the productive sand. In 1865-66,
the citizens of the little village of Bradford* formed a bee to explore farther,
and drilled to a depth of 875 feet, when they surrendered the works within
150 feet of the ^joint where perseverance would bring victory. Basing their
ideas on the Oil City fields, where the top of the productive third sand is 528
feet above ocean level, they, with little labor, essayed to elevate the level of
the Bradford third sand which is ll-t feet below that of Oil City, a physical im-
possibility indeed. In 1864-05 the Dean Brothers drilled 900 feet on the
Shepherd farm, near Custer City. Here another disappointment waited on
ignorance of geological structure, for while the old Bradford sand could be
found 1,100 feet below the surface there, it was at least 200 feet deeper down
on the Shepherd farm. Men were wild in those days. Impatience as well as
ignorance of altitudes and structures ruined many individuals, whose ideas
were otherwise practicable. The Dean Brothers did poorer work on the Clark
farm (Tarport), where they halted within 400 feet of the top of the produc-
ing sand, after wasting time and labor on a 605-feet hole. Kinzua Village
oil-field dates back to 1865, when the Kinzua Oil Company and the Kinzua
Oil Association were organized, and six wells drilled to a depth of 600 feet,
but oil answered the drill in only small quantities. In 1875 Hunter & Cum-
mings drilled on the Cobbett farm without success, and in 1878 E. A. Van-
Scoy&Co. 's venture on Wolf run was equally unsuccessful, although residents
and others were much enthused by the appearances and disappearances of oil.
In the winter of 1884-85 James Parker & Co. drilled on the Fuller farm,
and on March 27, 1885, the " Kinzua Gusher " was expected to drown out all
other wells, but yielded only twenty- five barrels. Later, however, staying
wells were developed and worked successfully.
In 1868 the several oil enterprises of Job Moses, in the neighborhood of
Limestone, gave an idea of what the true development of this region would
yield. The Salem Oil Company' sf well was being drilled in August, 1871, on
* On Augusts?, 1866, the Kingsbury well at Bradford was drilled by Mr. Walihe to a depth of 791 feet
(eighty feet in oil bearing rock), when a vein of oil was struck. P. T. Kennedy stales that the well of 186.5-66,
put down by the villagers, produced a tine quality of lubricating oil in small quantities. A man named Hale
pumped from this well for a number of years. The Dean Brothers' well on Shepherd's run was drilled for a
MiddietowD (N. Y.) company.
ed from this well for a number of years. The Dean Brothers' well on Shepherd's run
letowD (N. Y.) company.
tThe Salem Oil Conip.iny's well mentioned was never drilled in 1871, but in 187(5 carried out their
plans near where P. T. Kennedy drilled the second well in that neighborhood. The Taylor Company found
some oil in the second sand, but in 1876 others drilled deeper and were successful. Job Moses drilleu across the
line from 1865 to 1875, meeting with small success.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 63
Shepherd's run, near DeGolier and the Elk Lick spring. The W. H. Tay-
lor Oil Company organized in September, 1871, with J. K. HafPey, president;
J. W. Hillon, vice-president; T. J. Campbell, treasurer, and T. J. Melvin,
secretary, to drill wells on Kendall creek, on the Moore farm. Mark Hardie,
of Mt. Alton, and others were members of this company. In August, 1871,
a meeting held at the new Bradford House, at Bradford, to consider means to
develop the oil field, organized the Barnsdall Oil Company, with J. \V. Hilton,
president; J. R. Pomeroy, vice-president; C. C. Melvin, treasurer; T. J. Mel-
vin, secretary; James Broder and Enos Parsons, directors.
In 1871 old-time methods changed for the better. The Foster Oil Com-
pany was organized with C. H. Foster, Job Moses and James E. Butts, mem-
bers. They drilled at a point two miles northeast of Bradford, and in
November struck a ten-barrel-perday sand 1,110 feet below the well's mouth.
Even with this examj^le of perseverance nothing more of importance was
accomplished until December 6, 1874, when Butts & Foster opened Butts well
No. 1 on the Buchanan farm, a half mile northeast of their first well, and
_ struck a seventy-barrel- per-day stream. The product for the month was
seventy-five barrels. Before April 1, 1880, there were 4,000 ])roducing wells
in the Bradford oil district, yielding 50,000 barrels daily. In March, 1874,
the Emporium Press, referring to the Butts wells below Tarport, noticed the
progress of development as follows: "The oil fever is raging in our neighbor-
ing county. Two wells have been put down at Bradford, and both are yield-
ing well. The oil is of better quality than that found in the oil regions, and
many oil men are changing base, preparing to operate in this new oilderado.
The oil is found at a depth of eleven hundred and fifty feet." In March,
1875, J. C. Jackson and A. B. Walker leased of P. T. Kennedy a farm one
mile east of Bradford (now producing), and they completed their first well in
July — the first ever drilled into the third Bradford sand— yielding about
twenty-five barrels per day. This field J. C. Jackson, A. B. Walker, S. Solo-
mon, Elias Eckhart formed a company to develop, putting dcjwn twenty paying
wells in 1875-76. Meantime Mr. Kennedy had his royalties from this field,
and shortlj' after the well proved a success he purchased Eckhart' s interest.
Olmsted, of Tidioute, finished his well into slush oil below the old Bennett
farm, on the Crooks farm, one mile north of the well on the Kennedy farm,
about July, 1875. In September, same year, the Crocker well, then only 960
feet deep, was yielding 150 barrels per day. In April, 1875, work on the
Smethportoil well was begun, and on November 15 a depth of 2,004 feet was
reached without finding oil. In August. 1876, the William Haskell well was
commenced.
No 1 well on the Tibbett farm is said to be the first success on the East
branch. This farni became the property of Lewis Emery, Jr. The Quintuple
tract, formerly the Kingsbury estate, contains 4,000 acres. It was purchased
in 1875 by Lewis Emery, Jr.", for $54,000. Whitney & Wheeler, Free Pren-
tiss and S. L. Wilson were associated with hioi in this purchase, Wilson sub-
sequently receiving $15,000 advance on his share of purchase money. In
1875 Mr. Emery made his first venture on the Tibbett farm in Toad Hollow,
his next on the J. M. DeGolier farm, and the third on the Salem tract of the
Quintuple, near a well formerly drilled by Barnsdall. but abandoned at 1,100
feet; a fourth on lot 296, southwest of Custer, near Marshburg, and a fifth at
Lewis run on a lease of 3,700 acres. Lescure, the superintendent, reported
128 producing wells in January, 1880, and 681 wells in January, 1884, on the
Quintuple. Blair well No. 1, Jackson & AValker's No. 2, at Bradford, and
Olmsted's No. 1 on the Sanford farm, were examined in November, 1875, and
■64 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
showed the crude to range from 44° to 46° gravity. In July. 1876, the Ken-
nedy well showed slush oil of 41° gravity, while Prentiss No. 1 showed 44°,
and' Byron & Co.'s well on the Foster farm 45°. Late in 1S76 a gas well was
struck on the Bruce Rogers farm, near Bradford. The gas was ignited, and
from October 1 to February 1, 1877, jets of flame rose twenty-five to forty
feet, burning continually, and making summer dwell in the depths of the
forest during the earlier winter months.
The Bradford Oil Company was organized under charter April 20, 1876, as
the successor to Chambers, Jones & Co. The principal stockholders were J.
T. Jones, Wesley Chambers, L. G. Peck and L. F. Freeman. This company
owned a large portion of the site of Bradford from Main street south, the sale
of which in lots brought in $40,000. In January, 1882, the company still
owned 10,000 acres of the northern field, had 100 producing wells at Four'
Mile, Indian Creek, West Branch of Tuna, and in other localities, so that
each share was valued at §2,000. In June, 1879, J. T. Jones, who purchased
Chambers' stock, was elected president, and in 1881 he bought out Peck &
Freeman, when H. E. Brown, of Warren, was elected secretary, and T. J.
Powers, treasurer. Thirty-live new wells were added in June, 1876, and the
total production for the month was 33,134 barrels. There were 115 wells in
the Tuna Valley in July, 1876, twelve of which yielded less than ten barrels
per day, and only five yielded over twenty barrels each. During June of
this year thirty-five wells were drilled, which are included in the total given.
Of the flowing wells Wing & Lockwood's, near the State line, and Whitney &
Co.'s well No. 5, both new wells, took fire. In August, 1876, a gas explosion
at Prentiss well No. 9 resvilted in two men being burned to death.
The true development of the Bradford District commenced in the centen-
nial year, when operators from the Venango fields turned to the Tuna Valley,
extending their wells from Bradford to Limestone, where Job Moses had the
first paying well. At this time oil lands were purchased at from $6 to $10 per
acre, which in a few months were worth $500 and $1,000 per acre. . The
Dennis well, located three-quarters of a mile southwest of the old village
boundary, was begun in December, 1877, and drilled to 1,719 feet by April,
1878, the mouth being 2,055 feet above the ocean, or about 611 feet above the
railroad track at Bradford depot. To watch and record the clays and rocks
brought up by the drill, Geologist Leslie appointed a Mr. Hale, who made the
complete record published by the department. The McCalmont Oil Company,
named from the McCalmont farm, where the company met early successes, was
organized in 1877, with David Kirk. F. A. Dilworth" Frank Tack, F. E. Tack,
A. H. Tack and I. E. Dean, members. In 1879 they decided to try the north-
ern field, where heavy purchases were made from the Biughams, as the "Tri-
angle well," opened by O. P. Taylor, showed what might be exiiected in
Alli'^-licny cDimty. In May, 1881, the Richburg well was struck, and imme-
dialclv (Ih> McCalmont Company purchased the Ackerman farm of 350 acres,
at s'.Hi per aric. and then the Reed farm, which led to so much litigation in
order (o clc.'j,!,. (hi" validity of the Sbei)herd leases. In the northern territory
it claimed -I"''! acn-i and twenty-six wells, in 1882, and in McKean county 406
acres and I'ii^lity cio-ht wells, with fifty new wells under construction.
In 1S77 a company of Pennsylvania cheese makers drilled 1,100 feet in
Sharon township, o[i a tributary of the Honeoye, and was known as the Wright
well. The well on Horse run, across the line in Genesee township, Allegany
county, N. Y., was drilled about this time; while Kemper, of Duke Centre,
drilled in the northeast corner of Ceres towu.ship, just inside the line of McKean
county, to a depth of 1,600 feet, but very little oil was found. Kemjier drilled
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 05-
a second well on King's rnn. which proved dry. It appears that this sand
belongs to the Elk county family rather than to the Bradford family. It is
said to have its origin in Spring Creek township, in Elk county, and to extend
to 'Wellsville. Taylor's Triangle No. 4, the Schultz wells on Halsey's lands,
near Wilcox, the BufFalo Coal Company's wells on Instanter brook, the wells
at Smethport, also the wells drilled toward the northeast, were all found to be
in the Spring Creek sand. In 1878 the Duke Centre oil field showed the rich
oils of the Bradford sand, and the same year wells along the Windfall and
round Eldred were drilled. The Angell Oil Company was organized in March,
1880, when C. D. Angell' s wells, at Knapp's creek, the Exporters & Producers'
wells, on Kendall creek and at FuUerton, were merged, and 960 acres of the
Clark, Babcock & Hulings' tract, north of the State line, added, in all fifty-eight
producing wells, valued at $400,000. C. D. Angell was chosen general man-
ager; George H. Danforth, president; William R. Lyon, secretary and treas-
urer, and they, with Charles T. Crocker and E. M. Danforth, formed the board
of directors.
Mitchell & Jones had 900 acres, sixty producing wells, and a one-fourth
share in forty others, in 1882. Peck & Freeman had 500 acres, fifty produc-
ing wells, and a one-eighth interest in 125 acres of leased oil lands. Brown &
Jones claimed 125 acres on the head-waters of Kendall creek, in 1882, with,
twenty-five producing wells. The Emery Oil Company (L. Emery, Jr., W^ R.
Weaver and L. E. Hamsher), purchased the Minard run tract, in October, 1883,
from C. C. Melvin, A. B. Walker, Howe and associates. The original Moody
tract was 7,000 acres, of which 920 were hitherto disposed of, leaving the
Emery Company 6.080 acres, ninety-four producing wells, and seven 35,000-
barrel tanks. The consideration was 1300,000. This was formerly proved
and found wanting by the P. C. L. & P. Company, but Melvin, Walker & Howe
are said to have realized about §1,000,000 from the tract.
In November, 1885, the Kane field, which was an uncertain quantity in the
oil market for sis years before, came prominently before the people. At this
time oil reached I1.07-J-, but on November 20 news arrived that the Kane well
was making seventy-nine barrels in sixteen hours, and that on December 11
it had reached ninety-three barrels in twenty-four hours. This news, of course,
had its effect upon the market. Among the leading producers of this county
Capt. Jones leads, with R. J. Straight, the Emery Oil Company, Lewis Em-
ery, Jr., John McKeown, The Associated Producers. Union Oil Company,
Forest Oil Company, Anchor Oil Company, Bradford Oil Company, American
Oil Company, and the Watson Oil Company. The American Oil Company
(P. T. & W. C. Kennedy), were among the leading producers until a year or
two ago, when they sold many of their wells.
Wells of the Pioneer Period* The wells drilled in the Bradford field
prior to December 1, 1880, 8,845 of which were producers at that date, are
named in the following list: [The few omissions in this list are referred to
in the sketches of the boroughs and townships of McKean county.]
*The list was prepared for the Era by a special staff of reporters, among whom w.-^s the late J C. Jfc-
Jlulleii; A. h Snell. uow mauauer of the Eni. was also in this work. How well tliev accomplished the work
•coufided to them is madeevideul by this liistorical list— the ouly record in e.^Listence wliich gives the names
connected with the Bradford field and the drill work accomplished within its boundaries from 1875 to Decem-
66
Ti-NA Valley.
(Produciug.)
Irvine, Irvine Oil Co
Mantz, Bennie Bros & Co. .
Leonard, Porter & Mont-
HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
; Hunt lot, H Clark 1
1 Ward, A C Scott b
BraiiiMee, "Foster & Co.... 2
! Par>-ri~1.it,.T P, Farrel. ... 2
M,,i„> liaa, Harsh •
Sclireiber
"Willis, Shear Bros
" State Line Oil Co.
" StilhvellOil Co..
Clark, Mill- l.in-iiiK .i
•■ Kur. kaDlll n..
Pattou, J \V Humjilinw ....
Zeliff,
McKeuzie
Carmody, P C L & P Co . . .
C H Foster, C H Foster &Co
J L Alcomb
PC L&P Co..
Bennett, Hale &, Carll
" Foster
J O Beardsley, James
Booker
Terry, P C L ct P Co
S L Wilson, S L Wilson....
Miller, M S Miller
Watkins, Roberts & Ster-
rett
Crooks, J L Aleomb
PHookrr .1 l,.AV-..mb.V.(:"
Harris, - '" 1 'hii, ii,i i .,
McCarl- ■ - ,,;.,, m '.. ,,
MrsMill- , I', 1 I'-irn
leuiii I I.
Eli Hooker, J C MeAllister
Wm Beardsley, G V Formau
Saulu.d iul.Uavi^cV: Hilton
Mill lot, FT Kennedy
Miller lot, Foster, Bartlett
Matteson lot, F E Bradley.
A W Newell, S G Slike ....
FH Newell..
Brown & Norris lot. Brown
& Norris
A-ai.S-n l,it,F.rowu>.tNor.
llumphn
uk
Whitney
Wheeler
Balton Bros, F E Bradley. .
Howard.
I Warner, O (i Emery it Co.
Fai
Hanks iV: Co
Neye lot, John Potts . . .
Hewett lot, Whitney
Wheeler
Rntherfnrd. Whitney
Wl
I'ai-M,,, lot, Wliltuey i\:
c)--uMil lot, Thomas Brad-
j Bradley lot, Tiiomas Brad-
ley
' Butts lot, J E Butts, Jr....
t!r. iiniiii, Whitney &
Cniiii
1 I:
l)an(
\\\-
McKc
III \:
.1.. 1 LmV .-ru 1 i^ •.
H Beard»le
y, State Line Ui
Co
H Beardsley, pur Line Oi
Co
Hell,
Clark
]'-"
,.l }',( lavk ,t C
PC \.\. I'Ci.
( ' .1 l-:vrr^<iii , .
W B Snow. . . .
Talt it Payne.
slot
Union Oil Co..
Scwa
•d,W
litncy&Wheek
Ford
Irasi
Ko-ers, Hradtord (1
Brown,
Rauli, P C; L it P C.
i ■• (iWRaub. ..
" C Everson..
•' I.aiir, Sllli
Fisher & Lane, Mechanies'
Oil Co
Fisher & Lane, W A Pull-
man ct Co
Fisher & Lane, J D Luplier
" Derby it
Fisher It Lane',' Sam Smith
it Thomson
Canfield & Brady, Moore it
Pettibone
Canfleld & Brady, McManus
& O'Dell
Pierce lot, Sterrett & Rob-
erts
Patterson lot, I L Shank.. .
Irvine, Van Vleck & Mitel
ell
Baillet, Short & Co
Eclipse Oil Co...
Willis, She
Co.
Line Oil
•■ Miller
Joseph Fritz
•• Haskell it O'Dell..
.\lanson Clark. State Line
Oil Co
Clark, J W Humphrey
Whittaker. P C L it PCo..
Terry. -■
SL Wilson. SL Wilson....
P Hooker, Buehanan it Sons
Harris, Sill Farm Oil Co. . .
McCartey, Louks Bros
Morris & Barse .
Parsons it Co. . .
Kandulph Par-
■s R.
iker
Mrs Mui'ller. P C
.-aid. . .
tmau .
.lehana
HISTOllY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
67
PT Kennedy, American Oil
Co
Cockroft, P C L it P Co . . . .
Emery Oil Co.. .
Railroad Y, PC L&PCo..
Evans, American Oil Co . . .
Parsons lot, "
Sanford lot, Davis & Hilton
Mill lot, P T Kennedy
A W Newell, H Clark
S G Slike
Stone lot, J W Humphrey.
Walsh lot, Anglun Bros
Balton Bros' lot, Whitney
& Wheeler '.
Ballon Bros' lot, Balton
Bros
Schroder, E G Tilf ord
Neve lot, Dr Book
Foster lot, Whitney it
Wheeler '
Cain, r r I. ,v r Co
Cliuivh, I'T K.iiii.-^lv
Par^.ln- Im, Wiiiiucy iV:
Whr.-lri- ■...,.
Little, ihirsli Lt .Sihreiber.
Wagoner,
Kaub, P C L cfc P Co
Cole lease, G V Forman
Seward, Whitney &^\Tieeler
Ford lease, unknown
Fuller, ••
Welsh, H B Porter it Co...
Pierce lot, Sterrett & Rob-
erts
Patterson lot, I L Shank. . .
J Beardsley, Morris
" James Rooker
" Limestone
Pet Co
Babcoek, Whitney ct
Wheeler
Malony, Whitney it
Wheeler "
Total
Reservation, Fred Prentice
Palmer it Co.
'■ Carson it Slo-
cum
Bartlet Brook, lot 14, PCL
it P Co
Irvine, State Line Oil Co...
'■ Deluce, Palmer & Co
Hammerwright, &
Co
Irvine, Frederick it Co
Boot, Van Vleck & Mitch-
ell
Leonard, Porter it Mont-
gomery
Beunctt,"nnknown
Miller, M S Miller
McCartev. McCartey .'.'.'.'. '.
Mrs .Miller, Diamond Petro-
leum Co
H Beardsley, Empire State
Oil Co...:
Empire State farm, Empire
State Oil Co
:mpire State farm. Harsh
it Schreiber
iminre State farm, E Clark
McKeau, ■■
Beardsley, State Line Oil
3 Co No 24.
Harsh i\: Schreiber..
AshitO'Dell
Zeliff, Olmsted
Boss, Bradford Oil Co
Bolivar Run ■'
Adams, Nichols Run, Brad-
ford Oil Co
Tola
FOSTER BKOOK.
(ProAu-lmj).
Porter it Gillmor, C. Sharji
it Co
Porter it Gillmor, Anchor
I'll ( .1
I'uiiir ,\: (Jillmor, Sharp,
M.lrair.^ Cn
I'cutri ,v (lillmor, David
l''.rt.r,vi;illmor',Rathbone
it .Miller
Porter iV cillmor, Hazen,
I'ortn ,\: liillmor, Coats it
.Murray
Torl.r ,C- (iiUraor, Porter,
liillmor ,V: Co
Porter it Gillmor, Rump it
Hazen
Ottnian, W Crim Walker. .
" JIack Bros
Upper Herdiek, Frink
Hitrick it
Howe
L'pper Herdiek (and C.B.it
H), J J Carter
Upper Herdiek, Irvin,
Davis it Co
Upper Herdiek, Post it
Bartles
Olean Oil Co., C K Raner
Leopold Bros.
EM Bell
John McMurray, Leopold
' John McMurray. Murray it
Critchlow
John McMurray, McMurray
Bros
Robt McMurray, McMur-
I ray Bros
Robt McMurray, Whitney
it Son
Robt McMurray, Parks .t
James McMurray, McMur-
ray Bros
James McMurray, Wiggle
B R it Co, Baiim, Ricbard-
Smith, O B it W L Smith
, Tew, H W Tew
Berry, R D^Bailcy
J A Stearns
Lynch, Lynch it McMurray
E T Co, O A Childs it Co
Walker it Wait..
Wilcox, Wilcox it Kirk....
JMConudon
Randall it Veder..
SSScoville
OF Schoublom...
J Evans
Donaliugli it Slier-
C F McDonr
it.Thonuis Ar-ue
J L Clark..:,..
Irvin, Davi^ it
J V Ritts
C R Sherman
Short, Blainit Co...
Rogers & Richard-
Foster Brook Oil Co
AW Sherman it Co
Mutual Oil Co
" Cushing & Morri-
son
Snyder, Hapgood & Lock-
wood
Snyder Hapgood & Lock-
wood
Bell, EM Bell
Bradley, Ernst Bradley &
Co.
Bradley,
MJ Tufft...
Buffa
o Oil t
o
Halmi
r it Di
dley..
Delo
)il Co.
Kelly
it Hen
sliaw. .
E Bo\
L .>l,
ard
E A it S B Drake
Evans, Riddell it Co
BNHurd
Thos Tait, Thomas Tait,Sr.
J M Tait
Thos Tait, Jr. . .
[ISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Th(
it, Geo Tait
Harrv Fox
J MTait, J MTait
McClure.Pittslnirah Oil Co
Ladd, Thfrnias T.iuld . . .
Smith, W I..V w K Mnilh..
Thayur, li > l';r,.M„
R & C.
BABCOCK A II
•LlNlv,
l^'oVrCo
Stinn-.V:. Co...
sirrlr .\:Co...
..
iii\ <V Kiuliaid.
... 1^
W A Wade
Mandeville, Mauduvillu
Miirpliy
AC Hawliins
Bovcr, SPBoyer &Cu..
Bussi-ll .te Co
Elliott Bros
Mc_-dallion
l;;ir .V M;miii.-v
IS &
Dihvoith, Fulton iV: Ak'.-c-
ander
Dihvorth, Spa
George
Dilwortli, Floiiuiiiiii
Payne
Dihvorth, CN Payne.,
F H I'arkni
\VB8n.iw
1
Howe Bros & Co
3
Cani.teo & Hor-
5
Eutcn'Bros :.■.'.":
2
IXirimm
3
RJ Straight
Boyd Kinsler &
Co
]
Evan's.' .'.
2
A R Marlin
3
Kin.-lerA Star..
Smith & Wilson.
i
Heidjuru & Goe-
rman.
R W
L Emery, Jr
Wilder ct Warren
.InoDodd
.Murray ctPenzer
Banks it Co
F B McDonald...
Hays & MeGar-
land
PF Kerns it Co..
RF Blaekmar...
W .M.Mereer
Mereer & Van
Wormer
G WPlummer....
Ho^ves & Parker
John McGiunis..
J W Doubleday..
J H Yiin Wor-
T Frothinsham.
PatternuuiitPeif
1. Vanden's'tine''
S Set Co
.5
Norwich Oil Cc
W Smith
(i
Ed Urner
Coney Oil Co ... .
1
Davis, Ottnian
Lelandit Co....
3
Hyde
Boyd it Scoville .
Benton it Co..
I)e Voe
3
Bird it Bell...
Rhodes it Ray-
Baker it Maloi
mond
3
Evans it Scra.x-
,5
WILLETS TK.iCT.
RMeMurray!!.".
■■i
Howe it Sou
Peuzer it Gregg
i
Jacob Beyer & Co
WM Moore.. !
e
Childs & Haldcmau
Winters & Me-
AVillets, Boyne it Co
Mamis
3
I Willets
R .leuuiugs it
N BPurson
Son ■;
13
FARathboue
Eighmevit Scely
5
Stafford it Leeeh
Coehran it Mor-
H Snow
ton
,5
N Bushnell
Coehran it La-
J W l>avis
feyer
4
J W liavi^iV( .,
James, Christie
O A 1 liild- ,V ( ..
it Co ■. ....
2
Nralli \hn^ \ W ill, 'Is.. ,.
Earl it Co
3
I>alid\
irirk Bros
it Hotchkiss.
1 N BPar.sons....
1 N Bushnell....
1 I Youny- it Wille
CC^^ai> «^. /^OA^
HIBTOliY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
{Abamlowd.)
; B & H, Plumbley &
Gould
; B & H, Towanda Oil Co.
Leslie Bros
Clark & Steele..
Painter
Unknown
Tota
E.\ST
lEST BR.iNCB
(Pmdud !>!/.)
Pike, AiiKTican Oil Co
•• WFKi-Uv
■• Briotv .tMcVev
" .J.JMcVi-v ."
" M C McLaughlin
H'
Plki- it Brown.,
'■ Liioe^tCo
•' J L Waters
" CuttintcA Sterrett...
" HW Tracy
Fuller, American Oil Co. . .
Rogers. M C McDougal..
WB Chapman....
Macon Bros
S E Barnard
Wolcott& Hitler.
J W Thomas
" John Heajy
HG Cutting
D Atwater&Co..
Adams & Curtis. .
Emerson Bros
Williams & Bailey
Bickford & Curtis
Martin Comstock.
Groves & Fourl. .
M M Jaynes
" Short, Parsons &
Loomis
Rogers, H Jaynes
Ent Tran Go's tract, Ent
Transit Co
Ent Tran Go's tract, Law-
rence Oil Co
Ent Tran Go's tract, An-
chor Pet Co
Ent Tran Go's tract, Ben-
ner Bros
Curtis, Benner Bros
Cross,
John DeGolier, "
David DeGolier, Emery Oil
Co
Cram, Emery Oil Go
Morris, '■
M K Dieter, "
Stoddart, "
Tibbets, "
Kingsbury, Tucker Bros. . .
" J W Humph-
rey..
Kingsbury, Parks & Haz-
zard
Wagner lot, W L Yelton... .
R R lands, Union Oil Co.. . .
N W M Go's lands, " . .
Hawkins, " ..
P C L & P Co
& P T Kennedy
Hawkiu.-, Butlrey A: Davi,s.
J W Dean
" Lawrence Babbitt
& Go
Hawkins, E A Wing
Rock Oil Co lands, J D
Case & Co
Ernest lot. Whitney &
Wheeler
Harris, Whitney & Wheeler
M K Dieter, Cadwell A:
Kleckner
Mill lot, H Hill
" P Hanuan
Harding & Co ... .
Otto Germer lot, Straight
& Shirley
B I Taylor tract, Quartette
Oil Go
B I Taylor tract, J L Mc-
Kinney & Co
B I Taylor tract, Williams
& Wright
B I Taylor tract. Sill Farm
Oil Co
B I Taylor tract, H S Baker
& Go
B I Taylor tract. Gushing &
Harvey
B I Taylor tract, Bovaird,
Seyf ang & Go
Clark, Haldeman & Sons . .
" Boulton Bros
" G M Coburu
" Stettheimer
" John Wallace
Baker (Brown lease), John
Wallace
Baker (Glark lease), John
Wallace
Baker (Barry lease), John
"WaHace
Baker, W S McMullen &
Co
J C Drake, W S McMul-
len & Co
J C Drake, JC Drake
" J W Humphrey
Mitchell & Buss,
y Barber. . .
Drake estate, B u r t i s A
Drake
Geo Dieter, Deitter Bar-
rett ct Co
Geo Dieter, Post, Brown
& Norris
Haffey, Roth i: Sax
Otto Germer & Go.
Widow Dieter, Book & Co..
Kennedy, L H Cowley &
Co
Kennedy, W L Yelton
Cutting, Bullock and Clark
Hastings it Slocum
" Drake Brothers...
L C
akesli
Monti;
cry
Durston .
J C Drake, Drake Oil Co . .
Beckwith, R Carson
" G Kammerdiener
T Beckwith
Kriner & Lvons.
Wright, M Matson tt Co.. .
Keatlev Bros it
Co :
Pike, Book & Rhodes
Albert Palmer, J L Mc-
Kinney .fe Go
AT Newell, Book & Co....
Drake lease, Drake Bros, it
Go
Drake lease. Book & Co. . .
W&JDnke...
" Pat Lyons....
Drake pur Dolley, Burton
& Morris
Drake pur Hayes & Grif-
fith
Drake pur H Leonard
Drake estate, R S Battles.
Book it Co
■■ F Rciber
Rutherford, Book & Rhodes
" • Buttrey& Davis
Dikeman, WTiitney it
Wheeler
Dikeman, Caldwell, Hani-
sheritCo
Forman it Beaver pur
Whitney it Wheeler
Tail, Hazlettit Wliit.' ....
■' Alfred Short it c. ,,
" R A David>ou .t ( c
" A Davidson
Jas DeGolier, Quiiitui>lr
Oil Co
Jas DeGolier, Whitney it
Son ."....
Burton, Otto Germer it (H.
Carey, John Hill
" Ford Brutlier>
" Springer it Camphell
Foster, Tarbell, Sliafer it
Co
Foster, Hoffman, Bussell
&Co
Havens, P G L & P Go
Fuller & Roberts. .
Herrick, J H Springer* Go
Ten Eyck, D W Thomas . . .
Freeman, E Strong it Co.. .
Leopold & Co. . .
" John P Zane
" Freeman Oil Co..
Husband & Bun-
ton
Jewett,Hamsher,Weaver it
Co
Smith, P T Kennedy
Sheldon Jewett, Quintuple
Oil Co
Clapp farms, J M Clapp. . .
P Shady, Joseph Stettheim-
P Shady! Robert's & Lock-
wood
P Shady, Mary E Shady. . .
Salem tract. Quintuple Oil
Go
D V R Foster, Huff & Treat
D E Foster, McMann Bros.
" Foster Bros it
Co
D E Foster, Hogan & Co. .
Foster pur Whitney & Son
Lewis Run tract, " "
Foster, S N Siggins
W Brown, J T Gillespie. . . .
Newell it Slike..
72
W Brown, Dr Van Scoy
McKeowu &
Vaughn
W Brown, Johnson
Wheatland Oil
Co
Foster, Harding & Dow... .
Turner, Van Wormer
" Harris* Co
■' Wheatland Oil Co..
Leopold Bros
" Tnlly
lugoldsliy. l>rGr.lii.r
Watrous. .liHM- (i iliiiiiiili
JNBro«ii,l , -h-r.v l:,ir.-n
EuKTv.VrPike...
Campbell & Ford
McKeown &
Vaughn
Gregg, Gregg...... ^
" Pomeroy Oil Co
" Hitchcock
A Watrous, Flisher & Far-
rell
Wm Foster, Wolcott & Co.
Bingham, lot 168, R J
Straight* Co
Bingham, G H Van Vleck. .
" Roess Bros
lot 177, GV For.
man
Bingham, 400 acres, Forest
Oil Co
Bingham, lot 153, Forest Oil
Co
Bingham, lot 153, J J & T J
Vandergrif t
Bingham, Kishwaukee Oil
Co
Bingham, John McKeown.
lot47S,JJ&TJ
Vandergrift
Bingham, lot 483, Johnson
AKittenirer
Dent lands; PC L&P Co..
W S McMullcn
Parks & Haz-
zard
Moody, Minard Run Oil Co
Milll..l,Whiliirv&Wheeler
Full. I .1 M FiiIIlt
N,-«, IL I'/.li- .'v .Slike. . ! ! ! '.
1 \\ llartnuin *
Fnizier
Newell, Fuller,Dow * New-
ell
Davis, P F Kenrns
•■ Kcni
•• .Inliii UiiiKirs
•■ Hi-iKllordOilCo....
MiHk,(iuinlnpU-()il(;o....
\^M,ll,u.l^^. M H .McMaiuis
.1 M(.(.rlunisu .
Wiilkri- 1,,|,1' WCole
I.illl,-, M 1( MrMiUlUS
■■ .luhii Cliamlicrs ....
Dikemau,
Lane,PC LitPCo
Switzer, "
Taylor, Bradford Oil Co... .
Clark
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Niles, Bradford Oil Co ... .
Reed,
King,
Wesley Chambers . .
Pratt,
Hatfield,
Clark, Clark & Co
Emery, Wliitney& Wheeler
Crooker "
Mack lands, Chapin & Co. .
Henry Fisher .
Fisher & Pick-
ett
School-house lot, A F Heald
AC Harton
Cranmer, Chapin & Co
Tibbets
Crooker, Carroll, Bauman
&Co
Crooker, W B Snow & Co. .
Craft,GW Archer* Co....
Kissam, Theodore N Barns-
dall
Kissam, Barnsdall & Briety
Wetmore & Staf-
ford
Kissam, Wetmore & Hayes
" Brown & Norris.. .
Stinson, Williams & Alex-
ander
QUINTUPLE TK-ICT.
1, Venango Oil Co.. .
3, Kahn, Lehman &
Co
4, Underwood & Co..
5, John Haggerty ...
6, HA Booth* Co..
7, Jackson * Conant
8, HA Booth* Co..
9, Sherwood * Con-
ant 1
10, I G Jackson * Co.
11,
12, H A Booth & Co . .
13, Gillis & Hall
14, Franklin Oil Co...
17, J E Ralph * Bro . .
yi' Heald, Sisco & Co
30, Tinker, Duncan *
Fisher
34, J E Ralph* Bro..
30, G W Ralph
28, "
39, W H Richards . . .
30. A C Parish
32, "
34, Charles Kendall.
30, W H Richards ....
37, .\nglum*0' Boyle
43, Tarbell & Mc
43,
44, J W Huniplri
46, Heald, Sisco & Co
47,
48, DaTis & Hyde ....
49, "
50, B F Briuton
53, J C Wales
53, "
54, B F Brinton
5.5, "
56, E H Aiken
57, Kendall & Boyer .
59, F T Barker
60, "
61, Broder & Humph-
rey
63, FT Barker
63, Aiken Bros
64, B F Brinton
65, '■
66, E B Barton
67, "
69, J W Humphrey. . .
70, Davis * Hyde ....
71, "
73, Heald, Sisco* Co.
73, Etna Oil Co
76, E Strong
79, E T Howes
80, A Gordnier
81, "
83, J S Wilson
83, "
84, E Strong & Co. . . .
85, . "
86, John Duff & Co. . .
87, Strause, Waixel &
Co
88, Kearns *Vosburg
89, Aiken Bros ".
90, Joseph Stettheim-
91, Joseph Stetth'eim-
er
93, Joseph Stettheim-
er
93, Joseph Stettheim-
er
95, SG Elliott
96, Strause, Waixel *
Co
97, ICMcAllesler....
98, E Strouu' * Co ....
99, " ■" •■ ....
100, Samuel Grandin . ,
101, G M Barney
104, E Howes ..'.......
105, J S Wilson * Co . .
108, " " ..
113, G M Barney
113, " '
114, Samuel Grandin . .
115, WH Bradley
116,
117, J S Wilson
118, ••
119, Venture Oil Co...
131, ■' " ...
132, Bradley* Duff...
133, •' ■ " ...
134, Venture Oil Co...
125, •' "...
136, " '■ ...
137, Smith* Wilson...
12S, J S Wilson
130, II J Beers
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
73
Lot 131, E Stron-ACo....
" 133,Woo(lhurvi\:Camp-
hc-ll
•• 133, David Emery
'■ 135', G W Baldwin
" 136, Jacob OlsliofEsky.
" 137, J H Campbell
" 13S, Ratcliff
" 145, D Atwater & Co. .
'• 146, HamsUer & Stev-
" 147, Hamslier & Stev-
ensou
■• 14S, D Emery & Co. .. .
" 149, " " ...•
" 150,Woodbury it Camp-
bell
" 151, E Strong & Co....
" 1.52, H J Beers
" 1,>4, B F MeClnre
•' 155, H N KiuiTsburv . .
■' 1,57, HLMcMullen....
'■ 158, Bradley it Duff...
'■ 15H,
'■ 160,
" 161,
" 163, H L McMuUen . . . .
" 163, H N Kingsbury...
" 164,
" 165, B r McClure
" 168, William Hanley . .
'■ 169,
" 170,
" 171,
" 172, Hazleton & Bro. . .
" 173, OPBoggs
" 174, Atwater Oil Co . . .
' ' 183, D Atwater & Co. . .
■' 185, T N Barnadall . . . .
" 186, Vrooman & Mc-
Graw
" 189, Jennings, Hunter
tt Cummings. .
" 190, Jenninffs, Hunter
ct Cummings..
" 191, Vrooman & Mc-
Graw
" 192, T N Barnsdall . . . .
" 193, M J Seymour
" 194, Atwater Oil Co . . .
' ' 196, Charles H Richards
i&Co
" 200, Butler & Martin..
" 301,
" 303,
" 203,
" 204, Geo-MeCullough &
Co
" 205, JAVera&Co ....
" 206, Casper Taylor ....
" 207, " " ....
" 208, S Siggins
" 309, Bradley ifc Duff...
" 210,
" 211, Emma Howard &
Co
" 212, Kane City Oil Co..
" 213,
" 214,
" 215,
" 216, Gardner & Cheney
" 217,
" 319, Abbott, Proper &
220 41 b tt Pi n-r ^
Coui« It
331 Pttid urn C u rt
Oil C
222 Petrokum Centre
Oil Co
233 Petiokum Centre
Oil Co
33b Geoise McCul
k>u.,hctCo
337 CTeor.,e McCul
lou.,hctCo
33S TNBarnsdalKVCo
330
343 i-her Brown
343
344 TNBirn^dill
346 Haui'ihei ^\LXTLr
^Co
347 Hani'-hi.r A\i.\Ter
ct Co
345 M'\\at-rn
2r>0 Pomir \ tV. Rich
ards
353 Ham•^her AVeaver
^Co
25-} Ham^her Weaver
35b Van Stoy & beow
den
357 "V m beoy A. btow
den
3^'' E W Lamphier iV-
266 G "V\ \rchci
3bs J L Blown iV Co
2b9 \lexandci cV John
379 Huntkt Davis ct
hihoublom
2^0 T I Brown.V. Co
3 Potts ,«cA\ ilkii
3 Mount nn Oil C
4 Frev Bear i!^ Mir
son
5 Gelm cV. Phillips
' b O DelUV Ha kcll
7 TohnMcAcy
s I Ct J ickson
10 Bodeu lV Emerson
11 "R F Kelk-t
bilemlot Quintu] k OiU
Sheldon Jei\ctt
James DeGoliei
Total
( ibandomd )
Cuitis Ami ncin Oil Co
Davis P F Keirns
Moody P C L & P Co
N W M Co s tract, Union
Oil Co
Tamtor s Mills Union Oil
Co
Lafayette Coal Co \euer
it Davis
Bowen Mullen ct Mills
Bingham 400 acres Forest
Oil Co
Cranmci Bradford Oil Co
Quintuple Mi imin Bi s
Croc k I I I )i ^ I
Mad ( I W 111 1<
\ari u 1 U t lu
OiK
Marsh) ur, \ cnture Oil Co
KEM>iLI KEEIv
(,r>xhi ig )
Melviu PC L it P Co
MeCra\ tt Thompson
Htmsher ito Weavei
R She 1 man
Jane Sehoonovci Amm
Seep & Co
Jane Sehoonover Geoige
Leckey
ane Schoonovei H B Por
ter
Jane behoonovei Sterrett
& Roberts
Cornen purCAetDCorncn
F S Reynolds
P Buchanan G A Leckey
Farnhani tt
74
C storms. J O'Dull
Kiiox, Leckey ^
Co
C Storms, Ash & Rol)msou
Wri,i'-ht& Sowers
J Heatlicote . . . .
P E Sliearon
Frank Moore, Butts <&
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
-1 Whippk-, Anchor Fotrole- _ I R
2 Whipple, Knox, Leckey &
Moore .
Frank Mc.
Huff iViCo..
PC. LAP Co
Bodcn .M Em-
Seward, Knox, Leckey c\:
Co
Di unman »^
O'Neill
Buchanan, W J Sherman . .
Anchor Petrole-
um Co
Buchanan, P O Buchanan.
Mack, E K West
■' Denman it Co
" Rochester Oil Co.--
" CFDoll
" Au-ellOilCo
Vleck
W)
Totte
Whipple, John AV Kncx. .
" BNHurd
" Larrabee & Mc
Donald
Whipple, Keller & Wh-tnc
CrandaU
Norman ct Lestc
Mo
Tun
A'an
3 I Schoonover, Anchor Petro-
i leum Co
4 Schoonover, Forest Oil Co
D I) A- H
.5 I Schoonover
6 Schoonover, H Schoou-
[ over
7 t Schoonover, Clark it War-
14 Schoonover, Clark, Warren
7 I & Childs ■
3 Schoonover, Martin ct
Childs
Schoonover. J W Sherman
■ Solltield ct
Dodge ■_
Schoonover, Hunt & Graff
" Smith it Hau-
Lafferty, R H Thayer
Johnson & Co and
L'uion Oil Co
LaSerty, A B Smith it D J
Thayer
Lafferty, Forest Oil Co ... .
Hollow,0 A Childs
it Co
Lafferty, C J Lane
WH Selkrigg....
del
Schoonover, P Buchanan
P F Kimball
Ent Transit Co's tract,
J Lewis it Co
Ent Transit Co's tract,
Linieman it Zimmerman
Ent Transit Co's tract, F
E Bndcn
Put Transit Co's tract, Ha-
Co'i
tract
An
Richardson. O P Buchanan
J H Perkins..
" James Smith it
Co
Richardson, Mulqueen it
Gahan
Davis, J L McKinney it Co
" Moore itGayly
"AD Smith
•• Rich it Hostctter . . . .
■• W H North
■■ Rochester Oil Co....
■■ Humes
He
Apple
Edv
it Ro-e
rds
Lobruck
Holstein
Sondheim
1 Chamberlain, Rochester Oil
Co
Chamberlain, J H Bruin it
Co • ■
Chamberlain, Swingle it Co
Giddings it
Dewees
Chamberlain, F C Giddings
McElhany...
Stowell it Ea-
ton
Chamberlain, A O'Niel....
Rich it Hos-
tetter
Chamberlain, Westmore-
land Oil Co
Chamberlain, W H Wood.
' ' Boylston it
Co
Chamberlain, Lang, Per-
kins it Co
Chamberlain, Pierson
Hammond
Brothers .
r;ni~ii I "■- iracl. W
I'l-an^il Co's tract,
rrau-il Co's tract,
laii^il Co's tract, An-
I'cl.olcum Co
ilick, E S Temple-
ibcck. Carmen it Co
Anclior Petro-
iCo
ibeck, W J Porter...
Wll Brown..
JDLuphcr...
Berry, pur R II Thayer
•" Test Oil Co....
Knight, Anchor Petroleum
.\iMlior P Co, pur Anchor
rctrolcum Co
Sawyer, M C Treat
F.viins.Piltsburdi Oil Co . .
Chamlierlaiu, A W Boyd.. .
1(1 •■ TreatitCraw-
ford
11 Cliamberlain, Ash & Rob-
33 ' Chamlieriain, Kerner it Co
1 I '• Dingman it
1 ! Co
I Chamberlain, Cliamljcrlain
o ■• LanyitCo..
o; .. Post it Co...
A AV Boyd. Hayes it (irif
A W Bcjyd, H P Bates it Co
Schofleld
Glass & DeGol-
X W Boyd, Boultou Bros. .
Murphy &
Smith
A WBoyd, Foster
E A Culver ....
Wade Bros
Ellis it Co
" Johnson it Sha-
HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
A W Boyd, C B Whitehead
Monroe, EP Bligli
^
Pratt, Smith .V Duncan ....
+
Fitzgibbons
C F DeGolier
K
■' Steel c\: Wliitncy....
Bros
:',
Bissett, Union Oil Co &
" Brown Bros
j{
AWBoyd, Shafer &Co...
Morgan
4
" Dow .t Thomas
■>
Richardson &
Bissett, E C Robbing & Co.
Taylor tract, Jones, Black-
1
13
'■ Sbear&McGee....
Lynch ct Snyder..
4
Mehan, AT Palmer
Taylor tract, John J Carter
11
'• JohnPZane
■■ ELockwood
Mitchell ct
'• Willougliby
4
•■ Hoadlev ct Gamble
;-!
Jones
14
EG Cochran
:i
Y.nini;, II. I Tliayrr
H
Taylor tract, Koester A:
E S Templeton....
2
Mosley
4
" ALAvery
;i
Patt.r-.i„. Hm.llv. Jamie-
Taylor tract. Pine Tree Oil
" AJCarr
4
" Dibble
1
Patt.-rsnn. Siicllarv, & Me-
Taylor tract, Union Oil
Dexter Moore, A 8 Palmer
Tammany.
'),
Co
i»
J S Patter-
Patterson, Wm Alshouse. .
3
Whipple, Whipple Bros. . .
Rew J D Wolfe
»
'• C E Lovell
Ti
y
Dexter Moore, C E Judd..
9.
FC Brown
■■ DKarns&Co
Campbell, E Duthil
2
WR Patterson...
3
" ncjikiiL-.tPaikurd..
3
Duthil &Co
•i
" Nolan Bros
()
■' .lam.. MrKav
o
J M Wood
Potts Bros
1
" IlainliHiii,! .V r,, ....
Dallas B Whipple
■i
For-icBros
2
" IHcr ,V F..nl
3
J M Congdon....
•2
McCalnH)nt Oil
•' McCulmoiit oilCo...
J D Lupher
.T
Co
IS
" Barlow A: Clark
4
Tucker & Sowers
Sample
2
" Johnson & Ritts....
4
" MeKeyert, Lock.
Tait.Sli.kncy .V: Co
1
" Thompson Bros
r>
■wood et Co....
10
■■ Pili-l.iir-l, Oil Co.. .
" Marian Bros
]
Wilson & Smith.
2
4
4
" Dalrymple
1
Roberts & Sart-
Hodge, 0"G Emery
well
1
\ ■'■,•, ,\ 1 , ,
•'- AC Emery
1
Campbell, J CDonnell....
1
•• 1 Ir'Ii ,,:1 1 l;l ( ■,!
7
John Stinson
2
Chamber's well..
1
■■ Pittsl,ur-h Oil Co &
1
Corwin, Pickering & Smith
" Barney
S
3
P O Buchanan....
HazlewoodOilCo.
Borden, Pittsburgh Oil Co.
3
A A Palmiter
2
Purchases near K & E,
:',
'• Stowell & Mat-
Summit, Union Oil Co
14
Sliucy&Dodire...
•_>
thews
Spencer, Nye & Taylor. . . .
Brenneman
Corwin, Stowell
2
S
Fencer & Wing....
,
" Eaton &Bundy....
4
WP Logan
3
" Everson tt Wood-
" Jarecki&Westh..
R V Mitchell....
H
ward
■'.
" Richardson &
W J Boyd, Zane & Taylor
Hodge, Whiteman A Bell
2
Jones
4
S S Fertig & Co
7
Shedd, Henry Fisher
14
Corwin, Soultcfc Dower....
5
Farr, Pacific Oil Co
n
" A Linueman
2
•' Keelei- & Downey
1
" Finnegan&Co
3
Chapin
7
" D Curtis cfc Co....
:-;
" Pittsburgh Oil Co...
3
Shedd, P Buchanan
;i
Corwin Bros & Co
H
" Selkregg ct Son
(i
Fuller & Parsons.
" N Grossmayer....
4
" Duorct Roach
5
5
■' J S Boyd
H
Shaw, John McCort
10
Pittsburgh Oil Co
3
" McNiel&Co
5
" Newell & Palmer. . .
n
Reed&Kerwin..
" Pittsburgh Oil Co
r>
'■ Finnigan&Co
Capt Taggart....
4
Garlock, Logan Bros
4
■' ONHazen &Co.
6
5
5
6
Donald
Binsham (Tack farm), Mc-
" C S Clark & Co...
■' J H Selkregg & Son
•' FE Tyler SsCo
" R G Cochran
H
H
Irt
" Black & Knight
y,
Henney, Tyler & Co
H
Bingham,lot372. Tack Bros
7
■' McCray Bros......
H
Ethridge, A S Palmer &
^' Mead cfe Ross....
11
Frank Cooban ... .
Son^..
4
Mead,Greeu&Co
•• Anchor Petroleum
Ethridge, Bodine & Walker
H
lot 383, Allen Oil
Co
H
JTLarmonth...
5
Co
tt
JO Johnston....
H
Frank Cooban..
".
Bingham, lot 38.3, Johnson
■■ HiFWliiting
Bowers & Ohlwei-
4
Pratt, Perkins & DeGolier.
& Co and LT Soule
1
" MABrookins
1
Bingham, J F Wykoif
10
•^
" Hazen ttMetcalf
1
Bayne Fuller &
Porter itWaugh. .
5
" Suhr cfcShopperlee..
" Van AYcrmer & Mer-
Co
10
•■ Frank Cooban ....
JH Caldwell....
4
:-;
cer
2
Tuna Valley Oil
1
Pratt, (i W AAA Plummcr
1
Co
10
■■ Win-cr Brothers.
:-;
•• Dciiiinui^c (iibson...
4
Fi»her, Bradford Oil Co. . .
i;
" Van Wernicrct Craig
" Mercer A: Co
Oil Co
■' AT Palmer ct Co..
Bingham, Applebec, Fisher
Monroe, Ritts & Eshner. . .
" M M McElwaine....
4
&Co
4
Ritts .t Son
1
" CA,feDCornen
S
Bingham, Trio Oil Co
.=>
C H Glass ct Co...
h
" Limited Oil Co
H
" Ward .t Anderson
a
" O' Delict Darrow....
.5
Co and Union Oil Co....
t>
7(j HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY
Bingluiin, lot 3S4, Ocean Oil
Co 15
lot 385, Bodeu,
Emerson & Payne 10
Bingham, lot377, Union Oil
Co ; 7
Kellogg, Flisher & Farrel . 3
Monroe, A N Simpson 1
" Simpson & Sulli-
van 1
Monroe, Simpson, Sullivan
&Co 1
Monroe, J D Wolf 3
Rixford, Plumberton i*
Rieliardson
Rixford, Dr Love
" State Line Oil Co.
Archibald & Co..
]I<.HC ,\: l>;il.-v ..
Evans .\; Loclvhart.
McCullagh, Ernest W Ham-
mond "
McCullagh, A A Hopkins
Packard.
\V:,r
i JCari'M [cn .L.lii! .1 Car-
ter 31
J J Carter, pur H H Argue 1
Total 1,690
{AhaiuJotied.)
Seward, Knox, Leckey tt
Cu 1
Sehoonover, Martin Childs
& Co 1
Hollenbeeh, Anchor Petro-
leum Co 3
HolleiilHrh, M (■ 'I'lvat... 1
PStoni,-, (1 r HiiWKinan.. 1
Sehoolci^. I, M. l.;h I'lliii!!' T
Richar. I -";,.(.:; Nil' 1 Moshcr 3
Bi.ssett, I ,,hi„ (i.i . ,, &
Mur^iu, 1
Fisher, Unullcrd Oil ( „,.. 1
Pratt, .M A Brookhi.- 1
Mclvin, PC L& PCo .3
Jane Sehoonover, Amni,
Seep cV- Co 1
Jane Sehoonover, Gillnior
&Jamicson 1
P Storms, Test Oil (_:o 1
Total ~i
lijli, O'Day & Mc-
igli, Knapp's Creek
McCullagh, Otto Oil Co...
Cummings, A A Hopkins &
Packard
Cummings, Wells & Ken-
yon
Cummings, Christie &
Cameron
Cummings, Tom Mills
Failin-, Wm M,
Cooper pur Cooper Bros.. .
Baker. Whiteomli
" Parks .t Co
" Unknown
" Dan Clark
" FEAVilliams & Co.
Barton. Wm Doe
Lcragfellow, P T & W C
Kennedy
lughram, M B Birdseye . . .
Matlier, Mather it Ander-
son
Mather, W LPerrin&Co.
Lockwood, Shattuck Sons
^ Co
Stone, Bruin Oil Co
Allen, Doe, Felt it Co
Vaughn, Johnson ct Co....
('arpcuter, Knapp's Creek
J W
Potts it Slike pur R II
Bouahton
Bertram, Dr Zimmerman. .
" R H Boun-hton it
Co
Bisher it Snyder..
Borden, Tom Bradley
WMcMauus
Matson
•• Lee it Apple
Shear Bros it
Borden, BrodcT it Goetler .
R H Thayer
Duffleld it Breuc
Can" it'Sl'cEntirc!!
Davi
C C Scott 3
Kirk, McCalmont Farm Oil
Co 11
Bingham. Harriuu:ton 1
BiiiiriKnii.V,,,,, - .^Hrown'.'. 3
Gardiirr, \\ C^hy t'liamber.s 3
Chambers, Wm Chambers. S
Cushing it
Chambers 3
Willet it Coleman, Willet
itColcman 3
Willrt ,t Coleman, R H
K.Mml.ionitCo 1
Willri ,v Coleman, Kane it
Willet it Coleman, Union
Oil Co 3
Willet it Coleman, A B Mc-
Connell 3
Cornish, Merriam Bros 3
" Shear B r os it
Braunchweiger 3
Cornish, S S Fertig it Co. . . 3
" Sharp it Hazen . . 3
" J D Clark it Co... 3
Woodbury, Wm Reader ... 3
Ed Hammond.. 3
trniii, C;i!,hv,-ll ,t Clem-
:r.ii' - . ■ -:-.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 1
IS, Brccc,-, Huycr'it Co' 3
■ Kemper 1
Dodge, Dodge 3
Rixford lias Wells. 1
Anderson, Anderson, Otis
it Co 3
Anderson, L S Anderson . . 1
Wesley Cham-
ers 3
Mitchell, F W Mitchell ... . 4
Sherman, Sherman it Sel-
k'-cgg -i
hcrnuiu. Brck ,t Kos-.... 3
Hiackliall, Spen-
cer it Rcanlni, 1
herman, T 1> •|'lj..inp-..n . 3
Paliiirlrr .t
Moshi'r 3
herman, Cowles it Atkin-
licrnian,"Bradncr ".t ciis-
tord 3
Tit S, Tracy it Pier 3
WnrBclsh 3
Anderson Bros... 3
Meads it Cameron 3
Eiivrt it Ross... 3
HISTOEY OF McKEAN COUNTY.
B T it S, GelmA Phillips.. 4|
WA&JSThomp- I
son 4
B T <fe S, Butters & Shaffer i
Tarbel, Robinson
tfc Bisher 3
Smith & Thayer, Smith &
Thayer 14
Holt. P T & W C Kennedy . 3
" Wood 1
Thornton, Christie & Cam-
eron 4
Borden, Mackin Bros 1
Stanton tt Barrett . 3
Reader & Hacken-
bury 4
Whitehead & Bow-
CB Whitehead.'.'.'.' 10
Fisher & Weaver.. 3
Kneeland Bros 3
Reed & Kerwin. . . 3
Mitchell & McKil-
lop 1
W W Brown 5
Bisher ife Blackmar 3
Cochran & Ander-
son 3
E Ferran 3
Custer ifc Grady.. . 3
Northern Oil Co .. 6
Clark, Warren &
Childs 5
Logan & Frew 6
•' Nelson, Finnegan
&Co 3
Zeigler 1
McManus& Co... 4
GO Gorden&Co. 9
Smith Bros 6
Patty & Armstrong 3
Ira Wagner 5
Elkhart & Lavens . 6
Stickney & Wag-
'• Boulton Bros &
Mullen 3
" Spellacy (feKoester 3
" Triangle Oil Co... 3
Butlers & Shaffer. 2
" Williamson 1
Anderron, Looker & Wing-
er 1
Prentice, C A &D Cornen. 14
J D Luper & Co 3
Peterson, Humley, .Jam-
ison & Co 1
Bingham, Davis & Haskell. 13
Total &51
{Abando)ied.)
Hawlin. Archibald & Co
No 2 1
Failing, Gervey & Becon. . 1
Total 2
{Dry.)
Lot 33.53, Borden, H E
Picket 3
Lot 3.353, Dennis, Bailey. . . 1
Total 3
Barnsdall &
Briety 4
" Barnsdall, Duke
it Co 4
" Loan. Johnson
& Co 3
" Evans 1
Gorden 1
Y' C pur Y'oungstown
OilCo 23
Bingham, MeCord, Tack
Bros 5
Bingham, McCord, Forest
Oil Co 18
Freeman, McLeod & Co. . . 1
Hamlin, Lego & Son 3
" Decker &Cofield. 2
Huver i&Thomson 5
" A- Sheidemantel. . 5
" Rochester Oil Co. 4
Jordan & Shannon 4
Hogan & Duffey. . 1
Howe A Parker. . . 3
Brown, J LMi-Kinney&Co 7
" F M Pratt&Co.... 1
•' Van Vleck&Co... 4
" Stafford Potter &
Thomson 3
" Kemp & Armour.. 4
Wright, Tack Bros 6
A Sheidemantel . 3
Krug & Mechlin. . 2
EC Bradley & Co 3
Kroger & Griffin.. 3
Stahl, Avery & Co 1
" Edmunds & Co. . . 3
" M Russlander 1
Green & Co 2
North Star Oil Co 4
" Wright, Allen &
Pratt 1
Yerdon, Forest Oil Co 3
Sam Giffln 3
" Wesley Chambers 5
E O Emerson 1
Union Oil Co 5
Morse, -Armstrong & Sharp 8
" Kemp & Patterson. 7
" Hart, Hicks &Mark-
hara 3
Wilber, E Emerson 9
\\
Mantz, Juhn,~un it Co and
U Co
Reitter, Knox Bros ife
Palmer
Reitter, Bayne, Fuller &
Co
Reitter, Johnson & Kitten-
ger
Reitter, St Clair & Haw-
kins
Reitter, O'Hare&Co
Reitter, A Lemex
Reitter, Curry & Stack-
house
Reitter, Pike it Co
Reitter, Union Oil Co S
Reitter, Nolan & Wright.. 3
Reitter, J M Harrison 1
Reitter, John Barry 1
Reitter, Clark & Foster. ... 4
Reitter, Mahan Bros 3
Reitter, Mitchell 1
Geary, Boden pur Union
Oil Co 10
Brown & Geary pur Uuion
Oil Co 14
Wilber & Emerson ])ur
Union Oil Co 4
Geary, A Lemex 1
" WB Nolan 1
Brown ifc Bennet.. . 3
" FM Pratt&Co.... 1
" A K- Murray 4
Moore, J W Porter 1
Emerson, Forest Oil Co . . . 7
SSFertig&Co. 10
Roter & Spreeter 4
Curtis it Wood.. 1
Younger Emerson, Quar-
tette Oil Co 4
Younger Emerson, Duke
Bros 4
Vincent, Stafford, Potter &
Thomson 4
Vincent, Straight & John-
son 8
Vincent, D A Wray 5
Vincent, H W Williams, Jr 4
Vincent, Evans it Houtz. . 8
Bingham lot 363, Tack
Bros 16
Bingham lot 293, Johnson
&"'Co&UOCo 17
Bingham Anna Oil Co 9
Bingham lots 387 it 394, P
T & W C Kennedy 10
Bingham lot 388, Beau-
mont, Lyle & Kane 13
Bingham (Hermit lot)
Straight & Johnson 6
Bingham (P & S pur) Un-
ion Oil Co 12
Bingham lot 431, Southard
& Short 5
Bingham lot 431, Hooper
& Stevens 3
Bingham lot 431, Tinsman
& McNulty 3
Bingham lot 431, Lawyer
Mason '. 3
Bingham lot 431, Curry it
Stackhouse 3
Bingham lot 431, Oliver &
Hartwell 1
Bingham lot 431, Bracken
Ato 2
Bingham lot 431, Oak
Shade Oil Co 2
Bingham lot 390, Forest
OilCo 10
Bingham lot 395, Forest
Oil Co 6
Bingham lot 396, Forest
Oil Co 2
Bingham lot 399, Forest
Oil Co 2
Bingham lot 398, Forest
on Co 4
Bingham lot 397, Forest
OilCo 3
HISTOBY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Bius'iam lot 403, Forust
Oil Co
Bingham lot 430, Forest
Oil Co
Bingham lot 419, Forest
Oil Co
Bingham (D & M pur) Da-
vis «te Murphy
Bingham lot 413,Johnson ife
Co i\: U O Co
Bingham lot 414, Johnson
ctCocVrUO Co
Bingham lot 432, Johnson
Co.
John-
Kitt.-imvr .^- Truft
Bingham lot 421I2, John-
son, Kitteuger & Treft. .
Bingham lot 483, Johnson
& Kittenger
Bingham lot 420, R H
Thayer (1 spoiled)
Bingham lot 421, Smith &
Thayer
Bingham lot 413, Fertig
Bros
Bingham lot 413, Sowers &
Miller
Bingham lot 413, Kelly Oil
Co
Bingham lot 413, Fertig &
Henne "... .
Bingham lot 380, Fertig &
Henne
Bingham lot 381, Fertig &
Henne
Bingham lot 410, Fertig &
Henne
Bingham lot 400, George V
Formau
Bingham lot 403, Boyer &
Emery
Bingliaiii lot 404, Beunet it
Qui.-k
Biii-liaiii lot 401, Henrv
Fisher "
Bingham, MunhalUt Smith-
BinglKim Y,,V 423, T J Van-
cUTgrift
Bingham lot 439, J L Mc-
KimK'y<V:('o
Bingham lot 406, J L Mo-
Kiinuv>\:Co
Binghain lot 409, J L Mc-
Kinn,.y.V:Co
Bingham lot 5U1, J I. M,-
Kinnev.V:Co
Bingh;im lot 500, Straight
A Johns. Ill .
Bingham lol 373, Tack Bros
Bingham, Smith pur Hutf
Bingham, 8mitli"pur'c"s
Whitm.y ":
Bingham, Smith pur Pratt
&Co
Bingham, Smith pur Pon-
ser^V: Mehaflfev
Hngham, S P F & H pur
Rochester Oil Co
Mngham, S P F ct H pur
Jingham, Union Oil Co . . .
inghani, Gifc Vpur Union
Oil Co.
Bingham lot 426, A J
Thompson
Bingham lot 391, A J
Thompson
Bingham lot 440, Bayne,
Fuller A Co
Bingnam lot 463, Stanford
&Co
Bingham lot 464, H C
Werthman
Bingham lot 487, Grace &
Goldsborough
Bingham lot 486, 0. F.
Schonblom & Co
Bingham lot 416, Lee &
Apple
Bingham, Palmer
Bingham lot 485, Aiken Oil
cS
Bingham lot 4(
Shade Oil Co..
Binghain lot 40'
& Quick
Bingham lot 41
Maple
Bennett
R.' Jen-
Ha
ilin
ghani lot 418, Fonnan
Union Oil Co
gliaiii lot 434, Fonnan
,V liiioii Oil Co
I Bingliam lot 498, Fonnan
i& Union Oil Co
Bingham lot 466, Logan it
1 Buchanan
1 Bingham, M W H 600 acres.
Black .t (icorge
Bingham, M W H 600 acres.
Van Vlcck ct Stow
ingham,MWH600 acres,
Bole it Patterson
ingham.MWHOOO acres.
Smith it Aiken
iiighiim.MWHOOO acres,
S].aili. Grace >t Co
imham,,M Wlir.uo acres,
Logan ,t Hu.hanan
imliam, .MW 11 IKIO acres,
M! J I III 111, M W H 600 ac're's^
iii^hiiiii M \VH TOO acres'.
Leal,
illgliaiii \1 W II r,(lilaeres,
R'jeniiiii^s .^ ^llll
iimhaiii, \l W II liOOari-es,
Bingham lot 467, Hamlin
& Rose
McCord Hollow, Boden,
Hatch & Co
Bingham, Warrant 2370,
Gray & Van Vleck
Sterling lot. Wing it Co ... .
" Montgomery ife
Co
Wright, Sellen&Co
QueenCity Oil Co.
Total
TR.iM
{rmhicing. I
Borden, Oak Shade Oil
Mutual Pet Co.
Hogan I
A J Tho
son
Saunders it Stan-
ford
Wm Chambers
J J McCandless . . .
Lennox & Hanna . .
Johnson & Wilson
Roanoke Oil Co. ..
Wright it Loomis.
P E:\pplebee
(i W Ihrig
J J Vandcrgrif t . . .
Baker & Malone . . .
Bushnell & White
G L Watson
J B Daniels
Booth & Newkirk
S S Fertig
Hoffman it Patter-
Andrews it Co
Ralph Bros
J Van Vleck
VanVleckOilCo..
Van Vleck it Gray
F E Boden
J G Cooper
J L Johnsoi
M Hughes.
A J Wheele
Biny
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
81
Bordeu, Mingo
Young ife Lawton . .
Huntley & Jami-
son
Austin c& Bennett..
HR Proctor
Caldwell & Penny
Gibbs it Sterrett..
" Lane & Johnson. .
" Hogue & Dulie . . .
" Struthers
" Newell & Palmer . .
" John Fertig
Bowers &Ohlweier
" George Chambers..
St Joe Oil Co
Elk City Oil Co....
Riter & Conley. . . . 10
Hillife Herrieli....
RTLane
Bligh&Kyle
" Coultebaughife
Townsend
" Trax & Co
" J Grove
Curtis, Kehr & Co
" Harris & Wallace..
" Green & Winger. . .
Blanchard & Rich-
ardson
"Derrick"
Brawley & Crouth-
ers
Wiser ife Overy
W F Monger.
Hooper &
Forest Oil Co.
Carter &Hurd 5
J J Carter
" Mike Gorman.
Ralston tfe Co 3
J B Daniels & Co.
Meldrum, E A Boyne
D Richie
RO Meldrum..
Hogan & Mui
phy 5
Sunburst
Wm Utter
" Curron & Alls-
baugh
"Bull of the
Woods "
Theo Heifer....
LornA O'Dell..
" Burnes
" Kern cfe Co
Vandergrift, Gibbs & Ster-
rett
" Weiser
Rutherford . .
Doubleday, Lee, Milligan
& Doubleday.
" Carson Bros . .
W A Nichol-
Allshouse'.'.'.'.'
Chambers, Hazlewood Oil
Co
Keller, Bell Bros
Cutting ife Sterrett.
Lego & McCool
Healy& Wilder....
Backus & Straight. .
" , GaskalKt Workman
Kclk-r, W J Morrcll 2
Pomeroy tt Judd. .. 3
BKirley&Co 3
J T Williams 3
Williams & Keller 1
" John Fagundus 3
" Longwell & Snow. . 3
Morse, Irvin & Mor^'an 1
" Slike it Williams. .. 3
" J I Dunn 3
" Applebee ct Fisher 5
Kerr tt Eaton 3
Lake Oil Co 7
" Mattisou 3
RJ Walker (Swamp
Angel) 1
Watkin Bro .5
O P Buchanan 3
PolarOilCo 3
J H Sherman 3
Daniels 1
" Jno Potts 5
" Applebee & Rogers 3
" McEnvoe&Co 1
Warren ct Tidioute
OilCo 3
Morse it Ball 1
SPBoycr 2
Wm Duke, Wilsuuit Heller 1
W H it D W
Lun-well .... 2
Wm Dulie, Jr.. 1
NC Clark 3
White, John Eaton o
Bently it Thurston 4
H L Blackmar 14
H Beardsley i
A J Neil i
NP Stone 2
Houtzit Hower.... 3
" Howe & Eaton 11
Mitchell it Jones... 2S
Warren Oil Co 3
Cole, Stewart it McDonald 3
Fislier it Reeves 4
" Eureka Oil Co 4
" TB Buchanan 9
" Maple Grove Oil Co.. 3
Morris, Gillies it Co 3
" J Pepper 6
Carothers Bros 5
Middaugh, I G Howe 1
Forest Oil Co.. 19
J S Cooper 1
Rochester Oil
Co 17
AC Hawkins. .. 4
Inghram, Patterson & Lee-
dom o
Sanderson, W C Patterson .5
Erie Oil Co.... 6
Skinner, R J Walker & Co 4
R M Brown & Co 4
" Swan Bros 1
Scio, Devlin & Co 4
" King it Cutting 6
" J H Mayer 3
" Devlin it O'Connor... .5
" Nichol & Rhodes 2
" Scio Oil Co 1
" Rochester Oil Co 1
" WL Russell 1
Rose, Blackman it Jackson 4
W it J Duke, Hackett it
Shirley .5
J Duke, Sproal it TIasson, . 4
Merket Bros ,s
" John Duke 3
Dow pur Johnson, Mc-
Manus it Co 2
Haines pur Carlin Bros it
Golden S
Reed it Brown 2
WL Russell.. 3:
Kemp it Co. . 4
Chas Duke, Chas Duke .... 3
" Duke Centre
Oil Co 3
Oil City Oil Co, Longwell &
Co 1
Borden, A C Smith 3
Chas Duke, S A Elliott .... 1
Angell Oil Co,Angell Oil Co 14
C Co, Columbia Oil Co . . 18
Borden , Mc Kel vey it Co . . . 9
Total 852
(Abandonefl.)
Bordeu, Duke & Hague No
" Forest Oil Co '. 1
Rose, J S Rogers 1
Total a
(Proilurinfi.)
J E it W P Baldwin, Stew-
art Bros .t Co 34
J E it W P Baldwin, Wil-
ton & Emerson 10
J E <t W P Baldwin, J E it
W P Baldwin 4
E it F W Sprague, Nunda
Oil Co 8
Noble, O Noble 35
■• GH Noble 12
" HW Noble U
" J B McElwaiue 1
Keating, Hamlin 10
D C Brawley 4
W H McGill ^ Co 3.
Young it Co 4
Bradley* Metcalf 8
Tracy it Jenkins. 3
HORohbins 5
Strickland, W H Bull 3
EB Rogers.... 3.
Whitman Bros
it Clark 4
Boden it Emer-
Field &"Cha't'.
tels I
H H Metcalf.. 1
Johnson &
Rathbon .... 3
Atwater, R S Battle 3
LupherBrositCo 4
Marvin, T B Clark & Co. . . 5.
Moore, G N Moore 11
F W Sprague, Carlin Bros
& Golden 4
F W Sprague, Millikin
82
F AV 8praguo, Norwich Oil
Co
F W Sprague, Westmore-
land Oil Co
F W Sprague, S W Mason.
FWSi.in^u.'. -W A Ilardi-
FWsI.iii'^i.-, > !■■ ' oiKLu't !
1- \\ >|iranue
W F .Spia^iK-, .1 Calls.....
Gates it Siple
EifliiierBros
Van Norman
XCo
W R Loye . .
Sam Baldwin, Nunda Oil
Co
Sam Baldwin, C G Warner
Hardison &
Collins....
Nettie Pete
" Sliadraan...
" PennellBros
Waugh ct
Sheakley .
" Grierson &
Co
Steele ct
Tracy ....
HP Boyd..
Wildwood, Wildwood Oil
Co
Breckenridge, Brecken-
ridge & Harper
Borden, unknown
Rickerson, Alford & Curtis
J Van Kleecke
E E Sprague, H P Boyd. . .
" John Ward lb
Co
Thomas ct
.Tones
Straight, EO Emerson....
St Petersburg Oil
Co :....
Baldwin & Mc-
Coy
CG Warner
Carlin, Bros it
Golden
Slater, HufE Bros it Farrell
" Hart
Chambers it Bros. .
" Kump it Nicholson
" Oil Valley Gas Well
•■ J B McElwaine
Werthman, Hurtzel it Ne-
AVi'rthnian.JNPew.' .'.'!!!
S Watson
(i N Moore....
S L Wils.in....
Otto (ierTiier..
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
. Hefner
Fisher it Co
Pew & Emerson.
Magbee & Whea-
ton
Braudeth & Wat-
Russell & Co
Glass & HufE
Smith it; Jones
Tanner & Co
Bartles it Post ....
Brooks it Hoffman
Tafftit Eu'l.ert
C B Williams it Co
Kerwiuit Red...
Borden Oil Co ....
J Knox it Co
Brown, South Shore Oil Co
" WLCalbet
" J McCort
Westmoreland Oil
<Y'S TItACT.
Ballard .t Barr
J B Daniels it Co
.1 (t it ( ■ B Williams . . . ,
Wallace Oil Co
Frank Campbell it Co.
Piper & Dally
Forman it Lawton
Ballard ,t Williams....
Dixon, Dalrymple Bros. . . .
& Milli-
ken
Duke & Howard, Dorsey it
Co
Duke & Howard, Arctic
Oil Co
Duke it Howard, W G Duf-
field
Duke it Howard, O Keyes .
Duke it Howard, Stahl,
McFarland it Co
Duke it Howard, D S Kemp
DG Stage
Alex M\-
R e w it
Shoem' kr
Johnson, Chubbeck ct
Drake
Duke & Johnson, Reed &
Duke & Johnson, Mills,
Guider & Co
Duke & Johnson, J Wolfe
Duke & ' Johnson,' ' Black
Giant Oil Co
Duke & Johnson, Taffy Oil
Hamlin, .1 B Daniels it Co
Total
Duke it Johnson, Hackett
bins* Co
«
Duke it Johnson, Varney
it Co
H
W & J Duke, McPherson
itCo
li
W & J Duke, Merrick it
Co
(i
Morton, J S Cooper
" Monroe & Smith.
1
" Heydrick Bros it
Brown
(.
J D Downing it
Co
K-i
White it Clark.. .
a
Dorsey Bros
H
■• Daniels it Co
1
Keating, L W Young it Co
:h
Forest Oil Co....
■Jl
Mountain Oil Co.
7
B Kirley
1
Hamlin, Forest Oil Co
SI
A Loop, J nownin- it
Baldwin Bros, Rauber it
llogan
4
Williamson
Bros
Boot Lr-, L 1' Warner ....
J>tFlIBolr. ,
i
1
111
Whitiiev .t Wli
b.r.t'MrVev.
Whilnev ,V Wh
loi- .t i;i\, ,..
Wlilllir; .t Wh
n. r ,t Wlirrl.
W liilnry .^ Wli
Whil'n''\' ,t' Wl
Allen'
•eler, Tay-
•eier,' Tay-
■elerV fan-
■eier,' a' P
ee'ler, C F
3
1
Duke, CI
K (Co
DnUr, (1
.riV.Mr
Ml. 1, ,v U.iUlniu,
1 3
invl, it Baldwin,
W .S MeMullen.
LuceitPerkin..
Lovcll, SL Wilson
" Waugli, Porter it Co
Borden, Watson .tWillock
Oil Co
iiir li ,v Baldwin,
:i .\ 1 roiiard.... 2
i. 1 .V Baldwin,
in. 1, ,v Baldwin,
:iH;iine it Co.... T
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
83
Duke, Cliurcli & Baldwin,
Hemlock Oil Co 9
Duke, Church & Baldwin,
Patterson & Hoffuian... 4
Duke, Ch\irch & Baldwin,
G L Howard 4
Duke, Church & Baldwin,
Warren Oil Co 4
Duke, Church & Baldwin,
Calhoun & Slater 1
Duke, Church & Baldwin,
Wilder & Warren 1
Duke, Church & Baldwin,
Bronson & Curtis 3
Swink, Hamsher <fe Co 4
Duke ife Gorton, Kribbs &
Co 4
Duke it Gorton, John Duff 3
Chauncey
Oil Co.. IS
Duke it Blackmar, Burt A
Abel 3
Duke & Blackmar, Har-
rington 3
Duke & Blackmar, Lew 3
" Kentucky
Oil Co... 3
Chautau-
qua Oil
J E Robinson, "Maude"
wells 2
Kapp pur " Maggie " 1
Kansas Br Oil Co, Simonds
&McGill 13
Kansas Br Oil Co, Tanner
& Wheeler 2
Kansas Br Oil Co, Braun-
schweiger 5
Kansas Br Oil Co, R M
Brown & Co 3
Kansas Br Oil Co, Mead &
Co , 2
Wright, Husband & Co ... . 6
Various tracts, J S Patter-
son 10
Total 343
(AbaTUloned.)
Morton, White cfe Clark. ... 1
Daniels & Co 1
Total 3
;fEer, Lupher Bros & Co.
INDI.iN CREEK.
(Producing.)
Keyes, Indian Creek Oil
Co
Keyes, J Keyes
" Collins & Hardison
" W A Hardison & Co
" Tod, Anderson* Co
Cooper, Oak Shade Oil Co .
" J Kribbs
N Wood
Cooper, Safford 1
Forest Oil Co 1
J Campbell, Oak Shade Oil
Co 4
.J Campbell, Evans &
Thompson 1
J Campbell, Forest Oil Co 2
Rounds, Oak Shade Oil Co 7
Kemp .t Patterson 4
Evan>\-Thnmp-uu 2
F.irr-t Oil Cm .... 2
Dodge, Keii.|i >\: l':.llri-,,n 2
Roth.-t.r (111 ( ,, , 1
Hooker, J D l)..«uiu^' iV:
Co
Hooker, L Loup
Drake, Evans & Thompson
L Loup, Evans & Thomp-
L Loup, Bradford Oil Co &
FolletBros
Zimmer, Brawley Bros
" Gray Bros
" Forest Oil Co
Henry Loup, J D Downing
&Co
Henry Loup, J J McNulty
Whitney* Co
L'nknown
Wm Loup, Feruess
Palmiter, Cavey & Purtell .
Spring Valley Oil
J L Eddy
Swett
" Fry* Hayes....
Acre Oil Co
Boggs* Curtis..
C Phillips
GX Smith
ML Sweeny* Co
Emlcnton Oil Co
Barrett, Bartlf tt * Co
•• .J K Bartlett
" L E Mallory
" Mark ham * Co..
" Emlcnton Oil Co.
M Loup, Hart* Hicks...
•Tames O'Neal...
Erie City Oil Co.
" Kinney* Co
Sinims, Bradford Oil Co . .
Vandcrgrift * Mil-
M WCamiilH.]] >■,■!,!_ \ il-
ley Oil Co '.
M W Campbell, Follett
Bros
M B Campbell, Spring Val-
ley Oil Co ':
M P. Campbell, Morris,
Smith* Co
Elling, Forest Oil Co
Hooker and other farms.
Forest Oil Co, ct al
Hooker and other farms,
Evans * Thompson, et al IS
B.4.RSE TR.iCT.
Union Oil Co 9
Siggins * Lincoln .t
Sniith * Crowley 1
LB Caldwell..." 1
Wm Chambers 2
Stover * Dilks 7
SCT\Tiitney 5
McCort * Hancox (j
St John* Co .5
Curtis Bros 4
W C Patterson 7
DC Brawley* Co .5
DSGray 1
A C Hawkins 4
Davis * Hyde 3
Russell * Co 2
HWCurtis*Co 3
Geo V Formau 34
GilflUan 1
Tobias * McGiven 2
Smith *Bovee 5
Mallory * Co 3
Gray * Stettheimer 1
Fitziribbons Bros 4
B D Campbell 3
Steelsmith 1
Lyon * Connelly 1
Rovee .v Clawson 2
Boston Oil Co 2
Collins * Hardison S
J D Downing * Co 6
Emientou Oil Co 2
Robert Herse 1
LE Mallory 3
Tod * Anderson 1
Morris ct Co 7
{Abandoned.)
Barse, Union Oil Co
" Shackleton * Co. . .
" McCort * Hancox.
Total
(O'-y-)
McMullen
L'nknown
Dodge, Kemp * Patterson
Arthur Loop, unknown. . . .
JUX CHEEK.
(rmhicin,/.)
Keating, J L McKinney *
Co
Burdick, Tack Bros
Wheeler, D u s e n b e r r y,
-miceler&Co
Comstock * Riddell, John
Tonkin, Jr
84
Mann, Geo E Jlann
K H McBride, Haymaker. .
Gale, Gale & Sou
" Cavey & Purtell
Templeton, Nott Bros
" Templeton
Bennett &
Brown
Wright & Sawyer, C J Till-
ford
Hazzard & Hollister, G S
Williams
Cook, Kenyou
Weston lot. Forest Oil Co.
" Lee & Apple. .
" EH Barnum &
Co
Weston lot, DininingOilCo
JBKiley&Co
Gibbs & Alex-
ander
Weston lot, S S Henne
C W Pratt & Co
Geo V Forman
Total
(D'-l/.)
Weston, Kiley cfcCo
" Smith & Ames . . .
" Lyman
J L McKinney &
Co
Weston, Geo V Forman . . .
Annis, Brown & Bennett . .
Clark, J McKinney & Co. .
Cook, Andrews &Comey. .
Gilletts, CE Hatch Co
Total ~
(r,rKlm-m„.)
Union ( 111 Cn's track, I'nion
Oil Co. KinziKi wells ....
Union I lil ( '.r,^ (rart. Union
_Oil 1 o, loitTey wrlls
Union < lil < o'.- ii:ict. Union
OilUo, Bouuu/.a wells...
Biligham lands, Baker &
Malone
Biugliam lands, Corwall,
Parker & Co
Bingham lands, Riter &
Conley
Bingham lands, A Gillmor
Jr & Co
Bingham lands, lot 135, J
yVTait
Bingliain lands, lot 136, J
M\t Thomas Tait
Bingliam lands, Byron &
MeKeown
Bingham lands, C P Byron.
La Fayette Coal Co' s lands,
Eatiin Bros
La Fayette Coal Co's lands,
Porter, (iillnior it Jack-
La Fn v'e tte' ( 'oaVOo' s huid.s;
BodcrtitCo -
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
(Aljmulomil.)
Union Oil Co's tract, Union
Oil Co No 4
La Fayette Coal Co's lands,
M Browuson
La Fayette Coal Co's lands,
(Gronen lot) McCalmont
Oil Co
La Fayette Coal Co's lands,
Neuer & Davis
La Fayette Coal Co's lands,
Porter, Gillmor & Jack-
son
Total
(Dry.)
Union Oil Co's tract, LUiiou
Oil Co Nos 3 and .5
Halsey lands, Westmore-
land Oil Co
Halsey lands, Knox, Leck-
] ey&Co
; Halsey lands, Wilcox &
i Knox
I Bingham lands, E L Bowen
&Co
Kane lands, P C L & P Co.
Marcus Hul-
Ings
Hagadorn, Shafer
{ Bingham, Treat & Co
MeCnllanh & Co
Patterson, P( L .V PCo...
I Warrant :;'.«)1, .1 iV: ltd Neil
Lafavett.' Co;,! ( o'> lands.
Van Vlerk, Slow ,\: White
Lafayettr I r,,-> h.n.K,
Ha'zleHo.M i.il ( ,,
Lafayetir ( ,,al ( o', land-.
Pit'tel.ur-iiil 1 o
Lafayette Coal C;o's lauds,
Dutchess Oil Co
Lafayette Coal Co's lands,
Union Oil Co
Hoover lease, Wm Dow. . .
Newton, Martin Comstock .
Backus, General Hamar . . .
Total .
I (Prcilucinn.)
Joe Wafers, Carroll Bros. .
Howard &
i Baum
Joe Waters, John R Bram-
Ho
ard.
Ziuibauer, Merrill A: Coast.
WF Coast
Parson's lot, Carroll Bros. .
ML Lockwood
Pebble Rock..
Oil Co
Parson's lot. Pioneer Oil Co
ML Lockwood
&Co
Dye, Coast & Clark
" J H Boardman it Co..
" Allegany Oil Co
" Pebble Rock Oil Co..
•' N A Dye it Co
" John H Borden & Co.
" Kerr&Bickle
" Boyle, Rogers* Co..
" Argue & Aiken
" iVrgue & Poole
" BW Baum & Son....
" Miller & McNish
" TB Clark & Co
" LH Ballard & Co....
" George W Consor
" Brambley, Granger it
Co
Frank Waters, Merrill &
Coast
Frank Waters, Calkins &
' Kelty
Van Campen, Geo Van
Campen
Widow Carrol, J Wesley &
Co
Widow Carrol, Collins &
Son
Widow Carrol, Kerwiii it
Ml ( ai tney, G D Grannis &
\lr( aitney," 'Rogers &
Mee art'ney, Clark Bros' &
Caufleld
McCartney, Tabor & Co. . .
" Aiken Bros .. .
John R Bram-
Griinth,
Zimbau
blev
McCa"rtnev, H B Davis .t Uo
Alirams itCo ,
Kinkaid it Co.
Lippcrt, Howard & Baum.
Mary Waters, Howard &
(iar'r. Hayes &' Davis '.'.'.'.'.'.
Howard, Rumsey it Co
Vandergrift &
Foreman "
Howard, C B Williams it Co
Hayes Bros
Bozzard, Wiser Bros
LOTaftelitCo..
GriswolditCo...
J F John.son, Argue it CobI)
Garrett it
HISTOUY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
J F .Julinsou, Shear Bros..
Stichelbauer, Franc hot
Bros
Stichelbauer, E Bailey ....
Ferkel, Franchot Bros
Geisrer, Buffalo Oil Co
Doualiue. Ellis, Coleman &
2 ! Jfjliii Harbell, M II Byrnes
Co,
Donahue, Brown &. Norris
Donahue
Bucher, \\m Bucher
" Pebble Rock Oil Co
Stevens, McCalmontOilCo
Book & Rhodes.,
J H Hughes
Cautiekl
ZapU, Franchot Bros
" Meade & Sargent . . .
-J Brandall, Franchot Bros .
John Harbell, Coleman,
Meade A Co
John Harbell, Hickey it
Nessil
John Harbell, Capt J M
Burns & Co
John Harbell, Smith tt
Howard
John Harbell, McNall ct
Lewis
The Bradford Oil
1868 to the close of 18
Jolin Harbell, Hogan &
Murphy
John Harbell, Meade &
Crawford
John Harbell, J B Daniels
&Co
John Harbell, Allegany Oil
Co.
Andy Harbell, Smith it
Howard
Andy Harbell, Franchot
Andy Harbell, Smith &
Howard
United Pipe Lines, Franchot
Field. — The production
59 is shown as follows:
Hollander, Colegrove & Co ?.
Johnson, Johnson & Co. . . 3
HCGaskell 3
JHDilks 1
Allegany Oil Co . . 2
C W^Rliodes 1
Total 339
( Abandoru^d. )
Widow" Carroll, () J Lewis
&Co 1
Fries, Eaton & Stowell .... ■-'
Moultrous, Moultrous i\:
Son 1
A Harbell, Smith & Howard 1
Total ,5
(J'nj.)
North Pole, unknown 1
Stevens, Roberts 1
Austin, McYey, Taylor it-
Co 1
Various sections, unknown 3
Total f,
the Bradford Held from
Barrels.
186&-75..
1876
1877
1878
36,000
380,000
1,450,000
6,500,000
14,200,000
32,300,000
23,000,000
18,000,000
YEAR.
j 1884
Barrels.
55.173
70,811
51,030
13,400,000
12,200,000
1 11,000,000
1886 1 19,000,000
1887 j 7,700,000
1888 5,400,000
1889 6,200,000
20,722
13,992
16,462
The total product up to January 1, 1888, was 140,166,000 barrels from
15,722 wells, of which 14,000 were producers prior to the shttt-in of 1887.
In 1885 there were 10,668,255 barrels sent through the pipes from the Brad-
ford field; 9,847,911 in 1886, and 7,563,452 in 1887. During the vears of
1888-89 the yield fell from 22,422 barrels per day to 17,350 ia the Bradford
field, and from 5,702 to 935 in the Kane and Elk field; so that the actual yield
for the two years is said not to have exceeded 12,000,000 of barrels. The fol-
lowing table gives the average price of crude certificates, on the floor of the
Bradford Oil Exchange, since March 1, 1879, to December, 1885:
MONTH. I
January ' .
February [ ,
March '
April ; 78|
May I 73i
June 681
July m
August 67J
September 69i
October 88i
November lOof
December Ill3|
1880 1881 IS82 1S8.3 18S4
83 I 92i
! 8oJ 101
S0|! 97i
78ii 921
70 I 991
.54*117i
57|jl08
lllj 70f
104S 73i
1004 801
94 , 78|
851 79f
68f, 83i
63i' 96|
81J100I
78 lOOf
71 105*
73U04|
74§. ...
86 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Bradford was the field that produced sucb an extraordinary quantity of oil,
tilling up the stocks in tanks until they reached 36,000,000 barrels with its
field still yielding 60,000 barrels a day, or thereabouts. In regard to the possi-
bility of another such field being discovered Prof. Carll said he believed there
was absolutely no likelihood of it. The nitmber of experimental wells that
had been drilled in search of another Bradford sand, in all parts of the coun-
try, seemed to establish the fact that Bradford was unique and alone. He did
not believe that such a petroleum deposit as this would ever be found in any
country in the world. The Bradford field and its annex, in Allegany county,
N. Y., is apparently being drained to the dregs. At one time the production
of the field was as high as 105,000 barrels every twenty-four hours. Bradford
has produced about 156,000,000 barrels of oil, and a pool that would yield
the 156th part of this is something that the oil producer is eagerly looking for.
He goes on to show how, in 1886, the " AVhitesaud " horizon was producing
daily 45,560 barrels, and the Bradford, or " Blacksand " horizon was pro-
ducing 32,668 barrels (in all 78,228 barrels) daily, and how the steady decrease
of production in both brought the figures down, in December, 1888, to 29,349
and 20.680—50,029 barrels daily.
To take in all the fields the following short table will show the decrease in
the annual production: 1886, 25,080,400; 1887 (in spite of 1,094 new wells),
21,286,560; 1888 (in spite of 1,530 new wells), 16,120,580, the shut-down be-
ing responsible for only about 1.500,000 of this decline; for the October daily
average before the shut down was 58,942, and the December daily average
after the shut-down was 50,029. In September, 1880, the producers of the
Bradford field placed a cannon at Bradford, also one each at Coleville and
Olean, to be used in boring oil tanks in case of fire.
Shut-in by Producers. — Under date June 11. 1884, a petition was circu-
lated by John P. Zane asking the producers to agree to a shut-down until Jan-
uary 1, 1885. Within six days 200 producers signed this agreement, and by
August 3 the great majority of oil men- had signed it. [The names of majority
and minority are given in the Era of August 4, 1S84.] On the last day of
October, 1887, the executive board of the Petrolevim Producers' Association,
and the advisory board, met at Oil City and signed the contract by which a part
of the daily production was to be shut-in for one year. From this shut-in pro-
ducers were to receive the benefit which may accrue from the advance in the
price of 5,000,000 barrels of oil set aside at 62 cents per barrel; the profit on
the oil to be divided proportionally to the amount of production which each
man shuts in. Out of the 5,000,000, prodiacers were to give the profit on 1,000-
000 to laboring men. and the Standard set aside 1,000,000 for the same pur-
pose, and many producers also agreed not to drill any more wells for one year.
On Juno ■_".!, ISS'.I, the Standard Oil Company purchased 3,500,000 barrels
of this oil at UIA (•.nts. giving a profit of $248,000, which was divided among
the 900 pr(i<liici>is. 'J'hc Era referring to this great transaction, says: "Another
particularly gratifying feature is the consummation of good faith between the
parties to the great agreement entered into nearly two years ago. While the
pecuniary results have not been so great as some of the more sanguine led
themselves to hope for, the Producers' Association has accomplished the great
purpose of its organization— reducing stock; and have further made a hand-
some profit on the oil which was set apart without any expense to themselves
for their own use in case they kept their agreement inviolate. ' ' Prior to this,
the profits on 1.000.000 barrels, set apart for the support of the laborers in the
field who were thrown out of employiuont by reason of this shut in, were-
realized, returninir a revenue of no small amoiiut.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. » k
Pipe Lines. — The idea of pipe lines is said to have oric;inat.ed with Geu. S.
D. Karns in November. 1865. when he proposed to construct a six inch line
fi-om Burning Springs to Parkersbnrg, Va. Hutchinson, of rotary-pump fame,
explained his plan to John Dalzell and C. L. AVheeler, and the iirst line was
placed from the Sherman well to the railroad depot on Miller's farm. Van
Syckle detected the faults in Hutchinson's system, and at once constructed a
line from Miller's farm to Pithole. Afterward William Warmcastle assisted
Henry Harley in building a line from Benninghoff run to the Oil Creek Railroad,
and out of this grew the Pennsylvania Transportation Company. A two-inch
pipe line from Miller's farm to Pithole was completed October 10, 1S65, by
S. E. Van Syckle, H. C. Ohlen. Henry Harley, Charles Hickox, Charles W.
Noble and Reed and Cogswell. It was placed at a cost of S50 per joint; while
three pumping stations were found necessary in the 32,000 feet of pipe.
Branch lines were also constructed to Cherry run, Bull run and Pioneer. Mr.
Van Syckle, speaking of this venture, refers to the troubles and losses its
building entailed as follows:
At length the system was completed, and I began pumping oil into the pipe. The
experiment was perfectly successful from the time the first barrel of oil was pumped into
the pipe, and I had the pleasure of seeing my detractors silenced for a little while. But
my success by no means quelled the opposition to me. Instead of the calm which I thought
would follovv the completion of my work, I raised a tempest. It was the teamsters now
with whom I had to contend. They saw the value of this means of transportation, and
they also saw tlieir profits vanishing from them, and they tried every conceivable way to
worry and annoy me. They pried the pipes with pick-axes or fastened log chains around
them, hitched their teams to the chains and pulled the pipe apart. To put a stop to this
I sent to New York for some carbines and armed a patrol to watch the line. Not long
after the line was laid two partners who had joined with me to work the thing failed for
a considerable amount, and as they were involved to the amount of |15,000 at the bank,
I assumed the payment of the debt, and made an agreement with the creditors that they
should take the line and run it until the debt was liquidated, which was done in the course
of the next nine mouths. Not long afterward a tank line company was formed down
East, and they came to me and wanted me to connect my pipe line with their system, in
payment for which I should receive a certain amount of stock in the company. I agreed
to this. They began to operate the pipe line and gave me a memorandum stating the
amount of stock I was entitled to. It was not long before the company became insolvent,
the line passed into other hands, and I had nothing but the memorandum which was of
no earthly value.
The Pennsylvania Tubing and Transportation Company's line from Pit-
hole Valley to Oleopolis, or Island Well (nine miles), was the first important
line. This was opened December 10, 1805, by the president, Joseph Casey,
and superintendent, David Kirk. It appears Judge Casey met Mr. Kirk in
the woods, and got from him the first word of encouragement, scientists
pointing out that the pipe transfer of oil was an impossibility under the law
of friction. Mr. Kirk was given an interest in the line, completed it, and
while saving the original company from loss made a great success of the enter-
prise before Pithole sunk into oblivion.
The Titusville Pipe Company was organized in January, 1866, by H. E.
Pickett, J. Sherman & Co. , and the line completed from Pithole to Titusville
(nine miles), in April of that year, at a cost of $120,000. Before the Penn-
sylvania Tttbing and Transportation Company's line, or the Titusville line,
was completed, Henry Harley had a two- inch pipe from Benninghoff run to
the Shaffer farm, on Oil creek, where the oil was shipped on the old railroad
at that point.
The Bradford & Olean Pipe Line (eighteen and a quarter miles long) was
completed in December, 1875, for the Empire Transportation Company, of
Philadelphia. The main pumping depot was on the Beardsley farm, four
miles north of Bradford, where a 1.200-barrel receiving tank was used. When
88 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
oil was first pumped at Bradford, the Erie Kailroad Company charged $14(1
per car to New York, and $8 storage. So soon as pipe-line construction
commenced, the rate was lowered to $100 per car; again to $80; while the
rate of the new line was placed at $1 per barrel to New York, and 20 cents
to Olean. The Tide Mater Company dates back to 1878-79, when leases
were made for a strip of land, two rods wide, from McKean county to the
seaboard. This work was secretly and ably performed for some time, but
the eagle eye of the Standard Company discovered the plans of the new com-
pany, and every opposition was offered. Yet the Tide Water Company won,
and their great work was completed. The station at Corryville was moved to
Rixford, in June, 1880, and since that time many changes in management and
operation have been effected.
The BufPalo Pipe Company's station, on the divide between Indian creek
and Four Mile creek, was completed in 1880. The point is 200 feet above
the Buffalo end, so that the oil is pumped up fi-om Bradford into the four
25,000-barrel tanks, whence it is piped sixty-three miles to Buffalo.
The Kane and Parker City Pipe Line, connecting Bradford with the lower
country (sixty-five miles in length), was completed August 5, 1880. The
Bradford Gas Company's tile pipe line was laid from Rixford to Bradford in
August, 1880.
The United Pipe Line Association was organized by J. J. Vandergrift and
George V. Forman as the Fairview Pipe Line Company. In 1877 and subse-
quently the following named lines were consolidated under the title " United,
Antwerp, Clarion, Oil City, Union Conduit, Grant, Karns, Relief, Pennsyl
vania and Clarion Division of the American Transportation Company." Later
the McKean Division of the American Transportation Company, and the Pren-
tiss and Olean lines were absorbed, and J. J. Vandergrift was elected president;
M. Hulings, vice-president; H. F. Hughes, secretary; E. Hopkins, manager,
the president and J. T. Jones and D. O'Day being the executive committee of
the association.
In 1884 the company had 3,000 miles of pipe, and storage capacity for
40,000,000 barrels. Their large depots were at Tarport, Duke Centre, Rich-
burg and Kane, and the central offices at Bradford and Oil City. Through-
out the field were 118 pumping stations; fifty-one of which were in the Brad-
ford and Allegany fields. On April 1, 1884, the transfer of the United Pipe
Lines to the National Transit Company was effected. The National Transit
Company was organized in 1880.
The average daily pipe line runs, by ban-els, of the Bradford field by years
have been as follows: 1878, 16,980; 1879, 38,586; 188(», 55,173; 1881, 70.811;
1882, 51,030; 1883, 36,812; 1884, 33,052; 1885, 29,228; 1886, 26,980;
1887, 20,722; 1888, 13.992; 1889, 16,462.
The pipe line runs for the year 1884 amounted to 12,096,950; in 1885.
10,668.2r,r): in 1886, 9,847,911; in 1887, 7,563,452; in 1888, 5.121,025. and
in 18SU, (),018,737 barrels.
Well Drilling, Past and Present. — The reminiscences of early days in the
oil field furnish some interesting as well as instructive lessons. In 1888 George
Koch, of East Sandy, Penn., contributed to the pages of the Petroleum Age
the following history of old time and modern drilling operations:
The tirst oil well drilled was finished August 28. 1859, at a depth of sixty-nine and one-
half feet, and was known as the " Drake well." It was located near Titusville. It was
commen<ed in .June, and seventy-four days later it was finished. The drilling was done
with rope tools, and when drilling they made about four feet a day, "Uncle Billy Smith "
and his sons, of Tarentum, Allegheny County. Penn.. doing the work. The drilling tools
were made at Kier's shop, Tarentum. It was a four-inch hole. At that time experienced
y^cf^y,
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 91
drillers could only be had at Tarentum, wlierusalt wells were being drilled, and Kier's shop
there was the only place where rope-drilling tools could be had. Drilling was done by
hand, no engines being used. At Tidioute the first engine was used in September, lfi6U,
for drilling oil wells, but for some years after manj' wells were drilled by hand. A good
eight-horse portable engine and boiler cost about $2,000 during 1864 and 1865. The cost
of getting them to the oil regions before the railroads were built was llie cause of them
not being used generally. The drilling tools used during the early days of the business
were very primitive. The auger stem was from twelve to fifteen feet long, and one and
a half to one and three-fourths inches in diameter. The sinker was ten to'twelve feet in
length. The tools, ready to drill, weighed from 225 to 350 pounds. The men on i he well
would, when necessary, often carry the string of tools on their shoulders for miles to a
shop for repairs. They used one and a half to oneand threc-fourths-inch rope for drilling,
and iron jars. George Smith, at Rouseville, made the first set of sleel-lined jars in 1866,
for H. Leo Nelson. They did not prove a success. The steel came out of them. They
were used with a set of three-inch tools, the largest drilling tools then made, but they did
not prove successful.
The first well drilled through casing was located on BenninghofF run. It was drilled
during the summer of 1868. This was the greatest invention ever conceived and applied
to the art of drilling. Previous to that time all wells were drilled wet. Xo casing was
used. Three to six mouths were required to drill a well 600 feet deep. Contractors al that
time received from $3 to $4 a foot for drilling, and the well owner paid all expenses
excepting the labor. It would appear that al that time tlie contractor received a very remun-
erative price, but many of them failed. The trouble was fishing, and a lot of it was done.
Iron jars and poor welding, especially the welding of the jars and the steel in the bits aud
reamers, was the trouble. Fishing tools were very primitive. The valve sockets and the
grabs were all the tools known for that purpose. "When a bit, rimmer or part of the tools
was lost in a well, the floating sediment or drillings would settle and fasten it. The driller
knew but little about fishing at that time, and the fishing tools were poorly adapted to
the business. At this time, looking back over the tools used and the primitive methods
then in vogue, it is indeed wonderful to think that up to 1868, 5,201 wells were successfully
drilled. In 1868 the first well was drilled through casing, and the time of drilling wa"s
made fully two-thirds shorter. The device was not patented. Tool-fishing lost many of
its terrors. Tools lost in a cased well do not become fastened by the drillings settling.
When the oil sand is reached it can most always be told if it will be a paying well; ina
wet hole but little can be told until it is pumped for a time. All drillers dis'like to work in
wet holes. The rig now universally used is known as the '■ Pleasantville rig," and was
first used by Nelson on (he Meade lease, at Rouseville, in 1866. The writer took out a
patent November 11, 1873, on full size, fluted drills, which did away with the rimmer.
This invention was a great benefit to the oil businciss. It reduced the time of drilling
from sixty to twelve days, and the price from 13 a foot to 45 cents. The writer and his
brother William filed an application March 31, 1877, for a patent on the bull-wheel now in
use, and a patent was granted to them October 1, 1878. This has also been of vast use to
the oil men, but it has been poor property to the inventors. We hereby grant all our
rights and privileges in and to both patents to the benefit of the oil men during the full
term of both patents. During 1887 drilling was done without a sinker, and at this time
no driller thinks of using them. This hasbeen a great benefit to the trade. Heavier tools
can be used with but little strain on the jars. The common-sized tools are now forty -five
feet long and three and three-fourths inches in diameter, willi the jars screwed or welded
on the top, aud the rope socket screwed on to the jars. In formations, where but little
sand is found, no jars are used.
Oil Scouts. — From the days of the Drake well to the present time the oil
scout and reporter have been institutions in the oil field. The newspapers of
the field were principally relied upon for reports up to 1882, leaving free scout-
ing to the many who did not believe in geologists or newspaper men of that
period. The Cherry Grove and Shannon mysteries of that year brought the
professional scout into existence, and soon Oildom was excited over the doings
of "Si" Hughes, Justus C. McMullen, J. C. Tennant, Joseph P. Cappeau,
Daniel Herring. Patrick C. Boyle, Owen Evans, Jule Rathburn, John B. Drake,
A. L. Snell and their disciples. A. E. Crum, in his sketches of famous scouts,
refers to the late J. G. McMullen as the most painstaking of the little com-
pany. This reference is transferred to the chapter on journalism, where men-
tion is also made of Boyle. Snell and others. "Si" Hughes explored the
mysterious 646 well near Glarendon. belonging to Grace & Dimmick, and gave
$500,000 worth of information to the Anchor Oil Comjiany. He is superintciul
92 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COrNTY.
ent of the Elk Oil Company of K;ine, Ponn. The story of Tennant's exploration
of the Shannon mystery is told in the history of Elk county. He was one of the
pioneers of the Macksburg (Ohio) field, until his removal to Kansas. Cappeau.
now a resident of Pittsburgh, is a leading oil producer; Owen Evans is con-
nected with the Philadelphia Natural Gas Company; Jule Rathburn resides at
Kane, and is interested in oil lands. Herring is a hotel-keeper in New York
State, and John B. Drake, a ranchman in Nebraska. P. C. Boyle is editor-
in-chief of the -Bra and owner of the Toledo Commercial, while A. L. Snell is
managing editor of the Era.
Well Torpedoes. — When the old wells began to show signs of giving out, ne-
cessity invented the torpedo. The Roberts Brothers patented the invention. The
•' torpedo kings," as they were called, had scores of agents in all parts of the oil re-
gions exploding these torpedoes in wells for producers. Each torpedo was from
ten to 200 quarts capacity, and the danger in carrying them over the country was
very great. The agents were called ' ' shooters. " They carried the nitro-glycerine
in wagons drawn by one and often two horses. They often carried as much as
1,500 pounds of the deadly stuff, and yet these men would become so reckless
in their liusiness that they gave little heed to the manner of their driving.
When the patents expired by limitation the business of exploding torpe-
does in oil wells was taken up by whosoever chose to engage in the hazardous
undertaking, and now scores of firms are supplying the trade which formerly
depended upon "Torpedo Roberts," as the doctor was called. He was origi-
nally a dentist in New York, but coming to the oil country in the early days
of the petroleum excitement, be and his brother engaged in the oil business,
and soon secured a patent on a device for exploding nitro-glycerine in the bot-
tom of oil wells to increase the flow. The device was simple, but it jiroved to
be one of the most valuable inventions of the age, and certainly far exceeded
the wildest dreams of the young inventors. The device was simply a tube
made of tin to hold the explosive, supplied with a cap for exploding the sub
stance. This was lowered into the well to the depth of 1,000 feet, if necessary,
by means of a cord, and, when at the desired depth, a small iron weight called
"go devil" was dropped down on the cord, and this striking the tube contain-
ing the nitroglycerine a terrific explosion followed. These explosions shat-
tered the oil-bearing rock, and the result in nearly every case was an increase
in the production of the well. The demand for these torpedoes was enor-
mous. There were anywhere from 15,000 to 25,000 wells in the region and
nearly all of them were torpedoed at regular intervals. "Torpedo accidents"
were therefore a common occurrence. In dozens of cases man, team and
vehicle were blown entirely out of existence. It was rarely that a cigar box
would not hold all of the driver that could be found. In one case, that of
"Doc" Haggerty, no vestige of a human being was ever found, and a few
pounds of flesh identified by the hair as being all that was left of two horses. This
was the strangest case of the many "torpedo explosions " in the oil country.
Below Eldred. or near Ceres, resided a short time ago a man who was thrown
high up intcj sf)ace, and beyond being tilled with tiny pieces of tin he did not
suffer much from the explosion.
Misceilaneona. — He who supposes that oil men are specially exempt from
ordinary human frailties is a miscalculator. They are much like ordinary men
in many respects, but their dealings are on a larger scale, and their vision is
more comprehensive. Looking over the pages devoted to the history of the
Bradford field, one would suppose that the courts were always full of oily liti-
gants; l)ut the records do not bear out this supposition. Of course leases of
oil lands iiave been questioned time and again, but the suits were of an agra-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 98
rian character. Indeed, with the exception of a few direct oil cases, the
following memorandnm may be considered a fair sketch of the heavy oil suits
in McKean county; In 1868 the celebrated oil case, O'Connor vs. Tack Bros.,
was tried. The plaintiff appeared to believe that the price of oil would fall
very soon, and so instructed his brokers, the defendants, to sell for the future.
Oil did decline veithin a day or so, but immediately rose again, thus leaving
O'Connor short. He charged his brokers with conspiracy, claiming 150,000,
but the court awarded him $600 of the $1,000 due him by his brokers, and
dismissed the conspiracy charge. In August. 1883. Col. N. D. Preston, of the
Bradford Oil Exchange, was sued by Mrs. Maria A. Harm, for whom the
Colonel held 30,000 barrels of oil. It appears he sold this oil, first formally,
and secondly on change, but the arbitrators decreed that he should pay Mrs.
Harjn $24,000. The Roberts Torpedo Patent resulted in a series of lawsuits.
"Every oil producer had to pay tribute to the Roberts Brothers, and finally
the oil men sought to break the monopoly by attacking the validity of the
patents. The producers organized to tight the patents in the courts, and long
and bitter litigation was the result. The tight went on in every court for
years, and finally the supreme court of the United States decided in favor of
the Roberts Brothers, and they continued to have the exclusive right to man-
ufacture and use the torpedo for seventeen years, the life of the patent. ' '
In November, 1885, the celebrated case, Blackmarr vs. Scotield, was tried
at Smethport. On December 8, 1882, H. L. Blackmarr and C. ^\'. Scotield
entered into a contract, of which the following is a copy:
Br.\dford. Pa.. Dec. 8tli. 1883.
No
Sold to C. W. Scofleld. for account of H. L. Blackmarr. twenty-five thousand (35,000)
barrels of crude petroleum at one dollar and twenty-five cents (Sl"3o) per barrel of forty-
two (43) gallons, in bulk, to be delivered at buyer's option at any time from the eighth
day of December, 1882, to the sixth day of February, 1883, in accepted and — United Pipe
Line receipts, pipage unpaid, and to be paid for in cash as delivered, with no notice from
buyer to seller. Should no notice be given, delivery shall be made on the sixth day of
February, 1883. Place of delivery, Bradford, Pa. Brokerage .... cents per barrel by
sellers. No margins. Through
Accepted by C. W. Scofield.
This contract was written on a blank form, such as has been in use in the
Old Exchange for many years, and a duplicate was given to Scofield. Feb-
ruary 6, 1883, was, by the terms of the contract, the limit of the time for
settlement, and Blackmarr received the following notification:
Br.\dpord, Pa., Feb. 6, 1883.
To H. L. Blackmarr:
Dear Sir: — You are hereby notified that a certain pretended contract alleged to have
been made by and between yourself and C. W. Scofield about December 8, 1883, for a pre-
tended sale of 35.000 barrels of oil at SI. 25 is illegal and void, will in no wise be carried
out by me in any respect, and you are further notified that any attempt to establish a
difference by a sale of the oil either publicly or privately will be the subject of an action
for damages. Yours truly,
C. W. Scofield.
By Berry, Elliott & Jack, Attorneys.
ITpon receipt of the above Blackmarr tendered certificates for 25,000 bar-
rels of oil, freshened to date, to Berry, he being the only representative of
Scofield that could be found in the city. Berry refused to accept the oil, and
it was sold by C. L. Wheeler, of the Bradford Oil Exchange, at public sale,
for $1.04| to C. P. Stevenson, who gave his certified check for $26,125.
According to the terms of the contract this left a deficiency of $5,125 due
Blackmarr. Scofield refused to pay the difference, on the grounds that he did
not consider the contract legal, and consequently not binding. Blackmarr
94 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
took legal proceedings to obtain the established difference, and the case was
crowded over or postponed a number of times, until November 14, 1885, when
it was decided by the jury that Blackmarr should be allowed his claim of
$5,125. The court charged the jury that if Blackmarr had the 25,000 barrels
of oil, or was able to procure the oil before the expiration of the contract, the
defendant should be held for the difPerence. Scoii eld's attorneys were Berry,
Elliott & Jack, and Brown & Roberts, of Bradford, and Jerome Fisher, of
Jamestown. Blackmarr' s were B. D. Hamlin, of Smethport, and F. L. Black-
marr, of Meadville. The suits in re title to oil and oil lands in Forest coun-
ty won notoriety at the time, and cost the litigants thousands of dollars.
As illustrative of the manner in which much of the business was done
in early oil days, and as evidence of the good faith that prevailed among oil
men, the following incident is worthy of note: Soon after the Noble well was
struck on Oil creek, Mr. Wheeler met Orange Noble on the streets of Titus-
ville, and asked him what he would take for 30,000 barrels of oil. Mr. Noble
replied, " $1.50 per barrel." Mr. Wheeler said, " I will take it." No further
record was made of this transaction, but before the oil was delivered crude had
advanced to $7. 50 per barrel, but every barrel was delivered and paid for as
regularly as if the contract had been drawn up by an expert legal authority
and recorded in the courts.
John McKeown, the king of the oil regions, purchased from Mitchell and
Van Vleck, in August, 1888, 1,200 acres of oil land, and fifty producing wells,
in Keating and Lafayette townships, McKean county, the price paid being
$90,000. This action on the part of this great oil owner showed his faith in
the old field, which he aided in developing before his removal to the Washing-
ton field. The recent Emerson purchase, for $100,000, is an equally material
testimony to the faith of operators in the perpetuity of the greatest oil field
in the world.
During the last ten years crude ranged from 54| cents in 1882 to $1. llh in
1883. For some time prior to the summer of 1889 it was far below the dollar
mark, but owing to the judicious action of the producers, it is now ranging in
price above the dollar.
" The Bradford field began to be known as early as 1875, but its total pro-
duction for that year did not exceed 25,000 barrels. It attained its maximum
in 1881, when its average pipe-line runs were 70,811 barrels a day. ' By 1887
these had declined to 20,722 barrels a day. During 1888 there was a decline
to 13,992 barrels a day, followed in 1889 by a recovery to 16,462 barrels for
every twenty-four hours. This increase for 1889 is due to two causes: First,
the termination of the artificial shutting-in of production, and the discovery
of additional territory on the borders of Cole creek and in the vicinity of Mount
Jewett. And to bring about this increase of 2,470 barrels a day in the pipe-
line runs it has been necessary to drill 683 wells during the twelve months
ending with December 31, 1889."*
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 95
CHAPTER III.
PIONEERS AND PIONEER DAYS.
Pkehistoiiic Remains— Indians— Indian Land Puhchases— Sale of Lands-
Early Surveys and Settlements— Eakly Tax Payee,s— Underground
Railroad- Hunting— Storms and Floods— First Court-house— First
Ball— Early Wedding— Early Incidents and Reminiscences— County
Centennial Celebration.
THE pioneers were the self-commissioned explorers and settlers of the New
Purchase. Some of them followed the retiring Indians so closely that they
cooked their frugal meals by the deserted camp-fires of the evacuating tribes;
others joined the adventurous band in the wilderness, while yet the Allegheny
Divide was considered the limit line of settlement, and all may be considered
satellites of that star which has carried empire westward since the days of the
Revolution. Their objects and hopes belonged to that peculiar form of Ameri-
can civilization which desires, to this day, to settle on the horizon, a feat of
irresistible fascination to them, which they performed practically, although the
thing was theoretically impossible.
The Treaty Indians, whose old country they entered, were comparatively
modern settlers. There were men here before them, who lived in the age of
giant nature. On the Fisher farm, near Bradford, in the Tuna Valley flats,
there were relics of a large race exhumed years ago. It appears an aged tree
was felled and uprooted to make way for improvements, and beneath were
found large skulls, any one of which could encase the head of any modern man;
while thigh-bones and shin-bones were several inches longer than those of the
present people. Near Kane are other souvenirs of prehistoric times, and on
other sections evidences of possession by an unknown race are not wanting.
On a map made by the French in 1763 the territory along the lake extend-
ing southward is marked: "The seat of war, the mart of trade and chief
hunting grounds of the Six Nations on the lakes and the Ohio." Sixty years
prior to the date of this map Le Houton published an account of a decade
passed by him among the savages on the south of Lake Erie — "the Iroquois,
Illinois, Oumanies and others who are so savage that it is a risk to stay with
them." The Iroquois had exterminated the Eriez and the Massasaugas about
the year 1650. The Eriez were named in 1626, when the French missionaries
first came among them, as the Neutre Nation, and were governed by a queen —
Yagowania — whose prime minister was a warrior named Ragnotha. In 1634
some Senecas murdered a son of the chief of the Massasaugas, and a deputa-
tion from that tribe waited on the queen to ask for justice. Two Seneca war-
riors also came, who, on learning of the queen's intention to set out with her
warriors to give justice, fled to their people to give warning. On the approach
of the Eriez the Senecas offered battle and forced the imperial troops to fly,
after leaving 600 warriors on the field. In 1650 the Iroquois invaded the
district and, though driven back seven times, ultimately conquered, particu-
larly during the year of pestilence, when disease swept away great numbers of
the nation. In 1712 the Tuscaroras were admitted to the Iroquois confed-
eracy and the name " Six Nations ',' took the place of that of "Five Nations."
96 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Their territory stretched from Vermont to the upper end of Lake Erie and
embraced the country at the heads of the Allegheny and Susquehanna, with the
seat of council in the Onoudaga Valley. The Senecas, a tribe of the original
Five Nations, occupied the territory along the Allegheny and near the Penn-
sylvania-New York line, and in the treaty of 1784 they were particularly con-
cerned. In 1789 a supplementary treaty was made and 1800 granted to Corn-
planter, Half- Town and Big Tree in trust for the tribe. This treaty was
signed in 1791 by the chiefs, and in March, 1792, the triangle was purchased
from the United States by the commonwealth. In April, 1792, the assembly
passed an act to encourage settlement here, and in 1794 troops were stationed
at Le Bceuf to keep peace, as manj' of the Senecas refused to respect the treaty
and charged Cornplanter and the other chiefs with being traitors. The
British emissaries of course urged on the disaffected braves, Brandt, chief of
the Mohawks, being one of the diplomats; but their logic could not influence
Cornplanter, although British interest in justice to the Indians was manifested
by two armed vessels lying off Presque Isle to enforce the claims of the discon-
tented Senecas. In 1795 other treaties were negotiated, and the threatened
Anglo-Indian raid on the young republic was postponed. At this time there were
eighty Senecas at Cornplanter' s town, west of the present city of Bradford,
where a large tract of land was reserved to them. In 1866 the legislature
authorized the building of a monument to Cornplanter which was completed
and dedicated at Jennesedaga October 18, 1867. The chiefs of the Senecas
who signed the treaty in 1789 were Gyantwachia (Cornplanter), Guyasota
(Big Cross), Kanassee (New Arrow), Achiont (Half Town), Anachkont (Wasp),
Chishekoa (Wood Bug), Sessewa (Big Bale of a Kettle), Sciawhowa (Council .
Keeper), Tewanias (Broken Twig), Souachshowa (Full Moon), Cachunevasse
(Twenty Canoes), Onesechter, Kiandock-Gowa and Owenewah.
The purchase from the Indians (Six Nations, Wyandots and Delawares) in
October, 1784, embraced all the territory lying north and west of a line from
the mouth of Beaver creek on the Ohio; thence by said river up the Alleglieny
to Kittanning; thence by line to Upper Canoe Place on the West Branch of tL3
Susquehanna; thence by that river to the mouth of Pine creek, and north by
this creek to the New "York State line. In 1758 and at other periods the
Indians ceded their possessions in this district in small parcels, but the '• New
Purchase " treaties and the power of the whites soon did away with requests of
favors from the red men, and ended in the expulsion of the aborigines. The
Susquehanna Company's purchase of 1754 is bounded by a line drawn north
and south through Benizette, Shippen, Norwich, Liberty and other townships
to the New York State line. In 1785 the act of Pennsylvania declared that
the laud purchased from the Indians in 1784 and defined in the treaty of Fort
Stanwix and Fort Mcintosh, should be attached to Westmoreland and Northum-
berland counties, and that the Allegheny river from Kittanning to the mouth
of Conewango creek should be the county line. The land office was opened in
1785, but the homestead of 400 acres and actual settlement thereon, together
with the Indian wars down to 1796, made the plan of sale useless. In 1793
an act was passed allowing the sale of lands in 1,000-acre warrants on condi-
tion of settlement, except during Indian troubles. Under this permit the
Holland Land Company purchased 1,140 warrants, and in 1801 the condition
of settlement being removed, this company, with the Keatings, Binghams and
others, located their warrants at will, and within a few years essayed to develop
the wilderness— John Keating being in the advance.
Byron D. Hamlin, speaking on this subject, states that the legislature of
1785 provided for the sale of the " AVaste Lands," as the whole territory was
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 97
named. A lottery- wheel was the system of auction selected. An ai^ilication
ticket, with the number of acres applied for written thereon, was placed in one
urn and a similar ticket with the warrant niimber, etc.. placed in another. Of
course each applicant drew in or about the number of acres he wished to pur-
chase, and as early as May 17. 1785, some of the purchasers found their lands
in what are now known as Liberty and Eldi'ed townships. The survey was
made in 1787-88. In the latter year it was seen that the desire to purchase
this wild land was limited, owing to the price (S80 per 100 acres) being too
high. It was reduced, and again reduced, in 1792, to !?13?j per 100 acre?, and
in that and the following year the greater part of McKean and adjoining coun-
ties became private property. William Bingham and the Holland Land Com-
pany were the principal purchasers. In 1796 John Keating purchased a large
area from the Binghams, and in 1816 Benjamin B. Cooper purchased the Hol-
land Company's lands and sold to the Jones Brothers, the Ridgways, the
Wernwags, Halseys and smaller owners. The first attempt at settlement was
made at Ceres by John Keating' s agent, Francis King, in 1798. On July 1,
1801, surveys of the Keating property were commenced. In 1804 the ceme-
tery at Cerestown was platted: Coudersport was surveyed in July. 1807, and
Smethport in August, 1807. At this time there was not a wagon road in Mc-
Kean county. Every family had its own grist-mill; the meat market was the
forest; the dry-goods factory was the family spinning-wheel or loom in th«
lean-to; nails and hardware for building were manufactured from wood; tea
and coffee were improvised from the most convenient sources, and whisky was
deferred for a more refined generation. Jersey Shore, one hundred miles dis-
tant, was the nearest post-office. Two weeks' travel through the wilderness
(the carrier bearing his own provisions) were required to make the round trij),
his pockets being the mail bag and his ardor for news his reward. The census
taker had not then been seen. His first visit was made in 1810, when he found
a population of 141 whites and one colored resident in McKean county, and iu
Potter county twenty- eight whites and one colored citizen.
The original deed of Robert Morris, one of the Revolutionary fathers, and
his wife Mary, to lands in McKean and other coiinties dated January 0, 1797,
is in possession of Mr. Hamlin, and also one from William Bingham to Omer Talon
(afterward conveyed to John Keating & Company), dated December 21, 1796,
covers about 300,000 acres in McKean and Potter counties, for 180,000. In
1801 Francis King surveyed the boundaries of the Keating lands, adjoining
the New York and Holland purchase in New York State, and the lands of the
Binghams, Ridgways and Joneses in Pennsylvania. When the New Y'ork &
Pennsylvania boundary commission was in session this old field book was pro-
duced. The present owner of this parchment, speaking of the early land pur-
chases, calculates that up to 1874 each acre cost the proprietor $26. To arrive
at this total he takes the original cost, 13^ cents per acre, with interest
compounded at six per cent, and finds $15.12. Prior to 1840 wild lands were
assessed 50 cents per acre on which a five-mill county tax and a five-mill road tax
were levied,or a one-half cent per acre. From 1840 to 1860 the taxation was three
cents per acre, and from 1860 to 1874 five cents per acre was levied. Mr. Hamlin
thinks that the total cost of each acre of wild land to the original owners was
$35 including costs of transfers, agencies and other expenditures.
The survey of the town of Smethport was a mo.st important event of \no-
neer days. The King survey notes read as follows:
The first of the seventh month. 1801. Began at a hemlock corner sixty-three perches
west of the Holland Company's thirteen-mile stake on the Stateline.when wc found asouth
line, which proved to be a district line, dividing Districts 2 and 3, and traveled it south
98 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
throusU a thick wiadfall. Second da}'. State line marked on a beech with the initials
" T. W., October 10, 1792;" soil, chocolate colored; timber, white pine, hemlock, beech,
sugar tree, etc. Our provisions being exhausted we returned home. On the twelfth of
the tenth month. Found a line blazed for a road from the head of Pine creek to the head
of Osvvayo in the fall of 1797. We then went to meet the pack-horses on the south branch
of the Allegheny. Nineteenth of the twelfth month. Found a sugar tree corner with
initials, one maVked " O. S. S." and under it the letters " S. T. E." Seventeenth of the
tenth month, 18()o. Proceeded with the road and lodged at the Allegheny. Running of
the town lots of Smethport, etc. Twenty-fourth of the eighth month, 1807, left home to
go to Smethport and loaded at the mouth of our creek; 25th, continued up the river
and lodged at the mouth of Potato creek; 36th, camped near the forks of the creek; 37th,
still raining, went up the small branch, and built a camp; 3Sth, finished camp and moved
into it; 19th of the ninth month finished survej' of the town.
In 1832 Orlo J. Hamlin eontribnted to the page.s of HazzairVs Gazetteer, tbe
history of this county published therein, parts of which are tised in this work.
After the publication of the Gazetteer, the pioneer historian of McKeau coitnty
continued the good work, and from among the documents in possession of his
son. Henry Hamlin, one from which the following summary of early history
is extracted was foitnd:
Seventeen hundred and ninety-niue to 1800, Ceres township settled by Francis King
and others, aeent and employes of John Keating. . . .1808 (about), Corydon township
settled by Philip Tome and others from the west branch of the Susquehanna. . . .1810-13
(about), Hamilton township settled by George Morrison and others of the west branch of
the same river. . . .1813-1") (about). Liberty township settled by ex-Judge Foster from New-
Jersey, ex-Judge Samuel Staunton. Sr., from Wayne county, Penn.. L. Lillihridge, Dr.
H. Coleman and others. .. .1810, Keating township (Farmers Valley), settled by Joseph
and George Olto, the StuUs and others from Northampton county, Penn., six families
. . .1808. Eldred township settled by the Wrights, Jacob Knapp, Joseph StuU, Nathan
Dennis. E. Larrabee and others. . . .1815, Norvvich township settled by Jonathan Cole-
grove and fourteen families from North Atlantic States. . . .1809-14*, Sergeant township
first setii'd at Instanter, next by Joel Bishop in 1811; Sweeten, David Combs, Sr.,
. R. Brrkwiili imil ..ihers settled in 1814 near Bishops summit, and at Clermont farm Paul
E. S.iill, .lolm (iirlick, Philip Lee and others about 1819-30 1834 (about), Lafavette
town^hi]. ^ciil,.,! l,v (4eorge W. Griswold and others 1833-34 (about), Bradford first
S"ttlr,l In I), W iiliaiu >I. Bcnncii, tln' Fans, Sc.its. Fosters and otliers 1846-47,
Oitn t,,-A„-l,i|i .rill,. I l.v .Vithiii- I'l-'iiiiss aii.l nilirrs ...IS03-23 (about), Hamlin town-
ship lir-i ^r[\\r,i l,v Scili Maivin . . .ls|M-(i, Anniii i.iwnship first settled by Evans, Ken-
ney aii.l oihci-s , , .is:,s lalumi 1. Wctninv t<iwnslii|i first settled by Grover and others. . . .
1830-31, Clermont farm, named by Jaool) Ridgway after his return from Belgium, where
he was United States consul for a' term.
The oldest tax roll in possession of the commissioner's clerk covers the
year.s 18l)(^)-12. The tax payers (of course non-resident) were William Bing-
ham, Jolin Barron, Ezekiel King, William Barker, Robert Blaekwell, Henry
Glymer, Henry Drinker. Kobert Gillmor, Samuel Hughes, George Harrison,
William Lloyd, George Meade, Nicklen Griffith, John Olden, Jonathan B.
Smith. Thoiuiis Stewarton. Thomas Willing, Charles Willing, Wilhelm Wel-
lick and H 'urv Wykoff. The valuation was 50 cents per acre, and the tax
averageil i^'lAl on UOO-acre tracts and $2. 75 on KOUO-acre tracts; Four years
later (in 1810) Commissioner.-i Pennington, Glen and Herring of Centre
county confirmed the assessment roll, and assessed the unseated lands of Mc-
Kean county at 50 cents per acre, on which a tax of two and one- fourth
mills per dollar was ordered to be levied, the assessment to continue iti force
until 1813.
Joseph Stull and his brother, Jacob, settled below Smethport, four miles
al)ove Eldred, on the Allegheny, in 1810. A few years later Indians camped
at till' iJKiuth of Potato creek, and while making for this camp a warrior, being
ov(>itaken by night, wrapped his blanket around him and lay face downward
to sleep. H(> was followed by a panther, who sprung on him as soon as he
laid down, striking the claws into the sides of the redman and the teeth into
iiijis, and of Sergeant townsliip fur slxetcti of I
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 101
his neck. The Indian caught a small tree near by. and. raising himself, stabbed
the panther in the heart, and then lay down to die with the beast. Next morn-
ing his brother Indians set out in search and found the hero of the tight almost
dead. They took him to Jacob Stull's house, where he recovered after some
weeks.
Asylum Peters died at the house of Walter Edgecomb. in Homer township.
Potter county, November 24, 1880. He was born in Bradford, Penn. , in 1793,
and named after his native township. In 1806 became to Ceres as cook for
Gen. Brevost, a surveyor, and when that work was completed he was sold to
William Ayers for f 100 and the farther consideration that he should receive
a fair common education until he was of age, when he was to be set free. In
1808 Ayers moved to the Keating farm, six miles east of Coudersport. on the
old Boone road, then the only road in the county, bringing Peters with him.
During the years when the abolition movement first gathered sympathizers,
the King settlement above Ceres became an important underground railroad
depot. As long ago as 1827 or 1828, Smethport was a way-station on the
underground railroad leading from the South to the North, whereon runaway
slaves used to travel in making their escape into Canada, then a land of free-
dom to the black man. In other words, runaway slaves striking the Allegheny
river at Warren, would take a short cut, the one used by lumbermen in this
region returning from Pittsburgh, and reaching what was then known as the
"Four Corners " pass through Smethport, Eldred and Olean, and so on by way
of Buffalo to Canada. It was at the above mentioned, that four forlorn look-
ing slaves, foot sore and weary, and terribly hungry withal, arrived in the
little village of Smethport, and stopped at a hotel kept by David Young. They
acknowledged that they were runaway slaves, fleeing from hard-hearted mas-
ters, and were also out of money. Through the kindness of several of the
people of Smethport, the negroes were provided with a good meal at a hotel,
a small amount of money furnished them, and were sent on their way. The
next stopping place was in Olean, at the hotel kept by Backus. Fearing pur-
suit from their masters, the slaves were directed to a lumlser camp about one
mile from the village, which shelter they used for a hiding place and also
intended to make it their resting place for the night. Hardly had these four
negroes left Smethport when two men on horseback arrived in pursuit, they
being the owners of the runaways. Getting no information from the Smeth-
port people, the horsemen hastened to Olean, at which place they arrived just
as the slaves had entered their hiding place, though unseen by their mas-
ters — and here comes the gist of our tale. The citizens of Olean, who were
aware of the pursuit, and fearing that the negroes might be captured, employed
a little strategy for the occasion. Sending messengers to the camp with infor-
mation about the state of matters, the slaves speedily sought their safety.
In the meantime the slave owners were informed that the objects of their pur-
suit might be found in a certain camp near Olean, and kind hands directed
their course to the desired point. But upon their arrival, a sad fate awaited
them. A bucket of tar and a quantity of feathers were in readiness, and masked
men spread the i^nsightly covering without stiut iipon the persons of the slave
owners, and then left them to their own musings. The nest seen of the pur-
suers, who by this time had become sadder, but wiser men. was in a hotel kept
by John Lee near by where the bridge crosses the Allegheny at Eldred.
Through grease, soap, water and other appliances and a sojourn of a week,
the unfortunate slave owners presented a somewhat better appearance and
departed for their Southern homes, and their poor slaves reached the Mecca
of their hopes in Canada.
102 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
lu the liistory of Potter county reference is made to the successful hunters
prior to 1826. In Januai-y of this year McKean county takes her place as a
distinct government, and the first order issued is that for 81 cents to Wheeler
Gallup and Dan Cornelius for fox scalps; Rufus Cory received 27 cents and
Ralph Hill, for wolf scalps, $12, while James Taylor, Eben Burbanks, Tim
Kenney, I^aac King, Jonathan Colegrove, David Crow. Nathan White, Leon-
ard Foster, Benjamin Chatsey, Hub. Starkweather, James Brooks, George
Pinkerton, Henry Willard, Erastus John (an Indian), an unnamed Indian,
James John (an Indian), and Hunter (an Indian) were rewarded for killing
wild animals. In this year Squire Cole received 112 and Benjamin Freeman
$17 for one old and one young panther, and an Indian named Jimmerson $12
for panther certificates. In 1827 the panther hunters were Joseph Silverkeel
(an Indian), Dan Killbuck (an Indian), Simon Beckvpith, William Lewis. Dan
Lewis and Ralph Hill. In 1828 there is no record of panther hunters, l)ut in
1829 Philander Reed brought in some trophies.
Leroy Lyman, one of the great hunters of the past, was a natural philos-
opher of a determined character. At one time he resolved to acquaint him-
self thoroughly with the habits of the panther, and in all his expeditions looked
anxiously to the time when this cruel habitant of the woods of this section
would cross his track. The time came at last. Returning to his home one
evening he felt that he was followed, and, after a time, beheld his pursuer.
The latter kept an equal distance from the hunter until Leroy would stop,
when the panther would halt for a moment, then purring, creep slowly along
to leaping distance. This was repeated several times until the open country
was reached, when the hunter made his last study, and prepared for battle.
He was well armed, with a seven- shooter rifle, and halting suddenly waited
his enemy. The panther halted as suddenly, then purred, crept fbrward, gave
a blood curdling scream, and at the moment he sprang forward, the daring
hunter tilled him with sev;en bullets. Not a moment too soon; for the next
instant the panther was dead at his feet. . . .About fifty-three years ago Reuben
Dennis and his brother, then boys, started into the bush near the homestead
to find the cows, taking with them a small farm dog of a fidgety character.
They were not far into the forest when they heard a terrible scream; but, not
knowing the cry of the panther, paid no attention to the strange call, until
they looked at the dog, whose hair stood out like porcupine quills. They
shared the terror of the dog and fled toward home. On describing their expe-
rience to Nathan Dennis, the pioneer, he told them they had just escaped an.
encounter with a panther, which, in pursuing other game, left the boys safe.
Mr. Dennis tells also of the old-time method of trapping bear. Many are
acquainted with the bird trap (known as the dead-fall) used by boys of to-day.
The pioneer bear trap was constructed on the same principle, except that in-
stead of a box or cage a log sufficiently heavy to crush and kill a bear was
used, the supporting timber being so fixed that bruin, in ru.shing forward to
seize the bait, would displace it, leaving the heavy log to fall on him.
Samuel Beckwith, Sr. , one of the pioneers, came upon a bear suddenly,
and tiring at the animal, wounded it; but failed to kill. Believing that bruin
would escape, he advanced knife in hand and a terrible encounter ensued.
The bear hugged and tore and bit the desperate hunter, and nearly carried the
victory, when Beckwith thrust the knife into the animal's heart. The marks
of the battle remained on Beckwith to his death. In 1828-29, while this
Beckwith and O. J. Hamlin were surveying the turnpike route, the latter came
upon a wolf asleep. The animal was so scared, that instead of jumping over
the log, lie cre[>t under, where his head and fore-shoulders were caught as in
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 103
a trap. The pack-driver seized him by the bind leg, and opening the jack-
knife with his teeth, cut off the hamstrings, despatched the -wolf, and brought
in the skin and scalp as trophies of the affair.
In 1825-26 a road was opened from N. C. Gallup' s mill to the Potter county
line, and a bridge was built by Lemuel Lucore over the Sinnemahoning, so
that as the wild animals decreased such evidences of civilization increased.
The existence of this road scared away the large game. The modern hi;nters,
such as Henry Lascar, of Lafayette, and Jones, of Sergeant, tell some extra-
ordinary stories of the doings of bear and panther here since 1880.
From 1842 to the present time storm and flood have accompanied progress
in this section, but there are few, if any, cases of destruction of life through
such agencies. Lightning, however, has not been so merciful, for, during the
last sixty years, it is estimated that over one hundred persons have been killed
by electricity, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property de-
stroyed by it. Since 1878 electric storms as well as wind storms have been
common. That of April 16, 1880, carried away eleven rigs in the Tuna Val-
ley, four on East Branch, two on West Branch, thirty-six on Kendall creek,
five at Foster Brook and two at Summit, together with farm and village build-
ings, forests, fences and orchards; subsequent storms have destroyed oil-tanks
by the dozen, as related in the chapter devoted to local history. The hail
storm of May 19, 1888, swept through Marvin Valley and struck Smethport
and other towns. The hail average the size of hens' eggs, and of course des-
troyed much of the glass in its path. The heavy rains of the latter days of
May, 1889, which led to the Johnstown catastrophe, also swelled the rivers
and creeks of McKean county, entailing heavy losses on owners of valley
farms, impeding travel, sweeping away bridges and flooding several villages.
The rain storm of June 21, 1889, swept across the county, creating havoc in
the forests and injuring buildings and orchards. Lightning played round the
hill-tops, and at Big Shanty and other points left records of its destructive-
ness.
The rain storm, which began on July 2, 1889, reached its climax on the
3d, and continued until past midnight, carrying away a few small bridges and
overflowing the lowland roads. The great, anniversary morning, however, ap-
peared wreathed in sunshine, and one of the most beautiful of summer days
ensued. The first six months of this year were marked by a rain -fall never
hitherto experienced.
The second story of the first court-house was used on Sundays by Elder
Folsom, the Unionist preacher. Elder Oviatt, the Baptist, and one or other
of the various Methodist and Adventist preachers who visited this section from
1826 to 1833. The jail, debtor's room and sheriff's residence were on the
lower floor; the water supply was taken from a spring on the farm now owned
by John W. Brennan. In this building Hall and Dikeman, counterfeiter and
robber, respectively, found a home until they escaped from the " dungeon.'"
In 1828 the first ball was held in the county. The tickets were printed at
Buffalo in the following form:
1828 — INDEPENDENCE BALL — 1828.
At the hotel of Davis Young, in the village of Smeth-
port. July 4, 1828. Yourself and lady are respectfully in-
vited. Good music and first-class accommodations. The
company to assemble at 3 o'clock, p. m.
MANAGERS.
Almon Sarlwell, S. A. Winsor, Horace King, Benjamin
Corwin, Daniel Rifle and David Dunbar.
104 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
At this time Mrs. Willard's hotel occupied the site of George Moore's pres-
ent house. She was indignant at the fact of her house being ignored, and
threatened the sheriff with punishment should be allow the proposed orchestra
(a prisoner then in jail) to be present. The sheriff's wife, knowing that Mrs.
Willard would carry out her threats, dressed a dummy to represent the pris-
oner, and the lady, looking through the keyhole, saw this figure, and was sat-
isfied. The committee refused to issue a ticket to her, and thus the first ball
led to dissension which was not healed for years. The open-air celebration
was held beneath the shadows of the stars and stripes floating from the great
hickory pole on the square. A long table of freshly j^laned pine boards was
constructed, and above it was a roof of hemlock, pine and hardwood boughs.
The procession formed at the lower tavern, owned formerly by William Will-
iams, and marched in couples — male and female —to the court house, under
the lead of Jonathan Oolegrove, a soldier of 1812. O. J. Hamlin was the ora-
tor, Isaac Burlingame, fifer, and Asa Sartwell, clarionet player. O. E. Ben-
nett or John E. Niles read the Declaration, but the drummer's name is forgot-
ten. At the banquet Hiram Payne was toastmaster, and as each toast was
given Marshal Colegrove would wave his sword as a signal to his squad of
thirteen soldiers to fire a salute. The thirteen men were armed with flint-locks,
and were converted for the occasion into an artillery corps, or, if the noise is
considered, a fire cracker corps. Cheers generally followed the salute, but
when the musketeers were too slow the people cheered before the salute was
given, while the marshal waved his sword wildly. Edward Corwin and Col.
Elihu Chadwick, Revolutionary soldiers, were present.
In the fall of 1832 or 1833 Hyde Rice, son of Justice Rice, of Ceres, mar-
ried Angeline Rice, daughter of Allan Rice, of the salt works neighborhood,
now in Cameron county. The wedding guests, some seventeen in number, met
at Smethport, the following morning proceeded to Daniel Rifle's house (Cole-
grove) for breakfast, and thence twelve miles through the forest to the salt
works on horseback, where a feast was prepared at the bride's home. Allan
Rice removed to Cincinnati shortly after his daughter's marriage. It is re-
lated that on arriving at the salt works, twenty-seven deer, ranged in line,
looked down on the bridal party from the hill.
Joel Sartwell came with his father in 1816. He was a celebrated driver of
oxen, and on one occasion hitched his team to a large pine, which he cut down
in rear of his house (the Ransom-Beckwith House). Standing on the hill he
piloted the oxen down by shouting " Gee Buck" — " Haw Buck." The snow
was twenty-four inches deep, and the flight of the cleared tree down the hill-
side sent this snow flying to the top of the forest, but the tree and oxen got
down all safe, with the exception of the tail of one of the animals, which was
cut clean off. Among the pioneer women who resided at or near Smethport in
1880 were Mrs. Ira Curtis, then in her eighty-seventh year. She knew Com-
modore McDonough, and also Commodore Perry, who defeated the British
fleet near Sackett's Harbor in 1812, and saw the historical rooster. Mrs. John
Holmes came about 1830, and was eighty -two years old in 1880; Mrs. James
Taylor, ninety-four years; Mrs. Cory, the tailoress, who made clothes for the
Confederate officers of Houston, Tex., in 18(31-65, ninety-two years; Mrs.
Ghordis Corwin, daughter of Solomon Sartwell, settled in Farmers valley in
1816, was ninety-two years old (when twelve years old she could spin yarn and
weave cloth, and was asked to visit Port Allegany (Canoe Place) to help Mrs.
Judge Stanton fix the loom and web). Throughout the county a few more
women of the pioneer period resided in 1880, but the last nine years have
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 105
thinned the ranks of the hproines of settlement. In Jannaiy. 1S47, the fol-
lowing poetical tribute to the pioneer women appeared in the Yeoman :
The mothers of our forest land
Stout-liearted dames were they.
With nerve to wield the battle brand.
And join the border fray.
No braver dames had Sparta,
No nobler matrons Rome;
The great and good sliall honor them
Throughout their own green home.
The western line of McKean county is often called the Cornplanter line,
for here lived the old chief for years. He was born at Conewangus, on the
Genesee river, to an Indian woman, who was the hunting wife of John O'Bail,
a white trader from the Mohawk valley. In July, 1755, he is alleged to have
been in the French service, opposing Braddock, but later was present with
the British, at the time of the Wyoming massacre, and on their death-dealing
scout through the Schoharie Kill and the Mohawk valleys. When the success
of the Revolution was assured, he hurried to the bijrial of the hatchet, and
assisted in the post-Kevolution treaties. For his services he was given a beau-
tiful reservation, near Kinzua village (the river and valley being named from
Kinzuquade, a contemporary chief), where he settled in 1791, and died in
1836, The Indians who visited the settlements during the first two decades
of this century are in their graves, but at long intervals a small band of their
children visit the old hunting grounds. Jim Jacobs, the aged Seneca Indian,
who, prior to the war, hunted in McKean, Elk, Potter. Forest and Cameron
counties, visited throughout the county in November, 1880, to renew his old-
time sport and observe the changes. Near the northwest corner of McKean
county were 040 acres, the last piece of Indian land in Pennsylvania. Forty
years ago the place was called " Burnt Houses."
The County Centennial Celebration Convention, held in February, 1876,
was presided over by B. D. Hamlin, with H. F. Barbour, secretary. Township
committees were appointed, and other steps taken to insure proper observance.
CHAPTER n^
Transactions of the County CoiuiissioxKRs— Organization of the County
— Holland Land Company's Land.s— John Keating's Liberality— Sjietii-
PORT, THE County Town— County- Administration— County IJuii-dings—
Public 1!oads— Bridges— Poor Farm— Mortgages— Forfeited Lands.
THE county of McKean was established March '26, 1804, being set off from
Lycoming. On December 13, 1805, Gov. McKean appointed John
Brevost, John Bell and Thomas Smith, trustees for the new county, under
the act of March 26. In May, 1806, the trastees posted a notice at Ceres
that they were ready to receive proposals for the county town. In November
they assembled to consider the offers made by John Keating and Paul Busti,
the latter being agent for the Holland Land Company. In Busti' s letter of
June 13, he expresses his pleasure at the prospect of a new county, and agrees
to lay off 20lt acres of the Holland Land Company's lands, in either of tracts
106 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
numbered 2818, 2312, 2603. 2002, 2669, 2375, 2470 or 2573, on the com-
pany's road, from the mouth of Bald Eagle creek, on the Susquehanna, to
the State line. Of the 200 acres, two-thirds were to be conveyed to the county:
100 acres adjoining were to be donated for the support of a minister of the
Gospel, and 100 acres for the support of a school. This or 500 acres of wild
land was their offer.
John Keating was more liberal. He offered 228 acres at the forks of the
Cononoclan (Nun-un-dah), one half the lots surveyed, 150 acres for the support
of a school-teacher, and $500 cash to aid in erecting a school building. He
pointed out so very clearly the beauty and utility of the location that on Sep-
tember 17, 18 and 19, 1807, he, with the trustees, visited the locality (Smeth-
port). and selected the spot September 21 that year. On April 19 following
they made plans for building the State road.
In October, 1815, J. Borrows, prothonotary of Lycoming county, residing
at Williamsport, informs Samuel Stanton, Isaac Lyman and Joel Bishop of
their election as commissioners of taxes for McKean county. On October 19,
they met at Benjamin Burt's house in Eulalia, where they qualified before
Justice Nathan B. Palmer. A day later they appointed Palmer clerk, John
King, of Geres, treasurer, and made an appointment with Messrs. Bell and
Smith, the trustees of McKean and Potter, and appointed James Parmeter
assessor of Eulalia. In 1816 Jonathan Colegrove was appointed assessor of
Sergeant; Rensselaer Wright, of Ceres, and John Lyman, of Roulette; in April
Joseph Otto was appointed, vice Stanton, and in October he was elected with
Nathan B. Palmer. John King was chosen county clerk. At this time Israel
Merrick, of Eulalia, Ransom Beckwith, of Roulette, Abram Baker, of Ceres,
and Joel Bishop, of Sergeant, were appointed assessors. In 1817 C. Ellis, J.
Colegrove and R. Wright were appointed auditors of Potter and McKean, and
Israel Merrick, Jr., commissioaer's clerk. W. W. Wattles was chosen clerk,
in March, 1817; in October John King qualified as commissioner before Joel
Bishop at Coudersport. In November Ezekiel B. Foster was appointed clerk,
and Isaac Lyman, treasurer. The latter was requested to remove records, etc.,
to the house of the clerk. The tax levy was one-half cent per dollar, and the
pay of treasurer five per cent. In January, 1818, the office was at Kingsville;
John Taggart was elected auditor; Isaac Lyman, commissioner, vice Otto; I.
Merrick, clerk, vice Foster, and in November John Taggart was appointed
commissioner, vice Palmer, by the court of Lycoming county. In 1819 Rens-
selaer Wright was elected commissioner; Joseph Otto was appointed clerk, but
did not qualify, leaving the office to Merrick. Thomas Hays was commission-
er's clerk of Lycoming in 1818. and in 1820 Philip Krebs was prothonotary.
In November, 1821, R. Wright and J. Colegrove were appointed to make a
return of all tax payers and slaves in Potter and McKean counties. In 1822
John Lyman was elected commissioner; Nathaniel Eastman was clerk, and
Leonard Taggart, treasurer, and all qualified at Coudersport. Jonathan Cole-
grove, David Crow and John Lyman were chosen commissioners in 1823, and
Hari-y Lyman, clerk. R. Wright took John Lyman's place in 1824, and N.
C. Gallup was appointed clerk, but he was succeeded by Nathan White in
December of that year; Benjamin Colegrove was appointed treasurer, with
Timothy Newell, John King and William Smith, auditors. N. White was
elected commissioner in 1825, vice R. Wright, and Henry Scott chosen
clerk (Keating township was established in 1824). In January, 1826, Paul
E. Scull was appointed treasurer, the first for this separate organization; Tim-
othy Newell was elected prothonotary in October, having previously served by
appointment, and in November Richard Chadwick was chosen clerk.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 107
On May 31,"T.S'27, the mason work on connty buildings was accepted, and
August 4 an order for $3,000 was given to the contractor, Solomon Sartwell, Jr.
During this year deeds to a number of lots round the public square were sanc-
tioned by the commissioners, AVhite and Otto, they being the active members
of the board. In November, that year, William Bell qualified, and in Novem-
ber, 1828, Messrs. Otto, Bell and Gallup formed the board. Bradford town-
ship was established, also Liberty townshii). In June, 1829, Squire Man-
ning contracted to build a bridge over Potato creek for I3J0. Corydon town-
ship was formed, and practical improvements aiithorized. In 1830 Messrs. Crow,
Bell and Colegrove were commissioners, and O. J. Hamlin county attorney.
On November 12, 1830, B. Freeman contracted to construct the primitive
water works on the square, and the tirst privilege of using this water, after the
supply at the public buildings, was granted to David Crow. A contract was
entered into January 5, 1831, with B. B. Smith to do the county printing, and
Paul E. Scull's treasurer's bail bond was signed by Nathaniel White, George
Darling and Thomas Curtz, Jr. In September, 1831, moneys were paid to
Burlingame & Co. for raising public buildings, and to Oviatt for leveling pub-
lic square. In 1831-32 Colegrove, Bennett and Fobes were commissioners.
In May, 1833, Ghordis Corwin was appointed commissioner, and in Novem-
ber Commissioner Patterson qualified. B. Freeman with Bennett and Patter
son formed the board in 1834; Hamilton township was set off, and in Decem-
ber Commissioner Smith took his seat. In November, 183r>, Greene qualified.
At this time the contract to line the dungeon with hewed stone was sold to
Wheeler Gallup. Norwich township was established, and other measures taken
to show progress. The contract for turn piking the main street of Smethport,
from John E. Niles' house on the northeast corner of the square, was sold to
Gideon Irons, in June, 1836. In November, Col. Wilcox qualified. Smith
and Greene being the old commissioners, but in May, 1837, Commissioner A.
Lull was aj^pointed, while Oviatt and Coats were elected that fall. Oviatt was
re-elected in 1838, and Chapin elected. In 1840 Fobes was one of the commis-
sioners, and later Squire Hunt and Bobbins became members of the board.
In October, 1831, Mr. Chadwick signed the records as prothonotary and
clerk, and continued to sign until F. B. Hamlin qualified in 1842, and again
from 1845 to January 21, 1851. In November P. Ford signed as his deputy,
and January 7, 1852, Paul E. Scull qualified as prothonotary. In 1843 the
contract for building a bridge at Canoe Place was sold to Solomon Sartwell,
Sr., Commissioner Corwin being on the board. In June. 1843, new streets
were ordered to be opened at Smethport, and old ones repaired, and Lafayette
and Eldred townships were established. Corwin, Bobbins and Marsh were
the commissioners in 1844, and in this year Hamlin township was organized.
In 1845 Commissioner Eastey and Dr. Darling, with Marsh, formed the
board. B. C. Corwin qualified as treasurer in January, 1846, and W. A.
Williams as clerk at a salary of §100 per year. In the fall A. P. Barnaby was
elected commissioner. In 1847 W. A. 'Williams was appointed county coun-
sel at a stated salary of $25 per annum for actual business, and to be paid
usual fees for extra time. Commissioner A. Martin qualified in 1848. In
this year contracts for building the jail were sold. In October R. Wright was
chosen commissioner, and Ira H. Curtis clerk. J. Marsh took Barnaby' s
place in 1849. In July, 1850, Contractor William Bell agreed to enlarge the
court-house for $1,000, and on August 30 Wright and Martin were present super-
intending the hanging of Uzza Bobbins for the murder of his wife. J. F.
Gallup was chosen commissioner in October, 1850, and at this time David
Grindley proposed to enlarge the court-house for $300. A. Martin, with Gal-
108 HISTORY OF MCKEAN CODNTY.
lup and Miirsb, formed the board in 1851. S. Holmes qualitied in Jnue,
1852, L-ice Marsh, while in 1853 W. Y. McCoy, A. M. Benton and Holmes
formed the board. Smethjjort was incorporated in 1853, and Otto township
was formed in 1854. In 1855 Nelson Peabody, of Ceres, took Dr. McCoy's
place. W. J. Colegrove was elected in 1858, and in 1860 Messrs. Colegrove,
Keyes and Davis were commissioners, Howard being chosen in 18<U. Annin
township was organized during tliis year.
The commissioners, Colegrove, Keyes and Davis, assembled November 80,
1861, to consider the question of relieving families of volunteers, but what was
accomplished at this meeting is not on record. The records of the period do
not contain any valuable information, as the clerk appears to have been always
in a hurry to go home or to the war. In July, 1862, Associate Judge Darling,
with Commissioners Howard, Davis and Keyes, resolved to pay $50 for the relief
of each family of volunteers, and a tax of two and one-half mills was ordered for
that purpose. In October, 1862, J. W. Starks was appointed commissioner, vice
D. J. Keyes, while A. P. Brewer took the place of Davis, and B. C. Corwin that
of Howard. W. S. Oviatt was appointed clerk January 5, 1863. James M.
Baldwin was elected commissioner in October, 1863, and, with Corwin and
Brewer, formed the board, and were prominent in managing the affairs of the
county during these dark days of the Civil war. In August, 1864, the board
appointed W. W. Brown, county agent, to recruit in the rebel States, empow-
ering him to offer SlOO to recruits for one year; .?2G0 for two years and $300
for three years. Mr. Brown refused to accept this office on account of ill-health,
and the commissioners, failing to obtain the services of an agent for this pur-
pose, withdrew bounty offers and placed the matter of filling the quota in the
hands of the township authorities. August 20, same year, this resolution was
rescinded and a S300 bounty offered. G. M. Smith, Baldwin and Brewer were
commissioners at the close of the war.
In 1866-67 Messrs. Brewer, Smith and P. M. Fuller were commissioners.
In June, 1867, J. C. Hamlin contracted to remove the old-time roof from the
court-house and place a heavy tin one thereon for $150. In 1868 lieuben Den-
nis, G. M. Smith and P. M. Fuller formed the board. In July. 1869, the
proposition to abolish the old spring water supply and establish a deep well
was carried, and the contract sold to Daly. Charles S. Rice replaced Fuller
in December, 1869, and Oviatt took Smith's place in November, 1870. In
January, 1871, F. King was appointed clerk; in January, 1872, C. C. Melvin
was appointed treasurer to till vacancy, and Coleman took the place of Com-
missioner Dennis. In 1873 J. R. Chadwick was appointed clerk, and Commis-
sioner Smith resumed his place on the board, vice Rice. Bradford borough
was incorporated. In 1874Broder replaced Oviatt. In March, 1875, the com-
missioners authorized the issue of bonds for $25,000, the proceeds to be used
in liuildiug a jail. On April 6, the southeast corner of square No. 38, bought
of Keating & Co., was selected as the site and A. S. Bishop was employed as
building foreman. In January, 1876, the commissioners-elect, J'.enjamin
Bunker, W. A. Young and Orlando Gallup, qualified, and John R. Chadwick
was appointed clerk. In December, 1877, William D. Gallup qualified as
treasurer. In 1879 Messrs. Colegrove. Abbey and Boyer were commissioners.
H. F. Barbour was appointed clerk at a salary of $500, S. W. Smith, attorney,
and S. D. Frei'uian, physician. In June, 1879, the board considered the recom-
mendation of the giaiid jury in the matter of building a new court-house, and
ordered such linilding to be erected on the site of the old house. In Septem-
ber, bS79, tli(> Jl.'thodist church-house was rented for the purposes of a court-
room, and OctoVicr 7, 1879, the building contract was sold to John J. Hogan,
AXM^mJm^^t^e^^
\r7\_^
HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. Ill
of Erie, for $75,000. On November 24, the issue of $50,00()-bonds was author-
ized, and December \iS. ISSO, a further issue of 160,000. J. VV. Beeman was
treasurer in 1880-81.
The new court-house was completed, and opened September 12, 1881, B.
D. Hamlin, presiding, with the following representatives of county sub-divi-
sions: Joseph Hodges, of Anniu; B. C. Havens, James Broder and Loyal
AVard. of Bradford; W. R. King, of Ceres; Thomas Conover. of Corydon; John
Duke, of Duke Centre; Eben Barden and William L. Chrisman, of Eldred; A.
W. Buchanan, of Foster; Jabez F. Galhip, of Hamlin; James A. Anderson, of
Hamilton; A. H. Cory, of Keating; Philo Ackley, of Kendall borough; A. M.
Benton, of Liberty; James Hoop, of Lafayette; A. P. Brewer, of Norwich;
Arthur Prentiss, of Otto; Adam Martin, of Sergeant; W. Y. McCoy, of Smeth-
port, and O. D. Coleman, of A\'etmore. Lucius Rogers and John R. Chadwick
were secretaries. That evening Judge H. "W. Williams opened the Sex^tember
term of court, and P. M. Fuller qualified as associate judge vice F. N. Burn-
ham, deceased. In January, 1882, commissioners F. S. Johnson, A. T. Pal-
mer and Andrew Reilly replaced the commissioners of the court-house building
days, and appointed John R. Sherwood clerk. In April the erection of fount-
ains on the square was authorized. In January, 1883, T. A. Morrison was
appointed county attorney, and E. G. Brown, physician. In July of this year
more contracts for building iron bridges were entered into. In December, 1883,
C. C. Melvin qualified as treasurer.
In September, 1883, a petition signed by a majority of the poor-masters
was presented to the court asking for an election on the question of establish-
ing a poor farm. This was granted, and in February, 1884, 1,611 votes were
cast in favor of and 885 against such establishment. In March, 1884, an issue
of bonds for .^50, 000 was authorized; in April the Wilcox farm was purchased,
and E. F. Richmond employed as superintendent of the farm. In April the A.
I. Wilcox farm, 345 acres, was purchased for $15,515. In May the style of
the Allegheny county poor buildings was adopted, and S. A. Bishop appointed
architect. In July the contract for buildings was sold to Davitt. O'Brien &
Hart for 124,813.18; in December a further issue of bonds for $15,000 was
authorized. In April, 1885, bonds for $9,000 were ordered to be issued. In
May, 1885, D. H. Burnham was appointed general superintendent. In July,
1885, the building was ready to receive poor persons. In January, 1886. E.
G. Brown and H. L. McCoy were appointed physicians, and D. H. Burnham.
superintendent; but in 1887 Dr. McCoy alone was appointed physician. Dr.
Brown succeeding him in 1889, John R. Chadwick succeeding Burnham as
general superintendent. C. S. King was appointed superintendent of poor
farm in January, 1890.
In January, 1885, Commissioners Andrew Reilly, R. A. Rice and W. D.
Gallup qualified. In January, 1887, M. B. Greer was appointed county
clerk; T. A. Morrison was re-appointed attorney, and Dr. S. I. Wells, physician.
In January, 1888, Commissioners James Anglun, P. M. Fuller and James A.
McKean took their seats to serve until January 1, 1891. Robert H. Rose was
appointed attorney and E. G. Brown, physician, in January, 1889.
The first mortgage was recorded June 1, 1827. It secured to Norry
Hooker by Justice Rice 200,000 feet of good, merchantable pine boards, pay-
able in 1828 for 100.000 feet of similar boards purchased from Hooker that
year. All the mortgage transactions from 1826 to 1858 are contained in
Record A or in 473 pages. The mortgage record was contained in Book A and
part of Book B up to 1874, since which time thirty-three large records have
112 HISTUUY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
been tilled, and since 1804 sixty three records of deeds and twelve miscella-
neous records.
During Asa Sartwell's administration of the prothonotary's office the county
commissioners declared 100,000 acres in McKean county and 50,000 acres in
Potter county forfeited for non payment of taxes. He commenced to purchase
such lands at from 3 to 10 cents per acre, and continued until he claimed about
250,000 acres or even more. In time he sold to New York lumbermen the
pine, hemlock and maple forests, and with the proceeds purchased from the
Binghams a tract of 55,000 acres in this county (the greater part of which
floats on an ocean of oil), Joe R. Ingersoll and William Miller being the agents
of the estate at the time. In 1836 Mr. Sartwell sold all his lands, as pur-
chased from the Holland Company in Jefferson county, as well as the Kersey
tract in Jefferson and Cleariield counties to the United States Land Company
of Boston.
The townships of McKean county established when the county was or-
ganized are Sergeant and Ceres. Keating township was established in ISS-t;
Bradford township, in 1828; Liberty, in 1828; Corydon, in 1829; Hamilton, in
1834; Norwich, in 1835; Lafayette and Eldred, in 1843; Hamlin, in 1844;
Otto, in 1854, and Annin, in 1860. Smethport was organized in 1853; Brad-
ford borough, in 1873; Foster township, in 1880, and Eldred, Duke Centre
(since discontinued) and Kane boroughs since 1878; Port Allegany was or-
ganized in 1882. Kendall borough in 1881.
CHAPTER V.
COURTS AND BAR.
FlItST fOUUTS— ClI AK.\CTEIl OK THE E.\RLY 1?E;^CH AND 15AR, WITH DATES OF AD-
MI.SSION OF MEMBEIiS PjMOIl TO 1878— CeLEBRA TEU CAVSEf— JUDGE,S AND AS-
S0CI.\TE .TUDQKS— PllOMINENT ATTORNEYS, PROTnONOTARIES, ETC. — ATTOR-
NEYS Admitted to the McKean County Bar sim;e May. 1878, Tei;m—Ori.o
J. Hamlin— John W. How'e.
THE first court of McKean county was held at Smethport, September 25,
1826. Edward Herriek presided, with Joseph Otto and Joel Bishop as-
sociate judges. Prothonotary Timothy Newell and Sheriff Wright were pres-
ent, while the bar of the circuit was represented by Anson Parsons* a young
lawyer from Lycoming county (deputy attorney general), subsequently judge
of the Philadelphia courts; Ellis Lewis.* of Wellsboro, later a judge of the
supremo court; William Grarretson,* and Peter R. Adams,* of Tioga county,
later judge of the Peoria circuit, in Illinois; Simon Kenny,* of Towanda,
Penu. ; Henry Bryan* and Chauncey J. Fox,* of Olean, N. Y. In December
of this year Orlo J. Hamlin* and John W. Howe* were admitted to the bar.
Mr. Howe died in 1873, and his wife, Sallie Howe, died April 17, 1880. In
February, 1827. Clarendon Rathbone, of Tioga county, was admitted, but no
reccjrd is made of the May, Sei^tember and December terms of that year. On
the (jrder book of 182(), however, there are no names of jurors given, but in
May, 1827, the following- named citizens were paid small sums for jury service:
HISTORY OF MCKEAN CODNTY. 113
William Brewer, E. J. Cook. Levi Goats. Oliver Felt, Johu Smith, Jacob
Miiiard, Jonathan Colegrove and William Bell. The other members, it is to be
presumed, did not call for warrants. In September, 1827, the grand jury
served two days. The meml;)ers were William Hoiisler, Robert King, George
Jackox, Gideon Irons, Jacob Knapp, Simeon M. Morris, Jacob DeWitt, Will-
iam Rice, Hugh Moore, Harvey Abbey, Benjamin Billins, W'illiam Moore, Henry
Garlick, Levi Davis, John R. Spencer, Ira H. Curtis, John Applebee, Ralph
Hill, Ebenezer Burbanks, Smith Wolcott and Essek Smith. In February
and May, 1828, court was regularly opened, and in Sej)tember Horace Willis-
ton, of Bradford county, Robert Fleming, of Lycoming, George Miles, of Al-
legany, N. Y., and George A. Y. Crocker, of Cattaraugus, N. Y., were ad-
mitted.
Court was also held in December, 1828, and four terms were held in 1829,
James Lowrey, * of Tioga county, being admitted in September. In February,
1830, Judges Otto* and Bishop* were present; Richard Chadwick* was pro-
thonotary; S. Sartwell, Jr., sheriff; George Darling, coroner; Levi Bennett,
crier. Judge Herrick* presided; Justus Goodwin,* of Tioga, and D. C.
Bryan,* of Cattaraugus county, N. Y. , were admitted, and the former ac-
cepted the office of deputy attorney-general which O. J. Hamlin declined.
In September William Lowe,* of Cattaraugus county, was admitted, and also
Abner C. Harding,* of Union county. Robert G. White,* of Tioga county,
was admitted in December, 1830.
Regular terms of court were held in 1831, with the judges and the lawyers
of the old bar present. In February, 1832, Messrs. N. H. Purple* & May-
nard* were admitted; in May, John E. Niles, ex gratia: in December, L. B.
Cole,* of Coudersport, and S. M. Russell,* of Olean, became members of the
bar. In May. 1833, Asa Sartwell signed the record as prothonotary ; in Sep-
tember, James Armstrong, of Lycoming, and Josiah Emery, of Tioga, signed
the roll, and in March, 1831, \V. S. Oviatt and E. Patterson. P. B. Depew
was admitted in June, also Horace M. Bliss. Lawyer White was present in
September. Hiram Payne and Dr. W. Y. McCoy were appointed school
inspectors for Keating township, and L. R. Hawkins was then deputy clerk.
T. M. Keeler and Eli Rees were appointed school inspectors for Wharton
township, in March. 1835. In September C. B. Curtis, of Warren, was
admitted to the bar, and also Benjamin Bartholomew, A. S. Tiven and James
D. Bryan. In December Judge N. B Eldred presided. Joseph P. King was
appointed crier, and Thomas Struthers, of Warren, signed the attorney's roll.
The May term of 1836 was held before Judges Otto and Bishop. Messrs.
Hamlin and Niles were present as attorneys; F. B. Hamlin was admitted to
the bar; tavern licenses were granted to P. W. Beach, of Smethport, and David
Benson, of Ceres. In September Judge Eldred was present, with Attorneys
Hamlin, Niles, Payne, Johnson, Bartholomew, Curtis, Wetmore, F. B. Ham-
lin and L. B. Cole. George Weimer, a German, was naturalized at this
time. A few insolvent petitions were jDresented, and the property of the debt-
ors assigned for creditors' use. Probate business was also transacted. In
February, 1837, Attorneys Johnson, Purple, Maynard and Bryan, with those
hitherto named, were present.
In December the divorce suit of T. B. Shepperd vs. L. Shepperd was
entered, and also a similar suit by W. B. Otto r-s. Lucy O. Otto, but the latter
was granted her petition in 1838. Testimony regarding the death of Elihu
Chadwick, a Revolutionary soldier, showed that he died August 30, 1837,
leaving his widow, Rebekah. In February, 1838, Attorney DePue was pres-
* Deceased.
114 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUKTY.
ent, and Anson Gibbs, of Cattaraugus county, N. Y. , was admitted. In May
S. P. Johnson was appointed deputy attorney-general for McKean county. J.
Lowry practiced in this court during the fall term. D. C. Woodcock was
admitted in December, and prosecuted the indictment for murder against
Joseph and Sarah Brush. In this case the jury, comprising Erastus Cowles,
Simeon Morris, David Grow, John Brockham, Richard Renshaw, Joseph O.
Coleman, Samuel Holland, Jr., Walter Brush, Amos Flatt, William Smith, A.
P. Barnaby and Joseph Rhodes, found the prisoners not guilty on the 22d.
At this time a horn was used in calling court. In February, 1839, tavern
licenses were granted to J. S. McCall, William Gibbs and Samuel Easte}^ In
May William A. Williams* was admitted to the bar. In September a lawyer
named "White appeared, and in December Judge McCalmont presided. Cros-
by W. Ellis was admitted an attorney, also L. P. Williston and J. C. Knox,
and in 1841 Alexander McDougall. In February, 1841, The Tomahavk was
declared a nuisance by the grand jury. President Judge McCalmont, with
associates, W. P. Wilcox and S. Sartwell, were present in May. Sheriff Rich-
mond took McCoy's place, while Smith still held the office of coroner. M.
Gallaher was admitted to the bar in September, and in November, 1842, H.
W. Smith and G. W. Scofield. In 1843 N. White replaced Wilcox on the
bench. In 1844 the name of Attorney Brown appears, and in September,
1845, N. W. Goodrich and John McCalmont were admitted, and Isaac Ben-
son permitted to practice. Nelson Richmond was ajipointed deputy sheriff,
and in May, 1846, John K. Williams was admitted to the bar, and in Septem-
ber Byron D. Hamlin was examined and admitted, and resolutions on the
death of Judge White adopted. C. B. Curtis was appointed deputy attorney-
general in Decemlier, 1846; Ford was sheriff. Joseph Morse was associate
judge in 1847, succeeding I. S. Holmes, and A. S. Arnold held over. Attorney
Knox's name was enrolled here in September, and also that of J. S. Mann.
In June, 1849, Horace Williston was president judge and W. A. Williams,
prosecutor. H. W. Souther was admitted to practice here, and Bard was
sheriff. In January, 1850, the old court-house was considered unsafe, and
court was held in the Methodist church. There the trial of ITzza Bobbins was
commenced, with O. J. Hamlin, Isaac Benson and N. W. Goodrich, prosecut-
ing; S. P. Johnson, C. B. Curtis, C. W'. Ellis and L. D. Wetmore, defending.
Uzza Bobbins was hanged August 30, 1850, and buried, but during the night
the earth was removed, the murderer's head cut off, and carried to a carpen
ter's shop, where it was found next day, and replaced in the grave by a com-
mittee of citizens. Isaac G. Gordon was admitted in January, 1850, and C.
C. Green and Arthur G. Olmsted, in October. A. D. Hamlin qualified as
county surveyor. In 1851 Colegrove was sheriff, and Corwin, coroner. George
R. Barrett was admitted to the bar in June, and *J. C. Backus, M. W. Aldrich
and A. F. Frazer, in October. In January, 1852, Judges R. G. White, R.
Chadwick and O. L. Stanton, with Sheriff Bennett, were present. F. W.
Knox and Charles B. Curtis were permitted to practice here. S. F. C. Hyde
took Richard Chadwick's place as prothonotary. In February, 1853, the court
refused tavern license to eleven applicants. A year later E. B. Eldred prac-
ticed here. In September, 1854, Warren Cowles was admitted, and in Febru-
ary, 1856, Oliver Payne was examined and enrolled as an attorney, while H.
B. McKean and E. A. Brooks were permitted to practice here. In December
Samuel C. Hyde signed the records as prothonotary. Judge White was presi-
dent of the court, with S. Holmes and J. Darling, associates. In March, 1858.
the bar petitioned for the removal of H. B. King, the old court crier, and for
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 115
G. C. DeGolier's appointment. This petition was granted. In June, 1858,
Judge John Galbraith, of Erie, presided. H. G. Rogers and John H. Boyle
were admitted to the bar, and in December William A. Nichols' name appears
as a member of the bar. C. B. Curtis presided, vice White, in June, 1859.
In September of that year Joseph J. Bobbins was tried for tiring John Dexter' s
house, and acquitted. B. D. Hamlin and Prosecutor Cowles represented the
State, while L. D. Wetmore and W. A. Williams defended, twenty witnesses
being called for the defense and twenty for the State. The trial of James
Dunn, for the murder of James Stocker, in Ceres township, July 1, took place
at this time, and resulted in a verdict of guilty in the second degree, in June,
1860; W. Cowles and L. D. Wetmore prosecuted, while B. D. Hamlin and S.
P. Johnson defended. He was sentenced by Judge White to a fine of one
dollar costs, and to twelve years solitary confinement. A. B. Armstrong,
Philetus Ford and Samuel C. Hyde were admitted in 1860. In December,
1861, Attorney Struthers' name appears. Judge Peabody took the place of
Judge Holmes. Fred. E. Smith was admitted in July, 1862, and J. W.
Ryan, J. W. Gonley and W. W. Williard, in December. In February, 1863,
J. B. Newton and G. W. DeCamp were admitted.
In 1865 Judge Williams, with Associates Darling and Peabody, presided.
The petition for the incorporation of Kane was reported on favorably. Attor-
neys Laurie J. Blakely and Beardsley were admitted, and Wallace W.
Brown appointed district attorney, rice Cowles, resigned. Judges A. T. Bar-
den and A. N. Taylor were jiresent in December, 1866, with Judge Williams,
presiding; William J. Milliken was admitted to the law circle, and William K.
King was ajipointed county surveyor. In February, 1868, Nelson Medbery
was appointed crier of the court, vice King, but the latter was reappointed.
Henry King was admitted to the bar in June of that year, and Charles R.
Saunders, in February, 1869. The petition against the election of C. C. Mel-
viu as treasurer was received in December, 1870, and was considered and re-
considered until the subject was dropped. Manley Crosby was admitted to the
bar in June, 1871, and Delano R. Hamlin's* name appears on the records in
August of that year. Associate Judges AV. S. Brownell and Loyal Ward
qualified in December, H. W. Williams presiding, and in February, 1872,
S. F. Wilson, the additional law judge, was present. At this session the
name of E. Brown appears as attorney. D. C. Larrabee* was admitted in
April, and George A. Rathbun in June, when the charge of murder against
the Burns brothers was tried, one of whom was found guilty of murder in the
second degree and sentenced to twelve years solitary confinement. Messrs.
King, Williams and Clark prosecuted, while Backus and Milliken defended. In
September F. W. Paine was admitted, the death of Warren Cowles announced,
and H. E. Brown, of Warren, permitted to practice here, and later John G.
Hall,* of Elk county. In June, 1873, Andrew Tracy signed the roll of attor-
neys. J. R. Clark was present as an attorney in the fall, and Robert H. Rose
was admitted to the bar. At this term the celebrated hunter, Leroy Lyman,
was indicted for killing deer out of season. In June, 1874, Charles Dinsmore,
of Warren, was admitted to practice, S. AV. Smith in September, also F. D.
Leet, of Cameron county; R. B. Power qualified as stenographer. The
grand jury declared the jail and outbuildings nuisances; in December P.
R. Cotter and C. Hollenbeck appeared as attorneys, and W. M. Lindsey was
admitted. Edward Crow was indicted by a coroner's jury of killing Cal-
vin H. Hobar, at Port Allegany, August 3, 1874. The same year he was
tried for this offense and sentenced to a five-years term. He was defended by
116 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
A. G. Olmsted, W. A. Williams and Charles Dolan. Charles H. Noyes was
enrolled in September, 1875, and in December the contested election case — C.
K. Sartwell vs. John E. Chadwick — in re office of prothonotary, was entered.
B. A. Green was admitted to the bar at this time. In February, 1876, A. W.
Barry, M. F. Elliott and George A. Berry were admitted attorneys, and H. N.
Gardiner appointed stenographer. Eugene Mullin signed the roll in June,
1876, and Roger Sherman, C. J Curtis and G. AV. Kelly in December. Dur-
ing the year a number of divorce cases were presented, and the records of the
court began to assume large proportions as the population increased. In Feb-
ruary, 1877, Associate Judges Brownell and F. N. Burnham were present;
among the members of the bar were *0. A. Hotchkiss, R. B. Stone, L. H. Cobb
and C. H. Sherwood. Julius Byles was admitted a member. In September
Sheridan Gorton, David Sterrett and H. McClure were admitted; in October
H. C. Dornan, and in December D. E. Dufton, J. C. Sturgeon and C. L.
Peck. In February, 1878, A. F. Bole was admitted and C. D. Longfellow
was enrolled; in April J. C. Johnson, W. I. Lewis and W. B. Graves were en-
rolled as members, and E. B. McCleery was admitted. Edward McSweeney's
name appears upon the records of 1876, and also that of W. B. Boggs.
Andrew Tracy, a young lawyer of Smethport, was tried in February, 1S79,
for the murder of his cousin. Miss Mary Reilly, at Smethport. District At-
torney S. W. Smith, M. F. Elliott and W. \V. Brown represented the State,
while C B. Curtis, A. B. Richmond, George A. Jenks, A. G. Olmsted and N.
McSweeney defended. He was found guilty of murder, and, in April, sen-
tenced by Judge Williams to death. The Judge, in passing sentence, said:
" The victim was a friend, not an enemy; a relative by blood; a modest and
lovely woman, whose only offense was that she had struggled to overcome her
affection for you, from a sense of duty toward the church to which she be-
longed, and toward her parents whom she honored." Every effort was made
to save this unfortunate man, but the board of pardons refusing to interfere
with the sentence the law was carried into effect in December, 1879. This
tragedy of September 18, 1878, may be said to have broken up one of the
most hospitable homes of McKean county.
The trial of Robert Butler for murder took place in March, 1880, resulting
in a sentence of eight years solitary confinement. In December, 1886, the
trial of John Thompson for the murder, on previous July 24, of John Yohe at
Mount Jewett was heard. Messrs. Koester, Cotter, Mullin and McClure rep-
resented the State, while Morrison, Apple, Elliott and Hastings defended. He
was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to imprisonment.
Anthony Anderson Oaks, a Swede, was tried in May, 1889, for the murder
of Henry Robinson, in Long Hollow, Annin township, February I'J, ISSU,
Messrs. Sturgeon and P. R. Cotter prosecuting, and Messrs. Mullin and ^Ic
Clure defending. . . .In October, 1889, one of the heaviest cases ever brought
before this court was presented — The McKean & Elk Land & Improvement
Company cs. Elizabeth D. Kane. Plaintiffs originally owned 120,000 acres
of land in this section of country, of which Gen. T. L. Kane was agent. The
case involved the title to a large portion of this territory. A brilliant array of
legal talent was employed in the litigation. F. B. Gowan and William W.
Wilbank, both of Philadelphia, and R. B. Stone, of Bradford, were for the
prosecution, and C. H. McCauley, of Ridgwav, J. G. Johnson and E. W.
Hanson, of Philadelphia, B. D. Hamlin, of Sinrthi.ort. and M. F. Elliott, of
Wellsboro, represented the defendant. Judgment was rendered in faver of
Mrs. Kane, and the title to the lands and lots therein settled.
John B. Brawlev, 1877; Lewis F. Barger, W. D. Brown. C. L. Baker, R. C. Beach,
F. L. Blackman, David Ball, W. E. Burdick and M. H. Byles, 1.S79; James C. Boycc, H.
W. Blakesleu and Eben Brewer, 1880; B. T. Ball and W. C. Brown, 1881; Joseph W.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 117
In February, ISUO, a Salvatiou Army case was presented to tbe grand .jury.
Three of the bills, ignored by that body, were brought by Capt. Charles Lock
yer, the commander of the Salvation Army in Bradford. He charged two boys
with disturbing one of the meetings at their barracks. In addition to ignoring
the bills the grand jury placed the costs ui)on the prosecutor. The costs of
the three cases amounted to !5y;l88. Neither the captain nor the memljers of
his army who were present in court had the money, and the captain was com-
mitted to jail in default thereof. The parting scene between the captain and
his followers was an emotional one. He kissed the weeping sisters amid a
chorus of "'God bless you," and the prison door closed. The inmates of the
jail, upon seeing the badge of their new comrade, welcomed him with a shout
and a rapturous mecUey of "war cry" choruses.
Another bill was presented to this jury asking an indictment for assault
against G. W. Kelly. This indictment was the outcome of the trouble between
the members of the W. V. R. U. which the national president, Mrs. Camp
bell, attempted to adjust, and whom Kelly had arrested for the larceny of a
charter. Kelly had the costs to pay in that case, when Mrs. Campbell was
discharged. The grand jury in ignoring the bill against Kelly placed the costs
on the county.
The attorneys admitted to practice here since the May term of IST'S are
named as follows:
George A. Allen, 1878; James Addle, 1877; George W. Allen. 1879; Isaac Ash and
Harrison Allen, 1880; John N. Apple, 1882, and Fred L. Armstrong. 1881.
" " C. L. Bake:
1879; James C. Boycc. H.
;. Brown,
Bouton and C. Benedict, 1885; George H. Bemis and Charles E. Boyle, :
W. B. Chapman, 1877; S. E. Cheeseman, E. Grossman, A. A. Craig, F. J. Corbin*
■ C. L. Covell, 187S; John B. Chapman, S. M. Crosby and J. H. Cunningham, 1879;
' " • • — ■ • f,,„„ ,,,„, is^:;; A. L. Cole and James Cable, 1889.
I. nil. I->. ,luhn \V. Duiikle, 1S«1 ; Joshua Douglass, I8«:!:
1 V' II I'.'ll'intt. ISSd.
Fn<i. I. IN--;!; G. N. Frazier, 1881).
I, s i;,M.r;;v. F. F. Guthrie and J. T. Gealy, 1879; S. S.
.lii.i, l--^-.'; Sam.Trumbine. 188.-), and S. B. Griffith, 1886.
Il.illn, !,, William C. Holahan and C. A. Hitchcock, 1879;
_: \ I' lliirv ,111.1 (leorge H. Higgins, 1880; Watson 1.
ll.lJ.v I'-'-l, T. B. Hoover, 1882: H. J. Hammond,
) I It \.lii.k, l^^:i
I .1;:. k". ISMl; ('l,;irl
E. L, Keenan,
Low, 1879; William L. Lillibridge, l.s.si; W. 11. Latham,
ir-,. .\, l.ukehart, isss,
. i/L'.r iin.l (' li M.(:inl, ^, l-<;7 1'.. B. Mef'loery, K. H.
M.lnlviv aii.l \\illi:ini \i.Su,'. ,,.N. 1878; W. >1. Mere-
I. Failaii. , \V. .\, .\l;i-..i., ( . II, ,M. K.e, H. J. Muse. Henry
lol.eil Jhukuo.nl. William L. Mar>h. Joseph iM. iMeClure
an. I .1 (1, Mii.liill. 1879; J. C. Metzgcr, Miles S. I'lunimcr and J, V. McInlv^^ 1880;
J..^. |.|. .\, M. l>..nal<l, 1881; H. C. McCormack and J. P. McNarney, 18,'^3: Janle.-^ J. Mc-
CaHli>, l^--!. ( harles McCandless, 188r,; T. F. Mullin, 1886; J. H. McAllister and U. M.
' ""Herman H. North, 1880; Samuel T. Neill, February, 1890.
.\. M. Orrand *Omer Osmer, 1878; John Omerod, 1882; J. 11, Osmer. 188:!; (Jeorge
M. Orr, 1887.
Louis K. Fnrviance and H. S. Payson, 1879; M. J. Peck. 1887.
A. 15. Kiihnuuid, 1S7S; F. D. Heaves, 1879; George L. Kohcrls. 1.880; L. Rosen/.weig
and Hamlet E. Uossell. IHsl; Thomas F. RichmoDd," 1883; J. E. Rounseville, 1888, and
W. E. Rice, October l.->. 18.^9.
G. F. Stone, N. H. Smiley* and J. W. Shaw. 1878; H. C. Scoville. G. A. Sturgeon,
•Kcmovcd by deaili or cmiurolion.
Mahlon J. Cole.
.rd and Davi.
M. K. Duiih
:ip and W. >1
W. F. Dnvle, 1.^
:.ST, and S. .M
Thomas F.
Krnnu-ns ami
John Fc.nr.-
.1, is;:); W I
W. B. (ir,.
\.-. i--;^. .1
Geisinger. ls-n.
11. iiiv N. <;
D. S, 11. in.
11. IS'- F 1
11. D. Hanc... k
.M .1 11. .
Hinckley. F W
11 :-■". ■ ,1
; J. D. Il:,n
11. C. .I..I111-
!-> |),i\-|.|
E. K,„ -in J 1
. Kinkead an
'\V .1 L.un
. 1S78; A. H
issl .1 W !...■
1; S M,.\
11... ',.,'■ a"'m"
M:i\.. c r. M.
r:ilin..nl 11
(lull, >imii.l Ml
11. .1 C.aljalu
M.■>^^..n.^^ T
.\, .M,.ni.- .u.
118 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
William Swanson. F. L. Seeley, William A. Stone and G. J, Stranahan, 187!i; O. L. Sn}--
«ler and M. Sullivan, 188(1; H. N. Snyder, 1881, and W. R. Scott, 1884,
B. E. Tait, 1883; C. C. Thompson, 1885.
.]. K. Wilson, J. K. Wallace and *C". L. Wescott, 18T8; W. P. Weston, 1879; O. H.
WliL-eler, A. Leo Weil. George J. Wolfe. 1880; Irvine Watson, 1882; M. A. K. Werdner.
IHX'd: S. C. White. 1887.
Iq the history of Saisthport the first night's experience of the pioneer law-
yer. Orlo J. Hamlin, at the Willard House is described. Next morning Paul
E. Scull and Judge Sartwell, then the only merchants at the county seat, in-
vited him to visit the court-house. Accepting, the trio had to creep along the
fence to escape the quagmire then occupying the present main street. To
ameliorate matters, the merchants offered the young lawyer a retaining fee of
$50, and immediately the cloud of disappointment vanished, and Smethport
seemed clad in sunshine. He decided to stay, and was permitted to occupy the
west wing of the brick court-house, then completed. Obtaining some rough
furniture he ranged •' Blackstone." " Peak's Evidence " and a borrowed vol-
ume of " Pnrdonis Digest" on the cross-legged pine table, and in December,
18'2,6, opened the first law office in McKean county. Practice was very primitive
then. Prior to his coming a justice of the peace, afterward an associate judge
here, rendered a judgment against the defendant for "six yards of calico"
(enough then to dress a woman), and in another case for "twenty five hemlock
saw logs. " The constable did not know how to execute the judgments legally,
and time alone canceled them. The first case in which Mr. Hamlin partici-
pated here was tried in the Willard tavern. An employe of a saw-mill owner
sited his employer for assault and battery with intent to kill. Hamlin was
retained for the defense, while Counselor T prosecuted. The counselor
was athletic and illiterate, but naturally a speaker and firll of assurance. The
bar-room was crowded, and the young lawyer determined to prove his profes-
sional training. He was very technical, and the justice was there to listen.
Eleek Hall, equally powerful as a counselor, was then bar-tender, and while
the case proceeded, he helped the audience to what drinks were called for.
Mr. Hamlin, knowing the physical character of his opponent, called Hall to
assist him, and when Hamlin had examined and cross-examined the witnesses
and badgered the counselor, he would wink to Hall to answer Counselor T .
Eleek would step forward, smacking his lips and foaming with vehemence,
and continue a doggerel speech until exhausted. The sun had set, and the jus-
tice had sent the case to quarter sessions, holding the mill owner under bonds.
The latter soon drove away his employe, holding his wife as hostage for a small
debt. At quarter sessions the banished employe did not appear nor did he ever
come to claim the wife he left as a hostage.
About the third week in December, 1826, John W. Howe came to Smeth-
port, ostensibly to seek employment as a school-teacher. His baggage was a
small wooden box, which proved to contain only law books. The people soon
learned that he was a lawyer and not a teacher. He was something of a wag,
eccentric, sensible, honorable and energetic. After a stay of six years he
moved to Franklin, Penn . and thence to Meadville. In May, 1827, Thomas
Fuller came hither to settle, but after a few months returned to Bethany, N. Y.
In the spring of this year Counselor T fell into a hornets' nest. It appears
Hamlin, Howe and Fuller determined to oust this individual, and their deter-
mination succeeded; for the counselor, being unable to make war against the
trio, became irritable and sat down, exhausted. Leaving Smethport at once,
he never returned to practice here. No doubt he felt like the physician in the
drama of Macbeth:
Were I from Dunsinane away and clear.
Profit a^ain should hardly draw ine hero.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 121
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
iNTRODlTCTOr.Y— OKLO .1. HaMLIN— ELECTIONS FOR GOVERNOR, 1S35— ELECTIONS
FROM 1840 TO 1883— General Elections, 1884 to 1889— Proiiibiiory Amend-
ment Vote, 1889.
THE early election returns of McKean county are among the very few
records which have been lost; so that the writer had to rely upon the
commissioners' records as well as court records for the names of men successful
in the political battles prior to 1840.
In 1831-33 Orlo J. Hamlin represented the district in the legislature, and
was re-nominated in 1833; but his name not being placed on the legislative
ticket in Lycoming county he withdrew. He refused the nomination in 1835.
but served in the great constitutional convention until the poor condition of his
health compelled him to retire, when Hiram Payne, the alternate, took his
seat. It was Delegate Hamlin who proposed to give a representative to each
county, a proposition which has been carried out only in recent years.
In 1835 there was an election for governor. Wolf being the nominee of the
Democrats, and Joseph Ritner of the Anti-Masonic party. When the votes
were counted Wolf was leading, and the merry Democrats of McKean county
never dreamed of such a thing as defeat. To memorialize this victory a party
of Democrats went out at night and imitated the howls of the wolf so thor-
oughly that Squire Williams arose from his bed to re-examine the sheep-fold.
Next day he met Squire Crow, Asa Sartwell, and others, to whom he related
his night's experience with the pack of wolves; but Squire Crow knew all
about the howlers, and turning to his Democratic audience said, " W'ell, boys,
you have made your last howl." He was correct, for Ritner was chosen gov-
ernor. Among the old voters of the county are N. W. Abbey, of Smethport;
H. W. Burlingame, of Kasson; J. P. Evans, of Norwich; M. Ostrander, of
Liberty, and Moses Dillenbach, of Annin, all of whom voted for Harrison in
1840. Philetus Ford and A. H. Cory gave their votes to Martin Van Buren.
C. D. Calkins, of East Smethport is said, by B. D. Hamlin, to have voted that
year. Jeremiah Chadwick was here then. John Cousin, now of Friendship,
N. Y. ; Amos Briggs, still a resident; Daniel Crossmire, a resident of Farmers
Valley; James Daly, Jabez F. Gallup, James Hoop, and a few others named
in the township sketches, are living representatives of the voters of 1840.
The elections of 1840 gave 263 Harrison votes to Bernard Connelly, Jr.,
and 275 Van Buren votes to William Philson, the presidential electors. Davis
Dimmock, Jr., received 305 votes and George Kress 211, for congress; James
L. Gillis (D.) 266. and Perrv Shearman (W. ) 240, for assemblv; Nelson Rich-
mond (D.) 323, and James Taylor (W.) 205, for sheriff; Abner O. Hunt (D.)
307, and Leavitt C. Little (W. ) 220 votes for commissioner; Samitel Eastey
(D.) 297, and William Smith {W.), of Ceres, 220 votes for auditor.
In 1841 L. B. Dunham (D. ) received 242 votes, and C. C. Gaskill (W.)
187, for representative; Jedediah Darling (W.) was elected coroner; David
€row (W^), treasurer; Nathaniel Robbins (D.), commissioner, and Ben. C.
Corwin (D.), auditor.
122 HISTORY OF MCKEAN CODNTY.
In 1842 the county gave marked majorities to William P. Wilcox for
senator; Joseph Y. James for representative; F. B. Hamlin for prothono-
tary, and Asa F. Barnaliy, for auditor, all Democrats.
In 1843 Henry Chapin vras chosen treasurer; David R. Bennett, sherifF,
and J. F. Melviu, auditor. At this time the question of establishing a poor-
house was defeated by a vote of 310 contra, 1(J3 pro. The successful can-
didates were all Democrats.
The elections of 1844 show 419 votes for the Democratic elector, N. B.
Eldred; 340 for John Killinger (W.), and 3 for James Wood, the elector
on the Abolition ticket. The vote for member of congress was given in the
same ratio to James Thompson, Charles M. Reed and John S. Mann, respect-
ively. For the assembly and county offices there were only Democratic and
Whig candidates, Rasselas Brown receiving 408 votes, and L. C. Little re
ceiving 314, for representative; Oshea R. Bennett (D.) was chosen coroner,
A. H. Cory (D.) auditor. There were 151 votes recorded for and 498 against
the sale of the main line of the Pennsylvania canal and railway. The three
Abolitionists were John King, Henry Chevalier and Eleazer Wright.
In 1845 Thomas Struthers (W.) received a majority over James L. Gillis
(D.) for senator, Benjamin Bartholomew (W.) over Sol. Sartwell, Jr. (D. ), for
representative; Richard Chadwick (W.) over W. A. Williams (D. ) for pro-
thonotary; Benjamin C. Corwin (D. ) was elected treasurer almost unani-
mously, and Joseph Morse (D.), auditor.
James Thompson (D.) defeated James Campbell (W.) for congress in 184(5
in this county; Henry P. Kinnear (W.) received a majority over Solomon
Sartwell for representative; Philetus Ford (D.) defeated Jeremiah Chadwick
(W.) for the office of sheriff, and J. F. Gallup (D.) was chosen auditor. The
charge of youth was preferred against Mr. Ford by the friends of Chadwick,
who was then eight years younger than the victor.
In 1847 Alonzo I. Wilcox (D. ) received a majority vote for representative;
Ezra Bard (D. ) for treasurer; B. C. Corwin (D.) was elected coroner, and J.
F. Melvin (D.) and E. F. Carrier (D.), auditors.
The elections of 1848 showed 367 votes for Taylor and Fillmore; 418 for
Louis Cass and Butler, and 22 for Van Bnren and Adams. James Thompson
(D.) received a majority for congress; Timothy Ives (D.) for senator; A. I.
Wilcox (D. ) for representative; Richard Chadwick (W.) for prothouotary ;
Samuel Smith (D.) defeated William K. King (W.) for treasurer; B. C. Corwin
(D.) defeated Jedediah Darling (W.) for coroner, while O. L. Stanton (D. ) and
Benjamin F. Cory (D. ) were chosen auditors.
In 1849 Glen W. Scotield (D.) carried the county for representative: Ezra
Bard (D. ) was chosen sheriff, and A. K. Johnson (D.), auditor. SherifF Bard
died during his term, when W. J. Colegrove (W.) was appointed.
Carlton B. Curtis (D.) received 454 votes and J. H. Walther (W.) 292 for
congress in 1850; W. J. Hemphill (D.) was chosen representative; Byron D.
Hamlin (D.), treasurer by 391 votes against 356 received by Jedediah Darling
(W.); Robert Hiues, Jr. (D.) was elected auditor; A. D. Hamlin (D.), county
surveyor; William A. Williams (D.), district attorney by 84 to 54 received
by N. W. Goodrich, while 588 votes were recorded for Constitutional Amend-
ment and 2 against it.
In 1851 James L. Gillis (D.) defeated Reuben Winslow (W.) here for
representative; Robert G. White (D.) was elected president judge, receiving
the whole vote (799). Richard Chadwick (W. ) and O. L. Stanton (D.) re-
ceived majority votes for associate judges; David R. Bennett (D. ) was chosen
sheriff; A. W. Needham (W. ), coroner; Paul E. Scull (D. ), prothonotary ; John
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 123
C. Backus (D.), recorder, by a vote of 412 against 366 for C. D. Webster (\V. ).
and C. K. Sartwell (D.), auditor.
The elections of 1852 gave 597 votes to Pierce and King for Democratic
president and vice-president; 405 to Scott and Graham, Whigs, and 78 to
Hale and Julien. Free-soil candidates. C. B. Curtis (D. ) defeated Patrick
Kerr (W.) for congress; Byron D. Hamlin (D.) received a majority vote for
senator, but the election was almost unanimous; A. S. Arnold (D.) for repre-
sentative: B. O. Burdick (D. ) for auditor; Jedediah Darling (W.) for treas-
urer, and William Tenuey (W.) for coroner.
In 1853 A. S. Arnold (D.) was re-elected representative; N. W. CTOodrich
(D. ), prosecuting attorney; Henry Hamlin (D. ), auditor; Jasper Marsh (D.),
surveyor; A. M. Benton (D.), commissioner.
David Barclay (D. ) received 441 votes for congress in 1854, against 228
recorded for Richard Arthur (W.), Alexander Caldwell (D. ) received a large
majority for representative; William M. Smith (D.) for sheriff; Wilber H.
Sartwell (D.) for treasurer; Samuel C. Hyde (D.) for prothonotary ; Jasper
Marsh (D.) for recorder, John Campbell for auditor, and John C. Backus (D. )
for prosecuting attorney. The prohibitory liquor law was defeated by a vote
of 481 against 415.
In 1855 Henry Souther (W. and K. N.) received a majority vote for sena-
tor; William A. Williams (D.) for representative, and A. J. Otto (D.) for
auditor.
The elections of 1856 show majorities for James S. Myers (K.) for con-
gress; John Brooks (R. ) for representative; Jedediah Darling (R.) and Syl-
vanus Holmes (R. ), associate judges; W. A. Williams (R. ). treasurer; Joseph
Housler (R. ) and B. C. Corwin (D.), auditors; Alexander T. Barden (R.),
coroner, and Horatio Bell (R.). surveyor. The vote in favor of Constitu-
tional Amendment was 257 and against it 126.
In 1857 Robert Matson (D.) and W. P. Wilcox (D.) had the highest num-
ber of votes for representatives; Joseph Morse (D.) was elected sheriff;
Samuel C. Hyde (D.), prothonotary; C. K. Sartwell (D.), recorder; L. R.
Wisner (D.) coroner; A. L. Rifle (R. ) and Gideon Irons (D. ), overseers of the
poor; E. B. Eldred (D.), ^prosecuting attorney.
In 1858 Chapin Hall (R.) carried the county for congress by a vote of
835 against 479 recorded for James L. Gillis (D.); Enos Parsons (R.) was
elected treasurer; V. P. Carter (R.), auditor; Nathan Dennis (D.), coroner,
and Joseph Wilks (D.), poor-house commissioner.
In 1859 A. M. Benton (D.) received 649 votes; T. Jefferson Bover (D.)
599, I. G. Gordon (R.) 559, and William A. Nichols (R. ) 578 for repre-
sentatives; J. C. Hamlin (D.) and G. B. Gillett (D.) were chosen auditors,
and Dr. George Darling (R. ), coroner. At this time the district comprised
McKean, Elk, Clearfield, Jefferson and Forest counties.
In 1860 Henry Souther, Republican elector, received 1,077 votes; Byron D.
Hamlin, Democratic, 591, and Joseph H. Otswick, Union, two votes; John
Patton received the Republican vote for congress, and James R. Kerr, the
Democratic vote. S. M. Lawrence (R. ) and I. G. Gordon (R. ) were elected
representatives over A. Bl. Benton and — Brady, Democrats; James E. Blair
(R.), sheriff; John R. Chadwick (R.), prothonotary; C. K. Sartwell (R.), re-
corder; William K. King (R. ), treasurer; W. A. Nichols (R.), attorney; W.
A. Williams (R. ), auditor, and Enos Parsons (R. ), coroner.
In 1861 Robert G. White (R.) received 633 votes, and Rasselas Brown
491 for president judge; N. Peabody (R.) and Jedediah Darling (R.) were
elected associate judges; Alonzo I. Wilcox (R. ) and Joseph B. McEnally
.1'24- HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
(R.), representatives; Gbarles D. Webster (R.), auditor; P. Ford (R.), attorney,
and Ebenezer Barden (R. ), coroner. In the district were 6,983 votes, of which
Judge White received 6,289.
The elections of 1862 show 785 votes for G. W. Scofield (R.) and 625 for
Milton Courtright, Democratic candidates for congress; Stephen F. Wilson
(R. ) received a majority vote for senator; Martin H. Shannon (R. ) and War-
ren Cowles (R.) were elected representatives; V. Perry Carter (R. ), treasurer;
P. Ford (R.). attorney; H. D. Hicks (D.) and B. H. Lamphier (R.), auditors,
and D. F. Finley, coroner.
In 1863 Frank Bell (R.) and John Mahaffy (R.) received 717 votes, T. J.
Boyer (D.) and A. M. Benton (D.) 625 votes for the legislature, the Demo-
crats being elected. A. N. Lillibridge (R., 702 votes) contested for the
sheriff's office with G. R. Moore (D., 642 votes); John R. Ghadwick (R.,
709 votes) opposed J. B. Oviatt (D. 621 votes) for prothonotary ; Wallace W.
Brown (R., 710 votes) fought against G. W. Sartwell (D., 617 votes) for the
office of recorder, and James Bond (R. , 693 votes) opposed L. R. Miner (D.,
620 votes) for the position of coroner. Warren Cowles (R.) and J. C. Backus
(D. ) received party votes, and Swift (R.) and Duntley (R.) were chosen au-
ditors.
The elections of 1864 show 767 votes for Isaac Benson, Republican elector,
and 652 for John M. Irvine, Democratic elector. G. W. Scofield (R.) had a
majority for congress over Bigler (D.); Lucius Rogers (R.) had 649 votes for
representative, against 575 given to C. B. Eldi-ed (D.), who was elected in the
district; James E. Blair (R. ) was elected treasurer; John H. Duntley (R.),
auditor; Dr. M. A. Sprague (R.), coroner, and Thomas King (R.), surveyor.
In 1865 H. W. Williams (R. ) was elected president judge; John Brooks
(R.) opposed E. B. Eldred (D. ) for representative; Warren Cowles (R.)
defeated S. R. Peale (D.) for senator; S. O. Tenney (R.) and John S. Bean
(D. ) contested for the office of auditor; William K. King (R. ) was elected sur-
veyor; E. C. 01ds(R. ) opposed Dr. C. W. Robbins (D.) for the coroner's
office. The military vote was taken on the field. In 1866 C. A. Lyman
(R.) received 848 and G. O. Deise (D.) 742 votes for representative; A. N.
Taylor (R.) and A. T. Barden (R.) defeated Medbery (D.) and Brownell (D.)
for associate judges; B. F. Wright (R.) defeated Coon in the race for sheriff;
Thomas Malone (R.) was elected treasurer over Dolley; W. W. Brown (R.),
attorney, defeated Backus; J. R. Chadwick (R.) was elected prothonotary
over C. C. Melvin; F. D. Wheeler (R.), auditor, and A. N. Lillibridge (R.),
coroner. P. M. Fuller (R.) received 851 votes and Andi-ew Reilly (D.) 734
votes for commissioner. G. W. Scofield (R.) received a majority vote for
congress in this county.
In October, 1867, S. D. Freeman (R. ) received 769 votes for representa-
tive, against 485 recorded for Deise; Abram Anderson and W. Y. McCoy were
elected jury commissioners, with W. Y. McCoy (D.) and W. K. King (R. ),
auditor. In this year the questions of "license" and " no license " were
submitted. The first received 715 votes and the second 478.
The elections of 1868 show 964 Scofield (R.) and 825 R. Brown votes for
congress; 978 for A. G. Olmsted (R.) and 808 for A. M. Benton (D.), senato-
rial candidates; 983 for John Brooks (R.) and 798 for W. J. Davis (D.) for
representative. E. B. Dolley (D.) was elected treasurer; Reuben Dennis
(R.), commissioner, and H. Hamlin (R.), auditor. In November, 1,028 votes
were cast for the Republican and 730 for the Democratic electors.
In 1869 L. W. Crawford (R. ) carried the county for representative;
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 125
Henry King (K.) was elected attorney: Lucius Rogers (R. ), protbonotary : J.
D. Barnes (R. ), auditor, and J. E. Blair (R. ), coroner.
G. W. Scotield repeated his success this time over Selden Marvin in ]S70:
V. Perry Carter received a majority for the assembly; C. C. Melvin (D. ) was
chosen treasurer, receiving 804 votes against J. R. Chadwick's (R. ) 7tj2: F.
W. Sprague (R. ) was chosen auditor; William K. King (R.), surveyor, and S. G.
Curtis (R.) and D. H. Comes (D. ), jury commissioners.
In 1871 B. B. Strang carried the county for senator over W. Y. McCoy;
H. W. Williams (R. ) for president judge over M. F. Elliott (D. ); Lucius
Rogers (R. ) received 940 votes for rejiresentative against 720 recorded for F.
W. Knox(D. ): W. H. Curtis (R.) was chosen auditor; M. J. Hadley (R.),
coroner, and Charles E. Bailey (D. ). surveyor. There were 1,020 votes cast
for congressional convention and eleven against. Loyal Ward was elected
associate judge.
In 1872 Thomas L. Kane (D.) received 1,000 votes, and C. B. Curtis (R.)
956, for congress; Charles S. Jones (R.) 1,025 and F. W. Knox (D. ) 953 for
representative; W. J. Milliken (R.) 1,022 and D. R. Hamlin (D. ) 946 for
attorney; C. H. Foster (R.) was elected treasurer; M. A. Sprague (R.). pro-
thonotary; M. N. Powell (D.), sheriff; D. A. Butts (R.), auditor; C. P. Rice
(R. ), coroner; while Jerome B. Niles, John S. Mann and M. F. Elliott were
chosen delegates to the congressional convention. The Republican electors
received 1,040 votes, and the Democratic 618. A unanimous vote was cast for
the convention.
The elections of 1873 resulted in 614 votes for Conrad Hollenbeck (D.). or
six over his opponent, C. S. Jones (R. ), for representative; P. T. Kennedy (R.)
was chosen auditor; Andrew Reilly (D.) and Orrin Vosburgh (R. ). juiy com-
missioners, and H. L. Burlingame (R.), coroner. In December the new con-
stitution was approved by 1,093 votes and disapproved by 64.
In 1874 Sobieski Ross (R. ) had 922 votes and H. W. Early (D. ) 924 for
congress; Almeron Nelson carried the county for senator; John C. Backus (D.)
defeated Butts (R.) for the assembly; A. H. Medbery (D. ) was chosen treas-
urer; Thomas Callor (D.), auditor and B. F. Wright (R.), coroner.
In 1875 C. K. Sartwell and John R. Chadwick received 957 votes each for
prothonotary, but Sartwell qualified; C. S. King (R. ) was chosen sheriff; Pat-
rick H. Cotter (D.), attorney; Eugene Mullin (D. ) and J. L. Bean (D. ),
auditors, and Euos Parsons (R.),. coroner.
The elections of 1876 show 1,427 votes for Republican (or Hayes) electors,
1,320 for Democratic (Tilden), 12 for Greenback (Peter Cooper), and one for
Prohibition (Green Clay Smith); John J. Mitchell (R.) received 1,414 votes,
Henry White (D. ) 1,331, and John T. Davis (G.-B.) 3, for congress; C. H.
Seymour (R.), Dr. L. Granger (D.) received the respective votes for senator;
C. H. Foster (R.), W. J. Davis (D. ) and C. L. Allen (G.-B.) were the candi-
dates for representative; W. S. Brownell (D.) and F. W. Burnhaiu (R. ) were
elected associate judges; J. E. B. White (R.) and J. H. Anderson (D. ), jury
commissioners; J. E. McDougall, coroner.
In 1877 W. D. Gallup (R.) was elected treasurer; J. E. Blair (G.B. ),
coroner, and G. H. Lyon (R. ), surveyor.
The elections of 1878 show 1,515 votes for John J. Mitchell (R.), 1,252 for
R. B. Smith (D.), and 774 for John T. Davis (G.-B.), candidates for congress;
Lewis Emery, Jr. (E. ), received 1,652 votes for representative; Roswell Sart-
well (D. ) 1,321 for sheriff, defeating six other candidates; John B. Brawley
(D. ) received 1 .516 votes for protbonotary, defeating H. F. Barbour (R. ) and two
others; S. W. Smith (R. ) 1,699 votes for attorney; O. D. Vosburg(R. ) and
12(i
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
J. J. Roberts (K.) were chosen auditors, and N. W. Abbey (R. ), J. G. Boyer
(D.) and W. J. Colegrove ^R.), commissioners.
In 1879 N. C. Gallup '(R.) and O. P. Coon (D.) were elected jury com-
missioners.
In 1880* the presidential vote was 3,693 (Garfield) Republican, 3,169
(Hancock) Democratic, 16 (Dow) Prohibition, and 299 (Weaver) Greenback;
Lewis Emery, Jr. (R. ), received 4,233 votes for senator, and Arthur J. Hughes
(D.) 2,768; David Kirk (D.) received 3,591 votes, and R. J. C. Walker (R. )
3,541 votes for congress; W. L. Hardison (R.) 3,591 for rej^resentative, and
E. M. Reardon (D. ) 3,307; John W. Brennan (D.) received 3,712 votes for
treasurer and was elected; G. H. Lyon (R. ) was chosen surveyor, and
Anthony F. Bannon (R. ), coroner.
In 1881 Henry W. Williams (R. ) was elected president judge; P. M.
Fuller (R. ) and Henry Hamlin (R.), associate judges; A. I. Wilcox (R.),
sheriff; John B. Brawley (D.), re-elected prothonotary ; Edward McSweeney
(D.), district attorney; W. H. Higgins (D.) and A. P. Brewer (R.). auditors.
The elections of 1882 show a majority for M. F. Elliott (D.) for congress-
at-large; almost a unanimous vote was recorded for Arthur G. Olmsted (R. ),
additional law judge; 2,464 votes for W. W. Brown, Republican candi-
date for congress; David Sterrett (R.) received 2,294 votes, and B. D. Ham-
lin (D.) 2,277 for representative; E. F. Clark (R.) and D. F. Pattison (D.)
were chosen jury commissioners.
In 1883 Charles C. Melvin (D.) was elected treasurer, defeating John R.
Shoemaker (R. ) by 120 votes; John King (R.) was elected surveyor, and R.
A. Dempsey (R.), coroner.
GENERAL ELECTIONS,
1884.
Presidbnti.'vl Electors.
Joseph A. Esje (U.) 3,820
P. R. Ackley (D.) 2,980
C. H. Dana (Pro.) 346
George A. Webb (U. L. ) 414
Congress.
W. W. Brown (R.) 3,533
W. C. Kennedy (D.) 3.77.5
John Brown (Pro.) 333
Senator.
Lewis Emery, Jr. (R.) 3,956
Eugene MuUin (D.) ,3,276
A. Cadugan (Pro.) 357
Representative.
Robert H. Rose (R.) 3,779
O. L. Snyder (D.) 3.443
C. E. Tucker (Pro.) 405
Shehiff.
A. F. Bannou(K.) 4,012
T. L. Sartwell (D.) 3.009
D. F. Connelly (Pro.).
N. D. Preston (U. L.)..
Prothonotary and Recorder.
J. M. McElroy (R.) 3,678
J. M. Armstrong (D.) 3,329
S. L. Rhodes (U. L.) 298
J. G. Hann(Pro.) 322
Dlstrict Attorney.
Ernest Koester(R.) ;3,822
G. B. McCalmont(D.) 3,319
G. J. Stranchan (U. L. ) 381
Auditor.
A. P. Brewer (R.) 3,759
G. N. Barrett (R.) 3.796
Thomas Osborne (D.) 3,006
C. M. Capehart(D.) 2,947
J. H. McKilop(U. L.) 415
J. W. Stearns (U. L. ) ... 476
Peter Findlay (Pro.) 359
J. C. Young (Pro.) 362
National Convention in 1880, and voted thirty-six times
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
127
In 1885 D. Martin and M. S. Sheldon were elected jury commissioners.
ELECTIONS, 1886.
Congress.
Henr}' C. McCormick (R.) 3.
Edward L. Keenan (D.) 1.
David Sterrett (Pro.)
Representative.
F. S. Johnson (R.) 2,
John K. Wilson (D.) 1,
ElishaK. Kane (Pro.)
Ferd. Kriener (TJ. L.) 1,
Treasurer.
John R. Shoemaker (R. ) 3,
John W. Brennan (D.) 1,
Miles S. Howe (Pro.)
Daniel Clark (U. L.) 1,
William T. McCarthy (R.) 2,
Cornelius J. Lane(D.) l,i
J. S. Wilson (Pro.) ■
M. D. Ward(U.L.) 1,:
fr'DRVETOR.
C. M. Colegrove (R.). . . .
G. H. Lyon (Pro.)
William M. Lord (U. L.).
!,839
429
,449
For repeal 2,:
Against repeal 1,:
ELECTIONS, 188'i
Additional Law Judge.
Thomas A. Morrison (R.) 2,9.53
Edward L. Keenan (D. ) 2,811
Prothonotary, etc
J. M. McElroy (R.) 3,108
T. H. Lowry(D ) 2,322
A. J. McIntyre(Pro.) 204
Sheriff.
William B. Clarke (R.) 3,23.5
J. W. Stearns (U. L. and D.) 2,506
C. P. Codv(Pro.) 194
District Attorney.
George A. Sturgeon (R.
J. W. Bouton (D.) 1,580
2,707
1,580
ibridge (U. L.) 1,480
Auditors.
J. O. Sonburgh(R.) 2,891
F. R. Foster (R.) 2,931
A. B. Wicks (D.) 2,807
B. F. Greenman(D.) 2,806
J. C. Young (Pro.) 309
O. B. Lay("Pro.) 310
elections, 1'
Presidential Electors.
John W. Wallace (R.) 4
William Dent (D.) 3,
Seymour J. Noble (U. L.)
R.'D. Horton (Pro.)
Congress.
Lewis F. Watson (R.) 4,
W. A. Rankin (D.) 3.
Charles Miller (Pro.)
J. Whitely (U. L.)
Senator.
Horace B. Packer (R.) 4
G. D. Helwig(D.) 3
A. H. Cory (Pro.)
Representatives.
William E. Burdick (R. ) 3,
John T. Griffith (R. ) 4,094
Frank J. Collins (D.) 3,134
James McDade (D.) 3,967
John R. McCarthy (Pro.) 384
William Luck (U. L.) 4.55
Daniel Clark (U. L.) 405
Coroner.
Samuel D. HefEner (R.) 4,061
Philo Ackley (D.) 2,907
A. W. Newell (Pro.) 418
W. D. Murray(U. L.) 325
Jury Commissioners.
George Hyde (R.) 4,041
M. S. Sheldon (D.) 3,882
Gilbert Moody (Pro.) 411
J. W. CorwilUU. L.) 365
The vote of June 18, 1889, on the Prohibitory Amendment, was 3,054 for,
and 2,0c8 contra, showing a majority of 996, the vote by political divisions
being as follows:
5 5.091 and 4.i48, respectiTely.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Annin township
Bradford City, 1st ward,
1st "
2d ••
;id ■■
4th '•
Bradford township, 1st (list.
2d
2fi
Hamlin
. 108
63
M
Kane borough
. 172
79
147
Kealin.s township, lat dist. . .
. 149
77
102
•• ' ■■ 2d dist...
. 29
37
170
3d dist...
. m
30
125
Kendall borough, 1st dist
. 6=i
31
(i(!
2d dist....
. 80
44
49
Lafaj'ette township, 1st dist. .
. .J9
61
:il
■• •■ ■2d dist .
. 29
32
Liberty
. 74
50
07
Norwich
. 56
64
.")(i
Otto township, 1st dist.,
. 142
105
.")2
2d dist
. 103
34
f),".
Port Allegany
. 119
73
4(i
Serjeant
. 13
43
:i1
Smetlipnrt
. 8:^
Ids
3
Welmore
. 171
35
Ceres 1
Corydou
Eldred borough 1
Eldred township 1
Foster township. 1st disi 1
2d disi 1
Hamilton township. 1st dist. . .
2d dist...
The official canvass of votes cast iu McKean county general election held
November 5, 1889, was as follows: For State treasvirer: Boyer (R.), 2,661;
Bigler (D. ), 1.685 and Johnson, 349. For county treasurer: Capt. Rogers (R. ),
2.&7; Broder (D.), 2.037, and Cody, 278. For surveyor: Hadley, 2.424; King.
128, and Kane, 606. Mr. King was voted for in several of the precincts by
personal friends, but positively declined to have his name printed on the tickets
as a candidate for county surveyor.
The township and borough elections of February, 1890, are recorded in
the pages of township and borough history.
CHAPTER YII.
MILITARY HISTORY.
FOKTY-SEOOND REGIMENT ( BUCKTAILS)— CoLONEL KANE— FlFTY-EIGllTH REGI-
MENT, r. V. 1.— EiGHTY-THir.D Regiment, P. V. I.— One Hundred and Fif-
tieth Regiment, P. V. I.— One Hcnuked and Seventy-second Regiment,
P. V. I.— Two HuNDiiED AND Eleventh Regiment, P. V- I.— Miscellaneous.
forty-second regiment (bucktails).
THE Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves, changed in Jane, 1861.
to the Kane Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps or Forty-
second Pennsylvania Regiment, began organization a day before t' e telegraph
flashed the tidings throughout the world of the breaking out of the Civil war.
On April 13, 1861, Thomas L. Kane petitioned Gov. Curtin for leave to organ-
ize a command in the" Wild Cat Dihtrict," known now as Forest, McKean, Elk.
and Cameron counties. On the 14th the petition was granted, and the news
being carried into the valleys and mountains, a company of one hundred men
assembled on the Siunemahoning, April 24, and entered on raft building, so
that when the proposed regiment would be formed this method of transporta-
tion would be at their disposal. On April 26 three hundred and fifteen men
marched onto three rafts then ready, and setting up a green hickory pole on
one of them, the "flag ship," placed above it a bucktail, and from this floated
the flag of tlie Tnion.
IK
;K/
' \
/
Ci ^f^t^Z^:::^-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. Irfl
The command moved toward Hanisbiug without marehiu^ orders from the
governor. As soon as this movement was known, a message was sent to Lock
Haven ordering the return of the men to their rendezvous, as only a limited
number could be received. Gen. Jackman, who desired the service of the hardy
woodsman, opposed this, and though his order was duly sent, it was never
delivered. The men arrived at Harrisburg, and saluting the capitol with a
rifle volley, made their presence known. After some days an order to muster
in as the Seventeenth Regiment (three months) was issued, but as soon rescinded,
owing to a regiment of that number being already enrolled. Col. Kane de-
clined his commission, and entered the ranks May 13. The Warren Company,
under Capt. Roy Stone, was organized out of similar material in the woods on
the head- waters of the Allegheny river, while other companies of a kindred
character flocked toward the capitol; so that on June 12 a regiment was or-
ganized, of which Thomas L. Kane was commissioned colonel; Charles J.
Biddle, lieutenant-colonel; Roy Stone, major; A. E. Niles, Hugh McDonald,
E. A. Irvin, George B. Overton, Julius Sherwood, W. T. Blanchard, Philip
Holland and John A. Eldred, captains.
The captains named had previously petitioned Gen. McCall to have their
companies united under Col. Kane, who resigned June 18, that Lieut. -Col.
Biddle, a Mexican war soldier, might be commissioned. On the same day the
captains (Langhorn Wistar's name now appearing) petitioned for change of
regimental name as hitherto stated. This newly organized command, with
Simmon's Fifth Regiment and Barr's Battery, proceeded on June "21 to Mary-
land, and on the 27th established Camp Mason and Dixon on the State line.
About July 7, immediately after Col. Wallace's regiment left for Martinsburg
to join Patterson's brigade, Kane's rifles returned to the camp; on the 12th
a scout of sixty men under Lieut. -Col. Kane moved to New Creek. Va. ,
where the first skirmish took place with McDonald's Confederate cavalry.
Kane pursued the rebels to Ridgeville, and held that neighborhood^until July
27, when the regiment returned to Harrisburg. On August 6 the Bucktails
reported to Banks at Harper's Ferry, and on October 20 Companies A, G, H,
I and K, under Lieut. -Col. Kane, encountered the Louisiana Zouave Tigers
near Hunter's Mill, and drove them back. Col. Biddle resigned December 12,
leaving Kane to command on the 20th, at Dranesville. At noon on that day
the enemy was reported advancing on the Centreville road, when Ord's artil-
lery was sent forward, and the Kane rifles were advanced to check him. A
little later Kane discovered the enemy flanking him, and the movement which
led to the occupation of the brick house, the flight of the rebels, the wounding
of Col. Kane, another officer and twenty-six men, and the death of two men.
In January, 1862, H. W. McNeil was chosen colonel, and in March attached
to Gen. Reynolds' first brigade, four companies being detached, under Lieut. -
Col. Kane, for the purpose of drill under his new system until May, when the
four companies reported to Col. Bayard, and were pushed forward to within a
few miles of Hanover court-house. From May 25 to June 6 the Bucktails led
Fremont's army, with such spirit that the eft'ective force was reduced to 128
men. On June 6 Col. Kane and 10-i men went forward to rescue the wounded
of the First New Jersey Cavalry, who were reported to have fallen into an
ambuscade near Harrisonburg. This little command came suddenly upon four
Confederate regiments and a battery, and sending back a message, attacked,
breaking their line. Recovering from the surprise the Confederate regiments
prepared to advance, when Martin Kelly, volunteering to draw their fire , stepped
from behind a tree, received a shower of lead and died next day in the glory
of war. George McGowan was shot near him next day. While holding this
132 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
position agaicst such terrible odds, the while waiting for Fremont's aid, the
wounded Col. Kane directed the battle. Private Holmes, who lay close by
mortally wounded, hearing Gen. Ashby, of the Fifty- eighth Confederate Vir-
ginians (then in Stuart's rebel brigade), urge a bayonet charge, fired, killing
the rebel general. The Fifty eighth was repulsed, but Johnson pushed onward
and drove the Federals from the bush, capturing the wounded Lieut. -Col. Kane
and Capt. Taylor, latter of whom had returned in the face of the enemy to res-
cue his colonel. Only then did the Confederates realize that the Bucktail rifles
W6j-e the actors in this affair, the famous regiment losing lifty-two men in
killed, wonnded and missing, while killing or wounding 559 of the enemy.
On June 8 Fremont encountered Jackson at Cross Keys. The former was
driven back, leaving the Bucktails to cover the retreat, but to the surprise of
all this command cut its way through, and further carried with them the guns
which they were ordered to support, receiving marked thanks for the exploit.
While Lieut. -Col. Kane's four companies were thus engaged Maj. Stone, then
in charge of the other six companies of 400 men, was engaged in the Shenan-
doah Valley. In June his command arrived at Dispatch Station in the Penin
sula, and was found within four miles of Richmond, Va. On the 26th two
companies were at the railroad and meadow bridge on Beaver Dam creek, and
the other four in the neighborhood. Their fire checked the enemy's advance;
but in the hurry, Stone learned that Simmons, who commanded the grand
guard, had withdrawn the three Bucktail regiments in his rear, leaving the
other three within the enemy's circle. Stone succeeded in bringing in Wis-
tar's and Jewett's companies to the entrenchments, where were now the three
companies formerly withdrawn, leaving Capt. Irvin's company within the
enemy's lines. The latter withdrew to a swamp, where he held out for three
days before surrendering. The Bucktails' loss in this affair was seventy-five in
killed, wounded and missing. Maj. Stone's subsequent doings at Mechan-
icsville and Gaines' Mills are matters of national history, his little force of
Bucktails holding a whole division of rebels back and delaying the battle at
Gaines" Mills until the Federal forces recovered strength to contest that field.
It lost that morning and on the retreat half their men, being able to muster
only six officers and 1'25 men on its arrival at Gaines' Mills, where it suffered
a loss of one officer and twenty-five men. On the '29th slightly wounded and
missing members rejoined the remnant of the command, bringing the force up
to five officers and 150 men, with whom were incorporated five officers and
eighty-four men of the United States sharpshooters. The battle of Charles
City Cross-roads took place July 30. There the ' ' Bucktails ' ' did some
extraordinary fighting, and barely escaped capture. On the night of that
day McCall rode into a rebel command and was captured, leaving Stone to
escape under a shower of lead. The Bucktails lost two officers and ninety
men killed, wounded and taken prisoners, and their United States sharp-
shooter fi-iends lost two officers and fifty-six men. At Harrison's Landing the
work of bridging the river was assigned to the Bucktails. At 5 p. m. these for-
esters began work, chopping the timber along the river. At sunrise, next
morning, they had the 500-feet bridge ready for the artillery to cross. Soon
after Maj. Stone resigned to take command of the One Hundred and Forty-
ninth Infantry, and Col. McNeil, who had returned, resumed command. Then
some of those captured at Mechanicsville were exchanged, rejoined their com-
mand, and all were present at the Second Bull Run, August 29 and 30, where
five were killed, niueteen wounded and three missing.
Returning to Col. Kane's four companies, they are found at Brandy Sta-
tion on August 19, 1802, where Kane rejoined them after his term of imprison-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUXTY. 138
ment. At this time they numbered IfiO men. On the morning of the 23d Ciipt.
Wiaslow's guard of tifteen men were seeking shelter from a heavy thunder
storm when Gen. Stuart's rebel cavalry rode over his tent, taking all prisoners.
Col. Kane rallied his men to the number of sixty-eight, and with this small force
performed some of the most daring feats known to military men. That nijTht
he charged, right and left, causing the stampede of the rebel army, losing only
one man mortally wounded and four wounded of his sixty- eight warriors. Next
morning they crossed the Cub run bridge, which they destroyed, and Gen.
Pope's army was saved. On September 7 Kane was commissioned brigadier-
general, Edward A. Irvine, of Company K, taking his place as lieutenant-colonel
of the Bucktails, while A. E. Niles was commissioned major, vice Stone, now
colonel of the One Hunched and Forty-ninth regiment.
On the day of the promotions just referred to Col. McNeil was ordered into
Maryland, and, Sej^tember 14, 1802, led the attack on South Mountain, losing
eighteen killed and forty-five wounded, among the latter being Lieut. -Col. Ir-
vine and Capt. Mack. At the Dunkard church, Antietam, they led ne.xt morn-
ning, when Col. McNeil, Lieut. William Allison and twenty-eight men were
killed, and sixty-five men and officers wounded. Capt. McGee at once took com-
mand, and, aided by Adj. Hartshorn, fought to the close of that terrible day.
This division of the Bucktails lost in the two days 110 officers and men, killed,
wounded or missing. After this affair Capt. Charles F. Taylor, who was capt-
ured while returning to save Kane at Harrisonburg, rejoined the command.
He was soon commissioned colonel, and liioved to the Rappahannock, where, on
December 12, the Bucktails met the enemy, losing in killed Lieut. W. B. Jen-
kins and nineteen others, with 113 wounded and missing.
On February G, 1863, the celebrated regiment is found with the First Bri-
gade at Fairfax Court House. Maj. Niles is lieutenant-colonel, vice Irvine, re-
signed on account of wounds; William R. Hartshorn is major, and Roger
Sherman, adjutant; Col. Taylor is commanding, and receiving old members from
the hospitals. On July 2 the Bucktails are on historical Little Round Top.
They have just arrived, and in time, for in a moment thej' are called upon to
save the Union artillery. Dashing down the hill, through the deep swamp to
the wheat field, they drove the enemy, but paid dearly for the honor in the
death of Col. Taylor and Lieut. R. Hall. Lieut. Col. Niles was wounded
some time before, so Maj. Hartshorn took command, and the Bucktails fell
back to remain in rest until the afternoon of July 3. when they again led in
the capture of the Fifteenth Georgia Confederate Regiment. In this Gettys-
burg affair Capts. Hugh McDonald, J. D. Yerkes, N. B. Kinsey and Frank
Bell; Lieuts. J. E. Kratzer, T. J. Roney, J. R. Sparr and thirty-one men
were wounded.
In April, 1864, the Bucktail fighters were given Spencer repeaters instead
of the Sharp's rifles of former times. On May 5 the regiment barely es-
caped capture (having been deserted by the first brigade), by breaking
through the rebel lines, near Parker's Store. On the 7th Maj. Hartshorn lost
two killed and twenty-one wounded. The day after his little command arrived
at a point three miles north of Spottsylvania to find two divisions of the fifth
corps engaged in a terrible struggle. On the 10th it participated in the two
assaults on the rebel works at Mountain Run, and engaged incessantly until
the morninfj of May 13, when it was given a day for rest, but resuming work
next day continued in active service to their last battle on the Mechanicsville
road. May 30, 1864. In the Wilderness campaign this command lost two offi-
cers and twenty-six men killed, and six officers and 112 men wounded. The
veterans and recruits were transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth In-
134 HIST01;V UF MCKEAN COUNTY.
fanlry, of wbicb Hartshorn was commissioned colonel, and the One Hundred
and Ninetieth was mustered out June 11, 1864.
The field and stafp of the Forty-second Regiment comprised the following-
named officers: Col. Thomas L. Kane, mustered in as colonel May 12, 1861,
but resigning next day look a position in the ranks; promoted to colonel June
12, 1861, be resigned and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel June 13, 1861;
from this period to the close of his service be was present at all those stirring
afPairs in which the Bucktails were always the leading actors. Charles J.
Biddle was appointed colonel May 29, 1861, and resigned February 1, 1862.
Hugh W. McNeil, promoted from captain of Company D to colonel January
22, 1862. was killed at Antietam. September 16. that" year. Charles F. Tay-
lor, killed at Gettysburg. A. E. Niles resigned the position of lieutenant-
colonel March 28, 1864. Roy Stone, promoted colonel of the One Hundred
and Forty-ninth August 29, 1862. W. R. Hartshorn, mustered out June 1,
1864. John T. A. Jewett, captain of Company D. February 5. 1862.
Roger Sherman, adjutant, resigned March 21, 1864. H. D. Patton, quarter-
master, in May, 186l. Lucius Truman appointed quartermaster on the same
day. S. D. Freeman, surgeon, in May, 1861, resigned to be promoted sur-
geon of United States Volunteers, and was succeeded December 17, 1862, by
Jonathan J. Comfort, who, in May, 1864, was transferred to the One Hundred
and Ninetieth Regiment, and breveted lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865 (Dr.
Freeman was breveted lieutenant-colonel for distinguished services.) W.
T. Humphrey, assistant surgeon in 1861, was promoted surgeon of the
One Hundred and Forty ninth regiment September 5, 1862. W. B. Jones
was commissioned assistant surgeon August 2, Daniel O. Crouch December 1,
1862, and Lafayette Butler September 30, 1863, the latter being transferred in
1864 to the One Hundred and Ninetieth regiment. W. H. D. Hatton, com-
missioned chaplain August 3, 1861, resigned November 1 1, 1862 (charged with
straggling by Roger Sherman), and had no successor. Sergeant-major Baker,
Quarter-master Sergeant W. C. Hunter, and Hospital Steward J. J. Starr
were transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth regiment in May, 1864.
John Lemon, commissary-sergeant, was mustered out with Company K, June
11, 1864. R. Fenton Ward, tirst hospital steward, was promoted captain of
Company I July 1. 1862. Henry Zundel, isriucipal musician, served to mus-
ter out.
Company I, of the Forty-Second Regiment, was organized in April, 1861,
but not mustered in until May 30, 1861, as related in the regimental history.
William T. Blanchard. the first captain, was wounded at Harrisonburg June
6, 1862, and resigned December 1 following. Lieut. Frank J. Bell, wounded
at Antietam Sej^tembor 17, 1862, was promoted captain March 1, 1863, and
received discharge October 19. same year. R. Feuton Ward was promoted
second lieutenant July 1, 1862; first lieutenant March 1, 1863; wounded in
service, and transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment May 31,
1864. Second Lieut. Bruce A. Rice died June 14 of wounds received at
Cross Keys June 8, 1862. Richard A. Rice was promoted second lieutenant
May 18, 1863. and served until mustered out, Jane 11. 1864. Edward D.
Curtis served as first sergeant to date of muster-out; Sergt. W. J. Kibbe
was wounded at South Mountain, and died September 18, 1862; A. G. Foster
served as sergeant until muster-out (Dr. Freeman states that Foster was
killed); also Lorenzo B. Prosser, while Sergt. Angelo BI. Crapsey was wounded
and made prisoner at Frederiok.sburg; Sergt. A. Farnham was discharged on
surgeon's certificate August 6, 1861; Sergt. Charles O. Bee was wounded at
Fredericksburg, and died January 14, 1863; Sergt. John K. Haffey was dis-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 135
charged for disability February 22, 1SG3; Corp. Peter B. Porter was transferred
to the Oae Hundred and Ninetieth Eegiment; Henry L. Dewell, wounded and
made prisoner at Second Bxdl Paui, was transferred in 1864 to the One Hun
dred and Ninetieth Regiment: Solomon S. King lost his foot at Fredericks-
burg, but was able to be transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regi-
ment in 1864. Wallace W. Brewer, wounded at Antietam, and Joseph D.
Barnes, wounded at Fredericksburg, were mustered in June, 1S64. Corp.
Henry J. Hadley was killed at Ci-oss Keys June 8, 1862, and Corp. F. C.
Holmes died June 14 of wounds received at Harrisonburg June 6, 1862.
The private troops who were killed or died from wounds are named as fol
lows: Joseph A. Ames, died: Hero Bloom, Henry Magee, William M. Maxson,
killed at South Mountain; Patrick H. Chens, Joseph Hayter and Forest
Sherwood, killed at Fredericksburg; "William L. Dale and Milton G. Farr,
killed at Harrisonburg; James Newpher. died October 6. 1862. and N. A. Delos,
September 17, 1862, from wounds received at South Mountain; P. G. Elli-
thorpe, wounded at Gettysburg, died; Joseph Keener died of wounds, also
Nathaniel S. Nichols, and Franklin West, wounded at Cross Keys, Va., died
June 14, 1862. Joseph Little lost a leg and was discharged.
The private troops who received wounds but recovered and were discharged
are named as follows: James T. Alton, wounded at Cross Keys; Joseph Aus-
tin, at Gaines" Mills; Leslie S. Bard, at South Mountain; Samuel R. Beck-
with, at Cross Keys (was promoted second lieutenant of Company G. One
Hun<]red and Fiftieth Regiment September 3, 1862); Cornelius Cnlp. at Gettys
burg; Peter Close, at Antietam; Rev. Columbus Cornforth, at Fredericksburg
(he was Baptist preacher at Smethport); D. V. Crossmire, at Second Bull Run:
Frank B. Crandall, wounded and fled; Newell E. Howard, W. Snyder and
Alonzo Mapes, at Fredericksburg; H. J. Hammond, at Harrisonburg; Samuel
C. Hamlin, Albert Herglei, at Harrisonburg; Samuel M. Horton, at Fredericks
burg; Russell Ingalsbee, at Harrisonburg; Sheldon Jewett, at Second Bull
Run; Ferd. Kilburn, at Harrisonburg; Frank King, at Gaines' Mills; William
A. Lafferty and Charles P. Rice, at Antietam; Charles Mulvaney, at Second
Bull Run; Charles Mellison, J. M. Woods, William Richardson and Charles
H. Robbins. at Harrisonburg; A. A. Walters, at Fredericksburg.
The troops regularly discharged were Thomas Barnes, W. J. Bridge, G.
W. Briggs, J. B. Belknap, H. G. Babcock, A. L. Buchanan, S. Berts, Jake
Both, D. W. Brigham, J. O. Blauvelt, J. R. Coates, C. L. Clark, D. Case,
Alpha W. Colegrove, Edgar W. Wells, G. A. Campbell, W. J. Curtis, N. M.
Curtis, J. W. Cobbett, L. B. Danforth, J. Demars, C. D. Dickenson, E. W.
Edson, J. M. Essiugton. B. H. Freeman, E. P. Fanning. J. A. Fish, H. K.
Gould, A. T. Hoop, J. L. Johnson, W. A. Knapp, R. M. Keach, James Land-
rigan, C. B. Lawrence, J. Leber, P. C. Lovell. W. Mulvaney, Joshua Moses,
William Mason, J. R. Mains, W. Page, W. H. Rifle, D. T. Smith, S. G.
Southwick, F. T. Smith, A. P. Smith, E. B. Seamans, B. A. Treat, G. W.
Taylor, A. D. Townsend, C. Vandyne, G. O. White, A. Walters, John
Whalen, C. H. Weed.
Among the names on the original muster roll of Company I, Forty-Second
Infantry not given above, are S. D. Freeman, who was immediately promoted
surgeon; John and Joseph Austin, Jacob Crow, G. A. Campbell, E. N. How-
ard, Samuel Horton, F. King, Solomon S. King, E. T. Lane, Peter Porter,
W. Richardson and A. J. Turpin. There were eighty-two private troojis en-
rolled. John W. Newell was first paymaster.
A roster of the surviving members of the old regiment was compiled on
July 1, 1889. Those then residing in McKean county are named as follows:
1H6
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Name. Fostoffice.
Lucore, S. J Kendall Creek
Mulvaney. William Sartwell
Prosser, L. B Kendall Creek
Quiglev. George B Guffey
Rice. ft. A Eldred
Rifle. W. H Norwich
Ryan, Thomas II Kane
Smith. A. P Colegrove
Seward. Levi Kendall Creek
Soutliwick. Samuel Smethport
Simmons. Al Eldred
Snyder, T Kendall Creek
Taggart, H. H Bradford
Walters. A. A Smetiiport
Wood. James jNI Annin Creek
Wright, B. F Smcthporl
Wells, E. W Bell's Run.
Name. PnstoBice.
Brewer, W. W Mt. Jewett
Barnes, J. D Kasson
Brown. W. W Bradford
Colegiove, A. W Colegrove
Campbell. J. J Eldred
Case. Dennis Bradford
Curtis, William Custer City
Clark, C. L Bradford
Coates, John R Annin Creek
Dickeson, C. W Norwich
Dougherty, George Farmers Valley
Freeman, S. D Smethport
Hanlan, Patrick Bradford
Howard, E. N ' Custer City
Jewett, Sheldon Custer City
Lane, R. T Bradford
Looker, R, E Kane
Lanigan, James Kane
E. W. Seamans, one of the survivors, wbile in the Thornton House at
Drainsville, Va. , was the objective point of a rebel battery. During that dan-
gerous moment he was discovered by Dr. Freeman, standing before a mirror,
oiling his hair. The Doctor, amazed at the fello\v's coolness, ordered him to
take his rifle and "shoot down the rebels," an order with which he complied
with equal coolness. At the re-union in October, 18S7, Dr. Freeman read the
historical address.
i^fty-ehtHth regiment, p. v. i.
The Fifty-Eighth Eegimeut was raised at Philadelphia, also in McKean,
Cameron, Potter, Elk and adjoining counties, in the fall of 1861, and was
organized February 13, 1862, with John R. Jones, colonel; Carlton B. Curtis,
lieutenant-colonel, and Montgomery Martin, major. The forward movement
commenced March 8, and on May 10 the regiment was at Ocean View, en route
to Norfolk, over which the flag of the Fifty-Eighth was raised the night jire-
ceding the morning on which the " Merrimac" was blown up. On February
18, 1863, as if to celebrate the first anniversary of organization, the Confed-
erate camp at Sandy Ridge, on the head-waters of Cone creek, was captured
and the buildings burned. At New Berne, March 14, this command, with others,
withstood Pettigrew's attack, and on May '20 the works at Kingston were capt-
ured. From June 27 to December 31 the regiment was scattered on detached
ser\ice iu the Pamlico river country, doing excellent and, in two instances,
l)rilliant work. On the last date Col. McChesney, the successor of Palmer as
conimandatit at Washington. N. C. , led an expedition to Greenville, where a
hand to liand battle was carried on that night. Iii May, 1864, the regiment
))rocfC(lcd to Bermuda Hundred, on the James river, and on the flth lest
twenty killed and wounded near Appomattox. The command arrived at Cold
Harbor June 1, participated in the assault on the 3d, carried the ritle-pits,
and was continuously at the front until June 13, and again at Petersburg until
relieved on the evening of June 15. After return from a well earned furlough,
the command held the hill near Fort AVisconsiu, on August 25, and on Sep-
tcuiber 2'J ].)articipated in the assault on Fort Harrison, which |>riuci])al [loint
of defense it captured.
At Star Fort, Spring Hill, Fort Harrison and Charles City Cross Roads the
Fifty-eighth completed a term of magnificent services, and commencing a new
term (which resulted in the capture of Lee's armv"), served until muster-out,
January 24, 1866.
Con'ipany E of the Fifty-eigbth was raised in McKean, Erie and Tioga
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 137
counties. John C. Backus, the first captain, resigned February 1'2, 1863, and
in March Lieut. T. J. Hoskinson was promoted, but resigned September *,),
1864, when Capt. Philetus M. Fuller succeeded, and served until muster-out,
January 24, 1866. Lieut. Charles D. Webster was gradually promoted until, in
October, 1864, he was commissioned captain and assistant quartermaster. Syl-
vanus Holmes was promoted adjutant in February, 1862. F. W. Davis rose from
the ranks to lieutenant, and served until discharged, June 14, 1865. Second
Lieut. Samuel B. Sartwell resigned, July 11, 1862, and DeWitt G. Kinsman
was mustered out, December 7, 1864, at expiration of term. Sergts. Pontius
Solomon, W. W. Richardson, J. H. Cobbett, Amos M. Preston and G. W. Farr
served from October, 1861, to January 24, 1866. Sergt. John Shaftsbury was
discharged for disability in September, 1862; Melvin Hall for wounds, in July,
186r); Theodore M. Clark and C. D. Gilbert mustered out in December, 1864;
William E. Derning, in August, 1865, and W. A. Moore, for promotion, in
August, 1864. Corps. Robert Walters, John Lorson, William Grigsby, Alfred
B. Loop, Jame.s A. Saurwine (a substitute), David C. Brown and Warden H.
Gary were mustered out in January, 1865; Robert A. DeGoIier in December,
1864; John Toony (a substitute) in November, 1865; while James G. Booth,
N. S. Grinnell, F. E. Patterson, David Quirk and Allen Tibbits (veterans),
left in August, 1864, the State papers alleging desertion. James H. Doal
served until 1865 as musician; M. McMillan was discharged in 1862, and R.
Reed in 1863.
The private troops who died during the war, or were killed on the field, are
named as follows: Henry Baker, at New Berne, N. C, in 1863; George W.
Beckwith, wounded, died at Hampton, Va. , in 1864; C. S. Culp, died at
Hampton in June, 1863; S. P. Dikeman, at New Berne, N. C, in August, 1863;
Orlando Foster, at Bermuda Hundred, Va. , Jvily 15, 1864; J. H. Green, at
Harrisburg in December, 1861 ; S. L. Goodwin, at Portsmouth, Va. , in July,
1862; G. W. Hall, at Alexandria, in June, 1864; Hugh L. Haughey, at An-
napolis, in March, 1865; John S. Niles, at Harrisburg, in January, 1862; A.
J. Rifle, at Fortress Monroe, in November, 1864; Joseph Tibbits, of wounds,
at Arlington, in June, 1864; H. H. Van Gorder, at Bachelor's Creek, N. C,
March, 1863; Dan Vanatta, in McKean county. October 14, 1864; Abram
Weed (substitute) at Fortress Monroe, in May, 1865.
Company F was recruited in McKean, Elk and Warren counties, Lucius
Rogers being commissioned captain in December, 1861. He resigned in Feb-
ruary, 1863, when Henry Rogers was promoted. On his discharge for disa-
bility, February 26, 1864, John M. Collins held command and served until
January 24, 1866. Lieut. W. W. Wells died of wounds July 12, 1864, and
was buried at New Berne, N. C. ; Lieut. C. J. Tubbs was mustered out in Feb-
ruary, 1865; Sergt. P. M. Thomp.^on, in January, 1866; P. T. Campbell
in December, 1865; Robert M. Overhiser, chosen sergeant at organization,
was promoted lieutenant of Company H in December, 1864, and veteranized;
James A. Arnold served from October, 1861, to August 22, 1864, when, it is
alleged, he deserted. Sergt. Ambrose C. Fuller, wounded in September,
1864. was absent at muster-out. James C. Malone and James Phelan were
on furlough. Jesse C. Chew served until January, 1866: M. J. Hadley, pro-
moted sergeant-major in June, 1865, was mustered out in January, 1866, and
George W. Hayes is said to have deserted August 22, 1864. Corps. George
F. North, John Walshe, F. A. Sutton, Patrick Walsh, W. H. Hewitt, and L.
B. Gleason served until January, 1866; A. N. Farman was killed at Fort Har-
rison, Va. W. H. Rogers was wounded there, and Hiram Peasley died of
wounds received there in the affair of September 29, 1864. Elijah T. Davis
138 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
was mustered out February 22, 1865. The musician, L. S. Lytle, served
until Januar}', 1866. Calvin Shepherd, an old hunter of Cameron county,
served in this command.
The private troops killed on the field or who died of wounds or disease are
named as follows: William Alinder, at Bachelor's Creek, N. C. ; Joseph Black,
wounded September 29, 1864, was buried at Cypress Hills; John Bowers,
drafted, died at Point of Rocks, Va., in February, 1865; Otis Copeland was
killed at Fort Harrison; H. K. Conrad died at Harrisburg January 4, 1862;
Ezra Daniels died at Hampton, Va. , of wounds, in October, 1864; "W. E.
Flanders, drafted, was buried at Staunton, Va., July 29, 1865; R. M. Gibson,
at Beaufort, N. C. , October 1, 1863; Andrew Henderson, died in Anderson-
ville July 1, 1864; Don D. Jones, in Cameron county July 16, 1864; Peter
Manning was killed at Fort Harrison September 29, 1864; James A. Mapes,
died at Suffolk. Va. , November 21, 1862; Alex. McCrady. at Washington, N.
C, October 10, 1863; George Peasley, at Petersburg, August 12, 1865; James
Peasley, at Washington, N. C, Sejatember 5, and Philander S. Peasley Decem-
ber 28, 1863; Samuel Richardson, died at Harrisburg January 15, 1862: G.
D. Rogers, at Point of Rocks, Va. , October 3, 1864; Jeremiah Sullivan, at
Portsmouth, Va. , August 6, 1862; James Vangarder, of wounds, at Hampton,
Va.. October 30, 1864, and William Whitaker, of wounds, October 12, :864.
Company H was raised in McKean county October 1, 1861, with Asa H.
Cory, captain. On his resignation August 21, 1862, C. C. Moses was pro-
moted, captured July 6, 1863, but returned and was mustered out April 16,
1865. Lieut. Roswell Sartwell resigned November 25, 1862, and F. N.
Burnham was promoted. Robert M. Overhiser, transferred from Company F,
was promoted captain April 17, 1865, but mustered out in 1866 with rank of
lieutenant. Second Lieut. David Ludwig died at Philadelphia June 17,
1863; Oliver Haines was mustered out in 1866; J. M. Pelton was discharged
for promotion in August. 1863, and W. E. Moses was promoted second lieuten-
ant of the First North Carolina Colored Regiment April 29, 1864.
The sergeants of this company are referred to as follows: Joseph S. Vaughn,
Norman J. Stanton, L. L. Dennis and Fernando Loop were mustered out in
January, 1866; W. H. Richmond and W. M. Skiver, in December, 1864;
Alonzo Cross and Ed. Baldwin in October, 1865; Allen Wightman died of
wounds April 20, 1863, and John Bord is said to have deserted August 30,
1865. and Theodore F. Ostrander on the same day.
The corporals' records are thus given: Cyrus Baldwin, wounded at Cold
Harbor; Charles Rodenbush and M. M. Griffin mustered out in January.
1866; Niles Robbins and Clark B. Hopkins discharged for disability in 1S62
and 1863, respectively; E. C. Wolcott, George Ferris, Emory Skiver, W. D.
Reitz, George J. Reitz, William Shafftstall (the three last named drafted) were
mustered out at close of their terms. W. P. Fowler died September 21.
1864; Henry H. Metcalfe died in Cameron countv, returning from prison in
1865; W. D. Burlingame died at Hampton, Va., March 17, 1865; M. D. Jud-
son, transferred to the Fourth "United States Artillery, and Augustus Short to
United States Signal Corps. The musicians were Anthony Breithaupt (a sub-
stitute), sick at muster out, George W. Bowen, discharged for disaliility in
May, 1865, and Nathan Boylan alleged to have deserted December 31, 1865,
after long service.
The deaths of private soldiers on the field, or from wounds or disease, are
recorded as follows: Henry Blasdell, died at New Berne, N. C, July 16,
1863, of wounds received April 20; James Baldwin, October 12, 1864, of
wounds received September 20, 1863: C. J. Carter, October 3, 1864; Henry
tc^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN CODNTY. 141
D. Hagadoin, killed at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864; H. H. Haines, died Janu-
ary '24, 1865; John A. Jennings-, February 23, 1863; Leslie Lyons, July 7,
1864; Charles N. Lawton, wounded at Cold Harbor, died at Arlington ; Jerome
Netting, wounded September 29. 1864, died October 4 at Hampton, Va., and
Philip Roades, died September 24, 1864. In this command no less than
eighteen substitutes are accounted for, nineteen drafted men and nine
deserters.
EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT, P. V. I.
The Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry comprised, among others, Lieut.
Plympton A. White, of Company D, who enlisted in McKean county, also
Matthew Hayes, both of whom were wounded at Malvern Hill; William Schla-
bach, Julius W. Day, wounded at Gettysburg; Thaddeus Day, at Malvern
Hill; Eugene Clapper, Charles J. Nichols, died of wounds received at Mal-
vern Hill; D. Coyle was wounded there, and killed at Gettysburg; Calvin H.
Wilks, of Company H, died at Richmond, Va., of wounds received at Laurel
Hill. Gott Lehman, of Roulette, served in Company I, also P. C. Glancy,
John and Judson Ames, and Norman Scott, of Centreville.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH REGIMENT, P. V. I.
The One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment (New Bucktails) effected organi-
zation at Camp Curtin September 3, 1862, and claims service with the One
Hundred and Forty-ninth, sharing in many, if not all, of the successes and
reverses of that command. Langhorne Wistar, of the old Forty-second, was
chosen colonel: H. S. Huidekoper, lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas Chamber-
lin, major. When the colors of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment
were captured at Gettysburg, they were recaptured at once by the sister regi-
ment, and later, when it became too evident that the President was to be sac-
rificed to the policy of the Confederacy, the authorities called on Col. Stone to
assign two companies of the One Hundred and Fiftieth to take the place of
the United States troops as President's guard at the Soldiers' Home. On the
arrival of Companies C and H Uiere, they would not be received, as the regu-
lars had no orders to retire, and so returned to their command. In the mean-
time orders came relieving the regular troops, who marched, leaving the Home
unguarded; but when these false steps were discovered Companies D and K
were ordered thither, while later Company D was ordered to guard the Sol-
diers' Home with Company A, leaving Company K to guard the place until
relieved in June, 1865, when it was mustered out with the other companies.
Company G, of this command, was raised in McKean county with Horatio
Bell, captain. He was killed at the battle of the Wilderness May 6, 1864, and
Lieut. Samuel R. Beckwith, commissioned captain, who served until muster-
out. Lieut. Dan. J. Keys resigned in June, 1863, and was succeeded by James
M. Robinson, commissioned May 7, 1864. Second Lieut. Daniel Beckwith
served to the close; Sergt. Clark Weels was discharged in December, 1863;
Cyrus W. Baldwin was killed on the North Anna river. May 28, 1864; S. De-
Loss Taggart, wounded at Hatcher's riin, died at Lookout, Md., February
20, 1865: J. L. Beers was mustered out at the close, also John Swink, Buck-
ley D. Catlin and E. H. Judkins: Sergt. Lorenzo Hodges, who was wounded
at Gettysburg, died July 16, 1863.
There were no less than fifteen members of this company honored with
the position of corporal: Putnam Barber, W. H. Haven, W. F. Lovejoy,
William Brown. C. D. Winship, Al. L. Lanpbere, William A. North, Wilsou
W. Tubbs, H. M. Kenny, H. L. Burlingame, H. A. Young and C. C. Tripper
served to the close of the war. Theo. Yardley was killed at Hatcher's run;
142 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Joseph B. Otto, died October 30, 1862, and William J. Holmes, wounded at
Gettysburg, died July 23, 1863. The only musician, Daney Strickland,
served from September, 1862, to June, 1865.
The private troops who fell on the field, or who died from the effects of
wounds or other causes, are named as follows: L. M. Adams died in 1864;
Melville Baldwin, at Richmond, Va., in 1864; A. M. Beckwith, in 1863; Ben
Fulton, John Benson and Nathan Hand were killed at Gettysbiirg. July 1,
1863; Delos Otto, at the battle of the Wilderness, and Philetus Southwick,
at Spottsylvania, in May, 1864; William P. Garner died in captivity, Decem-
ber 11, 1864; T. D. Colegrove, November 21, 1862, and D. A. Morse, Octo-
ber 30, same year, at Washington; L. F. Haven died in prison, August 31,
1863; Oscar Moody died in Kichmood prison February, 1864; W. Merrick, a
prisoner, died July 20, 1863; W. J. Mills, in Andersonville, August 6, 1864;
J. A. Morris, in March, 1865; Isaac Pelgrim, wounded at Gettysburg, died
July 1, 1863; Steve Seymour died March 13, 1863; Charles B. Slocum died
in captivity in May, 1864; Jeffry Kenny died March 3, 1863.
The record of discharged soldiers after a full term of service contains the
following names: William Brockam, Joseph D. Ball, Willard Cummings, Jos-
eph Coats, M. M. Catlin, Charles Dickerson, Edward Finnegan, John Mead, F.
Fuller, Robert Graham, J. S. Hodges, L. F. Hovey, George Loomis, George
T. Otto, Samuel L. Provin, William T. Strickland, Wesley Starks, Thomas
Smith and Judson Skiver. Robert B. Warner was discharged for disability.
The private troops discharged on surgeon's certificate were Merrit J. Bald-
win, W. H. Baker, Silas A. Devaul, Richard Goodwin. Thomas Good. Elias
Grimes, John B. Gleason, Moses R. Ford, Levi Holcomb, Charles Karr,
Ebenezer Leonard, Wellington Lord, George Loomis and Edward Simpson in
1862-63. S. DeLoss Taggart died some years ago. The transfers to V. R.
C. included Joseph D. Ball and Benjamin Treat; William Ellis was sick at
muster-out; John B. Litch, was wounded at Hatcher's Run, and in hospital
at date of disbanding; Miles Lovejoy was transferred to the United States
army in 1862. The alleged deserters were Miles Hess, in 1862, and John
Barron, in 1863.
ONE HUNDEED -\ND SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, P. V. I.
The One Hundred and Seventy-second Regiment was organized at Camp
Curtin, in November, 1862, with Charles Kleckuer. colonel. Elk and Mc
Kean counties contributed detachments to this command, who accompanied
the regiment to Yorktown, December 2, to relieve the Fifty-second Pennsyl-
vania Infantry garrisoning that post. In July, 1863, the command moved to
Hagerstown, Md., was attached to the eleventh corps, joined in the pursuit of
the Confederate forces to Williamsport, returned to Warrentown. and was
mustered out August 1, 1863.
TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH REGIMENT, P. V. I.
Company C, of this regiment (one year) was mustered in September 1 <), 1864.
with Warren Cowles, captain; A. J. Sparks, lieutenant; John M. Pelton and
William C. Smith, second lieutenants. Cowles was mustered out with com-
mand June 2, 1865, as brevet major; Sparks was killed at Petersburg, April
2, 1865; John M. Pelton died of wounds received there, and Smith, who took
his place, was mustered out. Sergt. Harvey D. Hicks was killed at Peters-
burg; Sergts. H. H. Sparks, J. Shattsbury, R. A. Smith and F. B. Harvey
were mustered out. Corps. M. S. Sheldon, Joel Hancock and Eli Stevens
were wounded at Petersburir; while John Smith. 1. G. Otto. R. E. Gerrish.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 143
T. Thompsoa and S. L. Holcomb were mustered out uuwouuded, also Musi-
cians S. K. Seamaus and N. M. Tubbs.
Of the private troops Andrew Calhoun was wounded and died at Peters-
burg; John Largey died October 21, 1864; Simon Martin, Charles D. Me-
Keown, Peter W. Struble and Jonathan Studley were wounded at Petersburg;
Sanford Provin and Martin VanSickle were wounded at Fort Steadman, Va.,
March 25, 1865; Henry McDowell and William Null died in February, 1865,
and were buried at City Point, Va. ; John W. Nobles was missing at Peters-
Imrg, and C. H. Besse was captured September 29, 1864.
The private troops mustered out were H. and J. Arnett. A. A. Acre, J. C.
Allen, I. B. and A. J. Brown. E. Barton, F. S. Bradford, A. K. Barnaby,
William Cooper, J. Cavanagh, J. M. Caldwell, M. Cummings, M. L. Camp-
bell. M. Daley, M. G. Dennis, J. Dunbar. G. Emigh, J. Frugen, Enos Grover,
J. R. Greene, J. E. Graham, A. Gray, Reuben and H. M. Gross, A. Giles,
A. Holcomb, J. Jund, M. J. Coons, J. D. Kessler, W. K. Kidder, E. R. and
Al. Loop. Henry Largey, John Leahy, Thomas Madden, A. C. and Josiah
Myers, J. McQuoine, William M. and William Mcintosh, J. T. and Hymen
Otto, J. Patterson, Le Roy Paugh. Henry Reedy, W. T. Ross, Benson and
B. F. Robbins, A. Stockdill, F. Sanderson, W'. F. Stewart, A. Sharp, F.
Thorpe, W. M. VanSickle, F. Verbeck, W. Wiley, A. G. Walters, George
Wood and James Walshe. Henry Sperhouse was a prisoner from November,
1864 to March, 1865, and J. C. Lewis was alleged to have deserted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Lieut. Patrick Kelliher, Twenty- eighth United States Infantry, served with
the Pennsylvania Volunteers during the war, and died at Fort Davis, Tex. , in
1876.
In May, 1861, a Juvenile Home Guard company was organized at Smeth-
port. The ages of the troops ranging from five to fourteen years, the arms
were wooden guns, and the music, tin whistles and a tambourine.
In June, 1863, Judge Holmes, of Bradford township, wa^ appointed dep-
uty-provost-marshal for this district, and he appointed Sheriff Blair, O. Vos-
burg, L. S. Bard and Thomas Malone enrolling officers, the two last named
being disabled soldiers of the old Bucktail regiment, the latter working in the
Citizen office when he went into the Bucktails with William R. Rogers.
In 1863 the enrolling officer struck a family who believed that Andrew
Jackson ran for president every four years. The old man and his several sons
annoyed the officer and even, when he was leaving, one of the boys called out:
"Hello there, you haven't enrolled the old dog yet." referring to a dog lying
near the house. "Well," says the officer, " I have all the pups down, and
they'll answer for the first draft."
The draft of August, 1863, met with resistance on several quarters, and near
Port Allegany, it is alleged, an organization to oppose conscription was in ex-
istence. In January, 1864, H. S. Campbell, then provost-marshal of the
Nineteenth Military District, called for ninety men from Mclvean county, while
five deserters, taking refuge in Liberty township, were sought for. In March,
1864, the quota of McKean county was placed at 153. On March 12 a
meeting of citizens of Bradford township, presided over by William Barton,
with A. T. Newell, secretary, resolved to issue bonds for $7,000 to pay county
troops.
Jonathan Colegrove enlisted in the Chenango County (New York) Military
Company for the war of 1812, and served at Sacketts harbor until discharged
for disability.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
The Soldiers' Mounment was dedicated June 2, 1880, according to the G.
A. R. ritual. Lewis Emery, Jr., presided, and A. W. Norris delivered the
address.
CHAPTER VIII.
NEWSPAPERS -SCHOOLS— PHYSICIANS.
Newspapers— Introductory— Journals 'and Journalists— Bradford News-
papers— 1?radford Press Club— Miscellaneous Journals.
Schools— Grant of Land and Money by John Keating— Fip.st Schools-
Primitive Eleemosynary Institution— Early School at Smethport—
Education I^aw— School Commissioners and Delegates— School Tax—
Statlstical Report for 1888.
Medical— Physicians, Past and Present— Early Practitioners— Indian
Doctors — Remarkable Cure- Itinerant Disciples of yEscuLAPius — Mc-
Kean County Medical Association— List of Medical Men who have
Registered in McKe.'^n County since 1881.
T
NEWSPAPERS.
HE beginnings of journalism are contemporary with the beginnings of com-
mercial and political progress. Like these two important branches, jour-
nalism advanced slowly but certainly, and toward the close of the eighteenth
century, assumed pretensions, which have since become governing principles.
The newspaper took its full share in the trials and sacrifices of the Revolution
here, and even before that time, pointed out to the peoples of France and
America the odious system of class government, defining it as aristocracy — a
coalition of those who wish to consume without producing, to occupy all pub
lie places without being competent to fill them, and to seize upon all honors
without meriting them.
The journalists of that period were of the Franklin type the world over,
but cast in another matrice of thought; they knew nothing of the spirit of
Republicanism, if we accept a few publicists of France who dared to arraign
the aristocracy that grew wealthy on the robbery and degredation of thousands
of human beings. When great political reformations followed revolutionary
teachings, their attention was given to educating the enfi-anchised masses. Titles
were abolished, and ten thousand symbols of old-time ignorance and viciousness
were swept away. The Bohemian era was introduced under the new dispensa-
tion, and with it came some of the best and the most liberal thoughts of the
emaucijiated world.
Bohemia lias none but adopted sons;
Its limits, where fancy's briglit stream runs!
Its li.mois 111. I L'.-inirr.'d Uiv llirifl or trade,—
For l,r:iiiiv ;iihI inilli ni.'ii^ snuN were made.
Till- Vlll-.ir >\rju\ ol llir |„MllIioll- frast,
WlieiT llie heaviesi |.iir.M' is llic hiuiiest priest,
III the iKiiiie of aranli.His, ^lai i,i ir;il Christ;
The siinh> restrained, Ilic r.-|.r,i,il,le eant,
Wlien a frimd in wrA ix :, li jnid in want.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 145
When the county was organized, and iip to 1826, when the lirst courts were
held at Smethport, not one of the pioneers dreamed of a printing press. In
1827 D. Gotshall was county printer, his office being at Williamsport or
Wellsboro. The following bill, presented to SherifP 11. Wright, is the evidence
of the county's first expenditure for printing:
January 13, to one year's paper $3 00
April K, to advertising proclamation 2 50
July 24. to libel for divorce and sale 4 25
August 23, to proclamation 1 37
September 13, to printing hand-bills 4 GO
November 13, to advertising sale of real estate 1 00
November 27, to libel for divorce and proliate 5 00
Total f;20 12
Rankin, Lewis & Co. also did some printing for the county this year.
In 1828 Benjamin B. Smith of the Plioeni.v, Wellsboro, was appointed
county printer, for on April 29 he gave to Joseph Allen an order on the com-
missioners for $29.34, being very near the total amount of contract. This
order was given to cover a judgment obtained by Allen against J. F. Donald-
son, but was not paid until Sej^tember following. In 1831 A. H. Cory entered
the Phoeni.v ofiBce. and set type for McKean advertisements. A few years
passed by, when Hiram Payne, who came to this county in 1830 from Brad-
ford county, Penn., established the Forester, as related in the history of
Smethport. This was the pioneer newspaper of the county and the first in
the district, except the papers at Wellsboro, Warren and Franklin, which were
in existence in 1832, when in the State convention Mr. Payne claimed to rep-
resent more territory, more bears, more wolves, more porcupines and more
wild-cats than any five members of the convention, and the members called his
territory " The Wild-cat District." Miner, his son, is in New York city, and
Fred, is at Waverly, N. Y. A daughter married a son of John E. Niles. Vol-
ume 11, No. 19, of the Forester and Smethport Register was published June
14, 1834. Mr. Payne died two years ago at Wavei-ly, N. Y. The press
used in his office was brought hither from Philadelphia, and was known as a
" Eamage Press."
The McKean County Journal was issued by Richard Chadwick in 1834.
This life-long prothonotary of the county published the paper until Septem-
ber, 1837, when he sold the office to Asa H. Cory for $300.
The Beacon and McKean County Journal was issued in September, 1837,
although No. 51, of Volume 1. is dated April 13, 1839. It bears the name of
Asa Howe Cory as publisher. He bought the office of the Journal. Among
the advertisers were John Montgomery, of the AVilliamsville limekilns, twenty
miles southwest; of Holmes & Co.'s Smethport tannery; S. Sartwell, Jr.. a
stock of fulled cloth, and B. Freeman, a stock of general merchandise. O. J.
Hamlin and Hiram Payne were the resident lawyers, and W. Y. McCoy, resi-
dent physician. [Dr. George Darling moved to Brookville before this
period.] Thomas Hunt, a boy of seventeen years, left home, and for his
recovery the father, John Hunt, an English shoemaker, offered a reward of
one cent. The academical exhibition to be held on April 3, 1839, was also
advertised. Mr. Cory sold to J. B. Oviatt, who established the Settler and
Pennon.
The Settler and. Pennon, published at Smethport in the summer of 1839
by William S. Oviatt, was continued in 1845 by J. B. Oviatt. Volume 11,
No. 10, is dated December 24, 1840. Mr. Oviatt abolished Chadwick' s inde-
pendent ideas, and espoused the Democratic idea of the time.
146 HISTOBY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
The Tomahairk and Scalping Knife was the name given to a sheet pub-
lished at Smethport iifty years ago. In February, 1841, it became so objec-
tionable as to be brought before the grand jury and pronounced a nuisance.
Dwight Holcomb was the printer, and he and others were editors.
The McKean Yeoman and Elk County Advertiser, Volume III, No. 10,
bears date April 28, 1849. A. H. Cory being editor. No. 1 was issued in
December, 1846, by B. F. and A. H Cory, publishers. The journal was
Democratic. In its pages the legal advertisements of Elk county were contin-
ued for some years, and a good deal of attention was given to Elk county
jwlitieal news.
The McKean Orbit. Volume II, No. 27, published by J. B. Oviatt, was
issued Augiist 2, 1851. The first paper was issued October 13, 1849, by N.
W. Goodrich and J. B. Oviatt. John R. Chadwick thinks that the Yeoman
was merged into the Orbit in 1849.
The McKean News, Volume I, No. 52, published by George B. Backus, is
dated October 2, 1852, the first number being issued September 13, 1851, as
a Whig journal. Backus is said to have sold the office to F. A. Allen, and
moved to Colorado, where he died about the year 1870. The News was
neutral in politics.
The Citizen was established by F. A. Allen (who moved to Mansfield,
Penn. , and established the Soldiers' Home there) in September, 1853, and was
conducted by him until the spring of 1858, when he sold to Lucius Rogers,
formerly of the Warren Mail, who published the pajaer at Smethport up to
July 14, 1860, when the office was moved to Shippen (Emporium), and the
paper issued December 28. Volume I, No. 42, of the McKean Citizen is
dated April 7, 1855, and bears the signature of Charles H. Allen, editor.
The McKean County Miner, successor of the Bradford Miner, was issued
June 6, 1863, by L. Rogers, the news pages being devoted to war items.
In May, 1871, E. H. and J. C. Bard were publishers, and L. Rogers editor,
of the Miner; but on Julv 27 following, H. F. Barbour took the place of J.
C. Bard and also that of" Capt. Rogers. On March 11. 1880, E. H. Bard,
who for the greater part of eighteen years was connected with the Miner,
and who. in 1873, sold his interest in the office to H. F. Barbour, repur-
chased the office and was publisher until January, 1883, when Mr. Bailwur
again took control, selling to Capt. Rogers in January, 1884.
The McKean Democrat was established at Smethport in 1879 by Clark
Wilson, one of the oldest newspaper men in the State. This journal is devoted
solely to Democratic interests.
In 1831-32 Orlo J. Hamlin wrote the historical sketch published in 1832 in
Hazard's Gazetteer, and in 1850 Josiah Priest wrote a history of the Oswayo
Valley, which was never published.
The Bradford Miner was established at Bradford in 1858 by Daniel Kings-
bury. J. K. Haffey and others. The editor. John Keenan Haffey, a native of
Armagh. Ireland, born in 1831, died at Beverly. N. J., in November. 1881.
In 1852 he came to Bradford, married Diantha DeGolier, in 1858 established
the Bradford Miner, and in 1861 entered Col. Kane's regiment as sergeant of
Company I. On returning in 1865 he was one of the first to be interested in
the oil exploration on the outskirts of the present city, and became active
in oil circles. The New Era was founded at Bradford in 1875 by J. K. Haffey
as a semi-weekly newspaper; Init six months later he sold to FerriTi & Weber.
After the death of Daniel Kingsbury, Col. Haffey aided the Universalist
society in securing the property at the corner of North Mechanic and Corydon.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 147
streets, and after the collapse of the first society organized a second. In LS78
he established the Banner at Beverly. N. J.
The Bradford Era was issued 'October 29, 1877, in Bradford, from the
office of Weber. Ferrin & Persons (over the old Star Clothing House on Main
street). The salutatory points out its independent principles, and further
states as follows: " We do not run the paper for glory or notoriety; that we
could have obtained by becoming the president of a savings bank, pocketing
the depositors' money and then going to State prison. * * * * w^
have faith in the Latin proverb. Omnia Vincit Labor." In 1878 Mr. Thorn-
ton, now of the Bradford Era, took the position of oil reporter on the old Era^
and in September of that year furnished the first perfect review of the Brad
ford oil field.
The Daily Breeze was established in the fall of 1878, at Bradford, by David
Armstrong for a stock company. L. C. Morton, who died at Montreal in
1884, was one of the stafP, and altogether it was credited with being one of the
leading daily journals of the State. S. K. Dunkle was the first business man
ager ontil succeeded by Mr. Linderman. Early in 1879 the publishers of the
Breeze purchased the opposition Era office, and Jordan, Longwell & Co. took
charge of the consolidated journals and continued the publication of the Era.
W. F. Jordan was editor, with P. H. Linderman, biisiness manager, J. C.
McMullen, oil reporter, L. C. Morton, night editor, and E. A. Bradshaw (who
succeeded Frank Vogel). city editor. The notice of incorporation of The
Era Publishing Company appeared in Augu.st, 1887, when H. McSweeney, C.
H. Lay, Jr., F. Gr. Ridgway. John R. Campliell and William T. Scheide peti-
tioned for a charter. Patrick C. Boyle was then editor of the Era. with George
S. Bright associate manager, who resigned to take charge of the Jamestown
News, when A. L. Snell. who was previously oil editor, was promoted asso-
ciate manager. The present staff comprises P. C. Boyle, A. L. Snell, C. Den-
nison (who succeeded C. H. Steiger transferred to Toledo) and A. H. Thorn-
ton. There are fifteen printers employed. Mrs. Ada Cable is reporter for the
Era. the only lady engaged in reportorial work in the city, and with the ex-
ception of Miss Malone. of Kane, the only one in the field.
The Bradford Sunday Herald was issued in Bradford, August 4, 1878, by
the Herald Company, in the interests of the labor party and greenback money.
The Sunday News was established April 15, 1879 [On the Sunday prior
to April 11, 1879. the Era ceased publication of a Sunday issue.], by Butler
Bros., now of BiifiFalo, who continued publication up to November, 1883, when
P. H. Linderman jnirchased the office. This journal has been regularly pub-
lished down to the present day.
The Daily Blaze was established by David Armstrong in April, 1879. On
one occasion the paper was printed in blood-red ink, to signify its terrible hos-
tility toward the Standard Oil Company. His staff comprised S. K. Dunkle,
manager; and J. L. Howell, foreman and local editor. The office was on the
corner of Newell avenue and Webster street, adjoining the old Academy of
Music. The Blaze went down in a blaze of glory within three or four months,
and the editor- in chief moved to Canada.
The Star was established in 1879 by Eben Brewer (now editor of the Erie
Despatch) as an evening journal. Late that year the office became the prop-
erty of F. N. Farrar and A. J. Carr, and in May, 1880. H. F. Barbour pur-
chased the latter' s interest, and the same fall sold to R. B. Stone, who was
practically sole owner. In 1883 the office was sold to George E. Allen & Co.,
who conducted the Star until May, 1884, when Mr. Barbour became half-
owner and editor. In June, 1885, the Star Publishing Company was incor-
148 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
porated, with H. F. Barbour, president, and R. E. AN'biteley, secretary and
treasurer. In October, 1885, the office was moved from the old stone building
on Pine street, to the present quarters in the Producers' Exchange. There
are fourteen hands employed. George E. Allen, who posed as a lazy man while
running the Star, was making a success of the Railway Magazine, of Buffalo,
in 1885.
The Petroleum Age was issued in December, 1882, by W. J. McCullagh
and A. J. Carr. In July, 1880, A. L. Snell came to Bradford as correspond-
ent of the Oil City Derrick, and became connected with the Era. In 1882 he
joined the Cherry Grove Scouts, and in August, 1883, he purchased the
Petroleum Age, then published by W. J. McCullagh & Co., J. C. McMullen
and W. C. Armor being the partners in the new purchase. On December 1,
1887, Mr. Snell and Mr. Armor sold their interests to McMullen, who con-
tinued i^ublication until his death. The Age was very ably conducted.
The Sunday Morning was established at Bradford in 1882, Phil. J. Welch
being then editor, and Benzinger & Edwards proprietors. This journal is
said to have run only a short time, and closed with the publication of Walt
Whitman's poem, Blades of Grass, the issue selling for 11 per copy.
The Sunday Mail was established at Bradford by A. J. Carr. Toward its
latter days it was printed in the Star office, and in 1884 was absorbed by the
Star, hence the hyphenated name, Star-Mail, given to the weekly edition of
the Star. The paper was established in 1881.
The Kendall Clnn-rh Visitor is published at Tarport.
The Kvi'iiiinj Cull was issued at Bradford in November, 1885, to oppose
the iSYor, which then opposed the Typographical Union. The life of this
journal was short, indeed, having ceased publication early in the following
December.
The Daily Oil News was issued at Bradford October 3, 1887, by J. C. Mc-
Mullen and E. A. Bradshaw. The journal continued regular publication until
June, 1888. *
The Bradford Press club was organized January 29, 1884, with Will F.
Jordan, president; George E. Allen, vice-president; P. H. Linderman, treas-
itrer; A. J. Carr, financial secretary; C. H. Steiger, recorder; George H.
Leader, Col. L. M. Morton, T. E. Kern, L. E. Fuller and J. C. McMullen,
directors; Joseph Moorehead, E. A. Bradshaw, Dr. N. L. Willard, L. F.
Camp and Col. L. M. Morton, committee men.
The Reporter was established at Port Allegany by A. J. Hughes, May 27,
1874. The editor made many specious promises and, what is better, more
than fulfilled them; for seldom, if ever, has a local journal, more complete in
news items and historical and industrial reviews, been examined by the writer.
F. A. Thomas, now of the Miner, was the first typo here. As Mr. Hui^lics has held
the editor's chair continuously since 1874, he may be consiilcnil the senior
member of the newspaper circle of McKean. He witnessed the otalilishment
and fall of many newspaper enterprises, the while building up his own office,
until now it is one of the most perfect news and job establishments in this
congressional district. From the files of the Reporter many interesting items
of history have been obtained. Among the officers of the Pennsylvania Edi-
torial Association, elected at Harrisburg, January 22, 18U0, was A. J. Hughes,
of the Reporter.
C. E. Wright, who died here in March, 1889, was born in New York State
September 5. 1814. In 1838 he married Martha Wright, of Eldred, and soon
after moved to Honesdale, where he published the Herald. Later he returned
to Deposit, N. Y., and founded the Courier, in which otHce "P. V. Crosby"
^^ --'?^^'^
=<
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 151
served his apprenticeship. From 1855 to 1874 or 1875 Mr. Wright resided at
Janesville, except while assisting in compiling the Chicago Directory. Charles
E. Wright, his son, died in 1861), while on the editorial staff of the Times.
A short time prior to his death he contributed a few papers on local history to
the Miner, and for years was a contributor to the Reporter.
The Ceres Neivs was issued at Ceres in 1874 by Jerry Barker. One volume
was issued within fourteen months, when a humorous valedictory was issued.
The disappointed editor died a poor man, at Machias. The second paper
published at Ceres was the Courant, issued by J. P. Herrick in the summer of
1886. The success of this journal under Mr. Herrick is told by the fact that
in May, 1889, a two- story building was completed, and opened as the office.
The Oswayo Valley Mail is the new name of the Consolidated Ceres Courant
and the Sharon Leader, of which Mr. Herrick is publisher. The consolidation
dates to April, 1889.
The Eldred Express was issued at Eldred August 17, 1878, by Judson
Howden, publisher, and A. J. Hughes, of the Reporter, owner. In September,
1879, this journal was consolidated with the present Reporter of Port Allegany.
The Eldred Eagle was issued at Eldred by A. D. Gould, August 24, 1878,
as an independent journal in politics. When the Express people witnessed
the failure of the Eldred oil field, they ceased their contest with the American
bird, who has held the field successfully down to the present time.
The Herald was issued at Duke Centre in November, 1879, by Wellington
& Carr. Other journals followed during the- great oil fever at this point; but
now the Auger is the only journal published. A number of small papers were
issued at various oil camps since 1878, such as the Bordell Bazoo, The Driller.
The Kane Blade was published at Kane as an independent weekly news-
paper by O. B. Lay, from 1879 to 1882. It was printed in Ridgway, until the
tire of September, 1882, destroyed the printing office there, when the Blade
suspended publication.
Kane Leader.— On July 2, 1885, Earl Bros., of Sterling and T. J. Malone,
of Ridgway, formed a partnership and published the Kane Leader. Earl
Bros., on March 11, 1886, sold their interest to a friend of Mr. Malone' s.
December 24, 1886, Mr. Malone transferred his interest to Miss Ada C. Ma-
lone, who, under the name of "The Leader Publishing Company" manao-ed
the paper until May 5, 1887, when it was purchased by Eugene J. Miller.
During the Prohibitory Amendment Campaign of 1889 Mr. Miller sold the
paper to a Prohibitionist who desired to control it, and Miss Malone again
became its publisher in 1889. The Leader is a weekly journal carefully edited,
and replete with local news.
SCHOOLS.
The school history of McKean county begins in September, 1807, when
John Keating, the donor of the county seat, set aside 150 acres for the sup-
port of a teacher, and subscribed 1500 toward a school building. A refer-
ence to the transactions of the commissioners will show that for fifteen years,
at least, no steps were taken to utilize this liberal grant. The first school,
however, was opened at Instanter in 1809. Joseph Otto taught the second
school in the county at his house. It was an eleemosynary institution, sug-
gested by the ignorance and wants of the times, and, like the age, very
primitive. In time the academy was established at Smethport, a few sub-
scription schools were opened throughout the county, and the system of com-
mon schools was adopted.
Richard Chadwick taught a school at Smethport in 1828, havino- constructed
152 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
a frame house for that purpose in rear of the present Methodist church. Mr.
Chaclwick compiled an arithmetic, and had it printed at Williamsport, which
was used for a number of years. The Ked School-house was erected on the
lot where Dr. Freeman now resides, in about 1834. Jedediah Darling, Anson
and William Burlingame and Dr. Graves were among the lirst teachers, and to
them the children of the pioneers went to be educated.
In November, 1831, the education law was in force here, Amos Patterson,
Brewster Freeman and John Smith being commissioners. John Morris was
delegate from Ceres; Lemuel Lucore, from Shippen; Orville Ketchum, from
Keating; Ambrose Corey, from Bradford; Russell M. Freeman, from Cory-
don, and Henry Scott, from Sergeant. All agreed on appropriating moneys
for common schools, and levied a school tax of one mill per dollar valuation.
In 1835 the delegates were Rensselaer Wright, John Chandler, Nathaniel
White, A. Corey, David Cargill and Daniel A. Esterbrooks, from the respect-
ive townships, with Asa P. Barnaby, of Liberty, and Epaphas Root, of Hamil-
ton. A mill tax was authorized in the face of strong opposition. In 1836
William White represented Norwich as school delegate; James Greene took
Freeman's place as commissioner, and a oue-half-raill tax was authorized.
The growth of the system is shown by Supt. W. P. Eckels' report on the
schools of McKean county for the year ending June 4, 1888. This document
gives the following figures: 163 school-houses, or 190 rooms, 6 houses being
built during the previous year; 63 male and 202 female teachers; 4,668 male
and 4,360 female pupils, of whom 6,435 attended school; school tax, $93,-
599.28; State moneys, 17,212; total revenue, $117,833.53, of which the sum
of $64,762.36 was paid to teachers. The total expenditures amounted to
1111,514.52.
There were fifteen graded schools, and twenty-four districts in which books
are supplied free. At Bradford there were five school buildings, containing
thirty-two rooms. There are 1.905 pupils enrolled, presided over by thirty -
three female teachers, of whom Miss Ella M. Boyce was superintendent. The
Catholic separate schools, in charge of the Sisters, also claim a large attendance.
PHYSICIANS.
In 1817 Dr. Butterfield, who settled at Clermont, then called Instanter,
attended, in 1818, Richard Chadwick, of Rich Valley. Dr. Coleman was a
farmer and hotel keeper near the Coleman homestead. He was a very excel-
lent citizen, birt did not make medicine a profession.
Dr. George Darling, the first physician of the county who devoted his time
to the profession, settled at Smethport in 1827-28. Dr. R. B. Graves was
school-teacher and physician. Dr. W. Y. McCoy came shortly after, and mar-
ried Dr. Darling's daughter, who died in 1832. She was the first person
buried in the old Smethport cemetery. William Printup, a native physician
of the Oneida Indians, was born during the Revolutionary war, and conse-
quently was too young to share with his tribe in their removal to Canada,
or death. At the time that George Long, George Saltsman, Peter Grove and
the other great frontier men were carrying on their warfare against the In-
dians on the Sinnemahoning, Printup was a boy, but he remembered the two
companies of Oneidas — one of twenty-five men (hunters), one of forty men
(warriors) — who were still working under the British license. This Printup,
with the remaining Oneidas, hunted through this district until 1845. Elihu
Chadwick, Jr., was dangerously ill at Lafayette Corners, twelve miles west of
Smethport, in June, 1831, and the local physicians failing to cure the sufferer.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 153
Printup took charge of the patient, and within ten days had him able to ride
home in an ox sled, Edmund Freeman and Gideon Irons assisting.
Dr. Jedediah Darling died February 22, 1871. He was born in Massa-
chusetts September 25, IS 14, and came to Bunker Hill with his father in 1822.
After a term of study in Dr. McCoy's office he began practice. Dr. Joshua
Baxom was at Smethport prior to 1837. The house in which he lived, while
being moved in 1838, careened, killing Joseph Barnes, who was assisting in the
work. Dr. Jones is said to have practiced at Smethport as early as 1840;
Drs. Nobles and E. C. Olds were at Littleton (Bradford), and also Goit Brown
and McDougall. About this period a number of physicians, whose names are
scattered throughout the sketches of townships and boroi;ghs, were here. Dr.
B. F. Cory studied in Ohio, and practiced here as early as 1844, then moved to
Ironton, Ohio, in 1852, where he now resides. Dr. Wisner came here early in
the "fifties," moved to Michigan after the war, where he died about 1887.
Silvanus D. Freeman came in 1856, and still resides here. Henry L. McCoy
came after the war. Kanistanaux, an Indian doctress, was a professional vis-
itor in 1866, and also Dr. A. C. Jackson.
The McKean County Medical Association was organized July 24, 1880,
with Dr. F. M. Follett, president; Dr. Hand, vice-president; Dr. S. B. Dorn,
secretary, and Dr. Murdoch, treasurer. Drs. Matteson, Buss, Dorand, Wallace
and Wright, with the officers, were the constituent members. Dr. Shoemaker,
of Bradford, died in 1888. Dr. S. D. Freeman, Dr. Dorn. Dr. Buss, Dr. Henry
L. McCoy, have served the society as presidents.
The following is a list of the medical men who have registered in McKean
county from 1881 to 1889, inclusive:
Those who registered in 1881 were as follows:
Silvanus D. Freeman, Buffalo, 1856. Abrani Jlaver, Bavaria, 1866.
Edward G. Brown, Buffalo, 187.5. F. U. Follett, Buffalo, 1863.
Thomas H. Carroll, Buffalo, 1881. G. S. Wykoff, Buffalo, 1877.
Wilfred W. Streeter, Washin.^ton, 1875. J. A. Wallace, Philadelphia. 1869.
Matthaeum M. Griffith, Philadelphia, 1867. G. W. Weaver, Philadelphia, 1873.
Henrv Wilson, Buffalo, 1872. James L. Carnahan, Cleveland, 1874.
Joseph H. Shuey. Cleveland, 1876. John C. Swan. Philadelphia, 1876.
W. P. Shoemaker. Ann Arbor, 1874. H. Scott Baker, Ann Arbor, 1855.
Myron A. Todd, Cleveland, 1876. A. R. Baker. Cleveland, 1879.
Bela E. Phelps. Buffalo, 1847. James T. Kin.sler. Bellevue, N.Y.. 1867.
O. S. Wright, Ann Arbor, 1875. Julius Scheflfer. Germany. 1865.
David E. Matteson, Cleveland. 1873. Urban G. Mease, Philadelphia, 1867.
T. J. Martin, Philadelphia, 1878. W. L. Craig. , 1871.
Ana. F, McKay, Georgetown, 1872. W. F. Couners. New York. 1880.
A. F. Groves, New York, 1879. W. H. Kinnier, Albany, 1881.
Chester 8. Hubbard, Ann Arbor, 1877. Merritt Wilcox. Philadelphia, 1866.
Sylvester S. Satterlee. Cleveland, 1872. Horace A. Place, New York, 1878.
Charles D. Buss, New York. 1876. W. R. Dorand, Philadelphia, 1870.
G. H. Monegan. Cleveland. 1880. Thomas D. Ross. Cleveland. 1878.
L. B. C. Phelps, Columbus. 1877. Henry L. McCoy. Buffalo. 1868.
Henry A. Page, Yale, 1865. W. Robert Hand. Cincinnati. 1877.
W. W. Powell. Ann Arljor, 18.54. John E. McDougal. , 1871.
Frank H. Murdoch. Ann Arbor. 1873. James V. Otto, Buffalo. 1878.
Thomas H. Stewart. Berks, Mass, 1844. John S. Stearns, Buffalo. 1872.
Khv a. Sweet, Buffalo, 1880. A. K. Corbin. New York. 1881.
Justin C. Elliott. Buffalo. 1851. H. T. Dunbar. Cincinnati. 1876.
H. A. Canfield, Ann Arbor, 1877. Nathaniel Sweet. Buffalo, 1865.
James Love. Pennsylvania. 1851. W. A. Hobday, Buffalo, 1881.
Edwin A. Walter. Cleveland, 1879. C. H. Gumaer. Ann Arbor. 1878.
G. W. Rae. Canada, 1875. Thomas E. Lewis, U. S. Cert., 1863.
G. E. Benninghofl, Cleveland, 1879. Albert H. Smith. Buffalo, 1865.
Sidney E. Ford, Cleveland. 1878. Fred C. Cluxton, Canada, 1870.
John D. Maloy, Buffalo, 1875. Luther Phillips, Cincinnati, 1856.
A. M. Williams, Philadelphia, 1867. W. C. Tracy. Boston. 1866.
154 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
J. H. Harmon, Pennsylvania. 1869. G. H. Preston. New York. 1879.
Comfort Carpenter, Pennsylvania, 1871. Simon B. Stevens, Cincinnati, 1877.
Samuel G. Ginner, Pennsylvania, 1871. S. B. Hartman, Philadelphia, 18.57.
Sullivan B. Dorn. Pennsylvania. 1870. .Jacob E. Kincaid. Buffalo, 1879.
Charles P. Ailing, Cleveland, 1862. John R. McCarthy, Buffalo, 1866,
Lyman Deck, Ann Arbor, 1878. Lewis Balfour, Edinburgh. 1871.
John C. Cheeseman, Buffalo. 1865. G. H. Gollry, Buffalo, 1860.
O. W. Sadler, Chicago, 1868.
Those who registered in 1882 were as follows:
W. Y. McCoy, Ohio, M. C, 1877. Thomas C. .James, New York, 1874.
C. H. Reed, New York, 1876. Andrew Meisell, Austria, 1843.
F. W. Hogarth, Buffalo, 1868. Emily A. Corbin. 1868.
Those who registered in 1883 were as follows:
Jacob C. Batdorf, Columbus, 1864. James Nichols. Buffalo. 1864.
Robert J. Sharp, New York, 188:3. Elmer E. Livingstone, Buffalo, 1883.
F. W. Johnson, , 188:1 Rufus A. Egbert, Ann Arbor, 1875.
Those who registered in 1884 were as follows:
Francis H. Linning, Am. Ec, Ohio, 1881. W. H. Perdomo, New York, 1883.
E. O. Anderson, Philadelphia, 1880. S. S. Herman, Buffalo, 1884.
Evanum O. Kane, Jefferson College, 1884. Henry J. Nichols, Buffalo. 1883.
Ed. Van Sooy. Ec. I'ennsylvauia, 1873. James Johnston. Canada. 1884.
Those who registered in 1885 were as follows:
Erwin M. Coss. Buffalo, 1884. John P. De Lancy. New York, 1885.
Martin E. Drake. Cleveland, 1885. J. C. F. Bush, Baltimore, 1880.
Elizabeth D. Kane, Women's Medical Col- Harriet A. Kane, Women's Medical Col-
lege of Pennsylvania, 1883. lege of Pennsylvania, 1885.
Those who registered in 1886 were as follows:
Gardner B. Young. New York, 1886. S, M. K. Wells, Buffalo, 1883.
Thomas L. Kane. Philadelphia, 1886. H. C. Chesney, Fort Wayne, 1883.
David Howard, McKean county, 1866. Francis E. Watts. Chicago, 1883,
F, W. Winger, New York, 1886.
Those who registered in 1887 were as follows:
James M. Peebles, Philadelphia, 1876. Walter B. Hottell, Cleveland. 1886.
W. J. Armstrong, New York, 1888. Joseph B. Colcord, Baltimore, 1885.
James H. Douglass, Baltimore, 1883. Joseph Ward, Cleveland, 1885.
Orra M. Cain.
Those who registered in 1888 were as follows:
B. Chadwick, Philadelphia. 1888. Thomas Eddy. Cincinnati. 1854.
Dunham E. Ash. Ohio, 1887. C. M. Blakeslee. , 18.59.
Those who registered in 1889 were as follows:
J. G. Taylor, , 1864 John C. Brown, Buffalo, 1889.
Eli Monell, , 1870. W. J. Frederick.s, Philadelphia, 1889.
James B. Stewart, Cincinnati, 1888. Walter J. Russell. Philadelphia, 1889.
A. M. Straight, Ohio, 1871. John L. Wright, Philadelphia, 1881.
, Griggs, Chicago,
A. Grace White, of Bradford, registered William R. Gibson, August 12,
iu June, 1889. Nelson Cheney, September, 5, 1889.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 155
CHAPTER IX.
RAILROADS.
The Kinzua Viaduct— The Wauren Railroad Convention— Sunbury &
Erie R. R.— Buffalo, Bradford & Pittsburgh R. R.— The Turkey Path
—Sale of the Western New York & Pennsylvania R. R.— Olean. Brad-
ford & Warren R. R.— Bradford & Foster Brook R. R.— The " Peg-Leg "
Line— Bradford, B0RDELL& Kinzua R. R.— Bradford, DeGolier&Smeth-
port R. R.— Pittsburgh, Bradford & Buffalo Ry., and Big Level &
Bradford R. R.— Big Level & Kinzua R. K.— Bradford R. R. and Kinzua
R. R.— Bradford & State Line R R. Co.— Buffalo Division of Rochester
& Pittsburgh R. R. Co —Miscellaneous.
IF variety be a recommeadation to railroad systems, McKean county is
singularly well endowed. Here have been constructed roads, ranging
from a single rail to a double track of six-feet gauge, and from a prairie level
to a grade of 264 feet per mile. In the matter of viaducts the county is no
less blessed, for every form of bridge from the common wooden culvert to the
Kinzua viaduct is found. This latter structure completed September 2, 1882,
may be classed as one of the world's wonders. This bridge rests on founda-
tions of sandstone, quarried near by. It consists of twenty lower spans of
thirty-eight and a half feet each, and twenty one intermediate spans of sixty-
one feet each. The trains run 301 feet above the creek bed, and the length of
the structure is 2,051 feet. The first watchman (StafPord) used to inspect
three of the twenty towers every day. In the winter of 1883-84, while en-
gaged in this work, the air benumbed his hands, so that he could not cling
longer to the braces, and losing his grip, fell sixty-five feet into a deep snow-
drift which saved him. On another occasion some one hailed him from the
track, and, forgetting his location, he let go his hold and was falling from the top
girts, when a friendly iron brace, within reach, saved his life. The old " Peg-
Leg " Railroad, now a thing of the past, was wonderfully unique. It belonged
to Bradford's infancy and for this reason is referred to historically in the
sketch of that city. To-day a ride on the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Rail-
road, is almost as exciting as a chariot- race or bull fight, and a trij) from
Bradford to Smethport, or south on the main line, is something at once enjoy-
able and instructive. A reference to the fir.st chapter will point out the sharp
high elevations over which our engineers have carried this and other local rail-
roads.
The Warren railroad convention of June, 1851, claimed Representatives
O. J. Hamlin, Hiram Payne and N. W. Goodrich, of McKean county; Henry
Souther, James L. Gillis and C. K. Early, of Elk county, on the executive
committee. Many other citizens, however, were present as delegates. Work
on the Sunbury & Erie Railroad was soon after commenced, and the comple-
tion of that road through McKean, Elk and Cameron counties in 1804 followed.
The BufPalo, Bradford & Pittsburgh Railroad from Carrollton to Gilesburg,
twenty-six miles, was consolidated in 1859 with the Buffalo & Pittsburgh and
the Buffalo & Bradford Railroads, and o]iened January 5, 1866.
The Turkey Path was proposed in 1872, and §50,000 was expended on sur-
156 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
vey and right of way. ■ Asa H. Cory was agent for purchase of right of way,
and B. D. Hamlin attorney, in 1873. This road was graded through Farmers
Valley by Contractors A. I. Wilcox and Capt. Murphy, who abandoned it the
same year.
In April, 1881, the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad was sold
to Archer N. Martin. This sale covered the main line, 121 miles; the Olean,
Bradford & Warren Narrow Gauge (twenty-three miles of which were then
built); the Kendall & Eldred Narrow Gauge (eighteen miles opened July 30,
1877); the McKeaa Railroad from Larrabee, twenty-three miles up to the coal
mines, together with IB, 000 acres of the Buffalo Coal Company's lands. The
price paid was $4,850,000, exclusive of 13,000,000 first and $1,000,000 second
mortgage bonds. Sherman S. Jewett represented the old company, A. N.
Martin represented the purchasing syndicate, while the city of Buffalo, owner
of $700,000 stock, was also represented. The Olean, Bradford & Warren
Railroad was opened in 1878 to the State line (twelve miles), and from the
State line to Bradford the same year.
The Bradford & Foster Brook Railroad Company was incorporated in Octo-
ber, 1877, with Col. A. I. Wilcox, president; John B. Brawley, M. N. Allen,
S. H. Bradley, Roy Stone, George Gilmore and E. W. Codington, directors.
The object was to build a railroad from Bradford to Gillmor City, on Foster
Brook, the gauge not to exceed three feet. Among the stockholders were the
officers named, with C. W. Staats and T. J. Skidmore. The work of construc-
tion was soon commenced, and in January, 1878, the road was opened to Tar-
port, running in opposition to the Olean & Bradford Narrow Gauge, com-
pleted February 11 that year. Eli Perkins, who traveled on the Peg-Leg in
February, 1878, describes the road as follows:
The cars run astride an elevated track on a single rail. Tliis rail is nailed to a single
wooden stringer which rests on the top of piles. So evenly balanced is the train, that
passing over a pond or creek at the rate of twenty miles an hour the water is hardly dis-
turbed. The motive for building is economy, the price per mile being $3,000, and the
cost of a ten-ton locomotive, |8,000. The locomotive is a queer looking thing. An Irish-
man here compared it to a gigantic pair of boots swung over a clothes line. The boiler
is without a flue, the engine without a piston, and the driver without a crank. I rode
with Gen. Stone around corners and up steep grades at thirty miles an hour.
Eli exaggerated somewhat, as this speed was never attained, there were no
corners, and little or nothing in the way of grades. The Peg-Leg depots were
Bradford, Tarport, Foster Brook, Babcock's Mill, Harrisburg Run and Derrick
City. Ten double trips would be made daily, and an accident was chronicled
almost every day. The accident of Augitst, 1878, was a trivial one. It
appears that immediately after the two flat cars were pulled out of the depot,
by the new locomotive, A. I. Wilcox, the timbers holding the single track gave
way and the fiat cars fell ten feet, leaving the engine on the track. In May,
Httgh Brawley, now deptity prothonotary, was appointed conductor. In De-
cember he moved to Smethport, leaving George Grogan to take his place. On
Janirary 27, 1879, the explosion of a boiler, during the trial of the Gibbs &
Sterrett locomotive, over the Peg-Leg. resulted in the death of six men and
the mutilation of three others: George Grogan (conductor), John Addis (brake-
man), John Vaughn (engineer), Charles Shepherd (assistant superintendent),
Michael Hollevan (fireman) and Thomas Luby (engineer) being killed, and
Sterrett, Peterson and Gartside injured. In February; 1870, the road was
sold to Allen & Skidmore, and in March, 1880, it was disposed of at sheriff" s sale.
The Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad Company was incorjiorated
March 4, 188(t; among the local directors were F. E. Boden, W. F. Jordan,
James Broder, W. W. Brown, G. L. Roberts, of Bradford, and C. H. Knox,
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 157
of Kendall. On April 17 the first locomotive was placed on the track for
construction purposes, and the road was opened for traflSc June 7, ISSO, to
Kinzua junction, the train being in charge of Conductor Stubey, with A. T.
Harris, engineer, and Reuben Sweet, express messenger. The officers of this
company for 1890 are as follows: President, J. J. Carter; vice-president, W.
W. Brown; directors: John E. Ransom, of Buffalo, N. Y. ; A. S. Murray,
Jr.. of New York; John C. Havemeyer, of New York; August Stein, of New
York; M. L. Hinman. of Dunkirk, N. Y. ; W. W. Brown, of Bradford, Penn. ;
A. I. Wilcox, of Bradford, Penn. ; George A. Eckbert, of Titusville, Penn. ;
John C. McKenna, of Bradford, Penn. ; John J. Carter, of Titusville, Penn.
In September, Craigie, Rafforty & Yeomans signed the contract for build-
ing the road from Simpson's to Smethport, and December 16 the first train
arrived at the county seat, with President J. J. Carter, Attorney W. W.
Brown, F. E. Bodeu, James Broder, A. I. Wilcox and J. W. Humphrey, of
Bradford, among the passengers. The first freight was received by Ed.
Schenek, of the Bennett House.
Col. Carter, lessee of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua, reported a total tonnage
of 430,000 tons five years ago, when he took charge, and 2,000,000 tons in
1889. This road is now known as the Bradford & Smethport Railroad, and
forms part of the old Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua system. The officers elected
in 1890 are as follows: President, J. J. Carter; vice-president, A. I. Wilcox;
directors: J, J. Carter. J. C. McKenna, W. W. Brown, G. L. Roberts, A. I.
Wilcox, J. E. Ransom, M. L. Hinman, L. J. Backer, August Stein. The
other officers of the roads elected are as follows: Superintendent, J. C. Mc-
Kenna; treasurer, C. T. Griggs; secretary, J. E. Ransom; auditor, W. R.
Diffenbach.
The Bradford, DeGolier & Smethport Railroad Company was organized
April 16, 1880, under charter, with L. Emery, Jr., president; Eben Brewer, sec-
retary; Robert H. Rose, treasurer; R. B. Stone, George A. Berry, M. A. Sprague.
C. S. King, P. H. Towell and W. C. Kennedy, with the officers named, directors.
The people of Smethport soon entered the project, B. D. Hamlin, D. Sterrett
and R. H. Rose, leading, and by April 22, $8,00() dollars were subscribed. In
May, 1880, the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad Company was consoli-
dated with the Bradford, DeGolier & Smethport Road, the condition being that
the latter" s charter be surrendered, and .$30,000 subscribed to the stock of
the first named company.
Under the management of Col. C. W. Mackey, of Franklin, the Pitts
burgh, Bradford & Buffalo Railway was extended to Kane in 1883. The
same year it was consolidated with the Big Level & Bradford Railroad (par-
tially constructed in 1881 by Gen. Kane) and the united railroad was in turn
consolidated with the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad, and completed to-
Mount Jewett. Difficulties of transfer from narrow to standard gauge at
Mount Jewett however prevented the development of much traffic until, in
ISSt), Elisha K. Kane joined with five of the stockholders of the Pittsburgh &
Western Railroad, and built the Big Level & Kinzua Railroad from Mount
Jewett to Ormsby station on the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad. Con-
tracts were then entered into by which the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Rail-
road Company gained control of the line from Ormsby to Kane, and have since
operated it greatly to the satisfaction of the people of Kane, and to the devel-
opment of traffic.
The railroad accident of January, 1884, on the Bradford, Bordell &
Kinzua Road, three miles from Bradford and one from Tarport, resulted in the
death of three female passengers and one male, and injury to many others. It
158 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
appears that oil from the Anchor Company's tank on the Buchanan farm leaked,
in large quantities, down the steep bill to the railroad track, and running along
the track formed a pool 1.000 feet below. Engineer Patrick Sexton and Fire-
man Walsh did not suspect the presence of oil until the gas caught the engine
fire, and in a minute the engineer opened the throttle wide to fly through the
flames. It was a terrible ride, the air-pipe couplings were burned, and the
train plunged down a grade of 130 feet per mile, until derailed at the curve,
the engineer and fireman being at their posts until their roasting flesh com-
pelled them to plunge into the snow. The persons burned to death were Mrs.
Fair, of Kinzua Junction; Mrs. Jones, of Kew City; Miss Moran, of Allen, and
the aged Prof. Fought, of Tarport.
The Bradford Railroad, fourteen miles to the intersection of the Kinzua
Railroad, was opened in July, 1881. The Kinzua Railroad from that point to
Kinzua, twelve miles, was also built. The Bradford & State Line Railroad
Company was incorporated September 23, 1881, to build a road from Bradford
to the crossing of the State line at Tuna creek. The consolidation of the Alle-
gheny & Kinzua and Bradford & Corydon Roads, embracing what is known as
the"Bullis Lumber Roads," was effected in February, 1890. The Allegheny
& Kinzua had ten miles of road constructed from Red House on the Western
New York & Pennsylvania Railroad to Freck's lumber station, the Bradford
& Corydon Railroad, fifteen miles from Bradford to Coifey run. S. S. Bullis
was chosen president, and C. D. Williams, of Bradford, superintendent. The
branch road connecting Freck & Gilbert's mills up the west branch, runs
through ten miles of dense forest.
The third railroad connecting Bradford with BufPalo was opened November
19, 1883, by the Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad Company. It is known as
the Buffalo division, extending to Punxsutawuey, about 182 miles. The inaug-
uration train was in charge of Joe Consalus, with William Hayden, engineer,
and James M. Nevins, baggageman.
In December, 1878. a meeting was held at Eldred to consider the question
of building the Wellsville & Eldred Railroad, Guerdon Evans presiding. In
May, 1881, this narrow gauge railroad was commenced, W. F. Jones being
president; William Duke, vice-president; L. S. Anderson, secretary; W. A.
Baldwin, treasurer, and C. A. Farnum, attorney at the time. Work on the
Eldred & Rew City Railroad was commenced May 28, 1882. In May, 188(3,
the contract for building the narrow gauge from Mount Jewett to Ormsby was
sold to Tennant & Johnson. This road was suggested in 1858 by Gen. Kane.
The Mount Jewett, Kinzua & Riterville Railroad Company was chartered in
April, 1889, with Elisha K. Kane, president. The capital stock was placed at
$80,000. The line is eight miles long, e.xtending from the junction of the Big
Level & Kinzua Railroad at Mount Jewett to the junction of the New York,
Lake Erie & Western Railroad, near Crawfords Summit. The work of con-
struction was at once entered upon, and by the close of July the road was ready
for the iron to Kushequi, or crossing of Kinzua creek, where McClellan &
Kane's large saw-mill was being built. The road was completed to Doyle's
mill, two miles below, in September. It is proposed to build the road through
to the mouth of the Kinzua. The Philadelphia & Erie Railroad branch between
Johnsonbnrg and Clermont was completed in May, 1889.
In 188ri-80, during the oil excitement at Kane, James Bros., of Kane,
constructed the Kane Oil Field Railroad, from Jo- Jo Junction, one mile south
of Kane, to Jo- Jo, an ephemeral village near the confluence of West and Wind
runs of East Branch, Tionesta creek. It is not now operated.
In 1886 West & Britton, of Kane, constructed a lumber railroad, which
C. MAa-<^,
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 161
they called the North Kane Railroad, from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad,
at Kane, for two miles down the south branch of Kinzua creek. In 1888 they
sold their mills at North Kane and the railroad to G. W. Campbell & Sons,
who made the North Kane Railroad form a portion of their Kinzna Creek ..V-
Kane Railroad. The Kinzna Creek & Kane Railroad was chartered to run
from. Kane to Neely's mill on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad,
and about six miles have been completed. In consideration of right of way
and of a loan of money necessary for its construction this railroad was ex-
tended to a connection with the Pittsburgh & "Western Railroad, forming a belt
line through the borough, and entered into a permanent contract with Elisha
K. Kane, by which any manufacturer locating upon its line within borough
limits is entitled to free use of the tracks, or to have cars brought to his works
and returned to the main railroad at a charge of only 75 cents per car.
In 1SS2 a railroad was built between Coudersport, in Potter county, and
Port Allegany, in McKean county, known as the Coudersport & Port Allegany
Railroad. The Kinzua Creek Railroad Company was chartered in February,
1890, to build twelve miles of track from Anderson switch, of the Western
New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, to the big bridge on the New York, Lake
Erie & Western Railroad.
162 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
BRADFORD TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF BRADFORD.
Bradford Township — General Description — Census Statistics — Early
Settlers — Land Warrants and Companies — Early Schools and
Churches— Some First Things— Bradford Village in 1875— Township
Officers Elected in 1890 — Villages.
City of Bradford Pioneers— Origin of the Town— Oil Boom, Etc.—
Fires— Municipal Affair,?- Light and Heat Companie.s— Banks, Etc.—
Oil Exchanges — Post-Office— Hotels-Schools— Churches— Cemeter-
ie,s — Hospital — Societies, Etc. — Manufacturing and Other Industries
—Conclusion.
BRADFORD TOWNSHIP is bounded ou the north by the south line of
Foster township, south by Lafayette and Keating townships, east by
Otto township, and on the west by Corydon township. The east branch of
Tuna creek*, running north from Lewis run, near the center of the south line,
forms a confluence with the west branch at Bradford, while at Tarport and
Babcock the main stream receives Kendall creek and Foster brook. The west
branch heads in Two Mile run and flows northeast from the southwest corner
of the township to Bradford city. Kendall creek rises in the southeast corner
and flows northwest to Tarport, and Foster brook rises near the east line of
the northeast quarter of the township, flowing almost west to Babcock. Ma-
rilla creek, the principal feeder of the west branch, comes down from the
heights in the northwest corner. A hundred smaller streams are found here,
some finding a way to the main streams through deep caiions. Mount Raub,
a mile east of Bradford, is the higliest measured point, being 2,225 feet above
level. The lowest point (1,415 feet) is where Tuna creek enters New York
State. All the higher points are capped by Pottsville conglomerate, which is
either the Kinzua creek sandstone or the Olean conglom., while in the south
and west the Johnson run sandstone is found resting on its Alton coal bed.
The dip of the Oleaa and, consequently, the oil sand from Rock City to Tar-
port (nine miles) averages five and one-half feet per mile; Tarport to I5radford,
thirteen feet; Bradford to DeClolier, twelve and one-half feet; DeGolier to
Lewis run, thirty-seven feet; Bradford to Marilla summit (summit elevation
2,010 feet, and distance six miles), three feet per mile, and the average dip
from Tarport to the southeast corner of the township is fourteen feet per mile.
The total thickness of rocks explored in the outcrop or wells is 1,977 feet ex-
tending from cap of Mount Raub to the Chemung formations. Bold outcrops
of Olean conglomerate are visible in the Tuna Valley, and west of Custer
City they take the peculiar features of the formation at Olean, Rock City,
where the summit is 2,350 feet above tide. In the Marilla region occurs the
extreme northern outcrop, in the United States, of the Appalachian coal basin,
but the area is so small it is held in little estimation by coal men. At Lewis
run is the black band iron ore (under a bed of black band shales) which yielded
on test 13.75 per cent of metal. Near the head of Two Mile run, just across
*Tuna creelt derives its name from the eddy at its mouth, called by the ludi.ins Ichunuagwanl or Big
Cove with Large Mouth.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 163
the south town line, live varieties of ore exist, one of which yields 48. 65 per cent
of metal, and one as low as 23. 10 per cent. The mineral paint ore on the Foster
farm was largely used by the Erie Railroad Company some years ago in paint-
ing depots, bridges and cars. It was ground and mixed with crude oil, and
found to be very desirable for an outside paint. There being no mill near in
which it could be ground, the expense of transporting it to Buffalo, having it
ground and then sent to market, was too great for the limited capital of the
party engaged in its manufacture. A barn now standing near Smethport built
some years ago by Col. Wilcox is entirely constructed of McKean county prod-
ucts except the nails, and is painted with the paint in question.
The population of Bradford township and village in 1870 was 1,44G, of
which 100 were foreign born citizens. In June, 1874, the number was esti-
mated at 1,500, including 350 in the village. The oil production for the pre-
ceding six years was roughly estimated at twenty-one barrels per day, which
sold for $1. 30 per barrel. One lumberman ran over 5,000, 000 feet of white pine
logs and manufactured over 3,000,000 shingles that year, and with the other
lumber and bark interests of Zeliff, Clark & Babcook, Peterson, J. W. Hilton
and P. T. Kennedy brought to the township at least $150,000. Three hun-
dred cows yielded $12,000 worth of butter and $3,620 worth of cheese, while
grain and root crops, cattle, sheep, hogs and horses contributed largely to the
township's wealth.
The population of Bradford township in 1880 was 2,699. In 1888 the
township gave 270 Republican, 132 Democratic, 41 Prohibition and 19 Labor
votes, or a total of 462. This number multiplied by six, as in the case of
Bradford city, gives the population, at the close of last vear, 2,772.
The population of Bradford city in 1880 was 9,197. " Of this number 2.622
resided in the First Ward, 1.704 in the Second, 2,603 in the Third, 1,520 in
the Fourth, and 1,228 in the Fifth. In November, 1888, there were 178
votes cast in the First Ward for the Republican candidate for president, 265
for the Democratic, and 8 for the Prohibitionist; in the Second Ward the
figures were 242, 112 and 15, respectively; in the Third, 143, 181 and 17; in
the Fourth, 228, 106 and 7, and in the Fifth, 122, 73 and 9, while Streeter
received 7 votes in all the wards, or 913+737 -|-56-f-7=^l, 713, multiplied by
6 equals 10,278, the population based on vote.
The resident tax- payers of Bradford township in 1844-45 were Philo Ack-
ley, N. J. Buel, Smith Barton, William Coleman, John Dudley, James Cooper,
Orrin Fuller, C. Lukins, Hiram and J. O. Beardsley, Phil. Barron, Chester
Barron, Asmit Brown, Bradley & Fobes (saw-mill owners), Jones and A. L.
Buchanan, A. W. Buchanan, George Brookmire, William, Beardsley, Aaron
Boon, James Babcock, H. C. Blakesley; James Blair (assessed $100 for a gold
watch), Andrew and W'. P. Browne, John Boyd, Henry Conklin, Erastus
Croak, Ed. Case, J. L. Colegrove, Dyer Cramer, John Corwin, Henry Collins,
John and Orrin Coleman, J. F. Clark, Jared Curtis, Philetus Corwin, Dana
& Smith (grist- and saw-mill owners), William Dikeman, Joe DeLong, Ben.,
Dan. and Sam. Dikeman, Lorenzo and Silas Drake, James, Abel, David and
William DeGolier, Nathan DeOolier (saw-mill owner), F. E. Dodge, Tom
Doloff, Samuel and Darius Emery, H. Edson, P. D. Dean (owner of a gold
watch), L. Dewey (owner of a silver watch), Nathaniel, Newton and Warren
Edson, William Fisher (saw-mill owner), G. W. Fisher, H. Fox, M. Filler,
Jonathan Fuller & Son, Isaac Farr, Ephraim Foster, David Foster, Edmond
Freeman (farmer, near Custer City), C. D. Foot, L. S. Foster, Daniel and H.
W. Glass, R. Gates, Nathan Green, A. and A. L. Houghton, Hiram Hagadorn,
William Hook, O. Hegle, Orrin and Benjamin Havens, Simon Hamond, A. O.
11)4 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Huut, Hunt, Bradley & Fobes (saw-mill owners), John and Absalom Hutchi
son, Lyman Imus, John Inglebee, G. W. and Timothy Kelly, James Lilly,
James Meddock, William Miller, W. G. McKean, William and Simeon Morris,
Amos Moore (saw-mill owner), Dr. McDougall, J. F. Melvin, Melvin & Whea-
ton (saw-mill owners), G. W. Mantz, Michael McCullough, Sands Niles, Dr.
E. C. Olds (tan-yard owner), Barnabiis Pike. R. C. Phillips, R. B. Rogers,
George Reynolds, John Rutherford. Seth Scott, W'illiam Sherman (saw-mill
owner), Silas Stormea, J. P. S. Snape (a foreigner), W. Snyder, H. Stellon,
Amos Shepherd, W. C. Shedd, Silas Sutton, William Tanner, Jerry Totton,
Col. L. C. Little (agent for Boston Land company), William Vansickles, L.
R. Vaughn, Henry Webb (saw-mill owner), Roswell Walker, J. S. and T. L.
V. Waggoner, Allen Whittaker, Matt. Woodruff, Matthew Withrow (saw-mill
owner), Sabines Walker, Henry Welks, John & Willard Whipple (saw-mill
owners) and Eli Whipple. L. S. Foster was assessor.
In 1846 the stores in Bradford village were those of L. C. Little, A. K. John-
son, R. Walker & Co., Melvin & Wheaton and B. P. Allen, the grocery of Seth
Scott and the tavern of S. AValker. In December of this j^ear Kingsbury &
Fuller, the Boston Company, Sam. W. Bradley and Noble & Tozer were
merchants.
The merchants of Bradford township in 185'2 were S. Holmes & Co. (J. H.
Porter), J. F. Melvin, B. Chamberlain and B. McCoy, H. Hazzard&Co., David
Hunt, G. A. S. Crooker and Daniel Kingsbury. McCoy, Melvin & Co. paid
a tax of $10, while the others paid $7.
In 1829 David DeGolier and his wife took three days to move from the
site of the present town of Eldred to their farm on the east branch of the Tima.
The Beardsleys, Fishers, Dollops and Fosters were then in the valley, and
Henry Bradford Dollop was the tirst white child born there, in that same house
above Sawyer City which was destroyed liy the glycerine explosion of 1880.
Of the two first houses built on the site of Bradford, one was occupied by the
Hart family, six boys and six girls, including three sets of twins. The Deacon
speaks of wolves being very plentiful, even in 1867, when the well drillers
appeared on the west branch, the time whistles would be chorused by packs of
wolves. He further states that No. 1 well, on the Tibbett farm, was the first suc-
cessful one on the east branch. The farm was purchased by Louis Emery, Jr.
Warrant 3906 dated July 17, 1793, to AVilliam Bingham, the consideration
for 1,100 acres being £5, 8s. The patent was signed by Gov. Miffiin Decem-
ber 12, 1794. On February 6, 1795, Bingham deeded the warrant to Robert
Morris and John Nicholson, but it fell into the hands of the Binghams in
1799 as shown in Deed Book F, page 41. In 1851 the United States Land
Company deeded this tract to Daniel King.sbury.
Col. Levitt C. Little, agent for the United States Land Company, who had
purchased 250,000 acres in McKean county, settled where Bradford city now
is, and the place was called Littleton. The first log house was constructed in
December, 1837, where the old calaboose stood; but later a frame house was
erected where the Berry block stands. The plan of the town was drawn in
1838 by Leech, of Boston, after the Colonel's idea. In 1840 another plat was
drawn by C. D. Web.ster, wherein is shown the space for achureh-house where
is now the St. James Hotel. Main street was known as the Smethport road;
the south extension of Mechanic street, the Warren road, and northward, the
Glean road. Congress street was a short alley, which connected Main street
with the Corydon road. The old lumbering town of Littleton was down in
Egypt until 1858, when a weekly newspaper, the Miner, was inaugurated, and
the name of Bradford assumed.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 165
In December, 1849, when Judge Ward came from Cattaraugus county, N.
Y., he settled at Tarport and took charge of the large school there. He was
at once struck with the remarkable progressive character of the people and
merchants, and equally so by the pupils. Prof. F. A. Allen was then county
superintendent and jjrincipal of the Smethport Academy. Tarport was then
the business center of the Bradford lumber held, and here were the large stores
of John F. Melvin (who came as a lumberman in 1826), and Benjamin Cham-
berlain, his partner, who lived in Cattaraugus county. Sylvanus Holmes and
Joseph Porter also had a large store there. Hiram Hazzard was also a mer-
chant, and like the others, engaged in lumbering. David Hunt was solely a
merchant; Sabines Walker carried on his grocery, Harvey D. Hicks was post-
master (it is thought deputy to Mr. Melvin) and hotel-keeper; Dr. Goit Brown
was physician there, while Dr. Peekham was at Littleton. Johnson & Leech
were sole dealers in pine lumber and shingles. There were four saw-mills run-
ning, of which W. R. Fisher owned one and Melvin & Chamberlain the remain-
ing three. The school building was a large one, ornamented with a cupola,
and in this building the Methodists, Baptists and Congregationalists used to
worship. Elder Porter (who owned the farm on which Judge Ward's house
now is) was minister of the last-named denomination, while the energetic Will-
iams watched over the Methodists and Elder Prosser over the Baptists. Judge
Ward presided over this school for two sessions, then moved to Bradford to
take charge of the village school, and about 1855 he established the Bradford
Academy, with Mr. Sellick, assistant. This select school continued only two
years, but Judge AVard continued teaching at Limestone, and after the war
completed his school experiences at Salamanca. After Mr. Kingsbury's otSce
was really established Tarport began to decline, and Littleton to advance.
At Littleton was Daniel Kingsliury's little store, also that of G. D. H.
Crooker. The Boston Company's land oiSce was just opened with Mr. Kings-
bury in charge, and Col. Little, agent. The double mill stood just west of the
Mechanic street iron bridge; a frame school-house stood on what is now the
corner of Corydon and Mechanic streets. Therein religious services were
held by the preachers named in the history of Tarport. From this period
the progress of Littleton dates. Thomas J. Melvin, Loyal Ward (who,
about war times carried on a store at Tarport) and Nelson Parker estab-
lished their business at Littleton after the war. E. C. Old's tannery was here
in 1849. Among the leading lumbermen were Fuller and Miller, of Bolivar
run. The firm of Bradley & Fobes had three mills on Foster brook. At the
State line, on the Tuna, was the Webb and Leech & Johnson mills; up Ken-
dall creek was F. A. Moore's mill, also Whipple's and Silas Sutton's. Up the
south branch was N. DeGolier's mill, and above Bradford Fobes & Bradley
had a mill. The Judge is convinced that this list covers the mills in operation
forty years ago. All over the country shingle makers found a home, bringing
the shingles to the lumberman in the evening and receiving their pay. The
square timber industry was also very extensive, as the pines were large and
clear. The large timber was rafted and run down the Tuna to the Allegheny,
and thence to the Ohio.
The first golden wedding celebration ever held in Tuna Valley was that of
July, 1883, by W. E. Fisher and wife. Forty years prior to this date they
settled on the Tarport road in a log cabin which this old settler erected. In
1847 he built the house in which the celebration was held. Dan Glass,
who for forty years played the violin throughout the Tuna and neighboring
valleys, contributed the music on this occasion.
In September, 1875, when C. L. Wheeler came to Bradford, the business
166 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
of the village was represented by Thomas Melvin, who kept a general store,
Frank Davis, the drnggist and telegraph operator, and Wilbur DeGolier,
watchmaker and postmaster. J. K. Pomeroy kept a dry goods store; Albert
DeGolier had a general store, the popular Bradford House, Green's Hotel on
Main street, while the old St. Nicholas Hotel stood where the Producers' Ex-
change now is. The hotel formerly kept by P. M. Fuller was in existence in
1875.
The ofSeers of the townshiiD elected in February, 1890, are as follows:
Supervisors, J. L. Morris, H. Boss; school directors, W. H. Emery, H. G.
Cutting; auditor, M. Ingalsby, Sr. ; collector, J. L. Morris; constable, G. W.
Eddy; town clerk, H. C. Chesney; judge of election, First District, C. A.
Wilbur; inspectors, C. E. Seely, Louis Brown; judge of election, Second
District, W. W. White; inspectors, George A. Brown, James Bell.
Villages. — Custer City, south of Bradford, was brought into existence dur-
ing the days of the oil stampede up the east branch. Here are the works of
the Rock Glycerine Company noticed in the history of the city. The bull and
bear tight of July 1, 1879, took place at Custer City, under the management
of one Marsh. The officers of the Pennsylvania society for prevention of
cruelty to animals, tried to stop the fight; but the people threatened to pitch
them into the pit, and ultimately drove them as far as Bradford. The fight
went on, but the bear, escaping from the infuriated bull, ran through the
crowd, was recaptured, placed in the pit and made fight to the death. The
agent had twenty men arrested for participation in this brutal afPair, but with-
out satisfactory results. The fire of December 10, 1881, destroyed seven
buildings, including the Straight House. In March, 1885, the explosion of
6,000 pounds of glycerine at Custer City resulted in the deaths of H. V.
Pratt and William Harrington.
DeGolier, north of Custer City, was named in honor of the pioneer, of
whom mention is made in the history of Bradford. As a settlement it is
among the oldest in the western part of the county. The DeGolier Cemetery
Association was incorporated in December, 1869, with M. Ingalsby, H. J.
Hammond, Phil. ShafFner, Aug. M. Cram, Michael K. Dexter and John K.
Haffey, trustees. The United Brethren Church of DeGolier was incorpor-
ated April 12, 1888, with L. E. Cutting, Allen T. Foster, W. C. Freeman,
M. Ingoldsby, G. W. Foster, Spencer Tibbits and H. E. Bryner, officials.
Howard Junction, near the south line of the township, is a lumbering
village.
CITY OF BEADFORD.
Throughout the pages devoted to general history and particularly those on
the Bradford oil field, a good deal has been written relating to this capital of
oildom. In the foregoing sketch of the township many names, inseparably
connected with the early agricultural and lumbering interests of this section
are given, so that little of the early history of the old village remains to be
told. How often the Indians camped in this beautiful valley of the Tiina will
never be learned any more than the history of the people who were here before
them. How often the ancient Mount Raub was ascended by the watchmen of
the tribes to give warning of the advance of hostiles of the same race, or to
signal the approach of friends, as they turned the distant valley curve, can
never be known, but enough has been told by the Cornplantors to point out
the fact that Indians hunted here before the coming of Seneca or Delaware,
and that the \alley, from Foster brook to Marilla creek, on the west branch,
and Rutherford »un on oast branch, was a favorite site for their camps. As
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 167
told in the third chapter, remains of ancient settlement were unearthed a few
years ago.
From 182o to 1827 the pioneers of a new race appeared on the scene. Dr.
William M. Bennett, after whom Bennett's branch is named, the Pikes, Farrs.
Scotts, Fosters, Beardsleys, Harts, Dollops and Fishers came into the beauti-
ful wilderness. This immigration took place almost a quarter of a century
after Robert Morris, of Revolutionary fame, lost his title to lands here, leav-
ing them to revert to the Binghams. The Hart family, fourteen members,
settled on the site of Bradford in about 1827. For years they held possession
of the Forks, welcoming new comers and hailing new settlers. They saw a
thriving village built up north of them at Tarport, and south of them the De-
Golier settlement was winning recruits; but their chosen spot was merely a
mark in the forest.
In 1837 Col. Little purchased 250,000 acres in and around Bradford, and
built a log house. In 1838 the village was surveyed, and named Littleton.
In 1851 a large tract was sold to Daniel Kingsbury by the United States Land
Company, and to that year we must look back for the first faint beginnings of
the city, though not until 1858 did the new proprietor make a determined
effort to build up the place. Thirty-two years ago the name Littleton was
cast aside, and the present name chosen. Messrs. Kingsbury and Haffey estab-
lished a newspaper to aid in building up a village; Old's tannery, the mills,
stores, schools and religious societies referred to in Judge Ward's reminiscences
were all here sharing in the hopes of Kingsbury; but all their efforts were
rewarded with very limited results, the mercantile and manufacturing interests
named in the history of the township being the only material response. During
the Civil war the oil fever penetrated the valley, and new hopes were built up,
only to be cast down; after the war, a series of disappointments waited on the
attempts to Und oil ; but amid all such reverses men came and remained, a few
of whom in after years, took a foremost place among those to whom the honor
of developing the resources of this section is credited. They decided to carve
out for themselves a home in this valley and fashion out a city in the forest,
which would one day be regarded as the goal of enterprise, where scholars
would find a home and religion 10,000 adherents. They built well! Only a few
years of hope deferred, and a city sprung out of the ancient forest, extending
from hill to hill, and stretching down the valley. In 1873 the people asked
for borough government, and the demand was granted. Within three years the
locality was filled with busy men, and the oily ocean was yielding up its wealth
of petroleum; the forest fell, and in its place hundreds of houses and a thous
and derricks grew up, as it were.
In 1880 eight large brick buildings, including the Riddell House, and 500
frame buildings were erected; the swamp was reclaimed and a number of new
streets laid out.
Col. A. K. McClure, of the Philadelphia Times, visited Bradford in May,
1SS3. In his description of the city, he says: "The houses as a rule are
pitched together like a winter camp, with here and there a solid brick edifice
to mock the make-shift structures around it. The oil exchange is a beautiful
building, and looks as if it was expected that oil gambling would continue,
even after the day of doom, regardless of the shifting of oil centers. * * *
Oil is just now on a boom. Everybody talks oil, and the visitor must talk oil
or endure the unconcealed pity of all around him. Oil had struck somewhere
about $1.12 on Tuesday. * * * They sold oil by the million of barrels,
without a speck in sight, and with only a small percentage of margin money
to give substance to the hazard. Five million barrels, and even more, are sold
168 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
in a day, and speculators make one day to lose the next. * * * xhe one
thing that the people of this great center of oildom pride themselves upon is
their hospitality. They are, as a community, a broad gauge, manly, generous
people, with little aifection and much merit."
The first public observation of Decoration Day at Bradford was that of May,
1876. On May 13 a subscription list (now in possession of F. S. Johnson)
was circulated, and thirty persons j^aid 12 each to aid in defraying expenses.
The first subscribers were Ezra Holmes, E. F. Clark, John McGill, Joseph
A. Hughsto, E. J. Carew, George Wright & Co., G. A. Berry, A. L. Hughes,
J. E. Butts. Jr., J. Moorhouse, H. J. Pemberton, D. E. Matteson, J. H.
Norris, Ed. Dolan, A. DeGolier, J. K. Haffey, C. S. Whitney, L. C. Blakes-
lee, G. D. H. Crooker, J. Amm, P. T. Kennedy, P. M. Fuller, F. W. Davis,
L. Emery, Jr., A. B. Walker, P. L. Webster, E. Parsons, Bell Bros., F. S.
Johnson and J. C. Jackson. The oration was delivered by R. C. Beach, on
the jjublio square, and the cenotaph erected there.
Fires. — The Bradford House, valued at .flO,000,and one of the first buildings
there under the rule of progress, was burned May 30, 1868. The oil tire, one
mile from the center, of June 13, 1876, arose from lightning setting fire to the
gas from the Olmsted Well No. 1, on the Sandford farm. It communicated
with the McKean county pipe line tank, then with the P. C. L. & P. Com-
pany's tank, P. T. Kennedy's mill, Prentiss & Co.'s tanks, Jackson & Walk-
er's well and tank, J. B. Farrel's well, forty empty wooden car tanks of Pren-
tiss & Co., and Riley's dwelling, the total loss being placed at 190.000.
The fire of November 15 and 16, 1878, destroyed forty buildings, great
and small, including the Riddell House, the machine shops and foundry of Bo-
vaird & Seyfang, the planing-mills and tank shop of Stewart, the United
States Express Company's building, besides numerous stores, saloons, board-
ing houses, and shops of every description. The area burned over extended
from Boylston street on the north through and across Main street to Corydon
street on the south, easterly to the Erie railway track, and west on Main street
to Osgood's dwelling house on the north side and Burgess' green grocery on
the south side. The total loss was placed at $150,000. The following list
embraces the names of owners of destroyed buildings in the order of location
on Main street, looking east along that street: Fred Schutt's, where the fire
was stopped, still standing; Hogan & McCartey's unfinished building; Dila-
berto's barber shop; Keystone clothing store; Boyd & Dickson, drugs; Cor-
bierre & Benson, billiards; cigar store and Brunswick saloon; Theatre
Comique, where the fire originated; Union House; United States Express office;
George S. Stewart, planing-mill; office, occupied by Williams & Cushman, vit-
rified stone flues; Sanborn & Co.'s news room; Tinker's hardware store;
Pierce House; Riddell House; Lockwood & Haggerty, bakery and confection-
ery; Osgood & Howard's, occupied by Misses Rogers, millinery; Osgood,
owner, Mrs. Clark, occupant, boarding house (damaged, but fire stopped);
Thompson & Co., feed and flour; Riddell House laundry; Johnson's, Ryder's
Shaw's and Mrs. Wentworth's boarding houses; Palmer's dwelling and grocery;
Wallace Lawkes', scorched and damaged, but fire stopped; Kennedy's build-
ing (Brady, tenant); Newell's building; Bradley's oil well rig; Whitney &
Wheeler's oil well rig and tank; Bovaird & Seyfang' s boiler shop, damaged,
but fire stopped; Seyfang & Bovaird's machine shop, consumed; planing mill,
George S. Stewart; Oyster Bay, Pete Heaton; Bradford Ice Company's store
room, ice melted; House that Jack built; Bell Mahone's house; Bradley's oil
and well rig, tank and two old buildings; the union and elevated railway
depots were scorched, but saved. The fire did not cross the Erie track.
•^fe
/^6!/j^/tc. ;//
^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 171
The fire of April 3, ISSO, originated in the Sawyer House, in the room oc-
cupied by James Wilson, who was burned to death. Four acres of buildings
were destroyed, the total loss being over §100,000. The following list of losses
is taken from the Era's report of the lire: On the south side of Main street,
E. G. "Wright & Co.'s grocery store, where the lire terminated on the west:
loss on stock, $6,000; on building, $1,000; insurance, 14,500. John C. Holmes,
wholesale liquors and cigars; loss, $9,000; no insurance; owner of building un-
known; loss, about $3,0()O. Sawyer Bros.' saloon and restaurant; loss on
building and stock, $2,500; no insurance. Applebee & Rogers, grocers; loss
on biiilding and stock, 18,500; insurance, $4,800. Titusville House, T. Mc-
Goldrick; loss on building, $5,000; insurance, $2,500. Harvey Hill; loss on
furniture, $500; insured. Academy of Music, John Nelson; loss, $18,000;
no insurance. Philadelphia Oyster House, Irving Campbell, proprietor; loss,
$1,500; no insurance. R. Michael, clothing. Academy building; loss on stock,
$1,700; no insurance. Owney Williams, billiard room; loss, $200; insured;
building owned by John H Shaver; loss. $2,000. Rush building; loss, $3,000:
occupied by P. Hanlan, saloon; loss, $500. Stephen O'Leary, hotel; loss on
building, $2,000; insurance, $450; on stock, $400; insured; occupied by
Luther & Draper; loss, $600; no insurance. Thomas Bradley, building; loss,
$1,000; fully insured; occupied by G. H. Dewitt, saloon; loss, $300; no in-
surance; goods partly saved. Italian fruit stand; goods partly saved. L. E.
Dunton, watchmaker; loss, $200; goods partly saved. Billy Howard and
Billy Rose, saloon; stock mostly saved; loss, about $100. Barber shop; stock
damaged by moving. Greenewald Bros., clothing; damage, $700; fully in-
sured. A. Mayer & Co., liquors and cigars; damage by moving, $300; in-
sured. Folwell & Mott, druggists; loss on building. $1,250; insurance, $5(t0:
on stock and fixtures, $550; no insurance. Whitlock, liquors; loss, $100.
On the north side of Main street considerable damage was done by the in-
tense heat and removal of goods. James Casey, liquors, $100; insured. Mc-
Carty, billiards, $100; insured. N. Lazarus, saloon, $70; insured. Borehert,
Daggett & Co., $100; fully insured. T. Bradley, express office, $150; in-
sured. A. & G. Hochstetter, loss, $50; insured. Daniel Clark, $150; in-
sured. Nick Weiss, loss, $50: insured. On Webster street, behind the
Academy of Music, was Judge Newell' s building and office, totally destroyed;
loss, $1,500; fully insured. Bui lis, meat market, loss on building and stock,
$1,000; no insurance, as far as could be learned. J. W. Ruble, Washington
House; loss on building, stock and fixtures, $2,000; insurance, $600. Mrs.
P. McNamara, Corry House; loss on building and furniture, $2,000; insur-
ance, $1,500. Amos Williams. Williams House; loss, $2,500; no insurance.
Traveler's Home, owned by Whitman & Trainer; loss on building, $800; fur-
niture, $200; no insurance; saved part of contents. Parker House, Lewis &
Davie, proprietors; damaged by fire, $2,000: $1,000 on furniture; insured.
McBean, from Tonawanda, N. Y. (old Frew House), in charge of C. A. Dur-
fee; damage, $250; insured. Jamestown Bottling AVorks. damage, $150; in-
sured.
The fire of May 31, 1880, originated in Wheeler's rig, in rear of the
Parker House. Hostetter's building, occupied by R. G. AVright & Co. as a
storehouse, and the rig, were destroyed, and other buildings were damaged.
The central office of the United Pipe Lines was destroyed by fire June
22, 1882, the loss being placed at $20,000. The fire of December, 1882,
destroyed Habenrig's store on Mechanic street and public square, the Ho-
tel La Pierre, the Hotel Florence, and Irvin's livery stable.
The fire of June 19, 1884, destroyed the Burt House and three adjoining
172 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
bnildings. . . .The burning of Mrs. Charles Reibley'sbakery and hotel occurred
July 11, 1884, when Mrs. Reibley, her two children and a Swedish girl were
burned to death. A few months before Mr. Reibley was drowned in the Al-
legheny at Carrollton The fire of December 19, 20, 1886, destroyed five
buildings on Kennedy sti-eet. . . .The fire of January 11, 1889, destroyed the
Palace Hotel nearly ojaposite the Riddell House, burning out P. P. Bate-
man, McEvoy Bros., A. F. Moore, Samuel Ames, J. Krienson, Ardizone Bros.,
J. B. Fox, A. Lino, I. Marks and others in the Durfey & Walshe buildings,
and damaged the Greenwald Bros. ' stock.
A numlDer of small fires are recorded, many of them occasioned by light-
ning, such as that which destroyed Park & Hazzard's rig. The great oil fires
are recorded in the sketches of Foster and Keating townships, while a few be-
longing to this township are noted as follows: The glycerine explosion of Sep-
tember 15, 1878. on the farm of Jared Curtis, near Bradford, and opposite
Toad Hollow, resulted in the destruction of the Mclntyre Torpedo Company's
magazine and the death of N. B. Pulver, A. P. Higgins, C. Page and J. B.
Burkholder . . ..The oil fire of July 14,15, 1880, at Custer City, Lewis run
and Coleville, caused by lightning, resulted in the burning of a 30,000-barrel
tank belonging to the Acme Oil Comjtany, and the destruction of three N. P.
L. oil tanks at Custer City and other property in the Minard run neighborhood
....The Custer City tire of December 16, 1881, destroyed seven buildings,
including the Straight House then conducted by William Dean.
The Bradford tire of November, 1889, originated in the Stewart building
on Main street. The Bradford Stone Company lost $1,000; L. L. Higgins,
16,000; F. N. Merrian, 1400, and George S." Stewart, |4,500. Insurance
reduces the total loss to a few thousand dollars.
The fire of January 19, 1890, destroyed the Protestant Ei:)iscopal church
building on Chatauqua place. The fire was assisted in its rapid progress by
the Christmas evergreen trimmings, which had become dry and had not been
removed since the services for which they had been put up to commemorate,
and the flames thus reached the steeple, which afPorded them an excellent
draft. It was the universal remark that a fire was never seen to spread
with so much rapidity and burn so tiercely as did this one .... The tire of Feb-
ruary 19, 1890, originated at 118 Pleasant street, destroying the houses of
John Hutchinson and Myers, and damaging that of James Gleason. The fire-
men worked like heroes to save the property, but their work was made slow
and difficult by too much mxiA and too little water .... McAmbley's lumber mill
was totally destroyed by fire February 26, 1890, entailing a loss of |6,0O0.
Municipal Affairs. — Bradford borough was incorporated February 26,
1873, and the first election held the last Friday in March. P. T. Kennedy was
chosen burgess; P. L. Webster, assistant burgess; F. W. Davis, E. Parsons,
J. Moorehouse, J. H. Matteson and A. T. Stone, councilmen; G. D. H. Crooker
and James Broder, justices; W. Lord, constable; G. D. H. Crooker with R.
W. Davis and S. Emery, assessors; A. C. Switzer and P. Woodward, poor-
masters; J. W. Hilton, A. DeGolier and G. D. H. Crooker, auditors; J. H.
Matteson, H. S. Baker, P. T. Kennedy, W. J. Morrow, J. Moorehouse and E.
D. Foster, school directors, and J. Moorehouse, treasurer. F. W'. Davis was
appointed clerk. A. DeGolier, John A. Evans and Loyal Ward were elected
justices prior to 1878.
Borough elections were held February 17, 1874, when the following votes
were recorded: Burgess: P. L. Webster, 33; P. T. Kennedy, 17, and A. K.
Johnson, 2. Councilmen: A. DeGolier, 35; E. Parsons, 44; P. Woodward,
42; J. Moorehouse, 39; J. W. Morrow, 38; J. K. Pomeroy, 38, and Con.
HISTOKY OF MCKEAN CODNTY. 173
Lane, 3"2. There were eleven other candidates, who received from one to nine
votes. The school directors elected were E. D. Foster and P. L. Webster.
Mrs. J. Colby and five other candidates received a nominal vote. In 1875 J.
W. Brennan, A. C. Switzer and A. DeGolier were elected directors, the latter
being succeeded, in 1876, by A. T. Lane and E. A. VanScoy. The council
centennial year comprised P. L. Webster, C. J. Lane, J. A. Evans, F. W.
Davis, A. C. Switzer and J. W. Brennan. A. DeGolier was chosen assessor;
M. W. Wagner, auditor; W. Lord and P. Woodward, poor-masters; Samuel
Emery, constable; Con. Lane, inspector, and P. Woodward, judge of elections.
A. DeGolier was appointed clerk.
The burgess' office has been since filled by the. following named citizens:
J. W. Brennan, 1875; P. T. Kennedy, 1876; j". H. Norris, 1877; J. M. Fuller,
1878. In February, 1879, the first city election was held. James Broder
received 483 votes and P. T. Kennedy 222 for mayor; Will F. Jordan received
a large majority for mayor in 1881; James Broder, 1883; P. M. Shannon.
1885; K. A. Dempsey, 1887; Edward McSweeney, 1889, and Loyal Ward^
1890, for three years. The assistant burgesses elected annually up to 1877 are
named af follows: T. J. Melvin, 1875; P. L. Webster, 1876; H. Friedenburg,
1877.
In 1879 R. P. Miller was apiwinted clerk, sSrving until April 30, 1883,
when James A. Lindsey was elected by the council, and has since held the office,
except for nine months in 1887, when S. M. Decker filled the position.
In 1875 G. A. Crooker was treasurer; in 1876. C. J. Lane, succeeded in
July by J. W. Brennan; F. S. Johnson, in 1877; L. G. Peck, in 1878. Treas-
urer Critchlow was elected in 1880.
In February, 1882, City Treasurer Critchlow was arrested on the charge
of embezzlement, but on the 23d was discharged on common bail. On the 25th
F. W. Davis was appointed treasurer .... In Maj% 1879, Messrs. Daggett,
McElroy and Logan were elected by council members of the first city board of
health .... In January, 1880, C. D. Webster was chosen city engineer. Build-
ings for the Johnson and Era Hose Companies were authorized, the Whitney
Hose Company having been hitherto supplied with a building. The bondsmen
of R. J. McMath, absconding collector, asked for the appointment of a collector
for balance of taxes, and G. W. Moorehouse was appointed.
The officers of the city elected in Febritary, 1890, are as follows: Mayor,
Loyal Ward (R.), who received 804 votes against 689 recorded for Gardner;
city treasurer, R. T. Lain (R. ): city controller, M. Albert (R.); city assessors,
N. J. Stanton (R.), George P. Booth (R. ). E. A. Boyne (R. ).
Select Council— J. L. Andrews (R.), John P. Za'ne (R.), Matt Ruddy (D. ),
I. G. Howe (R. ), C. R. Harrington (R. ). Republicans, four; Democrats, one.
Common Council — F. A. Moore (R.). Felix Steinberger (D.). L. E. Ham-
sher (R.), W. K. Laney (R. ), E. Quigley (D.), Bert McAllister (R.). W. C.
Kennedy (R.), S. D. Weaver (R.), Thomas A. Flynn (R.), T. W. Roberts (R.).
Republicans, eight; Democrats, two.
School Controllers— C. A. Durfey (D.), W. O. Neely (D.), J. T. Jones (R.).
W. R. Weaver (R.), H. H. Adsit (R. ), A. M. Mayer (D.), W. A. Booth (R.).
A. Miller (R.), Samuel Huff (R. ), M. D. Harris (R.).
Constables — Thomas Osborne (D.), George R. Gibbons (R.), Thomas Fen-
nerty (D.), C. A. Spreeter (R.), W^ W. Tadder (R.).
The vote by wards is recorded as follows:
First Ward, First Precinct — Select council: Andrews (R.), 77; O'Donnell
(D.), 66. Common council: Steinberger (D.), 84; Moore (R.), 80; Ruble (D. ),
65; Hawkins (R.), 53. School controller: Durfey (D.), 77; Neely (D.), 71.
174 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Constable, Osborne (D.), 91; Hayes (lud.), 51. Assessor: Osborne, 89; Brin-
ton (R.), 50. Judge of election: P. Fragner (R.), 78; G. W. McMullen (D.),
46. Inspector of election: C. M. Hendrickson (R.), 68.
First Ward, Second Precinct — Select council: Andrews (R.), 139; O'Don-
nell (D.), 97. Common council: Steinberger (D.), 158; Ruble (D.), 135;
Moore (R.), 124; Hawkins (R.), 4. School controller: Durfey (D.), four
years, 180; Neely (D.), two years, 148; Greenewald (R.), 30. Constable: Os-
borne (D.). 151; Hayes (Ind. ). 94. Assessor: Osborne (D.), 151; Brinton(R.),
SO. Judge of election: P. H. Gallagher (D.), 152; H. K. Welch (R.), 58.
Inspector of election: T. F. Mayer, 158; C. A. Dickinson, 55.
Second Ward— Select council: Zane (R.), 201; Sondheim (D.), 89. Com-
mon council: L. E. Hamsher (R.), 210; W. K. Laney (R.), 211. School con-
troller: J. T. Jones (R. ), 210; W. R. Weaver (R,), 210. Constable: Gibbons
(R. ), 206. County assessor: Thomas (R.), 275. Judge of election: John R.
Zook (R.), 206; B. F. Smith (D.), 84. Inspector of election: W. B. Chapman
(R.), 204; J. H. Dibble (D.), 84.
Third Ward— Select council : Ruddy (D. ), 206 ; Hockenberry (R. ), 1 1 1. Com-
mon council: Quigley (D.), 162; McAllister (R.), 159; Coftey (D.), 158; Lucas,
151. School controller: Adsit (R.), 214; Mayer (Ind.), 163; Hager (D.). 129;
Wilcox (D.), 71. Constable: Fennerty (D.), 207; McMahon (R.), 107. County
assessor: Fennerty (D.), 191; Blair (R.), 124. Judge of election: M. W.
Chaffee (D.), 174;" George DufPey (R. ), 145. Inspector: Clarence Merrow (D.),
175; C.-Hill (R.), 142.
Fourth Ward— Select council: Howe (R.), 187; Flynn (D. ), 100. Com-
mon council: Kennedy (R.), 283; Weaver (R.), 131; Scott (D.), 59. School
controller: Booth (R.), four years, 288; Miller (R.), two years, 217; Davis (D.),
two years, 71. Constable: Spreetor (R.), 288. County assessor: Haggerty (R.),
215; Robbins (D.), 71. Judge of election: W. F. Robinson (R.), 288. In-
spector of election: N. J. Loveless (R.), 219; Frank Costello (D.). 71.
Fifth Ward— Select council: Harrington (R.), 127; Rusch (D.), 65. Com-
mon council: Flynn (R.), 429; Roberts (R.), 112; Murray (D.), 87; Brooks
(D.), 52. School controllers: Huff (R.), two years, 121; Harris (R.), four
years, 118; Walker (D.), four years, 75; Mallick (D.), two years, 70. Con-
stable: Tadder (R. ), 117; Harrigan (D.), 70. County assessor: Gowdy (R.),
122. Judge of election: William Maginn (R.), 122; J. W. SlatteryJD.), 70.
Inspector of election: John B. Pierson (R. ), 120; W. Enches (D.), /2.
City Finances. — Prior to 1887 there were two valuations of taxable prop-
erty in the city, one for city purjioses and one for county puri^oses. The val-
uation for county purposes was at least one-third, and often one-half, less
than the valuation for city purposes. But it happened that the supreme court
in 1886 declared the act of 1875 (the act under which two assessments were
permissible) unconstitutional. This made it necessary to fall back to the
county valuation as a basis for the city assessment in 1887, which brought the
valuation down from $1,500,000 to $1,000,000.
The bonded indebtedness of the city, December 31, 1888, as shown in
Mayor Dempsey's address, is as follows:
Bonds issued December 1, 1881, to purchase old water-works, due December 1. 1891,
$3,500; purchased by sinking fund commissioners, $1,000; leaving a balance outstanding
of, |2..'")00; fnsli in treasury, "$1,157. 04, wliich leaves a balance of $1,;W2.9(5 to be raised in
three vi':ii-^. <ii- ;! 1 ITJi,") this year, together with interest on $3,.500 amounting to $210,
makin'- .-i i"i:>\ nl tc.-iT.eS.
lioii.ls i^-M.M M:iy 1, 1883. for the erection of the city building and funding the float-
ing delil. SI ;,'.)()0; iiuirhased for benefit sinking fiuid. $1,900; leaving a balance outstand-
ing of |.1G,U00; cash in treasury, $6. 481.87, which leaves a balance of"$9,568.G3 to be taken
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 175
care of in four 3'ears, or $3,376.99 this year with interest on $17,900, amounting to $1,074,
making a total this year for principal and interest of $3,450.99.
Bonds issued December 1, 1883, for building new water works, due December 1,
1893. $20,000; purchased for benefit sinking fund, $8,000; balance outstanding, $12,000.
Amount in treasury to be credited to payment of these bonds, $2,857.88, which leaves a
balance to be paid in five j'ears of $9,142.12 or $1,828.43 to provide for the incoming ye
_ . . . _ . . ...-,.. . „ . . . — . ... ij
Bonds issued December 1, 1883, due December 1, 1898. Amount of bonds. $20,000;
cash in treasury, $3,381.30, leaving a balance to be paid in ten years of $17,618.80; in
order to liquidate this we will have to raise this year $1,761.88.
Bonds issued December 1, 1883, due December 1, 1903. Amount of bonds. $35,000;
' cash in treasury to apply, $1,984.33; amount to be raised in fifteen years, $23,015.67;
amount required to be raised this year, $1,534.37.
Total to be provided for this year.
Bonds due December 1. 1891, $657.65; bonds due May 1, 1893, $3,450.99; water bonds
due December 1, 1893, $1,828.43; water bonds due December 1, 1898, $1,761.88; water
bonds due December 1, 1903, $1,534.37; interest on water bonds, $3,900; all showing a
total of $13,133.31.
The total assets of the city on January 1, 1889, were estimated at
$111,885.27, of which the water-works were said to be worth §102,000; the
city building, $8,000, and fire department hotises and outfits, $5,200.
The municipal act of May, 1887, was declared unconstitutional in 1888,
and some difficulty in managing the affairs of the city ensued; but the act
of 1889 remedied this, and in April, 1890, the city officers chosen in Febru-
ary, under this act, assumed their duties.
Police Department. — The oldest police record dates back to 1S79 when
Thomas Murphy was chief, with Abel Edick, Nelson Morrell, John C. McCrea,
S. H. Emmerson and Thomas McDonoug,h, policemen. In 1880 John G.
McCrea took Chief Murphy's place, and William Quirk and William Mc An-
drews were added to the force. In Jttly, J. D. Fiscus, J. W. Riley and S.
W. Truck were added. On the 21st of this month no less than fifty-one arrests
were made within houses of prostitution. The old officers may be said to
have continued in service until 1887, when John Wilson, Cumminga, and Bent
and Hills were appointed, and Ed. Konan came in later, vice Wilson. In
1887 N. J. Stanton succeeded John C. McCrea as chief, and he was succeeded
in April, 1889^ by Thomas E. McCrea, chief, who along with William Rohne,
Matthew Donahue and F. H. Donnelly form the present police force. The
police docket, which was opened December 17, 1888, was filled up January 28,
1890. It contains 500 pages and represents about 1,500 arrests.
In years now gone forever the position of the police officer was no sinecure.
Desperate men and even women came here at intervals. Even the obsequious
Chinaman got into trouble in those days. In June, 1880, Wah Lee delivered
a bundle of laundi'y goods to some girls on the island, who refused to pay him.
He battled for repossession, but was driven to retreat, after leaving marks of
his visit on the faces of the girls. Charged with assault, he was brought before
Justice MeClure, and after a ludicrous attempt to defend himself, was re-
manded for trial, and subseqttently was pitnished.
The first murder ever recorded at Bradford was that of Maj. Ashton, a col-
ored man, August 23, 1883, George Gordon, another colored man, being
charged with the murder.
Fire Department. — A movement to organize* a hose company resulted in the
formation of the F. S. Johnson Hose Company No. 1. This took place on August
2, 1877. The company was furnished with 1,000 feet of hose and a two-wheeled
cart, by the borough. The hose-house was on Barbour street, in Whitney & Wheel-
er's old barn. Another barn located on the public square was used as a place of
meeting. In the loft of that building the first needs of the hose- boys were
170 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
brought up and acted upon, with Frank Whalen in the chair. Later on the
Johnsons fitted up a building on Pine street and made their headquarters there.
Their first light with the liery enemy was the conflagration which destroyed the
old Bradford House. In recognition of their gallant services at this tire the
citizens purchased a carriage for them, and since that time they have played
well their parts in saving life and property from the devouring element. Their
present headquarters "are in the city building. This company was incorporated
March 7, 1881. The following is a list of the present officers: President,
Thomas Blakely, vice-president, Thomas Osborne; recording secretary, B.
McAllister; treasurer, George Carney; foreman, D. A. Ropp; first assistant
foreman, Jacob Heckel; second assistant foreman, Charles Bobbins.
One of the foremost organizers of the fire department was Mr. J. L.
Andrews, who for several terms held the position of chief engineer. He helped
to build up the department, and the fame of Bradford's excellent organization
spread all over the country. Mr. Andrews laid the foundation for the Era
Hook and Ladder Company, which was the second fire-fighting com25any organ-
ized in Bradford. This was in June, 1878. Mr. Andrews raised the money
and went to New York and purchased the truck, which cost $1,000, and has
served its purpose admirably. As a company for work the Eras are second to
none in the State, and, as the name implies, " they are np with the times."
They belong to the era in which we live. Headquarters, city building. The
present officers are: President, H. H. North; vice-president, Charles H. Steiger;
treasurer, Robert L. Edgett; secretary, Fred. Humbert; financial secretary,
Frank Levens; wardrober, Charles F. Genthner; foreman, Charles F. Genth-
ner; first assistant, J. J. Hutchinson; second assistant, J. Disney.
Citizens' Hose Company No. 2 was organized November 27, 1878. Their
first couveyance for carrying hose was a sleigh, the runners of which were made
of bent pipe two inches in thickness. The motto of this hose company, svmper
paratus, is well sustained by their record in checking the ravages of fire. Will-
iam M. Williams, now of Buffalo, was their first foreman. This organization
has furnished the two latest chief engineers of the department, James E.
Grainger, and the present incumbent, J. F. Campbell. Their headquarters
are on Newell avenue, near Webster street. They are earnest and effective in
their work. The present officers are: President, J. C. Greenewald; vice-presi-
dent, Herman Frank; treasurer, M. Schaaf; recording secretary, Len. Chad-
wick; financial secretary, J. W. Ruble; foreman, J. H. Burns; first assistant
foreman, James Casey.
Whitney Hose Company No. 3 was organized November 12, 1878, and
commenced a brilliant career with the Johnson's old pumper and 500 feet of
rubber hose. They soon acquired a good footing, and established their head-
quarters on Barbour street, where they now have a fine building and first-class
equipment. E. N. Southwick, who has been elected to the positions of first
assistant and chief engineer, was presented by the company with a hat, belt
and trumpet in 1880. The presentation was made by William McVeigh, fore-
man. These were his remarks: "Nate, here is something the boys got you —
the speech will be ready next week." Nate was nearly overcome, Init man-
aged to say: "Much obliged. Bill; my speech will be ready at the same time."
The Whitney boys are firemen of the " first water." The pre.sent officers are:
President, W. B. Potter; vice-president, T. AVhiting; secretary, James Bell;
foreman, Thomas White; first assistant foreman, D. Smith; second assistant
foreman, C. Hudson.
The Weaver Hose Company (independent) is an organization composed of
employes of the firm of Emery & Weaver. They are well prepared for service.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 177
being backed up by the steamer ' ' Lewis Emery, Jr. ' ' They are thorough
firemen. The present officers of the Weaver Hose and Steamer Company are:
President, M. B. Bailey; treasurer, C. D. Evans; secretary, Ed. Caldwell;
foreman, E. A. Guy; assistant foreman, G. F. Guy; engineer of steamer,
John Doty.
Tlie Central Hose Company (independent) was organized in the fall of
1885, and since that time has accomplished good work in fighting fire. The
majority of the members belong to the Central Iron Works and the Oil Well
supply shops. They beat the record in a hose race in this city September 1 of
the present year by running 100 yards in 31 seconds. They should join the
department. The present officers are: President, H. W. Eaton, Jr.; vice-
president, W. J. Bovaird; recording secretary, J. M. Crawford; financial sec-
retary, W. H. Zahnizer; foreman, C. S. Flick; first assistant foreman, S. H.
Nightingale; second assistant foreman, J. J. Crosby.
The Falcon Hose Company is a Third Ward independent organization
which is always ready to respond to an alarm. It was formed to protect
property remote from the other companies' headquarters, and deserves
encouragement.
The present officers of the Bradford Fire Department are; President, Her-
man Frank; vice-president, J. B. Fuller: secretary, M. Cohn; treasurer, J.
C. Greenewald; chief engineer, J. Campbell; first assistant engineer, Bert
McAllister; second assistant engineer, Harry Campbell.
The Bradford Exempts are firemen who have seen veteran service, and have
retired on their laurels. They own a large and finely furnished building on
Kennedy street. They are firemen to the back bone. Their handsome quar-
ters are a favorite resort. The parlors are furnished with pictures donated by
citizens, and the floor is covered with a costly carpet. Here the Exempts meet
and talk over old times. The Exempts have a striking parade uniform and
always command the lion's share of the public attention. Mr. C. L. Wheeler
has served as president since the organization of the company. The jDresent
officers are: President, C. L. Wheeler; vice-president, M. McMahon; secre-
tary, George L. Blakeley; treasurer, J. C. Greenewald; foreman, J. L. An-
drews; first assistant foreman, Thomas Osborne; second assistant foreman. Col.
B. Adams; directors, J. W. Ruble. Arthur Colby, J. F. Campbell, T. C. Kelly.
Two steam fire engines, known as " L. Emery, Jr.," and "City of
Bradford," are two fine machines that are useful adjuncts to the efficient tire
department. The " Emery ' ' steamer is housed in the rear of Emery & Weaver' s
store, Main street, and the "City of Bradford" is kept in the city building.
The Bradford Fire Police Brigade was organized in December, 1878. The
object of the organization was to keep crowds from interfering with firemen
while at work, and to stop the operations of thieves. While this company
lasted much good work was accomplished in that line of duty. The fire police
disbanded and sold their effects some months ago.
The United Hose Company No. 4 was organized March 25, 1879. This
company was composed of men employed mostly by the United Pipe Line.
They were originally organized to protect the Pipe Line property in the
city, bat were admitted to the department in July, 1879. Their record is a
good one. This company disbanded a few years ago, much to the regret of
all citizens.
Water- Works. — The Bradford Water- Works Company was incorporated in
June, 1877, with C. S. Whitney, president; T. J. Melvin, treasurer; T. A.
Hylands, secretary; A. W. Newell, Lewis Emery, Jr., Thomas Bradley and
H. J. Pemberton, directors. The capital stock was placed at $7,000, which
1j» history of MCKEAN COUNTY.
•was owned by fifty stockholders. In October, 1879, Fuller, Bayne & Whitney,
representing the ^V'ater- Works Company, proposed to sell to the city for
$17,951.66, if the annual rental would not be increased to $4,600, but a propo-
sition by the city was acpp|>toil. As told in the pages devoted to the organiza-
tion of the city, Biadl'md owns the present water-works system.
Light and Heat < 'iiiiiiiniiii's. — The Keystone Gas Company of Bradford
was chartered in I'el.nuuy, 1882, with J. B. Bradley, E. O. Emerson, E. C.
Bradley, J. N. Pew and John A. Johnson, directors. The object was to sup-
ply gas and heat to the people along the summit from State Line southwest
to Big Shanty, and to drill and pumj) oil wells. The Bradford Light and Heat-
ing Company, incorporated in June, 1879, offers additional advantages.
The Bradford Electric Light and Power Company purchased Thornton' s
big rink building in October, 1889, and converted it into an immense electric
light establishment. Among the incorporators are J. H. Rose, D. W. Robert-
son, W. C. Walker & Co., D. Phillips and Potter & Wood.
Banks, Etc. — The McKean County Bank was chartered May 13, 1857, with
Solomon Sartwell, George B. Backus, John C. Backus, Samuel C. Hyde, Syl-
vanus Holmes, Samuel L. Casey, Wells D. Wallbridge, A. M. Benton and
Daniel Kingsbury, directors, who were appointed to establish a bank at Smeth-
port on a capital stock of $150,000. Contrary to the charter some of these
financiers determined to locate at Bradford, and called a meeting to elect
directors for June 8, at the office of Daniel Kingsbury. The Smethport
stockholders protested, and had O. J. Hamlin prepare such protest. This was
partially successful, for the wily bankers did pretend to have headquarters at
Smethport for a time. In January, 1858, a certiiicate of capital stock was
issued to Hannah L. Hamlin for two twenty-dollar shares in this concern.
Samuel C. Hyde and John C. Backus signed the certiiicate as commissioners,
while Solomon Sartwell, Jr., was the third commissioner.
Col. Honry, in his reminiscences of this bank, states that "a long-
legged, gander-heeled, old bank swindler from Rhode Island, with Timothy
O. Grannis and one Deidrich, of Utica, N. Y., came to Smethport, bringing
with them three or four boxes said to contain about $34,000 in specie. They
interested Daniel Kingsbury and others in their plans, had a charter from
the State, elected Kingsbury president, Grannis, vice-president, and Deidrich,
cashier, and placed their bills in circulation. Kingsbury was ultimately left
liable for large sums, while the cashier walked off with $75,000 in bills, but
was captured and made disgorge."
The Bradford National Bank commenced business July 25, 1879, succeed-
ing the Bradford Bank (limited), capital $100,0U0. The first board of directors
were as follows: W. C. Allison, T. E. Allison, James O'Neill, G. A. Berry,
R. F. Borckman. The following were the officers; R. F. Borckman, presi-
dent; O. F. Schonblom, vice-president; J. F. Merrill, cashier; J. F. Thompson,
a.ssistant cashier. On January 8, 1884, the management changed, the follow-
ing being the new board: O. F. Schonblom, P. T. Kennedy, AV. C. Kennedy,
G. A. Berry, S. G. Slike, with O. F. Schonblom, president; P. T. Kennedy,
vice-president; T. H. Tomlinson, cashier; J. M. Fink, assistant cashier. On
January 13, 1885, the board changed as follows: P. T. Kennedy. O. F.
Schonblom, W. C. Kennedy, H. F. Whiting, R. J. Straight, with the following
officers: O. F. Schonblom, president; P. T. Kennedy, vice-president; T. H.
Tomlinson, cashier; C. A. Mitchell, assistant cashier. The above named have
all remained in office except the cashier, of which office S. P. Kennedy is
now incumbent. On September 21, 1886, the capital was increased from
$100,000 to $200,000, and the surplus is $40,000.
\
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 181
On March 6, 1888, about 11 a. m., while several customers were transacting
business, a man, wearing a mask and a long rubber coat, entered the front
door of the bank. Approaching the cashier's window, he presented a revolver,
and ordered the official to open the door. "Without pausing, he rapidly
walked a short distance toward the rear of the bank, and suddenly sprang
over the seven-foot railing, lantling directly behind the paying teller. So
quickly was this done that the attention of the teller, who was engaged in
checking out a de]iosit, was not attracted. Mr. Tomlinson had apparently
kept an eye on the man, and as he vaulted over the partition the official started
from his post and met the robber, who instantly placed his revolver against
the cashier's abdomen and fired, the bullet j^assing entirely through his body.
The desperado then turned on the paying teller, and, covering him with his
revolver, drove him toward the rear of the room. Then seizing what money
lay on the counter (about 1600) he escaped through the cashier's room and
the front door of the bank. A crowd gathered and started in pursuit.
After running a short distance the robber turned and fired upon Louis Bleich,
who was in advance of the crowd, the bullet striking Bleich in the bowels
and passing through his body. The robber continued his flight about 1, 500
feet farther, when, apparently thinking escape impossible, he placed the
revolver to his head and fired, dying almost instantly. The name of the
desperado was George A. Kimball. He was formerly a resident of Bradford,
but for some years had lived at Garden City, Kas. Several parties who have
known Kimball are of the opinion that he was insane, but it was believed
generally that the robbery was the well-planned act of a desperado.
The First National Bank is presided over by F. W. Davis (the successor in
that office of J. M. Fuller), with C. C. Melvin, vice president, W. W. Bell,
cashier, and George H. Mills, assistant cashier. The directors are S. G. Bayne,
D. O'Day, Joseph Seep, T. Wistar Brown, Trust Company (Philadelphia), A.B.
Walker, "F. W. Davis, C. C. Melvin, J. M Fuller and W. W. Bell. Among its
stockholders may be named Byron D. Hamlin, Henry Hamlin, A. G. Olmsted,
L. Emery, Jr. , J. T. Jones, C. E. Hequembourg, L. E. Hamsher, C. M. Farrar,
L. F. Lawton, S. Auerhaim. John Weiss, P. W. Roth, John McKeown, Robert
C. Simpson, W^ R. Weaver, F. D. Wood. Asher Brown, John Loy, P. L. Web-
ster, Joseph Stettheimer, Robert Long, I. W. Shirley, A. Hochstetter, James E.
Blair, A. B. Smith, Kenton Saulnier. E. T. Howes, J. D. Case. The capital is
placed at $150,000, and the surplus at $30,000.
The Tuna Valley Bank of Bradford, established in 1875-76, by Whitney
& Wheeler, was forced to close its doors, owing to the fierce pressure brought
to bear on financial houses during the year 1884. In February, 1886, the
final dividend, with interest, was paid to creditors, and the honorable pro-
jectors were the only losers.
The Commercial National Bank was opened in March, 1890, in the O'Don-
nell Building, on Main and Pine streets. The entire capital stock of $100,000
was easily disposed of, and the new bank started out with a solid backing,
both in a financial and a patronizing sense. At a meeting held in January, 1890,
the following officers were chosen; P. F. Borckman, president; C. H. Lavens,
vice-president; W. H. Powers, cashier; R. L. Mason, assistant cashier and
teller; C. H. Lavens, Alexander Urquhart, John R. Zook, J. C. Lineman, E.
H. Barnum, J. H. Healey, R. F. Borckman, directors.
The People's Building, Loan & Savings Association was organized at
Elliott & Edgett's office, July 18, 1889, when the following-named officers
were chosen: W. W. Brown, president; George A. Sturgeon, treasurer;
Roy W. Edgett, secretary; Silas G. Elliott, manager; Stone, Brown & Stur-
182 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
geon. attornej's; board of appraisers: E. J. Boylston, A. T. Godfrey, James
H. Roche, Frank W. Boss and C. M. Carr. At this time no less than 116
shares were subscribed for.
The Bradford Building & Loan Association is presided over by H. S.
Southard, with H. H. North, secretary. The second series of stock was au-
thorized to be opened February 2, ISOO.
The McKean County Board of Underwriters was organized some time ago,
and presided over by E. V. Cody, with John Troy, of Olean, vice-president,
Fred W. Groves, secretary, and William Haskell, treasurer.
Oil Exclianges. — The Tuna Valley Oil Exchange was presided over in
January, 1877, by A. I. Wilcox, with Col. D. Gardner, vice-president, and
C Everson, secretary.
The Bradford Oil Exchange may be said to have been established March
19, 1878, when a meeting, over which C. L. Wheeler presided, considered the
question of organization. A. J. Stephenson was secretary; J. M. Fuller, L.
Emery, Jr., C. L. Wheeler, G. H. VanVleck and F. E. Boden, executive and
building committee, and A. F. Kent, treasurer. Stock to the amount of
$30,000 was at once subscribed, and in May plans by E. A. Curtis were
adopted, and the old Johnson homestead on Main street, purchased for
$10,000. The building contract was sold to Henry Shenk, who commenced
work June 13, 1878, and completed the house in February, 1879, the total
cost including lot being $44,000. Charles L. Wheeler, the first president,
has been elected annually down to the present time. The officers of the
Bradford Oil Exchange elected for 1890 are C. L. Wheeler, president; J. E.
Haskell, vice president; Wintield Scott, secretary and treasurer; J. B. Jayne,
F. W. Davis, C. C. Melvin, F. L. Blackmarr, E. Boyer, W. R. Weaver, S.
H. Durston, A. B. Walker, J. E. Cochran and John Denman, directors; F.
H. Roberts, A. Thornton, F. P. Leonard, W. E. Gould and J. M. McElroy,
arbitration committee; C. L. Wheeler, E. P. Whitcomb and J. T. Jones,
conference committee; C. K. Thompson, judge of election; E. J. Boylston
and I. G. Jackson, inspectors of election.
The Producers' Petroleum Exchange was chartered in December, 1882,
and early in 1883 the inaugural meeting was held in Armory Hall, with 500
members, each of whom carried a $100 share. In June, 1883, a site for the
Exchange building was obtained, and' January 2, 1884, the house was com-
pleted and opened, David Kirk, the president, delivering the address. Messrs.
McKevett, Williamson and Lockwood formed the building committee. Mr.
Kirk, referring to the progress of the county, said: " Congressionally we are
in the same condition. For six years of the ten at least we must continue to
be the tail end of a wild-cat district. Politically we amount to no more to day
than when the population of McKean county consisted of a few men in the
lumbering camps of the wilderness. Our representatives must be held ac-
countable. One of them, with a vulgar display of wealth, has tendered money
in place of services."
The Association of Producers was organized June 11, 18S4, with H. L.
Taylor, president; David Kirk and W. J. Young, vice-jiresidents; F. W.
Mitchell, treasurer; W. H. Johnson, secretary; John L. McKennev, John
Satterfield, J. A. Cadwallader, W. W. Hague, F. T. Coast, J. T. Jones, B.
Goe, W. R. Weaver, C. S. Whitney, J. S. Davis, F. W. Andrews, James
Amm, W. J. Young and H. B. Porter, executive committee. A meeting was
held August 21, 1884, when the secretary read the report on the " shut-down "
prepared by the executive committee, and with it the agreement, signed by 861
individual owners of wells or representatives of firms, while the total number
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 183
of wells ill the Bradford district, connected with the National Transit and the
Tide Water Lines, was 13,328.
The Producers' Protective Association elected the following named officers
September 3. 1889: T. W. Phillips, of New Castle, president; H. L. Taylor,
of Buffalo, vice-president; James R. Goldsborough, of Bradford, secretary;
R. J. Straight, of Bradford, treasurer. The association was organized two
years before this date, and is credited with introducing the new era of pros-
perity in the oil field.
The W. P. Driven Well Protective Association was organized at Bradford
in 1883, with A. J. Edgett, president; Dr. M. A. Todd, secretary; A. De-
Golier, treasurer; P. T. Kennedy, C. C. Melvin and James E. Blair, execu-
tive committee.
Post-office. — In 1879 W. F. DeGolier was postmaster at Bradford. His
direct salary was §2,300, with $1,500 allowance for clerk hire. During the
first quarter of the year 1879 money orders for 131,000 were issued, and
$5,899 worth of stamps sold. In March. 1885, the citizens of Bradford peti-
tioned for the extension of the free-letter delivery system. The petitioners
were given an idea of the mills of the gods, fur the department devoted four-
teen months to the consideration of their prayer. The present postmaster, C.
B. Whitehead, took possession of the office May 28, 1886, and within thirty
days the welcome letter-carriers were distributing letters among the people.
In 1887 the volume of business was far in excess of any preceding year, and
an increase in business marks every month since that time.
Hotels. — The Riddell House was sold in November, 1881, by Dr. George
Riddell, to Chamberlain & Gelm for $40,000. The Doctor built a large frame
house in 1878, on part of the site of the present structure. Late that year it
was swept away by fire. In 1879 the present house was built by him. Ander-
son & Co. purchased Chamberlain & Gelm's interests; Mitchell & Anderson
bought the house from them on July 23, 1885; F. P. Holley purchased Mitch-
elFs interest, and in 1887 he became sole owner. The Riddell is a first-class
hotel, admirably managed.
The St. James Hotel, at the head of Main street, near the exchanges,
banks, newspaper offices and leading business houses, is equally as well man-
aged as the Riddell House. The building is quite modern, and the location
unexcelled.
The Henderson House comes next in importance. It is a most popular hos-
telry, and well conducted. The hotel is a large building, one block from Main
street, but near the business center, the churches and schools, and convenient
to the railroad deijots.
The American House is spoken of with favor by visitors from various
sections of the Bradford field; while several other houses have their admir-
ers, leading one to suppose that the city knows no such thing as a poor hotel.
In January, 1817, Sabines Walker petitioned the court to grant him a
license for keeping a house of entertainment in his dwelling on Tunuangnant
creek, where the Smethport and Ellicottville road passes. In January, 1S48,
Sylvanus Holmes asked license for this house. For about thirty years Bradford
and neighborhood were happy in the old-time inns referred to by Judge Ward,
and when the modern inns came to replace them, fire swept away a few of the
new institutions, as related.
Schools. — In the reminiscences of Judge Ward, references are made to the
early schools of Bradford. In 1877 the old school building became the prop-
erty of the Catholic church, and on its site stands the present St. Bernard's
184 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUKTY.
church and convent schools. At that time the common-school system of the
city placed the foundation stone of its present greatness.
In his first report to the State superintendent in 1882, George F. Stone,
then superintendent of the city schools, said: " In submitting my first report of
the condition of the schools of the city of Bradford, you will permit a refer-
ence to the peculiar diificulties with which our city in its infancy has labored.
AVithin seven years our school population has increased more than twelve fold,
and the number of schools in like proportion. It has been found necessary to
erect within the last two ydars three school buildings, furnishing accommoda-
tions for thirteen schools, and during the present vacation another building
has been enlarged to accommodate two additional schools." In 1882 there were
in the city twenty-one schools, employing twenty-six teachers. The average
attendance was 1,037 and the average percentage was ninety-two. The total
amount of tax levied for school and building purposes, $39,649.21. In 1883
the number of schools had increased to twenty four, the number of teachers
to thirty-five, and the average attendance had swelled to 1,080. The sexes
were about evenly divided. In this year the total tax was $29,488.46. Dur
ing the school year ending June 2, 1884, the capacity of the schools was
again severely tested, and a new brick building was erected on Congress street.
This structure contains a library, a laboratory and a printing office. In this
year the number of schools was swelled to thirty-two, employing thirty-eight
teachers, with an average attendance of 1,166. The total amount of taxes
levied was $27,578.46. In 1885 the schools were not increased. The num-
ber of teachers employed was thirty-nine, and the average attendance was
1,300. The total amount of the tax levy was $38,091.07. In the spring of
1886 the central school building was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by a
larger and more commodious structure. In this year there were thirty-four
schools, which gave employment to thirty, nine teachers. The average attend-
ance was further increased to 1,315. The tax levy was $31,287.48. In 1887
there were thirty-one schools, employing thirty-five teachers. The enrollment
consists of 912 males and 968 females, a total of 1,880. The average daily
attendance is 1,387, and the average cost of each pujiil $1.03 per month. The
total amount levied for school and building purposes is $27,180.74. In 1888
phenomenal progress was reported. In June of this year the discussion on
the question of the superintendent's salary created a stir in school circles and
brought from the superintendent a letter of which the following is a copy.
Bangok. Mb., June 23, 1888.
To THE Board of School Control, Bradford, Pa.
As I read hi the Era of to-day that I have been charged with disloyalty to the schools
of Bradford in advising teachers to ask higher salaries elsewhere, and thus oblige the Brad-
ford board to incvease them; also, that the public are dissatisfied with the increase made
in my salary, I again ask the Bradford board to release me from my engagements for an-
other year. A superintendent may be found whose desire for a position may be so great
that he will be willing to keep silent when he is unjustly accused. Fortunately my op-
portunities in life are so many that I am not so placed. I again thank the Board for the
uniform courtesy I have received at their hands.
Respectfully,
Ella M. Boyce.
The lady did not lose her position; on the contrary her salary was advanced, ^
and in July, 1889, the following assignment of teachers was made, which was
adopted by the board: Central Brick Building: Aima McBride, principal;
Helen M. Biscoe, first assistant; Oriana Wycoff, principal; Christine Miller,
assistant; Sarah Bruce, Sallie Hamor, Luella Harris, Bessie Johnson, A. Hag-
gerty, A. Herrick. — Annex: L. Heard, M. Silberberg. — Synagogue: Bertha
James. — Central Wooden Building : Helen Shepard, Miss Angell, Annie Miller,
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 185
K. Murphy, J. Simons, H. Horton, B. Huff, M. Brown.— Third Ward: Belle
Minard, Nellie Lewis, Cleora Prosser, L. Morton, S. Lewis, Francis Wann. —
Fourth Ward: Jennie Renninger, Delia Neely, H. Mason, A. Brennan. —
Fifth Ward: M. Wann, M. Mead, H. A. Brown, I. Blanchard.
The actual expenses were, for year ending June, 1889: Salaries of superin-
tendent and teachers. $16,559; of secretary and librarian, $111; of janitors,
$1,"242: fuel and contingencies, fl,078; supplies, $823; miscellaneous, $339;
total, $20,452.
Late in the fall of 1878 the work of erecting the schools attached to St.
Bernard's Church was begun, and school opened in them in September of the
following year, the services of the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph having
been secured as teachers in the same. The maintenance of these schools is
quite a heavy burden upon the congregation. These schools are free to all.
There are some three hundred pupils upon the school roll, who are instructed
and well grounded in all the primary branches without any expense to the tax-
payers of the city. Of her educational advantages Bradford has good reason
to be proud. The public school system is very nearly perfect, and the advanced
methods, the thorough training, and the excellent discipline by which they
have been distinguished, have drawn to their cordial support a class which in
other cities depends almost wholly upon private schools. The newspapers of
the city are, however, the great practical educators.
Churches. — The First Baptist church is contemporary with the first settle-
ment at Bradford. In 1840 Rev. N. E. Chapin had an appointment as mis-
sionary pastor, preaching in what was known as Col. Little's house, near the
present oil exchange.
The Regular Baptist church of Bradford was organized under State laws
in September, 1852, with Enos Parsons, Truman Sherman, W. F. Peckham,
E. C. Olds, James DeGolier, C. Storms and Edwin Colegrove, trustees. In
1874 the church was reorganized under the labors of State Missionary Stowell,
and T. J. Knapp, of Parker, became pastor in June, 1878. His labors were
continued until July, 1879, when he resigned. The church was left pastorless
until February, 1880, when Rev. Alfred Rose, of Westertield, N. Y. , accepted a
call. The society was organized under legal form in December, 1880, and the
constitution signed bv the following named members: \\ . W. Brown, T. J.
Powers, F. Z. Trax, P. T. Kennedy, W. H. Dennis, M. S. Cody, C. P. Cody,
E. B. Chai^pelle, Alfred Rose, W.. H. Powers, E. Crossman, Clara Prosser,
Jessie. Browne, Jennie E. Rose and D. DeGolier. Among the trustees were
Isaac Jones and A. K. Johnson. Services were held in the Opera House and
other places until January 16, 1881, when the present house was dedicated.
In April, 1882, Mr. Rose resigned, and in May following was succeeded by
Rev. \V. R. Baldwin, who served until February 15, 1884. At this time the
church numbered 125 members, and was carrying a debt of $8,000. On Au-
gust 1, 1884, Rev. James P. Thoms, of Cazenovia, N. Y. , began his pastorate.
The Methodist Church of Tunuanguant was incorporated in July, 1848,
with John F. Melvin, John O. Beardsley, Absalom Hutchinson, Seth Scott,
Thomas Dolloff, William Beardsley, Daniel Warner, William R. Fisher, H.
Webb, L. W. Fisher and A. S. Wheaton, stockholders or subscribers.
The First Methodist Church of Bradford was incorporated May 30, 1878,
with Loren G. Peck, J. H. Harris, A. DeGolier, H. S. Baker, L. B. Blakes-
lee, A. W. Newell and John Brown. The object of legal association was to
acquire property and build a house of worship. For many years before this
an organization existed in Bradford, but regular services were not commenced
under the auspices of such organization until October, 1876, when Rev. J. A.
186 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Copeland was appointed pastor. Until March, 1887, the Opera House was
used for public worship. At that time their new church was completed, which
has since been enlarged. Mr. Copeland was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. C. \V.
Gushing, D. D., and in 1882 by Rev. D. W. C. Huntington. D. D. The mem-
bership of the church at present is over 500, and the average attendance at the
Sunday-school is almost 400, under the care of lifty-five officers and teachers.
Kev. G. Chapman Jones concluded a four-years term as pastor in September,
1889. At that time he reported 553 members and thirty probationers. Mr.
Huntington was reappointed in the fall of 1889.
The First Congregational Church of Bradford was organized in May. 1854,
with T. Lambert, V. Waggoner, W. W. Norton, E. D. Norton. M. C." Fuller,
C. D. Webster and E. S. Niles, trustees. Samuel Porter and P. L. Webster,
with the trustees, signed the petition for incorporation.
The Bradford Meeting-House Association was incorporated June 21, 1871,
with P. L. Webster, J. E. Blair, T. W. Cole, Benjamin Jewett, Thomas J.
Melvin and Abram K. Johnson, trustees. The society was formed to control
the property of the Congregational Church, vice E. D. Norton, A. K. Johnson
and F. Newell, the trustees of the old Congregational society of 1853-54, of
Littleton Village, who were acting in 1866.
The Universalist Church was organized here early in the ' ' fifties, ' ' as told ,
in the sketch of Editor HafFey, but meetings were irregular. In later days serv-
ices of this denomination have been held here.
St. Bernard's Church. Previous to the discovery of oil in the northern
field there was no resident Catholic pastor in Bradford. The few members of
that denomination located at this point and in the immediate vicinity were oc-
casionally visited by a priest from Newell creek, and among the first to thus
visit them was Very Rev. J. D. Coady. now jjastor of St. Titus Church, Titus-
ville. His field of missionary duty, though extensive in respect to territory,
embracing, as it did, the counties of McKean, Potter, and parts of Elk, was,
however, limited in respect to numbers. The summer of 1877 witnessed the
climax of the oil excitement in this section; people began to flock to it from
every point of the compass, and Bradford grew rapidly from a mere hamlet
to a full-fledged city. It was in the fall of this year that Rev. William
Coonan, present pastor of St. Bernard's Church, was appointed by Bishop
Mullin. of Erie, to look after the spiritual wants of the Catholic population,
and build up the church. After some debts, which had been contracted pre-
vious to his taking charge, were satisfactorily adjusted, immediate preparations
were made for the erection of a suitable church edifice. Heretofore the little
congregation had worshii^ed in what used to be the old village school-house,
which, together with the grounds attached, they had purchased, and upon
which the present church parsonage and schools are erected. In the spring of
1878 the present church, 44x100 feet, was commenced, and was occupied the fol-
lowing December, though not dedicated until the srimmer of 1879, at which time
it was almost completely paid for. The school buildings were l)egun in the fall
of 1878, and opened by the Sisters of St. Joseph in September, 1879. In ISSl
the Catholic cemetery was established on the Brown farm, one mile southwest of
the city. Work on the proposed large brick and stone church will, it is said,
commence in the spring of 1890.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford was incorporated in June, 1 879,
the following named having hitherto signed the constitution: Theodore Ladd,
C. D. W^ebster, A. M. Davis, C. H. HofPman, A. L. Kinkead, J. M. Arm-
strong, R. G. Williams and William M. Boggs. Among the directors were
Bernard Hook and W. J. McCullough. The society was originally organized
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 187
June 19. 1S77, with twenty-four members. For more than two years the con-
gregation was without a regular place of worship, during which time services
were held in Wagner's Opera House, the Universalist Church, the Academy of
Music and other places. In the fall of 1875 the lecture room of the church
was completed, and a place was thus provided for the services. The church
edifice itself was not finished until the following sjDring. On May 30, ISSO,
the church was dedicated, §5,000 being raised on this occasion to pay for the
same. The following autumn the excellent pipe-organ, which is still in u'se,
was purchased at a cost of §1,600. Rev. R. G. AYilliams, now of Nelson,
Penn. , was the first pastor of the church, and continued his ministry for one
year and a half. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Ross Findley, now of Con-
neaut, Ohio, who was pastor of the church from May, 1879, until May, 1882.
The present pastor. Rev. Edward Bryan, was installed November 15, 1882.
The church is now in connection with the presbytery of Erie, to which it was
transferred from the presbytery of Buffalo by the general assemljly. On Sep-
tember 1, 1889, Bryan resigned his office as pastor after seven years' service.
During that period $51,172 were collected for missionary and church purposes.
Rev. M. J. Eccles came in February, 1890.
The Protestant Episcopal Church of the Ascension petitioned for incor-
poration May 27, 1880. The signers were W. W. Mason, A. B. Put-
nam, L. C. Blakeslee, "W. F. Crane, I. Beam, J. A. Ege, S. L. Wilson, J. R.
Mattock, S. H. Durston, T. L. Shields, E. F. Willetts, A. C. Scott, J. F.
Merrill, Peter T. Kennedy, C. L. Wheeler. Ed. R. Shepherd, Lynford Lard-
ner, C. A. Seigfried, H. G. Cutting and F. Winslow, of Bradford, with C. A.
Cornen and W. N. Hanna, of Kendall. The Rouseville, Penn., church build-
ing was moved to Bradford, rebuilt, and was used up to January 19, 1890,
when it was burned. The society proposes to erect a new building this year.
The United Brethren Church is one of the modern religious organizations
of the city. The membership is small, but flourishing.
Beth Zion Congregation was incorporated in December, 1880, with Jacob
(-)lshoft'sky, Philip Nusbaum, Alexander Simpson, Moses Ruslander and A. M.
Mayer, trustees. The names of S. Auerhaim and Asher Brown also appear
on the record. A temple was erected on South Mechanic street, and dedicated
in the spring of 1881. The services are conducted according to the reform
principles of modern Judaism. That is to say, prayers and sermons in the
English language are connected with the Hebrew ritual. Rev. Samuel Weil
has been the Rabbi ever since the founding of the congregation. The congre-
gation numbers forty members, besides many seat-holders. The Rabbi con-
ducts, besides the Sabbath- school, a day school in which Hebrew and German
are taught.
The First Bradford Orthodox Hebrew Congregation was incorporated in
March, 1881, with P. Freidman, David Levi and Isaac Nusbaum, trustees.
The petition was signed by Joseph Rosenberg, H. Cohn, Dan. Silberene,
Raphael Michael, B. Jacobs and L. Graff.
The African Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1880 by
Rev. Mr. Cyrus. The following fall Rev. R. H. Jackson was appointed to
this charge, and for three years served the church in the capacity of pastor.
He was succeeded by Rev. R. H. Henderson, who, after serving for two years,
was succeeded by Rev. S. H. Lacey in a pastoral service of one year. Rev.
C. H. Brown was then appointed. The highest number of members in con-
nection with the church at any one time is seventy-two; the lowest reported
membership, thirteen.
The Swedish Church was incorporated September 1, 1888. The congrega-
188 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
tion, like others of this faith in the southern townships of McKean county,
pushes forward valiantly to gain a place among the old religious societies of
the city.
Rev. Clim Gim, educated in the Lane Seminary for Presbyterian mission
work, came to Bradford in 1881 to address Judge Ward's Sunday-school class
of Chinese pupils.
Ben Hogan, referred to in the history of Tarport, is now an Evangelist.
The following concerning this extraordinary man is taken from a local paper:
Ben Hogan, old-time Rambler, cracksman, confidence man, bounty jumper, dive-
keeper and pugilist, who left the oil country eleven years ago with the reputation of being
the wickedest 'man in the world, is back again after his long absence, going from town to
town, visiting his old haunts, greeting his old friends, and— preaching to them the gos-
pel! Packed houses greet hira, and although crude, ungi'ammatical, and with a vocabu-
lary not at all e.xtensive, he holds the iiilcicstid atUntiim of ignorant and cultivated
alike with the forceful and rudely elntiucnt nciiiil nf his past adventures, and the story
of his marvelous conversion. As he lodlis Irnin ilii' iilaiform he can see the faces of many
of his old patrons— the man who diank iiis li(|iinr at, I'illiole, the habitue of his dance-
l)Ouse at Babylon, the ex-oil prince who spent his SlUO a night on board the infamous
" floating palace " at Parker's Landing, and the driller who patronized his place at Tar-
port. They all come to hear Ben preach the gospel. For how many men does the whirli-
gig of time work such wonders as it has for Ben Hogan, Evangelist?
Cemeteries. — About fifty-seven years ago three acres were donated to the
settlers of Littleton for a free birrial-gronnd. This tract was located on Ken-
nedy street. In the winter of 1880-81 the cemetery on the Tarport road was
opened.
The Oak Hill Cemetery Association of Bradford was incorporated in De-
cember, 1883, with W. R. Weaver, Enos Parsons, C. C. Melvin, P. M. Fuller
and P. L. Webster, stockholders. In 1881 the Catholic cemetery on Washing-
ton street was opened. This is located on the H. Brown farm, one mile south-
west of the city.
Hospital. — The project of establishing a hospital was first started by Gen.
Kane. He recognized the necessity for an institution of that kind to care for per-
sons disabled in the oil field; and in April, 1881, the McKean County Relief Soci-
ety was organized and incorporated. A hospital was to be erected on Mount
Raub, but on account of the General' s death the project was abandoned. Rev. D.
B. Wilson, well known for his charities, next revived interest in the matter, but
before his plans could be properly carried out he died, in 1885. The Brad-
ford Hospital Association was incorporated August 4, 1885, on petition of the
following named supporters: H. F. Barbour, M. B. Pierce, A. L. AV'eil, P.
M. Shannon, L. Emery, Jr., H. W. Eaton, R. B. Stone, Edward Bryan, J.
T. Jones and M. McMahon. By public and private donations and entertain-
ments the hospital fund grew, and that worthy institution was placed upon a
substantial footing. The hospital was opened in May, 1887, and placed under
the direction of Mrs. M. Krider, matron.
Societies, Etc. — In the order of Masonic* advancement and organization,
the Blue Lodge comes first imder consideration.
Union Lodge No. 334. Up to the year 1858 there was not a lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons within the borders of McKean county, and there was
none nearer than Warren, known as North Star Lodge No. 241. In that year
a number of Masons living in the village decided to form a lodge. The con-
sent of North Star Lodge No. 241 having been given, the following brethren
petitioned the grand lodge of Pennsylvania for a warrant of constitution:
Samuel Boyer, Montour Lodge, IfiS, N. J. ; Nelson Parker, North Star Lodge,
241 ; G. F. Peckham, Ellicottville Lodge. 307, N. Y. ; William Beardsley,
» MasoDic history is talien from tlie Slur of July, 1889.
^/Ulm^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 191
Ellicottville Lodge, 307, N-. Y. ; J. L. Savage (lodge not given); Jasper Marsh,
North Star Lodge, 241; Jonathan Marsh (lodge not given); J. C. Ackley,
Brownville Lodge. At a quarterly communication of the grand lodge, held
March 7, 18r)9, the warrant of constitution was granted for a lodge in the vil-
lage of Bradford, Penn., to be known as Union Lodge No. 334, signed by the
following grand ofificers : Henry M. Phillips, R. W. G. M. ; John Thompson, D.
G. M. ; David C. Sterrett, S. G. W. ; Lucius H. Scott, J. G. W. : Peter William-
son, grand treasurer; William H. Adams, grand secretary. On August 3, 1859,
the lodge was duly constituted, and on that day held its first meeting. The
first officers were Samuel Boyer, W. M. ; Nelson Parker, S. W. ; George F.
Peckham, J. W.; Wilson Beardsley, secretary; Jasper Marsh, treasurer; J. S.
Savage, S. D. ; J. C Ackley, J. D. The following have served as masters of
the lodge: George F. Peckam, S. Boyer, A. K. Johnson (three years), William
Burton, H. W. Glass, T. H. Stock, Nelson Parker. George T. Keith, L. B.
Prosser (two years), G. D. H. Crooker (two years), James Broder, J. W.
Brennan, F. W. Davis. T. J. Melvin, James E. Blair, F. P. Wentworth. E.
D. Matteson (two years), C. L. Wheeler, E. A. Boyne, D. S. Kemp, Walter
Grubb, \\'illiam K. Laney. The officers of the lodge in 1889 were A. D.
Sloan, W. M. ; James M. Stevenson. S. W. ; Hfory Trumbower, J. W. ; Lewis
C. Longaker, treasurer; G. P. McAllister, secretary; and in 1890, J. M. Stev-
enson, Henry Trumbower, S. R. Dresser, C. L. Wheeler and C. P. McAllister.
C. L. Wheeler is district deputy grand master of the Twenty-second District of
Pennsylvania, comprising the counties of McKean and Potter. Up to 1875 the
lodge grew in numbers but moderately. At that time the remarkable growth
of the city set in and the lodge felt the effects of it in an increased prosperity
and interest. The lodge has now a membership of 240, and its members not
only comprise many of the leading and best citizens of Bradford, but are scat-
tered all over the land, in almost every State and Territory. The lodge is
also in a flourishing condition, financially, being out of debt and having $2,000
in property and invested funds. Applications for membership are received at
nearly every meeting, and the total inadequacy of the present lodge room to
accommodate comfortably one-half the membership has made the building of
the new Temple a necessity. There were 225 members in March. 1890.
Bradford Chapter, R. A. M. , No. 200. In the summer of 1880 a number
of Royal Arch Masons residing in this city discussed among themselves the
formation of a new chapter, and the result was an application to the grand
chapter for a charter signed by the following comjaanions as charter members:
C. L. Wheeler, Joseph H. Simonds, W. R. Weaver, W. A. Rix. James Broder,
J. G. Sturgeon, W. M. Keeler, G. D. Buss, W. H. Glarke, W. C. Husband,
John Stinson, Michael Murphy, W. F. Jordan, E. P. Pooler, G. G. Melvin,
Henry Trumbower. The charter was granted by the grand chapter, and on
September 6, 1880, Bradford Ghapter, R. A. M., No. 260, was constituted and
the new officers installed. The occasion was one of great interest in Masonic
circles for many miles around. The grand officers of the State were nearly
all jaresent and conducted the impressive ceremonies in the presence of a large
assembly of chapter masons, including many distinguished men of high posi-
tion and character. The first officers, of the new chapter, installed were
Joseph H. Simonds, M. E. H. P.; William R. Weaver, king; William A. Rix,
scribe; Gharles L. Wheeler, treasurer; Robert T. Thompson, secretary. The
chapter at once entered upon an era of unexampled growth and prosperity.
At the end of the first year the membership had been increased to eighty-seven,
at the end of the second year to 122, and at the end of the third year to 155.
Since then the growth has been steady, and at the present date the roster num-
192 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
bers '210 companions, and the invested funds and property of the chapter
amouut to abont $2.5(10. Following are the past high priests who have
served in that capacity since the constituting of the chapter: Joseph H.
Simonds, W. E. Weaver, W. H. Clarke, David S. Kemp, Phillip M. Shannon,
H. Trumbower, Elias Urquhart, Francis W. Spragne and E. F. Sawyer.
This chapter elected the following named officers in December, 1889: F. J.
Collins, H. P. ; George W. Ashdown, K. ; James M. Stevenson, scribe; Charles
L. Wheeler, treasurer; Charles P. McAllister, secretary, and F. W. Sjnague,
representative. The membership is now (1890) 200.
Bradford Council No. 43, R. & S. M. In the early part of January, 1888,
a number of royal and select masters residing in Bradford met to consider
the advisability of establishing a council of royal and select masters. At an
informal meeting held February 9, 1888, it was decided to apply for a charter
at the grand council meeting at Erie, Penn. On Friday evening. May 4, 1888,
the grand council held a special meeting in this city, constituted Bradford
Council No. 43, R. & S. M. , and installed the following officers: F. J. Collins,
T. I. G. M. ; L. £. Mallory, D. I. G. M. ; J. H. Youngs, P. C. of W. ; C. L.
Wheeler, Treas. ; E. F. Sawyer, Rec. With the exception of P. C. of W. and
recorder, the above officers were re-elected for this year. Companion Youngs
and Companion Sawyer declined a re-election, and Companions D. C. Greene-
wald and C. P. McAllister were elected as P. C. of W. and recorder. The offi-
cers of this council elected in December, 1889, were L. E. Mallory, T. I. G. M. ;
S. R. Sheakley, D. I. G. M. ; C. S. Hubbard, P. C. of W. ; C. L. Wheeler,
Treas. ; C. P. McAllister, Rec. ; J. R. Goldsborough, F. W. Sprague and J.
W. Hogan, trustees. The membership is 147, or the third in strength in this
State.
Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T. In the early months of 1881 the
matter of instituting a Commandery of Knights Templar began to be discussed.
Among the new residents of the city were many members of the order who
had located in the great northern held to stay, and they wanted a templar
home. On April 30, 1881, a preliminary meeting of members of the order was
held, and a petition for a dispensation forwarded to the grand commandery,
with the following charter members' names affixed: J. H. Simonds, C. L.
Wheeler, Victor Gratter, Casper Taylor, R. T. Thompson, James Broder, W.
R. Weaver, A. C. Hawkins, J. M. McElroy, E. A. Drake. J. R. Goldsborough,
C. H. McKevitt, J. B. Farrel, O. F. Schonblom, L. E. Hamsher, W. H. Brad-
ley, Marion Henshaw, John Bird, Joseph Overy, W. L. Yelton, J. C. Stur-
geon, H. Trumbower, T. B. Hoover, W. C. Hayes, D. S. Scoville, W. P.
Shoemaker, John T. Farmer, W. H. Spain, F. M. Cole, W. H. H. Fithian,
J. M. Stevenson, W. Warmoastle, M. A. Sprague, W. F. Kelley, D. F. Sieg-
fried, John Eaton, J. B. Wheaton, W. C. Husband. H. C. Sanderson, Sey-
mour Peck, W. H. Clarke, Alfred Smedley, Charles A. Bailey, J. E. Haskell,
W. A. Rix, Frank A. Smith, W. F. Jordan, J. B. Flisher, John Stinson, A.
B. Walker, Charles D. Buss, John C. Holmes, Enos O. Adams and Ed. Good-
win. On May 1 3 the dispensation was granted, and on May 18, 1881, the first con-
clave of Trinity commandery was held, with the following officers: Joseph
Simonds, eminent commander; C. L. Wheeler, generalissimo; Victor Gratter,
captain-general; Casper Taylor, treasurer; Robert T. Thompson, recorder;
John C. Sturgeon, prelate; James Broder, senior warden; William H. Clarke,
junior warden; J. R. Goldsborough, standard bearer; William A. Rix, sword
bearer; John Stinson, warder; W. H. H. Fithian, sentinel. At the meeting
of the grand commandery in that same month the charter was duly granted,
and R. E. Sir George W. Kendrick, grand commander of the State of Penn-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 193
sylvania, appointed Wednesday, September 28, 1881, for the constituting of
Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T. The members of the new commandery
resolved to make the occasion one long to be remembered, both as a social and
Masonic event of the city, and they more than succeeded. The most elaborate
preparations were made, both for the reception of the grand officers and the
entertainment of the guests of the occasion. The new commandery so auspi-
ciously constituted increased rapidly in members, and soon ranked as one of
the most vigorous and most ably officered and conducted templar organiza-
tions in the State. At the present time the membership numbers 198. The
commandery has within the last few years lost many prominent members by
death, among them the First Commander E. Sir Joseph H. Simonds, to
whose earnest intelligent efforts are due more than to any other one man, the
constituting of both the chapter and commandery, and their success and effi-
ciency. Following are the past commanders in order of service: Joseph H.
Simonds, Joseph M. McElroy, Charles L. Wheeler, Phillip M. Shannon, Win-
field Scott Watson, James R. Goldsborough, Harry A. Marlin. The officers
for 1889 were James R. Groldsborough, eminent commander; Henry F. Bar-
bour, generalissimo; William R. Weaver, captain- general; Phillij) M. Shan-
non, treasurer; W. H. H. Fithian, recorder. The officers for 1890 are H. F.
Barbour, E. C. ; W. R. Weaver, G. ; F. J. Collins, C. G. ; C. L. Wheeler,
Treas., and C. P. McAllister, Rec. The present membership is 200.
In the summer of 1889 the proposition to build a Masonic Temple was
favorably received, and the lots on which the Roberts' block was standing,
purchased. The old building was removed and the elegant edifice erected.
Mr. Cu.rtis, of Fredonia, is the architect, and the Masenic Temple Association,
with S. B. Dresser, president, W. R. Weaver, vice-president, and C. P. Mc-
Allister, secretary, had charge of its construction.
Tuna Lodge No. 411, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 1, 1877. The
Past Grands of this lodge are W. H. Adams, C. W. Bartholomew, E. I. Bald-
win, J. J. Cole. J. C. Greenewald, D. C. Greenewald, C. A. Huggins, Ber-
nard Hook, F. E. Hinkley, J. G. Hann, Lee Kennedy, Dave Kibler, John
Kelly, Ed. Kahn, D. C. Macon, A. G. Moulton, John Meyers, J. W. Piatt, J.
H. Ralph, E. N. Southwick, John Theetge, W. R. Weaver, F. Steinberger,
V. E. Bryant and John Cummings; A. N. Heard has served as D. D. G. M. ,
and R. A. Dempsey as secretary. The membership is about 100.
McKean Encampment No. 266, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 18, 1884.
The P. C. P's. of this organization are W. R. Weaver, D. C. Greenewald,
J. H. Ralph, J. C. Greenewald, James A. Lindsey, V. E. Bryant, John Cum-
mings, W. H. Adams, E. G. Baldwin and John Myers. C. V. Cottrell has
served as scribe, and .1. H. Ralph as D. D. G. M. There are forty-five mem-
bers with encampment property valued at .? 1,300.
Tuna Valley Lodge No. 453, K. of P., was instituted December 9, 1884,
with the following named members: W. H. Malick, Sanford Gordon. F. S.
Parker, G. R. Mabb, G. B. Watson, E. J. Chambers, H. Frank, E. T. Wright,
J. S. Fritz, C. M. Carr, G. W. Willis, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Charles A. Bailey,
J. A. Lindsey, N. A. Hollenbeck, P. Fragner, E. N. Robinson, L. M. Fiunev.
M. A. Todd, J. A. Nelson, T. J. Beridge, T. J. Collins, C. H. Hogans, W.
C. Leonard, G. B. McCalmont, John Slocum, J. E. Grainger, E. A. Durham.
Following are the names of P. Cs. : Thomas Fitzpatrick. H. Frank, Sanford
Gordon, J. W. Willis, W. A. Hutcheson, S. M. Wilcox, H. M. Wilson, W. H.
Malick, J. S. Fritz, A. D. Sloan, E. T. Wright, J. C. McCrea, M. H. Fitz-
gibbon, M. Reis, Charles Morris, G. R. Mabb. Joseph Kilgore, J. L. Andrews,
J. T. Burkholder and J. A. McCready. F. S. Butler was elected chancellor
194 HISTOBY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
in June, 1889, and G. E. Mabb re-elected K. of R. & S. The present num-
ber of members is 125, and value of lodge property $500. T. Fitzpatrick is
representative to the grand lodge, and the other officers in lodge rank are E.
D. Matteson, G. W. Double, P. J. Nolan, W. J. Loucks, J. W. Baker, G. R.
Mabb, W. H. Malick, E. T. Wright, W. F. Robinson and J. C. Malick.
Bradford Division No. 22, U. R. K. of P., was instituted December 22,
1885. The early members of this division were Henry S. Tucker, Thomas
Fitzpatrick, Charles M. Carr, James A. Lindsey, Edwin P. Wright, Andrew
R. Burns, Fred S. Parker, James A. McCready, M. H. Fitzgibbons, John C.
McCrea, J. S. Fritz, William H. Malick, Edwin J. Chambers, William H.
Hall, George W. Slocum, C. L. Bradburn, John A. Nelson, William G. Kahl,
C. L. Casterline, J. L. Tracy, J. F. Lasher, John W. Vantine. James O'Hara,
Frank E. Bradley, James E. Grainger, Sanford Gordon, M. Herron, Isaac V.
Averill, A. W. Swanson, Charles Brown. C. Hazelmaier, William C. Howe,
David W. Lerch, P. H. Linderman. The seven first named were elected of-
ficers in the order of rank. The officials in ISS'J were A. D. Burns, James
O'Hara, E. D. Matteson, W. H. Malick and E. P. Wright. The present
membership is thirty.
Bradford Post No. 141, G. A. R., was instituted August 13, 1879, with the
following members: J. A. Ege, Peter Grace, Joseph Moorhead, J. W. Shaw, J.
W. Searls, Henry A. Page, W. H. Perrigo, J. K. Graham. Clinton J. Smith, A.
Wicks, W. W. Brown, F. M. Lockwood. C. G. Cooper, J. C. Sturgeon, T. J.
Fennerty, J. F. Collins, A. S. Sinclair, M. W. Ferris, Lynford Lardner, G. H.
Lyons, G. H. Baldwin, S. M. Potter, P. M. Fuller, H. B. Huff, E. B. Cham-
berlain, W. M. Boggs, S. M. Sayer, E. S. Pier, Benjamin Franklin and J. P.
Siggins. The commanders have been E. B. Sherman, R. A. Dempsey. J. T.
Bishop, W. W. Brown and William Dobie, who is now commander. The posi-
tion of adjutant has been filled by J. K. Graham, W. C. Rockwell and E. R.
Sherman. E. E. Sherman is the present adjutant. The trustees are F. H.
Roberts. J. C. Hughes and E. R. Sherman. S. Howard is S. V.; A. N.
Heard, J. V. The number of members is 180, and the value of post property
$1,500. A few years ago a number of the members of this post formed the
Union Veteran Legion, and were duly installed. Later on another body of men
from the same post organized Union Veteran Union, and in 1889 another post
was formed by members of the parent post.
John S. Melvin Post No. 585, G. A. R., was mustered June 21, 1889, by
J. M. McElroy, mustering officer, assisted by the following officers: W. DoViie,
S. V. Com. ; J. E. Baldwin, J. V. Com. : B. F. Wright. Chap. ; George Grif-
fith, Q. M. ; H. M. Choate, Adjt. ; F. H. Roberts, O. D. ; Thomas Ryan, O. G. ;
M. B. McMahon, I. S. ; W. W. Brown, escort. The charter officers, in order
of rank, were P. M. Shannon, C. P. Byron, W. L. Yelton. W. C. Rockwell,
L. E. Hamsher, J. W. McFarland, W. B. Chapman, C. T. Cummings, C. H.
Babcock, Arch. Gilchrist, J. T. Bishop, T. J. Fennerty, I. G. Howe, and the
tru.stees, R. McAllister, S. D. Heffner, T. J. Fennerty. The present officers
are as follows: C, L G. Howe; S. V. C, S. D. Heffner; J. V. C, W. L.
Yelton; Chap., Warren G. Gray; Q. M., W. C. Rockwell; Adjt., J. L. Adams;
O. D .,W. B. Chapman; O. G., S. Fisher; Surg., E. I. Baldwin; Sergt.-Maj.,
C. F. Cummings; Q. M. S. , T. J. Fennerty.
In February, 1890, W. B. Chapman was elected judge advocate-general of
the National Encampment of the U. V. L.
Camp No. 7, Union Veteran Legion, was instituted July 29, 1886. Among
the first officers wore C. C, S. D. Heffner; L. C, W. K* Lanev; M.. C. E.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
195
Harrington; A., M. Albert; Q. M., T. Gallalier; O. D., N. S. Siggins; C, W.
B. Tracy; O. G., Thomas Fitzpatrick. The membership at close of year was
eighty -five.
Gen. Kane Command No. 6, Union Veteran Union, Department of Penn-
sylvania, was instituted August 20, 1887, with thirty-five members. The first
officers were C, T. J. Fennerty; L. C, Callip Tibbetts; M.. G. W. Eddy; A.,
N. Wilkins; Q. M., C. H. Rhodes; C, D. F. Wolcott; O. D., M. C. Canrow;
O. O. T. G., J. H. Leffler. Command No. 6 elected the following named offi-
cers in October, 1889: T. J. Fennerty, Col.; C. B. Tibbetts, Lieut. -Col. ; C.
P. Byron, Surg. ; D. F. Wolcott, Chap. ; L. F. Egbert, Q. M. ; T. C. Mosier,
O. of D., and L. Wolfe, O. of G.
During the G. A. K. reunion of August, 1888, the pipe wherein the blue-
colored fire was burning, exploded, killing three men: Robert Hurley, Ed.
Duel and Wallace E. Curtis, and woimding many others. In September,
1888, the second annual reunion of the Bucktails was held at Bradford.
The Bradford Military Company completed enrollment August 30, 1880,
with a roster of eighty-seven men and asked to be assigned to the Seventeenth
National Guard Post. This was subsequently assigned to the Sixteenth.
Among its charter members who answered roll-call in September, 1885 (five
years after muster) were T. F. Conneely, J. C. Fox (the present captain), A.
McAlpine, F. E. Bradley, T. Scroxton, H. Field, A. D. Burns, John J. Lane,
W. F. Robinson, R. C. Hazelmair, Ed. J. Boylston and W. G. Kohl.
The score made by this company in January, 1890, the years of service
and names of candidates for sharpshooters' medals are given as follows:
T. F. Conneely, lieutenant 47
F. E. Bradley, lieutenant 46
W. B. Chapman, private 45
T. B. Bahew. private 43
T. W. Scroxton, sergeant 42
F. F. Eiliben, private 43
F. W. Webster, sergeant 43
C. G, Griffith, private 41
C. L. Griffin, sergeant 39
W. F. Robinson, sergeant 39
J. E. Fennerty, private 39
C.W.Wallace, " 37
M. M. Neal, " 86
E .J. Boylston, sergeant 36
E. E. Blair, corporal 36
G. F. Bullock, corporal 35
U. C. Elliott, private 34
T. F. Mullen, private 34
F.E.Cloud, " 34
W. .J. Bovaird, " 34
G. W. McKay, " 33
O. B. Cutting, " 33
R. H. Slone, corporal 33
.J. D. Snyder, private 33
J. W. Maybee, private 31
C. L. Blakeslee, corporal 31
C. W. Conneely, musician 31
I. O. Cloud, private 31
N. R. Baker, private 31
A. F. Campbell, corporal 30
J. C. Fox, captain 30
H. C. Chesnej', private 30
C. W. Heard, private 30
G. O. Slone, private 29
M. H. Riley, corporal 39
J. .J. Crosby, private 28
H. C. Chattle, orivate 37
E. F. Mclntyre, private 27
W. N. Crane, private 27
S. B. Burton, private 37
A. D. Burns, lieutenant 37
E. F. Riley, private 37
E. A. Sherman, private 27
.1. E. Begel, private 26
F. N. Levens, 23rivate 26
.T. W. Crosby, private 36
A. F. Leonard, private 35
E. P. Wilcox, private 35
The Armory Hall Company was incorporated in April, 1881, with Charles
A. Bailey, president; Thomas Connolly, secretary, and F. E. Bradley, treasurer.
There were sixty shares of §100 each subscribed, the president and secretary
each holding thirteen shares.
Bradford Relief Corps No. 13 was organized January 29, 1885, with the
following named members: Madams M. A. Wallace, N. J. Heft'ner, E. B. Sher-
man, Lucy Siggins, E. M. Gillespy, J. E. Broniger, Allis Smith, A. O. Baker,
Rachel Troup, W. G. Shaw, Laura Switzer, Amond Siggins, S. C. Jayert,
196 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUffTY.
M. J. Mitchel. C. Hill, I. S. Woursly, E. J. Chambers, G. Graff, B. Brown,
L. B. Clark, S. E. Artly, A. Jones, L. A. Levans, M. A. Rockwell, J. Hood,
L. J. Sherman, D. Goodwin, Lottie McAliste.r, J. McEntyre, G. Ashdun,
Z. Gareman and H. Laurence. Madams M. A. Wallace, Culbertson, Sher-
man and Karns have presided over the corps, while Madams Gillespy, God-
frey, Langworthy, Green and Bergman have tilled the office of secretary
Mrs. Chapman, of Bradford, was elected color bearer of the Ladies' Auxiliary
of the National Encampment of the U. V. L.
Tunungwant Lodge No. Ill, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was in-
stituted June 1, 1877, with the following members: H. H. Adsit, J. L. An-
drews, A. L. Avery, L. B. Brown, T. J. Powers, H. Wilson, P. D. Wright
and O. C. Cutting, who are now members, with others who have removed.
The past-masters are named as follows: J. L. Andrews, J. T. Bishop, J. W.
Bogardus, Robert Collins, George E. Davis, Frank Fowler, I. G. Howe,
James A. Lindsey, T. J. Powers, C. A. Sinclair, J. W. Siggins, S. D. Wear-
ing, C. R. Cosolowsky, C. A. Spreater, F. H. Bailey, T. J. Fennerty, A. Simp-
son, W. W. White, A. A. Perkins, H. Wilson, H. M. Harkness, A. P. Odell,
T. Kavanaugh. John Wilson, Otho Gash, H. R. Waiger, S. D. Winter and F.
W. Hastings. The oifice of secretary has been held by J. A. Lindsey. John
Kelly and F. W. Hastings. The membership is 190. The officers elected for
IS'JO comprise C. Burnsides, J. W. Siggins, W. W. White, J. A. Lindsev, F.
W. Hastings, J. G. Howe, F. Fowler, Otho Gash, S. D. Winter and A. P.
Odell.
Bradford Legion No. 16, S. K. A. O. TJ. W. was organized July 3(1. 1884,
with the following named officers: J. T. Bishop, C. ; James A. Lindsey, V.
C. ; J. S. Barlow, Lt. C. ; W. L. Beardsley, Rec. ; A. Simpson, R. T. ; A. L.
Wyman, Treas. ; J. Franklin, Chap. The names of commanders are J. T.
Bishop, J. A. Lindsey, A. P. Odell, M. L. Thorn, Otho Gash, W. W. White.
Jacob Turk and S. A. Smith, with E. Burnsides, M. ; J. P. Eaton, S. B. ; B.
Sackrand, Sr. W. ; J. Turk, Jr. W. ; M. L. Thorn, G. L. The position of sec-
retary has been held by W. L. Beardsley, J. M. Denny and D. H. Rook, who is
the present recorder. There are thirty- six members. The officers elected in
IsyO are W. W. White, Charles Burnsides, F. W. Hastings, W. H. Coleman,
Otho Gash, D. H. Rook, J. A. Lindsey, A. P. Odell, H. S. Karns, Jacob
Turk and H. Boss; James A. Lindsey is P. G. C. and treasurer.
Bradford Council No. 302, Royal Arcanum, was instituted March 24, 1879,
with the following members: S. L. Kinkead, M. Danson, E. W. Barker, Ezra
Holmes, A. Thornton, C. B. Seymour, F. M. Sweet. C. W. Dennis, H. M.
Spence, H. R. Lamb, J. M. Armstrong, F. D. Wood, F. M. Lockwood, F.
H. Murdoch, W. A. Brown, P. G. Andrew, C. A. Siegfried, R. Pettibone. F.
P. Morris, C. Murray, L. Kennedy, A. A. Perry. J. N. Markham, George Shef-
tield, I. Beam, A. L. Ewing, O. N. Hazen, M. D. Harris and G. Chapman.
The names of past regents are J. W. McFarland, J. A. Ege, J. T. Evans, H.
M. Spence, F. H. Murdoch, J. L. Barrett, J. A. Lindsey, W. C. Henry. A.
Thornton, B. McAllister, P. D. Tangney and the present regent, John C. Mc-
Kenna. The names of secretaries are S. L. Kinkead, J. T. Evans, J. L. Bar-
rett, and J. T. Evans, the present secretary. The present membership is
twenty four. In ten years this council has lost seven members by death, and
paid out !i;21,000 in benefits. The officers for 1890 are P. W. Howe. E. R.
Shepard, J. C. McKenna, J. B. McElwaine. G. H. Mills, J. T. Evans. F. P.
Slocum, S. L. Rhodes, C. Spangler and A. Thornton.
Keystone Council No. 144, Catholic Benevolent Legion, was instituted
April 28, 1886. Among the first officers were P. C, J. T. Kinslcr: P., A.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 197
H. Bloiner; V. P., John E. Sullivan; O., J. F. Leonard; S., J. H. Ossenbeck;
C, A. Gillis: T., W. Hanley; Sr. C, C. P. Byron. The officers elected in
December, 1889, are C. J. H. Ossenbeck; P., A. Gillis; V. P., M. J. Berry;
O., Phillip Wise; R. S., D. Healey; C, A. H. Blomer; Treas., Joseph Fischer;
M.. James E. Henretty; G., J. M. Englehaupt; Trustees, John E. Sullivan,
J. F. Leonard, P. H. Maroney.
Bradford Branch Xo. 13, Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, was in-
stituted April 16, 1879. Among the past presidents of this association the
names of J. T. Kinsler, J. B. Fox, James Casey, A. H. Blomer, J. H. Ossenbeck,
M. McMahon, J. E. Sullivan. T. A. Flynn and Dennis Healy are recorded.
John O'Brien is recorder. Other officers of long service are J. A. Myers (of
Duke Centre), John Madigan, Leonard "Wholer, J. J. Cleery, B. Healy and J.
J. Lane.
Osmer Lodge No. 2365, K. of H. , "was organized February 5, 1881. The
past dictators are H. C. Hacock, J. P. McGibbennv, S. Gordon, F. Perkins,
W. C. Henry, S. D. Miller, J. N. Mapes, F. W. Hastings, H. Frank, J. L.
Dulin; P. S. D., Col. J. A. Ege; P. G. D., James A. Lindsey, John H. Cos-
ford, N. Sweet, M. D., I. G. Howe and J. M. Geiger. James A. Lindsey served
this lodge as secretary for seven years, E. N. Hallock for two years, and in the
directory F. W. Hastings is credited with holding the position in 1889. There
are eighty-four members. The present officers, in order of rank, are C. H.
Swift, W. H. Conklin, D. McKenney, W. T. Magaw, J. A. Lindsey, F. W.
Hastings, J. G. Howe, J. P. McGibbenny, J. W. Fritts, A. Brown, D. Gren-
nells and H. C. Hacock.
Bradford Encampment No. 56, Knights of St. John and Malta, was insti-
tuted September 2, 1885, with S. L. Koonse, J. A. Waldo, W. Eople, A. S.
Ackerly, R. F. Howland, D. B. Croll, W. L. Ford, C. A. Cummings, A. L.
Wyman, M. D. Murray, W. B. Van Horn, P. A. Darby, F. G. Teany, N. W.
McCoort, T. F. Howe, J. Z. Wise, H. C. Murray. J. Robinson. H. C. Brown,
J. H. Flynn, C. H. Dubois, E. J. Cross, J. A. Lindsey. M. A. Todd, R. A.
Beatty and J. E. Simons, members. The names of past commanders are
R. A. Beatty, J. A. Lindsey, A. P. Odell and E. J. Boylston, with C. A. Cum-
mings, assistant chancellor. There are 171 members. R. A. Beatty is most
eminent grand commander of the chapter general of America, and A. P. Odell
is grand prior of the State of Pennsylvania. The jjresent officers in encamp-
ment rank are L. D. Gowdy, E. C. Dean, W. T. Johnson, D. H. Rook, E. J.
Boylston, C. A. Cummings, S. L. Koonse and seven minor officers. There
were 163 members reported in March, 1890.
Star Conclave No 171, Improved Order of Heptasophs, was organized Feb-
ruary 16, 1888, with the following officers: Past archon, L. B. Lockard; ar
chon, George S. Bright; provost, H. W. Eaton, Jr. ; prelate, James George; sec-
retary, G. H. Mills: financier, F. W. Hastings: treasurer, E. B. Pemberton;
inspector, J. W. Leasure; warden, N. W. McCourt; sentinel, M. Henlein: H.
\V. Eaton, Jr., was archon in 1889, and G. H. Mills, secretary. There were
forty-five members in Jiily, 1889. The officers for 1890 are T. A. Sangster. A.
W. Coburn, G. H. Mills, E. B. Pemberton, F. W. Hastings, W. F. Rhone, A.
Simon, C. R. Cosolowsky and W. H. Johnson.
Don Abarband Lodge No. 85, Independent Order Sons of Benjamin,
claimed the following named officers in 1889: G. Herz, H. Friedenberg, I. J.
"Vampolski, S. Werthman, B. Ash, A. Simon, M. Sidorsky, Rev. D. W. Ja-
cobson, L. M. Kreinson, J. B. Levine, M. A. Todd. Among the past pres-
idents are H. Friedenberg, A. Simon, L. Kronenberg, Gustav Herz, N. Lev-
inson, S. Grange, B. Ash, H. Frank and H. S. Sakolski. The officers chosen
198 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
in Jamiary, 1890, in lodge rank are H. Friedenberg, H. Frank, B. Ash, S.
Werlhman and D. Andriesse. The present membership is forty-seven.
On November 12, 1888, AV. C. 372 of the Patriotic Order Sons of America
was instituted at Kane, July 9, 1889. National Representative Clarence F.
Heeth, of Philadelphia, and -J. T. Campbell, district president of McKean
county, assisted by W. C. 372 of Kane, instituted Washington Camp No. 452 at
Bradford. The Degree Team of " 372 " conferred the degree of the council.
The first officers, elected July 8, were R. L. Edgett, M. A. Henlein, Otto Koch,
W. K. Andrus, L. C. Blakeslee, K. \V. Murray, A. R. Simons, M. I. Deuel,
Mat. Neil, and Trustees W. K. Andrus, L. B. AAaters, A. N. Heard.
Bradford Lodge No. 1111, K. & L. of H., was instituted December 10.
1885, by G. P., L. B. Lockard, and D. G. P., A. N. Heard. Among the pres-
idents of this society may be named I. G. Howe, Mrs. J. M. Brooks, F. W.
Hastings, Mrs. E. M. Wheeler and H. H. North. Ascension Lodge No. 1345
claims Mr. Heard as protector, and Mrs. S. Nobles, secretary.
Bradford City Lodge No. 103, Independent Order Free Sons of Israel, was
instituted in April, 1881. The past presidents of this lodge are A. Leo Weil,
E. Kahn, I. Rich, B. Forst, Fred. Silberbarg, A. Silberburg, J. Eloskey, M.
Cohn, I. Kahn, Felix Steinberger, A. M. Mayer, S. Fisher. The secretary in
1889 was A. M. Samuels. In 1890 J. Weiss was chosen president, with H. Cohn,
A. Silberberg, Fred Silberberg, I. Rich, H. Frank and H. Leny filling the
other offices.
Bradford Lodge No. 50, Order of the Golden Chain, was instituted October
7, 1885. Among the commanders were F. P. Slocum, AVinfield Scott, A. W.
Johnson and H. W. Eaton; James Geary was secretary in 1889. The offi-
cers, in lodge rank, elected in January, 1890, are H. W. Eaton, Jr., P. H. Lin-
derman, W. H. Murphy, J. Freerkson, A. R. -Stewart, W. Scott, J. L. John-
son. S. D. Weaver, Thomas Banker and C. E. Thompson. At date of election
there were thirty-eight members reported.
Tuna Valley Council No. 70, Home Circle, was instituted October 8, 1883.
The past leaders include W. C. Henry, E. R. Shepard, J. P. Taylor and D.
R. MacKenzie; F. D. Williams was secretary in 1889. The elections of 1890
resulted in the choice of L. C. Longaker, for leader; C. E. Black, V. L. ; W.
F. Robinson, instructor; M. A. Freeman, secretary; H. T. Crandall, F. S.,
and .James Robinson, treasurer. There are thirty-two members reported.
Dewey Union No. 5, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted June 7, 1879, by
Suprcuie' President Dewey. The P. Ps. are Frank Fowler, L. B. Hill, Delos
Armstrong, Mrs. E. B. Burley, W. Walters, T. O'Connor and L. W. Smith.
The Bradford Aid Union was organized in 1880, and the petition for incor-
poration signed January 15, by D. AA'hiticar, George Young, C. H. Sherwood,
Nathaniel Sweet and A. J. Edgett. The latter was first president.
Th(^ E(inital)le Aid Society of Bradford was organized June 15, 1881. Its
officers were P. P., W. D. Lucas; P., J. B. Rutherford; V. P., S. Ames; S.,
Miss A. J. Lucas; T., Mrs. A. H. Smith; F. C. Mrs. S. A. Lucas, Miss A.
J. Lucas, S. Ames. Messrs. Lucas and Rutherford filled the offices of
president and secretary in 1889. L. B. Thompson was first secretary, and is
now filling that position. The officers of this union for 1890 are J. Burt, pres-
ident, with P. T. Fitzgerald, E. B. Chappell, M. Nusbaum. Mrs. Burt, David
Dnimmond, Mrs. Lyons, Mrs. Bender, Mrs. Wightman and J. D. Burt.
Bradford Local Branch No. 31(5, Order of the Iron Hall, was instituted
February 3, 1886. The chief justices of the past are H. Harmou, N. Wise
and W. S. Robison. R. T. Shaw is accountant succeeding W. L. Ford.
Amoiifr the fir.st members were D. H. Rook, R. Gregg and L. E. Averv, and
J
/^cZ^^^^t^U^f-Z^'^^^L.^^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 201
the officers named. The officers chosen in December, 1889. are as follows:
Past chief justice, D. H. Rook; chief justice, W. L. Ford; vice-justice, G. F.
Cummings: cashier, L. E. Avery; accountant, John M. Crawford; adjuster.
\V. L. Robinson; prelate, Joseph Franklin; herald. W. C. Maxwell; watch-
man, F. L. Bodine; vedette, D. Campbell; trustees, Joseph Franklin, D.
Campbell and S. D. Winters.
Bradford Tent No. 4, Knights of the Maccabees of the World, was insti-
tuted May 31, 1884. Among the early members were N. J. Stanton, J. R.
Porter, J. B. McCutcheon, R. F. Howland. P. A. Derby, T. J. Berridge and
R. W. Murray. The present sir knight commander is F. D. Matteson and the
other officers in tent rank are G. O. Slone, G. B. Watson, R. McAllister, John
Burton. Dr. N. Sweet, T. J. Bateman, John Bogart, F. B. Hazelton, John
Lj'ons, John Lustig and T. J. Berridge. M. G. Raub, the record keeper, re-
ports a membership of 290.
Bradford Lodge No. 97, Sons of St. George, was reorganized January
16, 1887, with the following named officers: P. P., V. Stanford; P., John
Hocking; V. P., John Sloeum; S., T. J. Parkes; T., H. D. Hulme; trustees,
William Dickson. H. T. Hulme, M. W. Ferris.
Bradford Branch No. 690, Robert Emmett Land League, was organized in
July, 1882, to forward the political interests of the people of Ireland. Among
the officials were T. F. McManus, Marshall McMahon, Edward Frawley, dT
A. Dennison, J. J. Lane, John J. Sheehe and F. T. Flynn. The officers for
1890 are B. Healy, M. McMahon, P. H. Davitt, L. Cushing and D. A. Den-
nison, the corresponding secretary.
Bradford Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized September 18, 1867, with
thirty-two members. A. C. Switzer was first W. C. T., and Mrs. Caroline
Holmes, W. V. T.
The Ladies' Temperance Association of Bradford was organized September
11, 1872, with Mrs. J. Colby, president; Madams Young and Crandall, vice-
presidents; Mrs. A. DeGolier, treasurer; Madams Pomeroy and Osgood, sec-
retaries; and Madams P. T. Kennedy, Foster, Blair, J. N. Brown, Frank and
Miss Dieter, executive committee.
[The Temperance Reading-room Association was incorporated in May, 187U.
with W. AV. Brown, T. J. Powers, W. J. McCullough, R. M. Sayer.'A. W.
Newell, C. L. Wheeler, G. L. Watson. H. E. Norris and N. Bushnell, direct-
ors. There were no less than sixty- two subscribers.]
The Women's Christian Temperance "Union was organized October 13, 188(1,
with the following named members: Madams G. H. Hoffman, H. A. Page, F.
T. Davis, W. Chambers, W. Boggs, L. C. Blakeslee, C. Johnson, J. S. Wilson,
O. Stone, T. B. Hoover, -Whitman, J. N. Bolard, J. R. Findley, C. E. Hatch,
C. D. Greenlee, O. Hotchkiss, J. Bondson, J. Morgan, C. E. Garton, J. Roger-
son, J. Erwin, A. Metcalf. Mrs. H. A. Page was first president; Mrs. O.
Hotchkiss, second president; Mrs. J. N. Bolard, third president, and Mrs. AV.
Chambers, fourth president. Mrs. J. K. Purse is corresponding secretary,
and Mrs. D. A. Burnett, recorder. There are 150 members, and seventeen
honorary members, with property valued at §2,000, including hall, which was
built in 1888. The officers for 1890 are Mrs. AV. Chambers, president; Mrs. J.
K. Purse, corresponding secretary; Mrs.- D. A. Burnett, recording secretary;
Mrs. J. A. Kennedy, treasurer; Mrs. F. J. Davis, vice-president at large.
Tuna Council No. 17, Royal Templars of Temperance, was instituted Sep-
tember 27, 1887, with the following officers: P. C, T. M. Shearer; S. C,
D. H. Rook; V. C, T. M. Griffith; R. S., C. G. Essler; F. S., H. H. Lock;
T., C. E. Tucker; S. P. C. G. L. and G. T., D. T. Seeley. The officers for
202 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
1890 are as follows: S. C. D. T. Seeley; V. C, Mrs. E. B. Laraway; P. C,
D. H. Rook; C, Mrs. L. Messner; F. S., W. W. Laraway; R. S., Mrs. E.
M. Adams; T., W. G. Long; H., Mrs. E. M. Arnold; G., B. F. Shergerland;
S., C. G. Esler. The nuTiiber of beneficiary members is thirty-four and of hon-
orary members thirtv-two.
United Council No. 80, R. T. of T.. was organized August 10, 1886. The
oificers in 1887 were P. C, E. E. Sherman: S. C, A. N. Heard; V. C, S.
Howard; R. S.. JohnBogart; F. S., Martha Sherman; T., Mrs. L.Westbrook;
P. C, E. M. Wheeler. In 1890 the following named officers were elected:
S. Howard, Mrs. Knerr, A. Simpson, Mrs. Lenehan, R. S. R. Knerr, Miss
Smith, E. E. Comstock, William Campbell, Miss Abbey, Miss. Hacock and E.
W. Mann. The membership at present numbers 110.
Women's Protective and Reform Association of Bradford was incorporated
in May, 188'2, with the object of aiding women seeking a virtuous livelihood.
Amanda T. Jones was president; Artie B. Willard, vice-president; Margaret
B. Stone, Mary A. Wolcott, Mrs. John Brown, Augustus W. Newell and H.
S. Davis, directors. Among the members were Mrs. F. H. Stanford, M. D. ,
and Mrs. J. J. White.
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized May 27, 1889, when
a board of managers was appointed. This board comprises C. P. Cody, F. D.
Cleland, H. S. Thompson, J. T. Evans, J. L. Davidson. W'. W. Brown, H.
W^ Blakeslee, J. W. Davis, W. H. Dennis, E. E. Tait, E. T. Howell, J. A.
Perkins, P. A. Kent, John MeCrum and S. Hollenbeck. The association pro-
poses to rent the princii)al room on the second floor of the new Masonic Tem-
ple. In 1890 W. H. Dennis was chosen president; P. A. Kent, vice-president:
J. T. Evans, treasurer; S. Hollenbeck, recorder, and J. G. Purple, general
secretary. Total number of members 131.
The Cherra Bicker Cholim Relief Society was incorporated January 14,
1884, on petition of Rev. S. Weil, K. Berwald, H. Sigel, A. Joseph, H. Cohen
and I. Cohen.
Typographical Union No. 185 was organized in May, 1879, with George
J. Klehm, W. R. Barnwell. James Howell, R. A. Russell, James Spear, C. H.
Widgeon and Harry K. Welsh, members. The corresponding secretary of
this uoion is James W. Leasure, and the recorder. George O. Slone. Among
the members are R. A. Russell and H. K. Welsh of the first organization, W.
J. Cotter, D. A. Ropp, George Hummell. S. C. Gilman and A. G. McKenna.
The oificers for 1890 comprise R. A. Russell, president; George O. Slone, sec-
retary; J. W. Leasure, correspondent; H. K. Welsh, treasurer; W. J. Cotter,
vice-president, and J. Fetterley, chairman of executive committee. There
were sixteen members in March, 1890.
Oil Exchange Division No. 254, Locomotive Engineers, was formally organ-
ized June 7, and completed organization July 7, 1884, with L. J. Jones, chief;
James Wheeler, first engineer; J. R. Banta, second engineer; H. G. King,
H. Kendall and O. Burke, assistant engineers; C. A. Clough, guide, and C.
L. Shaffer, chaplain.
Folwell Lodge No. 826, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, was insti-
tuted July 10, 1886. Among the officers were E. Bellington, G. P. Clough,
J. H. Fenner, C. W. Palmer and P. -T. Lane. The following named are the
officers for 1890: G. P. Clough, master; C. H. Alger, secretary; G. E. Love-
lace, collector, and M. W. Maybee, magazine agent.
The Cigar-makers Union claimed the following named officials: President,
R. Coeninberg; vice-president, P. Hopkins; financial secretary, J. Semhauser;
corresponding secretary, P. H. Kieley; recording secretary, P. H. Kieley; ser-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 203
geaot-at-arms, M. Singer; trustees, W. Enple, J. Harbrecht, and treasurer,
John Bohne. The four principal officers for 1890 are P. Hopkins. J. Har-
brecht, T. J. Gary and J. Casterline.
The Well Drillers Union was incorporated November '27, 1888, with C. H.
Snively, James G. Winger, H. Gosser, C. H. Ley and D. W. Breuton,
trustees.
The Bradford Athletic Club was organized in February, 1886, and secured
spacious rooms in the Producers' Petroleum Exchange for athletic exercises,
as well as club quarters. The list of members in 1887 was as follows: H. A.
Marlin. C. R. Huntley, Tom Kennedy, C. M. Dodge. C. H. Lavens, J. M.
Fuller, B. F. Smith, E. P. Whitcomb," H. C. Brooks, J. L. Johnson, W. H.
Powers. L. E. Mallory, E. W. Wolfe, C. M. Brennan, Fred Davis, Heber Den-
man, John Denman, M. B. Pierce, C. K. Book, B. F. Kennedy, L. E. Ham-
sher. Sam Kennedy, R. C. Sherman, W. R. Weaver. C. A. Mitchell, W. G.
Gray, J. L. Barrett, Fred McKee, J. P. Taylor, J. A. Johnson, G. L. Roberts,
William Cochran, S. G. Bayne, G. H. Mills, T. B. Flynn, J. C. Flynn, W. J.
Alexander, C. P. Cody, R. H. Gibson, W. S. Watson", H. K. Williams. C. E.
Tucker, W. L. Curtis."B. M. Bailey, G. F. Groves, Harry Egbert, T. P. Thomp-
son, S. C. Rhodes, P. M. Shannon, J. H. Evans, W. J. Russell, H. J. Seig-
fried, C. B. Shepard, A. Willoughby, G. K. Hawkins, G. L. Watson, W. F.
Robinson, J. B. Buttry, G. A. Bodine, W. C. Leonard, H. B. Goe, G. H.
Potter, Walt Willis, R. L. Edgett, D. H. Jack, H. C. Sanderson, E. H. Bar-
num, F. D. Wood, C. S. Hubbard, C. F. Collins, Kenton Saulnier, D. J.
Thayer, F. E. Wood, J. A. Walker, J. C. Gormely, Robert Long, T. E. Mc-
Cray, L. B. Prosser, W'. P. Shoemaker, Bateman Goe, C. A. Norton, Frank
Gifford, S. M. Reid, W. C. Higgins, A. L. Avery, C. C. Youmans, W. W.
Bell, I. W. Sherley, A. C. Hawkins, J. E. Haskell, J. C. Greenewald, D. C.
Greeuewald, J. K. Wilson, M. Matson, J. W. McCray, W. H. Scott, H. M.
Spence, S. G. Slyke, C. Foley, E. S. Williamson, W. F. Flynn, R. T. Shaw,
J. C. Boyce, R. W. Carroll, W. G. Carroll. D. O'Donnell, J. A. Simonds, C.
W. Dennis, E, A. Weart, Clark Hayes, F. H. Willis, F. W. Groves, B. New-
comer, John R. Zook, W^. G. Mason, Walter Bovaird, J. B. Farrell, C. C. Con-
roy, E. L. Adams. M. H. Byles, M. Compton, E. B. Pemberton, D. Marks, S.
G. Coffin, C. H. Filkins, James Robinson, F. G. Boyer, C. E. Hequembourg,
A. P. Huey, E. Given. W. W. Splane, C. C. Melvin, A. B. Smith. John P.
Zane, E. R. Shepard, E. J. Boylston, J. T. Evans, C. P. Byron, J. W. Van-
Tiue, E. T. Johnson, W. H. Orcutt, C. D. Evans, T. N. Barnsdall, J. B.
Chapman, L. A. Brenneman, Henry AVilson, William Hanley, F. P. Atkinson,
E. W. Coleman. George B. Morgan, J. H. Healey, J. E. Wolf. F. A. Griffin.
George A. Sturgeon, J. F. Wilson, W. E. Pickering, H, G. Morrow, F. P.
Wentworth, John B. Brawley, R. B. Johnson, John O'Brien, H. H. Stowe, J.
H. Field, F. P. Leonard, A. B. Walker, Frank Chapman, T. J. Powers, John"
McCrum, W. B. Chapman. B. F. Gushing, J. M. McElrov, J. B. Janes. G. C.
Scott. W. C. Kennedy, M. J. Lowe, T. J. Melvin, F. L." Smith, David Kirk,
James Flanigan, L. W. Oaks, E. A. Van Scoy, F. T. Coast, A. M. Straight,
J. D. Wolf, O. B. Comfort. Charles Samuels, "Harry Brinker, E. L. Mason, A.
Eraser, J. W. Jeffry, Joseph Albertson.
The Board of Trade is an important institution in Bradford. An enterpris-
ing party of Bradford men organized a stock company for the purpose of estab-
lishing and conducting in this city a f urnitiire factory. The project was car-
ried into effect. From that organization sprang the Board of Trade. The
glass works were started under its patronage, the present shops of the Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad and several other industrial enterprises. The
204: HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Board of Ti'ade was allowed to become inactive for a few years, but was reor-
ganized for service early in 1887. Since that time its members have been
untiring in their efforts to aid Bradford by encouraging manufacturers to
locate here. The board is composed of some of Bradford's best citizens.
Col. A. I. Wilcox was general agent. C. B. Whitehead, R. B. Stone, W. W.
Brown, C. H. Kennedy, A. J. Edgett, D. C. Greenewald, C. J. Lane, A. W.
Newell, J. K. Merriam, H. F. Barbour, Loyal Ward, A. M. Mayer, H. S.
Southard, F. W. Groves, S. G. Elliott, C. P. Cody were among the first offi-
cers of the revived organization. In January, 1888, the Board of Trade
elected the following named directors: R. B. Stone, W. W. Brown, A. M.
Mayer, A. J. Edgett, L. Emery, Jr., John P. Zane, F. W. Groves, J. K.
Merriam, D. C. Greenewald, G. S. Stewart, A. W. Newell, H. S. Southard,
G. A. Berry, C. P Cody, C. H. Kennedy, R. A. Dempsey and S. G. Elliott.
The Bradford Telephone Exchange was opened in April, 1880, with F. A.
Newell, manager. Derrick City, Red Rock, Gillmor and Tarport were con-
nected on April G. The system has heen extended in every direction within
the last nine years. In June, 1883, the strike of telegraph employes was
inaugurated at Bradford, and continued four weeks. During the strike Bar
rett & Harvey constructed a private line between the Producers' Exchange and
Bradford Exchange, and transacted business at five cents per message. The
postal telegraph line was built through Bradford in January, 1881.
The Pompelon Club, organized some time ago, is one of the leading liter-
ary societies of the district. The officers for 1890 are C. L. Wheeler, presi-
dent; Mrs. R. B. Stone, vice-president; L. H. Simons, historian; H. H. North,
treasurer; Loyal Ward, Eugene Mullin, Mrs. Ada Cable, O. B. Comfort and
John P. Zane, members of committee on literary exercises; W. B. Chapman,
Miss McBurney, Miss Biscoe, Ferd Kreiner and W. L. Curtis, members of the
executive committee. The topics for discussion are of a philosophical character,
such as the "Future of the Republic," by W. J. Milliken; " Free Coinage of
Silver," by W. W. Brown; "The Future of the Africo- American, " by P. R.
Cotter; "The Congressional Embargo," by H. F. Barbour, and "Trend of
Thought Favorable to Republican Forms," by T. F. Mullin.
The Columbian Club was organized in the fall of 1889, with L. B. Loek-
ard, president; A. H. Blomer and C. C. Melvin, vice-presidents; George B.
Morgan, secretary, and C. P. Byron, treasurer. In October this circle of social
Democrats purchased a two-story building in rear of Whitney & Wheeler's
office for club uses.
The Bradford Driving Park and Fair Association was permanently organ
ized October 11, 1889, with A. C. Hawkins, president; F. H. Chapman, vice-
president; C. C. Melvin, treasurer; W. R. Weaver, secretary, and they with
L. E. Mallory, L. E. Hamsher, Joseph Klench, C. C. Kimball, H. G. Cutting,
James Baylor, C. DuBois, R. A. Dempsey and P. Newell were directors.
Manufacturing and Other Industries. — In former pages references are made
to the pioneer saw-mills and shingle makers of this section. Late in the "iif-
ties" the manufacture of oil from local coal was attempted; in 1861-62 oil
explorations were begun, but not until 1878 was a practical effort to discover
the oil ocean made.
In the fall of 1871 Foster built a derrick, and began work on the Henchie
farm. He struck a log at a depth of 180 feet and farther down a lifteen-barrel
well — the first in the district which paid expenses. This well soon gave out,
and in 1873 the Butts & Foster, the Olmsted, William Barnsdall's, on the
Hooker farm, and that on the Buchanan farm were the only evidences of oil suc-
cesses. Theo. E. Barnsdall pumped the first two producing wells, and states that
^s^_
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 207
$21,000 were realized from them before they were abandoned. In 1875 Jack-
son, Walker & Co. struck their well on the Kennedy farm, and found it to be
a 100-barrel one, being the only true producer at the time. Jackson & Walker
bad from ten to twenty wells in operation before work on the Quintuple com-
menced.
The village proper of that day contained about 300 inhabitants, but the
stampede which followed this discovery soon swelled the population to thou-
sands, and the modern Bradford was commenced.
The Emery Manufacturing Company's Refining Works were established
in 1887 by Mr. Haggerty, on the north city line, as a small oil refinery of two
cheese-box stills, with a capacity of 150 barrels each. The works became the
property of Lewis Emery, Jr., under whom the little refinery was conducted
until the explosion last winter. Early in 1889 two hall-stills, perfected by
Mr. Wilbur, were added, enlarging the capacity considerably and changing the
whole system materially. The Commercial Gazette, referring to this new in-
dustry in August last, says :
Thcii- entire works will be completed and in full operation by aljout the middle of Octo-
ber, and then they will consume 1,000 barrels of crude per day. They will be operated by
an entirely new system, called the Hall improved process. The Hall system gives a con-
tinuous distillation, and this industry will be the only one in the country having it in use.'
When it can be said that Mr. L. Emery, Jr., the proprietor, has a pipe line of his own; a
tank line of his own; owns a sufficient production of crude to supply the works; has a
house in Philadelphia supplied with plenty of tankage and distributing wagons with which
to speedily deliver his products to dealers; and in fact is provided with everything to per-
fect such an enterprise, it can be safely said that the success of the Emery Manufacturing
Company is assured, and that Bradford can lay claim to the most modern oil industry of
the age. Mr. Emery is one of the " old-timers " in the oil business, having followed it since
186.5, when he made his debut at Pithole. He came to this city July 28, 1875, and in the
following September completed three miles north of here by contract the second well in the
Bradford field. His experience in the refining of petroleum is also quite extended, he hav-
ing been one of the firm of Logan, Emery & Weaver, of Philadelphia, who disposed of tlieir
plant there in 1887. The products of this institution are high-test burning oils, and an
article they are now making that is meeting with much favor wherever introduced is
their "petroleum linsiue," used in the mixing of paints, taking the place of linseed oil.
The Eock Glycerine Company, R. A. and C. G. Dempsey and N. Francis,
members, established their business in 1881. The factories at Custer City,
Penn., and Lima, Ohio, turn out nitro- glycerine, dynamite and torpedo sup-
plies in large quantities, supplying the two fields and outside territory. This
company also own over thirty oil wells.
H. "G. Cutting, a resident of Bradford since 1876, now operates about
fifty wells, the gas from which is used for heating and illuminating purposes in
the city.
The Bradford Oil Company was incorporated in 1876 with J. T. Jones,
president, T. J. Powers, treasurer, and H. E. Brown and H. H. Adsit,
directors. This company own over 300 wells in this and the adjoining Alle-
gany county, N. Y. , yielding about 800 barrels per day. For almost fourteen
years the members have held a leading place among oil jsroducers.
Whitney & Wheeler established their house in 1875, and the same year
founded the Tuna Valley Bank. The dual business was conducted with uni-
form success until the panic of 1884, when by the failure of their New York
correspondent— The Metropolitan National Bank — the firm were obliged to
suspend and make an assignment for the benefit of their creditors. The sus-
pension occurred in 1884, and through no fault of theirs the firm found them-
selves suddenly deprived of the business that they had worked so hard and
faithfully to build up. Undaunted by this great disaster, however, they went
manfully to work to retrieve their losses; and to their honor and credit be it
WH HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
said that by February, 1886, they had paid their creditors in full with interest,
and resumed the control of their property. Since commencing business the firm
have confined themselves exclusively to the conduct of their extensive produc-
ing interests. Their property in this connection is of the most valuable iu the
oil regions, and they are among the heaviest producers of petroleum in this
section.
The Oil Well Supply Company, sand-reel and band-wheel shop, located on
Davis street, employs fifteen men, and its product is valued at .140,000
annually. The officers of the company are John Eaton, president, Pittsburgh,
Penn. ; K. Chickering, secretary, Oil City, Penn. ; E. T. Howes, treasurer,
Bradford, Penn. ; K. Saulnier, assistant treasurer, Bradford, Penn. The
Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company, of New York, and Bridgeport, Conn., are
the Eastern correspondents of this company, and are equally well and favora-
bly known. This is the only establishment in the world from which can he
obtained everything necessary to drill and equip oil, gas or artesian wells.
The machine shops are located on North Mechanic street, where fifty men are
steadily employed. Labor, iron, steel and other incidentals bring the total
expenditures to the sum of $100,000 per annum.
C. E. Tucker is one of the heavy jobbers in nitro glycerine and torpedoes.
C. L. Casterline is also an extensive dealer in this class of goods. R. Jen-
nings & Son have been engaged in oil production since 1870, and now hold a
leading position among the well proprietors of this field in which they own
125 wells.
The Sucker Rod Factory of Gideon Chapman was established here in 1878.
W. G. Chapman's shop on Dresser avenue employs three men, who turn out
$20,000 worth of rods annually.
The firm of Wheeler & Simonds was organized in 1877, and the office has
been in Bradford since 1879. The business of the fii-m consists in the pro-
duction of petroleum, valuable fields being owned in Butler, McKean, and
other counties, from which the annual output is of vast magnitude. S. A.
Wheeler came to the oil regions from Toledo, Ohio, in 1870, and began oper-
ating in Venango county, near Franklin. Later he was interested in Butler
county, being manager and part owner of the "Relief Pipe Line Company"'
for some years previous to forming his present connection. Mr. Wheeler is
also a member of the firm of Whitney & Wheeler, and has long been numbered
among the representative business men and financiers of this section. J. H.
Simonds came to the oil regions in 1864, and has operated in Venango, Butler
and McKean counties, his first principal operations having been in the famous
"Pithole District."
The McKee Bull and Sand-wheel Factory was established in 18/2 at Frank-
lin, and moved to Bradford, in 1878, by J. W. McKee. The bull wheel man-
ufactured is what is known as the "patent sectional," its great feature being
that it can be detached from the shaft at will. The sand-wheel is made also
upon the same principle, and in addition the establishment turns out solid
wheels to order, and all parts of all machinery .... The Corbett Reel and Rig
Company's shop is located on Hilton street; employs eight men and does a busi-
ness of 1100,000 annually.
The Tuna Iron Works of W. C. Walker & Co., produce $50,000 worth of
iron ware annually, and give employment to sixteen men.
The Central Iron Works of Bovaird & Seyfang were established in 1872,
and now give employment to 100 men. The i^roduct of this establishment
embraces engines of from six to 100 horse-power, a noted specialty being a
newly improved oil engine. This great utility is manufactured in sizes of
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 209
twelve, fifteen and twenty horse-power, and is especially adapted to drilling in
deep territory, under which circumstances its great rapidity and unsurpassed
strength are readily perceived. The firm also manufactures special machinery
of all kinds, and are, in all probability, the heaviest producers of drilling and
fishing tools in the world. They also deal extensively in boilei-s, steam pumps,
tubing, casing, new and second-hand machinery, machinists' supjolies, and the
output is valued at $100,000 annually.
William Robertson & Son, machinists, works located on Chestnut street,
employ six men and do a $25,000 business annually. The business of this
concern was originally established at Pithole, Penn. , in 1865, by the head of the
firm, who removed to this city in 18S0, and two years later admitted his son,
D. W. Robertson. . . .Brown & Manning do a business at 33 Webster street.
They employ four men and do a business of $12,000 annually. They run a
machine shop .... Robert Manning, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Brad-
ford in 1880, and established his present business in the early part of 1885
. . . .D. Phillips, machinist, transacts an annual business of $55,000; employs
ten men .... The Ross Machine & Repair Shops were established by G. W.
Ross in 1875, and conducted by him until 1886 when J. H. Ross took charge.
The Em-eka Iron Works, operated by S. McCaughtry, H. Harris, W. H.
Pepper and K. Ireland, produce all kinds of fishing and drilling tools, sand-
pumps, boilers, mud sockets and casing cutters. The shops are on Foreman
street, and the annual business is over $20,000.
The S. R. Dresser's Packer Factory is located near the Quaker Rod Shop.
Oil and Gas well packers are specialties. .. .Connelly Bros, boiler works,
located on Hilton street; employ seven men and do a $12,000 business per
annum .... Shearer & Hicks, machinists, shop located on Railroad street;
employ 10 men and do a $35,000 business per year. . . .H. J. Rose, machinist,
shop on Corydon street; employs two men and does a $30,000 business yearly
.... ^^'inthl•op & Delvin have a small machine shop at No. 35 W^ebster street;
they are practical men and do their own work; they do in the neighborhood of
$4,500 yearly. . . .John Ley has a large plant, a machine shop, on Corydon
street; employs twelve men, his yearly business aggregating $25,000. . . .The
Lock Manufacturing Company, located at 25 Webster street, employ two men and
do a trade of $5,500 per annum .... Bradford, Bordell & Kendall railroad shops,
located up the east branch; employ twenty men and do a $20,000 business
yearly .... Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad shops, located on the east
branch, employ 156 men and do a $250,000 business per annum.
B. C. Quigley's Ash and Hickory Sucker Rod factory was established here
in 1885, although he was a resident of the city for six years prior to that time.
His factory on East Main street is thoroughly equipped.
L. Emery, Jr., & Co's oil well, machinist and railroad supply house, and
general hardware store was established in 1876. The store is one of the largest
business places in the city. The premises consist of a double two-story brick
structure, with large plate glass windows in front, and the interior is system-
atically and conveniently arranged with all the modern facilities for the hand-
ling and displaying of goods. The mammoth stock embraces all kinds of silver-
ware, cutlery, jewelry, optical goods, hardware, and in short everything in the
merchandise line excepting shoes and dry goods. A specialty is made of oil-
well, machinist and railway supplies, the stock carried being the largest
and most complete in this section of the country. The fii'm's large warehouse
for the accommodation of the surplus is located near the Union Depot. In addi-
tion to the above interests the members of this firm are among the heaviest
oil producers in this region, under the title of the Emery Oil Company. This
210 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
is a separate branch of their extensive business, the office being located at No.
41 Main street. They employ in the several departments of their enterprise
a great number of people, and their trade extends throughout the oil regions.
The hardware and oil supply store of H. A. Jamieson and W. H. Pickett
was established in 1861 by J. H. Mitchell. The present owners took charge
in 1871 . . . .Bodine & Walker's business was founded in 1876 by George Bod-
ine .... The Bradford Stone Company was established by C. R. Cosolowsky
in May, 1886. . . . J. B. McElwaine founded his oil-well supply house in 1879,
and later established branches at Duke Centre and Kane, Penn., and Bolivar,
N. Y . . . . The Jarecki Manufacturing Company is represented by E. A. Weart.
.... Boggs & Curtis machine and oil well supply store dates to 1884 . . . . R. W.
CarrolFs agency was established in 1884. He handles the goods of the Ameri-
can Tube and Iron Company, the Gutta Percha and Rubber Manfactur-
iug Company, the Belknap Manufactviring Company, the Hoyt Metal Com-
pany, the Crosby Steam Gauge and Valve Company, the Hart Manufacturing
Company, the Titusville Iron Works, the Watertown Steam Blower Company,
the Standard Boiler Feeder Company and many others .... The Tifft Engine
and Boiler Manufacturing Company has been represented by A. McLean since
1869. Their office here was established in 1860 .... Dennis & Booth, successors
to Jones, Dennis & Booth, established their building business in 1877.
The Bradford Glass Works were erected in 1884 on the site of Brain's
brick-yard, near the Erie Railroad track. A proposition to re-open this indus-
try was pending in June, 1889. The proposition materialized, and on Sep-
tember 25, 1889, the window-glass factory made the third run or heat. Since
the successful opening of the works, A. P. Lewis, manager, with thirty-five
glass-blowers, seven llatteners, eight cutters, four pot-makers, three packers
and sixteen helpers have formed the working force. The glass-blowers received
from $125 to $250 per month. No less than 1,000 persons witnessed this third
run.
Bradford Tooth-pick Factory employs twenty persons and does a 120,000
business per year. Factory on Hilton street.
The Clark Mill, on the island, is the only saw-mill in the city. For twenty-
five years Mr. Clark has been connected with the lumber industry; product
4,000,000 feet of hemlock annually H. Tuthill, dealer in sash blinds and
dressed lumber, employs three men and does a yearly business amounting to
$30,000; the plant is located at 54 Chestnut street; the house was founded in
1881 by D. Wright . . . . C. F. McAmbly, lumber merchant, yard on Hilton street;
employs eighty-five men; his business amounts to $500,000 per annum....
P. A. Kent's yard was established in 1883. . . .The G. Koebly carnage shops,
on the island, is one of the largest industries of this class in this section of
Pennsylvania. . . .Herman Frank, cigar manufacturer. No. 12 Congress street,
employs twenty men, and does a $50,000 business per year . . . . M. L. Pomeroy,
harness, etc., employs two men and does a $5,000 business annually; shop
located at Pine street .... W. H. Walker, manufacturer of harness, etc., whose
house was established in 1879 by L. B. Hill, also does considerable business.
John Meyer's upper factory and leather shop was established in 1878. . . .
Sendker Bros.' shoe store was established in 1880, and C. M. Bosworth's
in 1885 . . . .Drew's furniture factory was founded in 1880-81 The Consoli-
dated Bottling Company was incorporated in 1882; it is simply a consolida-
tion of the firms of A. F. Kent, Woodbury & Campbell, Mayer Brothers and
T. Bhikely & Company; the business is well carried on. . . .Campbell Broth-
ers" bottling works, on Davis street, is a large industry here .... Brennan &
Davis' jewelry store was established in 1883; C. H. Norton's in 1881.
Hyz^-Zr-^-z^cyz^^
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 213
The Bradford ofiSce of the Singer Manufacturing Company was established
with G. F. Anderson, manager .... J. W. Fritts is also a dealer in sewing
machines and organs, and Harrington Brothers in pianos and other musical
instruments; also H. E. Morrison.
The American Steam Laundry was established in 1S78 by H. J. Skinner,
who was followed by Godfrey & Hunt, the present owners.
The Pennsylvania Storage Company is an adaptation of the lumber com-
pany mentioned in the history of St. Mary's. The yards are located on a ten-
acre tract, donated by the city in 18S8, to which the company added ten acres
subsequently. F. W. Brooks is general superintendent. The lumber is
brought to the yard in the rough, from the different saw mills of the county,
most of the projirietors being stockholders. A planing-mill is located on the
ground, and the lumber is dressed and matched complete for the market. Par-
ticular pains are taken in piling the lumber. As soon as a pile is finished it
is roofed, and the number of boards booked. Over 11,000,000 feet of lumber
are stored on the grounds at present. Nearly all of it is hemlock. The Star.
in noticing this great industry, says: "Perhaps our citizens are not aware of
the mammoth amount of lumber handled annually by the lumber dealers of
this city. The industry has grown to such an extent that it can be classed nest
to the oil interests in this county." The reason it is called a storage concern
is because a mill-owner ships his lumber to this plant, and he is given a certifi-
cate of the value of his shipment taken from the inspector's book. It is
stored on the grounds until sold, when he receives his price. In addition to
the above the business of making wood alcohol is carried on extensively in the
vicinity of Bradford, there being no less than four establishments of the kind
— commonly called acid works — within a few miles of the city. They are con-
ducted respectively by A. B. Smith & Co., Ph. Nusbaum & Co., the Alton
Chemical Works (limited) and the Lewis Run Chemical Compiany.
The Wagner Opera House was built and opened in 1876. The building is
owned by M. W. Wagner and managed in conjunction with the oil region cir-
cuit, comprising Erie, Warren and New Castle, in Pennsylvania, and Elmira,
Hornellsville and Olean, in New York, by Wagner & Keis. their headquarters
being in this city. Three to four performances a week are given in the Wag-
ner during the season. Among the noteworthy attractions that have appeared
at the Opera House may be mentioned Sara Bernhardt, Edwin Booth, Mrs.
Langtry, Theodore Thomas' Orchestra. Gilmore's Band and the Emma Abbott
Opera Company. In addition to the Wagner Opera House there is a variety
theatre and numerous halls for concert and other uses.
COXCLUSIOX.
The humble beginnings of Bradford have been related, and the gradual
advances of the settlement to the position of a city traced. Every feature of the
building-up process has been painted in documentary languages, true in every
particular. Only a few years have passed since the place was a wilderness. To-
day it is a busy hive of industry, with many of the vices and all the virtues of a
great business center. The pioneers of the Bradford oil field built well indeed,
and witnessed the springing up of a great, well-regulated and prosperous
community out of the ancient groves of the Tuna Valley. Here is the
inventive, enterprising, fearless Yankee; there the Pennsylvanian — man of
iron nerves; here the sons of Vermont and New Hampshire, happy among the
great hills; there the children of that Maryland — " the only place in the wide,
wide world where religious liberty found a home;" here the shrewd Irishman
whose faults almost counterbalance his virtues ; the ruddy, fair-haired German
21-i HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
■working steadily to win a competence and hold it; the Englishman, generally
transatlantic; the Italian, untrained to labor; the " cannie " Scot, zealously
watchful of his interests; the chivalrous Pole, the polite Frenchman, the
money-making Jew, the never-tired Swede or Norwegian, and even the China-
man — all find employment and a home here. In other points the city claims
distinctive features, such as natural terraces, variety of landscape and wild-
wood drives, all retained invohintarily amid the ruin of old-time forests,
change of river courses and assaults on the great hills.
CHx\PTER XI.
FOSTER TOWNSHIP— BOROUGH OF KENDALL—
CORYDON TOWNSHIP.
Foster Township For5i.\tion — Census — Fii:es — Township Officers
Elected in 1890— Villages.
Borough of Kendall Location — Population — Business— Peg-Leg Line —
Incidents— Fires, Etc.— Elections — .Schools — Churches — Cemetery-
Societies.
CoRYDON Township Topography, Etc.— Population— Seated Tax Payers,
1836-37— Early Mills— Township Officers Elected in 1890.
FOSTER TOWNSHIP formed part of Bradford township until 1880, and to-
day it is practically a part of the old township in its topographical features
and business interests. In March, 1880. the vote on setting off Foster township
from Bradford was seventy-two for and thirty-one contra. The name was
given in honor of Leonard S. Foster, the oldest continuous white resident of
the Tuna Valley, who resided at Foster Brook since 1S24. Bernard Pike, the
pioneer, moving away years ago. This townshiji in 1880 had a population of
5,373. In November, 1888. there were 288 Republican, IS-t Democratic, 43
Prohibitionist and 46 Labor Unionist votes cast; and a total of 531 multiplied
by six gives the population at the time as 3,186.
The history of this township is one story of conflagration after conflagra-
tion. Red Rock was burned early in 1880, shortly after the destruction of Knox
City and of Gillmor.
The Rew City fire of May 7, 1880, originated on the Shedd farm, sparks
from Fisher & Pickett's engine setting tire to their No. 6 well, and resulting
in the four-months old town of Rew City being destroyed within two hours.
Beginning on the north boundary on the east side of Bordell avenue, there
were destroyed as follows: Dan Kelly's feed stable: Moscho's barn and dwell-
ing; Curtis & Hart's building; Seth Jordan's boarding house; Robert Menziers'
restaurant; C -handler Bros.' grocery; J. D. Wolfs building and hardware stock;
U. Fox's new boarding house, and Eugene Capron's building and stock. On
the north and south sides of Coleville road, west of Bordell avenue, Ireland's
machine shop; the pioneer hotel, known as the Summit House, conducted by
Ross & Marr; the Rew City House; Hale's drug store; Giles' & Mehany's
building; Bradford shoe store; LaydryDavey's boarding house; Central House:
Dailey's hardware; Allington's restaurant; Connelly's hotel. Sniggs & Stick
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 215
ney's grocery; "Wood & Bowens' meat market and bakery; Scanlon's Daven-
port House; Cook's portable restaurant building; Chandler Bros.' building;
G. E. Edmund's livery; Dayton & Jackson's hotel; McGeorge's dwelling; S.
S. Francis' dwelling; Sinclair's fruit shop; McDermott's feed store and
blacksmith shop; Murray, Morrison & Company's buildings; Thomas' res-
taurant; Lewis' boarding house; Robinson's building; McNamara's Edinburg
House, and C. Webster's tank shop, on the west side of Bordell avenue, south
of the Coleville road, were all swept away. D. Rew's farm house and build-
ings, then occupied by Middaugh, were destroyed, and five buildings on the
west side of the street; Whiting's boarding house, Stoddard's hotel, Mrs.
Agger's Central House, Dorey's boarding house, Lewis' Cuba House, and a
number of small buildings were destroyed. On the Rew farm the McCalmont
Company, McKay & Company, Packard & Company, S. D. Karn & Company,
Benedict & Whitnal, Dyer & Ford, lost heavily in oil and rigs.
The lire of May 6, 1880, at Kendall Creek," a half mile north of Rew City,
originated in the premature explosion of a torpedo in Bradley & Co.'s No. 6
well on the Taylor tract. It appears the torpedo was lowered to a depth of
600 feet, when a sudden flow of oil drove it upward, and, striking the walking
beam, it exploded. The rig and a 150-barrel tank were destroyed, and the
fire, running to Johnson & Co.'s rig on the Bingham land, destroyed it and the
oil in tank, together with their rig on the Mantz farm below the Rew farm.
On the hillside between LafFerty and Sawyer, the rigs at eight producing
wells were burned. The property of Munhall & Smithman, O'Dell & Emerson
and Van Vleck was burned over, while the Anchor Petroleum Company lost
two rigs on the Whipple farm.
The Foster Brook fire of May 6, 1880, originated at Porter, Gilmore &
Co.'s No. 7 well, at the foot of the hollow leading to Bell's Camp, and extended
southeast over the divide through the C. B. & H. tract, thence through a por-
tion of the Willets tract to the west line of the Borden tract, destroying 101
rigs and a quantity of oil in the Foster brook and Harrisburg run neighbor-
hoods. Tram Hollow lost nineteen rigs, six were burned on the east branch
and fifty-four at Kendall Creek, aggregating 132 rigs destroyed in a few hours.
Near Tarport the fire began in the brush near the Cornea purchase, and at
once encircled three 250-barrel oil tanks.
The Rixford fire of May 9, 1880, originated in Squire Cline's oiSce, and
resulted in the destruction of seventy-five buildings, six loaded freight cars,
twelve emptj- flat cars, forty rigs and 70,000 barrels of oil — the total loss being
placed at $184,000. The old Rixford dwelling was swept away at this time,
but, although the tire surrounded it, John McKeown's well on Main street was
left untouched. On the north side, western end of Main street, west of the
IDoint of origin, this fire destroyed Cronin's boarding house; Farley's dwelling;
the Central House; Cline's office; Mitchell's grocery; the Waterman block;
Mrs. Karn's jewelry store; Tuttle's fruit stand; the Sej'mour building; the
Nast Bros.' building; A. J. North's; Krohn's clothing house; Steven's bowl-
ing alley; Otto's dwelling; ScoviUe's law office; Blue Front grocery; Baker's
dwelling; Edmund's dwelling; Tait's photograph gallery; Wass' restaurant;
Garvin's blacksmith shop; Gibney's shoe shop; Dana's billiard hall; Brun-
dage's Bakery Hotel; Mcintosh's boarding house; Crandall & Alderman's
grocery; Goodenough's Scranton House; Shanbacker's Yeoman House; Tait's
grocery; Farrell's boarding house; Ive's shoe store; Holmes', Porter's and
Mrs. Barry's dwellings; Drach's laundi-y, and Curtis & Drake's TitusvilJe
House. On Railroad street, extending north from Main, there were destroyed
Horan's Hotel; Kane's restaurant; Mrs. Rockwell's Central Hotel; the dwell-
216 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
ings of Crooker, August and Dean; Mrs. Robins' saloon; Gorley's Railroad
House; railroad depot; Packard & Co.'s office; Youngstown Oil Company's
office, and Culbertson's dwelling, while Allen's coal yard, McAndrew's boiler
shop and E. S. Crocker's tank shop, west of depot, were destroyed. South of
Railroad street U. T. No. 42U and No. 452, 25,000-barrel tanks, and McLeod
& Morrison's 7,000-barrel tanks burned. On the south side of Main street,
beginning on the west, there were destroyed Unger's clothing store; Wagner's
meat market; the Rolph House; Wagner & Faught's Opera House; the O'Brien
building; Kammacher's building; Royer building; John Faught's dwellii>g;
Crandall's dry goods house; Dickenson's post-office building; Neilen's hotel
(Bishop House); Fleming's tank shop; Robinson's glycerine office; William
O'Brien's residence; Dibble's drug store; the Gleason House; Edward's livery
stable; O'Brien's old Rixford House; John McKeown's office, and O. Flem-
ing's dwelling. The work of rebuilding was begun on May 10 of that year.
The Dallas City oil fire took place August 19, 1880, 50,000 barrels of oil
being on fire. At that time the Tidewater Tank No. 6 stood 350 feet distant
from the pump station, while up the brook was United Lines Tank No. 410,
and in the vicinity other oil reservoirs. At five o'clock that evening lightning
struck two of the 25,000-barrel tanks and one 700-barrel tank, and destroyed
the telegraph instruments. James Stephens extinguished the fire at the small
tank, the property of W. M. Carner & Co., but the large tanks and several
rigs were destroyed.
The Rew City fire of October 24, 1881, originated in Bernard's barber
shop, on the west side of Bordell street, burning Francis' meat market and
dwelling, Googe Bros.' bowling alley, A. J. Dearmont's blacksmith shoja on
the south side. The fire was checked at Murray's feed store and dwelling,
where there was an alley three feet wide. Murray's store was badly scorched
and had a narrow escape. On the north side were burned the Tioga House,
the building owned by C. C. Violl and occupied by D. E. Miece as a furniture
store, being checked at Blakeley Bros.' drug store, where there was an alley
about eight feet wide. On the east side of the street the Fox House, used as
a hall, and on the north side Woodbury & Campbell's building, occupied by
Edney Smith as a saloon and bowling alley, and Dearmont's blacksmith and
wagon shop were destroyed. The flames were checked at Cornell's dwelling by
an alley about eight feet wide. Water was hauled from the Hopking & Packard
lease in a 250-barrel tank. Eight teams were employed and furnished an
ample supply. The citizens fought the fire bravely.
The Kansas Branch fire of January 4, 1884, resulted in the burning of
the four children of C. N. Garver, an employe of the Keystone Company.
The glycerine explosion at Sawyer City in September, 1881, resulted in the
death of William Bnntoa, Charles Rust, James Thrashier and Charles Krouse,
and serious injury to four others.
Knox City, which came into existence in 1879, on the Hodge farm (soon after
the Sawyer & Boille well was drilled on the the Rew farm), was inaugurated by
the opening of Jack Eraser's Knox City House. It was destroyed by fire April
21, 1880. This fire originated in a barber shop, and destroyed Hussey's sa-
loon, Pfunter's furniture shop, M. T. Holahan's buildings, the Oil Exchange
Hotel, the Barnes House, Stone Bros. ' grocery, and Eraser' s Knox City House.
Gillmor, near Bradford, was wiped out by fire in March, 1879, and Hugh
Lafferty burned to death. Rebuilt at once, it is to-day one of the busy ham-
lets of this section. The Knights of Honor and other secret and benevo-
lent organizations are to be found here, including G. A. R. Post No. 589, and
the Women's Relief Corps. The old villages were rebuilt after the fashion of
'rU^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 219
oil camps, business resumed, and to-day the visitor may converse with some per-
sons who never heard of the destructive fires of 1879-84.
Babcock, a lumbering village, now known as Tuna Creek, is located north
of Bradford, near the State line
The villages of this township are Foster Brook, Babcock' s Mills, Derrick
City, Lafferty, Red Rock, Gillmor, Sawyer City, Hazelwood, Forest, Taylor,
and Rew City. Throughout the valleys of the township are several argricult-
ural settlements. At Derrick City is a Methodist church building; it is the
circuit station and here Rev. William Magovern resides.
Foster Brook Lodge No. 11, Knights of Pythias, was organized some time
ago, and in October, 188U, took an important place among the societies of the
district.
The township officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Supervisors,
Robert McMurray and J. L. Seager; town clerk, George Wannamaker; col-
lector, T. F. Hungerville; school directors, H. T. Morian and S. A. Shannon;
auditor, E. B. Sage; assessor, N. Snyder; judge of election. First District, H.
B. Day; inspectors, T. W. Powers and M. M. McKay; judge of election. Second
District, J. W. Gormley; inspectors, W. J. Boyd and S. M. Henderson.
TAKPORT, OK BOROUGH OF KENDALL.
Tarport adjoins Bradford city on the north, and is connected therewith
by railroad and street car lines. In 188(1 it contained 2,689 inhabitants. la
1888 there were 181 Republican, 139 Democratic, eleven Prohibitionist and
three United Labor votes cast, or a total of 884. This number multiplied by
sis gives an approximate of the present population, about 2,01)4.
Tarport was great when Bradford was a little hamlet. For years the trade
of northwestern McKean centered here, and here many of the pioneers of Brad-
ford's business entered on commercial life. Harvey D. Hicks was first postmas-
ter at Tarport, keeping the office in the hotel. On entering the union service
in 1862, his wife continued the office during the war. In 1872 Loyal Ward
was appointed to the office, and served until William Beers succeeded him in
1873. The office has been filled by Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Butler in recent
years until J. C. Brenneman was commissioned in July, 1889. The discovery of
oil in the Tuna Valley changed the pleasant little village of olden days into a
bustling oil camp. In 1876 the name was changed to Kendall Creek; the post-
office was then established under that name, with H. G. Mitchell postmaster.
In June of that year Mitchell & Sons opened a grocery store and Z. Fisher
commenced building his three-story hotel. Later F. N. Taylor opened a store
there and the Oil Exchange hall was erected.
In 1878 the village contained about 900 inhabitants. Here was the junction
of the Peg- Leg Line and the Clean, Bradford & Warren Railroads; hundreds
of derricks standing all around, and large tanks, telling at once that this was
the great tank city of the period. In January, 1878, the Peg- Leg Railroad
was completed to Tarport, and the Narrow Gauge was opened February 11,
1878, between Bradford and Olean, the train climbing grades of 135 feet per
mile.
In January and February, 1878, the Era was filled with accounts of atroc-
ities at Tarport, in the low resort of Ben Hogan, since which time strange
changes have taken place. The wicked village of 1878 was destroyed to give
place to the new order of houses and inhabitants, and even the notorious Ben
has become an evangelist, as elsewhere related. Contemporary with Ben's
settlement at Tarport came the era of fires and explosions. Roberts' glycerine
220 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
factory, a mile from Tarport, exploded October 2, 1877, killing J. F. Smith
and injuring Col. Roberts and his son. The fire of April 25, 1880, destroyed
Schmultz's grocery, Kerns' saloon, Stine's Dew Drop Ipn, Delmage's tank
shop, and Mrs. Robinson's boarding house. William Houseler was arrested
and charged with being the incendiary. The glycerine explosion of May 24,
1880, destroyed the Ernest Koester works below Tarport. It apj^ears the for-
est fires communicated with the safes (then containing only 200 pounds of the
explosive), which were lifted bodily upward and scattered over a wide area.
In May, 1880, Book & Rhodes' No. 15 Tank, on Rutherford run, was struck
by lightning and 600 barrels of oil burned, and Stettheimer's engine house, on
East branch, destroyed. J. M. Tait lost the rigs and tanks at his wells on
Foster brook. The Roger Sherman 10,000-barrel oil tank, near Tarport, was
struck by lightning June 10, 1880, and set on fire. Superintendent Seymore
turned steam on the burning oil, and this, aided by the application of wet
blankets, subdued the flames — the first time an oil tank and contents were thus
saved. The fire of June 25, 1880, destroyed thirty-two buildings in two
hours. It originated in the Westcott House, which it destroyed as well as the
following buildings: Mrs. Melbuish's boarding house, J. W. AViusor's dwell-
ing, Heathcote's hotel, Riley & Evans' hotel, Wheaton's meat market. J. S.
Fisher's saloon, Mackay & Benson's grocery, Phillips' Oil Exchange Hotel, the
Dowdney House, Mulqueeu's saloon, Ockerman building, L. R. Barnes' hotel,
Flynn Bros.' grocery, Levi's clothing house, Kern's saloon, and another
saloon, Calhoun's shoe store, Walsh's building, Hurd's harness shop, and the
Fuller House barn. On the opposite side it destroyed the Walsh House, then
operated by John Ingersoll ; the double house owned by John Mitchell and
Knox Brothers, in which was the postoftice, with H. G. Mitchell, master; his
dwelling in the rear; E. R. Sherman's and George Smith's dwellings; the Oil
Exchange building; Frank Taylor's building, Judge Craig's dwelling and
Cadwallader' s office. The total loss was estimated at $50,000. Mrs. Neff's
boarding house, at head of Main street, was saved. The fire of May 5, 1883,
destroyed six houses, and burned to death George O'Neil, a fireman.
Kendall Borough elections were held February 15, 1881, whenEugene Buck
received 208 votes and C. E. Everson 103, for burgess. M. A. Haggerty, O.
L. Lathrop, Denis Lundergan, C. Benson, Philo Ackley and Joseph Nye were
elected members of council; E. F. Converse, constable; A. J. Evans, high
e )Qstable; A. M. Kleckner, C. D. Longfellow and Robert Pilkington, school
directors; Joe Bensinger, assessor; C. D. Longfellow and W. B. Clark, audit-
ors; S. B. Shaffer and E. W. Baker, inspectors, and John Todd, judge of
elections. J. H. Butler was elected burgess in 1882. receiving the total vote.
210; Philo Ackley, in 1883; L. D. Langraade, in 1884, with W. W. Penhollow,
justice; E. J. Fitzsimmons, in 1885-86; Philo Ackley, in 1887. with A. M.
Kleckner, justice, and T. T. Mapes, in 1888-89. The officers elected in Feb-
ruary, 1890, are as follows: Burgess, W. K. Urqiihart; councilmen, J. G.
Fisher, S. W. Stilling, P. Mallory; school directors, A. V. Field, J. C. Smith:
justice of the peace. Philo Ackley; collector, W. W. Penhollow; constable. M.
B. Delniage; auditor, Wilson Rice; judges of election. First District, Philo
Ackley; Second District, C. D. Gilbert; inspectors, William Heaps, James
Flyni), A\'ilson Rice, E. H. Parish.
The early schools of Tarport are noticed in the history of Bradford town-
ship, where many of the pioneers of this section are also referred to. So also
with the i-eligious organizations.
The first Presbyterian Church of Kendall was incorporated in June, ISSl,
with T. W. Williamson, F. S. Reynolds, J. W. Sherman, G. Buchanan, C.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 221
D. Longfellow, C. B. Seymour, Dr. McCarthy, J. Hockley, D. L. Skinner,
J. Odell and G. W. Newman, members.
The lirst Free Methodist Society of Tuna Creek was organized in 1883,
with O. Dodge, A. D. Gaines, Sam. Henderson, L. Sager, Harriet E. Jones,
Mrs. M. J. Zeliff, Phil, and Mrs. M. V. Hooker, Mrs. M. G. Beardsley hus-
band and William, A. G. McCoy. H. G. Crawford, G. Brightonberger, C.
B. Stoddard, William Cornelius, I. Walker, George Hasson, H. Hare and
George G. Sandford. Rev. John H. Stoody is pastor of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church here, the beginnings of which are told in the history of Bradford.
The Kendall Creek Cemetery Association was incorporated March 3, 1871,
with C. C. Melvin, C. H. Foster, A. W. and James Buchanan and F. A.
Moore, trustees.
Kendall Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W., is one of the oldest benefit organi-
zations of the borough. Among its officers may be named J. S. Fisher, V. K.
Boyer, L. Keed, A. M. Kleckuer and D. Huntley. This lodge built a hall
. some years ago near the railroad, which hall is still standing. The officers for
1890 are F. O. Hane, C. Crary, A. Cole, T. J. Buchanan, James Moseley,
G. W. Mitchell, L. S. Reed, F. H. Burr, James Hood and A. M. Kleckner.
Present membership, 97.
Washington Legion, S. K. of A. O. U. W. , was organized April 8, 1884.
Among its members are those named in connection with the lodge, R. B. Gil-
lespie. A. J. Martin. O. L. Lathrop, H. H. Berringer, A. J. Cole, T. B.
Humes and others. The officers of the legion in 1890 are H. R. Winger,
C. S. Crarey, James Hood, D. Huntley, D. J. Stewart, A. M. Kleckner,
B. B. Gillespie, J. G. Fisher and G. E. Benninghoff. There are twenty-one
members.
Kendall Tent No. 5, K. O. T. M., was organized July 8, 1884. Among
its members are T. M. Olmsted, Col. D. Gardner, H. C. Jones, H. K.
Boyer, M. P. Wooley and F. M. Bickford. The tent elected the following named
officers in December, 1889, in order of tent rank; Moses P. W^ooley, James L.
Fleming, W. K. Urquhart, H. C. Jones, H. Boyer, M. B. Delmage, D. E.
Ash and J. M. Shaw. The membership on March 10 was 136.
Tuna Lodge No. 1122, Knights and Ladies of Honor, was instituted Jan-
uary 20, 1886, by D. G. P., A. N. Heard. Among its members are E. M.
McElhaney, J. Q. Field. Mrs. Kate Walter, E. R. Sherman, Frank G. Bemis,
E. R. Sherman, C. F. Jewell, E. J. Fitzsimmons. The officers for 1890 are
L. R. Shaw, Mrs. M. P. Hennage, E. R. Sherman, Rachel Troup, Ella Smiley,
Mrs. Retta Phillips, Mrs. Sarah Artley, J. W. Stephens and M. E. Smiley.
Medical examiner, D. E. Ash. There are eighty members.
Local Branch No. 389 of the Order of the Iron Hall was organized September
17, 1886; among the official members are H. G. Vankenren, J. Manly, J. R.
McCarthy and T. B. Humes.
Break of Day Division No. 170, Sons of Temperance, was organized Sep-
tember, 1886. Its members were William Dobin, Rev. J. G. Hann, Mrs. W.
Harris, P. Whittlesey. Mrs. H. Wardell.
Kendall Section Cadets of Temperance, organized March, 1887; Mrs. M.
A. Thomas, Mrs. L. Hann; D. G., William Dobie; W. A., Grace Sandburn;
V. A.. Annie Greer; P. W. A., Ella Dobie; R. S., Arch Worton; T., George
Dobie.
In 1889 the Kendall Loan and Savings Association was organized with the
following officers: President, George W. Mitchell; secretary, E. R. Sherman;
treasurer, T. T. Mapes; appraising committee, T. T. Mapes, A. V. Field and
J. M. Nye. The board of directors consists of A. V. Field, T. T. Mapes, J.
SLL HISTOltY OF MCKKAN COUNTY.
M. Nye, George W. Mitchell aud E. R. Sherman. These oiScers were re-
elected for 1890.
Kendall Circle No. 74. Protected Home Circle, is presided over by E. R.
Sherman, with Ellen Geary, vice-president; Mrs. M. Moseley, chaplain; J. J.
Gonter, G. ; Emma J. Gonter, accountant; C. D. Longfellow, secretary; Mrs.
Martha Sherman, treasurer; J. T. Graham, porter; Mrs. L. Whitman, watch,
and Dr. J. B. McCartey, medical examiner.
Equitable Aid Union No. 249 was organized December 28, 1885, and is
presided over by D. Keibler, with Dora Boyer, vice-president, and Mrs. L.
Hathaway, secretary. The remaining offices are tilled by H. R. Wigner, D.
Huntly, Mrs. C. Withery, Mrs. L. Dorrauce, Mrs. Wilda Rice, Mrs. Alice
Smith, Myrtle Hathaway, Cora Montrose and O. B. Coleman. There are 158
members belonging to this union.
COHYDON TOWNSHIP.
Cory don township occupies the northwest corner of McKean county. Here
Corydon run flows west by north through the northern sections, while the two
branches of Sugar run meander everywhere through the southwest and center,
and flow together near the west line, whence the main stream rushes down to join
the Allegheny river in Warren county, south of Cornplanter's run, which also rises
here. On the divide between Willow and Quaker creeks (heads of the Corydon, iu
the northeast corner), an elevation of 2, 210 feet above tide is recorded; while on
the Warren county line, where Sugar run enters the Allegheny valley, the ele-
vation is only 1,300 feet. Geologist Asburner, speaking of this section in 1878,
states that the number of houses and shanties there could be counted on the
fingers, and denied the assertion of local geologists in the matter of coal beds,
asserting that never could coal be profitably mined here. He further termed
it the "Barren Township," but acknowledged the existence of plateaus, to
which he ascribed the general character of those in Lafayette township.
The population of Corydon township in 1880 was 15-i. In 1888 there were
fifty Republican and thirteen Democratic votes recorded, on which total —
sixty-three— the population was placed at 315.
The seated tax-payers of Corydon township in 1836-37 were Edwin Adams,
James Anderson (a trader), William Brown, John Brown, James L. Baker,
Albert and David Cargill, William Care (tavern-keeper), Benjamin Chamber-
lain, Chamberlain & Hall (saw-mill owners), Alfred Forbes (merchant), Andrew
Flatt, Amos Flatt, R. M. Truman, J. W. Field (tavern-keeper), Seth \V.
Green, Walter Guy, William Gibbs, Comfort Hamlin, Orrin Hook, John Hasel-
tine, Abel Morrison, Rice Morrison, Jacob McCall. Morrison, Stephens & Co.
(saw-mills), Moses Parmloe, Zelotes Parmlee, Juri Perry, B. H. Pike (trades-
man), Amos Patterson (merchant), Abiel Rolfe (tavern keeper), Walter and
George Seaman, Perry Shannon (saw-mill owner), Clark Stearns, F. H. Tracy,
Jonathan Thompson, Ben. Tome, Isaac Williams, H. N. Wheeler (store-keeper
and saw-mill owner), John Wait (store- keeper) and John E. Woodbeck (trader);
A. Foster was the assessor .... Brownell, now of Tionesta, worked in Con-
over's sa\v-mill, at the head of Sugar run, in 1857. This mill was erected
in 1854 55, while the mills operated by the Templetons, south of the town-
line, were erected much earlier.
]<'arly in 1843 a colony of German Catholics purchased a large tract of land
in A\'air('u county, near the east line of McKean, and established a commercial
village, aud in 1843 a post-office was existing at Kinzua.
The Corydon well, on Willow creek, one-half mile up stream from the
Allegheny, was in existence in 1850.
v.^ S ^^Ij^j^^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 225
The township officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Super-
visors, Moses Johnson, Jaroes Hinton; school directors, 0. D. Seaman, B. D.
Tome; collector, H. Schobey; constable, H. Schobey; justice of the peace, E.
S. Payne; town clerk, Peter Parsons; auditor, B. D. Tome; judge of election,
Philip Tome; inspectors, J. Rogers, Fred Flynn.
CHAPTER XII.
ANNIN TOWNSHIP— GEKES TOWNSHIP.
Annin Township Topogi:aphy and Natukal History — Population — Of-
ficers of THE Township. 1890— Turtle Point— Newell Creek— Churches
ANn Cemetery.
Ceres Township Topography— Oil Wells— Population-Officers or the
Township, 1890— First Justice of the Peace— Early Settlers— Resi-
dent Tax-Payers, 1836-37— Re-survey of the Northern State Line.
Ceres Village First Arrivals — Post-office — Merchants — Schools—
Churches— Military-— Railroads— Industries.
ANNIN TOWNSHIP, south of Ceres, and north of Liberty, is the home
of Annin creek, which rises in the heights north of Annin, and enters
the Allegheny river at Turtle point. Two Mile creek rises southeast of Annin,
and flowing southwest enters the Allegheny below Port Allegany. Bell run.
mentioned in the sketch of Ceres township, rises in the northeast corner;
Newell creek flows southwest through the northwest corner, and Rock run
parallels Annin creek northwest of the divide. Open Brook flows north
through the southwest corner, where it enters the main river, which marks the
northeast line of this corner. The high land one mile northwest of Annin is
2,345 feet above tide; two miles southwest an elevation of '2, 340 exists, and two
and one-half miles due south, near the Port road, a plateau 2,300 feet above
tide was measured. In fact an average elevation of 2,200 feet for summits,
marks this township, the lowest point being the mouth of Rock run, 1,435
feet. Northwest of the Smethport anticlinal are two small areas of Olean
conglomerate, and between Annin and Two Mile creeks two more, but be-
yond such evidences of coal, there were no minerals discovered up to 1879.
The population of Annin township in 1880 was 1,089. The vote in 1888
was 109 Republican, 117 Democratic, 10 Prohibitionist and five Labor Union-
ist, or 241, multiplied by five, equals 1,205, the estimated population.
The officers of this township elected in February, 1890, are as follows:
Justice of the peace, S. R. June; school directors, L. E. Bishop and F. K.
Winshijj for three years, and John J. Cawley for one year; constable, Josejih
Mullin; judge of election, H. A. June; inspectors of election, Jerome Robin-
son, H. M. Harder; supervisors, J. J. McCarey, James Hooley; auditors, H.
M. Harder for one year, Thomas McGavisk for two years, and Eugene Mc-
Carey for three years; collector, L. J. Phenix; town clerk, Lorenzo Hodges.
Turtle Point was the name given to the present village in 183(3, when
Henry Bryant, an Olean lawyer, erected the large saw- mill there. When
cleaning out the mill-race the workmen found a large turtle buried deep in the
226 HISTOIIY OF MCKEAN CODNTY.
mud. A few remnants of the old village were to be seen in 1885, although
the new village was transferred to the corners nearer the railroad. Bryant
invested !j!ll,000 in this milling concern, but the panic coming on swept it
away. Later he took Enoch Fobes as partner and James H. Wright as miller.
In 1844 S. A. Backus purchased Bryant's interests, leaving the original
owner to begin life anew in California.
Newell Creek and neighborhood were settled about fifty years ago. Among
the names of old families are John and William Crawley, Ed. McMahon, Tim.
Mullin, Murtj' and Patrick Driscoll, George Oliver, Patrick Masterson, Con.
Doyle, John O'Connor, Jerry Riley, Michael McAiilifPe. Philip Cooney,
Thomas Dunn, Richard and Dennis Delany, Thomas Bizell, W. M. Londrigan,
James Harkin.
St. Mary's Church was established here in 1847, and Rev. J. J. Burns
was resident priest in 1850, when the old church was erected and dedicated by
Bishop O'Connor. Fathers Dean and Galligan were missionary priests in
1847-48, and Father Smith was resident pastor from October, 1848, to June
16, 1850. In 1853 Rev. Coady succeeded Father Burns, who was followed by
Father Madigan in September, 1856, and he by Father Murrill in December,
1866. Father P. J. Patterson, V. F., came in September, 1868. In 1869 he
commenced the present church building, which was dedicated in February,
1872, by Bishop Mullen. The congregation comprises 150 families. The
church at Newell Creek may be said to have absorbed old St. Mary's above
Smethport, leaving the southern members alone to the new parish of Smeth-
port. The pastor died December 21. 1889. Father Cosgrove is successor of
the venerable Father Patterson as pastor of St. Mary's parish, including Port
Allegany, Austin, Costello, Duke Centre and other places.
The Annin Creek Humane Society was the name given to a cemetery asso-
ciation in June, 1851, of which D. Buckley, I. H. Holcomb, S. Foote, S. D.
Cooper, Theron Cooper, J. P. Evans, Jr., Joshua D. Knapp, J. C. Evans,
N. B. Foote, Joseph Hodges, C. Graham, J. H. Knapp and J. P. Evans were
members.
The Methodist Church was incorporated in September, 1867, on petition
of Joseph Merrick, Nilea Kinney, C. H. Bessee, G. F. Tubbs, H. M. Harder,
M. S. Hadle}', S. H. Kinney and A. H. Bessee.
The First Baptist Church was incorporated March 21. 1887, on petition of
S. L. Holcomb, Eli B. Buckley, L. H. and F. K. Winship and G. O. Buckley.
The First Regular Baptist Church of Turtle Point was incorporated June
3, 1887. The subscribers were Theron Cooper, D. C. Winship, S. L. Hol-
comb, Albertus Cooper and Darius Simpson.
CERES TOWNSHIP.
Ceres township occupies the northeast corner of the county. King's run
of the O.swayo runs in a general northern course through the center; Bell's
run parallels it in the center of the east half; Oswayo creek enters in the
northeast corner, flows northwestwardly to Ceres for two and a quarter miles,
then crosses the State line, and eventually loses itself in the Allegheny
river. The head-waters of Newell creek are found in the southwest, and of
Barden creek in the west center. Taylor's run and several smaller streams
feed the creeks named. The highest measured elevation is 2,245 feet, one
mile southwest of Glenn, at the head of Rock run, and the lowest point. 1,443.
near State Line depot. The divide between King's and Bell's nms shows a
general elevation of 2,200 feet, declining to 1,450 south of Ceres. East of Bell's
run it ranges from 2,200 feet in north and south extremes to 1,500 in the
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 227
Oswayo valley, while tbe divide at the head of Barden and Newell creeks pre-
sented summits of 2,219 and 2,200. The township is minus coal measures
and conglomerate; but the summit caps of Pocono are from 250 to 300 feet
thick. Near Eussell's house on the Ceres road, at an elevation of 2,075 feet,
there was discovered, in 1878, a red limy shale band. In King's run gulch, at
Lynch' s house, red soil was found at an elevation of 1,675 feet; along Barden
run at an elevation of 1,645 feet, as at the old Biggens" place; and toward
Ceres, of 1,720 feet, or only thirty feet below the top of the Chemung in that
neighborhood. At Bly's house, on Ceres and Turtle Point road, a slightly red
soil was seen at au elevation of 1,980 feet, and toward Turtle Point this soil
was seen at difPerent elevations: but from Bly's to Ceres, with the exception
of one place (Chevalier's farm), the soil as well as sandstone was of the gray
variety. About twelve years ago the first oil well was drilled up Bell's brook,
N. Y. , by Howard & Magee, which was made dry. About four years ago a
well was drilled up Carr's brook by Henry Carter, which is a half-barrel well.
This is now owned by V. Perry Carter. Two wells have since been drilled
for gas by V. P. Carter, representing the Ceres Gas Company, which wells sup-
ply the village and neighborhood. The King's run well was bored five or six
years ago by a local company.
The population of Ceres in 1880, including the 108 inhabitants of Ceres
village, was 975. In 1883 there were 123 Republican, 58 Democratic. 27 Pro-
hibition and 47 Labor Unionist votes cast, or a total of 255, which, multiplied
by five, gives a population of 1,275.
The officers chosen in February, 1890, are as follows: Supervisors, Win-
held Lanphere, James E. AVelch; school directors, G. N. Hackett, O. P. Coon;
constable. G. W. Hackett; collector, G. W. Hackett; auditor, James Big-
gins; justice of the peace. W. W. Holley; judge of election, E. W. Kitchsire;
inspectors of election, F. H. Raymond, Barton Holley; town clerk, J. J.
Robarts.
Francis King, the agent of John Keating, brought a number of workmen to
Ceres in 1798, where King's settlement was founded. Mr. King came from
England about tbat time, and, being a Quaker, his co-religionists in Philadel-
phia recommended him to John Keating for the position of agent and surveyor.
He was a surveyor, and, like the old-time men of that profession, eccentric, and
it is alleged, when clearing the hillside at Ceres, he compelled the imported
laborers to roll the logs up hill, and satisfied the ignorant fellows that this
course was correct, because the Yankees rolled them down hill. In 1801 he
began the survey of the Keating lands, and in 1812 surveyed for the settlers
in Farmers valley. Five years later, in 1817, he died, when John Keating
continued his son in the agency. His original field book is in possession of
Byron D. Hamlin, forming a monument to his precision.
The commission of justice of the peace of Ceres was issued by Gov. Thomas
McKean October 4, 1806, to John Claudius Brevost. What the feelings of the
old governor must have been when he authorized this pioneer justice "to have
and execute all and singular the powers, jurisdictions and authorities and to
receive and enjoy all and singular the lawful emoluments of a justice of the
peace," may be imagined. Except John Keating' s agent and his employes
there were no settlers in the township to lead the new justice to hope for emol-
ument. In November following Squire Brevost did actually qualify before the
Coram, J. G. Lowrey, of Centre county.
Uncle Harry, who came with his father, Thomas Smith, to Ceres in 1803
or 1804, died August 27, 1877. Lester Hargrave was also one of the early
employes here. Asahel Wright, a soldier of 1812, resided at Glenn up to
228 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
1880, but for twenty-seven years prior to 1872 was never as far as Olean, and
never saw a railroad train, although then eighty-three years old. His daugh-
ter, L. Ellen Wright, was for years corresponding secretary of Grand Lodge
of I. O. G. T. in Pennsylvania. Reuben's. Taylor, who settled at Bell's run
in 1836, served in the war of 1812. He died in September, 1877, at Eoulette.
The resident tax-payers of Ceres township in 1836-37 were David Axtell
(moved to Wisconsin), G. C. Burnham, H. Bowen, A. Brown, William Bards-
ley, John G. Brevost, John O. Bradsby, Daniel Bliven, John Bee and Tom Bee*
(who operated a saw-mill), Potter Benson (who owned a second saw-mill), Dan
Benson, S. A. Barber*, William Bell*, Valentine Bowen, Cyrus and Ira Cooper*
(saw-mill owners, on site of Van Wormer's present mill), A. C. Conklin*,
William and J. O. Cutter (moved away years ago), Hosea Cappell, William
Cobbett (grist-mill owner), H. Chevalier (Frenchman), Peter and Orrin Cook,
Asa Cantield, Oscar* and Timothy Carpenter*, Harvey Carr*, Cynthia Camp-
bell, Philip Corwin, John Chase*, Levi Davis (tradesman), Jonathan, John
and Thomas Drake (Oswayo), Nathan Dennis*, Kev. J. P. Evans (Annin
Creek Baptist), Warren Edson, John Fobes* (saw- mill owner), T. J. Fowler, Mary
Gilbert*, Lester Hargraves*, W. Hawley*, C. J. Hurlburt, A., Phil, and Will-
iam Hooker*, Absalom Hutchison, Sol. Jordan, Friend S. Kinney*, Niles Kin-
ney*, John King*, Robert King*, Abijah, Luke and Jacob Knapp*, William
Lester*, George and William Lanphere*, Reverious and Rod. Loop*, Eb-
enezer Larrabee*, John Lee, Orsamus Meeray, John and Delos Morris,
Michael McEvilly, L. Nelson*, Sam Nicholes, I. Phelps*, Harrison Ruby,
Thomas Robbins*. Leonard, Almond (justice), Anson and William Rice*, AV.
Ray*, Linas P. Stoddart, George A. Smith, William, Henry and John Smith*,
W. P. Stillman* (tan-yard owner; left before the war). Perry and Spencer
Sweet, Clark Stillman*, Dan. Spencer, Joseph, Abram and John Stull*,
William Tupper*, Willard and Norman Taylor (said to reside at Port Allegany),
John Thompkins, Ben.* and Uriah Vandamark, John Wolcott, Asel*, W. P.
and Alf. Wright, Samuel and John Whipple, N. and I. N. AYinans, Marvel
Wheelock, Rev. William Weber (Methodist), R.* and Micajah Wright* and
Jacob Young* (owner of saw-mill). William Hooker was assessor.
In 1877 the re-survey of the northern State line was made, varying but
little from the line of 1786. Ceres village was transferred to Pennsylvania,
and in 1878 the boundary stones were placed.
Myrtle, formerly Mapleton PostotBce, was established in 1877, with Silas
C'ooper as postmaster, who held the office until F. E. Tull was appointed. In
1887 Mr. Tull sold his store to J. C. Burt, who carried on the office of deputy
until regularly appointed in August, 1887.
The Myrtle Cheese Factory was established, thirteen or fourteen years ago,
by George Chamberlain, his heirs being the present owners. The Hickox Mill,
in existence many years, is still in use, east of the village; and at the head of
Bell's run is Miller's saw-mill, operated by the Dilibl(! Brothers. Lester Har-
grave is said to have been the first resident of tliis si-tlicincnt. Like others of
the pioneers of Ceres, he was connected with Kcilin^'s .i^cncy here.
The Oswayo flood of May 31, and June 1, ISS'.t, liiled Iht' valley, being about
three f(M't liiglii'i- than the flood of 1865. Large saw logs were cairicil dvcr Uie
iiiiiin str.fl . I r Ceres, and boats were used for travel; several lic^^lles on (lie
Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad were carried away, and the track ti>iu up.
The only dams on the stream which escaped destruction were F. M. Van
Wormer's and Pratt & Bixby's. Among the heavier losers by this disaster
*Decettsed.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 229
were G. C. Hickox. F. M. Van Wormer and the Oswayo Tannery Company;
many others along the fiood-swept valley met with smaller losses.
CEKES VILLAGE.
Late in 1837 Samuel Estes came to Ceres village, where he found a one-
half log and one-half plank house standing opposite the present Central Ho-
tel. Within a few years (in 1841) he moved south of the creek and erected
part of the present Oswayo House, which he conducted until the Western New
York & Erie Railroad was built, when he moved to Olean and built a hotel near
the depot. In later years he moved to Minnesota, where he died.
In 1838 Nelson Peabodycame to the village. He found John Smith's gen-
eral store and the Estes tavern. John King kept the post-office where Will-
iam K. King now resides; Cooper's old saw-mill, where Franklin Van Worm-
er's large mills are now situated, and the Youngs' mill, where is now the Minor
mill, were in operation; the Methodists had a class here, which has been con-
tinued to the present time. Mr. Peabody was clerk in John Smith's store un-
til February, 1840, when V. Perry Carter bought the concern and Mr. Pea-
body joined Russell Cooper in business and continued four or five years.
V. Perry Carter opened his store after the death of John Smith, whose daugh-
ter he married in 1842.
In 1841 the residents of the village grew tired of having to walk one and
one- half miles to John King's house for their letters, and had V. Perry Car-
ter petition the department for an office in the village. This petition was
granted, but Mr. King interested John Keating and others in his cause and had
the office returned to him. A little later Mr. Carter had a chart of the locality
made and a new petition signed. The demand was manifestly so just that the
department ordered the removal of the office to the village, where it has been
continued to this day. Mr. King kept the post-office on the table in the family
sitting-room, and into this each one who expected a letter had to go to seek it.
Josiah Priest, who, in 1850, wrote sketches of the Oswayo valley, was jus-
tice of the peace at Ceres. His papers were never published is the statement
of Mrs. Keyser, while Mr. Carter is positive that parts or all of the jiapers ap-
peared in print.
Robert Hinds was tlie only merchant here in 185'2. John Robarts was a
trader here for a number of years; also Simpson & Barber, C. H. Smith, John
B. Gleason, F. H. Raymond and G. Perry. Joseph Morse was postmaster
here before the war, succeeding Johu King, and had the office in his house,
which occupied the site of the Central Hotel, afterward the residence of V.
Perry Carter until destroyed by the first fire, in 1869. In 1855 or 1856 Mr.
Carter returned from Richburg, bought the Hinds store and was appointed
postmaster, holding the office until his removal to Duke Centre, in 1879, when
he was succeeded by Robarts, who in turn was succeeded by Call. Louis Car-
rier was appointed in 1885, but Miss Augusta Call conducted the office for
eight years, or until the appointment of John B. Gleason in June, 1889.
When Nelson Peabody arrived there were two school buildings — one south,
where is the present school building on the Pennsylvania side, while the
building on the New York side occupied the site of Wellington White's pres-
ent home. These buildings continued in use until the present house was
erected. In Ceres township in 1846 general stores were kept by P. B. Ded
rick and Ralph Adams, and the tavern by Samuel Estes. In 1847 Dedrick &
Pardy, Samuel Estes and C. Peabody were merchants; J. H.Wright and D.
Dunham the new tavern-keepers.
In 1847 the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Ceres was incorj)orated.
230 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
The oldest record in possession of the pastor shows the names of W. T. Lane,
Honeoye; Joel Whitney, Lane school-house; Stephen Chapel, South Bolivar;
R. D. Garrison, Pikeville (members joined the Nazarites), and B. C. Call of
Ceres; Edward Nicholas and Calvin Blood of Shinglehoiise were the class
leaders. Later H. B. Eobarts is named as leader of the Bell's run class,
with Elisha B. A\'est local preacher; A. Mallory was recording steward in
1867, while Mrs. F. G. Fuller is now recorder. The pastoral record goes
back only to 1879, when A. B. Kelly was appointed. In 1882 Rev. W. Post
and Rev. A. I. Blanchard came, and in 1886 Rev. W. H. Farnham. There
are now seventy-nine members.
In 1840 Nelson Peabody was commissioned justice of the peace and held
the office until elected associate judge in 1861. He was again commis-
sioned and served until six or seven years ago. During the war he was dep-
i;ty provost marshal for Ceres township. Among the soldiers of the district,
many of whom belong to Portville Post, No. 85, G. A. R., are the following
named: Frank A. Chapman, Twenty -ninth Ohio Infantry; F. P. Chapman,
Eighty-fifth New York; Nat. Hendrix, Company A, Eighty-fifth New York;
Henry B. Robarts, Eighty-fifth New York; John Frugan, New York Infant-
ry; William Hyde, William Worden, Eighty-fifth New York; Frank Ful-
ler, Eighty-fifth New York; John B. Gleason, Clark Wells and Edgar AVells,
Forty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Bucktails; Byron Lanphere and Rob-
ert Lanphere, Bucktails; Jacob Brock, Eighty-fifth New York; Adam Bur-
dick, Eighty-fifth New York; Daniel and Matthew Burdick, Eighty-fifth
New York; Lafayette Maxson, Eighty-fifth New York; James Gobies, Eighty-
fifth New York; Martin Stephens, Pennsylvania Infantry; F. Maxson, Eighty-
fifth New York; Robert Clark, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania; Frank Van W^ormer,
Pennsylvania; A. De North, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania; Moses Ford. Hii'am
Grow, Daniel Peabody, James Biggins and Amos Safford, Eighty-fifth New
York (drowned in the Oswayo some years ago); Bill North, Bucktails;
George North, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania; George Lanphere, Eighty-fifth
New York; James Hobbs, New York Infantry; Carpenter (wounded at
Gettysburg), Pennsylvania Infantry; William North, Fifty-eighth Pennsyl-
vania; Volney Mix, Pennsylvania Infantry; Albert Lanphere, Bucktails;
Freeman Fuller, Bucktails; Philip Haines and Bennie Haines, Pennsylvania
Infantry; F. Hawley, Eighty-fifth New York: Lewis Hawley, Eighty-fifth
New York; John Hawley, Eighty-fifth New York; Floyd Hawley, Forty-sec-
ond Pennsylvania; C. Melven, Forty- second Infantry; C. Bridge and West
Bridge, Forty-second Pennsylvania Regiment; also Nate Foote, Thomas, John,
and Alonzo Cushman, and Nathan Hand.
Charles B. Bailey, who resided in Ceres township before the war, now of
Young Hickory, N. Y., was, in June, 1889, granted a back pension of 15,000,
and 172 monthly. This large pension was granted on account of his total
blindness.
A. B. Luce was the first agent at Ceres of the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba
Railroad in October, 1881. W. D. Chase took charge in February, 18S2; E.
D. Cummings in May, 1882; L. J. White in February, 1883, and in No-
vember, 1883, C. H. Gleason, the present agent, took charge. (Between
6,000 and 8,000 cords of bark will be shijiped from Ceres this summer. 1
In 1877 the White & Van Wormer Mill at Ceres was erected. This is one
of the immense lumlier industries of the county.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 231
CHAPTER XIII.
ELDEED TOWNSHIP— BOROUGH OF ELDRED.
Eldked Township Topoguaphv— Oil Wells — Population — ()fficei;.s of
THE Township, 1890— FiitST Settlements— Resident Tax-Payeks, 184.3-44—
First Shingle-Mill— Villages. Etc.
Borough of Eldhed — Origin of Name— Early- History— Growth of the
Town — Incorporation — First Council— Officers Chosen in 1890— Hur-
ricanes, FiuEs, Etc.— Fire Company-— Schools and Churches— Societies
—Banks— Water- Works— Gas Company'-Industries— Miscellaneous.
ELDRED TOWNSHIP is divided into two ridges by the valley of the
Allegheny. The river enters the township near the southeast corner,
flows in a tortuous course, generally north, to the bend at the confluence of
Indian creek, where it runs east, and thence north, entering New York State
near the northeast corner of the township, and seven and one- third miles from
the northeast corner of the county, at State Line village. Newell creek enters
from the northeast in the southeast corner; Potatoe creek joins the river a mile
below Frisbee; Barden creek enters atEldred, and Knapp's creek a mile below.
Several small feeders run down from the high lands: Rice's creek (along which
runs the pipe line) coiu-ses southeast through the southwest corner, and Indian
creek holds a similar position in the northwest corner. The rich valley lands
comprise the greater part of the area; but the summits are bold, many attain-
ing a height of about 2,200 feet above tide level. At State Line the elevation
is only 1,440. The outcrop of Kinzua creek sandstone extends for 800 feet
to the Chemung conformation, and up to 1870 the oil field was mainly confined
to the Indian creek region. The old Littlefield well, di'illed in 1878, was the
only producer at Eldred for some time prior to 1879, when the Cummings &
Dean well was drilled, only to be found dry. In August the old Erie Com-
pany's well was shot, and became (it is alleged) a ten-barrel producer. The
well on the Benham farm, at the head of Windfall, was abandoned, but be-
came a gasser. The Gas Company's new well is bored on this farm.
In August, 1878, the well on the Welch farm, the Hostetter on the Wolcott
farm, the Knott Bros.' well on Mix creek, and the Lee & Halleck well, as well
as Parsons & Co. 's, were in existence. Palmer well No. 1, on Carpenter brook,
was drilled in the sjiring of 1880, but proved dry. In March, 1881, the Morse
well, on Windfall, gave a new industry to Eldred. The Sartwell well, five
miles south of Eldred, was shot in February, 1882, and threw out the oil and
salt water in the hole. The Eldred wells in existence in March, 188-1, were the
Simcox on the Littlefield farm, completed in May, 1877, but, owing to heavier
wells being found at Duke Centre and Indian Creek, it was abandoned until
the winter of 1883-84, and it is now a producer. The Cummings & Dean well,
on the G. T. Dennis farm, was finished August 2, 1870; Barber's well, in
January, 1881; Morse & William's, in March, 1881; White & Lloyd's, in
April, 1883; Morse & Allen's, on the Winchell farm, in December, 1883; Al-
len, Morse & Jones', on the Hartson farm, in February, 1884; Morse & Co. 's,
on the Jerome Curtiss farm, in Februarj-, 1884; Douglass & Co.'s, on the Ris-
ford, March 1, 1884; Riley Allen's, on Will Curtiss', March 3, 1884; Bradley
232 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
& Curtiss', on the Dean farm, March 5, 1884, while Douglass & Co. were en-
gaged in drilling. The Bennett well was shot in March, 1886, also the Chris-
man, Brown & Baldwin wells, while the Keyes well, on the E. R. Lamphier
farm, was drilled to the Kane sand, 1,005 feet, when it was shot and oil taken,
and a new well begun at Turtle Point — Alford & Loops' — on the Rixford farm.
In June, 1889, Tarbell, Rice & Shafer finished their well No. 1 on the Perham
mill lot, eastward of the older wells. They have their rig for No. 1 on the
Bennett farm, near Mitchell Bros.' No. 1, and one for their well on the Rice
purchase. Throughout the summer of 1889 Steele & Duncan, the Mitchell
Bros, and others were engaged in drilling. Tarbell, Shafer & Rice's well was
shot at the close of July, 1889, and yielded twelve barrels. This was the first
well drilled east of the river at Eldred. It shows a difference in the oil-bear-
ing rock. In November the same firm shot No. 2, east of the river, obtaining
thirty barrels.
The population of Eldred township in 1880 was 3,243, including 1,165 in
Eldred village, 228 in Indian Creek village, 200 in Larrabee village, 200 in
State Line and 220 in Haymaker. In 1888 the township recorded 176 Repub-
lican, 111 Democratic, 20 Prohibition and 15 Labor Unionist votes, or a total
of 322; the respective vote of the borough was 112, 85, 22 and 5, or a total of
224. The total vote of the townshiji multiplied by five equals 1,010 as the
population, and that of the borough multiplied bv six gives 1,344, or a total of
2,954.
The ofBcers of the township chosen in February, 1890, are as follows:
Supervisors, John Ellis, O. Bell; school directors, Joseph Stull had 213 votes,
and R. A. Rice and Mike McAuliff each had 212 votes; collector, Pat McDon-
ald; constable, C. J. Carey; auditor, D. Burnham; judge of election, C. M.
Slack; inspectors, G. Kelley, Mike McAuliff; town clerk, J. C. Campbell.
The first settlements were made in 1808 by the Loops and Hookers, in 1810 by
Joseph and Jacob Stull, in 1812 by Rensselaer Wright and a man named Hitt,
on the farm which Stephen H. Smith occupies, opposite the Coleman & "Wright
mill. Wright filled the ofiice of sheriff one term, and that of jiTstice for many
years. In 1818 Justice Rice and three brothers arrived and settled near what
was known as the Benton mill. Jacob Knapp also came that year and located
at the inouth of Knapp's creek. Ebenezer Larrabee, father of Ransom, came
in 1818; the Dennis family arrived in 1822, and shortly after, Timothy Car-
penter. In 1835 came William Lamphier, and in 1838 Dr. E. Barden. For
some years after settlement bear-hunting was a common sport for the pioneers,
and stories are related of Nathan Dennis and his brother-in-law, Larrabee, of
adventures in the dense alder-brush below and west of the present village. In
1838 the country was so wild a party of raftsmen were lost in the woods near
Knapp's creek.
The resident tax-jiayers in 1843-44 were Ebenezer* and A. A. Barden*,
James Bakorf, Val. Boweu*, Nelson, Josiah and I. C. Burnham*, Selden
Blackman, S. D. Brownf, A. D. Brainard*, Orrin Cook*, James and Cynthia*
Campbell, David Cooper, John Chase*, Cornelius Culp*, Oscar Carpenter*,
Timothy Carpenter*, T. T. Carpenter*, Nathan Dennis*. Asa* and Caleb Can-
field, Dave Cornelius*, James Drake, John Fobes* (savp-mill, owner and pro-
prietor of a silver watch), Perry and George Frost, Mary Fowler*, Eldredge
Goodmany, John D. Green*, Jesse L. Garey*, Phil. Hooker*, Horace Hooker*
(saw-mill owner), Martin G. Samuel*, Abijahf, Jacob* and William Knapp,
John* and Norry Loop, Ben. Lumpkin. William*, William, Jr.*, and Benjamin
Lamphier, Ransom, Ebenezer* and Eben, Jr.*, Larrabee, John Morris*, C.
* Deceased. fMo'^ed.
^
^:^1^^ a/2^.^.^ /^.
HISTOllY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. '235
C Morris, James McGrayf. Michael Mixf, John Mill*. Sam.* and Erastiis
Nichols, Almon* and Justin* Kice, Thomas Robbins*, W. S. Rounds*, Sher-
man Strong* (on whose land was the Catholic Church ground), Joseph Stull*,
Caleb*, Jerome and Abram* B. Stull, S. and John M.* Wright, John Wol-
cott* and William Wright, Jr. John Morris, the assessor, estimated the total
value of seated lands and personal property at $7,484, and of unseated lands
at $23,620.
The first shingle-mill was built at Prentiss Vale in 1847, by Strong, who
was the only settler there. There was plenty of pine at that time, and he
agreed to give Reuben Dennis one-half the shingles, on condition that he
would supply the timber. This agreement took effect, and young Dennis,
with A. T. Barden and L. L. Dennis, to whom he paid $18 per month, entered
the wilderness and began the work of stocking the mill — a work which con-
tinued throughout the summer. The following winter R. Dennis hauled the
shingles to Portville, where he received 14 shillings per thousand. Close by
the mill was Hermann Strong's blacksmith .shop, with the earth for a floor, the
sky for a roof and the forest for its walls. The proprietor, his partner and the
latter' s employes worked hard, but withal were always ready for a joke. On
one occasion L. L. Dennis was crossing the creek, on the single log which then
tilled the place of a bridge, carrying dinner for his two friends. Nest to him
was Barden, carrying the axes, and last was the heavy joker of the camp,
Reuben Dennis. When one-half way across, he called OTit to Barden, "look
out for the log." and the latter, alarmed, caught hold of L. L. Dennis, when
both fell into the creek. The men took the affair as a joke, but did not for-
get the joker. The same year A. T. Barden bought some meadow land oppo-
site Wolcotfs mill, and among the men called to aid in hay-making was
the joker, Reiiben. A party of six crossed the river in a canoe, but on dis-
embarking, Barden, who was second last, leaped forward to the Allegheny's
bank, tipping the canoe as he jumped ashore, leaving Reuben Dennis strug-
gling in the water. He had his revenge when he cried out in turn. " Look out.
or you'll fall off that log!"
Eldred in 1846 claimed one store, kept by John Fobes, but no tavern. J.
N. Dennis opened in 1847, and in February, 1848, mention is made of bridges
being in bad repair. Oscar Jordan and John Fobes were the merchants of
Eldred in 1852
Larrabee post-office (usually spelled Larabee) was established in August,
1852, and Ransom Larrabee appointed master. The settlement became a
place of importance in the fall of 1874, when the railroad builders gathered
round the junction of the McKean & Buffalo, with the Buffalo, New York &
Philadelphia and the R. N. & P. Railroads. The hotel was carried on by
Ransom Larrabee, a restaurant by E. & T. Mullin, two general stores were
opened, a blacksmith shop and Williams' barber shop.
Wainman & Foster's mill, near Larrabee, was destroyed by fire in June,
1876, together with about 700,000 feet of sawed lumber .... The fire of March,
1885, destroyed the Benton House, the Larrabee Hotel and other property. A
telegram to the Chicago Tribune, dated Larrabee, October 21, 1889, gives
information relating to the burning of J. J. Newman's saw-mill and 3,000,000
feet of lumber, loss $24,000; J. C. French's store, $6,500; Mrs. Smith's
boarding house, $800, and two barns and hay, the property of D. C. Young,
$2,000.
In 1878 P. A. Templeton purchased the Annis farm on Mix creek, and had
it surveyed into town lots, calling the village Templeton.
236 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUXTY.
Haymaker, a new town, was almost destroyed in August, 1879, when the
Weston House and the Gilmore and Haymaker Hotels were burned. The post-
office and store of John E. Coleman barely escaped. A mile north of this
village are the producing wells of the Bardens; and round the village are some
valuable farms. The E. A. U. of Haymaker was organized in March, 1886,
with forty- seven members. The officers selected were W. A. Nott, M. A.
Syi^her, G. T. Weible, Dr. Cass and A. Sinclair.
lu December, 1881, the old Chamberlain mill at State Line was purchased
by M. Smith, who introduced new machinery and opened it as a modern mill
in July, 1882. The Bullis Brothers, who, in 1875, purchased 552 acres on
Two Mile run and established large mills near Port Allegany, bought 947
acres near State Line, and in 1880, 1,200 acres near Turtle Point. Their old
mills, with the new mills near State Line, and their large concern at Car-
rollton, N. Y. , gave employment to a large force of men and played an im-
portant part in the progress of McKean county during the last fifteen years.
In early days a steam tug-boat was used on the Allegheny, sometimes as
far up as Larrabee. In May, 1889, B. Alford's steamboat was completed, and
during the flood of May 31 and June 1, was used on the streets of Eldred.
boeodCtH of eldred.
Eldred is the new name of an old settlement. It is the principal town of
the northeast part of the county, and the center of a large trade as well as of
a rich agricultural and mineral district.
In November, 1879, a petition was presented to the postmaster-general to
abolish the name of Allegheny Bridge and substitiite that of Eldred. In Feb-
ruary, 1880, the petition was granted, and the name which the pioneers selected
tifty years before was cast aside. In 1830 Nathan Dennis was appointed post-
master, and opened his office in the old log-cabin near the Lattice bridge. The
Nathan Dennis post-office and hotel was above the mouth of Knapp's creek on
the east side of the river, but later was moved to the site of E. W. Doane's
brick building, where it was carried on for twenty-five years, when it was
moved to the Eldred House, where is now the St. Elmo. After a period of ten
years in that building or a thirty years' term for Mr. Dennis, W. P. Wright
was appointed, and established the office in the house now occujiied by S. H.
Smith. A. T. Barden succeeded in 1872, and had the office opposite where
the St. Elmo stands. A. H. Mayo was appointed in 1882, and held the office
until A. B. Rowley was commissioned in 1885. On his resignation, C. Y.
White was appointed.
In the fall of 1878 the old Eldred House was rebuilt by Ed. Dolan; the Oil
Well Supply Company's house was completed; the store buildings for A. More,
A. Davidson, Dornby, V. P. Carter, Hamlin & Co., W. B. Archibald, Speller
and others were projected or being built; the E. W. Doane block, Steele's barn
and Methodist church building completed and Ward & Shaner's machine shop
erected. A two-story school building marked the days of the oil stampede.
Mr. Barden was postmaster and the Eacjle and E.vjjress were just established.
Drs. Guthrie, Wykoff and VVinans had located here; the Wright House, E.
Dennis of the Central, Anthony's Hotel, L. L. Dennis, White, Moore of the
Benton House, the Bennett House and J. S. Hicks of the Prohibition House,
represented the hotel interests; the plank road to Duke Centre was completed;
Attorney Dunlap's office was opened; S25iller's cottage and other private houses
were finished. The planingmill and factory and the Green & Hooker tank
shop were in operation.
In October, 1881, the first brick liuilding was begun for Joseph & Dorn-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 237
berg. The Craadall, L. M. Dennis, W. G. Kobarts and E. W. Doane build-
ings wei'e all in progress, and by December a number of houses were opened.
The Eldred Banking Company opened an office in the Davidson block that
month.
Eldred town was incorporated December 22, 1880, on petition of the fol-
lowing named inhabitants: J. S. Hicks, A. Crandall, W. G. Eobarts, Pat-
rick Walsh, AV. B. Archibald, A. B. Eowley, R. Dennis, A. N. McFall, C. D.
Doane, A. Herman, M. E. Royce, H. Mapes, L. A. Halbert, E. Spiller, Wales
& Varnum, M. S. Davidson, J. P. Cherry. H. J. Corell, E. L. & W. H. Dodd,
George W. Colegrove, A. T. Barden, J. M. Addle, C. Y. White. W. L. Hardi-
son, J. S. Rowley, E. W. Doane, E. E. Moses, V. E. Shaw, P. D. Alquire,
Jerome Sabins, Ezra Marsh, A. Ortman, AVilliam Lorbeer, A. R. Bower, N.
Edson, M. Finnegan, R. Lightfoot, E. Emerson, G. W. Allen, T. C. Wain-
man, B. F. Cory, A. Cohoon. J. S. Cotton, L. G. Wright, J. T. Sinnette, E.
Rumsey, Mrs. Wolcott, J. R. Fessenden, A. Hotchkiss, E. McCarty, R. D.
Billington, J. A. Casey, C. M. Coleman, F. H. De Costin, E. S. Dennis. C.
H. Havens, W. A. Howell, S. M. Turner and G. W. Bradley. The proposi-
tion was opposed by Seth Rockwell and others. The first burgess was C. Y.
White, who served two years; his successors have been W. H. Dodd, one year;
James D. Downing, one year; Dr. J. P. Morgan, two years; L. L. Owens, two
years, and L. L. Hill, elected in February, 1889. The first council comprised
Dr. W. L. Chrisman, W. H. Dodd, Michael Finnegan, J. S. Hicks, I. G.
Lesuer and T. C. Wainman. E. R. Mayo served as secretary up to March,
1888, when A. H. Mayo was chosen. C. C. Moses and C. H. Kaufman were
the first borough justices, succeeded by F. F. Brown and A. T. Bobbins. In
1883 Messrs. Archibald, R. Dennis, Greenman, Rowley and Sartwell were
chosen councilmen. In 1884 Messrs. Joseph Cotton and Douglass were elected.
Messrs. Booth and Walsh were chosen in 1885, the latter serving down to the
present time.
The officers chosen in February, 1890, were as follows: Burgess, C. C.
Moses; council, A. C. Douglass, M. V. Hotchkiss (three years), W. G. Robarts
(two years); school directors, T. L. Sartwell, A. N. Squires; constable, H. G.
Heath; collector, H. G. Heath; judge of election, A. Ortman; inspectors, G.
C. Weidman, F. M. Rockwell; auditor, A. D. Govld.
The hurricane of May, 1860, did some damage throughout Eldred town-
ship, carrying away bodily the Lattice bridge below the Half- Way House, and
overturning a small house; large trees were twisted or uprooted. . . . The burn-
ing of Bunker's steam saw and grist-mill, at the mouth of Knapp's creek, took
place November 25, 1870, entailing a loss of about 18,000 The Eldred
tire of June 7, 1876, destroyed the saw-mill of Wainman & Foster, and
600,000 feet of lumber. There was no insurance. . . .The Eldred fire of Oc-
tober 7, 1878, originated in the new Hamlin block, which it destroyed, together
with Barden and Robarts' block. The latter lost property valued at $15,000.
the former $12,000; the Eagle job-room was wrecked; Dr. Balfour lost his
books and instruments, and several buildings in the neighborhood were
scorched. In April, 1879, fire destroyed Seth Rockwell's house. . . .The J. N.
Williams planing-mill was burned in May, 1879 .... In June, 1879, a locomo-
tive and thirteen cars were wrecked on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia
Railroad, two and one-half miles north of Eldred. Engineer Ed. Squibb
was killed. Four oil cars burst and a tank close by caught fire. Amy May
was killed by lightning a few days before. . . .The wreck of March. 1880, two
and one-half miles north of Eldred, at the scene of the former catastrophe,
resulted in the burning of the locomotive and two oil cars.
1288 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTV.
The destruction of the old Central Hotel by tire occurred August 14, 1880.
The building was completed in July, 1878, and was one of the finest hotels
in this section of the State. Mr. Dennis began the work of rebuilding in
September. Bai'ton's steam flouring mill was burned in November, 1880. . . .
The fire of September 30, 1881, destroyed five acres of the business center of
Eldred. and entailed a loss of $100,000. The fire originated in the old Opera
House, in which was Robarts' store, and destroyed the following buildings
and business places: Welsh's blacksmith shop, the Bennett House. Dodd
Bros.' new building, the Opera House, J. S. Hicks' building. Sartwell's build-
ing, the U. B. Church building, Walsh & McGavis' building, McDonald &
Co.'s bottling works, Parks' meat store, I. G. Leseur's building, W. A.
Young's, H. J. Corell's, Miss Langdon's, E. Spiller's, L. M. Dennis', A. B.
Rowley's, Dr. Chrisman's, Bennett Block and Soule's Hotel, Joseph & Dorn-
berg's, E. W. Doane's (2), Miss Varnum's, W. B. Archibald's (2), and E. O.
Titus'. In each building was stock or household goods, all of which were
swept away in one hour and five minutes .... The St. Elmo was burned Sep-
tember 17, 188-1: — Mr. Rice, the owner, losing about 111,000. In the summer
of INST) the present St. Elmo was erected . . . .Ben Perham's steam grist- and
saw-mill was destroyed by fire April 1, 1880. There were 40,000 feet of lum-
ber also consumed. . . .The fire of April, 1889, destroyed Coleman's hotel on
Railroad street.
The Eldred Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company was organized in April.
1879, with C. C. Moses, president; C. B. Jackson, vice-president; W. G.
Robarts, secretary; John Reedy, engineer; William Geist and F. Parsons,
foremen; A. T. Barden, C. B. Jackson, E. W. Doane, A. D. Gould and E.
R. Mayo, managing committee. In June another pompany, of which C. M.
Wagner was engineer, was organized, and in May, 1883, the Hook and Ladder
Company was re-organized in modern form.
When the Lamphiers came in 1835, there was no church building and but
one school-house in the township. The first teacher remembered by Mr.
Lamphier, was Martha, daughter of Reus. Wright. Mr. Pratt succeeded her
in 1835, presiding in a frame building twenty feet square, opposite the pres-
ent school-house at Eldred. Often seventy-five pupils were gathered there.
The contract for the new school-building was sold to J. S. Cotton, June 3.
1889, for $7,150. Work was begun in September. 1889, by Contractor Cot-
ton. It was dedicated November 30, 1889. P. R. Cotter delivered the ad-
dress. This building is 60x73 feet. Prof. George is principal; Anna Siebert,
Jessie Canfield, Minnie Cotton, Angle Dunhaver and Maud Baldwin are the
teachers in the new school-house.
The first church building in the village was the Union, of 1809, by Baptists
and Methodists, Samuel Dexter Morris being a leader in the enterprise.
Prior to this, meetings were held in the school-house. The old Union church
was refitted in 1889, and dedicated to the uses of Baptist worship in October,
that year. During the week of dedication, $3,000 were subscrilied by Eldred
citizens to aid the two churches. The re-dedication of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Eldred took place October 20, 1889, Rev. E. M. Snodgrass, pre-
siding. The First Evangelical Church of Eldred township was dedicated
April 3, 1872.
The question of building a Methodist church on First street was approved
in August, 1878. R. Dennis donated the ground and Dr. Chrisman $2,000;
work was begun by J. D. Chrisman, the contractor, and December 22 the
house was ojiened. Prior to this, services were held for years in the old
Union church. The First Methodist Church of Eldred was incorpoi'ated in
^■^d^/
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 241
April, 1879, with the following named subscribers: J. C. and D. A. White-
side, J. T. Shute and wife, Reuben, L. L. and Tirzah Dennis, C. P. and J.
W. Levde, Ira G. Leseur, E. S, Riddell, A. H. and E. R. Mayo, M. B. Archi-
bald, E. E. Brown. R. A. Pinney, T. M. Bunker, J. S. Cotton. Dr. and Mary
E. Chrisman. M. E. Royce, Henry Mapes, A. R. Fowler and J. J. Thompson.
The United Brethren Church was begun in August, 1878, under the super-
vision of Elder Bennett, who donated the building to the society. It was
completed and dedicated February 9, 1879, but destroyed in the great tire
of ISSO, and never rebuilt, the little society worshiping in the Methodist and
Baptist houses. Elder Bennett received $1,000 insurance and sold the lot to
the Opera House company.
In August, 1878, the purchase of grounds on First street for the Catholic
church building was made. In May, 1884, definite steps to build the church
were taken, when Father Patterson was chosen president; James Biggins,
treasurer; J. C. Walsh, secretary; J. J. Ivers, P. McDonald and P. Ivers,
building committee. On September 1, the contractor began work. The build-
ing was dedicated October 18, 1885, by Bishop Mullin, of Erie, assisted by
Fathers Patterson, Galligan, Madigan and Smith. The late jiastor. Father
Patterson, died December 21, 1889, and was succeeded by Father Cosgrove.
Eldred Lodge, No. 560, A. F. & A. M., was chartered June 8, 1882, and
constituted September 6. The past masters of this lodge are W. Dunbar, Will-
iam A. Yoiang, C. H. Kaufman, P. O. Heasley, A. B. Rowley, A. H. Mayo.
The officers elected for 1890 are: W. A. Young, W. M. ; R. A. Mackie, S. W. ;
C. W. Dorrion, J. \V. ; C. C. Moses, Treas. ; F. D. Wheeler, Sec. Eldred
Masonic Hall, in the third story of the Alford or Davidson building, is said to
be one of the most complete in this section of the State.
In June, 1886, S. N. Johnson, Frank Parker, S. Brumberg, D. C. Holcomb,
B. F. Hope-syell, W. A. Hopewell, W'. H. Bradley and Henry Templeton in-
augurated a movement for the establishment of an Odd Fellows' lodge. In
August Brumberg was elected N. G. ; R. W. Snyder, F. S. ; H. G. Heath, Sec,
and William Duringer, Treas.
Rebecca Lodge of Eldred was instituted in January, 1890, with H. G.
Heath, N. G. ; Mrs. George Gridley, V. G. ; Mrs. Heath. Sec. ; Frank Havens,
Asst. Sec. ; Mrs. J. W. King, Treas. , with Luella Havens, Mrs. Arnot, Mrs.
Doerr, Mrs. J. H. Douglass, Dena Dornberg, Susie Gridley, Mrs. J. Dennis,
Robert Templeton and W. N. Llewelyn tilling the other offices.
A tent of the K. O. T. M. was organized at Eldred in August, 1884, with G.
B. Booth, F. H. Carter, T. C. Cole, M.V. Hotchkiss, R. A. Mackie, J. M. Addle,
W. H. Perdoma, A. A. Fisher, S. R. Hays, William Duringer, M. L. App, S. R.
A. Havs and E. O. Hotchkiss, officers, in the order of rank. The officers elected
for 1890: Edmund Smith, Com. ; G. C. Wiedman, R. K.; M.V. Hotchkiss, F. K.,
and George E. Smith, Lt. -Com.
The Knights of Labor established their lodge at Eldred in 1885. with thirty-
three members and the following named officers: J. McFrazier, A. A. Fisher,
J. E. Lawrence. L. Wilson, J. B. Leo, A. Donnelly, N. Browner, S. A. Smith,
S. A. Irwin, J. S. Dalton, H. S. Patton, F. Woodmansee, P. Nitrower, H. M.
Dale and Jacob Martin.
The Equitable Aid Union was organized at Eldred, September 23, 1880, with
A. W. Nelson, president; Mrs. E. A. Spiller, vice-president; J. P. Morgan,
secretary, and Dr. Morris, medical examiner.
The Mutual Protective Association was organized in June, 1879, with C. B.
Jackson, E. R. Howden, F. C. Stillman and O. E. Rowley, principal officers.
Northern Council, American Legion of Honor, was organized June 6, 1879,
2-42 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
with W. H. Hoffman, W. H. Kline. W. P. Russell, E. J. McCnrdy. J. E. K.
Morris, J. McCurdy, J. W. Yard. B. G. Spiller, J. A. Uucopher, J. W. Church-
ill and Dr. Guthrie, officials.
J. R. Jones Post, G. A. R., No. 150, was mustered in February 3, 1880, with
C. C. Moses, B. G. Spiller, F. M. Adams, W. H. Richmond, W. A. Howell, L.
D. Dennis, James Marshall, J. S. Hicks, W. H. Hoffman, James Biggins of
Second United States Sharp Shooters, Lewis Ralph. George Newland, A. J.
Duryea, George W. Colegrove, G. T. Dennis, E. H. Nichols and Ellis Coder.
J. S. Hicks, of Eleventh United States Regiment, was first commander,
and G. T. Dennis, of the Eighty-fifth New York Volunteers, adjutant, sue-'
eeeded in 1882 by A. J. Dui-yea, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania In-
fantry, who served until succeeded, January 8, 1886, by Adjt. William S.
Hazen, of Sturgess' Rifle Regiment. F. M. Adams, of Fifty-eighth Pennsyl-
vania Infantry, served as commander in 188'^; J. S. Hicks in 1884; A. H. Mayo,
of the United States Engineer Corps, in 1885; C. C. Moses, in 1886; A. "C.
Douglass, 1887; A. H. Mayo, 1888, with L. D. Hill, of the One Hundred and
Eighty-seventh New York Infantry, adjutant, who was re-elected for 1889,
when Patrick McDonald, of the Twenty- seventh New York Infantry, was elected
commander. There were 153 members enrolled, of whom about 100 remain
in the post, although at date of last report there were only seventy-two members
reported. The officers for 1890, in order of rank, are: P. McDonald, Com. :
M. M. Dalton, S. V. C. ; Ezra Marsh, J. V. C. ; A. H. Mayo, S. M. ; G. T. Den
nis. Chap. ; Norman Wright, Serg. ; Frank Adams. O. of D. ; W. Wilmarth, O.
of G. ; A. C. Douglass, I. G. ; Frank Hibbard, O. G.
Eldred Woman's Relief Corps was instituted November 19, 1886, with
Madams B. E. Marsh, L. A. Douglass, F. M. Squires, C. J. Hazen, C. M. AVol-
cott, A. Keyes, J. Sterling and S. Howell, officers in the order of rank. Mrs.
Chase is president for 1890; Mrs. Mary Cotton, S. V. P. ; Libbie Moses, J.V. P. ;
Mrs. A. J. Clark, Sec. ; Mrs. Havens, Treas. ; Mrs. T. A. Douglass, Chap., with
Mrs. Howell, Mrs. King, Mrs. Pepper and Mrs. Ellis, tilling the other offices.
Nichols Camp, Sons of Veterans, was organized in January, 1887, with C.
M. Slack, captain ; N. Zeak, lieutenant, and John Learn, second lieutenant.
Eldred Lodge, No. 278, K. of P., was organized October 13, 1889, with the
following named members: I. N. Stickle, P. C. ; H. A. Johnston, A. M. Palmer,
A. N. S(pures, W. G. Robarts, E. S. Rogers, K. of R. and S. ; W. B. Rogers. C.
W. Franklin, C. Y. White, F. M. Rockwell, H. E. Rockwell, W. W. Grove, C.
G. Richardson, W. A. Young, C. H. Kaufman, W. D. Russell, Fred Julien, C. C. ;
A. H. Mayo, C. W. Dorrion, F. P. Beamer, E. W. Doane, J. Ijemmler, A. D.
Gould, Lewis Balfour, F. Simon, R. Doerr, W. F. Burr and F. A. Carter. The
officers for 1890 are; Robert Templet on, C. C. ; W. B. Rogers, V. C. ; A. M.
I'alnii'i-, M. A. ; L. Balfour, Prelate; R. Doerr, M. of E. ; H. A.Johnston, K. R. S. :
H. E. Rockwell, Trustee.
The Chess Club, organized in February, 1890, elected H. G. Heath, Pres. :
F. F. Brown, V. P. ; C. W. Franklin, Sec"; Allen Morse, Treas. ; A. H. Mayo
and L. D. Hill, Trustees.
The Young Men's Catholic Association was organized in 1889.... The
■jfficers of the Library Association, chosen in March, 1890, are: Mrs. W. B.
Archibald, Pres. ; Mrs. T. L. Sartwell, V. P. ; Mrs. A. T. Barden, Treas. ;
Miss Jennie Wolcott, Sec.
The Eldred Board of Trade was organized in July, 1887, with A. B. Row-
lev, president; E. C. Wolcott, vice-president; E. R. Mavo, secretary; E. S.
Piiigi'rs, treasurer: P. O. Heasley, \V. A. Young, W. B. Archibald, F. Simon
and U. H. Owens, directors.
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 243
The Bank of Eldred was opened in February, 1879, in the Dolan House,
with P. McGough, president, and S. M. McGough, cashier. In Ajaril the office
was removed, owing to the owners being engaged in wider fields. The Eldred
Bank, chartered in the fall of 1881, completed the present building in 1882.
The officers at the time were W. L. Hardison, president; D. D. Moriarty, vice-
president; P. O. Heasley, cashier; J. D. Downing, Dr. W. L. Chrisman, M. Fin-
negan. W. A. Young, J. V. Kitts, and the president and vice-president, directors.
The Eldred Bank robbery was perpetrated September 11, 1884. It appears
that Cashier Heasley and Clerk Sloan were placing the cash in the safe, prepar-
atory to closing; a l)earded burglar appeared, and covering the officials named
with a revolver, gathered up $2,500 and disappeared.
The Eldred Savings and Loan Association was organized in May, 1889, with
D. L. Eobbins, president; B. F. Greenman, vice-president; A. D. Gould,
secretary; W. B. Archibald, treasurer; F. F. Brown, attorney'; J. C. Welch,
B. T. Hopewell and the officials named, directors.
In May, 1879, W. L. Chrisman and Reuben Dennis constructed a system of
water- works, the latter agreeing to connect the dwelling houses with the main
pipe and supply water for $1 per month. . . .The Eldred Water-Works, the
enterprise of E. A. Barden, date back only to Novemlier, 1889. The water is
obtained from the springs southeast of the town, where a reservoir of 8,000
barrels capacity was constructed. Up to March, 1890, pipes were laid on
Mechanic street.
The Eldred Gas Company was organized in January, 1884, with Sam. M.
Jones, Joseph E. Morse, Daniel E. Jones, James D. Downing and W. L. Har-
dison, members.
The Eldi-ed Oil Company was organized in November, 1879, with A. B.
Rowley, president; M. Finnegan, vice-president; A. D. Gould, secretary, and
T. C. Wainman, treasurer. The executive committee comprised A. T. Barden,
W. B. Archibald, A. Lemes, W. L. Chrisman, J. Uncopher, J. I. McCarthv,
W. G. Robarts, T. H. Ford, B. Alford, H. H. Mullin, E. R. Mayo and B. E.
Cutler. In Janiiary, 1880, drilling was commenced on the Stull farm .... In
October, 1883, White & Leaven's lamp-black factory on Indian creek was estab-
lished .... The Windfall glycerine factory, owned by George H. Dana, of Duke
Centre, was blown to atoms in January, 1885; James Simmons and a boy
named Charles Thompson were killed. A large hemlock tree forty feet to the
east, and the magazine equidistant on the south, were lifted up bodily.
G. T. Dennis, manufacturer of the Dennis Botanic Remedies, came to
what is now Eldred in 1822 with his parents; in later years traveled exten-
sively as far west as Illinois, and in 1873 established the "Great American
Panacea," a medicine which was received with much favor. In later years he
has introduced a number of medicines and extracts, all of which are accorded
an excellent reputation by his neighbors of McKean county.
Dr. Bates' Medicine Company was formed in 1886, with Dr. Morgan and
A. D. Gould members. The medicines are prepared at Eldred and are adver-
tised by a regular traveling company.
The Carriage Leather Manufactory of James N. DufPy was established in
July, 1887. The location of the works is on the old Stull farm, near the
junction of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad and the Nar-
row Gauge, on the right bank of the Allegheny river, below the town of
Eldred. Mr. Duffy has been connected with this business since 1846, begin-
ning at Newark, N. J., and gives his great industry at this point personal super-
vision. In 1889 additions to the original works were made, and the facilities
for tanning and finishing all kinds of leather used in the eonstraction of car-
244 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
riages, and all kinds of patent and enameled leather used by saddlers and
harness- makers, are ample.
The Wolcott Opera House was completed in August, 1884, for E. C. Wol-
cott, A. T. Barden, Miles Loop, W. B. Archibald and A. B. Eowley.
In 1865 there was high water, which came up in the road where Main
street is now made, but that memorable flood was placed in the back-ground by
that of May 31, 1889, which passed the water-mark of 1865, on the old Barden
house at Eldred, by twelve inches. From Archibald's to the St. Elmo, on the
west side, not a place escaped a thorough wetting, and from Welch's to Bar-
den's, on the east side, the bank, Sartwell's, Owens Brothers' and Hill's were
the only places high enough to escape. Carter's furniture store* above the
St. Elmo, received its share of wetting. Sidewalks were either afloat or
turned up on edge, boats flitted about the streets, through yards and in
stores, while a horse and wagon became an object of curiosity. It was a pict-
ure of Venice with the rough side out, and was especially brilliant when at night
the large open gas lights shown upon the water, and pleasure parties enjoyed
a boat ride through the streets.
CHAPTER XIV.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP— HAMLIN TOWNSHIP.
Hamii.ton Township Topogkaphy — Geology — Population — Resident
Tax-Payers, 1836-37— Officehs Elected in 1889— Villages.
Hamlin Township ^Boundary— Topography — Oil Wells— Discovery of
Limestone— Forests— Population— Resident Tax-Payers, 1847-48.
Mount Jewett— It.s Rise and Growth— Natural Gas— Industries— Post-
office— Churches AND Cemetery— Society— KiNzuA Bridge— Oil Com-
panies.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP is bounded on the north by Corydon township,
on the east by Lafayette township, on the south by Wetmore township
and on the west by Warren county. In 1879 the following described terri-
tory, taken from Wetmore township, was added to its southwestern corner;
Warrants 2514, 2597, 2400, 2394, 2399. 2352, 2338, 2465, 2563, 2395, 2318
and 2391. Kinzua creek, which rises in Keating township, flows in a gen-
eral westerly course to the confluence with the South branch, five miles due
north of Wetmore, thence northwesterly, and passes out of the township near
its northwest corner. Chappel fork and its numerous feeders divide the
north one-half, and Two Mile run, a branch of the Tionesta, divides the
southwest annex, as it runs northwest from Wetmore via Ludlow, leaving the
county a point west of Windfall run. Wild Cat run flows southwest into
Two Mile, while numerous small streams course down the plateau openings
into the streams named. Paine' s summit, in the north, is the highest meas-
ured elevation, being about 2,100 feet above tide level; the lowest, 1,240
feet, where the Kinzua enters Warren county. At Ludlow depot the sub-Olean
conglomerate is exposed, its top being 116 feet above the track. At the Hulings
& Davis well, drilled in the fall of 1878, one and one-half miles northeast of
this exposure, 48 feet of Olean, 343 feet of Mauch Chunk and Pocono, 60 of
c^'zxyLA^
ClxP l^J 0^7^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 247
Red rock, 160 of shale ami slate, and 40 of Red rock were penetrated before
the Chemang formation was reached, at a depth of 651 feet. Through
the Chemung the drill penetrated 379 feet of white slate; at a depth of
1,950 feet struck fossiliferous shale, and at 1,957 feet the hard slate and shale^
or the Bradford oil sand, down to 2,011 feet. The well was cased dry at 360
feet. In the hill north of Ludlow detatehed sandstone and conglomerate
exists and in some places red soil.
Hamilton township claimed a population of 539 in 1880, including the 215
residents of Ludlow. In November, 1888, there were 111 Republican, 84
Democratic and 14 Prohibition votes cast, or a total of 209, which number
multiplied by live gives a fair estimate of the present population, 1,045.
The officers elected in 1889 were: Supervisors, Frank Morrison, Otto Law-
son; school directors, H. Morlin, A. Logan; town clerk, J. B. Richardson;,
justice of the peace, J. K. Bates; constable, H. J. Parker; collector, J. K.
Bates; auditor, E. B. Fisk; judge of election. First District, A. Logan; in-
spectors, First District, C. O. Nelson, H. Goff; judge of election. Second
District, M. Strong; inspectors. Mat. Morrison, J. H. Crozier.
The resident tax-payers of Hamilton township in 1836-37, as certified by
George Morrison, assessor, were George Morrison (saw-mill owner), David
Sears (saw-mill owner), Caleb Chappel (farmer), William English (whio owned
two horses), Jonathan and David E. Dunbar, Jonathan Marsh and Thomas
Pound (who had not yet improved their little farms), Morrison & Hairison
(saw-mill), Samuel Morrison, Isaiah Morrison and Root & Beeman.
Ludlow is a thriving village in the extreme western part of the township,,
situated on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. Its industries are chiefly the
manufacture of lumber, leather and carbon black. J. G. Curtis, who came to
the village in 1869, erected the Ludlow Tannery and began the manufacture
of leather, and in 1886 established the firm of Curtis, Maxwell & Co. Mr.
Curtis is also largely interested in the manufactui-e of lumber, as well as in
the mercantile business. A post-office and several general stores are also-
located at this point. The A. R, Blood Carbon Works are very extensive, and
are under the supervision of P. F. Riordan.
Deputy Supreme President G. W. Brown, of Youngsville, Penn. , organized
Ludlow Union, E. A. U. , June 28, 1889, at Ludlow, with fifty-one applicants
for charter, and with the following officers: Chancellor, J. K. Bates; advocate,
A. W. Vautassel; president, John Gibbs; vice-president, Mrs. Jennie Rich-
ardson; auxiliary. Miss Hanna Nolin; secretary, Mrs. Millie Bates; treasurer,
Mrs. J. G. Curtis; accountant, H. H. Curtis; chaplain, Mrs. C. H. Loucks;
warden, D. G. Curtis; sentinel, Mrs. A. Cameron; watchman, P. F. Riordan;
conductor, H. M. Swick; assistant conductor, Mrs. H. M. Swick; trustee, J.
G. Curtis: examining physician, G. T. Pryor, M. D. ; representative to Grand
Union, J. K. Bates; alternate, P. F. Riordan.
Wetmore is a busy little lumber town on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad.
Here Thomas Keelor has his extensive lumber mills and mercantile estab
lishment. L. D. Wetmore' s lumber industries are also located here, as well
as a post-office.
HAMLIN TOWNSHIP.
Hamlin township, bounded by Wetmore, Sergeant, Lafayette and Keating
townships, is divided into three sections, Kinzua creek valley in the north
center, and part of the northwest, separated by Big Level, of which Howard
Hill is a peak, from Marvin and West Clarion valleys on the east, center and
south. The Smethport anticlinal runs southwest between Howard Hill and
248 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Marvin creek; the Kinzua — Emporium cross anticlinal — througb the southwest
corner; the southeast corner is near the Clermont (4) bituminous basin; the
western and central sections in the sixth bituminous basin, which also crosses
the northwest corner. The greatest elevation (Howard Hill) is 2,268 feet
above tide, and the lowest (near the old Hulings well No. 1) 1,6'25 feet. The
high lands average 2,2(.t0 feet above tide.
The head-waters of West Clarion form the southwest of Howard Hill, while
Kinzua creek, which forms in Lafayette and Keating, receives many feeders
along the great bend north of the hill. Windfall run rises in the northwest
corner, and the south branch of Kinzua in the southwest corner. Marvin
creek may be said to rise in the south center, although a small branch comes
down from Seven Mile summit in Sergeant township. Head Brook, Wildcat
and Stanton runs, with a hundred rivulets, flow southeast from Big Level to
swell the stream, and at Kasson post-office Long run flows northwest from
Chappel Hill into it. Warner Brook flows from Clermont Hill through the
southeast corner into the Marvin, and Glad run flows northwest in the south-
west corner to join the south branch of the Kinzua.
Early in the " fifties " the McKean & Elk Land Company opened a num
ber of coal mines here. Dalson's principal bed was at the head of AVildcat
run. east of Howard Hill, a four-feet deposit of pure, bright bituminous coal,
eleven feet of dark and six feet of cannel. Within this township three mem-
bers of the coal family are grouped, the Dagus, Clermont and Alton middle.
The first occupies but small space, the second inhabits the heights of the
Howard Hill divide, and the third is found in almost every place throughout
the county.
The old Owl AVell (Hillings No. 1 ) was drilled in 1878 (opposite the mouth
of Town Line run on the south bank of the Kinzua, 1,625 feet above ocean
level) to a depth of 1,613 feet, and yielded thirty barrels per day for the year
ending in July, 1879. Hulings No. 3 well was completed in March, 1879, to 1,730
feet, near the southwest corner of Warrant 3076, and the wells of Wilcox &
Schultz, Knox Bros. , and the Westmoreland Oil Company on Warrant 3073,
found some oil in the top of the sand, but deeper drilling produced salt water
in such quantity that they were abandoned and the southeast limit of the field
supposed to have been reached. A subsequent well drilled by Wilson in 1881
north of the middle of Warrant 2690, and promptly abandoned, confirmed this
supposition, but wells drilled by the Union Oil Company, southeast of the
Hulings No. 5, have recently demonstrated an extension in that direction. On
the western edge of the field a number of wells drilled by the P. C. L. & P. Com-
pany were similarly drowned out by salt water and operations in that quarter
were abandoned also. These wells all stopped at the Bradford sand, the
deeper Kane sand not having been discovered until 1885, at Kane. The
Kinzua well, at the confluence of Glad run and the Kinzua, was opened early
in 1877 by L. C. Blakeslee for the Producers' Consolidated Land & Petroleum
Company of Bradford. Salt water was found in the sand at 1,745 to 1, i6S
feet, or fifty feet below ocean level.
In 1856 Dalson discovered limestone, but the location is not given nor has
the modern explorer found an outcrop, but as the valley of Marvin creek is
celebrated for its deposits of this slaty-bluish rock, a dip may bring it under the
.sub-Olean conglomerate.
The valley of North Kinzuii in this township, as well as those of Windfall,
Mead, South Kinzua and Glad run, with the intervening territory (nearly one-
half of the township) are still clothed with an unbroken forest in which hem-
lock predominates. This is the property of the Union Oil Company and the
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 249
Gen. Kane estate. The Kane estate still owns in Wetmore and Hamlin town-
ships, extending into Elk county, about '25,(.)00 acres.
The resident tax-payers of Hamlin township in 1847-48 were Adin and
Araaah Aldrich, William Fields, Freeman Garlick, J. P. King. C. McFall, H.
Burlingame (now a resident), Sam. Stanton, Abel Stanton, Jerry Warner,
Hiram White, David Woodruff, William Woodruff and Joseph Wilts & Co.
The total value of occupied lands and personal property was §2,940, as certi-
fied by Assessor McFall.
Hamlin township, in 1880, had 330 inhabitants. In 1888 there were 165
Republican, 57 Democratic and 15 Prohibitionist votes cast, or 237. The
total multiplied by five gives the population at the time 1,185. The officers
chosen in February, 1890, are: Supervisors, D. F. Pattison, Bent Lunberg;
school directors, W. H. Neil, M. J. Gallup; auditor, L. J. Swanson; con-
stable, G. H. Sparks; collector, G. H. Sparks; jirdge of election, J. E. B.
White; inspectors, S. W. Pattison, Charles Paulson; town clerk, Charles
Paulson.
The post-office at Kasson is in charge of G. O. Garlick.
MOUNT .lEWETT.
N. D. Battison's basket factor}' was e.stablished in August, 1883, when he
leased free from Elisha Kane a three -acre lot for such factory. Mr. Kane
gave him $175 and also a large lot for his dwelling — the only consideration
being the establishment of this industry. Earlier that year the town plat was
surveyed, and with this industry, employing twenty- five persons, the nucleus
of the present village was formed. That year the R. & P. R. R. was com-
pleted, but some of the people opposed the location of the factory earnestly.
A fire destroyed the buildings soon after, but the owner rebuilt and continued
in business some time. The building passed into various hands, and is now
occupied by Hitchcock & Davis.
In 1887 F. W. Andrews began a series of seven test wells on the Kane
lands, which led to the development of the field by the Anchor Oil Company.
The first of the wells, one and one-half miles northeast, showed gas in small
quantity at a depth of 900 feet. This with others reverted to Mr. Kane, and
he conceived the idea of supplying Mount Jewett with gas. With some difficulty
thirteen consumers were secured, but the gas proving itself worthy of its
claims, the list was increased to over 100. At the beginning Mr. Kane could
not obtain one subscriber to a proposed stock company. The system now ex-
tends from McAmbley's mill to the village.
O. B. Mosser & Co.'s tannery at Mount Jewett was established in 1887,
when most of the present buildings were erected. The capacity is 600 hides
per week, and the mimber of men employed in July and August, 1889, fifty.
This tannery uses from 4,000 to 5,000 cords of bark annually, the price paid
being $4.50 per cord. The hemlock bark is found in the woods adjoining, oak
bark being imported.
The McAmbley saw-mill, three miles northeast of Mount Jewett, is an im-
portant industry. . . .Hitchcock & Davis' saw-mill is devoted to the manufact-
ure of hardwood. .. .Mellander' 8 mill is northeast of the village .... Camp-
bell's saw-mill, a mile south of the village, was a large concern, but in July,
1889, the machinery was moved to Kane to make way for Huff's hardwood
factory. Southeast of the village are the Roos saw-mills. . . .Kinzua mill, six
miles from Kane, was burned in July, 1887 . . . .The McClelland & Kane model
mill was erected at Mount Jewett in the fall of 1889. M. H. Manning was
superintendent of building and machinery.
250 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Mouat Jewett post-office was established in February, 1882, with Augustus
Mellander postmaster.
The Presbyterian Society was organized July 13, 1888, and incorporated
July 25, with O. B. Mosser, G. V. Thompson, E. W. Hevner, W. W. Brewer,
L. A. Groat and Hubert Schultz, trustees, all of whom were members except
Brewer, Hevner and Thompson. The list of original members also embraced
Calvin Gray and wife, Mrs. W. W. Brewer, E. A. Conn, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs.
Groat, Mrs. Schultz and Mvs. Mosser. Work was begun in July on a new
church house and completed in October. Rev. W. J. Arney of Kane organ-
ized this society, and is its first pastor.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Nebo Church of Mount Jewett was in-
corporated in September, 1888, with B. C. and A. Lundberg, Oscar Wiborg
and J. Mellander, subscribers .... The Church of the Mission Friends was or-
ganized in 1887 and a small house for worship erected.
The Aldrich Cemetery was incorporated in May, 1877, with H. AV. Bur-
lingame, G. O. Garlick, O. Perry, H. L. Burlingame, J. E. B. White and
Hiram W. Burlingame, trustees.
Fisher Tent of the K. O. T. M. was organized at Mount Jewett in May,
1887, with James Doyle, Owen Coyle, L. A. Groat, De T. Parrish, C. W.
Obing, W. H. Reese, A. A. Van Slyke, W. J. Jackson, Dan. Shea, M. Syl-
vester, N. Marsh, R. Jackson and O. McLoud filling the several positions.
The Kinzua bridge was completed April 1, 1882. To the observer, as he
stands upon the north abutment pier, and, facing southward, gazes down a
depth of over 300 feet to the creek's bed, then up the slope of the opposite
side to the south end, at a distance of more than 2,000 feet from him, and con-
siders that these extreme points are connected by a continuous line of track of
uniform grade, over which roll the heavily freighted trains, he can not fail to
be impressed with the fact that this is a progressive age. The bridge is con-
structed of stone and iron entirely. It consists of twenty lower spans of
thirty-eight and one-half feet each, and twenty-one intermediate spans of sixty-
one feet, and contains about four and one-half million pounds of wrought iron.
The height is 301 feet, and length 2,051 feet, giving it a title to being the high-
est bridge in the world and one of the longest. The stone piers which are to
support the towering iron columns are built of massive sandstone blocks, quar-
ried on the ground, which nature has provided in abundance, and of an excel-
lent quality. These are skillfully jointed, bedded and bonded.
Stafford, the watchman, climbs over and inspects three of the towers every
daj'. As there are twenty towers altogether he gets over the entire system of
piers and braces in a week. Once, in the winter of 1883-84, while making his-
usual inspection, he fell a distance of sixty- five feet. The cold winter air
numbed his hands so that he could cling no longer to the iron braces. Fortu-
nately he fell into about ten feet of snow, which broke his fall, else the com-
pany might have been compelled to look for a new man. He said he only
missed striking a stump by a few inches. He relates another narrow escape.
He said he was climbing over the top girts one day when some one hailed him
from above. It startled him, and he sort of forgot where he was. He let go
his hold and was going. By a great effort he caught hold of one of the iron
braces just in time to save himself. The accident of July. 1889, tested the
strength of the structure. Conductor Kelly's train, bound south, separated on
the viaduct, the locomotive and attached cars reaching Mount Jewett before
fourteen cars were missed. The engineer at once backed down and when
near the bridge Brakeman Ryan discovered the conductor's signals. The en-
gineer reversed his lever, and at once a coupling snajiped and three cars went
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 251
thundering down grade. At the bridge there was a terrible crash and three
cars were converted into kindling wood, 301 feet above the creek. Had the
cars gone over the sides of the viaduct there is little doubt regarding the dam-
age which would have been caused to the structure.
The Anchor Oil Company's lease on the Kane oil reservation or the Swe-
dish farms was developed in July, 1889. Up to the '21st the well was guarded,
but it is now declared to be a gusher as well as gasser. The location is one
and a half miles south of the tannery on Frank Nelson's farm. The Anchor
and Forest Oil Company and Taylor & Torrey secured a jaiece of the Kane
estate, consisting of 2,500 acres. P. W. Koth came to Mount Jewett in July,
1889, and located his first well July 29 on the John Mellander farm. Mr.
Roth drilled the first producer in the Washington field, and has been con-
nected with oil interests in the Bradford field since 1875. The Timbuctoo
well at Lafayette was completed July 25, 1889.
Oil memories cluster round the big bridge. An old weather-beaten der-
rick is still visible from the viaduct a short distance up the stream, where Mar-
cus Hulings anchored some cash in the autumn of 1879 in searching for a con-
tinuation of the Cole creek streak. In the winter of 1883-84 Mumford, a
former bookkeeper for Butts, together with Cheeney & Phillips, of Alton,
obtained a 200-acre lease from Bowen. of Boston, on Warrant 2,241. The
company drilled a well on the piece. The Barnsdall venture of August, 1884,
is located in the southeast corner of Warrant 2,248 — 2,500 feet north and a
trifle east of the Mumford & Cheeney well. In 1879 the Parker Brothers,
and, in 1884, Higgins also, drilled on Ormsby lands.
CHAPTEli XV.
KEATING TOWNSHIP— BOROUGH OF SMETHPORT.
Keating Township Topography— Geology — Oil AVells — Population-
Township Officeus in 1890— Port of Entry— Early Settlers— The Fok-
ESTER— .Solomon .Sartavell and Others— Resident Tax-Pay'ers, 1836-37
—Early Merchants in the Township- Villages.
Borough of Smethport Population', Ktc— OrFiPEUS Elected in 1890—
First Cabin and Hou.se— Rejiiniscenci^ (h .\-\ sartwell— Early- Set-
tlers— Some First Things- Po.st-ofi k i IJi-ihixT Property Owners,
1856-57— Municipal Affair-s- Academiks -( 'ih-kiiies— Societies— Hotels
—Banks— Water and Gas Sy'stems— Flood.s and Fices— Miscellaneous.
KEATING TOWNSHIP holds a semi central position in the county.
Nunimdah creek enters the township near the southeast corner, flows
north by west via Smethport to Farmers Valley, where it turns northeast to
join the Allegheny beyond the north town line. Cole creek's south branch
flows northeast from the plateau, receives the north branch in the center of the
north half of the township, and enters Nunundah creek opposite Farmers
Valley. Marvin creek enters the township a point west of the south center,
and flowing northeast to Smethport forms a confluence with the main creek.
In the southwestern corner the head-waters of the West Clarion unite with
Three Mile run to flow southwest; and within a short distance of this conflu-
ence one of the heads of Kinzua creek is found. South of the road from
'lOZ HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Smetbport to Ormsby's summit a feeder of Marvin creek rises, which enters
that creek sonth of the borough limits. A little over two miles east of Smeth-
port occurs the greatest elevation in the State west of the fifth bituminous
basin — Prospect hill, 2,495 feet above tide level. The lowest point, of course,
is where Nuuundah creek exits at Frisbee, which is 1.460 feet above tide. At
Smethport depot the elevation is 1,488 feet, so that the grade from the track
for two and a quarter miles east to Prospect peak is 1,007 feet. The altitude
of the plateaus may be placed at 2,100 feet. In the southeast corner the
Smethport anticlinal separates the Clermont coal basins. At Smethport the
anticlinal is broken by the elevation of strata, so that the dome center lies one
and a half miles east. Small tracts of Clermont exist along the western line,
and on Ormsby's summit, 2,140 feet above tide. The Pocono formation st
Smethport is 260 feet thick, and at Barnett's, southwest of Haskell's well, 285
— sixty feet covered, forty feet coarse- grained ferruginous sandstone, partly
covered, ten feet fossiliferoas flags, fifty feet covered rock, forty feet gray shale
with bands of fossiliferous, ferruginous lime- rock; twenty feet of green and
brown flags and shale, five feet of hard, fossiliferous, gray lime-rock, and sixty
feet of olive and gray shales and shaly sandstone.
The well drilled by Lytle & Vezie in 1875 for the Smethport Oil Company
reached a depth of 2,004 feet, its opening being 102 feet higher than the rail-
road track. I'orty-three records of strata were obtained and the crust on the
Taylor farm, where the drilling was done, thoroughly explored. From 330
to 378 feet slate and shale, and very hard shells, were taken; from 570 feet
sand shells, and so on until oil was struck at 1,127 feet, the Bradford oil sand
at 1,360 feet, and the Smethport oil sand at 1.720 feet. This well proved a dry
one; the 237 feet of casing were taken up, Ihe hole plugged with five feet of
pine below the water courses, and rock filled in above, but within six hours the
gas removed such obstructions. The Haskell well, drilled in December, 1876,
and April, 1877, for William Haskell, to a depth of 1.861 feet, is located on the
east side of Marvin creek, one and one- half miles southwest of Smethport.
Gas was struck at 719 feet and also at 1,620 feet, where oil made a fair show
for a short period. Brant & Co. 's well yielded one barrel per day; Lucius
Rogers' well on Warrant, 2,058, near the borough; Sherman, Hatch & Co. 's
well, and other ventures, mark the oil fever period of this township. The
Miner said so much about the Haskell well that a skeptical contemporary,
named Brandon, of the St. Marys Gazette, perpetrated a pun, which was war-
ranted by the circumstances: "'If the Mtjie?" continues much longer to sound
the praises of the Haskell well in its peculiar way we will not be surprised to
learn that it has-killed somebody."
Keating township claimed a population of 2,974 in 1880. This included
364 residents of Bordell settlement and 986 of Coleville village, but not the
borough of Smethport, which then had only 872 inhabitants. The vote of
Keating in 1888, outside Smethport, shows 266 Republicans, 239 Democrats.
16 Prohibitionists and 21 Labor Unionists, or a total of 542, which, multiplied by
five, gives 2,710 as the present number of inhabitants.
The officers chosen in February, 1890, are: Sirpervisors, J. H. Sowers,
Richard Griffin; collector, Thomas Hussey; school directors, William H. HufF,
D. B. Zillafro; constable, J. E. Stull; auditor, Allen Oviatt; town clerk, C.
M. Capehart; judge of election. First District, C. D. Calkins; inspectors of
election. First District, W. A. Mcintosh, M. N. Allen; judge of election, Sec-
ond District, R. S. Porterfleld; inspectors of election, Second District, C. P.
Smith, P. S. Kepler; judge of election, Third District, W. H. Barr; insj:)ect-
ors of election. Third District, M. J. Lynch, R. L. Stephens.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 253
In 1809-10 Benjamin B. Cooper petitioned Congress to establish a port of
entry at Smetbport. He purchased twenty-one acres of land on the west side
of Nimundah creek, near the bridge at East Smethport on which to build a
town, and made propositions to men to get out timber for the proposed wharves.
This was to be the harbor wherein the ships of the citizens of Instanter might
be moored while receiving and discharging cargoes. His plans for hauling
freight from the port to his town on the hill are not given.
Shortly after the disestablishment of Instanter, or in 1811, Arnold Hunter
moved to the site of Smethport, and other settlers flocked into Farmers val-
ley, as related in the chapter on pioneers. Among the pioneers was Jonathan
Colegrove, who died April 11, 1872. He settled in Keating township in 1S15,
traveling from Portville to Smethport by canoe, with his wife and two children.
From 1817 to 1852 he was one of the Kidgway land agents. P. E. Scull be-
ing also agent for another portion of the lands. Uncle Daunty, or Jonathan
Dunbar, another pioneer, was certainly a stage Dutchman in general make-up
and manners. His wife made what she was pleased to call "■ clothes" for her
spouse. He built the tirst sawmill in the county at Farmers Valley, bat had
so much trouble with it he finally exclaimed: " If the Lord had given Job a
saw-mill instead of boils the devil would then have got him sure." Dunbar
became leader of the tirst singing school, and. though a strange character in
many ways, was a most useful citizen.
The Forester and Siiiethporf Register, Volume I. No. 12. was issued by
Hiram Payne June 30, 1832. The motto was: "The uncultivated forest
shall become a fruitful field." W. E. Wolcott, of Sergeant, advertised cattle
for sale; Tobias L. Warner his shoe factory at Smetbport, and Isaac Burlin-
game advertised for stone masons: Isaac Harvey placed his books in the hands
of John E. Nile.s for collection; Orvil Ketchum, of Farmers Valley, asked his
debtors to pay up; the Erie Canal Company advertised their lines, giving as
reference J. M. Hughes, of New York, an uncle of the present editor of the
Reporter; P. E. Scull wished his neighbors to have their goods imported to
Bushnell's basin: Sartwell & Rice offered ten barrels of pork for sale; the
death of Harriet Young, aged twelve years, at Farmers Valley, was noticed,
and the marriage of Harman Sprague and Adaline Vredenburgh, of the west
branch of Tunuanguant creek was announced. B. B. Cooper advertised
60,000 acres of land for sale, and E. A. Smith his stock of goods.
Solomon Sartwell, one of the leading pioneers, who died August 4, 1876.
was born at Littleton, N. H. , January 16, 1796; settled in McKean county in
1816 (whither the lady to whom he was married in 1822 came in 1818). He
served as postmaster twenty years and as associate judge five years, having
previously tilled the office of high sheriff for two terms and treasurer for one
term. The Stulls and Ottos, to whom references are made in other chapters,
must also be counted among the pioneers, while the Williamses, Y'oungs,
Crows (of Sinnemahoning), the Hamlins, and fifty other families of whom^
mention is made in this volume, are connected with the beginnings of the pro-
gressive period. Of the Crow family several humorous stories are related.
One is entitled " Called to Preach." It appears that along in the '"thirties"
Moses Crow and his father were engaged in the bottom lands back of the pres-
ent Wright House in chopping trees. Work went on fairly, well until a dry
elm tree was encountered, and to it both men directed their strength. The day
was sultry and the workers perspired freely. The younger one, looking round
on the sea of trees, grew tired suddenly, and, addressing his father, said: " I
think I am called to preach." Soon after he became an exhorter, passed a lit-
tle while at the Meadville College, and received a regular appointment. David,
254 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Jr., followed his brother into the Methodist ministry in 1842, and a few years
later the old squire was asked for a donation for church purposes, but as a re-
sponse made the suggestion that he had given two sons to the Methodist church,
contribution enough for one man.
The resident tax-payers of Keating township in 1836-37 were Daniel Acre,
Samuel Armstrong, William J. Anderson, Aaron Arnold, Dudley Birge (a sad-
dler at Smethport), J. L. Birge (moved west), N. G. Barrus, Josejih Brush
(moved to Lafayette corners), Levi Bennett (who sold the site for the poor-
farm to Col. Wilcox), T. Barrett, Willis Barrett, Gardner Barrett (died in
1888), Nath. Barrett, Daniel Burbank, Enoch Briggs (who still resides in the
township), Avirilas Beman. Dr. Joshua Bascom, Elisha and Uri Bush, Daniel
Brown (who cleared the Vincent farm), Harvey Brewer (a shoemaker), D. R.
and O. R. Bennett, William Bell (of Ceres), John Brockham, Nicholas Baker,
Curtis Bump, Amos Briggs (a mason), H. N. Burgett, P. W. Beach, B. C.
Corwin, C. D. Calkins (now at Smethport), Ghordis Corwin (who owned the
grist- and saw- mill), Daniel and David Cornelias, Amasa Cowles, Erastus
Cowles (saw-mill owner), Henry Chapin, Thomas Curtis, Richard Chad-
wick (who died in 1866), E. J. Cook, David Crow, Elihu Chadwick, J. F.
Clark (merchant), C. S. Comes (living in Eldred), Daniel Crossmire, Silas
Crandall, John and J. D. Dunbar, D. Othneal, Eliza De Golier, L. H. De
Aubigny (non-resident), R. R. Fowler, Dr. George Darling, James O'Daily.
Levi Davis, Jr., Brewster Freeman, Daniel Foster, Nathan Folsom, D. C.
and J. A. O. Gunning, G. W. Griswold, Truman Garlick, Jesse, Hiram
and Almon Garey, Wheeler Gallup, James Green, J. W'. Howe (a lawyer),
Simon Hammon, James Hoop (now of Lafayette), Barnabas Hill, George
Hetchelder, Minard Hall. John Holmes & Co. (tan-yard owners, near F.
Andrews' house), Holmes & Richmond (merchants), L. R. Hawkins (of Cha-
copee, Minn.), O. J. Hamlin (lawyer), Dwight Holcomb (moved to Florida),
A. Housler, L. Havens, Gideon Lons, John King, Horace B. and Isaac King,
Jared and Jonathan Ketchum, Rev. Abner Lull, Warren Lucore (mer-
chant), John and T. Moore, J. McDowell, Dr. William Y. McCoy, T. Mattison.
Chester Medbery (now in Dakota), John Nolan (lawyer), John E. Niles, John
Needham (merchant), Alvin Owen, Dr. William Otto, James, John, Jemima
and Charity Otto, W. D. Owen (merchant), Joseph Otto (saw-mill owner), W.
S. Oviatt, Silas D. and Lewis Otto, Eben Parker (who owned a part of the A.
H. Cory farm), Hiram Payne (editor), Elisha Randall (dealer), Dr. Salmon M.
Rose (who owned the Freeman property), S. R. Bobbins, William Rice, Allan
Rice, Nelson Richmond, Jonas Riddle, William Ripley (died in 1888), P. E.
Scull (died in 1867), Jonas, Sam. and Arnold Southwick, Cephas Scott, Asa
Sartwell (fulling and saw-mill owner), Joel Sartwell (now of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa), John Smith, Jesse Spencer, Sol. Stoddard, Charles Smith, and Samuel
Smith (tailor, now in Iowa), Sol. Sartwell, Jr., Sartwell & Arnold (traders),
Sol. Sartwell, R. H. Stillson, John Taylor (merchant), Nathan Tinney, James
Taylor, Enoch Tyler, D. Voorhes, D. S., William C, George W. and Nathan
White, William Williams (trader), L. C. Willard (col.), Clinton and Stephen
Yoving, Hiram Spencer and Henry Bunyan (trader). Abner Lull, the assessor,
recommended Jared Ketchum and Ghordis Corwin for collectors. In 1837
A. H. Cory and Lawyer L. F. Maynard settled here.
In Keating township in 1846 were the general stores of C. Steele & Co.,
Ford & Holmes, O. J. & B. D. Hamlin, W. Y. McCoy and O. R. Bennett; the
taverns of O. R. Bennett and Richmond & Bennett, and the grocery of James
Miller. Elijah Bennett had a store in December. The merchants of Keating
township in 185'2 were B. D. & H. Hamlin, James Taylor & Son, C. K. Sart-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 257
well & Co., S. & E. G. Eaton, C. Steele and O. K. Bennett. The latter and
Sartwell & Co. were also liquor dealers.
No. 1, Volume VI, of the Citizen, was issued September 3, 1859, with L.
Rogers editor. At this time E. B. Eldred, W. A. Williams, William A. Nichols,
Warren Cowles and John C. Backus were resident attorneys; W. Y. McCoy,
J. Darling and S. D. Freeman, physicians; W'. K. King, surveyor, and J. K.
HafJey; geologist. The hotels advertised were the Bennett House, by D. R.
Bennett, and the Eldi'ed Half-way House, on the Olean road.
Villages. — Farmers Valley, Coryville and Frisbee may be called synony-
mous terms. They all form a part of the old settlement of Farmers Valley,
of which so much is written in the general history as well as in this chapter.
In 1812 Francis King surveyed the fifty-acre tracts donated by John Keating
for the following named settlers in Farmers Valley: George, Joseph and
Matthias Otto, Robert Gilbert, Jonathan Moore, Zachariah, Thomas and Will-
iam Ashley.
The old post-office of Farmers Valley dates back to early in the "thirties,"
when Timothy R. Robbins was master. Thomas Goodwin, Jackson Otto and
F. C. Olds have filled the office. The post-office of Coryville was established
in 1872 with Asa H. Cory, master, who has been continued in office since.
The Union Church of Farmers Valley was built early in the "fifties"
through the exertions of A. J. Otto and Arnold Southwick. Dan Lennox was
the carpenter and builder. It has been open to all denominations, but the
United Brethren may be said to be the principal worshipers.
The United Brethren Chiirch at Coryville, or Frisbee, was built in 1878-79
on land donated by A. H. Cory. The building cost over §2,000.
The United Brethren Society of Farmers Valley was founded October 19,
1867, with William S. Moore, T. R. Robbins, the Southwicks and John
Holmes the elder, as organizers.
The E. A. U. lodge of Farmers Valley was organized in February, 1886,
with A. R. Tubbs, Mrs. Otto, J. H. McQuade, Mrs. Tubbs, Mi's. Ellen Otto.
J. L. Bean, A. Tyler, F. C. Olds and Dr. R. J. Sharp, officials.
The tide water pump station was established near A. H. Cory' s house, Init
owing to the absence of gas the pumping works were moved to Rixford. On
June 19, 1887, a 25,000-barrel tank was burned, 1,000 teams bringing people
to witness the fire. The remaining tanks were moved to Ohio in 1888.
Lucius Rogers built the first steam saw, shingle and planing mill in Nun-
undah Creek valley in 1885. Prior to that time saw-mills run by steam and
water-power were common along the banks of this stream, and a few are found
to-day using up the remnant of pine and hemlock of the valley and hills.
In 1855-57 a coal oil factory was established up the creek from Smethport.
Bordell (Coleville post-office), known in 1879 as the "Banner Frontier
Town," was partially burned February 9, 1880, when McCormack's hall and
three other buildings were destroyed. In November, thirty-five buildings were
reduced to ashes, the Bennett House, the leading hotel, conducted by T. P.
Hill, being among the number .... The fire of February 16, 1881, resulted in
the destruction of the Golden Rule block, and two adjoining buildings .... In
February, 1880, the sum of $30,000 was subscribed to build a plank road from
Bradford to Coleville. The stockholders elected J. J. Carter, president; P. T.
Kennedy, vice-president; James Amm, secretary, and F. A, Wheeler, treas-
urer. When the town was in its glory the Bordell Bazoo was published here,
and altogether the place was considered of much importance.
Ormsby Junction is the name given to the junction of the narrow gauge
258 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
roads connecting Smethport with Bradford, Mount Jewett and Kane. Sub-
sequent to 1842 Mr. W. F. Ormsby settled in this then comparative wilderness,
and he continues to reside here on his fine farm.
Aiken, Davis, Van Vleck and Simpson are small settlements on the Brad-
ford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad. Cyclone post-office is located in the west-
ern part of the township.
In December, 1888, a well was drilled on the Ormsby farm to a depth of
2,408 feet, to the fifth sand. This well answered 120 quarts of glycerine with
seventy-five barrels of oil within four weeks; but the production fell to one
and one-half barrels, when it was abandoned in February, 1889. One and one-
half miles west of the Ormsby farm is a well which gives gas and oil, but is
undeveloped.
BOROUGH OF SMETHPORT.
Smethport is located in one of the most beautiful valleys in the mountain
country. Its site was selected by John Keating, and this selection confirmed
by the commissioners. The latitude and longitude ascertained by Surveyor
Chadwick in 1839 are 41° 55' and 78° 33', respectively.
In 1880 the borough claimed 872 inhabitants. In 1888 there were 148
Republican, 116 Democratic, nine Prohibitionist and one Union Labor votes
cast, or a total of 274, which number multiplied by six gives an idea of the
present population as 1,644.
In 181'1 Capt. Ai-nold Hunter built the first cabin at Smethport, where
the Widow Rifle resided in 1871, now occupied by a Swede. A second house
was built in 1812, but both were abandoned in 1814. Capt. Hunter died in
Harrison township. Potter county, March 16, 1857, aged seventy-eight years
and 364 days. In 1850 he was deputy census marshal for Potter county.
Asa Sartwell, of Iowa, who revisited his old hunting grounds in 1880,
made the visit memorable by relating to the editor of the Miner his reminis-
cences of Smethport and vicinity in early times. Over sixty years before,
his father, Solomon Sartwell, located within a few miles of the county seat in
Farmers Valley, while his brother, Solomon, Jr., settled soon after at Smeth-
port, and built the second large log-house, Eastman having built before.
Asa, the younger brother, came in 1820, when Smethport contained a few log-
huts and a carding-mill. He bought this mill, but at the close of the season
saw it destroyed by fire. Going to Utica, N. Y., he purchased machinery for
carding wool and dressing cloth, brought it hither, and in conjunction with
these industries entered the lumber trade, and became a real estate dealer.
John Applebee's saw- and grist-mill and Conant's cloth-dressing house were
among the first industries.
Joseph Otto came from Mifflin coimty, Penn., early in 1810, and settled
two and one-half miles below Smethport with his young wife. The trip hither
from Angelica was through sixty miles of wilderness without one inhabitant,
and from the effects of such a journey he fell sick soon after settlement, and
he and his wife were almost on the point of starving when he became strong
enough to hunt. Stephen Young located in Farmers Valley with others
named in the chapter on first settlement. James Taylor moved to McKean
county in 1824, and a few years later engaged in mercantile business at
Smethport with Hawkins & Ford. A. N. Taylor, who died May 15. 1876,
from injuries inflicted by a fall September 25, 1875, came with his father, and
in 1843 became a partner in the business, ultimately purchased his father's
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 259
interest in the store and bnilt a house, adjoining the Astor House, which was
burned in the tire of March '28, 1868. He filled the office of associate jntlge
for one term. In his journey to Smethport in November, 1826, Lawyer Orlo
J. Hamlin met the Smethport and Jersey Shore mail carrier. Moses Haona.
at Canoe Place. Beth traveled to the county seat over the mountains and
across the terrible corduroy or pole bridges. Crossing Nunundah creek, they
were soon at the Ked Tavern, kept by Mrs. Willard. His stay he describes
in his reminiscences, thus: "It being long after dark when we arrived, the
bar-room was well filled with men. After supper we joined the men in this
room. One of them, the leading man. after inquiring whence I came and
what I came for, asked me • What spelling books are in use now? ' Replying,
I said it was long since I was in the elementary schools, but I believed Dills-
worth's were going out and Webster's coming in. Retiring for the night, I
was shown to a room adjoining the bar-room. It so happened that a married
couple occupied a room near by, and about ten o'clock that night the woman
was in her accouchement, and I was kept awake by neighboring women passing
to and fro every few minutes, while the men in the bar-room kept up a contin-
ual cross- fire of conversation and laughter. About midnight I heard the
sound of men falling on the bar-room floor, and this intolerable nuisance was
kept up until nearly morning, when I arose, irritable and feverish, determined
to return to Towanda." In his reminiscences of the bar, given in connection
with the courts, he refers to the manner in which he was received next morn-
ing and the establishment of his law ofiice at Smethport.
Moses Hanna was mail carrier between Jersey Shore and Smethport as
early as 1826, making the round trip every two weeks. Byron D. Hamlin
carried the mail later on the Eldred route, while Davis Young carried over the
Smethport and Olean route in the " thirties." The latter died in Michigan in
January, 1871. Orlo J. Hamlin was postmaster for three years — 1829-31.
L. R. Hawkins held the position in 1837; Arthur Burlingame, in 1843; Phi-
letus Ford, in 1844; E. Bard, in 1847: W. K. King, in 1851; Sol. Sartwell, Jr.,
in 1855, followed by C. K. Sartwell, Ira H. Gleason, M. L. Armstrong, and M.
A. Sprague, who was appointed in 1884. Mr. Wilson, editor of the Democrat,
was appointed in 1888. Mr. E. M. Kerns was appointed in July, 1889, but
did not take possession of the olfice until April, 1890. The office is now located
in the Odd Fellows' hall building.
Smethport borough, in 1856-57, was assessed by William K. King. The
resident property owners were: N. W. Abbey (joiner), H. W. Annis, F. A.
Allen Qjrinter and school superintendent), Almon Allen. William Bell, J. C.
Backus (attorney), S. A. Backus (representative). G. B. Backus, G. Bar-
rett. D- R- Bennett, O. R. Bennett (hotel keeper), E. W. Bingham (owner of
fifty-two lots), J. L. Beckwith (blacksmith), John Baker, J. Chadwick, R.
Chadwick, Warren Cowles (attorney), G. Corwin. Widow Milligan, Amor
Chandler (joiner), J. C. Chandler (printer), David Crow (owner of twenty
acres and thirty-three lots), G. C. Chapin (joiner), L. H. De Aubigny,
G. C. DeGolier (joiner), Dr. George Darling. Jedediah Darling (physician
and judge), John Doyle, J. G. Eaton, E. B. Eldred (attorney). B. Freeman
(owner of forty lots and thirteen and a half acres), B. H. Freeman, S. D. Free-
man (physician), Philetus Ford (merchant). Job GifPord. Jr.. O. W. Gallup,
S. S. Hackett (shoemaker). B. Harris (cooper), Mary Holmes, Henry Hamlin,
O. J. Hamlin, A. D. Hamlin, B. D. Hamlin (attorney), Ed. Hupey (mason), J.
C. Hamlin, G. Irons, B. F. Jackson, W. K. King (owner of twenty one lots and
six and three-quarter acres), Robert King (draftsman), Patrick King, John K.
Lamphier, John Long, Dr. W.Y. McCoy (owner of twelve lots and seven acres).
200 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
N. Medbery, Joe Morse, J. M. Miller (A.stor House), C. J. Madbery, E. B. Mason
(tinnpr). W. F. Orm5by (blacksmith), W. S. Oviatt, Hiram Payne, T. P. W.
Palmer (watchmaker), W. H. and E. F. Richmond, Chris. Eitzan (cabinet-
maker), G. W. SartwoU, C. K. Sartwell, W. H. Sartwell, Sol. Sartwell, S. B. &
R. Sartwell, Stanton & Bsckwith (owners of sixty-fonr lots), J. L. Smith, P.
E. Ssull, G. M. Smith (joiner), J. B. Taylor (blacksmith), A. N. Taylor. Aug.
Wolters, Ernest VVolters (blacksmith), W. A. Williams (attorney and treasurer).
Dr. L. R. Wisner, J. G. Young. There were seven watches discovered and
assessed. There were thirty- nine horses and fifty-two cows, and all property
was valued at 125,504.
Municipal Affairs. — The first election held at Smethport, for borough ofK-
cers, was that of February 11, 1853. William A. Williams received forty-three
votes for burgess; W. Y. McCoy, S. Sartwell and Henry Hamlin, received
forty-three; William K. King, forty-two, and Ghordis Corwin, forty-one
votes, for council; O. R. Bennett, Jeremiah Chadwick, N. Medbery and N. W.
Goodrich, received forty votes; C. B. Curtis, twenty-eight, and P. E. Scull, four
votes, for school directors; Byron D. Hamlin, eighteen votes, and Jeremiah
Chadwick, seventeen votes, were chosen poormasters; N. W. Goodrich, James
Miller and C. B. Curtis, were elected auditors; O. R. Bennett, assessor; George
B. Backus, constable, and Hiram Payne, justice. At this time C. K. Sart-
well and A. N. Taylor were chosen inspectors, and Philetus Ford, judge of
election.
The names of citizens who have filled the office of burgess down to the
present time are as follows: W. A. Williams, 1853; Philetus Ford, 1854;
John C. Backus. 1855; C. K. Sartwell, 1856; S. M. Smith. 1857; G. C. De-
Golier, 1858; S. A. Backus, 1859; Byron D. Hamlin, 1860; W. Y. McCoy,
1861-62. G. H. Mason was chosen assistant Inirgess in 1862; L. R. Wisner,
1863, with R. Sartwell, assistant; Warren Cowles, 1884, with J. R.Townsend;
G. Corwin, 1865-66, with N. W. Abbey; B. D, Hamlin, 1867, with H. Ham-
lin; Henry Hamlin, 1868, with M. A. Sprague. The last named was elected
burgess in 1869, with R. Sartwell assistant, and reelected in 1870; John C.
Backus, 1871, with M. L. Armstrong, assistant; W. Y. McCoy, 1872, with
W. D. Gallup, assistant; P. Ford, 1873, with N. W. Abbey, assistant; G. M.
Smith, 1874-75, with T. J. GifFord, assistant; Thomas King, 1876, with Hugh
Glenn, assistant; M. A. Sprague, 1877, with E. F. Richmond; M. L. Arm-
strong, 1878, with H. L. McCoy; S. J. GifFord, 1879, with H. S. Sartwell;
B. L. Knapp, 1880, with J. C. Hamlin; J. C. Backus, 1881-85, with S. J.
GifFord; M. L. Armstrong, 1882-83; Frank Moses, assistant, in 1884; A. T.
Palmer, burgess, in 1886; B. F. Wright, 1887; F. W. Brownell, 1888, and
Warley Gifford, 1889.
The names of the justices are as follows: W. A. Williams, 1854; Jeremiah
Chadwick. 1855; G. B. Backus, 1856; Philetus Ford, 1860-65; R. Sartwell,
1861; A. B. Armstrong, 1862-67; M. N. Powell, 1869, J. G. Eaton, 1870; P.
Ford, 1871 (but being collector of internal revenue he did not qualify); S. Sart-
well, 1872; C. K. Sartwell, 1872; G. M. Smith, 1876-81-86; P. Ford, 1877-
82-87.
The officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Burgess, F. W.
Brownell; council, N. D. Ramer, William Haskell; school directors, Hon. T. A.
Morrison. E. R. Mayo; constable, H. L. Burlingame; collector, J. A. Holder;
judge of election, E. F. Waller; inspectors of election, J. C. Backus, Wash.
Starks; auditor, W. D. Gallup.
The secretaries of the borough have been Henry Hamlin, 1853; C. K. Sart-
well. l.sr,4: G. C. Chapin. 1855; S. B. Surtwell. 1856; AV. K. King. 1858;
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 263
A. N. Tavlor. 1850-64; B, F. Wrigbt. 1860: W. S. Brownell. 1861; J. C.
Hamlin, 1862-73-78; P. Ford. 1865; C. K. Sartwell. 1869; Robert King. 1870;
Henry King, 1871; D. K. Hamlin, 1872-74; H. F. Barbour. 1875; E. H. Rose,
1877; W. D. Gallup. 1879-81 ; E. Quackenbush. 1880; A. B. Armstrong. 1882;
Luoius Rogers. 1886. and John Forrest. 1889.
The expenditures for the year ending March 1. 1889. amounted to $2,900.05.
The vouchers for this expenditure, in possession of treasurer, M. L. Armstrong,
were examined by Auditors J. O. McCarty. F. E. Foster and John Forrest,
borough auditors.
Hose Company. — The Smethport Hose Company was organized in Decem-
ber. 1881. with Sheridan Gorton. Pres. ; W. F. Specht. V. P. ; G. R. Brownell.
Sec; M. L. Armstrong. Treas. ; W. P. Walshe. foreman; H. L. Wilson and
John Russ. Assts. ; Hugh P. Brawley. A. B. Armstrong and John Forrest,
trustees. In July of this year 107 votes were recorded for. and eighteen,
against, the proposed water tax. The question being carried, the work of con-
struction commenced, and when the hose company was organized a full supply
of water for all purposes existed.
The election of the following efficient officers for the ensiling year occurred
in December. 1889: President, E. M. Kerns; vice-president, Henry Beiver;
foreman, F. W. Brownell; first assistant foreman. F. W. Rumsey; second assist-
ant foreman, W. H. De Garmo; secretary, Clifford Burlingame; treasurer. M. L.
Armstrong; trustees. Frank Kerns. John Rooney. Sam. Fry.
Academies. — The April exhibition of 1839, at the Smethport Academy, was
participated in by David Crow, Levi Ketcham, Henry Hamlin. Wallace Saw-
yer, William King, Ransom Devereaux, Ithual Humphrey, Elizabeth Chapin,
Violetta Sartwell, George Sartwell, Montague Rose, George Birge, Niles Tay-
lor, I. N. Sawyer, Ormand A. Holmes, John K. Williams and Byron D. Ham-
lin. At this time Luther Humphrey was principal from 1837 to 1840, when
Atkins came; George \Y. Scotield came in 1842, and is now judge of court of
claims, at Washington; L. D. Wetmore in 1842-43, later president judge of
the Warren District; Franklin Freeman was succeeded by B. D. Hamlin in
1844; Henry M. Lane came in 1845. and from 1847 to the temporary closing
of the school, ladies presided. In November, 1849, the old academy was re-
opened, with Ephriam Mariner (now a leading citizen of Milwaukee), principal.
W. Y. McCoy presided at this time over the board with J. Darling, secretary.
In the fall of 1850 Miss Miner was x^rincipal. On June 30, 1851, the academy
trustees organized, with S. Sartwell, president; William Y. McCoy, treasurer:
Hiram Payne, secretary; G. Irons, J. Taylor and William Williams, directors.
This board resolved to collect all debts due the old academy, put the liuild
ings and gi-ounds in repair and rent the concern to a qualified teacher. In
November the academy was re-opened by F. A. and C. H. Allen. In 1854 the
Aliens left, but were followed by others until Mr. Train ended the academy
days. In March. 1870, the trustees of the academy were authorized by special
act to Convey the buildings and grounds to the school district, which was
done, the old buildings moved and the present large buildings erected on the
site.
The call for the organization of the Smethport Lyceum was made m Octo-
ber, 1870, by Dr. W. Y. McCoy, who was chosen president; E. H. Bard, secre-
tary; L. Rogers, J. C. Backus, A. B. Armstrong, Henry King, M. A. Sprague,
G. Corwin, G. M. Smith, W. J. Milliken and A. N. Taylor. In November. L.
Rogers was chosen president, and D. E. Hamlin, secretary.
Churches. — The history of religioirs bodies in McKean county dates back
to 1809, when a Catholic missionary founded a congregation at Instanter, and
264 HI8T0UY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
held services there regularly until his disappearance in the forest toward the
close of 1810. A reference to the history of Cameron county points out Smeth-
port as a part of the Sinnemahoning- Methodist circuit in the "twenties;" the
collapse of the circuit work; the introduction of the Adventists; the return of
Methodism and the introduction of Uuiversalism.
The Methodist Epis..''opal Church of Smethport is said to have had its begin-
ning about 1882. Under date October 9, 1837, a subscription book was opened
by the trustees. The subscription contracts were drawn for $500 down, but
under the $500 heading a few men write their names for §5.00: Andrew liifle,
David Crow, Jr., Harvey Brewer, Kichard Wooley and Daniel Rifle; Asa
Sartwell contributed S306; Brewster Freeman, |'206; Richard Chad wick. A.
M. Stanton, Mathan White and Nathan Burlingame. $100; Samuel Smith,
David Crow, Thornton Barrett. $50; John Needham. James O. Gunning, David
C. and Warren Lucore, ?!25: Horace B. King. $20 in nails; David Comes and
Lew. R. Hawkins, $25: Hiram Payne, John E. Niles, Salmon M. Rose. A.
Burlingame, Harvey Brewer, Cephas Scott, Dudley Birge, J. L. Birge, W. Y.
McCoy. Charles Smith, Leonard Rice, Isaac Thompson (who subscribed $10
worth of axes). William C. White. Joel Sartwell, L. F. Maynard. E. C. Chand-
ler. Horace and Milo Scott, Anson Rice and Barnabas Graves were also among
the subscribers. The society was incorporated with Samuel Smith, Cephas
Scott. Willis Barrett, Daniel Rifle and Gardner Barrett, trustees. The
petitioners were Sandusky Miller. H. B. King, John Mills, R. Chadwiek.
D. S. White. Daniel Brown, W. J. Colegrove and C. Steele. In ISHi a
lot was purchased from the commissioners of the county, and the present house
was built by Sol. Sartwell and P. Ford. It was completed, in 183'J, at a cost
of $3,000. repaired in 1805 at an expense of $1,000. and in 1880 at $2,000.
The past recording stewards were Richard Chadwiek, S. M. Rose. David S.
White. I. S. Gleason. H. L. Burlingame and W. J. Colegrove. The present
recorder is W. P. Eckels. The roll of preachers from 1832 to 1889 is as fol-
lows: 1832, William Batts and Samuel Gregg; 1833, Thomas J. Jennings.
Benjamin Preston and Joseph A. Halback; 1834, Ignatius H. Hacket, Amer
G. Smith and Bryan S. Hill; 1835. John Demmiog, Matthew Hanna and Lo-
renzo Whipple; 183fi, Augustin Anderson and J. W. Stryker; 1837, A. Ander-
son, F. W. Conable and J. F. Mason; 1838. Alpha Wright and F. W. Conable:
1839. Horatio M. Seaver and J. W. Stryker; 1840. H. M. Seaver and Hugh
Elv; 1841, A. Haywood and J. Hagar; 1842, J. P. Kent. J. Hagar and John
Glass; 1843. J. F. Mason and John Glass; 1844. J. F. Mason; 1845. J.
Poarsall; 1847. F. W. Conable and J. McCleary, Jr. ; 1848. James McClelland:
1850, E. B. Pratt; 1851. R. E. Thomas; 1852. Hiram Hood; 1854. Withan
H. Kellogg; 1855. H. W. Aunis; 1857, J. J. Roberts; 1859. S. D. Lewis;
186(1. Alonzo Newton; 1802, L. A. Stevens; 1864, Lowell L. Rogers; 1860,
William Blake; 1867, Roswell R. Puree; 1868, E. B. Williams; 18/0. W.
Gordon and F. D. Sargent; 1871, H. Peck; 1873, J. L. Rushidge; 1875,
J. C. Whiteside; 1878, W. B. Waggoner; 1881, E. P. Hnbbell; 1884. William
Bradley, and 1887-89. T. ^\■. Chandler The presiding elders are named as
follows: 1832. J. S. Barris; 1833. H. Kinsley; 1836. A. Abell; 1837, J. Hem-
minwav; 1841, J. Durham; 1844, Thomas Carlton; 1845, William Hosmer;
1846. J. G. Gulick; 1848, Elija Thomas; 1850. A. D. Wilbor; 1852. J. C.
Kigslev. 1854, C. D. Burlingham; 1858. E. E. Chambers; 1862, A. P. Ripley:
1866. W. S. Tuttle; 1870. E. A. Rice: 1873. L. D. Watson; 1878, L. A. Stevens:
1882. O. S. Chamberlayne, and 1886. T. J. Bissell. Carlton, above named, was
one of the Methodist Book Concern for twenty years: Hosmer died in June.
1889. He was an abolitionist. Thomas was killed in the Modoc war.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 265
The membership of this church is placed at fifty and the value of property
at $5,000.
The Baptist Church of Smethport had its origin in the society formed in
Norwich township in 1820. The Bajitist revival of May, 1836, was conducted
by a Mr. Ketchum. He came to Farmers Valley to convert the people who
scoffed at the preachers of the period. During the meetings a baby died at
Smethport, and Mrs. Asa Sartwell went up to offer consolation to the parents.
At the burial there was no one to say a prayer. Next morning she, with
other women, went down to the camp, and arrived there just as Ketchum was
reading the text — "Woe unto ye lawyers." After the rough address the
women told him the state of affairs at Smethport, and he agreed to move on the
village next day, provided the women would support him. He came and
opened his batteries in the court-house. There was a Methodist class here
composed of Richard Chadwick, Horace King, Mrs. Sol. Sartwell, Mrs. Ghor-
dis Corwin and others, but they had no church house. All turned to Ketchum,
who conducted the meetings for some daj's, when he was called away, leaving
Mr. Denning, a Methodist preacher, to baptize sixty persons. In 1840 a soci
ety was organized here with the following members: "William "Williams and
wife, James Taylor and wife. Ann Taylor, "William L. Oviatt and wife, Abner
Lull, Benjamin Oviatt and wife, George Griswold and wife. Job Gifford, Sr.,
and wife, Elizabeth Holcomb, Amy Holcomb. Nelson Medbery and wife, Ghordis
Corwin and Benjamin Corwin. The pastors have been Kev. S. Messinger, "William
Sawyer. Abner Lull, J. L. Smith, J. P. Evans, S. D. Morris, Columbus Cornforth,
F. H. Gates, W. H. Willahan, C. H. Michelmore, and the secretaries have
been George Griswold, William S. Oviatt, C. L. Douglas, Mrs. C. L. Doug-
las. P. D Hopkins, J. H. Duntley and L. T. Medbery. In 1847 the church
house was erected. This, with lot and other property, is valued at 15.000.
The membership is fifty-six. The society was incorporated in June, 1850, on
petition of Ghordis Corwin, J. L. Smith, Bester Corwin, William Williams. W.
G. Oviatt andE. J. Cook. At the time of organization, in March, 1850, G. Cor-
win. William Williams, Wheeler Gallup, James Taylor, Benjamin Corwin and
J. L. Smith were the trustees.
The Catholic Church of Smethport may be said to be a continuation of the
old mission of Instanter, established in ISOO, and of St. Marys, founded in 1842.
when the Reilly family came into the Daly settlement on Nunandah creek. A
year later the Tracys came. In the fall of 1842 Father Berthy rode hither from
Pittsburgh and held the first services of the church at James Daly's house. The
settlement was subsequently visited by Father Alexander, by the present Bishop
Mullin and other priests until Father Smith came, in 1845, to stay a few years.
On March 1, 1848, John Keating donated to Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh,
in trust for the Catholic congregations in McKean county, a part of Warrant
2,0.'')0, near the lands of James Daly, Sr., while at Turtle Point, near William
and John Crowley's lands, a tract of fifty acres was donated. A church build-
ing was erected in 1848-49 and dedicated by Bishop O'Connor. It was in iise
up to the time the church at Smethport was completed. At St. Marys Revs.
John Bui'ns and J. D. Cody were stationed, and a few missionary priests came
hither until Father Madigan came; P. J. Patterson took charge and remained
some years. Father Flood was here in 1869, after Father Patterson moved to
Newell creek. Rev. John Smith came in 1881, and remained until Rev. J. J.
Galligan was appointed, in 1884.
St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church was founded at Smethport February 19,
186S, and in 1869 part of square 61 was donated for church purposes by Dr.
William Keating. The proposition to build was received with favor, and a
206 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
subscription book opened, Andrew Eeilly subscribing $200; Eugene Daly,
$125; Bernard McKean, $50; James Daly, $124; James W. Griffin, $95; Mar-
tin Burns, $70; Charles Hyland, $70; Hugh Glenn, $70; C. McElwee, $87;
Timothy McCarthy, $60; Hugh McCabe, $60; Ed. McGill, $55; John Ward,
$50; Mrs. McCullough. |50. and Timothy Lane. $35. Later B. D. Hamlin
contributed $120; Henry Hamlin. $100, and Dr. Keating, $500. Other sums
were subscribed by the Lynches, McCarthys and other members and citizens,
subsequently, so that the building fund in August, 1874. was $4,624.48. The
present church was dedicated April 25, 1874, by Bishoja Mullin, assisted by
Fathers Flood. Patterson and Kinsella.
St Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church of Smethport. The tjrst services
of the Episcopal church were held in the county seat in 1842. There were
then only three memliers of the church living in the place. Irregular services
were had at long intervals up to 1872, when a mission was organized by Bisliop
Kerfoot, with an executive committee consisting of Messrs. J. C. Hamlin. P.
Ford, J. C. Backus and D. C. Young. At that time there were twenty-four
communicants. The progress was rapid, and in 1879 a parish, called "St.
Luke's,'' was organized and incorporated, and in the same year a handsome
church building was erected. Rev. H. Q. Miller, the first rector, retired in
1880, and was followed by Rev. J. H. McCandless, the present rector. The
church continued to grow rapidly year by year, and now, in 1890, it numbers
sixty families, 160 communicants, and has a membership of about 300 by bap-
tism. Many improvements have been made in the chiu-ch property, a fine
rectory has been built, and other additions are about to be made. The value
of the church property, including the chajjel at East Smethport, which was
opened in 1887, is $8,700. The present vestry is composed of Dr. H. L. Mc-
Coy, Messrs. J. C. Hamlin, John Forrest, Henry Hamlin, D. C. Young, E. L.
Keenan and W. D. Gallup.
The Congregational Church of Smethport was chartered in January, 1851,
with Dr. W. Y. McCoy, Ezra Bard and Zera R. Tubbs, trustees. The peti-
tion was signed by O. J. Hamlin, John E. Niles, A. A. Aldrich, Calvin How-
ard. Timothy R. Tubbs, George W. Pelton, Abner Rockwell, Jonah S. Al-
drich and S. G. Curtis.
Societies. — McKean Lodge No, 388, A. F. & A. M. , Smethport, was
instituted June 5, 1867, with S. C. Hyde, W. M. ; J. C. Backus, S. W. ;
Miles Irons, J. W. ; Warren Stark, S. D. : William GifFord, J. D. ; M. A.
Sprague, S., and S. D. Freeman, treasurer. Lucius Rogers, William Haskell,
T. W. Hogarth, J. W. Stark, T. Seems and A. B. Armstrong, unofficial members.
The names of past masters are S. C. Hyde, J. C. Backus, T. Seems. G. M.
Smith. S. D. Freeman. J. W. Stark. A. B. Armstrong. J. G. Boyer, William
Specht, O. D. Gallup, G. N. Barrett, W. T. Callar. H. T. Sawyer, D. Martin,
G. M. Smith, M. A. Sprague. I. A. Holder, W. D. Gallup, H. P. Brawley. F.
W. Browuell. T. R. Foster is the present master. The past secretaries are
M. A. Sprague. L. Rogers. F. King. E. H. Bard and W. D. Gallup. G. M.
Smith is the present secretary.
The Masonic Hall Association of Smethport was incorporated in March,
1879, with S. D. Freeman, W. T. Callar, William Specht, M. A. Sprague. O.
D. Gallup and H. T. Sawyer, stockholders. The capital stock was divided
into 200 shares of $5 each. The hall was erected in 1878-79, and, with other
proi^erty, is valued at $2,000. At present there are seventy-five members.
Smethport Lodge No. 389, I. O. O. F. , was organized and the by-laws ap-
l)ioved by the grand lodge October 10, 1882. The charter members were
'^m^a.J^^if
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 269
H. W. Kubin, J. B. Brawley. Frcank Rowlee.* W. B. Wagoner.* H. W. Geor-
gia, T. A. Morrison, W. H. Wetenhall. John MeConaghy* and A. Reynolds.*
Among the present members, who are not charter members, are M. N. Allen.
W. G. Holder. W. Z. Georgia. T. F. Richmond. G. W. King. C. H. Moore.
A. R. Cory. M. A. .Lillibridge. H. S. Sartwell. E. J. Hall. C. H. Calkins. B.
F. and E.G. Pelton. B. Badger. A. Deshetler. William Bennett. C. A. Krne- •
ger. W. A. Young. W. B. Joiner. H. H. Wilson. C. J. McClure. R. McCord.
F. C. Olds. D. B. Freeman. D. Ramsdell. M. Rosenfield. F. Westerland. John
Malin. A. G. Farley. G. A. Hyde. H. Saunders. H. L. McCoy. E. B. McCoy.
W. A. King. A. B. Hyde. H. B. Vincent. S. B. Sherwood. M" A. Hall. R. W.
Bloodsworth, W. A. Mcintosh. A. D. Bush and F. N. Taylor. A. T. Strana-
han is present secretary of the lodge and H. M. Choate. noble grand. Among
his predecessors in the chair were H. W. Rubin, J. B. Brawley. H. L. Wilson,
Charles Beckwith and A. R. Cory. The officers elected in October, 1889, are:
N. G.. W. A. Mcintosh; V. G.,b. D. Bush; P. S.. A. T. Stranahan; A. S.,
W. G. Holder; Treasurer, H. W. Rubin; Con.. A. R. Cory; trustee, J. E. Stull.
Smethport Encampment No. 273, I. O. O. F.. was instituted January 18,
1888. with the following named charter membei-s: M. N. Allen. Jacob Amend,
R. W. Bloodsworth, W. E. Butts, Samuel Bedford. H. M. Choate. A. R. Cory,
W. T. Callar, Julius Dupjon, M. Dunn, William Dunbar, J. Eberspacker, D.
B. Freeman, A. G. Farley, Frank R. Foster. W. Z. Georgia. A. W. Hamm,
W. G. Holder, G. W. King, W. A. King. G. W. KuQsman, George W.
Weaver. D. M. Wright, R. E. Looker, W. A. Mcintosh. Peter Martin, John
C. Martin, C. H. Moore. H. L. McCoy, T. A. Morrison. Robert McCord, C.
J. McCliue, S. J. McKendrick, F. C."01ds, E. G. Pelton. B. F. Pelton, W.
V. Provin, D. Ramsdell. H. W. Rubin, W. A. Russell, M. Rosentield. J. O.
Soubergh, F. N. Taylor, H. B. Vincent. W. A. Young, J. H. Tate and I. J.
McCandless.
The officers of the encampment in order of rank in October. 1889, were:
H. W. Rubin, C. P.; John O. Sonbergh, S. AV.; F. C. Olds. J. W. ; A. R.
Cory, H. P.; T. A. Morrison, trustee; G. W. King, treasurer.
The officers in March, 1890, are: A. R. Cory, C. P.; F. C. Olds. S. W. ;
G. W. King. J. W.; J. O. Sonbergh, H. P.;" J. Amend, trustee; H. M.
CLoate, scribe.
The Smethport Odd Fellows' Hall Association was incorporated in July,
1889, on petition of M. N. Allen, H. M. Choate and W. H. Wetenhall, trust-
ees of Lodge 389, and M. Dunn, E. G. Pelton and J. O. Sonbergh, trustees
of Encampment No. 273. The lodges named, with J. H. Tate,* VV. V. Pro-
vin, D. P. Ansall, G. W. King,* E. G. Pelton, A. R. Cory,* H. M. Choate,*
S. J. McKendrick, J. O. Sonbergh,* M. Dunn, H. W. Rubin,* Frank M.
Taylor and Peter Martin, are also named as subscribers to stock. The names
marked * and F. C. Olds were chosen directors. J. H. Tate was elected pres-
ident; H. M. Choate, secretary, and H. W. Rubin, treasurer, in December.
1889. This building was completed in April, 1890. This is a three-story
brick, with stone facings, just north of M. A. Sprague's store.
Keystone Encampment No. 77, Knights of St. John and Malta, was
founded in January, 1890, and on February 1 the following named officers
were installed: Eminent commander, F. A. Thomas; lieutenant-commander,
J. W. Baker; captain of guards, A. H. Kidder; prelate, H. S. Rogers: chan-
cellor, W. A. Curtiss; assistant chancellor, L. W. Dunn; almoner, William
Masser; herald at arms, Fred M. Baker; sword bearer. Frank Green; mar-
shal, George Thomas; first guard, William Bennett; second guard, B. A. East-
270 HISTORY OF MCKEAN CODNTY.
man; medical examiner. Dr. Burg Chadwick; warder. John Cramsie; sentinel.
Edward Norman; trustees. Dr. Burg Chadwick, O. S. Greeley and James
Dunn. The officers named, and the following named, were charter members:
J. B. Larawa\', C. R. Sprague and Peler Gonley.
McKean Post No. 347, G. A. E., was mustered in June 21, 1883. At the
beginning of 1889 the following named were active members, names marked *
being charter members:
B. F. Wrigbl*. First Pennsylvania Rifles, Smethport. William H. Grumbine*.
Eigbty-seventh'Pennsylvania Volunleers, Smetbport. S. D. Freeman*, Bucktails, Smeth-
port. D. A. Easterbrook*. Second United States Signal Service, Kendall Creek. A. H.
Peirce* Sixtb Ohio Cavalry, Smethpoit. N. D. Foote*, Fifty-eigbtb Penusylvauia Vol-
unteers, Farmers Valley. J. D. Barnes*, Forly-secoud PeDnsvlvaiiia Vi'iunleer.s. Kas-
son. R. Sartwell* Fifty-ei.ghtb Pennsylvania Volunteers, Siiietliport. W. H. Rifle*,
Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Norwich, S. G. Bush*, Fiftj'-eighth Pennsylva-
nia Volunteers, Smethport. W. Brockham*, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania
Volunteers. Farmers Valley. W. Ogilvie* First New York Dragoons, Coleville. M. S.
Sheldon*. Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. Smethport. A. Reed*.
One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers, Farmers Valley. E. P. Pratt*
One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. J. Howard*. One
Hundred and Forty-first New York Volunteers, Farmers Valley. H. S. Sawyer*, First
Volunteer Cavalry, "Farmers Valley. Charles S. Sanford*. Fourth Pennsylvania C^avalry.
Smethport. George Ogilvie* First New York TtriiL-noin, Fanners Valley. M. Rowan*.
Thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, SnKlli|."ii .1 I. ^taiitdii ', Filly <ixlh Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers, Farmers Valley. N.P.Feni- . I'iii\ riiihih I 'ciih-n l\',iiiia Volunleers,
Farmers Valley. W. W. Brewer* Forty-seiona l'iiin-\ 1\ .iiiia Xiiluiiiccis, Mount Jew-
ett. Emil Thamm*, Forty-first Missouri. Smethport; .1. H. jMct^uaid--. Tenth Pennsyl-
vania Viilunteers, Farmers Valley. M. O'Reilly*, Fou*tb Pennsylvania Cavalry, Smeth-
port. R. E. Hooker*. First New York Dragoons, Farmers Valley. M. R. McCauley*,
One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunleers, Farmers Valley. William
Smith*, One Hundred and Fifth New York Volunteers, Mount Jewett. J. M. Robinson,
One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kassou. A. L. Hughes, Indiana
Cavalry, Smethport. P. Rowan, Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, Smethport. J. E.
Henderson, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colegrove. S. W. Evans. Fifty-
eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Norwich. John A. Marsh. Sixth Vermont, Norwich.
F. Cox, One Hundred and Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kane. A. Ostrander.
Two Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Port Allegany. W. Ostrander. Two
Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Port Allegany. J. H. Sowers, Seventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers, East Smethport. Thomas Walker, Twenty-first Pennsylvania
Cavalry, East Smethport. , H. K. Moore, Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Cole-
ville. A, A. Wolters, Forty-second Pennsylvania Volutiteers. Smethport. D. Smith, One
Hundred and Seventy-ninth New York, Coleville. D. I^terrett, One Hundred and Thirty-
tirst Pennsylvania Volunteers, Wasliington. E. Grover, Two Hundred and Eleventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colegrove. S. Martin. Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylva-
nia Volunteers, Smethport. O. Brink, Thirty-third New York Battery, Smetliport. H.
L Burlingame, One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. Jacob
Hafner, One Hundred and Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Clermont. William
Wilkins. Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kanesholm. F. J. Vickery. One Hun-
dred and Nine'ty- fourth New York, Smethport. J. H. Ellsworth, One Hundred and Sev-
enth New York, Smethport. J. Colegrove, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Cole-
grove. W. H. Curtis, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smethport. L. Rogers,
Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania VoTunleers, Smethport. W. C. Dickenson, Second United
States Signal Service, Norwich. W. Grigsby, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
SmetlipoT-t. H. M. Chnato, Twcntvtirst Np^n-'York Volunteers, Smethport. R. Kassel-
liacli n„r Iluniiivil and Tcnlli X. w York V.ilnntccrs, Clean. J. M. McElroy, One Hun-
dred ami Src,,iiil l'i'iins\ Ivania Voliinlrcis, Smrlliport. J. H. Stull, Fiftv eighth Penn-
sylv;uiia Nciliniiccis. ivisi Siik'I li]H.rt. 11. U, \iiitent. Fifty-first New York Volunteers,
Smetliport. A. Field.s. One Hundred and Fillli Pennsylvania Volunteers, Kane. G. W.
Talbot, United States Navy, England. L. W. Searfass, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Kane. T. A. Morrison, One Hundred and Twenty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smeth-
port. G W. King, One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. East Smeth-
port. Herman Young, One H,- '■■ ' ' ^^-i-'- "■ "" .i«...-:., 1-..1 w ,.•»
Valley. J. A. Briggs, One Un
port. S. E. Quick, One Hundi.
F. Holmes, Tenth New York lli
and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Vnl\ii
lery, Smethport. Asa Champli:
Ircd and F
ifti
.■th
Pennsylvania Volui
iteiT,<,
Fa:
rmers
hv,l :,nil Xi
t\-f
ourth New York Vol
niilciT-
, Si
meth-
aii.l I'.Mlv
ton
illh
NewYork Volunl.vi
rs, Kra
;•. C.
,v .\rlill(n-v
cat'
ing. T. W. Cliandlrr
llui
Hired
■ers, Smetlii
Mir
D. Y. Lee, Sixth X(
3W Vo,
rk
Artil-
Thirteenth
Ai
■till
ery, Farmers Valley.
Willi
iam
Cas-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 271
key. One Hundred and Forty-lUird Pennsylvania Volnnteers, Smelhport. G. II. France,
die Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Smetliport. D. E. Robbing,
Sixth New Hampshire Artillery, Smethport. P. O'Brien, Third New Yorli Volunteer
Excelsior Brigade, Smethport. S. Lewis. One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York
Volunteers, Colegrove. E. R. Mavo. Third Maine Light Battery, Smethport. T. Ra};,
One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Peansvlvauia Infantry. H. C. Hammon, Eleventh Illinois
Cavalrv. J. C. Backus*, .1. K. Graham*. E. V. Cliadwick*. Joseph Hoover*, Patrick
JlcCabe*, George Badger* R. E. Tooker*, J. Loudragon*. Henry Herring*, B. H.
Farnian*.
B. F. Wright was cliosen commander, and J. K. Graham was acting adju-
tant until appointed adjutant in Jnly. In 1884 A. L. Hughes succeeded Gra-
ham, but H. L. Burlingame filled the office until he was appointed, vice
Hughes, in July. J. C. Backus was commander in 1885 and Burlingame adju
tant. William H. Grumbine was chosen commander in 1886; Lucius Kogers
in 1887, with the adjutant of 1885-86 still in office. In December, 1887, J.
M. McElroy was elected commander, and H. M. Choate adjutant, who served
until January, 1889. when Adjt. Choate was elected commander, and Lucius
Rogers was appointed adjutant. The officers for 1890 are: S. G. Bush. C. ;
C. S. Sanford, S. V. C. ; H. L. Burlingame, J. V. C. ; Emil Thamm, Q. M. ;
T. W. Chandler, Chap. ; J. D. Barnes, Surg. ; J. H. Sowers. O. of D. : J. H.
Ellsworth, O. of G.; M. O'Reilly, O. S.
Women's Relief Corps No. '23. Smethport. was organized September 1 /,
1885, with Madams Kate L. Wright, Helen S. Morrison, Rebecca Kerns, Al-
minia Backus, Sarah Grumbine, Hattie P. Colegrove. Julia L. Easterbrook,
Rose E. Peirce, Elminia Thamm and Amelia Bush, members. Mrs. Wright
was elected first president and Mrs. Morrison secretary. In 1887 Mrs. Cham-
liers was elected secretary, and Mrs. Thamm president, succeeded in 1888 by
Mrs. Helen Morrison as president, and Miss Ella J. Wright secretary. In July.
1888, Miss Lena Wright took the former secretary's place and was appointed
in December, 1889, when Mrs. Morrison w^s re-elected president. On the
latter's election as president of the department of Pennsylvania, W. R. C,
Mrs. Kate Wright was elected president, and Mrs. Bertie Choate vice-presi-
dent. The officers for 1890 are: President, Miss Lena Wright: senior vice-
president, Mrs. Nina Rtimsey; junior vice-president, Mrs. Amelia Bush; treas-
urer, Mrs. Sarah Vickery; chaplain, Mrs. Julia Pratt; conductor, Mrs. Rose
Peirce; guard, Miss Maud Stejjhens.
The K. O. T. M. is a recent organization at Smethport. I. S. Reynolds
presides over the lodge, with M. B. Greer, recorder.
The Central Home Relief Society was organized at Smethport August 20.
1863, with Mrs. P. Ford, president; Mrs. H. Hamlin, vice president: Mrs.
C. Cornforth, treasurer; Mrs. W. Cowles, secretary: Madams A. N. Taylor,
W. H. Richmond, L. A. Stevens, A. S. Swift. M. A. Holmes and J. R. Chad-
wick, collecting committee. The object was to furnish aid to the families of
volunteers.
The County Prohibitory Constitutional Association was organized at
Smethport in February, 1889, with W. W. Brown, president: Byron D. Ham-
lin, vice-president; E. E. McElwaine. secretary, and B. F. Hazelton, treas-
urer. W. A. Young. Mrs. Young, W. H. Dodd and Reuben Dennis were
cho-;en delegates. In May of this year the association established The Amend-
ment Herald, and by other means essayed to educate the people in temperance
affairs, carrying the qtiestion so far as to win 3,054 votes for the amendment,
against 2,058 recorded for maintaining the evil to which they were opposed.
The Women's Christian Temperance Association was organized March 13,
1883, and reorganized May 2, 1885. The names of original members are
Madams L. T. Medbury, F. L. Chadwick, A. Corwin, F. M. Blodgett. R.
H"A HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Kerns. B. F. Wright, C. L. Douglas. E. J. Bnsh, J. G. Strong, S. J. GifPord,
T. A. Morrison, K. E. Kidder, Charles Leemler, C. A. Burdick, M. L. Georgia.
Emma Gifford. E. P. Hubbell, E. Sterrett and M. D. Bush. Mrs. L. T.
Medbiiry was president of the old society. After reorganization Mrs. H.
Hamlin presided, and next Miss S. A. Scull. The present president is Mrs.
T. W. Chandler. The iirst corresponding secretary was Mrs. T. A. Morrison,
with Mrs. F. L. Chadwick, recorder. Since reorganization Mrs. Morrison.
Mrs. Bogisch, Mrs. E. Eichardson and Mrs. Chadwick have held the secre-
tary's position. The officers elected in July. 1889, are Mrs. D. L. Forsyth,
president; Mrs. E. F. Chandler, vice president; Mrs. M. E. Richmond,
recording secretary; Mrs. Esther Keefe. corresjaonding secretary; Mrs. M. A.
Backer, treasurer. Vice-presidents in churches: Mrs. A. T. Palmer.
Methodist; Mrs. B. F. Wright, Baptist; Mrs. A. F. Brown, Episcopal. Su-
perintendents: Mrs. Martha Chadwick, literature; Mrs. M. A. Backer, heredity;
Mrs. B. F. Wright, soldiers and sailors; Mrs. Esther Keefe, jail and alms-
house; Mrs. D. L. Forsyth, Mrs. M. E. Richmond, assistants jail and alms-
house. Delegates to county convention : Mrs. Martha Chadwick, Mrs. Esther
Keefe. Alternates: Mrs. A. T. Palmer, Mrs. E. F. Chandler.
The I. O. G. T. was organized in January, 1871, with S. B. Sartwell,
Anna Potter, H. S. Sartwell, M. L. Armstrong, J. C. Bard, L. O. Chadwick,
K. D. Hays, E. V. Chadwick, L. S. Bard, D. C. Young, Mrs. A. E. Taylor,
B. Downey and G. Corwin filling the ofilices of the lodge.
The Young Women's Christian Temperance Union is one of the new addi-
tions to the ranks of temperance workers. Mrs. W. P. Burdick is president,
with Miss Lydia Burlingame, secretary.
The C. M. B. A. elected the following named officers for 1890: Chancellor, J.
F. Rooney; president, Morris Mulvehill; first vice president, James Lynch; sec-
ond vice-president, Peter Conely; recording secretary. Ed. Obertrifter; assistant
recording secretary, James A. McKean; financial secretary, Daniel Bacon;
treasurer, Dennis Quinlisk; marshal, Thomas O'Brien; guard, William Cov-
ley; representative to Grand Council, John F. Rooney; alternate, T. H.
Purtle; trustees (two years), J. F. Rooney, P. Conely.
On July 18, 1875, the St. Elizabeth's Total Abstinence Association was
organized.
The Knights of St. Martin and the Iron Cross are presided over by Dwight
Waller, with Fred Gallup, scribe, and Rev. J. H. McCandless, warden.
The McKean County Mnsieal Convention held its first session in February.
1875, with C. S. Diffen, president; J. AV. Hilton, Dr. E. A. Van Scoy and T.
J. Campbell, vice presidents; Albert DeGolier, secretary; and Loyal Ward.
treasurer.
The Equitable Aid Union is presided over by Lucius Rogers, with W. H.
Knight, secretary.
Smethport Lodge 182. A. O. U. W., was instituted August 19, 1880, with
G. Lyman, S. V. Godden. H. L. Burlingame, W. O. Congdon, George R.
Brownell, W. F. Specht, Frank Kerns, S. W. Pattison and S. G. Bush, hold-
ing the respective offices. At the annual election in December H. L. Burlin-
game was chosen master.
The Wild-Cat Base Ball Club was organized at Smethport in May, 1873,
with A. W. Colegrove. president; Henry Biever, vice-president; M. L. Arm-
strong, treasurer; B. T. Downey, secretary. The directors were Robert W^ol-
ters, C. A. Burdick and Patrick McLea.
Hotels. — About 1822 the first regular hotel was completed by Willard.
whose wife carried on the house in 1826. Some short time after came Squire
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 273
Orow from the Siunemahoning country to compete with the Willard Hotel.
The house which he erected occupied the site of the Bennett House. This last
uamed hotel was erected in 1851 by O. B. Bennett. This house, and the
Haskell store, built in 1857 by B. D. and Henrv Hamlin, were destroyed by
tire in May, 1882.
In January, 1847. O. R. Bennett petitioned the court to open an inn at
his house in Smethport. This petition was signed by Edward Hartnett, O. A.
Holmes, B. D. Hamlin, Ferd. Hamilton, W. F. Ormsby, O. R. Bennett, Nathan
Barrett. J. B. Taylor. Gideon Irons, Adam Brockham. W. F. Young and N.
W. Goodrich.
Mr. Williams, at whose house the judges and officers of the court made
their home for years after 1826, came about 1822, when John Keating Williams
was born as the first white child of the settlement. Squire Williams had many
of the pioneer's experiences. On one occasion he was making lard from a hog
killed for the piirpose, and left this lard in an iron kettle to render daring the
night. Later there was beard a terrible racket in the cellar, and the Squire,
descending, discovered a huge bear with his head trapped in the kettle. The
Squire had little difficulty in killing '• bruin. ' " The late Mrs. Asa H. Cory remem-
bered this event.
Rockwell House was built in 1880-81. by S. J. Rockwell, who conducted it
for a few months; G. W. Dickinson followed, then H. S. Sartwell. John Hussey
carried on business here for two or three years, when the property was bought
by H. B.Vincent, who changed the title to Chautauqua House, and conducted it
for three years, when J. L. Thomas became proprietor.
The Wright House, built in 1875, is moclern in arrangement and manage-
ment, and is generally credited with being one of the first-class hotels of this
section of the State.
The Grand Central Hotel building, begun early in 1880 by Andrew Reilly,
was completed in June, 1881. The intention of Mr. Reilly was to make it one
of the finest hotel buildings in the northern part of the State, and in carrying
this intention forward he gave to Smethport a house 67x82 feet, containing
sixty-two rooms fitted with all modern improvements and elegantly furnished.
The plans were drawn by S. A. Bishop, assisted by Mr. Reilly. The latter
superintended the mason work. The building cost $40,000 and was opened
by Mr. Reilly June 22, 1881. Gen. Hammer, of the Bennett House, leased
the building soon after, and after two years H. S. Sartwell conducted the house.
In the year 1883 the property passed into the hands of Mrs. A. N. Taylor,
from whom the popular Frank N. Taylor leases the house. The lessee and his
chief clerk. Ham Hill, conduct this hotel on modern principles.
Banks. — In the history of Bradford City the story of the old McKean
County Bank is told. It was established in 1857, and in opposition to the de-
sire of many of the local stockholders Bradford was fixed upon as its head-
quarters, which action led to legal proceedings to change headquarters to
Smethport.
The Hamlin Bank may be said to date back to 1862. Since that year Henry
Hamlin has been the recognized leader of the banking business at the county
seat, if not in the county. His store office was the bank office, and drafts of
exchange, as well as loans, were negotiated in much the same form as at pres-
ent. In 1874 he retired from mercantile life, and established a banking office
over the old Hamlin store, later known as the Haskell store. In 1880 S. C.
Townsend was employed as cashier. After the fire of May, 1882, the office
was in B. D. Hamlin's office, and in 1885-86 in the room now occupied by
^^■ells■ drug store until the present building was completed in January, 1887.
27-i HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
It is one of the best tinished buildings of its size in the State, and fully
equipped for banking purposes. The cost of this ornamental pile was $15,000.
In February, 1 889, Moss M. Coleman took the position of assistant cashier and
book-keeper. The financial condition of this house July 8, 1889, is shown as
follows;
Dn.
Due to Banks $ 58.J.63
Deposits 496,741 .60
Exchange 783.69
Profit and Loss 108,891. 16
Interest and Discount 19,380.37
$636,381.3.5.
t'R.
Due from Banks and Bankers. .$ 43,647.46
Discounts 553,214.44
Stocks and Bonds 11,7.50.00
County Order 4,590.00
Cash 12,339.18
Expense 840.37
,381.
The McKean County Savings Bank was chartered in February, 1872. A.
N. Taylor, V. P. Carter. J. C. Backus, J. E. Butts, Jr., J. K. Chadwick, J. F.
Gallup and D. C. Young being incorporators. This banking company was
never organized.
Water and Gas Systems. — The beginning of Smethport's water system
dates back to 1874, when the commissioners purchased a spring lot and con-
nected the spring with the jail by means of a small pipe. E. V. Chadwick
secured the use of the surplus water for $10 per annum and had a pipe ex-
tended from the main pipe to his dwelling, but the supply being limited the
contract was rescinded. The Smethport Water Company was incorporated in
April, 1881. with thirty- seven stockholders. Henry Hamlin held twenty-four,
Byron D. Hamlin ten, W. J. Colegrove and D. R. Hamlin live shares each.
The works were completed within the year.
The Smethport Gas Company was incorporated September 20, 1881, with
C. A. Backer, E. L. Keenan. Robert H. Rose, David Sterrett, Leroy Tabor
and L. J. Backer, directors. In January. 1890, the following named officers
were chosen: C. P. Byron, president; H. McSweeney, secretary; A. B. Arm-
strong, treasurer; and they, with R. H. Rose and W. D. Galluj:). directors.
The gas well on the Eben Gallup farm was opened in January, 1890.
Floods and Fires. — The rains of May 31 and June 1, 1889, swelled the
tributaries of Marvin and Nunundah creeks and raised these streams far above
all high-water marks of previous floods. The citizens of Smethport emerged
from their homes Friday morning to find the low lands everywhere covered
with several feet of water, while the rain still fell in torrents. Some residents
of East Smethport were forced to take refnge in the second stories of their
buildings, and anchor their houses to neighboring trees. The only way to
reach the depot was by means of a boat. The railroads were undermined and
damaged in many places, and traffic was suspended for several days. The
bridge on the poor-farm, which was built at the expense of the county, was
swept away, and GifPord's upper dam was damaged, necessitating the suspen-
sion of work.
In the destruction of G. W. White's house (two miles southwest of Smeth-
port) in ^Marcli. [S7>'2. a three-year-old son was burned to death, and the father
severely ImuihmI while trying to rescue the boy . . . . The Smethport tire of
March 24. l^<;^. ili'stroyed the Astor House block, property of William Haskell,
A. N. Taylor's store. Miss Holmes' building, and the barns, all valued at $40.-
000 and insured for $19.000 The Smethport lire of May. 1882, originated
in the Bennett House, destroying Haskell's large store-building on the other
side of the street, the banking office of Henry Hamlin in that building, the
Bennett House and Sterrett & Rose law office.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 275-
Miscellaneous. — The Smethport Cemetery Society was chartered in ISOS on
petition of S. C. Hyde, C. K. Sartwell, L. R. Wisner, Miles Innis and \V. A.
Williams.
The question of building a plank road from Clermont to Olean was pre-
sented to the i:)eople of McKean county in November, 1849, by O. J. Hamlin.
He estimated the number of acres of coal land in the county at 10,000, and
stated that the selling price ranged from $1.50 to $3 per acre. In less than
two years after this proposition was made the Smethport & Olean Plank Road
Company organized (June 21, 1851), with S. Sartwell, president; Henry Ham-
lin, secretary; William K. King, treasurer; R. Phelps Wright, G. Irons, Ran-
som Larrabee, Dr. McCoy and J. W. Prentiss, directors. Railroads now follow
this route, the McKean & Buffalo Road being practically completed to Smeth-
port in 1875, and pushed thence to the mines. In 1889 the road was contin-
ued from Clermont to Johnsonburg in Elk county.
Smethport has celebrated the anniversary of national independence for
fifty years. As if to emphasize this fiftieth celebration, the Fourth of 1889
was a day especially prepared for festivity. From a late hour on the evening
of July 3 to the dawn of next day rain poured down in torrents to moisten the
parched earth. Early on the 4th the streets were rolled smooth, and before
noon were in excellent shape for the parade, the sunbeams giving token that
old Sol himself was pleased with the intentions of the people. The procession,
which was the feature of the day, was composed of the following well-equipped
bands, hose companies, etc.: Mai'sbal, J. M. McElroy, and aids; Smethport
Band; McKean Post 347, G. A. R., and guests; Dr. Freeman, commanding
second division, and aids; Gorton's Gold Band; J. Gorton Hose No. 1, Friend-
ship, N. Y. ; Eldred Band; Mountaineer Hose No. 1, Emporium; Forest Band;
Citizen Hose No. 2, Emporium; Bolivar Cornet Band; Citizen Hose No. 2,
Bolivar, N. Y. ; Smethport Hose No. 1 ; president of the day and speakers in
carriages.
The exercises in the court-house opened with music by the Smethport Band.
E. L. Keenan, president of the day, delivered the address of welcome, and at
the suggestion of the sheriff, extended a general invitation to visitors to share
the hospitalities offered by the citizens. Rev. T. W. Chandler delivered an
excellent prayer; Capt. Rogers read the "Declaration," and W. J. Milliken,
of Bradford, delivered the oration — which was eloquent as well as historical.
At night the festivities were continued, one of the features being a merry
march from East Smethport to the court-house square, lead by the Eldred
Band. The hose companies, without an exception, presented a handsome
appearance, and the music rendered by the difPerent bands mentioned was of a
high standard.
The history of the Keating, the Bingham and the Ridgway lands in this
county is related on other pages. Smethport has been for years the Mecca
of land hunters, as there the agents of the great estates ultimately congregated
and established their offices. Robert C. Simpson, the general agent of the
Bingham estate, resides at Wellsboro, Penn. Robert H. Rose was the first agent;
W. B. Clymer had charge of the estate until Mr. Simpson was appointed, dur-
ing the war. Robert H. Rose is attorney for the estate and local agent at
Smethport. Much of the land is leased, and this, with the unseated lands,
aggregates over 40,000 acres in McKean, and an equal area in Potter county.
Smaller areas of lands belonging to the other proprietors are still unsold.
East Smethport may be said to date back to the establishment of the Ex-
tract Works at that point. Shortly after the large buildings were erected the
place began to assume the features of a village, and with its railroad commun-
276 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
icatiou would be a strong contestant for the business center, had it any one of
the physical advantages possessed by the old town. The ground is low and
marshy, and in seasons of heavy rain subject to the overflow of Nunundah
creek. Opposite the Western New York & Pennsylvania depot is the planing-
mill of Bush & Mcintosh, near by the Bottling AV'orks, and in the vicinity the
Extract Works. On the corner of Main and Kailroad streets is the store and
post-office building of James M. Tracy; below is the large store building of
Stickney, Bell & Co. The Exchange Hotel is conducted by John H. Sowers;
a few rods westward of this hotel is the Sherwood grocery store, and opposite
it the meat market of J. H. Stall. The English Protestant Episcopal Chapel
is near the bridge, and across the creek, near the mouth of Marvin creek, the
tirst of a series of saw- mills on the latter stream is found. A number of small
dwelling houses, occupied by Swedish workmen and their families, are scat-
tered here and there, all forming the nucleus of what enterprise may convert
into a large business town.
There is no history of failure attached to Smethport. The men who came
here to build up a prosperous community knew no such word as fail, and con-
sequently the story is one of success following perseverance, tolerance and
intelligence. To the wisdom and policy of John Keating, who selected this
location, much is due, but without the pioneers the place might be still in the
wilderness, as it would undoubtedly be still comparatively primitive without
the modern pioneers of commercial and jjrofessional progress. To the latter
the achievement of placing Smethport above all other towns in the district, in
beauty and cleanliness, and equal to any in modern conveniences, is due, and
to their enterprise and virtues must be credited her substantial business and
social life.
CHAPTER XVI.
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
TopociEAPiiY— Minerals— Oil Wells— Coal Mines and Companies— Popt-
LATiON— Election in Febiiuaky, 1890— Resident Tax-Pavers, 1843-41—
State Road— Stores— Disa.sters and Fires— Miscellaneous.
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP occupies almost the west half of the center of
the county. It is distinguished by three great plateaus or table lands:
the Lafayette, in the center, extending from the southwest to northeast five
miles, and attaining a width of two and a half miles north of Lafayette
corners; the Alton, east and southwest of the East branch, extending into
Bradford, Keating and Hamilton townships, being eleven miles long in its
southwest course, and live miles wide in a line north of Alton, or from Craw-
ford's to the east fork of Three Mile ran; the Marshburg, west of the east
branch of the Tuna, and east of the west branch, extending southwest to the
valley of the Kinzua, one branch running into the center of Hamilton township,
which forms the divide between Chapp3l fork on the north. Turnip ruu on
the east, and the Kinzua on the south. The greatest length is twelve miles,
from a point west of Custer, through Marshburg to Union run. At Lafayette
corners tlie elevation is 2,143 feet above the ocean; at Marshburg, 2,108 feet:
the divide between Winter Green and Turnip runs is 2.16r) feet; at Buttsville,
(^y (^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^:^^^^^^
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 279
1,998 feet; at Alton, 2,07'2 feet; on creek at Big Shanty. 1,660 feet; at head
of Two Mile run, 2.058 feet, and at Bingham's dry well, 1,6/3 feet. The di|)
of the rock in the sixth bituminous basin averages only twenty feet per mile
to the southwest. Alton being in the central portion, the greatest dip occurs
there, being fifty-eight feet between Bond Vein and that point, a distance
of little over a half-mile. The lowest dip averages five feet per mile, between
Marshburg and Lafayette.
King & Co. 's well, the first at Big Shanty, showed oil sand at a depth of
1,545 feet, or 127 feet above tide water; while in the Prentiss well, Lewis run,
oil sand was struck at 227 feet above tide, or at a depth of 1.378 feet.
The Clermont coal deposit underlies the slate, shale and sandstone-ea]jped
peaks northeast and southwest of Alton, throughout the Lafayette plateau,
and in the summit, southwest of Marshburg, where the cap rocks are deep,
the coal is valuable, as in the old Davis mine, and in the old openings on the
Newell, Bullock, Root and Whitman lands, the bottoms of all of which rest
from 2,130 to 2,145 feet above tide level. This deposit is generally separated
from the Alton upper coal layers by Johnson run sandstone, the thickness of
which ranges from fifty to sixty feet; but near Bond Vein a black and blue
slate occupied this position; on the Bullock lands a hard sandstone, and on the
Matthews" lands a sandstone, separated by a six-feet deposit of red rock,
rests on a twelve-inch bed of coal. The Alton deposit ranges from four to
seven feet. It has been worked at Buttsville, Alton and Bond Vein. The
latter mine was worked in 1877-78, by James E. Butts, for the Longwood Coal
Company, giving three shallow beds above the bottom, third bed 2,034 feet
above tide. The Malony mine showed six to eight feet of bony coal near the
roof, and Alton coal, in two distinct beds, before reaching the hard, sandy,
fire-clay dejiosit.
In July, 1863, the Lafayette Coal Company was incorporated, with William
Cockroft of New York City, president. The Owen mine, near Buttsville, was
opened years ago bv Mr. Owen. In April, 1868, the Longwood Compaijv —
James E. Butts, E. Sears, I. P. T. Edwards, E. D. Winslow, G. P. Hayw;ird,
Lem. Shaw and \V. F. Grubb, directors — began operations, 2,065 feet above
tide level, on a solid two and one-half feet bench; but owing to its irregularity,
work was abandoned. At James E. Butts' house the lower coal was found
twenty-eight feet below the surface. In 1865 the Lafayette Coal Company
began operations near Mr. Alton's log house, constructing a 280- feet slope to
a point in the cannel and bituminous deposit, seventy feet below the level of
of the opening. This and several other shafts were abandoned. On the Haga-
dorn and Armstrong lands and at the old Davis mine explorations were made
years ago.
The Seven Foot Knoll, on the Keating township line, was opened 2,053
feet above tide level, and won its name on account of the four heavy coal
benches discovered in a seventy-two-feet hole, the coal being overlaid by thin
beds of carbonate of iron; while in Shaft No. 1, opened 2,083 above tide,
270 feet southwest of the mouth of the drift, nodular iron ore takes the place
of iron carbonate. In the vicinity several shafts were constructed, and the
enterprise was carried so far by Allen Putnam, of Boston, as to explore near the
old Butts saw- mill, on Three Mile creek, at an elevation of 2,037 feet. The drill
went through 113 feet, meeting only two small seams.
Lafayette township had a population of 1,266 in 1880. Of this number
seventy-three were residents of Buttsville. In 1888 there were 128 Rejiub-
lican, 127 Democrat, 5 Pi'ohibition and 12 United Labor votes recorded, a
total of 272, which multiplied by five represents a population of 1,360. Fol-
280 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
lowing are the returns of the vote cast in Lafayette township in February,
18U0: For road supervisors, Peter Wagner (D), 124; James Barnes. Jr. (D.).
103; Walter Cassidy (R.), 131; Charles Harding (R.), 95. For school directors.
D. Kennedy (D.), "l34; J. C. Cannon (D.), 77; P. H. Freel (R.), 140; John
Green (R. ), 125. For collector, J. H. Fleming (D.), 143; J. C. Haven (R.).
101. For town clerk, M. Ryan, Jr. (D. ), 124; H. L. Sherwood (R.), lOU.
For constable. First District, W. W. Lenox (D. ), 102; Second District, Frank
Sprague, 93. For auditors, James Donovan (D. ), 141; M. McCarteu (D.),
150; J. C. Jones (R. ), 116; C. L. Milton (R.). 100.
The resident tax-payers of Lafayette township in 1843-44. as certified by
Jasper Marsh, assessor, were Jane Arm.strong, Abram and Mary Anderson, Al-
bert and Rufus Beeman, Joe Brush, George W. Brown, Abram Brothwell,
Andrew Gush, L. Davis, Allen, David and William Foster, William Grannis,
Aaron Hagadorn, James Hoop, William Howard, Washington Higby, J. Iver-
son. C. Leach. Jacob Lewis, Henry Luce. Jonathan, J. C. and Jasper Marsh.
John Mulligan. Oliver Matthews, David Monteith. John Newton, William G.
Presley, Job Foots, Lewis Ransom. John Shepley. Nathan and George Tenney.
Zira Tobbs and William C. Webber. The total value of their property as
assessed was $4,580, while the unseated lands were assessed at $27,688.
The east and west State road was laid out by Joel Sartwell. Hiram Payne
and Jonathan Marsh through the center of McKean county in 1838, at a time
when only four families, Joseph Brush, Nathan Tenney, Hoop and Anderson,
resided in Lafayette, and two years before Taintor, Davis and Hagadorn settled
there.
Albert Beeman. who died near Mount Alton, in February, 1880, was cred-
ited with being the discoverer of the coal beds about Alton and Lafayette.
For years he was king of the hunters of this county, and was also farmer and
lumberman.
Mary Anderson, who died at Anderson Station, on the Kinzua. in Decem-
ber, 1889, was in her one hundred and third year. She settled there in 1836.
and five years later her husband was frozen to death near Marshburg. Her
sou James is now seventy-seven years old.
Mount Alton, the leading village of the township, contains a number of
indiistrial establishments and the usual number of stores found in villages of
its size. Chief among its industries are the Mount Alton Chemical Works,
McClain & Co. 's and Weaver & Droney's lumber factories, and J. B. Phillips
saw mill, which give employment to many of the inhabitants.
The Alton Chemical Works were established in October, 1887, at Bond Vein,
with twelve retorts, and had contracts for all the acetate of lime and wood alcohol
that could be produced up to 1888. " The acid works were destroyed by fire in
March, 1889. The flames spread through the spacious building — the dimensions
of which were 200x175 feet — and in a short time it was reduced to smoulder-
ing ruins. The loss on the building and contents is estimated at $15,000; in-
surance, $6,000. The Alton Chemical Company is composed of J. C. Greene-
wald, A. L. Wyman, Sterns & Milligan of Bradford, and J. W. Beacom and
D. Hilton of Alton. No time was lost in re-establishing this important manu-
facturing concern. In July, 1889, George Beaumont was appointed post-
master at Alton.
In the fall of 1866 Newcomb & Hagadorn established their store at Alton,
and in March, 1867, L. S. Bard and A. N. McFall opened their hotel (which
was burned afterward), and a daily mail service to Smethport established.
Kinzua Lodge No. 442, 1. O. O. F., the leading secret association of Mount
Alton and neighborhood, elected the following named officers in December,
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 281
1889: N. G.. George H. Graff; V. G., C. D. Tenny; Sec, J. S. C. Gra-
ham; Asst. Sec, Simon Crites; Treas. , J. M. Park; W., F. Aldrich: Con.,
H. L. Sherwin; O. G., P. A. Evarts; I. G., C. Harding; R. S. to N. G., M.
Quinn; L. S. to N. G., T. Elmore.
Alton Encampment, Kniglits of St. John and Malta, at Alton, was organ-
ized in 1888.
The cyclone of September 28, 1884, swept away six houses, as well as the
new Methodist church building at Alton. lu April, 1886, thirty Italian laborers
found themselves imprisoned in the Erie Railroad Company's burning con-
struction shanty at Alton. Twenty-four men escaped only to witness the roast-
ing of six companions, whose lives went out with the blaze.
The Mount Alton tragedy of September 26, 1889, resulted in the death of
Mrs. Isabel Quinn. Her husband, J. H. Quinn, a Scotch-Irishman, was the
murderer, and his insane jealousy the cause. A coroner's jury found in accord-
ance with the facts. The murderer was taken to jail at once, but during the
evening he wove a rope out of his large silk handkerchief and some time after
3 o'clock on the morning of the 27th hanged himself in the cell.
The post-office of Lafaj'ette was discontinued in November, 1872, owing to
the resignation of the postmaster, but was soon after restored.
CHAPTER XVII.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP— BOROUGH OF PORT ALLEGANY.
LiBKKTY Township Topoge.\piiy— Geology— Co.\l ME.\srr.i:s and Mines-
Oil Well — Eakly' Settleks, Etc. — Resident Tax-Payers, ia36-37 —
Eakly- Stores— Population— Officeks Elected in February-, 1890—
Churches— Cemetery— Pikes.
Borough of Port Allegany- Introductory'— Canoe Place— Pioneers,
Etc. — PopulaI'ion — Fires and Floods — Municipal Matters — Industries
—Banks— Cemetery- Association- Hotel.s— Churches- Pxulic Schools-
Societies, Associations. Etc.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP stretches along about half of the eastern line of the
county. It is the gateway to the Sinnemahoning, as well as to the upper
waters of the Allegheny, northwest of Coudersport. This river enters the
townshiii at Burtville, five miles above Port Allegany, and flowing northwest
exits in the center of the west half of the north town line (the lowest elevation),
about three and one-half miles below the town, a mile and one-half below the
mouth of Two Mile creek, and three and one-half miles below the confluence
of Lillibridge creek, which flows from the northeast corner, as well as Coleman
creek, above Port Allegany. Allegheny Portage creek (which rises across the
line, near the head of the Sinnemahoning portage) joins the jjarent river just
above the Port, and this receives several streams from the summits of Norwich,
such as Comes creek, as well as a few short streams from the borders of Pot-
ter county. For altitudes the township may claim a part of Prospect hill, the
peak of which (2,-195 feet high) is in Keating township; a mile east of that
hill the height is 2,415 feet, gradually falling to 1,800 feet as Skinner creek
is approached; near Keating depot the altitude is 2,400, although at the depot
282 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
only 1.876 feet; at Liberty 1,641, at Fort Allegany 1,477, and at Sartwell
1,447 feet. The rock exposures show 890 feet, of which lUO form coal meas-
ures and conglomerate. 250 to 300 Mauch Chunk aud Pocono, 300 red Cats-
kill, and 100 Chemung. In the center of the Skinner creek coal region the
highest stratum is found, Kinzua creek sandstone, at an altitude of 2,140 feet.
In the year 185") Seth A. Backus opened two coal beds here, finding eighteen
or twenty inch benches forty feet below the surface and below a nine to twelve-
inch deposit of iron ore, which showed fifty-six per cent of metal. S. H.
Barrett also opened a mine here, finding a twenty-eight-iuch seam of good
coal six feet below the surface. In the vicinity of the Backus bed Thomas
Petturick found a four and one-half feet vein of cannel coal in 1856. From
Port Allegany to Comes creek summit the soil is red; also to the head uf the
Lillibridge and np Two Mile run.
Thi' oil wi'll at Sartwell was drilled 723 feet in 1877, but abandoned. In
July, l'^^7. I 111' work of ilrilling the gas well at Port Allegany was commenced
on the Dollcy lauds. This well was bored 2,400 feet, but without the desired
result, although sufficient to supply light and heat to a section of the borough
was obtained.
In 1788 a party of immigrants came up the Susquehanna and Sinnemahou
mg to Emporium in canoes, left their barks there and crossed the portage on
foot, making a road hither and camping here beyond the river, on what in later
days was known as the W. J. Davis farm. E. Fitch, who contributed much
valuable history to the pages of the Reporter, is inclined to believe that this
.same party made the first settlement at Franklin, Venango county. The first
road from Canoe Place to Smethport crossed the river at Red House, thence
by the mouths of Skinner and Portage creeks across the flats; thence up the
hill and along the ridge to Nunundah creek, where it crossed another road at
Horace King's corners. Samuel Curtis is credited with cutting this road. In
1844 Gideon Irons was employed to cut a wagon-road from the Port to Larra-
bee. Years before this a road was cut through and regular culverts built, but
at the period of building the Turtle Point mill it was hid under fallen trees or
anderV)rush, and the culverts disappeared in decay.
In 1822 the first bridge in this township was erected across the Allegheny
by Judge Nathan White, who resided on Marvin creek, four miles from Smeth-
port. This structure was near Davis' Red House, and up to 1839 some por
tions of it were visible. Daniel Stanton's still-house was near this bridge.
The mill erected in 1815, where the Daniel Clark mills stood in 1870, was
the joint property of Obediah Sartwell, W. W. Whitney, Benjamin Burt and
David Burt. In 1820 Maj. Lyman purchased the concern, and sold it to
Daniel Brooks in 1823. This Brooks erected the first grist-mill in 1824, but
in 1827 he sold the old saw-mill as well as the new mill to William Moore,
who in turn sold it to Sartwell & Arnold in 1835. Three years later they sold
to Coats & McKee, but, through foreclosure, resumed ownership in 1841, and
then sold to Barnaliy Brothers, who, after establishing a pail and sap-bucket
factory there, had to give up the property. N. L. Dike then purchased from
Sartwell & Arnold in 1844, who sold to A. M. Benton in 1845. He continued
the industries until 1869, when Daniel Clark became owner.
The first farmer was David Burt, who cultivated lands where George Mc
Dowell settled in 1833. Obediah Sartwell owned the farm where Seth Hackett
•settled in 1835, and where he resided until his removal to Emporium, about
1869, while Benjamin Burt, one of the pioneers, resided here until his death,
February 28, 1876, in his ninety- seventh year. The old barn belonging to W.
•I. Davis ill 1S7(). near the cheese factory, was built in 1816 by Benjamin Burt
HISTORY OF MCKEAX COUNTY. 283
and Daniel Stanton, and the oldest dwelling; bouse, coming down to centennial
year, was that in which Owen Coyle resided. William Moore, one of the old
owners, being accidentally killed at Cincinnati in 1844.
The first mill on the Portage was that built in 1838 by Luke. John and Har
vey Gibson. At that time the family of Horace Barnaby was the only one on the
Portage. D. Cornelius and Stephen Eowley operated for some time, until S.
A. Backus purchased it. The old mill was burned, but rebuilt for Jacob Coss
in 1852 by Nathan Boylan. In 1858 steam machinery and a circular saw were
introduced the first time in this township, but in 1856 Mr. Cose removed to a
point below Olean. intending to use the water-power there. The building
was burned soon after, but a new mill was erected by Fordyee Lawton, who
sold to J. Campbell, who sold to A. L. Wright, the owner in 1876. In 1849
David Cornelius and S. S. Lillibridge built the second mill on the Portage,
which, in 187::!, became the property of L. H. Dolley. J. M. Grimes built
the third mill near Liljertv depot, which, in bStJlt, became the propertv of Iia
Weir.
Horace Barnaby, A. P. Barnaby and one Upton were the first settlers on
this creek, having opened their farms in 1880. In 1833 Philander Read and
Elisha H. Bent were road supervisors. In 1866 John Tallamadge built hLs
mill, later the property of the Goodyears. A. S. Arnold & Co. built the first
lath-mill in 1852; A. M. Benton the first shingle-mill in 1855, and John G.
Hall the first sash and blind factory in 1866-67. The records of survey around
Canoe Place in 1811-12 mention Conrad's mill and Hitt's place, and Eobert
Gilbert's and John Bell's lots on the Oswayo. In 1817 John King and E. B.
Foster surveyed lots on the Portage branch, above Kingsville. near the Straw-
bridge lands, and at other places. In 1818 surveys in the Rensselaer Wright
neighborhood were begun; mention is also made of Jonathan Moore's lot and
of Isaiah Tyler's lots.
The resident taxpayers of Liberty township in 1836-37 were Ralph P.
Andrews, D. Allard, Henry Bryan, Elisha H. Bent, Dan. Bellows, H. and A.
P. Barnaby, J. C. Coleman (now living, saw- mill owner), Horace Coleman.
Pete Corsaw, Levi Coats, Hiram Coon, Edward Cummings. John Chase, A.
and S. B. Eastwood, John and Horatio Fobes, John R. and Sam Grimes, Eph
raim Green, Seth Hackett, Lod. Lillibridge, Isaac and Harry Lyman, Moses
Lucore (saw- mill owner) Andrew Moore. William McKee, George McDowell.
Solomon Sartwell, Sartwell & Arnold (saw-mill owners). Jacob Simcox. Hub-
bard and Elisha Starkweather, Daniel Wright (a wheelwright) and B. H. Wil
marth (blacksmith); William Moore was the assessor.
A. M. Benton came into this township in 1846, where he purchased about
3,000 acres of ])iue lands, and also the N. L. Dike mills above Port Allegany
at Burtville, where Hubbard's steam mill now stands. In 1852 Mr. Benton
found an old hunter on the Summit, living in a shingled house, who gave his
leisure hours to making the spring rivulets How north, south, east or west. For
twenty-six years Mr. Benton continued the fine industry, sometimes employing
100 men on the rafts and in the mills. After the pine era vanished he built a
mill below Eldred (the same which is now operated by the Wolcotts) nineteen
years ago, which, after thirteen years' use was destroyed, and a new mill was
erected. In that mill he continued the hemlock industry for seventeen years,
when he sold to the Wolcotts.
A. S. Arnold died at Port Allegany April 1, 1874, aged sixty-seven years.
He came to the county in 1833, opened a store at Smethport, moved to Canoe
Place in 1836, and joined Solomon Sartwell in his lumber business.
In Februarv. 1847, S. A. Backus had a store, and later H. Coleman was
28i HISTOllY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
granted a tavern license. In Febniary. 1848. A. M. Benton. L. Wells anil
Marvin were merchants, and later S. M. Russell. The merchants in 185'2
were Arnold. Davis \' Arcillii-iy. Martin W. Barker (small grocery). A. M. Ben-
ton and Johnson Slerozii'r (small store).
la February, 18S5. i'eter Briou. of Liberty township, killed a cranberry
bear. This animal had long, thin legs, with a long sharp nose and red fur.
In May H. Berlield and W. Burlingame captured four black bears in Wharton
township. Potter County.
Liberty township in 1880 had a poijulation of 2,029, of which number 731
were credited to Port Allegany village. In 1888 the vote of the township, out-
side Port Allegany, was 1-1(3 Republican. 186 Democratic, 1 Prohibitionist, and 32
United Labor, or a total of 305, which multiplied by live represents a popula-
tion of 1,825. The officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Super-
visors, Mart Simar, Henry Lynch; justice of the peace, R. M. Dunbar; con-
stable, W. D. Thomas; collector. John .^cre; town clerk, W. R. Franklin;
school directors, George Backus, H. R. Meeker; auditor. F. A. Fitch; judge
of election. Samuel Grimes; inspectors, John O'Brien, George W. Baxter.
The Methodist Church of Liberty township was incorporated in February.
1854. on petition of Samuel M. Hopkins, James R. Proctor. Nathaniel West,
C. B. AVest. B. M. Pride. S. H. Barrett and J. F. Cone.
The Grimes District Cemetery was incorporated in February, 1881. with
Samuel Grimes, Z. J. Sherwood, A. Ostrander and Lester Grimes, directors.
Among the other stockholders were S. L. Strang. Kuna Keeler. G. W. Wet-
more, H. J. and Abel Eastwood, G. Amidon. D. \V. and J. R. Sherwood. C.
O.-trander, A. Lewis, L. Burrows and A. D. Freer.
F. H. Goodyear & Co. 's upper mill at Liberty, seven miles soiTtheast of
Port Allegany, was destroyed in 1877. The loss was about $9,000. . . .The
George D. Briggs steam saw-mill at Liberty depot was burned in April. 1886 —
the second destroyed on that site.
The Birch Grove Mills of H. Palmer are located two miles below Port
Allegany. There, on August 5, 1889. was organized a branch of the W. C T.
IT., with Mrs. H. Palmer, president; Mrs. N. Palmer, vice-president; Mrs. M.
Robinson, corresponding secretary; Mrs. S. Proctor, recording secretary, and
Mrs. L. Burleson, treasurer.
The Allegheny River, Sartwell Creek and Fishing Creek Improvement
Company elected the following named officers in November, 1889: C. E. Hub-
bard, president; F. E. Rowley, secretary and treasurer; F. H. Arnold. E. P.
Dalrymple and C. E. Hubbard, directors, with F. L. Peck and J. H. Steele
directors of the Allegheny River Improvement Company.
BOEOUGH OF POET ALLEGANY.
The phenomenal growth within the past few years of this bustling and thriv-
ing place has far surpassed even the most sanguine expectations. And this
development is due not alone to the vast lumber dtstricts and magnificent farm-
ing country surrounding the place, or to its unlimited water-power privileges,
but in a very large measure to the well-known enterprise of its solid business
men.
Until about the year 1840 the point, which is now the site of Port Allegany.
was called "Canoe Place," so named for two different reasons, as handed down
by tradition. One is that it was the custom of the aborigines on the Atlantic
slope to move up the Susquehanna periodically to what is now Emporium,
shelter their canoes there, and march over the divide to the Allegheny river at
this point. The other reason advanced is that a numlter of immigrants came
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 285
up the Susquehanna river and across the country to this same point, where
they erected rude huts and commenced the work of hewing out canoes. In
the following spring there came a flood, and the party had to take to their
canoes and hurriedly paddle or float away from the scene of danger.
About the close of the first decade of this century pioneer Stanton came
into this wilderness and settled on the river bank, where the Eed House stood
on the W. J. Davis farm. The pioneer was soon joined by another, Foster,
and the beginnings of Port Allegany were made.
The first saw-mill was established by Daniel Stanton and Dan. "Webber
(six rods east of Arnold & Dolley's dam) in 1824. Five years later, Stanton,
being sole owner, sold the concern to Gideon Irons, who, in 1832, sold to Solo-
mon Sartwell. In 1835 A. S. Arnold purchased an interest, and with Sartwell
continued in business until 1849, when W. J. Davis and C. I. Medbery pur-
chased Sartwell's interests and became Arnold's partners. In 1869 this com-
pany sold to F. H. Arnold, E. B. Dolley and G. L. Bellows, the latter going
out in 1873.
The first postmaster was Dr. Horace Coleman, who served from 182S to
1S3S. During the first few years it bore the name of Keating, then changed
to Liberty, but on A. S. Arnold being appointed master in 1838 the present
name was conferred. In 1841 William Moore was appointed. He was suc-
ceeded in 1843 by J. S. Barrett; he by E. Fitch, in 1847, and in 1849 Dr.
Coleman, the pioneer postmaster, was appointed, keeping the office at his
house. A short time after S. H. Barrett was appointed, but held the office
only three months, when Elihu Starkweather became postmaster. William
Wilkin succeeded him in 1853, and served until 1861, when Dr. B. S. Gould
was commissioned. Within six months O. D. Coleman was appointed; and
shortly afterward Orrin Vosburg, who held the office until succeeded by N.
V. Jackson in 1865. In 1869 A. N. Lillibridge was appointed, and in 1873
C. A. Larrabee, who served until succeeded in 1885 by W. J. Davis, the pres-
ent postmaster. In Afiril, 1888, the office became a presidential appoint-
ment.
The first school teacher at Port Allegany was Miss Eliza Manning, who
taught in the Red House. In 1836 the first school-house was built near the site
of the old Starkweather store of 1850.
The old store building which stood near the old tannery was torn down by John
Ford in 1875. It was erected about 1850 by Elihu Starkweather, and used
by him for store and hotel purposes. Afterward it was successively occupied
by Martin Barker, I. W. Bellows & Co., F. W. Tucker & Co., A. M. Benton,
for whom T. McDowell was clerk, T. McDowell & Co., McDowell & Dolley,
Arnold & McDowell, A. H. Medbery & Co., J. O. White & Co., A. F. Bard
& Co., and lastly by the office of the Nortlieni Tier Reporter. On the site is
the residence of James Ford.
The editor of the Reporter, reviewing the business of the town in Decem-
ber, 1874, refers to L. H. Dolley's general store building as the oldest mer-
cantile house, being established in 1850. The old building was erected by
Johnson & Crozier, but in 1855 A. M. Benton purchased the house, completed
the building and opened it that year. In 1860 or 1861 he sold the building
to Dolley & Co. In 1850 A. S. Arnold, W. J. Davis and C. I. Medbery,
opened the house, which was sold to T. McDowell & Co. in 1868. In 1869
B. C. Gallup established his hardware house, followed in 1870 by A. F. Bard
& Co., in the same line, and C. L. Medbery & Son, general merchants.
Davis & Simar opened their dry goods house in December, 1871; Dr. G. H.
Goltry, his drug store in 1873; E. B. Rhodes & Son, their furniture house the
286 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
same year, while Dr. Hogeirtb and Charles Dolley's drug store, J. Demarest's
tailor shop, J. W. Neefe's clothing store, Dalrymple & Humphries' coal and
lumber yard, W. Hooker's grocery, C VV. Bishop's bakery, P. A. McDonald's
harness shop, A. C. White's book store, C. A. Larrabee's jewelry store, M. A.
Lillibridge's clothing and shoe store, and Mrs. Sue Kenny's millinery store
were all in existence in 1874. The Mullin House on Main street, the Sart-
well House near the railroad, L. B. Bishop and E. D. Slingerland's restau-
rants, and Lillibridge's and Blackman's meat markets were also here.
The Chapin Tannery, built years ago, may be considered the lirst manu-
facturing industry of this district. A. M. Benton purchased the work in
1857. He sold to J. O. White & Co. in 186(V61, who operated it until pur-
chased by John Ford in 1869, and he conducted it until 1884, when work was
discontinued. Barrett, Dolley & Co.'s sash, door and blind factory was estab-
lished in 1873. south of the dejiot; H. J. Barrett, was sleigh manufacturer;
J. H. Sherrill operated the carding mill, and A. Crandell, the iron foundry.
The Jewett & Keating Tannery was completed in the fall of 1874, after plans
by Henry Jewett, and the dwelling houses were built for the company by
Barrett & Dolley. The Hub factory was established in the "seventies."
The population of Port Allegany in 1880 was 731. In 1888 there were
115 Republican, 133 Democratic, I'.t Prohibitionist, and 11 United Labor
votes cast, or a total of 278 representing a population of 1,668.
Recent tires have destroyed some of the houses named. The fire of June,
1888, destroyed Bard, Dalrymple & Co.'s store; Attorney Colcord's office and
Brandon & Dodd's insurance office. The tire of July, 1889, swept away the
Durfee photograph gallery owned by L. L. Lillibridge, and the latter's bill-
iard hall and barber shop; W'eiper Bros.' store, then unoccupied, Dolley &
Roy's billiard hall, and Hallett's household goods and stock.
The flood of May 31 and June 1, 1889, introduced itself at Port Allegany
by rushing down Mill street, tearing up side-walks, destroying gardens, and
impeding travel — people living above the Mill street bridge being compelled to
go over the hill to reach their homes. About 4 o'clock on the morning of June
1, the boom of Arnold & Dolley. near the mouth of the Portage creek, burst
asunder, and the logs were hurled with irresistible force through the mill yard
of C. E. Grover, and thence among the houses, along the street, and across
the Arnold flats to the river below. Several families were driven from their
homes l.iy the angry waters, and valuable property was torn up or carried
away.
Mutiii'ipii] Mdtfers. — The charter election for Port Allegany borough was
held A) 111 I I. ISS'J. C. N. Barrett was elected burgess without opposition.
receiviiii^- \'J.'J vntcs; F. D. Leiner, L. H. Dolley, S. G. Peters, received almost
unanimous votes for councilmen; C. E. Wright was elected justice; S. S.
Lillibridge, high constable; W. M. Royce, constable; C. R. Bard, auditor; K.
Hanlon. poormaster; B. C. Gallup, assessor, with V. R. Vanderhule and A.
H. Medbery, assistants; A. J. Hughes, C. A. Larrabee, F. P. Camp, A. R.
Bainaby, M. C. Field and O. L. Snyder were elected school directors; R. E.
Bellows, judge, and O. Vosburg and E. B. Starkweather, inspectors of elec-
tions. N. E. Bard was elected burgess in 1883, over P. R. Cotter; O. L.
Snyder, in 1884. with H. D. Helmer, justice; H. J. Burritt, in 1885; B. C.
Gallup, in 18S()-S7-88, with C. A. Larrabee, justice; W. L. Lillibridge, in
18S9, received 128 votes, and O. E. Goldhagen 90 votes for burgess, and J.
E. Rounseville 110, and O. Vo.sburgh 108 votes for justice. In 1885 there
were 104 votes for and 90 against the proposed water tax.
The officers chosen in February. 1890. are as follows: Burgess, George
^5
:\
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 289
AVeber; council, J. Dick. S. C. Sartwell; school directors. J. W. Kershner, W.
H. Keeney; justice of the peace, "William Roy; constable. M. T. Shurtz: col-
lector, M. T. Shurtz; auditor, E. O. Durfee; judge of election. M. J. Dwyre;
inspectors, R. E. Roy, John Carlson.
Hose Company. — Star Hose Company No. 1 was organized November 16.
1885, and, unlike former lire companies, entered at once on a successful career.
Since organization a State charter has been secured and Star Hose Company
No. 1 now owns the building and equipment, and boasts of thirty-five active
members. The president is J. V. Otto, with M. A. Lillibridge, vice-president;
"\V. M. Holmes, secretary; N. R. Bard, treasurer; F. E. Rowley, foreman; C.
Vi'. Wagner and M. E. Hall, assistants, and B. C. Gallup, chief engineer;
directors: F. E. Rowley. J. V. Otto. E. P. Dalrymple. W. W. Rinu and N. R.
Bard. Star Hose Company No. I attended the State convention of firemen at
Carlisle in September, 1889.
Gas and Water. — The Citizens" Gas Company was incorporated in May,
1888, with F. H. Arnold, B. C. Gallup and H. E. Sturcke, directors. The
company developed the gas reservoirs of the vicinity and gave to the borough
the advantages which gas light and heat can alone give .... Gas Well No. 6,
at Port Allegany, did not prove profitable, and was abandoned in November,
1889. No. 7 was drilled in the spring of 1890.
In 1885 a complete system of water-works was provided for the village'
by a stock company with a capital of 120,000, of which Thomas McDowell
is president, F. P. Camp, secretary, and J. H. Williams, treasurer. The res-
ervoir is one mile from the town, on Skinner creek, 200 feet above the
borough, and is furnished by a pure mountain stream. The water is con-
veyed to the city through a six-inch pipe. In case any damage should occur
to this reservoir the company has another on the other side of town, called
Smith's addition, which would supply the people's wants.
Industries. — The Port Allegany Tannery had at the beginning a capacity
of 90,000 hides. The grinding house, sixty feet square, had a cajjacity of fifteen
cords of bark per day. Here was the Keystone mill. The leach room was 180x32
feet; the three steam pumps were supplied by Blake & Co., of Boston. The
boiler house is sixty feet square, supplied with four large Riter boilers and Hoyt" s
tan burning ovens. A brick chimney, twelve feet square at the base, is 116 feet
high. The beam house and yard building are 92x180 feet, with an " L "" sixty
feet square. There are six sweat pits, each with a capacity of 200 hides. The
dry house is 60x180 feet, five stories in height, with ten feet basement. During
the summer of 1886 a building 54x72 feet was erected for a cooling house. It
contains twelve large tanks, holding about 250 barrels each, in which the liquor
is allowed to cool before being drawn on to the leather in the lay-away vats, to
which it is conveyed through wooden pipes by gravity. Another building was
erected during the year 1887, 60x126 feet, northwest of the boiler house, for
the storage of hides. Here can be stored from 25,000 to 30,000 dry flint hides, of
which large stocks are kept on hand. There are employed usually from ninety
to 100 men in the various departments of tanning, and in the piling of the
bark during the season. The men employed about the tannery live within a
short distance, occupying some thirty houses belonging to the plant, as well
as nearly as many more owned by the occupants. Not far from 1,000 acres of
hemlock timber are annually denuded of bark to supph' the needed product
for thoroughly tanning the thousands of sides which are turned out each
mouth during the year. No " bark extract '' (so called) is used. Of course,
so large an establishment must of necessity be a large patron of the railroads,
and it is not unusual for the weekly freight bill to amount to 1500, and some-
290 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
times to more than doable that amount. At the beginning of the year 1878
the firm name was changed from Jewett & Keating to that of Root & Keating,
which name still remains. Myron H. Paxson was superintendent and John
Goodsell foreman till February, 1877, when they resigned and M. C. Field was
ap23C)inted superintendent and B. Kershner tannery foreman, who still hold
the same positions. In the year 1881 Peter Sharp was appointed bark fore-
man, and in 1885 George H. Kershner was appointed assistant tannery fore-
man. Mr. Root, a resident of Buffalo, visils the town every two weeks, but
beyond a general observation does not interfere with the management. To this
company is credited much of the progress of Port Allegany. The members
and managers are very liberal in their dealings; their cheerful methods of
business, together with their active, earnest interest in local affairs, give them
a high place in public estimation.
The American Extract Company purchased lands, made many repairs and
additions, and increased the working capacity of their manufactory twenty
per cent during the fall of 188'J. The works are owned by a Chicago com-
pany, for whom B. C. Tabor, a stockholder, is manager.
Arnold & Dolley, F. H. Rowley and A. N. Lillibridge are heavily engaged
in the lumber business, as well as V. R. Vanderhule, the latter also having in-
terests in stone quarrying, etc. N. R. Bard of the firm of N. R. Bard & Co.,
successors to A. M. Benton & Co., is extensively engaged in the lumber busi-
ness at Roulette, Potter County.
The Hall & Pelton planing and turning mill was erected in the fall of 1889,
the building being 28x70 feet and two stories in height .... Within the borough
and a radius of a few miles are several important lumber manufacturing con-
cerns. Portage creek, Keating and Shippen to the south, and Turtle Point,
Sartwell and Larrabee to the north, are all tributary to Port Allegany.
Banks.— The First National Bank was founded i'n April, 1888, with F. H.
Arnold, Henry Hamlin, B. D. Hamlin, A. G. Olmsted, F. H. Root. B. C.
Gallup, J. S. Rowley and A. J. Hughes, stockholders. The capital stock was
$50. 0(10. The office of this banking company is an elegant modern structure.
The officers of the First National Bank for 1890 are F. H. Arnold, president;
Henry Hamlin, vice-j^resident; J. S. Rowley, cashier; A. J. Hughes, F. H.
Arnold,' B. C. Gallup, C. A. Dolley, Henry Hamlin, B. D. Hamlin and F. H.
Root, directors.
A local board of the National Savings and Loan Association of Rochester,
N. Y. , was organized May 27, 1889, with the following named officers: Pres-
ident, N. R. Bard; vice-president, J. H. Williams; secretary, A. J. Hughes;
treasurer, F. E. Watts; attorney, R. C. Bard. In 1890 C. C. Ward was elected
secretary, and M. J. Colcord, attorney, with A. J. Hughes, N. R. Bard and
R. C. Bard, directors.
Cemetery Association. — The Cemetery Association was organized in March,
1852. Among the members were Aaron S. Arnold, John J. Abbey. S. H.
Barrett, William Wilkins, T. W. Richmond, L. Lillibridge, Merrit Smith,
Isaac Viner, R. E. and William Bellows, William Simar, Aaron Smith, Harvey
Manning, William Sherwood and P. Fean. On June 10, 1889, the following
officers were elected: E. B. Dolley, president; C. A. Dolley. treasurer; C. H.
Cole, secretary; Andy Black, sexton; F. H. Arnold, trustee.
Hotels. — The Sartwell House, the leading hotel, with the Port Allegany
House and the new hotel of A. J. Connelly on Pearl street, form the princiisal
hostelries of the town. The latter was built in October, 1889.
CliHrchr.'i. — Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1836 a hunter named Foster
came to Canoe Place and preached at the house of Lodowick Lillibridge. In
HISTOltY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 291
April, 1S38, a class was organized with Levi and Sopbronia Coats, PLebe
Eastwood, S. S. , Nabby and Annie Grimes, Anna and L. Lillibridge. Jacob
and Maria Simcox, Betsy Bellows, A. P., Horace and Oretta P. Barnaby. Joel
H. Rice. Saloma Gummings. members. Meetings were held in the " Old Eed
House" of Levi Coats, subseqaently in the school-house, and later in the
Union church house. In 1853 the memljers belonged to the Eldred mission of
the Olean district, and in 1871 Port Allegany circuit was established.
In a letter by I. Steele, dated August 13. 1874, it is stated that at the time
a small scattered Methodist class existed here, attended irregularly by Elder
Morris, of State Line, but the editor of the Reporter corrected this statement
by showing that a church building which cost $3,500 stood here at the time.
and was used by all Protestant denominations.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Port Allegany, which is the same
as that organized in 1830 .with Rev. J. D. Wood, pastor, was incorporated in
Januaiy, 1880, with Balthasar Kershner, William Grigsby, H.' F. Dunbar. M.
C. Field, James K. Moore and Fred and L. Meservey, trustees. The church
house was erected in 1880 by Cotton & Sons of Olean. A. M. Benton donated
three lots and §650 cash, while Mr. Root donated $1,600. Mr. Benton, with
Messrs. Kershner, Field and Freeland, formed the building committee. Not-
withstanding the liberal donations, the society owed large sums to Mr. Root
and Mr. Benton for some time after the completion of the building.
The Union Church, Port Allegany, was incorporated December !^6. 1867,
on petition of A. S. Arnold, J. J. Abbey, E. B. Dolley. C. Dolley, W. J.
Davis, J. C. Coleman, A. Fortner, William Sherwood, T. Mulliu. William
Simar, L. J. Gallup, J. K. Moore. E. Fitch. Peter Frederick. R. E. Bellows.
F. H. Arnold. A. H. Medbery. V. H. Benton,' B. B. Buit, T. N. Peet, Charles
Peet, J. G. Hall, Dennison Woodcock. J. Campbell. J. Talimadge. Paul Hall.
G. W. Nichols. J. Ames, A. Acre, J. S. Wert, F. M. Coleman. William Cole-
man. L. M. Eastwood, W. A. Wright. N. N. Metcalf, Samuel Cole, H. Met-
calf. A. Eastwood, O. D. and O. Vosburg. A. N. and S. S. Lillibridge, G. W.
Manning, J. R. Proctor, W. Grigsby. W. P. and A. I. Wilcox, Horace Cole-
man, and L. H. Dolley. The church was dedicated February 15. 1872. The
total cost was $3,600, the bell being presented by A. S. Arnold.
Universalists. — In December, 1874, Rev. B. Brunning came here to organ-
ize a Universalist society, but the results did not warrant the building of a
church house.
Catholic Church. — The tirst regular services of St. Gabriel's Catholic
Church were performed by Father Patterson in 1875, and the congregation
was formed April 30, 1876. Among the earlv members were Keron Hanlon,
P. Moran, P. Brider, P. Kilday. Maggie Kilday, Sol. Leighton, J. Cook, M.
Galligar, Joseph Galligar, A. Laumer, A. Sampur, M. Ward, C. Bishop,
J. Conelly, Pat Kilday, John Kilday, Patrick Welch, P. Glenon, M. Mitchel,
S. Ebelheir, Julia Ward and Thomas Mack. The secretaries of the church
have been Dr. Rinn. James Galligar, R. Mulholland and A. Connelly; Matthew
Snyder is secretary. The work of building was commenced in 1879 by Barrett
Brothers, and the church was completed in lS8t) at a cost of $3,000. The
congregation numbers 300. The present pastor is Rev. Father Cosgrove.
The First Regular Baptist Church of Port Allegany was incorporated in
August, 1881, the signers of the articles being Dr. J. S. Stearns and wife, O.
J. Rose and wife. James Steele and wife, Mary Steele and Francis M. Robin-
son. When the society was organized, on June 2, 1877, the above named, ex-
cept the Rose family, were members, with Mrs. Teft and Charles H. Dodd.
Rev. S. D. Morris was the tirst pastor, succeeded by Rev. Rose, Rev. Dodd,
2132 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
aud the presout, jiastor. Rev. R. C. H. Catterall. J. S. Stearns. F. M. Robiu-
soa and A. A. Matthews have tilled the clerk's office successively, the first
named being now clerk. The society of twenty-four members worship in
the old Union Church building, which has now been transferred to the Pres
byterians. The Baptist Society proposes to erect a house of worshijj on land
donated by A. M. Benton, nearly opposite the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The cost is estimated at $3,500.
The Congregational Society was organized May 7, 1877, by Rev. H. M.
Higley, with Mrs. G. C. Barrett. Lettie and Nellie Barrett, Mrs. M. A. Lilli
bridge, Mrs. Eddy, Mrs. W. Hooker and C. W. Wasson, members.
The Free-Will Baptist Society of Port Allegany was incorporated in June,
1888. with A. N. Lillibridge, William Pelton, John H. Eastwood, J. H. Burr
and C. C. Richardson, trnstees. The names of J. Richardson. A. L. East
wood and O. C. Griffin also appear as contributing members.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Society of Port Allegany was incorpor-
ated July 13, 1886 — O. Lindberg, N. J. Anderson, Benjamin Anderson and
B. M. Johnson being the petitioners.
St. Joseph's Protestant Episcopal Church was opened July 22, 1888, and
now claims twenty-nine members. , This church has been attended by Revs. J.
H. McCandless, H. Q. Miller, Josephus Tragett, F. W. White and C. L. Bates.
present pastor. The property of the society is valued at $2,000. The new
chiirch house was dedicated November 16, 1889. Work was begun during the
pastorate of Rev. F. W. White. The property was transferred free of debt
to a committee comprising Rector Bates, Dr. F. E. Watts. F. E. Rowley and
S. C. Sartwell.
The Presbyterian Society was organized at the house of C. E. Hubbard,
December 10, 1889, with G. C. Farnsworth, president; George Weber, secre-
tary; E. P. Dalrymple. treasurer; C. E. Hubbard, F. Gerwick, Mrs. Dalrym-
pie. Mrs. Farnsworth, Mrs. Hubbard and Mrs. Weber, executive committee.
Their first services were held in the Union building January 12, 1890.
In January, 1890, the new Presbyterian society elected C. C. W' ard, C. E.
Hubbard and B. Both, elders; S. W. Smith (president), E. P. Dalrymple
(treasurer), F. Gerwick, Jr., G. C. Farnsworth and George Weber (clerk),
trustees Later in January services were held in the Swedish church, and
toward the close of that month a proposition to purchase the Union chixrcb
house was entertained and the building ^lurchased.
Public Schools. — The public schools of Port Allegany are under the profes-
sorship of A. E. Barnes, who has been at the head of the schools several years.
He is assisted by Miss Edith Van Duzen (a graduate of the Genesee Normal
School), who teaches the grammar school; Miss Ida Manay, the second inter-
mediate; Miss Grace Sweeting, the first intermediate, and Miss Addie Neefe,
the primary department. The schools have recently been graded, and a pre-
paratory course is now taught. About 275 pupils are enrolled.
The Port Allegany school board, elected in June, 1889, comprises C. R.
Bard, president; Thomas McDowell, treasurer; T. B. Day. secretary; with E.
B. Starkweather, C. E. Hubbard and C. H. Bergman. In July A. E. Barnes
was employed as principal; Ida V. Manay, Grace M. Sweeting and Addie C.
Neefe, assistant teachers.
Societies, Associations, Etc. — Liberty Loilge, No 50."). A. F. & A. M. . was
co]istituted December 26, 1871, with the following members: George Goltrey,
Miles Irons. H. Jay Barrett, F. H. Arnold, Thomas McDowell, C. H. Cole, E.
B. Dollejf, William Dunbar, A. L. Medbery, C. L. Bellows. The names of
the past"masters are G. H. Goltrey, H. Jay Barrett, P. A. McDonald, C. H.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 2Vl3
Cole, R. J. Mott, John Dick and James H. Williams, now acting master. The
names of secretaries are Thomas McDowell, H. Jay Barrett, O. L. Snyder and
C \V. Hooker, now actino- secretary. The present nnmber of members is
fifty-four, and the value of the property $500. This lodge elected the follow
ing named officers for 1890: O. E. (ioldhageii, W. M. ; Frank Eckert, S. W. ;
C. H. Cole, J. W. ; T. McDowell, Treasurer; C. W. Hooker, Secretary: E. B.
Dolley. C. H. Cole and B. Kershner, Trustees, and J. A. Williams. Represent-
ative.
R. A. Chapter, No. 254 was instituted Mav IT. 1877, with the following
named meml)ers; P. A. McDonald, F. H. Arnold. E. B. Dolley, A. H. Med-
bery, E. P. Dalrymple, George M. Smith, Frank D. Simar and Nathan R.
Bard. The names of past high priests are P. A. McDonald, G. M. Smith.
Charles N. Barrett. C. R. Bard and O. L. Snyder, while the present high
priest is E. P. Dalrymple. The secretaries have been E. P. Dalrymple, H.
J. Barrett, O. L. Snyder, C. R. Bard, and the present secretary, J. H. Will-
iams. There are thirty-two members, and the property is valued at $800.
The Knights of Honor Lodge was organized October 25, 1879. under the
name of Mountain Lodge. The names of original members are P. A. Mc-
Donald. H. J. Barrett, C. A. Larrabee. P. R. Cotter, R. J. Mott, C. W.
Hooker. William Hooker. A. Crandal. J. V. Otto, M. D., M. A. Lillibridge,
O. R. Coyle. William Dunbar, H. D. Helmer, James Doyle. S. L. Youngs. M.
M. Griffin, J. E. Chandler. P. A. McDonald was first dictator, and the pres-
ent dictator is W. C. Downs. C. A. Larrabee was first reporter, the present
reporter being C. H. Bergman. There are nineteen members. The officers of
the Knights of Honor for 1890, in the order of lodge rank, are C. C. Ward, D.
M. Teater, M. A. Lillibridge, C. H. Bergman. Thomas McDowell, William
Hooker, J. Y. Otto, J. L. Ward, M. L. Shurtz and S. C. Sartwell.
Laurel Encampment, No. 61. Knights of St. John and Malta, was organized
April 7, 1887. The names of original members are F. E. Watts, M. E.
Manning. F. Schoonover, J. D. Ford, F. Allen, E. M. Fulmer. C. M. Good-
win, B. M. Johnson. O. C. Wagner, Reene Wilson, P. J. Fleming, C. Fulmer,
C. H. Bergman, O. E. Goldhagen, O. M. Johnson, H. Coleman, G. Reese, F.
W. Weidman. F. H. Hall, E. A. Cole. T. H. Trous, W^ L. Lillibridge, C. A.
Lambert and W^. D. Russell. The names of eminent commanders were W. D.
Russell, C. H. Bergman and I. B. Baker. The names of the secretaries are
O. M. Johnson. I. B. Baker, W. D. Russell and O. E. Goldhagen. The offi
cers installed April 11, 1890, in encampment order, are as follows; F. H.
Hall, C. M. Goodwin, T. H. Burleson, I. B. Baker, W. M. Holmes, C. H.
Berginan, A. A. Abbey, S. L. Young. B. M. Johnson, Frank Schoonover,
J. G. Hall, M. A. LilHbridge, O. C. Wagner. J. B. Colcord. M. D., M. I.
Sawyer, A. G. Irons, Frederick Gerwick. The present number of members
is forty.
In May, 1887, a tent of the K. O. T. M. was organized at Liberty, with
Nathan Tronst, president, and Frank Hoover, secretary. The officers of the
K. O. T. M., for 1890, in the order of tent rank, are F. Gerwick, J. W. Kersh-
ner, M. Venus-. I. E. Johnson, E. D. Sherrill. H. J. Wolcott. J. V. Otto, J. J.
Gallagher, W. E. Pelton. S. A. Eastwood. A. Fairbanks, L. L. Hilliker and
John Brown.
Henry H. Metcalfe Post, 431, G. A. R., was organized May 15. 1884, with
E. Horton. C. ; C. A, Larrabee, S. V. ; John Dean, J. V. ; C. N. Barrett, Q. M. ;
Dr. Hogarth, Surg.; S. S. Steele, Chap.; C. W. Wagner, O. D., and Melvin
Hall, O. G. Commander Wright, of McKean Post, presided. Young Metcalfe
came with his parents to Port Allegany in 1857, enlisted in the Fifty-eighth
294 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
PennsylvBDia Infantry in August, 1S<)"2; was made prisoner at Fair Oaks;
confined in the Confederate prisons at Richmond and Salisbury, and while
returning with his mother died two miles north of Emporium, April 25.
1865. The charter members were: C. N. Barrett, Forty- sixth Pennsylvania;
M. E. Hall, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania; C. A. Larrabee, Eighty-fifth New
York; William Van Loon, First New York Dragoons; Chester Baker, Fifty-
eighth Pennsylvania; A. S. Ames, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania;
B. G. Bartle, Twenty-third New York; A. A. Goodwin, Fifty-eighth Pennsyl-
vania; I. Stiidley, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania; H. D. Hel-
mer, Eighty-fifth New York; F. N. Hogarth, First K. R. ; S. Steele, One
Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania; I. B. Harrup. One Hundred and
Ninety eighth Pennsylvania; Yates Anson, Fifty-third Pennsylvania; John
Dehn, First Minnesota; L. Burrows, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Penn-
sylvania; E. Horton, First New York Dragoons; R. S. Dexter, Seventy-sixth
Pennsylvania; William Rauber, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth New York
Volunteers; S. R. Semens, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania; C. W.
Wagner. First Light Artillery; Rufus Coombs, Seventeenth New York. The-
position of commander has been filled, since Horton' s time, by C. N. Barrett,
B. G. Bartle and R. H. Camp. The two last named have served as adjutants,
a position now well filled by E. F. Cornell. There are thirty-five members.
The officers of Metcalfe Post for 1890 are A. S. Ames, J. M. Matthews, L.
Burrows, I. S. Fogle. A. A. Peling and J. F. Sharp, with C. C. Ward and I. S.
Fogle, delegates, and C. C. Ward, adjutant.
Women's Relief Corps was organized February 15, 1887, with the following
named members: Madams Flora Hogarth, Nancy Van Loon, Julia Helmer,
Elizabeth Richardson, Jane Hall. Susan Baker. Ada Horton, Mary Steele and
Misses Ina Richardson, Nora Fogle, Belle Fogle, Clara Steele, Nellie Clare,
Belle Bartle and Lou Bartle. Mrs. Hogarth and Mrs. Van Loon have presided
over this society, of which Mrs. Sarah Hooker is now president. Mrs. Rich-
ardson was first secretary, and Mrs. Lou Bartle is present recorder. There
are nineteen members.
The Port Allegany I. O. G. T. was organized September 20, 1807, with J.
K. Moore, W. C. T. Mrs. J. F. Shurtz, O. D. Vosburg, Misses Thompson,
Wilkin, Dolley and Vosburg, Mrs. Lillibridge, W. D. Bellows, Mason Lilli-
bridge. Izates Dolley and G. B. Fitch, were the officers.
The Port Allegany Library Association was organized in February. 1875,
with A. J. Hughes, jwesident; E. P. Dalrymple, secretary; A. B. Humphrey,
Mrs. F. H. Arnold and Mrs. Thomas McDowell, executive committee.
The High School Literary Society, in March, 1890, elected the following
named officers: President, William H. Catterall: vice-president, Grace M.
Sweeting; secretary, Alice Rowley; treasurer, Gretta Kinney; librarian, Edith
Van Deusen.
The International Fraternal Alliance was instituted at Port Allegany in
November. 1889. by J. B. Hargrave. It sets forth to pay its members the
sum of S700 every seven years. M. J. Headley is speaker, S. J. Carlson,
clerk, and W. H. Keeney, treasurer.
The W. C. T. U. elected the following named officers in December, 1SS9:
Mrs. C. A. Larrabee, president; Mrs. G. C. Farnsworth, secretary, and Mrs.
R. C. Bard, treasurer.
The Young Women's Christian Temperance Union elected the following
named officers June 10. 1889: Mrs. J. S. Shaner, president; Delia Dolley,
vice-president; Alice Rowley, secretary, and Dora Dolley, treasurer .... On
July 18, 1889. the Loyal Temperance Union was organized by Miss Schoch,.
with E. May Bellows, leader.
HISTOKY or MCKEAN COUNTY. 295
The Port Alletrany Musical Association was organized by S. AV. Adams in
August. 1S76, with C. A. Larrabee. Mrs. Kate Cowdrey, S. W. Smith, Mrs. T.
McDowell and H . J. Barrett. oflScials.
The Business Men's Club was organized in November. 1889. with F. E.
Eowley. president; B. C. Gallup, vice-president; G. 0. Farnsworth. secretary:
R. J. Mott. treasurer; J. H. Williams. J. V. Otto and \V. W. Rinn. trustees.
The ilcKean County Agricultural Society. — For some years before the war
an agricultural society existed in the county and held fairs annually. Smetb-
port being the headquarters. After the war, and up to 1875, the old society
showed signs of life, but the oil excitement of 1875 diverted men's attention
from farms and farming, and the organization may be said to have ceased. A
few years later, when oil prospectors did not succeed so well east of the divide,
the prosperous farmers of Liberty, Keating and adjoining townships suggested
their willingness to revive their association, and as a result the McKean
County Agricultural Society was organized in February, 1880, with A. J.
Hughes. N. N. Metcalf and E. B. Dolley. directors. Among the stockholders
were the officers named and F. H. Arnold. A. M. Benton. G. L. Blackman. S.
R. June, Goltry and Camp and S. "W. Smith. In 1881-82 V. R. Vanderhule
was president and A. J. Hughes, secretary. The McKean County Agricultural
Society petitioned for incorporation September 24, 1883. F. H. Arnold. W.
J. Davis and N. N. Metcalf were elected directors, and the total membership
was twenty-live. The following officers were elected for 1890: President, N.
R. Bard; vice-jiresident, E. B. Dolley; secretary, A. J. Hughes: treasurer. F.
H. Arnold: directors: Henry Smith, B. C. Gallup. L. J. Gallup; auditors:
Thomas McDowell, E. P. Dalrymple, W. J. Davis. The shares are $100 each.
Port Allegany is beautifully located in one of the most picturesque parts of
the Allegheny Valley. Nestling upon the banks of the river, it forms the gate
to the upper Allegheny country, and from it leads the fii-st railroad built in
that country. A range of hills bounds the horizon, from the summits of which
is spread out, before the observer, a landscape rivaling in beauty and exquisite
perfection many of the scenes chosen by master artists for their pencil or
brush. The whistle of the locomotive is constantly heard, as hurrying trains
come and go; the river gives life and animation to the scene, and all in all the
city site was well chosen and her streets surveyed on proper lines. Round the
business section and interspersed with the houses of trade are seen the modern
homes and well-kept grounds of the people; school and church buildings, and
even the park, the whole completing a picture at once harmonious and attract-
ive. This pretty town is a momiment to the intelligence of the people and to
their enterprise, which will survive when superficial tokens of remembrance
shall have crumbled into dust.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COfSTY.
CHAPTEH XVIII.
NORWICH TOWNSHIP.
TopOGiiAPiiv, Etc.— Geo i.oiiY— Coal Minus— Oil Well.s— Popti, ation— Offi-
cers FOR 1890— ASSES-SMENT. 1837 — E.VHLY SETTLERS— TlIE OLD NORWICH
Church— The Xorwich Ce.metery Association— .Stores in 1847— Mineral
Wells— TiMHER Lands and Saw-jiills— Newerf.
NORWICH TOWNSHIP forms the southeast corner of the county in con-
junction with a strip of territory belonging to Liberty township. The
divide occupies a central position, reaching an elevation of 2,348 feet above
the ocean. From this height the east branch of Potatoe creek flows south and
west, to join the main creek running north by the divide; North creek and
Portage creek, southeast to the Sinuemahoning portage, and the head-waters
of Allegany portage north into the Allegheny river above Port Allegany. The
Salt Works branch of the Sinnemahoning also rises in the southeast corner.
The Emporium and Norwich anticlinal valleys traverse this section, while
the Norwich and Clermont ^nclinals or bituminous coal basins parallel the
anticlinals. The highest elevation of the bottom of the Olean conglomerate
is found three-fourths of a mile northwest of Keating depot, 2,27u feet
above ocean, and the lowest at the Hamlin coal ojsening, 1,890 feet. The low
est measured point in the township is just below Crosby post-office, where the
creek bottom is 1,508 feet above ocean level. The average dip from the Keat-
ing summit near the depot to the Lyman Camp mine in the Potatoe creek coal
basin is 140 feet per mile, but in sections it ranges from 250 feet per mile to
100 feet. From the Lyman Camp to the Hamlin mine the dip is only eleven
feet, and thence to Burnt Hill eighteen feet. From Norwich Hill to Splint
mine on the eastern side the dip is 110 feet per mile; the southeastern dip, in
the southwest corner, 132 feet per mile, and the dip between Wolcott-Comes
creek summit and well No. 1 , twenty-two feet per mile. There are many local
dips in the coal beds of this township, while the rock outcrop extends verti-
cally downward to the upper Chemung shale and sandstone, a distance of
1,240 feet (as at Coal Pit mines, which open 2,183 feet above tide), from the
shale overlying the Dagus coal bed. This stratum shows 290 feet of coal meas-
ures, including Olean conglomerate, 450 feet of Mauch Chunk and Pocono, 300
feet of red Catskill and from 150 to 250 feet of Chemung. The 290 feet of
coal measures show fifteen feet of shale, three of gray slate, Ave of Dagus coal,
one and one-half of iire-clay, forty of shale and sandstone, three and one-half
of coal, one and one -half of tire-clay, thirty-three of shale and slate, one and
one-half of Clermont coal, one and one-half of tire-clay, fifty of John.son run
sandstone, five of black slate, two and one-half of Alton upper coal, eight of
fire-clay and shale, three- fourths of Alton middle coal, four and one fourth of
shale and sandstone, four of Alton lower coal, two of fire-clay, forty-eight of
Kinzua creek sandstone, two and one-third of Marshburg upper coal, two and
two-thirds of lire-elay and fifty-live of Olean conglomerate and sandstone. The
section was made from the survey by F. E. Gleason in 1876. The conforma-
tion at the Rock coalmine, 2,138 feet above tide, varies a little, showing a
d^^^^ ff^
,,r^
(^^2-^^^^^^^^-^^^-^^^-
HISTOEY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 299
lifteen-feet exposure of flaggy sandstone at the opening, while the Hamlin and
Splint coal beds rest on Kinzua creek sandstone. The Blue coal opening is
2,028 feet above tide; the Spring, 2,035 feet, and Rochester cannel mines,
2,074 feet. In the test of these coals it was found that Coal Pit coal yielded about
56.2 of fixed carbon and 63.6 of coke; Spring, 59.3 and 67.3, respectively;
Hamlin, 61.6 and 69.2; Blue. 62.1 and 69; Rock, 58 and 70; Lyman Camp,
57.5 and 68. 8; Charley, 49.2 and 64.2; Block coal, 38.8 and 61.5; Burnt Hill
(cannel), 48.1 and 66.3, and Rochester (cannel), 37. 7 and 75.9 per cent of fixed
carbon and coke. In the gas test, one pound from the Hamlin seam yielded
5.10 cubical feet; from the Spring and Blue seams, over four; from the Block,
over three and one-half, and from the Burnt Hill cannel almost three cubical
feet. In 1875-76 explorations on the Backus and Chadwick lands (known as
the Butterfield purchase), in the southeast and southwest cornel's of Sergeant
and Norwich townships, were reported by Seth Backus, of Smethport. Well
No. 1 opened 2,232 feet above ocean level in five and one-foiu'th feet of soil,
resting on a bed of shale from fourteen to twenty feet in depth. This well
reached a depth of about 1,400 feet, striking white, fine, micaceous sand rock
at the bottom, passing through thin beds of coal (thirty feet below the mouth)
and iron ore. In well No. 2 a heavier coal deposit was found sixty-four feet be-
low the surface, and in well No. 4 about forty-seven feet below the top. In the
vicinity of No. 4 the Buffalo Coal company opened a well 2,173 feet above
ocean level, and at a depth of almost 127 feet bored through the Marshburg
coal. Up Indian run several four-inch beds have been opened.
Near Hamlin, an oil well was di-illed in 1875-76 to a depth of 2,002 feet,
and in June, 1877, the great flagstone quarry was ojiened by Orlando Gallup,
and worked by John Digel.
The population of Norwich township in 1880 was 431. In 1888 there were
96 Republican, 63 Democratic and 3 Prohibitionist votes cast, or a total of 162,
representing a population of 810.
The officers for 1890 are as follows: Supervisors, B. D. Colegrove, E. E.
Bui'dick; school directors, J. B. Oviatt, N. C. Gallup; justice of the peace, M.
Blodgett; constable, Ellis Griffith; town clerk, J. B. Oviatt; auditors, W. E.
Wilson, C. A. Anderson and C. D. Comes for one year; collector, O. D. Gal-
lup; judge of election, R. N. Wilson; inspectors, W. O. Gallup, W. B. Richey.
The assessment of residents of Norwich township in 1837 shows the names
of John Abbey, Tim Abbey, John Avery, Dave Allard, Joe Apple, I. Burlingame,
William Brewer, Wheeler and Henry Brown, George and Daniel A. Easter-
brooks, Rowland Burdick, Nathan Brewer, Asa Cotton, Dave Comes, Elias J.
Cook, Benjamin and Jonathan Colegrove, Francis J. Chadwick, Edward Cor-
win and son, Amos Coats, Henry Chapin, Edward Dickenson, Levi Davis, Jr.,
R. Eastwood, John Ellis, Job Gifford, John S. Gunning, O. W. Wheeler,
Jabez, N. C. and A. E. Gallup, Luke B. Gib.son, J. W. Howe, John
Housler, Ben Haxton, L. and Hiram Havens, Horatio and William Hall,*
Thomas Hookey, George and H. Jacox, Henry Lasher, Asenath Lawrence,
Levi Lathrop, Samuel Messenger, Abner Miller, — Marsh, I. Murphy, Eben
Pattison, Daniel Rifle, Nathan Robbins, Esseck Smith, William Smith, Henry
Scott, Levi Thomas, Asa Townes, Rhoda White, Samuel Wiswall (trader),
William White, Tim and L. F. Wolcott. Henry Scott was assessor, and he
recommended Daniel Rifle and Esseck Smith for collectors.
The first permanent settlement was made in 1815 by Jonathan Colegrove, the
Abbeys and Wolcotts from Norwich, Chenango Co. , N.Y.jWith others from various
towns, giving the township the name of their old home. William Smith and
the Whites and Corwins also settled in Norwich .... William Gifford, who
* William Hall was the owner of the gi-ist-ralll.
300 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
was bom ia Norwich township in 1821, died June 26, 1889, at Smethport
Edward Corwin, who served in the Revolution for six years aud a quarter,
came with his family to Norwich in 1822, and in 1828 settled at Smethport.
Ghordis Corwin, the son, died in 1876, leaving $800 to the Baptist church,
which he joined here in 1836.
The old Delmar Church, the first organized in the western part of Tioga
county, lost seventeen members in 1820-21, when the old Norwich church of
McKean coimty was founded. In 1876 James Steele, of Port Allegany, was
said to be the last survivor of the first members.
The Norwich Cemetery Association was incorporated in November, 1874,
with W. J. Colegrove, A. P. Brewer, O. D. Gallup, D. D. Comes and Orlando
Gallup, trustees.
Colegrove is a thriving village, located on the Western New York &
Pennsylvania Railroad. The post-office there was presided over, up to 1880,
by W. J. Colegrove, to whose efforts the establishment of an ofiice at this
point was due. Jonathan Colegrove is the present postmaster. In 1883 the
general mercantile business of W. J. Colegrove & Son was purchased by C. A.
Anderson. The Heinemann lumber industry and other lumber interests in
the vicinity contribute princijaally to the trade of the village. A pumping
station of the National Transit Company is located here.
In May, 1847, the stores of C. R. & B. O. Burdick and J. F. Gallup were
opened in Norwich.
Gardeau is the new postal name given to the old Elk-lick.
The Parker Magnetic Mineral well, near the corner of McKean, Potter and
Cameron counties, nine miles from Emporium, was analyzed in July, 1888,
and found to contain 627.59 grains of mineral matter — Silica, 1.33; Mag. Chi.,
109.84; Cal. Carb., 11.95; Cal. Chi., 221.92; Sod. Chi., 282.55; Pot. Chi.
traces. In 1887 a mineral spring was discovered at Four Mile on N. P. Min-
ard's lands. The present site of the flowing well has always been known, since
the earliest history of the country, as the great Elk-lick. Although it is not
certain that the water flowed from the ground in its present strength, it un-
doubtedly possessed saline qualities which attracted deer and elk in great nuua-
bers. In 1865 N. H. Parker drilled a well 640 feet deep in the bed of the old
spring, and struck the present vein of mineral water that flows from the top
of the well. Mr. Parker drilled the well in the hope of finding oil. The
water was allowed to flow uncared for and unthought of, until about four years
ago, when one George Broucham, who was working for Mr. Parker in the saw-
mill, was laid up with an attack of calculus, which had been troubling him for
several years. Having a fondness for this water, he commenced drinking it
from the well, and began to recover immediately. The flow of the spring,
which never varies perceptibly, is about sixty-five gallons per hour. The
spring was purchased by the Parker Mineral Spring Company in 1888. They
have built a good hotel and commodious bath-house, which are under efficient
management.
In February, 1890, H. C. Crawford bought 1,400 acres of timber land, on
the line of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, about fifteen miles
south of Port Allegany, and engaged in cutting the timber on it. He has built
two saw-mills, one at Gardeau, and the other at Sizerville.
Digel is the name of a post-office in this township.
Newerf, formerly known as Speareburg and later as Crosby, is six miles
south by east of Smethport. Here at the old Spearsburg mill, lately owned
by G. C. Carpenter & Son, people in this vicinity and Smethport, no later than
1873, came to have lumber planed. This mill was burned about 1884. Here
also were the oil extract works written of in the chapter on the oil fields.
HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 301
The town is pleasantly located on the line of the AVestern New York & Penn-
sylvania Railroad, and contains several frame houses, a billard room, a tonsorial
parlor, a building recently erected for a foundry, not yet in operation, a board-
ing house which is under the management of Ed. Eldridge, two blacksmith
shops, and two saw mills, one owned by the Crosby lumber company and the
other by James White. There is also a school-house which was built in the
fall of 1882. The school is managed by a Mrs. Gary of Bradford. Besides
all these many improvements there are two stores, one owned by the Crosby
Lumber Company, and the other by M. Erhart. The last store contains the
post-office and M. Erhart is the postmaster.
At the rate of the present output of hemlock lumber, it will be but
a few years when people around here will be compelled to resort to other in-
dustries, in order to gain a livelihood. The forests are being stripped of the
hemlock very rapidlj' and no doubt the present generation will live to see hem-
lock as scarce as pine is. After the little hills are stripped of the hemlock
the land will be of little use save for grazing, and then the sheep will have to
be shod, for the hills are .so steep and stony that they can not hold their footing.
CHAPTER XIX.
OTTO TOWNSHIP.
Otto Township Topogijaphy — Popclation — Officers Elected in 189(J—
Resident Tax-Payees, 1854-55— Arthur Prentiss' Account— Some Early
Settlers — Storms and Fires — Church — Sqciety at Rixkord — Miscel-
laneous
Duke Centre Some First Things— The Place i\ 1879— Post.masters—
Popul.ation— Chaktei; Election. 1881— Gas Cojipany— Bank— Churches
—societies.
OTTO TOWNSHIP is situated in the north part of the county. Indian
creek rises in the northeast corner near the New York State line; Tram,
North and Kansas branches of Knapp's creek, which flow together above Duke
Centre, occupy the three canons of the north, while the heads of the north
branch of Cole creek flow south by east from the southern divide, leaving the
center of the township to be drained by Knapp's creek, in the valley of which
the Kendall & Eldred Railroad runs. The greatest measui-ed height is the
summit of the Ticle Water Pipe Line southeast of Rixford, 2,148 feet, but it is
ascertained that the summit between Indian creek and North branch is 2,350
feet above tide. Up to 1879 there were no discoveries of coal or other min-
eral made here, save that of petroleum, and the little territory was second to
none of equal extent in the production of this oil.
Otto township in 1880 claimed 4,277 inhabitants. Of this number 249
resided in Kansas Branch village, 145 in Fullerton. 737 in Oil Valley, 1,127 in
Rixford, 136 in Prentiss Vale, 231 in Tram Hollow and 16 in Windfall village.
In 1888 there were 173 Republican votes cast, 99 Democratic, 50 Prohibition
and 50 United Labor, or a total of 372, indicating the population at the time
to be 1,860.
The officers elected for 1890 are as follows: Supervisors, F. W. Sprague,
H. T. Breese; school directors, James Fraiser, J. M. Sloan; auditor, J. T.
302 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Irvine; collector. Z. Wilson; town clerk, E. B. Cronk; constable, C. C. Ama-
long; justice of the peace, E. R. Nash; judge of election, First District, E. B.
Cronk; inspectors, J. W. McCown, Frank Walsh; judge of election, Second
District, J. J. Donley; inspectors, J. R. Martin, F. R. Burton.
The resident tax-payers of Otto township, in 1854-55, were J. M. Baldwin
(who died in Maine), Nahuru, Samuel, Sr., James Cyrus, Asa and Sam.
Baldwin, Jason W. Blanchard (now in Wisconsin, former owner of Rixford),
T. J. Bryant, Cook, Borden & Co. (saw-mill owners), John and Josiah Davis,
Gideon Ellis (living near Eldred), L. Ellis, James Fogle, Jesse Garey (Keat-
ing), Orisson Grey (moved to Wisconsin), Milton Koons, Col. James Labree,
O. Lovell, William Lovejoy, James McCord, William McCullough (moved
to Jamestown). Hiram Moore, Robert Moore, Arthur Prentiss (still a resident)
and H. K. Prentiss G. M. Prentiss. Ed. S. Reed. Brad. G., Joe and William
H. Spiller, George and William Plummer, John Swink (living in Kansas),
Rev. M. W. Strickland, J. S. Thompson (now in Eldred), Henry Twambley
(living in Minnesota). Coon W^agoner (moved away) and Miami York (moved
west). The value of their property was placed at $6,305 by Nahum Baldwin.
Deacon Sprague came in January, 1856, and settled that year on his present
farm.
The follovping from the pen of Mr. Arthur Prentiss, giving some of his
reminiscences of Otto township, will be read with much interest: " The valley
of Knapp's creek," says Mr. Prentiss, " now forming the greater part of Otto
township, was formerly included in the township of Eldred. It was an un-
broken wilderness until 1842, in which year Hermon Strong, who had come
from Springfield, Penobscot Co., Me., located a farm at what is now called
Prentiss Vale, although for three years before settling here he had been a res-
ident of Farmers Valley, same county. Soon after getting fairly to work on
his farm he put in operation a Yankee shingle machine, the first in the county.
Through the influence of Mr. Strong, who was an old acquaintance of mine.
I first came to what is now Otto township in December. 1845, having in view
the purchase of the pine timber land (at the head- waters of the creek branches),
and also the location of a colony of eastern farmers and lumbermen. I spent
several days with Mr. Strong in exploring the pine lands, and then returned
home. In the spring of 1846 I again visited the spot and made further ex-
amination of the valley, as well as several other locations, but being unable to
make any definite agreement for the timber land, owing to the existence of some
old speculation contracts, I again returned home. The fall of the same year,
however, once more found me out in this land of promise, and I succeeded in
arranging with W. B. Clymer (general agent for the Bingham estate) and John
King (agent for the Keating estate) for all the land we wanted. In April,
1847, I moved my family to Farmers Valley, and occupied the old Sartwell
(now Goodwin) farm two years, while locating land preparatory to building
a mill, etc. In the spring of 1849 I moved into a log house in the valley and
began the erection of a saw-mill, which was put in operation in the fall. The
heavy frame of this mill was raised without the use of whisky, probably the
first so raised in the county. (No intoxicating drink was ever sold in the val-
ley before oil was found.) In 1851 the timber land and mill were sold to W.
P. Pope and Cyrus Strong, of Binghamton, N. Y. , who cleared the streams,
built dams to reserve the water, and drove the pine logs, Yankee fashion, to
Olean, where they built mills and manufactured for the eastern market. In
1854 they sold out the remaining limber and the mills to Borden & Co., of Fall
River, Mass., since known as the Olean Lumber Company. Almost all this
timber land has proven to be the best oil territory in the county.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 303
"A goodly number of settlers from the vicinity of my former residence in
Penobscot county, Me. , came and located on farms in my vicinity. We soon
built a small school-house, in which, for years, were held school. Sabbath-
school, religious services, etc. We had only a winter sled road from the
river, a di.stance of about three miles, but it was not long before we made a
wagon road, spending about $1,000, SoOO of which were appropriated by the
county. Soon after starting business we procured the establishment of a
special jiost-office, which continued as such for about fifteen years, when a
regular mail route from Eldred to Bradford was put in operation. I. W.
Prentiss was appointed postmaster in 1850, and held the office about two
years, since which time I have held the office. Since the discovery of oil, two
other offices have been established. In 1852 (I think, as all records were
destroyed by fire) a Congregational church was organized, with Rev. M. W.
Strickland, from Maine, as iirst pastor. This church at one time had more
than thirty members, but through deaths, removals and other causes is now
almost extinct. Most of the early settlers were Old Line Democrats, but they
were soon converted to anti-slavery Whigs or Republicans, and at one election,
near the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, the eighty or so voters
gave a unanimous Republican vote. At the outbreak of that war almost all of
our men, liable to military duty, volunteered, and I think only two were
drafted. We sent nearly fifty soldiers in all, of whom about twenty lost their
lives. Probably no other township with the same number of voters furnished
and lost an equal number of men during that struggle."
Benjamin Bunker came in 1852, and was engaged in lumbering and milling
vmtil 1884, when he moved to Minnesota, where he died in 1889. John Duke
came here about the time of the Civil war, and built the present mills after
that struggle.
This township, like the adjoining one of Foster, has suffered considerably
from fire, and on one occasion was storm-stricken. The storm of November,
1879, destroyed the new church building at Rixford, and a number of derricks
there, at Dallas, and at other points.
The Eixford fire of May 9, 1880, occasioned by a gas explosion, destroyed
seventy-five buildings, forming the business center of the town, in less than
two hours, and burned up 70,000 barrels of oil and forty rigs. . . .The United
Lines Tank 714, completed in July, 1880, on the McKean farm, one mile south
of State Line, burst August 4. 1880, and 20,747 barrels of oil cut a channel down
to the creek .... United Lines Tank 738, opened on the McKean farm, 200
rods northeast of Babcock depot. August 11, was struck by lightning August
28. 1880, and 26.597 barrels of oil burned up. . . .The bush tires around Eix-
ford began on August 31, 1881. near Baker's trestle, and spread rapidly, de-
stroying twenty-four rigs and consuming large quantities of oil ... . The fires
around Bordell in September, 1881. destroyed forty-six rigs and 3.900 barrels
of oil. This fire spread over 250 acres. . . .The fire on the Loop farm on the
north branch of Indian creek, resulted in the destruction of oil at Hardison &
Kribb's wells.
In 1826 Joshua Barnes and Barnabas Pike built a fluter saw-mill at State
Line.
The State Line Chapel Association was incorporated March 8, 1887, in
order to build a house for Methodist worship. The names of the petitioners
are C. Beaton, N. J. Warren, E. H. Crook, D. Bleakslee, A. E. Wagner and S.
E. Humphrey.
The E. A. U. of Rixford was established in March, 1876, with seventy
members. The officers chosen were J. Eraser, Mrs. D. Pearsall, John Jack,
Mrs. E. E. Brown, Miss L. Love, J. B. Nutting and J. W. Martin.
304 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
The accidental shooting of Fred Sprague, a boy aged seventeen years,
took place at McAdoo's engine house, near Duke Centre, in October, 1888.
It apjjears he and Dallas Thomson stepped into the engine house to see the
well starting up. Young Sprague grounded his gun, but, slipping through a
crack in the floor, it was discharged, the shot entering his liver and causing his
death.
DUKE CENTRE.
The lirst house built on the site was Cook, Borden & Co.'s frame boarding
house, erected in May, 1856. Peter Haines, another pioneer, died before the
oil era, and Chauncey Root resided on the site of Duke Centre before the war.
The settlement of the Bunkers is noticed above, and also the coming of John
Duke. In February, 1878. the business houses of Duke Centre were those of
Charles Duke, Huffman & Dalrymple, Swan & Bacon, O. D. Bloss & Co., and
Barber Bros.
When V. P. Carter, who, as president of the Duke Centre Gas Company,
built the second gas line known in this county in 1879 (from Rixford to Duke
Centre), found at Duke Centre that year John. Thomas and Charles Duke,
with Randall, afterward postmaster, the Spragues and Baldwins and others.
There were ten store buildings and several hotels, among which was Brown's
Empire House and the McDonald House; G. F. Barton conducted his Opera
House, while three church buildings existed. Mr. Sprague building the Con-
gregational and John Duke the Church of Christ. The lot for the Congre-
gational society was secured, and a room over Barton's Opera House was being
fitted up for the Good Templars. AVilliam H. Randall was appointed first
postmaster, having previously carried a penny-post between Eldred and Duke
Centre. He served until 1885. when the late postmaster, P. L. Golden, was
appointed. W. H. Randall was re-appointed in July, 1889. Prior to 1878
the office of this section was at Prentiss Vale.
The population of Duke Centre, in 1880, was 2,068. In 1888 there were
eighty-five Republican, forty-four Democratic, nine Prohibitionist and fifteen
Labor -Union votes cast, or a total of 153. Multiplying by sis, as in the case
of Bradford, the population is found to be 918.
The charter election for the borough of Duke Centre was held February 15,
1881. M. M. McElwain received 214 votes, and William Williams 116, for
burgess; A. H. Low received 287 votes, and John M. Lyman 38, for justice.
Henry Fitzsimmons, Charles Duke, E. M. Reardou, B. M. Moulton and J. W.
Flynn, were elected members of council; John Duke received 302, and A. M.
Boyd 198 votes, for auditor, three years' term; and George Fisher was elected
for short term; J. C. B. Stivers, Joseph Norris, W. I. Lewis and Monroe
Henderson, were elected school directors; A. N. Heard, assessor; A. A. Coon,
overseer of the poor; J. L. Thomas, constable; George Tinto, high constable;
John Mills, judge of elections, and C. S. Colt, inspector of elections. R. T.
Salvage was elected burgess in 1882, the total vote cast being eighty-two: John
Needham, in 1883; W. B. Graves, in 1884-85. when G. F. Barton was elected
justice; Robert Shaffer, in 1886, with W. H. Randall, justice; W. D. Singleton.
1887-88, with A. Wheeler, justice, and J. S. Moody, justice in 1888.' The
charter is not now observed.
The Duke Centre Gas Company was incorporated in November, 1879, with
T. Kemper, V. P. Carter and John J. Robarts, trustees, and Daniel Dodge
and J. N. Brown, unofficial subscribers. Mr. Carter is present president. The
company operates forty-five wells, of which twenty-seven are their own.
The first bank at Duke Centre was carried on by H. O. Roberts in 1879.
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 305
The banking business of the section has been coudncteil l)_y Charles Dnke
fi'om 1883 to the present time.
The First Congregational Society of Duke Centre and Prentiss Vale was
incorporated in June, 1879, with the following named stockholders: M. W.
Strickland, M. A. Strickland, L. B. Prentiss. C. L. Allen. L. S. Allen, B. cfc H.
Bunker, F. W. Spragne, Mary Sprague, Joseph Gridley and J. K. Leugemors.
A chvirch building was erected in 1879, which was sold in 1884-85, and con-
verted into a skating rink.
The First Church of Christ, Duke Centre, was incorporated in November,
1879, with John Duke, Samuel H. Brown, A. A. Trend, A. J. Applebee.
Thomas S. AVoodard and Israel Couroth, members. That year the work of
building a house of worship commenced. It was completed in 1880, although
services were held within it in 1879.
The First Methodist Church of Duke Centre was incorporated in December.
1S79. with A. E. Baker. C. G. Thomas, I. C. Schouerman, Enos Thomas, A.
A. Coons, AV. A. Simons and James L. Van Kirk, stockholders. Among the
trustees Charles Duke and J. E. Baldwin are named. The church building is
still used.
The Odd Fellows organized March 25, 1881, with the following named
members: S. Frankenstein, W. N. George, John Sharpe, A. A. Averill. Henry
L. Raymond, A. N. Heard, J. R. McKinzie, John McGee, A. J. Watkiu,
Morris Shear, Thomas Buchanan, David Greenberg, Benjamin Kempner, P.
Mills, F. J. Fox. The names of past grands are A. J. Watkin, A. N. Heard.
J. Sharpe, George Hancock, N. Fair, J. R. McKinzie, R. D. Henderson, John
Needham, John McEwen, James Rickerson. A H. Stuart, J. I. Dunn, E.
Koonse, George Williams and J. I. Painter. The names of secretaries are^A..
J. Watkin, R. D. Henderson. A. A\'. Terrill, J. V. Brown, N. Fair. J.
McEweu and J. I. Painter. The present number of members is 53; value of
property. 1450, and date of building is 1884.
J. H. Mullin Post, No. 356. G. A. R.. was organized at Rixford by W. W.
Brown July 30, 1883, and participated in the decoration of Lamphier's grave,
he being the only soldier of the Revolution buried in McKean county. The
charter members were H. G. Allen, Eighty-tifth New York; C. D. Andrus.
One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York; S. C. Andrus, First Ohio Artil
lery, D. Adams. Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania; H. T. Breese, Fourteenth Mis
sonri; E. J. Baldwin, Second New York Cavalry; J. E. Baldwin, One Hun-
dred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers; W. P. Baldwin. Fifty-eighth
Pennsylvania; John V. Brown, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania;
Clark Brown, Eighth New York; H. P Black, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cav
airy: T. E, Burton, Navy; H. K. Burton, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry:
C. M. Brace, Twenty-first New York Cavalry; W. P. Bair, One Hundred and
Third Pennsylvania; Fred Curtis, Seventy-first New York Infantry; 31. G.
Dennis, Two Hunched and Eleventh Pennsylvania; James Fraser. ; S. M.
Fletcher, One Hundred and Twenty sixth Pennsylvania; H. Trummon, First
New Y'ork Dragoons; A. Glines, Thirteenth New York Artillery; L. J. Lilly,
Second Pennsylvania Artillery; A. N. Loop, Two Hundred and Eleventh
Pennsylvania: G. Lancomer, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania; A.
H. Low, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania; E. W. Mullin, One Hundred and Thirty-
seventh New York; J. S. Pittinger. of the Sixty-fourth New York (joined in
1886), N. Moore, Fourth New York Artillery; N. L. Moore, Eleventh Penn-
sylvania Cavalry: J. Moore, Fifty- first Pennsylvania; F. T. McEvoy, Thir-
teenth New Jersey Cavalry; U. Moore, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania; H. A.
McGraw, Twenty-third New York; J. D. McGee, Eleventh I. Battery, Penn-
3U(; HI8T0KY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
sylvania; J. W. Martin, Tenth Pennsylvania Cavalry: G. W. Potter. Eighth
Pennsylvania Cavalry; S. Peterman, Twenty -eighth Pennsylvania; H. Peter-
son, Fifth New York Artillery; A. T. Rence, Sixty-third Pennsylvania;
Henry Kiley. Eleventh New York Cavalry; R. P. Shields, One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania; Samuel Stives, Twenty-seventh New York Artillery;
F. Shrout. Fourteenth Virginia Infantry; G. W. Salmon, One Hundred and
Forty-fifth Pennsylvania; W. M. Smith, Eighty-second Pennsylvania; Owen
Slayinan, One Hundred and Forty second Pennsylvania. On June 15, 1885,
headquarters were moved to Duke Centre. Nelson Moore was fir.st com-
mander, with N. L. Moore, adjutant. In 1885 W. P. Black was adjutant and
J. E. Baldwin commander, succeeded in 188() by F. T. McEvoy and M. G.
Dennis, respectively; James Eraser was commander in 1887. and H. M. Black
in 1888. In the latter year E. B. Cronk was appointed adjutant and served
in 1889 with C. R. Hatch, commander. Mr. Cronk served in the Fourth New
York Heavy Artillery. The present membership is fifty-nine.
Northern Star Lodge, F. & A. M. , was organized about nine years ago with
the following named members: Charles Bunce, David J. Wilson, John V. Brown.
Lucius J. Lilly, Jesse R. Leonard. James Green, Pyrrhus Mills, Samnel M.
Jones. George Tinto, Charles C. Anderson, O. P. Irvine, Joseph Norris, Will-
iam N. George. The jsast masters are Charles Bunce, William N. George,
John V. Brown, Joseph Norris, Lucius J. Lilly, William H. Randall. John S.
Greer, F. W. Spiague and John E. Baldwin.
The R. T. and A. O. U. W. of Duke Centre completed their building in
June, 1883.
In July, 1889. there were no less than thirty one Equitable Aid Unions in
this county, and at that time the connty union of McKean was the only
county organization of the order in the world. These county meetings are not
re(|niied by the supreme law, but McKean County Union originated in the
fertile brain of John T. Irvine, of Duke Centre, grand secretary and account-
ant of the grand union of Pennsylvania.
CHAPTER XX.
SERGEANT TOWNSHIP.
Toi-oaiiAriiY, Etc. Coal Measures— Oil Wklls—P()pitl.\tion— The Cooper
Lands- Town of Inst anter— The Plaoe in 1810-13-17— Assessment of Ser-
geant ToWNisiiiPFOR 1836-37— Villages.
Clermont Some First Things— Fire— Gas Wells— Cemetery Association
—Societies.
SERGEANT TOWNSHIP occupies the south center of the county. The
west fork of the west branch of Portage creek. Lick run. Brewer's run,
Re<l :\Iill brook, Robin's brook and Smith's brook rise inside the east line in
the gulches between the hills, which here have an altitude of 2,100 feet above
ocean level. In the south center are Four Mile. Buck and Smith runs, flow-
ing into the east branch of the Clarion: also Five Mile, Seven Mile and Rocky
runs, forming near W^illiamsville, while Sicily. Large. Beckwith and Little
Bnck runs tlow into the west branch. The Katrine swamp is west of Gin.a]s-
^ y^.^
HISTOKV OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 309
burg, in a basin 2,:^0() feet aliove the oceau, while west of this pond cue of the
feeders of Marvin creek steals north from Seven Mile summit. Howard's
farm, 2,100 feet above ocean level, is on the divide between Smith brook and
Five Mile run. The highest mea.sured point in the township is at Chappel
Hill, in the extreme northeast section, 2,310 feet above ocean level, but it is
said the hill, 7,000 feet north, has a greater elevation. The lowest point is
where the West Clarion enters Elk county, the elevation being 1,600 feet. The
conglomerate bottom follows the summits, being 2.300 feet at Chappel Hill
and 1,950 at Williamsville, while a little northeast, on Instanter creek, it is
2,050. From Chappel Hill to Bunker hill, a distance of two and seven-eighth
miles, the dip is about 300 feet, or 104 feet per mile, and from Wilcox well
No. 1 to Williamsville there is no diji. The thickness of the greatest exposure
is 710 feet, which shows 285 feet of coal measures, 325 feet of Mauch Chunk
and Poeono, and 100 feet of red Catskill; but from well records geologists
have ascertained that the carboniferous and devonian structures exist for at
least 2,500 feet in this township. The Dagus coal bed exists on the hill be-
tween Red Mill brook, Beaver run and Instanter creek, at a depth of about
sixty feet, and twelve feet above the limestone formation. This slaty lime-
stone outcrops on the old Wilcox farm, between Clermont and Warner's brook.
The rock is about six feet thick, and quarrying and burning it were for years
the industries of the neighborhood. As has been stated the coal bed rests over
this immense deposit of lime rock, while under the coal is the white fire-clay
bed, from two to three feet in depth. The Johnson run sandstone (a hard
white and yellow rock) reaches a thickness of fifty feet, and is prized by build-
ers much more than the Kinzua creek sandstone, which falls to pieces under
the influence of the weather.
Wilcox well No. 1, on Warrant 2.676, a mile north of Elk county, was drilled
in 1864 to a depth of 1,600 feet by Adams & Babcoek, and subsequently drilled
to 1,785 feet, when the tools were lost and work abandoned. The well,
however, showed signs of life and sent up great columns of gas and water as
high as 115 feet, which feat it repeated every seven minutes, until new efforts
to develop it were made, when the procedure changed, the intervals of explo-
sion being longer and the discharge of water greater in volume. With difli-
culty the well was tubed and oil obtained, but again was abandoned and the
gas allowed to escape, a match applied, the derricji burned, and in 1871 was
conti oiled by a wooden plug. In August, 1876, when well No. 2 was drilled, gas
was carried 855 feet to be vised as fuel in boring No. 2, while the surplus gas
was conducted through a two-inch pipe, and discharged over a water tank,
splashing the pipe and, the pressure being thus released, formed a circle of
ice around the opening. In January, 1877, an effort to remove the wooden
plug resulted in taking up 175 feet of ca.siug, when an eight-minute geyser
was brought into existence. In May gas ceased to flow, but on July 14 the old
seven-minute explosion was renewed in wells Nos. 1 and 2. and the gas from
No. 2 was used as fuel in drilling No. 3 from October, 1876, to June, 1877. In
March, 1879, Hamar & Ernhout's well, at the mouth of Head brook, was down
2,230 feet, and Hamar' s well on Wild-Cat run 2,000 feet
Sergeant township, in 1880, claimed 922 inhabitants. In 1888 there were
sixty-four Repxrblican and fifty Democratic, votes cast, or a total of 114, repre-
senting about 57(.) inhabitants.
The first reference to the Cooper lands in McKean county is contained in
an old day-book, dated August 22, 1809. This book is in possession of W. J.
Colegrove. Cooper's farm' is mentioned (Clermont) and the names of Van
Wickle, Freeman and Outgalt appear. There was a saw-mill at Cooper's
310 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
Grove, but Mr. Oolegrove states that there was only a grist-mill on lied Mill
creek, near Glermout, in 1815. lu 1809 some iron was purchased from Joseph
Olds for use in the old saw mill.
Alexander Van Peter Mills was the surveyor for Bnsti & Cooper in 1809-
10. and in August, 1810, he received if 154. 25 for his services from Mr. Law-
rence. In August, 1810, A. Van Peter Mills surveyed the town of Instanter,
and Gooding Packard received 123.32 for carrying the chain; Isaac Vantayle
and George Vantayle were also chain carriers. David Combs is introduced in
August as the purchaser of three quarts of whisky. As he was the first man
married in the county it is thought that the occasion suggested this extrava-
gance. In October the following entry is made: " Busti & Cooper, by a man
Mr. Cooper left almost dead;" and in November a road was opened from the
mill to Instanter, and William Neilson was allowed a dollar a day for work in
the saw-mill, and .was allowed SIG for going down Tobey creek with Wallace.
Joha Harrison was blacksmith as well as Seth Marvin. The names of John
Hunter, Thomas Cole and William Gygar (the first blacksmith), appear on the
books at this time. Arnold Hunter, the first settler of Smethport, was at
Instanter in 1811, and at this time Joel Bishop's name ajipears. The land
office building was completed in 1811. James D. Bemis was added to the
settlement, and John Stevens' printing office was established. In 1812 the
office was abandaned, and the settlement practically broken up. The legends
of the settlement tell of the old Catholic church of 1809, and the sudden dis-
appearance of the priest in 1812. He was seen to enter the sugar bush at the
end of the main street, but not a vestige of his garments or himself could
1)6 found by the searchers. Seth Marvin, John Mullander. Squire Renwick,
Surveyor E. Ayers, William Armstrong, Thomas Lazenby, William Higgins,
Sylvanus Russell, George Graham, Stephen Waterman, John Burrows are the
names mentioned in the records of the period. In February. 1810. E. Van
Wickle completed a six months' term of service for Busti & Cooper. In April, '
1810, a cow- bell was purchased from Ellis Pierce for the use of Instanter,
and in May, Dan. Cornell purchased eleven gallons of metheglin at four shill-
ings per gallon. The only persons remaining at Instanter in 1813 were Joel
Bishop, Sweeten, David Combs, Sr., Job Gitford, Sr. and Seth Marvin,
while Arnold Hunter moved to Smethport, and perhaps John Hunter. Those
pioneers, with others in the county from Ceres to Instanter, heard the boom of
Perry's victorious cannon on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, and the weaken-
ing reply of the British guns. Their jjatriotism told them the story of victory
long before positive news arrived.
John Wallace was a surveyor in the Instanter neighborhood in 1810. He
it was who surveyed the lots for I. Rookens, south of the town; for John
Hunter, on Marvin creek; for Seth Marvin, on the Nunundah; also for Will-
iam Neilson, Nathaniel B. Bowens, James Travis, George Vantayle, Lorin
Phillips, Thomas Lazenby, Daniel Cornell, David Combs, Paul Busti, Henry
Dukintash, Reuben Priest, Joseph Phillips. John Kobson, Joshua Loree,
Solomon Tracy, Robert Armstrong and Louis Bronkart. He surveyed Peter
Hankinson's mill lot in October, l8lO, on the east side of the creek.
In May, 1817, Benjamin B. Cooper acknowledged a plat of the lands
claimed by him in the fourth east Allegheny district as surveyed that year by
Brewster Freeman, over the surveys of 1792. The lands were conveyed in
1812 by Paul Busti, attorney for the Holland Land Company, to B. B. Cooper
and O. W. Ogden. In 1814 other tracts were conveyed to Joseph McElvaine.
On this tract, within Sergeant township. Cooper had the town of Instanter
surveyed in 1817, and acknowledged this plat May 30, that year. There are
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 311
four public squares shown, together with church lots and cemetery, all donated
to the people who would settle here. W. J. Colegrove is positive that this is
a resurvey and new entry.
The assessment of Sergeant township for 1S36-37. made by William Mc-
Allister, gives the following names of resident tax-payers: D. A. Easterbrooks,
G. and William Easterbrooks, Joseph Rhodes. William Palmer, Ransom.
Simeon and Samuel Beckwith. Jacob Slyoff, Joel Bishop. Joseph Lucas (now
living). William P. Wilcox (saw-raill owner). Asa Messinger (the Baptist
preacher), J. Barnett. E. G. Wilson. George W. Dix. D. J. M. Howard, Will-
iam A. Clough. R. S. B. Johnston. SiiAon J. Robins, Perry Preston, C. P.
Johnson, A. J., William M. and Ann Swift. J. B. Wagor. J. M. Clark, Thomas
StafFord. Lewis H. Beadle, Eliphalet Covill. Joseph P. King. John Montgom-
ery (Jacob Ridgway's Clermont farm of 376 acres was assessed $1,180.50),
J. Garlick. Lot Coats, Richard Wildey. Thomas Hockey. J. W. How. — Marsh,
J. F. Gallup and William McAllister.
Teutonia dates back to March, 1843, when the Society of Industry (Henry
Ginal, agent) established the town four miles west of Ginalsburg. The prin
ciples of this society varied a little from the older Fourier system. The capi-
tal was if40.000, the acreage 40.000, including the coal hills. In the year
named there were 450 inhabitants, a school-building and seventy or eighty log
dwellings. This community divided their purchase into several districts, in
each of which a town was projected. Clothing and food were distributed
from the commercial store, married women were not compelled to work for the
community, and all religious forms were tolerated. At Ginalsburg there were
then 100 inhabitants. A stone school-house, a steam saw mill, a pottery and
a furnace were projected. The dwellings were frame buildings. In 1875,
when Mr. John Forest went to Clermont as paymaster for the Buffalo Coal
Company, there were remains of the houses. It was a communial affair,
which, like most of that class, fell to pieces. Ginalsburg is. also a town of the
past. The old Wernwag farm house was at Clermont.
This township may be considered as still in a primitive condition. A few
prosperous settlements exist; but its greater area is .still clothed in its native
trees. The construction of the Clermont and Johnsonburg branch of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad system now passes through the township and already the
effects of its presence are visible.
CLERMONT.
P. E. Scull, who died at Smetbport, in 1867. came here early in the "twen-
ties," as an agent of Jacob Ridgway. and in 1821 cleared the old Bunker Hill
farm .... In 1827 the Red Mill was built near Clermont by I. Burlingame, who did
the mason work. On the mill dam J. Green, J. Garlick and J. King worked.
Ben Colegrove split rails for fencing the nursery and Orlo J. Hamlin and
Kenny were attorneys in the Crooker litigation. The mill was built immedi-
ately after Paul E. Scull took the agency. Scul' told Ridgway that it had a
capacity of eight bushels, and the proprietor was amazed at such an extensive
concern being erected in the wilderness.
In the year 1827 the Clermont farm and store of Scull & Lee were in ex-
istence. Jonathan Colegrove was succeeded in July, 1852, as agent by W. J.
Colegrove, the present agent, the former being general agent from 1817 to
1852 .... In May. 1847, the taverns of I. D. Dunbar and M. Goodwin were
opened in Sergeant. . . . G. R. Moore & Son's mill at Clermont was burned July
17. 1887. with 100.000 feet of hemlock lumber, one car of bark and four
312 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
empty ears. Their new mill, three miles below, was being built at this time
. . . .the Clermont saw-mill of C. H. Moore was burned in September, 1889.
Supt. W. C. Henry, of the fuel department of the National Transit Com-
pany, furnished some data, in 1885, concerning the gas wells about sis miles
east of Kane, from which the gas supply is drawn for the city of Bradford,
and most of the National Transit Company's pump-stations in the northern
Held. They have secured through jjurchase and by drilling ten wells north
of the McKean and Elk county line on warrants 2.675, '2,729. 2.()76, 2,723,
2,684, 2,695 and 2,685. Seven of the ten wells produce gas, and the other three
are either salt water wells or failures for gas or oil. At some of these wells a
showing of oil is found in a brown sand having a thickness of from twenty to
twenty-four feet, which Mr. Henry has termed the oil sand to distinguish it
fi-om the gas sand which is found about ninety feet below. Where this gas
sand has been drilled through it has been demonstrated to have a thickness of
from five to seven feet. The No. 5 well, on the southeastern corner of
Warrant 2,684, reached 1,943 feet where the gas sand was a depth of live feet.
Well No. 6 is in the eastern part of 2,676, where a six-feet vein of sand
begins at 1,776 feet. At the suggestion of Mr. Schultz, of Wilcox, this well
was torpedoed, showing 250 feet of oil and 250 feet of water after standing
thirty days.
The National Transit Company No. 7, known as the Frank Andrews well,
is located in the northeastern corner of Warrant 2,675. and is a large gas well.
The oil sand was struck at a depth of 1,762 feet and the gas sand at ],862.
Clermont Cemetery Association was incorporated July 19, 1879, on peti-
tion of L. Steinham, L. Boyer, Jacob Hafner, Caspar Hafner and John
Martin.
Clermont Lodge, 949, I. O. O. F., was organized June 7, 1877, with the
following named members: W. E. Butts, Robert Dick, Walter Dick, Robert
Jaap, L. J. Lewis, John Lee, James Morgan, George Morgan, J. H. Tate,
Andrew Reynolds. The names of past grands are John C. Martin, Robert
Dick, J. H. Tate, W. E. Butts, John Lee, James Morgan, Andrew Reynolds,
A. M. Schmelz, George G. Windman, Edward Tracy. John Wilson, Alexan-
der Muir, George T. Brown. W. A. Russell, James Davidson, A. W. Taylor,
John O. Sonbergh, James Hamilton, James Robertson, John T. Cunningham,
John W. Steinhauer, I. J. McCandless, Samuel Bedford, Addison Fluent,
Jacob Amend, Adam Hafner, George W. Weaver. The names of secretaries
are James Morgan (one year), W. E. Butts (one year), and J. H. Tate (nine
years). The present number of members is eighty seven and value of property
$2,500. Dr. A. K. Corben, N. G. ; Frank Hafner, V. G. ; Jacob Amend, Asst.
Sec. ; Addison Fluent, trustee, and J. O. Sonbergh, representative, were
elected in October, 1889.
The Clermont Union Church Society elected the following named officers in
October, 1889: John O. Sonbergh, president; J. H. Tait, secretary, and Sam-
uel Bedford, treasurer.
A Sunday-school was organized at Clermont in December, 1889, with S.
Bedford, superintendent: Mrs. Harrington, assistant; Sophia Hafner, organ-
ist; Maggie Bedford, assistant; Albert Anderson, treasurer, and Jennie Mc-
Kendrick, secretary.
IISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 313
CIIAPTEK XXI.
WETMORE TOWNSHIP— BOROUGH OF KANE.
AVetmore Township General Topography— Oil Wells and Lands— Lum-
ber Company— Oil Fields and Enterprises— Populatiox-Officers
Elected in 1890— Gen. Kane— The Seneca Hunters— Forest Fires-
Town OF Jo-.lo— Lai:ge Sale of Oil Interests.
Borough of Kane Origin of Name— Col. Kane and David Cornelius—
Population— The Place in 1869-74— Election— Schools—The Board of
Trade— Natural Gas Companies— Water Company' — Bank and Indus-
tries— Hotels— Churches— Societie.s— Miscellaneous.
WETMORE TOWNSHIP lies wholly within the sixth bituminous coal
basin. It is the birthplace of the East branch of the Tionesta, the head-
waters of which — West run and Wind run — rise in the Kane neighborhood,
enter the East branch southwest of Kane, whence the river flows northwest
into Hamilton township. A feeder of the south branch of the Kinzua (Hubert
run) rises within Kane borough, flows by the Sulphur spring, joins the south
branch two miles north, whence this branch flows into Hamilton township.
Crane creek rises in the extreme southwest. Wilson run. just south of Kane,
receives Dalson's run three miles southeast and flows by Sergeant village into
Elk county. A few tributaries of West Clarion flow southeast across the east
township line, while Fife run flows northwest across the northeast corner of the
township. The highest point measured is near -the Sergeant township line or
divide, between Beckwith and Glad runs, being 2,150 feet above tide level,
and the lowest point on the north line, where the south branch enters Hamilton
township, 1.400 feet. The depot at Kane is 2,020 feet, at Sergeant 1,716 and
at Wetmore 1,808 feet above ocean level. The average thickness of exposures
in the township above water level is 575 feet, of which coal measures and con-
glomerate show 175, Mauch Chunk and Pocono 325, and red Catskill 75 feet,
while the highest stratum is the shale cap near Kane, and the lowest on the
south branch, where seventy-flve feet of the upper Catskill appears. The
shale cap of the Clermont coal forms the summits, and from the drift cover-
ing of this cap the rock used in the cellar of the late Gen. Kane's house was
excavated. Fifteen years after the building of this house a shaft was put down
seventj'-five feet near by to explore the Clermont deposit; owing to the escape
of gas the cautious laborers retired, but in two or three days they were able
to resume work, as the flow was exhausted.
On the old Kittanning trail, north of this house, the Indians of long ago
used to camp, and to-day there is the tire-clay which formed the rest for beds
of Clermont in ages past. Around Kane, however, what remains of this coSl
deposit was explored and fou.nd wanting, in a commercial sense. The Alton
coal was opened on the Howard Hill road and in the Swede settlement .south-
west of the borough at an elevation of 1,980 feet above the ocean, or forty feet
below the level of Kane depot.
The Johnson run sandstone at this point is highly fossiliferous. The cut-
tings on Clarion summit at Kane show its pink-yellow hue and regular blocks
of forty feet depth. The color is derived from the equal distribution of iron
;-514 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
thron(j;b its i)arts. as shown in tho prismoidal blocks used in the Leiper meiuo-
lial church at Kane. The kindred Kinzua creek sandstone also abounds here.
The Olean conglomerate here averages about sixty feet in thickness, but one
mile from Wetmore, on the road to Blesses, it is found in detached blocks
1,890 feet above ocean level.
The Ernhout & Taylor well No. 2, in the southeast corner of Warrant
3,215. was drilled to a depth of 1,990 feet between March 12 and May 9, 1878,
and subsequently lowered ten feet through a tine, dark, oil-impregnated sand.
The record kept by M. M. Schultz shows the opening 1,730 feet above tide,
through forty feet of loam and sand, followed by gray slate, red shale, sand,
shells and soft, gray slate, down 1.980 feet, when ten feet of dark, oil-impreg-
nated sand was bi'ought u-p, and from 1,990 to 2,000 feet, the oil contaming
coffee grounds. The well was cased down 364 feet, but when it was evident
that oil would not yield in commercial quantities this casing was withdrawn,
and the phenomena witnessed in the old Wilcox well repeated here by an eleven -
minute water-spout, winning for this the title, " Kane Geyser well. ' ' This spout
reached various heights, from 75 feet to 138, and in winter, when the ice king
would grasp the stream, ice would form so as to show a high, transparent
stand-pipe. The Coburn Dry Hole, one and one-half miles north of Sergeant
depot, reached a depth of 2,263 feet in August, 1879, and casing inserted for
357 feet. At a depth of 148 feet, and again at 212 feet, oil appeared; at 610
feet gas; at 1.953 feet oil; at 2,238 feet Bradford sand; at 2.093 gas, and at
2,263 slate and sand. The Kane Geyser well was stoj^ped by Dr. Crossmire
and others, who day after day made trial to control its wild flow.
The Kane Blade of February, 1880, notices the purchase of 250 acres of
oil land on Warrants 3.760 and 3.786 by H. O. Ellithorpe; the drilling of the
Clemenger & Hunt well, on the James Brothers' land, and the Winsor pur-
chase of 15t) acres on 3.760.
Wilcox well No. 1, on Warrant 2,723, six miles east of Kane, and one mile
north of the line of Elk county, was drilled to a depth of 1,943 feet in June,
1881, and filled to a depth of fifty feet with oil in one night. The Adams well,
on Warrant 2,676, was put down in this neighborhood in 1865. The Wilcox
Company comprised A. I. Wilcox, D. A. Wray, H. W. Williams and others.
In November, 1883, the Eidgway Lumber Company purchased 2,500 acres
of land near Kane for $58,000. The tract was estimated to contain from six
to eight millions feet of cherry, with other varieties of hardwood and hemlock.
In January, 1886, the Kane Oil field, or New Black Sand field, appeared
so worn out that the oil map, hanging in the Thompson House, was turned by
the scouts wallwards, and many operators deserted the field. On January 28,
however, the foresight of the scouts was rendered unreliable, for on that day
the Kane Company's well touched sand at a depth of 2.207 feet, and, penetrat-
ing it for six feet, found a 125-barrel well. This well was drilled on Lot 426,
a little less than three months after the Craig & Cappeau well was drilled (No-
vember 11, 1885), 400 rods south by east. The wells reported finished on Feb-
ruary 11. 1886. numbered fifteen. Mr. Murphy's, the Associated Producers',
and Chapman & Fickin's wells were dry. Kane Oil Company's well No. 1. on
Lot 11, of Griffith's, produced gas, and their well No. 2 seventy-five barrels of
oil; P. T. Kennedy's well, on Lot 12, yielded forty-five liarrels per day; Simp-
son & McMullen's, on Lot 19, did not produce; Bayne, Fuller & Co.'s we.ll,
on Lot 20, gave 15 barrels; the Associated Producers' wells No. 1 and 2, 77
barrels; Craig & Cappeau's Nos. 1 and 2, 114 barrels; Roy, Archer & Clemen-
ger' s wells yielded gas, also Tennent iSt Co. ' s, while the new well referred to
above gave 125 barrels per day, and gave new life to the district, leading to
HlyTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 315
an increase of ten, by February 11, from the twenty-six wells in existence Jan-
uary 28. By April 10. the Kane Oil Company had six wells in the field, No.
<3 producing 225 barrels, and No. 1, 145 barrels. The Union Oil Company
had seven wells of from 70 to 197 barrels per day; Coast & Thyng's No. 1
yielded 242 barrels, while Shirley and Hochstetler. Andrews & Co., and Reed
& Brown wells, were all producers.
In January. 1889, the firms of West & Co. and Davis & Co. drilled for oil
■on Warrant 3,131, in Wetmore. two and one-half miles north of Kane. At 1,773
feet they tapped the oil sand, but not satisfied with the promise of a ten-barrel
well, they continued the boring to 1,956 feet, when they struck the heaviest
flow of gas known in the Kane region.
The first gas well in the Kane field was struck in the fall of 1884. To-day
the pressure varies from 200 to 1,200 pounds to the square inch. On Novem-
ber 11, 1885, this field yielded its first oil.
Wetmore township, in 1880, had a population of 1,438. In 1888 there
were 184 Republican votes, sixty- one Democratic, eighteen Prohibitionist
and three Labor-Unionist, or a total of 206, on which figures the population is
estimated to be 1,330. A number of iinnaturalized residents, however (Swedes,
Italians, Germans), place the true population far above this.
The township officers elected in February, 189.>, are as follows: Super-
visors, Charles Hedman, Peter Nelson; school directors, P. A. Carlquist, E.
W. Campbell; constable, G. N. Jackson; auditor, John Selin; town clerk, C.
L. O'Kerlind; justice of the peace, Eric Erickson; collector, William Wilkins;
judge of election, J. O. Liddell; inspectors, John McNall, Neil C. McEwen.
In 1855 Gen. Kane came to the upper Clarion with a number of friends,
where his father and the widow of Mr. Leiper owned lands. The party took
up their quarters in Williamsville, on the Elk county side of the Wilcox farm.
In 1856 Mrs. Kaue accompanied her husband into the wilderness, and that
year the Geueral instructed Erastus Burlingame in geology, and had him join
the explorations of that year. In 1859 he selected the country around Kane
for his home, and in 1860 began the building of the present Kane home. On
the opening of hostilities the place was deserted, and the cut stone, which was
intended for the building, was stolen and used in filling the railroad embank-
ment. In 1864, however, the work of building was resumed, but the pioneer
saw-mill, built in 1864, burned in 1807, and delayed progress.
Evidences of prehistoric occupation are not wanting. There are three
earthworks or forts, each from two to four feet high, and about one mile apart.
They resemble each other, being all of a true circle and about fifty paces across
the center, and are evidently of great age, as large trees have grown up their
embankments. One contains from eight to ten small mounds with a deep
hole in the center, and all are situated on high land far from water. Two
cannon balls or shells were found at Kane when excavating for a round-house.
They are supposed to be reminders of the soldiers of the Revolution.
In May, 1880, the Seneca hunters, with their women and children, camped
below Kane in the great pigeon roosts. Their object was to feed on young
pigeons, which they intended to capture and kill chicken fashion, but owing
to some miscalculation, they arrived at the wrong time, and so had to evacuate
the location in the face of starvation, as they had no arms to bring down the
hitherto despised old birds.
The forest fires around Kane in May, 1888. originated near Wetmore. de-
stroying three houses at Swamp Lodge, the Clinton Oil Company's stock and
property; the Boston Oil Company's rigs and tanks; Treat & Mallory's rigs
and tanks, while much of the couutrv between Kane and Mount Jewett was
316 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
burned over. The clothes pin factory of Howells. Moffitt & Co.. of West Kane,
was destroyed that month.
The town of Jo Jo, which sjsrang into existence in the winter of 1885-86,
was practically deserted in April of the latter year. In October, 1889, the
name of the place was changed to Joville, and a post-office established there,
with Thomas J. McCann, master. The Kane Oil Field Eailroad, built in
1886, had the tracks removed, and the James Brothers' milling interest, or
Weaver's mill, was moved to Alton.
About the heaviest deal that has been made here for some time was made
between J. T. and W. Griffith and parties who owned a large oil interest near
the western limit of Kane. This interest consists of twenty- two producing
wells, and was purchased by the Griffiths for .180.000.
BOROUGH OF KANE.
The town was named in honor of Thomas L. Kane. He and David Cor
nelius were the first of the white men to settle here, and Mr. Kane was also
the first in Pennsylvania to volunteer his services to the government at the
commencement of the civil war, he having been colonel of the famous Buck-
tail Regiment, dying on Christmas Day, 1883. His sons are Elisha, Evan O.
and Thomas L., and with creditable zeal they are carrying out the public-
spirited policy adopted by their father, the honorable and distinguished founder
of the place, doing their utmost to advance the community in all that is possi-
ble for man to accomplish.
Kane borough, which was included in Welmore township in 1880, gave,
in 1888, 163 Eei^ublican, 117 Democratic, 37 Prohibition and three Labor-
Unionist votes, or a total of 320. The figures miiltiplied by six give an ap-
proximate of the present number of residents as 1,920, but local authorities
place it much higher. In January. 1891). Robert Campbell, city asse^£or,
reported a population of 1,925.
In December. 1869, a large hotel (164x122 feet, four stories) was com-
pleted; the railroad restaurant was carried on by the Nicholses; the McKean and
Elk Land and Improvement Company's park of 600 acres was laid out; the
Catholic church building, 40x60 feet, was completed prior to this time by
Father Voisard. Rev. Goodrich preached to the Methodists in a log house:
the school- building was completed, while the Swedes held religious meetings
on Fraley street. In 1S71 O. D. Coleman. Leonard & Meese, and Robert
LafFerty, were the leading merchants. The laige saw- mill (Kane's) was
burned in July, 1867, entailing a loss of $75,000. The commercial interests
of Kane in 1871 were rejiresented by F. W. Meese, J. Davis, O. D. Coleman
and M. W. Burk, merchants; R. E. Looker and P. Burns, grocers; D. T.
Hall, of the Kane House; J. D. Leonard, postmaster; J. D. Barnes, foreman
of steam saw-mill; William Bartholomew, butcher; M. Crotty, thoemaker;
James Hyde, machinist, and William Gannon, locomotive engineer. The
railroad buildings at Kane were destroyed by fire May 10, 1874.
Election. — The charter election of Kane borough was held February 15,
1887, when W. B. Smith received 235 votes for burgess (being the total vote
cast). George Griffith, J. McDade, O. D. Coleman, J. C. Myers, H. H. Cor
son and R. W. Smith were elected members of council; J. H. Grady, O. B.
Lay, P. J. Daly, M. W. Moffitt, J. Davis and R. M. Campbell received each a
full vote for school directors; C. V. Gillis was chosen justice; Robert Camp-
bell, assessor; Henry McConnell, collector; F. A. Vanorsdall, auditor; Dan
Matthews, constable; John Wegley, high constable; William Turby, judge,
and A. Peterson, inspector of elections. W. B. Smith was elected burgess in
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 319
1888. In February, 1889. Joshua Davis and E. H. Long received each 12()
votes. The matter was decided by the court declaring the ofiSce vacant and
appointing M. W. Moffitt, burgess. A. Y. Jones was chosen justice, receiving
130 votes, while D. T. Hall received only 117.
The following is the vote cast in the borough in February, 1890:
Water Tax- For, 190; against. 44.
Burgess— M. W. Moffitt, R., 107: George Kinnear. D., 81; N. M. Orr.
I., 85.
Council— W. B. Smith. R.. 172; C. E. Brown. R. &P., 128; T. H. Ryan,
R.. 99; P. McHale. D.. 98; William O'Connor. D.. 81; James Cochran. D..
81: Dr. W. J. Armstrong. I., 39; Webb Evans, I.. 34: G. W. Neuls, I., 37:
O. B. Lay. P.. 38; D. Staples, P.. 22.
School Directors— T. S. James, R. & P.. 150; Albert Peterson, R. & P.,
139: Dr. J. L. Wright. D.. 102; Edward Brooder. D.. 88; William Habard.
L.35.
Constable— R. E. Looker. R.. 160; James F. Wood, D.. 59; Davis Smiley.
P. & I. , 49.
High Constable — H. N. Cummings. R.. 121: John McDonough. D., 80;
D. M. Longshore. P. & I.. 64.
Auditor— Dennie Davis. R.. 134; E. H. Long. D., 88; W. O. Marvin. P.,
20; Willis Jackson, I.. 32.
Tax Collector— R. E. Looker. R.. 96: James F. Wood. D.. 38; Davis
Smiley. P. & I.. 34; C. V. Gillis, I.. 103.
Judge of Election-F. W^ Meese, Sr., R.. 133; D. T. Hall, D.. 86: Will
iam Blew, P. & I., 55.
Inspector of Election — W. H. Davis. R.. 137; Richard Kerwin. D.. 85:
Milton Craven, P., 24.
Schools. — The Kane school-building was erected in 1883 at a cost of about
$12,000. In 1885 W. P. Eckles was principal, with Misses Jones and Hodges,
assistants. R. Campbell is president of the school board, O. B. Lay, secre-
tary, W. J. Armstrong, treasurer, and Charles Roos, Grady and McKnight
unofficial members. The schools are presided over by C. D. Higby. The
teachers are Kate Ryan, Irene Davis, Florence Olmsted and May Norris.
The Convent school-building was, erected in 1882, and has been attended by
three sisters of the Benedictine Convent. The enrollment is over 150.
The Board of Trade. — Of this organization Joshua Davis is president; J.
T. Griffith and Eugene J. Miller, vice-presidents; U. M. Orr, secretary, and
E. Davis, treasurer. This organization gave authority to the treasurer to
offer the following inducements: Free building sites. Sites in desirable loca-
tions will be sold oiitright for manufacturing purposes at one-half the current
prices of adjacent lots, or, will be furnished on lease, rent free in any year
when twenty men (daily average) are employed about the works. Free gas.
In cases of manufactures where the number of hands employed is large in
proportion to the quantity of fuel consumed, the gas companies will fur-
nish gas free for one or more years, according to the number of hands
employed. Free lumber. Rough lumber for factory buildings will be donated
in special cases.
Natural Gas Companies. — In October, 1883, Elisha K. Kane commenced
the construction of a system of natural gas siipply for Kane, and in December,
1883, Kane Gas Company (limited), consisting of J. H. Snow. Henry Mc-
Sweeney and Charles P. Byron, all of Bradford, and E. K. Kane, of Kane,
tiled articles of association at the county seat. In August. 1884, the limited
partnership was succeeded by the Kane Gas Light and Heating Company, a
320 , HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
chartered corporation of the State (capital, $10,000 — 100 shares). In Sep
tember, 1884, Messrs. Byron, McSweeney and Snow successively sold their
interests, and J. D. Brooder, Elizabeth D. Kane and Joshua Davis suc-
ceeded them. September 29, 1885, the company reorganized under the nat-
ural gas act. At first the company purchased its gas from the National
Transit Company, but in May, 1884, they drilled a well at the north end of
Fraley street, and obtained an abundant supply of gas at the depth of 2,488
feet. Before means coiild be devised for confining the gas, the roar of its
escape could be plainly heard at a distance of eight miles, and the company
were threatened with suits for damage on account of loss of sleep by the
neighbors. To avoid interruption of supply during repairs of well, a second
gas well half a mile south of Kane was drilled in 1885. The excellent sand
and evidences of oil found in these two wells encouraged Mr. Clemenger
to try another "wildcat," and the discovery of the Kane oil field. The
company's mains have been extended with the growth of the town, and now
(in August, 1889) they are laid in every street of Kane, and branches extend
to the three villages of West Kane, North Kane and East Kane, while the
value of the entire plant is estimated at !j!40,000.
In 1887 the Citizens' Gas Company (capital $5,000) was chartered as a
competing line. James McDade, president; J. T. Griffith, vice-president, and
W. A. Holgate, originated the project and pixshed it to success. Mains were
laid on the four principal streets of Kane, and a branch to East Kane was
constructed. A well was drilled on Fraley street and another on sub. 343,
but the latter has since been disposed of. The plant is worth about $12,000,
the principal stockholders having procured loans to the company for the excess
over the capital. The immediate result of the comjnetition was a reduction in
price of gas from $2 per stove, monthly, to 90 cents and $1 per stove.
Water Compavi/. — Spring Water Company of Kane (capital $40,000) was
incorporated in 1887, the principal stockholders being Elizabeth D. Kane.
Elisha K. Kane, Joshua Davis, H. J. James and M. W. Motfitt, all of Kane.
Water is obtained from Hubert run, one mile north of the town, the entire
valley being preserved in timber for its protection. It is propelled by natural
gas introduced in lieu of steam into the cylinders of a Worthington duplex
pump, through a six-inch cast iron main to two (iOObarrel wooden tanks,
elevated twenty feet above the highest point of ground in the borough. From
this reservoir distributing mains are laid on all the jjrincipal streets east of
the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. The value of the plant is (August, 1889)
about $20,CX)0, paid in by stockholders, the remaining $20,000 of the capital
remaining in the treastiry for future extensions.
Bank and Industries. — In the Kane Bank, conducted by McDade, Davis
& Co., the town has a monetary interest of which it is justly proud. It
was founded April 27. 1886. James McDade, Joshua Davis, W. P. Weston
and Dr. G. H. Preston are the individual proprietors, and they are all men of
influence and enterprise. The office is in the modern McDade building, com
pleted in 1880.
A branch of the Security Building & Loan Association was organized Jan-
uary 30, 1890, with the following named officers: President, Andrew Larson,
ten shares: treasurer, D. B. Keelor, ten shares; secretary, Carl Egelin. five
shares; board of advisors, Andrew Skoog, ten shares; Albert Peterson, ten
shares; Andrew Skoglund, five shares.
In the James Brothers, of whom there are seven, although not all of them
are residents of Kane, the town has substantial pillars. Their principal busi-
ness is the manufacture of lumber, their mills being situated about nine miles
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 321
south of Kane, in Elk county. There they cut 1 '2.000, 000 feet of hemlock.
cherry and poplar annually, and have sufficient timber standing to keep
them busy for ten years. They cut mostly yard sizes, and are now just com-
pleting a lath mill. At Hinton, \V. Va. , where J. C. James, assisted by his
brother, D. W., is located, they have a mill and other interests, the style of
the firm being William James & Sons, the father, now deceased, having
founded the business in 1865, taking his son into partnership two years later.
They cut yearly 2,000.000 feet of pine, poplar and oak, and from both there
and Elk county they make shipments to all parts of Eastern Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Delaware. The business in Kane is in charge of H. J. and
T. S. James.
The Griffith Mills were established in ISlili, by Thomas Griffith, who con-
ducted them until 188-t, when J. T. Griffith leased two of them. A year later
he and his brother, Webb, purchased the three mills, which produced 7,000,000
feet of lumber last year. In 1883 the Griffith Brothers established their large
store at Kane, and in 1889 invested S80,00O in local oil lands. They carry
almost a half interest in the Citizens' Gas Company, and employ from forty
to a hundred men.
Probably the largest industry in Kane is the brush-block factory, founded
here some four years ago by the Holgate Brothers, the oldest and most widely-
known firm in this line in the whole country, the business having been handed
down to the present generation from a hundred years back. In February,
1888, Joshua Davis, his son, W. H. , and G. W. Neuls, became the sole pro-
prietors, retaining the old title, but adding to it the word comiaany. Mr.
Neuls, who gives every detail of the business his personal attention, was with
the Holgates fifteen years ago, becoming thoroughly versed in the manufact-
ure of every article made in the factory, including brush heads, brush handles.
and white-wash, paste, dust, stove and scrub blocks. They make the finest
goods, and their productive capacity is 500,000 to 800,000 gross per annum,
the variety of handles made being over 50,000.
The Kane clothes-pin factories are operated by David Howells, M. W.
Moffitt and Joshua Davis. The works at West Kane were first opened in the
fall of 1889. The process of making these is an interesting one. It is done
in just sis motions. The first one cuts a four-foot chunk off the log, the sec-
ond saws a board from the chunk, the third saws the board into square stri2)s,
the fourth cuts the strips into clothes-pin lengths, the fifth turns the pin, and
the sixth cuts the slot in it. This is done very rapidly, and they are then dried
and polished in revolving cylinders, after which they are at once boxed and
shipped. The cajDacity is 300 boxes of 720 pins each per day, or twenty-nine
miles in length. In February, 1890, the West & Britton clothes-pin factory
was purchased by Howells, Moffitt & Co.
The Carbon Manufacturing Company's Gas-black factory was established in
February, 1889, by A. E. Blood and James McDade. The works give em-
ployment to three hands and produce $25,000 worth of gas-black annually.
W. S. Haskins is foreman.
The Sergeant Chemical Works dates back to 1886, when the Chemical
Company was incorporated with L. M. Otto, president; N. B. Bubb, secretary
and treasurer; J. B. Coryell. H. C. Bubb, J. F. Tyler, and C. H. Heiiii
(superintendent), members. The works were erected that year and now em-
ploy thirty-five hands. The annual product is valued at 175,000. Natural
gas is used in this factory as in nearly all others; part of the product goes io
Europe.
The La Mont Chemical Works Company, of which J. C. James is president.
322 HISTOUY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
H. J. James, treasurer; Joshua Davis, secretary, and J. B. Fioeli, superin-
tendeat, manufactirre acetate of lime, charcoal and naphtha, operating what
is known as a twelve-retort plant and consuming 3,()0U cords of beech, maple
and birch woods annually, using natural gas fuel. The works are located
three miles south of Kane, have been running .seven years, and their products
are shipped to the Philadelphia and Boston markets.
The Brooder Wall-Catching Packer was patented by Mr. Brooder August
6, 188G, and May 17, 1887. In the use of the Brooder packer no anchor is
fequired, as a screw purchase, instead of the weight of the tubing, is employed
in compressing the rubber, causing it to expand, shutting off the How of gas
or oil outside the packer, forcing the same up through the packer and tnbiug
instead. With this invention Mr. Brooder guarantees the shutting-in of any
well, no matter how strong the pressure or at what depth it is to be shut off.
The Brooder packers are also used with success in packing oft* saltwater where
it is necessary to pull the casing, the packer sustaining the weight of water
and the tubing while the casing is being drawn. In January, 1890, John P.
Farrell, of the Butler Go-Operative Glass Works, which were burned to the
ground the previous spring, recently made Kane a visit to consult with hercit
jzens in regard to bringing the works here. Flattering offers were made to him
which were in substance as follows: Ground rent, free; gas from the Kane Gas
Light and Heating Company, at exceedingly low rates; and wafer from the
Spring Water Company free. For the site of the works he preferred the land
in the "y" formed by the P. & W. and P. & E. Railroads. The gentleman
has visited the gas fields in the West and he found no place which pleased
him better than Kane.
Hotels. — The Thompson House was leased by R. M. N. Taylor in 18(6,
when the house was first regularly opened for hotel purposes. In 1877 he was
succeeded by C. H. Kemp, formerly of the Washington Hotel, Philadelphia,
who gave place in 1880 to George W. Jackson. On the removal of the latter
Mr. Kemp leased the house and conducted it from 1884 until 1887, when
Martin O'Brien leased it. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Kemp resumed the con-
duct of the house, being the only successful lessee. The house is part Of the
Kane estate. There are eighty bed-rooms, together with large parlors, etc.
There are thirty hands generally employed. A. Y. Jones is the genial clerk.
The Hotel La Mont is conducted by Rick Donovan, who is one of the most
popular hosts in the field. The Fleming House is a favorite hostelry, and
claims an extensive patronage, while the Kane House is admirably conducted
and consequently very popular. There are smaller hotels and boarding houses
in the city, which are all doing a fair trade. The St. Elmo was purchased in
November, 1889, by John O'Shea.
Churches. — The Kane Methodist Episcopal Church was formerly connected
with the Sheffield work; while a circuit its first pastor was Rev. George F.
Reeser. Then followed A. S. Goodrich, S. Holland and Wilder (Rev. Wilder
being the one who preached to Gen. Grant when he visited Kane), M. Vm\-
grove, L. F. Merritt, M. V. Stone, H. P. Hicks, S. S. Burton, C. Clark, A.
H. Bowers, M. Fording, L. A. Chapin, L. F. Merritt, D. M. Carpenter, L. O.
Mead, F. A. Mills, W. A. Merriam, J. A. Parsons, C. W. Foulk and J. Bell
Neff. Under J. A. Parsons it was made a station. At present the pastor, J.
Boll Neff, is putting up a new brick church, which will cost $12,000.* The
society was organized in 1804 with the following members: Neil McEwen,
Lydia McEwen, Maggie McEwen, Katie McEwen, Mary A. Repine, Joseph
sTIiis clmiTli ImiUlini; \v;is dediwiteil Miir.-li lU, ls;]i), Itcv. Dr. Williams, cir AUi'slienv t'ollegp. otii-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 323
"Wegley, Eve Weglev, AVilliam Hubbard, Charles Eversoii, Elizabeth Evejson,
John A. Mell, Hettie Mell, Theodosia Mell, Kobert Campbell, Sarah Camp-
bell, Elizabeth S. James, Mary A. Blew, Laura Camjibell, Lucelta Lafi'erty,
Haiina Davis, Ebenezer Edwards, Helen Fisher, Orpha Campbell, Almysa Jane
Cummings. The first Methodist Episcopal building was dedicated in Decem-
ber, 1872, and the second February 28, 1875. Kev. John Hicks was pastor
in 1872.
The Catholic Church dates back to 1866. Rev. G. A. Voisard signed the
records of the Catholic church in 1866, when the work of church building was
begun. The house was completed in 1867, at a cost of $686. In 1869 Rev.
Mr. Mullowney presided here; in 1871, Rev. De la Rocque: in 1878, Rev. B.
Klocker, followed by Rev. Hugh Mullen in 1887. Rev. George Winkler, the
present pastor, came in 1888. In 1885 the old church was burned and the
people worshiped in Temperance Hall until October 13, when the new church
was dedicated by Bishop Mullen, of Erie. Rev. George Winkler, immediately
upon taking charge of his mission, began the building of the new church: it is
of gothic style, 50x100 feet, with a large and hand^ome foundation to hold
the brick work, which is also solid. The spire from foundation wall to peak
of the cross has a height of 131 feet. It will, without the furniture, cost
114,000. The number of families attending this church is eighty. The lauild-
ing, if erected under ordinary contract forms, would cost about $32,()C().
Under the close supervision of Father Winkler the large church, with great
high altar, stained-glass windows, modern pews, etc. , has been provided for
the people at less than half the cost of the highest bid tendered for the work.
The "Presbyterian Church of Kane was organized November 15, 1874, by
Rev. J. L. Landis. Robert Field and William Hubbard were installed elders.
Pending the erection of a building, services were held in the Thomson House,
with Rev. J. M. Gillette, pastor. Mrs. Thomas, aunt of Gen. Kane, may
be said to be the donor of the church at Kane to the Presbyterian society. It
appears that she was anxious that Gen. Kane's children should be educated
in Presbyterian religious ideas, and this, in connection with her desire to build
a memorial to her father, Mr. Leiper, suggested this building. The stone
was taken from A. A. Clay's quarry, with his permission, and with this excep-
tion must be considered her grant to the society here. In building, Henry L.
Taylor was architect; the layer of the stone. Gen. Kane; all Masons, and
Mrs. Thomas were the leaders in the ceremony of corner-stone laying; and the
latter being the principal and an anti-Mason in sentiment, varied from the
Masonic ritual in one instance and used the words of the church ritual.
The Congregational Church was organized December 29, 1887. with Joshua
Davis, David Howells, A. Y. Jones. John T. Griffith, R. T. Starsmeare, O. D.
Coleman, W. A. Holgate and their families members. Rev. George Belsey
is pastor, and A. Y. Jones, clerk. The church building, which was completed
and dedicated December 9, 1888, cost $13,000. Lemuel Davis and E. B.
James are named among the trustees in act of incorporation of April, 1888.
The Baptist Church was organized November 25, 1887, with the following
named members: Charles Roos, Mrs. Ella Roos, Emery Davis, Mrs. Margaret
Montice, Mrs. Sarah Ware, Mrs. C. R. Dickey, Mrs. Parkhurst, Mrs. Dora
Norline, Mrs. Martha Young, P. C. West, Mrs. M. E. West. It was incor-
porated in May, 1888, the subscribers being C. Roos, P. C. West, E. R. Brit-
ton, Emery Davis, Norman Thomas, and their wives, A. D. Clark, A. J.
Donachi, O. A. Thomas, Madams Lida Mitchell, Margaret Mentrice, Martha
Young, Sarah Ware, Parkhurst, Gillis, Dickie, and Agnes Hanna. Rev. O.
R. Thomas is pastor, and Emery Davis clerk. There are twenty-nine mem
bers, with property valued at $6,000.
324 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Society of Kane was incorporated Sep-
tember 4, 18S8, on a petition signed by August Torstenson, J. A. Carlson, Ole
Hanson, J. P. Larson and A. Peterson.
The Free Lutheran Evangelical Church of "Wetmore township was incor-
porated October 27, 1885, on petition of H. Norliu, A. Norman, G. Oberg and
C. F. Karlsou.
The Kanasholm Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augnstoria
Synod was organized in June, 1876, with John Alfred Berling and others
trustees.
The Kanasholm Cemetery of Wetmore township was incorporated as the
last resting place of deceased Swedes in September, 1876.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Mission Church dates its beginning De-
cember 1, 1888, when Mr. and Mrs. Flynn and daughter, Mrs. Eugene Miller.
Mrs. Thomas McClellan, Miss Ella Herrick, Mrs. O'Brien, A. Louisa Long
and Mrs. Wilkinson, signed the roll of membership. N. M. Long was the
tirst secretary and J. Elmer Fluke is the present secretary. The membership
numbers ten persons, with Kev. A. W. Ryan, pastor.
Societies. — Kane Lodge, No. 560, F. & A. M., was organized October 28,
1886, with the following named charter members: Claudius V. Gillis, Thomas
H. Ryan, Alexander Y. Jones, Joshua Davis, Richard W. Smith, John T.
Griffith, David Howells, Edward W. Long, William Turbey, Randolph M.
Campbell, Walter B. Smith, James Campbell, Francis A. Lyte, William A.
Holgate, Ogden B. Lay, Charles W. Stone, William Hearst, Joseph Mauzella,
Frank W. Bravton, John J. Stenstrom, Richard T. Starsmeare, Arthur H.
Holgate, William E. Blew, J. Frank Tyler, Jacob M. Mock. The three tirst
named have served as masters and F. A. Lyte in 1889: R. W. Smith as sec-
retary, and Joshua Davis as treasurer, with W. B. Smith, master. There
are forty-five members with property valued at $1,500.
Lodge 209, K. of P.. was in.stituted July 27, 1888, with the following
named officers: C. C. , M. A. Bingham; V. C, William B. Beamer; P. A., J.
Kingsley; M. at A., R. E, Looker; K. of R. & S., A. E. Myers; M. of F..
A. B. Thomas; M. of E., John Fleming; I. G., George N. Jackson; O. G.,
John Shaner. The names of past and present C. Cs. are M. A. Bingham,
A. A. Truxel and William B. Beamer; W. O. Delph was C. C. in February,
1800; John Shaner, A. E. Myers and A. B. Thomas are past chancellors. The
names of secretaries are A. D. Swick and A. E. Myers. The present number
of members is sixty-four and the value of property is $600.
Kane Lodge, No. 412, I. O. O. F., is presided over by L. Davis, N. G., and
Willis Jackson, Sec. This lodge has a well-equipped hall, and is one of the
most prosperous of the Kane societies.
Charles R. Riddle Post, 238, G. A. R., was mustered in March 27, 1888,
with R. E. Looker, Com. ; George Griffith. S. V. C. ; Michael Galvin,
J. V. C. ; B. F. Burgess, Q. M. ; Joshua Davis, Surg. ; David Howells,
Chap. ; D. R. Matthews. O. of D. ; R. M. Campbell. O. of G. ; A. Y. Jones,
Adjt. ; Michael McEvoy, S. M ; H. McConnell, Q. M. S. ; E. J. Collins
and T. H. Ryan, trustees. The membership at date of muster included the
above named with S. P. Bray, William Brennan. Adam Brodt, Omit Brestle,
M. A. Bingham, S. W. Brewer, Murty Dowd, C. H. Franklin, G. N. Jackson.
J. R. London, James Landragan, L. N. Mosier. W. H. H Parker, Philip
Qaigley, F. W. Patch, William Rose, Sebastian Soarles, Peter C. Tripj) and
Thomas H. Ryan.
Col. Charles J, BiddU-, Women's Relief Corps. No 100, was organized .March
27. 1888, with Mrs. Jennie (4ri)'litli, president; Mrs. Joshua Davis, vice-presi-
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY. 325
dent; Mrs. O. Brestle, junior -vice-president; Mrs. George GriiBths, treasurer;
Mrs. W. J. Arney, chaplain; Mrs. Ed. H. Long, secretary; Mrs. D'. R.
Matthews, conductor; Mrs. G. E. Brown, assistant conductor; Mrs. R. E.
Looker, guard, and Mrs. James Landragan, assistant guard. The charter
members included the above named with Madams Rose Brennan, Martha
Blood, T. Crosson, M. Dowd, Hannah Davis, Elizabeth Frazier, Mary Galvin,
F. E. Griffith, Mattie Griffith, Jennie Griffith, Ann Howells, E. Landragan,
Mary Looker, Margaret Long, J. Matthews, H, McConnell, Mary E. Mock,
Abbie'Maher. Ellen Quigley, Harriet Ryan, Maggie Sherry, Rosa Smith, S.
E. Stewart, L. Thomas, Misses L. Brestle and Mary Long. The Women's
Relief Corps is presided over by Mrs. Harriet M. Ryan, with Mrs. Ella Kelts,
secretary.
Gen. Thomas L. Kane Camp, S. of V. , No. 237, claims J. L. Mitchell as
captain, and Claude B. Gillis, tirst sergeant.
Patriotic Order Sons of America, was organized November 12, 1888, with
the following named officials: Willis Jackson. George W. Neuls, John T.
Campbell, J. H. Gillis, John E. Fluke, W. H. Morgester, Charles Davis,
George Smith, Dennie Davis, F. O. Peterson. G. H. Preston, Webb Evans,
Webb Griffith, John W. Griffith. The presidents have been J. T. Campbell
and Willis Jackson, while George W. Neuls was serving in 1889. W. H.
Morgester, the tirst secretary, was succeeded in August, 1889, by John W.
Griffith. The lodge claims thirty-iive members. W. H. Davis was president,
and Dennie Davis, secretary, in February, 1890.
In August, 1872, a military company was organized at Kane, with Joseph
D. Barnes, captaft; Thomas Crosson, lieutenant, and Charles Everson, second
lieutenant. The membership was about fifty.
The Columbian League was organized at Kane in April, 1888, with A. A.
Trnxel, P. C. ; T. DifPenderfer, C. ; Arthur Morris, V. C. ; W. W. Morrison,
A. C. ; George Wyviel, Sec. ; Dr. J. L. Wright, Treas. ; R. R. Hughes, Col. ;
J. McChessney, Chap. ; A. N. Russell, Mar. ; A. Clemenger and J. G. King,
Triistees. This society was organized for mutual benefit, and offered a cheap
method of life insurance.
The Loyal Legion claims the following officers: President, Bessie Staples;
vice-president, Bessie McDade; recording secretary, Anna Campbell; corre-
sponding secretary, Minnie Parsons; treasurer, Flora Lay; organist, Myrtie
Yantassel.
The Kane Catholic Total Abstinence Society was organized in 1873, with
John H. Butler, president; McKean. treasurer, and James Landragan,
marshal.
Kane E. A. U. was organized August 4, 1885, with W. M. Bartlett, chan-
cellor; R. L. Earl, advocate; M. VV. Moffitt, president; Mrs. S. B. Thomas,
vice-president; Mrs. L. M. Meese, auxiliary; Thomas J. Malone, secretary, and
W. H. Davis, treasurer.
Encampment of Knights of Malta at Kane was named in honor or J. T.
Griffith. F. B. Booth is E. C, and G. A. Robinson, C.
Branch No. 13. C. M. B. A., was organized in November. 1889, with thir-
ty-eight members. The officers installed were: President, Peter J. Daly;
first vice-president, James T. Kelly; second vice-president, Thomas Dwyer:
recording secretary, Thomas J. Dolphin; assistant recording secretary, P. J.
Sullivan; financial secretary. M. J. Daly; marshal, Patrick Curran; guard,
Peter J. Crosson; trustees, John H. Garry, M. O'Shea, James P. Remond, P
Curran, B. Crowley.
Miscellaneous. — J. D. Leonard was postmaster at Kane until the appoint -
ment of O. G. Kelts in 1886.
326 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
In the fall of 1SS9 a number of citizens met in O. B. Lay's office and or-
ganized what is known as the Kane Cemetery Association. At the meeting a
committee consisting of Messrs. Joshua Davis, C. H. Kemp and M. W. Moffitt
was appointed and instructed to procure the ground. This committee at once
commenced work and purchased six acres of Erick Erickson at $100 per acre.
Mrs. E. D. Kane donated four acres, making in all ten acres. This land has
been fenced in. The services of Alson Rogers, of Warren, were secured, who
did the work reasonable, and did it well. A part of the ground has been laid
out in lots, and the committee are now ready to dispose of them. The cem-
etery is situated about half a mile south of the borough, and a graded road
leads to and through the grounds.
The location of the town in the wilderness, near where the pioneers of
Williamsville settled long ago, is excellent. When Gen. Kane came in later
years and looked up from the valley of the Clarion he pictured the tree-covered
hills, partially cleared of the forest, and in the openings a thousand happy
farm homes. In after years, when the railroad sought a way out of the val-
ley and its builders determined to cross the high divide, he selected the sum-
mit for a town site and dreamed great things of its future, seeing in fancy the
porticoed houses of a happy people extending over the plateau and stretching
away to the valleys. The pioneer dream has been practically fulfilled. Omit
ting its poetic features the location is all that he pictured, and more than that,
for conveniences of life which were not known a decade ago are found here,
and great industries, which provide work for the industrious, take the place of
fancy's castles. The town is an example of what enterprise may accomplish
in a short space of time. It is very young, but very precocious, and the
marker of its progress has work daily, for every day adds either a small or
large contingent to the mercantile or manufacturing circle and many persons
to the community. What history may say of this progressive town at the close
of this century depends much on its residents of the present time.
lOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 327
CHAPTER XXII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES— BRADFORD TOWNSHIP AND
CITY OF BRADFORD.
JAMES L. ADAMS, manager of the Bradford Beef Company, Bradford,
was born in Ossian, Livingston Co., N. Y., October 31, 1847. a son of Leonard
and Amy (Crocker) Adams. He left school and served as private in the Union
army, Second Army Corps, Third Brigade, Third Division, One Hundred and
Twentieth New York State Regiment, Company I, fi-om September 2, 1864,
until the end of the war; was discharged June 15, 18fi5, at Kingston. N. Y.,
when he returned to school and graduated from the Rushford Academy, Alle-
gany county, N. Y., in 1865; then attended Eastman's commercial school of
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , and graduated in March, 1866, and then was employed
for a time as bookkeeper, when he began the manufactiire of cheese, which he
continued until 1871. He then sold out his business and moved to McKean
county, Penn., where he was employed as superintendent and manager of the
cheese factory at Kendall. In 1874 he accepted a position as bookkeeper at
Bradford, which he held until 18S6, when he became manager of the Bradford
Beef Company, which was established by Swift & Co., of Chicago, 111., in 1883.
The business of the company has doubled since Mr. Adams became its man-
ager, and they now sell three car loads of beef per week at Bradford. Mr.
Adams was married July 4, 1870. to Miss Emma M. Tyler, of Farmersville, N.
Y. , and they have two children: Myrtie M. and Carrie L. In politics Mr.
Adams is independent. He is a member of the Knights of St. John and Malta
and the Knights of Pythias. The parents of Mr. Adams are native-born
Americans of English descent; those of Mrs. Adams, James and Malona
(Clark) Tyler, are also native-born Americans, and reside at Farmersville, N.
Y.. where the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Adams was solemnized. Although
regular attendants at church, they are not members of any congregation.
H. H. ADSIT, superintendent of the Bradford Oil Company, Bradford,
was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., January 22, 1841, a son of Albert G.
and Genette (Montgomery) Adsit, who were natives of Saratoga county, N. Y.
The subject of these lines, who is the youngest son in a family of four sons and
four daughters, was reared in his native county, and in his boyhood attended
the common schools, later becoming a student at Fredonia Academy. In 1858
he began to learn the trade of machinist, and served an apprenticeship of three
years. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Forty-fourth
New York Volunteer Infantry, known as the ' ' Ellsworth Zouaves, ' ' being se-
lected to represent Chautauqua county. The regiment was made up from the
entire State, each county and each ward in the cities furnishing one man, who
was to be at least five feet ten inches in height, well-built and between the
ages of twenty-one and thirty. Mr. Adsit was appointed orderly sergeant of
his company. He served faithfully until the expiration of his term of service,
and was discharged in 1864; he was wounded twice — neither time seriously.
After his discharge he returned to Chautauqua county, and worked at his trade
a year. In 1865 he entered into the oil business, and in 1872 was employed
328 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
by au English company to go to the West India Islands, taking with him men
and tools. Returning to Pennsylvania in 1ST4, in ISTt) he came to Bradford,
where he has since been superintendent of the Bradford Oil Company. Mr.
Adsit was married in 1878 to Miss Frances Nevens. daughter of William
Nevens, of Titusville. This union has been blessed with three children, viz. :
Grace, Bessie and Howard. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member
of the Veteran League, of which he is lieutenant- colonel. He and his wife
are members of the Episcopal Church.
C. P. ALLING, M. D., Bradford, was born in Norwalk, Huron Co..
'Ohio, February 19, 1838, a son of P. and Eliza L. (Gibbs) Ailing, former a
native of New York and latter of Connecticut. His father was clerk of Huron
county ten years. C. P. is the second in a family of eight children, was given
good educational advantages, and after leaving the common schools attended
the Western Reserve College, from which he graduated in 1856. He then took
a three years' course at Kenyon (Ohio) College, and afterward taught school
one year at Milan, Ohio. He began the study of medicine at Norwalk with
Dr. John Tifft, completing same with Dr. Charles Merrill, of Cleveland, in the
meantime attending lectures at the Western Homoeopathic College, of Cleve-
land; received his degree in 1862, and entered upon the practice of his pro-
fession at Lima. The following summer the Doctor enlisted in one of the regi-
ments formed for the defense of the southern border of the State, serving as
assistant surgeon, and was discharged in December following. He practiced
at Milan three years, and then, in January, 1867, moved to Dunkirk, N. Y..
where he remained ten years. While there he served for a time as city physi-
cian, was chairman of the board of health, and an active member of the New
York Homoeopathic Medical Society. In 1877 he moved to Bradford, where
he remained four years, and in 1881 went to BufPalo, but two years later re
turned to Bradford, where he has since lived. While in BufPalo he served as
city physician and was also surgeon for a railroad company. For five years he
has been chairman of the Bureau of Microscopy and Histology in the National
Medical Association. While in Buffalo he perfected the " Triumph Inhaler,"
which seems destined to revolutionize the treatment of all diseases of the head,
throat and liings. The Doctor now has a large jiractice, which is mostly con-
fined to his office, and has been very successful in his treatment of disease.
Dr. Ailing was married in March, 1863, to Miss Riihamah Wakeman, daugh-
ter pf W. H. Wakeman, and they have two children: Mary E. (wife of Capt.
A. A. Fengar) and H. W. (now a medical student in the office of his father.)
The Doctor and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics he
is a Republican.
ABRAHAM ANDERSON is a prominent flour and feed dealer in Bradford,
formerly of Lafayette, same county, where he was postmaster for thirteen
years. He also owns a farm of 200 acres, and is lai-gely interested in the pro-
duction of oil, working ten wells and receiving a royalty on a number of others.
Mr. Anderson was born in England, and came with his parents to America in
1828. They settled in McKean county, being among its first settlers, at a
time when it was mostlj' inhabited by Indians and wild animals. His father
died in 1832; his mother died at the age of one hundred and three, retaining
her mental faculties till the time of her death, December 8, 1889. Of their
seven sons, Joseph, James. Thomas, John, Isaac, William and Abraham, three
are living: Isaac, in Erie county, Penn., and James and Abraham, in McKean
county. The mother was a cousin of John C. Calhoun, the eminent states-
man. Mr. Anderson has served as justice of the peace and deputy sheriff of
his county. By special act of the legislature he was appointed State road
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ' 329
commissioner, in which capacity be served six years. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the Equitable Aid Union. He was married August
12, 1852, to Sarah Ann Elizabeth Beeman, and they have had four children:
Burton J. (killed in a railroad disaster), Jesse E., Eva (wife of Charles Welch,
of Newton, Kas. ), and Anna A. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are prominent mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.
J. L. ANDREWS, proprietor of the Hotel Brimswick, Bradford, was born
January lU, 1842. He was reared in Bradford county. Penn., and enlisted in
1862 in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvannia Volunteer Infan
try. Company D, serving his term of enlistment. He has lived in Bradford
since 1875, and has been one of the most active in the promotion of her pul^lic
interests._ He was one of the most prominent movers in the organization of
the Bradford Fire Department, and was elected its first chief, serving in that
capacity five years, and still enjoys the reputation of having been one of the
best chiefs the department has had. He is now serving his third term as a
member of the select council of Bradford. In politics Mr. Andrews is a Re-
publican, and he is a member of Bradford Post, No. 141, G. A. R. He was
married in Jamestown, N.Y., in 1870, to Miss Blanche, daughter of Col. James
T. Henry, and they have two children: James and Blanche Broder.
S. AUERHAIM, dealer in dry goods, millinery, etc., Bradford, is a native
of Germany, born November 28, 1838. He was reared in his native country,
and his father, Moses Auerhaim, being a merchant, he, when but a child, be-
gan to learn the business, serving a regular aj^prenticeship of three years. In
1850 he came to America, and in New York learned the cigar-maker's trade.
He was obliged to rely on himself for support, and as he had not money enough
to start the dry goods business, for some time he gave his attention to the
manufacture and sale of cigars. He remained in New York until 186(). when
he removed to Petroleum Centre, Penn.. and there embarked in the dry goods
business; later he went to Erie, and from there to Oil City, where he remained
live years. In 1879 he located in Bradford, where he now has one of the best
dry goods stores in the place. Mr. Auerhaim married Miss Fannie Kuntz, and
they have seven children: Selina, Ida, Bertha, Emma, Clara, Samuel and
Moses Martin. In politics Mr. Auerhaim is a Republican. He is a memlter
of the Jewish Reformed Church, of which he is a trustee. He is also a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F.
HARVEY S. BAKER, M. D., one of the oldest physicians in Bradford,
settled in McKean county in an early day, and has lived to see the wonderful
changes in the coimty in the last half century. When he first came to the
■county, and for many years thereafter, his practice extended for twenty miles
from his home, in all directions, and his professional visits were mostly made
on horseback, he can-ying his own drug store in his saddle-bags. He has had
an extensive practice both in Pennsylvania and New York, and is one of the
best-known physicians in the county. Dr. Baker is a native of New York,
born May 26, 1827, a son of Thomas and Abigail (Shaw) Baker. His grand-
father. Abner Baker, was a soldier in the colonial army during the war of the
Revolution. Dr. Baker graduated from the Medical Department of the State
University of Michigan. March 29, 1855. He was married September 26.
1S60. to Nancy J. Comstock. who died in 1878, leaving four children: C. L..
R. N., Ernestine and Nancy J. February 23, 1881. Dr. Baker married
Nellie M., daughter of Emanulus O. and Lydia (Starkwether) Dickinson, and
they have one child, Leala D. Dr. Baker is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
J. W. BAKER, one of the prominent business men of Bradford, was born
330 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
in Allegheny county. Penu., July 13. 1S49. son of Daniel and Harriet (Hughes)
Baker, natives of Maryland, former of German, and latter of English
descent. Mr. Baker remained with his parents in Allegheny City until seventeen
years of age, attending school the most of the time, and then went to work in the
oil fields, later buying property and working wells for himself until 1875, when
he began dealing in torpedoes and nitro-glycerine. In 1878 he removed to
Bradford, where he has continued the same business. In politics Mr. Baker
is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M. , lodge and chapter.
A. r. BANNON, reading clerk of the Pennsylvania State senate, is a well-
known figure of McKean county, where he has hosts of friends among all par-
ties. He is a native of the Keystone State, born in Blossburgh, October 13,
1S47, and is a son of Patrick and Joanna (Lanergan) Bannon, natives of Ire-
land. His jjarents came to America in 1841, and soon thereafter settled in
Blossburgh, Penn. When he was twelve years of age the subject of these
lines was put to work with his father in the mines, an occupation he followed
ten years. As he was obliged to work at ao age when most boys are at school,
his educational advantages were necessarily very limited; but being of a stu-
dious disposition, and having a natural thirst for knowledge, he attended
night-school, thus obtaining a fair education. In the year after reaching his
majority, being determined to seek other employment, he secured a situation
as clerk in a grocery store in Blossburgh; and so well did he improve his
opportunities that, in 1872, he was enabled to start in business for himself.
In 1875 he closed out his store, and in 1877 removed to McKean county, where
he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Company at Kendall Creek. A
year later he embarked in the coal business, in which he continued five years,
when, having purchased valuable oil property, he sold out and devoted his
attention to the production of oil, a business he is thoroughly acquainted with.
In politics Mr. Bannon has for a long time been a prominent Republican, and
in 1883 he was chairman of the county committee. In 1880 he was elected
coroner of the county; between the years 1885 and 1888 he served as sheriff of
the county, and in 1SS9 he was appointed to his present position of reading-
clerk of the Pennsylvania State senate, his services commencing with the
session of that year. He has two years to serve, so that his voice will be
heard in that distinguished body in 1891. Mr. Bannon was married August
25, 1870, at Corning, N. Y., to Mary J., daughter of Samuel Carlyle, and
they have three children: Anthony F., William P. and Mary. The family are
members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Bannon is a member of Lodge No.
133, A. O. U. W., and represented his lodge in the grand lodge in 1883.
H. F. BARBOUR, editor of the Bradford Evening Star, Bradford, was
born in Chemung county, N. Y., March 14, 1845, the youngest of five children
that lived to maturity of J. N. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Barbour, the former
a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. His mother died just as
he reached manhood. His father, over eighty, is now residing near Elmira,
N. Y. The subject of these lines was reared in his native county, and here
obtained his rudimentary education, and at the age of sixteen entered Alfred
University. After three years he left college to prepare himself for his life
work as pul)lisher and editor, the University, at the commencement in 1889,
voluntarily granting him an honorary diploma and degree of Master of Arts.
In March, 1869, he received an appointment in the Government printing office
at Washington, where for three years he held the Greek cases. In 1872 he
came to McKean county and purchased the Smethport Miner. In 1884 he sold
the Miner and bought a half interest in the Bradford Erening Star. A year later
he purchased his partner's interest and organized The Star Publishing Com-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 331
patiy, of which he is president, and owner of more than three-fourths of the
stock. He is an able writer, aggressive and forcible, but never scurrilous; is an
out-and-out Republican, and the Star, being conducted in the interests of that
party, has proved of great benefit to the Republican cause of McKean county.
The Star is published daily, and has the largest circulation in the county, in-
deed, remarkably large for a city like Bradford. Mr. Barbour is an indefati-
gable worker, and the success the paper has attained is due to his untiring-
energy and his ability as publisher and editor. He is an active member of the
Masonic order, and is a Knight Templar. Mr. Barbour was married at Hmeth
port, McKean Co., Penn. , September 17, 1873, to Mary E., daughter of Rev.
H. and Jane (Smith) Peck, her father having been a minister in the Methodist
Church for several years, in McKean county, but now living in the State of
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Barbour have one child, AVard W., a lad of fifteen
years.
J. S. BARLOW, alderman of the First Ward, Bradford, Penn., was born
in Rochester, N. Y., November 20, 1849, a son of A. S. and Margaret (Phelps)
Barlow, the former of English and German, and the latter of Irish descent.
His father was a prominent citizen of Rochester and later moved to Chicago,
111., where he was extensively engaged in the real estate business. J. S. Bar-
low attended the schools of Rochester and also the Satterlee Institute, and.
when a boy, clerked in a grocery store, a business he carried on for himself for
a time in Rochester. In 1869 he moved to Pennsylvania and. for a time, was
engaged in refining oil in the lower oil fields; then went to Butler county and
embarked in the grocery business. In 1878 he came to Bradford and engaged
in the oil business, producing oil in the Bradford fields. He was elected
constable in 1878, served nine years, and in 18SS was elected to his present
position. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Barlow was married in Rochester,
in 1871, to Miss Maggie Ward, a native of Rochester, N. Y., of Irish descent,
daughter of Anthony Ward, and they have one child, William. Mrs. Barlow
is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W..
and also a member of the Select Knights.
B. H. BARR, superintendent and general manager for the C. F. McAmbley
Lumber Company, Bradford, was born in Bradford. McKean Co., Penn., July
11, 1852, the eldest of eight children of Henry W. and Statira (Sears) Ban",
former a native of New York, and latter of Pennsylvania. The father. wh<.i
was a lumber dealer, was a pioneer settler of McKean county, being at the
head of the Tuna Lumber Company. B. H. Barr was given good educational
advantages, and was a clerk for his father for several years. In 1879 he entered
the employ of the Ridgway Lumber Company, an extensive concern, operating
at Ridgway, Elk county, and elsewhere, remaining with them three years, and
has since 1886 been with the C. F. McAmbley Lumber Company at Bradford.
Mr. Barr was married in 1886, at Kendall Creek, McKean Co., Penn., to
Luella R., born June 29. 1853, a daughter of P. and Clarissa (Owens) Ackley.
and they have one child. Lulu. In politics Mr. Barr is a Democrat. He and
his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Knights
of the Maccabees.
J. L. BARRETT (deceased), late manager for the Postal Telegraph Cable
Company, at Bradford, Penn. , was born in Steuben county, N. Y. , July 16, 1859.
a son of Charles and Margaret (Christler) Barrett, former of English and latter
of English-German descent. He began the study of telegraphy before he was
twelve years old, and in 1874 was given charge of an office on the Erie Rail-
road. In 1877 he came to Bradford, and was in the employ of the Western
Union Telegraph Company until 1883, when the operators had a strike, and
332 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
he worked an independent line between the oil exchanges in Bradford until
1884, in which year he accepted the position of manager for the Postal Tele-
graph Cable Companj' at Bradford. Mr. Barrett was married October 12, 1881.
in Bradford, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Albert DeGolier, and to this union
one child, Paul D. , was born. Mr. Barrett died August 28, 1889. In politics
he was a Republican, and socially he was treasurer of the Royal Arcanum.
G. W. BARTLETT, general superintendent of the Buffalo, Rochester .S:
Pittsburgh Railroad Company at Bradford, Penn., was born in Portsmouth,
N. H., August 20, 1856, a son of James P. and Frances (Harris) Bartlett,
natives of New Hampshire, and of English descent. He graduated from Dart-
mouth College in 1877, then went west, and obtained a position in the freight
office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Council Bluffs, where
he remained two years; then moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed
as civil engineer by the Erie Railroad Company, and from there went to Port
Jervis, same State, where he became chief clerk in the superintendent's oliSee.
Here he remained until appointed road master of the Delaware Division of the
Erie road, and subsequently was promoted to superintendent of the Rochester
Division, with headquarters at Rochester. In 1887 he was again promoted by
the Erie Company to the position of superintendent of the Third and Fourth
Divisions of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, with headquarters
at Gallon, Ohio, but in 1888 he resigned to accept his present position, and
located at Bradford. He is a young man of good business ability, and his vari-
ous promotions have been the results of his integrity and strict business prin-
ciples. He married in 1883, and has two sons: Francis Harris and Robert
Duncan. In politics he is a Republican.
W. W. BELL, cashier of the First National Bank, Bradford, was born in
McKean county, Penn.. April 6. 1854, a son of Horatio and Ann Mary (Leon-
ard) Bell, who were natives of New York, of English descent. His father was
a successful lumberman until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebel-
lion, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volun-
teer Infantry, was elected captain of Company G, and served in that capacity
until he was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. W. W. is the elder of
two children. He attended the common school and also a select school in his
boyhood and youth; when sixteen years old he obtained a position in a bank in
a neighboring town. Here he remained five years. In April, 1876, he was ap-
j)ointed cashier of the bank of Canisteo, N. Y., which position he held four years,
and in April, 1880, came to Bradford to accept the position of assistant cashier
in the First National Bank, which he tilled only nine months, when he was
promoted to his present incumbency. He is well qualified for this responsible
position, which he has now held over nine years. Mr. Bell was married at
Cuba, N. Y., in August. 1877, to Mary B., daughter of M. U. Underwood, and
they have five children: "\Mlliam Lawrence, Mary, Leonard J., Donald W. and
Margaret E. In politics Mr. Bell is a Republican.
JOHN ALEXANDER BELL, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in
Scotland about 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Steele) Bell, who died in that
country. John A. Bell immigrated to America in 1853, and thence to Canada
West, where he remained four years with his brother. While there he learned
the machinery moulders' trade, and returned to Buffalo, where he worked at
his trade until 18(11, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first Regiment.
New York Volunteers, and served two years as corporal of his company. He
was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, after which he re-enlisted in
Company I, New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war.
He was wounded in the knee at the baltle of Hatch's run, and again in the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 333
shoulder at Petersburg. He was sent to the hospital in 1N64, and remained
there until mustered out of service in ISOT). After the close of the war he re-
sided in Buffalo until 1S71, when he moved to Olean and remained until 1877,
thence to Fort Smith, Ark., where he engaged in farming for one year; thence
to Kansas, and in 18.S3 came to Bradford township, McKean Co., Penn.,
where he has since resided. In 1872 he married Miss Emma A., daughter of
William S. Morris, of Bradford township? and they have one child, Elmer
Julian. Mr. Bell is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Union
Veteran Union of Bradford; also of the Machinery Moulders' Union. His wife
is a member of the Free Methodist Church and of the Women's Ghristaiu Tem-
perance Union of DeGolier.
G. G. BENNETT, grocer. Bradford, was born in New Lebanon, N. Y.,
October 4. 1836, a son of G. K. and Mary E. (King) Bennett, natives of New
York. They moved to Crawford county, Penn., when the subject of these
lines was a boy, and he made that his home until coming to Bradford in 1878.
He keeps a full line of groceries, both foreign and domestic, and his prices are
always as low as the lowest. Mr. Bennett was married in Rochester, N. Y. ,
in 1866, to Miss Mary Aldrich, daughter of Adam Aldrich,and they have had
a family of three sons, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Bennett is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bennett is a Democrat in politics;
is a member of the F. & A. M. and of the A. O. U. W.
G. E. BENNINGHOFF, M. D., Bradford, was bora in Petroleum Centre, Ve-
nango Co.. Penn., February 10, 1854. a son of George and Julia (Baney)
Benninghoff, natives, also, of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1867 his
parents moved to Meadville, Penn., where they still live. He was given good
educational advantages and after leaving the common schools was sent to Ober-
lin College. Ohio. Choosing medicine as his profession he attended the medi-
cal department of Wooster College, Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated
in 1879. He first located at Kendall Creek, where he remained until 1886,
when he moved to Bradford. His partner in practice is Dr. James B. Stewart,
who is a graduate of Washington College, and also of Ohio Medical College,
at Cincinnati, fi-om which he graduated in 1887. Dr. Benninghoff was mar-
ried in June, 1880, to Nannie, daughter of James Hogan, and they have one
child, Walter Garrett. Mrs. Benninghoff is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. The Doctor has been a Government examining surgeon for
pensions since 1883. He is a member of the County, State and American
Medical Societies. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics
is a Republican. In his profession he gives his special attention to surgery,
while Dr. Stewart, his partner, gives his attention to the general practice.
GEORGE A. BERRY, attorney at law, Bradford, was bom in Centre
county, Penn., November 9, 1848, the youngest of live children of Dr. Benja-
min J. and Nancy J. (Irvin) Berry, former a native of Maryland, and latter of
Pennsylvania, both of Scotch Irish descent. His father practiced medicine
in Centre county, Penn., about forty years, dying in that county in 1864.
George A. Berry was reared near Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn., where he
attended the public schools and the old Boalsburg Academy, later becoming a
student at Washington and Jefferson College, from which he graduated in
1868. He then began the study of law, and for one year read under the in-
struction of James A. Beaver, the present governor of Pennsylvania, at Belle-
fonte. Following this he went to Ebensburg, Cambria county, same State.
and studied with J. M. Reade, an eminent attorney of that place. He was ad-
mitted to the bar of Cambria coiinty in March, 1871, and immediately entered
upon the practice of his profession. For two years he was successful, but on
334 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
account of failing health he was obliged to abandon work, and for a year he
devoted his time to travel and sight- seeing. Regaining his health he, in 1874.
located in Warren county, Penn., and in December, ISTc'i, removed to Brad-
ford, where he has been in active practice, having been admitted to the bar of
McKean county in February, 1S76. Mr. Berry is a Republican in politics,
served one term as chief burgess of Ebensburg, and as a member of the school
board of Bradford. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was mar-
ried in 1876 to Kate I., daughter of Nelson Parker, a well known lumber
dealer of McKean county in his day, who was killed in a railroad accident in
1874. Mrs. Berry is a member of the Universalist Church.
JOHN BIRD, oil producer, Bradford, was born in the State of Maine,
August 12, 1842, a son of Francis and Mary (Trainor) Bird, natives of Ire-
land, who came from their native country to New Brunswick, and thence to
Maine, where the father still lives, now eighty-iive years old. John Bird was
reared in his native State, remaining there till past his majority, and in 18<U
came to Pennsylvania, settling at Oil creek, where he was employed at different
oil wells, also in teaming, and later contracting for the drilling of wells.
Since a year after he first located at Bradford, he has operated on his own
account. He is also a partner in a fruit canning company in Michigan. Mr.
Bird was married May 25, 1880, in Ohio, to Miss Belle, daughter of John
Williamson, and they have two children; Jay and Cora. Mr. Bird is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the thirty-second degree; his
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Bird is inde
pendent.
CAPT. JOHN T. BISHOP, of the American Oil Company, Bradford, was
born in England, January 1, 1830, a son of William and Sarah (Coates)
Bishop. His parents came to America in 1840, and settled in the county of
York, Canada, where the father died in 1844. John T. , the youngest of
eleven children, attended school in Canada, also in New York City, and began
his business career when quite young, obtaining employment with a railroad
company. In 1855 he was sent to Iowa as contractor's jiaymaster of a
Western road, and a year later went to Illinois, with headquarters at Decatur.
August 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry, and September 6 was commissioned tirst lieutenant.
This regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth
Army Corps, and so served until mustered out at the close of the war. In
1863 he was promoted to captain, and served in this capacity until compelled
to re.sign on account of ill-health. He returned to Decatur, where he re-
mained until 1869, when he again took up the railroad business, and had
interests in contracts in the States of Michigan, New Jersey, Maine, New
Hampshire and V^ermont. In 1877 he came to McKean county and located in
Bradford, since which time he has been with the American Oil Company. In
1878-7U he was clerk of the borough of Bradford, and also served two years
as a member of the school board, and six years as city comptroller. While in
Decatur he was deputy circuit clerk, and for two years was police magistrate.
In politics Capt. Bishop is a Republican. He was an active mover in the
organization of the first G. A. R. Post in the United States* and was a charter
member of Post No. 1, at Decatur, 111. He is a member of Bradford Post,
No. 141. and has served as its commander, quartermaster and adjutant, and
is also an aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief. For twenty-six years he
has been identified with the I. O. O. F. , and is a member of the F. & A. M.,
the Knights of Honor, and other societies. He was married, in 1860, to Miss
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 335
Sarah E. Vermillion, a native of Scott county. 111., daughter of AVilliam Ver-
million, and they have seven children.
J. E. BLAIR, merchant and farmer, Bradford, is a native of Worcester
county, Mass., born March 28, 181S, a son of Artemus and Sally (Easterbrook
Blair, who were also natives of Massachusetts, of Scotch-Irish descent. J. E.
is the second of nine children. In his boyhooi his parents moved to the
State of New York, where he was reared on a farm and was given good educa-
tional advantages. In December. 1840, he came to Bradford, Penn., where
there was but one log house on the present site of the town. He embarked in
the lumber business, and later clerked in a store for a time. He invested in
land, which he cleared of a heavy growth of timber, and has since devoted the
greater part of his attention to farming. He owns 155 acres, on which are
twenty- seven oil wells. In 1861 Mr. Blair was elected by the Republican
party sheriff of McKean county, and at the expiration of his term was elected
treasurer, being required to give bonds for $100,000. While serving as
sheriff he helped to organize the regiment known as the Pennsylvania Buck-
tails. Mr. Blair was married in Chautauqixa county, N. Y., to Miss Galista
Tozer. daughter of Richard and Polly (Fitch) Tozer, natives of Otsego county,
N. Y. , of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Blair have been born nine chil-
dren: Albert R. , of Bradfoi'd; Laura I., wife of James Broder; Sarah J., wife
of Corydon Emerson; Emma, at home; Effie. wife of A. B. Walker; Jose-
phine, wife of T. H. Steele, of Findlay, Ohio; Frank P.. who died, aged three
years; Elmer E. , in his father's store at Bradford, and Henry. Mrs. Blair is
a member of the Universalist Church. 4
A. HENRY BLOMER, assistant postmaster at Bradford, was born in the
city of Philadelphia, May 16. 1846, a son of A. H. and Selina (McDowell)
Blomer, of German, Welsh and Scotch descent. His father was a caljinet-
maker, and was the owner of one of the largest manufacturing interests in the
city of Philadelphia, his factory covering an entire ))lock. He died in 1860.
A. H. is the seventh in a family of eight children, six of them boys. His
mother and five brothers still live in Philadelphia. When he was twenty
years of age he embarked in the oil business at Oil City, remaining there and
at Rouseville three years. In 1870 he moved to Bradford, where he sunk the
pioneer well in the now celebrated Bradford oil fields, and has since made
this his principal business, having drilled eighty wells in this region. In
politics Mr. Blomer is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in his party.
He served as a member of the State committee, also as chairman of the county
committee, and at present is treasurer of the latter. He was appointed to his
present position, that of assistant postmaster, in 1886. He is an active mem-
ber of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and is a member of the grand
council of the State and chairman of the committee on laws. He is also past
chancellor and United States supreme deputy of the C. B. L. Mr. Blomer
was married in Philadelphia, December 8, 1870, to Nettie M. Martin, daughter
of Benjamin L. Martin, a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and
they have two children: Harry and Martin.
H. S. BLOSSOM, of the firm of Madison & Blossom, merchants, Bradford,
was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., February 13, 1841, a son of Erastus and
Elizabeth (Cartner) Blossom, natives of New York, former of Scotch-Irish and
latter of Dutch descent. He remained at home until eighteen years old, when
he bought his time of his father, and, choosing a sea-faring life, obtained a
situation as cabin boy, from which, by merit, he rose until he became master
of a vessel. He sailed both the ocean and the lakes, and when he left sailing
he began farming in Linn county. Mo., but on the breaking out of the oil ex-
386 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
eitement at Titusville he removed to that section, where he worked at wells
and also built oil derricks for a company, later becoming its manager. In
1880 he was employed by Bennett & Quick to superintend their wells in Mc-
Kean county and remained with them until 1888, when he became associated
with L. O. Madison in the grocery business at Bradford. Mr. Blossom was
married in 1868, at Hawley, Wayne Co., Penn. , to Miss Fannie M. Lord,
and they have one child, Sarah Ellen. The wife of Mr. Blossom is the daugh-
ter of Solomon Zolotus and Sarah (Mulford) Lord, the latter deceased and the
former now residing at the home of Mr. Blossom, and ninety-one years of age.
Mr. Lord is a native of New York State and Mrs. Lord was born at Southamp-
ton, Long Island. Mrs. Blossom is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In
politics Mr. Blossom is a Republican. He is a Master Mason.
A. B. BOOTH, oil producer, Bradford, was born in England, June 5, 1847.
His parents, John E. and Mary Ann (Bamber) Booth, emigrated to America in
1851, and engaged in farming in Montgomery county, N. Y. They reared six
children, one of whom is deceased, the living being as follows: Dorothy (wife
of J. W. Perkins, of Amsterdam, N. Y. ). Henry A. (partner with A. B., re-
siding at Warren, Penn.), A. B., Elizabeth (wife of I. C. Sheeler, of Amster-
dam) and William Alexander (of Missouri). The subject of this sketch was
educated at Amsterdam, N. Y. , and at the age of twenty one years went to
Chicago, where he lived one year. He acted as superintendent in railroad
construction for several years at New Orleans, in Texas, Arkansas, etc. , and
for two years was engaged in mercantile business at Hot Springs, Ark. In
1876 he came to McKean county, and has since produced oil under the tirm
name of Booth Bros. In 1883 he married Miss Maggie D., daughter of Da-
vid Bovaird, of Bradford, and they have two children: Mary Elizabeth and
Albert Edward. Mr. Booth is a member of Star Lodge, No. 162, F. & A. M.,
of Hot Springs, Ark., and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in
politics.
DAVID BOVAIRD. of the firm Bovaird & Seyfang, manufacturers of oil
tools, Bradford, Penn. , is a native of Scotland, born in July, 1834, a son of
William and Dorcas (Walker) Bovaird, who were natives of Ireland. David
was the seventh in a family of nine children. He went into a factory to learn
the trade of a calico printer, at which he served an apprenticeship, and in
1854. when twenty years old, came to America, whither his parents had pre-
ceded him in 1852. He first located in Allegheny county, Penn. , where he
followed farming, subsequently dealing in cattle, and was also for a time in
the coal business. He afterward went to Venango county, and engaged in
teaming, having for a time work for twenty horses. He went to Titusville
during the oil boom, and opened a repair shop with Mr. Seyfang, where he had
a large custom repairing the machinery and tools used in the oil wells. From
there he removed to Bradford, and in 1878 entered into partnership with J.
L. Seyfang in their present business, which has increased beyond their most
sanguine expectations. They have a branch office in Pittsburgh, which is in
charge of Mr. Bovaird' s son, Walter. Mr. Bovaird was married in Allegheny
City to Mary A., daughter of John McClanahan, and they have six children:
Maggie (wife of A. B. Booth), Mary, William John, Walter, David and Joseph
H. Mr. and Mrs Bovaird are members of the Presbyterian Church. In
politics Mr. Bovaird is a Republican, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.
WILLIAM J. BOVAIRD, foreman of the blacksmith shops of the Central
lion Works, Bradford, was born in Allegheny county, Penn , March 25, 1863.
H son of David and Mary A. (McClanahan) IBovaird, former a native of Scot-
land, and the latter of Ireland. He was rcanvl and educated in Titusville,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 337
Penn. , and early learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1878 he came to Brad-
ford, where he worked in the shops of Bovaird & Seyfang, proprietors of the
Central Iron Works, and since 1885 has held his present position. Mr. Bovaird
was married May 20, 1885, to Anna L. Davis, daughter of F. T. and Mary
(Doiithett) Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania, now residents of Bradford.
Mr. and Mrs. Bovaird have two children: Zella A. and Francis David. Mr.
and Mrs. Bovaird are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are active
workers in both church and Sabbath-school. He is a member of the K. O. T.
M. ; has been president of the Bovaird & Seyfang Employes Mutual Benefit
Association four years, and is one of the active young business men of
Bradford.
PATRICK C. BOYLE, Bradford, was born in County Donegal, Ireland,
in 1846, and was brought to this country by his parents while still an infant
in arms. His boyhood days were passed at Brady's bend, in Armstrong county,
Penn. He received a common-school education, and not much of it. He en-
listed in January, 1862, in the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re-en-
listed in March. 1864, and served to the end of the war as a private soldier.
He began life as a laborer in the mines; came to the oil country in 1868;
labored in various capacities about wells and pipe lines till 1874, when he began
writing for the press. A year later he entered actively into newspaper work,
which, with few brief interruptions, has been continued up to the present writ-
ing. In Martinsbiirg, Penn., about 1877, he helped to e.stablish the lirst dis
tinctively labor newspaper in the oil country. It died young, but none too young
for its alarmed stockholders. Since then he has been at various times associated
with the leading oil country dailies, and at this writing is publisher of the Oil
City Derrick, Bradford Era and Toledo Commercial.
E. A. BOYNE, oil producer, Bradford, is a native of New York City, born
January 14, 1839, the fourth son of Patrick and Julia (Corcoran) Boyne, natives
of Ireland, who came to America about the year 1830, locating in New York
City, where they resided during their lives. At an early age our subject was
thrown upon his own resources, for at the age of twelve he was left an orphan.
In 1861 he enlisted in Company I. Twenty-seventh Regiment, New York Vol-
unteers, under Maj.-Gen. Henry Warren Slocum, serving two years, when he
returned to his home, where he remained for six months, and again enlisted
for three years, serving until the close of the war. He was in the first and sec-
ond battles of Bull's Run, was in the Seven Days" engagement at Gaines' Mill,
here receiving a wound in his left arm, and participated in the battle of An-
tietam — these embracing the chief engagements covering his tirst enlistment.
On his return to the field he enlisted January 4, 1864, in the Fifth New York
Heavy Artillery, and was through the Shenandoah Valley with Maj. -Gen. David
Hunter on his famous raid. Mr. Boyne was mustered in as a private, and,
being twice promoted, returned to his home at the close of the war a sergeant,
with honors well earned. In 1865 Mr. Boyne came to Bradford, Penn. At
the opening up of the Bradford oil field he became interested as a producer,
to which business he has devoted most of his attention since. In 1887 he was
elected city treasurer, serving two years, and re-elected in 1889. Mr. Boyne
is a member of Union Lodge, 334, F. & A. M. , of which he was worship-
ful master two consecutive years, Chapter 260, Bradford Council, 43, and Trin
ity Commandery, 58. Our subject was married September 12, 1883, to Miss
Rosalie Van Scoy, daughter of John K. and Elizabeth (Lain) Van Scoy; the
fruit of this union is two sons and two daughters: Elizabeth Van Scoy, Olive
Lain, Edward Corcoran (deceased) and Peter Kennedy. Mrs. Boyne is a mem-
ber of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Boyne is treasurer of the Masonic Temple
338 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
recently erected on Main street at a cost of 130,000; politicalJy he is a Re-
publican.
C. L. BRADBURN, wholesale and retail dealer in wall paper, draperies,
fixtures and curtains, Bradford, is one of the most artistic paper hangers and
drapers in the United States. He keeps a full stock of everything in his line,
and has a large trade, his reputation for fine work bringing the custom of the
best families in town. He served a regular apprenticeship at his trade, and
for several years was employed by others, but since 1879 has been in business
for himself. Mr. Bradburn is a native of New York, born January 25, 1854:
a son of John and Elvina (Bailey) Bradburn, who were of Scotch-Irish ances-
try. He was married January 1, 1883, to Ella, daughter of C. Heath, of
Titusville. Penn. He is now erecting a three-story brick block, 37x90 feet:
the first floor he will occupy for his store room and it will be filled with wall
paper, drapery goods, paints, etc. ; the second story is laid out in commodious
offices, the third story being fitted up expressly for lodge rooms, including
dining-room, cloak and ante-rooms, the interior wood-finish of the whole build-
ing being antique oak, and interior decorative work being the late.st arts of
the work, embracing lincrusta scratch work, high relief and all bronzed in an-
tique and modern bronzes. In politics Mr. Bradburn is a Democrat. He is
a member of the Knights of Pythias.
JAMES BRODER was born in Ellenburg, Clinton Co., N. Y.. January
14, 1835, a son of William and Mary (McKee) Broder, former a native of Ver-
mont, of German descent and latter of New Y''ork, of Scotch-Irish descent.
His father died in New York State in 1870. James, who is the fourth of a
family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, early in life learned to
depend on his own exertions for his support, and began to work in the lumber
districts on the head-waters of the Hudson river, in the Adirondack Moun-
tains. In 1856 he went to Canada, and in 1861 to Michigan. In 1865
he came to Pennsylvania, where he represented a large lumber company in
McKean county, and in 1868 removed to Bradford, where he continued the
lumber trade until 1870, having under his supervision two hundred men, and
then became agent for an oil well supply company. In 1873 he was elected a
commissioner of McKean county, in 1876 a justice of the peace, and in 1879
first mayor of Bradford, being re-elected to the same office in 1883. Mr.
Broder was married December 28, 1871, to Miss Belle Blair, daughter of
James E. Blair, of Bradford, and they have one son, William J. , a clerk in the
gas office. Mr. Broder is a member of Union Lodge No. 334, F. & A. M. ;
Bradford Chapter No. 260, R. A. M., and Trinity Commandery No. 58, K.
T. , being a charter member of chapter and commandery. He is also a stock
holder and director in the "Manufacturers' Gas Company of McKean County."
In politics he is a DemoL'rat.
F. E. BROOKS, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Com-
pany. Bradford, Penn., was born in Olean, N. Y., March 19, I860, a son of
Amos C. and Mary (Miner) Brooks, natives of New York, and of Irish, German
and English descent. His father died in 1873, leaving to the widowed mother
the care of five children, F. E. being the second son. He was reared on a
farm, attending the common schools, and early in life learned the carpenter^
trade, at which he worked until 1888, when he became a stockholder in the
Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Company and was appointed its superintendent,
having about 100 men under his supervision. In politics Mr. Brooks is a
Republican.
WILLIAM WALLACE BROWN was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga Co.,
N. Y., April 22, 1836. He is the son of Rasselas W. and Mary (Brownell)
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 339
Brown, natives of New York, of Scotch and English blood, ami, in religion, of
the Baptist faith. They emigrated to Pennsylvania in the year 1>S3S, and
soon established their home in the then unbroken wilderness of that part of
Elk county formerly belonging to McKean. and where is now located Rasselas.
The land upon which they settled was covered with an immense growth of
pine and hemlock. It was remote from a mill, and as the trees could not be
manufactured into lumber, they had to be burned to ashes. To this huge
task the father and sons addressed themselves with hard and constant labor.
A large share of the settlers who undertook a like task in that neighborhood
gave up in despair. The Browns came to stay and to conquer, and in a large
sense they were successful. The farm was cleared, the children, six in num-
ber, three boys and three girls, were comfortably fed and clothed, their educa-
tion made sure and their moral and religious culture in no wise neglected.
William Wallace, named in honor of his Scotch ancestors, was the second
son. In such a home, and inured to hardships of such a frontier life, he grew
to robust and hardy manhood. The opportunities for a common-school
education were few and precarious. His first recollection of going to school
was in the winter time, on horse-back, accompanied by his mother and elder
brother, the three perched upon a single horse. The first mile of the journej'
was up a steep hill, through the woods and over a rough road covered with ice
and snow. The old mare was " smooth shod," and it was quite as difficult for
her to cling to the road as for the three to cling to her back. Wallace being
in front, it became his duty to grip to the horse's mane, and as the hill grew
steeper and the road more slippery, his youthful imagination brought him to
the easy conclusion that his little arms alone kept the four from going to the
bottom of the hill in a heap together! Thereafter, no matter how much his
brother was inclined to go to school on horse-back, Wallace insisted that he
would rather "climb the hill of science " upon his legs than "pull through "
l)y his arms! By the time young Brown had reached his sixteenth birthday,
he had not received more than that number of months of school training. At
this time, it was determined that he should go to the Smethport Academy.
Arrangements had been made for a home in the family of Solomon Sartwell,
where he was to work mornings and evenings for his board and washing, and
to remain two winters " if he suited." It must be assumed that he suited, for
he remained the two winters. During a portion of the time he was in attend-
ance at this academy it became somewhat difficult to get tuition money. This
little hinderance was overcome by his ringing the academy bell and building
the fires, which being passed to his credit squared the tuition account.
Returning in the spring, he took to the plow with a zest that plainly told
that, under the tuition of Prof. Fordyce A. Allen, his mind had been filled with
an enthusiasm that would be satisfied with nothing short of a college diploma.
By teaching school in the winter, and at the same time pursuing his studies,
he succeeded by the autumn of 1857 in preparing himself to enter college.
While attending a teachers' institute at that time, he listened to a lecture lay
the president of Alfi'ed College, Prof. W. C. Kenyon, in which many times he
repeated the injunction: "Young man, do your best." So much pleased was
be with the lecture of the pushing and sanguine professor, that he at once
determined upon Alfred as the place, and that very fall as the time to enter
college. If he could obtain the money to pay his board and tuition for the
first term, he would take chances for the future. Knowing as he did that,
though he would not ask of his father in vain, the amount could not well be
spared by him, he at once called upon Col. A. I. Wilcox; $32 was the sum
required. Of course, he secured it; Col. Wilcox was never known to refuse
340 HISTOKY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
such an appeal. With this sum added to his meager savings, just about
enough to pay raih'oad fare both ways, with grija in hand he undertook, on
foot, the journey of lifty-one miles to Olean, then the nearest railroad station.
There was a good deal of struggle in his heart when, reaching the top of the
hill, he turned to wave good-bye to the dear ones "still standing at the gate,"
for it was then that a whole chorus of voices persuasive seemed to say: " Fling
to the winds thy ambition; there is no rest or peace whither thou goest; return
to contentment and home." This was no time to parley. A moment, and hesi-
tation had fled, the command, "Young man, do your best, " had come clear
and unmistakable; he had waved his adieu, and was trudging on with lirm,
determined step, out into the conflict where men contend and faint and strug
gle and conquer.
By practicing the most rigid economy, working during vacation, at any
labor offered, and teaching and clerking for a year, and sometimes borrowing
money of his elder brother, he succeeded in reaching his place in the class of
sixty -one. Two months more would bring him to his graduation day. It
was then that the thunder of guns in Charleston's harbor disturbed the
dreams of many a college student. None responded sooner or more freely
than the class of sixty-one, of Alfred University. On the day the Tribune
brought full details of the surrender of Sumter, twelve students, mostly of
his class, gathered in the room of "Brown and Dexter," and there, before
separation, pledged each the other, to go and be a soldier for the Union.
They started next day for Elmira, and at once enlisted to fill the ranks of
the Southern Tier Rifles, a well-drilled and fully officered militia company,
which, in due time, was incorporated in the Tweutythird New York Regiment.
In this regiment, as jsrivate in Company K, he served until December, when
he was transferred to the famoiis Pennsylvania Bucktails, serving the balance
of his term of enlistment as a member of Company C. He participated in
several hard-fought battles, among them being South Mountain, Antietam,
the second battle of Bull Run, Shantilla and Fredericksburg. After his return
from the war, he came to Smethport, Penn. , and studied law under the in-
struction of the Hon. B. D. Hamlin, and while pursuing his legal studies
served as register and recorder of McKean county and at the same time as
deputy prothonotary. He was admitted to the bar at Smethport in 1866. and
the same fall was elected district attorney. He also tilled the office of county
superintendent of common schools of McKean county by appointment of
Gov. Geary. In 1869 he moved to Erie county. Penn., and for nine years
was a resident of Corry. While there he served three years as city attorney,
and two years in the city councils. From 1872 to 1876 Mr. Brown was a
member of the legislature, serving on the judiciary committee two sessions.
He introduced the first bill to establish fish culture west of the Allegheny
Mountains, which became a law. He was appointed aid-de-camp to Gov.
Hartranft in 1876, and has been connected with the National Guards of Penn-
sylvania ever since, serving upon the staff of the major-general. Coming to
Bradford in 1878, he has since lived in that city, and has been an active
worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He was elected to the United
States House of Representatives in 1882, and served in the XL VIII and
XLIX Congresses. He took an active part in opposition to the Morrison
horizontal tariff bill, and was the first member from Pennsylvania to oppose
the bill for the stoppage of the coinage of silver. When President Cleve-
land's messagii was read to Congress, urging the measure, most of the Penn-
sylvania members were in favor of the bill, but before it came to a vote, over
one-half agreed with l\Ir. Brown, and voted in opposition to the demonetiza-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 341
tion scheme. During his terms in Congress, Mr. Brown procured appropria-
tions for the United States court-house and post-oifice now being constructed in
the city of William sport, and, besides establishing a very large number of
post-offices and mail routes in his district, secured fi'ee delivery of mails for
Bradford, that being the youngest city ever seciu'ing free delivery of mails in the
State of Pennsylvania. At the expiration of his Congressional term, Mr. Brown
resumed his law practice and soon became a member of the firm of Stone,
Brown & Sturgeon. He has always been active in the promotion of public
enterprises; he procured the charter for the city of Bradford, organized and
obtained the charter for the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad and
its branches, and has served as a director of the road since its comple-
tion. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Trade,
and is now its president. Since 1879 he has been interested in the production
of oil, owning considerable oil lands in McKean county. He is a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic; has served several times as post commander,
and has been junior vice-commander of the department of Pennsylvania.
March 16, 1862, while at home from the army on recruiting service, Mr.
Brown married Miss Ellen Crandall, of Independence, N. Y. , daughter of Nel-
son Crandall, and they have one daughter, Jessie Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Brown
are members of the Baptist Church, and have always been active in church and
Sunday-school work, he having been superintendent most of the time for
twenty-live years in Smethport, Corry and Bradford, He was graduated at
Alfred in 1861, after he had entered the army (receiving, with others of his
class, a furlough to return for that purpose) and from the same institution, the
degree «of LL. D., was conferred in 1S86.
T. B. BROWN, a prominent merchant of Bradford, is a native of the Key-
stone State, born in Armstrong county. May 21. 1852. a son of Matthew and
Kate (Foster) Brown, natives, also, of Armstrong county, of Scotch-Irish de-
scent, former of whom now lives on a farm in East Brady, Clarion Co.,
Penn. T. B. is the youngest son in a family of four sons and two daughters.
He was given good educational advantages, and in 1872 graduated from the
Iron City Commercial College. He then clerked for a time in a store at Park-
er's Landing, and the same year became established in the dry goods ti'ade
at Petrolia, Penn., where he remained until 1881, when he removed to
Bradford and opened his present place of business. He is a man of good
business ability, whose gentlemanly demeanor and fair dealing have been the
means of building up a large trade, and have placed him on a sound financial
basis. He gives employment to eight persons, having one of the largest stores
in the town and keeping on hand a complete stock of dry goods, notions, etc.,
which he sells at the lowest market price. Mr. Brown was married in Erie,
Penn., January 1, 1877, to Rose F. Rolph, a daughter of Charles Rolph, and
they have one child, Mary. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F., both lodge and encampment.
JOHN N. BROWN, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in Blandford,
Hampden Co., Mass., June 15, 1830, a son of Andrew and Tryphena (Shep-
pard) Brown, natives of Massachusetts and Columbia county, N. Y. , respect-
ively. William Henry Brown, the grandfather of our subject, was also born
in Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Andrew Brown
and family moved to McKean county, Penn., in 1841, and purchased the farm
now owned by John N., in Bradford township; starting in life poor he worked
hard and made himself financially well-to-do. In early life he was a Democrat,
but afterward joined the Republican party. He and his wife were prominent
342 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTy.
momljers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died August '26. 18S0, and
his widow December 13, 1882. Tlieir family consisted of seven children, six
of whom are living: Amy (widow of William Chose, of Livingston county.
N. Y.), J. W. (of Bradford township), Lavina (widow of Hiram D. Turner, of
Bradford township), Jane P. (wife of Sylvester Blaavelt, of Nebraska). Henry
W. (of Bradford tovniship) and John N. (our subject, who came to McKean
county when thirteen years of age and for three years engaged in lumbering).
In 1851 he moved onto his present farm, which he has cleared and improved.
November 7, 1849, he married Miss Samantha L., daughter of Samael L. and
Roana Davis, of Bradford township, and formerly of Erie county, N. Y. By
this union they have four children: Ella (wife of Roswell Smith, of East
Otto, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; has four children: John, Blanche, Leola and an
infant); Frank A. (of Bradford township, married Miss Lydia, daughter of
Daniel Barr, of Cameron county. Penn. , and has three children: Archibald.
Clarence C. and Jennie Ada); Eva (wife of Frank H. Kreiner, of Bradford
township, has one child, Theo), and Lewis E. E. (of Bradford township,
married Miss Haley Barr). For many years Mr. Brown was a member of the
Republican party, but now he is a supporter of the Democratic party. He has
served as auditor and in various other township ofidces. He and family are
members of the United Brethren in Christ.
I. H. BURTON, farmer and driller, P. O. Bradford, was born in Bradley,
Penobscot Co., Me., April 27, 1852, a son of Walter and Louisa (Smith) Bur-
ton, natives of that State, who went to Olean, N. Y., in 1856, and in 1857
moved to Bradford township, McKeau Co., Penn., where the father fol-
lowed the lumbering business. I. H. Burton received an ordinary education,
and worked at lumbering until the oil excitement, since which time he has
been engaged in drilling wells. In 1876 he married Miss Addie, daughter of
William S. Morris, of Bradford township, and thev have had two children:
Theo. W. (died October 2, 1888) and Eva Gertrude. Mr. Burton is identi-
fied with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Knights of Labor of
Custer City, also of the Master Workmen and Well Drillers Union.
M. H. BYLES, member of the firm of McSweeney & Byles. attorneys at
law, Bradford, was born in Pleasantville, Venango Co., Penn., April 1, 1851.
the youngest in the family of ten children of W. D. and Maria (Smith) Byles,
natives of Erie county, Penn., and of Scotch -Irish descent, former of whom
died in 1883. M. H. Byles was given good educational advantages, graduat-
ing from the Western Reserve College, at Cleveland, Ohio, in the classical
course, in 1875. He then went to Erie City, Penn., where he studied law in
the otKce of J. Ross Thompson, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. In the
winter of 1879 he came to Bradford, and for a time was a partner with Henry
McSweeney, and later the present partnership was formed. The firm is com-
posed of energetic young men, destined to stand at the head of their pro-
fession. Mr. Byles was married September 20, 1882, to Miss M. Agnes Ax-
tell, and the}' have one child, Ralph. Mr. Byles is a member of the Knights
of Honor, Royal Arcanum, and the I. O. O. F. lodge and encampment. In
politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Byles is a member of the Episcopal Church.
HENRY BYROM is a native of Lancashire, England, where he attended
school during his boyhood, but finished his education at the commercial schools
of Bremen, Germany. He first visited the United States in 1848 on his way to
the California gold fields, but sickness prevented the execution of his plans.
and he returned home. In 1852 he again arrived in New York and was en-
gaged in the importation of Russia goods until 18<i4, when he went to Penn-
sylvania, leasing the celebrated Blood farm on Oil Creek, Venango county, of
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 343
which he afterward became the owner. In ISTO he went to live at Titusville,
taking great interest in the municipal affairs of that city, and tilling the office
of president of the council. Mr. Byrom was prominently identified with all
the earlier movements of the producers" councils. He removed to Bradford in
1885, and took charge of the interests of the Tide Water Pipe Company in that
district. Mr. Byrom is married, and has two children. He is Republican in
politics, and the family are members of the Episcopal Church.
CHARLES P. BYRON, oil producer, Bradford, is a native of Ireland, born
in 1844, a son of Thomas O. and Bridget (McGraw) Byron. His mother died
in 184U, and in 1850 his father came with his family of seven children to the
United States, and settled at Little Falls, N. Y., where he died in 1875.
Charles P. commenced working in the paper-mills when a child, going to
school a half day and working the other half. "When fourteen years old be
left home and went to sea, and from 1N5.S to 1870 he followed the life of a
sailor, being both on the ocean and the lakes. In 18(U he enlisted in the
I'nited States Navy, and was assigned to the " Penguin," one of the first naval
vessels to do duty in the war, and went to Port Royal. In 1862 he was trans-
ferred to the United States Ship of War "Oneida," and was at the battles of
Vicksburg, New Orleans and Grand Gulf. After the war he returned home for
a time, and then once more sailed the lakes; subsequently he became inter-
ested in the production of oil, and has drilled several wells in the oil fields of
Pennsylvania. He also has interests in the gas districts, and is president of
the Smethport Gas Company. He was married June U, 1.S74, to Miss Anna
Buckley, daughter of William Buckley, who was a native of Ireland. In poli-
tics Mr. Byron is a Democrat, and was a delegate to the State and national
conventions of 1888. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church
A. B. CAMPBELL, agent for the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad at
Bradford, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, January 20. 1862, a son of John D.
and Elizabeth (Rutherford) Campbell, former a native of Scotland and latter
of Allegany county, N. Y. , of Scotch descent. Mr. Campbell's education was
mostly received at Angelica, N. Y., and after leaving school he studied teleg-
raphy at Derrick City, Penn. ; in 1883 he obtained his present position. He
is a young man of good business ability, and as he is industrious and trust
worthy, has the promise of a prosperous future.
HARRIS ANSEL CANFIELD, M. D., Bradford, Penn.. was born May
1, 1852, in Chautauqua county, N. Y., son of Lewis and Harriet (Huling) Can-
field. He early chose the profession of medicine, and after completing a high
school course, began his medical studies. He spent a few months at Sherman.
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., with Drs. Osborne & Ames; then entered the Michi-
gan University at Ann Arlwr. took one course there, one course at Rush Medi-
cal College, Chicago. 111., returned to Ann Arbor and graduated from the
medical department. University of Michigan, in 1877. He then went to Day
ton, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. , and began practice; staid there a few months,
when the oil excitement broke out in McKean county. Penn. . and the Doctor lo-
cated in the village of Gillmor. McKean county, where he had an extensive and
lucrative practice. He was married March 12, 1879, to Miss Flora C, daugh
ter of Wesley and Lovioia (McArthur) Flint. They have at present two chil-
dren: Clyde C. and Clair C. , aged nine and seven years. The Doctor's
parents were both born in New York State, and as far as known of purely
Anglo-Saxon or Yankee extraction. Mrs. Canfield's father was of same, but her
mother was of Scotch extraction. The Doctor's family are not members of
any church. The parents of both were of the Baptist faith. In 1887 the Doctor
took a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
344 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
City, aud removed to Bradford. McKean Co., Peiin.. in 18S9, where, bis record
as a successfol physician having preceded him. he is now established in a good
practice. He is a prominent member of the McKean County Medical Society.
and was one of the foiinders of that society. He is also a member of the
Masonic and several other fraternal societies. In politics Dr. Caniield has
always been a stanch Kepnblican.
C. L. CASTERLINE, dealer in torpedoes and oil producer, Bradford,
was born in Allegany county, N. Y., a son of G. S. and Marietta (Moore-
house) Casterline, of German and English descent, respectively, and both
deceased. He was reared a farmer, but when he started in life for himself he
followed teaming. In 1877 he came to Bradford, embarking in the coal busi-
ness, and in 1879 began dealing in torpedoes; he also became an oil producer,
and has since had the entire oversight of all his interests. He also, in 1886,
became interested in a livery stable at Bradford, Penn., which is superin-
tended by his partner, C. S. Corthell; he also engaged in the same business
the following spring, at Findlay, Ohio, having several men in his employ at
Findlay, and also at Bradford. Mr. Casterline has mad^ his own way in the
world, and from a small beginning has become one of the leading citizens of
Bradford. He is a Republican in politics. He is also a member of the
Knights of Pythias.
WILLIAM CHAMBERS, one of the worthy representative citizens of
Bradford, was l)orn in Erie county, Penn., November 10, 1839, a son of
David and Mabel (Nash) Chambers, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish
descent. His grandfather located in Erie county in an early day, buying, in
company with his brother, several hundred acres of land; and his son David
(father of the subject of this sketch) became heir to a part of the property.
Here David Chambers died in 1878. He had been twice married, and had a
family of ten children, William being a son by the first marriage. William
Chambers was reared on his father's farm, where he was taught lessons of
thrift and self dependence. When he commenced for himself he embarked in
the grocery business, which he continued in until 1868, when he sold out and
moved to the lower oil country, where he was employed two years. In 1877
he came to McKean county, where he bought j)i"operty and began drilling
wells for himself, in which he has met with good success. On October 20,
1872, Mr. Chambers married Harriet E. Burgess, a native of Erie county,
Penn., daughter of L. A. and Clemanda (Hitchcock) Burgess. In politics
Mr. Chambers is a Prohibitionist, and he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Chambers is an active member of the
W. C. T. U.. and is president of the county organization; in 1888 she was a
delegate to the national convention at New York.
CAPT. W. B. CHAPMAN, attorney at law, Bradford, is one of the oldest
practicing lawyers of the bar of McKean county. He was born in Cleveland,
Ohio. October 8, 1826, the second of five children of Daniel S. and Margaret
(Burt) Chapman. His ancestors were of English and French origin. His
paternal grandfather was in the war of the Revolution, and his father in the
war of 1812. The latter was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane, but
lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years, and died May 22, 1SS2. W. B.
Chapman was reared and educated in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and graduated
from the academy at Conneaut in 1846. He began the study of law in the
office of Gen. Brewster Randall, at Conneaut, and was admitted to the bar at
Columbus, Ohio, in February, 18r)2, to practice in the supreme courts. He
soon won a good clientage, which he held until the breaking out of the Re-
bellion, when, in July, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Ohio Light Artillery,
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 345
and when the battery was organized was elected first lieutenant, being after-
ward promoted to captain. He was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge,
which incapacitated him from further service, and caused his resignation and
return home. On his recovery he again took up the practice of law, which
he continued in Ohio iintil 1873, when he came to Pennsylvania, and in 1877
located in Bradford, where he now has a large practice. Mr. Chapman was
married October 14, 1847, to Cynthia Olds, a native of Conneaut, Ohio,
daughter of Ezekiel Olds. She is one of a family of eight children, two boys
and six girls, all of whom are living, the youngest being fifty-six years old,
and in 1888 all met together and had a family picture taken. Mr. and Mrs.
Chapman have five children: Sarah M. (wife of Charles Howard, of Conneaut.
Ohio), Phoebe, wife of S. A. Holbrook, of Bradford), Henry W. (of New York
City), John B. (an attorney, of Bradford) and "Will B. (a student in his father's
office). Mr. Chapman was reared in the Whig school of politics, but since its
organization has affiliated with the Republican party, and has been an active
worker in its ranks. He is a strong advocate of temperance, but has always
opposed the third party movement. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
both of lodge and chapter.
THOMAS CHATTLE, proprietor of the "Hotel Florence." also interested
in the production of petroleum at Bradford, Penn., was born in Orange county,
N. Y., October 24. 1819, a son of Thomas and Nancy (Pike) Chattle, who were
natives of New England. His father was a physician, who practiced many
years in the State of New York, and died in 1824, leaving six children, of
whom Thomas is the youngest son. Thomas Chattle' s fir.st business venture
was as a peddler, traveling with a team and selling goods at wholesale. In 1860
he removed to Pennsylvania, and embarked in the lumber business, also con-
ducting a grist-mill in McKean county. He sold his milling interests in 1884.
and has since given his attention to his oil interests and to carrying on his
hotel in Bradford. Mr. Chattle was married in 1844 to Adaline Corwin, who
died in 1855, leaving four children: Augusta (wife of G. Ewen), Garafalia
(wife of William A. Harris, of Brooklyn, N. Y.), Amelia R. (wife of W. H.
Rogers) and Lulu (since deceased). In 1857 Mr. Chattle married Julia F.
Corwin, a sister of his first wife, and she died in 1887; their only son, Harvey
C, is a machinist in Bradford. Mr. Chattle is a member of the Presbyterian
Chui-ch. In politics he is a Republican.
DE. H. C. CHESNEY, Custer City, was born in Lawrence county, Penn., in
1862, a son of John and Catherine (Stoner) Chesney, natives of that county,
where they are still residing, engaged in farming. He received his education
at the public schools and Westmoreland College, read medicine with Dr. J. M.
Balph, of Rose Point, Lawrence county, and attended lectures at the Medical
College of Columbus. Ohio, graduating from Fort Wayne Medical College
in 1883. Dr. Chesney first began to practice at North Liberty, Mercer Co.,
Penn., and in 1885 came to Custer City, where he has since enjoyed an exten-
sive practice. The Doctor is also a professional druggist, and conducts a well-
equipped drug store. He is a member of McKean County Medical Association
and of the Knights of the Maccabees, Columbian League: is identified with the
Republican party, and has served as township clerk two years.
CAPT. ALFRED W. COBURN, oil producer, Bradford, and a pio-
neer in the oil business in Pennsylvania, has operated in several fields and has
been extensively engaged in both the production and refining of oil. He has
seen the rise and fall of several towns and cities, and has also seen fortunes
made and lost. He has experienced all the varied fortunes of an oil specu-
lator; has seen the time when his check for $100,000 would be honored where-
346 HISTOUY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
ever be was known, and then bas bad bis entire fortune swept away. His
early life was spent on the water, and during tbe war of the Rebellion be was
a member of an independent company from Titusville, Penn. From 1S70 to
1870 be was oil inspector, and in 1876 be became a member of the Oil Ex-
change at Titusville. In 1878 he removed to Bradford, where for a time be
represented the Farrar & Trefts Manufacturing Company; also served one year
as su[)erintendent of the Telephone Company, and three years as tax collect-
or. In 1885 he moved to Erie City, Penn., and in 1886 was injured in an ae
cident on tbe Nickle-Plate Railroad, for which he received $10,000 damages.
Capt. Coburn was born in Louisville, Ky., in January, 1838, a son of Henry
R. and Eliza (Fosdick) Coburn. He bas a family tree that traces bis ancestry
in the United States to 1636. He was married in 1860 to Huldab Paine, a
native of Massachusetts, daughter of Joseph P. Paine, and they have one
daughter. Millie C. Mrs. Coburn is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
ALLAN COCHRAN, oil producer, Bradford, was born in Glasgow, Scot-
land, January 1, 1820, a son of John and Grace (Lester) Cochran, former of
whom was a physician in Scotland. Allan was the eldest of three children. He
learned tbe boiler- makers' trade after coming to America in 1849, and worked
at bis trade in New York State until 1865, when he removed to tbe oil country
of Pennsylvania, and lived in Venango county six years. He then bought
property, and has been in business for himself, owning at present 200 produc-
ing wells. In 1882 he removed to Bradford with the intention of making
that his home. He bas a neat and substantial residence, is well to do, and
bis declining years may be spent free from the anxiety and cares of business.
He is an unassuming, genial gentleman, and bas many friends who deem it a
pleasure to spend their spare time in bis company. Mr. Cochran was married in
Glasgow, Scotland, in 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Caggie, a native of Scotland,
daughter of Allan and Jean (Keir) Caggie, and they have six children: John,
Grace (wife of Samuel Kerr), Jean (wife of Edward Holden), Lizzie (wife of
E. E. Northup), Allan and William. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran are members of
the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. He was a crockery
merchant in Glasgow, Scotland, until he came to America.
C. P. CODY, of the firm of C. P. Cody & Bro. , general insurance agents,
Bradford, was born in Mount Elgin, Canada West (now Ontario), July 19,
1854, a son of Charles G. and Abigail E. Cody. He attended Woodstock
Canadian Literary Institute for some time, and after leaving school came to
tbe United States, first going to Virginia, and thence to Michigan, Illi-
nois, Indiana, and lastly Pennsylvania. He located in Bradford in 1878.
embarking in bis present business in 1882, and in 1886 bis brother E. V.
became associated with him. They represent eighteen leading companies,
foreign and domestic, embracing tire, accident and life insurance. They are
also engaged in tbe real estate business, E. V. Cody being treasurer of the
Petroleum Real Estate Company. Mr. C. P. Cody was married in Cleveland.
Ohio, in 1882, to Ella, daughter of Elias and Julina Ede. He is a member of
tbe Baptist and bis wife of the Episcopal Church. In politics he affiliates
with the Prohibition party, his brother being a Republican. He is secretary
of the Bradford Board of Trade and treasurer of the Automatic Car Brake
Company.
E. V. CODY was born at Mount Elgin, Ontario, Canada, April 30, 1862.
a son of Charles G. and Abigail E. Cody. About 1877 be removed with bis
parents to London, Ontario, and there attended tbe London Collegiate Insti-
tute. In 1882 he came fo tbe United States, locating in Bradford, Penn. For
four years he was librarian of the Bradford Library Association. In January.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 347
1886, he became associeated with his brother, C. P. Cody, in the insiirauce
business.
S. G. COFFIN, one of the successful and enterprising business men of
Bradford, was born in New Hampshire October 17, 1847, the only son of J.
M. and Dorothy S. (Gale) Coffin, also natives of New Hampshire, of English
descent, former of whom died in his native State in 1887. S. G. Coffin was
given good educational advantages, and when he embarked in business for
himself went to Brady's Run, Penn., where he opened a flour and feed store,
continuing there eighteen months, when he sold out and went to Builer
county, where he was in the livery business till 1880, when he again sold out,
and, coming to Bradford, engaged in the same business. He is a good busi-
ness man, and has been successful in his operations. He owns two livery and
sale stables in the city and never has less than twenty-tive horses, often fifty.
He does a general livery business, and also buys, sells and ships horses on a
large scale. He is also quite extensively engaged in the oil business. Mr.
Coffin was married in Armstrong county. Penn., June 24, 1874, to F. M.
Fleming, daughter of A. W. Fleming, and they have three children: Claudie
D., George Ralph and Charles J. In politics Mr. Coffin is a Republican. He
is a member of the A. O. U. W. , the Knights of Honor, and several benevo-
lent orders.
PHILIP AV. CROAK, general foreman in the Buffalo, Rochester &
Pittsburgh Railroad shops at Bradford, has held this position since 1888. He
learned the machinist's trade in his youth at Renovo, Penn., and from 1884 to
1886 he was foreman of the Pennsylvania Railroad shops at that place; in the
latter year he was transferred to Erie City, and in 1888 came to Bradford.
He now has about 130 men under his supervision and there are about forty-
five engines to be kept in repair at the shops in Bradford. He is a thorough
machinist and understands every detail of his work. Mr. Croak was born in
Bradford county, Penn., in March, 1852, a son of Edward and Honora (Mul-
queen) Croak, natives of Ireland. He was married in March, 1877, to Miss
Mary Jones, a native of Renovo, Penn., of German descent, daughter, of
David Jones, and they have eight children: William. Edward, Viola, Bessie.
Winlan, Philip, Thomas and Sarah. Mr. Croak and his wife are members of
the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
LEVI M. CROSS, P. O. Kendall Creek, was born in CarroUton, Cattar-
augus Co., N. Y., August 6, 1841, and is a son of Levi and Eliza (Conklin)
Cross, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. He was reared
in Bradford, McKean Co., Penn., from three years of age, and received a
common-school education. At the breaking out of the civil war he was en-
gaged m farming and lumbering, but in August, 1862, he enlisted in Com-
pany H, Fifteenth New York Volunteers, and served nine months, when he
was discharged on account of disability. In April. 1864, Mr. Cross re enlisted
in Company E, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was wounded at
Chapin Farm, near Richmond, Va. , September 29, 1864. As a result of this
wound he lost his left leg at the thigh, and was honorably discharged from the
service in March, 1865. Since the war he has made his home in Bradford,
this county, and has been engaged in teaming and the oil business. Mr.
Cross married, March 21, 1867, Fannie, daughter of David and Amanda (Rey-
nolds) Cornelius, of Bradford, and has two children: Leda M. and Autie V.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and G. A. R., and polit-
ically is a Republican.
E. J. CROSS, grocer, Bradford, was born at Sandy Hill. Washington Co.,
N. Y., August 2, 1850, a son of Stephen Oscar and Ruby Ann (Conrey) Cross,,
348 HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
natives of New York, and of English and Irish descent. The father was a promi-
nent farmer, and during the war was a United States marshal; after the war he
was appointed United States revenue collector. The mother was a relative of Gen.
Putnam, the hero of Bunker Hill. Mr. Cross prepared for college at Fort
Edward Institute, and then took a course at Eastman's Business College, Pater-
son, N. J., fi'om which he graduated in 1873. In 1876 he went to Butler county,
Penn., where he carried on a general mercantile business four years, and in
1880 removed to Bradford, where for three years he carried on a whole-
sale and retail vegetable market. He then embarked in the flour and feed
business, to which he has since added groceries. He now owns his place of
business, and also a small farm, which is under the supervision of William Ten-
ney, a practical gardener, and is cultivated as a vegetable garden. Mr. Cross
was married September 26, 1876, to Alice E. Keith, daughter of Alonzo A.
and Alvina (Carter) Keith, and they have three children: Oscar K. , Alice E.
and Ruby E. Mrs. Cross is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr.
Cross is a Republican.
H. G. CUTTING, farmer, fine stock raiser and oil producer, Bradford,
was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. , January 22, 1838, a son of D. H. and
Jane H. (Barrows) Cutting, former of whom is still living in New York, and
is now eighty six years old. Mr. Cutting was reared on his father's farm, re-
maining in his native county until 1862, when he came to Pennsylvania, and
worked jijout the oil wells. In 1876 he bought and drilled several wells, and
in 1883 purchased 135 acres of land, which he has cultivated; is also esten
sively engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of horses and cattle, and
dealing only in the finest breeds. He devotes his attention to his farm and
stock, hiring an overseer for his wells, of which he owns fourteen. Mr. Ciit-
ting was married in 1860, to Ellen Blanchard, who died in 1875, leaving three
children: Bertha, Blanchard and Algernon. The parents of Mrs. Ellen Cut-
ting were named Orville and Almeda (Newman) Blanchard. In 1877 Mr.
Cutting married Miss Amy Gunn, daughter of William and Isabella Harriet
(Pond) Gunn, the former a Canadian, of Scotch descent, and the latter an
American, of English extraction. They have three children: Hawley G., Mal-
comb J. and William F. Mrs. Cutting is a member of the Episcopal Church.
In politics Mr. Cutting is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M.
and the A. O. U. W.
F. W. DAVIS, president of the First National Bank, Bradford, was born
near the city of Bradford, Penn., June 8, 1844, the eldest of four children of
R. W. and Sarah C. (Moore) Davis, former a native of Vermont, and latter of
New York, of English descent. His father was a cabinet-maker by trade,
which he followed in Chautauqua county, N. Y., until his removal to Brad-
ford in 1842, where he continued the business until his death in 1876. F. W.
Davis attended the common schools until seventeen years of age, at which time
the war broke out, and in November, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-
eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and rendered faithful service until
the close of the war, at which time he held the rank of first lieutenant. He
was with his regiment in all its battles and skirmishes. They were on detailed
duty the greater part of the time, fighting bushwhackers, and were present at
the capture of Fort Harrison, below Richmond. After his return home Mr.
Davis was employed as clerk and bookkeeper, taking a regular course at
Eastman's Business College, and in 1870 he embarked in the drug business,
which he continued until 1878. When the First National Bank of Bradford
was organized be became one of the stockholders and a director; in 1887 he
was elected vice president, and in 188S president. He has been one of the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 349
leading citizens of Bradford, and has built one of the best blocks in the city:
is owner of considerable real estate, having devoted a portion of his time to
that business. ■ Mr. Davis was married iu 1S68 to Albina T. Sanford, daugh-
ter of George Sanford, of Bradford, and they have one child, Sarah G. Mrs.
Davis and her daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and he is a member of Union Lodge No. 334,
F. & A. M.
F. G. DAVIS, of the firm of Brennan & Davis, jewelers and booksellers,
Bradford, is one of the leading business men of the city, where he has spent
his life. He became established in his present business in 1S83, and as suc-
cess came to the tirm they have gradually increased their stock until it is now
unexcelled in variety and quality iu the city. Mr. Davis was born in Bradford.
McKean Co., Penn. , August 8, ISril, a son of R. W. and Sarah (Moore) Davis.
He was the youngest of three childi-en, and is a brother of F. W. Davis, pres-
ident of the Bradford National Bank. He was married at Fredonia. N. Y. , in
1876, to Eva Cowdrey, who died in 1SS2. Mr. Davis has one son, Clyde H.
Davis.
P. H. DAVITT, proprietor of bottling works, Bradford, is a native of Ire-
land, born March 14, 1854, a son of John and Nora (Rush) Davitt. In 1866
he came to America with his parents, who settled in Erie county, N. Y., where
the father worked at the stone masons' and plasterers' trades, and later became a
contractor and builder. In 1878 the subject of our sketch came to Bradford,
soon after opened his bottling works, and has built up a good trade in his line.
Mr. Davitt was married in New York in 1889 to Miss Ella J., daughter of John
Considine. Mr. and Mrs. Davitt are members of the Catholic Church and he
is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Association. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics, and has served as a member of the select council.
ALBERT DeGO 
